Tantric visionary and educator Dawn Cartwright shares her beautiful insights about kindness in the bedroom, and the difference this can make to our intimate lives. This article appeared in our Spring 2019 issue.
Positive Life magazine
Facebook Page| Wednesday, February 28th, 2018, 7:30pm | Eur 20 / 15 euros concession | Location: The Powerscourt Theatre, Dublin 2.
Following last year’s successful visit of the acclaimed yoga teacher, musician and folklorist Jack Harrison, we are thrilled to have him back at Positive Nights to perform his beautiful music!
Jack first encountered yoga in the 1970s and 1980s in San Francisco. After leaving the U.S., he began to work with the Irish Wheel of Yoga in Galway. He launched his career as a yoga teacher in 2005. Throughout his career, he has travelled extensively and studied a wide range of yoga styles, including Iyengar, Satyananda, Ashtanga and Anusara.
Jack has also had a keen interest in music and singing since his childhood. He holds a Masters degree in Irish Folklore and Archaeology and has worked for many years as a consultant and lecturer in Heritage Interpretation. He recently began to understand the deep connections between his three interests – yoga, music, and folklore/archaeology – and established the Celtic School of Yoga to help tie together the yoga traditions of India with those of the Celtic world.
Click here to get your tickets or email us at positivenights@gmail.com for more info!
Check out below a video for Jack’s wonderful music, where he performs alongside musician Daphne Tse.
To learn more about Jack, visit his website jackharrison.com.
Facebook Page| Thursday, March 29th, 2018, 7:30pm | Eur 20 / 15 euros concession | Location: The Powerscourt Theatre, Dublin 2.
Please note that due to poor weather conditions today on Wednesday February 28th, we moved the date of this event to Thursday March 29th. All tickets purchased for the 28th of February will of course still be valid for the new date. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at positivenights@gmail.com.
Following last year’s successful visit of the acclaimed yoga teacher, musician and folklorist Jack Harrison, we are thrilled to have him back at Positive Nights to perform his beautiful music!
Jack first encountered yoga in the 1970s and 1980s in San Francisco. After leaving the U.S., he began to work with the Irish Wheel of Yoga in Galway. He launched his career as a yoga teacher in 2005. Throughout his career, he has travelled extensively and studied a wide range of yoga styles, including Iyengar, Satyananda, Ashtanga and Anusara.
Jack has also had a keen interest in music and singing since his childhood. He holds a Masters degree in Irish Folklore and Archaeology and has worked for many years as a consultant and lecturer in Heritage Interpretation. He recently began to understand the deep connections between his three interests – yoga, music, and folklore/archaeology – and established the Celtic School of Yoga to help tie together the yoga traditions of India with those of the Celtic world.
Click here to get your tickets or email us at positivenights@gmail.com for more info!
Check out below a video for Jack’s wonderful music, where he performs alongside musician Daphne Tse.
We will also be serving some delicious Chaga Tea, a special kind of tea with some amazing health benefits. Chaga Tea Ireland founder Philip says, “I discovered Chaga after years of experimenting with different diets due to a Crohns condition. My first cup of Chaga had quite an impact. The taste was the first surprise. It had a deliciously rich earthy flavour similar to coffee. Then there was the effect. An hour later I felt energised yet calm, with a clarity similar to the effects of coffee, but without the buzz.” More information can be found at chagatea.ie.
You can purchase tickets for Songs From the Hazelwood here. To learn more about Jack, visit his website jackharrison.com.
Here is a sneak peek of our most recent Spirituality & the City series, where six people talk about the things that make them grateful. You can read the other four stories in the series by picking up a free copy of our Winter 2017 issue from one of our wonderful stockists across Ireland. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the magazine and have the Winter issue – as well as the next three magazines for the year ahead – delivered right to your door!
