Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
9-9 Thoughts from the Tarot- the Hermit
One of my rituals which I began years ago when I first began studying the tarot, is to draw a card every morning and think about it, look for signs of its meaning in my day, or perhaps see it in someone who I happen to come across in my journey through my day. This morning, I drew this card, the four of cups:
The four of cups remind me of the story of the Buddha, who sat underneath a tree until enlightenment came to him. Sometimes the sitting is the hardest part! I tend to fall asleep, or think of everything I need to do, or I am reminded that the fish have not been fed, the laundry has not been done, or some other really important detail that up until now had not entered my mind.
So today I sat. I released each thought as it came to my mind. There will be time to do the laundry. There will be time to write this blog, send out that email, go for a run, and write that wedding ceremony. Right now I am sitting.
The gift the Universe gave me was the knowledge that good things come to those that wait. The day to begin something new is not today. Today is a day to quietly contemplate. To surrender all my plans and ideas to the Universe and be okay with whatever occurs.
Just for today, I encourage you to spend some time in quiet contemplation. Allow the good to manifest in your life before you pick up and try to "make" things happen. Flowers do not bloom before their time. There is a time and a season for everything. If you have tried and tried to manifest something and the answer seems to be just ahead of you, just out of your reach, may I encourage you to take a break. Stop and sit underneath your tree, whatever that means for you, and wait. The Universe is always on time; never early, never late.
If you would like to schedule a phone, Skype, email, or in person reading, or are interested in my classes and events, I invite you to check out my website HERE. Sometimes we all just need a little encouragement from our Source. I look forward to connecting with you!
Monday, May 5, 2014
Happy May!
At the beginning of this year, when I was contemplating my theme for the year and looking at my tarot card for the year, I knew this was going to be a crazy ride. And so far, my expectations have come true.
Universally we are in a year of the chariot.
(I attribute this image to wikipedia.)
When we think of chariots we think of speeding ahead, travel, and maybe some challenges to overcome. Things seem to happen quickly in a chariot year. In my case, my personal years are the same as the universal year, so I guess I get a double dose of this card.
If you follow the stars, lately there has been a lot of crazy activity in the heavens as well. Although skeptics will say that the heavens have nothing to do with our lives on the earth, I find that everything is connected. We all can attest to the fact that when the moon is full people seem to act a little crazier than normal. More babies are born on full moons than any other time of year.
In April, on the night before the full moon, I found it necessary to take my dad to the hospital. While we were waiting to be seen, there was a man sitting by his computer, (I don't know what his job really was), and he commented to me that he always knew when it was a full moon, due to the increased activity in the ER.
I believe that yes, the placement of the stars and the phase of the moon have a lot to do with our lives.
Have you noticed that April was a bit of a crazy month energetically? Were you happy, as I was, when the calendar turned over to the month of May?
I am not an astrologist, but when I connect with Spirit, I am told that indeed, things are changing. For me, I notice that time is moving faster. It may be my connection with the chariot card, but this year I am finding that I can barely keep up!
How can we sail smoothly through these fast moving days of change?
Obviously, the biggest thing we need to do is have some down time! I had to be reminded of this when I contracted a month long bout with illness that went away only when I took a holiday to Florida, making sure I did no work that week, sitting by the ocean, walking up and down the beach and renewing myself, sitting with the sun, and the moon, and myself. We have to schedule in "me" time!
The second thing we need to do to make it through these energetic changes is spend much time in quiet contemplation. Whether you call it prayer, meditation, sitting with the moon, or just relaxation, make sure you schedule a bit of time every day to do nothing! This may sound similar to the first thing I mentioned about down time, however, when you feel like you have to schedule in time to meditate, sometimes it becomes another thing to do, so I don't count meditation as down time, although it can be, if our mental attitude about it is one of anticipation and excitement and not.. oh no, another thing to put on my list of things to do! It doesn't have to be a large amount of time. I try to take several mini breaks a day, maybe just five or ten minutes at a time, sitting in my favorite meditation pose, or even just focusing on my breath as I go about my daily routine.
Just as you have to charge up your cell phone frequently or the battery goes dead and your phone becomes useless until you plug it in, you have to allow yourself some time to recharge your battery. Plug into Source and get your power back.
I believe that everything has consciousness and that we are all connected. Plugging into Source can be as simple as going outside and breathing some fresh air once in awhile. Or, my personal favorite, find a water source. (I have a small pond in my backyard where I like to recharge). Drink some water, and pay attention to how the water feels as it travels down your throat and into your belly. Imagine the water cleaning out the "gook". Give thanks to the water as it refreshes your spirit.
