Mind Body Messenger
issue#5 September 2003

Keeping Up with Heather

Thanks again for all your wonderful feedback. It’s great to know that not only are we learning and growing through our study and contemplation as we produce this newsletter, but you are also enjoying the opportunity to read, reflect, and take action on some of the issues that we discuss. For this week’s column, I would like to explore an issue that has come to mind recently, what am I training for?

This personal inquiry was sparked by a television program featuring the very talented, athletic, and artistic Cirque du Soleil troupe. This group hails from my homeland (Canada), and they perform amazing feats of physical strength, balance, coordination, timing, and agility. As well, they are incredibly innovative with their sets, their equipment, and their choreography. In fact, I would have to say that they are the best in the world. As entertainers they have achieved excellence, and as athletes they have achieved mastery. But, this mastery hasn’t come easily. You see, the performers in Cirque du Soleil train 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. My initial reaction was that I wouldn’t do anything for 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. And then I got to thinking…

I probably worry a few hours a day. I wonder, if I counted it all up, how much time I spend in concern about myself, my family, and my world. I probably spend at least a few hours a day with my shoulders around my ears. I stress about money. I get frustrated in my studies. I feel impatient with my personal growth. I get a bit nervous about the logistics of my pending trip home to Canada. I even grind my teeth at night sometimes. So, add up all these hours of taking the world too seriously…and I am a Champion Worrier. I could become a tension professional. If the IOC approved this new sport I have been training for, I might win gold in the ‘Concernathon’. But, would I “worry” for Canada or Australia? Would “worry” be a winter sport or a summer sport? What would I wear? (Just a few mental callisthenics…I’m in training you know).

So, humour aside, this concept has really gotten me to observe how I spend my day. How do I spend my time physically? Am I relaxed, active, nervous, tense, balanced, or unbalanced? Do I exercise, rest, stretch, play, and utilize my senses? Is more of my time spent at a desk than outdoors? How do I spend my day emotionally? Am I happy, sad, concerned, anxious, peaceful, grieving, competitive, playful, fearful? Do my moods swing rapidly, do I indulge in my emotions, or do I feel balanced and in dominion of my emotions? To reflect on my mental aspect, how much of my day is spent analyzing, criticizing, judging, and dissecting my world, my experiences, and my self? Am I training to be a judge rather than a participant in this game called life?

I am not through with this exercise yet as I observe, reflect, and then take action in my daily “training” regime. Why don’t you join me in this exercise. Who knows where it may take us. Perhaps instead of becoming a Worrying Champion, I can become a Peace Professional!

I look forward to receiving your feedback.

Namaste, Heather!

Recipes

Make Your Own Tortillas and Wraps

This recipe makes two wraps, simply multiply the ingredients for a family-sized batch. They are very quick to prepare, but if you like to make ahead to save time, you can pre-make lots of wraps and freeze them, just remember to place a sheet of waxed paper between each wrap before you pop them in the freezer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup organic wheat, rye, corn, or buckwheat flour
• ¼ tsp sea salt or salt substitute
• ¼ cup water
• spray of olive oil

Preparations:

Mix flour and salt together with a fork, and add water while you mix until all the water is absorbed. Divide the dough into two pieces. Spray the dough lightly and knead one in each hand until smooth. Roll each piece with a rolling pin until it makes a flat circle about 1/8 inch thick. Place on dry frying pan over high heat, sear each side a few times with continuous flipping, then rest it on the pan until it begins to rise. Fill with your favourite “stuff” and enjoy!

Some options:

• Salsa, avocado slices, grilled chicken.
• Roasted vegetables with goat cheese.
• Scrambled eggs and herbs.
• Cooked black beans or sliced beef with sautéed peppers, onions, tomato, grated cheese.
• Fill with Greek salad.
• Make a falafel.
• Cut into wedges and top with salsa, guacamole, cheese and low fat yoghurt for low fat, high GI nachos.

Special Note:

Our last two newsletters have discussed the “multiplicity of the selves”, and ‘coincidentally’ a recent movie has also bravely explored this subject. ‘Identity’, with John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet is in theatres now. It is a bit on the violent side, but a terrific concept. Enjoy!

I wish Discipline was my friend

Spring is fast approaching in Australia, and after weeks of putting it off, I finally got around to cleaning out the bulging shelves of my book collection. Eager to sort out what needed to be tossed and what needed to be passed on, I cleverly decided on three piles; one for keeps, one for giveaways and the other a sort of ’in limbo’ pile that required further consideration, (you know, the box that ends up in the garage awaiting the next yard sale). As I began moving through each shelf I noticed that a fare whack of books still had bookmarks sticking up out of them. I was surprised to see so many books I’d been so keen to read had wound up half-read, shelved, and forgotten. A few times I thought, “Wait a minute, I’m sure I finished that one,” but alas more and more unfinished tomes started to appear. Now growing by the minute, the newly formed ‘unfinished’ pile started looking more like a year’s homework than the spoils of an afternoon of Spring-cleaning. Not that I’m the most undisciplined person when it comes to reading, I was just amazed to realize how quickly my enthusiasm to read a book could wane. Somewhere between saying and doing, the sustaining energy had vanished.

My moment of introspection stirred up recollections of other desires and projects prematurely shelved and I think I actually cringed! Might I have a discipline problem? I remember the words of my mentor, Paul, as he frequently reminded me that there were no short cuts to enlightenment and that only through unbending intent could one reach self-actualization. If there was any greater truth to place ones life upon, I believe this to be it!

A question…why do you think you incarnated here? Ummmm…to master the art of indulging in food, material possessions, drugs, money, stress, gossip, worry, procrastination, work, and bullshitting to yourself? You see most of us have already spent lifetimes mastering the path of least resistance and if this statement produces a nod of agreement, then you have too! But it’s time for a change.

