<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Lynn Serafinn&#039;s [Cosmic] Journey &#187; Social Reform</title>
	<atom:link href="http://lynnserafinn.com/category/social-reform-justice-world-peace/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://lynnserafinn.com</link>
	<description>the one-stop launchpad to everything I do  ~  click on a picture below to go to the planet of your choice</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:30:32 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2</generator>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
			<item>
		<title>Recipe for raw cream of asparagus, tofu and fennel soup &#8211; a spiritual delight</title>
		<link>http://lynnserafinn.com/global-wellness-circle-holistic-heart-soul-mind-body-spirit-community/recipe-for-raw-cream-of-asparagus-tofu-and-fennel-soup-a-spiritual-delight/</link>
		<comments>http://lynnserafinn.com/global-wellness-circle-holistic-heart-soul-mind-body-spirit-community/recipe-for-raw-cream-of-asparagus-tofu-and-fennel-soup-a-spiritual-delight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:56:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News from Lynn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition Town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ENJOY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[uplifting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lynnserafinn.com/?p=1227</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You&#8217;re probably wondering what the heck this has to do with anything. Why is Lynn suddenly publishing a recipe? Well, I think the fact that when I tasted this I thought I had gone to heaven might be reason enough. But if we need another reason, I can think of several, which I shall share [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/asparagus1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1234" style="margin: 10px; border: 0pt none;" title="asparagus" src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/asparagus1-150x150.jpg" alt="asparagus" width="150" height="150" /></a>You&#8217;re probably wondering what the heck this has to do with anything. Why is Lynn suddenly publishing a recipe? Well, I think the fact that when I tasted this I thought I had gone to heaven might be reason enough. But if we need another reason, I can think of several, which I shall share with you AFTER the good stuff&#8230; the SOUP!</p>
<p><strong>Equipment</strong><br />
The good news is, you don’t need any fancy equipment for this one. I am using a Tribest “personal” smoothie maker, and I imagine a good blender would also do the trick. For me, my personal smoothie maker is perfect because I live alone, and there is no waste or leftovers. It&#8217;s also extremely energy efficient because it is tiny, and you only need to run it for a few seconds to make your soup. The recipe below is for ONE serving (about 12 oz/400ml). If you have a larger blender/smoothie maker, and want to make more soup, just increase the amounts as desired.</p>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> If you don&#8217;t have organic veg, or you don&#8217;t have whole spices to grind, you can still make this recipe, but really the taste is completely different. And if you think you don&#8217;t have time to make this, my TOTAL preparation time was <strong>LESS THAN 5 MINUTES!</strong></p>
<p><strong>Ingredients</strong><br />
First of all, I highly recommend getting your produce from a local organic farm. I just started ordering a weekly fruit and veg box from <a href="http://riverfordsacrewell.co.uk" target="_blank">Riverford organic</a>. They deliver it fresh right to your door. I have to tell you, the asparagus was SO tender, it was like eating a completely different vegetable from anything I&#8217;ve ever had before (and the humus I got from them was simply to die for!).<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>50 gm organic tofu (about 1” x 3” x 3” block)</li>
<li>6-8 stalks organic asparagus</li>
<li>¼ bulb organic fennel</li>
<li>¼ teaspoon black peppercorns</li>
<li>¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt</li>
<li>¼ teaspoon whole cumin seeds</li>
<li>1/8 teaspoon powdered kelp (optional; I add this to boost my sluggish thyroid as it&#8217;s rich in iodine)</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon extra virgin organic olive oil</li>
<li>1/2 cup water. The water should either be room      temperature or slightly warm, if you prefer warmer soup. Do NOT use very hot      or boiling water, as it will expand in the blender AND it will also kill      off the nutrients.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to make it:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Grind peppercorns and cumin seed with a mortar      and pestle (you can use powdered, but it simply isn’t the same!). Set      aside.</li>
<li>Cut tofu into 1/2” chunks and put in blender cup.      Put in just enough water to cover them.</li>
<li>Blend tofu until it is a smooth cream.</li>
<li>Chop asparagus and fennel into small enough      chunks to get around the blade of the blender. Put into blender and pulse      until chunky.</li>
<li>Add ground pepper, salt, cumin, kelp and olive      oil. Blend for 30-40 seconds.</li>
<li>Your soup is READY to eat! If it’s too thick, and      some water (slightly warm if you want warmer soup).</li>
</ul>
<p>This is awesome with a couple of slices of toasted no-yeast rye bread with humus. What a TASTE!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Ok&#8230; so why am I REALLY talking about soup?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Environment:</strong> Earlier this year, I took a &#8220;10/10&#8243; pledge in which I vowed  to cut my fossil-fuel consumption down by 10% in the year 2010. You might think reaching this goal is a diffcult thing to acheive, but something as simple as making raw organic asparagus soup can help you get started. How?</p>
<ul>
<li>If you buy your organic produce from a local farm, like I did, you are saving on &#8220;food miles&#8221; as they are not being flown to you from the other side of the planet. It&#8217;s even BETTER if it comes from your OWN garden.</li>
