Archives
Volume 10 Issue 6 — March/April
2005
Mandalas
Universal Symbols of Potential and Transformation
by Margaret Bremner
I have been working as an artist for many years, and for
the past decade I have focussed on mandalas. It is an image
that suits me well, due to life-long interests in other cultures
and spirituality, and to a more recent interest in symbolism.
In my artwork the mandala is not limited to a Hindu or Buddhist
perspective. International or universal imagery has always
been of greater interest to me than local or regional subjects,
and in my investigation of mandalas I've found them in almost
every culture, time period, and belief system. I draw on
sources from around the globe.
Read
the article
Cranberries: Food and Medicine
by Paulette Millis
The cranberry, sometimes called bounceberry, a small tart-tasting
red berry, has been most popular in the past for the deep
red sauce we traditionally make with our Thanksgiving turkey.
It is said that Benjamin Franklin, visiting London to plead
the case of the colonies, wrote and begged his daughter to
send cranberries, one of the foods for which he was homesick.
And in 1864, history says General Grant ordered tons of cranberries
for his Army of the Potomac to celebrate Thanksgiving in
proper fashion. Old clipper ships out of Gloucester, New
Bedford, and the “Down East” ports, carried supplies
of raw cranberries in casks to help sailors prevent scurvy.
American Indians used cranberries as a source of dye and
today, the Canadian First Nations people use the straight
branches of the high bush cranberry to make the stems for
traditional ceremonial pipes.
Read the article
Wildcrafting
Harvesting Plants From a Native Wild Environment
by Kahlee Keane
The spicy odour of poplar buds, thick with warming resin,
rides on the gentle breeze as we amble up the coulee looking
for our first prairie crocus (Anemone patens) of the year.
We are not disappointed. Here on the south facing slope where
the sun’s rays have penetrated winter’s blanket
we find three furry flower buds hugging the Earth – harbingers
of Spring. Our little group came together at the start of
last summer. Then, in each season, we would meet and share
knowledge about the character and history of the land and
the wild medicinal plants that we harvest just as our ancestors
did. This age-old practice – gathering plant material
for food, medicine, or crafts – is known as wildcrafting
and is the most direct way of getting in touch with the healing
power of nature.
Read the article
Seeds of Zen in the Prairies
Introducing Maurine Stuart
by Martin Krátky
One week after moving to Saskatoon, in the fall of 2004,
I randomly opened a book that I had owned for several years – Subtle
Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart (Shambhala, 1996).
As I read the following words of Maurine Stuart: "Is
it all right for this piano player from Saskatchewan, Canada,
to be up here giving a talk on the Rinzai Roku?" [a
Zen text] I was startled to learn something more about this
remarkable woman, gifted concert pianist, and influential
and well-loved Zen teacher. Quickly flipping to the book's
introduction I found out that she was born and raised in
the town of Keeler, just north of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Read the article
The Healing Power of Zhong
Guo Hui Gong Therapy
Chinese Wisdom Qi Gong
by Laura Burkhart
A short walk outside the village of Hawi, on the north end
of the Big Island of Hawai’i, the Kokolulu Farm and
Wellness Centre welcomes visitors, work-study volunteers,
and those who suffer from chronic illness, addictions, and
other disorders. Nestled in seven acres of rolling green
pastures and spectacular water gardens, the peaceful atmosphere
of the Centre is enhanced by breathtaking ocean views, vistas
of Mauna Kea volcano, and the exuberant presence of two golden
retrievers. I first met the founders, Karin Cooke and Lew
Whitney, when I arranged to attend a Buddhist creativity
workshop in their Chinese temple in January 2004. Their open
hearts and generous spirits soon led to an invitation for
me to become their first work-study volunteer and help them
set up that ongoing program. They introduced me to Zhong
Guo Hui Gong therapy (Chinese Wisdom Qi Gong) which they
had been studying intensely since 1997. Their Master, Zhang,
Yu Lei, designed a personalized program to help heal my eyes
and Lew and Karin facilitated my daily participation.
Read the article
Editorial
by Melva Armstrong
For the last two months I have been busy packing, cleaning,
and getting ready to move into a new suite starting March
1st. Searching for new accommodation during winter has been
less than ideal. Although moving is a time of upheaval and
stress, I keep reminding myself that it is also a time of
change and growth, as well as adventure. It is about opening
myself to new opportunities and knowing that I am being guided
to the next step in my life journey and to let go and let
my guides lead the way. Throughout this time I have been
grateful for the wonderful support I have had from friends,
colleagues, clients, and WHOLifE readers. I send warm thanks
to each and every one of you for sending me your positive
energy, love, and good wishes. Everything has worked and
given me the support I have needed.
Read
the editorial
Plus:
The Brain and the Mind
News of Note
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