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Download New Music to Benefit David Lynch Foundation

2011-07-14T13:36:00.000-04:00

Listen to music by Alanis Morissette, Nancy Sinatra, Maroon 5 and more, and do something good for others in the process! Filmmaker, David Lynch, launched a new music compilation called “Download for Good: Music That Changes the World,” to benefit his non-profit organization, The David Lynch Foundation.

The Foundation is focused on teaching Transcendental Meditation to urban, inner-city populations; U.S. veterans returning home from combat, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); homeless adults and children; and prisoners. The album is now available for download from iTunes.

“When you download the tracks from DLF Music, you’re not only going to enjoy some great music, but that download is going to bring happiness to someone, somewhere in the world,” said Lynch on his Web site.

The compilation includes 33 tracks of live performances, cover songs, original songs and remixes, featuring artists such as Tom Waits, Iggy Pop, Peter Gabriel, Moby and more.

"The artists who have shared their music are spreading happiness," Lynch said in a press release. "With their music alone they're supporting programs that take away suffering and bring bliss to many people."

Visit www.davidlynchfoundationmusic.orgfor more information.

How to Relieve Stress Naturally

2011-07-13T13:45:00.002-04:00

Have you ever met anyone who said, “Nope! I have no stress in my life!” Neither have we … so when we came across recommendation by Dr. Manny Alvarez on FoxNews.com, explaining natural ways to relieve stress, we just had to share them!

Passionflower -- Often used for anxiety and insomnia, Dr. Alvarez said studies found the herb may be comparable to benzodiazepine drugs. It is available in teas, liquid extracts and tinctures. Also, it’s not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or nursing. Consult a doctor before adding it to your diet.

Massage -- Listen, if a doctor says this will help relieve stress, I say let’s give it a try! Who doesn’t love a massage – the ultimate in relaxation?

Meditation -- Even if your day is packed, you can take a few minutes to quiet your mind. Looking for the right method? Read our Free article on Finding the Right Meditation for You!

Exercise -- Yoga is amazing for stress, but Dr. Alvarez said any type of exercise can help to relieve stress.

Organization -- We have read that if your environment is cluttered, it is often a direct reflection of what is in your mind – so start by organizing your surroundings. Believe it or not, it will help you relax much more when you are not surrounded by clutter! Also, Dr. Alvarez said if you are the type of person who is always running around with things to do, start by making a list each day. (We always find this works – empty the to-do list running through your mind onto paper and the stress goes right along with it!)

Eating Healthy -- Junk food can actually make us depressed, said Dr. Alvarez. A diet with whole grains and protein can improve the mind and provide extra energy! “Foods that are especially effective for stress-busting include blueberries, salmon and almonds, according to scientists,” Alvarez says in his blog, along with recommending we put down that extra cup of java!

Limit Technology -- Disconnecting from the Internet and cell phones (no matter how entertaining or convenient) can block out some of the stress in our lives.

B Vitamins -- Known to promote proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, these vitamins also can help reduce relaxation and fight fatigue, said Dr. Alvarez. B vitamins can be found in the germ and bran of cereal grains, along with beans, peas, nuts, liver, eggs and dairy products, he notes.

Aromatherapy -- Popular oils for both stress relief and mental fatigue are lavender, cypress and rosemary, Dr. Alvarez said in the article.

Sleep -- Sleep can be key to our mood and stress level. Creating bedtime rituals to “signal the brain it is time to go to sleep,” said Dr. Alvarez, as well as avoiding exercise three hours before bed or taking a warm bath can help. Foods with tryptophan can promote sleep too, such as carbohydrates, bananas, peanuts, figs and dairy.

Thanks Dr. Alvarez!

Massage Proven to Help Chronic Back Pain

2011-07-08T13:34:00.000-04:00

A new study by epidemiologist, Daniel Cherkin, senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, showed massage is an effective treatment for lower back pain, according to a report by Thirdage.com.

Taking 401 people who suffered from chronic lower back pain without any identifiable cause, researchers created three groups: Full-Body Relaxation Massage; Deep Tissue Massage; and Medication and Physical Therapy.

After 10 weeks, nearly two-thirds of the patients who got either type of weekly massage showed significant improvement – some even showed the pain was gone altogether – compared to only one-third of those who used the traditional method of medication and physical therapy, according to the report.

“We found that both types of massage were equally effective in helping people improve their function and diminish their symptoms,” Cherkin told NPR, explaining massage actually relieved the pain in patients for six months or more.

Sharing the Love … of Dahn Yoga

2011-07-07T14:39:00.000-04:00

A New York nurse named Mercy Tobin decided to try Dahn Yoga classes in 2005 to reduce stress from her job at the New York Harbor Healthcare System. After finding amazing benefits, both physically and emotionally, she knew she had to share it with others.

She became an instructor, and now teaches classes to her co-workers, as well as army veterans at nearby Fort Hamilton – and to show their appreciation, her students gave her a Certificate of Appreciation.

"My experience with Dahn Yoga has changed how I look at things and relate with others, including my patients, as if I can really feel for them. I learned to accept things as they are,” Tobin said in a press release from Dahn Yoga & Health Centers Inc.

Dahn Yoga is a dynamic mind-body practice originating in Korea. Classes combine stretching, flowing movement, deep breathing exercises and meditation. It is often taught alongside Tai Chi, QiGong and meditation classes.

Congratulations Mercy! For more information on Dahn Yoga, visit www.dahnyoga.com.

Looking for Natural Remedies to Relieve IBS Symptoms?

2011-07-06T11:45:00.000-04:00

We love finding all-natural ways to deal with various symptoms in the body, and now a small clinical trial shows that a combination of mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga may help soothe symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a Reuters report.

In a study of 75 women with the digestive disorder, researchers found those assigned "mindfulness training" saw a bigger improvement in their symptoms over three months than women who were assigned to a support group.

The mindfulness training included lessons on meditation, gentle yoga postures and "body scanning," in which people focus their attention on one body area at a time to detect muscle tension and other sensations.

Three months after the therapy ended, women who'd undergone mindfulness training, on average, had scores on a standard 500-point IBS symptom questionnaire that fell by more than 100 points, with a 50-point drop considered a "clinically significant" improvement, according to the report.

In contrast, women in the support group averaged a 30-point decline, according to results in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

In other news, Dr. Gerard E. Mullin, M.D., author of “The Inside Tract,” posted a blog on Huffington Post offering his top 5 natural remedies for IBS:

1. Stress reduction – He explained negative thoughts have a major effect on digestion, and recommended techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga and even hypnosis.

2. Diet – As food is a trigger for IBS, Dr. Mullin often puts patients on an elimination diet, cutting out common allergens, such as corn, soy, dairy and wheat, he said.

3. Acupuncture – Dr. Mullin reported some research has found a link between acupuncture and the reduction of IBS symptoms.

4. Peppermint Oil – This can calm intestinal spasms, and often provides “rapid relief” for those with IBS, Dr. Mullin stated, recommending people take capsules of it. “Look for enteric-coated peppermint oil and take 0.2 mL in capsule form two to three times per day with meals,” he said.

5. Probiotics – Friendly bacteria, or probiotics, have also been found helpful in studies.

Celebrities Hit the Meditation Mat

2011-07-05T11:49:00.000-04:00

The benefits of meditation are not lost on the celebrity crowd – that is why so many turn to the practice to keep them balanced, often attributing meditation to their continued success in all areas of life.

Supermodel, Elle Macpherson, told Radio Times she practices yoga and meditation daily for both her mind and body. In fact, she attributes her success to meditation and healthy eating – she follows a strict organic diet.

“I don't run eight miles a day like I used to,” she told Radio Times. “I eat a lot of organic food and drink lots of water, and I take time for meditation to set up my day. Beauty comes from within.”

Fellow supermodel, Gisele Bundchen, also credits meditation for keeping her healthy – especially while she was pregnant to her son.

In January, actress Gwyneth Paltrow said her New Year’s resolution was to learn how to meditate, according to The Telegraph, and singing legend Tina Turner credits her Buddhist beliefs and her practice of meditation for giving her the strength to leave Ike Turner in the ‘70s, the report stated. Even singer, Katy Perry, says she often sits to practice meditation with her husband, comedian and actor, Russell Brand – who is devoted to the practice.

And that’s not all! Actor Steven Seagal moved to Japan at 17 years old and studied acupuncture and martial arts – and has practiced meditation for more than 27 years. Actor Orlando Bloom “credits meditation and the philosophies behind it for helping him to keep away from the self-destructive path so common in Hollywood,” according to the Telegraph. And actor Richard Gere – known for being a devout Buddhist and friend/follower of the Dalai Lama, believes meditating daily helps to motivate him.

Rivers Cuomo, who is the frontman in the rock band Weezer recently attended a 45-day meditation retreat, and director, David Lynch has not only been meditating for more than 35 years, but last year, he launched the David Lynch Foundation to teach students in urban areas the technique of Transcendental Meditation.

Other Transcendental Meditation devotees include hip hop mogul and author, Russell Simmons, who has been interviewed twice by Elevated Existence and also practices yoga, and George Harrison, who even introduced meditation to other Beatles.

Sting and his wife Trudie Styler also practice yoga and meditation, and the singer has said: “Yoga introduced me to a style of meditation. The only meditation I would have done before would be in the writing of songs,” according to The Telegraph.

Still confused on how to meditate or which method to choose? Read our Free Article on The Right Meditation for You!

Former Mets Player, Mike Piazza, Talks Faith

2011-06-30T12:52:00.000-04:00

Former Mets baseball player, Mike Piazza, revealed how his faith helped him through his career and now his retirement in an interview with Bleacher Report.

“It just brings me a lot of peace,” Piazza said in the article. “It allows me to deal with the issues of my new challenges in life for being a husband and a father and having a family.”

He explained there was a point in his life where he began to focus on the “bigger picture,” and not just success in his career. He prayed during his baseball games, but told Bleacher Report it was not to win or succeed but to “do his best.”

“I just prayed to God to clear my mind and allow me to execute and do the best that I can,” Piazza said in the report. “If I got a hit or didn’t get a hit, it really was irrelevant to me. Success and failure is not necessarily measured in wins and losses or numbers.”

The former Mets player realized his ability to play baseball was a gift that he wanted others to share in, the report explained.

“Once we get to certain point in our lives, we need to internalize our success and really give thanks for why we are successful,” Piazza told the Bleacher Report. “A lot of those things are a spiritual gift.”

Raised Catholic, Piazza also believes faith is a gift. “We need to get back to roots and understand the path to true peace,” he said in the report. “Ultimately, if you look inside your own heart, you’ll find peace.”

Piazza gave an example of how his faith played an important role – the first game in New York after the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

“I remember specifically on the first base line when I first heard the bagpipes and I started to cry, I was saying to myself, ‘Please God, let me execute and do my job. Please help me hold it together.’”

It was during this game that he hit a home run in the eighth inning, which became know as the “Healing Power of a Swing,” according to the Bleacher Report.

“I truly believe that was divine intervention; that was God, or at least the Holy Spirit, working through me to calm me down, let me execute and do my job,” Piazza said in the report.

Mike Piazza will be entering the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Meditation Helps Special Needs Students Control Behavior

2011-06-29T13:56:00.000-04:00

The Benjamin Franklin Freshman Academy in Levittown, Pa. is taking part in a district program this summer to help 25 students – first grade through eighth – with special needs conditions such as autism and attention-deficit disorders (ADD), according to a report by Philly.com.

Students with these conditions often have difficulty reading the social cues of language, voice and behavior in others, and may react in inappropriate ways, as well as experience anxiety at a higher level, according to the report.

Occupational therapist Charles E. Gallagher, who studied Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and trained at the Mindfulness Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, is teaching the children meditation techniques and deep breathing exercises to help them cope, according to the report.

"They feel out of control," JoAnn Allison, the district's supervisor of special education said in the report. She explained the strategies being taught help the children feel in control of both themselves and their surroundings.

Meditation can help children control anxiety enough to reduce medications they are taking, Christina DiNicola, a pediatrician with the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Jefferson told Philly.com, explaining that early studies show “promising results” in children with ADD who practice yoga and biofeedback to relax.

New Show “A Gifted Man” Coming to CBS This Fall

2011-06-28T11:49:00.000-04:00

Imagine this: a successful surgeon reconnects with his ex-wife right before her sudden death … only to begin communicating with her spirit as she tries to teach him life lessons from beyond the grave.

This is the premise of a new CBS series called “A Gifted Man,” premiering in the fall and set to run on Friday evenings.

Two-time Tony award nominee Patrick Wilson, who will play the surgeon named Michael Holt; Tony nominee Pablo Schreiber; and two-time Tony winner Jennifer Ehle, who plays the ex-wife, have been cast in the new series, according to Deadline.com

Check out the video below to see a sneak peek of what is coming soon!

Yoga Enthusiasts Take Over Times Square

2011-06-23T13:30:00.000-04:00

Organized by the Times Square Alliance, the annual yoga event “Mind over Madness,” took place yesterday in Times Square on Broadway and 48^th Street in Manhattan -- historically called ‘the crossroads of the world’ -- to celebrate the first day of summer, and the longest day of the year.

Sponsored by Lucy Activewear, the first 1,000 attendees received a free yoga mat and gift bag, and the event offered three classes with local New York yoga instructors, as well as special guest speakers, including Nicole Nichols from Yoga Studies; Patrick Lynch from Bikram Yoga NYC; and Douglass Stewart from YogaWorks.

"We're trying to create a little ocean or perhaps just a little lake or just a drop of serenity in the midst of all this madness,” Tim Tompkins of The Times Square Alliance said in a report by The Telegraph. "It's an attempt, on the longest day of the year, when the sun is shining brightest, to tap into that energy and have it help carry us through the rest of the year."

Watch the video below to see the amazing event in action!

World Peace in Washington

2011-06-22T13:32:00.000-04:00

In July, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama will confer the Kalachakra for World Peace ritual in Washington, D.C., at the Verizon Center — all to inspire harmonious relationships and abiding peace in the hearts of people throughout the world. “

The initiation to the Kalachakra is one of the most important [practices for world peace] … because it takes everything into account: the body and the human mind, and the whole external aspect — cosmic and astrological,” the Dalai Lama said. “We firmly believe in its power to reduce conflict, and we believe it is capable of creating … peace of spirit and therefore peace in the world.”

While the Kalachakra Tantra teachings date back more than 2,500 years ago to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, this will be the 31st time the Dalai Lama has given the empowerments since initiating the Kalachakra gatherings in 1954.

The 11-day event launches July 6, 2011 — the 76th birthday of the Dalai Lama — and he along with monks and senior lamas will conduct rituals to prepare and consecrate the venue during the first seven days. These include chanting of prayers and the creation of the colorful Kalachakra sand mandala.

Additionally, there will be three days of teachings by the Dalai Lama where he will present the foundations of Buddhist thought from July 9 - 11. On July 16, the final day, the Kalachakra for World Peace 2011 will close with a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of the Dalai Lama and a long-life blessing will be given to all in attendance.

