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 By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift
Network
Happy New Year! On behalf of the entire Shift Network
staff, faculty and partners, I want to wish you, your loved ones and our
growing community a joyous year!
The New Year is a wonderful time to reflect on the positive strides and
challenges of the previous year and to make renewed commitments of personal
transformation for the year ahead. For my beloved wife Devaa, and me, we were
blessed with inspiration that came from a surprising source. Over the holidays,
we traveled to the Yucatan where we met a truly luminous Mayan elder called
Abuelo Antonio. He has been following The Shift Network and said, "We've been
waiting for you!"
The experience with Abuelo was truly profound. We participated in a sacred
ceremony in which his Mayan elder was passing the torch of his powers, which I
write about in an article below.
Being with Abuelo was a beautiful example of what The Shift Network is all
about — love in action, really living with reverence for all of life. We
are co-creating a global community where ancient spiritual wisdom, emerging
science and social action all exist side-by-side often in beautifully
integrated ways.
With the growing challenges in the world, it is all the more important that
each of us continue to renew our commitments to being the change we want to see
in the world.
In this edition of The Catalyst, we celebrate the start of the Winter
of Wellness — 60 Days to Optimal Health for Your Body, Mind, Heart &
Soul. We are offering a free summit with 40 of the world's leading wellness
teachers to help you, your family and friends break through old patterns of
struggle, stress and sickness... and step into a life of vitality, joy and love
for your body, mind, heart and soul. (To register free, click
here.)
It is essential for each of us to take good care of ourselves so we can be
better instruments of love, allowing higher guidance to flow through us in
grounded, practical and tangible ways.
We have remarkable articles from Dr. Larry Dossey and Dr. Alberto Villoldo. We
also have an inspiring profile from Sandra Ingerman about how she became a
renowned shamanic teacher. Sandra has inspired many of our community members
through her Shamanic Journeying courses with us. We also feature a New Year
video message from wellness champion Dr. Andrew Weil.
In Shift Philanthropy, we are featuring Shakespeare at San Quentin, a
project of the Marin Shakespeare Company that is close to our hearts. Finally,
our featured artist is Geotic.
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 Mayan Consciousness — Abuelo Antonio Oxté
— recorded in Sisbicchén, Yucatán
Abuelo Antonio Oxté: Guardian of the Mayan
Ancient Energy Medical Tradition, he was born in the community of Tzucacab,
Yucatán, México. He received his first initiations by the hands
of his maternal grandmother, parents and Family. More information on Abuelo
Antonio Oxté located in Sisbicchén – click
here.
 The Five Pillars of Good Health
Want to keep it simple in the New Year? Here are Dr.
Andrew Weil's five most fundamental and powerful pieces of health advice.
Practice all five, and 2015 promises to be your healthiest year yet. In the
true spirit of integrative medicine, these tips don't cover only physical
health — there is wisdom for the mind and spirit here, too. See all
of Dr. Weil's videos here.
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 How Deep Is Our Connectedness?
By Larry Dossey, MD
One of the great lessons of twentieth-century medical research is that social
connectedness and interaction with others promote health and wellness, and
isolation inhibits it. Nature did not design us to be alone. Sometimes this
awareness bursts forth spontaneously . . . [read more]
 Optimal Brain Function: A Mind-Body-Spirit Approach
to Brain Health and Avoiding Memory Loss
By Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D.
What we know about
the brain and its functioning has increased dramatically in the last decade or
so. Although many people fear developing memory loss as they grow older, or
struggle with brain fog in middle age, scientists are now discovering that
ancient techniques for keeping our minds free from stressors complement modern
ways of preventing brain diseases . . . [read more]
A Lesson in Love and Power — From a Mayan
Abuelo
By Stephen
Dinan
Over the New Year's
holiday, we were blessed to spend time in the Yucatan, Mexico, and meet a true
man of love who shines with such a divine luminosity — the revered Mayan
elder, Abuelo Antonio Oxté.
