Loving the Questions

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Jo delAmor

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

― Rainer Maria Rilke

This quote has been sitting on my altar for the past 6 weeks or so. I read it everyday and it has been working me…working my impatience and anxiety…my desire to just “be there” already. It’s been teaching me to surrender at yet a deeper level…isn’t that always the game…deeper and deeper levels of surrender, relaxing into our paths within the Divine design.

As much as we may try…

we simply can’t force our destinies or our healing processes.

The healing or resolution we yearn for will come when it’s damn well good and ready…not a moment sooner. Or it will come when you’re damn well good and ready. Ultimately, all we can do to truly facilitate the process is to relax, align and get out of the way.

I’ve been living with a big unsolved mystery in my heart for the majority of my life. When my sister died in 1987 my heart got twisted in pain. Over years of grief it manifested into a significant structural twist in my rib cage, spine and shoulder carriage. About 9 years ago I finally let myself acknowledge it and decided it probably wasn’t healthy to walk around with this trauma imbedded into my bones so I set out to correct it.

It became a mission. Over the last decade I have seen some of the best practitioners of bodywork, massage, polarity, cranio-sacral, structural integration, chiropractic, acupuncture…I have taken on a Chi Kung practice and worked with Pilates. I have experienced mind blowing and deeply transformative Theta healing sessions, shamanic healings, reiki and all sorts of energy work with an underlying, yet desperate desire to become “normal” again.

Sometimes I get discouraged when I look down at my chest or put my hand on my heart. I feel contorted…like it isn’t right to be all twisted up like this. Like I should have figured it out by now. Sometimes I even give up for a while and just resign myself to being this way forever. But I am always called back to the process…

And with each wave of healing intention I dive deeper and learn more about this creature that I am…I learn more about my body, my heart, my mind and my soul. Through all of these treatments and rituals I have learned the story of my unfolding…I have learned about the preciousness of life and love and body and heart…and I have learned about the process of healing…and I’ve learned that I can’t force my ribs to go back to “normal” before they’re ready no matter how much I want to and how much I work on them. In all these years of trying to find the answer I have come to love and respect the question, developing compassion and empathy for its every nuance…and patience for the little girl’s heart that is trying to heal.

But, in no way have I given up. Instead, I’ve come to feel that this deep longing to heal is a message from my destiny…pulling me forward into my future. I can feel and see my ribs opening, balanced and gently cradling my vibrant heart. I can sense the beauty and empowerment unfolding through this chakra as it’s healed. And I know now much more of what it will take to live this answer…to live open and loving…to trust Life…I’m learning to BE with the question while preparing myself to live into the answer…

You’re invited to schedule a Personal Strategy Session with me to receive loving guidance and practical support for your personal transformation and holistic wellbeing. Jo delAmor, Personal Transformation Coach.

Posted in Personal Transformation, Spiritual Connection, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Best Day Ever

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Jo delAmor

I just had another one of those “best day ever” kind of days. I feel so incredibly blessed that these kind of days have become more of a regular occurrence in the past several years and that lately there are more of them then not. There are still some “ho-hum” days and some fairly difficult days here and there, but these mind-blowingly awesome days are outnumbering them by far.

The gifts that the Universe offers to us in exchange for presence and gratitude are truly astounding!

As I become more present and am able to greet each new day/moment with gratitude and openness, my life becomes richer and more beautiful. I am able to feel more of the miraculous details of the Divine design, I get to inJOY more of each moment and I am graced with bountiful connections, outrageous opportunities and simple pleasures. This reciprocation is almost instant and is ever so generous.

I got to start the day off today with deep creative connection with my daughter. She and I have spent the last couple of days on an impromptu art odyssey. A few nights ago, we poured through one of Alex Grey’s books and talked in depth about every picture. Then, the next day, we explored Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Vincent VanGough and M.C. Escher online, talking about their lives and marveling at their pieces. She was so inspired by these masters that she decided to make a painting for her dad for Father’s Day. She envisioned the piece and we worked together to pull it off, connecting, learning, laughing and thoroughly enjoying the collaborative creative process.

