June B 2018
Cover Story 24
Barnet Bain - The Book of Doing and Being
Health & Wellness 38 42
Physical Application of Crystal Reflexology Get In Touch With Nature
Spirituality 46 50 56
How to Get into the In Crowd The Enlightening Power of The Stupas What Is Spiritual Awakening?
OM Living 64 74 78
Earthship Temples Empathy The Heart of Connection 4 Buddhist Places to Ignite Your Spirit
Relationships 94
6 Characteristics of an Unfaithful Person
Metaphysics
102 Can you Manifest Using Crystals - 6 Steps for Programming your Crystals 108 The New Moon Crystal Ritual to Bring About Change
Personal Growth
116 Becoming Our True Self Within 120 Surfing the Waves in Turbulent Times 124 The Power of Will 128 How to Hardwire Resilience into the Brain
Barnet Bain: The Book Of Doing and Being
In a world that’s changing more rapidly than we can keep up with, in which lightning advances in technology are wiping out entire industries and jobs. Where warranties once attached to a lifetime of training, skills, and knowledge is fast becoming worthless, how do we create a new sense of security for ourselves; a new purpose, a new passion, new careers? According to awardOmtimes.com
winning filmmaker, broadcaster, educator and creativity expert, Barnet Bain, in a future where nothing is guaranteed, success now hinges on one quality that all of us possess, but few of us appreciate ¾ our ability to dream, to innovate, to create. Barnet Bain’s film credits include “What Dreams May Come” with Robin Williams, “Homeless to Harvard,” “The Celestine Prophecy,” and “Milton’s Secret” with Donald Sutherland. He is the author of The Book Of Doing and Being, in which he shares why creativity is the one skill set that can give us the resilience to thrive through the rapid changes we face today. Sandie Sedgbeer: Your creative output is quite prodigious. You’ve written, directed and produced some very creative films, you teach creativity workshops, you consult with business executives and private clients, and you’ve written two books. At what point did you feel compelled to extend yourself beyond the film industry to teaching what you’ve learned about creativity in workshops and books? Barnet Bain: It sort of went the other way around. For as
far back as I can remember, I had some sense that creativity was love’s work and that creativity is how humans express their consciousness. So that has always been my primary interest. I’ve been both a seeker and a finder for as long as I can remember. Along the way, certain expressions of that journey show up as being a husband, a father, a writer, a filmmaker, and being a teacher, but it’s not the other way around. These are simply the organic expressions of developing and expanding consciousness. Sandie Sedgbeer: Many people believe they’re not especially creative, but we only have to look at children to know that creativity is a quality that’s innate within all of us. So, why do you think it is that, as adults, we tend to compartmentalize and even minimize its role in our lives? Barnet Bain: There is no such thing as an uncreative act or an uncreative moment. Humans are always creating all of the time with every thought, choice, belief, decision, emotion, and with every feeling and mood. These are all creative acts. They’re not always aware acts. They’re not always Omtimes.com
Physical Application of Crystal Reflexology Foot and Hand Reflexology is based on the premise that there are zones and reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all body parts.
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The physical act of applying specific pressures using thumb, finger and hand techniques, performed without oils, lotions or creams result in stress reduction causing a physiological change in the body. Using a smooth tumbles massage wand, worry stone, or rounded smooth stone will allow you great benefits! Rubbing the warm oil into the bottom of the foot and over and around each toe feels exceptionally erotic, so I suggest you explore the feet and discover what your client or friend is feeling. Utilize your massage crystal and begin to work in different areas that are tender. Many people will let you know when you are in a delicate spot.
than your feet in a self-help reflexology treatment. Exercise your feet and hands by stretching out your toes and fingers as widely as possible, curling them in and out, twisting ankles and wrists, and finishing with an overall shake. Walk around on your bare foot as much as possible, which stimulates the sensory output from the feet to the brain. Specialist foot massage aids include contoured wooden shoes and sandals. You could also try rolling a golf ball or a rolling pin around the sole of your foot against the floor or between the palms of your hands. Treatments for several disorders
Self-Massage
Allergy sufferers can relieve their sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes by rubbing the top of the first segment of the big toe with the thumb, in an upward movement toward the nail.
Depending on how flexible you are it may be easier to massage your hands rather
For abdominal bloating and digestive difficulties,
Working slowly and with different degrees of depth will allow you to explore every angle of the foot map.
