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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Grace and Gratitude

Grace and Gratitude

It’s that time of year when everybody’s blog has the topic of giving thanks. While this should be an everyday practice in a universe so full of blessings, the Thanksgiving holiday harkens back to a time when the end of November signified that the long summer’s work was done and the harvest was finally in. It was a time of abundance, and we celebrated and shared our harvest with others.

How different today’s world, where the Occupy movement is making it painfully aware how abundance is not shared with 99% of the population. As this movement grows and evolves, I give thanks that there are people willing to give their time and suffer cold and hardship to make a point that stands for us all.


We live in an abundant universe. Each pinpoint of light we see is one of billions of stars in billions of galaxies.  Apple trees create an abundance of apples. No one is tested to see if they are worthy to eat them. Flowers on a hillside bloom in profusion, regardless of whether there is anyone to see them. There is so much to be thankful for.

But we must ask ourselves: In an abundant universe, where the majority of people are not living in abundance, where did we go so wrong?

I’ve recently been reading Charles Eisenstein’s book, SACRED ECONOMICS, a book for which I give profuse thanks.  Eisenstein shows how the money system itself is at fault for our crises, and how it will recreate this gap between the rich and the poor again and again unless it fundamentally shifts. The way debt and interest work to constantly require more of our natural world to be converted into currency is a system that can only bankrupt our natural resources and eventually collapse. Sacred Economics explores avant-garde concepts of the New Economics, including negative-interest currencies, local currencies, resource-based economics, gift economies, and the restoration of the commons. To catch a bit of Eisenstein talking about the Occupy movement on You tube, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRtc-k6dhgs (OWS The Revolution is Love)

The root of gratitude is grace – more evident in Spanish or Italian (Gracias or Grazie). If we are not living in abundance, we have turned too far from the natural world. If we are not living in gratitude, perhaps we have turned away from grace.


Opening to grace is enhanced by an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is enhanced by opening to grace. We say Grace before meals, but too often the words are empty phrases and habits, rather than an invitation to open to the flow of grace.

If you have plenty, be thankful for it. Better yet, share it with others. If you give thanks, give it deeply, openly. Let others around you know what you are thankful for. Express it loudly and often.

If you give a gift to a child and they express sincere gratitude, you are more likely to gift them again. Is it so different for the heart of the world? Abundance isn’t about having more. It’s realizing how much you already have and being grateful for it. It is appreciating all that is, all that we don’t see – the hands that grew and shipped and prepared our food, the people that love and put up with us, the miracles that surround us every day.


What you appreciate appreciates. This Thanksgiving season, give thanks on more than just one day. Give thanks for all that you are, all that you are becoming, and all that will be.









Seven Windows to the Soul
A Chakra Weekend Workshop

This weekend workshop gives you both experiential and intellectual tools for understanding the complete chakra system within your own body and psyche. Come prepared to both learn about the chakras and move your own energy into new places.

2011

St. Augustine, FL
12/9-11

2012

Lenox, MA
2/17-20
800-741-7353

New York, NY
3/30 – 4/1
212-219-2527

Copenhagen, Denmark
June 22-24
Sponsored by the ID Academy






Creation is Ecstasy!
Manifesting Through the Chakras

A Breakthrough Workshop

 

Lenox, MA
February 20-24, 2012
Creation is Ecstasy Breakthrough Workshop
1-800-741-7353


"The workshop was absolutely fantastic. Anodea and Lion area a great teaching team, very compassionate, wise, grounded, and able to hold a space where everyone and everything is honored and sacred. The workshop was powerful for me in clarifying my life purpose, vision and goals for the future, and how to get there from here. This workshop was such a gift." -S Gibson




Spring Immersion Retreat



Petaluma, CA
May 5-17, 2012
1-415-234-6338


   
Anodea's Upcoming Calendar
Join Anodea Judith for a Transformational Workshop. 
You will come away invigorated and changed!




“I feel more alive and whole and more real. I feel I have made changes at a core level - changes that will stay with me.” -M.D. Psychotherapist

“I think I’ll be processing and benefiting from this experience for the rest of my life.” -M.C.


