The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is committed to the Dalai Lama’s vision "to develop the heart, be compassionate, work for peace in your heart and in the world."

Founded in 2005 with the active support of the Dalai Lama, the Vancouver based Center has no religious or political affiliation. It will build upon the Dalai Lama’s unique and compelling appeal as a world figure who reaches out to all people with a message of compassion, kindness and mutual understanding.

The Center will be located in the heart of Vancouver. It will provide a multi-purpose venue with accessible meeting, lecture and exhibition spaces, including a gallery, library, cafe and bookstore among its warm and inviting spaces.

"The key concepts that define the goals of the Dalai Lama Center are: 1). the promotion of human values; 2). the promotion of a sense of oneness within humanity. These two ideas serve to promote peace among different communities within one nation, within one world. And they will be particularly useful in shaping the long-term goals of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education in Vancouver, Canada."
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Center will foster and support "education of the heart" with teachings on kindness, compassion and interconnectedness through the three pillars: education, dialogue and research.

Education Programs From its foundational concern with "educating the heart", the Center will give special emphasis to the moral education of young people. It will support the teaching of peace at all levels and in all educational contexts. It will build strong connections with schools, and through its programs will encourage attention to the emotional, social and moral development of educators and of the children they guide.

Dialogue Programs The Center will host seminars, workshops, dialogues and lectures, including a Nobel Lecture Series. It will invite distinguished thinkers, educators, researchers, social innovators, artists and other leaders from diverse cultural, religious and educational backgrounds.

The Dalai Lama has expressed his intention to return to Vancouver periodically to participate in the Center’s dialogues. The Center will use its website as an interactive portal through which these dialogues will be experienced internationally and through which the Dalai Lama’s thoughts and ideals will have a continuing archival presence.

Research Programs The Center intends to establish an endowment fund to support collaborative research with British Columbia Universities. Inspired by the Dalai Lama’s interest in engaging with many diverse fields of practice, the research programs of the Center will encourage the development of new perspectives and multidisciplinary exchange. The Center will also ensure that these research findings reach the widest possible audience.

At the invitation of the Center, the Dalai Lama agreed to host the first Vancouver Dialogues in September 2006 and committed to regularly visit Vancouver to further the work of the Dalai Lama Center, including participating in a series of lectures with Nobel Laureates, educators, scientists, business leaders and visionary thinkers. An Open Space Dialogue with interested members of the public was held in April to examine the role of the Center in the local community.

The Vancouver Dialogues with His Holiness are being hosted in Vancouver September 8-9-10, 2006.

This event will be over by the time many of you read this...but consider it is not the end but really the beginning of wonderful things to come. You can get on a list to be informed of ongoing events at the center at www.dalailamacenter.org

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"Too Often
we underestimate
The Power
of a touch,
a smile,
a kind word,
a listening ear,
an honest compliment,
or the smallest act
of caring,
ALL Of Which
have the potential
To Turn A Life Around."
Leo Buscaglia also known as ‘Dr. Love’

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As summer’s abundance is drawn into the seeds and roots of the plants around us, we too are guided to shift our energy into strengthening our roots.

It is time to reserve some energy for self care, to review our creations and give our attention to ideas, projects and relationships that nourish and inspire us, not deplete us.

Burdock is an excellent plant guide for such soulful evaluation.With her deep tap root and velcro-like seeds she epitomizes strength and grounding from the top of her woolly head to the tip of her toes. From her single tap root, small hairs grow to grip onto rocks and other elements to help her grounding. She does not surrender her root with a gentle tug, but requires an honouring ceremony and a large shovel! She guides us to draw our strength from our root, what brings us a deep and grounding joy and to add only elements that support our life path. If this introspection uncovers people or places that no longer nourish us, we can use Burdock energy to slowly and resolutely pull back from such outward distractions. By refocusing on our own self care and healing work, we are in a better position for our wiser selves to surrender depleting situations and create opportunities or ‘seeds’ that resonate with our sacred natures.

Burdock’s seeds are not delicate whisps waiting for a breeze. With hearty persistence they reach out to passerbys and hitch a ride. Few have walked through an autumn field without bringing some home in their hair, their sweaters and their dog! If there is an aspect of your life you want to change, Burdock guides you to go out and connect with people to make it happen. Put resumes in people’s hands, meet with real estate agents or attend a singles evening at the museum. This is not a time for text messaging, it’s a time for real contact! Burdock is a very physical plant, her message is one of healing our life through the healing of our body. Through her eyes, any physical imbalances mirror emotional and spiritual imbalances. The ease of this process is that our bodies have a wordless wisdom and we simply need to turn our ears inward to restore the rhythm of our body. Eating root vegetables and ‘comfort’ food, being physically active in nature, getting a massage…any practice that honours our bodies and deepens our loving connection with it will resonate healing in other areas of our life as well.

Reconnecting with our culture of origin can also ground and nurture us. Listening to music, hearing stories from our elders, or taking a pilgrimage through family photo albums will help to strengthen our cultural strengths. If there are family wounds, working consciously with Burdock energy may help to surrender the stories and nurse the broken parts of ourselves.

Burdock’s botanical Arctium lappa comes from a derivative of the Greek word arktos for Bear. Similar to Bear’s hibernation, and contrary to modern life, it is important to give ourselves permission to dive deeply into the heal- BURDOCK: Strengthening Our Roots ing power of sleep and honour the messages that come in our dreamtime. The darkening of the autumn days creates a natural invitation for an inward vision quest.

If Burdock medicine resonates with you, it is time to turn inward, to nurture and honour your body and transform your life from the inside out. Burdock’s mantra is "I am strong. I am grounded. I commit to living a life that resonates with my highest self and my deepest knowing. I invest energy only in people, places and elements that nurture and honour me. I surrender all else with grace and ease."

Healthy Roots, Happy Seeds, Holy Transformation!

Asha Croggon is a spiritual herbalist and ayurvedic practitioner. She can be reached at 250-752-2715

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"Give up on yourself. Begin taking action now, while being neurotic or imperfect, or a procrastinator or unhealthy or lazy or any other label by which you inaccurately describe yourself. Go ahead and be the best imperfect person you can be and get started on those things you want to accomplish before you die."
~ Masstake Morita, M. D

I love this quote from Dr. Morita, a psychiatrist and head of the largest medical school in Tokyo who lived around the same time as Freud. And the reason I love it is because it pulls all of our excuses out from under us: things like we aren’t in the right head space, we don’t have enough education, we’re waiting for the test results, when our house sells, when we win the lottery, when we have more energy, then we will really do the things we want to do before we die.

We fool ourselves into thinking that there is a "right" time or a "proper" beginning to quit smoking, start exercising, take a course, play a musical instrument, write, paint, or prepare healthy food. There are any number of things that we all want to do. Why not begin today? Even when we are confused as to where to begin there is always something obvious that we can do immediately. As my friend Patricia says in her book Improv Wisdom, "There’s no need to find the right starting place…(that notion) distances ourselves from the task, and the vision of what it will take to do it makes the job seem mountainous. Once a job is underway, you have a new and more realistic perspective…the start anywhere rule is liberating. It means that you can begin to make progress on some dream or dreaded task at any time."

Consider the box of family photographs. It may come as a surprise to know that there will never be a convenient time to sort and place them in albums. A daunting task calls for extreme action. Plunge in. Just imagine the satisfaction of looking at the photos, in an album, or in a collage on the wall. I have noticed that the people who turn their dreams into reality simply do it. They check things out, of course, but they soon plunge in. They make mistakes. They learn. They persevere. As the year draws to a close they have produced that little poetry booklet or made that quilt or exercised three mornings a week or started and finished a course. And eventually they finish a degree, one course at a time. And we look on in amazement.

