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 By Philip Hellmich, Director of Peace
Over the past seven years, The Shift Network has played a groundbreaking role in advancing a broader understanding of peace by creating one of the first bird’s-eye view of peace from inner, interpersonal, community, and international levels.
We’ve interviewed hundreds of people (scientists, spiritual leaders, educators, Indigenous elders, frontline peacebuilders, business professionals, military officers, etc…) in our online Summer of Peace summits in partnership with a wide range of organizations, including the Alliance for Peacebuilding, National Peace Academy, Pathways to Peace, the Peace Alliance, Stanford University’s Center for Compassion Altruism Research and Education, and many more.
Many of these interviews are available for free in the World Peace Library — a gift from The Shift Network to you.
In recognition of our leadership role in creating a new narrative of peace, I was invited by Peace Through Commerce to participate in the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Oslo, Norway. The Forum was a two-day event focused on “How to Solve the Climate Crisis” with former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore as the keynote speaker. It is a joy to share with you an article about my experience at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
Speaking of the climate crisis, we’d love to hear your answer to the question, What is your dream: How will the world be different after humanity successfully addresses climate change? To share your thoughts in our Facebook Page community, click here.
Editor’s Note: You may have noticed that we called this edition of Catalyst “The Interview Issue.” Indeed, you’ll find that all five items in our Featured Articles section are deeply enjoyable video interviews.
Leading off is author Lisa Genova, whose breakout first novel, Still Alice, is about a 50-year-old university professor with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which earned Julianne Moore an Oscar for the title role in the movie adaptation. Her latest book, Every Note Played, is about a classical pianist with ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Next up is Shift’s own Director of Peace, Philip Hellmich, who not only shares insights from his revealing and profound book, God and Conflict, but passionately speaks to the power of peacebuilding, offering concrete examples of how we can move from inner to international peace.
As a special treat, we interviewed Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior, about how the numbers in your birth date can provide reliable, accurate information about core issues in your life… and author Sharón Lynn Wyeth, who explains how the placement of the letters in your name can reveal your personality traits and so much more.
Finally, author and developmental psychologist Robert Atkinson shares powerful insights from his book, The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. Robert is is deeply committed to the global movement of our time: building a culture of oneness.
We hope you enjoy these revealing and insightful video interviews, as well as all the other fascinating and timely content in this issue!
You don’t have to fight to live as you wish. Live as you wish and pay whatever price is required.
—Richard Bach
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Attending the Nobel Peace Prize Forum: How to Solve the Climate Crisis
By Philip M. Hellmich
 The Nobel Peace Prize has become synonymous with integrity, courage, and justice, while also having the ability to bring much needed attention to priorities in the world. It is many people’s dream to attend the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. I had that opportunity this past December when I was invited by Phyllis Blees, founder of Peace Through Commerce (PTC), to join her team for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
To read about Philip’s adventures in Oslo and watch his impromptu video interviews, click here.
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 Would you like to join The Shift Network team?
We are seeking unique and talented individuals for three important positions at The Shift Network: Sr. Learning Products Manager...
Learning Products Manager...
Production Scheduling Coordinator.
If you are inspired and passionate about joining our team, please click here for more information about these positions. The Shift Network is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer.
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“Life of Grace” Facebook Live Q&A
 Would you like to end your struggle to “awaken” and relax into the abundant flow of Grace already within you? Spiritual teacher Miranda Macpherson will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Wednesday, January 30, at Noon Pacific to share how you can walk the true spiritual path of surrender with compassion, clarity, and forgiveness to abide in unshakeable presence. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.
“Wise Woman Quest” Facebook Live Q&A
 Would you like to experience sacred practices that activate feminine power and wisdom to manifest your true calling? Author, storyteller, and EARTHwise founder Anneloes Smitsman will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Wednesday, February 6, at 10:00am Pacific to share how you can access your deepest intuition, inner strength, and spiritual transformation through five feminine archetypes. Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.
“The Dance of the Critic & the Muse” Facebook Live Q&A
 Would you like to experience proven, hands-on practices to tame your Inner Critic and invite your Muse to dance with you? Shiloh Sophia, renowned visionary artist, teacher, and founder of Intentional Creativity®, will be leading a special Facebook Live Q&A call on Thursday, February 7, at Noon Pacific to share how you can learn ways to make peace with your Inner Critic, lure the Muse out of hiding, and open your life to more possibilities, magical synchronicities, and greater joy, Click here to get a Facebook Messenger reminder when the event goes live.