Abuelo means
grandfather in Spanish and there is a way in which Antonio welcomed us into his
heart and spiritual family instantly with a bear hug, radiant eyes, and words
of such tender appreciation that we felt we'd been family for
millennia . . . [read more]
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 Walking in Light: The Everyday of Shamanic Life
By Sandra Ingerman
I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and although I lived in a city I felt so
connected to nature. I loved life and the Earth! I came home from school
everyday and sang to a tree outside of my house, to the birds, and then to the
moon at night.
I always had a spiritual connection not just to nature but also with the
invisible realms that are spoken about in the practice of shamanism. At the age
of seven I was hit by lightning, and when I regained consciousness I returned
with a heightened spiritual awareness . . . [read more]
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 James O'Dea's New Book: The Shift Network is delighted to
announce our lead peace faculty James O'Dea has published a
new book: The Conscious Activist: Where Activism Meets
Mysticism. The Conscious Activist is truly a masterpiece for
our time as it describes the many rigorous initiations needed before the power
of the activist can become one with the power of the mystic. To order your
copy, click here.
 New Film screenings of Awake: The Life of
Yogananda are taking place in Theaters across the United
States and Canada. To find a showing near you or to arrange for a screening, click here. (The filmmakers were
interviewed in the Summer of Peace, the recording is available for free.)
 A gift for you: to clear what’s standing between you and life
dreams. Lion Goodman, one of The Shift Network’s faculty
members, has brought out iClearIt, an amazing new app
for the iPhone and iPad. It’s a powerful process for clearing
whatever is in your way: physical discomfort, pain, emotional upset, bad
feelings, or resistance to doing what you need to do. A videotaped coach
walks you through every step of this embodied mindfulness process. It
works like magic, and the app is getting rave reviews. Lion is generously
offering the app for free, for a very limited time. Visit www.iClearIt.com to learn more, and to access
your free copy of iClearIt.
Free Videos and Course on Money and Life
— Money problems can cause a lot of stress. For the first time ever, our
friends Lynne Twist and Dave Ellis, who are both expert facilitators and
best-selling authors, are offering four videos and a telecourse on money for
free. Find out more here.
Sandra Ingerman New Book and CD: The Shift Network is
delighted to announce these new releases by Sandra Ingerman, one of our
prolific faculty:
 Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of a Shamanic
Life (Sounds True, February 2015) is a resource filled with
practices, journeys, and insights to help you improve your state of health and
well-being, deepen your relationship with spirit and nature, tap into your
creative potential, and live from the heart. Sandra Ingerman offers a complete
guide for living in a shamanic way — empowered by purpose, focus, and
deep connection to the spiritual dimensions. The passion behind writing
this book comes from Sandra’s deep commitment to share tools to maintain
a state of hope and feel empowered during these times of change and to teach
how we can be positive changemakers for all of life and the Earth by
integrating spiritual practices into our lives. To order your copy, click here.
 With Shamanic Visioning Music: Taiko Drum
Journeys (Sounds True, February 2015), renowned teacher
Sandra Ingerman and the performers of Taiko Sol bring you an album of taiko
music specifically created for the practice of shamanic journeying. Featuring
dynamic drumming arrangements of Nagado and Odaiko drums and Sandra’s
invaluable guidance for using this music to enter altered states of
consciousness, this is a perfect addition to any shamanic library. To order
your copy, click here.
 World Peace
Library – Free Resource — Be sure to take advantage of
the World Peace
Library, a wide-ranging resource on peace newly compiled by the Shift
Network: It contains more than 300 inspiring talks and mini-workshops from
individuals such as Archbishop Tutu, Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, Jane
Goodall, Deepak Chopra, James O'Dea, Karen Armstrong, Chief Phil Lane and many
more. With neuroscientists and lamas, faith-based activists and political
leaders, this Library offers something for all in their peacebuilding efforts.
The Shift Network has made the World Peace Library a free resource for all and
encourages its use to promote peace in your families, schools, and wider
community.
