Lynne REnoir
Finding Meaning Lynne Renoir was raised in an ultraconservative Christian home. Still, despite fifty years of giving everything she had to her faith, she failed to experience anything like the transformation that is promised to believers. A problem she faced was explaining the transformation that seemed to be occurring in the lives of others, including those who held different beliefs and those who held none. Her pursuit of this question led her to complete a Master’s degree in Psychology, followed by a Ph.D. in Philosophy.
Interview by Sandra Sedgbeer
At the same time, she developed an interest in quantum theory and read everything she could find by physicists and cosmologists who write for the general public. Carrying out research in these disciplines led her to believe Christianity was not her path. What proved life-transforming was the realization of her oneness with the whole of reality. OMTIMES | DECEMBER 2022
Unveiling Realities Domestic violence has increased dramatically over the past few decades. The figures rose even more sharply during the covid lockdown period. But when we hear the words spousal abuse, most of us assume that the victim is a woman when about two in five domestic violence victims are actually men. That's right. It isn't always women who are left battered and bruised by a violent partner. Yet, the abuse of men by their female partners is rarely covered by the media or recognized as an issue in society. The abuse of anybody is just unforgivable. The abuse of women and animals is campaigned against in many societies. Still, the abuse of men by women happens far more frequently than we know, yet it remains largely a dirty secret. Why is that? Lynn Renoir is a philosopher, researcher, and author of The Abuse of Men, an inquiry into the Adult Experience of Heterosexual Abuse, based on her research for her master's thesis on this topic. She joins me to shine some much-needed light on a vast social inequality that urgently needs to be acknowledged, discussed, and rectified.
SANDIE SEDGBEER: Lynne, your book, "The Abuse of Men," makes a very uncomfortable and startling reading. Why did you choose this particular topic for your thesis? LYNNE RENOIR: I became interested in this subject because of my work as a massage therapist. Many of my patients were men, and some began to tell me of the cruel way their partners treated them. So, I wondered whether this subject had been researched. Still, when I looked at the literature, I found that most of the studies addressed the abuse of women by men. So, I decided that my thesis would be on the abuse of men by women. SANDIE SEDGBEER: You found that the abuse employed by the partners of men that you spoke to wasn't just psychological. It was physical and even sexual too. Can you give some examples of the worst behaviors from your case history? LYNNE RENOIR: With physical abuse, one man told me that his partner burnt a hole in his arm. Then she threw a cooking pot that smashed him in the face. Then she grabbed a knife and threatened to gouge out his eye. Another said that his partner would kick him in the genitals, then she'd scratch and bite him, and then threaten to kill herself if she didn't get what she wanted.
OMTIMES | DECEMBER 2022
Use Antioxidants To Fight Free Radicals by Andrew Pacholyk, MS L.Ac
Why Antioxidants Are Necessary
cancer, cancer of the colon or
When Fighting Free Radicals
rectum, is a disease that affects both
M
men and women and is preventable
ore studies show that
nearly 90 percent of the time.
antioxidants improve
Starting at age 50, men at women at
health, primarily free
average risk for the disease should
radicals and various
get screened. African Americans
cancers. For example, Colorectal
who typically develop colorectal
OM TIMES | December 2022
cancer at younger ages should be
are created by exposure to various
screened even earlier.
environmental factors, cigarette and tobacco smoke, air pollution, alcohol,
Prevention techniques include
drugs, radiation from televisions and
regular screenings, a healthy diet, and
computers, chemicals, and busy,
regular exercise. If detected, colorectal
stressful life.
cancer requires surgery in nearly all cases for complete cure, sometimes
These factors stimulate molecules
in conjunction with radiation and
in the Body called transcription
chemotherapy. 80 and 90 percent of
factors. The transcription factor is
patients are restored to normal health
any protein required to initiate or
if the cancer is detected and treated in
regulate transcription, including
the earliest stages. However, the cure
gene regulatory proteins and the
rate drops to 50 percent or less when
general transcription factors. These
diagnosed in the later stages.
chemical messengers signal DNA to start producing protein, which gives
ANTIOXIDANTS FIGHT FREE RADICALS
direction to the cells in our Body. Transcription factors in the Body are harmless until they are activated by
Free radicals are atoms or groups
free radicals. Free radicals cause the
of atoms. They have at least one
transcription molecules to migrate to
unpaired electron, which makes them
the center of the nucleus. In addition,
highly reactive. Free radicals promote
several transcription factors become
beneficial oxidation that produces
pro-inflammatory due to free radicals,
energy and kills bacterial invaders.
accelerating the aging process.
