Manufactured World, by GG
Fake lines of clouds torch the blue sky
The brilliant sun still triumphs with a smile
Divinity buried with our silent ancestors
Golden tablets glisten and ring
Churches stuffed with rubbish
Truth lives in the beating heart
Photoshopped blue marble earth
Yin and yang on a stationary earth
Manufactured humans
We are one breath with spirit
About a week ago, I read about a woman who worked at Disney World for over 30 years. She said she noticed a big change in today’s children. She noticed children on cell phones, not even looking up. They were visiting the most magical place on earth, yet not participating. What kind of memories are children creating? Just online shorts and nothing real?
Cell phones foster passive participation rather than active participation. Humans are watching and listening to other people and events. Before cell phones, we actively participated in life. We didn’t just watch things on a device.
We need to define what it means to be human. Also, we need to ask, “How can we live our lives to the fullest? And “What takes away from our precious time?”
The cell phone literally pacifies us. We go on it for entertainment and relaxation. But we need to be careful not to let it take away from living life. Screens also dull the mind and train the brain to accept a mediocre life. Humans are so distracted that they accept not being fully present in life.
And, more importantly, we must allow our children to participate fully in life. They need movement and to engage the senses. Every time they look down at their phone, they miss out on living out their childhood and being in the present moment. A human child needs to communicate, play, dream, and create.
The Internet is just like Disney World. It wants our engagement so it can make money. But to participate, we have to follow their rules. Tech companies have spent billions of dollars to find ways to capture our attention.
The system is set up in their favor, not ours. But we still have a choice about whether we want to play. We are at the crossroads, right now, to still have a choice. We need to make some big decisions on how we want to interact with screens and technology.
Namaste.
The Dream of Coco
By Gina M. Gafford
Magical, Mystical and Just Plain Cool
Reading/Poem
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC)
Sower Gallery (Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church, Chaska, Minnesota)
February 8, 2026, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Whenever I am near a horse, I feel like everything will be okay. My heart gallops in rhythm with the horse. Dust fills my nostrils, always bringing me back to my youth.
When I was 10 years old, I met Heidi at school. She was two grades younger than I, but we connected right away. She introduced me to the world of horses. Heidi had a hobby farm on the outskirts of Chanhassen, Minnesota. I would walk to the hobby farm by cutting across fields. Back then, there were a few houses, and the business district was still a dream.
My first ride was on a Shetland pony named Thimble. Thimble was always tolerant of our shenanigans. We would ride on Thimble’s neck (I know that wasn’t very nice), invite her into the kitchen to eat out of the refrigerator, and take her into town where people would slow down to see the cream-colored pony.
Thimble was my first love until I met Coco a few years later. Coco was a chestnut brown quarter horse. She appeared so tall. I learned how to put on a bridle, saddle, and a lead rope. Coco was so majestic, I was in love.
I loved kissing her velvet nose and rubbing the white stripe on her forehead. I could feel the massive muscles under her short, rough fur.
Heidi and I took the horses for a swim in Lake Ann. It was a quiet lake; no motorboats were allowed. I rode Coco. I gently walked her into the calm, cool lake. She appeared confident as we got deeper and deeper.
Then in one mystical moment, I was swimming with the horse. I didn’t even know horses could swim. As we rode bareback, Heidi and I laughed and laughed. Then Coco turned her head and bit me on my left thigh. After the sharp pain, I fell off the horse and began to cry. Heidi jumped off her horse to grab Coco’s halter. I couldn’t believe Coco bit me! The red spot turned into a huge black and blue bruise, the size of a grapefruit, and I had a new respect for horses. I forgave Coco for biting me.
Through the years, I rode Coco and other horses that joined the hobby farm. I begged my parents to buy me a horse, but they said they couldn’t afford one, and that we’d have to board it. Later, I volunteered at We Can Ride, which is a therapeutic riding program. I volunteered so I could be near horses and help children and adults with disabilities. It was an excellent program, and because of this reflection and story, I’m thinking about volunteering again.
The Dream of Coco, by GG
In the quiet stillness of the star-filled night,
Coco dreamt of running free.
She felt her dark gray hooves pounding on the packed white snow,
and her warm, pumping breath, mixed with the glow of the morning sun.
Her chocolate-brown mane whipped in the cool air.
She had the confidence of a Mustang, wild and free.
In the morning, once the yellow sun reached the horizon,
Coco woke from her dream.
She shook her dusty mane
and felt the cool air filled with possibilities.
Coco’s spirit will always be wild and free.
Namaste.
In the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists,
in the midst of darkness light persists.
-Mahatma Gandhi
I love this line by Mahatma Gandhi: “In the midst of untruth truth persists.” No matter what happens in life. No matter how many lies are on the surface. The truth exists at the core.
There is also a truth that is within us. One way to find this truth is to come back “home” to ourselves. The word “home” contains “OM.” There are so many distractions in life that we need to intentionally find the truth within us. Meditation, self-reflection, silence, and yoga are ways to find this truth.
