Tag Archive | transformation

Joy and Light are within you!

DSCN2674 We have so many opportunities to “Practice the Presence” in our lives. Gratefully the world is awakening to these practices more and more each day. When I first heard the term of “Practicing the Presence” it awakened something in me that held the power and consciousness that keeps giving and grows and support the deepening of my daily spiritual practice a little more each day.

When I decided to move to a spiritual community five years ago, I made that decision so that I could be in an environment that is in a continuous practice through out my day. I invite you to join (Ananda Sanga Worldwide Community) in the practice of “Reawakening the consciousness of light and joy” by using the following technique: (whenever possible – try to do this in a quiet place- never in a moving vehicle) Stop, close your eyes, and bring your energy to the spiritual eye, at the point between the eyebrows. You may find it helpful to place your fingertip there to help you focus. Now become aware of light and joy at that point. Do this for at least fifteen seconds. This is a technique that Jyotish and Devi, the Spiritual Leaders from the Ananda World Wide Community sent out in their weekly letters. Join us in lifting up our consciousness five times a day, into the light and joy and make it another way that you can “Practice the Presence” through-out your day.

Know that you are Loved, Rev. Barb

Healing the Shadow

Jan8

What are the polarizing energies that engage our thoughts, attitudes and well being that appears to pull us up to an uplifting mood or drags us in the opposite direction with attitudes that can cause us to come sliding down in an instant. The waves of energies we are experiencing on the planet right now can stir our most human emotions and disturb the best of even mindedness. Some may call this a Shadow Effect of the collective unconscious. Others may call it the “sub” of the subconscious. We all have it to various degrees and the universe is uprooting the delusion and denial of the unhealed parts of ourselves individually and collectively.

The Subconscious holds great wisdom and intelligence within us and has the power to bring up the best that is within us when it is positive, uplifting and harmonious. Hidden within the unconscious realm of the subconscious one will also find incongruous feelings, thoughts and attitudes that we have inherited, planted in previous life times, or in moments of individual and collective confusion, sadness and fear that have programmed mixed messages within us. The current popular name for these shadows of fear, separation and delusion of separateness from one another, our Source and our planet have changed over the centuries, but essentially they are rising to the surface to be healed now more than ever.

We are One. What shows up on one level is operating for all of us on one point or another. Healing the hidden frequencies of fear and separation is the clarion call of our times. No one is exempt from the inner surrendering calling us to an urgent appeal to do something to stretch beyond the patterns that imprison our highest selves.

So if we are to heed the call of a “world that works for everyone” we must pull out the hidden awareness that is screaming for us to pay attention and heal. We need to listen to our higher selves. We need to do something different than we have ever done. We must call forth the Divine that is within us to help us to rise above the enslaving past to a new day of great peace and joy.

It is possible. It is awaiting our willingness to call forth the seeds of greater peace and well being that is within us. Isn’t it time that we loosen the grip that is imprisoning us all. With the help of Spirit we will rise above the past and soar to a new level of harmony. I will be going more deeply into this subject in future posts.

Know that you are Loved, Rev Barb

Are you Hiding Out?

Oct10

I love to watch the deer that are all around the community where I live in the hills of Northern California. I so enjoy watching the circle of life each year as they have their precious babies in the trees, keeping them safe from the predators they fear.

In observing the deer I have noticed a human parallel in the impulses that cause a deer to run away. When someone or something triggers a hot button within us, for whatever reason, the trigger caused by the perceived threat ignites and the heart starts pumping faster and faster. What causes you to react in your heart? I have observed people freezing up, or watched them being unkind to others or have witnessed rude comments expressed to someone who innocently walks into their space. That is exactly what happens when a deer hears a sudden sound and reacts with fear.

Even though we rarely face life-threatening dangers, many people defend themselves psychologically rather than physiologically. We can struggles with our inner fears, insecurities, damaging, critical, and hurtful behavior patterns. The struggle resides within us and they need our realization because if it triggers us, it is inside of us begging to be healed.

Many people tend to defend the space around us. Some people defend their self-concept, others guard hidden emotional territories and possessions and when triggered and unexamined can cause great confusion and hurt in others. All of this drama is our version of running into the woods and hiding, like a deer, behind a tree.

Recently I witnessed a mature spiritual teacher move toward a random person rather than say hello to someone she was clearly uncomfortable with. The look on her face was quite revealing even though I had no idea what actually motivated her.

People know exactly how to close down their hearts and put up psychological barriers. If you discover that you are doing some of that and you are working very hard to avoid discomfort or pain, it is causing you to close your heart down and it is shutting innocent people out.

Guarding our hearts and energy centers only serves to make the world a colder and indifferent place. Life will stir our energies when we are hiding from old fears and wounds lodged in your energy centers that are called samskars in Yoga. This is what causes all of our physical, emotional and energetic trouble in our bodies. It will show up in every area of our lives. I believe that it eventually greatly impacts and effects the whole planet. We are all One.

Who you are does matter and what you do sends out ripples of love and inclusiveness or pain and separation. What will you choose to bring forth today?

Know that you are loved. I love you… Rev. Barb