WLN Co-Sponsors Nakai Concert
Whole Life Network Release
The Whole Life Network
became a co-sponsor of the upcoming R. Carlos Nakai Quartet concert to benefit
Western Colorado Congress early in June following impromptu negotiations
between WLN President Kim E. Davis and WCC representatives.
Paul Chubbuck of WCC’s
Montrose office was instrumental in facilitating the deal.
Davis said the
co-sponsorship represented a great opportunity for Whole Life Network.
In terms of exposure,
the co-sponsorship means the Whole Life
Network enjoys prominent logo identification on posters promoting the event.
At press time, Whole Life
Network Connections on KVNF host
Joshua Hayward was working to have R. Carlos Nakai appear on the program
Thursday, June 22 at Noon.
Please refer to the
display ad on Page 3 for additional information.
The text of the WCC press
release detailing the event follows verbatim:
R. Carlos Nakai Quartet to Perform at the
Grande River Vineyard
in Palisade
On July 16 at 8 PM, under
the stars at the Grande River Vineyard in Palisades, noted Native American
six-time Grammy nominee R. Carlos Nakai brings his quartet to perform
"cutting-edge native jazz fusion with a heavy dose of worldbeat." in
a benefit to support Western Colorado Congress.
They have released three
CD’s of mostly original music inspired by each member’s musical history,
ethnicity, cultural experiences, and visions. Tucson Citizen music critic Dan
Buckley describes the music as “…atmospheric and evocative, funky, rhythmically
playful…exciting, never banal…The improvisational impulse is always
there…tempered by an egoless…camaraderie and collective vision.”
The Quartet features R.
Carlos Nakai of Navajo-Ute heritage on traditional cedar flute and trumpet;
Will Clipman, who took up drums at age three and has recorded more than 30
albums with various artists; Amo Chip Dabney on keyboard, sax, and bass, a
versatile musician of African, Native American and European descent who has
worked with O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian All Stars and Queen Ida of zydeco
fame; and bassist and jazz vocalist Mary Redhouse of the Navajo tribe, whose
style blends native chants, bird and animal calls and multi-octave “scat”
lines.
The concert is co-sponsored by KVNF Public Radio.
Tickets are $20 and are available at the following outlets:
Montrose: Blue Sky Music
Ridgway: Cimarron Books
Paonia: KVNF studios
Grand Junction: Sundrop Grocery
Hotchkiss: Hardin’s Natural
Foods
Glenwood Springs: The Book Train
Steamboat Springs: All That Jazz
Moab: Arches Book Company
Palisade: Grande River
Vineyard
For credit card orders,
please call Western Colorado Congress at (970) 249-1978.
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Neelam Montrose Satsung
Scheduled
WLN/FTS Release
The Whole Life Network in
conjunction with Fire of Truth Satsanga will host a satsang with Neelam at the
Cimmaron Golf Center in Montrose at 901 65.30 Rd. Sunday, July 25 at 11 a.m.
Neelam, who resides in
the Hotchkiss area, was born in Poland and lived the life of a spiritual seeker
until 1995. At that time she was drawn to India, where she met H.W.L. Poonja
(known as Papaji). What Neelam found with Papaji might be called the Truth of
who we all really are. In that Truth, the identity and Love that is at the core
of all things was realized. There was the discovery and deep seeing that
everything is born, dies, and currently exists in an infinite sea of
consciousness, love and light.
In this seeing of the
true identity of all things she found that there was no longer any need to
search for happiness, peace or love outside of herself. She saw this was true
for herself, and everybody else as well; it was just a matter of having one’s
own deep recognition of that. After this recognition, and with Papaji's
blessing, in the traditional Satsang format, she began sharing her teachings
with many people, helping them to awaken to the reality of their true nature.
What is satsang? It’s
literal translation is to meet in Truth. On the surface, a satsang
is a group of people gathering together, listening to a talk, perhaps having
interactions with the teacher, asking questions. A deeper look reveals that
satsang is a direct transmission from our True Self. The satsang is a place to
receive the message that the Truth is to be found inside our own being, and
happiness and love is not external but our very own nature.
