Smell may be the sense most associated with memory, but hearing just took a big leap in the same direction.

Alive Inside</em>, a documentary premiering next week in New York, investigates a social worker’s attempt to engage seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s at a nursing home. When he discovers how well it works, he brings in neurologist Oliver Sacks, and the two embark on an experiment to see music’s impact on this population.

The video above has become a viral hit as more people discover it, and it’s no surprise — people’s connection with music, particularly music from their younger years, elicits strong emotions, and some researchers have even suggested it as a necessity for people.

Ray Mueller, a member of the Shumei Arts Council of America’s Advisory Board, told Psychology Suite 101, “Research has located specific areas of mental activity linked to emotional responses to music. It seems music is a human need and the brain is able to act as a function to satisfy that need.”

For older populations, music has been associated with everything from helping uncover memories in patients with Alzheimer’s to reducing falls during exercise.
The video is also affiliated with Music & Memory, an organization dedicated to helping seniors connect to music, including collecting used iPods for donation.

This article is reprinted with permission from the Huffington Post’s Good News Channel.

Man Who Was Given 14 Days To Live Climbs The World’s 7 Highest Peaks
A Ugandan Teen’s Incredible Journey From A Village School To Harvard
10-Year-Old Invents Groundbreaking Video Game For The Visually Disabled

In Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine there is a term “Shen”. This is the spirit of the Heart. When it’s healthy it shines through the face and sparkles through the eyes. This state is not always what we see reflected in the mirror. We might ask ourselves what story is my face telling?

A whole lot more happens to Natural Facial Rejuvenation students than simply looking good after their workshop. They were able to connect with parts of themselves that had been longing for integration; old injuries seemed to melt away, old emotional walls came down, a greater sense of openheartedness and sharing arose.

Students come to these classes to learn more skills for their professional practice, to rejuvenate and regenerate themselves, and perhaps, at the same time, to heal deep parts of themselves.

Many different types of students come to take the Natural Facial Rejuvenation program – not just medical doctors and psychologists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and bodyworkers but also performers from the entertainment industry, attorneys, internet entrepreneurs and those in high level business positions wanting to rejuvenate their personal and professional lives.

Sometimes their issues may come from deep old hidden events such birth trauma, previous accidents or injuries, dental trauma or even old emotional wounds that remained buried for decades. These stagnant energies may have been forgotten and lost from consciousness, but impede the flow of healthy energy to the face and body and thereby contribute to the aging process.

Digestive symptoms or allergies are other issues that can show up in the face. Botox, fillers, cosmetic surgery, chemical peels or even makeup cannot cover up these old traumas and imbalances. And no one talks about this. It’s a lot easier to sell high priced face creams that may serve to help reduce lines without dealing with the underlying issues that make the face tense in the first place.

But through the process of gentle listening and laser touch, a unique synergy of biodynamic craniosacral therapy, Chinese facial acupressure and facial massage, energy blockages are able to start releasing and resolving. Then the face can change, uplift and become more luminous.

Sometimes old feelings of alienation and disconnection come up for healing as the heart reconnects with the body. The Shen is then free to blossom from the heart and flower into the face and eyes. Radiance is reflected and projected into your mirror and the world.

If all this sounds interesting to you, you will want to join Susan on her upcoming one-hour free intro teleclass with Rufina James by clicking on this link:

http://www.rejuvenatemyface.com/natural-facelift-teleclass

In the teleclass, you’ll discover:

– The myths and magic, pros and cons of natural facial rejuvenation vs facelift surgery.

– What stops you from looking and feeling your very best?

– Which natural products really work?

– How you can quickly and easily lift your spirits…and your face

– Three myths you’ve been led to believe about natural facial rejuvenation products … and what you MUST know to protect yourself

– Why natural facial rejuvenation is more than skin deep

– Simple, yet revolutionary skin care solutions for lasting health and beauty

– Skin care secrets of Cleopatra… Helen of Troy… and Melanie Simon, Hollywood’s “Esthetician to the Stars”

– How to know if your product contains pure ingredients… or pure hype

– How essential oils and Chinese medicine combined can create beautiful skin… and robust health!

