Saturday, October 28, 2006

NDE Experience


ASCENSION

A True Story of A Near Death Experience

bj.noble@worldnet.att.net

PRELUDE

I spent the first 40 years of my life as an equal opportunity hater. I was filled with an underlying anger at everyone, including myself. My life had no real direction or purpose except for the gathering of possessions.

I managed to destroy two marriages by sleeping around with any one I could find, and in the privacy of my own home (never in my public facade) was extremely verbally abusive to my wives. I felt that women were very weak (because they believed in something called love), and it was very easy to manipulate them just by lying, and telling them what they wanted to hear. I don't honestly know why I married them, for I had never felt this emotion called love. I considered it a waste of time to even think about it, for we are all going to die someday, so why bother. I never showed any affection toward them because that was not a manly thing to do! Women were necessary for only a few things: sex, cooking, and usually cleaning up the messes I left all over the house. Any questioning or protesting brought immediate vindictive anger, usually in the form of yelling or fighting.

Men were a lot easier to understand; I felt that they were the only ones that I could have an intelligent conversation with. Besides, it was very easy to enter a room full of men and size them up to weed out the weaker ones, and have my conversations and arguments with the stronger ones. I only talked with what I considered to be a true man. I was usually quite polite with those who could help me in my career before I used some of them up, and then "stabbed them in the back". It was not very hard for me to take what I wanted from them: i.e. sex with their wives, or manipulation of their jobs.

I did not feel powerful in doing any of these things; I just felt that this was what a man was supposed to do. As for the rest of the world, I considered all of the wars and suffering of other people as a validation for the way that I was. If a few million people died through wars or starvation, that just left more in the world for me!

I was addicted to watching the proliferation of violence on the television and in the movies, and listening to the angry conversations on the radio. With all of these built up layers of hate, anger and aggression, I was never able to enjoy life. Even the new possessions that I had gathered around me to show off to my friends would only give me a few days of pleasure, before they would begin to bore me and I felt the need to go out and buy more.

I refused to look at my own misery; for there seemed to be a large black hole in my life, and no matter how hard I tried I could not fill it with anything permanently satisfying.

Near Death Experience

Approximately 11 years ago I was driving my camper home from an outing in the desert. Approaching a busy red lighted intersection at about 60-mph, I started to depress the break pedal. It felt kind of mushy as the pedal went straight to the floor. I was not going to be able to stop the vehicle, so I quickly decided to downshift the transmission to slow the vehicle, and swerve off the road into the sand. To my surprise, no matter how I tried, it would not shift. Having no options left to me at this time, I depressed the horn and plowed into the intersection. I managed to swerve around the first car in view and was then deeply broad sided by another vehicle, which flipped my camper on to it's side. Fortunately, I was later to learn that no one else was seriously hurt in the accident.

As I was slipping in and out of consciousness in the paramedic's van, I remember seeing my clothes soaked in my own blood, for my head had been split open in two separate places. The last thing I remember was the doctors talking to each other at the hospital, and then I slipped into total 'unconsciousness'. I use this word to describe what was told to me, but in reality I was in some other plane both watching and aware of my spirit leaving my body. I could see my body below me for a few seconds, and then I was swept away at what felt like a great speed. I could see many colors of light on both sides of me, all starting to blend together. As I felt my speed increase, the colors appeared to become a blinding white tunnel in which I was traveling through.

I apologize if this sounds weird or strange to you, because it was even stranger to me. For the first time in my life I could feel no anger, and I absolutely felt no concern about what was going to happen to me. The many colors and blinding white tunnel that were around me I can only describe as beautiful (a word I rarely used in my lifetime, then in the wrong context and with an entirely different meaning).

