Beyond Zen...

Neighborhood Wellness Fair @ August Moon Center - May 31

2008-04-16T21:04:09Z

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: August Moon
Phone: 1.360.737.MOON April, 2008

August Moon Community Center & Tea House in Vancouver, Washington to host
a One Day Neighborhood Wellness Fair. (Vancouver, Washington)

Join the community of health and wellness providers at August
Moon Center (Vancouver) for a day of wellness education, food and fun! August Moon, whose
mission is to bring community together for holistic and spiritual growth, is hosting a
Neighborhood Wellness Fair on Saturday, May 31 , 2008, from 10AM to 4PM.
The intent of the event is to expose the local community to more holistic health services that
The August Moon Center offers as well as showcase people and businesses from the local area
with the same mission.

Over 20 complementary health practitioners will be present, representing modalities such as
chiropractic, natureopathic/homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, Reiki, re?exology . . .
Monetary donations or canned food collected as an entrance will bene?t Share, a local
organization which provides food and housing for the homeless. Vancouver School of Arts and
Academics’ Extended Day Dance Ensemble will receive all proceeds from a raf?e featuring a
vast array of gift certi?cates from the wellness practitioners and vendors. Enjoy mini-sessions of
acupuncture, massage, foot re?exology, Reiki, Quantum Biofeedback. In addition, the Fair will
host lectures on; Qigong, Bio Feedback, Eye Care, Movement Classes, Massage, Yoga for
Kids, What is Community (by Abundant LIfe Center), and a closing performance by the
Vancouver School for the Arts Dance Ensemble.

For Detailed information, please browse to this website: www.augustmooncenter.com

For Statements or questions please contact: 1.360.737.MOON

The August Moon Center is Vancouve’s Premier Holistic Health and Spiritual growth center, with classes and practitioner’s in the areas of: Massage, Reiki, Acupuncture.

Civic Responsibility, Compassion, Walking the Talk by Kris Vockler

2008-04-15T03:45:51Z

I’m one of those who other’s call social or liberal, in being a businesswoman, often they are saying this about me in a negative way. Yet I believe at the core that we, as humans, Americans, inhabitants of cities, counties, living in neighborhoods, have a civic responsibility to each other and our community. I live in a small area of town but I’m a part of the larger city, my company is in a small part of the city but I service customers all over the globe, everyone is treated the same.

We’ve all heard the saying “Think Globally and Act Locally”, it has great merit, think of the whole but act in your zone of influence.

A quote I recently saw from His Holiness the Dalai Lama really brought this home and rang so true:

“Adopting an attitude of universal responsibility is essentially a personal matter. The real test of compassion is not what we say in abstract discussions but how we conduct ourselves in daily life.”

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, “Imagine All the People”

This is the crux and could be as simple as do you hold a door open for another, do you think about the cars next to you when you park at the mall; can they get into their car or did you park too close. It’s all about holding compassion for another in your hands and thinking, then acting on the desire to ease suffering of another. It’s so simple, just think for a moment how you might help another to not suffer or have a bad day, just by being conscious of them when you make an action.

If you read this and say, “why should I care”? You need to think about it the most.

