My Father passed on December 19th

William Logan Harris

September 14th,1923-December 19th, 2009

The Winter Solstice Ceremony for Monday, December 21st has been cancelled. We will be closed on Tuesday, December 22nd. Lisa & I will be attending my father's funeral.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

We will re-open on Wednesday, December 23rd.
Philip Harris

My father is fading.

I just got a call from my mother that my dad, Bill Harris, is now receiving
morphine every 2 hours. I knew as soon as I saw the caller ID that something
was wrong. It's not unexpected nor a shock but even when you get the call,
you're not quite sure where to put the information.

It looked like my dad, who turned 86 in September, was going to die right
around Thanksgiving. He had been in the hospital and some 'doctor' thought it
would be a good idea to send him home on Thanksgiving. Late in the afternoon
my oldest brother Logan brough him home from the hospital. Dad made it to the
chair in the living room and stayed there. He barely opened his eyes the whole
day. He's on coumadin, a blood thinner, which makes him feel cold all the
time. He only spoke to say how he was freezing.

He made it to bed that night but fell the next day. My mother, Paulina, who is 82
couldn't get him off the floor, neither could my sister's husband, Dave.
Finally Logan and my other, also older, brother DAnny cam over and got him off
the floor. An ambulance was called and he was taken back to the hospital.
He had had a heart attack.

He has diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. For some
reason, he decided to get a pacemaker in early November. This was something he
had refused to do for at least the last five years. Well, because he had the
surgery he contracted MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and
they put him on antibiotics.

It looked like he was going to pass after Thanksgiving and he was receiving
hospice care in the hospital. But then he started to do better.

He was moved to the county home where my sister, Paula, a nurse works. He's
been doing ok and I was hoping to see him on Christmas. But I guess yesterday
was a bad day and now he's back on morphine every two hours. I'll be heading
up to Mercer today to see him.

And why do these posts never publish the way they look in the preview?

Save my life I'm going down for the last time...

Well, it looks like we are coming to a conclusion here at the Open Mind.
I have spoken with an attorney about it and it looks inevitable.
It's hard to fathom that I have been here, in one form or another, for 13 years.
But it looks like the Great Recession will be the final nail in the coffin.

Carole J Obley's September Newsletter

http://www.soulvisions.net/

Carole J Obley, Professional Spiritual Medium and Author

Carole is an acclaimed spiritual medium who has delivered thousands of messages from the spirit world to people seeking confirmation of life after death and healing from grief. She has been featured in newspaper articles and regularly speaks on radio and TV. In addition to maintaining a private practice near Pittsburgh, Pa., she travels nationally to present seminars and workshops on mediumship and spiritual development.

Her latest book, I’m Still with You: True Stories of Healing Grief Through Spirit Communication (O-Books.com) contains astonishing, true stories of contact with the spirit world that provide compelling evidence of life beyond death and the healing that such awareness brings.

Sept 19, 7-9p.m. Messages from the Other Side: Connecting with Spirit

at the Open Mind, 439 Beaver St., Sewickley, Pa. 15143.

Experience the power of group mediumship in the high spiritual energy of the Open Mind.

Pre-registration is required- space fills quickly.

412-741-1888.

You can register here:
http://theopenmind.com/classes_events/2009/september09.htm#MESSAGES_FROM_THE_OTHER_SIDE:

Question of the Month

When loved ones communicate in a reading, why do they often convey trivial things such as a message about a recent event that is of little consequence to us? Why don’t they tell us about more important things in life?

Such information is important for one reason: spirit loved ones want us to know they are aware of our lives because their consciousness has survived death. The process of mediumship requires them to link to the mind and thoughts of the medium. In doing so, they reconnect with their earthly life and memories that they often shared with you. This bond or relationship continues after death and spirits frequently refer to it to let you know they are still with you and other family members. Conveying these messages also gives evidence of their identity, especially if it is information that is known only to you. Also remember that your loved ones can communicate from their point of view only and not from that of a more spiritually advanced soul, for example. At times, however, spirits will give what I call the BP- the Big Picture. That is, they will offer wisdom to help us on our life pathway or with current challenges, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our need or mission to discover things on our own. This type of message is offered from a spiritually-based perspective that is obtained from their vantage point in spirit and often, from their own life-review. Loved ones see this as their way of helping us avoid the same pitfalls they also encountered. Still, we must remember that we alone are responsible for the choices we make through free will.

