Robert Thurman: Animal Spirituality
Robert A.F. Thurman is a recognized, worldwide authority on religion and spirituality. He’s Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and President of
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the Tibet House, US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan civilization. He’s written and edited and translated several books on Tibetan Buddhism and has been named one of Time Magazine’s 25 most influential Americans. In this interview, Robert Thurman discusses Tibetan perspectives on the soul, reincarnation, and the nature of human relationships with our animal companions. Sandie Sedgbeer: Robert in January, 2017, millions of people sobbed their hearts out in movie theatres around the world as they watched a film based on W. Bruce Cameron’s bestselling book A Dog’s Purpose in which a devoted dog discovers his purpose in life by showing humans how to laugh and love over the course of several lifetimes spent with different owners. Reading some of the 1,980 overwhelmingly favorable reviews of the DVD on Amazon, I couldn’t help
wondering what it was about that movie that resonated so deeply with so many people – and pondering some of the deeper questions it raises, such as ‘Do animals have an afterlife?’ ‘Do Dogs have souls and Purpose?’ ‘Are such souls the same as human souls, or are they different?’ Why do you think that movies of this nature elicit such huge outpourings of emotion within us? What is it that we’re all responding to? Is it sentimentality? Hope? Wishful thinking? Alternatively, something else? Robert Thurman: I think there’s a mixture of the things you mentioned, but I also think the idea that people don’t believe in the continuation of the soul and the mind after death is over-sold. The view that human beings are nothing
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Aromatherapy for Emotional Wounds By Humanity Healing
AROMATHERAPY TO DEAL WITH EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES Did you know that aromas can heal? See below how aromatherapy treats
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emotional problems and emotional wounds. Essential oils help reduce states of insomnia, anxiety, and stress. Our day-to-day challenges, our goals settings at work, and even disagreements in relationships can trigger emotional imbalances. We can suffer from insomnia, stress, and anxiety at an alarming rate. But we can reduce emotional discomforts by using essential oils. Aromatherapy can be a natural and straightforward option to add to your routine. Learn how to use Aromatherapy to deal with emotional challenges, to gain peace of mind, and restorative sleep.
AROMAS TO HEAL EMOTIONAL WOUNDS When we inhale an essential oil, the scent trails into our brain through our limbic system, which handles many aspects of our behaviors and emotions.
The limbic system supports a variety of functions including emotion, behavior, motivation, and long-term memory. We find that all the discomfort in the face of life challenges has emotional roots. Aromatherapy has the power to soften them, harmonizing what is an imbalance, and restoring the sense of equilibrium and peace. To use the essential oils listed below, drip a drop (or use combinations that I explain below) into the personal diffuser and use daily 2 to 3 hours. If you do not have your own diffuser, you can drip 1 drop of the oil into a cloth or paper wipe and keep it close to you, also for 2 to 3 hours.
