" Uplift ... "

" ... On one whole bottle "uplifting" 

There is no telling what I'll do 

Run head first into traffic 

with a mind set of annihilation 

No sense makes sense 

You can't get bought without thought 

No sense makes sense 

You can't get bought without thought inside of your head now ... "

~ Pantera ~ Uplift ~

***

Kundalini is a Sanskirt word meaning coiled.  It is used to modify the word Shakti, which means the spiritual power dwelling within every being.  This sacred inner presence is the Divine within, the sacred light and love and life that illumines each of us and guides us to union with One.  This inner Divine Guide is the very source of our manifest existence, and its constant striving is for our union with our true Self.

Kundalini Yoga is a type of yoga that uses specific pose sequences or kriyas, hand postures or mudras, mantras or sounds and meditations to elevate and uplift the practitioner.  It is a practice designed to awaken the Kundalini Energy, which is the creative and Divine power located within the body, coiled at the base of the spine.  The kriyas and meditations were created by the ancient Kundalini masters to raise the Kundalini energy to create harmony, balance, and bliss within the body, mind, and spirit. 

Kundalini Yoga originated in India thousands and thousands of years ago. The poses, meditations, and mantras were considered sacred and were passed down from teacher to student only once the student had proved themselves worthy to learn them.  In the Kundalini culture, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa also know as Yogi Bhajan is respected and loved for sharing the light and knowledge he had of Kundalini Yoga.

It is believed that to raise ones Kundalini increases consciousness and one-ness with the Divine.  And with the use of various breathing exercises carry life-giving energy into the body, reviving and renewing the body and mind at the cellular level.  Once the Kundalini has been awakened, individuals may feel a variety of experiences including sensations along the spinal cord, trembling, tingling sensations, waves of heat, bursts of joy and even transcendental visions. With some believing that activating the Kundalini energy begins the path toward Enlightenment.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Willing ... "

I wake with the wings of morning

To the light of a new day

Now my eyes are open

Through the darkest times

I find you

I find you always ...

I could break

Fall back into sorrow

Give me life

Make my faith much stronger ... 

Though I stumble ...

Though I fall

I'm willing

~ Times of Grace ~ Willing ~ 

***

Recently I heard a definition of the word Will and it resonated with me.  Understanding your personal will or willingness was defined as “the moment you realize that nothing outside of you can make you small”.  How powerful that statement really is ...

You hear about people losing their will to live, when they couldn’t hang on anymore, when there had no “reason” to go on, or when they lost their appetite for life.  I think if we are really honest with ourselves, we have all experienced times of despair, doubt and desperation.

So how do you get the space described above ... how do you regain the will to live?

By starting with acceptance.  Resistance to what is IS the source of suffering, therefore allow the natural flow of life to occur.  The reality is that it will occur with or without your participation.  And trust that there is nothing “wrong” with you.  The Divine did not place us here to suffer ... consider every experience a lesson, where victims are replaced with students.

The past is just a memory, a thought in the present.  The future is just anticipation, a thought in the present.  The only moment we have is this one, and this, and this and ...

Those who survive the most threatening situations find a reason to live ... they dig deep and have the will to carry on.  They realize the reason is not external and not temporary.  They understand unattached, unconditional joy.  And, they make a choice because in essence, life is a choice.  A choice to participate or sit this one out ... similar to walking in an amusement park without entering any of the attractions.  

Living day by day allows you to become less concerned about why you are here and what to do next ... and more appreciative about the NOW experience.  

There are two ways to live ... 

you can life as if nothing is a miracle; 

you can life as if everything is a miracle 

~ Albert Einstein 

" Enjoy The Silence ... "

Vows are spoken

To be broken

Feelings are intense

Words are trivial

Pleasures remain

So does the pain

Words are meaningless

And forgettable

All I ever wanted

All I ever needed

Is here in my arms

Words are very unnecessary

They can only do harm

~ Depeche Mode ~ Enjoy The Silence ~

***

The beauty of Silence ... brought into our monkey minds, clarity arises.  Perhaps a sense of being alive, perhaps a divine vision.

