Archive for December, 2009
AWAKEN The Film Premier
By Rita Rivera Fox
- Thursday, December 31st, 2009
We live in a time where our spiritual quest is actively being supported and inspired by mainstream media like, books, magazines, TV and film. More of what inspires us to be committed to our inner discovery is easier to access, allowing us to bring into our everyday lives the mystical aspect of life. The idea of “awakening” is one that has inspired many of us. The words itself whispers that there is something more to be discovered about ourselves and our place in the world.
Awakening can elude to the image of one who suddenly opens their eyes and comes out of a dream of sleep and in this process our life takes on new meaning, insight and purpose. We can see ourselves in a new way that brings more consciousness forward that we then create our lives from. The every day and the mundane become infused with the mystery and a certain delight that leaves us wanting more. Imagine that we each desire more awakening, more awareness, more self realization and more community to share this with and this becomes what moves us into interaction with life. What could be the results of such a desire?
It is with this desire that a group of very unique individuals, myself included have come together to create a documentary film on how we each are inspired and moved by the sheer idea that we are magnificent beings, here to express the infinite spirit that moves through each of us and love sharing that message with others. I have the honor of being one of the five spiritual teachers featured in the new film “Awaken” which will have a premier in Los Angeles in the spring.
“Awaken” documents the spiritual wisdom teachings of five teachers, sages and shamans from, diverse spiritual background’s about how to awaken to a higher consciousness amidst the current energetic shift on Earth. Collectively featured in the film through a series of individual teachings, each of the master healers share the significance of this present time of planetary evolution and guide the viewer to embrace the current global crisis as an impetus to awaken to becoming more responsible in their choices. Each sage communicates their unique message and energy to assist on the personal journey of self discovery and remembrance that is available to each one of us at this fortuitous time in our human evolution.
I have had a wonderful experience in the process of filming this project. Danisa Perry, a former student of mine had shared with me over 10 years ago her vision of the film she wanted to make. At that time we were both living in LA, she was studying film making and Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. When she shared her dream of the film, I must admit I was very skeptical, especially since she was talking about an energy that would come through and beyond the visuals and the spoken words to touch and inspire the audience.
At that time, before I had any real evidence of the power of transformational energy to be transmitted through electronic media, I thought her vision was a bit of a fantasy. Then several years ago Danisa found me on the east coast and shared how the film was underway and invited me to be a part of it. Most importantly, she shared with me the means she had discovered that allowed each teacher direct, energetic contact with the audience through the filmed media. That her priority in the making of the film was to have the viewer “experience” the energy of the master teachers, beyond their personality, but more as a direct channel of wisdom that could create a transformative experience akin to being in the presence of the sage.
Danisa, in all her courage and with the power of her vision, brought her film crew to Amy’s Healing Center in CT in 2007 and I was able to experience first hand her brilliant method for creating the film of her dreams….and soon to be mine as well.
Last spring it became clear to me that the interview and teaching that I had filmed a year earlier was outdated and no longer was the energetic quality that I wanted to convey. So I asked Danisa if I could re film my piece. She gladly agreed and invited me to come to Santa Barbara to where she and Pablo Diaco, the co-director were going to be filming Barbara Marx Hubbard who had just signed on to be our “elder master.”
Knowing of Barbara and having great respect for her work, I was on my way to California with great excitement and anticipation. Meeting Barbara and discussing at length our views on spiritual awareness, community, and our work was beyond anything I had experienced in terms of the quality of vibration that was present as we spoke. I had a very clear moment of experiencing what the true collaborative spirit is about. A moment in which sharing ideas and visions that inspired us, opened up and new information, a more clear version of our former ideas, for us both, came through. She was a mirror in a new way for me and I for her. At any rate, the current film reflects this lovely energy of collaboration and clear communication. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a diverse and lovely family and I hope our desire to share with the world our message and our love comes through for each of you as you view the film.
A west coast premier is in the planning. The film makers are actively looking at retreat, and spiritual centers as locations to premier Awaken, so please let me know if you know of such a place. The DVD will also be on sell on the website. www.awakenthefilm.com
The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel Ruiz & don Jose Ruiz: Be Skeptical, But Learn to Listen
By Meghan McChesney Gilroy
- Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
When I first heard The Fifth Agreement: Be Skeptical, But Learn to Listen, my reaction was, “Really? That’s The Fifth Agreement?” I felt skeptical, but willing to listen.
