Share your Stories... Be the Change

2011-12-06T16:44:00.001-08:00

Be the Change: Whats goin on..

Click on the link above to go to the video..

I was inspired to write this it's a play on words a little softer way of embracing a difficult
intimate story of a child who grows up too soon in at times an all too busy world.

A Child's Garden of the Soul

by Mark M Estrada

A child is born... a garden of the soul is created..

I am learning that the wounds that a child occurs during the innocent years are the one's that are the deepest. Emotional weeds you cannot seem to stop them from popping up.

Taking the longest to heal to get rid of if you ever really do,you see it all depends on at what age you become aware the wound or wounds still exists.

The seeds of hope trust and unconditional love planted in the garden of every child should be nourished and cared for by others until they grow older.

No child should have to attend to this garden out of fear-neglect-self preservation.

The seeds cannot give the child a garden of the soul that's strong stable healthy.

The child's garden attracts unhealthy relationships and realities no matter how or what they may try that reflect the past and keep popping up .

Weeds in their soul garden like a wound stealing away their sun.

For those seeds of trust love acceptance planted when a child is born that over the years were never allowed to be cared for or nurtured for their garden to thrive .

Those seeds at birth not given the gift of love acceptance and support = water sun fertilizer a garden cannot thrive out of the soil's of a child's innocence. It simple doesn't have the nutrients yet for the soil to feed the heart of such a large garden.

The child becomes an adult spends years in a garden of protective behaviors gardening alone or without proper tools or help for what seems a lifetime.

Protecting a garden now mostly overgrown emotional weeds no longer a garden of their soul what do they do.

You find yourself a place in your own backyard and plant yourself a new garden ...you care for and nourish the seeds ...you stand in the sun and lovingly watch your garden grow.

If anyone needs help to create a garden of their very own I have a feeling Gardens of the Soul
will become one of my specialties in 2012.

You need only provide the seeds you now know the ones your child has held in your heart ...

And you now live fully in the knowing of with every fiber of your being.

The seeds that will grow best in the divine garden of your soul.

This young boy truly touched my heart tonight in ways he will never know. I so pray he has someone a caring adult who will just listen and not judge. A parent that won't try to silence his pain out of there own discomfort or guilt. Parents Friends Family protect the innocence of a child for as long as you can. There life depends on it.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER COMMENTS MADE VIA Facebook last Sunday.
- Deborah M We have nothing without the children......
  Sunday
- Dominik I felt so much compassion for this boy that i ended up getting angry that he's been treated so bad. i'm not gonna apologize for my anger or for my choice of words. i'm sick to fucking death of homophobia. i'm sick of brain dead, heart dead, soul dead people who treat other people bad just so they can feel better about themselves. there's no excuse anymore. it's pathetic. but this is what society and the media is teaching us, isn't it? we glorify villainy.
  Sunday
- Angie Vespa I couldn't agree with your anger more, Dominik.
  Sunday
- Mark Peterson-Estrada Please if you want to really do something be willing to have challenging conversations with your friends~neighbors~family members when you hear them use remarks ,labels, or make jokes about those they see as different,weak or less than. If your an adult in an abusive relationship be it substance use,food,fists or the internet. If it keeps you from your child's needs as well as your own. TAKE THE STEPS TO GET OUT.
  Sunday at 8:48pm ·
- Bill M I'm crying
  Sunday at 9:48pm
- Mark Peterson-Estrada I don't think I've ever experienced a post that has touched so many of us so deeply.
  Sunday at 10:05pm ·
- Dominikthanx for all your responses, folks. i cried too, cuz this is so heartbreaking. i'm also haunted by the times i think i was a bully.
  
  i've been practising thinking i'm not better than anyone else. i'm just working on being better than i used to be.
  a step further for me is working on not even feeling i'm better than the people who think they're better than me.
  
  my best wishes to all. namaste.
Theresa Thanks Mark. I will now watch the video.
Theresa WTF is wrong with people! This kid is brave, but will probably take a long time to heal. I hope he has an adult in his life he can turn to, this was a disturbing video. watch with caution.
Forrest · 21 mutual friends
Hey there is a follow up video from him...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7HkOaLFzGw&feature=player_embedded
Theresa This video was enjoyable. If he faked it as people said, that he is just looking for attention. Then he probably needs it. Stay strong young man, your whole life is ahead of you and the adventures you will experience will ease your pain
Mark Peterson-Estrada Theresa we each have are own way of communicating the same things. I'm so very grateful for the lessons ,the willingness to learn and the compassion for myself and all on their journey to share my truth so others in hopes others will do the same. This was HUGE for me tonight. Thanks to this child and to all who shared. Faking it or not he needs to be loved and kept safe PERIOD.
Paul P there's so much attached to so many of those wounds. It's so hard to get out, but we're all finding that you can get out, Of the years of carrying the pain around and the years of believing the words over and over and over. It's so wonderful that at this age, kids are starting to speak out in stead of carrying it around for 35 or 40 years like I did. I'm praying for the freedom of the consciousness of this boy and for his liberation and attachment from old feelings and old inner dialogue/shadow that keeps him in pain. He'll find the Light. It's all he is.

Bullying stops with me.

2011-10-17T16:49:00.000-07:00

Jamey's story....he choose to no longer take the risk in living...

He no longer has a voice but I do and from the day I watched the video about his life.

Heard his Mothers words describing her sons compassion ~sensitive ways~ often at 14 years old going out of his way so that others would feel a part of.

Mostly with the elders in his community he knew what it felt like not to be invisible.
That is until someone just as invisible his own age but for different reasons.

Would seek him out and make him feel small..afraid less than... unlovable...

I was Jamey when I was 14..15..16..17..and I only by the grace of god sit here to share my story.

I will speak for Jamey as long as I have need to as we each have a choice.

All the years ago there are some of you on Facebook now that said and did some
unkind things it was a long time ago we were kids..

Many of you had no point of reference to what my life was like and I'm not interested in revisiting the past with conversations ..

Many of you have children and grandchildren share this blog with them.

Talk about the difference's in the way someone talks~walks ~if they have parents
or if one parent is dead and the other one is about to follow.

That's no reason to single them out of being different might you have any idea what
it must feel like to wake up in their body just for a day.

Change the way your communities regard others by the ways in which you live your
own life...STARTING WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAY...

IT STOPS WITH ME....BULLYING STOPS WITH ME TODAY..

Mark Peterson-Estrada
I don't want to make anyone wrong for something that happened when we were kids. I understand the psychology of it all. It has to STOP with someone let's let it stop with us. I want adults to get together and talk about what occurred for them growing up. Go into the schools and save lives. Who wants to join me!

It's up to YOU and ME.

Which one did you choose based on your minds view of how you should

be in the World.

The Bully~

The Bullied~

The Person who speaks up~

The Silent witness who looks away doing nothing not saying a word

yet speaking volumes to how you would be regarded or seen in the world.
Everyone mentioned above holding there own wounds,blessings and complexities trying to feel safe in the World.

I want to share with you a story that occurred my Junior year at San Leandro High.

Spirit week we were the 1976 class Junior Janitors I somehow ended up leading one of the cheers on the playing field at one of the games.

It's not a funny story no longer does it make me angry or sad nor is it surrounded in shame ...anymore.

My hope is to forever change how we treat ourselves each other and are behaviors towards other's who don't walk~talk~believe~love - in the same ways we do.

Those seen as different when they don't have the same skin color,clothing or speak just like are friends and family.

Who just might be a little "too fabulous" or seem a little "too happy" or a "little too understanding" causing too much attention making me feel different and out of place.

Cant have that so often we avoid are own feeling's by treating others in shameful,unkind ways so that we can avoid the complexities of are own
insecurities,ego's and shame.

Cut off from are own emotions we can't possible know what are actions might inflect upon another. Not ever considering what might be going on for them or what there lives were like before are path's crossed.

Somehow we grew up feeling unsafe,broken perhaps even unlovable in the ways are mind viewed  the events actions and conversations that created

the stories and messages about ourselves and defined how we would relate to the world

Creating a way of being in relationship with a party of one believing

others don't really want to know what we think or feel anyway

Making it easier to be unkind towards others feeling the same about ourselves for so long now numb to any feeling at all.

Bully's have their own secrets to hide keeping a distance not risking intimacy or possible ridicule  come into their world.

Making sure by treating others in the ways they feared for themselves if the conversations with their mind and their childhood secrets ever got out.
Bulling stops with me my willingness to see the world of other's though the same compassionate eyes in which I now see myself.

I share my experience so other's can do the same.
Yet it's a story that speaks to the psychology of  being human I can wrap my mind around most of our behaviors.

I ask you not to judge~label~or blame simply be willing to make the choice to live your life differently after ready this

I'm on the playing field it's fun I feel like one of "the cool kids" beginning the chant I got nervous and got the wording all

jumbled.
This was a big deal as I had been 50-80 pounds overweight and invisible most of my childhood.

Dad was my food buddy making dieting difficult he died in 1973 and I lost close to 60lbs

I never expected that suddenly the crowd from the bleacher seats would starting throwing fruit and banana peels at me and

calling me names.
I don't recall running off the field yet I can remember being out of breath and shaking when I got to the house

where Patti Lyles lived trying to explain.
What I remember most is I felt fat ugly stupid and foolish to think that I could ever be a "part of" vowing I would never let

anyone know or see me cry and I was never going back to school again.

I didn't want to tell my Mom for she was then struggling with Cancer a battle she would lose not making it to see me graduate she passed in

January her body giving out before making it to June.

She made me go to school that next day saying Honey don't give-em the satisfaction that they got to ya. Walk in with your

head up and don't look anybody in the eye if their nice to you..

DON'T YOU DARE CRY.
Words I could not get out of my head the day of her services my friend Debbie played the piano and Sue sang Let it Be... I remember feeling like I did on the playing field some 8 months before

as I sat in the crowded church feeling invisible and completely alone.
I forced myself to remember what it felt like when the fruit hit me and I just sat there numb saying

don't you let anybody see you cry..

It doesn't matter your going be fine. It doesn't matter you don't need them anyway.
And I asked God why didn't you take me instead of her it really would be better that way don't you know.
I learned at a young age how to bury my feelings

and would recreate that night on the playing field many times when I needed strength yet was just moments away from falling apart.

I now live a life that I LOVE!

I was one of the lucky one's with a very resilient suborn inner child.

I write this for the boys like Jamey who sadly see no way out other than to take there life at 14 years old a child in an adult world.
None of us can change the past and I'm not sorry it happened for me as it's been a huge gift on my journey of Turning Lemons into Light.
I stopped looking for lemons in my bed years ago and I did learn to make a kick-ass lemonade for all the years dealing with life them damn lemons.
I'll gladly share my secret recipe as there's no longer the need to be challenged in the same ways today just because that's the way things started out.
As the lemons today you see have been turned into LIGHT!!

Lady Gaga - Hair (A Jamey Rodemeyer Tribute)

2011-10-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Junior Janitors class of 1977

2011-10-17T03:28:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you a response to this blog story from a classmate whom I had mentioned.

Patti's words took me back to a place I thought was far behind me.

Hearing her description of a time in our lives that seems like it was a lifetime ago.

It brought up some long forgotten memories as there really hasn't been a reason to hold on to a less than happy time in my life.

Yet it also speaks to what I believe with every fiber of my being nothing well almost nothing occurs simply by chance.

Little did I realize my high school years would be giving voice to a 14 year old boy who quite possibly thought no one cared enough to listen to what he had to say when he was alive..

Again my request to you is that you not get to caught up in the events of the past
none of us can change what was.

I hold no one responsible for something so long ago. I do how ever ask you this.

WHAT ABOUT TODAY...

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO SO ANOTHER CHILD SEE'S NO WAY OUT BUT TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE.

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE .

WE ARE THE HEALER'S THE WORLDS BEEN WAITING FOR ...

SIMPLY IN THE WAYS WE CHOOSE TO LIVE OUR LIVES EACH DAY.

IN THE PRESENT MOMENT ...PRESENT BREATH...
Here's Patti's response to my blog story..

Patti Lyles

I remember you being harassed but do not remember the fruit throwing event but I recall once how you wept so one day and how you shared and revealed your inner pain and the torment you were experiencing.

I think I remember Debbie and I would even walk you home a few times because you were harassed. It was only a block or two but we would go in and hang out and we’d talk to your mother. She wore a turban because her hair was falling out. That is unforgettable because that was my first time seeing someone so fragile and suffering from cancer. Hey maybe I was there when she told you not to cry. I sorta recall that conversation happening.

What is of value to me today is ---Those years in high school I fell for the person you are and your button nose and that cool haircut which Justine Bieber stole from you 30 year later….

My words to in response...
Mark Peterson-Estrada
- Patti, Thanks so much for your words and descriptions of a time in my life that had such significance.More than I realized. Honestly those days are as foggy today as they were all those years ago. Yet I don't look back wishing for a different experience nothing happens by chance. Having friends like you and Debbie meant a lot back then and would give my life such purpose today. Who knew that the willingness of people like you and Debbie to take the time all those years ago. Is in large part why I do the work I do today . I'm often told I get too involved in the lives of others. I smile to myself for I know first hand the importance of being willing to be a soul friend to another and I choose to get involved. I would love to get together with you one of these day. Hope your doing well Patti.
  Love~Light~Heartsmiles, Mark
  
  Your comments are always welcome.
  What I would like to hear most is how your going to embrace your life differently..
  The past can be a useful tool for living in the present so long as you stay clear of the labels..
  It's just information so that you might make a different choice based on the lives and choices that can never be changed.
  I will tell you what I have done though is I have changed the relationship I have with those events so long ago.
  
  And I think my Mom would be surprised to see that I have learned some
  different ways to process complicated events and emotions from my past.
  
  I have yet to master that skill where my siblings and family are concerned. I can be just as wounding and unkind as the words and actions of others have been in my past.
  
  For there are a few fragile places that haven't healed over the years that honestly may never completely go away..
  
  No one means to cause me injury I know yet if I don't pay attention old voices from the past get the better of me.
  
  I speak out with a voice that I didn't have back then that is often reactive and defensive words meant for actions based on events from the past .
  
  Spoken in the present that do no one any good and each time it occurs
  I get to learn how to respond differently the next time.
  
  The gift of information and choice that creates the gift of change sometimes quickly and sometimes not..
  What's important is that the change keeps occurring with each breath
  heartbeat and step along this journey called LIFE.

2011-10-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

COMPASSION

The pure and sweet soul man
Mahatma Gandhi commonly said,

"I am a Hindu and a Moslem,
a Christian and a Buddhist.”
In his ashram at daily prayers,
Gandhi prayed to all faiths one being
no less or more important than the other
ONE = all faiths.

We too would benefit greatly from his lesson
in tolerance and participation.
Truly the essence of faith
is compassion.

ONE.
I am a human being,
living here, in this time, in this
space, a citizen of the world;
an integral and engaged member
of this Earth Global Village.

ONE
I am a Hindu and a Moslem,
a Christian and a Buddhist,
a Pagan and a Jew.

I am, I am.
who walks in compassion,
For I am the one without shoes

I am that I am
a heart holding a genuine love,
for I am the one who is Gay.

I am that I am
with authentic integrity
for I am the one who is Tranny.

I am that I am
standing freedom for justice.
for I am the one who has no citizenship

I am that I am
for peace and for honesty.
for I am the one who is blind.

Wherever there is humility~empathy
an open heart,
I am, ONE
I am one soul.

Wherever there is kindness
an open hand to both friends and
strangers I am One

I am of one body~one mind~one heart
of flesh and life-giving energy.

I am food and I am water.
I am air and I am light.
I am many and I am only one.

One in unity respect together
is the phenomenal power
of cosmic unity.
.
Where a voice is necessary,
I shall choose word's that speak in
ways that don't dis empower or exclude.

Where an ear is called for,
I shall be the listener of heartfelt concern.
Willing to really hear without judging the actions
nor create separation making them less than
with negative labels.

Where eyes are required
I shall look seeing others as I would myself.
There is no path for those of faith
more worthy than the way
of compassion.

I am a child
in the family of living spirit
and in the congregation
of life and universal souls.

Like the genuine
Mahatma,
I would open my hands
and my little self,
releasing the
worm of violence
and welcoming the butterfly
of peace. .

Here, between my tears
I stand with my smile
I offer my prayer:

I stand here
mother earth with humility and courage,
asking forgiveness.. for what my actions have caused.

I understand and transcend the
misconceptions deceptions
the betrayal created in old beliefs and false truths.
Treating others as less than no I am that I am
Living life in the past I PRAY for forgiveness for the man that I was.

from HEALING, A Book of Poetry by David Sparenberg

Jamey's Story..

2011-10-05T22:28:00.001-07:00

Mark Peterson-Estrada
I don't want to make anyone wrong for something that happened when we were kids. I understand the psychology of it all. It has to STOP with someone let's let it stop with us. I want adults to get together and talk about what occurred for them growing up. Go into the schools and save lives. Who wants to join me!

Jamey Rodemyer said I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens.

Mark Peterson-Estrada says
My personal experience the way I see this based on my high school Jr year ..it takes far more courage to get up off the floor ~pick up your books and go to class after one of the "Guys" knocks you down for no reason. Takes no courage just fear~anger~self loathing to harm another to feel powerful. Those who looked on in silence allowing it to happen not offering to help. They are the ones who make sure boys and girls like Jamey take there lives at 14yrs old

Jamey Rodemeyer needed help. At 14, he was grappling with adolescent demons that could torment grown men.
And when he was online, he wrote about it.
FAMILY PHOTO, VIA BUFFALO NEWS
Jamey Rodemeyer
“I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens,” he wrote Sept. 9. “What do I have to do so people will listen to me?”
Just over one week later, Jamey was found dead outside his home of an apparent suicide.
In the months prior, he routinely blogged about school bullying and thoughts of suicide in between upbeat posts about his pop star idol Lady Gaga and the ordinary types of teen rants typical for kids his age.
On Sept. 8, he wrote: “No one in my school cares about preventing suicide, while you’re the ones calling me [gay slur] and tearing me down.”
He put up a separate post that day letting everyone know it was National Suicide Prevention Week.
Then he posted the lyrics to a song by Hollywood Undead:
I just wanna say good bye, disappear with no one knowing
I don’t wanna live this lie, smiling to the world unknowing
I dont want you to try, you’ve done enough to keep me going
I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine for the very last time
On Saturday night, he posted a lyric from Lady Gaga’s song “The Queen” on his Facebook page: “Don’t forget me when I come crying to heaven’s door.”
Then around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Jamey posted two final messages to his main public Tumblr blog. One said he really wanted to see his great-grandmother, who had recently died, and one offered thanks to Lady Gaga.
That was his last entry.
“He touched so many hearts, so many people,” said his mother, Tracy Rodemeyer, who met with some of his grief-stricken friends at Williamsville North on Monday. “I didn’t realize how many people he touched. He was the sweetest, kindest kid you’d ever know. He would give all his heart to you before he gave any to himself.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORIES SO WE CAN ALL CONTINUE DOING THE SAME..

I will post your stories or you may post them on a Facebook page as well as on my website. Hoping to get my now adult classmates to go out to the schools or at least create a video that sheds a little light on the shadows
that still can be found in the halls of countless places around the world.

