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 By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift Network
It is with all my heart, mind and soul that I want to invite you to join me in the launch of my new book, which officially launches on July 5, Sacred America, Sacred World: Fulfilling Our Mission in Service to All.
We’ve actually just opened the doors a bit early on an exciting launch campaign that has generous bonuses for participating in the next two days. Click here for details.
For the past 10 years, I have been thinking deeply how America can fulfill our higher mission, which is especially important amidst the growing crisis in this country and the world. This entails collective growth in our psychology as well as many reforms in our societal systems and an upleveled vision of the American Dream.
I know in my heart and from the work we have been doing through The Shift Network (which includes you too), that the United States has a pivotal role to play at this time in human history (if we choose to step into it).
It’s really about fulfilling our motto of E Pluribus Unum — “out of many, one.” This is far deeper than a message of political unification; it’s about leading the way to oneness, on a global scale.
Just as each of us individually must do the work to awaken to our highest potential and to take meaningful action, the United States must fully remember and live into its sacred purpose, which is more about global service than global domination. As the US steps into the next level of our leadership, it will serve as a catalyst for other countries to do the same.
In Sacred America, Sacred World, I share a manifesto with real solutions for our time. It’s about how we build a movement for a next “American Evolution.”
To learn more about our exciting launch campaign (with thousands in prizes) and to order your copy of Sacred America, Sacred World – click here.
And it’s coming out July 5 because it’s about going to America’s next level as a country, beyond independence. Your partnership in this book launch will mean a lot to me. You can help by ordering the book and telling friends about it – click here. Also, be sure to look for live book events and radio/TV programs coming to your area – click here. Be sure to introduce yourself to me, I love meeting The Shift Network community members! (For people in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are having a free book launch party in Berkeley on July 6 – click here.)
In this edition of The Catalyst, I share a video and an article about Sacred America, Sacred World. We also have a wonderful article by Mark "Puck" Mykleby, Patrick Doherty, and Joel Makower about their new book, The New Grand Strategy, which also focuses on a new vision for the U.S. It is clear that a new vision for America is rising! We strongly encourage you to check out The New Grand Strategy too!
The member profile is by Amanda Kathryn Roman who will be hosting an American Citizen Summit that we will be announcing in August. This summit will feature visionaries who are taking practical actions to transform the political polarities in the United States. Stay tuned for more information!
We would love to hear from you, Which shared values can transcend political party lines? To share in our Facebook Page community, click here.
We also are launching the Global Compassion Summit: Mindfulness and Compassion in Daily Life, a free online event coming up on July 13 & 14. This second annual Global Compassion Summit is part of the Summer of Peace produced in partnership with the Center for Compassion Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University. I want to give a big congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Emily Hine for creating and hosting the summit which includes Sharon Salzberg, Vinny Ferraro, Barry Boyce and many more!
In this edition, we have exceptional articles about mindfulness and compassion from Emily Hine, Barry Boyce and Emma Seppälä.
Our Shift Philanthropy is Charter for Compassion, an exceptional international organization helping to spread compassion around the world! Our Featured Artist is Hearthfire — beautiful a cappella three-part harmonies by Murray Kyle, Hanna Leigh and Sadie Ranen.
Also, we have extended the application timeline for our Shift trip: Iran: Splendors of the Persian Empire. This trip to Iran is an ideal opportunity for people wanting to learn more about this exquisite country — its rich culture, beautiful people and stunning landscape — and to play a positive role in promoting peace between Iran and the world! We are featuring a new video about Iran that has breathtaking images – click here. (See Featured Media and Movement News)
Finally, for people wanting a fun summer break, please join me, The Shift Network staff and friends for River of Bliss — August 11–14, 2016 — a riverside adventure on the beautiful American River, just 2 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area! We call it an adult summer camp for renewing body, heart and soul through yoga, live music, conscious dance, rafting and more! To learn more, click here.
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Sacred America, Sacred World
Stephen Dinan shares insights about his new book, Sacred America, Sacred World. To learn more about the book and to watch the video, click here.