<li>Coming from the local farm, and not the local supermarket, there is NO  packaging or waste at all. Even the little bits of veggies that I didn&#8217;t  throw into the smoothie maker I put into my compost bin, and it will  be helping to grow vegetables in my back garden later this summer.</li>
<li>Running a little 200 watt blender for 40 seconds takes a LOT less energy (and costs a lot less money) than cooking a pot of homemade soup on the hob for 20-30 minutes, so it&#8217;s very <strong>economical</strong>, too.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Health: </strong>Eating veggies that are local means they are fresher, and packed with nutrients. The longer the gap between when your fruit/veg has been picked and when you consume it, the more nutrients are lost. Also, eating with the seasons (as organic farms provide you only season produce) will also improve your health, as it puts your body &#8220;in synch&#8221; with your environment, giving your greater immunity.</p>
<p><strong>Spirituality: </strong>There is something very spiritual about getting closer to Source by eating organic, local, fresh and uncooked. I don&#8217;t think I will ever go 100% raw, but I have to tell you, when you eat something like this, you feel like you are tasting the Sun and the Earth, and that&#8217;s pretty special. It helps you feel connected, and lets you know that you are safe in this big, vast Universe.</p>
<p><strong>Fun and Creativity: </strong>It&#8217;s actually pretty cool to make up new concoctions. I make up something new every day. I had a delicious melon and plum smoothie before. Sheer nectar!<strong> </strong><strong> </strong>In fact, what&#8217;s so neat is that just about ANYTHING you toss into the smoothie maker can be turned into something really tasty and interesting. Experiment and set yourself free!</p>
<p><strong>Closing thoughts<br />
</strong>Today, I found out another close friend of mine has breast cancer. Mind you, this particular woman is one of the most health conscious people I know, so if it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone. I  do believe the high incidence of cancer in today&#8217;s world is due to us being just so disconnected from the Source of life, both in our food, and our state of being in general. Our failing health is a symptom that we human beings are craving a return to a more natural state of living in harmony  with the Earth. And the good news is, I firmly believe it is &#8220;do-able.&#8221;</p>
<p>I took the 10/10 pledge because I love our Planet, and I also believe our  dependency upon  petroleum is simply a recipe for disaster, for so many  reasons.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s not consume THAT recipe. Instead, let&#8217;s start (un)cooking up our own recipes. I&#8217;ve done many things this year to make good on my 10/10 promise. If you  do only one thing this year and nothing else, start off by making a  pledge to buy local produce. Or better yet, how about starting a vegetable  garden in  your backyard? I&#8217;ve just done this with the help of a neighbourhood woman, as part of the new &#8220;garden share&#8221; project we at  <a href="http://transitionbedford.org" target="_blank">Transition Bedford</a> are hoping to get going this year. But more on that another day.</p>
<hr /><strong><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px; border: 0pt none;" title="Lynn Serafinn" src="http://conditionalpublications.com/images/jvps/lynn-serafinn.jpg" alt="Lynn Serafinn" width="129" height="154" />Lynn Serafinn</strong> is a transformation coach, book promotion coach, radio host and author of the mind-body-spirit bestseller, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/075521126X?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thegaroftheso-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=075521126X">The Garden of the Soul: lessons from four flowers that unearth the Self.</a> </em>She is the recipient of the Bedfordshire Businesswomen Award for working with a community group for her work with <a href="http://transitionbedford.org" target="_blank">Transition Bedford</a>, part of the Transition Network, a grassroots initiative to build a sustainable future. She is also the founder of <a href="http://spiritauthors.com/">Spirit Authors</a> Virtual Coaching and Learning Experience, which offers training, community and support for aspiring and established mind-body-spirit authors. She also works as a campaign manager for book launches, and has produced two number-1 selling authors in 2010 so far. Coaching, training and campaign enquiries may be submitted at <a href="http://spiritauthors.com/contact">http://spiritauthors.com/contact</a>.</p>
<p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://lynnserafinn.com/global-wellness-circle-holistic-heart-soul-mind-body-spirit-community/recipe-for-raw-cream-of-asparagus-tofu-and-fennel-soup-a-spiritual-delight/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Reconnecting Humanity and Earth with Eco Hero Tony Juniper</title>
		<link>http://lynnserafinn.com/talk-radio-show-book-events-performance-podcast/reconnecting-humanity-and-earth-with-eco-hero-tony-juniper/</link>
		<comments>http://lynnserafinn.com/talk-radio-show-book-events-performance-podcast/reconnecting-humanity-and-earth-with-eco-hero-tony-juniper/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:27:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News from Lynn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Radio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition Town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[permaculture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainability]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lynnserafinn.com/?p=1111</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s hard to believe that my radio show Lynn Serafinn&#8217;s Garden of the Soul is coming up to its 1st anniversary this month with episode 49.