– How old birth trauma, head trauma, accidents, dental or surgical trauma and emotions affect your face and skin

If you are interested in looking younger and more refreshed, this is an opportunity to hear about facelift alternatives your doctor won’t tell you about.

Please consider joining Susan and Rufina on the call The call is on Thursday, April 12, 6pm PST, 9pm EST. Full details are at the event page below. Follow the link below to register:

http://www.rejuvenatemyface.com/natural-facelift-teleclass

If you like what you hear on the call, you’ll be able to enroll in Susan’s upcoming Natural Facial Rejuvenation Program, April 21st -24th, 2012 in West Los Angeles, CA And, if you can’t make it to Los Angeles, Susan recently introduced her new Home Study Course.

“Your course is fantastic” www.RejuvenateMyFace.com

Dr Susan Lange, OMD, L.Ac., and Mary Louise Muller RCTM bring you their Natural Facial Rejuvenation Program to counteract the ravages, tensions and stress of life in the 21st century. They have applied their decades of experience in creating a truly unique program that is easy to do for busy people on the go.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

Major trends include the introduction of Celestial Seasonings Kombucha Energy Drink, Coconut Water Powder that reduces the carbon footprint of transporting coconut water, coconut flour, vegan everything, more natural beauty and personal care products for babies and teens, new whole foods based supplements and foodaceuticals including plant based vitamin C and B complex and lots of mushroom and algae products. The gluten free category grew 40% in 2010 and is a $2 billion market. 93% of Americans think GMO’s should be labeled. The Non-GMO Project is helping to get this critical issue on the ballot in California that would require GMO labeling. Non-GMO certified products reached $1billion in sales last year.

Overall, we are shifting from a production driven world to a consumer driven world. Consumers can learn all about any product on the shelf with a simple phone app and will increasingly choose those products they feel offer the highest health, environmental and social benefits. And very large companies are reacting. For instance, Nestle has eliminated artificial colors in its foods. Chipote’s recent ad showing a farmer going from farm to industrial methods and back again with the tag line Cultivate a Better World went viral and has received over 6 million hits to date. The Food Corps is a nonprofit Peace Corps for food.

MY TOP DOZEN
Here are my top twelve picks of the most compelling new products from this year’s Natural Product Expo in Anaheim, some of which you may be able to find at Whole Foods and others may still be awaiting distributors. Websites will provide more info on the products and their availability.

1. Omega 3′s

Paradigm Shift in Omega 3′s
The CDC predicts that 50% of Americans will suffer mental health woes in the future. Omega 3′s prevent, treat and rehabilitate brain injuries. In an excellent talk, Michael Lewis, MD, a retired US Army colonel and president of the Brain Health Education and Research Foundation explored his recent findings on Omega 3′s derived from fish oil. The results were outstanding with significant improvements physically and emotionally.

The vast majority of the population is deficient in Omega 3′s. In his research he discovered in the Army that 7 year old children in the UK had higher levels (1.89%) of DHA than most of those tested in his Army research (1.17%). Omega 3′s should be 8% of fats and low DHA levels increase the risk for suicide by 62%. American’s have too many Omega 6′s which are a causal factor in many other psychiatric conditions including PTSD, depression, substance abuse, and violence. The good news is risk can be changed for pennies a day. Omega 3′s protect the brain from necrosis after a stroke if administered within 30 minutes and are a protective agent that promotes neuron development and transmission.

Dr. Lewis also reported significant changes in a general sense of well being by many of those tested.

He suggested the following protocol to restore and maintain optimal Omega 3 levels:

Select 1000mg soft gel caps with 600mg combined EPA and DHA (a 60% concentration).

1 dose=5 caps or 3000mg

5 caps 3x day for the first week
5 caps 2x day for the second week
5 caps 1x a day or divide 2x day as ongoing maintenance.

Dr. Lewis concluded his talk be stating that “Omega 3′s are probably the most important supplement you can take on a regular basis and through they might well become like aspirin in the 20th century.”

