Spirit In Gear

Words That Give Me Pause - There is No Path

I realized meditation was not about chasing states of consciousness or following a path, but about letting go of the path.  It's a long journey to realize there's no path.

- Peter Russell

I find this passage in the latest issue of Ode Magazine, in an article entitled "Good Morning World, This is Your Wake-up Call," about physicist-turned-futurist Peter Russell.  Letting go of the path resonates for me now that I am in my middle years.  I take quiet comfort in these words, while letting out a deep sigh.  I can't articulate to myself why these words settle so deliberately deep inside of me.  My analytical mind wants to know why, while I hear my spirit say it doesn't matter.

Yet I do know that it is in the letting go, the allowing, the focus on the now moment that I, we, can experience real peace, true contentment, joy,happiness . . . rather than through the material consumption we believe will give us these.  Not having to be on a path feels liberating!

Speaking of now, you'll find Peter Russell's site The Spirit of Now filled with a wealth of resources ranging from science and consciousness, spiritual awakening, earth and environment, and meditations.  The site offers articles, audio, and video, including meditations that can be downloaded.  I learned there that I am 21,015 days old - and you can learn your age in days here.

For an additional perspective on paths - see Dick Richard's recent post The Mythic Pull of Pathways.

Blog Spotlight - Resources for Spirit

Recent posts from Andrea Hess'  Spiritual Practice vs. Spiritual Growth, and  Slade's Psychic Shielding for Empaths, zero in on practical spiritual applications for daily life.

Andrea's post does not beat around the bush.  Pay attention to the results your spiritual practices (meditation, prayer, fasting, journalling, yoga etc.) are creating in your life.  Anything happening?  Why are we doing what we do?  She stresses that ideally spiritual practices lead to growth in other areas of our life.  Growth could be a new state of being, which of course leads to a new way of acting.

I'm hearing a similar message in a book I'm reading - Prayer Primer, by Thomas Dubay.  It describes a process of praying (beyond learned prayers) that leads to a deepening relationship with God.  Out of that deeper relationship with God, our aim is to take our reflections and translate them into improved ways of interacting with others.

What could be more practical, and essential, than protecting ourselves from energy-sucking people?  Slade's Psychic Shielding for Empaths is for anyone who interacts daily with people - from empaths, healers and teachers, to customer service workers and hair stylists.  The question is how to do this in a way that doesn't shut us down in the process.

Slade recommends the use of pink light as a shield (semi-permeable that is).  I find his distinctions between visualizing white light vs. pink light very helpful.  In day to day interactions, invoking pink light "allows for your loving energy — compassion, concern, good will — to pass through, yet the White Light (which is still present within the Pink) blocks negative energy.  Slade adds that the pink light is "a kind of filter — magnifying what you most hope to receive/ project, while still blocking psychic attack completely and absolutely."

If you're wondering under what circumstances to invoke this pink light, or how to do it, be sure and read his excellent post.

Both blogs noted above are filled with provocative and very helpful content.  Enjoy!

[ Photo Credit:  Christopher Rayan]

What I've Gained From Writing Morning Pages

In my previous post I describe taking up the practice of writing morning pages.  This post follows up on my promise to describe what I am gaining from the process.

I didn't know what to expect when I began doing morning pages a few weeks ago. Having put in some time with this process, I've come to recognize and appreciate that I'm experiencing positive ripples in my life simply from the act of writing out 3 pages. 

I also, at the same time, feel some resistance to lassoing the positive aspects into a linear construct.  I'm afraid if I do so I will want to ensure that I am "achieving" these positive aspects each time I write out my 3 pages.  It doesn't work that way.  Each morning brings a fresh new beginning.  Some days an insight I need to hear will land on the page.  Other days it's quiet and free-flowing.  Clarity and meaning may not put in an appearance.

For me it's about trusting the process.  Write 3 pages in longhand upon awakening.  Period.  Everyone's experience is unique, and I believe the process works for what each individual needs on that particular day. 

