communication
What Makes A Spiritual Group Truly Work
We are all different. Each person is a piece of the puzzle that creates a group. All people are raised different. People may have different spiritual beliefs, different educational backgrounds, jobs, nationalities.
Yet, if the common goal is the same, there is no reason why we cannot achieve much more in our world. Some of us simply need to find a way to respect diversity.
Spiritual groups tend to be the especially challenging when it comes to diversity. Too often spiritually-minded people are expected to always agree with everyone about everything, in order to promote goodwill among group members and keep the peace.
But in any group people have to learn how to agree to disagree. It’s always okay to have your own opinion and express how you feel. One must just remember that not all of the group may agree with your thoughts.
In groups people all choose different roles, and the roles may change over time. Most groups have that one person that assumes the role of leader. The leader of the group is often selected by the majority. The leadership role usually fits the personality and consciousness of that individual, as do the other roles in the group.
The leader is usually a person that is able to communicate well with team members and good at listening to people. The ‘worker bees’ are usually good at taking direction and accomplishing the task at hand. Somewhere in the middle are the people that come up with ideas and can present them to the group, and help the suggestions come to fruition.
Why Our Souls Cannot Afford A Lack Of Empathy
Life has a way of weaving unexpected lessons into even the most ordinary or practical situations. Sometimes what begins as a business transaction or a casual encounter becomes a doorway into something far more meaningful, a reminder of the deep human connection we are all longing for and the healing power of simple empathy.
I recently found myself in a situation that reminded me of this truth in the most unexpected way.
I am in the process of selling two homes in different states, which has been quite challenging. Anyone who has sold property knows how stressful and complicated it can be…much less two properties at the same time!
Over the past couple of months I had spoken to quite a few realtors and interested buyers. One agent initially showed strong interest in one of my homes. He seemed genuinely eager, but then he suddenly disappeared without explanation. My calls and messages went unanswered. While I did not sense that he had completely lost interest, I could not wait indefinitely and had to continue moving forward with my plans.
Still, I could not shake a quiet concern for him, as though something more was happening behind the scenes, and the feeling carried a weight of unease.
Several months later, he reached out unexpectedly, asking if I had sold my property yet. He apologized for vanishing and then explained the reason for his absence. He had been in a serious car accident and had spent time in the hospital. His injuries required surgery, and bolts had been placed in his foot. Now he was in physical therapy, learning to walk again.
The Spiritual Power Of The Words You Speak
Have you ever stopped to truly consider the words you speak? Most of us talk all day, every day, without realizing the impact of each syllable we send out into the world.
Words are much more than just communication sounds. They’re vibrations, frequencies, and intentions. Whether spoken softly, shouted out loud, or whispered quietly to yourself, every word carries mystical energy.
In many spiritual traditions, the spoken word is seen as a powerful metaphysical force or divine power. It is a force of creation and transformation.
From magical incantations to sacred ceremonies, words have long been used to shape everyday reality, influence the world and improve life.
The earliest recorded reference to the power of speech dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. In the city of Uruk, magical incantations were found carved onto clay tablets dating back to approximately the 5th century BCE. These spoken spells were used for protection, healing, and influencing others, revealing a deep understanding of the energetic and powerful nature of speech as early as 2,500 years ago.
Around the same time, the ancient Egyptians believed in the concept of heka, which is often translated today as “magic” but really means “divine creative power.” They believed the gods used heka to create the world, and that humans could access this same creative power through sacred words called hekau.
Mercury Retrograde: A Time To Revisit, Reflect And Realign
Has it felt like the universe has been playing a cosmic prank on you lately? Maybe your phone or computer has started acting up, or your travel plans have taken an unexpected turn, or maybe every conversation feels like a confusing game of telephone?
You’re not imagining any it, and you’re definitely not alone. Blame it on the astrological phenomenon known as Mercury Retrograde.
Mercury began its current retrograde motion in the sign of Leo on July 18, 2025. This phase will last for 24 days, ending on August 11, 2025, with Mercury still positioned in Leo as it returns to direct motion.
