Tattoos as a Spiritual Rite of Passage

Just look around today and you will see an increasing number of people with body markings called tattoos in English. The word, tattoo actually came from the Samoan, “tatau” and was first called by that name in English by Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Captain Cook’s ship the HMS Endeavor. However, tattooing is a much older art and common worldwide, especially among the native people. However, there is now a huge revival of tattooing, and it is not uncommon to see entire arms or backs covered with this permanent ink. Jacob Meyers writing for The Huffington Post (“Religion” section) has taken this one step further and maintains that tattoos in every country are a kind of spiritual rite of passage. Here are his reasons.

Tattoos as a Spiritual Rite of Passage

Tattoos Are Road Signs Along One's Spiritual Journey
When a tattoo is affixed to a significant spiritual, relational or existential moment, the indelible ink is even more profound and can be powerful enough to return one to that state of spirituality. Like most significant experiences in one's life, the event of tattooing retains a place in our memory. We remember where we were and when the event occurred. Unlike these other experiences, however, tattoos retain their significance as visible reminders of an important, spiritual experience in our lives -- like footprints unaffected by the tides of time. Tattoos are fixed in living memory and thus they can serve as monuments, allowing one to retrace one's spiritual and existential pilgrimage.
Tattooing Inaugurates One Into A Community
Every tattoo has a story. A major facet of tattoo cultures is the unveiling of stories through one's tattoos. For some cultures, like the Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand, tattoos serve to signify one's place within society. For the Tofi people of New Guinea, a swirl on a woman's face indicates her family lineage. In indigenous cultures, tattoos mark one's role in a larger societal narrative.
In America, tattoos do not typically serve such societal functions, but they nevertheless inaugurate one into a community of persons who have likewise undergone this act of transformation. Through the manifestation of who you are, you communicate silently with those who are a part of this culture.
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It’s a bit alarming for me to see these huge tattoos these days despite the fact that I myself have a butterfly tattoo which joined my body long ago during my “salad days”. However, I spent 15 years in Japan where tattoos are a sign of the Yakusa, the Japanese equivalent of the Mafia. In fact, I was once thrown out of a Japanese spa due to my tattoo. I guess the Yakusa are not welcome there. What do you think of tattoos? Are they beautiful, ugly, enlightening, or disgusting? I suspect people have strong feeling about tattoos. Please leave a comment below to share with others.

Why do we Need Spiritual Guides?

I’d like to introduce you to another website that will be useful for everyone but especially for people just learning about spiritual healing. It contains useful information, practice ideas, inspirational readings and different tools and methods for healing. It does not profess to be a replacement for modern medicine but an addition to what doctors suggest. It seems that the owners and organizers of this site are all family members – two sisters and their English mother. Today I will curate their article on spiritual guides, but please check out the inspirational quotes, true stories and poetry in this spiritual healing encyclopedia for the basics of the spiritual path.

Why do we Need Spiritual Guides?

I could say that we need spiritual guides because we really don't do a good job of progression on the path by ourselves. (And you could take progression to mean personal development, balancing karma, fulfilling the plan God has for us, etc...) We are all susceptible to human weaknesses and the choice between doing what is 'easy' and what is 'right' is a dilemma we find ourselves in frequently. So, obviously we could use help in getting back on track when we stray.
I could also say that it's actually only pride and arrogance that would cause us to think we're capable of running the show by ourselves.
You only need to look around at the saddening state of affairs in the world to know that we aren't handling it very well. With huge sections of the population shunning God, it isn't really surprising that we're having so much trouble. Obviously there is much work to be done in asking for help from heaven, not just for our own lives but on behalf of all the other people in situations that so desperately need divine assistance, who are, for whatever reason, not asking. Fortunately the tide is turning with more people finding ways to make spirituality a part of their lives.
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The article goes on to explain what spiritual guides can do and how to request divine help. The website in well planned and informative but I wish it would not focus so much on Christian philosophy. There are spiritual guides for every religion, and perhaps the ones closest to their spirit guides are the natives of every land, the original peoples. Why do we need spiritual guides? In this chaotic, changing world we need all the help we can get. If you would like to know more about spiritual guides, I recommend this book: The Masters and Their Retreats by Mark and Elizabeth Claire Prophet. It is also recommended by the owners of this great website.

Spiritual Retreat: Faasai Resort and Spa in Thailand

As you may know I review at least one spiritual resort each week. This week I’ve found a very affordable and easily accessible resort that has been in operation 3 hours north of Bangkok for 4 years now by a Thai-New Zealand couple, Surin Laopha and Bronwen Evans. Surin is a former massage therapist who has studied Thai healing medicine as well. Bronwen is a former journalist with marketing experience. Here is part of this press release from PRWeb about this spiritual retreat: Faasai Resort and Spa in Thailand.

