Life Design
Making Sense Of Distorted Dreams
Life spins on its axis much too fast to form an accurate opinion, but not fast enough for you to interpret logically. The life you ‘think’ you are living exists in a realm of unimaginable chaos, before you are capable of determining what you decide it means.
Although you invest quite a bit of time, effort, energy and mind power trying to decipher the meaning of various circumstances, the actions of people, the cohesiveness of situations, the illusive events have changed position before you arrive at any coherent explanation.
Formless and indistinguishable the oblique form filled existence rests in motion, but not in the way you comprehend the word ‘rest.’ As it continues to spin, the tilted, spiraled form materializes into something of a more recognizable shape, but the something you observe is totally different from what it actually is. By the time your eyes fixate on any semblance of it, it has already moved into another direction altogether.
You cannot look at it directly and live. You see it out of the corner of your eyes as it passes by. How foolish is your mumbo-jumbo chatter! You are altered by the mere observing of it, as it is altered by your observing. It spins, it spins, and it spins. While at the same instant, you are spun into the identical manifestation you are so futilely trying to examine. Life, you along with it, constantly attracts, repels, repositions, then releases.
The form created and destroyed in the process reveals its circumvented boundaries as the life you perceive you exist in. In other words, life is so distorted and smeared from your mere observation of it through your eyes alone that the comments you make regarding ‘your circumstances’ are no more than an “…empty brass clamoring symbol…”
Archangel Raphael – The Angel Of Healing
Rafael means Healing of God. His name not only refers to physical health, but also to that of the soul. He is a healing archangel that represents the aspect of God that helps us maintain a healthy balance in our body, and our emotions.
The body is the temple of the soul, but only if we are taking care of both. Harmony between body and soul translates to inner peace and a natural ease that guides us to joyful moments, and helps us be strong through the difficult times.
Raphael can be the guide that we need by our side, not only in times of difficulties, but also in every challenge, in every new project.
Rafael is also the Protector of Medicine, and is sometimes referred to as the Angel of Science, but he has also adopted other names, such as Archangel of Health; Angel of Healing; Angel of Providence; and even Protector of the Dusk Winds. He is also called the Angel of Consecration, because he helps all who consecrate their life to the service of a higher ideal.
He is also referred to as the Guardian of the East in some Kabalistic traditions, in which he represents the element of Air (as he is also called Ruler of the Winds) and the spirit (or mind) of the person. He is often invoked to free the spirit from what in the past was termed ‘demonic attacks,’ and nowadays we might refer to as obsessive thoughts.
The Spirit Rituals Of Life – Part 1
I recently had the opportunity to spend time in a cabin out in the woods. The best part for me was the bonfire at night, while listening to the wisdom of my spirit guides.
I had hoped to enjoy solitude there, but it turned out there were other folks staying in cabins nearby. I was on this three day vacation in the woods to meditate. I had planned to go on this trip alone to get some deeper spiritual insight into what brings true fulfillment in life.
I also knew in my heart I did not have to go to an ashram far away in India, or some other exotic destination. I knew in my heart going into the woods that true contentment and happiness can only be found from within.
Blessings come to us when we are willing to listen to that still silent voice within. Spirit always meets us halfway. The first blessing came on my first day there, when I learned that the people in the neighboring cabins were all leaving and I would have the place to myself soon, except for the people who run the camp. But they were far enough away and I could finally enjoy some serious silence and seclusion.
The first night was simply magical! If I walked a little ways from the cabin, I could see the entire sky lit up with stars. I walked to the camp store to purchase some odds and ends, and trekked back to my quiet spot in the woods to get a bonfire going. Then I just relaxed, peacefully watching the flames. I was surrounded with the elements of fire, water, air and of course earth.
The Legacy Of The Modern Crone
The time of the crone is the third stage in the life of a woman, may she feels she has come full circle. The Crone is traditionally an archetypal figure for a ‘wise old woman.’ In ancient times the ‘crone’ was considered, in a matriarchal community, to typically be a mature woman past the age of menopause.
In society today, many women look at the time in life past menopause as a blessing. It is now considered a time to get on with life and achieve the things that may have been put on the backburner. It is a time when one hits that age where experience counts as true knowledge.
