Reclaiming the Rhythm: An Interview With Rick Allen

What would you do if you were suddenly faced with the threat of losing your most important gift? What if regaining it required more effort and willpower than you’d ever imagined and forced you to rely on parts of yourself you never even knew existed?

Rick Allen became a rock star at the early age of 15 as the drummer for the group Def Leppard. After an explosion of success in the early eighties, his world was suddenly turned upside down in 1984, when a violent car accident caused him serious injuries and the loss of his left arm.

After a visit to the Remo factory in Valencia, California, Rick immediately insisted that his family members join him at a Remo drum circle that evening. Inspired by this experience and the philosophy of Remo’s drumming & wellness department -Health RHYTHMS, Rick agreed to share his personal story and information on his current project, Raven Drum Foundation, in an interview at his home in Malibu, California.

1. Could you describe your first memories immediately after the accident?

1. …………….I felt very lost. It was the epitome of chaos. Really in and out of belief and disbelief. But I think we all have an inner strength in times like those. You really can’t even say what you would do if it happened to you. But when you’re thrown into it – you are amazed at what you can do. The amazing thing was my family and friends. Throughout my hospital stay, I saw people around me dig into sides of themselves I’d never seen before.

1. When was the first time music came back into the picture for you?

1. In my first week in the hospital, I started hearing music that just seemed to be playing. I thought it was coming out of the air vents. Then I told my brother, “You’ve got to go home and get the stereo system and my music collection to see what I can do.” So I started listening to Led Zeppelin, Free, Bad Company, T-Rex, David Bowie – just throwing myself back into that whole era I grew up with.

1. What was it like when you first started to feel the rhythms?

1. It was interesting. I realized that I could play all the basic rhythms I ever learned just with my right and left foot. I played the rhythm by tapping this big piece of foam at the end of my hospital bed. I realized I could make a beat, using only my legs. And it was like – WOW – I CAN DO THAT. I can replace what I used to do with “left hand” with “left foot.” The information was still there, in the brain – I just had to re-channel it.

1. But is it just in the brain?

1. Actually, your entire body becomes a memory of how to play an instrument. You have to re-shuffle everything and ask, “what’s important now?” I’d rather play a basic pattern really well than try and play too much. It’s a constant learning curve. What I can do today with two legs is completely different than what I could do two years ago.

1. You figured out that the information was within you, it just needing to be re-channeled.

1. Well, you have to figure out ways of healing yourself. You let people on the outside influence you – but ultimately, the job of getting well is entirely up to you.

1. Did anyone doubt you – tell you that it wasn’t possible to play again?

1. One junior doctor came up to me and said, “You know you’ll never play drums again.” But I think it just made me more determined. Another guy said, “You know you’ll never be able to wave again,” since my right shoulder was severely broken. After I was released, I came down the hall and waved at him. Even today, I’m working with a trainer and my right arm is still improving. It helps when I use the aluminum drum sticks (Easton) to take some of the shock out of playing. When I’m playing electronic pads all the time, I feel like I need that cushion. I’ve also learned to constantly give myself that positive reinforcement.

1. What do you think is the role of the mind in rehabilitation?

1. It’s all about intention – what you set out for yourself. I keep pushing that boundary and seeing myself in a better physical condition. Being a better musician. Even just being able to tie a shoelace in a better way.

1. When you first started playing again – did it make you more aware of the loss? Was it a painful experience?

1. Actually being able to play my instrument again was enough. That was really the gift. It didn’t matter how good or bad it was. It was just, “OK – I can do this. THANK YOU.” I encounter people that are in worse situations who are so challenged, but they have the audacity to look up to me. I don’t even feel like what some people would say “disabled.” I don’t even feel like I miss anything. I think of some people out there who do so much more than any of us with so much less. When I think about them, I realize that I don’t really have a problem, do I?

1. What was it like playing your first concert after the accident? Your first time on stage?

1. It happened gradually, through an amazing series of coincidences. We were playing four shows at small pubs in Ireland with this guy, Jeff Rich who we affectionately called our “stunt drummer.” He played acoustic drums to back up my electronic kit. But, he had travel problems and missed half of our second gig, so I played it myself. And the next gig had a stage that couldn’t fit both our kits, so I managed it on my own. By the time we played Donnington, outside of London, for a crowd of 55,000 people, I felt great. When I was introduced, the crowd went nuts. My mom, dad and brother were there to support me. That was probably the greatest moment in my life – just sitting there with so much gratitude.

1. What helps you now?

1. It helps me to improvise and play for the fun of it, especially with a group of people. It feels good to do whatever I want. No right or wrong, just very natural, without any muscle.

1. Do you feel that drumming has been healing for you?

1. Yes, but only when I realized it. Not when my playing was forced. Sometimes when you sit behind drums, its all muscle. Very physical. Its not until you realize you don’t need that. The rhythm or the feeling can be found within. I’ve been in situations when I’ve felt it’s been damaging – because I’m over-playing and I’m in a place that’s uncomfortable. And there have been other experiences, where I’m very comfortable – like everything is RIGHT. It transcends the drum and becomes just the feeling.

