confidence
Grounded And Centered
We’ve all heard the terms ‘grounded’ and ‘centered,’ but do we really know what they mean? Do you ever have days when you feel like a part of you is a step or two behind the rest of you? Do you ever feel ‘hungover’ even though you know you didn’t close the bar the night before? Do you ever have a disconnected feeling? Any of those is a sign that you’re not grounded.
If you’re anything like me, you can’t process information or participate in the discussion going on around you. There are even times I just stare blankly at the wall, the TV or the person who’s trying to talk to me. At times, I will have arrived at an appointment and not remember driving there, but since the police aren’t there, I must assume I didn’t break any laws.
Grounding, for each of us, is personal. Some people smoke. Coffee can keep you pretty grounded too. I prefer using more harmless methods. An easy way to re-ground is to sit or stand on earth, and just breathe. As you breathe in, imagine the earth coming up through your body to your head. As you breathe out, release the tension in your shoulders, back and neck. Breathe fresh air in, and toxins out. Slow down, take a few minutes to anchor yourself in this plane. I use this one a lot when I am doing touch therapy or after a hard reading.
Centered is felt in the solar plexus, when you’re centered, you’re in balance, your insides match your outsides and there is a sense of knowing what’s going on. There’s also a sense of confidence that radiates from inside to out.
To re-center sit or stand up straight, align your hips with your shoulders. With your projective hand place the three fingers right below your sternum while allowing your other hand to hang loosely at your side. Relax your shoulder and neck muscles. Take three or four deep breaths releasing tension with each exhale.
Lucid Dreaming
When we experience a lucid dream we are aware that we are dreaming. Dreamers also report that when they are having a lucid dream, they seem to be able to control the dream to some extent and they also tend to remember them better. In my experience it is like being half asleep and half awake. One time, I actually got up for a drink of water in the middle of a lucid dream, went back to bed, and continued my dream right where I left off!
For me lucid dreaming feels like being in the state of hypnosis – a ‘light’ state of hypnosis in which you have some control over how the session goes. You are in the dream state, but still aware of things around you. You are in a have heightened state of awareness.
Everyone I have discussed the subject of lucid dreaming with usually say they enjoy the experience. Some even say they wish they could stay is that frame of mind longer. When you lucid dream, write down your experience. Enjoy the movie of your mind.
The term ‘lucid dream’ was coined in 1913 by Dutch psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden in his article A Study of Dreams. It usually happens during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. When we sleep cycle through phases of non-REM and REM. REM sleep happens about an hour to 90 minutes after we fall asleep and this is when we tend to have vivid dreams.
It is estimated that at last 50 percent of adults have experienced at least one lucid dream in their lifetime. I have them all the time. The first lucid dream I can remember was when I was about thirteen years old. I was having a lucid dream of talking to my dad. But unlike our normal waking interactions, this conversation went exactly as I wanted it to go. I asked if he would let me go to New York for three weeks, and he said yes!
Since that time, it became increasingly common for me to slip into the lucid dream state. For me it usually happens in the morning, as I am waking up, but then going halfway back to sleep.
Crystals And Stones For Your Spiritual Practice
Crystals and stones have grown in popularity in recent years, to aid in healing, protection, divination and wellness.
They can be worn as jewelry, placed under a pillow, infused in water, set around the home, or used in prayers, meditations, spells and rituals.
It is important, however, to purchase only ethically sourced crystals and stones from businesses that respect their high vibrational qualities, because they are precious metaphysical tools from Mother Earth that should not be taken for granted.
Here are some popular crystals and stones I recommend for use in your spiritual practice.
Amythest
This is one of the most popular crystals and aids in enhancing one’s spiritual vision. It is also great for recovery, sobriety and calming down anxiety. If dreams during sleep are intense, you can place this under your pillow to get a good night of rest.
Black Tourmaline
This stone works with the root chakra to ground one’s energy and cleanse the aura from negativity. It also promotes inner strength when dealing with difficult people and adversity.
Blue Calcite
A wonderful crystal for encouraging rest and relaxation. It is a gentle stone and assists in soothing emotional trauma and gain a positive perspective.
Walking In Faithful Companionship
I live on a winding country road. Every morning and afternoon I drive along it, bringing my son to and from the farm sanctuary, where he dedicates his days and energies to the care of rescued animals.
Frequently, we pass neighbors enjoying a peaceful walk – sometimes with their partners, sometimes with their pets. There is one pair that has particularly captured our attention and admiration. The sight of them this morning especially started the day with a vision of sweetness!
As we came around a curve opening to a long, straight stretch in front of us, the gentle lady and her golden-colored dog were semi-visible in the distance. Backlit by the brilliant sun and morning mist, they would have been difficult to see had it not been for the bright orange vest the precious pooch was wearing.
What was most stunning however, was the way the dog turned towards the owner, sat down, and looked up at her with perfect poise and patience, as we drove around them. Not only was the scene adorable, but it embodied much spiritual wisdom for me.
The first thought for me was how noticeable the love and trust is between them. The woman did not even appear to speak a command to signal her canine companion to ‘sit.’ She just stopped and stood still with her feet together, looking straight ahead.
While it was clear they had developed their rapport and understanding of communication through prior training, it was nonetheless the woman’s energy that stood out the most for me. She was calm, yet clear; gentle, yet firm; and guiding, yet respectful. The impact of her energetic qualities was evident in the demeanor of her dog.
The dog’s energy also bore more than mere obedience. It emanated ease, faith, trust, respect, security, love, loyalty, and more. The pooch knows it is protected, respected, and loved, and reciprocated accordingly.
Overcoming Your Self-Limiting Beliefs
You’ve probably heard this before. I talk about this all the time. But the concept is one that has had such a huge impact on my life, I just have to share it! You are not your thoughts, or your feelings. You are the soul or spirit who has the ability to observe and experience your thoughts and feelings.
When I made this realization, I had already been working for years on my tendency to be very critical with my inner dialogue. But only when I paid attention to it from a spiritual perspective, did I realize how harsh I had really been on myself.
Our minds are constantly full of inner chatter which, when left unattended, can become a toxic breeding ground for fear, self-judgment and limiting belief patterns. Once I realized I was separate from my thoughts and feelings as a spiritual being, I began to observe them more objectively.
As a natural consequence of this, I found myself asking some really compelling questions. What was I believing about these thoughts? What kind of emotions are these thoughts bringing up? This kind of self-reflection opens a conversation with your heart, your soul, your higher self.
Your mind is designed to keep you safe. This too often means keeping you confined within your comfort zones and self-limiting beliefs. Your heart and soul, on the other hand, want you to grow and expand. The higher self wants you to learn, and play, and, and explore, and experience as much as possible in this lifetime.
The Magic Formula Of Self-Care And Gratitude
Where am I going next? What’s in my future? This is a question we all ask ourselves from time to time. This is especially true at the moment, during these stressful times.
When our world is going through changes, it can be difficult to stay centered and remain confident about the future. It can also affect how we feel, and reduce our motivation.
The first thing you can do to change this downward spiral in your thought process and emotional well-being, is to remind yourself that you are the master of your own destiny. What you choose to think and do today, creates your future self – both in your internal and external world. Just knowing this already gives one a greater a sense of direction and inner peace.
The next step is to make more of an effort with your self-care and daily gratitude. Self-care is a kindness we give to ourselves, and only when we are nourished we can also give to others. It is so easy to do, but we often forget.
There are many helpful self-care practices to center, ground and cleanse your energy. Just pick one and get started. How about a lovely scented bath, with Himalayan sea salt? Let it wash away some of your cares. The salt has a cleansing and restorative effect on our energy. Continue reading