Namaste

Serpent Symbolism in Dreams and Myth by Christina Bjergo

2008-04-15T03:46:14Z

Serpents in dreams, myth and art around the world reflect the cycles of Nature moving one forward in the evolution of consciousness. Pagans, Mystery schools of Greece and Egypt, indigenous cultures around the world as well as matriarchal societies throughout history view serpents as symbols of the divine feminine of the earth and the instinctual nature (dreambody) leading us towards enlightenment. These traditions find the joyful expression of the body through movement, music and embracing life provides a spiritual dimension for connecting with one’s Self through the Dreamtime. For as modern research reveals, the body is the subconscious mind. Serpents come in dreams, visions and other intuitive messages to help our bodymind work through and clear our stuff. Through listening and acting on their guidance, we release our subconscious baggage and resolve the sense of separation within ourselves (that we habitually reflect outwardly onto the world around us in what Carl Jung calls projection of our shadow side). Ultimately, serpent symbolism shows us as we are and helps us integrate our subconscious and conscious separation so we can embrace our wholeness as well as gain wisdom into the underlying reality of existence. I encourage you to explore the serpent/snake/dragon images and messages from your individual dreamscape whether in sleep or waking life. Their guidance both sacred and profound throughout the ages continues to move us step-by-step towards are highest potential and to living more authentic lives. Below are some specific examples of serpent symbolism from my individual experiences (though coming from the collective unconscious many are similar to serpent myth and art of many cultures) to assist you on your journey. Use as guidance only, taking time to assess what messages the serpent has specifically for you in your life. Hold on and enjoy the ride! Snakes – androgynous nature having unified masculine and feminine aspects. Snakes move like water and have an internal fire as demonstrated by their lightening strike and fiery tongue movements. They also reflect the celestial cycles of the moon and the ability to shed their skin and emerge reborn. As such they are symbols of the divine feminine, movement through seasons of the soul and a means to work towards spiritual wisdom. Their sensitivity to vibration makes them a good symbol of the electromagnetic spectrum from cosmic rays to subsonic frequencies – the symphony of music found throughout Nature that unifies us with the Universe. Dragons – highly respected in Asia as symbols of the Tao they represent the highest state of consciousness, enlightenment and the authentic self. Many deities have a dragon/winged serpent aspect and many cultures (China, Korea and Japon) believe they are descendents of the dragons - reflecting their human potential. Strangulation by a serpent – important to note the area of the body. May represent an area cut off from source or electromagnetic energy (between heaven and earth) that if not taken care of may lead to physical symptoms. For example, I dreamed many years ago of a snake strangling me around my neck. A few years later they found a cyst on my thyroid and later again I developed TMD in the jaw. I have since clearing and resolved these physical symptoms mostly through work with vibration and sound healing. Had I worked on the dream guidance initially, however, I could have prevented these symptoms of dis-ease. Medusa/serpent monsters/threatening serpents – those energies of ourselves we have hidden away in the depths of our subconscious. They may be fears, traumas, repressed emotions, experiences, etc. trapped within the bodymind, not having been processed or perhaps even acknowledged. Our subconscious will bring these shadow aspects of ourselves into awareness through the Dreamtime (sleep and waking life) in ways to get our attention. Particularly when it is time for our highest good to clear away and grow beyond our limitations so we can experience greater health, emotional wellness and peace of mind. Pay attention to any associated thoughts and feelings as can help one process the experiences out of the individual cells of the bodymind. Devil serpent figures - cultural and religious fears and prejudices seeking acknowledgement that have been picked up consciously or subconsciously by the bodymind and need to be processed and released so the individual can move another step beyond dualistic thinking (separation into good or evil) and towards unification of the Self. Can also be a symbol of the ego trying to thwart our spiritual growth and development. Checking in with one’s intuitive center, the heart, can help in assessing. Note additional dreams for clues in what it reflects and how to proceed. Chased by serpents – as hidden aspects of ourselves move into consciousness there is sometimes uncertainty or tentativeness until our psyche becomes comfortable with these newer energies awaiting expression.Snakebite, swallowed or eaten by serpents – symbol of initiation. Many rituals and ceremonies of various cultures from different time eras reflect the initiations of the soul, which is ultimately an inward experience through connection with the collective unconscious. Serpents and dragons are frequently found at the entrances to temples and sacred sanctuaries throughout Asia and Egypt (nagas, dragons and cobras), places for spiritual enlightenment and awakening – in the dreamstate this could be reflected by the opening of windows and doors leading into Nature as we unlock hidden aspects of ourselves. The beginning of a kundalini awakening is also often marked by dreams of snakebites and/or the lighting of ceremonial fire in the