body mind spirit


We had fun this summer, didn’t we? And now some of us will hopefully enjoy fall and winter and some will go where the sun is. That said, I’m perusing a few magazine. There are always top-notch articles, retreats and workshops to know about, and online shopping for things to enhance our journey.

And so I turn to page 4 in Buddhadharma and see
Retreats at Garrison – Practice with world-renowned dharma teachers in an authentic contemplative environment – Garrison, NY Tel: 845-424-4800
www.garisoninstitute.org
www.thebuddhadharma.com

Another page and yes OMEGA “Omega Institute is the nation’s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. Located on 195 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that awaken the best in the human spirit.”
www.eomega.org

Nice! -2011 North American Tour with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the last day of the tour is 16 October 2011. The tour is about “opening the door of the HEART. Mississippi and New York are the next places on the tour. We still have time.
‘If we can learn how to open the doors of our hearts, individually and collectively, then we will all arrive at the shore of peace.'” – Thich Nhat Hanh
for more information contact us: 760-741-CALM
visit: www.tnhtour.org

And this also “Enter the refuge of an IMS retreat Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Ma:
Experience silence and simplicity
Strengthen awareness and kindness
Build a foundation for
wise and compassionate action
978.355.4378
www.dharma.org

In Ode Magazine “Experience Huichol Shamanism in retreats at places of power worldwide with shaman & healer Brant Secunda”
www.danceofthedeer.com
www.odemagazine.com

And Qi What’s happening at the National Qigong Association? – “Gateway to Balance & Creativity”
www.nqa.org

And meditation cushions, meditation benches, gongs, incense, and malas from Samadhi Cushions in Vermont. 1.800.331.7751
www.samadhicushions.com

And also DharmaCrafts The Online Catalog of Meditation Supplies
dharmacrafts.com

Turn the page and, ah, wonderful Tina Turner Sings Buddhist Chants
BEYOND Buddhist Chants and Christian Prayers:
“With the Beyond project I’m happy to add my personal chants as an offering to the world to share a message of Oneness through music and prayer that goes beyond religious differences and helps bring humanity together.” -Tina Turner
www.newearthrecords.com

And lastly The Hidden Energies Behind Feng Shui by James Frank Loretta – “. . . This is the first book to explain how this ancient earth science actually influences us mentally, emotionally and physically to improve our health and prosperity. From White Tiger and Blue Dragon to Sacred Geometry, crop circles, Tesla, ley lines and more, you’ll be led on a fascinating journey of discovery. Purchase the book or do a sample reading at www.quantumfengshui.org

* * * * * * *
“Retreat is the opposite of escape. It’s about no escape. When you go into retreat, everything you’ve been trying to avoid surfaces.” – Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel

A good fortune may forbode a bad luck, which may in turn disguise a good fortune
When you want to test the depths of a stream, don’t use both feet
www.qi-journal.com

A Philosophers Notes – A great new site for spiritual expansion

I happened to come across a new site that I think is really worth taking a look at www.philosophersnotes.com

The “Chief Philosopher” of the site, the very well-spoken and positive professional, Brian Johnson, has put together a website with pdf synopsis’/mp3 audio clips and a plethora of other sections geared to providing information gleaned from 100 personal growth books. Johnson picked the 100 books mentioned, which date from history to present day, that he had found to be most influential. Many of the titles such as “The Four Agreements” and “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” are very recognizable, and Johnson’s clean breakdowns act as effective guides in highlighting key points. The nice thing about the breakdowns, is that they don’t act as replacements for the books, in fact, Johnson usually begins by saying something similar to “You must read this book,” or “Only read this book if you want to change your life.”
Think of it as sort of a book club/school for personal growth.

In addition to the book sections, Johnson provides individual segments on energy, courage, and more. The goal being to create a strong personal core for success in all parts of your life. There are also “Blissations,” subliminal messages you can have personally made for you. When it’s bedtime, check out the meditating sleep noise, such as ocean sounds (I am a fan). I’m glad to have come across this website. I think it’s a great boost during the day and a good way to see a glimpse at a number of powerful books, we may not have discovered on our own.