Josh Scannell
Last year, I had just returned from the States where I’d spent time in huge cities like LA and Detroit. I remember walking the streets here and feeling this overwhelming sense of home, like I was being hugged by the city. When you can call Dublin home, it’s like being a member of the royal family. Anyone can wear a crown here. I was mistaken for Hozier on a famed 12 pubs night out with the lads. I was King for a moment, before remembering we’re all Kings and fame is a drag anyway. I guess it’s different if you’re actually Hozier and not a cheap stunt double, fooling drunks into taking bad photos and giving you free Guinness! I’ve left it all behind now. There’s no more free Guinness and nobody asks for my photo. People in Dublin get it like nowhere else on Earth and we should never forget that.
Kamilla Harra
When I think of Christmas, I remember the warmth and unity that permeate the streets around this time of year: the
twinkling lights reflected in people’s eyes, the smiles and laughter, the ‘Merry Christmases’ and ‘Happy New Years’ from complete strangers – said with genuine warmth and almost familial care – the local choir carolling on a crisp Saturday morning with such enthusiasm and cheer. The curious thing is that I grew up in a country where Christmas was replaced by celebrating New Year’s Eve. What amazes me as I ponder this is that my memories from two different countries, although somewhat different, capture the same Spirit: the Joy of being Alive, of being Together, of Loving and Celebrating one another – beyond any other reason or religious purpose. To me, it is a beautiful time to focus on expressing our generosity, connectedness, and the magic of being alive!
soulradiance.org
Here is a sneak peek of our most recent Spirituality & the City series, where six people talk about the things that make them grateful. You can read the other four stories in the series by picking up a free copy of our Winter 2017 issue from one of our wonderful stockists across Ireland. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the magazine and have the Winter issue – as well as the next three magazines for the year ahead – delivered right to your door!
Winter Vibes 2017: The Best Events, Products, and Courses to Check Out This Season
Here is our action-packed Winter Vibes section from our new Winter 2017 issue, available in our stockists across the country now. You can also subscribe to receive this magazine – and the next three for the year ahead – direct to your door.
“Ah, World, what lessons you prepare for us, even in the leafless winter, even in the ashy city.” Mary Oliver
Soul Tonics
Be the Super You
Dr Joe Dispenza’s new, spellbinding book is just the read to transport you away from the winter gloom and into the
sublime, inner realms, where anything is possible. Becoming Supernatural guides us towards the realisation that we are naturally supernatural beings and, through wisdom ancient and cutting edge, enhances the creative and mystical capacities that make us so.
becomingsupernatural.com
Ecological Education
Eager to heed the call towards a more sustainable life? The Jungle Oasis of Goa awaits you; home to hands-on,
internationally renowned, certificate courses in Permaculture Design. Join individuals from all over the world this
March 2018 to build sustainability skills and learn to design according to Nature’s own principles.
thejungleoasispermacultureproject.org
Find Meaning
Activate your grey matter through some meaningful inquiry this winter as nationwide Schools of Practical Philosophy offer introductory courses; exploring the meaning of wisdom, truth and consciousness – the most essential elements of our human being-ness. Drawing from the teachings of East and West, they offer innovative inquiry into age-old questions.
practicalphilosophy.ie
Holistic Business
If you are a fledgling holistic business, take this winter to nest on ways to build solid foundations and sky-high visions for the business you love. Christine Judd is here to help with her new book Clarity; Create a Holistic Business You Love – providing step by step, practical guidance and the necessary skills to establish a prosperous holistic business.
christinejudd.com
Plot your Purpose
Brainchild of lead-coach James Parnell, the Well Being Gym is a virtual gym for mind, body and soul; delivering top-class navigational tools to guide you towards optimum, personal well-being and professional performance. Online and offline, you’ll find coaching, training programmes and workshops on topics such as mastering your workload,
managing your energy and activating a personal sense of happiness and meaning.
thewellbeinggym.com

Christine Judd
Muscle Methods
Become adept at the art of muscle testing and develop the ability to decipher vital information on the needs of the body, mind and spirit. The Academy of Systematic Kinesiology offers training courses around the country for both beginner and advanced practitioners of this wholistic healing art. Check out their website for more.
kinesiologyzone.com
Winter Uplifts
Super Immune Boost
Boasting unparalleled ‘Bioavailability’, award-winning Better You™ Turmeric oral spray is designed to deliver. Research has revealed that where digestion is impaired, spray is superior when it comes to transporting the immune-supporting superpowers of Turmeric to your body.
