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Vibrational Sound Healing is becoming internationally recognized as an effective tool. It is a proven modality that uses vibrational sound to shift brain wave states, alter consciousness and create a deep sense of well being which translates into better health. In all sound healing traditions, there is the awareness that the mind, heart, body and spirit are an inter-connected system.  From this ancient wisdom, the sound instruments create a carrier wave designed to re-align your physical, emotional, and spiritual energies.  The person generating the sound and the space it is generated in are also factors in the experience.

My personal journey with sound has focused on using sound to create vibrational tones and frequencies that alter the brain wave states and create shifts in all levels of being. In my cd, Megaton’s Heart the instruments include Tibetan bowls, tingshas, a crystal bowl, tabla and voice. Each of these instruments create harmonic vibrations and overtones which impact the sympathetic nervous system directing your brain waves to synchronize with the sound and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.  These harmonic tones engage the body to slow down the heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and brain wave activity.  As this happens, the receiver can shift its relationship with pain and discomfort by moving into a non-judgmental space and reconnecting to its own inner knowing.  Initially, the somatic intelligence of the body is more easily accessed through altered states of consciousness until the person has shifted his/her awareness to include the inner planes.

The scientific study of human sound perception is known as psychoacoustics. The perception of sound is currently limited to a certain range of frequencies. For humans, hearing is normally limited to frequencies between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hertz (Hz).  However, the body is receiving and affected by all frequencies.  The human brain emits electrical impulses which correlate with various mental and emotional states.  During the waking state, the normal frequency of our brain waves is Beta which is measured at 12-30 Hertz. Beta is associated with attention to the outer environment that is alert, engages the sympathetic nervous system and creates more stress related hormones.  Using sound can entrain the brain to move into the deeper Alpha, Theta and Delta brain wave frequencies. Generally speaking, these are the frequencies that generally induce deep meditative states, inner peace, clarity of mind and a greater connection to one’s intuition.  Each brain wave state has a particular state of attributes.  Alpha is measured at 8-12 Hertz and is associated with a state of relaxed attention.  It can be used to increase the capacity to learn as well as increase athletic ability.  Theta is measured at 4-8 Hertz and is associated with deep internal awareness and the ability to access your own perception.  It tends to be the gateway for a transformational experience to occur.  Delta is measured at .5-4 Hertz and is associated with deep relaxation and sleep.  In this state the mind simply becomes aware of itself with no awareness of the outer external world.

Tibetan Singing Bowls appear to originate in pre-Buddhist shamanic cultures dating back 5000 years.  The bowls I am using are hand cast and forged from 7 different metals.  According to tradition, the seven metals correspond with each of the 7 inner planets; gold for the Sun, silver for the Moon, mercury for Mercury, copper for Venus, iron for Mars, tin for Jupiter and lead for Saturn.  Each bowl has a fundamental tone or note and a variety of overtones.  Tingshas are also known as Tibetan chimes or cymbals.  When struck the tingshas produce a long lasting higher pitch sound.  They are perfect for clearing spaces.  Both are used traditionally in meditation, prayer and rituals in Tibetan Buddhism.  Crystal bowls are made from crushed quartz crystals and they have a higher tone, saturate more space and have larger wave oscillations.

Immersing yourself in sound can be a guided journey into your inner landscape.  So take a moment to imagine the experience being inside of a very profound personal and interactive journey. Every experience is different and includes the creation of a sacred intimate space in which deep transformation can be accessed.  Each time you enter this space is an opportunity for growth using vibration, frequency, tone and intention.  The benefits are fundamental shifts in clarity, joy, inner awareness and greater harmony.  Now add in the intention of restoring the balance that exists in nature, the planet, the solar system and beyond.  The absolute beauty of vibrational sound is the ability to nurture and nourish the body while disengaging the critical or cognitive mind. I highly encourage you to discover the amazing healing and consciousness shifting attributes of sound.

