One

ONE

In this time space reality, we see other than what is. We believe what we see is many, but what is real is that we are only one. This is not something we at first understand because what we see is what we think is. However, in a moment of silence and in times when we are in a loving state, we experience the one. This is what you are to understand; there is nothing separate from you. One is the only truth.

With that said, take a moment to sit and recognize the importance of this--in all that you do and in all that you experience. When you know we are one, we make different choices. We are collective and unified, not torn apart or separate in our actions and in our hearts.

One mind. One heart. One universal truth. Making choices with this understanding will mean that you have considered the whole, and our decisions will be for the greater good of the one, the all, the whole you are, and have always been.

One idea is a million ideas. One heart is a million hearts. One love is a million loves. One is eternal, as you are.

Listen to the sound of the silence. In stillness, you will know that there is one song, a symphony of many souls into one pure frequency. Love represents this vibration but there are no words to describe what is our oneness.

One more thing, one plus one equals one.

Note: The above was written as a result of what came through me during an automatic writing exercise. 

Offered in love and light,

Maggie Kalas  

Seeing Truth With The Heart

When you are still, all that is right and best, all that is true of the heart, and all that is sacred will stare you right in the face. 

Are you stopping to see what is truly before you?

PEACE in 2012

Miss Anabelle is my sassy calico who has mastered the art of meditation.

Holiday Agreements (With YourSELF)

Now is the time to make sure that you are prepared for the Holidays in EVERY way; mind, body and spirit in complete agreement. As well as preparing food, gifts and schedules, prepare yourSELF so that the Holidays can be ALL that you want them to be. Make an agreement to be the person you want to be, and don’t let anyone or anything unsettle your highest intentions...read more by Ian Lawton Holiday Agreements.

Now, take a moment to say this affirmation of your highest self, a prayer by Marianne Williamson.

  

Illuminata, A Return to Prayer

Dear God,

In this one moment I recognize that there is within me a perfect Self:
A Self that is not dysfunctional;
A Self that is not weak but strong;
That is not limited, but unlimited;
That is not small, but huge;
That is not in pain but in peace;
That is not faithless and scared but all-knowing, all loving, and serene and calm, through the grace of God.
I have been playing with the toys of death and weakness.
I have been playing at sickness and playing at addiction.
I have been playing at dysfunction and limitation and war.
I have been playing at hunger and violation of myself and others.
I have been playing with toys that are dangerous.
But I desire to play the games of death no more.

In this moment, I ask You, dear God, to release me from my destructive thinking.
I take up now the mantle of Your magnificence.
Through Your grace, dear God, I am good and innocent and strong and pure, for thus would You have me be.
The love that emanates from Your mind to me, and from my mind to the minds of others, is a power so great. Within its embrace all negativity shall turn to good, all pain to peace, all fear to love.
I invoke Your light.
I receive Your heaven, which replaces hell.
I do not look back.
I do not stop my eyes at the veil of horror that surrounds the world, but rather I extend my vision to the possibilities for love for myself and others.
I step out of my childhood, into my adulthood; out of my weaknesses, into my strengths; out of my fear, into my love; out of my small self, into You.

Dear God, please make me new. 

Amen.

Be Still

Be still.

Ride the breath of Life.

Move into the infinite space of All That Is.

You are the observer of Creation.

Creation is at the core of your Being.

Life is born from within you.

Every answer to every question is before you.

No surprises.

Wash away the illusions.

Look into the face of Truth.

Only Love is real.

It is the Joy of Being.

Be still and be Love.

No self, No problem

In the moments we reflect on life,
without thought or self,
we see truth, beauty and grace.

In a blink of an eye, our troubles vanish
and only peace remains.

 
Here we bask in the kingdom of heaven
that dwells in each of our hearts.

SOS: Stress Rescue Meditation

Relieve stress in 5 minutes

The first step to move away from stress and head toward success is to just STOP!  The Breath Rescue Meditation is a perfect tool to stop stress in its tracks and to create a path of least resistance. 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 or irritable.

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 the office, you might slip into an unused office or conference room. Even sitting in your car will do the trick. The most important part find place where you can sit in a comfortable position. Preferably, your feet should flat on the ground with your back straight to prevent your mind from becoming sleepy.

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.

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 Breath Rescue Meditation for at least one minute, but five to ten minutes would be better. As you regularly practice this 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!

