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Narrated by Marie T. Russell
Video version
Welcome... Our InnerSelf welcomes your inner self.
(skip intro and go directly to articles)
As I write this, it is Easter weekend. Also the period of Passover. And we've just had the Spring equinox, and before that, the Chinese New Year. All of these are about rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings... but also the ending of something else.
We get a "minor equinox" every morning when we wake-up as that is also a new beginning, and the end of night. Yet there is strength in numbers, and the natural energies present in Springtime, and Easter, and Passover, as well as any "new year", also encourage us to start anew.
Much of the changes that we need to make, or choose to make in these times of growth, are focused in attitudes, perhaps more than on physical changes. Even if the goal is physical, such as losing weight, the attitude is what has to change first. So this week, we present articles that focus on transitions from one state to another... whether emotional, attitudinal, spiritual, or physical.
We start with Barry Vissell who presents us with "10 Reasons Why Men Suffer". And heads-up to our female readers: some, if not all of these, might apply to you as well. After all, we all have an inner feminine and an inner masculine, so you may identify or recognize yourself, male or female, in any of these 10 points. The article is also available in an audio or video format, narrated by Barry Vissell.
Our next experience of moving into change is with Glen Park who invites us into the world of flamenco dancing in "Chakra Healing Therapy: Dancing toward the Inner Champion". Whether you're interested in flamenco dancing or not, this article presents great insights into developing self-confidence and introduces a great exercise to get in touch with your inner critic. The audio version of this article is narrated by me.
And with this time of Easter/Passover being one of the "most spiritual" periods of the year, Richard Smoley reflects on: "Are We Entering The Age of the Holy Spirit?". He takes us on a brief historical overview of religion and its changes, and takes a look at the current trends... focusing on the thirst for spiritual experience and the internalization of the Divine.
And of course, no spiritual or life journey is complete on this Earth, without the transition from life to death. This is an experience that we all will have at some point -- both our own death and the death of loved ones. And as with all experiences, we have a choice as to our attitude towards it and how to prepare for it.
Elizabeth Fournier brings us some practical tips in "How To Plan and Conduct a Home Funeral". This is a topic that many are averse to talking, or even thinking, about. But since every life on this planet will end with death, there are certain practicalities to be considered both for yourself, and for your loved ones.
The Scout motto tells us "Be Prepared". So difficult situations, such as the death of a loved one, can be easier to handle when they have been considered and prepared for ahead of time. And also, you can make it easier for your loved ones when your death takes place. No matter how we may resist it, it will come some day. It's part of the life cycle, after all.
Nancy Windheart helps us dip lightly into the waters of death and transformation in "Spirit Touching Briefly into Form: Wisdom from a Damselfly". We discover a key to smooth sailing through life through the acceptance of the fleetingness of life as seen through the eyes of a damselfly. The audio of this article is narrated by me.
So as we go through this period of Springtime and renewal, we choose our attitudes and our perspectives, and we can choose to live life fully from the perspective of our inner self, our inner wisdom, our higher self. The choices are always ours. Do we live from fear, anger, etc. or do we choose compassion, forgiveness, and love. There are no right or wrong choices -- only the one that is right for you at this present moment in time... and the next moment, and the next. Each moment is a new one. Each choice a new one. One breath at a time.
You may have noticed that...
We have renamed this "newsletter" to "magazine" as that is truly what it is. Thus in keeping with the rebirth and regeneration of this time of year, we are renaming this weekly offering to InnerSelf Magazine. It's the same great content with a more appropriate name...
Please scroll down for the featured articles in this new issue of InnerSelf, and also the recap of all the articles that were added to the website during the week.
Wishing you enjoyable insightful reading, and of course a wonder-full, joy-full, health-full, and loving week.
Marie T. Russell
editor/publisher,
InnerSelf.com
"New Attitudes...New Possibilities"
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NEW ARTICLES THIS WEEK
***** articles and videos added daily *****
The featured articles are available in audio as well as video format.
Go to each article for the links.
Written by Barry Vissell. Read Time: 7 mins
10 Reasons Why Men Suffer
I recently finished leading an online men's retreat. Every one of us got deeply vulnerable and, because of this, shared a profound love and brotherhood. There emerged a kind of kaleidoscope of men's issues... Each one of us shared pieces of the puzzle of why men suffer.
