Through conscious


listening we discover that our true nature—as


witnessed by Spirit—though sometimes obscured


from view, is never altered from its original beauty and wholeness.


~Helen Mathis


first is that of a victim (feeling powerless, unable to effect change). The second is when an individual learns the existence of universal law that responds to our thinking, emotions and attitude; we learn how to use it to stabilize life structures and demonstrate health and well-being. “Ultimately, in stage three, we


become a vehicle of life in service to life. Instead of using the law, the law uses us. Life fulfills its own nature through us,” he says. “All of life is conspiring for our free- dom, liberation, wholeness and health.” He urges us not to stop and stag-


nate at stage two, using divine laws only to manifest personal conveniences, stuff and even people for our use; this can hijack views of abundance into materi- alism and consumerism. He quips, “We are not here to go shopping.”


Dwelling in Spirit Grace and Spirit work in us, through us and between us, yet we can’t simply sum- mon them up or outline their outcomes. To feel Spirit’s presence, we must surren- der our own sense of how it will work, its timeline and the impact on our ego or status quo. As with anything worthwhile, conscientious practice is essential. Life, defined by Spirit, gives fresh strength and impetus to mind and body. All three are vital elements of the dance of life.


Richard Davenport is a spiritual life educator (HigherGroundForLife.com) and the founding executive director of an inclusive nationwide Bible and spiri- tual life community (BibleAndSpiritual Life.org). Now based in St. Louis, MO, he is a retired Air Force chaplain, having served at Lackland and other U.S. Air Force bases on three continents.


18 Twin Cities Edition HEAVENLY SCENTS


How to Make Your Own Natural Oil Fragrances by Kathleen Barnes


A


whiff of sweetness can communi- cate a personal signature of tran- quility, alertness or romance, or it can cause a bout of miserable sneezing, wheezing or nausea for those in the vicinity and even the unwitting wearer.


Commercial Chemicals “When you see ‘fragrance’ on a person- al care product label, read it as ‘hidden chemicals,’” warns the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit watchdog Envi- ronmental Working Group (EWG). “A major loophole in the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration’s federal law lets manufacturers of products like sham- poo, lotion and body wash include nearly any ingredient under the term fragrance without actually listing the chemical.” Companies that manufac- ture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt. What’s known as a dirty little se-


cret in the fragrance industry is the un- labeled presence of toxic chemicals not only in perfumes, but in any personal care product that includes a scent. Lab tests commissioned by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and analyzed by the EWG confirm the presence of parabens


NaturalTwinCities.com


that interfere with hormone production, cancer-causing phthalates, and synthetic musks that have been linked to hormone disruption, among many other ills.


Naturally Safe Scents “Opting for natural scents from organic essential oils not only offers a toxin-free alternative, the oils’ aromatherapy benefits have time-proven therapeu- tic value,” suggests Dorene Petersen, president and founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, in Port- land, Oregon.


Recent research from the Pontificia


Universidade Catolica, in Brazil, con- firms that lavender oil has anti-inflam- matory, antioxidant and pain-relieving properties similar to those of a mild-dose narcotic. Plus, it smells heavenly, says botanical perfumer Roxana Villa, of Woodland Hills, a California-based spokesperson for the National Associa- tion for Holistic Aromatherapy. “Considering the part of the plant


used will give you an idea of its thera- peutic value,” says Villa. “A root base will be good for grounding. Since bark is like skin, oils such as birch will ben- efit skin and muscles. Oils from flowers are excellent for anything related to the head and mind.”


healingways


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