I am back in town, after a wonderful visit with my dear friend Dhyanna in New Hampshire!
Dhyanna and I met in 2002 when she was literally “cleaning out my shit”. Heehee. I was trying some sessions in colon hydrotherapy and she was my charming hydrotherapist! While we watched strange bits come out of the colonic tube (more interesting than the boob tube but less interesting than youtube), we chatted about the Universe and have been bestfriends ever since.
It was wonderful to finally meet Dhyanna’s East Coast friends, take some salsa classes, visit Salem (the site of the witch persecutions in 1692) and spend many nights chatting into the wee hours… all in the space of 11 days.
I learned a lot about Zrii, a new product and company she is working with. It is an ayurvedic medicinal superfood which has helped her health tremendously. It is endorsed by the Chopra Centre (Deepak Chopra’s institute). If you want to learn more about it, please visit her website: www.healthyoptions.restoringyouryouth.com
To top off the trip, I had a wish to see Abraham-Hicks and to our great delight, they were touring New England during my time there! She’d seen them plenty of times in the past but this was a special chance to enjoy them together, especially since she was the one who introduced me to their work back in 2002. (Abraham-Hicks eloquently answers people’s questions about the Laws of Attraction.)
The Laws of Attraction/Manifestation are revealed in many ancient sources including the Dead Sea Scrolls (dated approx 200 B.C.) and modern sources such as Neville (teaching between 1930-70’s), Seth (1960’s), Sanaya Roman (since 1980’s) and Abraham-Hicks (since 1980’s). However, Abraham-Hicks has the most extensive volume of work available and are so humourous, loving and articulate! My course on Alchemy of Manifestation is greatly inspired by their teachings and even the filmmakers and speakers of “The Secret” are deeply indebted to them. Interestingly enough, Abraham-Hicks was completely edited out of the film, to many people’s shock.
See this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFp-iPSPplE (Abraham-Hicks talks about the secret behind the secret)
There are many great videos of Abraham-Hicks on youtube… please check them out!!!
About New Hampshire:
According to some online sources, New Hampshire was "the first state to declare its independence from England in 1774," and has "no general income tax and no sales tax". You can also purchase guns without a permit or license, though they do a background check (oh la la). The State motto outlined on every license plate is “Live Free or Die”…
About Salem (in Massachusetts):
We drove across the state line to Massachusetts to spend an afternoon in Salem. I’ve always wanted to visit the city where the witch trials took place. Alas, not many historical relics were left but some tourist attractions were built to commemorate the events that happened in 1692. According to the historical records, 19 "witches" were executed (death by hanging) and 1 person pressed to death.
The tourist museums were kitschy and did not provide any intelligent analysis. It was like a Disney version of history, albeit gruesome.
Luckily, there are better accounts of the events on the internet (via transcripts and various research essays) which reveal that there were political and financial reasons for the trials. Surprise surprise! (e.g. property disputes, religious feuds) I read many digitized pages of original transcripts (written in an older form of English) which reveal simply atrocious questioning of the accused. Countless illegal procedures were allowed, including the inclusion of “spectral evidence”. This means the accuser could testify that your “spectre/spirit” form had harmed them and most of the accused were hung based on this type of “evidence”.
Some researchers say that between 100-200 people were arrested and imprisoned, many were tortured, many languished for years in the prisons and most ended up bankrupt because they had to pay for the costs of their "unlawful" imprisonment!
Does this sounds a bit familiar? 9-11 has been called a modern witch-hunt… where the manufactured fears and the problem-reaction-solution campaign can create laws and entities that take away people’s civil liberties. (US Department of Homeland Security… Orwellian in every way) In Canada, the oppressive Bill C-51 seems to have similar intentions: http://littlewoo.org/events/2008-July/Bill-C51.htm
Many of the Salem accusers gained power, finances and property but the official line is that several young girls were exhibiting disturbing behavior so as rumours of witchcraft spread, an onslaught of accusations followed. The Disney-fied theories suggest that the girls were probably affected by the scary stories told by their house servant (a slave imported from the West Indies) or they were simply enjoying the attention and got carried away.
Another theory is that some local rye bread had gone “awry”… and the accusers must have eaten the potentially ergot-tainted grains. Ergot is a parasitic fungus that can grow on grains which can cause hallucinations, convulsions and seizures.because it contains ergotamine (which is used to synthesize lysergic acid, the pre-cursor to LSD).
