This full moon cycle also has an added lunar eclipse. What has this month's cycle added to your awareness? What have you noticed that you would like to let go of?
During the influence of a full moon, it is a well known fact that hospitals find many more incidences of accidents. There are also stories of mental health wards in hospitals observing a greater mental disturbance in their patients during the influence of the full moon. When I was growing up, both my parents worked in a hospital, and during a full moon, there were times that mental health ward patients were found leaving the hospital and wandering the local neighborhood in their gowns. What is this about?
Most of us know that the moon influences the tides of the waters on the Earth. What are we mostly made up of? Correct...water.... What is all around us at all times? Influences of various energies inside and around all things ... this we are affected by in many ways. Waking up more fully, being present to what is in all moments, and gaining the knowledge necessary to do something ... this will assist us in being out of the path of some of these influences... or to use these influences in a positive way.
During the influence of a full moon, it is beneficial to apply an even greater awareness about you as you go about your daily activities. This does not mean we are to be less aware any other day!! Given the greater amount of unconsciousness observed in many during a full moon cycle... leading to accidents and emotional disturbances, bringing a greater awareness to your life around a full moon is another way to enhance your Work. Notice the changing flows of the energies in and all around you - whether it's the people you are in contact with or something going on around the ones you know.
Older cultures used the changes all around them.... in the moon, the seasons, subtle observations in nature and the heavenly skies.... to their benefit. Whether gardening, picking plants at an optimal time, healing, starting new projects or releasing old patterns, timing was a key. They demonstrated a greater understanding of universal laws and changing energies and how these things impact us in our daily lives. We are fortunate that much of this knowledge still exists today so that we can learn it, apply it and pass it on.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The Roots of Things
With a little effort, one can get to the root of the matter and work at the level of cause.
This can relate to relationships, personal effectiveness, work and business matters, spiritual development and weeding out difficult plants in a garden or area of lawn!!
I meditated on this recently as I was working in my yard. There is a particular plant which is overcrowding a lovely grassy area. This plant is very prickly and therefore is not fun to step on while playing barefoot in the yard whether one is human or dog.
The thing is that the roots of these plants grow deep if left too long and they will keep coming back quickly and spread if not removed. The most effective (eco-friendly) way of dealing with these plants is to pull them out by the root... and to continue to mow them down in the process.
Depending on how fast they have spread and the size of one's lawn, this can seem like a daunting task -and it is for me, as I am speaking of a fairly large area off to the side which has not received much attention over the last few years - other than mowing. These prickly plants have found a liking to the area and have really spread.
I have accepted the task of slowly, over time, pulling these plants out by their roots. If I am not careful, they also sting and can cause discomfort and irritation to my skin. (Essential oils can provide relief and healing for this, according to my experience).
The many things we come across in life are no different than this situation. I contemplate this each time I go out to pull more out. I contemplate the fact that some of the things we wish to alter in our life have become a bigger issue due to our own neglect. I also reflect on the fact that transforming certain things sometimes occurs with some pain and discomfort.
Our attitude and approach to the task is something to keep in mind as we set to Work. How do we go about doing what we have chosen to do in the world(s) we have created? Are we Working at a vision we have created with heart? Do we desire some new visioning?
I also realize that when we unite our self in action to a vision we have, that consistent effort over time will certainly assist us and that we will see progress ... as long as we persist and Work at it in the way that gets at the Root of the Matter.
Friday, May 27, 2011
There Will Be Days
There will be days. Hmmmm.... have you ever felt like this? The day moves along .... not much is accomplished, and it all seems to have been a waste... or just doesn't go as we planned or imagined it would. Is it just one of those things, or is there a reason for this?
Yes, the answer is yes. Ocassionally, there are circumstance and situations which are the result of our acquaintence with or involvement with people and events which have their own sets of causes and effects. In other words, we do not have control over certain things. They are, perhaps larger than our own personal world and involve many other factors. Other times, we are the ones creating the chaos and can not see it for what it is. This takes awareness and a level of awakening too. It also takes courage to admit when we are the ones creating this sort of day for ourselves and others (who will experience the results of our behaviours).
What we do have an effect on is our own world we are co-creating all the time ... and therefore the effects of our actions we are always experiencing in the now ... whether personal, familial, work or business. It is vital for us to determine what is our response-ability and what is not.
Without awareness of our self and without the unification of our body, mind and spirit, we feel like things happen to us and around us all the time. We have even created a wonderful expression for this: ''Shit happens'' was a very popular phrase not long ago .... but sometimes used to excuse the poor behaviour of our own (and others) doing.
There will be days when everything clicks and things just flow along. Our energy is balanced and we are able to create the sort of day that we desire.
Cleaning our mirrors of self-reflections ... seeing our selves as we really are is a major key in really succeeding in co-creating your life according to our dreams and zestful visions. It allows us to alter and adjust our selves along our way ... keeping what is working and shifting what is not.
When we are not quiet and still inside, we see ripples in our mirrors ... things are distorted and we neither hear, see, feel, act, think, respond or create with clarity and precision. We do not do what is best in the moment due to these distorted images and reflections and misuses of our energies ... then we may experience ONE OF THOSE DAYS ... if we are aware, we look at what we can do to alter things that we are response-able for and it will shift.
Sometimes we feel we have focus when what we really have going on is an improper use of focus and attention. Some of us operate with hysteria ... others apathy and depression. We sometimes operate on sugar and caffeine and/or driven mental projections. We neglect our bodies, emotions, spirits. Then we are best advised to STOP and see clearly what is needed within in order to gain balance.
Our body gives us messages ... the way our life and day is going will tell us things about ourself ... our mental/emotional states are messages ... being quiet and still will tell us things about ourselves if we really want to know them. If we listen to our self, and apply what we really need, truly, things will shift and we will feel better, and soon will be saying that these are the days of my LIFE!
If having ''one of those days'' is due to another's behaviour .... or to a larger effect - like a town or world crisis, then our part is in knowing how to respond in a way that is most beneficial to ourselves and others in that moment. Cultivate inner peace, a clean mirror and true wisdom.
Yes, the answer is yes. Ocassionally, there are circumstance and situations which are the result of our acquaintence with or involvement with people and events which have their own sets of causes and effects. In other words, we do not have control over certain things. They are, perhaps larger than our own personal world and involve many other factors. Other times, we are the ones creating the chaos and can not see it for what it is. This takes awareness and a level of awakening too. It also takes courage to admit when we are the ones creating this sort of day for ourselves and others (who will experience the results of our behaviours).
What we do have an effect on is our own world we are co-creating all the time ... and therefore the effects of our actions we are always experiencing in the now ... whether personal, familial, work or business. It is vital for us to determine what is our response-ability and what is not.
Without awareness of our self and without the unification of our body, mind and spirit, we feel like things happen to us and around us all the time. We have even created a wonderful expression for this: ''Shit happens'' was a very popular phrase not long ago .... but sometimes used to excuse the poor behaviour of our own (and others) doing.
 |
| Clean the mirror of self-reflection and you will see better all that is within and around you. |
There will be days when everything clicks and things just flow along. Our energy is balanced and we are able to create the sort of day that we desire.