About The Author:  Renee LeBeau is a self-trained musician who came into the world with the ability to hear beyond the physical world.  She has been utilizing her voice and various instruments to create sounds that can assist people with changing their perceptions creating an inner paradigm shift.  Her focus has been a journey of deep transformation and transmutation while functioning as a tour guide for others.  Renee has been exploring the Universal language of sound her entire life through classes, books, workshops and direct experience. 
To order Renee LeBeau’s “Metatron’s Heart”, click here.  To learn more about Renee LeBeau, click here.

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Mardi Gras Gumbo, Southern Louisiana Style

(Great for Mardi Gras and in honor of my Mother &Cajun Aunt Dot. Contribution of this recipe by Linda McDill, pianist and music producer/booking agent )

ROUX: 1 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup flour

2 cups of onions, chopped

8 ribs celery, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

GUMBO: 8  cups chicken broth or shrimp stock

2 packages (10 oz. each) frozen okra, thawed, sliced (optional)

1/4 cup Worchestershire sauce

  2 large dried bay leaves

1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced

2 tsp. thyme, dried

2 tsp. basil, dried

2 tsp. oregano, dried

1 tsp. sage

1/2 tsp. cayenne

1 tsp. black pepper

chopped flat-leaf parsley and green onions for garnish

2 lbs. shrimp, peeled & deveined

1 qt. oysters, undrained (optional)

1 lb. crab meat and crab claws

1 lb. firm white fish fillets, cut in 1 inch pieces

hot cooked rice    crusty French bread

gumbo file powder*    red Tabasco sauce

This is not a meal you can throw together in a few minutes. It takes a little time and preparation, and is most fun with a kitchen full of people to help.

First you make the roux: Combine butter and flour in a heavy skillet; cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly, until roux is dark. Be very careful to keep the roux from scorching. Once it’s dark enough, stir in onion, celery, and garlic; cook 10 minutes, stirring often. Transfer roux mixture to a big soup pot. Add chicken broth, okra, crab claws, bay leaves, parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, sage, and pepper. Simmer 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add shrimp, oysters, crab meat, and fish to the pot; simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve gumbo over hot cooked rice. Put the file and the Tabasco on the dining table.

Gumbo, y’all!

“Most of my holidays and all the summers of my childhood were spent at my family’s beach house on the Texas Gulf coast. The Bolivar Peninsula juts west from the Louisiana border, stretching towards nearby Galveston Island. The people, the music and the food, have strong Cajun influences. Before Hurricane Ike, Bolivar was rural and rustic with cattle pastures and seagulls, green rice fields and sandy oil fields. Pickup trucks towing small fishing boats and car ferries to the island were familiar sights. A few honky tonks and beach shops dotted the two-lane road that dissects the peninsula. Although Bolivar is hardly recognizable now, the nights still guarantee stars, waves, a salty warm breeze and the lights of Galveston twinkling across the bay.

Big dinners were the norm on the coast, and our beach house seemed to be a magnet for a big group and a big dinner. A special meal that was standard at the summer parties my parents hosted was to become the symbol of my family’s celebrations and our great appreciation of fresh seafood. Gumbo! Here’s the story:

My dad had a 50-foot long seine, a large fishing net with wooden poles on each end. Just after dawn, friends, family and beach neighbors would start gathering at our house to go seining. If they didn’t have enough guys, they would drive with the seine in the back of a pickup truck down the rows of nearby cabins, waking men to come help. Kids, wives, grandmas and other neighbors would walk down to the beach to see what the catch would bring. It was always an event that drew a crowd to hang out on the beach and watch.

It took six to a dozen men to pull one end of the seine out into the oncoming waves. When they would get out just over their heads, the men would arc around and pull the net back to the beach. Each return to the shore would bring the net full of trout, red fish, crabs, shrimp and more. There were usually a couple of big jellyfish and an occasional baby hammerhead shark. It was always thrilling and frightening to see how much life there was right in the water where we swam daily. To our great delight, my sister and I once found a tiny seahorse in the net. Old bottles, seaweed, beautiful shells – the bounty was amazing.

The men would pull the seine out and back a few times over the course of a morning. It would bring enough seafood for a huge gumbo and plenty for everyone who helped to take home a share of the fresh catches of the day. The men would stop seining in the heat of the day, and the gumbo-making would begin. The crowning glory of a big day in the surf was a seafood feast that was ready by early evening. A crowd gathered again…”

Excerpted from Everything I Eat Nourishes Me, A Cookbook for Body & Soul ©2010 by Aline Fourier.

