Looking for Something Spiritual on New Years Eve?

I don't know about you but I get very tired of the usual New Years celebrations involving long hours spent drinking and over-eating, culminating in an often rowdy and certainly noisy change to the new year at midnight. Here's a nice alternative - a group called SpiritKeepers who enjoy their Dances of Universal Peace to ring in the New Year.

The New Year's celebration will include Dances of Universal Peace, which uses simple dance moves combined with chants and songs. Most dances are circular, with members rotating around each other while holding hands or looking into each other's eyes.
Dances of Universal Peace is a spiritual practice melding several world traditions as a way to connect both with the body and soul, according to an introductory book for participants.
"Dancing is part of the richness of what we do," Timothy Dobson, one of the New Year's event organizers, said in a May interview.
To view the original article, click here.

Megan Quinn writing for Daily Camera in Boulder, Colorado, also describes some of the other workshops held at the centers StarHouse and SpiritistCenter, both in Boulder. Even if you don't live near Boulder it's worth checking out these two good centers as examples of what could happen in other communities to improve mind, body and spirit.

Studies Show Prayer and Exercise Best for Healing

According to Pat Thomas writing for NYR Natural News there are a number of research programs that have concluded that the fastest path to recovery, whether mental or physical is a combination of prayer and moderate exercise. The studies didn't limit the type to prayers or mantras - everything from "Hail, Mary full of grace" to "Shalom" to "Om". Pat points out that spiritual healing goes beyond religion but uses the methods of religion. There is also a paragraph sharing the results of experiments on plants that showed growth increased for ones that were healed or prayed over. I suspect it is the transfer of energy and the intention that works this "magic".

Most of the available evidence shows that prayer is most effective as a complementary rather than a primary therapy. Nevertheless there is reasonable proof that prayer has a healing effect. One analysis of 23 studies involving more than 3000 individuals concluded that more than half demonstrated that that prayer had significant effects. In this review therapeutic touch appeared to show the most promise.
Naysayers point out that no study has ever proven the ability of prayer to stop a person from dying from conditions such as heart disease and cancer. They note, and fairly, that the quality of the studies done into spiritual healing can be very uneven and often do not follow people for long enough to make sweeping statements about its effectiveness. This however appears to be missing the point.
Scientific research by its very nature requires a measurable endpoint – usually focusing on quantity rather than quality of life. Even Dossey has warned that holistic practitioners should not overextend the power of spirituality; we will all die eventually.
Short-term studies do show that prayer can have an effect on longevity (see below) but perhaps more importantly prayer may be a beneficial way to improve the quality of life for those in need. Even researchers who are sceptical have been moved to say that the occasionally remarkable results of studies into spiritual healing are interesting enough to warrant further, and more serious, investigation.
To read the source of this passage click here.

Have you had experience using the power of prayer or healing to improve the condition of another? Please share your story below. Here is a great book for you to read more about this: Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine by Larry Dossey.

The Healing Season

With the holidays fading into the background, January is often a time when people diet and start to take better care of their bodies. This article points out that it can also be the time to use spiritual healing methods to improve your mental and spiritual health too.

Here are some ways to heal a troubled spirit that work for me, and that I am currently practicing.

1. Meditation.I have been trying to meditate for years, but thanks to Deepak Chopra and Oprah giving away a 21-Day Meditation Challenge for free I have been meditating more frequently and it really works. I encourage you to try it if you’ve never done it before. Don’t give up if it doesn’t work so well the first time. I’m told it takes 21 days to create a habit.
2. Journaling. Here’s another one that I just hadn’t been able to get into in the past, but I’ve been journaling and it has completely been a cheap form of therapy. With journaling you can say what’s really on your mind.  We all possess the ability to heal ourselves within our spirits and some times you just have to write it out to see it.
3. Help somebody. I often find when I call a friend and ask, “How can I help you today,” I always feel better. It truly puts things in perspective when you help someone and put your spirit in a posture of service. With so much loss this year, including those affected by Sandy, there is always someone who stands in need. You probably don’t have to look too far outside of your family and friends.
4. Forgive someone and apologize. I have often said in this column that forgiveness is for you. It is crucial to healing a wounded spirit and broken heart. Even if you don’t contact the person, still forgive them in your heart. And then, apologize if you can. “Apologizing doesn’t mean you’re wrong; it just means you value your relationships more than your ego.” – Will Smith
5. Celebrate. I come from a family that knows how to party. Don’t forget to celebrate all that you have and the people in your life. Nothing says the holidays and joy to me more than being able to celebrate and party with the people that mean the most to me.
To read the original of this passage click here.

I'm sure not all of them will suit you but it's good to be reminded about these things. I challenge you to copy and post this list some place in your space. Then see what happens when you read it every day. Let me know how it goes, OK?

Parishioners Re-enact the Travels of Joseph and Mary

San Antonio, Texas has a strong Latino presence being close to Mexico and having been part of Mexico at one time. This article from MySA relates the yearly procession of parishoners as they travel around the community with the actors chosen as to play Joseph and Mary looking for lodging. Finally they find it at a cafe and the celebration of Las Posadas begins with refreshments and song.

Parishes with heavily Hispanic memberships often organize Las Posadas, sometimes on each of the nine days leading up to Christmas Day. The custom originated in the 1500s when Spanish missionaries used live, interactive dramas to pass on biblical stories to indigenous people in Central and South America.
The Holy Family's determined search for lodging was a key narrative, a long-awaited prophecy in the Christian faith, ushering in salvation from sin and hope for life's trials.
Parishioners are the cast. Mary and Joseph lead the way in costume, while pilgrims follow behind in plain clothes, reciting prayers and singing call-and-response songs. The script calls for visits to houses where residents emerge to deny Mary and Joseph lodging until finally arriving at a home willing to take them in.
At that moment, the somber journey then turns festive. The moment is for caroling, piñatas and traditional foods, such as pan dulce and tamales.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Posada-A-Christmas-spiritual-journey-4135919.php#ixzz2FhpNR1jn

This drama has been repeated every year for now 200 years both in Texas and Mexico. How about other parts of the world? Yes, according to Wikipedia the origins are in Spain but it is mainly celebrated in Mexico and Central America. Here are a few regional variations:

In Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco the Vallarta Botanical Gardens hosts a Las Posadas celebration on December 20. During workshops in the daytime, participants make their own nativity scenes with local natural materials including Spanish moss. In the evening, carolers proceed to nativities that are placed among important plants including poinsettias and native Mexican pines. A bonfire and more singing rounds out the celebrations.
In Wisconsin, the procession may occur within a home, rather than outside, because of the weather.^[3]
An event in Portland, Oregon terminates with Santa Claus and donated Christmas gifts for needy children.^[8]
In New York, worshippers may drink Atole, a corn-sugar drink traditional during Christmas.^[9]
A large procession occurs along the San Antonio River Walk and has been held since 1966.^[10][11] It is held across large landmarks in San Antonio, Texas, including the Arneson River Theater, Museo Alameda, and the Spanish Governor's Palace, ending at the Cathedral of San Fernando.^[12]
To read the original click here.

