GAIAM TV

I know I've mentioned Gaiam TV in past posts, namely because Regina Meridith moved her site to Gaiam over a year ago. At first I was not sure I wanted to pay $9.95 per month for a website, but Regina's Conscious Media Network moved my membership over to Gaiam, so I thought I might as well check it out. I have never been sorry. I admit to paying for several sites - mostly interviews with interesting people - Veritas, Red Ice, Coast to Coast, Dreamland, etc., but if I'm looking to find something that is cutting edge and forward-thinking - I go to Gaiam.

Three new programs will added next week - one with Daniel Pinchbeck - "focusing on the future of civilization, technology, spirituality and the emerging new paradigm for humanity." The other two programs are also timely - one with Regina Meridith having to do with strange phenomena, of which we have plenty of at the moment. The other has to do with maintaining our health, which should be at the top of everyone's list.

David Wilcock teaches "Law of One" and other interesting topics on his Wisdom Teachings which airs every Monday. George Noory of Coast to Coast also has a program; Beyond Belief.

The site also features Yoga, movies, and much more.

It's not always easy to find places that are forward thinking and uplifting at the same time. Gaiam TV does a good job of both.

Focused Prayer

I have read in more than one place lately - that prayers, when combined with others praying at the same time for the same thing - turn to a kind of "music" in the cosmos. In Whitley Streiber's book "The Key" the mysterious visitor who visited him in his hotel room in Canada during the 1990's stated that human beings could pray together to help change their world.

There are many places that have popped up on the Internet that bring people together to pray for a certain outcome - usually having to do with world catastrophic events. I was invited to join one the other day through James Redfield - the author of The Twelfth Insight.

In a world of more and more extreme phenomenon, it makes sense to band together - if for no other reason than we feel a communion with fellow world inhabitants. This is the premise behind most of Lynn McTaggart's work with intention and the zero-point field.

Event Temples and James's work takes all of this a step further and attempts to help people learn to develop the ability to see the world differently by utilizing what he terms the "Six Heart Virtues." They are as follows:

1. Appreciation
2. Compassion
3. Forgiveness
4. Humility
5. Understanding
6. Valor

Here is an excerpt from the website:

JAMES: "A new psychology is emerging on the planet, referred to as positive psychology, which focuses on the study of human resilience and emotional strength. Psychologists are beginning to realize, for example, that it is more important to understand how some people have naturally overcome depression, than it is to study the psychopathology of depression itself.

"Reservoirs of resilience and emotional strength are byproducts of emotional self-mastery, the ability to express the six heart virtues and live within a  virtuous instead of a vicious cycle. The ability to sustain a virtuous cycle through the energetic and behavioral expression of the six heart virtues is tantamount to empowerment.

"My vision for EventTemples.com is for it to help individuals achieve a new level of empowerment, and from this base, enable them to collectively and individually support people across the globe through energetic transfers from an expanding set of quantum communities."

Of course, all of this is not necessarily easy for us humans to understand and learn. It requires some real effort on our part. Most of the time we are just responding to outside influences. We are a product of our subconscious, our ego, our upbringing, our educations, the media. But if we are going to move forward, if we are going to evolve, we need to learn the tools that help us to focus, to learn, and to transmit with intent.

Learning to think through our heart is a step in the right direction. We can look around us and see the impact of living only within a mechanistic worldview.

James the WingMaker

(James's artwork)

As many of you know, I have been studying the heart as the next stage of human evolution. From this post, and this post, consecutively, you may know that we evolve from a heart - not a brain. It has a much more dense electromagnetic field than does the brain. This information has come from a variety of sources, but none more mysterious than from James the WingMaker. He is a man of European (Spanish) decent who claims to be from an ancient line of beings who incarnate on earth to help lift our understanding during challenging times. He chooses to remain anonymous so that personality does not interfere with the message.

The message, put simply, is that the human family is a single organism that connects through the heart. This single organism is the savior we have sought; the intermediary we have been told is required to advance spiritually. He believes looking outside of ourselves is the wrong direction, that the heart's wisdom is the gateway to enlightenment, not only for the individual, but for humanity at large. He believes true wisdom does not come until the person is ready, and truth will find them when the time is right.

I've learned over a course of years to listen to messages from a variety of sources, suspending my judgment as to where they come from, and focusing on whether or not they resonate with my innate sense of right and wrong. Let me say, for the most part I tend to be somewhat suspicious by nature. But I've read hundreds of pages of his writings and cannot find anything that would send my spidey sense into  overload. The information is free - the only things sold are ancillary musical Cd's and artwork. He has three separate websites - all different in their teaching styles - but all are consistent with his fundamental message - that the heart of empowerment is the point of consciousness written in the individual by the Creator; and is the vibration of equality. It is here that the interface between individuality and Oneness occurs.