However, in excess, they produce harmful oxidation or oxidative stress?
NF-kB transcription factor complex
That can damage cell membranes and
is one of the cellular sensors which
cell contents. These free radicals cause
responds to oxidative stress and
inflammation.
regulates gene expression. NF-kB can increase the activity of genes
In human beings, free radicals are the
responsible for inflammation. DNA
natural by-products of many processes
binding activities of two other
within and among cells. Free radicals
transcription factors, AP-1, and Sp-1,
OM TIMES | December 2022
Is Your Spinach Smoothie Making You Sick? By Sally K. Norton, MPH
S
Author of “Toxic Superfoods”
weet potatoes, chard,
Despite receiving a bachelor’s degree
nuts, and kiwi are no
in nutrition from Cornell University
longer my friends.
and a master’s degree in public health
Apparently, they never
leadership from the University of
were. I just didn’t get the memo.
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I was
OM TIMES | December 2022
never warned that various vegetables,
as calcium, zinc, and copper in the
nuts, and fruits could cause health
digestive tract, making it difficult
problems.
for the body to absorb minerals in a useful form. Unfortunately, some
Suppose you’ve joined the ranks of
ingested oxalic acid passes into the
conscientious eaters by loading up
bloodstream, which can also bind
on almonds, spinach, turmeric, tea, or
minerals already in the body. The
chocolate. In that case, you need to
two-pronged mineral depletion can
hear my story. Also, if you know anyone
inhibit growth, bone development,
with a diet featuring “wholesome”
and tissue repair.
foods like blackberries and quinoa, which is not the picture of vitality and
Oxalic acid has a range of other toxic
sturdiness, or if you’re suffering from
actions, including directly harming
gut problems, joint pain, inflammation,
cells, blocking enzymes, and creating
or other symptoms that are stumping
oxidative stress. Oxalate also builds
your doctors, it is very possible I can
up in joints, bones, glands, and even
help point you toward relief.
the eyes. In addition, the kidneys have to excrete oxalate—the major
What is the invisible culprit hiding
ingredient in kidney stones.
within your favorite “superfoods”? Oxalates: chemical toxins that are
Even moderate, relatively common
produced by many plants.
levels of oxalate in a habitual diet can fuel the customary aches and pains
WHAT ARE OXALATES, AND WHY ARE THEY BAD?
of life: digestive distress, inflamed joints, chronic skin issues, brain fog, or mood problems, as well as health
Oxalates are tiny organic salts that
declines associated with “normal”
form when oxalic acid binds to
aging.
mineral elements such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Oxalates
I had to learn about oxalates the hard
ingested from plant foods are
way: through personal experience.
especially good at “locking up”
My enlightenment came after
minerals in food. They grab and hold
decades of striving for good health
nutritionally valuable minerals such
and painfully missing the mark.
OM TIMES | December 2022
A Letter from Your Soul; Talking to your Spiritual Partner By Medium John Holland
I
t's me, your Soul. Remember me?
Times are tough now. Believe me,
We used to talk a lot, but I haven't
I know. I've been with you all your life.
heard much from you. With all that
We've been through a lot together.
you've been going through lately,
I know what makes you the happiest,
I feel like you're pulling away from me.
and I also know what pushes your
OM TIMES | December 2022
buttons and pushes you away from
in a place where you can reach me
your goals and dreams.
whenever you have any more doubts.
