“Space and Tenderness at the core,
that’s who we are.”
Fire of Truth Satsanga Release
Fire of Truth Satsanga, the non-profit
organization founded in 1998 to support Neelam’s teaching (see “Connections”
article, May 2004), is currently experiencing an exciting time of growth. Two
years ago we found our home in Hotchkiss, Colorado, and it is here that we
continue with our dream of building community and creating a retreat center.
Following Neelam’s autumn retreat, Sept. 2
through 5, there will be a daily gathering and open house offered at the
Redlands Mesa land, from Sept. 6 through 11. “Everybody is invited to spend
time with us here,” says Neelam. “I have noticed through many years of teaching
that what we need is much more than just one-time Satsang or even one-time
recognition of who we are. Often, what is necessary is a sense of community, a
sense of connection, trust and safety – an extended time period of sharing,
deepening and working through whatever holds us back from a total resting in
the Self. This is what guides our vision for the Hotchkiss center, providing
time and space for unfoldment, and the support to nourish the integration.”
Satsang, a Sanskrit word meaning
“gathering in truth,” has also been described by Neelam as the “direct
experience of Self, not limited to person, circumstance, time or space.” In
Satsang, through silence, meditation, dialogue and discussion, time and space
is created for resting from the seeking and the struggle, todirectly the
complete perfection of life in the present moment. As Neelam says, “ We put
ourselves on the search for happiness. We think it is not here. We forget to
recognize it is always present.”
In addition to open Satsang, hikes, a
dance and ping-pong party and opportunities to assist in various projects on
the land, on the last day of the Open House a special guest, world-renowned
botanist Gabriel Howearth, will present a hands-on seminar. Howearth is one of
the founding members of Seeds of Change and is currently operating a
bio-diversity preservation station in Baja, Mexico. He specializes in plant
species preservation, restoration of native plants and techniques for growing
high value crops under specific environmental conditions in each community in
which he works. For more information on this presentation,other offerings from
Sept. 6 through 11, or to volunteer your help in the community-building
project,contact the Fire of Truth office, 527-4397, or email at
info@neelam.org. “It is an amazing
gift to find Satsang in this lifetime.”
Neelam
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Open House and Land Celebration
Schedule of Events
Press Release
Tues., Sept 6 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Creativity Class
Wed., Sept 7 @ 11:00 am: Volunteer Satsang followed by Volunteer Projects at 1:00 pm
Thurs., Sept 8 @ 6:00 pm: Ping-pong & dance party with DJ Arlyn
Sat., Sept 10: Open House & Land Ceremony
Satsang at 11:00 am
Pot-luck lunch at 1:00 pm
Tree Planting at 2:00 pm*
(*Tentative)
Sun., Sept. 11:
Well known and uniquely hands-on botanist, Gabriel
Howearth, will do a public presentation. Gabriel specializes in saving and
restoring native species.
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If You Could See the Way I Think:
by Laurel Ann Browne
During my exceptional children’s research
I came across an article written by Alexandra Golon from the Handbook for
Visual Spatial Learners…This excerpt is from Chapter 2 – Are You a Visual
Spatial Learner? Our new children just learn differently than we do and we need
all the information to “reach” them that we can get. This little handbook was written by an exceptional child herself,
now the mother of 2 more special children. Allie brings a wealth of experience
into her teaching
Are You a Visual Spatial Learner?
Since the creation of modern school,
teachers and curriculum have been teaching to the left hemisphere, in
step-by-step directions. This leaves visual-spatial learners out in the cold.
For VSLs, the left hemisphere can never become as efficient or successful as
the right hemisphere. The right is just stronger for you. It’s just like when
right-handed people break their right arms. They can write with their left
hand, but it will never be as comfortable or look as nice as how they write
with their right hand…Visual-spatial learners in auditory-sequential
classrooms.
There is a tiny problem for many VSLs
called school. Schools were designed for sequential learners. This type of
learner loves how most curricula are designed: in a step-by-step process.
Sequential learners remember what they hear. And they love that learning new
material builds on what they’ve already mastered. School is a perfect fit for
how their brains work. Auditory-sequential learners cannot see in multiple dimensions.
They cannot imagine a different perspective than what they see before them.