In typical Nancy fashion, I started with his latest website, Event Temples, and worked my way backwards. I did the same thing in college - upper division courses first (as many as I could get into) and followed by the lower division courses in order to fulfill requirements. I did this because the latest writings, or courses, usually gives me a perspective of whether or not it is worth my time to pursue. I'm not sure this is how these websites are constructed, however. I think one can visit any of the three to ascertain whether or not they are interested in what James has to say. We all learn differently, and are attracted to differing styles of teaching. I have not read much on the WingMaker's site, having spent most of my time reading the material on the Event Temple and the Lyricus sites.

Tomorrow I'll talk about behavioral intelligence, the cornerstone of James's teachings, and why it is easy to understand intellectually, but harder to practice behaviorally.

Here are his websites in order:
WingMakers
Lyricus
Event Temples

Third Great Awakening

"In 1976 Tom Wolfe wrote that we are now "seeing the upward role (and not yet the crest, by any means) of the third great religious wave in American history, one that historians will very likely term the Third Great Awakening."

I would posit that this great awakening is happening world-wide.

From the book Chop Wood, Carry Water:

This Third Great Awakening has been called by many names: the consciousness movement, the New Age, the Aquarian Conspiracy - or, as we have come to think of it while working on this book - "the new spirituality."

This "new spirituality" is not really new, of course, but more of a form of something very old, of something that has always been present, if often hidden. Aldous Huxley called it "The Perennial Philosophy," and found it at the center of all the great mystical traditions. The most familiar formulation of The Perennial Philosophy in the West is perhaps the statement that "The kingdom of God is within you."

The writers go on to say the sources from this new spirituality are varied and diverse, and actually are an amalgam of many different wisdoms that encompass all great religions as well as ordinary people. The book was written in 1984, and I read it sometime during the 1980's. Probably during my initial spiritual search that began after a series of difficult personal problems, not the least of which was a brain tumor. I'm now reading it again because it is one of those books that should be read more than once throughout one's lifetime. It is a reminder that the path we have undertaken doesn't have to involve perfection, but the task should include "the challenge, as for the Chinese Zen master a thousand years ago, is to live in such a way that there is no duality, no separation between the spiritual path and its manifestation in everyday life. The real challenge is, so to speak, to bring heaven down to earth, where we all live. It is a question of what Ram Dass has called "applied spirituality."

Always ask yourself - is this word, action, or emotion life diminishing, or life enhancing?  (Morning Messages.) 

The Twelfth Insight

I have just finished James Redfield's new book, The Twelfth Insight, so I thought I would do a book review for you.

The Celestine Prophecy, written in 1993 and originally self-published, became a word-of-mouth hit with its  action/adventure style of revealing certain spiritual concepts. In his third book, some eighteen years later, he picks up with the main character, building on the first book.

The Twelfth Insight brings together all the characters we find battling it out on our current world stage. Redfield has all ages, races, religions, and political players involved in a race to discover the twelve insights that will change the thinking of the world's inhabitants before it is destroyed by an apocalyptic group determined to start Armageddon.

Without giving too much away about the book for those that might want to read it, I have to say there were times the narrative seemed a little cheesy, but by the end of the book, finished late last night - I actually had the best night's sleep I've had in a while. It left me with a good feeling about humanity, world events, and what I need to do to stay centered during difficult times. But most of all - it left me hopeful, and excited to find others that feel as I do. I've always known that my spiritual beliefs would be tested and I guess we are at that juncture.

It is time to be who you really are, stand up for what is right, and live in integrity. But most of all, it is so important to be grateful and live in an appreciative state of mind because we are living in some amazing and transformative times. Remembering that we need the bad to understand the good, the dark to appreciate the light, and that this is all an elaborate play, designed to teach us what is truly important in life. We need the evil-doers as much as the light-workers to provide the contrast necessary to bring about the massive paradigm change that is surely coming.

This book would appeal to anyone who enjoyed his first book, to those who wonder what all the hoopla is all about regarding spiritual transformation, for anyone wondering how synchronicity works, and for those that need something that lifts their spirit during hard times.

ADDENDUM: James actually has four books. 