Do you have a question about the Other Side or spirituality? Please email it to carole@soulvisions.net. I cannot answer personally, but if it is something that will likely benefit others, I will address it in a future newsletter.

Monthly Inspiration

Releasing Your Past and Future

When I come home, I’m always exuberantly greeted by the wagging tails and loud barking of my dogs, Lincus and Bailey. It doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone 5 minutes or 5 days. They offer the same warm “Welcome home, my friend!” in dog lingo. It’s amusing to me how they simply don’t care about their rousing demonstration of affection. They just do it-thankfully without thinking.

Because they are animals without the capacity to worry about the past or future, they are beautifully engaged in being with present time. What if, before greeting me, they thought about the times in the past that I’ve not greeted them the same way because I had a hard day? What if they decided to withhold their love for me based on that memory? What if they became anxious or depressed thinking about the possibility that I didn’t make enough money this month to feed or house them?

Most of us hold onto our pasts and entertain worry about our future instead of being in the unfolding moment. We hang onto artificial identities that chain us to dysfunctional and self-defeating patterns. “I was abandoned as a child,” “I’ve been poor most of my life,” or “I missed my chance in life to be someone” are a few examples that are attached to our personal stories of our perceived lack. There are many more we stubbornly cling to. We regret missed opportunities of the past and obsess about the future. Talk about insanity!

I suggest that we consider the perfect way that Spirit expresses itself through animals to learn about how to live. The birds that built their nests for their young on my porch this spring did not appear to me to be particularly concerned about the state of the economy. From my recent observations, the squirrel that visits my birdfeeder hasn’t engaged in any species “turf” wars with the birds that eat from the same source. The mice that have invaded my house in the last several years certainly don’t believe in lack; it’s all theirs as far as they’re concerned. Nor has the local groundhog population complained lately that their parents didn’t love them enough and that is why they are only lowly, ground-dwelling rodents. Hmmm… maybe we can learn something here.

What are your excuses for not enjoying all of Spirit’s abundance? The good news is that you need be immobilized no longer. Right here, right now, you are free to choose to release both the past and the future. Remember you cannot be “there” when you are right “here.” It’s true that everything that happened back there is what you are made of right now. But who you are is never defined or limited in any way by those episodes, no matter how gut-wrenching they may be. You are Spirit expressing perfectly now.

This is what one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Eckhart Tolle, calls Presence.

How can we move into Presence and out of addictive thinking? Meditation is the easiest vehicle that transports us into the awareness of the Divine Self. I encourage you to engage in it as often as possible. In embracing the now, you will eliminate consuming thoughts of the past and future. You do not have to go off to an ashram and sit on a satin pillow to meditate: you can go into this stillness whenever or wherever you are that does not require alert attention. Presence is the original equal opportunity employer. I’ve often referred to knowing Spirit through nature. Even if you cannot get outdoors, a house plant or flower lends itself beautifully to entering the expanded state of awareness that is now. On your desk or windowsill at work, place a plant or flower and take a few minutes to gaze into it during the course of the day. Contemplate its silent radiance as an expression of the Divine. The plant exists without labels, judgments or worry. Allow it to reflect the peace that is within you. Give thanks for the grace of knowing this simple truth.

Move beyond doubt and fear in the eternal flow of life.

My heart’s aspiration-cry

Will never fail.

My life’s dedication-smile

Will never fail.

My soul’s manifestation-dance

Will never fail.

from Heart-Songs, Sri Chinmoy.

Testimonial
"Carole's readings have helped me to understand the life lessons and challenges I have chosen to experience. They have brought me into a greater spiritual alignment with God. They are practical and can be life changing."C.M.

"Gathering of ONE” on Thursday September 17th at 7:00 PM

Dear Friends,

The G-20 global economic summit this year is being held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on September 24th and 25th. In order to promote peace and to encourage an effective, non-violent summit, we invite you to join us in activating the power of group intention at a “Gathering of ONE” on Thursday September 10th at 7:00 PM at Pittsburgh’s West End Overlook.

Your participation will make a difference.

