Why Would You Want to be Enlightened?

by Edwin Harkness Spina -

Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left me speechless. I had retained Bob to review the copy on my Mystic Warrior website from a sales perspective. He asked about reader reactions. As we talked, I told him how some readers felt compelled, while in the midst of my book, to put it down and meditate. In several cases, they described tingling sensations on the crown of their head and of receiving "downloads of energy and information." I told Bob they were "attuning with God" and how this is a step towards enlightenment. That's when he asked me the question that left me speechless.

He asked, "Why would you want to be enlightened?"

Bob wasn't trying to be funny and he wasn't questioning whether this would benefit people. He asked me this to force me to think about the question in a more fundamental way. (You might say he was acting as a "devil's advocate.")

When I first heard his question, I couldn't respond. Going through my mind were the thoughts, "Isn't this what everybody wants?" and "Isn't this the reason for living?" But before I could even speak, I realized this wasn't true.

A belief is an idea that you accept as true-regardless of whether or not it really is. Many times a belief operates subconsciously and is never examined. This is what happened to me. My belief seemed self-evident and yet, it wasn't true for most people. Not everyone wants to become enlightened-at least not consciously.

So I pondered, "Why would you want to be enlightened?"

This is not a simple question to answer. "Why would you want to be rich?" is easy to answer. "So I can buy a new BMW M5." "So I can travel throughout Europe staying at the finest hotels." "So I can help others less fortunate than me." The reason it's easy to answer is that being rich only satisfies a physical, emotional or intellectual desire.

Striving for enlightenment is not a physical, emotional or intellectual quest. It arises out of a yearning from deep within the soul. It's beyond emotion or intellect. It's a craving to return to God, a desire to be completely and totally one with God.

Throughout the ages mystics have described this experience. Regardless of what formal religion the individual might practice, the experience almost always includes: a sense of being beyond time or space and connected to everything, joy, knowingness, paradoxicality, ineffability, and transiency with permanent changes.

Anyone who has ever approached such an experience never forgets it. Thereafter, nothing else compares. Consequently, you are no longer content merely with great food, awesome sex, mind-blowing entertainment, or extravagant material goods. You want enlightenment.

But the fact is, not everyone has this craving or is even aware it exists. So short of sitting in the presence of an enlightened master, how do you awaken it in people? Does it trivialize it to say it will improve your life, that you'll lead a happier, less stressful life? Does it cheapen it to point out that as you move towards enlightenment and eliminate the veils (beliefs) that hide the true nature of God, that you'll begin to develop your inner senses, often referred to as psychic abilities?

Do you mention all these benefits when someone asks, "Why would you want to be enlightened?" Or do you simply say, "Because nothing else matters."

mysticwarrior.us

The Fullness of the Moment

by Julie Redstone -

Each moment contains a world within itself. This world is multi- faceted like the prisms of a jewel whose sections hold different reflections of ambient light, or like layers of light that intersect with each other. At the same time it is unified through the Divine current of life that runs through it.

On the one hand, there is awareness of what is going on around us - the sound and light show set upon the world stage. On the other, there is the internal stream of thought and feeling that contains its own richness and vitality - the life of the mind, heart, and body.

What is outside and what is inside are both part of the present moment, one not more than the other. As a result, we can be aware of responses to what is as part of an interactive pattern, without blaming what is outside for causing what is inside, and without eliminating any portion of the wholeness.

Part of each moment also has to do with our spiritual will. Spiritual 'will' is will united with Divine intent. It includes both our willingness to accept what is and our desire to transform what is into the highest state of inclusion of God's light and love that it can contain.

Acceptance of what is and transformation of what is into its higher counterparts are not mutually exclusive. The first creates peace and a deep communion with the sacred essence of life. The second creates healing and the desire to bring greater light, hope, and truth to a suffering world.

The first acknowledges our essence as part of the Oneness and offers an experience of that Oneness. The second allows our higher self to express as an agent for bringing all of life into a greater state of love and unity.

The human experience is multi-dimensional and is meant to be so. It is about revealing to the conscious self all that consciousness is capable of. At one end of the spectrum, this may be about concealed feelings and motives that the awake self would rather not know about. At the other end of the spectrum is the capacity of human awareness to experience itself as part of God.

Each human being has within itself the knowledge of what, in this moment, requires the greatest degree of attention. This knowledge allows us to see what is with the full measure of our inner wisdom guiding what we see.

lightomega.org

Harmonizing Body, Mind and Heart

Speaking And Listening To Our Bodies
For Greater Peace, Health And Harmony!

by Judith Pennington -

One of the most fascinating stories I've ever heard came from a psychic development teacher who had worked with a man waiting in a hospital to have both feet amputated. The psychic, speaking with the man by phone, wasn't told about this, but intuitively heard his feet complain that he never let them rest. She told the man what his feet said, and the man, knowing this to be true, quickly promised to change his ways. His exhausted, but now hopeful feet began to heal immediately and within days healed entirely.

I read an equally amazing story about an elderly tabby cat, Richie, on the verge of death from a large malignant tumor between his eyes. The veterinarian's acupuncture treatments did nothing until used to attune Richie to the cosmos. Richie's owner, supporting this effort, called in an animal communicator who taught the cat, with his agreement, to visualize the shrinking of the tumor. One week later, to the veterinarian's astonishment, the tumor began to shrink and the next week disappeared.

Stories like these, told by honest, intelligent people, shift our perceptions of reality, don't they? We are taught that reason and verbal communication lift us above other creatures, who therefore must not be able to think or feel. And yet, if the divine consciousness of love exists within every cell of our bodies, and everything within and outside of us is connected, then everything must be conscious.

Quantum physics, brain wave research, animal studies and bioacoustics, which heals by restoring the body's missing frequencies, are repeatedly proving this. But we can simply feel the connectedness, can't we, when we go out into nature? We relax, rejoice and receive the insights needed; nature confides her healing secrets through both our ordinary and intuitive senses.

Over the past year, while beginning to listen to and honor the voice of my body, I've grown visibly healthier and more intuitively aware that everything in Creation is an aspect of the divine, each singing "a song of glory," as Edgar Cayce, the great psychic-healer, put it. My still, small voice chimes in that nature is a living organism embodying every aspect of consciousness: her whispering wind, musical waters, stormy mountaintops and flowered meadows comprise a body-temple calling us to balance, peace and love for All That Is. Here is the harmony sought by each of us, an orchestration of many notes into a melodious symphony of consciousness.

How do we harmonize our own aspects? We need only listen to each individual note--body, mind and heart--so that these may naturally move into a vibrant, resonant chord felt and heard throughout the body of Creation.

Our souls live and breathe in our body-temples, which seek purity and wholeness. Each body, given a voice, will say whether we are honoring or dishonoring it. Only close your eyes and ask whether this food, drink, word or deed, given out or received, brings good or ill to self or another. The body, mind, heart and soul, when asked this question, will each speak its truth.

If you don't get an answer right away, ask again. Trust the answer to come and it will. Perhaps it already does come to you without asking. If not, your asking will enable it to speak in warning or in joy, in perfect timing. So we grow in ourselves and resonate with our light-filled world of beauty and order.

When we call upon our thoughts, feelings and body sensations to guide us into harmony and peace, we open fully to the spiritual intuition which exists to comfort and guide our soul growth. In listening to the voice of the soul, we begin to receive impressions through the web of life connecting us with animals, plants, nature spirits, angels and every other aspect of the Greater Whole, whether seen or unseen.

For peace to begin with me, it must be in harmony with the Oneness of all creation, so that each note may give and receive in equal measure. Only in this musical cooperation will we have a vibrant body-temple, happy families, healthy governments and global peace.

eaglelife.com

Personal Growth

Feeling Worse Instead of Better?



Why Personal Growth Often Feels Bad:

by Annette Colby -

A great wave of healing and awakening is sweeping the world. A new time of personal growth, conscious awareness and awakened co-creation among humanity is flowering. People are stepping into an exciting ability to bring greater peace, love and joy into their lives.