I wanted to celebrate the occasion in style, so I had in mind I wanted an extra special guest for that particular broadcast. I am delighted to tell you who [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s hard to believe that my radio show <a href="http://blogtalkradio.com/Lynn-Serafinn"><strong>Lynn Serafinn&#8217;s Garden of the Soul</strong></a> is coming up to its 1st anniversary this month with episode 49.</p>
<p>I wanted to celebrate the occasion in style, so I had in mind I wanted an extra special guest for that particular broadcast. I am delighted to tell you who he is.</p>
<div id="attachment_1114" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1114  " style="margin-right: 10px; margin-left: 0px;" title="tjuniper" src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/tjuniper-150x150.jpg" alt="Tony Juniper" width="150" height="150" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Tony Juniper</p></div>
<p>On Wednesday 20 January, at 6pm UK/1pm EST, I will be  hosting campaigner, writer, sustainability adviser and one of the UK&#8217;s best known environmentalists, <strong>Tony Juniper.</strong> A dynamic and inspiring speaker, and often referred to as an “Eco Hero”, Tony has worked for the last 25 years for change toward a more sustainable society at local, national and international levels. Amongst his almost endless list of personal and professional experiences, he has served as Vice-Chair of Friends of the Earth International, and is currently Special Adviser to the Prince of Wales Rainforests Project, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic’s new Green Magazine supplement, and is the Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Cambridge, England.</p>
<p>On this very special anniversary edition,<strong> </strong>Tony and I will discuss his thesis of “Harmony” as taken from the upcoming book of the same name he is currently writing with Prince Charles and Ian Skelly, and is scheduled for publication by Harper Collins in autumn 2010. Tony will tell us about the present state of environmentalism, what we’ve achieved and not achieved, and what’s next for humanity at this time in history, and explain how the solutions to the ecological and economic problems we now face at a planetary level are not due so much to our political, technological or corporate systems, but rather to the fundamental fact that we as a culture have become disconnected from the Earth, and are illiterate as to how nature works and how we as humans fit into the natural order on a cosmological and spiritual level.</p>
<p>On the air, Tony will offer us some easy, joyful and practical ways to re-engage and reconnect with our planet and re-establish the true, holistic harmony that is meant to sing within every human soul.</p>
<p>You absolutely will NOT want to miss this most important and truly inspiring show.</p>
<p>In keeping with the theme of the show, I will also read the “Harmony Meditation” from my upcoming book, “The Companion Guide to the Garden of the Soul”.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Listeners can listen LIVE or &#8220;on demand&#8221; any time at</strong><a href="http://ow.ly/UvBM"><br />
<strong>http://ow.ly/UvBM</strong></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>You can also subscribe to the show via iTunes. Just look for Lynn Serafinn&#8217;s Garden of the Soul on BlogTalkRadio<br />
<a href="http://blogtalkradio.com/Lynn-Serafinn">http://blogtalkradio.com/Lynn-Serafinn</a></strong><br />
<a href="http://ow.ly/UvBM"></a></p>
<p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://lynnserafinn.com/talk-radio-show-book-events-performance-podcast/reconnecting-humanity-and-earth-with-eco-hero-tony-juniper/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Moving into the Storm &#8211; from enslavement to freedom</title>
		<link>http://lynnserafinn.com/world-transition-town-network-climate-change-eco-friendly-community/moving-into-the-storm-from-enslavement-to-freedom/</link>
		<comments>http://lynnserafinn.com/world-transition-town-network-climate-change-eco-friendly-community/moving-into-the-storm-from-enslavement-to-freedom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:51:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition Town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bedford]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reflections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainability]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lynnserafinn.com/?p=933</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The following blog post was originally written for Transition Bedford site at http://www.transitionbedford.org. I decided to include it here on my own blog because, although it makes references to working within the Transition Network, the key points are relevant to everyone who wants to understand more about what it means to be free at an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>The following blog post was originally written for Transition Bedford site at <a href="http://www.transitionbedford.org">http://www.transitionbedford.org</a>. I decided to include it here on my own blog because, although it makes references to working within the Transition Network, the key points are relevant to everyone who wants to understand more about what it means to be free at an inner level, and to understand more about why they may not always be creating the impact in the world they desire to create. I welcome your comments and feedback, as I spent  significant amount of time writing it, lol! Hope you enjoy it. &#8211;Lynn</em></strong></p>
<p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="eye of the storm" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:-BMXn1FUB6y4dM:http://www.allbestwallpapers.com/wallpaper/space/image/eye_of_the_storm,_hurricane_elena,_september_1,_1985.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="113" /></p>
<p>Whether we are aware of it or not, the members of the Initiating Group (IG) at Transition Bedford are now evolving from the “forming” stage into the “storming” stage. Can you feel it? Entering the storm means we are making real progress, even if it seems unclear right now. So, at this important juncture, in hopes of taking us even further into the eye of the storm, I’d like to share some ideas which have been swirling about in my mind ever since my Transition Training in London. It has to do with media, our responsiveness to it, both conscious and unconscious, and our role as leaders in the community. After much reflection, I believe in our work within the Transition network, it is essential that we bear in mind</p>
