Spirituality

The Difference Between Schizophrenic Shamans and Schizophrenics

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SSS Mems2

A shaman was once asked, “How do you know whether your shamanic journeys are real or just your imagination?” Her response was, “Is there a difference?”

I wonder if I wouldn’t be labeled “crazy” for seeing spirits and claiming  to have healing powers, if it weren’t for millenniums of shamans before me, successfully helping their tribes to heal, find game and evoke favorable weather patterns. Most shamans are schizophrenic, yet don’t have the problems associated with it in our culture.

First, shamans and schizophrenics both:

  • See spirits
  • Hear voices
  • Have claims of God speaking to them
  • Believe they have the power of God/Great Spirit within them

Their differences are:

  • Shamans can control when they see spirits (most of the time)
  • The spirits don’t control the shaman
  • Shamans don’t have episodes of being catatonic (they go into altered states intentionally)
  • Shamans can differentiate between this realm and other realms

The main difference is control. A shaman learns to control the interaction between the him/herself and the spirits, and controls the transition between the realms.

Another difference is schizophrenics can’t control the negative entities’ voices that bombard them to the point of making them catatonic, manic or violent. I personally have dealt with negative entities, but as a shaman, I have spirit guides and totem animals to shield me. A schizophrenic is dealing with it alone.

If you are schizophrenic, consider learning how to shamanic journey. It can change your life!

Let’s Manifest Peace!

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obama-putin_2637988bAs a war in the Ukraine looms over our heads, peace becomes a welcomed alternative. It’s hard not to feel helpless when the world governments are caught up in conflict and misinformation abounds.

My initial reaction was to protest the impending war with Russia. But, it didn’t feel right. We manifest our thoughts, so protesting war seemed to reinforce the possibility.

I prayed about it, but truthfully, I didn’t expect an answer to this man-made dilemma. But, a few hours later, a Facebook post showed up in my email. It had a link to an article on the technique of Ho’oponopono, used by Dr. Hew Len to cure a ward of mentally ill criminals.

The astounding part is the doctor didn’t meet with the patients! He simply sat in his office, realizing that every negative “aspect” in this world was a reflection of his mind. He healed the inmates by simply acknowledging he needed to heal himself first. So, he sat, looking at their files, while stating these words: “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.”

This was done consistently, over and over, and the inmates got better. It worked so well that mental ward was closed down because the inmates had been healed!

Today, I propose that you take a moment to think of President Obama and Russia’s President Putin and the Ukraine president. As you think of each one, say these words: “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.”

If you have difficulty praying for a president you didn’t vote, do it anyway. If you have difficulty praying for a perceived enemy, do it anyway. Feel the peace that comes with love, forgiveness and power.

Let’s see if we can manifest peace.

“I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.”
Shaman Elizabeth
To read the full article, written by Rosario Montenegro, click here.

Follow Your Heart

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Listening-to-inner-guidance

Following an alternative spiritual path can be a difficult choice. Often, there is little support from friends and family. This is especially true if you are leaving an established religion. Others may feel that you have become the “black sheep” of the family, or worse, that you are losing your mind.

But, other opinions are minor compared to your own fears and doubts that will emerge while letting go of the familiar and following an unknown path. Since, every spiritual journey is unique, you will have to learn to rely on the Spirit’s guidance. This can be scary in the beginning, because you haven’t learned to trust the Divine guidance yet. You will vacillate between listening your own “common sense and judgement” and listening to the Divine. This means your new-found path may be riddled with “mistakes.” A mistake is a clear sign that you relied on your own judgement instead of Divine guidance.

“Mistakes” are learning devices, offering contrasts between light and dark. And, after each mistake, you’ll be a little wiser. You’ll see where you didn’t listen to the Divine, Who quietly nudged your heart. Soon, you’ll learn to consistently ask/pray for guidance before making each decision and wait with a quiet mind, letting the Divine breakthrough, offering you guidance, which you then follow. This process seems simple, but it’s amazing how we much resist Divine guidance, and how much doubt and fear will rise to the surface when we feel/hear it. We’ll think things like, What if it wasn’t the spirit’s voice, but my own?…What if people think I’m crazy…What if the Voice is wrong? 

