Brain Waves

Electrical instruments (electroencephalographs) are commonly used by medical people to evaluate mental states. These instruments measure the neuron firing rates of groups of brain cells.  These firing rates are commonly thought to control mental states.  Beta, alpha, theta and delta are terms that medicine uses to indicate the rates of brain cell firing and the corresponding mental states associated with them.

Pagans and Ecology

Making generalised statements about Pagans is rarely a good idea as Pagans are incredibly diverse. My current working definition for Paganism(s) is recreated, reconstructed and/or reimagined indigenous traditions from around the world, many of which see the sacred in the landscape. So Paganism isn’t just one tradition, but many, from all sorts of different origins around the world. 

One of the causes for the differences you might find in Pagan traditions is the very landscape they originally emerged in, because, in different landscapes, with diverse ecological conditions, the way people perceive and interact with that landscape will vary.

It is fair to say that a great many traditions see the sacred in the landscape, which means that interacting with that landscape equates to interaction with the sacred. As the sacred is very important, a great many Pagans will be keen to see and work for a more sustainable way of living- a way of living that is less likely to damage the local environment and more likely to honour it. This may take the form of activities to clean up rubbish left in waterways, forests and open land, by others. It may take the form of protesting against business that could be considered to damage the landscape- hydraulic fracturing (fracking), building on greenbelt land or destruction of ancient woodland. It could take the form of guerrilla gardening activities, permaculture or simply in tending to their own gardens. But running through all those activities is an understanding that the land is sacred, that we do not inherit the land from our ancestors, but borrow it from our children. Of course, these kinds of activities are not the sole province of Pagans. But a key motivator for Pagans to engage in them is that recognition of the sacred in nature.

A Different Kind of Religious War

"Who do you say that I am?" asked Jesus of his disciples. And the rest of humankind has been struggling to answer that question ever since.

The art of storytelling by Eli Anderson

Eli Anderson says: I believe that everyone is a storyteller and that stories are a global heritage. I have been writing for over 35 years, and have also been involved in publishing.

I am a master of the art of storytelling, a poet and coach with 'eAkan'. I have arranged a variety of lectures and workshops which include performance craft, musical theory, eldership, healthcare, storytelling, community education, mindfulness and poetry therapy and I arrange and deliver a variety of workshops where I mentor performers and musicians.

Ibn Arabi

 

Who was Ibn Arabi? 

Ibn Arabi was a Sufi spiritual love poet (an interpreter of longing poetry) and writer who was inspired by the divine spirit. He is known as The Meccan Revelator who studied astrology, letters, numbers, symbolic geometry,  and esoteric sciences. The Wisdom of the Prophets was revealed to him in a single night. He was born in 1165 in SE Spain and tutored by an aged woman. In 1198, when he was 33, Ibn Arabi had a vision and a Divine Command to visit Cairo and Jerusalem. In 120, he arrived in Mecca where he stayed for 2 years. He then travelled to Baghdad and Mosul, and lived in Eastern Turkey where he met the son of Saladin in Aleppo. He spent his last years in Damascus, dying in 1240. He is most well known for his One es of being - a doctrine that espouses that only God exists, all else is illusion. 

Thank you!

To be remembered and recognised, we need to make people feel good about themselves. Well an easy way to do this is simply to say 'thank you'. So start to look for how and where you can be more grateful'. 'Thank you for your help', 'thanks for telling me that', 'thank you for letting me know', 'thank you for just being around', 'thank you for thinking of me'.

Even if you don't like what you're being told say "hmm, thanks for telling me that, now what about etc.". Say Thank you first. It means that the first thing you say isn't negative.

Indigenous Kogi Shamans

Perhaps you have never heard of the Kogi people or knew that they regard themselves as the Elder Brothers to the rest of the world? However, the leaders of this tribe from Colombia, who are known as the “Mamas,” spoke out in a BBC documentary back in 1990. From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers’ Warning was directed by Alan Ereira, and was made as an urgent message for the people of the world, in the hope that big changes would be made.