ESSENTIAL OILS TO COMBAT STRESS If your daily challenges have increased your level of stress, citrus oils are a good solution, such as sweet orange and Bergamot. Sweet orange helps to
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The Chrysalis of Change The Evolution of Our Self-Identity By Judi Lynch
We are often reminded to love ourselves before we can love others. This is not always so easy for those who might not remember how to define themselves beyond outside perceptions, judgments,
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and opinions. In a society distracted by filter enhanced selfies, oversharing of personal information and public shaming we can lose the very heart of who we really are. Our identity is ever changing as we mature and grow. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but it can also hide the truth in a soul. Our beauty lives inside us with many emotions and life lessons. It lives in every heartbreak, moments of joy, defeats, and sorrows we have ever experienced since the day we were born. Our identity is wrapped up in memories shared with others and dreams of what we can become. How we see ourselves as a soul is beyond how we look, dress and act, it helps define our courage and strength when life gets real. When someone or something comes along, and we feel unfairly attacked or judged, it is an opportunity to take notice of our feelings. Is it true, is it fair, and is it right? Are we too sensitive? We have to ask ourselves if this situation can be changed for the good of everyone involved and if so, we take the steps we
need to evolve it. Emotional abuse has caused so many to lose their will in life when their loving contributions would have benefited humanity. Rising above and reclaiming our right to heal, learn and live a happy life is possible if we take control of our own identity. A sensitive child can be hurt by older siblings and classmates who tease, bully and aggravate making them feel vulnerable and weak. It can take decades of living and counseling to understand we have a role in defining our self-worth and our purpose in the world. No one has the right to tell us who and what we are, how to become our best self. Competition, greed, jealousy, and power can overshadow hard work, accomplishment and the will to thrive when we feel less than who we really are. There is a popular meme going around that says, “Your opinion of me does not define me.� Yet there are thousands of posts of pouty lips and sexy outfits online just begging for likes and loves. The messages Omtimes.com
A Checklist for Forgiveness (An excerpt from, Lead Us To A Place ~ your spiritual journey through life’s seasons - Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac)
“Forgiveness is the healing of wounds caused by another.” It is our choice to learn to let go of a past wrong, and it is our choice to no longer allow ourselves to be hurt by it.
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Remove your ego from the equation. Now, look at the situation. Does it appear differently? Understanding how to forgive is a well-learned lesson, which will only make you stronger. So why should we forgive? “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” –Martin Luther King, Jr. In his article, “Forgiveness, What Its For?”, Adapted from Larry James’s books, he writes: “Forgiveness works! It is often difficult, AND it works! “Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. It is not something you do FOR someone else. It is not complicated. It is simple. Simply identify the situation to be forgiven and ask yourself: “Am I willing to waste my energy further on this matter?” If the answer is “No,” then that’s it! All is forgiven.”
“If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.” –Mother Theresa Gemstone: Forgiveness “I ask for clarity to see and bless those persecuting me. Allow me to forgive myself, for holding on, release the past So I can move on forward to that which keeps me strong and true.” –Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac A Checklist for Forgiveness Forgiveness is for YOUR peace of mind. √ Forgiveness helps to heal our emotional wound.√ We are not perfect. √ By holding on to this, we continue to be the victim of this circumstance. √ Those who are weak can never forgive. √ When you forgive, you change your future. √ Forgiveness offers you another chance for a new start.√ If perfection were possible, Omtimes.com
A Simple Practice In Being Present By Jim Dreaver
The beauty of a simple practice in being is that there are no special eyesclosed meditation, yoga or other exotic body movements, restrictive diet,
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chanting, sacred rituals, or esoteric rites. It is just a matter of whenever we find ourselves lost in or getting distracted by a thought or “story,” or are having an emotional reaction to someone or something, that we can remember to come down out of our heads and back to the present moment. We come back to experiencing life without a “story” in the way, interfering with our clear perception of what “is” at this moment. To help us embody this, make it real in our lives, we can affirm the liberation mantra: “We are a pure presence.” Then we take a few deep, slow breaths down into our belly, unlock our knees if we are standing, and feel our feet on the ground. Be alert, yet relaxed, and feel the living presence in our body, the fact that we exist, here, now.
Do the stepping-back practice if it helps. Step back a few inches above and behind our heads, which is more the real us that is pure awareness. Then notice how everything in our awareness, thoughts and stories, the “I” with its endless worries and concerns, and our feelings and emotions comes and goes yet we are always here. We become aware of our true nature as awareness itself, the conscious existence in which all sounds, sights, sensations, thoughts, stories, even the most personal of stories, come and go, arise and disappear. We realize and feel ourselves to be the awareness in which everything happens, in which everything comes and goes, shifts and changes. This includes all our thoughts, beliefs, stories, the “I” and ego related thoughts, as well as our emotional reactions.