Technology is changing the way we think and function. We must reduce our screen time. Engage with screens and technology in small doses. Each time we are on a screen, our brains change. The dopamine hits light up certain aspects of our brain, which creates addiction. We need to figure out a balance when engaging with screens.
In the documentary “The Social Dilemma,” I recall Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and futurist, discussing the crucial need for humans who are not manipulated to sit down and have a conversation. He is referring to people whose brains are not addicted to or manipulated by screens. I understood that he said this because we will need humans with normal brain function to make life-changing decisions. People who have become zombies will be of no help.
Also, we must not give children iPads or smartphones. Children are our future, and they are becoming zombies. The human child needs to play, dream, imagine, create, and have space. Screens are rewiring their brains to become addicted, distracted, and have less focus and concentration.
One of the goals of meditation is to learn to focus and concentrate. Screens are the opposite of meditation. The distraction of screens takes us farther away from ourselves. As humans, we need to come back home to ourselves.
We are at a crossroads right now. Each adult needs to do an assessment with their phone, computer, or any other screen. Ask yourself:
I know that I physically feel dizzy and nauseous if I’m on my phone or computer for too long. I actually start to feel “unwell.” Therefore, I know that phones and computers are unhealthy and dangerous to the human brain.
I still use screens, but in small doses (like radiation, which it is). I do not allow any technology, including my cell phone, in my bedroom. I turned off all notifications except text messages. I also find ways to disconnect by doing art projects, practicing yoga, meditating, exercising, or reading. I also enjoy phone-free conversations with family and friends.
We can find a way to balance our screentime. We need to have normal brain function without manipulation and addiction. We need to find the truth within us.
Namaste.
You Do Matter Minnesota
Living Through Crisis
Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing
University of Minnesota
Several weeks ago, as I woke up from sleep, I had a vision. I saw a tunnel about three inches in diameter open up near my forehead (third eye area). I heard a “snap” as it briefly opened up for a second. I saw a ring of light around the circle, and in the center of the circle were white, twinkling stars in a black background.
I’ve never had a vision like that before. I wasn’t scared, but I also didn’t feel ready to go “down that rabbit hole.” I even questioned if I was ready to dive deeper into my spirituality.
To calm my nervous system, I practiced Ujjayi Pranayama. Here is the practice:
Ujjayi Pranayama is also helpful when practicing yoga, especially during pain when stretching. I remember reading years ago that yoga can give the practitioner the skills to work with pain.
One more thing, emotions are very powerful. We can use our emotions to send out our intentions into the universe. If you feel a strong emotion, send out a prayer with that emotion as a catalyst for change.
Namaste.
The Eternal Sky
by GG
I arrive exhausted—
The 24-hour time traveler.
The inner chatter won’t stop.
Doubt questions doubt.
Grief fills my heart—too many goodbyes.
Sandstorms blur the sky of my mind.
Thoughts clutter the sky.
Even the bright sun dies.
The moon reflects only the truth.
Can I look up instead of down?
Letting go is my greatest lesson.
Loving-kindness lights the path.
Ancestral sky shaman whispers—
There’s no time in space.
And love is eternal.
I awakened.
A week ago, during my deep sleep, I heard a masculine voice say to me, “You only have 10 years left to live.” I woke up a little frightened and disturbed. Immediately, I felt like this dream must be kept as a secret. I didn’t want to tell anyone because I didn’t want it to come true.
Now, as I reflect, I wonder what kind of future there is. Some people are doom spending because they think the world is ending. Others are prepping for the worst. I think everyone can feel a shift or something is on the horizon (and it’s not just political).
A possible prediction is AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). According to ChatGPT (I know, here we go), it is a type of computer intelligence that can think, learn, and solve problems like a human across many different tasks and situations. Many experts say AGI will be in our everyday lives by 2030 – that’s in five years!
Sometimes I wonder if the political landscape is a distraction. I think we probably already have AGI, but it’s not released to the public. Unfortunately, there is so much knowledge and information hidden from the world.
Like everything in life, there are positive and negative consequences. One of the positive aspects of AGI is that it could solve a lot of problems like poverty, housing, food shortages, cures for disease, and many other things. The negative is the doom – extinction of the human race.
So, I may or may not have 10 years left to live. However, recently, I received another message while doing a Reiki treatment with a hospice patient. The message stated that for the rest of my life, I need to devote myself to meditation and sacred texts. It’s a divine message to encourage me to focus on my spiritual life.
I also think all of us need to work on our mental health. We need to get in the right headspace, be in the present moment, and think more positive thoughts. Our spiritual development is in our hands – no one can do it for us.
AGI is in our future – whether we like it or not. Amazingly, a small group of people created something that will change the world forever. We need to prepare for this unpredictable future. The way to prepare is going inward, raising our vibration, and focusing on love.
-Namaste.
When I was at the ayahuasca retreat, our shaman teacher gave us the option to see Donna (not her real name), who offered coca leaf readings for $100.00. The coca leaf comes from the cocaine plant, and many Peruvians chew the leaves. I was curious about Donna after one of the retreat attendees said it was worth having the reading done. She also said Donna was very open – she told the retreat attendee that she’s often too tired to have sex – her boyfriend is 20 years younger than her.
