March B Issue
Real Happiness
SHARON SALZBERG Log On Our Website and Learn more in how to Live a Conscious Lifestyle: OMTimes.com
Table of Contents 38
26 46
50
26. Sharon Salzberg Interview 38. Our Mission to Heal Ourselves 46. Whenever You’re Ready 50. Love Signs from Heaven
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60
60. The Secret To Affirmation That Work
68. How Many Types of Meditation are There?
76
76. How Should Parents Deal with Stress and Anxiety
82. Benefits of Reiki Practice for Animals
92. 10 Ways to Converse with Your Pet
98. Universal Laws and Our Inner Compass
106. We Are What We Believe In
82
92
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THE SECRET OF REAL HAPPINESS
Sharon Salzberg is a pioneer in the field of Meditation, a world-renowned teacher and New York Times bestselling author. She has played a pivotal role in bringing Meditation and mindfulness into mainstream American culture since 1974.
Sharon Salzberg is co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and has authored ten books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, her seminal work, Lovingkindness and her 2017 release, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection. Acclaimed for her down-to-earth and relatable teaching style, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. Her writing can be found on Medium, On Being, the Maria Shriver blog, and Huffington Post. Sharon is also the host of her podcast, The Metta Hour, with 100+ episodes featuring interviews with the top leaders and voices in the Meditation and mindfulness movement. OMTimes: What is the role our life experience plays when one is trying to learn how to meditate?
Sharon Salzberg: On the positive side, we may have learned about impermanence and letting go just from life! On the more negative side, maybe we’re used to powering through challenges with a lot of selfjudgment and force, self compassion works a lot better in Meditation than harsh selfjudgment. It works a lot better in life too, but a lot of times we don’t know that. OMTIMES: would you call yourself a Fearless Person? Sharon Salzberg: I certainly experience fear, but what is also true is that I experience fear very differently from how I used to before I started meditating. Cultivating the quality of mindfulness allows us to be with feelings and neither get overwhelmed or defined by them nor ad shame and resistance or denial. Sometimes we say mindfulness is the place in the middle, between being swamped and pushing away that has helped me a lot in facing my fear. Now it doesn’t drive me.
OMTIMES |MARCH B EDITION MARCH A|OMTIMES
Our Mission to Heal Ourselves by Jennifer Ott
I
n a world full of conflict and in
them, document them, learn from
crisis, modern missions reflect
them and eventually heal. Our own
upon self-healing and address our
healing reflects on everything we
deep-seated emotional triggers.
do and every person we come into
Once we learn where these triggers
contact with. In doing so, we can’t
arise from, we can begin to release
help but heal the world.
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
In our pragmatic society, many of us
and pragmatic work ethic. If we are
at one time have written a mission
not working ourselves to the bone,
statement, a description of our goals
we are unworthy. It may have been a
in regard to a business or creative
mission statement for the 20th Century,
project. We have to spell it to the
but boy, times have changed.
world. “This is my mission.� Humanity is at a precipice. We are on And so, it goes. Many of us adhere to
the verge of self-destruction. So, how
our personal mission statements as if
do we save the planet?
they were a life goal. Often, we place our entire existence so that if we fail in our mission, we are failures at life.
The answer for many is to save ourselves
How detrimental can this be to our psyche and our relationships?
Again, it sounds selfish, but consider it this way. The more we care for
There is no denying it, turning on the
ourselves, offer tender comfort to our
news to see the world can flip our
own hearts and listen to the stories
personal mission on its side. How can
of our souls, we find our true mission
we continue with our mission when
for healing not just ourselves but the
the Earth is in crisis, and when people
world.
are suffering? It makes our personal missions and our statements seem
When we take the time to heal our
superfluous. How entitled are we to
own hearts and souls, we come to
even dare have a mission statement
face the ills we have personally been
when our world is in chaos?
suffering not just in this lifetime, but perhaps in all our previous lifetimes.