Cleaning our mirrors of self-reflections ... seeing our selves as we really are is a major key in really succeeding in co-creating your life according to our dreams and zestful visions. It allows us to alter and adjust our selves along our way ... keeping what is working and shifting what is not.
When we are not quiet and still inside, we see ripples in our mirrors ... things are distorted and we neither hear, see, feel, act, think, respond or create with clarity and precision. We do not do what is best in the moment due to these distorted images and reflections and misuses of our energies ... then we may experience ONE OF THOSE DAYS ... if we are aware, we look at what we can do to alter things that we are response-able for and it will shift.
Sometimes we feel we have focus when what we really have going on is an improper use of focus and attention. Some of us operate with hysteria ... others apathy and depression. We sometimes operate on sugar and caffeine and/or driven mental projections. We neglect our bodies, emotions, spirits. Then we are best advised to STOP and see clearly what is needed within in order to gain balance.
Our body gives us messages ... the way our life and day is going will tell us things about ourself ... our mental/emotional states are messages ... being quiet and still will tell us things about ourselves if we really want to know them. If we listen to our self, and apply what we really need, truly, things will shift and we will feel better, and soon will be saying that these are the days of my LIFE!
If having ''one of those days'' is due to another's behaviour .... or to a larger effect - like a town or world crisis, then our part is in knowing how to respond in a way that is most beneficial to ourselves and others in that moment. Cultivate inner peace, a clean mirror and true wisdom.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Four C's
An interesting phenomenon is that there are things we can pick up as little tools to apply in our life everywhere we go. This was passed on to me yesterday ... on a truck show, the host asked people to call in to tell him a minimum of two ways that they have become more efficient at what they do .... a mechanic called in and said that it was the Three C's he learned while studying to become a mechanic .... Condition, Cause and Correction. He said that he used this tool as a mechanic and then found it applied to life too.
He noted that there is often something in the present that becomes a condition we no longer can tolerate ... we then decide that something has to be done. Then we begin to look into the past or near past to see whether we can determine the cause ... usually, with good investigating skills, this can be determined ... then we have to decide on and apply the proper correction ... and if we do so, the condition we do not desire is eliminated. If we are effective in this and do not wait until the Condition has run rampant, we become very efficient in whatever we are doing.
So why did I call this blog topic the Four C's? Well, if you've been reading my other blog notes and check out the website, you will that I repeatedly use the phrase consistent effort over time. I do so because it is what I have applied in order to get the results I have worked at achieving in various arenas in my life. So we can add to this tool and call it Condition, Cause, Correction and Consistency. With Consistency in Application of a Correction, we will maintain the results we want.
I like this tool, because it can demonstrate something we can apply - whether it is to our spiritual practice ... and some of the pitfalls we will experience along the way .... or whether it is a health concern, financial concern, relationship concern ... and so on.
Without calling my method such, I realize that this is one of my ways of approach in Souhl Counsel sessions and other Work we do. Anyone who has been to see me will realize this. We discuss the reason for coming (Condition... we also look for multiple conditions which can be related). We then look at the Cause ... understanding and insight can assist us tremendously - can assist us with gaining awareness of what we do and how we do it in the moment ... which can be contributing factors to our Condition. Finally, we focus on Correction (solutions... tools to apply...what are you going to do about it? ... whatever we want to call it). We are also reminded in session that consistent application over time is the key.
Here is an example. This example is health related, but also contains mental/emotional and spiritual aspects: An individual comes in to see me many years ago due to an appearance of arthritic conditions in their joints ... something they observed had appeared slowly over the last two years. This person was quite distraught, as they were very active in sports, health conscious and was used to viewing things with a positive mindset.
We proceeded to examine some history. We found that there was a turning point in this person's life several years ago where stress became an overwhelming factor. This person relates that their eating and sleeping habits were poor (and not typical for them) and that their negativity in thoughts, words and actions also increased due to feelings of helplessness regarding their situation.
So the person came in with the Conditions they desired to alter: mental/emotional overwhelm - leading to behaviours not typical for them, arthritic symptoms and insomnia. With work, we discovered the Causes: perceptions of being trapped in a situation they did not feel able to alter, poor eating habits, poor thinking patterns relating to themselves and their situation, and ultimately lack of the necessary action of dealing with their situation effectively ... in a way they really had the desire to do it (which opened up another area of Work where we went from there... not the focus, here).
We worked with practical actions (Corrections) the individual could take in order to deal with the Conditions, and with Consistent Work over time, these Conditions were corrected. The person felt better - regaining their balance and harmony inside and out.
Consistency over time is a key. It is true that it takes time to develop these conditions - they usually do not show up overnight. Our being can handle certain amounts of stress and strain ... however, consistent stress and strain (of the damaging kind) over time wears us down in many aspects and the effects creep up over time. This means consistency is key in reversing the effects of the causes. Then it becomes a lifestyle if one wishes to maintain the positive benefits.
So if there is something you wish to alter ... however big it may feel or appear to you ... despair not, but take the necessary steps to attain what you desire - in any aspect of your being. Remember that the sooner we we are able to detect the condition creeping up, the easier it is to deal with it effectively.
He noted that there is often something in the present that becomes a condition we no longer can tolerate ... we then decide that something has to be done. Then we begin to look into the past or near past to see whether we can determine the cause ... usually, with good investigating skills, this can be determined ... then we have to decide on and apply the proper correction ... and if we do so, the condition we do not desire is eliminated. If we are effective in this and do not wait until the Condition has run rampant, we become very efficient in whatever we are doing.
So why did I call this blog topic the Four C's? Well, if you've been reading my other blog notes and check out the website, you will that I repeatedly use the phrase consistent effort over time. I do so because it is what I have applied in order to get the results I have worked at achieving in various arenas in my life. So we can add to this tool and call it Condition, Cause, Correction and Consistency. With Consistency in Application of a Correction, we will maintain the results we want.
I like this tool, because it can demonstrate something we can apply - whether it is to our spiritual practice ... and some of the pitfalls we will experience along the way .... or whether it is a health concern, financial concern, relationship concern ... and so on.
Without calling my method such, I realize that this is one of my ways of approach in Souhl Counsel sessions and other Work we do. Anyone who has been to see me will realize this. We discuss the reason for coming (Condition... we also look for multiple conditions which can be related). We then look at the Cause ... understanding and insight can assist us tremendously - can assist us with gaining awareness of what we do and how we do it in the moment ... which can be contributing factors to our Condition. Finally, we focus on Correction (solutions... tools to apply...what are you going to do about it? ... whatever we want to call it). We are also reminded in session that consistent application over time is the key.
Here is an example. This example is health related, but also contains mental/emotional and spiritual aspects: An individual comes in to see me many years ago due to an appearance of arthritic conditions in their joints ... something they observed had appeared slowly over the last two years. This person was quite distraught, as they were very active in sports, health conscious and was used to viewing things with a positive mindset.
We proceeded to examine some history. We found that there was a turning point in this person's life several years ago where stress became an overwhelming factor. This person relates that their eating and sleeping habits were poor (and not typical for them) and that their negativity in thoughts, words and actions also increased due to feelings of helplessness regarding their situation.