The last thing I think we need to do to get through these changing times is surrender. Surrender to Spirit all your plans, your schedule, your life, your expectations, even your money. Sometimes I have to do this frequently. I surrender and then I take it back. When I begin to worry or try to figure out how everything is going to work, then I have taken it back. When I think I know how something is going to play out, then I have taken it back. My favorite prayer, or affirmation is this: I ask that the highest good be done in this situation for everyone concerned. I don't pretend to know what that best and highest solution is.
I hope when you feel like you are a bit overwhelmed or that life is happening to you too fast, that you will come back and reread some of these suggestions. If you need someone to listen, or want to hear what Spirit has to say about your situation, you can contact me HERE. I do phone, email and skype consultations, as well as in person if you live near me.
Together we can weather all that life throws our way. Yes, life may be a chariot rushing full speed ahead, but we are allowed to take a break and recharge!
Universally we are in a year of the chariot.
When we think of chariots we think of speeding ahead, travel, and maybe some challenges to overcome. Things seem to happen quickly in a chariot year. In my case, my personal years are the same as the universal year, so I guess I get a double dose of this card.
If you follow the stars, lately there has been a lot of crazy activity in the heavens as well. Although skeptics will say that the heavens have nothing to do with our lives on the earth, I find that everything is connected. We all can attest to the fact that when the moon is full people seem to act a little crazier than normal. More babies are born on full moons than any other time of year.
In April, on the night before the full moon, I found it necessary to take my dad to the hospital. While we were waiting to be seen, there was a man sitting by his computer, (I don't know what his job really was), and he commented to me that he always knew when it was a full moon, due to the increased activity in the ER.
I believe that yes, the placement of the stars and the phase of the moon have a lot to do with our lives.
Have you noticed that April was a bit of a crazy month energetically? Were you happy, as I was, when the calendar turned over to the month of May?
I am not an astrologist, but when I connect with Spirit, I am told that indeed, things are changing. For me, I notice that time is moving faster. It may be my connection with the chariot card, but this year I am finding that I can barely keep up!
How can we sail smoothly through these fast moving days of change?
Obviously, the biggest thing we need to do is have some down time! I had to be reminded of this when I contracted a month long bout with illness that went away only when I took a holiday to Florida, making sure I did no work that week, sitting by the ocean, walking up and down the beach and renewing myself, sitting with the sun, and the moon, and myself. We have to schedule in "me" time!
The second thing we need to do to make it through these energetic changes is spend much time in quiet contemplation. Whether you call it prayer, meditation, sitting with the moon, or just relaxation, make sure you schedule a bit of time every day to do nothing! This may sound similar to the first thing I mentioned about down time, however, when you feel like you have to schedule in time to meditate, sometimes it becomes another thing to do, so I don't count meditation as down time, although it can be, if our mental attitude about it is one of anticipation and excitement and not.. oh no, another thing to put on my list of things to do! It doesn't have to be a large amount of time. I try to take several mini breaks a day, maybe just five or ten minutes at a time, sitting in my favorite meditation pose, or even just focusing on my breath as I go about my daily routine.
Just as you have to charge up your cell phone frequently or the battery goes dead and your phone becomes useless until you plug it in, you have to allow yourself some time to recharge your battery. Plug into Source and get your power back.
I believe that everything has consciousness and that we are all connected. Plugging into Source can be as simple as going outside and breathing some fresh air once in awhile. Or, my personal favorite, find a water source. (I have a small pond in my backyard where I like to recharge). Drink some water, and pay attention to how the water feels as it travels down your throat and into your belly. Imagine the water cleaning out the "gook". Give thanks to the water as it refreshes your spirit.
The last thing I think we need to do to get through these changing times is surrender. Surrender to Spirit all your plans, your schedule, your life, your expectations, even your money. Sometimes I have to do this frequently. I surrender and then I take it back. When I begin to worry or try to figure out how everything is going to work, then I have taken it back. When I think I know how something is going to play out, then I have taken it back. My favorite prayer, or affirmation is this: I ask that the highest good be done in this situation for everyone concerned. I don't pretend to know what that best and highest solution is.
I hope when you feel like you are a bit overwhelmed or that life is happening to you too fast, that you will come back and reread some of these suggestions. If you need someone to listen, or want to hear what Spirit has to say about your situation, you can contact me HERE. I do phone, email and skype consultations, as well as in person if you live near me.
