Working Together We Can Envision Peace

Karmic Balance

2012-02-09T09:43:00.001-08:00

Life isn't black and white, but subtle shades of gray. We are not either or, but all that exists on this planet. We have each lived hundreds of lives, and during these experiences, our sole mission is to experience the different possibilities and in so doing, create karmic balance. If not for yourself, then for others as the a grand play unfolds within our designated roles. On a day you make a choice perceived as wrong, understand that it was a choice for the learning and move on. Life isn't always meant to be perfect but in perfect balance with the whole of life, the dark and the light. Play out your roles in peace. ♥ Sar

The Symphony of the Universe

2012-02-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

You are part of a great symphony created by the heavens. Every cord, each note designed by a grand collaboration of your true self and the Universe to manifest a concerto so sweet, angels weep with delight and joy...Play the music of your heart! ♥ Sar

Biology of Making Money

2012-01-24T09:23:00.000-08:00

Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. More evidence on how our thoughts affect our state of life--This time from a cellar biologist…his focus is usually on physical health, but he also shows how our thoughts (much like the Law of Attraction) affects everything we do and get in life, including and especially our bank accounts!

Be the Love~Be the Peace

2012-01-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

"Each of us is a seed that was planted within our world's current vibration...As we create feelings of peace, we resonate an energy that helps to end wars. As we love we make it easier for others, both those whom we meet and those who will never know of us, to love. Who we are is therefore far more meaningful than anything we may ever do." ~Robert Schwartz

Be the love, be the peace, everything else is irrelevant! Sar

Intend to Remember Good

2012-01-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

Everyday your golden light fills me with your presence in words, actions, and peaceful exchanges. Find the joy in those moments. Life is enriched by remembering the times of your life, the simple times. What will you remember? If the joy of the moments are not immediately present in your memory, search a bit, sometimes those moments surface when you least expect them. Intend to remember the good times. ♥ Sar

Happy Holidays

2011-12-19T19:00:00.000-08:00

Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.”~ Robert Fulghum

Warm wishes for a peaceful, warm and wonderful holiday season!

☆¨¯`♥❥❥¸¸¸¸.☆¨¯`♥❥~Shirley Ryan

Honor the Past

2011-12-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

Honor the past, where you were and how you evolved today. We are peeling our onion the best way we know how, juggling, straddling the spiritual fence between light and darkness, physical and nonphysical or local and non-local. Be good to yourself Golden Child of the Universe, the Universe sees your beautiful self! ♥ Sar

Success are within the Little Things of Life

2011-12-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Stage of Life

2011-12-13T10:14:00.000-08:00

Dance on the stage of life! Live life drawing as many people as possible to you. This will add to your cadre of emotions and offer many opportunities to feel, experience, and explore Self. Something that cannot be done in the Spirit World. All feelings bring you closer to your true Self. ♥ Sar

The Power of the Soul Driven Journey

2011-12-08T18:01:00.001-08:00

Another year is ending, the holidays are over and as we move on each year, the cycle repeats itself. We now make way for the coming year, transmitting the customs and beliefs to each generation in grand tradition. Traditions hold special value, as they are the glue that holds families and societies together. This allows us to have something that feels stable and reassuring through the multitude of changes assaulting our systems throughout the year. One of the unofficial customs that comes about this time of year is to assess where we are and where we are going. You know, the time for determining how we did last year with our resolutions, the inevitable time of year for goal setting!

During this time we judge and weigh what we did last year as well as what we will accomplish this year. Sometimes we hit it right and start the year with, “Wow, what a great year.” Then kick it out by saying, now next year I am going to do it twice as good! Mostly, we will judge ourselves too harshly, because we didn’t do some tremendous feat or goal that seemed terribly important to us. Perhaps we don’t try at all, because we have failed too many times to attempt another trial by fire.

The truth is we are mostly too harsh on ourselves, but not for the reasons that you think. True success is not measured in things, not money, not accomplishments, not even goals, but in flow. Have you ever had a day were everything felt completely harmonious? Where the friends and relatives that you share the planet with are drama free? Where you hold a space of love in your life, empowering you further? Where the life you lead is enough in and of itself? Let me offer this, that success is created when the flow of the Universe runs through your life in perfect union. When you see all the aspects of your life in balance and you say yes to your good, whatever that is for you, without judgment. The world looks good through your eyes and a sense that there is "enough" to make you feel that life is fulfilling. Where even negative things calls your attention to, “What can I learn from this happening?”

When we get to this level of operating, it frees us to do our work on this plane, whatever that is for us, in peace and harmony. Goal setting hurts us when it is intense and inflexible. However, goals help us be more direct in our actions and allow us to enhance who we are and where we are going. So having a goal in mind is a good thing, but as we select and manage them, keep this in mind. We are all on an evolutionary journey and if we concentrate on the steps along the way (the goals), we lose sight of the synchronicities of the journey, which illuminates our life and gives the goals power. The power of a soul driven journey is that it brings us the true meaning of life, joy in living, peace and harmony and above all, a love filled life. The energy of love may come to us in different forms, a great job, one special person or a community of supportive people or humanity itself. Love always energizes and empowers our goals. If we lose focus on our foundational values, for the practical goals of living, we will never have access to the many wonderful things that go with the journey, self-actualization and enlightenment. So when you craft your goals, keep the true meaning and spirit of the holidays in mind all year. Live each day in wonder and allow spirit to guide your way.

Scientist Photographed Soul Leaving Body at Death

2011-12-02T09:54:00.001-08:00

I have been following some of this incredible research over the years. I am very excited about it. Russia has always been a forerunner of this work. My first experience was 1957ish on the Art Linkletter show, they showed early examples of Kirlian Photography with phantom leaves. This process is presented in my training programs, beginning with work with your own energy systems and chakras, moving through other energy patterns, culminating with a full spiritual development. You can talk with me at Working Together ♥ Shirley Ryan

The Measure of Success

2011-12-01T08:56:00.001-08:00

True success is not measured in things, but in flow. Success is created when the flow of the Universe runs through your life in perfect union. When you see all the aspects of your life in balance and you say yes to your good, whatever that is for you. The world looks good through your eyes and a sense that there is "enough" to make you feel that life is fulfilling. This frees you to do your work on this plane, whatever that is for you. Love, Shirley

Harmonic Syncopation

2011-11-29T08:52:00.001-08:00

All of the world is your stage to play out the moments of your life. Learn from each moment and feel the thrust of blessed energy received when a new revelation bursts forth in an epiphany of light and love. Use this understanding in peace and joy.