So the person came in with the Conditions they desired to alter: mental/emotional overwhelm - leading to behaviours not typical for them, arthritic symptoms and insomnia. With work, we discovered the Causes: perceptions of being trapped in a situation they did not feel able to alter, poor eating habits, poor thinking patterns relating to themselves and their situation, and ultimately lack of the necessary action of dealing with their situation effectively ... in a way they really had the desire to do it (which opened up another area of Work where we went from there... not the focus, here).
We worked with practical actions (Corrections) the individual could take in order to deal with the Conditions, and with Consistent Work over time, these Conditions were corrected. The person felt better - regaining their balance and harmony inside and out.
Consistency over time is a key. It is true that it takes time to develop these conditions - they usually do not show up overnight. Our being can handle certain amounts of stress and strain ... however, consistent stress and strain (of the damaging kind) over time wears us down in many aspects and the effects creep up over time. This means consistency is key in reversing the effects of the causes. Then it becomes a lifestyle if one wishes to maintain the positive benefits.
So if there is something you wish to alter ... however big it may feel or appear to you ... despair not, but take the necessary steps to attain what you desire - in any aspect of your being. Remember that the sooner we we are able to detect the condition creeping up, the easier it is to deal with it effectively.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Breath of life
I am always impressed and awed with the power of breath. Many people approach and are interested in a spiritual path due to the fact that one can heal ... one does heal on the road to enlightenment/spiritual development. The breath can HEAL.
I am also fascinated with the fact that the breath is one of the keys on the path of Kung fu, Chi Kung and Yoga... among other paths. One is not able to progress to higher levels without management of the breath.
In panic, fear, anger, anxiety... and other labels we have for various illnesses, the breath can be observed as unsteady, imbalanced, shallow, constricted and otherwise inharmonious.
The breath tells us so many things. Observe your breath. Tell yourself that today you will observe your breath in all moments. This will show you how much awareness you have and how much sleep you engage in during the day. If you promise yourself that you will do this and find you `forget` ... that is a form of sleep... remember the previous blog on fragmented self (many I's and unifyng the self)? If one part of yourself says it will take on this practical challenge, and you find that you 'forget' most of the day, that shows how another part has come forward which is not engaged in the Work at all! Remember, this Work is also about waking up more fully in your daily life. This is a great tool and a useful practical exercise to show you where you are really at.
You will notice how your breath changes around certain people and before, during, and after certain experiences. Follow your awareness and observe without trying to change it ... just watch without judgement and be interested in these patterns you will come to see. How do you breathe? Deeply? In the chest only? Is your breath constricted anywhere? Under what conditions and how...
When we sit for long periods, our breath tends to naturally slow down ... sometimes, when we are engaged in an activity and sitting for a long time we may lose awareness of the breath and how it is flowing. We may not be naturally breathing deeply and fully.
Remember to take breaks, move around a bit, stop .... inhale and exhale slowly 20 long deep relaxed breaths in fresh air during the day ... and do your daily practice with awareness.
When we do Kung fu, Chi kung and Yoga, we cultivate breath awareness and it is a major part of our work. We can feel, in our pulses, the difference before and after practice ... we can feel it in our pulses if we are not engaged in full breath throughout our being ... and this, in turn will affect our inner flows of energy and eventually our physical form and organs.
Check this out yourself (meaning there is research on this) ... it has been found that cancer does not survive in a highly oxygenated system ... it can not grow... it requires an acidic and low oxygen system. How do we eat ... think... breathe ... There is other research with various illnesses and the breath ...
We all have things we work with while here ... while walking our path ... we will have moments - even periods where we forget ... continue to walk on ... apply and use your tools and practical exercises ... remember to avoid labelling, judging, comparing, measuring self and others ... simply work with where you are at ... continue to learn and observe your self ... observe others and learn from them as well.
The breath is a major key ... this is another reason we do formal practices every day ... it becomes clear to us that this really works and we now have a tool to use ... if we REMEMBER ourselves and do the Work.
The breath can HEAL and bring us to higher levels of awareness ... prove it to yourself ... with consistent work over time.
I am also fascinated with the fact that the breath is one of the keys on the path of Kung fu, Chi Kung and Yoga... among other paths. One is not able to progress to higher levels without management of the breath.
In panic, fear, anger, anxiety... and other labels we have for various illnesses, the breath can be observed as unsteady, imbalanced, shallow, constricted and otherwise inharmonious.
The breath tells us so many things. Observe your breath. Tell yourself that today you will observe your breath in all moments. This will show you how much awareness you have and how much sleep you engage in during the day. If you promise yourself that you will do this and find you `forget` ... that is a form of sleep... remember the previous blog on fragmented self (many I's and unifyng the self)? If one part of yourself says it will take on this practical challenge, and you find that you 'forget' most of the day, that shows how another part has come forward which is not engaged in the Work at all! Remember, this Work is also about waking up more fully in your daily life. This is a great tool and a useful practical exercise to show you where you are really at.
You will notice how your breath changes around certain people and before, during, and after certain experiences. Follow your awareness and observe without trying to change it ... just watch without judgement and be interested in these patterns you will come to see. How do you breathe? Deeply? In the chest only? Is your breath constricted anywhere? Under what conditions and how...
When we sit for long periods, our breath tends to naturally slow down ... sometimes, when we are engaged in an activity and sitting for a long time we may lose awareness of the breath and how it is flowing. We may not be naturally breathing deeply and fully.
Remember to take breaks, move around a bit, stop .... inhale and exhale slowly 20 long deep relaxed breaths in fresh air during the day ... and do your daily practice with awareness.
When we do Kung fu, Chi kung and Yoga, we cultivate breath awareness and it is a major part of our work. We can feel, in our pulses, the difference before and after practice ... we can feel it in our pulses if we are not engaged in full breath throughout our being ... and this, in turn will affect our inner flows of energy and eventually our physical form and organs.
Check this out yourself (meaning there is research on this) ... it has been found that cancer does not survive in a highly oxygenated system ... it can not grow... it requires an acidic and low oxygen system. How do we eat ... think... breathe ... There is other research with various illnesses and the breath ...
We all have things we work with while here ... while walking our path ... we will have moments - even periods where we forget ... continue to walk on ... apply and use your tools and practical exercises ... remember to avoid labelling, judging, comparing, measuring self and others ... simply work with where you are at ... continue to learn and observe your self ... observe others and learn from them as well.
The breath is a major key ... this is another reason we do formal practices every day ... it becomes clear to us that this really works and we now have a tool to use ... if we REMEMBER ourselves and do the Work.
The breath can HEAL and bring us to higher levels of awareness ... prove it to yourself ... with consistent work over time.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Many I's and Unifying the Self
Today's topic is about unifying the self. One way we have become fragmented is a way in we have all been affected in one way or another ... our experiences growing up with our loved ones, friends, teachers ... strangers .... experiences in life and our ways of reacting/responding to these things.
There are many ways to approach this Work we do. We look at the body and it tells us things. We observe behaviour and it reveals certain things. We use our feelings and intuition and learn from that. We move and learn from that too. Everything we do ... everywhere we go ... every moment reveals something to us if we look, sense, hear, feel beyond the ways we are accustomed to.