Perhaps you have noticed this breath of awakening within yourself. However, instead of feeling better, you may be experiencing some unusual ― and often perplexing ― symptoms.

Bringing about change in our lives ― even attempting to increase our level of joy ― involves stepping outside our familiar roles and actions. And exiting beyond the comfort zone into the unknown can easily trigger intense emotional responses, mental confusion and uncertainty and physical aches and pains.

Point of Departure - If you’ve been working steadily to overcome an addiction, move beyond an old limitation, bring more joy into your life, or manifest a new beginning, then eventually you bring yourself to a point of departure. It’s in this “space” between the old and the new that difficult feelings often arise. These feelings develop because ties to the old have not yet been cut, and the final step into the new has not yet been taken.

This point of departure is a necessary phase of the journey. Within this space, former limitations and doubts that you have worked so hard to dislodge must now continue their ascent outward. Just as bubbles rise up and out of a champagne glass, outdated beliefs and associated heavier energies begin their exodus. In addition, unfamiliar new energy, intuition, and awareness are poised to come in and take their place.

When going through a process of personal growth, everything ― including your mind, body, and spirit ― must reorganize. This process of rewire and restructure occurs as a natural byproduct of growth, but often feels unfamiliar and disturbing.

Goodbye and Hello - Rest assured that any discomfort you may be feeling is normal. The point of departure is one of goodbye and hello. Often parting and saying goodbye, even though desired, can often bring sweet sorrow. So although the experience may not make you feel particularly good, feeling worse before feeling better is often a sign of progress.

The biggest problem with personal growth symptoms is that people stop moving forward, or discontinue the very path that was leading them to a more fulfilling life. Just like an elastic band stretched tight, the pull back into the old intensifies and the fear of releasing into the unknown grows in proportion.

Although your difficult feelings may be unexpected, rest assured that you are not doing anything wrong, and you’re not going to feel badly forever. The important thing to note is that worsening symptoms do not indicate failure, but, in fact, are usually a sign of just the opposite.

Point of Departure Symptoms - Not everyone experiences exactly the same physical, emotional, and mental symptoms when moving through the steps of personal growth and higher consciousness. Resistance to letting go or fear of change may be factors that contribute to the length, severity, or intensity of individual point of departure symptoms. Remember that you worked hard to bring yourself to this point, and when you are ready, you will once again move forward.

Listed below are a few of the experiences and feelings you may encounter as you move forward into your new world of conscious living:

*A yearning to feel a deeper connection to your own inner spirit

*Needing to know if there is more to life than what you already have

*A compelling need to let go of old fears, addictions, or outdated habits

*A readiness to finally release challenges with money, health, or love ― and new awareness of personal responsibility

*A longing to release patterns of isolation, abandonment, anxiety, and illness

*A burning desire to seek a more fulfilling and meaningful life – although you may not yet be able to define exactly what that new life would look like

*An attempt to follow and trust a deeper, heartfelt sense of your true self, but not knowing how to express your authentic self

*A heightened sense of intuition, but not trusting what you know to be true

*Instead of elation, experiencing unanticipated boredom, emptiness, futility, and even depression

*Feeling lost, no longer sure of what your role or identity is

*Disinterest with traditions, obligations, and customs that once were a source of joy

*A sense of being alone, different, or unable to connect with other people

Although the strange feelings associated with personal growth and increased conscious awareness are uncomfortable, they are a positive sign. While you may believe you are stuck or that you have failed, you are actually in the process of shedding old limitations and preparing for a new way of experiencing yourself in life.

Breathe, Relax, and Trust Yourself - If you recognize yourself in any (or many) of the above symptoms, take comfort that you are already on your perfectly unfolding evolutionary process into new beginnings and new connections.

To help yourself to continue moving forward, breathe often. Slow, deep, and conscious breathing is “spiritual lubricant” that keeps thing gliding and keeps things moving. Breathing moves old beliefs, emotions, and energy. Breathing gets you back in your body. Breathing gets you centered and helps you get out of your own way. Breathing also helps you to release stress and relax.

In addition to breathing, take care of yourself in gentle ways that help ease anxiety and soothe your body, mind, and spirit. Now more than ever, it’s important to support your journey of wellbeing with actions that nourish. Listen to your growing intuition and follow through on those gentle nudges to drink more water, sit in the sunshine, take a gentle walk, soak in a hot mineral bath, or eat some vibrant life-filled foods.

Even during the rough times, remember the purpose of your journey was to say “yes” to life and “yes” to allowing yourself to have an enjoyable life experience. Believe in your own process, and take comfort in the knowledge that your uncomfortable feelings are positive signs of movement. You deserve the very best, ever and always.

annettecolby.com

Living as a Soul

by Julie Redstone -

For each of us, to be a 'self' means something very personal, very different from every other. And yet there are commonalities. Throughout history, we have defined ourselves in terms of our bodily experiences and the characteristic ways in which we respond to life - our typical feelings, thoughts, and desires. This is what it has meant to be human and to be an 'I'. Now, however, due to the presence of greater spiritual light on the earth, we have the opportunity to begin to think of ourselves less as bodies or even as feelings and thoughts, and more as souls. We begin to be able to live as souls.

To live as a soul changes many things. It opens the mind of the heart that knows more than the conscious mind so that more can be felt in the way of truth about people and about life. It opens the eyes to see in a different way, so that what formerly appeared to be physical and solid, now appears as energy currents interacting with other energy currents throughout time and space and beyond. It opens the heart's love, so that the self-protective boundary that keeps us in roles within a small circle of life, can be released in favor of love's desire to share itself with all of life. This desire of the heart to extend love everywhere is supported by a greater inflow of love which comes from the higher levels of our being, making it possible to give of ourselves more because we are connected at all times with the spiritual universe and with the Source from which love comes.

This huge change in perception is created by spiritual longing, and also by the advent of greater light which makes possible an opening into other levels of awareness, including awareness of the deeper levels of who we are. Such changes are not something that the mind can think or the will intend. They are part of spiritual awakening. And while the mind and heart can prepare the way for such awakening, the opening itself is more of an act of grace than of thought, bestowed upon all who inhabit the planet at this time, especially those who are receptive to the higher vibrations of light. This light illuminates the further reaches of consciousness that have existed in shadow, so that more becomes possible now because more has become real.

The new, soul-reality brings to us a sense of participation in the vast and mysterious universe of which we are a part, and brings to everyday reality the same mystery. No longer is it possible to see events as just 'there', or to think that things happen randomly or by chance. No longer is it possible to justify hatred, violence, or the seeking of revenge, for there is no one who is not felt to be part of us - no one whose harm would not bring harm to us and whose greater wellbeing would not bring us greater good. This benevolence toward all is the soul's natural state of perception, and it lifts us out of the usual state of limitation we have lived in, creating an expanded view of life.

The great gift that we bring to the earth through the awareness of ourselves and others as souls is the gift of peace and harmony, as well as of love. For when others are seen as souls with a Divine essence and sacred purpose for being here, then we can no longer regard anyone on the basis of what they look like or where they came from. All differences diminish as compared with the common thread that binds us, permitting us to see others as brother and sister souls, as close to us as our own self. This perception is at the heart of soul-awareness, and it is this essential shift in consciousness that will enable the earth we live on to become the sacred planet it is meant to be.

lightomega.org



SaturnsLady

Lift Yourself Up

by Suzanne Zoglio, PhD -

Economic environment making you feel nervous or depressed? When life throws us one curve ball after another, it’s tough to keep getting up. A deal gone sour, a loan turned down, a job lost, a medical crisis, a college fund depleted…the list goes on. In what seems like the blink of an eye, life as we know it can morph into a whole new reality. What used to work no longer does, and what might have seemed certain now seems like a pipe dream.

This landscape is really slick and running old plays just won’t cut it. We need a new playbook –one that helps us to bounce back, and think “up” …even when things are looking down. We’ve got to try a few new tools, or at least sharpen those we haven’t needed in a while.

While there are situations that we can’t control, there are several things we can do that have been proven to help us bounce back …even in the middle of a mess. See if any resonant with you.

