Healing Our Wild Hearts

During this past year, I've often struggled to have faith that humans are worthy of the gifts of our magnificent planet and universe. The vicious comments to and about other people, from all points of view and all sides of the political conversation (if one can even call it a conversation, which I doubt), have triggered my tendencies toward melancholy and misanthropy. And, if it weren't bad enough that we treat each other badly, we destroy other species and the planet that provides so abundantly for us.

Winter in the Ozarks

Whenever I could manage it, I have always chosen to live "in the country," whether that was our new home here in the southwest Missouri Ozarks, or in the woods of Maine, or the mountains of Colorado. Even these areas, though not wild, retain enough residual wildness to soothe my soul when I am unable to visit true wilderness areas.

I worry that this next administration of our government will harm our environment even more than we've already done, by prioritizing short-term gains over long-term losses. I would like to think that humans can control our greed so that we do as little harm as possible to others and our planet, but, sadly, most people when given free rein will think short-sightedly only about themselves, whether farmers or corporations or the average worker buying as much stuff as they possibly can.

Winter Woods in Maine

If we further allow our country to invade, harvest, and destroy even our wild places -- national parks, forests, and refuges -- our souls, the wild magic within each of us, whether we know it is there or not, will die along with our resources. There have been multitudes of books and movies about what could happen, yet many of us see them as entertainment rather than warnings, pretending they couldn't possibly happen.

I may not visit those wild places very often, but I am deeply comforted knowing they are there -- for their own sake as part of the Divine Whole, but also in case I need them. If they disappear, where will we go to heal? Where will our hearts be able to feel a sanctuary of natural wilderness even if we cannot see it with our eyes?

Summer in the Rocky Mountains

I was blessed to grow up visiting these wilderness places each summer; they became a part of me, places I always knew were out there healing us through their vital existence. Further, I was blessed that these visits were journeys across our amazing America, from sea to ocean, from mountains to deserts--these were road trips. The insightful naturalist and author Terry Tempest Williams writes about this eloquently in her latest book, The Hour of Land: A Personal Topography of America's National Parks:

     To be an American once meant unending possibility, and the land reflected that possibility. Always the next bend--the next ridge--the mountain range descending into the depth of canyons carved by water an wind and time.
     Now, we say we have too little time, not enough time for road trips. We used to visit our national parks most often by car. Families took time and experienced the gradual approach to the park being visited. Anticipation was part of the journey as was the wildness of a family spending time together for hours and days, traversing the states. Today we arrive by plane. We miss the trek across the vast expanse of this nation. I sometimes wonder whether these special landscapes now appear as "pop-up parks," a spot of entertainment and commerce instead of an unfolding geography.

This past weekend, I pulled out some books by an author I used to enjoy but had yet to read her four most recent novels. I had paused in reading her books because I felt like she went into a darker mental space than I cared to visit anymore; Nevada Barr writes about the intersection of wilderness (national parks) with humans-gone-wrong in her mystery series. I found myself wanting to read her stories now, though, for the very reason that her protagonist somehow always finds her way through to the other side, to where she still has faith in beauty and love and how wildness can help us to heal.

I wish more people would travel, would make space in their lives for experiencing the wonders of our natural, wild places. Unlike our ancestors once thought, the beauty and resources of our world are finite and we need to treasure them. Many people forget that our bodies and minds careen into the wastelands without the nourishment provided through our souls, our wild and divine hearts that are revitalized through our connection to our sacred earth.

Grand Canyon

Fasting: What is Missing?

Fasting. Inadvertently. As a friend travels overseas, one of her posted comments about feeling hungry while waiting in line, and then the response of another friend, creates a resonance within me that opens a reflective portal: when fasting happens upon us due to a situation, do we resist? Do we cling to our mental notion of thirst and hunger? Do we attach to the lack instead of the opening it provides? How do we move past the discomfort we feel of fasting?

