Creative Inspiration

These are sacred object and images that have been inspired in many different ways. There hasbbeen a new wave of creativity that I'm so grateful for and it is a reflection of the love that I have for this life and a new exploration in meditation. I wanted to share these things with you.

And with an open heart......

This morning it is time to write, after some reflection it is clear that once a week is a good goal to aim for in terms of how much I contribute to this blog. Seems reasonable, really it is more about when the spirit strikes me but that can also be used as an excuse when the mind says there isn't anything to say. Committing to once a week is a happy medium between the two. I ask myself on this gray morning, "What wishes to be said today?" Since this is a co-creation I have decided to begin each entry with this question at the forefront of my mind. When ever ego comes in and tries to tell me that I don't have anything to say or why would anyone want to listen to anything I have to say I come back to it with compassion and know that this is part of the purification process of doing something like this. Getting over the internal nonsense is often the most challenging part of any new project, creation or activity. What I find is the most effective way of getting over this hurtle? Asking for guidance. Stepping outside myself and into my connection with Spirit. I may not be able to accomplish everything that I set my mind to on my own but with Great Mystery backing me up every step of the way there are no limitations.

How do we become receptive to this connection within ourselves to the Source of all Creation? This is a question that has been asked and explored since the beginning of time. Each of us has our own unique way to connect with the Truth of who we really are. Some of us dance. Sing. Create. Mother. Teach. Heal. Explore. Fight. Listen. Pray. Talk. There are as many ways to reach the boundless space of connection as there are beings sharing this Earth. In my own experience the only real prerequisite is for us to be receptive, to allow the mind to move beyond who we think we are and let unfold the Truth of our Being. As humans I find that we place restrictions on ourselves all the time, what we think we can and can't do. Faith is required at times to move beyond these illusionary limitations that we create for ourselves.

There was a time not long ago that I began to own the idea that I wasn't very good at intimacy. I'm not talking about this in a purely sexual way, I'm talking about connection with others. Having an open and receptive heart to those around me, I felt that I was shut down. Spending so many years as a devout yogini in service to my Guru I learned to go within and detach myself from the material world around me in order to gain a deeper understanding and relationship with God. This was a very powerful experience, one that I will learn from until the day I die and continue to learn from in the next life. But one of the most powerful teachings from this time in my life was about honoring my personal Truth, how Spirit works through me. Once again, this is different for each individual.

We are all blessed with unique gifts that we are asked in this life time to explore, develop and share as our medicine in the world. What I learned was that I'm not meant to spend my days silently meditating and eating nothing but fruit for months at a time. This has its place for purification but I'm meant to be in the world loving and sharing with those around me. In order for me to make the changes necessary to honor how Spirit works through me I had to allow a new way of being. One that was scary because it meant going against everything that I had been taught on the yogic path, well not everything but some big ones. Like always be obedient to the Guru, leaving and going out into the world wasn't fitting under that heading at the time. My point being, to bring us back, is that I had to have the courage to allow a new idea of who I could be. To rush the cliff of limitation and trust that I could be held and I was.

When we are honest with who we really are, when we take the time to ask and listen to what truly wants to be expressed through us there are no limitations. Can it be uncomfortable at times to make the necessary changes to fully embrace our Souls longing to express itself, yes. These challenges are the offering to the fire of purification along our path to a more authentic way of walking, talking, living and loving in this world. Maya, or illusion is a powerful distraction to the truth that all is God, all aspects of creation are alive and are our teachers in each moment. However, there is no substitute for teachers, mentors and loved ones that we can look to as positive examples of how to take the necessary steps towards the life we truly wish to live. I don't believe that it is possible for us to make such profound changes in our lives without the help of those that have been there before us. If I hadn't had the truly amazing guidance from those that I choose to align myself with I don't believe I would be where I am today. I owe it all to those that have taken the time to share with me, love me, challenge me, scold me and forgive me.