I had lost the ability to communicate, and was alone with only my sight and internal thoughts. I visited different types of worlds, many with different colored skies. I was shown many varied life forms and civilizations in this universe; some appeared frightening and some quite wondrously beautiful. My understanding of my previous life was so different from what I was experiencing. The only thoughts that kept repeating to me were "If I had only known of the beauty I was seeing: and that I must stop being so fearful and egotistical in the assumption that I was the only intelligence in the Universe". It was then that the voyage suddenly stopped, and I experienced an immediate loss of my sight. An extremely enhanced sensitivity to my emotions, thought process and surroundings had entered into my spirit.

You will have to forgive me if this becomes difficult for you to understand, for words are quite inadequate, and sometimes useless in their attempt to express the true experience. All that I can give to you are these words that are here with us now. I was given a knowing (something entirely different than faith) that in our future to come; all written or spoken words will become an unnecessary form of communication.

It felt as if I was suddenly stopped in a state or a plane of consciousness, totally surrounded by an orange/golden light. There were all kinds of spirit life forms that I could identify with, and quite a few that I could not. The feeling of peace was there, and for the first time in my life I felt a powerful unconditional love entering and surrounding my being. This love was all fulfilling, and I felt no need for anything else. I desired nothing but to remain in this place for an eternity. I have no idea how long I remained there, for time no longer had any meaning to me.

I then felt the emanations of a highly evolved spirit come towards me, and the strength of his love and compassion pour out all over me. Through some means of telepathy he informed me regarding my many past lives, and started to question me. I felt compelled that I must answer truthfully to any questions that would be asked of me, for I knew that he would immediately know if I told a lie.

He asked if I knew why I had been through this experience. I truthfully answered no. I was told that I had a long history of past lives filled with anger, aggression and hate. I was so stubborn that I needed this experience to realize that unconditional love is the most powerful force in this beautiful universe, and that it's beauty was made by a benign creator.

I was then asked why I hated so much and caused hurt to so many people. I explained that if there was a god, then why had he created a world in which there is death, war and great suffering. Humans did not seem to care too much for each other, and I needed to survive. Somehow I felt that he had been given this same answer to this question many times, so I added the comment that many people live out their lives this way.

He answered me by saying "Wars and suffering were not created by God, but were the creation of the human race, out of fear and hatred. God had created the human form to look different from each other, so that we would learn to increase our love for all kinds of forms. As far as death is concerned, we have all passed through many lives of our own." And he continued, "You should have listened to your inner self to realize that only the body dies: for your spirit was made for an eternity."

"Death is the creator's greatest gift, used for the transition of your spirit into higher realms. The realm that you are now in and the powerful unconditional love that you feel would destroy the body that you formally inhabited. Your own spiritual evolution will automatically manifest to change your bodily form. You must learn that the creator is truly benign, for if it was not so, how could you continue to live life after life until your lessons are learned?"

I started to ask him a question of my own, but I felt within myself something slipping. I then felt the sensation of swift passage again, and even though I tried, I could not reverse the process and return to that beautiful realm (of which I now lovingly call Home).

My sight returned, and I watched my spirit go slowly back into my body. I again heard the doctor's voices. A sense of such great loss and sadness filled my spirit for there had been so much to learn, and it seemed that all of the love and peace that I had felt was gone. Then the most horrid event happened. All of my hate, anger and aggression came back into me. I had been violated! It was the doctor's fault for not leaving me alone, and letting me pass on. The shock to my spirit had been so great, I did not realize that I had brought something back with me.

INTEGRATION

I was told that I had suffered no permanent brain damage, and that I had been totally unconscious for only about three days. But for some reason I could not make any more excuses for myself: my hate and anger were my own internal 'brain damage'.

I did however suffer from some memory loss. After returning to work, I realized that my career as an Associate Engineer in the Electronics Industry was over. I could no longer work in that field, because many of the electronic formulas that I had studied in college were lost to my memory. I struggled with these lost memories for a couple of weeks, and became extremely fearful of the consequences. Not producing any productive work, I was compelled to approach my supervisor and try to explain what had happened.

