04 February, 2007

About Burt Harding





Burt Harding, founder of the Awareness Foundation in Vancouver, offers a radical invitation to recognize the truth of our being as already whole and fulfilled.
He holds satsangs (meetings) in which we are reminded of the love we really are beyond the personal stories we carry. In this way, we come to recognize what we have always known but did not live from ‹ the beauty and wonder of our own true essence.
Burt also conducts sessions and workshops in Supersentience, a system devised to help heal deep wounds and promote a shift in the perception of who we really are.
He has conducted studies in higher consciousness for thirty years and had his own television series on the mind/body connection.












Burt started teaching after an experience with Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, who appeared to him in 1974 while he was living in Toronto, Ontario. As a result of this experience, he acquired the sure knowledge that the only reality lies in the present moment, the Now, and that everything else is just an illusion. His spiritual search ended in that realization.
( On 4th January 2007 ramana-maharshi.org was divided into two new distinct websites:
The first website is dedicated to Arunachala, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and to helping devotees in whatever way it is possible to do so. It also has a forum for use by devotees. The address is:
http://www.arunachala-ramana.org/
Sri Ramanasramam now has its own website hosted in India. The address is:
http://www.sriramanamaharshi.org/ - Their new email address is - ashram@sriramanamaharshi.org
ramana-maharshi.org will continue to function in a very limited way throughout 2007. Please do not forget to bookmark the new sites. )








Reviewing feelings versus emotions ( Burt )

Dear Burt,

Thank you for the Satsang today. Would you please clarify feelings versus emotions (energy in motion like frustration, anger, sadness, depression, fear?) again?
With love, M.

Dear sweet M.,
I noticed your energy last night and your listening was quite good. When someone listens well there is an aura of beautiful energy around the person.

You asked me to clarify feelings versus emotions. First of all please remember that words like ‘feelings’ and ‘emotions’ are often intertwined and mixed up by most people. However, when you start going deep into spiritual understanding, you will start to feel subtler feelings — feelings that most people are not aware of. So, in order to explain them one must use special explanations like saying ‘there is a vast difference between true feelings and emotions.’

A true feeling is joy, it is a feeling as if you have disappeared and have merged with everything around you. For example, observe a baby when they are happy, there is a brightness in their eyes with so much joy. Their smile is captivating and their innocence is heart-warming yet as they reach out to you, they are oblivious of themselves. In other words, they are not self-conscious. Now, this feeling is known as Pure Feeling. It is not an emotion because the body is not caught in any sensation other than total ‘melting’ with whatever is at the moment.

Now, an emotion is the opposite of that feeling. An emotion is a motion of sensation in the body. Again, suppose you are with a group of people that make you feel uncomfortable. You can feel the sensation of emotion in your face, in your red hot ears, in your contraction, self-consciousness or a feeling of smallness. Along with this emotional feeling in the body you also feel a ‘story’ going along with it such as, “I could kill them,” or maybe not as drastic such as, “They are obnoxious,” or “Gee, I don’t like them...” and so on. Just as pure feeling is joyous and all -encompassing with the environment with no story or physical discomfort, so is emotion filled with a story (mental activity regarding that emotion) plus self-conscious contraction.

Every emotion such as anger, depression, frustration and even sadness is a carry-over from a thought. For example, if you have been often ignored by others as a child or not shown love by your parents and so on, then there is the inevitable thinking that you are separate and different from others. This can’t be helped. Any thought regarding feeling ignored or unloved brings the need for having love, having meaning, having importance or becoming something. The human being can’t help seeking that which they feel they are missing. The reason for this automatic seeking is because that is how the heart reaches for itself through us. However, when these needs for love are not understood they start making us feel lonely, separate from others and create a feeling of smallness, which again makes us want to be special even more. This vicious circle creates many emotional feelings of quiet sadness, depression, anger, frustration, irritability, judging others, and general unhappiness. Every human being goes through this and it can’t be helped.

What happens with most people is that they can’t feel happy and so bury these emotional feelings by ‘trying’ to have fun, have wild sex, look for parties, maybe drink alcohol, become workaholics, take drugs, do crazy things and a million other escapes in order NOT to feel this nagging emptiness. However, this nagging emptiness cannot be avoided because it is not something bad, it is a warning (karma) that we are not being honest with ourselves, we are lying and deceiving our truth of being. Did you know that very very few people actually know that true feelings are joy (inner peace, contentment or inner fulfillment)?

So, growth is dealing with emotional suffering through awareness until only pure feeling remains. Pure feeling is the voice of God within. It ‘talks’ to us through silence and shows us (through its light) how everything IS!! This is the Inner Silence that all masters talk about.

To understand what I have written to you, is to begin to ‘FEEL’ inside you what is beyond words. The extent that you ‘FEEL’ (not emotional) what is being said here is called heart-understanding. It is spiritual understanding.
With love,
Burt
http://members.shaw.ca/burtharding/feelings.html

Emotions ( Wayne Dyer )

Your emotions are the inner experiences that tell you how much of the divine energy you're summoning for the manifestation of your desires.

Feelings can be measuring tools that gauge how you're doing in the manifestation process.

An exceptionally positive emotional response indicates that you're summoning the divine energy of intention and allowing that energy to flow to you in anonresistant manner.

Feelings of passion, pure bliss, reverence, unmitigatedoptimism, unquestioned trust, and even illumination indicate that your desire to manifest success and abundance, for example, have an extremely strong pulling power from the universal Source to you.

You must learn to pay close attentionto the presence of these feelings.

These emotions aren't just facets of yourlife that are empty of energy--they're agents that are in charge of how you clean and purify the connecting link to intention. These emotions tell youp recisely how much of the life force you're summoning,and how much pulling power you have going for you at that moment.

-- Wayne Dyer

29 January, 2007

What blocks connection?

What blocks connection?

"People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges."
-- Joseph F. Newton

We experience soul when we really connect with life -- when we stop and consciously experience what is happening.

We lose soul with: - resistance - to anyone or anything- superficiality - we avoid depth of experience- control - we try to control the relationship- selfishness - we remain self-centered.

Each of these attitudes fosters separation rather than connection. Once again, soul lives in relating. Take time to become aware of, and perhaps journal on how you relate to other people and things in your life.

"We have to decide for ourselves what’s nourishing to our souls,
and do those things over others."
-- Thomas Moore

17 January, 2007

Relationships

"It's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you're not comfortable within yourself, you can't be comfortable with others." -- Sydney J. Harris

Relationships are such a challenge because life pulls us in opposite directions at the same time. Our personality feels the need to be unique and special and so our focus lies on how we are different from others. Differences hold the potential to create conflict. At the same time, our souls live through connection with others. We are challenged to rise above our personal preferences to discover how we and the other are the same. Our overall need lies in balancing these two tendencies.

