Ten years ago, Marguerite Alston was faced with a major health challenge that would change her life forever. A malignant melanoma diagnosis sent her stress levels off the scale. Her future was suddenly uncertain.

“I vowed at that point in time that I would do all that I can to look after my body, mind and spirit,” she says, now fully recovered. “I wanted to learn all that I could about nutrition and gain a deeper understanding of what I can do to make sure I live a long, vibrant and healthy life and I never wanted to deal with cancer ever again.”

Before we bring you the second installment of our interview with the BodyMind Institute founder, Lars Gustafsson (see below), The Green Dove brings you this inspirational Q&A with Marguerite (pictured below), BodyMind student and now practitioner.

Students of the Institute not only learn the fundamentals of nutrition through body, mind and spirit, but also discover how to apply the information to their own lives to make gentle yet major shifts that last a lifetime.

If you missed part one of our interview with Lars, please click here.

TGD: What courses did you study at the BodyMind Institute?

MA: I started with the 90 Day Renewal course and have since taken the Level I, Level II and am currently enrolled in the Raw Certification.

TGD: Can you give an insight into what brought you to the Institute?

MA: In 2000, I went through some significant life changes that resulted in lots of stress throughout the year.

By Jonathan Ellerby, PhD

The recent and tragic events that involved three deaths and more than 19 injured and emotionally traumatized at a James Ray “Spiritual Warrior Retreat” deserves to be treated with some gentleness for this is more than a news item, but a horrific experience of loss and suffering that is impacting far more people than only those who were there. It is also a criminal investigation and a mans career under scrutiny. This “event” brings up some critical issues in our society, and this is one of those important times where we can either learn something that will serve everyone, or fall into the kind of blame and stereotyping that helps no one.

Sweat Lodges: Good. Cultural Appropriation: Bad

To be clear, ceremonial steam baths are a part of many traditions across the world and have been around for thousands of years. They are health promoting, safe environments for personal growth, spiritual reflection and physical detoxification – if done properly and according to protocol. There is an important place for this powerful tradition in the modern age. Each type of Sweat Lodge, however, has its own unique history, protocol and procedures that are essential to their impact and safety. Not just anyone should run a Lodge or make one up.

Interfaith, non-Native Lodges, must be treated with as much respect, reverence and care as traditional Native Lodges. The act of “borrowing” or “copying” Native traditions by non-Native people, without permission, guidance or extensive forms of supervision is just stealing and selling someone elses culture. Native American people have endured this kind of abuse for more than 500 years now and it needs to stop. A self-respecting therapist, healer, or spiritual teacher must find their own innovative and culturally appropriate ways to conduct ceremony – they dont have to fake it or steal it. That can be dangerous.
Recently, I asked a friend of mine who had lived and studied in a Tibetan Buddhist temple for five years if shed come to my place of work and teach a session on a specific form of Buddhist mediation that she had learned. Her reply was worth noting: “There are certain things I can and will share based on my experience, and something that I am able to teach, but dont. Just because I know how to do something doesnt mean its my place to teach it to others. In the Tibetan tradition there are certain rules that determine who can teach what and when. I have to honor those because I honor the tradition, and myself. Being a spiritual teacher should not serve the ego.”

Who Is A Self-Help Guru?

The media is quick to call James Ray a “guru,” which is precisely why most people today are afraid of that word. It is often used in connection with “negative” media stories. I have published a few things on the complexity of credentials and spiritual leaders, and in Return to the Sacred I included an entire chapter on the pros and cons of working with a guru because it is such a delicate matter. The mere mention of the word causes many people to recoil, but “Guru” simply means a “teacher” to whom students are devoted in an equal relationship of power. The teacher is also devoted to the students and stands by them no matter what. It is a selfless role – ideally. It is great to find a teacher or a mentor. The difficult part lies in sorting out who claims to be a guru from who truly deserves the title.