<p>1. That we as an initiative will need to <strong>understand and address public</strong> <strong>emotions</strong> that may be stirred up by the media in all its forms      (TV, film, radio, newspapers, magazines, books, pop culture, music, advertising,      Internet, social media, etc)</p>
<p>2. That we will also need to become acutely aware of <strong>how WE ourselves are impacted </strong>by      media, whether consciously or unconsciously</p>
<p>3. That we will need to know <strong>how      to protect ourselves</strong> against succumbing to any unconscious unwanted impact,      so we do not become “reactionary machines” instead of creative, resilient      human beings, both individually and collectively.</p>
<p>4. That we will also need to become acutely <strong>aware of our own impact </strong>upon our community as we reach out to      them.</p>
<p>5. That we will also (and most importantly) <strong>understand how to</strong> <strong>avoid</strong> <strong>unintended impact</strong> upon the      community.</p>
<p>It is important to understand that these statements do NOT mean that we, as part of the Transition Network, are not entitled to our emotions. It would be an unreasonable expectation to think that we as humans should never feel angry, overwhelmed, grief-stricken, bitter, hopeless or cynical, especially when we are facing issues of such importance as climate change. Nor is it true that, by being part of a Transition Town initiative, we are expected to become super-humans or non-humans.</p>
<p>In fact, the truth is exactly the opposite.<span id="more-933"></span></p>
<p>We have to <em>become</em> human, pure and simple. And human <em>means</em> to understand emotions and how they impact us, so we can use them for our own expression, rather than feeling used <em>by</em> them. To be human does not mean controlling or suppressing emotions. Rather it means learning how to express them openly so that others also feel safe to express their own emotions in our presence. For in this process, trust is activated. And if our ultimate goal is to create community, trust is the most essential ingredient. Without it, there can be no community. Without community there can be no consensus. And without consensus, there can be no effective transition.</p>
<p>So if trust is the move essential ingredient, what does it mean to “protect ourselves” against unconscious impact? Doesn’t this sound like the opposite of trust? Not at all. Protecting ourselves means to be able to trust our own selves—our instincts, our feelings, our thoughts and our actions. It means knowing with certainty whether our actions are true responses to what is needed, or simply autonomous reactions to our own fears. And when we are able to make this distinction, and be truly confident in our self-trust, we have found the difference between enslavement and freedom.</p>
<p>But that works at an individual level, but what about at a community level? How does a community learn to trust <em>itself</em>? I have spoken with many other TT groups, and the question always comes back to, <em>“How do we convert the unconverted?”</em> In other words, “How do we get one part of the community to <em>trust</em> and believe another part of itself?”</p>
<p>If we ourselves are, consciously or not, enslaved by our own emotional reactions, caught in a web of our own fears, anger and frustrations over the state of the World, we would be hard-pressed to find anyone who would wish to come within 10 paces of our energetic range. And really, why in the world would they? If we flood people only with urgency, they will either swing towards us in a panic, or they will swing away from us in a panic. But if we stand powerfully within our own peacefulness combined with passion, love combined with laughter, optimism combined with sense of ongoing purpose, chances are far greater that people will learn to trust us just enough to listen to the more “urgent” message we might also wish them to hear, so they understand the matter fully. The answer to the question of converting the unconverted therefore is simply this: we will create precisely the energetic reaction in others that we ourselves project. If we wish to bring people into our wonderful vision of the future, we must first and foremost create the energy of that vision within ourselves. But if we are holding only the <em>vision of what we wish to avoid and fear most,</em> it will only drive people away from us. If we TT groups end up frustrated, wondering why we are having so much difficulty expanding their community, the first place to look should be our own emotional state. Within that lies the seeds of the impact we are creating in our community, whether intended or not. Our first responsibility, therefore, is to cultivate our own self-awareness. Without this, no action can take root in any lasting, effective way.</p>
<p>How do we start building this self-awareness? One way to start is simply by observing the energy shifts that media and other influences create both upon the public and upon ourselves. For instance, I notice that since I stopped watching television in Feb 2008, my anxiety about the economy has decreased radically, while many others around me (who watch the news on TV regularly) appear to be more stressed than ever. Of course I am not suggesting that everyone stop watching the News; I am merely noticing the impact. And in this noticing, I have valuable information upon which I can base my decisions for how I wish to communicate with others, and respond to the issues around me.</p>
