Tag: meditation

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Meditation

Meditation


Introducing meditation into your life is one of the single most important step you can take towards the elimination of stress and a true understanding of reality. It helps you to know yourself and understand your actions. You can start with as little as five minutes a day and slowly build to fifteen and then thirty. Sit in silence, back straight. Concentrate on relaxing your tongue, keeping your jaw open and your lips together. Slowly breathe in and out through your nose, from deep within your belly. Gently release thoughts as they come to mind; live an eternity in the increasing gap between them. It is in this open space that you will know your true nature, and your true nature is divine.

One of my first memories is of waking to find my father meditating in my bedroom. It felt like a special father and daughter moment and so began my fascination with meditation. It gives me a sense of space and it’s only within that space that I find serenity. For the rest of the day I am less affected by the mayhem of life. Meditation is essential to managing my life and it can do the same for you, and to begin all you need is an intention. Intentionality is everything. It’s what puts us in vibration with what we want. Our thoughts create our reality. Our thoughts are energy and energy is magnetic to itself, so whatever you think, you attract.

Try these simple steps once a day for three weeks and you will feel a significant difference in your emotional balance and a general feeling of well-being. Don’t feel overwhelmed with how much time this could take because remember, everything counts, even 30 seconds.

Some basics

One: Pick your meditation space. It’s helpful to keep returning to the same place because the area will build up a specific energy that will deepen your practice. Sit in this place, breathe deeply in and out through your nose and state your intention to have and benefit from a meditation practice.

Two: The key to meditation is the breath. Most of us forget to breathe. We’re concentrating so hard on the task at hand that we neglect the breath, which adds lots of unnecessary tension to our bodies. So sit in your meditation space, close your eyes and breathe slowly and continuously in and out through your nose, from your diaphragm. Imagine a balloon is above your head gently pulling your head upward, straightening your spine. You can start with 1-5 minutes a day. Essentially, you trick your mind into meditation because deep breathing promotes a natural state of relaxation. When thoughts pop up, just see and accept them, but always bring your attention back to your breath.

Three: Maintain your connection with your breath all day. Be aware if you hold your breath and correct it. If you’re in a problematic or stressful situation, bring your awareness to your breath and you will see and feel an immediate release of tension.

Four: As a ritual I always do what I call The Three Gratitude’s before and after my meditation. I bow three times with my hands in the prayer position, once touching my forehead and I thank the heavens and all the powers that be, then in front of my heart and I thank all my selves (all aspects of who I am & my guides) and then palms facing down or even on the ground and I thank the earth. Sometimes just doing that on it’s own can be a great ritual!

This will start you on your journey. Honestly, this is all I did for a very long time and I could feel a significant difference. I felt more centered. Before this I usually put my attention outside myself. I would look to other people for approval and end up giving away my power in the process, but that quickly began to change as I built up my breathing practice from 5 to 15 minutes a day. I wouldn’t do it any longer than that because I think it can become too much and then you end up not doing it. It gave me a new awareness that my world and reality resides inside myself, not outside. But as I said before, intentionality is everything and most people I meet want to conquer the stresses of modern day living and meditation is the way to go. This is an accelerated time and the illusion is that we have more to worry about with less time to solve the problem. The reality is that meditation creates time. Plus, when you’re in a relaxed state of mind you can get things done effortlessly.

You will also experience long-term benefits such as lower blood pressure and the ease of many physical discomforts and it’s anti-aging! On a spiritual level, you will feel a deeper connection with yourself and have a sense of happiness, calm and personal power.

Meditating under a tree is magical as well (that’s how the Buddha did it). If you have a tree you can befriend keep going to that one tree and whether you are conscious of it or not an energetic relationship will begin and strengthen over time. Trees are smart! Just read this and watch this. But in general when you sit up against a tree it grounds you deeply which increases a strong sense of self and life purpose.

Try these: The gratitude Meditations and also our guided meditations from our sister site.

Breath is life so try our Three Minute Slow Down and Om Ha Hum breathing.

Learn more about breath on our sister site. This short article about breath is worth reading.

Meditation Add-On’s

Mudras

A Mudra is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is a
Sanskrit word meaning “seal”. They are used during mediation and pranayama (breathing exercises), to direct the flow of energy in the body with a specific intention. By applying light pressure to certain areas in the hand, you can “activate’ the brain.

Hand mudras also symbolize various feelings, emotions and states of being. While practicing the Mudra’s below, use a light touch, don’t press hard, you want to be able to feel and encourage the flow of energy, gently.

There are many interpretations of each Mudra and also Mudras are not only hand gestures – in Yoga they can be entire body movements…there is a Mudra for every chakra…for every element and it goes on…I don’t think anyone is right or wrong…that said certain gestures, from any modality, become a ritual through our intent and consistency…

I have been to many Tibetan teachings, initiation’s and meditations and honestly I’m that side glancer looking at my neighbor and I do my best – in these situations I feel intention is everything but as I do not know everything, clearly, it is on my list of things I will learn properly because I can feel the energy in the room change when they are doing them – I love that…when we can tune into the collective energy of what we are learning or practicing and I reply on that as well in those situations…and of course as I learn, I share with you.

Through study with different teachers these are my three favorites and as I mentioned others have different meanings for these but this is how I have been taught and it feels right to me…

Insiders Tip: I do all these even when I am not meditating…if I want to call for this energy I just do it anywhere, anytime…

Gyan Mudra – Calming: Place the pads of your thumb and pointer finger together
This is also said to increase focus and intellect… and grounds you.

Shuni Mudra – Opening The Heart: Place the pads of your thumb and middle finger together. Helps being aware of the moment, and thereby makes one more patient.

Prithvi Mudra – Increasing your energy: Place the pads of your thumb and ring finger together. It will also foster a sense of inner stability and self-assurance.

Categories
Environment / Shamanism Healing Intentions Meditation Positive Thought Vibrational Remedies

Opening Your Heart


Mayan Shamanic Journeys: Part 2
Also see Part One, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five

The Set Up
On the second day of our trip – on the way to Tikal – we stopped at Iximche for our first fire ceremony. Our Tata and Nana were late plus another family was in the middle of their own fire ceremony on this sacred alter so we had a wait. The ceremony takes place on a typical round stone platform, about ½ a foot off the ground and roughly 5-6 feet in circumference – they all vary. A few feet away from that was a small pyramid alter ruin where candles were dipping – past offerings still adding to the magic of the place.

I found myself walking around this alter to the back where a tree was growing out of the rocks – I didn’t realize at the time that this tree was actually growing out of the alter and had actually become apart of the alter. How I didn’t notice that I have no clue. The heart of the tree, as I call it, had three different trunks meeting to create the perfect seat and there was also a hollow on the side that to me looked like the trees hands forming a large cup. I was up there over an hour and it was unbelievably comfortable, as if I was lying on moss. I was very comfortable physically and energetically.

The Lesson
I was mediating and it felt really beautiful. I was using my own techniques plus the latest one I learned from Phelgye at Do Kham. I was slightly self-conscious in the beginning because everyone could see me but if you can’t meditate out in the open on a spiritual journey with spiritual warriors where can you ☺! Then something changed. The trees energy seemed to wrap all around me as if to hug me and I felt myself sink into this blissful feeling. I noticed how strong and grounded I felt and I was very aware of this trees life – of its consciousness. You could not deny this tree was alive and this life being in the form of a tree began to speak to me. It was as if information was downloaded or translated by one of my energy systems – this may sound strange to some but I would encourage you to give it a try with a local tree of yours and see if anything happens. If you quiet your mind and sit in stillness for a while you might be very surprised at what you hear and / or feel.

For the purpose of writing this I will write it as a conversation, which it was but these non-verbal conversations are hard to describe. There I am deep within myself and I hear the tree say “Do you see how safe and protected you are”, “Yes” I replied with a soft happiness. The tree continues, “It’s safe for you to open your heart, I’ve got you” and I energetically opened my heart and smiled and felt the lovingness of just that action – opening. I sat soaking up this energy for a while and a tear or two was shed but very gently. Then the tree says, “You can feel this way all the time” Silence from me. “You are always this protected” the tree continued and I must have thrown a million questions at it, such as what do you mean, is it because I’m grounded, do I have to be connected to be protected, am I really safe etc. and the tree in a very gently powerful way said “It is safe for you to open your heart because we will never stop protecting you, we are connected to you always and you can call on this strength anytime”.

