A Visit to Sacred Land to reconnect with ancient wisdom in modern times

Yreka, CA. Kalpull Kiej Juju (Deer Mountain Center). From left to right, Stefan Kasian, Jean Houston, Stanley Krippner, and Tata OmeAkaEhekatl Eric Gonzalez, MA (Tata Eric).

Friday August 21, 2009. We visited this special land, approximately 1800 acres donated to this Guatemalan healer and tribe. It is located in Rogue valley, with its own water supply and lush rolling hills.

Eric leads gatherings pilgrimages ceremonies throughout the world to facilitate healing and spiritual growth.

Time did not permit us to participate in the beautiful peyote ceremony that was planned for us, but we did get an opportunity to receive a beautiful blessing on the higher land, a short drive up from the house.

I was touched by the hospitality of Eric and his family, who offered a generous banquet of food upon our arrival, and gave us a gift of a handmade bag with sage, copal, and Guatemalan coffee. In exchange I gave Eric a book written by another wise "elder" who I esteem highly: Bernando LaPallo, born 1901. It is a book about his life.

This would be a beautiful land to participate in a ceremony and reconnect with this special tribe. For more information please visit www.earthpeopleunited.com

Do You Know About the Hidden Dangers in Your Food? "Food, Inc." The movie holds nothing back

August 5, 2009. I picked up BigDaddy, my 107 year old health bug and drove together to watch Food, Inc. open up at the Harkins Theater, in Scottsdale, Arizona. A yoga teacher Shanti, My raw-foodie friend Emma, and her boyfriend Adam joined us.

The movie covered the devastating effects of mass producing food has on our food quality. In the name of efficiency, most forms of meat are overprocessed. Scenes of the horrific conditions chickens, cows, and steer endured: from being hormonally and antibiotically-injected so chickens are virtually blind and almost cannot walk--which promotes allergies in those who eat them; to cattle and cows being fed corn instead of wheat--which led to an e. coli infection which killed a young boy Kevin within a month; to animals wallowing in their own feces, which promotes disease and bacteria. The conditions the workers toil under is also miserable; unsafe unsanitary conditions that aliens labor under, and they are constantly at risk of being deported.

The horror of this young boy Kevin dying from renal failure as a result of eating beef contaminated with e. coli is unforgivable when congress, lawmakers, and even the meat packaging companies refused to acknowledge the death or make any corrections or adjustments to their process. The law attempting to instill higher meat processing standards is called "Kevin's Law".

The movie contrasts this corporatized meat production with a natural farmer, who raises chickens and livestock under open air and with fresh hormone free organic feed. Although he states the health department tried to shut him down, the bacteria rating of the meat under his conditions was 3, compared to the meat produced under the mass-production facility, which was a hundred times higher.

Unfortunately, these processed foods are also much cheaper, which encourages consumers to purchase them instead. Also families on low incomes cannot afford higher quality organic foods. These foods that contain preservatives, including salt, sugar, etc. are highly addictive, and lead to obesity. Obesity, and diabetes in the U.S. have reached epidemic proportions because of the incredible amounts of sugar poured into processed food.

Worse yet, the FDA is in bed with the biggest food packagers and producers, which have now begun monopolizing the food production and distribution chain. For example, the movie cited several examples of attorneys who worked as executives for these companies also serve high level positions for the FDA. This leads to self-serving laws and policies that protect these companies at the expense of the consumers, and even farmers.

One tragic example of companies monopolizing the food chain is Monsanto, the food giant who is attempting to patent Genetically Modified (GMO)-soybeans which do not produce seed for future generations. Any farmer caught growing these Monsanto plants without permission is subject to copyright infringement and prosecution. Even a farmer who grows his own soybean crop could have an adjacent GMO crop contaminate his.

Despite the gloomy snapshot of the food supply, the promising news is that consumers are starting to vote with their wallets. This is impacting the buying decisions of big suppliers, including Wal-Mart. For example, Wal-Mart is now carrying many organic food labels to meet the consumer demand.

Here's what you can do:

1. Read and understand your food labels. Limit purchasing foods that contain sugar and preservatives.
2. Insist on purchasing organic foods whenever possible.
3. If you do purchase meat, insist on cage-free, organic, and hormone free whenever possible.
4. Write to your local representative and demand full disclosure of GMO-enhanced foods. In the same way that tobacco and cigarette labels now state the health risks as a result of pressure from public outcry, so can food producers eventually disclose food that is GMO.
5. Watch Food Inc and share it with your loved ones.