BOUNCE BACK TIPS

*Take a deep breath. When we’re anxious or stressed, we breathe shallowly, and that deprives us of much-needed oxygen. Our bodies react with rapid respiration, and accelerated heartbeat, further increasing the stress response. To break the vicious cycle, schedule regular centering breaks. Several times a day go to a quiet place for just three to five minutes and practice deep breathing. Put your hand just above your waist, close your eyes and inhale slowly to the count of six. Feel the “balloon” under your hand inflate. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale to the count of six, feeling the “balloon” deflate. Repeat several times, relaxing the shoulders and neck.

*Gain perspective. When the hits come at us in rapid succession – it’s easy to catastrophize. From one lost account, your mind makes the leap to “I’m going out of business.” From a job layoff to “I’ll never work again.” From a reduction in your 401K to “I’ll never be able to retire.” To gain perspective, try rating the crumby situation you face on a scale of 1 to 10. How bad is it compared with other life challenges you have survived? Is it the worst you’ve ever faced? As bad as, say, the divorce you went through, the health scare you weathered, or losing a good friend?

Studies show that if we actually rate the stressful situation we face, it reduces our stress by providing a better perspective on the gravity of this situation and on our own history of resiliency.

*Seek inspiration. When you are bombarded by negative neighbors, panicky partners, whining coworkers, and media “complainia,” move out of range. Take a different path. Turn off the television and read inspiring words. Spend a few minutes a day in prayer or meditation. Take a daily walk with Mother Nature. Talk to a counselor or trusted friend. And remember to acknowledge -before you go to sleep each night- all that is right with your life!

zoglio.com

Ways To Get More Energy

by Anne Naylor -

Being Thankful - Over the past few weeks, I have been looking at the magnificence of the human spirit that lives within each one of us. I do not think we fully appreciate this precious resource that we each carry. If we did, we would all be a lot happier. No one can take it away from you. However, you can either enhance or diminish your awareness of it.

Being grateful is a way to be expansive, especially when we are feeling lacking, negative, cast down. Great-fullness. What are some of the simple things you may be taking for granted? What joys do you find in the world around you, that do not cost money? How have challenges from your past proved valuable in the longer term?

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

--Oprah Winfrey

Gratitude is at the heart of a renewed flow of giving and receiving. It goes like this. Count the small things you are grateful for. Experience the great fullness within you as you do so. Find ways to give from this fullness -- maybe your time, talent or a gift that can benefit someone else. Then be open and allow yourself to receive. Be grateful for what comes your way.

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."
--William Blake

Your human spirit is capable of this expansion -- and much more. What you appreciate grows in value for you. So love you. Love the sweet spirit that you are.

10 Tips for Becoming Grateful:

1. Gratitude Journal - Keep a Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, write 5 things you feel grateful for from the day. A smile from a stranger, the hug from your child, an unexpected compliment, a good meal, a moment of laughter with a friend.

2. Before sleeping - Go to bed with a smile, thinking about all you appreciate in your life. Breathe deeply and relax as you do so.

3. Gratitude Dance - Take a few minutes and begin your day with the Gratitude Dance. Start as you mean to go on. If your energy is flagging during the day -- do it again. It will probably make you laugh -- and that will energize and refresh you.

If you have not already seen it, you might enjoy this video of the Gratitude Dance taken around the world:



4. Appreciate Family, Friends and Co-Workers - Bring to mind those close to you that you love and how you are thankful that they are part of your life. Make a note in your journal of your special people and why you appreciate them.

5. Express Appreciation - At home, work or in your community, take a little time to communicate your appreciation to those you value - in person, over the phone, by email.

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

--Albert Schweitzer

6. Mid Day Break - Take a short walk and count your blessings, feeling grateful as you do so. You will come back inspired and enthusiastic for the afternoon.

7. Blessings in Disguise - When you are going through a tough time, it is harder to feel grateful. However, when you do, the results can be amazing. When things are not going your way, or the way you had intended, declare them a "blessing in disguise" and be grateful for them. This simple shift in attitude will make you a winner, no matter what happens.

8. Gratitude Gathering - Bring a group of friends together for a Gratitude Gathering and recount the things you are grateful for. Conclude with a Celebratory Pot Luck meal.

9. Nature Walk - Take a walk in nature and notice the beauty around you. Beauty might be in something very simple like a leaf, a bird in flight, sunlight on dew, an elegant branch of a tree, the colour of the sky, the crunch of gravel or softness of grass beneath your feet. Allow yourself to feel the beauty and your gratitude for it.

10. Be Grateful For You - Last but absolutely not least. Take a moment to notice the goodness of your intent; the caring you express to others; the endeavours you take to be true to your ideals, even at difficult times. Be grateful for and bless your qualities and strengths. There is no one else quite like you. Honour and appreciate yourself.

"Celebrate what you want to see more of."
--Thomas J. Peters

Gratitude is a way of closing a door on the past and allowing a new door to open to the future you wish to be enjoying. It is simple, yet very powerful. Gratitude is in your heart and hands.

What are some of the "small" things you sometimes take for granted? Have you been through any tough times that have turned into "blessings in disguise"? What do you most appreciate about yourself?

huffingtonpost.com/anne-naylor

Bringing Spirit Into Your Relationships

by Avalon De Witt -

Whether you want to deepen your marriage, attract a mate or just get along better with your boss, it always helps when you bring Spirit into your relationships. Many times we get caught up in "taking care of business" in relationships and we go through the motions, forgetting all about Spirit. When you bring Spirit to your relationships, you are drawing from a power that is infinite. How can we do that more? Here are some starters:

10 Ways To Bring Spirit Into Your Relationships

1) Listen - Really listen. Don't try to "do active listening," or any other listening technique. When you're concentrating on a technique, you're not listening. Just take in what the other person has to say. Receive the meaning of the message, without immediately jumping to respond to the message. Listening helps you connect with people. Spirit loves to show up when people are connecting.

2) Practice Non-judgment - You never know how something might serve the ultimate good in the long run. It is not up to us to decide that the other person is right or wrong, good or bad. This does not mean you cannot assess things in your relationships. You can assess whether someone is being sincere, honest, trustworthy and so on. We just don't have to assign a value judgment to that, by saying it is good or bad. It just IS. And what you make of it - is up to you.

3) Seek to Understand the Other - Don't worry about being misunderstood. When you drop your concern about that, and get curious about understanding the other person, two things happen. First, you stop stressing yourself about what others think of you. Second, you show the other person that they are important to you. When the other person sees that they are genuinely important to you, they will generally return the feeling. Not to mention, being able to understand another person just feels good, and feeling good always brings Spirit to relationships.

4) Be Honest - If someone likes you for something that you're not, then it's not you that they like. Be who you are. Most people will respect you for your honesty, even if they don't agree with you. But don't go along with others just to please them, if it doesn't please you too. People will sense your discomfort and yet may not know why, which will create tension in the relationship where it's not necessary. Be true to yourself by speaking up and telling the truth about who you are and what you desire. I always say, "If you're not being true to yourself, you're not being true to anyone else. "

5) Eat Together - You've got to break bread together. There is no substitute for sitting down and sharing a meal with a person. Animals will not eat when they are threatened. When you eat with someone, you are showing them that you trust them. And when two people are trusting each other, THERE is Spirit.

6) Stop Analyzing the Relationship - Stop analyzing, stop worrying about the future of your relationship and just BE in the relationship. Enjoy the relationship here and now. The here and now - is your bridge to the future. If you are spending your todays worried about your tomorrows, you're not here, in today, doing what it takes to build something that can endure.

7) Say Thank You - The more you are thankful, the more you will have to be thankful for. And of course, people usually like being thanked. Saying thank you is like returning what's been given to you, with interest, except it doesn't cost you anything. Most of the time, thanking someone will make you feel just as good as the other person feels hearing it, sometimes even better.

8) Look to See What You Can Learn - When we are open to learning, we are expanding. When we are expanding, we are growing. When we are growing, that's the work of Spirit. There is always something more for us to learn. When we stop learning, we stop growing, and when we're not growing, we're dying. Learn and live!

