Category: Blog-Soulful Living

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The Curious Nature of Angels

I remember when I wondered if I had any Angels around me.

That was a long time ago. When I thought in numbers like 1, 2, or perhaps 3. In fact, during my first intuitive reading, that was my first question.

Do I have any Angels around me?

Hoping for a few, I was shocked when I heard the casual reply. “Yes, of course, you have legions of Angels surrounding you.” It was disconcerting as it blew open my puny idea of 1, 2, or 3.

I had to look up the definition of “legions.”

I knew it was “a lot,” but once again felt that shock throughout my system when I read the definition. “A unit of 3000 – 6000 men in the ancient Roman army.” “A vast host, multitude, or number of people or things.” The walls of my limited thinking were shaken.

As a bright, beautiful Legion of Light burst onto the scene.

It took some time to settle. I used to think I was really open to Angelic guidance and support when I’d call on 10 Angels to surround me or a situation. Big deal – that number 10. Until the day I walked into the gym with a prayer in my heart to surround a person with Angels.

I reached for my comfy, expansive number of 10 and tripped on the sidewalk when the prayer emerged through my mind, asking for 10,000 Angels to surround him.

I had to pause and regain my balance. Recognizing that your idea of who you are and who (and what) you’re in relation with will change over time. If you’re open to it. Yet, it isn’t just a mental shift.

It’s a foundational breaking of limits within your energetic architecture.

Reverberating through the mental, emotional, and physical bodies. That’s why the shaking may be experienced so profoundly. Like a mini wave moves through your being or the ground beneath your feet starts to shake. Other times, the expansion is subtle. 

Angels are a mysterious Presence. Always ready to expand how we think, act, and relate.

 

Not only to them, but to everything. Absolutely everything.

I’ve been partnering with the Angelic energy for years. I teach workshops, offer live streamed Angelic Healing Journeys, and enjoy Angel Card Readings. I created courses, meditations, and the healing technique AngelicEnergetics in partnership with the Angels.

In all that time, only one person asked me to expand on the very nature of the Archangels.

One question blew open my idea of what an Angel was. 

Never again would I shrink an Angel into a single Heavenly Body. I was grateful for that question. And I notice there isn’t much curiosity about what else there is to be learned about Angelic energy. As humans, we tend to focus on what is happening in our lives. We seek assistance with the business of living through our challenges and expanding our gifts.

I’m really interested in your direct experience of expansion.

To discover what it feels like to have your mind blown, your blinders removed, and your energy shifted permanently.

I’ve got legions of partners who share my interest. They are a curious lot. Always ready to explore what happens in their Angelic-Human relationships if they shed just a bit more light on the topic.  I’d invite you to join me in any Angelic endeavor I offer.

Check out my workshops and retreats page for an array of Angelic opportunities.

There is always more. I’d invite you to engage those thousands and thousands of Angels who are hanging all around you, waiting for the curiosity to pose the questions they may answer. You may do this your way – directly engaging the Angelic energy in any way you choose.

I’ve left 1, 2, and possibly 3 behind me a long time ago.

I could never be satisfied by such a small idea. For this, I am grateful. And discovered there is no end to the shifting since then, but that’s for another conversation. Especially if you’re curious.

Join me on the Angelic Path if you will. You’ll be in good company.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

When the world gets you down, seek some “moral elevation.” This warm feeling you get from witnessing courageous or kind acts boosts positive emotions, increases love for fellow humans and inspires you to be better person. There’s lots of good news, or “angels in action,” in the world. Like when a Minnesota Dairy Queen drive through customer started a “pay it forward” chain that continued for over 900 cars. 900 cars, people! Or those Manhattan police officers who paid for a woman’s groceries rather than arrest her for shoplifting in Whole Foods. Seek the good. Become an Angel in Action. Moral elevation is catching and good for the planet.

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Are You a Wise Woman Who is Waiting for Something?

Are you a Wise Woman who is waiting for something?

It’s a serious question. When you hit pause and let the question drop in and breathe you, the answers that emerge may surprise you. Answers plural. It’s not so simple as yes, no, or couldn’t care less.

Are you talking to me?

Yes I am. I am calling that wisdom that has laid dormant for centuries to arise within your body, life, and way of being. It’s a subtle call and deep. I’m not speaking of being empowered as a female, finding your voice, or living your purpose. Although all of that will likely emerge along this journey.

I’m calling up the mystic who lives the healing medicine in her unique way.

She who comes alive with passion for the joy of living, creating, and engaging in her own great work. Influenced by the map of The Mystery which lies deep within you. She who is not necessarily visible to the world as a light bearer, yet one who bears great light. Showering it upon Her Path and touching the dark spaces in the lives of those she meets.

I’m calling up the healer who quietly whispers the songs of healing to those spaces within humanity that feel broken.

To assist others in recognizing that breaking is often the path to opening to more. Rather than healing the broken heart or troubled mind, the Wise Woman coaxes the breaking open. Midwifing the transformative power held within to reveal what next wonder of creation awaits.

I’m calling the Wise Woman who have yet to awaken to She Who Lives within you.

 

Wise Women. Plural.

There is plenty to awaken in you.

I’m calling you to join me in a deep exploration of the Sacred Mystery of Feminine Wisdom. Taught not by the mystics of old, but by the living archetypal energy of the Feminine Wisdom itself.

The Feminine Archetypal energy, by its very nature, seeks a home.

Your body. Your energy system. Your life. This is Her Home if you are willing.

