The
Consciousness Collaborative Update
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June 7th
Ride On!
 This is your chance to "Fight Like a Girl." Support the MA Ride for the Cure, a Susan G. Komen affiliated event this Sunday, June 7th.
Lead by Lysa Wilkins, a Consciousness Collaborative member, and her team of committed citizens, this will mark the sophomore year of the Massachusetts Ride. "Every person, every horse, and every dollar contributes to the fight. In 2008, our first year, 125 riders and over 50 volunteers helped raise more than
$75,000," explains Lysa.
You, too, can make a difference by making a monetary donation,
donating an item or service to be raffled as a gift to a
rider, or offering your time as a volunteer the day of the ride (this is
a great chance for students who need community service hours)! For
more information, contact Lysa directly or go to the website.
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Men's Group
Lowell Area
June 10th, 2009
 As a result of " Accessing Your Male Energy - a workshop for men," two men's groups have formed. The first began in May and is already at capacity in the NorthWest suburbs. The second group is emerging and will officially begin on June 10th. This first meeting will take place in Lowell, and there are still a few spaces available. Interested men should contact Walter Bacigalupo by email or 978-985-6843 for further details. If you would like to form a men's group in your local area, and would appreciate some guidance, please contact Consciousness Collaborative members, Walter Bacigalupo or Adrian Wilkins for more information.
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Save the Date
August 1st
Did you already sense that something like this was coming? Did you trust that feeling? Would you like to develop your guiding intuition? The newest member of The Consciousness Collaborative, Anya Sophia Mann, will be leading a class for anyone would like to develop their intuitive ability. Whether for personal or professional purposes, discovering the nature of your unique style of intuition is a powerful gift. "We are all intuitive. In this class you will learn which of your senses guide your intuition, how to access this inner resource, and learn to trust what you already know," explains Anya. Further details will be coming soon, and will be available on the Classes and Events page shortly. In the meantime, mark your calendar to Develop Your Intuition. Or if you sense this is a class you don't want to miss, trust your intuition and reserve your space now by emailing Anya!
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Greetings!
"Apply Logic Here for Best Results" is NOT a magic cure. Have you ever tried it? To avoid experiencing your feelings, you attempt to out-think them? I am a logic master; I know this one.
Many years ago, I attended a workshop lead by April Prita Manganiello. I was on the cusp of truly getting in touch with some very tender feelings about my mom, but I just couldn't access them. I kept trying to think it through, using my linear brain to understand my experience, and was stuck! My clever mind, that had always come through - stymied. To support me, Prita sat behind me, and simply asked, "What's happening in your body, sweetie?" My automatic response was, "What body?"
My fear was so big, I had completely insulated myself in logical protection, not allowing own feelings; not just emotional feelings, but physical feelings. My brain had a blind spot. This was my first experiential clue that the mind and body are not separate.
I think we all get it at some level. Based on positive feedback from the "Love the Water" issue, you know your thoughts are powerful. Sometimes that ache in your back isn't from weeding, it's indicative of some negative thought or emotion held there. I've learned, when I allow myself to feel the emotional feeling, the physical pain usually releases. A win-win.
Why not simply allow the feelings? It's not always as easy as it sounds, because we weren't always adults. When we were little, the feelings really were overwhelming, so we learned to protect ourselves from them. And we don't always know to update the learning. If, right about now the emotional feelings seem a little too woo-woo for you, begin with the physical ones. The fact is, as long as we are in these vulnerable bodies, we are sensual beings; we are designed to feel. Bring awareness to your body.
As I write this, I feel the wind whipping through the windows, catching my hair, blowing it wildly across my face. I feel the cool, hard plastic under my fingertips as I'm typing. On my right shoulder, the warmth of the sun seeps into my shirt and through to my skin. I feel the grain of my wood desk under my right forearm, and the heat of my padded office chair, which has been supporting me all day. I am here, alive, and present in my body. Just like the kids in the photo above, tuned in to their senses.
"What's happening in your body, sweetie?"Joanne LutzCoaching~Consulting~Referral ResourceFounder of The Consciousness Collaborativewww.TheCCsite.com ~ www.WhatsNextWorkshop.comJoanne@TheCCsite.com ~ ph. 617-827-0803 ~ fax 781-777-1899 |
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Emotional Re-Education Workshop
 A weekend retreat of self discovery and connection
We all have beliefs about ourselves and how we perceive the world works. We learned them as children. Resulting from our life experiences, we hold these beliefs as absolute truths. And yet, we are not our experiences. The traumas we lived through, whether from intrusions, absences, betrayals, illnesses, accidents, or losses do remain frozen in our bodies though, and to survive, we assume that we are the sum of those experiences. Like the adage, "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." If we didn't believe this, how could we have managed? The Emotional Re-Education Workshop is a safe environment to explore these old emotional hurts, decisions, and beliefs - cutting through the stuck places that inhibit your ability to live fully in yourself and to give and receive love. Healing from trauma involves somatic and emotional release and
reframing, including non-invasive bonding, a basic human need sorely neglected in our culture. These are the "missing pieces" in talk therapy. In this
workshop, you will be encouraged to challenge limited self-beliefs and
definitions and to try out and try on new attitudes and ways of being. This is a place for new learning in a group setting, where we realize our concerns are shared and that we can be supported by others. Designed for intense emotional exploration, release, and re-education, this workshop is intended for participants who currently have the regular support of a therapist or coach. The Consciousness Collaborative members, Adrian Wilkins, Anya Mann, and
Dawn Lipinski, will facilitate this workshop with Wanda Stevens under
the direction of April Prita Manganiello, and additional Collaborative
members will provide support as part of the facilitation team. *This is a residential retreat and rooms are double occupancy. All costs are included in the $650 fee, specifically: 5 meals (Sat. breakfast/ lunch/ dinner - Sun. breakfast/ lunch), snacks, 2 overnight stays, and participation in all of the workshop activities. A few single rooms are available at an additional cost. |
 The meditations concerned with ear energy are feminine meditations, passive - you have just to listen, not to do anything. Listening to the birds, the wind passing through the pine trees, or to some music, or to the noise of the traffic - just listening, doing nothing - great silence comes in, and great peace starts falling and showering on you. It is easier through the ear than through the eye. It is easier through the ear because the ear is passive, non-aggressive. It cannot do anything to existence, it can only let it happen. The ear is a door: it allows. - Osho
To celebrate the ear, The Consciousness Collaborative invites you to join meditation leader, Jamie Thurber and Samantha Cail of Body Fusion Muscular Therapy as they continue offering monthly meditation classes in Arlington.