Spiritual Retreat: Faasai Resort and Spa in Thailand

“The local village is called Kung Wiman, which means Heaven on Earth, while the district is called Sanamchai or Field of Victory. We chose Faasai as our name as it means clear skies or pure heavens. Our resort faces east so we receive the healing rays of the early morning sun and have spectacular moon rises. We also have lovely views of distant hill and mountains, fresh sea breezes, scents from the forest and natural mineral springs.”
The special package deal costs 4080 baht for three nights in a bungalow (approximately US $136) or 4560 for three nights in a villa room (approximately US $152). The package includes:

• Daily Breakfast for 2 persons
• Complimentary Ecotopia package for 2 persons (Thai massage or trip to mangroves at the Royal Marine Sanctuary Kung Kraben)
• Additional Adult/Child will be charged at THB 200 per night.

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The Ecotopia Package is based on 3 concepts: “ecological” or living in harmony with nature, “cornucopia” fresh organic food from the local land, and “utopia” paradise on earth. Thailand is generally a safe country with good transportation service and the resorts cater well to tourists. Would you like to go to this spiritual retreat: Faasai Resort and Spa in Thailand? If so, please click the Facebook “like” or “share” below.

Spiritual Healing for War Memories that Can’t be Forgotten

We have called it by many names over the centuries – shell shock and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) are the latest ones. When men and women have to witness sudden death and maiming of friends up close it leaves wounds that can’t be seen on the skin. Here is an interesting approach common to Native Americans and Native Canadians which is now spreading its effectiveness to non-natives – sweat lodge ceremonies. This article by Taki Telonidis written in NPR.org (National Public Radio) describes spiritual healing for war memories that can’t be forgotten. While holding sweat lodges especially for veterans is increasing, this one was held in Salt Lake City.

Spiritual Healing for War Memories that Can’t be Forgotten

Bench started coming to these sweats in 2005 to cope with anxieties related to his combat experience. He found relief in the sweat, as well as a spiritual connection that has kept him coming back.
I just never had any place to turn. I came here and I was given a blessing.
- Cal Bench, Vietnam veteran
This VA is one of just a handful in the country that offers them. A sweat is a ceremony conducted by a Native American spiritual leader in a dome-shaped structure, or lodge. Sweats are common in Indian country.
"It's healing right down to the core of that veteran," says Arnold Thomas, a medicine man from the Shoshone Paiute tribe. He has training in social work and chaplaincy, and he has conducted the veteran sweats at the VA since 2004.
"When they've been overseas in combat, there's a part of them that is left there," Thomas says. "So when we have the ceremonies, there are certain prayer songs that I offer and make that effort to bring their spirit back home."
To read more of this passage, click here.

Having taken part in a number of Native American sweat lodge ceremonies myself, I can tell you it is an intense experience that affects people differently. However, it’s somehow a safe place to “let it all hang out”. Of course with most ceremonies it is often the leader who makes the experiences so meaningful with his or her songs, chanting and prayers. Best of all, no drugs or alcohol are involved. It’s a natural high. If you would like to know more about sweat lodge ceremonies, I recommend this DVD: Native American Indian Sacred Purification Sweat Lodge Ceremony by Bill Elwell and directed by Bob Klein. It’s a good addition to traditional counseling and medication that the VA now provides spiritual healing for war memories that can’t be forgotten in the form of sweat lodges.

Sufi Prophetic Spiritual Healing: An Islamic Method of Healing

Here is the West we tend to focus on either Christian or Eastern healing methods such a faith healing or Reiki healing. Of course there are other forms of spiritual healing from Africa, Australia and yes, the Middle East. Sufism is a mystic/spiritual branch of Islam and is growing in popularity. Here is a short video and description from the University Of Spiritual Healing and Sufism website about Sufi prophetic spiritual healing: an Islamic method of healing. In these days when the followers of Mohammad are distrusted and criticized in non-Muslim countries, it’s refreshing to see this positive growth of Islamic spiritual healing.

Sufi Prophetic Spiritual Healing: An Islamic Method of Healing

If you are in emotional pain due to loss, family issues, or a life transition, or have a chronic physical complaint such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome that is physically exhausting and emotionally draining, Sufi spiritual healing can help you. Perhaps you simply are at a crossroads in your life, and would appreciate some guidance.
Sufi Prophetic healing is a gentle and sacred way to impart healing to illness and imbalance of all kinds—physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. We seek to identify and resolve the underlying causes of illness, often originating in the heart and soul. It is said that real healing must occur in the soul as well as in the body in order to be complete. We employ traditional, time-tested methods including spiritual invocations, prayers, and practices derived from the Sufi tradition of love, wisdom and unity.
To read more from this passage click here.