Mindfulness: 37 Everyday Places Where You Can Practice Enjoying the Moment

Mindfulness: 37 Everyday Places Where You Can Practice Enjoying the Moment  By BILL GERLACH

"Discovering the present moment changed my life.

It was one of those things that in retrospect you wonder how you ever lived without it. About three years ago, I was in the throes of starting my MBA, working full-time, and being a husband and dad to my wife and (at that time) two small children. Life was hectic. I still thought multi-tasking and spreading myself paper-thin was the surest way to succeed.

And then it hit me. I don’t remember how I actually stumbled upon it. But the whole idea of being in control of—and totally enjoying—the present moment instead of fretting over the past or future was eye-opening. I was a serial planner, an über-plot-it-out-and-execute-it kind of guy. I was so busy being busy that I was losing sight of what was right before me....more"

Brief Meditative Exercise Helps Cognition

ScienceDaily (Apr. 19, 2010) — Some of us need regular amounts of coffee or other chemical enhancers to make us cognitively sharper. A newly published study suggests perhaps a brief bit of meditation would prepare us just as well.

While past research using neuro-imaging technology has shown that meditation techniques can promote significant changes in brain areas associated with concentration, it has always been assumed that extensive training was required to achieve this effect. Though many people would like to boost their cognitive abilities, the monk-like discipline required seems like a daunting time commitment and financial cost for this benefit.

Surprisingly, the benefits may be achievable even without all the work. Though it sounds almost like an advertisement for a "miracle" weight-loss product, new research now suggests that the mind may be easier to cognitively train than we previously believed. Psychologists studying the effects of a meditation technique known as "mindfulness " found that meditation-trained participants showed a significant improvement in their critical cognitive skills (and performed significantly higher in cognitive tests than a control group) after only four days of training for only 20 minutes each day... Read more from ScienceDaily.

Meditation on Jack Kornfield's, The Wise Heart

Why do we fear letting go of pain, our grievances, our stolen innocence? Being vulnerable is not a weakness; it takes courage and faith to open our hearts. As we release what has crushed our spirit, we breathe life into it once again. This meditation on Jack Kornfield's The Wise Heart gives hope to humanities healing heart. May we be the catalyst to the peace that is our only truth.

In loving light,

Mags

Meditation on Jack Kornfield's, The Wise Heart, Chapter 9

via Sanctuaries, Dreams and Shadows by noreply@blogger.com (Maureen) on 9/24/09

Albert Camus said, "We all carry within us our places of exile; our crimes, our ravages. Our task is not to unleash them on the world; it is to transform them in ourselves and others."

Open your mind and heart
Ask why you are stuck in this place
Be brave, name the fear
Name the resistance.
Understand what it is, then
Step back, allow it the space it needs.
Breathe.

Little by little, feel it soften and dissolve.
Be courageous, greet your emotions
Each by name. Again
Step back, allow each the space
It requires to do what it will;
To expand, to intensify, or dissolve
To rise and fall again, and again.
Breathe.

Tears flow, honor them.
Pain comes in  waves,
Fear and resistance reappear
Swirling one into another, be brave.
Listen to your stories of sorrow and shame.
Hold them gently.
Hold your fragile self gently.
Breathe.

Be open to the waves, the tears.
Acknowledge your confusion and the grief.
Be fearless, do not lose your way.
Let go, accept your life,
Understand it is what it is.
Respect the history that is you.
Make peace with your life.
Breathe.

Posted via email from magsjoy's posterous

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

GET UNSTUCK AND GET GOING

We all have a little "procrastinator" in us-- putting off those things we just don't want to do. But what about the things we DO want to get done and yet, we still find ourselves not doing them.

If that sounds like you, perhaps it's time to get unstuck. Here are 10 things you can do to encourage positive growth:

1. Deciding To Do 'It' And The Willingness To Take Action
2. Purging/Cleansing/Releasing Physical, Mental & Emotional Baggage
3. Daily Meditation And Prayer
4. Balanced Nutrition/Supplements/Herbs
5. Physical Exercise/Yoga/Breath work
6. Goal Setting
7. Personal Accountability Plan
8. Psychological Therapy
9. Personal Development or Success Coaching
10. Books, Cd's, Workshops & Seminars relating to the above

Change can often be difficult. However, with the right tools, change can not only be easy, it can feel really good...and maybe even be fun!

It all starts with step number 1 -- then you can pick and choose which steps suits you next!

