Take an "Ahhhh..." BREATH BREAK

"You have an inner guiding principle that is the source of your inner knowing. This is your higher, sovereign self. From this sovereign self you already have all you need and know what you need to know. This doorway should you choose to enter, will lead you back Home to yourself. The breath is that doorway." ~From Miriam Trahan, At Ease Breathing: Book One.

BREATHING BREAK

Take a moment to SIGH.

Just breathe in normally and open your mouth wide and say "Ahhhhh...."

Do it a few times, just breathing in and sighing, "Ahhhhh...."

Use your belly muscles to press in a bit so you can fully exhale. Now return to your normal breath.

Is your breath calmer, deeper? Do you feel a release in your shoulders, throat or face?

The "SIGH" or Exhaling Breath brings us into our parasympathetic nervous system, the part of us that remembers calm, ease, relaxation. Use the exhaling breath to recharge and remember the ease you were born with.

This BREATHING BREAK was brought to you compliments of At Ease Breathing. Learn more tips about the joy of breathing in Miriam Trahan's new book "At Ease Breathing: Book One," available at www.AtEaseBreathing.com.

Breath and Be light.

Magsjoy

Making Our First Movie - Take 1

Yesterday, my good friend Roxanne and I sat together once again to explore a couple of the new applications we are learning in our self-study Internet business course. After setting up our Stumble account, we decided to check out the video capabilities of our new Mac Pros.

So we clicked on iMovie and let it rip! I share here our first clip with some bells and whistles I added later as I walked myself through some editing features. Needless to say, we had fun, and that's what working is supposed to be--a joy-filled experience!

Maggie Kalas and Roxanne Browning --
Making our first movie - TAKE 1

iMovie...Hmmmm, how does this thing work?

Hope we made you laugh or at least spread a smile!

I have been cracking myself up every time I watch it because I love to see us in our natural inquisitive state of learning. The work we will be doing, though different--me with my meditation and Rox with her healthy raw chocolate--will in some ways be serious business. On the other hand, we always have to remember not to take ourselves too seriously.

Joy is in the lighthearted way we go through the journey of life!

With love and humor,

Mags

The Awakening

I am awake!
How long have I been sleeping?
Amazing...
There is so much to do
So much to see
Life is just beginning
What a wonderful place to be.

Here
Now
Awake
Alive
Healthy
Wonderful
Me

There are no limits
There is no time
Action is taking place
So much to experience
And I am doing it

Here
Now
Awake
Healthy
Wonderful
Me

A Poem by Katrina Mayer, author of The Mustard Seed Way.

Offered in light,

Maggie Kalas
www.attitudelift.com

There's No Place Like Home

Can you feel it? There is a push or perhaps a pull. An energy that is tugging at your soul. Sitting on the fence is no longer an option. Ascend or descend! Change is at hand. The secret is being revealed to us like Dorothy’s 'aha moment' in the Wizard of Oz--“There’s no place like home.”

Home? Where?

Home is a state of Being that brings Peace, Fulfillment and Joy. The amazing power to get there is not behind the curtain, or in other people’s perception of truth, or the doom and gloom of the outer world’s illusion. It’s lying dormant within us, waiting to be awoken. Those, of course, who resist the resounding internal wake-up call will simply roll over and miss the illuminating fireworks. Lost in a dream-like reality of witches, flying monkeys and fear, they will not find their way home to peace--at least not in this lifetime.

What I have discovered, on my yellow brick road to self-realization, is that the only one I can truly count on to get me home is Me. I am blessed with many who may point me in the right direction, but in the end, it is up to Me to get me there. In the beginning, the journey seemed far and ominous. Now, it’s mostly a pleasant ride, like taking a Sunday drive with no specific place to go. There are a multitude of terrains and conditions: hills, valleys, rain storms, sleet and ice, sharp turns, gentle breezes, sunny skies and bumps, many bumps. However, all of it feels good...because I know I am on my way.

Here I am. Another fork in the road with decisions to make. This time the choice doesn’t feel so difficult. In fact, it seems more like a spontaneous shift in the right direction. Like following the wind on a sailboat, I am swiftly making a turn downstream. The wake behind me and the horizon ahead. The voice inside saying, “Tacking,” and I follow obediently. Usually I resist this voice or drown it out with distraction and drama. Now I am listening to its gentle whisper calling me Home.

What is this inner voice? God? Source? The Universe? Life Force?

“All of that,” I could hear Abraham(-Hicks) answer emphatically. It is the Primal Spirit, the Power within, your Higher Self, your Soul. In all spiritual teachings throughout history there is an Ethereal Force that creates life. The Creator is not separate from us; we are One with it. The physical world is a Co-creative process. In ancient Sanskrit, this corporeal energy is referred to as Kundalini. A subtle power source sitting at the bottom of our spine awaiting activation of its restorative purpose. What I have learned is: no one can ignite its healing fire but me.

