As many of you know, I’m a big fan of a late night radio program called COAST TO COAST A.M. I often download the podcasts and listen while I cook, travel, etc. An important show aired on January 30th, 2012. It’s focus is a different (and very positive) take on what is in store for us December 21st, 2012 and beyond—a summary of Hopi-Tibetan prophecy that may quell many fears you might have around any 2012 “doom and gloom” predictions you’ve heard—fear-based theories reinforced by Hollywood Blockbuster films and other media. Here’s an official summary of the COAST TO COAST / 2012 HOPI-TIBETAN PROPHECY segment:

“Kymberlee Ruff shared the Hopi-Tibetan prophecy, a separate and distinct prophecy created from the similarities of the two culture’s prophecies. The first activation of the prophecy began when a Tibetan Lama came to Hopi lands in Arizona in 1974, and the second activation had to do with Ruff’s son, who was visited by Tibetan Lamas in Santa Barbara in 2001. They told her he was a reincarnation of one of their Lamas. Tibetan Ven. Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche gave her son a rock with ancient writing on it. Later, she delivered the rock to the Hopi Indians’ Grandfather Martin Gashweseoma, the ‘Keeper of the Sacred Tablets of the Fire Clan,’ she recounted.

“The message on the rock, written in Sanskrit, loosely translates as ‘compassion,’ which is the key to the Hopi-Tibetan prophecy, she said. Bringing this ‘dharma’ to the Hopis, helps ‘restore the amazingness of the Hopi so they can set the tone for the world,’ she explained. As we approach Dec. 21, 2012, ‘it’s going to get more and more intense,’ but after that date, things are going to turn around and get a lot better, she continued.

Ruff also talked about ‘the Lost City of the Dead in the Grand Canyon.’ In 1909, on a mission for the Smithsonian Museum, G.E. Kincaid was said to have found a statue of the Buddha in a cave hidden under the Grand Canyon, she reported.”

For more info about Kymberlee Ruff and her HOPI-TIBETAN PROPHECY report, see: http://www.thegroundcrew.com/kymberlee_ruff.htm

To learn more about the COAST TO COAST A.M. radio show, quick click: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/

*****

Namaste, SC for DOTS

“Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.”
Dave Barry

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A key DOTS prevailing theme: Noticing what’s going on around us, then connecting reality with positive action. There is no denying that these are challenging economic times. That said, with the approaching holidays, it’s time to dig deeply into our spiritual tool-box as we focus on joy, love, and that which truly matters.

The weakened global economy cannot be denied. This holiday season offers us an opportunity to satisfy a deep yearning that many of us have: A simple, less commercial, more soul-satisfying celebration—–especially when it comes to Christmas.

Why is there so much cultural pressure to BUY, BUY, BUY? Remember, you have a choice. You ALWAYS have a spiritual choice. You don’t have to link-into the “shirt-in-a-box (wrapped-in-environmentally unfriendly-wrapping-paper)” Christmas.

Through the ages, and until relatively recently, holiday gift-giving was a MINOR aspect of celebrating. The modern-day (a gazillion-gifts under the tree) approach to Christmas is a corporate-advertising creation, one that we can consciously choose to unplug from.

With a little bit of creative thought, and a realistic commitment to our budget, we can change our approach to gift-giving in ways that make this time of year more meaningful, more enjoyable, and less stressful.

We can support our friends and family by focusing on their needs—expressing our love for them with the thought that we put into our gift. Here are some practical examples:

How about a couple of breakfasts/brunches at your loved ones’ local, favorite coffee shop as a heartfelt, holiday gift?

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car washed or detailed? Picking up the vehicle and then returning it shiny and clean (with a big, red bow on it?) would be a nice touch. (Via a local car wash, or your own nitty-gritty, energetic style with the garden hose.)

Someone you love would adore a hand-written promise that you will mow their lawn during the coming summer and/or that you commit to plowing their driveway all winter.

A child or pre-teen considers your time more valuable than a pot-of-gold. Hand-made Christmas certificates promising afternoons at the putt-putt golf course, movie theatre, ice cream parlor, etc. make perfect presents or stocking stuffers.

Everybody needs to have their hair cut now and again. How about a gift certificate
from a local hair salon—or an afternoon where you do this together, followed by tea-time at Starbucks?

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle? (Taking the auto to a local shop and having it serviced before returning it to their garage will make you a hero/heroine this holiday season.)

Who wouldn’t LOVE the services of a home-cleaning-outlet for an afternoon? (Or, you could perform the cleaning yourself—-this is the kind of gift, a labor of LOVE, that is NEVER forgotten.)

If you are a computer expert, you might come up with inexpensive ways to upgrade a loved one’s computer—including taking the time to explain the changes and how it will improve their computer experience.

Oldies but goodies: Handcrafted gifts—knitted scarves, jewelry, ornaments, baked treats.

How about taking somebody you care about (especially a house-bound person or somebody experiencing the holiday “blues”) on an outing to see a play or ballet
at a hometown theatre—Or, a free concert at a local church or school.

********

Many of the above suggestions would also support your local economy—an important aspect of positive spiritual action and intent as we respond to the significant economic “glitch” we now find ourselves in.

In addition, that old saying that “the best things in life are free” is true. (Children know this as an innate, experiential truth.)

As you find creative ways to simplify Christmas—as you search for ways to re-claim the joy that your “inner child” longs for, consider the ancient traditions: singing carols as a family (either at home or caroling the neighborhood), baking/decorating cookies or molding popcorn balls together, a tree-trimming party, gathering for a reading of a holiday story in front of a cozy fire . . . Something FUN that our family has done in the past: A “gaudy” Christmas sweater contest (these items can be donated to charity later :^)

Dance of the Spirit encourages loving expression and the holidays offer us a unique opportunity to show how much we care about one another.
Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

******

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. “
Norman Vincent Peale

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As the founder of DanceoftheSpirit.com, Executive Editor SANDRA CLINE holds a basic belief about the wonder of life: that there is no sensation more magical or mystical than the surprise of loving and being loved. Sandra has been married to her husband, Ron, for over three decades. She is mother to daughter Michelle and son Chris. She has the honor of being “Omi” (Celtic for grandmother) to twin grandsons Korbin & Logan and grand-daughter Nia Grace. Sandra is an avid supporter of pro-literacy organizations and an ardent environmentalist.