Billy's Greens

I watched an interview on Conscious Media Network a while back with Billy Merritt of Billy's Greens. Greens have become a big thing with people focused on good health and nutrition.

This young man has quite a story. Plagued with brain tumors and resulting seizures, he went on a quest to try and heal himself. He tried drugs, looked into surgery, but found nothing was working. Unable to work, or live a normal life, he started eating better, mostly raw foods, fresh fruits and vegetables. His health improved some.

He also spent time every morning meditating. It was during this time that he started praying, hours and hours of prayer, during his day.  He would let God know of his desire for health and then he said he would listen, believing that we need to let the Universe know what we need and then pay attention to strong hunches, instincts, those ideas that say go this way - go that way. He was reluctant to admit, but finally did during the interview, that at one point he heard a small quiet voice that said he must drop everything and "go to Nepal." He said he has only heard voices a couple of times in his life - so it's not like he hears them all of the time - but this one time he followed his instincts and did exactly that - he dropped everything and went to Nepal. After hiking 300 miles in the mountains from one guest lodge to another, he was still having seizures and felt the journey was for nothing. Sad and dispirited, he booked a return flight through the Bangkok airport for home.

It was during time of protests in Bangkok, that included the airport, and flights were canceled. He decided to spend time in Laos, admitting he had never felt so alone and sad. The food in Laos was not what he was used to so he ate coconuts for two weeks. And guess what? He cured his seizures! Something in the coconuts!

This sent him on a path that continues to this day. At 22 years old he has his own business, honed by trying different combinations of algaes, herbs, botanicals, probiotics, enzymes, and superfoods into nutrient-dense combinations that he found to be incredibly effective while working and perfecting his blends at the Ashram Health Retreat of Calabasas, CA.

I came across this interview while concerned for my own health. Struggling with one major virus after another, a feeling that something was wrong, or going to be wrong very soon, I went to his website and ordered a couple of his products. I felt, instinctively, that I needed an immune booster. I have to admit to feeling better - much better. Is it from the superfoods? I don't know. It could be because I'm eating better and exercising again, but I did order some for my family. They just received it, so I haven't had any reports so far.

I think Billy's story is one that proves we have what we need to help us in this world. Paying attention to God, Spirit, Higher Self,  or whatever you want to call it - is the answer. Going within with our questions,  and most of all - listening to the answers. They don't always come in word form. It could be hunches, ideas, synchronicities, something we read, something we hear, someone who comes into our life at just the right moment, symbols, music, pictures. The important thing is to pay attention and remain open.

For me, at this time in my life, it was Billy. I'm now looking at my health from a nutrition standpoint that will include products that help me in this endeavor.

Besides, I believe in supporting grass-roots businesses that feel they are lead by Spirit. Billy proves we don't need to rely on big corporations to meet our needs. This is our future.

The Path: Afterlife

I have been in the process of building a spiritual video library and came across one that I thought exceptional. The Path: Afterlife, with The Monroe Institute, William Buhlman, Tom Cambell and others, is one that I intend to watch over and over. I'll order one for my daughters and niece to watch, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has lost someone, or is currently going through a transitional experience.

There is so much information in this little video that it would be hard to pin down what I liked about it, except to say that there were pockets of information that spoke directly to me. I suspect that might be true for others, although not necessarily the same pockets of information.

You can order The Path here.

The Magician

I am in the process of learning to read Tarot cards. This is something I've wanted to do for what seems like forever, but other things always seem more important. Not to mention, I have always steered clear of psychics and card readers - mostly because my Christian upbringing seems to have instilled a fear of anything having to do with divination. It's not that I don't believe in psychics, I do believe some people are more sensitive to the world we can't see, but I just haven't had much experience with them, and I've never had my cards "read."

But since I will no longer be defined by fear, I thought I would check out Tarot. Learning for myself seemed like the best approach.

No time like the present. I ordered a book by Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega, Power Tarot. The book suggests starting out by picking out one card, writing down the meaning in a diary, and taking time to study how it might be represented in an actual spread. Each day you pick another card, until you learn what each card represents. From the book:

"Spreads form the heart of tarot. They create the stories the cards tell and depict recurring patterns that are both visible and invisible, known and unknown, obvious and hidden."


"Some spreads work best for specific questions, others describe general situations and conditions, and still others answer questions that haven't been asked yet."


It is also suggested that one handle the deck, shuffling, holding, touching, etc., until one feels ready to start. So I've spent the last several days doing just that. I found a spot on my coffee table, and picked them up often. I was ready to begin.

