The Shift Catalyst — Indigenous Wisdom

By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift Network

A growing number of cities around the country will be celebrating Indigenous People's Day tomorrow, Monday, October 8. This alternative celebration to Columbus Day recognizes that Christopher Columbus did not “discover” America, but instead began colonizing it, a process that led to all manner of atrocities against Native Americans.

The Shift Network is honoring the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited this land with our one-day Global Indigenous Wisdom Summit — via Facebook Live!

Register for free here to join Indigenous leaders from around the world beginning at 9:00 am Pacific for a day of Earth-based wisdom teachings, prayers, and music to support transformation, healing, and social change.

Hosted by international speaker Shawna Bluestar (Shawnee, Lenape, Azteca), this virtual gathering of Indigenous wisdom keepers includes beloved elder Grandmother Flordemayo, singer-songwriter Pura Fé, author and speaker Ilarion Larry Merculieff, activist Woman Stands Shining (Pat McCabe), Turtle Lodge founder Dave Courchene, and many more.

At the core of global restoration is the recognition that Indigenous peoples carry a way of being that is sustainable, harmonious, healthy, and just. Their ancient wisdom can guide us in healing our hearts, transforming our minds, and creating truly loving, collaborative communities on our planet.

You can register here at no cost for this one-of-a-kind virtual summit!
 

I also wanted to share the great news that our recent California Vision 2020 Conference was a big success!

We’ve received many comments about the extraordinary lineup of speakers, leaders, and activists — as well as the many collaborations forged and the new possibilities that lie ahead. It was an event of vision, depth, brilliance, and healing in a time in which politics is too often seen as warfare.

We lifted each other up. We offered real solutions. We bridged divides of race, age, and party. We spoke hard truths. And we focused our creative energy on the future. Frankly, I’m deeply proud of us ALL for embodying something that is whole, wise, and much-needed in an era of so much divisiveness.

Some of the highlights included:

  • The visionary and authentic political leadership of Mayor Harmon of San Luis Obispo, who forged an immediate alliance with David Gershon, who offered his roadmap to a Cool California breakthrough on climate change. He already met with her team this week!
  • The powerful way that youth leaders held the stage with three bold, compassionate, innovative mayors from Sacramento, Stockton, and San Luis Obispo.
  • The access from Michael Bernard Beckwith, calling all of us to become “history-makers” by stepping into our visionary power.
  • Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s clear and powerful call to dissolve dysfunctional gender dynamics and create a future of deep equality (so proud that she will likely be our next First Lady of California).
  • Elaine Whitefeather’s clear-eyed wisdom for how we face the dark night of suffering to create something more sacred and whole.
  • Kat Taylor, the CEO of a new kind of bank with Beneficial State Bank, capping her visionary talk with a potent song (how often does that happen?).
  • The calm wisdom of Sister Jenna blending so beautifully with the fiery truth-telling of Andrew Harvey.
  • The conversation with New Way California pioneers on the right side of the aisle, who entered into real relationship with a more left-leaning crowd.
  • Rickie BB lifting us through rafters with music straight from the soul!

Mark your calendar for the next California Vision 2020 Conference on September 19-21 next year!

And before you delve into the illuminating articles, videos, and other content below, we’d love to hear your answer to the question, How has Indigenous wisdom seeped into your daily life? To share your thoughts in our Facebook Page community, click here.
 

There is a power in nature that man has ignored. And the result has been heartache and pain.

— The Seven Paths: Changing One's Way of Walking in the World

Our Spiritual Movement to Challenge the Doctrine of Discovery
By Steven Newcomb (Shawnee, Lenape) (a featured speaker in the Global Indigenous Wisdom Summit)

As Indigenous people, we have the ability to think back on the free and independent existence of our ancestors and our nations. That original free existence extends back to the beginning of time through our oral histories and traditions.

That was the period when our ancestors evolved our languages. Our languages are the repository of our knowledge and wisdom traditions, based on our Original Instructions which our ancestors used as a way to maintain our ecological systems and a Spiritual Way of Life, in our respective national homelands. Each day was begun with an expression of gratitude for the Sun and the Waters and all the elements of Life on Mother Earth. Prayerful ceremonies were conducted over millennia to express that thankfulness.

To read more, click here.

“Ayurvedic Herbalism for Women” Facebook Live Q&A

Would you like to receive expert guidance on anti-aging herbs and Ayurvedic remedies for clearing brain fog, sleeping deeply, and reducing stress? Ayurvedic doctor K.P. Khalsa will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Tuesday, October 9, at Noon Pacific about easily (and safely) applying effective herbal remedies to reduce inflammation, detoxify your body, alleviate pain, and more. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.

