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 By Devaa Haley Mitchell, co-founder of The Shift Network
This is a pivotal moment in history for everyone who has experienced sexual abuse or harassment — but especially for women, who have been the targets and victims of the majority of these acts.
Vox News reports that more than 200 celebrities, politicians, CEOs, and others in positions of influence have been accused of sexual misconduct since April 2017, when the fall of Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly and then media mogul Harvey Weinstein helped pave the way for the #MeToo Movement and all that has transpired since then.
While there’s been a constant onslaught of media sound bites about these stories of predation and abuse, there have not been enough public spaces for deep and raw dialogues, where we can more fully understand the implications of the complex stories that are emerging…
We need greater clarity before we can explore the next steps, concrete positive actions, and the changes that are already under way, with the wisdom that empowers each of us to effectively engage and take part in collectively writing this next chapter of history.
And so the idea of The #MeToo Dialogues was born, spawned by a rich panel at last year’s UN Conference on the Status of Women, where I shared the stage with some powerful and deeply inspiring women, including Tony Award-winning actress Tonya Pinkins, former gymnast Rachel Denhollander, and ACLU Women’s Rights Project Director Lenora Lapidus, who all share their wisdom in this inspiring summit, which begins this Tuesday, July 17.
Our stellar lineup also includes #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, activist/author Eve Ensler, actress Rosanna Arquette, actress Marisa Tomei, actress Lili Bernard, Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith, trauma specialist Staci Haines, V-Men founder Mark Matousek, and many others. Register here for free → The #MeToo Dialogues.
To watch a 1-minute video invitation to the The #MeToo Dialogues from host Tonya Pinkins, click here.
In this edition of Catalyst, you’ll also find powerful and profound articles by Tonya Pinkins, Lizzy Goodman, Anneke Lucas, and Mark Matousek, each of whom share their personal stories related to the #MeToo theme. And that’s in addition to other wonderful content from Shift faculty and allies.
If you need support, here is a list of resources you can turn to for everything from domestic abuse to street harassment to sexual violence to trafficking, and much, much more.
Finally, we’d love to hear your answer to the question, How will you take the awarenesses brought forth by the #MeToo movement into the future? To share your thoughts in our Facebook Page community, click here.
I offer you a deep bow of gratitude for your ongoing attention to this highly important issue.
Tell your story.
Shout it. Write it.
Whisper it if you have to.
But tell it.
Some won't understand it.
Some will outright reject it.
But many will
thank you for it.
And then the most
magical thing will happen.
One by one, voices will start
whispering, 'Me, too.'
And your tribe will gather.
And you will never
feel alone again.
— L.R. Knost
 The Summer of Peace Letter is a free weekly email through September 20 that features inspiring leaders in the important fields of spirituality, neuroscience, peacebuilding, compassion, and peace education. The letter will provide insights and skills to help you find common ground even in challenging situations — in your family, friendships, business partnerships, and polarized social issues. (In some cases, it may help you gain a better understanding of the obstacles to finding common ground). Contributing partners include, Search for Common Ground, LiveAMoment.com, US Youth Rising, Alliance for Peacebuilding, Metta Center for Nonviolence, Nonviolent Communication Academy, and many more! To find out more and register to receive these weekly peace update, click here.
A Personal Invitation to the July 17–20 #MeToo Dialogues From Your Host, Tonya Pinkins
 #MeToo has ignited a global revolution. Beginning with Tarana Burke's powerful call for survivor sisterhood in 2006 to Alyssa Milano's tweet that sparked a global conversation to a continuing wave of women and men standing up, speaking out, and unifying their voices to say, #MeToo. This has been an incredible opportunity for me to collect a series of conversations with my friends. And it's your chance to discover stories of healing, brave acts of breaking silence, and what's next for the #MeToo movement.
To watch the video and read the rest of the text, click here.
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#MeToo Rouses a Yoga Community
By Anneke Lucas
 A few days into a workshop in 2001, with 400 or so students curled up into plow pose, I was suddenly groped by Pattabhi Jois. In absolute shock, I rolled to sitting.
Between the moment of the assault and my reaction, I felt the energy of something ancient and dirty as well as his excitement — like a little boy getting away with mischief.
He remonstrated: “Bad lady!” and I heard the mild laughter of the crowd at the guru’s joke.
To read more, click here.
