A Better World is Possible

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A Better World is Possible by Bruce Nixon, Published by: O-Books as Paperback: £14.99 and E book: £8.23 409 pages Visit Author’s website where you can download your free ebook: www.brucenixon.com

Bruce Nixon is a veteran change agent, activist, writer, speaker, facilitator and business school teacher and he is passionate about sustainability, global justice, inclusive democracy and non-violence. In this comprehensive book, he brings all his knowledge and experience into the analysis of the state we are in, how we got here, and – more importantly – how we can turn things around and create a new and positive society by facing “the biggest challenge in our history”.

Earth Dance

 
Elisabeth Sahtouris is a highly qualified evolutionary biologist and environmentalist, whose work mirrors that of James Lovelock. 

Introducing Kathy Jones

"One of the benefits of becoming a Crone Priestess and Goddess Temple Elder is being able look back over an extraordinary life to gain perspective, to understand how things happened through time. Now I can see the Motherline threads which have woven through my life, connecting me forward to my daughter and grandchildren, and back to the mothers and ancient grandmothers. I see how in the 1970s a wave of renewed Goddess spirituality and teachings began to unfurl across the world and how we in Glastonbury Avalon have been and are part of that amazing wave. I see how Goddess awareness began to expand and grow, connecting the hearts and minds of many people. This was especially so from Avalon where, inspired by the Lady of Avalon, Goddess in the Sacred Land here, we began to learn about Her, to love Her, to speak Her name again. All our work in Glastonbury Goddess Temple plays a major part of that magnificent flow.

Tarot cards

Chosen at random from decks by Lo Scarabeo :-D 

Eurythmy

What is Eurythmy? 
This is a sacred dance or rhythmic and meditative movement where legends and myths are re-enacted. It was created by Rudolf Steiner, who formed the Anthroposophical Society when he broke away from Theosophy where he was a General Secretary of the German branch. Steiner was born in 1861, son of a railway worker and was mainly self taught and by his secondary school, he was teaching other pupils and he gained entry to University of Vienna where he studied sciences. His meditation practice was established by the time he moved to Berlin where he edited a literary magazine. 

Druidry

The Greeks learnt much from the Celts, including philosophy - Aristotle considered the Druids to be the inventors of philosophy and were the world's greatest scholars with mathematical skills greater than those of Pythagoras who learnt his skills from them. Druids studied for twenty years, learning geography, history, astronomy, physics and theology and spoke Latin, Greek and Hebrew. It is also thought the made human sacrifice to placate the gods. Druids had an oral teaching and wrote nothing down so we have no first hand knowledge of them. They were bards, prophets and priests. Druid is a word that orginates, it is thought, from the Gaulish or Greek words for 'oak' and 'knowledge'. 

Eco-shamanism

 We are learning from the ancient tribal peoples - age old wisdom - that we must care for what we have or we will lose it. Shamanism is the original form of contact with nature spirits for the health and wellbeing of individuals and the tribe. All who heard the voice of God, prophets, sybils, seers and others, such as Moses, Jesus, Muhammed, were the equivalent of shamans. Eco shamanism is about listening to the nature spirits and caring for and protecting nature. Our unique and finite planet is in danger due to humankind's use of resources, and lack of awareness with regards to how we dispose of toxic substances. Protecting the seas, the soil and the air is now a priority as is conserving the biodiversity of our planet where every species relies on each other. 

Autogenic Training

What is Autogenic Training? 

I found this a good video on this topic. It explains the advantages of the technique. If you are listening to the recording, please ensure you are not interrupted for 20 minutes while you perform the meditation. Never operate machinery or drive while performing meditation. Autogenic Training is a powerful relaxation method which should ne conducted each day for best results. Let me tell you a story: A Russian envoy, Count Kayserling had insomnia. He asked Johann Sebastian Bach to compose music for him to help him sleep. The Count called upon Johann Goldberg to play on the harpsicord a new Bach composition. Immediately the Count fell asleep. This piece of music is known as the Goldberg Variations. In the 1970s, a Bulgarian scientist, Georgi Lozanov, studied this piece of music and found that it slowed down the bodily processes. Vivaldi, Telemann, Corelli and Handel also had a similar effect. 60 beats per minite is the desired tempo. 

Holotropic Breathwork

 

This is an intense breathing endurance, perhaps for hours while listening to music. It is possible to enter an altered state of consciousness. The levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the bloodstream change. After the experience is discussed, sometimes drawings take place, such as mandalas. 

It can be very demanding on the body and heart and other organs might be very stressed. It is worth getting a full medical check up before the first session. 

Global Sale of Fur at an All Time High!

Top fashion models, such as Naomi Campbell, who do not get out of bed for less than a £10,000 daily fee at one time pledged they would never wear fur and would rather go naked. But 400 of the world's up-market designers are using animal pelts for fashion on the cat-walks of London, Paris, Milan and New York, dressing high paid models in furs costing five figure sums. The UK fur market has more than doubled with Britain's leading fur retailer, Hockley, increasing sales by 44% in its London store over the past ten years. Mulberry, Gucci, Fendi and others are stocking winter collections. London is now the fastest growing market in Europe and sales in Asia are booming at £3.7 billion per year. World sales in fur reached £10.3 billion last year. Goods made in China using cat fur, raccoon dog fur, rabbit fur and mink are on sale labelled as 'synthetic fabric'. We are being conned into animal cruelty. Many of these animals are skinned alive in China. 