If you want to make some changes and you don't feel you have the courage to do it, find a mentor. teacher. friend. counselor. class. group. But choose wisely, choose to surround yourself with those you wish to emulate in life, then be receptive to all they have to offer. If there is a quality you wish to cultivate copy someone that has already developed this quality, ask them how they grew it in their own lives. Be receptive. Let go of the resistances that say change can't be made. It can. And pray for divine guidance sincerely with an open heart and before you know it you will see changes in your life. Begin to align your actions, words and deed to express the new energy you wish to grow. Old habits die hard so be kind to yourself but be strict as well. Like a mother would be.

To end this entry I would like to name some of those teachers in my life that have shown the way, to honor them and give my humblest offerings of thanks and gratitude. Everyone is the student and everyone is the teacher and for that I'm so grateful.

I give thanks and gratitude to my Beloved Guru Chandraji who has loved me unconditionally above and beyond the call of duty. I give thanks for every scolding, every truth that passed Her divine lips, for holding the space that showed me I could know God. She is my Spiritual Mother and I owe her my life.

To my sister Artemis, the one who first began to awaken me to the Truth and the mystery of Spirit. She continues to shine the light along the path into the magical world of Dreaming and Seeing. To be blessed with a blood relative in this lifetime who set such a strong Spiritual example is a blessing I will never take for granted.

Give praise to those Magical and Wild Women of the Cove. Those that commune with the Wolves, Star Wolf the Shamanic Grand Momma breathing us into Truth. Guiding us along the Spiral path of power, courage and non-addition. Sexy shakit spirit, thank you.

Great Momma Kate, the hermit of creation nestled in her bed of roses peering out to point the way to Truth. You were the first, you gave your life to me and without you I would be but a whisper on the wind. Fiesty, powerful and boundless you imparted your life's force to me. That ultimate offering has not gone unnoticed. I love you.

All my Spiritual Sisters out there, you know who you are. The circle may be open but never broken. We are together always in Spirit. Keep forging your way on the path of truth, it is beautiful to watch.

Sweet Rainbow Feather, a soft breeze of Divinity revealed in a smile and a warm safe place to rest. So soft and true your touch heals, our presents speaks to the ages of the Earth. I feel the soil between my toes and stars in my hair when I'm with You. Weave your wheel of sharing. I rest my heart in your hands.

Scott. Words can not express the gratitude for your patience and kind heart. The teacher that I live with everyday, who teaches through the moments of life that are sweet and subtle. My love.

Dad = Love + Support for Life. Honor. Devotion. and thunder.

Then there are my Spiritual Brothers, those that are courageous to share and explore spirit with me from the other side. Warriors of adventure and honor beyond my wildest dreams.

I could keep going on an on, this is the short list. I could fill an entire book with the gratitude for those that have shared with me. I encourage you to do this exercise as well. There have been some tears and they are the medicine of the heart.

Thank you for witnessing. May your day be filled with Light and Love. Share it, receive it and honor it.

Om Om

Sparkly Fun Time

I have decided that when the mind isn't feeling up to the creative task of coming up with a suitable title for these posts then I'm just going to name it what ever comes to mind first. Seems like a good way to go, inner spirit speaking to me through a child's like imaginative language. I think we could all use a bit more of that in our lives. Those of you who have children are influenced by that everyday but for those like me with out children tapping into that resource takes a bit more intention.

This leads me into an interesting point of reflection: every spiritual path that I've ever encountered espouses that one should strive to emulate the energy of a child. To approach life and the circumstances that it presents to us in a childlike way. What does this mean? When I have the chance to watch children I see a willingness to give and receive love openly with out judgment, expectations or strings attached. Children don't perceive separation. Children are honest, often direct, speak their truth, and love unconditionally. If there is any kind of misunderstanding they are easily over it and moving on to the next thing. Children don't often hold on to anger, resentment, fear, or resistance.

As adults we become much more aware of "who we are", I don't necessarily mean this in the Spiritual sense of coming to know ones True Self. I pray each of us does come to know that part of ourselves but what I'm really referring to is how we begin to feel separation from those around us, not only people but the world at large. Perhaps this cultivates a need for us to protect ourselves. We begin to loose our childlike carefree faith, the feeling that we are taken care of by something larger than ourselves. In turn we try and take the wheel, steering our own ship so to speak. By doing this we begin to disconnect ourselves from the natural flow of Energy that is ever present as a gift from Spirit.