Author Aline Fourier

About The Author:  Aline Fourier is a writer, symbolist painter, and multimedia artist who holds a Masters in Special Education and has trained in Psychosynthesis Counseling with Dr. Tom Yeomans and in Mandala Symbolism with Dr. Robert Johnson. Her background has been quite eclectic, including extensive study in Eastern and Western psychological disciplines and shamanism. Fourier conducts grief and trauma workshops and workshops focused on awakening the child who is the spontaneous explorer within us all. Fourier and her husband own Ortiz Mountain Gallery, where she displays her artwork. She presently devotes all her time to her writing, painting, healing work and caretaking the earth where she lives. To order Everything I Eat Nourishes Me,A Cookbook for Body & Soul, click here.  To learn more about Aline Fourier, visit www.alinefourierstudio.com.

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At last you feel as if your life is moving forward again now that your action-packed ruling planet, Mars, is moving forward again. The plans you made earlier in the year are now beginning to take shape. However, this year all the planets move in retrograde motion (apart from the luminaries, the Sun and Moon, which never do) and now it is the turn of Venus which turns retrograde in Gemini on May 15 making it hard to get to the bottom of things and communicate effectively. Also, before then on May 5 there is a Full Moon in Scorpio in your area of shared resources so there could be disagreements over money and who owns what. You can iron things out around May 9 when Mercury moves into the money sign of Taurus, helping you to simplify previously complex arrangements. From about mid-May you can begin to accomplish a lot as long as you let go of the past and old modes of thinking and attitudes and habits that bring you down. There is a New Moon Eclipse on May 20 just after the Sun enters Gemini reminding you to be open and flexible in your thinking. The key this month is more action, less talk – a welcome reminder for Aries!

TAURUS

Your ruling planet, Venus, goes retrograde this month so you may find yourself reconsidering past relationships, or friends from the past may appear in your life. It is a good time for you to review your relationships and perhaps work out how you can improve them in the future. There is also an emphasis on money management. Now is a good time to put your finances in order, reduce debt and streamline your resources. There is a Full Moon in your opposite sign of Scorpio on May 5 highlighting relationships and this may bring issues to the surface so that you can be clear about them and deal with them. Watch out for feelings of resentment and use this time to reflect on how you can deepen existing relationships and business partnerships rather than feeling overly emotional about issues and challenges that may come up now. You are in a positive phase with the planet of good karma and good fortune, Jupiter, in your sign of Taurus. On May 13, the Sun joins with Jupiter boosting your confidence and talents. Take an opportunity that may come your way to increase your income or your resources in some way. Keep your feet on the ground, be practical and you can now move in the direction of making your dreams come true.

GEMINI

May 5 is an important day with the Scorpio Full Moon, and your ruling planet, Mercury opposing Saturn. This may slow the pace of your communication style and help you to attune more deeply to others’ feelings and your own. Steady rhythm and Gemini do not usually go hand in hand but you may find that things are calmer and steadier this month as you seek peace and quiet times. This is good because it gives you the time and space to make the most of all the fertile ideas that are filling your mind right now and you will particularly feel the need for some solitude when Venus turns retrograde in Gemini on May 15.  Venus remains in your sign until August 7 making this a good time for developing friendships, and improving your income stream. You may find yourself thinking of the past and learning from past mistakes in these areas. Also girlfriends from the past may come back into your life during this time and you will find that you can pick up where you left off. The Sun enters your sign of Gemini on May 20 just prior to a Solar Eclipse; this marks the beginning of a new cycle and a speeding up of the pace of your life.

CANCER

May is all about the team and the group and this is where you’re shining right now until May 20. You will find yourself spending a lot of time with others but there is also a profound need for you to have some quiet downtime on your own so make the time for this, especially once Venus turns retrograde on May 15. This is a great opportunity to reflect on the past, and past relationships and take time out from everyday. Immerse yourself in some nurturing reflection, meditation and spiritual practices. You should be able to have a clear vision of what’s up ahead now and things can come into focus on May 16 when Jupiter forms aspects with Saturn and Pluto, causing you to take a reality check on your plans. You are always sensitive but especially so around May 20 with the Lunar Eclipse aspecting Neptune. This would be a good time to “get away from it all” by taking a trip, vacation or just going into Nature for a day or two. It will help you to de-stress and revitalize yourself, and listen to the promptings of your intuition about what to do in the next few months, which is a profoundly important time for you.

