Abundant Michael

Who's in charge of your TV set?

I haven't watched TV news or listened to radio news for about 3 years
now. I do sometime read headlines in the Washington Post when I am
grocery shopping. But my main news source is what friends and coworkers
are talking about. If it is big news then I hear about it. (I used to
spend an hour a day reading the Post cover to cover plus CNN, PBS news.
I guess I was a news junkie!)

So I found this article by Joe Vitale about new and a new positive only news website
interesting.
Joe Vitale wrote:
> As you probably know, I'm not a
> fan of mainstream news.
>
> Why?
>
> It's generally 99% negative and fear based.
> Not to mention, most of the news has very
> little impact on your daily life, unless you
> choose to engage and consume it, which
> doesn't feel good at all.
>
> Why invite it in to begin with?
>
> This is not the "Outer Limits." You are in
> complete control of your television set.
>
> With that said, I am a major fan of reading
> and consuming positive and inspirational
> books, news, press and headlines. For me
> this is an inspiring process that helps foster
> creativity and success.
>
> This morning I read a batch of the latest
> testimonials and case studies from my Miracles
> Coaching students. Wow - talk about a jolt of
> inspirational adrenaline. My coaching students
> are taking the expression "Dare Something Worthy"
> to new heights.
>
> One particular case study really caught
> my eye, as it seemed to truly embody
> taking immediate action on an inspired idea.
>
> Inspired largely by my book "The Attractor
> Factor", one of my miracles coaching students
> developed a "positive news" website.
>
> Yep. This site has nothing but positive news
> relating to business, politics, health, science,
> entertainment and more. You can see it here --
>
> http://www.positivenewz.com
>
> Now that's a news site worth visiting.

They have an old saying in newspapers that "if it bleeds it leads". I take to mean that violence, conflict and fear tend to make it to the front page or leading stories. This is even more true of TV, which is a more emotional medium.

I do like some radio shows such as This American Life which goes into non=leading stories.

Perhaps if you contact the website with you idea for actionable news they would be interested.

If you don't already read it you might check out Yes magazine http://www.yesmagazine.org/

"Concerned with building a more just, sustainable, and compassionate future with articles about economic alternatives and peace options."

I also watch spiritual cinema circle DVDs as a way to find uplifting movies and documentaries. http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com/

Does any one have any other positive magazines, website or shows they can recommend?

Free tapping summit online

I have used EFT (tapping) for years and highly recommend it. Here is info on the free tapping world summit from Joe Vitale. The event is Sunday, February 21st, through Tuesday, March 2nd 2010
Last year 81,000 people attended the Tapping World Summit. This year even more will attend the free online event.

Why?

And what is tapping?

Tapping is a simple way to release issues and blocks that occur in your life.

I call it "psychological acupuncture."

In short, all you do is use your fingers and "tap" specific areas of your body while you think of a problem or issue you want to release.

Tapping has been shown to provide relief from chronic pain, emotional problems, disorders, addictions, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical diseases, as it helps people clear the limiting beliefs that are holding them back from attracting what they really want.

I've been using, teaching and promoting this simple technique for decades. I've written about it, and even appear in a movie about it, called "The Tapping Solution" (formerly titled Try It On Everything).

The Tapping World Summit is the best place to learn all about this.

It has lots of teachers and lots of bonuses.

It's an online event -- and it's freeee.

Just go to --

http://www.tryitoneverything.com/cmd.php?Clk=3533132

Framing the debate

Recently a friend suggested renaming "Global Warming" to "Climate Chaos".  Michael Rios wrote:

"Who doesn't like being warm?  And when the warming is
just a couple of degrees, who can tell the difference between 76 degrees and 78? None of these are likely to generate concern in the average listener.

The issue that matters isn't temperature itself; it is the consequences of those changes that are important. So while "global warming" is technically correct, better and more meaningful framings would have been "global climate instability" or "climate chaos."

Framing the debate by choosing what you call the issue is a key way to win a debate before you start. It is something that right wing issue groups have been doing well for years now, using NLP to help frame issues. Perhaps it is time for left wing groups to start using this technology more. Perhaps it is time to email Al Gore and suggest a reframe for global warming like the one Michael Rios gave above

"Strange title for a New York Times bestseller, isn't it, but this little book has lit a fire under the Democratic party which had no idea how it lost the last election. The author, George Lakoff, is a linguist. He studies language and how it works in society and especially inside of our heads.

In this 120-page book, Lakoff argues that the Republicans won by framing the debate about everything in the election. And framing is so powerful a tool that it got people to vote for Bush and against their own self interest. "Many Americans voted their moral identity and values, often at the expense of the economic interests." Such is the power of framing.