“The Sounds of Your Soul” Facebook Live Q&A

Would you like to discover the power of your own authentic voice — both spoken and sung?? International singer and voice pioneer Chloe Goodchild will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Wednesday, October 10, at Noon Pacific about using your voice to transform negative emotions, release blocked energy, and dissolve stress in your body.. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.

“Ancestral Medicine” Facebook Live Q&A

Looking to the past for answers through the portal of ancestral medicine can open the door to experiencing new understanding, forgiveness, and healing in a deep and transformative way. Ancestral medicine teacher Daniel Foor will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Thursday, October 11, at 5:00pm Pacific about healing your family lineages — and opening the door for you and your family to live more passionate and purposeful lives. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.

“Awakening Your Kundalini” Facebook Live Q&A

Are you familiar with the power of Kundalini energy, but haven’t yet awakened it and harnessed its promise? Spiritual teacher Raja Choudhury will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Wednesday, October 17, at 10:00am Pacific about safely activating the Kundalini energy at the base of your spine to access bliss consciousness and evolve into a more beautiful, radiant soul. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.

Your Voice:

We want to know: How has Indigenous wisdom seeped into your daily life? To share your thoughts in our Facebook Page community, click here.

A Story of the Seven Sacred Laws
By Nii Gaani Aki Inini – Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene) (a featured speaker in the Global Indigenous Wisdom Summit)

I am going to tell you a story of a young man… what I am going to tell you is based on a true story.

A young boy was troubled by what he was seeing in the world. He saw how humans were not taking care of the land. Concerned about climate change, the wars, violence and hatred, he decided to approach Grandfather and ask him what he could do to bring change to the world.

To read more, click here.

Building a Bridge Between Two Worlds
By Malidoma Patrice Somé

When the elders in my village approached me about becoming initiated into elderhood, my reaction was Why me, of all people? There were others in the village who were great healers with fantastic track records and I was nowhere near their level. I had always been fascinated with the traditions of my culture, but at forty-three, I considered myself too young to be an elder. Besides, I lived in the white man’s culture and only came home once in a while.

To read more, click here.

Ode to the Rose
By David Crow

There was once a time when people loved cultivating roses so much the Emperor was obligated to issue edicts limiting the use of land so the population did not go hungry. Once, a great Mesopotamian city was renowned far and wide for its magnificent rose gardens. Such were the challenges of life in China’s Han Dynasty, and the glory of Baghdad now dwells only in the memories of those long departed.

To read more, click here.

The Three Suns: The Path of Kundalini Awakening with Raja Choudhury

For millennia, mystics and saints have stated that the normal energy in your body is to Kundalini energy what a candle flame is to the sun. It is through Kundalini, the ancient ones said, that your spirit gloriously merges with Spirit, when you become a bridge between Heaven and Earth.

The sheer power of that union is beyond our imagining. The Bhagavad Gita, the holiest of ancient Hindu scriptures, states that experiencing this divine connection is like seeing the explosion of a thousand suns in the sky.

Before you can glimpse the brilliance of those thousand suns, says spiritual teacher Raja Choudhury, the Kundalini energy first needs to awaken the three suns in your own body, which correspond to your seven chakra centers….

In the following 9-minute video, Raja celebrates the sun, literally and figuratively, as it relates to the transformative Kundalini awakening.

To read more, click here.

Click here for more information about Raja’s new 7-week live video training, Awakening Your Kundalini: A Step-by-step Process to Liberate the Divine Power Within, which begins on Wednesday, October 24.

Activating the Higher Vision for California
Michael Bernard Beckwith
California Vision 2020 Conference
13-minute video

Michael Bernard Beckwith, Agape Institute's Founder and Spiritual Director, electrified hearts with his incredible speech at this year's California Vision 2020 Conference. Michael's words of wisdom and energetic spirit inspire us to go inward and ask for insight to receive the guidance and actions to manifest our vision and become history-makers.

A Game Plan for How California Can Lead the Shift
Stephen Dinan
California Vision 2020 Conference
13-minute video

How can California help shift the world? Shift co-founder Stephen Dinan offers an inspiring roadmap in his presentation from this year's California Vision 2020 Conference.