The embodiment of Kundalini-Life Force was evident within every word written by JJ Semple in his book Deciphering the Golden Flower One Secret at a Time. I was drawn in by this power to read it, and soon discovered the power was reading me. You cannot turn away from truth once you have awareness of it. Even if you try to dodge it or slip back into old, complacent ways, it’s still there. The call of your destiny will only haunt you if you don’t comply.

This was my realization about the Kundalini-Life Force; it is who I am so I cannot deny it. The Light within has been giving me cues all my life. Mostly I ignored it, for the past decade I have paid it heed, seeking personal development. For me, Semple’s story reflected an imbalance in me wanting to return to balance--NOW, not later! And so, I believe a new script to my life is about to be played out and the scene involves engaging in the Golden Flower Meditation.

In consulting the I-Ching, an ancient Chinese oracle known also as Book of Changes, I discover--as Semple had--its precise wisdom and guidance. With a toss of the coins, my journey begins with six in the first line, indicating a movement in the foundation of my life is apparent. The subsequent tossing of the coins builds five fixed solid lines, creating a Hexagram* that sheds light as to where I am heading--straight to Heaven!

While that sounds well and good, the changing break in the bottom line blatantly implies that this will not be a direct path and discipline and focus will be required. I must face whatever needs to be altered in me with unwavering faith for a positive outcome. The shadows of the ego will resist, but with deliberate fortitude, and management of the awakened Kundalini within me, I can surely rise above the wind to return home--to joyfully be Me.

Today the air is still outside mirroring my directive to be still inside. I am the eternally grateful student and the Golden Flower Meditation acts as an intermediary teacher, preparing me for the arrival of my ultimate Master and my ultimate transformation.

I can hear the voice saying, “There’s no place like Home.”

In gratitude and joy,

Mags

AttitudeLift

P.S. The decision for me to explore the transformational aspects of Golden Flower Meditation by no means implies that it is the only way for healing, enlightenment or a life of joy. There are many paths that lead us to our intended purpose. My philosophy has always been to live life in moderation. Being in alignment with who you are is key. We all need to find our unique yin/yang in life. May you find your way home in peace and joy.

*I-Ching - Book of Changes
Request: Guidance regarding pursuing the Golden Flower Meditation

Hexagram 44 -- Kou - Coming to Meet
-------
------- above Ch'ien-The Creative, Heaven
-------
-------
------- below Sun-The Gentle, Wind
---x---
The Judgement: Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful.One should not marry such a maiden.
The Image: Under heaven, wind -- The image of Coming to Meet. Thus does the prince act when disseminating his commands And proclaiming them to the four quarters of heaven.
Changing Lines: Changing yin at the bottom means--It must be checked with a brake of bronze. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one lets it take its course, one experiences misfortune.Even a lean pig has it in him to rage around.

The change at the bottom produces the outcome:

1. Ch'ien - The Creative
------
------ above Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
------
------
------ below Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
------
The Judgement: The Creative works sublime success,Furthering through perseverance.
The Image: The movement of heaven is full of power. Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.

STRESS OR SUCCESS MEDITATION

The first step to move away from STRESS and head toward SUCCESS is to just STOP!  

The STRESS OR SUCCESS MEDITATION is an easy and effective tool to stop stress in its tracks and to create a path of least resistance toward achieving your success. It allows your mind to clear, your body to relax and will help you get refocused on your intended goal. Practice this meditation if you find yourself feeling tense, overwhelmed, irritable, or if you just want to be more relaxed and centered. 

Find a quiet place where you are not likely to be disturbed. At home, you may shut the phone and find a comfortable chair. At work, you might slip into an unused office or conference room. Even sitting in your car (or a bathroom stall) will do the trick. The most important part is find place where you can sit comfortably without interruption. Preferably, your feet should be flat on the ground with your back straight to prevent your mind from becoming sleepy. In any case, make the best of wherever you are to get comfortable.

Gently close your eyes and turn your attention to your breathing. Just breathe naturally. It is best to breathe through the nostrils, but it is more important not to attempt to control your breath. As you bring your focus to your breathing, try to also notice the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is your “object” or "focal point" of the meditation. It will keep you from being distracted by external noises. Optimally, awareness of your breath should be to the exclusion of everything else. But don't worry if it is not.

Initially, your mind will be very busy, and you might even feel that the meditation is making your mind busier. In reality, you are just becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is. There will be a great temptation to follow the different thoughts as they arise, but you should dismiss this and remain focused specifically on the sensation of the breath. If you discover that your mind has wandered and is following your thoughts, no harm, simply return your attention back to the breath. Repeat this as many times as necessary until the mind settles on the breath.

Do the STRESS OR SUCCESS MEDITATION for at least five minutes, but ten to twenty minutes would be better. In an immediate crisis, simply close your eyes for a moment and take a cleansing breath or two.

As you regularly practice this easy meditation exercise, you will find that your tension subsides more easily and you experience an immediate sense of inner peace and relaxation. You will notice that you are calmer, refreshed and more focused. Your attitude naturally feels uplifted. You will find that usual problems or difficult situations will become easier to deal with and you will once again be back on track with SUCCESS!

Spreading the Joy,

Mags

www.attitudelift.com