Monday, August 18, 2008

Thirsty? Free Water! Relationships and Spiritual growth

In my mailbox today I found an interesting article on spiritual growth, and its affect on relationships. I have been a long time believer in the possibility that as you grow, those around you don't necessarily always grow with you. Over time, your circle of friends changes. You make new friends, and those that have stood by you for years (or even decades!) gently fall away. With any luck the breaks are peaceful in nature, or at the very least not heart wrenching. Perhaps they become the kind of friend whom you don't see or contact very often, but when you do its like not much has changed between you!

Basically, we have to learn that even though we are on this incredible, and sometimes scary journey, we can't bring everyone with us. We can't force spirituality down anyone's throat anymore than others try to convert us to any mainstream (or alternative!) religion... or favourite food!

Read more at Empowered Soul by reading Andrea's article on spiritual growth and relationships.

Woo, didn't mean to get too deep there at the end! Let me know what you thought of the post.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Word of Gord: An irreverent look at Esoteric

I haven't even finished reading the whole site, but I know already that Gord is a man after my own heart. Not only is he Canadian (well ok a Scotsman, but living in Canada!), but the witty writing on his homepage really struck a cord with me: the esoteric is definitely taken too seriously, and those of you interested in the occult, ascended masters, distance healing or just a good laugh should check out Gordon Phinn's site: http://www.thewordofgord.com

Monday, July 7, 2008

Using Reiki in a Medical Environment

Pamela Miles, author of "Reiki-A Comprensive Guide" is holding a workshop in Toronto on her experiences with bringing Reiki into a medical environment.

I received this info from my Reiki teacher last week but I just received the ok from the event host to post it on here.

COMMUNICATING REIKI IN MEDICAL SETTINGS

Dear Reiki friend,

You are invited to participate in an exciting special event: a seminar taught by Pamela Miles for the first time in Toronto, in September 2008.

Pamela Miles is a Reiki Master with thirty years’ experience in complementary and alternative medicine, author of “Reiki – A Comprehensive Guide”, and a pioneer in bringing Reiki into mainstream medical practice.

Pamela was first invited to bring Reiki into an inner-city hospital HIV clinic in the mid 1990s and has worked in medicine consistently since then, as well as having her own private practice. She has created programs in prominent NYC hospitals, collaborated on research (including an NIH-funded study), published in peer-reviewed medical journals, taught at Yale medical school, and presented Reiki at medical conferences and academic medical centers such as Harvard Medical School and the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM).

Drawing from this rich experience, in her medical Reiki classes, Pamela Miles teaches not only what she has learned, but also how she has learned since medical settings vary enormously and Reiki practitioners need to be responsive to changing circumstances and to anticipate challenges whenever possible.

Pamela Miles’s book “Reiki – A Comprehensive Guide” has earned high praise from well-known personalities such as Larry Dossey, Mehmet Oz, Lewis Mehl-Madrona, and Andrew Weil.

Please read below for more information regarding Pamela Miles’s upcoming class in Toronto, in September 2008.

I sincerely hope you will choose to join us and look forward to welcoming you,
Elyssa Matthews

P.S. Please feel free to extend this invitation to other fellow-Reiki practitioners.

PAMELA MILES

COMMUNICATING REIKI IN MEDICAL SETTINGS
What Reiki Practitioners Need to Know
Toronto, September 26 - 28, 2008


Even seasoned Reiki practitioners face major challenges when trying to bring Reiki into conventional health-care settings. Successful collaboration requires skillful communication, knowledge of how medical institutions operate, and familiarity with relevant Reiki research.
This seminar is for Reiki practitioners at any level who are interested in learning how to develop their ability to work seamlessly in a medical environment. The topics covered will include:
· how to speak about the practice in credible language that communicates effectively to both medical professionals and the public;
· how and why Reiki treatment is being used in hospitals;
· an overview of Reiki research;
· the standards you will be expected to meet and the clinical skills you will need in order to practice in these environments.

During the class, you will be coached in writing your introductory Reiki statement. You will leave this workshop able to self-evaluate your skills and experience and with suggestions on how to continue honing your ability to work effectively in all settings.

Here are some comments made by Reiki practitioners, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other health care professionals who have taken the class: "Now I have much more clarity and confidence, and people are listening when I speak about Reiki." "This is the best CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) class I have taken." "The class helped me understand why my attempts to connect with medicine weren't successful, and the changes I needed to make." "I learned how to speak directly to the needs of health care settings and professionals." "Thank you for re-energizing my commitment to myself and my practice."

