ARTICLES
Our Gifted Healer Returns!
April at the Friday Night Forum
Meditations: Soapbox of the President
Remembering Aztlαn
How It Started
Past President Honored
Peaceful Contributions for the Soul
Our Network Is Unique
The Dance of Spring
Animals as Healers: Tail-wagging and Touch
Towards An Aquarian Age
Dea's Kitchen - Less is More: Healthy Shortcuts
Naked
Whole Life Network Business Member Profile
Our Gifted Healer Returns!
Whole Life Network Release
Everyone we know who met her last year felt deep inside that they were in the presence of one of the Divine's truly gifted natural healers. What could be better than a meeting with Catherine Saltzman N.D.? That would be a second meeting. The Whole Life Network is proud to announce the return appearance of our friend and former resident of Ridgway, Dr. Saltzman, for a weekend of co-creating wellness, peace and happiness. If you were one who missed out last year, you will definitely want to register for this seminar, Mastering Energy Therapy. It will begin on Friday evening, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Montrose Library. This will be a free introductory session that introduces us to the discipline of Emotional Freedom Technique. Then on Saturday, April 24th at the Cimarron Creek Golf Community Center, beginning at 9:00 a.m., you can experience an entire day devoted to healing areas of your life where you feel stuck, whether it is health problems, relationships, addictions, phobias or unresolved emotional issues.
As part of this seminar, you will learn how to use Emotional Freedom Technique to help yourself quickly overcome negative emotions and traumas as they arise. This technique is successfully being used by thousands of people worldwide to transform their lives. The seminar will be limited to the first 50 individuals. You'll want to sign up now. There is a registration form to be returned on Page 2.
Catherine Saltzman, N.D., is a member of The American Naturopathic Medical Association and is a Business Member of The Whole Life Network. As a naturopathic doctor, author and speaker, she reaches out with personal, heart-felt compassion to teach individuals, both in her private practice and in her lectures and seminars, how to heal the underlying cause of illness and to maintain their health. In this seminar, she will incorporate her knowledge of energy healing and will use Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing) for demonstrations and special clarity in the instruction of Emotional Freedom Technique. However, you do not need to learn how to muscle test to use the technique at home. And as we saw in her last seminar, remarkable healing is accomplished without re-wounding or reliving painful experiences. Actually, we laughed quite a bit and the experience was both profound and revealing with a wonderful overtone of playfulness.
Catherine is a very experienced facilitator and has traveled widely, giving classes and seminars throughout the country. And now our friends Franz and Brigitte Luthi have invited her to teach a course on holistic healing in their homeland, Zurich, Switzerland, in July of this year. We are honored and privileged that two of Catherine's next stops will be Montrose, Colorado, USA and Zurich, Switzerland. But there's still more.
Catherine is a former nationally syndicated newspaper columnist with Copley News Service. Her twice-weekly column on health and beauty was published for four years in most major newspapers countrywide. In 1989, Catherine's young son, David, became seriously ill and the story of his healing using holistic healing and prayer was published in the book When Prayers Are Answered by John Holmstrom.
Since then, Catherine has written three books of her own, Integrative Medicine's Quest for the Best and Twenty Do's and Don'ts to Transform Your Health as well as Ten Steps to Emotional Mastery. In the first, she discusses the evidence for antioxidant therapy in clinical care and in the second, she addresses the foundations of life-long health. In the third, she covers the simple and profound truths that govern emotional health, and she includes instructions on Emotional Freedom Technique. Her books will be available on Friday night and at the seminar.
Here's your chance! Catherine wants us to extend an especially warm invitation to the community she loves and lived in for several years. You can join others in a healing environment, work with a gifted healer and learn a proven technique to take home with you to eliminate unwanted negative feelings or patterns. What more can we offer? Join us on April 23 and 24th. Register now! Find out more by calling Polly at 240-9315.
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April at the Friday Night Forum
Whole Life Network Release
We are grateful for the great attendance at the March editions of the Friday Night Forum. Robert Gulick held everyone spellbound as he shared his enormous knowledge of Sacred Geometry and , better yet, he promised to return for another session for "part 2". Our new members, Ann and Bill Sayer, introduced us to essential oils and all agreed that they were able to clearly explain the therapeutic benefits.
For April we have two more great programs, as always free to the public. Bring a neighbor or friend. Come early and browse among the bamboo plants, fountains, crystals, candles and wind chimes. Visit with your friends and fellow members of The Whole Life Network. In this network, you won't be a stranger for long.