Insomnia

 

Lack of sleep has many causes; it could be from noise, from anxiety, from habit or from medications (just to name some possiblities). You could have difficulty getting to sleep or you could wake early. The result of lack of sleep can lead to exhaustion, cause traffic accidents,  increase moodyness.  Do not use medication - sleeping tablets - these have very serious side effects. Use natural methods. Create a bedtime routine, do not do anything stressful before bedtime, listen to a tape or gentle music, and make sure your bedroom is a place of peace and tranquility. 

Message /3 from Mandy

Do You Have Allure? The allure of mystery is a fascinating phenomenon that captures our imagination and arouses our interest. At its core, the enigmatic quality of a person can be deeply appealing, and there’s psychology at play that helps explain why we are drawn to these individuals.

One of the key factors is unpredictability. When we encounter characters, be it in novels, films, or real life, who keep us guessing, it ignites a sense of excitement and curiosity. Much like a gripping mystery novel, where each page holds potential surprises, a mysterious person seems to promise an unfolding story that captivates our attention. We find ourselves wanting to turn the next page, eager to discover what lies beneath the surface of their persona.

Gestalt

 Gestalt focuses on the present time - what happens now - with our thoughts, associations, feelings,  sensations and fantasies. It helps us to explore ways we block painful experiences. Our awareness increases of what is hidden from ourselves and from others; we let ourselves feel and express more, to become more open, and it provides us with freedom to be who we are, to play, to feel alive, and move on from negative emotions. 

Message 2/ from Mandy

 Life is short, and every moment counts. Why stick around people who treat you like a pinata at a party, getting bashed from all angles but getting no goodies in return? It’s much like trying to dodge heavy rain drops instead of using an umbrella, why not seek out those who bring sunshine instead? It's essential to recognise when someone is draining your energy, leaving you feeling battered and bruised. It’s time to summon your inner ninja and make a swift exit from relationships that really don't serve you.

Having pointless arguments? They’re nothing more than a treadmill of frustration, much like trying to cure a hangover with another drink, only leading to extra chaos. Don't waste your breath on wind up merchants that argue for the sake of it. Instead, focus your energy on those people whose conversations inspire and elevate you. Engage with people who recognise your true worth and who celebrate your special qualities, because those connections are the ones that really matter.

Transpersonal Psychology!

What is Transpersonal Psychology?

 The higher self is a part of ourself which is beyond and transcends the individual ego, beyond the self serving and selfish aspect of the self. It is understanding and appreciating the sacred and avoids religious dogma and traditions. Altered states of consciousness can be experienced. Spiritual development and values such as serenity, self understanding, joy and gratitude are part of the bigger spiritual picture.

Pre Menstral Syndrome!

Pre Menstural Syndrome: Curse or Cure?

As I am a Feminine Cycle Consultant and help women understand, appreciate and track their feminine cycle to improve the quality of their lives, I thought it was time for me to speak about this much debated topic that affects so many women in our society: the Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).

Biofeedback

 

Defined by mathmatician, Norbert Werner as a 'method of controlling a system by inserting into it the results of past performance', Biofeedback has been popular for decades. It is a process for mechanically monitoring bodily functions in order to gain control over them. The process requires a period of training but the results are remarkable and are of vital importance to health. It might sound like magic, but the mind is capable of extraordinary feats. Think for a moment of the Tibetans who, on the coldest of days, could increase their body heat to significant levels. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, relaxation, brain rhythms, are just for starters. I have heard of excellent results for excema, migraine, gastritis and other very common ailments. 

Grades, Cuts and Shades of Diamonds

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, roughly the phrase goes!  But selecting the best crystal for your loved one as a unique gift or for an engagement present may require more thought. Points taken into consideration would be the size of the stone, could your partner need a dainty piece of jewelry or would they like large and flashy?. Naturally the piece will be based on your finances!

Drew Ryder

Passion and Motivation: In this month’s article I thought we could explore passion and motivation, as I consider that they go together hand in hand as it were.  Let’s first look at passion.  What exactly is passion?  Passion is, as described in the Oxford English Dictionary, amongst other things, (that is to say, leaving sex out of the equation!), as a strongly felt emotion or a strong enthusiasm for something, or, the object of an intense desire or enthusiasm: some of you might choose football as this desire, or dancing, or food.

When you are passionate about something it is easy to get excited about it and this often inspires you to do something about the passion.  In other words to feel motivated in to doing something – it may well be going to watch or even play a game of football, to dance or to cook. People can be passionate about all sorts of things, what ‘floats my boat’ may not necessarily float yours.  If you have a deep desire about something then that desire or passion alone, may well be enough to motivate you.  What if it isn’t?  Or what if there is something you need to do for instance, like lose weight for health reasons, some area where there is little or no passion.  How can we get motivated?

Rolfing

 Dr Ida Rolf founded a new method of treating the structure of the body, especially where there are postural problems, causing pain and discomfort. These can be eased and relieved. Her method, known as 'Rolfing' is also known as 'Structural Integration'.