Neelam currently holds
public satsangs in Paonia, Hotchkiss, Grand Junction, Aspen, Carbondale and the
Boulder area. She also travels extensively to other areas in the U.S., Canada,
India and Europe. She can be reached via her Paonia office at 527-4397. One may
get more information about her and her schedule on her web site www.neelam.org.
Please call Warren at
252-8272, Larry at 240-0234 or Neelam's office for further information on the
Montrose satsung.
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Meditations: Soapbox of the
President
by Kim E. Davis
Many people have come to me and told me their stories of how lucky
they are to have someone special in their lives, and how that person has helped
them through the hard times. I have also heard about certain Healers who have
changed people's lives. Well, here is my short story on that same subject.
My special someone is a
22 year old female calico named JaPaz. She came into my life at eight weeks old
and has been a part of my life for most of the 22 years. We have grown up together.
She is nothing less than amazing.
She has some health
problems and we deal with it through medication and a lot of pampering. When
she had a stroke in 2003, I thought my best friend's life was at its end. In
three days she was 90% recovered. Even her doctor was amazed.
Now every day of our
lives together changes my life and the way I look at things. If I even think I
have a pain somewhere, I look at her and know that she may have some pain too.
She just doesn't gripe about it.
She has been with me
through all of my good times and my bad times and still loves me even when I am
not at my best. She is the best Healer I have ever known and she certainly has
changed my life.
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New Group of World Servers Forming
Visionary Counseling Release
Please join Laurel Ann
and the New Group of World Servers to Celebrate the New Moon and Full Moon each
month beginning Sat., July 31 from 6 to 8:30 pm.
Join in Expressions of
men and women of Goodwill for World Peace at Visionary Counseling, 307 E. Main
St., Suite 1, Montrose.
Call 240-3627 for more
information. See the Whole Life Events Calendar for dates of celebration.
The Great Invocation,
reprinted below, is a potent world prayer, belongs to all of humanity. By
saying it daily, each one of us can help bring about the improvements in our
world which are so sorely needed. Your participation in this world effort is
greatly appreciated.
The
Great Invocation
From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into human minds.
Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into human hearts.
May the Coming One return to Earth.
From the center where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide all little human wills
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the center which we call the human race
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the
Plan on Earth
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Remembering Aztlán
A Column of Poetry, Culture & Spirit by Art
Goodtimes
FASCIST COUP? … That’s what
happened in Germany before WWII and maybe now in Third World countries. Never
here, right? Well, not exactly. Although the history books have avoided this
subject, the truth is America came close to witnessing a fascist coup in the
1930s … Unbelievable? Read this excellent account from a letter to the Vail
Daily on April 16, 2004 by Bob Fiske (used with permission of the editor) …
“Recently I learned about a little known incident in our country's history I felt
was worth sharing with everyone. This is not the kind of history you learn in
school, but it is true nonetheless. It tells of how in 1934 an honored Marine
Corps general saved America from becoming a fascist state … America was in the
Great Depression that began with the stock market crash of 1929 that put
millions out of work, and that event brought Franklin D. Roosevelt and the
Democrats into the White House in 1933 … 1933 was also the year Adolph Hitler
and the Nazis came to power in Germany, and wealthy industrialists in Germany
and in other nations, including the United States, supported them. Hitler
assumed dictatorial powers after the Reichstag fire, which was blamed on the
German Communists but actually set by Hitler's SS. The Nazis quickly crushed the
Communists, and Hitler's propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, soon had
complete control of the German press. The German people were told only what the
Nazis wanted them to hear. Hitler wrote, "The great masses of the people
... will more easily fall victim to a great lie than to a small one." …
Some very powerful people in our country began to worry that Roosevelt's New
Deal was the beginnings of socialism in our country, and a few felt that
Roosevelt was secretly a communist. That many American workers and
intellectuals were joining the U.S. Communist Party was a fact that also
worried these powerful people. They were becoming afraid … The conspirators
believed that a fascist system in the United States could protect them from
socialism and communism. Early in 1934, backers at the Morgan Bank, General
Motors and Du Pont put together $3 million to finance the coup, with Irenee du
Pont and GM President William Knudson working on the plan … Part of the plan
involved using "communist" terrorists to create chaos, while putting
together a "fascist" army from the many disgruntled WWI veterans who
were not receiving benefits. The conspirators would also have the Hearst
newspaper chain on their side … They needed a military man, a hero, to be the
leader in this fascist movement, and decided to approach retired Major General
Smedley Butler to lead the veterans' march on Washington they were planning.