Join us as we initiate Pittsburgh's predicted destiny as a center of spiritual transformation and healing, and launch and “The G-20 Oneness Prayer/Meditation. ”

We will assemble at a point overlooking the convergence of our rivers, and perform a short ceremony to affirm the interconnectedness and unity of all peoples. As we stand in unity and send out the light of universal love from our sacred heart center, we will connect and embrace all people in heart, mind and spirit, and generate a wave of uplifting energy.

This gathering will launch the G-20 Oneness prayer/meditation of September 11-25 (http://www.peaceburgh.com/), which will be coordinated with additional peace intentions focused on Pittsburgh through: http://www.commonpassion.org/, and The Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers (http://www.grandmotherscouncil.com/), Association of Unity Churches International (http://www.unity.org/), and the World Day of Prayer (http://worlddayofprayer.org/), which occurs this same date.

As this wave of uplifting energy radiates across the planet, we will see citizens and leaders from all countries of the world, opening to their innate wisdom, shifting from a consciousness of separation and limitation to a consciousness of unity and abundance; and awakening new pathways for global peace, prosperity, and sustainability.

For directions, go to GoogleMaps and enter “West End Overlook 15220, PA.”

If you plan to attend the gathering or participate with the Prayer/Meditation September 11-25, please let us know so we can collect and share some statistics and stories with the media who are reporting on the G-20 Summit.

RSVP
“A Gathering of ONE” - Kathy Evans-Palmisano http://www.ki-ri.com/ pghkep@gmail.com

The G-20 Oneness Prayer/Meditation nancykandel@comcast.net or kathy@sowelucenters.com

G-20 Oneness Prayer/Meditation Project (download an MP3 of this Prayer Meditation)

This is Reverend Nancy Kandel with the Pittsburgh Center for Spiritual Living. Studies have shown that meditation and prayer can have an impact on reducing violence and promoting peace. You are invited to participate in a "ONENESS Prayer and Meditation” in support of global unity from September 11th through the 25th, prior to and during the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This prayer and meditation invitation is being distributed to faith communities and individuals in Pittsburgh, and throughout the United States of America and the world. Suggested times for two or more to gather are 1:00, 3:00 and/or 7:00, either a.m. or p.m., in your local time zone. The text of the prayer meditation follows. If you prefer to choose other words for the meditation, or simply to embrace thoughts of a peaceful G-20 Summit from September 11th through the 25th, your participation is welcomed. Thoughts do make a difference.

THE G-20 ONENESS PRAYER AND MEDITATION

We now open our hearts to the unity and interconnectedness of all people. This unity transcends belief systems and political polarities. We affirm the inherent divinity within every individual. We Are All One – one planet, one world, one body of humanity, one Spirit. We support and encourage peaceful, creative collaboration at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh and in all interactions large and small everywhere. We hold the vision that everyone is heard and no one is hurt.

With conscious intention in prayer and meditation, we connect with love and embrace all people in heart, mind and spirit, creating a wave of uplifting energy that radiates across the planet. We envision citizens and leaders from all countries opening to their innate wisdom and awakening new pathways for global peace, prosperity and sustainability. In deep gratitude, love, and peace, we honor the truth of our divinity. And so it is.

Joe Jellybean

This is Joseph 'Jellybean' Kutsenkow from July 4th 2009.

His first two handed sparkler experience.

He is pretending to be the Emperor from Star Wars Episode VI.

William Logan Harris

Here is a picture of my father, William Logan Harris.

This was taken when he was in the CCCs (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the Great Depression.

I'm not sure what year this is from. I have to find out.

Thanks for all your prayers; he is a born again Baptist, and I know he appreciates it.

He will be 86 in October.

The Guest House

I found this poem by Rumi that I wanted to share with you.
It's called "The Guest House" it's from the book Essential Rumi
and was translated by Coleman Barks.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you outfor some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

It just might rain today...

The Drum Circle scheduled for today @ 2 PM has been rescheduled for next Saturday, June 27th.