Have you used the site? We’d be interested in hearing your feedback, too!

and what about –

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that can be a wonderful thing.

www.evanhandler.com

www.ted.com

www.ask-inc.com

www.isha.com

FISH to avoid? FISH for your health?
www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp
from an article by Sarah Cimperman, www.drsarahcimperman.com

And from Ode Magazine:
www.greenschool.org

www.odemagazine.com/voluntourism

www.odemagazine.com/beatree

www.paulocoelhoblog.com

www.odemagazine.com/graphology

A book or two perhaps:
www.odemagazine.com/slowmoney

www.newsociety.com
“Weapons of Mass Instruction” by John Taylor Gatto (under “Upcoming Releases”)

www.rabbirami.blogspot.com
The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness by Rabbi Rami Shapiro – from Spirituality&Health magazine

Music maybe:
www.odemagazine.com/tonmaas
Riccardo Tesi, Presente Remoto

Just a click away. Enjoy!

vacations and labor day weekend

For many people Labor Day means closing a beach house, or leaving a rented villa in a beautiful European city, or summer day outings with family and friends, or, shall I count the endless vacation choices? Better not, you say. Okay, I understand; I won’t. In any event, it’s time to head back to a big city, a small town, or the countryside to greet autumn – time to unpack. I hope you’re all well-rested after a lovely summer. Now settle in and have a fun-filled Labor Day weekend. www.dictionary.com Labor Day n. The first Monday in September, observed as a holiday in the United States and Canada in honor of working people. (Australia, too?)

Ahh, but some people have yet to take a vacation; they like traveling during autumn and/or winter. Where are you all going? Will you travel beyond your borders or stay close by? In either case, I’ve got a few websites for you who have yet to pack.

Here we go, or rather, here you go –

www.yotel.com

www.ecuadorexplorers.com

www.casademariafelix.com

www.heartoftheinitiate.com

www.hiayh.org

www.wtgonline.com

a few lightweight clothes –

www.travelsmith.com

thoughts for the road –

www.mindmovies.com.

Wherever you go, enjoy.

shhhh. . .

Shhhh. . . is the title of Ode Magazine’s July/August 2008 issue – Everything you always wanted to know about peace and quiet The Silence Issue. www.odemagazine.com Books and magazine articles toot the many benefits of silence. They write that the world is getting noisier. mystics have said the silence is where answers to our deepest questions are often found. If this is so, silence seems a very good idea. Once upon a time people hungry for quiet time found it in monasteries. Now reserving space is not always possible. There are, however, silent retreats led by innovative leaders taking place not only indoors, but outside as well – no limit there. According to some people who have been on silent retreats, silence speaks volumes to them. Nice! Not everyone knows what to do with silence though – for some it causes anxiety even though they’re seeking it. And beginning on page 69 is a neat article called “Because God Whispers” written by Tijn Touber, Ode’s senior editor. Ah, – so many reasons to find your way to this magazine.

Last year I read a very good article in Yoga+Joyful Living November/December 2007 issue www.yogaplus.org on silence called My Accidental Silent Retreat by Alexandra Starr, and in the article five silent retreat places were listed. And they are:

Insight Meditation Society, Barre, MA, 978-355-4378; www.dharma.org
Mount Madonna Center, Watsonville, CA, 408-846-4064; www.mountmadonna.org
Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, KY, 502-549-4133; www.monks.org
Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA, 405-488-0164; www.spiritrock.org
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA, 866-200-5203; www.kripalu.org

Shhhh . . .

a small list

What will we find at the following in no particular order websites? You’ll never know til you click on. Could be exactly the site you want or need. They come from reliable sources; they do indeed.

www.wowowow.com

www.revolutionhealth.com

www.manu-wildlife-center.com

www.laduree.fr

www.martinguitar.com

www.apartmenttherapy.com

I was going to add www.richart-chocolates.com from France to the above list. They’re considered to be excellent. Buit we don’t want chocolates. Do we?

shopping, learning, seeking, enjoying, changing

Together let’s see what’s offered at these sites:

www.coolhunting.com

www.careofthesoul.net

www.barkforpeace.com

www.sound-oasis.com

www.dialogueproject.net

www.aiht.edu

www.andystatman.org

www.visionarrow.com

www.markliskey.com

www.globaladventure.us

www.thesophiainstitute.org

www.heartwoodinstitute.com

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If I were to begin life again,
I should want it just as it was;
only I would open my eyes a little more. -Jules Renard

Around the corner there may wait
a new road or a secret gate. – J.R.R. Tolkien