For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit www.kalachakra2011.com

Move Over Groupon – SpiritSavings.com is Here!

2011-06-17T12:06:00.000-04:00

SpiritSavings.com is a recently launched social coupon platform featuring coaching, metaphysics and healing services, as well as a variety of other personal development and spirituality based offers -- and its FREE to subscribers!

“SpiritSavings fulfills a great need in this industry by connecting customers and merchants with a wide variety of related goods and services," said creator Amy Scott Grant.

Examples of offers found at the site include life coaching; spiritual healing; energy work; metaphysical books and supplies; personal development courses and seminars; audio programs; meditation audios; and new age resources.

Unlike most daily deal sites, SpiritSavings.com is not divided by geographic location – it connects worldwide subscribers with participating spiritual vendors and life coaches all across the globe, offering them the opportunity to test and discover new providers that fit their interests, according to the creators.

The platform leverages the power of social media, e-mail and group buying power, giving merchants the opportunity to connect with their target audience in a comfortable, low-risk environment.

Unlike Groupon, SpiritSavings does not charge any up-front "initiation" fees to participating merchants, and the service is completely free of charge for subscribers, the company said. Additionally, in keeping with the site's spiritual theme, each day's deal listing also includes an inspiring quote of the day.

If you are looking for a deal, or want to offer your product or service to a targeted audience, check them out!

Actor Derek Luke Puts “Spirit First” in Life

2011-06-16T19:46:00.000-04:00

Derek Luke recently joined the cast of "Hawthorne" on TNT, starring Jada Pinkett Smith (who plays Christina Hawthorne). His character is a doctor from Chicago going through a divorce, and the new love interest of Hawthorne’s daughter.

When interviewed by “Shadow and Act,” a blog on Indiewire.com, Luke discussed his personal views on spirituality, explaining: “It allows me to have peace no matter what kind of storm is happening … I believe when you find a plan and purpose that God has for your life, there’s not anything man can do to you …”

He also explained in the interview that his character on the show, Miles, is going through a divorce and facing “tough decisions,” after his move from Chicago to Richmond, Va.

“It’s a right career move but he’s finding out if it’s correct for his family. He’s presented with some escape routes and he has to decide whether or not those escape routes are appropriate to whom he is as a person,” he said in the article. “That’s what I love about having spirit first … when you put spirit first, you have a reason for why you do heart.”

Physical & Spiritual Fitness – Football Style

2011-06-15T10:57:00.000-04:00

Forced to retire from professional football after a shoulder injury in 2003, former Redskins player Eddie Mason decided he wanted to help young kids learn about faith, work ethic and character. With the help of fellow teammate, James Thrash, he opened a sports camp, The Washington Post reported.

“We both had some Redskins recognition and figured we’d draw in a crowd of kids,” Mason said in the article. “We had maybe 10 kids. We were shocked. But hey, God says, ‘If you’re faithful in a few things, I’ll make you ruler over many.’ So that was the test, to see if we’d be faithful with those few kids.”

Fast forward eight years later, and Mason is the owner and operator of MASE Training Sports Performance & Fitness Center in Sterling, Va. (www.masetraining.com), which stands for “Muscle and Spiritual Empowerment, the report stated.

Today, the 7,500-square-foot facility serves a variety of clients including grade school, junior high and high school students, as well as college football players, current and former Washington Redskins players and even stay-at-home moms, according to The Washington Post.

“He’s teaching positive life lessons,” Redskins defensive lineman Kedric Golston said in article. “Just like out here, you’re tired, you want to quit. Well, sometimes in life, you want to quit, but small things like fighting through this will help you become a tougher person. The things he’s doing are right.”

In addition to focus on the physical aspects of training, such as strength and flexibility, Mason also focuses on the mind – with Desire, Character, Determination, Faith, Pride, Will, Focus, Respect, Discipline and Passion printed across the front windows of his center, according to the report. And each of the front doors say, “Get your mind right.”

“To be in elite physical condition, the first step is working from the inside out,” Mason said to The Washington Post. “As Marty Schottenheimer used to say: ‘You don’t win with the best athletes. You win with good people.’ I’m trying to mold healthy and good people.”

Meditation for Hot Flashes?

2011-06-10T12:24:00.000-04:00

It’s not the most glamorous topic, but women going through menopause understand – hot flashes are not any fun!

However, thanks to a new study, there may be an all-natural, side-effect free answer – mindfulness meditation.

Research from The University of Massachusetts showed mindfulness training reduced distress associated with hot flashes, and also improved physical, psychosocial and sexual functioning, according to a report by HealthDay.

“The finding are important because hormone replacement therapy, used to treat menopause symptoms in the past, has been associated with health risks,” said study author James Camody, an associate professor of medicine in the division for preventive and behavioral medicine in the HealthDay report.

In fact, hormone replacement therapy has been linked with increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer and stroke, and many women are looking for alternative treatments, according to Camody.

Mindfulness training appears to allow women to be “less reactive” to menopausal symptoms – which is certainly a place to start!

The researchers wanted to see if they could affect women’s “resilience in response to these symptoms,” and the study divided 110 women between the age of 47 and 69 into two groups – one that was trained in the meditation and the other that was “waitlisted” to learn the technique, according to HealthDay.

Those participating filled out questionnaires to see how much they were bothered by hot flashes on a 4-point scale – from “not at all” to “extremely bothered,” and kept diaries noting the number and intensity of the hot flashes and night sweats. According to the report, the women had an average of five or more moderate to severe hot flashes or night sweats each day.

However, after taking classes once a week for eight weeks, along with a full day of training in mindfulness meditation, the training group of women had an average decrease of 15 percent in terms of how much the symptoms bothered them – compared to only 7 percent of the control group. The training group also reported better sleep, less anxiety and less perceived stress.

“The thing that surprised us the most was the effect on sleep,” said Camody in the HealthDay report. In fact, the mindfulness training was found to be as effective as hormone replacement therapy in reducing insomnia!

We all know practicing mindfulness and meditation help in so many different areas of physical, emotional and spiritual health. Now we can add menopause symptoms to the list!

To read about what to include and what NOT to include in your meditation room or space, read our FREE article "Meditation by Design."

Still struggling with meditation or finding the right practice for you? Read our FREE article "The Right Meditation for You."

Website Launching Free Online Coaching Program for Women Entrepreneurs

2010-12-08T16:21:00.000-05:00

Starting January 11, 2011 (1-11-11), The New Feminine Economy is launching a free online coaching program designed for women with a special emphasis on women entrepreneurs. Nan Akasha, a wealth expert and one of the three founders of the company explained the date was picked because “the number 'one' signifies new beginnings.”

The coaching program will feature 39 business experts and luminaries who are leaders in such industries as finance, business, science, medicine, thought mind, healing, spirituality and self empowerment. This includes Mark Victor Hansen, Eva Gregory and more.

The program is built on Facebook to allow both speakers and participants to contribute to the development of the core curriculum – and coaching sessions will be available online, and downloadable to mobile devices from http://www.thenewfeminineeconomy.com/.

“We invite women worldwide to join us in co-creating a new paradigm for women and women entrepreneurs,” said Maria Andros, one of the founders. “We expect millions of lives to be transformed due to this revolutionary audio and video coaching program.”

The program is 12 months long and sessions take place once a week.

According to the Web site, the program is free, and participants will be asked to donate one hour a month to help write a new law for how women create wealth.

“We will take the collective content and organize it in a “How To” book designed to help other women be themselves, do what they love and stay feminine and prosper in a new economy,” the Web site stated. “That means that you will be a co creator of the New Feminine Economy, the new way of creating money, building businesses and even be an author.”

For more information, visit http://www.thenewfeminineeconomy.com/.

Abraham-Hicks Talks Source Connection Part 2: Physical Health

2010-06-23T11:37:00.002-04:00

In Part 2 of our coverage from a live, online 2-hour event on HayHouseRadio.com featuring Esther and Jerry Hicks and the evolved consciousness collectively known as Abraham, we are focusing on physical health.

If you missed Part 1 on Unfulfilling Love Relationships, click here.

When a caller asked about physical health, explaining she found it hard to concentrate on perfect health because every time she feels “a twinge of pain, it sends me down in a spiral, and I feel like I’m on a roller coaster” of feeling good and feeling pain.

The title of the event was "Getting in the Vortex," and in their book "The Vortex: Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships," Abraham-Hicks describe the vortex as "that [which] contains all of the requests, all of the amended requests, each and every detail of each and every asking that has emanated from you - and the Law of Attraction is responding to that."

Abraham explained that as soon as we realize what it is we don’t want, simultaneously we understand what we do want, and that request “bounces vibrationally into this vortex where it is being held for you.”

Our physical body is made up of “trillions of cells and within them are consciousness,” said Abraham. “Every particle of consciousness – whether it’s a one cell organism, a cell in your body or a full human being – knows what it doesn’t want and what it does want, and sends out rockets” of desire.

In other words, similar to us as humans sending our rockets of desire into the universe, the cells in the body do the same. As soon as they realize they are not well, they send out the desire or need to be healthy, and their “request for improvement goes into their vortex – because your cells have a vortex too,” Abraham explained.

But here’s the difference between us as humans and the cells in our body – they don’t have a mind to get in the way!

“When a cell asks, the cell doesn’t brood and worry and fuss and justify and defend. So all day, every day, as your physical apparatus is exposed to unwanted intruders, the cells know what they don’t want and because they don’t hold themselves out of the vortex, they have manifestation right away,” Abraham said.

However, if we as human beings are feeling angry or upset or worried, we are setting up resistance that hinders the cells of our body from working properly. “If you are setting up resistance that the cell has to make its way through, you hinder immediate recovery or balance,” Abraham told the caller.

Instead of focusing on a pain in the body or any dis-ease, we need to get out of the way and let our cells do what they know how to do. Abraham recommends saying to ourselves, “Oh, this is exactly the way it is supposed to be. My cells are doing the work they know how to do because I am a vibrational being first and foremost … as these cells are asking for improvement, they would find it immediately if I would stop fussing and get out of the way. This sensation means help is on the way.”

In the vortex, we are already where we would like to be, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, Abraham explained. It’s just that this physical reality has not yet caught up with the vortex, and if we keep focusing on the physical reality, we will never catch up. “You just stay in the gap,” they told the caller.

Here’s to staying out of the way!

Click here to ready Part 1.

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Freezing Negativity

2010-06-15T21:51:00.004-04:00

After attending the Omega NYC conference in April, and sitting in on Sonia Choquette’s workshop, I purchased one of her books – “Trust Your Vibes: Secret Tools for Six-Sensory Living,” which explains how to live as what she calls a “six-sensory being” rather than living only with the five senses. Since then, I’ve been reading a chapter at a time, trying to absorb all of the “secrets” she offers.

A few weeks ago, I read a chapter on “Psychic Protection” where Choquette described a process for blocking negativity, and while I was intrigued by it, I didn’t think about trying it until I found myself extremely stressed about a few people in my life who seemed to be draining my energy and surrounding me with negativity.

While complaining to a friend – yes, I know with the law of attraction I should have kept my mouth shut, but I needed to vent – the exercise Choquette explained in the book popped into my head (thank you intuition) and right then and there I decided to get up and do it. I mean, why not? It couldn’t hurt, right?

The goal of the exercise, or ritual, is to block any negativity from coming toward you and actually “freeze” it. In the book, Choquette shares how she used this exercise years ago when she had someone working for her that brought a lot of negativity around her. A day after doing the exercise, the person quit. So I figured if it worked for her, it could work for me.

Choquette learned it from a friend, and I have since shared it with many friends and family members, who have seen amazing results.

Here it goes: Choquette explains to take a glass jar with a lid, fill it with water and add blue food coloring for “added protection.” Then write on a piece of paper the following:

“I freeze all negativity known or unknown moving toward me as of now.”

Add the paper to the water, close the jar lid and pop it in the freezer. That’s it. Leave the rest to the Universe to take care of, and go on with your life.

I did this on a Sunday evening, and immediately afterward felt a little lighter – like all my worries and stress were sealed in that jar, and I didn’t have to carry them around with me anymore. By the next morning I received a phone call I had been waiting on for weeks, and as the days continued, the people who were draining me suddenly had a change of personality.

Maybe it was the physical act of setting the intention and then letting go – Choquette explains in the book that the ritual “amplifies intention.” Maybe it was just coincidence. I don’t know, but aren’t you curious enough to find out for yourself?

Oh, and a word of caution – don’t fill the jar all the way … mine cracked in my freezer and I had a bunch of glass to clean up! Oops!!

Try it and then leave me a comment and let me know how it worked.

Omega NYC – An Event to Remember

2010-04-25T19:32:00.005-04:00

Last weekend, two of us from Elevated Existence attended the Omega NYC conference at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Times Square. The event kicked off Friday night with talks by Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, N.Y., and author of the book “Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow,” and Byron Katie, founder of The Work and author of a number of books, including “Loving What Is.”

The theme of the event – A Time for Renewal – ran throughout the weekend, no matter what workshop a person decided to attend. In addition to a track on “The Gifts of Buddhism and Western Psychology” with Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach and Mark Epstien, attendees could chose from a one and a half day workshop with Byron Katie; Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt; Donna Eden and David Feinstein; Michael Bernard Beckwith and Rickie Byars Beckwitch; Sonia Choquette; or Debbie Ford.

But Friday night was for everyone, and on Saturday night, attendees got a treat with a one-hour event (which stretched a little longer because everyone was having such a good time) with Michael Beckwith and the music of Rickie Byars Beckwith.

Lesser spoke first on Friday evening, addressing the audience about renewal and change, and explaining the importance of “the phoenix process,” which she wrote about in her book “Broken Open,” and how it is important to say “yes” to change.

“We spend so much of our life force resisting change,” she said. “We don’t want our relationships to change … we don't want to grow old … but at the same time, we long for change.”

Lesser explained the entire world seems to be going through a Phoenix Process right now, and what she has learned is to ask, “What do you want to teach me?” It’s the uncomfortable, sometimes painful feelings, that have things to teach us, she said, explaining how she asked this question when she found herself facing divorce in her early 30s – and learned some of the greatest lessons of her life from it.

She joked that what “cynical types call big crappy experiences, we spiritual types call growth experiences,” but although we know in our hearts we all go through them, we still hide from one another and then end up feeling alone.

Following Lesser, Byron Katie took the stage, and explained to the audience the process she teaches to end suffering – it’s called The Work, and consists of a number of questions to ask ourselves about the thoughts we think and the beliefs we hold. The goal is to realize who we would be without our stories – the one’s we tell others about ourselves and the pain and suffering we’ve endured.

“I haven't met a thought I haven't loved in 20 years,” said Katie. “If you want the world to change, question what you are believing, and boom, the world changes.”

Katie took a woman from the audience and went through the process with her – the woman felt betrayed, angry and hurt by a business partner who she blamed for bankrupting their business. The audience watched as Katie walked the woman through The Work process, questioning. Eventually, Katie brought her to peace by making her realize once she took responsibility for the issue, she could resolve it. However, if she waited for the person she believed was at fault to admit it, resolve it or make her feel better, she would probably be waiting a long time.

