I watched a TED talk today of Benjamin Zander (a symphony conductor) talking on music and passion. Every TED talk I've listened to has been wonderful, but this particular one was exceptional. Benjamin Zander is funny and engaging as a speaker and a very talented musician who illustrated some of the points he was making by playing the piano. At one point, he stated that he had full faith that when he was finished, everyone in the room or listening would understand, appreciate and enjoy classical music. And, of that, he had no doubt. He said, "One of the characteristics of a leader is that he does not doubt for a moment the capacity of the people he's leading to realize whatever he's dreaming."
And, he's right. For a leader who has no doubt and is clear in their intention, we will follow willingly. But, if the leader is unclear, or doubts their purpose, there is fear and discontent in the ranks. If the leader doesn't respect those he/she is leading then he/she loses their loyalty. But, if those being led have the respect of their leader and feel the leader's faith in them, they will do whatever they can and more to accomplish the task. The overriding thought will be, "We can do this together."
Zander had an epiphany after conducting orchestras for twenty years, and the epiphany was that the conductor made no sound. He realized that his success was dependent on those he was conducting. He finally understood in a deep and transformative way that "his power depended on his ability to make other people powerful. And, that his job was to awaken possibility in other people." Those are profound realizations and, for him, changed the way he did his job. Changed it to the extent that his players asked him what had happened. The epiphany had shifted his perception and focus from himself to those he was working to empower. And, his job became about helping every player in his orchestra to be the best they could be.
With this change in focus, he moved into his heart. He fell in love with his players. He got to know them, to really know them, and each and every one of them mattered. The way he said he could tell if he was succeeding in inspiring and empowering those around him was seeing their shining eyes. If their eyes weren't shining, he wasn't doing his job. And, then he would ask himself, "Who am I being that my players' eyes are not shining?" He took responsibility. If their eyes weren't shining, it was a reflection of him and his actions. He saw the whole experience in Oneness.
He took this idea to, "Who are we being in the world?" What kind of vision are we holding for our world? And, what are we doing to achieve it? He talked about holding a long-term vision, and explained how the musician doesn't just play note after note, but that great musicians see the long line of the piece and hold the whole thing and then play it through. He gave the examples of a bird flying over a fence--or, a mountain for that matter--and not looking down but looking forward with the long view of where it was going and what was necessary to get there. He asked the audience, "What was Nelson Mandela doing in jail for 27 years?" And, the answer was, holding a vision for South Africa. Holding the long view and having faith that it was possible. It wasn't 27 years wasted in jail, it was 27 years spent visioning how the country could be and willing it into being.
Nelson Mandela said, "There is no passion to be found playing small; in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Benjamin Zander doesn't play small, he plays big. He has a passion for life and for music and for teaching and for inspiring and for empowering, and he allows his passion full rein without holding back. And, when he was done talking, his audience was full of people with shining eyes.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Conflict Resolution
I found a new website today as recommended in Kelly Hunter's astrology newsletter. She mentioned it by saying that Julie Roberts' book, "Building Better Relationships: Short Essays on Learning to Relate," discusses the principles of The CLEAR Process of conflict resolution. The website, so you can check it out for yourself, is: www.truceworks.com. They also have a way to work through conflict in a guided way online. And, they have a mobile app.
Anything that facilitates conflict resolution and non-violent communication is something that benefits us all. How many times have we been in situations of conflict and been at a loss as to how to find a resolution? I've lost relationships in this way; there was a conflict and I just didn't have the tools with which to resolve it. I've always been conflict averse anyway, but at least having tools to utilize when conflict happens makes the possibility of resolution real. I think conflict stumps a lot of us. We react without thinking and then can't figure out how to get out of our reaction...or, to take responsibility for it.
The CLEAR Process consists of five steps:
1) Clarify
2) Locate
3) Express
4) Attune
5) Reciprocation
The first step - CLARIFY - is to state the event/action that triggered the conflict without blame...just the facts of what happened.
The second step - LOCATE - is to locate what you're feeling and ask yourself, "What unmet need caused the feeling?"
The third step - EXPRESS - is to express what you felt/are feeling...express yourself.
The fourth step - ATTUNE - is to attune to the other person in the conflict. Respond back to validate that you really heard them and that you understand the way they felt/feel.
The fifth step - RECIPROCATION - is to discuss/negotiate what is needed to end the conflict.
It takes two to walk through this process together, so one of the people in the conflict has to step forward and initiate the process of resolution. And, the other person has to agree to want resolution and to walk through this process together. Once you both agree that you want resolution, and are willing to walk through the process, then each person has to commit to honesty without blame. By each person taking responsibility for their reactions, and the emotions behind them, without blaming the other person, the door to resolution is open.