The New Warrior Men's Training Adventure (NWTA)

June 1998 I had relocated from Durham, NC to Blue Bell, PA, a northern suburb of Philadelphia. Around September 1998, when I was getting out of my parked car at 22nd/Pine, a man pointed a gun in my face and held me hostage for several hours. I managed to escape a few hours later within inches of my life.

Naturally, I felt traumatized by the experience. A friend, Dr. Joe Klemas, of Norristown, PA, had recommended I attend the New Warrior Training Adventure (NWTA) to help me work through this experience and improve my relationships overall. After attending a preview, I accepted.

This turned out to be an intense 3-days retreat led by men and held only for men. It has its roots in the lost ritual of male initiation, a more common practice among indigenous cultures, in which men acknowledge other men's growth through a rite of passage. Also, the retreat was based loosely in Carl Jung's concept of archetypes: king, warrior, lover, and magician. This retreat was geared to help men to get in touch with these four archetypes with an intent to lead more constructive lives. The book, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, by Robert Moore and Dougles Gillette, beautifully describes these concepts and how men can use this awareness to improve their lives.

We were also taught lessons including: accountability, integrity, and clear communicate--we discussed topics and problems that were rarely discussed among other men, including our own fathers. Men were also shown the concept of "shadow," the repressed energy that we often are not aware of, that is often acted out in a destructive manner. We were asked to keep the specific processes and protocols confidential to preserve the power of the experience for others who may experience it in the future. I left in high spirits and with improved skills and appreciation for what it means to be a man.

To follow up and incorporate these experiences, we held weekly integration groups, I-Groups, in which we practices these new skills, practiced communication, etc. I stayed with this program for several months.

I did a brief search about NWTA and came up with criticisms about the weekend. Some consider it a cult because of the confidentiality and the nature of the processes. Others found the experience to be highly traumatic because some of the processes were designed to deliberately provoke painful experiences and uncomfortable emotions. They complained that the workshop was not properly staffed by licensed psychotherapists; had the aforementioned been fully disclosed they would have had second thoughts about participating. In an especially poignant criticism, one family claims that the NWTA experience was linked to their son's suicide a week or two later; their son struggled with cocaine addiction for years prior to this experience.

Despite these criticisms, I consider the experience a beneficial one. It wasn't always easy during the retreat, but I did not consider it harmful in any way. However, any man who participates will be provoked and challenged to face his demons and shadows, which is as challenging as fighting any war. My one caution: is that if someone has any severe medical or psychological issues, to consult with a competent professional before proceeding. However, these risks are disclosed upfront prior to one's participation.

For more information: The Mankind Project

The equivalent to this experience exists for women, called The Woman Within.

The 5 Mindfulness Trainings: Your North Star to a Happy and Peaceful Life

On or around October 1999 I had the privilege of attending a week-long workshop with Diane, my significant other at the timed. It was led by the beloved Zen Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hahn. This workshop was called "The Art of Mindful Living," and he was accompanied by the Monks and Nuns of Plum Village, a peaceful community in France that practices this way of life. This was held at Omega Institute, in Rhinebeck, New York.

The purpose of the retreat was to give attendees a full experience of "The Art of Mindful Living". For example, retreat consisted of breakfast, lunch, and dinner lovingly prepared by the staff, and the attendees would sit down next to monks and nuns and enjoy their food mindfully, in loving silence and a present-moment appreciation. In other words, we would eat it as if it were our last meal. We also participated dharma talks, in which we all sat in a large hall and practiced meditation and relaxation, led by Thai, or other monks or nuns. The children also were separated for a section in which they experienced a mindful community and sang songs..."Where is buddha?" "No coming, no going..." One especially fond memory I had was watching Thich Nhat Hahn lead a mindful walk through a meadow, holding childrens' hands. When it began to rain, his mindful walk turned into a mindful run. Lauren, Diane's youngest daughter, held his hand and remarked: "His hands have the power to make peace."

The essence of mindfulness is to live and be completely in the present, with full awareness. One way to bring yourself into the present with mindfulness is to focus on your breath. Also ask yourself a question about a random part of your body: what am I feeling behind my knees? In this busy rushed culture, we often do not take time to smell the roses, let alone focus on our body.

But another benefit of mindfulness is that by becoming fully present, you begin to free yourself of habits and behavior patterns that may not serve you. You can rise up and beyond habitual thought patterns, get out of your mind, and thereby experience truly original thoughts and creative inspirations. Beyond the cognitive benefits, there are many studies about how regularly practiced mindfulness meditation can enhance relaxation, decrease anxiety, and assist in dealing with chronic pain.

