Words From A Clear Inner Voice by Irene Cohen, MD In 2009 I undertook a one year course of study with two teachers who created a program called the Voice for Love. This program teaches one how to hear her clear inner voice. The program consisted of meditation, writing, speaking from this voice and learning spiritual counseling. As a psychiatrist I had been interested in the connection between mind and spiritual practices for many years and found this program illuminating.
I didn’t start out to write a book. As a long-time meditator, I prefer to sit in the early morning before the day begins. This practice has always set the course of the day for me and creates the sense of peace and concentrated focus which I bring with me no matter what occurs. Although I did not start out to write a book, I found that during my meditations, when I was quiet and empty of thoughts, words began to come to me with the prompt to write them down. So I started to meditate with my netbook in my lap, sitting on a cushion. Without asking any questions or thinking of any particular subject, messages and contemplative pieces came forth. Through a melding of my mind and my own unique abilities, something greater than myself emerged. The information I wrote down was not channeled, but it was a part of me, a greater and vast part, a larger Self. In this process, during which I am fully conscious and aware, words come forth effortlessly and in a sharper, clearer way than if I were to try to explain them myself.
When my book of 100 short meditative passages was finished, I also edited it from the place of my higher self. Getting myself out of the way, with my ego’s doubts and fears, made the editing and rewriting process much easier. If I am editing from that space of higher knowing, I can think with more clarity about what I am trying to convey and in doing so, create more of what was meant to be.
But isn’t the creative process always so? We write from another place within us which feels compelled to express itself. Artists and writers have often called it inspiration. It is a blossoming of who we truly are. If we gain clarity from a quiet mind, which for me means a regular, daily meditation practice, we can all write with less effort and more ease, knowing that what we mean to say will be distinctly in our voice.
* * *
Irene A. Cohen, MD is a psychiatrist, acupuncturist and interfaith minister who has maintained an integrative practice for almost 30 years. Hay House / Balboa Press just released her first book, Soul Journey to Love: 100 Days to Inner Peace . Visit Dr. Cohen on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and blog with her at www.drirenecohen.authorsxpress.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enter the psychedelic time tunnel and hang on for an inspirational and amazing story. Zen teacher Don Lubov gives us Story Ten of the One series. It is available now from Trestle Press for ONLY 99 Cents and you can get it here: http://goo.gl/JkFJs
Mark Miller's One
Story Ten
1971
by Don Lubov
100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Give Kids the World, a charitable organization where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. www.GKTW.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization. Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.
In Story Ten, Don Lubov shares a wild and thought-provoking journey. A young man in 1971, the author left home on a cross-country journey that took him to some unexpected places. He did not know what he was looking for, but he found himself. This harrowing tale of self-discovery brought the author near to death and to a rebirth.
Composer: Nawang Khechog
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Meditation
Length: 60 minutes
Price: $14.99
Website
Buy it at Amazon
After a rough period of recovery and grief from an auto accident, Nawang Khechog made the decision to take his hardships and tragedies into his spiritual path. Using his own pain as the catalyst, he has tried to alleviate the suffering of others through prayer. As a result of his spiritual growth in this area, Tibetan Dream Journey was created.
The gentle flute music is healing and soothing, bringing the listener to a meditative state. In addition to the music, one track shares chanting of the beautiful message “May all be kind to each other.” The Dalai Lama’s inspirational “Chant of Universal Compassion” is included in another track.
Khechog’s peaceful and compassionate nature is revealed to us through this beautiful music that leads us on a journey to our own spiritual center. May all who listen find happiness and harmony in their own lives.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Author: Jack Kornfield
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Meditation / Spirituality / Buddhism
ISBN: 978-1-60407-642-4
Pages: 103
Price: $19.95
Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon
Trouble is an inevitable part of being human. Although it’s tempting to simply bemoan our fate when something bad happens, it’s far more effective to accept these upsetting issues and integrate them into our whole life experience. In A Lamp in the Darkness, Jack Kornfield shares his thoughts on dealing with difficult times, in an effort to help us get through them.
Suffering can be caused by many things, and Kornfield reminds us that we already have an inner light – “The One Who Knows” – who will guide us. We may be in so much pain that we don’t feel we’re capable of compassion, forgiveness, healing, and wisdom, but these are some of the topics discussed, followed by meditations to explore these characteristics more deeply. An accompanying CD provides audio recordings of these meditations.