At Wind Spirit Gifts - 612 E. Main St., Montrose
* Friday - April 9th at 6:00 P.M. Whitefeather Pleiadian Healing Tools
Whitefeather is an intuitive healer that practices in Paonia and California. She will be presenting information on Pleiadian Healing Tools. These Tools cleanse and balance the physical, emotional and etheric bodies. Originally described in Barbara Marciniak's book, Bringers of the Dawn, these tools are inherently transformational. Tommie Mercer, a goldsmith, and Barbara got together to create the Tools described in her book, and Whitefeather has crafted these techniques for health and well-being.
At Montrose Public Library - Community Room
* Friday - April 23rd at 7:00 P.M., Dr. Catherine Saltzman N.D. Introduction to Energy Therapy
Due to the anticipated demand for seating for this event, it has been scheduled at the Montrose Library instead of our usual location.
Catherine, founder of Kalos Health Center in Encinitas, California, will give us all of the background information on the sensation discipline, Emotional Freedom Technique. You can learn to feel better about yourself, eliminate unwanted feelings and heal, physically and spiritually. Come and learn how!
Do you have a subject on which you want to be heard? We plan to schedule one of these free-to-the-public presentations every other week all year long. To have your "Forum" reserved for you, just call Jody at 240-0234. For a great evening out, come to the Friday Night Forum.
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Meditations: Soapbox of the President
by Kim E. Davis
Expo 2004: WOW! This year's Expo was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Even when everyone was setting up their booths, the energy was very high. We had an opening circle and several people put out an intention for the day. The biggest intention was for everyone to have fun. I don't know about all of you, but I had a great time! Thank you to all of the vendors as well as the participants. Thank you too for making me feel very welcome as your president. We had a very successful Expo and it was all due to the hard work and truly wonderful energy from all of you. I can't wait for next year!
Another indicator of the success and growth of The Whole Life Network can be seen in the new Business Members that have been attracted to the philosophy and networking opportunities available in our family. In just the first three months of 2004, we have added an amazing seven new Business Members. When you meet any of these outstanding beings involved in conscious business, congratulate them and tell you how much you appreciate their support of our network. In alphabetical order: 1) Fire of Truth Satsanga, Lee Byrd and Neelam, 2) Healing Heart Herbs, Anne Calzada, 3) Ideal Health, Fred Schmidt, 4) Stone Forest Retreat, David and Elizabeth Koos, 5) Total Family Wellness, Dr. Alexander Gilmore, D.C., 6 ) Ultimate Wellness, Kelly Harrison, and 7) Therapeutic Oils & Herbal Packs, Gail Morales and David Sigle. Our network is blessed with their energy and enthusiasm. Check out the back page of Connections for the complete listing of all 33 of our proud Business Members and may peace and joy be yours for the coming month.
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Remembering Aztlαn
A Column of Poetry, Culture & Spirit by Art Goodtimes
FREE THE NUNS
It's one of the unconscionable facts of living in Colorado that one of the world's largest arsenals of Weapons of Mass Destruction are poised and ready to launch in silos here in our own Centennial State
With International Women's Week just behind us, it's good to remember that it was three Dominican nuns -- members of the Plowshare Movement -- who took it upon themselves to protest this terrible reality two years ago with fearless acts of civil disobedience. Hammering on the tracks used to move the missiles and pouring human blood on the silos
They are currently serving time in federal prisons for protesting this country's military reliance on WMDs in acts of great moral courage
There is a petition on line calling for freeing the nuns: www.petitiononline.com/know0001. Please consider signing it
And even more personally, consider writing these heroic women as they serve out the sentences imposed as a result of their civil disobedience and letting them know that there are many citizens who honor them for their bravery and their speaking truth to power
Sister Ardeth Platte (67), O.P., 10857-039, is serving a 41-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, 33 1/2 Pembroke Road, Danbury, Connecticut, 06811-3099
Sister Carol Gilbert (56), O.P., 10856-039, is serving a 33-month sentence at Federal Prison Camp, Glen Ray Road, Box B Alderson, West Virginia, 24910
Sister Jacqueline Hudson (69), O.P., 08808-039, is serving a 30-month sentence Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5400 Adelanto, California, 92301, including three years of supervised release.