Voices of the Sacred Feminine

Book Review: Voices of the Sacred Feminine – Conversations to Re-Shape Our World, Edited by Rev Dr Karen Tate, Published by Changemaker Books. 400 pages 
This is an anthology of specially chosen articles about the Divine Feminine, each between approx. 400 – 1,000 words in length. All articles cover some aspect of the goddess and are derived from many cultures, for instance, sacred activism, social change, planetary welfare, healing, empowerment and mutual support, in addition to challenges to major patriarchal religious thought. 

Letting Go - A Sample Ritual

 We all have things in our life that are outmoded, no longer useful or just a nuisance. Letting go of difficult people, things or situations can be a process that takes time. If you have something you want to change, performing a ritual for 'letting go' can make it happen quicker and easier. Using string or cotton, tie one end to yourself and another to another person representing someone or something you wish to be released from. Call out your discomfort and feelings of control and entrapment. Cut the tie that binds you and speak about how free you are and use affirmations 'I am free'. 

For more information: http://www.wisebrain.org/LettingGo.pdf

The Grail - Relic of an Ancient Religion

Article written by the author, Simon Andrew Stirling: 

“The Grail” was written by me with an unspoken idea ever in mind – that paganism is the belief system of the future. Modern paganism is often a reaction to organised religion, with its intolerance and inconsistencies, and to the destructive materialism of a capitalist world.  The paganism practised by earlier societies was nothing less than a matter of survival.  Without water, for example, we die very quickly.  Along with those other elements – air, fire, earth – water, clean drinking water, is an absolute must.  And yet our attitudes to water are odd: we have commercialised it, privatised it, polluted it and treated it with chemicals.  Ever since shrines were de-sacralised during the Reformation, water has been nothing but a commodity.  An early pagan would be unable to comprehend our reckless behaviour towards the water we need to survive.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often shortened to PTSD. It can occur following an accident, a crime, a bad experience of any kind. Anyone can suffer from it if the stresses are great enough. It can have physiological and psychological causes, such as sleeplessness, nightmares, panic attacks, free floating anxiety, tearfulness, loss of memory, feelings of anger, depression and distress. 

Increasing Your Contentment

1. Let of toxic people in your life- in my experiences, they drain me of vital life energy. I found healthy relationships are better.

2. Let go of fretting about past mistakes- forgive yourself and move on.

Mexican Independence - The Life And Times Of Hidalgo

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, born in 1753, is regarded today as "Father of his country", a great hero of Mexico and a central figure in the war of independence. Upon further examination it is simple to see why he is regarded as such an important part of Mexico's history; he is recognized as being the first leader in Mexico to lead an insurrection against the Spaniards on Mexican soil. Indeed, he was the catalyst for the legions of poor and oppressed in Mexico to finally revolt against the tyranny of the Spaniards occupying Mexico. While many biographies would paint Hidalgo and his actions in a heroic light, the truth is that his "army" was nothing more than a massive mob of mobilized peasants who'd been pushed to the edge due to Spanish rule. It can be argued that he was simply savvy enough to realize that he only need to push the angry and disenfranchised populace gently to get them to reach the breaking point; no fiery rhetoric or galvanizing speeches were necessary, the anger was already boiling just below the surface. Hidalgo was the one who tapped into it and made it into a physical force.

Martine Batchelor - Buddhist teacher

As a young person, Martine was politically active due to her socialist family background. She wanted to travel and hitchhiked through many countries on her way to India and Thailand and worked in an unskilled capacity to support herself. She stayed in a Buddhist monastery in Korea for 10 years and became a nun. She had prolonged periods of deep meditation and solitude and studied under a Zen tutor and was instructed to ask herself 'What Is It?' and later 'Why did the guru say 'no'!' She learnt to 'bear beyond strength'. It is not what you say you are - but what other people find you to be which is of relevance and wisdom and compassion motivated her. She wishes to live without harm to others or herself. When her Master died, she left the monastery and returned to Europe. 

Moods Do you have them?