Keeping the light on,

Mags

Recognizing Life Purpose

As we kick off 2009, I thought I would share an affirmation meditation written by one of my favorite spiritual well-being teachers, Orin and DaBen:

Recognizing Life Purpose

With each breath in I affirm I have a life purpose.

With each breath out I send my purpose out to the world,

where it may manifest in my life.

This continues automatically, as I breathe in and out.

I now release other people's pictures

of what I should do or accomplish with my life.

I know what I love to do.

I affirm that I can do what I love,

knowing that as I do I am living my life purpose.

I now know what to do that brings me joy.

I affirm that I can do what brings me joy,

knowing that as I do I am living my life purpose.

I decide to do what is for my highest good,

knowing that as I do it serves the higher good of others

and is part of living my life purpose.

I fulfill my life purpose in every action I take.

I follow my heart and my joy.

I release everything in my life that is not part of my life purpose.

Today I take the time to listen to what my heart is telling me.

I ask myself,"What would I love to do today,

that will bring me joy, that will serve my higher good?"

I think of one thing I can do today that is my life purpose

because it fills my heart with joy and love,

and because it serves my higher good.

I make a picture of doing it and carry out this thought with action.
I am the captain of my ship,

and I am guiding my ship exactly where I want it to go.

I am now creating my ideal life

as I find and live my higher purpose.

As we take responsiblility for our own joy, as we live life from a place of purpose, may we all find the peace and harmony that is our divine right.

Blessings for the New Year and beyond,

Mags

12 Paths to Light

The following article came to me through my subscription to Success.com. Although there are many terrific articles written by many authors, this one just jumped out at me. I really like her insights about the 12 Paths of Light, as they are practical and real choices we can all make for a better us and a better planet.

12 Paths to Light

by Judith Pennington

The higher energies of light in Earth's rising frequencies require us to re-calibrate the body-mind and to do it now. This means finding delicate points of balance to ground ourselves in these new energies.

These 12 paths are only a few of infinite possibilities, but they are known to work. See which of these paths you are presently walking and which suit you best. Each and all are able to restore the mind, heal the body and evolve the spirit into the higher awareness that offers itself to us now.

1. The Path of the Body.

Use all of your senses--sight, sound, feeling, taste and smell--to fully apprehend the beauty of the physical world and your own body. The sensory mechanisms in the human nervous system, when serene, are perfectly attuned to the Earth's frequencies, so her powers of healing and growth are also yours. If your soul permits the healing of your body, any illness, heartbreak, confusion or circumstance can by natural law, desire and intention be healed.

Illness and injury, according to the late psychic diagnostician Edgar Cayce, are the result of vibrational discord caused by destructive thoughts, emotions, attitudes and beliefs. Restore your frequencies to optimal levels by spending time in nature or imagining a natural environment in your mind. Clear your thoughts, envision an outdoor setting, wait patiently, and spiritual intuition will show you how to heal yourself and resolve any question, issue or challenge.

Speed up the oscillation of your atoms into higher frequencies and you will resurrect the body into spirit, Cayce said. This is the key to all healing.
Several self-healing techniques are described below. Whether you walk outdoors or enjoy a landscape in your mind, sensory experience of nature is your conduit to Spirit and will re-calibrate your body-mind to the new energies of Light in Earth.

2. The Path of the Mind.

This is the path of the disciplined seeker able to descend into alert awareness of the still, small voice and bring its insights back into the conscious mind. While intellectual study, creative endeavor and meditative exercise like t'ai chi, qi gong, running and walking can and do stimulate creative insights, consistent and dependable access to the deeper, integrated awakened mind is best gained through the regular practice of meditation.

Meditation disciplines the busy, thinking mind, awakens the mind to self, others and God, and evolves consciousness like nothing else can. Visit The Sanctuary page of www.EagleLife.com to learn how to meditate. When possible, meditate with others to build inner awareness and expand your frequencies of consciousness. Notice how your body feels after meditation. Other people will notice differences, too, as you gain clarity of mind and refine your life.

3. The Path of the Spirit.

In addition to spiritual study done alone, it's helpful to join a study group, church, mosque or temple to spend time with other seekers of light. You won't find perfection in yourself or them, but you will sense the presence of light. If you live or work with chaotic, destructive people, compare these two groups and their effect on you. The more time you spend with coherent, light-seeking people, the more light you will absorb and want to absorb.