In the working world, Sandra transitioned from a successful career in radio broadcasting to that of freelance writer; she is also the author of Pug Sheridan, a critically-acclaimed novel. When Sandra decided to write Pug Sheridan, a story about the indestructible soul of female friendship, she found that her formative years (while growing up in Alabama) had forged an undeniable truth, one that she found lodged within her heart …. that EVERYONE, without exception, is tied to the land and to each other, across the world and beyond.

After publication, Pug Sheridan quickly became a cross-over genre, appealing to teens AND an adult, mainstream audience. Print reviews for Sandra’s book have been more than kind, e.g. “The book’s believability kept me reading late into the night. The human element rings true, as does the mystical”  . . . “Sandra Cline’s tale of a rural Alabama trapped between two centuries in the days leading up to World War I is romantic, spiritual and soothing. But it burns with something deeper – – a social conscience that crosses generations.” If you are interested in reading Sandra’s novel, QUICK CLICK: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0975455443/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/102-7318584-5641757?ie=UTF8

“People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I’m sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way. For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good.

“But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they’re on their own. And that fills them with fear. But there’s a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they’re looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever’s going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope.

“See, what you have to ask yourself  is: What kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or, do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?”

(a quote by the movie character Graham Hess from the film “Signs” . . . written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan in 2002)

*******

During my freshman year of college, I decided to take a course in Astronomy. My heart was both intrigued (and awakened) by the idea of studying the stars— those bright, brilliant dots of light in the sky that turn passive gazes into intense trances.

Scientifically, we know what stars are. As the animated character Pumba (from the film “The Lion King”) would tell us, they are: “big balls of gas, burning millions of miles away.”

It makes no logical sense to believe that the stars bear unworldly powers. And yet, every night, thousands (if not millions) of people entrust them with their deepest wishes, secrets, and desires.

The night sky inhabits an inanimate state in our universe; and still the wondrous and mystifying beauty of the stars makes them “magical” and therefore capable of miracles.

My astronomy professor often argued that the world has no room for the magical, spiritual, or religious because life (harbored by our earthly plane of existence) functions strictly through scientific means, the proven laws of scientific theory.

But I am very much inclined to disagree.

From my own perspective, the magical and factual, the indescribable and definable (or mathematical and improbable) successfully co-exist to create something unique.

Because we are surrounded by statistics and numbers on a daily basis (and because our society puts so much stock in the emergence of scientific discovery), we (as individualized societies and cultures) seek to keep these extremes (our devotion to the miraculous and our belief in the scientific) entirely separate from one another.

Our modernized brains want to believe in science while the hopeful, spiritual and imaginative side of our souls works to extend our beliefs beyond the physical realm.

Whether we admit it or not, there is a Mulder and a Scully— a believer and realist— in each of us. And, we are constantly struggling to bring a delicate balance to both of them.

The crop circle phenomenon is a great example of this.

The unexplained existence of crop circles disturbs the restless coexistence of the realist and the spiritualist inside of us. It also represents a prime example of the two extremes—the scientific and the spectacular—coming together to create something truly extraordinary.

Written records of crop circles—large shapes formed by the sudden and spontaneous bending of crop stalks in various patterns— date as far back as the 1600s. For centuries, people have tried to make sense of this awe-inspiring phenomenon, assigning the blame to extraterrestrials, cultish scapegoats, and other theories.

A well-known crop circle legend is that of Doug and Dave, two English men who (in the 1990s) claimed that they alone went about the English countryside flattening the crops to form shapes . . . using only their imaginations, balls of string, and planks of wood.

To this day, there are uninformed observers who firmly believe that this may be the only explanation for the intricate geometrical shapes that have appeared in fields spanning twenty-nine countries throughout the world!

Thankfully, it’s beginning to look like science has finally caught up to the real facts. And frankly, I would say that its discoveries have been pretty astounding.

So what (or whom) is the true culprit behind this agricultural art?

While some explanations may (at first) leave you scratching your head and wrinkling your nose in confusion, at least one data-based theory doesn’t seem so big of a stretch once you hear the science behind it.

In the 1950’s and 60’s, a Swiss scientist named Hans Jay captured the effects of varying frequencies on surrounding liquids and powders. As the frequencies rose, not only did  the number of rings grow in number, the points in the resulting geometric shapes (within the liquids and powders)  increased as well.

In the case of crop circles, some sort of ultra-sound (remember, dolphins use a kind of ultra-sound to communicate and navigate) is thought to be an aspect of the force-field creating these intricate geometrical patterns.

Interestingly enough, reports from multiple eye-witnesses state that a strange “trilling” noise is often heard just before the appearance of crop circles. (These sounds have been caught on tape by researchers and even unsuspecting reporters whose cameras were rendered useless by the exposure to the unusual sound waves.)

Some researchers believe that clues to the mysterious trilling noise may be found by examining similar sounds that are part of  Aboriginal spiritual ceremonies. During such gatherings, the same kind of sound is produced by an instrument made of wood and string. Crop circles are also part of Aboriginal myths, and have also been seen in Australian fields. (Drawings representing the circles have been found in Aboriginal art.)

George Smith, an agricultural researcher, discovered that exposure to different sound waves increase the temperature of tested soil. In crop circles, the soil is always drier than that of the still-standing crops, and the crops are slightly charred just above the point where the stalks have bent.