<p>That is a very simple example, but the deeper we look, the more subtleties we will find and the more aware we will become. And as we become more aware, we become better at standing neutrally within our circumstances without impulsively reacting to them. By observing, we eventually will come to know what needs to be done and when in order to make the system work. With time, we will learn that it is sheer futility to try to nullify negative energy by pushing against it, and that if we do, we are only allowing our own energies to be drained away in the process. For the secret I have learned over the past months is this—the Transition Town movement is not only about creating sustainable energy for our technologies; <em>it is also about creating sustainable energy for our hearts and minds.</em> It is about creating a World and a lifestyle in which we ultimately <em>feel more alive. </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>And what we might find in our quest for aliveness might surprise us. Falling back on the old “familiar” systems of fund-finding, establishing registered charities and other bureaucratic models may or may not result in breathing life into our community. We may feel these work well for us, or we might choose to toss them out altogether and create entirely new models. In the words of Buckminster Fuller, &#8220;You can never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.&#8221; So the really important question for us now, as we begin to start the process of change together, is this:<em> “How much fear are <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we</span> ourselves holding onto that is preventing us from diving fully into the chaos of true creation?” </em>It is vital that we deeply understand our own self-imposed limitations before we attempt to go out into society and expect it to change.</p>
<p>With regards to taking action, it was emphasised in the TT training, and I agree 100%, that while it is an easy temptation for us in new Initiating Groups to default into &#8220;jumping into action&#8221;, the more important thing is to understand ourselves first. If we jump into action primarily because our anxieties are being triggered, then we are simply reacting as a means to remove or avoid a discomfort. While emotions like anger or fear can stir us into action in the short term<em>, they are not sustainable sources of energy</em>. We risk burnout; and when we do burn out, we will find ourselves at the other extreme of passivity and apathy. When we simply react to stimuli, we get caught in the relentless pendulum swing between passive and aggressive. And we all know that a pendulum just keeps going over the same ground again and again, never really moving anywhere. It’s just like political systems that move continuously between Conservative and Liberal year in and year out. Reaction is not action, because it doesn’t take us anywhere.</p>
<p>To be effective as a Transition Town, we must learn deeply about the inner mechanisms that propel us to act or to react, both as individuals and as a community. It is only via this understanding that we can begin making a real “transition” away from the old paradigm and into the new. Our TT trainers stressed this over and over again and I would be remiss, especially as a life coach, if I didn&#8217;t hold the stake for this vital point.</p>
<p>And while I agree that “talk is cheap” if not backed by action and commitment, it is also not enough for us to jump into action, even if these actions bring about some degree of good. Everything we do inevitably creates an impact both in our local communities and on our Planet. Let us choose our impact carefully and not be satisfied merely with an endless stream of reactions. Let us create a legacy that results in the long-term transformation we envision.</p>
<p>So, as we begin our journey together into the eye of the storm, I encourage us to take time and care to really &#8220;land&#8221; this concept. If we want to make lasting change—and I know we do—we must first learn to operate within a new paradigm wherein we no longer simply react to stimuli, but we understand our own inner workings, and create vibrant solutions to the problems we may face. Ironically, to do that, in the beginning it will actually be necessary to take our focus away from the issues of climate change and peak oil for a little while, and to look first at who we are as human beings and <em>what intrinsically joins us together beyond the “crisis”.</em> This is not merely my own belief. Our trainers Nick Osborne and May East made expressed similar beliefs during our TT training. I don’t think I would be here at Transition Bedford if this were not the underlying ethos of the Transition Network.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" title="storm" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:-JQthyEnrWdYUM:http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/eye-of-tornado-1.jpg" alt="" width="124" height="97" />I know some of my points may sound like “waffle” to some people. I know it might even create impatience, restlessness and irritability. And that is ok. All of that is symptomatic of the “storming” and “chaos” (to use M Scott Peck’s term) in the inevitable evolution of Transition Bedford becoming an actual community. I have faith in the process. I hope you do too.</p>
<p>Earth ~ Humanity ~ Connection</p>
<p>Warm wishes,</p>
<p>Lynn Serafinn, MAED, CPCC<br />
Author, Transformation Coach, Trainer and Speaker<em><br />
&#8220;Turning up the volume of the music in your heart!&#8221;</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Lynn  Serafinn&#8217;s Cosmic Universe (main site)<br />
</strong></em> <a href="http://www.lynnserafinn.com/"><em>www.lynnserafinn.com</em></a></p>
<p><em><strong>Training for the Inner Transition:</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.lynnserafinn.com/transition-trilogy-2009.html" target="_blank">www.lynnserafinn.com/transition-trilogy-2009.html </a><br />
</em></p>
<p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://lynnserafinn.com/world-transition-town-network-climate-change-eco-friendly-community/moving-into-the-storm-from-enslavement-to-freedom/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Stepping into the Transporter- Change, Transformation and the Inner Transition</title>
		<link>http://lynnserafinn.com/life-coaching-certified-coach-transformation/stepping-into-the-transporter-change-transformation-and-the-inner-transition/</link>
		<comments>http://lynnserafinn.com/life-coaching-certified-coach-transformation/stepping-into-the-transporter-change-transformation-and-the-inner-transition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:18:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lynn Serafinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Transformation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition Town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal transformation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lynnserafinn.com/?p=922</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[(Be sure to find out about how you can join me on an exciting transformation journey. See info at the end of this post, or click HERE to find out more ).