My friend is in an airport, those modern spaces that have become physically and demandingly liminal, the bridges between home and other. It is a challenge to remain present to what is rather than what we desire it to be and what we might be or are missing. Fasting brings this out very clearly. 

During traveling both directions on my pilgrimage, I was put in positions of fasting, part by my own thoughts and part by circumstances unavoidable. Traveling distances alone puts additional pressure upon relying on one’s own resources and resilience. For instance, traveling solo, there is no option for someone to hold one’s space in line and, for everyone, anxieties about missing a flight create the “perfect storm” within mind and body where the occurrence of fasting accelerates our fear or discomfort. Does it have to? What are resources we can use to accept the bridge space with equanimity? 

On the practical side, we could be prepared in a different way … instead of packing our travel times so tightly — because we don’t want to “waste” time in the “between” and on the Bridge of Journey — we can leave a broader passage so that we feel comfortable stepping away from a line or seating if we need to in order to attend to body or emotional needs.

Alternatively, we could lean in closer to our lack in those moments of abstinence and/or restriction and open to the lessons if possible, and know that our energy field can nourish, can provide us with sustenance. One’s body has the ability to recycle moisture, from cell to cell — hey, allow those fat cells to release the excess they hold and get it circulating for nourishment; see it happen through visualization, assist with the wisdom and healing of flower essences and remedies, whatever is available. 

If I had been more settled, I could have taken a specific cell salt during thirst, one tablet every few minutes until feeling better, secure in the knowledge of its ability to assist in water management. With that thought, what is a remedy to help with toxin buildup in kidneys when unable to pee? Further, listen to inner wisdom and sip water, a little bit a time, no need to drink huge amounts during a section of time (on the plane, in between) when you might not have access to toilets. Include remedies (cell salts) to assist with hunger, either to settle stomach acid or for growling and rumbling, and … reduce our intake consciously during travel, allow the stomach to shrink, especially during airline travel due to the unpredictability and nature of this type of transition. 

These experiences and processes are all part of the journey.

I’m grateful my friend, via her comments of her own experience, reminded me of this aspect that was so very stressful for me during my Crete pilgrimage two years ago, and which I wrote about in my memoir. With some additional planning and mental preparation, I now feel more confident about the air travel to/from Scotland next year. The extra time spent in an airport can be viewed as true liminal space — a between existence that is neither the past (home) or the future (destination) and vice versa, and, as I found with my hotel on the return, can be a very healing and helpful pause for reflection prior to reintegration into normal life. We can sink into those spaces for their own unique gifts and also recognize their potential for the joy of anticipation — a very real, powerful, healing energy for its own sake. Release the fear and anxiety — if a flight or other transport is missed, another can be arranged. Once the journey has begun, what are the lessons and wisdom it holds? The bridge is also part of the journey! That is the paradox to be accepted. 

Yesterday, I also coincidentally read a blog where a 3-hour transition (Scotland to London) became 35 hours, and the gifts of the extension were shared beautifully by the traveler. And why not view our bodily challenges this way, also? Can we? What will fasting offer to fulfill something else in our journey? Can that emptiness be filled with something else like the sheer adventure, or the beauty we see, the miracles around us that make the travel possible … the people, the place, our own recognition of body temple’s remarkable ability and resilience? Be Present.

We can plan differently based upon what we have learned … but we can also learn from wisely knowing that plans go awry and thus allow ourselves to be flexible and participate in the space of unexpected between space. The pilgrimage or vacation is a microcosm of our extended life that is filled with minutes or even years of feeling like we are “between” pivotal experiences … or the “between” is in fact the pivotal experience that has a greater impact upon us than what we thought was to be the change. Such is life!

During what periods in life have felt like you were “fasting”? How did you handle it? Where was your soul during that time? Did you allow yourself to see, grow, and feel fully into the experience, or did you block it all with distraction, resentment, fear, anger, or self-pity?

When traveling -- whether via psyche or substance or both -- how can we accept what is missing and be more present to the gifts that absence may bring?

