La Dolce Vita article by Alastair Gregor • It’s time to start the New Year off right by achieving your goals of getting healthy and losing weight. Firstly let’s start with a couple of cleanses. The first is to remove all temptations, clean out your cupboards, freezer and fridge of all that is sugary, tempting and unhealthy. The second is personal, to...

Jan 1, 2013

DRUG BUST by Alan Cassels • The people’s briefing note on prescription drugs 2012 is behind us, thank goodness. And what a year it’s been. I have anointed it “The Year of Prevention Propaganda.” Wikipedia tells us propaganda is “a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position by...

An Invitation to Consider Living in an Intentional Community in Squamish, British Columbia by Clasina Van Bemmel • Plans with architects and city planners in the District of Squamish are underway to create a non-denominational spiritual community for adults. Are you interested in a life of simplicity, spiritual practice, contemplation and service? Do you value...

Jan 1, 2013

SCIENCE MATTERS by David Suzuki • The race to become leader of the world’s most powerful democracy often seemed disconnected from reality. During debates, the two main candidates stooped to insults, half-truths and outright lies. The overall campaign included appallingly ignorant statements about women. But the most bewildering disconnect was over the...

Jan 1, 2013

FILMS WORTH WATCHING by Robert Alstead • Recently, I’ve been filming University of Victoria climate scientist Dr. Andrew Weaver, who is campaigning as the BC Green Party candidate for the Oak Bay Gordon Head riding in Victoria in the May provincial elections. As I research the project, I’ve been looking back at how climate change has been covered on-screen...

Jan 1, 2013

UNIVERSE WITHIN by Gwen Randall-Young • Be impeccable with your word – Miguel Ruiz The only way we can share ourselves with another or demonstrate who we are is through communication. It is the way we get to know others and the way they come to know us. We feel we have good communication with another when we understand each other. We feel close...

Jan 1, 2013

A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle • To read Eckhart Tolle’s latest column, please see the current print edition of Common Ground For copyright reasons, we are authorized to publish this column in our print version only. More than 1/4 million people read Common Ground every month! Pick up your copy today. This article appeared in the JANUARY 2013 print...

Jan 1, 2013

ON THE GARDEN PATH by Carolyn Herriot • As a seed is capable of becoming a tree, all human beings are also capable of realizing their own full potential. In order for the seed to become a tree, it must be planted in the soil, underground, in the dark and almost forgotten. In relationship with the earth, the seed surrenders its separateness, its identity, its...

Jan 1, 2013

by Mac McLaughlin • Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra Scorpio | Sagitarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces Happy New Year! Out with the old and in with the new is a mantra we’re all familiar with. Now, we are determined to stick to our New Year’s resolutions, which, of course, are generally totally forgotten by early February. Things...