"Transformation in Action"
 Dear Friends,
I picked up the water glass from the nightstand and took a big gulp. Instantly I knew I had taken in some kind of animal and spit out an inch long scorpion. It was then that I knew she was gone. My stepmother of 57 years had been in the dying process for the past six months. In native symbolism the scorpion stands for death, dying and transitions. It also stands for control and my stepmother, whose maiden name was Severe, (Charles Dickens would love that) maintained control to the end. If she was in pain, she would never let you know. I loved her in spite of the fact that I could never engage her in a conversation longer than two minutes. I had grown numb to her incessant criticism over the years and watched over her, as I knew my father would have wanted.
A week after she died I learned that she had completely left me out of her will. It was a shock to me, not because my father had done well in the stock market and had left her well off, although the money would have been nice, or because I was her only son, but because I felt violated, abandoned and not seen (my life long issues with my family). I have little attachment to money and am grateful for all I have been given in this life. But, the feelings of betrayal and rejection were overwhelming and I went into a period of depression, anger and deep sadness.
One thing that comes out in myths is that at the bottom of the abyss comes the voice of salvation. The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light.
- Joseph Campbell
Read the entire letter from Michael here
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Upcoming Events
Waves: Heaven and Hell
- Date: September 18 - 20
- Teacher: Kathy Altman
- Where: Nevada City
- Cost: $325 ($275 if registered by August 23)
- Contact Info: Michael Stone 530-477-7757
- Time: Friday and Saturday 11am-5pm; Sunday 1-6pm
Most of us spend our lives seeking heaven, what we imagine will make us finally feel good forever, and running like hell from everything that makes us uncomfortable.
In Waves: Heaven and Hell, we use our movement practice to find true heaven ñ being grounded, centered, and expanded in each moment life brings. This is the real value of practice, to learn how to be open, available, and maybe even playful as we get knocked off kilter or forced out of our comfort zone.
Finding and sustaining our presence, no matter what we feel or what goes on around us, is the dance that will reverberate long after this workshop ends.
More info and to register
 New Podcasts
 Tom Brown
Tom Brown Jr. is a renowned outdoorsman, tracker, teacher, and author of 16 books. For ten years, from the age of 7, Tom was mentored by Stalking Wolf, in the skills of tracking, wilderness survival, and awareness. Brown's Tracking, Nature, and Wilderness Survival School is the largest school of its kind, teaching people from all over the world in all walks of life who share an interest in learning the simplicity of a natural way of living. www.trackerschool.com
 Paul Dolan
Paul Dolan, Organic, Biodynamic winemaker spent 27 years at Fetzer Vineyards, 12 as president, where he led a transformation that put the company at the forefront of organic viticulture and sustainable business. As owner of Parducci and MWC, he continues to break new ground in sustainable organic and biodynamic farming. Paulís greatest passion is winegrowing at his family-owned Dark Horse Ranch, east of the Russian River in the foothills north of Hopland. www.pauldolanwine.com
 Beth Greer
Beth Greer, Super Natural Mom, is an award-winning journalist and holistic health advocate. She has helped thousands of people see possibilities and feel empowered to make changes in their lives through her role as the former President and co-owner of The Learning Annex, the largest private alternative adult education company in America. supernaturalmom.com
 Andrew Harvey
Andrew Harvey is a renowned and distinguished mystical scholar, Rumi translator and explicator, poet, novelist, spiritual teacher and writer, and architect of Sacred Activism. He has taught at Oxford University, Cornell University, Hobart, and William Smith Colleges, The California Institute of Integral Studies, and the University of Creation Spirituality as well as the at various spiritual centers throughout the United States. His latest book is The Direct Path: Creating a Personal Journey to the Divine Using the World's Spiritual Traditions. www.andrewharvey.net
Well of Light Blog / Inspirational Quote of the Day
For some years now I have been writing the Well of Light newsletter, which has been both quite rewarding and expensive to produce. But now, thanks to the miracles of modern technology, I have found a way to affordably continue to offer it to you in the form of a blog.
Please click here to view our new blog. You will need to sign up for the blog to continue to receive the Well of Light newsletters.
A special feature of the blog is that you will be able to choose what you want to hear about and nothing more or less. All you have to do is choose your specific area of interest from the drop-down menu in the subscription form. Your choices are:
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Summer outdoor dance: Watch our blog for news of upcoming outdoor dances this summer.
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 CONVERSATIONS a radio show, hosted by Michael Stone, features leading edge thinkers in the areas of environmental restoration, social justice and spiritual fulfillment. Offering positive solutions to local and global issues, CONVERSATIONS touches, moves and inspires listeners to action. Weekly guests include community and world experts and concerned citizens working together to heal the wounds that separate, alienate and marginalize people.
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Dear Friends,
For the past 3 years I have been funding Conversations, The Well of Light, fund raising projects and other associated projects out of my own pocket. In order to keep this newsletter coming and keep moving towards syndicating Conversations, we need your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution if you enjoy receiving our monthly newsletter or listening to Conversations.
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Thank you so much. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Blessings,
michael
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Upcoming Shows
July 21st Raffi Cavoukian: Child Honouring and the Compassion Revolution
Raffi is a Singer, songwriter, musician, environmentalist who is world renowned for single-handedly revolutionizing the children's entertainment business. Raffi has become a self-styled "eco-troubadour," working with adults to promote environmental causes. Raffi believes that the fate of the earth rests on the commitment of all to protecting the environment. link for more
August 4th Bill Twist: Environmental and Social Transformation in South America
Bill Twist is a Philanthropist, Activist, Co-Founder and Board President of the Pachamama Alliance, and the President of Champion Securities Company. Bill is a tireless worker for environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.
link for more
August 18th Chris Carlsson: Nowtopia
Chris Carlsson, executive director of the multimedia history project Shaping San Francisco, is a writer, publisher, editor, and community organizer. For the last twenty-five years his activities have focused on the underlying themes of horizontal communications, organic communities and public space. His latest book is Nowtopia.
link for more
September 15th Bill Plotkin: Nature and the Human Soul
Bill Plotkin, PhD, is a depth psychologist, wilderness rites guide, and ecotherapist. As the founder of Coloradoís Animas Valley Institute, he has, since 1981, guided thousands of people through nature-based initiatory passages He is the author of Soulcraft: Crossing into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche (New World Library, 2003) and Nature and the Human Soul: Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented World (New World Library, 2008). link for more
Beginning in September Conversations will be going to a weekly show. For more information go to our website.
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Poetry Corner
Infinite Incandesence
One day the sun admitted, I am just a shadow.
I wish I could show you the Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image!
I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness,
the Astonishing Light of your own Being!
-- Hafiz
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Well of Light Seva Team
Seva is selfless service to a cause you believe will benefit others. It is the willingness to perform any task for a greater cause without prospect of recognition or reward.
Well of Light has many opportunities to serve our community. If you would like to participate on the Well of Light Seva Team please call Michael Stone @ 530.477.7757 or email michael@welloflight.com
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
- Albert Schweitzer
A Call to Action!
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