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Feisty: Amazingly Dangerous Women Using Their Voices To Make An Impact

How to Shine Without Shame in a World That Wants to Silence You

If you’re ready to rewrite all the rules and start thriving, just as you are, then Feisty is a must-read!

WARNING: This book is not for everybody. Well-behaved women rarely make history, so, check your good-girl card at the door. There is something even better waiting on the other side, if you dare venture.

Stories to inspire you to new heights of bravery, new depths of vulnerability, and new dimensions of femininity.

What does it mean to be feisty?

This collection of true tales of resistance and persistence in the face of historical oppression from cycle-breaking writers of all walks of life will defy your expectations, validate your experiences, and rally your inner warrior-woman.

Not only that, this book also teaches you how to:

  • Identify and share your own feisty flickers and acts of brave badassery
  • Release the “shoulds” and embrace your true desires
  • Heal from shame and trauma
  • Accept and embrace your authentic self
  • Find hope and resilience in any situation

Click here to get your copy

My story is finally being published as a chapter in THIS NEW inspirational powerful collaborative book of powerful stories of women from all over the world.

The Title of My Chapter:

“#MeTooFamilyCourts: Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction”

In this chapter, I shared my story of what it’s like to leave a domestic violence relationship only to have the abuse escalate AFTER I left spending the next 16 years vying for my freedom from abuse.

I share how I was incarcerated WITHOUT being charged or convicted of any crime while also being DENIED my right to a lawyer to represent me.

I share my journey, struggles and recovery that led to where I am today and the work I do today professionally as a result.

I’m not gonna lie or sugarcoat this.

I am scared.

I am frightened.

I am anxious.

… BECAUSE my fears of retaliation are REAL …  cuz they happened before as I write about in this chapter (which was very triggering yet empowering for me at the same time).

As of this past fall 2021, the escalation of my abusive ex to use the courts to harass, control and abuse with impunity have once again escalated making me wonder if I will ever be free. I am praying this new judge is able to see it for what it is and finally puts an end to all the abuse and grants my freedom.

Why I Wrote This Chapter

I was asked to contribute to this amazing international collaborative book of powerful women with incredible stories.

This chapter started out as a way to share my story and the trauma I endured, how I moved forward, how I became empowered, how I wanted to use my story to inspire other survivors of abuse to NEVER GIVE UP. This was to be a lead in for the upcoming book I have been writing for almost 10 years now on healing the roots to chronic illness and trauma through a Japanese healing system.

I wanted to share one of the most traumatizing experiences of my life that the father of my children wanted to perpetuate repeated and relentless harm in hope to kill me while keeping his hands clean (as one police chief told me once) in hopes it helps someone else who might feel stuck, hopeless, disempowered by a broken system that may have failed them too.

The allowance of court abuse on survivors over 10 years AFTER leaving the abusive marriage ultimately led to my diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder that led to a host of physical health issues.

I intended this story to be shared in hopes someday, my children will know what I have had to go through to escape domestic violence in hopes to protect them (and failed) and that I NEVER gave up on them despite the maternal deprivation and trauma bonding they fell prey to.

However, after the actions taken by my abusive ex this past fall to resume his patterns of abuse in the court system, this chapter has become my plea for justice and freedom from abuse while offering FIVE tips on how to support survivors so we may break the cycles of unrecognized unhealed unresolved trauma that is plaguing humanity in a grand scale.

Please consider supporting THIS BOOK.

  • Support my story… Support my freedom by purchasing this book.
  • Support ALL survivors’ rights to be free from abuse by purchasing this book.
  • Support all the amazing women from all over the world I’ve had the privilege to share space within this book.

Thank you to Sierra of Red Thread Publishing for your vision to bring these
#Feisty stories to publication.

HOW TO PURCHASE?

Click here to get your copy of FEISTY

NOW …

The courage to solidify my publishing team, complete the edits & publish my FIRST solo book despite all the threats I’m currently faced with. Projected release is slated for Spring 2022.

This book is about my story of healing the broken me, the prevalence of unaddressed, unhealed, unresolved trauma, and what to do about it, what is Jikiden Reiki, how can it help heal chronic illness, pain and trauma.

What is shared in this book is worth the weight in gold to anyone struggling to heal or for reiki practitioners and/or teachers wanting a more trauma informed approach to their practice and teachings.

STAY TUNED …

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Addressing the Roots to Chronic Pain & Healing Military Sexual Trauma

Triggers & Spiritual Medicine Episode #4 with Guest Dr. Tawny Kross.

This is a powerful episode where we talk about Dr. Kross’s experience as a physical therapist in treating military vets and personnel for chronic pain and how the prevalence of unresolved unhealed chronic pain trauma can be linked to those with a trauma history.

With as much as 90% of her clients with clinical PTSD, Dr. Kross began to see the correlation of chronic pain and the connection to unhealed sexual trauma history.

One in four women report military sexual trauma – although this is under reported.

Half of those who report sexual trauma are men.

Dr. Kross shares 3 Tips on how to look at chronic pain differently and what to do about it.

She also offers tips on what to look for to find a trauma informed physical therapist.

ABOUT Dr. Tawny Kross:

Dr. Tawny Kross graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Duke University in 2013. She has worked in a Veterans Affairs hospital for nearly a decade now.