How do you know the difference between the ego’s voice and the Divine’s voice? Ask yourself, Does it feel loving?, Does it feel right? Your feelings are much truer than your thoughts. Thoughts are of the ego/world, while loving/peaceful feelings are of the Divine. Fear-based “feelings” (anger, anxiety, hopelessness, irritation, etc.) stem from thoughts produced by your ego. Fear signifies that you are listening to yourself, and not the Divine. When you follow your heart, without caring what other’s think, without listening to the fears that bubble to the surface, you can be sure it’s the right thing to do.

 

If you have a problem letting go of your fears, try these mediations.

The Shattering of God

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big bang

God sat on his throne,
His thoughts spanning the infinite.
Bored, he wondered how it would feel,
to not be God.

He stepped down,
looked outside of heaven,
and in an instant,
a blink of an eye,
heaven exploded.
Shattering with a force unknown,
expanding into the abyss.

Planets burst forth,
and angels became stars,
burning bright as beacons.
What was spiritual, became physical,
every particle a piece of God’s cloth.

The Smallest Particle

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Blood Cells

Image by Andrew Mason via Flickr

One lazy day, when I was 14-years-old, I was lying on the living room floor letting my thoughts wander. For no particular reason, I wondered if there was a limit to how small a particle could be. I envisioned a blood cell, then the particles that made up the cell, then the sub-atomic particles that made up those particles, imagining each particle dividing into a smaller particle. My mind zoomed through each division until suddenly I was in the presence of God!

What an unexpected occurrence! There was no doubt in my mind that the vision was real, yet the reason for the vision was beyond me at the time. So today, many decades later, I asked the Spirit to give me the meaning. Below is the channeled response:

“You do not find yourself out there. You find yourself within. The vision was symbolic. It showed the journey to the inner self, the self that is connected to God…the self that is not fooled by outward forms and dreams of temporary events. You let your mind be open and receptive, if only for a moment, but that was enough..that is all it takes. You do not need a lifetime of trying to find yourself. You are already with God.

The outward form is an illusion created by the mind, a smoke screen blocking your awareness of your true self. When you are ready to let go of this ‘protective’ shield, you will see the world for what it is…nothing. You will be at one with your perfect self, as you were created. You will be awake once again.

Your thoughts continue to block your return. Thoughts shield you from hearing your true self, who is trying to reach out to you…thoughts block help from the Spirit. Sit quietly and let it come. What have you to lose except unhappiness and fear?”

“It is quite possible to reach God. In fact it is very easy, because it is the most natural thing in the world. You might even say it is the ONLY natural thing in the world.” ~ A Course in Miracles

Close the Curtains

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Closed red curtain at the Coolidge Corner Thea...

Image by brokentrinkets via Flickr

We got what we wanted. Long ago, in a blink of an eye, we created this universe. Our powerful selves, created by the thought of God, possessed the power to create. And so we did.

Being God’s children, it took only an instant to create all thoughts of time and space, and for all the events to play out every imaginable scenario, from the richest life to the lowest form of humanity, from glad scenes to acts of war. And, at the end of this “play,” we realized that none of it was equal to or better than our home in heaven. And, like the prodigal son, we want to go home.

Going home is the goal, yet, guilt and fear of retribution causes our delay. And so, we keep our mind focused on reruns of the play, drifting from one scene to the next, unable to face our deepest fears.

Because the mind is still focused on the play, it needs help from the Spirit to release its guilt and fear and remember its true self. The mind needs to be reminded that the actors on the stage are not real, and that the scenes of hate, fear, and guilt can be transformed into scenes of love. Eventually, we will rewrite the entire play, leaving only the acts of love, and then, the last person sitting will get up and leave the theater.

Seven Guides to Happiness and Peace

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Every decision based on fear is the wrong decision. Not because of the outcome, but because of its motive.

How do you face situations when the answers seem beyond your understanding or ability? How do you go through life feeling comfortable you are on the right path, even when events don’t seem to be going your way?

Here are seven guides for living a happy and peaceful life:

When fearful, call for love. Call on the Spirit who transforms all that is fearful into love. Offer Him your fear and He will take it from you. You will feel the emotional transformation almost immediately, if you are willing to let it go. For a detailed explanation on how to give fear and other unwanted emotions to the Spirit, please read my blog post Meditation Techniques.