Ever wonder why it is that we may have a genuine desire ... a feeling to do something ... a goal ... a dream we may have ... a desire to improve our life or something about ourselves ... a desire to be free from the dramas we engage in - in life and in our relationships .... and come up against inner blocks - or even external circumstances that appear to be preventing us from achieving these things? How about the famous New Year's resolutions ...
When we examine the foundation principles of many genuine spiritual paths, we find a common mention of the unification of the inner self ... an inner and outer harmony and balance in the energy flows. While each path may have a unique way of wording this, it is none the less the same.
Within all of us, fragmentation of the self exists to different degrees. As we grow up, we learn that people do not always appreciate us exactly the way we are. Babies are the first to learn this and it goes on and on from there ... each parent is different, our grandparents are different, our friends and teachers and all others we come in contact with are unique .... we learn from an early age what is acceptable and to whom. We respond to these things by masking the genuine expression of our self in the moment. We all do this in different ways.
Observe a child over time - many very young children (babies...toddlers) will behave more naturally and genuinely whomever they are around. Then there is a point at which they begin to learn, through experience, that when they behave a certain way, different people will react differently. Over time, they gain the awareness that they can attain specific results with a change in their behaviour, tone of voice, words etc. They begin to consciously and unconsciously alter their behaviours in order to get responses they like or to avoid the one they do not. Over time, this solidifies into a set of unconscious behaviour patterns we can call conditioning. With Work, we can alter this conditioning and our personality.
As adults, we are a unique mix of many ways of being ... inside ourselves... we can call this many I's ... there is the I that says I wish to eat well .... there is the I that wants cake and eats it ... there is the I that comes forward around certain people and behaves this way ... there is the I that comes forward around other people and behaves that way.
Life is not rigid ... all of life is moving and changing - even if slowly. Some of us develop rigid ways of being that we present to all people - we may imagine that this is unification, unless we see that we have no flexibility and freedom of expressing and being whatever we feel to be in the moment. Our rigid ways do not allow us to feel or experience many things, and can often be seen in body structure. Our bodies reflect what we hold onto and how we restrict ourselves from feeling and engaging with the energies inside and around us.
Most of us are not aware of these subtle shifts inwardly and we feel and talk of ourselves as though we are One and United inside, while we are not. There are many ways in which to experience that we are not One within ourselves ... here I will mention a few. If we were One (or whole, as some say), then we would have the ability to do what we say we will do ... we would not experience inner conflict, as this is the result of different aspects of ourselves not in agreement with each other, therefore we are divided inwardly ... we would be aware of ourselves as we are with each person, and if we behaved differently around different people, we would do so with the awareness of it ... engaging in the moment and acting according to how we feel with each person with awareness and not due to our conditioning, attitudes, or reactions. Instead, we have excuses, justifications and explanations for why we behave the way we do around different people and we really believe these things ... as though we had no inner responsibility for our selves and the way we behave, talk, hold and express our self.
Control is a good word, here. We have no control over emotional attitudes or reactions when there is no awareness of our inner state ... no inner wakefulness and self-reflection. We feel justified, instead, when we react. Control (not in the usual negative sense of the word), comes with awareness of and engagement with inner and outer movements of energies. The first step is development of awareness and ability to see ourselves as we really are.
Natural is a great word to use here. Prior to the conditioning we are all exposed to, we are more natural with people ... we may behave differently around others - not due to unconscious patterns, but due to a natural expression of what we are feeling in the moment ... this is different - it is genuine. Babies and toddlers are more genuine ... ever hear a toddler say something like - that person smells, mommy - or yuck, that smells bad - when sitting down to eat a meal at a restaurant or your friend's house .... we may cringe, wondering if anyone heard them, but they are genuine and do no know about hurting people's feelings (there is no intention to do so) ... they simply feel and express the truth ... then they begin to learn what is acceptable according to what they are taught. But what is acceptable is not always what they are really feeling, and so they learn to mask what they really feel. What is acceptable is different to different people ... how confusing this is to a young child developing ... soon, for most, it becomes more important to view the outside world and respond according to IT rather than from their own genuine SELF -- with wisdom and discernment developed over time and with proper guidance.
The degree to which we are separated and fragmented from our genuine self depends on our own unique experiences growing up, and how we responded inwardly to these experiences. There are differences in our ways of responding to similar things - even as a child in a similar environment ... working where we are at currently and consistently with useful tools will alter us inside and out. Comparing ourselves to others and/or judging ourselves or others for where we/they are at will not assist us in any way.
We are also born with certain influences, tendencies and characteristics ... some of us look at these things in relation to the energies present at the time of our birth ... natal charts etc. ... we can use these things as another sort of tool to gain insight into our tendencies, and strengths and weaknesses. It is useful to remember that we can Work to alter our level of Being and it is not wise to assume that we are limited to any system's way of viewing or labelling the many ways we appear to be. Personality tools, elemental descriptions, natal charts etc. are wonderful tools to assist with our understanding; remain open to your opportunity to be something NEW, and focus your awareness on NOW ... the work is here and now ... work from where you are here and now ... know how you are here and now ... you are what you are in THIS moment, so this is where the Work always is ...
If we are truly fragmented and disconnected from our genuine self; what do we do differently? How can we access our genuine self? This is what genuine spiritual paths can lead us to depending on our ability to do the Work. For example, taught properly, Yoga, Chi Kung, Kung fu and other Ways are all Paths to the genuine self ... Yoga, Chi Kung and Kung fu are examples of paths which work with the body in order to unify the self and to unite with the Source of all things.
So what do we do with all this? Embark on the journey of a spiritual path and do your Work. Find out for yourself if there is a better way. Know yourself. Develop a higher level of awareness. Learn to see your self as you really are in the mirrors of self-reflection all around you in every day ... not as you wish to see yourself ... or as you are accustomed to seeing yourself ... or according to how others see you ... Enjoy the benefits of discovering how to consciously co-create your world instead of unconsciously attracting things which you are not enjoying ... or which you may superficially enjoy to your own detriment ... Consistent Work over time reveals to us that there is truly more to us and Life than we have experienced.
There are many ways to approach this Work we do. We look at the body and it tells us things. We observe behaviour and it reveals certain things. We use our feelings and intuition and learn from that. We move and learn from that too. Everything we do ... everywhere we go ... every moment reveals something to us if we look, sense, hear, feel beyond the ways we are accustomed to.
Ever wonder why it is that we may have a genuine desire ... a feeling to do something ... a goal ... a dream we may have ... a desire to improve our life or something about ourselves ... a desire to be free from the dramas we engage in - in life and in our relationships .... and come up against inner blocks - or even external circumstances that appear to be preventing us from achieving these things? How about the famous New Year's resolutions ...
When we examine the foundation principles of many genuine spiritual paths, we find a common mention of the unification of the inner self ... an inner and outer harmony and balance in the energy flows. While each path may have a unique way of wording this, it is none the less the same.
Within all of us, fragmentation of the self exists to different degrees. As we grow up, we learn that people do not always appreciate us exactly the way we are. Babies are the first to learn this and it goes on and on from there ... each parent is different, our grandparents are different, our friends and teachers and all others we come in contact with are unique .... we learn from an early age what is acceptable and to whom. We respond to these things by masking the genuine expression of our self in the moment. We all do this in different ways.