I made the mistake (unfortunately not only for the first time) of being honest with him in my experience. I watched him slowly back away from me as if I had a contagious disease. I was given my final paycheck and escorted out the door. During the next year I lost many of my friends by sharing even just a part of my experience. Anytime I broached the subject with my wife she would just scream at me to shut up for I was acting crazy.

Feeling lost and totally alone with my experience, I withdrew into myself and rarely talked to anyone. It was during that time that I had a lucid dream that would start to change my life forever. I call it lucid for lack of a better word. The dream seemed to have a shining intelligence and awareness about it, and I was engaged in a two-way conversation with that highly evolved spirit from the NDE. I sometimes still experience lucid dreaming and lucid thought processes even while I am awake. Instead of fearing these experiences, I have slowly grown to love and trust them. The thought processes that enter my head through these spirits are sometimes so foreign to my own that I simply call these spirits the voices in my head.

In the dream I was in a large room filled with many different colored translucent panels on the floor, which appeared to be made of some type of crystalline substance. There were pathways leading all around these panels so that a choice could be made as to which one might be entered. I was drawn towards the golden/orange colored panel and stepped on to it. Again I experienced a feeling of speed, and I was swept inward to a different state. I glanced to my left, and saw a group of women frantically applying make-up to their faces. To the right, I saw a group of construction men putting clothes into a locker room. I did not like the feelings of this place, and so I went to the center section of the room and attempted to step onto a bright white colored panel on the floor.

The spirit's voice then spoke to me "You are not ready to enter there! No anger, hate, aggressive or fearful thoughts will ever enter through that panel." I was elated to hear his voice again, and asked the question, "How do I get out of this place?" He replied, "There was no such place as outward, but only inward! You have lost almost all of your friends, and feel lonely and confused. That was necessary for you to start the cleansing of your thought process. Thoughts are very powerful, and as you think, so you are. I and one other are here to help you through this process."

Still unsure and distrusting, I then set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. I walked into her office, sat down, and stated that I had only one question for her. I asked, "A friend of mine was recently involved in an automobile accident. Is it unusual for a traumatic event to cause him to change his whole way of life?" I could tell by the look on her face that she knew that I was speaking about myself, especially because the scars on my face had not yet had a chance to heal. She replied that it was very common, and that if I had any difficulties with the problem, I could come to see her anytime.

On the way home from her office, I had mixed feelings of validation and concern. How was I supposed to get rid of all of this anger and hate? I did not want to alienate myself from any more of my friends, so I took the chance and again discussed this with my wife. She informed me that she could not tell me how, since she never got angry, and that I was stupid in going into that office and paying someone to talk about my craziness. This was the last time that I ever talked to my wife about an experience that she could not understand.

About a month later, again I experienced a lucid dream. The voice said "Why do you need validation from others for what I say to you? Your aggressive and hateful emotions emanate from the fear of the unknown, and your anger comes from the continuous judgments that you layer upon yourself and everyone else. You are to leave your family and all of your possessions behind, and go out into the world as homeless!"

I could not believe what I had heard, and there was no way I was going to do that! I possessed neither the courage nor foresight in what I was being told to do. I pleaded, and asked for forgiveness to no avail. The beautiful spirit was silent, and for the next year my relationship with my wife deteriorated into ugliness. We would fight almost every night, and I found myself in a living hell. The thought of Karma continuously entered my head. The kinder I became (to try to save myself from the ordeal of homelessness), the more vindictive she became. It finally dawned on me that something had to change, because I had just been laid off from my job and my wife's anger had escalated into violence.

I asked the voices again what I should do. "Leave now, and live in the streets as homeless. Take no money with you, or any form of ID. Do not attempt to look for work, or find any place at a shelter. You will beg for all of the food that you eat". So, filled with a great fear, I found some warm clothes, and telling no one in my family (my wife and her two grown children from a previous marriage) of my going, I headed out for the streets.