betteryou.com
Essential Pick-me-up
Smell, inhale or diffuse them – each aroma of essential oil is a mini-messenger of uplift or unwind. Karl Murray, founder of Kotanical, is Ireland’s first hand-distiller of home-grown Irish essential oils. Check out his range online, from laid-back Lavender to festive Frankincense.
kotanical.ie

Kotanical
Plant Power
Sun Chlorella has just unveiled a new supplement starlet – Sun Eleuthro. Traditionally acclaimed by its use in Chinese Medicine, this East Asian plant is now also scientifically acclaimed to be anti-aging, aphrodisiac and a strong support for the liver. Check out more of its plethora of healing powers online.
sunchlorella.co.uk
Winter Glow
Gain and maintain a glowing complexion this winter with Wild Power Wheatgrass. This cold-pressed, organic, liquid
life-force is brimming with vitality, anti-oxidants and alkaline power to keep you shining all winter long. Available in stores in Ireland and online.
squeezewheatgrass.co.uk
Seasonal Support
This turn of season, why not invest in lifestyle guidance to come out the other side of winter a healthier and happier
you. For motivational insights on small changes of diet and daily ritual that yield big rewards, talk to Chiara on all Matters of Nourishment.
amatterofnourishment.com

A Matter of Nourishment
Future of Vitamin C
Promising ‘site-specific delivery’, ultramodern Lipsomal Vitamin C is packaged and protected to bypass the digestive process and get straight to the heart of immune system cells. Give it a try and ensure your efforts to keep yourself primed against pesky winter bugs hits the high-tech mark.
altrient.com/liposomal-vitamin-c
Bits n’ Bobs
Vegans Galore
As foodie fate would have it, Dublin is now home to the Serendipity Vegan Café. Sit down to breakfast, brunch and lunch vegan on raw salads, nori wraps, vegan treats and what is hailed as the ‘best vegan burger ever’!
instagram.com/serendipity_vegan_cafe
Sustainability is a Virtue
Time to rethink your toothbrush? Small steps pave the way to sustainability where “everything counts in large amounts.” Think VirtueBrush; a plastic-free, bamboo-handled, charcoal-bristled toothbrush with a conscience – this
Dublin-based company plants one tree for every VirtueBrush sold.
virtuebrush.com

James Parnell
Yoga round the clock
YogaHub has recently sprouted a new bud, this time in Castleknock at Junction 6. From high-flying Acro to low-lying Yin yoga, there is something to suit all yogi tastes – every day of the week!
theyogahub.ie/castleknock
This is a sneak peek from our Winter 2017 issue beautiful interview with Doreen Virtue. The issue is out now. Pick one up free in one of our stockists all over Ireland to read the full article, or subscribe to have it delivered.
By Aisling Cronin
Doreen Virtue is a well-known author within the spiritual and self-help world. She has written a wide array of books and oracle card decks on topics such as angels, ascended masters and assertiveness. She recently made a big announcement about her spiritual path, revealing that she had had a powerful experience with Jesus at the beginning of 2017, and was formally baptised as a Christian shortly afterwards. She now wishes to reorient her future work to reflect this shift in her perspective. We spoke to Doreen about her animal rescue work, her spiritual journey and Jesus’ message to the world.
Firstly Doreen, thank you very much for agreeing to do this interview! I hear that you have some Irish heritage in your family.
My mom did our family ancestry a while back, and she found that we come from the Lyon family in County Cork. I’ve been to Ireland a few times, and I never got to go to Cork, for some reason, but my son and daughter-in-law lived on the west coast of Ireland for a while. Ireland is amazing – I have so many good memories of being there.