Above all, seek the light in yourself, the Light of which you are made. Let nothing get in the way of your communion with this Light, as it is your best and highest guide. It will show you the way to all you seek and need. Purifying and perfecting self to intensify this light is why you are. When it is brilliant and strong, you will be a light to all seekers of light and able to illuminate others.

4. The Path of the Family.

Behaviors conditioned in infants and children generalize from the family to life outside of it. For example, a love-hate dynamic in one's family of origin (if not reconditioned) patterns love-hate relationships with other people and the world.

Everyone has destructive patterns of behavior, such as aggressively engaging in conflict or running away from it. When we turn our attention inward to observe our modes of behavior, the busy mind quiets itself and allows the core self's observer to see with the eyes of the soul.
We may be surprised at what we find out about self, but because we are looking through higher eyes, discovery is completely or relatively painless. We learn how to love without expectations and conditions. When we love openly and freely, we become more tolerant and accepting of ourselves and others. We are able to walk in their shoes and understand their experience of life. Peace reigns, forgiveness arises, conflicts resolve and loving kindness reverberates into the world. Everyone joins our beloved family.

5. The Path of Love.

Getting along better with others engenders the energy of self-love that transports us into spiritual light. Recognizing ourselves as pure, perfect light and love discernibly increases self-trust, self-confidence and the freedom to be who we really are.

If pain or anger has closed your heart to yourself or others, take a few moments right now to re-open your heart. Find a comfortable place to sit down, allow your eyes to gently close, and begin to follow the quiet movement of your breath in and out of your body. Take slow, steady breaths until your body relaxes and your thoughts begin to disappear.

In your mind's eye, use all of your senses to become aware of your pure, perfect heart. If it needs to be healed, ask what it needs and give this if possible. If not, promise to serve your heart later on. Next, bring white light into your heart until it opens fully. Allow light to flow throughout your body and into whatever caused it to close.

Once your inner light is strong and powerful, send it to loved ones and anywhere else that seems appropriate. Notice how radiating love and light restores your own body, mind and spirit. Create a landmark (a word, image, concept or body sensation) describing how it feels to be open-hearted. Evoke this later on to re-create your present state of mind and re-open your heart.
Check in with your heart often to see what it needs. Always give it what it needs. If you are heart-sick, so is your life and everyone around you.

6. The Path of Sound.

Before each meditation, chant OM or HU. Notice the peace and mental clarity generated by these "seed sounds" of All That Is. Your vocal chords are like musical instruments, with your body serving as the resonating cavity. When you sustain a beautiful sound, harmony reverberates through your being and restores your frequencies to optimal levels.

The power of sound was known to all ancient cultures and is now being brought to the West by Hindu and Buddhist meditation teachers. But sound need not be restricted to meditation. Whenever you experience a sense of discord, very quietly and gently chant OM or HU under your breath. Others won't hear you, and you will feel the difference.

7. The Path of Culture.

We tend to assume that because someone is a member of a particular culture (ethnic, political or religious) that he or she shares the attitudes and beliefs of others in that culture. This may be so to some extent, but deep inside each of us is unique and different, a composite of thoughts, emotions, attitudes and beliefs arising from our personalities, life experiences, past life experiences, and the maturity of our souls. On top of all these differences, our shifting states of consciousness at times make us different from ourselves!

Paradoxically, we are all alike. We want and need love, food, shelter and success in expressing our unique gifts and talents. Understanding that we are all the same, yet being open to each person's uniqueness frees us of the dark, heavy burden of expectation, judgment and separation, which disconnects us from ourselves and the Light. When we are open to everyone, we are fully open to spiritual light.

Psychological conditioning can be stubborn and take a lifetime to release. But doing so is well worth the effort, because people who feel accepted are able to shine their light and make creative contributions to society. Peace with ourselves and others enables us to synergistically learn from everyone.

We know intellectually, instinctively and intuitively that the only way out of conflict, violence and war is mutual respect and understanding. This is also the only path to Creative Light.

8. The Path of Prayer. Mystics have always said what scientific research has proved in hundreds of studies done in the past 30 years: Prayer heals and works miracles. When we pray for the highest good of a person, culture or nation, currents of light intensify within us and flow outward to the recipient, along the way healing us as well.

Laboratory studies on seedlings have shown that undirected prayer works best. We don't need to envision a specific kind of healing taking place. We just send light and imagine the person happy, healed and whole. The Light knows what to do and does it.

