Debra Silverman - The Missing Element: Inspiring Compassion for the Human Condition

Advance Praise for The Missing Element

Debra has produced a powerful modern handbook that guides us through ancient wisdom teachings. The four elements, the four directions are the cornerstones to the wisdom of the elders. All of us need to be reminded of what we have forgotten, so that we may dream a new world into being.

Alberto Villoldo PhD

author of Shaman, Healer, Sage

Debra Silverman stood out in the midst of an endless sea of coaches, therapists and healers. From our very first meeting I felt like she knew and understood me; she has been offering me practical direction ever since. This book continues to do the same. Debras work is intuitive, smart, compassionate and direct and brings the heavens right down to earth in a way that is inspiring and easy to understand. I am grateful to Debra both as a personal guide and for creating such a meaningful book. Hers is a wellneeded vision in our complex times.

Seane Corn

Seane Corn is an internationally renowned yoga teacher and spiritual activist. Her DVDs include Detox Flow Yoga.

In the din and roar that surrounds us, we need to be centered to make decisions, pause, and listen to forces much larger than us, yet there for usif we listen. Debra helps us listen, gently shares tools, and in this book, and her work, helps people like myself think and act from a place where I am connected.

Winona LaDuke

Winona LaDuke is an American Indian activist, environmentalist, economist, and writer.

THE

M ISSING

E LEMENT

INSPIRING

COMPASSION

FOR THE HUMAN

CONDITION

DEBRA SILVERMAN M.A.

Debra Silverman 2016

The right of Debra Silverman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

First published by Findhorn Press in 2016

ISBN 978-1-84409-689-3

All rights reserved. The contents of this book may not be reproduced in any form, except for short extracts for quotation or review, without the written permission of the publisher.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

All Photos Thinkstock/GettyImages

except Namaste Man on page 10 courtesy Russell Bramlett

Edited by Hazel Dawkins

Front cover design by Damian Keenan

Interior design by Thierry Bogliolo

Printed and bound in the EU

Published by

Findhorn Press

117-121 High Street

Forres IV36 1AB

Scotland, UK

t +44(0)1309 690582

f +44(0)131 777 2711

e

www.findhornpress.com

Contents

Acknowledgments

First, I thank Mom and Dad, Tillie and Milt because of them I can write about compassion. Unfortunately their deaths are what it took to for me to understand my love for them. I offer my simple voice of gratitude to them and all parents, for it is parents who have given us the gift of life.

Next I want to thank my best friend. Just as Oprah has Gail, I have you, Laurel. Laurel holds my heart like it is golden, as if I am special. After all these years...I am beginning to believe you.

This work of art was created under the effect of pure magic I mean it. You wont believe me when I tell you that there were four angels who appeared in my life in a two-week period. They magically financed me as a writer. I could never have afforded to write this book without your help. Without my ever asking, they appeared one by one, insisting that they help me no strings attached. It is called angel money. I am scared that I will never know how to thank you properly and give back to each of you the way you gave to me Janie, Paul, Wayne and Lynn. You four were the midwives to this book.

I have written this book for my son and the youth who suffer for the pain of this crazy modern world. Daniel, I can only pray and hope that you find the deep, abiding faith to believe in this world. It is just like lifes sense of humor to have sent you, a serious realist, to a whimsical, esoteric astrologer like me for your mother. How ironic that between us we cover the spectrum from the ground-level, practical earth concerns that you love, to the stars and the cosmic language that I adore. I hope to meet you in between our two worlds through this lifetime, continually watching our love grow.

Thank you, Dad, Milt, who was in the Jewish Mafia, and taught me by example that friendship is holy. I followed his lead when my family of origin broke into pieces upon his death. My friends became my family.

There are those of you who have held me through my young life who I must mention: kindergarten through high school, you guys unknowingly let me lean on you when my family was nowhere to be found: Elyse, Karen, Nancy, David, Joel, Matt, Ava and Debby. Then in later years there appeared: Alandra, Judy B and Judy K, Catherine, Gudrun, Norman, Bobbi and Richie, Victor and Nadya, and Jim. Some of you have come and gone. There are those who have never left my side: Forrest, Colette, Ellen M, Ellen F, and Grace. And thank God for my Colorado family who have provided a home to me as an adult: Lynn, Carla and Doug, Habiba and Kabir, Peggy, Dorothy, Margaret, and our beloved Douglas. Finally, those who have become home that I still cannot explain fate has happily had her way with us: Paul and Adriana, June, Wayne, Teddy, Trista, Junpo and Mary, Desi, Josh, Ash and Ayelet, Bill, and Ashley and Parker.

I could not be tirelessly giving as I do in this world without each one of you having faith in me. I am coming to understand that love is no longer about family or friends or who is in and who is out. It is that we are all in this dance together. We all play our roles, for however short or however long. I pray that I can dance with you, the reader of this, some day. We will do so as the Gods and Goddesses see fit it has become obvious to me that fate determines when and how we will find our way to each other.

There are those who have helped me write this book and have collaborated on my lifes work. A long, fifteen-year arduous effort of just this writing project. Starting way back with Billie, Ammi, Sara, Stasia, Lowell, Moon, Betty, Lisa, Naomi, Dennis, Kippi, Michelle, Owen, Val, Bill, Randy, Mark, Jack, Laurie, Jenn, Hazel, and Premo.

And to Charlie, Kenny, Colette, and the Goodmans for giving me your story for this book.

And my one family member who has stood by me forever, beyond all time: that would be you, Niki.

This project has taken so long that just writing this page has been like an ant carrying a huge stone up a hill. So long up, and with so much effort, yet I could not stop.

I am here to tell all of you that dreams do come true. This book was a longstanding dream that has finally found pages, form, and feet.

Lastly, I have been carrying this dream for the future generations the children who continually appear in my world for me to be their fairy godmother: Ligia, James, Lauren, Ryan, Bodie, Ya-ya, Talulah, Marcus, Sabrina, Shane, Sarah, Ibby, and Ocean. For all those children carrying the future, I hope that I have made your load a bit lighter. Stand on my shoulders and help us all get through this unbelievable time in history.