Here is the video explanation be Nura Laird, Director of the Student Healing Clinic from the University located in Petaluma, California.

The healing sessions are done by 3rd year university students one on one by phone, Skype or in person in some locations. While I have not experienced a session myself, they seem to be a combination of counseling and distant healing. If you would like to know more about the Sufi prophetic spiritual healing: an Islamic method of healing, I recommend this book by Linda O’Riordan, The Art of Sufi Healing.

Spiritual Journeys: Tourists Flock to Myanmar

This week let’s look at an interesting place for meditation and Buddhist practice, Myanmar, formerly Burma. As another one of the featured spiritual journeys: tourists travel to Myanmar. It seems safer now that the military government has relaxed the restrictions somewhat as to where tourists can go and what they can do. Here is an article by Paula Hancocks in the Cable New Network (CNN.com, “Religion” section) about these new tourists who are venturing off the usual tourist trails to experience a strongly non-western situation.

Spiritual Journeys: Tourists Flock to Myanmar

One recent visitor is a 23-year-old American Christian named Kym Cole. She said that doing up to 10 hours of meditation every day was difficult but it yielded unique rewards: “It feels like a different world but in a good way.”
Cole is among the thousands who are taking the opportunity to experience what was once one of the most isolated countries in the world as the nation institutes reforms and opens up to outsiders.
Myanmar does not keep statistics on spiritual tourists, but tourism to the country generally has doubled in the past four years. And more meditation centers here are catering to foreigners, capitalizing on their swelling numbers.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is overwhelmingly Buddhist and much of society revolves around its hundreds of thousands of monks. Temples and pagodas define the landscape.
It is believed that well over 10,000 temples have been built in the ancient city of Bagan alone. More 2,000 survive today. Some Burmese boys learn to read and write at their local monastery, and many go for Buddhist education at some point in their childhood.
High-profile opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who assumed her new seat in Myanmar’s parliament earlier this month, had long cautioned that tourism would provide support to the regime that kept her under house arrest for much of the past two decades.
But a new civilian government was sworn in last year. Although it is still heavily influenced by the military, Suu Kyi is free has stopped discouraging tourism.
To read the original post for this passage click here.

Now please watch this short video so that you can see more clearly what Kim Cole and other tourists seeking spiritual experiences will find in Myanmar.

It’s a promising situation that so many temples still survive after years of the brutal military rule and that they are open to westerners seeking peace, mental health, increased awareness and all the other benefits to meditation and a spiritual path. I wonder if the tourist dollars are still going mainly to this repressive military government, but as more brave tourists venture into Myanmar the benefit to the common people in the form of much-needed cash will increase. This is yet another one of the spiritual journeys as tourists flock to Myanmar.

Spiritual Healing in Abu Dhabi: Chakra Realignment

For those of you who have the luxury of being able to travel to spiritual workshops and journeys or to seek out special healers, I recommend you make reservations to go to the United Arab Emirates and check into a hotel in Abu Dhabi. There you will find a well known world traveler, Shivani Adalja. In this article, written by Sawsan Kazak in the Kuwait Times, we find a description of aura realignment as well as Adalja’s past and the circuitous route that she took to end up in the Middle East. So let’s look at spiritual healing in Abu Dhabi: chakra realignment.

Spiritual Healing in Abu Dhabi: Chakra Realignment

Could your high blood pressure be caused by a misshaped heart chakra? Could that belly fat you have been holding on to be due to a problems with your naval chakra? Could your constant headache be solved by unclogging your third eye? Shivani Adalja, a wellness specialist thinks that some of our physical, emotional and psychological aliments could be due to weak or distorted chakras and confused auras. Adalja runs an alignment institute in Abu Dhabi and helps people and companies around the world realign their chakras and cleanse their auras. Adalja visits Kuwait every few months and works with the Six Senses Spa in the Missoni Hotel in Salmiya.
Technical termsFor those of you novices, here are a few terms you need to know about supernatural energy concepts: Chakras are described as round force or energy centres which exist in the surface of the body of any living being. It is believed that every person has seven chakras (root, sacral, naval, heart, throat, third eye, crown), and that any blockage or distortion in the chakras will cause physical, mental and psychological problems.
The obstruction in someone’s chakras could be caused by past or present situations and it is believed that meditation or cleansing needs to happen if the person is to move forward, unclog the chakra and eventually become more enlightened. Each chakra is represented by a colour. When a person has one chakra more dominant than the other, this will show up in their aura.
The human aura is the energy field that surrounds the physical body. It is thought that the aura is an indication of our ‘true nature’ at any given time in our lives. For instance, if we have a lot of green in our aura, it means the heart chakra is dominant.
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The use of auras and chakras to improve your health is an old concept, but visualizing the problems using the aura colors is a very specialized talent. I look forward to reading Adalja’s new book about this process of spiritual healing in Abu Dhabi: chakra realignment. If you found this article interesting, please share it with you Facebook or Twitter friends. Thanks.