“If I look to [someone else] as the problem, it isn't ever going to be solved. I have to start with myself,” said Katie, as she brought the woman to the realization that she was not betrayed by this man – that she, in fact, betrayed herself.

“I knew he exaggerated figures, and I didn’t like him from the beginning,” the woman admitted.

Katie explained she was the one who did the betraying – by betraying herself and her instincts, and not speaking up. He just did what she expected of him from the start.
On Saturday, I attended Sonia Choquette’s workshop – “The Answer is Simple: Love Yourself, Love Your Spirit,” and our editor T Love attended Debbie Ford’s workshop -- “Loving Your Shadow.” Read her initial reaction to the conference here.

By the end of the weekend, we were both sad it was over! We learned so much, and can’t wait to share it with you all – but you have to wait for our June 2010 Issue of Elevated Existence! It’s our 2nd Anniversary Issue!

Stay tuned!

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Abraham-Hicks Talks Source Connection Part 1: Unfulfilling Love Relationships

2010-04-07T20:29:00.004-04:00

In a live, online 2-hour event, Ester and Jerry Hicks, and the evolved consciousness collectively known as Abraham, tackled topics ranging from reviving a stalled relationship and healing disease to the best time for using affirmations – and no matter the issue at hand, the solution always came back to connection. When we are connected to our inner being, our true self and our Source, we feel good. We manifest the things we desire, and all that we need to accomplish our goals seems to fall directly into our laps.

But when we are not connected, when we are focused on lack or on what we don’t want, negativity has a tendency to take over, and we forget that we have a choice not to stay there. Abraham reminds us that we can always make the choice to reconnect.

"As you poke around at the problem, you deny yourself access to the solution," Abraham said during the live event last Wednesday night on HayHouseRadio.com. "Look around your world and try to find things that are pleasing to you. Hang with positive friends and listen to music you like to get yourself back into the vortex."

The title of the event was "Getting in the Vortex," and in their book "The Vortex: Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships," they describe the vortex as "that [which] contains all of the requests, all of the amended requests, each and every detail of each and every asking that has emanated from you - and the Law of Attraction is responding to that."

So, when we connect to the vortex, or our Source, we hook up to all we desire, which is sitting and waiting for us to reconnect.

During the event, a woman called into the live show and asked what she should do about a 15 year relationship that she no longer found fulfilling. What Abraham explained to her – and what is true for all of us – is that throughout her current relationship, and even before it started, she put preferences out into the universe about the type of relationship she wanted. When she first met this person, it was fun and fulfilling, but eventually she began focusing on what she didn’t like – and that is when the trouble began!

"You created 'YOU in a relationship' [that you desire] that is right now suspended in a vibrational arena waiting for you to vibrationally catch up with it. But you are not catching up because you are looking at the unpleasant details and using them as an excuse for holding you apart from who you really are," said Abraham during the broadcast.

Until she becomes a vibrational match to the relationship she says she desires, she will not manifest it – whether it's with the current love in her life, or someone new.

"We have a tendency to say, 'hey lover of mine, you need to be different because when I look at you as you are, I don't feel good,' but it is your job to feel good, no matter what your relationship is – then the better one can come in – either with him or another," said Abraham, explaining we need to care enough about feeling good and connecting with Source that we ignore what is happening in front of us, and focus on what we want to happen instead.

"We know it is easier to look at what is happening then to focus on what you want, but by saying 'if you were different, I would feel better,' has you in a place of bondage because you can’t control anybody else."

Yes, it is easier said than done, but once we get there…the results are SO worth it!
Stay tuned for Abraham’s take on healing disease in the body in Part 2 of our coverage of "Getting in the Vortex"!

And read our March Issue Free Preview Article "Walking On The Sunny Side," for tips on helping you stay positive no matter what happens in your life!

To Read Part 2: Physical Health, click here.

Tammy Mastroberte
Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Elevating Yourself Out of Workplace Conflict

2010-02-01T20:28:00.003-05:00

So many young adults long to grow up, finish school and get out into the working world with dreams of making a name for themselves. I graduated college in four years, carrying 15 to 18 credits a semester and attending two or more classes during the summer to do it, and couldn’t wait to get out and start making money -- and somehow make a difference.

But once a person lands in the working world, he or she inevitably realizes it is often riddled with people who are not only eager to get ahead, but who are willing to do so at the expense of others, and suddenly it doesn't seem so fun anymore.

Whether its lying, stealing or stabbing a co-worker in the back, no matter what industry a person works in, he or she is bound to experience this scenario either first-hand or as a witness.

While the first response is often anger, or feeling hurt, I believe when something like this presents itself in our lives, we need to look for the lesson and have faith that there is a meaning behind it. Often the people who cause us to struggle the most are the ones who become our greatest teachers.

Last year, I interviewed hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons on the subject of spirituality and business for Elevated Existence Magazine’s March 2009 cover story, and asked his advice on dealing with challenges and negativity at work.

"Learning from a tough experience is the most important thing in life, and resilience is just critical," he said in the March 2009 cover story. “It's like in yoga when you practice the hardest poses, and you just smile and breathe no matter how difficult the pose is -- and then one day the pose becomes easy. It’s the same in life. You take it off the mat."

While it may be as difficult to smile and breath through a yoga pose as it is to deal with a betrayal at work, what he says makes sense. When a challenge presents itself in our lives, we are often meant to gain understanding and knowledge from it in order to evolve to the next step in our spiritual lives.

If you are facing conflict or betrayal at work, it may be teaching you to stand up for yourself, and not allow others to take your power. It may even be as simple as learning not to trust this person in the future, which could save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

Just know the longer you hold on to the anger or hurt feelings, the more damage you are doing to YOURSELF! Find the lesson and love yourself enough to let go of the pain. And if you can¹t figure out what you are being taught, or you are having trouble letting go of the negative emotions, ask your guides, angels and the Divine to help you understand and release the pain. Believe me, they are more than willing to help!

Five Resolutions for a Spiritual New Year

2010-01-01T23:19:00.003-05:00

Every year we make resolutions with the intention of "getting it right" this year. We vow to lose weight, join a gym or quit smoking, but it seems by the time January 2 rolls around, we already doubt our ability to keep them. And by the second or third week of the month they are a distant memory.

This year, instead of making your usual resolutions, try a few that will connect you with your higher self, and with the Divine source inside us all. If you start here, all your usual resolutions will fall into place.

Here are five spiritual resolutions worth making and keeping this year:

1. Spend time quieting your mind every day. Meditation, whether using a mantra or simply concentrating on your breath, can help you connect to the truth and strength within. It will raise your vibration, lower your blood pressure and improve your life in countless ways.

2. Every morning when you wake up and every evening when you go to sleep, check in with your angels and spirit guides. Thank them for their guidance and ask them to open your eyes, ears and heart to the messages and signs they send you throughout the day -- then pay attention to them when they come your way!

3. Create a gratitude journal and write down five things you are grateful for each day. Then write down five things you want to attract in your life as if you have already received them, and thank the Divine for sending them into your life.

4. Come up with at least five ways to give back – to your friends, family, community or the world. Whether you volunteer at a local community center, nursing home or hospital; create a family game night where once a month you come together with family to laugh, love and have fun; or donate to a charity such as Habitat for Humanity, or your local PBS Television station, do something to give back without expecting anything in return.

5. Make a list of affirmations to say to yourself as you are getting ready for the day, or getting ready for bed. Concentrate on topics where you are trying to manifest something, or an area of your life you want to improve. For example, for abundance and money, "Signs of abundance are all around me, and money flows to me easily and often." For health and healing, "My body is healthy, whole and complete. I feel better with each passing day. All is well."

Happy New Year from Elevated Existence Magazine! May this year be filled with blessings and love for us all!

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Dr. Wayne Dyer Interviewed By Arielle Ford

2009-10-26T17:24:00.005-04:00

In the below article, contributed by bestselling author, Arielle Ford, Dr. Wayne Dyer speaks about his film, "The Shift," as well as his diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Dr. Wayne Dyer Opens Up About His Film, His Life

by Arielle Ford

Dr. Wayne Dyer, who is affectionately called the "father of motivation" by his fans, began his career as an author in the early 1970s by traveling the country alone and selling his first book, Your Erroneous Zones, from the trunk of his car. That book went on to sell more than 30 million copies, and became the best-selling book of the 1970s. Despite a childhood spent in orphanages and foster homes, he has overcome many obstacles to make his dreams come true. Today, he spends much of his time showing others how to do the same.

As an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development, he has written more than 30 books, 18 of which have been national bestsellers. Several of his books have been featured as PBS specials, which has resulted in raising more than $150 million for national public television.

There is now a film that encompasses his core teachings, The Shift, which is available through www.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com. Dr. Dyer appears as himself, along with a star-studded cast. In The Shift we discover that every life has a turning point, a shift, a choice to make about what really matters.

AF: What’s the most important, life-changing thing that you’d like people to walk away with after seeing this film?WD: That everyone has a dharma, a destiny, a “calling of the soul.” Every bird, every tree, every person comes into this world with something it is destined to do. All of the creatures on the planet don’t get confused about this. They are what they are. Human beings, because they take on a false self, or ego, start to believe that what they do or what they have defines them. The Shift illustrates that when you are at peace and you let go, you will be guided into your dharma. You will be living a life of meaning rather than ambition. That is the “shift.”

AF: What’s a memory that stands out about the making of the movie?
WD: At one point, after I had done a scene many times, I realized that I was trying too hard. I was trying to be an actor and remember my lines. Then I remembered that the words in the script were guidelines. I just needed to be myself. At that moment the movie shifted from being a trial to allowing myself to just be me.

AF: What are some of your all-time favorite movies that have touched or inspired you?WD: My very favorite is "Déjà Vu" by Henry Jaglom (featured in Spiritual Cinema Circle’s Vol. 10 – 2007) I’ve seen it 50 times. This film opens up all the possibilities about life, love and fate — you begin to realize that this universe has endless possibilities. "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," the story of St. Francis of Assisi is my second favorite movie. I also loved "Forrest Gump" and "A Man for All Seasons."

AF: You’ve recently been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. What can you share about this experience? WD: When you come into this world with big dharma, you get big challenges. This is just another one of them. As a child I lived in an orphanage. My parents left me when I was little. My wife left me. I have had serious addictions in my life that I have let go of. I will be able to understand it, make it work for me, and help other people. I haven’t judged it or been angry with it. I am not worried about healing it. I am working to live with it. I think when you fight anything, you weaken yourself. I am inviting it to stay in peace and harmony with me or leave. It’s up to it. It’s just another life force. Elisabeth Kubler Ross said, “When you shield the mountain from the windstorms, you will never see the beauty of the carving.”

You can receive "The Shift" plus three great short films for FREE when you sign up for a trial membership of Spiritual Cinema Circle (just pay a small shipping fee). This is the only DVD service dedicated to films about love, compassion and inspiration. Simply go to: www.spiritualcinemacircle.com

For more information about Wayne Dyer, his books and workshops, please visit www.DrWayneDyer.com.

About Arielle Ford:
Arielle Ford is the bestselling author of THE SOULMATE SECRET: Manifest The Love of Your Life With The Law of Attraction. She is also a founding partner of www.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com. Her Web sites include www.soulmatesecret.com and www.everythingyoushouldknow.com.

The Omega Institute Brings Thich Nhat Hanh to NYC

2009-10-11T22:56:00.009-04:00

I am honored to have been among the group of people gathered at The Beacon Theater in New York on Friday night to hear Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh speak about mindfulness, peace, compassion, joy and happiness, and how to achieve it in everyday life. The following day he led a group of people in a day of mindfulness, including a mindfulness peace walk around a busy New York City block to prove that mindfulness and peace can be found anywhere, at any time.

When I first entered the theater on Friday night, a screen showed an artwork of calligraphy done by Thich Nhat Hanh with the words, “Peace in oneself, Peace in the world,” and as the audience awaited his arrival, followers of his led the group in the practice of mindfulness mediation.

Once he arrived, the monks on stage sang and chanted in a way that not only brought you into the present moment, but relaxed every part of your body and mind. Before they began, Thich Nhat Hanh told the audience “the collective energy of mindfulness generated by the chanting will penetrate every cell in our body, and we will feel the stress, anger and pain in our heart relieved.” In essence, the monks created in the audience, what each of us can create in any moment we chose to practice mindfulness.

“I view humanity as a garden and each of us a flower,” said Hanh. “To me, peace and compassion are the two most beautiful flowers to contemplate. We do have the seeds of compassion and peace within us and if we know how . . . we can cause them to grow and bring forth flowers.”

The way to grow these seeds is through mindfulness, he explained, which brings us into the present moment – the here and now – and can be done during any activity, whether simply breathing, walking or even drinking a cup of tea.

“The past is already gone and the future is not here yet. With mindfulness, we can find peace and happiness in the present moment,” he said. “We have a tendency to run back to the past or go to the future – that brings suffering. Practice mindfulness to avoid the pull of the past and the future.”

By staying in the present moment, becoming aware of each step we take, how we hold a cup in our hand as we drink our tea, or the toothbrush as we brush our teeth, we can realize there are many conditions for us to be happy about in the present moment, including the fact that we are alive. And in doing so, we can connect to God or source.

“Peace, joy and happiness should be looked for in the present moment,” he said. “To me the kingdom of God is not an abstract idea. We can touch it not only with our mind, but also our hand and body. It is in the here and now, and by giving in to the present moment that we can touch the kingdom.”

He told the audience, God is available 24 hours a day. The question we must ask ourselves is, are we available to the kingdom of God?

“You need to bring yourself into the here and now, the present. It takes one breath, or one step and you are in the kingdom,” he explained.

However, he cautioned for people not to look to the present moment in hopes of avoiding all suffering. “The kingdom is not a place without suffering. Suffering is a very big part of building the kingdom,” he said, explaining that most people are afraid of suffering and spend so much time trying to run away from it when the truth is, suffering is needed.

“Without the mud, there cannot be a lotus flower. Without suffering, we cannot find compassion and happiness,” he said. “My definition of the kingdom is a place where there is understanding and compassion – it is with suffering. Just as there is no lotus flower without mud, there is no understanding without suffering.”

It is by suffering that we are given the chance to develop compassion and offer it to others, he explained. Suffering and pain cause us to grow and gain understanding, not only of ourselves, but of others. And once we can understand and recognize the pain of others, compassion can arise within us.

In talking about the world at large, Hanh explained there is more suffering than is needed because the problem is many have not yet learned from their suffering because they continue to fear it.

“People are afraid of suffering. We try to cover up our suffering with consumption. We turn on the television. We pick up the telephone and talk. We go to the Internet. We pick up a novel to read. We do everything not to be in touch with our suffering, and we bring more suffering, hate and anger because many of the items we consume are toxic. We watch the news, we read an article and by consuming these every day, we make the problems worse.”