In Memory of Amber & Kiki

Green Juicing

A couple weeks ago, I started paying more attention again to what I eat ... and how much I eat (once more trying to focus upon quality rather than quantity). I love food, so I find myself 'falling off the wagon' repeatedly. I started focusing on healthy eating habits about 7 or 8 years ago (before that, don't ask), but have to repeatedly bring myself back to an aware state. Like many people, after I hit my 40s the weight gain was more rapid, and the subsequent weight loss much slower. After being stick-thin most of my life, this was a shock! Egads, you mean I have to actually pay attention to what I'm eating?! Crap.

Anyway, I have a healthy system established for losing the weight at a moderate pace, and it works well for me. But there was something that I had been wanting to try for a couple years to see if it would assist in healthy weight loss. And that would be Green Juicing. Not Fruit Juicing, although fruits can be a percentage of the juice, but rather maximizing the source of tremendous nutrients we can obtain through green foods. I like vegetables both raw and cooked, but with our soils depleted of nutrients, I wondered if juicing might not be a good way to obtain significant amounts of micronutrients. Because of my training, I was pleased to find that many Ayurveda practitioners were supportive of juicing within boundaries--like knowing your body type, your tendencies, and how to maintain balance within them. See Juicing in Ayurveda.

Enter our new Breville Juice Plus, as seen on the inspirational movie Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (I highly recommend this movie and it's available through Netflix); a friend had suggested the movie and shared her recent experiences with juicing on her blog - Annette's Asylum.

Now, Ron and I didn't want to go to the extremes that the two men in the movie did. But we did want to try a 3-day juice fast to kick-start healthier eating habits, and get us on our way with some inspiring results up front. And it provided that this weekend. Yay! We don't intend to get obsessive about juicing, but we are very pleased we bought a juicer. Every bit helps, don't you think? :-)

Here's to happy, healthy eating along with compassionate, peaceful lifestyle!

An Ancient and Spiritual Approach to Health

Ayurveda - a sister science to Yoga - is a 5,000 year old health care tradition, that rises from deeply spiritual roots. When I began my training in Ayurveda, this was one of the most profound realizations that came to me during the Foundations portion of the extensive course as I listened to the incredible teachers from both India and here in the USA. This realization was that Ayurveda provides an entire holistic framework based upon the health of spirit and mind as well as body wherein they are all interconnected, not separate -- this spiritual component is not one of 'religion' but rather one of Spirit within all of Nature.

For a beautiful introduction to understanding Ayurveda, I invite you to view the following 3-minute video A Natural, Effective - and Ancient - Approach to Health presented by Hilary Garivaltis, Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda in Massachusetts where I received my certification.

Ayurveda helps us remember what we already know about ourselves - that we are intimately connected on all levels with Nature.

Know your own Nature, and come to truly know your Self -

and how to provide optimum care for your body, mind and Spirit.

Pain in the Ankle and Foot

There are at least ten Homeopathic remedies well-known in helping to catalyze self-healing in the ankle area, and quite a few more in general for joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, etc. One of the most prominent for ankles is Ruta graveolens.

However, for those of you new to Homeopathy, this is where it is so important to understand the individual remedies and the whole-person needing support. And also to realize that due to the number of possible remedies (anywhere from ten to a hundred) for the same "symptom," it can often take due diligence in trying a few different ones before arriving at the correct one -- but very much worth working through the process (knowing about potency and dosing, how to evaluate whether a remedy is resonating with the individual, etc).

For example, my husband has been experiencing significant pain in his foot extending from the ankle down to the arch, unrelated to an injury, per se. I must preface this with the fact that, like for many people, getting specific details from him about location or pain or any symptom modalities at all is beyond challenging -- either he is feeling "pain" or he isn't which doesn't provide a lot to go on in selecting remedies. :-) But, he is also the first one to admit that Homeopathy WORKS. He has experienced the amazing results first-hand quite a few times over the past ten years -- when the correct remedy is chosen.