I went to my favorite online retailer, Vitacost.com, and found Nordic Naturals Omega 3′s offered for $48-$59 and then discovered their private label containing higher amounts of DHA, EPA’s and total Omega 3′s for an amazing $21. I ordered 2 bottles. Because of higher amounts I will take less caps per day.

2. Incrediwear: A breakthrough in infrared textile technology

A fascinating discovery at the show were Incredisocks and incredibrace.

When the body warms, their unique bamboo charcoal and bamboo/germanium products release anions, negatively charged atoms that, when absorbed by the body, stimulates molecular vibration and circulation. Infrared anion technology has been used for years at medical clinics to address vascular and circulatory health, and pro athletes have slept in ionized environments since the 70′s The technology has been used by chiropractors and physical therapists to accelerate recovery. Both products are constantly therapeutic.

Results show that most people who experience muscle or joint discomfort and try an Incredibrace feel a difference in 20 minutes and sometimes sooner. Incredibraces have helped those with pain from sprains, arthritis, inflammation, cramps and fatigue. Wearers report a reduction in discomfort and an enhanced range of motion while walking, working, running, biking, dancing, competing in martial arts, lifting weights and even sleeping.

The socks are also made from bamboo charcoal, and some have a mix of germanium in them. As your body heats the sock, it releases the therapeutic anions, resulting in increased circulation. Laser doppler studies has revealed up to a 17% increase in blood flow which can result in accelerated performance and recovery.

Enhanced circulation= more oxygen supplied to local tissues which combined with increased blood flow keeps you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather and even warm when the socks get wet! The natural fibers are antimicrobial and odor absorbing.

Germanium helps supply oxygen and supports cellular defenses.

To learn more, visit  www.buyincrediwear.com

3. Zeta Insoles

Zeta Insoles are the perfect compliment to Incredisocks and offers deep tissue massage with every step, gentle accupressure and far infrared therapy for the life of the product along with increased blood circulation in the feet.

Zeta insole’s hundreds of tiny bubbles cushion your feet from heel to toe and are designed to hit specific points in the feet that increase circulation and relieve torrid and sore feet. Engineered to channel natural far infrared and other energies to the body, Zeta Insoles provide fast, consistent relief. Available in men’s and woman’s sizes from 5-14 the Zedathermide insoles can be cut to size for a custom fit. They can also be placed over most orthotics. The company also offers a line of touchstones, discs, a massage tool and accupressure ball.

For more info visit: ZetaTherapy.com

4. Method and Eco Nut Soaps

Here are two interesting washing alternatives.

Method is a plant based laundry detergent concentrate (8x) and comes in an easy to use pump bottle. The bottle is from an ocean based plastic supply chain which means that each 100% consumer recycled plastic bottle you use is helping remove plastic debris from the ocean. Method’s non-toxic and biodegradable home, hand, and laundry products put the hurt on dirt without doing harm to people, creatures or the planet. Over 2/3 of their US shipments are transported by their fleet of biodiesel trucks. They are a founding B-Corp changing the way business is done. (b-corporation.net/method). To learn more, visit methodhome.com5.

Fragrance free, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, non-toxic, odor killing Eco Nuts are dried berry shells from the Sapindus mukorossi tree in Asia and have been used for centuries to clean clothes. They are a highly effective natural cleaner and a green alternative to man made detergents. As they say, “you’d be nuts to use any other soap.” 4-5 Eco Nuts in a provided cotton bag will wash a minimum of 10 loads. For more info, visit econutsoap.com

5. Broo Craft Beer Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash

Broo is a line of super moisturizing salon grade hair shampoos, conditioners and body washes that are made from beer made with hand crafted Portes and Pale Ales from microbrewery Highland Brewing of Ashville, NC. Broos benefits include B vitamins, proteins and minerals with no added sulphates, paragons, phthalates, silicons, dyes, synthetic fragrances, GMOS and is ph-Balanced. It’s superI took a sample of their shampoo home and was amazed at the richness of this outstanding product. Because it is to rich, only a very small amount is required thus the bottle will last far longer than any other shampoo I am aware of. Whole Foods awarded this product their Premium Body Care Seal. With premium ingredients at about half the price of most salon shampoos and spa products, Broo is a real winner.