Here's more info on Deke Kincaid.

http://www.getrhythm.org/

Labyrinth Walk

Dear Philip,Could you please add an announcement for a summer solstice labyrinth walk at Whispering Winds Farm, Mt. Pleasant, PA on Sunday June 21, 2009? We really need a lot of healing energy here. I was thinking of early morning. Let me know if this is possible.Blessings ***
Claire LeJeune Kemp
FULFILLING CONNECTIONS!Whispering Winds Farm
1418 Old State Route 119
Mount Pleasant, PA 15666-3511
724.547.2550
www.wwsr.biz

OM: FREE Drum Circle & Sidewalk Sale

	The Open Mind Bookstore 439 Beaver St. Sewickley PA
SEWICKLEY SUMMER SOLSTICE SIDEWALK SALE
Drum Circle This Saturday @ 2 PM This Saturday is the weekend of the Summer Solstice. There will be a sidewalk sale in Sewickley from 11 to 5. FREE PARKING At 2 PM, our friend Deke Kincaid will be leading a drum circle in Wolcott Park (corner of Broad & Beaver) in Sewickley. The Drum Circle is FREE. Drums will be provided (or bring your own). Pat McGuire will be doing Tarot Readings and Stephanie Charles (pictured) will be doing Akashic Records readings at the OM. Lisa McCormack will be doing massage, Reiki, and hypnotherapy.

FWD: That's the site jacob was telling ya about

New Starself Newsletter

Here is astrologer Rick DiClemente's June newsletter.

There is no point in copying it, you must experience it in all its glory:

http://www.starself.com/newsletter42.html

-pigboy

For Your Journey / Carole J Obley

Carole J. Obley, http://www.soulvisions.net/, is an acclaimed spiritual medium who has delivered thousands of messages from the spirit world to people seeking confirmation of life after death and healing from grief. She has been featured in newspaper articles and regularly speaks on radio and TV. In addition to maintaining a private practice near Pittsburgh, Pa., she travels nationally to present seminars and workshops on mediumship and spiritual development. Her latest book, I’m Still with You: True Stories of Healing Grief Through Spirit Communication

(O-Books.com) contains astonishing, true stories of contact with the spirit world that provide compelling evidence of life beyond death and the healing that such awareness brings

Carole J. Obley works out of the Open Mind frequently.

Here is a copy of her latest newsletter.

Her books and CDs are available here at OM.

Phil

June 2009
A Personal message from Carole

Dear Friends,
I’ve been enjoying the outdoors because summer is my favorite time of year. Last evening, I inhaled the luxurious scents of the neighboring woods on the short drive home from my office. With my car window wide open, I felt an incredible blast of freedom without the need for the car’s heater or the restrictive bulk of a winter coat. A CD of my favorite love songs played. All was well in my world. How could 11 minutes be any more pleasurable? I almost regretted having to pull into my driveway.
Sometime in that time span, I received the insight that this sense of liberation must be similar to our natural state of grace as pure spiritual beings. We are unencumbered by the heaviness of our own egos and all of its imposed restrictions. During readings, I have experienced small but powerful glimpses of this bliss. It has always impressed me as the place to be- whether we are here (in physical reality) or there in spirit. The only difference is our own state of perception. I’ve come to understand that the choice to experience freedom is up to us. Live within restriction or let go in the flow, so to speak. Making the essential connection with our spiritual core leads us on our individual and universal path of freedom.
I offer this month’s article, “Connecting with Your Life Purpose through Meditation,” with the hope that you have already found your true purpose, despite life’s challenges. If you have not, I encourage you to go within to discover the missing ingredient that will unveil the divine roadmap of your journey.
In Light,

Carole

In This Edition:

Question of the Month—“How can I forgive my brother who has passed?”
Inspirational Article – “Connecting with Your Life Purpose through Meditation”
Testimonial

Workshops

Aug. 3 9:30-12:30p.m,., Delivering Mediumship that Heals the Heart at Lilydale, N.Y. For more information or to register: http://www.lilydaleassembly.org/.

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Question of the Month

"How can I forgive my brother who recently passed? He and I had a strained relationship all of our lives and I carry a lot of anger because he hurt me emotionally. Please tell me how to let go of this."