LEO

Life is at last becoming more expansive this month especially after a series of aspects to adventurous and abundant Jupiter on May 4, May 7 and May 13. New paths open for you but you may still have to deal with things from the past when the Full Moon in Scorpio on May 5 draws your attention to unfinished business. Instead of pushing ahead, take some time out and deal with what you need to deal with. This may include relationships from the past and promises made in the past when Venus goes retrograde on May 15 through to June 27, compelling you to rethink past mistakes and question current friendships. However, the Solar Eclipse in Gemini on May 20 may bring new friendships your way which seem more relevant to where you are at in your life now. What look goods to you at the beginning of May could change during the Venus retrograde period so don’t be quick to make commitments, romantic or business. Also your goals and vision for the future could change in the coming months. The month ends in an exciting way, intensifying your communications, ideas and plans.

VIRGO

May is a good time for you to think about your future career plans and goals. Don’t rush into anything because what looks good now could change once the planet Venus begins her retrograde motion on May 15 through to June 27. You are going through a period of reorientation and reality check which causes you to look at life differently. Things you thought you wanted no longer hold the appeal they did previously. Neptune in your area of career and vocation may bring some confusion and discontentment, leaving you a little disenchanted with the environment in which you work. You are now seeking more fulfilment and may realize that in order to find what you need you have to seek in another direction. You are always practical and pragmatic; right now there are four planets in earth signs that assist you in seeing things as they are not as you wish they would be. Expect some radical shifts in your thinking this month and you’re ready to take a few risks. There is a New Moon Solar Eclipse on May 25 that helps you to make some changes and brings good news.

LIBRA

Try and remain centered in the present moment this month because you’ll feel a tendency to be living in the future, or in the clouds; finding it difficult to be motivated. You are usually an action-packed person but all the delays you’ve experienced this year have taken their toll and now you’re finding it hard to get going. There is a Scorpio Full Moon on May 5 which could reveal some financial issues between you and a loved one that could cause some upset. Between May 15 and June 27, your ruler, Venus turns retrograde bringing the possibility of old flames coming back into your life but also giving you a chance to revise and solidify current relationships. This is also a good time to communicate about jointly held possessions and work things out. You are feeling innovative around May 20 with a Gemini Solar Eclipse. Make sure you keep to the facts because a Mercury conjunction with Jupiter gets you dreaming big and you could become overconfident. Somebody you know could try and impress you with something that sounds too good to be true; it probably is right now!

SCORPIO

On May 5, the Full Moon is in your own sign and this can bring emotions to a head. It opposes Jupiter in your area of partnerships and so you could feel conflicting urges to get more involved with someone on the one hand, and break up or pull away on the other. It also tends to force decision-making so be prepared! To be forewarned is to be forearmed and this is something Scorpio likes so that they retain control of a situation. This is an intense time but you can handle. Take time to work on self-mastery through spiritual disciplines and meditation and this can bear fruit. As a Scorpio, you are very intuitive but sometimes neglect to listen to that still, small voice. Now is the time to pay close attention and you will make the right decisions. Venus goes retrograde on May 15, further complicating relationships and bringing up issues and people from the past. Now is the time to forgive past wounds and move forward, as things will only get more intense from now on and hanging onto the past will only you hold you back.

SAGITTARIUS

The Scorpio Full Moon on May 5 opposes the Sun, and this could bring complications or emotions to a head in your work place. Things you thought you had under control could be exposed. Be calm, patient and prepared to go with the flow rather than confronting issues at this time. It could work against you if you do. Also, you may have to take a back seat with close relationships; allowing them to be – rather than trying to force or mold them into something you want. Just be grateful for the support and go out of your way to help. Things are falling into place but taking a little longer than you or your partner would like. Be patient and supportive but try and see things as they are rather than confusing fantasy with reality. From May 15-June 27 Venus goes retrograde, bringing up issues with partners from the past. The good thing is that you can now deal with and resolve things that have been nagging at your for a long time. If you are single, it may bring people or past loves back into your life.

