May 27 2007

Four Guideposts on the Path

Published by Other Authors under Life, Spirituality

These four focal points are a summation of centuries of spiritual wisdom and thought. They can help us shift your focus toward the Good, and liberate us from self-limiting patterns of behavior. Meditating on them can help us move forward on the path.

These are four very powerful statements. Read them here:

 

1. The Present Moment is the Point of Power.
All you have is the present moment–the present thought. All you have to heal is the present thought. All you have to do is focus on the present moment. The future does not exist. (It is just a thought in your mind. The past does not exist. (It is just a thought in your mind.) This is why the present moment is the point of power.

2. You Are the Cause.
The outer world is not the cause. Past events are not the cause. You are the cause. Your present thoughts are what you demonstrate. This means that today is not mortgaged in the sense that today is not the result of what happened yesterday or of outside events. Rather today is unfolding right now because of the way you are thinking right now. That is why all you have to heal is the present thought.

Shakti Gawain
3. No Accusation.
Not only is there nowhere to go and nothing to do, it is important to focus on the fact that each being or form is a Divine creation and has its own integrity and to do everything in one’s power to nurture it and call it forth. This is the true service. This is the true focus on the Good.Accusation and criticism are heavy burdens to the being who carries these belief patterns. When a being drops accusation and criticism, the Spirit/soul is set free in all its glory.4. The Eternal Now.
The future becomes the prison of past conditioning because we allow it to become so. If the present thought is right, there is never any need to worry about the future.There is no future out there waiting for us. There is only the Eternal Now. The Present Moment is the Point of Power. Future and Past do not exist. All you have to do is heal the present thought.

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Barbara Berger. The article above is adapted from her book, The Spiritual Pathway: A Guide to the Joys of Awakening and Soul Evolution. Barbara Berger, an American author living in Copenhagen, Denmark, has written more than 10 self-empowerment books, including her bestseller FASTFOOD FOR THE SOUL. Her books are widely read throughout Scandinavia, Europe, North and South America, and the Far East.

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May 22 2007

8 Steps to Focus Your Mind

Published by Other Authors under Meditation

Mental clutter, hyper-mind, head on overdrive — we’ve all been there. Here is some soothing relief. Try these simple suggestions for slowing things down. Your concentration and memory will improve, you will gain greater perspective on your life, and you’ll be able to think more clearly and with less effort.

Learn to relax your mind as you relax your body, to reap the benefits of less stress, and gain a more calm and mindful awareness of the present moment. You will be surprised how easy it can be.

1. Witness your thoughts. No one can stop thinking entirely; it is impossible. If you start trying not to think, you only end up thinking about how to stop thinking! What you can do, however, is to withdraw from your thoughts and become more of an objective spectator.

2. Picture your mind as a blank canvas or a dark sky. Allow your thoughts to come and go, but resist the urge to follow each one. Your brain will eventually slow down and you will feel less pressured.

3. Count. If you find it difficult to let go of your thoughts, try counting slowly as you breathe. Watch your thoughts and try to resist following them. Turn your attention to the count as you breathe out.

4. Pay active attention. As you work and think, try to keep your attention on the task at hand, Be strict with yourself, and each time your mind wanders, return it to the task. As you keep refocusing your attention, your “mind stillness”? will improve.

5. Still your body. One sign of fragmented attention is fragmented movement. For example, when you are at the theatre, it is easy to tell if others around you are fully attentive to the performance. People who sniff and sigh, move their heads this away and that, and wiggle in their seats are having some difficulty concentrating. Rapt attention is usually accompanied by still body posture.

6. Find a comfortable position and don’t allow yourself to move. Concentrate on what you are doing or watching, drawing your attention away from physical distractions, and focus your thoughts on your task. After a while, you will notice that you fidget less and feel less physical discomfort. You are now channeled into mental exertion.

7. Interest your mind. Try to find interest in projects to help you concentrate. Taking up a new hobby can be a tremendous help. You should also try to find something interesting even in the dullest chore. If you are at a gathering, find someone and start a conversation. Be inquisitive and you might discover you have similar interests.

8. Open the mind. Just as strength, stamina, and flexibility must be incorporated in your physical routine, the mind needs new and absorbing challenges to give it a change from its everyday journey. Notice something new on the same way home that you might not have noticed before. Buy a magazine on a subject you normally wouldn’t look at, read it, and open yourself to new possibilities.
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Margo Valentine Lazzara from The Healing Aromatherapy Bath.

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Feb 28 2007

The 4 laws of energetic attraction: how to radically improve your health and relationships by bringing positive people and situations into your life

Are you longing for relationships that do your heart good and generate stronger connections? Knowing about energy can transform your ability to build positive relationships, prevent loneliness and ward off fatigue. By making the energetic shifts described here, you can draw good things to you.

LAW NO. 1: We attract who we are.

THE MORE POSITIVE ENERGY WE GIVE OFF, THE MORE WE’LL RECEIVE. Ditto for negativity. It works like this: Love attracts love. Grumpiness attracts grumpiness. Passion attracts passion. Rage attracts rage.

First, define what being positive does and doesn’t mean for you in terms of attitude and behavior. Don’t worry if you’re far from a positive place. It’s an evolution. Give thought to what you value most in yourself or others. You can then strengthen these traits in yourself, and attract the same.

The idea is to find reciprocally nourishing interactions, not to win a popularity contest. (Of course, it feels good to be liked. But I’ve seen this need turn into addiction.) The following exercises will help you boost your positive signals.

Identify your best qualities and project them to the world.


Before meeting new people or going to important events, prime yourself. Think, “I’m not going to focus on my insecurity but on a strength like my sensitivity, compassion or humor; I’m going to feel and trust the positive energy inside me. I’m going to claim my full power.” Such selective attention puts your best parts front and center.Meditate regularly.With regular meditation, you can alter your habitual moods toward the positive. When feelings surface during meditation, monitor them. Focus on what’s uplifting, not the swirl of negative emotions. Your vibes will change; others will respond.Commit to emotional housecleaning.Healing negativity prevents toxic buildup in your energy field. Psychotherapy, introspection, meditation, journaling and talking with friends further self-awareness and healing.Extend heart energy outward.

Envision something you love: your son’s smile or a blooming rose. Inwardly ask, “Let love flow through me.” Feel it rise from your chest; notice a sense of heat, serenity, radiance. Beckon these vibes outward. People soften around them, feel safe, want more. It conveys the sense of what Buddhists call the “groundless ground,” an ultimate secure place that stabilizes us from the inside out.

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Adapted from Positive Energy by Judith Orloff, M.D. http://www.drjudithorloff.com. Judith Orloff, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at UCLA who presents workshops and lectures throughout the world. She is also a bestselling author.

to be continued…

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