Gaia: Awake Now

Restore Healing Event

http://abnormallynormalwebseries.gaia.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:50:33 GMT

I just wanted to share with you an event that I think many of your members would love to attend. It's called Restore Healing and is happening on the 5th of October from 10-6 pm at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Restore - Healing the Mind, Body and Spirit is a day-long event designed to engage the community to experience holistic healing in a brand new way. Explore holistic healing concepts and practices such as energy work, massage, acupuncture, herbology, and aromatherapy from our healing mentors, speakers and sponsors. The link to the site is http://restorehealing.com/.

I, Julie Rappaport, will be attending this event and speaking as well. I combine the use of Chinese medicine/philosophy, Ayurvedic/Yogic principles, Shamanistic practices and artistic techniques that gives participants an opportunity to learn from their lives/health and create positive potential. If you could post the event on your group calendar that would be wonderful. I would really love to meet your members and hope to see you there!

Blessings, Jules

Re: Mother Earth

http://rinabee.gaia.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:06:09 GMT

Hi Everyone!

I hope that the trend I saw today, is a more positive start toward the mainstream turning in the direction preserving our planet.
I supprisingly and happily discovered that we (in the US) are about to have a new channel called "Planet Earth" filled with information on green living. This might be a small step, but if one person will learn something and get inspired by this channel to make a change in their behavior, hey I am exited.
But still, there are so many issues that need to be worked on, alone in my neighborhood - I am not able to recycle, without a tremendous time -involvement and a major drive toward a recycling center - which wastes gas, so I am trying to reduce as much as I can instead.
At home (that is for me Germany), recycling and green living was so much easier - the US is far behind when it comes to that, well at least in Tampa, Florida.
Again, I am exited about every little change, and step forward that I can find, we have to start somewhere. But we do have to speed up that process of learning, of reaching out, toward taking action.

Peace and Love

Great pod, by the way!

Re: Mother Earth

http://recyclefriend.gaia.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:18:11 GMT

chRisto and others~

I full heartedly agree with this Mother Earth post started by chRisto.

Also, one of the biggest things that I've noticed since moving to Australia is that Americans IN GENERAL (not all, and certainly not those of us on Gaia ;-)... right?) don't really seem to care about the environment and/or don't think they can make a difference. Here's an example based on my observations of the cloth bag scenario that chRisto brought up: Many, if not the majority, of people here (in Australia) use cloth bags at the stores. Many stores even offer reasonably priced, square bottomed, cloth bags (99 cents usually) near the check-out. Also, many stores, ie grocery stores, Borders, Australia's equivalent to Home Depot/Lowes, etc. actually either charge for plastic bags (2-3 cents/bag) and/or give a discount on your overall total if cloth bags are brought/used.

I take my cloth bags, of course, to the stores. Like you suggested, I leave them in my car to ensure that I have them when making even an unexpected stop at a store. As soon as I empty the contents of the bag in the house, I immediately return them to the car (and one to my purse... just in case) so that they are there for the next trip; no excuses. This may sound as if I'm going a bit too far, but I also place used, but clean plastic produce bags back into the lot of cloth bags for my grocery trips. I can often use them 4, 5, 6 times before they tear and/or something wet and/or dirty gets put in them making them unusable. If I ever get one of those mesh bags that contain multiple produce items (ie sometimes potatoes, avocados, apples, oranges, etc)I save and use it for my future produce as it lasts lots longer! Many grocery stores in the USA now have a bin just inside the entrance to recycle both the plastic grocery bags and the produce bags if you just cannot get yourself to reuse them and/or take in cloth bags.

