15 November 2000 Edition 13, vol 2.2 Saferoom.org

	Updates on The Saferoom Project In the Rooms... Shop The Project Therapy Landscape: Healing with Chakras What Our Members Are Doing Call For Submissions: ...Writers... Poets... Artists Acknowledgements About The Saferoom Project eNewsletter
Welcome to The Saferoom Project eNewsletter!!      a note from the Editor
Hi All! Warm greetings to all the new Project members, as well as to all of our long time supporters! I hope that you are all doing well, as we start to wind into this holiday season, and ultimately winding down another year. Please start getting your support systems in place to cover all the bases, in this lull before the holiday season is fully upon us. The Internet is swamped throughout the holidays, so please don't rely solely on online means as your support through. Plan ahead, and start working on remaining grounded and focused through this busy season. Reclaim it even, start some new traditions... make it yours... Above all, stay safe, stay warm, and stay close.     be well.       ~ copper_beech

Updates on The Saferoom Project....

Over the next few weeks our website, Saferoom.org, will begin some small renovations, with new additions to the Gallery, and Links page, so please check back to see what we're doing.

All partners, family, friends and supporters of survivors are invited to join the Yahoo SRP Partners, and the Delphi SRP Partners forums.

We also have a private channel on IRC, #Saferoom, located at irc.webmagik.net . You can access our channel via mIRC, or another client configured to access IRC, or by using a telnet application (for the techies ;). You can download mIRC and other IRC clients of your choice at IRC Clients.

We have finished the Yahoo integration of our Web Ring. It's not as pretty as it used to be, and frankly, we dont really like how Yahoo has changed it. Nonetheless, please feel free to stop by and see what Rings We Are Members Of, and submit your own site to our ring if you like. Yahoo has simplified the coding process to be included in the ring incredibly (one positive), so the reaction time for your site to be live in the ring is much smaller than it was before.

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Calling for Volunteers...

There are several things in The Project that are in dire need of volunteers at the moment.

Anyone who is interested in writing for the SRPeNews, please contact the SRP Editor. The eNews is looking for regular features writers, news writers, book reviewers, and correspondents to cover events in each forum of The Project.

We are still looking for an attorney who can work pro-bono or at a reduced rate. If you know of anyone who can help, please contact us at Saferoomproject@yahoo.com. After we become a corporation we can then apply for the non-profit status, which in turn will enable us to raise and achieve the goals we have talked about from the beginning, which are to maintain the safest forums that we can online, as well as inspiring outreach programs in the 3D community. The Saferoom Project will become a driving force within the community, both online and offline. All good things come to those who wait, and we are no exception.

Go to our web site to review our Mission Statement, and Application for Non-Profit Status. As items are updated, they will be reflected on these pages.

Some members have asked if they could help out financially with different aspects of The Project, and we have been advised to not take donations or contributions until we are legally recognized as a corporation. We are most grateful to accept contributions in the form of input and advice on our NP status, as well as effort on the web site, and all of the forums. Members can shop online and donate percentages of their purchases to The Project, by going to our web site, and shopping from one of the sites listed on our Shopping page. These fees go to maintaining our saferoom.org domain name, and to our web hosting expenses.

Looking for volunteers to help coordinate next year's Conference.

As always, thank you for your support!

Shop The Project Most of you are already aware that you can donate funds to The Project by shopping though our web site. This month we feature our affiliates Disney, and Hershey's . You can visit their sites, and make online purchases by clicking the images here. To make contributions to The Project while you shop online, visit our Shop at The Project site. All donations go to the upkeep and maintenance of our web site, hosting fees, private server, and to our incorporation and legal non-profit status application fund. If you do not wish to shop online, but still desire to donate funds to The Project, please direct these inquiries to mrs88888 and copper_beech.

Therapy Landscape... The SRP eNewsletter will include as a regular feature, different approaches in the world of therapy, known as Therapy Landscape. Watch this feature for challenges in therapy, new methods, and alternative healing resources. Any members who specialize in a field of therapy or healing are invited to submit articles on their experiences. Please contact copper_beech

