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 By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift Network
It is wonderful to be back home with my beloved wife, Devaa Haley Mitchell, after a month of traveling the U.S. talking about Sacred America, Sacred World (including 17 live events, 10 cities and 75 media spots!) as well as participating in both conventions, which re-inspired me about evolving our democracy.
I was touched to meet Shift Network community members with such heartfelt stories and hear how they are learning from our summits and courses, opening to more of their potential and taking meaningful action to better our world.
In Cleveland, Adele DiMarco Kious is exploring purchasing a convent that can be used as a “Beloved Community” hub for transformative education, schooling and programs (I visited it with her). In Atlanta, John Naugle is working on initiatives to turn Atlanta into a major peace destination. In Washington, D.C., Sister Jenna is working on enlightening our politics through initiatives like Meditate the Vote. And much more. For me, it’s been so valuable to hear how each of you are making a difference.
I was also very inspired by some unique heart-centered activism, led by Sister Rita in Cleveland and also by Sarah Belzile, leading me to write an article called “Love at the RNC” (and you can also check out one on Senator Cory Booker that I wrote).
In this edition of The Catalyst, we have beautiful profiles from members in Wales and the UK that are similar to the people I met across the U.S. In Wales, Dr. Keith Beasley helped create a local hub called One Spirit North Wales for people to explore “a reconnection of body, mind and soul.” For Keith, the community hub is a way of bringing the Summer of Peace into action on a local level.
The other profile features Jenny Ruby who writes about heartfelt reflections of “The Christ,” inspired by a talk she heard from Andrew Harvey. Jenny shares exquisite images of Christ she has painted.
Also, community member Frank Thacker let us know that the town of Westerly, Rhode Island has officially proclaimed “Summer of Peace 2016,” an initiative which Frank championed. (See Partner Spotlight)
I love it! I love all that you, our members are embodying and activating! Thank you!
You truly give us hope that the shift in consciousness is happening, expressing itself in unique ways around the world.
In this edition of The Catalyst, we also focus on clearing blocks to our full potential, which is essential to fully manifest new lives for our families and communities. We open with a profound piece from James O’Dea about great compassion being needed. We then have wonderful pieces by our team members and faculty, including Lisa Bonnice, Lee Doyle and SARK. We also have a profound piece by our friend Sister Jenna on how Roots leads us to our seed — our connection with Spirit.
Additionally, we would love to hear from you on: Which life skills do you think children and youth should be taught in schools to help them reach their full potential? To share with our Facebook Page community, click here.
And for those who missed the Countering Violent Extremism Summit, all I have to say is wow! The Alliance for Peacebuilding really brought together some of the best minds and hearts on how we can concretely address the roots causes of violent extremism! If you want hope and inspiration, please go to the Summer of Peace and listen to the recordings. (See Featured Media)
Remember that the Summer of Peace is continuing through the International Day of Peace (September 21) with powerful free interviews that are well timed for the events taking place in the world. (To register free for the sessions, click here.)
Our Shift Philanthropy is the Alliance for Peacebuilding and our Featured Artist is Lauren Arrow and her uplifting new album, It's Happening! And our Featured Media highlights David Nicol and the power of subtle activism.
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 Great Compassion is Needed
By James O'Dea
We live at a time when great compassion is needed.
There cannot be compassion without understanding. Compassion is never an abstract idea.
There cannot be compassion for deep resentment without understanding dashed hopes and aspirations.
There cannot be compassion for unbridled materialism and greed without understanding emotional emptiness.
There cannot be compassion for addiction without understanding how we get entangled in the biochemistry of highs and lows or the triumph of higher will.
We cannot have compassion for the absence of caring and empathy without understanding what it means to never have experienced unconditional love.
We cannot have compassion for evil without understanding how the good can be steadily degraded increment by increment.
We cannot have compassion for violent racial or religious bigotry until we understand how repressed subconscious scars and wounds take on the disguise of righteousness and superiority.