Water is indeed a valuable resource. Here in Australia, is a very very very precious resource especially due to the 8 year drought that is widespread across most of the continent. Your suggestions of turning off the water when brushing teeth and shorter and/or less pressure showers is a good one. Unlike the USA, most Australians have a dual flush toilet button (a smaller flush for 'yellow'). In the USA, you could due a number of things to decrease toilet water use, ie bend the 'float' thing in the tank so that the water level stops before reaching the top, or place a large stone or brick (seal in zip lock type bags) in the tank to displace water. I've heard about a new toilet coming out that the sink water will be re-used in the toilet tank... I think it's one of the Asian countries... Japan perhaps? We use 100% biodegradable soap without phosphates, thus we also plug our tubs and are able to safely hand bucket bail the water out into the veggie/fruit garden and stressed trees. Not everyone is this insane, of course, but we live in a rental and the landlord hasn't gotten around to install a recycled grey water tank on the property (which btw is HUGE here in Australia). For those people that aren't 'into' their health enough to use safe soap on themselves or the earth, or simply cannot afford it, or 'into' bailing the tub or have enough money to install a greywater tank , even placing a bucket in the shower to catch the initial colder water is helpful. You can then use this single bucket of water on the plants outside or even to wash your hands or rinse the dishes. I've heard somewhere that if every home in the world had a single toilet (the size of the typical USA household toilet), that there would not be enough fresh water for drinking. Now I'm not sure if this is true or not, but it has made me think over the years about my unnecessary and/or wasteful water use.

Also, another one of the ideas that chRisto brought up that I really like is the idea of re-using before recycling. Also, many people have the mindset that, 'Oh, I'm only one person. I cannot make a difference.' In my opinion, they of course, are simply misinformed. There is actually a commercial here in Australia that I saw when I first arrived almost 11 months ago, using that mindset/mentality. It goes something like this: The commercial starts off with one person saying that, but then putting something into the recycle bin anyway. Then you see the original person and a new person doing the same thing. This process keeps repeating till the whole screen is micro-sized with many, many people. The one person together with others made a huge difference. Together we can do it, but we have to start as the one in order to get the majority. Right? Are you on board with me and chRisto? We hope so!!!

Astrological Abundance for You!

http://angelmystics.gaia.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:43:53 GMT

Grand Earth Trine 2008
http://www.angelmystics.com

This is one of the very best moments in the coming year to manifest the huge energies available with this incredible Grand Earth Trine.

Saturn has just gone direct in Virgo. Everything in astrology is 50/50, meaning the cup is half empty and half full and it is up to us to use the very highest of the energies and vibrations that are available. So, for example, the highest energy of Virgo is Purity. A low energy would be criticism.

So, with Saturn the planet which represents our boundaries, our foundations and our integrity in Virgo which also represents health ... it's a great time to build the foundations for what we'd like to manifest with the new ideas we pulled out of the mental realm (represented by Air and the Air Signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius).

Saturn's energies are about integrity. All that we build with integrity will attract the highest vibrational energies from people and events around us. Anything which we build with lies or deceit will crumble and with Saturn in such a powerful EArth trine to Pluto ... it will also be exposed to the world, sooner rather than later. Pluto is trine to that Saturn from Capricorn.

Pluto is a seed, how we use that seed and fertilize the seed is up to us. The seed can be a form of DNA, creating new light strands in our bodies, an atom, a seed which becomes a mighty oak tree. Capricorn represents institutions such as big business, foundations and government. That which is putrid, foul, rotting, comes up to the air and is exposed. All corruption, negative lies, etc., will now start to be exposed in our institutions. The thing to do is make fertilizer and build a new foundation as our forefathers in the USA did during our last revolution which also had Pluto in none other than Capricorn! Let Freedom live! So, Pluto will add power to our foundation.

Finally, beautiful Venus is in Taurus. Venus is about how we use our grace, our charm, our magnetism. Do we use it to add life to the party and make those around us feel full of love and light or are we solely interested in using our charm to serve ourselves? With the Saturn - Pluto - Venus trine, make sure we include others and keep our motivations to the purest and highest light vibrations. Taurus is about creating reality, how are we creating our realities? Do we visualize the best for ourselves and others? Do we share our abundance or are we greedy bankers keeping it all to ourselves?