I’ve written several essays about the European witch trials because of my long-time interest in medieval history. It’s important that we remember that most human history is written by an elite group of people. Only in recent times, has the internet somewhat democratized the realm of information and the writing of history. Though pseudo-democracy online does not mean accuracy, at least it offers access to additional perspectives on any given topic or situation. Also, we must remember that we cannot consciously deduce the myriad of truths present in one subjective reality. Even quantum physics currently admits that the observer's lone act of perception will affect the outcome of an event in mysterious and unmeasurable ways...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
A Special Resource for Peace-Loving Travelers
Are you an Activist, Artist and Traveler who is focused on promoting and creating Peace?
Well, my friend Brock Tully gave me this great tip, as he’ll be using their resources while on his epic bike trip to promote Kindness!
SERVAS, A Resource for Peace-loving Travelers!
Visit: http://joomla.servas.org/content/blogcategory/40/75/
From their website:
Dream a little. Become a part of a community of global peace-seekers. Learn a new way of speaking, traveling and listening. Open your doors to Servas International, a network of peace. Doors you will never close. Friends you will never forget.
Servas is an international, non-governmental, multicultural peace association run by volunteers in over 100 countries. Founded in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler as a peace movement, Servas International is a non-profit organization working to build understanding, tolerance and world peace. For more information and background on Bob Luitweiler’s vision, read his description in Seeds of Servas.
We operate through a network of Servas hosts around the world who are interested in opening their doors to travellers , and of Servas travellers who want to get to know the heart of the countries they visit.
Servas helpers are members who support the goals of the organization in other ways, through leadership and communication or perhaps as a representative at the United Nations. Servas International has consultative status as a non-governmental organisation with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, with representation at many of the UN's hubs of activity.
Well, my friend Brock Tully gave me this great tip, as he’ll be using their resources while on his epic bike trip to promote Kindness!
SERVAS, A Resource for Peace-loving Travelers!
Visit: http://joomla.servas.org/content/blogcategory/40/75/
From their website:
Dream a little. Become a part of a community of global peace-seekers. Learn a new way of speaking, traveling and listening. Open your doors to Servas International, a network of peace. Doors you will never close. Friends you will never forget.
Servas is an international, non-governmental, multicultural peace association run by volunteers in over 100 countries. Founded in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler as a peace movement, Servas International is a non-profit organization working to build understanding, tolerance and world peace. For more information and background on Bob Luitweiler’s vision, read his description in Seeds of Servas.
We operate through a network of Servas hosts around the world who are interested in opening their doors to travellers , and of Servas travellers who want to get to know the heart of the countries they visit.
Servas helpers are members who support the goals of the organization in other ways, through leadership and communication or perhaps as a representative at the United Nations. Servas International has consultative status as a non-governmental organisation with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, with representation at many of the UN's hubs of activity.
Some beautiful videos on YouTube
Maybe you've seen these Youtube videos called: Where The Hell Is Matt?
These have been circulating all over the planet after being posted on YouTube. It’s proof that humanity loves beauty and joy, which are our natural states of existence when we stop giving our energy to Fear and Pessimism!
Warning: These videos may bring tears of awe and wonder…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY
(click “watch in high quality”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT8jA_pps3o&NR=1
(awesome outtakes)
Article about the guy in the video (matt): http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/06/27/2396/dancing_with_the_universe
The article makes it sound like an overnight thing, but really, this massive experiment began in May 2003. Read more about that on matt’s website: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/?fbid=a30qq
These have been circulating all over the planet after being posted on YouTube. It’s proof that humanity loves beauty and joy, which are our natural states of existence when we stop giving our energy to Fear and Pessimism!
Warning: These videos may bring tears of awe and wonder…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY
(click “watch in high quality”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT8jA_pps3o&NR=1
(awesome outtakes)
Article about the guy in the video (matt): http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/06/27/2396/dancing_with_the_universe
The article makes it sound like an overnight thing, but really, this massive experiment began in May 2003. Read more about that on matt’s website: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/?fbid=a30qq
Spread the Car-Free Festival Spirit!
Since 2005, I have been on the Commercial Drive Car-Free Festival committee, coordinating the events on one of the streets that make up this incredible Festival every Father's Day.
It is a beloved community event and co-created experience, through the dedication of over a dozen core organizers and hundreds of volunteers! If you enjoy the Car-Free festival spirit, please check out this call for action from our crew...
How You Can Help Spread the Car-Free Festival Spirit
Hey all, so...did Car Free Vancouver Day go off OR WHAT?!