While still in his teens, Butler had joined the Marines, and fought in the
Spanish American War, the Boxer Rebellion, in Nicaragua, Mexico, commanded a
Marine regiment in France, Haiti and China, and was awarded two Medals of Honor
in his career. Retiring in 1931, he had supported veterans' benefits and had
become an outspoken critic of FDR, and seemed the perfect man for the job …
Butler was approached by Wall Street people and asked to lead 500,000 veterans
on a march to Washington, allegedly to protect the president from a communist
plot, but with the idea of taking total power. During meetings with Butler,
they had dropped the names of some of the powerful people involved in the plot
…
Butler would have none of
it. As he testified before Congress, he told the conspirators, "My
interest is, my one hobby is, maintaining a democracy. If you get these 500,000
soldiers advocating anything smelling of fascism, I am going to get 500,000
more and lick the hell out of you, and we will have a real war right at
home." … When he figured out what they were up to, Butler went straight to
President Roosevelt and told him the plan. Franklin Roosevelt was in a bad
spot, for if he ordered the arrest of some of the most powerful men in our
nation and charged them with treason in the middle of the Depression, it could
trigger another Wall Street crash. Other powerful people might turn against
him, and the president knew he had to keep them on his side … Roosevelt was a
smart man, so he mentioned at a press conference, somewhat lightly, that he had
heard that these certain people were plotting to overthrow his presidency.
While the newspapers, many of which were owned by elitists, downplayed the plot
as a ridiculous rumor, Congress appointed a special committee to investigate
it. Several of the primary plotters went on extended overseas vacations during
the four years it took the special committee to release its report. While
downplaying the seriousness of the coup, the report stated "certain
persons made an attempt to establish a fascist organization in this
country" and that they were "able to verify all pertinent statements
made by General Butler." … General Smedley Butler possibly saved America
from becoming a fascist state in 1934, and he deserves recognition. Butler saw
that there were powerful forces at work behind the scenes in our country, and
in 1935 was quoted, "I helped make Mexico and especially Tamico safe for
American oil interests. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the
National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half
a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record
of racketeering is long ... . I felt like I might have given Al Capone a few
hints." … Butler, who died in 1940, spoke out frequently against war and
fascism, and became an isolationist, arguing for a military that could not
operate more than 500 miles outside our territorial boundaries, so they would
not become a tool of Wall Street. He saw war as a racket of the American and
European bankers, who lent money to nations on both sides of a conflict, and
who often worked behind the scenes to promote war. War is good business for
some … This little known incident in our nation's history certainly has
implications today. In 1934, powerful elitist groups tried to overthrow our
elected president. If you are someone who believes that these elitists still
wield power, then you would probably believe that there has been one successful
coup in our country, the murder of John Kennedy in 1963, and another attempted
one, the shooting of Ronald Reagan in 1981. The behind the scenes history of
the 20th Century presents solid evidence that elitist groups have control
through the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the
"Bilderbugers," the Order of the Skull & Bones, and the
international banking interest, and have influenced and manipulated much of our
history during this time … The events leading to the horror of 9/11 and the War
with Iraq show that powerful forces are still at work controlling our
government, and much of the news media, from behind the scenes. Freedom of the
press depends on who controls the presses and the TV and radio networks. We may
soon be living in a corporate version of a fascist state, run by a small group
of very powerful men. To them today, as it was in 1934, it is a global game of
wealth and power, and greed … For Major General Smedley Butler, USMC, it was
always Duty, Honor, Country. He was a true American hero.” … Citizens, beware.
It could happen again.
WATER … Finally, this spring, on Mother’s Day, no
less, my irrigation pond in the headwaters of Maverick Draw near Norwood went
from bone dry to brim full. Within a matter of an hour or so … It’s been three
years since that happened. I’d excavated and rock-lined the pond in that dry
hiatus, built a bridge and some catwalks, and so I was both prepared and
delighted to see the water back … Yes, it’s still a drought in Colorado. But
with lots of snow on Lone Cone and the Gurley ditch running full bore, at least
there’s a little water coming our semi-arid way this year.