Your Voice:
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We want to know: What is your dream: How will the world be different after humanity successfully addresses climate change? To share your thoughts in our Facebook Page community, click here.
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Author Lisa Genova on ‘Every Note Played’
Video interview with Phil Bolsta
 In this 52-minute video interview exclusively for Catalyst, author Lisa Genova shares her insights and experiences around her five New York Times bestselling novels, including Still Alice (about a 50-year-old university professor with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which earned Julianne Moore an Oscar for the title role in the movie adaptation), and her latest book, Every Note Played (about a classical pianist with ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
An excerpt:
Story gives me a chance to help educate the world from a place of empathy, what it feels like to have ALS. So like with ALS, how many of you out there dumped a bucket of ice water over your head, right? Millions of us did this to raise money and awareness for ALS. And so maybe you did this, and so you're familiar with the three letters ALS, and maybe you donated money, which is awesome and helped advance the research toward finding treatments and cures, but do you know anything about ALS beyond those three letters? Do you feel anything about ALS having done the Ice Bucket Challenge? Probably not. And so, my hope is that in writing the story about someone living with it, you can begin to imagine what that journey is like. And so then the next time you come across someone with ALS or it's in the news, you connect the human beings with it in a better way.
To watch the video and read the text, click here.
Philip Hellmich on God, Conflict, and Peacebuilding
Video interview with Phil Bolsta
 In this wide-ranging 45-minute video interview for Catalyst, Philip Hellmich, The Shift Network’s Director of Peace, shares the insights and experiences that went into his book, God and Conflict, and his lifelong exploration into the inner and outer dimensions of peace.
An excerpt:
I was assigned to Kangbe, a small remote village of about 30 houses, about 300 people, out in the bush, and then after two years moved to Masambo, another one out in the bush, about 30 houses, no electricity, no running water, and the communication back home was via aerograms. I was the only white person, and people in Sierra Leone just opened their hearts and took me into their homes and treated me with so much love and respect just right off the bat.
It was powerful. My friends being subsistence farmers living on about a dollar a day or less... the cycles of the crops, the cycles of the moon, the rainy season, dry season, and all of this just slowly started to transform me. And again, the basic goodness, the love, the kindness, seeing people be happy with materially very little, there was a deep sense of connection with nature, with the crops, with spirituality.
To watch the video and read the text, click here.
Author Dan Millman on ‘The Life You Were Born to Live’
Video interview with Phil Bolsta
 In this 34-minute video interview exclusively for Catalyst, Dan Millman, author of 17 books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, talks about the updated, 25th-anniversary edition of his book, The Life You Were Born to Live, which explains how your date of birth can provide reliable, accurate information about core issues in your life.
An excerpt:
Now, one way I'd explain the life paths is this: If I were to point to a tree outside, chances are there's not a single tree on the planet exactly like that tree. In the same way, each of us is unique. We each have our own story. There's no story exactly like ours. But I can say some things that apply to redwood trees that are different from birches or aspens or oaks. So, in that sense, we fall into different patterns, like those various kinds of trees. Those patterns are what the life paths describe.
If you divide 45 into the population of the planet, that means millions of people are working each of those life paths. It does not mean they're exactly the same personality or look the same because we each have our own genetic heritage. We have our life experiences that also help to shape us. So we're not just a number, but it is a very good indicator, and the issues and qualities and dynamics of that number can be quite helpful to understand so we don't stumble in the dark over them. We can see where the hurdles are in our lives.
To watch the video and read the text, click here.
Sharón Lynn Wyeth on the Letters in Your Name
Video interview with Phil Bolsta
 In this 29-minute video interview exclusively for Catalyst, author and name expert Sharón Lynn Wyeth explains how the placement of the letters in your name can reveal your personality traits and so much more.
An excerpt:
So suppose that I'm loading the dishwasher, and my partner comes in and says, "Hey, we're gonna have to run that dishwasher a whole bunch of times, so while you're loading it, because we're not getting enough dishes in there, okay?" What the letters in my name would say is, "I'm gonna shut down and quit." I'm gonna say, "Obviously you know how you want this done. You do it." I'm gonna walk away, and I'm not ever gonna load that dishwasher again. It's like it's now gonna be his job, okay? But if he came to me and instead he said, "You know, I wonder if there's a way that we can load this dishwasher, get the maximum number of dishes in there so they can all get clean so we don't have to run it very often. What do you think?" Now, it's a puzzle, and I don't mind loading that dishwasher and every time I have to load it, it's a new puzzle, and so now it's fun to load the dishwasher.
