Personally, from the President...

Reaction vs. Creation

Most of our lives are spent reacting to what happens to us. And it seems the more intense or negative the circumstance, the more we react to it. This is only natural, because we are beings learning about good and bad, judgment and forgiveness. But what is it that we learn ultimately from all of our intense experiences? We learn that most basic lesson there is: We created it, and are creating it at every moment. Sometimes it takes years to come around to that learning, but that is what we're here to learn.

I used to say I was always trying to "get out ahead of my life." I think it was one of Carlos Casteneda's shaman teachers who said something to the effect that one must "meet the whole of life head on" in order to gain control or regain creativity. I've come to see that by embracing the fact of my own creation, life begins to have so much more meaning, and in this embrace I feel "out in front" of what's happening to me.

I'll catch myself, especially when waking up in the morning, going through lists of things I "must" accomplish or there will be dire consequences. This is reacting to life, because the illusions of future think are driving all the possible scenarios I'm trying to avoid. I am at the mercy of my own scenarios that are dictating my actions and behaviors.

It is better to wake up in the morning with an agenda that creates my life in the highest and best way I can imagine. There--that's much more fun, and more healthy... and, more creative. Instead of reacting to my interpretation of my current or future circumstances, I assess those circumstances as simply part of a "life sculpture" in progress. I mean, just because the outward circumstances of my life don't match my highest imagination doesn't mean I'm in any danger. On the contrary, it means I'm in process and well on my way to living the life of my dreams.

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Personally, from the President

Being Home

Every once in a while, many of us experience a "lifting of the veil," where for a moment we experience the world as One. We feel ourselves as the world, and for an instant get a glimpse of the Grand Creation and our indispensible part in it.

These moments have been coming on more frequently as I move along the timeline of my life, tantalizing me to investigate just what it is that causes me to suddenly and unexpectedly end up fully in the Now. I know certain practices that encourage this, and perhaps because I am doing them more, then that explains it. But, to put words to it, I'd say it's about duality vs. oneness.

We live in a dualistic world, a world of polarities: dark-light, good-bad, good-evil, virtuousness-sinfulness, fear-love, etc., etc., etc. Yet, in those those "oneness" episodes there is no "other" out there that is opposite or even different than me, and because this state feels so much like home, it really points up how illusionary this duality certainly must be.

We are all exploring the edges of this Creation we are participating in. Some of us are "dark workers"--who inflict pain and suffering on others, or experience extreme emotional states, or some physical malady or malformation. These dark workers are showing us where we do not have to go--they are already there. They are pioneers at the edges of reality, showing us how vast the possibilities and potentials of this world can be.

The "light workers" on the other hand, explore and demonstrate the realms of contentment, ecstasy and love, and yet, these states cannot be truly known or appreciated without their opposites.

It all gets down to the Grand Experiment of Separation. By separating ourselves from the Creator God Self in order to see who we are, we created a dualistic world: a world where we are, and are not. And the extreme sense of disconnection had us losing our way, as we felt along the edges of this new dualistic world in an attempt to get back Home.

And that's what my occasional bouts of oneness feel like: coming home. All my experience sensually, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually is showing me the Way back Home. If it weren't for the darkness, I could not see the light, and in darkness the light shows us the way. It is only judgment that cements us into the polarities of this dualistic world. We judge something to be not a part of us, and that solidifies our disconnectedness, adding yet another barrier to our journey Home. We fear the dark, and death the most because we mistakenly judge those things to be disconnections. But it is not the darkness or death that is the disconnection, it is our act of judgment that disconnects us.

Acceptance of this world and an embracing of both sides of the duality is the only way Home. Let me meet you There.

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Vibrant Living Newsletter

A time of transition...

It is with a sad heart that I report the passing of Subtle Energy Solutions' president, Shay Arave, on January 9th, 2012. She took over the company in 2001, transforming it from an MLM focussed on one set of products, to an entire retail product line for the express purpose of helping everyone live a vibrant, peaceful, and fulfilling life.