"The purpose of relationships is not happiness, but transformation." -- Andrew Schneider

16 January, 2007

Becoming in touch with your personal sources of power

Becoming in touch with your personal sources of power can be a way for you to feel effective and empowering.

Reflect upon the strengths you possess, which could help you use your influence in a positive and supportive way.

Ask yourself :
" What assets do I have that others admire in me ? "

Some clues that can lead you to uncover strengths and resources:

Think about the things in which you are weak, and what you have done to overcome those challenges, for these triumphs are your strengths.


Uncovering the gifts that you have, can give you greater confidence and increase the feelings of self-worth that are required to positively impact others.

Once we understand our strengths, we are able to affect positive and lasting changes in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Consciously examining our talents, brings our strengths to the fore and helps us to gain confidence in what we are able to achieve.

By knowing your strengths today, you will inspire, encourage, and influence others through your strong sense of self.

Accepting change

"We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the programme of life's morning; for what in the morning was true will in evening become a lie."

-- C.G. JungLife continually evolves.

We’re always moving into new experiences, new possibilities. This constant change unsettles the personality, which finds security in stability. But with life always in flux, that security is an illusion. We experience pain by trying to hold on to things that are not solid.Life becomes joyful when we can open to the constant flow and ride freely with it. This requires us to let go of the need to control. We need to learn to trust."Can it then be that what we call the ‘self’ is fluid and elastic? It evolves, strikes a different balance with every new breath."
-- Wayne Muller

http://www.thedailyguru.com/higherawareness.htm

09 January, 2007

Life on the Train







Life on the Train



(Text of a slide show)


Life is like a train ride,



We get on.
We ride.



We get off.



We get back on and ride some more.
There are accidents and there are delays.

At certain stops there are surprises.
Some of these will translate into great moments of joy,
some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born and we board the train,
we meet people whom we think will be with us
for the entire journey.

These people are our parents!

Sadly, this is far from the truth.

Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them.

They too have journeys they must complete.

We live on with the memories of their love,
affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train and who eventually
become very important to us, in turn.
These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and
acquaintances, whom we will learn to love and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour.
They will just go merrily along. Others, will encounter
many upsets, tears, losses on their journey.
Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand
to anyone in need.

Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off....

Some will get on and get off so quickly, they will
scarcely leave a sign that they ever travelled along
with you or ever crossed your path....

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers
whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment,
and leave us to travel on our own,

Then again, there's nothing that says we can't seek them
out anyway.

Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not
even be able to sit next to them because that seat
will already be taken.

That's okay....everyone's journey will be filled with
hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.

We must strive to make the best of it....no matter what...

We must constantly strive to understand our travel
companions and look for the best in everyone.

Remember that on any moment during our journey,
any one of our travel companions can have a weak
moment and be in need of our help.

We too may vacillate or hesitate,even trip....
hopefully we can count on someone being there
to be supportive and understanding....

The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don't know when our last stop will come.

Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop.

Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.

Personally, I know I'll be sad to make my final stop--
I'm sure of it!

My separation from all those friends and
acquaintances I made during the train ride will
be painful. Leaving all those I'm close to will be a sad thing.
But then again, I'm certain that one day I'll get to the
train station only to meet up with everyone else.
They'll be carrying their luggage - most of which they didn't have when they first got on this train.

I'll be glad to see them again. I'll also be glad to have
contributed to their baggage....and to have enriched
their lives, just as much as they will have
contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.

We're all on this train ride together.
Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride
as pleasant and memorable as we can,
right up until we each make the final stop
and leave the train for the last time.

All aboard!




Safe journey!!
B O N V O Y A G E !

08 January, 2007

on meditation

I've been neglecting regular daily meditation lately , but I intend to change that. From now on morning meditation first thing and last thing at night rather than here and there during the day.

Last night's meditation felt good 23 :30- to midnight. Woke up at 4 am with the moon on my face and the sound of my painting falling off my story- board on my bedroom door.

This morning's meditation wasn't easy- got lost in thoughts several times but felt stillness towards the end . I know it's not supposed to be any way - just observations- keeping notes.

Funny how what you focus on grows- this came to me today in an email:

Why meditate?

"Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom."-- Buddha


Meditation is considered an essential practice for those who seek self-knowledge and self-mastery. Why? Basically, meditation brings awareness of how our minds work. Over time, we become watchers, able to detach from the thoughts and emotions that play out in our minds.With this detachment, we gain the freedom to choose whether or not to act on our thoughts and emotions. We learn to distinguish between objective reality and our mental and emotional dramas."

Only in quiet waters things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world."-- Hans Margolius

26 December, 2006

Trust Life's Rhythms

Trust the rhythms of life.
There are slow times and there are fast moving times.
Release the need to control.

21 December, 2006

Happy Solstice.

Happy Solstice.

21st December , Winter Solstice. The shortening days and longer nights are most intense here in Sweden, but from today onward our days start getting longer. Blessed be.


The pagan in me feels the need for ritual to mark this occasion. I’ve just had a solstice nourishing breakfast and now savouring the chocolate darkness of my coffee. Will light candles as the sun sets ( it is actually beginning to set now as I write this , 2.35 pm )


In neopaganism, the winter solstice sabbat is often called Yule. – which is also the Swedish word for Christmas. Lots of pagan rooted traditions here . Perhaps that is why I am here too. This is really a time for introspection, and planning for the future, I know I keep saying this. I tend to write and reflect more around the new moon and the full moon.


Yesterday , 20th , marked the new moon which isa time for new beginnings. The moon is waxing now and supporting our festivities and gatherings until the full moon , 3 rd January.


Magpie came to me today ; caught my attention as it landed on the branch of the pine tree outside the kitchen window and swung up and down for a while, proud of its accomplishment.


Magpie's Wisdom Includes:

Understanding of the balance of light and darkness

Seeing in darkness

Use of ritual in everyday life

Communication

Understanding messages from Spirit

Prophecy

Intelligence

Use of voice

Good luck
Magpies are related to ravens, I think. Thanks for the visit, magpie .
Happy Solstice, everyone , blessed be ! love love love in all dimensions.

11 December, 2006

You have the power to live your dreams

The day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day you stop making any excuses,that's the day you start moving down the road to success.

No one else can do it for you.

Only you can make it happen.

You're the only one that has to live your life.

Accept responsibility.

It's up to you to choose the thoughts and actions that lead to success.

Your life is what you make it.

10 December, 2006

Slightly Less Common Latin Phrases ( from Deborah )

Slightly Less Common Latin Phrases

Die dulci fruere.
Have a nice day.

Mihi ignosce. Cum homine de cane debeo congredi.
Excuse me. I've got to see a man about a dog.

Si hoc signum legere potes, operis boni in rebus Latinus alacribus et fructuosis potiri potes!
If you can read this sign, you can get a good job in the fast-paced, high-paying world of Latin!

Sona si Latine loqueris.
Honk if you speak Latin.

