Closer to the Heart
One of my fondest memories of my early twenties was attending many different rock concerts. I saw amazing groups like Yes, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, The Fixx, and so many other notable bands. My friends and I would bring our concert paraphernalia and just hang out and listen to incredible live music with other fans. I have been blessed to have wonderful memories of many, many good times associated with music. One of my favorite bands was Rush. To this day, they still are making great music, although it has been about twenty eight years since I attended my last Rush concert. During every concert they always inevitably sang one of their most profound and touching songs called “Closer To The Heart.” It was always the same pattern in every concert. When the first few chords of the song began everyone would stand up and quietly light their lighters and raise them in the air. Each individual flame creating a sea of light. It might sound silly if you have never experienced something like this, but it was always a powerful event and an emotional wave that lit up the room in a really touching way. There were no arguments or disagreements about what this song meant. Everyone there was connected, each in their own way and feeling the same universal hope of “building a new reality that was closer to the heart.”
2016 is over and few of us would argue that it was an extremely difficult year. I actually personally had a fairly good year, but I helped a lot of people who experienced some really difficult tests that challenged them. The tragic news stories, losses of major celebrities, artists, and musicians were far too frequent. The terrorist activities here in America and abroad were brutal. There was a period in the early summer where there seemed to be weekly stories that were incomprehensible. One of my friends at my gym who is just a few years older than me wisely remarked that he felt bad for young people today because they were “sadly becoming used to this stuff.” They would never know a time when tragedies and terrorist attacks weren’t a normal thing. The elections were relentlessly mud-sliding, fake news stories were everywhere, attacks on men and women of color, and the slaying of police officers were some of the darkest stuff I have ever seen so far in my lifetime. Not only were the candidates at times smearing each other, but the memes I saw on Face-Book from friends on either side were at times incredibly uncomfortable to look at. I never unfriended anyone, but I did have to temporarily mute a few people who were posting things that were quite ugly. It is one thing to disagree and express a point of view and another to viciously attack people who disagree. The election was fascinating to follow. It was unlike anything we have ever seen before. It was uncomfortable to watch and hard to turn completely away from at the same time.
I often heard during the year that a high percentage of Americans’ feel things are going in the “wrong direction.” There might be some truth in this belief. Stagnant wages, corrupt politicians, and the shrinking of the middle class are among a host of difficult areas that are hard to deny. Yet, we sometimes seem to overlook how far we have come in the last three decades when it comes to human rights. When I was a young man interracial dating was often extremely frowned upon. Mixed couples (it almost seems silly saying those words now) were frequently taunted, disowned, and treated horribly. Woman still had all kinds of nonsense to deal with; a list too long to list here. Racial, sexual, and religious bias were still at levels that young people today could not comprehend. Now more people can comfortably admit they are spiritual without being labeled “new age nut-jobs.” While Christianity in its many forms is still practiced by far by the largest percentage of Americans, other religious affiliations are able to be more comfortable expressing themselves, including Atheists and Agnostics without scorn. Gay and lesbian couples no longer have to hide in the closet. They legally marry, have children and live far more comfortably in comparison to even a decade ago. We recycle things, are becoming more aware of eating healthier, have amazing technological breakthroughs that make a lot of aspects of our lives far easier. Advances in western medicine and healthcare have moved forward. Prosthetics have given people mobility. Alternative medicine and healing have become actual options for people. Inequity still clearly exists. We are far from where we ideally should be, but we have taken great strides forward. To not acknowledge this notable progress is purposeful blindness.
With all of these amazing changes and forward movement over the years one has to wonder why are we currently experiencing such an obvious darker backlash in human rights? While all kinds of people have been able to come out of the closet and be themselves we also see a lot more negative people and troll-like commentaries as well. A rise in the Alt-Right movement (a modern name for white supremacist groups) and some equally extremist groups on the very far left as well, are sadly on the rise. The challenging of woman's rights again, arguments over the use of the “right bathroom” and name calling of epic proportions are hard to comprehend. I have seen people I call friends on Face-Book post some surprisingly ugly things. One side calling liberals things like “Libtards.” The other side calling anyone who disagrees “racists” and “hillbillies.” Comments on articles and posts are some of the meanest, ugliest things I have ever seen. Hate crimes toward Jewish people, Muslims, immigrants, and transgendered people are on the rise. We seem to be moving backwards and almost getting uglier in some respects. The beautiful progressive hope of people coming together and moving closer to the heart truly seems to be a pipe dream.