December 2011

St. Augustine, FL
December 9-11
Seven Windows to the Soul
Transformation Through the Chakras
Discovery Yoga

2012

February 2012

Lenox, MA
February 17-20, 2012
Kripalu Yoga Center
Seven Wonders of the Soul
Reg. and info:
1-800-741-7353

Lenox, MA
February 20-24, 2012
Kripalu Yoga Center
Creation is Ecstasy Breakthrough Workshop
Formerly known as Manifestation through the Chakras
1-800-741-7353

March 2012

Petaluma, CA
3/3 – 3/4: Sat 12:30–8:30, Sun 11:30–6
Bodyworks Yoga $250
Chakra Yoga workshop:Seven Wonders of the Soul: Transformation Through the Chakras
email or call 707-769-9933

Dallas, TX
March 23-27
Dallas Yoga Center
Mind-Body Integration
Therapeutic Techniques for Wholeness

New York, NY
March 30 – April 1
New York Open Center
Seven Windows to the Soul
212-219-2527

May 2012

Petaluma, CA
May 5-17
Sacred Centers Immersion!

Sacred Centers Immersion Retreats are really more like advances -- an opportunity to advance your personal growth and professional skills in a beautiful setting with like hearted individuals. Whether you want to get your feet wet with introductory courses, or dive deeper with our advanced courses, here’s your chance to immerse yourself in small, intimate classes designed for depth and personal attention. Areas of study include yoga, psychology, energy work, bodywork, and more, taught by Sacred Centers top teachers.

June 2012

Copenhagen, Denmark
June 22-24
Sponsored by the ID Academy
Seven Windows to the Soul

Ringsted, Denmark
June 27 - July 1
Sponsored by the ID Academy
Mind-Body Integration


July 2012

Appelscha, Holland
July 4-8
Lichtfontein
Mind-Body Integration
Questions or Registration: Contact Anita Geugien

August 2012

Lenox, MA
August 3-10, 2012
Kripalu Yoga Center 1-800-741-7353
Chakra Awakening

October 2012

Lenox, MA
October 14-19, 2012
Kripalu Yoga Center
Chakra Yoga Teacher Training 1-800-741-7353

Lenox, MA
October 21-26, 2012
Kripalu Yoga Center
Mind-Body Integration
Reg. and info: 1-800-741-7353

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Occupy the New World!

Occupy the New World!

Occupy the New World

It’s interesting that the movement that began on Wall Street, now spreading throughout the world, starts with the word OCCUPY. It seems there is something on the earth plane that we have vacated and we are at last reclaiming possession of it. We have vacated our bodies; we have vacated our connection with nature, we have vacated our responsibilities, our democracy, our rightful place in the scheme of things. In turn, we have been abandoned by the powers that be, the powers that were, at one time, supposed to take care of us, the people. Tom Atlee, of the Co-Intelligence Institute says in his blog

“The word ‘occupy’ - as a connotation-rich idea or meme - is itself a fascinating part of the movement's impact.  It invites everyone who wants a new and better world, to claim a space where they can work together to co-create that world.  So far, that space is usually a public park.  But that's expanding and morphing:  More people are talking about occupying a school, a workplace, a bank, a heart, a profession, an industry, a government office, the airwaves, our minds - any ‘place’ where some piece of the new world needs to evolve and replicate itself to become the actual New World.  And the word ‘occupy’ suggests commitment to that place, persistence in it, putting down some roots, claiming and owning and taking responsibility for holding it and making it good.”

Occupation is also a word for what we do in life — the way we make a living. We choose anoccupation as a teacher, healer, administrator, workers of all kinds. So it’s natural that Occupation is also about jobs and our work in the world. But our jobs are more than how we make a living; they are about how we make the living worthwhile. Our real work lies in how we treat each other, ourselves, and the earth. Our real work is behind the scenes, in what we teach our co-workers while sharing an office, what we talk about on the assembly line, what we teach our children in school, becoming radio-active on the airwaves. This is work we are doing together, not alone, making it up as we figure it out, collaborating and co-creating.


http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2011/10/05/occupy-baltimore-resumes-protest/
Day Two of Occupy Baltimore. (Photo by Fern Shen)

Occupation requires a kind of ownership on all levels. We have to "own our stuff" meaning our shadow, our issues, our own part in reality creation. It’s how we grow up and move from childhood and adolescence to the beginning of adulthood. No longer waiting for the powers that be to do it for us, we take responsibility into our own hands. While some say the movement is disorganized or unclear on its objectives, I say it is young; still growing and forming, organically, from the ground up, in self-organizing systems. We get a chance to see this in action with front row seats — witnessing the process—through which we create the new world.  It’s the tip of the iceberg of an entire restructuring of society, from the root chakra up. This is the just the beginning of something that will morph and change and mature as it grows. It’s fascinating to watch.