When making decisions, ask for divine guidance. Ask for help throughout the day when making decisions. And, then wait for guidance that may come in the form of a gut feeling, heart’s desire, knowing, or you may actually hear the quiet voice speak to you and offer Its guidance on how to handle the situation. The Spirit will help you respond in a loving way.

When you feel guilty, realize that you are responding from fear. Guilt can be immobilizing, infecting so many others aspects of your life. Guilt stems from the fear that you have created a situation that was harmful to others or yourself. It stems from a belief that this dream is real. Can such a temporary moment be real? Can anything that was not created from love be real? There is a message from the Spirit in my book Shaman Stone Soup that answers this well: “Guilt—the universal punishment. For what? What have you done? Illusions of deeds gone wrong, misspoken words, actions that seemed to kill or harm others, all are dreams of injuries to ourselves and others, and yet they are only dreams. The spirit realm, where all the loved ones wait, is a much more accurate portrayal of yourself. Yet even this is incomplete. You are ultimately only love, extending itself for all of eternity.”

Forgive. Remember that your life is a dream created by you. Don’t spend your time blaming others. And like any dream, it’s not real! Let it go. Remember that you and everyone are perfect spirits who have dreamed of imperfection. You are not your body, your actions, your failures. Remember to laugh at your mistakes—they are just a blip on the radar. Forgive every trespass that comes to your mind. Let them all go.

Remember Your Perfectness. You cannot achieve spiritual purity, you’re already a perfect spirit. All you can do is remove the thoughts that keep you from remembering your perfectness. A message from the Spirit in Shaman Stone Soup states: “We are all divine spirits, helping others on conscious and unconscious levels. The past, present, and future exist simultaneously—all lives, all events have already occurred—leaving you with memories of illusions that you pluck from the recesses of your mind. You have reached enlightenment because you have never left it. So, you have the ability to act as an angel, reaching out to others, offering miracles and love, now.”

Surrender. You are like a wave in the ocean, fearful that the ocean will swallow you, and you will be no more. Yet, you have been alive for eternity and always will be. Release your attachment to the dream you have made, and allow your true self, your eternal spirit, to shine through. Don’t fear being part of the ocean. Accept your role in this greatness, and you will realize how mighty you are, instead of how lonely and separated you feel.

Respond with love. Life is about learning to release and forgive everything that is not love. Every temptation to be anxious, guilty, or depressed is identification with fear—an attempt to make this dream real. Love is the recognition that you are an eternal being that can never be destroyed, attacked, or diminished in any way. When you respond with love, you remember your true self.

Shaman Stone Soup

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The Book that will Help You Believe in Miracles!

I wrote Shaman Stone Soup after learning that some people were afraid of shamanism. This was surprising, since I had discovered through my experiences with shamanism that it offered a divine connection with enlightened beings, nature, and the loving Spirit. I have experienced many miracles in my life, and I wanted others to know that miracles occur and to believe that they could receive these wonderous gifts for themselves!

The title Shaman Stone Soup was based on the parable of Stone Soup, which demonstrates that when people give a portion of their abundance to others who lack, we create a pot of delicious “soup” that can be shared by all. A wonderful analogy of miracles!

The book includes a short, introductory memoir of how I was led to the path of miracles and 20 true-life stories based on my personal experiences and as a healer for friends, family, and clients.

In Shaman Stone Soup, I offered a view of the healing process from the “other side” by showing how spirit guides, angels, and enlightened teachers answer our calls for help through miracles.

Inside the book are stories of a ghost who overstayed her welcome, the spirits of ancient wise men who offered advice and a miraculous cure from cancer, a conversation with a hurricane and its unintended impact, the man who got out of his wheelchair to go hunting and fishing, the severing of karmic ties and its healing impact on a young college boy, a vivid dream of a pastor who needed guidance, the transformation of a schizophrenic, loving contact from my mother who died unexpectedly, and more.

Shaman Stone Soup offers a multifaceted view of miracles that is not limited to shamanism, A Course In Miracles, religion, spirituality, or lack of faith, but rather emphasizes that miracles are natural occurrences experienced by everyone.

