Monday, 30 November 2015

Awaken to Oneness in St. Thomas


December is an eventful month! December marks the end of a great year and the beginning of another. Treat yourself on December 1st to hear Trainer Mahaal speak at Point Wellness Spa, located at hilltop of Point Pleasant Resort. Also, if you're yearning for more in your life, think about signing yourself up for classes to open your mind. All weekend long, from Friday December 4th-Sunday December 6th, you will learn new ways to view and experience life. For more information about these events, please read the posters below! If you're interested in participating, please call the number provided on the poster.


What is oneness? It's something that cannot be answered with a simple definition. Please read below to get a better look into what the oneness movement is all about. Also, visit the links below to further explore!


Oneness is a phenomenon

Here is a  common reference about ONE-ness: “Oneness is an ever expanding higher Consciousness for the sole purpose of helping of Humankind and the planet move from existing to living”.


The purpose of Oneness Deeksha, and the teachings we share, is to spread the spirit of Oneness on the planet. It starts by discovering Oneness within oneself, Oneness in the family, Oneness in society and Oneness in the country. It doesn’t stop there. One also then discovers Oneness on the planet and Oneness towards all living things and of course Oneness with the universe and finally Oneness with the Divine. 
The major challenge with the world at this time, is that there is no genuine experience of Oneness within the individual. 


At Evolve and Lead, we have experienced, through Oneness, that  individual transformation leads to global transformation. So when one discovers Oneness, the world discovers Oneness. Then problems dissolve. That is the purpose and focus of Oneness. At Evolve And Lead, this is our focus.
Oneness Deeksha is a phenomenon sourced in the deep passion, intent and the spiritual sadhanas of the founders of Oneness University, Sri Amma Bhagavan. Oneness Deeksha is a divine energy transfer that brings about growth in consciousness (higher consciousness) and thus heightening one’s life experience. Deeksha catalyses the secular and spiritual evolution of individuals and communities through a neurobiological shift brought about by a Divine Energy Transfer.



Origins of Oneness Deeksha (the Oneness Blessing):
Sri Krishnaji, son of Sri Amma and Sri Bhagavan is the originator of the Oneness Deeksha Phenomenon. It began in the year 1989. Sri Krishnaji transferred this divine power by placing his hands on the students of the ‘Jeevashram School’ founded by Sri Bhagavan, which is now called as ‘Satyalok’. Sri Krishnaji also taught the way of transferring this Divine power. Thus the phenomenon of Deeksha saw its birth. This divine descent unleashed a phenomenon of divine grace and inner transformation in students that made the whole school appear as heaven on earth, with so many children experiencing a variety of states of consciousness accessible only to the great yogis and saints of yore. The phenomenon has now spread worldwide.

Oneness and Oneness Deeksha do not require practicing a particular way of living, nor is this an initiation into following a new path. It does not bind one to any philosophy or ideology. It transcends religious and cultural barriers from the fact that it only awakens each to his/her own spiritual tradition by facilitating a neurobiological shift. Thus, religion remains a matter of personal choice and convenience for each individual. People belonging to any faith or age group can receive or give Deeksha.


Generally observed benefits of Deeksha include:
Awakens creative potentials, abilities and intelligence
Resolves inner conflict leading to inner peace and harmony
Brings love to relationships
Evokes affection, friendship and a sense of connectedness with the other
Heals the body by healing the mind and infuses vitality
Invokes positive energies
Makes possible a mental frame for abundance

Initiates a journey into experiencing unconditional love and joy (causeless Love, causeless Joy)

Initiates a journey into Awakening and God Realization.   And so much more…

Oneness Trainers receive their training and deepening at Oneness University in south eastern India.  The focal point of Oneness University is the Oneness Temple.

The Oneness Temple stands to affect humanity’s consciousness by raising the consciousness levels of the seekers who pray and meditate in the temple. The Oneness dasas (an order of renunciates, men and women in high states of consciousness, who lead the processes at OU) pray and meditate in the temple to bring about a shift in consciousness, which eventually leads people from a state of ‘existing’ to a state of ‘living’ where they experience boundless  love and causeless joy.

The Oneness Temple is a vortex of Divine Grace, a powerhouse for the phenomenon of Oneness Deeksha, propelling the human race in this most crucial phase of its evolution. The special structure of the Oneness Temple makes possible an intense, tangible field of divine grace, wherein this transition in consciousness from separation to Oneness naturally results in all those who pray and meditate there.

The Oneness University creates an atmosphere for people to learn and grow in consciousness, leading to a happy individual and happy family, building a happy community, creating a happy world.


Catering to people of every faith and all walks of life, Oneness University represents growth and learning in both the internal and the external spheres of life.