Observe a child over time - many very young children (babies...toddlers) will behave more naturally and genuinely whomever they are around. Then there is a point at which they begin to learn, through experience, that when they behave a certain way, different people will react differently. Over time, they gain the awareness that they can attain specific results with a change in their behaviour, tone of voice, words etc. They begin to consciously and unconsciously alter their behaviours in order to get responses they like or to avoid the one they do not. Over time, this solidifies into a set of unconscious behaviour patterns we can call conditioning. With Work, we can alter this conditioning and our personality.
As adults, we are a unique mix of many ways of being ... inside ourselves... we can call this many I's ... there is the I that says I wish to eat well .... there is the I that wants cake and eats it ... there is the I that comes forward around certain people and behaves this way ... there is the I that comes forward around other people and behaves that way.
Life is not rigid ... all of life is moving and changing - even if slowly. Some of us develop rigid ways of being that we present to all people - we may imagine that this is unification, unless we see that we have no flexibility and freedom of expressing and being whatever we feel to be in the moment. Our rigid ways do not allow us to feel or experience many things, and can often be seen in body structure. Our bodies reflect what we hold onto and how we restrict ourselves from feeling and engaging with the energies inside and around us.
Most of us are not aware of these subtle shifts inwardly and we feel and talk of ourselves as though we are One and United inside, while we are not. There are many ways in which to experience that we are not One within ourselves ... here I will mention a few. If we were One (or whole, as some say), then we would have the ability to do what we say we will do ... we would not experience inner conflict, as this is the result of different aspects of ourselves not in agreement with each other, therefore we are divided inwardly ... we would be aware of ourselves as we are with each person, and if we behaved differently around different people, we would do so with the awareness of it ... engaging in the moment and acting according to how we feel with each person with awareness and not due to our conditioning, attitudes, or reactions. Instead, we have excuses, justifications and explanations for why we behave the way we do around different people and we really believe these things ... as though we had no inner responsibility for our selves and the way we behave, talk, hold and express our self.
Control is a good word, here. We have no control over emotional attitudes or reactions when there is no awareness of our inner state ... no inner wakefulness and self-reflection. We feel justified, instead, when we react. Control (not in the usual negative sense of the word), comes with awareness of and engagement with inner and outer movements of energies. The first step is development of awareness and ability to see ourselves as we really are.
Natural is a great word to use here. Prior to the conditioning we are all exposed to, we are more natural with people ... we may behave differently around others - not due to unconscious patterns, but due to a natural expression of what we are feeling in the moment ... this is different - it is genuine. Babies and toddlers are more genuine ... ever hear a toddler say something like - that person smells, mommy - or yuck, that smells bad - when sitting down to eat a meal at a restaurant or your friend's house .... we may cringe, wondering if anyone heard them, but they are genuine and do no know about hurting people's feelings (there is no intention to do so) ... they simply feel and express the truth ... then they begin to learn what is acceptable according to what they are taught. But what is acceptable is not always what they are really feeling, and so they learn to mask what they really feel. What is acceptable is different to different people ... how confusing this is to a young child developing ... soon, for most, it becomes more important to view the outside world and respond according to IT rather than from their own genuine SELF -- with wisdom and discernment developed over time and with proper guidance.
The degree to which we are separated and fragmented from our genuine self depends on our own unique experiences growing up, and how we responded inwardly to these experiences. There are differences in our ways of responding to similar things - even as a child in a similar environment ... working where we are at currently and consistently with useful tools will alter us inside and out. Comparing ourselves to others and/or judging ourselves or others for where we/they are at will not assist us in any way.
We are also born with certain influences, tendencies and characteristics ... some of us look at these things in relation to the energies present at the time of our birth ... natal charts etc. ... we can use these things as another sort of tool to gain insight into our tendencies, and strengths and weaknesses. It is useful to remember that we can Work to alter our level of Being and it is not wise to assume that we are limited to any system's way of viewing or labelling the many ways we appear to be. Personality tools, elemental descriptions, natal charts etc. are wonderful tools to assist with our understanding; remain open to your opportunity to be something NEW, and focus your awareness on NOW ... the work is here and now ... work from where you are here and now ... know how you are here and now ... you are what you are in THIS moment, so this is where the Work always is ...
If we are truly fragmented and disconnected from our genuine self; what do we do differently? How can we access our genuine self? This is what genuine spiritual paths can lead us to depending on our ability to do the Work. For example, taught properly, Yoga, Chi Kung, Kung fu and other Ways are all Paths to the genuine self ... Yoga, Chi Kung and Kung fu are examples of paths which work with the body in order to unify the self and to unite with the Source of all things.
So what do we do with all this? Embark on the journey of a spiritual path and do your Work. Find out for yourself if there is a better way. Know yourself. Develop a higher level of awareness. Learn to see your self as you really are in the mirrors of self-reflection all around you in every day ... not as you wish to see yourself ... or as you are accustomed to seeing yourself ... or according to how others see you ... Enjoy the benefits of discovering how to consciously co-create your world instead of unconsciously attracting things which you are not enjoying ... or which you may superficially enjoy to your own detriment ... Consistent Work over time reveals to us that there is truly more to us and Life than we have experienced.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Martial Arts and Spiritual Practice
While Kung fu has practical combat applications, and some schools train participants to enter tournaments, Kung fu is also a spiritual art and path to enlightenment when taught, practiced and walked as a path in life in this manner. This is the way we teach it.
Some people wonder whether this art trains one to have a big ego ... or to be aggressive and combative in approach to life. All these things depend on the teacher and often, more importantly, on the student. Just as numerous priests have been known to divert from their spiritual path and behave in questionable ways, teachers and students of any spiritual art have been known throughout time to do the same. The same can be said for a follower of any faith and student of any path. It is very difficult to judge a path based on stories or the behaviours of some of the people associated with these things.
At times, a student may go through very challenging stages in their Work ... things may seem to get worse (in many ways) before they get better, as aspects of the self are brought to light for transformation. How much of this is there? ... How long does it take? It is individual. In natural medicine and other holistic healing modalities, a healing crisis is a common theme ... in spiritual texts, we come across mention of the dark night of the soul. The light is brighter on the other side of this Work.
Kung fu and Chi kung, in the way I was taught, is a spiritual path with side benefits which include practical combat applications (which some people enjoy demonstrating in tournaments), and high levels of health and fitness. According to the work the student puts in, and their current level of health and Being, it is obvious that people will get different results in the same amount of time.
Many other benefits are experienced according to the level of Work put in by the student and their level of being. The art can build up the inner strength and confidence of a student ... this is not the same as having a big ego ... though some people might view it as such. Some students do develop an ego of self-importance ... or self-pity ... (perhaps they come to the art with these traits) ... this has more to do with where they are at internally at that time and they may, as they develop over time, come to see themselves as they are and Work to transform. This is not only seen in arts such as Kung fu - one can see it in the spiritual self-importance projected by Yogis, religious people, healers of various disciplines, Tai Chi practitioners, kick-boxing clubs, Karate schools and Gyms... not to mention anyone we may come into contact with in the general public! We must always be aware of judgments, comparisons, justifications and labelling ... and avoid playing these games. Work on self ... cleaning our own mirrors and focussing on higher more worthy things is Work enough for all of us.
