REVIEWS

Global Warming with Eric Schreiber March, 2008   A SHADYBROOK TALK PROVES TIMELY BEYOND EXPECTATION Submitted by Jane Halbedel   Eric Schreiber is one of Al Gore's official emissaries and his provocative presentation,"Global Climate Change"  proved timely in ways which were unanticipated.   His condensed version of An Inconvenient Truth, sent a powerful message: global warming is unequivocal and ongoing.  Failure to deal with it by reducing man's Carbon emissions will result in species extinction, the destruction of Earth's natural resources, and the ultimate demise of mankind.   Shrinking glaciers were undeniable as Eric's pictures of glaciers from around the world showed progressive retreat.  A full 99% of all glaciers are of that status.   The Himalayan watershed provides water to 40% of the world's population. Over half of the water in its rivers and system of springs comes from glacier melt water. The demise of the Himalayan glaciers due to global warming would impact an extraordinary number of people who have traditionally relied on this melt water for a significant portion of their water supply.  A cessation of this glacial water could force massive numbers of people to abandon their living areas to seek out safe and abundant drinking water as well as food and other natural resources elsewhere.    World class climate scientists have scientific evidence for the potential collapse of the West Antarctic and perhaps even the Greenland ice sheets. Should the West Antarctic ice sheet surpass its "tipping point," unstoppable melting would result in its demise.  The magnitude from the melt-down of this ice sheet would cause extensive flooding and the creation of "hundreds of millions" of climate refugees. (Dr. James E. Hansen).  A massive number of  people around the globe live within 20 feet or less above sea level; their homes will be vulnerable to the projected invasive flood waters. This would become a global phenomenon not just restricted to Africa and other Third World countries.  The United States would not have immunity to these rising waters.  States along the Gulf Coast would be especially vulnerable to flooding because their  location is in such close proximity to sea level.    The United States contributes 30.3% to the world's global warming emissions, but its elected officials have pointedly refused to sign the Kyoto Treaty that binds countries to substantial reductions of their greenhouse gases. It is Carbon dioxide emissions, in particular, that endanger planet Earth due to their significant impact on global warming and, consequently, climate change.  Severe and explosive weather and droughts are related to the latter.  The continental United States is experiencing increased chaotic climate conditions that are well documented and attributed to climate change. Disaster payouts have undermined the financial confidence of the insurance industry, so much so that the insurance icon, Lloyds of London, has expressed dire concern for the potential demise of their industry.  This is due to increasing catastrophic weather related events, and the enormous financial toll they take on the industry itself, as disaster victims are compensated with increased regularity.   Just a few years ago the West Nile Virus was active in this country.  It is predicted to increase within the U.S., Southern Canada and Central America.  Certain areas, when subjected to deluges of water, are apt to become stagnant and can provide opportune areas for mosquitoes to breed that carry the disease.    The moral imperative that something must be done to stem the tide is obvious.  Eric reminded the audience that the ozone hole was once an atmospheric emergency as it dangerously increased in size.  Society moved swifly to address this, and it is thought that a similar level of urgency will compel the world to expediently reduce its Carbon emissions.   Eric discussed various ways to minimize the Carbon footprint that each of us asserts on the planet's atmosphere.  By virture of the lifestyle each of us lives, an individual is capable of reducing the amount of Carbon emissions used to sustain his or her lifestyle, even on a day-to-day basis.   Careful monitoring of your heating and air conditioning, along with a "lights off" mindset, when not needed, will reduce coal (Carbon) emissions.  Replacing plastic bags which are a "petrol" product with cloth bags will also reduce emissions.  Driving a fuel efficient car such as a Prius and reducing idling will prove helpful. Replacing fluorescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs, (CFL's), will over time, substantially reduce the amount of energy normally used to light the traditional bulb commodity. Vegetarian diets reduce methane, a global warming gas that cows discharge to the atmoshere, and will also work to reduce the amount of grain consumed to sustain these herds. Purchases of fruits and vegetables from local farm markets will result in the reduction of diesel emissions normally required to transport produce great distances.   Al Gore was awarded the distinquished Nobel Peace Prize for his profound contribution to the Global Community, by bringing the import of global warming and its intrinsic connection to climate change to the world stage.  He sought to educate and raise public consciousness on the importance of Carbon emissions reductions, but also to make the importance of water an issue of global concern.  Water and food scarcities are becoming increasingly apparent, as global pleas for subsidies are being issued by approximately 36 countries.  Official droughts of significance have now been identified in areas of Africa, Australia and the United States.     On April 2nd, 2008, Al Gore launched a $300 million dollar campaign, "The Alliance for Climate Protection," that "ranks as one of the most ambitious public campaigns in U.S. history," according to The Washington Post. 3/31/08.    The goal of this campaign is to promote a national Carbon emissions cap and a global pact on climate change, to be ratified within 3 years. Gore has resorted to this extensive campaign because the United States has failed to initiate legislation imposing stiff regulatory laws for Carbon emissions reductions.   Dr. James Hansen, internationally renowned NASA climate scientist, and Director of the Goddard Institute of Space Studies, provided much of the scientific heft behind An Inconvenient Truth. Hansen aggressively lobbies countries around the world to institute extensive Carbon reductions.    On April 7th, 2008, Dr. Hansen forewarned the EU and its international partners, that they "must urgently rethink targets for cutting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of fears they, (the scientists), have grossly underestimated the scale of the problem." It is clear that Dr. Hansen has made Al Gore's message more compelling.   Befittingly, Eric closed his presentation with a beautiful picture of planet Earth, the result of an enormously successful NASA spaceflight, then concluded with the prose of Carl Sagan.  "Pale Blue Dot" is planet Earth, as seen from 3.7 billion miles away by the Voyager 1 spacecraft on 6/6/1990.  You will likely find the truth of today in Carl Sagan's poignant words of yesterday.   "Look at that dot.  That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives.  The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, idelogies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there - on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.   The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena.  Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors, so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot.  Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.   Our posturings our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.  In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves." - Pale Blue Dot   As Jan Phillips' so wisely reminded us in her book The Art of Original Thinking, The Making of a Thought Leader:                                                                     "NOW IS THE TIME; WE ARE THE ONES."   These prophetic words reverberate like a steady drumbeat, awakening the courageous spirit within to convert complacent inaction to compassionate action to save our Precious Planet.    To learn more:   An Inconvenient Truth is available as a DVD, and the companion book is available in either soft or hardback versions. The copyright is 2006 and it is published by Rodale and Melcher Media.   National Geographic has published its Special Report, "CHANGING CLIMATE" and presents the topics "What you should know" and "What you can do."   At reports's end, forty-two important resources are listed along with their e-mail addresses.