Written by Glen Park. Read Time: 12 mins
Chakra Healing Therapy: Dancing toward the Inner Champion
Flamenco dancing is a delight to watch. A good flamenco dancer exudes an exuberant self-confidence that we, the audience, absorb. The whole dance has a quality of proud self-assurance and glorification of what it is to be a human being in motion.
Written by Richard Smoley. Read Time: 14 mins
Are We Entering The Age of the Holy Spirit?
The priests of the Age of the Father, whose job centered on sacrifice, would probably not have recognized their successors as religions. One of the charges the pagan Romans leveled against the Christians was atheism...
Written by Elizabeth Fournier. Read Time: 9 mins
How To Plan and Conduct a Home Funeral
Lee Webster, president emeritus of the National Home Funeral Alliance, writes, “Home funerals are about empowering families to care for their own dead, to take the time to be present and absorb the loss, to complete a process that is intimate and meaningful..."
Written by Nancy Windheart. Read Time: 4 mins
Spirit Touching Briefly into Form: Wisdom from a Damselfly
As I waded into the cold water, I noticed the body of a blue pond damselfly floating on the surface. I picked her up, and held her gently in my hands…at first to see if she may still be alive, and then, when I realized she was dead, I couldn’t put her down.
Are The Kids Alright? Social Isolation Can Take A Toll, But Play Can Help
by Pasi Sahlberg, UNSW and Sharon Goldfeld
Many parents spent at least some months this year supporting their children to learn from home (and still are). This…
The End of The Pandemic Is Coming – Just Don't Set A Date For The Party
by Agnes Arnold-Forster, University of Bristol
“After the pandemic is over” must be one of the most frequently uttered phrases of 2021. I am certainly guilty of this…
Music Festivals Will Be Very Different In Summer 2021 – Here's What To Expect
by Nick Davies and Daniel Baxter, Glasgow Caledonian University
Live events are set to make a welcome return as the UK moves out of lockdown in the coming months. Sporting, music and…
Does Coffee Burn More Fat During Exercise?
by Neil Clarke, Coventry University
Coffee, green tea and other caffeinated drinks are a popular way to start the morning. Not only does it give many…
Japan's Cherry Blossom Viewing Parties – The History of Chasing The Fleeting Beauty of Sakura
by Nozomi Uematsu, University of Sheffield
As a lecturer in Japanese studies, the first questions I ask my students is: “What sort of images come to mind when you…
Five Ways Fish Are More Like Humans Than You Realise
by Matt Parker, University of Portsmouth
You may have heard that fish have a three-second memory, or that they’re incapable of feeling pain. Neither of these…
7 Ways To Make Easter Safe and Inclusive For Children With Food Allergies
by Prathyusha Sanagavarapu, Western Sydney University
Easter can be a challenging and anxious time for children with food allergies and their families. First, there are the…
Could Microdosing Be As Good As Yoga For Your Mood?
by Stephen Bright, Edith Cowan University and Vince Polito, Macquarie University
Microdosing has become something of a wellness trend in recent years. The practice involves taking a low dose of a…
How Our Health and Happiness Depend On A Thriving Planet
by Melissa Marselle, De Montfort University
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, more of us are noticing the variety of animals, trees, and flowers in our back gardens…
Why Parts Of Good Friday Worship Have Been Controversial
by Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross
Churches around the world hold services for their three most important days during Holy Week: Holy Thursday, sometimes…
Why Are Some Kids Left-handed and Others Are Right-handed?
by Matthew Barton and Michael Todorovic, Griffith University
For a lot of human history, lefties have been seen as a little odd, and unfortunately some have even been treated very…
How A Toxic and Sexist Workplace Culture Can Affect Your Health
by Xi Wen (Carys) Chan and Paula Brough, Griffith University
While the effects of a culture of toxic masculinity are most detrimental for the victims, other employees in workplaces…
Generation C: Why Investing In Early Childhood Is Critical After COVID-19
by David Philpott, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Conversations are beginning about Generation C, the COVID-19 kids. While exactly which ages should be included in this…
Cycling Is Ten Times More Important Than Electric Cars For Reaching Net-Zero Cities
by Christian Brand, University of Oxford
Globally, only one in 50 new cars were fully electric in 2020, and one in 14 in the UK. Sounds impressive, but even if…
Why Are Hand Dryers Still Used, Even Though They Circulate Germs?