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Cleanse Your home with Feng Shui By Shakti World
Have you thought about clean the house not only to have a spotless and orderly environment but also with good energy? Learn more about cleaning with Feng Shui. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art widely used to help balance the energy flow of spaces, seeking a greater harmonization of environments. According to experts, this technique leaves the space with more positive and light energy. It is a resource for people who are relocating or opening a new office and want an area free of negative influences when occupying the place. Omtimes.com
Fundamental to many people in various countries, the Feng Shui technique has some aspects of organizing and purifying environments. Learn how to clean and cleanse your home with these factors in mind.
What is Feng Shui? Feng Shui is an ancient technique that has emerged in China and it teaches how to have a better balance of energy flow in an environment. The method considers that the adequate flow of energy is directly linked to prosperity and happiness. It can be used from the beginning of the construction of a property, to know its correct positioning in the field, to the internal harmonization of the houses or commercial places. In the organization of environments, this technique takes into account the best way to dispose of objects and furniture to contribute to the correct flow of energy. You can also use Feng Shui techniques when cleaning your home. The important thing is to let go of everything that prevents the increase of positive energy and allows the dissipation of negative energy.
1) Water Care In Feng Shui, the bathroom has great importance for the energy balance, because it is the environment of the house where we wash our body to cut the impurities. It is also related to water, an element considered as a sign of prosperity for this millennial technique. For wealth and Wellbeing to have an adequate flow in the lives of the residents, the water of the home also needs to circulate. Avoid letting the drains and outlets of water-clogged or discharged and damaged pipes, as this represents the difficulty of energy flow, and can cause irritability to the residents of the house. It is important to leave the doors of the bathrooms closed, especially when they are close to the dining and living rooms, kitchen or entrance doors. The toilet lid should also be kept lower. 1.A) Aquariums Feng Shui aquariums and the positive energies for your home. Having an aquarium at your house is having an important element of the present Feng Shui: water. It is very different from the running
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Love Rituals to Raise Passion in Your Marriage By Ascending hearts
There are 3 things couples can do to keep the flame burning and love always progressing in marriage. Find out what they are and start today!
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Routine can be a family ally when we use it for our benefit. Day-to-day stress, however, can make the most important things overlooked. If we are not careful, after some time immersed in the madness of daily life, we forget that love is the most important, because, after all, it was love that made us into a couple, into a family. There love rituals that can help couples build a healthy marriage where the flame increases over time and does not go out: 1. Greet and say goodbye to your spouse with a kiss and a hug First of all, give them a tight hug and a kiss before they say goodbye to work, and the time they see each other after a tiring day. Don’t be afraid to say, “I love you. You are important to me. Please take care. I will miss you so much until you come back. “And
your actions of kissing and embracing your love make you feel loved, confident and make you want to go home or stay as long as you can. Read: 8 little things that happy couples do every day 2. Dedicate 20 minutes to each other at night before bedtime After a relaxing bath, talk about your day, children’s day, the agenda of the next day and other necessary and/ or important things or not. Make sure they look into each other’s eyes. Kiss, hug, make sure you’re both in tune. Pray together. Give up your hands. Find ways to say “I chose you to share my life, to grow and together to build our love and our family. You are important to me. “The constancy of these moments, even in the problematic, tiresome days, moments of despair and sadness, will
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Live Your Souls’ Purpose In The New Paradigm Through The Divine Guidance Of The Akashic Records By Jennifer Longmore
Have you truly shifted from knowing your purpose to living purposefully? There’s more to this process of alignment than meets your third eye!
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“What is my soul’s purpose?” is THE most popular question asked in the Akashic Records. Once people learn the answer to this question, it typically brings in the sense of homecoming, lightness, clarity, freedom and so much more. Then, reality strikes and people became aware of what it might require of them to shift from knowing their purpose to living it. Patterns of avoidance, distraction, deflection, or contraction may appear because fear often kicks us in the root chakra! When working in your Akashic Records to access information about the next level of your purpose, there is always a question behind the question. Here are some of those hidden questions you may truly want answers to: • Will I be supported by God/ Creator/Source while living my purpose? • Will I be supported by my
partner/friends/loved ones while living my purpose? • Will I be able to handle the responsibility of living my purpose? • Can I be trusted to live my purpose “right?” • How much will I have to change if I live a purposefilled life? • What if I fail at living my purpose? • And this list goes on and on! So, here’s the truth: You are loved. You are supported. You are trusted. You have not called anything to yourself that you cannot handle. You already have everything that you need.