The Power of I Am John Maxwell Taylor January 8, 2008

John Maxwell Taylor is not “just another speaker” andhis presentation at the Shaker Lakes Nature Center on January 8 made that clear to the more than sixty attendees who packed the room.  We responded with laughter, head nodding, mental light bulbs and plenty of “aha” moments to his life stories, insights and demonstrations.       His message is to change the way you see yourself, the world, and your responses to the world. One of the ways he suggests for making these awareness changes is to live each moment in a state of “conscious acting” while “self-remembering” and feeling the sensations picked up by your body.   This is the third time this reviewer has heard John Maxwell Taylor give a talk, presentation, or retreat.  Each one was inspiring.  No one leaves a Maxwell Taylor presentation without a raised consciousness  and new sense of purpose in life.  His lessons are accessible and can immediately be utilized for a new path in personal growth.      I would recommend all who missed this presentation to visit John’s web site, www.johnmaxwelltaylor.com.  Register at the “Stay in Touch” option to receive email notifications of future events in the area by this internationally-known entertainer, actor and musician.  He is the author of “The Power of I Am”, a hit pick of the One Spirit Book Club.        Review by Kristen Boyesen      John Maxwell Taylor will be the presenter for Shadybrook’s fall  retreat, October 25 - 26, 2008, at River’s Edge.