I have spoken with many clients who have come for readings who sincerely want to heal old wounds with someone- a family member or friend- who is now in spirit. By doing many readings, I have found that it is indeed possible to heal these past hurts with those in spirit by allowing divine love to flow into our hearts. This is because when we pass into spirit, we are shown the implications of our choices in the life we just completed. In many readings, those in spirit ask for forgiveness from those here. In the spirit world, our guides and angels assist us in understanding the meaning of our life lessons and advise us on taking the next step on our spiritual journey.
Perhaps you’ve heard the old adage, “Let go and let God.” This is never as true as in the case of forgiving another. We are incapable of experiencing peace in our lives as long as we stubbornly hold onto resentments. Sometimes our anger and pain is so overwhelming that we must ask for divine grace to give us the willingness to let go. Please know that the instant you are willing to open your heart to love, that healing is occurring. We can accelerate the process by understanding that each person is essentially innocent in the eyes of Spirit. How can this be? We make choices based on our level of spiritual consciousness and love others according to how much we feel divine love within. If we do not know Spirit within, we cannot truly love another. As we continue to spiral towards a greater realization of our divine identity, we release old attachments that weigh us down.
I recommend you write your brother a letter. Tell him how you feel about the past hurts and that you release him and yourself into the healing light of Spirit. In a symbolic gesture, you may burn the letter and imagine the old emotional pain you’ve been harboring is transmuted in the flames. Imagine that the smoke from the fire is dissolving every last particle of anger you carry. Afterwards, take a fresh sheet of paper and write about the good qualities of your brother. Ask your Higher Self to help you see the light of your brother’s soul. Finally, connect daily with Spirit within through meditation.

Monthly Inspiration

Connecting with Your Life Purpose through Meditation
By Carole J. Obley

Carla, a bright-eyed, attractively dressed woman in her mid 30’s asked me during a reading, “What am I supposed to be doing with my life? I feel as if it has no meaning. Can you tell me what career will bring me deeper fulfillment?” They were words I’d heard dozens of times before. Over the years, I have done readings for many people who desire to connect more deeply with their life purpose but don’t know how. Frustrated and desperate, they come to seek relief from feelings of boredom, dissatisfaction or burn-out (wake-up calls signaling much needed change) in their current life circumstances. Most of them have been unaware that they alone hold the key to discovering their life purpose by going within through meditation.

Spiritually speaking, our life purpose is beautifully simple: Each of us is here to express Spirit to its fullest extent. Period. This is what is referred to by some spiritual teachers as “primary” purpose. Given this tenet, if we accomplish nothing else during an entire lifetime, we have been successful.. It is why we can say, from a spiritual perspective, we are inherently perfect beings as expressions of Spirit. A Course in Miracles states that we need do “nothing.” We are assured of our divine heritage by simply being pure Spirit.

When people like Carla want to know what they “should be doing,” they are referring to the secondary or “outer” purpose. This is how we choose to express Spirit- the specific and unique situations, relationships, careers and service work we feel drawn to in our lives. Secondary purpose is always an outgrowth or expression of primary purpose and optimally reflects our consciousness of Spirit within. Dissatisfaction with “outer” life stems from our being disconnected from primary purpose. Many people seek to reconnect with purpose from the outside world instead of going within, where the real answer lies. They search for deeper fulfillment through trying to secure more money or things. Time is often included in their equation for happiness. “When I get a new job, house, relationship, then I will be in purpose” they believe. When the next “big thing” fails to elicit the sought-after result, they once again feel the all- consuming emptiness of being disconnected from Spirit within.

I believe that we not only discover our outer purpose by practicing meditation, but we can also expand our purpose (and ourselves.) Moments of stillness every day open us to the greatest resource and abundance we will ever have access to: the unlimited love, wisdom and guidance of Spirit. Listening to the inner senses revealed through intuition and meditation helps us to move beyond our disappointment with the outer circumstances of life into accepting these challenges as opportunities to grow stronger spiritually. Connecting with this inner core self first gives us powerful insight into outer life circumstances later.

I’ve found it best to keep this process simple. We tend to complicate our natural connection with Spirit by trying to apply complex meditation tools and rituals when the connection can be made quickly and easily.

The following meditation is one you can use when you want to re-awaken to Spirit. It can also be used for self-renewal or in the elimination of fear when you need encouragement to continue in the midst of challenges:

Sit or lie comfortably in a place where you will be undisturbed. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Feel the circulation of the in-breath and the out-breath. Breathe naturally, slowly and in flow with the rhythm of your body. See pure white light emanating within you each time you inhale. The light dissolves all physical, emotional or mental discomfort you are carrying. This divine white light cleanses your body, mind and spirit.