Anyway, back to his severe ankle pain. After reviewing several remedies, we did decide to go with Ruta first. It didn't help. Now, the nice thing about giving my husband a remedy is that when it works or doesn't, it's blatantly obvious and he says so right out straight. So, I guess the black or white approach can be helpful at times. ;-)

For the past three days, the pain had gotten so bad that he was noticeably lame, and co-workers at his office were constantly asking him yesterday what was wrong. So, I pulled out my books, thought about remedies he has received in the past, weighed the information, and selected a different remedy last night: Guaiacum officinale.* This remedy has an affinity for arthritis and rheumatism, as do many others, but this one seemed a stronger fit in this instance. We started with a low potency so he took several doses before bed and, by morning, he said he was shocked that when he put his foot on the floor to get up out of bed the pain was almost entirely gone. Yup, just like that. Again, though, this remedy fit him and his particular set of circumstances -- other remedies may be more appropriate for other people.

THIS is when Homeopathy creates true converts!

And he didn't hesitate to credit Homeopathy for the turn-around when he got to work!

I am so grateful that I have taken an in-depth course in Homeopathy as well as having studied it for over ten years. My husband benefits, and so do our animals, as do I! Not to mention others with whom I've worked. I encourage people to learn more about Homeopathic remedies as a natural healing modality.

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* Guaiacum officinale is the resin from the tree called Lignum vitae. This small tree with lovely blue flowers is an endangered species now in Florida; the wood is so heavy that it sinks, yet is loved by many woodworkers because the resin prevents it from drying out and so was often used on ships. A beautiful gift of Mother Nature that provides many healing qualities to those who appreciate how to connect with it.

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FOOTPRINT
free photo © Kiankhoon | Dreamstime.com

Complications

Is it possible that we just keep making things more complicated for ourselves? Even natural healing? What is it about us humans that starts with something simple and then we snowball into making it complex, adding more rules and structure, and things like "if this then do that" until the simplicity that we had begun instead becomes a way to create complex identity?

For instance, take Bach and his flower essences (he is the modern forefather of flower essences). He had these simple intuitive notions of how the average individual could easily use these essences; now we have books that are hundreds of pages long and extensive courses that teach us how to use them. Then there are the many theories and methods as to how to properly use Homeopathic remedies, many of them in conflict with the others. Even pure energy work like Reiki comes from a system that says do it only this way, followed by all these other energy-body work methods that say no do it this way. Ayurveda comes from the beautiful basic simplicity of applying the opposite quality in order to regain balance, yet often requires hundreds of hours of schooling even to do the basics properly according to some of the experts.

And those remedies and methods all came from a person, group or community simply DOING it and then sharing the method they had used, that before long became a rigid system. Where does helpful guidance stop and rigid rules begin? Where does our own intuitive wisdom come into play?

I am all for education and guidelines; I love learning from other people and cultures as to what they have discovered helps to catalyze our inner ability to heal ourselves.

But when, where and how does Ego step aside for true Self-realization and Self-healing? With awareness... we can get out of our own way...

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photo of Sweet Shrub flower in water courtesy C. Sanchez, all rights reserved

Silence is Golden (Armor)

Here in Maine, on our couple of wooded acres in the country, the power was out from Sunday night around 11:30 until this morning at 8:30. This was the result of a wild storm that blew through with its gully-washer rainfall and tree-felling winds. Yesterday, I was home all day, blissful within the resounding silence. Not simply the auditory silence, but the energetic silence as well as it seeped into my very deepest aura and tissues.

We bought a generator a couple years ago, but I'm not comfortable running it so during the day I stay without power, occasionally turning on the small propane space heater for a few minutes to maintain warmth, and then off it goes again (without electricity, the space heater cannot monitor itself and so would run full on if I didn't turn it back off). I sat in a chair near the window so that I could read, not my usual spot, and noticed both of the boys staring me as if to say "Mom, why are you over there?" (photo).