I was very, very young in the early to mid seventies, but just old enough to remember the sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats. The country was very divided. The contrast of the hippie, peace, and love movement against an extremely conservative movement were often in an angry battle with who was “right.” It feels like a somewhat similar pattern to that time again. I suspect we will see very similar themes played out again. One of the most common of the seven fears, or Chief Negative Features in human beings is stubbornness or a fear of change. Its positive expression is determination. Its negative expression is obstinacy. A lot of people with stubbornness are yelling loudly at this time. Many people are getting meaner. Fear is increasing on both sides, the left and the right. It can be extremely difficult to maneuver comfortably during cycles like this. It has felt very uncomfortable energetically for most of 2016. It may not be easy to do, but seeing the larger picture can be of value. This discomfort may actually be part of the healing process. Sometimes forward movement in society may include a temporary dark move backwards before we take great strides forward again. The current volatile energy is actually a response to how far we have moved forward. The confusion and fear of a changing evolving society has scared many people and triggered some “fighting back.”
The movement away from a focus on the heart is noticeable in other ways. I see so many people in unhappy marriages, clinging to jobs that they don’t find rewarding, but “pay the bills.” Large numbers of people struggle with commitments to family that they don’t find fulfilling or truly rewarding. Many people use alcohol, antidepressants, and a wide assortment of drugs to help block the pain of a lack of joy in their lives. It is no surprise that we have an epidemic of drug addiction in many states. Potentially life destroying abuses of pharmaceutical drugs, heroin, and meth are ways of coping with lives that are unfulfilling and not heart centered. Self-destruction, another of the seven fears is actually a fear of a loss of control.
A few weeks ago a Middle Eastern deli/bakery was the target of vandalism here in Phoenix. Rocks were thrown though the store front windows and graffiti saying hateful things desecrated the building. This is a family run business that has been in the valley for over forty years. A beautiful coming together of people created a go-fund me page on Face-Book to help with the repairs. Quite a bit of money was raised. Now even more people are patronizing the deli than ever. People came together to do the right thing. People figuratively raised their “lighters” high in the air. They acted from a place that was closer to the heart. This is one of many current examples of good that can arise from ugliness. We will thankfully see even more of this in the coming years. Good things are peeking through, but it is likely to be a rocky road ahead. Maybe if more people stop identifying with only being a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, etc... and see themselves as all part of the human race we could change the focus. The truth is clinging to only a left or right position is myopic. The majority of us have areas where we are somewhat liberal and somewhat conservative. It also suggests a lack of self awareness to not recognize and honor that there are other people who may feel or believe differently than us. Moving forward to a heart centered place needs to be more than just a political issue. Yes, sometimes we need to stand up against oppression and to challenge what is ugly in this world. This is one significant way we contribute to changing the world for the better. Still, it is important to be decent and kind in our day to day lives, to become more heart centered, and release more of our bias. The most powerful element of societal transformation and growth are small every day positive, thoughtful deeds of ordinary people will contribute to building a new reality that is closer to the heart.
Jim Ventura 12-2016
link to the song Closer to the Heart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quBCjo2rUZg
Notes
This painfully long summer seems to be finally coming to its end. The usual media adds for pumpkin spice everything that used to annoy me, are now stirring some potential joy as I look forward to the Autumn season ahead. It was not a pleasant summer by any means. We had a very warm June, July as well as most of August that had above average temperatures just about every day and night. I like to remind myself and my clients often that “As we are tested we fund the power to avert blockage and defeat. At the same time we develop in ourselves an aversion to the conduct that creates stress in our lives.” Quote from the book of Runes - Defense, Avertive Powers, Yew Tree. Another notable connected quote is “Our resistance to what is causes all of our suffering.” I was able to travel out of Phoenix a few times this summer, but my plan for next summer is that I will at least double that time away from the heat. A number of conditions have made it a more accessible dream, and it is time for a change. The irritation of excessive heat, and too many people here in the summers is helping to make my creative manifesting process even more willfully directed toward accomplishing this goal! I will create the financial means and other aspects needed to do so. I can still work away from my home fortunately because so many of my sessions now are by phone already.