1. What inspired you to create the Raven Drum Foundation?

1. Actually, Lauren and I want to bring more awareness of healing through the arts. We want to use our website to guide people to where they can go to learn about these tools and get more information.

(Joined by Lauren Monroe- Director of the Raven Drum Foundation)

1. The information is important, but the primary thing is the experience. We want to help people discover how to express themselves through sacred methods. We want to give people keys …to open up parts of themselves. The mission of the Raven Drum Foundation is bringing ancient knowledge through the arts for the purpose of healing. We want to support a collective of artists and facilitators who can share their wisdom and practice.

1. How did all of these events affect your outlook on being a performer?

1. I believe in intention and the connection between the mind and body. I’ve started setting intentions with the guys in the band, even before going in front of 10,000 people. And for myself, I just keep playing with the concept of simplicity and feeling good. I think it’s really about finding something that makes us feel good. If we can achieve that, we have a tool to cope with whatever life challenges come our way.

Rick Allen is President of the Raven Drum Foundation. Since the age of 15, Rick has been the drummer for the heavy metal rock band, Def Leppard. He is a REMO artist.

Lauren Monroe, M.A., CMT is Director of the Raven Drum Foundation. She holds degrees in Dance Choreography, Education, and Massage Therapy.

For more information on the Raven Drum Foundation, go to www.ravendrumfoundation.com or telephone (310) 456-5030. Raven Drum Foundation @ravendrum

Find Them On Twitter!  Rick @rickallenlive Lauren @LMBlaze

Also check them out at

by Christine K. Stevens, MSW, M.A., MT-BC

Christine Stevens, MSW, MT-BC is Director of Music Therapy and Wellness Programs in the new HealthRHYTHMS division at Remo, Inc. She holds masters degrees in music therapy and social work and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Health and Wellness committee, For more information on the use of drumming for health and wellness, go to www.remo.com, click on HealthRHYTHMS.

Resiliency Radio – Giving the Gift of Resiliency

When Emotions Become Habits

One of the questions people most often ask about flower essences is, “How long will it take them to work?” One could as easily ask this about crystals or any other vibrational tool.

And there’s no specific answer I can give to this question because how fast you or I change is an individual issue, based on four vital elements: Intention, focus, commitment, and willingness.

How Vibrational Healing Works

My favorite explanation comes from Dr. Edward Bach, who discovered and developed the Bach Flower Remedies. He believed the source of all illness (whether mental, emotional, or physical) is conflict between one’s higher self and the personality (or ego).

“Higher self” is his phrase. I prefer the phrase, “spiritual” self (as distinct from physical self). This is the eternal, nonphysical aspect of each of us. Not only is it our direct connection to universal spirit, it has (for those who believe in reincarnation) been present for each of our visits to physical existence and remembers all we’ve learned in each incarnation. When we open ourselves up to its wisdom and energy, life on the physical plane can be a powerful and joyful experience.

Think of the connection between your spiritual and physical selves as a channel through which your spiritual self is constantly sending the physical self empowering messages. “You are a worthy person. Love yourself. Appreciate yourself. Celebrate yourself.” These messages are spiritual fuel, food to help you grow into someone who enjoys life and easily creates the fulfillment of your dreams.

Most people, however, are not getting this message. The one they hear says, “You made a mistake.” “That person doesn’t like you.” “You won’t get a raise.” “You’ll never find true love.” These messages always have emotional components: guilt, self-judgment, resentment that other people seem to have easier lives, etc. Our channel becomes blocked with mental and emotional sludge, and the spiritual fuel of the higher self can’t get through.

The role of vibrational healing, whether the specific method used is crystals, essences, Reiki, or any other modality, is to dissolve these blockages, thus clearing the channel and restoring the direct connection between the higher self and the physical self.

The Role of Intention

Choosing to take essences or to work with crystals, deciding which will be most appropriate, and taking the remedies or meditating with crystals on a regular basis are acts of intention. They announce that you want to release a condition/blockage limiting your life, and, in a more general way, that you choose to be happy and attuned to your spiritual nature. Such statements of intention set up a vibration that assists the essences or crystals in doing their work.

Sometimes that’s all you need to do. Mild blockages or those recently acquired are more easily and quickly dissolved. Someone who’s gone through a brief but intense period of stress and feels overwhelmed is likely to find she doesn’t need to do anything more than take Elm for a few weeks to a month (with Star of Bethlehem added, if feelings of trauma accompany the stress), sleep or meditate with an amethyst or aquamarine crystal, or give herself extra Reiki treatments. You can, of course, do all three.

When Emotions are Habits

You can most effectively release more deeply rooted and/or longer-held blockages by making a commitment to focus your attention on clearing up the psychic debris and unraveling the patterns that have created the habitual response.