I sat with this energetic truth and was feeling what it felt like to have my heart completely open while feeling completely protected. New feeling. Life changing. I’m protected? My heart is safe no mater what? The trees point was made and it had nothing else to say, neither did I. It just kept feeding me this beautiful energy and I sat there taking it in.

What’s The Take Away?
When I was ready to come down I laid two crystals in the hollow of the tree as my offering of thanks to it. I learned on this trip the importance and power of offerings – this isn’t breaking news but the way it was presented was new and my perspective of its implications broadened greatly. I make offerings everyday now in various forms; even smiling at a stranger is an offering of kindness to the collective conscious and universe.

This was almost a month ago and I can still feel that trees connection and message. Thank you tree. I will honor this tree with trust and by keeping my heart open. I am protected and I can feel that. Keeping our hearts open can be a hard thing in today’s world. Finding an anchor, a place of strength for your heart to feel protected by can really be a life changer. When you feel safe and share your heart beautiful things happen – internally and externally.

The earth has amazing healing and supportive powers and we all have access to it. All we have to do is connect and ask. Earth, trees and many other elements are happy to give you helpful energy, or to take away unhelpful energy – it’s their nature. Pun intended:)

I do have a picture of myself in the tree and will have to post it on FB as I have not learned how to add pictures to posts – yet!

Categories
Colortherapy Healing Intentions Meditation Mindful Self-Care Positive Thought Vibrational Remedies

Om Ah Hum Breathing


I have had the great pleasure of speaking with the owner of Do Kham, Phelgye Kelden, for over 15 years. I would stop in to shop, or just stop in and he and I would begin speaking about energy, meditation and perceiving reality and it was always so interesting and his energy is transcendent.

The days before my trip to Guatemala in January Bowie had just passed and Phyelgyes shop is around the corner from the memorial so I stopped in. He looked at me and said what’s happening. Clearly I was not looking my best but he was seeing my energy that was stressed, sad, and fearful and so the conversation began…

He spoke of this reincarnate Buddhist named Migyur Rinpoche who spoke of being plagued by stress, at 12 – his story is worth reading! This boy said once realized he could not stop it he decided to embrace it, to take it in and when he did this it disappeared and he was no longer stressed out. I paraphrase obviously but the idea is clear – we usually need to embrace what is making us uncomfortable in order to let it go – to walk through it to get through it.

He knows I am a healer and asked if that was draining me? Nope I said that’s when I’m feeling my best, during and after – it’s when I’m doing nothing I feel unhappy and drained so he spoke of creating a bridge from the everyday me to the healer me. Interesting way to look at it and it resonated with me. Still working on that.

He gave me a basic meditation technique – that was actually taught to me differently in Costa Rica – and said it would help both stress (or anything negative) and me feeling happy. It’s called:

Om Ah Hum Breathing

1. You inhale purity by breathing in the color white as you say the word OM in your head.
2. Holding your breath you see the color red over your navel as you say the word AH in your head and this clears all negativity from your body.
3. You then see the color blue over your heart and say the word HUM in your head as you connect with compassion for yourself and the world and you deeply exhale with the intention of spreading that compassion around the world.

He actually demonstrated this and it seemed like he was holding his breathe forever, my breaths are shorter and that’s ok. He said he does it all the time, even when he’s working, “Nobody knows what’s going on in my head” and he said smiling.

I have been doing this since he showed me and I find it very comforting. Soothing and strengthening too but mostly comforting because I believe it is empowering my energy and that feels great! I also find it unbelievably interesting that I received a tutorial from him, in part about happiness, which was the thread for me during my Guatemala trip. There are no coincidences and I see it as a sign from the universe that I was ready to shift my heart into happiness and I am happy.

Hope this is helpful!

Learn more about Meditation.

Categories
Chakras Intentions Meditation

The Three Gratitude’s


When I spent time in different Asian countries I had the great fortune to go to many temples and I noticed they all had different “entry” methods but the most common seemed to be bowing three times during entry and before meditation and that stuck with me. As time went on my meditation practice evolved and I began to do this before I meditated – three bows – from head, to heart, to earth.

This evolved into what I now call The Three Gratitude’s. Take at least one deep slow breath in each position.

1. Hands in prayer position centered in front of your forehead, which touches your 6th or third eye chakra, and I thank the universe and all my loving source energies.

2. Hands in prayer position over the center of your chest, which is where your 4th or heart chakra sits, and I thank all the different parts of me and my guides because I see them as an extension of me.

3. Hands touching the floor or at least palms facing down towards the ground and I thank the earth.

I’ve done this repetitively for a couple of years now and it has become a practice in itself. If I do not have time to meditate I make sure I find time to do this 1-2 times a day in front of my alter or anyplace that feels sacred.

I can deeply feel each connection and feel the gratitude being sent back to me. It feels warm & sacred and sometimes super fun. I sometimes talk to the energies in each position and that never fails to bring a smile to my face that comes from the deepest part of myself.

I hope this brings you happy and beautiful deepening’s in everything you do and just remember NO RULES, make this your own.

Categories
News

Other Fantastic healing CD’s


Contact us directly for sales, thank you.

1. Canyon Spirit by John Huling
A beautiful backdrop to anything you do. Its soothing natural sounds help me feel connected to the earth’s purity and strength. It was recorded in the great outdoors so you hear the wind and natural echoes. You really get a sense of being there. A true healing calm.

From the publishers: Re-released with new cover design! Recorded live throughout the canyons and plateaus of the Four Corners area. Exquisite solo flute by this best-selling musician, with wonderful nature sounds from the deep canyons.
$15.98

2. The Sacred Chorde by Stephan Halpern (with Fabian Mama)
Just so beautiful and calming. Another one of my favorites to use during a healing session. Very relaxing to your energy and the environment.
From the publishers: French sound healer Fabian Mama created an extraordinary 77-stringed instrument, the monochorde. Its drone tone produces a breathtaking array of harmonic overtones that transmits healing vibrations and attunes body, mind and spirit. On grand piano, Halpern is inspired to add elements of Celtic, Indian raga and blues to create a historic and emotionally uplifting duet. Overtones are now attracting a great deal of attention as an important factor in transmitting the healing power of music. Like the tambura in Indian raga music, the monochorde produces a drone effect that attunes you to “the field of infinite possibilities.” The monochorde’s drone tone, however, is unlike any other you’ve ever heard.
$15.98

3. Chant by Robert Gass
He is one of the leaders in chant music. This is a double disc compilation of different global music. It’s soothing and beautiful. If you have children it’s great during bath time. You’ll find it’s a great backdrop for many things.
From the publisher: Chant is a powerful living experience of this ancient and universal art. An important tool used by people everywhere to heal the body, quiet the mind and bring the sacred into daily life, chanting speaks to modern audiences with a purity and spirit increasingly rare in contemporary culture. With chants from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, African, Native American, Goddess, Shamanic and other traditions, Chant guides us on a journey to community and spirit.
“radiantly genuine and deeply inspiring…musically accessible…a major artistic achievement”
-NAPRA Review
“listen closely and feel yourself connected to the sound of voices celebrating the human spirit”
-SJ NEWS
$25

4. Shapeshifting by John Perkins (set of 4 cassette tapes)
I was lucky enough to study some of these techniques with John Perkins himself. This verbally guided shamanistic instruction is simple but powerful and very helpful during any time of transition or for anyone seeking more purpose and direction. Something John Perkins’s tapes taught me is that the messages are all around us, we just have to listen. The answers are all around us!
I know the “tape” seems outdated but it’s well worth breaking out your old tape cassette for this powerful experience.