We do not have a filtering system or a specific characteristic we look for .... like the hopeful aspirants at the gates of the Shaolin Temple or those waiting at the feet of gurus in stories we've heard and movies we have seen. Many schools in the West (and now the East too) open their doors and work with the general public at the level they are at, with the hopes of planting seeds and watching students reach their potential ... whatever that may be.
Over time, practiced and walked in the highest manner, one can attain extra-ordinary abilities in mind, body and spirit... and real change in Being. Aggression and ego (the many forms of ego manifestation) ... among other things are to be faced, seen and transformed. This will occur only to the level at which the student is prepared to clean their own mirrors of self-projection and Know Themselves ... willingness and ability to travel their own inner landscape and their own unique ability to see and to Work ... All these things are factors in this.
The body is the physical tool used by the student (as in the path of Yoga etc.) ... with which to transform energies and their level of Being ... as this occurs, all can be new inside and out.
Some people wonder whether this art trains one to have a big ego ... or to be aggressive and combative in approach to life. All these things depend on the teacher and often, more importantly, on the student. Just as numerous priests have been known to divert from their spiritual path and behave in questionable ways, teachers and students of any spiritual art have been known throughout time to do the same. The same can be said for a follower of any faith and student of any path. It is very difficult to judge a path based on stories or the behaviours of some of the people associated with these things.
At times, a student may go through very challenging stages in their Work ... things may seem to get worse (in many ways) before they get better, as aspects of the self are brought to light for transformation. How much of this is there? ... How long does it take? It is individual. In natural medicine and other holistic healing modalities, a healing crisis is a common theme ... in spiritual texts, we come across mention of the dark night of the soul. The light is brighter on the other side of this Work.
Kung fu and Chi kung, in the way I was taught, is a spiritual path with side benefits which include practical combat applications (which some people enjoy demonstrating in tournaments), and high levels of health and fitness. According to the work the student puts in, and their current level of health and Being, it is obvious that people will get different results in the same amount of time.
Many other benefits are experienced according to the level of Work put in by the student and their level of being. The art can build up the inner strength and confidence of a student ... this is not the same as having a big ego ... though some people might view it as such. Some students do develop an ego of self-importance ... or self-pity ... (perhaps they come to the art with these traits) ... this has more to do with where they are at internally at that time and they may, as they develop over time, come to see themselves as they are and Work to transform. This is not only seen in arts such as Kung fu - one can see it in the spiritual self-importance projected by Yogis, religious people, healers of various disciplines, Tai Chi practitioners, kick-boxing clubs, Karate schools and Gyms... not to mention anyone we may come into contact with in the general public! We must always be aware of judgments, comparisons, justifications and labelling ... and avoid playing these games. Work on self ... cleaning our own mirrors and focussing on higher more worthy things is Work enough for all of us.
We do not have a filtering system or a specific characteristic we look for .... like the hopeful aspirants at the gates of the Shaolin Temple or those waiting at the feet of gurus in stories we've heard and movies we have seen. Many schools in the West (and now the East too) open their doors and work with the general public at the level they are at, with the hopes of planting seeds and watching students reach their potential ... whatever that may be.
Over time, practiced and walked in the highest manner, one can attain extra-ordinary abilities in mind, body and spirit... and real change in Being. Aggression and ego (the many forms of ego manifestation) ... among other things are to be faced, seen and transformed. This will occur only to the level at which the student is prepared to clean their own mirrors of self-projection and Know Themselves ... willingness and ability to travel their own inner landscape and their own unique ability to see and to Work ... All these things are factors in this.
The body is the physical tool used by the student (as in the path of Yoga etc.) ... with which to transform energies and their level of Being ... as this occurs, all can be new inside and out.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Kung fu Chi Kung Life System
I have been a student and practitioner of Kung fu and Chi Kung since 1997. The style I was taught is a Southern style (Southern China in origin) - 5 Animal, 5 Element Kung fu. My teacher called this the Kung fu Chi Kung Life System, and with great respect for what he has taught us, I call it the same, doing my best to pass on what I have been able to integrate into my being from what I have learned and done. Though my interest and experience in Yoga and attendance in other spiritual groups/classes began prior to my studies in Kung fu, the Kung fu Chi Kung Life System is truly my foundation and passion.
My teacher was taught traditionally by monks. The story is that the monks left a politically difficult climate ... left their country, later wishing to transmit their teachings; therefore, training others. Apparently, my teacher was taught privately with a small group of practitioners. He told me that we were learning a traditional art and that it is a spiritual path.
He was trained in the art of the warrior, the healer and the monk. These aspects of the training are integrated into the whole art ... though we may find ourselves studying one or more of these aspects in more concentrated focus at various times along our path. I trained for many years for hours a day under his guidance - intensely and with much devotion and love for the art. I can truly say with all my heart that this is my path with heart which I walk along the road of spiritual enlightenment - a development and growth of never-ending learning. I am so very grateful for these teachings.
I have trained with other teachers for a number of years ... expanding my horizons and being exposed to other methods, personalities and paths of spiritual study. This has enabled me to be open-minded and aware of the various ways in which people walk in order to connect with Spirit and the essence of who they really are. Having experienced and studied different healing methods and paths has taught me the common ground/tools of healing and spiritual Work ... I was a seeker of ancient knowledge leading to understanding of human nature and the roots of illness, well-being and spiritual growth.
Though I decided long ago that my learning is life-long, and I continue to attend classes and learn new things, I have enough to work on for the rest of my life from what I learned from studying Kung fu and Chi Kung alone (and this is on-going)! It is through this art that I have learned the valuable lesson of depth ... through depth and inner work we can discover/uncover many wondrous things!
Prior to starting my studies in Kung fu, I did Yoga. I continue to do Yoga and have integrated it into my practices. Many people are aware that the roots of Kung fu lie in yogic influence, so there are many yogic practices in the Kung fu which are obviously influenced by those lines ... check out the history of Kung fu.
There are many styles of Kung fu. We teach Five Animal (tiger, crane, leopard, snake and dragon) Five Element (earth, air, wood, water and fire) style. Our focus includes the external and the internal aspects of the art, as we were taught. It is a southern style art which includes a focus on deeper stances developed over time. Though it is a spiritual and healing art, it also has practical combat applications which were used in times of war, originally, as self-protective measures in difficult political climates.
What we have to offer at Souhl Center is a spiritual path of study and work which uses the physical body as a tool for spiritual practice - similar to the teachings of Yoga, Tai Chi etc. Chi Kung is the soul of Kung fu, and our teacher taught the two together - often saying that without the Chi Kung, the Kung fu would simply be empty form. Though often embarked on for the spiritual teachings and journey, the side benefits of consistent practice over time, by the way, are greater levels of health, fitness and energy to do the things you love to do as you express your wondrous being in this world! More Chi please!
