Unity With The One

Unity With The One

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

The coming of year’s end holds special meaning for many. Besides the obvious religious observances at this time – and there are many – there are also pagan and shamanic rituals highlighting Winter Solstice, the start of a New Year and many significant birthdays. Of all the year, this may be the best time we have to honour everyone and every way that the Mystery of Life, Death and Rebirth is celebrated.

Spiritual traditions from around the world may, at first glance, seem to contradict each other. Although their understandings and traditions may seem conflictual, they actually have a lot in common. These spiritual traditions can be divided into three general categories:

  • Polytheistic – belief in many gods and goddess
  • Monotheistic – belief in one god
  • Monist – belief in an impersonal Oneness

In polytheistic traditions, they teach that there is ultimately one God – essentially All is One. This God embraces everything and cannot be identified with any particular qualities or characteristics.  This one God can seem abstract and unapproachable. Native Americans call this supreme unity Great Spirit or Great Mystery.  Hindus know it as Brahman. Ancient Pagans knew it as The One or The Good. These traditions worship the one God via a host of lesser gods, goddesses, deities and spirits.

In monotheistic traditions, the belief is in a transcendental unity beyond the idea of a personal God; it is sometimes called the Godhead. A monotheistic religion generally follows the teachings of a prophet to connect with this one God or Godhead. All monotheistic traditions have intermediaries to help them with finding and securing their connection to the one God. Worship of this one God occurs by way of angels, beings, saints and prophets

In monist traditions, the belief is in an impersonal Oneness. The various gods and goddesses are faces of the faceless impersonal Oneness.  These are personas with recognizably human characteristics that the impersonal Oneness adopts so that we can have a personal relationship with it.  Monist traditions also recognize a whole host of celestial Buddhas and nature spirits to help us experience a relationship with the impersonal Oneness.

What does this all mean?  According to Timothy Freke, author of Spiritual Traditions: Essential Teachings to Transform Your Life, it means this:

“Basically, the different spiritual traditions of the world are unique expressions of common themes. They are different rivers running to one sea of Truth.  Each tradition has its own way of seeing reality, its own concepts, its cultural biases, its particular history and its own saints and sages.  Each tradition, therefore, has something valuable to offer us in our exploration of the mysteries of life and death.

Yet all enlightened masters of all traditions teach that the ultimate Truth is beyond the scope of words ever to express.  All spiritual philosophies are only gestures toward the inexpressible. As such, they are all partially valid and all ultimately inadequate.”

Let us end with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:

” Religions are different roads converging on the same point.  What does it matter that we take different roads so long as we reach the same goal? “

May this Holiday Season provide you opportunities to enjoy the blessings and celebrations of the world’s spiritual traditions right in your communities.  We are more alike than we are different!

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Positive Affirmations and Chakra Energy

Positive Affirmations and Chakra Energy

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

Following on the heels of our latest seminar on Chakra Energy Basics, I decided to expand a bit on some of the helpful tools one can use when working with chakras.  To review:  a chakra is an energy vortex occurring outside the body and which influences the functioning of mind~body~spirit connections in certain areas of our body.  Ancient texts refer to seven Main Chakras occurring at the front of the body, each with its balanced and imbalanced characteristics. These energy centers respond to energetic phenomena  such as colour, sound, aroma, emotions and thoughts.  Each chakra responds to positive affirmations ie. positive self-talk, used with proper intention to help create positive healing.

Here are some affirmations that can be used for personal health and healing, courtesy of Anodea Judith and her book, Eastern Body ~ Western Mind.

Chakra One:  Root Chakra   (pg.52-53)

  • It is safe for me to be here.
  • The earth supports me and meets my needs.
  • I love my body and trust its wisdom.
  • I am immersed in abundance.
  • I am here and I am real.

Chakra Two:  Sacral Chakra  (pg.106-107)

  • I deserve pleasure in my life.
  • I absorb information from my feelings.
  • I embrace and celebrate my sexuality.
  • My sexuality is sacred.
  • I move easily and effortlessly.
  • Life is pleasurable.