As many of us have come to a crisis
Freeing ourselves from our own pain
of the heart and mind, our personal
sheds light not just in our life, but in
mission statements appear irrelevant.
all those coming into contact. The
It may be harder to digest that our true
question for many is, how do we reach
mission in this life is self-care. Oh, how
this level of healing.
dare we? How selfish to devote a life of self-care in a society that derived its culture from the Industrial Revolution
Find Activities that Sooth Our Souls
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
Love Signs from Heaven By Kay Reynolds
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
H
ave you ever wondered
she had when the hairs on the back
if you are getting signs
of her neck stood up. She shakes her
from Heaven? It’s not
head, trying to convince herself it’s
unusual for our loved
all in her imagination. Then the radio
ones who have passed to give us
switches stations completely on its
signs they are with us.
own and lands where her mom’s favorite song is playing. She wonders if
Sitting at home all alone, Shannon
her mom, who passed away last year,
suddenly hears a knocking noise in
is somehow in the car with her. She
the distance. This isn’t a knocking
laughs out loud and says, don’t be silly.
sound like one might hear if someone was at the door. It’s an odd
Three days later, while driving along
sound, one not quite recognizable.
minding her own business, for a
She shrugs it off, thinking it is the
split second, she smelled her mom’s
house because she knows houses
famous apple pie. A smile creeps over
are known to make noises from time
her face as she secretly hopes her
to time for various reasons. A few
mom is with her.
minutes later, Shannon hears the knock again and then again.
Millions of people have similar experiences, all wondering if it is a
The hair on the back of her neck
sign from Heaven from a loved one
rises; she turns her head to the right
trying to connect with them. It is the
expecting to see someone there, but
greatest hope to connect somehow,
the space is empty. It seems strange
someway to those who have passed
because she could have sworn, she
away.
thought someone was there. There are plenty of mediums who A few days later, while driving to
claim they can do just that but, what
work, Shannon has the same feeling
about those who are not mediums?
OM TIMES | Mar Feb A B Edition 2020
The Secret to Affirmations that Work
by Johanna Kern
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
What makes them effective and what makes them fall through
F
We should begin by changing our beliefs about ourselves. It is good first to recognize that we are really worthy of having
or centuries, successful and
a better life, that we deserve a
influential people have been
better fate. You can say to yourself
using affirmations that have
for example, “I now know that life
brought them extraordinary
can bring me all that is good; I am
results. Step-by-step, with the help of
ready for better and better days.”
effective affirmations, many ordinary people have turned failures into success,
2. You don't have to repeat
illness into health, unhappiness into
affirmation thousands of times;
the joy of living. However, also many
several times of real-life proof will
people find out that the affirmations
make it effective and believable
they have used don’t work. What is the
for your subconscious mind.
problem? What has been missing in
Here is a simple trick: repeat the
their affirmation techniques?
affirmation at the moment that proves to the subconscious that
The purpose of an affirmation is to pass
what you are affirming is true.
a message to the subconscious mind
For example, when doing “money
and to make it believe the message
affirmations,” you can effectively
is true. Our subconscious will reject
use the time when you are going
anything that it perceives as nonsense.
shopping. When you take out your bills or credit card, it is an
Repeating affirmations such as “I am
excellent moment to say: "I have
healthy” when we are ill, or “I am rich”
more than enough to spend.”
when we barely can pay our bills are, in 3. What you are affirming needs
fact, ineffective.
to trigger your feelings. The There are simple steps to learn and
subconscious mind does not
practice successful affirming:
communicate with words, but with feelings and emotions. To
1. Take it to step by step. The
fully benefit from an affirmation,
affirmation must agree with what
you either need to become
is acceptable for our subconscious.
familiar with your emotions or
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
How Should Parents Deal with Stress and Anxiety? by Fiona Wood
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
W
e’re living in a
better than ever before, we should
very hectic world,
also appreciate that our failure to
which means the
manage stress and anxiety will
levels of stress and
have a profound effect on our
anxiety are quite often too high for
kids. Scientific studies have shown
our own good. These feelings come
that stress is contagious between
as a consequence of our insecurity,
children and their parents or
uncertainty, or any other objective
caregivers. Amazingly, your one-
and subjective reasons. One of the
year-old can mirror its mother’s
roles which make us stressed is
bodily stress responses, such as
parenting. No matter how much
increased heart rate!
