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Dear Friends,
WHAT’S NEW? A 9/11 Poem
I didn’t want to go into a rant about all that is going on right now in the world or about Syria – so in light of the loving memory of 9/11 – I decided to post a simple poem written by a class of 9 year old children a year after the event. I picked up this poem online if you’re interested.
List of “Don’t Forgets” and “Remembers”
We were eight.
Before September 11th, we would wake up with a list of “Don’t Forgets”
Don’t forget to wash your face
Don’t forget to brush your teeth
Don’t forget to do your homework
Don’t forget to wear your jacket
Don’t forget to clean your room
Don’t forget to take a bath
After September 11th, we wake up with a list of “Remembers”
Remember to greet the sun each morning
Remember to enjoy every meal
Remember to thank your parents for their hard work
Remember to honor those who keep you safe
Remember to value each person you meet
Remember to respect other’s beliefs
Now we are nine.
**Do post on the Journeys of the Spirit website if you enjoyed it.
Blessings and love, Sheri Rosenthal
Connect with me: Email | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter
EVENTS, WEBINARS, VIDEO-CLASSES & NEW PROGRAMS!
The Empower + Enlighten Women’s Retreat: Uxmal, Yucatan
November 9-16th, 2013
Ladies, if you are looking for a special small group experience for this November in a magical part of the world – I have the perfect experience for you!
If you’re looking to explore your current life direction and transform it with passion + purpose, learn focused tools to help keep a sense of Zen in your hectic life, unwind your creaky muscles and quiet your feisty mind with delicious spa services AND experience some of the most striking Mayan ruins + cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula – this is your trip!
If so, join me for a very special journey to the Mayan Heartland for 7 delicious days of deep clarity, inner peace + fierce self-love. You’ll gently illuminate the sneaky inner dialogue that’s limiting your success in both your business + personal life.
We’ll be staying at the 5 star Lodge at Uxmal located at the very entrance to the Archaeological Park in the mist of the sacred energy of this magnificent site in the Puuc Hills. Wonderful spa services are available to relax, be pampered and rejuvenated. Enjoy regional cooking and a wonderful terrace bar where you can relax under the stars in the magnificent shadow of the ruins.
**DUE TO THIS TRIP BEING DURING HIGH SEASON – we need everyone to register early – as in now! 🙂
Trip cost: $2995 USD per person double occupancy, all meals. Register for Uxmal here!
Two Books I Recommend This Month
Dreaming Heaven: The Beginning Is Near!
The ancient Toltec city of Teotihuacan is much more than an archeological wonder. For thousands of years, pilgrims have journeyed thru Teo’s sacred plazas and temples and ascended the Pyramids of the Moon and the Sun to discover what is real, authentic and true; to experience the deepest aspect of themselves; and by “dreaming heaven,” to actualize heaven on earth.
Dreaming Heaven is an unprecedented documentary film—an intimate, mysterious and illuminating portrait of people from many walks of life, led thru Teo by Naguals (guides) both seen and unseen.
The accompanying Dreaming Heaven Journey Book offers practices, activations, journaling prompts, meditative thoughts and affirmations to assist individuals and groups with a deeper exploration of the themes, insights and transformational power of the film. Pick up a copy on Amazon today.
From Seeker to Finder: Discovering Everyday Happiness
Learning to be happy is not mystical, mysterious, or magical. Happiness is an ordinary skill that anybody can learn and master through practice, like driving a car or playing the piano.
George Kimeldorf, having mastered and taught the skill of happiness, uses examples from his own life to explain why self-help books are mostly counterproductive and why seekers, despite doing all the “right” things, rarely find joy, satisfaction, and peace of mind.
The book, From Seeker to Finder: Discovering Everyday Happiness, is an accessible guide to the everyday practice of happiness available to each of us written by a friend of mine in his 70’s who has been dealing with a terminal illness. Touching and profound. You can find his book on Amazon.
GUEST ARTICLE
Exploring the Oracle Traditions of Ladakh
A blindfolded monk jumps from the roof of one building to another. A woman chants for an hour before sucking a man’s kidney stone from his body using only her breath and a hollow tube. Diseases are cured, lame animals are mended and futures are predicted all by human mediums channeling divine spirits.
Is this possible? Is it real? How are these miracles performed? Who are these oracles?
Since ancient times, in both eastern and western traditions, Oracles have been consulted for advice and problem solving; both for day-to-day issues as well as future prophesies. On a basic level, these are people able to give wise counsel to the community and provide sound judgment in difficult times.
In Tibetan culture there is another layer to these wise and revered people. These Kuten, which literally translates as “the physical basis” meaning that they are the physical vessel, are endowed with mystical qualities.
They use these qualities to channel the Oracle, or divine spirit, through a trance state. The Kuten serve as a bridge between our world and the spiritual world and for centuries this was the primary way that people communicated with their God and deities.