I invite you to join me and other ladies who are diving deeply within the Sacred Feminine Mystery. We will let this Living Wisdom have its way with us in the 6 week series beginning Tuesday, October 5th.

It’s a Path that won’t disappoint. And I hope you choose to walk it with me.

Register now to ensure your space. We’re meeting on ZOOM and Those who are new, I will open the Sacred Feminine Mystery Teaching Archive for you – a treasure trove of information, journeys, and initiations.

For those of you who have stepped on this Path before with me, there is more. Always more.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

South Korea offers 100 Won Taxis to rural residents. That’s 9 cents in US dollars. As public buses decreased their routes, rural residents were left in a fix. Taxis don’t want to head out to the boondocks for a single fare. Now this governmental policy offers residents living more than 2300 away from a bus stop an affordable ride.  Yup, that’s pennies for a lift that takes you right to your door. The government subsidizes the drivers so it’s a win win. Clever strategies are popping up all over the world. Turn off the news and go seek all the good stuff that’s happening.

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Generating Calm for your Troubled World

The world news: Sorrow. Anxiety. Disruption. Division. Tragedy.

Sometimes the world feels out of control. Your personal world. The lives of friends or colleagues. Your country. That country. The weather. When so much happens around you, a sense of powerless arises. Even when you identify actions to take or ways to help others, the muchness of this sorrowful world can get to you.

Now is the time to come together and generate the energy of healing, compassion, and love. 

Whether you have a religious tradition or a personal practice of prayer or devotion, you know the comfort and potential when you plug into the Divine. Your body breathes more freely, your wild emotions settle, and your mind calms a bit. 

This settling opens a door within your heart where you realize there is something greater than you. 

That you are not alone. This greatness, however defined, offers refuge from the storm within which rages in response to the overwhelming news of the world. And this news is overwhelming. 

So, make sure you don’t drink out of the proverbial firehose. 

Turn off the television and take a break from the news that streams through your phone. Breathe a bit and take a walk. The world will still turn without your witness (and upset).

There is comfort in devotion, centered prayer, and sacred ritual.

Even with a heavy heart and despairing mind, the familiarity of your spiritual practice or sacred tradition ushers you into a new state. Yet it doesn’t descend like manna from heaven. It’s up to you to head in the direction of peace, healing, and clarity. 

It helps to bring attention to breath and focus strongly upon your intention to feel peace. 

The world is wild and seemingly out of control. So is your mind. This is why the strong focus is necessary. While it helps to have a daily practice to fall back on, you may easily resurrect your earlier traditions or enter a new one. Even when you’ve not prayed, attended a religious service, or meditated regularly, you can find your way into the benefits of calming the body-mind and reconnecting with the Divine. When it’s hard to do this on your own, especially when you’re unable to regulate your upset, joining with others enhances this potential. 

Group devotion is contagious.

Just like fear, hatred, and division. The good news is that you’re in charge of what you “catch.” The media thrives on creating fear. Bad news sells. Good vibes calm. Your choice. 

The higher states of love and compassion are accessed when your energy, body, and mind are regulated.

When these levels of your being are coherent, you offer a gift to your environment. You radiate peace and invite the potential to join you in the soothing energy of love. 

It’s an energy thing, first and foremost. 

When you understand that energy is your foundational architecture, you’ll pay more attention to any technique or intent that organizes your energy into a coherent state. All healing is enhanced with coherence. For you, them, and the world. Using the group as a springboard to an organized, calm energy state makes sense. You can remember this.

How did you feel at the end of that yoga class, group meditation, or beautiful religious service?

Your system remembers these events, no matter how distant they may be. I was raised Catholic and had a short stint in Catholic school for a few early years. I remember the prayers, the mass, the ritual.  Some memories are precious as they reflect a felt sense of loving connection. Some memories make me realize I had no awareness of my breath or desire to commune with the Divine. I was just racing through the prayers we were saying.

“Jesus, I’m a doggie.”

I’m not even sure what that prayer was supposed to be. “Jesus, I adore you” would make sense. Somewhere in that third grade experience, we all lost our way. It’s not like we were being smart asses when my fellow classmates would mention the doggie prayer. We hadn’t grown into that skill yet. We were just going through the motions. 

Rote prayers. Rote practice. No felt connection with the Divine. 

You can’t tame the sorrow, fear, or sense of helplessness when you’re lost in the wild mind with only rote practice for your companion.

 

And the world needs you. Calm. Coherent. Connected.

Enter your practice strongly, whatever it is, with awareness and focused intent. In order to truly support others and the world, you need to first help yourself. When you drop into that peaceful coherence on a regular basis, you are strengthening your capacity to be with the world. As you breathe, centered in your heart, you radiate caring and love in the face of great sorrow.

The world needs more radiating calm, compassion, and love.

All healing begins within. Take time away from the news, people’s challenges, and your own internal dialogue so that you may move in the direction of that great peace. Whether it passes understanding or just allows you to breathe easier, it’s worth it. I hope you give it a (strong, committed) try.

If you need a coherence boost, download my Self-Soothe Strategy on my home page.

I’ll talk you through this basic, beneficial practice until you’re empowered to use it your way. It’s so simple, yet so far reaching. I hope you add it to your repertoire of “living well” skills

I’m hosting an evening of Chanting in the Light Cathedrals tomorrow evening at Soul Sanctuary.

Inviting others to join me in my devotional practice of singing the sacred prayers of my yogic tradition. It’s selfish really. The world around me continues to bring me lives affected by deep sorrow, unexpected tragedy, and challenges to be navigated. I’m better off being a calm presence in the midst of storms – my own and others. So, I chant.