1 Billion
Acts of Peace — a global community of everyday people
performing thoughtful actions that contribute to world peace. The Shift Network
is delighted to join Peacejam Foundation, Google, Wells Fargo, Hill+Knowlton
Strategies and many others have come together to create the "One Billion
Acts of Peace" Campaign — an international global citizens' movement
designed to tackle the most important problems facing our planet. To learn
more, click here.
Special Peace, Dinner & Concert benefiting
Peace Through Commerce – Austin, Texas – Saturday,
February 7, 2015 – Featuring: Walt Wilkins, Tina Wilkins, Bill Small,
Bill Worrell, & Sam Baker. To register – click here. (To learn more about Peace Through
Commerce, click
here).
Sign Petition to Establish a United Kingdom
Department of Peace. The Ministry of Peace would shift the
paradigm towards a new architecture of peace by supporting and establishing
activities that promote a culture of peace in the United Kingdom and the world.
To sign the petition, click here.
The Alliance for
Peacebuilding Updates:
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Save the Date: The Alliance for Peacebuilding – 2015 Annual
Conference – Peacebuilding and Democracy in a Turbulent
World – May 13 to 15, 2015 – Washington,
DC — Issues of governance, legitimacy, fragility, and
disenfranchisement underlie many conflicts raging around the world, including
ISIS in Syria and Iraq, Ukraine, South Sudan, the Central African Republic,
Ebola in West Africa and with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that ebbs and
flows without a clear path to resolution. The peacebuilding and
governance/democracy communities recognize the need to work together. The
conference will explore the links between these fields, and will help build
bridges in both theory and practice to take on today’s most complex
global crises. Registration coming soon. Look for updates – click here. For questions or concerns, contact
Emily Mallozzi, Membership & Outreach Manager, at emily@allianceforpeacebuilding.org.
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Check out this compelling article on Foreign Policy by AfP's own Senior Fellow
Christopher Holshek, What the Pentagon Can Learn From
Carpenter. Ending a war is difficult, but harder still is the
work of building peace. And soldiers shouldn't be doing it. The article
addresses the need to bolster military's transition to civilian structures and
thereby invest in sustainable peace and security. Holshek weaves together
lessons from Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Liberia as it grapples with Ebola.
If you have an announcement to share, please write: editor@theshiftnetwork.com
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2015
Catalyst: (#1, 1/11)
2014
Catalyst: (#26, 12/28) (#25, 12/14) (#24, 11/30) (#23, 11/16) (#22, 11/1) (#21, 10/19) (#20, 10/5) (#19, 9/21) (#18, 9/14) (#17, 9/01) (#16, 8/17) (#15, 8/3) (#14, 7/20) (#13, 7/4) (#12, 6/15) (#11, 6/1) (#10, 5/18) (#9, 5/4) (#8, 4/20) (#7, 4/6) (#6, 3/23) (#5, 3/9) (#4, 2/22) (#3, 2/8) (#2, 1/26) (#1, 1/12)
2013 Catalyst: (#22, 12/14) (#21, 11/30) (#20, 11/16) (#19, 11/3) (#18, 10/20) (#17, 10/6) (#16, 9/21) (#15, 9/8) (#14, 8/25) (#13, 8/4) (#12, 7/21), (#11, 7/7), (#10, 6/16) (#9, 6/2) (#8, 5/12) (#7, 4/28) (#6, 4/14) (#5, 3/24) (#4, 2/24) (#3, 2/9) (#2, 1/26) (#1, 1/13)
Birth 2012 Catalyst: (#15, 12/9) (#14, 12/1) (#13, 11/22) (#12, 11/10) (#11, 11/3) (#10, 10/20) (#9, 10/6) (#8, 9/16) (#7, 9/8) (#6, 8/25) (#5, 8/16) (#4, 8/4) (#3, 7/28) (#2, 7/21) (#1, 7/14)
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Plan your food each day. Eat an extra serving of veggies and try a new fruit or
veggie you've never tried before. Also, be mindful to eat more food that is
grown within 10 miles of where you live.