Giving deep meaning to the lives of the boys and girls who were not as lucky to make lemonade.

They gave there lives so that bullying,shame and self hatred would come to an end..

I say it stops with me.

Judith S Giannotti
It has to begin with not only telling stories, but with self-esteem enhancing programs at home and in the school for both the bullied and the bullies. Children must be raised with the understanding of how kindness shows strength (unlike bullying) but unkindness is hurtful, dangerous, and does nothing to enhance the bully, but is rather so unkind and hurtful. I worked on a committe to set up a bullying program when I taught in the schools. They must learn kindness and compassion day by day. This is a great start Mark. Children must learn at an early age "to each his own"...

2011-10-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

JUNIOR JANITOR'S

It's up to YOU and ME.

Which one did you choose based on your minds view of how you should

be in the World.

The Bully~

The Bullied~

The Person who speaks up~

The Silent witness who looks away doing nothing not saying a word

yet speaking volumes to how you would be regarded or seen in the world.

Everyone mentioned above holding there own wounds,blessings and complexities trying to feel safe in the World.

I want to share with you a story that occurred my Junior year at San Leandro High.

Spirit week we were the 1976 class Junior Janitors I somehow ended up leading one of the cheers on the playing field at one of the games.

It's not a funny story no longer does it make me angry or sad nor is it surrounded in shame ...anymore.

My hope is to forever change how we treat ourselves each other and are behaviors towards other's who don't walk~talk~believe~love - in the same ways we do.

Those seen as different when they don't have the same skin color,clothing or speak just like are friends and family.

Who just might be a little "too fabulous" or seem a little "too happy" or a "little too understanding" causing too much attention making me feel different and out of place.

Cant have that so often we avoid are own feeling's by treating others in shameful,unkind ways so that we can avoid the complexities of are own
insecurities,ego's and shame.

Cut off from are own emotions we can't possible know what are actions might inflect upon another. Not ever considering what might be going on for them or what there lives were like before are path's crossed.

Somehow we grew up feeling unsafe,broken perhaps even unlovable in the ways are mind viewed the events actions and conversations that created

the stories and messages about ourselves and defined how we would relate to the world.

Creating a way of being in relationship with a party of one believing

others don't really want to know what we think or feel anyway.

Making it easier to be unkind towards others feeling the same about ourselves for so long now numb to any feeling at all.

Bully's have their own secrets to hide keeping a distance not risking intimacy or possible ridicule come into their world.

Making sure by treating others in the ways they feared for themselves if the conversations with their mind and their childhood secrets ever got out.

Bulling stops with me my willingness to see the world of other's though the same compassionate eyes in which I now see myself.

I share my experience so other's can do the same.

Yet it's a story that speaks to the psychology of being human I can wrap my mind around most of our behaviors.

I ask you not to judge~label~or blame simply be willing to make the choice to live your life differently after ready this.

I'm on the playing field it's fun I feel like one of "the cool kids" beginning the chant I got nervous and got the wording all

jumbled..

This was a big deal as I had been 50-80 pounds overweight and invisible most of my childhood.

Dad was my food buddy making dieting difficult he died in 1973 and I lost close to 60lbs

I never expected that suddenly the crowd from the bleacher seats would starting throwing fruit and banana peels at me and

calling me names.

I don't recall running off the field yet I can remember being out of breath and shaking when I got to the house

where Patti Lyles lived trying to explain.

What I remember most is I felt fat ugly stupid and foolish to think that I could ever be a "part of" vowing I would never let

anyone know or see me cry and I was never going back to school again.

I didn't want to tell my Mom for she was then struggling with Cancer a battle she would lose not making it to see me graduate she passed in

January her body giving out before making it to June.

She made me go to school that next day saying Honey don't give-em the satisfaction that they got to ya. Walk in with your

head up and don't look anybody in the eye if their nice to you..

DON'T YOU DARE CRY.

Words I could not get out of my head the day of her services my friend Debbie played the piano and Sue sang Let it Be... I remember feeling like I did on the playing field some 8 months before

as I sat in the crowded church feeling invisible and completely alone.

I forced myself to remember what it felt like when the fruit hit me and I just sat there numb saying

don't you let anybody see you cry..

It doesn't matter your going be fine. It doesn't matter you don't need them anyway.

And I asked God why didn't you take me instead of her it really would be better that way don't you know.

I learned at a young age how to bury my feelings

and would recreate that night on the playing field many times when I needed strength yet was just moments away from falling apart.

I now live a life that I LOVE!!

I was one of the lucky one's with a very resilient suborn inner child.

I write this for the boys like Jamey who sadly see no way out other than to take there life at 14 years old a child in an adult world.

None of us can change the past and I'm not sorry it happened for me as it's been a huge gift on my journey of Turning Lemons into Light.

I stopped looking for lemons in my bed years ago and I did learn to make a kick-ass lemonade for all the years dealing with life them damn lemons.

I'll gladly share my secret recipe as there's no longer the need

to be challenged in the same ways today just because that's the way things started out.

As the lemons today you see have been turned into LIGHT!!

Join Mindful Living SF at Spirit Speaks Conference September 18th 2010

2010-09-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Come join us on Saturday from 9am-6pm
We will be giving healing demonstrations and available for consultations about Classes Workshops Spiritual Counseling Mediumistic Readings with Madeleine Retif
Mark Peterson-Estrada MA Facilitator of Possibilities

We will also be introducing with the assistance of Mia Gonzalez store owner Encantada 908-Valencia st SF, Ca

Reiki Healing Candles ....Shed a little Light on this World..a new start up non profit organization where all the proceeds will go towards shedding some light for another.In ways that matter the most.

See you this Saturday ....

Love~Light~Blessings Mark

SPIRIT SPEAKS!

Personal & Global Healing
A day of healing, connecting, music and food!

JOIN the Bay Area’s premier spiritual teachers and healers on Saturday, September 18th, at the War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, 9am to 6pm.

(Program below)

http://sites.google.com/a/adayofspirit.com/spirit-speaks/

DISCOVER and experience spiritual and physical healing from these loving presenters: Drew Vogt, Transformational Teacher and Spiritualist Medium.

Roseann Buritz, clairvoyant messenger from Angelic Guides,

Michaiel Bovenes, inspirational speaker and spiritual healing consultant.

Aletha McGee, Musician and Sound Healing Practitioner, will bring us amazing music to touch our souls! For more information on these practitioners,

click on the "presenters" link.

A PANEL OF HEALERS will hold a meet-n-greet to learn about various healing modalities such as hypnotherapy, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and guided imagery meditation.

Guest Panelists include the Bay Area’s gifted Christina Opel, Wanda Whitaker, Summer Simonton, Barry Tylor Krueger and Sheila Medina.

Afternoon events will transition at 5pm for an entertaining and fun “after party” of music, singing and dancing with Aletha McGee and friends. There will be introductory sessions available with some of the healers. Nutritious and delicious lunches will be available. For more information on these panelists, click on the "presenters" link.

EXPO OF HEALERS A variety of practioners, such as Reiki Masters, Mediums/Channels and more, will have tables for their books, cd's, mini-sessions, and to meet-n-greet you. Experience the enhanced vibrations of deep meditation and find your own unique way to emotional, spiritual and physical healing!

PROGRAM
9 am Registration
9:30 am Welcome with Drew Vogt & Barry Krueger
10 am Michaiel Bovenes, Soul-utions to Turn Your Life Around
11:30 am Roseann Buritz, Messages from Angelic Guides: Ask the Angels a question!
1 pm Lunch Break/Meet-n-Greet, Mini-sessions with practitioners, and shop at our
selection of related books and CD's
2 pm Panel of Healers & Presenters
3:30 pm Drew Vogt, Maximize Your Inner Connections to Source!
5 pm Aletha McGee, Communicating with Spirit Through Sound
5:30-6:30 pm Music-fest After Party, Spirit Sings with Aletha McGee

SPIRIT SPEAKS! | Sept 18 2019 | San Francisco

2010-09-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Mindful Communications..

2010-09-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

What is Mindful Living??

Embracing Life..... Mindful Living.... Who gets to decide if I'm paying attention to my experiences.

What happens when we disagee,get angry, engage in office gossip letting mindfulness fly out the window.

Forgeting about the persons feelings dealing only with the problem with both of us wanting to be right about the other being insensitive.

I was faced with this experience just yesterday. I was in conflict with a friend and my living a mindful life was being challenged.

I reacted in several ways as his words floated around my ego...my emotions from past relationships and disappointments... and how I might be regarded in his eyes..

He acted as if he was right??... Did it matter if he questioned my integrity??

Do I NOW hold up the mirror in judgment attemting to discredit his actions..

After a 5 min game of who can push the reactive button the hardest doing the most damage. I remembered that no matter what I am responsible for my actions and choice of words when in communications.

I didn't want to be responsible for saying something in anger I would regret so I choose to simply tell the truth .. I would talk about this when I was less angry.

That was the most compassionate choice for both of us.

I asked myself why his questions made me angry...I knew my intentions were without
malice. I didn't need to defend myself.

So I choose to embrace this as information and choice based on his experience.

Not him judging me...And I know that I didn't intend to cause harm.

His angry words were not my truth.. So no need to respond back in anger..

Were my actions and behavior's grounded in compassion, empathy and love.. No not completely.

But I can say my actions were in the moment the very best they could be.. And the rest is just information.. NO RIGHT ....NO WRONG...NO JUDGMENTS....

Knowing that we both learned something about what's hurtful to the other. Which provides a deeper level of connection. And that conflict can be experienced without harshness.. Compassionate confrontation...

Means opening the door to caring for another in a gentle way even when you don't like the behavior,actions or situation.

Being willing to separate the action or behavior from the person. Knowing that it doesn't define either one of you... Staying in the relationship when it's not fun,exciting or rainbows... Being mindful to the knowing of what there heart holds..

Remembering those moments of the soul you have shared when words cant describe an experience you shared together.

Living in the knowing of what unconditional love really means.. A willingness to trust the relationship... More than taking the lead in the ego dance of being right.

BELOW IS A VERY PRACTICAL ARTICLE ON WHAT I CONSIDER MINDFUL

The Ingredients of Caring By Stephanie Peck

Humans are social creatures. We spend our lives interacting with others, giving and receiving. We were not designed to be alone, yet too often, when presented with the opportunity to reach out to another, we find ourselves holding back because we are unsure how to move forward. Whether we are caring for family or friends or complete strangers, we can act with assurance by breaking the concept of caring down into its essential parts.

• COMPASSION. The first step is having compassion for someone other than yourself. Too often, compassion is confused with pity, but they have completely different starting points. Pity is a fear-based response when we look down on someone else (as if into a pit) and treat that person as less than ourselves. We are so focused on the differences between us and them that we separate ourselves from them, holding them at arm’s length. Compassion, on the other hand, stems from the realization that we are all members of the same humanity and, therefore, equally merit love and concern. We are able to reach out to others (coming alongside them), look them in the eyes, and open ourselves to the opportunity to share life with another in all its joy or sorrow.

• ACCEPTANCE. We can only care for others if we accept them for the whole of who they are. We can’t pick and choose the parts we’ll help and disregard the rest. Acceptance doesn’t mean we compromise our beliefs. It gives us the responsibility to see without judging, to give without expecting repayment. When we can show every person we encounter the same acceptance, it is a reflection of the unconditional love we receive from God, who celebrates every one of us even when we’re not perfect.

• RESPECT. To treat another person with respect is to preserve dignity and nobility even when those things seem to be impossible. Every person is precious.

The pure and sweet souled
man
Mahatma Gandhi
commonly said,
"I am a Hindu and a Moslem,
a Christian and a Buddhist.”
In his ashram
at daily prayers,
Gandhi prayed
to include all faiths.
We too would benefit
greatly
from his lesson
in tolerance and participation.
Truly
the essence of
all religion is compassion.

Can we say:
I am a human being,
living here, in this time, in this
space, a citizen of the world;
an integral and engaged member
of this One
Earth Global Village.
I am a Hindu and a Moslem,
a Christian and a Buddhist,
a Pagan and a Jew.

I am one
with all compassion,
with all genuine love,
with authentic integrity,
for freedom for justice,
for peace and for honesty,
affirming dignity
protecting diversity
in nature and of cultures.

Wherever there is humility
and an open heart,
I am, in my soul.
Wherever there is kindness
and an open hand,
I am with these
unconditional hands
of flesh and life-giving energy.

I am food
and I am water.
I am air
and I am light.
I am many
and I am only one.
One
is the phenomenal power
of cosmic unity.

BURNING MAN SPECIAL OFFER...

2010-08-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

AS BURNING MAN NEARS FOR 2010..

Special ENERGY SESSIONS AND COMMUNITY ALTER

Mindful Living SF- Embracing Soul Possibilities.

Special Community Offer.

I'm offering

60 MIN ...
Energy-Reiki-Chakra Cleansing or Healing Meditation Sessions
For $10-25 as your able to pay. (Cash only please)

To those attending or returning from Burning Man 2010.

This is a way of supporting you in having an amazing experience this year.

Energy sessions to cleanse and clear away any blockages creating the possibility for you to embrace Burning Man at your fullest potential and soul level.

Using Reiki Life-force Healing Energy along with Crystal
Vibrational Healing using Soul Tone vibrations...

Clearing the chakra's and energetic space in the body creating an opening to experience and share in the universal love light that is Reiki. Connected and open to your soul truths and divine possibilities....

Embracing a willingness for the highest vibration possible while setting an intention,blessing or request for Burning Man 2010.

A Special Community Alter will be constructed at

Encantada Mexican Art Gallery 998-Valencia St near 20th hold your intentions for Burning Man 2010.

You can also purchase affordable sacred altar objects to assist you in creating sacred space on the Playa.

Store owner Mia Gonzalez has an amazing shop with many things crafted and designed by local artists..

Candles~White Sage Sticks~ Crystals infused with Reiki Healing energy..

I will send long distance healing energy each morning and evening. From the eve before Burning Man begins
until the day after it ends.

Hon -Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen... May you experience profound bliss,heart openings and divine connections in all the ways that feed and nourish your soul.

You may also return for a cleansing post Burning Man for the at the same rate.

Offer begins on Aug 12th - Sept 8th 2009.

Please contact me at mark@mindfullivingsf.com or call 415 968-9064 to schedule your session.

May you be surround in love light and blissful experience this year!

Mindful Living Counseling-Holistic -Reiki Services • 868-Valencia St #30A • San Francisco • CA • 94110

Living each moment with Compassion and Willingness

2010-07-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

I want to share a communication I had last night with a close friend of over 25 years. Some of the language might be a little strong.

But those whom know me my words are always selected with a compassionate heart.. And being compassionate doesn't always feel nice safe or pretty..

Yet should always be respectful and never shame based..
And your always invited to share your thoughts in agreement,support or none of the above. Your feelings are important and always embraced with respect I only ask that you do the same.

Love and Light, Mark

My friends communication...

SF Gate has a header today with the term GLBTQ. I looked it up just to make sure I was assuming the right thing, and I was. So here's my question: Isn't adding Q to the end kind of redundant? I mean, isn't Q encompassed in all those other terms? What's the point?

My Response...
To be honest I don't use any of the "PC"terms.. And get called on the carpet at times because of it. When I'm involved in Q and A sessions or lectures I say queer community.

I get lost sometimes in trying to get the GLBT..plus Q and well ya see what I mean.
And for me I'm taking back a phrase that carried much shame for many including myself.. So I don't pay a lot of attention to what the current terms are.

My friends Response..

I do. I don't know if you know that I have a disabled son - born eight weeks early, he's got cerebral palsy and autism. He's 18 but mentally about 3. Anyway, the terminology changes for the disabled about every six months, it seems. First they were disabled, then handicapped, then (I hate this one) handi-capable, now "people with disabilities" to "put the person, not the disability, first" - sheesh! And don't even THINK about using the term "retarded." OMG!

Same with the black community. First they were negro, then black, then Jesse Jackson decided it should be African-American. Damn! Why does this stuff have to change so dang often? Drives me nuts! ;)

My closing words to her...
I doubt very much you label your son anything outside of your child whom you love when your in your own home.
Especially when he is sleeping. I'm sure there are days that are quite challenging at many levels.

Please embrace that I don't mean to make light of how others choose to define themselves or how you must use the "correct terms" in order to get what you need from a health care and nation that knows numbers and labels.. Not people or circumstances.. It's frustrating I know..

I think all the social labeling that occurs in the world just creates a distance from the soul and makes it easier for us to be unkind to each other..
And believe no matter what the color of skin ,if we are housed within structured walls or live under a tree, what gender we identify with,how are brains are wired or re-wired,healthy or in poor health, what body part we choose, embrace , put where and in whom. So long as there is mutual consent of course.

Addiction issues or not..
We all want to feel safe in the world-be happy in our life -and be embraced in loving ways..
When we can give that to ourselves then each other within our own hearts
and mirror it out in the world..
Without Labels.. The planet will begin to heal and thrive..
Thanks for your question..

MAY WE ALL HAVE EQUALITY... EACH OF US A DIVINE CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE..

Without labels may we communicate and love each other as if are lives depended on it.. When we speak to each other imagine that you are holding the heart of the person to whom you are speaking... Be compassionate. it doesn't mean your soft,fragile or weak.

It takes more courage to be kind even when you are angry... Much more courage when you are in fear or your heart has been wounded to be loving..

And even more courage to walk away from another as to not be unkind,vindictive or hurtful... even when you know you are right..

For that's the greatest gift you give yourself ...

Self control and right action so when angry-hurt-or fearful you don't regret your words,actions - relive a past hurt-or rewound another. No matter how resentful-hurt-angry-or lost you may feel..

THAT FOR ME IS TRUE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE...

None of us are perfect but we can teach each other as we learn from each other. Our actions,past and present.. Can be useful tools when you see each experience as information and choice. Freeing you from judgment,embarrassing moments or labeling an action as a mistake. Mistakes only exists when you frame it in negativeness and don't use the information learned to make a different choice next time.

Share the gifts of your Soul.. Be Happy ...Be Loving...

Be in Awe of YOUR OWN UNIQUE SELF...Know your gifts as your soul essence the inner beauty you see in the mirror each day!! YOU ARE SO WORTH IT!!!

Join us and nourish mind,body,spirit. Supporting Queer Community Sat July 10th 7pm

2010-07-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

Announcing a NEW format for our monthly potlucks! We will be featuring guests speakers and presenters who currently contribute to the Queer Community - authors, healers, activists, queer supporting organizations, etc. If you or someone you know might be interested in being featured at a future Potluck, contact Nick@fleshandspirit.org

This month we are featuring a fellow F&S community member, Mark Peterson-Estrada. Mark is a Psycho-spiritual counselor ~reiki master/teacher~somatic coach, and he will be speaking about how he brings this work to the queer community. To read more about Mark check out his website at http://www.mindfullivingsf.com/

Please remember to bring a yummy dish to share!
Questions contact Nick@fleshandspirit.org
or mark@mindfullivingsf.com

ARTIST RECEPTION ENCANTADA JULY 1st 6pm-8pm

2010-06-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Join Mia at ENCANTADA 908-VALENCIA ST JULY 1ST 6PM TO 8PM....