Through the course of her practice, she has developed a very comprehensive and integrative approach to PT, which evolved from the necessity of such an approach in her work with the complexities of those who have chronic pain. This includes nutrition, hypnosis, guided imagery, mindfulness among other practices.

Focusing on mental health and being trauma-sensitive is of particular importance, as many of her clients have experienced military sexual trauma. She helps her clients move beyond pain and fear by connecting them with internal motivations, guiding them to see innate strengths and realize their inner healing abilities.

She recently started her own business, Kross Centered Care – Integrative PT, Health and Wellness in order to bring her expertise to more people.

Website: https://www.drtawnykross.com/

ABOUT TRIGGERS & SPIRITUAL MEDICINE:

Our mission is to be a catalyst to show others the way to become the solution to breaking the cycle of the epidemic of the perpetuation of unhealed unresolved trauma on all life.

This is a NEW collaborative program with industry experts, survivors, who have figured out the “how” to heal the effects from their trauma breaking FREE from the chains that bound them in ways society said was not possible.

We’ll feature a different guest w/ each episode sharing experiences & solutions w/ the greatest epidemic of our times world – an epidemic of unrecognized unhealed unresolved trauma that is placing misguided burdens on our society, increasing rates of chronic illness, mental illness, & addictions & stressing an already taxed broken healthcare system ill-equipped to treat root issues because it is NOT profitable.

Click here to learn more about our program and mission.

RESOURCES:

Please visit our website for complete list of services, blogs, social media posts, classes, and events: www.laurahealingwithspirit.com

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Implementing Neurosequential Trauma Informed Programs In Schools

Triggers & Spiritual Medicine: Episode #3

with Guest Susan Andrian, LMFT, of Hope Reimagined

This is a powerful episode where we talk about trauma, how it affects our brains, the impacts of the ACE studies, and what Susan has been doing over the last 25 years implementing trauma informed approach to problem solving in both the school systems in Brockton, MA as well as Oakland, CA.

Considering the current challenges the education system is in right now after the pandemic, this is an episode, worth watching if you are seeking a better way to address the increasing stress rates of our youth.

Susan shares  3 Tips on what you can do today to be a part of what we can “Reimagine” moving forward

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan Andrien LMFT, is a Phase 2 trainer in The Neurosequential Model, a neurodevelopmentally informed approach to clinical problem solving. With more than 25 years of experience working with children and families heavily impacted by trauma, Susan founded Hope Reimagined, a Mental Health & Educational Support Services organization with a mission to better support communities, schools and families to be relationally rich environments informed by neurophysiology.

The Awakening Educator Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-awakening-educator-with-megan-sweet

Website: https://hopereimagined.org

ABOUT TRIGGERS & SPIRITUAL MEDICINE:

Our mission is to be a catalyst to show others the way to become the solution to breaking they cycle of the epidemic of the perpetuation of unhealed unresolved trauma on all life.

This is a NEW collaborative program with industry experts, survivors, who have figured out the “how” to heal the effects from their trauma breaking FREE from the chains that bound them in ways society said was not possible

We’ll feature a different guest w/ each episode sharing experiences & solutions w/ the greatest epidemic of our times world – an epidemic of unrecognized unhealed unresolved trauma that is placing misguided burdens on our society, increasing rates of chronic illness, mental illness, & addictions & stressing an already taxed broken healthcare system ill-equipped to treat root issues because it is NOT profitable.

Click here to learn more about our program and mission

RESOURCES:

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Triggers & Spiritual Medicine Episode #2: Healing & Recovery From Domestic Violence

Triggers & Spiritual Medicine: Episode #2 with guest Lovern Gordon

TOPIC: Healing & Recovery from Domestic Violence.

Join us in the conversation about healing & recovery after Domestic Violence. Lovern shares her story of repeated domestic violence as shared in her Memoir “The Legacy He Left Me”.

Her story doesn’t end there. She is an inspiration to so many survivors of abuse from all over the world. It is not only what happened to her, but her recovery.

Lovern shares her struggles leaving and the shame that comes with it as well as her ability to leave and thrive. She shares her spiritual medicine with us giving us 3 things she did that was key to her recovery, healing, and thrive as well as to how to relearn to self love and what healthy love looks like.

Click on the video below to watch the interview.

Be sure to help us gain visibility and don’t forget to:

  • engage in our content
  • comment
  • share

ABOUT LOVERN:

Lovern Gordon is a two-time sur-THRIVER of domestic violence (a child witness until she was 15 years old and a 2-year, young adult relationship). Ten years after escaping, she subsequently became the Founder of Love Life Now Foundation, Inc. (LLN), where she used 2 back-to-back pageant wins to increase awareness around issue in 2010 and the following year, LLN was formed.

Today, she conducts DV Awareness Workshops worldwide, hosts events that raise thousands of dollars to benefit DV shelters and points people in the right direction for DV resources.

She is the author of the DV awareness memoir, The Legacy He Left Me and has appeared on numerous radio and television shows including: CBS This Morning nationally and NBC’s This is New England locally.

Print includes features on Huffington Post and Boston Voyager Magazine.

The Boston Celtics named her one of their ‘Heroes Among Us’ and she was featured as part of Instagram for Business’ – entrepreneur ‘togetHER’ minidocuseries for Women’s History Month.

Website: https://lovelifenow.org/

Lovern’s Book: https://www.thelegacyheleftme.com/

To learn more about our Triggers & Spiritual Medicine Program, click here

To stay in the loop on our project, click here

Follow this series on YouTube, click here.