Spiritual Healing Techniques from South Africa

Here are some healing techniques that have been used for thousands of years by the natives of South Africa. While it’s not necessary to say goodbye to modern medicine, this kind of mind over matter method is certainly a good addition to speed up the recovery time. Here is what Clayton Swanepoel writes about these spiritual healing techniques from South Africa in the online paper, The New Age (“Life and Style” section).

Spiritual Healing Techniques from South Africa

What I find appealing about this therapy is that, unlike many other spiritual healing modalities, there is no rush to get you back for a follow-up. When you feel that you need a spiritual top-up, you’re welcome to go back for another consultation but there’s no pressure to make another appointment.
This makes the practice about your healing and not about your money. Life activation works differently for different people and experiences, although similar, often get differing but still positive results.
Johannesburg resident Franz Cronje saw his entire world shift after his life activation session.

“I was a broken man living in a broken world,” he says. Life activation has opened me up to myself, bringing healing to a once broken soul. During the session, Gunther reconnected me with my childhood dreams and aspirations and helped me work through blockages that have been holding me back from achieving greatness. My whole life has changed for the better since the session and I would recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat.”

The key change I felt after my session was a sense of calm about my life and the path I was on. Suddenly it was as though only the important things in life began to matter again.
To read the original source of this passage click here.

It’s important to realize how powerful our minds are and how much healing can be accomplished by programming our unconscious minds. If you wish to learn more about Gunther Dippenaar’s Life Activation Technique and other spiritual healing techniques from South Africa, please leave a comment below to be sent to this author and practitioner. There is no website listed for either of them.

New Book on Spiritual Healer Pioneer, Carl Jung

While Carl Jung is known for his relationship with Sigmund Freud and his theories on dreams, the collective unconscious and personality types, did you know that he had visions as a child, both terrifying and profound? Indeed Carl Jung’s life was a psycho-spiritual journey, and he was able to write about it as well. Claire Dunne has written a new book, Carl Jung: Wounded Healer of the Soul in which she includes these lesser-know facts about his life and work. This new book on spiritual healer pioneer, Carl Jung is a great addition to current day understanding of indigo or psychic children and adults.

New Book on Spiritual Healer Pioneer, Carl Jung

The essence of Jung’s human and psycho-spiritual journey is conveyed through Jung’s own words and Dunne’s vivid and lively commentary. Coupled with illustrations and photographs of Jung, his associates, and the environments in which he lived and worked and artwork reflecting his teachings, this beautiful book, divided into three sections, provides a deeply personal look into the life and work of one of the greatest thinkers of our time:

Part 1: “Wounded” takes the reader through Jung’s childhood, medical studies, personal and family life, relationship with Sigmund Freud, and his struggles to become what he was, up to the end of the tumultuous period recorded in The Red Book (Jung’s book of his groundbreaking work in psychology).
Part 2: “Healer” follows the mid-years, a flourishing of professional life, the influence on Jung of his travels to native America, Africa and India, the nucleus of his psychology, along with reminiscences of people who knew him as patients, friends and colleagues. It closes with the dawning turmoil of World War II and an urgent inner call for him to attend to the retrieval of Western civilization.
Part 3: “Of the Soul” opens with Jung’s profound near-death experience at 69, a kind of second initiation. As his personal life began to close down, the great works emerged, including Answer to Job and the problem of evil and other works.
To read more of the original source of this passage, click here.

If you wish to learn more about this new book on spiritual healer pioneer, Carl Jung, click here. Recently I wrote an article myself about the spiritual healing of indigo or psychic children. If you wish to read it, please use this link.

Spiritual Healing from the Dark Night of the Soul

It’s often been said that people have to reach a certain point before they see the need to change and start to “come back up” from their despair and sadness. Jennifer Wardlaw writes about rising like the phoenix from the ashes of destruction to obtain spiritual healing from the dark night of the soul. She has 19 healing tips listed in her “mini-book”, 19 Tips for Healing the Dark Night of the Soul. Here is a summary of her article.

