November A Issue
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CONTENTS HEALTH & HEALING 36
86
FOOD AS MEDICINE
SPIRITUALITY 46
HOW TO TELL IF YOU'RE USING YOUR INNATE PSYCHIC ABILITY
52
CAN A SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR HELP?
Turiya
OMLIVING 60
THE RICOCHET EFFECT
70
THE 30 SECOND CHANGE
+
CONTEMPLATING TRIKAYA BUDDHISM INTERVIEW BY LIANE BUCK
ANIMAL SPIRITUALITY 74
Cover Courtesy of Photo by Melinda Humphries
CAN ANIMALS ALSO BE SPIRITUAL GUARDIANS?
METAPHYSICS 80
IS 2020 A COLLECTIVE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL?
PERSONAL GROWTH 92
BEGINNING WITH KINDNESS
98
LIVING FROM THE INSIDE OUT
BOOKS 112
FALLING OPEN IN A WORLD FALLING APART
114
MEMOIRS, PERSONAL JOURNALS, AND THE HISTORY OF MENTALITIES
WORLD VISION 104
SPOTLIGHT
SOCIAL DILEMMA AND VULNERABILITY
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TURIYA: AWAKENING TO JOY Turīya, a Buddhist monk of the Rama Lineage, began teaching meditation in 1994. After the passing of her teacher, she opened Dharma Center in San Diego to share the power and freedom she had found on her path. Through her books, blog and classes based on the system of Trikaya Buddhism she developed, Turīya opens the door beyond suffering and reveals the Unreasonable Joy of our true nature
OMTIMES •
OMTimes: It is an honor and pleasure to have you with us. Can you tell us how you started on the Buddhist Path? Was it a specific situation? Turiya: When I was a child, I discovered sitting in silence felt good. Sitting alone was especially helpful in high school when the emotions are turbulent. Still, I had no name for it or even a solid technique. I would simply sit, sometimes with music and sometimes in silence, and let my mind relax. By then, I began searching for a spiritual path, but in a small New England town in the 1980s, my resources were limited. When I moved to San Francisco for college, a giant world of spirituality opened up. I searched, but nothing powerfully spoke to me, and I finally gave up. Then a college friend brought me to meet her teacher, Rama, and he shared a pathway to Enlightenment that was accessible. Although I learned about Buddhism in college, it was Rama who taught me the essence of Buddhism. I wrote about my encounters with him in my first book, Worlds of Power, Worlds of Light: Meeting an American Buddha. OMTimes: How practical is it to integrate a stable Spiritual life into an ordinary day by day work routine? Do you have a set of selfdisciplines or steps that might help with this Intention? Turiya: There comes a time when we decide we have suffered enough. That’s when our spiritual life really begins. Once we’ve made this determination, making a commitment to practice is a no-brainer. So to integrate your spiritual life with your ordinary life, begin with motivation. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve by devoting hours to Meditation and attention to understanding how your mind works. Right now, you might not be interested in Enlightenment; perhaps you simply want more clarity and balance so you can be more present in your relationships or so you can be more effective at your job.
The Food as Medicine by Darshan Goswami
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
F
ood is nature's powerful
hormone-balancing compounds
medicine for the body to fight
that help prevent disease and
diseases, inflammation, and
create optimal health. In fact,
much more.
studies demonstrate that people whose diets are rich in polyphenol
Using food as medicine is not a new
antioxidants have lower rates of
concept. During the 4th century
depression, diabetes, dementia,
B.C., the ancient Greek physician
and heart disease.[4] Eating a diet
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine,
rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole
said, "Let food be thy medicine and
grains is suitable for both the mind
medicine be thy food."
and body. Scientific evidence suggests that a plant-based diet may
Many systems of healing, such as
reverse coronary artery disease, help
Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese
eliminate type 2 diabetes, and reduce
Medicine, have taught for thousands
the risk of cancers. Whole, nutritious
of years that food is medicine and that
foods provide vital nutrients, vitamins,
a healthy diet is a powerful tool for
minerals, antioxidants, fiber, protein,
protecting one's health.[1] What we
potassium, and fat. These are all keys
choose to eat has profound effects on
to optimal bodily function and keep
our overall health.
the immune system healthy.