Winter Solstice Celebration 2007 with Laura Christian Imbornoni “Opportunity for New Beginnings”

On December 21, Laura Christian Imbornoni, again treated a fine audience to a wonderful smorgasbord of the various Season Solstice stories with musical accompaniment.      In addition to this bounty, there was a writing exercise and group dancing with the highlight being Laura's graceful solo dance which reminded me of Edvard Grieg's “Anitra's Dance” from his Peer Gynt Suite.      Lastly, the lighting of the candles and finishing off the refreshments-- a truly memorable Solstice Celebration. Submitted by Lois Ruskin

"Horse Spirit: Horses Helping People Heal" with Jackie Lowe Stevenson November, 2007 The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

            Jackie, a former presenter, is familiar with our organization, and she suggested that Shadybrook as an organization could be perceived as a herd.  After acknowledging  introductory remarks about her many roles and accomplishments, she chuckled and assured us that her horses could care less about “worldly” identities.  Their identities are connected to the herd; at the same time, each horse’s unique qualities contribute to the herd’s identity.  She compared the idea of a “herd,” to that of a “team” since both words are frequently used when implementing  group leadership programs.  “Team” is a sports metaphor, based on the notion of winners and losers.  In a herd, each individual member always belongs.  Survival of each is dependent on the whole herd.

Being a herd is all about trust.  She said her herd sent her to us to share their communication mode which has no words, the language of our hearts.  Over 25,000 years ago, petroglyphs portrayed drums because they are the heartbeat of the earth, and a horse walking, blessing the land.  Horses hear through their feet; the pressure of the earth against the foot pumps blood to their heart.  Community drums can give us a similar sense of belonging as they connect us to Earth, the first mother, who is an alive and vibrant being.  In the Mongolian tradition, the drum equals the horse as it carries people to the dream world and other realms of consciousness.  More familiar mystical and metaphysical horses are Pegasus and Sea Horses. 

            Among the horse language hints that Jackie shared:  ears forward – curious, interested; flat back  - really mad; swishing tail - “you’re in my space!”  She also demonstrated the gaits and attitudes of five horses in her herd, and we got to try them out.)  Qualities shared – Bea:  lead with clarity; Rojo:  age gracefully; Thunderheart:  companionship; Raven:  be playful; Spirit: beauty is inside. Jackie suggested that each “walk” style can reveal different parts of our energetic freedom and aliveness to be who we age into.  Awareness can help free us from the roles we take on to be safe in the world.  For the final part of her program, Jackie led us in two journeys to the beat of her drum and to music that captured the “spirit of horse.”  First, we met or re-connected with our own spirit horse and then we traveled around the four directions of the Medicine Wheel. 

Many groups, like a class from the Weatherhead School of Business at CWRU, are beginning to explore some non-verbal herd instruction at Jackie’s Pebble Ledge Ranch in Novely where she also mucks stalls as a meditative practice..  Lessons from the herd include: listening, trust that we’ll get there, and trust that we’re going in the right direction.  Dietz Zeichmann said of Jackie’s program: “Wow! What a holistic evening!  The sights, sounds, images, feelings, and inspiration of horse-sense, gung-ho (working together).”

               Review by Linda Durnbaugh

	Fall Retreat "Spirituality and Creativity" with Kim Langley, M.Ed. October, 2007 at River's Edge

     Shadybrook has done it again!  What a weekend! The timing of this retreat was ideal since I am literally in transition from one state to another as I explore new creative options for re-inventing myself.  To share and explore this Cleveland-based actual and metaphoric “touchdown” with the camaraderie of treasured friends was nothing short of bliss.  I enjoyed seeing the sweet familiar faces; hearing zippy comments that always seem to be delivered with a genuine smile; and the perspectives of interesting, inviting members (old and new).  Many thanks not only to the staff, speaker, and participants; but also to the spirit of St. Joe, the Bountiful, for a friendly place of respite that cradled each participant in its bosom of faith and nourishment for the body, mind, and soul.

     The speaker, Kim Langley, was a delightful treat, from beginning to end.  Her depth surfaced like a meandering river.  Each session held the careful stream of thought filtering through our waters to mingle in discussion before heading toward the ocean.  Kim’s own well was both refreshingly nourishing and receptive.  She pulled from all streams of literature, philosophy, religion, psychology, etc.  Her invitations to “drink” were gentle, flexible, and the films, music, and handouts, were excellent. 

