Cultivating a Spring Heart

Spring has returned.  The Earth
is like a child that knows poems.
– Rainer Maria Rilke

From the big budding oak behind my house two boisterous black ravens glide overhead announcing the birth of a new spring. I look up from my small garden plot and smile. In this early morning moment all seems right with the world. I have no thoughts of things to come or what has been. I am at home here on this spinning blue planet. What joy to dig in the earth planting seeds, pulling weeds and humming in harmony with the quail, robins, finch, jays and all manner of geese and water fowl traveling the Pacific Flyway above Grass Valley. I know at this moment without a doubt that I am not above nature, but an integral part of her unfolding.

Kneeling on this earth I am happy, my fear for the future dissolves into hope and then faith. I trust the impulses of the natural world to guide us through these challenging times. We are living at a time in history when we have an opportunity to witness one of the greatest evolutionary transformations that has occurred since Homo sapiens, Latin for “wise humans”, first walked this earth some 200,000 years ago. This is bigger than opposable thumbs, agriculture, the industrial revolution and the information age. If we don’t destroy ourselves in the process, it appears that we are headed towards personal and global illumination or what has been prophesied as “The Golden Age”.

You are all sacred souls and you will have your parts to play in the unfolding drama of the new Golden Age, which is coming.
– Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Read the entire letter from Michael here.

Benefit for the Nevada County delegation to Bolivia’s First People’s Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights!

Sign up for the Well of Light blog for direct reports or listen to KVMR news during the week of April 19th.

Our fund raiser to send Robin Milam and Michael to Bolivia exceeded our hopes and expectations. We are so deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support that you all provided. We raised enough to pay for a good portion of our expenses and will be leaving in a couple of weeks. There are still several auction items available if you click here:

It was the ultimate community event and we thank you all for your donations, purchases and volunteering your time and energy.
– Robin and Michael

Thank you to all who generously donated gifts and services to our auction: John Thompson, Michael Seghezzi, Dr Don Williams DC, Judith Hurley-Prosser, Kathleen McIntire, Gene Meseck, Nancy Herrick, Mary Jorgenson in memory of Russ Jorgenson, Eli Rush, Patt Lind-Kyle, Shivani Grail, James Robinson, Mary Elizabeth Young, Turiya Hill, Janice Polucha, Rich Fisher, Joanna and Peter Snider-Lipa, Tricia Baker, Lea Hume, Marla Charbonneau, Natana Sohler, Syris Metara, Juliette Kunin of Garden of Enchantment , Mary Ann Davis of Madison Designs, Daniel Prentice of Shanti Kites, South Yuba Club, The Truffle Shop, California Organics, KVMR 89.5 FM, The Magic Carpet, The Owl Grill, Walkers Office Supply and Briarpatch Co op Community Market!

It wouldn’t have happened with out our amazing crew of Event Volunteers: Torrie Mudd, James Robinson, Gene Meseck, Monica Walsh, Rudy Udarbe, Susan Ross, Syris Metara, Susan Reuter, Rebecca, Valerie Craven, Hollie Mudd, Karishma Darby, Prema Robins, Magdelena  Curtis, Daniel Prentice, Aimee Dorion, Nan Moore, Shelly North-Gerson, and Gracie Robinson.

And a special thanks to Maniko for her inspiring and engaging heart opening songs and processes and to Gracie McKenzie for her beautiful voice and for writing a special song just for this event! The beautiful slide show photos were from Eli Rush and organized by Tom Milam.

Upcoming Events

David Whyte, Poet, Author
April 17, 2010, 10 am to 4pm
Presented by The Well of Light
    and Insight Lecture Series

Spend a whole day with David, exploring our personal and profound ability to make ourselves large enough, brave enough and generous enough for the triumphs and difficulties needed to live even the most ordinary human life. David is a captivating best-selling author and sought-after speaker who brings a unique contribution to our understanding of the nature of individual change. He is the author of six volumes of poetry and three books of prose. www.davidwhyte.com

When: July 18th to the 24th 2010
Where: Carleton Hotel of Oak Park
1110 Pleasant Street
Oak Park IL 60302
708.848.5000
www.CarletonHotel.com
More information: www.andrewharvey.net

Moving Meditation News

Through the blessed vehicles of movement, song, poetry, inquiry and silent witnessing; this day will be entirely devoted to learning the knack of transforming the energy held in suffering into life-giving creative energy. William Blake has said "Energy is delight", and it is profoundly true. When the energy of feelings are condemned and sequestered into the unconscious, these energies fester like a wound, deadening us, robbing us of vitality, sensitivity, awareness and joy.

