Archive for the ‘Meditation’ Category
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Yesterday was Yom Kippur – a day when Jews around the world atone for their sins and seek to deeply connect with God. One of the passages in my prayer book is very meaningful to me. It speaks about the journey of life and how we move through it learning our lessons and growing. I think its wisdom is a direct hit, revealing what life is about. I’d like to share it with you:
Birth is a beginning
And death a destination.
And life is a journey:
From childhood to maturity
And youth to age;
From innocence to awareness
And ignorance to knowing;
From foolishness to discretion
And then, perhaps, to wisdom;
From weakness to strength
Or strength to weakness –
And, often, back again;
From health to sickness
And back, we pray, to health again;
From offense to forgiveness,
From loneliness to love,
From joy to gratitude,
From pain to compassion,
And grief to understanding –
From fear to faith;
From defeat to defeat to defeat –
Until, looking backward or ahead,
We see that victory lies
Not at some high place along the way,
But in having made the journey, stage by stage,
A sacred pilgrimage.
Birth is a beginning
And death a destination.
And life is a journey,
A sacred pilgrimage –
To life everlasting.
This is a time of great change on many levels. People are realizing that the old systems don’t work, and the present values are shallow. I’m coaching more and more people who are in transition, looking to find where their hearts lie and what they truly value. I feel that what we’re experiencing is a period time that potentiates a huge spiritual shift on this “sacred pilgrimage.” I’m praying for it. I’m looking for a time when people connect with their essential self and with that of others.
May journey year be joyful this year.
Tags: awareness, behavior control, business success, calm mind, change, Coaching, communication, counseling, creative power, essential self, feelings, friendship, Getting It Done, global awareness, guidance, health, insight, inspiration, intuition, intuitive, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, lessons, life lessons, miracles, moving forward, relationships, self help, time management, transformation
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Growing your business, Happiness, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Meditation, Personal growth, Power of creation, Prayer, Present Time, Uncategorized, business relationships, healthcare, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Many of us tend to view stress as emotional or mental, not realizing how much the body takes on when we go through intense periods of work, relationship issues, learning or other stressful times. We expect to be physically tired after running a marathon, but may not realize how much tension our body has absorbed after a mentally or emotionally stressful period in our lives.
We’ve been taught that when we move slowly, or are inactive we’re weak, feeble or listless. Yet, every thing and every other living being idles. My car can’t run constantly. It needs to park or to idle. My dog sleeps by my side for hours while I work. After eating a lion may rest for a week. Even hummingbirds come to an almost dead stop to rest between flights. Every other animal understands that without proper rest we wear down and don’t perform properly. Performance is balanced with refueling and rest. But, many of us humans believe in pushing. Only humans move full speed all of the time, and our performance and joy suffer the consequences.
My physical therapist said: “You don’t need to push to fatigue.” I get the concept.
I’m taking out a new lease on life. I’m adding more value into my contract by releasing the pressure valve – learning to live with ease. Ah, I feel the pressure clouds lifting already and, yes, I’m smiling.
You can read my free article to learn some tips that have helped me to relax, enjoy myself AND stay effective. Go to http://www.theawarenessinitiative.com/article.php. You can also subscribe to receive the new monthly articles.
Tags: awareness, behavior control, boundaries, business success, change, Coaching, counseling, essential self, Getting It Done, global awareness, guidance, Healing, insight, inspiration, intuition, intuitive, intuitive coaching, life lessons, performance, Relaxation, self help, Stress release
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Growing your business, Happiness, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Meditation, Personal growth, Power of creation, Project Management, business relationships, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
I am in the process of creating meditations for everyday situations. The following is one I recently created when returning from a vacation. I felt so relaxed and peaceful. I knew that in the past I shifted back into my rushed and sometimes stressful life quickly, losing the lovely vacation energy. My goal with this meditation is to be able to stay in the vacation mode while being at work and handling issues at home. Note: This meditation will only be effective if you understand that stress is not an essential ingredient of success. Also, let me know if you’d like me to create a meditation for you, to help you deal with situations in your life, or attain specific goals.