I recently heard a man speak about his wife. "She left nothing undone," he said. This doesn’t mean she did everything that the world asked for, rather it means that she did everything that she considered important to do in her life: her dreams for herself, her family, friends and community. She plunged in with grit and grace and finished what she started.

She lived a full life.

Yoshimoto Ishin, the founder of Naikan Therapy, said it succinctly: "You are fooled by your mind, which thinks there will always be a tomorrow, into wasting yourself today." What are your dreams? What do you want to do with your "one wild and precious life?" How do you want to be remembered, by family, friends, co-workers, neighbours? We don’t need to demand perfection of ourselves in order to get started on the things we would like to do. No one can give a 100% all the time. It isn’t realistic. But it is a shame to not steadily work away on the things we love doing and instead neglect, ignore, forget that we actually love to play the piano or the flute or write poetry or dig in the garden-even if the garden is a planter on our balcony.

Pick one thing in your life and start now. If you can’t decide, write a list in alphabetical order and start with the first one. Begin today. Start anywhere. Take one step everyday towards that task until it is done. Or spend fifteen minutes a day for the rest of your life because it will never be done. It is your life’s joy. You don’t need a week or half a day. Even fifteen minutes on a consistent basis can work wonders, and it just might change your life. Here’s a riddle. How do you know that you have "decided" to do anything? (go to page 17 in our magazine to find the answer)

Trudy Boyle can be reached at 1-877-247-2032

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Creating abundance in our lives starts with focusing on what we want "more of".

Instead, many of us have been conditioned to give attention to the things that we don’t want in our lives. We complain, worry, stress, lose sleep, and even get physically and emotionally ill over them. Unfortunately, by doing so, we are making things worse. The Universe acts to give us what we are thinking, writing, and talking about passionately, and does not discern whether we actually do or don’t want those things. The truth is that if we focus on the things we want "more of" then we will create "more of" those things. When we are really clear about what we want, the Universe will assist us in manifesting what we truly desire. We have the ability to master our minds and create exactly what we want. As Mike Dooley, author of Notes From the Universe, says, "Thoughts become things… choose the good ones!"

Keep in mind that self-doubt, criticism and judgments can interfere with our ability to create what we most want. Be gentle with yourself and listen to your body; it is wise and it will tell you when you’re on the right track because it will feel good. Feeling good about what you manifest gives it energy and helps you attract more good into your life.

So now, let’s get clear about what you want to create "more of" in your life. Start with clear intention. Keep it fun and interesting as you go through the steps.

1. What is it that you want? Decide without a doubt.

2. Visualize it. What does it look like? What will you do with it? Use whatever you need to get the image clear in your mind. (Example: magazine clippings, photos, paintings, imaginary bank statements, etc)

3. Feel it. What would it feel like to have it? Truly allow yourself to feel the wonderful feeling of having what you want. This is important. The feeling behind the thought is like the fuel in a rocket: the stronger the feeling, the further it can go. Make sure the feelings are real and that you believe them. (Example: test-drive a new car so you can really feel what it would be like to have that car. Park it at work or drive it on a road you use often.)

4. Be grateful for it. Thank the Universe for supporting you. Release your request to the Universe with gratitude, trusting that your sales order is being filled, right now. I was given a small stone as a gift to remind me of all the things I have to be grateful for. You can find a token that is meaningful to you, and keep it in your pocket or close by so you can be reminded often.

When you practice manifesting abundance, I suggest that you start with something easy - perhaps hearing from an old friend you haven’t heard from recently. It’s easier to really feel it if you believe it. Then, as you gain confidence in your ability to manifest, set higher goals. Keep track of what you manifest. Be truly grateful for even the smallest achievement, even if you accidentally manifest a glitch, which is still a success. "Remember, what you think, what you feel, and what manifests are always a match," says channeller, motivational speaker and author Esther Hicks.

When is a good time to start creating abundance? Why not right now? You deserve to live your dreams, starting today.

Suggested authors/ movies:
Louise Hay - You Can Heal Your Life
Doreen Virtue - Healing With The Angels
Don Miguel Ruiz - The Four Agreements
Movies - What the Bleep Do We Know and The Secret.

Leah Morgan is a Tarot Card Reader and Healer. Contact her at 250-754-8917 or leah@spiritofravenwood.com www.spiritofravenwood.com

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Throughout the ages people who could tap into the "wisdom of the Universe" for insights and personal assistance were considered gifted. The truth is everyone is gifted! Everyone has Angels and everyone can communicate with them.

When a soul masters the lessons of planet earth, it no longer has to evolve in a physical body. These highly evolved souls become helpers of others here on planet earth. They can be of service because they have already mastered the lessons you are learning.

These spiritual helpers are known by many names; guides, angels, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, archetypes, ascended masters, etc. - we will call them Angels. They are one with all things, they are the messengers of the universe. Their purpose is to help their brothers and sisters understand who they are, where they came from and what they are doing here on planet earth. They want to bring people the essence of spiritual truth. The prophets knew of these angels and wanted to find a way to communicate this reality to the masses. They wanted to explain that these souls moved through the air. They needed a symbol and looked at all the birds. They choose a dove because a dove never leaves its perch until it has its direction. They also wished to show the crystal clear nature of these souls; they chose a child. They put the wings of a dove on the body of a child and called them Messengers of God. When the early texts were translated from Hebrew to Greek, the words became Angel.

Everyone has at least one of these souls to assist them, usually through hunches and intuition. Unfortunately, many do not realise the importance of these messages or worse, talk themselves out of these feelings. When you communicate with your angels, (or team of angels) you naturally find a greater contentment and inner peace. You begin to experience greater balance and direction in your life as your Angels help you to make positive decisions for yourself. When you feel chills, that’s usually your angels reassuring you or giving you energy. They are always with you, no matter what.

Even if you are in a confused state of consciousness, they will stay with you until you regain your inner pivot point. They are the still small voice, the good idea, the feeling of inner strength that is available to you always. There is no need to feel confused with the wise advise of your Angels to guide you. Imagine - reconnecting! You will never feel alone again.

The Angel Encounter Workshops, a service of the Americana Leadership Colleges, gives you the tools necessary to directly communicate with Spirit. Call 1-877-535-5155 for information.

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Remember when you were a child, and someone asked you what your dreams for your life were? As children, we are tapped into our places of pure passion, for we know nothing else at that point. Somewhere along the road of life, it changes, becoming buried under mountains of the "have to’s", "can’ts" and "shoulds". And then one day, perhaps as we reach our thirties or forties, we reach a point in our lives where we finally give into the inner restlessness—the restlessness that says "Hey, remember me? What about those dreams?"

There is a poster that sits on the wall above my computer in my office. It has a picture of massive rock formations that look like they couldn’t have possibly been built by a human. And underneath it is a caption that says: "I am grateful for my ability to reach for my dreams." Each morning I look at this and am reminded that I have 100% capability of being the creator of every aspect of my life—not just envisioning it, but actually being involved in the process of making it reality.

You too are the creator of your life; that includes your dreams. I’d like to show you how easy it is to build a sure road map to creating them. It starts with a few, simple steps. Armed with your pen and paper, sit down and take a few, good, deep breaths. Then ask yourself the following questions:

1. What are my passions? In other words, what am I passionate about? What do I love to do more than anything? Why are these questions important? It’s important because any vision for anything—your life, a goal to move towards, your purpose, all has an emotional component attached to it. It is the invisible force behind any action that you take. Without passion, there is nothing but hollow actions. My top passion is writing— when I was in late teenage years, I discovered that one of my dreams was to be a successful, published author. I couldn’t think of anything else that I’d rather be doing.