Ne auderis delere orbem rigidum meum!
Don't you dare erase my hard disk!

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Gramen artificiosum odi.
I hate Astroturf.

Furnulum pani nolo.
I don't want a toaster.

Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare.
I think some people in togas are plotting against me.

Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.
I'm not interested in your dopey religious cult.

Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo.
Don't call me, I'll call you.

Cave ne ante ullas catapultas ambules.
If I were you, I wouldn't walk in front of any catapults.

Canis meus id comedit.
My dog ate it.

Illiud Latine dici non potest.
You can't say that in Latin.

Vidistine nuper imagines moventes bonas?
Seen any good movies lately?

Nullo metro compositum est.
It doesn't rhyme.

Non curo. Si metrum non habet, non est poema.
I don't care. If it doesn't rhyme, it isn't a poem.

Fac ut gaudeam.
Make my day.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Those green pants go so well with that pink shirt and the plaid jacket!

Visne saltare? Viam Latam Fungosam scio.
Do you want to dance? I know the Funky Broadway.

Re vera, potas bene.
Say, you sure are drinking a lot.

Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant!
May barbarians invade your personal space!

Utinam coniurati te in foro interficiant!
May conspirators assassinate you in the mall!

Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant!
May faulty logic undermine your entire philosophy!

Radix lecti
Couch potato

Quo signo nata es?
What's your sign?

Romani quidem artem amatoriam invenerunt.
You know, the Romans invented the art of love.

Spero nos familiares mansuros.
I hope we'll still be friends.

Mellita, domi adsum.
Honey, I'm home.

Tam exanimis quam tunica nehru fio.
I am as dead as the nehru jacket.

Ventis secundis, tene cursum.
Go with the flow.

Totum dependeat.
Let it all hang out.

Te precor dulcissime supplex!
Pretty please with a cherry on top!

Magister Mundi sum!
I am the Master of the Universe!

Fac me cocleario vomere!
Gag me with a spoon!

Te audire no possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.
I can't hear you. I have a banana in my ear.

Prehende uxorem meam, sis!
Take my wife, please!

Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Nihil est-in vita priore ego imperator Romanus fui.
That's nothing -- in a previous life I was a Roman Emperor.

Aio, quantitas magna frumentorum est.
Yes, that is a very large amount of corn.

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem!
Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.

Oblitus sum perpolire clepsydras!
I forgot to polish the clocks!

Vescere bracis meis.
Eat my shorts.

Sic faciunt omnes.
Everyone is doing it.

Vacca foeda
Stupid cow

Fac ut vivas.
Get a life.

Raptus regaliter
Royally screwed

Anulos qui animum ostendunt omnes gestemus!
Let's all wear mood rings!

Insula Gilliganis
Gilligan's Island

www.deb.bz

08 December, 2006

Four Ways to Wisdom

Four Ways to Wisdom BY ANGELES ARRIEN

As Alvin Toffler points out in his visionary book "Future Shock", we must become more capable of handling change than ever before if we are to survive and thrive in the twenty-first century. Toffler observes, "We have the opportunity to introduce additional stability points and rituals into our society, such as new holidays, pageants, ceremonies, and games. Such mechanisms could not only provide a backdrop of continuity in everyday life but serve to integrate societies and cushion them somewhat against the fragmenting impact of super-industrialism."

Although Toffler writes about introducing new techniques to help us handle change, indigenous and Eastern cultures have long recognized that the only constant is change. Among tribal peoples, medicine men, chiefs, shamans, teachers or seers are called "change masters." The shamanic traditions practiced by agrarian and indigenous peoples remind us that, for centuries, human beings have used nature and ritual to buffer the effects of change and to support a life event, rather than denying or indulging in it. Although individuals in industrial cultures can help themselves embrace change through dreams, images, play, relationships and acts of creative work, we suffer from the lack of cultural support as we face the ever-increasing demands of change. In the introduction to Arnold Van Gennep's Rites of Passage, Salon Kimbala observes that "one dimension of mental illness may arise because an increasing number of individuals are forced to accomplish their traditions alone and with private symbols."

In cultures like ours where we are alienated from our mythological roots, renewal requires a return to the basic source where all personal and cultural myths are ultimately forged the human psyche. To guide our renewal we can look to cross-cultural research that reveals how shamanic traditions have consistently accessed four archetypal patterns to maintain connections to the mythic structures that support creative expression, health and adaptation to change. These four archetypal ways are The Way of the Warrior, The Way of the Healer, The Way of the Visionary and The Way of the Teacher. The four Ways reflect a pervasive belief that life will be simple if we practice four basic principles: Show up or choose to be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, tell the truth without blame or judgment, and be open, rather than attached to, the outcome.

THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
The task of the warrior is to show up, to be visible and empower others through example and intention.
Through the archetype of the warrior an old-fashioned term for leader indigenous societies connect to the process of empowerment and to the human resource of power. Universally there are three kinds of power:power of presence, power to communicate, power of position. Shamanic societies recognize that a person who has all three powers embodies "big medicine."
Every human being carries the power of presence. Some individuals carry such presence that we are drawn to and captivated by these charismatic people even before they speak or we know anything about them.
A warrior or leader uses the power of communication to effectively align the content, timing and placement to deliver a message at the right time in the right place for the person involved to hear and receive it.
A warrior demonstrates the power of position by the willingness to take a stand. Many politicians have great presence and great communication, but lose power when they allow constituents to wonder where they stand on specific issues.
Examples of individuals who carry all three powers and who access the mythical structure and archetype of the Way of the Warrior are Mother Teresa, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Each has been committed to aligning the power of presence, communication and the willingness to take a stand in arenas that have heart and meaning for them.
Cross-culturally, the posture of standing meditation in one position with arms at sides and eyes open for at least fifteen minutes is used in the martial arts, spiritual practices and in the military as a way of reinforcing and coalescing the three universal powers and of connecting the practitioner with the greater being of who he or she is.
Most native peoples attribute the Way of the Warrior to the direction of the North, the home of Father Sky and of all the winged creatures. The belief is held that during challenging times, it is essential to face our challenges with the grace, power and dignity of the "winged ones." It is important to remember that when challenges present themselves, it is the warrior's way to embrace them with full-bodied presence rather than to constrict in fear.

