summer2011

SUMMER %&'' PRICELESS DEEPAK CHOPRA, DAVID LYNCH AND THICH NHAT HANH Exclusive interviews and personal insights on Meditation HOW RUDE! A sneak peek at this year’s Rude Health show RAW FOOD Bouquets of energy the way nature intended MANLINESS What does it mean to be a man?

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Contentment 4 Summer Vibes And the living is easy. 6 Positively Newsworthy Silver linings and blooming peace. 10 Spirituality and the City Calling in your ideal life. 12 Astrology It was the best of times. 14 Positive Power Committing to what matters most. 17 Positive Business The raw energy of uncooked food. 18 Positive Beauty Living beauty, loving life. 20 The Zen Art of Restful Sleep Introducing Alphamusic. 23 Holistic Hawaiian Holidays Aloha, mo cháirde. 25 Manliness A brave new world. 26 The Good Life 2.0 Permaculture permeates the world. 28 Meditation Deep and meaningful with Chopra, Lynch and Thay. 32 The Ho] man Process Open a can of goodness. 34 Rude Health Preview Guess who’s coming to town. 36 CNM A nervous system. 38 Somatics Getting bent into shape. 41 Wonder of Herbs Growing yumminess for beginners. 42 Summer Recipes Edible ﬂ owers and herby millet. 45 Short and Sweet Yoga, Reiki, Happiness and Homeopathy. 54 Tantra A journey of unconditional love. Publisher PC Media paul@positivelife.ie Editorial Patrick Bridgeman patrick@positivelife.ie Design Simon O’Connor simon@postivelife.ie Advertising Paul Congdon paul@positivelife.ie 0861579518 Thanks to our advertisers, we can give Positive Life magazine to you for FREE. If you’re talking to them, let them know we sent you their way. Please use the information provided in this publication as a recommendation only to better mental and physical health. We strongly advise you to consult your doctor regarding health concerns that you may have. The views expressed by contributors and advisors do not necessarily represent the views of the publication’s staﬀ . Printed, published, packaged and distributed in Ireland. www.positivelife.ie Beginning here now… “Good luck is opportunity meeting preparedness.” ~ Deepak Chopra In April 2006, I attended a talk by Deepak Chopra at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. At the event, I noticed the cover of a magazine entitled Positive Life. Deirdre Patel, the owner, introduced herself and said she had set it up on her own but needed some help with the advertising. At the time, I was working as an ad salesman, so, on a part-time basis, a perfect synergy began. My overwhelming desire at the time was to do something I loved with a spiritual ﬂ avour. I worked with Deirdre until April 2008 when she decided to sell the magazine…to me. My ﬁ rst issue came out in Sum- mer 2008. And now, dear reader, you hold in your hands our Summer 2011 edition with Deepak Chopra on the front cover. It’s come full circle, or, as Deepak would say, “SYNCHRODESTINY.” This Summer, let’s all play a part in each other’s dreams. paul congdon, Publisher

Westmeath Body & Soul Festival June 18th & 19th The organisers of Body & Soul want their festival goers to enjoy an ‘experience’ rather than just a gig. They’re unique rather than boutique, and sustainability conscious without being too in-your-face. It’s an independent festival with a heart-shaped mind and a cutting edge soul. www.bodyandsoul.ie Limerick THE SIXSENSE ACADEMY OF SPIRITUAL EDUCATION July 17th This July, Ireland’s 1st SixSense Academy, The International Academy of Spiritual Education, opens its doors to bring its unique style of spiritual tuition to Ireland. The students will be taught by 3 top International tutors who are experts in teaching Mediumship for beginners to advanced levels, Trance Mediumship, Angel Communication, Psychic Develop- ment and more. They are also looking for Irish Tutors in Spiritual development for a new TV project next year. www.sixsenseacademy.com Dublin Anger Releasing Weekend Workshops June 25th& 26th Free yourself from any burdens of anger, resentments and past-hurts in a safe and warm group atmosphere. Experience your own ability to move through the Natural Cycle of Resolution, from the painful or negative feelings all the way back to peace, empow- erment and love. www.UnconditionalJoy.com summer vibes “People don’t notice whether it’s Winter or Summer when they’re happy.” Anton Chekhov 4 Movement Workshop July 9th - 14th Enjoy free movement, embodied aware- ness, play, expression and prayer with internationally acclaimed movement master, Suprapto Suryodarmo. The theme of the workshop is “Being with ourselves, being with each other.” (performing ritual art) Suprapto is also offering workshops on June 26th - July 22nd in Cobh, Cork City, West Cork and Sligo. www.yogaandmovement.com www.lemahputih.com

Wicklow The Beehive Summer School July 27th - July 31st Join John Doherty in the beautiful grounds of Maheramore Retreat Centre, Brittas Bay for this residential retreat, allowing you extra time to empty out mental and emotional noise, de- stress, enter into still- ness, develop self-awareness and connect with the Authentic Self. Also included is the Food for Renewal Programme with The Hunky Chunk Kitchen (Joanne Faulkner). www.thebeehive.ie Gateways Festival 2011 September 9th & 10th This is a celebration of music, art, local craft and natural beauty. Lit by the Singing Moon, the festival will offer a chance and a time for exhilaration at this very special location: Glendalough Estate. This year’s festival line-up will include the best live Irish acts, and also a little something from across the big pond. www.gatewaysfestival.ie A Taste Of Autumn Mind Mood Happiness September 17th & 18th Using techniques from modern psychol- ogy and neuroscience along with timeless treasures of Tibetan Buddhism and nond- ual teachings (Advaita-Vedic), participants will be taught skills to calm the mind, develop trust with the unconscious, and explore their inner resources for activating creativity, vitality, joy, contentment, and a greater sense of happiness and well-being. www.seminars.ie Spirit of Folk Festival September 23rd - 25th Event organisers have promised a weekend to rival Bilbo Baggins’ birthday bash with an endless list of unconventional activi- ties including archery, falconry, battle re-enactments, storytelling in a candle lit cairn, burning efﬁgies, medieval games, ﬁreworks, community games as well as a Mind, Body & Soul area and performances from some of the biggest names in folk music. The festival takes place in Dunderry Park, Co. Meath. spiritoﬀolk.com Ongoing Waxing Lyrical Weekends The National Wax Museum Plus in associa- tion with Alive-O Productions present Waxing Lyrical – a rib-tickling comedy tour of the wax museum. This is an over 16s event due to the ‘colourful’ nature of the guides as they relish in spinning colourful yarns about the waxen characters you’ll encounter and offer up their own unique take on history. www.aliveoproductions.ie Dance Therapy Factory Tuesdays 7:45 pm When our lives are busy, or involve caring for and supporting others, it is essential that we take space to recharge and nurture ourselves. Through dance, music, free movement and body awareness practice we can ground ourselves, release accumulated tension and stress, and recognise where we hold on so that we can unwind and let go, encouraging us to stay open-hearted and present for ourselves, our relationships and our work. www.crimsoncounselling.com Wheatgrass Colonics Colonic irrigation results in massive hydration of the body, increased vitality, deep detoxiﬁcation, better hair, skin and eyesight. The wheatgrass used in these colonics is of an extremely high standard and dramatically improves the effectiveness of the treatments, which have had great success in the treatment of many digestive issues, skin problems, weight issues, infertility and with people undergoing chemotherapy. wholepersonhealing.ie Goodies Om Bar Ombars are made by Mood Foods - a small company with an interest in healthy eating and living. Their original intention was to make available the natural goodness of the raw cocoa bean in a chocolate bar. Nowadays they’ve taken this a step further by infusing the chocolate with a wealth of nutritious berries and probiotics, sweetened with coconut sugar. www.ombar.co.uk Barefoot Runners Vibram® FiveFingers® is different than any other footwear on the planet. Not only do they bring you closer to your environment, they also deliver lots of positive health beneﬁts. Whether training for strength, endurance or speed, all our movement originates from our centre. Training barefoot keeps you aware and focused on your shifting centre, increasing gluteal and core activation and working all the muscles in your feet and legs. barefoot.ie Organo Gold The World’s favourite drinks (tea and cof- fee) now have Ganoderma added to negate the harmful effects of the caffeine rush and improve the health beneﬁts with over 200 nutrients and antioxidants present. These active components can enhance the immune system, neutralise toxins in the body, reduce free radicals and improve circulation. tr.organogold.com or contact Tomas 087 2711215

Using existing technologies, the world could convert almost entirely to green power by mid-century — and it wouldn’t cost much more than people now spend on energy, says a new analysis of global energy use. “You don’t need new technologies for most of it,” said study co-author Mark Jacobson, a Stanford University civil engineer. “It’s really an optimization problem. It’s just a different way of thinking of the system.” According to a 2008 study by the Federal Energy Information Adminis- tration, the world will need 17 trillion watts of power by 2030. In Jacobson and Delucci’s model, most of the needed power could come from electricity, as opposed to combustion, oil or natural gas. 90% of that power would come from wind and solar energy. Geother- mal and hydroelectric sources would contribute about 4% of the power, and 2% would come from wave and tidal power. Wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun goes down at night. But because wind energy tends to peak at night and solar energy is greatest during the day, linking both energy sources together could help solve that problem. Hydro- electric power could ﬁll in the gaps, and far-ﬂung geographic areas could be connected via a “supergrid” to make sure the lights stay on.6 positively newsworthy It’s such a treat to ﬁnd uplifting news stories from all over the world, and we love reading positive Irish stories, so we were thrilled to have Siobhan McKenna tell us her tale in her own words. See opposite. -> Today’s Clean Tech Could Power the World by 2050

If you’ve ever lived with anyone else - from a spouse to a college roommate - you’ve prob- ably had conﬂ icts over doing the dishes, the laundry, and countless other household chores. But researchers Jess Alberts and Angela Trethewey have found that a success- ful relationship doesn’t just depend on how partners divide their household chores; it also depends on how they each express gratitude for the work the other one puts in. One of the keys to determining who will perform a speciﬁ c household task is each partner’s “response threshold,” which describes the degree of disorder that must exist before someone is sufﬁ ciently bothered to perform a task that’s not being done. So, how can couples cultivate grati- tude, compensate for different tolerances of disorder, and thus create more equitable divisions of household labour and greater satisfaction with their relationships? Part of the answer comes from simply being aware of these phenomena. Once one understands that, in a sense, one’s partner truly did not “see” the dirty dishes, piles of laundry, and overﬂ ow- ing garbage, one tends to be less angry and can discuss the issue in a less accusatory fashion—which, in turn, can help one’s partner be less defensive. Over-performers should avoid repetitively performing a task they don’t want to “own,” especially when ﬁ rst living with their partner. Take turns cooking dinner so that you can both own the task down the line. Over-performers can also commu- nicate to their partner when a task should be performed, rather than waiting for the partner’s threshold level to be reached— and resenting them for their lack of aware- ness. Also, although under-performers may not perform a task to their partner’s standards, statements of appreciation— rather than criticism for not doing it right or for doing it too late—are more likely to encourage repetition. It also helps if under-performers understand that their partners are more disturbed by a messy house, so they need to develop strategies to respond to the differences in threshold levels, such as performing a task even before it bothers them. Finally, domestic partners may ﬁ nd it helpful to write down a list of their tasks and then switch lists for a week or month to better understand their partner’s contributions. They may be surprised to discover their partners do far more than they thought. Silver Lining By Siobhan McKenna In 2006, I found myself out of work. I’d always worked in the clothing trade and knew nothing else. But there were few jobs left in clothing manufacture in Ireland. At least I had a small lump sum in my back pocket. I had no excuse not to follow my life long dream of writing a book. Yet, for some reason I kept putting it off. Instead, I took what was apparently a random step and went on a ﬁ ve day Deepak Chopra retreat, at the end of which, I decided to train as a Chopra Certiﬁ ed Instructor. The experience was trans- formational and challenging as the study was intense. I brought my knowledge back to North County Dublin and set about chang- ing the world. I taught people the Ayurvedic way, with my empha- sis on stress management, positive thinking and meditation. I’d no time for writing. I enjoyed the people I met yet I was struggling. The Universe was directing me in another direction, but, of course, I knew better. Just as I was building my practice, the recession hit and yet again within four short years, I was left thinking, what now? The answer wasn’t coming so I started to walk my own talk. I meditated daily; I surrounded myself with positive images and quotations. I did afﬁ rmations. And I took action by sitting down every day and writing until my book, which I’d toyed with for ﬁ ve years, transformed into a ﬁ nished manuscript. I’d love to tell you that that was it - all good things immediately came my way, but it didn’t. I got rejections, albeit with words of encouragement about my writing. Rejection! - That deﬁ nitely wasn’t part of my grand plan. I became even more diligent about my thoughts and visualisation. I asked the wonderful Davidji, of the Chopra Centre, where I was going wrong. He reminded me to trust the Universe and stop trying to control the outcome. Liking guarantees, I found that concept challenging, yet that’s what I did. I kept up my prac- tice, now calling in the angels as well, but I let go of the outcome, asking the Universe to take care of the details. At the end of February last, I opened my hall door to ﬁ nd a TV camera in my face. My book had won a publishing contract and would be on the shelves by Summer, thus fast tracking the publishing process by a year. Not only that, over and above the TV3 competition, they were offering me a three book deal. Coinci- dently, the theme of my book is synchronicity. So, the Universe got me there, in a round about way. Maybe if I’d stopped trying to pre-empt the outcome, I’d have gotten here quicker. Who knows? Either way, I’m having a great journey. Perhaps next time though, Universe, you might consider leaving the TV cameras out of the equation. . . The Lingerie Designer, published by Poolbeg Press, went on sale on June 1st. If you’d like to win yourself a copy, send us in your own Positive Irish News Story. patrick@positivelife.ie The Economy of Gratitude