For more info, visit, broo.com

6. The Bio-Pro Program for Periodontal Health

James Harrison, D.D.S., an integrative dentist has co-developed a powerful line of oral care products that wipe out inflammation and bacteria that are the cause of periodontal disease.

Among the ingredients in these products are Phytoplenolin, a patented herbal extract that has been shown to promote cell vitality, and extracts of Echinacea, Olive Leaf, Black Walnut Hulls, Gotu Kola, Green Tea Leaf, Grapefruit Seed, Oregano, Clove, Lavendar, Cinnamon, CoQ10, Aloe Vera and Chlorophyll.

Had I known about these great products a lot sooner, they might have saved two teeth I lost to this very common issue. Dr. Harrison offered a microscope to  illuminate the power of his products. I gave him a saliva sample,  looked into his microscope and saw a sea of movement that he explained included spyrokites. As you may know,  germs may migrate from our mouths to our hearts and cause serious damage that can be life threatening.  When I viewed Dr Harrison’s sample, it was almost entirely inert.

I was sold and when I returned home, visited Vita Cost.com and ordered his Perio-Cleanse Concentrate (used with an oral irrigator), Perio-Paste Toothpaste, and Perio-Wash Mouthwash and have been using them ever since. When you experience his alcohol free product with no synthetic solvents, Lauryl-Sulfate, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, you will know you are destroying germs that can cause mouth and heart problems and promoting healthy teeth and gums with a safe and proven one of a kind product. Dr. Harrison unconditionally guarantees every product in his line.

For more information,  visit naturesanswer.com

7. Gnosis Raw Chocolate

Research has revealed the health benefits of raw cacao including being one of the highest sources of magnesium. gnosis new line of delicious premium 70-90% raw cacao chocolates with superfoods, functional herbs and coconut palm sugar is free of refined sugar, cholesterol, dairy, soy and gluten. But most importantly, they taste great! Gnosis received a 2011 Favorite award at the 4th Annual Best of Raw Awards Show.

Gnosis gourmet line includes Superchoc for Vitality, Simplicity for Energy, Pom Acai for Rejuvination, Aphrodesia for Passion, Coco Almond for Endurance, Mayan Heat for Circulation, Immunity for Resiliance, Cook Mint for Clarity, Hazelnut for Gratitude, Superberry for Beauty and Cashew Powerchoc for Strength and Goji for Longevity. In addition, Gnosis offers Immunity and Powerchoc Trail Mixes, Aphrodisia and Mayan Heat Hot Chocolate, Passion Truffles and Spreads including Choco Hemp. And, naturally all packaging is made from post consumer recycled, FSC certified, vegetable ink printed, biodegradable, and/or compostable materials.

Gnosis was founded by Vanessa Barg, a Board Certified Holistic Health Counselor with a deep passion for chocolate, nutrition, well being, and the advancement of a healthy, empowered and conscious society. Vanessa began making chocolate to help clients move toward a healthy, satisfying diet they could truly enjoy. Her nutrition and culinary arts background enabled her to create recipes that incorporated globally sourced superfoods and medicinal herbs. Vanessa works directly with farmers and cooperatives to develop organic agriculture initiatives and fair labor practices. 10% of profits are donated to the dozens of local and international organizations and causes Gnosis supports.

To learn more about these great products or locate a local Gnosis retailer, visit GnosisChocolate.com

8. Sports Pro Gyro Exerciser

Here’s a great battery operated hand held gyroscopic exerciser that delivers over 35 pounds of isometric torque.. It’s used by professional golfers, and hockey, tennis, football and baseball players as well as bikers to strengthen arm, wrist, hand and grip to increase endurance, improve coordination and dexterity and help prevent hand and shoulder injuries. It is also used by NASA and the medical professions. The Sportspro is therapeutic for hands, wrists, arms, biceps and triceps and is capable of speeds over 12,000rpm. It provides a relaxing and extremely effective way to improve your grip, strengthen your wrists and arms while improving coordination without strenuous exercise. For more, visit mydfx.com