2. What are my values? In other words, what is important to me? Whether it’s authenticity, integrity, peace, love, or money, values are vital when combined with passion, they lead directly to your vision for your life. Any dreams or vision must contain what you value, what you consider important, otherwise what’s the point of the dream?

3. What are my desires? In other words, what do I have a burning desire to do or be? These can be anything. The sky’s the limit. When I was twenty years old, my #1 desire was to be on my own time schedule, get up whenever I felt like it and write books on mind-body-spirit issues. I can successfully say that five years ago, I reached it, and it was because that burning desire to be the master of my own time and create life the way I wanted it to be, overrode everything else.

4. Now that I have ascertained my desires, what can I specifically commit to, in order to make these desires reality? Why is this important? It’s important because commitments give you a purpose and it signifies seriousness. One of my first commitments as a writer involved committing to a time target. I promised myself that I would complete my book by July 2006. I exceeded it and finished it April 1. Personal commitments are promises— promises that you make to yourself. They also energize you and help you to focus your energy.

5. Now that I’ve committed myself, what do I need to do to get there? The last steps are small bite-sized pieces of the picture. It’s like eating dinner. You don’t gulp down the whole plate at once, but take one forkfull at a time. This is the same with commitments and action steps. Using my book writing example, I made a reasonable action step of writing at least 100 words per day—sometimes I made it minimally, most often I exceeded it. But each day I took this step, it reminded me of the goal of completion, and the energy surrounding my completed book, kept me motivated.

George Burns was fond of saying, "I would rather fail at what I love than succeed at what I hate."

So, if you want to succeed, if you want the thrill of living your dreams, the first thing you need to do is take stock of your passions, values, desires and interests. Then decide that you will take that step to actively creating it— make commitments and action steps. I guarantee the rest will fall into place.

Olena Gill is an author and life coach in Errington, BC. Her business is Indigo-Crystal Coaching. She can be contacted at 250.954.2204 or visit http://www.indigocrystalcoach.com Her dream about being successfully published will happen next month...watch for it!

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When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighbourhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it. Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was ‘Information Please’ and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone’s number and the correct time.

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbour. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.

I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver and held it to my ear.

"Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head. A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information."

"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience. "Isn’t your mother home?" came the question.

"Nobody’s home but me," I blubbered. "Are you bleeding?" the voice asked. "No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts." "Can you open the icebox?" she asked. I said I could. "Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.

After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please, and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?" She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne always remember that there are other worlds to sing in." Somehow I felt better.

Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please." "Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked.

All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. ‘Information Please’ belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.

Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

A few years later, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. Without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well. "Information."

I hadn’t planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?" There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."

I laughed, "So it’s really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?" I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls." I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister. "Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."

Three months later a different voice answered, "Information." I asked for Sally. "Are you a friend?" she said. "Yes, a very old friend," I answered. "I’m sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago." Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne?" "Yes." I answered. "Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you." The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He’ll know what I mean." I thanked her and hung up.

I knew what Sally meant!

Never underestimate the impression you may make on others and whose life you have touched today.

This was sent in via the email ‘Network of Light‘ to pass on and on and on!

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Dorothy MacLean, one of the co-found ers of the world famous Findhorn community, talks with angels. And with the spirits of trees, plants, animals, even stones. Her face is fine-boned; a net of laugh-lines frames gentle blue eyes. She radiates peace, a pure presence which I associate with very young children. At eightysix she still travels around the world leading workshops like the one she will be teaching in Nanaimo on October 21st and 22nd this year, teaching diverse groups of people—from forestry executives in Toronto to environmentalists in Japan— how to communicate with the spiritual essences of nature.

According to Dorothy, everything in nature has a spiritual counterpart, a consciousness with which we can communicate, and to which we are related through the Divinity within us all. Dorothy calls these spiritual essences Devas, a Sanskrit word which means Shining Ones. For over forty years, she has been tuning into the Devas of trees and stones, plants and animals, cities and countries, and the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Attending one of her workshops is a life-changing experience.

Let me offer you a taste of my own experience at the last workshop Dorothy taught in Nanaimo, ten years ago. Dorothy leads our group through a meditation in which she has us tune in to the Gladiolus Deva. The room becomes very quiet as we sit in a circle with our eyes closed, tuning into the spiritual vibration of gladioli, which bloom radiantly in a vase in front of us. A palpable presence fills the room, and I find myself talking silently with a loving, joyful spirit that is Glad in its very essence. Among other things, it tells me its work is to bring the vibration of joy into the world, and to remind us that our inner Divinity is joyful too. It also tells me that we humans can work co-operatively with the angels to transform our planet into a model of Divine grace in action. After several minutes, Dorothy suggests that we write down any thoughts or insights we had, and she invites us to share these with the group. Her manner is matter-offact, warm, and full of good humour. The people in our group speak hesitantly, at first, but Dorothy’s presence is so reassuring that their voices soon grow more confident. Many of them are moved to tears as they speak of the great love and peace they felt when they encountered the Deva.

Dorothy smiles and says, "All consciousness emanates from God, which is Love Itself. A long time ago I made a decision to dedicate my life to the God within. That choice has led me to some remarkable experiences." Dorothy has written about those remarkable experiences in her books, which include To Hear The Angels Sing, Wisdoms, To Honour The Earth and Choices Of Love.

For the next several hours, we sit riveted as Dorothy tells us stories of her life and her spiritual journey. Along the way, she leads us through attunements with the Devas of large trees, of cats and orcas and spiritual qualities, like gratitude. We end the weekend by attuning to the elements, to the Spirit of Canada, and the Angel of Nanaimo.

Dorothy’s commitment to God has required her to go beyond her own shyness and self-doubt to express the Divinity within, to do God’s work. I am deeply moved by her courage. She travels nine months of each year, speaking to audiences of thousands about matters which are incomprehensible to the rational mind, and therefore difficult to talk about. Along the way she has forged a remarkable partnership with nature, and has lived her life as a very public figure. Recently, scientists among her students have begun working with the Devas to help clean up the environment, and to restore wholeness, balance, and harmony to the earth in very practical ways. Since I first began learning from Dorothy, nearly fifteen years ago, I have been working in co-operation with the Angel of Nanaimo to bring healing and blessing to this beautiful city of ours. Dorothy’s work continues to bring positive change to countries across the globe, as each of us takes responsibility for co-creating the world in which we live.

As I leave Dorothy’s workshop, I feel exquisitely sensitive, pierced by the beauty all around me. The fragrance of cedar and juniper suffuses the autumn air, breaking my heart wide open.

Submitted by author Hiro Boga. Dorothy MacLean will teach a workshop on Attuning to the Spirit of Nature in Nanaimo on October 21 & 22, 2006. Enrollment limited to 25, please register early. For details, and to register, call Hiro at (250) 716-9104. To read an interview with Dorothy Maclean visit: www.banyen.com/infocus/maclean.htm

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What is it that we all have in common? One thing that we do at least three, if not more times a day. We do it alone or in groups with family and friends or with complete strangers, during business or pleasure. That’s right, EAT! It’s one of our survival instincts. As a newborn it’s one of our first and most important actions as we hold on to our mother’s breast, and it’s a need that we need to fulfill until we leave this world. The enormous impact that food, nutrition and the art of eating has on us is undeniable. Food plays an enormous role in our lives. We are so attached to the food we eat, and yet, we keep insisting through our daily choices, that we are separated from the food that nourishes us. It becomes more and more evident when we look at the state of the Western world’s health that there is a lack of knowledge and know- how with regards to truly healthy nourishment. There’s always a pill to pop or new supplement that can be added to our diets to solve this dilemma. If we insist on answering the call to engage in high stress lifestyles it inevitably leads us down the road to fast, processed foods with low nutritional, and spiritual density.

