Trance-Induced Meditator Murdered by Spiritual Healer Boyfriend
The official police report goes into gruesome detail of Lane's killing actions, his attempt to conceal her body, and also his taking funds from her checking account and making purchases with her credit card. Her body was discovered in the garage area of her home on November 30th. Lane was initially picked up in Ventura California under a warrant that was issued for his arrest. He was transported to the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas on December 11th.
Lane is a self-proclaimed motivational speaker who promotes meditation and spiritual healing. That fact that this senseless killing was done under the umbrella of trust during an assisted trance-inducing meditation is especially sickening.
It has been known for centuries that it is possible to influence consciousness by techniques which involve breathing. The procedures that have been used for this purpose by various ancient and non-Western cultures cover a very wide range from drastic interferences with breathing to subtle and sophisticated exercises of various spiritual traditions. Thus the original form of baptism practiced by the Essenes involved forced submersion of the initiate under water for an extended period of time. This resulted in a powerful experience of death and rebirth. In some other groups, the neophytes were half-choked by smoke, by strangulation, or compression of the carotid arteries. (Source: Theory and Practice of Holotropic Breathwork)Join Me on Facebook | Get My Twitter Updates
Twisted Garland Path
Pardon me for not being wordless AGAIN this week. My husband and I, who are now empty nesters, have our own tree trimming tradition. Decorating the tree is a bit different now from when our three kids were living at home. Putting our tree up is a three to four day project. The first two days I don't get involved. It is my husband who handles dragging the tree and the stored boxes of decorations down from the attic. On the second day he assembles the tree and places the strings of lights. He is very meticulous how he does this. He's a Virgo, just so you understand it is his nature to be persnickety and likes to have the lights strung "just right." On the third day it is my turn to place the ribbon garland (thus the photo) on the lighted tree. The final step will be to hang the ornaments on our tree together as a couple. Trimming the tree in stages is a process that we didn't have the leisure time to do before my husband was retired and the kids were rambling about the house.
This morning while I was walking circles around the tree placing the garland on the branches I was gifted with some precious time of reflection. Some tasks, such as garlanding a tree, are perfect for allowing the mind to reflect on things. As I was circling the tree and gently untwisting the curled ribbon from its cardboard roll and weaving it in and around the tree, I allowed my mind to wander. I envisioned the garland as a life making its way along a winding pathway and finding its way through natural twists and turns. Life is like garland, twisted at times and other times we feel as if we are going in circles. But... if you stop now and again and take a moment to around to look at the path you have traveled to see how far you come, well, it can be pretty amazing.
More Wordless Wednesday photos at About.com and the Wordless Wednesday Home Blog
garland photo (c) Phylameana lila Desy
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24% of Americans Believe in Reincarnation
Just because you see your neighbor sitting in the pew in front of you every Sunday morning doesn't mean she is necessarily a devout follower of your church's doctrine. Recent survey results provided by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life indicate that many Americans are mixing and matching their beliefs. They are sampling a variety of spiritual practices, blending Christianity with Eastern philosophies and New Age ideas.
The United States, undeniably, is a predominantly Christian faith country. Yet, 24% of the American public (22% of them Christians) answered that they believed in reincarnation. A belief in ghosts (29% Americans/29% Christians) and astrology (25% Americans/23% Christians) was also acknowledged. 23% of the public feel that yoga is a spiritual experience, and 26% believe that spiritual energies are in trees, mountains, crystals, etc.
Count me in among the 24% of Americans who believe in reincarnation. But, that doesn't mean that I am driven to know who I was in the past or dream about the possibility of being someone else in a future incarnation. I'm focused on making my current lifetime the very best one possible. I also believe in the importance of staying present in the Now! Still, the subject of reincarnation is interesting! Who were you in a past life?
This survey was conducted in August 2009. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. It studies public opinion, demographics and other important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. (read full report)
Rob Melnychuk / Getty Images
Rock Spirits - Talking with Rocks
Talking with rocks comes natural to me. When walking along a beach or creek a rock will speak to you if it wants your attention. At least that is how it feels whenever I get the urge to pick one up. Sometimes a particular rock will even make its way into my pocket. It is as if it has invited itself into my life through the mystery of rock attraction.Why Paint a Rock?