There are also similar celebrations in the Philippines, Cuba and Nicaragua given on different days with similar names. If you have ever visit one of these countries at Christmas time be sure to take part in the parades and festive celebrations. It makes this holiday season seem more current and real.

A New Theory Regarding the Nazca Lines of Peru

Dr. Clive Ruggles of Leicester University and Dr. Nicholas Saunders of Bristol University proposed the theory that the figures etched into 50 miles of Peruvian desert between 100BC to 700AD are not there to be seen from the air but are to be walked like a labyrinth. Dr. Ruggles claims he was perhaps the first person in 1500 years to walk these paths.

Scientists claim that a "labyrinth" of geometric shapes and lines was not created to be seen at all, and was instead a walking path which played a role in ancient rituals.
Professor Clive Ruggles of Leicester University said, "Unlike some of the famous zoomorphic (animal) figures, its irregular form provides no reason to speculate that it might have been intended to be viewed from the air.
"It was not meant to be 'seen' from outside at all, but rather to be experienced from within. It was meant to be walked."
Ruggles and Dr. Nicholas Saunders, of Bristol University, traced three miles of paths during a five-year project, becoming the first known people to do so in more than 1,000 years.
Although parts of the lines have been washed away by flash floods, the remainder are well preserved and edges are still sharply defined.
Ruggles claims to have been the first person to discover the labyrinth among the patterns while studying the lines in 1984.
To read the rest of this passage click here.

What is more mysterious is why this idea has been somewhat hidden since 1984 and is now being publicized now. Also, the images I see look very much like animals, not labyrinths. However, it is curious that the edges of these lines are still so well marked as if they were walked as Dr. Ruggles suggests. What do you think about this idea? Leave a comment below, OK?

Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas

Last month I promised to post more retreats in warm weather locales. Here's a marvelous one with yoga, kirtans (chanting) and the blissful beaches of the Bahamas. Shivananda Ashram has ongoing programs and also "vacation packages" to fit your schedule. Some of the upcoming courses include: advaced asana course, yoga for mood management, cardiac yoga teacher training, advanced hatha yoga retreat and introduction to teaching yoga to children. The ashram is based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda. one of the greatest yoga teachers whose methods were brought to the west in 1957 under the organization of International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. Swami Sivananda wrote over 200 books and was influential in training countless students before his death in 1963. Here is more about this ashram from their website.

The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is located across the bay from Nassau, Bahamas, on one of the finest beaches in the world. It is truly an island paradise and a sanctuary of peace and natural beauty. With its pristine white sand beaches, crystal blue waters and five and a half acres of lush tropical gardens, the Yoga Retreat provides the ideal environment for practice, rest and rejuvenation. With its celebrated lineage of Yogic Masters, the Yoga Retreat offers a rare combination of a traditional ashram with the feel of a Caribbean resort.
During your stay at the Retreat, discover how the powerful tools of Yoga can aid in your personal evolution, helping you to live in constant peace with yourself, humanity, nature and God.
Come by yourself, bring a friend or bring your whole family. Our staff is always happy to welcome and accompany you as you settle into your stay with us.
To read more click on this link.

It's easy to reach this ashram on a flight to Nassua International Airport. Please check to see if you require a visa to enter the Bahamas. Then take a taxi to the ashram dock where you will be met by the water taxi for a 10 minute ride. There is a schedule for this taxi which is posted on the website. The meals are buffet style and vegetarian. Please enjoy this amazing retreat and let me know about it!

Swami Beyondananda’s Thanksgiving Gratitude

Have you made the acquaintance of Swami Beyondananda? Get ready for a good laugh and remember not to take yourself or life in general too seriously. There's some of those spiritual people who think they are important and "evolved". Swami has words for them. Anyway, here's his latest from Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, and not just because I love turkey and dressing. I’m grateful that we have set aside a day expressly to express gratitude, which is why I find it more heartfelt to send out Thanksgiving cards than Christmas or Hanukkah ones. So … consider this my holiday greeting:
THANK YOU!
If you’re on my mailing list, and have elected to receive my messages, thank you.
If you’ve been to one of our shows, or told anyone about them, thank you.
If you’ve bought a Swami product, or even thought about buying one, thank you.
If you’ve intentionally or unintentionally made someone laugh recently, thank you.
If you’ve hosted or promoted one of our shows, thank you.
If you’ve allowed the Swami and I to humorize your message, or if you were inspired to humorize your own, thank you.
If you participated in any teleclass I did – or even told someone about the teleclass (tell-a-teleclass) – thank you.
If you’ve put us up in the past year, or merely put up with us, thank you.
To my Facebook friends, friends of Facebook friends, Linked In associates, and anyone and everyone who receives this message … thank you!
To read the original of this post click here.

He goes on the explain that on December 21st he's going to introduce Ed Sullivan to the Mayan elders while Howard Cosell does a pray-by-pray. He even offers to appear as if by digital magic on Skype if you send him an e-mail. Would you like to read more by this Swami of humor? Click on the picture below this article. This is just one of his many hilarious books. Enjoy.

Four Best Crop Circles for 2012

As the year comes to a close it's time to review what has happened during this eventful year. That includes the messages from the crop circles too. Here is a nicely done video of four circles in August in England, Avebury Stone Circle, Chalk Pit, Milk Hill and Longwood Road. Enjoy.


It's amazing to me that people still think these enormous structures are fakes done by humans in the dead of night. One of the best replies I've heard to that is, "Where do these people practice? If they are drawing these perfect structures where do they practice their skills?" By the way, most of these posts are also on the Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/MysticFare We need some likes there and some comments. Please help us out!

Asians in Britain Turn to Exorcism

Writer Larisa Brown reports in the November 20 edition of MailOnline in the UK that Asians are turning to exorcism rather than medical help or counseling for problems as varied as schizophrenia, bi-polar disease or epilepsy. From reading the article it seems Larisa is referring to people from the Middle East, not Asians, but perhaps Asians also are seeking out practitioners who can rid them of "Jins".

