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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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The Ancient Practice of Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction (also known as spiritual companionship or friendship) is an ancient contemplative practice of lovingly accompanying another as they explore their inner life. Lauren Phelps is a spiritual director who creates a safe, welcoming and non-judgmental space where people of all ages and backgrounds can explore their spirituality and discover deeper meaning in their lives. 

Phelps’ eclectic background of study is multi-faith and embraces those of all spiritual traditions or no particular tradition. She has also practiced meditation, primarily in the Insight meditation tradition, for over 30 years. As a certified mindfulness meditation leader, she can provide one-on-one meditation instruction and guidance both within the spiritual direction context and as a standalone offering to individuals and groups. 

Sessions occur every 2-4 weeks via Zoom for one hour. First session is complimentary. Subsequent sessions are $50. 

For more information, call 267-415-6168 or email [email protected]. Online, please visit SpiritualDirectionWithLaurenPhelps.com or Facebook.com/SpiritualDirectionWithLaurenPhelps. See listing, page 41.

In-Print September 2022
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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