Spiritual Healing from the Dark Night of the Soul

19. SEEING THROUGH ILLUSIONS:        
I saved this tip for last. Because this tip will not help unless all the other lessons have been realized within your heart and soul. This tip comes right near the end of the Dark Night. It doesn’t help when you are deep in it because it feels so real due to your hold on fear.
When I heard this tip, deep in the Dark Night, it caused more frustration, anger, pain, and guilt because I wasn’t ready to let go. But when we let go of fear and face it, we start to see that the Dark Night was never real.
The Dark Night just like the ego only seems to happen within your mind. All of the “demons” of fear and guilt were really angels in disguise. Hell was really Heaven waiting to be embraced. You were in a nightmare, but now you are waking up.
When you are fully present in this moment, there is no Dark Night. No more fear of the future or regretting the past. You embrace everything because there is no other choice that would leave you happy and at peace. And your happiness is all that matters to you now.
When you are ready to emerge from the Dark Night, then you won’t even be trying to get out of the Dark Night. No more fighting. The adamant seeker, addict, warrior, fighter has been let go of, it has died in a way, making room for your true Self-filled with Peace and Love to shine through.
Because you see that it was an illusion. And to want to get out of something means you are making it real. The Dark Night is a defense against the Truth. Because Truth heals all illusions. It is the very last line of defense.
When you realize that this is your own doing, you have the Power to RISE.
Even though when you are in the Dark Night, it feels like you are stuck, it is actually you that is holding onto the Dark Night.
Going back to the fear of the unknown lesson, our eyes have been closed for so long that we fear the Light that we ARE. We have become used to virtual realities and games for so long. But when we are ready, all we need to do is open our eyes to reality. And SEE that we have always been Home.
The main things to know are:
1. You are not alone. 2. Nothing has gone wrong, no matter what the mind says. 3. It will naturally pass when you allow it to. 4. With a shift in perception, you can see this experience as Divinely for you and not against you. 5. You have the Power to choose Love or fear.
To read the original source of the quote, click here.

This is some good advice for everyone suffering through problems self-created or created by circumstances around you. It’s a good idea to post these last 5 “things to know” and remind yourself of them every day. If you found this article on spiritual healing from the dark night of the soul useful, please leave a comment below or share it on Facebook. Thanks.

Newest Crop Circle Appears near the Uffington White Horse

Only 5 crop circles have appeared this May in the UK, the latest a simple circle with several smaller circles inside it appeared on May 19th. The newest crop circle appeared near the famous and well known Bronze Age Uffington White Horse hillside in a field of oilseed rape in Oxfordshire. The meaning of the circles is not clear at this time.

Newest Crop Circle Appears near the Uffington White Horse

Only a few miles east of Swindon, the formation is one of only five to be reported in the United Kingdom this year, presumably because of the unseasonally cold and damp weather.
It was first reported on Saturday close to the busy B4507 which runs along the escarpment parallel to the Ridgway and the White Horse itself, which means it must have been discovered soon after its creation.
Matthew Williams took these photographs while flying over the area in his microlight on Sunday. The relatively simple formation is composed of a wide circular band with a large central circle and four smaller ones in the area between.

To view the original of this post click here.    

Here is some of the information about the Uffington White Horse from Wikipedia.

The Uffington White Horse is a highly stylized prehistoric hill figure, 110 m long (374 feet), formed from deep trenches filled with crushed white chalk…..Best views of the figure are obtained from the air, or from directly across the Vale, particularly around the villages of Great Coxwell, Longcot and Fernham. The site is owned and managed by the National Trust….. The figure has been shown to date back some 3,000 years, to the Bronze Age, by means of optically stimulated luminescence dating carried out following archaeological investigations in 1994. These studies produced three dates ranging between 1400 and 600 BC. Iron Age coins that bear a representation comparable to the Uffington White Horse have been found, supporting the early dating of this artifact; counter suggestions that the figure was fashioned in the Anglo-Saxon period now seem untenable.
To read more of this description, click here.

It seems that there have been some kind of intelligence that makes these figures, ( best viewed from the air) for a long time – at least since the Bronze Age (approximately 3,000 years). Will we ever discover what force makes these patterns? I believe we will indeed find out within the next 25 years. If you wish to know more about crop circles, I recommend this book: Secrets in the Fields: The Science and Mysticism of Crop Circles by Freddy Silva. If you want to know more or purchase this book, click here. This newest crop circle appearing near the Uffington White Horse will be added to the growing number to be recorded.

