Newest of the New at the Expo
Whole Life Network Release
The world is changing at an ever-increasing speed, and, thus, new
wellness ideas, new truths, new connections, new networks, and new people are
manifesting in our lives. Where better
to set all of this in motion than The Whole Life and Learning Expo, A Journey
in Conscious Living? This is the one event on the Western Slope
where you are most likely to get the flavor of all of the newest in health and
mind-body-spirit connectedness.
Saturday March 5th at the Montrose Pavilion is when it all
happens. The hours are 9:30 am to 4:30
pm and the fun is non-stop. Here are
some samplings of the many attractions that will be yours to explore and enjoy.
You’ll want to check out your current state of wellness by
visiting with Dr. Suzanne Sutherland, L.Ac. who uses acupuncture
and Chinese herbs to treat pain or illness.
She is effective in treating sports injuries, chronic pain and fatigue,
migraines and women’s health. Or
perhaps it is a chiropractic treatment that you need. Brett Edecker, D.C. of Canyon Chiropractic will be on hand
to give advice and care to all from newborns to grandparents. Sherree Williams of Eckert is a
certified Rapid Eye Technician. Rapid
Eye Technology (RET) is a natural healing modality that simulates the same
processing mechanisms the body uses during deep sleep states of REM sleep to
heal trauma and route information to the brain. Sherree will also bring her first book, a poetry collection,
entitled “Lighting Through The Stars, written under her pen name, Naomi
Raine.
Are you one who can see auras?
If not, you’ll want to visit Rabbi Jeff who has the latest in
Aura Photo technology. His photos are
accompanied by a detailed report on your charkas and an explanation of what
your colors mean in your social life, career and finances, health, well-being
and growth and relationships. Laffin’
Coyote Yoga and Pilates is the original name of the service provided by Donna
Mayry. Her approach to teaching
yoga is unique and will eliminate all excuses you have in your mind about why
you can’t participate. Master Touch
Living Systems and Solar Energy International will address
environmental issues at the Expo. Darrell Weingard will show us what is
new in air and water purification for the home and office.
Plan to spend the whole day with us! As you enter be sure to register for door prizes donated by our
vendors. Shop around, listen to the
music of David and Tamara Hauze, dine on the lunches available at the
Pavilion, network with your friends and enjoy the energy of like-minded
spirits. One more thing: The Whole Life
Network is a non-profit membership organization, and we depend on the support
of our membership to sponsor our events.
We will have a table at the entryway doors so you can find out more about
what we are doing and you may want to join our ‘family’.
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Lecture Series to Resume
Whole Life Network Release
It’s not important what you call it: be it Friday Night Forum,
Wednesday Night Wisdom, or something else that is brand new. The important thing is that The Whole Life
Network will continue to offer in 2005 our series of informative and
educational presentations that are free to the public. This year the events will be held at the
Stone Clan Educational Center located at 736 65.30 Road in Montrose. Jennefer Halback, our new member of the
Board of Directors of The Whole Life Network, will be the hostess of the
presentations. To boost attendance,
our current plans are to hold these events during the lunch hour on weekdays. Whole Life Network members that found it
inconvenient to attend the evening presentations now have their chance to
participate and network with kindred spirits.
To get our plans for the year underway, we are looking for volunteers to
give talks on their personal areas of expertise and experience. Do you have a topic that you are willing to
share with the holistic community? Be
generous with both your time and your talent!
Schedule up your own event by calling Jennifer today at 252-8385.
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Anger and the Indigo Child
Transform
Anger into Love
by Laurel Ann Browne
Our children are the future.
When they are taught who they are at a very young age and encouraged to
live according to their true nature, they live a very different life than what
we have lived. They learn to love
themselves and to move through life with greater ease than most of us have ever
known. They do not have to go through
the de-conditioning process we adults have experienced. Indigo children are unique, gifted, physic
and not easily taught by our intentional or unintentional conditioning by siblings,
relatives, teachers, leaders, friends, acquaintances and strangers. They KNOW who they are from the moment of
birth. Their full spiritual conscious
awareness rebels at our traditional methods of discipline, teaching or
living. They are aware of the universal
love that is unconditional: their ability to see the truth or unfairness is
acute. They rebel, are angered about
our treatment of them and for our lack of recognition of who they are. Well-meaning and loving parents and teachers
are bewildered by this defiant behavior.
Parenting is not easy, even with the best of tools.
