Spring is in full bloom, the days are long, and there is more freedom and ease to be outdoors, meet old friends and new ones too. Needless to say, this is also the time for romance and love. It's particularly important these days to take a moment and reflect on what it is that allows us to love most fruitfully, not to be hurt by the ever passing changes that life brings. When we learn these secrets, we and our relationships can bloom as well.

This newsletter is dedicated to those who wish to learn the simple laws of love, how to practice them in all their relationships. Combining Eastern and Western teachings and practices, it will also offer psychological, spiritual and practical wisdom on handling all kinds of

Dogen said simply, "I've come with nothing but empty hands."

What are these empty hands? Where can we find them? How are they of value to us today?

Usually our hands are full, filled with tasks, problems, relationships demands and expectations that seem impossible to put down. We live our lives so full of ourselves, full of our decisions, plans and dreams.

Then the winds of change come; things take an unexpected turn, or our dreams suddenly disappear. At this juncture, many feel as though they were being torn apart. Few know how to truly deal with change, or understand why it is happening to them. When change comes, our usual reaction is to grab and hold on to what has been. We do not realize that the harder we hold, the more we crush what whatever it is we have in the palm of our hands.

There are many ways we then seek to gain control. through denial, depression, anger, activity, new plans. This is our will demanding that life meet its particular demands. This is the personal will believing, "I am in charge."

Holding Onto Everything

We come into life empty-handed and then try to grab and hold onto everything. Immediately, we make claim for ownership. We want everything and we want it immediately. We want to receive, to hold and possess forever. Yet, in truth, what really belongs to us? Even our bodies have a life of their own.

Attachment is usual, but not natural. It arises out of a deep confusion about who we truly are, where we are, and what is going on. It arises out of a misunderstanding about the nature of relationships and fear of being abandoned. We feel the tighter we hold on, the less frightened we will be. The opposite is true. The gripping itself creates the fear.

This sense of crushing and being crushed is at the very core of the pain we experience. It is our resistance to the flow of life. Seldom do we stop and ask, "Do I need this anymore?" Can I allow myself to be satisfied, and say, "Thank you. This suffices."Our inability to do this arises because somehow we have not identified with the basis of all life, which is constantly moving, changing and healing, which is filled with new insights, possibilities and love. Change is the very basis of our life, not to be fought, but to be welcomed and tasted, to be seen for the gift it truly is.

When our hands and hearts are empty of demands and illusions, we treasure whatever comes to us and let it stay for as long as it can. This clarity itself helps us reach out to others, live joyously, and empty our hands.

Empty hands are pliable, flexible, useful. They can touch and comfort, they can give and receive, they can do what is needed when the moment appears. Empty hands are just simply there, like the poppy blowing in the wind.

Empty hands can respond appropriately to whatever and whoever comes along. They do not weigh us down, nor do we weigh down others. They teach us how to welcome whatever comes to us and not to pursue when the time for it comes to go.

This is article is based upon Dr Shoshanna's book, Jewish Dharma (A Guide to the Practice of Judaism and Zen) www.jewishdharma.com.

Jewish Dharma (A Guide to the Practice of Judaism and Zen)

Each chapter deals with different life issues, such as loneliness, relationships, conflict, finding peace and understanding and ways of healing suffering. The book includes personal narraitive, parables, quotations, discussion and specific exercises so the reader can integrate the material into their lives.

A Jewish heart is warm, giving, devoted to family and friends; a Zen eye is fresh, direct, spontaneous and in the moment. These practices are like two wings of a bird; both are needed to be able to fly.

Why not give this as a holiday gift?

To Get A Copy of Jewish Dharma

When you tell someone you are going to do something for them, or give something to them, do it right away.

We often take time fulfilling a commitment, or keeping our word. This leaves the person waiting, uncertain, with hopes raised an not knowing if their hopes will be fulfilled. If too much time passes, the person may even feel uncomfortable about receiving at all.

It is a great kindness to others to be sure you keep your word and promises promptly. When you make an offer, deliver right away. This is a way of truly giving to another, without causing the person to pay the price of anxiety about whether your promise will be fulfilled. It tells the person that you are giving with a full heart.

Save Your Relationship (21 Basic Laws of Successful Relationships

Week-end, December 11 - 14th, Zen Mountain Monastery, Relationships as Spiritual Practice, (Contact: mro@mro.org.

On-going Introductory Zen Workshops

. Learn the practice and principles of Zen, including instruction in Zen meditation, zazen. Contact us for more information: topspeaker@yahoo.com

Dr. Shoshanna is a psychologist, author and speaker - her work integrates East and West , offering personal and spiritual growth and ways of developing authentic peace of mind.

Give A Gift

Give a session with Dr. Shoshanna in person or on the phone, or invite Dr. Shoshanna to talk or offer a workshop in your community. She speaks on various topics including:

Becoming Fearless (7 Principles of Peace of Mind

Relationships as Spiritual Practice (A New Look at Love)

Facing Hard Times With Strength and Courage - Developing Authentic Faith.