Difficulty doesn’t need to destroy us. We can rise above what happens, with our sense of self and peace of mind intact. A Lamp in the Darkness shows us how.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
By: Mark Miller,
on 1/25/2012
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From the land of Empyrean
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Hopefully by now you have had a chance to read the latest story from the One series. For the Love of All is written by a best-selling, award-winning author along with a counselor who happens to be a talented author, as well as an outdoor enthusiast.
I want to thank Melissa and Scott for sharing such a beautiful story and taking the time to do this interview. Let’s jump into the first question:
MM: What inspired you to write this story?
Scott: A chance meeting that turned out not to be chance at all. In the summer of 2011, during a silent mediation, walking, and writing retreat in Taos, New Mexico, I met a traveler who seemed to be on a journey similar to mine. Brought together by forces beyond both of us, we discovered a connection of remarkable depth and intimacy. What followed was an intense recognition of each other that was so stark and clear, even though we had never met before – at least not in this lifetime. Almost immediately, we began to realize a series of synchronicities so profound and frequent that they were undeniable, pointing us toward relationship, collaboration in writing, and united purpose in matters close to our hearts.
0 Comments on Authors of One Interviews: Melissa Studdard and Scott Lutz as of 1/1/1900
by tatiana de la tierra
It’s a big gray lump in the living room, a has-been that now attracts dust and random clutter—CDs, pens, cinnamon gum, a magnifying lens, a red dragon, notebooks, DVDs, coins, colorful glass figurines, a purse, a salt lamp, a silver bracelet. My very own eyesore. Gone are the days that I worshipped its light into the night. How midnight quickly became three in the morning. How my pulse raced with suspense. How I yelled, outraged. How I got hooked on predictable stories, sappy sentiments, and bimbos. How I attempted to multi-task, working and watching, eventually dropping the “working” part.
How I swore, every time I got the cable bill, This is the last time! No longer will I pay an insane amount of money to submit my subconscious to psychic and mental pollution! How I fantasized giving Charter the finger. How I would chop, chop, cut, cut.
I thought about it seriously for three years, replaying the chop-chop-cut-cut fantasy every month. I thought about all the money I’d save. All the time I’d have to write. All those hikes I was going to do. How I’d make up for all the lost time. How I would sleep a good eight hours each night. How I’d be cooking soups and baking cakes from scratch. How I’d hang out with friends. How I’d go out to poetry readings, live performances, art movies. How I’d read all those novels on my bookshelves. Maybe I’d take up water coloring or spin clay bowls with my hands. Go horseback riding. Who knows. Anything is possible, right?
A writer I know ditched TV. I wrote to her on Facebook and asked her the big question: Is there life after no-TV? Yes! She raved about the 600-page novel she edited and whittled down to 470 pages with no-TV. The article she wrote for publication. The talk she gave at a conference, the workshop she did at a library, on and on. All of this during one month of no-TV.
The TV was her surrogate soul mate. She had several sets on at the same time, so she wouldn’t miss anything as she went from room to room. She sped home to catch her shows. She fell asleep under its glow. And now that she was healed with no-TV, she was rediscovering her soul. Words were pouring out of her. She became attentive to bird song and sunshine. She joined humankind again and became a social butterfly. She even got a little TV in with friends, for special occasions—the Super Bowl, the Oscars, some great flick.
Clearly, her TV grip was even stronger than mine. If she could do it, I could do it. She recommended a 21-day TV fast, to start.
I thought about it for another year. In that time, my no-TV fantasy grew. I would write a novel! Learn how to play the harmonica! I would compost and become an urban farmer! I’d write songs and record a CD! I’d volunteer for hospice care, take in a few foster kids, become a shaman, help save Mother Earth!
Two months ago, I called Charter and did the chop-chop-cut-cut.
Television, my perverse meditation, how I miss you.
Forgive me the cliché, but life hasn’t been the same without you. None of my gr
I was supposed to workout last night - undoubtedly a great way to clear ones head to get ready for some writing time. Yet, alas...instead I went out to partake in some extremely unhealthy eating. And you know how it is when you eat fast food, it's like swallowing a lead weight and makes breathing seem like a chore. So, feeling sleepy and bloated, I decided to try meditation as a means to prepare to write.
Sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, breathing deeply...yes...this is exactly what I needed to relax...except...who knew a stomach could make that much noise! Clearly, I did not consume a burger, but rather a small creature intent on extricating himself from my belly. Ugh!
A handful of Tums and about 20 minutes later, I finally got down to writing. I think I could get use to this again!