If food does play such a significant role in our lives how do we then harness that power? Food is power. The first few drops of mother’s milk could dictate a life of optimum health. The family meals I had as a child not only nourished my body but also my soul. As an adult my fondest memories and most joyous times came from days spent talking to farmers, buying their labors of love and spending the evenings cooking, eating and laughing with others. To sit down with family and friends and break bread is to sit with God; a sacred event to be cherished.

This way of life that we may have lost sight of or have never experienced is still obtainable. All it takes is the awareness that you have the choice to actively engage yourself and others in the joy of cooking and the beauty of nourishing your body and mind. Francois de Jong has worked in some of North America’s finest restaurants. He started his career at the prestigious La Belle Auberge. He then went on to assist Michael Nobel in the worldrenowned Bocuse D’Or competition held in Lyon, France. In 2003, he completed a year-long course and received a diploma in holistic nutrition from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Opening "Life," Hong Kong’s first organic health food café was the next natural step in his career. "Life" was awarded third best new restaurant in Hong Kong. Earlier this year he catered the food for the filming of the highly successful film, "Pirates of the Caribbean". Francois is presently cooking and teaching nutritional cooking classes at Vancouver Island’s newest retreat Healthy By Nature.

Chef Francois de Jong’s 11 years of experience provides a wealth of knowledge about healthy, tasty food that can be prepared quickly and easily for today’s high-speed lifestyles. His integral approach to food, cooking and life will make for an entertaining evening, weekend get-away or week long retreat. He will take you through the whole process of food preparation from where to buy it, how to cook it and yes, tasting the wonderful creations.

Since we understand you can’t all come to see us in person, here is something you can do at home. Tune up your tastebuds and get ready for a mouth watering treat!

Roasted Beet and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Onions

1/2 cup quinoa
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock (or water)
1 beet
150 gr. feta cheese, diced
2 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped1 lemon
Salt
Pepper

Roast the beets in the oven at 180 for 30 minutes or until cooked. If you don’t have an oven, place the beets in a pot and cover. Simmer at medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes. When the beets are cooked, peel and cut in a small diced shape.

While the beets are cooking combine the vegetable stock, quinoa, salt and pepper in a pot. Cover and cook at a low simmer for 25 to 30 minutes (rice cookers work very well also). When quinoa is cooked, add the diced beet, thyme, feta cheese and the juice of one lemon and adjust seasoning to taste.

Marinated Onions

1 onion
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup parsley
1 tbsp honey
Salt
Black pepper
Pinch nutmeg

Clean and wash the onion then slice thinly. Heat a pan then add the olive oil. When hot, add the sliced almonds and cook till light brown, then add the onions, salt, pepper and the nutmeg. Cook the onions for three minutes or until they have become limp, then remove from the pan and place in a bowl. Add the lemon juice and zest, the chopped parsley, the honey and mix. Place on top of the roasted beet and quinoa salad and enjoy!

At Healthy by Nature, not only will we provide you with the experience of an amazing sleep in one of our cozy log cabins but also provide you with amazing food with our home-cooked meals and cooking classes put on by Chef Francois de Jong. All of us at Healthy By Nature invite you to come and relax, enjoy our tranquil setting and the wealth of knowledge all our practitioners have to offer over breakfast, lunch, dinner or a cooking class. We hope to see you soon.

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Oh how I loved the summer days when I lounged under the shade of our tree out back and silently watched the hustle and bustle of life going on around me. From my lower vantage point I see life quite differently from you tall humans walking around with your head in the clouds.(well that is what you look like to me.). Sometimes when people see me they kneel down or lay down beside me, now THAT is a purr-fect move.

With the seasons changing, everyone and everything seems in such a hurry now. Perhaps it is the ‘squirrel syndrome’ kicking into place, you know scurry scurry-hide nuts-scurry scurryover and over again Even the ants are constantly marching back and forth carrying things far too large for their tiny bodies but doing it to the tune of their own drummer. Let’s not forget those busy bees forever buzzing, admiring the succulent flowers, grateful for the nectar. The birds are flying by just out of my paws reach I might add, then flitting from branch to branch and singing for the sheer joy of it. AH - what a life!

The wood bugs and beetles who meander past my nose going no place in particular likewise amuse me. Big ones, little ones climbing over one another to get to their next stop all co-operating together. Then they crawl back again appearing not to have a care in the world. No time schedules or deadlines down here on the surface of mother earth!

Most humans appear to be constantly doing something - rushing - rushing - going nowhere fast. I often wonder where you go? (well except when you go buy treats for me-that is a most worthy adventure that makes me purr and purr). I personally built a perfect place for myself, full of loving vibration that I consider home Since I create it within myself, it cannot be taken away from me and where I go, it goes. Nothing busy and frantic here. Just breathin in ‘n breathing out.

I have been listening to a lot of ‘twolegged talk’ and there seems to be a concern over what the best therapy is and how you choose the best therapist. So I’ve decided to help you figure it out.

First, did you know that it’s OK to interview a therapist before you commit to having a session? Kind of like going to the SPCA to look at a kitten before you pick one. Some people might not have time, but if they come highly recommended, you may decide to take your neighbours word for it. You shouldn’t feel awkward about wanting to meet them and ask a few questions about their services. Heck, you’d do it if you were fixin’ the foundation on your house wouldn’t you? You wouldn’t trust your biggest investment in the hands of someone you didn’t feel confident with. So what’s the difference? Your body-spiritmind is far more important than an old house. It’s too bad people didn’t have whiskers, because the whisker sensitivity test is a good check and an ability to snooze on demand can tell you a lot about their piece of mind. My friend Zen Master says some of you will gladly ‘give’ me a piece of your mind when I’m done with this article. "How kind," I said. He said that wasn’t exactly his point!

So lay me DOWN and let’s get to MY basic check list.

1 - is your therapist willing to bend over or kneel down to see eye to eye with you?

2 - are they willing to relax, listen, gratefully support you and give you treats while you remember to smell the flowers?! Well maybe the treats is pushin’ it a bit!

3 - are they compassionate, observant and believe in the importance of ‘helping you’ help yourself even if you wander off to watch a bird singing now and again?

4 - do they have quality time to devote to you? That doesn’t mean a long time, it means when you are with them they are purrfectly focused on you.

5 - are they positive about themselves as the attitude they resonate can affect you,(unless your vibration is higher than their own), and can they be totally neutral when helping you?

6 - do they understand and feel vibration?

Humm...I planned to go on, but the more I think about it, I can see that you ALL need help and this is obviously one of those rare situations when the two-leggeds fall short of the benchmark!

Yup the writing is on the wall, you need a CAT!

We felines have been given a very special gift that we love to share with our fellow humans. You see, when we are happy and content, we naturally purr. This soft, gentle purring has a profound effect on you. We call it PURR-FECT THERAPY.