So if this is true, which I'm not saying it is or it isn't, (that is for each individual to explore for themselves) how might we begin to regain or cultivate that childlike energy in our lives? We could dance. move. breath. create. share. soften. Explore. Laugh. Let go. Look up. Touch the earth. Sing. Anything that brings us joy, that moves our energy in a way that releases that which is no longer serving us. Basically all that is needed is to surrender and ask Spirit for guidance and assistance on how to open our hearts and let go of the obstacles that are in our path. Those obstacles could be any number of things such as fear, anger, jealousy, insecurity or even guilt. I'm just hitting the highlights to make the point. What ever it is that is causing us to forget who we truly are, they are obstacles. This doesn't mean that we need to pass judgment on them, actually finding an authentic compassion for ourselves and the things in this life that we struggle with is a huge blessing. As we learn to be more compassionate and open our hearts to our own struggles and short comings then we learn to do the same for others.

Do you ever find yourself passing judgment, even if silently on someone else when they are struggling with something? I know I have, more times than I wish to admit. My beloved guru would often remind us that what we see in others is merely a reflection of ourselves. I am much harsher on others with things that I too am currently struggling with or have struggled with in the past. What kind of sense does that make? None if you ask me, but regardless it is what I have seen in myself more times than not. These are the opportunities for us to develop compassion and own those areas of our lives that perhaps aren't fully developed or polished. As we become more understanding with ourselves we can then extend that out to those around us and in doing so we offer solace and support instead of adding to the already sensitive issue.

Here are a few suggestions that have been made to me by very wise people that I try to practice:

1. Watch your thoughts: Every thought lands where it is intended. Whether it is towards yourself or an other.
2. See yourself in every being, See God in everyone.
3. If you are pointing fingers know that one finger point away but three are pointed right back at you.
4. Always try to be kind and helpful. Be sweet. Be authentic.

So, lets bring it back full circle. Let us find our inner child and let him or her play wildly with out restriction. Let them love and be loved, let them sing and share with out expectation. Let them be hurt and heal, and to forget all the nonsense of the material world once in a while. Allowing your inner child to mingle in the world will take you further than you can ever image along the road to Peace.

Below are a few links that I thought might be fun to explore that are related in different ways to this post:

Asheville Movement Collective (A community for spiritual ecstatic dance)

Greensboro School of Creativity - an amazing place to explore what moves you.


An article on having child like faith
http://www.mysticsaint.info/2006/03/have-childlike-faith_04.html

Matthew 18:3 (New Centery Version)
Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Thank you all who have taken the time to read this post, please feel free to respond or add things that have been inspiring to you. Stories. Photos. Experiences. This space is what we make it!

Let us live in light and love
Om Om

Inspiration

Since yesterday I have been reflecting on what is relevant to share in this space. Its funny to watch how ego and the mind likes to commentate on something like this saying "what could I possibly have to say that anyone would be interested in?" Fear of trying, of putting yourself out there for all to see and to have opinion on. It has stopped me many times before but right now the time is ripe to have the courage to step out of the shadows and share what is and has been influencing me in my life. Things that have brought profound transformation. These things don't belong to me, they belong to all of us. It's also a way to honor these events, people, experiences, and energies as the powerful teachers and companions they have been in my life.

This is also a way to recognize that all of these transformations, however they may have been influenced, have been a co-creation. We all have free will, this free will allows us choices and whether we like it or not our choices have outcomes. consequences. joys. sorrows. failures. triumphs. In the Shamanic tradition I understand this to be our medicine. Those things that we have experienced first hand and can speak to with true knowledge. And as we have heard over and over again, knowledge is power. Power to change. Power to heal. Power to impart and share with others.

In some traditions it is taught to keep secret the highest teachings for those that are worthy of the information. Although I understand this way of operating it isn't how Spirit wishes to be expressed through me. I feel as though Spiritual teachings and information should be made available to all. No matter what. If someone isn't meant to hear or experience certain information then they won't come in contact with it. I trust that God has that handled and it isn't for me to judge who is and who isn't worthy. I don't even know what that means. Lord knows that if I were to reflect on that for too long my personal conclusion would be that I'm not worthy. No perfection here just lots of falling on my face, getting up and dusting myself off.