There is no denying that we live at a time in history when much of the world around us is changing. The currently fluctuating [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(Be sure to find out about how you can join me on an exciting transformation journey. See info at the end of this post, or click <a href="http://www.lynnserafinn.com/transformation-trilogy-2009.html">HERE to find out more </a>).</em></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="Transformation" src="http://www.math.utk.edu/~morwen/dirichlet/gif/vol3_dd_morph.gif" alt="" width="147" height="147" />There is no denying that we live at a time in history when much of the world around us is changing. The currently fluctuating economy is proving to be challenging for many, causing us to change our spending and saving patterns. Climate change and the need to move away from fossil fuel dependency are becoming more and more apparent, making it necessary to make rapid decisions about how to address the issues, and to reflect upon how we need to change as a society. Technology is also rapidly changing the way we interact, and we frequently find ourselves on the one hand more able to communicate at a virtual level, but also feeling more and more isolated from one another in the flesh. Over the past few decades, we have become increasingly disconnected from the sources of our own sustenance (such as food production) and more and more dependent upon our own technological creations for survival. To see how dependent we actually are, imagine how vulnerable you would feel if tomorrow morning you woke up to find you had no internet or other telecommunications systems, had no access to electricity, oil or petrol, or you were unable to obtain food, clothes, medicine and other necessities from outside sources.</p>
<p>And here is the paradox: that feeling of vulnerability is one of the things that make us tolerate all these sociological changes, even if we intuitively know these changes are ultimately making us feel more and disconnected, and ultimately more vulnerable.<span id="more-922"></span></p>
<p>Amidst the storm of these external changes, there are many internal whirlwinds as well. We frequently find ourselves inundated by media messages that paint a negative portrait about our world and our future, driving our anxieties even more deeply into our minds, bodies and emotions. Media advertisements also frequently deliver us pictures of idealised forms of beauty, happiness or success which are unattainable and unnatural, causing many people to feel small and inadequate. The modern communication systems of our “information age” are sending us data at an alarming rate (just watch the flurry of constant status updates on the online social networks and you’ll know what I mean), and we find it sometimes difficult to prioritise our time and activities. And finally, our traditional gender roles and models of familial relationships are also in a state of flux, leaving many people confused as to who they are in their relationships, what they want from them, and why they want it.</p>
<p>Clearly, we are in a state of global change, both inside and out.</p>
<p>The good news is this: our minds and bodies are designed to respond to change. Our “evolution” is occurring at every moment in the form of us learning how to adapt, whether consciously or not, to new information and environmental circumstances. Just as a healthy body will develop immunities to illnesses by developing anti-bodies, our minds, hearts and societies also respond to change by developing “antibodies” in the form of new neural pathways in the brain, new emotional responses and new social structures.</p>
<p>But there is a catch. When change is continually coming at us from every angle, and our minds, hearts, bodies and culture are being asked to respond to too much, too quickly, the result is that we can go into overload, both individually and as a culture. Just as your PC will crash when you try to process too many applications at one time, the human brain can also go into “meltdown” when faced with too much new information, uncertainty or change coming at it all at once. That meltdown can manifest in the form of stress and feelings of overwhelm. Over time it can adversely affect both our emotional and physical wellbeing. It is small wonder that stress and stress-related illnesses and conditions are on the rise. When intense, widespread change is occurring at a societal (or indeed a global) level, society itself can also experience meltdown. What does a social meltdown look like? It looks exactly like what we are seeing in the world today— instability, anxiety and confusion at an environmental, economic and cultural level.</p>
<p>In short, we as a culture are going through an “identity crisis”.</p>
<p>But that’s not really “bad news”. I frequently joke that I am a big fan of “mid-life crises” because I know that every one I have had (there have been about 3 at last count) has brought me to a better place, and a deeper understanding of both myself and the world. To me, it feels as though our technological culture is going through a mid-life crisis (or maybe it’s only an adolescent reaction!) because, in spite of our societal identity crisis—or perhaps more likely <em>because</em> of it—we are currently seeing more and more people moving away from old ways of thinking, and shifting towards a more holistic and spiritual approach to life, embracing the values of personal growth and self-awareness. Curiosity about the mind-body-spirit connection is more alive than ever, and is no longer just in the domain of non-mainstream or “alternative” culture. Scientists, businesses and people in all walks of professional life are turning towards a new way of thinking. Some call it new thought, new science, positive thinking, conscious evolution, alternative lifestyle, quantum brain, holistic wellbeing, and so many other descriptors. Many people talk about the “Shift”, “Ascension 2012”, the “Great Turning” and many other terms to describe the underlying transformation we intuitively sense happening, both as individuals and as a society. Somehow we know we are on the threshold of moving from one paradigm of thinking and living to another. But although there are many theories, prophecies and beliefs, it is clear that none of us can say with absolute certainty what that new paradigm will look like.</p>
<p>Clearly, both we and the world at large at the dawn of the 21<sup>st</sup> century are “in transition”.</p>