The focus tomorrow is on healing – self, others, the world. The specifics? I’ll leave that up to the Universal Harmony back beyond all things.

I look forward to joining with others in a familiar sacred practice in the pure energy of Soul Sanctuary. I know the outcome for the bodies that will sit there. Total relaxation, pure peace, inspired optimism, and a readiness to serve the world. Join us if you choose.

I hope you share my selfishness and enter your practice, whatever it is.

So that you may feel the calm in the midst of the storm and reorganize your body, mind, emotions, and energy. Healing really does begin at home. And when unleashed, this powerful healing energy of love and compassion radiates outward in every interaction. May you be a source of healing and optimism for this world so in need of uplifting.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Philadelphia borrows from the neighborhood barbershop to help men reintegrate into the community after prison. This out of the box idea was sparked by recognition of how the Black barbershops catered to boys and men of all ages. A place to laugh, dispense wisdom, and straighten out some issues.  The Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project mimics the intergenerational healing circle to assist men of all ages. The younger men help set up social media accounts for their elders who return the favor with hard earned advice. Creating a space to be real, vulnerable, positive, and enormously helpful to those who share the task of reentry. Kudos Philly! 

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Blessed are the Cracked and the Frail

Myths and legends across cultures reveal a shared desire among humankind to aspire to the exalted condition of the immortal Gods and Goddesses.

These myths influence aspirations of the human family. Some people extoll living in accordance with religious traditions, a committed spiritual path, or humanitarian ideals of changing the world for good. Others may seek to be the best in business, achieve great wealth, or claim mythic status in athletics or entertainment. Many simply strive to be good, do good, and feel good as they live their days.

One way or another, we’re all on the path of the Hero’s Journey.

The mythologist Joseph Campbell, who built on the work of Carl Jung, proposed that myth serves an important sociological function. Inviting people of all cultures, ages, and life circumstances to explore the human story, where they fit within it, and how things are intrinsically connected.


Epic myths, by design, evoke a sense of awe, support a religious cosmology, empower the social order, and introduce individuals to the spiritual path of enlightenment.


In our global society, myth is a universal language. 


Campbell’s work influenced George Lucas who created the successful Star Wars saga as a “myth for modern man.” As people turn away from traditional religions, mythical stories and movies embody the truths that religion had traditionally conveyed. 



People who would never enter a church love the movies.


Far from frivolous, this entertainment function serves to replace the wisdom keepers and story tellers around the fires of old. Enhanced by technological advances, people worldwide stream these myths into their homes.


The epic movies, like Lord of the Rings and the Marvel movies, offer a map of the Hero’s Journey.


Viewers, and especially diehard fans, share vicariously in the hero’s quest and experience their own subconscious cathartic transformation. The “hero within” follows the hero on the screen or the page as he/she/they make moral choices. Allowing the viewer or reader to decide, often unconsciously, that they too live in a moral and good universe.



Within all myths, we find a striving for perfection so that the human shines bright, beautiful, and powerful.


This perfection also enlists a hidden function of protection, as if such shiny magnificence would protect us from the frailty or miscalculations of our human nature.

Yet, even mythic beings make mistakes or miss the details.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson points out in his Essays (first series, 1941), Aurora asked for immortality for her lover, Tithonus, yet she forgot to mention that essential detail of “youth.” Thus, while he was granted immorality, Tithonus is perpetually old. And when Thetis sought to make Achilles invulnerable, he erred by holding his proverbial heel when dipping him in the sacred water.

Perhaps the grand intelligence behind all intention, action, and form favors some representation of vulnerability.

Or as Emerson put it, “There is a crack in everything God has made.”

This is part of the Hero’s Journey. To face the vulnerability inherent within our very nature. To fall in the face of overwhelming challenge and to require assistance from others or the unseen mystery to rise again. In every wisdom teaching and every great story, an undeniable truth emerges.

A human being is a vulnerable thing.

Worn down by life and the insecurities of a doubting mind. Housed within a body that may exude great strength and be unexpectedly brought down by its own frailty. Regardless of the aspiration to be great, shine bright, and do good, failure is inevitable along the path.

And so is the capacity to rise from the ashes.

Yet, every Hero’s Journey requires entry to the shadowy nether regions of the psyche. This human frailty is especially encountered when we are laid low by overwhelming circumstance, illness, betrayal, ignorance, or failure. Societal conditioning and a strong desire for self protection suggests seeking a rapid fix to the extreme discomfort of the wounded world of shadow.

Yet, as Rumi reminds us, “the wound is where the light enters.”

Life doesn’t wrap up the Hero’s Journey in one movie or book. Nor does Life require a wildly successful, franchised epic. It allows this journey to be lived. One day at a time. One choice at a time. One breath at a time. That is the way of the human.

To aspire to live according to the highest ideals. And to fail on a regular basis.

Perhaps here is where we need to highlight the qualities of self-compassion, understanding, and recognition that it’s okay to be frail. And it’s okay to fail. Where we exalt the need for rest and contemplation before rising too quickly to battle the inevitable challenge.

The best Hero Journey recognizes the power of trust in the larger mystery, a willingness to be led, and a wicked sense of humor.

We tend to get serious very quickly. And in honor of a desire to be transparent or authentic, we share our wound quite publicly and at length. This tendency to perseverate on our failures and get lost in worry leaves us with a small story. A story of the shadow with only a mention of the light. Imagine if we focused more heroically on the light which has the capacity to shine through the shadow.

Or as the wise cracker Groucho Marx once said, “Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.”

