Quick Fix Meditation

Quick Fix Meditation

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

Articles abound regarding the health benefits of taking time to include meditation in our daily care. The health benefits listed include things like greater clarity of thinking, deeper relaxation, better quality sleep, increased productivity, greater creativity, more energy etc.  Most people acknowledge that spending time every day in quiet introspection and relaxation is a great idea.  The question is “How”?  How do we find the time?  How do we prepare ourselves?  How do we do it?  How?

Trying to establish a meditation routine is similar to establishing any other routine. It takes commitment, time and patience with oneself.  It needs to be something that you believe is benefiting you.  And it should be something you look forward to doing.  But many people find they cannot commit the time or they find they cannot slow their minds down enough to concentrate on meditating. Where is the benefit?

Some people start their practice, but later on, let other things get in the way of routinely meditating. When people don’t follow through on a promise or commitment they made to themselves, their “inner critic” cranks up the volume and the tendency is to get angry with themselves.  No sense beating yourself up over this issue- this is the complete opposite of what you are trying to achieve by meditating!

Enter the One Minute ~ Most Days ~ Meditation Practice as described by Dan Harris of ABC’s  Nightline and weekend Good Morning America. Dan has also written a book entitled,  Meditation for Fidgity Skeptics; a  book based upon his own experiences with meditating!  By aiming to meditate most days, rather than every day, the chances of better consistency exist because your “inner critic” will not get on you if you miss a day or two.  You can more easily pick up where you left off, because guilt, shame or annoyance are not beating you up.  Asking for only one minute a day to meditate is less daunting than asking people for more time out of a busy day. What often happens is that after one minute, people realize that they are “doing it” and enjoying it, so they continue a bit longer.  With this shift in believing that one “has to do it” to more of  “likes to do it”,  meditation becomes something that really can become part of one’s self-care routine.

There are three other suggestions Dan Harris makes to help people stand strong on their commitment to daily meditation.  These are:

  • Think strategically about your schedule and what works for your personality – is there a better time in your day that would work best for you?  If so, set that out as your meditation time.  If your schedule is unpredictable, set your time in association with an activity you already do every day (eg. brush teeth, park car, feed your pet) or just tell yourself you’ll enjoy the “adventure” of a new time to meditate each day
  • Make yourself accountable – telling someone about your daily meditation practice (especially if you live with others) or joining a group that routinely meets to meditate helps set up positive peer pressure.  You may find that being around like-minded people makes it easier for you to practice on your own time
  • Focus on the benefits – when we think about how meditation helps us, we are more likely to continue with the practice.  What makes it pleasurable to us and what we notice as positive effects in our daily lives helps us to stay the course.

So what can you do in a minute?  Become comfortable, close your eyes, breathe slowly, count your breaths, use colours or symbolic imagery, bring forth a happy thought or memory, remember a song or poem.  And smile!

If you can dream, you can meditate!  If you can breathe, you can meditate!  If you can count, you can meditate!  If you can be still for just one minute, you can meditate!  Go ahead – try it!

Relative Articles:
Time to Meditate
Meditation with Movement

Setting the Course

Setting the Course

by | Energetics, Life Reflections

Every new year has the promise of a new beginning.  With attention paid to our inner compass, we can determine which course to take for our highest good.  It might not be what others would choose, but then again, they have their own courses to create.  So the course we embark upon begins with an internal journey first.  Find that inner compass and discover what is at our heart and core.  What brings us Joy?  Purpose?  Connection?  Gratitude?  Answers to these will help us gain a clearer picture of what and where we need to focus this year.

Whenever I look for inspiration or suggestions, I call upon the various oracle cards I’ve collected over the years.  Reflecting upon their artwork and messages has always helped to gain greater clarity and peace.  Here is a sampling of various oracle cards to give you an idea of how they might help you, too.

From Collette Baron-Reid, we find:

The Map Maker of Destiny – it’s a sign that you’re being given an opportunity to transform Fate into Destiny.  At birth, each human is given a unique map with myriad paths that intersect with one another. Your Map of Destiny shows all the places you’re meant to visit, places where you will be challenged to evolve into the highest aspects of the Self. … Fate is transformed into Destiny according to how you respond to your circumstances. Now is one of those times. …

The High Lady of Love and Compassion – she brings you a deep and meaningful message:  she reminds you that only Love is real.  It is the sole unconditional and true power behind all means of manifesting out of the unseen into the material. Love’s greatest creative power is ignited by the conscious action of compassion. Generosity of the heart, reverence, respect and empathy for all living things bring you profound power to live a life of happiness and contentment. Love, compassion and kindness to all must be your impulse behind your thoughts, feelings and actions when your intention is to create a prosperous and abundant life.  Unconditional Love will be returned ten-fold

The Well Watcher – he signals the need to go within to contemplate the true source of power in the world – which is that of the Divine. You’re being called to the Well and this unseen power will be there and will be yours to align with. Use prayer and affirmations to connect … You will know the way forward by the still, small voice within.