Consider it vibrational medicine at its finest! Studies show that a soothing vibration can calm and relax an agitated or upset person. Many times we have taken it upon ourselves to jump up on someone’s lap when we know they are distresed. The unconditional love we impart to you combined with our gentle purring vibration can make you feel better instantly. There’s nothing more that we love to do than make our fellow humans happy. It’s a win-win for all concerned. We love being told we are adored and loved, and we are ecstatic when we have our back and head scratched.That helps you practice giving and receiving.

Since some of you have housing restrictions, I will open up my own Purr-fect Therapy Clinic. It will be a ‘work project for cleaning up the streets. I’ll hire all the alley cats for gourmet kitty meals to sit and purr or run off so you can chase them - that will be part of our fitness activities!

Whoa, I can apply for a government grant to do a study on vibration, then I can write a book, followed by book tours and signing paw-ographs and...AH, I’m getting sleepy just thinking about all the fuss! On second thought, fame and glory don’t appeal to me much.I’d rather curl up on a warm lap and dream of tropical fish therapy.It’s a PURR-FECT way to live and BE. And you know everyone is saying DO what you LOVE. I think I’ll leave the clinic stuff up to you guys after all.

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Life IS busy and "life goes on" as they say. But just in case you’re determined to make THIS the season where you take a break for yourself --here are a few notable offers from publishers and music companies that have come our way. Remember the answer on pg 17. You’ll know you’ve taken time for yourself, because you’re doing it right now. In fact, reading this issue is proof you have already set aside a moment for you. Congratulations and enjoy your quiet time.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep – Classical Lullabies by Eric and Susan Davis have created a wonderful and gently soothing collection of lullabies for children. Probably the first recording of its kind, this music exposes children to classical music by some of history’s most-renowned composers. Their combined instruments of violin and acoustic guitar create a warm and intimate sound, delicate, quiet and soft-spoken in nature. This CD is definitely enjoyable listening for adults as well providing a calming relaxing interlude once the children are safely tucked into their beds. ISBN 80372 00312

Watercolor – Native American Flute Music This delightful CD is beautiful filled with an inspired collection of water songs. Sit back and close your eyes and you feel as if you’re standing on a mountain-top overlooking the most spectacular sunset you’ve ever seen. Interwoven throughout are nature’s true sounds; singing birds and insects, the wind gently caressing the trees, waves lapping upon the shore and distant thunderstorms. It doesn’t get more serene that this! ISBN 03334 02002

The Sound of Peace – John Fluker A gentle, flowing musical journey designed to serenade and calm. John’s soothing piano playing style with 14 original compositions is true Sounds of Peace. John decided to begin and end his CD with hopeful tunes beginning with "There is a Road" because he wanted to convey that there is a way to a better life and to encourage people to keep striving for it. His final song "Life Begins" indicates a new beginning, to be hopeful and uplifting. He strives to share his music so that it brings people pleasure and instill in them a sense of peace. He has definitely reached his goal with this beautiful CD. ISBN 37101 11882

The Feeling Soul – A Roadmap to Healing and Living Mark Linden O’Meara This wonderful book is designed to encourage, support and uplift people to rise above their adversity and negativity to learn a better way to deal with life. Drawing on countless personal experiences, Mark shares from the heart his challenges from childhood and his problems with relationships within himself and others. Practical advice and workable solutions, Mark shows that focusing on gratitude, compassion and empathy can help people recover from physical, emotional, mental and spiritual ailments. He truly is a man who ‘walks his talk’. ISBN 0-96804592-8

Tulips & Roses – Budh-Aditya Roy Tulips & Roses takes us on a journey through the life and memory of one man - Jaideep Sen. The story occurs spanning 5 continents with different cultural and economic settings. The people brought into a Jaideep’s path demonstrate insurmountable barriers of conduct, customs and language. Ultimately, all people involved come to understand that nothing can come between ways of friendship, love and marriage proving once again that despite the sea of differences in appearance, culture, language and mental outlook, when it comes to matters of the heart we are all basically the same. This books inspires us that the true gifts in life are forgiveness, gratitude and compassion. ISBN 1-58930-163-3

Prepare Me Well – An Introduction to Jeff Land Australian guitar-singer-songwriter has spent years combining haunting lyrics, stunning guitar virtuosity and riveting vocals in this new CD. It’s a stirring collection of tales told blurring the lines between blues, folk and rock, between story and song and with just a hint of country. ISBN 89408 36362

Pretty Blues – Antoinette Montague If you love bluesy-jazz this CD is definitely for you. Her lusty and soulful voice reaches your most innercore. Her strength is combining the heartfelt passion of the blues with the sophistication of jazz. On occasion she may just throw in a little gospel, R&B, Motown soul or big-band stylings. ISBN 30183 10032

Shambhala Dance – Barbara Markay If you close your eyes while listening to this exotic CD you will feel as if you become immersed in another culture.

From the mysterious flamenco to the asian and middle eastern countries this music weaves a rhythmic pulse that beautifully blends together an atmosphere of emotions, both sensual and meditative at the same time. ISBN 20988 99922

Possible Dreams – Elise Lebec This melt-in-yourchair CD is a beautiful collection of 14 original solo piano compositions inspired by nature, love and hope for the future. Elise’s gentle way inspires listeners to ‘dream the seemingly impossible and make it a reality’. Her goal is to assist people via her music to strive toward attainable goals like peace for our planet and making our own lives happier. "Anything positive we add to this world makes it a better place for all of us", Elise says. ISBN 15882 04132

The Presence Process – Michael Brown This step-by-step experiential book is about remembering how to feel "real" offering concrete ways to empower us to restore balance to our entire life experience. Michael struggled for years battling an acutely painful neurological disorder that his doctors predicated he would either become a heroin addict or succumb to suicide. Finding no relief from conventional medicine, he embarked on a 9 year odyssey of selfhealing. This book is a culmination of his journey back to complete health. This book will assist people who truly want to better their lives by gently accessing suppressed emotions and helping them move toward a personally fulfilling life. ISBN 0-8253-0537-3

The Gentle Way – A Self-Help Guide for Those Who Believe In Angels Tom T. Moore On one hand you already know the information in this book - and Tom tells you so! BUT...most of us forget it, and The Gentle Way adds a new twist to the information and boldly challenges you to live it . If you want more fun and less stress in your life then you must read this book. If you want to achieve whatever goals you have set for yourself then this is the book for you. For over 10 years Tom has been requesting "a most benevolent outcome" for every facet of his personal and professional life and shares his personal stories and insights with you. From our own personal experience since reading this book, we can truly say "It works". This may just be that book that can truly change your life. We highly recommend it. ISBN 1-891824-60-0

May theAngels truly guide you on your journey and may your holidays be FULL of ALL GOOD THINGS!

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In today’s fast-paced world we generally tend to follow society’s trends without having the chance to formulate or research current opinions. We get caught up in the media hype of the latest craze of the ‘good food versus bad food’ and usually take our advice from ‘the experts’ – ‘the ones in the know!’

Take soy for example. It has been touted as "the perfect food". It claims to lower cholesterol, is a powerful anti-cancer food supposedly protecting women from breast cancer and middle-aged men from prostate cancer and assists in relieving hot flashes in postmenopausal women and provides protection from the ravages of osteoporosis.

How did the humble little soybean whose beginnings were initially considered unfit to eat even in Asia just a few short decades ago rise to such grandeur and take over our supermarket shelves? Marketing and propaganda!

Soybean producers have to pay a mandatory assessment of one-half to one percent of the net market price of soybeans totaling approx $80 million US annually to support the United Soybean’s program. This program is designed to "strengthen the position of soybeans in the marketplace and maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for uses for soybean and soybean products". Soybean councils hire private companies and public relation firms to help convert research products into newspaper articles and advertising print, while law firms lobby for favorable government regulations. Their work has paid off; soy milk products alone have posted the biggest gains - soaring from $2 million in 1980 to $300 million in the US last year.