Obstacles become bridges to new understanding, when seen through this lens the world opens up for you. Everything in the world has worth in beauty, when seen through the lens of the right perspective. Experience life through the lens of possibilities. Wise are those who find a balance in life that hums with harmonic syncopation. Love, Shirley

Traditions Nourish the Soul

2011-11-25T09:13:00.001-08:00

I just love this time of year! A time rich in traditions of all kinds, laced with holiday frenzy and cheer, shopping, good friends, great food and family. A time of family and personal reflection, and one of the wonderful first memories, I had during the holidays. When I was 3 years old, I would sit on my grandfather's knee and try to express my love for him. I would say, Poppy, I love you this big, and stretch my hands out as far as I could reach and he would respond with sweet nothings. Then one day I was inspired by the tropical, star-studded night. Poppy I said, I love you as high as the sky and, and, and to the moon. He smiled and hugged me. Well, it is easy to love the grandfathers of the world, now isn’t it? Much more difficult to unlearn those things that keep us from extending the energy of love to all we meet. We have so many gauges on how love works, but love just wants to exist!

Happily, the holidays make it easier to relax past our differences, to reflect on where we have been, who we are, and where we are going. Honoring these traditions can open doors to awareness. This is the time to enjoy a life that we have worked hard to build, chosen to live and to be with people that mean the most to us. As we become enveloped in the rituals that sooth and nourish us, it also can prove stressful. Being with loved ones also means remembering the history of our lives, working through encounters and owning our feelings.

Balancing our own emotions and staying centered is a challenge, with the barrage of doomsday diatribes all around us, in the form of war, poverty, politics, crime and mayhem. Especially this year, as the ascension approaches. You know, the time the Mayans say that the world will be forever changed. Now, understand, they didn’t say descend, they said ascend. I have said and will continue to say, not only are we fine, but that we are doing exactly what we should be doing to prepare for the eventual move to a worldwide evolution in human and spiritual development, to raise the vibrational level of the planet. We are on the forefront of a great awakening, a leap for humanity to a spiritual and personal evolution like no other.

What have we been doing over the past 30 years that leads me to this perspective on life? How can I make a sweeping statement like this? Let's take a moment to reflect on the past from a different perspective. Now I want to clarify that there probably will not be a utopian planet called earth any time soon, however, we can give ourselves some due credit.

As we look at where we have been, where we are now as a planet, it is a simple progression to view a different world evolving in our line of sight. I want to point out that 30 years ago there were no books on love, according to late Leo Buscalia, Ph.D., former psychology professor at UCLA. The fact that today, books on love, spirituality and peace are a booming business, demonstrates that we are indeed evolving as a civilization. Today people are more inclined to think outside the spiritual box, love is alive, and it can and will flourish. I feel inspired by this, because those who look within open to the changes that lead to this shift, an awakening of consciousness. Would you say that this thinking, is viewing the world through rose-colored glasses? Maybe, but this is not a bad way to view the world.
Actually, medical people say that those who walk around with rose--colored glasses, live longer, healthier, happier lives. Does that mean that people should disregard their feelings? Not at all, feelings are signposts; they are important indicators that we need to pay attention. So we feel the feelings, reframe the thoughts behind them and/or take action, whichever fits the situation best.

Indeed, there have been many markers, but one had a dramatic impact on me. I picked up the comics recently after many years of absence. There before me I was amused by the familiar and mesmerized by an unusual dotting of a new, different type of comic panels. There in glorious ink colored panels were 3 comics that caught my eye immediately. They had spiritual, soul-filled themes and the words spiritual and soul was actually printed! When topics such as these come into vogue, we have arrived, so give each other due credit. Let the holiday spirit nourish you and fill you with the light of love. Preserve the spirit of traditions flowing through you throughout the year. If you don’t have family, make some!

Happy Holidays everyone.
Love, Shirley

Open to the Possibilities

2011-11-22T08:41:00.001-08:00

True balance spiritually is not living in a perfect world (we come from there) or living at our highest spiritual level, our core Self. Spiritual balance is trusting ourselves to be temporarily out of balance, living in community with all of its foibles that make humanity both irritating and wonderful. Getting along, getting to love, getting deeply into each other and coming out the other side in peace.
We're not just striving to become, easily done in a moment of grace. We are in constant motion, striving to hold, while integrating...to be more. Day-to-day, striving to elevate, while honoring all parts of Self, which make up your humanity. Open to the possibilities. ♥ Sar

Spiritual Balance

2011-11-22T08:31:00.001-08:00

True balance spiritually is not living in a perfect world (we come from there) or living at our highest spiritual level, our core Self. Spiritual balance is trusting ourselves to be temporarily out of balance, living in community with all of its foibles that make humanity both irritating and wonderful. Thereby, getting along, getting into love, getting deeply into each other and coming out the other side in peace. Start the holidays off in joy, be the peace.

We're not just striving to become, easily done in a moment of grace. We are in constant motion, striving to hold, while integrating...to be more. Day-to-day, striving to elevate, while honoring all parts of Self, which make up your humanity. Open to the possibilities. ♥ Sar

You are the Light

2011-11-19T11:11:00.001-08:00

You are the highlight and emphasis of the Universe, filled with Divine Love! Light of the Universe, let your love shine through in perfect understanding. For as I witness the light in you I become more, but as you witness the light in us our combined resources expands exponentially. As we combine exponentially with each other our energy reaches outward and we are ONE with all...Under the light of the Universe, all things are possible. See through these lenses for a day filled with joy. Beauty and joy is your birthright. Love, Shirley

Love

2011-11-18T08:54:00.001-08:00

Love's imaginative light offers a creative vehicle to illuminate your thoughts and express yourself. Use your light energy to deepen and clarify the mystery of spirit, while opening up a channel that is uniquely yours. Give of yourself.

Compassionately Care for Self

2011-11-14T10:55:00.001-08:00

You are the highlight and emphasis of the Universe, filled with Divine Love! Make an appointment to do the thing you need or want to do for you, its a way to show yourself that you care and love yourself, a first and necessary component to loving others. Loving yourself is a greater achievement than loving others, not narcissistic, bu true love, self-respect, inner joy, compassionate caring for others, etc. When these characteristics are present in you, you can give these qualities to others without thought.