Extreme Spiritual Practices

In my research for a chapter on extreme spiritual in Return to the Sacred, I found a complex history of misuse and abuse. Yet, things like fasting, deprivation of one kind or another, staying up without sleep, and other physical types of austerities can lead to very real and meaningful experiences and personal healing. They have been at the heart of our religious traditions as long as we have record. Think of Jesus in the desert, Moses up the mountain, Buddha beneath the tree, and even Muhammed in the cave – all practiced austerities that would make the average American cringe. Most of the great spiritual teachers who have made a positive impact on the world, Gandhi and Martin Luther King included, undertook training and retreats that would make the local police chief and medical authority suspicious. People do these things because they work. I support that. The problem lies in how we do them, who guides us and why. We need to expect more from our leaders: accountability and credibility – not just great marketing. We also need to expect more from ourselves.

Accountability in the World of Self-Help

Each teacher and each student must take as much responsibility as possible to live, act and choose with accountability. That means integrity, credibility, proper training and humility. There is a line between trusting another and ignoring your intuition and safety. This sad event calls us see that our world is out of balance and people need retreats and self-help leaders more than ever. But we also need more discernment, more caution and more accountability in such things than ever before. Spiritual practices are more powerful than most people will ever know, I have spent my life learning that first hand. But anything with power, even medicine, has the ability to hurt as much as it has the ability to heal. Its time we expect more accountability from the world of self-help.

Dr. John Ellerby has studied sweat lodges and numerous other spiritual practices around the world for over 20 years. Blending extensive periods of mentoring with academic, research, and professional experience Jonathan brings a rare perspective and credibility to the world of self-help and spirituality. He is the author of Return to the Sacred; Your Spiritual Personality and works as the Spiritual Program Director for the highly acclaimed Canyon Ranch Health Resorts. www.returntothesacred.com

I have heard it said that prayer is asking for help and meditation is receiving the answer. If thats the case, we are much better askers than listeners. Everybody has prayed, but few listen. That, however, is beginning to change. Meditation-the process of stilling the mind-has busted out of the closet its been hiding in for the last thirty years.
As far as I can tell, its rise in popularity is due to three things:

1. Information. Scientific studies “proving” the benefits of meditation with respect to our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing are making their way into mainstream media. Transcendental Meditation, for instance, is the most widely practiced and scientifically studied form of meditation with over 600 studies to date.

2. Desperation. Ive always thought desperation was highly underrated. It has been a driving force for drastic change in my life on more than one occasion. When were desperate, we are willing to try just about anything to surmount our problems-whether it be stress, illness, or general life malaise.

3. Increased awareness. There is a rise in the collective unconscious moving toward all things spiritual. In other words, meditation is trendy. We can only hope its a trend that sticks. After all, it was in vogue in the 60s and 70s but definitely kooky through the 80s and 90s.

We see and hear about meditation everywhere now, not just in spiritual circles. Commercials are jumping on the bandwagon-using meditation to convince us to buy stuff we dont need. Theres so much wrong with that, I dont even know where to begin. I recently saw a commercial for yogurt that featured a woman sitting in the lotus position immersed in meditation. Wow, you mean if I spend money on eating dairy Ill become enlightened? Oh, dont get me started….

Some medical doctors now prescribe meditation for their patients, and Fortune 500 companies offer meditation respite programs for their employees, even professional sports teams are participating in various techniques. These corporations and athletes may not be looking for peace as much as to cure ailments, produce happier employees, make larger profits or get wins, but whatever the case, they have learned what the wisest among us have known for centuries-meditation makes us better.

When I was initiated into the Transcendental Meditation program, meditation was not commonplace. I learned the technique, but I wasnt quite sure why I was doing it. I was only seven. I did know two things. 1. It somehow felt meaningful and 2. My family were the only meditators on the block-maybe even the whole city. Meditation embarrassed me. I told my friends it was just about “relaxing.”

Meditation is about relaxing, but it is much more than that. In quietness, we reconnect with our Source. Call that God, truth, love, universal consciousness, or your higher self. It doesnt matter. But in those moments something magical happens. We transform.

Quieting the mind redirects our worldly focus within. Through this process, we reach deep levels of heightened awareness. The attainment of this awareness is very important because it reminds us of what is true. Truth is not found in the world. Truth is within. The world gives us a false identity; we look within when we want to know what is real.

In those moments we break free from the onerous chains of false ideas imposed upon us by ourselves, others, and society-even television commercials. The more we are reminded of that truth, the more freely we demonstrate it in the world. We become different; as a result, our life becomes different.

