You are your own best intuitive of course. Judy Higdon agrees! And I recommend her for consultation if you can't step outside your monkey mind in order to tap your higher knowing. Below is Judy Higdon's website:
http://www.intuition-specialist.com/
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Contraction Following Expanded Experience
Having just completed Chapter 6 of Soul Without Shame: A Guide To Liberating Yourself From The Judge Within by Byron Brown, I am reminded of the phenomena of the rebound nature of enlightened experience. But first, a little bit about the book. If you pick it up, which I recommend, be sure to follow the advice in Note To Reader in the beginning. In order to get the most of this body of work it cannot be rushed. It not only contains text to read but it is to be absorbed. And at the end of each chapter there are workbook-type questions and personal reflection exercises. Regardless of whether you have this book or not, let's continue.
To provide a foundation for discussion, there are many levels to enlightenment, most of which are beyond anything most of us could fathom. But for our purposes here at least, any time one reaches beyond or out of their normal pattern, there is usually at least a sprinkle of enlightenment within the experience.
On page 84, Brown discusses the phenomena of ego retraction following expanded (enlightened) experience. In short, the unhappy ego turns on you. I've witnessed it in myself as well as in particular people with whom I am close. Have you ever had an inner lift or dared to take a new approach to only feel self-attack somehow, soon afterward? Have you ever connected with another in a newer, "higher" way only to have them seemingly turn on you with either neglect or some level of aggression? Well, it just may have been this phenomena. Knowing this, I move closer to forgiveness, of myself and others when I suspect this sort of thing is at play. As described in Luke 23:34 Jesus says: Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Although not free from the judge that contracts after enlightening experience, I had the good fortune to have received instruction about this at age 30 by Kathleen Barratt during Breathwork training. Yes, it seems too bad to have to somewhat warn the self after a certain "lift", with reminders to beware of the possible judge, that it may rear its ugly little head. But, to do so will bring more, and deeper, understanding and yet another opportunity to step into the witness mind, the observer. Again, the definition of yoga: The restraint or hinderance of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga*.
Work with this information as it makes sense to you, for the highest good, with harm to no one. If you wish to discuss further, please leave a comment and we can discuss on the blog or email, phone or inquire in-person.
Happy practicing!
*Patanjali's Samadhi Pada, Chapter 1, Aphorism #2, as translated by Dr. V.S. Rao of High Tech Yoga Institute:
YOGAH CHITTA VRUTTI NIRODHAH
YOGAH=Yoga; CHITTA=of the mind-stuff; VRUTTI=modifications NIRODHAH=restraint
To provide a foundation for discussion, there are many levels to enlightenment, most of which are beyond anything most of us could fathom. But for our purposes here at least, any time one reaches beyond or out of their normal pattern, there is usually at least a sprinkle of enlightenment within the experience.
On page 84, Brown discusses the phenomena of ego retraction following expanded (enlightened) experience. In short, the unhappy ego turns on you. I've witnessed it in myself as well as in particular people with whom I am close. Have you ever had an inner lift or dared to take a new approach to only feel self-attack somehow, soon afterward? Have you ever connected with another in a newer, "higher" way only to have them seemingly turn on you with either neglect or some level of aggression? Well, it just may have been this phenomena. Knowing this, I move closer to forgiveness, of myself and others when I suspect this sort of thing is at play. As described in Luke 23:34 Jesus says: Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Although not free from the judge that contracts after enlightening experience, I had the good fortune to have received instruction about this at age 30 by Kathleen Barratt during Breathwork training. Yes, it seems too bad to have to somewhat warn the self after a certain "lift", with reminders to beware of the possible judge, that it may rear its ugly little head. But, to do so will bring more, and deeper, understanding and yet another opportunity to step into the witness mind, the observer. Again, the definition of yoga: The restraint or hinderance of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga*.
Work with this information as it makes sense to you, for the highest good, with harm to no one. If you wish to discuss further, please leave a comment and we can discuss on the blog or email, phone or inquire in-person.
Happy practicing!
*Patanjali's Samadhi Pada, Chapter 1, Aphorism #2, as translated by Dr. V.S. Rao of High Tech Yoga Institute:
YOGAH CHITTA VRUTTI NIRODHAH
YOGAH=Yoga; CHITTA=of the mind-stuff; VRUTTI=modifications NIRODHAH=restraint
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Carl Jung Quote & A Few Words About It Relating To Yoga
"The foundation of all mental illness is the unwillingness to experience legitimate pain." - Carl Jung
Something yoga practice can bring to our experience is the opportunity to be with and observe sensation, including discomfort. A slowed-down asana practice, as slow as easy pose or savasana, provides time to feel.
Isn't there an AA/12-Step saying about it being important to "deal with your feelings?"