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Kabbalistic Astrology: Your Spiritual DNA By Monica Berg
Astrology is more than just horoscopes, according to Kabbalah it is an energetic key to all areas of life. It can help us to understand and relate to the people in our
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lives in entirely new ways, give us deeper insight into ourselves, and it offers us monthly opportunities for transformation. Based on ancient writings that date back 4,000 years, Kabbalistic astrology paints a picture of our spiritual DNA and offers clues to our soul’s unique destiny.
A Guide to Everyday Life One aspect of Kabbalah that many might not readily know about is the major role that astrology plays in its concepts and teachings. The Kabbalists’ view of astrology is incredibly interactive and supportive and, while it differs slightly from mainstream or Western astrology, it is a tool that anyone can apply to his or her life. Kabbalistic Astrology is essential in navigating all of the different interpersonal relationships we have in our lives; from professional to romantic to parenting to friendships. Because each
sign carries with its certain characteristics, we are given information on how best to communicate, give, and receive from each person depending on their sign. For instance, knowing that Cancers are inherently sensitive and come with enormous emotional depth, approaching a difficult conversation with gentleness is something that you can make a priority when communicating with them. Conversely, a more forceful and straightforward approach might be required to get through to an actionoriented sign like Aries. Beyond these interpersonal tools, Kabbalistic astrology can be just an invaluable for self-knowledge. Knowing that certain challenges are endemic to our sign can bring them to our attention and help us to transform their less-supportive energies. For instance, a Virgo might experience a tendency toward being overly-critical
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What Does it Mean to Be an Aquarius
AQUARIUS Aquarius men and women truly treasure independence in all things. They are averse to all manner of limitations and restrictions, not out of a desire to be rebellious but simply to strike their own path.
They are well known for their warm compassion and humorous natures that appear almost in conflict with their tendency to avoid emotional investment and attachment. Aquarius has a fixed quality, as they are truly set in their ways in their fight for freedom. As a water-bearer, you likely can attest that no one can force a compromise from you, especially if it involves any manner of restriction.
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You are one of the signs that lean more Mythology And Facts About The towards your intelligence than how you feel N Still, O youPputLit to Agood C use E I SEnigmatic E VAquarius ER about situations. often in humanitarian pursuits and solving dates that fall between Sothers. B A D A S All T HEY problems that willA help January 20th to February 18th Like two sides of a coin, you have your in the realm of the AquariusTE L energetic L Y O U lie I T’S moments where you are wildly born. You are blessed to be and engaging and others where your shy and the ranks of some G you. O IYouNareGan T O among B E . thoughtful persona rules amazing people who also share enigma and there is no one phrase that can your sign: Abraham Lincoln, describe you to perfection and that is the way Rosa Parks, and Thomas you like it. Intellectual, elusive and Edison. compassionate; that is what it means to be an Aquarius. OMTIMES.COM
How to Keep Your 2019 Resolutions We can keep our New Year’s resolutions if we shift from “shoulds” to wants, and we can access our will-power when we understand how it can be used. By Marcia Sirota Author, speaker, coach, and MD
We all do it: we make our New Year’s resolutions and mean to keep them, but half-way through January we’ve already broken almost everyone. For
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example, we’ve vowed to go off sugar, but suddenly we find ourselves biting into a jelly doughnut.
“shoulds” to wants, and we can access our will-power when we understand how it can be used.
Or, we’ve pledged to quit smoking, and yet here we are on January 5, lighting up a cigarette. Or, we’ve resolved to be more responsible with money, but somehow find ourselves at the mall one week after New Year’s, purchasing another unneeded item.
