christhebrain

Lover & Warrior Goddess Workshop: This month-- The Morrigan

Fri, 05 May 2006 04:03:15 GMT

Hi all,
I wanted to post the flier text for the May women's goddess workshop that I am co-teaching with Joan Aderman (this Saturday from 10am-1pm).
This month we will be focusing on the Morrigan and the element of fire. Please pass the info on to anyone who might be interested.

Cheers!
Chris
______________________________________

It’s time to EMBRACE YOUR FIRE.

Learn how to use the power of your inner fire. Don't stifle your emotions, intensity and imaginations - they are your greatest sources of power! If passionate women can learn how to channel these assets rather than trying to suppress them they will be shocked at how powerful they can become.

Let the stories about Morrigan, Celtic Goddess of Love
and War, teach you how harness your fire strategically
to achieve your dreams and live more fully.
In this workshop you will learn to:

-Harness the power of your emotions

- Attract the right people and opportunities into your life

- Keep your inner fire burning brightly

WHEN: Saturday, May 6th, 10 am-1 pm
WHERE: The Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore
COST: $35

For Laurie & Crissy B.: Love you!

Thu, 04 May 2006 04:22:03 GMT

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:24:18 GMT

You may have already seen this e-video, but it is so special that I wanted to pass it along.

Love,
CM

http://www.ernestcline.com/dmd/

Mythic Journeys Volunteer Info Session (this Thursday night!)

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:21:14 GMT

Hi all,
There will be a Mythic Journeys volunteer info session and meet-up at the Phoenix & Dragon bookstore on April 13th at 8:00 pm. We'll be discussing volunteer opportunities, answering questions and discussing the mission of our organization, the Mythic Imagination Institute. It will be a great opportunity to have some fun, enjoy great conversation and meet other volunteers from the metro Atlanta area! Come play with us!

Check out the Phoenix & Dragon bookstore website for directions or call for information:
www.phoenixanddragon.com

If you cannot make it to Thursday's meeting, but are interested in getting involved post back or reply to me via the MJ volunteer mailbox: mythicvolunteers@gmail.com

Hope to see you Thursday!

Chris

Cultural weirdness strikes again

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 13:36:17 GMT

Did anyone see this ridiculous news story about the 5-year-old girl who was harshly discipined for HUGGING A CLASSMATE? The punishment allocated by the school reeks of latent homophobia:

"At issue is a hug Savannah said she got on the playground from a friend named Sophie. Savannah hugged Sophie back. The hugs resulted in Savannah having to write a letter, complete with teacher corrections, that read, "I touch Sophie because she touch me and I didn't like it because she was hugging me. I didn't like when she hugged me."

"She said, 'I'm really sad that I got in trouble for hugging,'" Brier said."

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/8491575/detail.html
-----

To fight the spirit of stupidness, I proclaim this day "National Hug Day." Hugme, are you interested in a mascot job?

Please hug freely and frequently today.

All my love,
Chris

March Goddess Workshop this Saturday (please pass it on)!

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 14:00:07 GMT

The March Goddess Empowerment Workshop

Joan O'Connor Aderman and I will be leading the second in a series of Goddess Empowerment Workshops for Women this coming Saturday, March 4. This workshop will focus on Isis and on perserving personal power in relationships.

Do You Lose Power in Relationships?
(Goddess Empowerment Workshop Series for Women)

Isis, the Egyptian goddess, represents the power that comes from believing in yourself and refusing to be limited by the criticism and expectations of others. Isis is bold, audacious, dynamic, and exudes self confidence. She glows with the kind of radiant energy that lights up a room!

How can you develop Isis attitude? You can only access this great power by learning how to harness the unique gifts of your spirit and connecting to the radiance of your greatest source of power— your inner spirit. Becoming attuned to your brilliance will make you feel and come across to others as stronger and more self assured. You will be better able to manage negative people and attract the right people and opportunities into your life.

Let your true self shine through, embrace your temperament, learn about your unique spirit, and live out of your true essence! This workshop, led by psychotherapist Joan O'Connor Aderman and Chris Miner incorporates growth work, goddess mythology, creative visualization, dance and ritual. If you join our celebration of the feminine spirit you will leave feeling energized, empowered and inspired to achieve your dreams and live more joyfully and abundantly!

Learn practical strategies to increase your power in relationships, work and life
Learn about your personality type and how to harness its strengths
Learn about your unique spirit and how to awaken its’ power
Join a support network of empowering women
Design a personal power symbol

WHERE: The Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore (Call 404-255-5207 for information or to preregister)
WHEN: Saturday, March 4 from 10:00 am -1:00 pm
COST: $35

----------------------------

Thanks & have a lovely day!
Chris

Hooray for boobies (and, moreso, for their owners)!