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Episode #1: The Bystander Effect on Teen Influences & Sexual Violence

This is a must watch or listen for any parent with guest, Ukumbwa Sauti who is an expert in all things men’s work, dismantling patriarchy, & conscious consent.

We talked about a recent incident locally where adults “innocently” published a photo of minor boys insinuating they were naked behind signs saying they will wash your adult cars for you.

We ask that you watch with an open mind through a different lens than maybe what you had before. We understand you might find this conversation triggering. We ask you to pause before jumping to reactionary mode.

This conversation is NOT to blame anyone, but to open a conversation about a topic that is typically silenced and how we, as a society, as a culture, have normalized certain unhealthy behaviors that can have detrimental consequences for generations to come.

Let’s change this narrative, shall we???

Considering the following stats per (NSVRC) :

  • 1:5 women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
  • 24.8% of men in the U.S. experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime
  • 1:3 female victims experienced rape for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17.
  • 1:4 male victims experienced rape between the ages of 11 & 17
  • Only 25% of rapes in 2018 were reported to the police.
  • 1:4 undergraduate women experienced sexual assault or misconduct at 33 of the nation’s major universities

In this episode, we talk about

  • the community backlash when addressing this issue
  • the subtleties of mixed message signaling
  • the harmful influence it has on children
  • the bystander impacts
  • how systemic issues created blind spots that on the surface can appear comical & funny
  • Why this kind of messaging is problematic
  • The “NOT intentional sexualization of teenage boys” (as someone in the local community put it) – and the gateway to unintentional grooming practices by predators & rapists that blur healthy boundaries & potential put our children in harm’s way.

Most survivors I’ve encountered self-shame because of imprinting placed upon them by a culture of abuse.

Let’s change this narrative.

In this episode we offer 5 things we can do now to begin that shift & BE a part of the solution.

Additional Resources:

  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center: https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
  • Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network’s (RAINN) https://www.rainn.org/ or call their National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected w/ a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area
  • CDC ACE Study, click here 
  • The Relation Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Health: Turning Gold into Lead, click here
  • The Bystander Effect, click here
  • Healing Trauma Archives (click here)

How Can Your Support Our Initiative?

1) Please like, comment, share these posts

2) Follow Healing Trauma Through Spirit on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here) – Add help us with the algorithms by sharing, liking, and commenting on our content.

3) Become PATREON Member (click here) for a little as $5 a month. 

Help support our mission to BE a solution in the epidemic of unresolved unhealed trauma in society & culture of unhealthy trigger responses through healing, emPOWERment, events, speaking, and writing.

Plus, get discounts up to 50% OFF on Private sessions, events, classes, retreats, good karma and more.

4) Learn how to turn triggers into a power, click here.

5)  Stay in the loop,  subscribe to our email list 

About the project:

We’ll feature a different guest w/ each episode sharing experiences & solutions w/ the greatest epidemic of our times world – an epidemic of unrecognized unhealed unresolved trauma that is placing misguided burdens on our society, increasing rates of chronic illness, mental illness, & addictions & stressing an already taxed broken healthcare system ill-equipped to treat root issues because it is NOT profitable.

Our goal is to highlight & address the commonalities all these issues share that plague our society including:

  • Racism
  • Domestic violence
  • LGBTQ discrimination
  • Homelessness
  • Addiction
  • Women’s rights
  • Sexual violence
  • Discrimination
  • Systemic oppression
  • Genocide
  • & more

By highlighting what all these issues share in common, we hope to create

  • greater awareness
  • unity building
  • understanding
  • inclusivity
  • solid long term healing
  • community building
  • societal cultural change

In this project, we hope to offer

  • practical tangible solutions for change
  • healing of unrecognized trauma held w/in the body
  • increased empowerment
  • increased sovereignty
  • experientials
  • how to’s
  • & more

ABOUT UKUMBWA:

Ukumbwa Sauti, M.Ed. is an educator, facilitator, speaker and consultant. His areas of work include his Men’s Work Initiative, Conscious Consent, anti-patriarchy, anti-racism, environmental issues, Indigenous spirituality and media studies.

Ukumbwa Sauti has taught cultural media studies engaging issues of race, sex and gender oppression, class, colonialism, modernity and technology. He has presented in academic, spiritual/cultural and community venues and taught classes on consent, sexual and intimate safety in sex-positive conferences and organizations for more than 15 years.

Ukumbwa currently runs an initiative called Men’s Work, engaging men and others in the process of interrogating and dismantling patriarchal privilege and power, toxic masculinity, misogyny and homophobia. He runs on-ground and online groups and events.

Ukumbwa consults with organizations and communities around issues of social justice, diversity and inclusion and sexual harassment.

Facebook Men’s Work Initiative, click here.

Website: www.worldancestorconcert.com

ABOUT LAURA & “MY WHY” (on this series specifically)

I am a truth seeker & change maker. I highlight the shadows on topics most shy away from & invite difficult conversations on topics typically silenced. I’ve been this way for over 50 years.

As a professional healer, spiritual mentor, advocate & multiple trauma survivor (child abuse, sexual assault, attempted sexual abduction & domestic violence) who witnessed a lot & experienced my fair share of issues & my dedication spanning almost 20 years in healing the roots to the broken me, I see what is broken.