A hundred designers, 10 urban challenges, very little money, and no sleep. That’s the recipe for 72 Hour Urban Action, a three-day marathon for designers to improve their city. Founder Kerem Halbrecht ﬁ rst debuted the concept at the Bat-Yam Biennale of Landscape Urbanism in Israel last September, where 120 participants working in 10 teams got three days and three nights to solve problems in public spaces. By all accounts, the ﬁ rst 72 Hour Urban Action was brutal but exhilarating. The competitors slept (when they did sleep) in an empty school, and had to split a paltry $2,500 budget between all the teams. They did, however, have a truck and tractor for everyone to share. And cute orange jumpsuits. “I wanted to challenge the com- mon perception that creating change in public space is long and difﬁ cult, and to see if public space can respond to changing needs in real time,” said Kerem. For more info, photos and video, visit www.72hoururbanaction.com8 72 Hours to Transform Your City Roses of Peace Bloom Nepal has offered much hope to the world throughout history. The birthplace of the Buddha himself, it has since been a place of global pilgrimage for people from all walks of life, searching for inner peace and enlightenment. However, despite a promising history, within its own borders it has suffered from civil conﬂ ict, and has clearly been in need of a breath of fresh air, a breeze of hope, and a path towards prosperity for some time. Cue Sushil Koirala who describes himself as one of the world’s biggest dream- ers. He says he is driven by daring ambitions and a deep passion to create a more just and peaceful society, not only for his country but also for people across the world. In 2008 he established Peace for Nepal; an organization that to date has held over 60 national events and rallies promoting peace. At the same time, Sushil initiated the Rose Movement, where roses are exchanged between people in conﬂ ict areas as a means to bring about peace. “The rose is a universal symbol, liked by everyone,” he says, adding, “It appeals equally to everyone’s heart. The exchange of roses, the shaking of hands and extending of goodwill between people of different races, religions or parties in conﬂ ict, helps to create a more conducive and positive atmosphere for talks.” The exchanges are a simple action but their symbolism and signiﬁ cance is very powerful, Sushil believes: “Just like the many colours of roses, we may be of different nationalities, ethnicities, religions or race. But no matter what colour a rose may be, it is still a rose, and likewise we are all human beings ﬁ rst. It reminds us of the oneness of the human family.” In recognition of Sushil’s dedication to peace, he recently received a Giraffe Heroes Project Award. The foundation honours people who are largely unknown risk-takers, who “have had the courage to stick their necks out for the common good.” www.epeacefornepal.org 8

MADE IN IRELAND will help you in many wonderful ways. Simply the best available support for your immune system! Grapefruit Seed Extract Read ‘The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract’ by Dr Allen Sachs www.aislingfoundation.com t: 027 51567 The Aisling Foundation, Bantry, Co. Cork A life-altering, experiential 2-day workshop providing SCIENTIFICALLY-PROVEN techniques to activate the body’s natural healing abilities and facilitate renewed health & wellness. " rough the use of visualisation, imagination, positive thinking and meditation, you can programme your brain to correct thoughts and behaviours that get in the way of experiencing the health and life you desire. “ I have used The Silva Method of visualisation for many years. It has helped me overcome illnesses and accidents, and avoid surgery. I urge you to attend Silva’s training sessions” Dr. Wayne Dyer, author “The Power of Intention” “I would say that the Silva Method is the most powerful single tool that I have to offer the patient.” Dr. O. Carl Simonton, Oncologist and pioneer of Imagery Therapy for Cancer Facilitated by Dr. Alma Quinones-Prone and Dr. Denis Prone, Psychologists and Researchers Bookings & information:www.silvamethod.ie. Enquiries:info@silvamethod.ie or call 086-3199215 SILVA SELF-HEALING TRAINING creating renewed health easily and naturally 1st & 2nd October 2011, CORK THE NEW SILVA SELF-HEALING programme SPECIFICALLY designed to unleash the healing power of your brain & mind and re-ignite your body’s natural healing abilities. 3-day Life System training - 24th - 26th September, DUBLIN New to Ireland the Ondamed system, endorsed by Dr James Oschman, PhD is now at Libra Natural Health Herbal Medicine, Diet and detoxification, Acupuncture, Colon hydrotherapy, Osteopathy, Live blood analysis, Swedish massage, Counselling, Shiatsu, Craniosacral therapy, N.A.E.T., Reflexology, Reiki, Counselling, Meditation classes www.libranaturalhealth.com

spirituality & the city “My Ideal Life” Lizzie Dunne Healer & Children’s Writer My ideal life is to write children’s books. Two years ago, I got an inspiration for a story. Putting this story into words presented quite a challenge for me as I had the mistaken belief that I could not write. However, I did believe in the story. So, I planted the seed ﬁrmly in the ground, gave it my blessings and hoped it would grow. Through a series of unplanned incidents, I was lead to do a course in writing and illustrating a children’s book. Along with doing the course, I danced, painted, talked, wrote, played and prayed my way through this journey. Waving goodbye to my limiting belief, I moved into a place of starting to believe in myself. Having just completed the course, a group of us held a showcase to exhibit our creations. I stood proudly yet humbly over my work. Feeling very blessed, and grateful to all those who had helped me along this journey. Owen Fox Spiritual Teacher & Life Coach My ideal life would be effortless bubbling joy and excitement and new ventures and manifestations combined with inner harmony, peace, ease and joy at almost all times! Along with plenty of challenges and expansion on the outward level, and with much bubbly expansion on the inner level! A life of abundance can await us all. A life of true abundance is inner abun- dance, not outer. Inner abundance comes from knowing ever more and more who you really are, which is also being alertly, silently aware in the present moment. This is the I AM feeling, the silent watcher in the background of all and any of your experiences. True abundance is found now, by being connected with the Source that you are. Outward abundance and manifestation is play and fun for the soul, but you are not lost and stressed and in fear when connected with the inner You. Glenn Sullivan Designer & Shamanic Healer One of the most important ways to live my life is from a place of gratitude, it is part of my daily practice and thankfully, most of the time, I am truly grateful for the life I have. In the last 20 years of exploring consciousness, spirit has always looked after me even when things seem so over- whelming, I just surrender and become present to my vulnerability, which frees up my desire to control the outcome and I inevitably end up with more awareness, and more connected to the magic of life. Exploring the myth of a healer, which connects to the archetype of the magician, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life and I ﬁnd I am drawn deeper and deeper into this area. For myself now, more than ever, con- sciousness is manifesting itself through the path of the Heart. www.naturalwisdom.ie

Ian Snipper Love Junkie To imagine that anything other than this moment is my ideal life is to believe a lie that can only create unhappiness for me and those around me. I have found that the key to living an ideal life is self acceptance, not self improvement. To live an ideal life, we must love what is and embrace our journey without guilt or remorse. Only from that place can we can imagine and re-create ourselves as an ever more loving being. Each and every moment contains the potential to experience both the bliss of knowing ourselves as a perfectly whole being and the evolutionary tension that arises from seeing what is versus what could be. Learning to accept this paradox is what allows us to experience the bliss of unconditional love for ourselves and others in a sustainable way. Melanie Mondini Complementary Massage Therapist Ideal life for me is being united in mind, body and spirit. It is about ﬁnding my space in this world, living in harmony with nature, being happy, loving myself and others unconditionally and without judgments. It means living life now, instead of dreaming of the perfect one in the future! Today, my ideal life consists of studying continuously and achieving a wide understanding of the human body in its physical state, and interlinking it with the emotional and spiritual side. I feel privileged to have found my passion and love in work which deﬁnes who I am today. Perhaps my version of life will change over time, but I feel that my core values will stay the same. ‘For yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision; but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.’ ~ Kalidasa Siobhan Lavelle Tantra Teacher & Writer This is a difﬁcult question for me as I’m at a time where I’m stopping and re-evaluating everything, deciding which way to go next. The most basic thing that comes to mind is that I would like to be content no matter what comes my way. I would like to love myself completely enough to allow what I have to express to pour out freely. I am working towards sharing my ideas and experiences with lots of people through my writing. I would love to be very open and honest with everyone in my life. I would like to always see clearly the difference between reality and my fantasies and fears. I would like my life to continue to be ﬁlled with variety and exciting changes. I like living in a place with lots of natural beauty, having friends nearby and the use of some land to grow food on.11

Without a doubt, we are all fully aware of the major transformation in all aspects of our planet right now. Let’s consider for a moment the possibility that with the wonderful synchronicity of the universe, those of us on earth at this remarkable time in history have chosen, at a soul level, to play a part in these incredible changes. Let’s also assume that we no longer accept a fatalistic view of the universe where things are ‘done to us’ by powers greater than us, including the planets, the environment, governments, religions, etc. Hence, the ancient astro- logical concept of ‘as above, so below’ can be understood as ‘all is one’ and therefore inseparable, making ‘as below, so above’ equally valid. This opens the possibility of change becoming a creative, conscious dance between us and the planetary ener- gies as we work together for the greater good of all. On March 13th, the Promethean planet Uranus ﬁnally moved into the ﬁery sign of Aries for an 8-year visit. This coincided with Earth literally shifting on its axis as Japan faced a major earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, affecting every corner of our planet in the proc- ess. In the Middle East, we saw nation after nation rise, demanding justice and freedom of thought and action. By nature, Uranus in the ﬁrst sign of the zodiac is a very fast, innovative energy “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickensthe summer ahead 12 astrology By Margaret Gray MSW D. Psych. Astrology

whose purpose is to assist us to increase our awareness of our thoughts and actions, enabling us to release whatever is preventing growth. Hence, on a personal level, we are likely to have experienced a degree of shock at the worldwide occurrences, as well as a speeding up of everything in our life, particularly our thinking. Early in July, this sudden, impa- tient and somewhat erratic Uranian energy will appear to slow down, symbol- ically going backwards in the sky for the following 5 months. In doing so, it offers us the time to take stock of what hap- pened and to make innovative changes on a personal and global level. This is an ideal time to evaluate the choices we have made in science and technology, including the use of nuclear power and the development of alternative, more life enhancing, sources of energy such as solar and wind power. Remembering that the 1949 birth chart of the creation of the Republic of Ireland has Sun in Aries, the transit of Uranus through this sign is a time of potential awakening and innova- tive, groundbreaking leadership for this country in the years to come. Staying grounded in our body, to maintain balance in our nervous system, is particularly important during this time. For anyone with Sun, Moon or Ascendant in the early degrees of Aries, Libra, Capricorn and Cancer, you are particularly likely to feel the effect of this Uranian energy, urging you to make necessary changes in your work, emo- tions and relationships. In April 2011, Neptune went into Pisces, its natural home, for a brief initial 4-month ‘taster’ visit, before moving there in February 2012 for a 14-year stay. Neptunian energy can assist us to connect with our spirituality and creativity through appearing to dissolve boundaries between dimensions. Joining forces with Chiron, the wounded healer, who has been in Pisces since May 2010, this combination can potentially bring understanding and healing to our planet and beyond. Together they can assist us to release outworn religious beliefs of our own making that have not been in our highest interest, opening our hearts in loving compassion towards others and ourselves. An increasing number of people are also likely to re-awaken to their innate psychic abilities. Like Uranus, this god of the ocean also goes back on its tracks all Summer, leaving us until November to contemplate the possibility of truly creat- ing Heaven on Earth through a joyful, open hearted, compassionate connection with all. For anyone with Sun, Moon or Ascendant in the early degrees of Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius, you will be more sensitive to these energies. Engag- ing with your creativity, imagination and spirituality can greatly assist planetary healing at this time. The above themes are reinforced by the total lunar eclipse on June 15th when planet Earth will block the light of the Sun in Gemini from illuminating the Full Moon in Sagittarius. Symbolically, the usual dance between reason and instinct will be brieﬂy interrupted by Earth acting as an obstacle. Hidden deep in our unconscious, we may struggle to make sense of our emotional realm for a week before and after the eclipse, offering us time to contemplate what has true meaning for us. We will be able to view this eclipse in Ireland if there are few clouds in the sky. In June, Jupiter leaves Aries after a year of visiting this sign. In moving into earthy Taurus, its naturally expan- sive energies will illuminate what we most value as humans on this planet. This includes nature and our natural resources, ﬁnances, beauty and our sense of security and abundance within our body and on planet Earth. Here at home, our new Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be directly affected by this Jupiter transit. June, July and August are a great time for him to present us with his thoughts on ways of healing our structural foundations. Mid-June is also when Saturn continues its journey forward in the sign of Libra, encouraging us to use balance in our decisions. Stuck in what felt like a frustrating holding pattern for the past 4 months, we are now invited to apply bal- ance and fairness to our actions, remem- bering that we can only truly understand a situation if we can give equal value to its opposite side. This allows us to ﬁnd crea- tive, constructive solutions that include all. The generation who are now in their late 20’s and early 30’s can teach us a lot about the urgent need for fairness in our world, as they strongly resonate with the need to address these issues. It is worth noticing that between August 3rd and August 25th, Mercury, the planet of communication goes retrograde in the sky once more. The suggestion to ‘not sign important contracts or docu- ments’ during this time derives from traditional Astrology. This is based on the concept that as Mercury appears to be going backwards in the sky, anything initiated at this time related to communi- cation, is unlikely to go forwards into the future. I suggest you have a look at this in your own life. Personally, this is one of the few traditional astrological rules that I do take heed of! I’ll ﬁnish with the wise words of Gerald Benedict in The Mayan Prophecies for 2012, “by the choices we make, we can determine a creative future for our civilization and our planet.” Enjoy the Summer sunshine. “The generation who are now in their late 20’s and early 30’s can teach us a lot about the urgent need for fairness in our world.” Margaret Gray oﬀers Psychological Astrology consultations in Ireland, Hawaii and California. She also teaches seminars and workshops. For further information, see: www.astrologypsychological.com margaret@astrologypsychological.com

When Carl married Maria, back in ’85, he promised to love, honour, cherish and everything else he could think of to demonstrate his commitment to her. He lived for her smile, her approval and her reliance on him. Three years later, Maria began a love affair with alcohol … and Carl’s world crumbled. When you commit to another per- son, your autonomy and sense of identity can quickly be subsumed by compromises, blurred boundaries and a disconnection from the heart. This kind of commitment is more a surrendering of self, which usually results in heartache, emotional/ﬁnancial depletion or other dynamics that detract from, rather than enhance, your personal fulﬁlment. True, healthy commitment is all about committing to yourself - to doing whatever promotes your personal evolution and to making con- scious choices based on what’s best for you. It’s an exciting, dynamic process that takes you deeper into love, self-expression and empowerment, precisely because it’s based on your right to freely choose. Maria’s lack of direction was the perfect counterpart to Carl’s need to be needed (which conveniently took the focus off him). It created a power vacuum, with neither one having control over the other’s decisions or values and neither one committing to their own fulﬁlment. If, like Carl, you try to rescue your partner or encourage them to be more committed to themselves, you may end up inadvertently supporting their lacklustre or self-destruc- tive choices. Supporting any unhealthy dynamic keeps you stuck in dysfunction and prevents you from fully committing to yourself - and to having what you really want. A lack of commitment to self can also prevent you from experiencing the intimacy you desire (and long-distance relationships are a common symptom of this). Relationships are designed to take us deeper into self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-love. For as long as we fail to commit to this process, we remain on hold, inaccessible not only to prospective partners but also to ourselves. So don’t be fooled by the commit- ment smokescreen; if commitment is missing in your relationships, remember that any lack of commitment to yourself will cause you to attract similarly uncom- mitted partners. MAKE THE COMMITMENT COMEBACK If commitment is an issue in your life, ask yourself the following questions: In what ways do I avoid doing what’s » personally fulﬁlling for me? How do I hold myself back, in terms of my » growth? When do I allow others’ needs to get in the » way of my dreams or personal goals? Do I use my partner’s lack of commitment » as an excuse to stay stuck? How could I go deeper with myself— » emotionally, creatively and spiritually? Your answers will help you to determine practical ways of fostering a deeper commitment to self. Do this and you will automatically start to attract partners and circumstances that support and reﬂect your faith in your self. THE COMMITMENT PAYOFF Committing to yourself is the only way to go. After all, you’re the only person you have control over and whose values and choices you can freely determine and live by. When you’re committed to what’s best for you, you become magnetic, attracting the people, opportunities and resources that enhance your personal fulﬁlment and evolution. You also inspire others to be similarly committed, to make daring choices, to connect with their passions and to actively move forward with their own lives. The biggest factor in building healthy, personal commitment is consciously choosing, in every moment, what’s healthy and right for you. If you can do that, in the face of possible resistance or rejection, you will increasingly attract the qualities that have been missing in your life. Committing to anyone other than yourself sets you up for disappointment, dysfunction and disempowerment. Think of it as ‘3D commitment’ - the kind that’s guaranteed to bring you what you don’t want. The healthy variety - commitment to yourself, your growth, your values and your dreams - is the only kind worth living and loving for. Committing to what matters most 14 positive power Olga Sheean is an author, therapist and personal empowerment coach who teaches a unique system of self-mastery designed to put you back in charge of your life. She oﬀers in-person and online coaching/consultations worldwide. www.olgasheean.com / olga@olgasheean.com “Relationships are designed to take us deeper into self- awareness, self- acceptance and self- love.”