And so, although I "list" these benefits as such, keep in mind that these do not exist in separate fashion.  The process of writing morning pages creates a momentum of sorts, with one positive aspect begetting another.  It's hard to tell where one leaves off and the other one begins.  Imagine a positive cascading domino effect.

Benefits:

- Mental Clearing - Corralling my disparate thoughts and feelings onto the page acknowledges them.  They no longer tug at me, like a crying toddler pulling on her mother's pants leg.  It puts them into a place and quiets them down.  In short, it immediately gets them off my proverbial back so that I am not carrying them throughout my day.  Once that mental junk quiets down, words from deeper inside have room to come up, if that is what is needed on that particular morning.

- Spend More Time in the Present

Writing Morning Pages to Connect Within

Writing morning pages each day is akin to taking a vitamin for my inner soul.  Author, Julia Cameron, in Finding Water- The Art of Perseverance, says that "morning pages are like a spiritual chiropractor.  They put us back on our spiritual spine."  Finding Water is Cameron's third in a series that began with the well -known Artist's Way.

My daughter gave me Finding Water at Christmas, since I'm a huge fan of Julia Cameron.  As the new year began, I felt drawn to adding a new spiritual practice into my daily life.  As of this writing, I've completed week 5 of a 12-week commitment to morning pages that began on Jan. 21 of this year.  The first time I made and completed a commitment to morning pages was 12 years ago, when I left a 20 year career and went on sabbatical.

I've noticed some subtle, positive aspects show up in my life, which I'll note below.  But first, why morning pages, and what's the rationale behind them?

Upon awakening, (and after a quick run to the bathroom), I sit up in bed, purple ink pen in hand, and write in longhand 3 pages of stream of consciousness in a 10.5" by 8" notebook.  Cameron explains that morning pages, done upon awakening, allow our soul to speak first, to align with our Creator, before our defenses are in place.  It's a time when we are most open, honest, and vulnerable.  It's also a time when we can whine, bitch, and list our gripes.  For that reason, Cameron dubs these morning pages "brain drain."

By the way, the beauty of doing morning pages is that you can't do them wrong.  It's best done by keeping your pen moving, without pausing to "think" (judge) about what you're writing.  There's no end result, or anything to achieve, outside of writing the 3 pages.  You can repeat yourself, write in incomplete sentences, use poor grammar, and misspell words.  Best of all, your morning pages are for your eyes only.

I noticed, during the first week of writing morning pages, that I wrote fast and furiously.  I had so much junk and minutia swimming in my head, that it just poured out and ran over.  I completed 3 pages of longhand within 15 minutes that first week!  I literally felt a sense of physical lightness.  Apparently I had a lot of mental bush hogging to perform.  Clearing space for future inner messages to be heard.

Here's an excerpt from my 2nd day of writing morning pages:

What I Learned in Communicating With the Other Side

In short, I've learned in the last 24 hours that communicating with Spirit Guides (Higher Guidance . . . insert your favored word) works!  I initiated a conversation, made a request for information, and received my answer back that same day.  I also asked for a sign from my mother, who passed away Jan. 2nd - that came through too, which I talk about further down in the post.

My last post on Communicating with Spirit Guides makes reference to a couple of helpful posts on the topic, and I followed the suggestions given by bloggers Slade Roberson of Shift Your Spirits, and Andrea Hess of Empowered Soul.

Monday morning I spoke with my Spirit Team about a practical matter before getting out of bed.  I told them I had narrowed down my list of possible housecleaners to 2 people (whom I had yet to speak with).  I requested that Spirit guide me with a sign to indicate the person I should go with.

Later that morning I contacted the referring person for one of the housecleaners.  She is a friend of mine and I trust her judgment.  This friend gave me the run down - how long she had been using her, the fees etc.  Our conversation went on for 10 minutes before my friend said:  "Oh and by the way, I probably should tell you this.  ________ has a minor back problem and will occasionally cancel on me.  She's only had to cancel 5 times in the last 3 years and she always quickly reschedules."

