Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Vision Book Workshop

Helping our dreams become our reality...
For more info ManaKeeper@gmail.com 
Our Vision Book Workshop focuses on sharing age old wisdom forgotten by many in our modern age. This workshop is designed to help each participant gain a deeper understanding of the subconscious mind and it’s (subconscious) effects in our physical reality. Students will learn fun, simple and practical applications to work with their subconscious minds. By using this new understanding students will create a personal vision book to use as a tool and a guide in manifesting their dreams and uncovering their talents.

 This workshop is open to the general public and all are welcomed but we highly encourage artists and idealists to attend. These techniques and lessons are especially helpful to those that work through inspiration. Participants develop easy and enjoyable ways to feed their inner muse daily.
The Inner-child and the Body
For thousands of years great spiritual cultures understood the importance of our connection and communication with the subconscious mind. This knowledge and understanding was passed down through verbal history. Most of those practices have been forgotten but some have survived. The ancient Hawaiians used some of these practices to harvest Mana (Divine Life Force Energy). They used Mana not only to enrich their bodies and spirits but as a sacred breath to feed their dreams and bring them into reality. The Australian Aboriginal cultures used Dream Time as a way to communicate with the heavens. Through understanding the meanings of their dreams they were able to predict and avoid dangers as well as bring the dream world into the waking. Tibetan Buddhist monks practice Lucid Dreaming as a way to understand the subconscious mind in multiple realms of reality. 

 In contemporary society we also have great minds that have taught us the importance of the subconscious mind in how we live and perceive our realities. Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Carl Jung spoke of the subconscious mind’s power to manifest in our daily lives. Albert Einstein said “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking” and “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is a product of our subconscious. Joseph Campbell is known for many great things, not the least of which is the philosophy of "Following Your Bliss". By following your bliss you are reflecting the unique talents that lie within. 
"Follow your bliss.
If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else." 
— Joseph Campbell

Our subconscious is the key to getting in touch with our deepest dreams and latent talents. This workshop shares easy and effective tools to re-connect with the inner-child or sub-conscious mind. Through forging a healthy relationship with the subconscious participants are able to co-create their realities and manifest their Divine talents. 

 Date: Sat. 3/10/18
Time: 2-3:30pm
Location: La Miranda
Cost: $50
Class size is extremely limited so please register now to ensure your space.

  Please email ManaKeeper@gmail.com for further information.

 You may register via PayPal or via email.

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.
Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The California Condor; A Story of Tragedy, Survival and the Possibility of Redemption

Friends of the California Condors
The plight for the survival of the California Condor, the largest flying bird in North America has been a perilous one. These majestic, birds with a 10 foot wing span, once reined freely over the skies of North and Central America but by 1982 were reduced to a population of 22. In 1987 conservationists and biologists surmised that the only way to save the species from extinction was to capture the remaining California Condors and start a captive breeding program designed to raise their numbers and eventually release them back into the wild. It was called the California Condor Recovery Project. To date the project can boast to over 400 live California Condors and over 200 of them have been released and are living in California, Arizona, Utah and Baja California. 

 I had the privilege of watching a screening of "The Condor's Shadow" at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center hosted by Friends of the California Condors Wild and Free. I found it a moving, nostalgic, informative and inspiring film. The footage of the condors' in their natural habitat is awe-inspiring and the dedication of the humans entrusted with their care brings hope for a better tomorrow. 

When I was a girl I remember the debate over the correct action for humans to take over the fate of these birds. Some said that the condor had had its day and should be allowed to become extinct, others felt that humans had directly contributed to its potential extinction and that humans had a responsibility to preserve the species. I agreed with the latter. I remember going to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and seeing their enclosures in the late 80's and early 90's. I visited the Los Angeles Zoo and learned about the captive breeding programs and the plans to reintroduce them into the wild. The film brought me back to my journey with the California Condor, at times it was sad, at times it was incredulous and then the miraculous happened, condors we reintroduced into the wild and hope sprang eternal.