WORLD PRESS REVIEW … After
30 years, the Stanley Foundation has pulled the plug on its excellent monthly
compendium of world opinion. And I’m jonesing … I had come to depend on WPR for
perspectives that would never appear in our corporate-dominated media outlets.
From to the crisis in the Middle East according to both Jewish and Islamic
sources to the World in Cartoons, WPA was indispensable reading in my household
… Added bonus, or used to be, Ian Bald of Placerville’s sister was the managing
editor … It’s a sad day for American access to unvarnished press reports. We’ll
miss you, WPR.
COMPUTER HELL … What a trickster
technology we’ve let take over our lives. We go along with new tools and
gadgets, delighting in their ease. Their convenience. Soon we become dependent
on them for a big chunk of our 9 to 5. And then bingo! Tilt! Something goes
very very wrong. No passing Go. And it’s welcome once again to the
Carpel-Tunnel chaos of the rapidly expanding machine-dependent moment … My
laptop went blank two months ago. It had worked like a charm at the office up
in Telluride a few hours before. And, per my normal routine, I took it home …
Actually, I take it everywhere. Home. Hotel. Conferences and meeting. When I
leave the county, I’m often in as close touch with things as I am at home in
Norwood. Sending and receiving mail. Dashing off memos to staff. Working on
committees in cyberspace. It’s become my indispensable walking office manager,
archive, aide-de-camp, resource library and amanuensis all wrapped into one.
You can be anywhere on any kind of mission and still be actively working as
hard as anyone ensconced in a third floor cubicle … But on the evening of
Thursday, May 13th, the world stopped for me … Yes, I had backups. No, they
ended up not being current. Yes, I recovered most stuff done before late April.
No, maybe a thousand of the most recent emails didn’t make it out of the
screen’s black hole. Yes, they found me a replacement machine. No, I still
can’t send messages on it -- the error message says I’ve been “greylisted”! ...
Actually, I’m just beginning to figure things out on an IBM (not the old
Toshiba) laptop with a radically different keyboard, Windows 2000 Professional
(instead of Windows XP), and all my templates and address books doing hard time
in some cyber-limbo. A half-dozen calls to Rick Stewart of The Internet Company
over in Ridgway, and we have some of the techie handshakes done (and you
thought the Masons were both hermetic and compulsive) … So, if you’re expecting
a reply to something you sent me in the last few weeks, you might try sending
it again. But don’t be surprised if you never hear from me … The neat
technolithic routine of my life has been shattered. I’m a cyber-zombie. And the
strange thing is, it actually feels kind of good. Liberating. I have my
postmodern excuse for every failed obligation and overdue responsibility - my
hard drive failed!
© 2004 Art Goodtimes
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Dea's Kitchen: The health benefits of cherries
by Dea Jacobson
My first Summer in
Colorado was spent in Paonia picking fruit, and I was amazed by the beauty and abundance
I experienced in a sunlight speckled cherry orchard. Branches bending low,
laden with sweet dark cherries - a welcome sight for the amateur fruit picker
looking for a little work and a treat as well.
Back then, I learned the
difference between the varieties - how to tell a round, deep, dark Bing from a
heart shaped Lambert, and got to try golden Royal Anns and Raniers. Later in
the season, picking sour cherries was a messy job, but worth it if you wanted a
great pie.
Cherry harvest is already
well underway here in Western Colorado, and we have the opportunity to feast on
one of the healthiest fruits available.
Sweet cherries are very
susceptible to late Spring freezes, we are fortunate they survived. And they're
one of the easiest fruits to digest. I just need to remember to eat them in
moderation.
For the best choices,
find a "U-Pick" orchard in Paonia, Palisade, Hotchkiss, Delta on
Antelope Hill (near Eckert; see www.Bingcherry.com) or Grand Junction.
It's important to pick
sweet cherries with their stems, or they will spoil rapidly. If you buy them
already picked, see that the stems are fresh and green and the cherries are
large, very firm and dark red-purple. Imported cherries are usually heavily
treated with pesticides, so locally is definitely better.