The Swan Queen –  she asks that you look at your reflection in the events of your life. She gives you the ability to see the beauty that has transformed your life from ignorance to wisdom. She lets you know that now is the time to go within and seek the answer in your own intuition.  Don’t look outside yourself for answers now;  the true power lies reflected in the still waters within you. Now is the moment to meditate and ask for a vision. … This is also a reminder to allow time to transform ideas into reality.  Nothing happens overnight.

From James von Praagh, the following:

Purpose – I know what I am here to do.  You’ve chosen to reincarnate for one major goal:  to express love in all that you do.  The obstacles of this physical dimension can distract you from this goal, and it’s easy to lose your way.  Life on Earth is full of obligations that require  your conscious attention, but that doesn’t mean you can’t infuse all of your decisions with caring and compassion. Your purpose in life is not your career;  rather your career is guided by your purpose.  What activities speak to your soul?  What brings you joy? That is the direction your soul is calling you toward to best convey your own unique expression of love and make a contribution to the world. … Listen to your intuition.  It is your connection to Spirit and the voice of your soul.

Perseverance – I know that I can do whatever I set my mind to.  As a soul, you are on a mission in this physical dimension.  You are the only one who knows the correct path to take. Your intuition – your connection to Spirit – is your compass.  You have the power to stay the course, and you are stronger and more determined than you might first think.  In order to experience many successes in life, you must mature and realize the strength within yourself and the quality of courage. … Now is the time to make the proper changes and take risks and do things you never thought you could before. Your soul must learn to become aware of its “inner strength”.  Live the joyfullnes your soul yearns for and engage in activities you have always wanted to try but were afraid you’d fail at.  … You have the strength and fortitude to be capable of greatness

Consider oracle card decks as guidance tools – not absolute predictions- – and you will be using them with the intention for which they were designed.  Set your course for 2019 for the highest good – always

Did you know ……

  • The Chinese Lunar New Year signifies a new beginning and a chance for a fresh start.
    –  To prepare for Lunar New Year, it is traditional for people to clean their house, pay off debts and gather with family and friends over a lavish meal with foods steeped in symbolism.
    –  In Chinese tradition, Red is the colour representing happiness and life;  Gold is the colour representing prosperity.
  • Nian gao is a traditional rice cake eaten at Lunar New Year celebrations;  it signifies advancement and growth.
Antidote to Bullying

Antidote to Bullying

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

The Universe sends us messages in creative ways – if we are open and listening. This happened recently as I witnessed the ways in which people around our community coped with the recent winter storms and power outages and as I watched a commercial during the World Juniors Hockey Tournament television coverage. Different views, same subject!

What I witnessed at home was, for the most part, people helping people. Watching most folks rise to the challenge of no power, limited resources and heat and making “creative” meals was inspiring.  However, a couple of instances where tempers flared, blame was projected onto others who had no influence on the amount and variety of supplies in their stores, and irritation rose because of having to wait for things had me stunned.  Didn’t these demanding people realize that the circumstances were out of anyone’s control?  Could they not be grateful for what was saved and offered under these difficult circumstances?  Apparently not.  It was easier to spew anger and insults instead of offering help and support. Breaking others down, instead of helping them up.

Then, as I watched some of the World Juniors hockey coverage, a very powerful commercial came on the screen.  An NHL player named Jordan Eberle spoke of how bullying towards him as a young boy almost made him quit hockey forever.  The advert goes on to speak of how bullying used to be face to face, so the one doing the bullying could be identified and confronted.  Now, bullies can hide behind their screens and spew all sorts of insults and injury without being found out.  Now, there is no responsibility or accountability for their comments or damage to their victims.  Jordan’s last comment struck a cord within me.  He said (and I’m paraphrasing here) “Instead of pushing people down, we need to support others and build people up.”  Right on, Jordan!  And then, my reflections began.

Reflecting upon the concept of bullying, I tried to figure out what would be the opposite action and thinking to it. If the bully is using insults and injury to another person’s self-esteem and self-worth, what might counteract these? If the bully is using these tactics because they, themselves, feel less than or unworthy, then what might counteract these thoughts or feelings?  The first thought I had was, “Use Kindness” in all interactions.  The next thought was, “Be Respectful”. And finally, I decided that the third aspect was, “Ensure Healthy Personal Boundaries”.