Gratitude for the Moments

2011-11-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

The links to your loved ones glow like so much jewelry extended out from you, your existence. Your eyes sparkle with love as you see them for their higher soul, filling your life with constant beauty. Feel the gratitude of the moment for their connection to you! Love, Sar

Golden Child of the Universe

2011-11-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

I find the love within you even without knowing you. I see you through the haze of images and reach back in time to your 7 years old self. In my minds eye, you are a hopeful, shinning light-filled representation of your core self. Your gift to the world radiates to me in waves of inspiration. You are everything I hoped for, a bright, earnest, loving, caring soul...a golden child of the Universe. Feel the joy, the light burns bright in you! The key to your life rests within... Love, Sar

Where Our True Home Lay

2011-10-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

Beyond the adventure of meditation there grows a profound spiritual insight that is created as we experience how our lives have unfolded over many life times, to beyond the veil, and to the Spirit World itself. There is where one finds the deep sense of peace and knowing that this is where our true home lies, the utter magic of experiencing a cosmic understanding of profound proportions.  Sar

Sacred Journey, 2012 and Beyond

2011-10-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Follow Catherine on a journey of a life time, an extraordinary vision quest leading to self-actualization, romance and her full spiritual destiny. This transformational journey will inspire, enlighten and heighten the senses, leading to the unknown and unknowable. Her search takes her on a trek that bridges time travel, Mayan culture, past lives, orbs, spiritual guides, and soul mates. This visionary fiction follows her quest to find the meaning of ancient symbols on a bracelet, given to her on her 13th birthday by her uncle. "This is not just a bracelet Catherine; it leads to a message that holds magical powers to guide you towards hope, peace and enlightenment." He said, "The gift is for you, but the message will change the planet as we know it and heal a great hole in the fabric of our society. Changes of great magnitude will be born, within the people of the planet, and the way we live with the earth," he added prophetically. After many years of waiting for the message promised so long ago, Catherine, led to the jungles of Belize, is in pursuit of the answers to questions she was sure would bring a spiritual epiphany. There she found only a deepening of the mystery and an amazing part of her open to awareness. Driven with a need to know, she pursues knowledge that would take her to the next level of awareness.

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Shirley Ryan, a spiritual counselor, author and artist, visit me at www.aboutworkingtogether.com for more information on my services and to read my more than 40 articles for free. My two other books can also be found on this site: Searching for the Waters of Antiquity and Mandala, Dance of light. Sacred Journey is my first fiction: This inspirational fiction, just out on Kindle and iPad, purchase at

http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Journey-2012-Beyond-ebook/dp/B005209DD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310498066&sr=8-1

The Power of Your Holiness

2011-10-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Holiness is an obsolete term, in that we are all holy in the presence of the Universe. When we step over the threshold of the door to infinity, we become One with our own true legacy. We are the incomplete elements of Source, made whole within Its Light, thus holy. Holiness is our birthright as we enter the physical world and our legacy at the end of our journey. As we move along our path, it is good to stop and honor this part of who we are, to bow in awareness for our many gifts in this life. Feel the beauty of all that you are, pulsing through you, reaching a crescendo that fires the imagination. Let your power out to do good things for yourself and others. Live your energy in ways that creates a peace of knowing that you are living to your highest Self. The power to create movement in your life is within you, never forget this gift that is your heritage.

Love is Not Wasted on Us

2011-09-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

There is so much confusion regarding what love is and how it should be expressed. There are even notions of levels of love, you know, conditional and unconditional love. The whole notion of a loving family, our children and friends is a given, we need not think much about that; it is simply a part of our humanity. Although, there is thinking around the family unit that might be unpopular, but I’ll save that for another talk. That said, when we begin to discuss that which surrounds us, another important dialogue evolves. I remember many years ago, a dear older friend talking with me as a teenager. She said, “we don’t love things, (houses, jewelry, clothes), only people.” We “like” our things. Then looking reflectively, she recanted unapologetically with a twinkle in her eye, “Well, maybe I do love my things after all.”

My thinking today is that nothing is wasted in loving, whatever the love stems from, and it is the underlying energy that we must look at. How healthy is our love? We know it is a healthy kind of love, because this loving brings out the best in us, rather than the worst in us. Therefore, if we love money and it brings out the greed in us, perhaps rethink that love, as it leads to hunger and an additive need for more. However, if we love money, and it makes our life beautiful and full of peace, then this love brings the best out in us. We are said to love our lifestyle, not the underlying generator of that lifestyle.

We love our gardens, full of color, texture, and beautiful life-giving energy. Then there are those little entities, those little souls that we bring into our lives just to fill us with unconditional love. That would be as some people call them, our pets. I’ll call them pets only to be more universal and to cover all beloved companions from the animal world. Pet lovers know the truth; these little guys are part of our family, an extension of Divine intention to allow another channel of love to flow into our lives.

Whatever brings out that flow of love is certainly Divine, because it makes us more. We enjoyed many love-generating souls and no matter how old they grew, we called them puppy and kitty loves.
Our little Zoe was one of our puppy loves, who made us more, more of everything: funnier, lighter, filled with joy and peace. She was the energy of Divine passion, always giving, always loving, and always waiting for us to come home.

Our little Zoe, a 10 year old Yorkie, passed through the veil, back to her real home a week ago, and, although we will see her again sometime, we miss her dearly. Our lives have its own kind of beauty without her, but she filled our life with a delightful sense of pleasure that only a pet lover would understand. She was a ball playing engine, right to the end! Even though, in the entire 5 years we had her, (she was sick with 2 kinds of opposing diseases that made her always feel bad), she still did her best to play, love, and be with us. She made us smile and reminded us daily of the meaning of love and the meaning of joy.

If you would have asked us the night she passed if we would adopt another pet, we would have said, “no more, it’s is too hard to let go.” Fast forward one week later and already we know that when the right time comes, Divine guidance will bring the right puppy to us with this challenge: ready to say hello, love, and let go again? We know what we will say, “you bet!” We are up for the challenge that this learning will bring. Her love was not wasted on us.

The Human Mind

2011-09-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

There is no evil or hell, only what the ego mind fabricates and the ego mind does. Therefore, use your ego mind well. A computer mind operates, garbage in, garbage out...as does the human mind, put beautiful things into your mind to elevate your physical Self and your soul will benefit too.

A Treasure of the Universe

2011-09-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

You are the delight and treasure of the Universe living out a destiny designed by you, for you, in a life meant to enhance the whole. Reach deep into yourself, past the amnesia of this world to see the beauty of your life, played out in perfect, ancient, syncopated harmony. Live this life in-joy. ♥ Sar

Golden Seeds of the Universe

2011-09-17T09:34:00.001-07:00

All creatures belonging within the world of Source are golden seeds of love from the Universe, special in their own right. What we do for the least of those within the Universe, affects us and the whole. We are all integrated in a web of light and love. Our actions allow us to step closer to the center of this light, increasing our Self and the whole.