To paraphrase Wikipedia... "A mood is a relatively long lasting emotional state. Moods differ from emotions in that they are less specific, less intense, and less likely to be triggered by a particular stimulus or event. Moods generally have either a positive or negative valence. In other words, people typically speak of being in a good mood or a bad mood. Unlike acute, emotional feelings like fear and surprise, moods often last for hours or days.
Mood also differs from temperament or personality traits which are even longer lasting. Nevertheless, personality traits such as optimism and neuroticism predispose certain types of moods. Long term disturbances of mood such as depression and bipolar disorder are considered mood disorders. Mood is an internal, subjective state, but it often can be inferred from posture and other behaviors."

Richard Bandler and NLP

Richard Bandler is the co-founder (with John Grindler) of Neuro Linguistic Programming and here he is speaking with a person who has painful memories. His attitude is more comedic than therapeutic but it demonstrates the method that is used to wipe away a memory. This approach is not specifically classed as a 'therapy'.

Recycle, Renovate and Restore

What should be recycled?

Aluminium foil, batteries, cans and tins, cooking oil, electrical equipment, engine oil, glass, mobile phones, paper, printer cartridges, Tetra Pak cartons, tyres, paint, plastics, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.
Home composting involves garden leaves, food waste, paper, etc. These biodegradable items can be saved from incineration and will provide good quality soil for the next year. Much of the soil on sale in garden centres is from irreplaceable peat bogs from places such as Ireland, so try to buy, if you must, non peat soil. Limestone pavements are also popular rocks seen in garden centres which are precious natural habitats, and get a water butt for the collection of rainwater.

Thomas Merton

Who was Thomas Merton? He lived (1915-1968) and was a writer, an interfaith pioneer, a pacifist, a student of comparative religion, and campaigner for social justice. He studied at Cambridge and Columbia Universities and travelled extensively in his early life as an agnostic. In his twenties, he became a convert to Roman Catholicism and became a Trappist monk at Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky. This Order is very strict, the monks live in silence and without any luxuries. During this time, Merton wrote his biography, 'The Seven Storey Mountain'. His philosophy was based on renunciation and asceticism, two pillars which are necessary for spiritual enlightenment. In all, he wrote 70 books. He is remembered as a great thinker and a peace promoter.

An Overview of the Structure in Afar Poetry by David Tatham

The Afar are an ethnic group living mainly in Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia who have contributed some of the world's most imaginative and beautiful poetry. Unfortunately, they are often overshadowed by their Somali neighbours but deserve recognition for their outstanding creativity. The general verse structure in Afar poetry consists of one complete sentence. This sentence then creates an automatic parallelism due to the verse structure and its intonation. This is also further emphasized through other means of verse structure i.e. through a rhythmic formation and isosyllabic rule.

Yoga Living

Derek Thorne lives in the Somerset area and runs a yoga school. From an early age, he sought the meaning of life in addition to living in the world as a practical and capable person. Eastern religions captivated him and yoga offered a way to explore his questioning about life and provided a personal intimacy with the self, the 'I' within. It also provides a good model for the modern age, to avoid and relieve many ills of our stressed and dysfunctional society. Yoga brings people into relationship for the divine and provides a spiritual resolution to many of life's greatest questions and concerns. 

Environment Health

Permaculture offers a natural and sustainable gardening philosophy, developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in 1978, it has taken off as a means of looking after plants and animals holistically and organically. Energy is conserved, rain water is used rather than reservoir water, natural compost is used too. Prince Charles, next in line to the British throne, is very interested in using these permaculture methods. Three core laws apply:

• Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.
• Care for the people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence.
• Return of surplus: Reinvesting surpluses back into the system to provide for the first two ethics. This includes returning waste back into the system to recycle into usefulness. The third ethic is sometimes referred to as Fair Share to reflect that each of us should take no more than what we need before we reinvest the surplus.

Coping Skills

 

Helplessness, anger, and feelings of being out of control are common following emergencies. Depression can also follow, and lead to exhaustion which compounds the already difficult situation. Stressed minds can only come to stressed conclusions and a disordered mind does not make sensible decisions. Advice: Get into nature, see friends and speak to them about your problems, seek professional advice and take it. Build you own immunity to stress during quiet times, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. You can cope better, regardless of your experiences and difficulties.