Practical steps for expressing this commitment can include:

Create an Affirmation. This will have most effect when expressed positively, i.e., not. “I don’t want to feel guilty any more.” Say instead, “I accept myself just as I am.”

Meditate with Crystals Relating to Your Issue. Sugilite, for example, is a very good crystal for guilt. Rose quartz fosters love; while citrine and smoky can help to release blockages related to self-esteem. Quartz in all forms helps to release any kind of energy blockage.

As you meditate, visualize situations that in the past made you feel guilty. Imagine responding in a self-accepting way to these situations. Imagine yourself releasing any emotional charge these situations bring up and see yourself responding in a self-accepting way. When you do such visualizations, you are creating a future in which, when these situations come up in real life, you will respond in this positive way.

Also, imagine you are clearing up the channel between your spiritual and physical selves. Visualize that channel free of obstruction with any images you choose. Mentally sweep it with a broom, vacuum it, whatever works.

Keep a Dream Journal. Flower essences stimulate powerful dreams, and this is one way in which your being works through emotional blockages and releases them. When you’re connected to your creative dream life, you can have insights about the origins of your particular blockage. Insights help to shift energy and dissolve blockages.

Be Aware. Sometimes you know in advance that particular situations may activate the emotions and/or behavior you are working on releasing. If, for example, you’ve set reasonable boundaries about your children doing work around the house, but feel guilty and give in when they complain, take some time to think about this. Explore the situation in meditation.

Listen to Your Thoughts. This relates to the point above. What thought patterns enter your mind when you choose to act on your commitment to adopt a way of being?

“If I were a better parent, they’d do what they were supposed to do.” “I don’t want to be strict like my mother.” “Why don’t they just do the housework?” “It would be easier to do it myself.” Bringing these thoughts to the surface helps to weaken their energetic charge, which clears the way for more positive energy to flow through you.

Ask Others to Help. Ask your spouse, partner, or a close friend to tell you when you’re sinking into guilt. Don’t get angry with them when they keep their promises to do so.

Healing/Crisis/Opportunity

Sometimes people experience healing crises when they take essences, work with crystals, or practice Reiki in order to deal with a long-term emotional way of being. A healing crisis is a positive development that doesn’t always feel good.

Energetically speaking, a habitual way of being is embedded in one’s being. Think of it as the psychic/emotional equivalent of physical toxins. In order to clear up the passageway to the spiritual self, the toxins have to leave the being.

When one physically detoxifies, the release of the toxins can cause physical symptoms such as headache, nausea, headaches, skin rashes, etc. One feels worse before feeling better. In like manner, one may feel emotionally worse (for example, intensified guilt) before feeling the release of the emotions.

Emotions may also become intensified because one is very aware of them. Because of your commitment to release your particular emotional blockage, you will notice whenever it comes up.

Being Willing to Change

Often, unconscious resistance can create or intensify a healing crisis. As physical beings, our fear of the unknown may be greater than our dislike of our emotional habits.

At this point, Rescue Remedy (containing Rock Rose for terror), Aspen (for fear of the unknown), and Charoite (for both known and unknown fears) can be very helpful.

I have also found it valuable to “make believe.” This means, even if you don’t think you’ve ever experienced the energy and guidance of your spiritual self, you can begin thinking and acting as if it exists. You can say to yourself, “I choose to feel the energy of my spiritual self” or whatever affirmation feels appropriate to you. When you meditate, imagine a greater, eternal you, who’s visiting the physical plane.

That’s who you really are, and when you go through rough spots in the process of transformation, remind yourself of this.

Or, as your spiritual self might say, “You are a worthy person. Love yourself. Appreciate yourself. Celebrate yourself.”

Transformational Crystals and Essences

In addition to the crystals and essence I’ve noted in the course of this article, I find the following invaluable:

Danburite: I have become increasingly appreciative of this crystal. It helps us to view our lives from the soul perspective, and has helped me clean up psychic sludge many times.

Particular forms of quartz can be especially valuable in the work of transformation. Tabular quartz, for example, can act as a bridge between where we are and where we want to be.

Chrysocolla and amethyst are extremely calming crystals, wonderful to have around when nerves begin to fray.

If one of your issues is needing to screen out the negative energies of others, hematite is an especially helpful stone. Its flower essence equivalents are Yarrow (for general screening) and Pink Yarrow (for shielding from the emotions of those close to you).

Rhodochrosite is an indispensable crystal for anxious moments.

Walnut is one of the most popular Bach Flower Remedies, helping to ease traumas associated with transition and transformation.

Three Wild Earth Animal Essences are especially related to transformation in that the animals they are related to go through complete physical transformation several times in their lives.

They are Butterfly, Frog, and Salamander. In my experience, Butterfly helps to achieve a lightness of spirit about the process of transformation; while Frog can aid in emotional release. Salamander is a very subtle essence, which seems to guide one gently through the process of release and transformation.

