Breathe Sedona a Huge Success

Friday, September 16th, was a special day in Sedona. Over 50 people came to the Sedona Creative Life Center and experienced a free day of Shamanic Breathwork TM facilitated by Linda Star Wolf and Brad Collins, founders of the Venus Rising Association for Transformation. They were assisted by a team of Certified Shamanic Breathwork Facilitators and Shamanic Ministers who have been studying with them for the past year.

Star Wolf began the day with an inspiring talk about the importance of stepping into our power and transforming ourselves by connecting to our future-selves. Her new book called, Visionary Shamanism will be released in November and can be pre-ordered on Amazon. She then shared an overview of the day- which consisted of Shamanic Breathwork in the morning, followed by the Shakti Art Process. Then a healthy lunch donated by Pita Fresh, Dahl and DiLucca and Simply Dahlicious Catering.

We gathered in the afternoon and honored the sponsors of the event: John of God Casa, Peace Place, John Livingston, Kristin McGary, Inner Space, Nutrition with Jane, Christine Ryan-Schmierer, Sedona Intuitive Astrology, W. Interiors and Your Heart's Home Retreat.

We then proceeded with the afternoon SBW followed by the Shakti Art Process. After completing the second round we broke into 12 small process groups. Each group was led by an experienced facilitator who supported each person as they shared their SBW experience and art with the group.

Before closing we came together in as a large group and people shared. They described their process as powerful, healing, transformational, life-changing, safe, loving and awesome. There were several comments about how much gratitude people felt for this free event and for all who made it possible.

The planning committee, who are all Shamanic Breathwork Facilitators, were acknowledged for their hard work. They include: Crystal Dawn Morris,John Livingston, Meredith Davis, John Berry Deakyne, Tracy Roman, Dean Taraborelli and Kelley Alexander.

We ended the day by holding hands and singing a song. What a wonderful day of healing and celebration!

Find a Shamanic Breathwork Facilitator

Love, Heart Break and Dealing with Cancer

About my Mother

At the moment I am immersed in caring for my mother, Freda. She is dying of primary brain cancer. I took her to the ER in May for confusion and lethargy and she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had surgery a few days later and we learned it was a very aggressive form of cancer. She was discharge from the hospital to my house and I have been caring for her ever since.

My mother improved after surgery. She made the choice to not to have radiation or chemo. Treatment would only give her a few months and would have a negative effect on her quality of life. She declared she had lived a good life and wanted to die consciously. She has been interested in Consciousness since the 1960’s.

I introduced her to the Buddhist practice of Phowa , which I was initiated into in May 2006. It is the practice of learning how to live and die consciously. Phowa was created by the Amitabha Buddha. The Buddhist Stupa near my house is dedicated to the Amitabha Buddha and I have developed a deep connection to him since moving to Sedona. I t makes sense now that part of my reason for moving here was to prepare myself for helping my mother cross over.

Almost immediately after getting out of the hospital, my mother began saying her goodbyes to her friends and family. She meditated twice daily. She had a couple of presentations she wanted to do for the local Ken Wilber group she was in. She arranged to do the presentations and they were well received. She kept a journal and considered writing her third book.

In July, about a month after her surgery, I took my to Washington state to visit her oldest-best friend. She spent a week with her. I then took her on a trip around the Olympic Peninsula. We had a great time. She was able to enjoy the sights and even hike a bit. She said it was the first time she took a trip just for fun. The last vacation I had taken with her was more than 40 years ago. I am so grateful I took the time to be with her while she still was relatively healthy.

After we returned to Sedona my sons came to visit. My younger son, Josh was the last person on her list of people she needed to tell goodbye. Eli, my older son, had come to see her with his family shortly after she came home from the hospital. Within days, after they left that she began a gradual decline. In August, my brother and his wife came to visit and care for Mom. I took the opportunity to go back east for 2 weeks to visit my grandson, Zev, in Atlanta and attend a conference in North Carolina. During the time I was gone, I realized how much of my energy was being used to support my mother’s process. It was good for me to have some time on my own.

While I was away, she had a drastic decline, becoming more confused and unable to get out of bed on her own. Since my return August 16th she continues to slip away. She is now bedridden and incontinent. She converses very little but responds occasionally. The good news is she is without pain and is mostly at peace. She likes to listen to relaxing music and talks by Adyashanti, Gangaji and Ekhart Tolle.

This experience has been incredibly humbling for me. It is much harder than I imagined it would be. Watching my mother slowly pass into the formless realm is at times heart breaking. What I know as her, is dissolving a little bit each day. Still, her body still eats, sleeps and breathes. Love and sadness dance in my heart as I sit by her bed and send her blessings.