FACT: 50% of all ADHD children have a problem with difficult
behavior.
FACT: 75% of defiant
children above the age of eight will still be defiant later in life without the
self-empowerment approach.
FACT: 95% of these children are INDIGOS who do not conform.
FACT: These children can transform anger into love by loving alternative problem-solving solutions with a new approach. As we begin to recognize this need for change within ourselves, we will address specific types of Indigos in a very different way.
There are four types, and they all respond differently.
We are forming a support group for all parents, teachers and
professionals who are interested in sharing, caring and teaching.
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Structural Integration and Children
by Tria Eshelbrenner
When most people think of structural integration or
"Rolfing", they usually envision an adult who is getting treated and
yet children can receive just as much, if not more, benefit from the work.
Structural integration is bodywork that lengthens and frees tissue. Even
children develop problem areas in their bodies. These problem areas do not function easily or correctly. This can
cause an increase in growing pains, attention problems, emotional issues,
clumsiness. . . the list goes on.
These patterns don't need to become "entrenched" or
"engrained" in the constitution of our children. Early intervention can affect the structure
of a child's growing body. This can result in a healthier and a happier child.
"There is no way to separate the physical child from his mental and
spiritual self. . .. A child who slumps physically, slumps mentally and
emotionally." Thus when a child
receives structural integration and achieves a greater physical balance. . .
that child quite naturally feels more at ease inwardly and displays a greater
level of confidence and self esteem.
There was a study done in
the '70's on the effects of putting children through structural
integration. "The reported results
found increased confidence, better verbal expression, more self control, and
less destructive behavior, as well as improvement in the children's overall
physical, psychological and behavioral patterns, even years later."
Imagine that! These are results that
most all of us could use. How much better it would be if we had come into
adulthood with "better verbal expression, more self control, and less
destructive behavior".
I would like to conclude with a story of a 4-year-old child that
Ida Rolf treated. This little boy had been diagnosed with Legg Perthes disease.
The doctors wanted to put him in a cast for 5 years; others said it would be
likely that he would be in a wheelchair by the time he was 20. Fortunately for
the boy, his mother chose to give Ida Rolf’s method a try. Rolf treated the boy
for several months. Tim Barrett (the little boy) is now a 40-something year old
surfer with no disabilities from his childhood "illness". This is quite an example. . . especially
since the doctors thought he might end up in a wheelchair.
Childhood issues that can be addressed by structural
integration-scoliosis -club feet -growing pains -lack of confidence -emotional
distress -postural problems -attention problems.
Tria Eshelbrenner Massage Therapist (970) 596- 8247 is a
member of the Board of Directors of the Whole Life Network and operates Better
Bodyworks in Montrose.
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Remembering Aztlán
a column of poetry, culture & spirit
by Art Goodtimes
RESVERATROL … My Moab buddy Lance Christie has written a
great paper on the health aspects of wine. I’ve removed the technical
citations, but can share them with anyone interested, as every claim is backed
up with peer-reviewed research. Given the budding wine industry in Utah and
Western Colorado, and our own wine festival, I thought it appropriate for this
column (with Lance’s permission) … “Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound, a
member of a class of flavonoids known for their antioxidant activity, found in
the skins and seeds of grapes. It is present in significant amounts in red
wines which are made with the skins of grapes; typically white wines are made
with juice only and do not contain significant resveratrol (1-5% was found in
red). Different grape cultivars contain different amounts; the highest
concentration is found in Pinot Noir, averaging 5.13 mg/liter. [My favorite
variety!] … David Sinclair of Harvard University and others have demonstrated
that resveratrol stimulates an enzyme in yeast that increases that organism's
lifespan by 70%. Members of this family of enzymes regulate lifespan of cells
in humans as well as worms. When Sinclair tested resveratrol on human cells, it
activated the human cell-survival enzyme. This same enzyme is activated by
restricting caloric intake, which is proven to increase longevity in all
mammals including humans. Authors theorize that this effect comes from
resveratrol suppressing tumor suppressor gene p53, which would otherwise cause
rapid apoptosis (cell death) of DNA-damaged cells, thus affording the cell time
to repair free radical damage to its DNA … Resveratrol has strong antioxidant
activity (neutralizing free radicals which would otherwise oxidize cell
components), increases nitric oxide to relax blood vessels, and reduces
abnormal blood clotting and blockages. Resveratrol also aids heart health
through its anti-arrhythmic effects, increasing blood levels of HDL
cholesterol, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. A study of stroke correlates
in 13,329 men and women in Copenhagen over 16 years found ‘intake of wine is
associated with lower risk of stroke’ attributing this effect to flavonoids and
tannins in the wine. Besides acting as an antioxidant directly, Resveratrol
activates the heme oxygenase systems in the cells. Heme oxygenase degrades the
heme molecule which carries iron and therefore oxygen in the blood. Free heme
in cells acts as a pro oxidant; resveratrol reduces free heme by activating
heme oxygenase … In the autopsied brains of Alzheimer's patients are the
hallmark pathological changes caused by free radical activity, including DNA
damage and oxidized proteins and lipids. In a study of 442 elderly patients in
Basel, Switzerland, researchers found a direct correlation between memory
retention and the blood levels of two antioxidants: alpha-tocepherol (Vitamin
E) and beta-carotene (precursor to Vitamin A). Resveratrol protected human
neuroblastoma and epithelial cells from oxidative stress by beta-amyloid.