Silence ... tranquil wordlessness ...

In a world where noise pollution is so great, silence keeps one from going crazy.  A break in the chaos of sound.  A time where quiet and calm are welcomed, a time when a serene moment is available to collect your thoughts and regroup your senses, a time when a pause gives a noiseless second look at the blur of the world around you.  

Although I have always understood the importance of communication .. the ability to talk, listen, explain and comprehend.  I think there is also a real need to be quiet, because if we never rest our mouths, never retreat into silence, we can never coherently think.  The constant attack of sound grates upon our subconscious, filling our minds with words & thoughts that may not be ours.

The precious moment of stillness, of pure serenity ... the break  in the battle of words ... letting the numbness fill the room ... nothing is everything ... having the courage to put the world on pause and let the quiet stillness permeate our thoughts.

In bringing in silence, a sense of extraordinary is found within the ordinary, yet it remains unnoticed.  Perhaps true wisdom is found in the silence underlying the words.  In bringing in silence, judgement and comparison are absent and the appreciation of beauty inherent in all things is naturally realized.  We may stumble upon the treasure we all seek ... if we let the silence do the talking.

" Synchronicity ... "

With one breath, with one flow

You will know

Synchronicity

A sleep trance, a dream dance,

A shared romance

Synchronicity ...

A connecting principle

Linked to the invisible

Almost imperceptible

Something inexpressible

Science insusceptible

Logic so inflexible

Causally connectible

Yet nothing is invincible ...

If you act as you think

The missing link

Synchronicity

~ Synchronicity ~ The Police ~ 

***

I think everyone experiences synchronicity more that once in their lifetime ... maybe even even several times per week.  Yet most people say that 95% of the world does not pay attention to this confirming event.  

And even though there may be an energy that is sending us loud, bold, neon signals to look or move in a particular direction with our lives, most of us choose not to follow ... maybe because we don’t trust ourselves, we have fear of the unknown and we are unsure if it is a coincidence or a true synchronicity.  

But if you don’t know what to look for how do you know if it is happening?

Synchronicity ... when things feel like they are finally falling into place.  Similar to when the storm settles, every fallen leaf and flower have been stored, tucked neatly away.  Or when you listen to what’s in your heart, things start connecting and inner peace is found.  In my own experience, I have had many synchronicities guiding major direction changes.  I have found that if you follow these strange events they move you on to your goals and life’s purpose much quicker with fewer bumps in the road.      

So what are some examples of synchronicity ...

* Having just received your last check from unemployment, you receive a job offer

* You walk into a book store not knowing what to buy, and the book you need falls from a shelf and practically hits you over the head

* You finally end a bad relationship and immediately another partner comes into your life as if by synchronicity.

* You have been feeling ill with no clear diagnosis, you meet someone who knows a doctor or healer with the answers. All physical problems stem from emotional issues. Your soul will point out the patterns and hopefully the solutions ... when the person is ready to heal, the doctor will be there, often showing up by synchronicity. 

You meet someone who touches your soul, through synchronicity that person seems to come into your life over and over again. You begin to feel a destiny with that person and to think with your heart instead of your head. You connect with that person. In some cases the karma between the two people is positive but in many cases you have attracted that person into your life for a learning lesson whether you are aware of it or not.

Where synchroncisities come from, we may never know ... but the quicker we pay attention to this event, the quicker we can benefit from the directions the compass of the universe is trying to give us ... intoxicating us into a new direction.

things fall apart so that other things can fall together ...

" The Greater Good ... "

Breathe... us in

Breathe... slowly

Breathe... us in

Slowly...

Everything you do,

Everywhere you go,

Anything we want

Anything

Persuasion (slowly)

Coercion (slowly)

Selection (breathe)

Assimilation (us in)

~ Nine Inch Nails ~ The Greater Good ~

***

Recently during one of Oprah’s life classes, the concept of intentions versus dreams was discussed with Cheryl Richardson.  An audience member asked what was the difference between them ...great question to consider.