THE INSECTARY
At the Smithsonian's Encyclopedia of Life conference in Telluride recently, several of the nation's leading researchers on biological taxonomy said that invasive exotics were second only to habitat loss in posing a serious threat to endangered native species
That's why it's so disturbing that, in an effort to trim a disastrous state budget, the Insectary in Fruita is on the chopping block
What is a state insectary? Founded in 1945 to jumpstart Colorado's first biological control program, the Insectary is located in Palisade near Grand Junction and operated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture
Biological control allows farmers, orchardists and weed management folks to decrease their reliance on chemical controls in an integrated pest or weed management program. Insectary researchers import, rear, and help colonize new beneficial organisms (chiefly bugs) for control of specific weeds and insect pests
For the San Miguel Basin weed program, the Insectary provided for free over $100,000 in insects that helped control a large infestation of hard-to-reach purple loosestrife that was threatening to attack the main stem of the lower San Miguel River. And with tamarisk having been singled out by Gov. Bill Owens and Rep. Scott McInnis as a noxious exotic in desperate need of control on the entire upper Colorado River system, the Insectary has been the state's best hope of providing real biological control tools for this effort. To sell off this incredible public asset is a step backwards in controlling any exotic species in this state, and protecting our threatened natives
Yet, it's good to remember that the proposed axing of the state's Insectary is not a story about bad politicians run amuck. Hamstrung by Tabor, the Gallagher Act and various other ill-advised state statutes that have made it impossible to balance a declining budget without huge tax increases or wholesale budget slash and burn, state leaders have been under the budget cutting gun.
Still, this particular hatchet job is an environmental, as well as a financial, mistake.
GUILTY TILL PROVEN INNOCENT?
The White House wants to expand random drug testing of school children all over the country at a cost of $23 million
In response, the Drug Policy Alliance and the ACLU have so far distributed more than 24,000 copies of their booklet, Making Sense of Student Drug Testing: Why Educators are Saying No. Many school superintendents have already contacted the Alliance to learn how to oppose student drug testing in their districts and acquire additional copies to distribute to school board members. This booklet is the first and only national publication to summarize the research on the harms of random drug testing in our nation's public schools
"School districts across the country are in financial crisis," said Judy Appel, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs with the Alliance. "Random, suspicionless student drug testing programs are an ineffective use of scarce financial resources, better spent on counselors who can help identify and treat students who do have drug problems or extracurricular activities that have been proven to reduce student drug use."
The cost alone ought to be a huge red flag. Drug testing costs a high school of 500 students at least $21,000
To download the booklet visit: www.actioncenter.drugpolicy.org
WAR AS SPECTACLE
One of the joys of reading the monthly World Press Review [www.worldpress.org) is finding articles like this piece in the Hindu of Chennai, India, by Sevanti Ninan. It's about a compendium of research papers originally written for a symposium, War and the Media: Reporting Conflict 24/7 (ed. Daya Kishan Thussu and Des Freedman, Sage Publications, London, 2003)
The entire piece is excellent, but the last paragraph is what really caught my eye, reminding me of what the film, Wag the Dog, tried to warn us about
"One of the more seminal contributions in the volume under review is the chapter on the growing creative link between Hollywood and the Pentagon. There is a "militainment nexus," a formal collaboration proposed between the defense and entertainment industries on modeling and simulation technology, an institute for creative technology set up with grants from the U.S. military, and an increasing range of series that celebrate conflict and futuristic weapons systems. The book suggests that we rethink media research agendas to incorporate the hidden aspect of entertainment."
Imagine your most fantastical cinema plot, and then take a closer look at what's passing for reality in the media these days.
SPEAKING OF WAR
Did you know that some Chicano activists claim the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848), signed after Gen. Zachary Taylor provoked a war with Mexico in order to grab more territory for the manifest destiny beliefs of Pres. James Polk, gave us California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah and Colorado. That same treaty, they say, guaranteed Mexicans the right to freely cross the border into these conquered territories of the United States
Guadalupe-Hidalgo also guaranteed Mexicans who stayed in the U.S. equal legal protection under the law, the right to use the Spanish language and to practice their religion, as well as protection against property seizure
And yet today Mexicans are denied entry into their former territories, and often denied other rights granted in the treaty ... Is it any wonder that some Mexicans believe that the nation of El Norte will one day rise in the American Southwest, the territorial region known in legend as Aztlαn.
© 2004 Art GoodtimesBack
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How It Started
by Jim Sherman
What's in a name? The name "Whole Life Network" emerged out of one of the early brainstorming sessions. It looks now to have been something of a stroke of genius, but at the time it sounded just a little bland to me, and I felt lukewarm about it. I could not foresee that it would be suggestive of an ideal prescription for a fragmented world.
A Quantum worldview was already born and in its infancy, but few of us were aware. At least I was not. I was still too much caught in the grip of Modernity, and trying to protect the turf that it represented in my world. We were surrounded by a society caught up in a quest for absolutes little dreaming that the quest itself was a symptom of the sickness of our era. Our very sense of identity, and the security which it represents, were all intimately involved.