When life feels like it's beating you
I'm here for you. I'm always here for
down and taking every bit of your
you. When you're stuck in a sticky
energy, that's when you lose sight
situation, I've got the answer you
of me. But I want you to know that's
need. When you're faced with the
when you need to rely on me most.
scariest decisions, I can steer you in
I'm the one who can get you out
the right direction. When you feel
of this funk and back on your path
the most loss and despair, I'm the
again.
shoulder you can lean on. When you feel like the world is out to get you,
That's why I felt compelled to write
I've got your back. And when you feel
you this note. Maybe you can print
like you're alone, I'm already there!
it out and keep it in your pocket or
I never left.
OM TIMES | December 2022
Practicing Progressive Spirituality By Judi Lynch
P
rogressive spirituality
What does it mean to practice
means that our eyes
progressive spirituality? Are we
and hearts are open and
combining and updating religions,
listening, willing to evolve
upgrading traditions, accepting
and grow while reaching out to
others who are different, and teaching
others and caring about the world
compassion? All of that and more. We
we are leaving to our children, their
are living in a time of rapid evolution
children, and everyone else's.
of the Soul. So many are seeking
OM TIMES | December 2022
answers right now about how to live
with negativity, false information,
in times of uncertainty and change,
narcissism, and skepticism. It's
wanting to understand more about
up to us to seek higher ground.
the purpose of life. Looking for
With curiosity, open minds, and
answers on how to keep healthy
metaphysical and spiritual studies,
mentally, spiritually, and physically
we learn to evolve knowledge of our
during it all and feel joy inside. Fear
spiritual energies and connections
of what we don't understand can
to find the truth. This also includes
keep us from accepting change from
science and spirituality working
what we have always known. Fear
together to help us understand that
makes people unwilling to accept our
everything is truly energy. We can
evolution as humans and let others
follow an idea or statement without
choose how to live.
proof or listen to our intuitive abilities and connections to help us determine
Those who live life aware of their
the facts. Conspiracy theories remain
spiritual guidance are the real
nothing but theories until they
caretakers of this Earth. Those who
are proven to be true or false. The
care for and about others' well-
thinking that something we read on
being start charities, adopt animals,
social media must be true or that a
embrace creativity, respect the
politician is always telling the 'truth'
environment and practice gratitude.
can be hazardous to our health and
They change the world! It's equally
the future. Truly, it is about all of us
important to care about our health,
working together and not following
be physically, mentally, and spiritually
one person with an egoist agenda to
aware, and be able to contribute
rule or control. True freedom means
to society positively. Caring for and
we are free to choose, and true
loving ourselves helps us to see
spirituality means helping and not
the humanity in others. Empathy
harming others mentally or physically
is a superpower; compassion is
if we disagree with them. Violence
greatly needed to tap into our great
and force can never replace kindness,
assistance through our consciousness.
democracy, and peace. There is a time to listen instead of speaking, and
There will always be those who
there is a way to take action without
seek to divide and control us
oppression and dominance.
OM TIMES | December 2022
Meditation As A Strategy for Prevention of Wars by Barbara Briggs
OM TIMES | December 2022
T
he best strategy of defense
decisions of its leaders will be more
is to prevent the birth of
effective and produce more positive
an enemy. Prevention is
outcomes for the nation. Wars can
always better than cure.
be prevented by systematically educating the citizens of every nation
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it says:
to think and act spontaneously in harmony with all the laws of Nature.
"Avert the danger that has not
This is done by training the mind to
yet come."
contact the unified field of natural
“Heyam dukham anagatam.”
law at the basis of life itself. While
Yog -Sutra 2.16
practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique (as taught by
Wars always begin in the minds
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi), the mind
of men. If the mind is weak and
settles down to its least excited state
stressed, friends or neutral persons
and effortlessly experiences pure
will be considered enemies. When
consciousness, the ground state of all
the mind of a leader is saturated
the laws of Nature. This experience
with fear and doubt about his
enlivens the ability to have both
nation's safety, he will threaten the
broad comprehension and the ability
peace of other nations and even
to focus sharply. The individual mind
create the ground for conflicts to
is aligned to the holistic value of pure
arise. Friendship today could turn
intelligence. This experience enables
to enmity tomorrow. Problems arise
the individual to develop a state of
from a lack of coherent thinking.
unbounded awareness, which is vital
Misinterpretations, confusion, and
in every situation one faces. When the
muddled thinking often become the
mind is anchored to the state of pure
cause of war.
consciousness, silence and dynamism are fully enlivened in one's awareness.