So how it was explained was that intentions come from a soulful place, a soul goal and dreams come from a head goal.  Most of us dream or wish for something that is not working in our lives.  Yet intentions encompass the highest and best interest for you and those around you prior to allowing it to happen.  It is a humble way considering you and the greater energy or greater creative force ... that is where intentions are set from.

Yet most of us ask “what’s in it for me?”  so are we able to live in a space of “what’s in for the greater good instead?"  Just consider how many organizations and people strive for this only to be shot down with critiques ... take the recent social media blitz regarding Kony 2012.  Even if the filmmaker’s “intent” was to shed light on the atrocities taking place, the opposition was quick to find the “hoax” in it all ... leaving many to think, it’s not in my world, it’s not in my life, it’s not my problem ... but don't we share the same skies, breathe the same air ... embrace the same universe?

So back to goals ... having them are so important in our lives because they are based on some future outcome and require planning and discipline to achieve.  Give us a sense of purpose and direction.  And along with intentions, we set focus on the future and connect the present ... how we are “being” in any given moment.  Intentions create the momentum to move forward toward our goal.  They are based on what matters most to us bringing our actions in line with our values.  This is how intentions flow from the heart and create your vision ... while goals are created in your mind.

Now how we balance our good with the greater good is an individual dilemma to consider. Yet, If we can take a step back and look at how our goals and intentions affect those around us, maybe we would reconsider our actions, locally and globally.  Perhaps “the greater good” is a starting point for thinking about morality... serving our own good as well.

Today, more than ever before, 

life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, 

not only nation to nation and human to human, 

but also human to other forms of life 

Dalai Lama ॐ

" Circle of Life ... "

"Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars 

And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars
In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life"

~ Elton John ~ Circle of Life ~
***

Well I guess it's been almost one full week since we last connected on this blog.  And in the last week, a great deal has transpired.  We have been sending healing prayers to Paul and his family whom I wrote about last week.  And they are working.  Paul has been inspired by the love and energy he is receiving and is fighting back.  Truly a miracle is happening in front of our very own eyes and we are more than thrilled to witness this amazing time.  We continue to send powerful healing prayers, blessings and energy knowing in our hearts He is listening and answering.

As well this week, there has been an emotional roller coaster ride of events happen .... Besides Paul's gentle recovery as mentioned, we had a good friend of ours, Karen, become a first time Grandma to baby Sienna.  We had another couple friend of ours planning their wedding festivities, and then we just found out that another friend of ours whom we were blessed to meet in Tijuana passed away.  Yes, an emotional ride is an understatement.  What is has done is drain my energy ... I have not been this exhausted in a very long time.  Probably because of the opposing emotions ~ sorrow and joy, pain and comfort, suffering and compassion, and weakness and strength.  All the things I wrote about last week.  We were hoping that there would just be illumination for a while, with darkness leaving us.  Only brightness and sunny days ahead ... But the reality is that this is truly the circle of life: birth and death. 

There are miracles that do happen as well.  I firmly believe our time is up with He needs us.  I use to believe that our destiny is written ... but what I do feel now is that we can negotiate ... ask for more time, be given another chance.  And, if He can do without for a while, then well, we re-write that destiny.  How that is decided, is unknown and some may read this and think .... ah, o-kay, surrrrrrrrre or what-ever.  And hey to each their own.  But for me, this is how I make sense of all this.  

It is an emotional time, a trying time, a real test.  I write a fair bit about personal journey, following our own path, believing we heal individually ... but I have not written about miracles.  And truly living and breathing human beings are miracles.  Miracles are when your friend is close to walking thru heavens doors and instead is inspired to fight, negotiate and re-write his destiny.  Miracles are when a precious baby is born out of love and shares her happiness with just her presence on our Earth.  Miracles are when a friend passes on, leaving an impact on her family and friends much further than she may have realized when she was alive.  Miracles are when two people find true love.  Miracles are the circle of life.  