Shamanic Breathwork TM / SHIP in Sedona

SHIP stands for Shamanic Healing Initiatory Process. Join me September 9 – 15, 2011 at The Sanctuary at Sedona,in Cornville, Arizona. This week will be focused on the Inner Beloved and Life Purpose. An application is required. To apply for this accelerated transformation and training program contact Venus Rising at: venusrising@shamanicbreathwork.org or call 828-631-2305. For lodging information contact Dean or Kelly at (928)639-1300 or (928)639-1300.

I just returned from a week at Isis Cove in North Carolina where Venus Rising is headquartered. I attended the first Shamanic Ministers Conference and a 5-day advanced training in Shamanic Breathwork™. As some of you know my mother has been living with me since she was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2011. She is now getting close to crossing over. The Shamanic Breathwork I did while I was there and the powerful processing afterwards has helped me heal issues that needed to be resolved so I could come home and be fully open, present and unconditionally loving to my mother in her final few weeks on Earth.

I am truly grateful to Star Wolf and Brad Collins for bringing this accelerated program to Sedona. Each time we have gathered I have been blown away by the magic of the work and the wisdom of these two teachers. I became certified in facilitating the Shamanic Breathwork process in March and love watching how this process helps people to heal and transform so quickly.

Whether you are interested in becoming a Shamanic Breathwork ™ Facilitator, being ordained as a Shamanic Minister or for your own healing and awakening I hope you will consider joining me in Sedona for this powerful week. The Venus Rising Shamanic Breathwork™ Accelerated Transformation and Training Program is designed to meet the needs of students who know they are on the fast track of transformation and change.

Cracking Open My Heart

My mother’s brain cancer seems to be progressing rapidly since we returned from our trip to Washington State. I took her to Washington to see her oldest friend. They had a wonderful visit. I then picked her up and took her on a trip around the Olympic Peninsula for a few days. I hadn’t been on a vacation with my mother since I was 14 and we backpacked into Big Sur on the California Coast. We had a great time being in nature and seeing the incredible beauty of the mountains, lakes, rain forest, lavender farms and beaches there. My mom was in good spirits and enjoyed herself.

Since returning to Sedona she has begun to decline. She is less engaged with the world and rarely wants to leave her room. She has developed a great love for Coffee Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream and potato chips which she eats while listen to CDs of Ekhart Tolle and Adyashanti. She still has a good appetite and for the most part eats healthfully.

I find myself walking the line between giving her what she wants and encouraging her to do what I think is good for her. My good friend, Jim, mentioned to her a few days ago that he has an electric key board and that he could bring it over and teach her to play the piano. She was excited by the idea. So yesterday, we took her up to his place in Oak Creek Canyon and got the key board. Last night, she began her first lesson. It was great to see her interested in learning something new.

Lately, I have become aware of the amount of stress I am dealing with in this situation. Watching her life force energy stating to wane has been a challenge. This morning I was listening to Adyashanti talk about the difference between courage and fearlessness. Courage is doing something in the face of fear. I have been practicing courage and it is exhausting work. Now, I am ready to face my fear and surrender fully into each moment. Fearlessness is just allowing everything to be as it is without wanting or needing to change it.

I feel deep gratitude for this opportunity to be with my mother as she approaches her transformation from being in form to being formless. It is allowing me to see where I hold on, where I contract and where I resist. She is at peace and enjoying each moment. Watching her, caring for her and loving her is a wonderful gift that is cracking open my heart in a new way.
Copyright 2011 Crystal Dawn Morris

Breathe America, Breathe Sedona, September 16

A FREE day of Shamanic Breathwork™ with Linda Star Wolf, Brad Collins and a host of other certified SBW facilitators including myself.

Sedona Creative Life Center
333 Schnebly Hill Road Sedona, AZ 86336-4227
Friday, September 16 ~ 9:45am – 6 pm

Shamanic Breathwork™ is safe, yet powerful tool that uses the
transformative power of the breath and trance music to:

• Deepen your SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
• Awaken your PASSION
• Unleash your LIFE FORCE ENERGY
• Reclaim your POWER
• Get clarity about your SACRED PURPOSE

This free event is a full day of Shamanic Breathwork™ for the purpose of personal and global healing and transformation. The day will be facilitated by author Linda Star Wolf who developed the Shamanic BreathworkTM process- a synthesis of ancient shamanic healing modalities and modern psychological principles. Star Wolf has written several books, including Shamanic Breathwork – Journeying Beyond the Limits of the Self and her soon to be released book Visionary Shamanism: Activating the Imaginal Cells of Human Energy Field, which is being released December 2011. She and husband Brad Collins are the co-founders of the Venus Rising Association for Transformation, which is located in the mountains of western North Carolina at the Isis Cove Retreat Center. Here, a variety of workshops, trainings and healing services are offered.

The Breathe America, Breathe Sedona event is a unique opportunity to explore this unique breathwork process and experience a variety of healing practices offered by experienced shamanic practitioners. This event is open to the public. While free, donations to cover costs are appreciated. Those interested can pre-register by sending a request to breathesedona@gmail.com. You will receive a registration form and follow-up information on what to bring.