They can’t picture the back of a statue when they are looking at the front.
Their minds do not dream up unusual answers to problems. They cannot get to the
big picture of an idea until they know all details. School does not ask them
to. School might seem as though it will last forever. It consumes most of your
waking day and life right now. School is a very demanding place with
expectations that you do well in a wide variety of subjects. But, I have great
news! School is actually a very tiny blip of your entire life. In adult life,
you will not be graded on reading, writing, spelling, English, math, geography,
history, science, art, music and P.E. You will not be expected to perform well
in all subjects, every day, as you are in every year of your education. You
will be able to use your strengths and there will be assistance for your
weaknesses. Computers and calculators will be your aids. You may find yourself
in a career working with a team of people using your strengths and the
strengths of others. Or, you may have a secretary that does your spelling and
writing for you. You will look for and find a career that uses the gifts you
were born with.
The 21st century is an amazing time to be
a visual-spatial learner. Your gifts will allow you to be a great surgeon or
design beautiful buildings or compose moving music or create exciting computer
games or design computer-animated movies or become a musician, artist or
dancer. If these career opportunities sound exciting to you, remember that
school is an important pathway for reaching your goals. Surgeons, architects,
engineers, designers, composers, and artists go through many years of school so
that they can qualify for these jobs. You can make school work for you.
Throughout this book, I’ll show you how.
The Art of Handwriting vs. the Act of
Keyboarding
… Nearly every visual-spatial learner I’ve
worked with has had trouble writing neatly. Their mental images come to them so
quickly that their hands cannot keep up. Letters are multi-dimensional objects
in their minds that rotate and roll around. It’s hard to remember the correct
direction of a multi-dimensional letter on a flat piece of paper.
One day, computers will be a part of every
classroom. Then students like you, with strong right hemispheres, will be able
to put to paper all of your thoughts, stories, poems and notes to lectures
without the frustration of handwriting. Why is the computer so important to
your success? Because typing requires both hands to work together. This means
both hemispheres of the brain are working together. If “two heads are better
than one,” wouldn’t you agree that using both hemispheres, particularly your
stronger right hemisphere, is better than one? (Swimming, martial arts and any
type of physical activity that requires you to “crossover” to the other side of
your body are other great ways to use both hemispheres of the speed of typing,
over writing by hand, allows your mental images to flow without interruption,
and you don’t have to stop and think about forming the letters. The keyboard
doesn’t care if you are left- or right-handed—you need both hands, equally.
Also, if you can flip and rotate letters in your mind, the letters p, b, d and
q are all the exact same shape in different positions. But on a keyboard, the
letters are in their capital form so a Q looks nothing like a P, or a B, or a
D, no matter how you twist and rotate that letter.
There are lots of keyboarding programs
available. Sam and Matt have used and enjoyed JumpStart®, Type 2 Learn®, Mavis
Beacon® and Typing Tutor® (platinum and gold editions). I’ve even seen
keyboards made for young students with smaller hands. You will be using
computers all your life, so why not learn how to use them now? Learning to type
on a keyboard may be the best way of completing your homework assignments
quickly and getting all your thoughts down on paper. You can gain typing speed
by Instant Messaging with a friend. Once you type 30 words a minute, you’ll be
amazed at how much faster and easier it is to get your work done.
If keyboarding is not an option for you,
then you should learn handwriting as an art form. Buy yourself a calligraphy
pen and learn how to slowly write beautiful letters. When you see the art in
writing by hand, it may become a joy to create rather than a chore. pencils—but
don’t rush yourself! Take the time to enjoy your new art. Writing should not be
a rushed event. In fact, prior to the invention of the ball point pen, writing
had to be a slow process or the writer would spill an ink bottle and have ink
all over the page!
Here are a couple of other tricks Matt
taught himself to help improve his handwriting:
Hold the pen or pencil however it is most
comfortable for you. Matt writes using three fingers, not two. Start your
letters on the line, not in space. In school we’re taught to begin nearly every
letter in some random area in space, working up or out, really helped Matt
improve the readability of his letters. So, a capital N would start on the
line, and follow the arrows:
Some visual-spatials find it easier to
learn cursive than manuscript. Maybe it’s because the letters flow together
and, because they’re connected, they can be written faster. If you must
handwrite and your penmanship could use some improvement, I hope you’ll try
creating your own methods for writing your letters and see what works best for
you.