dreamscape. Being bitten on our Achilles Tendon – reflecting a vulnerability or opportunity for growth. Feeding/nourishing/caring for/gifts to serpents – we are moving towards acceptance of new energies of ourselves we are integrating. Could reflect our overall increased connection with our bodies and their innate wisdom through mindfulness, meditation, qigong, movement, dance, yoga, spontaneous expression, dreamwork, etc. Serpents coming out vagina/head/flowers – vagina is a symbol for divine feminine/goddess energies and the womb/tomb cycles of life. It is also the lower aspect of the body connecting us with the earth energies and our subconscious/instinctive selves. This is the lower point where yin and yang of the microcosmic orbit unify and as is a potent place for transforming stuck energies in the bodymind. Can also represent new creative energies we are birthing (often following clearing of obstacles from the psyche). Serpents coming out the head may be symbolic of wisdom gained and the more refined heavenly energies and/or the masculine aspect of God. Head and flowers link us to heavenly energies and etheric spiritual dimensions or cosmic rays. The channel linking these locations is the Central Channel in Chinese Inner Traditions and the Spine in India Tantrism. See Blood and Serpents for more details.Kissing/Sex/Marriage Serpents – kissing, sex and marriage all represent connection and unification of energies of the Self and often specifically symbolize our sensuous Nature. Kissing and sex are particularly linked to sexual creative energies we either embrace or wish to express. This energy is store in the pelvic area or lower dan tian in Chinese Medicine. Marriage represents balance of male and female aspects and is a union of the heart where energies of body/earth and mind/heavens unite to the oneness of Spirit. Ascending Serpents – breakthrough, ascension of yang energy upward. This upward flow is often along the spine, tree, pole, stone, or caduceus. Sometimes there are two serpents ascending intertwined around empty space – can be anything from galaxies spinning to intercellular DNA. The spine in Chinese Medicine is the Governing Vessel or seat of the yang/masculine energy of the body. Sometimes reflects an individuals opening to higher vibrational frequencies. This often occurs for me during meditation or after some bodymind clearing has occurred. As a symbol for yang may alternatively reflect an outward, expressive aspect of the Self being symbolized. Descending Serpents – energy moving into manifestation. In the body this might be represented as energy, water or serpents. Sometimes this descending serpent energy cascades down from the tongue. Images of Female Chinese Shamans, Hindu Kali Goddess and She Who Watches all emphasize the image of the tongue sticking out or the mouth itself as this is the beginning of the Conception Vessel of the body which governs the feminine/yin of the body. These powerful female figures bring down the rains as blessings from heaven. The Conception Vessel moves downward along the front centerline of the body to the perineum between the legs. This is also the downward half of the Taiji symbol and the microcosmic orbit of the body practiced in movement meditation of various qigong forms from China. Manifestation is movement down in frequency. As a symbol for yin, may also suggest the inward more reflective aspect of the Self being symbolized. Serpent connection with the tongue - the tongue is also where the feminine/yin and masculine/yang energies unify. It is therefore a potent location for transformation with the voice helping clear lower vibrational energies or trapped energies previously unexpressed. I often have dreams of this sort when going through a death-rebirth clearing cycle of my own psyche. See Descending Serpents for additional information. Spirals/Swirling mist – spirals are metaphors for serpents in dream symbology. The Chong qi in Chinese inner traditions is described as the whirling emptiness (reflective of the tao) uniting heaven and earth. The coiled serpent later became what known as the kundalini in India. As energies/cosnciousness awaken one might see them coming out of closed dark spaces such as drawers, garages and such – a symbolic coming out of the closet. Working to activate the Chong qi in the Chong Channel in qigong activates the Ascending and Descending energies or serpents of the microcosmic orbit of the body. See Ascending Serpents I upward, Descending Serpents if downward. Serpent Tunnels – people with near death experiences and visions of higher frequency often report experiences of traveling in and through long tunnels. These tunnels are the mythical Amenti of the Underworld. Ultimately they lead us to Spirit or the integrated Psyche. Spirit/God is often represented as spirals in indigenous cultural artwork as well as in dreamtime. I often see as revolving spirals of energy or a womb like shape characterizing the timeless eternal oneness for those willing to do the inner alchemical work necessary to break down karma, ego, limited thought patterns and separation. The sepent tunnels can also be an individual experience of Jacob’s Ladder from the Bible, a means of uniting heaven and earth to experience the dimension of angels and other divine beings. Ouroborus – serpent eating it’s own tail in shape of a circle. Movement along the cycles of life (spiral) and union of feminine/yin and masculine/yang leading to the eternal oneness or state of enlightenment. The serpent is an androgynous animal balancing both male/yang/conscious and female/yin/subconscious energies. Within is the whirling emptiness or oneness reflecting the Tao or the return to one’s authentic Nature. The inner aspect of the ouroborus circle reflects the holy spirit in