Once the piece was finished we headed out to her dad’s house (just a short walk down the road) to dive into another collaborative creative project with our sacred community. Today was the day to build our new community sweatllodge. It’s time to retire the one we’ve been praying in for the past few years and start fresh again.

We have been blessed with a most amazing community of deeply devoted people with open hearts who are willing to work hard and laugh loud in gratitude for all that is offered. Collectively, we put our heads, hands and backs into the glorious process of gathering willow and weaving our new lodge with prayers of thanks giving throughout the day.

Working together with my human brothers and sisters, following the guidance of the Creator and connecting deeply with the plants and animals of the natural world awakens and ancient and primal life force within me that feels more right than anything else I have experienced.

My favorite thing ever is feeling FREE to be human here on the Earth in deep relation to with my community and the Creator…wild and raw…loving, learning, growing, praying, sharing, singing and listening. Riding in the back of the pick-up truck stacked high with freshly harvested willow bows, singing thanks and praises, lifted my heart in JOY.

“Planting” the willows back into the Earth in respect to each direction and working together to bend and weave them back toward each other to create the sacred womb we will pray in nourished the depth of my soul. We worked hard today and built a beautiful lodge that will serve the prayers of our community for years. Now my body is tired and my heart is FULL.

This was a “best day ever” sort of day for me…What are yours like?

I’d love to hear what makes you feel whole and fulfilled in the comments below…what kind of blessings are being bestowed upon you?

Posted in Earth Honoring, Spiritual Connection, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Praise be to LIFE!

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Jo delAmor

Praise be to LIFE…

Humming teeming squirming tenacious LIFE

Praise be to Her courage

And unwavering devotion to growth.

Praise be to the urge that

Arises in each tender seed

And in each of our hearts.

Blessed LIFE,

You tear apart every containment,

Breaking through the concrete

And reclaiming your rightful dominion.

You rip the status quo asunder

With a fierce and thirsty

Impulse to evolve and expand.

Incarnation after incarnation

You keep coming back for more

Undaunted by the abuses you’ve suffered.

Crucifixions and witch hunts

Cannot scare you off

Oil spills and nuclear disasters

Cannot hold you down.

Praise be to LIFE eternal

Rising above and beyond all harm

Squirming teeming humming

Through the Universe to the

Beat of Her own drum.

Posted in Earth Honoring, Poetry and Art, Spiritual Connection, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rediscovering Food

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Jo delAmor

An excerpt from the book I’m working on…coming soon!

“At 24 years old I participated in growing food for the first time. I had eaten food every day of my life for 24 years but had never had a hand in bringing it from seed to plate. I had never witnessed the transformation a seed goes through to become the recognizable food on my plate or experienced the amount of care and energy it takes to make that journey.

Up until that point food was something to buy at the store or eat at a restaurant. It came from packages. It was all about flavor and convenience and brand name products. The fruits and vegetables I bought at the store were cleaned up and tamed into their uniform sellable bundles. I had no idea where they came from, who had tended them and what they looked like while they were growing.

During that first season growing food I was continually amazed and sometimes shocked to find out what all the different seeds and plants looked like…nothing like I would have imagined. Broccoli was an epiphany! Buying broccoli at the store I never would have guessed that what I held in my hand was just the central flower for an enormous leafy plant. And the seeds…some were almost microscopic and some were large and alien looking. And the abundance! Each little seed miraculously growing into a glorious plant that produced, in turn, delicious nourishing food and countless new seeds to continue the process in perpetuity.

I was pregnant with my first child that year. I ripened along with the garden, planting the first seeds just as I was beginning to show and giving birth right there at the garden during early harvest while the sunflowers were popping into brilliant suns and the abundance was starting to flow. We had grown almost an acre of food in the middle of the high alpine desert, turning sand into food and experiencing first hand the true miracle of life. My daughter, growing in my womb, was with me as I relearned what food is all about, as I walked barefoot in the garden and dug my hands in the soil…as I tasted the delicate flavors of fresh food grown with mountain sunshine and abiding love. Her first breath was the air that those plants had purified and her mama’s milk was nourished directly by them.