Quantum Sphere of Influence

2011-09-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

“...everything consists of information and energy. This is the quantum sphere of influence. Nothing at this level is touchable or perceived by any of the five senses. Everything that makes up you, your mind, thoughts, ego, are all part of this next sphere of influence. These things are not solid, and yet you know these parts of you are real.” from Sacred Journey, 2012 and Beyond, ♥ Sar

Law of Attraction

2011-09-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

DI: I think Obama’s Job Action Plan was a flop…I'm sick of him and you are wrong to back him.

Sar: How do you know that this is true?

DI: Because everything in there has already been tried, and the tax cuts are going to be taxed in a different way to the people.

Sar: Then it is different not the same, since it is “taxed in a different way”! EG. If you make a cake and it doesn’t bake right, it flops, it doesn’t mean the recipe is bad, (that the ingredients are bad) it can mean that that didn’t mix correctly. When baking a cake, there is a reason that you sift the flour, or put the dry ingredients together and the wet ingredients together and then at the precise time, incorporated the two together. Therefore, if you mixed all of the ingredients together in a way that clumped the batter it made the cake flop. Maybe the nuts were left hole, instead of crushing them. There are a myriad of reasons that would make a good recipe for cake go wrong that has nothing to do with the ingredients.

All of that said you are right; it will fail for one simple reason. If it has been proposed, but not allowed to manifest itself, then it will fail because everyone “thinks it will fails.” This is the Law of Attraction played out on a global scale—what you send out you get back. That is what I keep stating over and over again. You and everyone else make something work or not work, personally or globally.

An Interesting Message from the Universe

2011-09-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

I finished my book, Sacred Journey, 2012 and Beyond in 2009 after months of a series of compelling dreams, and 3 a.m. awakenings pushing me to write. I was filled with this unusual drive to write and then once it was written, I seemed to have little interest in getting it out there. My husband kept doing a count down, “you know the time is going to pass and your book won’t be out there,” he would say. I would smile and say, I haven’t gotten word to do this yet, so I let it lay.

Then there was another shift and I felt compelled to have it edited and to have it on Amazon. Nothing more came to me and my husband asked why I wasn’t ecstatic and pushing to sell it. I don’t know I would say, just doesn’t feel right yet. Anyway, it isn’t for everyone, it is really geared for those who want an inspirational look at the themes of the coming human evolution in a fairly light hearted way, a way that would embrace the totality of the ascension.

Anyway, the big move from Petaluma to Sacramento took over my life and I have been incredible busy ever since. My new house is a joy and Sacramento was better than I imagined. I plodded along, creating, inventing, working with clients and enjoying my garden. One day I noticed that everything that I planted in one part of my garden died. I tried 3 groupings of plants, 3 times with no success. It seems there was a drainage problem that drowned the plants, so I decided to put a water feature there instead of plants.

This was better than plants, because it made me want to stay close to it, watching the fish dart around. On one special evening, I was staring down at the little water feature and it occurred to me that the child-like hand prints embedded in the cement had names by them. As I tried to read them upside down, I got an instant recognition: Elias and Maya were the names of the children that were etched in the wet cement on 11/19/05. Uncommon names, Elias is a prominent character in my book and so is Maya! Now I was intrigued, what a synchronistic event this was playing out to be.

The Universe was speaking to me again, in an unusual way, a synchronistic way. I was listening for sure, giving my undivided attention to this new message coming through and I can hardly wait to see what comes of it. Sar

Happiness & Empowerment

2011-09-02T13:34:00.001-07:00

Happiness is a decision to see life in ways that support you. Having clarity about who you are and what you want (and why you want it), empowers you to consciously and actively make those wants a reality. See the whole article at my website Working Together, where you will find free tips on various subjects facing inner peace.

Love Opens the Door to the Real You!

2011-09-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

One thing that might be unexpected...you "can" take love with you to the other side. Love opens doors to you that you thought were always closed. Through the eyes of love we see life as an illusion, even though we understand and see life with far more clarity, in that we know that all things are possible. Love's imaginative light offers a creative vehicle to illuminate your thoughts and express yourself in remarkable ways. Use your light energy to deepen and clarify the mystery of spirit, while opening up a channel that is uniquely yours. Give of yourself. Live life in love, and “see” the real you. <3 Sar

Living Your Truth

2011-08-31T08:43:00.001-07:00

When the life you live is changing and you are unsure of where you are going, trust that you will be safe in this new world. As the world that you know shifts to accommodate your higher consciousness, trust the direction that you have created for yourself. In choosing, you have made a commitment, allow yourself to grieve the old world and celebrate what comes next. Live the life that you have chosen in joy, for this was your dream. Let no dream be wasted on the past, this only taints the present. Learn from where you have been and move on to your heart’s desire. <3 Sar

Purposeful Living

2011-08-30T09:15:00.001-07:00

Purposeful living is different for everyone, but one thing is consistent across lives...finding the joy of a loving, inner existence. Finding the truth as you experience it, might provide a new philosophy to live your life by, but it always holds the seeds of your early learning. This continuity allows you the peace to live in a light filled world of joy. When the day comes that you have arrived, rejoice in knowing that there was never a day that you hadn't arrived. <3 Sar

A Life Lived in Freedom

2011-08-29T08:23:00.001-07:00

Neale Donald Walsh stated on the Secret that there is no purpose in life, except what you designate "as your purpose." I believe that to be true, but it doesn't mean you don't have one. You were born to this life to live out your chosen purpose. The first goal is to remember what that purpose might be...enjoy life, write a book, discover the cure for cancer, whatever... You are in charge of the world you create. Feel the surge of your own power to make life exactly how you want life to play out. Paint your world beautiful. Find your own truth and live within your own light. Then light the way for others.

Namaste

2011-08-26T08:11:00.001-07:00

Being in soul during Divine meditation reaches the part of me that is connected to the Universe. In this space I easily see the purity of humanity. This clear path to your soul allows me to say unequivocally, "The spirit in me respects the spirit in you," "the divinity in me bows to the divinity in you in love and peace," a knowing that we are all made from the same One Divine Consciousness--My spirit honors yours, Namaste, <3 Sar

Feeding the Soul

2011-08-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

Feeding the soul unlocks barriers to the light within. Infuse Self with the energy of love, understanding through compassion, and patience to move past obstacles in our path. Within this nurturing, the light will spread throughout us offering a perspective that grows within and a generosity of spirit that lifts the soul.

Feel the glow of your immortal soul bringing you understanding today. Ask and you shall receive. Give of yourself and the world receives. Life joins in reciprocal moments of blessed peace. ♥ Sar

The Little Hummer that Could!