Craniosacral Specialist

 

Hugh Milne is Scottish and was born into a family of Osteopaths (his mother, father, grandfather and 2 uncles). Became a highly successful private specialist in Kensington early in his life but was hearing the voice of Spirit and became interested in psychodrama, gestalt, rolfing and other therapies and personal growth disciplines. Travelled to Bombay and met Bhagvan Shree Rajneesh (Osho) and spent seven years as the guru's bodyguard, in India and in Oregon. He returned to UK to become a writer, spiritual teacher and specialist practitioner.  

Jenni Roditi interview

I would like to introduce Mind Body Spirit Magazine readers to Jenni Roditi: 

Please tell us something about yourself Jenni:

I’m a vocalist and composer and I live in North London. I studied composition at the Guildhall and Brunel University, which I adored and which provided me with the technical tools which still underpin my musical work. I’ve written two chamber operas, and a variety of other orchestral and choral works, and continue to compose alongside my teaching and therapeutic practice.

Before 4000BC

Around this date, patriarchal culture began to supercede the previous matriarchal cultures. The most ancient deity was a female, known as the Great Goddess, and her full figure statuettes are found internationally and described as 'Venus' figurines. She was described as Ishtar in Mesopotamia, as Astarte in Phoenecia, as Iset in Egypt. It is said that her culture was peace loving, where the weak and disabled were cared for and where the planet was regarded as sacred. 

The Benefits Of Alpha

What are Alpha Waves? 
When you start practicing meditation you open brain faculties which haven't been used since your childhood.

Tips To Live A Successful Life

Everyone seeks the secrets of success - and most have their own opinions of what fulfilment is. There is no clear-cut formula, although here are some tips on how to live a successful life: For example, Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own. All throughout life, we are educated and forced to learn things. Not all of these things will be useful. Take everything you know will be good for you. Then, discard the rest. One should note that the reason things are taught in school is because you and your classmates will have different roles in the future. The algebra might be useful to a future architect classmate, but absolutely useless to a newspaper writer. It is up to you to discern which information is good for you, and which are not.

Yoko Ono & Sean Lennon Against Fracking

Artists Against Fracking has been launched by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon as a new coalition of artists, musicians, filmmakers and public figures opposed to hydraulic fracking. The growing coalition now includes more than 180 members, including Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Anne Hathaway, Alec Baldwin, Marina Abramovic, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Sherman, MGMT, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Liv Tyler, Mario Batali, Roberta Flack, Robert De Niro, Mark Ruffalo, Uma Thurman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and many others.

Disappearing Wildlife Red Alert

The African Lion and the Sunda Clouded Leopard could be extinct within a few years due to lack of food and water in the wild caused by changing weather conditions. 

In 1979, Africa had 1,300,000 wild Elephants, today, there are 400,000 alive and the land is guarded by park rangers and it is estimated more than 1,000 rangers have been killed by armed militia groups in the past ten years trying to protect them.

23 tonnes of Elephant Ivory was confiscated in 2012 - equivalent to the tusks of 2,500 Elephants. Seizures of illegal ivory are at their highest for 20 years  The price of Rhino horn has increased to £37.500 per kilogram, twice the price of gold and platinum (and more valuable than black market diamonds or cocaine). The illegal trade in wildlife is one of the most lucrative trades in the world, worth £6,000,000,000 per year and is ruthless in its quest. Animals are viciously killed and people are also killed. This trade is fueled by the new middle classes of the Far East, Vietnam is the top destination point for Rhino horn where they trade in carcass, tusk and horn, in one haul 1,200 Rhino tusks were seized in Hong Kong. Approx 5,000 Rhinos remain in the wild. The species is 50 million years old! 

Thomas Merton

Who was Thomas Merton?

Lived from 1915 to 1968, Thomas Merton was given the name Father Louis when he entered holy orders as a Trappist monk, theologian, mystic, poet and student of comparative religions with a deep interest in interfaith dialogue. His work on social justice and peace initiatives brought many to the Roman Catholic Church. His best selling autobiography 'The Seven Storey Mountain. 

Narcissism!