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"The Past Life Regression Training" Facebook Live Q&A
 What if you could get to the roots of your current life challenges or discover exciting possibilities for bringing greater meaning and fulfilment into your life — in about an hour and a half? Popular Shift faculty and regression therapist Linda Backman will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on past life regression on Thursday, July 19, at Noon Pacific.
Please join Linda to hear her answer questions from the Shift community about how to reach beyond memory and traditional therapy to unearth lives and experiences already lived. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.
"Your Energy Codes: The Next Level of Energy Medicine" Facebook Live Q&A
 Would you like to discover the next level of energy medicine with proven practices and principles for manifesting your FULL potential? Popular Shift faculty and master of bioenergetic medicine Dr. Sue Morter will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on the key to healing imbalances and dis-ease in the body on Tuesday, July 24, at Noon Pacific.
Please join Dr. Sue to hear her answer questions from the Shift community about how to tap into the quantum field to expand your capacity to heal and create your life in each moment — and ask anything you'd like! Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.
"Unstoppable Health" Facebook Live Q&A
 Would you like to protect yourself from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cancer? Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzowill be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on how to outsmart your genes to feel younger, live stronger, and avoid long-term illness on Tuesday, July 24, at 5:00pm Pacific.
Please join Ritamarie to hear her answer questions from the Shift community about how to re-balance your endocrine system — the “master controller” of your health — with the right foods and lifestyle for YOUR body. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.
 Your Voice
We want to know: How will you take the awarenesses brought forth by the #MeToo movement into the future? To share your thoughts in our Facebook Page community, click here.
 Would you like to join The Shift Network team?
Are you someone who wants to be the “face and voice” of The Shift Network; someone who is professional, warm, engaging, and trustworthy; someone who is excited to perform as a Program Host for our live and pre-recorded audio and video online courses?
If you are inspired and passionate about joining our team, please click here for more information. The Shift Network is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. |
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In the #MeToo Era, Will You Choose Bitter or Better?
By Tonya Pinkins™, Host of The #MeToo Dialogues
 There are many points in a female’s life when she has to make the choice between Bitter and Better. I have chosen both sides at one point or another in my life. Now that I am a crone (I embrace this word), the challenges of adolescent acceptance and fitting in followed by the biological drive to mate and be fruitful are behind me. Because of my choices I feel more capable and powerful than I have ever felt. So what to do with all this freed-up power and energy?
Anything I want.
To read more, click here.
The Ex-dominatrix Teaching Women to Demand Respect Has a Very Simple Secret
By Lizzy Goodman (first published in The Cut)
 | | Photo: Eric Chakeen. Produced by Biel Parklee.
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Asia Argento knows about the frozen moment — the one where you shut down and get “tensed up,” to borrow the words of Megan Creydt, one of women who recently accused Charlie Rose of sexual harassment… It’s not just brazen or potentially criminal behavior that results in this moment of frozenness. In subtler ways, the moment can also happen in women’s quotidian encounters with men like bosses, boyfriends, and husbands. What exactly is that moment? This is the question Kasia Urbaniak, a dominatrix and Taoist nun turned empowerment coach, has been trying to answer for her entire life.
To read more, click here.
Rescue
By Mark Matousek
 These were the painful details I was sharing with Martha when she scrunched up her face all of a sudden and stopped me.
“You mother was raped?” she asked.
“All of the women in my family were raped,” I told her.
To read more, click here.
To read why Mark wrote this painfully intimate article, click here.
A Step-by-Step Sacred Practice to Connect to the Joy of the Beloved
How often, in these troubled times, have you longed to leap into the outstretched arms of the Divine to find the great love and infinite joy that await you there? What if you could plainly see that the unseen dimension that surrounds us is bursting with untold opportunities to welcome ever more peace, joy, and love into your heart?
The truth is, says mystic teacher Andrew Harvey, that the barrier separating you from the Beloved’s joyous embrace exists only because you believe it exists. There are powerful and effective spiritual practices that can help you connect with your higher Self, attain lasting peace, and experience the joy that flows from true connection to the Divine.
To read more, click here.
Click here for details about Andrew Harvey’s new 12-week program, Living in Joy: Sacred Practices to Deepen Your Relationship With the Beloved & Express Your Divine Purpose, which begins July 24. |
How to Build Energy Circuits for Healing and Manifestation
 Are you able to create everything you want out of life? Do you feel that everything you do feeds you, and gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment?