Shay most loved speaking with her customers one-on-one, and helping them with their difficulties and challenges. She inspired so many people, and changed the lives of the hundreds of people she cared so much about. Her beauty, open heart, and angelic caring attitude is greatly missed, yet it was her expressed wish that Subtle Energy Solutions continue on, expanding to help more and more people.

With renewed commitment and energy, we are spreading the word about the unique products we carry, and their huge benefits to all who use them regularly. Subtleenergysolutions.com sister site, Shaysways.com, will remain online in Shay's honor, reflecting her great enthusiasm for all the practitioners, inventors, authors, coaches, yogis and sages she admired and interacted with over the years.

We urge you to take another look at our core Subtle Energy Solutions formulas, if you haven't in a while, and find out which ones really speak to you. Include the Gem Elixirs, and Crystals, asking the question, "Which of these will help me the most?" I can guarantee at least one or two will ring a bell. These are the ones your physical and emotional bodies will most utilize.

Having used these formulas myself since 1996, I can confidently report that they have never failed to bring me back to a state of comfort and energy when things have gotten rocky, and have served as a bedrock of self-care for me. Their value and ease of use make them some of the most effective and useful formulas out there. So, please, check them out.

For the next few issues we will be exploring the value of subtle energy for healing and improving quality of life. We believe the entire field of subtle energy and energy medicine is the future of medical care, as more and more mainstream doctors, chiropractors, and naturopaths embrace it--from Deepak Chopra to Dr. Oz; Dr. Mercola to Dr. Andrew Weil--all have made this prediction.

We look forward to having you along on this journey, and welcome your comments and reports on your experiences. And, as Shay would always say, We love to hear from you!

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Boyd Martin, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, Nov. 25, 2011

From the Vibrant Living Newsletter...

As I close the year, I'm closing it with my own health opportunity. Over the past ten years we've helped thousands of people make their way back to a more vibrant life. Now I find myself doing my own coaching on myself. In other words, the tables have turned, and I am offered an even deeper perspective on the practice I've done with others.

As you know, over the years I've enjoyed corresponding and speaking with you. There are some of you I speak to regularly, and others less frequently, but it has added so much richness to my world.

The balance of this year has been spent in sunny San Diego, California. Some of that time I served as a missionary at the Optimum Health Institute, some of that time I spent studying and practicing Ayurvedic medicine in association with Deep Healing Yoga at the Ginseng Yoga Studio. And a large part of it has been seeking the proper medical care, both allopathic, integrative and holistic, to address and deal with my challenging health opportunity.

A dear spiritual friend of mine is a priest in the heroic and flag-waving New York City, the Lady of Liberty. This priest works with street people--those whom others consider a lost cause. I wanted to share his communication to me, as it touched me deeply. I hope in sharing this communication to all of you, it may touch you as it did me, and put in perspective the true meaning of celebrating with our loved ones.

My Beloved Shay,

While hearing from you delighted my heart, the message was saddening. It always brings up the obviously unanswered question: Why do good people suffer? From the first time we communicated I felt a bond with you and a deep connection.

When somehow in the Grand Matrix an email arrived from Subtle Energy Solutions with your name attached, I was so happy. I immediately called Boyd and asked for you, followed by placing an order which I will do again in the very near future.

We have an expression in Latin,"Cor ad Cor Loquitor", meaning Heart speaking to Heart. From my priestly heart I send you Love, Love,and more Love. I send supportive energy to Boyd who is there by Divine Providence to care for you. Now more than ever you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I will be in touch, Dearheart.

Blessings and Love from above and below, Father V.J.R.,D.D.

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, Oct. 21, 2011

Although I've been living down here in beautiful, mild and sunny San Diego, the nights have become chilly and the days much shorter. The angle of the sun tells the deciduous trees to drop some leaves, and those marine-layer mornings are more frequent and last a little longer. All of this tells my body it is autumn. This is important, because our bodies follow the seasons like everything else in Nature.