Wild Horse Empowerment – Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe

This video was sent to me on Facebook, by my friend and Def Leppard drummer Rick Allan, and his beautiful partner Lauren Monroe.

Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe visited the Life Savers Ranch in Lancaster, CA and each had a first hand experience gentling or whispering wild horses.

Raven Drum Foundation: http://www.ravendrumfoundation.org

Facebook Group:  Raven Drum Foundation

Twitter :  @ravendrum

Music:  Oneness Chant by Lauren Monroe and Rick Allen.
Visit http://www.laurenmonroe.com

Einstein goes high-tech to treat patients with eating disorders

The body’s innate relaxation response is an incredibly effective remedy for stress and anxiety. Relaxation methods such as deep breathing, guided meditation, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, and various forms of yoga can aid individuals in activating this powerful response.

When performed on a regular basis, these various activities can eventually cause a decrease in daily stress or anxiety levels and contribute to a heightened level of happiness and peace. In addition, they instruct individuals in techniques to utilize to stay calm and level-headed when faced with a stressful or unexpected situation.

The Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment, part of the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, has begun employing Healing Rhythms as an aid to a variety of behavioral disorders. Patients recovering from eating disorders may, early on, experience panic attacks and physical discomfort while learning how to eat healthy. This software is used in 50-minute sessions, twice a week, to help patients cope with a wide range of symptoms.

Healing Rhythms, developed by a San Diego company called Wild Divine, is designed to help patients learn to relax and control their heart rate, pulse and skin response through their breathing.

One program shows balloons peacefully rising and falling on the screen. As the participant does deep and focused breathing, the balloons will slowly float in a steady and straight course across the screen. In a different program, balls are juggled in the air. The more relaxed the person becomes through their breathing, the slower the balls move. If the person increases his or her stress levels, the balls are juggled faster and higher.

“The aim is to offer these patients another way to gain control of their psychological and physiologic responses, and, ultimately, their lives,” said Stacey Saleff, an occupational therapist at Belmont.

Original Suorce

http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/02/02/newscolumn1.html

Energy Muse Jewelry – Healing gemstones and crystals

Energy Muse Jewelry is intended to balance the body through the healing properties of gemstones and crystals. This is the world’s most recognized conscious lifestyle jewelry consisting of handmade crystal and gemstone jewelry with healing properties for love, health, prosperity, luck, and empowerment.

This unique handcrafted jewelry has been cleansed using ancient techniques and energized to amplify the power and healing properties of the stones. Embraced by athletes and celebrities, their pieces are worn by Sting, Bono, Heidi Klum, Britney Spears and many more.

Over the last few years, I have chosen meticulously, for each of my family members, a piece which I felt would benefit them most directly, according to obvious years of personal observation. The Energy Muse Jewelry that I have purchased for myself are listed along with their healing attributes, below:

6th CHAKRA BRACELET

6th CHAKRA BRACELET

The Brow Chakra, also known as the 6th Chakra, is located above and in between the eyes. This chakra is the center of intuition, and is associated with insight, devotion and memory. Clearing this chakra helps to balance discipline and dissolve feelings of inadequacy. Amethyst promotes peace and protection from negativity. Lapis Lazuli expands awareness and encourages a state of serenity. Quartz crystal is a stone of manifestation and enhances clear thinking. Blue Lace Agate works to calm the nervous system, while Charoite awakens intellect and grounds the spiritual self. Wear this Energy Muse piece when you seek guidance from your intuition.

6th Chakra Affirmation: I listen to my intuition and hear divine guidance.

3rd CHAKRA BRACELET

3rd CHAKRA BRACELET

The Solar Plexus Chakra, also known as the 3rd Chakra, is located behind the navel. This chakra is connected to ambition, transformation and self-discipline. Opening this energy center clears negative patterning and addictions, as well as stimulates digestion. Carnelian is worn to enhance personal power, balance sexual energy, and encourage creativity and joy. Citrine carries with it the vibration of joy and peace, while Amber is believed to attract strength and success. Sunstone is a healing stone that promotes a positive attitude during times of high stress. Wear this Energy Muse piece when you seek vitality and discipline.

3rd Chakra Affirmation: I am an empowered and vital being.

4th CHAKRA BRACELET

4th CHAKRA BRACELET

The Heart Chakra, also known as the 4th Chakra, is located at the center of the chest. This chakra is connected to forgiveness, compassion and hope. Clearing this energy center restores optimism and dissolves grudges. Rose Quartz is the stone of self-love and works to heal all issues of the heart. Aventurine carries a nurturing vibration that evokes a state of well-being. Malachite is a purifying stone that helps to release energetic blocks, while Peridot emits a warm, soothing energy. Watermelon Tourmaline attracts inspiration and diminishes fear, and Jade, the stone of wisdom, balances the emotions. Wear this Energy Muse piece when you wish to heal and nurture the heart.