It’s been noted by researchers that after a crop circle manifestation, the stalks are permanently bent and remain that way forever after. In 1968, scientists subjected growing plants to different tones and discovered that certain types of Hindu music caused the stems to bend at a  sixty-degree angle towards the stereo speakers.

Even with the extensive amounts of data that have been gathered on the subject, there are still plenty of questions to be asked. For instance, what exactly is the cause of the trilling noise  . . . especially in places that aren’t populated by aboriginal tribes?

It has been suggested that the images we see of extremely complex crop circle designs (such as that of the famous jellyfish crop circle as seen here on the Web: http://www.alienresearchcorp.com/crop-circles/2009/jellyfish/jellyfish.jpg) were created by computers and elaborate prank artists. But is that the whole story?

Crop circles have also been tied into the Gaia hypothesis, the understanding that “Gaia” (the earth) is actually alive and that crop circles are symbolic messages to us. The Global Brain idea (the Gaia hypothesis) asserts that the earth may be a single super-organism and that earthly components (e.g. biota, climate, temperature, sunlight, etc.) influence each other and are organized to function and develop as a whole, like a breathing body. Some researchers have expressed it in greater, more accessible detail: Gaia is an living, intelligent organism of which we are part: the earth is her skin, the rivers are her veins, and perhaps, just perhaps, human beings and other conscious earthly life forms are part of Gaia’s neural network, an aspect of her CONSCIOUSNESS.

Perhaps, crop circle symbols are  Gaia’s response to disease-causing stimuli such as global warming and human pollution. Perhaps, crop circles are more important than we know. Perhaps, Gaia is speaking to us, Earth’s own brand (albeit crucial) of a Post-It Note.

A relevant side-note: there are those who claim to have been healed by their encounters with crop circles.  Sufferers of cancer and Parkinson’s disease have (reportedly) been cured after witnessing a crop circle’s creation.

The executive editor of DOTS saw a video (presented at a conference she attended many years ago) in which the mathematical elements of a crop formation were converted to music. The resulting music was loudly played near/for a dying forest in Russia …. and the forest healed; the researchers that presented this data believe that it was the musical tones (sound waves) that healed the dying forest!

What does the majority of the academic, scientific world have to say about miraculous events like that? Not much. Such healing stories (of humans and forests) are merely dismissed as anecdotes.

When all is said and done, the research that points to the theory of sound (as related to the overall phenomenon) is by far the most solid evidence that we have to date. However, the anecdotal data should not be dismissed without a closer look. Perhaps the clues intersect. Before the puzzle pieces can be fitted together, somebody with the know-how of scientific protocol (and academic gravitas) must first integrate them.

It’s frustrating, but as it is with many of life’s greatest anomalies, science does not always give us the closure we seek.

Those who have experienced the up-close and personal manifestation of a crop circle have described it as spectacular, jaw-dropping, spiritually moving, and beyond belief. I can only hope to experience it myself some day. Those kinds of  moments, those seconds that pull the breath from your lungs, are pivotal to our spiritual journey.

Those magical times also remind us of a basic truth: some may believe that pure science makes the world go ’round, but it is not what allows our spirits to dance.

**********************

:^) CROP CIRCLE HUMOR :^)

————————————————————————

[NICOLE MILLAR is a contributing writer for Dance of the Spirit. Nicole obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Creative writing from the University of Central Florida in 2010. She worked as the production manager and as a fiction editor for the university's Cypress Dome Literary Journal and has taken a year off to pursue various internships and writing opportunities before returning to school for her Master's Degree. Nicole believes that the most important thing to remember, and the easiest thing to forget, is that we must always live for our own dreams and never let the disbelief of others overpower the magic that we are capable of.]

As we say good-bye to the Summer Season, we invite you to enjoy the machinima film “The Mermaid Queen” by DOTS contributor Celestial Elf.

Celestial Elf’s writings and beautiful, inspiring and informative “Environmental Machinima” films are seeds of light and wisdom.

DOTS encourages you to visit his blog “THE DANCE OF LIFE” at: http://celestialelfdanceoflife.blogspot.com/

In case you missed it the first time around, also check out the DOTS archived article
“Exploring Ancient Legends: Mermaids”. Here’s the link: http://danceofthespirit.com/supernatural/exploring-ancient-legends-mermaids/

So, pour yourself a cold drink, then sit back and remember/honor summers past as you watch Celestial Elf’s brilliant “Mermaid Queen” video now.
You can do that easily with a QUICK CLICK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBKZG6Fc7aE

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon—instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.”
Dale Carnegie

*****

Within this Moment of Now, we invite you to eliminate stress as you give yourself the gift of PEACE and WELL-BEING.

Take time to breathe as you reconnect with SOURCE ENERGY during this brief meditative walk through Tonja’s garden. QUICK CLICK: http://www.youtube.com/user/edgecombt#p/u/0/q2vTPCjXxe8

“In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.”
Abram L. Urban

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Tonja Edgecomb is a psychic intuitive and healing practitioner. She graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in education. Through a program of self-directed study and independent research she has studied metaphysical science and comparative religion. She became a certified hypnotherapist at the New England School of Clinical Hypnotherapy. She is a member of The American Association of Holistic Health and The National Guild of Hypnotists.

Tonja brings 24 year of teaching experience and curriculum development to her practice. She leads workshops, seminars and classes for people of all ages. She is a holistic life coach and spiritual teacher. She produces a weekly inspirational podcast with an international audience. She strives to meet the unique needs of each client while working with them to achieve their individual goals for more satisfying lives.

Tonja is an ordained minister, wife, mother and grandmother. She is an avid reader and gardener.

http://tonjaedgecomb.com/
http://tonjaedgecombhypnosis.com
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/im-the-inspirational-message/id283696169
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tonja-Edgecomb/179358762117944

“Look deep, deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Albert Einstein

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These days, it seems that Mother Earth is angry. Perhaps to many, it seems as though she is angry with us.