I'm always surprised at the intensity of the peace that descends when we are without power during the week, as happens generally several times a year, usually in winter. Since we live out in the country, once our neighbors leave for work and school, and thus the various generators are all turned off, the silence that settles is profoundly nourishing.

This time, however, something happened that caught me off guard. After spending the entire day yesterday reading and writing in silence, other than the occasional noises of our dogs and cats, when Ron returned home from work and turned on the generator, I found myself increasingly restless and almost agitated. We went to bed early (no generator) and I slept straight through, reveling in the deep darkness and serene silence. Waking at 5 to put the dogs out, Ron then got up to start the generator as he got ready for work. And my agitation started to rise again! I suddenly realized that, while the transition to silence didn't bother me, the sudden increase in electricity in our environment apparently did! Wow. And then, just as I was relaxing again after he left (generator off), our power came back on.

This time I was ready though. :-) I promptly pulled out my bottle of Golden Armor, put some drops in a glass of water, and started sipping it. Ahhh. Shortly thereafter, I began feeling more 'normal' and I will continue to sip the water the rest of the day to assist in my transition back into the modern environment rampant with electromagnetic fields. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy all the wonders of our technology and the conveniences that they bring. And our house has plenty of those! LOL Nevertheless...

... I do so treasure the silence when it comes for a visit ...

warm drinks!

With the onset of our lovely, cool autumn weather, most of us are drinking more teas and warm liquids. One of my favorites for years now has been the herbal 'coffee substitute' Teeccino. Ever tried it? My current favorite is the organic Maya Chocolate -- they put a touch of cayenne in it -- YUM! And, while I have a large supply of the loose for here at home, they now offer it in "tee-bags" for on-the-go. The winner of a recent contest gave a delightful use for these little tee-bags or, really, any tea-bag: "to send one in a nice card to a far away loved one (with a time to drink it as a long-distance get-together)". Isn't that a wonderful idea?!

And Teeccino is a healthy drink as well; non-acidic, energizing (but without caffeine), containing inulin (a prebiotic inherent in the chicory root that is good for the gut) and potassium (an alkaline mineral and a much-needed electrolyte). Most of us have systems that are far too acidic; Teeccino can help with this.

I have memories of my parents using Chicory in their coffee, so I was already a little familiar with the flavor. I'm guessing that they were introduced to it via their love of visiting New Orleans (French roast coffee regularly included chicory), but maybe it was a southern Missouri favorite as well? Hmm. I'll have to ask Mom.

So anyway, no, I don't sell Teeccino, but I sure like it!

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free photo of chicory flower © Yan Zommer | Dreamstime.com

Pomegranates as Food

It's that precious time of year when I can easily get Pomegranates in the grocery store! I'm so excited as I absolutely LOVE this fruit and, with its growing season a relatively short one, I like to make sure I eat them as often as I want. They are not considered a food to favor for Vata-types or necessarily good during Autumn due to their astringency, however, if you are still feeling over-heated from the summer, they are balancing for Pitta, or if you are feeling heavy, weighty, and congested, they can be balancing for Kapha. Because of how Pomegranate can aggravate Vata, especially during Autumn, if you eat them, just be sure to balance them out nicely with some Vata-pacifying foods! Because my hot flashes tend to flare up in late summer, early fall, I find Pomegranates to be a wonderful coolant. Enjoy them!

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photo © Melinda Nagy | Dreamstime.com

Reiki and Pranic Healing

I feel fortunate to be able to offer Reiki and Pranic healing to the animals in my care. So often, this gift is all they need and the way many of them soak it up is amazing. Last night, Phoenix had an upset tummy, but settled back into sleep quickly and comfortably once I began giving him a Reiki treatment, alternating with pure Pranic healing. Demeter and Guinevere both adore receiving Reiki; they ask for it and just seem to melt as the energy eases gently into their systems. And when Chiana is anxious at bedtime, there's nothing like a little Reiki to soften her tension.

