May is the month we officially honor mothers. Personally, I look back with gratitude at the women who came before me. I was blessed with a loving mother and strong grandmothers. Their cultures differed, but their struggles and strengths were similar.
Gramma and Grandpa Rojas, 1940’s
Gramma Rose, born as the daughter of a doctor in Mexico, expected a life of social status and privilege. Instead, she was orphaned young, moved to Colorado and developed fortitude living in cramped quarters with her older brother’s family. Her character was further honed through a stressful marriage to my grandfather and the six children that followed.
Nana Betty was born in Illinois, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants. Her romantic, roaring 20’s exuberance led to a teenage marriage to handsome, dark-haired Ed, my grandfather. At sixteen, she gave birth to my mother, Gloria, followed by the birth of my Uncle Eddy the next year. By the time she was twenty, the Great Depression had cast darkness across the nation. Burdened with two children and a husband struggling to keep food on the table, her girlish dreams had turned into harsh realities.
Nana Betty Bennett
Ultimately, after World War II, both women encouraged their husbands to leave their respective states and follow the dream of California. Neither knew what might lay ahead in the Golden State, but they had the courage to sell off their belongings and head West for a better life.
I once asked my Gramma Rose how she and Grandpa had the courage to leave their family and friends in Colorado. She shrugged and said with a smile, “Loco.”
Nana told me her mother cried and cried when the family had stopped by for a last goodbye before driving toward Highway 66.
“Why are you crying?” Nana asked.
Her mother replied, “Because I’ll never see you again.”
At the time, Nana thought her mother was being ridiculous. But, as it turned out, her mother was right. There were phone calls, but never another time together. Never another hug or shared meal.
Nana Betty and Gramma Rose have both been gone over twenty years now. Yet, I can hear them in my mind, recall poignant and bittersweet conversations. They are just two of the countless generations of women before me who carried on despite dashed dreams the best they could, with the opportunities that came their way.
This meditation is dedicated to them and to all the mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and on and on and on……
Healing the Feminine Ancestral Soul will also be available in the Sleep Meditations Page.
On this Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, I dedicate this post to Pope Francis, who passed away early Monday morning. He was keenly aware of the fragility of this planet and its inhabitants. He admonished us to change our ways of consuming destruction to conservation and preservation.
Though I’m not widely traveled, I’ve been blessed to live in vastly different environments. I was raised in the mild climate of Southern California, then lived thirty years in Oklahoma, where “the wind comes sweeping down the plain.” Later, I enjoyed the Spirit of Aloha for six years in the Hawaiian Islands. Currently, I find myself nestled beneath the protective arms of the redwoods in Northern California.
Now in my 70th year, I love Planet Earth more than ever–the sounds of creatures, whipping winds in branches, scents of roses, herbs and cut grass. And oh, the sights I’ve seen–majestic volcanic hills and miniscule shiny beetles. I’ve stood awestruck under the starry Hawaiian night sky, and huddled–praying–in an Oklahoma basement for the tornado to pass us by. Gaia energy rippled through me while swimming Hawaiian white-capped waves, jolted me through California earthquakes, and startled me as thunder crashed and lightning lit the Oklahoma skies.
Oh, what a wonderful world! And, how I want my grandchildren to thrive and bask in the beauty of nature. The Earth can be exploited, trashed, and destroyed. Or it can be protected, valued, and preserved. Each of us can make a small difference; collectively we can make a huge difference for the future of the planet. Or is it too late?
Well, I’m an optimist and a woman of faith. I believe there’s hope for the old girl, Mother Earth, yet. I’ve created this meditation to support and honor the planet.
Join me this Earth Day in honoring Pope Francis’ legacy to create a vibrant home for all creatures of the earth for generations to come.
If you’re looking for a break from the harsh headlines of anger and aggression across the land, order a copy of The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tendernessby Gregory Boyle. “Father G” or “G Dawg,” as he is often called by gang members of the streets of Los Angeles, is the local Catholic priest and founder of Homeboy Industries. My introduction to Father Boyle’s work was his bestseller Tattoos on the Heart, which I reviewed back in 2011 (see review here.) Father Boyle offers employment, encouragement, and “extravagant tenderness” to the homies and homegirls of LA.