In my own opinion most of the women I know personally, who lived as young adults through the 1960’s and 1970’s, are not very much concerned with their physical age, as long as they have their health and feel good about themselves. They are not concerned about what society may call the age one is deemed ‘a crone.’
The term ‘crone’ is believed to originate from Rhea Kronia. Rhea is the ancient Greek goddess of female fertility, motherhood, and generation, also known as ‘Mother Time.’, She is also associated with black creatures, such as the crow, which is sacred and related to death.
There was a time when the crone was recognized as a treasured valued member of the community. Her advice was sought by those younger and less experienced. The good old golden rule was her belief of ‘the way life should be lived.’
Mastermind Manifesting
We all love to create. That’s what we’ve come here to do. One of my favorite processes for manifesting is a type of ‘mastermind’ visualization exercise, which I have used successfully for over 30 years.
I discovered this technique decades ago at a Unity Church event, where my mentor, Jack, demonstrated many spiritual practices during a weekend retreat. The one that stood out I still use to this day, and even teach to others, adding my own spin to it.
The concept is similar to author Napoleon Hill’s concept of a mastermind group. In his books, Hill discussed the idea of the ‘mastermind,’ which referred to two or more people coming together in harmony to solve problems.
It’s a very powerful practice, because many people around the world are using this process, or a similar one, which connects us and supports our visions. It’s a short process, it’s fun and I know you will enjoy it.
Originally it was done in a group, in a quiet space. As you would in meditation, we would close our eyes and hold an image or situation we want to manifest, along with also holding the visions of the other people in the room. You can do this on your own at home, but still co-create with other people all around the planet. You will be holding and building up the energy of their vision too, as they are for you.
To begin, relax in a chair, with your feet touching the ground, and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through you nose and breathe out though your mouth. Continue to focus on your breath and relax your body until you are ready to proceed.
Is It Worth Your Health And Happiness?
We are usually deep in conversation, accompanied by a lot of belly laughs, when I meet with my group of crochet girlfriends every other week. We meet around a large table, yarn in hand, to make lots of wonderful goodies to give away at Christmas, or whatever festive holiday is upon us.
Things turned serious at a recent gathering, when one of the gals in our group starting talking about her daughter, who recently separated from her husband. She said a few things about their situation and then looked up at me, but decided not to ask, as I was there for fun and not to be asked any psychic questions.
My friends know that when I’m at our crochet circle, it is about taking a break from my work and just having some fun with the girls! But it’s not always so easy.
She quickly tried changing the subject, but the other ladies started to talk about their own children. Some of the older gals even brought up their grandchildren who were recently divorced, or separated.
Many comments were made like, “Times are tough,” and, “These days things aren’t the same as they were when we were growing up,” and “Life is no longer as simple as it used to be back in the day,” and also, “Technology is ruining a lot of couples these days.”
Free Yourself With The Power Of Forgiveness
How can we possibly reconcile the feelings of anger and betrayal with a need to forgive? Are we compromising our integrity in doing so?
Forgiveness can seem like an impossibility… but it doesn’t have to be. It’s really one of the few things in life that really matters, whether it means forgiving ourselves, or someone else. It is said that allowing someone to continuously upset you, is to allow them to ‘live rent-free inside your mind.’
Others hurt us all the time. Holding on to this hurt for long periods of time can damage us physically and psychologically. And then there are those ‘little things’… like someone cutting you off in traffic, or forgetting an important date.
One thing forgiveness does not do, is make us forget the source of the pain. What it does is allow a reconciliation with what happened, and allows us to move on in a productive way. When you were a child, perhaps you got hurt with a hot stove burner or electrical outlet. You didn’t (hopefully) spend the rest of your life being angry at stoves or electrical outlets! This is basically how forgiveness also works. We can acknowledge that someone or something caused us to hurt, and be aware of how that happened, but still move past it and get on with our lives.
Holding on to anger and bitterness will color all your relationships, until you learn to forgive and let go. If, for example, you ended a toxic relationship and decided to start dating again, you might not be able to fully trust, because of the possibility of reliving that pain. A truly intimate relationship will never happen without forgiveness.