Sweet cherries will keep
with stems on, refrigerated, for about a week. If you want to freeze them,
remove the stem, rinse and lay them out on a cookie sheet and freeze before
putting them in heavy freezer bags. They'll keep for about a year. Or can them
in a light syrup.
Sour cherries are a whole
different story. Too tart to eat fresh (unless you like to pucker up), they
don't keep well and need to be used or preserved soon after picking. I never
canned sours, but preferred to pit and freeze them, using an old crank style
pitter I found in a local thrift store. But, if you don't have one, it isn't
difficult to squeeze their pits out. Make sure you save the antioxident-rich
juice for the following recipe.
For pies, sour cherries
are tossed with cornstarch or a little instant tapioca and sweetening. Let
stand 15 minutes before spooning into the pie shell.
Both sweet and sour
cherries make great jams and preserves. And pitted dried sour cherries make a
great addition to salads, pilafs, or to snack on.
Nutritionally, cherries
have pectin, a soluble fiber that helps control blood cholesterol, as well as
Vitamin C and Iron. They are also high in the anti-oxidant quercetin, which may
have a both anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
Cherry juice is a well
know remedy for gout, arthritis and rheumatism, and is a main ingredient in the
following recipe: Cherry-Tofu Smoothie
2 cups frozen or fresh cherries
1 12 oz. package of silken tofu
3/4 cup tart cherry juice
2 tablespoons honey
Blend until smooth. Makes 3 one-cup servings. There's lots more
information on www.wholehealthmd.com as well as more great recipes on
www.usacherries.com, which is where I got this recipe.
Do yourself a favor and
support our local farmers too! Happy picking and good health to you!
(Dea Jacobson, RYT, is the owner of Blue Heron Yoga and
Wellness in Cedaredge, Colorado. She is a graduate of Naturally Grand Cooking
School and is available for cooking at retreats and for teaching yoga throughout
Western Colorado. Reach her at www.blueheronyoga.com or at (970) 856-4905)
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Peaceful Contributions for the
Soul
by Kathy Gates
July is a time of rapid
growth. All the plants are fully leafed, flowering and fruit is coming forth.
The seed is preparing for the time of the harvest. Humans are no exception we
explore everything, trying to find what makes us feel good. What seems to fit
with us. This is a time of great energy, adaptability, maturity and playfulness
and humor.
Create a brand new world
for yourself, one that meets your deepest needs, and will help raise the
quality of consciousness of the entire world.
This is a great force
within each of us. Inspiring us all to wake up and recognize the reality of who
we are. The creative power underlying the entire universe is urging us all to
create brand new standards of reality.
It is never to late to
become the person you were meant to be. It is important to find a method of
quieting the mind and relaxing the body that suits each individual. Sometimes
just sitting quietly and breathing is what is important. Remember this is time
for you. Awareness of the thoughts in the mind and the breath in the body is
all you need to be concerned with.
Deep and long breathing
relaxes the body, calms the mind, and focuses the spirit.
During meditation it is a
good time to look at your thoughts, accept what come through and decide for
yourself if these are the type of thoughts that are harmful or healthy for you
and the whole of the universe.
It’s a time to grow
yourself, listen from within and bring forth the flower of who you are for all
to see. Show the true fruit within, then you can send your seeds out for the
harvest and good of all.
Each of us has a purpose
for being. Live, love, and laugh, sing and dance and be creative. Share your
gifts they were given to you from Spirit, then you will surely see the
beautiful person shining through a person that meets your deepest needs. Peace
and blessings.
More on meditation to
come …
(Women’s Spirit Retreat is available for workshops and other
gatherings. You may contact Kathy Gates at (970) 856-7665)
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The Power of Flowers
© Anne Calzada Herbalist
One of my favorite things
about summer is the beautiful flowers, both wild and domestic. It is a great
joy to witness the magnificent blooms of plants and trees. They entice us with
their scent and inspire us with their color.
The flower is the
reproductive site of some plants. The bees, insects, wind and people all help
to pollinate and contribute to the evolution of the plant world.
Flowers are magical! They
have much to offer the human species. Everyone enjoys them! Used for food,
medicine, beauty and color, they have enhanced human life since the beginning
of time. Even the colors of flowers are used. Safflower, Rose and Violet are a
few whose virtues have been imparted to create dyes and make paper.
