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The Goddess of Avalon
The hidden green-blue lake
Sits silent in amongst
The hills of Avalon
Not a ripple to be seen
Like a pea green mist
Out of the water she rises, tossing her curls
Not a drip falls from her long chestnut hair
Her green piercing eyes sparkle like Emeralds’
Up she rears
A dress of shimmering Green
Covered in an array of green beads
And jewels and golden thread
Almost serpent like
Hovering towards the water’s edge
Golden wings appear
She stops and turns
Silent for a moment
Glancing back at the water
The great wings flap
Up above she looks down at the wonder of the Tor
Green mystique magic adorns Glastonbury
Will they ever see the wonder of it all!
She sits now by the Chalice Well
Silence envelops her
Wise words coming to her
Inhaling the serenity of it all she moves on
Secrets of the Holy Grail on her mind
As she moves on smelling the scent of the flowers
And watching all the colours as they dance in the breeze
She is in awe of such beauty
Reaching up to the Holy thorn tree
She asks permission to take a sprig
Attaching it to her button-hole
She takes flight again
Settling in the grounds of the Abbey
She wanders through the ancient Oaks
Like a Majestic Queen
Talking in Celtic tongue
To King Arthur about days gone by
She watches now from a bench
As she sees the monks go about their duties
Meaningful symbols, she told to pass on
She whispers secrets to Mother Earth
This is the only way, they
Will begin to rebirth
Final flight now
She sees the beauty of the sun rise
Orange and yellow warmth
Surrounds her
She wonders how many of them know
How lucky they are
Landing now on the Tor
The view takes her breath away
Rolling on for miles
She chats to St. Michael
About days of old,
Why oh! Oh why! Can’t they see the gold!
Back now at the water’s edge
The Goddess of Avalon
Has done her work
Along with Mother Earth
Ascending Masters, and wise men of Old
I can do no more she sighs
All that’s left is a ripple in time……
Guest Poem
By
Catherine Kennedy
Connect with Catherine on Facebook here
Related articles
- The Lost Soul of Glastonbury (holisticwords.com)
An Angel Born to Heal
Every now and then, we encounter spiritual energies – whether ‘home or away’ – that intrigue us. We want to know more and we want to soak up every ounce of their knowledge, their experiences and their energy. Hours can pass, yet they feel like fleeting moments, as we become immersed in their insightful words – which allow a small glimpse into their world, their personality and the people they choose to share their life with.
However, I had a (small) advantage on this particular meeting of minds. I had already delved into the world of this well-connected being; I had already been drawn into their early existence, in their earth-bound form. Nevertheless, it did not make a jot of difference, kind of like watching a movie and then reading the book; the images are there, yet the book fills in the gaps, the misinterpretations, the misrepresentations and a whole host of unanswered questions. And boy, did I have questions, far more than a normal interview would warrant. Although, I did became aware, very quickly, that the rulebook needed to be thrown out of the window. This was going to be a fly by the seat of my pants, totally ad-hoc, ad-lib situation.
You see, Helen Parry Jones is a natural medium; it is why she has been brought into this lifetime. She can hear, feel and see the spirit beings that help her to heal others on a mental, emotional and physical level. Her link with her Guardian Guide, Sam, is phenomenal and quite possibly the envy of many Spiritualists around the world. Moreover, just to make things a little more controversial, she holds the same opinion of many, including myself, that the Spiritualist Churches have an outdated hierarchy and passing on messages from the spirit world is not the be all and end all – the healing aspect is far more important.
It is only fair to say that many people – outside Ireland and Wales – would not have heard of Helen Parry Jones until the fruition of her book, Hands of an Angel. A book that her non-believing taxi driver (who borrowed said autobiography from his wife) described as uplifting; stating “he felt much better” after reading it. Incidentally, the Random House published ‘Hands of an Angel’ is currently enjoying a five out of five-star rating on Amazon, is tipped to hit the best-seller list AND is being sold by Tesco! An impressive feat for a spiritual book!
I ponder on the words of Helen and her taxi driver and wonder if my sensitive side is far too sensitive. As I read her true-life story, I feel a heartbreaking sadness and raw emotion. I absorb her every word as she describes how her teachers, friends and family shunned her ability to talk to spirit, labelling her talent to converse with the unseen energies as sheer folly and childish imagination.