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Tolkien, author of The Hobbit, was fascinated by the influential power of myth. He intended to create Lord of the Rings trilogy as a myth for the English people to update the Arthurian legend. Yet, myth is a universal phenomenon and thus transcends culture to speak to the heart of every human. Tolkien also expounded on the influence of discovery of plot and meaning in a story. How this allows one to discover a plot and meaning in the cosmos. And in the creator of the cosmos. The ultimate knower of meaning because “He” is the ultimate meaning.

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Brain Stilling: One Minute Magic

What are you trying to accomplish today?

Take a breath. Just asking the question tends to rev you up somedays, doesn’t it? The revving up comes either from the anxiety of not knowing the answer or the length of the “to-doing” intended for your day. Or perhaps from being in the midst of a challenging time in your life where getting anything accomplished is the furthest thing from your mind.

Now is a good time to practice the art of Brain Stilling.

This is not “brainstorming.” You already have enough storm activity in your thinking. Stilling the mind, to whatever degree is possible in any moment, has plenty of benefit for your mental, physical, and spiritual health. You know this at the core of your being. And there is plenty of research and your direct experience to confirm the benefit of stilling.

When you get revved up, for tiny or huge reasons, stress chemicals flood through your body.

Your heart beats faster, muscles clench, skin feels hot or sweats, and thoughts race. Before you curse this stress response, reflect for a moment on how useful it was when a predator appeared unexpectedly in your cave and threatened to eat your food and your family.

Back then, your stress chemicals were the greatest thing since sliced bread …. or perhaps fire.

In the 21st century, this glorious response system fires up at the many perceived and real threats you face. And you do face them. Living in a complex society, life became complicated. The mind became busy in response. That’s why it is so helpful to take a breath and put things in perspective.


Compare the perceived and smaller stressors to a predator attacking your cave while you reach for your little spear.

Many mind made dramas and annoyances aren’t so bad. Most stressors you face can be managed well by your inner resources. If you can access them. Your stress response system was designed to be flexible and empower you to rise to meet the challenges in your life. It was meant to serve you beyond the simple fight or flight response by supporting skill development.

My Self Soothe Strategy Playbook has more to add about how to work in concert with this intelligent response system. Download it here.

Scientists have estimated that you receive 2 million bits of information through your sensory channels each second.

Every single second. They suggest that approximately 134 bits of this information is actually processed on the conscious level. The remaining information gets stored at the subconscious level. Beneath the tip of the iceberg.

All of this data is ignored as it doesn’t match the “programming” of your brain’s search engine.

This “Google” function of your brain is mostly unconscious and works in coordination with the search engine “rules” which were learned (conditioned) as you grew. These rules guide your focus and influence perception and response to your reality. Becoming aware of your unconscious programming – those rules that guide your search engine and allow the 134 bits of information into your awareness – will help you tweak the rules that govern your living.

Brain Stilling also shifts stress chemicals to feel good chemicals that increase comfort, peace, and enjoyment.

Meditators know this experience. When you quiet the outer noise, those unconscious “rules” bubble up to the surface for your review. Once seen, you have the possibility for transformation. The benefit of stilling the mind and nervous system is enhanced when this practice is integrated in your waking moments.

Choosing a minute of stillness multiple times throughout the day has great benefit.

It just feels good to sit still. To stop moving, put down the phone, and step away from the tasks of living. Choosing a beautiful, natural environment encourages this practice. It doesn’t have to be complicated. I often stand in my driveway before leaving for work. Brainstilling: One Minute at a Time.Or sit on my deck and watch the trees dance. I sit in the dark at the end of the day or spend a minute in a parking lot before entering a store.

These minutes of stilling add up to a quieter mind and a calmer nervous system.

Brain stilling and becoming quiet is a dedicated practice. It is so simple that it requires reminders for most people, including me. While there is a benefit of a once a day stilling practice, you’ll get a more sustained effect when you build in minutes (or more) of stillness throughout your day.

It goes without saying that stilling involves silence.

The mind doesn’t quiet, nor does the body, when you’re yapping away. Create some mini space where you won’t be disturbed. Keep your eyes open. Just notice how your body is breathing you. And where your eyes wander. Thoughts will come and go. No need to manage them or prod them with your tiny spear.

Stilling is simple: Breathe in life. Sit still and be quiet. Enjoy the peace.

A silent, stilling practice will enhance your mental awareness and support health within your body, mind, and emotions. It opens a way into exploration of your inner nature and the spiritual path that beckons. In this complex, contentious society, simplicity is useful. Allowing your discovery of what’s below the billion bits of data flowing through the mind.

Discovering that stillness is your essential nature.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Stilling the mind allows for creativity to flourish. And good things emerge. Like Fugees Academy which began as a soccer team for refugee boys. Eventually the team expanded to tutoring, a summer camp, and then a small school. Recognizing that refugees are at a disadvantage in our school systems, especially for those age 14 or older, this creative school seeks to empower creativity, individuality, and academic success. Transformation emerges from the quiet, creative mind.

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True Confessions: I am an Amateur.

I felt like a kid in a candy store. 

Arriving to help my friend pack up her office in preparation for a move, I encountered two rooms with wall to wall book cases. This was my idea of heaven. My conversational skills receded as my head tilted to browse hundreds of titles lining the shelves. So much knowledge! My curiosity and delight threatened to take over.

I got a hold of myself. After all, I had a job to do.

I was there to corral a fellow book lover into letting go of a lifetime of really cool books. To release a multitude of journals, notebooks, and workshop notes. Ouch. That’s the thing about downsizing. You can’t take it with you. Well, you can take 10 tightly packed bankers boxes. A treasure trove of delight awaiting a new home.