Modern science, in its quest for life and meaning, has grown adept at splintering and dividing our world into smaller and smaller bits and fragments. It could hardly comprehend a new science intruding the notion that Reality is so much more than the sum of its parts.
As the old infrastructure , (buried in the Collective Unconscious) began to collapse so, for many, did the sense of security and meaning that is embedded in any worldview. Ezekiel s valley of dry bones was once again emerging from the fog of time. And, even though all this was happening below the level of consciousness, and maybe even because of that fact, it held more than a suggestion of Nihilism. This is the point at which the Whole Life Network (WLN) stepped in.
Even now it is premature to speak of the emergence of any new, more adequate infrastructure. In such a case the task of a mediator, or midwife, becomes doubly urgent; a voice which seeks to interpret and moderate, and lay bare little bits and hints of new meaning, and to do it with a certain flair and confidence.
If people are to wake up to the fact that Heisenberg s Principle, and Bells Theorem have so thoroughly undercut the basic assumptions of a Newtonian worldview, it is best if those sounding the alarm are presenting helpful and reassuring voices like those of Deepak Chopra, Gregg Braden, Caroline Myss, Wayne Dyer, Ken Wilbur, Danah Zohar, Brian Swimme, and others. There are dozens of such voices that are now emerging, but without groups like the WLN, they are much less likely to be heard.
The question needs to be asked: How did such a group as the WLN emerge in Montrose? It seems something of a miracle to me. If asked, I think I would point to Becky Lindsay as a voice of original inspiration, but several other key players were also indispensable. Personally, I would call it Providence.
(Editors Note: In 2004, The Whole Life Network celebrates fifteen years of service to our community. This article is the fourth in a series written by our founders, the original members of the Board of Directors of The Whole Life Network. We honor Jim Sherman, who has long since left our community, but not our hearts.)
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Past President Honored
Whole Life Network Release
The year was 1999 and, in the middle of the Y2K furor that was generated in some circles, Maggie Remington was elevated to the position of President of The Whole Life Network. That year will be remembered as one of great growth and financial success for our network culminating with the appearance in Montrose of Greg Braden. Following her term in office, Maggie took a long sabbatical to follow her passion for earth painting and spent more than a year in Mexico, removed from Colorado, while she regenerated in spirit with her art. But, she was not destined to stay away from her friends and her fervor for co-creating a new societal order. She returned to Ridgway and resumed her career in mortgage financing. Today, she can usually be found during the day at her desk at 609 Clinton St. in Ridgway, representing Pinon Mortgage.
Recently, Maggie Remington enjoyed a vacation back in her beloved Mexico. She was out of the country for her birthday, but her friends did not forget the milestone and organized a big celebration upon her return. The party was hosted by Beasie Whaley at her beautiful home in Montrose. A ceremony, led by Elizabeth Roscoe, was conducted in which Maggie received many wishes of good fortune and much well-deserved praise. As a fitting culmination to the proceedings, Maggie announced that she was hosting a Healing Circle every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ridgway Integrative Medicine Building, 160 S. Amelia St, Ridgway, CO. Please call 970 622-4130 for information. Maggie, we send you good fortune and blessings for all of your endeavors.
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Peaceful Contributions for the Soul
by Kathy Gates
Meditation can be done for many different purposes. Sometimes we need a meditation for centering ourselves. On other occasions we find it can bring us a sense of connectedness with our Creator/God, helping guide our lives in a more positive way. April's meditation teaches us a way to feel more connected with our Mother Earth. A time when the Earth renews itself, after the frozen winter has passed, a time of new beginnings. (Do not drive while meditating)
Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, as you do this relax, let go. Continue to breath in, starting from the top of your head to your toes, relax each part of your being as you breath in and out. Do this until you feel completely relaxed. Let the busy thoughts that you may have go for a few moments. Focus your attention on our beautiful Mother Earth.
Mother Earth teaches us so many things, she brings love to life and shares her gifts with us all. It is our responsibility as humans to care for all living beings, that live and share the Earth with us.
The rocks give us a foundation, to hold our planet together. The trees produce oxygen and filter our air supply, they also give us their dancing branches for our fires to keep us warm, and their bodies to build our homes. Trees are a gift from Creator/God. We can learn from trees to stand tall and strong and to give of ourselves freely.
The animals here on Mother Earth can teach us so much if we would be willing to pay closer attention. Watch how they share with us. They give us meat to eat. They share their beauty with us as they fly, swim, crawl and prance. They teach us to survive with beauty and strength and to love each other just the way we are.