The same energy that has been held in suffering can become healing, dynamic aliveness that deepens your life and humanity with compassion, presence, freedom and the capacity to fully embody all that you love.

11:00-6:00 Saturday March, May 22 - $145/125 by April 15th
Registration for this workshop is by application only. To apply call 530.477.7757

Guest Teachers for April

This month I will be traveling to NY for training with my teacher Gabrielle Roth and then on to Bolivia to cover the People’s Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights. I have left you with an amazing array of inspiring teachers to hold space while I am away. Here is the schedule and some background on the people. I hope you will support and enjoy their offerings... All classes will be held at the regular times.
www.moving-meditation.com

April 2/4: Michael Zipkin
Soul MotionTM Experience
Working from the points of view of Soul MotionTM, I invite presence, self-expression and generosity with a soft, clear and curious heart. I encourage all dancers to wear white on Sunday, regardless of religious tradition; let's begin again, together! Hi, all: looking forward to being with all dance dreamers, artists and activists over the April Fool's/Good Friday/Easter weekend. Yes, Michael will hold 2 special Easter Sunday Dance Church Celebrations...

April 9/11: Maniko
Alchemy and Artistry: Meditation in Motion with Maniko
Maniko: Performs live in concert and facilitates workshops on the Dimensions of Voice & Self-Expression, Creativity, Transformational & Ecstatic Singing, Songwriting and Meditation in Europe, Asia and the U.S. For more information go to www.templeofsong.com

April 16/18: Katrina Curry
Sweet Soulful Groove: an invitation to dive into expressive, improvisational movement and the sweet, spacious music of the heart which blossoms there. Stepping boldly, tenderly, into our growing edges, we will engage the unknown with presence and playfulness, dissolve into the currents that ripple and pulse beyond the realm of individual personality, and thereby cultivate fresh ground for our aliveness in the everyday dance. Our companions in our journey: the tides of breath, the pulsing beat of the heart, and the unfurled wings of spirit. Katrina is a Soul Motion Apprentice.

April 23/25: Stacey Bella
Bella Dreizler is a physical therapist, 5Rhythms® teacher and yoga instructor. She has been providing care to the Sacramento community for 36 years.  Her passion is teaching clients and students to be their own best body worker, and she brings this loving focus to the dance floor and the yoga mat.  www.bodyjoy.net

April 30: Juliette Kunin
Ecstatic Movement with Juliette (Phyllis) Kunin who brings her musical and movement background to the dance room, providing a blend of music from all genres that is guaranteed to rock your socks off!    Juliette has been dancing the 5Rhythms for many years and is currently in the 5Rhythms Teacher Training Program. The dance has been transformative in her life and she is moved to share this experience with others.

Michael returns May 2nd.

Release in the Rhythms With Stacey Bella

Come spend a luxurious weekend at Harbin Hot Springs: dance your heart out on a great floor, soak in the healing waters, take in the fabulous food, connect with community extraordinare. Fuse your 5Rhythms practice with the essence of yoga, releasing muscle and joint tension using hands, balls and rollers. We’ll liberate tension, delve into tightness, let go of all the ways we hold on and dance this freedom into reality. In wave upon wave we’ll find new ways to support and surrender to our dance, feeling the joy of moving our precious body through the landscape of the rhythms.

June 4-6, 2010: Friday 6:30-9:00pm, Saturday 11:00-4:00pm & 7:00-9:00pm, Sunday 11:00-4:00pm

• 6 catered meals
• camping or conference center sleeping bag space
• unlimited use of hot tubs and grounds

$295 thru May 10 / $325 after May 10
Enroll via Pay Pal: www.bodyjoy.net/workshops.html
Or call or email Bella to enroll: (916) 267-5478 bella@bodyjoy.net

New Podcasts

Click here to view the Podcasts page, and to listen to the following podcasts:

John Francis, Phd: Planet Walk
John Francis, Ph.D. founded Planetwalk in 1982 when he began his walking and sailing pilgrimage around the world. To date, Dr. Francis has walked across the U.S., sailed and walked through the Caribbean, and South America from Venezuela to Argentina and a walk in Cuba. Currently, he is continuing a walk backtracking his first walk from Cape May NJ. to Point Reyes CA. John's stirring memoir, Planetwalker: 22 Years of Walking; 17 Years of Silence was published in 2008 by the National Geographic Society and will be available in paperback in April 2009. www.planetwalker.org