David Lynch is a good example. You know, the enigmatic filmmaker of Twin Peaks fame and movies like Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. Hes different, for sure. And his creativity is beyond. Mr. Lynch has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for over thirty years. We get an insightful glimpse into his world through his short and immensely enjoyable book Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity. As he says, meditation is a key to life, peace, and creativity.

I dont believe we can achieve anything truly innovative, interesting, creative, worthwhile or meaningful without first going within. In stillness, our mind expands. We tap in to a well of infinite possibilities. Everything is realigned, giving us a proper perspective. When we come back to this world, we cant help but make better choices because we are in our right mind. And by the way, meditation as I speak of it here is only one way to accomplish that.

Although we access what I like to think of as our natural state in meditation, it doesnt come easily. First, you have to want it, and not many do. Second, you must place the quest for truth above all else, and only a few are willing. Third, it takes practice, which nobody has time for.

Stilling your mind feels counter-intuitive. We are taught to go out and make it happen. Take the bull by its horns. Be the fastest, the quickest. Get up and get going. The world doesnt teach us to stop and meditate-unless theyre trying to sell us something. (Insert nasty dairy product commercial.) This world is a world of ego, and the egos edict is Seek and do not find. Its the opposite of truths motto: Go within and find.

If you are looking to quiet your mind, here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years. By the way, these tips are based on a mantra (word) style meditation, which I find to be the easiest.

Pick a time when you will not be disturbed and turn off the phone.

Find a comfortable place to sit. Always sit up. Otherwise, you will fall asleep.

Take a few deep breaths and with each exhale sink deeper down into relaxation.

After a minute or so, introduce a mantra or word such as “peace” “love” or the universal mantra “om.” (“Amen” is actually a mantra as well.)

Repeat the mantra in a friendly, relaxed way. You can expect other thoughts to interfere, thats just what your ego and your conscious mind does. Dont fight them, dont favor them, dont try to ignore them, dont hope they go away, dont get frustrated, dont judge yourself, just gently bring your mind back to repeating your chosen mantra-word.

When you get antsy-pants and want to open your eyes, hang on and meditate for another minute or two. I find thats when I go the deepest.

When youre ready to stop, gently bring yourself back into the room.

Your smallest attempts will change you. Every effort is meaningful. Try at first to meditate for just five minutes a day. A Course in Miracles tells us that five minutes of a stilled mind will save you thousands of years. Begin there. Then extend that practice to as much as twenty minutes.

I think its better to be consistent for a shorter amount of time-five minutes every day-rather than longer durations less frequently, like twenty minutes twice a week.

Then forget about it until the next meditation. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder, along with Guru Dev, of Transcendental Meditation, says meditating is like taking a bath. When you take a shower in the morning you dont keep thinking about the shower throughout the day. You have done it, youre clean, now you are free to move forward and focus on other things.

Stilling your mind can be frustrating at first. The ego will constantly interfere, proclaiming your efforts a waste of time. The ego thrives on chaos. When you make any attempt to loosen its stranglehold, it will offer all kinds of distractions. Taking out the trash becomes all-important. Do not be discouraged. Starting anything new is difficult at first. Quieting the mind is no different. Its like building a muscle that has atrophied.

With time, you will see and feel the results. With consistency, meditation moves from being a chore to a gift you give yourself.

The Quiet Mind written by Cynthia Morgan

By Miss Psychette

Since hearing that some people are truly freaking out whenever they hear the latest buzz word – ’2012′ – I thought it was time for a spiritual perspective.

Those who don’t understand what it’s all about have enjoyed pooh-poohing it, while Hollywood’s latest disaster movie really tops it all off. Unlike Y2K, predictions of comets hitting the earth, Doomsday, Judgement Day, pole shifts, apocalypse and any date provided by weird religious sects as €˜the end of the world, 2012 is something quite different. So different, in fact, that your average person isnt sure what to make of it. Despite the fact everyone’s talking about it, most people still dont really know what it means.

Well, heres the basics:

1) Its NOT something negative, fearful, or doom-implying.

2) It comes from an ancient Mayan “long count” calendar, carved on stone, which according to calculations ends on December 21, 2012 and marks the end of a 5,126-year era. Also at this time, the sun will appear to rise in alignment with the centre of the Milky Way, because the Earth wobbles slowly as it rotates (once about every 26,000 years).