For further information contact: ISH SKO CENTRE -Barrack Yard, Westport -098 26200 www.mercuryfreedentistry.eu Relaxed friendly environment Mercury free dentistry for the s whole family Children of registered patients s receive free check up and oral hygiene instruction Individual tailor-made treatments Bio-compatible restorative s materials used Approved protocol for safe s mercury ﬁlling removal Medically supervised Intra s venous Vit. C treatment In-house Testing and s detoxiﬁcation therapies In depth screening for the main causes of ill health. Food allergies -Heavy Metals – s Interference ﬁelds Infections – Jaw alignment- s unresolved trauma – Electro magnetic pollution – Environmental toxins Personalised written treatment s report included Try our Ultimate Body-Mind Detox 20% off detoxiﬁcation therapies during SummerReaders Offer 20% off on Initial and full dental assessments and detoxiﬁcation support therapies Soul Journeys in Spain - 2011 Heavenly Hols in the Sun! with Lainey Ennis 25th June - 2nd July & 10th - 17th Sept 2011 4PVM+PVSOFZTJO4QBJO 7 days from €790 excl air fare Contact Lainey on 01 239 0829 & 087 9318 101 www.souljourneys.ie lainey@laineyennis.com Let the beauty of the majestic Sierra Nevadas in Andalucia inspire and uplift your spirit on this unique retreat Inspirational Retreats To Heal,Transform And Renew Gentle Yoga, Divine Swimming Aromatic Massages, Moonlight Meditations Spectacular Mountain Walks, Great Food, Great Company ... And Much More!

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There has been an explosion of interest worldwide in raw foods and superfoods. People are becoming more aware of their environment, their health and what they are putting into their bodies. There is a movement towards not only natural, wild or organic wholefoods, but also living, raw foods and superfoods. In this movement, people are pro- actively taking responsibility for their own health by ensuring that they get the best possible nutrition from all the foods that they eat. We strongly believe that the best way to do this is to eat natural, unprocessed food the way nature intended. The raw ingredient for chocolate, the cocoa or cacao bean, in its unaltered state is a superfood and contains the highest concentration of antioxidants of any known food by far. SO WHAT ARE RAW FOODS AND SUPERFOODS? Superfoods are vital, nutritionally abundant foods that offer wonderful dietary and healing potential. Superfoods are typically rich in beneﬁcial phytonu- trients and antioxidants. The antioxidant content of a particular food determines the ability of that food to inhibit the pro- duction of harmful free radicals which in turn cause cell damage and disease. Some superfoods will be better known than others in this part of the world. Examples include açai berries, goji berries, mul- berries, alfalfa, barleygrass, chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, bee pollen, chia seeds, hemp seeds, maca, lucuma and cacao. Raw foods, also called living foods, are unprocessed and uncooked foods that have never been heated to temperatures above 42°C and therefore contain more nutrients and active enzymes as they have not been destroyed by the cooking proc- ess. Raw foods can include juices, soups, smoothies, salads seaweeds and vegetable pastas. Raw foods may be sundried or gen- tly dehydrated using a dehydrator to make delicious raw pizzas, crackers and desserts. The seemingly endless quantity of simple to prepare, healthy and delicious recipes out there on the internet and in books warrants further investigation. THE BEGINNING OF IRELAND’S RAW KITCHEN I was ﬁrst introduced to the world of raw foods about 5 years ago. I really resonated with the concept of a raw food lifestyle; however, the ﬁrst book I got on the subject was not a great choice. I tried out the “diet” and got very disheartened when I put on over 20 lbs in weight. My body just wasn’t able to cope with all the heavy foods and the amounts of nuts and fats I had started to consume. I was reintroduced to raw foods during a trip I took to Thailand on a fasting retreat one year later. This time, I learnt more about proper nutrition and food com- bining and listening to my body’s needs. However, on my return to Ireland, I completely submerged myself into my work life and forgot all that I had learned about my body’s needs and new diet. I fell very ill later that year and I knew I had to change something in my life. At this stage, I sold my stressful business and set out to create a new balanced life for the future. I focused on eating as much raw food as possible to heal myself without being fanatical about it. While Ronan and I will never aspire to being die hard 100% raw vegans, we will always make the most nutritious choices available to us in any given situation. We thoroughly enjoy discovering new foods/ superfoods and ways to incorporate them into our daily diet. We are very mindful that life is about achieving balance, and balance includes how preoccupied you become about your diet. The stress some people induce on themselves to maintain a 100% raw diet is unnecessary. Our aim at Ireland’s Raw Kitchen is to educate and create awareness of raw foods and superfoods. We want to make these foods easy and accessible to everyone. We believe absolutely in a holistic approach to life. We believe that just as important as a healthy diet are regular exer- cise, restful sleep and meditation, respect and compassion for all life on the planet and the pursuit of happiness. We consider each and every one of those elements an integral piece in the jigsaw that makes up the complete picture. www.irelandsrawkitchen.com17 Ireland’s Raw Kitchen By Hilary Foley “The seemingly endless quantity of simple to prepare, healthy and delicious recipes out there on the internet and in books warrants further investigation.” positive business

By Mary Berkery There is so much information on nutri- tion, diets and the latest trends that it is difﬁcult to know what is good or not. It is also difﬁcult for us to stay away from the temptations of foods that we know are not nourishing our cells in any way. My beauty training ﬁnals thesis was, “Beauty - a more Holistic approach.” I based it on the Hunza tribe in the Himalayas. When they were discovered in the 1970’s, these people lived into their 120’s and 140’s, in full health with agile bodies, youthful appearances and clear minds. There was no record of diseases such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Their food intake was entirely based on natural foods with no processed, reﬁned or manufactured foods in their diets. They ate freshly picked seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables. In Winter, beans and lentils are soaked so they can be ingested as sprouts. They lived in a community and were physically active with a positive, joyful approach to life. There was no crime, no police, no mental problems, no pharmacies or hospitals in the community. This thesis, along with my own sensitive digestion, propelled continued interest in alternative nutrition. In the late 80’s, I left my job as a tutor in Anatomy and Beauty to study macrobiotic dietary philosophy in Switzerland. There we ate no meat, dairy, white sugar or reﬁned grain products. Ingredients such as millet, rice, sea vegetables, tofu, chickpeas and adzuki beans were the mainstay of a macrobiotic meal. Tamari, ginger and sea salt were the seasonings. Rice syrup and barley malt replaced white sugar and reﬁned syrups. All food was cooked and, when possible, vegetables and fruit were eaten in season. I had no digestive problems and none of my usual sinus and ﬂu symptoms. In the 90’s, I was introduced to the concept of raw food preparation in Florida. I was invited to a meal at a raw food chef’s home and, while there, put a cashew nut pâté on a ﬂaxseed cracker into my mouth. The vitality of it exploded and the closest I could say to what happened was that I had an orgasm up through the roof of my mouth and into my head! I knew that I was experiencing the next level of vitality and nutritional science and wanted to know more. I embarked on an intensive study of high vibration food, which we call raw or living foods. This led to me qualifying from The Anne Wigmore Clinic in Puerto Rico. Anne Wigmore was one of the lead- ing lights in living food nutrition at the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida. This raw food movement is now becoming cutting edge thinking in nutrition with awareness of the body as an electrical and chemical system. When we meet and match it with high-energy food with chemically correct nutritional values for cells, then the alchemy of increased vitality and cell activity happens. 20% - 30% cooked vegan dishes, combined with 70% - 80% raw vegan organic foods is a way to keep the body at peak efﬁciency. Then the body responds with high vitality, clarity of mind and a youthful glow, and none of the degenerative pains or prema- ture lining of skin that we have begun to think of as normal. As Gabriel Cousins from the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Centre in Arizona says, when living on organic foods, we become “Supercharged.” With this type of lifestyle change, there will be no excess weight and we will look younger than our peers … try it for yourself. TO BEGIN 1 Juice. Instead of the usual tea and toast breakfast, start with a summer green juice. If possible, use a slow mastication juicer which helps maintain the life force and enzymes of the food. Greens such as summer broccoli, spinach, cucumber, pak choi and parsley are great. 2 Eat 100% raw for 10 days of Summer With endless amounts of salad leaves, fruits, vegetables, omega-rich salad dressings, even wild harvesting, it seems a natural diet in the sunny season. 3 Google! There is so much information online on juicing, recipes and beneﬁts. Start informing yourself. The rewards are so worth it for a radiant, vital you this joyful Summer. Living Beauty positive beauty 18 “When living on organic foods we become supercharged.” For organic Juice recipes and a 10-day Summer raw food plan, please email me mary@livingbeauty.ie

Sacred Journey to Brazil 23 October-6 November 2011 A two week spiritually upli" ing journey to visit the Casa Dom Inacio, a healing sanctuary in Brazil. # is is the home of Joao De Deus, John of God, one of the most renowned healers of our time (sometimes known as “# e Miracle Man of Brazil”). # e journey will be led by Ann Maria Dunne, a registered guide of the Casa.

20 Restful sleep is bliss. We need the natural rejuvenation that sleep brings to align our minds and bodies with the Earth, follow- ing an ancient pattern of rest and renewal, hibernation and re-growth. And yet sleep itself has increasingly become a lost art. One of the most frequent common denominators in poor quality sleep and the onset of insomnia appears to be an overactive brain. The mind can enter into a tyrannical cycle of thought and worry, giving rise to a higher frequency of brain activity. Thus, one of the keys to overcom- ing insomnia is learning to slow your brain waves down. So, how can those suffering from insomnia coax their mind into slowing down to a calm state, conducive to restful sleep? A principle way to do this is through meditation, and this can take many forms. John B. Levine, composer and founder of The Alphamusic of John Levine, has dedicated his life to creating “music which meditates for you.” Levine ﬁrst created his unique Alphamusic in the 1980’s. He was working in the music industry, burning the candle at both ends, and had been searching for a way to gain the most amount of sleep in the shortest amount of time. So it was that he discovered meditation. Concurrently his father became seriously ill from stress-related illness. Sadly, he would accept no suggestion to meditate or engage in any other relaxing or healing practices, and when he ﬁnally passed away, John was left with a longing to help people experience the healing power of music. Thus Levine combined these two principles, the power of music to heal and the desire to gain rest and rejuvenation through meditation, and set himself the task of creating music which would do both. The ﬁrst result was Silence of Peace, recorded in 1984. Due to life, this CD lay gathering dust in a box for over ﬁfteen years. He rediscovered it in 2001, and was so struck by the music, listening to it again after all those years, he was eager to know if it could help anyone. He produced copies which he distributed to people he knew, for testing, and started to receive amaz- ing feedback. So, he decided it was time to publish the music and record more titles. Crucially, he also met Danuta Andrzejak, a clinical electroencephalog- raphist based in Krakow, Poland. Danuta was so intrigued by this Alphamusic that she decided to use it in clinical trials with an EEG machine. The EEG measures brainwave activity by recording the brain’s spontaneous electrical activity, usually over a short period of time, as recorded from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp. During these trials Danuta discovered that Levine’s music does in fact alter brain waves from beta waves to alpha waves, and perhaps lower, to delta. Silence of Peace has since been cited by Patrick Holford as one of the most effective CDs on the market for improved sleep. In addition, Orange Grove Siesta and Amber were speciﬁcally composed to help those suffering from insomnia. Orange Grove Siesta is particularly for women, and is a more complex piece, to counter the effect of our usually incredibly busy minds. Amber complements it, being the CD composed especially for men, and can also be helpful for women who have a tendency to think in a more ‘male’ way. Part of the trick to restful sleep is to have a variety of tools up your sleeve, from approaches to eating and exercise, to making sure you have to hand a collec- tion of music to relax to. Find what works for you and have a blissful night’s sleep. John B. Levine will be at the Rude Health Show in the RDS in Dublin this September. For more information about the Alphamusic of John Levine CDs, go to www.silenceofmusic.com “One of the keys to overcoming insomnia is learning to slow your brain waves down.” a sound night’s sleep By Miria Robinson

Practical spiritual wisdom, musicand meditation to help you reconnect with your inner center of strength, peace and joy. )ZIRMRK4VSKVEQQI'SVOFri 8th July 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) The Gresham Metropole Hotel, McCurtain Street 3RI(E]4VSKVEQQI(YFPMRSat9thJuly10am-5.30pm St. Philips and St. James Church Hall, Cross Avenue, Booterstown -RJStel 087-3559983, email help@ammaireland.org website: www.ammaireland.org Amma Ireland, Reg. Charity No CHY15299 ® ,ETTMRIWWMWE(IGMWMSR ;MXL&VELQEGLEVM7LYFEQVMXE %(1-77-32*6)) ■ Bespoke Natural Luxury Bedding Hand- made in Ireland ■ Using only Nature’s Finest Pure Materials ■ Orthopaedic, offering Pressure Relief ■ Relief from Allergies and Skin Sensitivities ■ Natural Resistance to Mould, Mildew and Dustmites ■ Regulation of temperature and moisture levels ■ Free from synthetics and harmful chemicals Course:24thand 25th of September 2011 Walmer College, Rahney, Dublin 5 Learn how to introduce massage into the school environment and after school clubs. Course is open to teachers, school nurses, health workers, massage therapists and others who work with children. For more information and details of training course contact: Gail: gail13@oceanfree.net or 087 826 3778 www.massageinschools.com Massage in Schools Programme Kleen Green Naturally Enzyme Cleaner chemical free and non toxic• more effective and safer than pesticides• a natural multi purpose enzyme based • cleaner which is very effective in eliminat- ing bedbugs ,body lice, headlice, scabies, ﬂ eas all types of mites from the body and your home Also is a very safe non toxic cleaner for your home, farm, hotel, hospital or in any other place that germs or pests hide. for more information on this or other products visit www.naturalliceandmitebuster.ie or call 0851617526.