Healing with Chakras by oak_leef "Your treasure house is within; it contains all you'll ever need."      Hui-Hai In working with body energy and spiritual realms of healing, the word chakra comes up quite a bit. It can be confusing as to exactly what it refers to. Chakras are traditionally understood as focused places of psychic energy inherent in all living things. Chakra is literally translated from the Hindi as meaning "Wheel of Spinning Energy". But what use is the knowledge of chakra systems? The study of chakras has had direct bearing on Eastern schools of medicine for thousands of years, and has entered western approaches to medicine over the last few decades. Chakral healing in our medical fields has been implemented in the use of reiki, which is the Japanese art of healing life force, as well as with other Chinese meridian touch therapies, such as Thought Field Therapy™. These techniques work by re-distributing electricity and energy that has become blocked by emotional, physical or spiritual injury. Chakral healing has taken a very prominent position among these sorts of intervention for PTSD and other stress related afflictions. These teachings point out that at certain specific points in our body, there are major energy sources. There are different numbers of these sources depending on which chakra system you follow. The basic system references seven energy sources. Each are located within our body, in front of the spinal column and are aligned vertically up and down our spine. The first center appearing at the base of the spine, the second below the navel, the third at the navel, the fourth at the heart, the fifth at the throat, the sixth between the eyebrows, and the seventh at the crown of the head. The description of these chakras suggests an "ideal unfolding of the being and a ladder to ultimate realization." (1), and each of these seven major energy sources, or chakras, is related to a specific color, and vibrates to a specific musical note or tone. The Root Chakra, or Base, is colored red and is the first chakra, at the base of your spine. Also known as the "Muladhara Chakra, it [is] concerned with the survival of the individual as a separate entity." (2) It is the chakra that feels fear; thus, controls your "fight or flight" response. It is closest to the earth and therefore represents groundedness to the earth. The Navel Chakra, or Sacral, is colored orange and is located between your spine and your navel. Also known as the "Svadhistara Chakra, is concerned with the pleasure and procreation principles." (2) So perhaps it goes without saying that this is the sex center dedicated to gratifying desires. The Solar Plexus Chakra is yellow. It is located a few inches above the navel. Also known as the "Manipura Chakra, it is connected to the acquisition of power and the master and control of the self and its identity." (2) Your personal emotions and sensitivity are carried and stored in this chakra. It has been referred to as "the seat of your emotional living." The fourth Chakra is the Heart Chakra. Its color is green and yes, is located near the heart. Also known as the "Anahata Chakra, it is the bridge to the upper level chakras." (2) It is the chakra in which love and compassion arise. Our experience of reality and our intuitive state begins at this chakra. "The Asians say that this is the house of the soul as it deals with issues of the soul. It is through this chakra that we fall in love. We fall in love through our heart chakra, then that emotion moves to the emotional center, or Solar Plexus, then to the sexual chakra for strong feelings of attraction, then to the base, which is where it promotes "grounding" or the want to settle down."(1) The next chakra is the Throat. It's color is blue and is located at the throat. Also known as the "Vishuddha Chakra, and is the point of turning inward toward a cosmic viewpoint." (2) Meaning that it is this chakra that is of communication, judgment and expression. The Third Eye, or Brow Chakra, is the color of indigo (a mix of red and blue). Also known as the "Ajna Chakra, it moves into the realms of wisdom." (2) It is located at the center of your forehead and is used to question the spiritual nature of your life. "Given the name, "Chakra of Question", it is here that our inner vision is contained, our clairvoyance, wisdom and perception. The dreams of our life are held in this chakra." The final and seventh chakra is the Crown Chakra. It's color is violet and it is located at the top of your head. Also known as the "Sahasrara Chakra, it is the last center of Samadhi, of ultimate unfolding and merging with existence. In other words, it is the Chakra of Divine purpose, the Chakra of destiny. The chakra that is your own connection to 'god'." (2) It is here where our balance of the interior and exterior is brought together into a harmonious whole. The place where the "individual within disappears as a person and becomes a presence."(1) In summary, the three lower Chakras (The Root, Navel and Solar Plexus Chakras) correlate to our basic primary needs - survival, procreation and will - and have a larger physiological component to their functioning. The four higher Chakras are more related to our psychological makeup: The Heart, Throat and Third Eye Chakras are advanced and mature, defining love, communication and knowledge; The Crown Chakra is purely spiritual- providing the connection to the universe beyond, however we define such for ourselves. Ideally, energy flows through each of these, passing information between each, and into and out of the chakras themselves. In the case of illness, injury, or trauma, a chakra becomes blocked, and this flow of energy ceases, or becomes impaired from its natural state. Understanding the chakras will allow you to understand the relationship between your consciousness and your body, and to thus see your body as a map of your consciousness. "When all the Chakras are whirling, open, bright and clean, then our chakra system is balanced. When a chakra becomes blocked, damaged, or muddied with residual energy, then our physical and emotional health can be affected... This often occurs habitually as the result of negative or incomplete belief systems. The effects of our habits, feelings, beliefs, thoughts, fears and desires can be found in our Chakras." (2) "For example, if you eat poorly (alot of processed food, for instance) and don't exercise, chances are your Root (red) Chakra is going to become sluggish, darkened and dull. If you "close off" your emotions because they're painful or overwhelming, your Heart Chakra is likely to become tight and closed and block emotional energy. If you, on the other hand, are extremely centered in your intellect, you may have a bulging and bright Third Eye Chakra but a disproportionately small Heart Chakra or Root Chakra or Navel Chakra. Or perhaps you're cerebrally focused on finding answers to deep questions about "reality." (3) In the West we tend to value the Upper Chakras over the Lower Chakras. This polarity probably has it's roots in how our ancestors' religious aversion to the "flesh" and their focus on the rewards of "Heaven." But it is to be noted that all seven of the chakras are very important and are each to be valued separately and as a whole to remain in full health. The goal of chakral healing is a strong, clear, balanced energy system. The more open, clear and balanced the chakras, the more energy can flow through your system. This energy is essential for vitality, health, and continued growth on all levels. ________ (1) Judith, Anodea. Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System. Llewellyn Publications. September 1998. (2) Judith, Anodea. Selene Vega.The Sevenfold Journey: Reclaiming Mind, Body & Spirit Through the Chakras.. Crossing Publications. April 1993. (3) Virtue,Doreen. Karma Releasing: Clearing Away Painful Patterns from Your Past. Hay House Inc. July 1999. *To purchase any of the books referenced in this article and donate profits to The Project, click on their associated images above, or visit the shopping page at our web site, Saferoom.org and enter them into the search box for Amazon.com .