Towards the conclusion of the retreat, we were offered the opportunity to accept formally the mindfulness trainings and accept Thai as our teacher. These mindfulness trainings consisted of 5 precepts, or practices of awareness. They were committments, not commandments, a "North Star" as Thai called it, to guide us and protect us in life. They were based on the awareness that certain behaviors cause suffering, and based on this awareness we can make different choices:

The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings

(formerly "The Five Wonderful Precepts")

The Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings below are Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Nhat's Hanh's translation of the 5 basic precepts as taught by the Buddha Shakyamuni. The Buddha offered these precepts to both his ordained and lay followers so that they could have clear guidelines to lead mindful and joyful lives on the path to awakening. Thich Nhat Hanh has updated the precepts so that they are beautifully appropriate and relevant in today's society. In his book entitled "For a Future to be Possible", Thich Nhat Hanh describes in detail how the Five Wonderful Mindfulness Trainings can be used by anyone in today's world to create a more harmonious and peaceful life.)

The First Mindfulness Training:

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 1st Precept.

The Second Mindfulness Training:

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well being of people, animals, plants and minerals. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 2nd Precept.

The Third Mindfulness Training:

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 3rd Precept.

The Fourth Mindfulness Training:

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
Thich Nhat Hanh has a commentary on the 4th Precept.

The Fifth Mindfulness Training:

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society." (Reference: "http://www.dharmamemphis.com/buddhism/five_wonderful_mindfulness_train.htm")

These are the basics for a peaceful and happy life. During an ordination ceremony, I formally accepted to practice these trainings, and also received a spiritual name from Thich Nhat Hahn. As part of the teacher-student contract, Thai requested that we read aloud or practice these trainings at least every 90 days. I recommend anyone study and formally consider adopting these principles as a way of life.

Chakra 4: A charming herb tea house/apothecary, organic vegan raw food restaurant

Phoenix, Arizona. 20th Street/Camelback, in the shopping plaza on the Southeast corner. Past Trader Joe's.

We all joined for a lovely Sunday afternoon brunch. My fellow raw foodie Emma, Jen, Ally, Sarah, Sarah, and Holly, along with Sarah's boyfriend.

I ordered a calming, soothing chai tea with almond milk, agave, and kava kava. As my entree I ordered a kale wrap with blueberry spinach filling, which was surprisingly tasty.

Service took a bit longer than I would have liked but I loved the food, tea, and ambiance. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes this type of food.

I hope this restaurant does well. The biggest challenge I see is attracting enough clientele because it is not easy to find, and unless a friend had told me about it I would have been in the dark. It is not visible from the street. Apparently this restaurant has been around for a while.

But I am sure the seekers of this quality cuisine and the higher nutritional lifestyle will find this place. "When the student is ready the teacher appears."

Get Showered with "Deeksha" Oneness Blessing

For the past few months I have attended almost weekly the Oneness Blessings offered Thursday nights at the Yoga center in Scottsdale.

The Scottsdale group is a circle facilitated by my brain state conditioning practitioner Hilary Bee, along with other certified Oneness instructors.

The attendees, usually two dozen or so, sit in a semi circle, introduce themselves, set intention, and then sit and receive blessings from the other half dozen practitioners. When they feel complete, they lay down on a mat and continue to rest. Beautiful music is played meanwhile.

The event starts at 7:30 and usually ends 8:30PM on thursday Nights. Address is 2334 N. Scottsdale Road, on the oak plaza, west side of Scottsdale Rd, just south of thomas. Love donation offering.

What is the Oneness Blessing?
The Oneness Blessing (also known as Oneness Deeksha or Diksha) is a non-denominational benediction. A unique and specific blessing. It is the transfer of Divine Energy which, over time is designed to bring about the state of Oneness in the recipient. This energy has been brought to the world through Divine Grace and is being bestowed upon humanity.

What happens during the Oneness Blessing?
The Oneness Blessing initiates a neurobiological change in the brain that when complete enables the senses to be free from the interference of the mind. When the senses are unclouded by the mind’s interpretations, a natural clarity of perception occurs with accompanying spontaneous feelings of joy, inner calmness and connection to the Oneness in everything.

How is the Oneness Blessing transferred? What might I experience?
Oneness Blessing is transferred by the Oneness Facilitator by placing his or her hands onto the crown of your head, usually for about 1 minute. Experiences during the Oneness Blessing vary, sometimes strong, sometimes subtle, sometimes delayed until even days later. The recipient may experience a tingling sensation in the head, or blissful energy flowing through the body, or sometimes nothing at all. Whatever the experience, the recipient can trust that the process of Oneness has begun, a process designed by Divine Grace for your own nature that will lead gradually (or sometimes spontaneously) into your own Awakening.