I’ve learned what works & what does NOT and I am here to share what works through the muck of what does NOT. Together let’s break the cycle of the continued perpetuation of unresolved unacknowledged unhealed trauma for a healthier world for all.

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Why Spiritual Medicine Is Needed More Than Ever Before

 … And 6 ACTION Steps To Take Now

The energies these past couple weeks, months, and years have been increasing in the intensity of change, integration, spiritual growth, and discernment.

Are you feeling the growing shifting waves of energies?  What a ride so far huh?

I am NOT sure if this post is just for me to take stock of where I am, where I was and where I am headed or if this message will resonate with you and inspire you in some way.

With all that’s unraveling, shifting, disrupting, up-leveling, I’ve learned one string of things over the last 16yrs since THIS journey began for me after the struggles of leaving a domestic abusive marriage … that is to

  • Stop.
  • Pause.
  • Surrender into the natural flow of life
  • Listen to the divine soulful whispers within
  • And take action.

Who I have become is thanks to the connection to spirit & spiritual medicine I have learned to embrace in my life  and in my work – over many decades.

It is the one thing I see missing in today’s “modern colonialist consumerist culture”.

What is missing … is the link to the divine connection to the spirit of life, its wisdom and its medicine.

Why is that?

I think the why will need to be answered another day as that’s a little more complicated rooted with weavings into patriarchy, systemic oppression, colonization, and control.

I believe the fundamental story in movie Avatar eloquently showed us if you can get passed the sci-fi box office plot. I always wondered if the movie was released prematurely as its message is needed NOW.

We do NOT have to work harder.

We do NOT need to go back to school and get another certificate or degree.

We do NOT have work ourselves into the grave.

We just need to tap into the infinite wisdom of the spiritual world. Think I am nuts?

We all have gut instincts that have helped us save our child from something or to close a sale or to hit some mark successfully.

We have all experienced this to some degree. Some call it alignment. I see those instincts connected to this same spiritual world I am speaking about.

But first, let me share with you a glimpse of my 2020 year and how I am moving forward.

My 2020 Story

The year 2020 started out to be the best year in my career and personal life since I left my abuser in 2005 (who near destroyed me). I was on par to have the best year of my career, looking to expand my office, hire my first employee,  and work towards more professional education. While working with professionals and state agencies to make this all happen and to become whole in my own trauma recovery & healing, I was fortunate to have qualified for a grant for an addictions counseling certification program.

Like many others who suffered the wrath of 2020, I am still recovering from the string of unfortunate events that included …

  1. readjusting how I work
  2. family health challenges
  3. an unexpected and sudden fostering of a traumatized puppy and a cat.
  4. discovering my abusive ex moved to Florida with my children without permission (Now a court issue)
  5. working towards completing my addictions counseling certification at UMass Boston
  6. Finally, having a medical crisis that required surgery.

I share my struggles, my victories and journey with you to keep it real and hopefully the words and inspiration I speak on these pages will inspire someone.  I walk this path with you NOT just talks about it.

Why Spiritual Medicine Is Needed NOW More Than Ever

While all these human events occurred like a sequence of hurricanes that pummeled the shores one after another before the shorelines had time to recuperate, I never lost sight of my divine spark within.

Did I question my faith, my purpose, or my life?

YES. Of coarse, I did.

That is called being HUMAN.

However, understanding that my soul – the divine presence within me – has a greater wisdom and knowledge than me to guide me in this current storm was critical.  It is the ONE thing that keeps me balanced, centered, focused, healthy, and ON PURPOSE.

All while STILL showing up in this hurricane we all experienced in 2020.

  • Guiding others on their spiritual journey.
  • Holding a safe container for others to dig deep, heal old wounds/stories, reclaim their power, and stand in their truths.
  • Starting my clinical internship for my addictions counseling certification.

This connection to the divine within is a skillset that has systematically been stripped away from us through systems of control like governments, corporations, and formalized religions.

The spirit world can NOT be controlled, monetized or tamed.  The spirit world just is. It is BIGGER than the human construct or human consciousness. As history has shown us,  these systems of control are threatened by its medicine that is offered, but that is changing NOW. 

These powers are losing control NOT by rebellious humans acting stupid and irresponsible, but my the Universe itself. 

I am human that still has human experiences regardless of my spiritual development.  By February 2021, I was a nervous wreck. Why?

I let my head get in the way temporarily trying to force things to happen while beating my head against the wall. Sound familiar?

So instead, I stopped.

I paused.

I listened to the whispers of the divine within.

What I heard from the spirit realms was that 2021 was an integration year for me – a pause year – a clearing out year – a rebalancing year.

Any project I want to launch NOW or attempt to launch now will be met with obstacles. I need to focus on clearing out the rest of the “clutter” and build a MORE solid foundation than the last one and come out banging in 2022.

So I sighhhhhhed.

I stopped and paused.

I put together an action plan.

I worked my personal numerology and my astrological signs with what I saw collectively energetically for 2021 and as I forecasted earlier this year and said OK.

So I decided it is time to switch gears. What do I do NOW?

I have been strengthening my systems and foundations.

I have been calling in and seeking out authentic solid sustainable partnerships, while listening to my soul like a GPS to guide me on where to go and which turns to take.

Are you finding yourself in a similar pattern?

6 ACTION Steps To Take NOW

There is sooooo much polarity and division happening here in the USA and globally it is like watching a bunch of parentless children running around aimlessly without guidance, self discipline or moral fortitude.