THE WAY OF THE HEALER
The task of the healer is to pay attention to what has heart and meaning and to access the human resource of love. We express the Way of the Healer through attitudes and actions that maintain personal health and support the welfare of our environment.
The archetype of the healer is a universal mythic structure that all humans experience. Every culture has ways of maintaining health and well-being. Healers in most traditions recognize that the power of love is the most potent healing force available. Effective healers from any culture are those who extend the arms of love gratitude, acceptance, recognition, validation and acknowledgment.
Probably the most powerful contemporary example of someone who demonstrates the healing power of extending love is Mother Teresa. In shamanic traditions she would be called a medicine woman.
The posture of lying meditation is often used for healing work. In "journey work," which is lying down on one's back with closed eyes to the accompaniment of the drum, individuals in shamanic traditions access spiritual guidance and healing. When individuals do a journey, they open themselves to the possibility of removing the blocks and obstacles to receiving and giving love.
Most native peoples attribute the Way of the Healer to the direction of the South, with Mother Nature and all the four-legged creatures. Across cultures, there are four universal healing salves: singing, dancing, storytelling and silence. Native cultures transmit their values, ethics and spiritual beliefs through the oral traditions of stories, songs, dances and silent rituals and prayer. It has long been recognized that these healing salves reawaken and sustain the divine child within human beings and return to individuals the qualities of wonder, hope and awe. It is how we pay attention to our life story that allows us to experience the human resource of love, the most powerful healing force on Mother Earth.

THE WAY OF THE VISIONARY
The task of the visionary is to tell the truth without blame or judgment. Truthfulness, authenticity and integrity are essential keys to developing our vision and intuition. We express the Way of the Visionary through personal creativity, goals, plans, and our ability to bring our life dreams and visions into the world.
All cultures regard the importance of vision and its capacity to magnetize the creative spirit. Shamanic societies use Vision Quests, extended periods of solitude in nature, as a way of remembering their life dream and of accessing the four ways of seeing: intuition, perceptions, insight, and vision.
Many native American cultures hold a belief that each individual is "original medicine," nowhere duplicated on the planet and that therefore it is important to bring the creative spirit and life dream or purpose to Earth. Since we are "original medicine," these native people see that there is no need for comparison or competition. The work is to come forward fully with our gifts, talents and resources and to powerfully meet our tests and challenges. The Visionary is one who brings his or her voice into the world and who refuses to edit, rehearse, perform or hide all ways we can feed the false-self system of denial and indulgence.
Among most indigenous peoples, the direction of the East is associated with the home of the Great Spirit, the place of the rising sun and the place where we come home to our authentic self. Archetypically, the bell or conch shell serves as a sonic voice that calls people together and calls us as individuals to remember our authentic purpose.
The human resource of vision is the container that magnetizes the creative spirit to bring one's original medicine into the world. It is the Visionary within that inspires the voice to share what it sees. Rollo May states what shamanic traditions have practiced for centuries, "If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself."

THE WAY OF THE TEACHER
The task of the teacher is to be open, rather than attached, to outcomes. Openness and non-attachment helps us recover the human resources of wisdom and objectivity.
Every culture has traditional and non-traditional means of education. Shamanic traditions believe that wisdom is flexible and fluid. The teacher's way is to be open to outcome and access wisdom by learning how to trust and be comfortable with states of not knowing. Trust is the container out of which the qualities of wisdom grow clarity, objectivity, discernment and detachment.
The opposite of trust is control. The trickster figure found in many shamanic traditions functions to present surprises and the unexpected as a way of waking people out of their routines and shocking them into seeing their attachments.
Among many shamanic traditions, the Way of the Teacher is associated with the direction of the West, the home of Grandmother Ocean and all the water creatures. The ocean is nature's mirror for indigenous cultures to learn how to be malleable and fluid.

BALANCING THE FOUR-FOLD WAY

Even though these four archetypes are emphasized in most shamanic traditions, it is important to understand the they are universal and easily accessed by all humans in a variety of different contexts, cultures, structures and practices. To maximize well-being and to be adaptable to change, indigenous peoples consider it important to be equally balanced in the areas of leading, healing, visioning, and teaching work.

If you numbered these archetypes from one to four, with one being the most developed in your nature and four being the least developed, what would you discover? Most cultures recognize optimum health as having a balance in the expression of all four of these ways. Independent of the culture we come from, we can follow the warrior's way to access power, the healer's way to access love, the visionary's way to access vision, and the teacher's way to access wisdom.

Through the resource of power we are able to choose to be present. Through the resource of love we are able to pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Through the resource of vision we are able to give voice to what we see. Through the resource of wisdom we are able to be open, not attached to, outcomes.

the above essay is Copyright 1995 by Angeles Arrien

02 December, 2006

Interested in accessing the secrets of your unconscious ?


The Tarot is a tool that can help you access the secrets of your unconscious. I’ve finally set a few dates for a Discovering Tarot Workshop :-) The details are at
http://www.maraemma.blogspot.com.


New beginnings, and new adventures. It is in this spirit that I am happy to offer this Discovering Tarot Workshop. One whole day plus a follow up session; approximately, 12hours altogether . The first day is a Saturday ( 10:00 – 18:00 ) and the follow up days are weekdays,(18:30 – 21:00 )

Many have been asking, well now I’ve finally set a few dates for a Discovering Tarot Workshop .

And so it is done as I said before , details are below and at http://www.maraemma.blogspot.com/ .


Discovering Tarot Workshop
Saturday 16 December 2006
Saturday 20 January 2007
Saturday 3 February 2007


What is the Tarot ?What do the cards mean ?How can I use the Tarot ?
This is an exciting journey of discovery introducing the Tarot as a tool for personal and spiritual development.
Gain insights into yourself, your life , work and relationships.
Learn how to consult the Tarot for yourself and others to gain clarity, insight, guidance and direction along your life-path.
We work experientially. The exercises and activities are designed to develop and improve your intuition, to increase your awareness and to help you get in touch with the treasure chest of your subconscious.
* Each participant receives a mini reading.
* Small intimate groups of 4-6 participants.


29 November, 2006

Two forces at work

There are two big forces at work, external and internal.
We have very little control over external forces
such as tornados, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness and pain.
What really matters is internal force.
How do I respond to those disasters?
Over that I have complete control.
-- Leo Buscaglia

27 November, 2006

Today I am grateful for Dr Joe Vitale




Dear Universe , Source , Spirit of All That Is,



Thank you for this man , Dr Joe Vitale , this playful wise puppy of a man !
Thank you for his generosity of spirit , playful wisdom and sense of humour that make my heart giggle and sing and my spirits soar.



" Hi Mara ,
Thank you for subscribing to "Dare Something Worthy."Look for a brief email every Friday with a tip, story,insight, or offer to help you go for and attain your dreams. Remember, if you ever want off the list, there's always an unsubscribe link in each email. And be sure to tell your friends. The more people who daresomething worthy, the happier the planet will be. Just send them to http://www.drjoevitale.com/ Finally, you can download your freebies at:http://www.drjoevitale.com/yourgifts.html



Remember, you're the one!
Dare Something Worthy



Dr. Joe Vitale, President, Hypnotic Marketing, Inc.#1 Best-Selling Author - "




Spiritual Marketing"Author of way too many other books to list hereSee http://www.mrfire.com/ for a real surprise "
About Dr Joe Vitale : http://www.attractorfactor.com/express/?cat=9





I am smiling and I am happy !
Thank you , thank you, thank you ! LOVE LOVE LOVE in all dimensions.

