Aug A Issue
Jerry O'Connell
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CONTENTS SPIRITUALITY 32
86
A WHALE SONG AND THE SOUL'S LIGHT.
JUST LIFE 42
THE DILEMMA OF SENDING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL
48
7 REASONS WHY FACT MATTER OVER OPINION
+
Jerry O'Connell
THE SECRET: DARE TO DREAM INTERVIEW BY LIANE BUCK
METAPHYSICS 76 86
HOW DEATH CAN BE A KEY TO HAPPINESS
Cover Photo Courtesy of Lionsgate
"SUPERHUMAN" INTERVIEW BY VICTOR FUHRMAN
OMLIVING
RELATIONSHIPS
10 WAYS TO CREATE A 56 SACRED SANCTUARY IN YOUR HOME
HOW TO MITIGATE EMOTIONS IN 66 UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
PERSONAL GROWTH 98
SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSONS
104 THREE STEPS TO FORGIVING OURSELVES
110
SPOTLIGHT
FIVE WAYS TO COPE WITH YOUR SADNESS OVER COVID-19
WWW.OMTIMES.COM
JERRY O'CONNELL
The Secret
Dare to Dream
OMTIMES
|AUGUST
A
Jerry O'Connell is an American actor, director and talk show host, known for his roles as Quinn Mallory in the television series Sliders, Andrew Clements in My Secret Identity, Vern Tessio in the film Stand by Me, Joe in Joe's Apartment, Frank Cushman in Jerry Maguire , Derek in Scream 2 , Charlie Carbone in Kangaroo Jack, and Detective Woody Hoyt on the drama Crossing Jordan.
Jerry O'Connell, one of the headliners of the SECRET: DARE TO DREAM movie, sat with OMTimes to discuss Law of Attraction, Life and Positivity.
The Secret: Dare to Dream is a daring project inspired by The groundbreaking 2006 book by Rhonda Byrne has become a global phenomenon empowering millions to lead happier and more fulfilled lives, selling over 34 million copies worldwide, translated into 50 languages and appearing on the New York Times best-seller list for 190 weeks. OMTIMES
|AUGUST A
A Whale Song and the Soul's Light By John Holland OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
A
s I often say, some
kingdom, each one lasting for
people are attracted
half an hour or so. They sing to
to light, while others
woo females and f righten off rival
emanate it. Let me tell
males. The songs can be heard
you a story about the parents of a
underwater hundreds of miles
particularly good friend of mine.
away!"
This is such an extraordinary story and one I hold close to my heart.
As the boat came to a stop in the water, everyone became eerily
Ken and Pat are from Great Britain
quiet. It was as if the whales knew
and were in the U.S. for a visit. I
we were there, and they wanted to
thought I would surprise them by
put on a show for us.
taking them out on a very special boat trip. It was the first time Ken
When I looked at Ken's face, he
and Pat were going to experience a
resembled a child as he watched
whale-watching excursion.
in awe as the whales surfaced. They twisted onto their backs
As the boat slipped away from
and disappeared, their tails being
the New England harbor, Ken
the last thing visible before they
was clearly eager as he looked
slipped back below the ocean. As
overboard, scanning the water with
they surfaced again, they started
his battered and aged binoculars.
slapping the water as if they were
The boat gathered speed, and we
waving to us in unison. Each time
headed out into the ocean, which
they twisted and slapped, everyone
was unbelievably calm. It was about
let out a gasp.
an hour and a half later that we saw in the distance the first spouts
I glanced over to Ken and was
from a family of whales.
literally stopped in my tracks. I no longer saw this man in his
The captain announced we were
late seventies, but I witnessed
going to edge closer to the whales.
and experienced him as a soul.