However not all is as rosy as they would like it to appear. More and more research on the "soybean phenomena" from unbiased researchers and scientists show alarming statistics that negate the over-exaggerated claims being made.

Ninety-nine percent (99%) of soy is genetically modified and has one of the highest percentages of contamination by pesticides of any of our foods.

Soybeans are high in phytic acid, a substance that can block the uptake of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc. Approximately 25% of bottle-fed children in the US drinking an exclusive soy-infant formula receive the equivalent of at least 5 birth control pills per day. This has led male infants to undergo a "testosterone surge" during the first few months of live, when testosterone levels may be as high as those of an adult male. An alarming number of girls are entering puberty at increasingly younger ages and are ill-equipped to handle the feelings and urges that accompany puberty. Many other people have also recounted other problems including extreme emotional behaviour, asthma, immune system problems, pituitary insufficiency, thyroid disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.

We, as consumers, need to start questioning the information supplied to us. We need to take an active role in our food choices and stop blindly believing that these multi-million dollar companies are out there to protect our health and wellbeing.

For more information on soy please visit http:// www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/ and http://www.shirleyswellness- cafe.com/soy.htm. submitted by Janet Foster

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Peace begins with me, with all of us. Heal yourself and the world will be healed. These concepts are being heard more often these days and it seems that these old truths are resurfacing again for good reason.

"...and let it (peace ) begin with me" is a verse from a well-known song - reminding us that the changes we want to see and feel in the world, must first begin within ourselves. We can change anything and everything; by creating a new reality inside our own hearts and minds. The key? A solid foundation of love for ourselves that creates a platform of incredible stability where all truly becomes possible.

If I am unconditionally loving myself, I can say " I adore you, I see who you really are and what you are trying to do. I believe in you". This voice needs no recognition from others.

It is not dependant on space, on time, or the presence of ‘illusionary permission’. We already have all that we need for all situations, and all that is required is for Me to BE ME. Releasing all the other exterior characters we sometimes think need in our lives, frees us from an outer reliance of that which does not really exist. We are no longer dependant on someone else to show us what to do - no need to wait for someone else to say we are special. We become our own voice of reassurance and acceptance!

Imagine a world where we can literally save ourselves, where we became our own knight in shining armour, riding off into the sunset. A life where our inner core is untouched by the events of our world and is fed by a source that is uniquely our own, matching every essence of ourselves perfectly. A place of infinite safety and comfort that is priceless.

Peace within ourselves is a catalyst for a more peaceful world. A state of being where another person’s views or religion is respected and allowed. Recall another song, ‘If you’re causing no harm then your alright with me’. The richness of life, the richness of the mind and the richness of the heart allows the whole puzzle to come together. All differing views, beliefs and different types of people coming together would create a melting pot of a peaceful humanity.

The foundation for peace in the world begins with loving ourselves a little more, becoming more compassionate with ourselves. Armoured with some intentional tools of transformation like Faith, Hope, Compassion, Loving Kindness, let’s all practice rising every morning, laughing and fearlessly saying out loud "Today I LOVE myself! I AM a child of the Universe and Peace resides in me’.

Submitted by M. Sousa, FiveverStarr@shaw.ca

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What is Far Infrared Heat? Infrared or radiant heat is a form of energy that heats objects directly, without heating the air in between.

We live our lives surrounded by and immersed in infrared energy. The earth absorbs the sun’s infrared light and reflects it back to us. Traditional saunas warm the air which warms the body. Infrared saunas warm the body directly with the same kind of energy that we get from the sun. The benefits of far infrared are transmitted directly to our bodies. Most of us spend 90% of our time indoors; we do not get enough sunshine which our bodies desperately need to be healthy. Our bodies produce far infrared heat at the cellular level as we metabolize food for energy and internal heat.

The human body absorbs infrared quickly and easily. The water molecules in the body begin to vibrate which causes heat reaction through resonant absorption. When the temperature under the skin increases, our capillaries expand which promotes increased blood circulation. This response eliminates obstacles that hinder metabolism and activates the tissues which in turn produces certain enzymes.

The water molecules in the blood are likewise changed into micro-molecules, and rid the body of toxic waste as well as increase the body’s metabolic rate. Far infrared in the blood stream is able to neutralize blood toxicity as well as smooth the walls of arteries, capillaries and veins.

The far infrared sauna directly penetrates the body’s tissues to a depth of more than 1.5 inches. Tests have shown that our bodies absorb more than 90% of the infrared waves. This effectively removes heavy metals and unwanted toxins through the lymphatic system in the form of sweat. This is a very relaxing way to improve your health.

You can breath easier in the infrared sauna because it provides twice the sweat at half the temperature of a conventional sauna. It removes toxins and promotes soft, healthy skin and soft tissue healing. It increases blood flow and oxygenation, aids in cellulite and weight loss and relieves stress and fatigue. It has been known to boost the immune system, assists in pain relief, and strengthen the cardiovascular system. You can burn 600-1000 calories in a 1/2 hour session depending on your muscle mass.

The sweat of people using an infrared sauna will not only contain water, but will also contain cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins and heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum, and arsenic as well as nicotine, sulphuric acid, ammonia, and other dangerous environmental poisons. Infrared is totally safe and is used in hospitals to warm premature babies. It is far safer than conventional saunas because it uses heat energy that penetrates tissues, triggering mobilization of chemicals from fat storage, directly into the sweat.

The infrared sauna has helped with arthritis, asthma, fibromyalgia, allergies, migraines, hepatitis, PMS, cancer, gout, depression, diabetes, TMJ, menopause and a variety of other illnesses. Increased blood circulation leaves the skin glowing and has been shown to relieve acne, eczema, rashes, psoriasis and dermatitis.

Far infrared heat is clinically proven to be a most effective way to remove toxins from our bodies, reverse disease, and slow down aging. Simply put - it is an excellent preventative for staying in good health.

To try a infrared sauna treatment contact Debbie Shkuratoff at Valley View Center 250-743-1733 or 250-743-8122 email reikiwellness@shaw.ca or www.reikiwellness.ca

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What would you say if someone told you that medical doctors in the United States were writing prescriptions for a medical device that you slept on, that generated negative ions, used Far- Infrared technology and employed the power of Amethyst and Tourmaline crystals?

Absurd you would say!

Mother Nature supplies us with absolutely everything our bodies need in order to survive and thrive on this planet.

We have water to nourish and cleanse our bodies, and the sun to keep us warm and grow our food. We have trees and plants that supply oxygen, while birds bless us with music and the list goes on. Until recently, man assumed that rocks, sand and minerals were merely "just there" with no particular purpose except perhaps to lie on or adorn us with a beautiful piece of jewellery. That is until the quartz crystal rose in stature to become ‘man’s best friend’ becoming a critical piece of hightechnolo - advancing to be the heart of quartz timepieces, computers and a host of other inventions. If quartz exemplifies such amazing natural gifts, why not some others minerals like Amethyst or Tourmaline?

Now, what if the above mentioned device helped relieve the pain of arthritis, neuralgia and a host of other muscular-skeletal ailments? Could it strengthen the immune system by removing toxins and waste build-up, burn calories and control weight, all while getting a good night’s sleep? Preposterous you might say! Considering it is a fact that ‘good’ sleep helps the mind and body refresh itself while helping skin repair and injuries heal. - it might not be so far-fetched. The problem now is that many people of all ages fail to get a good night’s sleep.