9) Be Selfish - I'm talking Selfish, NOT selfish. Self with a big "S," not a small one. What you are doing in the relationship needs to be more important to you than what the other person is doing in the relationship, if you want Spirit to show up. You can't control the other person. You can't always know what another person's intentions are. But you can control yourself, and you can know your own intentions. When you concentrate on your own desires, intentions and actions, rather than those of the other person, you are taking responsibility for your part in the relationship. No one else can do that for you.

10) Know that You Are Beautiful - The spirit inside of you came from The Divine Light. If you are alive, you have light inside of you, and that light is beautiful. When you see the beauty in yourself, it's easier to see it in others. Enjoy the beauty that is in you. Admire it. Let it make you smile, the way the beauty of a child or a sunset makes you smile. Your sense of beauty will become contagious.

Remember that the purpose of relationships is spiritual growth. Every interaction is one more opportunity to become more of who you truly are. Spirit is the breath of life in relationships. Without it, we fall short of connecting with others. Bring more of Spirit to your relationships and watch how much easier it is to get along and to find fulfillment in all your interactions!

eaglespiritministry.com

Emotional Cleansing

by Nora Isaacs -

ON A FINE AUTUMN DAY, Elizabeth Arleo stood at the ocean's edge. In her hand was a rock, which symbolized the humiliation she felt from a lifelong struggle with her weight. As she threw the rock into the sea, she imagined letting go of this shaming emotion and replacing it with positive energy; when the rock pierced the water, she experienced an immediate sense of relief. "I felt a lightness," says Arleo, 42, an attorney from San Diego, Calif. "It was a joyful experience. "

Whether related to weight, work, or relationships, most of us have stored up toxic feelings that make us feel sluggish and dull. Trying a juice fast in response might refresh your body, but any physical cleanse will fall short unless you first detox your mind.

"If we do the emotional work, the other levels tend to blossom," says Richard Faulds, a senior teacher at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and the author of Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat If you're stuck in the past and can't enjoy the present, an emotional cleanse may be just what you need.

MEET YOUR NEEDS

"UNRESOLVED ISSUES make life less enjoyable," says David Simon, co-founder and medical director of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., and leader of the "Healing the Heart" workshop that prompted Arleo's rock ritual. "A history of unmet needs erodes your sense of vitality, self-esteem, and sense of worthiness--and often leads to distressing emotional residue. "

This history can forge layers of emotional armor that leave you desensitized. "When blocks prevent you from inhabiting your full range of emotions, you lose the low notes--but you also lose the high notes," says Faulds. "If you lose the ability to feel sadness, you lose the ability to feel bliss. "

Meanwhile, the pressure just keeps building, and the resulting toxicity can have devastating physical effects. At Kripalu, Faulds sees visitors with unresolved issues and emotional baggage who suffer from a variety of physical symptoms, including chronic neck or back pain, migraines, fatigue, insomnia, and low immune response. Research also links these emotional conflicts to more serious illnesses (such as heart disease), as well as to anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

THE TURNING POINT

IT'S EASY TO GO THROUGH LIFE sweeping emotional issues under the carpet--then one day it's not so simple anymore. "There's a point where the pain of ignoring an emotion outweighs the pain of dealing with it," notes Simon. This may occur after a specific event, such as a divorce, the death of a loved one, or a job layoff. For others, it stems from a sense that more is possible.

Emotional detoxification often leads to revitalization and personal reinvention. "The energy that was used to suppress the pain is now available for creative options," explains Simon.

Elizabeth Arleo declares that her detox experience changed her outlook on life. Recently, she missed a self-imposed deadline at work. "Normally I would have felt downtrodden and shameful about it," she says, "but this time I didn't suffer or beat myself up. Instead I thought, I'll just correct that. And I moved on. "

7 STEP EMOTIONAL DETOX PLAN

HOW TO LET GO - The best preparation for releasing old pain is to designate a concentrated period of time to deal with it. You can't sweep away a lifetime of toxicity in a weekend, but you can certainly get the process started. Here are David Simon's seven steps toward emotional cleansing and the promise of a healthier, happier future.

1. OWN YOUR FEELINGS. If you constantly blame other people, it's likely they're reflecting qualities in yourself that you haven't fully acknowledged, says Simon. If you're serious about an emotional detox, it's time to stop being reactive and to start accepting responsibility for your emotions.

2. IDENTIFY THE EMOTION. If you bury your feelings, you can't complete this essential task. Simon recommends formulating a sentence: "I feel--" Fill in the blank with whatever toxic emotions you're storing up, such as anger, sadness, shame, rage, or loneliness. "As clearly as possible, define and describe what you're feeling," counsels Simon.

3. MONITOR YOUR BODY. The energy of an emotion must be dealt with before it can be processed further. Observe a feeling as it arises, and bring your awareness to any bodily reactions. "By simply experiencing the physical sensations," Simon notes, "some of the emotional charge will dissipate, allowing you to hear the message the emotion carries. "

4. CREATE A LITTLE SPACE. Find a quiet time when you choose not to read the paper, watch TV, or engage in energy-draining conversations. Instead, listen to soothing music, eat healthy foods, get a massage, and do some yoga or deep breathing. "This creates the space you need to identify your issues and bring into more conscious awareness both the feelings and the patterns tied to a perpetual sense of emotional stress and lack of fulfillment," says Simon.

5. WRITE IT ALL DOWN. As issues arise and emotions become clear, record them in a journal, or in a letter to yourself or to someone who has hurt you (don't send it, though!). "Allow similar memories to come to the surface and write about those as well," Simon advises. "Use language that accurately and fully expresses what you feel about the situation. "

6. FIND RELEASE THROUGH RITUAL. Once you've identified the toxicity, create a ritual to release it: Throw a rock into the ocean, dance, walk, breathe, listen to music, write a letter and burn it, call someone you've been avoiding--whatever helps you consciously let go of poisonous emotions and symbolizes what is shifting. If you'd prefer to share your ritual with a friend, find someone you trust who'll be empathetic without attempting to solve or judge your problem.

7. REWARD YOURSELF. Enjoy a gourmet meal, luxurious bath, or day off. "It takes conscious awareness and a commitment to personal growth to go through the process of emotional release," says Simon, "so reward yourself for your good work. "

findarticles.com

Effortless Action

by Owen Waters -

The Chinese philosopher, Lao Tse ("Lay-OTE-say") gave teachings which were designed to confuse the conscious mind. The idea was that, when the conscious mind tires and gets out of the way, the seeker could discover the deeper truths within.

Lao Tse is credited with the 2500 year-old work, the Tao Te Ching, which is full of apparent contradictions or paradoxes. He refers to the Tao (the "Dow") as that which is everything and yet nothing. What he means is that the Tao - the Absolute, the Isness, or Infinite Being - is the transcendent consciousness which is behind all manifestation. It is not the active manifestation of the created universe, but the original consciousness behind it. It is that which, in silence and unchanging perfection, always was and always will be. And yet, so the paradox goes, all of manifestation came from it and therefore is it.

Similarly, he uses paradox to promote the philosophy of Wu Wei ("Woo Way") as the way of "action without action." Sounds impossible? That's the point. He wanted people to give up making logical sense of the idea and, instead, go within to find the truth behind the paradox.

The principle of Wu Wei really means effortless action. The secret to achieving effortless action is to realize that there is a natural flow of influences at work in all parts of the universe. You sense the natural flow of the moment and act within that flow. If the moment is not right for a certain type of action, then the attuned person delays the task. When they sense that the right moment has arrived, then they act and easily accomplish the task.

It can also mean not forcing a situation to be what it isn't. If a situation comes about which is beyond your control, then making the best of it is often the elegant solution.

The saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," is attributed to the 14th Century Scottish king, Robert the Bruce. According to legend, he once took refuge in a cave, where he watched a spider trying to spin a web. It failed several times to make a connection from one area of the cave's roof to another, but each time it started all over again until it finally succeeded. People, today, take that saying to mean that if something doesn't work, you need to be obstinate and keep trying harder until you overcome all obstacles and eventually make it happen by sheer force of will.