The earthquake in Japan focused much of our attention (and prayers) toward that part of the world. Then, our attention quickly switched to the South and Mid-West—to those who were (and still are) struggling to rebuild their lives.

Understanding the language of the earth has become increasingly difficult. Our planet, like the rest of us, reflects energetic vibrations. We can blame oil spills, rising riots around the world (affecting collective consciousness), multiple ongoing wars, etc.—-or, we can come to a needed (collective) epiphany regarding the profound healing that Mother Earth needs. Mother Earth is challenged like never before and She is doing everything she can to heal herself.

Many years ago, we were concerned about a hole in the ozone layer. It was a legitimate concern which spawned a federal ban on aerosol sprays. Then, something miraculous occurred: the earth (in her eternal wisdom), manifested a volcanic explosion. Although our initial efforts (as a human collective) to solve the problem were bearing fruit, it was the volcanic ash that repaired the gap in the ozone.

Indeed, this event also lead us to understand that Mother Earth knows what She is
doing—even if it means that her ways are hard on us. The innate balance that She has lovingly managed (throughout eons of 3-d time) inevitably involves destruction or disruption—all for the purpose of new growth, elemental maintainence, and planetary healing.

There is a very fine balance that we must find to work with the earth. Last year, the weather conditions (for farmers) culminated in drought. Many places had record heat.
In my neighborhood, it got so hot that corn popped right off the cob! This year, we’ve had heavy rains—thus, I’m not surprised by recent flooding.
Again, the Earth is trying to provide what it is She needs.

Something to ponder: Since humanity is directly connected to the earth, do aspects of our collective consciousness contribute to the increasing perpetuation of intense natural disasters? Or, does the tragic loss of life and property spawn the upset in humankind? Two sides of the same coin. And: if you think about it, if you study the implications of quantum-physics experiments, this energetic relationship between us and our environment isn’t that far-fetched.

Animals are naturally attuned to the energetic frequencies of Mother Earth—our planet has her own consciousness, a kind of “global brain” that everything (and everyone) is connected to. About five years ago, after a tsunami struck the coastline of India, survivors related the fact that (right before the giant wave hit) no elephants could be seen within a six-mile-radius of this disaster. The elephants KNEW that the tsunami was coming and they left the affected area prior to the tsunami’s arrival. (SIDENOTE: Let’s not forget to send healing energy to the animals, the plants, the water—-everything affected by recent disasters, whether the tragedy be natural or of our own making.)

“Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere. “
Blaise Pascal

After a natural disaster, everyone feels helpless, at least initially. Here in the U.S., many lives have been lost and that is heartbreaking for the entire country. And, our outpouring of prayers continue to be directed toward Japan. [I'm heartbroken by the loss of life (and the suffering I see) across this beautiful globe and pray for peace to imbue the hearts of those affected by the ongoing earth changes.]

The Upside: These kinds of events tend to bond us—afterwards, we are connected more deeply than we were before the tragedy.

Can we change weather patterns? Some say we (elements within our government) are already experimenting with weather manipulation—however, the truth of whether or not that is true has yet to be discovered or proven. Overall, our situational control feels minimized—-we can build dams and levees to hold back the raging water flow, but as we have seen in recent weeks, not even that has averted disaster.

As I have stated before, nature as is not ruled by linear patterns. To us, nature appears chaotic. We’ve spent centuries attempting to manage (and prevent) damage caused by natural disasters. That said, how can we know (with certainty) that what we’ve done hasn’t exacerbated the overall situation?

This is why it is so important to deal with nature on her level, to communicate with her in her own language, to hear her harmonic resonance the way animals do. We may never make sense of the chaos but we can certainly do a better job when it comes to caring for the Earth—both in the short and long term.
In the end, I know that we can learn to live more harmoniously with Her.

Step One: Always look to the blessings. It is during times like these when we bridge our differences and work together for mutual benefit—-whether it is within our own community or in support of a region halfway around the world.

As we focus on cooperation and compassion, let’s pray that someday we will find a way to pull together such collective love and generosity without a disastrous event to spark us into action.
We truly can learn to live together, humans and earth, in peace.

“Nature does nothing uselessly.”
Aristotle

Loving hugs to everyone. I pray you find your peace.
Marylynn

******************

Marylynn Buckley was ordained a Universalist Unitarian minister in the year 2000. She was asked to stand as an Elder to First Nations (in Ontario Canada) in 2008—teaching organic farming and food preservation techniques, as well as herbal uses and other practical skills.

Marylynn spent six years studying agriculture, nutritional, and bio-molecular courses online—but always felt that the Earth was her greatest teacher.

She believes that science (including quantum physics) is beginning to understand the way of nature—but long conversations are still needed in order to help Mother Earth and her inhabitants. Marylynn is an advocate in sustainable farming practices that heal the world, bring peace to the land, and empower humankind.

Marylynn is the owner of Coyote Moon Holistic Farm in Western Kentucky. She lives there with the love of her life—and their many animals. Their intentional focus is on free range, chemical free sustainable farming practices while raising chickens, ducks, and goats— maintaining an open heart (and an open home) to a variety of cats and dogs in need.

Future plans include assisting disabled veterans—teaching them sustainable farming techniques and giving them the knowledge they need to have their own homesteads or farms. AND, expanding the Coyote Moon Trading Post into a local farmer’s market—encouraging recycling, re-using, and the sharing of equipment, along with seed trade to keep seeds diverse with an organic focus on heritage seed stock.

“The mysterious fibers of the spiritual veils are lifting–thrusting our youthful society from evolutionary infancy to adulthood.”
Danielle Lee

*****

Why are we, as a species, so disconnected from Nature?