Harvard’s Sinclair has been studying use of resveratrol in treatment of
Alzheimer's and expects first stage clinical trials to start in 2005.
Beta-amyloid peptide, the mis-cut protein which causes brain damage in
Alzheimer's disease, does so by being a free radical oxidizing agent, by
combining with a receptor site in mitochondria which blocks energy production
in the cell, and by de-regulating the neurotransmitter glutamate at the
receptor site on the neuron … Resveratrol has inhibited both the growth of
cancer cells, and has increased the death rate of existing cancer cells.
Resveratrol appears useful in blocking the onset and progression of
estrogen-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancers because it is
particularly effective in maintaining normal estrogen activity. It has been
shown to block the ability of cancer cells to metastasize to bone, particularly
in pancreas, kidney, and breast cancers. Resveratrol is protective against skin
and stomach cancer, liver disease, inflammation, and pain … Resveratrol has
been suspected by many to be the principal protective factor in red wine
responsible for the ‘French Paradox’ -- that the French eat such a high-fat
diet and suffer low incidence of the forms of heart disease associated with
high-fat diets in the U.S. (Another factor in the paradox is the nature of the
fat consumed: olive oil in France vs. saturated animal and soybean-derived
trans fats in the U.S.) … Dr. David Williams says that current research
establishes 20 mg a day of resveratrol as providing maximum health benefits.
Red wine averages 0.2 mg of resveratrol per ounce, and peanuts about 0.1 mg per
ounce. Consumption of four liters of Pinot Noir would yield 20.4 mg of
resveratrol … Resveratrol is also found in an oriental folk medicine: root
extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum; in two species of lily, Vetatrum
gradiflorium and Vetatrum formosanum; and in groundnuts.”
EUGENE RUGGLES … For years I read his poems in the Haight-Ashbury
Literary Journal (HALJ) & loved them. Political. Deep image
surreal. And yet woven into the actual hard edge city moment. Street Zen …
“steam rises from my full plate, / my feet are dry and warm inside every
morning, steam rises from our magnificent civic center / around their
cardboard. It is the morning of burying / these rags of ours. We have roads of
bread. Come home.” -from Homeless: San Francisco 1990 … Ruggles died
last summer. Legendary North Beach poet Jack Mueller (taking hermitage on Log
Hill Village these days) did a great poem for Gene that appeared in the Telluride
Watch. And HAJL did their most recent issue in Ruggles’ honor (v.
23, #2, www.haightashbury.org/poetry.html) … His Talking Gourd poem this week,
reprinted with permission, is a beautiful in memoriam. As for the
“woman” he talks about in it, that’s the radical Catholic worker Dorothy Day.
THE TALKING GOURD
Last Note To My Children
My dear children,
my dear breath, I
address this
to both of us –
It is not how much
you own, control or influence,
or how much you gain,
that will speak of your stay here,
it is how much
you contribute that will say
if you were here or not.
You see, I pray
the most sacred word
I can leave you is community.
I take this from a
woman named Day.
So when grief comes to you
do not ask, why me
instead of someone else,
and when a blessing comes to you,
kneel before its light
and break it into pieces,
to give more of it to those
who have never had one. Be here.
With love. Your father.
p.s. The ten
windows of my fingers open every morning to praise the long fields of your days.
Not even death will close them.