These tapes are an integration of traditional and modern techniques, designed by master teachers from many cultures, presented by John Perkins.
Topics covered:
Diagnosing diseases
Reading energy
Auras and Vibrational fields
Applying transformational therapies
Managing stress
Working with healing plants
Taking shamanic journeys
Separating dreams from fantasy
Creating global shifts
Transforming negative into positive energy

Special note: Once these cassettes are sold out they will not be available again so get them while you can!
$10

5. Hemi-Sync®
Hemi-Sync simply and effectively liberates your inherent resources to function at their maximum capability. The Hemi-Sync process is internationally acclaimed. Thousands of people have journeyed from around the world to attend The Monroe Institute’s life-enhancing on-campus programs. These programs, conducted at the Institute’s campus facilities in Virginia, are dedicated to developing, exploring, and applying expanded states of consciousness using the extraordinary Hemi-Sync sound technologies.
The patented Hemi-Sync® process has been refined throughout over 40 years of testing research and development. Ongoing experimentation, data collection and analysis are conducted at The Monroe Institute’s laboratory facilities to demonstrate the correlations between subjective experiential reports and objective electronic measurements. Such research is indispensable in revealing the influence of specific Hemi-Sync sound patterns on consciousness. Over the years, these efforts have resulted in the development of scores of individual products for specific applications, such as focused attention, stress reduction, meditation, sleep enhancement, and pain control, to name a few. Thanks to the cooperation of notable medical institutions and universities, the scientifically and clinically-proven Hemi-Sync technology continues to be the focus of a variety of specialized research projects. In addition, many therapists, physicians, educators, and other professionals use Hemi-Sync extensively. Learn more about how Hemi-Syncworks at the end of this page.
All hemi-Sync CD’s are 19.95

Medical Disclaimer: While many of the Hemi-Sync products contribute to wellness, they are not intended to replace medical diagnosis and treatment. DO NOT listen to Hemi-Sync while driving or operating heavy equipment, or with other devices that may influence brain-wave activity. If you have a tendency towards seizures, auditory disorder, or adverse mental condition(s), DO NOT listen to Hemi-Sync without first consulting your physician. In the unlikely event that you experience any unusual physical or mental discomfort, immediately discontinue use. DO NOT reproduce Hemi-Sync products or use with Dolby® or other noise-reduction systems. Doing so will diminish the effectiveness of the Hemi-Sync signals. ALL WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE DISCLAIMED.

Use with any type of stereo headphones or with speakers positioned to provide separation of the sound going to the right and left ear. Don’t listen while driving or operating heavy equipment or if you have a history or tendency toward seizures. Do not use with light and sound devices, meaning any product that creates flashes of light for you to focus on.

Catnapper
Enjoy a totally refreshing nap in only 30 minutes. Verbal guidance and Hemi-Sync® provide you with a unique opportunity to obtain deeply restorative rest. Benefit from Catnapper’s proven effectiveness during work or study breaks or use it to re-energize in the evening. Catnapper is also effective for countering the effects of jet lag, coping with irregular schedules or as the ultimate pick-me-up anytime. (Mind Food – verbally guided – 30 min.

Concentration
Perfect for any mental task requiring focus and concentration, use at home, work or school, while studying, reading, working on a computer or balancing a checkbook. Play in the background or use with headphones to enhance mental capabilities while stimulating creativity and imagination. (Non-verbal) (58 min.)

De-Hab
Eliminate or diminish undesirable mental, emotional or physical habits. Use anytime you are about to follow a behavior imprint you wish to change. Break free of anger or old emotional patterns, eliminate thoughts of failure or move beyond a cycle of negativity. (Human Plus – verbally guided – 60 min.)

De-tox Body
Enhance your body’s natural ability to cleanse itself of destructive substances. Reinforce the healthy functioning of your body’s defense systems when a known toxicity exists or, for best results, use daily. May also be used to counteract the results of overindulgence. (Human Plus – verbally guided – 60 min.)

Eat-No Eat
Gain control over your desire for food with Eat-No Eat. Learn a simple method to regulate your brain’s response to hunger signals and the sensory stimulation from aromas. Use to support a balanced diet and maintain your desired weight. (Human Plus – verbally guided – 64 min.)

Eight-Great
Enhance calmness, confidence and self-esteem with Eight-Great and express your best. Use to focus your mental and physical states anytime you wish to instill a positive and constructive attitude. (Human Plus – verbally guided – 60 min.)

Energy Walk
Obtain greater vitality and personal strength with a verbally guided inner journey to natural sources of energy. Use Energy Walk to achieve greater balance and harmony and support the perfect functioning of mind and body. Hemi-Sync® sound patterns facilitate deepening states of relaxation throughout your journey, until you drift gently into a restful sleep. (Mind Food – verbally guided – 45 min.)

Freedom from smoking
Overcome your smoking addiction and restore optimum health with this life-affirming Hemi-Sync® exercise. Track/Side 1 (Freedom from Smoking) uses verbal guidance and Hemi-Sync® to strengthen your mind/body connection and focuses your total self – mental, emotional, and physical – on your goal of becoming a nonsmoker. Track/Side 2 (A New Life) helps you control your weight and create a healthy new lifestyle following your decision to become a nonsmoker. (Mind Food – verbally guided – 74 min.)

Hemi-Sync Meditation
Connect with higher aspects of your Self with this extraordinary meditative tool. The deeply relaxing sound patterns of Hemi-Sync® Meditation will lead you gently into powerful, free-flow explorations and leave you centered, focused and totally refreshed. (Mind Food – non-verbal – 45 minutes)

Hemi-Sync relaxation
Experience total relaxation with this verbally-guided Hemi-Sync® exercise voiced by Dr. C. Norman Shealy. Hemi-Sync® Relaxation uses a progressive relaxation technique along with Hemi-Sync® audio signals to guide you gently into a deep, receptive state of relaxation. While in this state, you will hear positive affirmations for health and well-being. As a pioneer in the field of alternative medicine, Dr. Shealy has helped medical practitioners to understand more fully the power of the mind-body connection and its relationship to maintaining or restoring wellness following a trauma such as surgery or a life-threatening disease. (50 minutes)

Immunizing
Stimulate the mind/body connection to boost your immune system and strengthen your body’s ability to defend against disease-producing organisms. Use to assist in regaining (or maintaining) a normal, healthy physical condition. (Human Plus – verbally guided, 60 minutes.)

Let go
Reduce or release overwhelming emotional reactions that interfere with calm or objective decision-making with Let-Go. Control your response to difficult circumstances and counter destructive patterns. Use this simple method anywhere to relieve anxiety, overcome anger or alleviate depressed feelings. (Human Plus – Verbally guided, 61 minutes).

Pain Management
Listening to Pain Management can help you reduce pain signals until they no longer seem significant. You will also learn an effective, time-proven method to diminish pain signals anywhere. Use Pain Management to help restore the vitality and dynamic energy needed for the perfect functioning of both mind and body. This remarkable Hemi-Sync® exercise helps you balance and equalize your mental, emotional, and physical self and guides you gently into a deeply restorative sleep. (Mind Food – verbally guided, 44 minutes).

PMS
Learn a simple method you can use anytime, anywhere to help relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Use to ease physical discomfort, calm emotional reactions and improve mental clarity. (Human Plus – verbally guided, 74 minutes).
Special note: This CD has been discontinued so when it is sold out that’s it. They may offer a replacement and if so I will carry it then.

Radiation companion
Support a positive outcome for your radiation treatment. Verbal guidance and Hemi-Sync® transport you to a profound state of total relaxation where you are immersed in feelings of inner peace and tranquility. Here, mental imagery and a series of positive affirmations are used in support of your return to physical well-being. You will also learn special encoding cues you may use anytime to reinforce the healing effects of your radiation treatment or help you overcome possible side effects, such as of nausea. (Mind Food – verbal, 45 minutes).

Chemotherapy Companion
Support a positive outcome for your chemotherapy. Verbal guidance and Hemi-Sync® transport you to a profound state of total relaxation where you are immersed in feelings of inner peace and tranquility. Here, mental imagery and a series of positive affirmations are used in support of your return to physical well-being. You will also learn special encoding cues you may use anytime to reinforce the healing effects of your chemotherapy or help you overcome possible side effects, such as of nausea. (Mind Food – Verbally guided – 44 min.)