22 November, 2006

There is only one purpose for all of life....


There is only one purpose for all of life, and that is for you and all that lives to experience fullest glory; your highest potential.

Everything else you say, think, or do is attendant to that function. There is nothing else for your soul to do, and nothing else your soul wants to do. The wonder of this purpose is never ending.
Should there come a moment in which you experience yourself in your fullest glory, you will in that instant, imagine an ever greater glory to fulfill. The more you are, the more you can become, and the more you can become, the more you can yet be.
The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation. You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew.

Seek, therefore, not to find out Who You Are, seek to determine Who You Want to Become."
-- Ancient Script

18 November, 2006

Watch "Dr Wayne Dyer's 'Power Of Intention' presented at a pre-recorded live seminar" on Google Video

I'm so glad I saw this !

Dr Wayne Dyer's 'Power Of Intention' presented at a pre-recorded live seminar

2 hr 15 min 27 sec - Sep 25, 2006
Average rating: (25 ratings)
Description: Inspirational and empowering presentation of best selling author and spiritual/personal growth guru Dr Dyer's engaging best selling program, recorded from TV in it's entirety 2hrs 15minutes long and engaging for every second! Enjoy!

17 November, 2006

NOW



Each NOW is a portal. A timeless portal.
I create from the now
The point of power is now.
I remain focused in each new now
In each new now there is a flow of creating that unfolds with grace and ease.
Each now is new canvass.
Every moment is a fresh moment
Contrast is essential to decision.
l am learning to observe life's complexities
through the eyes of a child seeing everything for the first time.

Be Thankful


BE THANKFUL
By Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.
YES !

Watch "Vicar Of Dibley - A Halloween Joke" on Google Video

Your friend, maraemma@gmail.com, has sent you the following video from Google Video and included this message:

Vicar of Dibley .Halloween joke.

Vicar Of Dibley - A Halloween Joke

46 sec - 1-Nov-2006
Average rating:   (2 ratings)
Description: A Halloween Joke from the Vicar Of Dibley

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Watch "Father Ted - The Passion of Saint Tibulus = British Comedy" on Google Video

Father Ted - The Passion of Saint Tibulus = British Comedy

24 min 22 sec - 10-Mar-2006
Average rating: (102 ratings)
Description: Old British Comedy

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My responsibility




My responsibility as a multidimensional human being and citizen of the universe is to anchor a strong vibration of love, joy, gratitude, and appreciation. Any other emotion only adds to the collective anguish.

15 November, 2006

Keeping a diary with a purpose

Positivity Revisited

A diary can play many roles. It can be a confidant, a vehicle of self expression, a tool that facilitates clarity of thought, or a repository of dreams. A diary can also be a powerful source of comfort during challenging or traumatic periods. When you record those insights and incidents that clearly demonstrate you are on the right track, you can return to your words days, weeks, or months later and find uniquely soothing reassurance. A diary with a specific purpose can be a good tool for keeping track of experiences before the passage of time can skew your perception of events. It reflects the immediacy of your life and thus provides you with a landmark to return to when you begin to doubt yourself. If doubt does arise, simply open your diary to reaffirm your experiences. The confidence, surety, passion, and bravery you felt in a single moment is preserved, giving you a means to recapture those feelings in any place, at any time.

Your diary serves as a repository of personalized encouragement. Since a diary is, by its very nature, as individual as you are, you should give some thought to the type of diary that will serve you best. A synchronicity-and-connections diary might describe those instances where seemingly random occurrences came together in a meaningful way, propelling you forward. Or you may find strength in the pages of a pride diary that makes note not only of those times you felt proud of yourself but also precisely why you were pleased with your efforts. And a cause-and-effect diary can help you become more decisive by reminding you of all the wise, life-affirming choices you have made. Your diary should be small enough to be readily portable and on hand whenever possible because the faster you put your thoughts down on paper, the more authentic your declarations are apt to be.

Regardless of the type of focused diary you choose to keep, your recollections will create a positive feedback loop that helps you cope with doubt in a constructive way. Reading through your diary when life seems uncertain can show you that your misgivings are unfounded. As you draw consolation from your uplifting words, you will know without a doubt that you are indeed living your purpose and following the path that you committed to before birth.


For more information visit dailyom.com

This article is printed from DailyOM - Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day.
Register for free at www.dailyom.com

Watch "PTAAH channelling by Jani King" on Google Video

PTAAH channeling by Jani King

1 hr 23 min 6 sec - 12-Nov-2006
Average rating: (2 ratings)
Description: P'taah - Divinity in Humanity vol.1 -- for further info on P'taah, please visit www.ptaah.com

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06 November, 2006

What message did you most need to hear?




"One word frees us from the weight and pain of life; that word is love."
--Sophocles

In exploring the enneagram, Riso and Hudson have identified ‘lost messages’ that we needed to hear as children but didn’t. The absence of these words may be at the heart of our most basic fear. And unconsciously we may still be seeking to hear these words from others. Review the following messages and note if any one touches you more strongly than the others:

1. "You are good."
2. "You are wanted."
3. "You are loved for yourself."
4. "You are seen for who you are."
5. "Your needs are not a problem."
6. "You are safe."
7. "You will be taken care of."
8. "You will not be betrayed."
9. "Your presence matters."

"Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are -- chaff and grain together -- certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away." -- Dinah Mulock

http://www.thedailyguru.com/higherawareness.htm

02 November, 2006

Be here and now


Be here now

"This moment is the moment of reality, of union, of truth. Nothing needs to be done to it or to you for this to be so. Nothing needs to be avoided, transcended, or found for it to be so."
-- Da Avabhasa

Creativity, connection, soul, inspiration and intuition are available only in the present moment for the present moment.We choose how actively we take part in the cosmic dance of life. We can become wallflowers, mere spectators to life, if we get trapped in the patterns and habits of the past. Or we can choose to dance by being present and open to the energies, the opportunities and the guidance available to us each moment."


Each today, well-lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look, therefore, to this one day, for it and it alone is life."-- Sanskrit poem

"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment."-- Henry David Thoreau

01 November, 2006

First snow.


We have snow ! As I look out of the window I see rooftops covered in a blanket of white snow, sun peeping through grey white clouds. I'm resting and recouping after a most enjoyable and full week .

My dear friend Penny from England was here for a week and left yesterday. Of course there was lots of chatting and sharing over dinners and leisurely breakfasts . Then there was Sanna and Emil's wedding on Saturday. My contribution a yummy chololate truffle cake which entailed certain amount of planning and braving public transport to get it to the other side of town in one piece. A particularly tricky task as it turned out since my right leg ( an old skiing accent injury ) had started to really give me trouble. I'm having my knee X-rayed today. All healing welcome and appreciated.