 

What is Narcissism? 

This is a common condition. They are your work colleagues, your family and friends, your neighbours and others than you come into contact with throughout the day. The condition is often abbreviated to NPD, the shortened form of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. We all have some aspects of these personality traits, especially when we are upset or under stressful situations. 

Pulsing

What is Pulsing Therapy? 

Pulsing as a style of massage with soft movements and rhythmic rocking. It gently releases tension, harmonises, energises, and nourishes. It is bodywork without being painful. It is powerful yet soft.

Rhythms are the breath, peristaltic digestive rhythms, the heart beat, the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness, brain rhythms, hormonal, endocrine and many others within the body and mind.  

Pulsing was developed in the mid 1970s by Curtis Turchin who was originally a Postural Integration therapist. He took some aspects of the Trager Approach to create a stretching and lifting style of bodywork to rock the client's body in order to release tension and stress. It is Rhythmic and meditative. Ideal to relax hyperactive children, Aspergers and other disabilities.  Releases tension! 

How to Find Peace Of Mind

 Research confirms that each of us have about fifty thousand thoughts each day. Many of these whizz through our field of consciousness at such speed that we don't notice them. Then there are those that we do notice that are simply random - the kind of things that distract us or make us lose our train of thought. Such thoughts - like "It's a beautiful day, I wish I was on the golf course instead of stuck in this meeting" - undermine our best efforts to do what we're supposed to be doing at that point in time.

Carl Jung - Helping Psychology

Extraversion-Introversion is a key component of what makes up the human personality. More aggressive and gregarious individuals are generally referred to as extraverts, while introverts tend to prefer solitude and worry less about being social. By no means are introverts lonely people, they simply prefer to socialize and work in smaller groups. Extraverts live to meet new people and constantly expand their circle of friends, and they often do this quite actively.

Saving Planet Earth

We cannot save the world by thought alone. It needs action. 
We live on a planet which is overpopulated by human beings. Most people feel powerless to do anything to save our planet from climate change with extreme weather, pollution of seas, soil and air. The over population by humans decreases numbers of all other species, sometimes to the point of extinction. We need biodiversity, we need tropical forests, we need clean oceans and clean air for our health and the health of those yet to be born.

However, even the smallest change, when a nation gets involved, can make a huge difference. Our human population has grown from 3 billion in 1960 to 9 billion by 2030.

Sacred Attention Therapy

 

New Age Spirituality!

What is New Age Spirituality?

Spirituality involves the relief of suffering! It is a practice, a path and a duty. It is an integrity which is integrated into the character and behaviour.

Neurosis is the inability to understand reality. We need to question more and the word 'why' is perhaps the most important word in the English language. We need to avoid colluding with untruths, and we need to question all we are told! Consumerism wants to brainwash us and prevent us from thinking for ourselves! The New Age promises us all kinds of things, especially it tells us what we want to hear! It also tells us to think 'positive', even though it might be against our better judgement and our long term interests. 'You can have it all', we are cajoled by those who think we are naive, or worse, stupid! They speak about us in perjorative terms whilst encouraging us to put money in their pockets. Beware!

Thomas Raymond Kelly

Who was Thomas Raymond Kelly? 

Born into an American Quaker family in 1893 and died 1941, Doctor of Philosophy, Kelly originally trained as a chemist. During WWII, he worked in varying capacities becoming a pacifist. He wrote on the subject of mysticism. 

Chants and Mantras

Since time immemorial we have raised our voices in song whether alone or in groups. Our voice is a potent healing instrument that resonates within us and outside of us, surrounding others and imbuing a sense of wholeness, joy and well being.

Today, we seldom use our voices in this way. Our lives are taken over with listening to other voices, the voice on the television, the computer game, the iPhone, CD's and the radio. The power of our voices is becoming lost to us.

Insight

It was a very cold and blustery early morning as I walked briskly down the road and through an avenue of over-arching plane trees, gaunt and bare, a significant reminder of an unusually dry Winter. And yet, even in their starkness devoid of their masses of leaves they still seemed to retain a gracious dignity and an aura of permanence and wholeness.