An advanced scientific technology was borne when a group of medical professionals, scientists and engineers proved that negative ions, amethyst crytals and far infrared rays had a profound and long lasting effect on the human body. Just how does this quantum energy work?

Let’s start with Far Infrared Rays. Discovered by NASA – Far Infrared Rays are known to be the safest, most beneficial natural light waves. Powerful detoxifiers, they have been known to destroy cancer and viral cells without harming the surrounding healthy cells (Harvard Medical School). Research showed that when colour changes from purple to red, the temperature rises.

Infrared rays have three special characteristics.

1. Radiationis a characteristic of light which means the light reaches an object without using the air, example - the sun’s light reaches the earth through the vacuum of space using radiation.

2. Deep Impact Power: Long Wave infrared, unlike regular light beams or short waves can penetrate deeply. Because of this, it can warm our body from the inside out and stimulate our system.

3. Resonance and Absorption: This is similar to touching a large bell with one finger. The bell has an inherent number of vibrations when it is touched or struck. When struck at regular intervals it causes vibration and begins to move. When the energy used to activate the bell is increased, the vibrations between molecules strengthens and electronic energy increases.

Think about this. Our bodies are made up of 80% water and a variety of other materials such as proteins, hormones etc. The long infrared waves warm our bodies and stimulate bodily functions. When beamed into the body, they are absorbed and resonated through it, much like the sound and energy waves of the bell when it is struck. They penetrate 2- 3 inches into the body, relaxing, clearing blockages and increasing circulation. These rays not only benefit the muscles, but all cells including blood vessels, lymph glands, and nerves in the deepest parts of the body and assist in balancing pH by decreasing acidity. Far Infrared rays are one of Mother Nature’s finest, a part of the electromagnetic light frequency of sunlight not visible to the human eye.

Negative Ions are created in nature as air molecules break apart due to sunlight, radiation, and moving air and water. Most of us have had a refreshing negative ion experience around waterfalls, the ocean and after a rainstorm. Most people are not aware that Tourmaline also can create them. Tourmaline is used in pressure devices because of it’s piezoelectric properties. It forms slender 3,6,or 9-sided prismatic crystals (hexagonal) in parallel or radiating groups, which causes it to develop an electrical charge when heated or deformed. Pieces cut perpendicular to the long axis can polarize light.

An ion is a particle which has electricity. They are molecules that have gained or lost an electrical charge. Negative ions have a positive effect on people and positive ions have a negative effect. An atom that has one of its normal orbiting electrons removed is called a positive ion and an atom with an extra electron is a negative ion. It seems backwards but that is the way.

Negative ions affect the cells because each cell is enclosed by a cell wall. This wall has many important roles, some of which are absorbing nutrients, vitamins, hydration and minerals. The cell wall also is responsible for eliminating acidic waste material and toxins.As the amount of negative ions in the blood is increased, the function of the cell is activated. Too many positive ions and the cell wall closes and the ability to absorb nutrition and eliminate toxins is disabled. When ionization is introduced, the ions in calcium and sodium (salt) in the blood increases. As the blood purifies it becomes more alkaline.

Amethyst Quartz Crystal is considered by many to be a super crystal. It naturally generates its own far infrared rays and is believed to have the power to do a variety of things: detoxify the body from alcohol and other harmful elements; help with problems within the stomach and digestive tract; balances blood sugar and assists in healing problems involving the central nervous system. It is considered "nature’s calming tranquilizer" for both physical and mental disorders. The beautiful variation of colour from pale to deep purple makes it a natural carrier for the violet colour ray.

The quantum energies of these three unique systems have been combined into a sleeping mat called the Bio-Mat. While the effects of the Bio-Mat appear to be especially useful in the short-term treatment of pain, the cumulative benefits of using the Bio-Mat on a daily basis cannot be ignored. For a quick pick-me-up during the day a negative ion session without heat would leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and rarin’ to go for the rest of your day.

We invite you to learn more about the benefits of this amazing system. It may well be one of the most important discoveries you’ll ever make. Welcome to the 21st century!

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"In ancient times a SAGE was a messenger, delivering profound truths to an individual or a collective group" ... Here is your MesSAGE for the next 3 months ...

IF YOU WERE BORN IN:

JANUARY: Alignment is your key word at this time. Align to your full potential; open to magical outcomes! Heightened vibrations are present to support you.

FEBRUARY: Listen to your intuitive prompting from within ... they reveal changes in your life that take you to a new beginning which is exciting!

MARCH: You have reached a level of being that you have yearned for. Express your gratitude by sharing your journey¹s experiences; they are much appreciated.

APRIL: A new beginning awaits you; it appears as a challenge yet it is actually a liberating experience, exposing your strength & character. You will surprise yourself!

MAY: Continual letting go opens doors to many new opportunities. Focus on this, rather than what you think you have lost. You will be fulfilled!

JUNE: You are being carried by supportive energies to a new level of being. Trust is the key in this process; it is simply all that is required!

JULY: You are moving into a new aspect of self, revealing the softness of feminine energy. Align with it fully; you will be surprised what you find!

AUGUST: There is a deeply rooted exposure taking place within your being. Let go and trust; you will be thrilled with the outcome!

SEPTEMBER: Letting go in all ways is the process for you at this time. It is an experience of emptiness, preparing you for fulfillment in a way you have yet to experience.

OCTOBER: The alignment taking place is nearing completion. This reveals a new form, combining all talents woven in your tapestry. Your heart will sing!

NOVEMBER: You are at a brink of a new beginning that will catapult you ahead. Be grateful for new connections & experiences; they play major roles in your future.

DECEMBER: Your shifts in perception are most valuable to your future. You have allowed yourself to expand to brighten your horizons. Be proud of the strength you have exposed!

Channelled by Maureen Freeman of SAGE. You may contact her at 250-598-5221 or sage@johnsmarvels.com for personal readings by phone, mail or email. A Messenger’s MesSAGE is copyright © 2004 EAGLEye/ONE

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All around us is a life-giving, life-regulating power that always has been and always will be. Called the Life Force, it is the active aspect of the intelligence that is the Source of all life. The most healing, empowering, and creative act we can do for ourselves is to consciously connect to this force, which can only be experienced in the present moment. In the present moment connection is automatic.

Such a connection is not intellectual; it is a feeling. Having a mental understanding of the subject merely points the way to the experience; it is not the experience itself. "You can’t try to get it," Dr. Milton Trager, developer of the Trager Approach, said. "…to try is to fail. You don’t try. To try is effort and effort is tension. We don’t try. We just allow it to happen." This is a paradigm shift. Most are caught up in trying, in exerting as much effort as they can to get their desired outcome. Few have learned how to not try. They have no experience of what effortlessness feels like, and therefore even less experience being connected to the Life Force. People who consciously connect to the Life Force describe it as a feeling of peace, or lightness of being. Others use words such as stability, joy, empowerment, clarity, and a sense of homecoming. But whatever the words we put to it, what matters is the feeling in our body/mind.

Trager is an approach to living not just a way to fix pain in the body. Those who embrace the Trager Approach quickly learn that it works best when applied to all areas of life. For example, when we wash the dishes, or type at a computer, or lay hands on a client’s body, we do the same thing: we allow ourselves to show up in the present moment, and thereby "hookup" to the feelings inherent in the Life Force. This is where our power comes from, and where lasting healing is accessed. Its practical approach is Trager’s magic. To foster a connection we use a series of simple tools. These tools can be used anywhere, anytime, and by anyone no matter their physical condition. Dr. Trager called these tools Mentastics (derived from the two words mental gymnastics). In my book, Trager for Self-Healing: A Practical Guide for Living in the Present Moment, I discuss a variety of Mentastics but for now let’s look at the three most basic ones. They are: 1) pausing, 2) mindful breathing, and 3) feeling the weight.