So my first question: "What is the most important card to me in this deck right now?" I cleared my mind, said a positive mantra I always say, asked for the answer to my question, shuffled, felt the cards slip through my fingers one by one and finally, after a minute or so -  eventually chose one.

The card?

The Magician 

"He consciously creates reality through his will and imagination. As an alchemist and transformer, he epitomizes the ability to translate ideas into action. He relies on self confidence, power, and determination to see him through. 


The astrological counterpart of the Magician is Mercury, the planet of mental agility and quickness. He symbolizes creative intelligence, psychic discovery, new beginnings, and the realization that with desire, intent, and focus, all our dreams are within our reach."


Hmmm, sounds a little bit like my belief system already. This may prove interesting.

Years of Study in a Nutshell

This series, The Science of Miracles by Gregg Braden takes complex material related to science and spirituality and puts it into an easy-to-understand format. Reiterating the importance of prayer and positive, peaceful, thoughts, this series has much to offer. There are seven parts, between five and ten minutes each. If you choose to watch some or all of it, please let me know what you think:



You can find part two here.

In The Flow

I'm one of those people who believe when things are going really well, then you are in the "flow." The flow being a river of consciousness that all beings enter at one time or another. When you read something that resonates within, when you write something that makes your fingers fly, when you are creating a piece of art that seems to make itself, when your body is doing exactly what it needs to do to help you stay in the race, or anytime that you feel absolute connectedness. All of these types of intelligences are within us all of the time, but when we're in the flow we feel energized and excited. Things come to us effortlessly.

I've been working on trying to prove all of this to myself. I have a wonderful life, but like all people there are times when I focus on the things that are not working well. Negativity, I believe, keeps us out of the flow. So when I feel negative, I force myself to start listing all the things I have to be grateful for. I start small, building to the really important things, and end with being appreciative for being here in the first place.

Which brings me to my last post. Fleas were causing havoc in my life. A mother feels unsettled when their youngest child is couch surfing. Believe me, most mothers like to know their children have a home, are safe and well. The flea situation was getting to me. I felt very negative and unhappy as we trolled Craigslist for rentals. All of them seemed old, carpeted (she has asthma), or creepy looking. At least when viewing them online. Not a place one wants to see their child living. She was willing to settle for places that made me feel uneasy. After all, she was the one without a home.

Where I wanted her to live was in the same complex as her sister. I feel settled when I know my daughters are watching out for one another. They always have, as they are very close. (Another thing to be grateful for...) Anyway, the complex where my older daughter lives is small, only 13 or so units. They were perfect for our needs. Newly remodeled so everything is new, hardwood floors, washer/dryer in unit, affordable, two bedrooms, which gives us a place to stay when visiting. Being close to all of them during our exceedingly rare visits these days was a huge plus. To not intrude on my daughter with a husband and son in their small apartment, but to be able to walk down and see them, was beyond perfect. She has needed help with her son lately, and our youngest needs help with her puppy. Especially when she starts graduate school next month. Only problem - several had just turned over, and they were not expecting another one to open up anytime soon.

Back to the flow.

So I sent out a special prayer before going to sleep, asking for one to open up before the end of next month.

My daughter's phone rang the next morning - an apartment opened up, the manager had tracked down her phone number, and she could be in by the first of next month!

The moral to this story? I think when we keep ourselves focused on the good, the things to be grateful for, we stay in a higher state of being, or vibration. That includes not allowing ourselves to react to hate and anger when we read or watch things that make us sad or angry. Not an easy thing to do, I know. One way to do that is to pay attention to what your body is doing - if it's tensing up and you are feeling heaviness in the chest area - then let the thought go. Relax your body. At some point you realize you are not automatically reacting - you're more in control - and it's easier to let it all go. Most of these things we can't do anything about anyway.

Okay, your turn, what do you think?

Living The Field

I have signed up for an intensive online workshop that Lynne McTaggert has put together that covers a variety of topics she has researched for her books. She's authored The Field and The Intention Experiment, both bestsellers. I did a book review on The Intention Experiment, and I just ordered The Field. Her research into quantum physics is extensive.

She states that the condensed lessons are a bridge between new science and Spirit. Of course, that is subjective. One has to go with what resonates and feels right. But so far I have found Lesson #1 interesting and well-written. Although I don't necessarily advocate her beliefs, I find her writing impressive and her sources compelling.

You can also get it in audio book.