healing retreats in Hawaii Join us for a life-changing adventure on the magical island of Maui! A journey of healing, self-development and personal growth towards freedom. small groups physical detox gentle exercise meditation body therapies and much more! Please contact Taygeta for more information: taygeta.maui@gmail.com, +353 85 7800125 =bbYfAmghYfm=b]h]Uh]cb COBH, CO. CORK, IRELAND 10-15 AUGUST 2011 Welcome to a new form of self-development and growth! I will be sharing practical tools to improve your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and develop capacities most needed for the 21st century: a deeper connection to your soul, intuition, and inner truth. This will take place in August 2011 as an interactive journey in and around Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. Our intention is that when you leave you feel a sense of increased joy within and a compassion for yourself, the planet, others and your life. Know that when you leave you won’t be in the same space or place. This experience is a combination of: Spiritual and emotional awareness, education & expansion New tools comprising of reconnection to your Soul, authenticity, integrity and emotional wholeness, and Visits to sacred sites and wells in the Co. Cork area including a powerful puriﬁ cation ceremony 7. An open mind and good humour, a willingness to try something new Contact Michelle Hardwick for more details: Mobile: ++353 (0) 871 492338 Email: joy@michellehardwick.com Website: www.michellehardwick.com Total Cost from per person €678 (shared) or €899 (single); Cost includes - transportation to and from sacred sites; local guide; airport pick up and drop off; breakfast and lunch; education, daily guidance, support; and taxes. Join us for a wonderful adventure - a journey of inner transformation! Spanish PointSea Vegetables Spanish Point Sea Vegetable suppliers of the ﬁ nest quality: Dillisk, Carrageen, Kombu, Atlantic Wakame, Sea Spaghetti and Sugar Kelp. For further information visit:www.spanishpointseaveg.ie Email: spanishpointseaveg@gmail.com Tel: +00 353 870922555 Also new to the range our brand new luxurious Seaweed Bath. Hand Harvested, Hand Packaged and Air Dried Solace Massage Therapy A place of peace and tranquillity. Specialising in bespoke massage tailored to the individual needs of the client. 12 St James Terrace, Malahide, Dublin www.solacemalahide.com info@solacemalahide.com 085 186 4620 Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes Stimulates Neural Function important to Balance and Agility Improves Proprioception and Body awareness Eliminates Heel lift to Align the Spine and Improve posture

23 Holistic Hawaiian Holidays By Julia Szvath Have you ever had the feeling that something is missing from your life? Something important is lingering at the edge of your consciousness but you just can’t grab it? Feeling so confused, nobody really understands what you need and want, not even yourself. And day by day this unsettling feeling grows stronger and stronger until you want to scream, ENOUGH! But, deep inside, you know you have to ﬁnd the answers yourself. It is challenging, sometimes, to listen to our inner truth and see the bigger picture without being engaged in the everyday drama of our lives. We are caught up in the necessities we have to do to keep our lives on track, even if that track is no longer the right one for us. So, what should we do? I wasn’t sure, but I knew that getting some distance away from everything might be a useful way of ﬁnding out. A retreat from our busy self, a retreat from our confu- sion, a retreat to silence, to nature, back to our physical bodies and to that inner wisdom that is always with us. So, I hopped on a plane to Hawaii (Maui), something I wanted to do for a long time but never had the courage to make happen. But this time I trusted and knew, without understanding, that it was the right thing to do. Not only for myself but for others I love. I booked a healing retreat because I felt that some help might be handy after all, while I was out searching for that ‘something.’ I asked for guidance and it arrived in the form of a great woman who gently navigated me through my ﬁrst days wandering in the unknown. As soon as I arrive, the land welcomes me home and I know that I have come to the right place. The warmth of the sun and the nurturing ocean slowly opens my rigid and cold body after a long Winter. With gentle movement, yoga and dance, I slowly awaken the cells of my physical body and start to feel again with all of my senses. The fresh food of the land nourishes and cleanses me; the silent walks to the sacred sites quiet my mind enough for me to begin to hear my inner voice again. And healing comes in many different shapes and forms, always guiding me as I stay and drop deeper into the present moment. Slowly, my spirit starts to remember what I had forgotten so long ago. No distractions allow me to take a step closer to myself. I slowly feel connected again to the earth and all living beings, but mostly to myself. I am starting to feel whole again. The past and future seem so distant as I surrender to the now and let myself be carried. With- out the everyday struggle, I feel so light, like a feather carried by the wind. And, as I give myself permission to open even more, to go deeper inside, I ﬁnd clarity and understanding. Slowly, I ﬁnd my strength again and start to remember my purpose, my vision and my dreams. How could I have forgotten? The fear and doubt inside slowly shrinks away and I am expanding in all directions as I embrace the long forgotten parts of myself. On the way, miracles just keep happening all the time and it feels like living a dream. Or maybe I was dream- ing before and now I am awake. I don’t know, but I feel so good, so full of joy and aliveness that I overﬂow. I can’t contain it anymore. Finally, it pours out of me onto others. So, I return and share everything that’s in me to anyone who needs it. And because we are all one, I am really giving back to myself. “And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?” Rumi www.ma-uri.ie

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by Rick Nichols Most of the old deﬁnitions of what it means to be a man are no longer viable. It does not take much to look around and see that the old paradigm is not working anymore. Because of the rapidly approach- ing conﬂuence of masculine and feminine energies, men are being asked to be more emotionally available in almost all of their relationships. These relationships include everything from family, ﬁnance, commu- nity, religion, spirituality, sexuality, and yes, even in the workplace. Here are a couple of very real concerns many men have on this issue: Can masculinity and vulnerability exist side by side? Can I be emotionally available and maintain my manliness? And the answer is — an absolute yes! If we consider some of the men who have been the greatest powers for good in the history of humanity, we will quickly discover that they were strong, powerful men who were also deeply compassionate and emotionally available. Here is a short list of possibly the most well known: Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi, Ein- stein, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, The Dalai Lama, John Lennon, Bono, and the list goes on. Oh, and please do not forget the ones who are pos- sibly the most important to you—the men in your own personal life that display these qualities in a balanced way. I think you will agree that this is quite an impressive list of role models. To my way of thinking, these are our real “superheroes” and I suspect most of them would not be very good at kicking a football. Okay, that is them and we is us. Most of us are not superstars, spiritual leaders or crusaders for social justice and planetary healing. We are just regular guys looking for a sense of satisfaction and acceptance in the things we are doing through day-to-day living. Yet more and more there seems to be something missing, something preventing that sense of manly accomplishment. So, what could that missing element be? What is missing in contemporary society that has previously existed in abundance? For more than 150,000 years, the default cultural assignment for men has been to feed and protect the village. This enormous responsibility required great physical strength, stamina, and a grim determination to defeat any perceived threat to the well-being of home and family. For thousands of generations, we have learned that we must be hard, tough and above all, emotionally fortiﬁed in order to assure success for our mission. To this day we are convinced (consciously or unconsciously) that to reveal vulnerability, whether it be physical, mental or emotion- al, is to guarantee defeat, resulting in the potential annihilation of all we hold dear. Somewhere in the 1960s, things began to change, gradually at ﬁrst and then picking up speed with each passing year. We now ﬁnd ourselves in the second decade of the 21st century. Because of rapidly emerging technologies, economies and glo- bal consciousness, survival of the family and community now requires something much more subtle than brute strength and raw courage. It is now critical that we place more emphasis on compassion for others and acceptance of cultural, spiritual and national diversities. We must learn to drop our defences and embrace the reality that we no longer need to take a competitive stance against those who disagree with us. The greatest challenge we as men have ever faced is now before us. The responsibility for the survival of the global village falls squarely upon our shoulders because the “manliness” that raised us to this advanced level of society could now cause its demise. It will require courage and strength the likes of which we have never had to muster. The time has come to lay aside our armour and our weapons, and to open our hearts and our minds to new ways of being, to new ways of living. Our new mission is to bury the old “manly” archetypes of defend, defeat and control, and to employ a new armoury of harmony, acceptance and allowance. The survival of humankind is in our hands; it is up to us to steadfastly meet the challenge — let us get it done! www.HYL4Men.com25 manliness “These are our real ‘superheroes’ and I suspect most of them would not be very good at kicking a football…”

permaculture In this issue of Positive Life, I want to intro- duce a design system called Permaculture, which I believe could provide a toolkit for making practical and creative responses to the many challenges we are facing. Perma- culture is really a design philosophy that helps us to see the world in a different way and is an approach that assists us to apply whole systems thinking to the way we live. In times like these, redesigning the way we live is becoming more of a necessity than just a simple lifestyle choice. Permaculture could assist us in doing this. Back in the 1970’s, two Australian ecologists, Bill Mollison and David Holm- gren, coined the term “Permaculture” after the ﬁrst oil shocks to describe an agricul- tural system using ecological principles. Their initial system of permanent agricul- ture has been extended to the redesign of the whole of society using ecology as the The Good Life 2.0 community resilience in a changing world “It is our collective responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.” ~ Dalai Lama 26

basis for designing integrated systems of food production, housing, energy provi- sion and sustainable communities. “The people, their buildings and the ways they organize themselves are central to perma- culture. Thus, the permaculture vision of permanent and sustainable agriculture has evolved to one of permanent and sustain- able culture.” ~ David Holmgren Permaculture takes the diversity, stability and resilience of natural eco- systems as the basis for an ethical design system to create human environments that are ecologically sound and economically viable. This design system is based on ethics and a set of principles which can be used by individuals, households and com- munities to initiate, design and manage all efforts towards a sustainable future. Permaculture principles are being applied at different scales from individual homes, the garden and on the farm, to the design of communities and entire regions. Within a Permaculture system, work is minimised, yields are increased and waste becomes a resource. Elements in a system are viewed in relationship to other elements, where the outputs of one element become the inputs of another. As well as a set of principles that are based on patterns seen in nature, Permac- ulture is based on three ethical positions. These help us to think and act responsibly in relation to each other and the Earth. 1 Earth care - which suggests good management of resources, including plants, animals, land, water and air. 2 People care - which places a focus on our responsibility for looking after everyone. 3 Fair shares - which indicates the need for justice, equality and the redistribution of surplus. Permaculture has, to date, been restricted to a few enthusiasts who are com- mitted to the ideals of sustainability and are working, for the most part, on small-scale projects. However, to provide for human needs in this uncertain world, Permac- ulture really needs to be mainstreamed, scaled up and emulated worldwide. Permaculturist, Geoff Lawton has converted a stretch of land in the Dead Sea Valley of Jordan into a lush, productive plot of land full of ﬁgs, pomegranates, guavas and citrus fruits using Permaculture principles. If Geoff and his team can rehabilitate salty soils and create an oasis of sustainable agriculture in the Jordanian desert, surely we can adapt and use this design process anywhere. The design of the ecovillage in Cloughjordan where I live uses Permacul- ture principles in its design to integrate green building, woodlands, organic agriculture, renewable energy and edible landscapes within a living community. Other characteristics of Permaculture that can be seen on the ecovillage would be rain- water harvesting, seed saving, community supported agriculture and forest gardens. Permaculture can be seen as the glue that holds the different aspects of the system together. Our primary objective in develop- ing the ecovillage was to build a model of sustainable community and Permaculture as a design methodology that can help us develop more sustainable human settle- ments. In this economic climate, though, it is unlikely that we will be building more houses, and the challenge will be to retroﬁt existing communities to be more resilient. Permaculture is a powerful tool to do this. Dr. David Suzuki, the international environmental advocate, believes that, “… what permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet. We don’t know what details of a truly sustainable future are going to be like, but we need options, we need people experimenting in all kinds of ways, and per- maculturists are one of the critical groups that are doing that.” Architects, planners, farmers, activ- ists, economists, social scientists, as well as homeowners and gardeners can all utilise the principles of Permaculture design in their work. It has been said that Permacul- ture is revolution disguised as gardening and it is worth taking a course and skilling up in Permaculture if you’re interested in positive change in any way. Green Works, the training pro- gramme managed by Cultivate with hubs in Sligo, Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin and Tipperary, offer a ﬁve day FETAC accredited intro- duction to Permaculture and an Applied Permaculture module. These are now very popular courses and information on them can be found at www.green-works.ie Most of the people involved in Permaculture design have completed a full Permaculture Design course which, for over 20 years, has been the main vehicle for Permaculture training worldwide. A full, immersive Permaculture Design Certiﬁcate course takes place at the Cloughjordan Ecovillage at the end of August and offers the unique opportunity to learn about Permaculture embedded in a real living community. This course, which is organised by Cultivate, includes focused sessions on natural building, local econom- ics, forest gardening, renewable energy, ponds and aquaculture, community design, along with new areas such as eco-enterprise and resilience thinking. Northern Ireland’s ﬁrst accredited full Permaculture Design course is happening from the 12th of July in Holywood, Co. Down. For details, contact info@laganvalleypermaculture.co.uk The Kinsale College of Further Educa- tion offers a fantastic two-year course called Practical Sustainability. This is for people who want to make a difference, and covers a range of practical modules that includes Permaculture Design. A new island-wide Permaculture Gathering is to take place in Co. Wicklow from the 12-14th August 2011 on a site next to the Sugarloaf. This weekend camp aims to support the growing number of Permaculturists in Ireland and to provide an opportunity to meet, network, celebrate and learn together. As Bill Mollison, one of the initial creators of Permaculture, states, “Permac- ulture isn’t culture-changing, it’s culture- enhancing.” Skilling up in Permaculture design is an essential way to build our resilience, our capacity to be better change-makers, and will help us to face the challenges of our times. “…what permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet.” Davie Philip runs the Community Resilience programme at Cultivate, is the Communication Manager at the Green Works Hub in Tipperary and is a resident in the Cloughjordan Ecovillage. www.cultivate.ie www.green-works.ie/tipperary www.thevillage.ie

meditation by Patrick Bridgeman Deepak Chopra Deepak Chopra is a world-renowned authority in the ﬁeld of mind-body healing, a proliﬁc author of more than 55 books, including 14 bestsell- ers on mind-body health, quantum mechanics, spirituality and peace, and the founder of the Chopra Centre for Wellbeing. “I was a highly stressed out doc- tor in Massachusetts, working 14 to 16 hours a day and smoking and drinking to cope with the pressure. I had heard about meditation as a way to relax and release stress, so I immediately checked it out and began meditating the next week. I began by learning Transcen- dental Meditation™ and practiced it for many years. Subsequently, I have practiced Mindfulness meditation, and breath meditation as well. Now I practice Primordial Sound Meditation. Even though I began meditation for health reasons, I soon discovered that the real basis of the beneﬁts of meditation come from the experience of the true self. That spiritual experience of pure awareness was the real begin- ning of my journey of awakening. The ﬁeld of inner silence is the wellspring of all inspiration and creativity. At ﬁrst I needed to quiet down in meditation to contact that pure creativity within, but now, that connection is so well established that it is always available. I have had innumerable life- changing insights that emerged from meditation, and they are all centred around one theme: the innermost self is the universal self, and the wholeness of the cosmos is my true self. Meditation develops self-aware- ness so that you discover your essential nature is an inﬁnite source of love, joy, energy and intelligence. That is who you truly are. As that grows stronger, it will naturally express itself in your relationships. Relationships only work if you have love, compassion and energy inside you to give to others. I meditate early each morning for about an hour. Because most days of the year I am travelling, I will meditate wherever I am. All I need is a comfort- able place to sit.” When I asked Deepak what tips he would give to people trying medita- tion for the ﬁrst time, he said, “Make sure you are practicing a meditation technique that doesn’t involve any mental straining. It should be easy and something that incorporates the natu- ral tendency of the mind to move from one state to another. Meditation should be approached without any expecta- tions, i.e. don’t imagine that the only good result of meditation is perfect tranquillity or visions of angels. A good meditation can be full of thoughts and restlessness if it is clearing away the precise blocks to your spiritual growth that need to be removed at that time. Don’t worry about the incense, the beads and meditation blankets. Just ﬁnd a comfortable place to medi- tate undisturbed for 20 minutes, and practice your technique without effort, knowing that you are putting yourself in the stream of cosmic intelligence and that whatever experience comes during that time is exactly what you need for your spiritual growth. Your higher self knows what you need to grow, far better than your conditioned mind.” Meditation is a way to fully connect with our whole self. Being born into a human body and mind confuses most people. We begin to think that we are just that - a body and a mind - but we are so much more. We can catch glimpses of our true self at different times in our life, and those glimpses may very well have been the inspiration for the creation and refinement of the various systems of meditation - systems designed to increase the frequency and duration of those enlightening experiences. If you look, you will find a path that is right for you. For this article, we talked with some of the world’s most famous Meditation practitioners about their journeys of self discovery - of finding what works best for them. PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMIAH SULLIVAN