Together we can weather all that life throws our way. Yes, life may be a chariot rushing full speed ahead, but we are allowed to take a break and recharge!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Temperance
This week I have been getting ready for a class I am teaching in a couple of weeks on Reiki. Most people these days are familiar with Reiki but just as a short synopsis Reiki is healing life force energy which comes through a lineage dating back to Jesus or perhaps even further. It was rediscovered by Master Mikao Usui in 1925 while he was spending twenty one days in meditation atop a sacred mountain in Japan.
I was thinking about how so many of our really amazing profound insights and discoveries come to us while we are spending time going within ourselves. Meditation is the process by which we put aside our daily worries and concerns for a period of time and get quiet. So many of us complain that our lives are a mess, we are seeking answers, or peace, or maybe a new job, and the answers elude us. We work and work, we do this and do that, we say affirmations, we may do rituals or say prayers. All of these things are completely wonderful as long as we do not forget that all the answers we need are available to us when we get quiet and listen.
This morning in my daily tarot draw this is the card I chose:
When I get this card, I know that perhaps I have gotten a bit out of balance and it is time to get back on track. In the picture, the Angel is pouring water from one vessel into another. One foot is in the water and one on land. The sun is rising. Obviously this is an Angel, which indicates that there is help from the Higher Realms in achieving this goal.
In symbology, water represents Spirit and the earth represents our physical lives. This card is indicating that it takes both spiritual practice and human effort to achieve our goals. One without the other will not work.
It is so easy to focus on one thing to the exclusion of everything else.
I was talking to a coworker today and he was talking about how when he gets a focus on something, he notices that other things in his life suffer because of the intense tendency he has to throw all of his energy into that one project. We all can say that we know what he is talking about, and I think that it is an easy habit to fall into.
We imagine a goal. We may want to manifest a new relationship, a new job, or any number of goals that are commendable. However, we throw everything we have into this one basket. We may forget that we have other obligations. We may try to manifest our dreams without taking the time to go within and seek higher guidance.
Master Usui was a healer before he went atop the mountain. He had studied chiqong and other eastern healing modalites. However he was frustrated. He was not achieving the results he desired. He went to the mountain to seek higher guidance. It didn't come on the first day. Nor did it come the second. This speaks to me of our tendency to want a quick fix. We are so used to the McDonald's mentality. We want what we want and we want it right now. Master Usui was willing to put aside some time to go within and seek higher guidance. The answers didn't come until his time on the mountain was almost done.
Other spiritual masters have done the same thing. The Buddha obtained enlightenment by spending time under a tree. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days.
Sometimes the answers we seek to our most innermost desires and questions can only be found by spending time alone with Spirit. But, as the tarot card for today indicates, there needs to be a balance. We have to eventually come down off the mountain and do something!
Once we spend our time with Spirit,it seems like doors open without any effort on our part! The right doors. The right person just happens to come across our path. Or the right job. We have an inner knowing of what to put effort into and what to let go.
There is a mantra that I love that says: "What I focus on grows."
Sometimes it is good to focus on our goals. It is good to visualize achieving our goals. But if those goals seem to elude us, perhaps it is time to surrender. Let go of our intended outcomes and allow the Universe to unfold just as it should. If we think that our lives have to unfold in a certain way, then we still have spiritual work to do. One of the steps to enlightenment is the ability to detach ourselves from our desired goals and know that all is well, no matter what.
Just for today, why not spend a little time going within for that needed guidance? But don't stay there forever, expecting your dream job or your dream lover or your dream car to come up the mountain to you. I guess it is possible to find a large bag of money sitting at your doorstep, but more than likely you are going to have to put some effort into achieving your goal. But your time going within will give you the needed guidance to know just which path to seek, and which one to let go.
I was thinking about how so many of our really amazing profound insights and discoveries come to us while we are spending time going within ourselves. Meditation is the process by which we put aside our daily worries and concerns for a period of time and get quiet. So many of us complain that our lives are a mess, we are seeking answers, or peace, or maybe a new job, and the answers elude us. We work and work, we do this and do that, we say affirmations, we may do rituals or say prayers. All of these things are completely wonderful as long as we do not forget that all the answers we need are available to us when we get quiet and listen.
This morning in my daily tarot draw this is the card I chose:
In symbology, water represents Spirit and the earth represents our physical lives. This card is indicating that it takes both spiritual practice and human effort to achieve our goals. One without the other will not work.
It is so easy to focus on one thing to the exclusion of everything else.