ARTIST RECEPTION "ROAD TO HUATULCTO" ARTIST XAVIER CASTELLANOS..

Urban and Rural Landscapes Revisited

Landscape painting in contemporary Mexico encompasses a wide spectrum of visions and styles. It includes both striking Mexican vistas as well as abstract views of shifting geographies, urban landscapes, and fields of colour. A diverse visual language is used to describe a landscape, ranging from realism to surrealism to abstraction. Moreover, that which constitutes a natural or an urban landscape varies from painting to painting: a mountain view, rows of buildings, a towering cactus, a fantastic garden, totemic blocks of building-shaped figures, street grids, or suggestive planes of colour. Above all, today's landscape painting provides a sense of place, be it rural, urban, or purely psychological, identifiable or not.

After the Revolution ended in 1921, the Mexican government fostered the development of the Muralist movement. Artists were commissioned to paint the walls of public buildings. These highly innovative, talented, compelling painters worked in a forceful and realistic language, dramatically establishing an iconography and style that inspired generations of Mexican painters including Xavier Castellanos.

In Castellanos's work we find a broad lexicon of representative and narrative imagery complimented by a refreshing exploration of the expressive possibilities of nature and urban landscapes rarely seen in today's contemporary art. His power, simplicity and playful command of vivid colours within bold outlines is reminiscent of Expressionism and Fauvism. His style is replete with sensual curves and primitive forms.

The Mexican Landscape paintings of Xavier Castellanos reverberate with a sense of place yet a lack of time, and they suggest a bit of magical realism. They entice us with their views of colour-filled streets, lush gardens, and vibrant views. These paintings evoke great intensity while portraying sleepy colonial hill towns and melodic landscapes. They convey a lavish view of the towns and landscapes. Xavier's Urban Landscapes, Happy People, and Dreams Paintings add several layers of depth beyond this; rich in colour and filled with psychological messages, these paintings are a unique manifestation of the subconscious process of creating new ideas and new art.

Artist's Statement on Urban Landscapes

I am interested in the problems associated with urban areas; I am intrigued and worried by their impact upon the populations within them. This concern is reflected in various forms of pollution (environmental contamination, visual pollution, deteriorating living conditions, etc.) in my urban landscape paintings. My work speaks about issues that exist in the world around me and that affect me directly now, in the past, and in the future. The paintings critically evaluate our social "habitat", institutions, and industries, as well as artistic culture itself. They are the result of social construction, which is itself the product of Politics.

The existing urban landscape contexts (large cities where I have lived) are the object of my creative effort. On one hand, most of the paintings are pessimistic constructions---fragments of urban landscapes, sometimes represented in satirical and cynical ways. Toxicosis, Sprawl, Contradiction, Construction, Isolation, Lack of Communication, Despair and Lack of Space are accurate titles for some of the pieces. These paintings go beyond the immediate sphere of artistic creation to address non-artistic contexts. I want them to scream and to bear witness to the nonsense, decay, and inhumanity of overcrowded cities created by our 20th century Advanced Technological Society, in which the individual has been put away in second or third place.

On the other hand, I often think of poetry and painting as the same art form where colourful strokes and words connect to create a unified whole. Just as literary artists often convey a story between the lines of a text, I paint a vision between colours and ideas. I juxtapose overwhelming urban landscapes with premonitory dreams. Virtual colours serve as a visual equivalent for the "invisible" energy that occurs in the interaction between the artist and the landscape. I consider my canvases as enigmatic "maps" that negotiate real and emotional space. In this way, the often childish figures, buildings and symbols drifting through the paintings may be thought of as the cartography of these maps. The viewer has to elucidate these maps in order for him to read inside the head of the artist and, as a result, inside himself. In the maps, remnants become revitalised, erased fragments reappear, and signs and symbols talk to themselves; perhaps they speak quietly about invisible mirrors, old labyrinths, or their own inescapable death.

I am trying to portray an urban context in which, I feel, all orders become mixed and confused: animal, vegetable, mineral and human. I paint, between rigidity and overflow, large uniform surfaces next to small detailed sections. I want to show that there is movement, a flux and reflux of a broad lexicon of representative and narrative imagery. I want to point out, as others have before me, the relationship between the contexts of existing urban decay and our political and social actions, or lack thereof.

Want to share some fellow lightworker's ....Who live there Work..Be the Change you wish to see in the world.Gandhi

2010-06-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Renee Stephens: Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Life Coach, MBA

I want to take the next few weeks introducing fellow practitioners in the community
who are such gifts to the planet...

Not so much because of the insightful things they say.....Nor because of their education... The car they drive...Or where they shop...Nor what they wear...

They are individuals who are willing to show up for their lives in authentic ways.

Their willing to talk about life in practical ways when working with others using their own challenges and success as examples.

There's a sacredness to that level of soul work and truth telling and is truly what I feel the most divine gift one can give themselves and others. And is not always easy familiar or feels good... That's where willingness is so important I know as it's what I strive for each day..

Willing to live life in the moment.. Willing to step out of the past to the beauty available to me when I breathe into the present moment..Willing to see with loving eyes free of judgment...Aware that what I say...the ways I regard others...respond to challenges....show up for my life.... tells a story about how I feel about myself...

You can change your story if you choose... by embracing as those featured here the willingness to risk how you might be regarded by other's ,to step out of the familiar behaviors of past and take that leap of faith..

To do this you have to be willing to practice self care....have an amazing loving
relationship with the person looking back at you in the mirror each day..

Knowing that your a divine being simply because you ARE!!

That your not defined by the complexities in life....

Yours...or anyone... Else's..

Please get to know these wonderful dedicated souls who walk the talk and help heal the planet simply out of there willingness...

Choosing to live their lives
in exceptional ways coming from a place of Love~Compassion~Acceptance~Faith

Here's a poem Renee wrote and shared with us last week..

So, so, so, so, I will tell you a few very good things that I know

Your life can be easy, your life can be sweet,

if you give this a try, you might just want to tweet

about the places you’ll go and the things that you’ll do

When you settle down now, deep inside, oh it’s true

there’s a space in there deep where you’ve hidden before

without even knowing you can open the door

and you found long ago you had buried away

the treasure, the gift, the game you can play

to release, to discover, to find in your mind

that all you must do is simply be kind

and all becomes possible as your fears melt away

In the now, in the here, in these moments today.

Here's Renee's contact info.....
Renée Stephens
www.reneemethod.com

Host of "Inside Out Weight Loss"
iTunes top Weight Loss Podcast
(and it's f*r*e*e)
Over 2,000,000 downloads to date
Available at www.personallifemedia.com/iowl

Opening Doors to Wellness...up coming affordable holistic session pakages available.

2010-06-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Mindful Living SF~UCB Wellness Center
Holistic Health Lifestyle Program and You!
A program of Mind Body Spirit.

Designed to enhance the quality of all
areas in your life.

Working w/staff at
Mindful Living SF~
Opening doors to Wellness.
And UCB Staff Research Dept.
Weekly sessions include
Reiki~Meditation~ Energy
and Chakra Balancing,Nutrition
anxiety stress mgmt
Holistic
Health care.

WHAT IS HOLISTIC HEALTH?

It's a wellness approach that addresses the body, mind and spirit or the physical, emotional/mental and spiritual aspects of an individual. By spirit or spiritual, I am not making a reference to anything religious. We're talking about the essence of who you are -- the core self.

Holistic healing means taking an holistic approach when seeking treatment for imbalances and choosing to live a more balanced lifestyle.

What primarily distinguishes holistic healing apart from alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine is that physical health is not necessarily the main focus.

Even so, it is often the experience of physical discomfort that will first prompt a person's pursuit of holistic healing.

What we want to do is help you define what you can do each day to live a more quality life. Take what's working and find ways to manage what's not in ways that assist you in viewing life's challenge as information and choice.

Looking at what you can learn from the experience witholabel it as wrong,right, good or bad.

Not to view your life through lens that might be filtered by past experiences. The ways in which we relate to the world often is focused on avoiding the experiences in our past.. And yet we find them reoccurring just with different faces, city's, and in our bodies. Focusing on avoiding our past experiences almost draws them to you.

We want to assist you to live your life focusing on all the things you know are working and developing skills that support you in obtaining more of what's working addresses mind,body spirit.

We will ask you some questions relating to these topics and help you develop your own holistic program

This will include working with a Holistic Practitioner each week for the next 3-6 months, receiving weekly holistic treatment in the form of ,reiki sessions, chakara cleanse's, meditation. With the goal that these techniques will assist you to manage your life in ways that improve your health and well being.

Your experience's will be monitored with the results being part of a national study on holistic health you will be given a number code which will be used to identify you in our study. Cost to you will be $45.00.

Paid to the practitioner your assigned by the 5th day of each month. There is no other compensation for participants selected for this program as the full cost of holistic treatment is $300-$400.00 per month so there is considerable savings and quite an opportunity to improve the quality of your life,health and well being.

We are looking for 2 more participants available to begin no later than June 18 2010.$45.00 fee for June must be paid in full upon your first scheduled session.

The Holistic Practitioner you would contact for more information is Mark Peterson-Estrada MA
at mark@mindfullivingsf.com or call 415 968-9064.

Out beyond the field of right doing and wrong doing there is a field... I'll meet you there....RUMI

2010-05-25T00:00:00.001-07:00

Soul Journeys SF..

.Opening the doorway to possiblity...

I think this is such a cool image.

For me it's a reminder of the Inner Peace that's available when I remember that I'm a divine
being not defined by my actions relationships or past.

No conversations are taking place in my mind that talk of past mistakes,fears,and regrets that used to define me. And keep me from living in the moment.

When I bring myself back to my truth .... I am Loved.

I am Whole Healed and Healthy... A Divine Contribution to the Planet..

The complexities in life dont have to pull me away from the gifts in living in the present.

The universe is a loving compassionate and wants the greatest good for me.

No matter what's going on at anytime I can return to living in my own personal

source embracing the present moment with love,compassion and the knowing that nothing need change that.

Anything is possible when you choose to live in the present moment the field of possibilities.

Not attached to beliefs mistakes or past experiences that used to define you agreeing to no longer give

voice to those labels placed by your ego mind.

That kept you from the freedom of living in the field of possiblities

Out beyond the field of right doing and wrong doing there is a field... I'll meet you there"...~Rumi

A place where judgment,labels,ego, fear keep you locked into familar behaviors that cause a seperation of the soul.. You know these actions, beliefs no longer assist you on your path.

The familar voice of judgment towards self ,others when being right is so important you lose sight of your own happiness.

Being right can often translate into unkind thoughts,words actions that are harmful to the soul..Brought on by the ego overly concerned with the self.. So you label the problem whatever the action is that has stired up your emotions.

Cutting you off from your heart you only see the problem,allowing you to lose emotional balance. Your ego's voice now strong you have forgotten that there's a person with feelings living in that problem you have labeled..

No longer in the field of possiblity ....No longer seeing the beauty in the person who in this moment isn't a person and no longer excists. You are no longer in the same field... Yet you were right ...You won the battle ...

Problem solved do you feel better , happier, or do you feel seperate a slight ache in your heart?
Your ego~mind's labels judgments won out over your heart preventing you from living in the field of possiblitys ...

And was having to win...be right ...so ridged in your beliefs. Forgetting how to live with a compassionate heart.

Forgetting to look at see the PERSON first not just the problem. Forgetting to agree to meet beyond the field of right or wrong . Caught in your label's or judgment outsanding in the field of your own ego..

You see being willing to let go of black and white thinking create's many new possiblitys when mutually agreed upon to be left behind.

New ways to be in relationship with everything in life has been created.
The mutual agreement to step into the field.

To move into a new way of seeing and responding

to EVERTHING you experience.

Living in the MOMENT

Embracing the possibility's in life.

Opening the doorway to your soul..

WONT YOU MEET ME IN THE FIELD OF POSSIBLITIES??
I welcome your comments,questions and suggestions...

Blessings, Mark

SOUL JOURNEY...Nourishing Footsteps Mindful Living .. Walking Meditations Embracing the Beauty of The Ferry Building

2010-05-22T08:29:00.001-07:00

Soul Journeys....Guided walking meditations... Surrounded in beauty...Saturdays along the....SF Waterfront,Ferry Building,Farmers Market

May you experience with each step the sacredness unique to you living in the present moment..

May you be open to seeing the world in ways that nourish the soul....

Nourish the Body.. Expand the Heart.... Feed the Soul...

GUIDED WALKING MEDITATION AT THE FERRY BUILDING,FARMERS MARKET AND THE WATERFRONT.

SATURDAY'S BEGINNING IN JUNE ....at 9:00AM-11am
Soul Guide... Mark Peterson~Estrada MA

Smell..Taste...Touch...Connect to the Sacredness of Eating Well

Connect to the hands,bodies faces and hearts of the farmers who share there passion for growing and preparing wonderful foods,wines,breads,flowers cheese that brings such quality to our lives.

See how food gets from farm,oven,market then into our home's to feed and nourish us each day.

There is a sacredness...purpose and intention that connects us all here...We only need notice more fully..

We seem to live in such busy times...where it's automated everything,eating on the go,often without being present to the taste,texture enjoyment of the simplest things..

It's easy to move though the world missing moments that just might add a little peace to the complexities of your day..

Walking meditations are a great way to reconnect to the beauty around you.

Reconnecting to the gifts in being available without regard for anything but getting the most out of whats right here...right now...as you will never have the same experience ever again..

It can be challenging to practice Mindful Living paying attention to your breathe, your surroundings, your actions in ways that allow you to speak,see,respond to your world allowing for more compassion communications, heart connections with others that bring quality to each experience...To the knowing that your choices matter in the world... You can change your life though Awareness ...Willingness...and Change

How is this possible when we seem to be so focused on seeking out the quickest,fastest, cheapest way.... Seeing self and others in critical and judgmental ways. Thus living out of our bodies... Where getting more done , focusing only on the successes, strengths, wins...quickly looking towards the future... What will,is about to or is going to happen next.

Disconnected from the simple beauty,,peace and gifts that come with the practice of mindfulness. Being willing to live life in the now..

Present to Breathe...Heartbeat...Aware and connected...Happy... Mindful of the Moment..

Embracing the actual experience..

ALLOWING each moment to an increased awareness feeling more connected more alive....

Willing to allow ourselves to pay attention to body..mind..spirit as we move throughout the day..

Join us as we practice some basic meditation techniques,breath our steps focusing being mindful to the beauty of are surroundings..

Open to exploring ways that will enhance,improve, and promote change towards improved health and well being. Experiencing our lives in ways that add quality to your surroundings,you begin to feel more grounded,,less stress or anxiety. Have more energy seem happier to friends and family... ALL THIS IS AVAILABLE TO YOU....

WITH EVERY BREATH,,,FOOTSTEP...EXPERIENCE MINDFUL THAT LIFE IS HAPPENING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT.. WILLING TO MAKE CHANGES NOW...

May we experience together in community the gifts of the soul... Available to each of us at any given moment when we shift awareness to being willing to see life with fresh eyes,with each heartbeat living in appreciation for the blessings, centering ourselves in the sacredness of each breathe...

Noticing the intentions of our steps..As we travel on our soul journey in life knowing we can Be the change we wish to see in the world... Grounding us in Love- Peace Healing and Wholeness..

MAY WE WALK IN BEAUTY.. Please join us on June 5th for the first walk.. At 9am in front of Peets Coffee.. Suggested Love Donation..$10-$25

Walk is 90 min long with Soul Journal supplied and light snack during the closing
heart circle..

Then begin our soul journey walking for about 30 min noticing in silence..

Focus on breath,,, and body,, the beauty that surrounds us..

And perhaps viewing some familiar sights in a different way.. Paying close attention to breath-open loving heart-footsteps--

Being mindful to the Sacred Connection to all things with each step....each breath... each moment..

We will then gather and journal for 10 min(Journal Provided) and have a quick soul discussion as a group to share a bit of the experience..

Time of Meditation is 90 min and cost for each walk is $10-$20 suggested donation.

PLEASE CONTACT MARK FOR DETAILS 415 968-9064 0r email mark@mindfullivingsf.com

A description of A Walking Meditation..

Just walk slowly,allowing your heart to open to more love,compassion ,beauty notice your footsteps and breathing as you go. Let sights and sounds pass through, returning your mind to your feet. Feel the good earth beneath your feet.

A celebration for your heart -body-soul...

When you slow down the walking pace and become aware of your feet, your posture will automatically improve as you relax. Bring your head up and let your shoulders fall naturally. Clasp your hands over your navel with the left hand cupping the right fist. If you go outside, or you want to do mindful walking in public -- on your way to work for example -- just touch your thumbs to your index fingers on each hand, and let your arms hang at your sides.

Walking meditation is less intensely concentrated than seated meditation. It can act as a sort of half-way house between meditation practice on your cushion and the mindfulness of everyday life.

Life...
Live the life you have always wanted...
Not defined by Stress Anxiety Fear Shame.

RELATIONSHIPS....
Embracing and developing a more Loving relationships with the Self,Others and Community..

EMBRACING THE DAY MORE FULLY..NO MATTER THE RELATIONSHIP W MOTHERS

2010-05-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Embracing this day with Love-Compassion-Respect... For all Beings

Many adult children especially in the LGBT community struggle to feel good about this day..

Much of the purpose of Mindful Living is to live your life coming from a place of empowerment.
Not all of us had the best of childhoods...

Some of are most difficult challenges today might be rooted in events from the past.

Still searching for that Mothers love w never received.. Made up story's.. Live false truths that
we don't matter... Will never be good enough in Mothers Eyes...

We may have had a not so loving parent..Or no Mother outside of the woman who gave birth
to us.

Mother might have been a Man, Woman or Transgender- A Mother who was of no blood
relationship to you at all... Or your still morning the loss of the Mother whom you knew
you were the center of there world. And life will never be the same...

You might feel you raised yourself with no one to depend on... So why embrace or honor
such a day as this... Start feeling that "feeling" in the pit of your stomach.

Find yourself having angry words with friends for no real reason,are suddenly impatient
with others.. The neighbor who looks a little like Mom you begin avoiding for no reason
and that familiar loss,anger,sadness,grief creeps in.....

I Invite you to stop notice these feelings ...

Yes you may have Lot's of proof your Mother

Childhood-Current relationship- or no relationship at all to a Mother causes you or has caused
you great pain,loss resulting in behaviors that don't bring quality to your daily life.

Honor those experience's ... Invite them in and love them... Don't give them all the power by
trying to make them disappear or say you "DON'T CARE"

All the while your looking over your shoulder for approval ..having angry conversations in the shower
with a Mother you have not spoken with or has been dead for years..

Or feel unlovable because you will never understand what you did wrong or why she left
you... You can not change the past...

So change this moment... Right now begin to make plans for tomorrow that are loving and
honor you..

That honor all the years you had to be strong..or cried yourself to sleep.. Or covered up the
drunk women in the hall.. Pretending it wasn't your Mother..

Honor yourself for those memories you hold from the past hearing your Mother
say the most unkind things you had ever heard.. When you knew your relationship
with a women you loved so would never be the same.