It's a process of respect and responsibility. We respect the other person; their ability to hear us, their ability to respond from a place of responsibility; their ability to be honest; their ability to receive us in our vulnerability; their ability to understand and have compassion; and, their ability to compromise. This process, done through to resolution, is strengthening to the relationship. At the end of the process, each person has shown that the relationship means enough to them to want to find resolution. At the end of the process, each person knows themselves and each other better. At the end of the process, each person trusts and respects the other more deeply. At the end of the process, each person feels seen and heard and personally empowered.
We all experience conflict. You'd have to live in a reclusive bubble and have no human contact to avoid conflict...and, you'd probably still be in conflict with yourself! Learning to face conflict and deal with it in a way that allows the affected relationship/s to grow and continue is a wonderful thing. If we all knew how to settle things peacefully between us--countries as well as people--violence would no longer have a place. And, if we felt we had the tools to achieve resolution to conflict when it arose, fear would go away. And, as we learn more about ourselves and others through peaceful communication and conflict resolution, we move more deeply into acceptance and love. And, that's the kind of world in which I want to live.
So, next time something happens, try these steps. See how they work for you. Try for resolution instead of walking away or attacking. Go for peace. Person to person. Conflict by conflict. Baby step by baby step. Be brave. You can do it.
Anything that facilitates conflict resolution and non-violent communication is something that benefits us all. How many times have we been in situations of conflict and been at a loss as to how to find a resolution? I've lost relationships in this way; there was a conflict and I just didn't have the tools with which to resolve it. I've always been conflict averse anyway, but at least having tools to utilize when conflict happens makes the possibility of resolution real. I think conflict stumps a lot of us. We react without thinking and then can't figure out how to get out of our reaction...or, to take responsibility for it.
The CLEAR Process consists of five steps:
1) Clarify
2) Locate
3) Express
4) Attune
5) Reciprocation
The first step - CLARIFY - is to state the event/action that triggered the conflict without blame...just the facts of what happened.
The second step - LOCATE - is to locate what you're feeling and ask yourself, "What unmet need caused the feeling?"
The third step - EXPRESS - is to express what you felt/are feeling...express yourself.
The fourth step - ATTUNE - is to attune to the other person in the conflict. Respond back to validate that you really heard them and that you understand the way they felt/feel.
The fifth step - RECIPROCATION - is to discuss/negotiate what is needed to end the conflict.
It takes two to walk through this process together, so one of the people in the conflict has to step forward and initiate the process of resolution. And, the other person has to agree to want resolution and to walk through this process together. Once you both agree that you want resolution, and are willing to walk through the process, then each person has to commit to honesty without blame. By each person taking responsibility for their reactions, and the emotions behind them, without blaming the other person, the door to resolution is open.
It's a process of respect and responsibility. We respect the other person; their ability to hear us, their ability to respond from a place of responsibility; their ability to be honest; their ability to receive us in our vulnerability; their ability to understand and have compassion; and, their ability to compromise. This process, done through to resolution, is strengthening to the relationship. At the end of the process, each person has shown that the relationship means enough to them to want to find resolution. At the end of the process, each person knows themselves and each other better. At the end of the process, each person trusts and respects the other more deeply. At the end of the process, each person feels seen and heard and personally empowered.
We all experience conflict. You'd have to live in a reclusive bubble and have no human contact to avoid conflict...and, you'd probably still be in conflict with yourself! Learning to face conflict and deal with it in a way that allows the affected relationship/s to grow and continue is a wonderful thing. If we all knew how to settle things peacefully between us--countries as well as people--violence would no longer have a place. And, if we felt we had the tools to achieve resolution to conflict when it arose, fear would go away. And, as we learn more about ourselves and others through peaceful communication and conflict resolution, we move more deeply into acceptance and love. And, that's the kind of world in which I want to live.
So, next time something happens, try these steps. See how they work for you. Try for resolution instead of walking away or attacking. Go for peace. Person to person. Conflict by conflict. Baby step by baby step. Be brave. You can do it.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
The Nature of Suffering
The following is a quote from the Dalai Lama: "The suffering and happiness each of us experiences is a reflection of the distortion or clarity with which we view ourselves and the world."
That's genius. It's so simple, and it encapsulates volumes of spiritual study.
When we're really able to see ourselves and the world with clarity--no illusions, no denial, no expectations, no desires, no needs--and accept it and deal with it for what it is without resistance then there's nothing to trigger suffering. We might not like what we see, but it's not about what we like. It's about accepting the truth and doing what's necessary in regard to it. Suffering is born out of resistance. We might prefer another scenario, but it's not about what we prefer. It's always about what is.
I read another article recently in which the author, Rev. Kylie Renner of the Albuquerque Center for Spiritual Living, said that she no longer resists her resistance, which is perfect. Full acceptance of what is, but watching it and learning from it. The allowance of what is occurring to be there from the stance of the watcher. We can't make ourselves feel differently than we feel, but we can open to it, give it space, and let it teach us about itself as it moves through.