Swimming in the energy of miracles upon miracles, holding my precious baby daughter, I wondered what it would be like to grow up this way…to know food and its Source so intimately…to walk barefoot in the gardens and watch the plants grow…to be that connected. Right then and there I committed to making that possible for her…and we’ve grown a garden together every year since.”

How could you rediscover food this growing season?

Posted in Earth Honoring, Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

3 Tips for Clearing the Toxins Out with LOVE!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Jo delAmor

1. Create Flow

Detox is not about following rules and having all the right supplements…it’s ALL about flow!!

The object of the game is to dislodge and stir up the toxins that are lurking in your fat cells and flush them OUT of your body, once and for all.

The special combinations of herbs and whole foods recommended in Whole Body Detox Diet cleanses are designed to generate flow. When combined with lots of water, fiber, exercise, bodywork and sweating, it all starts flowing! Detoxing this way is fun, easy and lovingly gentle on your body.

2. Slow down

Your detox is an excellent time to give yourself some space and time out from the fast pace of life.Your body will be working hard to clear out the old stuff and you may feel tired or spacey.

Waking rest and plenty of sleep will help you release your t oxins more ease-fully.

Postpone appointments and projects that can wait until after your detox. This will give your body a break from all those toxic stress hormones and you’ll have greater energy, inspiration and clarity to get back in your game after you’ve cleansed.

3. Pay attention

Detoxing is an amazing opportunity to get to know yourself better. As you release old toxins, your new present moment self will emerge.

Pay close attention to your experience and notice what’s happening in your body. This is the perfect time to learn how to listen to your body. You’ll discover what it likes, what it doesn’t like, and what it really needs to thrive.

With the “white noise” of all those toxins out of the way, you’ll hear your body’s true messages more clearly.

To make this level of self-love and self-care a reality for you, join cleansers from around the country in this year’s Whole Body Detox Diet Guided Spring Cleanse.

With two live teleclasses, easy to follow guidelines, and continuous online support, we’ll guide you in creating a truly loving detox experience. We will be there to answer your questions every step of the way so that you can be certain to have all the knowledge you need for a successful detox!

Radiant Balance Holstic Health You’re invited to schedule a Personal Strategy Session with me to receive loving guidance and practical support for your personal transformation and holistic wellbeing. Jo delAmor, Personal Transformation Coach.

Posted in Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Obstacles…be Gone!

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jo delAmor

What gets in your way?

Pain? Fatigue? Frustration? Chaos? Fear? Overwhelm? These are some of the obstacles that can keep you from experiencing life at its fullest.

Many of these obstacles stem from blockages and imbalances in your physical body. When your body is using its vital creative energy to filter and dispose of an onslaught of toxic chemicals, re-balance its blood sugar after the morning pastry and recover from the adrenal damage caused by caffeine you can get to feeling really worn out. Pain, inflammation, fatigue, digestive issues and low immunity are a few of the noticeable signs of this scenario.

When your physical body is bogged down with toxins and disease your life can feel heavy and meaningless. And in this state, it’s nearly impossible to enjoy life and accomplish great tasks. There is just no energy left over to dream up a better future, play with your children, serve your community, create beauty or bond with your loved ones.

The good news is…
your body wants to be healthy and functional. And with a little support from you, it can get there pretty easily.Making Friends with your Body

Your physical body is the focal point of your experience here on Earth. You take the world in and process it through your physical sensory organs, digestion and respiration. Any action or deed you accomplish in this lifetime will be delivered by means of your body. All the joys your experience are experienced through your body. Even thoughts and ideas are dependent on your body to form and come to fruition.

You don’t get to do anything in this life without your body.This may seem obvious. But so many of us run around every day, accomplishing tasks, in complete denial of our bodies’ vital needs.