Kathleen Ball PhD - Templars in Brazil.

 Dr Ball was filming in Alto Paraiso de Goias in the 700 year old Brazilian caves that reveal the presence of the Poor Soldier Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon. She has met tribal people from the area who have Templar ancestors. 

The first part of her research won many awards and was acclaimed by prestigious organisations for highlighting aspects of the unknown history of this area. She is also raising awareness of the difficulties facing these people who live close to the land and who suffer many deprivations. For more information, read on: 

Spiritual theatre/deluded attention seekers in London!

“Teen Exorcists’ is a documentary which was filmed, produced and directed by Dan Murdoch for BBC TV. It featured three teenage girls; Brynne Larson, daughter of self-styled Arizonan exorcist, Rev Bob Larson, and her two friends who are sisters, Tess and Savannah Sherkenback. These three girls wear high-heels, skin-tight jeans and leather jackets and have long hair which tumbles in curls down their back. With their red lip-stick and thick mascara, these stars of the show provide sex appeal and glamour to the exorcism road show with choreographed moves, polished poses for the camera and a well-rehearsed, repetitive spiel. With attempts to spark a revival in exorcism, Bob introduced Brynne to exorcisms at the age of 13 at a 3,000 person African event when he needed help to remove a Voodoo curse. Brynne was home schooled (in demonology) and tells viewers that she believes that God created the world in 7 days ‘It’s pretty cool’ she remarks and explains that demons have names like Jezebel and Abaddon and that London is ‘spiritually corrupt’ and one of the most Satanic cities in the world. Thrusting a cross into someone’s face, the girls scream ‘What’s your name?’ ‘I torment you’, and put extraordinary ideas of curses into the heads of vulnerable people. The reporter describes the scene of bullying and resultant screaming as ‘harrowing’. On a visit to the Ukraine, the group top the bill at a bible college event where 2,000 people gathered to see the spectacle.   

Sustainable Lifestyles

Jonathon Porritt reflects on sustainability: Governments are failing to meet their responsibilities on climate change and population explosions, pollution, global warming and vital loss of trees. In the USA, it is often city mayors who are making the running, sometimes with the active support of state governors. It was Mayor Bloomberg of New York who succeeded in forcing climate change into the presidential election, endorsing changes he immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In China, there’s an extremely active network of eco cities, enthusiastically competing amongst themselves for government support and new industry investments.

Facing Fears!

Consider a woman who wishes to break free from a controlling relationship, yet she is afraid of that person's response to her independence. This could be a friendship, a romantic relationship, or a family member. Women are particularly vulnerable to the fear of losing a relationship with a loved one. This woman might never have learned to set healthy boundaries, because she lacks self confidence, and she is in the habit of placing the interests of others before her own. She is selflessly serving the needs of others in a way that is damaging to her life. She allows her fear to supersede her deep-hearted longings. So, she foregoes voicing her true desires to agree with maintaining harmony with those around her. She might not speak up when she would rather see a different movie, or perhaps she won't correct a friend for always interrupting her in conversation. Maybe, even though she desires to start a coffee shop, she instead, goes to medical or law school to please the desires of her parents. She does what is expected of her, supports others, and sacrifices her life! 

Mouth Breathing

Dentists May Be First to Diagnose Patients Who Mouth Breathe! For some, the phrase "spring is in the air" is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called "mouth breathing." The physical, medical and social problems associated with mouth breathing are not recognized by most health care professionals, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Dentists typically request that their patients return every six months, which means that some people see their dentist more frequently than they see their physician. As a result, dentists may be the first to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing. And, because dentists understand the problems associated with mouth breathing, they can help prevent the adverse effects.

The Dangers of Climate Change

The dangers of global warming caused by food production and industrial processes, heating homes and using transport are manifold. Loss of the coral reefs where sea life thrives will impact hugely on many sea species. Migrating birds become confused by warming migration paths. Many species are permanently moving into the feeding grounds of competitive species dud to climate change, the search for water and safety. Turtle clutches are hatching without males because temperature affects whether a male or female is born. Malaria and dengue fever are killing far more people than ever before. As water courses dry up due to global warming, species die, when ice melts, sea level rises, affecting people and animals. Fossil fuels, areas for human food production, the cutting down of the rainforests, all contribute to species decline and loss. The more human beings on the planet, the fewer other species can survive. 

