Bear's Blog

Shocking, but not unexpected. This is where we are.

After the election of Trump in 2016, I was stunned. Who were the Trump voters, and why were they so angry? At that time, I thought it was a “silver lining,” because you have to see something before you can heal it.

I could not have imagined that the worst aspects of human nature would be stoked the next four years. This anger, feeling of grievance and demonization of the “other” was actively fueled with continuous hate speech and lies. I could debate policy with people...

Last week I referred to some bigger celestial and geologic timeframes, and that awareness and perspective is helpful. There are other “environmental” energies that define the qualities of time periods. One such model is “doshas”, from an Ayurvedic (Indian) system of health. The three doshas are Vata (fast, cool and airy); Pitta (hot and active); and Kapha (slow, dense and cold). In a health context, a person is described as a combination of two doshas that indicate a preferred diet, exercise regimen, and the most benefici...

Happy New Year! Why do we celebrate it on a particular day? Because we use time to mark events.

Our concept of time is just that – a concept. It’s a linear model that works for us. Time keeping creates a structure so we can arrive, start and finish something together. It allows us to coordinate our activities, celebrations, deadlines and obligations. And yet we all know that certain phrases – such as “just a minute” and “awhile” – are less strictly observed measurements!

In our preference for endless growth (unnatural a...

What a strange holiday – there is always much to be grateful for, but celebrate? It was unusually dramatic for Fauci to call this winter “a really dark time” if we don’t stay vigilant. Given the politicization of basic public health guidelines, that’s not happening; not for Thanksgiving, and not for Christmas (when millions are still traveling to visit and gather).

So here we are right now, at this dark time, transiting seasons and reflecting on the past year. We have to remember it’s just a year. “Just” a year, but a ye...

Have you been breaking out a few board games, puzzles, or playing cards these past months? Or possibly discovering chess… because diversion is what we need right now, and home is where we’re at.

Here’s a unique addition to that classic, Monopoly.

One of my students, Patty Lisieski, was inspired by her son to do a “McKay Method” (Monopoly) game for her graduate project. She was so creative with the format, we would like to share it with you. We hope you have as much fun with it as we have had!

Some of its unique feature...

We feel confined right now, but don’t let your body suffer! Movement supports all aspects of our physical health – circulatory and respiratory, muscular and skeletal, endocrine, nervous and especially immunity. The lymph fluid cleans up cellular debris from antibodies fighting invaders, and takes it out of our system. The problem is, it doesn’t have a functional “pump” to move it like the heart does for the blood. You have to physically MOVE your body to move the lymph fluid. It’s why people use compression “boots” to lit...

This pressure-cooker pandemic environment, where so much is happening, yet everything feels stalled, is testing our limits – and perhaps exposing some personal patterns that are not helpful.

Maybe these are behaviors you’ve noticed before, but chalked it up to personality, ingrained habits, and even childhood experiences. While these things do affect our behavior, the main reason we RESPOND the way we do to life is directly related to our Energy Signature. These responses become more extreme in times of stress.

Are you ...

This year’s “harvest” is quite different from what it has been in the past. We can – and should – always find things to be grateful for. Yet on a material level our incomes, priorities and routines have changed (for better and for worse). We have been limited in some activities, while other areas of attention and concern have been expanded. We aren’t socializing in the same way; we’re spending more time in our closest relationships. If you have school-age children, or a family/pod member who is sick, that has come with ex...

Blessing your food is an ancient ritual, a spiritual and religious practice of gratitude. Saying a prayer before we eat actually drops us into Being – the “rest and digest” mode of the parasympathetic nervous system (versus the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight”.) A moment of mindfulness actually prepares our bodies to receive and digest our food.

I’d like to add an intentional energy component to explore. It’s the ultimate gratitude practice! Here’s how...

1) First, and always, align your Hara (see the Coro...

Whew! The election was a nail-biter. Looking forward to a return of competence, decency and honesty in the White House (not to mention presidential pets – and another groundbreaking first, a rescue dog). Exhausted from living in Trumpworld for 4 years, I am ecstatic to finally be liberated!
 
So let’s take a break. I invite you to dive into some entertaining movies that give historical context to some of our recent cultural and political currents. All are fictional movies of actual events, and they have given me perspecti...

What’s next?

I am writing this the day before election day. It is clear that everyone is fearful. My best advice for getting through these next few weeks with patience and persistence is to take a deep breath. Again. And again.

Make that slow, 3- part breathing – abdomen, diaphragm, chest. Actually, those are the 3 places where we align our Hara – a technique that immediately drops you into the Being State! We could all use a little of that right now. You can learn how; it’s simple and is in the first chapter of my Bein...

Let’s get personal…

What is an altar? It brings a connection to spirit into everyday life. Whatever the context - whether it’s an altar in a specific religious location, or one in our homes, people have always naturally been drawn to create these reminders.

In fact, you may have an “altar” without labeling it as such. Whether it’s small or large, placed on a bedside table, fireplace mantle, windowsill or kitchen counter, it’s a collection of items that are meaningful to you. An altar is an invitation to pause; to celebr...