In this relaxed state, hold the intent to meet with your Higher Self- the loving and wise inner teacher- Spirit- who is always present within you. This loving self now comes to you in a gentle and easily recognizable way. You see, feel or sense its presence arising within you through your in-coming breath. You feel expanded in your inner wisdom and vision. Your heart opens and awakens to receive this reassuring guidance, which is revealed to you through your inner senses.
Ask Spirit to infuse your awareness completely with its unlimited love and abundance in this moment. Breathe deeply and surrender your concerns in this compassionate embrace. Feel the strength of this inner self that is beyond words and thoughts. Bask in its renewal of you and with the profound realization that you are continually nurtured by this limitless source of love. Breathe deeply and feel this luminous energy open your heart to forgiveness, acceptance and peace. In this and every moment, you are healed.

Imagine yourself giving to others, unencumbered by restrictions. Ask your Higher Self to reveal to you a current circumstance in your life in which you can use this love. This may be in your job, health, family issue or relationship. Whatever it is, it is genuine because it is an expression of your soul. Do not judge the image; simply open your heart to receive it. Imagine this outpouring of love is showering each person, including you, with many blessings. Ask Spirit to open the necessary doorways to bring this vision into physical manifestation. Now release all concerns. Breathe deeply and feel refreshed, renewed and transformed.

If you do not find peace
Inside your own heart,
Then you will not find it
Anywhere else on earth.

- -from Heart-Songs by Sri Chinmoy.

Ty Bollinger

Paul Meidinger went to a lecture by Ty Bollinger last Thursday.

Here is Ty's website.

http://www.cancertruth.net/

Well, got in late today.

Didn't make it until 11:20.

Forgot to tell Lisa that she had an 11 am appointment.
Forgot she had an 11 Am appointment.
We both missed the 11 am appointment.

Received a box from New Leaf with buckets in it. Strange, because they sell books. Called them, left a message. Haven't heard back from them.

I didn't order buckets.

Was offered a good deal to change my credit card processing.

They were supposed to give me a new processing machine and upgrade my Quickbooks Pro software to 09.

Now they are saying I have to choose. I told them I'm not a big fan of the bait & switch.
They said they'd get back to me.

These salepeople will say anything to get in your pants.

Hurt my wrist over the weekend digging up a garden to plant vegetables.
Or maybe it was mowing the lawn.
Blowing up ballons?
Videtaping Sewickley's Memorial Day Parade?
Hitting the TV mute button too often?

Who knows.

Rush Limbaugh is still a big, fat idiot.

http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2009/05/rush-limbaugh-the-niggers-are-coming-for-their-reparations/

I wish Texas would succede.

Then we would get rid of at least 50% of the redneck/KKK legislators in the US Congress. (They're just so strange looking: translucent pieces of greasy chicken with multiple chins and hairpieces.)

Is Twitter the CB radio of the aughts?

Thanks to Rick Cempie

In a zoo in California , a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely and due to their tiny size, they died shortly after birth.

The mother tiger, after recovering from the delivery, suddenly started to decline in health, although physically she was fine. The veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve.

After checking with many other zoos across the country, the depressing news was that there were no tiger cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning mother. The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been tried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species.

The only "orphans" that could be found quickly, were a litter of weaning pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger. Would they become cubs or pork chops? Take a look...you won't believe your eyes!!

Now, please tell me one more time...........
Why can't the rest of the world get along?

WEDNESDAY NIGHT HEALING CIRCLE

Join us every Wednesday night from 7 to 9 at the Open Mind Bookstore for our wonderful Healing Circle. The Healing Circle is open to those who have been attuned to Reiki, to those who use other healing modalities, or to those who really feel a need to receive healing energies from warm caring people. This is a wonderful way to practice your Reiki and experience different peoples' energies. By coming weekly, you will begin to tune into the experience and become much more comfortable as a healer. You will also be around "like minded" people who have a lot of interesting information to share. What a way to grow in your awareness!

The Healing Circles are lead by Lisa McCormack who is here the 2nd and 4th Wed. and by Deborah Donoghue who is here the 1st and 3rd Wed. Each week Lisa and Deborah have everyone share words with the group, followed by a Guided Meditation and then you break down into groups to share healing energy with each other. This is such a wonderful way to practice as well as relax and enjoy a treatment yourself!Please give us a try.....we would love to have you join us! In the winter months, it's always good to call ahead to make sure someone will be leading if the snow is falling.......Thank you

Donation: $5 requested

Great news!
Jim Donovan will be at the Open Mind on Friday, March 13!