The mind of the citizens of a country
One gains stability and adaptability,
must be educated to think and act
which are of immense value when
in harmony with natural law. The
confronting challenging situations.
leader of any country always reflects the collective consciousness of the
Stopping wars from arising is only
nation. If the nation is coherent, the
possible if one can stop the basis of
OM TIMES | December 2022
Is There a More Intelligent Way to Date Online? By Michelle Butt
The Skill of Facial Intelligence and
shrunk the world. We can connect
Online Dating
with anyone in seconds, but does that
W
make it harder to make a meaningful
ith literally
connection? Let's face it. Everyone
thousands of dating
is busy, and the Internet is fast and
sites in existence
always there. So are other people with
these days, you
whom to connect if you are looking for
would think it would be easier to
companionship and love. But how do
find love or at least a partner for a
you know if those beautiful words in
good date online. The Internet has
the profiles of the face you are looking
OM TIMES | December 2022
at are a reflection of that person or
on faces that, at first glance, are
just well-written paragraphs made to
physically attracted to them, and
present what they think a potential
then continuing on to the written
mate wants to hear. Or, what if they
profile. However, there are clues in
aren't the best writer, a person of few
those faces that, if you could even
words, but a soul definitely worth
just read one feature, could help you
getting to know better. How can you
to understand that person on a much
tell? Can facial intelligence help bring
deeper level before you even talked,
people together?
texted, instant messaged, or Skyped. In fact, instead of looking for what
Well, employing some facial
you always look for, you may begin
intelligence techniques could help.
to look at online (and even offline)
Modern-day facial intelligence has
dating because by knowing the
grown out of ancient Chinese face
meaning of features, you can look for
reading techniques. Thousands of
those qualities in a face to begin to
years ago in China, the features and
discern your ideal mate.
patterns of markings and wrinkles on the face were observed and cataloged to create an accurate and remarkable system for understanding the habitual behaviors of others, their thought patterns, preferences, the impact of life experiences, outlook on life and even their suitability as a mate. Now, although, here in the western world these days, we don't use face reading to facilitate "lucky matches," we can certainly use the science of facial intelligence to get a sense of who someone is on the inside by reading
USE FACIAL INTELLIGENCE TO FIND YOUR NEXT DATE Here are some examples. If you are a woman looking to date a man who is kind and gentle, who is nurturing and communicates with warmth, then you would want to look for men with faces that are more round, men who have full lips and full cheeks, as a full mouth and roundness in the face overall signifies someone with a nurturing nature. Perhaps, in the
their face.
past, you've been physically attracted
Often, particularly in online dating,
in a man. This type of man would
to chiseled features and a strong jaw
people are looking at faces, stopping
have a much harder time being
OM TIMES | December 2022
Soul Mates or Life partners, what is the Difference? By Ascending Hearts
S
oulmates are people who
without the need for great
have a deep spiritual
explanations: there is a perfect fit.
connection with us, probably coming from
On the other hand, life partners are more common: we have
other incarnations.
affinities and attraction, but They are individuals with whom
the relationship requires more
we have an instant identification:
attention and surrender to
everything is lighter, fluid, and
understand.
OM TIMES | December 2022
Will you be happier with your soulmate
A life partner has similar interests
than with your life partner?
in your life. This person is the
Nobody knows.
cheerleader, the pillar of strength
There is so much but so much that we
and support that encourages you
can't predict. We are presenting you
to take risks. Unlike the soulmate, a
with the main differences between
life partner comes closer, regardless
them so that you can make the most of
of what obstacles and challenges lie
your relationship, whatever it may be.
ahead. Life partners are spiritually and emotionally connected without
SOULMATE BRINGS A LESSON
selfish ideas.