As books were being offered to me, I realized the book addict in me was being tempted.

I got my head clear and activated my purpose for being there. It wasn’t so I could “shop.” After two days of organizing, packing, tossing, and donating books, one room was clear. With a plan and a sprinkle of hope that one day those other shelves would be emptied, I headed home. 

Taking only 3 books with me. Wait, I meant 4. 

With one being mailed to me. Okay, 5. And 3 photos of books I have to order. And 8 books to pass on. A few things for Soul Sanctuary. One new journal for some special person. And a really cool workshop handout. That’s it. Scout’s honor.

Here’s the skinny on those 3 books.

I put the yoga book away. Very interesting, but I thought I’d wait ’til I returned to practicing yoga.  The Egyptian Goddess? I peeked, but I’m not so keen on diving in yet. That will take some attention. I have a pile on my shelf where she went.

Why put off exploring this beneficial wisdom? 

I discovered the answer by reading the third book cover to cover. 

Light bathing on my deck the following afternoon, surrounded by birdsong and breeze, I devoured this small gem. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but I did grab this book because of its title.

The War of Art. 

Cleverness intrigues me. And it was a small book.

It was a good thing the sun was shining on my comfort and curiosity. Because the author, screenwriter Steven Pressfield, calls it like it is. He offers a map to bring creativity into form. Taking your art – painting, writing, musical composition, entrepreneurial pursuits, or [put your art here] – and bringing it out of the realm of idea into material reality.

He challenges the artist to create consistently and with a diligence I’ve never achieved. And now I know why.

Because I’m an amateur, not a professional.

 

Pressfield distinguishes a profession, such as me being a psychologist and a mother, from a professional approach to creating art.

Even reading a few pages about what this means is enough to offer a mindset intervention. Yet, perhaps not quite sufficient for changing a life long pattern of being an amateur artist. 

The magic word in this book? Resistance.

Page after page. Example after example, he describes the resistance which lies within each of us. Ready to strike with a healthy dose of self sabotage, distraction, doubt or any of those internal obstacles which inhibit success. 

Resistance crashes dreams. Sometimes before they get lift.

After a while, I stopped reading as an “artist” and saw the influence of resistance across so many areas of my life. 

This tiny book was a lovely wake up call. Kind of like an artistic bitch slap. 

It stings a bit, but it’s a good sting if your creativity longs to express more fully. 

Just when my cheeks were red and sore, I got to the good part of his map. I’d hate to spoil the end of any book. Let’s just say any artist who mentions resistance, resilience, and creativity along with angels and the muse has got my full attention.

I’m still a book lover. Piles tend to manifest in my home as if out of thin air. 

They are artistically arranged in every room, bringing me great pleasure and a nugget of wisdom any time I wander into the open page. I guess that makes me a “professional” book lover and seeker of knowledge.

As for the artist in me. Well, she’s still an amateur.

An amateur who is appreciating the artistry and creative capacity of my inner resistance. I’ve got a lot to unpack and toss here. Downsizing my resistance so I can upsize my professional engagement of the muse. Sounds like a map I can follow.  

Moral of this story?  Good things happen when you clean your room.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Are you prone to procrastination? A recent study from Bishop’s University in Canada suggests that procrastinators may have higher levels of stress (no duh). And a potential for lower levels of self-compassion. Ok, that makes sense. Increasing self-compassion helps you recognize the downside of procrastination (and other kinds of “resistance”) without getting lost in negative rumination and emotions. Increasing self-compassion may help you decrease stress, disrupt negative self-view, and support positive behavioral change.Sounds like a map you can follow.

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Love’s Song

 

What if it was true?
That you were made of Love,
worthy of Love,
guided by Love,
empowered by Love?

What if it was true?
That Love Flowed Freely
as Life,
as Unified Consciousness,
as what is called
Angels, You, Them, Earth?

What if Loved simply moved?
All particles of Love
Aware as they
Danced the Light Divine.
Singing
I AM that Love.
I AM that Light Divine.

Let go the illusion
which leaves the ‘i’ 
separate, unworthy, afraid.
Longing to be
embraced
re-membered
sourced
by Love Itself.

Let go the false longing.


Witness the Truth of Love’s 
ever present movement.
Participate in the Song of Life.
I AM here. I AM available. 
I AM the Light Divine.

Gone, then, are the humans,
angels, earth forms.
Only Love moving 
as humans, 
angels,
earth forms.

Singing ONE song
which is 
Love’s Song. 

Let yourself know this is true.
This Song is What You Are.
Love’s Song
Broadcasting 
Beautifully
Always and 
Forever
Amen.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

“Love is a lot like air. It may be hard to see, but it’s in you and all around you.” Psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD isn’t pulling this idea out of thin air. Many scientists believe that love, defined broadly, has been the primary driving force behind the evolution of the brain. Groups of early humans who were skilled at understanding and caring for each other outcompeted less cooperative and loving groups. They lived to pass on genes of empathy, bonding, friendship, altruism, romance, compassion, and kindness. Love is in your DNA.

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Two Brides. One Love. New Eyes.

A Friday night outdoor wedding with more than a hint of rain. 

This was my thinking as I scanned my schedule last Friday. I had a small time window between work and picking up the “package.” The package being my mother-in-law. I realized I still had to try on my dress, find shoes, get gas in the car, write the card, eat lunch, and run an errand. Kinda wished I had thought this all out earlier in the week. 