Right up until her late twenties Helen hit a proverbial brick wall, when talking to about her direct link with the spirit world – who had furnished her with in-depth tutoring and information for many years. Her mother, who perceived Helen as fanciful with a vast imagination, took her to be psychologically assessed by the family doctor, in a bid to stop Helen talking about the plethora of spirits visiting her on a daily basis. Nevertheless, it is apparent, through talking to Helen and reading her book, that she has no cross to bear or deep-seated animosity that could have been attributed to her past. In fact, I feel that her early battles with the outside, human world, have only added to her positive strength and character.
Talking of character, on “meeting” her Guardian Guide early in the book I instantly envisage a soul, not unlike Djimon Honsou. This particular actor starred in two poignant films, Blood Diamond and Amistad, and once you read ‘Hands of an Angel’, you will understand my reasoning – and my surprise!
Having connected with my energy, through the telephone, Helen could see my own journey, going forward. She said that I would…
Well, given that my pen has just run out I take it as a sign that I should save her prediction for a later date. But I could not help asking her if Sam would step forward, to provide a message for the reader, and he agreed! He said, “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.” Adding, “Embracing changes and embracing the possibilities…(and)… opening up to change and positivity will lead you to the next level.” In a nutshell, he was presenting the philosophy that we need to be more open to the world – both seen and unseen – around us and take on board that anything is possible.
Sam’s teachings run throughout the book, ‘Hands of an Angel’, and he even contributed to two of the chapters. And, I have to say, it is one of the most enlightening stories to grace my bookshelf. The book will make you smile from the heart, it will make you cry with joy and pain and it will have you question all that you know to be true about the spirit world. The information imparted by the spirit helpers that Helen met during her early years, is wholly shared in ‘Hands of an Angel’. The honest unedited words, Helen and her spiritual teachers provide, present an invaluable insight into our entire spiritual universe. The book tangibly describes the different roles of angels, the darker underworlds and the process of death – plus a surprise revelation relating to guardian guides.
All in all, ‘Hands of an Angel’ is a must read. The spiritually aware will relate and connect to the story in a way that will touch their hearts, the ‘on the fence’ reader will crave for more and the sceptic will of course remain steadfast. Yet, as Helen Parry Jones says, “We are now peeping through the curtains and those curtains are getting wider and wider.”
Given her ever-growing, worldwide following, Helen has packed the stage with an attentive audience, all waiting hear more from the ‘Hands of an Angel’ writer and her spirit helpers.
All that’s left to say is that her story really is just beginning…
About Helen Parry Jones
Helen has been a clairvoyant, medium and spiritual healer for the past thirty years. Thousands of people from princesses to plumbers have come to her for advice and guidance.
She has filled theatres and auditoriums and appeared on radio and TV. Her first book, ‘Hands of an Angel’ is available now, via Tesco Direct and Amazon – to name but a few.
Helen Parry Jones: http://www.helenparry-jones.com/
Original article, written by Andrea Elliott of Holistic Words, posted in Silent Voices : http://www.silentvoices.org.uk
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Book Review: Dark Light Consciousness
Light is the substance of all seen and unseen things. It is not only a force of energy, but is also the vibration of the fifth dimension.
We are enclosed in higher and higher orders of dimensions and vibration. Christ stated in the bible “when the ‘I’ is single, the body is full of light” – this is not only a spiritual statement, but is a hidden methodological analysis. Separating a material from a spiritual intellect of light, obviously, is a very important matter. Thinking of light in its objective and subjective form is one way to address this.
Light is everything. Everything is light. But can light subsist without darkness? The simple answer is no – without the vast nothingness of darkness light would have nowhere to exist.
In Dark Light Consciousness, Edward Bynum explores the eternal relationship between dark and light in every aspect of existence. From the so-called “physical world” to the mysterious planes of consciousness itself, Bynum combines physics, neuroscience and biochemistry, alongside ancient traditions to reveal how the dark light of melanin (a light-sensitive, energy conducting substance found in the brain, nervous system and organs of all higher life-forms) serves as the biochemical infrastructure for the body, just as dark matter and gravity hold the galaxy’s and constellations together.