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 The Art of Feminine Alchemy: How to Move Beyond
Personal Healing to Archetypal Transformation — A Free Virtual
Event Especially For Women with Devaa Haley Mitchell and Elayne Kalila Doughty.
Are you ready to move beyond the continual rehashing of old stories, wounds and
limiting beliefs about yourself but are unclear how to make this shift?
January 14, 5:30pm Pacific
 The Peace
Ambassador Training: A 16-Session Online Certification Program —
Created by James O'Dea, Facilitated by Philip Hellmich and Emily Hine.
Discover The Leading-Edge Practices and Tools You Need to Cultivate Peace and
Healing In Your Heart, Family, Community and Our World.
New Training Begins Wednesday, January 14, 2015
 The Sacred
Journey of the Conscious Evolutionary 2.0: Birthing a New You within a
Community of Pioneering Souls — A 5-month Adventure in Personal
& Social Transformation with Celebrated Teacher and Bestselling Author Barbara
Marx Hubbard,
along with Co-Facilitators Patricia Ellsberg and Carolyn Anderson and bonus
trainings from 12 pioneers such as Deepak Chopra, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Ken
Wilber, Bruce Lipton & Neale Donald Walsch.
New Live Training Starts Tuesday, January 20, 2015
 Mutual
Awakening: Living into the Spontaneity, Freedom & Intimacy of the Higher
We — With contemporary spiritual teacher Patricia Albere.
New Live Virtual Training Starts Tuesday, January 20,
2015
More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
January
• Winter of
Wellness summit
• Rising Women Rising World summit
• Scilla Elworthy 7-week course
• Thomas
Huebl 9-week course
• Devaa
Haley Mitchell & Elayne Doughty 7-month program
February
• Body Intelligence Summit
• Katie & Gay Hendricks 7-week course
• Terry Patten 7-week course
• Sofia Diaz 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 7-week course
• Sandra Ingerman 12-week course
• Tim Kelley
6-month intensive
March
• Transforming Aging Summit
• Thrive Summit
• Whole Earth Summit
• HeartMath 7-week course
• Ron Pevny 7-week course
• Mark Matousek 7-week course
• Michael Gelb 7-week course
• Ken Page 10-week course
April
• Spring of Sustainability
• Shelly Lefkoe 7-week course
• Tim Kelley 7-week course
• Gay Hendricks 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey & Sally Kempton 6-month intensive
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Shakespeare at San Quentin
— The Shift Network is a proud supporter of the Marin Shakespeare
Company's project: Shakespeare at San Quentin which
offers weekly classes, culminating in an annual performance of a Shakespeare
play. The men also write and perform autobiographical theatre pieces inspired
by their work with Shakespeare. Also, The Shift Network's Devaa Haley Mitchell
volunteers with this program. To learn more, watch videos of performances and
performers' testimonials and/or make a donation click here.
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Geotic
By Jeffrey Kihn
Geotic is the side-project of Will Wiesenfeld, a
25-year-old, classically-trained pianist-turned-guitarist/singer/producer from
Los Angeles, better-known within the electronic music niche as Baths.
It isn’t a project that he says much about, or even makes much
fuss over. For most of Geotic’s 7-year life, all of the music was
available for free access on a simple webpage — and most Geotic albums
were written and in a matter of days, in a fit of inspiration, often using a
single instrument.
Put simply, every Geotic recording captures a tender moment. This is
evident in his titles. One fan noticed that the titles of Mend, my personal favorite of his albums,
make an intimate poem: "Unwind, beaming husband. Find your peace; time
passes in a slow sundown. Disrobe and come to bed; get held. Sleep, and we'll
transition into some spirit world. Our awe: the sprawling, glorious newness.
I'll have come and gone with you through the lush and undiscovered. And, upon
awakening, we've mended."
Musically, each piece is like the "good bit" of a pop song
instrumental, looped around and around, savoring the moment. Wiesenfeld’s
favorite instrument for this work, a gently-plucked guitar, wraps us in a warm
blanket of fuzz and the safety of home.
Listen to Geotic online here.
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