After seeing " The Secret " I am paying partcular atention to my thoughts, inending and manifesting simply the best for the higher good.I especially like the knowing that "There will come a day when all the superficial concerns fall away ". In a sense, I think, " why wait, why not NOW ? " Lovely thought, don't you agree ?

There will come a day

There will come a day when your innermost imaginings will become your outer reality.

What are you choosing to imagineright now?

There will come a day when your habits will be so firmly ingrained that they'll carry you along without you even thinking about them.


What kinds ofhabits are you working to develop?

There will come a day when you'll suddenly encounter a magnificent and wonderful opportunity that's just perfect for you. What are you doing todaythat will prepare you to make the most of that opportunity?

There will come a day when all the superficial concerns fall away. What areyou doing in this moment to give real meaning and purpose and substance tolife?

The things you do today affect not only today. They build you and prepare you and position you for all the days that will come.That makes this very day your most important opportunity. For the person you choose to be today is the person who will carry you forward toward all those days that will surely come."-- Ralph Marston

18 October, 2006

Intention for today .

I intend to create a world that is always in support of me and for the highest good.
YES !

12 October, 2006

Financial tip of the day




When I notice anxiety about my finances arise , I take a deep breath and use an affirmation—a few words or phrase—to redirect my thoughts in a positive and encouraging way.


“I have everything I need at the moment”

or

“My world is full of abundance.”


Using affirmations usually helps disperse worries and amxiety and help me feel confident about my life and what you I have.


Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.
In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.

-- Oscar Wilde

09 October, 2006

Fear, panic , anxiety , depression






Last night, just before going to bed , I watched " Boston Legal ". One of the lawyers there was suffering from night terrors, a form of sleep walking during a nightmare and probably caused by stress. He woke up standing on a ledge outside his bedroom window hundreds of feet above the ground !!

So these fearful thoughts were on my mind just before going to bed and I couldn't help thinking the thought " What if this happens to me and I try to jump off my balcony naked as the day I was born " !!!! hehehe I 'm laughing now , but I seriously considered moving a chair or something heavy in front of the balcony door. That's the power of fear for you !

The text below is written by Mark Myre and I think it makes sense. I would add these comments to his 2 fear / anxiety buster suggestions:

" What am I feeling right now? " I would suggest , before naming the feeling , simply stay with the feeling and breathe through it .

" How can I feel just a little bit better? "I would suggest , question the thought form by asking "Is so? "

This works well for me when fear rears its ugly head especially in the middle of the night .



" Anxiety and depression are symptoms. Somewhat like hunger pains.
Dealing with life - (which includes depression and anxiety!) - involves awareness of the present moment. Life didn't happen last night while you were watching TV. Life is happening right now in this present moment of time as you're reading these words.

You don't deal with your anxiety yesterday. And you can't deal with it tomorrow. You can only do the best you can in this present moment. For example, what are you feeling right now as you read these words? And is there any way you could feel just a little bit better?
If you keep these two questions in mind, you'll be laying the foundation for a life free from depression and anxiety.

* What am I feeling right now?
* How can I feel just a little bit better?

That's where it begins. Of course, there are MANY things you can and should do if you want to feel better. But keep in mind it's always a moment-by-moment thing. If you'll be responsible for what you're feeling *right now* - that will go a long way towards preventing the crisis or the avalanche or the sabotage of depression and anxiety.
Not being responsible for what you're feeling right now is like building your house on a sandy foundation. You never know when your life will come crashing down around you.

While you can end your current depression and/or anxiety by taking various actions, you KEEP IT FROM COMING BACK by accepting responsibility for what you're feeling in the present moment.
Accept and embrace WHATEVER you're feeling right now. Then release it so you can reach for a slightly better thought/feeling. It all happens right now! "

Personal power





Personal power and authority issues are connected to the third chakra. The colour of the third chakra is YELLOW. The third chakra furthers the development of self-esteem and personality, separate from your tribal identity. This is where you learn to draw and maintain strong boundaries and a personal code of honour.

Affirmations help in healing and balancing process. I confess I have always had problems with authority figures , which is why I find this particular affirmation so refreshing and helpful.


I am the main authority in my world. No person, place, or thing has any power over me, for I am the only thinker in my mind. As a child, I accepted authority figures as gods. Now I am learning to take back my power and become my own authority figure. I accept myself as a powerful, responsible being. As I meditate every morning, I get in touch with my own inner wisdom. The school of life is deeply fulfilling as I come to know that we are all students and all teachers. We each have come to learn something and to teach something. As I listen to my thoughts, I gently guide my mind toward trusting my own Inner Wisdom. I grow and blossom and entrust all my affairs on Earth to the Divine Source. All is well. I am the author of my life.

-- Louise Hay

07 October, 2006

Ask and is is given.


Ask and it is given

Since Every Request Is Granted, There Is No Competition
Each point of view matters; every request is granted; and as this amazing Universe unerringly expands, there is no end to the Universal resources that fulfill these requests. And there is no end to the answers to the never-ending stream of questions—and for that reason, there is no competition.

It is not possible for someone else to receive the resources that were meant for you, and you cannot selfishly squander resources that were intended for someone else. All desires are answered; all requests are granted, and no one is left unanswered, unloved, or unfulfilled. When you stay aligned with your Energy Stream, you always win, and somebody else does not have to lose for you to win. There is always enough.

Sometimes our physical friends have a difficult time remembering this truth because they may experience some shortage in their experience, or observe it in the experience of another. But what they are witnessing is not an evidence of shortage or a lack of resources, but instead the disallowance of the receiving of the resources that have been requested and answered.

Step 1 has occurred: The asking is in place.
Step 2 has occurred: The answering is in place. But
Step 3, the allowing, has not occurred.

If someone is not receiving what they are asking for, it is not because there is a shortage of resources; it can only be that the person holding the desire is out of alignment with their own request. There is no shortage. There is no lack. There is no competition for resources. There is only the allowing or the disallowing of that which you are asking for.

Ask and It Is Given is the bestselling book by Esther and Jerry Hicks on the teachings of Abraham.

http://www.abraham-hicks.com/

"You cannot be joyful without spreading your joy. You cannot be sad without spreading your sadness. You cannot be well without spreading your wellness. You cannot be sick without spreading your sickness. You cannot be poor without spreading your poverty. You cannot be prosperous without spreading your prosperity. Whatever you be, you exude to the ends of the Universe. The entire Universe benefits by that which you be."Expressed by Abraham-HicksSelected by Jerry and Esther Hicks

19 September, 2006

Birth , birthing a new life, a dream



Birth marks the shift from one dimension to another. New life, new ideas, new forms come into being.

Rosh Hashanah starts in a few days , 22nd September. The Kabbalists explain that our souls are born anew at this time. Just as a child’s physical DNA is encoded at birth, a person’s spiritual DNA is rewritten for the year on Rosh Hashanah. And it is rewritten according to our desires !!! good news .



