http://www.synergymag.ca The Magazine for Mindful Living Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:15:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It is an unfortunate truth that whenever the subject of the environment and conservation arises, much shaking of heads and lamenting ensues. In general I would count myself among those who believe that not enough is being done to conserve healthy, intact ecosystems for the future. But I am happy ... http://www.synergymag.ca/strathcona-centennial/ Reiki is one of the most ancient and sacred arts of hands-on healing known to mankind. In Japan, during the late 1800's, this ancient method of natural healing was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui (1865-1926). Through travel, meditation, study, and research Dr. Usui evolved a healing system based on ancient ... http://www.synergymag.ca/reiki-an-ancient-art-of-healing/   I grew up in north central BC, quit school and went to work in the local mines and sawmills, working my way south. In the middle 70’s I ended up in Campbell River due to the plentiful jobs and big money in the logging industry. I excelled at logging, working ... http://www.synergymag.ca/not-made-in-china/ The potlatch is an incredibly intricate and fascinating set of rituals through which the values, beliefs and culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw and other west coast First Nations are shared.  Traditionally, Kwakwaka’wakw society was based upon these many acts of giving and generosity that make up the potlatch. In the colder, ... http://www.synergymag.ca/rituals-of-the-kwakwaka%e2%80%99wakw-potlatch/   [caption id="attachment_3717" align="alignleft" width="276" caption="Picture by Brad Assu"][/caption] The summer of 1964 I went commercial fishing as a deckhand on a West Coast Troller out of Ucluelet. I loved adventure in my youth and I still do. I had an uncle who lived in Port Albion at that time. He was ... http://www.synergymag.ca/hard-lessons/ Making a change usually takes a lot of reflection and before that, a nudge of some sort to get you reflecting on whatever it is you might need to take action on. It was suggested to me almost two years ago that I might want to change my bio to “reflect ... http://www.synergymag.ca/nudge%e2%80%a6-%e2%80%a6-reflect-change/ The Universal Law of Actionsequence. There is a malady spreading like wildfire across this planet of ours. You have definitely, categorically, seen its symptoms. I shall remind you: "If you too have run face-first into a wall at work and want to sue your employer, contact 1-800-NO-MORALS-AT-ALL…!" "Going to court on an assault ... http://www.synergymag.ca/action-consequence-the-science-of-ethics/   Gabor Maté’s book Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder is one of the rare books about ADD that along with providing advice to parents of children with ADD also provides advice to adults who are suffering from this disorder.  As someone who ... http://www.synergymag.ca/book-review-scattered-minds-by-gabor-mate/ For some people, spring arrives with the first crocus bloom, or perhaps a snowdrop. For me, it has to be a pussy willow. Something about the furry, plump “blossom” gives me not only the hope of spring, but the certainty of it. Sometime around mid February, or even earlier in a ... http://www.synergymag.ca/dancing-through-life-spring/ In 2008, the Vancouver Island North Women’s Resource Society celebrated its 25th anniversary and International Women’s Day by hosting a public art show: “Celebrating Women”. Our hope was the event would celebrate the creativity and talent in our community while spotlighting our agency and honoring the contributions of women. The ... http://www.synergymag.ca/%e2%80%9ccelebrating-women-2010%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-confessions-of-an-amateur-art-show-curator/