Hundreds of British Asians are operating as healers, blaming the supernatural for mental health problems and charging sometimes thousands of pounds a session to remove evil spirits from bodies believed to be possessed.
An exorcist operating in east London has said the demons can ‘deceive doctors’ and research by BBC’s Newsnight has found that some communities are finding it more acceptable to be possessed than mentally ill.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2235669/Hundreds-exorcisms-performed-UK-Asian-communities-treat-people-mental-illnesses.html#ixzz2DAEB6O6j

The Christian form of exorcism is often performed by a Catholic Priest or member of the church who is skilled in the use of prayers, amulets and rituals said to ban the harmful spirits. It is interesting, however that according to the Wikipedia coverage, "The Catholic rite for a formal exorcism, called a "Major Exorcism", is given in Section 13 of the Rituale Romanum. The Ritual lists guidelines for conducting an exorcism, and for determining when a formal exorcism is required. Priests are instructed to carefully determine that the nature of the affliction is not actually a psychological or physical illness before proceeding."
It's interesting to speculate why an alternative treatment is sought by the Middle Easterners. The author suggests that there is less stigma and blame attached to being possessed. Perhaps these recent immigrants feel less confident seeking the help of a traditional medical doctor. Or perhaps it is just lack of money. Are the treatments successful? What do you think? Leave a comment below, OK?

Are These the Best Retreats in the World?

You might not agree that the resorts mentioned below are the best in the world, but the large number of people who voted for them think they are. While these are not the most reasonably priced, they are not extravagant either - affordable. Anyway, here they are thanks to Dawna Zimbalist writing in The Examiner. They all look great and in such wonderful and inviting parts of the world too.

Ulpotha, Sri Lanka was recently voted the best Yoga Retreat in the world by Observer Magazine. Off the grid and surrounded by mountains and lakes this resort can provide you with the right prescription for a detoxing holiday that you been waiting for. The retreat has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and is in the heart of a working community that is cradled by a Lotus shape lake and mountains. Presently their main focus is on the restoration of an ancient agricultural way of life, and includes organic farming and reforestation. Ayurveda therapies and classes in Yoga are offered and there is plenty time for meditation and relaxation.
On the Aegean Coast of Turkey, Natur-Med Thermal Springs and Health Resort is your fantasy come true. Everyone needs a break from their daily routines, and here with the daily breathing exercises, you will feel invigorated and more alive. The healing thermal springs will melt away those aches and pains. Staffed by trained Medical Professionals and experts, you will be in trusted hands.
To read the original post click here.

The others include The Carton House in Dublin, Ireland; Shambala Mountain Center in in Colorado, The Suryalila yoga retreat in Spain, the Bulgari Resort and Les Sources De Caudalie. Would you like to know more about these retreats? You can find them all online. If you have been to some good ones, please leave a comment and let others know about them.

Acupuncture Blends with Spirituality

It’s about time an acupuncturist addresses the whole person and not just the current symptoms. The approach of Daphne Fung makes total sense to heal the spiritual and emotional as well as the physical. Here is what she says regarding the spiritual side of acupuncture.

Esoteric acupuncture is an integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ancient Wisdom, Hindu Chakra System, Sacred Geometry, and the Qabbalah Tree of Life.
Traditional acupuncture will address the symptoms of an immediate ailment and its root cause by rebalancing the body, mind and spirit.
Esoteric acupuncture works on a higher level of healing to bring positive effect to the person and can help prevent disorders from manifesting, address imbalances often before it appears plus all kinds of immediate conditions. It helps one to understand what they can do to prevent it re-occurring. Like traditional acupuncture, it will cover a complex array of symptoms, and allows one to heal holistically.
To read the original article, click here.

She goes on to say that the results are often a blissful state for patients as they are then back in balance with themselves. It’s too bad she is in Queensland, Australia for the rest of us who are in North America. If you would like to contact her anyway, here is her website: http://daphnefungshealthclinic.com

Spiritual Healing for the Cheyenne and Arapaho on Thanksgiving

The history of the initial contact between the natives and white men is grim as we all know. One sad chapter involves the massacre at Sand Creek where 160 Arapaho and Cheyenne were gunned down despite the fact that they were on a reservation and waving American and white flags. These were elders, women and children as well as their husbands and sons. This Thanksgiving there will be a commemorative walk in Boulder, Colorado called "One Action One Boulder" to try to heal the wound that still some people feel. None of these tribal members now live in Colorado as they were all removed from their lands.

Cheyenne and Arapaho runners will complete a 170-mile Spiritual Healing Run/Walk from the Sand Creek Massacre site to Denver in honor of LaForce Lee Lonebear. This is how they describe the Run:
“The Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run/Walk is a prayer. (It) is not a race. (It) is a commemoration for the victims and survivors of the massacre, and for healing ancestral homelands. (It) is led by an Eagle staff representing prayers of the spiritual leaders who had a vision of healing and reconciliation for the descendants of those killed at the Sand Creek Massacre site and for the future generations.”

The Cheyenne and Arapaho have invited local communities to participate in a variety of ways. To see the original article, click here. What do you think about this action? Is it digging up old pain or is it a good way to establish restorative justice? Leave a comment below.

                                              picture by Mike Fisher at the
                                              memorial site of the massacre

Edgar Cayce the Sleeping Prophet

Most people have at least heard of Edgar Cayce who started his well-known prophesies through hypnosis. He was actually not aware of any of the information he spoke during his trance states. The information ranged from medical remedies to economic and other future predictions. Recently there has been a video made of 7 of his prophesies people think are still to come. Here it is.



Notice that the sourcACes are recorded so that you can read in more detail if you want. There are an unbelievable number of books about and by Edgar Cayce. Amazon.com lists 3,164! for the purposes of this website, I recommend this book: The Edgar Cayce Remedies by William A. McGarey. You can access it by clicking on the title or the icon below this article.

A Duchess finds Spiritual Healing in India

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, checked into the Soukya Holistic Health Centre for some R&R ahead of her trip to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Apparently she and her husband, Prince Charles, stayed in the same 3,500 pounds per night suite during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It shows how popular and accepted alternative healing practices have become when a duchess finds spiritual healing in India.

 

Although the couple were on an official visit, that trip, like the current one, was paid for by her husband and did not cost taxpayers, aside from the cost of her Scotland Yard security team.
The retreat claims to be a ‘unique facility that helps restore the natural balance of your mind, body and spirit’.
It is set within a 30-acre organic farm and guests follow a strict ovo-vegetarian diet, paying around £140 a day for a range of different treatments.
They include ‘hydrowashes’, reflexology, and a ‘four-hand’ Ayurvedic massage carried out by two female therapists.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2224558/Yoga-dawn-spiritual-massages-Duchess-India-Secret-trip-ahead-Australian-tour.html#ixzz2AqWgBGb1
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Although this is supposedly a secret retreat for her, comments about her last visit in 2010 have been made public such as the fact that she was able to do even the difficult yoga poses easily and that she liked the oil massages best. I wish her well and am grateful my own life is not such an open book. If you would like to know more about this retreat center, here is their website: http://soukya.com/ There is a picture of Camilla on the home page. The word, "soukya" means health and well-being in Sanskrit.

