Welcome to your October edition of Continuum. 

When you're awakened in your sleep by an earth tremor lasting more than ten seconds, it comes as an unexpected surprise, no matter how beautiful your surroundings. The Karma Jimbaran villa that Alan and I stayed in during our honeymoon was heavenly; yet the thought that life could come to an end, appeared real enough. Shocked, we quickly dressed to see how the rest of our community was doing.  

Since then, much tragedy has followed, with earthquakes, tsunamis and floods in the Asia Pacific region. Our heartfelt prayers go out to everyone affected. For the month of October all MP3 Meditation sales will go directly to the Red Cross to help those affected by this enormous tragedy. 

So go ahead, give yourself some soothing and relief, knowing that your purchase is supporting the many thousands of people who have been displaced.

Our final 4 week Self-care Meditation training for 2009 will be starting October 20th and still has a few seats available. Be quick, if you don't want to miss out!  Our Meditation and Yoga Retreat will be held in Daylesford in March 2010, and this promises to be a weekend of joyous exploration which will enliven your senses and open your creative expression. Further details are being finalised and will be available in the next issue of Continuum.

Thank you so much to all those wonderful Continuum readers who sent their love and good wishes to Alan and me for our marriage in Bali. It was an emotionally joyous time for all involved. Bali as some of you know, is truly paradise, peopled by exceptionally beautiful souls who know how to honour life with heart and love. This was my fourth visit and Alan's first.

Devotion to life matters deeply to the Balinese; and we both knew why we came here - have you ever been consumed by a prayer so moving, that your heart throbs with tears of joy and surrender; well, that was our experience each day. We both gave in to something far greater, than all of us put together! There is something profoundly riveting that stirs the soul when ritual is weaved into the everyday, an invitation to savour the sacred calls out to you in a myriad of ways.  The Balinese relationship to the elements  - earth, air, fire, water and wood, which are the particles of life itself, manifests enormously in everything they do. For example, you can see how their hands breathe dynamic inspiration and imagination into their art; and in doing so, surely easing their stress response!  Similarities to the Himalayan and Indian cultures, abound. No wonder I spent an early part of my life immersed in those cultures.

Watching how they made regular offerings to life and their gods during the day, inspired the art of giving even further.  Imagine pausing regularly and making devotional offerings to yourself, yes, that's right - in the form of 3 breaths, drinking a glass of water or stretching your animal body with pleasure!  How different would your world be?  How would your loved ones benefit, if you were to keep the flow of devotional giving, open?  With all the sensory overload in our lives, devotion to ourselves becomes medicine - a way to stay in touch with the simple magic of small things that can make a difference, even when things get messy and ridiculous. Don't wait until you're depleted and struggling with exhaustion, as this leads to resentment and caring less for others, yourself included.

Play with spontaneously reaching out to yourself - do a Spot Meditation, notice what you get back in self-worth, as the ally you're cultivating within, gets bigger, brighter and smarter.

Keep breathing to be the change you live and, to help you love, in all ways!