When I begin to speak about our organic farm (one that includes permaculture and free range animals), many of those with whom I converse begin to get a blank, glazed-over look on their face. I can readily tell that they are not understanding how our lives (as farm folk attuned to the Earth) are permeated in our work.

It was an anthropological professor of mine who clued me in to societal thinking. What he taught me can be summed up this way: When you ask the average person where their food comes from, the usual answer is “the grocery store”. They have no connection to the land where the food is actually grown—or in some denser cases, the fact that their food even IS grown.

During my days as a cashier at a grocery store (this event happened in the middle of December), I had a woman come to my counter to complain about the produce department. HER GRIPE: the bunch of leeks she was forced to buy were entirely too small. She went on to inform me that just a couple of months prior, the leeks were twice the size! I tried to explain to my irate customer that it was the middle of winter—and there was SNOW on the ground. Her response: “Well, why don’t the farmers just move the snow and let the leeks grow a little longer?” No kidding. . . . Honestly, I had to bite my lip at that point—but the woman was completely serious and (OBVIOUSLY) completely disconnected from Mother Earth.

I love watching TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) talks (http://www.ted.com/), and this month I enjoyed a presentation by a brilliant and wonderful man named Dan Phillips. Dan Phillips runs a contracting company that uses reclaimed wood and materials to make low-cost housing for single mothers, artists, and low-income families. His company is called “Phoenix Commotion”.

Dan Phillip’s talk gave me deeper insight into the reasons for our collective disconnection from Gaia. A quote from his talk: “Human beings have a need to maintain the consistency of ‘Apperceptive Mass’. This means that for every perception one has, you need to tally it with something that came before or we lose continuity and we become disoriented.”

As human beings, we crave conformity. We need familiarity to be comfortable. Our familiarity is based on a linear system—corners, straight lines, clean angles. The problem: Nature is NOT straight lines, corners or clean angles. Nature thrives on DIVERSITY.

Our basic needs have spawned industries that drive commodities—housing as well as farming. Most people do not ponder these life-lines to their life-style or focus on how things are made—in fact, these basic truths aren’t even blips on the psyche “radar” of most humans.

Men and women living on 3-d Earth today just want conformity—-this helps to calm them in their daily lives—-“all is familiar” equates with “all is well”.

Let’s face it: unless you have grown up on a farm or lived in remote woods off the grid, there is nothing familiar about the natural world—-nothing that your average city-dweller can draw upon from past experience.

BOTTOMLINE: We are generations removed from the Natural World.

In the natural world, there is no conformity. For those disconnected from the teachings of their ancestors, there are no base patterns to discern in nature—-going out into the woods is an unfamiliar enterprise, an adventure into the unknown.

Parks are man-made MODELS of nature—designed to conform to the standard comfort zones of the average suburbanite. As part of modern-day societal protocol, we cut away trees, use toxic sprays, plug in a few flowers or plants and we call it “nature”.

If we take the time to study, to be still and listen, there is a much deeper understanding that comes with interacting with true Nature in its purest form, a.k.a. Mother Earth.

There are some signs and sigils (a sigil is a symbol created for a specific magical purpose) that one can discern while walking in a wooded area—signposts that can guide us in profound ways and bring comfort to our hearts and souls.

Human beings have lost their way—lost the knowledge that the natural world can impart. Nature desires for us to recognize and understand its special language—desperate for us to learn again.

Our encroachment on nature has clashed with the elements for centuries. Not to be an alarmist, but we are about to hit an impasse when it comes to the natural world. Without a profound about-face, we are about to harm the planet (our Mother Earth) to the point of our own extinction. This is a reality-check that we need to understand, and QUICKLY.

Mono-culture has depleted our top soil—as a result, we are looking at dust bowls again. We are seeing more and more natural species go to extinction. Our waterways are polluted—our drinking water is scarce. Water will soon become a commodity. (Making water a buy/sell commodity is one of the most unethical moves a society can make.)

I am probably preaching to the choir, and I don’t mean to scare people or shock them into action, but sometimes it takes a thunderclap for us to move our feet—-I heard that thunderclap years ago.

With synergy and purpose, we can learn permaculture—which would save our topsoil and produce healthier, more nutritious foods. With focused effort and priority, we can clean up our water resources—our rivers, lakes, streams and oceans.

That said, what are we to do in light of this identified, innate lack of connection to our dear Mother Earth? How are we suppose to heal Gaia when we don’t even know how speak to Her—or interpret Her special language?

Think of Mother Earth as if She were your own body. Do you go into a doctor and simply say, “I’m in pain”? NO. (If you give no other description, and there is nothing that seems out of the ordinary for your doctor to base a medical opinion on, how can he/she possibly address your pain?)

Some things are beyond obvious and we can diagnose much of the damage that humankind has inflicted upon Mother Earth: We can learn about global warming, about the toxification of our croplands and animals; we can investigate the ramifications of policies like those that condone the clear-cutting of land for human consumption. Remember, these are just symptoms—the outward signs that we all recognize but in truth, there is something much deeper going on—-the root cause of Her illness is more complicated.

The root cause for Mother Earth’s pain is something much more profound—-to be understood on a collective, Soul-level.

Living on this planet is much like living in a new home that has been furnished for you: you bump around, searching through cabinets for drinking glasses, or plates. You grapple for light switches. Ultimately, you fumble around feeling helpless because you don’t know the layout of your new home. While reading this analogy, can you feel the frustration?

We (as human beings) have lived upon Mother Earth but we never took the time to really get to know Her—-Her delicate systems, the layout of Her Sacred Design.

Past indigenous tribes knew Her—the seasons’ signs and the moon’s cycles guided them forward as they tread carefully upon the land. They were also attuned to Her creatures—- the animal population warned the people of impending weather changes. Her herbs grew to heal and make whole again.

A lot of crucial information and age-old wisdom has died with the passing of centuries; we must take time to recover it. We can do something about Gaia’s symptoms, the damage we have done to the Earth.