We cannot have compassion for hatred until we really understand how love trumps hate.
James O’Dea is the author of The Conscious Activist: Where Activism Meets Mysticism, which won the COVR Conscious Living Book Award.
He is the former President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences and previously served as Director of the Washington, D.C. Office of Amnesty International and CEO of the Seva Foundation.
O’Dea is also a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Group. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Laszlo New Paradigm Institute in Italy.
He also serves on the Advisory Board of The Peace Alliance and Kosmos Journal. Additionally, O’Dea is the founding faculty for The Shift Network’s Peace Ambassador Training and a member of the Summer of Peace Wisdom Council.
To learn more, visit: Jamesodea.com
 Dr. Sue Morter Shares 2 Energy Practices for Accessing Natural States of Bliss & More Vibrant Health
By Lisa Bonnice
Life is hard right up until the moment it isn't.
— Dr. Sue Morter
Ever feel like your efforts to manifest a healthier, happier life meet with resistance for reasons you just can’t seem to pinpoint?
Well, the source is often found in disruptions in your energy patterns, according to Dr. Sue Morter, founder of the Morter Institute for Bioenergetics and Healing and an internationally recognized authority on bridging science, spirit and human possibility.
Dr. Sue's powerful fix for this dilemma is a method she calls the “Energy Codes” — a series of bioenergetic practices which can extend the kind of blissful states you find in meditation into your daily life and restore your connection with your innate wholeness.
To read more, click here.
 3 Signs Your Soul (Not Your Emotional Patterns) is in the Driver’s Seat
By Lee Doyle
Ever landed what you thought would be your dream job, completed an important project, or launched a product or service that relates to your “higher” purpose and felt… nothing… and even a little lost or depressed?
If so, how confusing this must’ve been if instead, you’d anticipated joy, a sense of satisfaction, of having “finally arrived.”
This is the all-too-common letdown that leaves many of us wondering, “what’s it all for?”
So what’s REALLY at play here — and how can you get traction on your goals and dreams… and truly celebrate success when it arrives?
To read more, click here.
 3 Ways to Free Your Writing from Repetitive Inner Critics & Reclaim Creative Joy
By SARK Have you ever sat down to write, ready to let your words flow onto the screen or page, only to have a thought pop seemingly out of nowhere:
“Is now really the best time to start this?”
You hesitate, and suddenly you’re thinking things like:
“It probably won’t be any good anyway.”
"Who would even read it?"
“What’s the point when you never finish anything?”
These are your endlessly repetitive Inner Critics, delivering their usual stream of negative, discouraging and even belittling commentary.
To read more, click here.
 Roots Returns Us to the Seed
By Sister Jenna A sweet, yet sometimes pungent aroma of change is wafting in the atmosphere right now that is affecting us as individuals, communities, and collectively as a country. There are cries for change in many sectors.
And, in the midst of all of this is the remake of the epic and iconic miniseries Roots! Ironic? Paradoxical? Is it relevant at all in this climate that we are experiencing? What is its relevance? Yes, unprecedented progress has been made since it first appeared in 1977, yet in 2016, there is a re emergence of a hauntingly familiar unpleasant time.
For me, the television series Roots has always beckoned us to get back to the very genesis, the root, of our soul’s power, our deep sense of being….
To read more, click here.
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 Enabling the Shift
By Dr. Keith Beasley
I’ve been a seeker for half my life: ever since I found I could dowse! Then Reiki found me... and I found myself writing about Emotional Quotient (EQ) some years before Daniel Goleman had made the idea popular. Isn’t that what the shift is all about? Seeking and finding new meaning to life, a more real sense of purpose... and a connection into reality with depth and engagement of mind, body and soul?
To read more, click here.
 The Christ Path: A Different Perspective but the Same Destination
By Jenna Ruby
I listened recently with interest and, I confess some astonishment, to the beautiful interview with Andrew Harvey where he outlined his journey to a true awareness and alignment with the Christ energy and what it means for him.