Some of my favourite affirmations .

" I am living and breathing in the rhythm of my soul "
" Everything I need comes to me with love and ease "
" All my needs are taken care of . I am safe "
" I can do anything I set my mind to. "
" I love , trust and approve of myself "
" I am responsible for my well- being and health. "
" I love to give and to receive."
" Í deserve all the good that is coming to me . "
" My wealth is my mind "
" I bless my money. Each krona, pound or euro that I spend or give is returned multiplied ."
" I am always in the right place at the right time ."
" The more positive thoughts I have , the more positive life is . "
" I am grateful for everything ."
" I am free ."
" All I have is NOW and NOW is enough ."
" I have all the time that I need . "

The whole idea of planning is to keep the mind focused in a positive way.



( Jewish Year 5767 : sunset September 22, 2006 - nightfall September 24, 2006 )

16 September, 2006

Moving out of the comfort zone .





I now hold and direct the powerful energy of the Universe to help us move outside our comfort zone with love and ease.

I ask for a double order of courage and for energy and excitement to provide impetus for the changes that are all about growth.

I know that Spirit and The Soul of The Universe blesses us with fearlessness and grace as we move forward into a new lifestyle.

We are moving gracefully in the flow.

Spirit has created perfect conditions for our soul's growth.

The call is strong and we have heard it.

We know that we are blessed with an outcome which is for our highest good and for all concerned.

All of our angels on both sides of the veil are sharing their energy , supporting and cheering us on our way.

Spirit blesses us as we move into a new way of working, playing, and loving.

Love is prevailing in all of this.

Everything is happening with love and ease.

So be it and so it is .

Created with Love and blessings
by Mara, Valerie, Joanne and paws for peace, 16 September , 2006

15 September, 2006

Comments on Relationships

Comments on Relationships
Saint Francis through Anina Davenport

How are relationships changing in this time of increased frequencyand what can you do to stay free and centered and focused on Highest Good and that can include helping another person or being helped byanother?

Number one: Practice responsibility. In this new age and in the newkind of relationships that you are forming everyone is responsible fortheir stuff. No more dumping on others and if you do you apologize andsay, "Sorry, I take this back." And then you take it back literally.You take back the negative energies that you deposited on another andprocess them by yourself with the help of your new tools such asvisualizations, mantras, writing, dance, yoga, meditation, counselingor other ways that you have found for yourself. There is no need tosay out loud, "I take this back," or "I'm sorry," but if you do soenergetically the other person will know. He or she will feel lighterand relieved.

Number two: Practice energetic hygiene. We talk about this in ourbooks. It means you say what you mean and you mean what you say.Energetically it means you are grounded and rooted in your Self orHigher Self. You don't leave your energy all over the place. You speakwhen you have something to say and don't when you don't. You are kindbut you don't rescue others from themselves. You are thoughtful butnot lost in your thoughts. You live here and now.

Number three: You strive for authenticity not perfection. There is nosuch thing as perfection really. Have you ever thought of that? Thereis no such thing as perfection also in relationship. There is noperfect relationship. Let us repeat this one. There is no perfectrelationship. There is good enough. There is lovely, fun, andenjoyable but perfect there is not and if you expect perfect youexpect what cannot exist. Would you want to live with someone whokeeps looking at you with a critical __expression on his or her facesaying, "Well, not perfect yet. Not good enough. If you could justchange A, B, C, D, E, F, G .. (laughter) about yourself it might work."

Number four: Take responsibility for your beliefs. If a beliefcreates conflict in your relationship then investigate it. Instead ofsaying, "Well I've always believed that," go deeper. Why do you havethis belief? Where does it come from? Whenever you hear yourself say,"I cannot accept so and so," investigate. Why is that? Non-acceptanceusually results from fear. What fear is there underneath? Go deep.Don't just accept what you don't want to accept but look at what isgoing on. Watch your thoughts, your intentions, your patterns. Whatcan you learn about yourself?

Number five: Don't sacrifice yourself. Helping another is differentfrom giving yourself up for another. Be smart about helping. Don'treinforce your or other people's old patterns. For example yourhusband is having a temper tantrum and you rush in to help him. Whatdoes he learn? Temper tantrums work. What did you learn? "If I caterto his temper tantrums they stop at some point." It seems like successbut if you step back it is not. Next time let him have his tempertantrums. Go for a walk. Meet for coffee with a friend. Have a niceday (amused).

Another example: Your wife criticizes you, not constructively but outof habit. "You don't make enough money," she says. Let's assume youhave been working hard but have not been able to earn as much as shewould like. Instead of apologizing or feeling guilty, stand up foryourself. Say, "I have been looking for a better job but this is whatI have right now and this is what I earn." She will say, "Not goodenough." You need to say, "This is what is right now. I cannot changeit right now. This is my reality." If you stand your ground she willeventually say, "Well, you are right. You did work hard this year andthis is the income you make and we do get by." If she is notinterested in reality you might have a bigger problem in yourrelationship but hang in there for awhile. Counter with what is whenshe criticizes you. Give it some time. At some point she might say,"Oh, this is what is. I have to accept reality." Maybe she won't usethese exact words but she might say something like this.

Number six: Accept what is. This is a prescription for enlightenmentalthough it needs to be explained properly. It is not about martyrdomor letting others walk all over you but it means you deal with facts.If your wife has beautiful dark hair you don't wish her to be ablonde. You love who is in front of you. That is being practical andwise and not foolish. The foolish create suffering for themselves byalways questioning what is. "What if I had married Martha? Maybe lifewould have been more exciting?" But you did not. You married Jane sohow can you have a good day with Jane right here right now?

Number seven: Leave when it is time to leave. There are times inclose and also in less close relationships when it is time to move on,when you have truly investigated and searched yourself and tried topatch things up with the other and it is just not working. Then it istime to leave. It is easier to leave if you have truly exhausted otheravenues. Relationships can be hard at times. We don't mean leave atany conflict but when it's time it is time.Are there questions?

Questioner: You have not mentioned communication. Why?

Saint Francis: Right communication arises out of the points we havementioned. If you keep your energy clear and deal with 'what is' wordswill come and they will be clear and serve Highest Good.

Questioner: How about conflict resolution?

Saint Francis: Conflict has a lot to do with fear. Usually some oldfear gets stirred within you and you get defensive. Rather thansaying, "I don't agree with your opinion," you say, "You are so mean.How can you say this? You really hurt me now. I don't know if I'llever get over this one," (laughter). Seriously, look for what hastriggered you. What old fear, old wound, old pain came up? Clear thatand then give another response. That is communication not reaction outof pain and past hurt.

Questioner: But sometimes we get triggered?

Saint Francis: Yes of course and if you never speak up a littletemper tantrum might be better than being stoic and suppressingyourself but in the long run you want to move toward maturity.