The Wu Wei approach to life is quite the opposite. It suggests that, if at first you don't succeed, there is a reason for it. It means that you are not acting with the natural flow of energy within that place and time and it may also mean that you need to discover a more suitable solution.

First, take a deep breath, relax and step back from the situation. After that, you'll be able to judge it objectively and in a state of balance. Then:

A) Decide if you're trying to force something into existence that shouldn't be, or

B) Look for a better solution to achieve your objective, and/or

C) Wait for your innate sense of timing to feel right.

One of the benefits of the spiritual consciousness which is emerging in the New Reality is the ability to sense the natural flow of universal influences and know when the time is right for certain types of action.

infinitebeing.com

How To Become a Positive Thinker

by Jeff Griswold -

The best and quickest way to improve your life is simple: just think more positively. You've probably heard this many times before. And you're probably thinking, "That's a great idea, but in the real world it's much easier said than done." That's true; like a lot of things in life, becoming a "positive" person is an idea that is simple but not necessarily easy. The goal of this brief article is to give you a few simple and practical techniques that will help you make positive thinking an automatic and permanent part of your life.

Your thought patterns have a huge influence over every aspect of your life. Your thoughts determine your personality, the quality of your relationships, your financial success, your physical health, and much more. You probably have an idea of the power of your thoughts. The fact that you're reading this indicates you know it's important. But if you're like most people, you still grossly underestimate the powerful physiological effects your thoughts can have. For example, by simply thinking of biting into a juicy, yellow lemon you can make your mouth water. That's just a small example of how a thought can create chemical changes in the body.

The fact is that your thoughts greatly influence much more important things than saliva production. Science has shown that positive thoughts increase your white blood cell count which helps you fight infection and disease. In a study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of Wisconsin proved that people who practice positive thinking are better equipped to fight disease. In the study, a team of neuroscientists used electroencephalography to measure brain activity and then gave all the subjects flu shots. What they found is that positive thinking individuals had a significantly stronger immune response than those who exhibited more negative thought patterns. The bottom line: positive thinking can make you not only happier but healthier as well.

If you currently have habitual negative thought patterns - and most everyone does - you can learn to eliminate them and replace them with positive thought habits. But it won't happen on its own. You have to make a conscious decision to make a change. Once you do that - and with the help of a few simple techniques - it's actually pretty easy to become totally positive. Here are a few simple techniques you can start using right now:

* Smile and Let the Tail Wag the Dog - Being happy can make you smile. But does it also work the other way? Can smiling make you happy? Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco have discovered that mimicking the facial expressions associated with such emotions as happiness, sadness, and anger can trigger some of the same physical changes produced by actually feeling these emotions. By measuring an array of biometrics - such as heart rate, body temperature, and the electrical resistance of the skin - they demonstrated that simply smiling made the body "happy." Apparently moving facial muscles sends signals to the autonomic nervous system, which controls certain muscle and gland activity. This, in turn, spurs the physical reactions. So, smile and you'll be happy!

* Create a Triggering mechanism for Yourself - Now try your own smiling experiment. Put a big smile on your face right now. You may have to force it at first but do it anyway and see what happens. It's okay if you feel silly. Let the silliness make you smile even more.

As you smile, think of anytime in the past when you felt very happy, joyful and positive. We've all had experiences in our lives when we have felt very positive. Let yourself replay some of those positive moments right now. Let yourself relive feelings of being positive and confident. Continue to smile. Release all cares and concerns and with a big smile on your face, feel yourself becoming more and more positive and carefree.

As your positive feelings continue to build, press the thumb and middle finger of either hand together gently but firmly, and say to yourself "I am positive!" Again, while you're feeling very positive, press your thumb and middle finger together and say "I am positive!"

You have just programmed yourself with a mechanism that you can use to trigger these same positive thoughts and feeling anytime you choose. Practice this frequently and soon you'll notice that you can have a positive attitude in any situation merely by pressing your thumb and middle finger together and saying "I am positive!"

* Choose Your Words Carefully - What you say and the words you choose are very important to maintaining a positive perspective and eliciting positive outcomes. For example, consider the word "don't". If you call out to a child "Don't slam the door!" what's the next sound we usually hear? Bam!! That's right, the door slamming. It's as if the child didn't hear the "don't." Only the positive part of the statement got through: "Slam the door!" However, if you say "Close the door softly," the child will be much more likely to comply.

Another dangerous word is "can't." People often say I can't lose weight, or I can't quit smoking, or I can't remember names. The more they say that, the more it becomes reality. From now on, let the use of that word be like a red light flashing as a warning that this is negative programming that can create false limitations. Don't let this word rob you of your true potential.

* Eject Negative Self-Talk - More important than the words you say to others are the words you say to yourself. We all have an inner voice that reflects our subconscious thinking. Unfortunately, a lot of our self-talk is negative. For example: "I'll never be able to do it", or "I'll never understand it", or "I'm not smart enough", or "If something can go wrong, it will".

To eliminate negative self-talk you must first become aware of it. What are the things that you say to yourself that limit your potential? The moment you become aware of the negativity eject it! You can eject it just as easily as you can eject a tape from a tape deck.

To make that ejection more vivid, you can press your index finger against your thumb, or against a table or a dashboard, as if you're pressing a button, and at the same time emphatically say "EJECT!" Then immediately replace the negative with a positive such as "I can!" Over time, repeating this simple physical action will go a long way to helping you become totally positive.

* Train Your Brain through Meditation - Research has shown that meditation increases activity in the left prefrontal cortex; the same area of the brain that scientists associate with positive thinking. And people who meditate regularly are typically found to be more positive and healthier than the population in general. So learn how to meditate - and practice it often. You'll train your brain to use its positive thinking centers more readily and quickly become a more positive person.

* Remind Yourself of What's Important - A friend of ours who is a salesman and who's away from his home and family more than he'd like to be, told us about a tape he put together that never fails to lift his spirits. The tape consists of a series of messages from the most important people in his life: his wife, his father, his kids, and his closest friend. On his tape, each of these people says, in his or her own words, how important this man is to them. They say what they like, admire, and respect about him. They say how much they appreciate him, love him, and miss him when he's away. He says that after a tough sales call, or anytime he needs a lift, he plays that tape and instantly he feels very fortunate, very happy, and has greater sense of self-worth. It puts everything back in its proper perspective, and gives him renewed strength and a very positive attitude. Perhaps you could benefit from creating a similar tape of your own.

* Wash Away Negativity with a Powerful Visualization - Another technique for feeling totally positive is called the funnel of energy. It's a simple visualization exercise that can take less than a minute, but it makes you feel great. Here's how you do it. Imagine there's a funnel of positive energy flowing in through the top of your head. This positive energy comes from the purist, highest, most divine source of energy in the universe. It makes you feel more alive, stronger, more aware and alert. The moment it enters your body you sense its positive, loving, healing effect. You feel it cleansing you of negativity. Washing away any past negative programming you have experienced.

It's dissolving all the old fears, the old inhibitions, the old limitations. Feel this positive, loving, healing energy washing away all negative thoughts, images and feelings. Feel it releasing your inner strength. The energy continues to flow in, through your shoulders, arms and hands, your chest, your back, abdomen, hips, legs and feet, reaching every part of your body dissolving all negativity. It's converting your entire body to healthful positive energy. Imagine all the negativity flowing out of your hands and feet leaving your body filled with only the purest positive energy. If feels so good to free yourself from negativity, it feels so good to be totally positive.

Practice this visualization any time you'd like. Allow the visualization to last as long as you need to feel revived and purged of all negativity. It's great any time you need a lift.

* Welcome Life's Obstacles - Adversity is Opportunity - Life throws each of us a lot of curves. No one goes through life without problems, or without running into obstacles. And some of these problems or obstacles can be huge. But what's really important is how we face these obstacles. If we think negatively, we can be overwhelmed, give up or become ineffective in dealing with them. But there is a much better way to handle them. We can choose to look for something positive in the situation. We can choose to consider it a blessing in disguise - even if we have no idea what that blessing might be.