A healing diet, filled with medicinal
How Food Works Like Medicine
foods, can be a source of particular nutrients that have the power to prevent and reverse disease, to bolster
The foods we regularly eat help
our immune systems, to increase
determine whether or not we will
longevity, and improve the overall
become ill or remain healthy into
quality of life naturally.
older age. Scientific and medical research has shown that leafy greens
Scientists are rapidly discovering new
contain antioxidants that protect
molecules, such as phytonutrients,
brain cells and prevent cognitive
which help our bodies function
decline. Foods containing omega-3
better. They are anti-inflammatory,
fatty acids are associated with
detoxifying, antioxidant-rich, and
improved concentration and mental
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
What is a Spiritual Counselor? How Can A Spiritual Counselor Help? by Gail Serna OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
C
athy was miserable after she
stopped judging the situation and dealt
broke up with her boyfriend
with her feelings.
of 11 years. Her thoughts were almost unbearable
We rarely understand why we have
as she tried to process the loss of her
experiences that are upsetting, but they
relationship and what it meant to
are important for a person’s growth.
her. A good friend referred her to a
The Spiritual Counselor helped Cathy
Spiritual Counselor. Cathy wondered
cut cords, reframe beliefs, identify
what a Spiritual Counselor did. Her
destructive behavior (including core
friend explained they are not a licensed
attitudes about men), worked on
psychologist but can assist a person
monitoring her thoughts, and taught
in understanding patterns that are
her forgiveness exercises.
unhealthy and identify the source. Spiritual Counselor’s, in most cases,
What are Cords?
relieve suffering once the client has dealt with the PTSD issues that resulted
Imagine that Cathy’s issues formed early
from trauma.
in her life, and these issues represented tree roots or cords. Figuratively speaking,
Range of Emotions
they were thick and attached to her energy body or aura. Cathy developed
As an active participant in the
her ability to change focus and work
metaphysical community, Cathy
with the Divine Creator. She visualized
misunderstood a basic principle. She
the cords going into the light for healing,
thought that it is not acceptable to
leaving only threads of love. Cathy knew
feel the range of one’s emotions.
she was on her path after the narrative
Since she assumed that positivity
she played over in her mind lessened.
is a state of mind, Cathy believed a
Since she witnessed her Mom and dad’s
person’s thoughts attract specific
bitter divorce, Cathy used her empathic
outcomes. What she learned is while
sensitivities to cope with the negative
ideas transmit energy, they should not
energy.
replace the ability to allow for a range of emotions and experiences in life. Even
During her most formative years,
though Cathy’s heart was aching, she
Cathy’s relationship with her dad was
allowed it, and the healing began. She
tense, and he was not the role model
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
The Ricochet Effect Raj, Susan, and Conor
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
R
aj was in one of my one-
His face crumpled, and tears
off groups in the beautiful
appeared in his eyes.
holiday destination of Atsitsa in Greece. He'd
been married for ten years, and as
"What would you like f rom the group?" I asked him.
his wife approached the menopause, their relationship changed. Her sex
He looked around and engaged with
drive was less, but his stayed the
others in a way I'd never
same. He found the withdrawal of
seen him do before. He made
the sexual connection difficult and
genuine eye contact with people
painful. They had sex from time to
in the circle and held it receptively.
time, which alleviated his frustration
He allowed the others to see him
briefly and drew the sting out of the
in a place of vulnerability – which
situation. It feels like a mercy fuck
normally only his wife would have
when they do it, I thought to myself.
access to.
Raj and his wife shared their lives
"I’d really love it if someone would
and the care of their children
touch my face. I don’t mind who.
amicably. He was relentlessly
Anyone who wants to,” he said
positive and rarely showed any chink
spontaneously.
of vulnerability. He appeared almost aloof and demonstrated a practiced
It was a difficult and emotionally raw
amiability. He spent hours in the
ask. But three people stood up, sat
gym and had his own import/export
down next to him in the center of the
business, which he ran from home.
circle, and gently stroked his face.
