Independently Healthy

LILJA SHARES THE YOUNG LIVING OILS ECUADOR TRAINING

School of Natural Medicine HealthMasterIceland Director, Lilja Oddsdottir, says, "The Ecuador Young Living Essential Oils training was phenomenal for me. The first day we traveled from Quito high in the Andes to Guayaquil, capital city at the coast. We stopped at a natural eucalyptus forest and the fragrance was the start of a great experience. In Guayaquil we enjoyed Gary’s teaching and knowledge and skill in the use and application of essential oils and supplements. Gary demonstrated Raindrop Technique® and Neuro Auricular raindrop  was very exciting.  Lilja is in the front in blue!

Days at the luxury Oro Verde Hotel were filled with excitement, learning and meeting people at meals and hearing very exciting oil stories. I took tours to river walkways and native markets and bought 20 incredible alpaca wool scarves.

I heard of a child had a stroke in the womb. The grandmother applied Biblical oils as the child didn't have muscle tone and in a few weeks muscle tone appeared. The child is now 3 years and normal.

During the last breakfast I listened to an elderly lady sharing stories about Gary when he was in the hospital and how he came to use oils. It was not until he came across French research that described oils' ability to increase oxygen that his interest awakened. I asked this lady whether she knew Gary and she said; "I’m his older sister "

The last day we went to the Vita Nova clinic being created by GARY and his team near Guayaquil where you get a personal treatment plan and experience oils intra-venously, internally, topically, with food, and loving treatments.

We heard astonishing stories from "patients" that had been there like Dr. David Stewart, author of “Healing Oils of the Bible”, age 67. He came to the Young Living Vita Nova Clinic and rejuvenated his health in 2 weeks. He climbed a waterfall in Banos and looked really good during all the classes.

From the clinic we went to the Young Living Guayaquil farm where we were amazed by acres of growing plants and herbs and the beauty and development of the farm. We felt from Gary his excitement for new plants and new oils.

Soon Gary will have huts on the farm where we can come and stay and help at the farm. I'm already planning to go and take my family with me. It is truly an honor to work with Young Living and Gary and Mary Young and their Young Living team. I love it!

FLOWER CHILD FEATURED ON L.A. ROCK & ROLL TOUR

Some time ago, Kim contacted me for a copy of my book, Flower Child, which I sent along. The sixties were an amazing time in my life and I am happy to connect with nostalgia seekers wanting to connect with the magic of that amazing time. For me it was creative, spiritual and life transforming - it set the stage for the past 35 years as a healer and teacher as it taught me the deep meaning of life. Order Flower Child any time from our School of Natural Medicine web store on www.purehealth.com. At the moment it is offered at a discount.  Enjoy!

Hi Farida, We did the Rock and Roll History Tour today--it was a lot of fun. I shared your book, Flower Child, with the passengers as we came down Sunset Strip past your old shop location, and they were all interested to learn more about you. Thanks again! We hope to do the tour more in the future, and will keep you and your book a part of the action.
Best regards, Kim, Esotouric Tours

FLOWER CHILD REVIEWS
"I'd predict long-term success.  May the Force, and the Fates, be with you!" Fondly, Dan Millman, author of The Peaceful Warrior & Everyday Enlightenment.

"I loved re-experiencing "the sixties" with Flower Child and really appreciated the timeless wisdom you were so artfully able to magically weave into the pages of your life. Damion

"I read the book in a matter of days, I couldn't take my hands off of it.  I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. I wish there were a sequel.  I would  love to know what happened with the rest of your interesting life.

Your book really made me take a look at my own life and re-evaluate things. I learned that self-worth is the ultimate importance and we must look within to find the greater good and true happiness. I hope I can meet you someday and give you a big hug for changing my life in such a positive way. Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do for the rest of the world. S H, University of Colorado, Boulder

"Hi Farida!  I have emerged from the tumultuous throes of Flower Child into the light of rebirth, yours and mine.  There is a new consiousness flowering in me as I deeply connected with your very human, archetypal story.  Not only have I a better understanding of the Love Generation, but you also articulated many deep moments of self-realization there were previously no words for.

As I read the story of your life, I felt my spirit join the thousands who watched over you in your times of need, lovingly holding you dear during your strife, and rejoicing at your many successes!

Flower Child sends fresh breezes of freedom through my being, lighting up my joy, my faith, and my will to be.  Me!  love, Summer S

"The journey through the pages of Flower Child was like a journey home for me.As a child born in 1960, I am old enough to remember the flower power period and the summer of love while I was not yet old enough to participate. Flower Child brought me back to those days, to the emotional feelings of love, possibility and uncertainty that permeated the world of my childhood. The author's journey as portrayed in the pages of Flower Child reflect the search for meaning and connection that I suspect most that were touched by the love generation have experienced. Flower Child has, to a large degree, helped me to refine a lifelong and core belief that humans have the potential to live in Love. My personal thanks to Farida Sharan for reminding me that the feelings and emotions I internalized as a child were the seeds of the real and powerful possibilities of love. Great book,  Jody

NEW YEAR WELCOME IN EARTH DRAGON THAILAND

My son, Galon and myself, on the temple steps, New Year's 2007, near the Sankhampang Hot Springs - before a most wonderful soak in a traditional Thai park near Doi Saket.