9. KonaRed Hawaiian Superfruit Antioxident Juice

Kona Red utilizes the previously unused fruit portion of the coffee plant providing additional value to the coffee industry and it’s farmers. They use No coffee beans, only the red ripe fruit. The fruits antioxidants, Quinic Acid, Chlorogenis Acid and Ferulic Acid result in an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score of more than 7,900, higher than any known fruit and is highly bioavailable. KonaRed is sourced exclusively from Kona, Hawaii farms. The founder of KonaRed reported that feedback from many users confirm improvement in many health conditions. For more information on the health benefits, visit KonaRed.com

10. Back to the Roots Gourmet Mushroom Garden

This do it yourself mushroom farm in a box will amaze your kids and delight your taste buds producing up to one and a half pounds of tasty pearl oyster mushrooms in as little as ten days and can produce multiple crops. The mushroom spores sit on top of recycled coffee grounds that act as their soil. Simply mist a few times a day and watch nature do its thing.

Back to the Roots was founded by Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora during their last semester at UC Berkeley when they first heard about being able to grow gourmet mushrooms on 100% recycled coffee grounds. Inspired by the idea of turning waste into wages & fresh, local food, they experimented in Alex’s fraternity kitchen, ultimately growing one test bucket of oyster mushrooms on coffee grounds. With that one basket, some initial interest fro Whole Foods & Chez Panisse restaurant and a $5000 grant from their Chancellor, they decided to forego the corporate route of i-banking, and instead, become full time urban mushroom farmers.

In 2011 their mushroom kit helped divert and reuse 1 million pounds of coffee grounds from the landfill; helped customers grow over 250,000 pounds of their own fresh mushrooms; sustained 10 school gardens through their nutritious soil amendment donations and created 23 urban, green collar jobs in the West Oakland community.

Oyster mushrooms have a mild flavor and delicate velvety texture which works well in pastas, skewers, soups or salads. Beyond their great taste, oyster mushrooms are also packed with nutrition – 15% of the DV of dietary fiber, a rich source of iron and other essential amino acids, vitamin C, vitamin B complex and most of the mineral salts required by the human body.

For more, visit backtotheroots.com

11. Pukka Award Winning Organic Herbal Teas

Pukka (Hindi-authentic, genuine, top quality) offers a line of beautifully packaged, Arurvedic inspired fair trade, sustainably farmed organic teas from England. From the warmth of Love to the calm of Night Time, they have created delicious organic herbal teas that capture every mood and moment. Their teas are blended by master herbalist Sebastian Pole and offer full flavors and rich therapeutic benefits. The Pukka line includes Balancing blends like Refresh (peppermint, fennel & rose), Relax (chamomile, fennel & marshmallow), Revitalize (cinnamon, cardamon & ginger and Harmonize (rose, hibiscus & sweet vanilla; Indulgent Natural Flavors including Chamomile & Vanilla, Love (Rose Chamomile & Vanilla) and Green Chai (Green tea, cinnamon & star anise), Whole leaf greens and Everyday Moments. Each pack contains 20 tea sachets.

Read more about Pukka at pukkaherbs.com

12. Ron Teeguarden’s Tonic Alchemy

This Supertonic Superfood Blend combines 71 truly amazing whole superfoods from around the world. The source of thousands of phyto-nutrients, including a full range of naturally occurring antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, immune-enhancing polysaccharides, polypeptides, probiotics, co-factors and alkalizing elements. Tonic Alchemy helps increase mental and physical energy, build blood and nourish all the tissues of the body, boost immune system function, deactivate free radicals, tonify all the organ systems, protect the liver, lungs and other tissues from toxins and pollution, detoxify poisons, balance intestinal flora, reduce chronic inflammation and remove heavy metals.

Visit dragonherbs.com.