I thanked my friend and said goodbye.  But the warning signal had gone off.  I recall when a previous housecleaner I had used in the early 1990's would cancel without warning, leaving me in the lurch.  I often had fantasies that this sweet little old widow was a closet alcoholic.

Immediately after that I called a neighbor who had referred another housecleaner. She reported being exceptionally pleased with this lady and her crew.  I ended our conversation after I asked all my questions and immediately called the 2nd housecleaner. 

The 2nd housecleaner and I played voicemail tag a couple of times before connecting early that evening.  Our conversation ensued for 15 minutes.  During that time I felt an easy rapport develop between us.  My confidence in her increased.  We set up a time for her to come out to my house.  I hung up the phone and felt light and gleeful.  When my body agrees with my decision, I know I'm in good shape.

What you will notice is that I still took action steps.  I did my part in making the phone calls and asking the questions.  I also had some intuitive hunches about who I would select before I asked for Spirit help. 

What I find immensely reassuring was the confirmation of my choice - the extra slip of info that came out with my friend in that first conversation; the resonant way my body felt after selecting the 2nd person.  I did not need to be slammed over the head with a thunderbolt on this request.  I was open to watching for subtle signs.  And they arrived.  This may all seem like a mundane request for my Spirit Team, but it was actually causing me distress to think about starting all over with a new housecleaner.

Yesterday my mother reached out from the Other Side and touched my heart.

Communicating with Spirit Guides

My first February post began on the topic of heart wisdom.  You'll see more posts on this theme - that of accessing Higher Guidance through different tools and exercises.  Today's post is one of them.

Who would have guessed?  There is an effective way to communicate with our own Spirit Guides so that they work for us.  And then there is everything else .  .  .

I found Slade Roberson's Shift Your Spirits (impressive blog!) through Deb_Inside's link.  From there I caught his post Don't Ask Your Spirit Guides.  I find this post so useful I have printed it out to keep nearby when I ask for daily guidance.

Slade makes some pivotal distinctions that he coaches us to follow:

- Accept and own our Divinity
- Understand that we are the leader in these kinds of communications in how we approach our Guides, and in how to set the agenda
- Learn to tell rather than ask (the post details specific tasks to set for our Spirit Guides).

I find Slade's advice practical, clear, and forward-moving.  It augments my own work with inner guidance.  I see where I can be more directive and specific in my requests so that my Spirit Team can work more effectively with me and I with them. 

But what if I get more guidance than I can handle, or need guidance in 2 areas but only have time to handle one area?  Andrea Hess' Managing Your Spirit Guides dovetails beautifully with Slade's post above.  Her post explains that Spirit Guides do not operate under time constraints as we do.  Time does not exist in the Spirit world.  From our end, we need to be specific with them about our needs, as well as the specific time frame that supports our need.  As I did, I think you'll find an inviting energy at Andrea's blog, Empowered Soul.

Journey Beyond the World

Photo by Mike Wade

Somewhere a journey begins at the end
of the worldly existence we know,
Somewhere a path stretches over the stars
and rivers of memories flow . . .
Somewhere a silence is heard far away
and the brightness of day fills the night,
Where the trials of life
are resolved into peace
When a soul finds it's way to the light.

These words come off of a sympathy card I received a couple of days ago. I find the words comforting as I contemplate my mother in the afterlife.  Is she whole?  Is she deliriously happy to be reunited with family

Picture of Hope in Iraq via John Gebhardt

I received this picture and story by way of email this past week.  I don't know if it's recent or old, but believe it timely for the Christmas season because of its message of hope and peace.  The picture and story are being sent around the world by James Gates, U.S. Navy.  His words follow below:

"John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed.  The insurgents [Iraq] intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head . . .but they failed to kill her.  She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but  continues to cry and moan.  The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair.  The girl is coming along with her healing.

He is the real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do.

This, my friends, is worth sharing with the WORLD!  Go for it!!  You'll never see things like this in the news.  Please keep this going.  Nothing will happen if you don't, bu the American public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that what we're doing over there is making a difference.  Even if it is just one little girl at a time."