2011-08-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

I had an experience last night that I wanted to share. My husband and I were sitting by the water, playing with our dog Zoe, when we saw something small flailing around making little splashes. We went over and a little hummingbird, a baby was in the water. There were two, but the other one was obviously gone. I got a fish net and began moving the water towards me, he was just out of reach. Just soothing him with you can do it, come on, swim. By golly, the little guy flapped until he made it over to me. It seemed like for a few seconds we were united in our efforts to move him through the water. Like I was pulling an invisible string toward me.

I put the net under him and he climbed up. Then his mother began buzzing us as I put him on the fence and they did a dance together while he tried to dry himself. In a heartbeat, he was gone. This morning we had a hummers all over the place, buzzing the hummer feeder. Kind of like saying, thanks for the hand up. You know this reminds me of the Starfish story, which goes like this.

The Star Thrower: A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference to that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved. - adapted from the Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley

I guess the moral to my story is never give up on anything, even a little hummingbird. They are resilient and can adapt, so can you! We are all connected in an invisible link of synchronicity. So share yourself whenever possible, be the hand up whenever possible and you can make a difference!

The Indigo Child, a Documentary

2011-08-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

"The Indigo Evolution" is a documentary that attempts to answer the question - Are these 'Indigos' only the fanciful notions of a few individuals embracing new-age, metaphysical beliefs, or is there real evidence that they truly do exist? Most importantly, why are they here and how can we help them achieve their goal of creating a world based upon the laws of compassion and peace? Interviews with some of the most profound children on the planet today combined with discussions with authorities in the fields of medicine, psychology, education, philosophy, and religion will provide information for the viewer to draw their own conclusions to these questions.

Stepping Over the Threshold to Love

2011-08-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

People reach out to us everyday for love and reassurance. The best plan is to give them some! This costs nothing and gives back to you in a myriad of ways. Open your heart...be forgiveness. The door to a life of love is always left open. Step over the threshold to live a life in joy and peace. This only takes a shift in perspective for a life of beauty and love. You are a gift from the Universe to this planet. Take the step, accept the gift...golden child. For each threshold to love is different. Some might have the threshold of compassion, others patience, and still others greed. With each step you come closer to the center of love. Know that you are love, come into your true Self. ♥ Sar

Human Existence vs Soul Existence

2011-08-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

Your question is, "if a living human can negatively affect another, than why can't a spirit?" This implies that we humans have higher states of consciousness than souls in spirit. The short answer is that we are imperfect and souls (outside of our physical bodies) are elevated to their highest consciousness. They as a rule get corrupted by our host bodies though.

We are on this planet to learn...we are spiritual beings living out a human existence in this physical body. Our host body can only connect to our soul to some degree. What makes them weakened in the physical world is their connection to our body and our human brains. We try, but struggle to keep those connections communicating throughout our lives. That is why we spend so much time floundering. Our essence is not fully knowable in most physical hosts, but Self is never lost because we always remain connected to both worlds.

We as humans in the physical world, see in negatives, we are for the most part out of touch with our soul's nature. None of us are manifesting 100% of either our brains or our souls. In fact, we are using probably about 10% at best. Actually, Einstein felt he was only using 10%, but I am thinking with all of the technology that we have grown more, but maybe this is an "overly generous viewpoint." We are as a species, fallible, competitive, judgmental and self-centered. Our whole existence is all about what's in it for me. How much can I get out of life, not how much can I put into life, give back to the world. Especially in the US--it's called capitalism. None of us are a Mother Theresa (not that that would make us higher souls, really)...If we are really honest with ourselves, even the things we do for our kids are for what we can get out of it: will they love me? Will they be loyal to me? Will they stay committed to me? Etc...

Souls on the other hand are without competitiveness, greed, or ill will to anyone; even to those who hurt them or did something hurtful to someone they love. They know that they have lived a thousand lives, been every type of personality, race, and gender. All of us in the physical world have killed, maimed, destroyed as well as loved, healed and did good deeds, especially those who have spent most of their time on Earth. A soul's only desire is to elevate to be closer to the Universal over-soul or God, to finally integrate totally with all that is in the universe. Not that they don't like a good time, having fun, and sightseeing to places they have lived on earth--that kind of thing--they have a sense of humor too.

For the most part, souls are above hurtful kinds of thought process or emotional reference. Souls do not hold destructive or malicious intent, or grudges, nor would they intervene in any kind of lesson that we were undertaking. They try to help in whatever way that they can while allowing us to experience the situations of your life. Your whole situation with your boss, and the people in the company in which you worked is part of some learning that you were undertaking. Until you learn from this, you will continue to attract situations like these. Or avoid everyone, so you don't have to live your lessons out.

We do not remember for the most part why we are here or what we are working on. Some understand that we are here to learn lessons. The amnesia around this planet keeps us from a preoccupation with wrongs either done to us or that we have done to others in a past life. The purpose of reincarnation is the exercise of free will. Without this ability, we would be impotent creatures indeed. This also allows us to mature in the physical world, prior to knowing how powerful we really are--that is to use our power in ways that create, not destroy. Our goal is to live out scenarios, play out roles and do the best we can to not make the same mistakes again and again. To find compassion, patience, love and understanding for the people who we perceive wronged us, because they did not wrong us, they are also playing out a role for both of our higher learning and we planned this prior to coming here. We are all doing the best we can with the tools that we have in which to work.

Synchronicity is All Around You

2011-08-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ever have a synchronistic event? You know what I mean, those meaningful coincidences that move you or even kick you in the left side of the brain? My left and right side of my brain plays volley ball all of the time, as I maneuver between psychic phenomenon and working the physical plane. I have them frequently, sometimes very powerful and sometimes the mundane, utilitarian variety. I am diligent most of the time, but sometimes, the Universe has to, do a takeover to get my attention. Yesterday, I had one that was of the utilitarian kind, and I thought I would share this with you, since it was kind of startling and amusing at the same time. At first I thought I was having a senior moment! But you can be the judge on that one.

I went to my local Costco store to do some shopping. A store I have been to many times before, usually once a quarter. I started off as I usually do, driving down the road that I always follow, towards a southbound freeway that takes me directly to the connecting road that I can easily exit to the store.

I had this dialogue going through my head. OK, this is good, I am going really late, but that is the perfect time to shop there. Fewer people and congestion, so shopping will be more easy and effortless. The tradeoff is the 6 p.m. traffic, not good, but I’ll live with it.

Then, while I was driving southbound, I noticed that I had taken the wrong freeway. I exited to turn around and during the turnaround, I found myself in an unfamiliar residential area on a street that I had never been on before. I drove down this road trying to find something familiar, since, I’m not all that familiar with Sacramento. OK, now what, thinking to myself as I looked for a street sign. I found it! I was on the very southbound road that led to the store that I needed to be on. Wow, how did I do that? I didn’t even know that this road led to the store. I just inadvertently chose to turnaround on a street that avoided the freeway and got to my destination as planned. Nice…right? I had accidently found another route to the store that took me directly to it without going on a traffic ladened freeway!