Italian Town of Assisi Provides Spiritual Retreat for Everyone

St. Francis of Assisi was known for his celebration of animals and nature, his efforts to bring peace between Christians and Islamists and his founding of the Franciscan Movement, all of which are still relevant for today's issues. The Medieval town of Assisi was recently host to 550 religious and humanitarian leaders who gathered there on October 4, the Feast Day. However, the town provides a spiritual retreat setting for people of all religions.

Not all pilgrimages to Assisi are Catholic, or even religious in any traditional sense. In recent years, a number of organizations have held retreats here focusing on the sort of eclectic forms of spirituality often categorized under the label of New Age.
“We found the energy in this place to be absolutely amazing in the purity of spiritual vibration,” says the website of the Shared Heart Foundation, based in Santa Cruz County, Calif., which will soon hold its third retreat in Assisi.
Peggy Husch Rothschild, of Newton Centre, Mass., joined a Shared Heart group for a week last October, staying in rented rooms at a convent close by the Basilica of San Francesco.
“In small group discussion and in large group meditation, in song, and sometimes in dance, we opened up to places within ourselves that had been closed, sometimes for many years,” said Rothschild, who is Jewish.
To read the original post click here.

Besides the religious churches with their 13th and 14th century frescoes, there are some excellent restaurants and good hiking. The climate is often mild, especially in the spring and fall. If you would like to know more about St. Francis Assisi, I recommend this DVD: "Francis of Assisi" or this book: St. Francis of Assisi by G. K. Chesterton, very affordable in the Kindle version.

Silent Spiritual Retreat: A Great Way to Recharge

Have you ever heard of Spirit Falls Retreat? It’s in an isolated area of Arizona but not far from Sedona and Phoenix right on the edge of Tonto National Forest. Judging from the pictures on the website, there are lots of wild but friendly animals that come to visit too. It would be an ideal spot for healing, writing, awakening or yes, a silent retreat by yourself or with a partner. There are several modern log cabins and the owner/ guide, Bodhi Heart, is in residence.

Silent Spiritual Retreat: A Great Way to Recharge

Due to the high desert conditions and abundant wildlife, there is no smoking or pets allowed. The details, great music and more information about the hermitage cabin are all available and easy to find on the website so that you too can experience a silent spiritual retreat: a great way to recharge.

Silent meditation retreats
Secluded in mountain forests east of Sedona, Spirit Falls is a silent spiritual retreat for personal meditation, sacred inner and outer journeys, and quiet solitude.
AFFORDABLE yoga, fasting, healing retreats
Spirit Falls is a rare find in affordable personal retreats for yoga, fasting and healing. The private retreat offers cozy log cabins near small waterfalls, a gazebo and spa.
MOUNTAIN hiking, solitude, nature retreats
Hiking forest lakes and Sedona red rocks, creek swimming, bird watching, and writing are ways of relaxing and enjoying the peace in each moment at Spirit Falls.
RETREATS for spiritual awakening
Expanded awareness and spiritual awakening are nurtured in stillness at Spirit Falls, punctuated by distant chimes, gentle breezes, and water dancing over nearby rocks.
To view the website, click here

Here is what Bodhi Heart himself says about the personal spiritual retreats.

Secluded in mountain forests near Sedona, AZ, Spirit Falls is one of the most affordable and well reviewed retreats in the US. It offers cozy log cabins by soothing waterfalls with kitchenettes and private baths for $300-$500/week, along with a yoga meditation gazebo and forest hot tub.
Personal retreats at Spirit Falls offer you the freedom to follow your heart and leave schedules behind. You can enjoy forest solitude, lakes, and abundant wildlife, and also hike the magnificent red rocks and vortexes of world-famous Sedona.
Plan a silent retreat with yoga and meditation, a healing or fasting retreat, or come for self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Whatever your retreat interests, host Bodhi Heart creates a safe refuge and is ready to provide support and encouragement to awakening hearts.
Photos, video, and retreat info are at spiritfallsretreat.com and spiritskiesretreat.com, and insightful guest reviews are at tripadvisor.com. Extended seasonal sabbaticals are available for $550-$950/month.

There are two retreat centers close by to each other – Spirit Falls and Spirit Skies. You can access them both online using the links above. You can also find the e-mail address and phone number. If you try one of these retreats, especially on of the silent retreats, please send me a message or comment below, OK?

Spiritual and Political Leader, Aung San Suu Kyi Travels to Washington D.C.

As she said in her acceptance speech, her presence in Washington was only a distant dream till recently due to her long years of house arrest in Myamar where she is simply known as “The Lady”. She traveled to Washington to accept the Congressional Gold Metal and to speak to the UN General Assembly in New York. I think once you have viewed this video you will agree she is a very moving speaker.

Spiritual and Political Leader, Aung San Suu Kyi Travels to Washington D.C.

Having visited Burmese refugees on the border of Thailand and worked with activists to free her from house arrest, it’s a great moment to see her not only speaking in public but also being able to travel to other countries and return again to Myamar. Few of us would have been willing to give up our family and happy life in the West for our country as she has. My special thanks to Ken and Visakha Kawasaki, now living in Sri Lanka, for making us all aware of the plight of the people of Myamar. May these people in one of the poorest countries in the world be able to make the long journey still ahead to a democratic and economic prosperity. There are a number of interesting books written about her, but if you wish to read what Suu Kyi herself has written, I recommend this book: Freedom From Fear published in 2010. You can view or purchase this book by clicking on the title or on the picture below.

Combining Plant Medicine with Western Medicine

Jessie Salisbury, a correspondent for the New York news blog, Cabinet Press, describes his type of healing combining spiritual healing with plant spirit medicine healing. He maintains that he never diagnoses or prescribes cures but instead he promotes balance and inner harmony which will then lead to cures. Here is what he has to say.