The water bring us moisture for our bodies, for the plants we eat, and a drink for all living beings. Water teaches us about flowing gently or strongly, that we can go with the flow of life. Respect the water and conserve for future generations to come.
Listen to the sounds of nature, the quiet. Find serenity and comfort, imagine sitting on a large rock looking out over a grassy meadow. Where birds singing their songs, flying in and out of the tall trees. Feeling a cool breeze blowing gently, this is the breath of God. Hear a small bee buzzing by happily. See wildlife traveling with grace and beauty all around you. Look at your reflection in a still small pond, where underneath there is life, fish swimming along. Sit in this still but very busy place for a few moments. Give thanks to Mother Earth for all the gifts of beauty she brings to us all. Think of some way that you can help her continue to give to us. A simple act of kindness on your part a gift to Mother Earth especially from you to her. Focus on this idea and see what comes through. As you come back from your meditation, remember you can go to this beautiful place any time. Ask that Creator/God bless our planet and all living beings who share Mother Earth with us. May the light always shine on our faces and bring us warmth.
More on meditation to come ..
(Join us April 17th from 10 am to 5 PM for Healing from Within at Women's Spirit Retreat, the cost is $40, Call for additional info. Kathy Gates may be contacted at Women's Spirit Retreat, (970)856-7665)
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Our Network Is Unique
by Sue Lemser, Membership Chairperson
Many of the readers of Connections have been following the series of stories called How It Started. These articles are from the personal memories of the 12 original members of the Board of Directors of The Whole Life Network, our founders, and commemorate the almost 15 years of existence of our network.
When submitting his work for this series, Jim Sherman made the following comment: "The network is an extraordinary achievement which, I believe, owes its original inspiration to Becky Lindsay. I wonder if there is anything quite like it anywhere else". Jim Sherman moved from our midst many years ago and has seen a lot of other places and, for the record, he doesn't think that there is anything quite like our network.
Several times we have been approached by people in Grand Junction who have wondered how they could get The Whole Life Network in their community. Yet, like many good things in life, after 15 years, we seem take for granted that The Whole Life Network will always be around.
Well, I , for one, think that it will always be around, but The Whole Life Network depends on a strong and vibrant membership. We are like National Public Radio in one regard. If you are a regular reader of Connections, don't you feel some obligation to contribute to the organization that is responsible for the information you are receiving? Currently it costs over $500 a month to print the paper that you are reading. As a non-profit, The Whole Life Network has one source of funding, our membership.
By your generous act of obtaining membership, you can insure the future of a unique Western Slope institution. Join now with the application found on the back page and we all thank you.
(Purchase ad space in Connections for your business or event: 240-0234. Ed)
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The Dance of Spring
© Anne Calzada Herbalist
Springtime is the time to engage the energy of renewal. This is the time to slough off the sluggishness of winter. As we open the doors and windows to let in the fresh air and clean our homes, our bodies will thank us for doing the same for them. In Chinese medicine, spring represents the season of wood. Wood is the element that governs the liver and the gall bladder. It is associated with the color green, the emotion of anger and the taste of sour. The liver is our main organ of detoxification. It is said that the liver is "the seat of the soul". This organ aids in digestion, metabolism, and elimination. The liver governs the eyes, the tendons and the muscles. When we are in balance with our liver, emotionally, we are happy, energetic and enthusiastic. When we are not balanced, we may be depressed, melancholy, irritable or even angry. Physically a congested liver may manifest as acne, allergies, arthritis, skin rashes, or eye troubles. Springtime offers the opportunity to release what is no longer needed and to accept the new gifts of the changing season. Herbs can energize us and nourish us deeply. Baby shoots of Dandelion, Nettles, Burdock, Mallow, Violets, Purslane and Asparagus are all great plant medicine. These young sprouts are powerhouses of rich minerals and vitamins. They are wild which makes them even stronger than cultivated spinach or greens. Add flowers and greens to salads. Steam dandelion greens. Stir fry Burdock root or roast it with soy sauce, tamari or Bragg's amino acids. Drink Red Clover blossom tea, Chamomile blossom or Dandelion root tea. Add Milk Thistle into your regime, it detoxifies and rebuilds the liver. Drink lots of fresh water. Add chlorophyll to your water. Gently flush the liver with the juice of 1/2 a lemon first thing in the morning and add a slice into your water through out the day. Remember the flavor of the liver is sour. This flavor is toning and nourishing. Take brisk walks and stretch your muscles daily. Try adding dry skin brushing into your daily routine. This practice cleanses the pores and adds much needed circulation to the body. Add a few drops of rosemary or lemon essential oil to the brush. These oils cleanse and energize. Take soaks at hot springs or use a detoxifying bath of 1/2 cup of sea salt to 1/4 cup of baking soda. Be sure to spend time outside in nature as much as possible & take time to enjoy this great world we live in!