I always like to miss traffic, even though I don’t really believe in accidents, I mused. My first thought is always, OK, let’s pay attention now for some meaning in this event. The event was pretty mundane, but this must mean something. I thought, as I snapped on the radio on impulse. There it was, the first thing I heard was the newscaster letting people know to stay off the southbound freeway (the one I would have taken), because there was a bad, multi-car pileup, “lots of congestion there folks, please be careful, and take alternate routes.”

Well, there you have it, another synchronistic event played out, maybe even a lifesaving event at that. We all have the ability to tune it and register the small and large moments of life mindfully, allowing ourselves to use another part of us to our advantage. Sometimes this allows us to key into and change events that might cost us dollars, frustration and other negative experiences. These events are a forewarning, like the time many years ago that I drove in circles trying to find a new service provider where I had an appointment. The Universe was telling me that this was not the right establishment to use, and this was right on. I felt I had a commitment, so I persevered and kept the appointment, unfortunately, the service and quality was extremely poor, and the experience was frustrating. I knew better, but I wasn’t listening that time. So pay attention to the little things, listen up, the Universe provides the perfect solution to each event, if you are paying attention. Make your life beautiful, easy and effortless, by tuning in, you have more power than you can imagine. Use it to get the best in life. <3 Sar

Just One of Those Days

2011-07-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone has days when things don’t go according to plans. Today was one of these for me. I waited for the FedEx person to drop off my new computer. They stopped alright, and put a note on my door saying, “Sorry you weren’t here to receive your package.” Well, yes I was here, even skipped my shower so I could ensure catching the doorbell.

Then my old computer programs had service last week, and the guy lost all of my QuickBooks files, my Dreamweaver files and also my DVR player’s drivers were corrupted! There is more, but you get the idea. So, before I get bogged down in the negativity of the situation, I have to say there is some potential learning from the Universe that begs for acknowledgement.

What is it? I’m not sure, could be many things, but I am guessing that the message is something like, forget the mundane parts of life, stop and center. After putting out a few fires, I found the time to pause and reflect. Whenever a day like this happens, and it happens to everyone at one time or another, I have to look at what I am really supposed to be doing. Would I benefit from some structured or unstructured fun? Not this time, because I’m having a 4^th of July party Monday. Has my meditation gotten too brief and choppy? Not sure, seems the same to me. Is there a message that is waiting for me, something important that I need to receive? Ahhh…maybe so…How do I open to this? Easy, stop, wait and listen. Ask for guidance and let the information flow in you and through you. We are everlasting channels for the messages of the Universe, let yourself be a vehicle for these messages.

Fundamental Truth

2011-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

A fundamental truth is that you are pure love. Forget the rest, it only ties you down. ~Sar

Genes, DNA and the Biology of Perception

2011-06-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

When reading this article, also see Bruce Lipton's work on the perception of genes. All over YouTube in videos. You will be amazed what this American doctor says that confirms this Russian doctors findings.

Consciousness & the Universe

2011-06-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stuart Hameroff on the topic of "Is consciousness connected to the fine structure of the universe?"

I don't necessarily ascribe to any particular religion, but I think through quantum physics, three essential components of spirituality can have a plausible scientific explanation. Namely, these are first, interconnectedness among living beings via quantum entanglement. Second is guidance by Platonic wisdom. Penrose also embedded Platonic values in space-time geometry which can guide our actions, and be viewed as following the way of the Tao, or divine guidance, or whatever you want to call it. And finally, even conceivably the possibility of afterlife or consciousness outside of the body. Because if consciousness is happening in the space-time geometry, normally in the brain, then when the blood, oxygen and metabolic energy stop driving the classical auto-pilot activity, the quantum information extending to space-time isn't destroyed, but can perhaps leak out or dissipate in a more holographic distribution, but remained entangled. So it's possible that a soul could exist afterwards in Planck scale geometry. There could be reincarnation. I don't have any proof, and I'm not saying this necessarily happens, but if it does, here is a plausible scientific explanation.

The Soul Moments in Time

2011-06-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out
how far one can go." ~ T. S. Eliot

People ask me how meditation can help them enjoy a broader, richer life. How can they become more spiritually attuned? What is beyond the typical benefits of spiritual centering that meditation and breath work provide us? What does it mean to elevate spiritually to a higher level of consciousness? How can we arrive at the highest level of meditation and why does it matter?

The highest level of consciousness is the level of Unity Consciousness and it is a level that even the monks find elusive to sustain; a oneness with all humanity. Seldom does one achieve this level and even so, just what do we get for our self while there? How does it affect our everyday life?

By now, we all know that the basic benefits of meditation and breath work are numerous. But I like to start with what a friend and colleague said to me after taking one of my short classes on breath work, "If I knew it was going to make my sex life better, I would have listened more attentively from the start!"

So, let's start with the really important stuff first. Yes, it does enhance your sex life, among other things, you don’t really need Viagra. Meditation and breath work does great things for your sex life, your emotional well being, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, reduces pain and/or eliminates many kinds of medical problems, keeps negativity at bay and a whole host of wonderful things. The list is endless, but probably for some, the best benefit is at the bottom of this list, mainly because it is harder to define and relate to your personal experience.

The most valuable benefit is that it increases your spiritual awareness, awakening us to multisensory dimensions. This awareness brings us into harmony, peace, and centers us in the present moment even through the trials and tribulations of our everyday life. Additionally, with regular meditation, brain waves stay at a level of meditation even when we are not meditating. We begin living mindfully and in the present moment. While this takes work and dedication, it is worth the effort.

Now, I want to share with you how one woman, Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. got there physically without meditating. She had a stroke. Of course, strokes don’t usually bring you a benefit; but this one did, this offered a bridge, a rite of passage to a higher place. During this incredible journey, she became increasingly aware of her choice to move between her right brain and her left brain. She was able to experience herself from a higher perspective and this is the outcome of regular meditation that is most beneficial.

The irony of the situation wasn't that she was gifted with a stroke; the irony was that she was a brain scientist that was gifted with a stroke. The incredible part was that she had the presence of mind to document the experience, remembering the enormity of her own presence as a spiritual being and was able to grow from it, share it and pass it to others. Becoming mentally ambidextrous, she was able to use the full force of her thoughts to move from left to right brain at will, and you can too.

