Pure Inspiration - Winter 2008 Issue

Inside our Winter 2007-2008 Issue
Visions of God: The Art of Akiane Meet Akiane, the remarkable child prodigy, gifted in both painting and poetry. She began having deep visions of God at age four and soon began drawing and painting as a way to express her amazing experiences. If this story were not true, it would be hard to believe! Although Akiane is only thirteen years old, the wisdom she expresses is sincere and pure, and her art and poetry are both very inspiring. In her own words, "I have been blessed by God. And if I'm blessed, there is one reason and one reason only, and that is to help others." Seeking and Finding Inner Peace — Insights Into Two "Beatitudes" from the New Testament Paramahansa Yogananda delves deep into the meaning of two of Jesus' famous "Beatitudes." The first Beatitude covered is "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Yogananda explains that after one learns the practical techniques for actually contacting God within, "he can then satisfy his inner hunger for Truth by feasting daily on the divine manna of spiritual perception resulting from meditation." He goes on to say that "the urge in every man to fill an inner emptiness is the soul's desire for God." Healing from Guilt, Anger, and Fear Transpersonal psychologist Sam Menahem, Ph.D., explains that most of us suffer from some degree of inner guilt, which is usually unconscious, because it is simply too painful for us to deal with. He states "If you think you are guilty, you will find some way to get punished for it." Sam shares many insights about how guilt operates in our lives, yet he also discusses how to heal it: "First, we must admit our underlying guilt and heal the emotions. Second, we must heal our relationship with God -- develop our spirituality." He goes on to suggest some practical ways of bringing about this healing, and ends with this thought: "It is time to let go of our hidden inner guilt and develop our spiritual side. It is our only chance for real happiness. The fate of humanity awaits our collective decision." The Gift of Miracles — A Reader’s Story This is a very touching tale depicting how a young woman refused to accept that her beloved father was dying of cancer. So strong was her love and determination, that she helped her father live for three years beyond the doctors' predictions. How this all played out will play upon your heartstrings (keep some tissues handy!) and also inspire you to reach more deeply within yourself to accomplish anything you want in the name of Love. Another Chance Dr. Arthur Caliandro discusses how easy it is to allow our deepest impulses to be subordinated by more mundane concerns and responsibilities. When this happens, we lose something beautiful and important within ourselves -- our sense of being fully alive and in love with Life itself; however, "God is the God of another chance," continually helping us to resurrect ourselves into a better, more meaningful way of Life. By way of encouragement, Arthur declares "There is no circumstance that's going to stop you if you don't want it to. Proceed forward to your Promised Land, letting the real you finally, finally exist." A Beautiful Metaphor Delia Sellers reminisces about a Christmas day some years ago when everything seemed to go wrong. She was expecting guests and had prepared a sumptuous holiday meal, only to hear at the last minute that her guests were unable to join her. Instead of staying home and feeling sorry for herself, she wisely went to the beach and ended up having a beautiful day that confirmed God's presence in her life. At the end of the day, she reflects upon what a special day it had been, and is flooded with insights into the deeper meaning of Christmas. She says "As we celebrate the fun and joy of the season with family and friends, may we set aside quiet moments to reflect on the truth of our Reality. We will experience a deeper realization of what we already know -- that we are joined to the Father, indivisible, forever one." Ramana Maharshi on Self-Realization, Inner Peace, and Self Inquiry Ramana Maharshi was a great sage, considered by many to be one of the brightest stars in India's constellation of saints and seers. The questions and answers in this article "bump" us out of our complacent views about who and what we are, and prod us to know our own true Self, the One within who is real, who witnesses all and ultimately is the Truth of our Being. Tapping Into the Power of Yoga Asana Durga Ahlund shares her personal experience of a physical injury (to her shoulder) that caused her great distress until she began examining its deeper causes, at which point she began to heal the injury. Through her honest discussion of what happened to her, she gives all of us inspiration to be honest with ourselves. She goes on to teach us about various Yoga Mudras, which "can recharge energy and calm stress, anxiety, frustration, and pain." Overwhelmed with Gratitude — A Reader’s Story Glenda Massengale shares her personal tale of being born into great poverty, having no hope for bettering herself, and subsequently going to college (wearing rags!) and making a good life for her and her family. This is a story of courage and faith -- faith in oneself and in God, which have the power to work miracles in all of our lives. Forever Ours: Great-Grandpa Ole Dr. Janis Amatuzio, fondly known as the "compassionate coroner," tells us a true tale related to her by Mark, one of her associates. As a young boy, Mark adored his Great-Grandpa Ole, who was very giving and loving toward his great-grandson. One night (at age ten), Mark wakes up to find Ole sitting on the edge of his bed, telling Mark that everything would be OK. Mark awakes the next morning to find that Ole had "died" that very night! Keep the tissues handy for this one, too. Effective Prayer Thomas Beardshall offers an inciteful look at the process of prayer. He discusses the subject from a variety of angles, without ever making you, the reader, feel "preached to." While prayer is a very personal thing, Thomas' essay is sure to stimulate an enhanced understanding about this vital topic. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our oneness with God when we pray, as opposed to envisioning a God that is "out there." He states "What prayer does accomplish for us is to attune our systems to the higher realms of spirit, strengthening our ability to receive the spiritual energies which constantly flow to us, and then prayer helps us to direct and focus the creative power of those energies to a particular goal." Catching the Stars Christine Louise Hohlbaum presents a stimulating interview with Tamika Catchings, all-star WNBA player. Tamika overcame speech and hearing problems as a young girl, refusing to let them get in the way of her dreams. Not only has she excelled at professional basketball, she has also become an extremely positive individual who has given back to society through her "Catch the Stars Foundation," a nonprofit organization that provides positive academic and sports-related programs for at-risk youth between the ages of seven and sixteen in the metropolitan Indianapolis area. You'll also want to read Tamika's "Top Ten Ways to Live Your Inspiration." The Art of Meditation Yogic adept Marshall Govindan takes an in-depth look at meditation, a subject that has become increasingly popular in the West in recent years. Some of the topics discussed include -- what meditation is; common obstacles to its practice; how to get started in meditation; posture; and breathing recommendations. He also reviews four kinds of meditation techniques and offers encouragement for the aspiring meditator. He says "With practice, meditation becomes more and more continuous. As with any art, one needs to persevere and be patient with one's self. The practice requires attention and skill and these develop slowly. You can accelerate your development if you practice every day at the same time, preferably at least twice a day." Never Give Up Inspirational speaker and author Gary Coxe presents a high-energy essay on perseverance which is sure to make an impact on many readers. He begins by telling his own true story of how, at age 17, he was beset by a number of heavy tragedies -- his wife had a baby that she informed him wasn't his; his father was murdered; his grandfather and stepfather both died of cancer; and his uncle was killed in a plane crash! He explains how he managed to get through all of that, and how the indispensable ingredient was never giving up on Life. Gary is not one for rose colored glasses; rather, he sees that life can be very difficult and that each person needs to train themselves to deepen their commitment to their goals, so that the inevitable trials and tribulations of life do not derail us from living the life that we choose. How to Trust the Process of Your Life Doris Helge, Ph.D., explores how we can find peace and poise within the "process" of our lives. She acknowledges that life is fraught with uncertainty and obstacles, but teaches us to see those hurdles from a new perspective --as opportunities for growth to be embraced rather than avoided. Dr. Helge expresses a unique blend of spirituality and pragmatism, which acknowledges both a loving God and the fact that some things simply must be accepted and dealt with. She says "Connect with your Divine Self and follow your inner guidance. You will naturally and spontaneously trust your path." Emanuel Swedenborg — Scientist Turned Inspirational Visionary Swedenborg was a very influential historical figure (1688 - 1772) who had a major impact on William Blake, Carl Jung, Charles Baudelaire, Thomas Carlyle, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, just to name a few. In 1744 he had an intensely realistic vision (in which Jesus spoke to him), after which he would be forever changed. Following that vision, he experienced an unbroken state of "waking visions" which seemed just as real as his daily waking life. He claimed that heaven and hell had been opened up to him directly and without mediation; that he spoke freely with spirits and angels; that his spirit travelled throughout the universe, visiting various planets and observing the life forms that lived there. The story of Swedenborg's life is so rich and complex, you'll simply have to read it yourself to absorb its wonderful inspirational qualities! Subscription information How to order the Winter 2008 Issue \| Purchase this issue online

Inside our Winter 2007-2008 Issue

Visions of God: The Art of Akiane
Meet Akiane, the remarkable child prodigy, gifted in both painting and poetry. She began having deep visions of God at age four and soon began drawing and painting as a way to express her amazing experiences. If this story were not true, it would be hard to believe! Although Akiane is only thirteen years old, the wisdom she expresses is sincere and pure, and her art and poetry are both very inspiring. In her own words, "I have been blessed by God. And if I'm blessed, there is one reason and one reason only, and that is to help others."