Or... are you curious about how to create something that you feel is missing — something that would enrich you, nourish your family, and improve the world around you?
In this 10-minute video, Dr. Sue Morter, a master of bioenergetic medicine and a quantum field visionary, reveals how you can supercharge BOTH your nervous system AND your electromagnetic essence — by building more energetic circuits..
To read more, click here.
Click here for details about Dr. Sue Morter’s new 7-week live video training, Your Energy Codes: The Next Level of Energy Medicine, which begins July 31.
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How to Protect Your Brain From Alzheimer’s
 Watching someone go through the throes of Alzheimer’s disease is heartbreaking. Especially when it’s someone you love, particularly when it’s a member of your family.
it’s not only difficult to keep them safe and provide the care they need, it’s also impossible not to worry, “What if this happened to me?”
In this 7-minute video, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology, shares an astonishing fact that will fill you with hope.
To read more, click here.
Click here to register for Dr. Ritamarie’s free video event,
Discover Unstoppable Health: How to Outsmart Your Genes to Feel Younger, Live Stronger & Avoid Long-term Illness, on Wednesday, July 18. |
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Verbal Self-Defense in the #MeToo Movement
Tonya Pinkins’ video interview with Kasia Urbaniak
(Special sneak preview content from The #MeToo Dialogues.)
 Founder and CEO of The Academy, Kasia Urbaniak, uses Taoist alchemy to strengthen relationships, families, workplaces, and communities, teaching others how to attain balanced leadership in the world. Join her and Tonya Pinkins as they explore the "freeze" response around sexual abuse — as well as the intricacies of power dynamics.
During this fascinating session, you'll discover:
- Energy practices to empower yourself in difficult situations
- How to use language to turn the tables on a sexual predator
- That you can transform your life by mastering both your dominant & submissive energies
To watch this insightful and profound video discussion, click here.
Why Gender Equality Is Good for Everyone — Men Included
 In this popular Ted Talk, Michael Kimmel makes the surprising, funny, practical case for treating men and women equally in the workplace and at home. It’s not a zero-sum game, but a win-win that will result in more opportunity and more happiness for everybody. Click here to watch this engaging, provocative, and humorous talk.
Video Interview with James O’Dea for Buddha at the Gas Pump
 James O’Dea is the award winning author of The Conscious Activist, Cultivating Peace, Soul Awakening Practice and other works. James is a former President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Washington office director of Amnesty International, and CEO of the Seva Foundation. He has taught peacebuilding to over a thousand students in 30 countries. He has also conducted frontline social healing dialogues around the world. He is a founding member of The Evolutionary Leaders group and on the Advisory Board of The Peace Alliance, Kosmos Journal, and the Laszlo New Paradigm Institute. To watch the interview, click here.
American Yogi
 American Yogi is a film about a young man who, inspired by Ram Dass's iconic book Be Here Now, which is about the Indian Saint Maharaj-ji, travels to India. There he comes face to face with the mind-altering world of ancient India, and must choose between the miracles he sees and life as he knew it. Soundtrack by Jai Uttal and Krishna Das. For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.
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The Feminine Power Breakthrough
A free ebook from Dr. Claire Zammit
 We want to share a valuable resource from our colleague and ally Claire Zammit PhD, who has spent the last two decades researching the most effective tools and practices to ignite women's highest potentials. In her work she discovered a surprising "power paradox" — an invisible reason why many women may be feeling stuck when it comes to responding to their higher calling and stepping forward into their greatness. And, more importantly, she’s created a map that women are using with unprecedented success to dissolve the barriers that were keeping them stuck.
We are happy to share a special gift from Claire today — a FREE ebook, The Feminine Power Breakthrough, that will shine a light on what may have been holding you back, and give you the tools to access your inner power and realize your unique destiny.
Access her ebook Here as a gift → The Feminine Power Breakthrough
Me, Too! Child and Adult Sexual Abuse and Prevention
 This book has taken the protective cover off the pervasiveness of sexual abuse of both children and adults. In Me, Too!, Susan Sophie Bierker, MSW not only brings awareness to the extent of this devastating problem but also offers remedies and effective prevention steps based on her 20+ years as a therapist helping victims and survivors such as herself. The dual mission of this book is to help us all become advocates for sexual abuse so that “Me, Too” becomes "No More" — and to help survivors heal and go on to lead fulfilling and happy lives. To order your copy, click here.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
 In 2013, the United Nations designated July 30 as the “World Day against Trafficking in Persons.” This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”
Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children, and men for numerous purposes, including forced labor and sex. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labor globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. While it is not known how many of these victims were trafficked, the estimate implies that currently, there are millions of trafficking in persons victims in the world. Click here for more information.