And now hate this day ....MOTHERS DAY... Give yourself a break..

None of the things that happened define you. Embrace the day tomorrow ....
Give yourself flowers.. Take yourself to lunch.. Have great Sex...Eat your favorite food or
chocolate..

Take Mothers Day and everyday back as a way to celebrate your life experience..

Good-Bad-Sad- Rich-Poor-Fat-Thin- You get the meaning here.

EMBRACE YOUR LIFE.. YOU ARE SO WORTH IT!! LET GO OF THE PAST....

I closed my Mothers eyes as she passed after a struggle w Cancer I was 17years old.

And most of my life was so angry with her... Why did she have to die on me like that.

Was she so selfish she couldn't have waited till one of my siblings arrived. Why didn't
she die on them. I had been through enough.

Was about 10 years ago doing some grief work that I REALIZED what a gift of love
and trust she had given me...

She honored our connection as out of the norm as it
was by choosing to pass then with my friends outside to support me.

And no I wont forget her drunken out of control blackouts subside attempts or shame based
controlling ways and behaviors. They are part of who I am today.. I embrace them..

I do my very best when I hear the"Your not good enough voices" screaming at me sometimes.

To remind myself there not the truth.. They don't define you...
And at times I'm almost grateful for them.. Because I know I am not the pain the past
has caused me over the years.
I can't be harmed by them.. And I live a rich and happy life.

My Mother didn't get that chance for very many of the years she was alive. So tomorrow
I celebrate for us both...

Love yourself more fully tomorrow... EMBRACE THE DAY... MINDFULLY

Love and Blessings, Mark

\

JOIN US FOR THIS EVENING OF HEALING IN SACRED COMMUNITY SATURDAY... MAY 8TH

2010-05-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Soul Tones SF.. JOIN US AND EXPERIENCE MIND~BODY~SPIRIT~CONNECTING HEALING CREATING
AND EMBRACING YOUR OWN SACRED SOUND..RYTHEM...VIBRATION

Sacred Sounds Vibrational Healing Circle

Date:
Saturday, May 8, 2010

Time:
7:30pm - 9:30pm

Location:
Viracocha Event Space 993-VALENCIA St @21st SF.
www.viracochasf.com

EVENING OF PROFOUND HEALING.
Usui Reiki Intentional Touch
Connecting your
Body ~

SOMATIC MOVEMENT.
connecting your
Soul~

HEALING CIRCLE
make your own
requests
Manifest Wholeness ~
FEEL SUPPORTED
in
Sacred Community~

EXPERIENCE LIVE SACRED
SOUL TONES.
Vocals~Drums~
Rhythms integrating
Heart~Body~Soul~Mind~

EXPERIENCE UNIVERSAL; WELLNESS~
All with loving intention
Connecting you to
the heart of community~

Allowing your voice to
embrace the tones of
your Soul.

Questions contact Mark at
415 968-9064 or mark@mindfullivingsf.com

Celebrate the launch Of Soul Tones SF Evening of Healing Energy ~Community~Sound

2010-04-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Soul Tones SF..

Sacred Sounds Vibrational Healing Circle

Date:
Saturday, May 8, 2010

Time:
7:30pm - 9:30pm

Location:
Viracocha Event Space 993-VALENCIA St @21st SF.
www.viracochasf.com

EVENING OF PROFOUND HEALING.
Usui Reiki Intentional Touch
Connecting your
Body ~

SOMATIC MOVEMENT.
connecting your
Soul~

HEALING CIRCLE
make your own
requests
Manifest Wholeness ~
FEEL SUPPORTED
in
Sacred Community~

EXPERIENCE LIVE SACRED
SOUL TONES.
Vocals~Drums~
Rhythms integrating
Heart~Body~Soul~Mind~

EXPERIENCE UNIVERSAL; WELLNESS~
All with loving intention
Connecting you to
the heart of community~

Allowing your voice to
embrace the tones of
your Soul.

Questions contact Mark at
415 968-9064 or mark@mindfullivingsf.com

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS TO EXPLORE YOUR VOICE AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.

2010-04-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

Join us as Aletha share's her Gifts of the Soul...
There's something about her voice that takes your soul on a journey.
I'm so looking forward to the places all of are voices will take us..
Hope to see you there..

Sunday, April 25, 2010
Time:
1:00pm - 4:30pm
Location:
SF Spiritual Enrichment Center
Street:
2118 Hayes St @ Cole
City/Town:
San Francisco, CA

View Map

Deepen your spiritual discovery and practices through Sound, Voice and Music!
Resonate in the Now moment with sound and awaken the healing power of your own voice ~ free your voice and free your Self!

This workshop is for EVERYONE! Bring musical instruments if you have them, whether or not you think you can “play”!

Donation: $35 at the door; $25 Pre-registration
For questions or to pre-register please contact me.
alethasings@yahoo.com

Learn more about the SF Spiritual Enrichment Center at www.sfglobalheart.com

Generations of Illusions... .Written by Mark P Estrada MA

2010-04-14T00:48:00.000-07:00

<

Based on years of tears,Castles in the sand and More attempts to fly on broken wings than I will ever be able to recall. Bring me to a place where I would give almost anything to become one of those bitter,angry souls I experience each day consumed by years of disappointments and longings.

I have much compassion for this way of embracing the world, I'm using this way of being as an example not a judgment. And I do not wish to label or cause any discomfort.

Yet it must cause an ill at ease in the bodies of those seemingly always on the outside looking in.

Never a part of seems to be their story in life. Now with nothing left but a false belief that they have become the unlovable ones. Having listened to one too many stories from a less than perfect past.

Old messages twisted over the years giving way to painful emotions bring them to a place of numbness.

Yes now at an almost furiously calm place they feel nothing. Their body disconnected from their heart,spirit,the present moment. No pain...No joy..NUMB a void mindlessness has taken over.. I think to myself at least the intense feeling of always being different,the outsider is gone..

Full of wonder and amazement I ask why not me??? Why can't I turn it all off. Make these emotions go away??? With every fiber of my being I have grown tired...

With every disappointment, broken agreement,or false expectation I end up in the same fragile place. Yes I become that child sitting alone in his room in disbelief.

Wondering what I could have possibly done wrong this time to be left alone abandoned. The challenge of the overly sensitive child turned adult allowing the same old story to take over again..

Knowing the possibilities of a different outcome yet still unable if not caught in time to stop that hollow empty feeling, that gives way to the old dark void after all these years it can still seem so vast I'm almost sure it will consume me..

Now shifting to a heavy cloying emptiness and I'm somehow relieved when the emotion quietly changes....

Often without my realizing the shift occurs from being so painful I fear I wont be able to catch or take another breath.

To that soft dull numbness and all I can feel now are the knots beginning to loosen their grasp on the fears in my stomach.

What a relief for that means soon some of the old fears and body stories will leave me.

I know its a grasp from my past no longer needed to protect me from an enviorment that wasn't safe for a child..

A very old story ... No longer my truth as a successful adult..

Yet from time to time revisited and kept alive when I allow myself to get stuck it these old experiences, behaviors triggering the voices from the past .

I do know that this feeling means I'm returning to the mindfulness of the present. Soon I will be able to stop the cycle, the voices, my mind telling me old stories no longer my truth.

Actually they never were my truth I was never given or taught the skills or have the confidence to fight them growing up. But now it's a different story I can nourish myself with the present moment.

Good food, my visits to the shops around where I live as I'm a part of the joyful rhythm of my neighborhood my community.

Mia Gonzalez the owner of Encantada Gallery on Valencia st is the Latina presence I miss from the relationships with the women in my childhood and teenage years.

She often makes me feel a sense of belonging just by listening without adding an opinion just a soft gentle ear..

She gives me much more than she realizes in those moments in her shop and I know she does the same for many others in the neighborhood.

Music is such a healing source for me and work that I love heals my soul daily.

With much of how I live being also how I work with the lessons I learn being the lesson I teach.

Or a more authentic way of describing this would be I'm willing to use the many ways in which I embrace the world as being not good,bad right or wrong.

But examples that provide information and choice. My willingness to be as open and as honest as I can.. May seem a little much at times..

I know it creates some conversations that might not have been so easy to roll off the tongue for some. It's taken me years to embrace the courage and the strength.

You see for me it re frames a past, crate's a new story and gives great value to the lives of my parents, my sister Judy and other generations in my family and of course in my own life.... Who knows what might have happened if perhaps they would have made different choice's in their life if the could have made a different choice.

Had they been willing or able to have, to create, or to begin some unfamiliar, difficult or simply new conversations about the some very familiar not necessarily better ways of being in relationship with themselves each other and their children.

If they could have taken life's lemons and been able to embrace the gifts and opportunities in choice..

Lemons...Yes life's challenges even the tragic one can be turned into divine light. The precious gift that money cant buy..

Knowing and trusting that their words had value and their would be willing ears to listen.

That their voice matters ... Even and especially when it feels that no one hears,cares or seems to be listening. You can still turn lemons into light it takes faith courage and willingness to make the soul transformation..

You see I'm living proof that miracles happen I've gone from being and feeling invisible wanting to simply disappear without a voice, bulimia,anxioria,taking away my ability to sing,my self confidence my gift of making music.

Tragic loss of loved ones,their addictions,poor choices and behaviors..My own personal struggles with love trust and self hatred..Now transformed.. With lot's of hard work some beautiful caring souls in my life loving me when I didn't know how, an amazing therapist of 13 years...Crossed my path over the years and huge amounts of forgiveness and self love.

Creating a Mindfulness... An energy embracing a different way of being..A choice to let go of the past.. Living in the knowing using my voice to create and demonstrate a willingness that speaks of hope and unconditional love.. Now I make mistakes like anyone else ...It's not always easy but worth it..

All this brings me to the divine present moment and a place of gratitude for my life's path. With a heart filled with compassion for those who still struggle living the life of the disconnected soul.

Whom have become so taken over by missed expectations, fears, failures and regrets.

Seeing their past,old stories still truths....
Embracing old disappointments giving way to the false knowing that they must be one of the chosen unlovable ones..

The child always left alone in their room..

And without realizing they re-wound their already exhausted hearts too tired to step out of a self created conversation that makes them miserable and sadly gives them false permission to treat others in much the same way they now view themselves.

A gentle peace comes over me knowing that the knots in my stomach shall loosen their grasp and often without my knowing be transformed into butterflies.

Hope is restored once again giving way to the divine knowing and embracing of the beauty in each moment..

Free from the grasp of those familiar story's from the past that so do not define me it this sweet sweet gift called the present ..

Living in the knowing that Lemons Can be and are Turned into Light each and every day..

And my Heart Smiles it's biggest Smile..

Be Well and Namaste' Mark

UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEKEND.. 4-2~4-3-2010

2010-03-30T13:57:00.001-07:00

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Film Screening:

The Living Matrix – the Science of Healing
March 27, 2010 By
Film Screening: The Living Matrix – the Science of Healing.
The film interviews a group of dedicated scientists, psychologists, bioenergetic researchers and holistic practitioners who are finding healing potential in new places. Lift the veil to see the ways that we could tap into the power of information, energetic information-based medicine that is particularly powerful for healing, from physical to mental.Leaders in science are examining the body through the lens of quantum physics. They’ve discovered that we’re far more than biochemical machines. Instead, our cells are senders and receivers of information, controlling our health in ways we never imagined.

Admission:$7 advance

$10 (cash only) at the door. Space Limited. Please phone to reserve your seat.

Bring a health-loving (health-conscious) friend or co-worker!

Date: April 2, Friday

Time: 7:00-7:30 Wine Reception (beautiful French wines)

7:30-7:45 Introduction

7:45-9:15 film screening

9:15-9:30 Q & A.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday April 3rd 1pm-5pm

USUI REIKI ATTUNEMENT LEVEL 2 CLASS
W Mark Peterson-Estrada MA
Reiki Master Teacher.
868-Valencia st Suite 30A
SF, Ca Contact Mark 415 968-9064
mark@mindfullivingsf.com

Must have had prior level 1 attunement.
Cost $185.00 payment plan available and gift
certificates may be used towards class fee.
2 SPACES OPEN. MORE INFO AT www.mindfullivingsf.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Community Healing Concert

Saturday APRIL 3RD 2010

Crystal Singing Bowls and Voice Connect with Earth, the Sacred within, clear lower vibrations, ignite passion and creativity, and soothe your body and soul in loving blissful sounds of peace.

Sat, April 3rd, 2010, 7pm-8:30pm

Celebration Community Center
4530 18th Street (@ Ord)
San Francisco, CA 94114

A Special Concert with Crystal Singing Bowls and Voice in Song featuring Kalee Coombs. "This was a wonderful experience Kalee's playing and voice take you on a internal "voyage" full of sensations, vibrations and joy! A great realigning of energy and a very deep connection with higher self and others.
Thank you! Thank you!"--Laura

$18 (Advance by 3/27) or $20
More info & Registraton: www.info@spamusic.org (415)283-7781
(415)568-7571

Celebration Community Center
4530 18th Street, SF, CA 94114
_____________________________________________________________________________________

SUNDAY APRIL 4TH
EASTER CELEBRATION
Celebration Community Center
4530 18th Street, SF, CA 94114
This Sunday marks our 4th annual Spring & Easter celebration of new life with potluck dinner at the Center at 1pm. ALL WELCOME. The morning sacred Celebration service will focus on Springs new energy, 11am--noon.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
COME SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE FOR A HEALTHIER CALIFORNIA
BREATHE CALIFORNIA WILL BE IN THE PARK THIS SUNDAY APRIL 4TH
1PM-5PM
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Sisters 31st Anniversary Party - Sisters Through the Looking Glass
Venue: Dolores Park
19th Street and Dolores
San Francisco CA 94110
Children's Easter 11am
Main Event 12pm-4pm

Join the Sisters as we celebrate our 31st Anniversary with perennial favorites like the Hunky Jesus Contest and the Easter Bonnet Contest - this year with an Alice in Wonderland twist!
Featuring Live Entertainment: Jeb Havens, Ejector, Adonisaurus, Silver Swans, Cockatelia, Ethel Merman, The Cast of Some THING, Nellie Bear, Special Guest MC Trauma Flintstone, and MORE!
• An Official Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Production •

May you have an amazing weekend there's so much going on thought I would get a jump on this and see you out and about..
Love and Blessings, Mark

A Few Tears Still in my Heart ..Yet It ... SMILES with EXCITMENT...

2010-03-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

GREETINGS FRIENDS AND FAMILY...
With a few tears in my heart it still smiles with Excitement and Gratitude.
As many of you know I choose to cancel the Soul Tones event last Saturday at The Hanuman Center.

I truly believe with every fiber of my being that we all came to be at this crossroads for a specific reason. I'm doing my best to stay with information and choice. And stay away from ego emotions and judgments.

I have learned no matter how much love trust and commitment there may be it's important to get all things in writing and on professional levels.

I spent a considerable amount of time explaining the work, experience and structure of the event. And was assured of certain levels of support from the Hanuman Center
which did not occur. That combined with my heart tugging at me to wait and look for another space. As something just didn't seem to feel quite right any longer..

I'm saddened to say after communicating my decision have heard nothing from Arch the owner of the center and whom I've had most all of my conversations.

That's why the tears in my heart as conflict is a part of life. Broken agreements,misunderstandings and mis-communications for healing to take place need the willingness,compassion and understanding of all involved for healthy communications to be experienced.

I will always be grateful to all at Hanuman Center as many doors have opened for the work of Soul tones.... Soul Journeys has been born guided walking meditations along the waterfront ...ferry building... and farmers market starting on Saturday mornings in a few weeks. And Soul Tones Vibration Reiki Healing events will thrive in the mission location I'm sure.

It's important to communicate the work of soul tones~ soul journeys~ and mindful living sf exists purely as a container in community for us all to thrive has no sole leader we are all community leaders and facilitators of soul possibilities together on this sacred journey called life.

And although we may each have special agreements with each other no event is ever meant purely for my own personal gain EVER.

Now with business out of the way PLEASE Friends check out Aletha"s sacred Kirtan on the third Saturday of each month and other wonderful events at Hanuman Center. I am hoping to have the kick off of Soul Tones this coming April 10th 2010 in the mission will keep you posted.

Thanks to my friend Gary for his love and insight this afternoon oh! and the great coffee and poppy seed cake at Martha Bros Coffee Tea at Cortland/ Ellsworth in Bernal Heights made for a great start to dropping into my heart before writing this.

LOVE~LIGHT~HEART SMILES,
Mark P Estrada

You must see this performance....CORPUS CHRISTI

2010-03-19T00:33:00.000-07:00

We have had the distinct privilege of performing and touring this show for four years now and for the past three of those have made a conscious effort to return to San Francisco every time- a city that not only embraces diversity, but embraces the heart of the message of this play: inclusive love for ALL people in the eyes of God.

We are returning once again to the City of Love for two more shows this coming weekend, with what is now planned as our final return. Being artists yourselves, or part of the non-profit community in some capacity, you know the passionate work and grassroots organizing it takes to make something happen. And you have been integral over the years in helping us make our show such a beautiful and abundant success not only in your city, but indeed all over the world. Although the show will always live on, we have decided this will be our final touring experience in this form. And we want to end this experience in San Francisco with a huge splash!

Friday, March 19th at 7:00pm we are performing inside the Grace Cathedral- which will be an incredibly beautiful backdrop to this passion play.

Saturday, March 20th at 7:00pm we are performing at New Spirit Church in Berkeley- the Pacific School of Religion- a perfect place to teach inclusiveness in Faith

For these final two shows, we are asking for your help. Please spread the word to all your friends, loved ones, (and especially your "enemies") about our return. I have attached a postcard you can print and post in your church or office or school. You can also simply write a letter to your friends telling them about our shows, your experience with it, and direct them to our website at www.108productions.org for more info and tickets.

If you are on facebook, and haven't yet, please join our group page here and tell all your friends about us. (There is already an anti-Corpus Christi group page on facebook with well over 55,000 members...we're at 750 and want to match those numbers.) We are also looking for financial donations as well as airline miles, among other things, to help us make our tour and documentary plans this year come to fruition- so if you have friends that can't come to the show but want to help in other forms, that will be equally helpful to us.

We couldn't have done it without you before, and we know we can't do it without you again. This tour, out of all the years, is one of our most compelling and important to us: we are filming every city and the people we encounter for our documentary feature film coming out next year in our attempts to reach a more mainstream audience in this politically-charged world with the messages of this show. So not only are we looking for full houses to capture the overwhelming support of the show, we are also looking to fund raise to help us reach our exciting destinations along the way- including Acapulco, Mexico and London, England this Summer.

Again we can't thank you enough for all you have done already to help make our show what it has become, and we thank you once again in advance for any help you can offer now to fill our two houses this coming weekend.

You can find any detailed information about the shows, including purchasing tickets and making any form of donation, on our website at www.108productions.org. Or you can simply reply to this email for more info or questions you might have.

We look forward to seeing this weekend!

Let's improve the health of California.. Need a little help from my friends.

2010-03-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

Come out and help us.. Support Community Health and Wellness.
We need volunteers please help for a few hours any
day of the week. call me at 415 287-7687 I was out today with a few volunteers and the community is so over stimulated with organizations asking for a moment of their time many people are shut down..