Seeking and Finding Inner Peace — Insights Into Two "Beatitudes" from the New Testament
Paramahansa Yogananda delves deep into the meaning of two of Jesus' famous "Beatitudes." The first Beatitude covered is "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Yogananda explains that after one learns the practical techniques for actually contacting God within, "he can then satisfy his inner hunger for Truth by feasting daily on the divine manna of spiritual perception resulting from meditation." He goes on to say that "the urge in every man to fill an inner emptiness is the soul's desire for God."

Healing from Guilt, Anger, and Fear
Transpersonal psychologist Sam Menahem, Ph.D., explains that most of us suffer from some degree of inner guilt, which is usually unconscious, because it is simply too painful for us to deal with. He states "If you think you are guilty, you will find some way to get punished for it." Sam shares many insights about how guilt operates in our lives, yet he also discusses how to heal it: "First, we must admit our underlying guilt and heal the emotions. Second, we must heal our relationship with God -- develop our spirituality." He goes on to suggest some practical ways of bringing about this healing, and ends with this thought: "It is time to let go of our hidden inner guilt and develop our spiritual side. It is our only chance for real happiness. The fate of humanity awaits our collective decision."

The Gift of Miracles — A Reader’s Story
This is a very touching tale depicting how a young woman refused to accept that her beloved father was dying of cancer. So strong was her love and determination, that she helped her father live for three years beyond the doctors' predictions. How this all played out will play upon your heartstrings (keep some tissues handy!) and also inspire you to reach more deeply within yourself to accomplish anything you want in the name of Love.

Another Chance
Dr. Arthur Caliandro discusses how easy it is to allow our deepest impulses to be subordinated by more mundane concerns and responsibilities. When this happens, we lose something beautiful and important within ourselves -- our sense of being fully alive and in love with Life itself; however, "God is the God of another chance," continually helping us to resurrect ourselves into a better, more meaningful way of Life. By way of encouragement, Arthur declares "There is no circumstance that's going to stop you if you don't want it to. Proceed forward to your Promised Land, letting the real you finally, finally exist."

A Beautiful Metaphor
Delia Sellers reminisces about a Christmas day some years ago when everything seemed to go wrong. She was expecting guests and had prepared a sumptuous holiday meal, only to hear at the last minute that her guests were unable to join her. Instead of staying home and feeling sorry for herself, she wisely went to the beach and ended up having a beautiful day that confirmed God's presence in her life. At the end of the day, she reflects upon what a special day it had been, and is flooded with insights into the deeper meaning of Christmas. She says "As we celebrate the fun and joy of the season with family and friends, may we set aside quiet moments to reflect on the truth of our Reality. We will experience a deeper realization of what we already know -- that we are joined to the Father, indivisible, forever one."

Ramana Maharshi on Self-Realization, Inner Peace, and Self Inquiry
Ramana Maharshi was a great sage, considered by many to be one of the brightest stars in India's constellation of saints and seers. The questions and answers in this article "bump" us out of our complacent views about who and what we are, and prod us to know our own true Self, the One within who is real, who witnesses all and ultimately is the Truth of our Being.

Tapping Into the Power of Yoga Asana
Durga Ahlund shares her personal experience of a physical injury (to her shoulder) that caused her great distress until she began examining its deeper causes, at which point she began to heal the injury. Through her honest discussion of what happened to her, she gives all of us inspiration to be honest with ourselves. She goes on to teach us about various Yoga Mudras, which "can recharge energy and calm stress, anxiety, frustration, and pain."