Maybe I’m a dreamer, but perhaps if everyone tried a little Kindness, the idea of inflicting insults and injury on others would reduce.  There are some people who think that Kindness is for sissies. However, there is an old saying, “Never mistake gentleness for weakness.”  It takes great strength to show tenderness.  Here is the shocker:  kindness must start with how you are with yourself. If you are not able to be kind to yourself, how can you expect others to show kindness towards you?  So what would kindness to yourself look like?  For some, it is being less critical and more patient. Others may look at balancing work and play so they are more healthful and productive.  And some may need to say “No” more often, to the demands of others in order to stay true to themselves. Kindness starts with Number One!

In a similar fashion, being Respectful needs to be shown towards self and others. When one is respectful of self, one will not allow mistreatment from others.  And when a person is being respectful of others, it is an acknowledgement of the other person’s worth; not monetarily, but as a human being.  The qualities of self-esteem and self-worth are heavily influenced by the amount of respect one has for one’s self.  When we examine the dynamics of addiction, abuse and victimization, there is always a component of low self-esteem and low self-worth to consider.  If there was more self-respect and kindness towards self, these difficult situations would have a hard time establishing in a person’s life.

Which brings us to the final point:  healthy personal boundaries.  Those of you who know me, have heard me speak of this ad nauseum!  These boundaries are designed to keep us safe and secure.  These boundaries are set in the physical, emotional, psychological and energetic fields. Because of healthy personal boundaries, we allow that which is positive,  encouraging and supportive to us to come closer in our world, while that which is negative, discouraging, and not for our highest good is kept away.  These boundaries must be started early in life;  those with no clear personal boundaries are susceptible to the whims, beliefs and bullying of others.  Without protection of self, it is hard to believe and behave as someone who has personal power, rights, abilities, feelings and opinions that matter.  Here is where Being Respectful ties into the picture. It is also where Kindness comes to rest. If our personal boundaries are healthy, then we have a greater chance of staying strong and healthy within ourselves and our world.

The antidote to bullying starts early in life.  When a child feels safe and secure, has a strong sense of self, can be kind and respectful to themselves and others, bullying has no place.  It is not an option.  As adults, we are charged with giving children a strong foundation upon which to launch their life paths.  Are we modeling the behaviours that will help them cope with the world?  Are we showing them how to be kind, respectful and develop healthy personal boundaries?  If we don’t have these ourselves, then we best get on with it!  The children are watching, listening and learning from us.  Let’s show them the best we can be – so they can do so for themselves.

Turquoise Revealed

Turquoise Revealed

by | Energetics

In several cultures, December has been associated with the crystal Turquoise.  From geologists to jewelers, miners to healers, ancient cultures to modern collectors, people from all over the world have long been captivated by Turquoise. This name originated in medieval Europe, where traders from Turkey introduced the blue-green gemstones as an exotic luxury. Although the stones were obtained from the mines in Persia (now Iran), medieval Europeans associated the stones with the Turkish traders who supplied them.  They called them “turceis” or in later French, “turquois“. English speakers adopted the later French word and added an “e” to the end,  “turquoise” while Spanish folks called the stone “turquesa“.  Until the late 1800’s,  it was known for centuries by the Navajos and other peoples in the Western Hemisphere by its Nahuatl name, “chalchihuitl”.

Scientifically, Turquoise is classified as a semiprecious opaque mineral composed of hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate. It has a triclinic crystaline structure and a hardness value of 5-6 on the Mohs scale. It is a secondary mineral derived from original, primary copper deposits that usually consist of chalchopyrite (a common yellow metalic mineral made up of sulfur, iron and copper)  and pyrite (contains only sulfur and iron).  In general, stones with more copper content appear more blue, while stones with more iron content are greener. Colour and character of its matirx will also be influenced by the other minerals found with it.  Currently, the best quality Turquoise comes from Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, Tibet and Southwestern United States.

Robert Simmons, in his book entitled, The Book of Stones, relates these historical uses of Turquoise:
“Beads dating back to 5000 B.C. have been found in Iraq.  The Egyptians were mining Turquoise in the Sinai in 3200 B.C.  … About a thousand years ago, Native Americans began to mine and fashion Turquoise;  the gem has been found in burial sites from Argentina to New Mexico. … To the native peoples of the American Southwest, this “sky stone” is an ancient talisman for health and happiness and for centuries it has been incorporated into both ceremonial and everyday jewelry, sculpture and pottery.  In both Hindu and Persian beliefs, seeing a Turquoise and the New Moon at the same time would lead to good fortune, protection from evil and/or an increase in wealth.  The Navajo used Turquoise to bring needed rain by throwing a stone into a river while praying to the rain god.  Apaches thought Turquoise could enhance the accuracy of their weapons and the Zuni  believed it could protect them from demons.  In central Asia, the belief that Turquoise could keep riders from falling led to the use of Turquoise in decorating horse trappings.”