The first few days were hard on me. I did not know how to beg for money for food, and I started to get very hungry. The nights were cold, and the only way I could think of staying warm was to sleep in the trash containers that were behind stores. I kept on walking during the day and did manage to finally get some food into my stomach. I found a place within the inner city where a group of people where living in boxes covered with blankets to try to keep warm. At first they seemed to be antagonistic toward me, but as they realized that I was there not to harm anyone, they did not bother me.

By this time my stomach had shrunk in size so I needed less food to feel full. I started to share with them what little I had, and they eventually responded in kind. The group was composed of little children and their mothers, a few teenagers, and men, some of whom were alcoholics. As I slowly befriended these people whom society had forgotten, my compassion for them started to grow.

I had always believed that homeless people were cruel, unkind, violent and drugged out. It was a shock to me to realize that was not always the case. Most of them had experienced some form of violent relationships in their home, and some of them had just given up on life and wanted to be left alone.

One night, two strangers attacked us. Brandishing knives, they approached us. I was not about to let them hurt what I now considered to be my new family, and wrapping some cloth around my arms, I cautiously approached them (I had been a former Marine Corps Sergeant and been reasonably well trained in fighting techniques). I could not understand why both of them suddenly bolted and ran, until I turned around. My 'family' had bonded together, and with pipes and hammers they also had been approaching the attackers. After the ugly incident was over, and we set up watchers for the rest of the night, I had another lucid dream.

I watched as the outline of a human form appeared before me, and I saw tiny sparkles of a beautiful bright light engulf the whole form. The sparkles of light looked exactly like the same sparkles that appear when you light a sparkler on the 4th of July. I could see these tiny lights sort of sliding off the arms and hands of the human form and falling to the ground. I saw the greatest concentration of them where the feet touched the earth. It also appeared that many of these lights were entering into the feet from the ground. I asked the voices what I was seeing. "You have now learned to feel compassion for other people. What you are now watching is the exchange of compassion, love, energy and light between the human form and this planet, which is also a living entity. This is the pure natural condition of the human form and it's spirit, and all other forms of life on this planet, as the creator intended." As I watched this exchange, I realized that this was the giving back to this world from which we all take so much. All of my possessions that I had surrounded myself with was used basically for my own ego (things used to impress someone else). I looked deep within myself, and found out that my begging and living in the streets had totally killed my ego. The amazing thing was, I did not miss it, nor did I feel I was less than or greater than anyone else in this world. Looking even deeper, I felt that the process of the peeling of the layers of anger was well on its way!

"You must leave this place now and go back home to your wife, for she is in the same angry and hateful state that you have been in and is suffering. She is miserable both in your staying, and in your going. Do not judge anything that she says to you, because her path to spiritual awakening will be harder for her than for you. Also remember that no matter when the words I will speak to her through you are spoken they will eventually enter into her, either in this life or her next lives to come. You will then have to leave her for the last time, but even this action she will eventually come to understand, for you and I will leave her a special gift that she will not forget to ease her suffering."

I awoke saddened that I was going to leave this place, especially for the children. I could never have any of my own, and this loose knit family of mine had allowed me to spend some time with them. With the first tears running down my face, I told them that I would have to leave (it seemed inconceivable to me that a man should cry). My leaving seemed to effect a few others, for mine were not the only tears present.

When I finally arrived back home, my wife told me that she had missed me very much, and that she had called the police department and had me listed as a missing person. At that moment I realized that some of my increased sensitivity from my NDE was still with me. It felt like some sort of ugly sickness or poison had traveled between the two of us, and I was immediately aware that she had lied to me. I said nothing in return to her, because she would not have listened anyway.

This part of my life with my wife is the most difficult to write about, for I had been forbidden to judge. When I look back on my own life, and see the way I had been, most assuredly I had no right to judge anyone.

