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gregg braden

I picked up the July 2008 FREE Wisdom Magazine www.wisdom-magazine.com at Whole Foods, and in it Publisher Mary Arsenault is interviewing NY Times Bestselling author Gregg Bragen who wrote: The Isaiah Effect, The God Code, The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles and Belief. His last book is “now a finalist for the best new science book of 2007.” His newest book is The Spontaneous Healing of Belief. I read the interview three times – once in my apartment, traveling to Brooklyn, and on the return trip to Phila – because powerful words were spoken and I wanted to deeply feel and understand everything that was said.

Gregg Braden and Dr. Darren Weissman will be at the Hilton Philadelphia Airport, 4509 Island Avenue on 1-3 August; the subject is: Recreate! Your Life, Your Health, Our World! www.sacredspaces.org

The August issue of Wisdom will be featuring SACRED JOURNEYS & RETREATS. It sounds good to me. Sounds good to you?

“Our left brain needs to understand why it’s possible for us to affect our world. We know that the world around us is energy and made of electrical and magnetic fields. What our own science has found within the last two or three years is that the human heart is the strongest generator of electrical fields within the human body, about a hundred times stronger than the brain, and it’s the strongest generator of magnetic fields in the body – about 5000 times stronger than the brain. So when we create a feeling in our hearts the way the ancients told us to – feelings of appreciation, gratitude, healing, love and compassion – what we are really doing is creating very powerful waves of electrical and magnetic energy inside our heart that floods our body with these fields and it extends beyond our bodies in the world around us. And that’s how we influence the physical world around us – we can literally rearrange the atoms of physical matter through these fields if we learn to focus and hone this language.” – Gregg Braden

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apex, move over; boltbus is here

Apex Bus (New Century is not worth mentioning) has gotten a bit sloppy these past few months. Dirty buses are the norm, keeping passengers waiting for long periods, either outside the bus or inside, happens too often. No reason is ever given. People put up with the staff’s rudeness, and with the dirty, smelly buses, and now with broken seats here and there, because it’s a very cheap and fast ride – $20 to NYC from Phila and back. Most passengers just want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. But cheap when it’s tied to bad service goes just so far. Some of the websites communicating Apex’s, let’s say, mistakes, are very entertaining. I’m getting a feeling that the game is over for Apex – at least the way they’ve been playing it. I bet a lot of Phila students are glad about that.

Enter Greyhound with BoltBus. Lawrence, a friend from Manhattan, mentioned it today. He always knows when there’s something new, something better. Greyhound’s BoltBus goes to Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington. It’s cheaper than Apex (yes, passengers are perplexed about the price, and happy), buses are big and clean, and Wi-FI is offered. Greyhound has finally figured out what to do about the competition. One can only hope that it keeps getting better and better. www.boltbus.com

Oh, yes.

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paris, the city

Have you met anyone who doesn’t like Paris? I love Paris. What’s most amusing about this statement is, I hate to say this, I’ve never been to Paris. France, yes, but somehow Paris remains elusive. For me, it’s a love affair experienced second-hand through books, magazines, and people. Every day I read eletters from International Living www.internationalliving.com, and although all the writers are top-rate, first I read what Adrian Leeds is up to in Paris, and a bit beyond. She’s really witty, has lived in Paris for over ten years (coming from New Orleans), loves her adopted city, and, when writing, covers all things French, and mostly of Paris. And in so doing, makes you feel you’re there. She, along with other professionals, helps IL subscribers who want to live and/or work in Paris, and beyond, find their spot there, or those wanting a summer rental, or needing to learn the language, or desiring to take a course in travel writing. It all sounds . . . very nice.

Now what is it about Paris that captures the imagination? Wish I could answer that question from first-hand experience. For the most part, I find people vague about exactly why they like Paris. And why is that? Is it because it’s a feeling, and feelings are personal? Ah, well, when all is said and done, wherever you are, stay happy. And if you get to Paris this summer, say hello for me.