If You Could See the Way I Think can be
purchased direct from the Visual-Spatial Resource website at
www.visualspatial.org.
Center for Creative Change
Visionary Counseling
Laurel Ann Browne
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Remembering Aztlán
a column of poetry, culture & spirit
by Art Goodtimes
MONTHLY QUOTA … “The first thing to do is to choose a sacred place to live in.”
Tahirassawichi, Pawnee elder who visited D.C. in 1872 (and wasn’t impressed),
as quoted in Ernesto Cardenal’s Golden UFOs: The Indian Poems (Indiana
Univ. Press, Bloomington, 1992).
WHERE I LIVE … One of the trickier tasks of representing the people of San Miguel
County is that I’m constantly meeting new faces. And I’m almost always asked,
“Where do you live?” It’s a question that’s led to increasingly complex answers
over the years … If I just say, “Norwood,” it’s interesting. Few in government,
even in Colorado, know of it. Which as a newcomer back in the ‘80s I took as
embarrassment. But it’s becoming increasingly pride and good fortune that
compose my text of place, this sacred place I’ve chosen to live, when I refer
to Norwood’s small size and cloak of anonymity in the wider culture. Thank
goodness! … If I say “Telluride”, almost everyone, even in distant cities,
knows the name. And that’s good too. Name recognition is what drives the world
resort economy, upon which this county has set its fortunes. And fairly
successfully. But that’s as much social curse as economic cure. Sure, the
economics have thrived. The county seat is as much about realty investment
bubble as mountain cultural draw. And the advantages of the latter have been
within reach of Norwood folks, if they choose to drive as far as most
suburbanites do. Mushroom. Jazz. Film. Mountainfilm. Bluegrass. Poetry. You
name it and Telluride has a festival for it … Truth is, I’ve always felt that
Telluride was a “sacrifice area” for those who chose to live in close proximity
to the mountains. In fact, I said so on a KOTO interview when I first came to
town. And nothing’s changed. Telluride provides us the opportunity to live in a
most beautiful place, surrounded in all directions by peaks and plateaus. But
it’s really a little city, plopped down in the frontier West … Increasingly
I’ve come to savor the wisdom of the choices mixed with happenstance that led
me to Wright’s Mesa. Not well known. Off the beaten track. Cut in half by a
blue highway. On its way to Naturita and “the middle of everywhere.” But close
to Telluride’s cultural amenities. With a raging bull market economic engine
within an hour’s drive. And all watched over by our local mother mountain from
which all our water springs … So, these days I answer that question “Where?”
like this: “In Norwood actually. At Cloud Acre. My little preserve of irrigated
wetlands, looking south to Lone Cone – that western outlier of the Anasazi San
Juans. Uto-Aztecan country. What the older European wave in these parts once
called Aztlán. At the furthest, highest, most northern, clump-of-mesa-tops cusp
of the Southern Rockies and the Colorado Plateau.” … For me, that’s home.
TURNING 60 … Now that’s seriously old for a hippie (actually, recognizing the
shift that comes with being issued an AARP card, I’ve taken to calling myself a
“paleohippie”) … Although, if you’d
been to the Silvertree Hotel in Snowmass last month for the ERIS Society’s 26th
annual conference (www.erissociety.org), you’d’ve heard Dr. Aubrey de Grey, a
biologist and computer scientist at the Department of Genetics at Cambridge,
explaining just how close we are to extending the human lifetime – thanks to
technological interventions to retard and reverse the aging process. All seven
of the primary biological systems vulnerable to aging, according to Aubrey,
have been identified in mice … Mice Aside: Honestly, what labs do to
living things in the interests of science disturbs me greatly -- as much as the
wholesale slaughter of grizzlies and wolves turn of the century before this … Turn-of-the-Century
Aside: Nope, I don’t exactly remember back that far. But I remember hearing
folks talking about that far back -- that time when they were youngsters … Back
to DeGray’s Methulsaleh Project: Reach sixty and it seems like you’re
pushing the outer limits of a person’s useful spin on the planet, at least this
incarnation, embodiment, enlightened state around … But imagine a world where,
for a price, some could afford to live to 150? Such was the shiny apple de Grey
tossed the Erisians last month … Eris, of course, being the Greek goddess of
misfortune and discord, the one credited by Hesiod with starting the Trojan War
(the same patriarchal bard who gave us Pandora opening her box of ills) … Also
at the Silvertree’s plush cabaret room, Erisians watched Peyton Quinn’s self
defense training camp videos and learned of “adrenal stress conditioning” –
basically running simulations for prepped “victims” in that state of heightened
fear and alertness when one faces an unprovoked surprise attack (the attackers
are completely padded and will take blows, but are trained martial artists).