Chakra Three:  Solar Plexus Chakra  (pg.170-171)

  • I honour the power within me.
  • I accomplish tasks easily and effortlessly.
  • The fire within me burns through all blocks and fears.
  • I can do whatever I will to do.

Chakra Four:  Heart Chakra  (pg.228-229)

  • I am worthy of love.
  • I am loving to myself and others.
  • There is an infinite supply of love.
  • I live in balance with others.

Chakra Five:  Throat Chakra  (pg.298-299)

  • I hear and speak the truth.
  • I express myself with clear intent.
  • Creativity flows in and through me.
  • My voice is necessary.

Chakra Six:  Brow (Third Eye) Chakra  (pg.352-353)

  • I see all things in clarity.
  • I am open to the wisdom within.
  • I can manifest my vision.

Chakra Seven:  Crown Chakra  (pg.406-407)

  • Divinity resides within.
  • I am open to new ideas.
  • Information I need comes to me.
  • The world is my teacher.
  • I am guided by a higher power.
  • I am guided by inner wisdom.

The more often you use positive affirmations, the easier they become.  And as you come to truly believe these messages, you have an opportunity to redo the unconscious imprinting of ideas and feelings that no longer serve your highest good.  To free yourself from “old programming” gives you the opportunity to really be who you were meant to be.  In some books, they call this “aligning with your true self and purpose”.  And isn’t that what life is supposed to be about?

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Give Me a Sign

Give Me a Sign

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

Many folks are struggling with uncertainty, challenges and fear at this time.  Finances, health, relationships, losses, work are just some of the areas in which people are wanting some relief ~ some answers ~ some hope.  Asking for a miracle or a sign is not uncommon. But how does it happen?

Flashback to the early Doreen Virtue books on angels.  At the time, Doreen was nicknamed the Angel Lady, because she was intimately connected to the angelic realm. She helped millions of people connect to the angels and their love. From the introduction to her book, Signs From Above, she explains some key concepts:

“These celestial messengers are here to help us be peaceful and to guide us in helping other people be the same.  Yet, the angels won’t intervene without our permission or violate our free will.  After all, we’re here to learn and evolve on a soul level, from both the good and the bad. …  When angels help us through life, sometimes they do so in ways that may not be immediately recognizable to us.  That is because they are here to guide and protect, not lead and direct.  They often deliver answers, hints, messages and warnings through signs – signals, or anomolies in life, which let us know that they’re with us.”  p. XIV-XV

What is an angel?  In her book, The Angel Bible,  Hazel Raven explains:

“Angel is derived from a Greek word meaning “messenger”.  Angels are considered a bridge between Heaven and Earth. They are deathless beings of pure consciousness, unlimited by the constraints of time and space. They are eternally bound to the blissful energy radiating from the Divine. … The earliest writings of Sumeria, Egypt, Persia and India recognized winged messengers of the gods.” p. 8-10

Most angelic communication comes in the forms of intuitive feelings and thoughts.  But if we need more substantial “proof”, signs are given.  Angelic signs will be:

  • out of the ordinary
  • repetitive
  • personally meaningful
  • timed to coincide with your prayers or questions that you’ve posed to the Divine

Examples of common signs include things like angel-shaped clouds, feathers, rainbows, meaningful song lyrics, coins, familiar aromas (perfume, pipe-smoke, etc.), flickering lights, specific birds or insects (butterflies, dragonflies, etc.), flowers, repetitive words or numbers and many others.  To experience these signs, we must believe in them and notice them. Acknowledging and listening to your signs shows the angelic realm that you are open, receptive and willing to be shown more. And they will!

How can we get angelic signs from above in our lives?  If you wish, will, or manifest something, you are, in effect, praying for it and the angels are listening.  That’s why it’s important to monitor your thoughts and keep only what you do want on your mind at all times.  Angels want the very best for you, but if your thoughts aren’t in your best interest, they will honour your request because they want to give you what you want. When we focus on negativity or what we don’t have in our life, that is the message/wish that they hear – and act upon. This will then provide us with more negativity and lack!

“Be careful what you think/wish for, because you will get it!”

