challenges
What You Might Not Know About Reincarnation
Reincarnation, or the rebirth of our spiritual form into different bodies over time, is a broadly accepted concept across many spiritual traditions and cultures. It is a natural extension of the Law of Karma, which tells us that there is no cause without effect, nor effect without a cause. But beyond the basic concept, many of us don’t know very much about this eternal cycle.
Nature is full of these ongoing cycles: the planets in their orbits, the seasons here on Earth. We, in both our physical and spiritual states, are no different. At the moment of conception, our cells begin to multiply at exponential, and highly patterned rates, until the time comes for our physical birth. It is widely believed that each soul, or reincarnated spirit, enters the body when we first draw breath.
It is the agents of karma, among them the angels, who decide, for specific reasons, which souls will occupy each new body. Perhaps there are lessons to be learned or obstacles to overcome. The point is, it is believed that we ourselves do not choose.
In many spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism, the purpose of reincarnation is such that each soul may learn the requisite number of lessons in physical form to ultimately achieve enlightenment, or nirvana. One truth not commonly known is that many more souls exist in the Universe than there are physical people on Earth. A soul may not be reborn immediately following one death; it may wait for hundreds or thousands of years.
Communicating Kindness – A Message From My Guides
Our focus today is on being kind to those who are close to you and improve your communication with those you love. Sometimes people are inclined to take their loved ones for granted and speak with them entirely differently than they would speak to a stranger.
It is easy to be kind when showing genuine support and encouragement, but it can be more difficult when giving disagreeable advice, or chastising. Overall, it is much more challenging to be kind when expressing any kind of criticism. To counteract these challenges, we have three recommendations that might help.
Our first proposition is to listen actively. Many people are so compelled to answer while another is speaking that they formulate their responses without actually hearing what is truly being said. They assume that they know where the conversation is going so they miss any nuance or undercurrent within the comments being made.
Staying silent without interrupting can be very challenging, especially when you are eager to expand on positive commentary or ready to disagree with every fiber of your being. It might take an inordinate amount of practice, however, if you can master the art of listening well, people will soon think of you as a great conversationalist.
March 2019 Astrology Forecast
March is set to be an intense month that will challenge us to take another look at what is, and what is not working on our lives.
Mercury, the planet of communication is going retrograde today until March 28th. This transit will encourage us to do some spring cleaning and teach us to take our time making big decisions. In addition, large purchases, signing contracts and starting a relationship should be avoided until the second week of April.
Venus will be in Aquarius most of March. Expect friends and lovers to be more cool and detached than usual. Aquarius isn’t the most romantic sign, so anticipate acts of kindness instead of romance until Venus enters Pisces on March 26th.
The New Moon in Pisces on March 6th will bring forth creative energy, but beware of self-destructive people or behaviors that hurt more than they help. Your physical energy may be low this week, but should pick up shortly after when the Moon enters Aries.
Uranus goes back into Taurus on March 6th and puts a focus on what we are building and our resources. Revolutions in finance, farming and nature are to be expected out of this cycle worldwide.
Working With Elemental Spirit Guides
There are several different classifications of spirit guides and energies that we as humans can work with to help us on our journey. Most spiritual traditions teach about the elemental energy within the four classical elements. This is found in ancient Buddhist texts, Native American spirituality, shamanic traditions, within the Judeo-Christian and other monotheistic traditions.
Working with elemental spirit guides can give us insights and strategies to promote positive changes in our lives, reveal our unconscious self-destructive patterns, and transform our subconscious mind and create a harmonious and balanced internal story. Elemental guides can also assist us when we are walking through a difficulty or life challenge, as well as intensify our ability to manifest the lives we want.
It is not difficult to connect with the elemental forces. There are many strategies that can assist in bringing these elemental forces into our everyday lives.
The Spirit Of Water
The spirit of water is associated with emotions and love. It can be used to help in assisting with emotional challenges, grief, and a better understanding and greater experience of love in our lives.
In many ancient traditions there is a parallel between water and being humble. It is said to be the humblest of all the elements, always seeking the lowest point. However, in its humble position it is also one of the strongest elements. In seeking the lowest position, it can evaporate into the air, satiate the flames of fire, and carve through the mountains of the earth.
Dare To Find Your Way Again!
Why should there be a yellow brick road? The answer is simple: everyone should have a personal path to Oz.
In the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, after losing her way home, Dorothy was advised to follow the yellow brick road. Along the way, she was given a pair of beautiful ruby slippers. She was also cautioned not to remove these special shoes and not to lose sight of the yellow brick road.
There were times when Dorothy threw caution to the wind and walked away from the path. I recall watching scenes from the movie and holding tightly to the edge of my chair in anticipation of the perils faced by Dorothy. There was the Wicked Witch of the West and her army of dutiful, misguided monkeys. There were wind storms and spells in which day was cast into night. There was even a cranky old man who pretended to be the omnificent power of the Universe.
Much like Dorothy, each of us has faced difficult times in our lives when we have found ourselves without direction and far from home. Some of us have even forgotten where home was, while some never want to return. But within the metaphysical context, home is akin to the center within each of us that is the dwelling place of the soul, which links us to our life purpose and mission.
The Spiritual Counselor’s Vision
Many years ago, I encountered a vision of a smiling toddler. The child’s joy was overwhelming. As I hung out in a rim state of consciousness to see more, the image faded as quickly as it came. Several years following this glimpse, I found myself staring into a photograph of my best friend’s two year old daughter. I realized at that very moment that the vision I previously experienced was a foreshadowing of my closest friend’s daughter, who is now an adult.
Throughout her childhood, I continued to receive spirit messages about her well-being. As each one emerged, I shared details with her parents. One message in particular came to me during meditation. I envisioned her standing on the grounds of what appeared to be a prominent university. While I could not make out the name of the school, I could see old stone buildings that were situated atop a beautifully landscaped hill.
She was smiling in the vision, as she proudly stood with her backpack in place between her shoulders. I interpreted this vision to mean that she would someday attend a great university and that any anxiety her parents held with regard to her future would soon dissipate in the blessing of a perfect match between student and university.
When Your Inner Guidance Loses Direction
No matter where you are in life, you are never without direction. Within each of us dwells a special voice that serves as a compass. This instrument of higher direction is always poised to guide us, especially when we need it the most.
Some call this inner guidance intuition or a sixth sense. It has been written about in the sacred texts of multiple faith traditions, and is often described as a special gift that some are born with or develop through life, when one’s belief in the celestial realm is augmented by a deep faith. For some this gift is also said to be cultivated over time through diligent metaphysical practice and study.
Whatever the origin is for intuition, we can affirm that this manifestation is a gift from a realm of higher consciousness that is accessible in the here and now. We can also rejoice in knowing that each of us has a capacity to tap into this amazing ability to guide ourselves, and each other.