For $4 per month you get one lesson. Each of these lessons are extensive. I find that I read parts at a time, as the material is dense. Often I need to go back and reread. I can see why you only get one lesson per month. I thought the fee nominal considering the content. If you are interested, here are the first three lessons:

Lesson 1:  

- The Secrets of Healing (part 1): how to begin

- How bio-resonance works

- Using sound as a healing therapy

- The truth about the pineal gland

- A healer reveals how she heals

- Using intention to shape the future

- Learning how to channel

Lesson 2

- Everything you wanted to know about the Zero Point Field - by the pioneering scientist who helped discover it

- The Secrets of Healing (part 2): using the pulse

- How the Vedas provide the secret key to healing sounds

- Tuning in to the Earth's magnetic field

- What makes an intention strong?

 - Finding your own sacred space

- Is consciousness eternal?

Lesson 3

- The science behind altering mass

- How our molecules 'talk' to each other

- The Secrets of Healing (part 3): Using the breath

- Medical breakthroughs from behind the Iron Curtain

- The ancient sounds used for healing

- Using the earth's rhythms to tune in

- How we affect machines

- The power of the collective intention

- Near-Death Experiences: what they can teach us

You can sign up here. If you do, please let me know what you think.

A Hopi Elder Speaks

A Hopi Elder Speaks

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . .
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader."
Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time!"
"There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly.
"Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
"The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
"We are the ones we've been waiting for."

-- attributed to an unnamed Hopi elder

Hopi Nation
Oraibi, Arizona

Spiritual Partnership

A couple of months ago I was approached by the publishers of Gary Zukav's new book, Spiritual Partnership, to do a review on this blog. They assured me that it was just to be an honest opinion of the book, no strings attached. I said I would, as he is one of my favorite authors. I've mentioned him more than once on this blog, and some time ago I posted his Spiritual Partnership Guidelines. I can honestly say, his book, The Seat of the Soul, changed my life. I read it back in 1990, at a particularly difficult time, and it quite literally changed my worldview and launched me on a spiritual path of over 20 years. So I probably would have given a review on this book anyway, following my belief in sharing books that might be of value to some of you. Having them send me an advance copy for free was icing on the cake. That being said, here is my take on the book:

Zukav believes we are on the precipice of the greatest change possible or imaginable. The evolution of mankind from five-sensory to multi-sensory. He believes that we have crossed a threshold and there is no turning back. The entire human experience is being reshaped with new values, goals and intentions. The old kind of power, used throughout history to manipulate and control, which now only produces violence and destruction, is being replaced by authentic power. Authentic power is an expanded awareness and includes the five senses, but also a second system. The second system detects intelligence, compassion, and wisdom. It manifests in a knowing that cannot be explained through the five senses. Such as knowing someone is going to call you before they do, or that there has been an accident involving a family member, an intuition to begin your life's purpose, if you haven't already.

This evolution in human experience has two parts. Process A involves expanded awareness and is happening without input on our part. Process B involves choice, and is what this book is all about. How to choose to heal frightened parts of ourselves and not react in unconscious ways that only incur more drama and pain. Thus the Spiritual Guidelines. I call this concept "disciplined thinking." Learning how to connect with your intentions, utilizing your body's language, to help steer your thinking in a healthy and karma-free direction.

This book would appeal to those individuals who are looking for a mechanism to connect and heal parts of themselves that keep surfacing. Especially those parts involving addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, over-eating, etc. It would appeal to those individuals who would like to live a life moving toward authentic lifestyles based on a value system aligned with their soul purpose. While many of the concepts have been explained in previous books by this author, it was nice to hear how he overcame issues related to his own experience.

Below is a trailer for the book:

Are you a Futurist?

The term "futurist" or "futurologist" refers to someone who is in the sciences, or social sciences, and attempts to predict the future of society or life on earth. From Wikipedia:

The terms most commonly refer to authors, consultants, organizational leaders and others who engage in interdisciplinary and systems thinking to advise private and public organizations on such matters as diverse global trends, plausible scenarios, emerging market opportunities and risk management.


I first became aware of this term while reading Sage of Synchronicity by Marcus T. Anthony. You can read my review of his book here. I remember thinking - wow, is there actually a profession that attempts to predict the future? 