This column
originally ran in late 2016, early 2017, I made very few to any edits.
At a practical level this was good but the fact that I didn’t have to
make changes and the negatives are so similar, is where it gets to be a
bummer. Sadly this election season is almost identical to the one at the
time this was written; not very pleasant. The difference of opinions
and perspectives while sometimes horribly opposite of how I view things,
to me are less important than remembering everyone has a right to
believe what they choose. And unless those perspectives are accompanied
by actions that cause danger to me personally or to society, who cares
what other people believe anyway? Sadly an update to when this column originally ran is one of the members of the group Rush passed in 2020, but his impact will be around for a very long time.
I had an almost six week period in the summer where I did very little writing. Motivation was truly lacking. I didn’t fight this though and get caught in nonsense, self doubt or worry and fear thoughts. I was working through some minor health issues (guessing many people with similar issues would have thought they were major) but I always trust they are there because of blocked energy and whatever is surfacing will always inevitably resolve. I used the holistic paths that I have been working with for decades now and really have mastered, in both trusting those methods will work and knowing the body can repair itself in almost all situations. I prioritized diet adjustments, rest, trigger point therapy, herbal means, vitamins, yoga moves, and most importantly getting to the emotional, energetic, and limiting beliefs that were creating the illness in the first place. The idea (belief) that an illness just jumps out and gets you randomly is no longer a part of my reality. At this time the situation is about ninety percent healed!
I have been continuing to build and post on my new site at BuyMeaCoffee.com/Venturawora. There are lots of incredible freebies, navigational suggestions, metaphysical stories, and tips currently there and an added growing library of really amazing stuff for just for subscribers to the many added extra’s. One of these extra’s is that subscribers are able to have sessions at a very discounted rates (quarterly Regular Client rates) anytime they choose.
I also have been continuing to build my posts on my new Patreon site at Patreon.com/MyCastOfCharacters. Currently I have 40 stories for the upcoming book(s). The focus is a number of short memoir’s of childhood, and also my twenties thru fifties so far. Its often both insightful and humorous celebration of the many wonderful and sometimes bizarre friends I have met along the way. There are lots of freebies at the site and of course a growing library of really amazing extra stuff for subscribers who get to see stories that are not currently accessible anywhere else. Check either or both of the sites out.
If it has been awhile since you have had a personal session, remember that sessions can be in office or by phone, and as I have been told fairly often “incredibly helpful for navigating through whatever you are dealing with!” If you are currently on my newsletter mailing list, there is a $5-10 discount on all listed rates.
Happy start to the Fall season. Cheers, Jim V
“The beauty of fall is in its ability to make everything look like a fairy tale.” Unknown
Music is very spiritual, it has the power to bring people together.” Edgar Winter
New Client Special 2024
January 1st thru November 10th, 2024 Special: $10-15 off listed rates for your first 45-minute session, 70, or 90-minute session! Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45, 70, and 90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. Even if you have seen me before If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session for a friend or family member you can also take advantage of these discounted rates!
“Fall: The weather just went from 90 to 55 like it saw a state trouper.” Unknown
Snake Oil Radio
Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this period)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, September 19th at 3:30 p.m. Mountain (Phoenix) time. This 45-minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to chat with other listeners in the chat room with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the website’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on iTunes and similar locations for podcasts.
To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura or on your phone. You may also access it by going to the site and typing “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments IF the show is offering that (please check, many of my column shows don’t).