Andrew Harvey: Sacred Activism
Andrew Harvey is a renowned and distinguished mystical scholar, Rumi translator and explicator, poet, novelist, spiritual teacher and writer, and architect of Sacred Activism. He has taught at Oxford University, Cornell University, Hobart, and William Smith Colleges, The California Institute of Integral Studies, and the University of Creation Spirituality as well as the at various spiritual centers throughout the United States. His latest book is The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism. www.andrewharvey.net

Nina Simons: Cultivating Women's Leadership
Nina Simons is a social entrepreneur, producer and communicator who has applied an innovative approach to developing successful not-for-profit and for-profit ventures over the past twenty years. She is currently co-executive director of Bioneers/ Collective Heritage Institute. www.bioneers.org

Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi, MD: Mindful Eating
Jan Chozen Bays, Roshi, MD. has studied and practiced Zen Buddhism since 1973 and received her Priest's Ordination, in 1979 from Taizan Maezumi. Roshi Chozen is also a pediatrician, mother and wife. She is particularly involved in teaching people how to use meditation to work with eating disorders and grief. www.tcme.org

David Whyte: The Three Marriages
David Whyte, Poet, Author, Lecturer, holds a degree in Marine Zoology and has traveled extensively, including living and working as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leading anthropological and natural history expeditions in the Andes, the Amazon and the Himalaya. He brings this wealth of experience to his poetry, lectures and workshops. www.davidwhyte.com

Book of the Month

How to Heal Toxic Thoughts: Simple Tools for Personal Transformation, by Sandra Ingerman

Therapist and Shaman, Sandra Ingerman, teaches us how to deal with our fear, anger and frustration. In this book she shows us how to address the needs of our time and how to protect ourselves in any hostile environment that is filled with negative energy. Using practical exercises blended with ancient wisdom Sandra shows us how to transform negative thoughts and emotions that arise throughout the day. Her methods are simple, but have the power to change you, others and the world. You can read more or order this classic healing treasure by going to www.sandraingerman.com.

Articles

Van Jones: “I feel like I’m just getting started”

By now the Strange Episode of Van Jones is well known in and outside of politics. Jones became White House Special Advisor for Green Jobs in March of 2009. Shortly thereafter began a summer of crazy, as Tea Party activists stormed congressional offices and the air waves, shouting warnings of incipient tyranny.

In July, Glenn Beck became fixated on the "czars" in the Obama administration, who, he alleged, formed a secret, unelected shadow government devoted to instituting socialism. Among his first targets was Jones, dubbed the "green jobs czar." Initially, it was about his connections to the Apollo Alliance, but as the teabaggers got to digging they uncovered youthful radicalism, some intemperate humor, and the coup de grace, Jones' name listed on a 9/11 conspiracy site. There was a spectacular feeding frenzy, and in early September, Jones resigned from the White House.

To read the full article, click here.

High altitude wind power: an era of abundance?

Why should there be an energy problem? After all, there is plenty of energy around us. The sun beams on the earth's surface a daily amount of energy that corresponds to almost ten thousands times the primary energy we generate - mainly - from fossil fuels. And that doesn't include geothermal energy nor the perspectives of nuclear energy, especially in terms of fusion power. Just tap a small fraction of this energy bonanza that surrounds us and we can have more than we need.

To read the full article, click here.

As Glaciers Melt, Bolivia Fights for the Good Life

Bolivia is watching its glaciers melt, early casualties of a changing climate. As communities struggle to adapt and the government tries to pioneer an alternative way forward, rural Bolivians believe the answer lies not in consumerist striving to live better, but in learning to live well.

Don Alivio Aruquipa is smiling as he gestures around his community. Behind him, groups of yelping children kick a soccer ball around a sloping green plaza. Every so often, the ball goes flying off the mesa into a plot of cultivated land below, and the children send someone to go retrieve it.

Looming over the verdant square that stretches among squat square buildings is Illimani, a blue, breathtaking colossus of craggy rock and snow. On the other side of the mountain sits La Paz, the burgeoning capital city of Bolivia. But here, in the village of Khapi, the hush of remote tranquility is interrupted only by children’s cries.