I have heard that you’re in the process of moving house right now. That must be a challenge, given the amount of animals you have! I’ve seen videos of your ranch in Hawaii, and all of the different animals you keep there: goats, sheep, cats, dogs…
It has been interesting! Our ranch had one house for my husband and I, one house for my parents, and a nice big barn, with fifty acres of land. My husband and I are both vegans, so we started rescuing animals who were going to slaughter, and we loved it, but we ended up with over three hundred animals. At one point, our food bill was $10,000 a month. In retrospect, we should have found loving homes for many of the animals right away. This would have made our rescue work more sustainable. So, lesson learned, for anyone else who might be interested in doing this: you don’t have to keep every single animal you take in. There is a big vegan community in Hawaii, so our friends were willing to offer good homes to most of our animals – the rest of them are joining us on the U.S. mainland – but it has been difficult. You fall in love with every animal and saying goodbye is really hard.
This is a sneak peek from our Winter 2017 issue beautiful interview with Doreen Virtue. The issue is out now. Pick one up free in one of our stockists all over Ireland to read the full article, or subscribe to have it delivered.
Positive Vibes Sweet September: Positive Life Mag Autumn Issue, Competitions, Festivals & More!
Sweet September! Autumn is near, the nights are getting longer and the air feels chilly. We begin to feel coziness in the atmosphere and we dream of sweet nights in by the fire! This month we bring you our wonderful Positive Vibes and want to remind you of our 3 wonderful competitions for: Dr. Joe Dispenza, Deva Premal & Eckhart Tolle as well as wonderful activities, and lovely recommendations for your mind, body & spirit! Our Autumn edition of Positive life Magazine is now out and this one is filled with inspiring interviews and news, and a profile piece on Sir Richard Branson, Beautiful lessons on Vipassana from Alison Canavan, a tasty and cosy Autumn recipe from Cornucopia and much more! Sign up here to get a chilled copy in your postbox! Loads of love, from all the team. Join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter if you haven’t already.x
Mind, Body & Spirit at the Wellbeing Festival
Mind Body & Spirit: The Wellbeing Festival
Date: 28-30 October 2017
Location: Waterford, Ireland
Nurture your Mind, Body and Spirit at The Wellbeing Festival. Check and experience a large selection of stands to inspire and educate. The Festival provides something for everyone in the holistic arena, including an interactive area for children. Experience an exciting range of free talks, dedicated spaces for both Yoga and Meditation and a Live Stage in the exhibition area. Expand your knowledge with what’s sure to be a great selection of mini-workshops over three days.
Click here to get your tickets and learn more!
Dublin VegFest!!
Dublin VegFest
Griffith Conference Centre, Dublin
Date: September 24-25, 2017
Dublin Vegfest promises to be the largest vegan food and drink event in Ireland and whatever your food preference is they got us covered with healthy whole foods, plant milks, cheeses, meats, fusion cuisine, juices, super foods, raw, gluten free, energy bars, cuisines from Asia, The Middle East, Europe, North America and Latin America and so much more!!!
Click here to learn more and get your tickets!
Spirit of Folk 2017
We are giving away two tickets for this wonderful Festival! Simply share this post on your Facebook or Twitter page and tag @positivelifemag so we know!
The event is alcohol free to ease your connection with nature!
Location: Dunderry Park, Co. Meath, Ireland
Date: 9th – 10th September
Spirit of Folk presents the Dunderry Park Festival 20th Anniversary: The Gathering 2017. This celebration will feature some SOFF favourites with a specially curated SOFF stage and storytelling in the cairn, along with a whole host of inspiring speakers and workshops. We have been before and we love the vibe, we also hosted MARTIN DUFFY at one of our recent Positive nights and he is the biz.
Click here to book and for more info!
Alison Canavan: 360 Series
Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2017
Location: Radisson Blu – Golden Lane, Dublin
Time: 11:ooam – 7:00pm
Award winning author of wellness book “Minding Mum” and health and wellness coach, Alison Canavan will host the first in a series of events – The Full 360 Series. The first show of its kind in Ireland, The Full 360 Series is a day where the sole focus will be on complete holistic self-care centering on health, skincare (for men and women) and wellness from the inside out and the outside in.
Visit becomplete.ie for more info and tickets!
Lomi Lomi Massage in Beautiful West Cork!