Social Change and the Role of Compassion in Policy Making
California Mayor's Luncheon, Part 1
California Vision 2020 Conference
47-minute video

In this rich conversation, California youth leaders engage Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, Mayor Michael D. Tubbs of Stockton, and Mayor Heidi Harmon of San Luis Obispo in a series of questions on issues they feel most pertinent to young Americans today involving policy making, social change, and cultural representation, and equality.

Support Indigenous students and teachers!

Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America is the only school designed to attend to the needs and goals of Indigenous students in Los Angeles. It’s in a struggle for its survival! Listen to this message from Youth Leaders/Delegates from the CA Vision 2020 Conference.

You can help the school by signing a petition, donating funds, and writing letters of support. To find out more: click here.

Native Knowing
TEDx talk by Ilarion Larry Merculieff

In this video presentation, Ilarion Larry Merculieff talks about our nature, the nature around us, how we are disconnected from it, and how we can reconnect once more. With a solid background as a community, business, and environmental leader, Ilarion’s later years reflect both this lifelong career path as well as the fulfillment of his cultural role as Kuuyux, or wisdom keeper for the Aleut people. Click here to watch the video.

The Magic Mirror
A Film by Anne Veh and Rajesh Krishnan

Imagine a magic mirror that you look into to discover how truly wonderful you are. That is the kind of mirror that Betty Peck, a kindergarten teacher with more than 50 years experience, had in all of her classrooms. Whenever one of her students felt worried or unsure, Betty would gently guide the student to look into the magic mirror and say, "How could you forget how wonderful you are?!" In this short film, this wise woman, now well into her 90s, encourages us to have just such a magic mirror in every kindergarten class, every household, and every garden. Click here to watch this 8-minute film. Click here to write a note of gratitude to Betty and to find ideas for making your own Magic Mirror. Click here to read “A Kindergarten Student Keeps her Promise” — an article about the backstory of the film.

National Bioneers Conference 2018
Marin Center, San Rafael, California, October 19-21

We’re living in a thriller that only reality could write. Breakdown and breakthrough – death and rebirth – creative destruction writ large. As this year’s Bioneers Conference will exemplify, there’s as much cause for hope as for horror, and the ground truth is that how this story turns out is up to us. Nothing less than a steep change in human evolution will do. Never has it been more important for us to exercise our vision, our agency, our solidarity, and our voices.

For many people, Bioneers is a guidance system, a lighthouse that illuminates successful models, solutions, and many of the greatest visionary change-makers of our time. Rise up with us as we transform our relationship to nature, each other, and our own humanity. Changing the system begins with a change of heart. Come and experience this Revolution From the Heart of Nature at Bioneers 2018. Click here to receive 20% off your ticket!

Bioneers Youth Leadership Scholarship Campaign

Bioneers provides the skills, information, and networks to help the next generation envision and build a more equitable, regenerative future. We are committed to making Bioneers accessible to young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Your contribution to the Youth Leadership Scholarship campaign offers young people a powerful opportunity to participate in interactive dialogues and skill-building workshops with mentors and experts. At Bioneers, youth have the opportunity to express their ideas and challenges and to connect with other activists to put their dreams into action.

The Bioneers Youth Leadership Program (YLP) offers more than 400 young leaders and activists the opportunity to listen, create, express themselves, ask hard questions, and get real answers in an open-hearted, creative space. These young leaders come from a variety of backgrounds from frontline communities across the country. Our Native Youth Scholarship Program is committed to bringing both urban and rural native youth to the Bioneers Conference to participate in our groundbreaking Indigenous Forum.

Want to help us shape the future? Contribute to the YLP crowdfunding campaign and support us in making Bioneers accessible and inclusive to young leaders of all identities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Learn more here! You can also support the Bioneers Youth Leadership and Native Youth Programs by purchasing a T-shirt designed by the incredible Native American artist Jared Yazzie, depicting a Ramaytush Ohlone figure.

Quantum Qi Documentary Series Fundraiser

Sharron Rose, the host of The Shift Network’s recent Qigong Global Summit, is the director and producer of the forthcoming documentary series, Quantum Qi: The Taoist Art of Nurturing Life.

Sharon is inviting you to participate in the funding of this powerful documentary film series — and launch a global movement in the process.

Sharron is a filmmaker, choreographer, composer, author, teacher, and performer who has spent the past 40 years working in the fields of education and the arts to investigate, integrate, and impart the knowledge and wisdom of ancient and traditional cultures throughout the world.

Click here to watch Sharron’s 4-minute video invitation and to contribute to making Quantum Qi a reality.