Bynum also discusses the evolution of the human brain in compelling detail, explaining that our brains have evolved in a number stages thus-far. First the reptilian brain stem, then the primitive mammalian mid-brain parts of the limbic system, then the finer cortex of the mammals and finally the highly but only partially developed neocortex or “new brain”. It is the neocortex that makes us, as humans, what we are. This part of the brain is one of the most impressive adjustments the universe has ever exhibited – it is quite literally the structure that separates us from the animals.
At times this is a very scientific text, but Bynum always takes the time to explain any concepts in layman’s terms, so the information within should be relatively accessible to everyone. That said, this book is not purely classroom science, it contains the cutting edge of consciousness understanding and even has sections with in-depth writings on techniques for astral projections and advanced meditation. In fact, there is so much useful and stimulating information in this book that it is hard to write a book review that would do the text justice – sufficed to say, I really enjoyed this one and will be keeping it on my bookshelf for a long time.
Edward Bruce Bynum is a father, husband, writer, poet and yoga devotee with a special interest in the intersection of science, the sacred mystical disciplines and the history of Africa, Kemet and southern India. He is the principal psychiatrist and director of behavioural medicine at UHS in the United States.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in understanding our reality. However small that interest may be – you will be left with your jaw on the floor after reading it! Sometimes people write books on the nature of reality and you read it thinking – “yes, that’s possible I suppose” , but in this text the information is so incredibly logical that you will be left thinking “yes – that’s how it is”.
A breathtaking view of life as we don’t know it.
Top Work!
***
Book Review Written by Brother Truth on: Dark Light Consciousness – Melanin, Serpent Power, and the Luminous Matrix of Reality by Edward Bruce Bynum, Ph.D.
368 Pages | ISBN-10:1594774722 | ISBN-13:978-1594774720
Dark Light Consciousness: Melanin, Serpent Power, and the Luminous Matrix of Reality
About Brother Truth
Brother Truth is the writer and editor of popular alternative news and book review website: The Conspiracy Review (www.theconspiracyreview.com).
For the last seven years Brother Truth has researched deep geopolitics and paranormal phenomena, writing numerous articles and book reviews to much acclaim.
Sneaky Intuition
It has been a while since I have connected with my intuitive side. It has been something that I consciously shut down, hitting the standby button, for an indefinite period. It all came to a grinding halt, when I decided to stop attending a weekly medium-ship development circle.
You see, I have a problem with authority. I hate (strong word, but true) being told what to do and being fed information. I found the lack of control over what I was being relayed was just so tiring, exhausting and personally, soul-destroying. As an “old school” development circle, with strict guidelines and “rules”, I was being boxed in by the instructional medium, who was telling me what I could and could not ask or say.
Just to explain, old school spiritualism is about finding out who is coming though, how they died, a smattering of descriptive information, who they want to talk to and what their message is. There is no room for diversion or actual, tangible spiritual insight. It is a kind of get in, get out conveyor belted process, which had no place in my life.
So, up until very recently, I had parked development. I had no desire to revisit development, well certainly not back into medium-ship development anyway. But my mindset has altered somewhat. I now see the value of developing psychic, intuitive skills and being open to knowing, sensing and feeling what is going on outside the “normal” physical world.
You know that grating feeling in your gut when you just know something is not right or you have an idea, it’s a good idea, yet like day old milk, it’s just on the turn? Well that is your psychic self, giving you the heads up, the skinny and the deliciously enticing teaser, telling you to back down for a while and quit pouring energy into something, that is veering you off the beaten track.
It is funny how things happen (which are totally off the map, in terms of explainable, expected psychic occurrences) to reignite interests. For example, I was invited down to Glastonbury for a “girl’s road trip with a purpose”. We dropped our bags off, at our nightly place of residence, which, incidentally, was labelled a retreat. However, it was far from the Zen inspired place of peace and tranquillity that the name suggested. It was tired and in need of a complete overhaul. Nonetheless, it was relatively clean and the decking, which overlooked undeveloped fallow land, had a clear, uninterrupted view of the Tor.
Anyway, we made our way into town for a spot of lunch. Having placed our order we discussed our brief wander around the town and the coming workshop, that my fellow travellers would be holding the following day. Service at our chosen eatery was a touch on the slow side and my cappuccino had long been demolished when a chap and his wife? Partner? Friend? came into the café.
I looked across to his table and my eyes weirdly widened. I looked at my friend who too had a look of horror on her face. I grabbed my nicotine supply and exclaimed I had to leave immediately, out the back door, and regain my composure. With that, I turned, nearly fell out of the door and made a beeline to the back of the patio seating area.