"The Condor's Shadow" encompasses much more than the conservation history of the condor. It takes the viewer behind the scenes and shares the world not only of the condor but of the biologists and conservationist that work tirelessly to protect them. One of the most poignant parts of the film for me was when, Jane Hamber - condor biologist and activist, read her journal entry on the day the last free condor was captured. Her entry eloquently illustrated the depth and breadth of what so many must have felt that day. It brought me to tears and gave me a new understanding of the tremendous weight of responsibility these biologists and conservationists must have felt. 

The Condor's Shadow is a bittersweet story told beautifully and authentically. It captures the plight of the California Condor's survival and the work of diverse groups of people coming together to ensure its success. Below is the trailer from the film. Please visit the links provided to the film's website for more information about the film and for screening opportunities.  

The Condor's Shadow - Trailer - YouTube


I had the opportunity to meet Joseph Brandt, one of the featured condor biologists in "The Condor's Shadow", at the screening. Spending over a decade in the field and interacting intimately with the magnificent California Condor, he brought firsthand knowledge of the birds and their struggles. While he clearly conveyed the challenges that face this bird he also brought stories of hope for a brighter future. People like Joseph Brandt are the unsung heroes of our planet. They quietly and consistently endanger life and limb to protect the wild for the rest of us and for future generations. Without the vision, commitment and compassion of those lovers and protectors of nature our own future as a species is in jeopardy. A heart felt thank you to Joseph for taking time away from the field to meet with us and to inspire us out of our doldrums.
He was sporting this beautiful shirt designed by a group of grade school students, reminding us that we each, regardless of age or ability, have talents to contribute to the conservation effort. Whether we are painters, poets, photographers, musicians, biologists, hunters, geneticist or third graders, we all have unique and needed gifts to share. 



In his TEDx Talk, "How we brought the condor back from the brink", Michael Mace shares the amazing story of the California Condor, the challenges it still faces and how far the population has come from the beginning of the California Condor Recovery Project in the 1980's to the present.

How we brought the condor back from the brink | Michael Mace | TEDxDeExtinction
There are three major challenges faced by California Condor to its successful survival in its natural habitats. 

One of these challenges is something called micro trash. While many people wouldn't give littler of this small size a second thought it is lethally dangerous to young condors. Parents bring the micro trash into the nest and the babies feed on it. It is impossible to digest and can cause fatal impaction of the gut. We can all make a difference in the accumulation of micro trash. We can make sure that we don't litter even small plastic bottle caps. We can make sure to pick up after ourselves even bits of broken glass or wires. We can carry a bag to fill with trash when we go on walks or hikes. We can also volunteer our time and labor for Micro Trash clean ups. 

Another potentially lethal challenge is lead poisoning. Studies have shown that condors ingest lead by eating the remains of animals that have been hunted with lead bullets. While in our modern society, responsible hunters provide an important food source for the California Condor and help ensure its survival, hunters that use lead ammunition are directly poisoning the condors. At least half of the wild condor population must be treated for lead poisoning on a regular basis. If a bird with high levels goes untreated for too long it is fatal, as we see happens in the film A Flight Plan for the California Condor. If you are a hunter and are interested in learning more about how you can help save the condor by changing your ammunition please visit Hunting with Non-lead Ammunition's website.

Challenge number three directly relates to the previous challenges. Our human behaviors such as littering and hunting with lead ammunition are directly responsible for almost every condor fatality in the wild. Therefor we need humans dedicated to the welfare and health of the condors to intervene on behalf of the rest of us. It is currently the only way to counter act our ignorance and potentially fatalistic behaviors towards the condor in particular and the natural world in general.  



A Flight Plan for the California Condor

In the film A Flight Plan for the California Condor we hear from field biologists, geneticists and condor activists. The film shares the important roles key zoos have played in the breeding program and the challenges they face in keeping a healthy population in the wild. There is also information about the California Condor live streaming program. It gives people from around the world an opportunity to get to know these amazing birds in their natural habitat.