3) 2012 is merely another spiritual term (and there are currently lots of them, eg. €˜universal shifts, €˜fourth dimension etc) which refer to the fact that our planet is becoming increasingly enlightened. Lots of and lots of people who previously cared NOTHING about yoga, organics, New Age books, horoscopes, meditation, carbon credits and natural therapies are now seeking them out in unprecedented numbers.

Paul Zane Pilzer, the bloke who accurately predicted the greenhouse effect and the Internets boom-and-bust, sensed this coming when he released his book The Wellness Revolution back in 2002. And now real-life statistics support his hunch: 46% of Australians aged 18+ have used some form of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) within the last two week period. In other words, as one of my previous newsletters mentioned, our planet is now reaching a critical mass of people who genuinely care, are emotionally and physically healing themselves rapidly, and are seeking out cleaner, greener, more authentic lifestyles.

Back to 2012: my definition of what it means is a purely spiritual one. Whether it happens on the exact date or around it, we can expect to see the world changing before our very eyes as society becomes lighter and more harmonious, and old patterns, habits and systems are forced to change. The food we eat, schooling we receive, healthcare we request, homes we build and pastimes we prefer will more than likely drastically change in just a few short years. So will the ways in which we relate to each other in offices, councils, governments and even our own friends and families. This, truly, then is the end of the world as we know it – heralding a new beginning which sounds more than fine by me!

By Anna Darrah

What’s it like to spend a day in the life of one of America’s most well-known spiritual leaders? That is the subject of the new documentary, SPIRITUAL LIBERATION, which provides an up close and personal look into the life of Michael Bernard Beckwith. As the founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Beckwith is an international speaker and teacher of meditation/affirmative prayer, and is the originator of the Life Vision process. His book, Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential, was recently awarded a Gold Nautilus book award.

The SPIRITUAL LIBERATION film, offered by www.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com, gives viewers an opportunity to take an intimate walk with Dr. Beckwith and witness how in his daily life he applies his own evolutionary teachings.

Anna: How did you find the filming process… was it fun?

Michael: Oh absolutely, it was definitely fun. I was working with a good buddy of mine, Mickey Willis, who is very artistic and creative. His experience as a director created a very spontaneous, in-the-moment atmosphere. We had a very short period of time to turn this around and went forward with no rehearsals, first takes most of the time. It was very dynamic and artistically beautiful as well.

Anna: One of the things that I really appreciated about the film was the going back and forth between the sermon and the conversation, and particularly through the dinner party.

Michael: Yes. The vision was to have a dinner in my home and have some of my friends and family discuss and share their experience of the morning talk I gave at Agape. And so, as you mentioned, it flows back and forth – from sanctuary to dining room table talk. It was a very sweet and very powerful thing for me to hear how they are integrating the teachings into their daily life, at the kitchen sink level, because that’s what matters – that there’s a practical practice that can affect their lives.

Anna: You’re so right, because for me as a viewer it was very powerful. What I took away from the DVD was that you were talking about “What is your purpose? Where are you right now? Are you living fully? Is there something that is asking to come through right now?” So what’s the main message you are hoping people receive from this film, and from your book?

Michael: You put it succinctly. People want to know about their purpose, why are they here on the planet. It’s the question that won’t go away, because the answer reveals that we are here to wake up, to discover our true nature. Additionally, there’s a spiritual mandate for us to discover our gifts, talents and capacities, to uncover them, to cultivate them, and to express them. That’s why we’re here, and at this particular time in our evolution, we have to go beyond the mere survival instinct and really begin to ask the deeper questions as to what’s trying to emerge in, through, and as our individual life. The next step is to open ourselves, to become receptive to the teachings and practices of a spiritual path that can not only meet us at our current level of consciousness, but support us in our evolutionary expansion.

Anna: It feels like collectively we’re on the edge of something huge. Do you have a sense of direction for the human species?