As Doreen Virtue points out in her book, Signs From Above:

“Angels are not here to control our lives.  Sometimes, their most powerful act is to comfort us.  The angels’ signs let us know that we’re not alone and that we’re on the correct path in our lives.  Things that feel like monumental problems shrink to mere speed bumps when we sense the power and love of Heaven and realize that the angels are on our side.”  p. 12

The angels’ chief purpose is to bring peace to Earth, one human heart at a time. Believe and notice the signs coming your way.  Remember:  you are not alone on this journey called Life. We all have things to learn and experience; angels are there to ease our burdens.  Just ask!

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What is the Mind? The Three Minds That Make the Whole

What is the Mind? The Three Minds That Make the Whole

by | Psycho-Spiritual

While boating this summer, I came across a book which was written 30 years ago, entitled, “Your Mind Over Matter”  by J. Maya Pilkington.  I was intrigued to read it and see if it was similar to what we now know about mind-body phenomena.

The opening paragraph is delightful:
“ Your mind is a wonderful facility.  You can bring things to mind, keep something in mind and put it out of your mind again.  You can be of two minds at the same time, change your mind, and have a mind of your own.  It is also possible to read another person’s mind or go right out of your mind!” (p,10)

It is difficult to define what constitutes the mind.  It has been been described as: intellectual powers, remembrance, the desire to attain, a way of thinking and feeling, the seat of consciousness and volition.  It is difficult to say where exactly the mind is. It is not our brain and yet it works with our brain.  It is not like our leg or nose or other body parts that can be seen or touched. Yet we know we have a mind!

The author suggests that there are three minds that work together as one:  the body-mind (concrete functions);  the astral mind (abstract  functions);  the intuitive mind (spontaneous functions). Each is part of the whole mind; each is important to the functioning of the whole mind. The order of development of these three minds is as follows:

The Intuitive Mind – during gestation and babyhood, we learn directly through our senses. We touch, suck, stare and listen without reference to memory, thought or commonsense. This intuitive function stays with us as we develop a more concrete view of life. However, it also has the ability to know something spontaneously without apparent thought or reason. It senses or picks up information from the outside world as if through the skin and transmits information to the outside world as if through a radiation of energy.

The Body-Mind – we learn to use all our bodily abilities to distinguish between appearances and reality. This concrete function of our mind remains with us as we learn to think in the abstract during adulthood. The body-mind is all those functions connected with the central nervous system that control the physical, mental and emotional behaviour of the body. The body-mind connection functions whether we are conscious or not.  As the saying goes, “Where the mind goes, the body follows.”

The Astral Mind – this is the ability to think about other things while doing something quite different.  We can abstract ourselves from reality as it is now and have our minds on something else.  If taken to the extremes, it allows us to go out of our body temporarily. When we dream while sleeping, we are said to be “in the Astral Realm”.  By allowing our mind to be limitless, we increase our abilities for creative thinking, problem-solving and expression. The Astral Mind is the ability of the mind to step outside the body and view both the body and everything around, in a totally objective, detached and emotionless way.  Near death experiences (NDE) and out of body experiences (OBE) are two examples of the Astral Mind taken to its limits.

Intuition has been labeled as primitive, because it is a spontaneous and unprocessed reaction that comes to us as hunches or instinct. Some of these reactions are considered “silly”, especially if our body-mind can’t concretely explain them. But intuitive hunches and instincts can serve us well over time.  As we learn to develop and trust our intuition, we come to use that part of the whole mind that has been with us since birth.  And if it is the part of the mind that can sense and send energy, then it is a valuable ally to use in many situations.

How do we view the mind today? Intuitive abilities, concrete/logical/mental functions and creative/limitless awareness all combine to create a most complete experience of life and living. The abilities to sense and transmit information via energy has been proven with quantum physics and energetic healing practices.  Visualizations and positive affirmations offer the body-mind an opportunity to heal and stay healthy. Meditation, dreaming and creative expression through art, music, writing, etc. are enhanced when the astral mind is allowed to flourish.

Wherever the mind resides, it is important to develop and use all of its potential. By doing so, we discover greater meaning to everything we experience.  What we choose to do with this information is up to us.  Let’s use our gifts and talents wisely.