Here are two websites of things French: www.parismarais.com www.parismarais.fr/blog

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thomas paine

Thomas Paine served as the first Secretary of State for Pennsylvania, and I’m not seeing many statues of him as I meander around Philadelphia. Though perhaps there are too many of Benjamin Franklin. When delving into this matter, I found a website, www.virtualtourist.com that mentioned the Thomas Paine Plaza, and this is what is written: “Right across City Hall in Penn Square, you’ll find Thomas Paine Plaza. Named after the author of “Common Sense.” There are two sculptures as part of the Thomas Paine Plaza – one is of Benjamin Franklin the craftsman, the other a tribute to the US Bicentennial in 1976.” The lack tells its own story.

I continued searching and found an article in Namaste magazine Vol.9 Issue 3, www.namastepublishing.co.uk,

I learned about his commitment “In the establishment of a free government.” And that he “Coined the title ‘United States of America.” That he wrote Common Sense and Age of Reason. And he was “First to call for independence from England and provided the tone and content for the Declaration of Independence.” He was “First to advocate the abolition of slavery and write the first law regarding emancipation (1775).” And “First to publicly call for complete equality for women.” He “Organized the first bank in America to fund the Revolution and took the lead in funding the Revolution, organized supplies and donated all proceeds of Common Sense to the cause.” He was “First to call for a constitutional convention in 1778 for the Articles of Confederation.” And was “Instrumental in the first victory of the Revolution at Trenton when, with the first of his Crisis Papers, he inspired the troops. He wrote, ” ‘These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.’ ” – something he never received. Yet, “Robert Inglesol (1833-1899), wrote of Thomas Paine, ‘With his name left out, the history of liberty cannot be written.”

I continued reading, “Thomas Paine was nothing in England. He belonged to the lower classes,” as did Benjamin Franklin. “There was no avenue open for him so he left England at the age of thirty-seven for America.” I find this sad, and, as usual when reading this about our history, immensely informative. Truthfully, I’m ashamed for not attempting to learn about this brilliant individual called Thomas Paine until now.

At The Philosophical Society at 105 South Fifth Street in Philadelphia his manuscript collection, letters he wrote, letters written to him, documents, and a poem of his can be viewed and homage paid to a man who “was one of the foremost political philosophers of the 18th century” and whose “ideas influenced the courses of both the American Revolution and the French Revolution and are still of significance today.”

Imagine, Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was accorded no recognition, given no thanks, and died in dire straits, in total poverty. I’ll say a silent thank you to him as I think it’s never too late to say thank you.

“My country is the world and my religion is to do good.” – Thomas Paine (1737 – 1809) – one of the great polemicists in American history

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oops! father’s day has come and gone

Oops! No post here on Father’s Day. How can that be when so frequently I look around and admire all the fathers attending to their children. It’s never too late to write about this big wonderful change. When did this happen that men are sharing parenting big time? Of course, there always have been great fathers, just not in the numbers we’re now seeing. It’s exciting. Yeah to Michael and Toshi and to men the world over who understand how much they’re needed by their children. Good job men! Happy Belated Father’s Day. www.fathers.com

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is it time to detoxify?

It’s impossible to get through the day without hearing or reading something about detoxifying, at least in my world it’s that way. Today aol had a blurb on Oprah’s 21-day detox, and mention of her daily posts on her blog. It rang a bell because I’m preparing for another cleansing session – the benefits are so great – physical, mental, spiritual – providing one pays attention to what’s happening by clearing time for stillness. Rushing about and carrying the same ole stress load changes the meaning of detoxifying, and tends to curtail what could be a powerful time. I say this because Emi gave me a few pages of an article in Elle, more or less about fasting and the various methods. One person said when talking about The Master Cleanser: “It was surprisingly filling, but the experience was isolating. . .” and, he continued, “And inconvenient. After the salt-water, I couldn’t leave the house for at least two hours. If you know what I mean.” And I say, of course, that’s what happens when fasting. (I have only this one page and no author or date, but it must be current if it came from Emi.) www.oprah.org www.elle.com

My ideal scenario when detoxifying would be to be near the sea; walking in the water, walking in the sand, time in the sun, staying happy, meditating, attention to what the within is saying, and being grateful for the experience. And yours?

Detoxing is agreeing there’s lots to be gained from the experience, and remembering what these things are. Focusing on a specific food, or drink (like coffee. Ha!), will create an internal tug of war. The thing is that doing something for a limited time should be a snap. Right?