4th Chakra Affirmation: I evoke clarity of the heart.

HEALTH NECKLACE

HEALTH NECKLACE

This Energy Muse Health piece has been created to enhance and protect your physical well-being. Turquoise, known as the Stone of Heaven, is considered a master healer. This stone works to protect and align the chakras, which in turn strengthens the overall body. Sodalite, also a healing stone, has been added to still the mind and encourage relaxation. Agate works to remove blockages from within the body, as it promotes balance, which leads to vibrant health. The authentic Chinese Coin, estimated to be 100-500 years old, is an ancient and powerful manifesting tool for attracting wealth, luck and endless opportunity. A symbol of good fortune; with its’ round shape representing Heaven and the interior square symbolizing Earth. Wear this Energy Muse piece when you seek healing for the physical body.

Health Affirmation: I live in vibrant health of mind, body and spirit.

MIRACLES – JUDE

Miracles – Jude

Trust and allow miracles to flow through you. Saint Jude brings peace in times of desperate situations. Call upon him to feel inner peace and divine care and love. As you feel peace within it will emanate to everyone around you.

Affirmation: I AM Peace.

Stone: Amethyst attracts spiritual contentment and gives you faith.

Energy Muse® Jewelry is intended to be a tool for transformation, manifestation and empowerment. It is designed to enhance the wearer’s own energy.

Discover the peice that best suits you @ http://www.energymuse.com

The Raven Drum Foundation

Friend and Def Leppard drummer, Rick Allen and his wife, Lauren Monroe, are the founders of the Raven Drum Foundation, an organization that seeks to heal individuals through drumming circles.

The Raven Drum Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to serve, educate and empower veterans and people in crisis through the power of the drum.

Community & Partnership Drum Circles

Drum circles are conducted in various communities across the country and internationally. Drum circles use drumming as a tool for healing and allow participants to use rhythm as a form of release and connecting to others.

They conduct two types of drum circles:  Community Drum Circles and Partnership Drum Circles.  Community Drum Circles are open to the public and are held throughout the year for communities to come together in support of their local veterans.  Partnership Drum Circles are conducted in collaboration with groups and organizations and are arranged upon request.

Resiliency Program

Raven Drum Foundation’s Resiliency Program is an innovative healing program for veterans, active duty military, and their families. They use self-care modalities to aid in healing combat-related trauma, and the everyday stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by service men and women and their families.

Current research demonstrates that the primary impact of traumatic experience is a bodily impact. Our body, as the site of all human experience, stores the memory of traumatic experience implicitly, and these memories permeate our thoughts, feelings and actions. By using the drum circle as a backbone, our programs incorporate drumming, rhythm, movement, dance, yoga, breathing techniques, and the practice of mindfulness and meditation. When combined together these modalities help to release and heal the trauma allowing the body to become integrated and whole.

Our program provides participants with self-help and self-healing tools to be incorporated into their daily lives to help cope with their emotional, physical and psychological wounds.

Over the past several years, we have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of veterans throughout the country and we hope to continue to expand our programs to reach more and more service men and women, especially new veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with life-changing injuries. Additionally, we are developing components of the program that will focus specifically on women veterans, as well as military spouses, partners and families.

The Resiliency Program is our way of giving back to these courageous and inspiring warriors by providing them with a new path for the future.

Additionally, Def Leppard and Live Nation have donated unpurchased tickets for each Def Leppard show to Raven Drum for our veterans!

Over the past decade, Raven Drum has been honored to work with amazing groups of people.  They are continually inspired, especially by our veterans, to continue serving and sharing our gift of healing and peace.

http://www.ravendrumfoundation.org/

Crop Circles – Organized Harmonic Forms of Energy

Crop circles are organized harmonic forms of energy comprised of light, sound and magnetism which physically manifest as geometric patterns when they interact with our physical world. To date, 10,000 crop circles have been reported in 29 countries, and have appeared in mediums such as wheat, barley, canola, trees, ice, rice paddies, even linseed.

Contrary to popular perception, crop circles are not a modern phenomenon. They were witnessed by policemen and farmers as far back as 1890, they exist in the centuries-old folklore of South Africa and China, and are mentioned in 17th Century academic texts.

Over eighty eyewitnesses have reported crop circles forming in under fifteen seconds; these witnesses describe incandescent balls of light which either precede a crop circle or are actively involved in its creation; in some cases shafts of light descend onto a field and swirled the crop into a geometric shape.

Around 1980 serious attention was finally given to the phenomenon, primarily in southern England, where 90% of designs are reported. They appeared primarily as simple circles, yet by the late 1980s they had developed into pictograms, not unlike the petroglyphs found at sacred sites. After 1990 the designs developed exponentially in complexity, and today it is not unusual to come across crop glyphs mimicking computer fractals and elements expressing fourth dimensional processes in quantum physics.