Spiritual Practices through Jewish Spiritual Retreats

Those of you who read my articles know I like to feature spiritual retreats, journeys or pilgrimages once a week. Here’s an entire website devoted to Jewish Spiritual Retreats through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality in New York City. Here is what the “About Us” section has to say about their philosophy for spiritual practices through Jewish spiritual retreats.

Spiritual Practices through Jewish Spiritual Retreats

The Institute offers transformative, contemplative programs that help people reclaim traditional Jewish wisdom and deepen their relationships with God. This helps them become stronger, more effective teachers, preachers, and leaders, which in turn helps build healthier communities and enriches everyday life for all Jews.
Our challenge is to reestablish a connection between Jewish practice and teaching, and the lived lives of Jews. We need teachers, grounded in authentic Jewish spiritual practice, who can help Jews connect their own deepest experiences to the language, imagery and compelling power of the Jewish tradition. If we are to inspire our people and sustain our vision, we must tend to our own inner life, drawing from Jewish spiritual tradition.
To read more of this passage click here.

Now back to the retreats, a very complete section of the website with different types of retreats, different locations, even a travel center to help you with that aspect of your retreat vacation. Here is the description of some of the spiritual practices on retreats.

Meditation on Retreat

Our meditation sessions are all guided or with prompts, with the exception of early-morning meditation, which is optional and individual. If you have difficulty sitting for long periods of time (30 minutes to an hour) we invite you to bring a chair-pad, cushion, or to stand as necessary during meditation sessions. Your safety and comfort is our primary concern, and we encourage you to take the steps necessary to have a healthy mediation experience.

Prayer on Retreat

Our prayer practice typically incorporates mindfulness meditation, Hebrew prayers and chants. Hebrew texts will always have transliteration and translations available. If you have a siddur or prayer book that you like to use, we welcome you to bring it (we provide siddurs as well). You are also welcome to bring ritual items such as tallit, kippah, or tefillin – we are not able to provide these.

Silence on Retreat

Institute retreats, even ones that are not specifically “silent” retreats, incorporate intentional silence throughout the program. We offer periods of intentional silence in the form of mindfulness meditation each day, and incorporate periods of quiet during prayer and study. We believe that when we step back from the impulse to speak, we offer our souls the space in which they can more fully manifest. In no way is this silence meant to stifle expression – rather, it is intended to expand the opportunities for greater self-knowledge and more intentional, compassionate expression and action.
To read more, click here.

This site is worth visiting as a good resource for those who want to maintain or strengthen their Jewish ties. It’s well organized and easy to navigate. Some of the upcoming retreats such as the Silent Shabbat Contemplative Retreat on July 13th or the Hevraya Summer Retreat on July 15th look intriguing as spiritual practices through Jewish spiritual retreats. It seems that some of them are attended by the many of the same people each year. If you find this article useful, please use the “share” buttons below to pass it along. Thanks.

Spiritual Healing Practices: All Natural Remedies for Cancer

Here is a useful website that includes not only a variety of natural remedies for cancer but addresses the different types of cancer as well. The webmistress, Anna Whang from South Korea recovered from cervical cancer and then decided to start this website. It’s also a good support network for people with cancer or their care givers. Here is what she says about some of the spiritual healing practices: all natural cures for cancer.

Spiritual Healing Practices: All Natural Remedies for Cancer

There are various techniques of approaching mind over matter approach. This technique works with your thoughts. Alternative treatment that uses mind, body, and spirit to medicate, calm, sooth, and ease the body to heal naturally is part of spiritual approach.
For cancer patients, it is very important to keep the mind healthy and try not to have negative thoughts as it is not only unhealthy but dangerous for your health. Feeling hopeless also feeds on the cancer cells. It is vital to be optimistic and meditate by feeding the mind positive thinking.
Spiritual healing is also related to praying to God. Attending a church, listening to sermons, reading out loud the bible out loud. There are testimonials of people being healed from cancer prayer and healing scriptures.
There is no right or wrong approach. See what works best for you. Personally, I have couple of options that works out for me. I enjoy praying to God and reading the bible to draw closer to God. The second approach is practicing hot yoga at the Prana Power Yoga. It teaches me to let all my anxiety, stress, worries, and anger flow through the movements of the yoga poses.
In healing cancer, not only is diet important for you, but your perception of the world and yourself is vitally important. Humans are complex, intelligent, and social beings. We have the ability to feel emotions. Our emotions control our body chemistry. When you are happy, in love, your body produces healthy hormones that heal the body naturally. The opposite happens when you feel depressed, hopeless, worthless, lonely, sad, and upset. When you respect yourself for who you are and treat yourself that way, you are actually curing yourself and boosting up the immune system inside your body.
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Anna has sections on 5 different treatment methods (Budwig Diet and Gerson Therapy, for example), cancer facts, cancer types, what causes cancer, juicing, raw food diet, etc. It’s well organized and simple to read with lots of links to other resources. This is a great resource and an important addition to spiritual healing practices. I hope she is indeed cancer-free now and can keep up this good site she says is making her a living.

