The Life Connection • What's News

Gary Zukav has transformed the way millions of people view themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. His groundbreaking book on spirituality, The Seat of the Soul, has sold 3 million copies in the U.S. alone and spent 31 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, remaining on the list for almost three years. He is a frequent guest on Oprah. In his new book Spiritual Partnership: The New Human Relationship Dynamic (HarperOne: May 2010), he reveals a revolutionary new path for spiritual growth. Visit www.zukav.com. See article on page 14 in this issue. The Unity Center is located at 8999 Activity Road. Tickets are available through Warwick’s. 858-454-0347

90 Min. of Hot Yoga Every Day for a Year!

Why would anyone do hot yoga every day for 365 days? Ask Doctor, Comedian and Yogi, Howard Richmond, M.D., age 52, who on April 24, completed 381 classes of Bikram Yoga in 365 days.

“I used to hate this yoga,” says Richmond, a psychotherapist and psychiatrist in Encinitas, California. “I almost gave it up––many times. Especially when I’d pull out my back, or feel worse, after doing Bikram.”

But Richmond didn’t give up. Despite his injuries, he kept coming back for more punishment: 90 minutes of yoga postures in a room full of scantily-clan people, the temperature hovering around 108 degrees with an instructor who’d bark out a dialogue explaining the postures like a drill sergeant at boot camp. Why?

“Maybe it was my ego. Maybe I wanted to master this yoga instead of it mastering me. And then slowly, very slowly at first, and with lots of body work—massage, Feldenkrais, Chiropractic, Rolfing—my mind and body started to work together. I learned how to listen to my body more and to the instructors less.”

Richmond says he never intended to make or break any records, but once he found his rhythm, he was inspired to keep on going. “I noticed I was enjoying the yoga––and the more I did it, the better I felt.” With the intention of doing one class a day, he kept plugging away, and before he knew it, a year had just about gone by. “Now I’m in better shape than I’ve been for at least 10 years,” he added.

Besides doing yoga and therapy, Dr. Howard performs stand-up comedy, where he is known as the Comic Shrink. Recently he’s incorporated a yoga routine in his material.

Visit www.comicshrink.com.

Half-Price Book Sale May 6–8 in RSF

Twice a year Half-Price Book Sale at the Rancho Santa Fe Library Guild Book Cellar begins Thursday, May 6, through Saturday, May 8, from 10am to 4pm. The Book Cellar’s entire inventory of books and other items are 50 percent off the regular price. There will be a drawing for a $50 gift certificate on Saturday at 4pm.

The Book Cellar is located below the Youth Services Wing of the Rancho Santa Fe Library and open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. For more information call (858) 756-4780, or see Web site www.rsflibraryguild.org.

16th Annual Mother’s Day Weekend Artist Studio and Garden Tour

The San Dieguito Art Guild is offering their 16th annual Mother’s Day Weekend Artist Studio and Garden Tour that will feature nine Guild members’ homes, gardens and art studios on Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9. The Off Track Gallery will open at 8:30am for ticket sales, and the homes will be open from 10am to 4pm.

This is a self-guided tour of gardens and studios. Tickets are $20 and are sold at the Off Track Gallery, 937 So. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, Suite C103 (behind St. Tropez,) and online on the Guild Web site, www.OffTrackGallery.com.

Hay House Annual “I Can Do It!”
2010 Convention in San Diego

Sponsored by Hay House, this conference takes place May 13—May 16 at the Convention Center in San Diego.

It features the best of metaphysical, motivational and inspirational speakers, authors and coaches who will allow you to expand your mind and nourish your soul. Get ready to reconnect to your true self! Participants can listen to featured speakers or attend their workshops all weekend or one-day only, as well as at optional pre-conference workshops. Autograph sessions will also be available, along with exhibitors and a bookstore. Workshops and featured speakers include Marci Shimoff, Caroline Sutherland, Eldon Taylor, Linda Tucker, Brian L. Weiss, M.D., Marianne Williamson, John Holland, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Cheryl Richardson, Byron Katie, Joan Borysenko, Thomas Moore, Caroline Myss, Gregg Braden, Krishna Das, Sonia Choquette, Bruce Lipton and a special appearance by Louise Hay. For more details, visit www.HayHouse.com or www.icandoit.net.