June will begin a new series of practice rooted in sound. These aural meditations, based on Tibetan techniques, are an effective means to access the core, beautiful self that is always within.
No prior meditation experience is required; however space is limited. If you enjoy the class and wish to continue the practice at home, written instructions will be provided.
Mark your calendars for this month and future scheduled dates in this series:
June 17th ~ July 22nd ~ August 19th ~ September 23rd
7:00 - 8:00 pm
366 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 101, Arlington, MA
If you would like to participate, please reserve your space by contacting Samantha Cail at 781-962-8580. Your energy is welcome! There is no fee for this class; however a $5.00 charitable donation is suggested. |
 Did You Say Super?
After a recent workshop on raw/super food nutrition I started to contemplate the idea that we are all 'super' beings. Our super powers are freely given to us at birth, yet so many of us forget about our ability to have consistent energy, internal health, and a radiant inner potential. Low quality foods, toxins, and stress are like kryptonite draining strength from every part of our being. Nature's infinite wisdom provides us with gateways to reclaim our birthright of vitality in the form of super foods. These potent foods carry an arsenal of nutrients that can help us cleanse, gain energy, and feed every cell at the deepest level. Here are the basics on some of the major super foods and their benefits as described by David Wolfe "superfood" expert: 1. Goji Berries: adaptogens to stress, complete protein, trace minerals, full of antioxidants, improve eyesight, boost production of growth hormones. 2. Raw Chocolate (aka cacao): more antioxidants then red wine, blueberries, acai and goji berries combined. Full of magnesium to help the body stay alkaline, amazing iron source, and it contains tryptophan - a mood enhancing nutrient. Keep in mind that raw cacao and raw chocolate bars are not cooked (as opposed to most chocolate bars) and retain more nutrients.
3. Maca Root: enhances libido, rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, and silicon (for bone strength). It supports the endocrine system and thyroid in proper hormone production.
4. Bee Pollen: contains all twenty two essential amino acids, increases endurance, improves muscle growth and definition, packed with B vitamins to bolster against stress. It is important to start with a small amount of bee pollen (1/4 tsp) to make sure that you are not allergic to it (signs of allergy include light swelling as well as moderate difficulty breathing). 5. Spirulina: is a blue-green spiral algae. Contains 65% protein, builds the blood with its high chlorophyll content, full of beta-carotene. This algae is cooling and wet, if you tend to be cool avoid using large amounts. 6. Hempseed: contains all essential amino acids, has brain building and liver supporting lecithin, high in vitamin E, and contains essential fatty acids to protect the skin from sun exposure. Interested in Super food recipes? Don't miss them in this issue! Also, you may read more about these foods here. |
 Meditation
of the Month
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Sensual Being
This is a simple and powerful practice designed to, dare I  say it, get you in touch with your feelings! And by that I mean the feelings your body experiences, is experiencing right now, as you are reading.
Begin by taking 5 deep breaths in a row, allowing yourself to open to your own sensory awareness.
Now, scan your body. Become aware of your skin, the air that washes over it, the fabric that rubs against it, and the temperature of it. Notice if some areas of your body feel tightly held, while others feel free and flowing, or perhaps exposed.
Continue scanning, simply notice what's happening in your body. What do your ears hear? Do the sounds disturb you, lull you, intrigue you? What do your ears feel like? Can you isolate them?
Bring attention to your nose and any smells that may surround you. All of this input is always happening, you are simply taking a moment to bring consciousness to your sensory experience.
Then become aware of your mouth. If you are eating, do it slowly, truly tasting each bite. Does your mouth feel wet or dry? Are your lips tightly pressed together or slightly open? Can you feel your tongue moving against your teeth and gums?
And finally, the last question is not, "what do you see?" although that may be an interesting exercise itself. Instead, what do your eyes feel like. Are your lids open or closed? Do they feel heavy or twitchy? Are you aware of moisture level...they may be dry or filled with tears...simply notice.
The entire process may take 30 seconds or several minutes. Either way, it will not take much time, and in turn, you may repeat the practice many times a day. If that sounds like too much, just remember, even if you collectively spend an entire hour each day doing this meditation, you still have the other 23 hours of the day available!
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