Wendy's Post Bag (A)

Q: Do our loved ones in Spirit visit us at special times, at anniversaries and birthdays?

Wendy's reply: Yes, they remember special celebrations they had with us and are drawn to us through memories. However, they do not want us to feel the pang of loss at what should be a happy time. Whenever we think of your loved ones in Spirit, we call them to us. Anytime, you can place a lit candle by their photograph and they will come. Sometimes, they want us to move on with our life in the here and now, and not reflect on the love they had for us if it causes us to be upset.

 

Gaia - Our Living Planet

We live on a beautiful, astounding and intelligent planet. The Piping Plover draws predators away from her nest by feigning a broken wing. Dogs follow the direction of our gaze, chickens are measurably upset when they see their chicks buffeted by the wind, mosquitos can do simple addition and subtraction and sticklebacks identify individuals and remember them! Is this not a planet of unrecognised intelligence, creativity and abundant life! We live on an extraordinary, finite and unique planet. In 1979, the British scientist and NASA consultant (and perhaps the most well known environmentalist), Professor James Lovelock, suggested that our planet is a living being, that breathes, lives in every living species, and will one day die. He named his study of the planet, the Gaia Theory, after the Greek Goddess of the Earth. James Locklock wrote the book 'Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth which is highly recommended to readers of Mind Body Spirit Magazine. The ecology of our planet must be the New Age paradigm and James Lovelock was fifty years ahead of his time in noticing the interdependence of all species on each other and the importance of protecting from pollution our seas, air and soil.  

Finding Wisdom

During my Advanced Passion Test Certification Training I was fortunate to spend some time with Michael Beckwith in some relatively intimate settings. Michael is an author and visionary, and Founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center in Southern California. This man is one of my heroes. Why? Because he is one of the most amazing, clear channels for Divine Wisdom I have ever seen. He knows how to put his "small self" in service to the Big Self and let the Big Self come on through him clearly and powerfully. If you ever have a chance to see Michael speak, definitely go!

Join the Wildlife Campaign

You can get involved with saving the wonderful species of animals and plants that have graced our planet for millennia. Many species have inspired humans in inventions, such as radar from bats, and aerodynamics from birds. Many plant and animal species have provided potent medicines and more research is ongoing to use plant and animal chemicals for health. 

The two major threats to our planet’s animal species are loss of territory and slaughtering for body parts. We can support their protection by challenging the fashion industry, confronting the lies presented as ‘traditional’ medicine, stop the decorative uses of body parts of hunted species, and by campaigning against taking animals from the wild to keep as pets in extremely poor and unhealthy conditions. 

All species on our planet are interdependent, when we lose one species, the loss has a knock on effect where others also become extinct. 60% of the planet’s mammals, birds, reptiles and fish are endangered and on the verge of extinction. Goodwill Ambassadors are coming forward, such as Aiden Gallagher, Nadya Hutagalung, Wang Junkai and Dia Mirza. 

Eco-Tourism! The Holidays of the Future

When you are taking a holiday, remember the huge resources this costs our planet, especially in air flight, water provision and non local produce. When you take a trip abroad, consider visiting a national park or wildlife reserve where funds are ploughed back into nature conservation. Remember that bush meat is cruel in its hunting and often kills endangered species, that the changes in land use causes a loss of species territory, pollution, climate change, and all affects  wildlife and causes conflict with humans. The human population grows exponentially and takes from the planet and it’s other soecies, often those teetering on the very edge of extinction.

Selected Poems - Nicholas Hagger

Title: ‘Selected Poems’ Subtitle: ‘Quest for the One’ by Nicholas Hagger Paperback £19.99 Kindle format: £11.99: 459 pages Published by: O Books

In this compilation, Nicolas Hagger demonstrates his timeless visionary and story telling abilities. His collection of poems, ‘Quest for the One’, is enthralling and takes you on an historic and literary journey and weaved within the tapestry are the thoughts, experiences, beliefs and ideas of the author.