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How to Get into the In Crowd
In high school I looked up to my classmate Rick Brown, the quintessential cool guy. He was the good-looking captain of the football team and president of the Omtimes.com
student council. He had a cheerleader homecoming queen girlfriend and was liked by everyone. I envied Rick because he was at the epicenter of the in crowd, and I saw myself as a distant outsider. Years after we graduated, I ran into Rick and we reminisced. I confessed, “I was always envious of you because you were in the in crowd and I was way out.” Rick laughed. “Really?” he came back. “I always thought you were in the in crowd and I was out.” I couldn’t have been more stunned. Here was a guy who had all the accoutrements of success, all the things I wished I could be and have. Meanwhile he was envying me. How insane is that? That serendipitous meeting with Rick proved pivotal for me. That day I realized that the
voice in our head that tells us that we are defective or lessthan is a liar. A story from the video series The Beatles Anthology illustrates this very dynamic. At the height of the Beatles’ illustrious career, George Harrison decided he wasn’t fit to be in a band as talented as the Beatles. He went to Ringo Starr and told him, “I’m not a real Beatle. You guys are the real Beatles, so I am going to quit the band.” Ringo replied, “I was just thinking the same thing— that you three are the real Beatles and I am the fake, so I will quit the band.” The belief that either George or Ringo were not the real Beatles seems laughable and ludicrous, since each of those musicians was talented in his own way, and the unique synergy of those four made the Beatles the most successful entertainers in history. But each of them
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The Enlightening Power of The Stupas By Cathedral of the Soul
STUPAS are monument of the Buddhist tradition that represent the mind of all enlightened beings. The Stupa means “The Presence of the Buddha,� and they are the representation of the mind of the Buddha. Originally from Omtimes.com
India, Stupas are monuments that may contain relics of the Buddha, his disciples, later masters and or objects considered sacred or of vital spiritual importance. They are structures that also serve to commemorate events, they symbolize the many aspects of Buddhist doctrine. The pagodas are an evolution of the Stupas. The construction of such structures follows a rigorous series of techniques and wisdom of the ancient culture of Tibetan Buddhism. Each section of the Stupa represents one of the steps of the path to enlightenment. The Stupa naturally establishes peace and harmony by subduing negative forces, helps to prevent epidemic diseases and stabilize the forces of nature as well as brings blessings of health, prosperity, and well-being to the community. The site is carefully chosen for the Stupa, taking into account the principles of geomancy, Ley lines and Devic centers of power: Vortexes. These ancient
Indian burial constructions contain relics of kings and heroes. The monument Stupa contains within it thousands of prayers, relics of Buddhas, statues, incense and many other rare and precious substances and numerous offerings. Stupas are the symbol of the potential that each one of us has to achieve enlightenment. The stupa is monumental architecture, emphasizing our connection to the spiritual by both its mass and symbolic shapes As mystical structures, Stupas have the power to restore Earth’s energy in its surrounding environment, to help balance its elements, to prevent natural and environmental disasters, to promote peace, happiness, health, and prosperity. As such it is a source of positive energy, peace, prosperity, and harmony between beings and nature. So, in visiting these monuments and to walk around it - doing the kora - clockwise with a
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What Is Spiritual Awakening? By Rachel Horton White
Many people are starting to have what is often called “spiritual awakening.� With our renewed interest in spirituality, many of us wonder if the internal shifts we feel can be explained by awakening in our lives.