© 2004 Art Goodtimes
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Dea's Kitchen: Beautiful Dahl
by Dea Jacobson
Just today I lunched on lentils, lovingly cooked into a thick,
spicy stew by my friend Jan, who, though she was home with a cold, regularly
attends my Friday "Chair Yoga" class at the old Cedar Mesa Club
House. The women who attend the class (along with a couple of guys, including
Jan's husband, who brought the stew) have taken turns preparing delicious soups
and fresh breads that stay warm in the oven while we do our workout, breathing
exercises and meditation. An old pot belly stove, tended religiously by club
member Jo, who shows up early to stoke it, radiates cheerfully in the
thinly-insulated club house, driving out the dank morning chill. The yoga and
soup ritual began the first Friday of 2005, and we hope to continue for a long
time to come. The food and fellowship that follows class fills my soul to the
brim and I carry that wonderful energy with me throughout the following week as
I trek over 200 miles on my teaching circuit. Love is the secret ingredient in
every wonderful meal.
Now, about beautiful dahl (pronounced "doll"). In
India, "dahl" refers to pea or bean soup, though in translation,
Faith Stone says in Yoga Kitchen that dahl means "split". The
name is also used in Indian cooking to define a cooked lentil or bean dish.
Because beans, peas and lentils are a very important compliment to grains, the
average Indian meal always contains a dish of some sort of dahl. The proteins
of grains and beans are complimentary, combining to form a complete protein,
one in which all the essential amino acids are present in proper proportions
for the human body to use.
Himalayan Mountain Cookery by Martha Ballentine, instructs
that, when serving dahl, only a small amount is needed to balance a meal, as
too much will make one feel heavy after eating. Dahl is almost always served
with basic spices such as tumeric, coriander, cumin, or a combination of spices
known loosely as garam masala or curry, of which there are several kinds. In
cold mountain climates, adding a dash of cayenne increases the digestive fire
and can help reduce the tendency of dahl to form gas. For those accustomed to
meat dishes, dahl, when cooked into a hearty stew, as was our lunch, will stick
to the ribs and be very hearty and satisfying!
Chana dahl, what we call chick peas, or garbanzos, is the main
ingredient in our recipe, compliments of Jan, the lentil stew cook. Chana means
"pebble" and is what the dried beans resemble. When cooking dried
chana dahl, rinse first and sort out any stones. Partial sprouting at room
temperature for 24-48 hours makes them easier to cook and digest. Or you can,
as in our recipe, use canned garbanzos, which will greatly shorten preparation
time. The quantities used in this recipe will serve a large group of friends,
so reduce as you see fit! The spice combination used in garam masala, is found
in specialty and health food stores. I will include a recipe for making your
own in a future article.
Chana Masala
4 cans garbanzo beans- 2 drained, 2 not.
1 medium onion, coursely chopped
1 TBSP. olive oil
2 - 4 TBSP. lemon juice
2 – 4 garlic cloves, minced
2 TBSP. garam masala or curry powder
2 – 4 TBSP. paprika
Saute the onion in the olive oil and when limp but not brown, add
garlic and mix well. Add all the garbanzos and garam or curry and stir until
the "yellow" color comes up. Then add the lemon juice and paprika.
Keep stirring until it thickens, about 20-25 minutes. Avoid overcooking or
stirring too vigorously, as you don't want the garbanzos to break up or disintegrate.
This is great served over steaming basmati rice. Enjoy!
Remember to add liberal amounts of the secret ingredient, LOVE,
and bless your good fortune for the gift of a healthy meal!
Dea Jacobson is the director of Blue Heron Yoga, and a
registered yoga instructor with the Yoga Alliance. She offers classes and
workshops in Delta and Mesa counties and is a licensed Religious Science
Practitioner. She can be reached at P.O. Box 95 in Cedaredge, 81413, at 970
856-4905, or at www.blueheronyoga.com.
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No More Makeup Part II
by Jill Burkey
My Mom and I were talking about my column from last month where I
made the argument that women shouldn't have to wear makeup. Her response was, "But we get to
wear makeup! Guys aren't as lucky, and
they don't have the option." I
guess I've been busy looking at the world through my women's empowerment
glasses, which is the slant I'm supposed to take in this column, and one which
comes naturally to me, and it never occurred to me that women actually enjoy
getting dolled up. I guess I used to
enjoy it, but I have so little time for myself right now that I'm not going to
spend it on what I currently view as a superficial endeavor. But why not? I spend lots of time beautifying my house and making sure my kids
look nice, so why don't I take time for myself? I pay attention to my clothes and my hair, so what's different
about my face? I guess if that's the
kind of thing you enjoy and it makes you feel good and feminine, there's no
harm in it. I just don't think a woman
should feel like she can't leave the house if she doesn't have her "face
on," or that she needs to "paint her face," as if it's a blank
canvas with nothing to offer, or worse, something that needs to be masked.
