Author (#182)July 2006 Archives

EMFs. No, it’s not “Evaporating Muppet Fans.” Nor is it ”Every Man’s Fantasy” or “Extraordinary Meditation Flexibility.” What it stands for is, of course, Electromagnetic Frequencies. You can’t run, you can’t hide from these invisible little suckers because they’re emitted by all your basic electronic appliances, from microwave to refrigerator to TV, computers to cellphones to track lighting. While many in alternative medicine consider excessive exposure to EMFs to be dangerous to the body, the jury is still out (according to some government-funded sites) about how damaging they are to humans. And, as always, there are skeptics. But don’t let that fool you.

For three years, I worked in an office that, unbeknowst to me, was situated directly over an enormous electrical transformer that powered the entire building. My co-workers and I frequently suffered from headaches, nausea, fatigue, and even sporadic rashes that, strangely, would only appear Monday through Friday. Then we found out about the transformer, and since we were certainly in no position to quit our job, we each did some research and found a whole world of devices people wear or place near themselves (I also got one of these for my cellphone), to protect from EMFs. They seemed to work; while not completely “cured,” we all felt much better after getting some of these.

What's your opinion about EMFs? Do you notice any physical discomfort when you are around alot of electrical appliances?

(posted by Sera Beak, substituting this week for Amy)

Ooohhmmm Namah Shivayah, oooohhhh yeah. An interview with Krishna Das, one of the greatest Western devotional kirtan chanters, will air this weekend on PBS. If you've never heard this wonderful and deeply funny man belt out traditional and modern love tunes to the divine, I highly suggest checking this special out. Of course, nothing beats participating in one of his live kirtans--people are swaying and dancing and singing their spirits free. Who doesn't need a little more of that?


(posted by Sera Beak, substituting this week for Amy)

[via: SFgate.com]

(posted by Sera Beak, substituting this week for Amy)

The whole book-writing process has been one enormous, ongoing spiritual lesson. It’s pushed all of my buttons, called forth all my worst “I’m not good enough/who the hell am I to say this?” demons. It’s been chock full of blind “first times” and copious amounts of “whoops” and of course, many pitiful late-night weep-fests that I’m sure woke my neighbors and their goldfish. And, I’m realizing now, after my book was brought to the public less than a month ago, that I’m only just beginning my lesson. I thought the hard part was the writing, the experience of trying to communicate something that is so deeply personal, so near and dear to my heart (spirituality) in a way that is anti-authoritarian, divinely irreverent, and that heartily welcomes all, especially my spiritually-jaded-yet-still-spiritually-curious generation. I thought the hard part was learning how to trust my unique voice, no matter how much it strayed from typical “spiritual speak.” I even thought the hard part was capturing a decent headshot. I was so naive.

I’m realizing now that the true hard part is getting this beautiful Red Book, my first child, out into the world so people know she actually exists and that she’s ready to breathe fire into their lives. Like many first-time authors, the marketing of my book is about 90 percent up to me (and, as I keep reminding myself, the funky Powers That Be). And getting it out there means getting “me” out there, something that makes every cell in my body want to hide rather than seek.

See, I’m shy. When I speak in public I shake like a leaf in a Chicago wind. I’ve almost no trouble in the one-on-one, and I’m confident in my ideas, but get me in front of a group and the butterflies swarm like locusts. Yep, the universe got me good. Oh, so good. The book was a tantalizing carrot (sure, sitting in the privacy of her own home, writing about what she loves, let’s start her with that…heehee), eventually leading me where I really need to go--outside of my quiet self, into the world, to show who I am. Loudly. Even the messy, shaky parts. All of this is helping me come to realize, in my own time, and in my own way, that I am enough.

Can you relate? What’s your “Red Book” in life? How is the universe asking you to come out and play?

(posted by Sera Beak, substituting this week for Amy)

“Let’s say you’ve inflated your soul to the size of a beach ball and it’s soaking into the Mystery like wine into a mattress. What have you accomplished? Well, long term, you may have prepared yourself for a successful metamorphosis, an almost inconceivable transformation to be precipitated by your death or by some great worldwide whoopjamboreehoo. You may have. No one can say for sure. More immediately, by waxing soulful you will have granted yourself the possibility of ecstatic participation in what the ancients considered a divinely animated universe. And on a day-to-day basis, folks, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

-Tom Robbins, Esquire, Oct 1993


(posted by Sera Beak, substituting this week for Amy)

I’m a big fan of vitamin supplements derived from whole foods, and after a bunch of research (oh man do I love Google), I’ve just tried Earth’s Promise whole-food drink mix powders: Green, Orange, and Purple (each named for the...

Joss Whedon. I love him. He is one to be loved. If you don’t know who he is, you owe it to yourself to become familiar with one of the most creative, intelligent, and pro-female writer/directors floating around Hollywood today....

My acupuncturist just emailed me an amazing announcement. She’s off to New Orleans to volunteer for Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB). It’s a wonderful organization, and all I can say is, thank the deity of tiny needles that the West is...

Just so you know, I like to dye my hair. Sometimes highlights, sometimes dark, sometimes something in-between. And like many health-conscious women, I found the harsh chemicals they rubbed into my skull every couple months to be a little troubling...

Mata Amritanandamayi (Mother of Immortal Bliss) a.k.a Ammachi, a.k.a. Amma (mother), is a simply wondrous Indian spiritual teacher known as the "hugging saint” for her life-long practice of giving a genuine divine loving squeeze to all who come see her....

I just attended one of those truly amazing dinner parties where the host placed thoughtful gifts at each seat, where the delectable Spanish tapas were accompanied by a dizzying amount of impressive wines--and my sweetheart was placed at the far...

As someone who--no matter what new contraption I buy--just can’t find the most ergonomic writing/computer set up, I’ve suffered for years with occasional tendonitis in my wrists and hands. This annoying condition has caused me to take long breaks from...

“Good fortune follows you around like a drunk monkey in a little red dress.” Or how ‘bout “Look out, your spirit is taking naked pictures of you.” Or maybe, “You have the power to make angels swoon.”At the book release...

Ah, the glitter, pink wigs, loud electronic music and bare, sweaty torsos. No, this is not an urban yoga class, but rather the famous Love Parade that burst through Berlin this past weekend, where upward of a million joyous revelers...

I have no children yet, but I do have plenty of friends who have babies, and for them I’ve found the perfect gift. It’s something to give to every new mom I know, because I keep hearing rave reviews from...