As we continue to grow and evolve,  please BE gentle with yourself AND others.

Many of our fellow humans are stuck in fear and struggling with trusting in spirit or letting go of the egoic mindset. Be aware of this when it creeps in.

1.BE aware that our thoughts may NOT even be our own, but part of the collective consciousness.

2. BE aware that some of what is surfacing is OLD stories and old traumas that were stuck in

the soil we reside

the blood in our veins and electrical circuitry from our genealogy – aka generational trauma

the spirit of our soul from our past karma and past lives

in the mind and bodies of our own past traumas

3. It is important to build a strong relationship with the diving presence within – soul – spirit – in order to have the skillset to discern what is ours, what is NOT, and what is our contribution to it.

If you think you already have it, you do not. Build a stronger one.

4. Remember to

Stop.

Pause.

Choose what action to take next.

5. Above all, please

BE kind

BE compassionate.

BE the solution the world needs.

As I wrote in my 2021 energy forecast, this is a year for change. It is a year for creating more balance between the human ego material world and the spiritual world.

6. It is imperative we find a way to shed the colonized mindset that has been cultivated and bridge in the necessary spiritual medicine & cultivate a relationship with Spirit once again honoring what the Universe is requiring of us in this time and space.

Thank you for coming to my TedX talk

With appreciation,

Laura

To stay in the loop, be sure to be in one of these 3 key areas where announcements are made:

1.Be sure to subscribe to our email list  – you can subscribe to whatever lists you wish to receive to control how many emails you receive.

2. Become a Patreon Member for a little as $5 a month for exclusive previews, events, benefits, and support.

3. or join our Facebook Group.

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8 Reasons Why Virtual Circles Are Beneficial & Still Needed

I know many of us are clamoring to get outside and to resume in person events again or “get back to normal”.

Am I correct in saying so?

I know for me, I will be looking forward to both attending and offering in person events myself including resuming our in person meditation groups, classes, and our popular women’s retreats while also utilizing the magic only virtual events and circles can give us.

I will also add, there is NO such thing as “get back to normal”.

Instead, We change. We evolve. We grow.

For those who do NOT know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Laura Joseph first so you know where I am coming from.   I have been providing spiritually based integrative holistic health enrichment since 2006, and have a subspecialty in trauma healing & recovery.

Since March 2020, I’ve been providing these virtual circles as a way to support our community that was suddenly struck with crisis putting my training & spiritual gifts to use in a virtual platform. Since then, we’ve had folks join us from our local area, but have also had guests periodically join us from Scotland, Denmark, Canada, FL, NM, CA, GA, and more.

Despite my desire to resume in person events, I do find a special place where these virtual circles are still needed and offer a special benefits.

So, I thought I would share a few reasons with you.

Here Are 8 Benefits of Virtual Circles:

1.Travel is unnecessary. Therefore, takes no extra time, and causes no stress.

2. Meet others that you normally would not meet in person.

3. A virtual space can offer a safe place to gain clarity, seek guidance, and/or allow yourself to process old energies, stories, emotions etc.

4. You can stay safe in your own environments especially if you’re running in between clients or multitasking at home.

5. You can benefit from social support without fear of getting infected or spreading anything.

6. Caregivers or home schoolers can stay in the same place as your loved ones without the need to secure extra care or help.

7. You don’t have to wear heels or dress up … unless you want to. So go ahead & wear those slippers or PJ bottoms.

8. Go outside walking your dog or taking the baby for a stroll in the neighborhood

Your Are Invited to the Experience

I invite you to join us at one of the upcoming virtual events and circles. Please visit our calendar for dates & times.

Be seen.

Be heard.

Be supported in a safe nurturing diverse & inclusive virtual circle.

Here’s what you might experience:

The ability to enter into a safe container

A place where you can comfortably ease into a deep dive of vulnerability and trust effectively.

Some virtual love, circle, community, or extra support.

Some spiritual medicine – spirit animals, earth based wisdom, psychic spirit medium insight, numerology and more.

Cosmic energy reports that often affect our lives, health, businesses, gps, cell phones & other gadgets that might give you better insight into what is happening in your world.

Rituals, ceremony, and movement.

To stay in the loop, be sure to be in one of these 3 key areas where announcements are made:

1.Be sure to subscribe to our email list  – you can subscribe to whatever lists you wish to receive to control how many emails you receive.

2. Become a Patreon Member for a little as $5 a month for exclusive previews, events, benefits, and support.

3. or join our Facebook Group.

I would LOVE to see you and support you in your journey.

Was this post helpful?

Let me know.

With appreciation,

Laura

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Proposed Legislation That Can Limit Your Access To Holistic, Spiritual, & Alternative Therapies

An URGENT Call To Action

The Future of Reiki,  Martial Artists, Spiritual Based, & Holistic Therapies in MA & USA

Your freedom to access or practice any of these therapies  is being threatened with regulation.

What’s the threat?

The threat is coming from the private sector, organizations which stand to benefit by controlling from whom you can receive treatment, from whom you can learn any of these therapies, how you practice professionally, and what you teach.

That control can be gained by manipulating state governments that write licensing laws, ostensibly to protect the public from harm.

The National Institutes of Health states clearly that there is no evidence that Reiki practice is harmful to the public

Do I have your attention? Are you ready to protect Reiki and other affected therapies?