15th Anniversary Spirit Fair

Hello, This Sunday is our 15th Anniversary Spirit Fair.

Yes, it's been 15 years since the Open Mind was established in a one room log cabin in the wilds of Penn's Woods. (As I tell my great grandchildren, "I used to walk 6 miles a day, uphill, both ways, just to get enlightenment!)

Some said that we was gettin' bigger than our britches when we got electric and hifallutan when the indoor WC was installed. But that's growin pains for ya.

So we are having a 15% Off Sale on Sunday to thank you for all your support throughout the years.

You can sign up for advance appointments if you like.

http://www.theopenmind.com/

FREE ADMISSION!

15% OFF SALE !!!

Patricia Mauro - Palm Readings

Mary Faith - Angelic Channeling

Pat McGuire - Psychic Tarot Readings

Nora - Intuitive Readings

Paul Meidinger - Psychic Readings

Debbie Donoghue - Chakra Balancing

Alicia Fronczek - Intuitive Energy Massage
Aura Photography with Lisa McCormack

Have You Smudged Your Home Lately?

Smudging is a powerful ancient Native American ritual for clearing and blessing the energetic fields of people and spaces. Techniques for using tools such as sage bundles, incense, candles, smokeless smudge sprays, aromatherapy oils, crystals and sound to clear and balance personal space can be easily learned by everyone.

Simply using a smoldering sage stick throughout your home can cleanse the space of spiritual or psychic negativity that has gathered over time. At a subtle and subatomic level, the smoke from this purifying herb captures and removes unwanted negativity or "stuck" energy. Often the space feels lighter and more positive immediately after the smudging ritual.

A personalized clearing may include sound from a bell or drum, the placing about of salt or crystals, and specific affirmations or prayers for balance or to call in more positive energies. The Smudging and Blessings Book is a great resource for designing your ritual and offers specific suggestions including how to clear unhealthy relationships or attract love, bless a new home or baby, and celebrate seasonal changes.

At the Open Mind we offer a wide range of support and resources for your space clearing needs. Staff offers guidance to help you design and choose appropriate products. Mary Faith, Phil and I are also available to come to your home and do a team clearing and blessing with you and your family. Gift certificates are available and a house blessing makes a thoughtful wedding or moving gift.

Now is the time. Smudge, clear, and make room for all the good things that will soon be coming your way!

- Lisa McCormack

(A licensed Social Worker, Lisa does massage, Reiki, and Synergy Therapy at the Open Mind.)

New Year Message from Debbie Donoghue

Hi Everyone.......Well, I'm starting off 2009 a bit behind schedule. I just can't seem to "catch up" at times!! I would like to share a few words about the energies for the first few months of this New Year.

This New Year has left many of us feeling desperate to get our lives back to normal. We feel the financial markets effect on our investments and savings, the job market looking grim, our spiritual lives feeling empty and our physical and emotional bodies in dire need of a tune up!! Does this about sum things up for you? As I have said before, this is a clearing, one unlike any we have experienced in the past. Things will shift, but it will take a bit more time. Navigating in these higher energies is a challenge. We can no longer live our lives as we have in the past, or should I say as we have been told and taught to do. If you continue to negotiate the challenges you are facing in the manor you always have, you will continue to feel drained and defeated. All of us feel we are on a "Spiritual Path", one that is, I suppose, non traditional and for a higher purpose than many around us. We take workshops, classes, read books that are sure to expand our awareness and we talk, yes, we talk. It is now time to not just talk but to walk our walk!! All of what we have learned, read, heard and truly believe needs to be the way we live our lives daily! We need to believe we are Creators, that all is in Divine Order, and remove all of our doubts and fears that are blocking our growth. Bring your thoughts down to your "heart chakra" and feel what you know on a deeper level. Do this every time you feel out of sorts and trust that you are on a cusp of a great awakening. Many of you are being pushed in uncomfortable ways. You are resisting "change", you are holding onto old thought forms that are causing you to doubt all that you have learned. Each one of you has spent years taking steps to awaken your Soul and now that the energies have be amped up, you step back and say, "Wait, I didn't think it was going to be like this." Hold onto a Mantra, hold onto a thought, do what you need to do that will allow you to live the life you have been preparing for for so long. You can do it!!! When you get out of bed each morning start with a positive thought and then feel it, feel it in every cell of your body and hold that thought. At the end of each day, give thanks for your life and those who crossed your path that day.....an attitude of gratitude!!! Remember....."We are all Creator, each sailing out on a voyage of self discovery. Each one of us is guided by a unique chart, of which there is no duplicate."