Howard Dean, in the foreword, says: "Language matters. Americans who want to be first to set the agenda need to be quick, and must understand the use of language."

Whether you're a politician running for election, a corporate leader trying to shift the corporate direction, or just a parent trying to orient your children, you might want to learn more about framing and reframing.

From http://www.qimacros.com/knowwareezines/200509Framing.html

More on framing at http://www.renewal.ca/nlp20.htm

Chants of a Lifetime Ram Das book/CD

I just bought this from HayHouse (text and images below from their newsletter) - looks interesting if you are into chanting or India spirituality. I have several of his regular CDs and looking forward to listening to this more personal one.

Coined "the chant master of American yoga" by the New York Times, Krishna shares his heart through music and chanting—his way of serving the Divine within himself and others.

Chants of a Lifetime Chants of a Lifetime: Searching For A Heart Of Gold offers an intimate collection of stories, teachings, and insights from Krishna Das. Since 1994, the sound of his voice singing traditional Indian chants with a Western flavor has brought the spiritual experience of chanting to audiences all over the world. He has previously shared some of his spiritual journey through talks and workshops, but now he offers a unique book-and-CD combination that explores his fascinating path and creates an opportunity for just about anyone to experience chanting in a unique and special way.

Chants of a Lifetime is about Krishna's search for true meaning within. He details his struggle with seeking outside himself for love and acceptance and the connection he found through chanting.

 

My life has been spent searching. Even before I knew what I was looking for, everything that has happened to me has led me into the presence of love, whether it was the physical presence of my guru or the presence of love deep within my own heart. No matter what my life may look like from the outside, on the inside it is a constant process of turning toward that place, of trying to come face-to-face with love.

The more I chant and share my path with seekers from so many different countries and cultures, the more I am being transformed myself. The purpose of this book is to illuminate the part of my path that surrounds and gives life to the chanting. I hope that by sharing the way I see my life, some of my experiences and some of the things I've learned while waiting for the door of my heart to swing open may be of help to those of you who are trying to open that same door.

Chanting alone is not my path. It is my main practice, but my life—and everything in it—is my path. I had the opportunity to spend several years in the presence of my guru, and I've been able to meet many saints, yogis, lamas, and instructors from different spiritual traditions. Without the blessing of these wonderful teachers and my experiences with them, I wouldn't have been able to pass through the darkness and despair that have often filled my life, and finally begun to learn how to be good to myself.

When we do kirtan, the practice of what in India is called "chanting the Divine Name" over the course of a few hours, we are letting go of our "stories" and offering ourselves into the moment over and over again. Chanting is a way of deepening the moment, of deepening our connection with ourselves, the world around us, and other beings. The Sanskrit chants that we sing—recognized for millennia as the Names of God—come from a place deep within each of us, so they have the power to draw us back within. If we go deep enough, we will all arrive at the same place, our deepest Being.

When you hear my story, maybe it will resonate in your heart because, even though all of us walk our different paths and live our different lives, we are all headed to the same place: our One Heart of Gold.

Chants of a Lifetime CD Chants of a Lifetime includes photos from Krishna Das's years in India and also from his life as a kirtan leader—and the CD that is offered exclusively in the book consists of a number of "private" chanting sessions with the author. Instead of being performances of chants for listening, the recordings make it seem as if Krishna Das himself is present for a one-on-one chanting session. The idea is for the listener to explore his or her own practice of chanting and develop a deepening connection with the entire chanting experience.

Sandbox Sleepover weekend Friday 4/2/10 - Sunday 4/4/10

The Sandbox sleepover weekend is Friday 4/2/10 - Sunday 4/4/10. Come co-create a stronger Sandbox community! I was inspirited both by the New Culture weekend and the Sandbox cabins/kitchen at Beltane.

 

Please RSVP here.

  • opening circle Friday night to create safe container and introductions
  • plenty of unstructured time to hang, interact, play
  • workshops, some dance/movement
    • Contact improv dance
    • a morning yoga class
    • Millie wiccan ritual
    • Buddhist meditation (developing bodichitta)
    • Aural sex (yes the ears!)
    • Cuddle pit
    • Finger (and other body parts) painting
    • More to come
  • closing circle Sunday lunch
  • space to sleep over if you chose or commute to and fro
  • shared meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • everyone helps out with prep and clean up like at Wednesday gatherings
  • support for clear communication throughout the weekend
  • Cost is on a sliding scale donation basis so that all that want to attend can. Suggested donation $50 for the whole weekend - Friday night, all day Saturday, Sunday til after lunch closing circle. If you only come for part of the weekend then make a partial donation.

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