“I really enjoyed reading Shaman Stone Soup…clearly written from the heart.”
— Sandra Ingerman, Author of Soul Retrieval and Shamanic Journeying. www.SandraIngerman.com

“Beautifully written and heartfelt stories.”
— Hal Z Bennett, Author-Writing Coach and Best-Selling Author: Spirit Animals & The Wheel of Life: Earth-Centered Practices for Daily Living and Spirit Guides: Companions & Mentors for Your Inner Journey. www.HalZinaBennett.Com

“Take this journey into the world of the Shaman and the miraculous power of love in the healing process.”
— Louis LaGrand, Ph.D., CT Loss Education Associates. Author of Love Lives On. www.ExtraordinaryGriefExperiences.com

“Unique and captivating.”
— Awareness Magazine, www.AwarenessMag.com

For more information, visit the book’s website at ShamanStoneSoup.com.

Big Hearts Offer Second Chances

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Often we believe that to find our spiritual purpose in life, we must leave our worldly belongings behind and live like a disciple or monk. But, I have come across two women, a pottery sculptress and a restaurant owner, who have had a profound influence in their communities.

Annabella, current resident

This weekend, I visited the Goathouse Refuge, a non-profit, no-kill cat sanctuary in Pittsboro, North Carolina. The refuge is part of a 16-acre farm with a 3.5-acre fenced, wooded area where the cats roam free. A small red barn serves as the entrance to the cat sanctuary, and on the other side, goats graze and live.

When my family and I went for a visit, a volunteer who was eating her lunch in the small garden with a fishpond greeted us. She gladly closed her lunch and offered to give us a tour. She first showed us the special-needs room which had cages for cats that require extra attention or isolation. The next room was a screened play area, although the cats appeared to be lounging rather than playing.

Then, we went to the open area. Cats came out to greet us, and some followed us as we walked along the paths under the trees. I was impressed at how well the cats got along. For cats that don’t have a home, this refuge was certainly the next best thing!

Siglinda Scarpa

Siglinda Scarpa, an Italian pottery sculptress, started the Goathouse Refuge. It’s obvious that an artist owns this farm by the way the old branch fences are artistically placed and how nature is so beautifully incorporated with the living spaces. She has a gallery on-site as well.

When Siglinda Scarpa walked over to welcome me, I asked if she was the owner. She smiled and said, “I prefer to think of myself as the benefactor.”

The refuge has volunteer opportunities and welcomes people to visit the cats to keep them social and happy. If a cat happens to win someone’s heart, then of course, adoption is a welcomed celebration. I liked the fact that the Goathouse Refuge has an application process that includes a home visit before the cats are given a new home.

Another woman, Mildred Council, owner of Mama Dip’s restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina was featured in my local newspaper. For the past 30 years, she has hired inmates from the Orange Correctional Center, and more recently began hiring from the Durham Correctional. For some of these men, this is their first real job. These days it is difficult for most people to find a job, but for these inmates, it’s almost impossible.

Mildred Council is giving these inmates a second chance at life. One inmate that was interviewed, Leroy Rodgers said, “I love working here. It’s a good way of getting back into society and getting used to being around people. People here don’t look at you like an inmate; they look at you like you’re another person.”

I admire these women for giving back. They have shown that living a meaningful life can be found as a sculptress founding a cat refuge or a big-hearted restaurateur offering inmates a new beginning. Two ordinary lives that became bigger than life, because they let love guide their hearts.

“To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.”
— from The Alchemist

Blessed journeys!

Oneness – More than a Motto

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As I looked out the window, the sky darkened and a storm began to blow, causing the trees to bend back and forth in the gusting wind. I was mesmerized by their swaying. Each tree danced their own dance, yet in unison with each other and with the forces of nature. I started to see the power of oneness. Each tree’s spirit was rejoicing in the wind, and I with them. And for a brief moment, I felt the connection of our spirits and nothing else—that we seemed to possessed different forms was not important. We were connected by the same universal power.

Oneness can only be felt when we see no differences between us. If we look only at the form, such as a body, or a tree, we will see differences. When we see something as different, we see an aspect that we are lacking in ourselves. But when we look at everything as a spirit, a spirit that is part of us, there are no differences and we can love perfectly.