David Lynch David Lynch, founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Educa- tion and World Peace, is an award-winning director, writer, and producer. His ﬁlms include The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks, and Blue Velvet. “I remember working on my ﬁrst ﬁlm, Eraserhead, and not being very happy. I had everything I could ever want materially, but inside I felt empty. It was around that time when I remembered the phrase, “True happiness lies within.” I thought that maybe meditation was a way to get there, but I did not know how to do that, or what meditation to choose. Then one day my sister called and said she had started Tran- scendental Meditation™ and there was just something in her voice, a genuine happiness I had never heard before. That is when I knew I wanted to learn Transcendental Meditation™. I had looked into different things but was never moved to practice any other technique. It has been the biggest turning point in my life. When I learned Transcendental Meditation™, I learned how to “dive within” to the ocean of creativity, ocean of happiness, ocean of love, ocean of power within… and I have done that twice a day, every day for 38 years. I have never missed a meditation. I meditate for 20 minutes in the morning before break- fast and for 20 minutes in the late afternoon, at the end of the day, before dinner and before I spend my evening with my wife Emily.” When I asked David if meditation affected his relation- ships, he replied, “Absolutely it affects my relationships because that ﬁeld is the “self” - the self of us all. Transcendental Meditation™ affects all areas of my life, including my work because before I work I dive into an ocean of pure creativity, get wet with that, and then come out and express that in everything I do. There lies within every human being - and I mean every human being - an inﬁnite ﬁeld of energy, love, intelligence, bliss - and you can experience that ﬁeld, you can be that ﬁeld, and you can live that ﬁeld in your daily life. That is my most amazing experience from meditation - and I experience that every day.” Thich Nhat Hanh One of the best known and most respected Zen masters in the world today, poet, peace and human rights activist, Thich Nhat Hanh has led an extraordinary life. Born in central Vietnam in 1926, he was ordained a Buddhist monk at the age of sixteen. Just eight years later, he co-founded what was to become the foremost centre of Buddhist studies in South Vietnam, the An Quang Buddhist Institute. Since his days in Vietnam, he has been a leading pro- ponent of “engaged Buddhism,” a way of life and a spiritual practice that works actively in the world to relieve suffering. The reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was so moved “Before I work I dive into an ocean of pure creativity, get wet with that, and then come out and express that in everything I do.” 30

by him and his proposals for peace that he nominated him for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize, saying, “I know of no one more worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize than this gentle monk from Vietnam.” His practice, Mindfulness, is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous prac- tice of touching life deeply in every moment. “To be mindful is to be truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are doing. It is about bringing our body and mind into harmony while we wash the dishes, drive the car or take our morning shower. Mindful Movements and Deep Relaxation can support our health and happiness, and keep us in touch with our body. We learn to be gentle with ourselves and to give ourselves space to understand and to grow. Practicing in this way, our body becomes our friend.” Breathing “Our breathing is another stable, solid ground that we can take refuge in. Regardless of our internal weather - our thoughts, emotions and perceptions - our breathing is always with us like a faithful friend. Whenever we feel carried away, or sunken in a deep emotion, or scattered in worries and projects, we can return to our breathing to collect and anchor our mind.” Sitting “Knowing when to rest is a deep practice. Sometimes, we try too hard in our practice or we work too much without mind- fulness; thus we become tired very easily. Sitting meditation is like returning home to give full attention to and care for our self. We realize we can just be with whatever is within us - our pain, anger, and irritation, or our joy, love, and peace. We are with whatever is there without being carried away by it. Let it come, let it stay, then let it go. No need to push, to oppress, or to pretend our thoughts are not there. We are free to be still and calm despite the storms that might arise in us.” Walking “Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are present with each step. Looking around, we see how vast life is, the trees, the white clouds, the limitless sky. Listen to the birds. Feel the fresh breeze. Life is all around and we are alive.” Working “Working Meditation links us to our everyday life, both here and when we return home. As we are working at our com- puter or preparing dinner for our family or teaching a class, we can practice stopping, calming and refreshing ourselves with our conscious breathing. We can relax and smile at our co-workers and pace ourselves to maintain a light and serene state of being.” Eating “Eating a meal together is also a meditative practice. As we serve our food, we can already begin practicing. Serving ourselves, we realize that many elements, such as the rain, sunshine, earth, air and love, have all come together to form this wonderful meal. In fact, through this food we see that the entire universe is sup- porting our existence.” Hugging “When we hug, our hearts connect and we know that we are not separate beings. Hugging with mindfulness and concen- tration can bring reconciliation, healing, understanding, and much happiness. The practice of mindful hugging has helped so many to reconcile with each other - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, friends and friends, and so many others. We may practice hugging meditation with a friend, our daughter, our father, our partner or even with a tree. To practice, we ﬁrst bow and recognize the presence of each other. Then we can enjoy three deep conscious breaths to bring ourselves fully there. We then may open our arms and begin hugging. Holding each other for three in-and-out breaths. With the ﬁrst breath, we are aware that we are present in this very moment and we are happy. With the second breath, we are aware that the other is present in this moment and we are happy as well. With the third breath, we are aware that we are here together, right now on this earth, and we feel deep gratitude and happiness for our togetherness. We then may release the other person and bow to each other to show our thanks.” Conclusion There are as many types of meditative practice out there as there are people. What works for you works because you are you. For some, it’s sitting cross-legged focusing on their breath going in and going out. For others, it’s losing them- selves in dance and music. I feel connected when I’m holding a healing space and helping others to more fully connect with their true self. You have a way also. You may already know it, or you may be inspired to try something that you have read about in this article. If it feels like it’s moving you in the right direction, chances are you’re onto a winner. Patrick Bridgeman: www.patrickbridgeman.com David Lynch: www.davidlynchfoundation.org TM Ireland: www.tm-ireland.org Deepak Chopra: www.deepakchopra.com Primordial Sound Meditation: www.choprateachers.com Thich Nhat Hanh in Ireland in 2012: mindfulness-ireland.org

I arrived at the secluded country retreat, leaving all connections to work, family and friends in the boot of my car. I’d been warned that there would be no commu- nication with the outside world. No one would be allowed to immerse themselves in a fancy novel or inform themselves with a newspaper. We would be waking up at 7 am and ﬁ nishing late each day. We wouldn’t have to do anything but give ourselves fully to the Hoffman Process. Deep down, I was scared stiff. The Process is based on a theory called Negative Love Syndrome, meaning that everyone adopts behaviours from their parents, some that are positive, but many that are negative and get in the way of us having happy, fulﬁ lled lives. Looking for attention; trying to please mum and dad; and being angry because of rules are nor- mal behaviours for a child. For me, it meant rebelling against rules, feeling controlled and thinking nobody listened to me. As we get older, these childhood patterns still live in us and can become great obstacles in our lives. But what’s important to note is that nobody is to blame. Our parents’ negative characteristics were not their fault, they simply inherited them from their parents and so on. Having spent hours ﬁ lling out questionnaires about my emotional and psychological life, my family history and my history of trauma, I felt prepared. Shar- ing a house with strangers didn’t daunt me, but my expectations did. I was expecting something amazing. I left a note to myself in my drawer before I left. It said something like: ‘Katie, you are about to leave for The Hoffman Process. Whatever happens, all is well.’ My housemates were a mixed bag of something-professionals. There was the bossy man, the insecure and pretty high ﬂ yer, the secretive mother, and the lost girl – that was me. I discovered that one man thought me scatty and insecure at ﬁ rst, and another thought I was spoilt. “But you’re great now,” they said. We were all judging each other until we began to discover the pain in our lives. With that came under- standing as we guided each other through the difﬁ culties of discovering how our childhood experiences caused much of our current pain. The Process uses powerful medita- tions and visualisations, as well as writing and drawing as we unravel our past. We were advised not to intellectualise everything. I had to let go of my normal behaviours and reactions, as did everyone else, and just believe there was method to the madness. I nearly walked out twice. But, by letting go, I discovered deeply rooted patterns that were preventing me from living a fulﬁ lling life. Visualising my own negative funeral was an eye-opener. I imagined all my friends, colleagues, ex-lovers and family shouting and laughing at my stupidity, how I couldn’t accept myself, how naive I was to life and all its follies. Horriﬁ ed, I jumped out of that grave with pleasure, and vowed to myself that I would realise my potential, choose a different path and get more out of life. The Process was an emotional roller- coaster ride. It was exhilarating, touching, depressing and fascinating. We had ﬁ res, danced, laughed and shouted. We bashed pillows. We cried buckets. We ate together with laughter and, at times, in a saddening silence. But once I retreated to my room, I’d have a giggle with my roomie who was my knight in shining armour. We’re now great friends. Since the Process, the negative chatter in my head has lessened. My negative beliefs that developed from my past experiences are gone and I can now reach my stronger inner-self. I’m able to see my anxieties, and what they’re telling me, clearly. I had starved myself from having fun and enjoying my life for so long. The Hoffman Process has helped me open a can of goodness, full of opportunity and excite- ment. And I’m going to drink everything in that can till my belly is full. And if old, negative behaviours crop up, that’s OK. I’m aware of them now and what they do. And I now have the choice to do things differently. Through this awareness, I feel I’ve been given a map of how to live. And I certainly intend to use it. www.hoﬀ manireland.com Tel: 01-8204422 the HoR man process by Katie Roche “I feel I’ve been given a map of how to live.” 32

Siobhan McKenna www.perfecthealth.ie Chopra Meditation, Ayurvedic Health & Stress Management For up coming courses email info@perfecthealth.ie or visit us on Facebook:Perfect Health Ireland AURA-SOMA® “A Window to the Soul” Vicky Wall WORKSHOPS WITH AURA-SOMA A DAY WITH THE ARCHANGELS July 10, Greystones COLOURS OF BEAUTY August 20 & 21 Avoca SILENCE AND SOUND RETREAT October 8, Gorey Awakening your true potential SHEILA DOODY 087 9505258 4936128 sheiladoody1@yahoo.ie !0DULH0LOOV Yoga & Ayurveda, Cork For enduring stress relief in the modern world ● Stress relief specialist ● Ayurveda treatments & education ● Yoga & Meditation teacher ● Whole health & nutrition tutor ● Public speaker on Yoga & Ayurveda APA, ARCHTI, IMTA, AVIVA New to Ireland Marie Mills in association with Ayurveda Pura Academy: Ayurvedic trainings and Workshops Beginning August 27 & 28, 2011, Galbally, Co. Tipperary Tel: 086-1778369 www.contemporaryayurveda.com The Indigo Holistic Healing Centre Tuam , Co. Galway. !û7ELLBEINGû#ENTREûFORû%VERYONEûOFFERINGûAûDIVERSEû RANGEûOFû4HERAPIESû û0LEASEûREFERûTOûOURû7EBSITE 0AULINEû2OHDICHû û!û#HOPRAû#ERTIlûEDû)NSTRUCTORûINûBOTHû 4HEû3EVENû3PIRITUALûLAWSûOFû9OGAûANDû0RIMORDIALû3OUNDû -EDITATIONû 7EEKLYûCLASSESûINûBOTHû#HOPRAûPRACTISESû0RIVATEûTUITIONû ISûALSOûAVAILABLEûONûREQUEST EMAILýMEýDIRECTLYý ýROHDICH GMAILCOMýMOBýý ýýý ýýýWWWINDIGOHOLISTICHEALINGIEýTELý ýý A W\U`8Y6i]h`Uf 7\cdfU7YbhfYDf]acfX]U`GcibX AYX]hUh]cb=bghfiWhcf Gd]f]hiU`