early Christian traditions, the eye of Ra in some of the ancient Egyptian stories. This is the Superconscious and like the holy spirit is often depicted as a dove or other winged bird.Serpents Underground – earth telluric energies called leylines or dragon lines that support the evolution of human consciousness and as such have been the building sites of sacred temples around the world. These sites commonly have unusual radiation and magnetic fluctuations. The building of pyramids and megaliths are believed to be a means to tap into and utilize these earth energies (comparable to energy channels or meridians of the body) for spiritual growth and spiritual messages. Dreams of serpents sleeping underground maybe dormant energies awaiting expression. Coming out of the earth would reflect their being newly wakened. Could also represent the emerging of the serpent within the individual such as in a kundalini awakening. Winged Beings/Dragons/Serpents – just as birds were said to evolve from reptiles, there is a progression from activating the instinctual self of the lower body (lower frequency) to moving upward towards strengthening and clearing the upper dan tian located in the center of the head (higher frequency) and activating the spiritual energies often represented as birds and winged beings. As we clear our karma/issues from the body we open ourselves to accessing these higher vibrational energies related to air/wind. In qigong our main focus is to strengthen and clear the body through the lower dan tian so like a tree we have the root system to support tremendous upward growth. Note that while often appealing, pursuing spiritual growth without working on one’s stuff can potentially create a condition of imbalance and exacerbate physical and emotional health concerns. As Carl Jung said, you work down to go up. See Dragons. Moving Water – represents serpents and life force energy in motion. Descending from above and collecting within a bowl, vase or cup represents our instinctual side, sexual/creative energies strengthening and storing in our bodies or more specifically within our pelvic area in the lower dan tian. The upward movement of water from a container usually reflective of the upward awakening potential energies also known as kundalini or chong qi.Rainbows – The Rainbow Serpent is the primary deity of the Aboriginal Dreamtime of Australia. Rainbows connect heaven and earth, the shamanic three worlds and symbolically ourselves. They reflect the electromagnetic spectrum, including the visible spectrum of rainbow colors. Aboriginal artwork often shows rainbow serpent connecting heaven and earth particularly when demonstrating harmony between humans and Nature. Music/Sound/Vibration – Human audible sound is another aspect of the electromagnetic scale. Snakes are very sensitive to sound and vibration. Sound and vibration are also powerful healing modalities (serpents are associated with healing) that can unlock and release discordant lower vibrational energies within the body. This has been a powerful way that I have personally cleared a lot of my own internal obstacles. I recently am dreaming about music and sound as a means to help other people with their healing as well.Blood and Serpents– Blood, particularly menstrual blood is symbolic of the cycles of life and the vital life force energy associated with birth and rebirth after death/purification/letting go. In Chinese theory it is the Central Channel going through the middle of the body (from top of head to perineum) that is androgenous and between the yin and yang meridians (Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel respectively). The Central Channel or Chong Vessel is called the Sea Blood. It is considered the primary energy meridian of the body for healing as it goes through and nourishes the three internal treasures (dan tians in pelvis, chest and head) as well as the primary yin and yang vessels of the body. As such it can also be viewed as the central staff of the Greek and Egyptian caduceus. I have had dreams of red snakes coming out of and healing open wounds for example or of indigenous women purifying themselves through the flow of menstrual blood. Red ochre, as an artistic symbol for blood has been used in many sacred ceremonies in cultures around the globe to represent rebirth and eternal life. Dreams of spiritual indigenous body or sand painting could also be reflecting these kundalini energies as well as our innate ancestral connection. Serpent Masters – spiritual masters such as Jesus, Shiva, Buddha, Kwon Yin and many others all have associations with serpents. Their mastery came from successfully connecting and integrating their bodymind to overcome separation and fears and be the ultimate reality of oneness beyond duality. I discovered this after a succession of dreams with Jesus telling me the serpent was an aspect of himself. Other cultural deities followed. Serpent Masters may present themselves in dreams to teach or offer guidance. They ultimately reflect the divine within each of us and support us on our journey around the cycle of life. Dreams of Yahweh, God, Allah, White Buffalo Woman, etc. are all a reflection of source yet from a different cultural perspective. Serpent Colors – maybe reflective of chakra color or other archetypal color associations. Additional color association is as follows: Black: coming from subconscious or the yin/feminine aspect of serpent wisdomRed: Kundalini/life force energy/blood as symbol of activation and rebirthWhite: purification, cutting away old or reflection of Spirit/Shen in the center of the headWhitish Blue: color of pearl the treasure of the dragon, connection with ascension energies. If you have a serpent dream you would like to share feel free to contact Christina directly.

