higher power
How To ‘Face Everything And Rise’ (F.E.A.R.)
It’s okay to feel afraid sometimes – some fear responses are a natural and vital part of our built-in self-protection system. Rooted in our primal survival instincts, fear helps us identify and respond to real threats, such as a raging fire or a dangerous wild animal.
Survival fear arises in response to immediate, tangible threats to our safety or well-being. It’s a necessary, life-preserving mechanism based on objective, real-world risks that ensure our survival. By activating the body’s fight-or-flight response, it enables us to act quickly and stay safe.
But not all fears are instinctual, nor do they serve our highest good. Irrational fears arise from societal conditioning, cultural expectations, false beliefs, past traumas, or imagined scenarios. These fears are learned or imagined, not instinctual.
Unlike survival fear, irrational fears reflect internalized doubts, imaginery threats and false narratives that serve no protective function at all. Instead, they just interfere with our personal growth, decision-making, and well-being.
Conditioned fears are typically exaggerated or irrational, existing more in the mind than in reality. Examples include fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of not living up to social standards. Self-limiting fears can trap us in cycles of self-doubt and hesitation, limiting our ability to take risks, grow, and live wholeheartedly.
To live our best lives, we must learn to recognize these irrational fears, challenge their validity, and prevent them from taking control of our life and well-being. By stepping back and evaluating the source of our fears, we can release what no longer serves us, reclaim our joy, and unlock our full potential.
Serendipity, Synchronicity And The Symphony of Life
Something magical happened yesterday that reminded me of the many serendipities and synchronicities that miraculously unfold in our lives every day without us even noticing. We are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing more often than we realize – and it is no accident or coincidence.
There are many moments in our daily lives that seem to happen by luck or chance, yet they are perfectly timed events that have been orchestrated just for us.
These experiences, which many call “fate” or “coincidence,” are certainly not random occurrences. They are part of the intricate symphony of universal flow and divine order that weaves together the everyday magic of serendipity and the miracle of synchronicity for our highest good.
Yesterday I had a long list of errands to run downtown, two of which were on the same street. My intention was to first pick up something from a courier service and then drop off some household items I wanted to donate at a nearby animal charity shop.
However, on the way to the courier, I took a turn that I do not normally take, which took me directly to the charity shop instead. I was relieved to find a parking spot right outside the door as I had some heavy boxes and crates to unload. How ‘lucky’ that there was a perfect parking space waiting just for me, I thought.
But my ‘wrong’ turn turned out to be not only a blessing in disguise, but also a little miracle that kept on giving. Because I arrived at the store earlier than I had originally planned, I “accidentally” ran into a customer in the shop who was in the process of purchasing the kitchen blender I had donated to the charity over a month ago.
Reconnecting With Your Inner Light
These days, it’s easy to feel lost, anxious, or just plain drained. We juggle the pressure to succeed, increasing isolation, endless app notifications, and even a creeping sense of loneliness or hopelessness.
It’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed and disconnected from our true selves and the deeper source of wisdom within that illuminates our lives. Instead of feeling alive and vibrant, for many people it’s just a matter of getting through the day.
But here’s the good news: There is a way out of this gray fog, and it doesn’t involve a fancy retreat or running away to join the circus.
It’s about reconnecting with the light within you-the spark of divinity that’s always been there. Once you tap into that, everything changes. You begin to feel grounded, peaceful and purposeful. Life becomes richer, more joyful, and you’ll find yourself smiling a lot more!
The spiritual concept of “light” is central to many Eastern wisdom traditions. In Hinduism, for example, “light” symbolizes divine knowledge, truth, and the divine self (atman). The famous Sanskrit phrase “tamaso mā jyotir gamaya” (lead me from darkness to light) from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refers to our innate desire for enlightenment and spiritual knowledge.
The concept of enlightenment (bodhi), metaphorically symbolized by light, is also central to Buddhism. In achieving enlightenment, one is said to attain wisdom and freedom from the darkness of ignorance.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Shielding Your Energy
It is important to be aware of the invisible metaphysical forces that surround us, for not all of them are for our highest good. The energy deficiencies and dysfunctions of others, while often subtle, can have a profoundly harmful effect on our personal and spiritual well-being.
We all have to deal with people in our lives who can be particularly draining and unsettling – commonly known as ‘energy thieves’ or ‘psychic vampires’. Like psychic parasites, these people knowingly or unknowingly drain the energetic vitality of others, leaving their victims feeling drained, anxious, depressed, or even physically ill.