Michael: It absolutely feels as though the universe is projecting one massive evolutionary trigger for humanity to take a collective evolutionary leap. One reason I feel this way is because so many aspects of existence are involved – environmental, financial, health, personal and global relationships. Collectively, we’re being readied for this leap. As we watch the old systems breaking apart, as we admit they are obsolete, we make space for the new to enter. Paradoxically, these seeming opposites are happening simultaneously. Now some people would disagree and think that we’re either at the brink of Armageddon, or that we’re going to manifest heaven on Earth. Black-and-white solutions are not the deal because that’s too simplistic. The evolutionary spiral always goes upward, even though it may not appear so to our outer, superficial view. We’re talking about a process that takes some time – as President Obama frequently reminds us. It may unfold slowly, but it will unfold surely.

Anna: Do you have a sense of what’s going to evolve and what’s going to dissolve?

Michael: When we look at the decay of our stock market and the global economy, what appears to be dissolving is greed, the rampant materialism, the consumerism, that which drove economic systems up to this point. I think humanity is beginning to ask some different questions about values and principles. We will no longer look to the material forms of success, such as how the stock market is doing. It won’t be our barometer for success anymore. As I listen to individuals during my speaking engagements, I hear a new tonality of genuine interest in living life from the inside out rather than superficially, or accumulating more of that which cannot satisfy the inner spirit.

Anna: What role do you feel spiritual leaders such as yourself should play when it comes to politics and government?

Michael: Well, let’s do a quick review together. Visionary, progressive spiritual leaders have always been among us throughout history. They have spoken and continue to speak to more than what are traditionally political issues. They were abolitionists. They spoke for women’s rights. They spoke for the African Americans and other minorities. They are now speaking for gay marriage, reforming our prison systems, and stopping torture. So I would say that a genuine spiritual leader holds and conveys a vision of the highest possibilities for humankind, that he or she keeps high ideals at the forefront so that individuals remain encouraged that we live in a friendly universe that is constantly conspiring on our behalf, that cherishes humanity, and is constantly providing inspiration that speaks to our next stage of evolution. The role of a spiritual teacher is to consistently point to the limitless possibilities available to us. And if it rattles some people’s chains, so be it.

Anna: I come from a long line of Quakers, and for me personally, it’s a lot about ethics and morals, and what’s right.

Michael: Absolutely. And often times what’s political doesn’t bend towards what’s right, meaning in the highest interest of humankind. It bends toward what is politically expedient and motivated by how to get reelected.

Anna: The dinner conversation within the film makes it clear that even though you are incredibly specific it’s still up to each person’s individual interpretation and what’s unfolding within their lives.

Michael: Of course, it’s up to each individual to choose the principles and practices by which they will live, what they will apply in their lives. I specifically speak to evolution of the soul, of consciousness, the oneness with the Ineffable, which is our very life and wants us to be more than we ever thought we could be. We are not victims of circumstance or situations, and our past doesn’t have to be a prophecy of our future.

Anna: When you feel you need spiritual guidance, who or what do you turn to?

Michael: Well, there are certain practices that I do every day. Not like a regimented duty, obligation, or business contract with Spirit. It’s just an organic part of what I do in terms of waking up in gratitude, meditation, affirmative prayer, spiritual study, eating healthy food and exercise. I also have a long-term relationship with a licensed prayer practitioner to whom I turn to speak the word for me. Lissa Sprinkles and I have such a wonderful relationship that I generally don’t need to have any kind of long conversation with her. I can just call her up and say, “I’m about to do such and such. I’m working on this issue; I’m working on this plan. Can you hold this in a prayerful space for me.” She does, and I can feel it. Then Agape has a corps of over 300 licensed prayer practitioners who hold the highest vision for things I’m involved in and that Agape is doing. I’ll tap into those fields, those strong magnetic fields that lovingly support whatever it is I’m doing.

Anna: Wow, that’s quite an arsenal. That’s great.

Michael: Yeah, I wouldn’t leave home without it. [laughter]

Anna: How much time do you spend meditating?

Michael: Oh, I’d say about a half hour one time, half hour another, and that’s my minimum based on scheduling, appointments, traveling and all of that. Then when I can, I’ll take it down. and I’ll have some really rich moments of a half hour to two hours at a time.

Anna: How has your life been changing? It feels like from an outside perspective, like a lot is happening all at once for you.

Michael: It is. I’m still speaking at most of the services at Agape. I travel to outside organizations and do workshops, seminars, things like that, on Thursday and return on Saturday. This year I committed to myself to slow down a little bit. I love making friends, and I love going out, establishing community, and inspiring individuals to really hunger for awakened consciousness.