I've never been fond of painted rocks. Rocks, to me, are beautiful in their natural state. The same with painted sea shells. I can't make sense of spray painting a perfectly beautiful shell so that it shimmers gold or silver? So artificial!
However, I am experiencing an odd urge to paint a rock ever since I read Ilene Dube's article Teaching a Stone to Talk, featuring psychoanalyst/artist Rhoda Kassof-Isaac's fascinating painted rock faces. Rhoda has put hundreds of faces on rocks. I didn't know I could ever be inspired to consider painting a rock. But, I just might try painting a face on a rock... but only if a rock asks me to. It could possibly even deepen my conversation with rocks if I did. Who knows? Do you have a painted rock you consider to be an amulet? I'm collecting amulet stories and photos if you'd like to share yours.
Rhoda's painted rocks are exhibited at Gallery14.
painted heart on rock / Ron Levine / Getty Images
Carnival of Healing #219
Welcome to the 219th edition of the Carnival of Healing. The carnival is a weekly round-up of blogs across the Internet featuring information about healing, self empowerment, and spirituality.
Without any further wait, let's start clicking away into the healing links this week's carnival invites...
Is it your time to bloom?
Tomar Levine blogs about about being a late bloomer in her post Finding One's True Work After Fifty. Tomar says "I had to wait to evolve and develop before I was ready to discover it for myself." Tomar is a certified life purpose, career, and creativity coach. She wants to know if you are ready to bloom.
In this case, "anti" is good!
WP Ho prompts us to stay clear of inflammatory foods, listing the top 10 to avoid. Why does it not surprise me that SUGAR is on the top of the list? For balance be sure to include the anti-inflammatory foods into your diet.
Cancer fighting tea
Natural Health eZine gives us a look at four herbs that are included in Essiac Tea and its history of success in healing certain cancers.
Alternative to a jab in the arm
Emily Simmons suggests her sister's pineapple juice concoction as a natural remedy for the flu. She says it really "staves off the sniffles."
I want Gina to be my massage therapist
Who wouldn't appreciate a therapist who connects the dots between your day-to-day life and your health issues. Shiatsu therapist, Gina Loree' Marks, journals an example of how our emotional stuff can show up in our physical bodies in her post One Foot Out the Door, A Case Study
Realizing Enlightenment
Richard Shelmerdine writes about how to reach enlightenment. He has put quite a bit of thought into this subject. It is a thoughtful post. Enjoyable read! His is a lesson in releasing judgement and just being.
Beyond Karma
Kaushik Chokshi helps readers understand some of the fundamentals in spirituality such as acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, and awareness. Lots to chew on with his post Acceptance is not something we do; it is something we stop doing.
Knock out those winter blues
Clara Myers writes about conventional and alternative therapy choices for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Laughter and Happiness
Christopher Foster endeared me with his love of hearing his wife's laughter in his post
Is happiness hiding in plain sight? He says "Happiness... is in the little moments of my life. All I had to do was pay attention."
Christine Kane offers some ballroom dance class humor in her post We Don't Think We Can Dance, But We Do It Anyway.
Thank you for attending this week's carnival.
Looking Back: Last week the Carnival of Healing was hosted by Clara Myers at Mind Mart
Looking Forward: Next edition of the carnival (December 19) will be hosted by Rosanna C.Rogacion, at Meandering Paths of Wellness
Grieving the loss of a parent
Free Advice from Intuitive Life Coach, Jaelin K. Reece
Dear Jaelin,
Mom passed just over a year ago, it seems that this loss has purged other painful episodes from my distant past. Now, I seem stuck in putting all this emotion behind me. How do I get a fresh perspective on what should be my golden years?
Thank you,
Janine
Dear Janine,
Grief is a powerful emotion, one that we compile within our being, rather than sort and compartmentalize. In other words, a loss triggers all the other losses we have ever experienced, so our grief is never for the one, but for the many. Joy and grief both reside in the heart chakra. In order to allow the grief to flow out and put to the past, you must allow joy to enter your heart. Focus on all the joys of your Mother's life and celebrate it. Focus on all the joys that are part of your life in the present moment as well. Allow that joy to fill your heart and you will find that the grief no longer has as much room to prosper. Use a positive affirmation as a mantra, something like "I allow joy to fill my being each and every moment of today."