He explained: "Male humpback
There was a light emanating from
whales sing the longest and most
him, which had the energy and
complex songs in the animal
youthfulness of a seven-year-old. I
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
The Dilemma Around Sending Kids Back to School
С
By Marcia Sirota, MD.
hildren have been out of
children, and one reason is the lack of
school for several months
social interactions with their peers and
now, and for the most part,
the adults at their schools.
they’ve been separated
from their friends and their extended
The pandemic has been hard on
families. Doctors are now describing
everyone’s mental health. For school-
“skyrocketing rates of anxiety and
aged children, it has been especially
depression” among school-aged
challenging. They feel the deprivation
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
of social distancing acutely. They need
They learn to see things from different
the stimulation, learning, and fun of
perspectives, and they open their
being with their peers. Being with
minds to new possibilities.
their nuclear family all the time can be tedious and can increase the potential
At school, children learn from adults
for conflicts, especially when everyone
who are not part of their family. They
is under stress.
discover that there are many sources of knowledge and wisdom in their
Children need to spend time with their
lives. They learn all sorts of things from
friends. They need to go to school and
their peers, and they get to feel good
spend time with other adults, away
about themselves when they help
from their immediate family. The school
other kids achieve their goals.
has so much more to offer children, aside from academic learning.
Why school is so important for kids:
Children need to play for their emotional and psycho-social development. School offers them the opportunity to play in their classes, at lunch and recess, and in their extra-
At school, children develop the
curricular activities. Play teaches
skills that are essential for their
children an abundance of life skills,
future success in their personal
such as teamwork, innovation, how
and professional life. They learn
to be a good winner, and how to be
communication, cooperation, conflict
a good loser. It fosters creativity and
resolution, and compromise. They
provides an outlet for stress.
learn sharing, negotiation, tolerance, and resilience. They learn how to deal with mistakes and failure and how to
The problem with sending kids back to school:
be kind to others. It’s clear just how important it is to The meaningful relationships they
get kids back to school in the fall.
develop with fellow students and
But, there’s a real problem with this.
with school staff help a child build
The pandemic is far from over. In
self-confidence, self-worth, self-
the United States, the numbers are
acceptance, and a sense of belonging.
surging, and hospital beds are almost
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
7 Reasons Why Fact Matter Over Opinion by Jennifer Ott
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
O
pinions are divisive,
with alternative motives the average
especially when not
person may be unaware. We are all
considering facts. In
susceptible.
this time of global crisis,
opinions can be deadly. Facts evolve
The problem is in such a society today,
with an expanded study by experts
how can we know if the information
in the field. They yet, unfortunately,
we are receiving is accurate. How can
can be manipulated by bad actors by
we trust any source these days?
keeping a small element of the fact but changing the narrative. Manipulation
Understanding Facts are Mutable.
of facts triggers fears and frustrations, causing them to believe outcomes
Facts change. One may ask how and
which will harm instead of healing.
why? If it is a fact, shouldn’t it stay as
Learning discernment and accepting
fact?
facts aren’t meant to imprison our mind to be a springboard for more significant
Sometimes distrust grows when we
intellectual expansion.
see what was deemed a fact change. For many, it raises suspicions. Take
Today we are as divided as ever
the case of Covid-19 as scientists and
and not by the color of our skin, our
doctors are still trying to understand
religion, or sexual identity but by our
this disease. In this process, some
opinion. We have come to a point
may believe this an attempt to control
where our opinions shape all that
populations. However, the truth is
we are and all that we do, often to
as scientists and doctors learn more,
the detriment of our own health and
knowledge changes.
safety. How have we slid so far down Through further research and
this divisive rabbit hole?
investigation, we learn more about a Minds are easily controlled when
subject. Evolving facts doesn’t indicate
vulnerable. Regardless of who we are,
a hoax. It demonstrates continuing
our opinions are often not shaped
study into a subject. As humans evolve,
on provable facts but by our fears
so does our knowledge. In the middle
and our frustrations, which can be
ages, doctors and caregivers warned
easily implanted by nefarious players
hot baths spread the plague, so many
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
How to Mitigate Emotions in Unprecedented Times By Dr. Carmen Harra OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
O
ne word we've been
been put on pause, and we've
hearing a lot lately
been taken out of our comfort
is "unprecedented":
zones quite suddenly. Such
unprecedented
disruptions are guaranteed to
pandemic, unprecedented protests,
cause a wide range of emotions,
unprecedented unemployment rate,
including ones you may not
etc. As we pass through unusual yet
expect or enjoy. However, you
extraordinary times, our emotions are
must accept how you're feeling
starting to reflect the chaos around us.
