Seasons of the Soul

Giving as a Healing Modality

29 Gifts: CHALLENGE

After a bout in the hospital, the woman who started the 29 Gifts Challenge site, determined to follow the advice of an African Medicine Woman who told her that in order to get well she should give one thing away every day for 29 days. The woman thought it was certainly an odd prescription, but felt she had nothing to lose, so began the process. After day 14 she noted that she was getting better and better every day. Now she's got this site, giving the rules for giving that all of us can follow. Why not? What have we got to lose? It's worth a try.

Algae as a Solution to Energy Crisis

I was sent the following link regarding the growing and harvesting of algae as a solution to our energy crisis. This is a very informative and interesting short video, and one of the possibilities for moving us out of our dependence on oil. It's easy to understand and has some astounding statistics, so I encourage you to take a look and see what you think!

http://www.valcent.net/i/misc/Vertigro/index.html

13 Best Energy Ideas from Yes Magazine

We are all being made aware of the need for change on many levels in our lives. The following article provides energy efficient ideas to usher us into the next generation of technology. As much as the present time seems somewhat uncertain, the way is opening for a new paradigm that will usher in a whole new global and local view. It is an exciting time to be alive as long as we are willing to replace the mindset of the 20th Century and open ourselves to an inclusive rather than exclusive point of view. We have to move out of the notion of dominion and in to stewardship on a worldwide basis, recognizing that this is One planet and that we rise or fall together based on our actions today and tomorrow.

As in the Chinese hexagram of the I-Ching #64...it is the ending and the beginning, and although the path may be frought with great uncertainty and potential danger, there is also tremendous opportunity.  We are moving into a world as yet unknown, and although we need to learn from history, we must beware of repeating it. This is a new millennium, and with it, a new context for how we conduct our lives is emerging. Let us clear out the cobwebs from our own lives that limit our efforts and ideas and embrace the larger potential that lies within. It is within our grasp...it is emerging. The time is now. KJ

13 Best Energy Ideas (And 3 Really Bad Ones) :: by Sarah van Gelder

J.K. Rowling article in Greater Good Magazine

Consider the success of J.K. Rowling with the Harry Potter series, and you might think that she has a fanciful imagination that dwells on the dark side. Yet, when reading the article on the website attached, we find what forged the model for her portrayal of dark and light in the Harry Potter books. As a former worker for Amnesty International, she saw first hand the paradox of the best and worst in human behavior. This is an article worth reading, suggesting that all of our experiences have value, and when we allow ourselves to cultivate and express the power of our imagination, we can serve others through those experiences and make an enormous contribution to life. Our lives are full of rich content, and it's up to us to mine our gifts to serve them up for our own satisfaction and for a greater good. That is the real magic possible in life!

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergood/2008summer/Rowling149.html

Noah's Ark in Holland

A replica of Noah's Ark has been created in Holland by a Dutchman who had a dream of his country being overwhelmed by a flood. He later determined that his vision was to build an ark to bring the story of Noah to life for the people of his country. With his own money and time, he worked on the project for several years. It is now mostly completed and open for viewing. To see the enormity of the ark, which is actually not even the full size of the original, go to the website to read the story and see pictures of the building. It would be good if someone who visits would do a video of it so that we could all enjoy this marvel regardless of whether we can go there in person or not.

http://www.pbase.com/paulthedane/noahs_ark

Ten Ways To Feel Happier

1. Focus on the beauty in the  moment. . look with eyes that make you feel uplifted.
2. Be grateful. Count your blessings every day and say thank you for the least of what you have/are.
3. Think beyond yourself. Make someone else feel good.
4. Laugh. Believe it or not, a sense of humor can actually be practiced and developed.
5. Connect with others. Social involvement is a great mood lifter because you get out of yourself.
6. Feed your soul. Inspirational quotes, prayers or thoughts can be soothing. Nourish your inner life.
7. Be creative. Paint, draw, take photos or even just doodle—whatever makes you feel good!
8. Reread and enjoy a special card or letter you have saved that affirms who you are.
9. De-stress and decompress regularly. Be good to yourself and your body.
10. Make time for rest. It is essential to a positive outlook and restoration to your energy levels.

~Author Unknown

Pure Inspiration Magazine

I've watched the New Age magazines come and go, and lately it's been a pretty pale and watered down version of interesting articles in a few magazines that are trying, but not quite making it.

Today I went to Borders and found a fairly new magazine, Pure Inspiration, that has great articles to uplift us and also give insights into the lives and works of some of the old spiritual icons we've known about in the past.

The latest issue (Summer 2008) features Marianne Willamson on the cover, interviewed about the prospects of aging and how to do it with grace and dignity. There is another article with an old television icon, Art Linkletter. He provides convincing arguments about NOT retiring - that life is to be expressed and lived, giving of ourselves for as long as possible. There's also an article about Helen Keller and others on harnessing the power of our intuition and finding inner peace through self forgiveness and being non-judgmental of others.

I found very little fluff or filler, so want to recommend this magazine to anyone interested in getting a spiritual boost from the perspective of what enhances us rather than a particularized view of only one belief system or religious vantage point.

They have a website if you'd like to find out more: www.pureinspirationmag.com

Enjoy!

Quick Stress Reducers for People on the Go

Recently I saw a show on television that spoke of the stress we experience in today’s technological world, filled with over-stimulus and constant bombardment of noise in the guise of communication. The doctor who spoke of the problem also gave some methods for dealing with stress and creating more harmony within the body. She cited three possibilities.

1. When you feel tense, pause for a moment and do this simple exercise: Breathe in to the count of 4 through your nose. Hold the breath for the count of 7, and breathe out through your mouth to the count of 8. Repeat this 4 times, and then breathe naturally. It lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and brings a natural tranquilizing effect to the body.

2. Imagine yourself  in a place that you enjoyed thoroughly. This can be a vacation setting that gave you joy, or any other place within nature where you  felt at peace and connected. Do not just think this image, feel it in your body. As you do, it will lower your blood pressure, and drop the heart rate by 20%

3. Practice laughing. Laughter is used in China therapeutically, and offers a cardio-vascular workout while also releasing endorphins.

These natural methods for releasing tension have mind/body benefits and are enjoyable as well. We may live and work in stressful environments, but we have the ability to do things to make our lives more harmonious no matter where we are

Piercing the Veil

While browsing through an edition of a Sounds True Catalog , I found a great little interview in it with Sophie Burnham, who wrote A Book of Angels. She speaks of investigating love and surrender as linked with mystical experience, and there is one part I wanted to share with you because I think it speaks so well to what this whole journey is about.

The question is posed to her: "In your work with mystical states and experience, you use the phrase ‘piercing the veil.’ What do you mean by this phrase?" She answers that it is a metaphor for the separation between our physical world and the invisible spiritual world surrounding us. She then goes on to add...

"Now we can also look at this invisible world in psychological terms. It isn't independent from us, but is actually encased in the cells of our bodies. Jung said, 'When you know the Self, you know God.' The interior journey leads to the essence of our selves. And the essence of our selves is pure love - vulnerable, unconditional, without any defenses or barriers. Then you build up barriers to protect that vulnerable, trembling, quivering soul - quivering with love. And then you forget how to reach it again. So piercing the veil is also an interior piercing, piercing the veil that we place over our hearts"

Well said!
From Seasons of the Soul 1998

Will be helping family for a week

My daughter has gone into labor, and a new baby is on its way. Therefore, I'll be away from my BLOG for a week as I go help my family with their new addition. Sending you lots of warm wishes for a good week. Check back after the 19th for more articles, quotable quotes, and recipes. I even have a GREAT book review to share with you when I return.

K