I've been studying the Ayurvedic methodology lately, and one of my dear yoga teachers, Laura Plumb, has been a very informative source of information on the subject. She has a great blog worth following, called "Food: A Love Story". Here are her best tips for lifestyle changes to follow the fall season:

1. Rest & Nest ~ Do less. Breathe deep. Turn inward. Come evening, let yourself go gently into the night: Gaze at the Moon. Gaze at a candle. Gaze at the darkness. Dive into the quiet. Enjoy the stillness.
2. Hydrate ~ Start your day with lemon and water. Drink warm ginger tea with your meals. Sip Spicy Tea throughout the day.
3. Abhyanga ~ Give yourself a vigorous full-body, organic oil massage every morning before you shower. (Yes, oil BEFORE shower!). Massage your feet at night with warm oil and cover with cotton socks before bed.
4. Mineral Baths ~ Soak in a warm bath with Epsom Salts. Add lavender or your favorite essential oil. Do this often. Ahhhhhhh.
5. Yogic Power Nap ~ Lie down in Supported Viparita Karani Mudra (photo right) for 15-20 minutes, three times a week. Let time melt away. Feel the peace of relaxation. Allow your body and mind to be deeply nourished and restored.

Thank you, Laura!

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com

Dear Readers, Oct. 3, 2011

Welcome to autumn! Up here in the Pacific Northwest we just never really got summer with cool and wet most of the time, so heading past the fall equinox just adds more night to what's already been going on. But, pumpkins abound, tomatoes are getting done, and the leaves are beginning to burst into color.

As daylight wanes and the night grows, many cultures prepared themselves for a journey into the darkness of the unknown--storing food, stacking wood for fires, and huddling together against the threatening cold. In many ways this is a great metaphor about discovering the power that lies locked up in our "dark side," or our unconscious, behind our greatest fears.

One of my favorite bloggers, Leo Babuata of Zen Habits, posted a great article, "Turning Fear Into Fuel," by Jonathan Fields. Whether it be a health challenge, financial worry, or relationship anxieties, the way to resolution is toward these fears, not away from them. Leo offers ways to pull this off, making confronting our fears more of an adventure than a death march.

First, reframe. Notice the negativity of your self-talk, and change the scenario. For example, instead of just asking "what if I fail?" and creating a doomsday scenario, you also ask "how will I recover, what if I do nothing and what if I succeed?" Then build new stories around those questions.

Another is to singletask. Multi-tasking is out. You really only do one thing at a time anyway, and to have your attention on something while you're doing that one thing lowers your efficiency and in some cases can be downright dangerous. One thing at a time is what the human brain does. Let it do it! The focus gained from this approach relieves you of fears and anxieties of not getting other things done. You'll get to them when you get to them.

Life really is an adventure--not a death march. In fact, when a sense of adventure is felt, it has been scientifically shown to immediately boost the immune system.

Until next time...

In vibrant health,

Shay Arave, President
Subtleenergysolutions.com
Vibrant Living Newsletter

The brilliant colors of Fall are starting to bloom. With Fall comes a variety of nourishing hearty fruits and vegetables including the great pumpkin. This is the best time to find fresh pumpkin so take advantage of it! Fresh fruits and vegetables will always provide you with the most nutrients and natural enzymes that the body can use more readily. Pumpkin and its seeds provide many important nutrients, on top of loads of fun for family and friends.

Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkins:

1.      Vitamins: Pumpkin and its seeds contain nutrients such as vitamin C, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, both beta & alpha carotenoids (anti-oxidants which help prevent cell damage), and lutein (support healthy eyes).

2.      Organ Health: The nutrients in pumpkin and its seeds help support the health of your kidney, bladder and prostate.

3.      Sickness Prevention: Helps with minimizing osteoporosis, increases digestive health by helping with parasites & tapeworms, and lowering cholesterol.

4.      Protein: Pumpkin seeds are high in protein.

5.      General Benefits: Pumpkin seeds help the body get rid of parasites and other unwelcomed digestive inhabitants, and they contain healthy essential fatty acid oils.

6.      Important Fact: Organic, raw pumpkin seeds will provide you with the most nutrients and enzymes.

Easy ways to incorporate pumpkin into your diet:

1.      A handful of raw pumpkin seeds as a snack or mixed with trail mix, on top of cereal

2.      Pumpkin seed butter spread on toast

3.      Pumpkin pie/desserts/pancakes/waffles

4.      Pumpkin baked or browned with spices in risotto, chili, rice, spaghetti