Look for Yourself

The Intention Experiment starting 9/11

Here is some true Monkey Business - a global intention experiment that needs some action on your part - from home or work - using meditative time each day. Said to be the biggest global intention experiment toward world peace ever attempted. See what it's all about HERE

One mind - one heart

Check it out.

Story Tellers for Good

I found this awesome website through my connection to Wiser Earth where I am a member of The Social Network for Sustainability. Wiser Earth is a global community organization and I highly promote their education, action and community.

Story Tellers for Good is a team of passionate journalists and photographers who seek to use their skills to inspire optimism and change. They aim to tell and promote stories of people and organizations making a positive difference.

Here is one of their videos from The Random Act of Kindness Foundation.  Check it out for a wonderful way to spend your day paying it forward..

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: Kindness 101 from Storytellers For Good on Vimeo.

What are you doing today?

Astrology Points the Way if We Listen

Personal growth = planetary health


Like astrology, we are connected to more than the eye can see. Just because we can't see a blockage that stands in our way doesn't mean it isn't there (as we have learned throughout history over and over again.)

So...it is time.

Astrology Points the Way if We Listen

Hundredth Monkey Controversies

I did a recent search on "The Hundredth Monkey" to see what good things others folks are sharing.  I found all sorts of uses for the name such as a blog on lifestyle change called The Savvy Vegetarian and an art studio in Portland Oregon "Where creativity is contagious."  Wonderful!

I also found more controversy than I ever expected! You can read a well crafted repudiation of the whole effect from the Skeptical Inquirer written back in 1985 that is wonderful food for thought!  And there's lots more where that came from. 

Then along came more information from the Ken Keyes Jr. camp reiterating it as a phenomenon.

This is all great reading if you're interested in the he said - she said on the subject.

In the end, I like this quote from Elaine Myers in The Hundredth Monkey Revisited the best when she says -

"What the research does suggest... is that holding positive ideas (as important a step as this is) is not sufficient by itself to change the world. We still need direct communication between individuals, we need to translate our ideas into action, and we need to recognize the freedom of choice of those who choose alternatives different from our own."

This sounds like the road to good communication and greater peace if you ask me. Worth the controversy if this is where it goes...

May peace on Earth prevail!

Where do you weigh in?

Gael

Photo credit Bob Alba

Blessed Earth Day

Today is officially Earth Day and a wonderful mindful celebration across the globe the we are called to be respectful of our home and protective of our assets for ourselves and for generations to come.

Here's a link to EarthDay.org a website dedicated to sharing options and education and good exciting stuff you can get involved with including how you can make a pledge to do something on your own at act.EarthDay.org.

Go be the Monkey and have some fun being green!!

What does that look like for you?

Enjoy :)

Blessed Unrest

Beautiful and inspiring video from environmentalist and sustainable living advocate Paul Hawken called Blessed Unrest and WiserEarth.

"It is up to us to decide how will we be,

who will we be..

It is about solutions.

Humankind knows what to do..."

Click here to view the video of Paul's speech and here to join the web community Wiser Earth.

I'd be honored if you joined me there as well - let's see what we can do. Gael Chiarella Alba

Blessings today.

Healing the Waters of Japan

Do you know the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto? You can find out more about his research and view some amazing pictures on his website Welcome to the World of Water.

Through his research into the nature of water and crystals, he has photographs documenting the difference between  a "thank you" water crystal and one that embodies "you fool."  Powerful stuff, since we ourselves are mostly ... water. 

The human body is more than 60 percent water. Blood is 92 percent water, the brain and muscles are 75 percent water, and bones are about 22 percent water.

Essentially, the capturing of water's 'expressions' is what Dr. Emoto has done. He developed a technique to photograph newly formed crystals of frozen water samples. A powerful microscope in a very cold room allowed this to be done. 

Through his work with water Dr. Emoto advises us "We have learned that our human consciousness is related to water at deeper level through water crystal technology. And this fact has resonated with different people in different countries. However, this fact has not been taught at any school. The words, “Thank you” have positive vibrations and the words “You fool” have negative vibrations and to ignore is to deny the existence itself and this will give the most negative effects."

Moving into current world events, this is a You Tube link to his frame of reference for the waters surrounding the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.  Here too is a link to his blog so you can keep the action going.

He suggests the simplicity of the following prayer for the waters of Japan.

"To all people on the earth, we are water.

Let’s become one by offering love and gratitude to water...

Water is what connects everything.

(Say to yourself)
I’m sorry,
Please forgive me,
I thank you,
And I love you." 

By doing this you will be joining with people from all over the world who are doing the same thing.  Originally scheduled as a single prayer, Dr. Emoto has called for the addition of ten days of joined intention.

What an astounding thing to know how you can use the power of your mind to affect change in this situation - just as Ken Keyes suggested in his work on The Hundredth Monkey Effect.

May you always know the power of your own consciousness, and find peace for yourself and the world.

Namaste.

The Power of One

Have you seen the beautiful video "The Power of One" yet?
Take a minute and be empowered.
Take a breath and be inspired!

  You matter. They did...

The Power of One

http://www.oneearth.org

Photo credit: GCA by Bob Alba

The Address We All Need To Hear

Hello fellow Monkeys!

This is the most awe-inspiring speech I have read in a long time.  Not since Randy Pausch's Last Lecture have I been so moved to share...this is a snippet from Paul Hawken as he addressed the graduates of 2009 at The University of Portland:

"You are Brilliant, and the Earth is Hiring. The earth couldn’t afford to send recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating.

Take the hint. And here’s the deal:

Forget that this task of planetsaving is not possible in the time required.

Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible.

Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.

When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand the data.

But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren’t optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse."

From The Commencement Address by Paul Hawken to the Class of 2009

Take a moment and a deep breath, or make yourself a cup of tea and click on to read the rest of his words.  An inspiring call to action.  An awesome recognition of potential.

You can also joinWiser Earth, the organization he co-founded and get in on more of the conversation.  I did.

 
The Social Network for Sustainability

Blessed be.
Gael

Photo by Bob Alba

Jack LaLanne Was One For Sure!

The Jack LaLanne Show

"Before there was power yoga and Tae-Bo, there was Jack LaLanne, who devoted his life to making Americans fit and healthy. LaLanne, who died Sunday at age 96, became the fitness conscience of the nation after his daily TV show on exercise and nutrition debuted in the 1950s. Although the show aired for more than three decades, he is a distant memory for many Americans, a quirky part of cultural history. But up to the end of his life — he died of respiratory failure from pneumonia at his home in Morro Bay, Calif. — he remained as dedicated as ever to getting the country in shape"  

This is the first paragraph of today's NPR article that highlights the man and the mission.

I remember him well - first because I used to watch his TV show with my beloved Grandma as we held the backs of her kitchen chair to maintain balance as he barked commands out at us and we giggled.  She, teasing me because I was so young - she, teasing herself because she was not so young anymore. Perhaps a memory like this (which surfaces for me again and again) helps to account for my 30-year career teaching people how to move their bodies and enjoy the process.

Second came the opportunity to see and hear him live as the closing keynote at a fitness convention in California...a spry old man who leaped upon the stage and inspired everyone in the room with his deeply authentic no-holds barred presence.  2,000 young, fit, sleek aerobic stars rose to their feet and gave the man the longest standing ovation I have ever witnessed anywhere - ever. It was awesome.

Today I salute this Hundredth Monkey.

He challenged an entire Nation to get fit and stay fit.  He followed his muse.  He shared the good news.  He lived his truth. He made a huge difference.

May you all be inspired to follow your own, and to share who you are with the rest of us.

Blessings,
Gael