My latest dilemma has been the thought of the looming swimsuit
season. After looking at pictures from
last summer of myself in a bikini, I know that I either need to get a new
bathing suit or a new body before the snow melts. I don't know which idea is more distasteful to me; trying on
bathing suits in front of a three-way mirror, or climbing onto a stationary
bike.
Well, whether or not anybody can see it, I know I can stand to
lose 15 pounds. I also know I need to
start exercising and besides the initial unpleasantness that conjures up in my
mind, there are several positives I can think of too. I'm sure working out would make me feel better about myself, give
me more energy, and make me healthier.
Plus, it would be a nice break from the kids while they have fun doing
something else. I'd love to try yoga or
pilates, something to combine my spiritual self with my physical self. Osteoporosis runs in my family too, so I
really want to get that strength training going. After all, empowered women are supposed to be strong, right?
Jill Burkey is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mother of
2 young children She has a B.S. in
English, Business, and Secondary Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University
and provides professional writing services through Word Wise, Ink. She can be reached at 255-7348 or at
burkey@frontier.net.
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Captivating – Harold McCoy
Whole Life Network Release
Our community is still buzzing following the completion of the
workshop on Valentine’s weekend by Harold McCoy of the Ozark Research
Institute. Those in attendance have
some wonderful memories to share.
Everyone felt that they had known Harold for years as his wry wit and
unassuming personality won over our hearts.
Ask anyone who experienced his healing touch and you will hear some
miraculous testimonies of the effectiveness of his techniques. Seldom has The Whole Life Network had a more
successful event. It was so good and
the response so immediate, that we are planning on having a return engagement
in approximately six months.
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Peaceful Contributions for the Soul
by Kathy Gates
Walking in nature is a
good way to discover the five senses. The five senses are the gateways to a
deeper understanding of oneself.
Find a place in nature where you can walk amongst the trees, near
a stream or by a lake. Where everything is in it's natural state. Bring a
notebook and pencil or pen along with you.
Begin by looking around,
SEE everything as it is, without judgment, just notice. SEE yourself as you
are, walk to a nearby stream or lake, SEE your reflection in the water. What do
you SEE, when you look at your reflection? Write in your journal or notebook
five things you could SEE with your eyes about this reflection. What did you
notice around this reflection? Don't judge what you write. Look around and SEE
all the beauty in all of nature and know you are a part of that beauty.
Next listen with your ears HEAR the sounds of the birds, or
listen to the sound of silence, for even in silence there is a Universal Sound.
Notice the sound of your footsteps as you walk along, HEAR the sound of your
breath moving in and out of your body. In your journal or notebook write down
five things that you heard as you walked along in nature. Include sounds that
came from you. Notice that all life has its own certain sound if you listen.
HEAR the songs of nature.
Continue walking, think about TASTE, focus on your tongue that
muscle covered with many small bundles of taste buds with many nerve endings.
In your minds eye think of five things you enjoy the taste of. Close your eyes
and imagine the TASTE of something bitter, something salty, something sweet,
what did you come up with? TASTE lets us know if our food is good or not. It
has a perfect purpose, just like us.
Moving along, take a big breath in through your nose. Our nose
helps us to know more about the world we live in. List 5 things you can SMELL
as you walk.
Enjoy what it has for us such as the SMELL of a rose, or the nice
green smell telling us spring is here. We all share aroma through the gift of
flowers. Have gratitude for the gift of SMELL.
Take a break on your nature walk to TOUCH, feel through the nerve
ending of your skin. We receive so much information about what is around and outside
of us through TOUCH. Touch the soft bark of an aspen tree compared to the rough
bark of a pine. Notice the different textures of leaves. The nerve endings send
messages to our brains about what we are feeling. Hot and cold, light and dark,
big or small. Write about five things you experienced through touching during
your nature walk.
Getting closely connected with our senses helps us to improve our
creativity and brings greater understanding of ourselves and others, and the
world around us.