<p>Transition brings change, and change brings regeneration—a chance for new beginnings. And while the prospect of change can be exciting, and even thrilling, stepping into the process of change can also be daunting for many, if not most, people. Change brings uncertainty, and many of us prefer to stick with the familiar rather than be asked to face our fears of the unknown, even if that unknown territory has the possibility of bringing us greater joy. It is this “better the hell you know than the one you don’t” anxiety that can keep many of us stuck in one place. But it is my personal belief that learning how to deal with change, and stepping into our own “inner transition” is quite possibly the most important—and socially responsible—thing we can do not only for ourselves and our families, but also <em>for</em> <em>the rest of the world</em>.</p>
<p>That may sound like a big statement to make, but I’d like you to try it on for size. Let’s do a little visualisation.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="align=left" title="Beam me up Scottie!" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c7/Transporter2.jpg/180px-Transporter2.jpg" alt="" width="180" height="168" />Imagine you are about to step into an unknown journey called the “inner transition”. To do this, you are being asked to step into a transporter similar to the one you have seen on TV/films aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. As you step into the transporter, what do you feel? You probably feel a bit of apprehension about the fact that every molecule in your body is going to be taken apart, shaken up, and spat out somewhere into the Universe. And what is going to happen at the other end? Or will you even make it to the other side? Scary? Of course it is. But if you have ever watched Star Trek or other sci-fi classics, you know that their allure lies in the heart-pumping thrill of moving from the fear of the unknown, to going “boldly where no man has gone before.” Even if the thought of being disintegrated and then reintegrated at an unknown destination is terrifying, it’s also actually exciting.</p>
<p>Now imagine that you are stepping into that transporter, allowing yourself to feel whatever fear you might have, knowing that this particular transporter is not simply going to drop you onto another planet and let you deal with whatever monsters you might find there, but that it will <em>transform you</em> into a wise, reflective, fulfilled human being who is able to see yourself with clarity and to feel deeply connected to the rest of the Universe. What would that be like? Yes, you might still be afraid, but wouldn’t that be a thrilling and beautiful journey to make? And what if at the other end of that journey, you found you were not only able to face your fears and stand powerfully amidst the changes of your current and future life, but you were also able to discover your life’s calling, know the impact you have in the world, and claim a lasting legacy that says “I was here”? What would that be like?</p>
<p>This is the journey of Personal Transformation. And our “inner transition” is the transporter on that takes us on that journey.</p>
<p>In my more than half a century on the planet, I have gone through so many transitions and personal transformations that I truly understand their importance and embrace their presence in my life. In my work as a coach and workshop leader I meet so many people ready to make the journey, but who are understandably fearful and confused as to how to go about it. Because I know that too much information can cause information meltdown, I like to make the idea of transformation less daunting by breaking the process down into three stages:</p>
<ol>
<li>Weeding</li>
<li>Seeding</li>
<li>Feeding</li>
</ol>
<p>Basically, the “weeding” stage is where we examine and shift the old ways of thinking and behaving that no longer serve us and limit our joy. These might include self-sabotaging beliefs or habits, unconscious stories and rules we have made up about how we are supposed to live and behave, and fears and other emotions that have not been fully voiced. Once these are understood and shifted, it makes room for the next stage of our transformation, the “seeding” stage.</p>
<p>“Seeding” means to discover all the things that will allow the transformation to take place, such as our core values, our life purpose, and our greater impact on the world. It is also the stage where we take on the responsibility and glory of becoming the hero of our own life, in service of our life purpose.</p>
<p>The final stage is “Feeding”, where we master a range of strategies to keep us on the path of our life purpose, even when life throws us a wall of change and upheaval. This is what those of us in the Transition Town movement* call “resilience”. Understanding ourselves and knowing our purpose are essential, but mastery of our inner resilience is what will help us to regain our balance when we feel knocked out of orbit.</p>
<p>Taken together, the three stages of “weed, seed and feed” allow us to move from feeling stuck, overwhelmed and powerless, to feeling valuable, passionate and capable of facing whatever comes our way. Ask yourself now, where are you on your Transformation journey? What stage are you currently working through? Or perhaps, you are at different stages in different areas of your life. It is important that you reflect upon this, so you can understand where you are in the process of change, and how you are currently dealing with it.</p>
<p>It is my personal opinion that it is vital to the future of our planet that each of us embarks on this journey of Transformation in our lifetime, especially in these “transitional” times. The coming decade is going to require that we not only survive tremendous change, but that we actually <em>create</em> the change. You might be thinking, <em>How can my life be vital to the future of the planet? I’m just one tiny cog in the big machine</em>.</p>
<p>To that I would reply, “You are part of the Universe. You are not outside looking in, or inside looking out. You are connected both systemically and spiritually to the World and all who share it with you. Everything you do has an impact on the rest of the World, even if you do not see it clearly right now.”</p>