World Dance Day
 Hundreds of thousands of people in cities all over the world will meet in the (virtual) center of town on July 21 to dance through the streets to the same mix of music! Why are we dancing? To create an international celebration of our shared humanity, demonstrating how dance can unite the world in a day. For more information and to watch a 2-minute video, click here.
Alive & Inspired 5-day Renewal
October 18–23 at Mar de Jade Resort
 Immerse yourself in a 5-day renewal that will deeply nourish your body and soul, reignite your spark, inspire your creativity, and awaken what's possible. Alive & Inspired is for women who are ready to join with others at the intersection to pause, celebrate, and take inspired action to create the life they most desire. Each day will be infused with experiential exercises, self-inquiry, movement practices, and opportunities to deeply listen to what's calling you forth. You'll emerge refreshed and renewed, with valuable tools and a community to support your Alive & Inspired life. Space is limited! Enjoy $150 off this month when you mention “Shift.” Click here for details.
For several years, The Shift Network has hosted Indigenous leaders from around the world and invited them to share their sacred knowledge, rituals, and practices to guide us in a way of living that is sustainable, healthy, and just. We’re thus delighted that the Global Indigenous Wisdom Library makes this “virtual council” of leaders and their wisdom available for everyone, everywhere for free. The Global Indigenous Wisdom Library is a collection of audio and video interviews featuring Indigenous leaders from around the world sharing prayers, sacred songs, prophecies, spiritual teachings, and pathways to healing, as well as concrete examples for birthing a new era — one in which all members of the human family are treated with respect, understanding, compassion, and justice. This sacred wisdom is important medicine for us all.
The production of The Global Indigenous Wisdom Library is a gift from The Shift Network, designed to inspire, inform, and involve you by highlighting the voices and important messages of Indigenous leaders from around the world. We want to give a heartfelt thanks to Hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr. (“Brother Phil”) for his partnership in helping create this Indigenous Wisdom collection. And we thank all the speakers who have contributed to this body of knowledge. To discover more, click here.
 World Peace Library. Designed for the layperson and professional peacebuilder alike, the World Peace Library has over 425 audio and video interviews with some of the most remarkable, inspiring peacebuilders in the world available to you at NO COST. You’ll find hundreds of hours of inspirational, peacebuilding, compassion-spreading talks and trainings at your fingertips with this FREE global resource. There’s no way you can’t come away from the World Peace Library deeply inspired, transformed — and part of the solution. Click here to find out how to take peace to the next level — and help co-create a global culture of peace that leaves a legacy of good for our children, our children’s children and all of humanity and life on earth.
If you would like to submit something to The Catalyst, please see the submission guidelines: click here.
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Participate in The #MeToo Dialogues, which takes place July 17–20. Reflect on what you can do to help raise consciousness about this vitally important issue.
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Discover Unstoppable Health: How to Outsmart Your Genes to Feel Younger, Live Stronger & Avoid Long-term Illness — A Free Video Event With Bestselling Author & Renowned Nutrition and Hormone Health Authority Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo. Learn how to avoid “hereditary” health conditions, dementia, and aging-related illnesses by outsmarting your genes. Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 5:30pm Pacific
Discover the Experiential Depth Approach to the Enneagram: Exploring the Territory Beyond Your Personality Type — A Free Video Event Featuring Renowned Enneagram Teachers Jessica Dibb & Russ Hudson. Enter the spiritual depths of the Enneagram and experience guided practices to activate the higher reality and embody the sacred essence of your type.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 5:30pm Pacific
 Cultivating Shamanic Perception: Practices for Living an Awake, Grounded & Harmonious Life — Featuring Shamanic Teachers Sandra Ingerman and Evelyn Rysdyk. Rediscover your innate capabilities for self-healing and help to heal and evolve our planet through shamanic practices.