Do we use our earth's resources well so that our future generations also have the energies available to them or do we use them selfishly depleting our Mother Earth of her natural resources, destabilizing the planet by removing too many resources and create earthquakes? Again, how we use Venus in Taurus is up to each one of us, by our words, our actions, our intent. Using all these energies wisely will bring in incredibly huge benefits to ourselves and others.

The New Moon on the 5th of May in the middle of Taurus will allow us to seed the coming period of time with incredibly solid, rich, powerful energies which can maximize their vibrations. It is up to each of us to meditate and bring in the vibrations which will automatically resolve all our problems if we are vibrating to the highest levels. If we can do that, what we see in our worlds, today, right around us, right now, will be incredibly beautiful and abundant.

My world is what I have created from all my thoughts and I am 100% responsible for my reality.

EN~JOY and EN~JOIN the LIGHT*LOVE*LAUGHTER which is your Divine Birthright.

Begin it Now!!!

Get a personal reading to see how these transits will effect your life!

Love, Alixandra

Mother Earth

http://risto.gaia.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:51:00 GMT

I want to talk about our environment. Not just because Earth Day has passed, but because this may be our last chance to make a difference before Mother Earth is tipped out of balance.

I'm not crying wolf, but I know our Earth isn't so healthy. Sure cycles of ice ages and polar ice melts are normal, but the difference this time around is the short window of time in which this is occurring.

We're quite evolved in our sciences and we (humans) have made countless analyses on our direct impact to this planet. The polar ice caps are melting faster than ever before, and the ocean levels may be on the rise.

What does this mean for me and what can I do to help? It means our young generation may be displaced by increases in the water levels. It means as the ocean temperatures rise, hurricanes may become more frequent, due to hurricanes gaining their energy directly from the heat of the ocean(s).

What can I do? Consume less. You may have heard it before: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Reduce:

Walk instead of drive. Humans are very car-dependent, but can you walk instead? How about car-pool, or utilize public transportation? Plant a tree, even if you don't have property in which to plant a tree, support environmental groups that do plant trees. Carbon Offset is another option. Carbonfund.org is a leading not-for-profit organization that helps in this initiative.

A natural resource that we can reduce the use of is water. Using less water isn't really that hard. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, use less water in the shower. Some say take shorter showers, but also not have the water turned on "full blast". Another thing to think about... water bottles. Each time we buy a bottle of water... after we drink the water (or whatever beverage), we still have the empty bottle left over. Recycling is an option, but how about using a home-water filter and reduce the use of the plastic bottles? The plastic starts to breakdown after 1,000 years on this Earth. And the beverage we've enjoyed is long forgotten about, but that plastic container still exists. Think about it.

Reuse:

Instead of throwing out an old computer or tv or phone or clothes or shoes or whatever; consider donating it to a local thrift store if it is still functional. The trash just ends up in a landfill. Somebody may be on a very tight budget and their means may include shopping at a thrift store. Got a plastic bag from your recent store purchase? Don't trash it, try to use it for something else. Trash can liner is a popular way to reuse it. Think of other things you can reuse.

Recycle:

Many recycling options exist nowadays, but what do you recycle and how often do you recycle? It's embarrassing to admit, but when I moved to Miami, there was a recycling bin. But after a while it disappeared, and I didn't even notice it. Until recently. Now condo management in the building I live in just recently returned that separate bin in which to recycle. Before everything would just go to the landfills. I was part of that non-recycling group. In Chicago recycling was abundant, not so here in Miami Beach. But *I* can make that difference. And I want to make that difference. And now I do make a difference. And it feels good.

Here's a way to alleviate all those grocery store plastic bags: bring your own cloth bag(s). It's way stronger (even stronger than double or triple bagged) and and lasts a long time. I've been using the same ones for about 8 years and now they are showing signs of wear and tear... the stitching is starting to come undone. If you don't remember to bring cloth bags with you every time, it's ok. But try to implement substituting cloth bags for those obnoxious and environmentally hazardous plastic ones. If you do have a car, just keep them in your car, and at the grocery store there right there. But why just for the grocery store? Why not use that bag at Target and Walgreens, too? It may not feel like it makes *that* much of a difference, but it really does!