Our Creator gave us the gifts to experience life in all its
fullness.
May you find joy, love, happiness and peace in your world.
Come and enjoy a walk on our Walk in Balance with Mother Earth
trail at Women's Spirit Retreat-located above Cedaredge – womensspiritretreats.com
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Enhancing Fertility
© Anne Calzada Herbalist
Spring is here,
officially March 20th, and Mother Earth is awakened by Father Sun's energy.
Renewal and rebirth are present. Seeds are consciously and carefully planted.
The Earth is fertile with possibility! What a great time to think about
fertility! Becoming pregnant is actually a miracle! Not all couples are able to
become pregnant and for different reasons. Sometimes there may be a physical
reason why conception does not occur in either the man or the woman. Low sperm
count in men, lack of ovulation, a tilted uterus or even blocked fallopian
tubes can contribute to infertility. Sometimes there may even be a chemical
response in the women's body that creates antibodies against the sperm. Sometimes
it may be none of the above at all.
Staying away from drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes,
pharmaceuticals and coffee are encouraged for both partners. Marijuana is known
to lower sperm count in men. Beware of hormone-induced meats; hormone laced
dairy products, endocrine disrupting plastics and chemicals that seem to be
ever present.
The body requires the availability for certain vitamins and
minerals for starters. In terms of nutrition, men require zinc, as it is lost
through ejaculation. Vitamin E is important for both sexes. A balanced
multivitamin and mineral supplement is highly recommended before conception and
through pregnancy to ensure health of yourself and the baby. Plenty of fresh
pure water and juices such as carrot are great. Eat foods that represent growth
such as seeds, sprouts and eggs. For instance pumpkin seeds are one of the
richest sources of zinc and they also contain vitamin E! Cleansing the body and
giving attention to the liver and kidneys may be necessary before attempting
conception. Remember that the kidneys govern the reproductive organs. The
kidneys prefer being warm as opposed to coldness. Incorporate a balance of
yin/yang foods. Yang is warmer, dryer, and sunnier. Yin is cooler, wetter and
darker. Yang foods are eggs, root vegetables, fish, and meats. Yin foods are
milk, fruit, sugar and nightshade vegetables for example. Drinking a daily
herbal tonic tea is great for giving the body minerals, while cleansing the
blood, toning the liver and kidneys. Tonic herbs would be nettles, red clover
or red raspberry. Teas are a great way to use herbs when you are thinking of
becoming pregnant or already are. The ceremony of making the tea and sitting
down, relaxing and enjoying the moment would certainly do anyone good. You can
even add your tea to your bathwater for an added delight. Some herbs are
recommended for conception and during pregnancy and others are contraindicated.
Consulting with a midwife, herbalist or health professional skilled in the use
of herbs is encouraged when wanting to use them with pregnancy.
Herbs can be helpful when there is a hormonal balance in either
sex. For women, herbs like red clover, dong quai and chaste tree berry (Vitex
agnus-castus) may be helpful in balancing hormonal signals and thus regulating
ovulation and menstruation.
For men the herbs saw palmetto and fo-ti are helpful for
balancing hormones and increasing sperm count and mobility. Gingko is helpful
for circulation, therefore being appropriate for impotence due to lack of
circulation.
True essential oil of rose is costly albeit, known to increase
sperm count in men. It also relieves frigidity, fear, calms the heart and is a
famous aphrodisiac.10 to 12 drops in 1 oz. of almond oil would be recommended
for regular massage. It is best to avoid all essential oils after conception.
Flower essences may be of help as well. Essences such as rose, pomegranate,
angelica and other blends are available to focus on conception.
Rose quartz gem essence is indicated. Acupuncture, reflexology,
chiropractic adjustments, reiki sessions and massage are all very beneficial
when trying to become pregnant for both men and women. These practices balance
and align the meridians of the body and enhance your own life force. I
recommend the flowing books for more education on the principles of conception
and fertility. "Your fertility signals" by Merryl Winstein and
"The language of fertility" by Navari Payne. All God's blessings in
creation!