Eva offers Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Nui, along with other healing therapies, previously in Dublin city centre. Her journey with Lomi has brought many gifts but ultimately brought her a profound shift in her awareness and continues to transform her life daily. She is passionate about sharing this amazing practice with as many people as possible and thats why she is now in WEST CORK.If you live there, or on a holiday give her a buzz for an experience you will never forget.
For Bookings & more info visit evalennox.com
Ireland Awakens Conference
Date: 15-17 September 2017
Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, Dublin
This Conference will provide a platform for amazing international speakers like Kerry Cassidy from Project Camelot and Miles Johnston from the Bases Project to bring their knowledge to the public. EXPECT topics like UFO sightings in Ireland, Sacred Ancient Sites of Ireland, Life After Death, and much more. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet likeminded people from all over Ireland and share experiences.
Click here for tickets and more info!
Learn the Secrets of Meditation
Date: September 12th, 2017
Location: Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin
7:00pm – 9:30pm
For thousands of years people have tried to tap into the stillness and silence that rests within to discover their deeper selves. In Secrets of Meditation, davidji takes you there, demystifying the practice along the way and guiding the reader on an epic journey into your own consciousness.
By Dawn Cartwright
Oonagh
Late into the night, Oonagh sat in her kitchen hand selecting kale leaves from the crate the organic farmer had just delivered. A brilliant chef for an organic café, she’d spent the evening out with a man she’d met a few weeks ago. Things had gone well, yet Oonagh knew she was keeping things lighter than she might have wanted because she felt uncertain about her ability to truly let go into intimacy. At 29, she’d never experienced the passion her friends described and she’d begun to wonder if there was something missing, something flawed or incomplete in her own experience of pleasure. As she sat at the dimly lit table, Oonagh picked up one of the vibrant leaves and placed it in her mouth. She felt as much as tasted the sharp bitter green, and because the intensity demanded her full attention, it brought Oonagh back from her worries and fears and into her heart – instantly.
Fionn
Fionn is an IT genius with a sharp wit and classic style. The star player on his team at work, Fionn has his eye on a promotion into management. Now 25, he’s had two years to hone his craft, show his strengths and build trust among his coworkers. There’s epic competition as three senior IT specialists are also vying for the position. Nevertheless, Fionn’s certain he’s the man for the job. During his interview, Fionn found himself being asked the typical interview questions – yet because of his focus and determination, he seemed to hear them in a way he never had before. Fionn’s sense of hearing elevated to super human levels. He was able to listen between the lines and got a clear sense of what was actually needed and expected of him in the new position. His replies were insightful and expansive. Fionn’s interview was stellar.
Dónal & Caitlín
Dónal and Caitlín have been happily married 22 years. Their lives revolve around their six children, ages 12 to 21. Family brings them joy. Even with all the love, Dónal and Caitlín have been growing apart in recent years. The demands and stresses of two careers, children and a home mean they rarely get time alone. They’ve lost the spark. One windy evening Dónal and Caitlín were sitting up watching The Late Late Show when suddenly, everything went dark. They sat there together in a bit of shock for a minute or two, power lines down, senses heightened, until finally Caitlín slowly reached across the sofa to find Dónal. In the darkness and disorientation, her fingers lightly caressed his shoulder and chest. It was as if she was meeting him for the first time all over again. In the spontaneity of the moment they felt a closeness they hadn’t experienced in a very long time. Their spark was reignited.
What is Tantra?
What do these four fictional characters have in common? They’ve all experienced Tantra and they’ve done so without any formal training or instruction.
There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to define Tantra. One of these is . . . the realisation that each of us, through focused attention in simple, everyday experiences, has the power to create our world. The formal Tantras have their roots in Hindu culture, governed by sacred texts known as The Vedas. The Vedas were transmitted thousands of years ago to sages who listened to the melodies of nature. These melodies still exist, of course, and are transmitted through sight, sound, taste, touch and smell, expanding our understanding of ourselves and life all around us. Anyone who has ever spent the day hillwalking or by the sea knows that nature has special messages to convey. The ancient wisdom of the Vedas is earth-based and real, clearly revealing the true nature of creativity and the appearance of everything we experience in our lives. Tantras are the methods, or techniques, for being in tune with this creativity; both in the world and within our bodies. In the Tantric view, our bodies themselves are microcosms of the universe and we ourselves are the creative force that births planets and stars. The creative force that creates our life.