 Education and knowledge are key if we are to ensure the California Condors' survival for future generations. Teacher and educators can play an important part in educating our future generations about condors with Condor Kids, a curriculum designed to help students fall in love with the California Condor. 
About The Program:

Condor Kids has received the 2016 Superintendents Award in Excellence in Education. 

The curriculum is designed with active learning in mind. All 27 lessons are teacher friendly and standards aligned – correlated to NGSS & CC standards & organized with the EQuIP rubric. This curriculum is part of a much broader conservation partnership between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Santa Barbara Zoo. Designed with Fillmore Unified School District students in mind, our project includes the development of this curriculum, nest monitoring strategies (and live streaming cameras), as well as student field trips to Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, and the Santa Barbara Zoo. This link, Condor Kids, will take you to their website.
The California Department of Fish and Game is a great resource for all things related to the California Condor. They even have live streaming cam links directly on their site. 


Hopper Mountain National Refuge is another incredible source of information with live Condor cams and links to references and resources to protect, educate and inspire. They have a "get involved section" on the website offering several opportunities to make your own contribution towards the survival of the California Condor. 


If you are a Facebook user The Condor Cave is a page you'll love to visit. About The Condor Cave page in their own words. Flights, camera, action! The stage is set to watch a wild condor nest develop from hatch to fledge thanks to the first wild condor nest camera. Follow the highlights on our page!





In closing, I hope you will enjoy this song by Roland H. Ferrer of Sound of Zero inspired by the majestic California Condor. It is also a thank you to Joseph Brandt and all of the people that have dedicated their lives to protect the condor.

Placerita Canyon Nature Center
A special thank you to Placerita Canyon Nature Center and to Friends of the California Condors Wild and Free for hosting "The Condor's Shadow" and for all that they do to protect and preserve nature and all of the creatures that live in it (including humans).

Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.
Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 

POI

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Monday, April 4, 2016

C.G. Jung Wisdoms and Quotes

Carl Gustav Jung's hand print
Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and contemporary to Sigmund Freud. He founded the school of analytical psychology. He theorized and developed the concepts of the extroverted and introverted personality, archetypes, and the collective unconscious. Carl Jung used his personal experiences to inspire much of his research. It is said that for many years Jung felt as if he had two separate personalities. One personality was introverted and other was extroverted. This awareness and introspection resulted in his study of integration and wholeness. His work has been influential not only in psychology, but in religion, art, metaphysics and literature as well.

 Jung was born on July 26, 1875 in Kesswil, Switzerland and attend the University of Basel from 1895-1900. Jung studied biology, zoology, paleontology, and archaeology, before deciding to pursue medicine. He also explored philosophy, mythology, early Christian literature as well as religion at length. Jung became an assistant physician at Burgholzli Psychiatric clinic under Eugen Bleuler. In 1902 he obtained his M.D. from the University of Zurich. His dissertation was entitled "On the Psychology and Pathology of So -Called Occult Phenomena". 

 Later Jung published "Psychology and the Unconscious" which argued against some of Freud's ideas. In 1912 "Symbols and Transformations of the Libido" was published. Jung wanted to understand the symbolic meaning of the contents of the unconscious. In order to distinguish between individual psychology and psychoanalysis Jung gave his discipline the name "analytical psychology."

 In the book "Psychological Types", Jung shared his interest in the study of mythological and religious symbolism. His studies took him all over the world where he had the opportunity to observe many different cultures. He was interested in tracing the analogies between the contents of the unconscious in Western man and the myths, cults, and rituals of primitive peoples. Jungian therapy deals with dreams and fantasies. (A discussion is set up between the conscious and the contents of the unconscious.) Jung's total amount of work is very large. It is estimated that he authored 200 papers. An edition of his Collected Works in English was completed in 1972 by the Bollingen Foundation in New York and Routledge and Kegan Paul in London.

 Jung inspired and continues to inspire introspection on a personal as well as global level. His work is as relevant today as it was when he originally published. Here I share some of his better known quotes. I hope you'll find one that inspires you. 