Relax
Obtain instant freedom from physical, mental and emotional tensions. Maintain a state of calmness and think clearly while coping with stress. Overcome nervousness before public speaking or exams. Use to counteract anger or frustration. (Human Plus – verbally guided, 60 minutes).

Sex Drive
Whether you would like to increase or decrease your sexual arousal, this CD is for you. Sex Drive teaches you a method to gain control over your libido. Heighten your sensitivity and sexual pleasure with an intimate partner or diminish your sexual urges and state of arousal when circumstances are not appropriate. (Human Plus – verbally guided, 60 minutes).

Super Sleep
Super Sleep helps you produce the natural brain-wave patterns of the Delta-sleep state and enjoy the benefits of totally refreshing, deeply restorative sleep. Use ear buds, headphones or speakers placed on either side of the bed and play Super Sleep continuously to support uninterrupted sleep and get a good night’s rest. (Mind Food – non-verbal, 45 minutes).

Meta-Music
Pure beautiful music, utilizing the Hemi-Sync® technology to simply and effectively liberate your inherent/internal resources to function at their maximum capability.

Deep Journeys
Features seven hypnotic musical tracks by internationally acclaimed recording artist Steven Halpern and the audio-guidance support of Hemi-Sync®. The compelling meditative music is fashioned around an infrastructure of low tones to ground the body and higher frequency harmonics to crystallize the delicate textures you feel spiraling around in your head. Deep Journeys will immerse you in an inner peace that is uplifting an deeply restorative. (57 minutes.)

Between Worlds
An extraordinary sojourn into a dreamlike shamanic landscape. The captivating shamanic music of Don Peyote and Naasko is combined with Hemi-Sync® to guide your inner journey. Sounds from the rain forest contribute to the surreal, organic ambience. Vivid images emerge as time blurs and the world disappears. For optimum results, listen to this experiential composition in one session—preferably in a darkened, meditative environment. Features – didgeridoo, flutes, mbira, synthesizer, indigenous chants, shamanic percussion and field recordings. (52 minutes.)

How Hemi-Sync Works

Revealing Research for Peak Human Performance
Robert A. Monroe, founder of Hemi-Sync, is internationally known for his work with audio sound patterns that can have dramatic effects on states of consciousness. Monroe observed, during his early research, that certain sounds create a Frequency Following Response in the electrical activity of the brain.

Those observations led to some remarkable findings dealing with the very nature of human consciousness. Researchers learned specific sounds could be blended and sequenced to gently lead the brain to various states ranging from deep relaxation or sleep to expanded states of awareness and other “extraordinary” states. This compelling research became the foundation of a noninvasive and easy-to-use audio-guidance technology known as Hemi-Sync®.

The audio-guidance process works through the generation of complex, multilayered audio signals, which act together to create a resonance that is reflected in unique brain wave forms characteristic of specific states of consciousness. The result is a focused, whole-brain state known as hemispheric synchronization, or Hemi-Sync®, where the left and right hemispheres are working together in a state of coherence. Different Hemi-Sync® signals are used to facilitate deep relaxation, focused attention or other desired states. As an analogy, lasers produce focused, coherent light. Hemi-Sync® produces a focused, coherent mind, which is an optimal condition for improving human performance.

One of the leading researchers into brain wave synchrony, Dr. Lester Fehmi, of the Princeton Biofeedback Research Institute, points out that “Synchrony represents the maximum efficiency of information transport through the whole brain.” This means that brain wave synchrony produces a sharp increase in the effects of various brain wave states. The production of synchronized, coherent electromagnetic energy by the human brain at a given frequency leads to a ‘laser-like’ condition increasing the amplitude and strength of the brain waves. It’s evident that a “highly integrated brain,” a brain, in which both hemispheres are functioning in symmetry, synchrony, harmony and unity, is a key to peak states and peak human performance.

Specific combinations of Hemi-Sync® signals, for example, can help individuals achieve laser-like focus and concentration. Depending on the intended goals, music, verbal guidance or subtle sound effects are combined with Hemi-Sync® to strengthen its effectiveness. Naturally, Hemi-Sync® sleep products incorporate predominately Delta frequencies; learning products predominantly Beta, and so forth. Users remain in total control as these recordings do not contain subliminal messages. Hemispheric synchronization does occur naturally in daily life, but typically only for random, brief periods of time. Hemi-Sync® can assist individuals in achieving and sustaining this highly productive, coherent, brain wave state.

Continuous Innovation

Robert Monroe’s work inspired an entire industry of mind/brain products. After 50 years of research, and thousands of lab sessions, the internationally acclaimed patented Hemi-Sync® process remains unparalleled in its ability to assist us in harnessing our human potential.

Thanks to the cooperation of notable medical institutions and universities, the scientifically and clinically proven Hemi-Sync® technology continues to be the focus of a variety of specialized research projects. In addition, many therapists, physicians, educators, and other professionals use Hemi-Sync® extensively.

Such research is indispensable in revealing the influence of specific Hemi-Sync® sound patterns on consciousness. Over the years, these efforts have resulted in the development of scores of individual products for specific applications such as focused attention, stress management, meditation, sleep enhancement, and pain management, to name a few.

Categories
Healing Intentions Meditation Mindful Self-Care Positive Thought Visualizations

Daily Activities To Keep You In Vibration


To follow your path and to attract what you want in your life it all begins within you, as I’m sure you know. There are certain things we can do daily to stay in vibration with what we want, such as feeling loved, joyful, confident, inspired, healthy etc. these daily activities are joyful things so fear not – this is not meant to be a burden to your “to do” list.

If you feel any of this is a burden examine why that is – is it internal resistance? If it is take some time to ask yourself why, i.e. “If I know that stopping what I am doing for a quick stretch will make me feel great why don’t I want to do that? Where is the resistance?” Eckhart Tolle speaks about being attached to your pain body – is your pain apart of how you define yourself? Just ask yourself a few questions and see what comes up.

And I have to add “I work in a large office where I can’t do that” is not a valid excuse – I have many clients who tell me they go into the bathroom and do whatever energy exercise they need and they feel better so look at the excuses you tell yourself. We are all experts at rationalizing why we can or can’t do something – what we should or shouldn’t do; I’d actually say we are all masters of it and that’s a whole other story.

I understand it can be difficult in this crazy never stop culture we live in and you may feel you are so busy and really can’t find a moment for yourself and if this is the case perhaps you want to restructure your day slightly – just a bit. One absolute is you must find you time everyday – it can be just a few minutes but it has to happen – especially when you are trying to change your life and the vibration of who you are.

Here are some great options to put you in and keep you in the vibration you want. Do one, a few or all – the only rule is to do at least one of these things a day and I bet if you start with one you will want more.

Happy Vibrations Everyone!

Daydream. Easy to do anywhere, anytime. When we daydream which is a form of visualization you begin to actually feel what it would be like to be in that beautiful daydream and when you feel it you believe it and that puts you in vibration with it.
Meditate. People get scared away from this because so many speak about how you must do it for 20-30 minutes a day and you think no way do I have the time but I can tell you from experience that 3-5 minutes will change your day!
Breath. This really goes hand in hand with meditation but just take a few slow deep breadths and it can change your mood and day. Deep breathing is amazingly affective to our mental state!
Spend time outside. Whether in the city or country or somewhere in-between we need to let our energy and mind take a deep breadth and give you room to expand and when your outside it’s the perfect time to ground. When we are grounded it’s easier to be in vibration with our dreams because as Donna Eden says “The deeper you ground, the farther out you can go” translating that to this topic we learn deeper roots allow for bigger dreams.
Expand. Open your heart, mind and energy and connect to the cosmos’s, to your source and give gratitude. Whether you are calling it by name, there are many, or if it’s just sending out a general energy of gratitude it will change your life. Gratitude is extremely powerful for you and everyone you interact with. When you show gratitude you are immediately sent positive energy. Gratitude just feels right and offers happiness in return. Gratitude is beautiful. When you’re in this great state of mind it’s easy to stay in vibration with what you want.
Journal. Gratitude journals are very effective but it can really be any kind of positive expression you want to make – just keep it positive – stay on the sunny side of the street – ignore any thunderstorms across the street – it’s your choice to walk in the light or sun in this metaphor. But the written word has power – I would even say don’t use the computer. Write in a journal that is exclusively used for this and if you are having a bad day you can look back and smile at all the things you are grateful for. Repetition is allowed ☺
The power of ritual. This is a bit deeper but I wanted to give you the information to offer more options. We all resonate with different things.

