Janet Howard is a KRI-certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, healer and a newly published author. Janet just launched her memoir and first book, “Field Notes on Letting Go: A Memoir of Truth-Seeking, Healing, and Personal Freedom”, and its accompanying Pondering Workbook! Both are available now for purchase on Amazon and anywhere books are sold.
Janet, how did New Earth Almanac cross your path?
I discovered NEA on Instagram and am drawn to the variety of voices, perspectives and modalities in the New Earth Almanac. I have read about things that I know nothing about and perspectives that are fresh and exciting. My spiritual journey has been private, solo and quiet. It's time for me to step out and soak up what others have to offer in the way of health and healing and the New Earth Almanac's morning email makes that easy and accessible with a daily piece.
Where or how do you find it easiest to connect with the sacred on a daily basis?
Five years ago I started a daily spiritual kundalini yoga sadhana. Every day, I get up predawn--cold shower--practice the kriya and then chant the aquarian mantra. I also practice 40-day meditations and teach a weekly yoga class. I pray each morning before my practice and talk to the natural world and my spirit team-- asking for guidance, synchronicities and I give thanks for protection and for all my gifts. I give thanks for my children and our pets and set my intention for the day. This is a sacred time in a sacred space for a sacred act and is the foundation of my health.
What excites you about co-creating the New Earth and why is it important to you?
My passion for the planet drives my lifestyle, seva and career. Right now my focus is on my health first. No one will look out for me better than myself. Now that I am learning how to do that and restore strength after a long career that left me depleted--I appreciate the connection with others that also dream a dream of a healthy planet with healthy inhabitants. Together we create a powerful energetic shift. I want to be part of the wave of change. There is nothing more important to me than raising my energetic vibration and connecting with others that I meet on my path who strive for the same. I am excited about learning new skills, new ways of connecting with the natural world, and observing myself as I continuously shed false beliefs and live in alignment with spirit and my soul's calling.
What was 2022 like for you?
2022 was a big year for me. I resigned from a 33 year career in health care sustainability. Five days after my resignation I went to Hawaii to volunteer on an agroforestry project. I spent time with wind, water, lava rocks and an iron wood tree. After a vision quest, the words poured out into my first book: "Field Notes on Letting Go--a memoir of truth-seeking, healing and personal freedom" and its accompanying pondering workbook with writing prompts for each essay. It is available now, wherever books are sold. I don't know what's next but I am learning to trust more and go with the flow--not easy for me--but that is my practice.
Congratulations on your first book! What has the journey been like bringing it into the world?
I started blogging about healing after starting a regular kundalini yoga practice. I tiptoed into the space slowly. It was new and felt vulnerable. But, over time, I shared more about my life challenges and the benefits of a morning sadhana, learning lessons from nature and trusting the flow of life. With regular yoga, meditation and mantra, I had better access to my insides which led to the big and scary changes in 2022--quitting my job and traveling to Hawaii. My kids were grown, I was single and I went for it. I practiced slowing down. About two months into the trip, I went on a vision quest, spending 4 nights solo in nature. After the vision quest, I returned back to the cabin and the words poured out of me. Releasing it has been frightening--but knowing it came from my soul makes me able to ease into it and trust the process. And because writing helps me understand relationships, experiences and explore life's lessons, I created a Pondering Workbook to accompany the memoir--so that people can further explore their life experience through writing.
I really enjoyed the process. It was fun taking on my own project and figuring out how to self-publish. It's my life legacy and I'm proud of it. I had to wade through a lot of heaviness after my divorce and it feels good to be in a better place--comfortable solo and thankful for my gifts. I now have something to share that will help people--whether working through a painful past or working with clients. Most of all, I want people to know that they are not alone. :)
Thanks so much, Janet!
