Books, Books, and More Books!

There are so many good books to read! And sometimes not enough time to do them justice. I would like to share two of my favorites (besides The Last Adventure of Life) that I often find myself recommending to hospice families and co-workers. They are: Final Gifts and Embraced by the Light. Final Gifts is written by two hospice nurses, describing some of the spiritual and mystical experiences they have had as they serve their people and families. It is beautiful, heart-felt, and a wonderful read. So is Embraced by the Light, an easy read about one woman's near death experience. Betty Eadie recalls an astonishing amount from a very short and profound experience she had after surgery one day. The book is a testament to the power of love, hope, and the interconnectedness of all. I sometimes read portions of these books to people who are dealing with fears around their dying; and this seems to ease their anxiety and fear. In fact, you will find small portions from these books in my book, too.

Let me know if you have books that stand out for you in this area. Which titles have helped you cope with your fears around death and dying, or grief? What are your favorites, and why? There is so much education still needed in this aspect of life in our culture.

Blessings of Abundance and Peace on this Full Harvest Moon Day! May we recognize the true gift that being alive is; and may we never take our lives on Earth for granted, dancing heart

Skinship

Receiving a loving and heart-felt massage today -- in the midst of our move! -- I am reminded of the power of human touch to heal and rejuvenate. This is especially true when someone is dying, seriously ill, and/or going through a transition of any kind. Please do not underestimate the power of your presence, your love, and your touch when you are with your loved ones and those you are caring for. Of course you want to make certain that this is what the person you're caring for wants, but often a foot or hand massage, or simply holding their hand can mean a great deal and bring tremendous peace a comfort to the one being cared for.

Speaking of which, I am also reminded of hearing about persons who have climbed into bed with their beloveds who are dying. This can be a gesture that brings great satisfaction to both individuals involved. There is reference made to this at the end of the recent film out called Evening, a movie about the timeless love between mothers and daughters. And by the way, I highly recommend this film to anyone who is caring for their loved one as he or she is ill or dying. Our American culture needs encouragement and creative ideas in the area of "conscious dying," and Evening offers both. Blessings of love, courage, and hope in the midst of your caregiving and honoring the power of touch! Remember to hug often :)

Breakthrough, and Changes in the Air!

Yesterday was a Red Letter Day for me: Not only did I sign papers for a new condo on the Mainland that we're moving to soon, but I also got a contract worked out with Findhorn Press in Scotland who will be publishing a 2nd edition of my book next spring! Wow, talk about changes in the air... I have been waiting for this for a long time; it's all very exciting and energizing.

At this time, I'm also getting ready to launch a new business related to my book. It is a Soul (Gift) Basket business that will incorporate some of the healing tools in Chapter 11 of The Last Adventure of Life. I will develop "healing tool kits" for those who are grieving, caregiving, dealing with a health crisis, and/or end-of-life transitions. The kits (I will be using furoshikis to bring a Japanese flavor to them) will include things like: a small pocketbook version of my book, some Young Living essential oils, a music and/or meditation CD, a candle, and the like. They will be kits that will help "embody" what I write about in my book. Families and friends will be able to honor one another using the items, and they will also help with honoring and encouraging ritual during transitional times.

If you are interested in trying a basket out, please let me know. I'd love to custom design something for you, or try out one of my new ideas. Also, please let me know if you'd like an autographed copy of my book. These books will no longer be available after the end of this year!

Thanks for all your support and prayers, too... during this new adventure of my own :)

How to "Start the Conversation"

Did you know that there are people who are actually dying to have a conversation around the topic of death and dying?!? We live in a culture that still shuns death, but I've discovered through my work with hospice that there are many who are open to having this discussion; in fact, some are just waiting for someone to "open the door" and give them permission to speak about this subject -- the Last Taboo in America -- that may be weighing heavily on their mind. These people may even give you clues as to their interest in this topic. For example, they might make some innocuous comment about someone who's died, or they might ask you a question about a relative or friend that you know has already crossed over.

I have three recommendations I would pose in this regard: First, tune in to your inner knowing. Your intuition will let you know when is the best time to open the door to this conversation. Pray or meditate, and ask for guidance, which always follows. Second, remember the courage that is in you. It is not necessarily easy to have a conversation that is uncomfortable for many. Making sure you are approaching this topic with courage and openness will insure that you will not miss opportunities to say what needs saying or respond with honesty and grit.

Finally, do not be afraid to ask creative, even probing questions -- in a gentle way, of course. When the seriously ill or dying person asks a question involving death, rather than skirting the issue of brushing it off, let them know you are open to going deeper. Ask them why they are asking the question, or what significance the person they mentioned has in their life at this time. If it seems appropriate, you might even ask them what they imagine heaven to be like, or what it might feel like for them to be reunited with a loved one who has died.

The Healing Codes

I've recently discovered The Healing Codes. They are tremendous! They are helping me to put the finishing touches on my physical and emotional healing.

I highly recommend that no matter what your life challenges are right now, whether they be mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical, go to www.thehealingcodes.com and see if this site speaks to you. My belief is that no matter what, we could all benefit from doing The Healing Codes! And they are so simple to do. They involve placing your hands on or near parts of your face and head and releasing old belief systems by doing so. The Healing Codes are likely to bring more health, wealth, and happiness into your life -- most of all, increased joy and well being. Go to The Healing Codes website and see for yourself. Then, let me know how your life changes as you work these Codes. For me, they have been just like Magic!