Combining Plant Medicine with Western Medicine

Cowan, he said, was an acupuncturist within the Classical Five Element school of practice. “He started using what he knew of the five elements, but instead of using needles, he called on the plant spirits. In this way, he
reintroduced Plant Spirit Medicine to the western world.”
Griffin noted the calming effect of plants while walking in a garden, or in the woods.
“We can have a loving relationship with plants,” he said. “There is peace in a garden. We are in the world with (plants) and they have a lot of wisdom to share.”
About 10 years ago, Cowan and his students began looking for a place to build a center where this practice could be taught. That is now the Blue Deer Center in upstate New York. Cowan’s students are given a rigorous course of training and are then introduced as Lay Spiritual Healers with The Temple of Sacred Fire Healing, which is an officially chartered church.”
The practice was never intended to replace conventional medicine, he said.
“We don’t diagnose or treat diseases. It is to promote balance and inner harmony. It takes into account the whole person, including body, mind and spirit. Most indigenous peoples have a connection with the spirits of nature. In a sense, this is a tradition of traditions, taught in a traditional way.”
To read the original post click here.

It’s a very traditional way of healing brought back to life by people like Jessie. However, the traditions have come from the native and indigenous people of the world. It is time to learn as much as we can from these elders before they all pass over and leave us to figure out the plant connections all over again. If you wish to know more about his approach go to: http://www.plantspiritmedicine.org

Strange, Unexplained Sights in August 2012

Here’s another video that is controversial about crop circles and unknown lights in the sky. There have been endless comments to this video on YouTube. Do you have one to add? According to this video the crop circles and lights were a daily occurrence in August. Are we getting closer to communicating with them? What do they want us to do? No one is sure they even exist. Anyway, here’s the video; see what you think.

This is part 1. There is a part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYgTlW-4rCc
and a part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D0RfEzB4qM&feature=youtu.be
They seem to be increasing in frequency and the crop circles are getting more complex; definitely a kind of live art. If you like this video please share it with a friend.

Burning Man Festival: The Ultimate Retreat

This festival has been going since 1986 in the United States and has grown amazingly each year. It’s now held in the northern Nevada desert called Black Rock Desert. It opens every year on the last Monday of August and goes till the first Monday in September, a holiday in the US (Labor Day). The name comes from a large 40 foot or 12 meter high wooden effigy of a man that is burned on Saturday night each year. Here is an article by Derek Beres writing for the Huffington Post (Religion Canada section) about this year’s celebration.

Burning Man Festival: The Ultimate Retreat

The annual ritual known as Burning Man probably had 60,900 meanings for everyone in Aattendance this year. But my second sojourn to the festival in the desert verified what I recalled from my first: This is the most widespread example that America has at consciously creating a modern mythology. Myths have always had conscious and unconscious elements -- the ritual is consciously constructed, but what happens within the container of the construction is anyone's guess. This is the empty space where magic happens.
To dive further into this idea, I'd like to use Joseph Campbell's four functions of a mythology to show how beyond a party and getting f'd up in the desert, Burning Man is a mythology in the making, creating a social order relevant to our time, right now, 2012 America.
The Mystical Function
Campbell's first requirement was that mythology must inspire awe in the universe. Modern America was built on biblical desert mythologies, even if most Americans would want to do anything but live in such an environment today. Standing in the middle of the Playa -- the art-driven center of the camp -- at 2 a.m., whipping yourself around to find a perfect circumference of lights, mutant vehicles and sound systems the size of midtown Manhattan clubs is, to say the least, awe-inspiring. All mythologies were created by humans; I hope we're evolved enough to understand that no god rushed down from wherever to "give" a human some special message. Therefore, what really matters is imagination. Burning Man is a safe space to fully explore and share your creative edge. Seeing what 60,000 humans can create in the span of a week, only to be destroyed (explained later), is more mystical to the human mind than reading stories of a man who might have done this or that thousands of years ago.
The Cosmological Function
Campbell's second function was that a mythology had to explain the shape of the universe. Obviously, we've had many different shapes offered to us. The shape of Burning Man is impermanence, a principle deeply entwined with Buddhism. While the entire gathering has been written off as wasteful -- it is not cheap to attend; I spent $1,200 for six days -- the festival is a living example of what art and life can be when we move beyond the bottom line. Think about this: In the span of two weeks (including build and breakdown), a city is constructed, celebrated and deconstructed. This is the exact representation of the triune deities of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in Indian mythology. Creation, destruction and, yes, sustainability; the ritual occurs yearly as an annual reminder of the transience of life, much like the Mexican myths of the corn goddess or the eternal return of Osiris. Theology teaches us the importance of the afterlife, which often serves as a way of not taking responsibility for the life we are living now; think of the anti-global warming furor of the GOP, for one example. When the man burns on Saturday evening, we are reminded not only of very old fire mythologies, designed to represent the impermanence of nature, but that we are part of an extremely long process that did not begin nor end with us. Celebrating the process for what it is defines our cosmological outlook.
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He goes on to describe the other two functions of Campbell’s mythology, the sociological and pedagogical functions. A bit more about this festival to give you some idea of what is is all about. There is a city constructed with streets where people camp. There are different theme camps (now over 700 of them) and art displays, including “mutant vehicles”, the only cars allowed on the site. A mutant vehicle must be so altered as to mask entirely the original body. For example, a VW van that has doll heads and paint stuck to the sides is considered a decorated vehicle but not a mutant vehicle. There are now over 600 approved mutant vehicles. Bicycles are allowed, especially decorated ones and the Green Tortoise Bus Line provides transportation from nearby towns. There is a more complete description of this festival on Wikipedia. If you have ever been to this festival please leave a comment, OK?

Featured Retreats of the Week: Wild Earth Journeys

Are you ready for a truly awesome trip, a memorable one you will remember always? Are you adventurous but would like to use a guide as you know you will see more that way? Then this is the company for you. Wild Earth Journeys is owned and operated by Carroll Dunham, a Princeton University anthropologist, writer, herbalist and yoga instructor and her husband, Thomas Kelly, a former Peace Corps volunteer, Care Program officer, photographer and documentary film maker.

Featured Retreats of the Week: Wild Earth Journeys

Wild Earth Journeys--pilgrimages to wild and sacred places of the earth. Where story, myth, culture, adventure and spirit come together. We love horses, we love to walk in the mountains, we love medicinal plants and traditional medicine, spirit traditions, stories, and we love healing and working with local communities engaging in dialogue between discovery, science and healing. We love the questions, and we love the journey, knowing that without exploring the furthest reaches of the last great wild places on this earth and in the elements, we can never know for ourselves. Come explore with us and tap on thirty years exploring Asia from the heart--foolishly. Come with us and meet extraordinary and ordinary people who could change your mind. Let us help you plan your pilgrimage or journey if you are ready to leave the familiar trail for the unexpected--if you are ready to explore more than just the surface.
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The trips are to India, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia or design your own trip. While I myself have not had the pleasure of going on one of these trips, from some of the testimonials it seems that the participants are very enthusiastic about their experiences. The guides, Carroll and Thomas (yes, they do these trips themselves) are able to take people into remote place few foreigners have gone but in a safe and comfortable way. These are not trips for people who want heated pools or room service; it would require some roughing it. I personally am re-assured that there are still wild places left on this planet for Wild Earth Journeys to explore.