I giggled, I had no idea why I giggled but I giggled, hoping that the other diners were paying no attention to my utter madness. So, my nicotine intake complete and my composure at a relatively happy equilibrium, I made my way back to our table. I could not explain why the chap unknowingly orchestrated my bolt for the door. My friend, who I would say is much more in touch with her senses, explained that his energy was coming towards me, and far too close for comfort.
So, did this exaggerated “twilight zone” scenario happen to give me a direct, to the point, no holds barred jolt to my system? And why am I killing it with the plethora of clichéd phrases?
OK, so I get it. I made the realisation over the last few months that it is really about living moment to moment and tapping into those momentary feelings, by listening to them and acting on them.
I know, I know, it’s not so cut and dried. How can you live moment to moment when you have a direct debit coming out and pay-day is 3 days shy of the money grabbing programme, imminently dipping in to your bank account and auto raising a big fat ugly charge on your account to boot? Incidents like this place our thoughts and feelings way out into the future and further away from the present. But instead of worrying about it would it not be better to take control of the now? Picking up the phone and telling bully boy bank manager to hold off and put a temporary stay of execution, will make you feel a whole lot better than the insistent churning in your stomach.
And you see, that’s the point. Your intuitive, or gut feeling, is telling you to do something about a situation, to face it and to confront it. Once you have done so, then you can move on, you can relax and just let go of all that tenseness.
Be assertive with your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right then take action to change it, if something has been playing on your mind explore your feelings more in-depth, if someone is annoying you then let them know (nine times out of ten they won’t even know it’s annoying!). When you have faced something, you have previously brushed aside or put off, you will feel so much more at ease.
I do believe that, although not a beautiful, spiritually life changing occurrence in the Glastonbury café, I was supposed to reconnect with my intuitive self, not as a tool to predict the future, but to re-affirm that I should be listening to what my body/mind (and soul) is telling me and to stop pigeon-holing intuition, with my experience of old school medium-ship As they say, “The problem is not the problem; the attitude to the problem is the problem”. Or in my case, the attitude to intuition was the problem!
In a nutshell, your intuition is there to guide you, not to deceive you or lead you down some dark and dismal path. So just go with it!
Related articles
- Why “Psychic” is an Outdated Term (omtimes.com)
- Halloween challenge: psychics submit their powers to a scientific trial | Chris French (guardian.co.uk)
Happy New Year 2013
Never in my life have I wanted to quantum leap from one year to the next, until pre-Christmas 2012.
2012 has been a year of highs and lows for many, yet it has all served a major purpose; to consolidate all that you are and all that you want to be. It was a year of discovery, a year to find out who you really are and what road you would like to follow in 2013.
It has not been easy. Those who have chosen to take stock, and possibly “find themselves”, will welcome 2013 with elated, ecstatic open arms.
2013 will be about piecing all those 2012 internal puzzles and discoveries together. This New Year will be about recognising, and grabbing, those – consciously or subconsciously – longed for opportunities with both hands and saying:
“I CAN do this!”
“I CAN create and mould the life I want!”
“I CAN be myself!”
“I DESERVE to be happy!”
There are so many affirmations that apply to the energy of 2013 and each and every one of you will have different thoughts and ideas, to motivate, enthuse and ease the transition into 2013.
But know this: It is important to fully embrace and align to the spiritual energy of 2013. Do not try to force things to happen or battle against the tide. 2013 is all about going with the flow and using your intuitive, gut feelings. It is about fully understanding the emotions, desires and feelings of 2012 and bringing them with you into 2013, in order for you to work collaboratively with your inner self.
Self realisation of what is really important in your life and in your heart, will manifest very early on in 2013. Just feel it, feel the energy, understand the energy and then take your first positive, smiling steps to do what makes you truly happy.
Just be your wonderful self.
Thank you for your amazing support and comments in 2012.
I hope you all have a very, very Happy New Year
All the Best
Holistic Words
♥
Jealous of the Angels
Christmas is a time when a death of a family member or a friend is felt tenfold. And not having them around, to share the special day, only amplifies the pain and sorrow. But every once in a while, a song strikes a chord into the very hearts of those who have lost a loved one, bringing hope and comfort, and making it that little bit easier to cope.