I saw the quote from the Dalai Lama on the cover of a Buddhist magazine I picked up to read while I was waiting for my appointment with my newly-found medical pedicurist. I stubbed my toe very badly last year on an unmarked and unpainted curb in the parking structure of my hotel in Cleveland while working on "The Avengers." And, ever since then, my toe has continued to give me problems. I've stayed away from shoes and worn flip flops almost exclusively since then. But, winter is coming and shoes will be unavoidable, and I'm taking dance classes where there is more than normal pressure on my toes and shoes are necessary, so I've been forced out of denial and into solution. After mentioning my toe pain to a friend after dance class she immediately gave me the phone number of the perfect person to help me heal the condition...the medical pedicurist, the fabulous Maria Rathner here in Albuquerque. And, it was in Maria's waiting area that I saw the Buddhist magazine with the quote from the Dalai Lama on the cover.
So, I am now grateful for the stubbed toe, grateful for the pain that made me mention my toe to my friend, grateful for my friend's recommendation to Maria, and grateful that I finally came out of denial and took action to heal my toe and made an appointment with Maria. Due to all of these things, I found the Dalai Lama quote. Such gold is a special find. The truth is usually simple. If something starts to get too complicated, it's most likely indicative that distortion has crept into the mix. And, the Dalai Lama's quote is simple and beautifully said. When I read it, I gasped in recognition. Yes!
I started to read a bit of the article that went with the quote--and, I'm sorry to not have written down the name of the magazine and the name of the author of the article!--but, since Maria was quick getting to me, I only managed a snippet. But, in that snippet, the author talked about the fact that in Buddhism, the practitioner seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for the whole of creation. It's such an acknowledgement of Oneness and the fact that we're all connected. We don't do anything in a bubble of separation, everything we do affects the whole. In fact, the word "Bodhisattva" is used in regard to someone who delays their own enlightenment out of compassion for those still struggling. Buddhism is about the team, the sanga. But, if I'm not mistaken, a Bodhisattva is also someone who's attained enlightenment, but has chosen to come back to help others reach it, too. Either way, a noble act and a deep understanding that we are all One.
So, the next time you find yourself suffering in some way, it might be helpful to notice where the resistance is and then open up to it. Once we open to the resistance and let it tell us what it's about, we're much more likely to be able to let it move through and come into truth and acceptance. And, once we come into truth and acceptance, the suffering will stop. Clarity is a wonderful thing. When we reach it, it's the most blissful release.
And, since I love the quote from the Dalai Lama that I started this post with so much, I'm going to end with it, too. "The suffering and happiness each of us experiences is a reflection of the distortion or clarity with which we view ourselves and the world." Brilliant.
That's genius. It's so simple, and it encapsulates volumes of spiritual study.
When we're really able to see ourselves and the world with clarity--no illusions, no denial, no expectations, no desires, no needs--and accept it and deal with it for what it is without resistance then there's nothing to trigger suffering. We might not like what we see, but it's not about what we like. It's about accepting the truth and doing what's necessary in regard to it. Suffering is born out of resistance. We might prefer another scenario, but it's not about what we prefer. It's always about what is.
I read another article recently in which the author, Rev. Kylie Renner of the Albuquerque Center for Spiritual Living, said that she no longer resists her resistance, which is perfect. Full acceptance of what is, but watching it and learning from it. The allowance of what is occurring to be there from the stance of the watcher. We can't make ourselves feel differently than we feel, but we can open to it, give it space, and let it teach us about itself as it moves through.
I saw the quote from the Dalai Lama on the cover of a Buddhist magazine I picked up to read while I was waiting for my appointment with my newly-found medical pedicurist. I stubbed my toe very badly last year on an unmarked and unpainted curb in the parking structure of my hotel in Cleveland while working on "The Avengers." And, ever since then, my toe has continued to give me problems. I've stayed away from shoes and worn flip flops almost exclusively since then. But, winter is coming and shoes will be unavoidable, and I'm taking dance classes where there is more than normal pressure on my toes and shoes are necessary, so I've been forced out of denial and into solution. After mentioning my toe pain to a friend after dance class she immediately gave me the phone number of the perfect person to help me heal the condition...the medical pedicurist, the fabulous Maria Rathner here in Albuquerque. And, it was in Maria's waiting area that I saw the Buddhist magazine with the quote from the Dalai Lama on the cover.
So, I am now grateful for the stubbed toe, grateful for the pain that made me mention my toe to my friend, grateful for my friend's recommendation to Maria, and grateful that I finally came out of denial and took action to heal my toe and made an appointment with Maria. Due to all of these things, I found the Dalai Lama quote. Such gold is a special find. The truth is usually simple. If something starts to get too complicated, it's most likely indicative that distortion has crept into the mix. And, the Dalai Lama's quote is simple and beautifully said. When I read it, I gasped in recognition. Yes!