Since the powers that be typically function from the top down, it’s appropriate that we start from the ground and work up. Muladhara chakra means root support. These people need our support. If you can’t join them, send money, write emails to your lists, Twitter, or FaceBook. If you have funds in major banks that are part of the corruption, such as Wells Fargo, CitiBank, JP Morgan/Chase, or Bank of America, join the movement to switch your money to a local bank or credit union. Take part in the decentralization of power that is central to the shift from hierarchy to holarchy. If you need help finding a safe bank for your money, go here.

Where can you take possession of something you have abandoned? Where can you fully occupy your inner temple? The Occupy movement is an example of moving from the love of power of love to the power of love, the maturing from our adolescence in adulthood, and the dawning of a new world. 


INTEGRAL EVOLUTIONARY PALOOZA

A Meta-Sangha Gathering for Integral Evolutionaries

How can individuals and communities become agents of cultural transformation?
What is evolutionary activism?


Sacred Center Friends!

Here is something you should know about!  My friends at IAC (the Integral Awakening Center) are putting on a happening Saturday, November 5th, in San Francisco! Discover what is meant by I am excited by the emergence of these new formats in our local spiritual scene, and am doing what I can to support them by forwarding this message and also teaching at the event.  Register by Oct 31st and save 25%!

Blessings,
Anodea Judith


Integral Evolutionary Palooza

A meta-sangha gathering for integral evolutionaries


18 Teachers
30 Organizations
1 Question...

How can individuals become agents of cultural transformation?

Save 25%  (off door price)
Early-Bird Sale ends Oct 31st

Click image above for larger view.


Saturday, Nov. 5th    [10:30-6:00pm]



Early-Bird Sale Ends Oct 31st
Reserve your spot now!


Sat. Nov. 5th

10:30-6:00pm

1187 Franklin St, San Francisco


Anodea's Upcoming Calendar
Join Anodea Judith for a Transformational Workshop. 
You will come away invigorated and changed!


“I feel more alive and whole and more real. I feel I have made changes at a core level - changes that will stay with me.” -M.D. Psychotherapist

“I think I’ll be processing and benefiting from this experience for the rest of my life.” -M.C.

2 0 1 1


November 2011


New Hope (Philadelphia), PA
November 11-13, 2011

Yogaphoria7 Windows to the Soul
215.862.4041


December 2011


St. Augustine, FL
December 9-11

Seven Windows to the Soul
Transformation Through the Chakras

Discovery Yoga

2 0 1 2


February 2012


Lenox, MA
February 17-20, 2012

Kripalu Yoga Center
Seven Wonders of the Soul
Reg. and info:
1-800-741-7353

Lenox, MA
February 20-24, 2012

Kripalu Yoga Center
Creation is Ecstasy Breakthrough Workshop
Formerly known as Manifestation through the Chakras
1-800-741-7353

March 2012


Petaluma, CA
3/3 – 3/4: Sat 12:30–8:30, Sun 11:30–6
Seven Wonders of the Soul: Transformation Through the Chakras 
email or call 707-769-9933

Dallas, TX
March 23-27

Dallas Yoga Center
Mind-Body Integration
Therapeutic Techniques for Wholeness

New York, NY
March 30 – April 1
New York Open Center
Seven Windows to the Soul
212-219-2527

May 2012

Sacred Centers Immersion! Details coming soon.

June 2012

Copenhagen, Denmark
June 22-24
Sponsored by the ID Academy
Seven Windows to the Soul

Ringsted, Denmark
June 27 - July 1
Sponsored by the ID Academy
Mind-Body Integration


August 2012


Lenox, MA
August 3-10, 2012

Kripalu Yoga Center 
1-800-741-7353
Chakra Awakening


October 2012



Lenox, MA
October 14-19, 2012

Kripalu Yoga Center
Mind-Body Integration
Reg. and info: 1-800-741-7353


Lenox, MA
October 21-26, 2012

Kripalu Yoga Center
Chakra Yoga Teacher Training
1-800-741-7353