Quinn wrote A Bouncer’s Guide to Barroom Brawling 15 years ago and runs
workshops out of his Colorado Springs compound. A number of folks scribbled
down his contacts after the talk. Including me … Does age make one more
paranoid, or is it just a natural concurrence of the exploding future moment? …
I was confounded and amused the other day, out by Borcherdt’s Auto in Norwood,
to see a series of state highway signs lined up in a row as part of the Highway
145 resurfacing project. “Stop. Bump. Stop” … That’s it! I thought. The jerky
personal routine we go through before the implied & unlimited go. That’s
what it’s like to reach 60. Relax. Opposition. Relax. Lots of milestone peaks
& bottomless pits amid the monotone vibratory plateaus of the same old same
old. Or what Terence McKenna used to call, “Time Wave Zero” (Kathleen Harrison,
his –ex, was a featured guest at this year’s mushroom festival a couple weeks
ago) … Okay, I’m jumping around. But that’s it too. I’m all over the place.
Coming to closure, even as I uncover new things … My youngest son Gorio’s
birthday was a week before mine. Just turned seven. The fabled age of reason. A
huge curiosity, seeking to understand how it all works … And truth is, it seems
like I’m still right there. Just beginning to understand. Sixty reaching back
to seven.
© 2004 Art Goodtimes
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Dea's Kitchen: Recipe for Peace
by Dea Jacobson
Before I begin this month's article, let
me say thanks to Art Goodtimes for sharing his mushroom expertise, and
continuing the conversation on mushrooms more specific to our region. And,
while I'm on the subject, I recently enjoyed what I identified as an agaricus
augustus, (also called "the Prince"), which I found on the right on
the roadside after a heavy rainstorm. Better than any portobello I've ever had,
I made it into a fine omelet. I plan on hunting mushrooms this weekend, and
hope there's been enough rain up there in the San Juans, Art. We've been awash
up here on the Grand Mesa!
Now, onward to the subject of food and
peace. The link between food and health has been greatly explored, while we are
just on the frontier in studying the link between food and behavior. Other than
the obvious effects of getting grumpy when we are hungry, jittery on coffee, or
whacked out from sugar, lots more is being found out, especially through
investigations mostly conducted in European countries.
Parents and school administrators are
finding out that what is available to students in the vending machines and
cafeteria can affect children's performance in the classroom. My new favorite
magazine, Ode, www.odemagazine.com, which is published in Rotterdam and is
dedicated to sustainability, peace and positive change, recently featured this
subject in an article titled "You Are What You Eat". The article
described a school for developmentally troubled youth that routinely had police
patrolling the halls. The school's principle decided to remove soda vending
machines and replaced them with water coolers. The lunchroom changed its menu
from burgers and fries to a salad bar, fruits and whole grain breads. Vandalism
and the need for police patrols has since vanished.
While there's alot of controversy surrounding
the topic of food and behavior, mostly because the article describes situations
that were not conducted as scientific studies, I believe that food is medicine
- good or bad - and welcome articles that take this subject to the consumers. I
was amazed to learn about the work of Stephen Schoenthaler, a criminal justice
professor who has spent 20 years researching the relationship between food and
behavior by supervising dietary changes in 803 low income schools in New York
City. The number of students passing finals rose from 11% below the national
average to 5% above. His work also documents significant decreases in violence
in a youth detention center following its switch from canned cafeteria food and
vending machine fare to fresh alternatives.