     I rode in a special bus with Vic Leanza to and from the lovely St. Joseph’s Center that encompasses River’s Edge.  I had a great private room.  I swam in a warm pool (anyone who really knows me knows I use the word “swim” loosely).  I had 2 Yoga sessions with Laura Imbornoni….who is always challenging, charming, and certifiable (she knows!!)   I walked with Dietz and Vic past a lovely fenced in garden full of lush fall flowers and still ripe tomatoes. 

     I filled my cup and drank it up. I am replenished and ready to demonstrate creativity and spirituality. I give myself permission to do so every day.

  - Sally Pisarchick
 

      The weekend was indeed a retreat for me, having the opportunity to explore spirituality and creativity and how they are connected.  I felt nurtured by the abundant hospitality, comfort, beauty, and variety of healthy food that was available at River’s Edge.

     Yoga was available and much appreciated, with Laura Christian  Imbornoni, early Saturday and Sunday for those early risers.

     Kim Langley, the facilitator, was very engaging, light hearted and genuine. She brought to us a variety of exercises and materials to explore, including: poetic readings, prayers, chants, meditation, journaling, discussion and artistic opportunities.

     We saw a variety of well chosen, delightful short movies, which were all very different, yet wove together the creative process in a joyful, spiritual and very inspiring way. One of my favorites was “The Dot and the Line”, a cartoon with so much humor and insight.

     It was fascinating to see the variety of original creative artwork and to hear the beautiful insights of the other participants.  Kim commented on how many times she has used the “pipe cleaner art” exercise in other seminars, and this group came up with some she had never seen before. 

     Kim has a gift for bringing forth people in sharing their own faith beliefs with an attitude of openness and respect for where people are at.  She also discussed, with some encouragement, about how some in our culture have “consumerism” as their religion.

     Kim brought with her a large variety of books and bibliography for continued exploration on our own.  I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and Kim’s methods of utilizing a variety of modalities, as well as her openness to the group’s needs.  I was very inspired and touched, and so enjoyed the connections with other Shadybrookers.

      Submitted by Annette C. Fine
 

      The  October, 2007 Retreat at Riverside’s Edge on “Spirituality and Creativity”, expertly facilitated by Kim Langley, M. Ed., was a fulfilling experience. There was a wonderful mixture of inspirational slides and videos, as well as participatory self-expression both oral and written, chanting, pipe-cleaner sculptors and lots of laughter. The icing on the cake was watching the English movie, “Millions”: a sweet and delightful fantasy featuring two pre-teen brothers trying to deal with a bag of stolen money seemingly falling from the sky. Well worth seeing again.

        Submitted by Lois Ruskin

A 22 Cent Day

     The Shadybrook Fall Weekend Retreat, Spirituality and Creativity led by Kim Langley at the Rivers Edge Center was attended by close to 20 people. The entire weekend was full, full, full of lively discussion.  Often times heated, but all in good fun. There were a number of short video clips, including: “Touching the Divine” and “Everyday Creativity”. Ample time was allowed for journaling, meditation, prayer, and just plain quiet time.  Inspiring activities included the creation of both two and three dimensional art, with sharing afterwards.  Famous quotes from famous people also added to the discussion.  Many grand ideas were brought forth. I was also introduced to some great books and tapes by my fellow retreatants.  There were more than 20 handouts. I realized creativity is our life.  Each one of us manifesting the Divine in our own particular way, no matter what we do or do not do.  I feel I got more than my 20,000 pennies worth at this retreat. (Inside joke for those who  attended).

                  Submitted by Joseph Patella

“Understanding Manifestation" with Dr. Martin Luthke and Linda Stein-Luthke October, 20007 Review by Dietz H. Ziechmann

     “The truth must be repeated over and over again; because error is repeatedly preached among us, not only by individuals, but by the masses. In periodicals and cyclopedias, in schools and universities, everywhere, in fact, error prevails, and is quite easy in the feeling that it has a decided majority on its side. Often, too, people teach truth and error together, and stick to the latter.” Goethe (1850)

     The couple gave us a little respite from a weary, toilsome world, a moment of peace in the midst of modern day turmoil. We began the evening with a moment of peace offered by Ron Bracale. Then the Luthkes began their presentation as we gathered seated in a circle of chairs in the tranquil ambiance of the Nature Center of Shaker Lakes; he cool, intellectual, and logical, she warm, intuitive, and imaginative. “We won’t tell you anything you don’t already know, deep down inside, but it’s nice to have a chance to gather together, relax, and meditate.” We had a chance to meditate with the synergy of a friendly, appreciative group, to clear our minds of distractions, to focus on the important things, which are of an intangible, ineffable, transient, metaphysical world. Dr. Luthke cited the contrast between the World of Illusion perceived by the physical senses (called Maya in Sanskrit) and the multidimensional World of Reality, transcending time and space, the universe of endless possibilities and personal empowerment and creativity. The concept is so simple and profound, yet enormous in its ramifications, that it is often overlooked.

