Gregg Braden Talks 2012: How to Handle the Changes

The year 2012 is no longer something in the distant future – it is here. And the changes we are experiencing – globally and individually – started even before the year 2012 arrived.

Elevated Existence recently heard best-selling author Gregg Braden speak during a teleseminar series called “Healing With the Masters,” where he discussed the changes occurring in our world today, the concepts in his newest book “Deep Truth: Igniting the Memory of Our Origin, History, Destiny and Fate,” and what we as individuals can do to navigate this new world emerging before our eyes.

“The best minds of our time are telling us in no uncertain terms that we are experiencing very unique times,” he said, explaining we see the changes in the economy, climate, jobs and more. “Experts are telling us we are facing the greatest number of crises in the past 5,000 years.”

However, Braden questions whether these changes are truly “crisis” or are actually transformation? It all comes down to perception and the way we think about the world, ourselves and our connection to one another.

“When we begin looking at why so many systems are collapsing and breaking, we realize the ones that are breaking are the ones no longer sustainable in the presence of the changing world,” he said in the teleseminar. More importantly, it is the way we have chosen to live our lives that has led to the collapsing of these systems, and much of it is based on beliefs and teachings we have been told – many of which science is now proving to be false, he explained.

“There are many false assumptions science has made about our relationship to the world that are deeply engrained into the way we live our lives,” he noted, explaining the basis for his book “Deep Truth” is to unearth these new scientific discoveries not yet making it into the mainstream. “When we embrace these new discoveries, it changes the way we view the world and how we relate to it.”

We need to understand that we are all deeply connected and enmeshed with the natural world – not separate from it – and we need to look to cooperation and natural aid, rather than war to solve our problems, said Braden.

“The best science of our time is telling us there is a field of energy that connects all living things on earth,” he said. “We are linked via this magnetic field.”


New Discoveries
One of the biggest new discoveries is Charles Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest was wrong. Darwin based his observations on what he saw in only some parts of the world, and made the assumption that it was true everywhere, Braden explained.

“This one idea is so deeply rooted into the civilization and economic cycle and the way we do business today,” he said. “This thinking led to some of the greatest genocides of the 20th century. Hitler paraphrased Darwin’s work and justified eliminating what he believed to be inferior members.”

This view of life breeds completion. More than 400 peer-reviewed studies in the 20th century reviewed Darwin’s idea to discover what the optimum amount of competition was for any environment – whether a classroom, playing field of family – and the conclusion was zero.

“They discovered competition always hurts the individual and the community, and that nature is based on mutual aid and not competition. When we say competition, we are talking about violent competition, where one person, group or community benefits at the expense of another by exploiting the weaknesses of the other,” Braden explained.

He used the human body as an example, saying it is made up of 50 trillion communities of cells that work in cooperation. If they don’t work together, the body breaks down and becomes disease. “We don’t see every cell fighting for themselves,” he said.

Other false assumptions include:
– Civilization is only about 5,000 years old. Peer-reviewed scientific data shows civilization is actually twice as old in places like Peru, Turkey and Egypt. In Turkey, science discovered modern advanced civilization dates back 11,500 years. “The 5,000 years that we are taught is the history of the world forever is actually only the history of the last cycle,” Braden said.

– Consciousness is something separate from our physical world. Some of the best minds in science are telling us “nothing can be farther from the truth,” said Braden.

– The space between things is empty. “There is a lot of energy in the universe that doesn’t conform to what our equipment is looking for, and just because our machines and devices can’t detect it, doesn’t mean its not there,” he said.

Dealing With “Now”
After discovering life did exist beyond the 5,000 years we were taught in history books, these ancient civilizations have been studied. One of the main truths found in all of them was that there was no evidence of weapons or large-scale war. There was not even a need to protect cities with homes or walls, said Braden.

“Archeologist and anthropologists are suspecting now that what we were taught – that war is a natural part of human nature – is not who we are,” he noted. “War is not nature. The first examples of war begin when we believe civilization began – 5000 years ago.”

Before our time, it was known as “The Golden Age” and a time of peace, he said. Archeological evidence is now discovering that civilizations before us knew we would enter “a dark cycle and a cycle of war.” The question now is – do we perpetuate the 5,000-year cycle of war or do we “recognize the deep truths” and make changes?

“Those who are clinging to the ways of life in the past, and clinging to the systems, hoping the changes we see in the world today are just a speed bump in the way of life – those are the people having the most difficult time right now,” he said. “The world changed while we were looking, and nobody told us. The reality of the world we knew in the past no longer exists.”

However, the good news is there is a way of thinking that we can adapt to help us navigate and adapt to the new world. We can make a subtle shift that changes everything, said Braden.

“We have all been led to believe – through false assumptions – that life is a struggle, we live in a dog eat dog world, and we need to struggle for our piece of the pie. The question we always ask ourselves – consciously or unconsciously is ‘what can I get from the world that exists?’ But if we can make the subtle shift from asking ‘what can I get?’ to ‘what can I offer to this new world that is being birthed?’ – that can open the door to new answers, new jobs and new possibilities of abundance.”