Of course, it would be naive to say that
aggression could be eliminated simply by changing the diet. However, it is one
that schools have access to, and there are many that are trying to make those
changes. There's lots of evidence that poor nutrition plays a role in
aggressive behavior. The brain, which accounts for only 2% of the body's weight
uses 20% of its energy. To generate energy we need nutrients, not just empty
calories supplies by high carb junk and convenience foods. And remember that
the artificial fertilizers used to grow much of the mass produced food served
in cafeterias is contributing to a serious shortage of minerals in the food
supply, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. For example,
in 1900, wheat was 90% protein. Now it is 9% protein.
More research dollars need to be spent on
how diet and behavior interact, so we don't keep looking at pharmaceutical
solutions as our only options. Fortunately , that is being done somewhat with
ADHD (hyperactivity disorder). But nutritionists don't study criminology and
criminologists don't study biochemistry. As Bernard Gesch, a physiologist at
the University of Oxford who did dietary studies in English prisons with
convincing results, notes, diet is fundamental to the development of the human
brain. The composition of the right nutrients, he concludes, could be that
"recipe for peace"!
For your recipe this month, I suggest
fresh tomatoes, tossed with fresh basil, dressed in simple olive oil and wine
vinegar. What would life be without home grown tomatoes? Enjoy!
Dea Jacobson is the owner of Blue Heron
Yoga and is a registered yoga instructor, graduate of Naturally Grand Cooking
School, and a Religious Science Practitioner. She can be reached at
www.blueheronyoga.com, or at Box 95, Cedaredge, Colorado, phone # 970 856 4905.
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Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Here at Home We Stay
by Jill Burkey
As I sit down to write this column, it is
midnight on a Tuesday. Tonight I steam
cleaned the carpet and at 10:00 p.m. decided to make a run to Wal-Mart because
it would be easier than doing it in the morning with my four-year old boy and
22 month old girl. When I got home at
11:00 p.m., I finished the last load of laundry, loaded the dishwasher, and
stocked the diaper bag for tomorrow.
I'm a stay-at-home mom and I think there
are probably working moms up until midnight tonight getting all of their tasks
done too. There just aren't enough
hours in the day. It's impossible (and
dangerous!) to try to say whose job is harder, or who's working harder, so I
won't even attempt it. I think it's
fair to say all moms work hard whether we have a paycheck to show for it or
not. That's why it disturbed me to hear
about the Kindergarten registration process at one of the local elementary
schools.
At this particular school, kids attend
Kindergarten either in the morning or afternoon, and upon registration, parents
can preference which class they want.
If both parents work, the school gives their preference more weight. This may seem logical to the school, and on
the surface, it seems like they are helping working mothers, but it's at a cost
to stay-at-home moms who may have perfectly valid reasons for wanting their
child in a certain time-slot, for example, trying to coordinate schedules with
a younger child in pre-school. This
practice seems to tell stay-at-home parents that our time is not of equal
consideration, even though our households pay taxes just like everybody
else. This situation also pits working
and stay-at-home moms against each other when we should be allies, and a
situation that would make me, a potential resource to the school (classroom
volunteer, PTA member), feel like a second-class citizen.
This is just a typical example of some of
the things stay-at-home parents encounter.
It's hard enough convincing ourselves of our importance while we're
scooping Cheerios off the floor and playing Rescue Heroes, or when we're
talking to old college friends who are leading exciting careers, let alone when
faced with a situation like this. We
should keep our chins up, though, because I have a feeling if the truth were
known, working parents and stay-at-home parents envy each other a little bit,
and nobody's life is perfect even though we keep trying.
Jill Burkey is a freelance writer &
stay-at-home mother of 2 children. She has a B.S. in English, Business, and
Secondary Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University & provides
professional writing services through Word Wise, Ink. Contact Jill at 255-7348
or at burkey@frontier.net.
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Peaceful Contributions for the Soul
by Kathy Gates
Meditation is a peaceful way to become
still to become quiet. A truly joyful way to feel a sense of peace is silence.
Sometimes it is difficult to quiet the mind, so reciting positive affirmations
or positive words can also bring peace to our busy minds. By focusing your
attention on the good that is all around you, will bring a sense of peace.
Recently I took a short trip to visit my
sister. While I was there I met with some old friends. We were catching up on
what's new in our lives. It appeared at the time that one of my friend's life
seemed extremely chaotic and full of mass confusion. Afterwards on my drive
back home I became thankful for the peace in my own life. I wished for that
peace to dwell in all people everywhere. Then I asked Spirit to guide me in
ways to bring peace to our lovely planet.