The Buddhist temples or 'wats' are a part of every village and community - golden sparkling buildings and dragon steps representing the power of earth energy. Near Tao Garden in Doi Saket a magnificent wat overlooks the traditional farming village from the top of a hill and even in the little village near Tao Garden there is a sparkling golden temple. In the Sunday market in the old walled city within the modern Chiang Mai the temples open their gates to enterprising Thai hill tribes who make food and drinks in their lively booths and offer crafts and clothing for sale.

The Buddhist temples are part of the life and you see the saffron robed monks everywhere, especially in the morning with their begging bowls. The positive influence of the benevolent beloved King and Buddhism are a loving and stabilizing influence. Today I saw a pink tee shirt on one of the Pakua Clinic staff and two rabbits faced each other in an embroidered heart - apparently the King and Queen of Thailand are both born in the year of the Rabbit. These touches of love are very endearing - pink and golden shirts and banners liven every street and community.

Soon I will be leaving Thailand, January 9th I fly to New Zealand for 3 weeks and then back to Boulder, Colorado. This long sabbatical has woven deep experiences of growth and learning into my being and I am thankful for the many blessings received in this country.

New Years shared with my son, Galon, proved a quiet reflection and pleasant welcome. Today, New Year's Day, I share some thoughts on our Self Healing path:

Our goal is truth

Our practice is relationship with self and soul and then with others around us, our community, the world and our universe.

Through commitment to Self Healing we learn self love and self care.

As we develop these qualities within ourselves we extend them outward as we learn to heal, guide, support and love others.

As we live with true self love and extend love in service and duty we connect more deeply with our source and soul and fulfil our life purpose as truly compassionate human beings.

A FRIEND & FAMILY CHRISTMAS IN THE LAND OF SMILES

Thailand - often called the land of smiles due to the traditional smiling greetings, respectful manners and hands-together bow of the Thais. Here at Tao Garden it is a pleasure to give and receive the courteous nod, the sawadee ka and when convenient the waii with hands together, similar to the Indian namaste gesture.  When I go into Chiang Mai and move among the urban hip population and the international expats and tourist I miss the gestures and smiles - a respectfl greeting that makes relationship more valued in the busyness of today's world.

It is nearly Christmas, the 23rd here, we are ahead one day in many parts of the world. Today Kavita arrived from Jaipur, Rajasthan, to discuss a health oasis and school project in India. Soon my son, Galon, arrives for a few days. He is on holiday from Mahidol University near Bangkok and is bringing his bicycle and we plan to cycle the countryside. I am sure he will take some longer rides than my ambition would consider. I like my time with the herbal steam and swims and sun every day and the afternoon quiet time in my room.

Dear friends, Matthew and Mary Kelly are also here over the holidays - a break from their busy projects with Amicus Foundation which funds tsunami, orphans, and education projects in Thailand.  It is a blessing to have something good to do with your life. I give thanks daily for my work, teaching and service and the privilege of contributing to this world.

Tomorrow evening Tao Garden presents a special dinner and entertainment and on Christmas Day 6 of us journey to an Ayurveda center for lunch and an explore. Happy holidays everyone! 

THE MYSTICAL WHITE TEMPLE NEAR CHIANG RAI, THAILAND

The first time I saw the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, it appeared out of white rain clouds early one morning before we reached Chiang Rai, on the way to Burma for a visa run. Thrills ran through me. I had never seem anything so mystical and beautiful in physical reality.  It was an inner vision manifest in the world of bricks and mortar. I was enchanted. As I came closer I realized the unique glow of the white temple was partly due to silver mirroring placed into the white plaster.

Just this week on my second visa run we stopped again, this time on a sunny day, blue sky, and I had my camera this time. They were working on creating dragons on the front steps so I had to dance with my arms and plead and laugh before the workers opened the gate so I could photograph the searching seeking hungry arms. They were delighted with my pantomine of the arms and I shared bright eyes and beautiful smiles and much laughter with the loving beautiful artists as I photographed the hands. I share some photographs of mystical eyes and buddhas of the inner landscapes.

EMPTY FORCE - CONTEMPLATING TAOIST PHILOSOPHY

Since my arrival at Tao Garden I have been contemplating this metal statue near the exercise pavillions - hmmmm - a figure without a middle? What could that mean? A person with an empty space between the head and legs?

As I move forward into my second month at Tao Garden near Chiang Mai in Thailand, I find this notion more possible and more valuable as the exercises combined with chi nei tsang, my own practice and just being in this harmonious international community weave their magic in my being and life.

The clearing of the negative energy from the navel, abdomen and organs produces a calm that allows entry into the flow of what is. When energy or resistance appears I am more easily aware of how uncomfortable that is and work immediately to release and return to emptiness. Mantak Chias's Taoist exercises give practical skills for a calm center and a balanced perspective.