<p>Your life has a purpose. Your actions have an impact. Your life is essential to the rest of the world, just as the world is essential to your life. You have the power not only to withstand tremendous change, but also to use that change to create powerful solutions in the world around you. And what is wonderful, is that the more you master your own resilience, and learn how enjoy riding the waves of change, the more capable you are of holding the fears and resistance of others around you, and help them step into the transporter to take the journey of their own personal transformation.</p>
<p>And that’s when the REAL shift in the world happens. And that is also why taking ownership of your own inner transition is so important for the rest of the world at this time in history. And even if you do not fully believe this now, try to take it on faith as you begin your journey of transformation. Just as you stepped into the transporter, not knowing where you would end up, trust that the unrest that both you and the rest of the world may be feeling right now is actually a call to action—a call to step into your own inner transition, and to come out the other side transformed into a more wonderful state of being.</p>
<p>Lynn Serafinn, MAED, CPCC<br />
<a href="http://www.lynnserafinn.com/">Transformation Coach</a> and <a href="http://www.give-receive-become-be.com">Author</a></p>
<p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p><em><strong>I would like to invite you to </strong><strong>join me on 17 October on a journey of transformation…</strong></em></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>I have made it my own life purpose</strong> to guide others through their own personal transformation, so as to help our planet make the great transition we are now facing at a global level. To do that, I have designed a very special workshop series called the <a href="http://www.lynnserafinn.com/transformation-trilogy-2009.html">“Transformation Trilogy”.</a> Transformation takes time to process, so I have spread this series of 3 weekend workshops across 3 months:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Series 1: Bedford, Bedfordshire</strong> on 17/18 Oct, 14/15 Nov and 12/13 Dec</li>
<li><strong>Series 2: Totnes, Devon</strong> on 7/8 Nov, 5/6 Dec and 9/10 Jan</li>
</ul>
<p>The purpose of the Transformation Trilogy is to take you through the 3 stages of transformation at a personal level AND to empower you to <em><strong>help others</strong></em> proceed through their own inner transition. This is especially valuable if you are a member of a Transition Town work group, a social worker/reformer, teacher, coach, healer, manager or anyone who works with people and wishes to guide them to a higher state of understanding.</p>
<p><strong>Bookings are being taken NOW.</strong> To eliminate all anxiety around money, I have devised a very special “Gratitude System” for payment, so as to enable everyone to attend who wishes to. To find out more about this very unique series that addresses the Inner Transition of self and society, and to book your place for a nominal registration fee of only £45, go to <a href="http://www.lynnserafinn.com/transformation-trilogy-2009.html">www.lynnserafinn.com/transformation-trilogy-2009.html</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Let&#8217;s transform the world together!</strong></em></p>
<p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p>
<p><em>* <strong>The Transition Town</strong> movement is a network of community initiatives that are addressing the issues of climate change and peak oil at a holistic level. The “inner transition”, including our connection to the Earth and each other, and the way we deal with change, is one of their primary focuses, as they embrace the understanding that no external changes can have a lasting effect within inner change underpinning them. For information about Transition Bedford, visit <a href="http://www.transitionbedford.org/">www.transitionbedford.org</a>. For information about the greater Transition Network, and to find out if there is an initiative in your area, visit <a href="http://www.transitionnetwork.org/">www.transitionnetwork.org</a></em></p>
<p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://lynnserafinn.com/life-coaching-certified-coach-transformation/stepping-into-the-transporter-change-transformation-and-the-inner-transition/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lynn on Southside Radio</title>
		<link>http://lynnserafinn.com/talk-radio-show-book-events-performance-podcast/lynn-on-southside-radio/</link>
		<comments>http://lynnserafinn.com/talk-radio-show-book-events-performance-podcast/lynn-on-southside-radio/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:00:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lynn Serafinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Radio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition Town]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lynnserafinn.com/?p=831</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Title: Lynn on Southside Radio
Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description: Lynn returns to Southside Radio this Saturday. This week, she&#8217;ll be talking with host Alex Lewczuk about the Transition Town movement, and the &#8220;inner transition&#8221; that is required in society to address the greater issues of climate change and overall social reform.
Date: 2009-Aug-08
Start Time: 11.00 am [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Title: </strong>Lynn on Southside Radio<br />
<strong>Location: </strong>Online<br />
<strong>Link out: </strong><a href="http://www.southsidebroadcasting.com" target="_blanck">Click here</a><br />
<strong>Description: </strong>Lynn returns to Southside Radio this Saturday. This week, she&#8217;ll be talking with host Alex Lewczuk about the Transition Town movement, and the &#8220;inner transition&#8221; that is required in society to address the greater issues of climate change and overall social reform.<br />
<strong><strong>Date: </strong>2009-Aug-08<br />
</strong><strong>Start Time: </strong>11.00 am (UK time)<br />
<strong>End Time: </strong>11.30</p>
<p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://lynnserafinn.com/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" height="16" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://lynnserafinn.com/talk-radio-show-book-events-performance-podcast/lynn-on-southside-radio/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