The Summer of Peace Letter is a free 13-part letter series that features inspiring leaders in the important fields of spirituality, neuroscience, peacebuilding, compassion, and peace education. The letter provides 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, Euphrates Institute, Metta Center for Nonviolence, National Peace Academy, Nonviolent Communication Academy, and many more! You can review the archived letters here.

Braiding Sweetgrass
By Robin Wall Kimmerer

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist and as a woman, Robin Wall Kimmerer shows how other living beings ― asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass ― offer us gifts and lessons, even if we've forgotten how to hear their voices. In reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn how to give our own gifts in return. Click here to order your copy.

The Joy of Genius
By Gay Hendricks

In the sequel to his bestselling book, The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks’ newest book, The Joy of Genius, will teach you how to bust through your particular brand of negative thinking so that you can spend as many of your waking hours as possible living in your fullest creative expansion. From your relationships to your career to your health, you’ll get a step-by-step plan to banish doubt, resistance, and regret so you can step into the boundless realm of your genius. Order it today and Gay will give you a free ticket to an exclusive live video seminar on October 24 in which he’ll personally take you through the key tools in The Joy of Genius.

If you would like to submit something to The Catalyst, please see the submission guidelines: click here.
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2018 Issue 20 • Oct 7

The Shift Catalyst is a bi-weekly ezine for conscious change, powered by The Shift Network.

If you received this Catalyst from a friend, click here to subscribe.

• Shift Network Update
• Featured Media
• Featured Articles
• Profiles
• Movement News
• Action of the Week
• Shift Spotlight
• Shift Impact
• Partner Spotlight
• Featured Artist
• Allies of the Shift
• Back Issues

Like Us. Collaborate!

Commemorate Indigenous People Day on October 8 by joining the Global Indigenous Wisdom Summit Live on Facebook — and by supporting Indigenous students and teachers at the Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America by signing a petition, donation funds, and writing letters of support.

Shine!

A life-enhancing weekend program with the founders of The Shift Network

November 16-18 in California

Are you ready to unlock the next stage of your life and take flight with clarity, passion, and confidence? You’re invited to a rare opportunity with Shift Network's founders, Stephen Dinan and Devaa Haley Mitchell.

They’ll guide you in essential practices for expanding your reach, success, and abundance while also living in alignment with your deepest truths.

In this life-changing two-day program, you’ll:

• Hone your vision and magnetize aligned opportunities and partners

• Uncover and break through all blocks that keep you from your destiny

• Learn the key tools of enhanced and truly conscious leadership

• Commit to a bold action plan that will move you into birthing and fulfilling your soul’s path

Hosted at the beautiful new 1440 Retreat Center in California, you'll step into an amazing sanctuary and a program designed to infuse your core vision with a combination of both sacred masculine power and ancient feminine wisdom. Click here to find out more.

Discover the Next Level of Energy Medicine: Advanced Teachings to Deepen Your Healing & Intuitive Mastery and Activate Higher Frequencies of Consciousness — A Free Video Event With Bioenergetic Medicine Pioneer Dr. Sue Morter. Discover how you can build new neurocircuitry — to transcend fight-flight-or-freeze and heal limiting energy patterns you’ve inherited. Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 5:30pm Pacific

Getting Your Wounds Out of Your Way: How to Heal Your Deepest Patterns & Liberate Your Purpose — A Free Video Event With Respected Change Agents Tim Kelley & Beth Scanzani. Discover the keys for transforming your wound-based patterns and reclaim the gifts that were perfectly designed for you to step into your higher purpose, genuine self-expression, and greatest joy. Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 10:00am Pacific

Discover Egyptian Shamanism: Awakening the Deities Hathor, Sekhmet, Isis & Thoth Within You — A Free Video Event With Renowned Author and Teacher of Egyptian Mysteries Nicki Scully. Discover the healing path of Egyptian shamanism — and experience a liberating ‘Heart Breath’ practice to evoke inner and outer harmony. Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 5:30pm Pacific

Charge & the Chakras: The Inner Psychology of Activating & Harmonizing Your Life Force — With #1 Bestselling Chakra Expert & Somatic Therapist Anodea Judith, PhD. Take your understanding of energy, the chakras, and your personal evolution to the next level and discover the inner psychology of working with your life force energy… to transform trauma, meet difficult challenges with ease... and truly thrive. Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 10:00am Pacific