     Let me elaborate a little. A wooden chair and a wooden table are real things, tangible to our touch, yet our routine thinking about such objects is that they are “solid objects”, and at one level, they certainly are. Yet, they are also composed at different levels of transformed plant cells (drawn from a living organism) and at a further level of great multitudes of atoms further subdivided into subatomic particles and waves (which have the oscillating properties causing them to be known as “wavicles”) influenced by a close observer. This is quantum physics which leads us to recognize that all matter and -- even anti-matter? – is energy in motion. A concept to think about and enjoy.

“The Extraordinary Being, You” with Ron Bracale September, 2007

Submitted by Beth Bracale

     Due to a family emergency, the presenters for September were unable to give their program.  Ron Bracale stepped in and gave his own version, complete with meditations, flute music, and Qi Gong movements. It turned out to be an inspiring evening.  Here is an exercise that participants enjoyed. Try it yourself, and have fun with it. You might be surprised at where it might lead you.

Taken from LifeLaunch: A Passionate Guide to the Rest of Your Life by Frederic M. Hudson and Pamela D. McLean, 2006. The Hudson Institute Press.

 (Ed. Note: Hudson and McLean theorize that our lives can be broken down into specific chapters, such as childhood, the teen years, college, building your career, raising children, etc. They encourage people to create the chapters in their lives, rather than just letting them happen. This exercise can help you decide what you want the next chapter of your life to be like.  Dare to dream!)

 1. If you were granted one wish for the next chapter of your life, what would it be?

 2. If you could live out the next chapter of your life in any place in the world, where would you go?

 3. If you could hire three advisors to guide the next chapter of your life, who would they be?

 4. If you could inherit money to fund the next chapter of your life, how much would that be?

 5. If you could move now to some future point in your life, what are you doing and who is with you?

 6. If you have children, how would you like them to be five years from now?

 7. If you were recognized as a gigantic success at the end of the next chapter of your life, what would you be known for?

 8. If you could have friends attribute one quality to you at the end of the next chapter of your life, what would you want it to be?

 9. If you could have someone from the past work for you as your personal assistant in the next chapter of your life, who would it be and why?

 10. If you could provide a title for the next chapter of your life, what would it be?

Active Dreaming with Brett Joseph May, 2007

Review by Vic Leanza

     Brett Joseph, who has followed many of his own dreams, introduced us to the "way of the dreamer" as taught by Robert Moss in his school of active dreaming.  Dreaming includes not only what we do while we are sleeping, but, also, what we do while we are semi-conscious or even fully conscious.   As active dreamers, we can reclaim the power of the three "only" things.  1. It's only a dream.  2. It's only a coincidence.  3. It's only my imagination. 

     After an introduction to the concept of "active dreaming," we joined in a Shamanic ritual while the leader kept a steady drumbeat while we all followed along with rattles and shakers.  We each gave a name or title to whatever dream or reverie came to us during the drumming. A few people shared their dreams in some detail with the whole group. 

     After that, we broke into pairs and shared our dream with a partner.  There was a lot of energy during the two-person sharing.  Some folks shared the feelings they had experienced during the dream or during the sharing of the dream with another person.

     We closed with a circle of contact which brought the evening to a loving and spiritual conclusion.

     Brett has made many of his own dreams come true.   He spent his honeymoon sailing Lake Superior in a rented sloop for a week with his new wife.  He worked as an environmental lawyer for the U.S. Department of Commerce, inspecting and helping enforce wetland standards. Recently, he left the security of a federal government position to form a community farm in Conneaut, Ohio where he and other like-minded people plan to grow natural foods, provide opportunities for families to have a farm vacation or for individuals to have a "hands-on" agricultural experience.