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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When Shouts Replace Whispers
by Earl Sires
I am thinking this
morning of the tsunami of Christmas past, which, until it is replaced by a
natural disaster far greater and more devastating, will serve as the defining
image for generations to come of natures utterly astonishing power to destroy
and reshape Earth and the vast Universe surrounding our happy little globe. Say
“tsunami” in far years to come, say it anywhere on Earth, and all those within
earshot will immediately conjure up the terrifying images of water relentlessly
spreading across the islands carrying with it masses of humanity's crumpled
little toys sweeping away lives and the life that was. Say “tsunami” and our
collective thoughts will immediately transport to the vast Indian Ocean and the
earthquake/tsunami of December 25/26. That’s when Mother Nature, dropping her
tendency to talk in whispers, spoke with a resounding shout.
It seems to me that the tsunami and its aftermath say, this time
as with a megaphone, what at least five preceding major events - World Wars I
& 2, the advent of the atomic bomb, travel to the moon and the felling of
the Trade Center Towers - have been saying with increasing volume: that the
human species is being drawn into a global community. Like it or not, this seems to be the case.
Nations no longer enjoy the privilege of going it alone in isolation from one’s
neighbors. We called the two big wars of early last century “World Wars” even
though there were large areas of the world uninvolved or indirectly so.
Nevertheless, especially in the second of those two wars, it was increasingly
apparent that their scope involved most of the world. Those two wars spawned
global institutions which, flawed as they were and are, still found us hobbling
along toward greater collaboration. Travels to the moon made it possible to see
our home planet as a whole, without borders. It revealed the beauty and wonder
of Earth herself, and astronauts like Edgar Mitchell came back with new
perspectives on our unity as citizens of Earth. The atomic bomb along with its
“cold war” of necessity drew us together and reminded us of how what one does
has implications for all. Other factors, especially the technologies of flight
and communication, furthered the process.
In 2001, when the towers fell, the entire world watched and for a
brief moment joined in the shock and grief. There was a feeling of global
solidarity. The world suffered with us and offered us condolences. There
was a great outpouring in our land of aid to those who suffered directly, all
birthed by an upsurge of fellow feeling. And while we gazed with horror on the
face of humanity at its worst we also caught sight through the smoky dust and
tears of the face of humanity at its best, the face of compassion. Both visions
told us we were one global family. But the feeling and the vision of humanity
at its best soon faded and the shadow of revenge and retaliation replaced the
brighter look.
That was then. This is now, and on the other side of the world,
another part of the global family has sustained a terrible blow, sweeping away
whole cities and more than a hundred and fifty thousand souls, this time from
as many as half a dozen countries in the main and some additionally from
countries around the world. The scientists tell us the tsunami wave ultimately
reached every ocean and sea around the world, though in diminished force. As a
result of this utterance of nature, an utterance of majestic force, the six
billion citizens of the world have endured a blow that commands our attention.
We have looked on with utter awe, watching vast stretches of water roll on
relentlessly through great expanses of terrain carrying with it boats, cars,
the shattered parts of buildings, trees, boulders and the bodies of the
unsuspecting, We have, once the shock has passed, felt the same overwhelming
grief and sympathy we felt in September of 2001, and with one rising wave of
compassion, this time, have responded out of the heart of compassion.
The Global Community has created a wave of compassionate response
to match the magnitude of the tsunami! In the process it has taken one step
closer to creating itself. We have taken small steps before. This one was BIG.
The tsunami spoke us awake. It aroused us to who we can be. Indeed to who we
really are: a Global Community. It is time we recognize and affirm this fact
and begin to act upon it more intentionally. Time for foreign policy to seque
into domestic policy for the entire world community. Time for us to realize
that the only “home security” is global security. Time to leave “tribalism”,
“separatism”, and even “nationalism” behind. Time to develop a wider
“patriotism” that understands us all to be citizens of one planet. Time to
become citizens of the Universe living on and loving Planet Earth. Time to
begin building the new future for the human race. Time to become a new kind of
human being.
It is time because that is where the evolutionary process is
taking us. Mother Earth knows what she is doing better than we do. It is time
we listened more intently to her whispers.
To Be Continued.
(Editor's note: For the past six months we have been
carrying a series of articles by Earl Sires on his recent travels. This article
interrupts that sequence to interject his thoughts on the current global
metamorphosis.)
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ReConnections: A Look Back
The heritage of The Whole Life Network from the pages of
Connections.
One Year Ago**”Thanks to Megan Grey Wolf and Noaloni Terry
the Friday Night Forum speaker series is off to a flying successful start in
2004”
**Dr. Jerry Overton wrote about forgiveness in family disputes, “
The sad fact of the matter is that that is just too big an order (forgiveness)
for far too many. Instead they continue
to focus on the negative experiences and hold onto the pain, and, rather than
take responsibility for their healing , they persist in blaming the parent for
their misery”.