Summer blessings of peace and abundance. (If you're in Connecticut, you can see me at the Yale Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Harry Potter Day -- this coming Sat.!)

Enjoying Myself!

With all this new healing energy coming in to me these days, and with change in the air, yesterday I decided to put together a "fun" bio of myself -- for the underwriter of my new home! Here's what came out:

It is with sheer pleasure and delight that I introduce to you the Rev. Maria Dancing Heart Hoaglund, a warm, gracious woman of spirit, magic, and awesome power! She's one of the gentle women of the Earth who's leading our fragile world toward wholeness, peace, and harmony.

Maria was born and raised in Japan and is totally bilingual and bicultural. She can move gracefully between the two cultures, and has tutored as well as taught both languages in both countries. She has also served as an interpreter and translator, sometimes in hospitals and clinic settings; she's also served as tour guide for Japanese folk visiting the United States and Canada.

Maria is multi-faceted: Due to her deep interest in spirituality, she attended seminary and became a Christian minister. She served as a parish minister (with the United Church of Christ) for ten years in parishes in Hawaii as well as the Great Northwest. Although she no longer serves a parish, Maria is sometimes found preaching, leading worship, conducting weddings, funerals, memorial services, baptisms, and the like.

About twelve years ago Maria stumbled upon her true passion, hospice spiritual and bereavement counseling. After serving as a hospice worker for six years, she felt compelled to start compiling a book entitled "The Last Adventure of Life: Sacred Resources for Transition." After four years of dedication to this project, she self-published the work just two years ago. This book is bound to knock anyone's socks off! It is a rich collection of stories, poetry, and spiritual material that will allay most people's fears around death and dying, not to mention grief. Everywhere Dancing Heart takes her book, it seems to sell effortlessly. Many spiritual seekers are letting her know how much they appreciate her putting this collection together. Dancing Heart's book could be featured on The Oprah Winphrey Show any day now :)

Dancing Heart is getting herself ready to meet Oprah by leading and facilitating workshops, classes, and retreats on the spiritual life and end-of-life care. She also consults and guides people who are interested in growing spiritually. She thinks "outside the box"; she has universal appeal and a deep and abiding passion for world peace. Currently, her book is being prepared for a second edition by a unique publishing house in Findhorn, Scotland. Dancing Heart is also preparing for some true Magic when she will share her work at her alma mater at the Yale Barnes and Noble on Harry Potter Day (!) in just over a week. Please remain on the lookout for her on Oprah. You'll recognize her as the one dressed in purple. If you're lucky, you may even see her donning her gorgeous purple hat!

Shared in the spirit of deep Hope, Love, and abiding Light.

Light, Joy, and Laughter

As I reflect on the awakening and healing journey I'm on these days, I notice that three things stand out as particular blessings. The first of these is LIGHT. Light, for some time now, has been my symbol for God/dess, All That Is. The other morning I was up on my "perch," just below an eagle's perch, looking out at the Clinton Beach toward Everett and Camano Island. The early morning sun was out full force, and I received a magnificent light show on the ripples of the water. I was mesmerized by the beauty and delight of the bouncing light -- not unlike a fireworks display, except in broad daylight! It fed my soul as I remembered that I, too, am Light, at the core of my being.

The second blessing for me these days is JOY. I am reminded that at any moment, I can go within and tune in to the joy, love, and peace that resides in the All of Life. While going through some of my books to weed some of them out, The Joy Book popped out of a bookcase. This is a very bright yellow book with blue letters on it. I had read and used much of it some years ago; it's been a delight to find and use at this particular time in my life as well. Just having it out and seeing it on my table is a joy!

The third and final blessing for me these days is humor, and along with it LAUGHTER. When I can remember the humor, the ironies, and the "lightness of being" in my life, this helps me stay in the joyful, "lighter" aspect of life. While at an introductory session with Richard Bartlett of Matrix Energetics recently, something rather special occurred. An older gentleman got up to work (play!) with Richard. Richard did his special "magic" on the man -- the way only Richard can -- and pretty soon the man was on the floor, chuckling and laughing his head off. I found myself quickly "catching the fever" and laughing, too. The man kept laughing and giggling, on and off, while Richard kept talking rather humorously, which is his nature to do. I kept feeling the urge to laugh, and found great joy and blessing in those minutes! I had not laughed so hard in a long time; just thinking about it now allows me to tune in to the joy and levity again.

In that moment I was reminded of a section in the Mary Poppins movie when Uncle Albert, the old, balding man with glasses, is up near the ceiling, doubled up in laughter. Pretty soon Dick Van Dyke, then Michael and Jane, and even Mary Poppins herself, join Albert up under the ceiling. They even enjoy a tea party together up in the rafters! What an absolute delight. I've been able to locate the movie now, so I can tune in to this "laughter medicine" whenever I need it.

What is it that encourages you to stay tuned to the joy, peace, and love around you? Even in the midst of challenges, and changing, uncertain circumstances, we can choose to maintain the "higher frequencies" of life, like light, joie de vivre, and laughter. They help to heal and release us from those things that might otherwise get us bogged down. May we learn to find and stay in the higher frequencies... By the way, Richard says that "Frequency 16" is the frequency of the whales and the dolphins, some of my favorite creatures :)