Although this proposed bill affects ANYTHING that is deemed a holistic therapy or a spiritual therapy through “word or touch”, I am going to stick to my lane of knowledge in the realm of my extensive experience in trauma healing & recovery especially for domestic violence survivors and sexual assault survivors as well as spiritually based therapies such as meditation & reiki.

For more details on what is happening, please check out my prior post here.

If you teach or are a practitioner who uses other therapies such as

  • meditation,
  • yoga,
  • personal, business, spiritual coaching,
  • Thai chi,
  • martial arts,
  • acupressure

You are being called to TAKE ACTION

If you receive any of these therapies especially for/or a part of a:

  • PTSD, mental health or trauma
  • terminal illness, dementia, cancer
  • senior care, volunteer programs, homelessness
  • Military vets
  • addiction
  • battered women’s shelter
  • or the like

Your access to services may become adversely affected … ACTION is needed NOW

Holistic healers are fighting “An Act Regulating Bodyworks,” the latest bill filed by State Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Attorney General Maura Healey to allow authorities regular access to establishments they say are often fronts for trafficking.

Reiki practitioner Rita Glassman  (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

I recently spoke with Rita Glassman who is heading up the lobbying efforts in Massachusetts to object to regulation of reiki that is beginning to sweep through many states in USA.

She and other practitioners from the National Health Freedom Action have been working to protect their right to professionally practice their respective modalities.

There is a Massachusetts Chapter, Health Freedom Action Massachusetts (HFAMA). Please consider joining, become a member, and stay informed.

How Will This Regulation Affect You?

Montigny’s bill defines bodywork as a large swath of practices including touch, words or directed movement, from reiki to reflexology to meditation or martial arts.

For practitioners, you were you able to choose from among diverse practitioners and found the one you thought was the best fit for you.

When you started your professional practice, did you assume you’d always be able to practice according to your understanding your unique practice, without interference from your state government?

All of those choices will be taken away if we allow state legislatures to be manipulated by the private sector into requiring unwarranted licensing.

If you missed my prior blog post on what is happening, please click here to read it for information & background.  Above all … please

  • share it,
  • take ACTION.
Pamela Miles https://reikiinmedicine.org

More recently, Pamela Miles (Reiki, Medicine & Self Care), who was instrumental in helping bring reiki on the map in the medical community in NYC and has been featured on Dr. Oz has jumped on the anti-legislative board due to the dangers this widespread legislation poses to  folks in gaining access to specifically reiki.

She wrote a fabulous piece on how the threat of regulating reiki would affect you that I will NOT redo as it is perfectly executed.

You can read her wonderful article here where she talks about

  • WHO stands to profit from this regulation,
  • how this regulation can affect you,
  • the reiki diversity,
  • the reiki spiritual practice,
  • what states are under attack NOW,
  • and what you can do about it.

Pamela Miles has been a national voice and featured on the following:.


Pamela has hosted multiple webinars and sent out numerous emails on how to address what we are faced with in regards to legislation.  Her voice is one highly credible and respected in the industry.

You can listen to her recent webinar, Protect Reiki from Regulation, with Rita Glassman.  You can access it here.

She is going to post a summary of the presentation soon, but meanwhile please read Protecting Reiki from Regulation: What You Can Do Now, Part One and get started on your Reiki statement and ACTION.

ACTION To Take NOW

It is imperative that we start writing and calling legislators NOW to oppose this bill.

Laura at the Ma State House to testify against the harmful bills & supporting the Safe Harbor Bill.

The MA attorney general has filed the identical bill in the house and senate to ensure its passage.  It is going to take a miracle to stop it.

We need an army of practitioners to contact their legislator and senator to establish a relationship with them and to let them know how this proposed bill would affect their income and family. They are elected officials and they listen to their constituents.

Rita and her team has made it easy for us to take ACTION. It is all done for you to make it easy for you to help stop this legislation.

Sample letters & talking points

Click on the links below for:

The following is the link to find my legislator to make it easy for everyone to find their elected official. https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

I STRONGLY suggest that you blind copy (BC) me on your emails to their legislators, so I can present all the letters to the committee it is assigned to at the public hearing.

You can bcc: your letters to healingwithspirit1@gmail.com.

Results?

Last year, Rita Glassman presented the list of over 20,000 who signed the an online petition she had created to oppose the legislation as well as copies of letters that were sent to legislators.

KEY RESULT:  When NH tried to pass licensure legislation, they had a strong turnout of over 400 at the public hearing and over a thousand letters to legislators.  They never filed another licensure bill for holistic practitioners.  We need to do the same and just flood them.

WE NEED YOU.

If we learned NOTHING else from the election in November 2020, it takes the rise of us ALL.   Please do NOT rely on someone else to take action. We can NOT do this alone. This does NOT only affect reiki, but other spiritually based practices as well.

To defeat this will  require ALL of us to step up to the plate. 

As for me, regulating these services will prevent folks in vulnerable communities I serve from gaining access to these therapies which in turn would harm my mission to break the cycle of abuse through healing the unrecognized unhealed epidemic of unresolved trauma that plagues our communities and over burdens our broken health care system.

Please share your thoughts and comments below in regards HOW this may or may not affect you. Thank you for reading.

With appreciation,

Laura

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7 Simple Rituals To Maximize The Full Moon Energies

Doing a full moon ritual or a ceremony are sacred practices that date back to ancient times. These moon rituals are found in almost every ancient culture where worshiping the moon was part of their culture as we have seen in Celtic traditions, Babylonian, Egyptian, to Shinto in Japan and more.