On my way to see Donna, a Peruvian woman who spoke perfect English, I walked with a retreat assistant for 10 minutes through the lush jungle, the sun shining through the branches, and heat mixing with the smell of moss. Upon arrival at her home, a large Brazilian Mastiff greeted us. I was a little frightened because I didn’t know if the dog was friendly or not.
Donna’s boyfriend, a tall man with a long black ponytail, took me into their cozy house to wait for Donna. I noticed a small kitchen with a yellow teapot, a fur rug on the floor outlining a small coffee table, and wooden stairs made with deer antlers leading up to the second floor.
When Donna was ready for me, her boyfriend came to pick me up. I followed him outside to meet Donna. Donna was a petite woman with gray hair pulled into a messy ponytail. She had a sleeveless purple shirt, capris, and no shoes. I followed her to a small maloca (a circular building with wooden supports in the shape of a hexagon). She said I could take off my shoes, which I did.
As I entered the maloca, I noticed white sand beneath my feet. In the center of the maloca, a small table and two cushions were placed. Donna invited me to sit. I sat across from her as my feet sank into the sand. Donna said she wanted sand in her maloca because it helps to ground the people who visit her. She continued to say that many times we want to see the ocean, but it’s the sand that makes us feel good. So, she had a vision to put sand in her “office.”
I brought three small bundles of white sage to give to Donna as a gift. She was happy to receive them. My shaman teacher said they don’t have sage in Peru.
Donna asked me to grab a bunch of dried coca leaves from her zippered pouch. Then she instructed me to hold the leaves between my palms and blow on them three times. After I blew on them with my warm air, I opened my palms to let the leaves fall onto the table.
I looked at Donna as she stared at the leaves. She asked me, “Are you a healer?” I said, “Yes, in a Western sense of the word. I work for a hospital helping people who are dying.” Donna shook her head as she understood.
Donna said, “The leaves tell me you take on too much sadness from your patients and their families. But I also see you were born a healer.” I wasn’t expecting her to say I was a healer. But I was pleasantly surprised that she was intuitive. At that moment, I felt a deep connection to Donna. She also told me to look up paintings by Alex Grey. She said he captures the human spirit in his paintings.
I had prepared four questions in my small dollar store notebook. The first one was, “Is there anything I need to work on for my spiritual development?”
Donna said I need to breathe. She said, “Breath is spirit, and you need to connect with your spirit without any concepts.” She continued to say that meditation will help me. In my head, I agreed with her.
Then she looked at me with concern. She asked me, “Why do you doubt yourself so much? You need to stop that!” I agreed with her – I do doubt myself sometimes. I also get into my head way too much. I need to let go more.
My second question was, “Do you have any insights on my marriage?” Donna smiled a little. She said my husband, Jeff, is a good man, and he loves me very much. She also said I should stay married to him, and we were married in a previous past life.
Donna encouraged me to have more fun with my husband and to breathe together. My thoughts went back to when we were dating. I remember Jeff and me lying together in bed, in my newly rented townhouse, with the soft light of the sunset. I felt warm as we held each other and practiced tantric breathing. We would breathe together on the inhale and the exhale, creating a natural rhythm.
The third question was about my job: “Any messages about my job?” Donna encouraged me to think about starting my own business (like a death doula). She also said I have too much education. I need to focus on spirit and not on more education. I have everything I need to work with people who are dying. Instead of seeking more education, I need to work with my intuition, open my heart, and mind. I need to work on staying in the present moment.
My final question was, “How can I become enlightened in this lifetime?” Donna said I must let go and return to spirit. She said we have things backward. We should cry when a baby is born because of the challenging life that awaits, and be happy for people who die because they are done with their journey on earth.
She didn’t answer my question directly – whether I will become enlightened in this lifetime. Instead, she said that this is her last life on earth – she will not be returning. Maybe she has reached enlightenment.
Donna answered all my questions. I gave her $100 in US cash (which I thought was a lot of money for a thirty-minute reading). She placed the cash under her tablecloth. We both stood up, and Donna led me out of the maloca.
I found the coca reading intriguing, and I’m glad I decided to do it. There are some things to consider, especially her comments about my marriage and returning to Spirit. I am working on positive thoughts and letting go of things in the past.
Namaste.
Before I went on the Ayahuasca retreat, I knew it would be a challenging retreat. But that’s what I wanted. It would be different from a typical yoga retreat, offering relaxation, gourmet food, and sightseeing. I remember the quote, “Like tea, you don’t know how strong you are until you’re put in boiling water.”
8 Things I learned from an Ayahuasca retreat:
I am grateful to have learned these lessons. I have renewed intentions to deepen my yoga and meditation practice as well. My focus is on balancing the connection between my body and mind. I want to redesign myself into a brave, intuitive, loving, and mindful person.
To love fully, we must remove fear and pride.
- Angeles Arrien
Namaste.
Tunnel Vision 8 