Dr. Shoshanna's programs are available as talks, half day workshops, full day , or week-end workshops.Contact us for more information. topspeaker@yahoo.com

Find Out More

In The Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamun's Tomb Review "[Meyerson's]work is well researched and entertaining, and brings to life the ancient pharaohs and their tumultuous reigns as well as the excavators who disturbed their eternal sleep."-

Publishers Weekly

"In the tradition of the great excavators, Meyerson has unearthed untold treasures-the story behind the story, and the one behind that, too. With its cast of colorful characters-tomb robbers, peasant diggers, millionaire dilettantes, archaeologists, and hangers-on-this is colonial history as it has never been told before."-

Maura Spiegel, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia

Daniel Meyerson is available for signings and talks. He can be reached at (718 - 512-8102

Buy The Book Here

Nothing is irrevocable. You can use this unfortunate situation to learn how to let go, say good-bye to pain, and learn how to be kind to yourself as well as others involved in this triangle.

Sometimes we step into pitfalls, not fully realizing what's going on. The important point is to be able to climb out of a situation which can only bring pain to all concerned.

The longer you remain in this negative situation, the worse your pain will grow. Be brave and realize that there are many single, available men in the world who could give you what you are hoping for. Are you willing to receive that which is positive and fulfilling or are you addicted to pain? Give yourself the great gift of saying good-bye to this situation and starting again.

Save Your Relationship (21 Basic Laws of Successful Relationships

Probably the biggest need all of us have is to experience a wonderful, loving relationship where we can be ourselves, and share our lives with someone meaningful. This is exactly what you will be able to create when you begin to work with the unique program inside my e-book, Save Your Relationship.

In the program you will discover the common mistakes people make in relationships and how to turn them around. You'll see why it's impossible to fail at love, once you understand how to build a foundation that can weather any storm.

Why not throw away old relationship habits and start new right now?

To find out more and order a copy, go to the website, http:.//www.truthaboutlove.com

GIVE A GIFT

Give a session with Dr. Shoshanna in person or on the phone, or invite Dr. Shoshanna to talk or offer a workshop in your community. She speaks on many topics including:

Save Your Relationship (21 Basic Laws of Successful Relationships

From Anger to Peace of Mind (The Anger Diet)

Journey Through Illness , Loss and Change

Jewish Dharma (A Guide to the Practice of Judaism and Zen) and how it can heal your life

Dr. Shoshanna's programs are available as talks, half day workshops, full day , or week-end workshops.Contact us for more information. topspeaker@yahoo.com

Or, perhaps you'd like to give someone you care for a copy of one of Dr. Shoshanna's books such as Zen and The Art of Falling In Love, filled with delightful stories,guidelines and steppingstones to love, based on Zen practice.

Get a copy of Save Your Relationship today.

Everyone wants to be beautiful, young, healthy, fit and to feel good about themselves. There is no end to available diets and workouts, but the most important diet has been overlooked.

This is a diet that releases stress, lets you sleep soundly at night, reduces cravings and brings new friends into your life. This diet gets rid of the number one toxin that destroys well-being - anger.

In Dr. Shoshanna book, The Anger Diet, you'll learn about the 24 forms of anger, the lies anger tells you, and how to stop it fast with the Emergency Technique. Each day you'll give up a different form of anger and replace it with a life changing antidote. The life changing effects of this diet will appear soon after starting.

There's no need to keep going the way you have been. Choose to feel good today. Get a copy of The Anger Diet and see how easy it is to say no to upset.

The greatest obstacle we have to feeling good, healthy and loving is anger which accosts us in many ways and camouflages itself.

Melt Away Toxic Feelings On The Anger Diet

In this revealing, intimate book, I ask the men themselves and they provide some startling and enlightening answers. Drawing on hundreds of interviews, I present men's own words and perspectives about the various reasons their relationships fell apart. You'll be surprised and relieved to hear what they have to say. Usually the reason men leave, has nothing to do with you. Some of the topics covered in the book include, The Fear of Committment, Ghosts of Past Relationships, The Mid-Life Crisis, The Repetition Compulsion, Competition With In-Laws, The Fantasy Woman, and many others.

Why keep going without understanding?Take new steps today to learn more about men and relationships, feel better about yourselves and findthe courage to love again.

Living by Zen (Timeless Truths for Everyday Life). www.livingbyzen.com

In this book you will discover the 2,000 Year Old Zen Secrets To Being Calm, Balanced and Positive, No Matter What Is Going On.

Probably the biggest need all of us have is to feel calm, balanced and positive no matter what is going on in our lives. This is exactly what you will feel when you begin to work with the unique program inside this e- book.

Living By Zen explores the things that steal your peace of mind, different ways you handle stress and why they do not work.

Download the book now and enjoy.

Living By Zen

Workshops in Sensory Awareness with Lee Klinger Lesser

In the midst of profound changes and challenges there are also opportunities when we slow down to find the peaceful place within. This upcoming workshop provides the time and space to hand and return to our senses.

Contact:Lee Lesser

leelesser@gmail.com -218 Cleveland Court, Mill Valley, Ca.94941

www.returntooursenses.com

Read on...