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In fact, we are all undergoing a massive growth in our awareness as part of the intense energies now felt on the planet. There are many definitions out there as to what exactly a spiritual awakening is. Does it mean someone is more evolved or enlightened? No, not necessarily. It generally does mean that we now identify with our higher consciousness, with the understanding that we are connected to all that is in existence, and that the concerns of the ego, or the lower self, are no longer running our lives anymore. Another common experience in awakening is seeing that reality is not what we thought it was. We begin to see through illusions and into the truth about the essence of interconnection, love, and power that lies within each human on Earth. Going through this process can be disorienting. It can
lead us questioning our surroundings, relationships, careers and basically every aspect of our lives. We see the world differently now, and that can mean huge changes in how we experience it. Here are a few ways to tell if a spiritual awakening is happening in our lives: We experience magical synchronicities. We find ourselves being in the right place at the right time and other psychic connections that we cannot easily explain. We notice number patterns on clocks, license plates, etc. (11:11 is the number of activation that many people see now. This often progresses to 222, 12:34, 333, 444, etc.) Songs, TV shows and even animals we encounter seem to have messages for us. The words address an exact situation that we are experiencing. It feels as if the
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Empathy: The Heart of Connection By Linda Bloom
Empathy results from understanding another deeply and can thereby bridge the gap between our world-view and that of another. Empathy can be learned, and we can look at issues from the other’s
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point of view. Learning how to manage our own tension, fear, and anger makes room for empathy to grow. Once deep understanding expands, that newfound awareness gives rise to less arguing, more harmony, and more closeness in the relationship. Empathy is defined as “the psychological identification with or vicarious experiencing the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.” Empathy results from understanding another deeply. When we look at the world from our partner’s point of view, we begin to bridge the gap of understanding between us. When we are emotionally activated by tension, fear, and anger, it is tough to empathize with and understand the other’s perspective at first. We are too wrapped up in our own sensations and thoughts to think clearly. Looking through our partner’s eyes. If we can take a little time to soothe ourselves, some room becomes available to see a different perspective,
we begin to notice that we have something to do with the predicament that we find ourselves in. The very instant we see our part in the breakdown, notice our lack of empathy and understanding, our anger lessens. And when we are not so busy being rigidly right, making the other person so wholly wrong, there is a bit of room to see the issue from their point of view. Moving off of our “heels in cement” position, allows the other to become more flexible too. By taking responsibility for our part in the conflict, a dynamic is set up whereby our partner is more apt to take responsibility for their role. It’s hard not to be defensive. Dropping defensiveness is one of the hardest things we do. Defensiveness has to do with trying to protect ourselves when we’re feeling afraid. If our partner is trying to protect themselves by being evasive, withdrawing, trying to avoid being emotionally vulnerable, rather than trying to get her to open up, try asking yourself and/or her the question, “Is there anything that I am
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Infidelity is a concept that has been the same for years. Some people differentiate unfaithfulness and disloyalty. Others believe that there is no
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infidelity. And you, what do you think about this? Today we will see what the characteristics of an unfaithful person are, but first, we have to clarify what it is to be unfaithful and why people come to that. What is it to be unfaithful? Many people are very clear about what it is to be unfaithful. Infidelity means the breach of trust between the couple. In being untrue, we lie consciously, for we know that our behavior is not right. Some people differentiate infidelity and disloyalty. The difference seems to be very clear, but it is not easy to understand. Infidelity involves being with others other than your partner. Many open relationships work under these premises. If this has already been discussed and allowed between the couple,
it may not be considered unfaithfulness. There are no lies, both people involved know and respect each other. But what about disloyalty? Disloyalty means infidelity without the consent of your partner, without his knowing the fact. Most infidels are in a monogamous relationship, while their bodies yearn to be with other people. Nevertheless, instead of being clear with their partners and expressing their wishes, they prefer to hide the evidence. Types of unfaithful disloyalties People may even forgive one infidelity or another, depending on what they consider to be “unfaithful.� - Have sex with someone else. They exchange kisses and caresses. - They flirted with someone else.
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Can You Manifest Using Crystals? 6 Steps for Programming Your Crystals By Shakti world
Crystals and precious stones are the purest manifestations of energy and light displayed on our physical plane.