Banish your Obstacles with a Good Detox

Clearing away the physical debris that weighs your body down and learning how to keep your physical channels free and clear is an excellent way to make friends with your body. As you detox your body and learn how to maintain this clarity you will be rewarded with more energy, clearer thinking, inspiration and joy. The obstacles that stemmed from toxic overload will vanish and you’ll have the energy and clarity to maneuver through any new obstacles that come your way.

Fortunately, you can take a HUGE step toward clearing away these obstacles and making good friends with your body by joining a group of cleansers from around the country in this year’s Guided Spring Cleanse with Whole Body Detox Diet!

Radiant Balance Holstic Health

Posted in Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Difference Between Truth and ‘the Facts’

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Jo delAmor

This past week I’ve been enjoying a beautiful celebration of the Divine Mother in her many aspects at our local Haidakhandi Universal Ashram.

It’s called Spring Navratri.

The first three days are dedicated to mother Durga, the goddess of destruction andrestoration who clears away obstacles and obscurations. The second three days are for mother Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty who fills that cleared space with pure sattvic energy of truth and peace. And the last three days are dedicated to mother Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and the arts who spreads these truths through her works in the world.

Each day, after we make offerings to the sacred fire (agni) and sing hymns to Ma, our local pundits (scholars) share a discourse with us on the many qualities of Ma and the universal truths that run through all of existence. One of the stories was about…

The difference between the truth and the facts.

A Brahmin meditating in the woods was faced with a hard decision when a wild boar, screaming in pain from being struck by an arrow, ran by him. He felt the pain of the animal and prayed to Saraswati who endowed him with this wisdom:

“The truth is that which benefits all beings and causes

no harm or loss of life.”

Then the hunter who had shot the arrow came by and asked him if he had seen the boar he had shot. The fact was that he had seen the boar and could’ve helped the hunter finish his kill by telling him. But he decided to say “No, I have not seen the boar” in order to protect and preserve his life.

So What’s the Truth Today?

After hearing this simple teaching about truth I started to think about how we have lost sight of this distinction in the modern world. All the ancient spiritual teachings guide us to care for the wellbeing of the world and to live in a way that benefits all beings. Yet, the modern world is run on principles of competition and aggression that allow some to profit greatly while others suffer. And it’s all supported by “facts”

Fact: Monsanto owns patents for all of their GMO seeds and therefore has the right to sue farmers for unlawfully saving GMO seeds for patent-infringement.

Truth: GMO crops devastate the eco-system they are grown in and contaminate nearby crops. Farmers may not even know that the seeds they are saving have these GMO traits because it was contamination, rather than choice, that caused it. Lawsuits against the few farmers that are struggling to make a living and committed to growing non-GMO crops hurts everyone (except Monsanto) and degrades the quality of our food supply even further.

When cases like this go to court where they ask for “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” they are really just looking for “the facts, all the facts and nothing but the facts.” Unfortunately, they are not considering what benefits all beings and looking instead to the artificial “rights” established by a system of ownership and privilege.

The same is the case for so many issues we are facing in this Industrial Growth Society where we accept off shore drilling and nuclear power because it is “legal” and then witness the devastation of so many life forms in the wake of the Gulf Shore spill and the Fukushima disaster. And where neuro-toxins and carcinogenic ingredients are included in almost all of the processed foods marketed to children because they are “Generally Regarded As Safe” by the FDA while our youth struggles with outrageous rates of ADHD, autism and life threatening diseases that children should never have.

I believe that it’s time for us to remember and revive the ancient teachings that were given to us to help us preserve and protect life. It is time for us to value truth above the facts once again…in our own lives, in the choices we make, in how we spend our money and time and what we create for our children.

Posted in Personal Transformation, Spiritual Connection, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Detox Plan Just for You

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Jo delAmor

Why do you need a custom detox diet plan?

Ever wonder why some diets work for some people and not for others? Even diets based on sophisticated scientific research will only be successful for some people. It’s not about will power. It’s about diversity.