Oonagh was so attentive to the bitter taste of the kale, it took her over. She regained her connection to nature in this one simple act and returned to her heart, the one place where she could actually begin to open to the intimacy she’d been missing. Fionn brought all his focus to the interview and heard aspects of the questions even his interviewers didn’t realise they were asking. Dónal and Caitlín met one another beyond all the barriers of daily stress and reconnected as if for the first time. Through focused attention in simple, everyday experiences, each of the four created, in some small way, a new world.
And so can you.
Dawn Cartwright is a Tantric visionary, sacred writer, world traveler, and innovator in bio-energetic Tantra fusion. Dawn will offer: Sacred Sexuality. How We Love. 6-Nights of Tantric Bliss, October 6th – 12th, and Fragrance of the Lotus Tantra Teacher Training 2018 in Wicklow. To book your place, go to: www.dawncartwright.com.
By: Aisling Cronin / Interviewer: Paul Congdon
Eckhart Tolle is a well-known writer and spiritual teacher, whose books ‘The Power of Now’ and ‘A New Earth’ have become seminal works within the field of self-development. Ahead of his planned appearance in Dublin in September, we heard about his thoughts on Jesus, his love of dogs, and his experiment with LSD.
Last time we spoke, you mentioned that you were writing a book on Jesus. How has that evolved and what are you currently working on?
I can’t say exactly when my writings are going to evolve into a book. There are many aspects of Jesus that are very important to understand: the actual person, the mythological figure, and the spiritual teacher, for example. However, I can say that Jesus’ teachings have more depth than, perhaps, many regular churchgoers realise. The essence of Jesus’ teachings is the transformation of human consciousness, and a recognition that there is a dysfunction within it. ‘Salvation’, in the terminology that he uses, is transcending the dysfunction that we inherit, which is sometimes referred to in Christianity as ‘Original Sin’. You can see that dysfunction clearly when you read history or watch the news tonight.
A lot has happened since we last spoke in 2015, and we have seen an increase in fear based politics in the USA and Britain. How can we navigate times like these?
The main thing is not to be drawn too much into reactivity, believing that the problem lies within individual people or groups. What we see on the news are movements of underlying unconsciousness that have to come to the surface to play themselves out. Unconsciousness always has to come to the surface. If it is not recognised within oneself, it is experienced as an outer event. The external world becomes a reflection of your inner world. This applies both to the individual and the collective. These events can definitely seem negative from one perspective, but seen from a higher spiritual perspective, they are necessary for the awakening of humanity.
Many people felt that the world was a kinder place at the time of Barack Obama’s inauguration, and that we have moved backwards since then. During the 1960s, a similar feeling of positivity and upward movement existed: a sense that peace really was coming. What is your feeling on this?
The evolution of consciousness is not a straight upward movement. It is cyclical, and always involves a regressive period. After a regressive period, you move forward again – further than you had done before. I believe that we are now experiencing a regressive movement, but not every individual alive now will be drawn into that movement. Those humans who are completely unconscious will have to go through that experience of suffering most strongly. Simply be as conscious as you can, and do not make any human being or group of human beings into ‘the enemy’. On social media, for example, you can see an enormous amount of reactivity and anger, so it is particularly important to bring the bright light of consciousness into all of your online interactions.
When you see someone close to you – perhaps a friend or family member – behave unconsciously, how best can you call that person out for their behaviour?
It is vital that when you do that, you yourself are free of reactivity or aggressiveness, and that you are not demonising the other person or making them ‘wrong’. You must communicate with the person while they are relatively conscious. All humans exhibit various degrees of unconsciousness at different times and in different ways, and it is a very delicate thing to point out to somebody that they have been behaving unconsciously. The most important thing is that you need to be totally present and conscious when you point it out … otherwise, you will be drawn into a fight.