To quell the public’s growing interest in crop circles, the British Military created two sexagenarian characters named Doug and Dave, and presented them to the media via a fictitious press agency as the makers of all crop circles. Once in a while, governments like to control public interest in unexplained phenomena they cannot control by ‘debunking’ — a technique developed by the US government after WWII for the sad purpose of controlling mass opinion (as stated in the 1953 Robertson Panel). This method is very effective because it makes use of two extraordinarily simple tools of mass control — ridicule and fear. When later confronted to provide evidence of their alleged creations, Doug and Dave changed their stories and reversed previous claims; they could not even explain the anomalous features they allegedly made. Thus, their story was entirely fabricated. Later, in 1998, the surviving member of the deceptive duo admitted to British newspapers that he’d been “guided by an unknown force”.

A hoax is a forgery, and forgers require a genuine from which to copy. So, what exactly lies behind real crop circles? In genuine formations the stems are not broken but bent, defeating the hoax argument, since a plank or garden roller is required to flatten the crop to the ground, resulting in clear damage to the plants.

The plants are subjected to a short and intense burst of heat which softens the stems to drop just above the ground at 90C, where they re-harden into their new position without damage. Research and laboratory tests suggest that infrasound is capable of producing such an effect: High-pressure infrasound is capable of boiling water inside the stems in one nanosecond, expanding the water, and leaving tiny blowholes in the plants’ nodes. The pressure applied also causes the water to steam, and it is reported by farmers that when they stumble upon a new crop circle they see steam rising from within the design. This process creates surface charring along the stems.

It has been scientifically documented that soil samples taken from within crop circles show changes to its crystalline structure and mineral composition. Expert analysis concludes that heat of 1500C would create such a change. Hardly the kind of anomalies created by pranksters with planks!

Crop circles also show existence of ultrasound, and such frequencies are known to exist at ancient sites such as stone circles and menhirs. And like all ancient sacred sites, crop circles appear at the intersecting points of the Earth’s magnetic pathways of energy; thus the size and shape of a crop circle is typically determined by the area of these ‘node’ points at the time of their appearance. This electric and magnetic energy can interact with brainwave patterns, and because the human body is itself electro-magnetic, crop circles are known to affect people’s biophysical rhythms. Consequently, it is not unusual for people to experience heightened states of awareness and healings in crop circles — a situation also common to sacred sites and holy spaces.

Biophysical evidence shows the plants’ nodes (its knuckles) are drastically extended, seed embryos are altered, and the existence of expulsion cavities in the plants as if they have been heated from the inside. In genuine formations there is also a reorganization of the plant’s crystalline structure. Other evidence from crop circles shows how the floors of laid plants are swirled in mathematical proportions relative to the Golden Mean, the vortex used by nature to create organisms such as shells and sunflowers.

Genuine crop circles are not perfectly round but slightly elliptical (a hoax, requiring a fixed central rope, cannot achieve this adequately). Their edges are crisply defined from the flattened crop as if drawn with a compass, and incised with surgical precision.

Mathematically, genuine crop circles have yielded five new mathematical theorems. based on Euclidian geometry. They are also encoded with sacred geometry – those harmonic ratios that govern the relationship between the orbits of planets in our solar system.

Crop circles alter the local electromagnetic field; often compasses cannot locate north, cameras and cellular phones malfunction, packs of fresh batteries are drained in minutes, and the frequencies are known to affect helicopter and aircraft equipment. Radio frequencies are markedly different inside their space; local farm animals avoid the crop circles or simply act agitated hours before one materializes.

August 15-21, FREDDY SILVA, one of the world’s leading experts on crop circles and sacred space, will show us how the temples of Stonehenge and Avebury (and genuine crop circles, should we encounter some along the way) are strategically placed at special points along the Earth — the interstellar conveyor belts — where information can be received and coded. He will share how ancestral temple altars, crop circles and the human soul are linked via resonance; how orbs may be an expression of one’s own soul; and how, from time to time, these forms manifest as “the tall ones” from our ancient history.

Join them for this exploration for it may indeed be the most important event taking place in your lifetime. Find out how you can take your place in this adventure by visiting www.greatmystery.org/events/salisbury09.html.

Sponsored by The Prophets Conference & The Great Rethinking
www.greatmystery.org

The Emotional Vampire Survival Guide

To be emotionally free you can’t remain naïve about relationships. Some people are positive and mood elevating. Others can suck optimism and serenity right out of you. Vampires do more than drain your physical energy. The super-malignant ones can make you believe you’re an unworthy, unlovable wretch who doesn’t deserve better. The subtler species inflict damage by making smaller digs which can make you feel bad about yourself—for instance, “Dear, I see you’ve put on a few pounds”  or “You’re overly sensitive!” Suddenly they’ve thrown you emotionally off-center you by prodding areas of shaky self-worth. To protect your sensitivity, it’s important to name and combat these vampires. The concept struck such a collective chord in my book Positive Energy that in Emotional Freedom I illustrate how it applies to protecting your emotions and not absorbing other people’s negativity. In the book I discuss these vampires to watch for and ways to deal with them.