"We are born at a given moment, in a given place and, like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season of which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything more."

 "For a young person, it is almost a sin, or at least a danger, to be too preoccupied with himself; but for the aging person, it is a duty and a necessity to devote serious attention to himself."

 "Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity."

 "The man who promises everything is sure to fulfill nothing, and everyone who promises too much is in danger of using evil means in order to carry out his promises, and is already on the road to perdition."

 "Great talents are the most lovely and often the most dangerous fruits on the tree of humanity. They hang upon the most slender twigs that are easily snapped off." 

 "The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results."

 "Inferno It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves."
"Just as we might take Darwin as an example of the normal extraverted thinking type, the normal introverted thinking type could be represented by Kant. The one speaks with facts, the other relies on the subjective factor. Darwin ranges over the wide field of objective reality, Kant restricts himself to a critique of knowledge." 

"The Christian missionary may preach the gospel to the poor naked heathen, but the spiritual heathen who populate Europe have as yet heard nothing of Christianity."

"All the works of man have their origin in creative fantasy. What right have we then to depreciate imagination."

"Origin Shrinking away from death is something unhealthy and abnormal which robs the second half of life of its purpose."

 "A human being would certainly not grow to be seventy or eighty years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species. The afternoon of human life must also have a significance of its own and cannot be merely a pitiful appendage to life's morning." 

The Jung Page http://www.cgjungpage.org
Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.


Aurora's "Speak Your Art Blog Hub" combines posts from seven of her other blogs: In the Flow Studios Arts, In the Flow Studios Body, I Love Shelter Dogs, Mana Keepers, PaaMano Eskrima & Performing Arts, Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment and Speak Your Art Poetry. It brings her organizations together and offers her readers an easier way to follow new posts in one convenient location. 


POI

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Monday, March 28, 2016

Turning Adversity into Positivity

A quick post about overcoming adversity and keeping a positive attitude during challenging times, about believing in yourself, and remembering that this too shall pass.

Sharing a bit of wisdom from our dear friend William Shakespeare. Don't let adversity, fear or defeats define you. Take the opportunity to find the jewel hidden within the challenge. And remember, this too shall pass. 





"Rise up this mornin',
Smile with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou: ")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right! " Bob Marley



Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise states plainly what so many visionaries already know..."Things are only impossible until they are not". Don't let anyone dissuade you from being the first! 


The Road Not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Image by AZ Quotes
Thank you for visiting. Wishing you Peace today and everyday.



POI

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Sunday, April 12, 2015

Double 6 Ranch Helping Special Needs Kids with Free Horse Encounters

By Aurora Ferrer
Those of us lucky enough to have met a horse won't soon forget the encounter. Horses are special animals. They have shared life with humans for thousands of years. They have carried our loads, tilled our farms, pulled our wagons and given us the freedom to travel far beyond where our feet could take us. Those that know horses know that horses have a sixth sense. A balanced horse can read the subtleties about people that most humans miss. Horses have an innate understanding of the energy we (humans) emit. And they have a special gift of being able to touch a human's heart like no other being. When a horse thinks enough of you to breath you in, to want to "know" who you are, there is no greater communion between two souls.  

 The folks at Double 6 Ranch know this first hand. They are real cowboys & cowgirls that have spent years learning the language of the horse and of his/her power to heal. Because of this, Double 6 Ranch opens their ranch and their hearts to special needs children, adults and their families for free. Many of these children would never have the opportunity to meet a horse let alone ride one if not for this program. 

 Having a grown son that was born with life-threatening health challenges myself, I know what a gift it was to see someone put a smile on his face. As a parent you see your child need to undergo so many painful and difficult situations on a daily basis that to see them experience even a moment of pure joy is a prayer answered. And the Double 6 Ranch folks and horses don't stop there, they invite all the kids in the family to join in the experience. No one is left out. Everyone gets to feel special and gets a much needed rest from the daily challenges they face.