My astonishment was because although Andrew’s and my backgrounds are radically different, I have experienced and felt exactly what he spoke of.
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. To learn more, click here.
The Global Peace Index 2016 was released. The Global Peace Index, which ranks 163 countries on their peacefulness, has helped shift the world’s conversation about peace to a positive, achievable and tangible measure of human well-being and progress. Highlights from the report:
- Global inequality in peace has widened in 2016 as least peaceful countries spiral into increased violence
- The world became less peaceful in 2016, reinforcing an underlying decade-long deterioration in world peacefulness driven primarily by increased terrorism and higher levels of political instability.
- The economic impact of violence on the global economy totalled $13.6 trillion or 13.3% of gross world product, equivalent to 11 times the size of global foreign direct investment.
- The economic impact of violence was $137 trillion over the last decade — greater than global GDP in 2015.
- Refugees and displaced persons have risen dramatically over the last decade, doubling to approximately 60 million people between 2007 and 2016, nearly 1% of the world’s population.
- Iceland is the world’s most peaceful country, followed by Denmark and Austria.
- Syria is least peaceful, followed by South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
To read the report in its entirety, click here.
 Available in Paperback: Subtle Activism: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation. David Thomas Nicol introduces the concept of “subtle activism” to describe the use of consciousness-based practices like meditation and prayer to support collective transformation, such as global meditation directed toward peaceful resolution of a conflict. Subtle activism represents a bridge between the consciousness movement and the movements for peace, environmental sustainability, and social justice. It is not a substitute for physical action but rather a potentially crucial component of a more integrated approach to social change. To learn more and order a copy, click here.
 New Book: Strategies for Peace. Serious about world peace? Like a crystal, peacemaking has many facets. Review them in this definitive trade book featuring prominent scholars describing the alternatives. Topics include: Leadership, Language and Literature, Interspiritual, World Citizenship, Family Relations, Role of Women, Education, Medical Actions, The Arts, Conflict Resolution. Authors include: Ada Aharoni, Maria Cristina Azcona, Celia Altschuler, Joseph Berolo, Raïs Neza Boneza, Bruce L. Cook, Gloria Ines Currea Córdoba, Daniel Erdmann, Philip M. Hellmich, Kurt Johnson, Ernesto Kahan, Muli wa Kyendo, Glen T. Martin, Nina Meyerhof, Lida Sherafatmand, and Sunita Singh-Sengupta. Special discounts available for classroom use, write to: click here. To learn more, click here.
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.
College and University Peacebuilding Approaches to Violent Extremism and Youth Recruitment — Oct. 6–8, 2016 — Cleveland, Ohio — The conference will include a focus on prevention, intervention and response with an overarching focus on prevention methods such as community engagement, youth and community empowerment, and education. The conference will review and highlight strategies that help build relationships in the community. Hosted at Cleveland State University, in collaboration with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, Baldwin Wallace, Case Western Reserve University, Cuyahoga Community College, George Mason University, The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, Kent State University, The Ohio School Resource Officer Association, The Ohio State University, Stark State College, The United Network of Young Peacebuilders, The University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. To learn more, click here.
Praxis Peace Institute is hosting its second study tour in Cuba, November 12–19, 2016. Our first trip last year sold out, so we encourage you to register soon in order to secure a space. The Praxis study tour includes:
- Lectures by Cuban economists, sociologists, diplomats, artists, and an American journalist who has lived in Cuba for more than 25 years.
- Visits to cooperatives, museums, organic farms, Ernest Hemingway's house, walking tours in Old Havana and time to see some of the city on your own.
- Visit Las Terrazas National Forest and a totally self-sufficient community of 3,000 people. Have lunch in their vegetarian restaurant.
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.