(Anne Calzada is a Certified Herbalist and founder of Healing Heart Herbs. Her products can be found at Food For Thought in Ridgway and at other fine natural health outlets. For consultations or classes she may be reached at 626-5663 or by email annecalzada@aol.com)
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Animals as Healers: Tail-wagging and Touch
MVC Release
What if you could never touch a dog again?
For those of us who have experienced the value of the human/animal bond, there is only one response to that question-the concept is totally unacceptable. Since starting her Montrose veterinary practice in 1976, Morningstar founder Dr. Bettye Hooley has watched many clients age and disappear into assisted living facilities, and often those older adults were forced to leave behind not only the familiar comforts of home but the companionship of animals that they loved. "I just thought it was wrong," Bettye says. "I see on a daily basis the difference animals make in people's lives. I hear the difference a loving touch makes in a heartbeat, see the way physical contact comforts both human and animal companions, revel in the sensation of soft fur, silky ears and solid warm bulk pressed against me."
For years Bettye considered starting a therapy dog program for local facilities, but it wasn't until the arrival in Montrose of veterinary technician Jennifer Omer that the concept became a reality. At first Jennifer, the mother of two small children, found enough satisfaction in her well-received dog training classes, but she wanted to give back even more to the community and share the unconditional affection she received from her four-footed companions. Soon Jem, an enormous Bernese Mountain Dog, and young Finnian, a rough-coated collie (think "Lassie" with a silver-and-black color scheme) were joined by an assorted group of canines-purebreds and "mutts"-and their humans in preparing to become volunteers with Therapy Dogs International. The organization, started a quarter-century ago in New Jersey, evaluates and then certifies and registers dogs with the training and temperament appropriate to visiting facilities where residents are unable to have dogs of their own.
Eleven tests face prospective volunteers, which are designed to demonstrate confidence and control. Therapy Dogs must be willing to accept the attention of strangers, sit politely for petting, walk on a loose leash, sit, down, and stay on command, come when called, behave politely around other dogs, be relatively unfazed by distractions and medical equipment, and maintain its training and manners when left alone with someone other than their usual handler. Each dog must be well-groomed and demonstrate its willingness to be petted, whether sitting on a person's lap (small dogs) or on a chair or beside a patient.
In January, a small group of local dogs received certification through Therapy Dogs International, and soon they begin their valuable work in assisted living facilities, rest homes, and hospice. Studies have shown that petting and talking to these generous creatures promotes healing, lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, and eases depression. Imagine what a visit can mean to someone whose days seem endless and repetitive. More volunteers are needed. If you are interested and feel your canine companion is particularly sensitive and attentive to people, please call Morningstar at 249-8022 for more information.
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Towards An Aquarian Age
by Louis Acker
Neptune in Aquarius (Part II)
Astrological events: Neptune Entered Aquarius for the first time on January 29, 1998 and retrograded back into Capricorn on August 23, 1998. Neptune re-entered Aquarius on November 28, 1998. Neptune leaves Aquarius and enters Pisces on April 5, 2011 and retrogrades back into Aquarius on August 6,2011. Neptune re-enters Pisces on February 12,2012.
The current transit of Neptune in Aquarius is happening in a critical time period during the middle of the transition from the Piscean to the Aquarian age. This time is like wet cement, which can be molded into various shapes. Once the cement hardens it is difficult to change whatever shape it has hardened in. Neptune rules the astral (emotional) plane of expression affecting mass consciousness and emotional outlook. The forces which predominantly shape the emotional outlook of the masses will determine what form the cement hardens into setting the pattern of future history for a long time to come. Neptune has much to do with the subconscious memory of past experiences, which shape emotional outlook on an individual and collective level. An accurate understanding of our real history as a species is a key deciding factor in determining mass attitudes and therefore what alternate future humanity buys into. Official history as promoted in religions, schools and universities has been edited, and falsified as part of the mind control program of the power elite, which has ruled the world for a long time. This is why many embarrassing archeological finds are secretly locked away. It is why ancient occult manuscripts are entombed in the Vatican library and other places to be seen only by a very select few. It is why a centrally controlled news and entertainment media puts the spin on our historical past and current world news, which serves the elite agenda. This elite or world management team as it is sometimes referred to consists of a very few family lines, which have dominated major religious, educational, economic and political institutions for millennia. They in turn are psychically controlled and possessed by negative extraterrestrial entities, which psychically feed of human fear and misery.