We had 125,000 people out partying in the streets...with 400+ volunteers...and a few cut-rate traffic cops...zero "security"...and NO incidents to speak of. The media coverage was fantastic, and it looks like the experiment results are in...Vancouver is ready and begging for car-free festivals, car-free days, and car-free streets. Other cities all over Canada, the US and the world already have it happening...let's kick it up!
BUT...to make this happen...City Hall needs to hear from YOU!
The event organizers will soon be meeting with folks at City Hall to do a debrief, iron out the bugs, and talk about taking the experiment to the next level. So far, the only people who have contacted the City are the complainers...and they are few, but they are loud! Car Free Vancouver Day needs your support, and our allies at the City need to hear your voice.
Please take a moment to write a BRIEF note to City Hall, telling them why you loved Car Free Vancouver Day, and what you want to see happen next. These folks are here to help us, and they have been hugely helpful to us all along the way, so please be positive, grateful, and encouraging.
Oh, and...don't forget...with the City elections coming down in November...do grab every opportunity to ask candidates where they stand on Burrard Bridge lane re-allocation, transit, pedestrian and bicycle priority, opposing Gateway, car-free days, and car-free streets.
We have so much power, let's use it NOW.
Huge thanks to all of you for making this dream real!
-the Car-Free Vancouver Crew
Send your BRIEF letters to: The Mayor and City Council at: mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca
cc to: The Film & Special Events Office: film.office@vancouver.ca
blind cc to: info@carfreevancouver.org
It is a beloved community event and co-created experience, through the dedication of over a dozen core organizers and hundreds of volunteers! If you enjoy the Car-Free festival spirit, please check out this call for action from our crew...
How You Can Help Spread the Car-Free Festival Spirit
Hey all, so...did Car Free Vancouver Day go off OR WHAT?!
We had 125,000 people out partying in the streets...with 400+ volunteers...and a few cut-rate traffic cops...zero "security"...and NO incidents to speak of. The media coverage was fantastic, and it looks like the experiment results are in...Vancouver is ready and begging for car-free festivals, car-free days, and car-free streets. Other cities all over Canada, the US and the world already have it happening...let's kick it up!
BUT...to make this happen...City Hall needs to hear from YOU!
The event organizers will soon be meeting with folks at City Hall to do a debrief, iron out the bugs, and talk about taking the experiment to the next level. So far, the only people who have contacted the City are the complainers...and they are few, but they are loud! Car Free Vancouver Day needs your support, and our allies at the City need to hear your voice.
Please take a moment to write a BRIEF note to City Hall, telling them why you loved Car Free Vancouver Day, and what you want to see happen next. These folks are here to help us, and they have been hugely helpful to us all along the way, so please be positive, grateful, and encouraging.
Oh, and...don't forget...with the City elections coming down in November...do grab every opportunity to ask candidates where they stand on Burrard Bridge lane re-allocation, transit, pedestrian and bicycle priority, opposing Gateway, car-free days, and car-free streets.
We have so much power, let's use it NOW.
Huge thanks to all of you for making this dream real!
-the Car-Free Vancouver Crew
Send your BRIEF letters to: The Mayor and City Council at: mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca
cc to: The Film & Special Events Office: film.office@vancouver.ca
blind cc to: info@carfreevancouver.org
Healers in the East Van Neighbourhood
If you are in Vancouver and wish to visit a wellness practitioner (massage, reiki, counseling, etc) please check out this archive of local healers and services!
Vancouver-based wellness practitioners and services:
http://littlewoo.org/events/Healing-Garden/wellness-services.htm
http://littlewoo.org/events/Healing-Garden/demos.htm
They were all participants at the Healing Garden celebrations which is part of the annual Commercial Drive Car-Free Day Festival! They also generously donated 50% of their proceeds to the Drive Festival Fund, so please consider supporting these wonderful healers throughout the year!
Vancouver-based wellness practitioners and services:
http://littlewoo.org/events/Healing-Garden/wellness-services.htm
http://littlewoo.org/events/Healing-Garden/demos.htm
They were all participants at the Healing Garden celebrations which is part of the annual Commercial Drive Car-Free Day Festival! They also generously donated 50% of their proceeds to the Drive Festival Fund, so please consider supporting these wonderful healers throughout the year!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
In memory of Zach Forrest
Zach’s Celebration of Life Gathering was held on May 27, 2008 and was attended by his many adoring friends, family and the Vancouver Burning Man community.
I was asked to do the opening circle. This invocation was written in loving memory, containing both dark and light, to reflect the nature of Zach’s playful spirit...