by Christian Moro and Charlotte Phelps, Bond University
Airborne contaminants, dirty toilet seats, mould and mildew: long before the coronavirus pandemic came around, the…
Death-Friendly Communities Ease Fear of Aging and Dying
by Julia Brassolotto, University of Lethbridge et al
Death looms larger than usual during a global pandemic. An age-friendly community works to make sure people are…
Loving The Idea of Tiny House Living, Even If You Don't Live In One
by Heather Shearer and Paul Burton, Griffith University
In Australia and elsewhere a movement has emerged that supports tiny house living as an important response to the…
Why Is The Moon Bright? Your Moon Questions Answered by an Astronomer
by Jonti Horner, University of Southern Queensland
As someone teaching first-year astronomy at the moment, where much time is spent discussing the Moon, here are my…
Mass Shootings Leave Emotional and Mental Scars On Survivors, First Responders And Millions Of Others
by Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University
The deadly shootings of eight people in Atlanta on March 16 and 10 people in Boulder, Colorado, on March 22, 2021…
Passover Is A Time To Recognize Tragedies and Offer Hope For The Future
by Samuel L. Boyd, University of Colorado Boulder
Jewish families will gather for Passover this year in circumstances that will, like the celebration itself, reflect on…
Service Dogs Can Help Veterans With PTSD – And May Reduce Anxiety In Practical Ways
by Leanne Nieforth and Marguerite E. O'Haire, Purdue University
PTSD, a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening traumatic…
Red Squirrels, Socially Distant By Nature, Teach Us The Value Of Good Neighbours
by Erin Siracusa, University of Exeter
In the far reaches of Canada’s North, there’s a different type of social distancing happening this year. Amid the…
Astrological Journal for the Week
Written by Pam Younghans
This weekly column (updated every Sunday afternoon) is based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies... Read this week's journal here
It is also highly beneficial to reread the past week's astrological journal as it gives a hindsight view of the events that took place and may provide many "ah-ha" insights.
OLDIES & GOODIES:
The Five Stages of Projection: Re-Owning Our Abandoned Self
by Bill Plotkin, Ph.D.
Why do we project our repressed parts? Why can't or don't those parts just remain peacefully buried -- or asleep in the…
The Very Strange History of the Easter Bunny
by Katie Edwards, University of Sheffield
While you’re biting the heads off your chocolate bunnies this weekend, you might wonder how cartoon rabbits became so…
The Seasons of Our Nature: Fresh Start, Growth, Rewards, and Renewal
by Meredith Young-Sowers
Just as there are four seasons in Nature, our inner natures also experience four seasons. In the Winter of our inner…
How to Recognize and Develop Awareness and Intuition
by Nancy C. Pohle and Ellen L. Selover
Our physical senses -- hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch -- are powerful receptors, able to retrieve immense…
Befriending Our Emotions and Letting Go of the Struggle to Constrain Them
by Brandon Bays
We usually have a love-hate relationship with emotions. When we aren't subduing our difficult emotions, we love to feel…
Just What Is a Feeling, Exactly?
by David Kundtz
Just what is a feeling, exactly? That was a question a client asked me, with an emphasis on the "exactly." It's a great…
Always A Reflection: Finding the Missing Quality
by Shakti Gawain
Difficulties we are having in our relationships often mirror parts of ourselves that we need to heal. Such difficulties…
Stress Reduction Methods: Fingertips Calm The Mind
by Eliott Cherry, BA, LMT, NCTMB
You may be familiar with the term Relaxation Response. This was coined by Dr. Herbert Benson, who wrote a book by the…
Believe In Your Genius: Give Yourself a Reputation to Live Up To!
by Alan Cohen
Perhaps early in life you adopted a thought about yourself that defined you as small, ugly, incapable, or unlovable.…
Anxious and Bored in Meditation?
by James Robbins
Whether you encounter persistent drowsiness or any other obstacle to meditation, if you are not ready to meditate just…
Looking and Seeing Everything As If For the First Time
by Osho
We look at things always with old eyes. You come to your home; you look at it without looking at it. You know it…
About Men, Relationships, and the Mind-Body Connection
by Dr. Timothy Johnson
There may be no more important component of personal happiness than your interpersonal relationships. Think about it:…
How To Build Self-Esteem by Loving Yourself
by Louise Hay
You'll never have good self-esteem if you have negative thoughts about yourself. Self-esteem is merely feeling good…
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