When we eat plants, we are ingesting Prana.

When we breathe, we are inhaling Prana as well as air.

Vital Force.

Life Force.

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photo © | Dreamstime.com

The Magic Pill

"The physician who, though knowing the disease, does not reach the inner self of the patient with the light of his knowledge, will not succeed in his treatment." ~ Charaka

This would apply to anyone seeking to facilitate healing in another person. It is so very easy to get caught up in the physical aspects of disease and symptoms; usually those symptoms are screaming at us to get our attention! But that's just it -- they're trying to tell us far more than what is so readily apparent. Even CAM practitioners, therapists or consultants can easily fall into the trap of simply providing someone with material substances that, while helpful, do not reach the "inner self of the patient." Because our culture fantasizes about The Magic Pill, even those of us who know better can misstep or lose our way, especially when someone is in pain right now and seeking our guidance. We must do our best, and yet remain firm in our Truth. Illness occurs in so many ways and we become susceptible to the toxins of our world through wrong use of senses, will, body, mind, and speech, as well as others.

True healing is self-healing ... and that kind of healing comes from the light within each of us.

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photo © | Dreamstime.com

Harmonizing

Are you feeling a need to harmonize? To be calm and at peace, within and without? I strongly urge you to give yourself the gift of Honey Bees in the White Hawthorn, an incredible flower essence co-created by Molly of Green Hope Farm. When I create a flower essence bouquet for myself, most of the time this elegant essence goes into the blend as it is truly marvelous. I feel this essence will be key to all that is Puspavat--Flowering.

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photo courtesy Green Hope Farm, all rights reserved

Sustainability through Energy Remedies

When I was in school studying Ayurveda, the use of herbs is explained as a major part of advanced therapeutics. And I like herbs! I use herbs and spices. I recommend them, too, in moderation, but usually along the lines of 'food' or nourishment -- to build tissues, for taste, to enhance digestion, stimulate Agni, reduce Ama. For therapeutics, however, I generally prefer the energy remedies of Homeopathy, Cell Salts, and Flower Essences (or others like Gem Essences). One reason is simply because I am drawn to them more strongly than to herbs. But there are other reasons as well, one of which is "sustainability." How many plants are grown in order to produce a tincture that provides very limited dosing and lasts X number of years or to produce the dried or powdered herb that also loses its potency in X number of months or years? And yet, with the energy remedies, they can maintain their potency for many decades plus a single plant can produce hundreds of thousands of doses! How amazing is that?!

So, while herbs in their more gross state (dry, powder, tincture) are natural and necessary (and certainly have their place of use therefore I support their continued organic and ecologically-conscious cultivation), I do feel that our global future lies in the resonance and subtle energy of all life -- including the move of vibrational remedies to the forefront of therapeutics and healing.

In The Yoga of Herbs, the authors (Drs. Frawley and Lad) present this energetic view of plants, and thus herbs, beautifully, even discussing The Manifestation of Consciousness into Plants. Further, when discussing the Prabhava or special potency of herbs, the authors state that "Herbs also possess subtler and more specific qualities that transcend thought and that cannot be placed into a system of energetics." [Note: this particular reference to energetics is to the gross matter effects of the herbs through rasa, virya and vipaka] They go on to say that "Ayurveda investigates the occult and spiritual effects of substances, and is not limited to any materialistic or chemical-based theory. It understands the value and the limitation of systems, and only uses them as a guide, not as a rigid rule." This is where I feel the energy/vibrational remedies come into play and shine their Light in the healing arts, and is perhaps part of why Homeopathy was so immediately and widely used throughout India -- because of the spiritual background that is at the heart of Ayurveda and embraces the energy worlds. One of my passions is to fully and clearly incorporate the use of energy remedies into Ayurveda. This seems so natural and supports the Ayurvedic awareness of the gifts of plant life (and all life according to ancient texts).