The countless messages of thanks, from the grieved across the world, are certainly a strong testament to the newly released track, ‘Jealous of the Angels’ by Jenn Bostic, which was inspired by the loss of her father. As a result, the popularity of ‘Jealous of the Angels’ escalated and thanks to DJ Simon Bates the beautiful angelic message hit Radio 2′s Top 10 Most Played. Jenn has since appeared on BBC Breakfast News, after a tip-off from Fearne Cotton, and is planning a further UK tour in the Spring of 2013.
Holistic Words was given an exclusive opportunity to interview Jenn Bostic, the singer-songwriter of ‘Jealous of the Angels’, to find out; why she believes her father is with the Angels, how he communicates his thoughts to her, where God and spirituality sit within her life and why music can bring healing to the world.
♥
What do you feel when you are creating your music and lyrics?
Music is the only way I can fully express my emotions. Song-writing started as a form of therapy for me after I lost my father in a car accident when I was ten. He had such a large influence on music in my life that it is the one way I feel I can truly still connect with him.
How do you know your Dad is around you?
There are certain times I just feel his presence. I can’t explain it. It’s a feeling I get. A few months after writing “Jealous of the Angels,” my best friend Ashley had a dream in which my dad came to her and said, “Please tell Jenn that I am so proud of her and that I’m at every one of her shows.” That has been something I’ve held very close to my heart.
Are you comforted by your belief that your Dad is watching over you?
Absolutely. Ever since I lost him there has been this desire to know that he is proud of me. When Ashley had that dream it gave me such peace.
What would you say to someone who has lost a loved one?
It’s okay to grieve, it’s healthy to express those painful emotions through tears and talking about what’s happened. There is a time for mourning and there is a time for joy. It’s important to cherish and be grateful for the time we did have with our loved ones who have passed, and while we never will forget them it’s important to keep moving forward and value the people we still have with us. I believe they would want us to live a life of happiness and joy.
Given your song, Jealous of the Angels, would you say that this faith stems from Christianity or Spiritualism?
I was raised in a Christian home and still hold those values and beliefs today. I have seen God use healing through music, turning the most tragic day of my life into a song that so many people have been comforted by.
Do you talk to the Angels/your Dad and do you feel you ever receive a response?
I spend a lot of time in prayer and meditation, although I don’t hear an audible response I feel at peace during this time and am able to think very clearly.
What are the most inspiring words anyone has ever said to you?
After being moved by “Jealous of the Angels,” a man came up to me at a show and said, “There’s a big responsibility behind that song, I hope you know that.” It has really stuck with me, only adding to my desire to share this song with the world.
Who inspires you and why?
My Mom. She is an absolutely amazing woman who has handled single motherhood after my dad’s passing with grace and love. She managed to remain positive, encouraging and strong after losing the love of her life. It’s overwhelming to sit back and think about how much she has sacrificed for my brother and I. I love her with all my heart.
Do you believe in the power of positive thinking/thoughts and if so how do you keep yourself positive?
Yes! There is so much power in positive thinking. As I mentioned early, it has taken sixteen years, but I have seen the most horrific event of my life turn into a song that is healing people around the world. Even if things don’t make sense in the now, it’s so important to remain positive and keep pressing through. I love this quote:
Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world. ~ Jane Addams
You have just completed a tour of the UK. How was the reception and how did it differ from the USA?
This recent tour of the UK supporting Christian Kane was absolutely incredible. I was welcomed with loving open arms, and I met so many incredible people who were truly touched and moved by the music. I have been performing for years in the US, growing and learning, finding my voice. All of the hard work I’ve put in here has been paying off in both areas. Although there have been more doors opened to me in the UK, I am very grateful for the continued support I get from all over the world.
Why do you feel the song, Jealous of the Angels, helps others?
I have been told on countless occasions that the “Jealous of the Angels” lyric carries the words that those who are grieving can’t seem to find. As a songwriter there is no greater compliment and I am honoured to be a part of something that is so much bigger than me.
Have you received any personal responses, from listeners or DJ’s, when your song has been played on Radio 2?
The response has been great. I have received a number of emails, tweets, Facebook posts from listeners as well as feedback from a few radio DJ’s, saying that their phones “ring of the hook” whenever the song is played. I am absolutely humbled by the response.
Have you set the dates for your next UK tour yet, and if so, where will you be playing?