Each one of us is unique. We have different bodies with different needs. We are in different stages of growth. We are living different lives with different demands. We live in different environments. If you really want to clear out your toxins, build up your strength and feel great you have to start with YOU.

Who are you and what do you need? These questions will lead you to create the most appropriate detox diet plan for you.

Bioindividuality

Bioindividuality is a fancy word for saying, “every body is different .” In other words, you are an individual with unique needs. Your unique needs are based on your genetic ancestry, gender, blood type, body type, metabolism and age. To get a picture of your bioindividuality, start by asking yourself these questions:

What did your great-grandparents traditionally eat? (before the industrialization of the food supply)
Do you burn through your food quickly or does one meal keep you going for awhile?
What’s your blood type?
What stage of life are you in?

Getting to know your body is an important step in creating a successful detox diet plan and essential for long term wellness.

Some Whole Body Detox Options for You…

As with any true endeavor in life, your detox options are limited only by your imagination. You can create a detox diet plan that is completely unique to you or use and modify any of the plans offered through Whole Body Detox Diet.

Even though your detox doesn’t need to fit a particular mold, it is helpful to have support and guidance when journeying into uncharted territories. So, we have created a few options for you to choose from, depending on your level of need and your personal style.

Personal Detox Support If you are brand new to natural self care, have complex health conditions or just overwhelmed and confused by the amount of information on our website, this could be the best option for you. Through our personal detox support programs we’ll be able to help you with your specific concerns and support you throughout your detox experience. Choose from a private detox consultation, personal guided cleanse or detox lifestyle coaching.

1 Week Detox Diet Plan If you’re in need of a break from the standard modern diet and looking for simple guidelines, instructions and recipes to follow this may be the best choice for you. This complete guide includes all the information and resources needed to experience a week of healthful detoxing. Follow this guide through delicious meals, excellent self care, and a deeper sense of well-being. This plan works well for first time detoxers and returning detoxers, alike.

Custom Detox Diet Kit **BRAND NEW** If you’re ready to take your detox to the next level, use this custom planner to get clear on your intentions, organize your menu and streamline your routine. It includes all the tools you’ll need for a successful customized detox. You can download, print and personalize each of the items to support your unique detox experience. Recommended for those with some detox and/or diet modification experience.

Whichever detox plan(s) you choose to work with, we hope that your detox experience will help you get to know and LOVE yourself better. We are each unique, precious beings with our own personal needs. Learning to cherish our uniqueness and lovingly meet our personal needs is what we mean when we say “clearing out the toxins with love!”

Posted in Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The World NEEDS your Gifts.

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Jo delAmor

Do you ever worry about the state of the world?

Ever wonder what’s going to happen to Her? What the future is going to be like?

Do you ever worry about what you’re up to? If you’re doing enough? How you’re going to make a living and sustain yourself? Do you ever get down on the job you have? Do you long for something more fun, more fulfilling, more meaningful?

These worries are interwoven…they are the same worry.

The world is struggling. She is flailing a bit (well, the modern Human aspect of Her, anyway) and She needs our help…She needs our brilliance. She needs us to wake up to our own power and offer our unique gifts to Her healing process.

In order to do this we have to face our demons…our demons of self doubt, of insecurity and of thinking that we aren’t capable…of thinking that we are insignificant. We have to reconcile the overwhelm we may feel about the ‘state of the world’ with our love and compassion for Her. To reconcile our guilt and shame with our love and compassion for ourselves and each other.

As the world changes to meet the challenges of the modern day, we are required to think ‘outside of the box’ to serve this change. Instead of trying to fit ourselves into a pre-existing job within the system, we may be required to awaken to our own inner longing and inspiration and to form our work from there. When we move from this place we can offer truly meaningful support to our fellow Humans and to the Earth.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

– Buckminster Fuller

This is how my work as a Holistic Health Counselor, natural health advocate and paradigm shifter has emerged. I certainly didn’t find this work in the classified section of a local newspaper. It has grown from my personal longing to see others thrive in good health. And, I’m happy to say that I am among a large group of people who have answered their own personal calling in this way. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition is educating a whole new generation of health care professionals and creating a brand new innovative approach to our modern health crisis. If this type of work calls you, I strongly recommend looking into this powerful program. But, of course, not everyone is called to this particular work.