I started to read a bit of the article that went with the quote--and, I'm sorry to not have written down the name of the magazine and the name of the author of the article!--but, since Maria was quick getting to me, I only managed a snippet. But, in that snippet, the author talked about the fact that in Buddhism, the practitioner seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but for the whole of creation. It's such an acknowledgement of Oneness and the fact that we're all connected. We don't do anything in a bubble of separation, everything we do affects the whole. In fact, the word "Bodhisattva" is used in regard to someone who delays their own enlightenment out of compassion for those still struggling. Buddhism is about the team, the sanga. But, if I'm not mistaken, a Bodhisattva is also someone who's attained enlightenment, but has chosen to come back to help others reach it, too. Either way, a noble act and a deep understanding that we are all One.
So, the next time you find yourself suffering in some way, it might be helpful to notice where the resistance is and then open up to it. Once we open to the resistance and let it tell us what it's about, we're much more likely to be able to let it move through and come into truth and acceptance. And, once we come into truth and acceptance, the suffering will stop. Clarity is a wonderful thing. When we reach it, it's the most blissful release.
And, since I love the quote from the Dalai Lama that I started this post with so much, I'm going to end with it, too. "The suffering and happiness each of us experiences is a reflection of the distortion or clarity with which we view ourselves and the world." Brilliant.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
"Expendables 2"
I saw the movie, "Expendables 2" this afternoon and really enjoyed it. I have to note that my response to this film and all the violence that it entails, is 180 degrees from my response to "Dark Knight" and its violence.
The overall vibe of "Dark Knight" was too bleak and depressing for me. It felt oppressive and relentless. It went on for too long and I felt icky watching it. It was out of balance, and, for me, by the end, nothing could bring it back. All I felt at the end was relief that it was over. And, relief that Christopher Nolan would be making no more installments in the franchise. Maybe the next director will lift it up a bit.
But, "Expendables 2" is a much more balanced piece of work. You like the main characters who all seem to accept themselves and the life they've chosen. They're good guys saving the little guys and taking down the bad guys. There's humor to balance out the tougher stuff and all the killing. And, the killing is at such a proportion that it becomes comical at times. The filmmakers never seem to lose their way, or stay too long at the party.
I love Sylvester Stallone. I've always liked him in the roles he plays and I have great respect for his writing, directing and producing talents. He didn't direct "Expendables 2," Simon West did. But, it was Stallone's story and he was one of the writers. He did direct the first "The Expendables," but the choice of Simon West to direct this film was a good one.
Violence is never an answer to anything. But, we still have violence in our world, and violence still seems to be part of our response to certain things. I found it intriguing though that the violence of one film bothered me so much more than the violence of the other film. I think part of what makes the violence in "Expendables 2" so much easier to take is the self-deprecating manner of its characters. They don't take themselves too seriously. And yet, there are some scenes of pure evil behavior. There's also plenty of drama to balance the humor and the action. And, as over-the-top as the action gets sometimes, the general balance of the film makes it okay.
Thank goodness "Dark Knight" had Anne Hathaway. The only humor I can remember from that movie came from her character. And, there was very little of it. There's a woman in "Expendables 2" as well. And, she's just as bad ass as the guys, but remains feminine throughout. She also has a sense of humor.
I do think we need to exercise our discretion when choosing to see films that include violence. Sometimes it's too much for our sensibilities, and other times it's okay. I know now, after seeing all of his work so far, that Christopher Nolan's vision is generally darker than I like. And, I'll be careful before going to see another film he does that includes violence. I liked "Inception" far more than I did "Dark Knight." And, I also liked "Memento." I just need to exercise discretion when it comes to his work. But, I wouldn't have any reservations about seeing anything that Sylvester Stallone is involved with. He knows what makes a compelling story. He knows how to make us root for someone. He understands balance. He doesn't overdo things more than the story needs. He understands pathos as well as violence and when to use them. And, he has a great sense of humor.
It will be wonderful when we grow beyond the need for violence. But, while it's still here, we need to be careful how and how much we let into our experience. It's not easy to process out of our consciousness images and experiences of violence. So, we need to be careful what we let in. But, if you feel like a little excitement and action, I think "Expendables 2" would be a good choice.
The overall vibe of "Dark Knight" was too bleak and depressing for me. It felt oppressive and relentless. It went on for too long and I felt icky watching it. It was out of balance, and, for me, by the end, nothing could bring it back. All I felt at the end was relief that it was over. And, relief that Christopher Nolan would be making no more installments in the franchise. Maybe the next director will lift it up a bit.
But, "Expendables 2" is a much more balanced piece of work. You like the main characters who all seem to accept themselves and the life they've chosen. They're good guys saving the little guys and taking down the bad guys. There's humor to balance out the tougher stuff and all the killing. And, the killing is at such a proportion that it becomes comical at times. The filmmakers never seem to lose their way, or stay too long at the party.
I love Sylvester Stallone. I've always liked him in the roles he plays and I have great respect for his writing, directing and producing talents. He didn't direct "Expendables 2," Simon West did. But, it was Stallone's story and he was one of the writers. He did direct the first "The Expendables," but the choice of Simon West to direct this film was a good one.