Believe......2009!
In Love and Service,Deborah

Lily Dale 2009

Lily Dale Assembly Lily Dale 2009

The 130th season at Lily Dale will be from June 26, 2009 through September 6, 2009!

Our season will again begin with The Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery. Register early for their Opening ceremony on Saturday, June 27, and their Closing ceremony on Tuesday, June 30, as seating is limited. They will also be doing a special Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing in the evening on Saturday, June 27. If you are unable to attend the ceremonies, be sure to stop in the Assembly Hall between those dates to watch them make the Mandala. The Monks bring wonderful energy, joy and peace with them to help our season get started.

Other season events are:
Victorian Weekend—July 10 - July 12 featuring an Evening with Mike Randall as Mark Twain on July 10 and a Victorian Séance on July 11

Barbara Hand Clow & Gerry Clow—July 17 – July 19

Children’s Week—July 19 - July 24

Robert Peng—July 20 – July 21

The Ghost Hunters: Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson—Two Show: July 25 & July 26

Michelle Whitedove—July 31

Canadian Weekend—July 31 – August 3

Sandra Anne Taylor & Colette Baron-Reid—August 1

Rosemary Altea—August 8

Chris Fleming—August 15

Robert Schwartz & Corbie Mitleid—August 22

Sharon Klingler—August 29

John White—September 4 – September 6

Weekly Ghostwalks

Weekly Astrology Roundtables

Also, over 100 workshops with many returning favorites and first time presenters

Be sure to plan on attending the Costume Party to benefit the Lily Dale Endowment Fund on Saturday, August 8. It will be a great time for a great cause!

Workshop brochures will be mailed out in early February.

Visit our website at http://www.lilydaleassembly.com beginning January 26 to check out the complete workshop schedule. We will begin accepting workshop registrations on Monday, February 2, 2009. Be sure to register early for workshops with limited class sizes. You may register online or by phone at (716) 595-8721 between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday - Friday

We will also begin taking hotel reservations on February 2, 2009. You may submit a reservation request online or by phone at (716) 595-8721 between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday – Friday.

We look forward to seeing all of you this season!

Abundance and blessings,

Sue & Debbie

Our mailing address is:
Lily Dale Assembly
PO Box 248
5 Melrose Park
Lily Dale, NY 14752

Our telephone:
716-595-8721

If you've never been to Lily Dale, you must go. It's not very far from here and the ride is quite pleasant. Maybe we could all go up together in bus?

Phil

Yinz got bookz?

I sell Action Figures at the Bookstore.





Well, I actually sell a lot of different things at the Bookstore.

People come in and say, "What's all this, I thought you were a bookstore."

Yes, we are a Bookstore but in the age where people come in and look at books and then go and order them online, with nary a feeling towards the future of the Open Mind, we have to sell more than books.

Some people even ask for paper and pencil to write down their choices.

Here is what they say.

"Oh, I'm writing these down:

a) so I don't forget

b) so I can give my daughter and son a list of what I want

c) so I can check and see if I have these at home,

or

d) so I can pick them up next time."

Pretty clever.

For a long time I held my tongue. I even had some 'Christians' come into the store and have me look up some Aramaic translations of the Bible. I even gave a woman the isbn numbers (it was a long time ago). As they left the good 'Christian' woman looked back at me and laughed because she had pulled the wool over my eyes.

And they call 'new age' a cult.

Isn't evil, evil?

If you use evil to fight so called evil, it's still evil.

If you torture people to save other people, you are still committing acts of evil.

Anyway, I also sell actions figures.

Why?

Because the appeal to my sense of irony and because they make people laugh.

The other day, a customer asked, "what do people do with these?"

I just said that they were for fun.

No response.

That they made people laugh?

Nothing.

I used to be that serious all the time. Thank goodness that I'm not anymore.

We can all use a good laugh, especially when we have so many evil 'good' people running around, with no ability to think for themselves or to think beyond themselves.

I love humanity, it's people I can't stand.

So I'm sitting in the emergency room waiting to hear what's going on with Lisa.