For those of us who are particularly sensitive to the energies of others, this can directly affect our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health in profound ways.
Energy shielding is therefore an essential spiritual practice for maintaining balance and protecting oneself from such negative influences. This type of energy work is essential for creating a protective auric barrier that ensures that the negative energies of others do not infiltrate your mind, body, or spirit. With the right attitude and some spiritual support, we are never defenseless against the negativity of others.
Energy theft, or vampirism, is not just a matter of superstition; it is something I have observed consistently throughout my life, both personally and professionally. In my own psychic practice, I rely on a robust energetic self-defense routine to ensure that any negative energy directed at me is deflected and rendered harmless.
When You Ask You Shall Receive
Spiritually aware people know that if we ask, we shall receive. So, why don’t we ask more often?
Is it because we don’t want to take personal responsibility? Or do we feel that we are not worthy or deserving? Or is it because some of us just don’t know the best way to go about it? Maybe we have asked before and it did not work out the way we expected?
The first thing I often have to teach my clients is that it is our spiritual birthright to ask for things. Asking and receiving is at the heart of our soul’s journey in this life. It doesn’t have to be something big or special. We can ask for whatever we feel we need to live our best life.
The more we ask, the more we get; the more we trust, the faster it comes. There is no complicated magic involved. This is the way the universe works, so go ahead and ask. Bring all the goodness you want into your reality.
In our daily lives we often overlook the simple act of asking. We are taught to be self-reliant and to solve our problems on our own. While self-reliance is a valuable trait, it shouldn’t prevent us from reaching out when we need help or want something. There is an unspoken power in asking – an acknowledgement that we’re not alone and that there is a benevolent force and higher power willing to support us.
Think of the concept of asking as a dialogue with the universe. When you express your desires, you set an intention. This intention becomes a powerful signal that attracts what you need. It’s a practice rooted in trust and openness. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes, and the more you’ll see positive results.
Understanding The Higher Self
In modern spirituality and metaphysics, the concept of the “higher self” is generally considered a cornerstone of spiritual awareness and conscious living.
The idea that we have a “higher self” is found in many spiritual and mystical traditions, although it may be called by different names and understood in different ways.
Despite these differences, the underlying idea is that there is a higher, more enlightened aspect of our being that we can connect with and embody.
Often mentioned in discussions of intuition, mindfulness, enlightenment, and the search for deeper meaning, the higher self is seen as a guiding force or eternal soure of wisdom that transcends our everyday consciousness.
Yet despite the common use of this term in modern spiritual communities and teachings, there remains a great deal of confusion and variation in how the higher self is understood and interpreted. There are many different opinions and beliefs. Some see it as our inner connection to the divine or universal consciousness. Others see it as the true spiritual essence, free from the limitations of the human ego. And some simply see it as an alternative term for our eternal spirit or soul identity.
In my experience, most of the confusion and misunderstanding arises because the higher self is mistakenly seen as a distinct and separate entity from the soul or spirit. From this perspective, the higher self is seen as entirely separate from our soul, representing our connection to something greater than ourselves, to the divine or universal consciousness.
The Soulful Practice Of Kirtan Chanting
An ancient spiritual practice less known in the West has transformed my spiritual routine in recent years. It is known as kirtan a beautiful form of devotional chanting that originated in ancient India.
The term “kirtan” comes from Sanskrit and means “narrating, reciting, telling, describing” of an idea or story, particularly in a religious context. This enchanting practice weaves together music, meditation, chanting, and a deep sense of spiritual expression.
Kirtan is a central practice in the Bhakti Yoga tradition, which emphasizes love and devotion to a personal deity. It involves the repetitive chanting of mantras and divine names, traditionally in Sanskrit, accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.
Traditionally, kirtans focus on chanting the names of deities like Krishna, Rama, or Sita. The kirtan leader sings a line and the congregation responds, creating a rhythmic and melodic interplay that is both meditative and invigorating.
While Kirtan remains rooted in its spiritual origins, it has gained global popularity beyond India and the Bhakti tradition. As the practice of yoga has boomed worldwide, kirtan too has seen an immense rise in popularity. It’s a testament to the universal appeal and transformative power of this captivating practice.
Kirtan events and gatherings are known for being welcoming and inclusive, focusing on the shared experience of chanting rather than strict religious adherence. Unlike the typical musical experience in spiritual settings, kirtan invites everyone to participate in a soulful, call-and-response chanting that creates a profound connection to the divine and brings people closer together.