So, where do we start? First we must realize that our most precious desires deserve the chance to come to fruition. To stretch beyond simply “wishing and hoping” to be more relaxed, to be fit and healthy, to have loving relationships, to be financially abundant, or become self-actualized, a greater level of attention is needed. Humanity has reached a point where practice is over and, in all honesty, our future literally depends upon this collective demonstration of what we are made of. If you haven’t already felt this urgency watch tomorrow’s news! Let us not wait for another ‘9/11’, an illness, accident, or natural disaster to jolt us free from our mundane concerns. Now more than ever it is time to stand up and be counted. In other words, we must act as if there was no tomorrow in the pursuit of our dreams and wishes.

You create your own reality and there are no excuses as to what gets mirrored back to you. Becoming the person you want our world to be starts today by allowing discipline to carry your desire through to the end. If you would like more friends, become a better friend and reach out to other people. If want to feel more love then give more love. If you desire greater health, stop indulging in activities that undermine this. There is no more next week, there is only now. And, no matter how many excuses you find to manoeuvre around this, consciousness is always watching!

Action plan:

• Stop lying to yourself today.
• Stop feeling sorry for yourself yesterday.
• There are no excuses.
• Set realistic goals and stick to them as though your life depended on it-and it does!
• See the consequences of your inaction.
• See how you sabotage yourself and stop it!
• Be willing to ask for help, and receive it gracefully.
• Be Humble, you have nothing to hide.

As for me, I have re-examined my book piles and exercised discipline through discernment, in choosing which books to pursue, and which to pass on. No more time spent ‘in limbo’ for me.

Christopher

Upcoming Events in Brisbane, Sept 2003

The Practice of Yoga – Beyond the Asanas

September’s workshop will cover the Branches and Limbs of Yoga, a discussion of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an introduction to chanting with the Gayatri Mantra, and an experience with Yoga Nidra. If you want to explore the practice of yoga beyond the physical postures, you will enjoy this magical evening of experience for the mind, body, and spirit.

• Date: Tuesday September 2, 2003 (1st Tues of each month)
• Time: 7:30-9:30pm (refreshments after class)
• Location: 2/459 Hawthorne Road, Bulimba
• Cost: $20 per class, or $60 for 4 classes.
• Facilitator: Heather Agnew

Free Healing Circle

Open to graduates of the Energetic Healing, and participants who would like to share in this event to discuss concepts in healing and metaphysics, share in the offering of healing to our world, and receiving healing from the group. Apprentices are encouraged to attend and offer a private healing to any interested participants. Participants are encouraged to come along to learn more about energetic healing and experience a group and/or private healing with an apprentice. Space is limited, so please express your intent to attend ASAP.

• Dates: September 11, 2003
• Time: 7:00-10:00pm
• Location: 2/459 Hawthorne Road, Bulimba (corner of Hawthorne and Nora)

Mind Body Mastery Weekend

Set amongst the beautiful rainforest of Mount Glorious just 45 min from Brisbane, this weekend retreat will explore the Foundations of Mind Body Mastery. Learn how to achieve vibrant health through improved fitness, dynamic nutrition, relaxation, mind-body awareness, and most importantly, learn how to live more consciously in everyday life. Your weekend includes daily yoga classes, 3 interactive workshops, hiking, great meals, and lots of free time to journal, connect, recharge, and enjoy nature. Facilitated by yoga instructor and lifestyle consultant Heather Agnew, and metaphysical course facilitator Christopher Temple Lipscomb. This weekend will give you an energy boost to achieve your ultimate potential in Mind Body Mastery.

• Date: October 31-November 2 (check in 4pm check out 12noon)
• Cost: $300pp inclusive
• Location: Mount Glorious Getaways
• Space is limited in this powerful and rejuvenating weekend, so call now to reserve your space!

Yoga Mats

In response to a great demand in the area for good quality, value priced yoga supplies, we are now carrying a selection of Yoga Mats and Fit Balls. To order your yoga supplies, please contact heather@yogatrinity.com or use the order form below.

Spring 2003

October

• October 6 & 9 Dreams Workshop 7:00-10:30pm
• October 7 The Practice of Yoga - Beyond the Asanas 7:30-9:30pm
• October 16 Self Mastery I (Oct 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 Nov 3, 6) 7:00-10:30pm
• October 19 Free Healing Circle 7:00-10:00pm
• October 31-Nov 2 Mind Body Mastery Weekend Retreat at Mount Glorious

November

• November 4 The Practice of Yoga – Beyond the Asanas 7:30-9:30pm
• November 9 Free Healing Circle 7:00-10:00pm
• Nov 15 & 16, 22 & 23 The Energetic Healing Diploma (non-residential) 9:00-5:00

December

• December 2 The Practice of Yoga – Beyond the Asanas 7:30-9:30pm
• December 4 Free Healing Circle

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________

Tel: ___________________________________________ Mobile: ________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

Post Code: ______________ Email: _______________________________________________________

How did you hear of this course: _____________________________________________________________

I would like more information on ________________________________________________(upcoming course)

Fees: A minimum deposit of 25% is required upon registration. My fee of $____ is enclosed.

Cancellations: For a full refund of deposit, cancellations must be received no later than 14 days prior to event. Cancellations received later than 14 days prior to event are non-refundable.

Consent: In consideration of the services provided by Christopher Lipscomb and Mind Body Mastery, I assume full responsibility for all risk associated with my choice to use the services and I hereby release and discharge Christopher Temple Lipscomb, Heather Agnew and Mind Body Mastery from any claims or liability for personal injury or property damage arising from my use of the services.

Date _________________________ Signature of Participant _______________________________________