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 14:07:33 GMT

Hi all,

The breast cancer foundation still hasn't met its quota for to provide free mammograms to underprivileged women. Please click on this link and then on the pink box labeled "fund free mammograms." You can do it once a day for the next few weeks.

Please help.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites

Love,
CM

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 16:30:39 GMT

Hi all,

My friend Joan Aderman and I will be co-leading a year-long workshop series using cross-cultural goddess myths to empower and inspire women as they begin their heroine's journeys. The workshops will be held at the Phoenix and Dragon Bookstore, with the first workshop on February 4th from 10-1pm and we will also be holding a free introductory discussion group and meet-up on February 2nd from 7-9 pm.

Each month will focus on a a different aspect of women's lives, and the workshop series will (across the 12 months) guide its' members through he the steps of their own heroine's journeys, using epic stories of powerful goddesses and strong women as guideposts to help us follow our own lives' paths. The workshops will combine storytelling, discussion, dance, guided meditation, personality assessment (Myer's Briggs, etc.), theraputic processing and ritual.

I would love it if and of you would be interested in attending or if you would help spread the word. Here's the link to the bookstore newsletter if you need more details.

http://www.phoenixanddragon.com/cms/Phoenix_and_Dragon/janfeb06.pdf

Thanks so much! Hope to hear from you soon.

-Chris

Something beautiful for you (courtesy of Mr. O.W.Holmes)

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 20:25:30 GMT

When I was digging through some old poetry anthologies, I came across this poem. I hadn't read it in a few years, but it really touched me deeply. Since then, I've been thinking about the beautiful people in the world, and about how it is the challenges and hardships that we each face that creates this beauty.

You are all precious and I am thankful for you all.

Nostalgically yours,

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Chambered Nautilus

THIS is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign,
Sails the unshadowed main,—
The venturous bark that flings
On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings
In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings,
And coral reefs lie bare,
Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair.

Its webs of living gauze no more unfurl;
Wrecked is the ship of pearl!
And every chambered cell,
Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell,
As the frail tenant shaped his growing shell,
Before thee lies revealed,—
Its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed!

Year after year beheld the silent toil, That spread his lustrous coil;
Still, as the spiral grew,
He left the past year's dwelling for the new,
Stole with soft step its shining archway through,
Built up its idle door,
Stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more.

Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee,
Child of the wandering sea,
Cast from her lap, forlorn!
From thy dead lips a clearer note is born
Than ever Triton blew from wreathèd horn!
While on mine ear it rings,
Through the deep caves of thought I hear a voice that sings:—

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,
As the swift seasons roll!   Leave thy low-vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,   till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea!

Whole Foods today...

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 14:03:35 GMT

If you're planning on grocery shopping sometime soon anyway, please go to Whole Foods today. They're doing a promo, in which they will donate 5% of their total daily sales to charity in the form of microloans to women who are running home businesses in developing countries.

Help give these women a chance to make a better life and get some treats for yourself. You both deserve it.

With love,
Chris

Utterly delightful...

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 15:02:23 GMT

Please direct your attention to the AJC's front page for a good laugh at El Presidente.

"Bush taps Texan who's never been judge" [Apparently Pre-Approved By Democrats]
Oct. 3, 2005

The fact that he looks so lascivious in the photo only makes it juicier.
Sometimes the media ain't so bad.

Love,
CM

Pro-choice fundraiser (Moto-litas headlining)

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:42:58 GMT

I'm going to this and thought that some of you might be interested.
--Chris

Choice Celebration
Date: 9/29/2005 Time: 8pm-12am Event Type: Concert

Description: On Thursday, September 29th, the Feminist Women’s Health Center presents the 9th annual Choice Celebration to benefit the Center’s Young Women’s Leadership Project at Eyedrum Art Gallery in downtown Atlanta, GA from 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.. This year’s fabulous entertainment includes the Moto-Litas, The Athens Boys Choir, Sitara Indian Dance Group, Nazeem Alsabah belly dance troupe, guest speakers and entertainers, and more. There will also be a silent auction and door prizes, along with a chance to win a week-end get-away vacation package including a stay at Under the Rainbow Bed & Breakfast in Savannah. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Contact the Center at (404) 248-5445 or nextwave@feministcenter.org for tickets or purchase them at Charis Books in Little 5 Points.

Location: Eyedrum Art Gallery, 290 MLK Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA

Help with music recording

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:22:53 GMT

Hi all,
A friend of mine needs to make a tape of a few of their songs for a closed audition. The set-up doesn't need to be huge or at all high quality-- in fact, something easy would be better. I'd like to surprise them by setting this up to help fulfill a dream for a very cool person.

If any of you have any ideas or access to some equipment that I could rent for cheap for a few days, please let me know. It would mean a lot.

Thanks,
Chris

A shout out to my metaphysically-minded friends...

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 02:46:18 GMT

This is absolutely hilarious (and even funnier if you are a divination geek, such as myself )!