However, without touch in their
It was a tender moment, appearing
relationship, there was a huge gap
seemingly f rom nowhere.
for Raj. After some time, a soft crying "It's not the sex. I can deal with that.
emerged f rom the other side of the
It's the emotional connection from
circle. Susan, a gentle Irish woman,
the skin on skin – the lack of it drives
was sobbing. Raj basked in touch for
me mad. It's so painful. It's like the
a couple more minutes against the
intimacy has been sucked away."
backdrop of Susan’s sobs. When I
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
Can Animals also be Spiritual Guardians? By Ministry Earth
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
M
any people don't
that we should seek the best version
understand what
of ourselves whenever possible.
animals, such as cats and dogs, may mean
In every man and in every animal,
in someone's life, and the role they
however weak or wicked, great or
may play for their humans. It may be
small, resides the same omnipresent,
hard for some to comprehend the
omniscient soul. The difference is not
dimension of feelings and emotional
in the soul but in the manifestation.
attachments between them along
Between the smallest animal
with the potential of spiritual exchange
and me, the difference is only in
of energies.
manifestation, but as a principle, he is the same as I am, he is my brother,
The connection with our furbaby is
he has the same soul as I have. This is
literally a connection, devoid of words
the greatest principle that India has
that can explain it.
preached. Swami Vivekananda
Spirit itself is not human; it may spring up in any life... it may exist in all
Emotional Benefits
animals, and who knows how many undreamt-of beings, or in the midst of
Besides the benefits already proven
what worlds?
by all those who live with dogs
George Santayana
daily, science also helps to show more about this side. Combining
Spiritual Lesson on Simplicity
these benefits with different human treatments, Pet Therapy, a form of treatment that involves animals, is
For dogs, it doesn't matter which
used regularly in several hospitals,
house they live in or wealth, clothes,
nursing homes, and rehabilitation
and toys of the best quality. The most
centers. It makes people who face
important thing is the affection you
some type of illness feel happier,
offer every day, the attention, your
contributing directly to the healing
time to play, or simply to be a good
process. Many have developed horse
company. They teach us with so little
therapy to help autistic and other
that the simple renews the soul, and
disabled children.
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
Is 2020 A Collective Dark Night of the Soul? By Cathedral of the Soul
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
Right now, the whole world seems
During this soul experience, we tend
to be going through a dark night
to bounce between solitude and
of the soul. Flannery O'Connor
loneliness. Like the hermit, we have
H
only our eternal company to cross
umanity has already lived
the River Styx from our experience of
through worse times, it is
symbolic death.
true. But the complexity of our Global society is making
It is necessary to find harmony and
us face significant challenges as the
balance to face the visit of our dark
many pandemic scenarios are starting
nights serenely. They are usually
to show on the horizon.
generated by negative emotional experiences, such as grief, separation,
Inside Spiritual circles, the dark night
unsuitable changes, or any events
of the soul is known as a baptism
that put the individual's coping
of fire to the spiritual seeker, a true
capacity at risk. Tribulations are
Initiation of sorts. Once that point is
arising from sudden changes.
reached, there is no other possibility of returning to the earlier state. Still,
These emotional situations are
we only have to go ahead and start
catalysts through which they point
learning to readapt to a 'New Life ".
out the need for a specific change in
Life offers us at that moment only
our lives. It is necessary to recognize
possibilities of change, which can also
these signs, even in the middle of the
be a liberating experience, presenting
storm. We can never leave issues that
itself as a real growth challenge for
cause us suffering for later, hoping
the foundation of the expansion of
that they will resolve themselves. It is
consciousness.
necessary to confront them, digest them, question them, and reframe
What is a "Dark Night of the Soul Experience"?
them. Only then can we reconnect with our essence and move on because there is no worse pain than
The dark night of the soul is a journey
emotional pain.
into light, a journey from your darkness into the strength and hidden
However, we can say for sure that
resources of your soul. Caroline Myss
since we entered the 21st century,
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
Beginning with Kindness
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
"Be kind whenever possible.
place—but exactly where you're
It is always possible."
standing? Is your house a mess? Have
~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama
you stopped going to the gym? Are
N
you eating cold pizza for supper? Are
o one can say or hear this
you ignoring invitations from friends?
enough: The weeks, months,
Drinking or numbing yourself with
and years after a loss that
other addictions? Mired in feelings of
shakes your bones are a
guilt or anger? With kindness, allow
time to offer yourself great kindness. It's
yourself to start here.
the best gift you can give yourself. And as it turns out, it's the best gift you can
If you're someone with restless
give those you love and all living beings.
energy, who stays busy, likes to feel indispensable, runs from one obligation
How is this possible? What does it
to the next, and buttons up to your
mean to be kind to yourself, to take
emotions, perhaps you could ease
your own side, to befriend yourself?