You may choose to use paper bags, but isn't that wasteful, using one paper bag just to lug home your groceries? And when you're home you've still got that paper bag... which is derived from resources from our planet. Please try to go Cloth.

This is not to instill guilt, it is showing some simple options we can do every day to make a difference on the planet in which we inhabit.

Speaking about Stuff... check out this:::

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

it talks about a cycle that's ingrained into us from our society, but we can unlearn it. And that's just where I am. I'm actually (finally) beginning to really appreciate what I've got, and not to replace or upgrade because there's something newer or better out there.

Peace, Love & Recycling,

chRisto

Re: •••two documentary films•••

http://joshrawla.gaia.com — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:51:56 GMT

Here's another one about Raw Foods at:

www.rawfor30days.com

the Karma Ghost

http://risto.gaia.com — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:46:39 GMT

the Karma Ghost ---hehehe

•••two documentary films•••

http://risto.gaia.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:07:43 GMT

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/index.html ::: This is an eye-opening documentary that brings to light several profound topics that are deliberately being kept from the masses. I just watched this film and I'm sadly, but not surprisingly, disappointed by governments. Greed and corruption make toxic combinations for everybody. I need to sit and just contemplate the depth of what's revealed in this film, as it is quite powerful.And it makes me want to throw my television (with it's narrow/selected news broadcasting) out the window!!! ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ • ∞ http://www.thefutureoffood.com/ http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Future_of_Food/70038794?trkid=189530&strkid=975714856_0_0 ::: This documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia (wife of Jerry Garcia-- of the Grateful Dead) on our food supply chain and Genetically Modified foods is another gem. Helps my trust of independently owned food stores. Peace and Love to all, Risto

~ In Memorium ~ Tribute to Matthew Shepard ~

http://risto.gaia.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:44:22 GMT

Thank-you for this excellent tribute: Christian •and• Gendai-Ki Reiki Shihan

☼ Tribute to Matthew Shepard ☼

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Matthew Shepard, born December 1st, 1976, was brutally beaten on the night of October 7th, 1998. After being lured to a remote area in east of Laramie Wyoming and being beaten to the point of unconsciousness he was tied to a fence left to die. He was found 18 hours later after after a cold night by a passing bicyclist.

While this is an extreme example of what hatred can do to both the victim and the perpetrator, Matthews story is not the first of its kind or the last.
To find out more of his story visit Matthew Shepard Foundation.org

All updates complete!!

New Blogs! New Videos!

New Music!
This week I have made my playlist similar to a movie soundtrack.
If you have time, please listen to it from beginning to end and let me know what you think.

I am being told that there are issues with my page loading. I think it may be the browser. If you are still using Explorer, I suggest giving Mozilla FireFox a shot. Pages load much faster with it and it has a lot of groovy features. It does take some getting used to tho.

As a reminder, I am using my 'top friends' spots to reflect the weeks theme. For those of you that I talk to regularly, please do not consider this a reflection of what I think of our friendship. The top friends spots get rotated almost every week.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Meditation for Peace schedule

http://risto.gaia.com — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:47:53 GMT

.
.
.
Friday 21 September is Peace One Day

I am having several Meditations for Peace on Friday in Miami Beach. Here's the schedule:::

11 am Lincoln Road Circle (Where Euclid Ave dead-ends into Lincoln Road).

3 pm In Flamingo Park, meeting point::: Michigan Ave & 12 th Street... with parking nearby. Hopefully this will be under a nice, large shade tree. It *may* include a brief walking meditation, as well.

7 pm In Flamingo Park (same details as above)

Each meditation will be approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending upon the weather and the groups input.

