Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2024 #246 i Odyssey Magazine

Community My Story Nianell Five years ago Odyssey's editor Debra Robins interviewed Nianell, at her home in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, where she shared that she was dating an incredibly special human. She had just launched her book, Life Simplified which incidentally is a powerful read. “I had the joy of sharing a sumptuous lunch with her and her daughters Kaeley, Tayden and Jade, prepared by her dearest friend and personal assistant, Ronel.” “Nianell married Kevin - her ‘special human’ - on April 28th (cover image) and I caught up with them in Cape Town recently, after a busy schedule which included a honeymoon for this truly special couple.” Nianell was also attending a ThetaHealing refresher course in Cape Town and had a number of theatre bookings for the ‘Love is…

Community There is no love affair greater than the love between a river and a mountain. Theirs is the closest of all unions. In their sojourn from mountain to ocean their love lights the world with fertility and wild greenery. A love like this lasts a lifetime. The river has a wild mind and it says to the wild earth: “Show me the way home.” And as the river journeys homewards to the ocean it sings, celebrating its merging union with the furthest shores. Witnessing this love in the river is an act of remembrance that takes us back to the sacred source, where the primordial nature of life is present. This source of creation is a vital wellspring of renewal, an everpresent stream of unfolding life that cascades into…

Spiritual Living I'm sure you'll agree that, especially right now, the world needs wisdom. In times of great stress and suffering, the world needs our wisdom more than ever. But what if your inner obstacles are keeping you from stepping up and stepping into your role? What if the stress of living in tough times is blocking your inner intuitive guidance? If my life has taught me anything, it's how to access inner wisdom during insanely stressful, even traumatic times. I've come to call this ‘Building my Wisdom Well’. You could call my Wisdom Well method a mix of simple meditation, mindfulness, journaling and self-coaching. I call it, how I survive being human. I've learned how to find inner wisdom, clarity and strength to heal crippling shyness from my childhood…

Community This is not only about how much exercise we do, meditating and what we eat; it extends to our general outlook on life, what we value and what we prioritise, because these have as much impact on our holistic wellbeing. Our world today is so super hyper-connected that it's all too easy to become caught up in the pursuit of external markers of success such as wealth, status and material possessions. However, studies show that these external markers fail to bring lasting happiness and fulfilment. Every time we see #humbled and #blessed we land up questioning our own joy and achievements in comparison to others. However, it is our priorities and values that shape the choices we make in life, ultimately determining our sense of fulfilment and wellbeing. Recent…

The long-term health benefits of the South African-grown Rooibos tea have gained worldwide attention and, with CBD's incredible health benefits now in the spotlight, Laager Rooibos is fusing the two to bring the country a daily dose of goodness! Laager Plus CBD-infused Rooibos, which will soon be landing on South African shelves, offers all the goodness of Rooibos with the added benefits of CBD. CBD – which is short for cannabidiol - is a chemical that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. However, it is different from THC, which is the psychoactive component in the plant, and does not have any mind-altering properties. CBD-infused Rooibos could assist the body to achieve homeostasis – a systemic balance – while contributing to nervous system health and enhanced sleep. “We're currently living in…

Health Food Many people have their own preferences of how they enjoy coffee, whether in terms of strength or texture. Drinking coffee as a smoothie might not be at the top of your list just yet. However, it's one of the more innovative ways people consume it and garnering plenty of attention. A coffee smoothie is more than just your regular frappucino or other cold coffee blends, though the comparison isn't too far off. It has a creamy texture that still retains the appeal of caffeine while bringing flavours of banana and nuts into the mix. It has many popular benefits and is quite easy to make. Reasons for drinking coffee as a smoothie Drinking coffee as a smoothie makes sense, whether you're a fan of breakfast shakes or a…

Embracing homegrown. Why do we espouse this ethos? Because within its folds lies a pathway to the divine - a journey of selfless devotion and service. It beckons us to transcend the mundane, offering prayers and gestures of worship that extend beyond ourselves, reaching out to uplift others. Even the simple act of breathing becomes a sacred ritual, devoid of the taint of pungent substances, such as onions, garlic and chives, ensuring that our very essence remains pure and untainted. To achieve clarity of mind and purity of body, we must embrace a lifestyle free from toxins and impurities. This entails abstaining from harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco and some medications and, instead, embracing the healing bounty of nature. Herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables become our allies in this…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B In the past many friends and guests, who have joined me in the Kalahari for a Bushmen cultural experience, have remarked on the behaviour of Rain-child and the other children of the clan as they never seem to need disciplining and never appear to be unhappy. The children seem to take pride in helping the adults with their domestic duties and, when not helping the adults, they will happily amuse themselves with a dry tsama melon, guinea fowl feather, or similar. It does not take long for visitors to become aware of this ‘unusual’ child behaviour, prompting the question: “How can these children always be so happy and content even though they have nothing?” When the question is posed to Bushmen parents, they express surprise, replying: “But why…

Meet Chanel at KwazuluSpirit 2024 Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B I AM Kuthumi and I come forward upon the Rays of Love and Wisdom to greet thee at this time and to gift unto thee a divine blessing of love. The ‘Lion's Gate’ Infinite Portal of the Divine Goddess is all about divine feminine creative energy, which, along with the Leo energy, invites everyone to roar their power like royalty. Each year this coincides with the ‘Day out of Time’ (25 July) and the Planetary Galactic New Year (26 July) when this gateway awakens. It closes on August 12th. It is a powerful time of integrating Diamond Light Codes directly emitted via the Great Central Sun Galactic Core, through Sirius, via your Sun, streaming transformational Love frequencies towards you. Your planetary evolution depends on…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B Wise words, insinuating to follow your own inner guidance. So very profound if you look at how the gut was formed and the role it plays in keeping you alive and well. What happens if your gut is ill, broken down, irritated, ulcerated? Will you be following your inner guidance or will the guidance be influenced by the actual status of the tissue housing the neurological network which is the translator of life force (guidance)? Let us start at the beginning Two major channels form in the embryo, the spine and the gut tissue. The spine becomes the neurological network, which is the operating system of the body; it brings movement and change to cells, tissue, organs, systems and processes. The gut tissue becomes everything else. From your…

Community “From you I learnt words beneath the Bodhi Tree. A – Z resonant in simplicity as you spun the Dharma Wheel anatman bardo mudita zazen whirled off your tongue. Your rondavel heart, lined with thatched volumes, still speaks to us in a ‘last words’ book. I read of a dying mystic, when brought his favourite layered ‘last wish’ cake. Novices leaned in to listen to wise whispered words that recall our Cake the Buddha Ate – my, but this cake is delicious. Your intention presence poise, nowhere everywhere, rakes the zen garden, barefoots the labyrinth, circles the Stupa and the dam. Excerpt: Man in a Mist Swirl by Dorian Haarhoff Louis was a great character and to spend time with him was to be infused with some of his spirit.…

Community A decade and a half ago, I wrote a book called Money Well - How to Contain Wealth, about wealth containment. It is my signature approach and it opened the doors to using the metaphor of a container, which is now in common usage in the self-development world. A copy of Money Well somehow found its way to a second-hand bookstore in Bangkok. A decade later, the Thai buyer of the book has not only attended most of my online courses and talks which I started delivering last year, but he invited me to deliver Money Alchemy online to a Thai audience, which I have just done over the last two weekends. Not only is he a translator, which is very useful, but he is very familiar with my…

Each object, each living being is the work of consciousness. Each object and being has the awareness of the consciousness that created it. It is all one experience, located differently. Just like the experience of your head and foot is one experience, located differently. Becoming aware of the one experience can create a deep sense of peace and belonging. We belong together as one consciousness but experience this from separate locations, from separate vantage points and perspectives. Everything is an expression of the one consciousness, the one awareness. The one consciousness watches from billions of positions, seeing simultaneously through billions of different windows. Yet what it is aware of and sees from every position is one Discover Your Soul's Answers to Life's Great Questions Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is a clinical…

Spotlight on: Wellness Within Are you feeling: stressed out, overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted and tired of trying too hard. Is that meditation is too challenging for your busy mind? Then this PROCESS experience might be just the thing for you! P ause, breathe, focus R elease technique O pen, willing, accepting/welcoming, allowing, loving, kindness C reative, easy, fun solutions E nergy enhancers to support your physiology S tillness, silence S oul connection, set your spirit free. The quagmire of the new consciousness with all the accompanying chaos of new beginnings and changes we are all experiencing now is often a huge challenge! It is a difficult ride, as is giving birth to a baby. Exciting and creative, but associated with a deep responsibility nevertheless. Transforming from scorpion (deep earth, subconscious, past…

Body, Mind, Spirit We've all seen the motivational posters: “Be the change you wish to see in the world!” “Take up space!” “Roar like a lion!” But let's be honest, sometimes those messages feel about as helpful as a participation trophy. We get all fired up, ready to conquer the universe with our dazzling personalities and launching ourselves into the spotlight with loud speakers in hand… and then… crickets. Maybe tomorrow - and there are dishes to be done. Where did the courage go? Taking up space isn't about being noisy, selfish, overbearing, attention seeking… it's simply about allowing yourself to be YOU – fully. Radiating your vibrant light, owning your unique quirks and sharing your voice with the world. And why? Because that is simply your birthright and your…

Feature Cannabis Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System. Before we can contemplate marijuana as medicine, we need to understand the complex endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS, found in all animals, is the physical avenue by which marijuana interacts with our bodies, our minds, and our spirits, writing the codes for health and bliss. The story of the ECS begins 34 million years ago when life as we know it began in the great Mother Ocean. The first beings, enclosed in a single cell, were free-floating and self-contained. They could not survive alone, however. Like us, they needed communication with others to thrive. Even at the beginning all life was connected, albeit with invisible threads, in a magnificent energetic web. Exactly how were those cells talking with each other as they were…

Feature Cannabis I was introduced to Cheri recently and was immediately intrigued by her story. I had been struggling with insomnia for many years and had been taking cannabis in different forms to help with that, but at the time I met Cheri, I was also struggling terribly from a sudden onset of burning feet. It had just been a few months, but the pain had sent me down the Google rabbit hole and the prognosis was daunting. Probably more overwhelming was how many people were affected by it. After a thorough discussion with Cheri over my own personal situation, Cheri suggested I try her THC drops for sleep and her CBD drops through the day for general wellbeing, with a personalised instruction on how to take them. Not understanding…

Eco Planet To address the above question there needs to be an understanding of both the meaning of the word ‘Love’ and what is meant by the term ‘Natural World’. Our Natural World is the product of Creation and millions of years of evolution. It is a representation of all that has survived the test of time by remaining connected to Universal Intelligence, as only that which is true can survive. Our Natural World as it exists today, in all its shapes and forms, is a product of Divine Creation and represents the Ineffable Truth, that is, a truth which words cannot describe. Humans are only a recent product of this Creation – and not the Creator. Love is defined in the English language as: ‘A’ feeling of deep affection’.…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B Firstly, we need to go back, way back, to the time of the San people, who were here on the South Coast of KZN from the earliest of humanity time. According to records, the San people, also known as the Bushmen, have lived in Southern Africa for tens of thousands of years. The exact length is difficult to determine but the time frame is estimated to be between 20 000 and 100 000 years, most likely longer. In their time, they would have experienced the migration of the Nguni Tribe around 700 years ago. These were to become the Xhosa, who were eventually driven further south by more Nguni tribe migration, the Zulus, around 500 years ago (late 1400s) and then the Boer migrants from the great trek,…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B Chanel Lingenfelder Live Channelling Kuthumi 09:30 - Marquee Chanel is a Therapist, Spiritualist, Trans-Voice Channel for the Ascended Masters, Lightworker, and author of ‘From Party Patsy to Praying Patricia’. Apart from earning mega-academic accolades, she is the bringer of love, light and laughter everywhere she goes. Her service in the light serves all consciousness in support of the unfolding Golden Age. visionoftheheart.co.za Dr Arien van der Merwe Optimal Heart Health 10:00 - Open Workroom The heart is the meeting place for the physical body, emotions and soul. Dr Arien explores and shares evidence-based facts and figures on the natural integrative holistic approach aimed at improving the energy metabolism inside the heart's cells as well as blood supply to the heart, while also facilitating the welcoming and releasing of…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B Yin Yoga is a gentle and uplifting practice that helps us heal both our hearts and minds. It is the ultimate nurturing self-care, enabling our bodies to commune with us. It differs enormously from Vinyasa yet is the perfect complement! Instead of merely focusing on movement, Yin Yoga emphasises the importance of slowing down through stretching, rest and introspection. Like a cool breeze on a hot summer's day, Yin Yoga provides the user with a quick respite from the pressures that often burden us in this modern age. A heightened awareness through Yin Yoga The various poses and stretches that are utilised in Yin Yoga allow for the participants to step into a deeper psychological awareness with themselves, as well as with their own emotional and transpersonal awareness.…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B The ancestral calling is unique and not limited to black Africans only. South Africa boasts a few white, coloured and Indian traditional healers, who were trained and mentored amongst familiar lines. We have to preserve the beauty and integrity of our diverse community. I personally had to sacrifice an entire professional career in the building environment in order to take up work as a traditional health practitioner on a full-time basis. This is my 24th year in the field and I have gathered a lot of wisdom in the process. My appeal to the younger and recently initiated traditional healers is that their conduct should remain dignified and full of integrity at all times. African traditional health practitioners worked tirelessly with the national Department of Health between 2003…

How so? In this frenetic world that we navigate daily, it's easy to overlook the foundational aspects of wellness and the profound impact of wellness within in order to create wellness without. Wellness within is the first critical step toward a flourishing, integrated body, mind and soul. You can have the most aesthetically pleasing physical form yet, should the inner being, the essence of who you are, be dispirited and disrupted, overall wellness cannot be attained. “Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind and spirit - the realisation that everything we do, think, feel and believe has an effect on our state of wellbeing.” Greg Anderson The ‘Wellness Within™ Journal launches in partnership with the Wellness Travel Association in Q4 of 2024…

Community “Walk gently on Mother Earth. She is the only one we have. Thank you, Geoff, for reminding us to be reverent and caring for the environment. Archbishop Desmond Tutu How fascinating is the idea that the path to joy does not lead us away from suffering and adversity, but through it. I've been revisiting my life and my world walk within this context and reframing some of my beliefs and perceptions. Rewind to July 2011 and I took my first steps on a pilgrimage to raise awareness around climate change issues, vowing to listen to my inner prompts and to answer the call of my soul, even when the invitations were contrary to all that seemed safe and sensible. I was 62 years old and thriving on a plant-based diet…

Spotlight on: Wellness Within “If you are feeling stuck or recycling old painful patterns and looking for a way to shift and set yourself free, I have just released this book which is intended to be a resource companion to those who want and need it. It is the friend I wish I had when I was facing tough times and didn't know where to find help from a trusted source. I share some of the ‘adventures’ and catalysts that catapulted me into the life I now live and love. It is my mission and passion to take my experiences and lessons learnt and ‘pay it forward’, so the knowledge and insights I have gained offer comfort and inspire courage in others to take a leap of faith towards the…

Spotlight on: Wellness Within Even before I became a practitioner of energy healing, I believed thoughts and words had energy and this energy could either cause blockages leading to disharmony or be employed to increase balance in our lives. At a young age, I was introduced in Sunday school to the idea that what we think and say influences our experiences. This concept was reinforced in a teen church group; then, in my 20s, after graduating from college, I began to study metaphysics. I took Science of Mind classes, wherein we learned principles that we could consistently apply to effect personal change and then we practised using these ideas in our everyday living. One of the main principles that stuck with me was the ‘law of attraction’. It became clear…

Blissexology Relationships Pleasure… It's something that often fills many of us with a sense of guilt or even anxiety, to take the time to enjoy pleasure and rest in the body. Even the word pleasure can bring up guilt or shame! For so many of us, even eating something delicious, or taking some downtime makes us feel unproductive and anxious. As a solopreneur for many years, I've realised how the entrepreneurial hustle has eaten its way into my space, a ‘productive’ day filled with ‘work’ often feels so much more manageable, than resting or enjoying something whilst relaxing. Finding time for a sunny spot and a good book, a guided meditation or a daydreaming space sometimes sparks guilt and it certainly seems I'm not the only one! Some activities which benefit…

Feature Cannabis Cannabis therapy has been making headlines for its potential health benefits, yet myths and misunderstandings abound. Especially when it comes to boosting our immune system during the chilly winter months, it's easy to get lost in the fog of misinformation. Let's shine a light on some of these myths and see what science really has to say about cannabis and our immune health. Myth 1: Cannabis weakens your immune system A common worry is that using cannabis might actually harm your immune system. This idea comes from some older studies suggesting cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis, might suppress immune functions. But wait! More recent research paints a more nuanced picture. Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps keep our bodies in balance. The ECS influences…

Health Food During winter, nourishing the gut with wholefoods and superfoods is important to support the immune system, maintain digestive health and provide essential nutrients that can combat seasonal illnesses and promote overall wellbeing, including keeping your skin healthy and glowing. Recipe for a nourishing winter superfood soup that's not only delicious but also great for promoting glowing skin and a balanced gut: Ingredients: • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 teaspoon grated ginger • 2 carrots, chopped • 2 stalks celery, chopped • 1 small sweet potato, peeled and chopped • 1 cup kale, chopped • 1 cup spinach, chopped • 1 cup broccoli florets • 6 cups vegetable broth/stock • 1 can diced tomatoes • 1 can chickpeas, drained…

Wellness Travel “The most powerful times in our lives can be the time in between times, or life's transitions that give us the opportunity to choose” Bill Crawford Remember a time, then or now, when you've been between careers, jobs, life stages or relationships? Traditionally, the narrative around our ‘in between’ times has centred around lack, confusion and disappointment: An unwelcome waiting room en route to happiness or the place we really want to be, suggesting that anything prior to ‘happily ever after’ on the final page of our story is unfulfilling, unproductive and not enough. And while a forward-thinking strategy and vision are crucial to our progress, what if we choose a new story around life's transitional times, get comfortable with change and see the ‘in between’ as an opportunity…

Eco Planet After a four-year hiatus and the withdrawal of a long-standing sponsor, a private sector-led team emerged to ensure South Africa's flora was once again represented at this prestigious event. Key members of this team included Leon Kluge, an acclaimed plantsman and landscape designer, Keith Kirsten, conservationist Michael Lutzeyer, and Marinda Nel. The financial backing from the Rupert Nature Foundation and Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, along with numerous contributions from the private sector, was crucial in bringing this display to life in London. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and Michael Lutzeyer contributed significantly to the project with their focus on conservation and community upliftment. The Grootbos Florilegium, a collection of botanical illustrations showcasing rare plants from the reserve, was a highlight of the exhibit. Keith Kirsten added his extensive international…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B Dr Arien van der Merwe The Heart of a Woman 09:30 - Marquee Join Dr Arien in this interactive workshop exploring the stages and life cycles of women, from menarche to polycystic ovarian disease, insulin resistance, fertility, heart and breast health. And those peri-menopause, menopause and wisdom years. Share in this sacred and blessed women's circle where all ages will come together in ceremony and celebration. arianihealth.com Evelyn Alessandri Gratitude Journaling 10:00 - Open Workroom “When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful” Roy Bennett. Explore gratitude journaling with Evelyn, who is an empowering mentor, coach, speaker and author who is dedicated to helping individuals manifest the life they desire. Through her transformative products, captivating talks, and rejuvenating retreats, she ignites a spark within people. evelynalessandri.com…

Tickets: www.qkt.io/yej05B Leo Low Ming is a dedicated, professional martial artist. He has trained with the world's top masters and practised his art for over 48 years. Leo teaches the young and the not so young. This is learning through doing. How to experience and evolve through the martial ways unfurls. Join Leo Low Ming for a unique experience. Step by step, let the master lead you… Simple taiji and qi gong movements and meditation techniques open up an energetic connection with the physical world. The western way thinks vigorous exercise that strengthens the muscles and heart brings good health. But the eastern way is different. Gentle, slow, repetitive movements release tension in the soft tissues and nerves, stimulate the organs, circulate the blood and quietly relax you. Here there…