Many Blessings,
Jaelin
Whole Life Coach
Disclaimer: Jaelin often shares insights derived from intuitive communications. Any advice she offers is not meant to override your personal health providers' recommendations/prescriptions, but is intended to offer a higher perspective on your behalf based on the question you asked of her.
Meet Our In House Intuitives
- Animal Communicator, Madeleine Walker
- Intuitive Whole Life Coach, Jaelin K. Reece
- Angel Intuitive, Christopher James Dilts
Share Your Photos - Tree Trimming Traditions
Finding this bear angel to add to my collection of holiday tree ornaments a few years ago was a delight. I actually found it in the summertime at a Cracker Barrel rest stop. If you were to see my tree in its entirety you would find several angels hanging on it, but this particular bear angel ornament holds a special place in my heart and secures a special spot on my tree.Do you have an ornament on your holiday tree that expresses your passion, or fills your spirit?
The healing art of Reiki is a passion of my life. Reiki bears and other stuffed animals are healing tools used by many Reiki practitioners as surrogates when they are giving absentia Reiki treatments. The purpose of a surrogate is a "focusing tool" held in the palms of hands for the Reiki to flow with the intention for the energies to be sent to someone who is not present. I love Reiki and I also love angels.Get Your Tea Leaves Read - Upload Photo of Your Cup
You may remember my Be My Seer post a few weeks ago. I uploaded a photo of the inside of my teacup and invited everyone to intuit the symbols and markings of the wet leaves in the bottom of my cup. That was fun! I loved reading all your interpretations.
A few of you suggested you would like to have the opportunity to get your tea leaves read. So, that got me to scheming... I asked myself "Why not allow readers to submit pictures of the inside of their teacups and ask my readers to intuit them? Well, I followed my plan and now have a submission form up and awaiting your teacup photos.
So, what are you waiting for? Put the tea kettle on the stove. Review my how to read tea leaves article while your tea is seeping. Afterwards, get your digcam out to snap a picture of the inside of your cup. Share your story along with the teacup photo. In a day or so I'll get your story/photo published and invite readers to share insights if they have any. How cool is that? Invite a few friends over to your house for a tea party and do it as a group. Have some fun with this.
Meanwhile, because Joycelynn was among those who wanted the opportunity to do this. I offered her the chance to be the first person to share her story and a photo (read Joycelynn's story). After reading her story and peering inside her cup you can submit your seerful interpretations.
- Peer into Joycelynn's Cup
- Share your insights with Joycelynn
- Submit your Tea Leaf Reading Story and Photo
Changing Perspectives
Several years ago I attended an introductory workshop to learn some basics about NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming). One of my take-aways from the experience was learning how to re-frame your perspectives. Basically, if you are overwhelmed with what is in front of you, take a step back and attempt to view it through a smaller portal. When dealing with smaller mental images it is easier to create changes. These images remind me of this process. Especially in the first photo where light has been added to the framed section of the sky, converting darkness into a brighter outlook.
More Wordless Wednesday photos at About.com and the Wordless Wednesday Home Blog
Pando Hall / John Lund / Getty Images
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Sweat Lodge Tragedy Time Line
Recently fired employee of James Arthur Ray's Create Harmonic Wealth enterprise blows the whistle on Ray. Melinda Martin gave an exclusive interview to ABC about witnessing Ray's lack of care following the sweat. You can tune in tonight to hear the latest on ABC's Nightline tonight at 11:35 p.m. ET/ PT. Gary Tuchman will also be covering an allegation of a possible coverup in regard to a woman's suicide in July while participating in another one of Ray's events on AndersonCooper360 tonight on CNN.
Many of my readers have asked me to continue keeping them informed on any new developments on this story. So, of course I will continue to report updates regarding the Arizona sweat lodge tragedy that occurred in October as soon as I know about them. I have gathered past reports and compiled this time line. I will expand the time line as additional news to this sad story unfolds. I welcome additional news updates from readers to keep everyone informed. Please post related news you become aware of under comments to help me make this time line current. Thanks!