The
Consciousness Collaborative Update
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Emotional Re-Education Workshop
Reminders
The facilitators of this powerful workshop are "getting organized!" Your help is appreciated and an important part of the process. For those who plan to attend this residential workshop, but have not yet registered on-line, and submitted a deposit or full payment, please complete the On-Line Application to officially reserve your space (even if you've already spoken with a facilitator about your intentions). Note, too, the start time for Friday evening has been changed to 6:30pm. For further details about this workshop, please visit the Classes & Events page of The Consciousness Collaborative website. |
What's Next?!
For You?
"I had high expectations; this was MUCH better!"
"I'd recommend this to anyone who is open and looking to reach another level of awareness and understanding about themselves and their lives."
"I was given the tools to navigate through all the things that were keeping me from finding and moving forward to 'What's Next?!'"
What's Next?! Workshop is a powerful, progressive series of six day-long interactive classes over the course of six months. Your personal growth and process of self-discovery will be supported and nurtured. Expect to be challenged, and allow yourself this space to truly grow into whatever may be next for you.
To check out the 2010 schedule, click here. Not sure it's right for you? Read more success stories and then sign up on-line. You'll be glad you did.
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July 22nd
Meditation Class
"So
in Nadabrahma, remember this: let the body and mind be totally
together, but remember that you have to become a witness. This
is a very sly way to escape from their grip.
They (the mind and body) become drunk with the chanting, and you slip out! ...watch from outside...in ecstasy"
- Osho
This month, meditation leader, Jamie Thurber and Samantha Cail of Body Fusion Muscular Therapy invite you to
"create an inner balance, a harmony between mind and body" by taking part in a modified version of Osho's mantra meditation, Nadabrahma.
Whether you are new to meditation or a daily practitioner, this class offers a supportive and safe space for you to connect with yourself. If you enjoy the class and wish to continue the practice at home, written instructions will be provided.
To participate, please reserve your space by contacting Samantha Cail at 781-962-8580. Your energy is welcome! The fee for this class is $5.00.
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Quick Links
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Greetings!
" Criticism and blame are addictions. They are costly addictions, because they are the number-one destroyer of intimacy in close relationships," according to Gay Hendricks, author of The Big Leap.
Think about the last argument you had with someone close to you. Did it disrupt the intimacy? Was there blame involved? Did you hear the words, "you make me feel..." come out of your mouth? Hendricks proposes, "Arguments are caused by two people racing to occupy the victim position in the relationship." While we may not consciously choose to wear the victim role as a badge of honor, we really fight to prove it's truth!
Listen to the subtext..."you make me feel" = "you have power over me...if you had done it differently, I would be okay. Since you didn't, I am victimized by you." This dynamic occurs with something as simple as who does the dishes. "You make me feel like the maid, because you expect me to do the dishes."
Typically the defendant will race to claim the victim role for himself. "I always do the dishes. You could do them for once!" Translation: "Your power over me makes me the victim, not you."
That's a pretty remarkable power...making someone feel something. Think about it, even if I pinch you, I can't make you feel. I cannot cause you pain or anguish - your experience of my action is your own. I am simply not that powerful, no one is. You are responsible for your feelings; just as I am responsible for mine. So, why do we keep blaming each other?
If we believe Hendricks, it's because we're addicted to the behavior. I perceive that the addiction is an attempt to deflect a responsibility we feel personally; probably a responsibility we took on as a child. We want to charge someone else with the crime, because underneath, we believe it is our fault. "If you loved me, you would have done the dishes." "If you loved me, you wouldn't care if I did the dishes or not." "You must not love me...what's wrong with me?"
Let's make this personally relevant. I invite you to think of someone you'd occasionally like to bop on the head. Whenever you're around them you start to feel a little crazy, angry, or depressed. Now, take your hand and point your finger at them. Notice where most of the fingers are pointing...when I try it, I've got one finger going out and three coming back at me. Who are we really pointing the blame at?
Not so sure? For a single day, accept Hendrick's challenge to stop criticizing and blaming (this includes self criticism and blame). If you have no trouble letting go, it's not an addiction. But if you find, as the day wears on, that the finger pointing is creeping back in to your thoughts and conversations, maybe it's worth a little more attention.
With great compassion, 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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"Hungry for Change?"