They are rich in
vitamins, minerals, bioflavinoids and essential fatty acids. Calendula flowers
are a rich source of lutien, a nutrient that supports the eyes. Hibiscus
flowers are very high in Vitamin C. Evening Primrose and Borage flowers contain
essential fatty acids, which support the body's endocrine, cardiovascular,
nervous, system and so much more. Chamomile blossoms are loaded with calcium
and magnesium, which is nourishing, calming and antispasmodic to the nervous
system.
Many flowers are edible
and some are not. Most are sweet and nourishing. You can make meals that are
not only delicious, but also very pleasing to the eye. Eat organically grown
flowers or wild harvested that are not endangered or close to roads. Never eat
any wild plants that have been exposed to pesticides or car emissions. Always
know just exactly what you are eating!
Add flowers to salads,
salad dressings, cakes, drinks, and desserts. Add them to meat dishes or
vegetarian dishes. Make sun tea with them. Freeze them in ice cubes.
Here is a very short list
of common flowers that are safe and edible: *Alfalfa *Basil *Borage *Chives
*Dandelion *Dill *Hollyhock *Geranium *Lavender *Lemon Balm *Mallow *Pansies
*Red Clover *Roses *Rosemary *Sunflower *Violets
Here is a short list of
flowers that are NOT edible:
*Azalea *Buttercup *Daffodil *Hyacinth *Iris *Morning Glory *Poinsettia
Flowers are potent in
their medicinal properties. Herbalists use flowers in the form of tea,
tincture, capsule, oil, cream, salve, vinegar, paste, hydrosol, essential oil
and homeopathic.
Calendula flower oil is
used to moisturize dry cracked skin.
Mullein flower oil
soothes earaches.
Chamomile blossoms are
the ultimate in tea for a stressful day!
Lavender flowers are
relaxing and pampering when you bathe with them.
Elder flowers are known
to reduce fevers and ease a cold or flu.
Cornflower water is an
astringent and is known to reduce puffiness under the eyes.
Arnica flower oil,
liniment, cream or homeopathic is known to reduce muscular pain.
Roses are supreme in
beauty care and happen to be my personal favorite!
Flower essences are well
known and popular when addressing emotional distress. Rescue Remedy is probably
the most well known, but others abide in their efficacy.
Rose for opening the
heart to the experience of love.
Yarrow for cleansing the
psychic debris that accumulates from day to day.
Sunflower for increasing
your sunny disposition and light.
Oak tree flower essence
for balanced strength both physical and mental.
Crab Apple tree flower
essence brings acceptance of self and the removal of feeling negative about
one's body image.
Flowers are outstanding
and most people like them even if you are allergic to them! They are
expressions of beauty. They are a luxury! We give them to each other to show
how much we care about each other. Knowing that they give much more than meets
the eye is delightful!
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ReConnections: A Look Back
The heritage of The Whole Life Network from the pages of
Connections.
1 Year Ago **Main
Street Essentials, located at 700 E. Main, will donate a portion of their
proceeds for anyone who sets an appointment (for services) and mentions
Partners during the week of July 13 - 19.” **Kathy Gates of Women’s Spirit
Retreat offers this advice, ”Take a walk in Nature; feel how well you belong
there. Take some deep breaths. If you notice any trash on the ground, please
feel free to pick it up, a gift from you to Mother Earth.”
5 Years Ago **The
Whole Life Network proudly announces Maggie Remington as the new President
through the end of 1999. Previously the Vice-President of WLN, Maggie has
worked diligently in WLN core groups and for WLN events, such as this year’s
Health and Wellness Fair and the May Day Festival.” **Tom Farnham thoughtfully
reflected on freedom on this July 4th, “There are many examples of legalized
tyranny of our freedom. But the ultimate freedom cannot be taken away. It is
that which you can find within yourself.”