What if as individuals, we began to look within to our inborn talents, and begin using them to give back and make a difference in some way rather than expecting the world to give back to us? “It’s a subtle and very powerful shift,” said Braden.

Editor’s Advice: Embarking on an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Elevated Existence attended the annual Omega NYC conference a week ago in New York, and I had the pleasure of attending a workshop by the best-selling author of “Crazy Sexy Diet,” Kris Carr, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) expert Nick Ortner.

I’ll admit, I was new to Carr’s work, but was intrigued by eating an anti-inflammatory diet. I have suffered from chronic sinus inflammation for more than 10 years, and was getting tired of the antihistamines. (I’m sure many of you can feel my pain!) Also, I had recently read “Ultra-Prevention: The Six-Week Plan That Will Make Your Healthy for Life,” by Mark Hyman, M.D. and Mark Liponis, M.D., which recommends a more plant-based diet for easing inflammation and better overall health.

So I attended the workshop (read all about it in our June 2012 issue out soon!) and became inspired. Carr is a wonderful, living example for what she teaches, and as someone living with what the doctor’s call an incurable cancer, I applaud her for taking healing into her own hands – and sharing what she has learned to help others! It’s been 10 years since was diagnosed, and her cancer has not progressed at all! BRAVO!

What inspired me was her complete self-care plan, which includes physical, emotional and spiritual health. Our June article will go into more depth, but I wanted to share the small changes I am making in my diet in hopes that I will inspire you to do the same!

One of the things I love about Carr is she is NOT an all or nothing girl! She is vegan, eating an 80 percent plant-based, gluten-free diet, but encourages people to “lean into” a healthier diet. For example, start by adopting a 50/50 plan – 50 percent of every plate of food is vegetables, and the other 50 percent is dedicated to a grains, meat, tofu, etc. (and the meat amount shouldn’t be bigger than a deck of cards if you choose that option). Also, incorporate what she calls “green juice” into your daily routine (more about that below!)

So far, here are the changes I have made:

–      Dairy is the first thing I decided to eliminate since I suffer from chronic sinus inflammation. Dairy contributes to this, as well as creating excess mucus in the body. I already drink almond milk, so it was really just cutting out cheese, butter, etc.

–      Since meat has always been part of my diet (I grew up in an Italian, meatball-loving family), I decided to start slow. I’m eliminating red meat, and only eating chicken, turkey or fish no more than once per day (eventually cutting down to a couple times per week.)

–      I’ve added a PB8 probiotic supplement to my daily routine. (I also take a multi-vitamin; vitamin D3; Omega 3; vitamin C; and Calcium Magnesium supplements daily. I’m a big fan of Andrew Lessman’s vitamins)

–      Incorporating more vegetables into every meal.

–      Significantly cut down on sugar and chocolate (thank goodness those Cadbury Crème Eggs are off the shelves!)

–      I bought a brand-new Breville juicer (thank you Bed, Bath & Beyond for your 20-percent-off coupons that never expire), and am drinking at least 8 ounces of green juice every morning. (Carr recommends 16 ounces per day, and I’m going to build up to that. But I’m starting slow!)

Now a quick word on the green juice — A basic recipe using a juicer (which is different than a blender) is a combination of the following: cucumber, celery, spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, green apple and lemon – and there are many variations on it. Carr advises in her book “Crazy Sexy Diet,” if your stomach tends to be sensitive, you can start with straight up cucumber juice, and then gradually add other ingredients that might be harder to digest. I started with cucumber one day, then added celery and green apple to that, and then I recently started adding a handful of spinach.

Well so far – I’ve cut down on antihistamines (about every other day from daily), and I’m feeling really good about doing something for myself and my body – or what Carr called the “God Pod.” And as of writing this blog, it’s only been one week!

I highly recommend her book “Crazy Sexy Diet” if this blog is at all interesting to you. She offers so many brand-name recommendations for replacing gluten, wheat and dairy products, as well as recipes and a wealth of information about the things we put into our body. She also offers detox tips, such as dry brushing the skin daily!

And be sure to check out her Web site, www.crazysexylife.com for more advice, recipes and tips!

Here’s to living a healthy, inflammation-free life! Thanks for the inspiration Kris!

Tammy Mastroberte
Founder, Publisher & Editorial Director
Elevated Existence Magazine
www.elevatedexistence.com

Dr. Andrew Weil Introduces Seasonal Nutritional Supplements and Program

Andrew Weil, MD, the father of integrative medicine and botanist by training, along with his colleague and Scientific Advisor, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog and the team at Innate Response, developed Seasonal Therapeutics, a new line of professional nutritional supplements as a seasonal approach for maintaining health and wellness.

“Just as our dietary choices should be influenced by seasonal changes – more fruit in summer, for example, and more root vegetables in winter – so should our choices of dietary supplements and natural remedies,” said Dr. Weil.  “Our unique Seasonal Therapeutics program makes it easy, providing patients with formulations tailored to the particular needs of their body in each season of the year.”