However, for Her to really heal, we must come to an understanding of how She works—we must learn the layout of our Sacred House. We must do this right away. We must no longer IMPOSE how we think She SHOULD work within our linear, human system. We have too much to lose if we continue that approach and we have lost too much already.

The energy of the earth affects us all directly and collectively. There MUST be a shift —an awareness that the EARTH is our HOME.

The Earth is a living being in Her own right. It is time to embrace Her—to learn how She lives and what She needs to survive and thrive.

Our collective disconnectedness from one another is a symptom of something much greater. It is a reflection of our disconnection from Mother Earth. Once we find our way home, once we remember that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, we will re-learn how to speak with Her.

As Gaia truly heals, we will awaken to a more peaceful and loving world. We will enjoy happier relationships with one another.

But first, we must start by recognizing that there IS a problem. I assure you that we can fix it—-a willingness to learn, understand, and make needed changes is the key.

Nature’s Blessings,
Marylynn

***************

Marylynn Buckley was ordained a Universalist Unitarian minister in the year 2000. She was asked to stand as an Elder to First Nations (in Ontario Canada) in 2008—teaching organic farming and food preservation techniques, as well as herbal uses and other practical skills.

Marylynn spent six years studying agriculture, nutritional, and bio-molecular courses online—but always felt that the Earth was her greatest teacher.

She believes that science (including quantum physics) is beginning to understand the way of nature—but long conversations are still needed in order to help Mother Earth and her inhabitants. Marylynn is an advocate in sustainable farming practices that heal the world, bring peace to the land, and empower humankind.

Marylynn is the owner of Coyote Moon Holistic Farm in Western Kentucky. She lives there with the love of her life—and their many animals. Their intentional focus is on free range, chemical free sustainable farming practices while raising chickens, ducks, and goats— maintaining an open heart (and an open home) to a variety of cats and dogs in need.

Future plans include assisting disabled veterans—teaching them sustainable farming techniques and giving them the knowledge they need to have their own homesteads or farms. AND, expanding the Coyote Moon Trading Post into a local farmer’s market—encouraging recycling, re-using, and the sharing of equipment, along with seed trade to keep seeds diverse with an organic focus on heritage seed stock.

Is there a person in your life you think needs changing? Almost all of us would answer “Yes” to that question. Several of my clients have been facing struggles with people whose attitudes, words and actions they believe need major adjustments. As I’ve worked with them, I gained valuable clarity for myself.

One woman has a college-aged daughter with a life-threatening disease. This girl is continually making health-related choices. Her doctors had laid out guidelines for diet, exercise and self-care that could prevent lengthy hospital stays, yet the girl chooses to ignore their advice. As a result, her body breaks down and she ends up in the hospital hooked up to machines for weeks at a time. So begins a cycle that has been occurring for years.

Next, my client drops everything and rushes to her daughter’s bedside. Soon the mom becomes physically exhausted and emotionally overwrought as she tries to nurse her daughter back to health. She believes that if she sacrifices, her daughter will listen to her appeals and make better health choices so that the cycle stops. But it never does. So anger, resentment and frustration build in my client.

Another client (who is married with children) has a brother (also married, with children). This brother lives by very strict, narrow rules. In my client’s view, his brother is over-protective of his kids. My client feels sorry for his nieces who, to him, are missing out on some of the best joys of childhood. He is also vexed by the awkward situations that arise whenever the two families interact. He has repeatedly tried to convince his brother to loosen up. These conversations serve only to heighten tensions between the brothers.

We want people to change, to act in ways that meet our standards. They seldom cooperate. So…how do we handle our relationships with those we believe are hindering themselves or others?

This is one of the main questions that comes up in my work as a life coach. Am I responsible to change my clients? As an outsider looking in to another person’s challenges, I often see what seem to be simple, powerful changes they could make. However, I have learned that I can’t know what is best for other people. If they ask for feedback or advice, I can make honest observations and share solutions that have worked for me. In the end, I have to “let them be.”

People are where they are in life. What I can do is accept them completely as they are. I can respect them by giving them space and time to gain insight into their own issues. People do make changes– if they want to. When they are ready to. (Of course, if there is criminally abusive behavior occurring, I would advise my clients to intervene at least by contacting appropriate authorities. Apart from that, each person’s life is his or her own business.)

We can’t control other people. We aren’t responsible to do so. The people around us choose whatever life journey they want. Their life decisions are between them and their Creator.

If that’s the case, then why do we continue our efforts to remake others? Do you know anyone who is on a crusade to help improve their spouse, child, co-worker or friend? Is there anyone you wish you could reform?

This desire is a recipe for suffering. When we adopt such a goal, we fret, we cry, we stomp our feet and raise our voices. And, we deplete our energy trying to “fix” someone who has no intention of changing.

When we focus on bettering others, we forget that the only person we can change is ourselves. True transformation comes from the inside-out. The first change we can each make is to accept others the way they are, see the best in them and offer them respect. That’s what we want, isn’t it?

Once we’ve freed ourselves from the burden of reshaping others, we can focus our attention and energy on our own challenges. I have found that when I’ve been intent on changing others, I was actually avoiding changes I needed to make. I have also learned that the people we are trying to change are actually mirrors, showing us aspects of our own lives that point us to ways we unconsciously want to grow and expand. The “moat” I see in someone else’s belief system or behavior is, more often than not, a “beam” in my own.

If you see something in another that you’d like to change, ask yourself if there might be a need to shift something in your own life.

How long does it take to get rid of dirt on your face if you try to remove it by cleaning the mirror?

Let’s take the lady whose daughter is in the hospital. As she and I discussed the choices her daughter was making, it became clear to my client that she could be taking better care of herself too! And, in fact, prioritizing her own well-being and giving her daughter some time alone in the hospital to reflect, might actually break the cycle. She recognized that she needed to begin by BEING the change she wanted to see. As she heals physically and emotionally, she can be present for her daughter–no matter what decisions the girl decides to make.