Aquarius represents an opportunity for freedom, and Neptune in Aquarius has the potential for freedom from mass mind control if enough people wake up soon enough. It is important to look at the motivations behind the official mass media representation of news stories as to whose agenda is served and who benefits. Many events are deliberately staged to program mass consciousness and engineer crisis situations to create the excuse for more centralized control by the global power elite. The world trade center disaster is a perfect example of this tactic. What a perfect excuse it is for police state, invasion of privacy, and more money and power for the military industrial establishment. Our future freedom depends on how many people wake up and see through these tactics and how much of the real story can get past official media censorship.
Aquarius is an intellectual air sign and air is the most subtle and universally pervasive of the elements. Neptune in Aquarius promotes a universal psychic interconnectedness, which can bring out the truth through synchronistic events orchestrated through the collective unconscious. Air signs are intellectual, and so Neptune in Aquarius promotes a greater and more sophisticated public awareness of the workings of deeper levels of consciousness. There is an ever-increasing public interest in telepathy, psychic abilities, past lives, precognition, dreams altered states of consciousness etc. More than ever before there is potential for mass spiritual awakening and also manipulation of mass consciousness and so the stakes are higher than ever before.
(Louis Acker, a Montrose resident, is an internationally recognized authority and author of Astrologers Handbook. He may be contacted at 252-0600)
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Dea's Kitchen - Less is More: Healthy Shortcuts
by Dea Jacobson
Modern life has gifted us with conveniences and technical advances which, at first, seem to make life easier. Microwaves come to mind. Instant breakfast. Fast. food. Drive up. . . you needn't even leave your car! There'll be more time to make more money to buy more stuff. .and the beat goes on. Gregg Easterbrook, in his book The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets , Better While People Get Worse, gives some examples of how society's success is actually counter to our health and well-being. As living standards rise, so does the incidence of clinical depression. Prosperity backfires. A century ago, he says, the typical American walked 3 miles a day. Today the average is a quarter mile. A poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle was ranked as the cause for 400,000 deaths in the U.S. in the year 2000, second only to tobacco use.
Simplicity is the antidote. Back to basics. Spring is the time o rebirth, and new beginnings. According to Wise Earth School founder Maya Tiwari, each season has a personality. Spring is "rebirth". She says." All life awakens.. ,. we experience increased vulnerability at this time. (Makes me think of baby animals' need for protection!) Pay careful attention to your choices of foods and activities. Embrace your vulnerability in this season, as it is the season of growth and transformation. When you face what arises, you are no longer vulnerable."
One of our vulnerabilities in the modern age is the fear of not having enough, which leads to stress. When we overwork and come home exhausted, who wants to cook? The New York Times recent piece titled "No New Marthas Need Apply", had a comment about home cooking: "...when you make meals at home, this brings about a sense o security and grounding, a sense of who I am and where I belong".
What to do?? Here's a healthy shortcut. In Rebecca Wood's class, we called it the " One Pot - Three Meal" method. Cook a large pot of grain first thing in the morning. The quickest is quinoa. Rinse 2 cups in cool water and strain to remove its bitter coating of saponin. Measure 2 cups cold water to one cup quinoa into a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat and to simmer. If you don't have a gas stove, or your pot has a thin bottom, you can use a "flame tamer" or add more water. Don't stir! When all the water is absorbed, in about 15 minutes, remove from heat and fluff. This can be eaten with a little milk and sweetening for breakfast. What is left should be put in a clean bowl and covered with a cloth or sushi mat. Don't refrigerate. It won't spoil if used within 24 hours. Then, for lunch, it can be packed in a tortilla wrap with veggies or made into a salad. When you return for dinner, use the remaining in a stir fry with your choice of veggies and protein. If you want to use brown rice instead, the initial cooking time is about 45 minutes. Same proportions. Either way, you won't spend hours on home cooking. Be sure to have on hand some fresh veggies and a variety of grains to try out. Compost what you don't use in 24 hours.
Your kitchen is a sacred space. Keep it clean and uncluttered. Simplify by getting rid of utensils you don't use, and eliminating electrical appliances in favor of hand operated ones.
Our surroundings, says Maya Tiwari, help to heal us. When I left the city, I left my microwave behind. And, oh what a relief it was to face that fear and let it go! So, line your shelves with glass jars of red adukis and yellow mung beans, shining black wild rice, golden cornmeal and buff basmati rice. Hang a wind chime outside the window. Put soul back in your cooking space.
