NL - June 2008
June 2008 Newsletter
In this issue:
1) Update From Africa.
2) Announcing 10 day intensive apprenticeship training.
3) Summer DVD sale!.
4) Passionate call for action!
Hello Beautiful People!
I just returned from South Africa where I presented at two Midwifery Conferences, taught my seminars, recorded an hour long interview on the National TV, gave magazine interviews - all on the same topic - conscious procreation, human rights of infants, birth literacy, etc... My film is now serving as a symbol of liberation:) in SA, where c-section rates are up to 95%. The film has been on continuous play in many waiting rooms of childbirth professionals. All of a sudden I have a loud voice in that country! And I used every opportunity to be heard.
In Johannesburg I had a privilege of speaking to about 600 doctors and nurses at the National Midwifery Conference and when I finished speaking, the organizer, Sister Lillian, joined me on stage and expressed how deeply moved she was and asked those who wanted to express their gratitude to come over and sing their National Hymn for me. About three dozen people swiftly moved onto the stage and while they were arranging themselves by harmonies, deciding who has altos and sopranos; the whole place rose to their feet and I heard the South African National Hymn sang by 600 people strong black choir!!! There was not one dry face in the whole place, including me...! Same repeated in Cape Town 2 weeks later.
Also I did workshops in both locations to full groups of 28 people each.
I was so taken with the beauty of African nature, - it's Magical!
The most Southern point, Cape of Good Hope, was absolutely breathtaking! I hiked all the way along the narrow pathway to the very edge of the Earth, the most Southern point... When I turned back to look at the continent in front of me, just North from where I was standing, I almost died from the acute surge of blissful ecstasy!
I had 359 degrees of water around me and just a narrow cliff of land connecting me with the rest of the world; on my right I had my Indian Ocean, on my Left, I had my Atlantic - everything in the most profound sharp colors - of richest turquoise and deep dark blues; it was the sunset time, so the 360 degrees of observable skies went on fire with all shades of purples and violets and greens - it was probably the most spectacular sunset I've ever seen... and below I could see a Cheshire Cat smile of small semicircle of white sand beach of a cozy lagoon... - unforgettable...
On the way back to Hout Bay we crossed the river of penguins! Hundreds of them were crossing the highway and all cars waited for them. I jumped out and took lots of pictures :):), of course!
In my free days I went on a Safari and did everything else a tourist would do - explored caves and flea markets... The most amazing cave was a few yards away from where I was conducting my first workshop. It's called "The Cradle Of Humankind", -that's where the oldest human remains were found. It's so ironic, that I was offering my work with the Birthing Field right there, in the middle of the artificial delivery capital of the world!
And, boy, does it ever show up in the quality of social interaction in the country!... When I say that the way we are made is reflected in the way we live, here is the perfect example! Remembering that the 5 top countries with the best standards of living are the same top 5 countries in childbirth practices, the worst statistics in crime and poverty coincide with those countries that have the worst stats in the delivery rooms.
With the breathtaking natural beauty of South Africa, living among people is challenging... There was an ever present, uneasy feeling of real danger... The crime is very raw, creative and omnipresent... There was no shortage of careful reminders to stay alert... Metal bars on every door and window; every house surrounded by a tall fence, sometimes 2 rows of fences, with rolls of barbwire on top that runs high voltage electricity. When a family can afford 2 fences, the procedure is as follows: approaching the house, press the button that opens the first gate, drive in, close the gate, open the second gate, drive in, close the gate, open the garage door, drive in...
I was given instructions how to survive an assault; matter-of-factly advised what to do in case the car would be carjacked or mugged or raped - how to behave in order to stay alive in such ordeal...
2) Announcing 10 day intensive apprenticeship training.
Accommodating numerous requests from far away countries, we are planning alternative courses for those who would like to start offering 'Birth Into Being' workshops. It would be very difficult to come once a month from Europe or Africa, so now there is an opportunity! It is not instead of the year long program, it's just another option - same thing, different format. They both will take place. We are working on timing and other logistics.
If you are interested, please request an application.
Where: Chico, CA. A few dorm style lodging places will be available, as well as group rates for local hotels.
Food: Light breakfasts, snacks and gourmet lunches will be provided.
Submission: 1. application 2. a page long essay about who you are, your background, and most importantly, why you feel this course is beneficial for you. Please describe your intention and expectation. 3. photo
Gender: any
Judging by the response to the year long training, It's going to be an amazing group of people:)!
Our special one week long summer sale begins Monday!
From June 23-30, you can purchase our 'Birth As We Know It' feature length editions for $35 and the 'Birth As We Know It' Educational Version and 'Birth Into Being' DVD's for $30!
4 ) Passionate call for action!
I have traveled a lot in the past few years, speaking about conscious procreation and human rights for infants. In an overwhelming majority of places, I see a devastating situation with maternity care and birth. The way infants are being treated leaves a lot of room for improvement... Around the globe, C-Section rates are at an all time high, in South Africa, for example, one lady shared with me that she was called a 'pervert' when she express her desire to have a natural birth. Women are routinely harassed into unnecessary medical intervention without any explanation about what side effects it would have for the baby. There is very little effort made to prevent complications. Mothers and babies are being treated so poorly...
The enormous body of information accumulated in the field of pre- and perinatal psychology still remains esoteric knowledge. It hasn’t yet made it into the medical textbooks or into mass mentality. At this point I see this as the weakest link: a lack of organized effort to reach out to the youngest generation. If we have all of the data in the world, but it’s not being shared and introduced on every level, starting with sex ed classes in Junior High, - it’s as if we don’t have any data at all. The message of Conscious pro-creation has to hit mainstream like never before if humankind wants to survive and evolve. The obvious degradation of our species is not going to reverse on it’s own. We need to brainstorm together, and find ways of going public. We can use the endless possibilities of media and Internet, reach high schools and libraries, and get involved in state programs geared toward preventative measures. (Drug use and early pregnancy prevention organizations, for example, have large state funds and are not optimally effective. Very few of them use techniques and skills to heal the trauma from one’s formative period of life that causes self-destructive behaviors. We can find ways to utilize the resources available through those programs, also.
With few exceptions, maternity care among nations of our planet is downright despicable. How did we get so low? What happened to us? I truly believe that we can fix it. It’s not too late yet. Pre and Peri-natal psychology needs to get out of the closet and march the streets. All of the brilliant work of brilliant, dedicated researchers should be unveiled, disseminated widely, quoted left and right by every honest obstetrician and childbirth professional. I see it happening. And then it will only take one non-traumatized generation to grow up, and clean up the mess that our civilization has created. Do you see what I see? I hope so.
In Love and Service,
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