we love our kids and how much we wanted them, there is always this
Another point worth remembering
amazing feeling of responsibility that
is that our tendency to find comfort
we feel and that some of us often find
in food when dealing with stress can
just too overwhelming. Since we can’t
lead to weight gain in our young
remove this kind of responsibility,
children. That’s why it’s vital we learn
the only thing we can and should do
how to deal with stressful situations
is learn how to recognize stressful
if we can’t avoid them in the first
situations and develop coping
place. Being able to cope with such
mechanisms. Below are just some of
negative emotions is beneficial to
the tips that should help all parents,
both our health and the health of our
but especially those with little or no
kids. Finally, our kids learn from us
experience in parenting.
how to deal with stress. If we show
How does your anxiety affect your kid? The stress we carry around daily affect not only us but all those around us
them how it’s done, they’ll be more successful in both their private and professional life when they grow up.
Seeking help
as well, and there is no-one closer to you than your kid. While we might
Apart from the expected ones,
accept the fact that modern parents
parenting comes with many
are now expected to do more and
unexpected challenges, which
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
Benefits of Reiki Practice for Animals By Ministry Earth
R
eiki healing as energy is such
one can create a more pleasant and
a fantastic resource that can
safe atmosphere through Reiki healing.
be used on any living being, animals, people and plants,
Basically, there is no difference in
and even places. In many cases, even in
applying Reiki to people, animals, or
the natural environment and settings,
plants.
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
The only thing we would cite as a relevant factor when applying Reiki to animals is that while treating animals, we have to use more of our intuition and especially gifts of observation and perception.
When to use Reiki for Your Pet? Because it is possible to use Reiki therapy for an animal as a prevention therapy to strengthen its health and
Each animal reacts in a way to receive Reiki energy, what I see is that one thing is unanimous, they love it. For those who are not used to applying Reiki on animals, first, start with your pets. Then apply to animals from friends and acquaintances. Animals usually know what Reiki means and know that they will receive this energy, being predisposed and open at the time of therapy. However, if the animal does not wish to receive the energy at that time, it will transmit it to the Reiki Practitioner through its body language. This decision must be respected, we must not force an animal to do anything they do not wish or prepare to receive.
to promote welfare, one can use Reiki pretty much anytime. It is the truth that we are all subject to various kinds of energy at all times, and our animals can absorb these energies intensely. Taking care of the energy flow of the animal is also a form of love. Such treatments need not be frequent. Biweekly or monthly applications can significantly help the quality of life of your animal. However, as this is not always the case, the ideal time would be that the owners notice something strange, either behaviorally or physically. Reiki should be a resource, but it will not substitute the work of your
Also, it can often occur that the animal
Veterinarian.
is stipulating the time of its treatment.
Often the animal has some energy
If it has received sufficient energy, it
blocks that can easily interfere with
will give you some signal, or the Reiki
its welfare, which will not be easy
practitioner will feel the energy flow
- if ever - detected by veterinary
slow down considerably.
examinations. OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
10 Ways to Converse with Your Pet Jill Mattson
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
I
f you’re a dog or a cat owner, you
• Animals like to think in pictures. If
already have a strong spiritual
you’re going out for a while, imagine
bond with your pet. But is it
sending a picture of a clock to your
really possible to have a two-way
pet with the time you’re expecting
communication with them?
to return. If you’re going away for a few days, imagine how many sunsets
Animals are masters at telepathic
you’ll be away for.
communication. I hadn’t really appreciated just how much they
• Use your own body as a guide to
psychically reveal their thoughts,
connect with the body of your animal.
feelings, emotions and health
Ask your pet if it’s feeling all right, or if
issues until I met with an animal
it’s experiencing any discomfort, then
communicator.
see if you’re feeling drawn to a certain area in your own body.