Merabhs: A New Spiritual Concept Explained

Adamus Saint-Germain, a European mystic and channel, has coined a new useful word, “merabh” which he says has an ancient history. Now he has recorded various merabhs that will be for sale as of September 1. 2012. Here is more information about them

Merabhs: A New Spiritual Concept Explained

Adamus Saint-Germain introduced “merabhs” at the Dream Walker Life School in Frankfurt in December 2011. He said that a merabh, based on an ancient Lemurian concept, is an opportunity for a graceful shift in consciousness. A merabh does not require force, exertion of energy, or mental effort. There is the underlying assumption that you are ready for the shift, and that by taking a few minutes in the state of acceptance the shift will begin.
In Frankfurt, Adamus asked Yoham, the musical group from Israel & Austria,to play background music during the merabh to help create the safe space for the shifts to take place. The combination of Adamus’ gentle guidance and Yoham’s intuitive music was brilliant, and the new Shaumbra merabhwas birthed. Adamus offered more merabhs with live Yoham music at the Dream Walker Life Schools in Amsterdam (April), Romania (May) and Colorado(July). In the post-conference surveys sent in by attendees, the merabhs were listed as one of their favorite parts of the Dream Walker Life experience.
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Some of the titles of these channeled and timely recordings are: Beyond Ancestral Biology, Past Lives, Death, Life, Enlightenment. They will be available through the Crimson Circle Store and perhaps on Amazon eventually. Click like below if you would like to have more articles about the coming shift or merabhs.

Using Tai Chi to Overcome Arthritis

If one is to judge by popularity and assume this means a successful process of healing, Dr. Paul Lam, an Australian family physician and Tai Chi expert certainly has a good method. Amazon features 135 DVDs and books by this man. He has won numerous awards and his DVDs are in 16 languages. One of his first programs was Tai Chi for Arthritis, and since he started in 1997, over 2 million people have learned his method. Here is some descriptions of the program and the Tai Chi for Health Institute from the website.

Arthritis Foundation of USA and Australia, Arthritis Care of UK, Diabetes Australia, Osteoporosis Australia and other similar organistaions, fitness associations, universities and hospitals around the world supported one or all of Dr Lam's Tai Chi for Health programs. His instructors' training workshops are well recognised around the world, and accredited by Arthritis Foundation of USA; Australian fitness industry; American Council of Exercise; American Tai Chi Assocation; Florida and many other physiotherapist associations, HK rehabilitation society and the Korean Rheumatology Health Professional's Society.
Dr Lam's instructional DVD (some are in six languages) and books have made learning the programs easy and enjoyable. Dr Lam's team have also produced other tai chi instructional DVDs for learners of intermediate and advanced levels. You can find more information online.
Many of Dr Lam's students excelled in promoting health improvement and international competitions. Dr Lam is fluent both in English and Chinese. He enjoys working to bridge the gap between East and West, traditional and modern Tai Chi stylists.
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The Tai Chi for Health Institute was started in 2010 and includes training for teachers as well as practice of Tai Chi. From the calendar of events it seems that most of the present workshops are in the US or Australia. Dr. Lam teaches many of these himself, but with the burgeoning number of teachers being trained, having a workshop from Dr. Lam himself might be ending soon. While I myself have not taken one of these workshops, I certainly would like to join one in the future. Meanwhile, I’m going to order Tai Chi for Arthritis and see if it helps.

Spiritual Retreat of the Week: Hawaii

The company, Sacred Voyages, takes groups of people to Hawaii and Mt. Shasta mainly as they feel both places were at one time part of the lost continent of Lemuria. In addition, they have linked the 7 Hawaiian Islands to the 7 chakras, stating that the same energy is manifest in each island. Here is part of their description of the Hawaii retreat.

Hawaii is one of the most powerful and active sacred places on the globe. Each Island has a special energy and flavor. Some state the Hawaiian Islands are the Chakra system of the planet, all of the seven main Islands representing and vibrating at a different chakra energy. Whether this is true or not is for the individual to decide. But one thing for sure is that the energy, geographic location and features of each Hawaiian Island is very unique and the spiritual power is very different on each Island. A commonality of all Hawaiian Islands is that whichever Island you visit; they vibrate at a 5^th dimensional frequency. The spirit world is more alive and palpable than almost anywhere in the world. Many have awareness that the Islands feel alive and have a consciousness that assists them as a guide and a mentor. So whether you are a master or beginner on your spiritual path, the Islands will meet you exactly where you are with the perfect teaching, quickening and/or transformational process. Everything is amplified and accelerated in Hawaii and there a sense of timelessness like no other place on earth.
Some of the specific sites in Hawaii hold the energy of:
- Creativity
- Death, change and transformation
- Pure unconditional love
- Healing, Forgiveness and Peace
- Birthing
- Perfect male/female balance (relationship)
- Instant manifestation
- Empowerment
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The retreat groups are 15-18 participants and work closely with the facilitator and teacher, Greg “Magick” Bernstein. The prices do not include airfare, and are not a bargain at $2995. However, this price does includes all meals, lodging and teaching. Contact them for the latest schedule.

Spiritual Meditation Comes to Columbia University

Listen to this video on HuffPost Live in the Huffington Post “Healthy Living” Section to an interview with Dr. Lisa Miller, the new director of the Spirituality and Mind-Body Institute that aims to bring a more spiritual focus to modern medicine. Also being interviewed are future students of the program, Lorne Schussel now working with meditation therapy and a former med student, Patrick Kearney working with integrative medicine and Susan Lakatos, a former Wall Street banker who wants a new career.

As a graduate of Columbia University Teachers College I couldn’t be happier to see this new program. It’s a start to better integrate the knowledge of eastern and western medicine. If you like this video please share it with your friends. You will find it on the Mystic Fare Facebook page as well: http://www.facebook.com/mysticfare

Retreat of the Week: Wilbur Hot Springs

Here’s a gem of a destination location in Northern California near Clear Lake and about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco. It’s touted to be “the closest thing we have to a Japanese onsen” with its hot springs and charming turn of the century décor. Here is part of the description of the services offered.