James Gates, U. S. Navy

Tony Bennett Exemplifies True Spirit in Gear

I'm writing this an hour after returning from an intimate concert with the incomparable Tony Bennett.  I'm still reveling in the afterglow.  Sure would like to bottle a little of the joy and romance Tony spreads around.  We could surely all use more.

Most of us know that Tony is 81, has a great head of hair, and still sings pitch perfect.  We also know that he has won innumerable musical awards, sold a gazillion albums, and has bridged the generation gap.

But did you know that he is an accomplished painter, with exhibitions in New York, and the Smithsonian?  Here's the amazing part.  Tony continues to paint every day, even while touring internationally.  He finds the time for his two great passions - painting and music.  There's a lesson in there for me, and maybe for you too.  Make the time to do what I love.

Okay, maybe you are not a Tony Bennett fan.  Neither is my husband.  But keep reading.  I'm leading up to the main point.

Throughout his career Tony has also raised millions of dollars for humanitarian causes closest to his heart.  This is not the main point, but goes to show that these activities flow from the person Tony is, which is the whole point of this post.   

This one line in the concert program stands out:  "But perhaps more important is his ability to convey a sense of joy, of utter satisfaction, in what he is doing." 

Tony strikes me as a man fully engaged with his heart and spirit.  He lives out his passions in full play.  He exudes joy.  As I sat in the audience, I felt my own heart stirring, and felt close to tears.  What a powerful example of one whose spirit is truly in gear.

My wish for myself, and for you, dear reader, is that we may spend more of our lives with our spirits in gear.  Va-va-voom!

White Ribbons for a Five-Year Old

   It's late in the afternoon when I look out my front window.  I notice a white ribbon on my curbside mailbox.  As I look further down the street, I notice white ribbons fastened to all the mailboxes.

Puzzled and curious, I walk out to my mailbox.  I look inside and see a small slip of paper.  As I read the brief message, a deep sadness washes over me.

I learn that the little 5-year old girl four houses down from me has died, leaving behind a 3-year old sister and two very distraught, shell-shocked parents.

Neighbors organize meals to deliver to the grieving family for the weeks ahead.  In a poignant show of solidarity, white ribbons speak in silent support from all 100 mailboxes in our subdivision, from the street signs, and in the entrance to our neighborhood.

Newspapers regularly report children dying - in some faraway country, or at times in my own city.  It's sad but almost abstract.  The day I read the words on the slip of paper in my mailbox the death of a child becomes deeply personal.  I can only shudder inwardly as I imagine this unspeakable, unfathomable loss.  In the same breath I feel immense relief and gratitude that my children are alive and well.

Immediately I find myself transported back in time - to December of 1982.  I have just given birth to my first-born.  I lay in my hospital bed, over-joyed at the miracle of our new daughter.  At the same time I feel concerned because my girlfriend has not delivered her baby yet, and now she is three weeks late.

Before I am released from the hospital I learn that my girlfriend's baby has died in utero - the amniotic fluid has dried up.  She has to deliver a dead baby.  I feel horrified.  And guilty.  How did I win this crap shoot that gave me a healthy, living baby while my girlfriend lost out?

A few days later we attend the funeral mass for this stillborn child.  We leave our 5-day old baby at home with friends.  I don't recall anything sadder than seeing that tiny casket carried up to the altar during the funeral procession.  I find myself unable to sing any of the hymns because of all the crying.  I feel sad, guilty, and relieved that it isn't me suffering this loss.  I can't wait to leave the service and return to hold my baby in my arms.

Many months pass by before my girlfriend can bear to come and see me and our baby.  It becomes a time of healing for both of us.  Happily I can tell you that my friend later went on to give birth to three children over the ensuing years.

Some things we can never understand.  The death of a child is one of them.  May I ask you to consider doing something?  Take a few seconds to send some form of positive energy to this family - it can be white light, or a prayer for example.  Out of respect for their privacy, I cannot reveal the names of the grieving parents.  But that doesn't really matter.  God knows how to direct your loving intention.