Well, not only is there an emerging and expanding field of futurology, but you can find academic areas of focus directly related to many different topics that are future related. Here are some courses you can take from the Center for Future Consciousness:

• Philosophy, Wisdom, Enlightenment, and Education
• Mind, Consciousness, and the Future of Psychology
• The Study of the Future, Future Consciousness, and Science Fiction
• Evolution, Cosmology, and the Future of Science and Technology
• Virtue, Ethical Character Development, and Ethical Evolution
• Issues in the Future of Society and Culture

What is amazing to me is the depth of this field. We touched on this subject in college. My professors actually encouraged me to write about my views of human development combined with spirituality and evolution. I have always felt we are heading into an era where we will begin to understand exactly why we are here, and what our expectations should be of ourselves. How to use a disciplined mind to actually create the life you want to live. I believe some of them felt the same way. One professor talked about her out of body experience. The class loved it!

As the markets fell and the banks collapsed, I would tell my husband what I thought would be future trends. I knew we would be going through a drastic cultural shift, and sure enough, many of my predictions have come true. It doesn't take a genius to figure these things out - just someone who is tuned into patterns of behavior. We are all tuned into something. 

For the most part, I have been a lone voice in my life. I'm surrounded by people who believe this way of thinking to be "out there," or as my brother recently referred to it as - "weird." Imagine my surprise to find many of you actually have the same or similar thoughts. Now to find whole groups and centers dedicated to evolution, well, I am beyond happy. I feel like I'm coming home. Do you ever have that feeling when you are doing something, or reading something, and all of a sudden a light goes off and you feel illuminated? Well, that's how I felt as I read more and more about futurology. 

I have always been a fan of anything having to do with science fiction. I spent way too much time as a child daydreaming about what it would be like to live in the future. Which would explain my obsession with The Jetsons, and writers such as H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. I believe we are drawn to our "bliss" as Joseph Campbell coined the term, from a young age. But I think it's rare that anyone notices our special gifts unless it's something that really stands out. But what would the world look like if we had specific educational fields dedicated to helping a person see their unique potential at a very young age? If it was just part of the curriculum to be in touch with intention, consciousness and ethical responsibility? Would we still have bullies if they knew that what they were thinking and doing actually created their own personal experiences? How would that affect business or politics?

As for me, I am going to call myself a futurist and continue to study trends. I may even take online courses, and attend workshops here. As for educating myself, reading essays on the future by some incredible visionaries will go a long way in keeping me illuminated, in my bliss, flow, vortex, etc.

What about you? Are you a futurist? 

Sage of Synchronicity

This book, written by Marcus T. Anthony (PhD), is a radical change from most self-help or spiritual-leaning books. Dr. Anthony has intensely studied both, coming up with a new way of integrating the two. Believing himself to be a "futurist," he provides specific processes intended to help the reader get in touch with their inner knowing. You know, that niggling little feeling in the back of your mind that says you really should be focusing here instead of there, or on this instead of that. He terms this process "integrated intelligence," and its outcome "wisdom and transformation." You can read some of Dr. Anthony's academic papers here, on his website. This book is a sequel to Integrated Intelligence, and is written in an easy to understand format.

"This book is about a particular way of enhancing wisdom; using the innate ability of the mind to draw upon intelligence beyond the boundaries of self, and then applying that intelligence to make decisions, take action, and then reflect upon the whole process. This is the Wisdom Cycle."

He doesn't give the kind of advice that says this process is easy. Quite the opposite. Which is why I liked this book. He helps the reader take responsibility, which I believe is the key to success when it comes to any kind of transformation. Giving ways of connecting and healing those broken parts of ourselves that often originate in childhood. Connecting and talking down the ego, which never goes away. It is part of who we are, an integral part of our psyche. It just has a habit of running the show, causing us untold havoc and problems.

This book would appeal to those that are interested in psychology and spirituality. Also to those who feel they have a specific purpose, but have been unsuccessful in connecting with it. Based in psychology, but with new ways of understanding who we are, and how we can change the world through transformation of the mind, this was an interesting read.

The Vortex

I am in the process of learning. I'm reading all sorts of books on a variety of subjects. An ever-evolving education. So I will pass on what I read if I think it might be of value to others. I don't always believe everything I read, just as you probably don't believe everything you read. But sometimes I can extrapolate information that resonates, using it to further my understanding from sources that may seem strange, or out of the ordinary. I try to keep an open mind. This book is different from the science-based books that I've been reading. Believe it or not, many of the practical activities could be collaborative with some prominent psychological theories. Especially using a "wheel" as a device to change negative thinking into positive thinking. I can see how it could work. And it might fit right in with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

This was the first book that I've read by Esther and Jerry Hicks in the popular Law of Attraction series. This book is third in the series, and deals with "The Vortex - where the Law of Attraction assembles all cooperative relationships." The premise being that we are all creators in our lives, but that most of us have no idea how to go about being in control of what we create. This book goes into the steps needed to align ourselves in such a way that we get out of the way of what we want to happen in our lives.