I wandered around the house muttering “umbrella” so I wouldn’t forget to bring one. 

I tossed out the suede shoes for another pair that could tolerate wet grass and a heavy downpour. My skirt fit loosely so I packed a big safety pin in case there was wild dancing and it was at risk of falling down. (No one needs to see that.) With amazing efficiency, I was only 15 minutes behind schedule. Which is on time for me.

The package acquired and looking lovely, we hit the open road.

There’s something about heading to the shore that triggers a massive relaxation in my being. I put my bare feet up on the dashboard and enjoyed the ride. Even a threat of rain couldn’t dim my anticipation. I was heading to a big party to celebrate two lovely women who, like many, postponed their wedding a year due to COVID.

I hadn’t seen this extended family in almost a year. Not in person, that is. 

Arriving at a beautiful vineyard, I was transfixed by the lovely gardens and neat rows of vines. The day was warm and the sun was peeking through the clouds. Weather nerds were on their phones predicting the downpour had shifted course. We were not to be blessed by the holy water from the heavens. 

I imagined there were other blessings in store. 

As we claimed three rows together, I delighted in seeing everyone. It warms my heart even now, this pleasure of face to face contact, kisses, and hugs. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed all of them until I was in their presence. I’m moved by weddings, funerals, warmhearted stories, and hallmark commercials. Often to tears. So, I was already primed to flow a drips with the joy of settling in with these lovely people.

Here’s the thing about two brides. 

I knew these lovely ladies. I knew they each would walk down the aisle and profess their love and commitment for each other. I anticipated that wonder. I took that for granted. 

I had not considered, perhaps, how different such a union is from the prevailing societal expectations for weddings and marriage. 

Since high school, my friends, colleagues, and extended circles have always included people who favor same sex relationships. That was normative in my experience. And I’ve had plenty of conversations of their experience in the world, different from mine, which opened my mind and heart more fully.

These conversations weren’t only about sexual preference and the courage to live true to oneself.

As friends, the conversations were about everything.

 I wonder now if perhaps my comfort level actually left me insensitive to how deeply the dominant view of weddings as heterosexual was buried within my psyche. And our societal psyche.

The entrance of the bridal party took my breath away. 

Two by two, beautiful ladies in dresses of their own choosing walked down the grassy aisle. Alternating to reveal themselves as friends of this bride or that bride. There were a lot of bridesmaids and they just kept coming. Two by two.

Making a visual statement that resonated deeply within my body. All ladies with the exception of two brothers. All walking together as women. Together as men. Making a point. Priming us for the entrance of one gorgeous bride. And then another. 

This was a blessed union of two women. 

I saw that. Really saw that. And how different this was from just about every wedding I had witnessed with the expected male and female pairs leading a single bride down the aisle. I recognized that the last wedding of friends, who were a long time couple, had walked in by themselves. Just as I was used to seeing them walk into many gatherings over the years.

It was a welcome shaking of my stored inner photo of what weddings looked like.  

Here, I was greeted by a solidarity that boldly and beautifully stated the truth of the day.

This is what our love looks like.


The ceremony was precious, as would be expected. The brides glowed. Also expected.

The celebration was enthusiastic. Made more so because of the long separation we had all shared. The love for the couple was free and boisterous. The toasts were heart bursting and tear inducing all around. Leaving a glow around every body – however they identified. Looking around, at times, I felt my heart grow a few sizes.

What a wonder it is, to be free enough to celebrate love in all of its forms.

How very lucky we are to be free enough in our country, in our families and social groups, and in our inner world to experience such joy. So we danced. In celebration of what love looks like. For me, I was grateful that my visual wedding image, held deep within my memory, was dashed to the ground.

Priming me for my cousin’s bridal shower the next day. 

Two brides. Beautifully unique. At a small outdoor gathering in a relative’s home. I met my cousin’s bride to be. Not on FaceTime or via telephone updates about their lives. In real time with a real hug. I connected with more family that I had not seen in a long time. I met the future in-laws and family. All ladies of course. After all, it was a bridal shower. 

Oh, yes. And the Man of Honor. 

He did a great job, the bride’s brother. First, he burst my heart a bit more as he gamely handed over presents and managed the gift opening. Sitting at the feet of his sister and her bride-to-be.

Busting another myth about that role for me.

Enthusiastic, but inexperienced, he laughed with the group when the paper plate was handed to him. Confused, he looked for some rational reason a paper plate was part of this traditionally female ritual, so foreign to him. His mother rescued the Man of Honor, taking over the creation of a hat of ribbons for the bride to be.  (This is a strange ritual. Gotta acknowledge that.) 

My cousin hated that hat. She would’ve rather worn a top hat, I imagine. 

I look forward to that wedding. To celebrating this love in its form with more family I haven’t seen in forever. To shed some tears of happiness, dance in celebration, and share the warm glow. As for the details, I’m not sure how this wedding will look. I’m not asking. I’m open for anything.


I figure I have more to learn about the nature of love.

I’m all for breaking down more societal myths and melting some hearts. I imagine I’ll enter my third wedding of the summer, traditional in many ways, with new eyes. I expect to discover something more about the beauty of sharing one heart with another. More glowing on the horizon.

After all, Love is a great teacher.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Even as the world changes and LGBTQ rights gain recognition, there are plenty who believe same sex marriage is unacceptable. I’m not trying to change your mind. In fact, research suggests it’s hard to shift deeply entrenched beliefs for a few reasons. The brain has a tendency to “stay the course,” especially on matters deemed important. Letting go of preexisting beliefs, which serve to form identity and connect us with our tribe, may signal danger. The fear of exclusion or judgement of the group is primal, influential. Downplaying inner discomfort may seem safer than accommodate a new point of view. Exploring inner beliefs with curiosity, respect, and understanding opens the conversation. And that’s a start.