This approach holds for the man who was concerned about his brother. My client came to see that his anger with his brother for being judgmental was in itself a judgment. My client wanted to control his brother’s behavior even though he would not want his brother to control his. He wanted freedom and respect. He learned that this was what he could offer his brother as well. In doing so, he has opened the door for understanding and is already beginning to enjoy more pleasant interactions between the families.

If you find yourself complaining that you aren’t accomplishing the things you want to, take note of how much of your energy you are devoting to attempt at reforming others. Instead, turn your attention to your own personal growth.

When you find yourself working to help someone who doesn’t want to change, consider this wry definition from Albert Einstein: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Remember the Beatles song, “Let It Be”? I often sing that to myself in circumstances that feel difficult. After this week of learning, I’ve decided to adapt the words: “Let them be, let them be. There will be an answer, let them be. Let them be, let them be, Whisper words of wisdom, let them be.”

Your assignment this week is to sing this adapted version to yourself anytime you feel inner frustration because someone speaks or acts in a way that doesn’t meet your expectations. And then, if you have the courage, remind yourself that you are looking in the mirror.

Food For Thought

You are responsible for YOUR journey.
How often do you get so focused on other people that you lose sight of yourself?

Observe this.
Notice the impact this has on you.

Let 2011 be a year to focus on self-growth.

Trust others to their own journey.

As you love yourself and heal within, you will have more to share with others.

Warm Wishes,
Patricia

********

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr.™, is an internationally recognized speaker, executive/life coach and writer. She is the author of “Clarify Your Purpose and Live It!”

Patricia is a Princeton Graduate, former professional basketball player and highly successful business woman and entrepreneur.

Patricia is a featured weekly columnist for Vanguard Newspaper’s Allure Magazine (Nigeria) and contributes to the Daily Dispatch (Ghana). In her column she provides ideas that are helping her readers live to their full potential. Her inspirational speaking clips have aired on Silverbird TV (Nigeria), Crystal TV (Ghana) and MindTV (USA).
Patricia helps people wake up to their God-given power and remember they are here on earth for a very important purpose. Her energizing seminars teach practical principles that help individuals transform their lives quickly and simply. Patricia delivers keynote addresses at global events with Fortune 500 executives, government officials and community leaders in attendance.

Drawing on her experience as a business consultant (Accenture), a corporate manager (Tyco Intl.), a Six Sigma Green Belt, and mediator, she provides customized business training on topics such as Leadership, Teamwork, Excellence in Work and Life, Process Improvement, and Customer Service.

Patricia offers one-on-one or group coaching to business executives and established leaders who want to expand their potential to a new level of satisfaction and success.
Patricia Omoqui is an American married to a Nigerian. She is a passionate agent of change, working earnestly to positively influence the world. Patricia was recognized in 2010 by Timeless Magazine for her positive contributions to writing in Nigeria. She is also the recipient of Now Leadership Inc.’s “Legends of Leadership” Award 2010.

To learn more about Patricia’s work and to sign up for her free, daily inspirational emaiL list, “Food For Thought”, visit her website: http://www.patriciaomoqui.com.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Albert Einstein

*****

I grew up knowing my roots in the Native American culture very well. Often, my grandmother would tell me that my great-great-grandfather waited to take his journey from this earth—just to hold me and introduce me to our tribe.

As a child, my family would relocate every 6 months or so to keep up with my father’s job. As a result of constant change, I studied my culture alone.

When I got older, I would seek out elders and wise ones to find answers to spiritual questions that called to my heart. More often than not, I never got the answers I thought that I needed.

Now, older and wiser, I understand what it was they were trying to teach me: A connection to the Earth means learning a different language—but it is also a language locked deep within the heart of human beings. We have just forgotten that special language.

Communication (as we are taught by teachers and others) is learning how to express ourselves clearly—hopefully with a kind and loving manner.

The difference between communicating with one another and communicating with the Earth is that we must learn how to LISTEN. I found that communicating with the Earth means you must learn how to surrender and watch the language of movement, synchronicity, and symbols—subtle communicative signs than we don’t usually notice (or know how to receive) in our fast-paced, day-to-day modern world. When speaking to Nature, there can be no control. The Earth does not wish to control us; instead, She prefers that we allow her to “just be”.

It wasn’t until my early 30’s that I sought my own meaningful connection with the Earth. It came after my husband and I moved from the States to Canada, with plans to rent a small farm located near his family.

I was so excited at the prospect of having our own gardens. (Years previous, we were living in an apartment, and at that time, my balcony was known as “the Jungle”.)

I’ve always loved having plants all around me. After we moved, I studied hard to learn how to farm, and which plants I wished to put into my garden. I learned all I could about the soil—and how to bring everything to life. What I didn’t know were the lessons that the earth had in store for me!

My landlord insisted on his old farming techniques—using chemicals to kill the weeds and the bugs. I, on the other hand, decided to choose a more natural way of being—companion gardening using herbs grown side-by-side to deter the persistent weeds and crawly critters.

Although my landlord and I did not see eye-to-eye, within the first year, I proved that the methods I’d learned and implemented were better in the long-run. (AND, even though my landlord insisted on using a lot of sprays and chemicals, he still had significant problems and lost no small amount of crop.)

It was a profound lesson: my landlord sought to CONTROL rather than SURRENDER. I learned from this and came to realize that in driving off the “bad” insects, he also drove away the “good” ones.

I counted on Nature to help me. My first year, I took an accounting of all of the insects on the property and where they were. If I saw a cocoon from a Preying Mantis, I’d take it to my garden and protect it—so that the babies would grow up where I needed them to. That imparted another lesson in speaking to the Earth—we can be a guiding hand without drastically changing or controlling the landscape. Over time, I learned that well.