But this energetic shift doesn’t stop there. After Mercury stations direct, we enter the shadow period, also known as the post-retrograde shadow or retroshade. This phase usually lasts for about two more weeks, meaning the lingering effects of the current retrograde may continue through August 25, 2025.
Mercury retrograde occurs three, and occasionally four, times each year due to the planet’s swift orbit around the Sun. As the innermost planet, Mercury completes this journey in just 88 Earth days.
During its retrograde phase, Mercury appears to move backward in the sky from our earthly perspective, creating a temporary disruption in its usual energetic influence. Because it is the planet that rules communication, travel, and information, its retrograde motion often stirs up confusion, delays, and misunderstandings in these areas of life.
The Power Of Creativity To Transform And Heal
Creative play is a crack, or a doorway into another part of ourselves… into our intuitive and spiritual nature. To explore our creativity is to open that door of possibility.
It is easy to doubt our creativity when we compare ourselves to others, and to great artists of the past. Through their life stories and work, the master artists left reminders, showing us that creativity is not something we are taught, but rather something we are. Tapping into this is about experiencing this for ourselves, in whatever form that may be.
I took up painting as a hobby in my late 20s. It began as a desire to learn to paint, although I held the belief that I wasn’t really creative, given my Finance and Accounting background. I had never considered Art to be healing, or that it held personal healing benefits.
At the beginning of my journey, I immersed myself in art books and read about other artists. I also joined a local art group. In class one day, I felt inspired to paint the Buddha. From the moment I picked up my brush to paint him, I could feel a presence by my side and I could see in the blank canvas the face that was to appear, long before it was visible to anyone else. That painting is the piece that changed the direction of my life path, as I embraced my creative and spiritual gifts.
Turning up to a blank canvas, is like saying yes to life and the unknown of what lays on our path. And there are many benefits of saying ‘yes’ to painting. Painting allows us to express ourselves through our work, it allows us a time and space to reflect on our life and the meaning we attached to our experiences.
The Four Levels Of Relationship Connection
Every so often, we meet someone who lights us up in an undeniably powerful way. These connections are rare, but when they happen, we sense their potential to become a significant part of our lives.
But that initial spark can sometimes give way to doubt, especially in romantic relationships. As we get to know someone more intimately, we may wonder if the connection we felt initially was meaningful or just a passing fancy?
So, what’s really going on here? What are these dynamics trying to reveal? How can we assess these bonds more practically to determine if we want to be with someone long term?
At the heart of it, there are four fundamental levels on which we connect with others. When deciding whether to invest our energy in a relationship, we must consider all four levels.
A connection based on only one dimension often feels incomplete or out of sync. Typically, we need at least two levels of alignment to feel a genuine bond.
Three levels create a profound sense of harmony. When all four levels are in sync, the connection can feel magical. The connection can feel nothing short of magical.
Exploring our relationships through this lens empowers us to make more conscious choices. We gain clarity about what matters to us and how we experience connection. This approach also helps us cultivate gratitude for the unique ways others connect with us and appreciate the different flavors of intimacy that each level brings.
What To Do When He Disappears Into His Cave
He tells you he loves you, wants to be with you all the time, and can’t get enough of you. He calls and texts you constantly, and you feel like you’ve found the perfect relationship. You love the way he makes you feel. He must be “the one.”
Then, suddenly, he’s gone. No calls, no texts, no dates, nothing. Ghosted.
And you’re left wondering: What happened? Where did he go? Was it something I said, or did?
Well, no. He just retreated into his “cave.” It is where your man goes to think, breathe, and figure out what’s going on in his head.
This is the mysterious and often frustrating time-out that men often take when they realize things are moving too fast, or when they start to feel deeply attached.
For us women, especially those who are spiritually aware and emotionally intuitive, this sudden withdrawal can be very confusing and even painful.
Women tend to thrive on connection and open communication, and we naturally want to nurture and support others. So, when the man we care about suddenly becomes distant, it can trigger our deepest fears of abandonment or rejection.
But here’s what you need to understand: his retreat is not about you.