The Rude Health Show `abc daee, fgh ijkblbmbnc opcmqp, grlebc, 10mk - 11mk hptmpulpq 2011. vqpeacw’y `nym ijzbmbc{ |amrqae }nnwy acw hrymabcalep ~bpymep ipcm, ytncynqpw l mkp vfvhd hhovv| } di~d hfih. By Jill Bell IAHS passionately believe in empowering customers in our shops and visitors to our show to make wise decisions relating to health. Empowerment and wise decisions can only come about through good, sound information; so, many of our speakers will also have stands at the show where you can seize the opportunity to speak personally to these experts and get their take on your own particular health issues. Last year, Patrick Holford spoke three times each day, Success breeds success! Feedback from last year’s Rude Health Show was so positive from both visitors and exhibitors that the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS) has been busy planning this year’s Rude Health Show since last October. It goes without saying that this year’s show will be even bigger and better, with a new mix of stands and speakers to whet the appetite. Our UK speakers and exhibitors constantly comment on the Irish public’s hunger for information. As show sponsors, the 34

and we marvelled at his stamina – but he knows how to do it! This year, he’s back to do it again. The entry arrangements will be organised to give everyone a fair chance to hear him. There will not be any special ticketing arrangements, it will be a simple queuing system. He will give 3 free talks on both Saturday and Sunday. To avoid disappointment, anyone not getting into the 12 noon talk on Saturday can catch it at 4pm or again at 12 noon and 4pm on Sunday. So, get there early to be sure of a seat. Somebody who has arrived on the Irish scene a little more recently than Patrick Holford is Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD. Marilyn is a registered member of the Nutrition Society, a Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine, psychologist, author and broadcaster who obtained her doctor- ate from Cambridge University. She has studied and practised nutri- tion for over 25 years, both in the UK and in the USA, focusing on the natural approach to female hormone problems. Today, she is recognised as the UK’s leading nutrition- ist specialising in women’s health. PMS, menopause, infertility, “fat around the middle”, and prevention of osteoporosis all fall within Marilyn’s ﬁeld. She is practical with suggestions, extremely approach- able, and well used to addressing a room full of women with hormonal problems. Marilyn’s Natural Health Clinic also has a presence at the show so you’ll be able to catch her at her stand between talks. Another speaker is the Professor of Geochemistry from the Imperial College, London. You may wonder what relevance such a specialist could possibly have for us at Rude Health. The person referred to is Prof. Jane Plant, and like Marilyn Glenville, she is a woman whose academic qualiﬁca- tions are allied to an extremely engaging, warm-hearted personality; and whose personal experience of cancer and mental health issues guarantee full audiences year after year. Working in China with her hus- band following several brushes with breast cancer, Jane’s analytical mind realised that diet can have huge implications for hormo- nal cancers. These cancers, she found, were relatively rare in China, as was consump- tion of dairy products, and Jane’s research has led to several books, all empowering women and men to make choices based on sound research and information. Jan de Vries, the polymath of natural medicine, will be with us again from Scot- land this year. He combines his experience of herbal remedies, homeopathy, manipu- lation, iridology and so much more in an inimitable manner which simply ﬂows as he heals and suggests ways of meeting life’s challenges. This year we are inviting several high proﬁle celebrity chefs and we’re also planning for the return of the artisan food section. The central food demon- stration area of the show will have top foodie names working in front of visitors to produce tips, ideas and wonderful ﬂavours for you to taste. We will introduce Dale Pinnock, whose book on Medicinal Cookery is scheduled for publication this year, and are delighted to welcome herbal- ist Vivienne Campbell. Many people will remember that Vivienne played an integral role in Richard Corrigan’s RTE series last year, and she will teach us how to use local herbs to maintain our health and beauty. Another speaker whose talks were booked out last year is Dr. Prannie Rhatigan whose innovative book, Irish Seaweed Kitchen, has proven to be very popular. Prannie is a medical doctor and lifelong seaweed cook. A native of the West Coast of Ireland, she gardens organically and has been familiar with seaweeds since childhood. At the show in September, she will use the demo area to show us how to beneﬁt from seaweeds, and how they can be incorporated into bread, cakes and even ice cream so that even the most dubious will look for second helpings. Patrick Holford, Jan de Vries, Mari- lyn Glenville, Bernadette Bohan, Karen Ward, and many other speakers offering you a choice of four talks each hour in the four lecture theatres, plus the on-going food demos in the central area of the hall, and over two hundred exhibition stands to visit. We feel we’ve put together some- thing extra special for you again this year and hope you’ll ﬁnd even more than what you’re looking for. Be sure to give us your feedback and we’ll continue to do our best for you. Free show tickets will be available from IAHS member stores from mid August, and you can check for your nearest store on www.irishhealthstores.com You can also keep updated with the latest show news at www.rudehealth.ie “This year we are inviting several high proﬁle celebrity chefs and we’re also planning for the return of the artisan food section.”

By Patricia O Sullivan BSc, Pg Ed, Dip CT. CNM lecturer Those of you who like to read articles on health and wellbeing will be aware of the frequently mentioned hormone ‘Cortisol’ and its impact on health. More and more, students training in natural medicine at the College of Naturopathic Medicine report seeing Cortisol imbalance as one of the most common presenting complaints with patients attending clinic. What is our current understanding of ‘Cortisol,’ and why is it so important? Cortisol is a hor- mone released in the body in response to Stress. But it is often misunderstood. As with so many things, Knowledge is Power. When we understand how Cortisol works and, most importantly, know when our Cortisol levels may be out of balance, then we can use Cortisol in a positive way and use it to empower ourselves. Cortisol is essential for life, we can- not live without it, it plays a functional role. Long before it was hijacked by evolution as a stress hormone, Cortisol responded to the sun and its light and dark projection on our world. To this day, Cortisol responds to our body clock, increasing as we wake with the light in the morning and decreasing as we fall asleep in night-time darkness. The morning release of Cortisol hauls us out of our sleep, wakes us up and gets us going in the morning - this is known as the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). With this burst of Cortisol, blood is diverted away from our internal organs to our brains and muscles so we can increase alertness, take ourselves out of our sleep cycle and use our muscles to get up and move about. Cortisol communicates with the liver to make more blood glucose available so that we have energy to get up and go. However, Cortisol normally drops during the day, with perhaps a minor burst in the late afternoon, and then further lowers towards evening and during sleep. What is really important for us all is to be able to identify when we have devi- ated from this rhythm because of stressors in our lives. If you feel your Cortisol level is staying high all day and not reducing at night, it is good to have a pre-planned rescue package ready in order to rebalance. How does your body try and tell you that Cortisol has become elevated? Signs and symptoms may include feeling very tired or very overwhelmed, our mood and memory may diminish, we may crave alcohol, have insomnia or ﬁnd ourselves frequently coming down with colds and ﬂus, and we may ﬁnd it really difﬁcult to relax, as if the ‘on’ button is on all the time. If we bypass this stage and the adrenals become ‘exhausted’ from pro- longed overproduction of Cortisol, we can become intolerant to stress, where even the smallest stressor provokes a large reaction - inﬂammation and fatigue increase, aches 36 understanding cortisol A path to wellbeing and empowerment! “Cortisol is essential for life, we cannot live without it.”

and pains develop throughout the body and we feel tired all the time. These signs and symptoms are there to tell us that we need to mind ourselves more. They are an awakening, a signal, a call for restoration, like a steam train run- ning out of adequate fuel to power itself. At this point, we need to replenish our fuel stocks. RESTORE/REPLENISH/REBALANCE Maintaining a balanced Cortisol cycle requires a holistic response and a correla- tion with a lifestyle that supports what Cortisol has evolved to do. Cortisol just wants to be treated right and to do its job. The following tips are hugely helpful if Cortisol is out of balance: Adopt a nutrient rich, anti-inﬂammatory » diet full of antioxidant rich foods. Ensure you get sufﬁcient sleep and align- » ment with the light/dark cycle. Avoid all stimulants. » Balance blood sugars with diet. » Avoid reﬁned and simple sugars. » Start every day with porridge oats ( »Avena sativa). Take a good multivitamin/multimineral. » Take a good vitamin B-complex. » Ensure moderate exercise and lots of fresh » air, as time spent out in nature is deeply restorative. Shallow breathing increases the stress » response, so improve breathing techniques, with plenty of emphasis on deep breathing. Make simple infusions which help calm the » nervous system (Lemon Balm tea, Chamo- mile, Skullcap). If necessary, make an appointment with » your local herbalist or naturopath who will make a herbal formula speciﬁc to you and your needs. (With Cortisol imbalance they are likely to prescribe adaptogenic herbs such as Siberian Ginseng or Liquorice in therapeutic dosages). Research shows that individuals with » self-reported ‘eudemonia’ such as purpose in life, gratitude, self-acceptance and personal growth have a balanced Cortisol Circadian cycle and lower overall levels of Cortisol, so aim to be your highest self and practice gratitude every day. Optimists have more balanced Cortisol » levels: so believe that you can make, and beneﬁt from, positive change in the world. Most importantly of all, nurture who you are » at the deepest level. Research has shown that even if genetics or early in-utero/childhood experiences have left us slightly more prone to high Cortisol, this can be reversed by integrating positive, nurturing habits that promote a natural Cortisol cycle. Over the next week, aim to evalu- ate if your Cortisol levels are balanced and, if you suspect they are not, design your own personalised plan with the tips above! Over the next week, aim to evaluate if your Cortisol levels are balanced and if you suspect they are not, design your own personalised plan with the tips above! For a private consultation with Patricia, contact presenthealth@hotmail.com . CNM is running seminars on Understanding and Rebalancing Cortisol: Sept 13th (Cork) and Sept 14th (Dublin) www.naturopathy.ie Open evenings in Dublin, Cork and Galway running throughout the summer. See www.naturopathy.ie Contact 01-2353094 or dublininfo@naturopathy-ireland.com cortisol

somatics `bcw- nw qabcbc{ nq abc }qpp `npupcm By Lisa Petersen “Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body.” James Joyce (Dubliners) What do you do when you are wound up like a spring and just can’t relax your muscles? Imagine what it would be like if you could press a reboot button? It might seem counterintuitive, but you need to learn how to control your muscles in order to relax them. Bear in mind that this kind of relaxing is not the same thing as ﬂ op- ping down on the sofa. One is conscious relaxation. The other is not. What would it be like if you could train your brain to communicate better with your body, and train your body to listen more clearly? It’s like learning to speak a language ﬂ uently. Most of us are still stammering beginners when it comes to clearly connecting the mind and the body. SENSORY MOTOR AMNESIA Stress and repetitive motion have similar affects. Whether we are at the computer for hours or sitting in trafﬁ c, our bodies react to life’s daily stresses. Sometimes, we tighten so often, or for so long, that the feedback loop between the brain and muscles goes into a sort of ‘auto-pilot’. Thomas Hanna, the founder of Somatics called this Sensory Motor Amnesia. In other words, we develop an unconscious habit of tightness. For example, a hairdresser may develop wrist pain. A builder’s back might go into spasm. Some- one gardening or working at a computer all day may ﬁ nd it hard to straighten up fully. When muscles become chronically contracted, painful and sore, they lose their ﬂ exibility and elasticity. Muscles pull on our bones like the guide ropes on a tent. When our muscles get too tight, they have a profound affect on our posture and how we feel about ourselves. Imagine you are a human snow- man. The top ball, which is the head, has to be balanced over the middle ball, which is the ribs, and both have to be balanced over the lowest ball, which is the pelvis. Any change in the centre of gravity and the snowman will topple. DEEPLY ROOTED, DEEPLY RELAXED Try this. Stand with your feet a little apart and imagine you are standing on the bones of your legs. Invite your leg muscles to lightly hug your bones rather than gripping them. Now, slowly release your chin towards your chest and feel your head hanging like a bowling ball. Your head weighs between 4 and 5 kilos. Feel all that weight release and let it take you downwards. Bend your legs generously as you go so your upper body ends up folded over your lower body. Just go as far as is comfortable. Nod your head ‘yes’ and shake it ‘no’ a few times, and let go of any tension in your neck. Open your mouth, sigh, and relax your jaw. Stay like that for up to a minute. With time, as you practice, you’ll feel your whole spine lengthening as it surrenders to gravity. When you are ready, bend your knees a little more, press down through your feet and imagine you are making a deeper imprint into the ﬂ oor as if you were standing on soft sand. Slowly push up, tracking the force from your feet through your ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, through the soft tissue of your belly and chest, up through your spine and ﬁ nally into your head. Your knees will only fully straighten as your head comes upright. Notice how you feel physically and mentally. With a little practice, you can feel effortlessly relaxed, yet strong and balanced, like a tree deeply rooted into the earth. Planting a tree is an act of opti- mism. You nurture it with hope, faith and care, and protect it against the elements. Then you just let it grow. Growth and change happen naturally. Plant your tree. Do it again and again and notice how your life changes. “If you can sense it and feel it, you can change it.” Thomas Hanne, PHD www.alignsomatics.com “Our muscles…have a profound affect on our posture, and how we feel about ourselves.” 38

Demos and tastings at Rude Health. For more information or to purchase Irish Seaweed Kitchen visit www.prannie.com Gourmand Award Winner Best First Cookbook Now in second edition due to sell out success Mind-Body Training for Pain Free Movement. Align provides a new service in fast, sustainable pain relief. We train you to recognise the root cause of your physical tension and give you the skills ﬁx it yourself. We offer a long term cure not just a short term solution. Our science based method is called Somatic Movement Education. Align guarantees a reduction in pain in 5 session or your money back. We also offer a free 15 minute consultation. Align will be holding an introductory talk on June 26th at 4pm at Open Mind Yoga, 1 Temple Lane South, Temple Bar. Contact: Tanya Fitzpatrick: 086-328 0193 Lisa Petersen: 085-737 6076 Experience: Fasting lasting results Sustainable cost effective methods Pain free treatment Easy practical exercises We treat: Back, neck and shoulder pain Sports injuries Stress related tension Accident Rehabilitation “Somatics is life changing. I recommend it highly - it is truly amazing. After four sessions, my back was no longer my problem - instead it became like a long lost friend.” TERESA HYNES, CO. KILDARE. E-mail: info@alignsomatics.com Web: www.alignsomatics.com The Hopsack Rathmines, Dublin 6 Ph (01) 4960399 info@hopsack.ie www.hopsack.ie FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND COMPETE FOR TREATS! Ireland’s leading healthstore, in Rathmines, Dublin for 30 years still offering the best in wholefoods, gluten free foods, supplements and natural remedies along with the ﬁ nest nutritional wisdom and dietary advice that money can’t buy - because we offer it for FREE! VIEW OUR FULL SHOP ONLINE!