TO YOUR LIFE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN "Soul mates may be linked but
THESE SOUL CONNECTIONS
fight to separate, causing wounds and confusion. They teach what
Souls have a deep connection
no one else can."
through the heart and consciousness.
― Donna Lynn Hope
Relationships are intense and full of transitions. These beautiful
Soulmates can come into your life
experiences often end in broken
masquerading as friends, family,
hearts. Soulmates bring karmic
and lovers. They fulfill a passion and
lessons that need to be completed in
desire that needs to be learned. But
this incarnation.
unfortunately, once the task and guidance are completed, a soulmate
Life partners come to a time when
leaves the scene, often leaving an
there is self-love and acceptance. You
unbelievable amount of heartache.
no longer have to fulfill a void that cannot be explained. These partners
"The soul mate doesn't have to
join you with similar stories. They are
be a romantic relationship.
there for the long haul.
Sometimes in life, you meet people when you need them,
AN OUTSTANDING CHEMISTRY
and there is an immediate connection."
When you meet your soul mate,
― Alison G. Bailey
you feel like you've known them OM TIMES | December 2022
Why Being Authentic in Your Relationship is the Only Choice to Make By Marcia Sirota, MD.
OM TIMES | December 2022
H
ere is an example about
emotionally unavailable to him as
how important it is
he was to her. For her own reasons,
to be authentic and
Angela was too afraid to impose
intimate in a conscious
her feelings and demands on her
relationship. The other day, I was
husband. Sadly, by not doing so,
talking to an acquaintance — let's
Angela had been giving Martin less
call her "Angela" — about her
and less of who she really was, and he
marriage. She said that recently,
found it less and less satisfying to be
she'd been surprised to hear from
with her.
her husband — let's call him "Martin" — that he'd been feeling
In romantic relationships, love is a
as dissatisfied as she was with their
necessity, but it is not enough. You
relationship.
cannot assume that simply loving each other will create a satisfying
She'd been frustrated by Martin's
and lasting bond. The other essential
emotional unavailability, as he'd
ingredient in any romantic relationship
become more and more silent
is intimacy and without it, things will
and withdrawn over the years, and
become stale, stagnant, frustrating,
Martin was equally frustrated, but he
and unfulfilling.
could not quite put a name to the Intimacy can be defined as "knowing
problem.
and being known." It involves seeing It turns out that what was bothering
and accepting each other for who
Angela's husband was her absence:
you really are. Without this deep
not her physical absence — she was
understanding and appreciation of
an excellent cook, homemaker and
each other’s hopes, dreams, beliefs,
help-mate — but the fact that over
preferences, feelings and needs, your
the years, she showed him fewer
relationship remains shallow and
and fewer of her real needs, feelings,
unsatisfying.
preferences, and dreams. Anyone can cook, clean, buy groceries Angela had become a shadow of
and give emotional support. Anyone
the woman that Martin had chosen,
can be a parent or breadwinner. These
and as a result had become as
roles are fairly generic and equally
OM TIMES | December 2022
Nine Tax Tips for the Spiritual Professionals by Colby Psychic Rebel
TAX TIPS FOR THE SPIRITUAL PROFESSIONAL
A
latter is required by the government. To help ease some of the stress and worry at tax time, how about
s they say, in life, there
reviewing some helpful tax tips?
are two things for sure, death and taxes. The
Preparing your taxes can be a
spiritual professional
stressful experience for anyone. Still,
may prefer the former; however, the
it can be particularly uneasy for a
OM TIMES | December 2022
spiritual worker who spends their
to-use accounting software program,
time working with their right brain
but the excel spreadsheet is a quick,
and naturally connecting to higher
organized and easy solution for the
vibrations. However, any spiritual
beginner.
professional working today can benefit f rom several tax tips.