CAPRICORN

You could still be in the midst of job or work-related stress but this will be compensated by some fun times with loved ones and, if you’re single, the possibility of new romance. Your relationships generally are positive and fulfilling. On May 5, the Full Moon in Scorpio brings focus on collaborative efforts and teamwork, as well as potentially emotional outbursts with friends. Take a deep breath and use your Capricorn control to steer a potentially difficult situation into safe harbor. On May 15, Venus goes retrograde affecting your work place or employment and urging you to make adjustments in this area of your life. Also your daily routines may be affected and added stress could affect your health. Combat this by increasing your meditation, yoga or spiritual practices. You may experience a little doubt around May 21 with some difficult aspects to Mercury. Regain your balance by looking at things philosophically and plan a positive vision for your future. You have the determination to reach your goals by methodically taking one step at a time, no matter how impossible they may appear at times. Have faith!

AQUARIUS

You may be experiencing some power plays or complications in your career revealed by the Full Moon on May 5. However, things definitely improve around May 13 when the Sun joins with abundant Jupiter and brings you the potential for expansion, improvement and even promotion. However, don’t set your goals too high; be realistic and take opportunities that come your way. You could feel a bit under stress at this time as the pace picks up. On May 15, Venus turns retrograde reminding you of past mistakes and urging you not to repeat them, especially in the area of relationships. You are feeling full of vitality around May 16 with a Mars-Pluto trine empowers you and encourages you to express yourself. This mood continues throughout the month and you may be enjoying a sense of freedom and joy as the month ends. You are feeling so good that you may try and get other people to share in your good fortune. However, don’t push things because you could end up upsetting others if you do this.

PISCES

Things you thought were set in stone may feel a bit shaky in May when your ruler, abundant Jupiter, forms stressful aspects with three of the outer planets. You may get some unexpected news around May 7 which could manifest as a positive breakthrough or a shift in your life. You may also experience some delays making this a rather stressful month all round. However, it’s not all bad. It’s a great time for friends and allies to support you so don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is a Scorpio New Moon urging you to let go of issues from the past. If you don’t you could experience some extreme emotions around this time. You could also find that an old friend or old flame may re-appear in your life expecting things to be exactly the same as they were previously. You will realize that you are no longer interested in repeating old mistakes and ready to move on.  You’re actually in a future-oriented phase when you can take steps towards manifesting your heart’s desire.

Chrissie Blaze

Chrissie Blaze is a professional astrologer, author of nine published books, radio show host and international speaker. She has a popular website –http://www.chrissieblaze.com where she publishes astrology updates, teaching and upcoming planetary news. She also offers Karmic Charts, Forecasts, Compatibility Charts and more.

c Chrissie Blaze 2012. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or part may be done without written permission from the author.

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The Goddess Sign for Taurus is the Tree of Life.  Trees, especially those that bear the fruit of immortality, are connected with the Goddess in cultures around the world.  She typically lives in a western garden with a serpent that guards the Sacred Tree.  Gardens located in the symbolic west, the place of the sun’s daily death, connote immortality in numerous cultures where the goddess holds the secret to resurrection.  The energy, which sinks sustaining roots deep into the Earth, describes the grounding and stabilizing nature of Taurus.  Taurus goddesses embody the element of earth, and many are also symbolized by cows or other strong, protective mammals. Qualities of Taurus goddesses are abundance, sustenance, manifestation, security, growth, the establishment of roots, and fertility.

Green Tara is Mother Earth in her oldest form and is the most revered of all the pre-Vedic goddesses of India.  She is a female Buddha and one of the aspects of the Great Goddess Tara, who encompasses all manifestations of feminine divinity.  She is sometimes called the Mother of the Buddhas.  Her name means “star,” or “she who ferries across,” and we can call on her as we move into the spiritual-growth aspect of our lives.  Gaia is one of the oldest creation deities from the area that much later became Greece.  Her shrines were built in mountain caves and in sacred groves of the oldest trees.  In myth, Gaia’s temple at Delphi was given to her by the great serpent being Python.  Thousands of years later, when Zeus took over as king of heaven, the Greeks still swore their most sacred and binding oaths to Gaia because they were still subject to her law.