The dates have not yet been set, but I look forward to coming back in the very near future. Information is constantly being update on www.jennbostic.com.
Why have you released the album in the UK first, as opposed to the US?
As an independent artist, it is very important to focus the resources we have toward proper promotion. “Jealous of the Angels” has received radio support in the UK, and the response has been too overwhelming not to follow it up with an album. I look forward to sharing it with the rest of the world shortly.
Competition is very fierce for the Christmas number one and the odds for Jealous of the Angels is 33/1. What would it mean to you if you hit the number one spot?
It is so humbling to even be considered for the Christmas number one. There are so many incredible songs in the running that I would be completely overwhelmed if “Jealous of the Angels” landed at the top. Regardless of what number it is, I just pray it brings comfort to those who are missing lost loved ones this Christmas.
Are you healthy and how do you look after yourself?
Eating healthy and exercising regularly is very important to me. It affects every part of daily life. I like to spend the first half an hour of my day reading, praying and/or meditating. It really helps to clear my mind and start the day on a positive note.
What does your ideal weekend look/feel like?
Spending quality time with people the I love, eating good food, listening to music, playing board games, attending concerts.
What is your ultimate ambition?
I want to share my music with as many people as possible. I have been fortunate enough to see the healing power it can have and I want to continue seeing that on a larger scale with new songs as well. The ultimate goal for me has always been to someday win a Grammy, but I have already been blessed with so much more than I deserve.
If you were not a singer/songwriter, what would you be?
A music teacher. I received my degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music in 2008, and absolutely love inspiring others to play music. Music has played such an important role in my life and I’m not sure where I would be without it. Helping others discover that love of music is a definitely a passion of mine.
What’s next for Jenn?
On December 29th, I’m so excited to be playing at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. I have been dreaming about singing on this stage since I was a little girl! I’m also hoping to be performing over in Europe sometime in early 2013.
Jenn Bostic
‘Jealous Of The Angels’
UK single release is out now
Initiating Internal Power
I created the following (very) short prose in the early hours.
The words seemed to flow from pen to paper with such speed that it made me ponder, just a little.
I am not saying it is a channelled message but given the ease in which it formed, I still feel I should lend some remark to the energy and power to the written words.
The narrative is presented in the third person, rather than me directly talking to you, the reader, which I also find a little odd…perhaps I am supposed to be detached in some way…or may be it was a personal teaching, for me to understand.
Well, here it is in all its unedited shortness:
Initiating Internal Power
Giving people back their power is about lending them the tools to provoke meaningful, life changing questions of themselves. It is about placing the onus back on them, in a guiding way.
Instead of telling them what to do you are re-empowering their creative thought patterns, for them to guide themselves, by reconnecting with their own intuition and inner guidance system.
It gives them the freedom to search their own inner self, to create the answers to those burning, all important, life-purpose questions. Thus, allowing them to understand their own thought patterns and feelings.
By allowing them to come to their own personal conclusions and therefore, creating their own decisions – through unbiased guidance and helping them to see things from all perspectives – they will feel their internal power strengthen and see the never-ending possibilities and opportunities available to them.
Related articles
- Healing with The Power of Positive Affirmations (part three) (positiveprovocations.com)
Charitable Approach to Spirituality
FREE….….a word that always catches the eye. It draws us in, we want to find out more, and being a cynical bunch, we want to check the small print to find that all illusive catch. Free has become a staple, a highly lucrative commodity in today’s society and if something is truly free, or you are given the choice to pay only what you can afford, it becomes a very inciting, welcomed opportunity.
Holistic and non-religious spiritual therapies and practices have escalated in price over the last few years, simply because it is now a recognised industry, with very marketable products. Something that used to cost no more than lunch and a cup of coffee has increased so much that the average person views complementary or spiritual therapy as a high cost luxury they can do without.
However, things are changing. Perhaps the doom casters have directly engineered that change, by creating an urgent need to get spiritual practices out to the masses. It only takes one person in the spiritual community to change their business plan and wallop! A tiny ripple of change soon turns in to a major charitable tidal wave. Now, the “those that have” are being joined by “the have not’s”. People at the opposite ends of the pay scale are developing spiritually, on equal ground and equal footing.