Thinking about the kind of books I like to write, I decided that tonight, I would get into the mind of one of my would-be evil characters for the next 12 minutes and I came up with the following:
Rain tap tap tapped like skeletal fingers on the window pane. Embers buried beneath dark soot, gasped for air within the craggy hearth. Darkness consumed everything in the room, even the man that stood in its depths. A heart beat, the tempo slow and even. Fear, harvested with each breath the man takes, fills the air with a putrid stench. Sanity has but a tenuous grip...and it is faltering. Wave after toxic wave of animosity burns from deeply hollow eyes, scalding its way down to that place where a soul should live. He fears no evil. And yet...evil fears him.
I realized after this exercise that there was some real hope of firming up my flabby brain muscles, and all I could think of was...I wanna do it again!
Okie doke -- it's go time! Fourteen minutes of writing.
Good thoughts in,
Bad thoughts out.
Deep breath in,
exhale slowly.
Savour the peace within.
patterned paper, acrylic paint, colored pencil
~meditation~
~prayer~
~quiet time in nature~
~finding solace amidst chaos~
~painting and writing~
~being kind~
This, to me, is time well spent.
acrylic on canvas, molding paste, gold foil
Lately, I’ve taken to walking before sitting down to work each morning.It’s a slow, meditative walk that lets me immerse myself in my story rather than in the neighborhood (and neighbors) around me.With each step, I try to envision my characters in certain situations so that I can sit down at my desk when I return home with a clear picture in my head of the scenes that may unfold during the hours
"It's as if you were guided by some greater power and knew just what was needed."
I got this wonderful card in the mail today and it immediately trumped the post I was going to do for Animal Wednesday. The polo pictures will have to wait until next week.
This guy won my heart!
I'm fasting today and will be out of commission for most of tomorrow.
Meanwhile, enjoy this blissful feline :)
This one's for you Annie & Spike♥
Posted on 7/14/2009
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Time Machine, Three Trips: Where Would You Go?
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Ever wondered why some creatures appear to be truly ‘at one’ with themselves and their environment? Yoga has become so popular, it has even extended to the realm of animals. These pics show the practice of yoga to indeed be universal.
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Just a little warm up. One leg at a time. Of course, some creatures have more legs to warm up than others. A spot of leaf-top leg-bend yoga has become a popular way for these fellas to kick off their mornings before a busy day doing, er… beetley things.
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A candid shot taken at a mid-morning flamingo yoga class. Now, all together, the “tree” pose. Hold… and breathe…. Hey, you at the back. I said “tree” not “teapot”.
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This dragonfly is carrying out a lovely elbow balance known in human yoga as the “feathered peacock pose”. A true yogi. Note the focus and stillness required to successfully perform this pose. Years of practice. Only a master could achieve this.
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Nice to see a squirrel having a good shot at the “plough” pose Either that or he’s trying to let loose a little trapped wind. …. Or he’s dead.
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Yes, it is ultra-sandy. Oh you said “ustra-sana” - my mistake. Yes, that’s yoga-ese for “camel” pose. Although, the camel is refusing to join in - he’s got the hump. (Any other hump jokes - please keep to yourselves)
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Some animals have become so proficient at meditation, they have evolved a middle eye. This frog now sees only with his third eye, having lost the use of the first two.
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And finally, a beautiful photo captured during this iguana’s early evening ’sun salutation’ sequence. Let the photo speak for itself. Namaste. (That means “I respect the god within you that is also within me” or words to that effect. Yoga people say this a lot)
By: Lisa Alvarado,
on 1/23/2008
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In Being Bodies, Lenore Friedman and Susan Moon offer the perspectives of a variety of women with varying Buddhist practices. The result is a contemplative and compelling work dealing with what it means to be female, what it means to fully and consciously inhabit the female body.
The last wave of the Western women’s movement critiqued the idea that a women was her body. In fact, a major focus of that movement was the position that biology was not destiny. This was primarily a response to the social construction of women’s identity, the objectification of a women as nothing more than physical self. However, there was little offered to support women in learning to fully live in that physicality, to know it as both vessel and endpoint. Being Bodies offers a view that a woman’s self-knowledge is rooted in the flesh. Women’s awareness is based in surrendering to the body’s impermanence, its joy, its suffering, and its death. One of the most thought-provoking essays is Linda Chrisman’s "Birth".
In it, she describes the process of labor, and giving birth to her son. What's striking about this experience was how Chrisman was both deeply enmeshed in that process and separate from it. The most telling lesson, for both Chrisman and the reader, occurred at the height of labor. Here she realizes that all her physical conditioning, all her contemplative practice would not save her from pain. This selection beautifully illustrates the message of Being Bodies. There may be another path for women, rooted in surrender to the fullness and limits of the body. Through that choice, a woman may find self-knowledge and ultimately, freedom. While the focus of Being Bodies is the female experience, it is a universal and object lesson about Buddhist ideas of impermanence, and becoming fully present in every moment by letting go. I was moved to tears reading this book. It reminds me that true beauty is the sum of both pleasing things as well the scars.