9. The Path of Reconciliation.

Alcoholics Anonymous, the 1930s epiphany of Bill W., has saved millions of people's lives through its use of certain spiritual practices. One of the most important is making amends to people who have been hurt by the words or deeds of the alcoholic. Forgiving self and others and making an active, sustained attempt to reconcile relationships frees of us of the past so we can move forward with a light heart and quick, happy step.

Other people may not want to forgive what you have done, and they might not be nice about it. This doesn't matter, except that you may feel hurt for awhile. If this occurs, it won't kill you. What does kill us is the heavy weight of guilt, shame and blame. Once we ask forgiveness, we can forgive ourselves, let go and let God.

If your attempt at reconciliation is not well-received, go to meditation for healing. Once you are quiet and serene, funnel the energy of your hurt, disappointment or anger into a box and wrap it with paper and ribbon. Envision the altar of God and place your gift on the altar. Ask God to irradiate it with light. Walk away and know that it is done. You are now free of this aspect of the past. Do this as many times as needed. Chances are that once will be enough.

10. The Path of Breath.

In the midst of any kind of hurt, fatigue, illness or despair, take five and focus on your steady, even breathe. Allow your breath to relax your body and mind.

If you are in physical pain, use your breath to draw air from the Earth into the bottoms of your feet. Breathe this energy up into your spine and out the top of your head into the sky.
After a minute or two, begin to draw Light from the crown of your head down your spine, through the bottoms of your feet into the Earth. This Light will cleanse your body-mind and raise your vibrations into a more harmonious state. Do this for as long as you like. This is a wonderful way to reduce physical pain and restore the mind and spirit.

11. The Path of Peace.

Peace must be attained through understanding, said Ralph Waldo Emerson. The best way to understand is to instill peace in self and in its clear perspective observe your own thoughts, words and deeds and correct them as necessary.

Meditation tames the fight-or-flight response that surges adrenaline through the body and ravages it with stress. Gradually, we react slower and with less intensity to internal and external stress.

Once our psycho-physiology grows more peace, we are able to address past conditioning. The Buddhist art of stopping reverses destructive emotional responses. When your inner reptile strikes out, catch it in the act! Apologize to the other person or persons right away, even in the case of mutual fault.

The art of stopping connects the cognitive mammalian mind with the instinctual reptilian brain. The inner reptile hesitates for the few milliseconds it takes for the cognitive mind to intercede and defuse the defensive reaction. You will live happier and longer once these two layers of brain cells cooperate for the sake of peace.

12. The Path of Light.

Because the Light of Love diffracts into the electromagnetic wave spectrum of light, we know that everything in this universe is light. Conceiving of light as life's governing principle provides a guiding star by which to live.

Take a few moments right now to quiet your thinking mind and meditate on the following questions. Does your primary relationship bring to mind a sense of lightness or dark? Is your body filled with light? Your mind? Your spirit?

You can bring to mind any person, relationship or circumstance and ask if it is filled with darkness or light. Your intuitive in-sight reveals what needs light and what does not. Using this spiritual gift naturally awakens and evolves us into beings of Light.

Henry Miller, the beat-generation writer and artist, described our journey out of darkness into light. He said that, "Life has no other discipline to impose if we would but realize it than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate, or despise, serves to defeat us in the end.

"What seems nasty, painful or evil can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such."
May the Light be in you and with you always, as you shine ever brighter in this Season of Light.

Thanks, Judith, for considering life from a window of light!

MagsJOY

ALIGNING WITH YOUR GOALS (Intro)

I have decided to go back to a subject I think is still important to explore more deeply. With all the talk about the Law of Attraction being “The Secret” to ultimate happiness, I have found that people are still confused, finding that there is a huge ‘gap’ in how it all really works. Although the Law of Attraction is one of several viable universal laws, meaning it is in action whether you recognize it or not, there are still two that come into play when considering manifesting your desired goals.

The second crucial law is Deliberate Creation, meaning you choose to focus in a particular way, which works in conjunction with the Law of Attraction, as to achieve a purposeful result.

However, it is the third that is most significant of all. The Law of Allowing is the actualization of the desire into our physical reality. First you know what you want, then you bring it into focus with intent, finally, you must allow it in by being in a receptive state when it comes.

"Oh, that should be easy," you say. "After all, why would I not be ready to receive the thing I truly desire?" It is not that you don’t want to receive it; it’s that you are unaware of how receiving it actually works. You may not know that you not in "alignment" to receive it. So you think this "stuff" doesn't work.