Retreat of the Week: Wilbur Hot Springs

 

* Lodging & Accommodations - Reflecting its turn-of-the-century origins, the hotel
offers 20 private guest rooms, a spacious suite with private bath & kitchen, a
comfortable 11-bed bunkhouse and 4 campsites. European-style toilets are
conveniently located throughout the hotel.
* Mineral Hot Springs Resort - Sheltered by a Japanese-style "Fluminarium", the
water at Wilbur is channeled into three long covered "flumes" and an outdoor flume.
Of all Northern California hot spring spas, Wilbur is renowned for its natural healing
properties. Open day and night to registered guests, the area is private and clothing
is optional in the flumes, sauna and deck areas.
* Massage - Massage treatments are offered year-round, performed by professional
therapists. Chiropractic treatments are also available.
* Dining - With the exception of Guest Chef Weekends, guests at Wilbur bring their own
groceries and prepare their meals in the fully-equipped professional kitchen. Dine in
either of the two beautiful dining rooms, the Great Room -- or outdoors on the veranda.
* Activities - Outdoor activities include hiking, biking with complimentary bikes,
bird-watching, and river rafting at nearby Cache Creek Canyon.
To see more click here.

This facility has been used for over 100 years by Caucasians and much longer by “ Patwin, Pomo, Wintun and Colusi - Native American inhabitants of Northern California's Coast Range mountains”. In the early 1970’s Dr. Richard Miller bought and renovated the aging lodge and outbuildings. He also bought the adjacent land making it a nature preserve for perpetuity. By the way, the resort is presently closed till August 24th for renovation and cleanup. However, the staff will gladly take your reservations and answer any questions you might have. The place is both a step back in time and a glimpse of the future of treatment for mind, body and spirit. If you ever go there, please let me know how you liked the Wilbur Hot Springs.

Beyond the Mayan Calendar and 2012

Here is an interview with author and visionary, Drunvalo Melchizedek on Coast to Coast AM, a radio talk show hosted by George Noory. The discussion is about the coming months and years with the effects on us all. There is some mention of an ET visitation in there too. Please listen to this recording and find out all about it.

Beyond the Mayan Calendar and 2012

 

If you would like to know more about this author and his writing, I recommend this book: Serpent of Light: Beyond 2012 – The Movement of Earth’s Kundalini and the Rise of the Female Light, 1949 – 2013.

Spiritual Retreat of the Week: Adventurous Spirit Travel

Here is not only one retreat location but an entire company devoted to spiritual adventures. At present the company, Adventurous Spirit Travel has trips this year to France, Guatemala, Hawaii, Ireland, Sedona, Mt. Shasta and Todos Santos, Mexico. The company is run by two women experienced travellers, Lee Cook and Tina Wood from an office in Boulder, Colorado. I especially like the passage under the menu heading, “About Us” on their website.

Spiritual Retreat of the Week: Adventurous Spirit Travel

 

Adventurous Spirit Travel welcomes all world travelers and those who have never before traveled with a group. Our tours are designed for adults, women and men, young or not so young; people interested in the mystery and sacredness of life, with a desire to know and understand more of where we've come from, to assist us in where we are going and to make a difference on the planet. We will discover new information that will enrich all of our senses. Our tour travel guides are experienced in the places we visit and offer unique insights about the sacred sites and by offering a spiritual education, we encourage our clients to take in the full experience.

The section under the menu, “Travel Tours” is also worth reading.

Adventurous Spirit Travel is more than a tour company offering vacation packages. We consider ourselves to be an open and conscious traveling community. Our intention is to offer vacation package deals with an awareness of why we are going to a particular place, what we
are looking for and how we can give back. In a way, we are modern day pilgrims.
One way to fully experience the sacredness of the universe is to become a pilgrim. Since the beginning of time, people have sought out places of divine revelation in the landscape: on holy mountains, by curative springs, at ancient monuments, and near the shrines of saints.
To learn more about the trips and to read the original post, click here.

Although I’ve not gone on any of these adventures, it seems they have the tours well put together, and they are quite popular judging by the 2,625 Facebook “likes” on Adventurous-Spirit-Travel. There are some amazing photos on their Facebook site. Check it out and share this post with an adventurous friend.

Deepak Chopra on How to Activate Creativity and Homeostasis

This is a short video by Deepak Chopra in which he introduces the term “negentropy” as being the opposite of “entropy” or moving from chaos and disorder to order, creativity and homeostasis through meditation. Please listen to what this great teacher has to say on the website, Beliefnet.com

Deepak Chopra on How to Activate Creativity and Homeostasis

 

This is part 2 of this series. The first video covers the basics of meditation and is designed for newcomers to meditation. If you found this video useful, please leave a message below or click “like”.

Strange Figures Appear in July 26 Crop Circle

Two very large figures have appeared in a field in Hill Barn, Wiltshire, UK on July 26, 2012. They look like creatures from another planet; there is nothing on this planet with such a long body and small head – maybe a relative of the giraffe. Notice the size in the aerial close-up with the people standing inside the crop figures (hardly a crop circle). It’s another mystery as to what it is and why it has been given to the people of this planet.

Strange Figures Appear in July 26 Crop Circle

 

There are many websites now devoted to crop circles, but I recommend this one as being always current, popular and well maintained: CropCircleConnector.com Do you have any ideas as to what these figures might be? Leave a comment below if you do.

Deepak Chopra Talks about Happiness

The great spiritual leader, Deepak Chopra here is speaking about the prescription for happiness including the 10 keys to happiness that includes living life mindfully, joyfully and with effortless spontaneity. This video has captions in German and was recorded in Germany in English. This video is an hour long so please enjoy this rare opportunity to learn from a truly great man.

Deepak Chopra Talks about Happiness

 

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=mysfar-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0011Z5NN2&IS1=1&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000<1=_top&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=32E31D&bg1=32E31D&f=ifr If you wish to know more about Deepak Chopra’s happiness prescription I recommend this book: The Happiness Prescription by Deepak Chopra.

World Heal Moves to the Olympics

The World Heal organization has invited people around the world to send their visions and intentions to the Olympic athletes as they come together to compete. The World Heal coordinator, Violet McBride in Portland, Oregon had the following to say in a press release from PR Newswire.

World Heal Moves to the Olympics

"We would like to create a vision of humanity as a team and our unity in creating a peaceful and sustainable world as the ultimate gold," says Ms. McBride. Using the model of the five Olympic rings, World Heal highlights the personal, interpersonal, community, international, and ancestral levels of healing, with the website offering dozens of inspirations for people to join in, ranging from the simple to more involved. Individuals, community groups, and spiritual organizations are all encouraged to create one contribution to global healing based on their unique gifts.
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If you watch this video you can learn more about how World Heal would like each person to light a candle and be a “cyber runner” with your own torch to envision world peace and harmony.