My teacher was taught traditionally by monks. The story is that the monks left a politically difficult climate ... left their country, later wishing to transmit their teachings; therefore, training others. Apparently, my teacher was taught privately with a small group of practitioners. He told me that we were learning a traditional art and that it is a spiritual path.
He was trained in the art of the warrior, the healer and the monk. These aspects of the training are integrated into the whole art ... though we may find ourselves studying one or more of these aspects in more concentrated focus at various times along our path. I trained for many years for hours a day under his guidance - intensely and with much devotion and love for the art. I can truly say with all my heart that this is my path with heart which I walk along the road of spiritual enlightenment - a development and growth of never-ending learning. I am so very grateful for these teachings.
I have trained with other teachers for a number of years ... expanding my horizons and being exposed to other methods, personalities and paths of spiritual study. This has enabled me to be open-minded and aware of the various ways in which people walk in order to connect with Spirit and the essence of who they really are. Having experienced and studied different healing methods and paths has taught me the common ground/tools of healing and spiritual Work ... I was a seeker of ancient knowledge leading to understanding of human nature and the roots of illness, well-being and spiritual growth.
Though I decided long ago that my learning is life-long, and I continue to attend classes and learn new things, I have enough to work on for the rest of my life from what I learned from studying Kung fu and Chi Kung alone (and this is on-going)! It is through this art that I have learned the valuable lesson of depth ... through depth and inner work we can discover/uncover many wondrous things!
Prior to starting my studies in Kung fu, I did Yoga. I continue to do Yoga and have integrated it into my practices. Many people are aware that the roots of Kung fu lie in yogic influence, so there are many yogic practices in the Kung fu which are obviously influenced by those lines ... check out the history of Kung fu.
There are many styles of Kung fu. We teach Five Animal (tiger, crane, leopard, snake and dragon) Five Element (earth, air, wood, water and fire) style. Our focus includes the external and the internal aspects of the art, as we were taught. It is a southern style art which includes a focus on deeper stances developed over time. Though it is a spiritual and healing art, it also has practical combat applications which were used in times of war, originally, as self-protective measures in difficult political climates.
What we have to offer at Souhl Center is a spiritual path of study and work which uses the physical body as a tool for spiritual practice - similar to the teachings of Yoga, Tai Chi etc. Chi Kung is the soul of Kung fu, and our teacher taught the two together - often saying that without the Chi Kung, the Kung fu would simply be empty form. Though often embarked on for the spiritual teachings and journey, the side benefits of consistent practice over time, by the way, are greater levels of health, fitness and energy to do the things you love to do as you express your wondrous being in this world! More Chi please!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Energy Gain or Loss
When we go about our day, we are impacted by a variety of things. The most important being the quality of the air we breathe ... and how we are breathing in each moment. Another important element involves everything we put into our body: food, drink and the more subtle effects of things we can absorb through our skin etc. The final, and often least considered by some, are the various and continuous impressions we receive.
This last category of impressions involves the following: the impressions we receive from our own thoughts, words and actions; the thoughts words and actions of all people we encounter; the things we place our attention on all day long and the invisible (generally speaking), impressions in and around us at all times.
All of the above equates, ultimately and on the simplest of terms, to the energy we will either gain or lose through the interaction of us and the impression. We can learn to efficiently gather and conserve (store) energy vs. leaking and losing it. We will experience this as a result of the various practices we do, and in life every day.
Observe when you have an emotional high or low. Track your energy level regularly .... inside and around you. Ask yourself: How have I been breathing and what quality of air? How have I been eating and drinking and what has been the quality of that? What sort of impressions have I been around and/or entertained inside and around me for the last little while? So many things can be listed here; for example, the music you listen to, images you look at, things you watch on TV or otherwise, books you read ... interactions with others ... and on and on.
An extreme example, here, is the fact that people who simply witness a violent or traumatic event can experience severe symptoms of stress .... physically, emotionally and mentally - even to the point of requiring treatment even though they were not directly involved. In most cases, we do not experience this dramatic example; however, our energy is impacted continuously and we can develop the sensitivity to feeling this in even the simplest of daily impressions.
Learn to tell the difference between hysterical, driven, hyper, imbalanced highs and the highs which are the result of an energetic gain within the system as a result of Work. The artificial high, which often indicates addiction or artificial stimulation, will be followed by a predictable crash .... somewhat similar to what people will notice who observe themselves on sugar, certain foods, alcohol, caffeine or an emotional high. These artificial boosts of energy impact the organs and create imbalances - depending on the amount taken and the degree of the emotion. The low will usually come shortly after the high.
Learning to tell the difference can be tricky until you learn this yourself and experience it ... then when you know yourself well enough you can observe/feel this difference in others. One has to be cautious of judging others who have a high level of energy - to the untrained eye it may appear they are hyper etc, but they are simply full of vitality and energy ... outwardly it may look the same in some circumstances. They have the ability to be quite still inside and out for long periods and also the ability to move about dynamically due to their high level of energy.
One point to remember: As a result of doing some practices - especially when you push yourself and are growing, you may encounter periods of low ... this is not the same as the artificial low which comes after the artificial high. Emotional issues may surface, or you may feel tired for a while. All of this is to be expected at times. Emotionally, things surface in order to come to the light to be transformed; avoid distracting yourself from this ... go into it, see it for what it is without reacting ... bring light to it and know it ... see it ... accept it and let it go. If necessary, and you require assistance at this time, take a counsel session(s) for additional insight and guidance ... work through it and transformation will occur. As for the feelings of being tired, we develop wisdom and communication with the body through practice and time .... we learn when to push forward anyway and when to lighten up but keep moving. We come to see that this is a part of the later energy gain.
We learn, as we Work, to conserve and store energy in order to use it for our Work. It becomes like a feedback loop.... Work, gain and store energy ... use it to do more Work ... to gain and store more energy. Getting to higher levels of the Work is not possible without having higher levels of energy and health to work with!!! If we are losing energy on many of the other ways I have mentioned, we have very little left for the real Work. We will only be able to Work with what we have available.
This is why we study ourselves and our uses of energy. We eventually learn to master ourselves ... first by knowing ourselves well enough to determine WHAT IS THIS ENERGY HIGH OR LOW REALLY ABOUT in our daily life. Then with eventual mastery of ourselves, the choices we make and the lifestyle we lead reflects that we truly know how energy works. In this way, we learn to track our energy and manage it very quickly without spiralling down into significant loss of energy and eventual illness. We are so fortunate to be given so many wonderful tools which can assist us in being ... living our potential ... ultimately it is about being able to realize this for the truth it is ... and then to do it.
This last category of impressions involves the following: the impressions we receive from our own thoughts, words and actions; the thoughts words and actions of all people we encounter; the things we place our attention on all day long and the invisible (generally speaking), impressions in and around us at all times.
All of the above equates, ultimately and on the simplest of terms, to the energy we will either gain or lose through the interaction of us and the impression. We can learn to efficiently gather and conserve (store) energy vs. leaking and losing it. We will experience this as a result of the various practices we do, and in life every day.
Observe when you have an emotional high or low. Track your energy level regularly .... inside and around you. Ask yourself: How have I been breathing and what quality of air? How have I been eating and drinking and what has been the quality of that? What sort of impressions have I been around and/or entertained inside and around me for the last little while? So many things can be listed here; for example, the music you listen to, images you look at, things you watch on TV or otherwise, books you read ... interactions with others ... and on and on.