“Empathy is really the opposite of spiritual meanness. It’s the capacity to understand that every war is both won and lost. And that someone else’s pain is as meaningful as your own.” Barbara Kingsolver
Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channeler's in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.
Doctors and healing
From Spirit Speaks magazine 1992
“In your society you have for many years placed strong emphasis on going to the doctor. Many if not most of you were born with the aid of medical personnel. As a result your minds hold a very strong belief that you need doctors in order to be alive and that you need doctors to promote your wellness. This is a very strong thought in the consciousness of your society, especially in your Western world.
As a result, often you need to go through the motions of going to the doctor or to some medical personnel in order to stimulate the healing and release. It may not be that what they do has any positive effect on your physical organism, but your belief that they can do something to help you creates the climate for healing. This is the reason why so very often in medical studies there is significant improvement with placebo groups, because they believe something is being done for them that is stimulating health, and therefore the mind promotes health.
So, even though theoretically you could breathe out any illness, and certainly we encourage you to utilize breath and to utilize full oxygenation of the being, we suggest that you use wisdom to recognize the whole complex mental set that you come from in your culture and that you therefore do not resist visiting medical personnel to stimulate the process of healing. Prescription drugs, for example, are directed to curing the symptoms, but the homeopathic practice is based on the philosophy of bringing the illness to a healing crisis so that the body’s own healing mechanisms can come into play. It is geared toward getting the body to heal itself, not just suppressing the symptoms.
The holistic practices you hear so much about today are not new. What we have here are some very basic thoughts about experiencing doubt. If enough people believe that there is more than enough of everything for everyone to have more than enough, there will be enough in abundance that any opposition on the part of the AMA to holistic healing can be healed. There are many ways to achieve the same goal, and there is no right and wrong in the universe.
The difference between the holistic community and the AMA come strictly from an outgrowth of the strong right/wrong thoughts, from the belief that here has to be ONE right way. The more you open your minds to believing that there is an infinity of ways to accomplish the same goal, the more you will find this gap between the holistic community and the traditional medical community closing up.” Seth
Intuitive and Oracle reading classes 2024
In-Office or by Phone Classes!
While I no longer host group classes in my home, some of my most popular classes are still available! Currently classes can be in-office, by phone, or through Face-Time.
You can take one introductory class or continue with a monthly class for up to six months for any of the classes offered. Each instructional class is 90 minutes. You may schedule a one on one class in office or by phone for yourself, or have a friend or family member join you and split the costs.
Single one person class: $55.00 or 3 classes prepaid $150.
2 people option: $70 for each class ($35.00 each) 3 classes prepaid $180 ($90.00 each).
Email me for more information (more expansive info about each class series) and my availability calendar to book your personal intuitive and oracle development classes. my email is Venturasag@yahoo.com
Current options:
1. Tarot Card Reading
2. Astrology-101, and advanced classes
3. Michael teachings
4. Past life Journeys
5. Intuitive development
6. Creating Prosperity
7. Viking Rune Stones
8. Healing with color
9. Understanding Shamanism
10. Reinventing yourself
11. How to use Animal totems for empowerment.
12. Channeling and automatic writing
13. Numerology
14. Remote viewing, astral projection, and working with your dream state
15. Angels and Spirit Guide.
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” Unknown
Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (BEST method for contact).
text only: (602) 349-0746 Phone calls: (602) 957-3035
Information about the different sessions and types of readings, classes and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: http://JimVentura.com.
“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl
I have a few other media channels other than my monthly radio shows and Face-Book:
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-12 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil.
Instagram at Venturawords ( Astrology updates and other insight on short 90 second reels)
Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short but powerful 2-6 minute videos about how to use animal totems and spirit animals!
All personal sessions/readings for 2024 are: Full (70 minutes) $120.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $145.00 (Two people can split an extended session back to back for $150.00 total although no other discounts will apply). Mini phone session 20 minutes $40. Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. Purchasing 3 prepaid sessions also brings sizable discounts. Some examples; 3 prepaid 45 minute monthly sessions is $155 total or about $52 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $245 or about $82 a session.
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