If you can take the material from this book and suspend disbelief about where it is coming from - Abraham, a group of Beings (collective consciousness) and just listen to the teachings, you can gain much from reading this book. The main point is that we are not aligned with "who we really are - an extension of source energy (God?), when we are feeling bad. We feel bad because we dwell on bad, or negative thoughts. Thoughts that are thought over and over until they are beliefs. Changing these thoughts is a process, but one that can open up our lives to manifesting the things that we want to happen.

This book would appeal to those individuals who believe energy creates, and we are the creators. It might also appeal to people who are looking for a way to bring their thinking into alignment with how they want to feel. In other words, how to concentrate on the good things in life until it becomes habit, or a part of our belief system. Whether or not you believe any of the ideas relating to the Law of Attraction, it behooves each individual to understand how our thoughts affect our bodies, our relationships, our happiness.

So in the spirit of passing on what I've read that might be of value to someone out there, here is my mini review of The Vortex.

Amma

Amma or "Mother" is a what some would call a modern-day Saint. "The Hugging Saint". Although she laughs at that suggestion. She says there is no difference between creation and God. Like the waves the ocean forms are different but they are one and the same. She does not adhere to a particular religion, and her room at her Ashram has a picture of Jesus Christ, a Menorah, and a verse from the Koran. But she has been known to cure leprosy and turn butter into pudding. Although she is quick to note that we all have the same power, we just don't know it. She does not like to perform miracles, like tricks to entertain, preferring to pass her love to people individually, thru the power of  human touch. She has been known to hug 50,0000 people in one day, in 20-hour stints, without benefit of food, water, or bathroom breaks. It is estimated that she has hugged 26 million people in the last 36 years. She's been asked to speak to organizations the world over, and her charitable organization has provided for orphanages, hospitals, schools, giving 46 million dollars to the tsunami victims in Malaysia alone. She has never sought to convert anyone, and states her religion is love and service.

Born in a poor fishing village 56 years ago, her mother claims there was no pain with her birth. She was known as an "odd" child because she would give the family's food away, touched lepers, and would often stop what she was doing and go into "trance-like" states with her lips moving, a smile playing on her face. She says they were silent prayers and "when one beholds the entire universe as a play of consciousness, what else can one do but smile?"


Whether you believe Amma is a Saint, or just a person who has managed to collect a following of millions, her message is simple and worth noting:

The mission of every human being is to realize his true Self or "know who we really are."

"Love is the foundation of a happy life. Knowingly or unknowingly we are forgetting this truth. It is important to feel love but also to express it. After all, love is our true nature. When we do not express love in our words and actions it is like honey hidden in a rock - it's of no use to anyone."

These things should start in the home - only then will there be peace and harmony at home and in society.

The last sentence really hit home for me. Having studied the family for so many years, I truly believe our home is the microcosm of everything else. Having a happy home changes everything.

The Shift

I ordered the movie "The Shift", which features Dr. Wayne Dyer, in a full feature film. I didn't know what to expect because most of my spiritual education comes from books. Including a couple of his, which was always worth my time.

Up until now.

This film was really good. Is it a block-buster? No. It's a film for people who are feeling a shift in their spiritual life and would like information in a new format.

Throughout the movie little nuggets would be delivered that held special meaning for people in a variety of life circumstances. From the busy mother, to the angry businessman, to the average joe doing his job. Having Dr. Dyer share some of his personal history was also interesting. Don't you every wonder how some people can seem so enlightened, while the rest of us struggle?

Anyway, I will pass it along to one of you as soon as my husband watches it. It really should make the rounds. So if you would like to drop me a comment letting me know that you are interested in a film like this, and would like to watch it, I'll send it to you. All I ask is that you take some quiet time for yourself and sit and watch it alone. My computer worked great. There are times when you need to stop the movie, close your eyes, and think about what was said. Hard to do when someone else is watching it with you. Not to mention that I really didn't want a critique of the movie from my husband. I just wanted to absorb what was being said. I'm having him watch it alone as well.

Then do the same thing - pass it along. If more than one person asks for it, then I'll put the names in a hat and draw one on Friday. You can watch the trailer for the movie at the above link. You can also order the movie online for download to your computer. If you do watch it, please let me know what you think.