What I will now share with you is my interpretation of don Miguel Ruiz’s interpretation of the truth – which is perhaps the main and underlying topic of the entire book of Toltec Wisdom.
Don Miguel states that life’s creation is the truth. Objects of our perception are the truth. Our interpretation of them is a reflection of the truth. A chair just is. The image of light that is reflected off the chair and perceived through our eyes and brain is a reflection of the chair, of the truth. We then make an interpretation, we use language to assign it a name “chair” and then we might also attach our opinions about the chair. It’s a beautiful or ugly chair, a big or small chair.
Of course in the example of the chair, this may have minimal impact on our lives. Yet when we multiply our interpretations across every object and concept, when we apply interpretations of right, wrong, good, or bad to ourselves, to others, to religions, to nations, you can imagine the amount of distortion that we humans create. Especially if we believe that the way we see the chair (or ourselves or others) is the right way, the only way, or the same way as everyone else.
So that brings us to Be skeptical. We can use the power of doubt to learn to look beyond the way our mind, our program, or our domestication has instructed us to interpret the world. We no longer need to believe that our thoughts and stories are true. When we judge ourselves, when we criticize the way we look, when we feel we fall short of the way we “should” be, we can choose not to believe our interpretations.
Instead we can turn inward to our authentic hearts. We can challenge ourselves to see beyond our mind and its ability to name and categorize everything to the essence of ourselves. We can learn to connect to the force of Life itself and perceive our connection to it and to all living creatures. Can you imagine the freedom that can bring?
Which brings us to Learn to Listen. As we learn to see our intrepretation of life as a virtual reality, a reflection of the truth, we can learn to listen, to hunt for the meaning behind the words. Is it true what we hear within our heads? Is it true what others say about us? We can learn to listen to what is true for ourselves, to listen to our hearts. When we understand that each of us are using symbols – language – to express ourselves. We can be skeptical of the words but willing to listen. We might just connect to ourselves and to each other in a way transcends the words. Can you imagine the possibilities?
Each of us is an artist. How do we want to express our perceptions? How do we want to interpret our experiences in life? We can choose to express ourselves in ways that make us sad and bring suffering, or we can choose to express ourselves in ways that make us happy and bring us pleasure. We are here to enjoy life. Why not make it a work of art?
Ultimately, our presence is the message. What message are you delivering? What message do you share with yourself and those around you? With awareness, you have the freedom to be the real you. You have the power to make your life hell or a work of heavenly art.
I have practiced being skeptical and listening for many years now. Each day when I awake, I do my best to create a living work of art. I turn inward daily to connect to my heart, my true nature, my connection to all of Life. I am so grateful for don Miguel, who opened my eyes to the truth, and who has the courage and eloquence to craft into words an energy and experience that is truly indescribable. He is a true artist and an inspiration. I invite you to join him, to join me, in the journey of letting go of your interpretations and experiencing pure perception, of finding ways to express your interpretation authentically.
Don Miguel closes The Fifth Agreement by asking us to help change the world. Each of us lives within our own world, within the perceptions and interpretations within our minds, within our own unique physical body. When we take responsibility for living our life as a great work of art, with great joy and happiness, we can change the greater world as our happiness, peace and joy radiate out from us. Won’t you join us?
Buy The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery
… For those of you who have not had the pleasure (or need a refresher) of the first Four Agreements, here they are, which a little glimpse of don Miguel’s new twist in The Fifth Agreement:
- Be Impeccable with Your Word: The Story of You
- Don’t Take Anything Personally: Every Mind if a World
- Don’t Make Assumptions: Truth or Fiction
- Always Do Your Best: Practice Makes the Master
From the book The Fifth Agreement © 2010, don Miguel Ruiz, Don Jose Ruiz, Janet Mills. Reprinted by permission of Amber-Allen Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 6657, San Rafael, CA 94903. All rights reserved.
Manifesting Your Dreams in the New Year
By Grace Sardonicus
- Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
It’s so easy to make promises about the year ahead. We will stick to our diets, spend more time exercising, be more financially responsible, be more loving to our family, But, for most of us, the resolutions made today will be empty dreams six months from now. Why is it so difficult to make lasting changes? Real change happens when we feel genuinely inspired by our heart’s desire and unwilling to settle for anything less. It happens when we commit with all of ourselves to a new way of life.