However, the energy of mindfulness can help us take care of our pain and suffering. We can embrace our suffering in the same way a mother embraces her newborn baby when it begins to cry, he explained. She may not know what is wrong with the baby, but once she embraces it, it usually brings some relief. The same is true with our own suffering. We may not know the source of our pain or sorrow, but by embracing it with mindfulness, we can find some relief, he noted.

“With mindfulness we have a boat, and we don’t sink in the river of suffering,” said Hanh.

A person can learn how to use “the garbage in the garden,” or the suffering in his or her life “to create compost to nourish the flowers in the garden,” he said, noting we should not be afraid of the fear, the despair or the garbage in us. “You can handle the garbage in a way that it can make compost and nourish the garden. A good practitioner can handle the garbage, the afflictions, and turn it into a flower.”

Transformation is possible, said Hanh, explaining the Buddha is not a God, but a human being, and that every man and woman has the seeds of mindfulness inside of them that in time becomes a Buddha.

In order to nourish these seeds, there is the need for a spiritual practice, whether through mindfulness, meditation or prayer, which allows us to “go home to ourselves.” He explained mindfulness can help us be in the present moment and understand what is going on in our minds, our bodies and our consciousness.

To begin to practice, he suggested the first step to mindful breathing as follows:

Breathing in, say silently to yourself, “I know this is my in breath.” Breathing out, say silently to yourself, “I know this is my out breath.”

In doing this, we can learn to abandon the past and the future. There is no struggle to breathe in and out because breathing comes naturally, he said. “You can enjoy your in breath and out breath and you don’t have to make any effort. You can do it on the bus, driving a car, sitting in the grass or watering the vegetable garden. Mindfulness is always mindfulness of something – mindfulness of breathing, mindfulness of walking, mindfulness of tooth brushing. Our breath brings our mind back to our body and our body and mind become one.”

The following day, Hanh led a full workshop, including a walking meditation on the streets of New York City, but he explained we can walk with mindfulness at any time. “Try slow walking when you are alone – breathe in and pay attention to your in breath, and as you take one step, say silently, “I have arrived,” meaning you have arrived in the here and now.

“You can enter the kingdom of God with one step,” he said.

With one step, or one breath, we can enter the present moment. We can be grateful for a heart that beats, for eyes that allow us to see the beauty surrounding us, and for the breath that keeps us alive. No matter how much we collect or how wealthy and famous we are – we can realize we possess life, which Hanh believes is the greatest miracle of all.

“God, the Universe and Where I Fit In” – A Must Read by Psychic Medium Dr. Laurie Ann Levin

2009-10-06T21:26:00.008-04:00

I first met Dr. Laurie Ann Levin in a rather routine way for the publishing industry - her publicist contacted me with a pitch. However, our meeting at the publicist’s office in New York City was anything but routine.

I sat down in the conference room and handed Levin a binder copy of our September 2008 issue with Joe Vitale on the cover, and while she was flipping through it, she smiled and asked me, “Who is Gina? Is that your sister?”

I quickly searched the files in my brain to figure out where I wrote about my sister in the issue, or a past issue, or even online somewhere, that she would know my sister’s name – but I came up blank. Both Levin and the publicist must have noticed the confused look on my face because Levin said, “Your mother is here and she is calling out to your sister.”

Considering my mother passed away eight years prior to our meeting, you can imagine my surprise!

“She does this all the time,” said her publicist. And while I have been to mediums who can communicate with departed souls on “the other side,” I certainly wasn’t expecting to hear from my mother in the middle of a business meeting!

The next two hours went by in a haze, and while I tried to remain professional, talking about the magazine and the possibility of her writing a column for us, she interjected with messages from my mother throughout that were so accurate, comforting and all around amazing, I knew this woman was special. Today, I am honored to call her a friend.

That was more than a year ago, and in the beginning of this month, Levin released her first book, “God, the Universe, and Where I Fit In: A Psychic's Reflections on Figuring Out the Rest of Your Life,” a compelling autobiography where she explains her own spiritual journey, and reveals how she discovered and honed her own intuitive and psychic abilities, as well as how we can all tap into the divine guidance that is always available to us.

Once a successful agent at the Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles, working with the likes of Michael Jackson and Madonna, Levin used her intuitive sense – before she knew what it was – to spot talent in those she signed to the company. But after helping her mother transition to the other side from cancer and sharing her beliefs about life after death, or what she calls “life after life,” a term coined by Dr. Raymond Moody, a dramatic change took place within her, and she left Hollywood and her budding career as a movie producer.

Levin went back to school, earning a degree in psychology, and armed herself with the goal of pioneering a new way of treatment by combining intuition and spiritual guidance with psychology and alternative healing practices.

It is through her journey readers learn the transformative power of divine guidance, and understand one simply needs to ask for it, trust and act on it once it shows up to reap its rewards.

And one of the most amazing stories in the book is how she met her husband, Gerald Levin, former CEO of AOL/Time Warner – who wrote the introduction to the book. The story will give you chills and make even the biggest skeptic believe in the power of true love and destiny.

Today, Levin is the founder and CEO of Moonview Sanctuary in Santa Monica, Calif., and lectures around the world about her unique approach. I believe she has a tremendous amount to offer the world – I know she has taught me a lot over the past year – and I highly recommend this book.

To preview a 20-second video preview of the book click here.

And tune in to The View on Oct. 16 to see Dr. Laurie Ann Levin channeling for Barbara Walters!

Witnessing the Power of Meditation Through Biofeedback

2009-09-28T21:54:00.007-04:00

Elevated Existence’s contributing editor Mehgan Belanger shares her experience with meditation and what she learned from a biofeedback machine at a Science Center!

For roughly a year, I’ve known the physical and emotional effects practicing meditation can have on a person, but it wasn’t until recently that I witnessed its power firsthand through a makeshift biofeedback session, and came to realize the intangible benefits of meditation.

I first began meditating when I found myself in a stressful period of my life and needed to find a way to cope with the frustration and emotions I was feeling. I didn’t turn to meditation immediately, though, and first tried journaling my experiences and exercising. Although these were good ways to “blow off some steam,” the effects were temporary, and I wasn’t feeling the relief I knew my body and mind craved.

After repeatedly hearing and reading about meditation’s benefits, I finally decided to experiment for myself. I downloaded a few guided meditation podcasts to my iPod, among them episodes from The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Chill Meditation and Mediation Oasis.

The first few times I meditated, it was as if a veil was lifted from my eyes and mind. My senses felt attuned to the world around me. The beauty in the mundane was revealed and shouted out to be noticed. It was as if I was a modern Dorothy who had stumbled upon an undiscovered Oz lying hidden my previously black-and-white existence.

I also relished in the feeling of a silent -- or at least quieted -- mind. And I found that on my way to work and before I fell asleep at night, my mind no longer ran a repetitive marathon through my checklist of “to-dos” and “don’t forgets.”

Months later, I found myself more calm and less emotionally driven than previously. Of course there was still stress in my life, but the feeling that I was drowning (and frantically flailing to keep my head above the water of projects in my personal and professional life) had abated.

And while this was more than enough proof for me that meditation has a substantial impact on my consciousness, an unexpected experience with biofeedback revealed to me even more evidence of the power of meditation.

I recently visited the newly opened Connecticut Science Center with some companions, and among the many exhibits there was an interactive biofeedback display called “Mind Ball.” There, two people could don headbands that measured alpha and theta brain waves, which were displayed on screens above the subjects. In the middle of the two participants, there was a yellow table with a clear tube that stretched from one person to the other, and inside the tunnel was a little beige ball placed in the center. Based on the participant’s state of relaxation, the ball would move away from a person who was more relaxed and towards a person whose brain was more active.

After watching a few other visitors try their relaxation skills with varied results, I strapped on the headband along with one of my companions. As the experiment began, I silently repeated a mantra from one of The Chopra Center’s podcasts –- thinking “So” when inhaling, and “Hum” when exhaling.

Almost instantaneously the little ball in the tube began a steady and quick path away from me. The ball picked up speed as I repeated my mantra, and only once did it slow its course when another one of my companions made a joke about what was happening, and my mantra was broken as I laughed.

Looking at the brainwaves displayed on the screen after we had finished the experiment was the truly amazing part of the entire experience. Whereas the previous participants and my companion had erratic spikes and dips in their measured brainwaves, mine started off at a high level and rapidly plummeted to a level lower than any of the other subjects we had seen. My brainwaves continued a fairly even course at the bottom of the screen until the moment I had laughed, where there was a spike back to its original level, and again fell as I regained my mantra.

Visualizing how my brain responds during meditation was an enlightening experience, one that helped reinforce my decision to pick up the practice, and one that I will share with others in my recommendation of it.

For more on meditation, click here for Elevated Existence's FREE preview article on "Finding the Right Meditation for You."

The Spiritual Side of Olivia Newton John

2009-09-21T15:31:00.008-04:00

Like many of us, I grew up watching and listening to Olivia Newton-John – from her iconic appearance in the movie “Grease” to her amazing music career that continues today.

But while flipping through the TV channels one day, I came across the show “Healing Quest” on PBS, and I discovered another side of Olivia Newton-John – her spiritual side.

Newton-John is one of the hosts of the spiritual wellness show, and in Elevated Existence’s newest issue she reveals how that came to be, as well as how she fell in love with and married her husband John Easterling, founder of The Amazon Herb Co.; how she survived cancer and is currently working on building The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center in Australia; what led her to create her two spiritually focused CDs – “Gaia” and “Grace and Gratitude” – how a sign from her mother and a dream led to the creation of her spa, also called Gaia, in Australia, and more.

Here is a sneak peek at a portion of the Elevated Existence September 2009 Cover Story featuring an interview with Olivia Newton-John:

An Inspired Voice

When Olivia Newton-John first discovered she had breast cancer, a Buddhist friend said to her, “Congratulations. Now you will grow.”At the time she wasn’t sure what he meant, but now, more than 16 years later, she understands.

“The more we go through in life, the more we grow,” she tells Elevated Existence. “You don’t grow in life without difficulties, so you can make a decision to get angry or bitter, or choose to learn and be grateful. It’s your choice, and I chose to feel grateful that I was given a second chance at life and love.”

Newton-John is now cancer-free and continues to thrive today at the age of 60. Like anyone faced with a life-threatening illness, she initially felt fear. However, she eventually began to examine her spiritual beliefs and made the conscious decision to stay positive, which she feels aided in her recovery.

“I think all belief systems take you to the same place. They are all to find peace and wellness, and I did everything I could for my mental health, my spiritual health and my body’s health,” she says. “I tried to keep a positive spirit because that was really important to my healing, as it is for anyone going through [cancer].”

It was during her recovery that she wrote the lyrics for her album “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey,” which features songs such as “Trust Yourself,” “Not Gonna Give Into It,” and “Why Me?” Inspired by the time she spent in a Brazilian rainforest a year before her diagnosis, the title track, “Gaia,” is written about Mother Earth. “I was actually inspired to get out of bed in the middle of the night and write these songs,” Newton-John recalls.

“At the time, I didn’t think I was going to sing anymore, but these songs just wanted to come out. They kept waking me up, and this album was a healing for me.”

To read the entire article, you can subscribe to Elevated Existence – only $10 for one year!

To see what else is in the September issue, including a free preview article, click here.

Madonna's Spiritual Side: In Here Own Words

2009-08-08T16:38:00.003-04:00

I’m going to just say it – I think Madonna gets a bad rap.

Yes, she has spent most of her career creating controversy, stirring things up for publicity and angering political and religious groups around the world – to name a few – not to mention her own brother who penned a not so flattering book about her. But I have always admired her drive, her strength and her intelligence. When Madonna does something, she goes big or goes home, and she applies the same tenacity and drive the public sees in her work to her spiritual beliefs and practice. I, for one, can’t help but admire that.

Still, she has come under attack from many about her beliefs and her practice of Kabbalah, and I just can’t help but wonder why. Madonna may be rich and famous, but Madonna is a human being like the rest of us. She longs for connection, a meaning to life and an understanding of the Universe. Don’t we all? She happened to find what she is looking for in Kabbalah – which essentially teaches us all to be responsible for our own actions, to love one another as we want to be loved, and to give onto others as we wish to receive. Isn’t that what any spiritual or religious belief system is essentially teaching?

I believe we can all learn a tremendous amount from Madonna and her spiritual journey. She lives a life of fame and fortune most of us will never understand or experience, and still she longed for more – she longed for meaning. She serves as an amazing example of how without some type of belief or connection to a higher power, all the money, fame and material things we desire mean nothing when it comes to happiness and inner peace.

"I traveled the world many times over, performed in soccer stadiums, appeared in films, dined with state leaders, collaborated with great artists and achieved what most people would view as a high level of success, but I still fel something was missing in my life," she said in her article on YNet News.

Maybe I have a soft spot for Madonna because like her I lost my mother young. Maybe I can understand the longing she feels to make sense of it all because of that. And maybe its because I too was brought up Catholic and found myself still searching for answers. But I think Madonna says it best herself in an article she wrote for a YNet News in Israel titled, "I Found an Answer," about her journey into the world of Kabbalah. I think if you read it, you too will identify with the human being and her search for meaning behind the famous name.

Read it here and let me know what you think.

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine

A Poem About Reducing Stress

2009-08-07T10:07:00.003-04:00

I originally wrote this for Elevated Existence's blog on Intent.com, but wanted to share it here in case our followers of Elevated Ideas Online didn't see it! I hope you enjoy it! Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Stress Less

Stress is a burden we all seem to bare,
In a world of oneness it's something we share.

But those who have died look upon us and say,
Remember the truth, and stop stressing today.

For we are all infinite beings you see,
Just connect with your source, it knows where you should be.

Take one day at a time, and know all will get done,
Surrender your burdens to the infinite one.

Remember God gives only what we can take,
In truth there is nothing our souls cannot shake.

So make your To Do lists and manage your time,
It's all an illusion some day you will find.

Be loving in heart, and grateful in mind,
Find joy in your work, and treat yourself kind.

When it starts to unravel or fall off the track,
Just return to your soul, it knows the way back.

By Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Finding Synchronicity in a Fortune Cookie

2009-07-22T18:27:00.004-04:00

Just ask my friends and co-workers, and they will tell you – I’m always talking about synchronicity and how the events of our life our so interconnected.
Of course, many times we don’t connect these events until after they happen, and many people don’t even look back to connect the dots at all. But the other day, a funny thing happened to me with a fortune cookie that I think illustrates our connection to the universe, and I wanted to share it!

After eating Chinese food for dinner, I looked at the array of fortune cookies sitting on the table, and suddenly had a thought – “Wouldn’t it be funny if the cookie I picked had a message intended for me? Can the universe actually speak to us through a cookie?”

At the time, I was working hard on a number of projects for Elevated Existence, and had spoken to a friend that morning about the common frustration of things not moving fast enough for me! Patience was never my virtue, although I am learning to cultivate it!

So I summoned my intuition, and chose a cookie. Here is what it said:

“All the effort you are making will ultimately pay off.”

Now skeptics will tell me half of the fortune cookies in the world probably have the same message, and maybe one or two others on the table had it, too. But I chose to take it as encouragement from the universe telling me to keep doing what I’m doing, and all my goals will be achieved.

