Gratitude 2011

2011 is coming to a close. For many it has been a challenging year, and we are grateful to all of you who have involved us in helping you to recover your health and to be part of your healing.

There have been many hardships across the world over the past couple years. There has been much talk over the years of the coming of 2011-2012 and what that may mean for the world. There are those that believe that this will be a time of serious physical change on our planet, perhaps even the occurrence of more catastrophic events. Of course, none of us ever know what may transpire, but we at Natural Life Therapy, tend to focus on the notion of a beginning shift of consciousness merging the material and spiritual worlds, causing the greater possibility of personal, communal and global change and healing.

So as we head into the winter of 2012 we wish for all of you much peace and continued healing and it is our plan to continue to offer you and your families the highest standard of Meridian Acupuncture care. In the most recent edition of our favorite professional journal, North American Journal of Oriental Medicine, Dr. Duckworth and I each had an article published about our journeys through apprenticeship training. I personally am experiencing deep gratitude for having been shown the way of the medicine by my teacher, Thomas Duckworth.

As the cold rapidly ascends on us, check out our recipes on our website (www.nltclinic.com), especially Dr. Duckworth’s informative article on the medicinal uses of ginger, a miso soup recipe as well as Winter Root Soup, a recipe from one of my wife’s favorite cookbooks, Nourishing Traditions.

Stay tuned for continual classes offered at Natural Life Therapy Clinic sponsored by the Institute of American Acupuncture and Life Medicine:

On the first and third Thursday evenings of each month, IAALM will provide an on-going practice “Enhancing the Spiritual Journey”. (6:30pm-7:30pm)

On the second Thursday evening of each month, lessons and discussions on Self-Health Care will be provided. (6:30pm-7:30pm)

The fourth Thursday evening of each month IAALM will continue with its “Oriental Medicine Roundtable” continuing education activities approved by the National Commission on Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). (Hours from 6:30pm-8:00pm) The approved courses will also be listed on the IAALM website (www.iaalm.org).

On the second Saturday of the month before clinic we will be offering again ‘Stress Arrest’(learning and practicing getting quiet with breath, sound, and self- handwork). Hours from 8:30am-9:15am.

And, of course, we continue with the celebration of cosmic consciousness, Jizo Bosatsu Ceremony, on the Sunday closest to the 23rd of each month at 10am. This coming month it will be held on January 22, 2012. Please visit our blogsite (www.naturallifetherapy.blogspot.com) for ongoing articles, videos, discussions, class schedules and updates.

Lastly, as we move into the New Year, keep in mind that healing takes time, perseverance and patience. We often make our healing process too complicated, so don’t be afraid to trust your body and keep it simple. As Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Wishing you all a very Happy Holidays and New Year!

With gratitude,
Thomas E. Duckworth, DKM, L.Ac.
Jason R. Hackler, L.Ac.
Sharon Reed