If we harbor feelings of guilt or unworthiness, how can dreams ever manifest? No matter how hard you try, the result will still come back to sabotaging feeling happy with yourself, relationships, work, etc. Most of the time we walk around not even understanding why we are miserable, stuck or unfulfilled. We yearn to feel connected, happy, living our bliss or to even get a clue what our bliss is.
The ability for us to access our creativity, play and imagination is a direct result of clearing our limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging patterns that hinder our ability to live fully. In other words … lightening our emotional load. When our commitments fall to the wayside, it is not that we want to be quitters but rather that we are unconsciously more committed to an old story about ourselves that is comfortable and safe. Often outdated distorted beliefs will have you return to autopilot, asleep at the wheel, rather than being awake and alert as you traverse the limitless possibility of expressing your heart’s desire and purpose.
A sure-fire recipe for aligning with your true heart begins with facing whatever stories show up in your mind that you believe are the reasons for unhappiness or dissatisfaction with your life. What better way to celebrate the New Year than by revealing these unconscious stories about money, sex, self-care, religion or spirituality, politics, education, health care, what is right and wrong, etc. Once we have awareness of these cloaked beliefs, we are free to make conscious choices from our heart. We have a chance to be happy and create our lives in alignment with truth rather than what we should be doing.
These days prior to the New Year are prime-time moments to review what has past in the last 12 months and commit to the days & months ahead. You can ask a few questions to clear old baggage while guiding your life in the direction of your true heart.
1. A dream is born from our heart’s desire. Take a moment. Close your eyes. Imagine your dreams for the New Year. If you had nothing in your way…money, time, resources, no fears, doubts…where would you be doing? How would you feel? Who would you spend time with? What qualities would you like in your environment at home and work?
2. What are you willing to give up to get them? What habits, limiting beliefs, unhealthy relationships or situations?
3. As you reflect on your life, when did you become unwilling to do whatever it takes to have what you want? And why?
4. What cravings/addictions or unmet needs will keep you away from your heart’s desire?
5. What do you have your faith and trust invested in? Is your faith in line with your true heart and dreams or is it part of the old, outdated support system that no longer works?
6. What structure of support will you need to ensure this new future?
7. Who will help you stay awake and on the track of your true heart and be a loving supportive “kick in the butt” friend, gently reminding you to stay awake?
If you wish to manifest your dreams, begin by setting your vision on a dream you can reach and then create a plan that will be your guide. If at any time you don’t feel like following your plan, stop. Take a deep breath. Call forth your vision. Then pick up your phone and dial your friend. Ask him/her to remind you that veering off your path really isn’t worth the pain of repeating the past. It will only leave you feeling disappointed, depressed and unhappy in a dark gloomy hole rather than living the bright, amazing and fantastic life that is your birthright!
So today, YOU have the power to choose the course of your dreams, create a plan and stick to it. So gather your courage, strength and commitment and make 2010 the most inspiring year of your life! Manifesting dreams is just steps away! Instead of making those New Years resolutions this year only to find your self drifting away and dissatisfied, let’s make it work this time! Join me in Manifesting Your Dreams through The 4 Alignments of Self Care ™.
This workshop will be in 3 parts the following Wednesday evenings 6:30-9PM, January 6, February 3, March 3, 2010 at Yoga Passion, Beverly Farms, Ma. The cost is $85/series. You do have the option to attend individual sessions for $35.
Jan 6 – Write your Story
Feb 3 – Purpose & Priorities
March 3 – Treasure Mapping
Workshop practices include lectures, 4 Alignments™, awareness-building exercises, Meditation practices, group interaction.
The series ends with an optional journey to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico from March 25-30, 2010
Contact Grace: 603-651-9642 or graceventura1@gmail.com
to attend workshops or private sessions in-person or long distance.
What is The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel Ruiz?
By Meghan McChesney Gilroy
- Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
What is The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel Ruiz?
Be Skeptical, But Learn to Listen.
The Fifth Agreement, don Miguel Ruiz
Learn more about The Fifth Agreement by don Miguel Ruiz.
Buy The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery
The Charles Schultz Philosophy
By Meghan McChesney Gilroy
- Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
My brother-in-law Roger sent this to me. I found it to be a wise reminder of what is truly important in life. Enjoy!
The Charlie Schultz Philosophy
Scroll through slowly and read carefully to receive and enjoy full effect…
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.
You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.
