This week, we are coming together.
Over the past few days, we have been bombarded with images of violent attacks from around the world followed by attacks on innocent believers whose only crime is their history of community. Even more disturbing is witnessing personal attacks I have seen by those reacting to a suggestion that love is the solution.
Only people who feel unloved can commit unlovable acts like attacking others in any way. People who experience disconnection will seek it out in groups of people who share their feelings of disconnection and unconsciously promote further separation in their mandate.
As someone who grew up in a religion that continues to inflict personal pain in my life, I rejected it in all forms until I came to recognize how religion can nurture love and connection. This happened when I attended church for the funeral of a friend and saw the unconditional support surrounding her young family.
Black and white judgments generally come from fear and they are the seeds of the anger leads to violent acts. Love sees beyond the surface in every situation and uncovers our endless search for connection. Seeking common ground requires accepting and setting aside our inevitable differences.
Staying grounded and finding peace in the face of extreme violence requires acceptance that only comes from accepting ourselves.
I have lived through far more than my fair share of trauma and tragedy. I have learned to accept that I am part of the problem because so many of my bullshit beliefs are shaped by a culture that celebrates violence in sport and in video games and in movies and on television. We seek out extreme everything in an attempt to escape from our feelings.
Through a constant examination of my own beliefs, I am learning how to authentically participate in my life from a place of love by accepting and releasing yesterday’s pain and acknowledging my own quick judgments. Years ago, when I wrote the first message and inspired my heartbeat, I was not prepared for the personal attacks leveled by people I knew as friends. Today, I recognize that every point of view is as interesting as any other. I practice keeping myself grounded so I can respond from a place of acceptance and prevent myself from attacking when my old pain is triggered.
It is no coincidence that the leader of a nation in recovery is calling for unity, reminding us of liberte, egalite and fraternite — values close to my heart. Acceptance of ourselves and each other is required to form a bedrock of understanding and support, creating the sense of securite we all desire. Love can flourish anywhere and we have the opportunity to come together or be torn apart.
I am grateful for the path I have chosen and I choose today to recommit to my purpose and continue building community and making life better, relying on and supporting each other in an environment that, on its surface, appears to promote the opposite of a conscious life.
Years of adversity has built the strength I now call upon to hold fast and not get swept away in sadness for the state of humanity. I am surrounded by beautiful souls ready to remind me.
Where is the love in your pain?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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The Art of Ayurveda
Learn to cook and eat for wellness
Cooking and sharing from the heart, Lakshmi Harilela will teach Ayurvedic constitution (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and provide an analysis of your individual body type in this morning workshop at SpiceBox Organics where you will learn the fundamentals of cooking for each dosha and you you can use spices to antidote the doshic effect. Participants will receive a special discount from SpiceBox Organics on purchases made on the day. Ayurveda is an ancient medical practice uniting physical and mental with personality to where doctors promote wellness with an emphasis on balance and a personalized program of exercise, yoga, meditation and diet arising from an awareness of our own natural cycles. The workshop will be held on Saturday 5 December 10:30am-12:30pm and tickets are HK$350.
QUICK LINK : The Art of Ayurveda
RSVP : SpiceBox Organics | T: +852 2559 9887 | E: info@spiceboxorganics.com
Rock My Soul
Movement Meditation Friday Nights in Wan Chai
Join Carsten Holz in an Open Floor ecstatic dance / movement meditation. Be gently guided through improvisational exploration using core movement principles. We move through a cycle of motion weaving our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves into a unified embodied whole. Release the dancer that lives in every body – no matter the shape, size, age, limitations and experience in a relaxed exploration of mind, body and spirit. An academic who enjoys balance, Carsten has been dancing and teaching movement for many years. All levels of experience are welcome Friday nights from November 6 to December 4 by donation.
QUICK LINK : Rock My Soul
CONTACT : Carsten Holz| T: +852 5261 6046 | E: carstenholz@gmail.com
Personal Membership
Clean, green, inspired, sustainable, organic benefits … naturally
HK heartbeat is Hong Kong’s first and only natural living community sharing fresh content and local connections since 2001. Our vibrant personal and business network has hundreds of active members making conscious everyday choices and sharing with their friends. Times have changed since we started and it is getting even easier because now we are connected on social media. Discover clean, green, healthy products, services and programs. Get fresh weekly and stay in touch with what’s new and what’s on. Get a little help from the Natural Concierge to find what you’re looking for. Enjoy private offers from our business members and join us at tastings and talks and workshops where you will meet people who share your interest in all things natural.
QUICK LINK : Personal Membership
CONTACT : Kinzie
TEL : +852 6628 6253
EMAIL : getfresh@heartbeat.com.hk
Events in Hong Kong this week
Featured event listings include a link to details – submit your event
16 (11am-1pm) Children’s Nutrition from Bump to Teen | The Body Group
16 (12-1:45pm) Journey to a Sustainable City | contact organizer
16 (7-8pm) Introduction to Meditation | Art of Ascension
16 (7:30-9:30pm) Happiness Training | Carina Jensen
17 (12-1:45pm) Climate Change – The Road to COP in Paris | contact organizer
18 (12-2pm) The Dynamics of Enthusiasm | contact organizer
18 (6:30-8pm) Scientific Principles of Social Sustainability | Green Drinks
18 (6:30-8pm) Remembering Eden | Asia Society Hong Kong
18 (6:30-9:30pm) Emotional Balance with Aromatherapy | Shakti Healing Circle
18 (7-8:30pm) EFT & Meditation Workshop | SOL Wellness
18 (7:15-8:15pm) Meditation | A Day With Fé
18 (7:30pm) Burgundy Wine Tasting Dinner | Aberdeen Street
18 (7:30-9:30pm) Homeopathy for Stress and Anxiety | Mina Weight
19 (5:30-9:30pm) Pre-Christmas Bazaar | All About You Wellness Centre
19 (7-8pm) Nei Gong for Autism | Tian Yan Nei Gong Centre
19 (7-9pm) Total Living (Cantonese) | Asha Lam
19 (7-9pm) Healthy Festive Food Class | SOL Wellness
19 (7-10pm) Vegetarian Dinner Gong | Red Doors
19-20 (10am-6:30pm) Embracing Your Inner Child | Life Origin
19-20 The Past and Present Preserved | Asia Society Hong Kong
19-22 Psychic Development Workshop | The Sanctuary
20 (12-2pm) Blooming Bellies | Annerley Midwives
20 (2:30-3:30pm) Tibetan Singing Bowls Meditation | Luxe Nova Lifestyle Studio
20 (6:30-8pm) Advanced Meditation | SOL Wellness
20 (8-10pm) Rock My Soul – Movement Meditation | Carsten Holz
20-25 (5-8pm) Belly Dance Workshop | Oasis Dance Centre
20-22 (7-9pm) A Weekend of Yoga & Meditation | Charlotte Douglas
21 (8-9:30am) South Side Sunrise Meditation and Yoga | pure yoga
21 (10am-6pm) Yuen Method | Julien Willm
21 (10am-3pm) Grouper Farm Visit and Seafood Lunch | Slow Food
21 (3-5:30pm) Rooftop Farming Workshop | The Fringe Club
21 1-day Advanced Mindfulness Retreat | Hong Kong Insight Meditation Society
21 (9-10:30pm) Yesvember Comedy Improv Show | contact organizer
21-22 (10am-5pm) Nusthesia | Institute of Energy
21-22 Dance With Your Feminine Cycle | Luxe Nova Lifestyle Studio
22 (2-4pm) Meditation Tools for Autism and Dyslexia | Red Doors
23 (3:30-5:30pm) DIY Natural Cleaning Products | contact organizer
23 (7-9pm) The Emotional Impact of Boarding School | Shakti Healing Circle
24 (10am-12pm) Stretching Workshop | Shine Body & Soul Healing Centre
24 (8-10pm) Indian Drum & Dance Party | Drum Jam
24-26 Smart Mobility in Smart City | CleanTuesday
Coming up
Nov (7-10pm) Slow Wine and NOM
Nov 27-29 Clockenflap 2015
Dec 5 The Art of Ayurveda
Dec 5 Natural Artisan Burgundy Wine Tasting
Dec 7-8 Hong Kong, China & the World Workshop
Submit your event by Friday for next Tuesday’s newsletter
Fresh directory listings
Our Natural Concierge is here to help you find what you’re looking for.
Dr Susan Jamieson Integrative Medical Practice – Combining modern and traditional medicine
Chris Taylor – Clairvoyant, Healer & Spiritual Teacher in person, by phone or email
The Oriental Salon – Hair styling, manicures, pedicures, make-up, beauty treatments
Wilson Chik – Holistic Personal Trainer; movement educator, outdoor adventure leader
ECOSol – Eco-training seminars, teaching programs and environmental workshops
Maria Ng – Mandala Teacher; Mandala paintings, fine art prints and workshops
Little Things in Life – Organic skincare and cosmetics catering to sensitive skin
Register for a listing | Connect with our business members
Fresh content and connections for conscious everyday choices
Hong Kong’s first natural network has connected thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations since we launched in 2001, sharing fresh content and authentic connections for clean, green, healthy living products, services and programs. With everything from acupuncture to zero-waste solutions, our members have everything you’re looking for — even when you’re not sure what you’re looking for — chemical-free health and beauty, lifestyle services, whole food, sustainable fashion, eco-style, green gadgets and more … naturally.
Photo by Kinzie