Other uses of Turquoise include using it to help dispel fear, especially if it grips the solar plexus and help maintain balance if used around the spleen and pancreas.  In some Native American teachings, Turquoise is said to symbolize spirituality, the sky, the heavenly Father.  It was regarded as a spiritual stone to help put people in touch with the divine and holy reality. It is considered by many as a stone for finding wholeness and truth and to aid in the communication and manifestation of these qualities.  It is a stone of overall well-being and balanced mood and emotions.  It teaches the wisdom of compassion and forgiveness.

Turquoise combines Water, Wind, Fire and Earth energies, making it a complete Storm element stone.  According to crystal healer, Naisha Ahsian, “… Turquoise represents the wisdom that comes from all of life’s experiences.  It is an ancient Grandfather ally, counseling one that all experiences are valid and that mistakes are simply another experience. …. Turquoise is a stone of self-forgiveness, self-acceptance and the release of useless regrets.  It encourages one to honour oneself as a creation and a tool of the Divine.”

As you take time this month to reflect and revise your dreams and plans, use the gifts of Turquoise to help set the course for a New Year meant to bring you abundance on all levels, loving kindness in all your relations (including you with you!), extreme joy and steady confidence in all you do.  You deserve nothing less!

Did you know ……

  • December’s message: To endure; to die; to be reborn
  • December’s activities: Introspection and renewal
  • Universal event at this time of year: The revitalizing of the waters. Until Winter Solstice at the end of the month, night continues to increase and dominate. From that moment onward, we celebrate the Birth of the Light
  • Lights of all kinds are important during these darkest days as they hold the promise of the Light to come;  holiday lights, candles, fires, stars, crystals and twinkling things are used to remind us that within the darkest days, there is Light
  • And where there is Light, there is Hope
Emotional Alchemy

Emotional Alchemy

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

In 2001, the term “emotional alchemy” was used by Tara Bennett-Goleman to describe a way of helping reframe and release negative and disturbing emotions.  She brought together the practices of Buddhist psychology and mindfulness with insights from cognitive therapy, psychotherapy and brain science to help people release themselves from mental and emotional habits that prevent them from being happy.  Let’s take a quick look at the components of Emotional Alchemy.

Mindfulness is a meditative awareness that increases our ability to see things as they are from moment to moment and without judgement or attachment.  It is resistent to the distractions around us, which is why we can use sustained attention to the movements of the mind itself.  It is a new way of paying attention to the world around and within us.

Buddhist psychology views our emotional problems as temporary and superficial.  It emphasizes what is right with us, instead of fixating on what is wrong with us.  It acknowledges that we have disturbing emotions but sees them as covering our essential goodness.  Our darker moments and most upsetting feelings are an opportunity for uncovering our natural wisdom, if we choose to use them that way.

Alchemy is a metaphor that Bennett-Goleman uses to explain the process.  Traditionally, alchemists sought to use the philosopher’s stone to transmute lead into gold.  In the more philosophical schools of alchemy, lead and gold were metaphors for the internal states.  Through psychological and spiritual transformation, the alchemist transformed the psyche’s lead into its golden nature.  It is an internal, not external process.

Cognitive Therapy is used in many settings to help people change negative thinking patterns into more useful ones. Thoughts and emotions are connected;  by changing one, you can often change the other.  Sometimes it is our limiting, self-defeating thoughts that prevent us from working through and releasing disturbing emotions.  Habitual thoughts that hold a negative emotion in our psyche need to be recognized and then transformed into something that is more positive and helpful.  A thought that no longer holds a disturbing emotion captive allows that emotion to be acknowledged and released from its bond.

Psychotherapy involves going within to recognize patterns of thinking, feelings and reactions.  it strives to uncover the internal workings and connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour so that those preventing our health and happiness can be replaced with more effective ones.  There are many approaches used in psychotherapy – too many to list here. Yet the end result of all approaches is for the person’s health and happiness.

Neuroscience has proven that the brain stays plastic throughout life, changing itself as we learn to challenge old habits. It has also shown that there is a crucial Choice Point – a quarter second – during which we can reject a self-defeating emotional impulse.  But one must notice the impulse in order to reject it!  Otherwise, it continues to be our “default setting” and our automatic response.

Putting this all together means finding the time and space to allow for self-reflection and appreciation, practicing mindfulness meditation and learning to recognize our  impulsive, self-defeating messages quickly so we can choose a calmer, more positive approach and reaction.  Although it can seem overwhelming at first, remember that this is ultimately for your health and happiness. And this shines brightly to those around you. When health and happiness are intact,  your inner and outer worlds can become calm, compassionate, and joyful.

So why wait?  Time to just be…..