There is tremendous power in learning to harness – what I like to call – moon magic, which is the energies, flows, rhythms. However, like anything else, this is NOT a one shot deal and poof, it’s magic. It takes dedication in learning these sacred rituals, implementing them, getting into vibrational alignment with them, and more.

The moon is our teacher and we are her students. Over time, we learn how work WITH these natural flows and rhythms in all her phases. Tuning into these phases of the moon can help provide us with a framework or guide to work from. This can be immensely empowering.

Working with the moon in a ritualistic or ceremonial way is needed more than ever in our technological driven culture that is ever increasingly losing connection to the greatest influencers, creators, and destroyers in life – the moon, father sun and mother earth.

What Does The Full Moon Represent?

pixabay

This is when the moon is at its peak energy – a time where there is a build up of energy accumulated – both illuminating and shadowy – light and dark.

She represents the receptive energies or what others might call the feminine.

She reflects back to us a strong full illumination from the sun where she is the brightest.  She highlights all that needs to be illuminated in your life in this lunar cycle.  This is where the energies are most potent and a time for strong creative and intuitive influxes.

The full moon is all about endings and completions of a cycle and in this case the lunar cycle. This is a good time to:

  • reflect
  • evaluate
  • access
  • cleanse
  • recharge

Here are three things to consider when doing a full moon ritual

1) Focus on what you have done in the past 28-30 days. What transpired in this time? Where are you stuck? Reflect.  How have you utilized the energies in this lunar cycle?

2) What have you reaped – gained? Reflect.

3) What needs to be leg go of? Purified? Cleansed? Reflect.

Photo by: Laura Joseph, (c) 2021

Preparations For Full Moon Rituals

This is a great time to take a hard look at what has come into fruition and what has not.

It is a time to get quiet, connect, and honor the sacredness of the moon, all she offers us and the other elementals harnessed.  Implementing these rituals should show clear respect with proper cultural appropriation.

This includes asking for permission of the ancestors of the land you occupy to guide you. For me, that would be asking permission from the Massachusett People, the original stewards of this land I reside on, to be here.  Asking the ancestors forgiveness for those who may have come before me and asking for them guide me today in this sacred ritual so I may become a better steward for all future generations to come.

Here are additional tips to prepare:

1) Get centered & calm – so yes, meditate in preparation

2) Write it out – (see three things to consider when doing a full moon ritual above for prompts)

3) Take a sacred bath – you can use epsom salt or Himalayan salts with some herbals like roses, lavender or essential oils. The intention here is asking the moon and waters to cleanse and purify the mind, body, and spirit.

Photo by: Laura Joseph (c) 2020 All Rights Reserved.

Here are 7 simple rituals to maximize the full moon energies.

1)  Cleanse – Clear, cleanse, purify your mental and physical space. Clean out those closets. If you choose to smudge, please consider avoid using white sage or palo santo due to the increasing poaching of these items leading to imbalances.

2) Put out a bowl of moon water.  Let the bowl of water bask in the radiance of the full moon energies.  Create intentions and rituals.  Sip it daily as a reminder of the intentions created and the full power of the moon.

3) Releasing Ritual – Write whatever you wish to release, let go of on a small piece of paper.  Whatever you wrote down, you can say a prayer, intention, or the like. Then with things you want to release either place in a bowl of water and sprinkle pink Himalayan salt to purify/cleanse or burn in a ceremonial sacred fire.

4) Meditate – This is one of the most important things you can learn, do, and incorporate as part of your daily rituals. This is the space we can access the wisdom and answers we seek.  However, this is NOT something you want to initiate on a full moon as a new practice if you have not already been practicing meditation.

5)  Dance – Physical release is a good way to purge stuck energies that need to move and filter out.

6) Gratitude Ritual – Write whatever you wish to be grateful for – successes, opportunities, etc on a small piece of paper.  Whatever you wrote down, you can say a prayer, intention, or the like. Then bury it in the garden and wait til the next new moon to plant any seeds and watch what grows.

7) Charge your stones/crystals – Put them in the moonlight to bask in the energies of the full moon to cleanse, charge, and purify these stones and crystals.

Laura Joseph, Seattle, WA 2018

Above all, remember to set good intentions and check out the 2021 energy forecast for more.

Approach these rituals from a soulful place and less from the egoic earthly place with honor, respect, and sacredness.

You’ll be amazed at what shows up for you when you adopt these flows & cycles into your life.  Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment below if you find these tips helpful.

With appreciation,
Laura

Be sure you are on our email list for special insights, specials, and events. Click here.  OR join me on Patreon.

Posted on

Holistic & Spiritual Therapies Threatened in USA & MA

AND What You Can Do About It.

*** If you provide or receive benefit from alternative, holistic, or spiritual based therapies and/or practices, this is a MUST read. ***

There are currently THREE pending legislations in Massachusetts that could have an impact in your rights of access to holistic and spiritual based therapies.

Two of the bills are potentially harmful and the third is a Safe Harbor bill to address the concerns  of legislators while protecting the rights of Americans to access as well as protect many sacred teachings that fall under religious practices without government interference.

Holistic and spiritual practitioners in the state of Massachusetts who do not otherwise fall under professional or national licensing requirement (like Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Massage therapy) have been under potential threat of being controlled by the state.

