For those in Minneapolis and elsewhere -

Soul Oriented Solutions - A Handbook of Quick Formulas to Use in Times of Emotional Crisis

Go to http://intuitivelearningcircle.com/soul-oriented-solutions/

In recent weeks we have witnessed many examples of what happens when we expect anger and rage to solve our problems. Hatred of this kind is an acting out of ancient patterns that are crying out to be healed. You may say, "those incidents are just an anomaly, Cho was sick, most people don't have that problem."

Say that to the people in Iraq. read more »

The Status Quo contends that the purpose of agreements is to enforce their power and control. However the real purpose of agreements is so that we may all live together in greater harmony and peace. Another inherent quality of agreements is that they can be re-negotiated if they aren't creating the desired effect.

However, what if the person(s) involved will not allow the compromise? This does happen, and we are witnessing it in our Leaders right now. They might be merely stubborn and inflexible, because dammit they MUST stay the course or they will be guilty of weakness. Another possibility is that they could be willfully ignoring other important agreements just so that they can remain in control. Either way, the results are the same. They cannot bring themselves to let go of the original agreement, so even though they say they are changing directions, they are still just staying the course. In addition, every time they make a new agreement, they compound the problems, confusion and social unrest that already exist. read more »

The Status Quo is now behaving like an old Puritanical schoolmaster from the days of yore who has lost control of the classroom. Indignant and motivated by revenge, the powers that be spend their time vilifying the standouts and threatening everyone with dire, apocalyptic punishments.

Luckily, we have gotten past the point where we would be deterred from our convictions by being set in the corner with a dunce cap on our heads. Unfortunately, we still have a little charge on the idea that we might just be blown to bits if we fail to do as we're told. read more »

When the going gets tough, the Status Quo's first step is to get very quiet and secretive. Information is withheld so as to create apprehension and anxiety among the people.

Next step:
Multiple leaks of conflicting and illogical information designed to create confusion, throwing the people off track from their original intention.

Next step:
Paint the members of the Status Quo as victims - misunderstood, filled with contrition without any genuine remorse or substantial responsibility taken. And if the people don't accept that shallow, meaningless apology, they are painted as unfair, unkind and misguided. read more »

The Sacred Cows for January have to do with our survival motivations and the either/or syndrome, i.e. "either you're for us or against us," "either you win or you lose," and the infamous "either you're right or you're wrong."

Thinking in absolutes is the basis of most survival issues and provides the fodder for war - "Either we stay in Iraq until we win or we cut and run." This kind of polarized thinking is collective and filters down into our families and businesses to pollute our motivations and decision-making processes. In the end, either/or thinking makes it very difficult for us to cooperate with each other and build positive consensus in our projects. read more »

Countdown: Day 1 out of 5 Days for Releasing Extremism and Fear

A baby requires attention and love. When those things are witheld or absent, the child's growth and happiness is stunted. As an adult they may exhibit learning and behavioral difficulties, a fear of being abandoned or left behind. Or they may feel disconnected from themselves, other people, or the Earth.

In an attempt to feel connected, they often seek out organizations, gangs, or cults that promise a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, the connection is usually based on an "us vs. them" mentality, which only perpetuates the isolation and sets up the conditions for extremism. read more »

Countdown: Day 2 out of 5 Days to Releasing Extremism and Fear

Today's Sacred Cow is interesting because it is actually two beasts joined at the hip:

"There's no way out."

and

"What I say and do doesn't matter."

One is completely and utterly (pun intended) dependent on the other to hold intractable situations in place, for example the quandary that now exists in Iraq.

What ever we say or do won't matter because there's no way out, and there's no way out because we think whatever we say or do won't matter. read more »

Countdown: Day 3 of 5 Days to Releasing Extremism and Fear

In today's busy world, we often find ourselves vacillating between what we intuitively know is good for us and what others say we ought to be doing. We know it's good to take care of our physical, emotional and spiritual needs, yet something keeps pulling us back into old self-destructive habits. Like a magnet or a moth to the flame, the draw into forgetfulness is a powerful Sacred Cow - one that is fully supported by the media and our educational systems. read more »

Countdown: Day 4 out of 5 Days for Releasing Extremism and Fear

As children many of us were conditioned to think that what we thought didn't matter. Perhaps we were called names that insulted our intellect or potential based upon our sex, race or social position.

Possibly we were thoughtlessly called stupid or moronic, simply because we didn't agree with the Status Quo.

Whether we responded with fear or anger, our ability to stand up effectively for what we knew in our hearts was compromised or squelched entirely. That's why today's Sacred Cow is: read more »