Meditation sets you free to live life fully and you don’t have to have a stroke to enjoy these benefits. This includes moving past ego, making choices as needed, using right brain functions without being encumbered by left brain rules. Consequently using left brain organizational skills while maintaining creativity and insight of right brain function and then making good decisions and choices.

Making choices and living life from a higher perspective, using all of the multisensory tools available to us, empowers us to live a richer, more positive life. Ultimately a decision to see the world through the eyes of God, or the Universe, or our Higher Power or whatever you want to call the Source of all things within, combined with our own higher consciousness.

These powerful decisions help us to let go of self defeating behaviors; see the big picture; live with intent and give back more. We give back more because we notice more of what is going on around us. Being in the present moment, living mindfully, allows us to attend to each other with our whole self. We make decisions "not to fight today" and to understand another's perspective. Listening with our whole self means taking the time to stop and see our loved one's smiling face, even though we have a hundred things on our list to do right now. This is a true gift of life. Meditation helps us to live in the present moment to experience all of life, to live in the soul moments of time.

Take a look at this incredible journey of discovery by this awesome woman, Neuroanatomist, Jill Bolte Taylor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU

Shirley Ryan is a Spiritual Counselor and can be reached at: http://www.aboutworkingtogether.com Shirley@aboutworkingtogether.com

The Lessons of Life

2011-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

The lessons of life are all around us, guiding, pointing the way, always giving. In the midst of the eternal love that we share, take a moment to be grateful. We are truly blessed. ~Sar

Living Mindfully, Using Flexibility

2011-06-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

Everyday we have an opportunity to rethink our world. What was true for yesterday, may not be true today, because we see more and feel more. Flexibility allows us to move to new ways of viewing the world and each other. Life is built on these new perspectives. Open your thinking, to open your heart, and allow soul to flourish. ~Sar

How to Increase your Memory...Doodling Helps!

2011-05-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

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Sacred Journey, 2012 and Beyond

2011-05-15T18:30:00.001-07:00

Sacred Journey, 2012 and Beyond Follow Catherine on a journey of a life time, an extraordinary vision quest leading to self-actualization, romance and her full spiritual destiny. A spiritual journey that will enlighten and heighten the senses, leading to the unknown and unknowable. Catherine’s search takes her on a trek that bridges time travel, Mayan culture, past lives, orbs, spiritual guides, and soul mates. This visionary fiction follows her search for the meaning of ancient symbols on a bracelet, given to her on her 13th birthday by her uncle. "This is not just a bracelet Catherine; it leads to a message that holds magical powers to guide you towards a hope, peace and enlightenment." He said, "This gift is for you, but the message will change the planet as we know it and heal a great hole in the fabric of our society. Changes of great magnitude will be born both, within the people of the planet, and the way we live with the earth," he added prophetically.
Click to launch the full edition in a new window
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Remember from where we come

2010-11-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Drunvalo Melchizedek - Birth of a New Humanity from Ritchy Niburu on Vimeo. Interesting video on a perspective to the shift in consciousness for which we were moving.

New Paradigm

2010-11-10T15:35:00.000-08:00

The Social Experiment

2010-10-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

History continues to repeat itself until we wake up and recognize our part in thwarting the cycle of collective evolution. Until we stop making excuses for our actions or in-actions, we will always be a slave to our past thinking, to how we treat each other and ourselves. Yes, although you might not see every aspect of it in our history books, discrimination still lives in the south, in the north and in the hearts of mankind. Most of us are familiar with the issues of the African American. Our black community discriminated against since our earliest roots on this continent, sits alongside the Native Americans culture. What’s not in the forefront is that in the 1800’s the Irish were the main target of discrimination in NY, due to their steady influx during the potato famine. There are too many to mention them all, but other minority groups were hit hard with the discrimination ax at that same time. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but let’s jump ahead to the out-of-work itinerants of the 1930’s made so by the Great Depression. During WWII had its own discrimination arena, while we were fighting to save the Jewish Community in 1940’s Germany, they were key targets of discrimination here, (see Gentleman’s Agreement). At the same time, the American Japanese were relocated for their own good; they say…the list is very long.

I purposely don’t watch the news, but every once in a while I stumble across a blatant example of the darkness of our collective shadow and see it is still alive and kicking. This morning I got a disturbing message from a friend on Facebook, with a link that knocked my socks off. The message was simply stated: This video is freaken awful! The YouTube video shows an experiment into the social emotional arena of shopping. This microcosm of our humanity plays out scenes that are not new. The video is a simple expose into discrimination practices in a high end shop in NY, it could have been anywhere. Fortunately, the discrimination in this case was fake; they used actors in the experiment. None-the-less, the results were staggeringly real. The witnesses to the events, were not actors, they were real people shopping. For the most part they turned their back on a fellow human being who was obviously being discriminated against, who was in great emotional pain.

Watch the video and read the rest of the article at: The Social Experiment

Searching for the Waters of Antiquity Book Trailer

2010-05-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Searching for the Waters of Antiquity

2010-02-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Click to launch the full edition in a new window

See Shirley Ryan on iFOGO

Click on the book Searching for the Waters of Antiquity, to look inside and read the first 30 pages of my book FREE. View the testimonials below--this book will touch your heart. For the rest of the story and a journey like no other--Buy the book Click Here Begin your personal journey today!

Testimonials

"Sarah read it out loud to Annie and I as we sat huddled around the book. We all had this visceral experience, relating to the very beginning passage. We couldn't believe it, it was like boom! This powerful, emotional moment that is just impossible to describe. Such a gift…we all felt it at once. I immediately ordered 5 more books for gifts."

Bonnie Kennaugh-Smith, Sales
Aurora, CO.

"I don't know how to describe the experience. I couldn't put it down. I read it from cover to cover and wanted more. I would like to see a workbook, so I can go into more depth around the archetypes…My husband is reading it now."

Edna Pampy, Executive
San Jose, CA

"I found your book at my daughter's house and at first started reading it to my grand daughter thinking it was a child's book. As I read on I soon discovered the truth of why I was reading the book. It was meant to help fully understand the reality of my life, today as I battle two types of cancer. It has truly helped me with this struggle and given me a new prospective on dealing with the disease. The metaphors and meditative process is so simple it sneaks up on you and you find yourself becoming Tag. This is truly a book for children of all ages. I highly recommend this book to any one."

Ginny Abbott, Retired Radio Broadcast Professional
Portland, Oregon

Someone Gave Haiti Back Their Dignity

2010-01-26T15:11:00.000-08:00

I watched the broadcasts yesterday on haiti Relief efforts and was struck by the wonderful coverage of the effects around this dysaster and what a profound experience to so many. I watched people being pulled from rubble, taking a moment in gratitude for every person found and each person who gave up some part of their lives to help with these efforts. I tried to understand how the WHO (World Health Organization) could turn away with food in their trucks from hungry and thirsty people, because those folks couldn't read and write to document their receipts on the forms that were required to receive the food. Now intellectually, I did understand that some might keep going back to get food and water, then black market it to the community, however at this point, who cares...