Memorable Spiritual Gathering for Vesak in Sri Lanka

Vesak is a celebration of the birth of the Buddha and this year, being the 2600th year since his birth, meant the celebrations were attended by a record number of Buddhist monks and bhikkhus as well as lay people. In Sri Lanka off the coast of India the Vesak celebrations complete with homes and public buildings decorated, pagents and songs, we saw the gathering of The World Buddhist Sangha Council, with traditional dances and the chance for Buddhists of different “denominations” to meet and exchange views. In this article Kalakeerthi EDWIN ARIYADASA in the Daily News, the English version of the Hong Kong-based Buddhist Door, published in English and Chinese each month, he describes the memorable spiritual gathering for Vesak in Sri Lanka. Here is some of what he says.

Memorable Spiritual Gathering for Vesak in Sri Lanka

Historically, there had never been such a prestigious assembly of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana bhikkhus, in Sri Lanka as was on this occasion.

The rituals performed by each outstanding school of Buddhism represented eloquently and enchantingly the unity of all the Buddhist sects, transcending various rites, rituals and practices specific to each unit of practice.

Most Ven. Liao Chung Maha Thera, President, World Buddhist Sangha Council, raised the most crucial issue, which confronts mankind at this particular point of time.

“I would like to make an appeal to the politicians of the world: Please stop the development of weapons which will destroy human beings. Please work together for the well-being of humanity and the ideal of a world family”.

The assembly signified the vast human and spiritual resources, that could be readily harnessed for peace, harmony and the well-being of the global masses.
In the ephemeral world of Vesak celebrations, the assembly of global bhikkhus delivered a lasting message, in a subdued and spiritual idiom without resorting to any spirited oratorical effusions.

If you want to read the original of this passage, click here.

I think the changes that we want to see in this world will not come from elected politicians (who most time are not elected by the common people) but from the grass roots and groups such as this when they gather. Now that we are all in touch by computer, it’s easy to pass information quickly and to organize public events that are productive and inspiring. If you find this article about this memorable spiritual gathering for Vesak in Sri Lanka useful please leave a comment below. Thanks.

Spiritual Self Healing and a Different View of Archangels

The author of this article, Stephanie Adams, is a colorful woman from anyone’s perspective. A former Playboy model, author of dozens of metaphysical books and now a self-made millionaire, she writes about spiritual healing in SelfGrowth.com, an online self improvement community. Here’s some of what she says about self healing and a new view of Archangels.

Spiritual Self Healing and a Different View of Archangels

There are many methods of spiritual healing from a vast variety of cultures and spiritual origins. The one common denominator that always holds true is the basic ceremony for healing:
-Place yourself in a relaxed setting.
-Use scented candles, oils, incense and any other herbal aromatherapy to accentuate the mood for complete serenity.
-Lay down (or sit) in silence. (Calm, soothing background music is optional.)
-Close your eyes and clear your mind from all irrelevant thoughts and forms of negativity.
-Focus on the matter that needs to be healed from within.
-Picture the obstacle (whether it is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual) and picture yourself overcoming it.
-Open your eyes and resume with your natural activities.
-Most importantly, BELIEVE in your healing abilities and assure yourself that your healing session will result in success.
To read the rest of this post click here.

This is a simple ritual but one many people forget to do in order for the unconscious mind to be programed to heal your body. In another short description of her new book, Stephanie describes her view of the Archangels as warriors fighting for the good.

In these modern days, it is often quite rare and beyond unheard of for people to portray angels as militant, godlike warriors. Surprisingly, archangels being viewed as paranormal figures and action superheroes are even more unheard of. Books, movies, and other popular venues glorify in actors playing the role of generic crime fighters and fictional lifesavers, but what about the original ones written about during ancient times? And according to the author of nearly two dozen publications, Stephanie Adams: Sometimes you have to go back in history in order to make it. So what better way to teach the spiritual battle between good and evil, ultimately showing that the goodness of God will always prevail, than to write a book on it from a religious background, combined with a metaphysical perspective? Introducing...The Book Of GODDESSY By Stephanie Adams.