Just read straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the head liners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish…
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials… the most money…or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.
How will you show that you care today??
”Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!”
Be Grateful for the Ordinary/Extraordinary Aspects of Your Life
By Michele Laub
- Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
For nearly a year, I facilitated a Gratitude Phone Call each morning. The simple format promoted extraordinary changes in the lives of participants, including my own– enlivening the age-old wisdom, “You always teach what you need to learn”.
The call began with focused deep breathing, a guided meditation followed, then each participant spoke his or her gratitude, and after a silent gratitude minute, an inspirational quote concluded the call.
Be Grateful for Your Breath
Spotlighting gratitude provides an opportunity for living in-sync with the abundance that supports life. When we focus on the big picture, we see that the Universe abides by natural laws ~ inevitable, repeatable and understandable laws. For example, during respiration, plants and animals consume oxygen and emit carbon dioxide. Incidentally, that same photosynthetic process which takes place in the oceans also removes carbon dioxide from the earth’s atmosphere. In fact, the oceans, which make up about 75% of the world’s surface are the single largest CO2 reduction system in the world. This phenomenon is the very essence of life itself. You don’t have to be aware that this phenomenon is happening, or that it even exists. It is always happening whether you are aware of it or not.
Make the decision to start each day with this vast, yet simple awareness and watch gratitude expand. BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR BREATH. You will simply not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks, appreciation and gratitude each day for your breath.
Before you get out of bed, before you are fully awake, focus on your breath. Take a slow deep breath in and hold it Then let the breath go even more slowly. Repeat this five times and feel gratitude in your heart for your breath. Then let your mind return yesterday and focus on three events, circumstances or people for which you have gratitude and smile. Then focus on today and decide the quality that you will bring to your day. Make it a happy day, or a day filled with activity, or a contemplative day, or perhaps a day filled with unconditional love. You decide. Be grateful that you have the choice to create the quality of your day.
Now you are in the best mind frame to have the best day. Repeat this morning ceremony for 21 days creating a pattern in your brain, Then master that pattern and repeat it for another 21 days. As you watch your life change, you will know there is so much to be grateful for. This is just the beginning. But, you already knew that.
Join the morning Gratitude Call at 7 AM Eastern.
Dial in number: 1-218-862-7200
Access code: 893741
Discover Power Journeys
By Barry Schwartzbach
- Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Why would anyone want to go on a power journey? Why take the time, spend the money, leave the country to do spiritual practice? Can’t it just as well be done from home?
Well, yes, certainly spiritual practice can and should be done at home. Home is where we put into action our highest intentions, where all our inspiration is played out in the context of our daily lives. For many reasons, however, I have found spiritual journeys to be a key component of my path on this Earth.
First of all, on a journey, you get out of your normal routine. All the energy that you otherwise would spend at work, with the family, in the world, can be gathered and focused for self-reflection.
Next, you are with like-minded people. The leaders and other participants are there for the same reason you are, to grow in spirit. The group energy grows exponentially when all the members are pointed in the same direction. This energy is a treasure that you can put in your pockets to bring home. Also, in terms of energy, the sacred places are continuously charged by the faith and yearning of all those who visit that place. Some of this power also travels home with you.
Additionally, the intention with which the place was built can act as a boost to your own intentions and as a mirror to clearly see that which may be veiled in your life. I have been to Teotihuacan many times and every single trip, I have gained insight into something in my life that needs attention or should be left behind.
I recently returned from a power journey to Peru. At many places along the journey we performed ceremony. Sometimes there was a local Shaman; sometimes we were on our own but at each ceremony our overall intent was to leave behind that which no longer served and to open to the light of spirit. This twin intention, of releasing and at the same time gathering, is one of the main benefits that can be realized when traveling to sacred places.
Finally, power journeys, spiritual journeys, are an adventure of the heart. All of the many journeys I have taken in my life have sprung from an inner urge to experience the mystery and magic of these sacred places. These are not just tourist trips; these are journeys where I have gained insight, energy and power to continue the quest at home.
At the same time, using the power of these places and my own intent, I have been able to see many of my limiting beliefs that have robbed me of my power and covered up that blazing spirit that I truly am. When I have been able to leave these beliefs behind and filled the space they used to occupy with the light of Spirit, I have truly felt the power of a power journey.
Within the next few months, Life Mastery Teachers will be leading Power Journeys to Mexico and Egypt.
The trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico will be from February 11 – 16, 2010. Teotihuacan is the ancient city of the Toltec, specifically built as a place for transformation. The name Teotihuacan, roughly translates as ‘the place humans go to become God’. See details on our Featured Journeys page
The journey to Egypt will take place from March 8 – 21, 2010. The itinerary includes visiting the Valley of the Kings, Abydos, Dendara, and the Temples of Karnack and Luxor. There will be a five day Nile cruise to visit the Temples of Edfu, Kom, Ombo and Phalie. The ‘grand finale’ will be private time in the Great Pyramid and at the Sphinx on the Spring Equinox. Egypt Flyer
Energize Yourself and Systemize Your Business
By Kevin Murray
- Friday, December 11th, 2009
Expand Your Heart, Mind, Soul and Checkbook
Are your tried-and-true business strategies not working anymore?
Is it harder to find, land and retain Ideal Clients?
Is it challenging keeping your attitude and energy where you want?
In this light and lively workshop, you will:
- Learn how to Increase your Income and do it in less time
- Identify and Attract your Ideal Clients
- Develop Simple Streamlining Systems that create Free Time
- Develop custom Daily Practices to Build and Maintain Energy
When: December 17th – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Funky Monkey in Cheshire, CT
Cost: Please Buy a Toy or Book to Donate (from Toyz or Alphabet Garden – located in our courtyard)
Please RSVP to Kevin by phone at 203.410.8150 or by email at kevin@earthandlight.com
CLICK HERE to learn about a Complimentary initial Consulting Session
The Gift of Gratitude
By Michele Laub
- Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
It has been said that to experience joy is our purpose in life. If you want to know if you’re going in the right direction, follow your bliss, do what feels good to you. And when you feel joy and happiness, whether you go searching for it or stumble upon it inadvertently, delight in it. Like attracts like. Joy multiplies quickly if given attention. Focus on gratitude and the abundance of things to be grateful for will deepen and multiply. Sounds good, but is it possible?
Even when we are focusing on joy and feeling gratitude for life, sometimes stuff happens, and we are thrown off our joyful course into fear, anxiety, tension, and stress. (FATS) The events that create this shift in feeling can be as temporary as the failure of the computer’s operating system, as constricting as the economy going deeper into the red, or as permanent as the loss of a cherished relationship through death.
And yet aren’t these feelings that billions of people share— emotion (energy in motion). Isn’t it wonderful that human beings throughout the planet, though often misguided by their conditioning and mind-chatter, can connect through the experience of “feel good” and “don’t feel good.”? From powerless to un-conditional love, each of us knows the truth of how we feel. When we have gratitude for that unity of the human experience, we have gratitude for life itself.
In The Circle of Fire Prayer, don Miguel Ruiz writes “… I will live my life with gratitude, love, loyalty and justice/ beginning with myself and continuing with my brothers and sisters…” Ruiz begins with gratitude because gratitude, he writes, is one of the most beautiful expressions of love. When we live our lives with love, we will love ourselves unconditionally no matter what, no matter what! We will live our lives with loyalty—loyalty to ourselves —we will never go against ourselves or betray ourselves again. When we live our lives with justice, we will no longer judge ourselves– creating shame, guilt and self- abuse. Of course, we must begin with ourselves so we know how living this way feels, and then we will choose to “continue with our brothers and sisters. ”
I remember a Toltec Dreaming Retreat when forty people repeated The Circle of Fire Prayer at three-minute intervals from midnight till dawn. Needless to say it was a very long night. In retrospect, however, since that night, my outlook has progressively shifted from fear and worry to faith and gratitude. The words of The Circle of Fire Prayer are tattooed in my cells. Practice makes the master.
The more we practice gratitude beginning with ourselves, the more we see and experience more to be grateful for. Live with gratitude, just for being alive; embrace and give gratitude for the richness of being human—especially for human feeling. Have gratitude for the breath of life itself. To master gratitude is the blue-print for a joy-filled life in which there is always so much to be grateful for.
To learn about Toltec Dreaming go to click here. To purchase Prayers by don Miguel Ruiz go to Amazon
To join a Gratitude Call at 7 AM Eastern M-F call 641-715-3625 pin 938854
To join a Gratitude Call at 10 AM Eastern Wednesday only call 712-775-7300 pin 404-459-1592.
To create your own daily Gratitude Practice listen to these Gratitude Meditations.
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