As obvious as it may seem for some, there are times when things just click, make sense and you have an A-HA! moment.  This week, there has been many of them.  Life just carries on, and it must carry on.  You see, we can mourn and celebrate in the same moment.  And really, life presents those moments to us in those ways for a reason.  What that reason is ... well, still working on that.  But I know in my heart, there are blessings around every corner, in every place ... in every BODY.  

And maybe this circle of life is also a circle of healing ... an opportunity for growth ... and opportunity to create the world we wish to live in versus fight the world we are currently in.  This is what I choose to take from this last week ... emotionally charged but as I sit here on Sunday night blogging my thoughts, I have a sense of peace, solace and a tad bit more understanding of the concept of the circle of life.

"There is a well of infinity hidden within each Soul. 

There you will find an incredible energy source, 

beyond your broadest understanding. 

It is Light and Healing. The Force of Nature. The essence of Love"

"Friends ..."

"Keep smilin', Keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
that's what friends are for
In good times, And bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for"

~ Stevie Wonder ~ That's What Friends are For ~

***


Today I write with a heavy heart ...  a hurting heart.  Our beloved friend Paul is fighting for his life at the moment.  His beautiful wife Jacki, his angel, right by his side, feeling every single moment of this battle.  And we are on the other side of the world, wishing we could reach out across the ocean.  Russell and I are heartbroken.  We cannot even put into words the feelings we are experiencing right now.  I hesitated to write because I didn't know how to put down all my emotions through my constant tears.  Feeling helpless and profound sadness.

We met Paul and Jacki at the Gerson Clinic in Tijuana in March of this year.  It was a time when we had no clue what to expect and were quite vulnerable.  I remember the first day after the doctors consultation and settling into our room, we headed down to the main dining hall.  I had a fake smile on my face after a good cry in our room, constantly thinking what I am doing here?  As we sat down at the table Jacki and Paul walked in and there was literally this beam of light that surrounded them.  And, instantly there was an attraction and a warmth about them.  You know when you meet someone for the first time, but feel you have known them all your life????  Instant connection ♥ That night they shared their story of Paul's battle with cancer and I started to open up and share mine.  I was a newbie at all this "you have cancer" diagnosis ... I was looking for some armour, some protection, some way to deal with my diagnosis ... I couldn't even say I had cancer ...and Paul, who is battling a reoccurrence, had a lightness about him, a sense of calmness and assurance that he was going to beat this, no problem Mate!

I was in awe and that night, inspired by Paul and knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I thanked Him for the opportunity to be at this place at this time.

Our stay at the clinic was 3 weeks, and although we were all there for treating cancer, it was a special time for us.  A loving time.  Our days were eventful, actually enjoyable with something planned between treatments.  We had it all figured out as to when we could leave the clinic and still ensure we were on our therapy schedules.  You see, Paul has an itchy foot, just like Russell, so walking to the beach was usually on the agenda.  Hmmmm maybe something to do with being from the South Pacific??  Well, along with trips to the crazy downtown marketplace, drives down the coastline, Starbuck runs for the caregivers, jamming at the beachfront cafes, sharing funny stories at meal times, celebrating Jacki's birthday, practicing yoga, consoling each other when the range of emotions were stirred up .... and really just having moments when we needed to express ourselves ... because all fears, doubts, and frustrations were welcomed with open arms. We called it the Gerson bubble ... a safe haven for us to just BE.

Russ and I know, our experience in Tijuana would have been vastly different if we had not met our beloved Aussies.

One of the greatest blessings of being diagnosed with cancer is where this journey has taken us thus far ... we were destined to meet Jacki and Paul ~ all had to be spiritually aligned so that we would be at the clinic at the same time. And it has been an amazing blessing.  Every day I thank God for all in my life, all my blessings, family and friends and I ask for healing prayers to help my fellow friends rid this horrid disease from our bodies.  You see when we parted ways, the deal is that once we are able, Jacki and Paul will visit Canada and the boys will ski their hearts out ... in turn, we will visit the Gold Coast and there are a few pending surfing lessons by Paul.  And we know Paul is a man of his word.