I next spent a good long while trying to understand the issues revolving around distribution of food, knowing this is a world wide issue that transcends the Haiti relief efforts. This has always been the problem--we have no dearth of food--it has always been the distribution of food that no smart solution is readily available.

Then I witnessed something miraculous. Someone was paying Haitians to clear rubble, sweep streets, and clean up the city for $3.00 per day, enough to buy some essentials (not here, but in Haiti, smile). Brilliant...sheer genious! Black marketers won't be interested, and all one would need is someone standing their watching, at the end of the day, the pay or script to go to the a resource center to buy get what they need. Now does that seem heartless? Not as heartless as not giving them food because they can't read and write. Then they can go home to their tent cities to get free food, water and essentials. I think that might be a plan...What do you think?

Imagine Peace

2010-01-20T18:49:00.000-08:00

I used the title ImaginePeace, because it was a beloved song written by John Lennon, and because it is the title of my Newsletter, associated with my website: www.aboutworkingtogether.com. I have wanted to write a blog for a long time, to communicate with others on topics that are important to me. This blog is a forum for discussions on peace, meditation, the health and healing of this planet. Within the blog we may discuss various subjects, including extra-sensory perception, higher consciousness and how that will help us live in a more peaceful world. I intend to make the blog, conversational and hope you will join me in commenting on things that are important to you in your world. Blessings, Shirley Ryan

Practice One Minute Breath-Work

2010-01-20T15:59:00.000-08:00

Whatever your intension for meditating, some basic keys to the process is to focus on something either internally or externally. This can be a sound, an internal image, an external object or any of a wide variety of focusing devices. One of the easiest and best things to focus on is our breath itself! Since part of the process of meditation is the use of proper breathing to center and slow down the rhythm of life, it makes sense to use your breath to focus.

Proper breathwork is an art in and of itself, and awareness of our breath is another key to great meditation. To begin, simply breathe into your diaphragm, the place between your ribs and navel for greatest effect. One way to practice the technique is whenever you are at a stop sign, instead of sitting impatiently waiting for it to change, try something new. Try a one minute breath workout. Feel yourself breathe in the light and love of the universe and breathe out the toxicity of your life. This is a small step towards the beginning of a significant life change. Here are some other places to practice good breathing technique:

1. Talking on the phone
2. Brushing your teeth
3. Teeing off on the golf course
For longer sessions try:
4. Showering or soaking in the tub
5. Washing the car
6. Eating-especially when alone
7. Peeling an orange, apple or potato, etc.
8. Grooming the cat, dog, etc.
9. Washing dishes
10. Folding clothes

In the simple act of training ourselves to breathe properly and become more mindful by slowing down our sense of time passing, we can learn to monitor our moods and thoughts before they spiral downward. We can, in other words, make ourselves happier. In addition to making ourselves happier, we can promote better blood flow to the heart, the lungs and all of the extremities. Focusing mind and body ultimately leads to feeling better and when we feel better we do better work, have better relationships and make better decisions. Not a bad use of your time.

Tips for Taking Charge of Your Energy

2010-01-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

We would all like to get more out of life. We would like a lifestyle that works for us rather than against us, right? Have you ever wondered how to make that happen? Consider for a moment that taking charge of your life is also taking charge of your energy. The self-regulating methods of meditation work with the ebb and flow of energy, and consciousness. This creates a dynamic new way to look at life, one in which you are the maker of all that comes your way.

The possibilities internally are endless, but most of us live life looking outwardly, scanning the horizon for important data that reinforces whatever we are doing. We make the point to ourselves that it is prudent to be ever watchful, to save ourselves from problems in the long run. You’ve got to keep your eye on the ball, right? Actually, looking within, through meditation, can be just as useful to enhance life, because it increases energy, clarity, adds greater meaning to life, and a healthier lifestyle. A life that includes the discipline of looking inward is meditation. Meditation enhances our ability to observe what is inside and outside of ourselves.

Meditating regularly increases personal power and allows us to detach, find balance and continuity within. Most of the issues of living surround strenuous attachment to those things outside of us. Attachment and detachment are two of many paired opposites that need to be balanced in life to find greater peace. This duality drains the spirit of its energy. In meditation, our body and mind will spontaneously work to develop that balance.

Detachment is the key to meditation. Detachment is a sense of disconnection or a neutral attitude towards what we have and see in the outside world. That is, a detachment from our need for these things, not that we must give up what we possess. It means that we must give up possessiveness in ourselves, or release the attachments that limit us. Detachment allows us the freedom to fully meditate, expanding awareness of the possible.

Symbolic things like gestures, events, and rituals are internalized by the mind regardless of the external reality of a thing. Finding a symbolic way to integrate the act of meditation into your life helps you detach to a greater degree of readiness.

Here are some examples of symbolic rituals to introduce a disconnection and ready yourself for meditation.

Wash your hands in a symbolic gesture of finality when you quit work for the day or sit to meditate.
Lock your briefcase in your trunk to signal closure for day or weekend. (Say to yourself, “it is out of my life until 7:00 a.m. tomorrow or Monday morning!”)
Make an appointment with yourself to disengage a project, “at 4: p.m. I switch gears to meditate.” (Send an e-mail auto-timed to signal a private moment.)
Make one hour of the day off limits to business e-mail and phone calls. (Dedicate this private time to yourself.)
Turn the phone off or lower the sound so it can’t be heard.
Turn off the light to signal the start of meditation.
Have a special shirt, jacket, sweater or scarf: a meditation garment which protects from external stimuli.
Create a bubble around yourself that is soundproof, to assist concentration.
Wear sunglasses--to symbolically block outside stimuli. (Think instead, “I now see my own internal light, the light of the Universe pulsating in me and through me.”)
Create a physical ritual as a symbolic gesture to neutralize the energy around you. This is symbolic, so the more meaningful to you the more you will use it. (E.g. Wave your arms in a wide symmetrical and expansive gesture of openness.)
Then of course, some kind of ritual to feel complete with the meditation process.

Connecting with the Universe through meditation helps us to live in a world that is ever clearer and ever peaceful. When we get frustrated about things, it is usually because we see can’t see them from a higher perspective. Meditation creates a peaceful detachment from the external world, and, a life/energy balance like no other. One that helps us see the beauty all around us, to see things through the eyes of God.