Red-velations: Remember Your Soul’s Truth, Reclaim Your Sovereignty & Rejoin the Trinity of True Love — A Transmission Based on Memories of Sarah, Daughter of Jesus & Mary Magdalene Featuring Author & Speaker Sera Beak. What awaits in your depths is more glorious, wise, and powerful than anything or anyone outside of you. — Redvelations. New 7-week Live Audio Training Starts Tuesday, October 9, 2018

The Sounds of Your Soul: Dynamic Vocal Practices to Expand Your Expression, Creativity & Capacity for Love — With International Singer, Educator & Author Chloë Goodchild. Experience a dynamic, heart-centered approach that uses sound to transform difficult emotions, release blocked energy, and dissolve stress. New 7-week Live Video Training Starts Monday, October 15, 2018

Ayurvedic Herbalism for Women: End Inflammation, Detoxify Your Body & Revitalize Your Mind & Spirit — With World-renowned Ayurvedic Herbalist and Teacher K.P. Khalsa. Discover how to easily (and safely) apply effective remedies to reduce inflammation, detoxify your body, alleviate pain, and more. New 7-week Live Video Training Starts Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Ancestral Medicine: A Journey of Sacred Rituals & Practices to Heal Yourself & Your Lineages — With Psychotherapist and Ancestral Medicine Teacher Daniel Foor. Break free from painful legacies, release toxic wounds, and find peace by connecting with the wise ancestral guides in your bloodlines. New 12-week Live Video Training Starts Thursday, October 18, 2018

More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)

October
• Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Summit
• Dr. Sue Morter 6-month course
• Raja Choudhury 7-week course

November
• Nicki Scully 7-week course
• Tim Kelley & Beth Scanzani 4-month course
• Anodea Judith 7-week course
• Daisy Lee 7-week course
• Lama Palden 7-week course
• Dreamwork Summit
• Russ Hudson 10-week course
• Roger Jahnke 7-week course
• David Crow 7-week course

December
• Andrew Harvey course
• Desda Zuckerman course
• Hank Wesselman 12-week course
• Suzanne Scurlock course

The Path

The vision of The Path is to raise spiritual consciousness about the interconnectedness between humanity and Mother Earth. The mission of The Path is to conserve and distribute seeds for future generations. They meet their mission through seed conservation, education, and collaboration with other organizations. Click here for more information. Click here to make a donation.

Indigenous Law Institute

The Indigenous Law Institute is dedicated to supporting Indigenous nations and peoples to protect their sacred ancestral homelands, to restore and revitalize their linguistic, cultural, and spiritual traditions, and to heal from the trauma of colonization. Click here for more information. Click here to make a donation.

Indigenous Environmental Network

IEN is an alliance of Indigenous peoples whose mission is to protect the sacredness of Earth Mother from contamination and exploitation while maintaining and respecting Indigenous teachings and natural laws. Click here for more information. Click here to make a donation.

The Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways

The GCILL is an informal umbrella created to support short-term and long-term projects that educate and inform people about indigenous ways of knowing and wisdom for modern times — spirituality that raises human consciousness and harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. GCILL’s primary focus is to advance the capacity to share the messages of wisdom keepers, including the work of founder (and Global Indigenous Wisdom Summit speaker) Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff while helping others and Mother Earth.

Click here for more information. Click here to make a donation.

Jami Lula

It is the rare artist that is larger than the canvas they occupy. Their mission is bigger than the stage they stand upon. Their commitment and contribution extend beyond themselves to encompass all who come into contact with them. Jami Lula is such an artist.

Born and raised in Detroit’s arts and musical hotbed, Jami made his way to Southern California — into the melting pot, the creative stew where creativity, music, and transformation intersect. Landing a gig at LA’s Musician’s Institute as a vocal professor, his explanations and leadership provided something unique for his students and his community: a quiet and powerful sense of purpose, balance, and giftedness. Music is larger than just making sound. It is the heart of the Spirit walk, the key to creative change in the world.

Jami, who has recorded more than six albums, lends his voice and leadership in concert to youth groups and spiritual centers throughout the nation, Jami has been honored by LA Music Awards (“Best Male Vocalist”), winner of the Centers for Spiritual Living “Youth Champion Award,” and many other musical and mission-based honors. His work with youth is legend.

Click here to view Jami’s albums. Click here to listen to samples of Jami’s music.

Solar Action Alliance

Peace Through Commerce

Evolutionary Leaders

The Foundation for Conscious Evolution

The Shift Movie

Humanity's Team

Green America

The National Peace Academy

Sacred Centers

Center for Sacred Studies

International Cities of Peace

Agape International Spiritual Center

Gaiafield Project

Click here to apply for inclusion above.