Big Day at VISION May 16 with Thomas Moore and Vanda Mikolosky at Two Events

Both author Thomas Moore and comedienne Vanda Mikolosky will be featured, separately, at VISION: A Center for Spirituality on May 16.

Thomas Moore will be leading a workshop that afternoon at 4 pm. The author of the bestselling Care of the Soul and seventeen other works, Moore is one of the leading popularizers of the principles of an archetypal, soul-based psychology. Originally a Catholic monk, he has spent thirty years as a practicing psychotherapist.

At 4 pm, bestselling author Thomas Moore will present a limited seating workshop entitled: “Dreams, Art, Spirituality and Having a Great Life” at VISION: A Center for Spiritual Living.” An author of more than 18 books dealing with “soul” in one’s spiritual life, Moore is best known for his New York Times bestselling Care of the Soul which has been read and studied by many congregations of different faith traditions. This workshop format will provide ample opportunity for asking questions and open discussion. It will also feature stories of his personal and professional life including the 13 years of monastic living and how he came to the realization of rejecting dogma and living a more personal, spiritual life. His writings have reintroduced many ancient spiritual teachings into a well-integrated 21st century life. Tickets are $30 at the Door and $25 in Advance with “special reserved” seating available for $40 ( the first two rows of the sanctuary, 30 seats). Advance tickets are advised and can be obtained at www.visioncsl.com.

Comedy Queen Vanda Mikolosky will bring her special brand of spiritually inspired comedy to VISION for the 10 am Sunday Celebration. Influenced by Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, David Deiden and Byron Katie, Vanda has been performing comedy of a spiritual, metaphysical, transformational nature since 2001. Former host of Showtime’s “Comedy Club Network,” she founded her own troupe, aptly called “Spiritually Incorrect Stand-Up Comedy,” with the intention of transforming the planet through comedy. Her talk will be a delightful, irreverent romp down her own spiritual path as she deals with the human predicament. Vanda offers powerful, spiritual teaching in a ridiculous, funny way that leaves her audience empowered, inspired and transformed.

On Saturday, May 22, Vanda will return to VISION for her Quantum Comedy Show at 7 pm. VISION is located at 11260 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. For further information, visit www.visioncsl.com.

“Sacred Living, Sacred Dying” program with Dr. Sharon Lund May 13

The Om Spiritual Center brings back Dr. Sharon Lund for a three-week “Sacred Living, Sacred Dying” program, which will include the documentary movie Dying to LIVE: NDE (near Death Experiences). The film was winner of the 2010 Silver Lei Award (2nd place) from the Honolulu International Film Festival.

Classes are scheduled 6:30-8:30pm, May 13, 20 and 27. In addition to the film, the classes offered will cover “Creating Your Life Legacy” and “Creating a Unique Memorial Honoring Your Life Story.” The cost is $60. for the series, or $25. per class. Two CEUs are available to practitioners, nurses and therapists for each class. Open to the public. Further information on the Classes & Workshops page at www.omspiritualcenter.org.

Interior Design & Outdoor Living Expo, Affordable Luxury May 22–23

One of the key features of the Stylish Spaces expo is a remarkable display of edible landscaping by Urban Plantation as well as a Tahitian/Asian Fusion Garden designed by Shellene that showcases sustainability and water conservation in an aesthetically beautiful way.

Interior designers, as well as Dunn-Edwards color consultants, will share their expertise at the Interior Design Vignettes, offering complimentary 30-minute consultations as they allow homeowners to fuel their passion for home design. Attendees are also invited to pick up a paintbrush and find their inner Picasso at the Dunn-Edwards Interactive Greener by Design™ Display as they Paint for Charity.