at any given moment because your emotions are a part of you;
The shaky state of our world may
they come from you and no
be causing you to have conflictual
one else. Some sentiments like
emotions, especially if you're a
regret and guilt are especially
sensitive person: you may feel
oppressive; they weigh down on
frustrated about your finances,
your conscience and make you
impatient to get back to work,
falsely believe that what you're
outraged over police brutality,
feeling is wrong when, in reality,
or just plain bored of this whole
no emotion is wrong. Recognizing
situation. Even in such instances, it's
that all emotions are normal will
imperative not to let your emotions
help you return to a positive state
get out of hand. In order to remain
of mind more quickly. The key is
in control of your circumstances,
to allow your feelings to come and
you need to remain in control of
go like visitors: welcome them,
what you feel. No matter what your
get to know them, then show
mindset may be in this moment,
them the door. You shouldn't
you can mitigate your emotions by
dwell on negative emotions, or
taking these four steps:
you risk getting stuck in them. It's important to keep your
1. Recognize that no emotion is
feelings constantly flowing so that
wrong. It takes time to adjust to
you don't become emotionally
a new reality because the human
stagnant.
brain likes to follow predictable patterns; it does not appreciate change. Our regular activities have
2. Transform what you feel. Human beings are unique in that we
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
How Death Can Be a Key to Happiness By Karen Wyatt, MD.
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
W
hat if you thought
Americans, and it is important to
about death
address this issue since studies have
multiple times a
shown that happiness is a key factor
day, every day? In
for overall physical health.
Western society, you would probably be labeled as depressed, morbid,
Researcher Laura Kubzansky has
pessimistic, or neurotic, much like a
found that characteristics like
character from a Woody Allen movie.
resilience, positive outlook on life, and
But in the tiny Himalayan country of
a sense of meaning and purpose all
Bhutan, which has been named “the
lead to increased happiness. Therefore,
happiest country on Earth,” people
better health. Interestingly, these are
contemplate death five times a day as
some of the same traits that Sogyal
part of their Buddhist tradition.
Rinpoche teaches are enhanced by accepting the reality of death, along
Clearly, thinking about death doesn’t
with a reduction in fear and stress.
prevent happiness, and it seems, from the example of the Bhutanese people,
So is this enough reasonable evidence
that acceptance of death might
to get you to try a practice of “death
actually help find peace, meaning, and
awareness” for greater happiness and
joy in life. Indeed Tibetan Buddhist
better health? If so, here are some tips
teacher Sogyal Rinpoche writes in
for beginning your own daily routine of
“The Tibetan Book of Living and
thinking about death.
Dying” that regular contemplation of death can lead to a deep experience of joy as old attachments and negative
Establish a regular time of day for your practice
habits are released. To maintain any new routine, it helps But most of us in the West are
to set aside the same time every day,
terrified of death and avoid addressing
like first thing in the morning or before
it unless absolutely necessary.
going to bed at night. This regularity
Furthermore, as many as two-thirds
will help you remember to do the
of Americans report that they are not
practice each day. It will ingrain it as a
very happy in their day-to-day lives.
habit more quickly than if you do it on
Clearly, something is missing for most
a random, variable schedule.