Violence is never an answer to anything. But, we still have violence in our world, and violence still seems to be part of our response to certain things. I found it intriguing though that the violence of one film bothered me so much more than the violence of the other film. I think part of what makes the violence in "Expendables 2" so much easier to take is the self-deprecating manner of its characters. They don't take themselves too seriously. And yet, there are some scenes of pure evil behavior. There's also plenty of drama to balance the humor and the action. And, as over-the-top as the action gets sometimes, the general balance of the film makes it okay.
Thank goodness "Dark Knight" had Anne Hathaway. The only humor I can remember from that movie came from her character. And, there was very little of it. There's a woman in "Expendables 2" as well. And, she's just as bad ass as the guys, but remains feminine throughout. She also has a sense of humor.
I do think we need to exercise our discretion when choosing to see films that include violence. Sometimes it's too much for our sensibilities, and other times it's okay. I know now, after seeing all of his work so far, that Christopher Nolan's vision is generally darker than I like. And, I'll be careful before going to see another film he does that includes violence. I liked "Inception" far more than I did "Dark Knight." And, I also liked "Memento." I just need to exercise discretion when it comes to his work. But, I wouldn't have any reservations about seeing anything that Sylvester Stallone is involved with. He knows what makes a compelling story. He knows how to make us root for someone. He understands balance. He doesn't overdo things more than the story needs. He understands pathos as well as violence and when to use them. And, he has a great sense of humor.
It will be wonderful when we grow beyond the need for violence. But, while it's still here, we need to be careful how and how much we let into our experience. It's not easy to process out of our consciousness images and experiences of violence. So, we need to be careful what we let in. But, if you feel like a little excitement and action, I think "Expendables 2" would be a good choice.
Friday, August 24, 2012
12/12/12 and 12/21/12
December 12, 2012--12/12/12--or, December 21, 2012--12/21/12. Is either of these dates special to you? Are you planning to be somewhere special or do something special on either of these dates?
I haven't really thought about going anywhere for these dates, but a friend of mine keeps asking about it. The places mentioned have been Chichen Itza in Mexico, Machu Picchu in Peru, the pyramids in Egypt, and Glastonbury in England. I figure that on those dates there will be people and ceremonies and rituals performed at every sacred site on the planet. It would just be deciding which one to go to.
I normally don't travel anywhere unless I feel called to go there, and so far, I haven't felt called to travel anywhere. That isn't to say I won't be, just that it hasn't happened yet. And, if I end up passing either of these dates at home in Albuquerque that will be fine, too.
There are actually plenty of sacred sites in New Mexico. I just went to one a couple of days ago. El Sanctuario de Chimayo, which is located in the tiny town of Chimayo about a half hour outside of Santa Fe. I've been there many times now. It's a small Catholic church that has some very powerful energy. As you pass out of the church past the altar in front and exit through a low door to the left, you enter a room that holds more altars as well as crutches, baby shoes, eyeglasses, casts, and photographs of people asking for prayer and healing. The crutches, baby shoes, eyeglasses, casts and other symbols of physical illness and limitation, have been left there by people who were healed by their visit. The holy thing about Chimayo, beyond the energetic of the place itself, is the dirt.
Once through the low door exiting out of the main church into the room I've just described above, if you make an immediate right through another low door, you enter a small room with a hole in the middle of the floor. In the hole is holy dirt. There are small shovels in the hole to help you take some of it. Containers are sold in the small store next to the church. The dirt is used in all types of ways for healing. And, in many cases, it works.
One of my friend's husbands was cured of cancer after going. The doctor's had given up on him. He went to Chimayo and had a very deep experience. I don't even know if he did anything with the dirt, but I do know he was profoundly moved by being there. He went in to see his doctor after his visit and the doctor was shocked that he was cancer free...no cancer anywhere in his body. The doctor would not call it a miracle, he said the medical profession calls it spontaneous remission. Okay. Whatever you want to call it, a healing of miraculous proportions had taken place.
We also have Chaco Canyon. Roswell would be considered a very special place by a number of people. We have numerous hot springs and spas. I consider the Sandia Mountains that ring the eastern side of Albuquerque to be quite special. And, there are numerous locations in New Mexico that I haven't yet visited or am not aware of that I'm sure hold some power of their own.
Ultimately, I feel that wherever one is on December 12 or December 21, 2012 will be okay. The power of those days will not be missed by anyone, no matter where they are on the planet. And, the portals that will be open, on or around those dates, will open no matter where any of us are. Those who feel called to special places to perform special ceremonies and rituals will be doing that work for all of us. And, wherever any of us are, we will all benefit in the ways that are possible to benefit.
I don't know what might or might not happen on those dates. But, we've collectively put so much energy into it, that we're bound to create something. Ultimately though, we're in a long, slow build of change. It's been happening for a long time and will continue to happen for many years to come. I'll be as happy as anyone should something amazing happen on those dates. Maybe we'll have undeniable First Contact with visitors from other planets. Who knows?