New 7-week Live Video Training Starts Tuesday, July 24, 2018
 Living in Joy: Sacred Practices to Deepen Your Relationship With the Beloved & Express Your Divine Purpose — With Pioneering Contemporary Spiritual Teacher & Internationally Renowned Scholar Andrew Harvey. Open to your greatest source of inner strength through discovering practices to enhance your power, focus, and courage — and serve as a source of joy and inspiration to others.
New 12-week Audio Program Starts Tuesday, July 24, 2018
The Past Life Regression Training: An In-depth Practicum in the Tools for Resolving Issues From Other Lifetimes — With Renowned Author, Psychologist, and Regression Therapist Dr. Linda Backman. Learn a potent hypnosis-based modality to help others uncover important insights from their past lives, illuminating what they need to face and heal to thrive in this lifetime.
New 10-week Video Training Starts Tuesday, July 24, 2018
More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
July
• Dr. Sue Morter 7-week course
• Ritamarie Loscalzo 7-week course
August
• Summer of Peace: Finding Common Ground
• Jessica Dibb & Russ Hudson 12-week course
• Robert Moss 6-month course
• Raja Choudhury 12-week course
• Thriving in Your Third Act Summit
• Sarah Marshank 7-week course
• Mirabai Starr 5-month course
September
• Camille Maurine 7-week course
• Mary Bove 7-week course
• don Oscar Miro-Quesada 12-week course
• Tonya Pinkins & Elayne Doughty 7-week course
• Desda Zuckerman 7-week course
• Qigong Global Summit
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ALL of the profits from The #MeToo Dialogues Collection — the upgrade package of The #MeToo Dialogues — will be donated to the following three amazing organizations. Please join us in supporting their vital work.
me too.
In 2006, Tarana Burke founded the me too. movement to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color from low wealth communities, find pathways to healing. Using the idea of “empowerment through empathy,” the me too. movement was ultimately created to ensure survivors know they're not alone in their journey.
The me too. movement has built a community of survivors from all walks of life. By bringing vital conversations about sexual violence into the mainstream, we're helping to de-stigmatize survivors by highlighting the breadth and impact sexual violence has on thousands of women, and we’re helping those who need it to find entry points to healing. Ultimately, with survivors at the forefront of this movement, we're aiding the fight to end sexual violence. We want to uplift radical community healing as a social justice issue and are committed to disrupting all systems that allow sexual violence to flourish.
Click here for more information.
Girls for Gender Equity
Girls for Gender Equity (GGE) is an intergenerational organization committed to the physical, psychological, social, and economic development of girls and women. Through education, organizing, and physical fitness, GGE encourages communities to remove barriers and create opportunities for girls and women to live self-determined lives.
GGE envisions a society with optimal physical, economic, educational, and social systems to foster the growth and fulfillment of all its members. To that end, we will provide programs that develop strengths, skills, and self-sufficiency in girls and women and help them make meaningful choices in their lives with minimum opposition and maximum community support. We will undertake organizing campaigns to achieve safety and equality in the social, political, educational, athletic, economic, health, and media worlds of the smaller and larger communities in which girls and women live and work.
Click here for more information. Click here to donate.
Donor Direct Action
Donor Direct Action advances women’s rights by connecting front-line activists to front-line donors—as well as by leveraging the power of internet outreach and collective fundraising, plus networking with political and societal leaders and media, to mobilize worldwide attention and solidarity.
Click here for more information. Click here to donate.
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Embracing Equity
Embracing Equity is a social change agency dedicated to centering racial justice in education through racial and ethnic identity development, critical consciousness, and critical action. We operate under the premise that we live in a racist society, and that teachers can and should be powerful levers to dismantling racism and socioeconomic inequity.
No matter how well-intentioned or how well educated most Montessori educators are, dismantling racism is not something educators inherently know how to do or feel confident addressing. Embracing Equity is the first of its kind in Montessori education to explicitly address equity across schools and geographic boundaries. We believe that coming together as a community to engage deeply with this work is critical to the work of embracing equity and is the core of Montessori education. Click here for more information.
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Har Rai Kaur Khalsa
Har Rai Kaur Khalsa is a writer, musician, and storyteller in multiple formats. She is the writer, producer, and director of “Radiation World,” an all original post-apocalyptic comedy audio series that was an official selection of the 2016 HEAR Now Audio Fiction and Arts Festival. She holds a master's degree in creative writing from the University of Oxford and is a native of Española, New Mexico.
Click here to listen to Har Rai’s music.
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