“I am really excited about offering Breathe America at the Sedona Creative Life Center. I have been a shamanic practitioner since 1995. The first time I experienced Shamanic Breathwork™, I was blown away by the power of this process to support deep transformation. I believe events like this can help people heal themselves and the world.”

Space is LIMITED. You MUST pre-register to attend.

To Register: email: breathesedona@gmail.com or call 928-282-5483

Workshop hours: 9:45 am – 6 pm. You must commit to the full day.
Location: Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road Sedona, AZ 86336
Bring: a comforter, light blanket, pillow, lunch, snack and a bottle of water.

To learn more please visit: www.shamanicbreathwork.org

Conscious Dying

A few days ago I was meditating with my mother. She was seating with her back to me. I sat and focused on my breath. All thoughts disappeared and deep peace filled me. I dissolved into Emptiness. “Emptiness,” with no up or down, no forward or back, no left or right, empty of form and yet full of Consciousness.

I opened my eyes and looked at my mother’s back. i felt incredible gratitude and appreciation for her being in my life at this powerful time. I closed my eyes and once again there was only Emptiness. I recognized that Emptiness doesn’t feel emotions. Only a human form can feel the love of a daughter for her mother. I became aware of my body’s desire to move, then thoughts came and went. I recognized that Emptiness and form are One, co-existing as this apparent me, called Crystal Dawn. I saw that life is a meditation. Every inhalation is an opportunity to awaken to the now. Every exhalation is an opportunity to surrender the past. As both Emptiness and form I was free.

My mother, Freda, was diagnosed with brain cancer on May 12th while having during brain surgery. The brain tumor had only been discovered two days earlier when I took her to the ER because she was confused and lethargic. During her week in the hospital, I spent many hours on the internet researching primary brain cancer and glioblastoma multiforma, which is the type of cancer she has. Friends and family helped in learning about possible treatments, both medical and non-medical. There is no cure for this type of cancer and the prognosis is poor.

On May 18th Freda was discharged from the hospital and moved in with me. It was the first time we had lived together in 40 years. Post surgery she became clear-headed once again. Our family came together and talked about the various treatments. Mom was clear that she did not want radiation or chemo. She wanted to die consciously and really be present throughout the experience. She felt all she needed was to eat healthy, meditate several times a day and avoid unnecessary stress.

At 78, she trusts life. She has been amazingly healthy. On entering the hospital I had to explain that she was taking no medications and her last hospitalization was in 1958 when she gave birth to my brother. It is an inspiration the grace that natural surrounds her as she goes about her life. She is surprisingly relaxed and happy. She reads and is creating a journal about her experiences. She is writing a novel based on a short story she wrote several years ago. Friends and family come to visit.
The first couple of weeks after she moved in I felt called to prepare myself to support my mother in dying consciously. I reread the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and reviewed the Buddhist practice of Phowa , Conscious Dying, that I was initiated into in May 2006.

Knowing that she may be only a few months left to live has made it easy to set aside the business I often get lost in. I have a new appreciation for each moment we share. Being with her at this time of transition is teaching me to slow down and revaluate my life.

The past few weeks are teaching me that birth, death and rebirth are always unfolding. I commonly call it “change.” Change may appear exciting, like a trip to Hawaii or scary, such as being laid off from work. When it is exciting I am attracted to it and want more. When it is scary, I contract. I want to deny, blame or resist what is happening. I find myself saying, “This is not my life.” Resistance causes me to suffering. Another word for resistance is control. Most of my life, I have believed that if I take charge and stay in control, I’ll be safe and keep my loved one’s safe as well. Of course this is just a belief. Control is an illusion.

Over the past few days I’ve been noticing when I resist what is. I can clearly see how my ego wants to be in control, to get “my way.” The ego, the ‘’I,” is the cause of the suffering. When I stop and let go of “I’ and recognize the Emptiness that is my true nature, there is no resistance, no fear, no need to change what is. There is peace, joy and love. My intention is to just stay present and empty and let everything be as it is.

Copyright 2011 Crystal Dawn Morris

The I AM Meditation

The words “I AM” are often used to express who or what we really are. Many teachers including; Osho, Gurdjieff and Ouspensky have suggested using these words in meditation to explore Truth.

Try this: Focus your attention in the body. Say aloud the words “I AM.” Notice if you feel a vibration/sensation in the body as you say these words. Where in the body do you feel the vibrations/sensations, in the solar plexus, the head, the chest, or the belly? As you repeat these two words what arises? Try saying them with full awareness for 3-5 minutes and see what you discover. Do this practice 3 times/daily for a week. After a week write down your discoveries. What does “I AM” really mean? How does it relate to Truth? Let me know what you discover.