But, at this point, whatever happens, it looks like I'll most likely be experiencing it from home. I'm not worried about missing out. And, you shouldn't be either. But, if you feel called to be somewhere special, then absolutely go there. If I get the call to be somewhere other than home, I'll go. But, we're definitely on the threshold of great change, no matter what happens, and that's worth celebrating. So, wherever you are on December 12 or December 21, or any other date in December...let's just open it all the way up...make sure you're celebrating!
I haven't really thought about going anywhere for these dates, but a friend of mine keeps asking about it. The places mentioned have been Chichen Itza in Mexico, Machu Picchu in Peru, the pyramids in Egypt, and Glastonbury in England. I figure that on those dates there will be people and ceremonies and rituals performed at every sacred site on the planet. It would just be deciding which one to go to.
I normally don't travel anywhere unless I feel called to go there, and so far, I haven't felt called to travel anywhere. That isn't to say I won't be, just that it hasn't happened yet. And, if I end up passing either of these dates at home in Albuquerque that will be fine, too.
There are actually plenty of sacred sites in New Mexico. I just went to one a couple of days ago. El Sanctuario de Chimayo, which is located in the tiny town of Chimayo about a half hour outside of Santa Fe. I've been there many times now. It's a small Catholic church that has some very powerful energy. As you pass out of the church past the altar in front and exit through a low door to the left, you enter a room that holds more altars as well as crutches, baby shoes, eyeglasses, casts, and photographs of people asking for prayer and healing. The crutches, baby shoes, eyeglasses, casts and other symbols of physical illness and limitation, have been left there by people who were healed by their visit. The holy thing about Chimayo, beyond the energetic of the place itself, is the dirt.
Once through the low door exiting out of the main church into the room I've just described above, if you make an immediate right through another low door, you enter a small room with a hole in the middle of the floor. In the hole is holy dirt. There are small shovels in the hole to help you take some of it. Containers are sold in the small store next to the church. The dirt is used in all types of ways for healing. And, in many cases, it works.
One of my friend's husbands was cured of cancer after going. The doctor's had given up on him. He went to Chimayo and had a very deep experience. I don't even know if he did anything with the dirt, but I do know he was profoundly moved by being there. He went in to see his doctor after his visit and the doctor was shocked that he was cancer free...no cancer anywhere in his body. The doctor would not call it a miracle, he said the medical profession calls it spontaneous remission. Okay. Whatever you want to call it, a healing of miraculous proportions had taken place.
We also have Chaco Canyon. Roswell would be considered a very special place by a number of people. We have numerous hot springs and spas. I consider the Sandia Mountains that ring the eastern side of Albuquerque to be quite special. And, there are numerous locations in New Mexico that I haven't yet visited or am not aware of that I'm sure hold some power of their own.
Ultimately, I feel that wherever one is on December 12 or December 21, 2012 will be okay. The power of those days will not be missed by anyone, no matter where they are on the planet. And, the portals that will be open, on or around those dates, will open no matter where any of us are. Those who feel called to special places to perform special ceremonies and rituals will be doing that work for all of us. And, wherever any of us are, we will all benefit in the ways that are possible to benefit.
I don't know what might or might not happen on those dates. But, we've collectively put so much energy into it, that we're bound to create something. Ultimately though, we're in a long, slow build of change. It's been happening for a long time and will continue to happen for many years to come. I'll be as happy as anyone should something amazing happen on those dates. Maybe we'll have undeniable First Contact with visitors from other planets. Who knows?
But, at this point, whatever happens, it looks like I'll most likely be experiencing it from home. I'm not worried about missing out. And, you shouldn't be either. But, if you feel called to be somewhere special, then absolutely go there. If I get the call to be somewhere other than home, I'll go. But, we're definitely on the threshold of great change, no matter what happens, and that's worth celebrating. So, wherever you are on December 12 or December 21, or any other date in December...let's just open it all the way up...make sure you're celebrating!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Self I-Dentity through Ho'oponopono
Each and every one of us is totally responsible for our reality. I know that might be hard to swallow for some of you, but...it's true. And, it's absolutely empowering.
Accepting that we are totally responsible for our reality, there is a process that I find very helpful and very effective when dealing with problematic situations. It's called Self-I-Dentity through Ho'oponopono or SITH. The website is: http://www.self-i-dentity-through-hooponopono.com. I use it all the time and would recommend trying it. What do you have to lose?
The first time I heard about SITH, was through a story that I read online about the experience of Dr. Hew Len Ihaleakala and his use of the process while working at a crowded facility for the mentally disabled. He never met with any of the patients, but managed to heal all of them by taking full responsibility for their conditions and healing them through healing himself.
He would go through the case files of the mental patients, see what their problems were, own those problems as existing within himself and being outpictured in his reality through the patients, and then work on healing himself. His process worked so well that all the patients recovered and the facility ended up being closed because it was no longer necessary to keep it open without any patients to fill it.