We can look for an advantage or opportunity in any situation. As Richard Bach points out in his book Illusions, "There is no such thing as a problem without a gift in its hands." And the Chinese word for crisis is written with two characters. One of them means opportunity.

Many of our students have become so positive that when an unexpected problem arises they automatically say "Oh good!" They then immediately start looking for the opportunity presented by the situation. And they inevitably find it. This can work for you, too. Learning to deal successfully with obstacles can help you live a more fulfilling life. As Booker T. Washington said, "Success is to be measured not so much by the positions that we have reached in life, as by the obstacles which we have overcome while trying to succeed. "

* Don't Worry - Be Happy - In order to be totally positive, we need to know how to deal with worry. Every thought we have affects us physically as well as mentally, and worry can be very harmful. Dr. Charles Mayo said; "Worry affects circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affects the health. "

Think about the process you go through when you worry. In your mind you picture a negative end result. It takes no effort or willpower; you just dwell on it. And in a short time this negative end result appears very real to you and you generate the same emotions that you'd experience if it really happened. You experience the same fear, anxiety, or discouragement. Consequently, you end up feeling bad right now for something that is merely a thought in your mind. At the same time you are setting up patterns in your mind for future negative experiences. The more you worry, the more you train your mind to expect bad things. Even if your "problem" never manifests itself, the worry takes its toll through immediate discomfort and the harmful effects of excessive stress.

It's said that worry is interest paid in advance on a debt you may never owe. And Mark Twain put it this way; "I've had a lot of troubles in my day - most of which never happened." So, most worry is useless. You're better off ejecting it.

But you can take the same process you use to worry, change just one thing, and it can help you immensely. Instead of imagining a negative end result, imagine a positive one! This, too, takes very little effort or willpower. Just dwell on that positive end result and in no time at all you'll be generating the emotions that are associated with that experience. You'll feel great immediately as a result of something that is merely a thought in your mind. You'll feel joy, happiness, and self-confidence. Plus, you'll be setting up patterns in your mind for future positive experiences. So make the worry process work for you rather than against you. Get into the habit of expecting good things.

There are many other things you can do to become more positive, but this handful of ideas is a great start. Begin today and you'll soon realize what a tremendous impact they'll have on your life.

trans4mind.com

Ways to Celebrate the Present

by Raphael Cushnir -

You already know how important it is to live in the present moment. Philosophers, sages, poets, and mystics have been making the point for centuries. "Seize the day," wrote Horace. "You can never step in the same river twice," proclaimed Heracleitus. "Be here now," exhorted Ram Dass, inspiring the entire 60s generation in the process. But what does living in the moment really look like? Feel like? And, most important, how does one actually do it?

The good news is that it's simple. The bad news is that it's not always easy. But there's more good news–the ability to stay in the Now can be easily learned, and strengthened over time like a muscle. Even the briefest moments of presence can quickly lead to more presence. Eventually, living in the moment becomes a natural, effortless way of life.

As the saying goes, "There's no time like the present." So let's begin. Take a breath. Pay attention to the way the air feels as it fills your lungs and expands your belly. Now relax, and let the next breath come on its own. Do you feel just a bit more here? The simple act of breathing attentively can always lead you back to the Now.

Look around the location in which you're reading. Keep looking without any goal in mind until your eyes land upon something you hadn't noticed before. Once you've found it, go see if it has a smell. If it does, let the smell linger in your nose. If it doesn't, follow your nose to the closest thing that has a smell.

Tapping into your senses is another quick way to become more fully present. Sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste work just as well. In addition to the external five senses, there is also your ability to sense within, to experience the way your body internally registers pleasure, pain, hunger, fullness, etc. For example, pay attention to what happens when you smile. Notice how your interior sensations shift as a result. Next, close your mouth and hum a note. Follow the vibration of the sound waves as they spread through organs and bones. Let them wake you up.

While awareness of your breath and senses is instrumental in true presence, there's much more to it than that. Unfortunately, we spend a large part of our lives blocking out what we don't want to acknowledge and accept. Feelings, difficult situations, troubling aspects of the world at large-all these can cause us to shut down, to turn away from what's actually happening. Whenever this occurs, we lose our connection to the present moment. In the process, we also lose our vitality, our innate joy, and our power to heal and grow.

Most of the time, our disconnection from the present moment is unconscious. We're gone and don't know it, or we know we're gone but don't know why. That's where my new book, 'How Now: 100 Ways to Celebrate the Present Moment,' comes in. These hundred practices are designed to help you find out when, where, and why you might have shut down, and then to bring you back to life as swiftly and enjoyably as possible.

The best way to approach presence is with a playful spirit. It's about freedom, after all. So rather than putting Presence on your to-do list, give yourself some pressure-free time to try one of the practices from the book below. Don't try or push. Instead let the suggested activity slow you down and soften you up until a greater sense of presence seems to permeate your being without any strain whatsoever.

No matter how long you take to complete them, their effect will be cumulative. Each of the ways will reinforce the others. At a level deeper than everyday awareness, your being will begin to blossom. You will feel more peace, love, and contentment than you previously thought possible. This is the gift that the present moment bestows. Always. And it's yours right now.

*Begin

In the trance of habit and daily routine, it's easy to miss the miracle of existence that is continually unfolding. One way to reconnect to that miracle is to consciously bring new projects and activities into your life. Whether tiny or grand, every venture you begin provides a fresh invitation to savor the Now.

The Practice: Make a list of some endeavors that you'd like to begin. This list can include an array of choices, such as a new friendship, an herb garden, a dance class, a journal, a different style of dress, a book you've always wanted to read, or a more honest way of communicating. Your selections can also be internally oriented, such as paying more attention to what you feel, or focusing on what brings you joy. Next, scan the list for something you can begin right now. Do so, and allow yourself to bask in its birth. Then keep the list nearby and make frequent beginnings an ongoing part of your life. Refresh the list often as you grow and change.

*Out with the Old

The past clutters up our homes as well as our minds. Often we feel hemmed in, trapped by all our accumulated stuff. Letting go of some of that stuff on a regular basis creates room to breathe, stretch out, and welcome what's fresh and new.

The Practice: Give yourself a day to open every drawer, cupboard, and closet in your home. Inventory all your stuff with an eye toward letting it go. If you absolutely need something, leave it where it is. If you haven't used something in a year and have no emotional attachment to it, put it in a "recycle pile." If you haven't used it in a year but do have an emotional attachment to it, put it in a "maybe" pile.

Spend a little time with each item in the maybe pile. Let the feelings connected to it flow. Notice whether the attachment is one that seems to shut you down or open you up. If it's the former, consider adding that item to the recycle pile. Then, when you're all done, recycle everything you're ready to let go of, and revel in your newfound spaciousness.

*Slow Down

The speed of contemporary life is fierce. Human beings weren't made for it. Even those of us who thrive on multitasking and channel surfing place an enormous strain on our bodies, which haven't evolved for such activity. Taking specific time out to move through life at a pace that matches our physical and evolutionary wiring provides two benefits. First, it's a recalibration that leads to luscious and immediate presence. And second, it recharges us to handle all those other moments when slowing down isn't really an option.

The Practice: Choose an activity that you're able to perform at least three times slower than usual. Cooking, walking, and bathing are three such possibilities. Give yourself more than enough time for this practice so that nothing will impinge on it.

Make sure to breathe, pause, ponder, and move through your activity with gentle and continuous attention. If the urge to speed up arises, stop completely until it passes. Once you're in a relaxed and easy flow, let yourself surrender to the flow rather than dictate it.

*Color Scan

If you find yourself out of sorts, lost in turmoil and therefore far removed from the present moment, a quick and effective remedy is always available. Engaging in a rapid-fire activity that requires both sensory awareness and intense concentration can jolt you out of even the most daunting distress.