FUN NEW PRODUCT AWARD

If you have a dog or cat, you may want to consider mixing two healthy new low calorie, no-sugar condiments with the nutritional benefits of a supplement into their kibble. All Natural, Human Grade PETCHUP contains 250mg of Glucosamine per serving, Omega’s 3-6 and 9 from fish and flax oil, a prebiotic and other great ingredients. MEOWSTARD contains a prebiotic, Omega 3, L-Taurine and other high quality ingredients. They can also be an easy way to give your pet a pill he or she might otherwise reject. Visit mypetchup.com to learn more about these fun new products and where you can find them.

POSSIBLE GAME CHANGER

It may soon be possible to eliminate chemical based-cleaners from the planet for good while helping to grow food in the desert thanks to Indee’s Pure Clean, a new paradigm cleaning product that also supports a project that can produce usable water in the desert to grow greenhouse crops. If there was ever a socially responsible business, Indee’s has to rate an 11 on a 10 scale.

Imagine pure water that is able to efficiently remove fat, oil, dirt and lime in kitchens, bathrooms, on stone, tiles, windows and floors and imagine that you add 8 just drops of of concentrate to activate 4.2 ounces of tap water to make your cleaning solution.

I couldn’t believe it, but witnessed the product crystalize olive oil on contact. A proprietary transformative water process magnetizes the water’s molecules so they become a magnet for dirt.  I imagine they now have a US distributor or will very shortly. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting and revolutionary idea.

To learn more visit indees.net and watch the video below to see an amazing new paradigm world changing food in the desert project Indee’s is supporting with 25% of their sales.

This is the time to turn around the economic game so it works for all of us rather than the 1%.

From the producers of The Economics of Happiness DVD which will be the subject of a review in February and whose trailer appears below comes a March Conference dedicated to the same theme. Bringing together some of the greatest economic visionaries of our time who collectively are redefining economics so that it serves people and the planet, the conference will be held from March 23-25 at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California.

Conference themes include Breaking Down the Old Economy, Small Scale on a Large Scale, Local Futures and Reweaving the Fabric of Hope.

Among the stellar international group of presenters are Vandana Shiva, a worldrenowned activist, physicist, feminist and the founder of Navdanya, Annie Leonard, the author and host of The Story of Stuff and director of The Story of Stuff Project, Richard Heinberg, the author of ten books, including The Party’s Over, Peak Everything, and The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality, Bill McKibben, the author of a dozen books about the environment and the economy including The End of Nature and Deep Economy: the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, Helena Norberg-Hodge, the founder and director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC) and its predecessor, the Ladakh Project. She is the author of Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh and producer and co-director of the film, The Economics of Happiness, Judy Wicks, the founder of White Dog Café and an international leader and speaker in the local living economies movement. Judy is co-founder of the nationwide Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), Rebecca Tarbotton, Executive Director of Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and former Project Coordinator at ISEC. Under her direction, RAN challenges corporate power in order to protect endangered forests, transform dirty energy expansion into a clean energy future, and combat global warming.

There will also be performances by Jennifer Berezan (edgeofwonder.com), Nina Wise (ninawise.com) and Wes “Scoop” Nisker (http://woodzie.org/scoop/)

You can download the PDF Conference brochure by clicking here

The date to obtain discounted tickets is January 15, so if this is of interest to you, please check out the brochure and make your ticket purchase before then.

Please let me know if you decide to attend and perhaps a group of us can have a lunch or dinner together. I will be there to interview a few of the conference speakers in preparing my story.

From Institute of Noetic Sciences

Ed. Note: There are few scholars in the world better equipped to evaluate where civilization is headed than eminent professor of philosophy and cultural history Richard Tarnas. In the following dialogue, excerpted and edited from the Institute of Noetic Sciences’ teleseminar series, Shifting Paradigms, IONS Senior Scientist Dean Radin talks with Dr. Tarnas about the notion of paradigm shifts and what is required for a society to make such a leap. To read a chapter from Tarnas’s book, Cosmos and Psyche, go here.

Radin: In your first book, The Passion of the Western Mind (1993), you explain the context in which we find ourselves, how we got where we are. Most people most of the time don’t think much about why they believe the things that they do and why society works the way that it does. In your second book, Cosmos and Psyche (2006), you use an enchanted view of reality, in a sense, to show why some of the aspects of traditional astrology are actually quite useful in seeing where we are and where we are going.