10 Years Ago **The
Whole Life Network is gearing up for its fourth annual symposium, to be held
Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8, at the Montrose Pavilion. This year’s
presenter will be Dr. Kenneth Ring, an internationally recognized expert on the
phenomenon of near-death experiences.” **Christine Knight makes an
announcement, “The Whole Life Network is se eking to expand its lending
library. We currently have a small number of books that are available for check
out to our members.“
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Towards An Aquarian Age
by Louis Acker
Readers have asked me
about the purpose of my Connections column. It is to familiarize our community
with major issues relating to the birth of a new global civilization. That
there will be such a birth is not in doubt, however birth can be a messy,
dangerous and painful process for both the child and the mother. Will this
birth be a natural birth, a breach birth, a cesarean section, or a still birth?
This outcome is
influenced by many factors including astrological influences, mass
consciousness of humanity, leadership (economic, political, or spiritual),
influence of extraterrestrial civilizations, and Divine intervention.
Each person plays a part
in influencing mass consciousness and mass destiny regardless of how
insignificant it may seem or how consciously it is played out. This should be
reason for humility, but it should never be an excuse for complacency.
In Chaos Theory, it is
said that small seemingly insignificant actions can influence the outcome of
large scale events, as in the butterfly hypothesis where a butterfly beating
its wings can influence weather on the other side of the world. Each of us
influences history far more than we are aware simply by the attitudes and
actions of our daily lives. Something as simple as a few kind words to a child
could have vast unforeseen consequences in shaping a more positive future.
It is true that no single
person or even group of people can save the world, but every person has a
capability and responsibility to play their part in creating a livable,
sustainable, joyful and positive future for humanity and planet Earth.
If enough of us take
responsibility with as much courage, vision, creativity, insight and love as we
are capable of, the future can be far brighter and more glorious than any of us
can possibly imagine.
(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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An Editorial Au Revoir
by Lane Mills,
Co-Editor, Sept. 2000-July 2004
A Labor of Love
The time-honored
tradition of newspaper publishing allows for a final column, preferably
extolling the virtues of the publication and the magnanimity of its publisher,
upon the departure of an editor when such departure is conducted on good terms.
As I am departing on good terms, I am taking the liberty of honoring tradition.
David Nixon begins
editing and composition duties for Connections with the August, 2004 issue.
The Board of Directors accepted my resignation late last year but then extended
my contract six months after I offered to train a replacement. David is one of
the main volunteers for the paper and is the webmaster for wholelifenet.org.
We have been working
together for several months now and I am confident David will do an excellent
job.
I look forward to
watching the paper flourish and change under his stewardship. Being editor of Connections
is a stewardship, a trust; David is ready. Thank you, David, for
being my teacher and my student.
Larry Lemser has labored
many hours writing, corresponding, dealing with advertisers, writers and
editors, working on distribution, and otherwise publishing Connections since September
of 2002. He is inspiration in motion. Thank you, Larry (and Sue!).
When I was asked by Cindy
Luttrall in 2000 to help edit/compose Connections, I agreed to do so because my
friend asked for my help, that is, out of love. That decision has rewarded me
many times over as the months and years have unfolded.
Thank you, Cynthia, for
asking and for introducing me to WLN.
Thank you, Connections co-editor
Marilynn Huseby. You teach me more than you may know, or that I can measure. I
love you for that, too.
Thank you, past and
present Whole Life Network Boards of Directors, for trusting me with your
newspaper, for permitting me the opportunity to grow as an artist and as a
human being.
I already miss all the
wonderful, if sometimes too colorful, people who have helped make Connections
the progressive, interesting, informative, relevant newspaper it is - thank you to the finest group of
all-volunteer contributing writers EVER!
I feel so honored to have
watched the changes and constants woven through the fabric of the Whole Life
Network these past years; you are and shall always be a part of that me which
embraces the truth of love. So, no goodbye, but fare thee well.
… And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.
~ The Beatles
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Find Somebody to Love!
by Dr. Jerry Overton
In a forthcoming book,
entitled The
Ten Keys To Contentment, one of the keys is this: "Find
Somebody To Love!" When I came up with that key, I thought its
contribution to contentment was pretty straightforward because it’s based on
the teaching that we get what we give. And since all of us want love, then in
finding someone to love, we get love in return, which then contributes to our
contentment.
My assumption was that
that would surely be a priority for most people in a primary relationship.