The Practice: For thirty seconds, take in all the sights around you. As quickly as possible during that time, name every object you see along with its color-such as "Blue wall, brown chair, yellow grapefruit, red placemat, white door, green countertop, beige rug." When you're finished, take a deep breath and notice whether you're more centered and present. If not, move to a different room and repeat the practice.

livingthequestions.org / heartonfire.org / trans4mind.com

Consciousness and Vibrational Frequency

by Julia Rogers Hamrick -

Consciousness and vibrational frequency are perfectly correlated. When you're lower in frequency, you're lower in consciousness —your perception is dulled —and you view things through a foggy lens. When you're higher in frequency, you're higher in consciousness, your perception is heightened and you see things more clearly the higher you go. Just as when you ascend in an airplane, you see a larger picture the higher you climb, and the brighter it becomes as you break through the clouds.

The higher your vibrational frequency, the more you are able to comprehend because you are allowing a greater Flow of Life Force through your mind and body. Vibrational frequency depends on the amount of Life Force you are channeling through you. Life Force can also be characterized as "God Energy and Intelligence." Yet another word for this phenomenon is Love, which is the essence of Source, and is continually emanating from Source.

The lower your vibrational frequency, the less you are able to comprehend because your ego is restricting the Flow of Life Force/God Energy and Intelligence/Love through your mind and body. Your fearful ego uses judgment and resistance to choke off the Flow. To override your ego, non-resistance and a commitment to allowing Love to flow through you no matter what is required.

The more you are allowing the essence of the Creator to flow through your mind and body, the higher you are in vibrational frequency and the more creative ideas you have and the more authentic empowerment you experience and can utilize.

The lower you are in vibrational frequency, the less creative ideas and empowerment you experience and can utilize because your ego is choking off the flow and allowing less of the essence of the Creator to flow through your mind and body.

Higher vibrational frequency not only makes you wiser and more powerful, it moves you out of struggle, turmoil and pain, and places you in the realm of joy, ease, peace, and harmony. So the key to claiming wisdom, creativity, and empowerment and every possible blessing—is in raising your vibrational frequency, which is done by allowing more Love to flow.

When you operate from this knowledge, your life will be totally revolutionized and there is nothing you can't be, do or have!

juliarogershamrick.com

Living in Awareness

*Creating the World Within Ourselves*



by Maria Beck -

Spirituality begins with awareness. We cannot be good, compassionate, loving human beings unless we live in awareness. Living in awareness means we have to remember to step back, to breathe and to evaluate little things in life. We must also be constantly striving for empathy and selflessness and most of all dropping our egos.

Of course, there are the people who choose to live without being aware. After all, if you're never aware, you can never be accountable for anything. You are probably thinking--"wow...living in awareness sounds like a lot of work." And, yes, when you first start, it is a lot of work. but you will be surprised how quickly it becomes a natural way of life. Living with daily awareness leads to a truly rewarding lifestyle.

How many times have we gotten irritable with our friends, spouses, children and even strangers? Now if you feel that coming on step back and think "I am energy: any vibe I send to that person is going to effect their day, evening, week, etc.," therefore you are making a conscious note that you are responsible for part of the energy in the universe. Bad energy creates more bad energy. Good energy creates more good.

As we practice this we move slower and more relaxed, we breathe better and feel better! We become calmer, our decision making is clearer and we are filled with happiness and goodness. Thus, our attitudes and actions towards others change and the world within ourselves becomes a beautiful space and place!

EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Beck

Fulfilling Our Divine Mission

by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles -

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER - You have the ability to make a positive difference in the world. This has been a roller-coaster time of miracles and challenges. It seems as though these extreme experiences are being used to wake Humanity up at warp speed. No matter how hard people may try, their I AM Presence is not allowing them to push the snooze button in order to go back to sleep. It is time for people everywhere to remember who they are and why they are on Earth during this auspicious moment. Important changes are taking place, and in spite of outer-world appearances, we are beginning to see evidence of people in every walk of life reaching out to make a positive difference.

It seems that everyday we are being flooded with fear-based information that reflects the dire possibilities of economic collapse, terrorist attacks, war, environmental disasters, governmental and corporate corruption, crime, violence and myriad other potential dangers. It is very easy to become so overwhelmed with concern that we just wring our hands and muddle through our days in a state of anxiety and desperation.

The majority of people feel helpless when it comes to changing their lives or making a significant difference in the world. Everyone wants things to get better, but most people don't truly believe they can effectively assist in the process. Well, fortunately, nothing could be further from the Truth. We are ALL cocreators. We are on Earth during this unprecedented time for the explicit purpose of uniting with our Father-Mother God and the Company of Heaven to cocreate the wonders of Heaven on Earth.

OUR DIVINE MISSIONS - Whether we consciously remember it or not, each and every one of us has been preparing for a very long time to assist in this mission. We all have unique skills and abilities that no one else on the planet possesses in exactly the same way we do. We have volunteered to assist in helping to change the old, obsolete behavior patterns that are responsible for the pain and suffering Humanity is enduring. This is being brought to our attention by our I AM Presence because the time for us to begin fulfilling our Divine Missions is NOW!

Traumatic experiences cause us to regroup and to reevaluate how we are living our lives. We have fallen into the pattern of using pain as our motivator. As long as we are not in pain, we will just plod along, day after day, without much thought. We halfheartedly go through the motions of doing what we need to do to survive. We go to our jobs to make money to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. We take care of our families’ physical needs, and with the little bit of time that is left, we try to take care of ourselves.

THE PATH WE CHOOSE - When a tragedy happens, however, we are forced to put our lives into perspective. We stop for a moment and focus on what really matters to us. If we use the tragic event to change our mode of operation and to put more meaning in our lives, then something good will come out of even the most horrific experience. We have a choice as to whether we allow catastrophes to catapult us into lives of fear and dread or whether we use those experiences to motivate us into creating lives of fulfillment and joy. We have the ability to do both of those things; the path we choose is up to us.

The only reason we have not been cocreating lives of joy, happiness, prosperity, loving relationships, financially and creatively rewarding jobs, vibrant health, fulfillment, enlightenment and every other positive experience is because we have forgotten that we can.

Not only can we create the lives we dream of, this is our purpose and reason for being. We are Children of God, and we have been invested with the gift of free will. Our thoughts and feelings are creative. Whatever we focus our thoughts, words, actions, and feelings on, we bring into physical form. It is time for us to remember this Divine Truth and for us to consciously choose to create the lives we want instead of inadvertently manifesting, through our fears, the experiences we do not want.

POSITIVE CATALYSTS - It is time for us to reclaim our Divine Birthrights and to fulfill our Divine Potentials. As we take charge of our lives, we will be effective examples for our loved ones and friends. We will be positive catalysts, and the results of our efforts will be exponential. We are all One, and the Universal Law is “As I Am lifted up, ALL Life is lifted up with me.” We can each make a positive difference. As we change our lives, we will change the direction for Humanity and for all Life evolving on this planet. Never underestimate your ability to be a powerful force of good on this planet.

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

You have been preparing for a very long time to fulfill the mission you agreed to accomplish in this lifetime. Not only do you have the skill, talent, wisdom, courage and strength to accomplish your mission, our Father-Mother God and the entire Company of Heaven are standing in readiness eagerly awaiting the opportunity to assist you. These selfless Beings of Light are with you now. From inner levels they guide and protect you, and they intervene to help you every time you ask them to. You are never alone. If you ever feel doubtful that you have the power to make a positive difference in this world, just remember the entire Company of Heaven is there to help you every time you ask for their assistance.

CREATE A PLAN - When you begin to create a plan to make a positive difference in your life, the first step is to take a good look at your life as it exists right now. In order to change your life, you must first be aware of what presently exists. So take some time to evaluate your life as an objective observer. This is not a time to berate, criticize, or condemn yourself for past mistakes. That only adds more negative energy to the situation. The purpose of this evaluation is to help you see what it is you like about your life, and what it is you would like to change. Usually people know their lives are not what they want them to be, and they may be aware of some major problems, such as finances or health, but they have never actually taken the time to evaluate their overall lives. This is a crucial step toward making a positive difference, so invest the time to take a thorough inventory of your life.