I have taken a class in Self I-Dentity Ho'oponopono from Dr. Ihaleakala and find the process to be easy to apply and surprising in its effectiveness. The process was initially developed by a Hawaiian Kahuna named Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona. She has since passed on, but Dr. Ihaleakala was her student and is now the master teacher of the process.
The process starts with taking responsibility for whatever is happening in your life. When a problem or difficulty arises you see it as the reflection of something that needs to be healed in you. And, the first thing you do is bring love into the equation. You say, "I love you." The "I love you" meaning that you love yourself and anyone involved with the situation you're focusing on. Since everyone and everything is an aspect and expression of the One, when you say "I love you" you're saying it to all of creation. You're setting the unfolding of the healing to happen in love. I love you.
The second step of the process is to say, "I'm sorry." The "I'm sorry" is basically about being sorry for whatever it is within you that is causing the problem to show up in your reality. You don't need to know what it is in you that's causing the problem, you just need to take responsibility for it, and then apologize. By the apology you are stating that you are willing to let it go...whatever the "it" is.
The third step of the process is to say, "Please forgive me." You're asking yourself to forgive yourself, even though it looks like something happened to you, or someone else did something you think is wrong. The solution is in self-forgiveness. The forgiveness is the acceptance and the letting go...the release.
The fourth and last step of the process is to say, "Thank you." No matter what happens, if we end up in a state of gratitude, the problem is gone. Gratitude is a key attitude. When we're truly grateful, we're relaxed, open, humble and connected with the Divine. And, by giving thanks, we accept that the healing is done.
Four simple steps:
1) I love you
2) I'm sorry
3) Please forgive me
4) Thank you
Everyone can remember these four steps. And, these four steps can and will change your life. But, we have to be willing to take full responsibility for everything that shows up in our reality...whatever it is, whoever it is, whatever it looks like, however it comes...everything. Once we accept that premise, then we move into love. From a loving place we apologize for our miscreation, we ask for forgiveness, and then give thanks. We accept and love ourselves no matter what has happened. We forgive ourselves and move into a state of gratitude. Thank you. Amen. And, so it is. Done.
What is important to mention is that you might have to do these steps over and over and over for a while in order to attain the states necessary to gain results. How do you know when it's working? You feel peace. You feel internal quiet. You feel resolution. So, keep repeating the steps until you feel release. And, if you do the steps sincerely, release will come.
So...give it a try. Why not? It can only help. Love...repentance...forgiveness...gratitude...release. Simple and powerful. So powerful.
Accepting that we are totally responsible for our reality, there is a process that I find very helpful and very effective when dealing with problematic situations. It's called Self-I-Dentity through Ho'oponopono or SITH. The website is: http://www.self-i-dentity-through-hooponopono.com. I use it all the time and would recommend trying it. What do you have to lose?
The first time I heard about SITH, was through a story that I read online about the experience of Dr. Hew Len Ihaleakala and his use of the process while working at a crowded facility for the mentally disabled. He never met with any of the patients, but managed to heal all of them by taking full responsibility for their conditions and healing them through healing himself.
He would go through the case files of the mental patients, see what their problems were, own those problems as existing within himself and being outpictured in his reality through the patients, and then work on healing himself. His process worked so well that all the patients recovered and the facility ended up being closed because it was no longer necessary to keep it open without any patients to fill it.
I have taken a class in Self I-Dentity Ho'oponopono from Dr. Ihaleakala and find the process to be easy to apply and surprising in its effectiveness. The process was initially developed by a Hawaiian Kahuna named Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona. She has since passed on, but Dr. Ihaleakala was her student and is now the master teacher of the process.
The process starts with taking responsibility for whatever is happening in your life. When a problem or difficulty arises you see it as the reflection of something that needs to be healed in you. And, the first thing you do is bring love into the equation. You say, "I love you." The "I love you" meaning that you love yourself and anyone involved with the situation you're focusing on. Since everyone and everything is an aspect and expression of the One, when you say "I love you" you're saying it to all of creation. You're setting the unfolding of the healing to happen in love. I love you.
The second step of the process is to say, "I'm sorry." The "I'm sorry" is basically about being sorry for whatever it is within you that is causing the problem to show up in your reality. You don't need to know what it is in you that's causing the problem, you just need to take responsibility for it, and then apologize. By the apology you are stating that you are willing to let it go...whatever the "it" is.
The third step of the process is to say, "Please forgive me." You're asking yourself to forgive yourself, even though it looks like something happened to you, or someone else did something you think is wrong. The solution is in self-forgiveness. The forgiveness is the acceptance and the letting go...the release.
The fourth and last step of the process is to say, "Thank you." No matter what happens, if we end up in a state of gratitude, the problem is gone. Gratitude is a key attitude. When we're truly grateful, we're relaxed, open, humble and connected with the Divine. And, by giving thanks, we accept that the healing is done.