Part time accredited training for a rewarding new career Nutrition & Health Coaching (1 year) Nutritional Therapy (3 years) Nutrition & Health Irish Institute of www.iinh.net 01 272 3003 info@iinh.netIINH ltd., Bray, Co. Wicklow 'Teaching the Nutrition of the Future' How to grow organically? How to compost? How to make best use of a polytunnel? Visit The Organic Centre this summer and ﬁ nd out. Attend a course.• Book a guided tour (minimum of 10 people)• Bring your own picnic.• The Organic Centre Garden Party - Sunday 17th July Tickets €8 www.theorganiccentre.ie E-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie Ph: 071-9854338 The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim … where inspiration becomes action ROSSINVER, CO. LEITRIM

By Hans Wieland What amazing variety of plant can be easily grown by children, beginner gardeners, people with no garden at all, food lovers, chefs and commercial producers, providing year round produce for culinary, medicinal and cosmetic use and making every patch of garden look great? The answer is: Herbs! Creating your own herb garden is an adventure and a wonderful pleasure. You can decide whether you want it formal or informal, totally culinary or medicinal. As herbs are basically ‘wild plants’, it makes sense to grow them in conditions comparable to their natural habitat. In general, herbs like a neutral to alkaline soil. Most culinary herbs originate from the Mediterranean, like a dry, sunny home, and prefer free-draining soil - with the excep- tion of mint, which likes damp ground and grows well in semi-shade. HOW TO GROW? Herbs can be grown from seed indoors in a seed tray using a good seed compost. You can also sow outdoors once the soil has warmed up in late Spring. Buying herb transplants is an easier but more expensive start, or you can now try softwood cuttings to propagate Rosemary, Sage and Thyme. Cut a shoot from a non-ﬂowering tip of the plant, remove the leaves from the bottom third of the cutting, make a hole in the compost, insert the cutting up to the leaves, water and cover with a clear plastic bag. HERBS TO START WITH Basic is good! My suggestions for a basic culinary herb garden is: Coriander, Chives, Parsley, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Oregano and Marjoram. Basil under cover or in a polytunnel. 1 Coriander: An annual herb which is easily grown from seed. It gives a kick to any salad and has many culinary uses. It goes to seed quickly but then you can harvest the seeds in Autumn and use them freshly ground in curries, etc. 2 Chives: Can be grown from seed but it is easier to divide clumps of already established plants. Has a mild onion ﬂavour. Use sprinkled on soups, salads and in egg dishes, or blend with sour cream as a top- ping for baked potatoes. It is always good to have a few chives, so you could let one plant produce ﬂowers, which are excellent in salads. 3 Parsley: A must in the garden, and not just for using as a garnish. It comes in two forms: the dark-green, plain leaved parsley and the paler, milder, curled parsley. It is high in Iron and Vitamin C. 4 Mint: Various varieties are available. The one found growing in most gardens is spearmint, which is often used on roast lamb. Peppermint is stronger and makes a good tea. Note: Mint can be very invasive and should be grown in a pot to avoid taking over the herb garden. 5 Thyme: Garden thyme is the best known of the thymes. Its fragrant leaves are essential in Bouquet Garni. Lemon thyme is another lovely thyme which attracts bees and is good in ﬁsh and mushroom recipes. 6 Rosemary: A hardy perennial shrub which needs a well-drained soil and sheltered position. As it is evergreen, you can pick sprigs all year round. Try it with meat dishes, particularly lamb, and to ﬂavour roast potatoes. 7 Sage: A perennial evergreen shrub which has a strong distinct ﬂavour. The beautiful mauve ﬂowers are very attractive in the herb garden. Used in many pork and Italian dishes. 8 Oregano & Marjoram: Perennial bushy plants that attract bees in the garden. Oregano is more aromatic and stronger than Marjoram and is traditionally used in pizzas and pasta. 9 Basil: The most common is Sweet Basil. Basil needs heat and protection. Can be made into Pesto or eaten fresh with home- grown tomatoes and homemade cheese! “Cornucopia at home – The Cook- book” sums it up: Fresh herbs are the most wonderful visual, olfactory and gustatory addition to savoury cooking, both hot and cold...they are working their natural magic for you as you enjoy their tasty tones.” (I couldn’t have said it better myself.) positive food The Organic Centre oﬀers several courses on growing and cooking herbs, their medicinal uses, identiﬁcation of wild herbs and their uses. For further details, contact The Organic Centre on 071-9854338 or info@theorganiccentre.ie or www.theorganiccentre.ie the wonder of herbs Part 1 - Culinary Herbs 41 “Fresh herbs are the most wonderful visual, olfactory and gustatory addition to savoury cooking.” 41

positive food 42 summerrecipes What I love about this time of year is the joy in the air. The tingle and crackle as the sun hits your skin, the colour and light that hits your retina and makes your heart sing. So, on that energetic note, the ﬁrst recipe is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Edible Flower Salad with an Orange Vinaigrette Calendula petals Purple Chive heads Nasturtium ﬂowers Bowl of mixed salad leaves of choice 120 ml freshly squeezed orange juice 60 ml cider vinegar 90 ml virgin olive oil 2 tsp of maple syrup 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp of fresh tarragon (or whatever fresh herbs you have handy) 1/2 tsp miso paste (optional) Tips for eating ﬂowers: Only eat ﬂowers you are positive are edible. Always wash your ﬂowers thoroughly, ensuring no pes- ticides have been used in the growing. Remove stamens from ﬂowers, as on the whole it is best to only eat the ﬂower petals. Toss the prepared ﬂowers with your leaves, adding the vinaigrette just before serving. To prepare the vinaigrette, put all the other ingredients in (I use an old jar or bottle) and shake very vigorously for quite a few minutes so the ﬂavour of the herbs is bruised and infused into the liquid. This may seem like a lot of dressing but it is great poured over vegetables too, especially broccoli. In Chinese Medicine, there are two seasons for Summer. The ﬁrst we are in already, where everything is still expanding and growing into its full potential. The second approaches in late Summer where we harvest all the abundance that came from the energy of creation. So, I thought I would share a favourite recipe to kp qm n oncyzbnry onnbc{ By Joanne Faulkner

ﬁt each season, both of which are adapta- tions from Davrick Leggett’s inspirational book, “Recipes for Self Healing.” Beetroot Relish The bursting sunshine and energy of early Summer ﬁnds its place within us in the Heart/Small Intestine meridian. It is the joy of ﬂinging your arms open wide, and this relish is full of that lively, wake-up energy. Make it as an alternative coleslaw and watch people’s eyebrows raise and a broad smile appear. Both the beetroot and parsley are a great tonic for the blood which then has a nourishing effect on the heart. 4-5 cooked beetroots 1 red onion 120 g fresh ﬂat leaf parsley If possible, use 4 tbsp of freshly grated horseradish and 1 tbsp of cider vinegar. However, if not available, 2 tbsp of horseradish used from a jar is perfectly acceptable. 1 tsp runny honey Salt to taste Grate the beetroot, ﬁnely chop the red onion and ﬂat leaf parsley, then put all ingredients in a bowl, mix and allow to stand for hopefully an hour before anyone eats it. Herby Millet The stomach/spleen relates to this harvest time of year. Its sweet softness is akin to the mother energy that supports and comforts you. Often people will crave this comfort through chocolate, but that can produce an addictive cycle. It’s much better to go for the sweet taste through appropriate grains and root vegetables. After making this, you will wonder why you haven’t cooked with millet more often. I do every time. It is so comforting and grounding; mouthful by mouthful you can feel your stomach relaxing. 1 onion 1 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves of garlic 250 g millet 1 pint miso or vegetable stock Big handful of fresh ﬂat leaf parsley Very big handful of fresh sage Few sprigs of thyme Flakes of seaweed (optional but always good to use whenever possible) Pinch of Salt Firstly, chop and gently fry the onion, adding the chopped garlic, parsley and millet after 5 minutes. Stir on the heat, making sure all ingredients are coated with oil and beginning to cook, then add the stock, chopped sage, thyme, seaweed and salt. Cover the pot, bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes, adding more stock or seasoning if needed. My love of the energy of food comes from my mother and my shiatsu practice. Not so recently, a client came suffering severe acid indigestion. Shiatsu enabled her to understand and communicate with her own body. Together, we found the triggers and the supportive foods that helped her trans- form her condition. The millet recipe really strengthened her system and helped reduce the acid, as it is one of the few alkalising grains easily digested by the stomach and spleen... Note to myself: eat more millet. I forget how good this recipe is. Joanne is a fully qualiﬁed Shiatsu Practitioner who specializes in food and the energetic impact it has on our bodies. To book a treatment, please contact her on 0866070432. For information on catering or to book a place on a course that delves further into balancing energy through food, email joannefaulkner@live.ie Upcoming dates: The Art of Conscious Cooking for the Heart/Small Intestine 25th June; The Beehive: Mindfulness, Meditation and Contemplation Retreat 27th-31st July; The Art of Conscious Cooking for the Stomach/Spleen 13th August recipes PHOTOS: EMMA BRERETON

with Tufxbsu!Qfbsdf stewart@thealchemyofvoice.comwww.thealchemyofvoice.com Bohfmjd!Tpvoe!!Ifbmjoh!Qspdfttft! These workshops and one-to-one sessions inspire sound healing and leading edge spiritual intelligence, to enchant the compassion of the heart, body and soul to super-coherence. The work was given by divine transmission in 1987, and for many years Stewart has worked internationally as a Master of Voice, Sound Healer, Angel Facilitator, Clairvoyant, guiding people through the transformation and magic of the song of their soul. Stewart facilitates through his own private practice and at the College of Psychic Studies in London.

short & sweet 45 I was certain I wanted to teach Yoga from a very early stage, and I never really thought too much about the ins and outs as I was too busy going through them. The same is true of Outdoor Yoga. The response has generally been very good, and it seems to get busier as time goes on. Classes are mixed levels and suitable for beginners, unless it says otherwise on the timetable. We use Phoenix Park, Stephen’s Green and Herbert Park at the moment, and this year they are all equally as busy as each other, which is great. To anyone who thinks they might feel self-conscious, I always say that although there might be lots of other people in the park, they are generally more concerned about how they look. Also, groups vary from about a dozen up to thirty, so it’s not as if it’s just you and a teacher throwing mad shapes in the middle of Stephen’s Green. We make every effort to move into the quieter parts of the park. We use the band- stands in all three parks when it rains, or a lot of the time we just take shelter under one of the beautiful chestnut trees. The ratio of men to women can vary, but there are usu- ally more women than men. So, if you haven’t already, why not come down and give it a try, or get yourself to somewhere outdoors that you love and have a stretch and a few deep breaths, and allow yourself, even if it’s only for one breath, to stop and accept everything in that moment for all that it is. www.outdooryoga.ie Outdoor Yoga By Matt Quigley

short & sweet Book - El Libro de los Abrazos by Eduardo Galeano. “The Book of Embraces”. Beautiful, mad tales and drawings by this amazing Uruguayan author and journalist. Film - La Bataille d’Alger (Gillo Pontecorvo, 1966). Incredible true story with the real leaders of the revolution starring as them- selves, and really sweet scenes of the ingenuity and community spirit of the people of Algiers who triumph in the face of oppres- sion (and a cool soundtrack too). Music - 27B. Guaranteed to make me dance. An Irish group mak- ing really great music. Website - streetartutopia.com Food - Irish Curly Kale dressed in extra virgin olive oil, sea salt & pepper and brieﬂy oven baked. Or a million Sharonfruits. Venue - The Gonzo Theatre, Cavan - a really cool and innovative space dedicated to airing new and unique performance ideas. Event - Earthsong / Dance and Movement Camp. I arrange my year around this event each year. Destination - Any beach covered in sunshine and happy people playing games together. Pastime - West African dance. An old Suﬁ saying tells us that “God respects us when we work, but loves us when we dance.” Exercise - Swimming (especially in the sea). Movement is the antidote to attachment. Spiritual Practice - Gardening - heaven on earth and the mystery and joys of life lie in the compost heap. Spiritual Teacher - Mama Mc Caff (my mother). The gentlest, wisest and most understanding human I’ve met. Quote - “Learn about everything in yourself, because if you learn from yourself about yourself, then you will not be a second hand human being.” ~ Krishnamurti It’s a wonderful experience to meditate outdoors in a beautiful, natural environment; and here’s hoping this Summer will offer an abundance of opportunities. Take a walk on the beach or down a quiet boreen. Deeply exhale away tensions and loosen the body to enjoy a comfortable stride. Walking along, awaken the senses fully and deeply to the nature around you. Notice the many scents in the air - be it the salty scent of the ocean or the coconut scent of gorse - breathe it in deeply. Feel your feet meeting the earth and the wind brushing your face. Listen to the birds, the waves or whatever it may be. Listen for each individual sound. Look all around and take it all in. Notice colours, textures, shapes, movements, the big picture and the ﬁner details. Surrender the senses, the mind and the body to the experience of letting go. Feeling relaxed and pleasantly absorbed by the beauty around you, ﬁnd a place to sit comfortably. Close the eyes softly and allow the breath to become the focal point. Notice the journey of breath into the body and, with each exhalation, feel the body release to relaxation a little more. Notice how the breath deepens and slows. Thoughts will come and go. Observe them drifting by like the clouds but try not to follow them. Stay centred and keep bringing your awareness back to the breath. After about ﬁve minutes, open your eyes slowly. Notice the sense of peacefulness within and appreciate the intense beauty without. Meditation for Summer By Yvonne Fannon 46 My Favourite Things Name: Kim Mc Cafferty Occupation: Teacher/Dancer/Chancer

Large selection of gift- ware & books in store Stockists of Trilogy, Burts Bee’s, Tisserand, Weleda & many more fantastic natural brands 50% off a mini nutritional therapy consultation at the Rude Health Show, 10th, 11th September (to avail of discount show this ad or mention Positive Life) For more info, visit us at www.ntoi.ie RUDE HEALTH SHOWvisit us at stands 19 and 20 " & - '!*!, # )!%#*!"*. $!#-*!"*.*!%*&+ * ' ( www.spiritoﬀ olk.com hello@spiritoﬀ olk.com +%((-(" & * ! " !# " ! ! #! ! ! ! ! $ " Other courses at The Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies 2011 ¥ Shamanic Practitioners Course - April 1-3, May 6-8, July 8-10, Aug 26-28 ¥ Holotropic Breathwork TM - July 22nd - 24th The Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies Summer Solstice Workshop 16th-19th June 2011 SHAMANIC STATESSACRED SITES Our ancient ancestors celebrated the solstice on the sacred sites at this special time of year. They knew the importance of performing rituals when the por- tals to the other world were open and the veil between the worlds was thin. This four day workshop is open to those who wish to explore the shamanic realms at a deeper level. We will be performing ritual and ceremony on the sacred sites of the Boyne Valley. The workshop will also include a Celtic Sweatlodge, ecstatic journeying - using trance dance, breathwork and drumming to journey deeper, healing circle, spirit boat, Þrewalking ceremony, shamanic healing work, trance dancing, time in nature, free/party time. The cost of the workshop is £295, residential at Dunderry Park . Tuition, food and accomodation included. Courses facilitated by Martin Duffy, MIAHIP, MIACP, CMHN, EAP, Shamanic teacher and transper- sonal psychotherapist. All courses and events are held at Dunderry Park, Navan, Co. Meath. Ireland. Contact us Visit - www.shamanismireland.com / Email - info@shamanismireland.com Call - 00 353 46 90 74455 / Engage - www.facebook.com/shamanismireland