To read the full article, click here.

The Century of Famine

Humanity has struggled to survive through the millennia in terms of balancing population size with food supply. The same is true now, but population numbers have been soaring for over a century. The limiting factor has been hidden, but this factor -- oil and natural gas, or petroleum -- is close to or beyond its peak extraction. Without ample, free-flowing petroleum, it will not be possible to support a population of several billion for long.

To read the full article, click here.

Supreme Court’s Shocker Makes CSR Key Buttress of Democracy

Hazel Henderson
Ethical Markets

Is the Supreme Court’s decision to treat corporations as “persons” a debacle for democracy — or an opportunity for corporate social responsibility? Hazel Henderson of Ethical Markets has some creative answers.

If the worldwide movement for corporate social responsibility didn’t exist, we would have to invent it after the US Supreme Court’s January 21, 2010, decision to lift all limits on corporate money in politics. This 5-4 decision drew instant cries of alarm from constitutional lawyers, including President Obama, who said “the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money into our politics. It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street bankers, health insurance companies and other interests that marshal their power every day in Washington and drown out the voices of everyday Americans.” Republican leaders hailed the ruling as “a victory for the First Amendment.” Our local Congressman in Florida, Alan Grayson (D-8) called it “the worst decision since the Dred Scott case” and has introduced six bills to roll back this ruling by tightening corporate governance.

To read the full letter, click here.

Book Bytes: Coal-Fired Power On the Way Out?

The past two years have witnessed the emergence of a powerful movement opposing the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the United States. Initially led by environmental groups, both national and local, it has since been joined by prominent national political leaders and many state governors. The principal reason for opposing coal plants is that they are changing the earth’s climate. There is also the effect of mercury emissions on health and the 23,600 U.S. deaths each year from power plant air pollution.

To read the full article, click here.

Book Bytes: Zero-Carbon Buildings

The building sector is responsible for a large share of world electricity consumption and raw materials use. In the United States, buildings—commercial and residential—account for 72 percent of electricity use and 38 percent of CO2 emissions. Worldwide, building construction accounts for 40 percent of materials use.

Because buildings last for 50–100 years or longer, it is often assumed that cutting carbon emissions in the building sector is a long-term process. But that is not the case. An energy retrofit of an older inefficient building can cut energy use and energy bills by 20–50 percent. The next step, shifting entirely to carbon-free electricity, either generated onsite or purchased, to heat, cool, and light the building completes the job. Presto! A zero-carbon operating building.

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Donate to Conversations

Dear Friends,
For the past four years I have been funding Conversations, The Well of Light and other associated projects out of my own pocket and fund raising events. In order to keep this newsletter coming and keep moving towards syndicating Conversations we need your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution if you enjoy receiving our monthly newsletter or listening to Conversations.

It’s easy, just click here.

Thank you so much. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Blessings,
michael

Upcoming Shows on Conversations

March 30
Drew Dillinger and Danielle Drake-Burnette
Drew Dellinger is a spoken word poet, professor, activist and founder of Poets for Global Justice. He has inspired minds and hearts at hundreds of events in many countries, performing poetry and keynoting on justice, ecology, cosmology, activism and human compassion. Dillinger has studied cosmology and ecological thought with Thomas Berry since 1990 and is finishing his Ph.D. at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is currently writing his dissertation on Martin Luther King Jr. and the connections between cosmology, ecology and justice. www.drewdellinger.org
Danielle Drake-Burnette, previously known on stage as SoulsJourney, is a writer and spoken word poet. She was the 2003 Oakland Poetry Slam Champion. Danielle is the founder and Executive Director of Creation Cocoon for Girls, an Oakland, CA community-based organization serving girls 8-18. Creation Cocoon teaches girls’ empowerment and self esteem through the traditional arts. danielledrakeburnette.com

April 6th
David Whyte: The Three Marriages
David Whyte, Poet, Author, Lecturer holds a degree in Marine Zoology and has traveled extensively, including living and working as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leading anthropological and natural history expeditions in the Andes, the Amazon and the Himalaya. He brings this wealth of experience to his poetry, lectures and workshops. www.davidwhyte.com