What the Law of Allowing means is that you must bring yourself into vibrational alignment with that which you desire. Being ready means you must resonate with it before it shows up. Just wanting it is not enough. Just seeing it is not enough. Hmmmmm..now it may sound a bit more complicated than it actually is. Once you understand how to align your vibration, it is all really quite simple!

Most often when we want something in our lives; whether it is a job, a relationship, financial status or health, we let ourselves become scattered in our thinking and in our emotions. "I want this or that, but I will never, or I don't have, or I can see affording it, or there is no one yet." We feel sad or lonely or resentful or anxious or doubtful or impatient. Subsequently, because of these thought/emotional roller coasters, we find that we are getting more of what we don’t want rather than what we do want.

Again, understanding how to achieve what it is you are deliberately creating, via the Law of Attraction, is the difference between seeing it realized or not. The key element here is to know your job in the process. You have to learn “how” to be an "allower". And your emotions are the key to lead the way, if you learn how to follow their cues.

Let’s look at this from a straightforward view.

• You are vibration.
• Your thoughts are vibration.
• You receive, discern and transmit vibrational signals.
• Your physical five senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste) are used to decipher our ongoing standpoint at every moment in our life experience
• Your emotions are a sixth sense that is giving you feedback to your point of attraction
• The Law of Attraction is based on 'like vibrations attracting like vibrations'
• Your thoughts attract other thoughts that ultimately manifests into physical representations of the thoughts (both wanted and unwanted)
• Your emotions respond to your thoughts offering a signal as to how close or far you are to your desired thing, state of being, goal, relationship, etc.
• Vibrationally, there are only two directions you can head: one is closer to what you want and the other is further from what you want
• You can segment your thoughts or focus to a desired outcome
• Your emotions are a barometer or compass to point you in the direction to achieve alignment with whatever your desired “goal” is.
  

Tip: You know you are heading in the direction of your goal when you “feel” some kind of relief (or better feeling) based upon the thoughts you are thinking or your focus in any given moment.

For example, let’s look at sight as one of the senses of focus. If you are looking at photographs of an ex-lover who deeply hurt you and you find that you now feel sad or angry, (vibrationally) you are, at that moment, heading away from the kind of relationship you truly desire. Your sad or angry emotions are like a warning. “You are heading in the wrong direction!” Now if you ignore the warning, watch out! The Law of Attraction is still at play and will attract more thoughts that match those feelings and you most likely will snowball in an undesired direction. If you ignore that emotion too long, you will not like what you get in the next relationship, even if you desired something better. By remaining aligned with the old relationship, you may get a different face at a different place, but you get the same thing (a bad relationship).

Now if you look at photographs of happy couples, and you feel hopeful that there is someone out there for you, (vibrationally) you are well on your way to finding that desired partner. If you just kept hanging onto hopeful thoughts, maybe even got excited at the possibilities of your desired new relationship, you will eventually be attracted to someone who matches that new vibration (which is what you truly desire).

Another tip: The more passion or excitement you feel about the receiving of a desire, the quicker it will show up.

It is not just the thought; it is actually the kind of emotion that the thought conjures up in you that matters most. The Law of Attraction does the rest. Your job is to keep the best feeling thought going-- deliberately and mindfully. It is not any particular action that determines your end result, but rather it is ultimately your alignment with the end result that calls you to take action. It is a natural progression when you allow yourself to take the path of least resistance.

Final tip: The practice of meditation brings you in a state of least resistance. Meaning, in a meditative state you are not attaching yourself to any particular thoughts or feelings. Therefore, you are in perfect state of Allowing.

Closing Note: I will explore more about how to use your emotions to guide you to achieve your goals in my upcoming MagsJOY Blogs. All comments are welcome. Even those like one I got a few weeks ago that said "what you are doing is fake, either you are fooling yourself or deliberately fooling others...shame." What I realize is that I cannot please every reader. That is the great diversity of this life experience. Especially when it comes to Blogging on the Internet.

My perspective, as I consider life from a window of light, is not to impart my beliefs onto anyone, but rather to evoke in the reader contemplative thought on finding their own personal truth. That is what every spiritual teacher has offered me. And I am thankful for it.

Keeping it light,

Mags

MagsJOY
AttitudeLIFT

P.S. My teachings about universal laws are derived from Abraham-Hicks.