 I could write about the special, meaningful work these folks are doing for days but I think the film clip and comments speak for themselves. Please take a few minutes to watch the clip and read some of the comments about their (child's) experience with the Double 6 Ranch Special Needs Program below.

 About the film clip: "The folks at Double 6 Ranch open their ranch and their hearts to special needs children and their families. Double 6 Ranch offers Horse and Ranch encounters absolutely free. They say a picture is worth a thousand words...these pictures speak volumes. These pictures share hope, freedom, love. The expressions on the faces of the kids, the horses, the families and the staff are priceless. 

 All I could think as I was making this clip was "I see angels...I see angels in the children, angels in the horses, angels in the staff". These pictures remind us that there truly are angels that walk among us...some on four legs.

 Thank you Double 6 Ranch for all the good you guys put into the universe. You guys are making the world better one angel at a time." 
Here are just a few of the many posts and comments from families that have experienced the free special needs day horse and ranch encounter:

 E.L. We brought a group of special needs children from Ft irwin down there and it was the best time, they loved every minute! I am thankful for all the people at double 6 ranch and their selflessness to provide such an opportunity to special needs children, especially since their isn't always a lot of opportunities for them and especially not free. Bless you all and I hope you all are able to help the special needs children for years.

 J.D. ...I just say down in front of my computer just this passed week and wrote a letter to double 6 ranch to thank them for an amazing day. ... my autistic grandson and my three un autistic grandkids thoroughly enjoyed the day. ...I left with a soft spot in my heart for what the staff at double 6 do for these children. ...

 E.H. We love the Double 6 Ranch and the overwhelmingly generous and kind people there. And I know the whole community who has benefited from their graciousness stands behind the Ranch.

 C.F.L.  ...We were at your very first special needs day at the rach. My son who didn't speak to others much instantly became a chatter box to the volunteers when they put him on a horse. Every time we come back he gives you a hug which is just not something he does to everyone. He trusts you. You saw my daughter's love for horses and offered to teach her how to ride both western & english and would never ever accept any form of payment. You did this out of the kindness of your heart and you saw something special in her. You taught her discipline and hard work. You even had her looking up horse facts each week so when she came for her lesson she had to tell you what she learned. She fell in love with the special needs program and it has been on her heart over the years to come volunteer. 6 yrs later you just allowed her to have her senior photo shoot at your ranch and again never asked for anything in return. You and your ranch has been a blessing in our lives...

 Post by Double 6 Ranch on Facebook from their latest special needs class: "We at the D6 would like to thank all the little Angels, and their Families for coming to our Special Needs program today,,, You give us the inspiration to keep doing this wonderful program. We also want to thank our great Staff and Volunteers,, Ty, Roger, Marcos, Scott, Rick, Duane, Marv, Ashley, Elsa, Edgar, Lester, Billie, Shar, and Jason. Once again, Thank you from the bottom of our Hearts..."






And the comments in response:
D.M. - mom: It was a wonderful experience and am grateful for everyone that was involved for my little ones. I look forward to it for the next couple months. Thank you! 

 B.B - Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My son had a great day. As we were leaving I got the biggest hug and Tyler said thank you mom for bringing me here today, it's the best. Those words were ment for all of you who give of your time to make my son's day. You are blessings to us and our families.

 M.V. - Que dios les de muchos anos de vida para que sigan hasi q dios los vendiga siempre por querer a mi hijo edgar.

 S.S. - This is truly an amazing gift to the children....they are so blessed to be able to participate in this, to be so free, and the smiles were abundant, we are so grateful to you Ty, and your staff, your truly amazing people and my kids are hooked.

 It is inspiring to see the magic and healing that can happen when generous people and special horses get together to help others.  If your moved by their work please take a moment to follow them on their Facebook page and share their story. The more people that know about Double 6 Ranch's great work the better chance they have of continuing to do it. 

 Double 6 Ranch https://www.facebook.com/Double6Ranch

 Reviews of fb page link https://www.facebook.com/Double6Ranch/reviews





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