As the sun was rising in the morning sky I
was guided to read a PSALM from the bible. PSALM 46. I began to recite the
words out loud. Instantly I was feeling
a sense of peace. It moved my
consciousness from lack to wholeness. Below are the words, recite them out loud
if you choose, and just notice how they make you feel.
PSALM 46
God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations
To The Chief Musicians A PSALM of the sons of Korah A song for Alamoth
God is our refuge and strength
A very Present help in trouble
Therefore we will not fear
Though the earth be removed
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea
Though it's waters roar and be troubled
Though the mountains shake with it's swelling Selah
There is a river who's streams shall make glad the city of God
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High
God is in the midst of her
She shall not be moved
God shall help her
just at the break of dawn
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved:
He uttered His voice, the earth melted
The Lord of hosts is with us
The God of Jacob is our refuge
Come behold the works of the Lord who has made desolations in the earth
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two: He burns the chariot in
the fire
Be still and know that I AM GOD
I will be exalted among the nations
I will be exalted in the earth
The Lord of hosts is with us
The God of Jacob is our refuge
Selah
After I had recited the words out loud, I
came to the realization that my old friend whom I had judged as having a
chaotic life was my own perception of her life compared to mine. And who was I to judge anyone. I instantly blessed the whole situation with
peace and let it go. When I am at peace I am filled with joy and gladness. It is then that I feel connected to all that
is.
Peace and blessings to all living beings,
everywhere.
If you would like a place to hold a
private retreat for silence or just to spend some time in nature and nurture
yourself with its beauty, please feel free to call for our very reasonable
rates. Come and join our Women's
Sacred Circle gathering once per month, be inspired, be at One With All That
Is. Kathy Gates 1-970-856-7665
Women's Spirit Retreat is located at 20212
High Park Rd above Cedaredge. Blessings to all living beings. Kathy Gates
wsretreat@aol.com or visit our website for upcoming retreats and programs
womensspiritretreats.com.
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Boost Your Brain Power
© Anne Calzada Herbalist
As autumn begins this month and with
school starting, it brings the higher mind to focus. It is said that we only
use 1/3 of our brain capacity. The brain is part of the nervous system. It
weighs about 3 pounds and is divided into right and left hemispheres. It is
composed of about 2/3 of fat, some of which is lecithin. Neurons in the brain
are composed of fatty acid tissue, as is the myelin sheath that protects them.
The brain serves to control and coordinate physical, mental and emotional
actions. It is true that what we ingest can affect our neural pathways, so it
is beneficial to know of some of the classic "brain foods" and maybe
some new ones. No other organ is so dependent on the internal environment as is
the brain. It demands up to 25% or more of the body's energy.
Some imbalances of the nervous system that
affectin particularly the brain are,A.D.D., A.D.H.D., short term memory loss,
Alzheimer's, seizures, Parkinson's etc…
Some general recommendations to start with
are to rid your home of aluminum cookware, aluminum foil and if possible to use
anti-perspirants/deodorants that do not contain aluminum.
Commercial baking powder, antacids and
non-dairy coffee creamers may be culprits as well. High levels of aluminum have
been found in people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Eliminating
chemicals and metals as best as you can is smart thinking. These elements are
detrimental for so many reasons.
Engaging in mental activities such as
reading, puzzles, crossword puzzles, games, artwork, playing an instrument,
dancing, being with children, exercise, meditation and traveling are all
wonderful actions for the brain. The key here is stimuli, but also new
stimulation, new experiences and constant learning. Vary your routine. Take a
different route to work, learn a new recipe for dinner, you get the idea, use
it or lose it!
The brain requires certain nutrients for
it to function optimally. Essential fatty acids from fish, (this is why you
were told as a child that fish are brain food!) nuts, seeds, cold pressed oils
such as olive, flax and hemp. Vitamins A, B-Complex, C and E. Long standing
vitamin deficiencies are known to be linked with A.D.D., depression and mood
swings. Minerals are needed of course, in particularly chromium. Chromium helps
to prevent hypoglycemia through balancing the blood sugar levels. The more
stable your blood sugar is the less chances that you have of mental fatigue,
inability to concentrate and mood swings. Beginning your day with breakfast is
essential. Eating higher protein and less refined carbohydrates will benefit
your brain and your energy levels. Every myelin nerve sheath contains lecithin.