Applying the motto of Oneness
The next day, I tried my new perspective with my children. I made up my mind that I was not going to get angry or raise my voice over any perceived differences, such as rooms that needed cleaning or too much time on the computer. I tried to remember that the point was not to prove I had control or that any form or action was more important than showing my children that we are one and the same.

This approach had an immediate positive effect. When listening to my son, I found myself laughing instead of judging. I didn’t have to like his actions or words; I only had to love him. And, if he or my daughter needed a ‘correction,’ I did it with love and firmness. When my son needed to be reminded to nice to his sister and pouted, I kept my cool. The minor infractions were brought to light, remedied and forgotten. No hard feelings, yelling or angry words. By remembering our oneness, my attitude was different. This affected my words and actions, and my kids’ reactions. Even my husband seemed more relax.

The perceived differences between us are temporary
Children will grow up and most likely become parents themselves. Students will learn the teacher’s curriculum and perhaps become teachers themselves. All perceived inequalities will change with time. Differences are only illusions between us. Our spirits are all equal and connected.

Oneness. It seems like an overused motto, until it’s applied. Then, it seems like the most natural thing in the world.

Blessed journeys!

Meaningful Communication

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We often underestimate the importance of meaningful communication. But the need to share ourselves with someone who looks at us with loving eyes and a non-judgemental heart is essential to our well-being.

How many of you have had a heart-to-heart conversation lately? One that inspired you, made you feel loved, or showed you the need to make amends?

Our western society often leaves us feeling isolated. We are results-oriented, and a conversation that doesn’t profit us is often considered a waste of time. But as the Beatles’ song says… “Money can’t buy you love…,” although it can buy you companionship.

Without the exchange of meaningful communication, we are just bodies in the company of other bodies. We have a great need to share our spirit with another spirit, and connect beyond the physical to experience love.

How to have a meaningful communication:

  1. Be in the moment. You can only connect with the spirit being in the present. Remember ‘yesterday’ is memory and ‘tomorrow’ is only a concept.
  2. Listen with love.
  3. Feel what the person is saying, instead of analysing it.
  4. Share the conversation – each person should feel heard. When one person dominates the conversation, it makes the other feel unappreciated and therefore ‘unseen.’ So, ask questions, listen and give of yourself.
  5. Remember that we are part of one conciousness and we are experiencing ourselves when we are communicating with ‘someone else.’
  6. Words are optional. We can share love through our actions… sometimes a hug can say it all!

There are days when friends or family aren’t available or are dealing with their own issues, so instead I turn to Shamanic journeying or meditation to connect to the Spirit and feel the love that I need. It also allows me to express my feelings to a non-judgmental being who responds with perfect love.

Blessed journeys!

Freedom of the Mind

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When we use the spiritual to accommodate the physical, we have lost our correct perspective. The physical should be the tool for finding our spiritual selves.

Freedom is often a goal we want. We desire freedom from financial concerns and pain, such as anger, anxiety, depression, etc. We believe that once the body’s concerns are taken care of, we will feel free. But those who have achieved fame, fortune and health, realized that this is not true. It’s in the mind where happiness, joy, love and true freedom is found. The mind is not your brain, but rather a spiritual conciousness which is the gateway to your true self.

Finding freedom for the mind will eventually lead you on a spiritual journey towards love and a strong connection between the Creator and all of humanity — and away from fear, pain and loneliness.

Freedom is achieved by:

  • Connecting to our Creator, through methods such as prayer, meditation, shamanic journeying, yoga, etc.
  • Forgiving others and ourselves
  • Understanding that this life is a temporary awareness and a complete distortion of our true spiritual selves
  • Learning that we are loved completely by our Creator and are able to share that love
  • Knowing that we have the power of our Creator, since we are created in his image. We are not weak and held hostage by this world.
  • Learning to follow the Spirit’s guidance on a daily basis. We can begin to make the correct decisions for our lives when we follow the Spirit’s lead, instead of following our own perspective which is often incorrect and limited.

Freedom is found by following the Spirit’s guidance, but we often believe this means we will lose our worldly possessions. The Spirit is not concerned about taking away something from you — whether you are rich or poor is not important. The Spirit only uses physical means as a tool to help you find freedom.