The preface succinctly gives the reader insight and prelude to the poems. Nicholas Hagger is a man of many skills and abilities, a historian, educator and writer, here skilfully and generously prepares us with enough information to whet our appetite before we venture through the myriad of verses of his mind and soul.

To 'Awaken' What does it mean?

Several times, the word 'awake' is mentioned in the Bible. It is also mentioned in The Koran and it is frequently mentioned in New Age philosophy; but what does it mean to awaken? We all know what it means to sleep (we spend a third of our life in this unconscious state) but why use metaphorical language when it confuses such an important matter? We can surely be more articulate and explain ourselves properly, using appropriate words in the English language.

What does it mean to be 'enlightened'? There is so much talk about it - but very little meaningful explanation available! It is concerning that the instantaneous moments of mind expansion so often described by spiritual teachers would be described as 'psychotic' episodes by doctors. Can one become enlightened through navel gazing? I think not! If anything an 'enlightened' state is one of awareness, where we are keenly aware of what is happening, where we take action for needs of others in a non self serving way.

Quantum Psychology

What is Quantum Psychology?

From its New Age roots, a new, holistic psychology is emerging that examines the individual parts of our human nature, and then puts them together into one, comprehensive whole. The result is new insights into our human nature and our ability to transform ourselves, the societies within which we live and the planet.

The "puzzle pieces" that make up Quantum Psychology come from Eastern philosophy and Western science. The East contributes the knowledge and practices associated with yoga, meditation, karma and reincarnation. Western science contributes the insights into the natural world that come from quantum mechanics, complexity theory, systems theory and psychology. Fit all the pieces together and what emerges is a psychological map that explains personal growth and techniques that allow us to be our own counselors, therapists and gurus.

What is a Mantra?

 

A mantra is a repetitive group of words, that becomes a prolonged chant. Sometimes spoken and sometimes sung. Sometimes the words have meaning - calling upon a deity for instance - and sometimes they are just a group of words to focus the mind on a topic, such as health or happiness. A well known chant is that of Tibetan Buddhism 'Aum Mani Padme Hum' or 'Om Namashi Vaya' a Hindu chant. The repetitive words of many Christian prayers are also a chant, focussing the mind on devotion and clearing the mind of other thoughts. 

Ear Candling

Ear and Body Treatment Candles

The background: Having had a variety of occupations, I am now established as a therapist, healer, teacher, writer and translator, all of which have grown organically out of each other.  My first incarnation was as a secretary many moons ago and as I became more competent in French I started translating.  This led me to writing texts, proof-reading in English and finally to teaching English which I have done since 2003, holding a Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults.  I am presently head of the English-language department at an evening school for people with limited budgets.

Throughout my young life, my parents and I were rarely ill and if we were, it was nothing serious and our general practitioner sorted it out.  It was only towards the end of my mother’s life that I began to realise that allopathy was not the answer and I am sure her last couple of years could have been greatly improved through other methods.  

Family Constellations Theory

 

Family Constellations Therapy is a powerful method to solve difficult feelings and situations that occur in families. The therapy takes place in a group with each person representing a family member. Similar in some ways to Psychodrama, it can be powerfully insightful and cathartic and bring about change in relationships. 

Justice from The Mythic Tarot

In image: 

The card of Justice portrays a severely beautiful young woman, dressed in silver helmet and battle armour, seated on a silver throne. In her right hand she holds an upright sword. In her left she holds a pair of scales. Her pale hair and white robes echo the purity of the two white columns and portico which frame her. Beneath her feet is a floor of patterned black and white marble squares. An owl perches on her left shoulder. 

Myth: Athena, Goddess of Justice was born of the great father God, Zeus who was warned by Uranus that if his first wife Metis, Goddess of Wisdom, had a child, it would be more powerful than he was!

 So Zeus  swallowed Metis, and had a terrible headache. Hephastos, the smith God, took a bronze axe to the head of Zeus, and out sprang Athena with a triumphant battle cry wearing a full suit of armour.