Radio/Online Interview with Leslie Blackburn - Saturday 3/29

2008-03-26T22:39:34Z

Our friend Leslie had this to say about her upcoming radio interview:

I welcome you listen to Radio Free Nashville on-line this Saturday for a discussion on Sacred Sexuality and Sacred Geometry!

Leslie Blackburn of One Space, LLC, to be interviewed by Dawn Kirk, host of “Wake Up & Live” on Radio Free Nashville www.radiofreenashville.org

This Saturday, March 29, 10am -11am EDT.

See below for more details on Dawn’s full two hour show line up for this Saturday!

The topics on “Wake Up & Live” this Saturday may seem deep and challenging but join me as I talk with Dorothy Marcic then Leslie Blackburn about the possible interconnectedness between the Divine Feminine, Sacred Sexuality, Sacred Geometry and Sex Trafficing. For a year now, I’ve found myself curious about these topics and even more so since they’re arising in these important times.

Dorothy Marcic, a former Vanderbilt business management professor and writer, is more recently known for her hit “Respect: A Musical Journey of Women.” From Hollywood to Chicago, St. Paul to Atlanta, Dorothy’s gotten rave reviews for her use of Top 40 songs to trace the progress of women in our society. ( http://www.respectamusicaljourney.com/reviews.html ) Dorothy caught my attention upon returning from the recent 52nd Session of the UN’s Comission on the Status of Women where she was one of 6,000 women in attendance addressing issues such as the trafficking of women and children.

(http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803180377) As I write this I wonder ‘What was I thinking attempting to broach this topic?’ Yet Dorothy, Leslie and I will attempt to share hope and shed light on this topic and all to which it is connected.

In the second hour at 9:00 Central, I’ll talk with Leslie Blackburn about Sacred Sexuality and Sacred Geometry. Trained as an engineer, Leslie is also an artist, yogini and Tantrika. Leslie has combined her managerial and speaking skills with her creativity and passion for the spiritual path to form One Space, LLC, a conscious teaching/learning community and an avenue for the sharing of her art. Her artwork incorporates the principles of sacred geometry and balance and is a flowing exploration of the inner self as well as the power and beauty of the human form. Through her exploration and practice of sacred sexuality/Tantra, she has experienced deep healing and release on a personal level and is called to share this path of potential with others. Leslie’s personal path and work has been the integration of the ever-unfolding feminine in body and psyche with masculine direction and purpose- Love in action! See www.onespaceconnected.com

Join us as we bring sexuality out of the shadows and listen for the sacred this Saturday from 8-10AM Central time on ”Wake Up & Live’ at www.radiofreenashville.org . How exciting during this month honoring women that we get to hear from two amazing women who are utilizing both their right and left brain capacities to bring healing and wholing to the world.

Sincerely,

Dawn Kirk

Prior interviews archived at www.seedsthestory.com/wakeup

Sacred Geometry 101 with Leslie Blackburn

2008-03-26T22:36:35Z

Our friend Leslie Blackburn @ OneSpaceConnected.com is offering a Sacred Geometry 101 class in Dearborn, Michigan.”What the heck do shapes have to do with the creation of everything?!?”