Four simple steps:
1) I love you
2) I'm sorry
3) Please forgive me
4) Thank you
Everyone can remember these four steps. And, these four steps can and will change your life. But, we have to be willing to take full responsibility for everything that shows up in our reality...whatever it is, whoever it is, whatever it looks like, however it comes...everything. Once we accept that premise, then we move into love. From a loving place we apologize for our miscreation, we ask for forgiveness, and then give thanks. We accept and love ourselves no matter what has happened. We forgive ourselves and move into a state of gratitude. Thank you. Amen. And, so it is. Done.
What is important to mention is that you might have to do these steps over and over and over for a while in order to attain the states necessary to gain results. How do you know when it's working? You feel peace. You feel internal quiet. You feel resolution. So, keep repeating the steps until you feel release. And, if you do the steps sincerely, release will come.
So...give it a try. Why not? It can only help. Love...repentance...forgiveness...gratitude...release. Simple and powerful. So powerful.
Monday, August 20, 2012
There is No Time
Time as we know it is going away. As that happens, we're all feeling the pressure of it disappearing. We don't have enough time. Time goes by so quickly. "Where did the time go?" we ask ourselves. What we perceive as a lack of time can be the cause of some anxiety. How can we get everything done we think needs to be done?
One of the side effects of feeling we have less time is that we have to prioritize what's really important. If we're feeling a time crunch, and are not sure we will have enough time to do what we want to do, then we need to figure out what needs to get done first. What's the priority? A lot of things that aren't really necessary have to fall away. The time speed up focuses us.
Life is pushing us forward and helping us get used to the idea that there really is no time. The speed up that we feel in regard to time is to help push us through into no-time. Time will keep speeding up, we'll keep wondering how we can get everything done in less and less time that goes by faster and faster, until we let go altogether and surrender into no-time. We'll resist and try to keep up until we crack and let go. The anxiety we feel around time is our resistance to letting it go. But, once we do, the relief will be huge. At some point, we'll pop through the time barrier into a reality where time is no longer a factor.
Time has been, and still is, a wonderful teacher. But, as we move forward in our development and are able to expand our consciousness and take full responsibility for ourselves and our reality, we start to need the concept of time less and less. There is an underlying flow to life that is outside of time. Time is a 3D mechanism and has served us well. But, we're moving out of 3D into 5D and beyond. And, as we do this, time will fall away. And, as time falls away, we'll grow into experiencing the multidimensionality of everything happening right here and right now.
As time continues to slip away, our ability to control a lot of things we currently think we're controlling will slip away as well. We're being forced into letting go of all the ways we've used to attempt to control our worlds. Time is just one of those ways. Once we're able to surrender into the flow of Life, our desire to try to control everything will fall away. Life becomes so much easier when we surrender the idea that we need to control anything. Moving with the natural flow of Life brings a grace and ease into our experience.
So, enjoy time while we still have it. We might as well appreciate every last second as we try to wring everything out of it we can. But, the only reason we do that is because we think there's a limit on it. When the truth is, that we have an endless amount of time, because it's just a concept we're working with in the moment. We open it up or shut it down. We're not at the mercy of time because there is no time. Remember?..."There is no spoon." Well, there is no time.
One of the side effects of feeling we have less time is that we have to prioritize what's really important. If we're feeling a time crunch, and are not sure we will have enough time to do what we want to do, then we need to figure out what needs to get done first. What's the priority? A lot of things that aren't really necessary have to fall away. The time speed up focuses us.
Life is pushing us forward and helping us get used to the idea that there really is no time. The speed up that we feel in regard to time is to help push us through into no-time. Time will keep speeding up, we'll keep wondering how we can get everything done in less and less time that goes by faster and faster, until we let go altogether and surrender into no-time. We'll resist and try to keep up until we crack and let go. The anxiety we feel around time is our resistance to letting it go. But, once we do, the relief will be huge. At some point, we'll pop through the time barrier into a reality where time is no longer a factor.
Time has been, and still is, a wonderful teacher. But, as we move forward in our development and are able to expand our consciousness and take full responsibility for ourselves and our reality, we start to need the concept of time less and less. There is an underlying flow to life that is outside of time. Time is a 3D mechanism and has served us well. But, we're moving out of 3D into 5D and beyond. And, as we do this, time will fall away. And, as time falls away, we'll grow into experiencing the multidimensionality of everything happening right here and right now.
As time continues to slip away, our ability to control a lot of things we currently think we're controlling will slip away as well. We're being forced into letting go of all the ways we've used to attempt to control our worlds. Time is just one of those ways. Once we're able to surrender into the flow of Life, our desire to try to control everything will fall away. Life becomes so much easier when we surrender the idea that we need to control anything. Moving with the natural flow of Life brings a grace and ease into our experience.
So, enjoy time while we still have it. We might as well appreciate every last second as we try to wring everything out of it we can. But, the only reason we do that is because we think there's a limit on it. When the truth is, that we have an endless amount of time, because it's just a concept we're working with in the moment. We open it up or shut it down. We're not at the mercy of time because there is no time. Remember?..."There is no spoon." Well, there is no time.
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