In order for you to succeed in transforming your life, you need to plan where you are going. You need to have objectives and goals. Most people spend so much time worrying and dwelling on the things that they do not want in their lives that they have not taken the time to figure out what they really do want. Remember, what you think about, what you hold in your mind and put your attention and energy into, you draw into your life. So it is time to stop worrying about the things that you do not want and start focusing on the things that you do want.

OBSERVE YOUR THOUGHTS EXERCISE

Patterns of thinking and emotional responses are usually habits you have allowed yourself to develop without much conscious awareness. Now that you have decided to take charge of your life, you no longer need to just muddle through the day. Instead, you can deliberately control your thoughts, words, actions, and feelings. Since it is a natural law that what you put your attention and energy into, you draw into your life. It is only logical that you take the steps necessary to let go of destructive programming and begin creating for yourself a fulfilling, happy, harmonious, abundant, and peaceful life.

Most people rarely feel that they are negative; so one of the things I have them do is keep a scratch tally for an entire week of every negative thought or feeling they experience. Notice I said EVERY negative thought or feeling. This includes the little, trivial, petty things that you allow to pop into your mind, such as the person that pulls in front of your car that you think is a jerk, or the service you received that you feel was lousy, or the lady at the supermarket that you think is a slob, or the disgust you have for yourself for overeating, or the anger you feel if the car breaks down, and on and on.

My experience has been that by the end of the week even so-called positive people have several sheets of tally marks and are astounded at how often they were negative and shocked at how oblivious they were about their negative thinking. So, the next step toward your decision to make a positive difference in the world is to observe your daily responses for an entire week. Pay very close attention to your thoughts and feelings and keep a simple scratch tally of every negative thought or feeling you have. Do not empower the negative thought by writing it down, just keep a scratch tally of it.

This is a very valuable exercise because it clearly shows how many times every single day you are misqualifying energy without even realizing it.

Many people are wallowing in the poor me syndrome. They feel that they are really good people, but all of these terrible things keep happening to them anyway. What this exercise reveals is that we may not be doing catastrophically negative things like mugging people or robbing a bank, but we are often nickel-and-dimeing ourselves to death with trivial pettiness.

Once you complete this exercise and acknowledge that you may not be controlling your thoughts or feelings, but just allowing them to happen, you can move on to the next step of changing those bad habits and begin to take control of your thoughts, words, and deeds.

CONSTRUCTIVE THINKING

Each time you put forth the effort to deliberately program yourself into constructive thinking, the stronger you will become and the more natural the positive response will be. Before you know it, your pattern of thinking will automatically be positive instead of negative, and you will have established a new constructive habit.

While you are going through this process of gaining control of your thoughts and feelings, you need to be tolerant and forgiving of yourself. If you find negative thinking or negative feelings creeping into your consciousness, you need to stop, empty your mind of the negative thought or feeling, take a deep breath, regroup, and then look for the positive side of the situation you are dealing with. Don't give any more power to the negative thought by berating or condemning yourself for the transgression. Just let it go, flood it with the Violet Flame of Forgiveness, and focus on the positive side of the situation, no matter how small.

Begin your new habit of positive thinking by looking for the positive side of every person, place, condition, or thing you encounter. The general rule is that we can easily spot the flaws in other people, but unless someone is a genius or looks like a Greek God or Goddess, we rarely notice their positive attributes. In this exercise you must go out of your way to search for something good in every single person, place, condition, and thing you come in contact with. Sometimes this is a real challenge. Some people you know may seem so objectionable that the only thing you will be able to appreciate about them is the color of their socks, but you must find something good in every instance.

SPARK OF LIGHT - After practicing this for a while, you will come to the realization that, no matter how bad things seem or how degenerate a person may appear, there is a spark of hope in every situation and a spark of Light in every person. By consciously putting your attention on that one redeeming quality, rather than giving momentum and power to the negative, you can turn that destructive situation into a positive experience, and you can often give the negative person the incentive he or she needs to find a better way of behaving. This may sound too good to be true, but I assure you that this is the natural Law of Attraction, and it is as accurate and as workable as the Laws of Mathematics, Music, Physics, or any other science.

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

The next exercise I want to share with you is designed to help you reprogram your thinking with positive affirmations. People who have used positive affirmations have always known that they work, but they have rarely understood exactly why. Now, with more and more research, we are learning how the process works.

HOW AND WHY - Through positive affirmations, we can deliberately send forth constructive thoughtforms that will accumulate additional positive energy and return to us, bringing with them what we are affirming. The difference between a prayer and an affirmation is that in prayer we are usually humbly asking for something, and in an affirmation we are actually invoking God and our I AM Presence to command Universal Light substance to flow through us constructively to create whatever perfection it is that we are affirming.

There is another very important reason why affirmations work. When we make a positive affirmation, we begin with the words I AM. These two words invoke our I AM Presence and connect us directly to our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent Father-Mother God, All That Is. This all encompassing Presence of God is the Universal Source of All Life.

Everything in the Universe is comprised of electronic Light substance vibrating at different frequencies with various densities. The words I AM reflect the all-encompassing Oneness of all Life. “I” represents Alpha, the beginning, “AM” represents Omega or the ending, meaning our Father-Mother God, the Universal Source of All Life, is the beginning and the ending of all that exists.

When we invoke the Light of God by using the words I AM the Light automatically responds. It flows through our thoughts, words, actions, and feelings and obeys our affirmations.

FORMING NEW THINKING PATTERNS - Affirmations are designed to help us begin reprogramming our negative thinking into positive thinking. The longer energy is accustomed to flowing through the brain in a particular pattern, the easier it is to just keep flowing in the same pattern. For instance, if we are used to being critical or judgmental of others, that is a pattern we have developed and the energy flows very easily into that groove of the brain. If we want to change that habit, we have to consciously begin developing a new groove through which this energy can flow. The more we withhold the energy from the negative, critical pattern and send it forth through the new constructive pattern, the sooner we will have changed the bad habit.

When we first begin observing our behavioral responses, we are usually shocked and a little overwhelmed at how ingrained our trivial, petty patterns are, and it seems as though it will be a monumental task to overcome them. However, once you begin to consciously take control of your thoughts, words, actions, and feelings, the changes will take place much more quickly than you can envision at this time. Once you really develop the habit of positive thinking, the critical, petty, trivial things that so easily pop into your mind now will not be part of your consciousness.

THE CONSTRUCTIVE FLOW OF ENERGY - With positive affirmations, we form new constructive grooves in our thinking patterns. For this reason it is important to read your affirmations the first thing in the morning and the last thing before going to bed at night. The exercise in the morning will begin the constructive flow of energy through the brain and set your attitude for the new day.

The exercise at night will help by drawing the positive affirmations into your subconscious mind; so, you can reprogram yourself while you sleep, as in sleep learning. Research is proving that what we think about at night before we go to sleep is carried into the subconscious mind, so it is a good idea to put your attention on something constructive. For heaven’s sake, don't watch the news just before going to sleep.

POSITIVE INVOCATIONS EXERCISE

I AM AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD. I AM weaving my gifts, talents, skills, knowledge, strength, courage, compassion and love into the tapestry of the Divine Plan for the New Earth. I AM responding to my Heart’s Call, and I AM God in Action.

I AM Consecrating my thoughts, words, feelings and actions to be the greatest force of good I can be on this planet. I AM making a positive difference every day. Through the focus of my attention, I AM expressing the following Divine Truths:

I AM One with ALL Life. I AM Divine Love. I AM Infinite Abundance. I AM the Harmony of my true Being. I AM Vibrantly Healthy and Eternally Youthful. I AM a Peace Commanding Presence.

The actions I take everyday improve my family, my job, my community, my city, my country and the world. I have a Healing Touch. I AM communing everyday with my Father-Mother God and the Company of Heaven. Through my thoughts, words, actions, and feelings I AM Transfiguring this planet into the New Earth. And so it is.

excerpt from 'I AM Cocreating the New Earth: A Book of Invocations'
by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles @ eraofpeace.org