meditation
Everyone Is An Artist
Art is a powerful form of self-expression. It allows us to communicate complex emotions and spiritual concepts through various mediums such as the visual and fine arts, music, dance, acting, creative writing, and so on.
When we are being creative we connect with the subconscious part of ourselves. This can be a powerfully healing experience to help us process and integrate our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and life experiences on a deep level.
When we are children, we don’t have any preconceived ideas about art. If you observe young children, you’ll see this very clearly. They don’t worry about how ‘good’ an artist they are. Most kids just see art as a form of play. They love to draw, or paint, or color, and are typically pretty thrilled with their creations.
So, what happens along the way that we become so self-conscious about our artistic endeavors? It seems to me that at some point most people have had ‘the artist’ within subtly discouraged or silenced. Whatever the case may be,suffice it to say that life takes over at some point and being creative artistically takes a back seat.
“I was never very good at it anyway,” or “I just did it for fun,” are common remarks I’ve heard from people. But what’s wrong with not being very good at something? Especially if it’s fun? Moreover, the benefits of spending time being creative are vast! Art Therapy is growing in popularity and more studies are being done around this modality. Continue reading
Calming The Stormy Waters Of Your Inner Child
I walk on the beach daily, near my home. In fact, I often walk multiple times a day. This is my meditative and contemplative time, to reflect and see what areas in my life I can improve or change, what areas are working well, and what shifts are going on.
In the morning, the water can be as smooth as glass. This represents true peace, clarity and reflection.
In the afternoon, the water can have three-foot to ten-foot waves, and the beach space that was so abundant in the morning, is gone. This represents the turmoil that is happening in my life and on our planet, or just what comes and goes in the daily news.
In the evening, the water settles down. It’s not quite as glass-like as in the morning, however it has a small and calming wave. This represents all the cleansing that happened during the day and the cleansing that is to happen through the night, bringing me full circle to another calm again in the morning.
This daily spiritual practice brings me a sense of awe in how the water and nature can take something so beautiful and at times turn it into something so destructive and ugly. It is so close to human nature!
When we are born, each one of us is a beautiful soul. No matter how we were conceived, or how we came to be, we are born an innocent being and all we seek initially is the love of a parent, and to then continue to be loved as we grow in our life.
Finding The Light Within
When we rely on codependent, toxic relationships, materialism and possessions, and other superficial sources of ‘fulfillment,’ it creates a weariness within us. It weighs down the soul. It drowns out the inner light.
Material things and human beings by nature cannot be perfectly reliable all of the time. Material items deteriorate and lose their luster. Friendships and relationships come and go. All that ever truly remains is spirit, and what we do to take care of ourselves. As the world is in dismay in the wake of a pandemic, we can choose to turn to spirit and to take better care of ourselves instead.
While others may choose to descend into lack consciousness, greed or an attitude of entitlement, we can choose an attitude of gratitude, inner peace and joyful living instead.
We have a tremendous opportunity right now to expand our spiritual growth and to empower ourselves with self-care. Many folks don’t realize how useful taking just a few minutes out of their busy day can be!
Adopting a new daily spiritual practice, or simply reading an inspiring book, taking a soothing bath, or buying an aromatherapy diffuser can be uplift the spirit and heal the soul.
There is also crystal energy work, nature walks, prayer, and meditation by a body of water to enhance our joy and connect with the Creator who envisioned all this and brought it all into being.
What we can’t control, we can simply turn over to a Higher Power of our understanding. We can surrender to hope and joy, and let go of our fears. We can say, “This does not have to happen on my timeline, let Your will be done in my life.”
Maybe It’s Time To Reboot Your Energy Channels!
Our bodies contain endless potential for energy: physical, mental, electrical, psychic. Much like the sun itself, we are constantly providing energy. Yet, many of us feel drained and exhausted? If we learn to reboot our natural energy channels, this doesn’t have to be so.
Like the power of our brains, we may only be using a small fraction of our personal energies. The best way to get started is a program of meditation or prayer to discover where our strongest energies lie. These are to be found in our psychic centers, or chakras.
As you begin your journey, you’ll notice stronger feelings in one or more of your seven spiritual centers: crown, eyes, throat, heart, chest, spleen, and root. It may be a slightly prickly sensation, like static electricity, or a growing warmth, or a feeling, or a pleasant coolness.