Categories
Healing Intentions Meditation Mindful Self-Care Positive Thought Vibrational Remedies Visualizations

Creating Your Own Sacred Ritual


Rituals are powerful tools in our lives and when we make them our own we deepen the meaning. A ritual can be anything you make it, simple or complex, but it is a repetition of certain words, gestures and actions. It has religious origins from Paganism to Christianity. Many of my suggestions have been used since the dawn of time but I speak about them in terms of our current time space.

Creating Your Sacred Space
Energy will build and hold a space when it used time and time again for the same purpose. That is why I feel having an alter of some sort for meditation, or even reflective thought, is really important. I actually have two spots in my apartment where I meditate. And as soon as I sit in that area I can go deeper quickly because the energy is ready and has the vibration I want to go into.

An alter can be anything you hold sacred. For some that is nature for others it’s traditional / religious – it’s all perfect! I believe in many things – I take bits and pieces from all cultures and religions so my alter is very eclectic and I love it that way. I have symbols from Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism and representations from nature such as wood, crystals and objects that hold a sacred meaning to me, even a few pictures that represent a spiritual moment in time that I hold deeply in my heart. Most of what is on my alter has been there for many many years so it now “holds” the energy of deep and reflective thought, non thought and focused visualization.
Big or small your sacred space / alter will give you a beautiful space that is all yours! I have heard many people say it’s important to not let others touch things on your alter – that’s a personal decision but that said I think having people ask permission is valuable and honors the space.

Meditation
Meditation itself is a ritual but I like to add a beginning and ending. As a ritual I always do what I call The Three Gratitude’s before and after my meditation. I bow three times with my hands in the prayer position, once touching my forehead and I thank the heavens and all the powers that be, then in front of my heart and I thank all my selves (all aspects of who I am & my guides) and then palms facing down or even on the ground and I thank the earth. Sometimes just doing that on it’s own can be a great ritual!

Meditating under a tree is magical as well (that’s how the Buddha did it). If you have a tree you can befriend keep going to that one tree and whether you are conscious of it or not an energetic relationship will begin and strengthen over time. Trees are smart! Just read this and watch this. But in general when you sit up against a tree it grounds you deeply which increases a strong sense of self and life purpose.

Fire It Up! To Let Go & Receive
There are a few ways to do this. In your head as a visualization but I like the hands on version best to be honest – it feels more powerful but that’s a personal preference. It also depends on my time restraints and location. If I have little time or am in a public setting I go to the visualization but when I have the time I go hands on.

– The visualization – take some slow deep breaths in your nose and out your mouth and in your minds eye see a big bowl that has fire in its center. Begin to see what you want to get rid of and throw it in the fire for it to burn into the ether – it goes back to source where it is purified and recycled.

– Hands On – have two bowls, one for what you are getting rid of and the second for what you want to bring into your life. Make sure you do this is a space where the fire will not set your house on fire! Be mindful!!!! Take some paper and write down three things you want to get rid of and three things you want to bring into your life. I have found this to be very powerful when you do it with a friend or two.

Start with what you want to get rid of and read it out loud and then light it up and throw it in the bowl and sit and watch it burn. The way it burns can be informational as well – it’s not dissimilar to tea reading, just trust your intuition, divining how it burns is not the point here. Just watching it burn can be mesmerizing and deepens your focus on letting go. If you are with a friend(s) take turns doing the first part, each reading one of your three things, burning it and continue this cycle until all three things have been burnt in the bowl. Then move onto what you want to bring in using the same technique. Once done go outside and starting with the bowl of what you want to get rid of and say “I release this…” or whatever words work for you and toss the burnt paper out of the bowl and into the wind – everyone does the release first. Then do the same with what you want to bring into your life and again use what words work for you but I usually say “Everything I want will come into my life” and once this is done take a moment to say “So be it, so it is, for the highest good of all involved” – again whatever words work for you are just perfect – intention is everything.

Intention Candles / Light
These are fun, powerful and create beautiful ambient light at night. I’ve already written about this and you can read it though this intention candle link. I am pretty consistent doing these intention candles on every new and full moon – and especially on equinoxes and traditional holidays. Sometimes it’s elaborate and sometimes it’s not – to me as long as your intention is clear and true the universe hears you and honors you by you honoring it.

But I would add there are many other candle rituals that are beautiful, especially a rite of passage ritual and candle ceremonies on the equinoxes. The candles light is seen as a vehicle to bring you closer to spirit, as fire is an ethereal element, as is water. Usually candles are lit and paced to create a spiral (to honor cosmic sacred geometry) and each person walks through the spiral coming out on the other side as a new person or with a new “place” in life. For instance in Eden Energy Medicine the students walk through as a rite of passage to become certified practitioners and in the Rudolf Steiner world a child walks in silence through the path as they leave behind one grade and enter into a more adult grade.

Winter equinox has an especially beautiful ritual of everyone making their own lanterns and they place a candle in an apple, inside the lantern, and the spiral path has already been created and people walk silently from the inside outward as an inwardly gesture of winter. This also represent the end of the darkness as they enter the light coming back – this is to honor the earths seasonal rhythms. Each school or group of people will do this differently but they are all beautiful!

The Healing Bath
This to me has always been a sacred ritual, maybe my first because as a child I would fill the bath and then also leave the shower on to create my own magical secret water world. Soaking tubs are the best but any tub will do. Fill it with bubbles, aromatherapy and even colortherapy if you like! Add Epson and Himalayan salts, and Baking Soda and you have a healing bath. Light a candle or buy an ambient light that can change colors and you can create a sacred space. Water is healing and cleansing to the soul, as well as the body. This healing bath is enough in itself but if you want to add some extra healing / self-care you can hold your neurovasculars and / or do a chakra clearing and balancing – both are easy and nourishing to do in your healing bath.

Get In A River
If you have access to a stream / river that is not too deep you can create a serious cleansing ritual. I first did this with John Perkins in the Ecuadorian rainforest. We all shed our cloths and jumped in the river and laid down and let the water run over us and as we did this we affirmed it was washing away all our fear and anything unwanted in our lives – it was amazing, powerful and very energetically cleansing! Obviously this is seasonal for many people and many will want privacy but if you can do it, it’s very powerful and I do believe you can get the same benefits with a bathing suit on, of course, but honestly there is something sacred about being naked in the water – it’s primal and our energy seems to automatically know what it’s supposed to do – let go and be free!

Music and Dance
I put these together because for me and most of the people I know it goes hand in hand. Put on your “energy” music – whatever gets your energies buzzing and dance and sing away. Think about it – there are some songs that bring you back to a special and happy time in your life and you can access that anytime by listening to the song, and moving and grooving to it is the cherry on top – get funky, free and free form. That said the two are powerful rituals on their own as well.

Exercise
Many people use this as their ritual, especially yoga and dance. I grew up jogging so for me I can easily get into the no thought zone – and I’m getting crossovers as well (the runners high) so it’s an Eden Energy Medicine Therapy as well.

Cooking
It’s an art and when you cook consciously by using your positive thoughts to infuse into the food you can really get in the zone and if you cook for your family it can be you time or bonding time – both are great.

Other Random Ideas

– Dance under a full moon – with or without clothing. As a child of the seventies nudity was encouraged not shamed so I say lets put a bit of 70’s energy back into our 21st century lives. It’s very freeing!

– Sit in a talking stick circle where the only person who speaks is holding the stick and then it is passed on either by someone raising their hand to respond or just in a continuous circle. It creates a safe place for people to know they can speak at their own pace without interruption. This is usually done with a specific topic or intention.