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
OMTIMES MAGAZINE
Crisis Of Faith
How to Overcome a Dark Night of the Soul by: Cathedral Of The Soul Have you heard of the Dark Night of the Soul? Have you ever had an existential crisis? Only those who have lived through this crucial moment in their lives know how delicate and difficult it can be to get out of it. The Dark night is more than anything a spiritual crisis, a crisis of faith, that can envelop the mental, emotional and psychic realms of your being. When it happens, you may
Sometimes you can't see your way out. The "dark night of the soul" it's a reality for many, many people.
have to find the assistance of a Health professional, because sometimes, existential crises can overpower our abilities to cope. We listed some suggestions to help you cope better with the impact of such crisis.
Mariel Hemingway
Dark Night or Existential Crisis: How does it Happen? The existential crisis happens to many people and consists of a moment of discouragement when we try to seek a real meaning for our life. It can be triggered by an event or appear without any apparent cause, but it is most commonly detected in a sad or losing moment. The existential crisis, according to psychologists, happens more frequently in people with high wisdom, intelligence superior to the others, which brings questions about the world in a different way. The absence of answers can, however, trigger the crisis. When we are experiencing an existential crisis, everything seems to upset us, our feelings are on edge, no one seems to be able to understand us. Many people say they want to disappear, and have a time off, when they don't think about problems or anyone. The desire is just to stay in bed and do absolutely nothing. Some people confuse it with depression, others end up judging it as laziness, but it is neither, it is a moment of reflection that is difficult to face, but that needs to be faced head on so that it does not take more serious proportions.
The Eye of the storm - Get out of that Place. An existential crisis is a very delicate period and there is no exact formula for getting out of it, because everyone has their own crisis, of different reasons and intensities. Our advice can help you not to let it sink you, affect you a lot and get you out of it more strongly. But again, if you feel that you can't copy alone, you should immediately seek professional help or a mental health hotline.
Recognize You are Having a Problem Many people find it difficult to recognize that they are experiencing an existential crisis. But recognizing the problem is the first step in overcoming it. There is no shame in being experiencing an existential crisis, questioning the purpose of life is natural to human beings, including the most evolved human beings. Each of us has the power to choose the reason for our existence and give it meaning, this is the moment that your mind is asking you to reflect on. You cannot let yourself be overwhelmed by negative feelings.
Spreading the Word about Highly Sensitive Persons by Theresa Cheung
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
I
sincerely want to help gentle
• Sensitives are fragile, ineffective
people recognize their own true
‘snowflakes.’ Many defining
worth and feel empowered and
characteristics of sensitive people,
at peace, rather than fragile and
such as their empathy, passion, and
conflicted and ashamed of feeling
creativity, make them exceptional
things deeply. I would like to offer
business leaders or influencers
gentle people coping tools to help
on the world stage, for example,
them manage their emotions and
Walt Disney, Jacinda Arden, John
navigate in sensitive environments.
Lennon, and Princess Diana to
I would also like to help sensitive
name but a few.
people identify the red flags of toxic relationships. It is a truth universally
• Sensitive people are pushovers
acknowledged that sensitives typically
who have no firm convictions of
attract self-serving narcissists and
their own. Empathy is a defining
energy vampires into their lives. In
characteristic of sensitives, but it
some cases, it can take their forgiving
is not an endorsement of another
hearts a long time to wake up to the
person’s viewpoint; rather, it’s
damaging emotional abuse. Last,
simply respecting and listening to
but by no means least, I also want to
that viewpoint.
eliminate damaging misconceptions • Sensitivity is a women’s issue. Up to
about being sensitive.
Setting the sensitivity record straight Here are the most common and frustrating misconceptions about sensitivity or being sensitive, followed by some facts that challenge them: • Sensitive people are shy and introverted. There are sensitive extroverts, too – about 30 percent of sensitives are extroverts.