Successful Hopi Spiritual Healing For Dementia

David Maes of Hopi/Apache descent has found a way to help native elders with dementia. It uses the native ways of healing with drums and chanting. What’s unique is his ideas of how to reach these people and that it is working. Here is a report about it written in IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com by Carol Berry.

Successful Hopi Spiritual Healing For Dementia

Most suffering among elders is caused by loneliness, helplessness and boredom, “while an elder-centered community calls for close and continuing contact with plants, animals and children for their companionship,” he said of a part of the Australian approach to dementia.
In some so-called holistic approaches, there are separate medical, social, religious and other treatment components in which “specialists think they are treating the whole person, but in fact they’re fragmenting the person.” Instead, he suggests, each specialist should have “a bit of” the other specialists, “so the M.D. explains how medicine affects his or her spirituality and accompanies the person to a chaplain. That goes to the center of each person—”the essence of the person”—that may have been lost over the years.
“The only way we can reach people with dementia is by going into their world—there’s no other way to reach them right now. They [the treatment community] are beginning to listen to us,” he said, describing Taawa as “a brand-new approach.”
Read more here.

David Maes comes from an impressive background: Masters of Divinity from St. Thomas School of Theology in Denver with a double major in Christian and Native American Theology and a Masters in Counseling from the University of San Francisco. I especially like how he is combining the methods of other native healers and how he is gathering the energies of various healers for each case. It show how important this is to him as well as his personal ability to network and learn from others. If you like this idea click like below and better yet, share this post with a friend.

New Crop Circle Resembles Westminster Abbey

A recent crop circle reminds the Brits of their Westminster Abbey. See what you think when you compare these two pictures. Here is what Phil Vinter reported in Mail Online.

This new crop circle image is ringing a few bells with experts who believe the extraordinary design resembles Westminister Abbey.
The extraordinary design appeared at the weekend in Stanton St Bernard in Wiltshire and the church-like spires have been likened to the famous landmark where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were married last year.
To read more from this article click here.

If you think the images are similar click like below.

Spiritual Healing Journey in Vietnam for Veterans

This is a very moving article and accompanying video about a group of US veterans who returned to Viet Nam with a therapist, Ed Tick, in an effort to clear their continuing PTSD symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks and depression. The writer, Stephen Olsson, a video photographer and author has his own issues from covering war zones in Afghanistan. Let’s read part of what Steve Olsson has to say about this spiritual healing journey in Vietnam for veterans in the Huffington Post (Religion section).

Spiritual Healing Journey in Vietnam for Veterans

From the Mekong Delta in the south to Hanoi in the north, Dr. Tick led the vets back to the exact places where they suffered their most painful war experiences -- where they fought, where they killed or where they witnessed their closest friends killed. The goal of these trips, what Ed calls “their second descent into hell,” is to re-connect the fractured soul of the PTSD-wounded warrior and achieve some sense of healing, not only for the vet, but for the spouse and the entire family.
Besides Dr. Tick’s deep understanding of the disease we today call “PTSD,” I was extremely impressed by his deep knowledge of Vietnamese culture and the Buddhist faith. The attached video sequence, filmed in a Vietnamese Buddhist temple, is one of the short film segments within the GLOBAL SPIRIT program, "Forgiveness and Healing," now showing on many PBS stations (check local broadcast schedules at www.GlobalSpirit.tv) and also part of an upcoming feature-length documentary: "A Soldier's Heart: Healing the Wound of PTSD" (see www.CEMproductions.org).

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Please leave a comment below or click like if you found this article about a spiritual healing journey in Vietnam for veterans interesting.

Spiritual Retreats to Machu Picchu

This is a short video about the retreats offered by Yoga Retreat Peru. There is also a short clip from a TV interview with Deepak Chopra about the shamanic practice of taking ayahuasca. He very wisely advises anyone interested in trying this plant to choose a good shaman/guide to accompany you. Please enjoy and share this video on spiritual retreats to Machu Picchu.

Spiritual Retreats to Machu Picchu

 

The Yoga Retreats are given in 2012 in August 4 – 11, August 18 – September 1, September 1 – 15. If you are interested, please contact this website: http://www.incayogaperu.com There are different types of workshops such as High Altitude Training, Yoga and Synergy classes. The Shamanic Ceremony is optional and by special request only. If you would like to know more about the ayahuasca ceremonies, I recommend this book: Ayahuasca in My Blood: 25 Years of Medicine Dreaming by Peter Gorman.

Wake Induced Lucid Dreaming (WILD) Methods

Here is an entire website devoted to lucid dreaming by a person who practices what she preaches. Rebecca Turner lives in New Zealand and has been lucid dreaming since she was a small child. However, she also studied lucid dreaming as a teenager. Now she has courses herself that you may purchase to learn this interesting art. Here’s what she says about Wake Induced Lucid Dreaming methods.

At first, I was stunned by the realism of my dream reality - and then overjoyed by the realization that I could control and direct my awareness in the dream!
I practiced more in-depth lucid dreaming techniques. Sometimes I could have several lucid dreams per week. Yet other times, when I slowed my practice, I had nothing for a whole month. It was anything but consistent in those early days.
But when I had those lucid dreams... they were totally worth it!
In lucid dreams, I know I am dreaming and increase the intensity of the dream at will. I can "turn up my consciousness" allowing me to see, hear, feel, taste and smell everything as vividly as waking life.
I can create my own dramatic scenery, teleport to anywhere in the universe, interact with dream figures and speak directly to my subconscious mind.
This is where I start to get lost for words... because no matter what I say here, I cannot convey the beauty and emotion of a truly inspired lucid dream.
A great lucid dream can change the way you view the world.
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So to summarize, in lucid dreaming you can control the places you go and what happens (somewhat). It can be learned and an increasing number of people are doing just that. Rebecca has a number of articles on this website such as lucid dreaming FAQ, sleep and dream tutorials, sleep disorders, and free training videos. She also will sell you tutorials on how to make money on your website! Please check out Wake Induced Lucid Dreaming methods on this website: http://www.world-of-lucid-dreaming.com/wake-induced-lucid-dreams.html

Experiences of Spiritual Awakening

This is a most amazing short video that catches the reactions of dozens of people who have and are experiencing spiritual awakening. It’s worth watching several times to catch it all. It’s important to see that this is happening to people in various countries, not just North America. There’s nothing more I can write till you watch the video.



If you want to know more about spiritual awakening and this altered state an increasing number of people are experiencing, please follow this link to another article on the MysticFare website: How to Know if You Are Experiencing Spiritual Awakening. Have you had any experiences with altered states as described? Leave a note below in the comments section, OK? Any share this video with your friends. They will thank you.