Five Years Ago**”The sixth annual Health and Wellness Fair
is here. As co-organizer for this event
(Kate Kissingford & Suzanne Ziglar), I have had the joy and pleasure of
helping it take shape.”
**Tom Farnham reported on the dangers of microwave radiation, “We
are living in a toxic soup of energy waves, which conflict with the natural
frequencies in our bodies, causing distortions leading to various kinds of
disesases…”.
Ten Years Ago**”The Whole Life Network is pleased to
report that the husband and wife team of Larry Dossey, M.D. and Barbara Dossey,
R.N., will be our featured speakers for the fifth annual WLN Symposium,…”
**Robert and Cindy Sullivan commented on the Spring Equinox, “…,
take a little time to consider what you want to experience in your life this
year, and from what “bonds” you wish to be released. Evaluate what habits you want to cultivate, and what needs to
“weeded” out.”
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Risings
by Dr. Jerry Overton
As Easter approaches—that season of rising to new life—I share
with you a true story of a woman (whom I’ll call Joan) who I met a few years
back. Perhaps it will give you reason to rise from whatever death-dealing
experiences life has dealt you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael was the light of Joan's life. He was her first and only
son, and was precious to her. And all the more so after her husband had been
killed in the car accident that she and Michael survived. Perhaps that's why it
was all the more devastating that night when the policeman came to her door to
inform her that her son had been killed by a recently released psychopathic
murderer.
For no apparent reason, her son had been accosted on his way home
from work, and shot point blank, execution-style, in the back of the head. At
the news, Joan almost lost consciousness. And for days afterward, she went
around the house in shock. She couldn't eat, sleep, nor even think about her
work.
Then, one night Joan had a dream in which she saw herself confronting
her son's killer. But instead of lashing out at him and tearing him limb from
limb, as she would have imagined, she heard herself speaking words of
forgiveness to him. Joan awoke in a sweat, terrified at the thought of seeing
Michael's killer face to face.
Mostly, she was afraid of what she might want to do to him—of the
terrifying rage within her. But, as she thought about the dream, especially the
part of forgiving the killer, she noticed a peace come over her that surprised
her. She knew that for the sake of her own sanity, and the memory of her
precious son, she had to forgive his killer.
That afternoon, she was on the phone to the prison where the
killer was incarcerated. After several lengthy meetings with the warden, she
convinced him to let her see the man who killed her son.
On the day of the visit, Joan still wondered if she could go
through with it. She was frightened, but still convinced of what she had to do.
The guard escorted her to the visiting area where she waited for
her son's killer to appear. When she saw him approach on the other side of the
glass, she was shocked at what she saw. She had expected to see this savage
beast, but instead she saw the face of another human being, not unlike her son.
At first, words came awkwardly, then more easily. As tears of
grief streamed down her cheeks, she told him of her deep love for her son, and
of the devastation of losing him. Then, to her surprise, she heard herself ask
about his life—how it was for him growing up. The story he related stunned
her. Abused sexually, physically, emotionally, and mentally from his earliest
memories, he had been left with virtually no regard for life. In fact, he told
her that his greatest feeling of personal power came precisely at the moment he
had stood over her son and pulled the trigger.
His story shook Joan deeply, but instead of outrage, compassion
washed over her, and tears filled her eyes again—tears not only of her own
loss, but tears for this stranger and the loss of life that he too had
suffered. Then, to her surprise, she lifted her hand to the window as if to
touch this one who had brought her such heartache, and said to him, "I
forgive you."
At that instant an amazing thing happened. On what had been a
stone-cold expression on the face of a killer, Joan could see a tiny tear at
the corner of his left eye. And a compassion like Joan had never experienced,
even before her son's murder, flooded her soul.
Joan has since visited the man several times, and even the guards
have noticed a change in him. And Joan has never known such deep and lasting
peace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus said: "But I say to you that hear, Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for
those who abuse you…Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not,
and you will not be judged; condemn not and you will not be condemned; forgive,
and you will be forgiven."
Copyright 2005 Dr. Jerry D. Overton
Jerry is a marriage and family therapist, a Master Certified
Coach, and Director of The Center for Personal and Spiritual Growth. He can be
reached at 970-252-9311, and he welcomes your call!
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