What our members are doing...

All of the following information has been included at the request of the forum owners, who are members of a forum in The Saferoom Project. These forums are NOT part of The Project, and operate under different administrative requirements for membership. If you have a forum that you would like to have announced in the SRP eNewsletter, please send the information that you would like included to the Editor. We ask that you NOT use The Saferoom Project post boards or mailing list to announce other forums. Thank you!

Forums run by SR members
Soul Survivors Sanctuary Spiritual Survival Truth's Homepage SpiritQuest	Soul Survivor Sanctuary is a nondenominational club for survivors of sexual abuse to work together to reclaim their spiritual identity. Any belief system is welcome as long as you are nonjudgemental to the beliefs of others. This forum is located at Yahoo. Spiritual Survival is a discussion mailing list based at Onelist, focusing on healing methods, providing thought-provoking sharing for daily spiritual health. Contact truthsayer62 for more information. Also, visit Truth's pages to learn more about her.
Rainbow Hope	Rainbow Hope is a support and information website for lesbian survivors and their loved ones. There are a number of issues that affect lesbians survivors in a special manner-- family conflicts, partner relationships and acceptance of your sexual identity are some of them. There's no reason to feel alone on these issues-- that's why Rainbow Hope exists! Contact RainbowHope for more information.
Soul Survivor Forum	This forum is for adults, over the age of 21, who wish to focus on alternative methods of healing. There are both post board and chat formats. Contact copper_beech for more information.
SRP Round Robin Weekly Chat	Hosted by copper_beech and oak_leef, Wednesdays at 9pm EST. This chat is a closed on-topic chat, open to all SRP members. With a support group format, each week we focus on a specific topic, some carried over week-to-week. All are welcome to attend, though we ask that you please be on time, and honor the chat format. Current topic: Spirituality. Virtual snacks abound.
POSitive Partners of Survivors	A place for the Partners of the SA to get the support they need. A place for them to vent, get advise and even some insight from Survivors. We are currently posting and we have a weekly chat as well. Contact Hrtfelt32via email for more information, or Hrtfelt32 or SilencedAngel by Messenger.
Survivor Forums with which SR Members are affiliated
	A national hotline focusing on connecting survivors with intervention, counseling, and support services. For more info, see RAINN Contacts.
SRP Partners	The SRP Partners forum, for partners, friends, and family of sexual abuse survivors, is for supporters of survivors. For more info, write macaroni_duck.
	An advocacy organization focusing on the legal penalties of sex offenders. For more info, write Sandra Corell.

...Writers ... Poets ... Artists

Acknowledgements

The founders would like to thank everyone for their continued support and continual efforts to keep The Saferoom Project a positive, healthy, and safe atmosphere!!!

About The Saferoom Project eNewsletter

©November 2000

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