I feel such a strong, visceral connection to the stories of the women profiled in this anthology. (Interesting that "visceral" is the only word that comes to mind in reviewing a book dealing with the experience of being grounded in the body and the odyssey of transcendence.) This book is a pivotal one as I try to develop a deeper spiritual practice - moving East in order to come West, hoping to re-encounter and reinterpret my own ideas of embodiment, spirituality and existence.
ISBN-10: 1570623244 ISBN-13: 978-157062324
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Acentos and AWP Conference News
On Tuesday, January 29th at 7pm, we break from our normal schedule to bring you
ACENTOS on a FIFTH TUESDAY, in conjunction with the Bay Area's own
Craig Perez and
Achiote Press.
The featured poets that night will be two amazing young writers:
Marina Garcia-Vasquez, a
contributor to the press' ACHIOTE SEEDS, Volume 2, and Javier O. Huerta, author of the acclaimed debut collection, SOME CLARIFICATIONS Y OTROS POEMAS. As always, the Uptown's best open mic will precede the festivities, and your host will be John Rodriguez.On Thursday, January 31st at 6pm, the Con Tinta collective presents its annual awards dinner and reading.
Lifetime achievement awards are to be presented to Nuyorican writers Sandra Maria Esteves and Tato Laviera. The dinner will take place at Mojitos', located at 227 E. 116th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. The reading will be held in conjunction with PALABRA, a journal of Chicano and Latino literary arts. Your hosts for the evening will be Urayoan Noel and Rich Villar.Finally, on Friday, February 1st at 6:30pm, El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños presents
ACENTOS: A Gathering of Latino and Latina Poets. The event is slated to take place at the School of Social Work at Hunter College, 129 E. 79th Street, at the corner of 79th and Lexington. A lineup of more than 20 emerging and nationally recognized Latino and Latina poets are set to take the stage, including Martin Espada, Sandra Maria Esteves, Brenda Cardenas, Aracelis Girmay, Willie Perdomo, and many more.It's going to be a busy January for your crew at Acentos, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Keep an eye on this list for further updates, news, features and even more poetry events for the '08, as well as information about our fifth anniversary show in March.Details for all our January events are listed below. See you all there!Peaces,Rich Villarfor the Acentos crew.
Tuesday, January 29th @ 7pm ACENTOS Bronx Poetry Showcase A reading in collaboration with Achiote Press featuring JAVIER O. HUERTA and MARINA GARCIA-VASQUEZ plus the Uptown's Best Open Mic
The Bruckner Bar and Grill One Bruckner Blvd. (corner of Third Ave. and Bruckner Blvd.) 6 Train to 138th Street Station Hosted by John Rodriguez FREE! ($5 suggested donation) Thursday, January 31st @ 6pm Con Tinta's Annual Award Ceremony and Reading Honoring the work of Nuyorican poets SANDRA MARIA ESTEVES and TATO LAVIERA Mojitos' Bar 227 E. 116th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave.) 6 Train to 116th Street Station Hosted by Urayoan Noel, Rich Villar, and the Con Tinta collective FREE and open to the public. Friday, February 1st @ 6:30pm ACENTOS: A Gathering and Celebration of Latino and Latina Poets Presented by El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueñ os at Hunter College and Acentos Bronx Poetry ShowcaseFeaturing over twenty emerging and nationally recognized Latino and Latina poets The School of Social Work @ Hunter College 129 E. 79th Street (corner of 79th and Lexington) 6 Train to 77th Street Station, two blocks north to 79th and Lex. FREE and open to the public. Acentos: The Bronx's Premiere Spot for Poetryhttp://www.louderarts.com/acentos "Acentos is one of the best audiences, one of the best venues, I've ever seen. The organizers do a great job, not only in terms of spreading the word, but also in terms of creating anticipation. I feel like I'm part of a community, part of a movement. Aquí estamos y no nos vamos." Martín Espada
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GREAT TEATRO LUNA NEWS!
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
MACHOS
After a sold out run at Chicago Dramatists, MACHOS is moving to the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, IL, conveniently located near the CTA/Blue Line Austin stop.
Tickets are already on sale, and I hope you will help spread the word!