MEDITATION: Awareness vs. Positive Thinking

The thinking mind is a precious, unique gift to us humans. It has power beyond our own comprehension. However, if unmonitored, it can also become disjointed; ramblings of thoughts tossed about in our heads. States of confusion, being overwhelmed and even repetitive fear-based thinking can easily become a pattern in an uncensored mind.

Thinking is not the same as awareness. Awareness is the observer of the thoughts. It is the guard on duty 24/7. Watching, monitoring yet not judging. Awareness understands the importance and power of thoughts. It is there to instantly flash the light on them so that they can be seen clearly. It is not concerned for the thought itself as a reality, but merely illuminates the illusion of the thought. Awareness transmutes the confusion. It sorts out the details for a calmer approach. It pushes the forward button when the drama is stuck on replay.

Meditation promotes awareness. It doesn't try to change your thinking. It offers a way of being mindful to your thoughts. To deliberately become the observer; a participant in the process. Awareness is like standing on an overpass watching hundreds of cars pass on a freeway. You see them pass at different speeds. You take notice of color and shape. You make no attachment to any particular car. You just look as they move swiftly by, being replaced by more and more cars. That is how our thoughts operate. Hundreds upon hundreds of thoughts move through our minds each day. When you meditate, you simply become aware of how many there are until it no longer matters. You realize you are not your thoughts, but the one who watches them... and even the one who eventually gets to choose them.

This is not to say that you should choose to "think positive." Because positive thinking is a thought in itself. Therefore, you might find yourself caught in the web of the mind, yet again. Positive thinking will automatically occur when you put into practice the art of awareness. Through the stillness of mediation, you will discover your natural state of mind, which is nothing short of positive.

Just a thought for you to meditate on!

Mags

MagsJOY Blog
AttitudeLIFT

Flavoring Your Light With Peace

"Light on Earth measured at the quantum level is not a summary of the amount of light and dark parts, but rather the balance of the quotient of what the few light parts are creating for the whole. For instance, a glass of water might contain eight ounces of water, but add a few molecules of flavoring, and the entire glass of water has become "flavored water." Light is like that, where the inter-dimensional properties of the Human who meditates and prays are flavoring the entire earth's vibration."

--This is from the post script to the Kryon channelling given at the

Society of Enlightenment and Transformation

at the U.N. in NY by Lee Carroll on March 2, 2007.

You can read the entire communication at Kryon At the United Nations 2007.

EVERYDAY YOU CAN DELIBERATELY FLAVOR

YOUR LIGHT WITH PEACE ON EARTH.

Everyday we have the power to stop for even a moment to be still. Not to think excessively or to be a slave to the drama around each thought or to the demands of the external world. We can accomplish great things simply by incorporating "non-doing" on our agenda. I am not talking about "doing nothing." I am talking about doing something more powerful that you could ever do from a physical effort.

By merely intending it before a moment (or more) of meditation or prayer, you will have instantly made a difference on the other side of the planet. Do not underestimate the power of sprinkling a little goodness from your heart out into space. It will eventually seep into the hearts of all humanity. Or more accurately, shift their hearts.

Some might see this symbolic glass of [peace] flavored water as just plain water, unchanged. Just as so many dwell on the unchanged dark places that create drama all over this planet. The flavor of peace may still seem transparent; not there. However, as the sciences have already proven, there is more than meets the eye in the unseen. The "I'll believe it when I can see it" concept can now only be fully appreciated when experienced through alternate perceptions, like heightened senses and intuition.

As those around the world who are held hostage to their pain and suffering begin to crave the sweetness of this collective essence of light (which is infinite), peace on earth will indeed become realized.

Similar to the water metaphor, where it only takes a few molecules of flavor to change the water; it really only takes a few minutes a day of mindfulness to change the world. An experiment I think is worth doing, don't you?

As always, considering life from a window of light,

Mags

MagsJOY Blog
AttitudeLIFT

THE LAW OF BALANCE

Finding balance - at work, home and play

"If gravity is the glue that holds the universe together, balance is the key that unlocks its secrets. Balance applies to our body, mind, and emotions, to all levels of our being. It reminds us that anything we do, we can overdo or underdo, and that if the pendulum of our lives or habits swings too far to one side, it will inevitably swing to the other"

-- from The Laws of Spirit by Dan Milman

I just returned from a girl's road trip to The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. A wonderful getaway from the daily stresses of life to an unknown territory with new faces and new places to explore. We did just that and it was fun. But I am the first to admit that vacations are usually more taxing than relaxing. Our desire to take a break from our overload of responsibilities at home and work, quickly takes the shape of over-eating, drinking and partying and under resting. It is like we are trying to make up for all the days we did not get to do the things we wanted to do during our everyday lives. Then vacation comes and we cram it all in, leaving us even more drained than before we left.