So, with all that being said...let us move on with a little more context for this space or container. All things are what we make them. Let this be a place that we tap into those things that inspire and fill our cups with truth, love, challenge and most of all unbounded joy for being blessed enough to have a human birth and to experience all that the material world has to offer.

Inspiration for this week:

Quote that my dear friend and soul sister Bronwyn shared with me on the phone this week that I just LOVE! It is awesome and speaks volumes about life.

"Rejection is God's protection."

Not sure where this originated but I did look it up online and here are some of the resources that came up around this quote if you would like to check them out.

http://christianinspirational.org/rejection-is-gods-protection/

http://www.authorsden.com/categories/article_top.asp?catid=76&id=49142

Again, I encourage you to interact with this blog. If you have found something inspiring in your life, share it! You have a blog you want to share, do it. You make something cool....post it.

Let this day be filled with all the light and love that is possible.

Om Om

Influences

Ok, so the first step is done. That always seems to be the hardest, showing up to a yearning or longing from Spirit. A voice so easily ignored but impossible to escape. Now a little about me to give some context to this space for Spiritual sharing.

I walk this earth in a female form that has been here for 34 years. I live in North Carolina but grew up in upstate New York. I am a married certified yoga instructor that is the book keeper for my husbands company. I've taught yoga for about 4 years and am preparing to open my own yoga and shamanic education school out of my home in 2011. But for the purposes of this blog the most important thing you need to know about me is that I have a burning desire to help people through the use of Spiritual and Energetic education. As with all things in my life this blog is a co-creation of my desire and free will to share fueled by God (or what ever other name you wish to replace God with, Spirit, Great Mystery, Energy, Buddha....it all works.) I believe that with out Spirit there is nothing, that also translates to my belief that God is everywhere and everything. I have listed below the organizations that have been the biggest influencing factors in my Spiritual education. These influences range from Christianity, Buddhism, Yoga and Shamanism. I’ve also included links to blogs and websites that I have found inspiring. If you come across others that you would like to share please post!



The North Carolina School of Yoga
An amazing yoga school founded by my beloved teacher Chandra Om, where I did all my formal yogic training.
http://www.ncschoolofyoga.com/

Adyshanti
An amazing Buddhist teacher that takes a beautifully simple and straight forward approach to teaching Truth.
http://www.adyashanti.org/
http://www.adyashanti.org/cafedharma/

Green for Life
Book about eating raw and incorporating green smoothies into your diet
http://www.greenforlife.com/

Black Mountain Yoga
The school that learned and taught for almost a year when I lived in Asheville. Amazing teachers and wonderful experience.
http://www.blackmountainyoga.com/

Asheville Yoga Center
http://www.youryoga.com/

Venus Rising Institute for Shamanic Healing Arts
The home of Shamanic Breath Work, an incredibly transformative and healing technique for tapping into our inner guidance and transformation healing energy.
http://shamanicbreathwork.org/

Flower Eagle Medicine Lodge
Founder Robin Lynn Rainbow Feather offers traditional teachings from the 13 Original Clan Mothers. Beautiful community of Shamanic education.
http://www.flowereagle.com/

Why Shamanism Now? with Christina Pratt
Great podcast for those interested in learning more about Shamanism, energy and healing.
http://whyshamanismnow.com/

Rather than write a long drawn out summery of my experience, background and influences you can explore them on your own.

Beginning, My Intention with this Blog

I admit that I have no idea what this journey is all about. Sometimes the mind tries to tell me that I know something but it is in the mist. Mysterious, elusive and sacred. Learning to trust that which can not be seen or understood by this feeble human mind is my path. The truth revealed in the heart, a new way each day. Love is powerful and transformative. My teachers are those who love me, known and unknown. Gratitude is the currency of this abundance. I feel led to share through the powerful medium of words, images, relationship and over all love in the world. That is what this container, or blog is for. Please interact with it, help me bring it to life to share and express our truths. All love. Om Om