Rumi, the 13th century Persian Mystic, coins the term love dog in his ecstatic poetry. He says that a dog's moaning for his Master IS the connection with the Master. A love dog is someone who yearns to deepen their connection with the unseen world. This is the world of love, communion, inspiration, compassion, tenderness, truth, authenticity, emptiness and the Divine rather than the world of creating victory over another, deception, being right, or amassing fortune and power.

Come--be a love dog--enter more deeply into the inner landscape of your own soul.

In this Issue of The Love Dog News:

The Love Dog News is a free quarterly newsletter for those of us who long for love, authenticity, and truth. Issues contain messages from Patricia Flasch and Leading From the Heart, inspirational thoughts and stories, and tools to use in your life. Subscribe Now

I offer this newsletter in a Spirit of Tenderness and with all my love, Patricia

Message from Patricia

Dear Ones,

I'm sending out this special edition of the newsletter because I am so excited that I can't contain myself until mid March. My beloved book, Becoming a Love Dog: From Emptiness to Tenderness is here. It came in about a week ago.

Those of you who have had children can probably relate to this experience. Since we didn't have children, this is my first time in giving birth. I had no idea that I would hold this "book child" so close to my heart, nor that I would be challenged in offering it to the world. Yet I am. I am challenged, delighted, broken open, stimulated and daunted (mostly, though, I feel like dancing). Now I get to trust this "book child" to go out into the world, and make its own way. I am amidst the thrilling possibilities of marketing the book and helping it find those souls that want to read it. If you have ideas about how to increase the number of hearts the book can touch, please let us know.

Whether you want to buy the book or not, I invite you to celebrate this moment with me!

If you do want to buy the book, there are many ways to do so. If you are in Santa Fe, you can pick one up at my office or come to the first book launch gathering at Santa Fe Soul on February 28th at 3:00pm. Refreshments and music by Ute Bonn will be provided. A flyer is attached. If you'd like to get a preview of Ute's wondrous music go to www.voicedancer.com.

If you are out of town, Becoming a Love Dog is available now through BarnesAndNoble.com. Amazon.com will offer it mid March. If you would like to fly in for the book launch, you are most welcome. You can learn more about the book and read an excerpt from the introduction at our website, www.BecomingALoveDog.com.

I'm a little embarrassed about making this all about me, yet I have another piece of good news. As you know, my friend and fellow coach, Sofiah Ngoran and I did a performance of Round Women: Retrieving the Shadow of Women's Bodies last Saturday night. The house was full and warm and much laughter and tears were shared as we offered a taste of the poetry I've been writing for the last fifteen years. I felt touched. I felt like I had "come home" in some vital way I had never been "here" before. The most creative part of me is showing up in the world and I am so content.

If you would like to order a CD of the performance or a hand made poetry book of the Round Women performance, go to our store.

Now let's shift the focus to you. We have had a change in administration and direction in our country. How would you like to be part of that? Many of my love dog clients are already sharing the impact of the new president and inauguration day in their lives and businesses. They say there is a collective sigh - a space in the heart that is open that has not been open before. I wholeheartedly agree.

Perhaps you are already involved in this "force field" or perhaps you'd like to consider if you want to find a way to bring your life more meaning by becoming active in some new and vital way in the world. Whatever your choice, you can join in these heart stretching times in your own world.

A paraphrase of my favorite line in President Obama's speech is, "we can offer to shake hands, but we need to be met with an open fist, not a closed one."

Perhaps as part of being in this love dog community, we could make our spiritual practice this month be reaching across the aisle to shake hands and to notice when our fists are closed, kiss those closed fists and open them back up into an open-hearted welcome. We are naturally part of a circle of folks who have the capacity to be the change we want to see in our country and in our personal and professional worlds.

Yours more truly than ever before,

Patricia

Coming Attractions

Including complimentary refreshments and live music by Ute Bonn, www.voicedancer.com.

 Where: Santa Fe Soul
2905 Rodeo Park Drive East
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
www.SantaFeSoul.com

Investment: Free of Charge

When: Saturday, February 28, 2009
3:00pm to 5:00pm

Call: 474-8555 for directions

More Information available on our web site events page or see the attached flyer.

Patricia will be appearing on KSFR radio!

Note this exciting event:   Patricia has been invited by MerryLin LeBlanc of KSFR Radio to be on her Valentine's Day Program.  Since the regular program is an astrology program called MoonWise, MerryLin will combine the charts of Rumi, the 13th century mystic Patricia so loves, and Patricia's own astrological chart.  Have a listen, over the airwaves or the internet, to the "Becoming a Love Dog" program.  What a blessing!

When: Valentines Day, Saturday, February 14, 2009
2:00pm to 2:30pm MST

Where: KSFR Radio, 101.1 FM,
OR the live streaming broadcast at www.ksfr.org

If you enjoy this newsletter, and would like to receive future issues, please go to the web site at www.becomingalovedog.com to sign up. When you subscribe, you will receive a FREE copy of the 35-page article, The Vehicle of Self Compassion, on the dynamic system of self-management Patricia uses and teaches.

Bulletin Board

Becoming a Love Dog: From Emptiness to Tenderness is here! This book is a map for all of us: Rumi lovers, spiritual seekers, and those simply desiring richer lives, to continue along the path of emotional maturity and spiritual integration. Patricia invites you, within the pages of this book, to become a love dog as you enter more deeply into the inner landscape of your own soul.

Are you interested in writing movie reviews for this newsletter?  If so, please write a sample and send it to us.

Do you want to refer to past issues?  Now you can.  They are posted on the website newsletter page.

Looking to the future, perhaps this quarterly newsletter could be a way to build community. If you want to post a notice about something you have created or want to share something, this is another resource for doing so. I'd love others to share poems or songs.... And, I'd love to be open to what the universe may offer. If you have collaborative ideas you'd like to share, please offer them by email to phoenix (At) patriciaflasch.com.

About Patricia

Patricia has always been fascinated by the discovery of her own soul.  In her career as counselor, mentor, and coach she has spent a lifetime passing on her learning to countless students. It is Patricia's intention to be a hollow flute for Truth and Tenderness. In other words, to allow Truth and Tenderness to whisper in her ear and for her to whisper, accordingly, in the student's ear. Patricia's realizes she can work with only a limited number of people through her private practice. Therefore, her new emphasis is to touch and inspire soul seekers through this newsletter, workshops and writing. Patricia lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, David, and their new dog Rosie.

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.

I would like to see you living in better conditions.

- Hafiz -

Patrica's newsletter design,  web site design and  maintenance, and technical editing provided by David Chittak Caldwell, www.thevastweb.com. Please direct technical suggestions, problems and questions to dcald (AT) patriciaflasch.com.