As a meditator, I can appreciate the concept of balance. You do recognize the difference in your stress level when you deliberately stop to just "be" for a while. Even taking 10-20 minutes every morning in the hotel room to just sit and mediate, helped me counter the previous nights heightened euphoria. Actually, incorporating meditation everyday into your routine can significantly reduce stress and fatigue. A great meditation rule of thumb to try is: 10-10-10. Ten minutes in the morning, ten minutes in the afternoon and 10 minutes before bed.

Try it for a week. I guarantee you will begin to notice a change. You will feel more rested, more alert, more calm. In other words, balanced.

And if you keep it up, the next time you take a vacation, you might even feel refreshed when you get home!

P.S. That's me in the picture seeking tranquility at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

P.S.S. I hightly recommend visiting Cleveland, known as the New American City!

Maggie Kalas, MagsJOY Blog

Mindfulness and Meditation

Breaking the Chain of Pain

In contemplation of the human experience, one might find that we are like hamsters stuck on the wheel of life. Everyday people all over the world practice suffering in some form—physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. Some feeling damned from birth. We keep hoping for an ideal lifestyle, a better way of being, only to find ourselves back to square one--unhappy. It is not a conscious behavior; it is unconscious, a vicious cycle that has been a part of our existence from the beginning of mankind. In our constant quest for finding something outside of ourselves to fulfill an empty void inside, we get caught up in the illusion of what is and then we perpetuate a chain of pain. Our hope for happiness turns to despair in a blink of an eye as soon as circumstances darken or attention is brought to our unfulfilled desires.

After reading about the life of Buddha in Deepak Chopra’s new book of the same name, I was fascinated by this one man’s innate desire to figure out the truth; and his courage to find it. I had only known of the master we call Buddha, the enlightened one. The truth is he was a confused man, a fearful human like the rest of us. He had a dysfunctional family, unanswered questions and challenges at every turn. His life represented perhaps the worst of any. Yet, it also revealed that we have the power to change, moment by moment.

Our suffering, just like our pleasures, is like names on a voter’s ballot. You get to choose the one you want. You can even choose a neutral party; the one that is detached from either result. In his quest to stamp out suffering, Buddha discovered it was not only impossible, but more importantly, it was unnecessary. Each play a significant role in our growth. When we release ourselves from attachment to both our pain and pleasure, we can experience life from its purest state. He called it nirvana. No more blindly running on the wheel of life. No more expectations. No more worries. No more fear. No more illusions. In our detachment to everything, we find we want for nothing. Only our infinite self remains.

Not only has our human existence been chasing a phantom life, we have also been asleep at the wheel, clueless to what is really happening. We are ego driven. In other words, we are on autopilot. In denial, we dupe ourselves daily; blaming others for our troubles, convincing ourselves that our unhappiness is the result of some outside source. We are totally ignorant to our own self sabotage.

This naive state reminds me of the plea Jesus made from the cross, literally for those who were to murder him, but metaphorically to all of humanity. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He was fully awake and knew that all of humanity was sleepwalking; having no clue as to our own light, which really is what connects us all.

How do we escape the trap? How do we snap out of the daze and open our eyes to our fullest potential? Buddha says it is through the ongoing practice of mindfulness and meditation. By bringing stillness to the mind, we spontaneously break the chain of pain. We are illuminated by the peace and joy that already exist in us. And, with this new perspective, we will see that everything else was only a shadow of the truth.

Awakening is a decision. It involves making changes; some big and some small. Some will challenge you, all will enlighten you. Every journey is different, unique as every human. Success is not in the destination, it is in your unique journey. No right or wrong; just the unfolding of awareness.

So where do you begin? Start by spending 10 minutes twice a day just sitting with your eyes closed and breathing. Notice your thoughts. Notice you emotions. Begin to notice life from a place of stillness. Then let me know what you are noticing.

As you embark, remember what Buddha told his disciples,

“Just do your best.”

Maggie Kalas, RM, ATP

AttitudeLift, Take Your Potential to the Next Level

http://www.magsjoy.blogspot.com/