Within two weeks I found a good job, but my wife could not hold back her anger and started to turn violent again. I have not mentioned this before now, but my wife was an alcoholic. Her drinking changed her from a loving and kind person, into an angry and sometimes violent person. This was hard to take, and even harder, now that I knew that I was not to judge: but I felt compassion anyway for this woman who I could no longer live with in harmony.

One Saturday evening, she had gone to bed early from drinking too much beer, and lay passed out on the bed. As I lay next to her, I heard the voices instructing me on how to heal an old painful hip wound that she had received many years ago in a motorcycle accident. Ever since I had known her, she would wake up in the morning and limp around painfully for about 10 minutes before she could walk normally.

Since I had never healed anyone before, I doubted that I could. The voices told me that for this healing to happen, I had to replace all of my doubting and all of my faith with a 'knowing' that this would work. After about two hours of concentrating only on the voices, I reached over with my right hand and gently laid it on her left hip. Both of my hands became extremely warm, and I became as one with her. I remembered the beautiful exchange between the human form and this world that I had seen previously; and then I could feel the hurt from her hip enter into me. It was then that I realized this healing was to be the gift for her that she would not forget.

My wife immediately sat straight up in the bed and with great anger and vindictiveness said, "What are you doing? Take your hands away from me. I did not give you permission to do that!" Then she fell back on the bed and went to sleep. I watched her as she awoke the next morning and got out of bed. Her limping was gone, and her hip pain did not come back again. She did not seem to remember anything from the previous night, and went on with her life as if nothing had happened.

Within two weeks, I received notice that my mother had died, so I drove to Arizona to settle her estate. I became friendly with some of her neighbors, and found them to be a great help for me in the support that I needed. One day when I was walking with them into an undeveloped portion of the desert, the subject came up about how useless the desert was without water, and how good it would be when the sub-division of houses would be built on this spot. I had always enjoyed wilderness areas, and the desert has always been one of my favorite places. They had moved on ahead of me, for I had stopped, and the voices came to me. I could clearly see where an underground stream of water was located, deep within the earth. It was a beautiful sight, and I was given a knowing of how to call the water to me.

The voices asked me what I would do with this knowledge. My first thought was that I would try and use the water to destroy the homes that were going to be built on this spot. Immediately, the knowing was taken away from me, and the voices said "You are not yet ready for this gift, for it must not be used to destroy. The desert is not your private possession, but a place given to all out of love from the creator."

I had failed in my test for knowledge of power, and to this day I still remember the seeing of the stream and the song used to call it to me. But without the knowing, which has nothing to do with hope or faith, it will remain as just a beautiful seeing and song within my heart. I now realize that my process of un-learning is still not complete.

Arriving back home, I again felt as if I was in a living hell. My wife was deriving some sort of perverse pleasure in trying to make me angry. She would scream, fight, and did manage once to hit me full face with her fist. But I did not respond. Many were the times that she told me that no one in my home loved or wanted me around.

Suffering combined with compassion is a very strange feeling. It was then that another voice had entered into my lucid dreaming. Where before I had only heard masculine voices, I now heard a feminine voice speak to me. She asked me "What is the greatest gift from the creator? You cannot enter where you want to go without it." I was at a complete loss as to what was being asked. After some reflection, I realized that at no time in my life had I ever truly felt real love for a woman. I replied to that voice that the greatest gift from the creator was the love between a man and a woman. The voice then replied that "Love was a let, not a force or a possession. You must learn this, and keep it at all times close to your heart. Do not be afraid of this love, let it come freely into your spirit: for there is someone who is waiting to return this love in kind to you."

I needed some time alone to think about what had been told to me, and try to find some peace in my life, so I went camping for a few days. I had chosen a spot next to a stand of trees, right next to a beautiful lake. The next morning, I tried to eat a snack of Dorrito chips, but when I opened the bag the campground became filled with wasps. I threw some chips to the ground for them to eat, but they didn't seem interested. Instead of the peace that I was searching for, all that I felt was agitated that they would not leave me alone.