If you wish to read more about this book, Goddessy and the New Order of Archangels, click here. Then you can see more about spiritual self healing and a different view of Archangels.

Practical Spirituality Mediumship Workshop Coming to Seattle

Famous psychic, author and award-winning producer, Jonna Rae Bartges will hold a mediumship workshop at Seattle’s East West Bookshop on May 31 – June 2, 2012. In a press release (PR Web, May 10, 2012) there are more details about this practical spirituality mediumship workshop coming to Seattle, Washington State and also her new book, Psychic or Psychotic? Memoirs of a Happy Medium.

Practical Spirituality Mediumship Workshop Coming to Seattle

“I see dead people so you don’t have to” is ‘Happy Medium’ Jonna Rae’s slogan. Thursday May 31 at 7 p.m., she’ll give a brief presentation and sign copies of her autobiography, Psychic or Psychotic? Memoirs of a Happy Medium. In her book, she shares how growing up psychic let her navigate a near-death experience, win EMMY® Awards, comfort grieving families and talk to Walt Disney and whales while doing PR for Disneyland and Sea World San Diego. Her sometimes humorous, always real life journey helps you understand and cultivate your own psychic potential.

Because so many of the stories in Jonna Rae’s book deal with animal communication, she’s donating 20% of her proceeds that evening to the Seattle Humane Society.

In addition to her private consulting business, during her 35 years as a professional psychic she has read for the International Coptic Conference, Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E., Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, The Learning Light Foundation in Anaheim, CA and United Research Light Center and Crystal Visions in the Asheville NC area. After Jonna Rae did a reading for Peter Caddy and his infant son in 1984, Caddy invited her to come be the resident psychic at his Mt. Shasta community. Feeling the timing wasn’t right, she respectfully declined.

Through skype, phone, and in person at her Asheville and Hendersonville, NC area offices, Jonna Rae serves an international roster of clients.
To view the original press release and the details of this workshop, click here.

People who attend this practical spirituality mediumship workshop coming to Seattle will get in touch with their “inner intuitive”. This is a streamlined version of her usual workshops, but the space at East West Bookshop is quite conducive to learning (separate but still part of the bookstore). I have taught a course there myself in Psychic Hand Diagnosis and Intuitive Reading. If you wish to know more about Jonna’s autobiography, Psychic or Psychotic? or you wish to purchase it, click here.

The Increasing Demand for Spiritual Directors

There is a new, popular job springing up called “spiritual director” that is something like a religious counselor but not necessarily a minister or rabbi. In our world where things are changing so quickly, many people are looking for direction and focus. They may not want to attend church services, but they are seeking counsel from religious “mentors”. Here is what Lisa Wangsness has to say writing in The Boston Globe (“Metro” section) about the increasing demand for spiritual directors.

The Increasing Demand for Spiritual Directors

Natalie Weaver, a 25-year-old musician who lives in Roxbury, does not go to church. But every three weeks or so, she visits a white vinyl-sided building on Dorchester Avenue, a former convent, to meet with her spiritual director.
For about an hour, she sits with a gentle, bearded man in a quiet room with gleaming oak floors and talks about the experiences that most awaken her spirit, the people who make her feel most connected and alive.
“It’s another person who is listening, and kind of asking questions and even just pointing things out,’’ she said. “I think it holds you accountable to dig deeper.’’
Spiritual direction is a tradition of religious mentorship with roots in ancient Christianity. For centuries, monasteries and seminaries offered direction to clergy and members of religious orders. But the practice is increasingly going mainstream, as more people, Christian and otherwise, seek help exploring their relationship with the divine.
Membership in Spiritual Directors International, the largest such organization in the nation, has increased from about 400 at its beginning in 1990 to more than 6,000 today, including more than 250 in Massachusetts.
Driving the growth are millennials like Weaver, who are more apt than previous generations to identify as “spiritual but not religious.’’ Ed Cardoza, Weaver’s spiritual director and the founder of Still Harbor, a South Boston nonprofit, mostly sees people in their 20s and 30s.

To view the original post, click here.

It seems a positive step that churches and synagogues are accommodating these young folks seeking guidance in a way that is meaningful to them. I suspect the next step would be to make the religious services more relevant to the younger set too. It’s also great that the ministers and rabbis who are spread so thin already have help in the form of these extra counselors. Lastly, it wonderful to have new jobs available due to this increasing demand for spiritual directors. Do you find this article useful or interesting? Please click on the Facebook “like” or “share” below if you do.

                                     Photo by ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE