September/October 2002 NW Newsmakers
Community News

Body Mind & Spirit Expo Offers Alternatives for Health

Now in its 16th year, Body Mind & Spirit Expo has become the largest health and wellness expo in the United States. The purpose of Body Mind & Spirit is to expose the public to new and alternative ways of thinking and living. With a presence in 25 states and expanding, Body Mind & Spirit creates an arena for practitioners of alternative healing and the spiritual arts and sciences to offer their knowledge, products and services to the general public.

Expo founder, Steve Strickland, hopes that by providing these venues, those in search of change will be empowered to take charge of their own well-being. He encourages taking a skeptical approach to the metaphysical ideas presented, while remaining open to the possibilities that will unfold. "We live in a much larger world than we normally think about, and skepticism takes a backseat when we see things proven."

Originating in Ashland, Oregon in 1987 as Lifeways Expo, the company evolved into the semi-annual Body Mind & Spirit Expos throughout the west and southeast. It then expanded into the mid-west and eastern states, and in the coming year Body Mind & Spirit will include over 50 expos scheduled in 30 states coast to coast.

Body Mind & Spirit exhibitors will offer everything from natural and holistic health products to spiritual books and enlightened art, while healers provide treatments ranging from massage and yoga techniques to intuitive readings, extending advice to those seeking enlightenment regarding their current life course.

Along with over 100 exhibitors, a full program of free lectures is offered to educate and enlighten attendees on a vast array of topics. So whether you get a massage, soak in a detoxifying footbath or have an intuitive reading or healing, Body Mind & Spirit works hard at providing a safe environment to explore new ideas, and expand your perspective.

The Expo will be held at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Blvd, Portland on September 28-29. Info: 541-482-3722 or www.bmse.net.

 

World-Renowned Ayurvedic Physician to Visit Portland

World-renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Partap S. Chauhan is scheduled to visit Portland Oct 8-13, 2002. SW Portland’s Ayurveda Plus Rejuvenation Center hosts this visit. During his visit he will be publicly available at many speaking events, conducting workshops on Ayurveda, and offering personal consultations.

Dr. Chauhan practices Ayurveda in its pure and original form. He has a degree in Ayurvedic medicine from Delhi University, and has also studied under a guru for five years. He is one of the few Ayurvedic physicians who can claim succession to an original Ayurvedic lineage. Dr. Chauhan has his own clinic and pharmacy in Faridabad, a township of Delhi, treating patients suffering from chronic diseases.

Ayurveda is the Vedic science of healing for both body and mind. Yoga is the Vedic science of Self-realization that depends upon a well-functioning body and mind. Dr. Chauhan will explain how this ancient knowledge of Ayurveda can deepen and enhance not only your personal yoga practice, but also all aspects of your life. Specifically, Ayurveda defines 10 different body-mind types and gives us a specific routine, dietary practices and physical activities for each individual.

Dr. Chauhan’s recent book, Eternal Health – the Essence of Ayurveda, is being translated into 5 languages. Here is a perfect opportunity to learn about Ayurveda directly from an expert.

Dr. Chauhan is scheduled to teach a workshop on Ayurveda at Holiday’s Yoga Center, Wed Oct 8 at 4:00 PM, New Renaissance Book Shop, Sat Oct 12, and Nature’s NW Lake Oswego & Fremont Stores Tues 7:30 and Friday 7:30, respectively. Dr. Chauhan will also be conducting a workshop for health professionals on ‘Ayurvedic Treatments for Chronic Disorders’ on Sunday, October 13th at the Ayurveda Plus Rejuvenation Center.

For more information, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chauhan or for a complete schedule of his visit call Richard Haynes at Ayurveda Plus Rejuvenation Center 503-248-4670.

 

Bringing Green Building & Feng Shui Together in Portland

Professor Thomas Lin Yun, International Master of Feng Shui and important mentor to many, is teaching a class in Urban Planning & Landscape Design in Feng Shui on October 12 & 13 at the Eco-Trust Building in the Pearl District on Northwest 10th & Irving.

Professor Lin has degrees in Urban Administration and Law. He blends his great academic and spiritual knowledge and skills with humor and insight to expand our awareness of planning and deep ecology.

Professor Lin’s work creates a crossroads for many approaches to come together. It is especially exciting to bring Professor Lin Yun to Portland’s new landmark, the Eco Trust building, to see what else might come together. The building project is a unique blend of innovation and restoration and is the first historic building to reap the LEED Gold rating.

Part of the weekend will also be devoted to landscape design and the Professor will evaluate the chi or life force of the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. To register, call Yun Lin Temple 510/841-2347 or visit yunlintemple.org for more information.

 

International Day of Peace Activities - 21 September

Last year, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution (55/282) designating 21 September of each year as an International Day of Peace.  The intention of the resolution is to have all Member States observe a full day of global ceasefire and nonviolence.  To support the International Day of Peace on a spiritual level, a group of lay persons and NGOs, representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, are encouraging "the observation of a worldwide, 24-hour Vigil for peace and non-violence on the International Day of Peace 21 September 2002 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."

 

Dignity Village Receives National Recognition

Congratulations to the residents of Dignity Village! On Saturday, July 27th, they became first recipient of the Waking Planet New World Flag. The Waking Planet New World Flag represents a world of peace and harmony based on the recognition of the inherent dignity and worth of, every person on the planet!

Waking Planet recognized the people of Dignity Village for their living example of a respectful, caring and sustainable community. The flag was accepted on behalf of the community by Tafari, Dignity Village chairman, and Ibrahim Mubarak, secretary and spokesman.

Barbara Upton, who conceived the Waking Planet New World Flag in the aftermath of 9/11, explained that the flag is about remembering that at essence we are one people, sharing one small planet, with one future. The flag depicts a world of harmony and peace, where every individual is valued and respected for his or her inherent dignity. The colored figures on the flag remind us that it is only when people stand in equal relationship to one another that humanity's true brilliance shines. The sun below represents the dawning of a new era and the moon above reminds us that life is cyclical and that every crisis creates an opportunity of equal intensity.

Barabara Upton’s message at the presentation ceremony opened with the following: "I believe that you, the people of Dignity Village have designed a grand experiment for humanity's next step in higher consciousness! I think we are reaching a point in our evolution where we can replace fear, divisiveness, anger and aggression with love, communication, cooperation and caring. Our very survival as a species depends on us making this shift! And you, the people of Dignity Village are … the inspiration for the rest of us!"

Dignity’s web site is http://dignityvillage.org and the website of Waking Planet is www. wakingplanet.com