Located in Hall A of the San Diego Convention Center, this expo expects more than 25,000 attendees and up to 525 exhibitors. Show hours are Saturday, May 22, from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, May 23 from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $7 for adults, with children ages 12 and under free. Call 888-970-EXPO (3976) or visit www.SeascapeProductions.com.

Whale and Dolphin Boat Trips

Come see the dolphins and migrating whales up close and personal with Animal Communicator Laurie Reyon, who will translate their messages of healing, wisdom and self-empowerment as participants view the cetaceans from a catamaran.

Two trips are scheduled in May on Sunday, May 16 and 30 (Memorial Day Weekend,) from Dana Point. Whale meditation and group messages begin at 12:30pm and the Boat trips are from 1:30–4:30pm. This time of year, you’ll see hundreds of dolphins, migrating Gray whales, Fin and Minke whales. Adult tickets are $95. Children 3-12 are $65; babies are free. To pre-register, call Laurie Reyon at (619) 271-9461, or e-mail puddysplace@yahoo.com.

“Evolving Tools for Healing Mind, Body and Spirit” Conference June 3–7

An estimated 500 therapists from over 12 countries and 4 continents will be attending, the “Evolving Tools for Healing Mind, Body and Spirit” Conference from June 3–7 at the Loews Coronado Hotel. The conference is open to anyone who is interested in their own healing and personal growth, as well as psychologists, nurses, clergy, counselors, educators and alternative health practitioners.

Some of the featured speakers are William Bengston, Ph.D., researcher in the Energy Healing of Cancer; Norman Doidge, M.D., author of The Brain that Changes Itself; Donna Eden, author of Energy Medicine and Energy Medicine for Women; David Feinstein, Ph.D., author of Energy Psychology Interactive and The Mythic Path; Debbie Ford, author of The Secret of the Shadow; and Dean Radin, Ph.D., author of The Conscious Universe and Entangled Minds.

Energy Psychology is a set of therapies that works directly on the body to produce psychological change. Instead of talking extensively about past traumas or hurts, EP uses visualization to focus on problems accompanied by very specific routines of activating the energy systems, such as meridian or chakra stimulation. EP techniques can produce startling and permanent relief of the emotional charge associated with trauma and negative events, as well as improve high level functioning in sports and business.

Sponsored by the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, the conference offers attendees many choices: 2 evening events, 11 different one-day pre-conference seminars on June 3, 54 workshops and 3 keynotes. There is a 1-day post conference seminar on Energy Medicine with Donna Eden and David Feinstein, and a two-day post conference Seminar on The Bengston Energy Healing Method. Visit the Web site www.energypsych.org, or phone (619) 861-2237.

Unity People’s Convention June 7–11 at San Diego Town and Country Resort

The Association of Unity Churches International has chosen San Diego for their annual Unity People’s Convention to be held this June 7–11 at the San Diego Town and Country Resort. This year’s theme, “Circles of Divine Love,” brings together Unity churches nationwide.

Two special events are open to the public. On Tuesday, June 8, Barbara Marx-Hubbard will speak at 7:30 pm. She is president of the Foundation for Conscious Evolution, which she cofounded in 1982. She is the author of 5 books, including The Hunger of Eve, Conscious Evolution and Emergence.

The second event features Dr. Michael Beckwith and Rickie Byars Beckwith, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 10. He is the minister and founder of Agape International. Rickie Byars Beckwith will appear with the Agape International Choir.

Keynote speakers at the event at Doug Krug, Julie Montague and Wayne Elsey, and Joseph R. Myers. Featured workshops include: Pastoral, Music and Theatre, Youth and Family Ministry, and Expanding your Intergenerational Ministry, along with an Awards Program, Bookstore, Kids’ Kamp, Theatre Forum and Licensed Teachers’ Forum. Visit www.unity.org/convention