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Whistler Question
By NICOLE FITZGERALD,
Reporter
Published Date:
2005-01
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Tsunami Event to Promote Healing
Organizers of MY Place show to send good vibes, money to victims A
study was conducted on the power of prayer. One group of ill people
was prayed for, the other was not. The people for whom prayers were
offered healed faster than the group for whom none were offered. The
Tsunami Relief Fundraiser on Friday, Jan. 21, at MY Millennium
Place, will operate on this study’s principals by both raising money
for the UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund through a silent auction and
ticket sales and featuring prayer-like activities to send conscious
healing to Southeast Asia tsunami victims. “Studies have proven
there is power in prayer,” said event co-organizer Kelly Oswald,
director of Mystic Arts school in Vancouver and owner of The
Oracle in Whistler. “Whether guided meditation or singing, by
sending that energy, we are helping people who are victims,
compassionate helpers and those who have already passed on.” As part
of the performance component of the event, Oswald will lead a guided
meditation or visual journey to propel participants’ thoughts
energetically to those in Southeast Asia. As well, Cheryl
Brewster will bring the powerful tones of the Tibetan Singing
Bowl to heal, clear and balance energy systems. “In drawing on this
ancient form of healing, we use the power of sound to carry
blessings and peace to those who need it most,” Brewster said.
Oswald said the root of the practice lies in people’s intentions.
The positive power of intention, all harnessed at once in the same
direction, will be quite powerful, she said. The evening will also
include performances from Vancouver’s multicultural dance troupe
called One Dance Creative Arts Company, the Lil’wat Hand Drummers,
KostaMan reggae beats and a slide presentation on Southeast Asia.
The slide presentation will be delivered by Dave Smith, another
organizer of the event, who traveled Southeast Asia last spring.
With so many pictures in the media showing the destruction, death
and devastation of the people and land, Smith wanted to show the
beauty of the area and the people who live there. “I think it is
really valuable to be left with a positive image of these places,”
Smith said. “They will get back to it. There is huge loss, but also
change. Like a forest fire, it rips through an area but (eventually)
it brings new growth. We need to remember that. We have to grow from
this and learn and the world will be that much wiser from it if we
allow ourselves to be.” The 10-minute slide show will feature 80 of
Smith’s images taken from his trip through Thailand, Nepal and Sri
Lanka. Witnessing the generosity of the Southeast Asian people who
have little in the way of material wealth was what sparked Smith,
Krista Hoffs and Christian Kessner to organize the event. William
Roberts, executive director of the Whistler Forum and motivational
speaker, will host the showcase along with talks from presenters
such as Whistler Mayor Hugh O’Reilly, Lyndsay Smith from UNICEF and
Ann Rowan from the David Suzuki Foundation. The show starts at 7
p.m.. Beginning at 6 p.m. in the theatre’s lobby, a silent auction,
raffle, appetizers from various Asian-inspired restaurants, live
music, massage, psychic readings and live music will take place.
Tickets are $20 with all proceeds from ticket sales and the silent
auction and raffle going directly to the UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund.
Tickets can be purchased at MY Millennium Place. Event sponsors
include MY Millennium Place, Bear Paw Printing, Ticketmaster, Rocky
Mountain Production, One Dance Creative Arts Company and The Oracle
gift store. |
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