“What began in 1988 as a way of improving the lives of former gang members in East Los Angeles has today become a blueprint for over 250 organizations and social enterprises around the world, from Alabama and Idaho, to Guatemala and Scotland.” Homeboy Industries website
To get a good feel for the style and language of the book, watch this short video of Father Boyle speaking to a group.
In The Whole Language, Father Boyle weaves his philosophy of boundless compassion with poignant glimpses of the colorful men and women of Homeboy Industries, complete with salty language. Saints and sinners are quoted in a beautiful flow of prose that touches the heart and spirit. And despite best efforts and encouragement, the adversity of poverty, addiction, and mental illness still takes a high toll of death and destruction in Homeboy territory.
Yet, it is clear that Father Boyle has made a positive difference for thousands of people across LA and the world. His legacy has just begun. I recommend reading The Whole Language like a daily devotional, a few paragraphs a day to set your mind and spirit on a good course for the hours ahead. You just may find the Grace of God through the Power of Extravagant Tenderness for yourself.
The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness is available at Amazon.
Here’s a meditation to turn on in the first moments of morning consciousness, still huddled under warm blankets as the last wisps of dreams drift away. This meditation offers an alternative to scrolling through anxiety-inducing early morning news. Breathe away stale energy, connect with higher energies, and set good intentions for the coming day. Open your chakras with a light frequency shower. Rise and shine into the new day!
Bright blessings,
Dana
The Rise and Shine Meditation will also be available on the Opening Chakras Meditation page.
For decades a very specific group of people have been claiming that telepathy is happening in their homes and in their classrooms. And nobody has believed them. Nobody has listened to them. But in this podcast, we do. Ky Dickens, documentarian and host of The Telepathy Tapes podcast
Since its premiere in September of 2024, The Telepathy Tapes podcast has garnered surprising popularity, even surpassing Joe Rogan for a time in January of 2025 as word-of-mouth spread about its content. It turns our ideas upside down about autism, consciousness, and reality. Non-verbal neurodivergent people who have been considered mentally impaired with limited intelligence, may be some of the most gifted persons on the planet. Despite tremendous physical challenges, they may have abilities to mentally connect locally, non-locally, through dimensions and even into spiritual realms.
Ky Dickens uses her documentarian skills in each episode to introduce us to parents and their children who have been journeying through the uncharted waters of autism. The Telepathy Tapes are propelled by the work of Dr. Diane Hennessy Powell, a John Hopkins-trained neuropsychiatrist. In episode one we are taken to Los Angeles to meet a non-verbal girl named Mia whose mother, Iliana, realized during the isolation of the pandemic and communication through an I-Pad that Mia could read her mind. Dr. Powell conducts a series of tests revealing the incredible mind connection between Mia and her mother. Mia answers unspoken questions and seems to literally see through her mother’s eyes.
In another episode, we get to know Houston, who was nearly 20 years old before he was given the communication tools needed to reveal his brilliant mind and abilities. Houston’s best friend is John Paul, a six-foot-eight gentle giant who loves non-verbal, Lilly. Through these three seemingly “handicapped” people, we learn they can communicate mentally long distance. We hear about The Hill, a non-physical realm where they meet and communicate with other autistics from around the world.
Further episodes offer teachers who have developed telepathic relationships with students. Beyond human-to-human interactions, autistics report communication with animals, angels, spiritual beings, and people who have died.
Critical Challenges
The Telepathy Tapes is not without detractors and critics, accused of using pseudoscience and discredited methodology. Facilitated Communication (FC) where facilitators support an autistic person’s arm or wrist to maneuver a spelling board came under attack in the 1990’s, when some were proven fraudulent. That dark shadow over spelling is still cast today, despite changes in techniques and technology. Beyond that is the world view of Materialism. Episode 6 is devoted to explaining the clash between the accepted scientific paradigm of Materialism, where all that exists can be experienced through our five senses to a shifting definition of “reality” into non-physical realms.
Dickens presents moving stories of families struggling to discover the depths of their children’s abilities and enable them to live happy, fulfilling lives. Ultimately, we come to see autistic people having great potential, who just might just be an upgrade in the human experience. In fact, the neurodivergent population may be our best hope for the future of the planet.