No offense to any tauruses in LJ land--You are both loved and appreciated.

Smooch,
Chris

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/40777

***************************************************
Article at link:

I'm Not Surprised Hitler Was A Taurus

By Trish Arnquist
September 21, 2005 | Issue 41•38

Hillman & Chopra tomorrow night! This is going to be amazing!

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 14:54:50 GMT

If you have tomorrow night free, please take the chance to see two of the world's greatest minds in philosophical debate over the innate dual drives of the human spirit: the drive to annihilate and the drive to love.

(Plus, Jean Houston rocks!)

Hope to see you there,
Chris

************************************************************************

Clipped from kittymel's livejournal:

War, Peace, and the American Imagination: A Conversation with James Hillman and Deepak Chopra

Presented by the Mythic Imagination Institute and Alliance for a New Humanity and Emory University
September 20, 2005, 8pm
Glenn Memorial Auditorium, Emory University Campus

Deepak Chopra, author of Peace Is The Way, believes it is possible for individuals to transform their consciousness to such an extent as to bring war to an end. James Hillman, author of A Terrible Love of War, believes that we are ceaselessly driven to war by psychological realities that reveal themselves in a multitude of ways. Perhaps we can tame this drive, but can it ever be transformed?

These great minds will discuss and debate the causes of war, examine the possibilities of peace, and explore the role of the imagination during an evening's conversation moderated by renowned philosopher and mythologist Jean Houston.

Tickets: $5 for students and faculty, $20 for the general public. Tickets are available through the Arts at Emory Box Office atwww.arts.emory.edu or by phone at 404-727-5050. Emory students may also purchase tickets at the Dobbs University Center (DUC).

For more information please call 404-832-4127 or visit www.mythicimagination.org.

Yup, I'm a "Red." Suspicions confirmed.

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 14:09:26 GMT

You are a
Social Liberal
(66% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(21% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Democrat

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

A philosophical rambling inspired by sharks (thanks to hugme for the indulgence)

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:53:12 GMT

Hugme posted:

"The human race has been fascinated by sharks for as long as I can
remember. Just like the bluebird feeding its young, or the spider
struggling to weave its perfect web, or the buttercup blooming in
spring, the shark reveals to us yet another of the infinite and
wonderful facets of nature, namely the facet that it can bite your head
off. This causes us humans to feel a certain degree of awe.
-- Dave Barry, "The Wonders of Sharks on TV"

I am in absolute agreement with Dave Berry on this. I have always had a particular fascination with sharks, the raw power, the awe-inspiring fear that they can inspire. Equally amazing is that they are one of the few species that has remained relatively unchanged for millions of years, in their environmental niches, feeding strategies, reproductive strategies and general morphology. The major changing factor in their evolutionary morphing has been only to physically adapt to their changing environment, expanding their existance to deeper water, more toxic pollutants, broader expanses and new predators over time-- but this they have done elegantly, taking on forms unimaginable.

So, to get to the point, we must indeed appreciate and honor the forceful power of nature, it's rawness and mercilessness. This is one part of the human existence--thanatos, a drive towards death and ending. However, it is equally important to celebrate and honor nature's drive to continue to exist, to perpetuate--the life-drive. Our duality is our human destiny.

Have a lovely day,
Chris

Petition to improve life for Dekalb Animals

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 15:20:24 GMT

This is really important and only takes a minute to do!

Dekalb Animal Services (DAS) is an antiquated, unsanitary facility that addresses the county’s companion animal overpopulation problem by euthanizing animals.
They have the highest kill rate out of 20 shelters in the metro Atlanta area, killing almost 80% of the 11,000 animals they admit each year.
They have a host of other problems as well.

Please read and sign this petition (see link below) to let DeKalb County Commissioners know that citizens want a new, progressive and humane management to run the Dekalb Animal Services. It takes less than 2 minutes.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/238834237

Also, please pass this petition on to all of your friends! Thank you so much for any support!

Chris

Update on my odd existence

Wed, 03 Aug 2005 18:01:20 GMT

Just wanted to let you know what's going on. I called my Emory advisor today and let her know that I am leaving Emory. I finally had to admit that I don't love it and I need to find my path. I'm freaking out a little but I think I'm ok. Ack. I did get offered a fun job that I am pretty sure I'm going to take and am currently looking for a roommate situation with someone cool and nice. If you know of anyone who's looking also, please let me know. I miss you all.

Love,
Chris

North Georgia Celtic Fest this weekend!

Fri, 22 Jul 2005 15:42:38 GMT

Hi all,

Just in case you haven't heard about it:

The North Georgia

Celtic Festival

is being held this weekend up at the N. Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville!

Saturday, 11-7pm

Sunday, 12-6pm

Lots of great bands, guinness, beautiful art and good folks!

For details, go to www.emeraldrose.com/ngcf/

Hope you're all doing beautifully!