When you had your spiritual awakening, you said that you had experienced an ’80% reduction’ in your thoughts. Has that level been maintained?
Oh yes. The most wonderful thing about that shift in consciousness – the transformation that I continue to experience every day – is that I am no longer tortured by my mind. For example, when I go to bed and I close my eyes, I can immediately dismiss all thought and simply be present in my body. There are also many times during the day when there is nothing much to think about, and I simply enjoy sensory experiences like looking out at the sky and the trees.
Do you spend a lot of time in nature?
Yes, I do. Here in Vancouver, I live in an apartment building right next to a nature spot. When I look out of the window right now, I see huge, wonderful trees, snowcapped mountains in the background, and a clear blue sky. It’s wonderful just to sit here and contemplate. I often go for walks in the forest or on the beach.
We’ve heard that you are a huge fan of dogs. Do you have a dog who accompanies you on those nature walks?
At the moment, I do not have a dog, but sometimes I look after other people’s dogs. I do love their wonderful rootedness – how they are so firmly centred in the present moment – and the joy they exhibit. A dog does not constantly ask themselves, “Do I love myself? Do I hate myself? Do I have a complicated relationship with myself?” A dog just is. Animals are conscious, but do not have a stream of conceptual thought running through their heads all the time. They haven’t arrived at thinking yet, and they are still more rooted in being. Once humans transcend the level of thought, we return to that state, but with an added dimension of awareness that the dog does not have. However, it is true to say that for many people, their cat or dog keeps them sane, as they simply accept them the way they are, without interference from the conceptual, judgemental mind.
Recently in the spiritual community, there has been a lot of talk about plant medicine. Do you see it as a road to enlightenment?
I don’t see it as a road to true and lasting awakening, but it can give people a glimpse of freedom from the prison of their conceptual mind. Years ago, I was asked a lot of questions about LSD and acid, so I tried acid because I couldn’t really answer the questions if I didn’t! I’ve never felt the desire to repeat that experience, but I could see that for some people, the enormous amplification of sensory experience – as if somebody had ‘turned up the volume’, not only on hearing but also on smell and colour – would give them very little room for compulsive thought. The use of plant medicine can be an opening for some people, but ultimately, from there, you have to go to ‘presence practice’ in your daily life, and not be dependent on any substance.
What is your advice for people who want to bring themselves into the present moment?
Don’t wait for some imagined future state of liberation or awakening that you want to achieve. Simply accept what is, in the present moment. Accept each moment as if you had chosen it, and then you will already be liberated. You will already be awakened. There is nothing to look for anymore.
What advice would you give to parents on how to help their children?
The most important thing is to give them attention. Much of the time, when parents think they are giving attention to their children, they are doing so through the medium of ‘do this’ or ‘don’t do that’. Giving attention means to look at a child and to listen: to truly be present and communicate with that child. Give your child the gift of your presence. In that way, your essence will reach the child’s essence, and they will feel truly recognised.
Eckhart Tolle will be speaking in Dublin on September 9th in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. For more information about the talk, go to: seminars.ie
By Orla Bass
Very few of us would make the association between illness and our teeth, but one man who does is holistic dentist David Hefferon. Based in Dundrum Dental Surgery, David has been practising holistic dentistry for nearly thirty years. He believes there can be a direct correlation between our overall health and wellbeing and the health of our mouths. Bite, posture, breathing, gum disease, or toxic exposure due to leaky mercury fillings can all affect us.
David emphasises that individual patients’ results can vary, and there are no guarantees of improvement. However, several patients have reported dramatic improvements. This includes one woman who can now climb stairs unaided after years of reduced mobility. On her last visit, she reported, “I just feel amazing.”
David’s journey began via the conventional route of dental training. After initially working in Northern Ireland, he moved on to private practices in Germany, London, and Sydney, where he nurtured his interest in a more holistic way of dental care. He travelled around the world educating himself about the human body and learning more about the connection between oral health and general health. He believes in looking at the body as a whole, not simply a set of teeth. He now works alongside other holistic practitioners such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and nutritionists, in order to help his clients maintain optimal health. He is the only dentist in Ireland to be a Fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.