A major problem with our New Year’s resolutions is that they’re impositions. We tell ourselves that we “should” make these changes and then wonder why we can’t stick to our plans.
Are we so weak and helpless in the face of our bad habits? Do we have no will-power? Is it impossible for us to keep any of our New Year’s resolutions? The answer to all of these questions is no. We can become more empowered about our bad habits if we understand what’s driving these behaviors. We can keep our New Year’s resolutions if we shift from
No-one likes to be forced into doing things. There’s a big difference between making the changes that we really want and trying to do what we think we “should” do. When “shoulds” are at the root of our choices, it’s very common to experience resistance. If we want our changes to stick, we need to tune in to our authentic wants and have our resolutions spring from these. For example, maybe the reason we’ve
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Kicking The Habit Of Toxic People By Leigh Burton
Whether a person is toxic or not is a matter of opinion. However, our individual opinions are the ones that matter the most. People can easily have a negative
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impact on our mood, space, health and well-being unless we recognize who they are and what we can do to remove ourselves from the circumstance compassionately. Toxicity will show up in our lives through friends, colleagues, family, random acquaintances and so much more. They are everywhere! To recognize them and head them off before they cause any damage or drain us of our well-being, we need to know who they are, where they come from, how they show up and how to avoid the suffering that accompanies their lifestyle choices. Toxic people are categorized in many different ways, but, they come down to three specific types, Controllers, Drama Queens and Narcissism. All of them have individual traits. However, they all have the same impact on us. Interacting with them is draining as
they suck the well-being out of people for their benefit. At the end of the day, it is overwhelming and exhausting. It can leave us to feel anger for being taken advantage of, shame for having been involved, resentment for the effect they have and, depending on the severity of the circumstance, fear of engaging other people in protecting ourselves. This is no way to live a life that is conducive to happiness, peace and freedom. The toxic people that we struggle with are conditioned to be who they are, and for the most part, are trapped in a vortex that continually whirls them around in a space that justifies their motives and behaviors. They are victims. This conditioning started through teaching received from family, friends, teachers and any other source that would have been something that had power over them or that they looked up to. The
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Gentleness and Kindness Can Change the World By Cathedral of the Soul
Gentleness and Kindness can do more for you than for others around you. When we think of being gentle and kind, we think of doing good to someone, don’t we? That someone includes you! According to the dictionary, gentleness is a noble, distinct action, it expresses grace,
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elegance, education, value. Although the University of Buffalo has done some research that suggests gentleness and kindness are part of our DNA. Their study states that “some people can be born with certain genes that give them specific receptors for oxytocin and vasopressin. These two hormones in their bodies are associated with feelings of love and generosity, but “we all can strive to develop such a good habit. “Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength.” –Ralph W. Sockman Kindness makes us be a polite, courteous person, doesn’t it? But being kind is much more than that, it’s being different, it’s continually looking for ways to help someone, it’s loving all people like yourself, it’s not getting hurt with ease, but seeking to soothe and do good. Infect the World with Kindness Besides doing for others around you, being kind does much
for you. Doing good brings satisfaction to those who practice it, brings peace to the heart and relief to the soul. Kindness is a contagious action, for those who receive a gentle gesture, feel motivated to give it back. Imagine if everyone acted kindly? We would live in a much-balanced world. Unfortunately, we can’t change the world, but we can improve our home, our community, change our workplace, study group, and everywhere we meet one another with kindly little actions. To Be Gentle is To Be Elegant To be gentle is a gesture of love towards our neighbor. Being kind is a condition and thus a way of life. We can always choose to act in this way because we are sure that simple, gentle attitudes are worth more than a thousand words. Be gentle with yourself. Be gentle, despite of anything. Being kind to people we meet is very easy, but surprising a stranger with our kindness is something spectacular. The novelty is that’s because it, it Omtimes.com
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