Something yoga practice can bring to our experience is the opportunity to be with and observe sensation, including discomfort. A slowed-down asana practice, as slow as easy pose or savasana, provides time to feel.
Isn't there an AA/12-Step saying about it being important to "deal with your feelings?"
Monday, March 19, 2012
Consciously Choosing Artwork for Your Home
Consciously choosing artwork is addressed in The Secret. Even prior to the film coming out I embraced the idea of the artwork in the home working for (or against!) you subconsciously.
In recent years I had a less than appealing subject on the wall. It depicted a medicine woman with glow from a fire shining on her intense face. It was a piece my art teacher chose for a student show. After the show, not knowing what to do with the framed work, I just hung it on the wall. It was fine for the intended class assignment but in terms of energy and tone for home life, not so much!
My husband and I have country property and we're working toward getting it back into functioning agricultural land. One day I came across the piece below, showed it to my husband who also liked it, promptly ordered a print and had it framed. It depicts a "landed gentry" couple. The landed gentry were people from the old days who were connected to and enjoyed the benefits of having working land. For us it functions as a visual mantra so to speak, reminding us of our long-term goal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mr_and_Mrs_Andrews_1748-49.jpg
Have you noticed farmhouses often have cornucopia art as though to attract abundant harvests? Such as:
http://www.art.com/products/p10353551-sa-i1649408/cornucopia.htm
Even if you don't want to change out the art in your home, take some time reflecting on each piece and what it means to you. If your story behind it needs to shift consider re-writing the meaning. Allow the intention to shift if needed.
In recent years I had a less than appealing subject on the wall. It depicted a medicine woman with glow from a fire shining on her intense face. It was a piece my art teacher chose for a student show. After the show, not knowing what to do with the framed work, I just hung it on the wall. It was fine for the intended class assignment but in terms of energy and tone for home life, not so much!
My husband and I have country property and we're working toward getting it back into functioning agricultural land. One day I came across the piece below, showed it to my husband who also liked it, promptly ordered a print and had it framed. It depicts a "landed gentry" couple. The landed gentry were people from the old days who were connected to and enjoyed the benefits of having working land. For us it functions as a visual mantra so to speak, reminding us of our long-term goal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mr_and_Mrs_Andrews_1748-49.jpg
Have you noticed farmhouses often have cornucopia art as though to attract abundant harvests? Such as:
http://www.art.com/products/p10353551-sa-i1649408/cornucopia.htm
Even if you don't want to change out the art in your home, take some time reflecting on each piece and what it means to you. If your story behind it needs to shift consider re-writing the meaning. Allow the intention to shift if needed.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
On resisting the urge to point to a particular thing as rescue
I've written about this before and will attempt again to put into words something I have (finally) learned along the way. A wise teacher once told me to resist the urge to point to a particular person, place, thing or experience as the answer to the broad suffering we humans will often experience. He encouraged me instead to adopt a broad view. How right he was. Note: the word "encourage" has the word courage in it! Getting out of your thought groove often requires courage. Overriding the idea of your happiness depending on a particular person, place, thing or experience is indeed the work of buddhism, yoga, etc. Perhaps I/we will not be completely free in this lifetime but consider softening the narrowing of your mind. It is yet another practice to notice thoughts and ideas clinging to something or someone in particular as your savior. I'm applying it differently but remember the saying, "the devil is in the details."
Have you ever heard the sunscreen song by Baz Luhrmann? This lyric comes to mind: "Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either." Baz Luhrmann is stating the details don't matter as much as you think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQlJ3vOp6nI&feature=related
Have you ever heard the sunscreen song by Baz Luhrmann? This lyric comes to mind: "Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either." Baz Luhrmann is stating the details don't matter as much as you think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQlJ3vOp6nI&feature=related
A.R.E. Events
I've written about it before but here it is again. The Edgar Cayce Foundation/Association for Research & Enlightenment on 67th Street is a wonderful resource for all things holistic.
The daily free lecture is at 3:30. Topics include Feng Shui, Meditation, Body, Mind & Spirit, Psychic Experiences, Stress Reduction, Dreams, Health & Diet.
They also hold free meditation classes every Saturday at 11am and Sunday at noon.
The annual membership of something like $40 provides not only discounts but a library card for one of the largest metaphysical library in the world.
I must say the people there are very pleasant and warm. You will never be asked to believe in anything in particular.
Their number is 757-428-3588 if you would like more details.
The daily free lecture is at 3:30. Topics include Feng Shui, Meditation, Body, Mind & Spirit, Psychic Experiences, Stress Reduction, Dreams, Health & Diet.
They also hold free meditation classes every Saturday at 11am and Sunday at noon.
The annual membership of something like $40 provides not only discounts but a library card for one of the largest metaphysical library in the world.
I must say the people there are very pleasant and warm. You will never be asked to believe in anything in particular.
Their number is 757-428-3588 if you would like more details.
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