– Any holiday can and is a ritual.

– Saging your home is a great cleansing ritual.

– Sitting down with your family for dinner is a beautiful bonding ritual that our modern society has seemingly pushed aside – bring it back into your home!

– Even sports games can be a ritual, albeit a noisy one but still a bonding can and usually does occur.

The point of any ritual is to honor you, all sentient beings, the world and special events. The events, or rituals, are meant to bring you closer to your inner being, your inner light. They are meant to create a feeling of oneness with spirit and that can take many many forms.

When creating your own ritual remember intention is everything!!!
Enjoy!

Categories
Beauty Colortherapy Intentions Meditation Mindful Self-Care Positive Thought Visualizations

Night of Beauty & Relaxation


It’s important to set aside a night of beauty each week. Let this be your time to nourish and pamper yourself, you absolutely deserve that. Take at least one or two hours to cleanse, steam, deep clean, replenish and moisturize yourself from head to toe. Set the intention this will be a relaxing night of releasing all negativity and blocks that get in the way of your most radiant self. Dream about the ideal you. Create a new reality, Law of Attraction. It’s good for your body, soul and mind.

One basic: Please, please everyone wash your face morning and night no matter how tired you are. It really makes a significant difference in how you look and age; and in how you feel. You can affirm you are washing away your worries, or hurt, or angry, or whatever you want to wash out of your energy field. It’s a great opportunity you get twice a day to make a positive affirmation!

Environment is everything!
Set the stage for your night! Make sure you have some great lighting, meaning dim lights and candles. Relaxation CDs, and of course some healthy snacks and lemon water…

Steam
This is pure luxury, seriously! Our Facial Steam is pretty heavenly if I do say so myself. If you don’t have the right herbs or oils it’s fine; you can buy herbs that are specifically meant for steaming at your local health food store. Just boil some water and pour it into a large bowl and let it simmer down. (Please use common sense, don’t scald your face.) With a large towel, cover your head as you hold your head over the bowl, about 6 to 8 inches above the steaming water. Steam your face for about 10 minutes. It will really open the pores and brighten your complexion. Breath deeply if you can. I like to intend I am breathing in earth’s purity and breathing out toxins, physical and emotional.

Cleanse
Immediately after steaming, while your pores are still open, apply a mud or clay mask (a mixture of both is best) to your entire face and neck. Make sure the mask is as pure as possible, meaning you don’t need fancy fragrances in it. I’m playing with a new T&T formulation now and will keep you updated on that. Until then, Ahave Dead Sea Mask is a good one and you can probably find an all-natural mud mask at your local health food store. Follow the instructions. But in case they don’t mention it – don’t let it completely dry, meaning look crackly on your face, that can really dry you out. One more insiders tip: Using a wet washcloth scrub the mud off in circular motions to exfoliate and wash away the toxins that the mask brought to the surface. Scrub with gentle to medium pressure – never hard! And, of course be mindful of your eyes, you don’t want to get any in there so I always wash the area off first.

Moisturize
Apply a moisturizing mask (again, your local health food store should have one) and I’m playing with a few formulations but they will be bespoke only probably. You can make your own! Readers Digest has some easy suggestions as does Livestrong.

Bath time!
I take bathing very seriously so this will be the longest section, ha ☺ First of all fill the tub to the top, you want to be submerged up to your shoulders. We have an amazing formulation but have hit some hiccups that we are working out but until then it’s easy to do it yourself! Our bathing formulation is stress relieving, toxin-extracting blend of Epson Salt, Himalayan salt crystals, and Baking Soda. Epsom Salt to release energy blockages, extract toxins and ease any sore tired muscles. It also helps rid your body of radiation, great to use after a plane ride. Himalayan Rock Salt to energetically ground you and to soften the skin. Finally baking soda to extract toxins and cleanse and strengthen your auric field. This is a very healing combination – A Healing Trifecta.

Add some aromatherapy
Try our single note oils, chakra oils, or whatever else you like or have on hand, but try and make it as pure as possible. Smell is the most powerful sense we have and therefore truly shifts our mood / energy.

Add some audio therapy to create a calm & mood
Have music on as the backdrop to your beautiful dreams and harmonious environment. We have some nice CD’s and this article on sound therapy is very interesting.

Add some colortherapy
Bed, Bath and Beyond sell these amazing inexpensive under water lights, AquaLuxe, that change through the spectrum of the rainbow gently feeding your body some color energy and also creates a soothing ethereal atmosphere if you turn all other lights out. I also have one in my bedroom too and it’s very relaxing to lie in bed watching the colors transform, a nice way to gently fall into a happy dreamland.

Have a great daydream
See yourself happy, beautiful and loved. Imagine your in your ideal situation…really get into it, to the point where you know what you are wearing ☺ What we think we create, law of attraction, so be in vibration with positively wonderful fantastic beautiful things.

Self-Care time
While bathing it is the perfect time to do some self-care. I always hold my neurovasculars (holding head gently) and do lots of deep breathing.

Get your sleep!
Get into bed early and get good night’s sleep. Maybe do a meditation or visualization for radiant beauty before bedtime. Remember that whatever you go to sleep thinking about is what you will energetically keep with you all night, so even if it was a bad day, or night, think positive thoughts before bed; visualize yourself or your situation, as you want it, not what it necessarily is. Really see it, believe it and totally get into the positive thoughts / stories you create.
If you don’t believe me believe about the benefits of sleep believe Harvard and this one from WebMD

For people who think pampering only isn’t enough (Whaaaaat?) Here are some Night of Beauty Add-On’s

1. Meditation can and will change your life, if you so choose ☺
This can take only three minutes if you want it too. Any amount of time given to mindful breathing creates relaxation and many other benefits.

2. A few yoga moves never hurt anyone
Just enough to release and expand your energy, not to have a workout! Here is a nice bedtime yoga video.

3. Stretching – release some energy & create some space
Here are some gentle ones from our sister site, Cristina’s Energy Center – and this stretching video is so calming and gentle – very basic & only upper body but still – all openings are great openings!

Enjoy Your Night!!!!!

Categories
Healing Intentions Meditation Mindful Self-Care

Breadth Is Life


Breath is life. It creates space inside our body, and energy needs space to flow. It keeps us alive on the physical level and it’s amazing how many illnesses, especially disorders associated with stress and anxiety, are affected by our lack of breathing. Think about it… when you’re tense or very focused, you actually hold your breadth, you hold the tension as if that will somehow help the task at hand. Truth is, irregular breathing creates more tension on physical and emotional levels. If you breathe fully you will begin to live harmoniously inside yourself and in the world. Be aware of your breath throughout the day and relax into your life.

The breath increases our connection to the present and it is in the present we find joy and healing. Most of us live in a combination of the past and the future, both of which are easy for us to conceptualize. But the present cannot be conceptualized. It can only be experienced, one breath at a time.

1. Breathe in positive energy and breathe out negativity and tension. You deeply and slowly breathe in your nose and out your mouth. When you do this you create an atmosphere within your energy system that is more receptive to a healthier flow of energy throughout your body on every level. Every cell in your body will thank you for it. You will be opening yourself to radiance.

You can recover from depression, anxiety and pain more readily because your energy will be flowing freely, you will not be holding onto feelings that hold you down or block you. Even if you only have a very short time to it will make a difference. You’ll enter a state of a higher frequency that allows you to rise above your own “stories” that you really do not serve you. Specifics are great but we don’t need them. We just need to release the energy. Release, release, release and keep it flowing. You will feel much better for it, truly.

2. Meditation is fantastic but if it’s daunting to you or just not enough time you can practice self care no matter where you are – walking around, driving, sitting in a meeting etc. just keep reminding yourself to breathe. I find that by literally saying the word helps. I can be very focused on something, and now it’s automatic, I say “breathe” very authoritatively in my mind and instantly my breadths become deeper and slower.