An extreme example, here, is the fact that people who simply witness a violent or traumatic event can experience severe symptoms of stress .... physically, emotionally and mentally - even to the point of requiring treatment even though they were not directly involved. In most cases, we do not experience this dramatic example; however, our energy is impacted continuously and we can develop the sensitivity to feeling this in even the simplest of daily impressions.
Learn to tell the difference between hysterical, driven, hyper, imbalanced highs and the highs which are the result of an energetic gain within the system as a result of Work. The artificial high, which often indicates addiction or artificial stimulation, will be followed by a predictable crash .... somewhat similar to what people will notice who observe themselves on sugar, certain foods, alcohol, caffeine or an emotional high. These artificial boosts of energy impact the organs and create imbalances - depending on the amount taken and the degree of the emotion. The low will usually come shortly after the high.
Learning to tell the difference can be tricky until you learn this yourself and experience it ... then when you know yourself well enough you can observe/feel this difference in others. One has to be cautious of judging others who have a high level of energy - to the untrained eye it may appear they are hyper etc, but they are simply full of vitality and energy ... outwardly it may look the same in some circumstances. They have the ability to be quite still inside and out for long periods and also the ability to move about dynamically due to their high level of energy.
One point to remember: As a result of doing some practices - especially when you push yourself and are growing, you may encounter periods of low ... this is not the same as the artificial low which comes after the artificial high. Emotional issues may surface, or you may feel tired for a while. All of this is to be expected at times. Emotionally, things surface in order to come to the light to be transformed; avoid distracting yourself from this ... go into it, see it for what it is without reacting ... bring light to it and know it ... see it ... accept it and let it go. If necessary, and you require assistance at this time, take a counsel session(s) for additional insight and guidance ... work through it and transformation will occur. As for the feelings of being tired, we develop wisdom and communication with the body through practice and time .... we learn when to push forward anyway and when to lighten up but keep moving. We come to see that this is a part of the later energy gain.
We learn, as we Work, to conserve and store energy in order to use it for our Work. It becomes like a feedback loop.... Work, gain and store energy ... use it to do more Work ... to gain and store more energy. Getting to higher levels of the Work is not possible without having higher levels of energy and health to work with!!! If we are losing energy on many of the other ways I have mentioned, we have very little left for the real Work. We will only be able to Work with what we have available.
This is why we study ourselves and our uses of energy. We eventually learn to master ourselves ... first by knowing ourselves well enough to determine WHAT IS THIS ENERGY HIGH OR LOW REALLY ABOUT in our daily life. Then with eventual mastery of ourselves, the choices we make and the lifestyle we lead reflects that we truly know how energy works. In this way, we learn to track our energy and manage it very quickly without spiralling down into significant loss of energy and eventual illness. We are so fortunate to be given so many wonderful tools which can assist us in being ... living our potential ... ultimately it is about being able to realize this for the truth it is ... and then to do it.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Awaken more deeply in every day
Some students find it challenging to remain present during movements in a formal session. Thoughts about dinner, the neighbor, family or other challenges we face in our day come rushing forward as we are working to remain present with our movement, energies flowing inside, breath and the moment. So how are we once we leave the dojo/sacred space? Most people, when they honestly observe themselves, come to realize quite quickly that remaining present and aware inside and out in the moment is not as easy as they thought. Observing ourselves in this way is very revealing.
We can come to know our thought patterns, speech patterns and ways of moving and acting in the world and inside of ourselves. All these things contribute to our perception of reality and creation of our world - inner and outer. All these keep us from seeing, feeling, and hearing more of God's (Great Spirit, Tao, Universal Energy) Energy inside and all around us. Once this door is open, we realize that we really saw, smelled, felt and heard very little before.
Observing our movements in a formal class can assist us in finding areas in our form where energies are not flowing, where our awareness is lacking, where tensions and stresses are stored and so on. So many of us are quite disconnected from the wisdom of the body which is always wanting to whisper its secrets to us ... it will tell us immediately all sorts of things about our present reality and experience in the moment. The body will tell us about the energies we encounter and how we are handling the experience of these energies. The body will even tell us where it is safe and where it is not. Working formally with the body in specific ways, we can release the past energies which are stuck and then become solidified ... utilizing all the tools we learn, we free our selves over time, with work. Working to awaken ourselves and unite all aspects of our being in turn awakens abilities we consider extraordinary.
How much work and for how long? ... students will ask about their healing process ... and the road to enlightenment .... once again, we are not, in reality, a boxed in organism like some organizations treat us with their rigid systems ... we are truly unique and so this answer depends on the path you currently walk ... and mostly on you. All of us require the freedom to grow and utilize tools according to our level of being.
Awaken more deeply in every day. Application, consistently, over time, of the tools we learn will assist us in this. Keep these pitfalls listed below in mind, and rather than quickly say that you do not do these things, simply be interested in observing yourself the way you are ...when you catch a moment where one of these arises within you, simply be aware of it without labelling or judging yourself ... breathe, and consciously shift your attention to something in the moment worth your energy.
Pitfalls: gossip, judgment (of all these things, it applies to yourself too ... judging your self, gossip of self etc.), comparison, labelling, criticism, unconscious daydreaming, rehearsing negative scenarios and experiences which happened and which you find unpleasant and unresolved, outward expressions of sarcasm (sarcastic humour is tricky ... is often used as a way to take stabs unconsciously at people and then we laugh and write it off as humour)etc. These are some traps which keep us in a negative focus.
Another key is to observe yourself without judgment around others ... notice your energies inside, your thoughts, your emotions rising ... your body movements .. these observations will tell you much about yourself and the way you deal with the energies of others. It is a rich ground for soul development. The key here is to develop enough awareness to be able to reflect on these things. As a teacher and counsellor for many years, I have observed the ways in which we hold the truth back from ourselves, and it is sad, really, because it traps us from seeing reality, moving forward and freeing up more of the Universal Energy to flow within us ... providing greater levels of health and ability. This work, is once again very individual and so we are where we are and will only see what we are willing and able to see now.
We will encounter moments when unknown (unconscious to us) aspects of our selves come forward as a result of doing our work ... we may then be confronted with a mirror ... depending on the level we are at when we receive such a clear instance of our unconscious and perhaps unhealthy patterns, this can be very challenging. It is our ability to face these moments and see something .... no matter how hard it may be .... which determines our ability to then transform it. This is one meaning of the light coming into the darkness within ... the space remains dark as long as we do not see and transform it. Then, on a literal level, when we are freer inside and all around our form, it translates into the quality of light which we are.
Awaken more deeply in every day. Find out, through honest self-reflection the tricky ways you have learned to keep the inner truth from yourself. Learn to love your Work. Love and accept yourself exactly as you are without justifying why or how you must remain as you are. Allow yourself to expand and grow spiritually. Learn to love truth and to see yourself the way you really are. Be happy when you uncover another layer to work on ... no matter how difficult you may imagine it to be. Know that this frees you and that you are divine - you can transform anything.
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