Love, Chris

P.S.-If you come, drop by and see me at the Mythic Journeys info table

and hear about what's new with MJ! Hope to see you there.

A blessed day indeed!

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 04:19:43 GMT

What a lovely day and what a lovely lady! Thanks so much to Miss Jolie for sharing your birthday with me!

Love,
CM

Interdisciplinary Trauma Conference

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 11:21:41 GMT

Hi all,

I just wanted to let you all know about this upcoming conference at Emory.

My graduate advisor is co-organizing it, so I've been working (as official peon) on the organization and planning for the past few months & the speaker list and content are amazing--everything from Comparative Literature, Religion & Psychoanalysis to Neuroscience & Public Health/Policy-making. Check out the website for details.

Cheers,

Chris

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Emory University

Psychoanalytic Institute

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

School of Medicine - - Department of Psychology

Psychoanalytic Studies Program

Emory Conference Center

April 29 – May 1, 2005

In the latter half of the 20th century, awareness of trauma exploded into public consciousness. Trauma is embodied in public and private lives, in science and in literature. In this conference, we bring together scientists and scholars, critics and clinicians, psychoanalysts and neuroscientists. Drawing on experimental studies of brain and behavior, clinical work with traumatized individuals, literary studies of narrative and witnessing, and visual studies of suffering and resilience, our goal is to create a more complete and more nuanced understanding of the complexity and diversity of the human response to trauma as well as to suggest new areas for future research and scholarship.

Plenary Speakers:

Ulrich Baer -- David Blumenthal -- Susan W. Coates -- Charles B. Nemeroff

Daniel S. Schecter -- Mary Target -- Stuart W. Twemlow

In association with:

- American Psychoanalytic Association - International Psychoanalytical Association

- Atlanta Foundation for Psychoanalysis - Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion

- Emory College - Graduate School of Arts & Sciences – School of Public Health

- Culture, History and Theory Program - Institute for Liberal Arts – Violence Studies Program

- Emory Cognition Project - Department of Comparative Literature

For additional information, submissions and registration, see our website:

http://www.psp.emory.edu//trauma

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 23:57:00 GMT

Addictionkitten's message (yesterday)about the hippi complementing her skirt's yummy energy really made me long to GTF out of Emory. Emory--where the beemers range freely and the designer sweatpants flow like water. Sometimes I have evil urges to teach them the wrong thing, but I have inhibited (thus far).

________________

Student: So, I wasn't in class for the last 2 weeks because I was on vacation in Cancun.Can you teach me all the info in half an hour?

Chris: Well, all you really need to know about neuropsychology for this test will be covered by Dr. Phil in his delectable talk show. Watch an episode of that & you'll be fine.

Student: Okay. I'm outies.

Chris: (evil internal laughter)

______________

Sigh...it's a nice fantasy. Damn my stinking ethics.

For anyone who is interested: Memorial Mass for John Paul II

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:53:13 GMT

I'm not pushing the envelope by any means, but I wanted to post this in case anyone wanted to give their last respects and take place in this community ritual. Although I am in direct disagreement with many of the canons of Catholicism, I was unaware until very recently of all of the changes that he helped bring about for the good of many people and causes. Needless to say, I'm glad I was told.

And, just to note, Emory tends to do a good job of leaving these kinds of events very nonexclusive and without ulterior motives (see post below).

With respect,

Chris

_________________________________________________________________________________

A Roman Catholic memorial mass will be held to celebrate the life of Pope John Paul II at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8, in Cannon Chapel at Emory University.

Everyone, of any faith or doctrine, is welcome to attend.

Fr. Timothy Hepburn
Roman Catholic Campus Priest

The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe
Dean of the Chapel and Religious Life

Thoughts on kittymel's post (no flag-griping included)

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 00:55:49 GMT

To Kittymel:
I think that you showing respect for a friend using your traditions is a lovely way to celebrate their life, because you are giving of yourself in doing this (just as I'm sure you gave in your friendship with this man). In addition to that, you obviously have an appreciation for the beauty of their customs, and people notice that.

I do agree with you, growing up in the south is odd. My experience was a little different in that my middle and high school were pretty evenly distributed racially (I grew up in Riverdale). I think it afforded some things, but there is still ugliness.

Something that's really been on my mind lately is how deprived Western culture is in terms of cultural myths (I've been brainstorming on events for MJ). I've been reading some cool stuff lately about cultural differences in the kinds of myth we use. It's really cool stuff-- one of the big themes is that, in Western culture, we have greatly replaced cultural myths for individual myths (autobiography). I'm not criticizing Individualism as a concept, but I fear so badly we have taken things too far.I don't want my kids or anyone else's to grow up deprived of that. Shit, I don't want to grow up in that climate.

Yet another task for the Mythic Imaginations Institute. Let's get on it.