Try these easy meditations
More breath audio guides from CEC

Categories
Healing Intentions Meditation Positive Thought Vibrational Remedies Visualizations

Gratitude Meditations


In the present is when we truly feel deep gratitude and that gratitude spreads like a warm blanket over everyone and everything. I am grateful for gratitude and love this quote…

“The real miracle is not to walk on water.
It is to walk on earth, in the present moment.
When we experience this, we will be healed and transformed.
It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of practice.”
Thich Nhat Hanh

These are a few beautiful meditations that bring a deep sense of happiness and well-being…. its nice to do this in a group and have someone read it to you as you breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Reading it to yourself is just as good. If I am alone I read over it and then close my eyes and repeat the words – as long as the intention is there the exact words do not matter.

1. Deep Gratitude. (My favorite one)

Metta Meditation
Cultivating loving kindness for ourselves, we hold in heart and mind this
Intention:

May I be filled with loving-kindness, may I be held in loving-kindness.
May I accept myself just as I am.
May I experience the innate joy of being alive.
May my heart and mind awaken; may I be free.

Now holding in our mind’s eye, someone we have an unconditional positive
Regard for, someone for whom we find it very easy to feel unconditional
Love– a close friend, grandmother, anyone at all, we share our intention:

May you be filled with loving kindness,
May you be held in loving-kindness.
May you accept yourself just as you are.
May you experience the innate joy of being alive.
May your heart and mind awaken; may you be free.

Now envisioning all the people around you, the people of our communities
People in this country, and people in other countries:

May all beings be filled with loving-kindness.
May all beings have deep and lasting peace.
May all beings experience the innate joy of being alive.
May all beings awaken; may they all be free.

-Adapted from Tara Brach, Radical Acceptance

2. Gratitude For All Beings

Metta Sutra
May all beings be happy
May all beings be joyous and live in safety
All living beings whether weak or strong
In high or middle or low realms of existence
Small or great near or far born or to be born
May all beings be happy
Let no one deceive another nor despise any being in any state
Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another
Even as a mother at the risk of her own life
Watches over and protects her only child
So with a boundless mind should one cherish all living beings
Suffusing love over the entire world
Above below and behind without limit
So let one cultivate an infinite good will towards the entire world
Standing walking sitting or lying down
May one maintain this practice
This is to attain the blessed state in this very life.

(Soto Zen translation)

3. Gratitude For All Those Who Have Touched Our Lives

Meditation on Benefactors
Let’s take a moment to reflect on all the benefactors which have touched our lives, spiritual teachers, mentors, and perhaps someone who we met randomly, who simply wished us well- allowing ourselves to take in their wishes for our wellbeing into our whole body, opening to this kindness through our entire heart/mind.

Envisioning their faces – and recall them as sending the wish for your deepest happiness, wellbeing and joy. Join them in their wishes for your wellbeing – let us set these intentions in our heart and mind….Envisioning this wish as radiant light, a healing blessing which bathes your entire body, all the way through to your fingers and toes. Trusting this wish of love more than the limitations of our thoughts, receive it into every cell of your body.

Bathe in this; Rest in this; Heal in this.

Adapted from Lama John Makransky, Awakening Through Love

Categories
Healing Intentions Intuition Positive Thought

Intention Candles


Intention Candles are great to do anytime of year but especially holidays and during special celestial events, such as a Supermoon, New Moon, Full Moon and any Solstice. It’s a great opportunity to focus your energy on affirming what you want to attract into your life and to show your gratitude for the people and things you already have in your life.

Intention candles can be super simple or super stars – both are just as powerful as intention is everything!!!

Making Your Candle

When To Make Your Candle
If you want to bring things into your life it is best to create and light your candle when the moon is waxing (getting larger) – I especially like doing this during the new moon. If you want to get rid of things in your life create your candle when the moon is waning (getting smaller). If you are just making a general blessing candle or are not specifically trying to bring in or usher out specific energy you can make your candle anytime but I do prefer to make those kind of candles on the full moon. The full moon represents everything – it encompasses whatever energy you call upon with your intentions.

Every time you light your candle sit quietly and re-affirm what your intentions are. This is a very powerful way to stay in vibration with what you want in your life. The vibration you create in and around yourself is what you will attract into your life – the law of attraction. The law of attraction states that energy is attracted to like energy so if you are in vibration with love you will attract more love, if you are in vibration with worry you will attract more worry so be mindful – even when not making candles – about the kind of energy you are living in and creating.

If you choose to use all the bells and whistles here is list of what to have in front of you before you make your candle.

  • Be comfortable! When carving you will get wax shavings on you, and oil, glitter – so beyond being comfortable you want to make sure you are not wearing anything precious. I actually have specific candle making shirts I wear because I get pretty messy.
  • The candle – out of the glass (if you are using a pull-out candle) but any tall candle will do. Some people like to pull the wick out so it doesn’t get oils on it – I do it both ways honestly.
  • Newspaper to work on so you don’t mess up your floor – candle making creates a fun mess
  • Carving stick – this can be anything but I have found that wood nail cleaners work very well.
  • Either specifically charged oil or any kind of oil
  • Incense, if you plan to use that
  • Glitter, again if you plan to use that
  • Honey – as an offering to the gods / universal energies
  • 5 pennies – you use these to make 5 specific intentions, or wishes
  • A spoon – only if you are using incense
  • Wet and dry paper towels – your hands will get pretty messy, but a beautiful mess

 

The Most Basic Way

  1. Sit with your candle (any size or shape) in front of you and really tune into what your intentions are. Close your eyes and take deep and slow breaths in and out your nose. Tune inward and ask yourself “What is it I really want” and give yourself the space / time to really listen to your inner voice. If making it for someone else ask yourself what it is you are wishing for him or her. And sometimes it’s nice to make a pure gratitude candle. Gratitude is powerful energy!
  2. Carve your name and date of birth towards the top of the candle – this ensures the universal energies know that it is YOU bring these energies into your life.
  3. Carve intention words with a thin wooden stick or something with a sharp end (be very mindful – no rushing). Some of our favorite words are Love, Happiness, Gratitude, Abundance and Health and Blessings. Those are sort of general words but you can get specific, “I have a loving relationship” or “Great new job”, “I’m Inspired”, etc. You can also carve in shapes, like hearts, the sun, a money symbol, a figure-8 or whatever you are instinctually drawn to draw.

 

Going All The Way

  1. Place a newspaper on the floor and all your candle supplies on top of it because candle carving can get messy, even if you are only carving in words and not using oil and glitter. You want everything laid out for you because if possible you really do not want to interrupt the process – you want to stay with your intentions, focus and flow.
  2. Sit with your candle in front of you and really tune into what your intentions are. Close your eyes and take deep and slow breaths in and out your nose. Tune inward and ask yourself “What is it I really want” and give yourself the space / time to really listen to your inner voice. If making it for someone else ask yourself what it is you are wishing for him or her. And sometimes it’s nice to make a pure gratitude candle. Gratitude is powerful energy! If you are going to use incense you might want to put in on your spoon before you begin making your candle because when you use it towards the end your hands will be messy so it’s nice to have it ready to use.
  3. Carve your name and date of birth towards the top of the candle – this ensures the universal energies know that it is YOU.
  4. Carve intention words with a thin wooden stick or something with a sharp end (be very mindful – no rushing). Some of our favorite words are Love, Happiness, Gratitude, Abundance and Health and Blessings. Those are sort of general words but you can get specific, “I have a loving relationship” or “Great new job”, “I’m Inspired”, etc. Or you might choose to use a symbol, see below.
  5. After carving go for the bling, it’s fun and beautiful. You rub a bit of any oil you have in the house, plain, with essential oils or buy some magical oils and then add glitter. You can make shapes with the glitter, like a heart, a sacred symbol (see below) or just sprinkle it everywhere to create shimmering beauty. The oil will hold the glitter to the candle.
  6. Now put a drop of honey into the glass and if you can a drop on one of your fingers, and lick it off, as an offering to the “Gods” and/or source energy.
  7. Now take your 5 pennies and make a wish or intention with each one – taking your time to really infuse the copper (which is a great transmitter of energy) with what you want. This is yet another powerful way to clarify what you want. You hold one penny at a time, put your intentions / desires into it and drop it into the glass so that it lands on top of the honey.
  8. Put some incense into your spoon and light it up and make a star shape over the glass, then a circle and then put the incense into the glass, over the pennies and honey.
  9. If you have the candle that slides in and out of glass you now put it back into the glass, if you are using a regular candle make sure you put it on a wide a sturdy candle holder.
  10. Take some time to meditate over the candle, putting the energy of what you want into it, really see and feel it. Make some figure-8 motions over it to seal in your intentions and you are now ready to light it. If you have a personal ritual to offer thanks to your source you would do that now.
  11. Sometimes it’s nice to light it with a loved one. You can make this a bonding group activity or a sacred ritual for yourself – or both, as you will light it more than once.
  12. Every time you light the candle always take a moment to reaffirm what your intentions are. It’s a great manifestation tool and intention ritual.