As for learning (re-learning) the language that has allowed me to speak to the Earth, that took a couple more years.

I made it a habit to carry with me a deck of spiritual cards—intuitive, guided messages that would give me insights to ponder daily. More often than not, I’d pull a card that said “in the silence, ye shall know me.” I always saw that as a message from the Creator, but I came to realize that I was also hearing the Life-Force of Nature—bound within (and beyond) my little garden.

As a student of Yoga, I also read Pentanjoli—he has a very complicated quote, but I will break it down in summary: “When you hold a peaceful heart, nature reaches up to greet you.” And, It does—It REALLY, REALLY does. While speaking with the earth and with nature, you must hold silence in your mind and peace in your heart.

I guess the best way I can pass on the lessons that I’ve learned is through the stories I tell about the creatures that came to me as I tended my precious little garden.
I confess that I first went into that garden with a mind to control—to “tame” that which should just be allowed to BE.

It was the wildlife that taught me the greatest lessons— lessons found in the silence of my mind and the peace in my heart.

In this day and age, it is so hard to find moments of quiet—whether it be television, radio, or just daily living—yes, this is the hardest thing for people to find, but it is essential if you desire to speak with the Earth.

A flower does not have to be told to open, it just does. It simply surrenders and “knows”. For most human beings, that is difficult to comprehend, but it is a beautiful understanding when you do.

When it comes to the lessons taught to me by the animals, they are layered with symbolism—so, you may understand them or you may not, but this is how I see the world of Nature.

One particular day, my husband and I had been fighting and I felt like I could not get my point across to him. I walked out the back door—frustrated. Within my mind, I posed a general question (to Nature) regarding how to handle this relationship issue.

As I stepped onto the back porch, I noticed a Preying Mantis—-one that I’d watch hatch from her cocoon earlier in the Spring. She stood over the headless body of the male she had just been impregnated by—-as this is their way in copulation. I swear to you, she looked as if she was holding his head up in the air triumphantly. Bemused, I just shook my head and said, “Thank you darlin’, but I don’t think that will work for me”.
I continued making my way toward my garden with a giggle in my heart.
(Well, I HAD indeed asked Nature for advice on how the handle the situation! :^)

So, learn what you can from man, but when it comes down to it, realize that Nature has Her OWN set of rules—and speaks a very different language.

Take your time, and eventually, you’ll find your way back to Nature by way of Silence of Mind and an Open Heart.

Nature’s Blessings to You,
Marylynn

********************

Marylynn Buckley was ordained a Universalist Unitarian minister in the year 2000. She was asked to stand as an Elder to First Nations (in Ontario Canada) in 2008—teaching organic farming and food preservation techniques, as well as herbal uses and other practical skills.

Marylynn spent six years studying agriculture, nutritional, and bio-molecular courses online—but always felt that the Earth was her greatest teacher.

She believes that science (including quantum physics) is beginning to understand the way of nature—but long conversations are still needed in order to help Mother Earth and her inhabitants. Marylynn is an advocate in sustainable farming practices that heal the world, bring peace to the land, and empower humankind.

Marylynn is the owner of Coyote Moon Holistic Farm in Western Kentucky. She lives there with the love of her life—and their many animals. Their intentional focus is on free range, chemical free sustainable farming practices while raising chickens, ducks, and goats— maintaining an open heart (and an open home) to a variety of cats and dogs in need.

Future plans include assisting disabled veterans—teaching them sustainable farming techniques and giving them the knowledge they need to have their own homesteads or farms. AND, expanding the Coyote Moon Trading Post into a local farmer’s market—encouraging recycling, re-using, and the sharing of equipment, along with seed trade to keep seeds diverse with an organic focus on heritage seed stock.

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”
(as quoted by Lewis Grizzard in “Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You”)

******

As we welcome the arrival of the Spring season, DOTS is pleased to share a wonderful video (a machinima film) with you, produced by a film-maker who calls himself “Celestial Elf.”

Here’s an edited excerpt from the director notes that accompany the video entitled “Eostre/Equinox”:

“Today (March 20 in 2011), the March Equinox marks the beginning of Spring in the northern hemisphere and fall (Autumn) in the southern hemisphere.

The word ‘Equinox’ derives from the Latin words meaning “equal night” and refers to the time when the sun crosses the equator.
At such times, day and night are everywhere of nearly equal length everywhere in the world.

Marking the end of Winter and the first day of Spring.
The Earth is becoming green and birds are beginning to sing, Trees are in bud, foals and calves are being born, and early summer crops are sprouting or ready to be planted…

It is a day for all to celebrate longer daylight hours, returning warmth and the start of planting. Ostara is sacred to Eostre, the Ancient Goddess of fertility (from whence we get the word estrogen).

In ancient times, Ostara’s two symbols were the Cosmic Egg and the Mad March Hare—latterly abducted and morphed into the Easter rabbit.

The myth of the Mad, Moon Gazing Hare reflects ancient beliefs that seeing a moon-gazing hare would bring growth, re-birth, abundance, new-beginnings and good fortune.

The Hare however, as the symbol of Eostre, also represents fertility and fecundity. In other words, the hare is the symbol of the rebirth of life under the new Spring.

The EGG is also the most basic symbol of rebirth, renewal, and new growth.“

Here’s the You-Tube QUICK CLICK to this incredible (and joyful) work of art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZ-YKIeXww&feature=youtu.be

***

“April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks GO.” (Christopher Morley, “John Mistletoe”)

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
Mark Twain

***************************

To Learn More About the WISE ONE That Calls Himself “Celestial Elf”,
visit his blog “THE DANCE OF LIFE” at: http://celestialelfdanceoflife.blogspot.com/

You can also read an interview with Celestial Elf via a QUICK CLICK:
http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1813

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