your schedule and give yourself a
Think about how you would reach
precious gift of time: ten minutes to
out and be with a friend who has just
sit and listen to a beautiful piece of
suffered a loss. You would probably
music; an evening to be alone with your
show up and just be there with your
discomfort and grief; or an hour for a
friend and listen to her story of all
massage.
that happened. You might bring over dinners, offer to shop, ask how
Maybe you harbor a harsh inner
you might help, show her all the
critic, perhaps a committee of judges
compassion you can muster.
who shame you for crying too much, grieving too long, not grieving enough,
Now consider what it might mean
or not getting it right. Almost certainly,
to offer these qualities of kindness
these voices have completely unrealistic
to yourself who is also hurting, also
expectations for you. Pause to notice
shocked, also feeling alone, hopeless,
these overbearing voices. Can you ask
and unmoored.
them to back off and give you the space to feel your emotions and be with your
What if you reminded yourself to start
grief? Can you stop calling yourself a
where you are—not in some idealized
failure, a fraud, a rock, or a wimp, and
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
The Social Dilemma and Vulnerability By Alberto Adler
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
" The Social Dilemma is a hybrid DocumentaryDrama that explores the dangerous human impact of Social Networking and its implications on the social dynamics of our Contemporary Civilization."
we let our kids have access to social
Vulnerable!
is the one that makes it possible
P
media. And they are designed to create behavior similar to that of slot machine players. Anyone who has ever been to a casino knows that it becomes a compulsion. Among the underlying issues, the one that seems most urgent to add users: the collection and
aradoxical as it may seem, social networks are the ideal place to discuss The Social Dilemma. This documentary
makes an appeal to the ethical issues
ongoing processing of our data by the algorithms. Interactions, tastes, interests, location, schedules, agenda ... absolutely everything they can capture, will capture. And
surrounding these ubiquitous tools.
computer systems will process all of
I will not be trying to describe the
from our list of interests and, thus,
film or the way it addresses such issues. It's a movie, it speaks for itself. And it's available on the most popular streaming platform out there. Even if you are not interested in the documentary (you may not like the genre), if you are reading this here, or on a social network, the questions it
this to show us content supposedly keep us more connected. This invasion of privacy, in turn, raises other issues. As the algorithms are developed to learn which subjects interest us most and which other points of the network (friends, pages, brands,
raises concern you.
etc.) we interact the most, to keep
The central issue may be that social
us more and more of the same,
us connected, the networks deliver
networks are designed to addict the user. In Brazil, gambling is prohibited, under 18 years old cannot buy alcoholic beverages or cigarettes. But
narrowing our relationship circles and the possibilities of coming up with something new. That is how they close us in the bubbles.
OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
Memoirs, Personal Journals, and the History of Mentalities By OMTimes Publishing OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
T
he book is the most classic
Writing a book about your own life
and traditional way that
story is a wish that many of us have.
humanity uses to record
We went through so many obstacles,
knowledge in a logical
challenges, falls, and triumphs.
order that makes sense. Furthermore, writing your own story Unlike the act of documenting
is a true therapy and self-knowledge
the realities of certain periods,
tool. By putting our memories on
the act of writing personal
paper, we “clean up� everything we
histories can greatly contribute
live, and we have the opportunity to
to the eternalization of traditions,
ref rame history itself - that is, to see
perspectives and points of view
it in a different light.
and even hereditary lineages. They can become valuable assets
Those who think that recording their
for the future (historical reports
own journey in a book are only the
and anthropological studies, for
privilege of famous or prominent
example) and which are written
people are mistaken.
with a view to preservation, and understanding, in many ways
According to Jacques Le Goff, we
guaranteeing a place in universal
have new ways of reading history,
memory, bringing to the front stage
primarily regarding its social aspects.
the input of individuals and even of
Everything had been transformed,
small groups , which realities and
and again the way of perceiving
experiences otherwise would be
history has been changing
more vulnerable, and susceptible to
methodologically.
disappearance. The current belief that history has So, do not disregard immediately the
been recorded by the powerful
impulse you may have of registering
to tell their tales of achievement
your life story (auto-biography), or
and triumph. And Knowing how
the documenting of an extraordinary
everything happened turned out to
personal experience (a Memoir) or
be another novelty and a massive
the story of your family(biography)
challenge for most of us, with new
for future generations.
thinkers f rom historiographical time OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020
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