We are eternal spirits, so our concerns about this temporary physical realm are misguided. The Spirit will make sure that you have what you need. It only asks that you allow It to lead the way. When you no longer worry about having your needs met, you can be free at last!

Blessed journeys!

Three Life-changing Meditation Techniques

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Below are details of three meditation techniques that I recommend frequently to people. I learned these techniques from the lesson plans in the A Course in Miracles book. These meditations are useful for strengthening your connection to the Spirit, removing unwanted thoughts and releasing emotional burdens. I use the ‘Connecting to the Divine Energy’ meditation on a daily basis and the other two as needed.

‘Connecting to the Divine Energy’ Meditation
The amount of time you spend is not important. It’s the connection to the Divine Energy that matters. Even if you haven’t connected to the Divine Energy before, you can do this!

To begin, sit quietly and let your mind go blank (if you have a problem doing this, try the “Releasing Unwanted Thoughts Meditation” technique below first). Breathe deeply while envisioning the Divine Energy entering your crown chakra (top of head), letting your breath carry the Divine Energy through your spine. Feel yourself being open and receptive to the Divine Energy. When you release your breath, envision it rising over your chakras and out your mouth. This facilitates a complete “circuit,” allowing the energy to flow through your body. Continue to slowly breath in and out. The results can differ from person to person and even day to day, so be open to the sensation. You may feel love or peace, or you may simply forget about your body and ‘lose’ yourself for an instant in the Divine Energy. Again, it’s not about the measure of time, but rather simply connecting to the Divine Energy. This technique can have an extreme effect on your life, especially when practiced daily.

Although the connection to the Divine Energy can occur the first time you try it, it may take days or even months to feel the connection. Don’t give up too soon! Every time you try, you are making progress, and eventually, you’ll feel the connection.

‘Giving It to the Spirit’
You can use this technique when ever you feel overwhelmed by an unwanted emotion or simply not at peace. You can give your unwanted emotion, such as fear, anxiety, depression, anger, etc. to the Spirit by saying, “I give this to you,” either silently or out loud. The unwanted emotion is soon replaced by a sense of love and peace. The transformation takes place immediately or within a short amount of time. Each time you feel an unwanted emotion offer it to the Spirit. You may have to offer it several times (this is because you may have difficulty letting go of the unwanted emotion—not due to the Spirit’s inability to transform it).

The first time I tried this technique was when my family and I moved to North Carolina. Me and my husband were looking for jobs, but it was just before the holidays and during the 2008 recession, so we weren’t getting any interviews or calls. One day, after the stress of moving to a new state with no income became overwhelming, I felt I was about to have my first anxiety attack. Before the feeling became overwhelming, I decided to give this burden to Spirit. I felt an immediate warmth enter my body. The fear was gone within a few seconds!

It was a confirmation to me that the Spirit is always available to help and does love us. I now find myself releasing ALL unwanted emotions, even ‘small’ ones such as irritation and impatience, as they occur. This has made a tremendous difference in the quality of my life.

Releasing Unwanted Thoughts Meditation (Great for abundance!)
You can use this meditation when you have thoughts that keep interrupting your meditation.

First, sit and relax. Let your mind go blank. When a thought comes to your mind, acknowledge it and then release it. If it is a thought that causes unwanted emotion or distress, you should give it to the Spirit (see the technique above) by saying “I give this to you.” It is very important that once an unwanted emotion is recognized that it is released to the Spirit, otherwise, you will reinforce the thought and keep it.

Continue doing this until the thoughts stop coming. You can then continue with the ‘Connecting to the Spirit’ meditation technique described above.

The first time I used this technique was after an offer on a house fell through. This was on top of all the other things “going wrong” in my life, and I wondered what beliefs were limiting me from accepting the Universal abundance that is available to all of us. I spent the entire morning releasing everything that came to my mind–some from childhood and teen years right up to the present. Sometimes I had to release what I had done to others. It became a major lesson in forgiveness. But what shocked me the most was the unexpected effects this technique had on me. A few days later, the deal on the house came back and I had an offer for a job that I hadn’t applied for (and it paid well). It’s amazing what happens when we release the barriers to the Divine Energy!

These techniques can have many positive effects and you will eventually begin to ‘hear’ the Spirit’s voice, which can help guide your life. You will feel love on a daily basis and know that you are not traveling this life alone.