Asherah is another vastly ancient fertility goddess who was worshipped in both Egypt and Canaan, the biblical Promised Land.  She was the consort of both Ba’al and Yahweh.  She is a benevolent goddess who gave her love freely and was called Mistress of Sexual Rejoicing. In Israel, archaeologists have unearthed thousands of terra-cotta figurines of Ashera, some of which look like pillars or tree trunks.

Maia is the Greek goddess whose name is the origin of the English word May.  She embodies the forces of growth and brings the seasonal warming of the earth.  The Greeks knew Maia as the Grandmother of Magic. Some stories say she scorned marriage, preferring to be free.  Lakshmi is a well-known and beloved Hindu goddess usually equated with wealth.  Although most people may believe this refers only to material wealth, her nature is far-reaching, and includes the deeper idea of spiritual riches and alignment to divine wisdom.  Her name comes from the Sanskrit word laksya, meaning “aim” or “goal”.

Hathor is one of the most ancient Egyptian goddesses. Her sacred animal is the wild cow, and her magical implement is the sistrum, a type of musical rattle.  One image of Hathor is a winged cow that gives birth to the whole universe.  When the goddess manifests as the Seven Hathors, who foretold a child’s destiny at birth, she resembles the Greek Fates and other goddesses of fortune.  Callisto is another pre-Hellenic goddess whose name means “fairest one.”  Like the later Greek Artemis, who took on her qualities, Callisto is a goddess of the hunt who possessed keen instincts.  One of her forms is a bear, one of the oldest symbols of the Great Goddess, reaching back in time at least seventy thousand years.  She survives in starry form as the constellation Ursa Major.

Asase Yaa is a goddess of the Ashanti people of western Africa.  Called Old Woman Earth, she is a creation goddess who gave birth to all of humanity.  She also reclaims her children at death as they return to the earth, which is her womb.  Hou Tu is a Chinese fertility goddess who is similar to the goddess Gaia and represents the deification of the earth.  Her domain is earth magic, and the ceremonies and rituals performed in her honor were believed to bring people into resonance with their Divine Mother.

White Buffalo Calf Woman is the daughter of the sun and moon and comes to earth as a wakan, a holy woman, in critical times to reach humanity.  She is Whope, “falling star goddess,” to the Plains Indians, and Ptesan Wi, or “white buffalo calf woman,” to the Sioux.  She is a sacred being of supernatural origin who appeared out of a mysterious cloud two thousand years ago, blessing the Sioux with a sacred bundle of seven rituals.

At this time of year in the northern hemisphere the signs of spring are everywhere, and our thoughts turn toward our gardens and growing things. These ancient and powerful Taurus goddesses remind us of the sacredness of the earth and her creatures.  We are reminded to walk gently on her body and to respect all life.  There is power in the knowledge that the Goddess renews everything in an ever-repeating cycle of death and rebirth.

Julie Loar

Based on and excerpts from Goddesses for Every Day © 2010 by Julie Loar.   Printed with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA www.newworldlibrary.com

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As your meditative practice progresses, it is important to learn to recognize the forms that resistance may take. The truth is, the obstacles only seem to be many. They are all based on three primary stages of development.

Body Identification

The first story the Wolf of Darkness (the ego) will tell you is that you are your body and nothing more. This is the most basic form of resistance to meditation, and it includes any thought or experience that increases the feeling of body identification. During meditation, you are switching your focus from body identification toward Spirit identification. It is helpful, therefore, to begin to view your body as only a small part of what you really are, and not your core self at all. The body is best thought of as a temporary extension of the core self, used during our time on earth as a learning tool. While you are focused on the body’s senses, needs, and experiences, you will remain tied to it and will believe that it is you. This inevitably makes meditation seem fearful, even though it is anything but, because the practice reminds you quite directly that there is more to you than this temporary mass of flesh, blood, and bones. Thus meditation challenges the Wolf of Darkness’s first line of defense.