Oneness is not about making everyone embrace the same system of belief, doctrine or tradition, but is more a process of discovering the truth that is inherent in every tradition. Oneness as a concept is beautiful; as an experience, it is staggering.

Evolve And Lead: https://evolveandlead.wordpress.com/
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Saturday, 21 November 2015

Weddings in the Virgin Islands

Destination weddings are a thing of the future. As our families expand and move across the globe, less couples are getting married in their hometowns. A growing trend is getting wed anywhere that their hearts desire. There are also many other benefits to having a destination wedding! For example, you can spend more quality time with your family and friends (since it's essentially a miniature vacation), and it may even be more cost effective.

I had mentioned all of this and more in these past articles:

Destination Weddings: Part 1 "Is a Destination Wedding Right For You?"

Destination Weddings: Part 2 "Benefits of Having a Destination Wedding"

Destination Weddings: Part 3 "How to Plan a Destination Wedding"

The U.S. Virgin Islands is a popular spot to have your very own destination wedding! For one, it's easy for a U.S. citizen to come down here since it doesn't require a passport (although bringing one may be a good idea for taking day trips to the BVI). Also, since it's such a popular spot, it is loaded with wonderful wedding companies that can tend to your every need when you're not on island. If you think you can do without a wedding coordinator for your destination wedding, you may want to reconsider. Planning a wedding is stressful enough, but adding to the fact that you're many miles away, doesn't really help.
We have taken the liberty to put together a list of wedding companies that have a great reputation on island. Each one unique in their own way, click on their name to visit their website!







Chances are you're going to spend a few nights on island with your friends and family before and/or after tying the knot. Well, we want to sweeten the deal for you and give our wedding couples and their guests something else to celebrate!


We know that destination weddings are more than just the ceremony; it's about the experiences you're creating for all of your guests. Why not treat them to an unforgettable zipline adventure? Fun for all ages and skill sets, and there are so many wonderful picture opportunities, it'll make even the most experienced globetrotters jealous.

So whether you're getting married or you know someone who is, why not suggest a destination wedding? It'll be memorable experience for everyone involved and a great way to start a life together.

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Tuesday, 10 November 2015

What is the Safest Sunscreen?



Sunscreen has been a controversial for both dermatologist and environmentalist. It was created with only the best of intentions, but can have negative effects on both your body and coral. There is no black and white when it comes to what is good and bad; it is all one big gray area ranging from better to worse. But one thing I can state for sure is that there are ingredients you want to avoid completely the next time you’re in the market for sunscreen! I’ve stated some ingredients in a former blog post: How Reef Friendly is your Sunscreen?
Here are some harmful ingredients to watch out for:

Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)
Homosalate
Octocrylene
Paraben Preservatives

Read more about these ingredients here:
Protect yourself; protect the ocean
A few additional things you want to avoid include:

Spray Sunscreens
These products are popular because it is convenient for the consumer and profitable for the merchant, but is that really a good enough reason to keep them on the shelves? Not only do they not provide full coverage, but they are also dangerous when inhaled. Ditch these sprays and take the extra time to lather up. 

SPF Values Over 50
SPF tops out at about 30 to 50. This is just a sales tactic to make the unaware consumer believe they are getting more protection. Read more about SPF gouging here: 
The sun is strong in the Caribbean, but using over SPF 50 is still too much
When it comes to coral, there are so many factors that can cause coral bleaching. Coral is extremely sensitive and we have to do our part as environmental activists to protect them! That being said, we also want to make sure everyone is protected from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. There are some sunscreens with ingredients that have been proven to be safer for both coral and your health. These natural ingredients are:

Zinc Oxide
Titanium Dioxide

Here are some of my favorites from the EWG’s (environmental Working Group) Sunscreen list (in alphabetic order):

All Terrain

Badger

Bare Belly Organics

Elemental Herbs

Goddess Garden

Kabana Organic Skincare

Sunology

Sunumbra

Find the full list here:

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Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Overcoming Your Fear of Heights with Tree Limin' Extreme


The fear of heights is a common one. Sometimes, it can hold you back from doing activities with friends and family. I should know, I’ve been scared of heights my whole entire life and I’m not just saying this for the sake of this post. Every time I’ve gone to theme parks, I was the one who stood in line with friends and held their bags as they road rides with name like “The Thunder Tornado” and “Hurricane of Screams”. They had the time of their lives, but no thank you, I’ll pass. So when I first visited St. Thomas back in September 2012, when Tree Limin’ Extreme had just opened, friends of mine who worked there had convinced me to try it. 

The reality hit when they had geared me up and we made our way up the hill in the pinzgauer. When we got up to the first zipline, I looked down from the platform and was nervous as could be! But when they hooked me up and talked me through the process until they gave me a zip away, I thought, “Wow, this isn’t bad at all, this is actually kind of fun!”. One line after another, I was having the time of my life. Little did I know, just a few months later, I would be come a guide.