There is a solution to this and I need your help..
I am willing to host signing evenings or can come to your business or office to get signatures just let me know the details. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP AS TO HOW YOU CAN HELP!!
Below is a little info about Breathe as well as their website link. http://breathecalifornia.com/
Blessings, Mark

Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes Anti-Tobacco Bills

On October 11, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed two bills that would have moved California forward in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction.

One bill, AB 574, by Assembly member Jerry Hill and co-sponsored by Breathe California with the California Tobacco Protection Alliance, was the top priority of the nonprofit, public benefit organization's legislative portfolio for the recent session. The bill would have made hospital campuses smoke-free, protecting patients with asthma, and encouraging patients and staff to quit. The Governor wrote that AB 574 would be "unnecessary," yet smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death in California. AB 574 was supported by the California Hospital Association and the California Medical Association.

“The governor showed great promise for the environment and public health with the signing of AB32,” said Linda Civitello, President and CEO of Breathe California, Golden Gate Public Health Partnership. “We are very surprised at his lack of support for these bills designed to combat the hazards of nicotine addiction and secondhand smoke.”

"While I have commended Governor Schwarzenegger for his courage in other areas, I join others in condemning the veto of Assembly Hill's AB 574," said BREATHE LA President and CEO, Enrique Chiock. "This legislation would have moved California forward in the fight against tobacco and nicotine addiction and was completely necessary. Research has shown that smoke-free hospitals have significant and measurable effects on encouraging people to quit smoking."

Another important bill, SB 400, by Senator Ellen Corbett, would have made it illegal to sell e-cigarettes to minors. E-cigarettes have been red-flagged by the Food and Drug Administration because they contain known cancer-causing chemicals, and deliver nicotine – a highly addictive drug. Despite the effective marketing campaign by several e‑cigarette companies' suggesting that e‑cigarettes are a replacement for tobacco products, the replacement cigarettes have not been found to be safe or effective by the FDA, and should be kept out of kids' hands for obvious health reason, but also because it is illegal to sell cigarettes to minors. Breathe California testified in support of SB 400 in the legislature.

Breathe California is proud of its century of successes in the areas of public policy, health education and the providing of critically needed health services. The inspired and groundbreaking work of our local offices is fueled by a familiarity with our neighbors' unique strengths. Our goal of improving their quality of life by promoting healthier lungs on a both a personal and community level has changed many lives for the better.

While our statewide advocates work for the welfare of California as a whole, and Breathe California staff members who work on task forces influence important decisions about local health issues, our base point of contact with those we serve is our local office. This is where we identify a community problem or need, determine the best way to address it and find appropriate sources of funding which will allow us to develop and implement programs and services to help.

Radical Relationships..Conversations with the Shadows

2010-03-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

I wrote this based on the levels of shame, false beliefs and disconnect of self I witness working and living in Queer Community.

.
And based on my own personal journey as well over the years the messages never completly go away but I manage them with an increased self love, compassion and respect for myself and others.

As the world changes we must take the time to notice ...hold and be willing to love ourselves and each other more deeply. There is a sacredness to the lessons learned walking though painful emotions that have shamed us.

Self acceptance and unconditional love ...Two of the most divine gifts one can have hold and share........ There is nothing sacred in allowing fear,anger or regret to turn the past into a weapon. Used when our hearts seem under attack and we mistreat ourselves or each other.

Re wounding us in the very places we worked so very hard to heal..No longer Strong in all the broken places .The soul seeks safety while the heart gently weeps.. Embrace each moment w Love..and Blessings,Mark

FEAR...SHAME...REGRET...Conversations with my Heart.

By Mark Peterson-Estrada MA

At first quiet conversations with that voice inside your head.

A dialogue in darkness,telling secrets,conversations in the Shadow's.

With a voice ignored,and unattended,locked away from others sight...

Growing stronger all the longer it's un-nourished,and neglected never given much compassion love attention..Left to dwell on painful moments thoughts of others and past judgments.

Until the day the conversations changed somehow different after all those years...

Now ..telling stories ..passing judgments... on your life.

Yes those quiet conversations....you've been hiding.. the ones that no one hears.

The daily talks that speak of a defining truth.. shame filled moments days and years, your actions in the dark.. your self critic's conversations for your ears to now believe.

Conversations and relationships of self.. Based on stories through a child's eyes and of longings and regrets. Years of silent conversations with that voice inside your head. Seemed to leave you hiding back the tears not allowing anyone to see.

Distracting others so they couldn't see or hear them growing louder in your head. Kept you busy without noticing the voice had moved locations yes the tone and place had changed.. No longer held just in your head..

Voice louder now...more powerful seems the words cant be held back. Spoken words with tones so harsh.. .

Forming sentences...creating stories that are hurtful you cant believe your ears..

For they seem to speak to the self critic..

Words that judge and shame those close to you a familiar dialogue you've come to know. For it's sounds just like the voice that you've been hearing all your life.

Those years of conversations with the voice inside your head. Are no longer held in just one place and with only just your mind.

It seems that now...your greatest fear.. They have moved into and have begun those conversations with your heart.

Some upcoming events in community I want to Share..

2010-03-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Nutri+Spirit Movie Night March 12, 6:30-9:30pm

OlgaCome out to see the most TRANSFORMATIONAL film on human potential! Watch it on a huge movie screen, eat yummy Vegetarian food, bring friends and meet new ones! Dinner: Gourmet Fresh Vegetarian Food by Expert Fresh Food chef & nutritionist Olga Aura. YUMMM!!! Movie: "Healing the Luminous Body" has helped people heal from Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Relationship & Money issues. Discussion: practical Spiritual & Nutritional tools, Cleansing, what is the next step for your nutritional health and living a wholesome life.
Movie & Live Discussion with Olga Aura and guests.

Event Contribution $10. Gourmet fresh nutritional dinner contribution $10.
Hanuman Center 4450 18th St/ Douglass, San Francisco, Ca 94114

Healing Dance with FIRE & PEACE March 14, 11am-2pm

Olga DanceGet UnStuck! Let the music activate your primal instincts. Feel more energy, more youthfulness, and more joy than you could ever imagine possible. Release the New You! Breathe, move, laugh, cry and release tension in your belly. Amplify passion and prosperity in your life. Feel appreciated in a non-judgmental environment. No experience necessary.
A breakthrough opportunity for those of you who think you can never dance; for those of you who love to dance - elevate to the next level!!!

Passionate Dance Contribution:$30 for One , $50 for Two

Hanuman Center 4450 18th St./ Douglass, San Francisco Ca 94114

Thursday March 19th at 7pm...
Singles Night 3 / Get Outta the House
7:00 pm until 9:00 pm
Singles Night 3 / Get Outta the House. Step out of your comfort zone. Open up your horizons and come meet someone new!

Thursday March 18th 7 - 9 PM
The Gazebo
CPMC Davies Medical Center
at Duboce and Castro Streets, San Francisco

The Community Initiative has planned the third in an ongoing series of evenings for San Francisco Bay Area gay men to come together and step out of their usual personal boundaries around meeting new people and making new friends. We live in one of the gay capitals of the universe, yet many men feel that it is difficult to meet new people for friendship and dating. We are inviting gay men to “get out of that house” and come together to meet some of these men.

This is a follow-up to our very successful ‘Singles Nights I and II’ that took place in late September and December, 2009. The evening’s social activities begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone. There’s plenty of time reserved for socializing, meeting new men and sharing your information!

Gregg Cassin, the chair of AIDS, Medicine and Miracles will again moderate the evening’s fun. Gregg is a nationally recognized community activist and spokesperson known for his insights on topics relating to self-esteem, courage and personal growth. “Gregg's presentations can be magic ..moments of grace where one may find themselves moved to tears and then laughing seconds later.”

The event is free and open to everyone.

Please join Gregg and the men of The Community Initiative for this enjoyable and fun evening of meeting new people.

The Gazebo at the California Pacific Medical Center's (CPMC) Davies campus is located on Castro between 14th and Duboce Streets. The Gazebo is the one-story structure in the middle of the raised plaza between the two towers. From the main hospital entrance, stay outside and go around the building to the right. If you enter on the ground floor (by the EMERGENCY ENTRANCE sign in the SOUTH TOWER), take the elevator UP to the first floor. MUNI: The N-Judah stops at Duboce and the 24 Divisadero bus stops at Castro and 14th.

For more information call 415.820.9606

Yoga+Nutri+Sustainable Living Retreat
April 16,17,18

Ranch Retreat - Cow Imagine doing Yoga at the middle of a wide natural green field in Mendocino, California, feeling the natural energy breathing into your being and feeling one with nature. Eating nutritional grass-raised beef & fresh veggie dinner! Seeing and knowing where your food come from and create connectedness within your nourishment. Experience connecting deeply to your soul with others who care about living holistically at this retreat and learn how to incorporate them into your everyday busy fragmented city life-style. Participate in various ranch projects that will empower you to sweat and be connected with the earthy and traditional Americana life-style.

Passionate Heath & Living Contribution:$498. Include all lodging, food and holistic health programs & your extraordinary vacation away from hectic city life!
RSVP all services, events, retreats with
Weihaur 415.632.0795

GET IN HERE..FOR GREAT JAZZ.. SUPPORT THIS BEAUTIFUL LADY ....

2010-02-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

ENRICO'S......THIS FRIDAY!!!

Time: Fri Feb 26 from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Venue: 575 Broadway St. @ Kearney North Beach SF

Veronica Klaus at Enrico's!!

Don't miss out on some wonderful jazz, great food and killer cocktails from San Francisco's favorite chanteuse at the legendary North Beach hangout for bohemians, hep cats, hip queers, beatniks, and the demi monde!

She be working with Lee Bloom on piano who has played with MADELEINE PEYROUX, PETE ESCOVEDO, and DAN HICKS, among others so I'm extra excited!

Bring some friends and make it your party! Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, divorce or bar mitzva? Sophisticated jazz is the perfect accompaniment!

We will be there ONE NIGHT ONLY Friday, Feb. 26th from 8pm till midnight!

Hope to see you there!

A Snapshot of my Mom... Radical Relationships..

2010-02-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

My Mother passed away January 28th 1977. I have had many shifts in my feelings about her life and choices over the years.

Today I have much Love Respect and Gratitude for her willingness to give her children the things she thought were important at the time.

I so honor her courage to face her death with a sense of humor and faith and that I think I was the best son I could be willing to give her what I thought was important at the time being a teenager,questioning gay boy who loved to cook,put on shows in his room singing non stop around the house.

We were a match made well somewhere? I want to tell you a story that changed my relationship with her forever happening only last year..

A SNAPSHOT OF MY MOM....

She was a strong willed fiery little lady barely standing 5ft tall. Her unending strength and courage,saucy quick wit and ability to make just about anyone feel at ease around her made for a big presence in a very small frame.

Her dark hair almost always pulled up in a bun or french braid with one of those hair pieces that looks like a horses tail woven in and OMG hairpins and Aqua net super hold,, Always bright red nails with either a cigarette dangling from her lips or a can of coca-cola at her side.

Yes, That was Mom.. Ruthie or Pete as the Teamsters in Alameda called her when she drove a catering truck selling foods at the ship yards. I was called Re-Pete when I
worked with her in the summertime.

What most didn't know was that for as strong as she appeared on the outside to most everyone she could be just as fragile and often felt hurt or misunderstood in the ways others would regard her ways of being in relationship with them..

Something I would know much more about than I would ever want to admit much less embrace and begin to change.. Yes that strong willed take charge temperament would often fail her if her if her actions towards others were regarded as something other than her intention. Or had just gone unnoticed or acknowledged.

And she grew older it became more challenging to manage the complexities of her emotions,fears and disappointments in life. Her own self relent and independent ways over the years now brought a tightness to her smile.

A harshness began to surround her words forming sentences and unleashing a tone in her voice that could cut you just as easily as a knife. And often did taking years sometimes generations to heal creating mistrust and difficultly with intimacy for long periods in the lives and relationships of her children.

Had she become bitter and unkind? Challenged by her choices, fears and insecurities, now caught in a web of her own self created role's in life?

In constant conversations with her past framed in judgmental,critical and fear based thoughts message's and beliefs.... Yes and No..

I believed she lived in a paradoxical box...

She had a phrase she would use I would come to hate and promised myself I would never use on another person for as long as i LIVED.

It went like this "Just remember you're going to need me long before I will ever need you" Those words at times would cause me to want to be as invisible as I could to escape a level of unkindness I though I would never understand. Or so I thought!

A year or so around this time in a heated argument with a close friend, he had just said something in anger that really hurt..I was shaken ..That was way below the belt I recall thinking.. Just before I turned around saying to him before walking out the door... "Just remember you're gonna need me long before I will ever need you"

I hit the street pavement and well.. You could have knocked me over with a feather.. In that moment I got it. My Mothers words were not meant to harm me. They were a way for her to protect herself from experience for even a minute that old feeling of disappointment,mistrust and lack of love in her life. A sadness she never wanted anyone to see. For her truth was she needed others more than she probably need anything else. She just wasn't able to trust enough..

My relationship with my Mother was forever changed in that moment. And I have no problem admitting today I need others in my life..

I'm aware the roles she created to protect her from emotional harm,wounds and deep scars from living a life doing the very best she could but never feeling acknowledged in ways she so desperately needed.

Yet could and would never find the words to make the requests of others especially of herself. Yes those fragile places she protected by that harshness in her voice and familiar tight lipped smile had me for many years thinking she had turned into a rigid controlling woman who lacked compassion.

Her sentences, tone and her word selection created a separation from her and others. Causing and an emotional wound like no others. And I now had become caught in my own judgments and labels so critical of her only to turn that belief system inside on myself.

This was complex form of self protection, her harshness was never meant to harm anyone especially her children whom I will speak for myself are still unlayer the complexities we developed growing up.

Facing,living or in relationships with many of the same self created roles and dances with the shadow self. I know from my own experience wanting something different only to find myself unable to trust quite enough to stop the familiar tone,level of harshness and tight lipped smile when feeling hurt,disappointed or an old wound reopened.

And yes today at times I'm intense,reactive and when hurt form words that have a harshness followed by a tight lipped smile. But I will also tell you why and its my greatest challenge and your patience with me is well worth the effort..

So Mom and friend with whom we still maintain a freindship I thank you both for providing me with a way to unlayer the past and open my heart a little bit more to contain more love compassion and empathy for myself and others as we walk connect and share in the Journey of the Soul.. Each of us a sacred gift to ourselves each other and the planet..
Love~Light~Heartsmiles..Mark

Please read... IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MARK...

2010-01-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends, Clients and Beloved Community,

I'm entering this new year with quite the curious set of circumstances. I choose my words carefully as to not invite any old ways of holding anxiety from the past. I know my old ways of managing stress food,substances or giving into depression no longer serve me.

And only allow for my mind to pull me away from my faith that this is a lesson and nothing horrible will come out of this nor will I be homeless.
What has happened is I used the Internet to apply for some loans online. I never agreed to what would happen next.

My bank account has been depleted with an overdrawn balance. Which means my rent check has been returned and I'm at risk of possible eviction proceedings in the next 7-10 days. If I cant pay the $800.00 I now owe. I "m not asking for anything for free. If I'm able to have people purchase gift certificates at $25-$50 each for energy work. I can have a little breathing room and not lose my apt/workspace. Sessions are usually $85-$100 for sessions.

Or if anyone knows of any employment possibilities I'm happy to work to cover these costs. Please contact me ASAP at 415 968-9064. I admit I was foolish to get involved this way and have filed a complaint but was told although I have a case it could take 3-6 months so any assistance you may have would be very helpful.
Love and Light, Mark

The Time is Now... A song I wrote this Morning..

2010-01-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

THE TIME IS NOW!!
By Mark Peterson-Estrada

Can you feel the earth beneath your feet..
Listen to your heart it speaks a message from your soul.
Open up your eyes and see with love..

Take a look around..
Oh take a look around.. Yes take a look around the time is now...

Listen to the wisdom of the earth..
Don't ignore the message from the skys..
The winds they speak directly to your soul..

Take a look around...
Oh take a look around.. Yes take a look around the time is now...

Does your heart go out to those in need?
Do you speak with words that do not harm?
Show kindness to a stranger as a friend?

Take a look around...
Oh take a look around.. Yes take a look around the time is now...

The earth and sky send messages of truth.
We must wake up and notice hear and now.
The oceans and the rivers tell a tale..

We must wake up.
Oh we must wake up.
Yes we must wake up the time is now.

No matter what the language is the message it's the same.

Take a look around...
Oh take a look around.. Yes take a look around the time is now...

Take a look around...
Oh take a look around.. Yes take a look around the time is now...
Copywright m-peterson-estrada. 2010

Walk with Me.. As we Celebrate the Gifts Of the Soul..Living in the Field of Willingness and Possiblities

2010-01-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

GIFTS OF THE SOUL written by Mark Peterson-Estrada MA

May you embrace life with grace and humility. Always walking in a knowing that allows you to embody a way of being that experiences the actions of self or others simply as divine information.

Behaviors do not define the soul. Your gift is divine you can make a choice to react or respond.

Without the complexities that often confine you or those on your path to live in labels judgment anger fear or disappointment that often come from stories of our past .

May you always make the choice to react or respond in the present with gifts of truth,love and compassion. May you always embrace and respond with the sacredness of your own heart .

Sharing with others without fear your divine... Gifts of The Soul. BEING MINDFUL OF THE SACREDNESS IN BEING ...

AWARE OF WHATS AROUND YOU.. KNOWING THAT THE GIFT IS IN EACH MOMENT...

ACCEPTING YOU CAN NEVER HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE TWICE.. GIVES YOU PERMISSION TO NOTICE WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY..

NOTICE THAT HOW YOU SPEAK TO OTHERS SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT HOW YOU REGARD YOURSELF..

MINDFUL LIVING MEANS BEING WILLING TO EMBRACE LIFE WITH JOY,LOVE AND COMPASSION.

LIVING IN THE KNOWING THAT YOUR PRESENCE IS IMPORTANT..

LIVING IN THE KNOWING THAT YOU MATTER..

LIVING IN THE KNOWING THAT YOU MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PLANET SIMPLY BY
PRACTICING SELF CARE, BEING PATIENT WITH YOURSELF, GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO
MAKE MISTAKES..

. KNOWING THEY DON'T DEFINE YOU.. SO YOU CAN LIVE BIG DREAMS...

LIVING IN THE KNOWING OF POSSIBILITIES.
LIVING IN THE KNOWING THAT WORDS ARE POWERFUL ...

CHOOSING TO USE THEM MINDFULLY WITH GREAT CARE.

BY NOT SPEAKING IN ANGER USING HARSH WORDS ..
.IN JUDGMENT....UNTRUTH'S ...SHAME...
FEAR, OR THAT DISCOUNT ANOTHER USING LABELS THAT CAUSE EMOTIONAL PAIN..

TAKING THE TIME NOT TO POINT OUT A FRIENDS FLAWS FIRST BUT CELEBRATE THEIR PERSONAL
ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHY MAKE ANOTHER FEEL SMALL... OR LESS THAN...