50 percent of sensitives are men. • Gay men are prone to being sensitive. This is a social stereotype that equates being gay with being more feminine, and, as stated above, sensitivity is not a feminine issue. • Highly sensitive people are prone to depression and anxiety. There may be an increased risk of anxiety and depression, but it is important
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
Three Steps to Forgiving Ourselves By Charles Garfield
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
A
friend of mine picked up
we did together had to do with self-
a tiny plastic baby doll in
forgiveness.
a store and slipped it into her pocket when she was
If you are longing for the sense
five years old. She is in her sixties now,
of freedom that comes with
but she has been carrying that doll
letting go of shame, guilt, and
with her ever since (not literally, but as
self-recrimination—and want to
a guilty secret - evidence of how even
transform that pain to wisdom—here
as a child she couldn’t be trusted).
are three steps that can help you:
No one caught her, but she’s been punishing herself for that little girl’s
1. Look curiously and compassionately at the person
crime ever since.
whose behavior you are judging Many of us also do something
so harshly that earlier version of
similar: we hold onto memories of
yourself. It can be very helpful
the ways we’ve fallen short, inflicted
to pull out a photo of yourself
harm, or failed to measure up. Our
at the age you were when the
transgressions may be larger than the
behavior occurred. Were you a
theft of a cellophane-wrapped trinket.
small child, like my friend? An
Perhaps we harmed others, made
insecure teen? A stressed and lost
unwise decisions, let someone down or
new parent? As you bring that
betrayed them - or betrayed ourselves
person to mind, breathe deeply
- and these things weigh us down with
and feel the reality of who they
guilt, shame, and regret. That load can
were, what they feared, what they
become crippling if we don’t address
had yet to learn. Bear witness to
it—it doesn’t go away by itself.
who you were. Know that you did the best you could as the person
I know this well because I spent years
you were then, with the resources
sitting at the bedsides of people who
and understandings and maturity
were dying, listening as they told me
you had available to you. Know,
the stories of their shortcomings, their
too, that you can open your heart
regrets, and their “crimes,” hoping to
now and offer that very flawed
find peace in the time they had left.
and human person kindness and
Some of the most liberating work
love. The person in the photo,
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
Five Ways to Cope With Your Sadness Over Covid-19 By Marcia Sirota
The sadness we're all feeling is profound
N
don't make a habit out of shedding tears. But their grief is real, and they've been weeping more in the
ow that the Covid-19
past few weeks than possibly in their
pandemic is in full-swing,
entire lives.
a lot of people have been breaking down and crying
these days, and these are people who
Many of us are feeling profoundly sad right now, and I wanted to talk
OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
about why this is and what we can do
The situation we're in is
about it. There are so many reasons
something that few living people
to feel upset right now. We're worried
have experienced. The closest
about our health and anxious about
approximation was the Second World
our loved ones; we're nervous about
War, and that ended 75 years ago.
our finances and about the economic
Everyone that was born after 1945 has
survival of our community and our
nothing with which to compare this
nation.
current crisis. And even during the war, people banded together, and that
And many of us are just plain sad.
gave them strength. Now, many of us
It hurts to think about how many
are literally going through it alone.
people have been getting sick, how many have died, and how many still
We're feeling lost and adrift. We
are going to die. It's painful to be
aren't sure how long this is all going
cooped up at home, not able to be
to last or what life will be like, on the
with our family and friends. It's scary,
other side. We're lonely, and we're
lonely, and frustrating, and it makes
scared. Many people are feeling
us really sad.
overwhelmed, but just as many of us
We're feeling lost and adrift
are feeling profoundly sad.
Many have suffered; more pain is coming
It's painful to imagine what will happen to our local small businesses,
I'm grieving for all those who have
and to the people who have worked in
succumbed to the illness. I'm
our communities for many years. It's
heartbroken for their families and
upsetting to think that all the money
friends. I'm sad for the health care
people have invested has gone up in
workers who, aside from all the
smoke. It's tragic to think of everyone
sacrifices they're already making to
who was living from paycheck to
care for the sick, are now sleeping
paycheck and who now faces a
alone in their cars or wherever they
financial crisis as well. The sense of loss
can find so as not to risk infecting
is profound. The feeling of uncertainty
their family members. I'm upset
is chilling.
that there aren't enough ventilators OM TIMES | August A Edition 2020
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