For example, when the Dalai Lama fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 he consulted his Oracle for the time of departure and the route to take. And he managed to escape safely to India. Still to this day the Tibetan government in exile has a state Oracle that they regularly consult.
The Matho monastery was built in the 16th century and devotees from far and wide fill it to the brim to have their future predicted and problems answered (on Lisa’s journey you will be right there in the thick of it with them).
For the devotee, it is a holy sight to behold to see their patron saints as they twirl and chant. After two days of this preparation, the Oracles are then brought among the people. The Oracles have spent one month in seclusion preparing for this time purifying themselves and they arrive blindfolded in trance.
Every three years these oracles are chosen and are considered to be very special. The Rongsten Karmar divinity takes possession of their bodies and while in a trance state they make religious prophecies and give blessings to remove obstacles.
They perform unbelievable feats of acrobatics and impossible feats to demonstrate how strongly the divine spirit is with them. For example, while blindfolded they might be seen running over high rise monasteries, jumping from one balcony to the next. The spirit protects the vessel from harm as these miracles are performed.
Then it is time for the community to come forward and make their requests of the Oracles. Some will ask for blessings, others for cures for diseases. Many will ask about their futures and life has in store for them. Instantaneous healings are performed and rituals are conducted to help those with obstacles to remove.
The mystery and sense of awe one has at being in proximity to these other worldly spirits is powerful -and if you’re open to the magic, it can change your perception of miracles and the possibility of communicating with the Divine.
Curious to explore this phenomenon more deeply? To get a real feel for the Oracle magic watch this enchanting video of the Matho Nagrang festival below and perhaps you will join Lisa’s upcoming journey to Ladakh! (PS: You’ll also get to participate in the Indian festival of Holi which is NOT to be missed.)
Blessings, Lisa Tully
Lisa is your gracious tour host – her background is Irish and her travels to India first began when she was 21. Her spiritual journey began over 10 years ago and she is now a practicing Tibetan Buddhist having sought refuge with the Dalai Lama in his hometown of McLeod Ganj, India. When she is not running tours in India she spends as much time as possible there on personal retreat and attending Buddhist teachings and initiations to further her own personal practice.
~DELICIOUS SEPTEMBER RETREATS~
The Heart Wisdom of Whales & Wild Dolphins
Panama – LAST CALL!
Trip Leader: Anne Gordon de Barrigón
Various 5-day itineraries running from: Sept 15-Oct 11th, 2013
Highlands and Mystical Islands
Sacred Scotland – LAST CALL!
Trip Leaders: Glenn & Cameron Broughton
Sept 15-24th, 2013
Reconnecting to Truth through Horse Wisdom
Tucson, AZ – LAST CALL!
Trip Leaders: Ezra Marrow, Briana Lorenz-Marrow and Judy Askins
Sept 18-22, 2013
Journey to Machu Picchu – Authentic Spiritual & Cultural Wonders
Peru – LAST CALL!
Trip Leader: Carol Cumes
Sept 26–Oct 5th, 2013
~BOLD OCTOBER EXPEDITIONS~
A Spontaneous Café Real Food Peru Adventure
Peru
Trip Leader: Carol Cumes + Chef Mateo
Oct 4-11th, 2013 (please contact Sheri for booking this trip rather than Willka T’ika)
Access your Dreams Retreat
Assisi, Italy
Trip Leader: Mami Veza
Oct 12-18th + Nov 15–21st, 2013
A Sacred Pilgrimage to India
India – TWO SPOTS LEFT LAST CALL!
Trip Leaders: Elaine Dodson, Jahnava Devi, and Mahatma Das
October 15-27th, 2013
Kindfulness – a Healing Retreat in the Himalayas
Nepal
Trip Leader: Sharee James
October 16-25th, 2013
Revealing the REAL You – Journey to the Pyramid of the Sun
Teotihuacan, Mexico – NEW!
Trip Leader: Brandt Morgan
October 18-24th, 2013 (email us ASAP if you’re interested)
Oneness Awakening Wild Dolphin Trip
Bimini, Caribbean
Trip Leader: Joe Noonan
October 21-25th, 2013
~NOURISHING NOVEMBER RETREATS~
The Clarity + Heart Women’s Retreat
Uxmal, Yucatan
Trip Leaders: Sheri Rosenthal + Rev Frankie Timmers
November 9-16th, 2013
The Dalai Lama & Tibetan Buddhism in Exile
Dharamsala, India
Trip Leaders: Lisa Tully
Nov 16-Dec 6th, 2013
~HEART-WARMING JANUARY ADVENTURES~
Unconditional Love in Action: Volunteer Journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Trip Leader: Rev David Ault
Jan 22-Feb 1st, 2014
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Want to see our whole line-up for the upcoming year?
Visit our Trips at a Glance page.