Sit quietly and rest your mind, or focus on something other than your present situation. Breathe deeply, in and out. Focus on your inhalation, the breath filling you with life. Pause and then watch as you exhale and release all unneeded energy. Breathe in and out several times, relaxing and surrendering to your highest source.
Relax and breathe in the feeling of bliss from your vacation. If you were on the beach feel the soft, warm breeze and smell the ocean air. If you enjoyed the thrill of skiing in the mountains, feel the crisp air mixed with sun on your face. Breathe in the clear crisp air.
Allow yourself to feel the sensations of the trip. Notice how your heart feels. Are your muscles relaxed? Visualize the scenery and imagine yourself in it, as if in a movie. Now notice your heart space. Imagine there’s a balloon of energy in the area around your heart. Breathe in and fill this balloon with the tranquility and relaxation that you felt on the vacation. You had no worries. No task that had to be done. No one you had to call. You lived in the moment and the world was simpler. Breathe in this energy and relax.
Now let the energy of peace and tranquility, fun and relaxation present in your heart balloon radiate through your chest, your abdomen and neck. Feel this peaceful energy radiating through your arms, legs and head. Feel the peaceful cheer in your feet and hands.
The peaceful cheer of your vacation now radiates beyond your feet and fills the space around you – the room, the building you’re in or if you’re outside, the area you’re in. The energy then moves on as you experience that wherever you are is a vacation if you allow it – the appointments will happen when they need to, calls will be made, business will be transacted and tasks competed in time, in peace and cheerfulness. Your heart radiates like a glowing Sun, filling your life with the tranquility you felt on vacation.
Now focus again on your breath. Feel the peace and tranquility within you. What do you want to do now that you relaxed and cheerful? Open your eyes and begin anew.
Return to this place whenever you feel the need to release your tension. Reawaken the knowingness that all is well and life is your vacation.
Tags: awareness, behavior control, business success, calm mind, Coaching, communication, counseling, essential self, feelings, insight, inspiration, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, lessons, life lessons, moving forward, self help, transformation
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Meditation, Personal growth, Present Time, business relationships, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
I have clients who admit that they’re perhaps workaholics and blame their job, their bosses, their life situations. They actually complain because they work so hard as if it’s unpleasant. ‘Workaholic’ does not mean you work too hard because you hate it. It means you love your work so much that you can’t stop doing it.
Think about it. Have you ever heard a beer drinking alcoholic say, “I hate beer”? Or, a sugar addict say, “I hate chocolate cake but I can’t help eating it?” No, “aholics” are addicted to doing what it is they are attached to. Workaholics are attached to working long hours each day, weekends, vacations … they can’t stop. If you work continuously and long hours and aren’t sure if you’re a workaholic ask your friends and family. If one person says “yes” believe that person. The others are being kind or evasive.
Addictions can’t be brought to a halt. They must be replaced. Leaving work early to “relax” probably won’t do it for you. You’ll go home, watch TV, pace the floor, text message … until you’re bored enough to start working again. Work has to be replaced with something else that adds joy to your life.
Many workaholics have forgotten what it is they enjoy. If this is the case make plans with friends. You may not be doing what you love, but you’ll be distracted long enough to get a breath in and feel what it’s like to not work.
Here are some other steps for finding fun things to do:
1. Think back – way back – to when you weren’t working. What did you do then? Was photography your hobby? Did you enjoy reading novels, cuddled up with a cup of tea? Remember when reading was a good thing – even if you weren’t reading a self or business help book?
2. Experiment with things you’ve thought about trying, or been meaning to do. Take the Spanish class. Learn how to play tennis. Dance. You’ll probably have to schedule these things in so that you don’t work through them. Mark them as sacred appointments to your yearning to be non-addicted self.
3. Write down the things you plan on doing when you retire. Do them now.
4. Exercise. Just do it. You’ll love it soon. I promise.
5. Meditate to become aware of who you are when you’re not working. Love that person. Release any guilt you feel for having fun and enjoying your life.
A healthy life is one that’s balanced. It’s wonderful that you love what you do. And you do if you’re a workaholic. Now find out what else you love and do that as well. You’ll find you enjoy your work and your life even more.