To watch the video and read the text, click here.
Author Robert Atkinson on ‘The Story of Our Time’
Video interview with Phil Bolsta
 In this 21-minute video interview exclusively for Catalyst, author and developmental psychologist Robert Atkinson, shares insights from his book, The Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness.
An excerpt:
The seven principles [guiding our current evolutionary leap] are drawn from Indigenous teachings and the mystic traditions of the world's religions. They provide a framework for a new story of our time centered upon the idea of the evolution of religion itself. So these principles are first, consciousness is a potentiality set in motion by organic process. Second, love is the underlying force of evolution. Third, justice maintains the inherent balance of life. Fourth, unity is the result of the conscious confrontation of opposing forces. Fifth, reality is one and global harmony is inevitable. Sixth, religion is continuous and progressive. And seventh, consciousness evolves toward wholeness and unity.
To watch the video and read the text, click here.
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Watch Conscious Living® TV on Amazon Prime
 Join the Conscious Living crew as they travel the globe exploring what it means to “be the change” in creating a more mindful, healthy and sustainable planet. From tasty vegan recipes and ethical fashion to spiritual retreats around the world, catch the next season of Conscious Living now on Amazon Prime — or follow their latest adventures @ConsciousLivingTV!
Weaving Strands of Peace and Power
Web of Light Subtle Activism Series
Join Subtle Activists and life partners David T. Nicol and Kate Naga the first Saturday of each month for their Web of Light Subtle Activism Series, in which they tap into a different quality of our shared essential presence as a strand of light in the global Web. February’s presentation, “Weaving Strands of Peace and Power,” is designed to help absorb and transmute excess hatred in the collective psychosphere. Click here to listen on Saturday, February 2.
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International Yoga Festival
March 1-7, 2019
 Join us for the world-famous annual International Yoga Festival on the banks of the holy Ganges river, nestled in the lap of the sacred Himalayas, the birthplace of yoga, at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Receive the darshan and inspiring, uplifting wisdom of revered saints, and the teaching and touch of renowned yoga teachers from across the world from a wide variety of lineages — plus, ecstatic kirtan, divine Ganga Aarti, and much, much more. The International Yoga Festival is a truly globally unique event, bringing together so many masters from so many traditions, cultures, and countries in one sacred, beautiful place! Click here to register online.
Wisdom 2.0
March 1-3, 2019
San Francisco, California
 Wisdom 2.0 is the premiere gathering focused on exploring the intersection of wisdom and technology. Our flagship gathering is in San Francisco each year, where thousands of people from over 30 countries join in asking: “How do we live with greater MINDFULNESS, WISDOM, and COMPASSION in the digital age?” Past speakers include founders of Twitter, Facebook, and eBay. Click here to view the full list of speakers for this year’s event. Click here to register.
Turn Me to Gold: 108 Poems of Kabir
By Shift faculty Andrew Harvey
 After authoring more than 30 books, Andrew Harvey, Rumi scholar, mystic, founder of Sacred Activism, and one of Shift Network’s most popular faculty, has released what may be his consummate work, Turn Me to Gold: 108 Poems of Kabir, embellished with extraordinary photographs of India by Brett Hurd. Unlike Rumi, writes Andrew, Kabir is the tough, no-nonsense peasant... the master of laser-like clarity, simplicity, directness, passion, and strength... exactly what spiritual seekers need amid our devastating global crisis. Click here to order your copy.
Why Did Lemuria Fall?
By Adria Wind Horse Estribou
 This book of transcripts claims to contain channeled messages from a Lemurian priest and priestess for people on earth today. Lemurians have been where we are standing and want to offer warnings about not falling into the same traps, unravel some misunderstandings, and offer blessing transmissions for upliftment. Click here to order your copy.
Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World
By Phil Bolsta of The Shift Network
 Through God’s Eyes is a road map for living a more peaceful, beautiful life. It’s the only book that shows you how dozens of spiritual principles interact, how to weave them together into a cohesive worldview, and how to practically apply this spiritual wisdom to bring joy and vitality to your daily life. One reviewer called it “the owner’s manual God should give you when you’re born.” To order your copy, click here. To request a sample chapter from the author, email Phil at GodsEyes@me.com.