Guidelines

http://www.terragalleria.com/index.html

I have always admired Gary Zukov.  The Seat of the Soul was one of those books that resonated with me in a very big way. I read it sometime in the early 1990's, when it first came out, and have re-read it every few years. He and his partner Linda Frances give workshops, have written a new book, and put out an occasional newsletter. I was reminded of their "guidelines" which I had posted on my bulletin board in our last house and need to print and put on my Intention Board here. I think I may have printed them in some form or other in a previous post. They are reminders to live our life with intention and awareness. Since it's a new year, I thought you might be interested in perusing them:

Practice using these Guidelines everywhere – at home, with family, with friends, with adversaries, at work, and at play. 

• COMMITMENT – MAKING MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH (CREATING AUTHENTIC POWER) MY HIGHEST PRIORITY
• Focus on what I can learn about myself all the time, especially from my reactions (such as anger, fear, jealousy, resentment, and impatience), instead of judging or blaming others or myself.
• Pay attention to my emotions by feeling the physical sensations in my energy centers (such as my chest, solar plexus, and throat areas).
• Pay attention to my thoughts (such as judging, analyzing, comparing, daydreaming, planning my reply, etc., or thoughts of gratitude, appreciation, contentment, openness to Life, etc.)
• Pay attention to my intention (such as blaming, judging, needing to be right, seeking admiration, escaping into thoughts (intellectualizing), trying to convince, etc., or cooperating, sharing, creating harmony, and revering Life).

• COURAGE – STRETCHING MYSELF BEYOND THE LIMITED PERSPECTIVES OF THE FRIGHTENED PARTS OF MY PERSONALITY
• Take responsibility for my feelings, experiences, and actions (no blaming).
• Practice integrity at all times (often requires action, such as speaking when frightened parts of my personality don’t want to speak and not speaking when they feel compelled to speak).
• Say or do what is most difficult (sharing what I notice, if appropriate, when someone speaks or acts from a frightened part of his or her personality; sharing about myself what I am frightened to say and know that I need to say.)

• COMPASSION –SEEING MYSELF AND OTHERS AS SOULS WHO SOMETIMES HAVE FRIGHTENED PARTS OF THEIR PERSONALITIES ACTIVE
• Change my perspective from fearful to loving (choose to see myself and others in a loving or appreciative way).
• Release any distance I feel from anyone.
• Be present while others are speaking (not preparing replies, judging, etc.)

• CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATIONS AND ACTIONS – STRIVING TO MAKE ALL MY INTERACTIONS CONSCIOUS AND LOVING

• Consult my intuition.
• Choose my intention before I speak or act.
• Act from the healthiest part of my personality that I can access (rather than caretaking, fixing, teaching, judging, blaming, gossiping, etc.)
• Speak personally and specifically rather than generally and abstractly (use “I” statements rather than “we” or “you” statements).
• Release attachment to the outcome (trust the Universe).  If I find myself attached, begin again with Commitment, Courage, Compassion.

And remember to enjoy yourself!

Copyright © 2009 The Seat of the Soul Institute

Holographic Universe

 

As I have mentioned before, I will post on a book I've finished reading if I think it might be of value to others. The book that I have just finished is Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot. It was published in 1991, and was the third book by this incredible writer and seeker. Michael Talbot died not long after publication, in 1992, of leukemia.

The Holographic Universe is an extraordinary book. The main premise being that the universe is actually a giant hologram. The main architects of this scientific construct of reality is University of London physicist David Bohm, a protege of Einstein and world-renowned quantum physicist, and Karl Pribram, a neurophysiologist at Stanford University, and author of Languages of the Brain. They came to their conclusions differently and from completely different directions. And if they are correct - the universe as we know it is not at all what we believe it to be.

Talbot dove into many other mysteries as well. He took us along on a journey of exploration that involved healing, energy, near death experiences, out of body experiences, the construct of time, science, ufos, psychic phenomenon, and much more. But Dr. Stanislav Grof, in The Adventure of Self-Discovery explains it much better:

The new data are of such far-reaching relevance that they could revolutionize our understanding of the human psyche, of psychopathology, and of therapeutic process. Some of the observations transend in their significance the framework of psychology and psychiatry and represent a serious challenge to the current Newtonian-Cartesian paradigm of Western science. They could change drastically our image of human nature, of culture and history, and of reality.

This book would appeal to those who are interested in the above topics and/or a worldview that could answer many of the mysteries man has contemplated over millennium. I found it to be an interesting and face-paced read. Straddling my focus of science and spirit, it was hard to put down.

If you would like to watch (two) ten minute videos on U-Tube, go here and here. Or to hear Talbot, himself, explain this theory go here.