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Food Coma or Celestial Trance?

“I fell asleep and missed part of the meditation.”

That’s a pretty common statement at my workshops and retreats when I guide the group in a meditation or journey. Even when participants intend to stay relaxed and alert, they may find themselves drifting off into the Land of Nod.

It begs the question, are you just really that tired or is there something else going on?

That question surfaced last night as I enjoyed dinner on my deck. The weather was perfect and my newly potted flowers delighted my senses. It was a free for all night, so I had my plate and was ready to dig in before my husband.

Sitting alone, I looked forward to exploring a book about a Goddess who was calling my attention.

While I knew who She was, I hadn’t really paid her much mind over the years. A mention here or there, and a nod of acknowledgement if someone mentioned Her. Yet here She was, subtly present and a bit mysterious. Over the past two weeks, Her name appeared in my thoughts and emerged as my own voice called Her name.

I thought I was inviting Her into conversation, yet She remained quiet.

Her energy arriving in the night as if she were beckoning me closer. Not saying anything. In fact, there was no identifiable conversation beyond a statement of Her name. For me, so used to talking with celestial beings, this was different.

A bit of a mystery that wouldn’t reveal another clue.

So, I ordered a book focused upon Her story which was filled with devotional writing and prayers. It arrived yesterday and I felt a sense of anticipation as I settled in to eat and read. Beyond a few facts I didn’t know, I found the collection of prayers and descriptions stilted. They left me flat.

I was seeking a living mystery and I encountered other people’s dead prose.

 

Two details left me filled with wonder and appreciation. Her intent and Her miracle.

I’m not one who generally entertains saints or deities like this, but these two details revealed an intent of connection, sustenance, and belonging which has sustained for centuries. I felt an abiding gratitude to this mythic Goddess who could unite and nourish disparate peoples.

Close to the end of this little book, I went out like a light.

I was mildly aware that my eyes were closed and body was limp. As if Rip van Wrinkle himself had done me in. A brief attempt to wake up was unsuccessful and I surrendered to the trance.

I heard patterns of sound as the birds sang and the trees danced with the wind in my backyard.

I was aware of a conversation, rich and deep, within the movement of the world around me and the warmth upon my face. There were no words nor visions, save a barely glimpsed pattern that was mirroring the symphony playing in the natural world.

Occasionally I felt my body, uncomfortable in a slumped posture, yet unwilling to be disturbed.

Surrendering to the discomfort, I followed my senses as they felt, saw, heard, and knew what was singing throughout my neighborhood. Not one tangible transcription nor idea was garnered during this time. Yet, I knew in the depth of my being that the experience was essential and the conversation rich.

And then it was over. The stiffness in my body suggested that some time had passed.

It was difficult to surface. If it were morning and I was in bed, I would’ve definitely rolled over and let sleep overtake me. Yet, I knew it was time to get up. As I sat up, my husband came out to see how my nap was. Witnessing my lolling head, he had figured I needed some sleep so ate alone inside. Nice guy.

It could’ve been a nap or a food coma, except for the rich conversation that I couldn’t remember nor translate.

Well, I couldn’t translate it consciously that is. I had no doubt that every nuance of the communication was now singing within my body field. And for that I was deeply grateful.

While you might be tired with a body primed for relaxation, there’s usually something more going on when you get knocked out.

When your energy and brain waves shift to another frequency, you may feel like you are relaxed and drifting or end up snoring like a sailor after a bender. It all depends upon the interaction between the subtle energy – the high vibrational information that is streaming and the subtle energy that makes up your system.

“I don’t know where I went or what happened.”

That’s another common statement during my workshops. During the guided meditations and journeys, that is. If folks fall asleep when I’m talking, then either they are really tired or I’m really boring. Both are possibilities.

When you engage higher frequency beings (eg, Angels, Deities, Guides) and Divine information, your subtle energy field shifts naturally.

Relaxing and opening so that conversations at multiple levels may inform you. While amplified in a group or a sacred setting, this experience may occur when reading a book, sitting in meditation, or during hypnagogic states – that twilight as you fall to sleep or awaken. Just about anything can lead you into an informational exchange with higher vibrational energy.

Even when you are blissfully unaware of what was shared and how your energy was subtly shifted.

I’ve had a few food comas. Usually they involve lots of pasta, Chinese food, or way too many cookies. And I’m as tired as at the next person at the end of the day. Yet, fatigue and food were not the culprits on my deck. It took a long walk in the woods to integrate this new energy into my body. Leaving me relaxed, grateful, and open to the next exchange.

I’m dancing with a mystery I don’t understand. Curious and patient, I’m okay to let Her lead.

I do wonder how many times you’ve explained away a celestial encounter by interpreting it as a nap. Or a dream. Or a full stomach. The thinking mind wants to make sense of things that surprise you.

The Mystery needs no explanation.

Have fun exploring how you interact with the beautiful conversations that are streaming to you in so many ways. It helps to set an intent to become more aware of the subtle and “knock you out” obvious ways the celestial realms are informing you. If concern arises at the thought of these conversations taking you unawares, brighten up your Light Globe. This practice supports your intuitive awareness, strengthens the boundary of your biofield (aura), and cleanses your energy body.

I’ve recorded the Light Globe meditation as a free download for you.