It is needed for nerve and brain function. Lecithin helps to reduce
cholesterol, fatigue and aging. It is found in egg yolks, fish, soybeans, yeast
and seeds. Choline and inositol are components of lecithin. It is known that
deficiencies of these elements can create mental imbalances.
It is vital to get proper nutrients and
blood flow to your brain. You can do this through exercise. Have you ever taken
a brisk walk and felt your head clear afterwards? In doing so, oxygen uptake
was increased. If we do not have good circulation or tend to be more sedentary,
clear thinking can be somewhat diminished.
Herbs as always are available to support
us in healing. Ginkgo is a star player for the brain. It improves neural
synapses and it helps the brain to utilize oxygen as it increases peripheral
blood flow. Gotu Kola is another team player, as it also increases oxygen
circulation to the brain, thus enhancing memory and energy. An old proverb says
of Gotu Kola "eat two leaves a day and keep old age away".
Rosemary, whose Latin name literally means
"remembrance" was used by Greek scholars. They wore sprigs of
rosemary in their hair to further themselves in study and exams. Rosemary is a
potent antioxidant not to mention a circulatory stimulant. Antioxidants prevent
harm from free radicals that cause damage to cells and increase utilization in
the blood, tissues and brain. Peppermint is clearing to the mind and the
senses. It is very refreshing and supplies a reliable pick me up when needed,
removing stagnant energy. Oatstraw is loaded with calcium and magnesium, which
nourish the nervous system as a whole. As the old commercial says "the
mind is a terrible thing to waste". So here's to remaining bright eyed and
alert!
Super Smoothie
8 oz. milk or juice of your choice
½ cup yogurt
½ cup blueberries
1 TBSP. flax or hemp oil
1 TBSP. nutritional yeast
1 TBSP. lecithin granules
1 tsp. Spirulina
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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ReConnections:
A Look Back
The heritage of The Whole Life Network
from the pages of Connections.
One Year Ago**It was announced that Dr. Alexander Gilmore of Total Family Wellness would
be the Wednesday Night Wisdom speaker on September 22nd - his topic: Your Immune System.
**Dr. Jerry Overton’ column was entitled, Know
What You Want: “… don’t stop until you know exactly what you want. And make sure it really fits you – that it
has integrity for the unique person that you are. Never settle for someone else’s notion”.
Five Years Ago**”The Whole Life Network and the Institute of Noetic Sciences are
pleased to announce Peter Russell M.A. as the guest speaker for the WLN
Symposium 2000.
**Don Bailey reported a big change in our
newsletter, “…goodbye and thank you to Sally Dubats as editor of Connections
and welcome Cindy Luttrall as our new editor”.
Ten Years Ago**”Regarding the fulfillment of our members’ needs and purposes – we
have now more than doubled our paid membership in the last 1 ½ years!”
**Larry Dossey is quoted in an interview:
“There are easily 130 studies that show if you take prayer into the laboratory
under controlled situations, it does something remarkable, not just to human
beings, but to bacteria, fungi, germinating seeds, rats, mice and baby
gerbils”.
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The Insurgency
by Dr. Jerry Overton
An insurgent: One who rises up against an
established authority—Webster’s New World Dictionary
It’s always interesting to me how we human
beings can put a spin on words in order to justify our particular position or
vested interests. Take the notion of “insurgency” for example. Most of us have,
in the last two years, since our president decided to invade Iraq, been led to
believe that “insurgents” are our mortal enemy, to be stamped out at all costs
because they are interfering with our morally mandated and motivated cause to
bring democracy to the people of Iraq. They are nothing more than insane
terrorists who would stop short of nothing, including their own suicides, to
prevent us from doing the “right thing” for their people.
