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soundJourney at Yoga Desa in Topanga Canyon - January 13, 2007

Join Dr. Grossman's upcoming Retreat to the Amazon!

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Volume 7, Issue 58
December 19, 2006

Winter Healing Points

A leaf falls
Another leaf falls
with the wind

 - Rengetsu

(17th century
Japanese poet)

Winter is here, so it is time to adapt to this darkest and coldest of seasons.  We can learn the wisdom of this by paying attention to the world around us.  This is a time of dormancy, or pulling in ones energies into the roots.  We see this in the deciduous trees around us.  The sycamores, aspens, and fruit trees have, during the autumn, released their leaves, letting all of their growing energies descend into their roots, storing the food and sunlight of Spring and Summer for their long winter nap.  Many animals go into hibernation now.  Resting and sleeping though the cold months.  Something that certainly isn’t practical for us!

But we should take heed of these patterns and in whatever way we are able to do so, to learn from them and make them a part of our lives.  By doing this we will be more in harmony with the season, and more able to keep the illness of winter at bay.

Winter is a time to eat warming and nourishing foods.  The fruits of summer, unless they are transported from other countries, are now gone, as they should be for their cooling nature is counterproductive for this season.  It is a time to eat heavier foods, the winter squashes, sweet potatoes, turnips, onions, garlic, ginger, and ginseng. If you are a meat eater, focus on chicken and mutton.  Soup is particularly important this time of the year as it is one of the most nourishing and warming of foods. Most importantly, avoid cold foods and drinks as these will drain the heat out of your body.

We are blessed with a Mediterranean climate in Southern California, so take heed of the time when the wild herbs and vegetables start to sprout.  That is the time to add lots of green leafy vegetables into your diet.  Forage for edible greens if you know how to identify them and enjoy the late-winter bounty of these beautiful mountains.

Winter is also a time when many people suffer from depression who are not bothered by it during the rest of the year.  The technical name for winter depression is Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.  One of the best things you can do to help avoid winter depression is to get plenty of exercise, especially in the morning on sunny days.  It’s also important to take extra B-complex vitamins and B12 and folic acid.  Saint Johns Wort, a natural herbal anti-depressant, may also be helpful.  SAMe (S-Adenosyl-methionine)has been shown in studies to be as effective as anti-depressants.  Another effective natural treatment for depression is 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophane).  So if you are really down, pick some of these remedies up at your local natural food store and take them regularly. 

The spiritual aspect of winter is important as well for in the darkness of winter, it is easier to see one’s inner Light.  We can see this symbolized by the various winter holidays, where lighting candles or making fire is a major part of the ceremony. It is a time to turn within, to focus on what you want to let go of from the past, and what you wish to look forward to in your future.  If you are in a meditative practice, winter is a wonderful time to deepen your practice.  If not, it’s always a great time to start.

Tickets for this first event of 2007 are discounted to $15.00 if paid in advanced and $20.00 at the door. Please visit soundjourney.com website information and to purchase advanced admission

Journey to the Amazon Summer 2007

The Heart Feather website is now up and running.  You can see slide shows of the last Heart Feather Shamanic Journey to Peru, read about some experiences from that trip, and learn more about upcoming Journeys.  If you feel called for healing at the deepest levels, I would like to invite you to attend one of the upcoming Journeys. They are truly incredible and very profound experiences. It will also be an amazing adventure as we visit both the highlands of the Andean high country, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and then travel to the jungle and work deeply with a traditional shaman. The level of healing that will occur happens at a depth that is literally life-transforming. More information at  www.heartfeather.com.