Just think about what went into getting that exact fortune onto my kitchen table. The manufacturer had to get it shipped to a distributor. Then that distributor had to pack the exact box with my fortune cookie in it, and decide to deliver it to my local Chinese restaurant. Then I had to decide I wanted Chinese food that evening, and the man or woman who packed the order for food had to choose this exact cookie amongst a bunch of other cookies to put in my bag. And finally, out of the five sitting on my table, I picked this one. That is one amazing journey for a fortune cookie – which to me is synchronicity at its best!

You see, the universe is always trying to communicate to us, but often we are too busy or too skeptical to pay attention and recognize the messages it sends. And you know what? Even if every fortune cookie on my table had the exact same fortune, the difference is, I choose to believe this is a message for me, and that I will attain my goals. And aren’t we living in a universe created out of our thoughts and beliefs?

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
http://www.elevatedexistence.com

Transforming Through Challenge

2009-07-04T15:20:00.009-04:00

Some of the challenges we face in life can be handled and sorted through easily, dissolving not long after they pop up. But there are some that knock us off our feet when we least expect it – and these are not always so easy to shake.

While everyone deals with life's challenges differently, I like to view each challenge as a chance to transform – a chance to grow. Our June 2009 cover story interview with Dr. Judith Orloff about her book "Emotional Freedom," looks at how our emotions offer us a chance to transform our soul, and I think the same lesson can be applied to any adversity we face. With each bump in the road, I always try to find the lesson and expand my awareness a little more.

Here are a few of the things I try to remember when facing a difficult situation or challenge – big or small:

-- Remember to Get Quiet – I remind myself the importance of meditation to clear my mind, and connect with source, knowing an answer will come.

-- Surrender/Ask for Help – I call on my angels, guides and God to help direct me to the answers I seek, and ask that they open my eyes to see the signs sent in my direction.

-- Be Grateful – I give thanks for what I do have, and try to look at the positive side of every challenge. I’ll also remind myself of the good things that have come out of past challenges, and be thankful for them as well.

-- Love Yourself Through It – No matter what the challenge, we all must remember to love ourselves for who we are – pieces of God – and know that we can tap into that energy at any time. In particularly taxing times, I try to treat myself gently, as I would a good friend, and remind myself that everything is love, and so am I.

-- Look for the Gift – When we are in the midst of a challenge or difficult time, it can seem impossible to find a gift within the situation – but in time, it will usually reveal itself. I know that with each challenge, I will end up stronger.

Blessings to you all!

Tammy

Meditating to Awaken

2009-06-22T22:54:00.006-04:00

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting meditation teacher, David Harshada Wagner at East West Bookstore in New York City to celebrate the release of his new meditation CD called "Meditation for Everyone."

Although his name was new to me, something drew me to the invitation in my e-mail inbox, and I decided to attend the event, and stay for the meditation class following - which happens to takes place every Wednesday night at East West Yoga next door to the bookstore. And I’m so glad I did!

Harshada is the founder and director of Banyan Education in New York, a writer, meditation teacher and a yogi, who travels around the world teaching people to go within and connect with a higher power, and also teaches mediation to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

When he spoke last Wednesday night in the café at East West Books, he told the audience his goal is to get everyone to know their own soul.

"There is a part in each and every human being that yearns to be connected to the world around us, the people around us and to source energy or God," said Harshada. "In teaching meditation, I feel I’m giving people from all walks of life a way to connect with God."

He explained that most people who try mediation for the first time complain it is impossible or boring to do, and his goal is to change that view. "I present mediation so it's more like a hot bath and less like a cold shower," he joked.
The new CD offers three guided mediations that can be done by the expert of the novice, and Harashada's voice guides the listener into and out of each one – all approximately 15 minutes each.

"The CD is a user-friendly approach to mediation, mediations crafted for anyone," he said. "I lead you in and out, but the most important part is the chunk in the middle where I do nothing. It's in the gap."

I had the pleasure of sitting in on the class where Harshada not only guided a large group of us through a series of meditations, but also spoke about the goal of meditation – not just to get quiet and relax, but to go within and awaken to who we really are, to find the God energy within us, and to discover a new type of awareness. And the experience was amazing. I found time stood still for me, and I what was surely at least 10 minutes felt like only seconds.

If you happen to be around on a Wednesday night in New York City, I recommend taking his class at East West near Union Square. If not, I recommend his new CD. And I thank Harshada for the wonderful experience. I will surely be dropping by again!

Follow Your Compass, Fulfill Your Dreams

2009-06-15T09:11:00.006-04:00

Some people call it an internal guidance system, others a gut feeling or internal voice. But no matter how you refer to it, we all have a gauge within us that lets us know when we are on the right path, and when we may have veered into a possible dead end.

But how many of us pay attention to that guidance from within, or recognize it when it’s desperately trying to get our attention? And how many of us even know how or where to start once we do?

"The Compass" book and DVD aim to help those on a spiritual path looking to find their individual compass toward uncovering their purpose, and living a life of accomplishment, peace and meaning.

And it all started with a desire to make a movie offering more than advice about thinking and believing in the power to manifest one's dreams, but that offered an outline of the action steps needed to get there, according to executive producer and healthy living expert John Spencer Ellis, who is also co-author of the book with the same name.

"You can motivate someone all you want, but if they don’t have a sense of direction, or compass, they will just run in circles," he tells Elevated Existence.
The movie features 23 experts on personal success, spirituality and self-improvement, including Joe Vitale, John Assaraf, Dr. John Demartini, Brian Tracy, Dr. Bruce Lipton, and more, who offer tools on how to find your own compass, and how to take the action steps necessary to carry out your desires. The production team interviewed each expert for three hours, according to Ellis.

"You cannot attract unless you act," he says. "The experts give you the tools and suggestions on what to think and do to make your life better."

But what really hit home for us at Elevated Existence are the four real-life stories of people who have overcome a variety of challenges by following their own internal compass.

"We wanted to show how people from all walks of life had overcome tragedy," says Ellis. "We tried to choose people so that no matter who was watching, one of the stories would resonate with them."

From a man whose compass moved him at the age of 34 to trade in a successful career as a rock 'n' roll promoter and travel around the world doing humanitarian work, to a high school teacher who woke up in a hospital to discover he was a quadruple amputee, but returned to teaching, these people serve as inspiring examples of following their inner compass, overcoming life’s obstacles and making a difference.

"People have the ability to change their life a lot more than they think. It's all about application," Ellis explains. "People can watch the DVD and be motivated or entertained, but they need to take action steps. First they need to take an inventory of where they are now, and look at the steps necessary to take in order to get where they want to be."

The DVD is broken into 10 segments to cover a variety of concepts including Focus, Courage, Authenticity, Determination, Spirituality and Gratitude – all foundations to becoming successful, Ellis says.

"When your compass moves because of some type of life-changing circumstance, people are often moved to go inside and find purpose, and it is always found when you are serving other people," Ellis notes.

Complimenting the movie is the release of the book, "The Compass," written by Ellis and co-author Tammy Kling. We read the book before viewing the movie, and once we picked it up, we couldn't put it down.

While the book compliments the movie, it is very different. As a fictional novel, it takes the reader on a journey with a man named Jonathan Taylor, whose life changes in an instant because of a tragic accident involving his wife and daughter. Wanting to escape, he finds himself wandering aimlessly from the deserts of Nevada to the Adirondacks, Romania and Holland, before finally heading back to Los Angeles to face the reality of his life.

What Jonathan – and the reader – learn through the unexpected people he meets along his path, including a mountain main with an MBA, a 10-year old orphan and a bicycle shop keeper in a wheelchair, illustrates the concept of following one's compass, paying attention to the circumstances life and the universe throw into our paths, and learning to connect the synchronicities of life, which continue to show there are no accidents.

As Jonathan awakens in self-awareness and the gifts of the world around him, the reader awakens with him.

"We wanted to develop a new genre of writing called transformational fiction because people tend to remember stories better than facts," Ellis tells Elevated Existence. "By telling the story in the form of the traveler, the hope is people will remember the lessons more easily."

But what makes this project different than other motivational DVDs or books is the follow up coaching available through The Compass Coaching Program via an online community www.thecompasscoach.tv.

The online program – which is less than $15 per month -- offers a 30-day free trial, and allows subscribers to utilize online tools and resources to organize their goals. But the best part is "The Compass" team offers one-hour teleclasses every two weeks, featuring experts from the movie talking about topics including fitness, home design, entrepreneurship, family, relationships, teens and more.

And the team is already planning the launch of "The Compass" live events for next year.

The movie can be purchased on DVD – which features bonus material including "The Compass" for teens and their parents – or can be viewed online at www.thecompass.tv. And the book is published by Vanguard Press, and can be purchased from Amazon.com by clicking on our widget to the left of this post!

Elevated Existence recommends both the book AND the movie, because while they are different, they work in tandem with each other and both offer something unique. We look forward to more from this group, and hope they do an event in the New York area because we will definitely be there for it!

My Gratitude Experiment

2009-05-07T19:23:00.004-04:00

For those of you following me on twitter, (@ElevatedMag) you know I decided to embark on an experiment last week – no matter what happened, good or bad, I would be grateful for it, knowing it would lead me down the right road.

Now, this is nothing new or evolutionary. We all know gratitude is one of the highest vibrations when it comes to the law of attraction. But how many of us actually commit to testing it for an extended period of time. I know I’ve turned to gratitude before, and try to list things I am grateful for each day, but I never took it on for 24 hours, 7 days a week in a conscious way.

I’ve personally noticed the role synchronicity plays in my life, and often look back and make the connections, which in the moment don’t always make much sense. But this week, I decided to incorporate gratitude and happiness into each moment, rather than waiting for the realization and meaning to eventually reveal itself. And boy did I learn a thing or two

I noticed how easy it really is to create a positive thought from any seemingly negative situation, and by the end of the week, I realized it’s actually fun to do!

For example, I was on a flight to San Antonio last Tuesday evening and found myself surrounded on all sides by three very unhappy babies. Instead of sleeping, which didn’t seem very possible at the time, I read a great new book by Michael J. Fox called “Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist,” and found myself grateful for the opportunity those babies provided me. Of course, I was also grateful for my noise cancelling headphones and iPod, but that’s another story! I even found myself feeling compassion for both the babies and the parents who must have been anxious themselves. Meanwhile, a friend of mine found herself in a rage throughout the flight, which continued loudly as we exited the plane. This just reminded me how grateful I am that I chose not to react to my surroundings in a negative way, and how we really do get to choose how we react to outside circumstances.

And despite having to take a connection both to and from San Antonio (who wouldn’t rather be on a direct flight) I was grateful that all my flights were on time and went smoothly, which for me isn’t always the case. In fact, many friends and family members tease me about not wanting to fly with me because my fights are always delayed.

By Thursday I was on a gratitude role. Now, I am not a morning person, so the 7 a.m. flight home was not the highlight of my day, but I was grateful for the quiet passengers around me who allowed me to sleep, and I was grateful to be back home by early afternoon to enjoy the rest of my day and get some things done.

However, looking back now, I think the most important thing I learned this week was by staying in a state of gratitude, and uncovering the positive in all that came my way, I had a fun, happy week, and I felt really good! Nothing that came my way managed to bring me down because I was able to find the good in all of it. I understood what it meant to be “in the flow” of the universe, and in a state of allowing. In fact, it felt so good, I think this experiment may just turn into a new routine way of thinking for me. And I hope my positive results encourage you to do your own experiment. Leave a comment, and let me know how it goes!

Charity Bracelets Raise Awareness for Non-Violence and "I Take the Vow" Campaign

2009-04-27T22:16:00.006-04:00

Imagine a world without violence. No violent actions, thoughts or words spoken. Only love. This is the goal of the “I Take the Vow” Campaign, which is a global movement to get 100 million people to take the vow of non-violence in their thoughts, speech and actions.

Nearly 19,000 people have taken the vow so far, and you can join them at www.itakethevow.com, which adds your name to the growing list – and it’s free!

Deepak Chopra initiated the movement last November when 500 people attending the Alliance for a New Humanity (ANH) Forum in Barcelona took the vow.

“We, at the Alliance for a New Humanity believe that if a critical mass of people commit to this vow, the world would be transformed,” said Deepak Chopra in a letter on the I Take the Vow Web site. “If you are seriously committed to peace, join us in this global movement and take the vow.”

And to raise awareness for the campaign, Los Angeles-based artist Ria Ray created a “Mantra Tie” bracelet with the words “I TAKE THE VOW” to raise awareness for this vital campaign.

“When I first heard about Deepak’s call for non-violence, I was deeply moved and wanted to find a way to be part of it. I knew that my Mantra Ties would be the perfect vehicle and serve as a reminder for those taking the vow,” said Ray.

I TAKE THE VOW Mantra Ties retail for $35.00 with a percentage benefiting The Alliance for a New Humanity. To purchase a custom, hand-painted Ria Ray Mantra Tie benefiting this global movement you can click here.

“This global campaign teaches people non-violence. If you want to see peace in the world, you have to have peace in your life,” said Chopra.

The store also sells T-Shirts, buttons and bags for men, women and children with the message, “I Took The Vow” and “I Take The Vow.”

I just took the vow, and encourage all our readers to do the same – and tell your friends! But, more importantly, remember what you are taking the vow for -- write yourself a note and stick it to your mirror so you see it every day: “I will practice non-violence in my thoughts, speech and actions today.”

Here’s to hitting 100 million vows!

Struggling with Affirmations? Try Afformations

2009-04-14T21:28:00.006-04:00

I am successful.
Things always work out for me.
I am happy and healthy and feeling better each day.

Affirmations like these can be very powerful – but some people find themselves repeating these phrases and still struggling to believe them. Enter Noah St. John, and what he calls “Afformations.”

In his new book, “The Secret Code of Success: 7 Hidden Steps to More Wealth and Happiness,” Step One is learning to use afformations, which he explains are questions rather than statements. St. John picked the name because by asking the questions and coming up with the answers we are “forming new thought patterns, which form a new life for us.”

But how do we know the right questions to ask? He explains we need to choose empowering questions to bring us to positive affirmations, rather than disempowering questions, which lead us down the path to negativity. For example, the wrong (or disempowering) questions would be, “Why does nobody love me? Why don’t I have any money? Why am I so afraid? Why can’t I do anything right?” These questions lead us to answers that are just as disempowering. And since what we focus on is what we get in life, these negative questions will produce negative results.

“Empowering questions focus on what you have vs. what you lack,” says St. John, who lists the four steps to create the right questions:

1. Ask yourself what you really want
2. Form a question that assumes that what you want is already true
3. Give yourself to the question
4. Take new actions based on your new assumptions about life

“The Afformations Method makes conscious and clear that which has, until now, been subconscious and hidden,” writes St. John, who lists the Top 10 Afformations in his book. Some of them include, “Why am I so rich? Why do I have what it takes to succeed? Why do I have more than enough money in my business?”