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The atoms that compose the crystals are always in perfect harmony with the environment and with the energies that surrender them, thus allowing the manifestation of cosmic light in a solid form. Physically, it has already been proven that crystals are the best conductors, transmitters, and amplifiers of energy are used in the composition of the optical fiber, computer chips, watchmaking (Ruby, Quartz), etc. In the same way, as they are conductors, receivers, amplifiers or generators of energy, they are used metaphysically for healing, manifestation efforts, meditation, reinforcing grids, energizing environments and people, in general, they assist any living beings through the conveyance of cosmic energies. Crystals have life, not a carbon-based one by a crystalline type of life. They
are part of a more massive “nation� formed of pure crystal-like energy. All that is conscious energy is life, transmits experiences, usually has a life. Crystals can be considered extraordinary beings can become essential friends, helping us individually in our pursuit of spiritual growth and self-knowledge, and especially teaching innumerable ways to positively use their energy in conjunction with ours. Using Crystal Wands as programming Crystals The Crystal Tips known as Crystal wands are powerful energy tools that open a way of connecting the third dimension with the Higher planes of Light. They capture extraordinarily pure and positive energies from the higher planes and transmit it around them and primarily by their vertices. If used in therapies, they
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The New Moon Crystal Ritual to Bring About Change
When the moon is NEW, this is considered the time of birthing. Birthing new ideas, intention and seeding new ventures. This is also called the dark of the moon. This time also marks the Omtimes.com
beginning of a major new cycle in your life. It is not yet a definitive separation with the past, but it is a time when old familiar patterns lose energy, and you instinctively feel an impulse for creating new beginnings. Setting your intentions and releasing them out to the Universe to manifest and express. These are a few of my favorite crystals for the New Moon: Black Moonstone is a great crystal for finance and prosperity. It will help attract a gradual increase in your finances, and you will begin to feel more financial security. Like the new moon, changing to the full moon, black moonstone is symbolic of this “new moon beginning” and the ideal time to plant the seeds of good intentions to watch them grow. Black moonstone will help to improve concentration, particularly in frenzied workplaces. Your home and
relationships will feel more grounded and settled when black moonstone is in use. It enhances intuition and inner knowing and connects you to understand your feelings and emotions. Black Moonstone can be used for general psychic protection. Black Moonstone goes well with rainbow moonstone, black obsidian, jet, and labradorite. Black moonstone will also help to increase stamina. It is associated with the earth element, the zodiac sign of Aquarius and the Root Chakra. It has been theorized that black moonstone can protect against the effects of x-rays, radiation, and electromagnetic energies. This healing crystal is particularly good for the colon, kidneys, liver, spleen and stomach and female reproductive organs. It can also be helpful for stroke recovery and brain function. It can be used for painkilling rituals. This crystal can be used to help clumsy or accident, prone children.
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Unmasked: Becoming Our True Self Within By Shuddhaanandaa BrahmachariÂ
Abstract: Any identity we create is for the world. We hide behind many masks that may serve us well in the short term, but when it comes to authenticity and genuineness, our masks do little to aid us in making progress in our journey within. Our inner journey begins when we, through mindful living and meditation, begin to shed our false personas and find our Omtimes.com
Self within, where true peace and happiness reside. Then and only then can we sincerely and compassionately reach out to others. We are all caught in our fake personas We, humans, are gradually losing our presence; we are getting caught up in the mess of fake personas. We are unhappy because we have moved away from our true Self, and are living a life of pretense, wearing masks to satisfy the demands of the blind society. These masks may serve us well for a while, but eventually, they weigh us down and hold us back. That is when our personal and authentic inner journey towards being happened, resulting in our shaking off these false personas and realizing who we truly are. Our true identity is in the recesses of our heart Any identity we create is for the world. Our true identity is hidden in the recess of our heart. How can we be happy with our shadow identity? How long can we be happy wearing a mask called “personality?” When we shed the false persona and know that we are the children of
eternal light and that we have come to this transient world only to burn our karma and not create any more, only then can we dive within to know who we really are. As long as we are in the society, sometimes we just have to put up the mask that the society loves to see. We will always attract people who are not happy with us, for everyone has his or her own expectations of us. We need to recognize this fundamental block which is the self-created image of our limitations based on others’ expectations; our own profile that is a fake mask! Emerging from behind our mask Our masks are like the caterpillar that covers its own body with the silken fibers from its own mouth and remains bound within that cell where nobody can help it come out. But like the caterpillar who, when in due course, transforms itself into a butterfly, cutting its own cell and emerging without help, we too can emerge from behind our mask to reestablish our lost connection with the very essence of the life principle, Omtimes.com
Freedom From The Inside Out, Surfing the Waves in Turbulent Times By Crystal Presence
Wondering about our ability to stay present in turbulent times. Coming to realize that we are shaping our lives by the way we think, feel and behave. Freedom on the inside out as the experience of knowing
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that what is happening on our inside is shaping the experience we are having on our outside. Tips on how to how to experience freedom from the inside out. In turbulent times we ask ourselves if we can stay present, make good choices and feel free as things are breaking down? We sometimes feel angry, scared, stressed and powerless in the midst of it all. We understand the concept of breakdown/ breakthrough yet sometimes find it challenging to stay fully present through the ups and downs of the breakdown. We dream about freedom, talk about it, have fleeting moments of it and are not sure how to make it a sustainable experience. We ask ourselves is it even possible to be free amidst the turbulence? At the same time, science is proving the oneness of us all, that we are not separate from anyone, anything or our source. There is the growing awareness that what we experience on our inside is affecting
everything we experience on the outside. We are coming to realize that we are shaping our lives by how we think, feel and behave. What if we knew that what we are cultivating on the inside is what we realize on our outside? What if knew that freedom is not dependent on anyone or anything outside of ourselves? Freedom on the inside out is an experience of knowing that what is happening on our inside is shaping the lessons we have on the outside. A compelling question is what the nature of experiencing freedom from my inside out is? An example of a fun and natural process for cultivating freedom from our inside out is: Gathering up some pillows. Designate each pillow as a specific aspect of ourselves. One pillow for the element of ourselves that guides ourselves. The other pillow should be used for our emotions, hearts, and bodies. Begin a dialog with each aspect. We may find that our emotions are angry about how we often
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The Power of Will By Judi Lynch The true powers of the human spirit include selfmastery, moderation and the astonishing will which can shine through no matter the challenge.