It isn’t surprising that the forms of resistance related to the need to preserve body identification typically involve those that increase your awareness of the body and its needs. There is no subtlety about this process. These may include aches and pains, itches, shortness of breath, illness, and various other physical phenomena. Resistance may also come in the form of thoughts about the body and its needs and wants, which might include a rash of bodily fears and desires. Whatever the forms, learn to recognize them as nothing more than the Wolf of Darkness’s story that you are your body and your body is you.

In response, I suggest that you embrace the following notion and learn to hold it dear to your heart: I am not my body. I am Spirit. Memorize these two short, simple sentences, and think of them every day. They speak a hidden truth about you that will one day bring you great joy and release. The trick is learning that these words are true, which you can do only through experience. By turning inward in meditation, you are seeking exactly this.

It is also important to note here that your attempts to reach inward and go beyond the body do not endanger it. On the contrary, as we will explore more deeply later, opening to meditation naturally heals the body. So have no fear about releasing your identification with the body. Go as deeply as you can in meditation, and the body will only be strengthened by your experiences. It will still be around when you return.

Thought Identification

As you release your identification with the body, the next story the Wolf of Darkness will tell you is that if you are not your body, then you must be your individual thoughts and personality. We are always seeking a sense of self, and since the existence of the Wolf of Darkness (the ego) is based on individual personality, it must remain broken off from the greater body of Life. This must be true, because as you approach your core self, which is a direct, original reflection of Source, your sense of individuality gradually dissolves. The waterfall of thoughts in the ego-mind, then, becomes our second hang-up on the journey inward.

This presents a double-edged problem. First, as mentioned before, our thoughts run nonstop, like a cascading veil that hides the world beyond them. There appears to be no way through. Second, we are very much inclined to latch on to our thoughts anyway, for what would we “be” without all our individual thoughts? This question must arise, and it instantly increases the threat level in the ego.

The way past this avalanche of thought is not through force of any kind. Releasing this obstacle and finding your way clear instead involves reprogramming the content of the waterfall itself. You will observe, as you sit in meditation watching the stunning force of your own personal waterfall of thoughts, that quite a lot, if not most, of these thoughts are composed of negative emotions. Fear, anger, and guilt thoughts are among the most common, though they often masquerade as more moderate — or even kindly — thoughts. These negative emotions are so fearful that you will naturally be repulsed by them, and so you will not seek to challenge them and go beyond them. This is a natural enough reaction, and it is exactly why reprogramming the thought system of the mind is essential. We will discuss techniques for doing this later. For now, it is important to note the phenomenon and to

become aware of it — and, most important, to begin drawing a distinction between you and your thoughts. They are not the same, just as you are not your body. Ultimately, you will find the greatest success in meditation by letting your negative thoughts be transformed into thoughts based on forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love. Such positive thoughts lack the fearful nature of fear-based ones, thus reducing resistance to connecting with your core self. They are still just thoughts, but the switch is an essential step in the process of going beyond all individual thoughts.

Fear of Loss of Identity

After you have realized that you are not your body and you are not your thoughts, what does the Wolf of Darkness tell you? Here is the real obstacle behind the others, which were in place only to keep this one, ultimate obstacle hidden. The loss of our sense of self is the ultimate human fear, and therefore the ultimate threat from this viewpoint must be Spirit, which in its vastness encompasses the whole body of life — everyone and all creatures, all true thought, every galaxy and universe, and all levels of life, both corporeal and noncorporeal. Think of the implications! Spirit is the exact opposite of the state of separation. It is a state in which life is experienced directly as a perfect, eternal union and continuous expansion. Therefore, no sense of individual self can be long maintained within it. In the deepest meditative states, the little ego-self is temporarily swept away and grows indistinguishable within Spirit, just as it would be impossible to distinguish a single drop of water in an ocean.

This may sound frightening, but it is actually anything but. In any case, the experience is temporary, and in fact it purifies you each time you let go and immerse yourself in the spiritual world. This always empowers you and never takes away. You never lose anything in this exchange.