By asking these types of questions, it forces the mind to come up with positive aspects of our life. For example, “Why do I have what it takes to succeed?” My answers to that question would be:

-- I work hard and have determination, as well as unending drive to succeed.

-- I graduated college in four years, which is rare in today’s world, and was already working in the magazine industry when I was still a senior in college.

-- I have a passion for what I am doing, and that shows in my work and allows me to maintain a high vibration.

-- What I am doing in my work is a service to others, and I know it is appreciated because of the feedback I receive.

Get it? Does that make sense? Try it. Pick something you want in your life – like a love relationship. Ask yourself an empowering question like, “Why is it so easy for me to attract someone wonderful into my life?” Answers or empowering statements could be, “I am a funny, lovable person to be around. I offer so much love to a significant other in a relationship, and my significant other is lucky to have me in his/her life. I exude happiness and love, and I in turn attract it easily to me.”

It’s actually really fun once you start. Rather than repeating affirmations you really might not believe, why not start with statements about yourself based on questions that force you to list positive beliefs about yourself and your life. When you believe, you achieve.

And by the way, this is only the first step of seven in this book, so I highly recommend picking up a copy and seeing what else Noah St. John has up his sleeve. I guarantee it will be worth the read!

In Praise of Fashion Designer Donna Karan

2009-04-06T20:30:00.005-04:00

We at Elevated Existence would like to applaud NY fashion designer Donna Karan for contributing $850,000 to the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York to bring yoga and integrative therapy to its cancer wing.

Karan has practiced yoga and meditation since she was 18 years old, and believes these and other alternative therapies and medicines from the eastern world should be researched and implemented to work along with western medicine – and so do we!

The hope is that the research, which is part of the one-year grant, will bring about shorter hospital stays and fewer anxiety drugs, Karan told USA Today in an interview.

“If this is something we’re going to go out and convince hospitals around the country to replicate, we have to be able to show it saves money in the long run or at least is cost-neutral and you end up with happier patients,” Benjamin Kligler, director of research told USA Today.

Some of the treatments involve patients learning yoga poses and breathing techniques, many which can be done while in bed to ease discomfort from surgeries, USA Today reported. Meditative tapes during treatments are also part of the care, along with reaching out to family members.

Every step humanity takes to bring this world closer to a new way of thinking, living and healing is something we are on board with, and so thank you Donna Karan. Thank you for your open-mind and generous heart. We can’t wait to report the results!

Are You Connected To Source?

2009-04-02T22:40:00.003-04:00

I’m guilty of it, too. We all are. We worry about the long to-do lists, both in our heads and on paper, mapping out all of the things needing our attention that require action on our part to get done.

There are the little things, like cleaning the house, getting the laundry done, food shopping, attending social functions, and getting a project done at work that requires 20 individual steps of its own. And then there are the big things, like finding the right romantic partner, landing the right job or making more money.

But whether big or small, it’s easy to get caught up in the actions – to focus on what needs to be done and how we are going to do it. But what if we focused as much time and energy on connecting with source, God, or a higher power?

When we are connected, feeling good and giving love, the who, what, when, where and how falls into place. The to-do list gets done with amazing ease, and things we want and need just fall right into our path.

Try it for a week. Go about getting things done, and taking actions to get where you want to go, but stop throughout the day and check in with your higher power. Be grateful for what you have in the now, and happy for what is to come, and see what happens in your life. Synchronicity means nothing if you don’t pay attention to it. Open your eyes and ears this week, and look for signs the universe is sending to you to remind you it’s working for your highest good.

And remember, when you are connected to your higher power, you are living life as you were meant to live it.

Let me know how it goes!

Which Products Contain the Most Pesticides?

2009-03-31T21:30:00.006-04:00

I've often wondered if it's really worth it to spend the extra money and buy everything organic. I mean, do I really need organic maple syrup and organic chocolate chips? But when it comes to fruit and vegetables, I go with the mantra 'better safe than sorry' -- so I spend the extra dough.

However, thanks to Foodnews.org, I now know the top 12 pesticide-laden products, and the 15 with the lowest amounts. (For more about the latest research findings on organic products, and why we should choose them, see the Elevated Ideas news section in the March 2009 issue).

The report explains that washing fruits and vegetables does help remove pesticides, but it does not eliminate them. And if you peel the skin, you often miss out on nutrients.

The worst offenders, or as Foodnews.org calls them, the "Dirty Dozen," should be bought in the organic variety, and are as follows:

Peach
Apple
Bell Pepper
Celery
Nectarine
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Grapes (Imported)
Carrot
Pear

And those with the least amount of pesticides are the following:

Onion
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomato
Sweet Potato

If you want a wallet-sized list to take with you to the store, visit Foodnews.org to print out a copy.

What do you do when you shop? Do you buy only organic, or do you mix it up depending on what seems less harmful? Let us know your techniques!

Communication from the Other Side

2009-03-29T13:23:00.011-04:00

Last Thursday, I heard from my mother. What makes this extraordinary is she died nearly 10 years ago.

But thanks to the gifted ability of mediums like John Edwards, James Van Praagh and more, those of us still in this physical world are able to access the healing messages those who have passed on are desperately trying to tell us.

On Thursday, Carole J. Obley, spiritual medium and author of books including “Embracing the Ties that Bind: Connecting with Spirit,” and “I’m Still With You: True Stories of Healing Grief Through Spirit Communication,” appeared as a guest on Evolution Revolution Radio, a show Elevated Existence partners with on a column each issue. (The latest column in the March 2009 issue features an interview with Arielle Ford about her book, “The Soulmate Secret.)

Dulcinea, the host of Evolution Revolution, invited me to call in and promote the magazine, and get a reading from Carole. Having personally experienced mediums before, including George Anderson, Concetta Bertoldi, and of course, our contributing editor, Laurie Ann Levin, I was once again impressed by this amazing ability and gift. Carole was totally accurate in the facts she brought forth, including names, circumstances of death and more. And while this was not the first time I have heard from my mother, it is always welcome and always a comforting and healing experience.

I believe in my heart we do not die. We leave our physical bodies, but we remain very much alive in spirit, and continue our part in the lives of families and freinds. It’s this knowing that started me on my spiritual path years ago, and I am grateful for it every day. This is one of the reasons I started Elevated Existence Magazine, and I encourage anyone overcome with grief from the loss of a loved one, no matter how long ago or recent the passing was, to reach out and find comfort in the fact that they are “still with you,” as Carole’s book title states.

In fact, you don’t have to be a medium to make a connection with a loved one. Once I opened my mind and heart (as well as eyes and ears!) to the possibility of communication, I have been able to receive many messages my mother sends to me – through songs on the radio, lights going off in the room when we are talking about her, and even pictures being moved in the house! I now understand that just as much as we want to hear from them, they want to let us know they are there.

For more information on Carole, and to schedule a telephone reading, you can visit her Web site at www.soulvisions.net. And to listen to the broadcast of my reading and more, you can visit www.evolutionrevolutionradio.com, or download directly from our press page at www.elevatedexistence.com/press.html.

Blessings and love to you all! And please leave a comment if you have experienced signs from a loved one, either through a medium or on your own. I assure you, you are not alone in your experience.

Are You Interested in 2012?

2009-03-25T19:54:00.004-04:00

Yes, we are in 2009, and yes, it’s only March. However, the buzz is about 2012 ... Dec. 21, 2012 to be exact.

Books, DVDs and more are available offering opinions about what this date means – and one of them is Gregg Braden’s new book released this month: “Fractal Time: The Secret of 2012 and a New World Age,” from Hay House Inc.

In November 2008, Elevated Existence attended Louise Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life Conference,” in New York where Braden spoke about this issue, among others (for the exclusive article covering the event, including authors Cheryl Richardson, Mona Lisa Schultz, Christiane Northrup and Louise Hay, see our March 2009 issue).

“How many people feel like something big is happening in the world?” Braden asked the audience during the event. “How many of you feel there is a power within you that has never been tapped? Is it possible these two things are linked? Maybe now is the time we are coming to terms with that power.”

Braden explained the human race is at a unique turning point. The world is experiencing extremes in weather and temperature, as well as more than 30 new diseases with no cure, not to mention the energy crisis, war and nuclear threats. While these things are not new, the fact they are all happening at the same time is significant, he explained.

“According to experts, we have between 8 and 10 years to figure it out, and we all play a part.”

Braden explained the date Dec. 21, 2012 as the ending of a great world cycle, and revealed that scientists are now beginning to understand what ancient and indigenous cultures have known concerning cycles of time. In fact, what is occurring now happens every time a great world age cycle ends, he said.

“We know world age endings bring changes on our planet,” he noted. “When the world changes, it triggers human change, and it triggers spiritual growth. We have to think differently to solve the problems of our world today.”

Whether studying science or spirit, both are leading to the same conclusions, said Braden. “Healing in our bodies and our world is the same thing. If we can heal our bodies, we can heal our world.”

We recommend picking up the book, and of course, reading our article in the March 2009 issue called “Healing Starts Within,” to find out more about how our thoughts and feelings affect everything around us … including our physical bodies.

To preview the March 2009 issue visit,click here.

Naturally Thin by Bethenny Frankel – Advice from a NY Housewife (and chef!)

2009-03-22T15:48:00.003-04:00

Living in New Jersey, and working in New York City for years, I started watching "The Housewives of New York," when it premiered on the Bravo Network last year -- it's always fun to spot locations you know and visit on television, and see things you can relate to.

Since then, I've become a fan. I'm also a big fan of eating all-natural and organic food, so when I discovered gourmet natural foods chef, and one of the stars of the show, Bethenny Frankel, wrote a book called "Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting," AND that it included healthy recipes, I had to pick up a copy!

My main goal was to get some new recipes, and the book delivers with instructions for foods like Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Faux Cheesecake, Ultra-Healthy Mexican Chili and Roasted Spicy Broccoli (we can't wait for her new cookbook to come out at the end of the year). But for someone who has struggled with weight and is looking to give up the fad diets and deprivation, this book shows you there is another way – and a healthy way!

What I really loved about the book was the self-help, no-diet approach Frankel takes. I am not a fan of traditional diets because I always think depriving yourself of anything is never the answer, and any fad diet restricting an entire food group is just a way of asking to pile the weight back on once you start to join the normal world of food again!

In “Naturally Thin,” published by Fireside, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc., Frankel explains how to eat healthy and make good choices without obsessing over every morsel, and without restricting yourself to certain food groups, giving up sugar or eating the no-taste, low-fat or fat-free offerings available today. She gives tips and tricks to make your food taste good, look good and, most importantly, to make you feel good about eating it. And she uses all-natural, healthy ingredients.

The book starts with an introduction by Frankel explaining why she created it, and then goes into what she calls her "10 Rules," which include “You Can Have It All, Just Not All At Once,” and "Know Thyself." It is a mindful approach to eating, especially the chapter and rule called "Pay Attention."

If you are tired of diets, deprivation and food tasting like flavored cardboard, then I recommend this book! And even if you are already a "skinnygirl" (or boy!) the tips and recipes will spice up your cooking, kitchen and taste buds! And Frankel will make you laugh while you do it.

And if you can't wait, you can get some recipes right now at her Web site, www.bethennybakes.com.
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10 Ideas to Take Care of You

2009-03-07T15:56:00.005-05:00

Most of us are so busy with work, family, friends and life in general, we sometimes forget to take time to nurture and love ourselves. Maybe we find ourselves getting angry easily, or frustrated with things around us that we can’t control. Or maybe we are moving non-stop from waking in the morning until our head hits the pillow at night.

We have to remember to take time out for ourselves. If we don’t, we won’t be as helpful to others. And no, it’s not selfish. It’s self-love! Here are some suggestions we have for you to practice self-care – and thanks to all our facebook members for their suggestions. You guys are the best!

1. Take time every day to meditate, clear and recharge your mind – even if it’s only 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes before bed.

2. If you like to look through magazines, whether fashion, spiritual or hobby focused, cut out pictures or items of interest to you and put them in a “manifestation box,” or tape them to a poster board. Look at these before you meditate, or at times when you need a lift. Know that they are coming to you.

3. Put on an inspirational CD – whether a recorded talk from one of your favorite authors, or music that makes you feel good (see the Read, Watch, Listen section of our quarterly, digital magazine for some great recommendations) and clean up the clutter around you. Come on … you know it’s there. We know it’s there. You will feel better when it’s gone!

4. Pamper yourself. Take a bath, treat your skin with your favorite oil or moisturizer, make a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, and curl up with your favorite throw for a good movie … or a good book. Again, see Read, Watch Listen for great choices.

5. Plan a game night with friends to relax, laugh and share with others. You can pick a fun and interactive board game (or even a DVD interactive game). Better yet, create a monthly game night, and alternate homes each time.

6. Treat yourself to something out of the ordinary. Splurge on that favorite coffee drink. Book a one-hour massage. Buy a new candle to fragrance your home or office.

7. Grab your mp3 player and go for a walk outside in nature. It’s good for your mind and body, and if you bring a friend with you, you don’t need the music!

8. If you had a choice to spend an hour doing anything you wanted, what would you do? Work on a hobby? Talk to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while? Browse in a bookstore? Schedule an hour for yourself in your calendar right now to do whatever you pick.

9. Spend quality time with children -- your own, your grandchildren, your niece, your nephew, etc. Their innocence will always make you smile, and remember how simple life can really be.

10. Take a yoga class. It’s one of the best ways to take a time out and connect your mind and body.

These are just a few of the ways you can take time out and practice self-care.
What do you do to take care of you? We’d love to hear more of your suggestions!

Meditation Works Wonders on College Students

2009-02-27T20:24:00.008-05:00

It seems the benefits of meditation – and studies on the practice – continue to increase with time. And we are always happy to report them! This newest one may be on college students, but it reinforces the benefits meditation can have on anyone, at any age.

This particular study is a collaboration between the American University Department of Psychology in Washington, D.C. and the Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. It involved a group of 50 college students, broken into two groups (meditating and non-meditating), and compared the effects on the brain and reactions to stress over a 10-week period. Tests were done on the students before the 10-week period and after, and meditating students practiced Transcendental Meditation (TM) for 20 minutes, twice a day.

The encouraging results were as follows (published this week in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Psychophysiology):

• Meditating students had higher "Brain Integration Scale" scores, meaning greater frontal coherence, more alpha activity, and better match of brain activation and task demands. In other words, these students had more optimal brain functioning, and the higher scores correlate with higher emotional stability, higher moral reasoning, more openness to experience and decreased anxiety, according to the research.

• Meditating students had a faster habituation to loud tones as measured by skin conductance response. According to the study, the sympathetic nervous system responds to loud new tones, but a person who is "more balanced" stops responding quickly, whereas one who is more anxious or worried will continue to respond. The latter was the effect on non-meditating students.

• Students practicing TM reported less sleepiness – even the week before final exams when the posttest was given.

"From pretest to posttest, Brain Integration Scale scores increased significantly, indicating greater breadth of planning, thinking and perception of the environment," Fred Travis, lead author and director of the MUM brain research center said about the meditating students.