-->Feel free to bring your favorite blanket and/ or meditation cushion (zafu). These are outdoors, so sunscreen and comfortable clothing may be needed due to the hot sun. I hope you can stay for the entire meditation, but it is understandable & OK if that doesn't work for you. =) I invite everybody to participate, even if you may not be there physically.
.
.
. Peace & One Love, ∞ Risto ∞

join me for Peace One Day...

http://risto.gaia.com — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:19:39 GMT

On Friday 21 September it is the International Day of Peace recognized by the United Nations. The day is also known as Peace One Day and their official website is PeaceOneDay.org I'm holding the space for several Meditation for Peace Circle and everybody is invited. The locations will *definitely* be on South Beach, I was thinking somewhere in the shade on Lincoln Rd, also in Flamingo Park and maybe Lummus Park. Alongside the Atlantic Ocean *may* be too hot or too sunny, but I'm open to that, as well. If you have a specific time and/or place you'd like to suggest to me... I'm all ears. Peace & One Love, Risto =)

Peace One Day

http://risto.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:53:20 GMT

The International Day of Peace is on 21 September. On this day (Friday 21 September) I'm going to have a Meditation Peace Circle, open to everybody. The time and location are TBA. here's the website::: Peace One Day

2 Quotes

http://risto.gaia.com — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:14:26 GMT

||||
Be Yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just Be. --Thich Nhat Hahn ||||
||||
||||
Find a place where you are alone. Train yourself in the following way: When you breathe in, experience breathing in. When you breathe out, be fully conscious that you are breathing out. If you cherish and practice this, it will bear great fruit. Whatever you are doing and wherever you are, you will find steadiness, calm, and concentration if you become conscious of your breathing. --Majjhima Nikaya ||||

Peru Earthquake

http://risto.gaia.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:03:42 GMT

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the disasterous 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Peru. The cities of Pisco, Ica, San Vicente de Cañete and Chincha Alta were hardest hit, so I'm sending Healing Energies to that entire area. Peace, Love and Healing, Risto

Re: Mind, Body, and Soul

http://risto.gaia.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:00:50 GMT

This retreat sounds Beautiful !!! I hope you experience a great turnout... and to have this recur monthly is an excellent idea =)

Mind, Body, and Soul

http://alton.gaia.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:56:09 GMT

Hi guys,

Mind, Body, and Soul has been a great success. Just wanted to give you all a heads up on our next one coming up in 2 weeks.

Please check out our event coming up on August 25th. I have posted it on the events calendar.

Plummer Park
7377 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046

2:00pm- 5:00pm

An exploration of the male self and sexuality through yoga, discussion and
meditation. Designed as a monthly retreat for the gay/bisexual man seeking greater awareness, healing and control over his mind, body, soul and sexual being.

Thanks,

Alton

Re: Are you all communicating telepathically?

http://environsand.gaia.com — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:19:56 GMT

I think some of us are -and it is something that
we are working towards building on.

Re: Are you all communicating telepathically?

http://risto.gaia.com — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 01:44:00 GMT

Hey Nira... "I don't know what I don't know" says alot, and I can relate to that statement. I have a twin sister and when we were growing up we'd communicate to each other telepathically, not even knowing the term for it. I still can do this, but my sister and I seemingly have lost this form of contact with each other. I attempted to send her birthday wishes recently when I was in Peru and she was home (in Ohio). Later, I told her of my attempt, but she didn't receive my message. I am still able to exercise this with others as well as with animals. I think the receiver needs to be slightly receptive, if they're closed off, the telepathic energy won't penetrate to the conscious mind.

Are you all communicating telepathically?

http://KarmagS.gaia.com — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:21:58 GMT

This is my first POD and intuition is a focus of mine. Is there some other way to see the discussions?

My Father taught me a lot about the sub conscious when I was very young and I have worked to self develop over my life. I am interested in conversing on the topic because I know, I don't know what I don't know. Anyone out there care to chat?

Nira

Re: On 13 February 2007 Mercury goes retrograde

http://environsand.gaia.com — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:22:23 GMT

Very glad i read this post!
Today it's been like my ex has changed personality totally.
He is a cusp gemini and the full moon influences him-but not
in a good way.
He has been pretty good of late and yet he has reverted to way bad
behavior.Not nice at all-hope he blows it off real quick!
sandy