2. CREATE A FILING SYSTEM! Create your own personal filing
Understanding the reporting
system starting at the beginning of
requirements, deductions, and
the year. Simply purchase a portable
governmental compliance can be
filing box or Pendaflex-style organizer
overwhelming! Realize there is tax
and label each tab with an expense
help out there. Here are NINE tax tips
category, such as office expense,
for simplifying your taxes!
supplies, advertising, etc. As you
1. ORGANIZE YOUR EXPENSES!
accumulate the receipts, simply put them in the matching category.
Please, do not hand your tax accountant a shoe box full of receipts!
At the end of the year, you now
In fact, don’t give them any receipts!
have all of your receipts ready to go!
Your accountant does not need to
No searching for them! You then
see or have your receipts. Instead,
total the receipts in each category
keep an excel spreadsheet that lists
and then list them on the excel
your expense categories and simply
spreadsheet you created in step
provide the totals. Most tax preparers
1! Not only will you impress your
bill the same way that lawyers do, on
accountant, but you will also feel a
time incurred.
sense of ease not having to worry about finding and sorting a year’s
If they have to go through to
worth of receipts all at once! After
categorize and total your receipts,
each category is totaled and your tax
you’re guaranteed it will increase
return is complete, take your receipts
the time spent on your return and,
and put them in envelopes, and label
more than likely, result in a higher
the expense on the front.
tax bill for you! As your business expands, you can always seek the
Store the envelopes in a box and
help of a bookkeeper and an easy-
place them in a safe, as you’ll
OM TIMES | December 2022
When You Dislike Giving or Receiving Gifts
I
By Carl Greer, Ph.D., PsyD
f you dislike giving or receiving
WHEN YOU DISLIKE GIFT-GIVING
gifts, there could be any number of reasons you feel that way.
One reason you might dislike giving
But whatever they are, you can
gifts is the worry that the gift won't
learn to feel more comfortable about
match up with what the recipient
this important element of many
wants or likes. If you are not as tuned
relationships, including partnerships
in to the other person as you would
and marriages, friendships, and
like to be, you might find yourself
grandparent/grandchild relationships.
increasing the number or cost of your
OM TIMES | December 2022
gifts out of fear that otherwise, they
on a reciprocal gift or has no idea
won't be appreciated. Parents and
what gift to buy the other person, they
grandparents might be competitive
might inwardly sigh at what they see
about who is the best gift-giver
as an unpleasant obligation foisted on
in the eyes of their children or
them. That might be the case even if
grandchildren. Stress over gift-giving
they like the gift itself.
can create a sense of resentment at the expectation that the gift is "just
ANXIETY, GUILT, AND
right." The expectation might be the
DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT GIFTS
recipients, but it might also be the I have found both gift-giving and
giver's.
receiving can bring up anxiety, guilt, WHEN YOU DISLIKE GIFT-RECEIVING
and disappointment. I remember an air of tension in my childhood home
Some people don't like receiving
whenever my brother and I would sit
gifts. They might believe that they
side-by-side ripping open packages
are undeserving. They might worry
under the Christmas tree, excited
that their response will disappoint the
about what surprises lay under the
giver because they won't be able to
wrapping, only to find socks and
muster a broad smile and expression
shirts our practical stepmother had
of happiness upon opening the gift.
chosen for us. My feeling of having to
If what they receive happens to be
please the gift-giver with appropriate
something undesirable, or a duplicate
excitement and gratitude still lingers
of something they already have, they
for me.
might worry about having to pretend they are excited about the present.