The practitioners from the National Health Freedom Action have been working to protect their right to professionally practice their respective modalities and there is a Massachusetts Chapter, Health Freedom Action Massachusetts (HFAMA).

According to the folks at this group, “Massachusetts previously introduced Safe Harbor Exemption legislation to protect the right to practice for, and the right of consumers to access, health care practitioners and healers who do not have conventional medical licenses such as herbalists, homeopaths, traditional naturopaths and many more.”

It was looking favorable last time we checked in early 2020. Unfortunately, like everything else, Covid slowed down the process of the Safe Harbor Bill going through.  View the Bill here  SD.1085/HD.1169

NEW Concerning Developments

Laura in Meditation

Since then, there have been interesting and concerning developments.

1) There is an (alleged) federally sponsored organization that is working toward creating a mandatory licensing for a variety of modalities, including shamanic practice. They have developed standards, certifications and applications that would force certain practitioners to become licensed under them. They plan to get this passed in 8 applicable states, beginning with Massachusetts.

2) At the state level in Massachusetts, there were bills filed on Wednesday, co-sponsored by the Attorney General that would require a variety of modalities (listed below), to be licensed and overseen by the state and/or individual towns. From what it looks to me, they are putting these “alternative healing therapies” into a similar category as massage therapy.

These are the categories that I am reading about in the Massachusetts bill that was filed on Wednesday, February 10, 2021:

  • Feldenkrais Method
  • the Trager Approach
  • Ayurvedic Therapies
  • Polarity or Polarity Therapy
  • Qi Gong
  • Body/Mind Centering
  • Reiki, levels II and above
Laura at the Ma State House to testify against the harmful bills & supporting the Safe Harbor Bill.

Here’s where I need your help:

This bill referenced in the Call to Action below, known as the Safe Harbor bill, would work to protect the rights of the practitioners listed. This would work in favor of these practitioners and allow them sovereignty over their healing art.

PLEASE SIGN HERE as this gets emailed directly to our legislators. It takes one minute.

Only Massachusetts residents can sign this.

You do NOT need to be a practitioner to sign. If you run a volunteer program or you have benefited in any way from these modalities, you are encouraged to sign.

Please share with clients or groups you work with who benefit from these therapies too.

** This is NOT a petition, it’s a direct email to legislators that can help us. **

What Else You Can Do NOW

Get Involved.

Protect YOUR rights and Access

Please do NOT expect someone else to do it FOR you. As we have witnessed in the last year, and if we learned nothing else from 2020, EVERYONE must rise and take action.

1) Read about the Safe Harbor Bill that is designed to protect you and your rights.

Key provisions of the Health Freedom Bill include:

    • Greater access to healing arts practitioners by the acknowledgment of its inherent benefits
    • Strengthened consumer protections to ensure public rights and safety
    • Enhanced practitioner safety underscoring the right to practice
    • Required disclosures relating to services and skills
    • Uniform informed consent mechanisms

2) Learn About the Health Freedom Action of Massachusetts (HFAMA).

HFAM “has worked to advance an initiative that balances consumer protections and public safety with the rights of those practicing healing arts.  With the recent passage of health care reform on the state and national levels, it is now more important than ever that consumers have the right to safely access healing arts.”

Become a member

Donate to support this expensive legislative process to protect our rights and the groups mission.

Volunteer

Submit a Testimony in support of Safe Harbor Bill. Click here.

Learn How To Get Involved. Click here.

Follow on Social Media for updates

3) Learn About the Parent Group: National Health Freedom Action and their work nationwide and in grassroots organizations in various states where legislation is pending.

The Mission: “To ensure that the people of this nation have access to the broad domain of healing and health care information and services, to ensure the right of practitioners of the healing arts to practice, and to educate the public, promote health and well-being, conduct surveys and research, and participate in legislative, regulatory, legal, or public policy-reform and lobbying to accomplish the goal of health freedom.”

In full disclosure, I am a paid member of this organization and of their chapter HFAMA.

Join their email list. Click here.

Follow on Social Media for updates

Click here for ACTION ALERTS

4) Know the other 2 bills presented for legislation that are potentially harmful especially towards vulnerable populations, interference with religious practices, discriminatory, and culturally targeted.

Right now, this one is currently filed as mentioned above https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/SD1068.

The other one is still pending as it is being re-written, but you can read about MA Bill 168 here prior to the pending re-drafting.

Laura (right) with Tadao Sensei, Representative of The Jikiden Reiki Institute, Koyto, Japan, and Iku from JRI in 2019 at an International Congress.

Please protect these sacred practices targeted.

Please develop a stronger back bone and self police unethical professionals to minimize harmful impacts to our communities.

Why Do I Care?

You can read about MY VIEWS as to WHY I support the Safe Harbor Bill and why I do NOT support the other 2 bills by clicking here.  You can scroll towards the bottom of the post for the MY VIEWS part of the post.

Here I speak as a survivor of rape and domestic abuse who was subsequently diagnosed with CPTSD taking decades to reclaim my life as well as someone with years doing advocacy work in Massachusetts for victims.

The two harmful bills would also have a significant harmful impact on those faced with end of life too and not to mention low income communities.

So YES, I am quite passionate about THIS.

I will update you all as new information comes to light.

Thank you for reading and supporting the sacred arts.

With appreciation,

Laura