May 27, 2008
We have gathered many times before, in this life
and in many other lifetimes.
We have come together before, to celebrate Life.
...to party
...to make art
...to make love
...to make memories
...to make friendships that last beyond the afterparties
...and beyond the afterlife.
Zach is a beloved member of our tribe who touches all of us in some way.
...he might have touched your ass
...or your heart
but dammit, he did touch you.
Zach’s transition affects us in many ways. We may feel
...shock
disbelief
anger
confusion
resentment
betrayal
regret
...guilt
We may feel some deep sorrow, a gaping hole that we cannot fix, cannot fill.
As we flow through these natural states of grief and loss,
we move through the finite paradigm
...where we are born, we live and we die.
A finite paradigm is where
time and space matters
quantity and “size” matters
what you said or did not say… matters
what you did or did not do… matters.
The finite paradigm is where all these things matter
and they may weigh upon us.
But as you feel ready, I ask you
and Zach asks you
to move into the Infinite paradigm...
where your love and Zach’s love is eternal
where you cannot measure the love...
No, this love cannot be measured by what we did or did not do.
It cannot be measured by how long we knew him.
not by how many parties we were at together
not even by how many hugs we shared
For this love that we have is infinite and simply cannot be measured by
time, space, quantity or size.
So please sit in this infinite love
and let it transform our sorrow and grief
into an everlasting awareness of his presence and of our love.
When we think of Zach
what about him do we wish to hold close to our heart?
(these comments about Zach were given by friends in the circle)
....His eyes
His humour
His glowing love for his son
His love for life
his kindness
his cheekiness
His irreverence
his rockstarness
His incredible friendship
His ability to be himself in every situation
His generous heart
...His willingness to give and give
When we think of Zach, let us remember all that we love about him…
Let that love heal you
and move you through into the infinite
...where Zach still lives
Because Zach is still here you see.
He’s just changed
...costumes.
So here is a last message for all of us…
We who are a community, a tribe, a family.
We who have dreamed of each other for so long
… and managed to find each other in this lifetime.
We have created a special world for each other in Vancouver
and in the desert of Burning Man
where it is safe to bare our bodies…and share our art.
So let us also make it safe
to bare our sorrows…and share our heart.
I was asked to do the opening circle. This invocation was written in loving memory, containing both dark and light, to reflect the nature of Zach’s playful spirit...
May 27, 2008
We have gathered many times before, in this life
and in many other lifetimes.
We have come together before, to celebrate Life.
...to party
...to make art
...to make love
...to make memories
...to make friendships that last beyond the afterparties
...and beyond the afterlife.
Zach is a beloved member of our tribe who touches all of us in some way.
...he might have touched your ass
...or your heart
but dammit, he did touch you.
Zach’s transition affects us in many ways. We may feel
...shock
disbelief
anger
confusion
resentment
betrayal
regret
...guilt
We may feel some deep sorrow, a gaping hole that we cannot fix, cannot fill.
As we flow through these natural states of grief and loss,
we move through the finite paradigm
...where we are born, we live and we die.
A finite paradigm is where
time and space matters
quantity and “size” matters
what you said or did not say… matters
what you did or did not do… matters.
The finite paradigm is where all these things matter
and they may weigh upon us.
But as you feel ready, I ask you
and Zach asks you
to move into the Infinite paradigm...
where your love and Zach’s love is eternal
where you cannot measure the love...
No, this love cannot be measured by what we did or did not do.
It cannot be measured by how long we knew him.
not by how many parties we were at together
not even by how many hugs we shared
For this love that we have is infinite and simply cannot be measured by
time, space, quantity or size.
So please sit in this infinite love
and let it transform our sorrow and grief
into an everlasting awareness of his presence and of our love.
When we think of Zach
what about him do we wish to hold close to our heart?
(these comments about Zach were given by friends in the circle)
....His eyes
His humour
His glowing love for his son
His love for life
his kindness
his cheekiness
His irreverence
his rockstarness
His incredible friendship
His ability to be himself in every situation
His generous heart
...His willingness to give and give
When we think of Zach, let us remember all that we love about him…
Let that love heal you
and move you through into the infinite
...where Zach still lives
Because Zach is still here you see.
He’s just changed
...costumes.
So here is a last message for all of us…
We who are a community, a tribe, a family.
We who have dreamed of each other for so long
… and managed to find each other in this lifetime.
We have created a special world for each other in Vancouver
and in the desert of Burning Man
where it is safe to bare our bodies…and share our art.
So let us also make it safe
to bare our sorrows…and share our heart.
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