Plants "bring to us the universal light so that we can enter the universal life." And it would seem to me that a big part of this awareness of interconnectedness is honoring these gifts, not through mass cultivation or over-harvesting, but through opening to the next level of energetic resonance so that all plants - all life - can flourish.

Some articles of interest:

Homeopathy, Sustainability and Environmental Healing

The Center for Sustainable Medicine

Predicting the weather in your body via the internal winds

I read this article earlier today and the quote reminded me of how Vata subdoshas move throughout our bodies.

"Understanding how meteorologists predict the weather may actually be a useful metaphor for a better understanding of the practical workings of the energy flowing through the body. Meteorologists predict the weather by measuring wind patterns and high and low air pressure. By doing do, they predict where clouds will go and if and where it will rain. Wind and air pressure are forces, or energies, and if experts ignore these invisible forces and only watch and evaluate those elements of nature that can be seen (clouds), their skills at predicting weather will be embarrassingly poor. By understanding and observing how energy flows, experts can then predict how matter will be influenced and how it will behave."

Full Article HERE

Seizures

Seems like a lot of peoples' dogs have idiopathic seizures. One of the natural approaches that someone can take is to supplement the diet with a few of the cell salts in alternation. The top four are Kali Phos, Kali Mur, Mag Phos and Calc Phos. You'll notice the preponderance of the phosphates in there, but please keep in mind that these aren't your heavy-duty "conventional medicine" phosphates. The cell salts (aka tissue salts or biochemic therapy) are entirely a different approach; not only are they completely natural, they are mostly a vibrational remedy with only a miniscule amount of the material element. This means that they are providing an energetic template for assisting the body in remembering how to properly utilize its minerals! Cells need information - clear, concise information - in order to operate well but sometimes the communication channels becomes misaligned, and, in the case of seizures, we see neurological misfiring manifest on the physical level. Cell salts are extremely safe to use for pets, children and adults because they are simply providing a message of proper functioning along with a tiny bit of the element itself. I've used them extensively for my own animals as well as for myself for over a decade now. They greatly reduced the incidence of seizure in my mom's Poodle, and, along with a constitutional Homeopathic remedy, reduced our Chiana's seizures to almost non-existent for the past five or so years (Chiana is now thirteen years old). Why not explore the possibilities further?! Vibrational remedies can be amazing!

a love affair with flower essences

I know that I ought to still be immersed in my Ayurvedic studies (since the final exam is coming up in less than two weeks!) but my attention continues to be drawn over and over to my beloved flower essences. While what I have learned about Ayurveda deeply touches me, going to the very core of my connection to Nature and Spirit and Self, the flower essences are a profound source of, for and to that very connection! More on that later ... for now, flower essences call me home ... as I explore them in more depth physically and through reading about them ... and meeting them energetically ... and trying to figure out how to create a cabinet or space for them in which to reside in the main part of the house ...

(the photo is of our own huge White Knight Weigela who is currently heavy-laden with blossoms ... and today's rain)

Healthy Bones & Calcium

We hear a lot about the calcium that women need as we age. Of course, it’s better to pay attention to getting enough calcium starting at the very least when we’re in our thirties! That said, most people turn to dairy products for their calcium source, but what to do when either dairy doesn’t ‘sit right’ with you or perhaps you’re vegan? In that case, you may take a tablet calcium supplement, but how much of that isolate is really absorbed without the natural synergy provided by Mother Nature? There are many books and recipes out there but I wanted to share with you one of my own personal whole-food favorites.

Evening Cup of Calcium Herbal Infusion

In the morning, mix together in a tea strainer:

3 heaping tsp oatstraw (delightful, mild flavor)

1 heaping tsp nettles (strong ‘green’ flavor)

1/4 tsp horsetail

1/4 tsp sage

Pour boiling water over this into a cup and let it steep, covered, all day. Contains approximately the same amount of calcium as one cup of milk.*

I drink mine either at room temperature (in the summer) or warmed (the rest of the year), and before or during the evening meal.

