The Power of Groups Meditating Dear all, I think you all know how I feel about meditation and how important it is for our wellbeing. All of us easily recognize the benefits of meditating for individuals. In Mayo Clinic’s article Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress, the Clinic states that “Meditation can wipe away the day’s stress, bringing with it inner peace.” In the last few years there has been more and more research about group meditation. It shows… Read more »
The Natural Order of Life In the animal world, we see it all the time – other animals adopt or care for another species. On Facebook and other social media sites you will find dogs befriending cats, cats befriending birds, and even a frog befriending a snail. These “odd couples” care about each other in spite of their differences. I’ve seen pictures of a heard of water buffalo accepting an orphaned elephant as one of their own. Indigenous peoples also have… Read more »
Forest Bathing Two years ago, in my newsletter I encouraged you to live in harmony with nature in Survival of the Kindest and mentioned the health benefits of Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese Art of Forest Bathing. In the January issue of 2022, I once again encouraged you to practice forest bathing in my article about Finland, On Becoming the Happiest Country in the World. Now when a friend mentioned I should write about forest bathing last month, I decided it was time to dedicate… Read more »
Earthing and you We are electrical creatures. Energy flows through us into everything that we touch – and vice versa. This includes the energy to and from the earth where we get our food, water, and shelter. Researchers have discovered that our dependence on Mother Earth is so strong, that we need her energy too. Go Barefoot Our shoes, those with rubber soles, cut us off from the earth’s energy. Now that we know this, it’s time we started going… Read more »
I came across this article in the Greater Good Magazine about a medical office that prescribes Happiness Practices to their patients. I found it to be good advice to help us to be happy — so I decided I would share them here with you to use in the new year. Take a few deep breaths Call an old friend Give someone a hug Help a friend in need Write a thank you note Sing in the shower Dance to… Read more »
“Finland ranks as the world’s happiest country based on the 2021 report, with a score of 7.842 out of a total possible score of 10. The report writers credited the citizens of Finland’s strong feelings of communal support and mutual trust with not only helping secure the #1 ranking, but (more importantly) helping the country as a whole navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Finlanders felt strongly that they were free to make their own choices, and showed minimal suspicion of… Read more »
This past month I have continued exploring my interest in mushrooms and plant communications. Findhorn Foundation Many years ago, I learned about a place called Findhorn in the north of Scotland. The area is now called the Findhorn Foundation and serves as an environmentally conscious, international spiritual community with a holistic education centre. The Foundation’s beginnings started when Eileen and Peter Caddy, their three children, and Dorothy Maclean found themselves in the north of Scotland, in Findhorn, wondering what to… Read more »
Going on six months now, I have been practicing the ancient Chinese wellness practice of qigong (chee-gong). My friend and energy practitioner colleague, Judith Schutz, has taught me the seven-basic moves of Dragon and Tiger. She’s also encouraged me to continue. Judith no longer has to encourage me – I get it. Before leaving on our holiday in July, I helped our son by working out in his yard. It had been at least two years since I worked in… Read more »
Entangled Life How Fungi make our worlds, change our minds, and shape our futures By Merlin Sheldrake | Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks (April 13, 2021) I have always been fascinated by mushrooms. I have taken many photographs of mushrooms growing out of dead logs in the forest. They seem to appear as if by magic after the rain. I learned some time ago, through the work of Paul Stamets, that mushrooms are the fruit of a… Read more »
Life After Death: The Burden of Proof By Deepak Chopra, M.D., Penguin Random House (September 16, 2008) Deepak Chopra has authored over 80 books. His signature 21-Day-Meditation Experience program has inspired millions of people around the world to meditate. This program originally launched with Oprah Winfrey in 2013. Transitioning from life to death Because I am called upon to help people with their end of life passage, I decided to reach back to re-read Deepak Chopra’s 2008 book, Life after… Read more »