To launch this initiative, the company is offering a Seasonal Therapeutics seminar series for health care practitioners that use an evidence-based, nature-oriented, seasonal approach to wellness. This series will be presented by a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, Fellowship Director at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, and author of National Geographic’s “Life is Your Best Medicine.” The first seminar of this series, Autumn: Strategies for Optimal Health, will begin on Aug. 25, 2012 in Boston, Mass.

Seasonal Therapeutics focuses on achieving emotional wellness through lifestyle, behavioral and dietary changes based on an array of holistic and modern therapies and the time of year.

“We feel that there is a missing piece in health care, that it’s not just about what dietary changes or nutritional supplements to recommend, but also when to recommend them,” said Dr. Adam Killpatrick, newly appointed director of product development of Innate Response Formulas. “We are incredibly passionate about education and thrilled to be able to work with Dr. Weil and Dr. Low Dog to share this powerful message. Our aim is to empower practitioners with outstanding programs and products so they can better serve their patients and change lives.”

For more information on Innate Response Formulas/Weil events please visit www.seasonaltherapeutics.com.

 

Hay House Launches Film Division

Following the success of its first two films, Louise Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life” and Wayne Dyer’s “The Shift,” Hay House, launched a dedicated division to the new medium, Hay House Films.

“We want to offer another medium to attract more people to the Hay House message,” said Hay House CEO Reid Tracy. “The ways in which people learn has grown with technology, and Hay House is now growing to fit that need.”

The company is releasing its first four films on DVD May 1, 2012, and will also hold private screenings, and release apps and online streaming. The DVDs will be available for purchase exclusively via Hay House at www.hayhouse.com.

The four films are:

Painting the Future is inspired by the writings of Louise L. Hay, and reveals how the thoughts we choose create the life we live. An unlikely friendship is formed between a bitter painter who has lost his sight, and a sweet Hispanic girl, his 9 year-old neighbor, who is determined to save up for her Quincinera dress. View the trailer now at: http://tinyurl.com/7o7fonm

My Greatest Teacher is based on a true story by best-selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer, and is the story of one man’s life-long quest to find the father he never knew and resolve years of resentment he has held inside. The film is a drama that explores the transformational power of forgiveness. See video below to watch the trailer.

Magic Hand of Chance is based on the common underlying theme of Louise Hay and Wayne Dyer writings. It’s filmed in Vienna against the backdrop of a travelling Russian circus, and is the true story of a clumsy magician whose life is turned around when two clowns trick him into thinking he has received the highest honor by a fictitious Magicians Society in America. Because he starts to believe he is great…he ultimately becomes great. View the trailer: http://tinyurl.com/7dlt8cw

Entanglement is based on the writings of best-selling author and visionary Gregg Braden. It is an intense, sci-fi thriller about a science teacher confronted by a former student who believes he has a psychic connection with his twin brother. The film explores the possibility of quantum entanglement and our connection to “The Divine Matrix.” View the trailer now at: http://tinyurl.com/84tku2t

View the trailer for “My Greatest Teacher,” below:

Five Meditation Timer Apps

One of our favorite Web sites for app picks, www.appolicious.com, recently published its picks for meditation timer apps, and we wanted to pass the list. The prices range from free to $1.99, and each offers different features.

1.      Lotus Bud Meditation Timer – Not only does it offer a timer, but it tracks all of your meditations sessions, lets you build more complex sessions and tracks your goals. $1.99

2.      Mind – Drag the slider to the number of minutes you want to meditate, and the last timer set becomes the default. Simple and FREE!

3.      Minimalist Timer – This features an autostart timer, a zero-touch timer, and can beep or vibrate. FREE!

4.      Serenity: A Meditation Timer – For the iPhone and iPad, users can choose from a meditation time in 5 minute increments up to 60 minutes. There are also five background meditation sounds including brown noise, pink noise, stream, surf or white noise, and also seven end of meditation sounds, including chime, Chinese guitar, deep gong, gong, harp, Tibetan bowl or tubular bell. $0.99

5.     Repeat Timer Pro – This offers three independent timers with custom labels, and 26 quality alerts, including 11 humorous sounds. $1.99

Dr. Wayne Dyer Releases Newest Children’s Book “I AM”

Taken from his newest book “Wishes Fulfilled, “ Dr. Wayne Dyer released his newest children’s book, “I AM: Why Two Little Words Mean So Much,” written with Kristina Tracy. It teaches children that God does not exist in a far off distant land, but inside all of us. We are all God.

“I have taken the most important concept from “Wishes Fulfilled,” and created this children’s book,” said Dr. Dyer. “The concept is that God is not separate from us but is actually an energy living inside of us. Once we become aware of this energy, we can help it grow and expand, ad bring happiness to ourselves and others.”

The book uses rhyme and illustrations by Stacy Heller Budnick, as well as a special section at the end to teach the meaning of the words “I Am,” and how to use them to create love and happiness.

“I named this book “I AM” because of the incredibly powerful meaning of those two words,” said Dyer. “How we finish the sentence that begins with “I am” makes all the difference in the life we create for ourselves and how close or how far we are from the part of us that is God.”