April 13th
Tim Van Wagner and Cathe’ Fish: Living Lands Agrarian Network
A Nevada City native, Tim Van Wagner partnered with Leo Chapman of Bluebird Farm, a local CSA, after completing college. In addition to farming the two created the Living Lands Agrarian Network whose mission is to serve as a network of ecologically minded farmers and community members working to strengthen our community’s ties and connections to the land, support agrarian education and ecological literacy, and carefully steward the land on which we farm and live.
Since 1987, Nevada County resident Cathe' Fish, speaker, sustainability teacher, master gardner and permaculture educator, has been working as an experienced drylands Permaculture Design Consultant. Cathe' has also taught passive solar building design at straw bale workshops for many years. Besides teaching permaculture classes, giving permaculture consultations, and creating permaculture designs, she farms at the Living Lands Agrarian Network. www.practicalpermaculture.com

April 20th
James O’Dea: Creative Stress
James O'Dea is a Fellow and immediate past president of the Institute of Noetic Sciences and a former faculty member of the Omega Institute. He is a former Executive Director of the SEVA Foundation and a former Director of the Washington, DC office of Amnesty International. He is a member of The World Wisdom Council and currently collaborating with the Global Systems Initiatives in Washington DC, and an Evolutionary Leaders group spearheaded by Deepak Chopra. His latest book is Creative Stress: a path for evolving souls living through personal and planetary upheaval. www.jamesodea.com

April 27th
Velcrow Ripper: Fierce Light: Where Spirit meets Action
Acclaimed filmmaker, writer, sound designer, and media activist Velcrow Ripper creates powerful, cinematic documentaries, dramas and non-fiction novels that deal with the central issues of our times. His over 30 films include the multi-award winning feature documentary sensation, ScaredSacred, and FierceLight: When Spirit Meets Action www.velcrowripper.com

May 4th
Sandra Ingerman: Medicine for the Earth
Sandra Ingerman teaches workshops internationally on shamanic journeying, healing, and reversing environmental pollution using spiritual methods. She has trained and founded an international alliance of Medicine for the Earth Teachers and shamanic teachers. Sandra is recognized for bridging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into our modern culture addressing the needs of our times. She is the author of numerous books on Shamanism. www.sandraingerman.com

May 11th
Will Steger: empowering climate change solutions
Steger has been an eyewitness to the ongoing catastrophic consequences of global warming. A formidable voice calling for understanding and the preservation of the Arctic and the Earth, Will Steger is best known for his legendary polar explorations. He has traveled tens of thousands of miles by kayak and dog-sled over 45 years. Thus the Will Steger Foundation is educating, inspiring and empowering the public in a campaign to solve global warming. Steger is the author of four books. www.willstegerfoundation.org and www.willsteger.com

May 18th
Jeremy Rifkin: The Empathic Civilization
Jeremy Rifkin is the founder and president of the Foundation On Economic Trends and creator of the Third Industrial Revolution. He is an American economist, writer, public speaker and activist who seeks to shape public policy in the United States, the European Union, and around the world. He is the bestselling author of 16 books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society, and the environment. His latest book is The Empathic Civilization: Rethinking human Nature in the Biosphere Era. www.foet.org

May 25th
Paul Blank, MD How Everyday Products Make People Sick
Paul D. Blanc, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine and holds the Endowed Chair in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. In his recent book he reveals the hidden health dangers in many of the seemingly innocent products we encounter every day—a tube of glue in a kitchen drawer, a bottle of bleach in the laundry room, a rayon scarf on a closet shelf, a brass knob on the front door, a wood plank on an outdoor deck.

Conversations airs every Tuesday at 1pm PST on KVMR.
For current shows or more information go to www.AreWeListening.net

Videos

Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy

Poem: "Beannacht" - In memory of John O'Donohue

Dan Barber: How I fell in love with a fish

Life Changing Encounters

Hot Site of the Month

A campaign to change the course of history. Really.
It's time to make a choice. We can let present trends continue and risk almost certain breakdown and collapse.
Or... We can act and set humanity on a new course toward a just, thriving and sustainable world.

A Call to Action!

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Well of Light Seva Team

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
— Mohandas K. Gandhi

Seva is selfless service to a cause you believe will benefit others. It is the willingness to perform any task for a greater cause without prospect of recognition or reward.

Well of Light has many opportunities to serve our community. If you would like to participate on the Well of Light Seva Team please call Michael Stone @ 530.477.7757 or email michael@welloflight.com

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
- Albert Schweitzer

Poetry Corner

Easter Morning in Wales

— David Whyte

– e.e. cummings