Questioner: What is maturity?

Saint Francis: Good question. It means first and foremost that youlive in the now. You take care of yourself and your business so tospeak. You pay your rent, mow the lawn, take care of your kids, yourdog, etc.Questioner: Take out the garbage?Saint Francis: Yes.

Questioner: The energetic garbage too?Saint Francis: Yes, you practice energetic hygiene. You transformyour energetic garbage. You don't give it to your neighbors or others.You find ways to process it. You live now and you deal with 'what is'.The heater needs to be fixed. The customer needs new supplies. Yourdaughter has an appointment at the dentist. The book needs to beedited. The flowers need water. Questioner: And in between I meditate?


Saint Francis: Life should become a meditation. It is not, "Let mefix my daughter's bike right quick so I can run up and meditate." Thequestion is more, "How can this task which I like or don't like (itdoes not matter) be a meditation?"


Questioner: I slow it down?Saint Francis: Yes, you do it thoughtfully with love and you can doit with love and not like it that much. Relax, breathe, focus on what is.

Questioner: But I can still meditate?Saint Francis: Yes, do that too. Sit and breathe. Relax. Feel yourbody and then do your mantra or whatever way you meditate. If youbecome more gentle to yourself, if you become more loving, lessdemanding, more accepting, your outside will change, your spouse willalso become more accepting or maybe there will be someone else for youbut don't push it. Work on yourself and see what happens. Our love iswith you.


Copyright Anina Davenport 2006

08 September, 2006

Simplicity



Simply be yourself.
Look past the fanfare and drama to what is enduring.
Take time to clarify what is important to you and let non essentials fall away.

OPTIMISM

You Are Important.
Your Thoughts Create.
Your Actions Matter.
Your Presence Changes Everything.

They laughed at him and said it couldn't be done.



GREENING THE DESERT

They laughed at him and said it couldn't be done.
Nothing could be grown in that salt laden dustbowl.
But Geoff Lawton had other ideas.
He travels the world teaching others how to repair trashed environments
that are beyond hope of becoming productive.

Our children deserve a planet that is safe, healthy and prosperous.
There are so many ways we can help support a sustainable world, from using wonderful new green technologies, such as hybrid cars, to simple acts of eco-awareness like recycling. The list is endless - what small thing can you do today?

To watch an inspiring short video with innovative information about how we can grow a prosperous world by working with our planet's vital wisdom please visit - it's so inspiring !

06 September, 2006

Dreams



Dreams are symbols.
Our dreams contain messages from our subconsious.
There is great healing in the telling of the dream and in the writing of the dream.
Yesterday I listened to Gunilla Bergerham talking about her experience of working with dreams as a DreamCoach. http://www.gunillabergerham.se/ .

Everything that we experience in our inner and outer worlds is significant and the two worlds are related.

Montague Ullman does Experiential Dream Group Work

"My point is not that dream work will save the world
but that dreams can be a reminder that it needs saving"


Papers:

http://www.siivola.org/monte/papers_grouped/index.htm

Basic Dream Work - An objective comparison of Dream Groups & Therapy (1990)

" am often asked about the difference between the way I work with a dream in an experiential dream group and the way a therapist works with a dream in group or individual therapy. I refer to what I do as Basic Dream Work to contrast it with formal therapeutic work with dreams. The contrast can be outlined as follows:
In formal therapy the relationship is an unequal one with regard to the arrangements that are set. There is a therapist in charge of those arrangements and who operates from a body of knowledge and technique that the patient is not privy to.
experiential dream group no one functions as a therapist. If someone assumes the role of leader, it is only to insure the integrity of the process. In all other respects that person functions as a member of the group. .................."
Dreams: An Under Appreciated Natural Resource (1983)
" Dreams are an under appreciated natural resource. Although readily available they are seldom used in our search for healing and growth. The pragmatic social matrix in which we live rates dreams rather low in the scale of priorities for the good life. The positivism of modern science tends to reinforce the view of dreams as a low status item. Objects, studied in their separation from the subject, result ultimately in a distortion as well as a derogation of the subject and his subjectivity. The net effect of psychoanalytic theory has been to mystify the public into an awed submission to the caveat that dreams are for experts only. The fact is that dreams are regular and remarkable features of our nocturnal existence................... "
Dreams, Species-Connectedness, and the Paranormal (1990)
" ABSTRACT

In this nuclear age where the survival of humanity is constantly on the line, we are faced with the responsibility of realizing fully the basic fact that we are all members of a single species. The full implication of this will involve the radical transformation of the self into one capable of working toward repairing and maintaining the basic unity of the species and overcoming the many ways in which we have succeeded in fragmenting that unity.

A view of dreaming is presented in its bearing on the issue of survival. Dreaming consciousness is discussed in its similarity to and differences from waking consciousness. Chief among the differences is the more focused concern while dreaming with the recognition and representation of developing disconnections between ourselves and others. A number of lines of thought are brought together in support of this view from sources as far apart as physics and psychiatry.

That dreaming may be related fundamentally to species-connectedness is congenial to much of what we have learned about the occurrence of paranormal dreams as they have been encountered in the anecdotal and clinical literature. Bohm's theory of the implicate order and Jung's ideas about synchronicity are discussed in their relevance to both ordinary and paranormal dreams and the connection of both to survival......"
Morality, Metaphor and Dreaming: A New Perspective (1999) On Dream Education (1990) On Raising the Social Priority of Dreams (1987)
On the Relevance of Quantum Concepts to Dreaming Consciousness (2005)
Species Unity and Dreaming
The Significance of Dreams in a Dream Deprived Society (2005)
"Dreams reveal the state of connectedness of the individual to his or her past, to others, and to the supports and constraints of the social order. Is it too much to hope that, as we move into a postindustrial society, the intrinsic honesty of dreams can be harnessed to this effort?
need of a politics of connectedness. The growing interest in the healing potential of our dream life holds out the hope we may eventually reach the goal of matching our biological unity as a species with a cultural reality of communion and brotherhood. My point is not that dreams will save us from ultimate disaster but they can, if taken seriously, be one among many countervailing efforts."
The Transformation Process in Dreams (1975)

Angel message for today : Understanding


The ability to include a deeper comprehension of life in your interactions rather than simply transferring your knowledge from one experience to another. Act with sincerity and empathy.

05 September, 2006

A blast from the past .

Someone I haven't seen for many years emailed me today, inviting me to join an online community /network .


Registration is by invitation only!

If you want to join, you have to be invited.

It's a place for catching up with old friends and meeting new friends.

www. frype.com

You are able to share photos and blogs, never forget your friends’ birthdays or lose their contact information. Real names and last names are used.

Contact me if you are interested.

Angel message for today : BEAUTY




The beauty of nature can only be preceived with a serene mind and harmless heart.
So too it is with the beauty of people.