Who can offer the Oneness Blessing to others?
The Oneness Blessing can be transferred by anyone who has received the transmission and training during a special process at the Oneness University in India or at the new Oneness University campus on Fiji. These people are often referred to as Oneness Facilitators or Oneness Blessing Givers. The Oneness Blessing Giver then works, as an empty vessel, for the energy to transfer to the recipient.

Can anyone receive the benefits of the Oneness Blessing?
Yes. It is not necessary to attend the Oneness University in order to receive the benefits of the Oneness Blessing. Most adults and children can receive the Oneness Blessing at any time. The exceptions are: Pregnant women after 16 weeks and people suffering from serious psychological illness.

What about if I wish to become a Oneness Facilitator and give the Oneness Blessing to others?
Then it is necessary to attend the Level 1 Course at the Oneness University.

Does the Oneness Blessing adhere to any particular religion or belief?
The Oneness Blessing does not adhere to any religion, nor any particular belief nor spiritual path. The Oneness Blessing is given each day to people all over the world, people of all races, all religions, all spiritual beliefs or no spiritual beliefs, and to people of all nationalities. It is not necessary to change one's religion, nor adopt a new guru or spiritual master to receive the Oneness Blessing - nor to offer the Oneness Blessing to others.

Why has the Oneness Blessing come at this time?
Our planet, and all of humanity, is currently undergoing a major evolutionary transformation. This is impacting our environment, our social structures, and our individual and collective consciousness. The co-founders of the Oneness University, Sri Bhagavan and Sri Amma, are here to help with this transformation.

For more information you can visit the oneness university at Onenessblessing.com

A simple daily diet secret from my 107 year young friend BigDaddy

My dear friend and mentor Dr. Bernando "BigDaddy" LaPallo, born 1901. He is still alive and well and looking half his age. We will share one of his most important dietary secrets.

It's So simple that you will probably ignore it and go on with your life. But if you ignore it, you may miss out on a simple breakthrough that could have revolutionized your health, and prevented unnecessary suffering and disease.

So I will convey it anyway: Consistency.

Since the 1970s, LaPallo has ingested a particular breakfast drink called "SuperFood". He has done this like clockwork, without fail, for 30+ years. First thing every morning.

Its a proprietary blend developed by Dr. Schultze, and LaPallo actually collaborated with and has stayed in touch with Scultze over the years and provided ongoing input.

One may argue that LaPallo may still be alive and healthy without having taken this superfood. But he outlived one of his sons, who passed on when he was in his 80s. His son drank alcohol, smoked, and did not adhere to such simple but vital nutritional habits such as superfood.

LaPallo and Schultze will share with you countless stories involving seemingly miraculous cures and health benefits from their clients and patients who have used this product consistently and benefited. In fact, one of LaPallo's clients in her 60s had some minor weight problems when she began taking the superfood daily. Years later, she introduced herself to LaPallo again, and she was so transformed he almost didn't recognize her! She was slim and radiant.

I've begun taking superfood a few days after I met LaPallo, around October 2007 when I first met him. He was a speaker at a rawfood potluck on a Saturday around that time. I take it every day without fail. And if I am traveling I take superfood tablets. Plus I hear there are mini-portable blenders that are easy to transport, so you can have your blend whereever you are in the world.

My skin and eyes are clear. My energy level is high, and I don't find myself having much of any food cravings during the rest of the day because the superfood helps stabilize my blood sugar. Breakfast is considered the most important meals of the day, and I refuse to have even a day go by without it.

To make the superfood, you put 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup water, up to 1 cup fruits, and 2 T superfood. If you don't follow these simple instructions you won't like the taste and you won't find it palatable. Others who do not follow this I personally know, don't stick to it.

It contains all the essential nutrients, especially high in B12, and consists of raw organic algae, greens, barley, etc. One client I know cannot take it because she has a thyroid problem and the superfood is high in iodine. So do consult with your health care provider of any risks.

There are other green blends on the market but I will stick to this one because of the benefits and history.

The consistency of doing this daily communicates to your body a steady supply of fresh organic nutrition. I hardly take any other supplements--I don't need to, which cuts down on huge nutrition bills. Plus it only costs $1.30 per day. It more than pays for itself: short term you're not as hungry, so you will not waste money on impulse junk foods; and long term, you may spare yourself treatments that could cost you a fortune.

Bernando also implements consistency into his dietary habits by eating smaller portions at regular times during the day, e.g. 7AM, midday, and early afternoon. He usually doesnt eat after sunset, a practice that my rawfood physician Dr. Gabriel Cousens also discourages.

You can obtain superfood directly from Bernando in person, or from herbdoc.com