Dates and Times: September 26 - 28
Friday, September 26 - 7 p.m. -9 p.m.
Saturday, September 27 – 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 28 – 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Don Mills, Toronto (easily accessible by car and TTC)


Tuition Fee: $ 375.00 ($325.00 before August 22)
Refunds minus a $75.00 processing fee before September 16
No refunds after September 16

Registration:
· Send cheque or money order to

Elyssa Matthews
45 Balliol St. #1614
Toronto, Ontario
M4S 1C3

· Or use Paypal to send payment to: kokoro@dsl.ca

Praise for “Reiki – A Comprehensive Guide” by Pamela Miles

“Pamela Miles has been instrumental in the integration of Reiki into conventional medicine and has written an intelligent, sensitive guidebook to this remarkable healing practice.”
Mehmet Oz, M.D., Vice-Chairman and professor of surgery,
New York Presbyterian Hospital /Columbia University Medical Center

“Reiki is, increasingly being incorporated into modern medicine because of one compelling reason: It works. Reiki Master Pamela Miles has written the best guide to this healing art currently available.”
Larry Dossey, M.D.

Tighten Up Those Arms


Lose Big with Jillian Michaels

I was just checking out Jillian Michael's site again and came upon this great exercise. If you've got flabby arms that you want to get rid of, check out this quick exercise: Tricep Kickbacks!

I've love the way Jillian takes the nonsense out of getting fit. Remember to do the exercises regularly and correctly to get the maximum benefit. Check out her site and become a member for great tips and more information on staying healthy. She's currently working on season six of Biggest Loser!

Burn Fat Fast: Online program will help you burn fat faster

Friday, June 27, 2008

Biking Saves The Environment and Pocketbook

With the price of gas at an all time high and currently still rising, it has definitely begun to impact the way we think about using our car and how often we really could be walking or biking. Going out for groceries tonight proved that its actually possible to bike uphill both ways to get somewhere.

Even though we are a dual income family (for the moment anyway) we had decided that we really don't need a second car. We are in a very good routine right now where my wife (still getting used to saying that, I just got married in early June!) drives the car to work most days so she drops me off when possible. Somedays she needs the car but isn't going in to work or some days she leaves early, so in April and May I was taking the bus to work, walking 10 minutes to the bus stop. I would either take a bus home or on nice days I will simply walk. It is 45 minutes which would probably keep most non-walkers from even trying it, but really its not that bad when you get used to it.

So after a 45 minute walk home today and a quick rest in our basement to cool down, we decided we needed some groceries for dinner. Just green onions and wraps but for some reason we decided that it took two of us to bike down to the grocery store. One to carry the backpack and one to carry the money :)

Biking is a great way to get active, maintain wellness, and if you do it with a partner you can deepen your relationship!

Anyway, the trip worked out great. It was a bit of a work out, it only took about 5 minutes to get there, we saved the gas money and the environment, and we even saved one of our dinner gift certificates (wedding gifts) for a day when we can really celebrate! Plus, it was my first time on my bike this year, and we are planning to bike down to the local Farmers Market (the Kitchener Farmers Market) tomorrow to get fresh produce. It will be a longer ride but we are lucky to live close to pretty much everything.

Now if we can just my wife a job in KW that she can walk to... we almost wouldn't need a car at all!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Learn Irish Drumming

While Ireland is on my mind (as I'll be travelling there for my honeymoon in two weeks!) I found this workshop on Irish drumming on a bodhran!

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2008 (Public)
Bodhran Bashing 101 Workshop with Robert McMaster
Vesta Centre
42014 Ferguson Line (at Wellington Rd South)
St. Thomas ON
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Registration: $40

All the basics in one afternoon of fun. Travel the world on the head of drum. Learn what to look for when buying a bodhran, the care and feeding of your "goat", choosing the right tipper, and the fun-damentals of Irish drumming, all the basic beats for jigs, reels, marches and beyond. You don't have to own a drum to join this class. Robert's teaching style is laid-back, fun and richly informative. To register, call 519-438-3924, or email rmcmaster@knockgrafton.com.

Check out http://www.knockgrafton.com/ for great harp music by Jennifer White and accompanied by Robert McMaster.

There are a few people in the area interested in drumming and if you are up for a bit of travel I'm sure this will be a great workshop. If I wasn't recovering from my wedding the night before I'd probably go!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Quick info on Emotional Freedom Technique





I just recently recieved a Twitter from Dhrumil at http://www.welikeitraw.com/ with some information on EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique. You might have seen it before as a method of releasing problems and potentially illnesses by tapping lightly and speaking affirmations on different parts of your body.

My naturopath has tried some of it (but has never referred it for me actually). It might become even more popular given its presence on the tv show "I Can Make You Thin" currently showing on TLC. In his show, Paul McKenna uses what appears to be EFT to help people break emotional eating habits. Its quite an interesting show, although it does seem at times that Paul is using techniques that also appear similar to hypnotism. Hey I just noticed that his site does state that Paul is a leading hypnotist!