Access it at the bottom of my AngelicEnergetics page (scroll down to find it). Download and begin! In time, you won’t need the recording as you’ll make the practice your own.

The creative energy, back behind every form and myth, has plenty to reveal. Enjoy your “conversations.

 

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Don’t think you’re intuitive? Don’t be so quick to rule it out.  There is a growing body of research on what is known as “intuitive intelligence.”  Researchers at Leeds University in England explore a body of research on nonconscious aspects intuitive perception, such as implicit knowledge. It is commonly recognized that intuitive perception plays an important role in learning, business decisions, medical diagnosis, spiritual growth, healing, and general well-being. Researchers at the Institute of HeartMath suggest three types of intuitive processes: implicit learning/knowledge, energetic sensitivity, and nonlocal intuition.

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The Weed Choked, Singing Labyrinth

Enjoying lunch outdoors last week in Pennsylvania, I realized I was close to the Seva Retreat Center.

Excitement bubbled through me. Ten years ago, I had the benefit of hosting a few of my Angelic Immersion Retreats at Seva. These were precious experiences and I felt a sudden longing to walk onto that property once more.  I googled Elstowe Manor (the main mansion) and Chelten House where we held our Immersions to confirm that the property had been sold to a company with plans to create a boutique hotel. 

Magnificent plans with no apparent follow through.  I wondered if the property was accessible. 

It seemed the choice to visit the grounds was already in play so I invited my lunch date to join me. Map quest enhanced the journey as we traveled through beautiful neighborhoods, a magical forest, and glimpsed the occasional house resembling a fairy tale. 

The gates were open. Prompting my heart to burst a bit.

While Elstowe Manor is magnificent, it was Chelten House, the site of our retreats, that drew me. I parked my car and stepped onto the driveway. Immediately, my breath deepened as visual images began to flood my inner vision. I felt I had returned to a sacred site. It was a homecoming of sorts.

A beautiful stillness pervaded the space. Poignant in its fullness. 

The house was locked up tight yet the grass was cut. Giving the impression that the occupants had stepped out for a bit of lunch. We wandered around the building as I shared stories of our retreats while peeking in windows and standing on open air porches. 

The wonder of those Angelic Immersions was upon me in full force.

After our exploratory window peeking tour, my partner in adventure headed home. I let myself wander through this stillness, feeling the peace of nature and the balm of the beautiful setting. I moved slowly as inner movies revealed memories of the women and men who attended the Angelic Immersion Retreats. These lovely people who contributed so much to the experience, allowing it to gain a richness far beyond my original intent.

I felt truly amazed at the enormity of the impact of four short days immersed together. 

With those who shared the intent to retreat from the everyday world in order to explore a personal connection with the Divine. The Angelic realm guided every step of these journeys. Bringing forth healing, connection, deep transformation, and a renewed sense of joy. Scenes of the transformation occurring throughout the retreat played nonstop, paired with evidence of continued evolution in these lives since the gatherings.

I realized how much I had trusted the Immersion process (and continue to do so).

How fully I let myself be led by the Divine as I facilitated the process. I was shown the seeds that were laid for my own growth and the work that evolved for me to share. Flooding me with gratitude, delight, and so much love. I witnessed the trust of these Retreaters as they entered every teaching, activity, and ceremony. And how this enabled me to become more receptive to the Divine information flowing through me. 

I saw how much I had learned from each Retreater. And how much more there is to receive.

My heart seemed to have lost its boundary and my being was filled only with love and appreciation. I went to the labyrinth to walk my gratitude and prayers for all who participate in the Immersion Retreats (past and present). This was fitting as we begin and end every Immersion with a ceremony at the labyrinth

I arrived at a weed filled, neglected labyrinth. And it was singing.

 

Welcoming me to recognize the Presence that awaits beyond every form for the partnership of walking in grace together.

I stood for some time as I processed the physical manifestation of neglect. The mind translating this with sorrow and as a representation of the neglect of Spirit. 

Here in this abandoned labyrinth. And in the thirsty souls populating our imbalanced world. 

Yet, the labyrinth was singing. I let go of my mind and entered the weeds with deep gratitude. Immediately I was shown a new practice for walking in the labyrinth. Shaking up some of my patterns and leaving me a bit freer. Walking in was for me. Walking out was for the Retreaters. It was beautiful and my time “retreating” there was complete. 

I left renewed. Grateful, inspired, and in love. 

Remembering the power of these Immersions to offer the perfect opportunity for personal transformation. Recognizing that I have so much more to receive, I look forward to our June Angelic Immersion with delight. I love the sacred space at Cranaleith Retreat Center and know the power that arises from our time together. This year holds a special sweetness as June 13th is our first live gathering in 15 months.

I invite you to spend a day immersing with the Angels, the natural beauty of Cranaleith, and the women who gather. Come home to yourself. We await your presence. 

It’s time to register for the June 13th Angelic Immersion Retreat. Purposely kept to an intimate gathering with Cranaleith COIVD safety protocols in place. Details may be found on my Retreat Page.

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Paying it forward. Acts of kindness serve you on many levels. Research shows they produce feel good chemicals, boosting mood and a positive affinity for your fellow humans. The world could use a bit more positive affinity from one member of the human family to another. In many wisdom traditions, the practice of sacred service is in play. Tithing or gifting, not as a practice of morality or to please a distant God, but as a grateful recognition that Life is abundant. Divine Nature is rich and overflowing. Longing to be shared. I just received a surprise, secret tithe. It touched me deeply. The consideration and the practice. Arising in me is a desire to pay it forward. There is more than enough. Let’s share, shall we?