SIGNS THAT YOU’VE ENCOUNTERD AN EMOTIONAL VAMPIRE
(from “Emotional Freedom” by Judith Orloff MD)

•    Your eyelids are heavy—you’re ready for a nap
•    Your mood takes a nosedive
•    You want to binge on carbs or comfort foods
•    You feel anxious, depressed, or negative
•    You feel put down, sniped at, or slimed

TYPES OF EMOTIONAL VAMPIRES

Vampire #1: The Narcissist
Their motto is “Me first.” Everything is all about them. They have a grandiose sense of self-importance and entitlement, hog attention, and crave admiration. They’re dangerous because they lack empathy and have a limited capacity for unconditional love. If you don’t do things their way, they become punishing, withholding, or cold.

How to Protect Your Emotions: Keep your expectations realistic. These are emotionally limited people. Try not to fall in love with one or expect them to be selfless or love without strings attached. Never make your self-worth dependent on them or confide your deepest feelings to someone who won’t cherish them. To successfully communicate, the hard truth is that you must show how something will be to their benefit. Though it’s better not to have to contend with this tedious ego stroking, if the relationship is unavoidable use the above strategies to achieved desired results.

Vampire #2: The Victim
These vampires grate on you with their “poor-me’ attitude and are allergic to taking responsibility for their actions. The world is always against them, the reason for their unhappiness. When you offer a solution to their problems they always say, “Yes, but.” You might end up screening your calls or purposely avoid them. As a friend, you may want to help but their tales of woe overwhelm you.

How to Protect Your Emotions: Set kind but firm limits. Listen briefly and tell a friend or relative, “I love you but I can only listen for a few minutes unless you want to discuss solutions. Then I’d be thrilled to brainstorm with you.” With a coworker, listen briefly, sympathize by saying, “I’ll keep good thought for things to work out. Then say, I hope you understand, but I’m on deadline and must go back to work. Then use “this isn’t a good time” body language such as crossing your arms and breaking eye contact to help set these healthy limits.

Vampire #3: The Controller
These people obsessively try to control you and dictate what you’re supposed to be and feel. They have an opinion about everything. They’ll control you by invalidating your emotions if they don’t fit into their rulebook. They often start sentences with “You know what you need?” and then proceed to tell you. You end up feeling dominated, demeaned, or put down.

How to Protect Your Emotions: The secret to success is never try and control a controller. Be healthily assertive, but don’t tell them what to do. You can say, “I value your advice but really need to work through this myself.” Be confident but don’t play the victim or sweat the small stuff. Focus on high priority issues rather than on putting the cap on the toothpaste.

Vampire #4: The Splitter or Borderline Personality
Splitters see things as either good or bad and have love/hate relationships. One minute they idealize you, the next you’re the enemy if you upset them. They have a sixth sense for knowing how to pit people against each another and will retaliate if they feel you have wronged them. They are people who are fundamentally damaged—inwardly they feel as if they don’t exist and become alive when they get angry. They’ll keep you on an emotional rollercoaster and you may walk on eggshells to avoid their anger.

How to Protect Your Emotions: Stay calm. Don’t react when your buttons get pushed. Splitters feed off of anger. They respond best to structure and limit setting. If one goes into a rage, tell the person, “I’m leaving until you get calmer. Then we can talk.” Refuse to take sides when he or she tries to turn you against someone else. With family members, it’s best to show a united front and not let a splitter’s venomous opinions poison your relationships.

Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s new book “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” (Harmony Books, 2009)

About Judith Orloff
Judith Orloff MD, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and intuition expert, is author of the new book Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life (Harmony Books, 2009) Her other bestsellers are Positive Energy, Intuitive Healing, and Second Sight. Dr. Orloff synthesizes the pearls of traditional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition and energy medicine. She passionately believes that the future of medicine involves integrating all this wisdom to achieve emotional freedom and total wellness. www.drjudithorloff.com

FREE MINI VIDEO CLASSES ON YOUTUBE FOR YOU!
Please check out “Dr. Orloff’s Living Room Series” to find out more about the special method Dr. Orloff recommends to remember your dreams and other topics to build the power within. Stop by www.youtube.com/judithorloffmd anytime.

Emotions and Animal Essences

How Essences Work: A Brief Review

The idea that energy can get blocked and prevent or limit the flow of healing, balancing energies is fairly well known today. Edward Bach, M.D., originated the idea’s application to flower essence work by noticing that blockages often took a particular form. One person might be blocked from expressing unconditional love by feelings and thoughts of anger, another by resentment. Someone else might find her ability to be guided by her inner source limited by the feeling she had to ask the opinions of others; another might always feel there were too many choices available to decide.

In the Bach Flower Essence system (and in many others), each of the flowers embodies a particular energy frequency. When an individual resists the expression of that particular energy (i.e., patience, calmness, enthusiasm), she is out of touch with that aspect of her fundamental nature.