Meditation with Movement

Meditation with Movement

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

More people are using meditation as a way of calming, centering and focusing their minds.  For most, getting to a place of peacefulness is easy.  The place of quiet mind is a retreat and a refueling station. For others, the mind is too busy, the body is too restless and it seems more frustrating than anything else when they try to “calm down”.  This often becomes their reason for not trying to do it at all.

 

But meditations need not be done only in the quiet of a retreat setting.  Getting the body-mind-spirit to flow is possible with some of the most ordinary activities.  Ordinary activities done with a different attitude and perspective, that is!   Here are some suggestions from The Meditation Bible, by Madonna Gauding.

Weeding Meditation


Visualization has a powerful effect upon your mind. If you want to make positive changes in your life, visualization can turbo-charge the process.  In this meditation, you use weeds to symbolize any negative habits that you want to drop.

  • Benefits include:
    elevates gardening to a spiritual activity
    helps reduce negative emotions
    promotes positive growth (for you and the garden!)
  1. Sit quietly under a tree.  Bring to mind any negative habits you may have (eg. bad temper, procrastination, controlling). Think of as many as you like. Visualize the weeds in the garden patch as your negative habits.
  2. Get up from under the tree and approach the area you are planning to weed.  See that whole area as your mind. See the flowers and plants as your positive traits and the weeds as those negative traits that you would like to eliminate.
  3. As you begin to weed, try to stay very focused and mindful. When you pull out a weed by its roots, think that you are pulling out your own negative habit by the roots.  Continue this way until all the weeds are gone.
  4. Finish by cultivating, feeding and watering the plants and flowers.  Think of them as your positive traits that you would like to nurture.
  5. Give thanks to the weeds, flowers and plants for the opportunity to clear away negativity and promote positivity.

Clean Sweep
Transform when you sweep the floor into a moving meditation for clearing negative thinking, emotions and states of mind. Sweeping is one of the more satisfying house-cleaning activities, as it is physical and you can see results immediately.

  • Benefits include:
    transforms ordinary house-cleaning into spiritual practice
    provides powerful visualization for clearing negativity
    strengthens spiritual resolve

Think of any past negativity you would like to purify or any mental debris you would like to clear. Then proceed as follows:

  1. Pick up your broom and stand in the area you plan to sweep (inside or outside your home).
  2. Examine the floor for dust and dirt;  may be quite noticeable or quite subtle. See that dirt and dust as negativity residing in your own mind and heart.   The negativity could be in your thoughts, emotions, attitudes or behaviours. Imagine that as you sweep, the negativity will be swept away with the dirt.
  3. Start sweeping.  Focus only on the dirt/dust, the broom and the floor.  As you sweep, see and feel your negativity leaving your mind and heart.  You can sweep away your potential to commit negative acts in the future and your fears and doubts in the present. Get creative and sweep away whatever is bothering you!
  4. End your meditation by sweeping the dirt into a bin and throwing it away.  See your negativity going with it.

Some people find they can do this “clean sweep” when they vacuum, polish, scrub the floors and bathroom.  Others find ironing, washing dishes or their vehicles is meditative. The idea is to be mindful while one is engaged in the activity.

Some other daily activities that can be used to help promote a meditative state of mind include: running, swimming, hiking, beach walking, dancing, listening to music, knitting, colouring, painting, soaking in a bath or hot tub (alone!), long-distance driving – in fact, practically anything that you do on your own, so that you can be completely focused on your activity, mind, body and spirit.

Another movement meditation that has proven itself over thousands of years is that of Walking the Labyrinth.  As you walk meditatively along the Labyrinth, the paths cross, curve and cut back and forth. Eventually, you arrive in the centre.  By walking the Labyrinth, you help connect your left and right brain hemispheres, which can encourage creative thought and problem solving. You may gain more insight into your life or a problem you are trying to solve.  Such is the gift of the Labyrinth.   If you can’t find a Labyrinth to walk, you can meditate by placing your finger on a printed labyrinth and mindfully tracing the pattern to the centre.

As you gain experience with moving meditations, you may find the confidence and calmness to try a sitting meditation.  You just might surprise yourself!