Conscious Embodiment Newsletter, October 2008

[Wendy Palmer]

Dear Friends,

Let's take a moment away from the intensity of our lives and shift our
energy to a more centered state.

Starting with a long exhale imagine your breath spiraling down rooting
into the earth. Then let your inhale spiral up your core and up
through the top of your head toward the sky, creating a sensation of
lightness. Exhale down again allowing the muscles to soften around
your vertical core. Sense that you are anchored between heaven and
earth in a stable and dignified posture. Now bring your attention to
the energy and presence of your field - the life force that emanates
from you and surrounds you. Feel or imagine you are supported from
behind, front, left and right by the energy - chi or ki that is ever
present in the spaces around people and objects. Ask yourself, "What
would it be like if there was a little more ease (or your quality) in
my body.....?"

Although centering is a simple practice it can have a powerful
effect. When our energy is organized in a different way we think
different kinds of thoughts and we have access to different kinds of
information. Our centered self has access to understanding and
information that is found through our intuition, the universal data
bank. This part of us is wise and creative in addressing some of the
personal and global challenges we are facing. Center sees a bigger
picture and recognizes the fundamental truth of interconnection. We
are connected by the space we share. If we are willing to take a
scientific point of view we can recognize that the space is not only a
connector it is also a source of intelligence and information. You can
read Bruce Lipton's, The Biology of Belief and Jill Bolt Taylor's, My
Stroke of Insight if you want more formal information on this point of
view.

It takes discipline and concentration to begin to train our attention
to reference on the spaces rather than the objects and concepts. If we
don't develop this alternative reference point we will be caught in
the limited world of our personality. Personality finds validity in
people, objects and concepts and so it desires control, safety and
approval. Our personality has access to a limited amount to creativity
and intuition because it is too busy trying to become secure, to keep
control. The part of us that is centered recognizes that we are
connected and informed by the spaces and it is through our shared
group and community intelligence that we will discover possible
solutions to some of our greatest challenges.

To access this wisdom we must be able to suspend the personality's
need to feel safe and center ourselves. When we are centered we
naturally open ourselves to the universal wisdom inherent in our basic
intuition and deeper knowing. We can use the "yes....and...." practice
to work with our concerns and frustrations. Yes, I may be concerned
about our political situation and I am willing to be interested in
other people's point of view even if I don't agree with them. I
practice this so I can model the way I would like others to engage
with me. Even if they don't agree with me I would like them to be
willing to consider my point of view.

Center allows me to tolerate differences and engage life with an eye
toward plurality rather than buy in to my personality's need to have
everyone agree with me. Our centered self becomes our ally, a
supporter that enables us to remain open and interested in what is
possible rather than retreating into a world of fear and
resentment. Let's continue to build the muscle of center by committing
to as least 10 repetitions a day!

May we all act with wisdom, kindness and confidence in the days ahead.

Blessings,

Wendy

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Below are some of the Conscious Embodiment Workshops and courses for
the remainder of 08 and the beginning of 09. I am currently working on
dates for Level 1 and Level 2 weekend workshops in the Bay Area. They
will be posted on the website as soon as firm up the date and place.

2008 Workshops and Courses:

~ * ~

Level II course with Wendy Palmer
Mondays, Oct 13 - Nov 10 (5 weeks)
6:30pm - 8:30pm at The Yoga Room
Berkeley, CA
For more information Call: 415 472-1619 or email:
info at consciousembodiment.com

~ * ~

Level II course with Wendy Palmer
Thursdays, Oct 16 - Nov 13 (5 weeks)
10:00am-12:00pm at Aikido of Tamalpais
Sausalito, CA
Call: 415 472-1619 or email: info at consciousembodiment.com

~ * ~

Conscious Embodiment and the Path of Nature with Steven Harper and
Wendy Palmer
October 17-19, 2008 at Esalen
Big Sur, CA
For registration or information
www.esalen.org/workshops/reservations.shtml

~ * ~

Level II workshop with Wendy Palmer
October 27 - 28, 2008
Seattle, WA
Any questions can be directed to Art at 425-417-0625 or
art at integralstrategy.com

~ * ~

Drop-in morning classes with Cathy Dana
October 11, November 8, and December 13
Alameda CA
Please e-mail CathyDana at alamedanet.net or call (510) 523-7853 for more
information.

~ * ~

2009 Workshops, Courses and Retreats
Level II weekend Retreat with Wendy Palmer
Feb 20 - 22, 2009
Woodacre, CA
For more information call 415 472-1619 or email
info at consciousembodiment.com

~ * ~

Level II with Wendy Palmer
March 6 - 8, 2009
Dover, MA
Below is a link to more info about registration. Registration Deadline
is
January 2, 2009.
http://www.couragene.org/component/events/?task=view_detail&agid=27

~ * ~

Level I with Wendy Palmer
June 6 - 8, 2009
Chicago, IL
For more information contact: Karen A. Szymanski, PhD (o)
847.735.1431 karen at gateways-learning.com