*Recipe slightly modified from Susun Weed’s book “New Menopausal Years” which I turn to constantly as an herbal resource.

There are also lots of whole foods to eat that contain good amounts of calcium, including kale, spinach and kelp! And taking Calc-phos tissue salts regularly will assist with maximum assimilation on a vibrational level. To learn more via articles, consults or classes, visit HolistiCARE.

Loving Presence

"This and many other experiences led him to conclude that touch, compassion and human contact were essential components of any deep healing work, and that loving presence is the basic healing attitude upon which everything else ultimately depends.

This is so obvious and so simple that we are extremely liable to forget it and over-complicate things. We get caught in our need to know and understand, or we find the impulse to intervene and to direct or control what is happening just too strong to resist. I was grateful to Ron for reminding me of what is most important in this work we call healing, and for demonstrating so elegantly how it is only that rare combination of attentive loving presence and non-intrusiveness that creates the safe space in which our deepest wounds can gently surface to the light of consciousness."

~ Ian Watson (excerpt from his most recent newsletter, referring to Ron Kurtz)

Ian Watson is one of my favorite healers as his words always resonate so deeply within me. Someday, I plan on attending one of his retreats. Until then, I continue to gratefully read his books and articles, and to listen to recordings of his lectures. I appreciate the path he travels and the gifts of knowledge he shares.

May we all open to receive and share healing.

May we all be in loving presence with ourselves and others.

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Animals epitomize Being Present; the photo is of my dear, sweet, goofy MacGyver who loved everyone he ever met - two-legged or four-legged, furred or feathered - and who shared his life with mine for over ten years until he departed his body in 2003. Gyver truly facilitated love and healing through his Presence; his heart was as big as the world.

Pomegranates etc

For class last night, I set out a nice little display of apple slices and pomegranate seeds which lent a festive appeal while also being a healthy, seasonally-appropriate snack. Thankfully, I had learned a clean, relatively simple way to extract seeds from pomegranate (immersing the fruit in water as fingers dislodge the seeds) and they were worth the minor trouble -- yum!

The class was titled Transitioning Into Autumn and I had such fun with it! We started with learning about various flower essences that provide emotional support, whether for letting go of the warmth we liked or dreading the coming cold, or in the case of fears or anxieties surrounding the current Swine Flu hype. Then we listened to a three-minute resonance remedy for flu prevention, followed by discussion about three Homeopathic remedies for cold/flu prevention or to 'nip-it-in-the-bud'. In addition, there are two cell salts perfectly suited for transitioning from summer into fall/winter. With all these situations, I mentioned how EFT could be helpful.

Then, we moved into lifestyle and the many ways available to support our bodies, minds and spirits, including some that are part of the daily and seasonal routines in Ayurveda. It was exciting to be able to already share with others some of the lifestyle tips I'd learned through my KSA studies. I also mentioned a few simple yet deeply grounding techniques.

I enjoyed the class so much that I'm pleased I'll have another opportunity to facilitate it this Saturday at a different location! I'm deeply grateful to be able to share this supportive and self-healing information with others.

Learning

I returned home yesterday from twelve intense, marvelous, incredibly beautiful days at Kripalu School of Ayurveda. The experience was a remarkable one that I thoroughly enjoyed on every level of my being. I hope to share some details of that experience later on, but meanwhile, I share here a simple view of the Berkshires from the school.

Ron took fantastic care of the kids while I was gone, so I had no worries at all and could completely immerse myself in the learning experience. However, I was, of course, thrilled to return home to my loved ones and have spent the time reconnecting through lots of hugging, touching and many cuddles all around!

A final thought...

sama dosah samagnis ca sama dhatu mala kriyah

prasannatmendriya manah svastha ityabhidhiyate

~ Sushruta Samhita

One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas (biological humors), balanced agni (digestion), balanced dhatus (tissues), well functioning bodily processes that allow for the optimum release of mala (wastes), and whose mind, senses and soul are blissful, it is said is a healthy person.