It may be helpful to repeat a personal mantra, listen to soothing sounds, or close your eyes as you do this. Imagine concentrating your energy on that particular place within your body.
You may not be able to channel fully the first few times, so keep trying. Also experiment with different times of day, lighting schemes, and mantras. After a while you’ll feel the energy building up.
As with any form of energy, it will need to be released properly once it has concentrated. Since our main receptors are our hands and feet, these are perfect for those just starting out. Feel the built-up energy flowing outward. This may also give you a physical sensation. Continue reading
The Spiritual Healing Power Of Water
Have you ever noticed how being in or around water can transform your mood? How calming and soothing water can be?
The sound of the waves rolling in and out on the shore or the sound of rain, for example, can evoke a state of relaxation. Being in the water is even more relaxing, calming, refreshing and cleansing.
Depending on what we need at a particular time and how we use it, water can offer us an energetic reset, so to speak.
Given that water can have such a profound effect on our state of being, it is a powerful tool that we can incorporate into our spiritual practice.
Throughout many spiritual traditions and cultures, water has long been revered as a symbol of renewal, rebirth, release, purification, and tranquillity. The flow of rivers, the gentle fall of rain, the sacredness of springs and the vastness of oceans all remind us of life’s natural cycles.
Water teaches us how endings can wash away the old and create space for new beginnings. Just as water nourishes the Earth and sustains all living things, it also represents the continuous movement of transformation within our spiritual and emotional lives.
In many cultures, ritual bathing or washing with water is a sacred act of purification. Whether it is immersing yourself in a holy river, blessing a newborn with water, or simply washing one’s hands before prayer, these practices all symbolise the release of our burdens and the clearing of stagnant energy. Water invites us to let go of what no longer serves us, helping us to return to a state of inner balance and clarity.
The Real Secret To Smudging Is Your Intention
The secret to smudging isn’t just in the smoke alone. It is powered by your intention. The herbs may help to cleanse the air, but it is your focused energy and mindful purpose that makes the real difference.
This is what I learned from my mentor when I undertook my Ukuthwasa as a shaman initiate many years ago in Southern Africa. An initial part of my rigorous training as a Sangoma, or traditional healer, was a self-cleansing ritual using Mphepo, made up of herbs indigenous to Southern Africa.
“Smudging,” simply put, is the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke bath. The smoke is used to cleanse areas used for rituals and ceremonies, as well as any tools or objects used for such cleansing, as well as to cleanse people.
The practice of burning incense or herbs is held sacred by many indigenous cultures. It is aimed at protecting, cleansing and purifying the spiritual and physical bodies, with the smoke being the key to rid one of negative energy.
The intention behind any smudging ceremony is a very significant part of its success. With the focus and intent of the “smudger” fully aligned, spiritual, emotional, physical and mental balance can be achieved.
It may be a good time to smudge yourself, or your environment, when you feel depressed or angry, or feel that any exterior negative energy is affecting you, your surroundings or your possessions. Or you may just wish to ensure or enhance positive energy in spaces used for meditation or healing. Continue reading
Spirit Is Always With You
How do you connect with your inner guidance? You soul essence? Ponder this question for a moment. Then shut your eyes, breathe deeply three times… and ponder this question again.
Spirit is always present within you. It does not take a time out to go get a coffee, or have a nap. Spirit simply is a part of you that never dies.
When you close your eyes and simply breathe, you will feel lighter. That is spirit trying to be more prominent than the ego.
Spirit never causes stress, discomfort, unease or negativity. Spirit is pure 100% unconditional love, and every person has this inside of them.
However, as you move forward in life, ego will always try to override spirit, whether in decision-making or choices that are important (or simple).
Ego can create discomfort, doubt, fear and the wrong type of attitude to live a spirit-filled, love-filled life.
How do you change these patterns? At least once a day, simply sit, breathe slowly, eyes closed, hands on lap. No parts of your body should be crossed, i.e. legs, arms or hands.
Now feel the essence of your true spirit flowing in your body and around your soul. Feel the essence of goodness that comes to you from this energy. Spirit will never make you feel down or negative. It will always be uplifting or at least instill a sense of calm or peace inside of you…even if only for the moment.