I encourage you to listen to season one of The Telepathy Tapes and decide for yourself.
Can prayer influence the natural world? Stories abound. The Bible shows us Jesus calming the sea in several gospels. Jesus is napping during a boat crossing while his disciples keep watch, when a sudden storm overtakes them. Fearing for their lives, the disciples awaken their master asking, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus rouses and takes control of the situation saying to the wind and sea, “Peace! Be still!” and the danger quickly abates, much to the amazement of his companions. Who is this this that even the wind and sea obey him?
As a long-time follower of Jesus, I believed him when he said followers would do his works and even greater things. I began in the realm of healing prayer and energy healing. Later, I delved into influencing the natural world, including the weather. Through the years I’ve learned how to connect with the forces of nature and have gathered more than a few anecdotes. It’s not unusual for my family and friends to call and ask for intervention.
Protection in Storms
My husband, David, once called me in the midst of a humdinger Oklahoma City hailstorm. “Do you hear that?” he asked. Indeed, from my California connection, I heard the pounding of ice on his roof. “Pray for my car! It’s out in the open in the driveway.” Staying on the phone, the two of us prayed fervently for the protection of his old jalopy. Spirit surged as I spoke my prayer language, lost in the power and emergency of the moment. At the same time, only a couple of blocks from David’s house, my friend, Helen, was dashing in her car toward the nearest shopping mall, hoping to get in the covered parking garage before her car was too damaged. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it before the power of the storm blew out her rear windshield. By the time she got to safety, she was covered in shards of glass. David’s car remained intact, without even the dimpled damaged expected from a hailstorm. In the days after the storm, he realized the amazing grace we experienced, as cars all over town drove with vinyl covers over broken windows. Windshield repairs and car rentals were in high demand that spring in OKC.
A few years ago, when I was living in Hawaii, my daughter in Missouri, Sara, called and said, “Pray for Will and Gracie right now. They are on the school bus in a terrible storm and a tree has come down in the road.” Once again, I kicked into high prayer mode. This time modern technology showed me the moving storm on my phone. Their bus was in a significant red zone. In that instance, I connected with the energy of the storm and began visualizing the area over the familiar streets. I saw Will taking care of his scared sister in the bus. As I spoke protection and dissipation of the storm, I watched in real time a horseshoe shape of calmer color push into the red zone over their area. It was a fascinating confirmation of the work I was doing.
When Fires Rage
One more story. Last summer on July 24, 2024, at about 7 PM, I sat on my couch after a long day and opened Facebook. The first post to catch my attention was from YWAM (Youth With a Mission) asking for immediate prayer for YWAM Chico, CA. A brush fire had recently broken out, raging out of control, and was headed right for the base. All staff had been quickly evacuated. My adrenaline spiked, knowing the YWAM Chico base well. Situated in a hilly canyon, the base was formerly a popular hotel, known for healing mineral baths. It now served as a major West coast base for the YWAM organization and has strong connections to my younger daughter, who is also involved in YWAM. I surrendered to an inward call from spirit to pray. The prayer became a guided vision. A still power rose within me, and I worked in partnership with unseen spiritual beings. In my mind’s eye, I saw the main buildings and the encroaching fire. We built a dome of protection over the base, an energy field woven together. After that, we began to talk to the fire, which seemed to have a presence. We directed it to go another way, down a hillside and move on around the base in its relentless consumption of fuel. After about 45 minutes of being in a spilt state of consciousness, the vision lifted. It was over. What just happened? I thought. Had it been real? A figment of an over-active imagination? As it turned out, that had been the beginning of the Park Fire that continued burning for three weeks and consumed over 95,000 acres. YWAM Chico was miraculously spared. The fire raced up to the buildings and stopped, even the resident ducks and chickens survived.
These are all examples of working with natural forces for protection in the midst of encroaching devastation. In my experience it’s possible to connect with the Gaia spirit and other elements to shield and mitigate the worst of damaging forces of nature. I recorded the following meditation as a teaching tool for people who are interested in developing their consciousness and capacity to work with the weather. Climate change is real, but so is the power and protection Divine Intervention when we learn how to connect. I encourage you to give it a try.
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