Iran: Splendors of the Persian Empire
October 22 – November 4, 2016 — Join Philip M. Hellmich of The Shift Network, and Cross Cultural Journeys on an odyssey to the Republic of Iran, commonly called Persia by the West. To learn more, click here and call Cross Cultural Journeys at (800) 353-2276 or via email at travel@crossculturaljourneys.com.
 Global Shift Meditation — Join Free Event — 1st of Every Month
Join The Shift Network, The Gaiafield Project and people around the world for Global Shift Meditations the 1st of each month – click here to register free. We recently featured James O’Dea on A Spiritual Response to Violence on July 1, 2016. (Free recording is available – click here )
 Your Voice:
We want to know: Which shared values can transcend political party lines? Please post a few sentences on this topic on our Facebook page and read what other Shift Network community members are sharing too – click here.
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Shift Network CEO Stephen Dinan’s New Book: Sacred America, Sacred World
By Stephen Dinan This year, I’m giving birth to the most important book of my life, one 10 years in the making....
Sacred America, Sacred World: Fulfilling Our Mission in Service to All offers a visionary roadmap for evolving beyond partisan bickering into fulfilling our sacred mission.
It’s full of inspiring stories, practical ideas and visionary solutions.
It’s about how we build a movement for a next “American Evolution.”
To read more, click here.
 How We Got Here
By: Mark “Puck” Mykleby, Patrick Doherty, and Joel Makower
Prologue to: The New Grand Strategy: Restoring America’s Prosperity, Security and Sustainability in the 21st Century
This book begins in the Pentagon.
In July 2009, two United States military officers, a Marine colonel and a Navy captain, were sequestered in Room 2E928, on the second floor of the building’s E-ring, the outermost of five concentric corridors, where the highest-profile work is done. There, just a few months into President Barack Obama’s first term, Colonel Mark “Puck” Mykleby and Captain Wayne Porter were given an assignment by Admiral Mike Mullen: to create a grand strategy for America.
To read more, click here.
 If Mindfulness is the Hot Kid in Town, Compassion is his Cool Companion
By Emily Hine
Remember when you were in grade school and you had the same students in your class every single year? It became just a little predictable, right? But then one year, a new kid showed up. This kid moved to your town from some exotic place — like Colorado — and suddenly became the most popular student — the new hot kid in town. Well, that’s kind of what Mindfulness has been lately, particularly in Western cultures. Mindfulness has been hanging out in the East for many years — well thousands actually — always popular and beneficial to those who had the pleasure of knowing him. And then, he spread his roots to the West and now everyone wants to be associated with the seemingly “new” hot kid in town!
To read more, click here.
 5 Things People Get Wrong About Mindfulness
By Barry Boyce (First published in Mindful.org) Myth 1: Mindfulness fixes something that’s wrong with you
What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I do this? I’m so bad at it. I’m just bad altogether. My mind is a scattered mess! These other people seem fine. Everyone who has ever meditated, or tried anything new — playing the guitar, becoming a parent, snowboarding — has had thoughts like these running through their head. Often repeatedly, and in a downward spiral that ends with “I’m not cut out for this. I’m no good. I quit.”
It’s an odd trait we humans have. We like to beat up on ourselves. We like to say, “the problem with you/me is…” And popular meditation literature can provide lots of adjectives to complete that sentence:
To read more, click here.
 A Gift of Loving Kindness Meditation
A guided meditation by Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. Happiness is in your ability to love others
—Leo Tolstoy.
Have you ever wished you could meditate but just didn’t know where to start?
There’s a reason for that! When people talk about meditation, they sometimes make it sound as if there were just one type. But there isn’t, there are so many types: mantra meditations, breath meditations, sound meditations, concentration meditations, awareness meditations, visualization meditations, compassion meditations and the list goes on! Each was designed with a specific purpose. Interestingly, research is showing that different types of meditation indeed may have different impacts...
To learn more, click here.