Overwhelmed with Gratitude — A Reader’s Story
Glenda Massengale shares her personal tale of being born into great poverty, having no hope for bettering herself, and subsequently going to college (wearing rags!) and making a good life for her and her family. This is a story of courage and faith -- faith in oneself and in God, which have the power to work miracles in all of our lives.
forever ours

Forever Ours: Great-Grandpa Ole
Dr. Janis Amatuzio, fondly known as the "compassionate coroner," tells us a true tale related to her by Mark, one of her associates. As a young boy, Mark adored his Great-Grandpa Ole, who was very giving and loving toward his great-grandson. One night (at age ten), Mark wakes up to find Ole sitting on the edge of his bed, telling Mark that everything would be OK. Mark awakes the next morning to find that Ole had "died" that very night! Keep the tissues handy for this one, too.

Effective Prayer
Thomas Beardshall offers an inciteful look at the process of prayer. He discusses the subject from a variety of angles, without ever making you, the reader, feel "preached to." While prayer is a very personal thing, Thomas' essay is sure to stimulate an enhanced understanding about this vital topic. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our oneness with God when we pray, as opposed to envisioning a God that is "out there." He states "What prayer does accomplish for us is to attune our systems to the higher realms of spirit, strengthening our ability to receive the spiritual energies which constantly flow to us, and then prayer helps us to direct and focus the creative power of those energies to a particular goal."

Catching the Stars
Christine Louise Hohlbaum presents a stimulating interview with Tamika Catchings, all-star WNBA player. Tamika overcame speech and hearing problems as a young girl, refusing to let them get in the way of her dreams. Not only has she excelled at professional basketball, she has also become an extremely positive individual who has given back to society through her "Catch the Stars Foundation," a nonprofit organization that provides positive academic and sports-related programs for at-risk youth between the ages of seven and sixteen in the metropolitan Indianapolis area. You'll also want to read Tamika's "Top Ten Ways to Live Your Inspiration."

The Art of Meditation
Yogic adept Marshall Govindan takes an in-depth look at meditation, a subject that has become increasingly popular in the West in recent years. Some of the topics discussed include -- what meditation is; common obstacles to its practice; how to get started in meditation; posture; and breathing recommendations. He also reviews four kinds of meditation techniques and offers encouragement for the aspiring meditator. He says "With practice, meditation becomes more and more continuous. As with any art, one needs to persevere and be patient with one's self. The practice requires attention and skill and these develop slowly. You can accelerate your development if you practice every day at the same time, preferably at least twice a day."

Never Give Up
Inspirational speaker and author Gary Coxe presents a high-energy essay on perseverance which is sure to make an impact on many readers. He begins by telling his own true story of how, at age 17, he was beset by a number of heavy tragedies -- his wife had a baby that she informed him wasn't his; his father was murdered; his grandfather and stepfather both died of cancer; and his uncle was killed in a plane crash! He explains how he managed to get through all of that, and how the indispensable ingredient was never giving up on Life. Gary is not one for rose colored glasses; rather, he sees that life can be very difficult and that each person needs to train themselves to deepen their commitment to their goals, so that the inevitable trials and tribulations of life do not derail us from living the life that we choose.

How to Trust the Process of Your Life
Doris Helge, Ph.D., explores how we can find peace and poise within the "process" of our lives. She acknowledges that life is fraught with uncertainty and obstacles, but teaches us to see those hurdles from a new perspective --as opportunities for growth to be embraced rather than avoided. Dr. Helge expresses a unique blend of spirituality and pragmatism, which acknowledges both a loving God and the fact that some things simply must be accepted and dealt with. She says "Connect with your Divine Self and follow your inner guidance. You will naturally and spontaneously trust your path."

swendenberg Emanuel Swedenborg — Scientist Turned Inspirational Visionary
Swedenborg was a very influential historical figure (1688 - 1772) who had a major impact on William Blake, Carl Jung, Charles Baudelaire, Thomas Carlyle, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, just to name a few. In 1744 he had an intensely realistic vision (in which Jesus spoke to him), after which he would be forever changed. Following that vision, he experienced an unbroken state of "waking visions" which seemed just as real as his daily waking life. He claimed that heaven and hell had been opened up to him directly and without mediation; that he spoke freely with spirits and angels; that his spirit travelled throughout the universe, visiting various planets and observing the life forms that lived there. The story of Swedenborg's life is so rich and complex, you'll simply have to read it yourself to absorb its wonderful inspirational qualities!

Subscription information

How to order the Winter 2008 Issue | Purchase this issue online