The way to undo this fear of loss of self is through experience. Until you realize that relinquishing identification with your individual self is not a loss — which you can do only through your own experience — you will be apt to look upon the ocean of life as an incomprehensible, alien expanse. You will be afraid that if you were to completely let go, your little self would be swept away forever. This is the biggest fear, the greatest obstacle, that needs to be undone if you are to experience the release of deepest meditation. Whatever else your problems with meditation seem to be, this is the only one you need concern yourself with. Seek only to release this fear and develop trust, and you will advance far into your meditative experience.

Order a copy today of Everyday Meditation by Tobin Blake, now on sale at Satiama.

Tobin Blake is the author of Everyday Meditation: 100 Daily Meditations for Health, Stress Relief, and Everyday Joy. He has taught meditation and spiritual awakening at Unity centers, private schools, and colleges. Visit him online at www.TobinBlake.com.

Excerpted from the book Everyday Meditation ©2012 by Tobin Blake. Printed with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com

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In this age of technology and materialism, when many wonder what tomorrow will bring, the resurgence of spirituality is a normal phenomenon.  For centuries, people have turned to religions or other belief systems for support and understanding.  Yet it never resulted in a better world on a global level.  An improved personal life perhaps, but not a better planet.  So one can wonder why, after centuries of religious or spiritual teachings on love, forgiveness, presence or service, the world situation has not improved spiritually; why acts of sharing and forgiveness are the exception, not the norm.  We can guess that the big majority of people weren’t ready for these teachings, that the failure to bring peace, love or the end of suffering on earth is the failure of humanity.  After all, the spiritual realm did its job, didn’t it?  So why are people not listening?

The answer lies in each one of us.  Our perception of the world is a very personal thing, it involves our mind and the infinite interpretations it can make about our experiences.  This is how most of us lead our lives: we base our actions on what our minds are telling us.  Yet many spiritual teachings tell us to go the other way: love, meditate, watch your mind, forgive, practice compassion, open your heart.  The discrepancy between the teachings and what we do with them is as wide as the gap between faith and belief.  Faith is the mysterious spiritual touch which brings a sacred dimension to our life.  Faith doesn’t abide by rules. Unlike belief, it has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with following one’s heart.  Faith is our personal affair with our spiritual Self.

Are we in a relationship with our soul or are we cut off from it?  We can tell by the quality of our life: a person who has faith acts from a place of trust and inner knowledge.  A person who doesn’t have faith acts from the mind, this person doesn’t trust life and often second-guesses himself.  Faith is this indescribable feeling of knowing what’s right for oneself and acting on it.  That’s what soul work is about: the inner knowledge of what one has to learn and do in this lifetime.  Every soul has its purpose, every heart, a calling.  The work required to discover it is a spiritual journey some feel drawn to take.  As you embark on this path, the real adventure begins, a new perspective slowly arises, old attachments vanish to leave room for new experiences.  Your outlook on life shifts to incorporate spiritual realities and your inner transformation is mirrored in the outer world.

Every spiritual journey leads to a better understanding of your place in the world.  Spiritual practice helps you connect with your Self, which is a drop in the sea of consciousness.  As you connect with consciousness, you slowly learn that there is an intelligent design underlying your life, and that the spiritual realm contains all you need to know.  So why not pick up a spiritual practice?

How do we define spiritual practice?  A spiritual practice is the very simple act of getting in touch with your Self.  Not with your mind, your feelings or your body, but with this sense of presence or being behind them.  How to go about it is a matter of personal preference.  A few things should guide your choice: religion or tradition do not matter, except to your heart, so it is very important to follow your intuition, not your mind (or another’s).  Practice will make all the difference: spirituality is an experience, not an intellectual pastime.  Discouragement is common, the best way to deal with it is not to expect anything from your practice.  Flowers only bloom in the right season, provided they were well taken care of.

Your spiritual practice also will bloom in the right season.

Sophie Rose

Sophie Rose is the author of The Way of The heart, Teachings of Jeshua and Mary Magdalene. She is a contributing author of The Sacred Shift, Co-Creating your Future.  Sophie is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition and has always favored a direct experience of spirituality.   She can be contacted through her blog.

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