We each have our own unique calling; our own unique gifts to offer to the world.

For example, a dear sister of mine has been called to conflict resolution and peace work. Through her own personal challenges and the challenges she observes in the world around her she has been inspired to explore the inner realms of conflict, communication and resolution. As she has grown in her capacity to meet her personal relationships with deep love, compassion and healing resolution, she has been called forth by her community to bring resolution to the challenges it faces. Her studies of Restorative Justice and her training as a Peace Ambassador have prepared her to deal with the real and pressing current challenges of her community.

As she stands into her personal power and offers this healing work to her community, she not only cultivates peace within the community but also allows her light to shine brightly, as a beacon to her own spirit and the spirits of all those she encounters.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Attributed to Howard Thurman

I invite you, in this moment, to tap into your deepest longing…that which moves you…that which brings you joy…that which ignites your passion…and to entertain the notion that that might be exactly the reason you were put on this Earth at this time. How would your life be different if you gave this gift to the world? How might the world be different if we all chose to give in this way? Is it time now to honor our passions? Is it time now to serve the healing of the world with our own precious gifts? I believe so.

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do”

Rumi

Posted in Cultural Transformation, Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Healthy Holidays

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Jo delAmor

The holidays are meant to be a time of celebration and appreciation for life.

They provide a great opportunity to take a break from our daily work, gather with loved ones and reflect on the many blessings we’ve been graced with.

High on the list of these blessings is our physical health. We’ve each been graced with an absolutely miraculous physical body that works tirelessly to keep up with our ambitions and missions in the world. Whether you feel you are in excellent physical health or not, the basic functions of your body are enough to inspire a deep sense of gratitude if you really take a moment to appreciate them.

So, this Thanksgiving, in addition to celebrating your loving relationships and the splendor of delicious and abundant food, be sure to take special care of your precious body. As you take a little vacation from your normal work life put even more attention on your self care practices. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you enjoy a healthy Thanksgiving:

Drink plenty of water in the morning and between meals. Sometimes when there’s such good food and fancy beverages around we forget to drink water. But staying well hydrated during the holiday will help you feel better and keep the holiday damage to a minimum.

Choose your food mindfully. Just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean you have to abuse yourself with food or stuff it all in there. Look at the holiday spread and really appreciate it before you start to fill your plate. Notice what is there and then decide what you will put on your plate. Choose only a few different things (instead of trying to get some of everything) so that your body can digest properly. Make sure you have some good green vegetables on your plate. Notice the desserts too and choose mindfully. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat some of your old time favorites. It just means that you are choosing consciously and considering moderation with respect for your body.

Watch out for sugar. It’s easy to overdo it with sugar during the holidays. Pay attention to your sugar consumption and try to keep it to a minimum. Sugar indulgences can sometimes open the door to excessive bingeing because of the addictive properties of sugar.

Get out and move. After dinner walks, stretching before bed or a little morning exercise are great additions to holiday visiting. Ask your favorite family member to join you or take this time for a little alone time if family visiting feels stressful.

Take it easy. Remember that holidays are supposed to be a celebration, not a crazy stress-fest. If holidays are typically stressful for you make a special commitment this year to take it easy. It doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to meet everyone’s expectations. Identify the things that you love about the holidays and focus your energy on those things. Let the rest of it fall away. It won’t be the end of the world and you might even enjoy yourself.

Use healthy holiday recipes. If you are making food to share with your family, make something delicious and healthy. Follow this link to find a great selection deliciously healthy recipes to find main dishes or desserts that would enhance the nutrition and flavor of your holiday spread. They’re so yummy that your family doesn’t even have to know that they’re “healthy”…it can be our little secret. My personal holiday favorites from this list include…

Have a wonderful, healthy, happy Thanksgiving and a super awesome Holiday Season!!

Posted in Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | 5 Comments