Students gathered at the Beach Auditorium Tuesday night for Bring it Back Forward: Practical Applications of Ancient Truths, an event sponsored by Campus Progressives Collective, the Sociology Student Association, Environmental Science & Policy Multicultural Center and Ojel 2 Know.
Kali Alexander, a licensed herbalist and acupuncturist, started the presentation by describing how she uses herbs in her own practice. She explained how herbs can help achieve balance in the body without the possible side effects of pharmaceutical medicine.
“We need to usher back in this holistic natural medicine approach that we gotten away from,” Alexander said.
She went on to explain holistic medicine means addressing the entire body. She described heath problems as having branches and roots. And to fix a branch, such as a headache, she must first find the cause or root of the headache.
Fidel Rodriquez, host of Divine Forces Radio KPFK, was second to share his experiences and practices and how he uses them to give back to the community.
Rodriquez spends a lot of time at Homeboy Industries, a non-profit organization in downtown Los Angeles. There he helps gang members and other at-risk youths become contributing members of the community through free programs like job training and placement.
He spoke of the time he spent in Africa and how he began to understand who he is and where he came from. He uses the self-knowledge he gained to reach at-risk youths.
GIFTED and BLESSED closed the presentations with a discussion and example of healing music. The crowed was asked to close their eyes and clear their minds while the music played for 15 minutes.
GIFTED and BLESSED discussed how harmonious sound and non-harmonious sound can affect moods and personalities. He said city sounds can be very disruptive, but listening to natural sound, a few minutes a day, can help bring balance back to the body and mind.
“It starts with us, those who are open to the knowledge of ancient and new wisdom, those who challenge the status quo by the way that we live, work and interact,” said Elisa de la Pena, a senior sociology major.
De la Pena and her sister Angelica worked to make this event happen and hope to continue to spread the message.
Angelica de la Pena is a CSULB alumna with a bachelor’s in journalism and Chicano/Latino studies. She hopes to plan more events like this at CSULB after her sister graduates.
“The main [challenge] is brining it to the communities, whether it be college campuses or the local communities. That’s what it’s all about, just bridging this information to the community and making information resources and services more available,” Angelica said.
Angelica is founder of Ojel 2 Know, a conscious-lifestyle, public relations outlet for Southern California that promotes community well-being through lifestyle choices.
Many students were actively involved in the presentation by asking questions and sharing their own personal experiences.
“I think I want to start looking into more music that heals, that helps you connect with yourself,” said Christina Martinez junior sociology major.