They sound simple, but when used consistently the effect on our lives is profound. These tools will lead us out of our spinning mind and into a present moment experience where our negativity floats away, leaving peace. Imagine giving a speech and being able to release your anxiety, accessing instead clarity and joy. Imagine letting loose your apprehension over your aging mother’s health, and being able to access love and trust. Imagine after your vacation feeling overwhelmed by a three week back log of work, then letting it go to be replaced by a sense of stability and lightness.

To clear a conscious pathway to the Life Force the first thing we do is…pause. Before we can consciously open to the Life Force, we need to apply the breaks to our doing, both in our mind and body. Stop talking, stop walking, stop worrying, fretting, controlling and…pause. A pause helps us to become the observer instead of the reactor. It is a gateway that opens our body/ mind to that intelligent life-giving, liferegulating power that is all around us.

The next tool is…mindful breathing. After a pause we put our awareness on our breath. By doing so we take our attention from out there and place it in here. We become centered, like being at the hub of a wheel. At the hub, our perspective broadens, becoming multifaceted. Our assumptions soften. We realize we are not the pains we feel, or the thoughts we have—they are only one or two spokes of our wheel. Now that we have paused our doing and our thinking and have centered ourselves through mindful breathing, we enter a present moment experience by feeling weight. When we pay attention to the downward pull of gravity we enter into the physicality of the here and now. The next time you are putting the groceries away, doing the dishes, or lifting a hammer, feel the weight as you move the object through space. When you are holding the hand of someone you love, pause, breathe, and feel its weight. Rather than holding it up, let it rest in your palm. You will experience a positive life-affirming sensation. This is a present moment experience.

Try it. Right now. Wherever you are. 1. Pause. Let go of reading this article.
2. Become mindful of your breath — like an umbrella opening and closing. 3. Now shift your body from side to side. Feel its weight move through space.

If you use these three simple tools throughout your day you will feel differently. Your awareness of the Life Force flowing through your body/mind will grow and bloom, and in turn so will your empowerment, wellness, and creativity. This is the Power of Presence.

Audrey Mairi is a Senior Trager Practitioner, tutor, workshop leader, electives teacher and author of Trager for Self-Healing: A Practical Guide for Living in the Present Moment, www.audreymairi.com

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Dearly Beloveds - "Through the window of light you heal yourself." We would like you to consider this concept! Many of you imagine the great windows of the Universal Stage offering brilliant opportunities when we say this. Although there is some truth to the thoughts, what we are speaking about in this moment is the window within yourself. The light blazing inside your own heart.

Archangel Michael would say that when the star that you are is aligned with heaven and earth in a perfect pillar of divine connectedness, there is nothing that ever stands in your way. BEing in a consciousness of love for the self, within that structure, activates a position of trust, of perfection, of integrity, in your place within the ALL. It is a critical time on planet earth, when your energetic presence has a gigantic impact.

Never before have you had such control as you do now and yet most are living in ‘the land of the helpless’ in their consciousness. We say to you that it would do so much good if you could lift your heads for just a moment and understand that NOW is all there is and what you accomplish in this now maintains the balance of the universe. You speak of peace within and so it is, you search everywhere for answers and often forget that a momentary focus of attention within your own window of light is all that is needed. You are creators of heaven here on earth and though you often speak the words we wonder if you listen to what you say.

Let us go on a journey. Close your lids (eyes) and see the illuminated world of pulsing light that lies within you. Imagine a spark of light within your heart. BE with it for a moment and feel the connection to life that it gives you, give it permission to encompass you with its warm healing power. As it fills you up from the inside out...KNOW you are loved beyond measure from the source of all that is- all that ever was, and all that ever will be. You are the ancient time keepers returned to mark the events as they are unfolding. You are the ones who can BE the pillars of light - brilliant anchors for heaven on earth. Lighthouses marking the way, never wavering in your resolution to lay the foundation for the construction of a palace so magnificent...nothing can compare. As the stewarts of this project, you must first remember who you are...recall the magnificence of your true being and reveal to yourself the magnificent power you carry within. Structured from compassion-grace-simplicity and divine love in action - you fly through time and space with ease and belonging. You are friends of the universal collective, patrons of transformation, loving kindness, loving acceptance, loving everything.

From within yourself there is a rising up of purpose and fearlessness, for you can imagine the "Blue One’ himself accompanying you every facet of your way. A friend - a guardian - a loyal overseer - just as was agreed upon in ancient times. In this moment you can feel the temple lights rise up around you, the love of the Mothers and the Fathers acknowledging you. ALIGN yourself with our love they whisper into the nothingness within you. Align yourself with the love of ALL that is and rebuild your body. Let the pillar of light that you are in this moment set a template within so you may remember the fearless power of acceptance of yourself, anchored in a loving triad from your heart to the heart of the heaven...from your heart to the heart of Mother Earth.

NOW is the time to simply BE good to everyone. We repeat everyone without exception most especially yourself. Your world is overflowing with life-creation, recommit to honour once again each and every breath of life that is created on earth. Yet first we remind you to feel the difference expanded light within brings to you - feel the joy and peace from simply knowing you ARE love for that is all you came here to be. It matters not what you own - it matters only what vibrations you radiate. Heal Yourself we urge you, Heal ALL of Yourselves Now.

The vibration of the light that you are is a catalyst for gentle change all around you. The vibration of the peace within expanding - radiating outside your physical body is a gift of love, it is time now to remember. See the particles of suspended light dancing as you breathe in love and breathe out love. How simple this is. Align yourself and breathe in love and breathe out love. The healing power that IS you awakens - each breath another awareness. You have been breathing aimlessly for a very long time - now consider breathing with intention. Know that as you serve yourself you serve the whole. Imagine Imagine Imagine.

It was never your intention to become so entrenched in the chaos or to be pawns of a system of universal exploitation. Some of you get angry at the thought and we remind you that your anger anchors you deeper into old expired dramas - your anger holds you captive and renders you helpless. That was never your true intention. Here, surrounded by the light within, it is impossible to be anything but joyous transformation. Let the power of the HA HA HA serve you and call forth the miracle of divine action. What a gift and you hold the possibility to give this to yourself. There is never a ‘good’ time to begin to exercise change in your lives. Planet earth is abundant with distractions.

Thus we used your word exercise because although you are a gracious being of the source, you have chosen to play out the story on earth. Humans are creatures of habit and over time you have created many that do not serve you. Now is a perfect opportunity to re-evaluate and create new positive habits that serve you. Exercise for your spiritual well-being - breathing in love and breathing out love. Feel the light expanding within with every breath - fearless co-creaters.The ‘Archangelic Blue ONE’ spreads invisible wings of love on your behalf. The heavens open up and the wheel of transformation turns.

The alignment of the 888 energetic system has put into place amazing opportunities for you - gifts from the portal of possibilities - from the storehouse of abundance. A divine order has been set in motion and you are on alert to make room in your lives for more good than you have ever known. Imagine you are worthy to receive. IMAGINE !

The GCL creates energetic playgrounds with copper and crystals on occasion to help facilitate loving alignments within. You are welcome to join these adventures. Contact 250-754-9667 or www.LIGHTonLIGHT.net for upcoming events.

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