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 Honoring the Wisdom in Diversity
Including a How To Guide to Transcending Politics and Upgrading Democracy Together
By Amanda Kathryn Roman
For as long as I can remember, I have been curious about things that are different. I love to travel and immerse myself in local culture. I relish meeting new people. Enjoying a good meal with new foods is one of my favorite things to do with my husband. Listening to live music and visiting art installments makes my soul feel alive. I am sure that many people can relate to me on a number of these pleasures that life offers to us. So why is it so hard to be curious about things and people that are different from us politically?
To read more, click here.
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New Book by Stephen Dinan: Sacred America, Sacred World is Infused with visionary power, Sacred America, Sacred World is a manifesto for our country’s evolution that is both political and deeply spiritual. It offers profound hope that America can grow beyond our current challenges and manifest our noblest destiny, which the book shows is rooted in sacred principles that transcend left or right political views. To order your copy, click here.
Join Stephen Dinan for live book events and radio/TV interviews, including events in Northern California; Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Westlake, OH and Santa Fe, NM. To learn more, click here.
Sacred America, Sacred World — Free Launch Party — Berkeley, CA — July 6 Get ready for Stephen Dinan's kickoff event for Sacred America, Sacred World on July 6 at 7:00pm at Rudramandir in Berkeley, CA. Stephen will be joined by other speakers and a DJ to celebrate the work of transpartisans, who create politics with soul across the political spectrum. Free tickets, click here.
Global Compassion Summit — July 13 & 14 — Free Online Event — You’re invited to join the 2nd annual Global Compassion Summit focused on Mindfulness and Compassion in Daily Life. Hear from experts in the industry such as Sharon Salzberg, Vinny Ferraro, Barry Boyce, Dr. Emma Seppälä and more. Discover how compassion and mindfulness are being mainstreamed into various sectors of society — and when they’re combined, how they can change the state of our world and positively affect our evolution as a human species! This summit is part of The Shift Network’s 5th annual Summer of Peace — the largest online peace event on the planet! It’s happening for free all summer long. The Global Compassion Summit takes place July 13–14, 2016. To register free, click here.
River of Bliss — August 11–14, 2016 — Join The Shift Network staff and friends for a riverside adventure on the beautiful American River, just 2 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area! Activities include: Yoga, Meditation, Conscious Dance, Delicious Catered Meals, Rafting, Playshops, Sound Healing, Massage, Live Music and Kirtan, Swimming, Kids Camp, and Talent show! Special guests include Stephen Dinan, Devaa Haley Mitchell, Miranda Macpherson, Mark Coleman, Sylvie Minot, DJ Pangea, Bob Duchmann, and Lori Schwanbeck. To learn more, click here.
The Circle Way Practicum — August 17 to 22, 2016 Whidbey Island, Washington, USA — The Circle Way is a modern methodology that calls on an ancient tradition and helps people gather in conversations that fulfil their potential for dialogue, replenishment, working with teams and wisdom-based change. Everyone who cares for the quality of conversations and relationships is warmly welcome to attend this practicum. It particularly supports people who are ready to discover a new culture of communication. To learn more, click here.
Shift Network Trip — Iran: Splendors of the Persian Empire — Dates: October 22 – November 4, 2016. Join Stephen Dinan and Philip Hellmich of The Shift Network, and Cross Cultural Journeys on an odyssey to the Republic of Iran, commonly called Persia by the West. A multicultural nation with many ethnic and linguistic groups (mostly Shi'ites), this ancient country straddles Eurasia, Western Asia, the Caspian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Already a crossroads culture of great geo-strategic significance, Iran has endured invasions by the Greeks, Arabs, Turks and Mongols. Meet indigenous communities from the Zagross Mountains; Nomadic tribes near Tehran; Armenian Christians, and the people of remote Abyaneh, who have kept their traditions, dialect and costumes intact for hundreds of years. To learn more, click here and call Cross Cultural Journeys at (800) 353-2276 or via email at travel@crossculturaljourneys.com and they will start the process with you.
Community Peacebuilder Residential Immersion Training — Week 1: September 9–13 — Week 2: October 14–22 — Gainesville, Florida
We are happy to announce we are offering Part I again as a mini 4-Day Immersion, which will allow new participants to join in on Part II, October 14–21, 2016.