THE MORE LOVE COMPASSION AND PATIENCE YOU GIVE ANOTHER.

ALLOWS FOR A WILLINGNESS FOR THEM TO COME BACK TO YOU AND DO THE

SAME.

MAY YOU EMBRACE YOUR DAY IN WAYS THAT ALLOW MORE HAPPINESS LOVE AND JOY IN YOUR
EXPERIENCE'S AND ACTIONS.

NOTICE ...SHARE...ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE LIVING
A MINDFUL LIFE.. WHO KNOWS WHAT'S POSSIBLE.. TRY NOT TO RUSH THROUGH YOUR DAY.
BE WILLING TO SMILE AT OTHERS A BIT MORE..

TAKE TIME TO COMPLAIN LESS.. AND TAKE ACTION MORE..

LIVE IN THE JOY OF CREATING THE SOLUTION .. NOT THE EVER POPULAR
STAYING IN THE PROBLEM JUST BECAUSE IT'S FAMILIAR... TAKE A RISK ...

DO SOMETHING A DIFFERENT WAY..

DON'T BE IN DOUBT OF HOW YOUR REGARDED BY OTHERS...

SPEAK WELL OF
OTHERS AND YOU GIVE OTHERS THE PERMISSION TO DO THE SAME FOR YOU. ARE YOU WILLING TO TRUST YOUR OWN HEART...

Out beyond the field of right doing and wrong doing there is a field... I'll meet you there"...~Rumi

How willing are you to step out whats familiar??

And meet me in the field of possibilities.. There is no right or wrong...

No labels... No Shame or Guilt..

Only curious conversations that embrace support and honor our journey..

Grateful for your presence.. Grateful for the similar ways of being we share.. Grateful for are differences... For neither define us..

Are you willing...To live outside of the familiar... Live outside of the labels..

Outside of the confines of right and wrong??

Creating a Willingness to make a different choice...

Will you meet me in that Field where we are all loved the same...

No one less or more that the other...

Who we love...Who we embrace...Who we share are passions with is of no importance.

For we are all treated the same...

May you Walk with Me?? Walk with me Buddha ...Walk with me God... Walk with me Divine light ....

May we celebrate the Journey of the Soul living in the knowing that no one is more deserving of our love than we are..

May you walk in Love Light and Beauty..

Embracing your gifts.. Being willing to make a different choice...

Allowing yourself to live in the field of Radical Wholeness... Grace and Love..

Walk with ME... Be well and Namaste, Mark

GIFTS OF THE SOUL.. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIGHT ...ONE CANDLE AT A TIME..

2009-12-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

Mark M-Estrada December 17TH 2009

A SWEET FACE BOOK CONVERSATION I WANTED TO SHARE!!

IT GAVE ME THE SPARK FOR GIFTS OF THE SOUL...

MINDFUL LIVING SF..ANNUAL COMMUNITY CANDLE PROJECT.

SHARING THE LOVE AND LIGHT OF THE SEASON!!

Hi Meg, I have been asking friends to make an effort to be more aware of there single friends neighbors who might not feel as embraced by the holidays. Giving them a small gift like a coffee mug with a box of Hot Coco mix.

Or bubble bath and candles. Or a gift certificate to the movies or a hand written invatation to take them to lunch coffee or tea. And to tell those in your life how grateful you are that you have them in your life.

Many of us who are gay.lesbian or transgender not in relationships or close to are families can feel very left out and alone.

A call or email or card of thanks for the ways they enhance your life can lift spirits in ways that heal wounded hearts at this time of year. These are truly the seasons Gifts of the Soul. Hope this is helpful. Love and Light Mark

Sent via Facebook Mobile Meg Plummer December 16 at 7:05pm Report
Mark, it is the little things in life that mean the most and sometimes just a smile, a helping hand or a shared cup of coffee can mean as much if not more than a bigger car. To me when someone does a small kindness, or gives a small gift, like a bar of chocolate or something small and 'insignificant' it touches my heart deeply.

Why? Because it shows they were thinking of me at that moment in time when they found it for me. Where i live one of my neighbours has chickens and brings me eggs. I love cooking, especially baking, but I'd be like the side of a house if I ate it all so I get a huge kick out of cooking for my neighbours, friends and family.

If people think that's sad then I feel sorry for them - as I receive so much pleasure from giving, as you obviously do, and they are depriving themselves, and others, of something precious as well.

I like your idea and think you should put it on the wall and share it with everyone else. If just one person followed suit . . . :-)

Love and light - Meg xXx

Mark M-Estrada December 17 at 10:58am
Meg,

Thanks for your loving response.. It sparked a community project and I will send you the blog when I finished. YOU INSPIRED ME to create Gifts of the Soul..

Sharing the love and the light of the season.. With you permission I want to use you message in my blog? And by the way don't worry about how your regarded by others if they are unable to understand your reasons for giving..

Hold compassion for them for there unable to receive unexplained gestures kindness. There might be an old wound that's still open and judging others keeps those feelings protected.. Or so they think??

HERE'S HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE CANDLE PROJECT...

needs your help creating giving and experiencing the love and light of the season. I'm asking all who read this to buy 3 votive candles w holders.

Celebrate Gifts of the Soul with me ...Give each candle to a friend neighbor or someone you don't know well..even better!!

With a message of your choice or you can use one of these..

May you experience more Love~Light~and Joy this season.. May this candle be a gentle reminder to let your own light shine..Happy Holidays

Or perhaps....This Candle Brings you BLESSINGS OF Love~Light~Peace~Joy
May it remind you of your own light and what a gift you are to the World..

This is a project to build community and embrace the magic of the season in very simple ways. Who's gonna join me?

I'm going to hold An Evening Of Conversation sometime in January so we may gather for some food music and conversations about this project..

Please share your thoughts with me at mark@mindfullivingsf.com

Love and Light, Mark

A magical evening this Friday Kirtan in the Heart of the Castro.

2009-12-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

I received this from my friend Aletha and if you can make it you will be giving yourself an amazing gift.

Experiencing in community the love light and joy when the voice opens up to dance with the music of the soul.

Aletha is an amazing guide with a such a gift her vocals are sure to open your heart.

The space and staff at the Hanuman Center make you feel like family and a part of community the moment you walk though
the door of there beautiful space.

An Evening of Sacred Chanting and Meditation

Hanuman Center in SF

Friday, December 18th

7:00 (doors open at 6:30)

4450 18th St (at Douglass), San Francisco

Suggested donation $10 at the door

We will sing in Sanskrit, Hopi, English and...?
with friends musical, meditative and poetic.

You are invited to bring a small bell for a special meditation

Hope to see many of you there!!

A Day in the Life of Relationships..Living Mindfully....Creating and Embracing Change

2009-11-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

HOW YOU EMBRACE RELATIONSHIPS SAYS EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW YOU RELATE TO YOUR FAMILY.

I learned some profound lessons from a relative I hardly knew..

I attended my Uncle's memorial service yesterday. He was 90 years old and passed on Nov 10th with his daughter Carol my cousin at his side.
I was very moved as I listened to the various descriptions of his life. And what he held as being most precious on his souls journey here as Bill Peterson.

I didn't know him well, Growing up our family's were not close nor we spend much time socializing with other relatives from my Dads side of the family. Uncle Bill as story's of his life explained paid attention to the important things. Family~Friends~Community...He seemed to love connecting with others in ways that enriched there lives and the lives of both of my cousins Bill and Carol. How beautiful to see how proud they were of there Dad.

He was a hard working man all heart as the stories mentioned without the burden of ego and being happy was more important to him than drawing attention to his challenges or hardships as several times it was mentioned that he never complained or dwell ed on negative things. I listened and wished I had known my Uncle Bill my fathers brother much better than I did.

But that couldn't have happened easily for several reasons mainly for most of my life I possessed the relationship skills my parents taught me. Sadly most of them had become a familiar but challenging ways of communicating based on my parents own personal fears,insecurities, secrets with all of embraced in an unhappy marriage with neither being able to admit there feelings to each other and make a change..

They did the very best that they could with limited sources of love,trust,compassion or joy in there lives..I'm sure my fathers life was very different from my Uncle Bill's..I felt sad for both my parents and allowed for an opening of compassion for them as well as myself. I was in a room filled with people who had known me most of or my entire life..Yet felt so disconnected I felt like a stranger to everyone in that moment. You see we only had a relationship based on what had gone on in the past. There was no living in the present moment and that made me feel sad.

I don't say this to hurt or offend my family relationships are complex,complicated and filled with many labels and judgments from the past. Still holding on to belief systems and behaviors from the past. Instilled in us by my parents who's fears,insecurities, and mistrust challenged them each day. And were unable to embrace love,compassion,joy,and trust for themselves, each other or there relationships..

I'm sure they never realized how much there children would struggle with love intimacy trust and forgiveness in there relationships for much of there lives.
Nor could they have realized that those same behaviors that made it difficult for them to have healthy lives and relationships would continue for generations.
Mistrust regret and disappointment a familiar link in our adult lives. Even though we still wanted better relationships with each other yet we still couldn't break free from what we learned as children..Often times opening up old hurts from the past finding that being right or making someone else wrong doesn't make you happy.

And it doesn't leave much space for truthful communications when your protecting feelings you never learned how to manage in healthy loving ways..

So I felt some very old feelings yesterday... I didn't choose to step into old familiar ways.. I had strong messages telling me to judge label speak out with gossip or negative comments.. That's an old way of protecting my feelings my parents taught me this way of self protection that no longer works for me..

Today I choose love... I often do not know the outcome as it's an unfamiliar choice for me when I'm in conflict..But it's a great place to start and creates a new way of embracing conflict hurt or misunderstandings rather that an old way's still very much alive today. In my experience of some of my family.. I don't say this in judgment but gratitude for the willingness to notice and make a different choice.

And I don't want to be right, make anyone feel less than or speak in ways that lack compassion... It just is not the way to create healthy loving relationships in my life today..

LIVING MINDFULLY SF~Peace in Every Step Book Group now forming.....

2009-09-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,
It's been awhile since I have put anything out. Hope all are well and enjoying
the beautiful fall/summer days here in SF.

My thoughts from world peace day brought me to Thich Nhat Hanh book Peace in every Step...

And beginning Oct 13th want to do a book club/chant/discussion group based on the teachings of the book and how we can enhance the quality of our lives as individuals and collectively in our community's. We will meditate-chant then discuss the teachings. We will gather at 7pm-9pm with a reiki clinic once a month.

Sliding fee $5-$15 per group and we will meet for 12 weeks let me know if your interested. Mission location. 415 287-7687

Love~Light~Heart~Smiles...
Mark P Estrada MA Reiki Master

AS BURNING MAN NEARS FOR 2009.. SPECIAL OFFER...

2009-08-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

Special ENERGY SESSIONS for those attending Burning Man 2009

Mindful Living SF-Radical Wholeness ....Special Offer.

I wanted to attend Burning Man this year to Celebrate Healing and Radical Wholeness. With plans for a healing theme and camp for Burning Man 2010.
Still very much my intention... Just can't make it this year.

So in the spirit of Burning Man I'm offering 60 MIN ...
Energy-Reiki-Chakra Cleansing or Healing Meditation Sessions
For $15-25 as your able to pay. (Cash only please)

To those attending or returning from Burning Man 2009.

This is a way of supporting you in having an amazing experience this year.
While setting my intention to have a holistic healing camp next year.

May you Expand,Cleanse and Heal ... Using Reiki Lifeforce Healing Energy along with Crystal Vibrational Healing using Soul Tone vibrations...

Clearing the chakra's and energetic space in the body creating an opening to experience and share in the universal love light that is Reiki. connecting to the possiblities.... inviting in healing and a radical wholeness... ... embracing a willingness for the highest vibration possible while setting an intention,blessing or request for Burning Man 2009.

I will create a special alter to hold your intentions for 2009 sending you long distance healing each morning and evening. Hon -Sha-Ze-Sho-Nen...

From Aug 31st thru Sept 7th 2009... You may also return for a clensing post Burning Man for the at the same rate.

Offer begins on Aug 20th thru Sept 10th 2009.

Please contact me at mark.living.well.sf@gmail.com or call 415 287-7687 to schedule your session.

I look forward to seeing you on the playa next year.
Pass this along to anyone whom might you feel would be interested in this offer

May you be surround in love light and blissful experience this year!
Mindful Living Counseling-Holistic -ReikiServices • 868-Valencia St #30A • San Francisco • CA • 94110

Offer good for all sessions paid for by Aug 31st.2009 w no limit to number purchased.

2009-08-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

Reiki- Chakra Cleanse-Holistic Health Soul Tones Vibrational Healing ...

Session 60 min...+ 15 min Consult

SESSION SPECIAL $25.00 REG $85.00 Value...

WHAT IS REIKI...

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that"life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.

If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "Divine Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

Reiki is designed to assist you experience a healthy quality life.
Have you recently experienced any of the life challenges listed below?

* Stress dominates your life.
The demands of your life seem greater than your ability to cope with them. Everybody needs something from you, and you feel like you'll never catch up. You've tried deep breathing and exercise, but that just adds more to your schedule. You're becoming increasingly irritable, your sleep is lousy, and you may feel anxious or depressed.
* Challenged by illness.
You're in treatment right now for something pretty big. You're in good hands medically, but the side affects are troubling. Maybe you're in pain. And good as your medical team might be, they can't treat the worry about what this could do to you in the long run. Furthermore, you worry that your worry is impeding the healing process.
* Grieving the loss of someone you love.
Maybe it's a relationship gone sour or someone important to you has died. Either way, you feel lost and alone. You've tried support groups or talking to friends, but they can’t seem to soothe what feels like a big empty hole.
* Career collapse
Through your choice or the boss's, the career is gone. Or maybe you've lost your focus in life. Work used to be the one place where you really felt in charge. You knew who you were and had a clear life purpose. But now, the industry has changed, or you've lost your job, or your youthful enthusiasm. No matter how many self-help articles you read, you're feeling more and more listless and useless.
* Deepening your healing wisdom and spiritual connection.
Things are going okay, but you feel a nagging restlessness, a sense that there's more to life than meets the eye. You know there's a larger truth than the one we live day-to-day, but you don’t quite know where to look for it.
* Each Session $25.00 reg $85.00

* Schedule a session or sign up for a reiki class.

* Find out more or experience a Reiki Session today.

* Contact Mark Peterson-Estrada MA Reiki Master-Teacher

* 415 287-7687

mark.living.well.sf@gmail.com

Embracing the Day.... Sharing your Gifts... Living in the Moment.

2009-08-17T02:26:00.000-07:00

ASK THESE QUESTION'S TODAY...

How much of this day are you looking forward to experiencing?

What have you been wanting to experience each day put keep putting off?

What's something that brings a smile to your face just thinking about the experience?

Is there someone or something that's been on your mind yet you just haven't sent off that email or picked up the phone yet.?

Would would it feel like if you were suddenly told the person, experience, class, vacation,risk you have been meaning to embrace, or the conversation you keep meaning to have with that friend,parent,old lover,current partner would never be possible...

No longer would their ears hear your voice... Nor would you hear the sound of there words responding to whatever it may have been you've been wanting to discuss all these years but somehow never took the time.

What would it be like to never feel that fantasy embrace you have been longing for putting off the feeling knowing that someday it will become a reality.

The touch different from the usual one, you barely feel from years staying in a relationship for all the wrong reasons..

Or saying I love you to that special person but the time just never seems right, and what if they don't feel the same.. Now you will never know..

How would you deal with never knowing the joy of that vacation the satisfaction you daydream about from the risk's you keep meaning to take.

But have yet to experience simply distracted by life or not wanting to upset or inconvenience anyone.

How would your life be different never to have had the time to communicate your true thoughts,feelings,disappointments or gratitude Or to hear the sound of another doing the same.

The thank you forgotten lost to a busy schedule..

The I'm sorry that just wouldn't roll off your tongue...

Will now never happen... Gone forever...

How would your life be changed with that moment,experience,pleasure,amends were somehow after this moment never possible.

Would you feel anger,sadness, loss, regret, relief??

Perhaps a burden might be lifted??

What would it really be like?? Chances risks dreams taken away... OR perhaps now a possibility?

Take 5 min and truly explore these questions ?

Write down your thoughts.. Make the time to complete this exercise...

What were some of the thoughts feelings that came to mind..

Is it really worth taking the chance that time is on your side and the opportunity will be here tomorrow...

You just stepped off the curb today and tragically life as you know it ,,,

Possibility's were gone forever... I don't wish this experience to be anyone's reality but can any of us afford to take the risk..

Embrace your life as fully as you can.. Share your gifts... Be gentle with yourself..

Live your dreams.. Don't wait.... Make that call... Take a risk... Love without concern of what others might think. Giving yourself permission allows others to do the same.. Namaste' Mark

Living Potential
From The Daily Om...
Sharing Your Gift with Others.

The gifts we are born with and those that we work to develop throughout our lives vary in form and function. Some we find use for every day while others are only useful in specific circumstances. Yet many times we overlook opportunities to share our unique gifts with others. It may be fear of criticism that holds us back or the paralyzing weight of uncertainty. Ultimately, we doubt that our innate talents and practiced skills can truly add value to others’ lives. But it is the world as a whole that benefits when we willingly share our gifts. Whether you have been blessed with the ability to awaken beautiful emotions in others through art or industry, or your aptitudes transmit more practical advantages, your gifts are a part of who you are. As you make use of those gifts as best you can, be assured that your contribution to worldly well-being will not be overlooked.

Your personal power is defined in part by your gifts. To use your talents is to demonstrate to the world that you understand yourself and are truly attuned to your capabilities. Your earthly existence provides you with ample opportunity to explore your purpose, to utilize your skills in a life-affirming way, and to positively touch the lives of others while doing so. Yet you may feel that your gifts are not as valuable or worthy of attention as those of others and thus hide them away. However, every gift lying dormant in your soul has the potential to fill a void in someone else’s life. Just as your existence is made richer by the love, support, friendship, aid, and compassion of others, so, too, can you add richness to their lives. Your natural ability to soothe hurt, inspire compassion, bake, dance, knit, organize, or think outside the box can be a boon to someone in need.

As you embrace your gifts and allow their light to shine, you will discover that more and more opportunities to make use of them arise. This is because your gifts are a channel through which the universe operates. By simply doing what you are good at and also love to do, you make a positive difference. The recognition you receive for your efforts will pale in comparison to the satisfaction you feel when fulfilling your innate potential.

What Do You Think of Me??

2009-08-16T13:04:00.001-07:00

COMPASSIONATE CONVERSATIONS

By Mark Peterson-Estrada

Based on a conversation with a friend.

For me it's what people should do for each other and for all too many reasons they cant ,wont or are unable to do so without conditions..

I wasn't really asking you a question.

I was asking myself the question and sharing with you my realization that what you or anyone else really thinks of or regards me.

Can't be more important than what I think or how I regard my own actions,feelings and way's of being in the world.

And was not why I said yes to your coming over yesterday. You asked to come over and I understood why and was willing to make the time because your well being is important to me.. Could I have been doing something else yes! But I knew your being
in the company of another without judgment or conditions was important.