Melting Emotional Blockages with Wild Earth Animal Essences

While these essences also relate to specific qualities, I have noticed that some of them have a more general effect on emotional release and rebalance. No matter what emotion I’m choosing to release with the appropriate essence, the addition of one of the following essences in my mixture seems to make it easier to let go of the persistent emotional pattern.

You probably couldn’t go wrong in choosing any of the three below. Each, however, has a particular relationship to emotional release.

Big Girls Don’t Cry (or Big Boys)

They’d be happier if they did. That’s my opinion, and for those interested in astrology, I have Moon in Pisces, which is about as wet and emotional as it gets. I believe that a good cry, like the rain that relieves drought, revives us and gives us a new beginning.

The deepest levels of healing are accomplished on the emotional level. Emotions are associated with water, especially in the context of tears. If we are brought up to believe that tears are shameful and childish, we deprive ourselves of a powerful form of emotional release.

Frog medicine follows this principle. With its help, we can begin to experience tears as being as natural and necessary as rain.

For me, one of the most welcome signs of spring is the evening chorus of the spring peepers. Their song tells me that the ice in the ponds and streams where they live has melted. So Frog medicine symbolizes the unfreezing and flow of emotions.

Water cleanses and replenishes the earth, and in terms of healing, this animal’s medicine can help when our lives feel dry and dull, when we feel mired in the mud of circumstances, or when we have allowed emotional toxins to poison our outlook on life.

A Scottish version of the story of the Frog Prince illustrates the power of this medicine. A queen who was ill could only be healed by a drink from the well of true water. When each of her three daughters tried to get this water, a monstrous frog refused to allow them access unless they agreed to marry him. The youngest daughter agreed and was able to heal her mother. She also later discovered that her unattractive bridegroom was actually a prince.

This story teaches us that to heal ourselves (and others), it is often necessary to face the emotions within ourselves that we’ve buried because we find them unacceptable, or “ugly.” When we can honestly look at all aspects of ourselves, we find that the “ugliness” washes away, and our true beauty shines, like the sun after healing rain.

Seal: The Inner Voice

As humans, we often don’t realize the purpose of negative emotions, which are intended to tell us when we’re out of harmony. Guilt, for example, is meant to warn us when we’re about to violate our true nature. If we find our love for someone diminished because we judge them, we may feel guilty. This emotion isn’t intended to beat us up but to guide us back to unconditional love.

Fear is supposed to us of true danger, as opposed to an imagined danger. If I see a bear in the background, I am wise to stay inside, but if I spend my waking hours worried that a bear might appear, I am misusing the power of fear.

We humans have the tendency to let negative emotion misguide us that we can’t hear the deeper song of inner guidance. The seal reminds us of our connection to our inner rhythms, feelings, and knowing.

Often, when we create, the feeling aspect is missing. As a sea mammal, Seal is strongly symbolic of our feeling, sensual selves, and connects us to our deep inner rhythms and knowing. As animals with intellects that we believe set us apart from other animals we often resist surrendering to these deep rhythms, being fearful that we will lose what we think of as ourselves.

Playful Seal leads us to the water’s edge and urges us to lose our heaviness in the buoyancy of the sea. This animal reminds us that we can swim gracefully with the current, and that when we do, we can learn to release the worries created by our minds. With this perspective, our emotions, rather than pulling us down, provide us with the buoyancy that gives joy to our journeys.

Though the seal spends much of its life in the sea, it gives birth on land. This helps us to know that there are two essential ingredients to the fulfillment of our dreams and visions. They are optimally conceived in the deepest part of ourselves and given nurturance through the strength of our ability to imagine them with all the senses. They are then most easily realized when we help to bring them to birth with the help of practical and material acts.

Dove: Peace

Where I live one of the most familiar sounds of a summer evening or early morning is the cooing of the mourning dove. When all the other birds are asleep (except the robin and nightingale), the dove’s haunting call fills the air.

Thus, this bird is associated with these transitional periods in the day’s cycle, during which, according to mystical and magical traditions, the veils between the physical and spiritual worlds are at their thinnest.

I find it interesting that the crystal, amethyst, which is the color the skies of sunset and sunrise often assume, is, like the dove, related to peacefulness. Amethyst is one of the most popular crystals, and a comfort to those of us who live in a world that seems to be characterized by stress, tension, and major changes.

It is certainly a world in which we all need peace, and we can work with both amethyst and Dove Medicine to achieve it, especially when we are going through major changes and transitions. The peace symbolized by Dove is that of the deepest kind. It quiets our worried and troubled thoughts, and allows us to find renewal in the silence of mind.

It teaches us that, regardless of external circumstances, this quality of peace is within us, and always available to us. The regular practices of deep breathing and meditation can help us to find inner peace and enable us to move calmly and with purpose during the hours between dawn and dusk.

Next Page »