Food, Inc. - The Movie
Wondering what topped the per-theater-average for the weekend of June 12th? It wasn't " Moon," " Tetro," or even " The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." An important documentary, Food, Inc., took the cake and caused such a stir, the movie executives doubled the number of theaters hosting the film for the following weekend.
Director, Robert Kenner, seizing an incredible opportunity, took food issues into the mainstream, bravely educating the viewer. In this must see film, the veil is lifted on our nation's food industry; exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, the USDA and FDA.
The movie reveals that our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations. Sadly, these businesses often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, worker safety, the well-being of farm animals, and even our own environment.
As evidence, we have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insect-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad. And in exchange for these "improvements?" New strains of e coli--the harmful bacteria that causes illness in an estimated 73,000 Americans annually, a country riddled with widespread obesity - particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
Featuring interviews with experts Eric Schlosser ( Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan ( The Omnivore's Dilemma), along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield Farms' Gary Hirschberg and Polyface Farms' Joe Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising -- and often shocking truths -- about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation, and where we are going from here.
Films like Food, Inc. inspire me. They remind me why I am so passionate about being a personal nutrition counselor. I have the honor of campaigning for every client to live an energized and enthused life, supported by the best food and lifestyle choices for them. Each step moves gently toward reaching the life you desire. And a documentary like this is a great advocate for the education I strive to offer every day.
With this inspiration still dewy, I am happy to offer a Special Promotion for the week of July 13th: 4 Health & Nutrition consultations including Cooking classes & Health food store tours - $300 Pre-paid
Also, I invite you to watch the movie and let me know your thoughts! It's a great reminder that when diet changes, everything changes. |
 The Ride...Where Compassion is Pink
On June 7th, 2009, 112 Equestrians rode to honor and support the women in their lives in the Second Annual Susan G Komen Ride for the CureŽ, MA. Lysa Wilkins, a member of The Consciousness Collaborative, co-created this event in 2008.  Lysa explains, " Ride for the CureŽ, MA is an event that fuels the fire for a brighter, more educated, cancer-free future. Participants from throughout New England embellished their favorite four legged companion for a 10-mile trail ride through the wooded trails and dirt roads of Barre, MA. In total thus far the 2009 Ride has raised over $60,000 thanks to the exhausting fund raising efforts of all the participants. It was truly inspiring to witness the collaborative efforts of so many individuals for such a pure, rewarding cause that celebrates Massachusetts' breast cancer survivors (like those in the photo above), supports those who are currently fighting, remembers those we have lost and reminds us all to never, ever give up hope."  Many members of The Consciousness Collaborative and the Collaborative Community supported this event through financial donations, riding in the event, and volunteering the day of the event. Your participation and contributions are greatly appreciated. Funds raised by this ride help to carry out the Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure promise: to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures. The Ride for the CureŽ, MA is dedicated to every woman in the world who ever had to hear the devastating words that transform a simple pink ribbon into one of the most meaningful symbols of hope.
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Meditation of the Month
Release by the River
This month, I offer two "meditations." For me, both offer a release by simply reading them. Truly, though, I only advocate practicing the first. You'll see why.
As you breathe, connect to the essential core of you. The energy within that thrives and supports your being. This core self allows these few moments of breath, away from all the stresses and complexities of your life, inviting your true inner-strength and clarity.
Now, imagine you are sitting on the green banks of a meandering stream. As though the universe made a perfect day, just for you. Notice if the sun is shining on your shoulders or if there's a faint mist cooling your face. You are physically at ease and comfortable as you relax by this stream.
Become aware of any concerns or troubles that may be floating through your head. Gently place one in the river. Like a paper boat, see this issue float downstream until it disappears.
Continue to place items in the river, one by one, watching each float out of sight and out of mind. Allow yourself to release everything you can. As new concerns emerge, simply place them in the river.
At last, listen to the quiet. The silence that is yours to savor.
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This 2nd relaxation technique was sent to me by my friend Ed, who received it from his 87 year old mom.
~Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out
over a crystal clear stream.
~Imagine both of your hands dangling in the cool running water.
~Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.
~No one knows your secret place.
~You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.
~The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a
cascade of serenity.
~The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face
of the person you are holding underwater. Ha!
Given the finger pointing theme of this month, I thought this was particularly funny. After all, if you're not blaming someone else, you probably don't feel the need for this last technique!
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