(Dea Jacobson is Director of Blue Heron Yoga, Fitness & Wellness of Cedaredge, CO. She may be reached at www.blueheronyoga.com or 856-4905)
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Naked
by Dr. Jerry Overton
"Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons." Genesis 3:7a.
When was the first time you knew you were naked-exposed, vulnerable, without all the usual cover-ups that make you feel safe, loved, and at peace?
I remember clearly my first awareness. I was perhaps 6 or 7 years old, and my first playmate, Annie Ruth Stewart, who was 2 or 3 years older than me, tempted me to crawl under the neighbor's fence and steal a cabbage out of his garden. I'll never know why I was so susceptible to her temptings. It wasn't as if I was going after something delicious like strawberries or ripe peaches. It was a cabbage, and I didn't even like cabbage! Perhaps I wanted to be liked by her, or show her I was brave or courageous. Or perhaps it felt daring and exciting-or who knows?
All I know is that from that moment on my life was never again the same. Even at the tender age of six or so I knew that I had somehow crossed over the line-now aware of the perceived choice between "good" and "evil". And I realized that I had definitely "sinned"-missed the mark of being a good and precious little boy.
And just like in the Genesis story, that's when the need for cover-ups started in my life-not fig leaves sewed together, but the more subtle kinds of cover-ups, like never telling my parents of my deed-never telling them lots of things that would put me in a bad light! And that's when all the guilt & shame started to build.
If I were to give a one-line definition of personal dysfunction it would be keeping the lie inside-especially those more subtle ones-and the hiding out behind the various cover-ups that we think will make us feel safe, loved, and at peace.
For much of my life I've hid out behind various cover-ups-the various roles that I've used to give me status or acceptance or inclusion-like the role of a caring minister, or good citizen, or loving parent, or understanding friend, or curious student, or good little boy (who would never even think of stealing a cabbage!). To be sure there has been a measure of authenticity for me in all those roles. And yet, if I were to stand before you, naked with the truth, I would have to admit that they were also used consciously as sources of my esteem, security, affection, power, and control that I've thought I needed to be loved and included.
Over this last year or so, I've felt this inner call to peel away more and more of those layers-to shed more of those cover-up roles. Recently that pull has grown even stronger-to get completely naked with myself-spiritually, mentally, and emotionally-to come out from behind all those cover-ups and claim even more of my True Self.
I don't know yet just what all that will mean for me in the more practical sense. And yet, I do know that what I've done so far-the giving up the roles and getting more naked with my Self-has felt very, very freeing. So, I'll keep you posted!
© 2004 Dr. Jerry D. Overton All Rights Reserved
(Dr. Jerry D. Overton is Director of The Center for Personal and Spiritual Growth. He can be reached at 970-252-9311, by e-mail at jerry@jerryoverton.com, or on the web at www.jerryoverton.com)
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Whole Life Network Business Member Profile
Whole Life Network Release
Orvis Hot Springs: Jack Cosgrove
This incident actually happened to one of our Whole Life Network members. Last summer, he was hiking down a dirt road just north of Silverjack Reservoir when he saw a lady dressed only in shorts and a bikini top approaching from the opposite direction. She stopped him to ask directions and they became engaged in conversation in the shade on the side of the road. It was revealed that this lady was from somewhere on the Front Range and that she was on vacation. In fact, she always vacationed in this area so that she could enjoy the facilities at Orvis Hot Springs. Our member was invited to meet the Front Range lady that evening at Orvis, but he declined (previous commitment). Obviously, Orvis Hot Springs is a magnate for area residents and tourists from afar, and The Whole Life Network is proud to enjoy a special relationship with this famous spa.
Guests at Orvis Hot Springs can be accommodated in variety of ways. First, lodging can be reserved in rustic rooms that are both clean and cozy. And the view, well, we locals may not appreciate it, but Orvis is nestled at the foot of the San Juan Mountains and commands an unobstructed view of majestic beauty. Why not take the kids camping at Orvis? Visitors who are camping soaking privileges and 24 hour access to the hot springs. Orvis Hot Springs is well known for their massage therapy. Some of the most loyal members of The Whole Life Network are massage therapists employed by Orvis.
The main attraction is "The Pond" which is a 40' wide by 5' deep natural spring pool. "The Plunge" is located within the pond and the temperature varies seasonally. Want real thermal soaking? Try "The Lobster Pot" with water temperature between 110 - 114 degrees F. If you just want to read or relax, you might try the "Indoor Pool", a beautiful rustic setting with waterfalls. As always, all soaking areas are clothing optional which means you are free to enjoy with or without clothing. If it has been awhile since you have spent some time at Orvis Hot Springs, you owe yourself a treat. Come and enjoy!
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