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In every human heart there lies a tremendous power in the will. Our ability to exhibit selfcontrol with determination to face our challenges takes amazing courage. Our very will to survive can overcome the direst, dangerous situations if we focus on living instead of our fear.
If our spiritual connections are strong and our energetic frequencies are on a high, we are able to hear our higher selves and conscious connections. We begin to understand the insight being sent and practice manifesting the events which will keep us in purpose and thrive.
Willpower needs motivation in creative ways. If it is an unhealthy habit we are trying to change, replacing it with a better option is a good substitute for the loss. We can train our brains to react positively and feel better about our choices instead of mourning what was unhealthy. The same can be said of unhealthy relationships. Many stay because their will has been worn down by emotional abuse. When our will is weak, fear of change, being alone or the unknown can change overpower our thoughts with anxiety that plays over in a loop. In these kinds of situations, we lose the gift of free will and responsibility for our own lives.
If we are following someone else’s will without being able to express our innermost dreams and desires in purpose, we become less than we might have been. We can feel powerless and fearful of evolution and change. The goal is really for people to learn and evolve together. When one is content to live as they have always lived and the other needs life to be a series of accomplishments, it can become a war of wills.
Free will means we can choose.
Concerning each other’s needs, it really can be possible to coexist if both are able to learn tolerance. A support system is an integral part of feeling purpose in life, and some people prefer to live a quieter life than those whose will is to learn and experience as much
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How to Hardwire Resilience into the Brain By Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, syndicated from Greater Good
One winter, I went camping with my friend Bob in the backcountry near Sequoia National Park. After spending the day slogging uphill through deep snow, we were exhausted but needed to make camp. Omtimes.com
As the temperature rapidly dropped, Bob began shivering uncontrollably. He had poured out so much energy without refueling himself that he was sliding into hypothermia, the first stage of freezing to death. We hurried to set up the tent, get into our sleeping bags, light the stove, drink hot water, and eat hot food—and soon Bob’s teeth stopped chattering. Luckily, we had just enough resilience to turn this misadventure around. Mental resources like calm, grit, and courage kept us going when we were hit with freezing temperatures. And these are the same types of resources we all can use to help us cope with and push through obstacles in our own lives. But how do we cultivate them? The key is knowing how to turn passing experiences into lasting inner resources built into our brains. I teach this skill—called positive neuroplasticity—in my new book, Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness (written with Forrest Hanson).
Though it’s not a quick fix, you can change your brain for the better by working it the same way you would work a muscle. As you become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges, you move toward greater well-being and away from stress, worry, frustration, and hurt. 12 resources for resilience Every human being has three basic needs—safety, satisfaction, and connection—that are grounded in our ancient evolutionary history. While our circumstances have changed enormously over the last 200,000 years, our brains have remained largely the same. The neural machinery that enabled our ancestors to satisfy their need for safety by finding shelter, for satisfaction by getting food, and for connection by bonding with others is alive in our brains today. A particular need is best met by inner strengths that are matched to it—and these mental resources are what make us resilient. To meet our need for safety, we can draw on: • Compassion: Being sensitive Omtimes.com
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