Non-profit organisations, such as the London College of Spirituality and the London Spiritual Movement, have led the donation field in the UK, by switching from set fees to donation based talks and workshops. Vaz Sriharan from the LCS told me, “The response has been phenomenal and most events are packed out. With our donations, our facilitators can access hundreds of individuals as opposed to a few. Their message reaches a far wider audience, allowing many to be transformed and everyone benefits.” Simply by offering skills, knowledge and expertise on a donation basis, light-workers are actually hitting a demographic that may not have paid full whack.
At the other end of the spectrum, I recently followed a Facebook post written by a very well-known spiritual name, announcing the release of a new DVD. What followed was a bombardment of comments such as “does this mean that only those people of a particular wealth level are going to be able to benefit? What happens for everyone else who can’t afford or doesn’t know about it?” and, “….if it was as important as you say then why don’t you do it for free? Spiritual ‘gurus’ make money in other ways……There needs to be more balance within spirituality and asking of money for such things.”
I kind of get their point. Why? Well, the tone was just all wrong. If it had not come from them directly then their social media team need a severe talking to! You really cannot tell people to spread the word and make sure everyone knows about, as it is so important everyone watches it, at a price of X amount for the web link and X amount for the hard copy DVD. Really? Are you serious? Surely if you feel so passionate about something, and really believe everyone in the world needs the information immediately, then would you not gift that information?
Perhaps I am being a little unfair; perhaps I am missing the whole picture. Yes, in this particular case, there are costs involved in producing a film. But, the internet is a global community and if you do have an urgent message to get out there, then YouTube does not cost a penny – and has a far wider reach than any boxed DVD.
Of course a spiritual or holistic “business” needs to provide the facilitator with funds, in order to live and meet day-to-day life commitments. They really cannot ignore mortgage or rent payments, they cannot live on fresh air pie and a duck under the table they need to provide at least the basic essentials for themselves and their family. Yet, there are many opportunities for the sector to give something back, by lowering monetary expectations, which benefits everyone involved – financially and spiritually.
However, with the good comes the bad, where there is light there is always dark. The polar ends are ever-present, even in those who profess to be spiritual. You know the score; the free talk that leads to an hour-long promotion of the “latest new offering” or “BOGOF” deal. But what I have been privy to, and witnessed with my own eyes, is the level of donations that are made. Some feel it in their hearts to gift the full suggested donation, while others – with sheepish, zero eye contact – take the donation envelope (which of course is there to extend the privacy of said donation giver), handing it back as quick as a flash and purposefully making a quick exit. I have even seen a two for one offer, or rather two people donating £5 (approx $8) in one envelope for a 3 hour workshop!
We have no doubt all seen such behaviour, in the regular and spiritualist churches, as the donation plate or pouch is ushered between the isles. People jiggling their pockets, in a bid to assure onlookers that they have cash and are gladly donating their entire pocket full with glee, only to create the magicians sleight of hand by clinking the change already placed.
Wow! Either I am psychic, spectacularly observant or I am under no illusion that people are people and my inner cynic raises its ugly head far to often.
Any way, I have digressed slightly….
There are many opportunities for everyone to experience great spiritual teaching and introductions into holistic therapies and services, at a fraction of the cost. Why not check out your local groups, meet-ups and social networking sites as you may be surprised at what’s out there. Just remember that the organisers, teachers and mentors need to keep the doors open, travel to and from the venues and donate their time just for you.
You’ll Catch Me on a Sunbeam….
You’ll catch me on a sunbeam, as the light begins to fade.
Riding on a star stream, of every prayer I’ve ever prayed.
You’ll find me in me in eternity, for we’re all already there.
Spread out across the galaxy, with no crosses left to bear.
I’ll see you in a super nova, as your energy expands.
To catch a spirit falling over, landing in your healing hands.
We’ll see them in the Universe, every dream we’ve ever dreamt.
Every wish a wish so glorious, we know this life’s been heaven-sent.
So today’s the day for gratitude, for hope to fill your soul.
Embrace this sacred attitude, and let your sunlight make you make whole……
∞
Guest poem by Dominic Ruffy
Dominic is a Light-worker, working for the Amy Winehouse Foundation and other Rehab groups, assisting addicts and recovering addicts.
Holistic Words Quote
Sometimes it is important to gift your skills unconditionally – doing what you do for the sheer love of it – and, in turn, release the need to serve the ego. The ultimate reward is knowing that – no matter how small – you can help others without want or need of material gain.
~ Holistic Words