I was talking to a coworker today and he was talking about how when he gets a focus on something, he notices that other things in his life suffer because of the intense tendency he has to throw all of his energy into that one project. We all can say that we know what he is talking about, and I think that it is an easy habit to fall into.
We imagine a goal. We may want to manifest a new relationship, a new job, or any number of goals that are commendable. However, we throw everything we have into this one basket. We may forget that we have other obligations. We may try to manifest our dreams without taking the time to go within and seek higher guidance.
Master Usui was a healer before he went atop the mountain. He had studied chiqong and other eastern healing modalites. However he was frustrated. He was not achieving the results he desired. He went to the mountain to seek higher guidance. It didn't come on the first day. Nor did it come the second. This speaks to me of our tendency to want a quick fix. We are so used to the McDonald's mentality. We want what we want and we want it right now. Master Usui was willing to put aside some time to go within and seek higher guidance. The answers didn't come until his time on the mountain was almost done.
Other spiritual masters have done the same thing. The Buddha obtained enlightenment by spending time under a tree. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days.
Sometimes the answers we seek to our most innermost desires and questions can only be found by spending time alone with Spirit. But, as the tarot card for today indicates, there needs to be a balance. We have to eventually come down off the mountain and do something!
Once we spend our time with Spirit,it seems like doors open without any effort on our part! The right doors. The right person just happens to come across our path. Or the right job. We have an inner knowing of what to put effort into and what to let go.
There is a mantra that I love that says: "What I focus on grows."
Sometimes it is good to focus on our goals. It is good to visualize achieving our goals. But if those goals seem to elude us, perhaps it is time to surrender. Let go of our intended outcomes and allow the Universe to unfold just as it should. If we think that our lives have to unfold in a certain way, then we still have spiritual work to do. One of the steps to enlightenment is the ability to detach ourselves from our desired goals and know that all is well, no matter what.
Just for today, why not spend a little time going within for that needed guidance? But don't stay there forever, expecting your dream job or your dream lover or your dream car to come up the mountain to you. I guess it is possible to find a large bag of money sitting at your doorstep, but more than likely you are going to have to put some effort into achieving your goal. But your time going within will give you the needed guidance to know just which path to seek, and which one to let go.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
The View From My Patio
It's time for my morning me time. Have you had yours yet? Here is a pic of my litle slice of heaven right in my backyard.
Whether you have access to a real live slice of heaven or you have to find your Sacred Garden within the recesses of you imagination, let me encourage you to take some time today to go within. Find some time to connect with your own soul, your Higher Power, or whatever inspires you or feeds your soul. You will not regret it.
The treasures of the Universe are so close, closer than you think. Find your place of restoration, your place of joy, your place of peace. There you will find your treasure.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Quiet Time
Everyone needs some time to take a break from the doing doing doing.
August was a busy month for me. Weddings, classes, private sessions, the birth of a third grandchild, and, oh yes, I work at the Post Office.
Then my vacation time from the Post Office came and I was looking forward to catching up on all those things I just didn't have time to do.
Then the dizziness started. And the congestion, sore throat, sore lungs. The doctor said it was allergies, but I felt like I was recovering from a three day drunk. The medicine helped a little. But not much. I was exhausted. Some days I could barely hold my head up. But thinking.. this is just allergies forced me to forge ahead with my life. As much as I could. I performed outdoor weddings anyway.. I conducted my first class in Leesburg on shamanism.
I had received the message that September was to be a time for going within for me. Thus the lack of blogs. I started one to just let my readers know that I was taking some time off but would be back.
So, now, my second week of vacation almost over, I am happy to say that my symptoms have all but disappeared. I always look within myself to discover where my energy has gotten depleted enough to allow sickness in and I think I was just needing some rest.
My suggestion for this blog today is that maybe the energies for September are all about going within. Live in the present moment. Take some time to access your own spiritual side.
There may be a blog or two in the midst of my time of going within. But for now, I am feeling like it is time to take some time to connect with Spirit and get recharged. Yes the classes will go on.
Sometimes Spirit sends us a message. And we may or may not listen. We continue on our merry way. We continue business as usual. And then Spirit sends it again. A little stronger this time. We continue once again on our merry way. And then the ball drops. Something to reinforce the message.
For me it was my two week bout with whatever I had (not convinced it was allergies).
For you it may be the loss of a relationship, a job, a home, a computer crash, whatever to you could be devastating. Usually it will reinforce the message that had been coming from Spirit.
For me the message was: take some down time. Go within.