This two week immersion training takes place at a 30 acre lakefront rustic retreat center near Gainesville Florida. Imagine...YOU...further developing essential skills, knowledge, confidence, perceptions, sensitivities and new understanding for your own personal development as well as contributing to a cultural shift in your community. Come join us for this innovative approach to community peacebuilding with a small group of like minded and committed individuals. Share in meaningful dialogue, new challenges, discoveries and fun. To learn more, click here.
  Recovery 2.0 Retreat — Costa Rica — with Tommy Miller and Kia Miller — November 19–26 (Thanksgiving) 2016 — Join Tommy Rosen & Kia Miller for a rejuvenating week of recovery, yoga and relaxation in one of Costa Rica’s finest retreat centers. The Blue Spirit Retreat overlooks the Pacific Ocean and a three mile long white sand beach, which is a turtle preserve. This extraordinary setting will provide us with a deeply nurturing and unforgettable experience together. To learn more, click here.
 New Book: The New Grand Strategy describes a business plan for America, born at the Pentagon, that embeds sustainability as a national strategic imperative.
The plan combines the best of the Left and Right — a progressive agenda with a conservative approach — the adult conversation about America’s future that should be taking place during this election year. Designed to be led by business for profit, harnessing industry and local government, The New Grand Strategy illustrates that we need not fix Washington before we start fixing the country. Written by Mark “Puck” Mykleby, Patrick Doherty, and Joel Makower. To learn more, click here.
 New Book: The Reunited States of America: How We Can Cross the Partisan Divide
"Although we come from opposite ends of the political spectrum, we believe our country needs to come together. The Reunited States of America: How We Can Cross the Partisan Divide will help us do that. It reconnects us to our country's motto — "out of many, one" — and helps us meet the challenge of reuniting the country that we both love." Grover Norquist, president, Americans for Tax Reform; and, Joan Blades, co-founder MoveOn.org and Living Room Conversations. To learn more, click here.
 New Book: Heart Intelligence: Connecting with the Intuitive Guidance of the Heart demystifies the practice of inner stillness, showing us how to take the struggle out of quieting the mind in meditation or prayer and connect with our heart’s intuitive guidance. It provides hope that finally we can create a cooperative working relationship between our heart, mind, emotions and body, bringing spirituality down to street practicality with easy-to-use applications. Written By Doc Childre, Howard Martin, Deborah Rozman Ph.D. and Rollin McCraty Ph.D. Learn more here.
 The Spiritual Life TV Channel features free wisdom teachings from many spiritual traditions and gives a practical focus that shows how a person can use these teachings to live a more spiritual life. New videos feature: James O’Dea, Edgar Mitchell, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Marilyn Schlitz, Gleen Mullin, Stephen Dinan, Philip Hellmich, and more! To learn more, click here.
 Awake: The Life of Yogananda — Now available on Netflix, Amazon and other livestream programs. Plus, DVDs available with subtitles in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch and Japanese. Plus there are new film showings in Australia and United States! You also can bring Awake to your yoga studio or community. To learn more click here. (The filmmakers were interviewed in the Yoga Day Summit, the recording is available for free.)
 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.
If you have an announcement to share, please write: editor@theshiftnetwork.com.
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2016 Catalyst:
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(#11, 7/3)
(#10, 6/12)
(#9, 5/29)
(#8, 5/1)
(#7, 4/17)
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(#6, 4/3)
(#5, 3/13)
(#4, 2/28)
(#3, 2/14)
(#2, 1/31)
(#1, 1/17)
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2015 Catalyst:
| (#25, 12/20) |
| (#24, 12/6) (#23, 11/23) (#22, 11/8) (#21, 10/25) |
| (#20, 10/11) (#19, 9/27) (#18, 9/12) (#17, 8/30) (#16, 8/16) |
| (#15, 8/2) (#14, 7/19) (#13, 7/5) (#12, 6/20) (#11, 6/7) |
| (#10, 5/24) (#9, 5/10) (#8, 4/26) (#7, 4/5) (#6, 3/21) |
| (#5, 3/15) (#4, 2/22) (#3, 2/8) (#2, 1/25) (#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) |
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Read Amanda Kathryn Roman’s member profile and follow her 5-step process for building friendships with people who have different political views.