Ireland’s longest - established provider of insurance• for Holistic Therapists Practitioners Preferential premiums • for members of the approved associations Discounted premiums • for student members Malpractice, Public and Products Liability Indemnity Limit €6,500,000• No policy excess• Easy to use online application • and renewal process www.obrienﬁ nlay.ie O’Brien Finlay Insurance Associates Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Bridge House, Baggot Street Bridge, Dublin 4 Telephone: +353 1 660 10 33 Fax: +353 1 668 79 85 Email: info@obrienﬁ nlay.ie Website: www.obrienﬁ nlay.ie Peace of mind Holistic therapies insurance EXCLUSIVE OFFER Apply or renew online and get 15 months cover for the price of 12Log on to www.obrienﬁ nlay.ie Choosing Happiness Part 3 Smiling and Laughing By Sharyn Cunneen Smiling and laughing can bring more joy to your life and those around you. A forced smile can be as beneﬁcial as a genuine smile. It is really difﬁcult to think a negative thought when smiling. Try it. Soon, your “fake” smile will send signals to your brain telling you that all is well in your world. Often, if we see someone smiling, it automatically makes us smile too as it is extremely contagious. A smile brings you closer to a laugh, and laughter has many physical and psychological beneﬁts. These include releas- ing tension, lowering stress hormones, boosting the immune system, increasing conﬁdence, releasing endorphins and giving you an internal workout. There are many ways to include more smiling and laugh- ing in your day. Saying “eee” for a few minutes forms a smile on your face, sending a signal to your brain that you are happy. This is also the vowel sound for the crown chakra, which connects you to the ultimate source of joy. Laughing with friends, watching funny movies, going to comedy clubs and laughter yoga classes are all easy ways to promote laughter in your day. Humans are naturally social beings and smiling at each other can help us to feel connected to and accepted by others. A simple smile can be spread from one person to another across many miles, brightening up many people’s day. Choose to smile and laugh for a day and observe the effects for yourself. www.howtobehappy.tv 48 Subsidised Therapies & s Workshops Guest Talkss Meditationss Film Nightss Book Clubss Healthy Fundraising s Days: Next Healthy Fund- raising Day 25th of June Foundation ofIntegrative MedicineIntegrative Medicine Raising awareness, Inspiring Change Our charity aims to create greater awareness of Complementary Medicine & Self Healing Modalities. Follow us on for more information & upcoming events Sarah Keane on 0871445428 or Natalia Gonzalez 0877488638 integrativemedicineireland@gmail.com Founded in honour of Moss Keane

top floor | 2 crown alley temple bar | dublin 2 reiki and more empowering health and wellness * Reiki workshops * Massage workshops for home use * Aromatherapy workshops for home use * Healing circle * Healing treatments * Massage therapy * Sports injury and pain management therapy Dublin Therapeutic Massage Clinic www.dtmclinic.ie , info@dtmclinic.ie, 01 6715077, Suite 15, 24-26 Dame Street, Dublin 2, Getting Into The Vortex By Patrick Bridgeman I’ve long known of the beneﬁ ts of meditation, but hadn’t found one that easily evolved into a daily practice for me until I was given a gift of the Abraham Hicks book and CD, “Getting into the Vortex”. It couldn’t be simpler. The CD contains four 15 minute guided meditations. The relaxing music guides your breath while the uplifting words guide your mind. My wife and I decided to start the journey together and took the advice of reading whichever section of the book cor- responded to each meditation before listening to that meditation for the ﬁ rst time. The ﬁ rst time we did this for each section, whoever wasn’t reading aloud for the other would fall into either a deep, healing sleep or a deeply relaxed state; while the reader themselves would also feel drawn into those states. While in those states, we both experienced a tangible shift in the energy of our bodies. Amazing sensations that I hadn’t experienced for many years happened to me once again. All good signs that we were onto something with real power to change people for the better. We took to listening to one of the four meditations in bed every night, or sometimes if I felt the need to calm my mind and clear my energy during the day, I’d pop in the CD and take a trip into the Vortex. You can get yourself a copy of it from their website www.abraham-hicks.com

Home of the Ki-Pod reiki session Rejuvinate Invigorate Exilarate Your mind body and soul INDULGE YOUR BLISS WILL THANK YOU +353 877 600 502 www.kikohreiki.com DUBLIN HOLISTIC CENTRE 28 SOUTH WILLIAM STREET DUBLIN 2 Large Octagonal workshops space 50 Acres of land Stone circle and Labyrinth Organic gardens Delicious vegetarian food Secluded setting Sleeps up to 40 people Eco friendly The Boghill Centre The perfect place to relax and unwind Boghill@eircom.net www.boghill.com 065 7074644 Stunning Residential Venue For group activities, retreats, workshops, conferences, events See our website for summer events, holidays and workshops && "!&"(&!&&%&!","%&"#&%)'&&"!& An Enhanced Style of Living “All of Life comes to us with Ease, Joy and Glory” Dublin and Nationwide )&'***!! (t) 01 207 9881 (e) info@lifeandbalance.ie +#%!!%'!&"!",!$(&!%%"&&&&!'"!%''',! ",(",!,"(*,&!*"(,"(%& '', % ,%!"&& %"#%'"%! %'&& "!&"(&!&& ''"% ') " % %'&& "!&"(&!&& ''"%!%, ,&& "!&"(&!&&%& ''"% - % ,%!"&&!'%"&&.

As we progress in our own personal evolution and awaken to the con- sciousness of our spiritual mind, we will come to know, in time, that our thoughts and intentions are not so secret as we have come to believe, but are a continuous streaming ripple as real an element as air or water. The spiritual mind, or awakened-self, knows that every one of its continuous daily thoughts, whether positive or negative, are real seeds of substance that act on our physical and mental health and the minds of the people they are sent to, as well as the wider world or ﬁeld. At our most fundamental level, we are all localised vibrating ﬁelds of energy oscillating in a much larger ﬁeld. Einstein put it this way, “The ﬁeld is the only reality.” So, on a level, you can say that everything, or every form of energy, is connected to every other form of energy, that in fact we are all one and the same. We are coming to understand and absorb this absolute truth that humankind is birthing into the age of real self-responsibility, where our own understanding of our true nature is that, as we act against another in a negative or positive way, we are really acting for or against ourselves because there is nowhere where energy isn’t. If this is karma in its purest sense, then it would be wise of us only to accentuate the positive. www.kikohreiki.com Kikoh Reiki c zzpcmrambc{ mkp nybmbp By Mike Mannix All of us, at some stage in our lives, struggle with accepting ourselves simply as we are. We may be burdened by negative judgements against ourselves, compare ourselves unfavour- ably with others or struggle to live up to unrealistic stand- ards. Such energy draining behaviours leave us discouraged, isolating us further from our own unique strengths. Far from needing to add more qualities to ourselves, we actually need to recognise, and then release, the useless negativity that others have projected onto us. How do we even begin to do this? By becoming conscious enough to recognise which painful emotions require our healing attention; rather than projecting them onto others or simply denying them. As we acknowledge what belongs to us - “this is my anger/fear/jealousy” - we come to recognise all the harmful condition- ing that was projected onto us by our parents, teachers and peers. Drawing clear boundaries in this way, we begin the journey of returning to the unique person we were originally designed to be. Letting go forms a crucial part of this journey; letting go of old grievances towards others that waste so much energy, letting go of rigid expectations for the future. Above all, becoming conscious of, and then letting go of, the countless ways we diminish ourselves. It means accepting, “Yes - these are my fears – this is my emotional pain, and now I’m taking responsibility for it.” Only then can we become healed and transformed. Sometimes we just need to acknowledge, “I’m scared” or “I’m hurting,” rather than trying to “fix it” or push it away. In this way, we can bring so much healing to ourselves. www.quantumpsychotherapy.com Upcoming talk at Oscailt Mews, Dublin, Wed 13th July 8pm Admission €10. Telephone 087 416 1903 to book. The Power of Self Acceptance By Eugenie Heraty 51

The recent economic shift offered an opportunity to have a good look at ourselves, our behaviour, direction, integrity and ability. It was within this context that I embarked on my 4-year course of study for a Licentiate to practice as a Homeopath with the Irish School of Homoeopathy. It’s hard to believe that I am about to enter my ﬁ nal year - and what a journey it has been. Not only have my skills and knowledge base developed in studying this fascinating subject, it has also broadened my employment options, professional conﬁ dence, insight and psychologi- cal ﬂ exibility in working with people. It has not only provided me with a technique for treating people, but a “way of being” with them that is more com- plete, multi- dimensional and holistic. I was already accustomed to academia, having previously achieved third level validation. However, there is no doubt that I have found the course in Homeopathy personally and profes- sionally challenging, and well worth the effort. My 3rd year of study has afforded me the opportunity of working directly with patients as a Homeopath in training. This was supported by exceptional, consistent and intense supervision from the course tutors and graduate supervisors, in both a one-to-one and a class setting; and it is this welcomed and non-intrusive support and supervision that has been instrumen- tal in my own personal and professional growth. I look forward to my ﬁ nal year and the opportunity to fully implement my learning in my work practice. www.ish.ie declanreddy.com When I ﬁ rst made my way to Creacon Prema Agni Retreat Centre in February 2010, I thought I was just going for a workshop. I had no idea what I had signed up for! As I walked through the doors, I felt like I had stepped into another world. The warmth and familiarity with which I was greeted, the peace and quiet of the surroundings and the sanctity of the meditation hall prompted me, over that week, to “smile, breathe and move slowly”(~Thich Nhat Hahn). I felt the melting of resistance as I began to bask in the energetic embrace of this unique space-place. I experienced the grip of the “monkey mind” start to loosen and watched as a softness replaced it and an unhurried pace set in. At the same time, I was energised, light-hearted and ﬁ lled with optimism and possibility. The energy of Creacon is palpable – it is deep and profound and provides nourishment, warmth and comfort. By the end of the week, I knew I had happened upon something incredibly special. So much so that, after I returned home to Canada, I couldn’t get the experience out of my mind. Within six weeks I had signed up for the long-term retreat program and embarked upon an inner journey that has shifted the course of my life. Against a backdrop of breathtak- ing beauty, I began the process of getting to know myself. Through the Summer, I opened to the opportunities to “meet and greet” parts of me that were hidden and to bring some time-tested spiritual teachings into my life. In doing so, I have become part of a heart-centred, loving community. Since the retreat, I have been back to Creacon twice and the magic never fails to amaze. When they say “Welcome Home”, I know I am. www.sq-retreats.com short & sweet Homeopathy is where my Heart is By Declan Reddy A Journey Back to Myself at Creacon Retreat Centre By Jonathan Keenan 52

Thd Whether you want to discover your hidden talents or develop your knowledge of energy then we have the course for you. This life-changing course in Bio-Energy Healing Therapy will give you the most powerful self-development while you learn to help people on their healing journey. We work through the energy system in a completely structred, student-centered learning environment which leaves this course open to everyone regardless of their previous experience. Join us and harness your ability to feel, see and intuit energy. Full Diploma Training Course begins September 2011. For more details and booking go to www.bioeire.com or contact 087-6490278 or 087-9793369 Do you have the potential to heal? Creacon Prema Agni Retreat Centre Self Discovery & Rejuvenation Retreats ® sq-retreats.com t. 051 447 666 Peace of Mind. Piece of Heaven. Nestled in the majestic green hills of the Ireland countryside, Creacon provides a nurturing and rejuvenating environment for personal retreat, relaxation and self exploration. Join us for the day, over night or an extended stay and start your journey back to your true self. The Irish School of Homeopathy Health Education for Life at Milltown Pk College, Dublin since 1989 and at Cork City since 2000. We are fully accredited by the Irish Society of Homeopaths, the regulating body of Homeopaths in Ireland www.irishhomeopathy.ie Workshops for acute Home Prescribing – see website Dates: ‘Get Started in Homeopathy’ 1 Day Introduction €50 ‘The Power of Homeopathy’ 6 weekend short course This is a Homeopathy & Nutrition course held Spring every year Four-Year Professional Training Course – held at weekends: Commences at Milltown Park – Dublin 6 every September Commences at Bru Columbanus, Cork – Enrolments at 2 year intervals Lecturers include Irish homeopaths and visiting UK and international homeopaths at the forefront of their profession Clinic at Milltown, Dublin and Bru Columbanus, Cork Available to the public as part of our student training programme you can attend our student clinic at reduced rates. Visit website for dates and more details - www.ish.ie Contact Angie Murphy 01 8682581info@ish.iewww.ish.ie

It was the last day of the workshop - the ﬁrst part of my Tantra teacher training - and I was looking out the window at the sunset over the Ojai Valley in California. So much had happened over the course of the ten days. I felt like I’d been there for an eternity, and my new classmates felt like close family I’d known all my life, or longer. I had exfoliated so many layers of fear, presump- tion and conditioning, uncovering parts of my self previously not experienced - raw passion, deep peace, gentle courage and much more. It was difﬁcult to understand how such dramatic changes had occurred with so little effort, but I didn’t need to understand. I had only to enjoy it. The plan was to go to the South of Mexico next, where I was going to have my ﬁrst teaching experience at a rainbow gathering in the jungle. I had never been to a third world country before (in fact, this was my ﬁrst time outside of Europe). I was travelling alone with very little money. The directions I had were vague and I had never taught a class in anything before. I had no idea how it was all going to come together. It usually took a lot less than this to terrify me, but somehow I wasn’t afraid at all. The path I was on felt right and noth- ing could have stopped me from continuing. I felt strong and calm. I had a beautiful feel- ing of being ready to embrace the unknown. At that moment, it didn’t make any differ- ence to me what was coming next - I was just open to welcoming it unconditionally. Then I realised - this is love. In love, our true nature, nothing is good or bad, wanted or unwanted. There are no negative energies or emotions, no evil people, no wrong choices, no problems, no struggle and no judgements. Everything is accepted, what’s more welcomed, evenly. This concept might sound far fetched to many people. I certainly don’t feel this way all the time, but the phases of my life, be them days, hours or minutes in which I have been blessed with the ability to really live love, have been the most joyful and easiest times I’ve known, regardless of the external circumstances. As well as being happier in this state, I am also more efﬁcient because I am more present, not burdened by the past or worrying about the future. This, to me, is what Tantra is about. The word Tantra is related to the word ‘unity’. When we stop labelling different parts of our experience, choosing to ﬁght against some and chase after others, we can enter into a deep unity with all of existence. All emotions, including anger and sadness, can be experienced as blissful. We can see the beauty in all people, situations and events. Even physical pain becomes no more than a sensation, a helpful message from the body. We don’t get to this state of uncondi- tional love by trying to be positive or trying to see things that are bothering us as good and beautiful. The only way is to accept things as they are, to welcome all of our emotions (no matter how unpleasant), to be open to all of the experiences life brings our way, and to receive each moment with the curiosity of a child. I often ﬁnd I am judging myself for struggling with my emotions, like, I judge myself for getting tangled up in thoughts when I’m ‘supposed’ to be meditating. But judging oneself and trying to be good or enlightened doesn’t work. The only thing that works is embracing what is. Even if I notice I am judging myself for judging myself, the only way to have relief from that never ending chain is to accept myself at that moment, exactly as I am, with all of those judgements. Love cannot be forced. It comes natu- rally when we are attentive to something (or someone), experiencing it for what it is. Fear is nothing but the refusal to experi- ence. When we are open and all resistance is dropped, we can see clearly that everything is love. www.naturalbodymagic.com tantra – unconditional love By Siobhan Lavelle “When we are open and all resistance is dropped, we can see clearly that everything is love.” 54

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