Whole Life Magazine

August/September 2013

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from the editor W hat does transformation mean to you? It can happen in a zillion different ways, from the prayers you say or don't, to the food you eat, to practically every choice you make in your daily life. So when we begin to put together an issue on transformation and yoga, we have to narrow our focus. Krishna Das (pg. 30) seemed like a great place to start, since not only has he been through major life transformations, you might say he's transformed the kirtan musical genre. There are many terrific kirtan chanters, but there is something about KD's style that makes spiritual connection particularly accessible. There's no arrogance, no separation—it's a rare and earthy energy. I personally like what I know of Krishna Das and enjoy much of his music. You might think liking somebody (not Facebook liking, but real liking) would make it easier to write about that person, but in fact it makes it more difficult. Speaking in general, I like to write the truth of what I hear and what I perceive, which are not always the same things. Sometimes there is a subtext that is never stated, or something shows up in a nod of the head or roll of the eyes. Or maybe I read something awkward about the person online. Just to be clear, I'm not talking about KD here, but in general the people we write about. We want to give you a picture that's as complete as we are aware of and can reasonably validate, but since we only write about people who are doing positive things, we also want to support that. Cause really, isn't there enough bad news and gossip in the media without our adding to the din? So it's an interesting balancing act at times: Supporting the person and the work, telling the truth, and sharing useful information beyond what you'd get from their publicist. Sometimes I have to actually change the question to match the answer I'm given, but KD made it easier to write about him because he wasn't hiding or redirecting, and didn't decline to talk about anything. He doesn't offer more than is asked, but he's forthcoming with answers, even on perhaps sensitive subjects, and that's probably part of why I like him. Does it make me biased? Oh, probably. But compared to the bias of some television personalities, I'm for sure just a dilettante. Indigenous peoples often have rituals for transformation, and it's too bad we don't have more of that in our culture. For Native Americans the sweat lodge was a regular refuge for spiritual healing, guidance and transformation. Check out the experience with us and find out where you can do a sweat right here in the Southland (pg. 34). Another time-honored tradition for transformation is the one famously explored by author Carlos Castaneda. Ayahuasca, an earth medicine that induces hallucinations, is the more organic form of some of the drugs that have flourished in our culture. In parts of the Amazon it's used for healing, celebration, spiritual connection and a host of other reasons. Go there with our writer, and learn some of the history of this medicine as well (pg. 36). We know you're out there, you keep picking up our print magazines and reading them online. We'd love to hear back from you, even just to say hi or what you'd like to read about in future issues. We get lots of fan mail but much of it is followed by some version of "… and I'd like you to write a story about me (or my client)." Not that the compliments are insincere, but like anybody else, we always enjoy being appreciated just for who we are. Have a beautiful rest of summer—it always goes by so fast. From my heart, A non-surgical treatment which promotes the body's own natural healing ability to stabilize and strengthen weak ligaments, tendons and joints. G. Megan Shields, M.D. and J. Keller Wortham, M.D., are experts in the delivery of this breakthrough pain relief procedure. To learn more go to www.doctorprolotherapy.com Optimum Wellness Medical Group, Inc. 1030 S. Glendale Ave., Suite 503, Glendale | 818-547-5400 6 wholelifetimesmagazine.com

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