A lot of people don’t believe detoxifying is important. They feel in their gut that it’s not for them, and that’s fine. Theirs is a different path. If something’s pulling you toward it, however, maybe that something is from within and is trying to get your attention. Perhaps then it’s important to go with that feeling.

Know what you’re doing and why, read and research. There’s a lot out there in the market place in recent years. And there’s the tried and true, also. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

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sebastian and me

Have you spent time with a two-year old recently? The days are amusing, simple, fun – once needs are filled. I stayed with two-year-old Sebastian last week when Alicia and Michael flew to the Bahamas. They had the perfect vacation, and well, Sebastian and I did, too. We got to know one another better. The 105 degree temperature hovering around Raleigh the week before left. Sebastian and I abandoned the indoors and played in the yard with water toys, balls, toy cars, and when those things were exhausted he ran back and forth in the yard with his eyes closed, hair flying, and face looking toward the sky. In watching him, I felt free, too. I’m always wondering what goes on in the mind of a little one. A long time ago I came to the conclusion that it’s a lot more than we adults realize.

Did you happen to catch Brian Weiss on Oprah, along with Dr. Oz? Dr. Weiss wrote Many Lives Many Masters twenty years ago, and the book has earned a permanent place on the shelves of bookshops. When I read the book I had already made a decision about believing or not believing in reincarnation, and Many Lives Many Masters deepened that belief. When I spend time with a little one, I see a small body already having had many life experiences.

Though taking care of a little one is non-stop, looking back on the week with Sebastian, and, given a choice of the Bahamas or being with Sebastian in the backyard – without a doubt – I’d say, the Bahamas can wait.

www.exumabahamas.org
www.oprah.com
www.brianweiss.com
www.fourseasons.com/greatexuma

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for mind body spirit

I’ve got something for you that’s even better than the best of the best of chocolate cakes, or creme brulee, or homemade papaya sorbet, or, okay I’ll stop. What I have is in the form of websites that you just might find informative, enlightening, inspiring. Want to give them a whirl? Here they are, just a few to keep things beautifully simple:

www.earlytorise.com
“One of the most popular newsletters on the internet.

www.20minutestolessstress.com
It speaks for itself.

www.centerpointe.com
“This website contains information on Bill Harris, his books and research, and the Holosync Technology-one of the best programs I’ve found for deepening the experience of meditation and increasing the brain’s capacity to handle stress.”
– The Unmistakable Touch of Grace by Cheryl Richardson
www.cherylrichardson.com

www.greatpeace.net
“Jerry Thomas, a former scientist who shifted gears and began practicing a monastic way of life.”
– Cheryl Richardson

www.first30days.com
Oh, yes, check it out

www.ammachi.org
A beautiful life from the moment of birth

www.spiritbearyouth.org
Always amazing and so satisfying is a story of what a few have done, and are still doing, along with the millions who’ve joined them.

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bottled water? tap water? a good water filter?

Because there’s a lot of concern for the environment, and many concerns about the quantity of plastic bottles accumulating, and concerns about the shorebirds and fish dying “with bellies full of plastic pellets,” Bottled Water BACKLASH by Melissa Knopper, www.emagazine.com, it’s beginning to seem that we should help our environment and save our money by using tap water with a good water filter. It’s time to get clear about what we’re doing because there are many, many excellent reasons to not use bottled water. And why are we buying bottled water when there’s absolutely no guarantee it’s better than tap water, and in some cases worse than? And why aren’t we more concerned about those plastic bottles made of toxins which, under certain conditions, leak into the water in the bottle? Who are we fooling? Who’s fooling us? Frankly, sometimes it seems that we’re really not too bright. Ouch!

Things to think about:
“The Environmental Working Group (EWG) makes it easy with its Tap Water Database. You can plug in your zip code and find out whether your local water system is up to par.” www.ewg.org/tapwater

Water and Water Filters:
from the Edgar Cayce website:
www.baar.com

NATURAL CURES REVEALED by Kevin Trudeau www.naturalcures.com:
www.ewater.com
www.futurewatertoday.com
www.thewolfeclinic.com
www.johnnellis.com

Vitapur
(800) 815-5151

Waterwise Distiller 9000
Nutrition and Healing (800) 851-7100

E MAGAZINE May/June 2008:
www.turntotap.com.

Oh, yes, there are other possibilities – always.