Tarnas: I wrote The Passion of the Western Mind as a kind of overview of the history of the Western worldview up until the late twentieth century. I wanted to try to see the larger paradigm shifts that took place and the major factors that were at work in forming our current worldview. We really can’t understand ourselves or the present without having a good grasp of the historical factors that shaped us. I love that sentence from historian Daniel Boorstein: “Trying to understand and create the future without knowing the past is like planting cut flowers.” We need a sense of our roots. The Passion of the Western Mind gives that kind of overview.

It’s particularly focused on the West, starting from the ancient Greeks, because that’s the cultural worldview that is so fundamental in shaping the global context today. For better or worse, modernity is the most powerful influence on our global civilization now, and that history goes from the ancient Greeks up through the Roman period, right through the medieval era to the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the scientific revolution, and so forth, up to the modern and postmodern periods. In my first book, I attempted to see the big picture as well as the ways in which a culture’s philosophy, religion, and science interact in any given era; it will shape the worldview, the cosmology, the notion of the divine, the notion of our understanding of the human self and its place in the universe. All these things constitute a worldview. So, in that book, I sought to understand that evolution of consciousness as well as I could.

My second book, Cosmos and Psyche, is actually the reason I wrote the first book, which served as a kind of prelude and a foundation to the second one—I’ll go into that in a second.

But perhaps we might want to engage some of the larger issues that go into paradigm shifts and why a culture seems ready or ripe for a major change of vision at a particular time? What makes a difference?

To continue reading this penetrating interview, click here.

Three upcoming IONS events:

“Conscious Aging” Telecourse

On January 18th, IONS begins its next 8-week educational program, “Conscious Aging,” facilitated by Kathleen Erickson-Freeman, IONS Elder Education Program Manager, and featuring experts in the field of conscious aging. Sessions will take place on eight consecutive Wednesday evenings from 5–7pm PT through March 7th. The course is $75 for IONS members and $235 for nonmembers (you can join for as low as $35!); low income rates are also available. To register, go here. Next on the schedule: “Buddha’s Brain: Taking in the Good” with Rick Hanson, PhD, from March 14 – May 2. More details coming soon…

Spirituality and Psychology Conference
February 17–19, 2012
Menlo College, Atherton, CA

The third biennial ATP-ITP Spirituality & Psychology Conference will bring together clinicians, therapists, spiritual guides, faith-based and healing practitioners, academics, and researchers to explore the promises and pitfalls of the spiritual path. Join keynote speakers Roger Walsh, Shauna Shapiro, Jeanne Achterberg and a host of luminaries including Jim Fadiman, Arthur Hastings, Olga Louchakova, and David Lukoff to examine the nature of spiritual illusion while we seek the wisdom and health benefits available in spirituality. Enjoy workshops, presentations, music, ritual, yoga, meditation, drumming, and social networking. For more information and to register, visit www.regonline.com/spiritualitypsychology.

Noetic Film Experience

From psi research and positive psychology to meditation, mythology, and personal transformation, IONS’ first Noetic Film Experience will have something for everyone. Join us March 9–11, 2012, at the IONS EarthRise Retreat Center where we will celebrate the power of film while sharing our experiences via panels, receptions, and Q&A with filmmakers and scientists. The lineup is coming together, and additional films just booked include The Dhamma Brothers, a powerful documentary about the introduction of meditation techniques into a high-security Alabama prison. Finding Joe, which explores the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell and his focus on The Hero’s Journey. May I Be Frank, the inspiring story of a troubled man whose life starts to change when he meets the folks at Café Gratitude. Something Unknown, considered by many to be the best film on parapsychology research ever made.

And this just in: Jean Houston will be joining us to introduce and discuss her new movie, A Passion for the Possible, premiering at the festival! Go here to register or for more information.