I look forward to sharing some of the exercises in my classes in School of Natural Medicine on my return to Boulder, Colorado in Feburary and March and Health Master SNMI in Iceland in May/June.

The weather is beautiful as we move toward Christmas. Sunny days and cool evenings. My friends doing Amicus charitable work in Thailand have come to Tao Garden for the holiday time and I visit one of their childrens refugee camps near the Burmese border this week. My son Galon who teaches at Mahidol University will bring his bicycle and enjoy the countryside - recently he biked from Bangkok to Burma and in July from Chiang Mai to Burma!  Kavita, a friend from India, is also visiting for a week over the holidays to explore ideas for a health oasis. Life is full even on retreat.

Happy holidays everyone. Interesting thought. Keep that empty space even though the holidays are full of temptations for tasty treats!!! love to all  Farida

THAILAND'S TRUE KING - 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Thailand, a land of celebrations, all beautiful, golden lanterns, candles, temple offerings, flowers, the population paying respect to Buddhism and their living Buddha King, the noble king who celebrated 50 years as a king recently, and now his 80th birthday.

It is an inspiration to see pictures of the King visiting the old and young in every corner of the kingdom, spending time on agricultural projects and schools with students and workers and the aged. He is an inspiration and I am always touched by the pictures of him everywhere and the beautiful film that begins any movie or event.

Enjoy pictures of the celebration. I stand beside a niche in the old city wall (there were many) where candles were place among the golden swaying lanterns and all around. The sky was filled with golden air balloons rising high into the sky, some with a trail of firecrackers going off.

Later we dined at the Tamarind Village to soft music, under the stars as we listened to firecrackers and watched the air ballons float in the sky. Magic!

LOI KRATONG - FESTIVAL OF LOTUS LIGHTS

The beauty and magic of my third Loi Kratong Festival in Thailand was celebrated this year in Tao Garden Retreat Center near Chiang Mai – an enchanted evening of friendship, music, song and dance. A beloved of an ancient king of Thailand, a lovely queen, united the Hindu and Buddhist traditions by creating the lotus float out of bamboo, banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense.

After our dinner and performances of women dancing with lighted candles, we walked on to the bridge at the dining hall and down the stairs to float our lighted lotus offerings, releasing everything from the past year. Then we lit hot air balloons carrying our wishes for the new year into the sky - as the cotton balloon gathered air from the fire it glowed golden, warm and pulsed with energy, five of us or so holding each one until it was ready to float to the sky with our wishes. A beautiful sight as it rose into the evening star heavens.

I was so happy this evening to welcome Elspeth, SNM Naturopathy grad of 20 years ago, who has been practicing and teaching in Perth, Australia. She brought me there several times a few years ago to share iridology, elemental dance, menopause and natural medicine teachings and is a radiant living example of the teachings She is joining the chi nei tsang training.

Wonderful to begin a new year of blessings in November while everyone is celebrating Thanksgiving in America. My heart was full as I felt the presence of the Boulder and Iceland schools and all the clients, students and graduates in my life with gratitude, strength and love, wishing us continued self-healing, personal evolution and respect and honor for the teachings that uplift our lives. We are truly blessed to walk this path.  We gave thanks for the opportunity to work with such beautiful souls seeking light and truth over thirty years and sent an offering of heart felt love for all we share and gift to all the lives we touch and it flew into the heavens - a beautiful potent moment.

I talked with Elspeth this evening and received her deep appreciation of her journey with self-healing and the teachings over 20 years.  She has reached a place of abundance with both practice and teaching and her children have nearly completed their schooling. Elsept is filled with enthusiasm for a new chapter beginning in her life. Well done, beautiful Elspeth. I will post pictures of her soon. She is a wondrous testimonial to the truth of the teachings. Love to all  Farida

POTENTIAL, POSSIBLITIES, CHOICES, MARBLES

Have you ever felt the mystery of potential, the magic myriad of possibilities and the multiplicity of choices before you. I loved this marble table in a store in Bangkok's Paragon Center. The illuminated table with the green marbles that can be shifted and changed in beautiful patterns, flowing, rearranging, beautiful. Playing with them carries you into an altered state - the perfect visual for this time of exploration and discovery.

ANDAMON MONSOONS & CHIANG MAI GARDENS

Hi everyone, after a week near the ocean on Phuket in the Andaman Sea, delighting in rain, mild sunny warm weather, quiet and fun family times, I am now in Tao Garden Holistic Health Spa, surrounded by tall trees, such a quiet place, biking, swimming, enjoying herbal steams, and retreat within. Elsepth, our SNM grad from Perth, Australia, will be joining me on the 21st for our Chi Nei Tsang Training and another friend arrives tomorrow from Phuket, a South African lady who homeschools her two daughters and she is ripe and ready to discover detox and better ways of living and share it with her children. Mostly Europeans here, German, Russian, all very talkative and enjoying their time, so that allows me a lot of space. Food is fantastic as always. Doing much work now on the computer - holiday time fading as I return to connection, communication, relationship and inspiration. I promise pictures soon...sending love to all  Farida