Anna: I think it’s incredible that you’re out taking the time to really connect with people in that way. It’s got to be making a huge difference on the planet.

Michael: My wife and I have so many friends on Facebook and receive many emails and letters. And these sincere seekers write the most beautiful letters and cards about how something I said changed their life or their perspective or helped them hold on or there was some healing. It’s quite rewarding.

Anna: Do you feel like you’re balancing things pretty well with your wife Rickie and that you both are still feeling creative?

Michael: Yes! We just wrote a song yesterday. [laughter] Music is just kind of part of our life. So yesterday we went to the piano and the song that we’re working on emerged and I can’t wait for it to be finished. So yes, the creativity is still there. Of course, it ebbs and flows depending on what’s going on with us, you know. And the beautiful thing about all of this is that 99 percent of the time she travels with me. When I got out to do a workshop or a presentation, Rickie comes with me. She’s a lightning rod for music.

Anna: Now that I’ve seen SPIRITUAL LIBERATION and heard the choir, do you have any plans to get it out to the world – for folks that don’t live in Los Angeles?

Michael: Absolutely. There’s a number of projects underway. I just got a PBS special that we’ll be filming in August. Pretty soon our website will be streaming a lot of the things we do live. In Europe our Sunday services are being aired in about 22 countries. We’re also visioning about having my own television show.

Anna: What kind of format is your TV show going to be?

Michael: The TV show is a combination let’s say Oprah meets Jay Leno. [laughter] But it will be Michael Beckwith-style. The Sound of Agape music will be highlighted with our house band, and Rickie and our singers doing music. We’ll have a specific topic and guests addressing whatever that subject is as well as questions and hands-on work with members of the audience. It won’t be religious, but it will be spiritually provocative.

Anna: What are some of your favorite spiritual or transformational feature films?

Michael: I really liked The Pursuit of Happyness that Will Smith starred in. I really appreciated that particular movie and the gentleman that was homeless who used all of his skills, imagination and willingness to transform his life. That was very powerful. I also liked Whale Rider and The Matrix.

Anna: If you were going to make another film, would you want to do a documentary or a feature?

Michael: Well, I think that I may want to go into more of a conversation around SPIRITUAL LIBERATION.
SPIRITUAL LIBERATION is available through the Spiritual Cinema Circle, a DVD service dedicated to films about love and compassion. You can receive this film for free (just pay a small shipping fee), along with the feature film OUTSOURCED, a romantic comedy feature about life in a “call center” in India that explores cultural differences, relationships and doing the right thing. The collection also has two great short films. To access your free trial, please visit www.joinscc.com

About Anna Darrah:
Anna Darrah is the Director of Acquisitions for the Spiritual Cinema Circle. Prior to joining Spiritual Cinema Circle, Anna was the Director of Events and Development for the Santa Fe Film Festival. She lives in Santa Fe, NM with her daughter.

Photo: Carl Studna

Why it’s great: Spiritual author and teacher Deepak Chopra clearly and simply shows how success really comes from living in harmony with natural laws-seven to be exact, which will set you straight on the path of understanding how smoothly life can really run. A rule book for life!

Who’s reading it: Anyone and everyone who’s interested in stripping away the confusion and understanding the way life is truly intended to be.

What you’ll learn: The secrets of living in harmony with the natural laws of the universe, which, once mastered, will open the way for a sense of well-being, good health, fulfilling relationships, energy and enthusiasm for life as well as material abundance.

Want to know more? See www.chopra.com

Why it’s great: It’s an awakening for those who are dealing, or already dealt, with change, loss, fear, grief and anger. Spiritual leader Lama Surya Das shows how change of any scale provides the most important lessons that teach and allow us to become closer to our more authentic self, through life-changing lessons and meditations.

Who’s reading it: This is for anyone who has ever wondered why things just keep going wrong or for those who want to deepen their knowledge of the inner workings of the mind, body and spirit.

What you’ll learn: How to face your everyday problems realistically, rather than shutting yourself off from them. It also helps you understand how such trials and tribulations actually present themselves to help you grow.

Want to know more? Head to www.surya.org