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NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2, #4

Ideas for people pursuing an empowered life,


CONTENT

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A "LESSON FROM THE JUNGLE..." (Top)

On the Nature of learning

The Rock & Roll tune that suggests we "...teach the children well..." is 100% right. Successful species do it all the time. The newest realization is that the teacher benefits tremendously in the exchange --- in one of those "altruistic self-interest" management scenarios that Nature champions.

In Costa Rica's jungles, monkey babies learn "life" from mama, papa, the rest of the family and their clan. Sharing a strong emotional connection, mother helps baby learn the nuances of relationship and papa explains how baby fits into the big plan. Baby has to understand family, clans, rivals, enemies and predators. It has to learn who will help, under what circumstances and how alliances can fuel or fool their sense of "self".

Monkeys learn strategy to claim "position" in their society. If a dominant member of the tribe threatens you or another family member, who shall you count on to help or who can you attack to retaliate and balance things out? Monkey youngsters learn how to weigh odds and assess rules of engagement before they are free to roam about the forest. They'll be directed to try many different approaches to social interactions - from aggressive posturing to diplomacy, to fawning, grooming and sexual play- so they bond with significant others. They'll be guided in figuring out what works when, with who and why.

Human kids mostly learn by watching and are expected to "..do what they are told" when learning. But research shows that hearing instructions is the worse way to learn anything. I shudder when I realize that it's the favored way of passing on education most everywhere: "Me talk, you listen."

Many parents act as if their kids secretly know how to behave in every circumstance but are just being bad. Some parents are so sure their kid is misbehaving on a previously understood instruction they'll yell: "I thought I told you..." as they address a lack.

Maybe so, but telling 'em just ain't enough.

My daughter Natalie recently presented me with a grandson - Cameron. She's told me on several occasions that she wants to raise him the same way I guided her. All her life, I've encouraged her to live life as an adventure: "Try it!", "Do things!", "Experience love and joy above all!", "Find passion!" - these were her rules. She's taken it to heart and - so far - has had many "...most excellent adventures". Aside from the usual camping in the North woods and backpacking through Europe, she's flown an Air Force jet, managed a very busy restaurant, edited a daily newspaper and worked as a volunteer fireman.

She's in British Columbia now but she came East last summer when her job required her a mere 350 miles away. We planned a day together, deciding to meet half-way, on the shores of the St-Lawrence.

After a leisurely breakfast, as we did when she was little, we went looking for adventure. In the immediate community, we visited a glassmaking factory, a cider-maker, a winery, a cheese factory and the local historical sites, appreciating the drive in the countryside on the way. Late in the afternoon, we sat in a park to eat what we'd purchased during the day.

After a great picnic and before going our separate ways, I handed her some pamphlets I'd picked up from the places we'd visited and, patting her very round belly, said: "When the baby asks what his grandpa is like, tell him or her what we did today. Teach your baby to have fun, to enjoy learning new things and keep explaining that people learn best by doing things. That understanding follows experience."

She laughed, answering that her baby had so many adventures waiting because she knows I'm right ...just jump in cold and do things. Research agrees too; it's found that listening/hearing is only 10% effective in the apprenticeship process.

Top trainers say "heuristic" learning - i.e. self-discovery - work best:

I'm looking forward to showing the little baby-Cam a few of my best tricks as it'll let me experience them again myself. Aha - that task is its own reward.

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AN EMPOWERING TECHNIQUE, TOOL OR EXERCISE (Top)

"Role Play" is an excellent way to explore self-empowerment. Seeing with new eyes causes new attitudes and new ideas. Consider how an actor will take on the characteristics of a subject and then react. The great ones will actually think like the character they are playing.

Enacting a role, you'll trace the character's neural pathways into your own brain by linking patterns of neurons. Brainstorm as if you had the options of a great warrior, of a multinational CEO or of a saint? Because mind is a result of a process [brain + awareness], your thinking will be transformed.