Tags: business success, Coaching, counseling, Getting It Done, intuitive insight, jobs, lessons, life lessons, moving forward, self help, time management, transformation
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Meditation, Present Time, success, transformation | No Comments »
Friday, March 27th, 2009
I teach mediation and people say to me, “I can’t meditate. I sit and all I do is get carried away with my thoughts.” That’s not surprising. You can’t expect to sit down for the first time and “get it?” It’s like saying, “I haven’t brushed my teeth in 50 years, and I brushed for five minutes and my breath still stinks.” You sit and meditate because all you do is get carried away with your thoughts. Then, once you learn how to not be carried away by your mind, you must practice and reboot everyday… or more. The mind is very persuasive. However, it’s so worth the effort.
Meditation can be very elaborate, involving ritual activities and tools. Or, it can be very simple. To begin just focus on one thing: your breath, a chant, a flower, a flame, a sunrise… Focus only on the object or your breath and try not to get caught up in your thoughts. Your thoughts won’t stop. You’ll just learn not to follow them. At first you’ll probably focus for a second and then end up thinking about something else. So, when you notice you stop and focus again. You think about your mother. Stop and focus again. You think about work. As you continue to practice you will begin to notice when you’re carried away and have control over it. Soon you’ll be able to focus for 2 seconds, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, more. And, it keeps getting better.
Huge change may not happen overnight, but you will notice a change in yourself and your life when you meditate. It’s best to meditate everyday. Like doing exercise, when your body gets weak if you let up, your mind control will get weak and the mind will get cluttered if you don’t meditate regularly. But soon you’ll notice that your life is moving more smoothly. You’re handling stress better. You’ll probably even feel better. You’ll accomplish more . . . Isn’t that worth 10 minutes a day?
Tags: calm mind, essential self, health practices, insight, Meditation, mind control, objective observer, powerful creation
Posted in Coaching, Getting It Done, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Meditation, healthcare, intuitive counseling, success | No Comments »
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
“Ask and you shall receive.” I did and I did. It’s Monday and I’m in Utah skiing with my daughter and son-in-law for 4 days. Unfortunately they both have to work on Tuesday, and I don’t feel like skiing alone right now. I really want to ski with someone tomorrow. So, last night I asked for someone to show up who I’d enjoy being/skiing with. I also emailed a friend in Atlanta with some information about my brother’s website: www.inyourkitchen.com. I mentioned that I was in Utah. She just called me from the slopes at the Canyons (in Utah). She and her husband are here with friends and we’re getting together tomorrow. Miracles happen daily if we just ask. So happy!!!!
Tags: Coaching, counseling, intuitive insight, lessons, miracles, powerful creating, the law of attraction, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Meditation, intuitive counseling, success | No Comments »
Friday, April 11th, 2008
A client of mine asked a very important question today, and I thought I’d share my answer with you:
Question: I’ve been afraid lately, and wanted to discuss this with you. I’ve always believed that demonic spirits exist. Whether this is true or not I don’t know. However, I worry that with all this work I’m doing to try to be more intuitive and “connect to spirit”, that I’m opening myself up to negative stuff possibly.
Answer: The work that you’re doing is not creating demonic energy or bringing it to you. You are becoming more aware and may be more sensitive to it, as well as aware of all of the wonderful energy around. It’s good to know what’s happening around you, and best to be aware of danger so you can avoid it.
There are negative beings both on and off the planet. I try to stay away from both genres. The way I keep “demonic beings” away is to admit that they’re out there and to not be afraid of them. I know that I cannot be hurt if I’m in my body, aware and not afraid.
So, how to not be afraid. Here’s how I handle it:
First, I reaffirm my knowledge that the negative beings can’t hurt me if I’m not afraid. I have seniority in my space.
Second, face them and stand up to them. Recognize their right to exist, but not in my space. (respect everyone and everything).
Third, send out a force field of love from my heart. Yes, love them. Send love, love, love vibrations out into my aura and the world. The vibration of love is very unpleasant to unpleasant beings and they will leave when they feel it.
If all else fails, I call on the spirit of Archangel Michael. He’s great at defending us from negative forces.
Remember, you’re never faced with a situation you can’t handle. The object is to be strong and learn from all of your experiences. Be in your power and you will rule in your space.
Posted in Coaching, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Meditation, intuitive counseling | No Comments »
