Slowing Down, Speeding Up for Fall

We really felt the transition from Summer to Fall here in the Hill Country; after days of 100 plus temperatures we suddenly had cool evenings and cloudy days. Aaaahh. Last night a group of us circled under the stars to honor the Fall Equinox and I felt so grateful for the many community circles I have been part of over the years. There is such richness in gathering to honor the cycles of the year. As we move from equal day and night towards longer days we naturally begin to pull inward. Many people have asked me over the years; how do I follow nature's lead and slow down while everything around me still needs to be attended to? Here are a few suggestions:

• Wake up fifteen minutes earlier and enjoy the still darkness of the morning
• Go outside for a break as the sun sets (go on-line to find out times) and note the shortening days
• Put 100 percent of your energy into your times of action, and then consciously let go and rest
• As the world speeds up around the holidays and elections use it as an opportunity to deepen your center

By consciously experiencing the increasing darkness as an invitation to drop into stillness and peace we can energetically take in the gifts of Fall, which will nourish our daily actions. This Fall we have the dual frenzy of holidays and elections, making things especially buzzy and chaotic. Center, center, center! Use the increasing dark to go within and anchor yourself so that you do not get pulled and pushed by the building energetic tides. This is an important time for each of us to hold fiercely to what we want to create and become as individuals, as Americans, and as humans. Put your thoughts and intent towards hope and renewal, rather than on fear. Vote with your entire being for peace, for sacred stewardship of our planet, for awareness, and remember that every vote counts! We encourage you to take the time to connect with like-minded people to help you stay positive and focused, and to keep cleaning fear and negative patterns from your being. This is not a time to disconnect from your spiritual path or support: Amp it up!

We are blessed to have a new office manager/beloved assistant, Arielle. If you have any questions on workshops or events feel free to contact her at 512-233-8480 or at spiritualintegrity@gmail.com

Much love,

Heather Ash and Raven

Enclosed in this newsletter: Heather Ash's blog, HA and Raven Upcoming Events, and two book reviews for your Fall reading list.

The view from the sleeping/
meditation platform I built this summer; my first building project! It is shaded by a beautiful tree and overlooks the oak and cedar filled valley below our house.

Three of our recent Jump! beauties celebrating their graduation. Jump! is our advanced apprenticeship program; we will be starting a new Jump! circle in Spring 2009.

don Miguel climbs the pyramid of the sun to honor his mother, Sarita.
June 2008

Heather Ash Blog
I now have two new fun ways to connect:
• Check out my two new YouTube videos:
Intent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPggwXD9_G8
Toltec Wisdom for Healing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIHUhhKpCio
• Follow me on twitter.com to see what I am up to...

In my updated blog: explorations, musings, and pictures of my journey with don Miguel to Teotihuacan, and the Inti dog all grown up.

Also check out the rousing article on women's power and Sarah Palin from my first teacher, Vicki Noble, which I loved so much I wanted to share it. Let's dance, sisters and brothers! And for the many of you who asked about my eyes: My clear vision intent has come full circle, they are now doing great! Thanks for all the prayers.

don Miguel Ruiz and Angel of Death
Note: don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, has been one of the major influences in my life. My apprenticed with him started in 1994 and over the years I worked with him directly I grew from a child to a woman, from being a victim to a spiritual warrior. "don" is a title of respect.

I was mad. "I was fine when he died before, why am I not fine with him being dead again?" I had logically thought it out, wept, pouted, and processed but it still was not changing the fact that I felt like having a temper tantrum whenever I thought of don Miguel dying a second time.

Don Miguel's first death came after a heart attack five or six years ago. And even that is not accurate because don Miguel, like all of us that worked with him, died over and over again as part of his spiritual path.

Visit Heather Ash's blog >>

Spiritual Integrity Upcoming Events

For both our local and long-distance friends we offer workshops and journeys to inspire, deepen, and align you with the life you want to live. We are just outside of Austin, TX, an easy trip from anywhere in the United States. Our three or five day events will help you to recharge and rewire old patterns and agreements.

Upcoming Fall Workshops in Wimberley, TX

Connect! The Fire of Conscious Relationships
October 3 to 5, 2008
• Learn about the importance of shared context and differentation
• Get clear on what you want and how to communicate it with love
• Move beyond old patterns in all your relationships

[Click here for more information on our Relationship workshop]

Reclaim! Sexual Integrity and Inner Healing
November 21 to 23, 2008
• Discover what your sexual essence truly is
• Heal past sexual wounding or fears
• Get valuable information on pleasure, orgasm, and spirit

[Click here for more information on our Sexuality workshop]

The Awakening Conference
February 26 to March 1, 2009
don Miguel Ruiz, Marianne Williamson, Donald Neale Walsch and many other teachers come to Texas! Heather Ash will be one of the breakout speakers."Bringing today's visionaries together to create personal and global change."

Upcoming Power Journeys

Teotihuacan, Mexico
October 30 to November 4, 2008
Raven and I (and many of our students, too!) return to Teotihuacan year after year because if the nourishment and healing that it always imparts to all who pilgrimage there.
• Walk the transformational path of initiation followed by the ancient Toltecs
• Celebrate the Day of the Dead in two different traditional ways
• Re-new your relationship with yourself as a warrior of the heart

[Click here for more information on our journey to Mexico]

Peru 2009
September 26 to October 4; Lake Titicaca extension October 4 to October 7.
Yes! If you have always dreamt of visiting Peru put this on your calendar now and start intending it! We combine seeing the most spectacular places in Peru with the powerful ceremonies and teachings of the Inca (we are blessed with the loving guidance of Peruvian mystic Jorge Delgado). An incredible combination that will heal your soul and anchor in new wisdom for the coming times of change.

[Click here for more information on our journey to Peru]

For more information visit our website at http://www.spiritualintegrity.com
or email us at spiritualintegrity@gmail.com

Reviews

As Summer dissolves into Fall and the holidays loom here are two great books based on one of the most influential teachers ever. Use these books as a great mirror of a journey of one human on his path to enlightenment and the obstacles and fears he overcame.

Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
Deepak Chopra brings the Buddha back to life in this engaging story that fleshes out the human fragility and struggles of an icon so many of us associate with peace and serenity. One of my favorite parts is Buddha's on-going relationship with the demon Mara. [Click here to purchase Buddha]

Siddhartha
When I read Herman Hesse I can't help grabbing people next to me and reading passages to them outloud. Hesse's clarity into the hidden heart and mind of people always astounds me. Though first published in 1920 and inspired by the life of a man dead for centuries, Siddhartha is full of teachings for modern times. If you like this, also read the Hesse book that helped shape don Miguel's teaching on magical theatre: Steppenwolf. [Click here to purchase Siddhartha]

For free articles, audio, and video or more information on our upcoming events visit us at:

spiritualintegrity.com

We send you many blessings
for a sweet Fall...

Please forward to your friends!
To change your info, please email us directly at spiritualintegrity@gmail.com Thanks!

Heather Ash and Raven playing in Austin, TX this summer