However, as I did my "fieldwork," scouting out who in my life had
such a person in their life, I came up short. Oh to be sure, there were those
who thought
they had such a relationship, for many of them were either married or in
long-term commitments. However, the more I observed and listened to how they interacted,
it became apparent that what they had going was not a love relationship at all,
but rather someone with whom they made trades and did barters.
Let me explain. In a true
love relationship, at least as I define it, the things I do for you and the
ways I share my life with you are done with no strings attached. The love is
unconditional, with no expectations of anything given or shared in return.
Whereas in a trade or barter relationship, there’s the expectation that you
will do for me in (at least) exact proportion to what I do for you. And if and
when you don't, not only am I not content, I'm upset! And rightfully so, for
there has been an unjust and unfair imbalance in the trade or barter
transaction.
Does this sound familiar?
Now lest you think I'm
full of it, bear with me. For what I'm after here is contentment-remember the
title of my book? And I know from first-hand experience that a relationship,
especially an emotional one, based on trade or barter usually doesn't lead to
contentment. On the contrary, it usually leads to much discontentment. And
then to a huge power struggle-which is where many relationships seem to be much
of the time!
So, it all boils down to
this. What do you want? Do you want a fair trade? Or do you want contentment?
If all you want is a fair
trade, with all of its inherent opportunities for discontent, then carry on
with the trade agreement. Only this time spell it out and get it in writing,
like all good trade agreements are, so that each knows clearly just what is
expected and required, as well as the consequences and recourse of an unfair
trade.
However, if you want
contentment, which has as its basis a sense of peace and joy, then find
somebody to love-really love-unconditionally-with no strings attached. And it
doesn't even have to be a lover or spouse (of course, that would be great if
you would choose that kind of relationship with him or her-and the divorce
courts could all but go out of business!).
It can be the teen up the
street who's on the verge of packing a gun to school because he's so hurt and
angry. Or it can be the old timer at the nursing home, who hasn't had a hug
since her husband died eleven years ago. Or it can be the baby abandoned at
birth who needs to be rocked into a sense of security.
Or it can be virtually
anybody. For all of us would love to have somebody like that in our
lives! For when you love another-truly love them, without the need for a fair
trade-then an amazing thing happens. You get love, packed down and overflowing.
Guaranteed!
And I'd say that's a
pretty good deal!!!
So, what do you want?
© 2004
Dr. Jerry D. Overton All Rights Reserved
(Dr. Overton is a life coach, a marriage and
family therapist Director of The Center
for Personal and Spiritual Growth. He can be reached at 970-252-9311, by e-mail
at jerry@jerryoverton.com & the web at www.jerryoverton.com)
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Whole Life Network Business Member Profile: Ronald N.
Quinn
Vastu Design and Construction
Whole Life Network Release
The Whole Life Network is
blessed with internationally renowned business members and, perhaps, the best
example of this truth is the subject of this month's Business Member Profile.
Ronald Quinn of Hotchkiss is one of only two individuals in the USA who have
been trained under Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati in his institution called
International Institute of Mayonic Science and Technology in India.
Ronald is a full-fledged
Vaastu architect and builder and has established his on firm, Vastu Design and
Construction. He also holds seminars and workshops to train additional
individuals in his skills and knowledge. Information on these sessions can be
obtained at rvaastu@tds.net.
Ron has this to say about
the uniqueness of his designs which he calls Space Therapy: "I feel deeply
rewarded ion this work of bring peace, prosperity and love into many more
people's lives through the spiritual science of Vaastu Shastra."
The following are the
principles of Vaastu: Buildings are oriented along proper directional lines,
which are conduits for the energy to spread from earth's center; the
mathematics of vibrational matching is applied to arrive at the dimensions of
the house layout, to make the living space of the house vibrate in consonance
with the inner space of the dwellers; the layout space thus arrived at, is
modulated into the grid pattern so that the building becomes a microcosm, a
miniature replica of the macrocosm; and then the configuration of the inner
spaces are made with respect to Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth, so as to
achieve harmony with the subtle and gross spaces of the Cosmos.
Ron is appreciated by all
of his friends and associates as a constant supporter of holistic activities
and has appeared on Friday Night Forum and participated in the Whole Life and
Living Expo.
Thank you Ron, and continued
Blessings.
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