For me it's what people should do for each other and for all too many reasons they cant ,wont or are unable to do so without conditions..

I asked you a question that only I can answer. And wanted to share my reasons or the answer with you really to quiet the words of my own over active mind.

Quite active now upon your leaving,door closing alone in conversation with my own stories based on past words,actions according to my mind.

Now able to chatter away at me with no distractions and the movie not down loading yet. To continue the distraction... getting me out of my head.

What anyone really thinks or how they feel about another cannot be found just in words. I have learned no (I am learning that) how one regards another is uncovered in actions often where words have very little importance.

Although words are very powerful they need to be guided with compassionate or mindful choice. Spoken in fear,anger mistrust they can create very negative action and effect.

Words can confuse and don't always contain or uncover the same level of truth's that action does. Can be hard to trust at times for they can destroy or enhance in seconds relationships,friendships,lives.

Simply by the action chosen with the choice of words and how they are spoken in one sentence one moment lives,hearts,relationships forever changed with no chance of regaining that moment ever again before words were spoken.

So what do you think of me?? The answer is in actions that reveal the truth ...A truth that really only matters,has importance, when the question is asked in relationship with the self..

I have said and used too many words to describe my action of kindness last night.

They have begun to take away from my act of compassion towards another. That needed no words it's simply who I am.

For me it's what people should do for each other and for all too many reasons they cant ,wont or are unable to do so without conditions..

And now to plan the distractions of my day to quiet a mind I allow to talk way too much.

Have a great day my friend...
Ciao 4 now, Mark

Compassionate-Conflict. Healing-Change-Mindful Relationships.

2009-08-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

The Strength of Compassion
Coming at Conflict with an Open Heart

Conflict is an unavoidable part of our lives because our beliefs and modes of being often contrast powerfully with those of our loved ones, acquaintances, and associates. Yet for all the grief disagreements can cause, we can learn much from them. The manner in which we handle ourselves when confronted with anger or argument demonstrates our overall level of patience and the quality of our energetic states. To resolve conflict, no matter how exasperating the disagreement at hand, we should approach our adversary with an open heart laden with compassion. Judgments and blame must be cast aside and replaced with mutual respect.

Conflict is frequently motivated by unspoken needs that are masked by confrontational attitudes or aggressive behavior. When we come at conflict with love and acceptance in our hearts, we empower ourselves to discover a means to attaining collective resolution.

The key to finding the wisdom concealed in conflict is to ask yourself why you clash with a particular person or situation. Your inner self or the universe may be trying to point you to a specific life lesson, so try to keep your ears and eyes open.

Once you have explored the internal and external roots of your disagreement, make a conscious effort to release any anger or resentment you feel. As you do so, the energy between you and your adversary with change perceptibly, even if they are still operating from a more limited energy state.

Consider that each of you likely has compelling reasons for thinking and feeling as you do, and accept that you have no power to change your adversary’s mind. This can help you approach your disagreement rationally, with a steady voice and a willingness to compromise.

If you listen thoughtfully and with an empathetic ear during conflict, you can transform clashes into opportunities to compromise.

Examine your thoughts and feelings carefully.

You may discover stubbornness within yourself that is causing resistance or that you are unwittingly feeding yourself negative messages about yourself or your adversary.

As your part in disagreements becomes gradually more clear, each new conflict becomes another chance to further hone your empathy, compassion, and tolerance.HI

THIS ARTICLE I SAVED FROM THE DAILY OM... Not remembering why?

And as I went back and read it today it could not have been more perfect given my thoughts on my evening last night.

May we all be just a little more mindful of are choices this week. I leave you with another communication with a friend today.

I want to feel complete around this and just putting it in the past isn't honoring your kindness or are connection nor allows for me in some way to take responsibility for my agreements.

Now that I'm teaching holistic methods and reiki classes that's important to me more than ever.. Not that I'm striving for perfection .... The gift for me and what I try and convey to students is the importance of ....

Connections,Communications and Relationships with the self and others that honor the imperfections and see gifts and the beauty in being human.

So less importance is placed on the often loud voice of ego creating expectation perfection and illusion that can judge,shame and dishonor are choices and experiences in life .

Disconnecting us from the heart- humanness- humility keeping us from the gifts and the sharing of life's lessons that connects one soul to another..

It's been an interesting last few months .. And Thanks I was struggling with a writing for a class and this email to you dropped me into my heart and a topic.. I'm well and grateful for the journey.

Hope you and hubby are good.. Would love to hear what's up with you. Drop me an email when you get a chance. Coffee/Tea would be welcomed sometime soon.

Love and Blessings, Mark

QUEER KISS IN AT UNION SQUARE TOMORROW!! GO ANNA CONDA

2009-08-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Kiss In AUG 15TH 2009 11AM.

Don't forget we start kissing at 11 am. We have music about kissing to kiss to, dance to, hug to and over all SHARE OUR Community with each other in a public space. Please attend in your city and remember that this isn't really about having a partner to kiss, about who is throwing this protest, or any other personal issues.

This is about showing up as a community. This is about showing our love is real. It is about taking back the day and our place in it and stopping on a national level the harassment of Queer people everywhere.

This is for Joseph who is in a coma after trying to take his own life after his father "changed" him in a Christian normalizing camp.

This is for Brandon Teena who as a tranny was made to pay with her life.

This is for Matthew Shepard who also payed for his affection with his life.

This is for Harvey Milk, The Trannys at Stonewall and Compton Cafeteria who dedicated their lives and started a GAY revolution.

This is not about me or you. It's about us. Us as a people. Us as a force of beauty and love. Us as we are and without shame.

We as a people can no longer wait till the rights are passed down by legislation possibly in 2012. No, THIS is about us Now! Right now today. We ARE people. We ARE human and we have done nothing to be treated as less than animals.
This is about us and our strength and our community and righting the wrongs that are perpetrated against us every day. This is about over coming shame.

Get your friends to come. This is the love we are talking about. Our love for each other. Us as a whole, as a people as Queers.

No longer are we asking "How long must we wait?' but instead "How Soon is NOW?"

It is because of the greatness in our community that I am not like Joseph today lying in a coma after trying to off myself.

This community has saved me from myself and my upbringing and taught me to love myself and others.

Thank you I am forever grateful.

My heart was in your hands and I am here to live another day. Thanks for leading me and keeping me safe. I love you. Honest and true.

See you and all your friends in Union Square Saturday at 11 am.

Much love,
Anna Conda

I hope to see many of you there.. To any Reiki Practitioners or Reiki Masters who plan on attending please contact me.

At mark.living.well.sf@gmail.com or 415 287-7687

Blessings, Mark

Check out this event!! Saturday Aug 8th 2009

2009-08-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

The Bhakti Bar is celebrating the summer with an unforgettable evening of kirtan and bhakti.
Check out there website at http://www.thebhaktibar.com/

Come join us for this special event August 8th.

Jai Uttal

Join us for a sneak preview of Thunder Love, Ten Million Moons, The Bhakti Bar, and the future of Kirtan! With Jai Uttal, Daniel Paul, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, The Mayapuris, Tina Malia and MC Yogi.

When: Saturday, August 8, 2009 (doors open at 7pm)
Where: The Swedish American Hall (next to Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market Street, SF)
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Purchase tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Now Playing: Om Shanti from Jai Uttal's Thunder Love

The first 100 ticket purchasers will receive a free CD of Jai's Thunder Love and the second 100 will receive Gaura Vani's Ten Million Moons!

We will be serving Chai and delicious foods from Radiance, the best Bhakti Food for the heart.

I hope to see many familiar faces tomorrow night.

Love and Blessings, Mark

Check out this awesome site.. Yes one person can make a difference.

2009-08-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

About Us

PLANTING SEEDS

a SEED is:

a BEGINNING
of a new possibility

a START
of something new

a STARTING POINT
to make it real and let it grow
to SOW we:

Hello,

I have launched a website called Planting Seeds & The Kind Foundation which is a culmination of 18 yrs of my life's work.

http://www.planting-seeds.com

I hope you will support this wonderfully bold initiative, not just because it is important to me but because truly if you look into your heart, you do choose Peace.

Whilst a REAL experiment, it is also meant to be fun way to find out what we are capable of. ~ It is based on serious matters which I believe we know it is time for us to all address. Can we shift mass consciousness, instead of just debating and talking about it?. There is only one way to find out ... To do it!

So, how can you get involved? Simply download your own FREE Personalized Certificate jpeg with your own number and be counted. It is yours, with your voice represented for life.

All done! You can put it in the sock draw, If you are inspired, then also put it on your website with a link to ours. You can even print it on everything…

I have mine on my T-Shirt :~

“We're all unique and see the world differently, and yet

we are one voice standing together for peace”

This beautiful certificate will show your voice number counted in the middle.

It is designed simply to link us all, no matter our own expression of peace, albeit be for

Nature ~ Humanity ~ Environment

Our website, designed to be a place where humanity can shine and be inspired.. I am asking YOU to go to our website, download your free personalized banner & join us!

Much love

Lynne ~ Planting Seeds & The Kind Foundation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please as your able go and check out this site.. Be inspired... At times as much as I love what I do fall into listen to that filter from my past.

And can feel disconnected from my heart,spirit and others pretty quickly. When this occurs I try to take action quickly.. At times that means checking out what others are doing on there Soul Journey.. And almost always drops me back into feeling of connectedness.....And my heart smiles at how much is being done to heal self,each other and the planet.. Lynne Hazelden site is also inspiring you can link to
http://www.peaceinourlifetime.org Remember BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD..Gandhi
Love and Blessings, Mark

PLANT SEEDS
of possibility, that

SPREAD
everywhere and

PROPAGATE
in it's own unique way, and naturally

DISSEMINATE
to wherever it leads us - we

INTRODUCE
new paradigms and ideas and

IMPLANT

FREEDOM in everything we do

Dont believe what your mirror tells you. JULY 28TH 7PM-9PM.

2009-07-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

INTENTIONAL TUESDAY'S .........DO I LOOK FAT!!

Intentional Tuesdays Body Image-Share Your Voice 7pm-9pm
A Showing of the film Do I Look Fat. Experience-Learn-Feel,Question

Join us for the film about 8 gay men and there journey of self...The film is mostly about relationships to self- others- food -and how it's connected to how you feel in your body..

Main content is around body image eating disorders self esteem and the level of pressure to be perfect..
Being accepted -feeling loved and that you matter in the world..

Something we can all relate too.

If you have ever made or been on the receiving end of a fat,queer or shame based joke or comment join us..
You won't be made to feel anything but at ease and accepted. And you will learn how to manage such experiences.. So no worries..

There will be a Q and A discussion following the film with cast member yours truly.

At 8 years old I was 50 pounds over weight .. By age 12 more weight and a 36inch waist I was 5ft 4...

At 17 I weighed 90 pounds and thought I had thighs the size of Texas..

I remember thinking how can I LEAVE my house ... My waist was 25 inches.

My story is part of the film and I talk about my personal journey my relationships to food, my body, and self esteem..

How that fat kid from the past at times still has a voice that try's to take control of the mirror and create less than truthful conversations.

I have a few gentle ways of handling that voice in the present I will share...

This is a such a great film for friends and family to view and walk away with a better understanding of eating disorders and the level of shame that's attached to the behavior and the social labeling and fear.

Ending the Silence,Compassionate conversations and education truly are the most healing gift 's we can give each other.

Event location 868-Valencia St SF . RSVP are a must as space is limited so that means this event goes in the blackberry or goggle calender contact me at mindful.living.wellness.sf@gmail.com or 415 287-7687 cost for the evening is $5-$25 sliding fee donation as your able. Cost come out of pocket so any help keeps these events going as well as your attendance.

All are welcome ability to donate $$ or help pass out flyer's is as each person is able.. Donations can be in many forms and gifts to community and are work together.

Go tohttp:// www.doilookfatthemovie.com for more information about the film..

Gentle reminder ...Check out this workshop tomorrow..

2009-07-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

OUR BODY SPEAKS OUR TRUTH... Join Rachel... Embrace healing..using the footsteps of your soul.. And a whole lot more!!

Beloved Friends join my friend and colleague on July 25th 2009... As you know my work is about embracing wholeness in ways that feed your SOUL...

I know Rachel brings to her work a depth of spirit that will nourish...feed and heal your spirit and you will have fun too!!

I'm hoping to join you as I can't expect community to embrace and support my work if I don't get out there and support the work of my friends and colleagues.

We're all on this blissful journey together. As Rachel said to me in an email I hope to see you in the dance!!..

So let's do just that On JULY 25TH .. Now I will let Rachel describe her work INFO BELOW..

Love and Light, Mark

A Powerful Retreat for Body & Soul

"Our body speaks our truth. All we need to do is listen. "

Want to improve your relationship with your body?

Learn the tools for love, acceptance and appreciation.

Even if you’ve never danced a step, you will awaken your inner dancer and experience the incredible pleasure and power in the body. This gentle, therapeutic process transforms fears and negative beliefs in a safe, effective and playful setting. We create a deliciously fun & empowering exploration of body & mind connection. Be ready to relax into the mystery & magic of the body.

This workshop will empower you to love your body like never before, and listen to it’s priceless wisdom. No dance experience necessary.
· Get out of your head and into your feet

· Tap into your essential power

· Develop the non-verbal "smarts" of your heart, and the rest of your body; follow this inner wisdom that leads to success.

· Improve confidence and body-image. Feel free once and for all!

· Be nurtured & empowered

· Leave energized, refreshed, and full of possibilities

INTERNATIONAL ORANGE SPA

SATURDAY July 25TH
1:30 – 3:30 PM $35

(bring a friend & you both pay only $25!)
Reserve Your Spot Today

(415) 563-5000 x 1
2044 Fillmore St. 2FL San Francisco

www.internationalorange.com/workshops
For more info please call (415) 497-4931 or email rachel@dancingyourbliss.com or visit www.dancingyourbliss.com

COME OUT IN SUPPORT ON JULY 25TH 2009. Noon-4pm Civic Center Plaza.

2009-07-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

About Us

United 4 Iran

United 4 Iran, Northern California Chapter is a non-politically affiliated and non-partisan coalition of individuals & organizations united in solidarity with the people of Iran. We oppose any military intervention and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters struggling for human rights and democracy worldwide. United4Iran does not promote any political agenda; our only aim is to support the people of Iran in their struggle for democracy, freedom and basic human rights.

The global day of action is organized around the following core demands:

1. That the international community uphold the Iranian people’s human rights as a matter of international concern, and that the UN Secretary General should immediately appoint a delegation to travel to Iran to investigate the fate of prisoners as well as disappeared persons;

2. The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, including journalists,
students, and civil society activists;

3. An end to state-sponsored violence, and accountability for crimes committed; and

4. Freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of press as guaranteed by the Iranian constitution and Iran’s obligations under international covenants that it has signed.

Please join on us on July 25th to demonstrate to the Iranian people
that we support them in their struggle for democracy and human rights

Hope to see you many of you there.
Here's a link to find out more.http://norcal4iran.com/?page_id=2

Love and Blessings, Mark

MINDFUL LIVING SF... INTENTIONAL TUESDAY'S JULY 21ST 2009

2009-07-19T23:39:00.000-07:00

Location CELEBRATE LIFE CENTER 7PM -9:00 PM
18th and Ord SF, Ca

Start your week off with a healing meditation-vibrational healing-chakra cleanse Reiki clinic or holistic film.

THIS WEEK WE ARE ....Showing the Louise Hay film You can Heal Your Life.

Documentary of her life and work discussing various healing treatment styles and telling personal life stories.

Followed by a Q and A discussion.Some affirmation and viberational reiki healing with Soul Tones prayers-blessings and intentions circle.

Please RSVP if possible and send healing requests to this email address.

mark.living.well.sf@gmail.com or call Mark at 415 519-8826

Suggested Love donation $5-25 NOTE 40% of ALL PROCEEDS go to Celebrate Life Center.. So come out for an amazing healing evening with some special guests.. AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY..

OUR BODY SPEAKS OUR TRUTH... Join Rachel... Embrace healing..using the footsteps of your soul.. And a whole lot more!!

2009-06-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

Beloved Friends join my friend and colleague on July 25th 2009... As you know my work is about embracing wholeness in ways that feed your SOUL...

I know Rachel brings to her work a depth of spirit that will nourish...feed and heal your spirit and you will have fun too!!

I'm hoping to join you as I can't expect community to embrace and support my work if I don't get out there and support the work of my friends and colleagues.

We're all on this blissful journey together. As Rachel said to me in an email I hope to see you in the dance!!..

So let's do just that On JULY 25TH .. Now I will let Rachel describe her work INFO BELOW..

Love and Light, Mark

A Powerful Retreat for Body & Soul

"Our body speaks our truth. All we need to do is listen. "

Want to improve your relationship with your body?

Learn the tools for love, acceptance and appreciation.

Even if you’ve never danced a step, you will awaken your inner dancer and experience the incredible pleasure and power in the body. This gentle, therapeutic process transforms fears and negative beliefs in a safe, effective and playful setting. We create a deliciously fun & empowering exploration of body & mind connection. Be ready to relax into the mystery & magic of the body.

This workshop will empower you to love your body like never before, and listen to it’s priceless wisdom. No dance experience necessary.
· Get out of your head and into your feet

· Tap into your essential power

· Develop the non-verbal "smarts" of your heart, and the rest of your body; follow this inner wisdom that leads to success.

· Improve confidence and body-image. Feel free once and for all!

· Be nurtured & empowered

· Leave energized, refreshed, and full of possibilities

INTERNATIONAL ORANGE SPA

SATURDAY JUly 25TH
1:30 – 3:30 PM $35

(bring a friend & you both pay only $25!)
Reserve Your Spot Today

(415) 563-5000 x 1
2044 Fillmore St. 2FL San Francisco

www.internationalorange.com/workshops
For more info please call (415) 497-4931 or email rachel@dancingyourbliss.com or visit www.dancingyourbliss.com

Planting a SEED.. Step away from the Labels Please!!

2009-06-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Greeting Friends..

Happy Pride..I want to share a communication I had last night with a close friend of over 25 years. Some of the language might be a little strong.

But those whom know me my words are always selected with a compassionate heart.. And being compassionate doesn't always feel nice safe or pretty..

Yet should always be respectful and never shame based..
And your always invited to share your thoughts in agreement,support or none of the above. Your feelings are important and always embraced with respect I only ask that you do the same.

Love and Light, Mark

My friends communication...

SF Gate has a header today with the term GLBTQ. I looked it up just to make sure I was assuming the right thing, and I was. So here's my question: Isn't adding Q to the end kind of redundant? I mean, isn't Q encompassed in all those other terms? What's the point?

My Response...
To be honest I don't use any of the "PC"terms.. And get called on the carpet at times because of it. When I'm involved in Q and A sessions or lectures I say queer community.

I get lost sometimes in trying to get the GLBT..plus Q and well ya see what I mean.
And for me I'm taking back a phrase that carried much shame for many including myself.. So I don't pay a lot of attention to what the current terms are.
My friends Response..