Well, perhaps there is another way to see
all this. What if the government of Canada decided our president was a tyrant
who needed to be deposed or killed, and that they knew better than we how to
run our country and shape our lives? And what if they invaded the US, bombed
and then occupied our cities and towns, including Montrose, killing and maiming
hundreds of thousands of innocent people, including our own children and family
members, and then continued to run up and down our streets in their tanks and
hummers, breaking into our homes, disarming us of all our guns and weapons, and
hauling us off to prison because they “suspected” that we were terrorists?
And what if you saw fit to protect
yourself, your family, your home, and your way of life—even if it meant the
ultimate sacrifice of your own life? Wouldn’t you choose to “rise up against
the established authority”, and by definition become an “insurgent”? Wouldn’t you do all within your power, even
if it meant strapping on dynamite, in order to protect your home and family
against such foreign “authority”? I suspect you would!
In former times those who sought to
protect their homeland against foreign aggressors were call “patriots”. Those
who stood their ground against religious persecution and gave their life for
that cause were called “martyrs” and many eventually became “saints”. Those who
protected their homes and families were called “heroes” and were singled out
and honored for their heroism. And all of them, by definition, were
“insurgents” because they dared to “rise up against the established authority.”
This country was, in fact, founded on such “insurgency”.
Could it be that those Iraqi insurgents
whom we seek to vilify—and kill—by calling them “terrorists” are simply doing
what any of us would do in similar circumstances? Could it be that they are
simply trying to protect themselves, their homes, their families, and their way
of life from foreign aggressors?
Perhaps if we put ourselves in their shoes
we’d see things differently. And maybe then we could act with compassion
instead of aggression, and we could have peace. It’s worth some thought.
Of course, we’d have to start by being
absolutely honest about our real motivations for starting that war in the first
place!
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, 600 S. Park. He can be reached at 970-252-9311, and he welcomes your
call.
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New Business Member Profile
Colorado Internal Arts - Bonnie Poole ACE certified
Whole Life Network Release
We welcome our new Business Member,
Colorado Internal Arts, and Bonnie Poole the instructor and owner. We all want
a healthy body is graceful, flexible and strong. Internal Arts practice
develops all the elements of vibrant health. The relaxed and focused movements
can reduce stress, improve joint function, increase balance, speed and
coordination, lower blood pressure and improve the cardiorespiratory
system. Internal Arts practice can
benefit many different people. Competitive athletes and martial artists, people
seeking recreational exercise and stress reduction, and the elderly can enjoy
more vitality and better health.
Bonnie Poole has a degree in Health
Science and is an ACE certified personal trainer. She has been studying the
internal arts since 1985 and has been teaching since 1994. Bonnie is a
certified internal arts instructor with Master BK Frantzis. She continues to be
a serious student of martial arts, health and meditation. Lessons, either
private or semi-private or public, are being offered in the following skills.
Please call 240-3493 for class information.
Tai Chi
Wu Style Short Form is a 16 movement
exercise which improves the function of many systems of the body. The
circulatory and respiratory systems, the joints, and the immune and nervous
systems develop strong and calm rhythms. The improved flow of various body
fluids carrying oxygen, and nourishment, will repair, restore and invigorate
the body.
Wu Style Tai Chi is an excellent
foundation practice for the Internal Arts. It teaches the basics for a balanced
and healthy body and mind.
Chi Gung / Nei Gung
These health practices create an
environment in the body where one's awareness can observe and actively
participate in developing greater vitality and joy. Freedom from pain, graceful
movement, and a feeling of comfort in the physical body are developed in
stages. These exercises are both playful and challenging. The benefits are
subtle and powerful.
Ba Gua
Ba Gua is a martial art that can also be
practiced for health or meditation. As a martial art, Ba Gua develops
intuition, flowing intent and internal power and internal spiraling energy.
While the forms express beauty and strength, the martial techniques are
formidable. Flexibility, aerobic capacity and leg strength are natural outcomes
of the practice.
Taoist Meditation
Release stress, find inner comfort, and
dissolve old traumas. The benefits of a devoted meditation practice are stated
in the traditions of every culture on earth. The best time to start is now.
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Letter to the Editor
I really enjoy receiving "The
Connections" and to keep up on the great things happening in the Montrose
area. Living in Fort Worth, Texas it is sometimes difficult to connect to a
"spiritual community" and I miss the wonderful opportunities you are
presenting through the Whole Life Network. Keep up the good work.
Kathy Penley
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