Luckily for you, my readers, this may result in some amazing blogs. But it may not. I have no agenda.
For those of you attending my classes, I am looking forward to some amazing classes. Other than the classes my slate is relatively clean. Believe it or not, I conducted my first class on shamanism and two weddings in the throws of my three day drunk illness. No one knew. Spirit seemed to take the symptoms away long enough for me to conduct the events and then as soon as they were over, the symptoms returned.
The message from Spirit is that we all need time to recharge our batteries, reboot our hard drive, and then move forward again. A car will not run without gas. This is my refueling time. I am not sure how long it will last.
If you are traveling at the speed of light, going going doing doing thinking thinking... take heed of my message. You can't run a car without gas. You can't take pictures with a camera that has a dead battery. Sometimes that computer needs to be rebooted.
Take some time off. Sit outside. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Your life is not going to be waiting for you when you get back. On the contrary. The present moment is your life. Enjoy it. Savor each moment. Be grateful for each blessing. The blessing of waking up in the morning. Of the crisp cool mornings and enjoying a cup of tea out on the patio while the squirrels play and the spider webs dance in the breeze, glistening in the morning dew. And life.
Just for today, take a little down time. Go outside. Breathe in. Breathe out. Thank your Source for life and breath. Find a mantra you love and say it over and over. Something inspiring. Eat chocolate. Take a bubble bath. Go for a walk.
Now get off the computer and do it!
August was a busy month for me. Weddings, classes, private sessions, the birth of a third grandchild, and, oh yes, I work at the Post Office.
Then my vacation time from the Post Office came and I was looking forward to catching up on all those things I just didn't have time to do.
Then the dizziness started. And the congestion, sore throat, sore lungs. The doctor said it was allergies, but I felt like I was recovering from a three day drunk. The medicine helped a little. But not much. I was exhausted. Some days I could barely hold my head up. But thinking.. this is just allergies forced me to forge ahead with my life. As much as I could. I performed outdoor weddings anyway.. I conducted my first class in Leesburg on shamanism.
I had received the message that September was to be a time for going within for me. Thus the lack of blogs. I started one to just let my readers know that I was taking some time off but would be back.
So, now, my second week of vacation almost over, I am happy to say that my symptoms have all but disappeared. I always look within myself to discover where my energy has gotten depleted enough to allow sickness in and I think I was just needing some rest.
My suggestion for this blog today is that maybe the energies for September are all about going within. Live in the present moment. Take some time to access your own spiritual side.
There may be a blog or two in the midst of my time of going within. But for now, I am feeling like it is time to take some time to connect with Spirit and get recharged. Yes the classes will go on.
Sometimes Spirit sends us a message. And we may or may not listen. We continue on our merry way. We continue business as usual. And then Spirit sends it again. A little stronger this time. We continue once again on our merry way. And then the ball drops. Something to reinforce the message.
For me it was my two week bout with whatever I had (not convinced it was allergies).
For you it may be the loss of a relationship, a job, a home, a computer crash, whatever to you could be devastating. Usually it will reinforce the message that had been coming from Spirit.
For me the message was: take some down time. Go within.
Luckily for you, my readers, this may result in some amazing blogs. But it may not. I have no agenda.
For those of you attending my classes, I am looking forward to some amazing classes. Other than the classes my slate is relatively clean. Believe it or not, I conducted my first class on shamanism and two weddings in the throws of my three day drunk illness. No one knew. Spirit seemed to take the symptoms away long enough for me to conduct the events and then as soon as they were over, the symptoms returned.
The message from Spirit is that we all need time to recharge our batteries, reboot our hard drive, and then move forward again. A car will not run without gas. This is my refueling time. I am not sure how long it will last.
If you are traveling at the speed of light, going going doing doing thinking thinking... take heed of my message. You can't run a car without gas. You can't take pictures with a camera that has a dead battery. Sometimes that computer needs to be rebooted.
Take some time off. Sit outside. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Your life is not going to be waiting for you when you get back. On the contrary. The present moment is your life. Enjoy it. Savor each moment. Be grateful for each blessing. The blessing of waking up in the morning. Of the crisp cool mornings and enjoying a cup of tea out on the patio while the squirrels play and the spider webs dance in the breeze, glistening in the morning dew. And life.
Just for today, take a little down time. Go outside. Breathe in. Breathe out. Thank your Source for life and breath. Find a mantra you love and say it over and over. Something inspiring. Eat chocolate. Take a bubble bath. Go for a walk.
Now get off the computer and do it!
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