Choosing a gift that someone will like, given their interests and what they
STRESS ABOUT A GIFT EXCHANGE
already have, isn't easy. We can do our best to find the perfect present yet
Sometimes, people give gifts with
discover that it wasn't right after all.
the expectation that the other person
Excessive worry about choosing what
will give them one in exchange. If the
to give, and getting it exactly right, can
recipient doesn't feel comfortable
make us forget that it's the thought
spending a certain amount of money
that counts. People tend to appreciate
OM TIMES | December 2022
Eleven Secrets to Resilience
H
By Carmen Harra
umans are incredibly
go through life mending old wounds
resilient beings, but we
but not realizing that, at the same
need to heal at every
time, new ones are being inflicted. In
interval of life. Healing isn't
our efforts to overcome pain, we might
something we do once then never do
ignore what hurts us and bury it in our
again—it's an everyday endeavor. We
subliminal minds. But when we don't
OM TIMES | December 2022
resolve former traumas, we spend the
solutions when they've been
rest of our lives either manifesting or
inside you all along. The truth
rejecting them. We must continuously
is that all the healing you need
restore harmony within ourselves. It is
is already within, but you must
in only this way that we become more
perform your inner work to
powerful than pain.
reawaken hope. Another person can't and won't heal for you; you
A resilient heart makes a night-and-day
must pass through that process
difference. When you're broken, you
alone. Right now, you have the
attract broken people and situations.
potential to separate your past
If you're hurt, sick, or stuck, you're not
from your present, rebuild a solid
the most complete version of yourself.
sense of self, and bounce back
You can't offer others the best of you,
from any adversity. So the first
and you also can't receive the best
step is to start with yourself.
from them. But when you're whole, you experience the world differently.
2.
Start a prayer routine. No matter
You act from the seat of compassion
your creed, communication with
and understanding, making wiser
the Divine is an essential healing
decisions that lead to better outcomes
tool. When you keep in contact
for all. You vibrate at your highest
with the universe, Spirit supports
frequency, achieving your goals easily
your ambitions and guides
and gracefully. You treat people and
you down the right path. Start
the world with greater respect and
praying today. Say short prayers
reverence. The divine things you dream
throughout the day, like when you
of can only materialize once you're
wake up, are driving, exercising,
healed. Only when you're well on the
before you eat, and before you
inside can you welcome blessings.
go to bed. Then, simply speak to the Divine, thanking it for always
Here are 11 steps to regain resilience
being by your side and releasing
after hardship and truly heal, day
your innermost thoughts,
after day:
concerns, and questions.
1.
Look within. Maybe you've been looking on the outside for
3.
Forgive to heal. Know that no matter what happens, you always
OM TIMES | December 2022
23
CARNE / JULY 2019
The Will To Purpose CROSSING HUMANITY’S COMING THRESHOLD By Kingsley Dennis ‘A sincere reflection on human behavior is enough to convince us that the power of choice plays much less part in the life of man than we think.’ J.G. Bennett
We are familiar with the concept that a person has no real choice, and we generally regard this in relation to our commercial choices. That is, what we choose to buy is generally a decision based on a selection of limited choices. This has also been referred to as ‘curated needs, merely responding to managed external stimuli to acquire certain goods. Whilst this is valid and is indeed an operative modality, it remains within the material realm. In the opening citation, the thinker and author J.G. Bennett was referring to a form of choice beyond that of a material one.
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He was relating to the lack of choice within the inner world of the human being – that is, the presence of a human will. Bennett was speaking and writing from the 1940s to the 1970s, yet what he said then is as relevant for today as he was not speaking about things that are relative to historical time or place but to an almost timeless situation – the human condition. (i ) In his recent book (The Psychology of Totalitarianism), Desmet points out that what we call totalitarianism has only been with us for the past 120 years, since the beginning of the twentieth century. Two previous examples that he gives are the Stalinist regime that came to power on the back of the Russian Revolution and the National Socialist (Nazi) regime in Germany. Technocracy. The one thing that totalitarianism has in common is that it is based on ideology rather than brute power. Further, the populace is persuaded (or programmed) into obeyance through propaganda and social-cultural conditioning rather than forced through fear (as is the case with dictatorships). The mass formation of willing obedience is a symbol of our times. With the availability of global communications, a largely digitally ‘plugged-in’ world population, the widespread influence of controlled media, and the pervasive presence of mindInfluencing technologies, the human species has never been in a more pressing moment in its Collective history. OMTIMES | DECEMBER 2022
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