In comparison, the control group (non-meditating) had lower Brain Integration Scale scores, "indicating their brain functioning was more fragmented – which can lead to more scattered and disorganized thinking and planning," said Travis. These students also showed an increase in sympathetic reactivity and sleepiness.

"For me the greatest benefit was being able to have these two 20-minute periods of meditation," said Patricia Spurio, one of the meditating students, who was carrying a full credit load with a part-time internship, not to mention helping to organize a large rally on campus during the study. "I could feel my whole body releasing the stress of the day. When done, I felt rested and ready for more activity. TM helped me get through it all in a more healthy and balanced way."

Once again, we can't hear enough about the benefits of meditation. It just encourages us more and more to stop what we are doing at least 20 minutes a day, and quiet our minds! Here's to hoping meditation becomes a required class in all schools – from first grade to college!

Free Meditation Teleclass for Conscious Pregnancy and Conception

2009-02-22T23:03:00.006-05:00

Whether you are currently pregnant or trying to conceive, a free teleconference called BabySpirit Meditation might be of interest to you!

Conscious Conception, an international Energy and Spirit Coaching company specializing in conception and fertility, is offering a free teleconference on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific (7:00 p.m. Eastern), and Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Eastern).

During the calls, Elisabeth Manning, founder of Conscious Conception will guide participants using a set of simple tools to connect with their awareness and mindfulness, which she explains will increase fertility potential and enriching pregnancy health. The work includes guided imagery, light work to restore health and circulation, and meditation that calms and clears the mind and emotions, according to Manning.

"My passion is to guide couples to an awakened and empowered path to parenthood, and allow their own realized potential in creating their future children," said Manning. "There is no telling what is possible when we include Spirit and a high vibration (such as love) to the fertility process, including natural conception, IUIs (Intrauterine Insemination) or IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). I believe infertility and pregnancy challenges can be embraced as an opportunity to awaken to a higher calling; an awakening of the Self that otherwise would not have been touched."

If you find it helpful, future classes are available for $25.

For more information, including the telephone number and PIN number for the call, you can visit www.babyspiritmeditation.com or www.consciousconception.net. And if you attend the call, or have attended one in the past, leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!

Leap The Movie

2009-02-16T17:16:00.012-05:00

Is reality, as we know it, really just an illusion?

This is the question at the heart of an amazing new film called "Leap!" With expert authors, scientists spiritual teachers and visionaries like Joe Vitale of "The Secret," James Twyman of “The Moses Code,” Fred Alan Wolf and more, the movie mixes insight and information with a touch of humor (we love Puppetji and all the outtakes at the end)!

What is the purpose of life?
Who are we?
Why are we here, and what are we experiencing?
Did I choose this before I was born?
How does the ego come into play?

Two amateur filmmakers (that is what they call themselves, but the film is far from amateur) Chad Cameron and Isaac Allen, set out to discover the answers to these questions and more, and what they discovered makes for a fascinating film.

"We made Leap! with no film background, simply because we were divinely inspired to do so," Allen told Elevated Ideas Online.

Those interviewed (called The Guides) offer opinions and facts on what they believe about the physical world we are all living in. Some explain it is created by us and is a reflection of what is going on inside our individual minds. Some compare it to living a real life video game. And others claim it's really about remembering who we are and where we came from – one infinite energy.

While some of the answers and statements shared will resonate with what you know to be true, we guarantee you will discover at least one new way of looking at life and its meaning by watching this film.

The filmmakers are already working on two new documentaries including Handshake: Integrity In Business, and MPower: Empowering Women In Business And Beyond, said Allen.

"These two projects will feature people such as Janet Atwood, Arielle Ford, Ellie Drake, Dan Millman, Joe Vitale, etc.," he said.

You can watch the leap trailer and order the movie online – go on, take the Leap!

Christine Arylo, author of “Choosing Me Before We,” Invites You to Celebrate ‘Madly In Love With Me Day’ on February 13

2009-02-12T22:26:00.006-05:00

On the day before Valentine's Day a new book about love will hit the store shelves – and it's not your typical relationship book. "Choosing Me Before We: Every Woman's Guide to Life and Love," by Christine Arylo challenges woman to first love themselves, and the right relationship will follow.

In fact, Arylo created an international event called ="“Madly In Love With Me Day," celebrated February 13. Whether in a relationship or single, women around the world can participate in this day of "loving me," and can sign up to get a free Madly In Love With Me Day™ Kit at www.madlyinlovewithme.com, which includes 10 tips on how to love yourself more, complete instructions on how to marry yourself, and practical ideas on how to keep the love affair going all year long.

Arylo's book, published by New World Library, will help you to discover the truth about yourself and create the relationships you really and want and deserve, rather than the ones you have had in the past.

"Our relationships are mirrors of ourselves," she writes in the book. "Our partners reflect how we honestly feel about ourselves."

Through exercises and questions, Arylo brings you deeper within and invites you to examine your beliefs and fears, and see how they create your life and relationships. It will teach you how to change old habits like self-sabotage. And ultimately, it will teach you the importance of honoring and loving yourself.

In the beginning of the book Arylo tells her own story about the end of a 15-year relationship at the age of 30 that turned her world upside down, and invites readers to take a journey with her, explaining all that's needed is a few key supplies – attitude, trust, intuition, courage and desire.

By the end of this book, you will uncover who you really are, and what you really want. You will let go of the lies you tell (to yourself and others), and learn to love yourself (all of you). And you will learn to trust your intuition, and honor yourself first.

Within the pages of this book, you will discover how to do the inner work needed to see results in the outer world. So sit down, grab a cup of tea and open up to the first chapter. It’s time to get to work on celebrating the wonder that is you!

Have You Heard of The Seth Books?

2009-02-09T18:54:00.015-05:00

The first time I heard about Seth was while watching a DVD called, “Introducing Abraham: The Secret Behind ‘The Secret,’ featuring Esther and Jerry Hicks. Esther Hicks speaks for Abraham, which is a group of collective souls channeled through Esther (www.abraham-hicks.com), and Jerry is her husband. The two travel around the world giving seminars and allowing people to speak directly to Abraham, whose teachings are about the Law of Attraction.

In this particular DVD, Jerry explains he has had an interest in spirituality and metaphysical topics for years, having read the book “Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul,” written by an entity similar to Abraham called Seth, and channeled through author Jane Roberts in the 1970s. It is now published by New World Library.

Months later – in a very syncronistic way, I had gone to Barnes and Noble in search of a particular biography, and wandered through the new age section as I usually do. Scanning the shelves, Seth Speaks jumped out at me. I remembered hearing Jerry speak about it on the DVD, and when I flipped it over and saw testimonials on the back cover from well-known authors and spiritual teachers like Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra and Louise Hay, I immediately purchased it. I now agree with all the testimonials - this book is essential for anyone on a spiritual journey.

If you are a fan of Abraham and the work of Esther and Jerry Hicks, this book, and other Seth books, are must reads. Seth explains how thought forms matter, the nature of sleep and dreams, reincarnation and more.

There are too many enlightening moments in “Seth Speaks” to list here, but one I want to share (which caused me to turn down the page corner so I wouldn’t forget it) is where Seth is speaking about how thoughts create reality, and how each human being is a piece of Source, God or as Seth refers to it, "All That Is." He explains that by looking at our outer reality, we can discover what is going on inside ourselves. When something goes wrong, such as illness or suffering, it's purpose is to awaken us to realize there is something going wrong inside causing it.

He says in the book, “Through observing his creations, [mankind] learns how to use these abilities better. He checks on his inner progress by seeing the physical materialization of his work. The work, the reality, is still a creative achievement, although it may portray tragedy or unspeakable terror in your terms at any given time … Illness and suffering are the results of misdirection of creative energy. They are a part of the creative force, however. They do not come from a different source than, say, health and vitality. Suffering is not good for the soul, unless it teaches you how to stop suffering. That is its purpose.”

As I said, this is only one of the many insights found in the book! And to think, this book was first published in the 1970s! For a complete listing or everything available from the Seth series go to www.sethbooks.com, and to listen to audio clips of Seth and get a free CD of the Introduction to Seth, go to www.sethlearningcenter.org.

Has anyone else read or heard about the Seth books? Which ones are your favorite? Let us know what you think!

NY World Harmony Concert to Aid in Teaching Meditation in Schools

2009-02-03T21:25:00.005-05:00

On April 4, 2009, Paul McCartney, Eddie Vedder, Shery Crow, Paul Horn, Moby and more will join together at Radio City Music Hall in New York to perform at The World Harmony Concert, a global benefit concert in support of the David Lynch Foundation’s international initiative to teach one million children the Transcendental Meditation technique, according to the Foundation’s Web site.

The David Lynch Foundation provides funds for in school “Quiet Time” programs – teaching Transcendental Mediation to students, parents and teachers. The Foundation also funds independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

The Web site is packed with research, videos and more. Sign up now to be the first to purchase tickets for the concert as well as special packages!

Elevated Existence is a big fan of this foundtation, and can't wait to attend the concert!

For more on meditation, download our free issue with Deepak Chopra to read the article, Finding the Right Meditation for You!

Add Your Intentions to The Chopra Center’s Annual Commitment List

2009-02-01T19:44:00.004-05:00

Sure, it’s February already, but it’s not too late to make a commitment to empower yourself in 2009. The Chopra Center for Wellbeing launched its annual Commitment List, allowing people around the world to post their plans for creating positive change in their relationships, health, personal finance and spiritual lives this year.

Each January, Chopra.com invites Web surfers around the world to contribute to the list and specify their commitments to positive change for themselves, as well as the entire planet, with the goal of creating a critical mass of people focusing their energy on transformation, healing and growth, according to The Chopra Center.

“By publicly declaring our commitments and sending them out into the world – whether through Chopra.com or by other means – we set the organizing power of the Universe in motion,” Deepak Chopra said in a company press release.

Currently, the list features postings from the U.S., South Africa, India, Australia, Mexico and more, and many include specific intentions like quitting smoking, paying off debt or meditating each morning and night.

“At a time when many are coping with stress, economic uncertainty and fear, the empowering step of placing a thought into the tangible world we live in can help to make a desire one’s destiny,” said David Simon, M.D., The Chopra Center’s medical director and co-founder.

To read and be inspired by the commitments of others, and to post your own, visit www.chopra.com/mycommitment09. Put your intentions, goals and commitments out into the universe and contribute to the global shift in consciousness!

Help for the Shopaholic

2009-01-29T23:02:00.008-05:00

Many of us have the tendency to buy things we don’t need, or treat ourselves to something new for a job well done. While there is nothing wrong with acquiring material things, three out of every five Americans that carry credit cards, also carry credit card debt, according to a new book, “To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop,” by April Lane Benson, PhD.

The truth is, many people have a compulsive shopping problem (at least 17 million people according to a recent Stanford University Study), and while it isn’t the same as a drug or alcohol problem, it can still damage relationships and self-esteem, and lead to depression and anxiety … not to mention wrecking a person’s finances. But most important, it causes people to lose sight of what really matters in life, what they really need, and what they are really shopping for.

The author April Lane Benson is a psychologist specializing in the treatment of compulsive buying and has a practice in New York (www.stoppingovershopping.com). In her book she reveals how overshopping is a doomed attempt to fill emotional needs with material things. Readers will learn to identify the triggers that lead to overshopping; how to discover the underlying emotional needs to the behavior; and how to meet those needs in non-destructive ways.

And the book is not just useful for those in debt or who have a problem already out of control. It helps anyone who had shopped to lift their spirits realize there are other ways to make yourself feel good!

For three proven strategies for Stopping Overshopping from the author, click here.

Deepak Chopra & The Chopra Center on iTunes

2009-01-27T21:18:00.010-05:00

At Elevated Existence, we subscribe to many podcasts, which automatically download new sessions to our iTunes account as soon as they are available – such as "Ask & It is Given, with Esther and Jerry Hicks and Abraham," and "Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Inspiration," both from Hay House Radio (you must be a Wisdom Community Member to download); Evolution Revolution Radio; and Oprah.com’s Spirit Channel.

However, in browsing though the podcast offerings on iTunes (which we do every now and then to make sure we are not missing anything!) we recently discovered The Chopra Center for Wellbeing is offering a free subscription to podcasts!

The downloads include different instructor led meditations, such as Body Renewal Meditation, Emotional Release Meditation and Heart Healing Meditation, as well as one-hour teleconferences and live recorded events, such as the Global Peace Meditation and lecture by Deepak Chopra recorded live at the Seduction of Spirit Retreat, and a teleconference with lead instructor Davidji called Finding Balance in Your Life.

These podcasts are wonderful, and we highly recommended looking into them. You can subscribe for FREE and get these podcasts automatically downloaded by searching The Chopra Center for Wellbeing under podcasts in iTunes and clicking the subscribe button.

Let us know what you think!

The Amazing Power of Distant Reiki

2009-01-25T21:46:00.008-05:00

I’ve always been a believer in the power of Reiki to heal the body, mind and soul. I had even experienced it once myself, and heard countless testimonials from others about its effects. But it wasn’t until I woke up one morning and realized I hadn’t taken a sinus pill in five days that I learned how powerful Reiki can really be – and I knew I had to share my story!

I’ve suffered from sinus allergies for years – my sinuses become inflamed and actually swell causing pain, pressure and more. I’ve actually become dizzy and sick to my stomach, and have tried everything from over-the-counter pills, to prescriptions and nasal sprays. Knowing this had to be coming from some type of stress or emotion that was settling in my sinuses, I did find relief from Reiki in the past. But during November and December of last year, I managed to get two sinus infections (the kind where if you move your eyes from side to side you feel like your head will explode), and was taking sinus medicine every day just to get through. Boy was my body trying to tell me something was off in my thinking! I was caught up with work and the holidays to the extreme!

Well, my friend and Elevated Existence columnist T Love, who wrote a wonderful article on Reiki for our premiere issue in June 2008, which can be downloaded for free, is a Reiki Master, and has taken her education as high as one can go (Level 8). I have been meaning to go see her for a session, but she lives an hour drive away, and I neglected, as many of us do, to find the time.

In early January, I met T and our friend Kathy in New York City to go see Dr. Wayne Dyer’s new movie, “Ambition to Meaning” premiere. In passing we were all talking about getting over various colds, and I mentioned how my sinuses had been out of control. That was on a Monday.

When I woke up on Saturday, it finally dawned on me – I had not taken a sinus pill since Monday night. Now, T gave me a ride home in her car, which our friend Kathy calls “The Reiki Mobile” because T’s license plate says “Reiki.” So I sent T an e-mail and jokingly said, “I think I absorbed some healing energy from ‘The Reiki Mobile,’ because I have been feeling amazing, and there is no other explanation for it!

That is when she told me – she had performed distant Reiki on me Tuesday morning! Now, one might say, ‘you believe it works, so that is why it worked,’ but I assure you I had no idea she had done this until she told me that weekend. I only knew I didn’t have any sinus problems. I think I was meant to discover it this way so the power of Reiki could really sink in – and I could share it with others!

By the way, she will now be performing distant Reiki on a regular basis for me!)