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.
BOOK BY STEPHEN DINAN: Sacred America, Sacred World. 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.
If you would like to submit something to The Catalyst, please see the submission guidelines: click here.
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 Alchemist, Guardian & Queen: 3 Feminine Archetypes to Activate Your Womb Wisdom & Evolutionary Calling — A Free Video Event With Author, Storyteller, and EARTHwise Founder Anneloes Smitsman. Experience a sacred practice to enter into the Cosmic Womb — a key step in manifesting your true calling. Wednesday, January 30, at 5:30pm Pacific
 Discovering the Feminine Way of Plant Medicine: Healing Through the Wisdom of Natural Remedies, Rhythms & Relationships — A Free Video Event With Herbalist, Gardener, and Author Deb Soule. Discover medicinal plants and tonic herbs most valued for women’s health — to heal and thrive during different cycles of life. Thursday, February 7, at 5:30pm Pacific
 Deepening Into the Radiant Lotus Qigong Path for Women: An Advanced Training for Greater Self-Healing, Self-Care & Empowerment — With Qigong Teacher and Author Daisy Lee. Discover how to integrate Qigong practices into your daily life to dissolve stress, clear energy blocks, and align with your own wisdom and grace. New 9-Week Interactive Video Training Starts Wednesday, January 30
 Finally, Truly Loving Yourself: Healing Attachment Wounds & Finding Self-Acceptance Through Inner Bonding — With Dr. Margaret Paul, Bestselling Author and Co-Creator of Inner Bonding. Discover how to apply powerful Inner Bonding practices to give yourself the love you never received. New 7-Week Live Video Training Starts Thursday, January 31
 Ancestral Medicine 4-Session Immersion: Deepening Your Relationships With Wise & Loving Ancestors — With Psychotherapist and Ancestral Medicine Teacher Daniel Foor. Discover how to remedy personal pain and explore psychological healing with your ancestors. New 4-Session Live Video Training Starts Monday, February 4
 Life of Grace: Relaxing Into the Blessings Beyond Fear & Control — With Spiritual Teacher Miranda Macpherson. End your struggle to “awaken,” embrace your humanness, and relax into the abundant flow of Grace already within you. New 12-Week Live Video Training Starts Wednesday, February 6
Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
February
• Shiloh Sophia 7-week course
• Anneloes Smitsman 7-week course
• Conscious Partnering Conference
• Ritamarie Loscalzo 9-month course
• Deb Soule 7-week course
• Raja Choudhury 9-week course
• David Crow 7-week course
March
• Inspiring Women with Soul
• Sandra Ingerman 7-week course
• Roger Jahnke course
• Desda Zuckerman course
• Chris Stevens 7-week course
• Daniel Foor 14-week course
• Ariel Giarretto 9-week course
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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.
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Four Worlds International Institute
Hereditary Chief Phil Lane, Jr. co-founded, with elders from across North America, the Four Worlds International Institute (FWII) in 1982. With the guidance of the Four Worlds Elders Council and Brother Phil’s leadership and applied experience, FWII has become an internationally recognized leader in human, community, and organizational development because of the institute’s unique focus on the importance of culture and spirituality in all dimensions of development. To find out more about Chief Phil Lane, Jr. and the Four Worlds International Institute, click here.
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Heather Houston
Rooted deeply near the ocean in Santa Cruz, California, Heather has devoted her life to revealing the essence of Love through singing. She is a spirited workshop and retreat leader, renowned vocal coach, and acclaimed recording artist who is known for her exquisite, soulful voice and ability to open hearts, lift spirits, and build community through music.
Heather is an accomplished singer and recording artist who has released six albums. The most recent, Prayers for the Water, is a gorgeous musical offering infused with gratitude and devotion for our life-giving waters and a 2017 ZMR top ten album. She has earned a loyal following through decades of diverse and inspired musical offerings, ranging from a kids’ album called Aardvark Adventure Stories to her a cappella groups Dis Moi and Sirenz, a jazz quartet, and her Women’s Spirit Song Choir.
Born into a family of singers and performers and gifted with near perfect pitch, Heather has been wholeheartedly singing since the age of three. Her early musical influences include singing with Bob Reid on his Saturday morning radio show, singing onstage with John Denver at age six, and singing with her mom at her voice lessons.
Click here to visit Heather’s website.
Click here to sample and purchase Heather’s music.
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