June 27 at 11:25pm

I do. I don't know if you know that I have a disabled son - born eight weeks early, he's got cerebral palsy and autism. He's 18 but mentally about 3. Anyway, the terminology changes for the disabled about every six months, it seems. First they were disabled, then handicapped, then (I hate this one) handi-capable, now "people with disabilities" to "put the person, not the disability, first" - sheesh! And don't even THINK about using the term "retarded." OMG!

Same with the black community. First they were negro, then black, then Jesse Jackson decided it should be African-American. Damn! Why does this stuff have to change so dang often? Drives me nuts! ;)

My closing words to her...
I doubt very much you label your son anything outside of your child whom you love when your in your own home.

Especially when he is sleeping. I'm sure there are days that are quite challenging at many levels.

Please embrace that I don't mean to make light of how others choose to define themselves or how you must use the "correct terms" in order to get what you need from a health care and nation that knows numbers and labels.. Not people or circumstances.. It's frustrating I know..

I think all the social labeling that occurs in the world just creates a distance from the soul and makes it easier for us to be unkind to each other..

And believe no matter what the color of skin ,if we are housed within structured walls or live under a tree, what gender we identify with,how are brains are wired or mis-wired,healthy or in poor health, what body part we choose, embrace , put where and in whom. So long as there is mutual consent of course. Addiction issues or not..

We all want to feel safe in the world-be happy in our life -and be embraced in loving ways..

When we can give that to ourselves then each other within our own hearts

and mirror it out in the world..

Without Labels.. The planet will begin to heal and thrive..

Thanks for your question..

Have an awesome Sunday..Big Hug, Mark

HAPPY PRIDE ....MAY WE ALL HAVE EQUALITY... EACH OF US A DIVINE CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE..

Without labels may we communicate and love each other as if are lives depended on it.. When we speak to each other imagine that you are holding the heart of the person to whom you are speaking... Be compassionate. it doesn't mean your soft,fragile or weak.

It takes more courage to be kind even when you are angry... Much more courage when you are in fear or your heart has been wounded to be loving..

And even more courage to walk away from another as to not be unkind,vendictive or hurtful... even when you know you are right..

For that's the greatest gift you give yourself ...

Self control and right action so when angry-hurt-or fearful you don't regret your words,actions - relive a past hurt-or rewound another. No matter how resendful-hurt-angry-or lost you may feel..

THAT FOR ME IS TRUE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE...

None of us are perfect but we can teach each other as we learn from are our actions,past and present..

Share your gifts of the Soul.. Be happy ...Be Loving... Be in Awe of the beauty you see in the mirror each day!! YOU ARE SO WORTH IT!!!

Some Stress Related Tip From Dr Judith Orloff

2009-06-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

I met Dr Orloff a few years ago and found her honesty to be so helpful and healing..

I grew up always being told.. You're too sensitive.. Tough it out.. Grow a thicker skin you take things too personally..

Later realizing my empathic ability's it all began to make sense.. I believe many of us as queer individuals used this way of seeing the world as a way to survive.

Always having to "feel" out how safe it might be to be yourself ....At home-school- with friends and knowing when to cover up when it wasn't safe.

Based on your surrounding's and how others might regard you. I was sick and felt out of control most of my childhood.. But all that has changed..

In the next Mindful Living SF class we will take a look at practical ways to have these skills work for you without being labeled as "The Sensitive One" all the time.

A label I now embrace fully and consider one of my greatest gifts..

And I hope if your interested will be willing to do the same..

Love and Light, Mark

How To Stop Absorbing Other People’s Negative Emotions

by Dr Judith Orloff

In her new book Emotional Freedom, I emphasize the importance of learning how to stay centered in a stressful, highly emotionally charged world. Since emotions such as fear, anger, and frustration are energies, you can potentially “catch” them from people without realizing it. If you tend to be an emotional sponge, it’s vital to know how to avoid taking on an individual’s negative emotions or the free-floating kind in crowds.

Another twist is that chronic anxiety, depression, or stress can turn you into an emotional sponge by wearing down your defenses. Suddenly, you become hyper-attuned to others, especially those with similar pain. That’s how empathy works; we zero in on hot-button issues that are unresolved in ourselves. From an energetic standpoint, negative emotions can originate from several sources. What you’re feeling may be your own; it may be someone else’s; or it may be a combination.

I’ll explain how to tell the difference and strategically bolster positive emotions so you don’t shoulder negativity that doesn’t belong to you.This wasn’t something I always knew how to do. Growing up, my girlfriends couldn't wait to hit the shopping malls and go to parties, the bigger the better--but I didn't share their excitement.

I always felt overwhelmed, exhausted around large groups of people, though I was clueless why. "What's the matter with you?" friends would say, shooting me the weirdest looks. All I knew was that crowded places and I just didn't mix. I'd go there feeling just fine but leave nervous, depressed, or with some horrible new ache or pain.

Unsuspectingly, I was a gigantic sponge, absorbing the emotions of people around me.With my patients, I’ve also seen how absorbing other people’s emotions can trigger panic attacks, depression, food, sex and drug binges, and a plethora of physical symptoms that defy traditional medical diagnosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than two million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue. It’s likely that many of them are emotional sponges.Here are some strategies from Emotional Freedom to practice. They will help you to stop absorbing other people’s emotions.Emotional Action Step: How To Stay Centered In A Stressful World To detach from other people’s negative emotions:

 First, ask yourself: Is the feeling mine or someone else’s? It could be both. If the emotion such as fear or anger is yours, gently confront what’s causing it on your own or with professional help. If not, try to pinpoint the obvious generator. For instance, if you’ve just watched a comedy, yet you came home from the movie theater feeling blue, you may have incorporated the depression of the people sitting beside you; in close proximity, energy fields overlap. The same is true with going to a mall or packed concert.

 When possible, distance yourself from the suspected source. Move at least twenty feet away; see if you feel relief. Don’t err on the side of not wanting to offend strangers. In a public place, don’t hesitate to change seats if you feel a sense of depression imposing on you.

 For a few minutes, center yourself by concentrating on your breath: This connects you to your essence. Keep exhaling negativity, inhaling calm. This helps to ground yourself and purify fear or other difficult emotions Visualize negativity as gray fog lifting from your body, and hope as golden light entering. This can yield quick results.

 Negative emotions such as fear frequently lodge in your emotional center at the solar plexus. Place your palm there as you keep sending loving-kindness to that area to flush stress out. For longstanding depression or anxiety, use this method daily to strengthen this center. It’s comforting and builds a sense of safety and optimism.

 Shield yourself. A handy form of protection many people use, including healers with trying patients, involves visualizing an envelope of white light (or any color you feel imparts power) around your entire body. Think of it as a shield that blocks out negativity or physical discomfort but allows what's positive to filter in.

 Look for positive people and situations. Call a friend who sees the good in others. Spend time with a colleague who affirms the bright side of things. Listen to hopeful people.

Hear the faith they have in themselves and others. Also relish hopeful words, songs, and art forms. Hope is contagious and it will lift your mood.

Keep practicing these strategies. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you’re on emotional overload. With strategies to cope, you can have quicker retorts to stressful situations, feel safer, and your sensitivities can blossom.

EMBRACING THE DAY.. Stress Tips..

2009-06-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

I want to continue sharing some tips and articles about just how much stress,anxiety and staying in relationships that are no longer working are SO unhealthy..

I'm told by western doctors that 60% of all behavior problems w addictions toxic syndrome cancer and other health and emotional related disorders are related to internalized stress.

The fight or flight worked for the caveman but is hardly practical in current times. But our bodies still respond that way. Only difference being we internalize all that stress today in the modern world and it's killing us.. Watch for this class starting Thursdays in July....

Mindful Living -SF

Shift out of Anxiety and Embrace a healthier life Now!!

Stress: A Backgrounder Stress is general, and has yielded a predictable blockbuster industry of goods, services, and information in the quick-fix genre. It's easy to be cynical about the entire concept, at least until you're faced with its raw effects at the breaking point. No foam-rubber Stress Ball or gentle-rain fountain-and-sound machine was going to help my friend.

People suffering from stress—people in distress—tend to have more basic survival needs, such as a good night's sleep, which money can't necessarily buy. That makes sense, because stress is all about survival. Google the word, and among the 200 million entries you'll find the phrase "fight-or-flight response" countless times, along with anecdotes about how the brains of our prehistoric ancestors, when encountering the daily saber-toothed predator, would release a shot of neurons and hormones that triggered a kind of body wide Code Blue, allowing them to operate on pure animal instinct. Heart, lungs, and circulation all begin racing, flooding the muscles with oxygen-filled blood that primes the arms and legs.

If it sounds like an injection of steroids, that's because it is: Hormones like cortisol and adrenalin are flooring the pedals. Nonessential systems shut down—stress's dry mouth, tight scalp, and cold sweat are the result of saliva and blood being diverted from the skin to more critical organs. Meanwhile, the brain is managing the crisis in its way.

Chemical messengers send out alerts to stop wasting any extra energy on high-level functions and to refocus it on storing this life-threatening event in the long-term memory bank—for next time if there is one. This fight-or-flight response, which served to get hunter-gatherers to fight another day, is now an evolutionary throwback that nature neglected to dial down for our generally less-risky modern lifestyle.

As a result, my art-director friend meets his deadline pressures with a biological jujitsu way out of proportion to the actual threat, sending him from zero to 120 in an instant. And he pays the price with insomnia. To be sure, not everyone responds in overdrive to stresses—plenty of laid-back souls are blessed with cooler, calmer inner cavemen.

Nor is everyone who does meet daily challenges in hyper mode a mental case. Many Type-A personalities spend their days juiced up on stress at work (and make the rest of us miserable), then go home to a dreamless sleep. So why is someone like my friend—anal in the typical art-director style but otherwise not a Type-A—in distress? Stress and the Gay Factor Don't blame it on being gay.

"There is no association between homosexuality and mental illness," said Gilbert Herdt, director of the Program in Human Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University. "On the other hand, gays and lesbians have higher rates of stress-related problems, such as anxiety, depression, mood change, and substance abuse related to alcohol and drugs." There's even an official name for it: minority stress.

"The concept has emerged from mental health research to explain the impact of simple discrimination in a huge range of areas for people," said Herdt. "Discrimination in jobs, housing, health care, and adoption rights that are denied—these losses accumulate over a lifetime. And the traumatic reactions provoke people to cope, often without the necessary means of social support.

" Other researchers divide these reactions into three categories: internalized homophobia, or turning society's hostility toward homosexuality against the self; stigma, or expecting such hostility; and experiencing it outright, in acts of discrimination or violence. Many studies show that the more minority stress you face, the more distress you feel.

Gay pride and progress notwithstanding, a case could be made that the symptoms are everywhere in our community. Along with the benchmarks like depression and anxiety named by Herdt are two that are less familiar: body image and HIV risk. Stress, Body Image, and HIV Risk Researchers have repeatedly found that gay men have more dissatisfaction with their body, physical symptoms of stress, and eating disorders than straight men, all of which add up to a basic body-image issue.

The extent to which gay culture itself only increases this stress with its hyper masculine ideals is an open question. As for HIV, the Polaris seroconversion study in Ontario, Canada, found that 36 percent of positive gay men reported five or more stressful events in the six months prior to their diagnosis, compared with 21 percent of negative guys. Overall, this stress burden caused a two-fold increase in HIV risk, but for gay men under 30 with serious money or security issues it was a shocking four times higher. Increasing Your Stress ThresholdAs with all psychological problems, your response to stress is influenced by numerous factors, including early nurturing, personality development, and genetics.

Many, if not most, gay men bear the scars of growing up homosexual, whether they experienced physical and emotional abuse or softer, more subtle forms of institutionalized hatred. To make matters worse, minority stress tends to be a chronic condition—you can get sensitized to it, and so can your brain. "Years of research have told us that people do become sensitized to stress, and that this sensitization actually alters physical patterns in the brain," said Seymour Levine, a stress expert at the University of Delaware. "That means that once sensitized, the body just does not respond to stress the same way in the future.

We may produce too many excitatory chemicals or too few calming ones—either way we are responding inappropriately." The solution to stress—minority or otherwise—begins by identifying what you actually have control over and can therefore change. Every one's life is packed with eventfulness—work, love, health—that almost by definition involve stressors. Since limiting external stressors may not be an option and rewiring your neurochemical fight-or-flight response is impossible, experts advise developing your ability to dial up your stress threshold, so that fewer stressors trigger the hormonal rush. This is easier said than done. "Study upon study has shown that simple relaxation does not work in many people," said Mt. Sinai Medical Center's Rachel Yehuda.

"Telling someone who has been sensitized to stress to just relax is like telling an insomniac to just fall asleep." Psychologist Robert Epstein, a stress specialist, agrees. "If you wait until you're feeling stressed before you employ some technique for managing stress," he said, "it's already too late. You need to have a bag of tricks that you can deploy proactively.

If you turn to them throughout the day, that changes your stress tolerance." Among the best tricks, according to Epstein, are meditation, deep breathing, relaxation stretches, and visual imagery, each of which may limit the fight-or-flight instinct in the instant. These have an added benefit:

You can practice them while sitting at your desk at work, which is where most stress hits. Still, these tricks require being able to yank yourself out of its grip fast enough to promote relaxation. Exercise and Stress Reduction Exercise, of course, is a top prescription for all healthy living, and stress management is no exception. Still, controversy occasionally erupts over the question whether exercise, which has some of the same effects on the body as stress, may be more harm than help.

Class will begin on Thursday July 16th at 7pm Mission Area location..
Sliding fee scale and goes for 12 weeks.. Contact me at 415 287-7687 for details.

Namaste' Mark

EMBRACING THE DAY...CHECK OUT ...GO GRATITUDE...

2009-06-22T09:01:00.001-07:00

9 Agreements for World Gratitude Participants

As we envision our emerging world, we feel a Standard of Excellence is vital to our collective success, laying the foundation for harmonious relations. Through experience, we've come to recognize that a standard of personal excellence precedes magic, miracles, serendipity, synchronicity, and personal and global transformation.

As stewards of the World Gratitude Gathering, it is our commitment to you, and everyone who participates, to create the space for heaven to shine through, thus reflecting the highest quality experience for everyone involved. We believe that such a space is made possible as we each agree to the following 9 Agreements prior to participation in the World Gratitude Gathering.

As a member of the World Gratitude Gathering, I agree to the following:

I agree that a world of Love and Gratitude begins with me. I choose to be a conscious mirror and model of the change I wish to see in the world.
I agree to consciously set an intention for manifesting something miraculous in my life throughout this process.
I agree to tap into Gratitude on a daily basis and as much as possible in every waking moment. I know that the rewards of doing so flow through and extend beyond me, strengthening the collective field of Gratitude from which we may all derive benefit.
I agree to be a consistently uplifting inspiration in all my interactions in World Gratitude. I commit to see and mirror back the greatness of each soul who crosses my path. I choose to discover and nurture the light within so that it may shine forth to others and magnify their life.
I agree to honor each individuals right to choose their own belief system and life path.
I agree to be open to both give and receive within this community. In all my dealings, I seek win-win, mutually edifying interactions and transactions.
I agree to be my word in my exchanges with others. I realize that my personal influence is magnified to the degree I am able to keep my word with myself and others. If something comes up and I decide to change what I had agreed upon, then I agree to make that communication as soon as possible to the affected party.
I agree to love and enjoy my life as much as possible!
And, last but certainly not least, I agree to be Grateful for ME!

I must admit I joined this group several months ago then "got busy" with an amazing life.. But got distracted and want to make a conscious effort to be more involved in the wonderful work that occurs here.

And hope many of you will do the same!!..

Love and Light, Mark

Embrace the Day .... Some thoughts on Stress. Look for new stress workshop for Queer Men mid July..

2009-06-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Comic relief

Five serious stress relief tips from five very non-serious comedians.

By Arthur Jone

SEE ALSO:

SELF TEST: How stress are you?
SELF TEST: Why are you stressed?
Happiness goals: The search for real happiness

Stress is the biggest killer of men worldwide. The cure? Your sense of humour. Read on to see why laughter really is the best medicine.

Here are five serious stress relief tips from five very non serious comedians

Nik Rabinowitz

Don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously.
Trust your gut feeling about things, except when you have diarrhoea.
Go surfing, but don’t stress about the sharks or anyone else who may drop in on you.
Watch Girls of the Playboy Mansion.
If all else fails, invite Julius Malema round for dinner.

Kevin Perkins aka Michael Naicker™
(Formal comments by Kevin Perkins with schizophrenic commentary by his alter ego Mike Naicker in italics.)

Don’t read the newspaper for a few days. You’ll be amazed how much better you feel about the world after not being bombarded with sensationalist negativity.
“Ja, in two or three days, nothing will have changed in da papers. Osama will still be as elusive as a yeti in camouflage pants; oil trade will be holding the gun to our heads, crime will still be the reason you want to waai to Australia, and global warming will still be ruining ski holidays.”
Laugh. Shift your energy to a higher more productive level by laughing. Once a day (minimum) read, watch or listen to something that makes you chuckle.
“Laughter can cure you of all stress-related illnesses. You’ll feel better about signing those divorce papers; bouncing credit cards become a hysterical joke you can share with everybody in the till queue; and repossession is just a convenient way of tidying up your pozzie and getting someone else to pay for it.”
Focus on why you can and should be successful in your job and not the tedious grind of yet another day in the office.
“What’s da point in hating your job but waaiing back week after week? If you not happy, change things, you are born free, don’t keep yourself caged. Feel the rush and invigorating experience of yelling ‘I quit, I am free,’ and slamming down your resignation letter on dat butt-kissing moron’s desk. Alternatively, fake an illness... hey it worked for Shabir”
Hang around with positive people. This is easy to do: find friends or contacts in your circle of associates who make you feel good or feel happy when you’re around them and try and spend more time with these people.
“I would highly recommend coming to a Mike Naicker comedy show in your area. It’s like a giant festive support group for like-minded, stunningly good-looking people.”
Sex – nothing clears the head, invigorates the body, and stimulates positivity like a good, sweaty roll in the sheets with the one you love.
“Jaaaa... let your inhibitions go and jump your spouse, stekkie or similarly willing partner for a night (or day) of physical romance. Den have a dos for a while... den wake up and repeat...until you are satisfied, smiling and two kilograms
lighter!”

David Kibuuka

Watch Oprah – no-one has ever been stressed after watching Oprah.
Social exercise – exercise with other people – touch rugby, tag and hide ’n seek spring to mind.
Get boozed.
Doing something kind (like those dishes that your girlfriend has been screaming at you to do) always helps.
Get boozed. I’m not trying to encourage drinking but it’s the solution that has “stood the test of time”.

Marc Lottering

Make a choice to turn your cellphone off while driving– even if you have that hands-free thing.
When you see Jacob Zuma dancing on television, get up and join him – it’s a lot more fun than going into shock.
When your cellphone rings and it says “private number”, do not answer. It’s more than likely the homeloans call centre.
Insist on being seated at the emergency exit on any flight. In that way you can be sure that you won’t be sitting next to Rosemary’s screeching baby.
Appreciate alcohol.

John Vlismas

Don’t let them get you down.
Try and remember that you are one of “them” too.
Picture the enemy crying at their naked form in the mirror.
Eat your veggies and drink lots of fluids.
Avoid others wherever possible, especially television people.