June 2002 NEWS
CONTENTS:
Featured Book: Healing Gardens by Romy Rawlings
Poetry on the Peaks 2002
Tears of the Earth: A Personal and Planetary Healing Activity for Children and their Families
Featured Book: Way of the Labyrinth: A Powerful Meditation for Everyday Life by Helen Curry
FEATURED BOOK
Healing Gardens
by Romy Rawlings
This summer, while everything is blooming, is a great time to practice the healing art of gardening. Romy Rawlings' book offers guidance on how to make your garden, no matter its size, a sanctuary for relaxation and release from the stresses of life. Your garden can even positively effect health. Filled with beautiful color illustrations, this book outlines different aspects of healing gardens, covering topics such as feng shui, aromatherapy, color therapy, herbalism, and holistic gardening. The book offers plenty of practical information includinng comprehensive plant lists, accessible diagrams, and advice on using specific species for healing purposes. Published by Willow Creek Press in 1998, this large hardback book has 176 pages and costs $24.95. To order through Amazon.com, click here.Ê
Poetry on the Peaks 2002
Poetry on the Peaks was inspired by the United Nations' declaration thatÊ 2002 be the International Year of Mountains.Ê Celebrating the relationship between humanity and nature, Poetry on the Peaks has organized poetry readings on the major mountains of the world. Their hope is to increase awareness of the vital importance of mountain ecosystems, raise awareness of pressing environmental issues, and promote cultural heritage of mountain societies around the world. In addition to an extensive list of readings happening at mountains all year long, Poetry on the Peaks has created a wonderful web site where you can learn about each major mountain and read the poem associated with it. For example, Mount Fuji will be honored with Joy Harjo'sÊ poem, "Morning Prayers."Ê This project highlights the ability of arts such as poetry to pay homage and raise awareness. You can read poems and natural histories of each mountain at www.dialoguepoetry.org/mountain_mountains.htm
Tears of the Earth: A Personal and Planetary Healing Activity for Children and their Families
As project founder Tamara HerlÊ writes, "If you are like many poeple, thinking about the Earth's ecological needs can leave you feeling sad and overwhelmed." And so Tamara Herl created the Tears of the Earth Project as an antidote to despair. Tamara invites everyone to create an earth circle, a 6-1/2" diameter circular artwork on posterboard that expresses your connection to the earth. She provides instructions for a visualization process that involves slowing down to feel the depth of one's relationship with the natural world.
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| Two examples of Earth Cirdes, the one on the left was created by a young adult on Earth Day 2002. |
Then participants draw or paint or collage whatever one feels inspired to express. This process was designed primarily for children in order to give them an outlet for their feelings about the Earth, but adults benefit equally well from it too. Completed circles are sent to Tamara who will use them to create a traveling exhibition that will raise awareness about environmental issues. Anyone is welcome to participate. Detailed instructions are available on her web site at www.tearsoftheearth.com. This project is sponsored by Going Beyond Words, a division of Gaia Institute Wellness Center, and the Mountain Park Environmental Center, both based in Beulah, Colorado. For more information, please email Tamara at tamarahe@quixnet.net
FEATURED BOOK
Way of the Labyrinth: A Powerful Meditation for Everyday Life by Helen Curry
"It is solved by walking,"
an ancient philosopher once wrote.
The first time author Helen Curry walked a labyrinth, she was moved to tears and then was "filled with peace and possibilities." Unlike mazes, which force choices and can create fear and confusion, labyrinths are designed to embrace and guide individuals through a calming, meditative walk on a unicursal path. In this clear and accessible book, Helen Curry shows how one can find serenity and guidance by adopting this increasingly popular practice. This book includes meditations, prayers, questions, for enhancing labyrinth walks, guidelines for ceremonies, instructions for finger labyrinth meditations, and extensive resources. It is both a wonderful introduction to the healing power of the labyrinth and a rich resource for anyone wanting to know more about this ancient path.Ê Published in 2000 by Penguin Compass, it is available in paperback with 255 pages for $15. Please click here to order thru Amazon.com.Ê
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