So I am once again at the mercy of God.  And I know that I have been asking for a great deal these days.  And I apologize if it is too much, but I ask our Heavenly Creator to bless this time when Paul needs the strength, courage, and will to fight.  I ask Him to show love and solace to Jacki, their families and friends.  I ask Him for His Miraculous Healing to turn weakness into strength, suffering into compassion, sorrow into joy and pain into comfort.  God, I don't always understand Your ways and why our friend has to suffer, but I trust You and ask You look with mercy and grace toward Paul.  By nourishing his spirit and soul, please restore Paul to full health and remove all fear and doubt from his heart ♥

"Soul Meets Body ... "

" I want to live where soul meets body,
And let the sun wrap its arms around me,
And bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing,
And feel, feel what it's like to be new, 
... Where soul meets body"
~ Death Cab For Cutie ~ Soul Meets Body ~ 
***


This week I have been practicing my visualizations I learned from ADAM, whom I wrote about in my last blog.  In the past I have used these visualizations, but not on a daily basis and not with the same focus and intention.  It is common knowledge that what you think can affect your body.  Some refer to this as the mind body soul body connection.  Science has proven this over and over again, studies focusing on the placebo effect.  We have the capacity to control physical reactions.  


So it is all in your mind?  With intention, if you can bring in wellness, can you bring in illness as well?  Something to ponder, which is exactly what I have been doing.  I recently read about The Wellness Formula of Life.  Intrigued, I thought I would explore exactly what this was.  


The Wellness Formula of Life ~ Mind Body Soul Connection, is described as a chain of command, starting with your soul, your spirit, your higher self or your guide, whatever you choose to identify with. Your guide will tell you ... if you listen to your intuition and meditation.  But if you are not paying attention or acting on the messages, you may need some assistance in listening.  This message then goes thru your mind and heart depending on the situation.  You may have random thoughts, lose focus or just can't get conversations out of your head.  These are the signs and coincidences trying to raise a flag, get noticed and give you a heads up to pay attention by pointing you in the right direction.  Next you get feelings or a sense of what is not real, when something is not right, anxiety ... this is your heart getting involved, and leads to stress.  And if you are not paying attention still, the message gets louder and louder and build up ... similar to a whisper, to a loud talk, to tap on your shoulder, to a hit in the arm, to finally knocking you down ... the universe is really trying to get your attention!


You can decide where in the process you want to pay attention ... your guide uses the mind body soul connection and gets more and more physical with each step described above. Physical can not only mean your body, but also material world ~ property, money, relationships, traffic, losing keys, computers crashing ~ losing "something" in your material world tends to get your attention quickly!


When it comes to dis-ease or loss, there are many aspects that affect your life, not just missed messages, this is just one of them.  In the case of illness, your actual physical body is the connection to consider ~ energetic messages so as the messages get stronger, more energy moves thru your mind and heart ... energy can start showing up as pain, discomfort, damage, infection, etc ... We often are "too busy", obsessed with other things until we are forced to take time rather than taking it when you first realize you need a break ... S-L-O-W-D-O-W-N.



So with all these messages and signs how can we keep track?  Well maybe write down each day what you did or didn't do instead of just marking it off which energetically is not as effective.  

• Track Body ~ write notes on what you did and where you are improving
• Track Heart ~ affirm how well you are doing and/or what emotions are coming up and restate your intentions
• Track Soul ~ give thanks for the assistance and give appreciation for having another day to continue your development.

Trust yourself, you know more than you give yourself credit for ....You may need to build up that trust by following through on everything you promise - this means not promising what you feel you shouldn't do!  And making sure that what you are committing to is in alignment with your higher self/guide/spirit.  


So, before you start anything - be very clear on your intention = the what and why you are committing to your self.  Then, honor your promise.