A few years back, I had a session with New England animal communicator
• When animals communicate
Danielle MacKinnon, and I was
psychically through words, they
astonished at how much I learned.
often speak only one word or in very
I was even able to ask Koda some
short sentences. If you’re looking to
questions through Danielle.
“hear” your pet psychically, you may only receive “belly,” “ear,” or even
Here are some of Danielle’s tips to help
“love walks.”
you communicate with your pet: • Animals also communicate in If you want to talk with your pet,
feelings. If you walk into a room and
always ask for permission first.
you’re feeling sad for no reason, it
Remember to thank your pet after the
could be your pet sending you that
session.
thought. Stop and acknowledge them and see if you can feel where
• Keep your questions short and
they’re coming from.
simple: “What’s bothering you?” “Do you like this?” Be as clear and concise as you can be.
• It’s hard to be psychic when you’re emotionally involved. Get yourself
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
Universal Laws and Our Inner Compass Universal Laws Bring More Joy in Life! by Gail Serna
W
hat are the universal laws? Our creators put these, and many
The Explanation
1. Live in inner integrity:
more principles in
place. By practicing them, our lives
So much of our conditioning is
will become richer and more fulfilling.
handed down from the generations
Although the laws are infinite, we are
of relatives that came before us. Many
focusing on seven principles for now.
of us learned at an early age to please
As we expand our awareness, more
our parents and our family. We altered
will become known to us:
our behavior, and we realized that by acting in a certain way, we would be
• Live in inner integrity.
rewarded by our parents. This was
• Use our psychic sense, along
confusing for many of us since we
with our physical senses, to make
were modeling actions that would
decisions.
please our parents instead of doing
• The focus of our thoughts should be on love.
what we wanted to do. Getting back on track is the key to
• Please ourselves first, not others.
finding joy and happiness in our daily
• As we make decisions, sense how
life and our career. No other human
we feel about them.
has the right to control our destiny!
• A prayerful intention will open our inner dialogue with the creator. • Our higher self is the true moral compass.
2. Use our psychic sense, along with our physical senses, to make decisions:
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
We Are What We Believe In by Judi Lynch OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
A child who believes they can
the power to create. Many religious
be anything is the base of
leaders question science because it
hope and promise of a brighter
goes against what they have studied
future for humanity. Even
and lived throughout their lives. If we
when we are tired, even when
choose to believe that human beings
we feel the people around us
have stopped evolving, learning and
don’t understand, our belief
growing, then we personally will do
in ourselves can still stand
the same. We can become rigid and
miraculous.
unyielding following outdated ideas
O
with blind faith. If we choose to believe ur minds are miraculous
that life is the life of our soul which is
receptors, soaking up
eternal, mystical and metaphysical,
information that forms
then our lives can be in constant
our beliefs and opinions
change and wonder. We can open
of the world around us. What we hold
up to more love, more empathy and
to be true shapes and colors of our
understanding between each other
lives in countless ways. The view we
when we believe in the power of our
have of ourselves and our purpose
internal connections.
can be wide or narrow depending on our willingness to let in new thoughts
Words are powerful when someone
and ideas. This is true individually and
requires support and healing. The
collectively as we grow and evolve
belief that there is light after pain and
as humans with an awareness of the
darkness can make all the difference
consciousness that lives internally.
in the world to all people. Belief helps to create the energy of manifestation.
Just because we personally may not
As we learn to heal from adversity,
believe in something doesn’t make it
we can become experts in assisting
any less true for someone else. If we
others to believe that things can and
believe we can accomplish something
will improve with time and effort. It
remarkable and another person tells
can be incredible to see someone
us we can’t, we make a choice to
create a new life for themselves after
either accept their words as truth or
loss because they believed they could.
not. Many scientists believe in God
It takes courage and integrity to pick
or at least a higher energy force with
up and move forward. The energies
OM TIMES | Mar B Edition 2020
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