I had to share the experience with everyone because as I said, I have always been a believer in the power of Reiki and energy healing. But this still managed to completely amaze me. I asked T how she does it, and she explained she can send energy where she wants, as long as the person is open to receiving it – even if she has never met them. She needs only a name and a location (city, state), and although a picture helps, it’s not necessary.

There are many Reiki practitioners around the world today, and I urge you to give this healing energy a chance to work for you. You can also contact directly through her Web site at www.tlovereiki.com, or at info@tlovereiki.com. A distant Reiki session with T is only $45.

The Soulmate Secret by Arielle Ford

2009-01-19T13:35:00.014-05:00

Are you looking to find your soulmate, but find yourself wondering where he or she is already? Well, help is here for you with the new book, "The Soulmate Secret: Manifest the Love of Your Life with the Law of Attraction," by Arielle Ford (HarperOne).

In this new book, Ford reveals how to use the Law of Attraction to manifest your soulmate using techniques she herself used to manifest her soulmate (now husband) and even gives examples of friends who have had success using the same tools!

In a how-to format, Ford provides examples, tips, techniques and processes to go through in order to prepare your mind, heart, soul, and even living space, to welcome your new love. And the book begins with a great "Soulmate Quiz" to see where you are on your soulmate journey -- Are you really 100 percent clear on what you want to manifest? Are you secretly still afraid? Do you have a positive or negative attitude toward finding your soulmate? You can actually take the quiz now at The Soulmate Secret Web site. Go to http://www.soulmatesecret.com/media/SoulmateSecretQuiz.pdf.

If you want to learn more, Elevated Existence recommends tuning into an exclusive interview with Ford this Thursday, January 22, on Evolution Revolution Radio (www.evolutionrevolutionradio.com),which will air live at 7 p.m. Pacific Time (10:00 p.m. Eastern). Elevated Existence partnered with Dulcinea at Evolution Revolution Radio, and premiered the first collaborative column in our December Issue featuring an excerpt from Dulcinea's interview with Robert Schwartz, author of "Collective Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth." To check out what else is in our December issue, including our cover story with Dr. Wayne Dyer, go to www.elevatedexistence.com/currentissue.html.

And if you miss the interview with Arielle Ford on January 22, you can go to iTunes and download the podcast (as well as past Evolution Revolution Radio podcasts with other leading authors) by searching for Evolution Revolution Radio podcasts. They are FREE to download, and you can subscribe to get all the podcasts automatically downloaded to iTunes for FREE as well!

We at Elevated Existence love this new book and its proactive approach to manifesting the love we all deserve! Good luck, and let us know how it works for you!

Have you read it already? Did you listen to the podcast at Evolution Revolution Radio? Let us know what you think and leave a comment below!

Dr. Wayne Dyer Premieres Movie “Ambition to Meaning” in New York

2009-01-06T21:24:00.019-05:00

"As you move into the meaning phase of life, it's not that your ambitions go away, it's just that you are ambitious for meaning," said Dr. Wayne Dyer in his new movie, "Ambition to Meaning: Finding Your Life's Purpose," available on DVD January 13, 2008 from Hay House Inc. (www.hayhouse.com).

Three of us from Elevated Existence had the privilege of attending the very first screening of the movie last night in New York, where Dr. Dyer, along with the director, Michael Goorjian and a few of the actors answered audience questions afterwards.

(The movie is also being shown in Chicago tonight, and Los Angeles Thursday evening. Go to www.ambitiontomeaning.com to find other places hosting screenings around the world that you can attend in your area).

Everyone who attended the screening received a copy of the deluxe version DVD for free, which includes additional scenes and interviews with Dr. Dyer – thank you Hay House!! We can’t wait to watch it again, and check out the bonus material.

And if you are thinking this is a documentary, or just an interview, you are in for a pleasant surprise. An all-star cast, including Michael DeLuise, Portia de Rossi, Ed Kerr and Shannon Sturges join together to create this extraordinary film with a powerful message wrapped around humor, joy and emotion. Dr. Dyer told the New York audience his role took 10 days to film, and the process required him to surrender, let go, and trust in something he didn’t know anything about.

"For my professional life, I take a microphone and speak from my heart, and I do the same thing with my writing – but that is not how you make a good film," he told the audience. "When I was asked to do a film, I wanted to make sure it was a quality production with top actors and the best director we could find. It has an important message, and I am so proud to stand up here and show this movie."

The film begins with a close-up shot of a cobweb clinging to a street light in the early morning hours. The alarm clock shows 3:13 a.m., and Dyer (playing himself) is just waking up to start his day. He says, "thank you, thank you, thank you," puts on his slippers and gets up to start writing – for those of you who follow Dyer's work, this scene is familiar to you because he has shared these details of a typical morning in his real life. In fact, the movie "Ambition to Meaning," has Dr. Dyer playing himself being filmed for a documentary. The filmmaker, played by Michael DeLuise, is on an assignment to document interviews with Dyer at the beautiful vacation/conference spot, Asilomar, in California. At the same time, a family of four arrives there for a vacation, and a business man is there because he is reluctantly on the board of a charity – and his wife (Portia De Rossi) tags along.

Throughout the movie, each one of these characters goes through a profound or "quantum" change, from a life based on ambition to one in search of meaning and service – a filmmaker who desperately wants to "make a name for himself;" a mother who has lost herself in her role as caretaker for her husband and two sons; and a businessman whose life has consisted of acquiring more and more material items.

"We think we have to get more and more stuff, but then you do, and you become afraid it will go, so you try to get even more," said Dyer in the movie … "and then it leads to 'I am what people think of me.' When you become attached to things, and you identify with them, and then you lose them, you don’t know who you are without them."

This movie is a wonderful illustration of the process every human being goes through at some point in his or her life – a time when a person begins to move from the "morning to the afternoon of life," as Dr. Dyer refers to it. A time when suddenly, the things that worked in the early part of life don’t seem to satisfy us anymore.

In the film, he explains, it's when you get to a place in your life when you "start to be guided by something else. We start to feel a calling … winning and being ahead of people takes a back seat."

Those who have been on a spiritual path for many years will find validation in this film for what they believe and know to be true, and those who just starting to make the "shift in consciousness," will find reassurance that they are not alone, and are, indeed, on the right road.

This movie answers the question on everyone’s mind – "What is my purpose?" To find the answer, one must always look to be of service. "It doesn’t matter what you do. It's that you put your attention on 'how can I serve?'" Dyer says in the movie.

While there is truly nothing wrong with material things, life is about more than simply owning more stuff. At one point in the movie, Dyer speaks about the law of attraction, explaining that people often think if they put their attention on something, they are just going to attract what they want, "but you don't attract what you want, you attract what you are," he says.

When a person enters "the afternoon of their life," they still have the 'stuff' but they move from a place of "entitlement to humility," says Dyer in the movie. "You get to the place where everything you wanted for yourself, you want more for someone else."

We at Elevated Existence wanted to share our thoughts on this movie with all of you with the hope that it will inspire you, comfort you and awaken you to your true purpose. We highly recommend picking up a copy. For more information, visit www.ambitiontomeaning.com, where you can find a screening in your area, or sign up to host your own.

This is a movie that needs to be shared … and in service to others … we share it with you!

Don't forget to read the cover story of Elevated Existence's December Issue featuring exclusive coverage of Dr. Dyer's Excuses Begone Seminar previewing his latest work to be released in a book May 2009. We also include "The Four Virtues" to live by spoken about in this new film in the cover story!

To see what else is in the issue, click here, and to subscribe click here.

Have you seen the movie or been to a screening in your area? Leave us a comment and let us and other readers know your thoughts about it!

Spiritual Children - what they know that we forgot

2008-12-16T18:59:00.003-05:00

Do you have a child who has an imaginary friend?

Did you ever wonder if the friend was really made up, or if maybe your child is seeing something that you can't?

I never really thought much about it until my mother died, and a year later my older sister became pregnant and my nephew arrived.

My sister and I had been to a medium, Concetta Bertoldi in Booton, N.J., who told us my mother wanted my sister and I to know that she visited my nephew at night, and if we allowed him to know it was o.k., and didn't discourage him, he would tell us when she was there.

A couple of months later, my almost two-year old nephew was at my parents house with my sister and I as we were redecorating the living room for my dad as a surprise father's day gift, and suddenly he flipped open my sister's wedding album and started pointing to my mother's picture.

My sister and I exchanged glances, and started asking him questions.
"Who is that?" we asked. "Mumma," he answered. "Do you know her?" we asked, and he said "yes."

We thought it was interesting, but continued doing what we were doing -- hanging curtains I believe -- but my nephew was persistent. He continued to point to the picture and say, "Mumma," and finally my sister and I said, "Is she here now?" and he said "yes" in almost an annoyed fashion (like finally you two got it!) and then walked away and went back to his playing.

That was the beginning of communication between us and my mother. He continued for years to tell my sister at night when he was going to bed that our mother was in the room, and gave her messages, such as "your mom said she sat with you last night because she knew you didn't feel well." My sister would start to cry and ask, "Does she know I love her?" and my nephew would say, "of course. She is right there mom, why don't you just tell her." My sister explained to him that she couldn't see her, but it was alright that he could. He also began to talk about our grandparents who had passed, and aunts as well. Many of these people he would describe or name died before he was even born.

My nephew is now 7 years old, and the communication has slowed, but I think because we encouraged him that it was alright, every now and then my mother still shows up. Just the other night he said he saw her in the doorway to his room. I guess she is hanging around for the holidays!

In our December issue, Dr. Laurie Ann Levin, founder and owner of Moonview Sanctuary in Santa Monica, Calif. contributed a column called "So Fresh From Heaven," about how children are still so connected because they just arrived here "fresh from heaven," and what we can learn from them. Babies who stare into space and laugh at what seems to be thin air, and yes, even your child's imaginary friend.

Dr. Levin is a gifted medium, who has a lot to share about the concept she calls Soul Communion. I hope you all get a chance to read her column, packed with research and scientific evidence to back up all she talks about. Dr. Levin is going to be a regular contributing editor in Elevated Existence Magazine from now on. If you haven't subscribed yet, visit http://www.elevatedexistence.com/subscribe.html. It's only $10 for a one-year subscription.

Interestingly enough, my niece who is three years old now has an imaginary friend. And just last friday she told my sister that her mom was following their car, wearing a pink shirt, and she asked, "do you miss her?"

I assure you we do miss her, but I am thankful that our openness to the possiblity of communication has kept the flow open all these years after my mother's passing, and the reassurance that she is close by helps us a lot.

Do any of you have similar experiences? Make sure you add a comment. I would love to hear them! And pay attention next time your child talks about their imaginary friend. They may not be so imaginary! They may even be someone you once knew!

Deepak Chopra Talks About New Book

2008-12-07T23:10:00.003-05:00

Hi Elevated Friends!

I wanted to share with you a Q&A with Deepak Chopra on his newest book, "Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment." BBC Audiobooks America recently released the audiobook version of the book. For a sneek peek at the audio book, click here.

Here is the Q&A about the book -- Enjoy!

1. After writing your very successful non-fiction book The Third Jesus, why did you feel it important to write a novel on the life of Jesus?

Readers love a story with a strong leading character. The New Testament already provides both on a scale that captivated the world. Since I was reinterpreting Jesus in terms of consciousness, I didn't want to leave him without a suitable story. I think that during the lost years, which amount to 80 percent of Jesus' life, a fascinating transformation took place. A man of flesh and blood found the path to supreme enlightenment. Since Jesus wanted the same transformation to take place among his followers, his journey is a model for our own.

2. Your last novel was about the life of the Buddha. Do you see strong parallels between Buddha and Jesus?

Both are stories of waking up. Higher consciousness seems mystical because it lies so far away from ordinary life. But Buddha and Jesus asked the same question -- "Who am I?" -- and both were stubborn enough to never let go until they found an answer. In both cases, the answer was "I am a mortal who has attained immortality." At an emotional level Buddha seems different because there is no persecution and crucifixion, while Jesus is always overshadowed by our sense of his doom. In part, this is because we know every step of Buddha's path to enlightenment, but almost nothing about Jesus'. I felt it was time to fill that gap, and once it is filled, the similarities become even stronger.

3. In this book, you share the story of the formative years of Jesus -- the unrecorded period from age 12 to 30 that are known as the lost years and about which very little is known. What was your inspiration?

An author must divide the story of the lost years into two parts. The events of Jesus' formative years are unknown to us, and so that side of the tale is fiction. Characters come and go, they say things, and Jesus reacts to them -- none of which actually happened. But the tale has another side: the growth of Jesus from ordinary awareness to the highest state of God-consciousness. He becomes the Messiah. That part doesn't call for fictional treatment. The world's wisdom traditions tell us an enormous amount about enlightenment. I was inspired to give Jesus his proper place in the exalted tradition that has spiritually bound the human race together. Some fundamentalists will be shocked because they cannot accept Christ as anything less than the Son of God, without equal or compare. But millions of believers are more open-minded. Jesus belongs to the world, not only to organized religion, and I wanted to celebrate that.

4. Does the story of Jesus have spiritual lessons for non-Christians?

There are many flavors of enlightenment, if I may use that term. With Jesus, the flavor is love. He reminded the world that love is a force as powerful as any other, and that it brings truth. Truth cannot be sought outside love because the result is dry and empty. It offers nothing to the heart. People often wonder how Christian missionaries became so successful at converting new believers, coaxing them to abandon their own religious traditions for Jesus. I think the answer isn't hard to find. Jesus offers pure love of God without having to deserve it. Just because you exist, God loves you as his child.

5. Do you see relevance for today's world in your telling of the Jesus story?

The relevance of Jesus will always be the same: finding a path to God's love. I sense that the world has tipped dangerously in the opposite direction. The inspiration of love has dried up. In its place we get dogma, rigid demands for obedience, not to mention the kind of intolerance that masks as love while in fact disseminating hatred. The single worst idea ever spread about spirituality is that God needs defending. That idea has given rise to incredible violence and division in the family of man. Jesus reminds us that God, however mysterious he (or she) may be, stands for love, peace and compassion. To forget this message, the most basic in Christianity, is to lose everything, and to remember it is the first step in regaining everything.

Welcome to Elevated Ideas Online!

2008-09-17T13:35:00.006-04:00

Hi Elevated Friends!

I am so excited to launch our new blog, Elevated Ideas Online. As many of you know, we have an Elevated Ideas section of our magazine, featuring "News, Views and Inspiration," each quarter. But now, we can bring you more information, more often. And best of all, it's FREE! Make sure you subscribe on the left side so you don't miss any of the posts, and check back often for inspiring news and secrets to success for your spiritual path!

We will keep you up-to-date on the latest books, authors, events we've attended or heard about, and even inspiring and fun things happening to us personally at Elevated Existence.

And please feel free to comment, ask us questions and share these positing with your friends.

This blog is being launched in conjunction with our December 2008 issue, featuring Dr. Wayne Dyer as the cover story, so be sure to check it out at www.elevatedexistence.com/currentissue.html.