Instructor: Leslie Blackburn

Where: Glass Academy, 25331 Trowbridge, Dearborn, MI 48124 (www.glassacademy.com)

Cost: $35 (materials included)

This workshop includes topics such as:

· Creation beginning with spirit in the void

· Geometry as the language of creation. Music, language, living creatures & plants all developed from these concepts

· Flower of Life

· Tree - Flower - Fruit - Seed (egg)

· Metatron’s cube - finding the 5 platonic solids from the Flower of Life

· Vesica piscis, light

· Feminine and masculine aspects of shapes and lines

· Build your own Star Tetrahedron!

· And as time permits we’ll explore more (phi ratio, golden mean spirals, fibonacci sequence)…

We will learn in a hands-on session, I’ve found that a deeper connection to this work happens when you not only hear, read about or see it…but create it!

Materials (compass, straight edge, colored pencils, paper) will be provided, if you have your own and would like to bring them please feel free. No prior experience is necessary. Just bring your open mind, interest and enthusiasm! I look forward to sharing an exciting time together! I just love this stuff

Please fill out and email the Entry Form (or download from website below) to (please let me know by Apr 4, 2008):

info@onespaceconnected.com

Mind Mapping Your Dreams for Interpretation by Kris Vockler

2008-04-15T03:46:33Z

After posting several articles on dream interpretation and mind mapping your dreams, a commenter asked if I had an example of how I mind map my dreams. In this post you will see a jpg of a sample mind map I created using “Mindjet MindManager” software yet doing a Wikipedia search will yield some great hand drawn mind maps. As you look at the photo you can see that I try to explain each symbol all alone and emanating further out. Then I create an offshoot or a cloud off that symbol with what the meaning of the symbol is to me. From there you can see that as I dream I notice the same symbols or meanings come up over and over. Once I know a symbol or I know what a series of symbols means, I can associate them to other dreams down the line. Eventually you start to recognize the meanings quicker because you recognize the pattern. It’s not perfect, your meanings for a dream might change as you grow but the thread of meaning is always there.

I use mind mapping to brainstorm short story ideas, new marketing plans, and even as a way to start a new project.

Oprah, Eckhart Tolle, A New World by Kris Vockler

2008-04-15T03:46:44Z

Who else brings the masses new ideas with such enthusiasm? Who else can take spiritual awakening and make them buzz words in global culture? Oprah is the one. Her latest media event “Oprah’s Bookclub: A New Earth”, using a book authored by Eckhart Tolle, brought over 500,000 people online (via skype technology) to take part in a 10 week class led by Eckhart and Oprah.When I first heard about it, I have to be honest, I didn’t give it much thought. I’m not one who follows Oprah, maybe it’s her mass marketing arm that turns me off, yet I’ve always been one who admired her for her promotion skills. I take back everything I said about her marketing madness at a party a few weeks ago, this woman has power and not only has power but she gets spiritual awakenings and just the same work we and readers of this blog do everyday.So, I downloaded the book to my eReader, hit her website and off I went. Right away I was struck with how Eckhart brings in concepts I’ve been studying on for over 8 years in Buddhism, to see this being presented to a mass audience of over 500,000, well it gave me a chill. Then this morning I got an email from the listserv of my Sangha, a forward from one of the founders of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in San Francisco, resonating the same feelings and words as I felt. Even Buddha would say, the goal is to awaken, however that might happen, just awaken.I urge you all to join up, grab the book, at least you will enjoy the hour and a half lectures by Eckhart and Oprah each Monday night. And if you miss it, search for Oprah on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast, see the whole lecture whenever you wish. You can also go online to oprah.com and view the lectures via her ondemand feature.Several of us around here have jumped right in, want to join us?LaBoheme

Reiki Class for March 4th Canceled

2008-04-15T02:21:43Z

The Reiki class starting March 4th @ August Moon has been canceled, please contact me if you have any questions.

Namaste,

Kris

Video: Judith Orloff, Dreams, Tapping into Intuition

2008-04-11T04:57:44Z

Another great video by Dr. Orloff, using dreams as tapping into intuition

Video: Judith Orloff on Dream Interpretation

2008-04-11T04:57:34Z

Reader Susan pointed us to some YouTube video’s of Dr. Judith Orloff; from using intuition to dream interpretation.

Remembering and Interpreting Dreams