My story may be unique, but so many others have also conquered their fear of heights here at Tree Limin’ Extreme. We pride ourselves on safety and professionalism and that along with our friendly guides will ease just about anyone’s nerves.

I asked our Facebook fans what they had to say about how Tree Limin’ Extreme helped them conquer their fear of heights! Here’s what they had to say.

Susan said:
“I did it because I was afraid to do it. This 68 year old woman had one of the best times of my life. Of course I researched you web-site, was impressed by the professionalism and the fact that one of the owners is a woman helped. Also that you going in St. Thomas and not some grungy jungle made it more attractive. My Husband & I will be forever grateful of the wonderful experience Tree Limin provides.”

Lisa said:
“With all the safety equipment you wear, it feels pretty safe. As for the fear of heights, that first jump is frightening, but also exhilarating!! Sometimes you just have to experience new things and give zip lining a try!!”

Sonia said:
“It was extremely exhilarating, reminds me of the quote every time 'Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway' that's exactly how it was smile emoticon”


These are just a few testimonials our guests had to say about us! We love hearing from all of our guests about their time with us. If you want to share your story, tell us on Facebook or TripAdvisor!


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Friday, 9 October 2015

Where to Dive in the Virgin Islands


If you’re in St. Thomas, or any of the Virgin Islands for that matter, you are surrounded by some of the best dive spots on the planet. Wide variety of sea life, shipwrecks, and some of the most vibrant coral you can imagine, and the best part, the dive sites vary from beginner to experienced, so there is something for everyone. If you aren’t certified, but wish to be, check out our previous blog post about where to get certified: “Where to Learn How to Dive”.

Now that we’ve established that diving in the Virgin Islands is awesome, let’s move onto some popular spots! Since there is such a variation of spots for all skill levels and what the dive has to offer, it’s hard to know which one is right for you! Here’s a quick guide to different spots for each skill level! 

      *These skill levels are up to interpretation. After reading multiple sources, this was my conclusion. If anyone has anything to include, please add that to the comment section below!

Beginner:
Coki Beach
With a max depth of about 55 feet and calm, steady waters, Coki Beach is perfect for the beginner diver, or anyone who is a little anxious about getting back into it. They have a wide variety of fish and coral that make this dive worth while.

Cow and Calf Rocks
This very popular spot got its name from resembling a mother whale and her baby; cow and calf. This 20-45 feet dive consists of small caves and elkhorn corals, and a wide variety of sea life. Check out the video below:


Navy Barges
These barges were used during WWII, but in 1961, it sank. Now it is a a mecca for coral, sea sponges, and other colorful sea life. 

Intermediate:
French Cap
This dive is roughly 55-85 feet and is about a 20 minute ride out. This dive has a number of large, beautiful fish and will be hard to forget! 

RMS Rhone
Built in 1865, this 310 foot long ship was built to carry over 300 people. Tragically in October 1867, it sank in a hurricane with an unknown number of passengers on board. Only 23 survived, all of which were crew members. Today, the Rhone is a very popular dive spot in the BVIs and is kept safe in protected waters. If you want to check out this spot, don't forget to bring your passport! Check out the video below:


Kennedy Barge
This landing craft barge sunk in the year 1986 and has since been a unique dive spot for many divers exploring the USVI. It is roughly 65 feet deep and has all the sea life you'd hope for while diving in the Caribbean. 

Experienced:
Carval Rock
Carval Rock is a very popular spot for divers who have a good amount of experience. It has a plethora of colorful marine life that'll make any dive enthusiast happy they made the trip. 

WIT Shoal II
She had originally sunk on November 6th 1984 in tropical storm Klaus, but was patched up and able to float once again. They decided to retire her shortly after and towed her out to the Caribbean Sea. She only made it a few miles until one of the patches broke, so they cut the towline and let her sink. Now you can go out and visit this 90 feet dive and explore the 5 levels of decks and abundance of marine life that has grown with it. Check out the video below:


Miss Opportunity
This fairly protected dive spot that ranges from 40-90 feet, offers a special experience for anyone who loves wreck dive. Over 300 feet of Miss Opportunity are still intact and gives you many opportunities to explore the interior. Originally built as a navy hospital ship and then eventually used as a job placement center, she was sunk in 1985 not too far off the coast of the south side of the island of St. Thomas, making it quick and easy to get to.   

This is just a small glimpse of the plethora of dive spots right here in the Virgin Islands! For more spots and information, visit:






Now that you have a better idea of where you want to go, what’s holding you back? Schedule your next trip down to the Virgin Islands and do something that you can look back on and be happy you did.  

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