Some big stars tell how they experienced psychological problems before they'd developed a strong enough sense of self to then become fearless and "possessed" by the roles they play.

Consider how " habitual " is a polarity to "ritual" and then gather a group of friends to stage a rewarding work session. How would Arthurian Knights solve the problem? Or how would a pride of lions create opportunity? Get more details here.

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OUR FEATURED COSTA RICA TOUR (Top)

PERSONAL POWER & EARTH INTELLIGENCE is 10-days of wondrous adventures to discover how universal energy becomes personal power. This about noospheres on a Biosphere and how you can aspire to a higher intelligence: Mind expansion, Life extension, Light migration.

We'll visit the Central Valley, the Pacific Coast, the Southern zone and the andean paramo during this magical mystery tour. Take a crash-course on what ancient sorcerers said are the essential ingredients to «sacred magic». For an overview, click here and then write us details.

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WEB LINKS TO HELP YOU WORK AND PLAY (Top)

Want to share some big and small secrets? How'd you like to travel the Earth for free? - for instance. A sponsor will pay your 'round the world tour if you write about it online. The facts are at http://worldsurface.com

Who did what to whom, when and why? If you ever wondered about "conspiracy" theories, check out the latest secrets at http://www.surfingtheapocalypse.com

How will that big romance turn out? Read about an ongoing intrigue at http://www.byronref.com/story01.html and scoop out the inside stuff.

How does that kid's story end? Kids decide at http://cbc4kids.ca/general/words/never-ending

Who will win that classic chess match? The details are discussed at the Chess Café - http://www.chesscafe.com/endgame/endgame.htm

What's in MacDo's secret sauce? Trade secrets are revealed at http://www.topsecretrecipes.com

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SOME INSPIRING QUOTATIONS (Top)

"If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you. I am here to live out loud." - Emile Zola

"Whether you 'have it' or not, you still have to work your butt off." - Tiger Woods

"An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it." - Bill Bernbach

"We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap into the dark to our success." - Henry David Thoreau

"If you don't set a baseline standard for what you will accept in life, you'll find it easy to slip into negative behaviors and attitudes, to a quality of life that is far below what you deserve." - Anthony Robbins

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You must do the things which you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

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A BIT OF A GIGGLE (Top)

During the vicious Yaqui Indian wars in Northern Mexico and in Arizona, invading warriors would quickly sweep into a town and take complete control of it. Most often, everyone of importance fled just as the invaders struck, leaving the weak, the sick and the elderly to answer to them.

In this particular case all the notables ran... except a very wise old man, a local healer. Hearing about the wise man from several sources, and curious about the old fellow, the head marauder - now head of all - sent for him, to see for himself what kind of person this was.

Soon his messenger returned with an unexpected reply: "The old man says he is too busy and he has too many responsibilities to be disturbed. But thank you very much for inviting him."

The head turned crimson. When he wasn't given the deference and submissiveness to which he was accustomed, this leader was known to burst into rage and to act out in terrible ways. He was a murderous wretch, unafraid of anyone, with no respect for life.

At the news, he seethed slowly, frightening all who surrounded him. And then he growled: "Tell the old man I'll visit him next week to see for myself what keeps him so occupied."

On the appointed day, he rode to the healer's house and found him serving several old, poor, decrepit people. The marauder saw nothing important anywhere.

"You fool," he shouted as he rushed towards the healer, sword drawn and spear at the ready, "...don't you realize what you've done? You are standing before a man of great power and might, a man who you refused to see in deference to these nobodies. Are you too stupid to realize that I could run you through without blinking an eye!"

Despite the threat, the healer seemed totally unconcerned and he continued to help a very frail woman drink a potion. When she was done, he dabbed her mouth and then turned to the intruder.

"And do you realize", he said calmly and kindly, "...that you are standing before a man who can be run through without blinking an eye? When we stand before Creator, we'll see which realization, in fact, requires more power."

Legend says the warrior became an eager apprentice and a great healer himself.


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