By Glenn Aparicio Parry, PhD

On my quest, I came to see every blade of grass, every plant, rock, tree, or insect as a teacher

There is a reason why vision quests are traditionally something that adolescents engage in as a rite of passage into adulthood; young people are clearly better able to withstand the physical demands. But, ultimately, a vision quest is not about suffering; it is about receiving a vision.

In my case, I received benefits even before my first [vision] quest began—from the moment I contemplated doing it. That night, I had multiple dreams of dying and being reborn into a new awareness, of connecting to ancestor spirits emerging from the ocean and floating through the air. I also began to hear differently, both in my dreams and in waking life. Common sounds—bird calls, branches swaying, leaves whispering—became more prominent. Spirit seemed to be telling me that it was all about listening. I could feel the muscles behind my ear twitching in anticipation, and I eventually realized that I was being prepared for something that my rational mind could not possibly understand.

Source: www.collective-evolution.com | Original Post Date:May 11, 2014 –

The cause of autism is still unknown, but we are definitely closer to figuring it out. A new study published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology, from researchers at the University of Chicago revealed that autism and intellectual disability (ID) rates are linked with exposure to harmful environmental factors during congenital development.

“Essentially what happens is during pregnancy… there are certain sensitive periods where the fetus is very vulnerable to a range of small molecules – from things like plasticisers, prescription drugs, environmental pesticides and other things. Some of these small molecules essentially alter normal development. Autism appears to be strongly correlated with rate of congenital malformations of the genitals in males across the country, this gives an indicator of environmental load and the effect is surprisingly strong. The strongest predictors for autism were associated with the environment; congenital malformations on the reproductive system in males...

Credit: Pinterest.com

By Wes Annac, The Culture of Awareness

It’s safe to say that most people on the spiritual path would love to be free of attachment, which tends to hinder our growth and evolution. Attachment to achievement or material things is yet another manifestation of the nearly constant effort to fill the inner void, which, as we’re learning, we don’t want to fill at all.

Instead of filling it, the best thing we can do is sit with it, observe it and come to the realization that it’s our gateway to spirit.

The void we try so desperately to fill is actually our means of connecting with the divine; our inner Christ consciousness. Unfortunately, a lot of people – even spiritual seekers – try so hard to fill it that they forget that it’s where their Christed Self lives in the first place.

By Phil Watt
Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Working in the therapeutic sector with many different people in many types of relationships – including partners, parents/children and friends – it has become apparent that there are a few key factors which are generally present when the relationship is healthy.

Throughout the following ten hallmarks, a common theme is open and clear communication. We may feel or think a certain way, but if we don’t express it, how the hell is anyone meant to know? Real communication is without a doubt integral to a healthy relationship, so if it’s not one of our strong points, then we should keep practicing it until it is.

Honesty and Trust

Being honest with our loved one doesn’t necessarily mean that each person knows everything about each other. We don’t share every dream we have, what we did exactly from the start to finish of each day, how many times we went to the toilet, what attention we got from the opposite sex etc., but it does mean that each person genuinely knows who each other is and how they feel.

Earthships are sustainable homes that can be built out of a variety of waste and earth. They’re rad in ways no other house can match.

1. Sustainability does not mean living primitively

When you think about offgrid living, what comes to mind? 18th century candle light living? Not the case. As you can see, just because you’re living sustainably doesn’t mean you’re living in a cave without running water or anything.

2. There’s the free food.

An earthship’s passive solar unit can double as a greenhouse for year-round vegetables. You can also utilize your home’s abilities to catch rain water for watering and other graywater uses.

Love is a natural event. Love isn’t organized. It comes at a high vibration. Love doesn’t have to be tumultuous. Love does not even have to be pursued. If love is natural, it is naturally-occurring.

Love is not urgent. I am speaking to those who feel that love is urgent, that you must claim a committed love in order to be worthwhile. To you it may feel that you must be married or you will fall into categories such as dying on the vine.

The world seems to expect marriage of you, and you may be quick to respond.

Often, the observation that haste makes waste is truer than you missed the boat.

Have some respect for nature and naturalness and letting life come to you on its own terms. If you must pursue love, that may well be your course. Be seeking love then and sowing happiness while you are at it. You aren’t seeking love at the expense of anyone. You are not capturing anyone. False promises are false to yourself and to your own well-being. To thine own self be true. Being true to yourself and being true to others are the same. You need no pretense.

Romantic love has earmarks of illusion, yet it is not for you to make false promises to yourself or to another. What makes you think you would ever have to? Where is it written that you have to belie yourself?