 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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(#14, 8/14)
(#13, 7/31)
(#12, 7/17)
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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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 Bridging Partisan Divides
4 Keys to Reuniting Our Families, Communities & Country —
A Free Virtual Event
With Author and Transpartisan Political Thought Leader
Mark Gerzon.
Discover tools and insights to transform bitter and polarizing political disagreements into constructive, positive relationships.
August 17, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
 The Power of Working With Group Subtle Fields:
Leading-edge Practices for Alignment, Healing & Positive Impact —
With Global Activist and Co-founder of the Gaiafield Project
David Thomas Nicol.
Discover how to take your practice to the next level by working with higher realms to transform and heal groups, collectives and even entire countries.
August 20, 2016 at 10:00am Pacific
Freeing Your Writing Voice:
3 Keys to Reclaim the Joy & Magic in Your Words —
A Free Virtual Event
With Transformational Leaders and Teachers
SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) and Dr. Scott Mills, PhD.
Discover the secrets to liberating your authentic writing voice with ease and joy. Make the inner shifts to allow your book, blog, article or screenplay to FINALLY be born!
August 24, 2016 at 5:30pm Pacific
 The Buddha & Jesus:
Awakening Your Sacred Heart, Putting Bliss Into Action —
A 7-week Course at the Intersection of Two Spiritual Sciences
With Renowned Teacher-Scholars
Robert Thurman and Andrew Harvey.
Harness the essential spiritual teachings and practices of Jesus and the Buddha to access deeper wisdom, profound love and true bliss.
New Live Training Starts
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
 The Path of the Universal Shaman:
Transforming Our World Through Sacred Living —
With Peruvian Curandero, Psychologist and Author
Don Oscar Miro-Quesada.
Discover the universal principles hidden within global shamanic traditions and experience the inner transformation that unifies heaven and earth.
New Live Video and Audio Training Starts
Tuesday, August 23, 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 Northern 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)
August
• Sue Morter 7-week course
• David Nicol 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
• Tim Kelley & Jeffrey Van Dyk 4-month program
October
• Hakomi Global Summit
• Enlightened Business Summit
• Emily Hine 4-week course
• Shelly Lefkoe 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 8-week course
• Alison Armstrong 8-week course
• Jessica Dibb 11-week course
• Brian Weinberg 12-week course
• Lisa Schrader 9-month program
• Margaret Paul 9-month program
• Devaa Haley Mitchell membership program
November
• Heaven on Earth Summit
• Mingtong Gu 7-week course
• Hank Wesselman 7-week course
• Anodea Judith 7-week course
• Hakomi 10-week course
• Mirabai Starr 12-week course
• Peace Ambassador 12-week course
• Robert Moss 13-week course
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Alliance for Peacebuilding — The Shift Network is proud to be a member of the Alliance for Peacebuilding, the institutional home for the peacebuilding community — a network of over 100 organizations working to resolve conflict and create sustainable peace in 153 countries. We strongly encourage anyone interested in peacebuilding to consider becoming a member and/or making a donation. To learn more, click here.
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The town of Westerly Rhode Island proclaims Summer of Peace 2016 and is featuring numerous live events. The initiative was created by Frank Thacker who was inspired by the Summer of Peace. To learn more, click here. To see an enlarged image of the official town proclamation, click here.
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Lauren Arrow — It's Happening!
By Tara Divina
You would never know it, but 5 years ago Lauren Arrow had severe stage fright and didn't sing. If you met her today, you'd see this incredibly open, energetic, radiant, self confident and outrageously talented musician in front of you and ask, "how is that possible?" The answer is revealed in every exquisitely crafted song on her debut album, It's Happening!, which tells the story of how she came into her voice, her creativity and ultimately transformed her own life into a lively celebration. Listen to it and you'll be dancing and singing along with her in no time, which is definitely her master plan. It's hard to pick favorites on this album but I particularly love "Ashes." To listen to the album, click here.
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Global Shift Meditation — Join Free Event — 1st of Every Month