NOTE: Some people have expressed a concern that they felt worse during meditation, so I wrote another post , It Might Get Worse, Before It Gets Better, which helps explains this.

Stepping Out of Time

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Today, I read an article about Joey Shelton and his brother who stopped an attempted kidnapping of a young woman who was jogging. When Joey saw a man dragging a woman into a car during broad daylight, he thought to himself, “This is not going to happen!”

Then he and his brother selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to prevent what would have been a tragic outcome otherwise. Unfortunately, his selfless act resulted in a fractured and compressed discs in his back. But, perhaps even this has a purpose. Joey has been unemployed and uninsured for months. Perhaps a job offer is forthcoming? [Update: The hospital has agreed to waive the medical fees and help him apply for assistance, and the RBC bank fund has received a substantial amount of donations. In addition, Joey was given a key to the city!]

Brownie

I also had an experience when I thought the same words: “This is not going to happen!” I was in my yard and believed my dog, Brownie, was with my husband and vice versa. When I saw my husband alone in the garage, we urgently began to look for him and spotted Brownie in the middle of the road. Two cars were speeding from both directions and neither seemed to have time to stop – even if they slammed on their brakes! I let out a primal scream and my mind raged, “No! This is not going to happen!”

In the midst of my anguish, time stood still. The cars that were approaching coasted, slowly, without struggle or the sound of slamming brakes to a complete stop as though they were riding on pillows. By the time the cars stopped, I had reached the road, although it was not physically possible to cover that distance in that amount of “time.” With the cars stopped and waiting, time resumed and I scooted Brownie out of the road.

I learned a lot from that episode. I learned that when we are truly in the moment and in touch with our higher selves, we have the power to control our lives. I learned that time is an illusion that can be stepped in and out of.

I know that when we are able to let go of this body and connect with our higher selves, we react and create perfectly. With no limitations — not even time and space can hold us back.

Blessed journeys!

Different Paths, One Destination with Sandra Ingerman

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Part II of III

I was fortunate to have an interview with Sandra Ingerman today. She is a gifted shamanic practitioner, licensed therapist, healer, author and for 30 years has taught others shamanic practices. I enjoyed talking with her very much, and it was obvious she practices what she teaches. I hope you enjoy the insights that she shared with me.

When talking with Sandra Ingerman, I brought up the topic of A Course in Miracles (ACIM), which is a book where Jesus was channeled by a Columbia University professor beginning in 1965. I read the book during a road trip two summers ago to see how this book stated miracles occurred and compare its teachings to shamanism. I was startled to discover that the ACIM teachings were a perfect companion to my shamanic practice. I could find no differences between them. This was surprising since one is an ancient practice and the other a fairly recent channeling. It really helped me to see that although they had different forms, each was leading to the truth and there was no conflict. I was also surprised to learn that Sandra’s husband follows the ACIM teachings as well.

Sandra responded, “I think people have to find what they are passionate about. If you find a path that speaks to you, stick with it. It will bring you to the same place that all spiritual paths lead. If you are in a shamanic workshop and after a couple of days it’s not speaking to you and it doesn’t feel right. Then explore another path that you feel passionate about.

Shamanism, A Course in Miracles and others speak of love, not in an artificial way, but about a true place in the heart and the transformation of healing that happens from love. We also need to recognize that the world we are living in is a dream, and learn how we can work together to create a dream of harmony for all of life.

We all talk about the mind, body and spirit, and often say those words without really thinking about what that means. If you dissolve the body and see the body as a temple of the spirit, you will find that you are a spirit made of divine light. We are just spirits who chose to come into a body and learn how we can manifest our dreams into form. I believe our original intent was to create beauty, but we forgot that. The spirit guides are also divine light and don’t actually have a form. One task I give my students, when they shamanic journey, is to ask their spirit guide to drop their form and show their true selves. They are just divine light as we are. I believe that it is a core teaching to remember that we are spirits with the same power as our spirit guides. Our spirit guides have a bigger perspective and can provide insight that we don’t have, but the power is the same. It is our egos and bodies that limit us. Shamans have learned to let go of their mind and connect with the divine source which is where the power is. This is where the clarvoyant and healing powers come from.”