 

Now That You Have Completed Your Candle

No matter the method you choose to create your candle you want to light it with the intention of what you want. Sit and watch it for a few minutes and visualize your intentions manifesting. Watch the way it burns over time – there are messages in that. If part of the candle is not burning properly it might mean you have to be patient or it might burn perfectly down to the bottom showing you the path to what you want is clear. There will always be residue on the glass and when the candle has finished observe it and see if there are any messages for you – the way a candle burns and what it leaves behind can be great guidance – trust your internal wisdom for the answers you seek.

For example, Tony and I made a candle together, not in glass, and with the intention of creating joyful abundance for the re-launch of our company Tony&Tina and as it burned it turned into a wave. This wave symbolized a wave of activity, which has actually begun. For a Solstice candle I put in the energy of my life blooming in every way and from the beginning it actually looked like a flower spreading it’s petals.

 

Intention Candles As A Gift

For any holiday or special event it’s a thoughtful, and affordable, gift. You can make it yourself now that you have learned how to make them. We also offer a Bespoke option – where you tell us exactly what you want for the person receiving it and we will make it and ship it. Just contact us.

BE MINDFUL: Never leave your candle lit when you are not in the house or by anyplace where there is a breeze.

Supply Reference:

  1. To buy pull out candles, incense and oils contact Other Worldly Waxes – they are Wiccan based but I’ve known the owner for over 20 years and she’s very normal and cool – and she’s actually a therapist. https://www.otherworldlywaxesandwhatever.com or you can contact me and I will get you whatever you need.
  2. Glitter from Michaels or your local crafts store.
Categories
Healing Intentions Mindful Self-Care News Positive Thought

Love Is Enough

It is so easy to get caught up in thought stress loops, which just block us in everyway possible. Tony’s latest post got me thinking about the sacred space of silence which led me to think about what it is to be in silence and in that present moment.

It’s pure beauty and love, I don’t know if there is anything beyond that sometimes. Even when bad things may be happening if you really step back you can see LIFE and life does not favor good or bad, it just is. John Perkins once told me a story of a loved one passing and he described it as ecstasy and I did not understand. I will try to do his answer justice…. He explained that in life you have great joy and great pain and both are a part of the greater source that connects us all and it is pure love. It’s beautiful and is the true definition of ecstasy.

I hope I have expressed the point:

  1. That beauty can be found in everything.
  2. Observe Yourself. When in a bad situation step back into that place of silence and observe. See the larger view, the lesson and the motivation to change, if you want. Being in that space does not actually require any kind of thought let alone detailed ones.
  3. Finding the Emotions. I believe when you see the larger picture of anything we are capable of seeing things with a compassionate eye. When we tap into that compassion our heart opens and we feel love.
  4. Be Grateful. If you can feel love, starting with self-love, that love will translate into how you feel about your life and the people in it.
  5. If you agree with all of the above then love really is enough. I think that is fantastic to know and tapping into it can change your life.

What I have been writing about is larger idea of what love is but in a day to day, moment by moment point of view – if we can really love ourselves and you have to really sit back and dig deep to see if you actually believe on a fundamental level that you love yourself – once you can say, “Yes I do” you can then begin to extend that love to others in a deeper way. You can deepen every relationship you have through love. It doesn’t have to be put on a loudspeaker; you can just feel it and that energy will radiate from you and others will feel it. Then you get to create a new thought loop, one of love not stress.

Some ways I think you can get to that sacred space:

  1. Sit in silence and focus on something you find beautiful and let your mind slowly drain of thought as you become present in that moment of appreciating the beauty.
  2. If you find your mind looping too much try a Triple Warmer Calming Exercise or a 30 Second Slow Down.
  3. Meditate, if even for 5 minutes a day.
Categories
Audio Intentions Meditation Mindful Self-Care

10 Minute Practice

At the start of each meditation session, light some incense or ring a bell or singing bowl and give thanks to your higher power. Keep these things in your meditation space. Ritual can be a powerful tool.

Now sit in lotus position, with your back straight. Imagine a balloon on a string is gently pulling the crown of your head upward, straightening your spine and allowing an effortless flow of energy that creates balance and strength in the seven chakras that run from the base of your spine up to the crown of your head. Visualize the breath gently washing through your body, calming the nerves and releasing blocks… with every exhale see yourself expanding and opening… you are expanding into your limitless consciousness and every breath is expanding your awareness further away into space and into the serenity that exists there… you are opening to the healing love energy of the universe.

Now visualize your body hollowing out from head to toe. There is a deity called Vijisattva, whose name means emptying out. You can call upon this energy force if you are having a hard time letting go. If you have a busy mind, try relaxing your tongue. When your tongue is relaxed thoughts don’t form in a tangible way… don’t chase it, just be… thoughts come into your mind and effortlessly pass through. Sometimes we have a busy mind and that’s ok, just always come back to your breath.

Categories
Energy Medicine Healing Intentions Intuition Mindful Self-Care

The Beautiful Language of Energy


The beautiful language of energy is well understood by babies and young children. Some of us hold onto this natural instinct, the ability to get information from the energy we feel outside ourselves. Unfortunately this innate gift declines as intellect and societies judgments take over so many of us discredit it. Luckily this has been changing and you can even hear it in mainstream language now – “I didn’t like the vibe” – is an easily understood description for how a person feels about the energy of the situation or person.

At this stage in our evolution our internal wisdom is blossoming. More and more people are seeking to develop their intuitive knowing; we are getting in touch with “energy” as a global society. This offers great opportunities for more information about the powerful force of energy to be accepted as a legitimate healing tool and the opportunity to have a deeper personal understanding of it, which will bring about great personal and global transformations.

Of course it all starts with us so learning how to understand and trust your intuition is an essential life journey. I have always considered myself an intuitive person, I held onto allot of that childhood instinct but learning how to use it on call was another story. I think if we are in any dangerous situation our instincts automatically kick in but to consciously tune in and let it become a trusted guide takes practice. For me it was difficult to figure out which direction I was being pointed in – what was my yes / what was my no?

For me learning through failure was helpful. I would look inside my self anytime I got it wrong (I explored the feeling of getting it right as well but for some reason identifying why I got it wrong was more helpful). I would look for what it felt like and even what the texture and/or color of it was. For me when it’s right the feeling is light and clear and when wrong heavy and dark. But as there are many feelings in between feelings and some of it remains a mystery…the journey continues. Keep at it, practice will boost your confidence!

Some helpful hints are:

  • Clear and balance your 6th chakra
  • Always ground yourself before opening to the cosmos
  • Spin a crystal in front of your third eye
  • Crown pull – firmly create space with your fingers from the center of your head outward, from hair line to bottom of neck.
  • Gently rub forehead with palms of hand from the third eye out
  • Rub pinky finger
  • Set the intention that you are tuned in
  • Ask for help from your higher source and/or guides


Whenever you open to outside energy always set your boundaries. You choose what energy comes in so state that intention, such as “I only invite loving presence and healing forces to come into my energy field” or “the information I seek will come to me with love” and to this end some other essential energy medicine techniques are helpful such as the zip up and making sure your auric filed is strong.

Please check out www.cristinasenergycenter.com

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