I am thrilled to announce a new center that I am opening with my partner (and sister:) Michelle O'Neill. It is called The Center for Renewal. It's purpose is to provide a supportive environment in which people can come and fast for 24 hours.

As many of you know I am a big proponent of fasting. I do one-day fasts regularly and I can say without a doubt that these purification days save me. They save me from bad moods, bloating and weight gain while increasing my sense of playfulness, grounding and inspiration.

Fasting is also a key aspect of essentialization. It falls into the "shedding" category right after charging and alchemy.

The two steps following shedding are embodying and expressing your spirit - a natural result of letting go of physical and emotional blocks.

I'll keep you posted on dates and locations for the first retreat!

I've noticed that even though the word "projection" is thrown around freely along with some of Freud's other classic defense mechanisms, such as "denial," it seems to still be widely misunderstood.

Understanding projection has been central to my own healing and also in my work with others. If we all understood this slick form of avoidance the world would be much more straightforward and drama free:) Here's a description of projection that I wrote to try to shed some light on the shadows that tend to make us feel crazy:

The psyche is such that anything out of our awareness is projected outward. Periodically, something comes along that resonates with the contents of our buried self and we become flooded with that feeling. Not being aware that these qualities are actually within us, we attribute them entirely to the person who activated them. Sometimes it is our dark side that gets activated and other times it is our light. Either way, any time we have a strong negative reaction toward someone, or desperately want to be like them, we are experiencing a buried piece of ourselves. Once we commit to health and well-being, each of these projections becomes an opportunity for integration.

So the next time you are overcome with envy or think that another person is despicable, check in with yourself and see if there might be any shred of their behavior that you have put out of your awareness. Here's a secret to know if you're projecting: If you feel highly charged about the person or situation, it means your simple observation has become an opportunity for integration.

If you make integrating your projections a part of your daily life, you will not only free yourself to experience more inner peace, but others will no longer have the power to push your buttons, because these highly explosive energetic land mines will no longer exist!

Last Sunday morning I watched Michael Beckwith deliver his sermon at the Agape Church in L.A. It was their first time streaming live on the Internet and they will continue to offer this every week now at 9:00 a.m. Pacific - http://www.agapelive.com/.

I always find Beckwith interesting, but this service gave me an especially large dose of inspiration.

One of the things he talked about was the difference between being curious, inquisitive, and paying attention. He described being curious as putting your toes in the water, but not really committing to the moment. He spoke of inquisitiveness as "trespassing" or stepping into someones business. Paying attention, however, is being available for whatever the moment has to offer.

I read a quote yesterday that said, "Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries." To me, this is what it means to pay attention. You really look at someone and their inner world unfolds before your very eyes. You notice a tree and it starts to glisten.

Paying attention is our way of loving God and appreciating life in all it's different manifestations. A byproduct of this awareness is spiritual nourishment. Not only does the moment explode with life, but the life within you rushes in to fill you up.