For sponsorship information, contact Matthew Gilbert at mgilbert@noetic.org.

back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging
after funerals we are saying thank you
after the news of the dead
whether or not we knew them we are saying thank you

over telephones we are saying thank you
in doorways and in the backs of cars and in elevators
remembering wars and the police at the door
and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you
in the banks we are saying thank you
in the faces of the officials and the rich
and of all who will never change
we go on saying thank you thank you

with the animals dying around us
our lost feelings we are saying thank you
with the forests falling faster than the minutes
of our lives we are saying thank you
with the words going out like cells of a brain
with the cities growing over us
we are saying thank you faster and faster
with nobody listening we are saying thank you
we are saying thank you and waving
dark though it is

W. S. Merwin

And, Seth Godin’s new book, We Are All Weird, describes this same shift through the lens of a celebration of choice, of treating different people differently and of embracing the notion that everyone deserves the dignity and respect that comes from being heard. The book calls for end of mass and for the beginning of offering people more choices, more interests and giving them more authority to operate in ways that reflect their own unique values. For generations, marketers, industrialists and politicians have tried to force us into little boxes, complying with their idea of what we should buy, use or want. And in an industrial, mass-market driven world, this was efficient and it worked. But what we learned in this new era is that mass limits our choice because it succeeds on conformity. As Godin has identified, a new era of weirdness is upon us. People with more choices, more interests and the power to do something about it are stepping forward and insisting that the world work in a different way. By enabling choice we allow people to survive and thrive.

The trailer was first unveiled Tuesday at MIPCOM, where Sutherland said that in contrast to his signature role on Fox’s 24, where he had to keep all the emotion back, his character on Touch is all about emotion, something that is on display in the trailer. Fox has not announced an exact launch date for Touch, but speculation is that the series would premiere in March in what has become known as the “Kiefer” slot on Fox: Monday at 9 PM, where 24 (as well as Heroes) aired.

To view the trailer, click here.

Steve Jobs has one wish for you.

Everything else is secondary.

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish (adopted from Stewart Brand’s iconic Whole Earth Catalog).

Bonus: Love this, from an 8th Grader:

Keep your brand (and life) simple:

Here’s to the Crazy Ones: (original)

So great design is essential to products and services and their visual language promotes brand affinity and loyalty assuming the product or service is of a high quality and thus informs consumer buying decisions. In short, given a well designed product or service, the logo becomes visual shorthand for the brand and buying decision wither for or against. Poor design can insure an underwhelming desire to purchase. So selecting a designer is a critical part of the business development decision tree.

In a world of commodification of everything, its not surprising that you can find websites offering $29 logos. At the opposite end of the spectrum are world-class designers like Santa Barbara based Benjamin Cziller who, for the past 20+ years, has worked with clients including The Skirball Center (Los Angeles), Technicolor, Capital Records, Guess?/George Marciano, CBS, Marriott, Richard Gere (Tibet House), International Medical Corps, UCLA, Virgin Records, The Sculpture Foundation and Season for Non-Violence. Amplifyd’s services include Launch Campaigns, Brand Identities and Applications, Book and CD covers, Film Posters, Product Packaging, and Web Site Design and Development.

Ben recently launched his new updated website, www.amplifyd.com

John Raatz, a Public Relations and Marketing professional and founder of GATE (Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment) has this to say about Ben:

“For nearly 20 years, the art direction and graphics work for The Visioneering Group and our clients has been provided by Benjamin Cziller. Ben is a world-class creative director and designer and has worked on projects that span both the commerce sector, as well as social/humanitarian foundations and organizations.”

“Ben is committed to creating clear, effective and memorable graphic impressions for clients and projects that address the humanitarian, social and spiritual issues he finds most meaningful, the kinds of projects that Visioneering has embraced for almost 25 years.”

“Ben is not only a world-class designer, he¹s a world-class human being.”

- John Raatz

If you or anyone you know is in need of a distinct visual identity for your product or service on which to build a brand, you should consider a conversation with Ben. I have known him for over 20 years and never hesitate to recommended his services to friends and associates looking for memorable world class design. Ben delivers exceptional work on time and budget and reflects the highest business integrity in all his dealings.