Here's the scoop:
MACHOS At 16th Street Theater 4 weeks only! January 25 through February 17, 2008
Fridays at 7:30 PM Saturdays at 5:00 PM Saturdays at 8:00 PM Sundays at 6:00 PM
BUY TICKETS ONLINE at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/25539
Lisa Alvarado
I have never meditated for more than five minutes, tops, and then only because I was in a yoga or martial arts class that required that I sit there and not get up and walk away, so I figured I might as well try. Nonetheless, I think meditation is probably a very good thing. It's one of those activities that I plan to get into someday.
So I was attracted to Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee MacLean when I stumbled upon it at my local library. (Not yours R.F.).
For someone like myself, whose meditation skill is on the level of a preschooler's, this seemed a good introduction to why a person might want to meditate and how to begin.
I kept getting distracted, though, because the pigs were naked. Distraction isn't great for meditation. Of course, I didn't beat myself up for it. I just called my mind back to the book.
Though this book was published back in 2004, I found it on the New Book Shelf in the children's area. That was a very encouraging sight for a writer. I often get the impression that my books are toast as soon as the following season's book catalogue comes out. It was good to see a three-year-old book still selling.
By:
Jenny Turner,
on 12/16/2006
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How would you describe your mental health? As an underworked author and an overworked publisher, I would say my mental health is sketchy at best. LOL I find myself scouring other author's web sites to see what they are doing and what I might mimic to propel myself to the top of ANY best seller list. I scour other publisher's sites to do the same. I am always looking for some germ of a clue to the "big secret." Who am I kidding?
My mother used to tell me that there would come a day when I realized I did NOT know everything. Thanks, Mom. (note the sarcastic tilt of my font) You were so right. Hope your happy. LOL
Well, I may not know everything, but I am sure as shootin' willin' to try. I have taken a new approach to my hours of scouring. I am no longer looking for ways to mimic, I do still sour, but I constantly remind myself that it is all part of my education. What does this have to do with mental stability? Oh, plenty!
I talk to so many authors and the majority of them are seriously seeking the quick fix to fame and fortune with their book(s). Come on people, there are no quick fixes. It's a lot of hard work and grueling hours of research, both for the material you write and for the business you strive to be an active participant in. Nothing is easy. Was it easy when you first learned to walk? Heck no. Like the rest of us, you probably fell down a lot. Riding a bike? Roller skating? Dating? Don't even get me started. We had to go through hours of grueling activities to become even remotely good at these and so many other things.
So why would you torture yourself with the myth that writing is easy and that just because you write a book, and a few people say it's a good read, that you will become an instant success and wildly rich. Let's ask Nora Roberts how long it took her to reach her level of comfort within the industry. Or even the wildly popular Christopher Paolini who fought his way in kicking and selling. No one did it for him, he worked his young little butt off and probably spent more than one night wishing he was old enough to drink. But he had an awesome support system and he had DETERMINATION!
Back to mental health. It is crucial to your success. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is easy and that it will be all fun. The more you want, the harder you must work. The more you succeed, the more people will talk about you, and it won't always be nice. But I can tell you that there is no greater joy than to look within yourself and find satisfaction and to know that you have done your very best.
Do whatever is necessary to keep your mind at peace, your body in good shape, and your entire being in balance. Meditate (it really isn't all that freaky), exercise, and eat healthy. It is the best defense against mental instability. I never thought I would say this, but my most productive days are begun with a 30 minute workout at Curves, a small, but healthy breakfast, and some quiet reflection on what I will accomplish during the rest of the day.
Do you have any special routines or rituals that you do faithfully to ensure you stay happy and healthy? What role does this play in your writing?
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Irene A. Cohen, MD is a psychiatrist, acupuncturist and interfaith minister who has maintained an integrative practice for almost 30 years. Hay House / Balboa Press just released her first book, Soul Journey to Love: 100 Days to Inner Peace . Visit Dr. Cohen on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and blog with her at www.drirenecohen.authorsxpress.com. 
You just need some time to detox. Then all your creative fantasies will become realities!
Will you get rid of it permanently? We gave it up for 1 to 2 years. I hope it fuels your creative spirit.
Good job Tatiana, good for you! I've been living without TV for four years this summer. Definitely better. I haven't tackled a lot of projects but I have done some reading. I've read some books, it's been great! :) I'm sending your post to my BF who's been try to cut and chop as well. I hope you inspire him! :)
mamita, pero lo tuyo es un affair fatal con el cajón iluminado... pero conociéndote... sabes, yo nunca he pagado por cable-tv... me mantengo viendo los canales de public tv y las noticias, de vez en cuando... saludos, colombiana.