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 How Medicinal Plants Can Transform Your Life’s Journey:
Discovering the Power of Herbs for Health, Aging & Spiritual Awakening —
A Free Online Event With Plant Medicine Pioneer
David Crow, L.Ac.
Access the power of medicinal plants and herbs
for health, wellbeing and personal transformation.
July 6, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
 6 Secrets to Awakening Your Shakti:
Embracing the Heart of Feminine Sensuality, Sex & the Sacred —
Featuring Sacred Sexuality Teacher and Renowned Coach
Lisa Schrader.
Discover how to ignite your sensual, primal, feminine life-force
to live a more passionate, creative and fulfilling life.
July 13, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
 The Way of the Feminine Mystic:
Opening Your Heart, Embracing the Mystery & Repairing the World —
A 9-month Advanced Immersion
With Mystic-Scholar Mirabai Starr.
Discover the feminine path of awakening
to embrace the sacred mystery, and experience
a profound alchemy of your body, mind and soul.
New Live Training Starts
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
 Becoming the Flame of Love Retreat:
Uniting Your Inner Feminine & Masculine in the Heart of Sacred Union —
With Spiritual Teacher Andrew Harvey and
Shift Network Co-Founder Devaa Haley Mitchell.
 Be prepared for a week of soul expansion, heart-opening wisdom and spiritual practices that will help you fuse the sacred masculine and feminine within you in a sacred marriage. Through this alchemical process, you’ll begin to come into fuller embodiment as a Divine Human.
September 11–16, 2016 in Northen California
The Inspiring Women’s Soul Sanctuary:
Embody the Deep Feminine, Bathe in Beauty & Renew Your Spirit —
With Devaa Haley Mitchell, Anodea Judith,
Lisa Schrader, Luisah Teish, Miranda Macpherson,
Mirabai Starr, Zuleikha and Chandanni Miglino.
Live Retreat October 16-21, 2016
in Northern California
More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
July
• Shakti Summit
• Andrew Harvey 7-week course
• Lisa Schrader 7-week course
• Anand Mehrotra 7-week course
• Enneagram 10-week course
• Mark Matousek 9-month program
August
• American Citizens Summit
• Shamanism Global Summit
• Stan Grof 7-week course
• Marilyn Schlitz 7-week course
• Margaret Paul 7-week course
• Oscar Miro-Quesada 7-week course
• Sue Morter 7-week course
• David Nicol 7-week course
• Richard Miller 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey & Robert Thurman 7-week course
• David Crow 6-month program
September
• Transformational Authors Summit
• SARK 7-week course
• Mark Gerzon 7-week course
• Ken Page 7-week course
• Brian Weinberg 12-week course
• Tim Kelley & Jeffrey Van Dyk 4-month program
October
• Hakomi Global Summit
• Enlightened Business Summit
• Shelly Lefkoe 7-week course
• Devaa Haley Mitchell 7-week course
• Mingtong Gu 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 8-week course
• Alison Armstrong 8-week course
• Jessica Dibb 12-week course
• Lisa Schrader 9-month program
• Margaret Paul 9-month program
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Charter for Compassion — The Shift Network strongly encourages people to support and engage with the Charter for Compassion, an international nonprofit organization which provides an umbrella for people to engage in collaborative partnerships worldwide. Their mission is to bring to life the principles articulated in the Charter for Compassion through concrete, practical action in a myriad of sectors. To learn more, click here.
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Heartfire
By Tara Divina
On a recent US tour, Murray Kyle, Hanna Leigh and Sadie Ranen got inspired to record an album of their mostly a cappella three-part harmonies, and the resulting songs are transcendent, gorgeous and tremendously uplifting. Every song carries very powerful healing medicine that leads us into a more joyous and heart-connected state. These musicians are each incredible on their own, but together, as Hearthfire, they create a unique magic that transforms us through its potent transmissions. To listen to their music, click here.
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