I heard a thundering voice in my head say "Why are you acting like a little child? You should have learned patience by now, and how to bring peace into your life. Be still and unafraid, and hold some food outstretched in your hand." It took me a few minutes to get rid of my fear, and very slowly I extended my left hand out with some food in it. I watched as the wasps landed on my hand, and started eating the chips. Peace filled my entire being, as the wasps covered my whole hand. I could sense that they would not sting or bite me as long I remained in this state of peace, and showed no fear. The weekend turned out to be very peaceful, with just the voices and the wasps. I shared every meal with them, and came back without one sting or bite.

I returned home with an even more enhanced sensitivity in my being, and I told my wife what had happened. I was totally unconcerned with any reaction that I might receive from her. After receiving her usual response that I was crazy, the voices took over my entire being, and spoke to her. They told her of the healing of her hip, and the healing of my spirit through my near death experience with a clarity of understanding that I did not possess. I felt their words soften her anger somewhat, and she did not speak to me for a couple of days. Unfortunately this effect was not long in lasting, for she did not want to hear what was said. It seemed obvious to me that she was still addicted to her own anger and suffering, and was not going to change.

That evening, I dreamed I was in a place with a beautiful blue sky, and I saw many colored translucent bubbles floating around. Some seemed to coalesce into groups with each other, while others just migrated from one group to another. Inside of these bubbles, were smaller circular objects with transparent conduits protruding from the inside of them, and I could see small sparkles of energy travel through these conduits from each circular object, with varying degrees of intensity. It was truly a beautiful sight, but I lacked the understanding of any meaning to what I was witnessing.

The voices told me that I was looking at the human thought process. The coalesced bubbles were from similar thought processes, which grouped themselves together to form large families of bubbles. The smaller circular objects within the bubble contained all of the different thoughts that we have experienced during our current lifetime, and the tiny sparkles of light were the energy that we put into these thoughts. I could feel a certain sickness emanating from some of the groups: many others contained varying degrees of love, light and compassion. Again I was reminded of how powerful thoughts truly are and the creative effects that they have on the reality of this world and the universe, both of which are truly our home.

It was unfortunate that my wife and I were eventually separated and divorced, because she had refused to give up her drinking, and we had grown too far apart. In actuality I had I became truly at a loss as how to explain all that had happened in my life to anyone, and I thought that no one else would understand.

The voices told me to feel and see with my heart, and to look for what was on the inside of a person, and to ignore what was on the outside. My love for these voices has grown immeasurably over the years, for eventually I found the one woman I could truly love unconditionally. Her heart is also overflowing with love and understanding, and her compassion for gentleness and kindness is greater than my own. We have been together for over two years, without one single disagreement or argument.

It was about 3 a.m. on March 26 of this year, when I swiftly sat upright in my bed, for the voices had told me that it was time for me to write of my experiences. I felt both uneasy and apprehensive, for I had never tried to put this experience into words. I tried not to take the voices too seriously, but I could not fall back to sleep. My tossing and turning awoke my beautiful wife and I told her of the dream. She also thought that it was a good idea. We both finally fell back to sleep, unaware of the implications of what I had been told.

That very same day, I was included in a layoff from work, and somehow my wife's intuitiveness told her that what had happened would give me the time to write. If it had not been for her love and support, I doubt that this experience would have been put to words so soon.

The intent of writing all of this down is not to just write a story about an NDE. I now know that this is not an exclusive experience. I consider myself to be no different than anyone else, but I still have this strange combination of feelings of compassion and suffering. The only difference is that they are no longer directed inward; but rather outward toward other people. I find myself so sensitive to our environment, that I am unable to watch television, read the newspaper or listen to the radio. I have not shut myself out from this world; its just that I can no longer think within its terms. I have experienced a very shifted view of a physical and spiritual reality, and it causes me great suffering to know that sometimes in this world, our anger can manifest itself with useless wars, untimely death and destruction of our own making. Even though we seem to be stuck in this cycle, it does not have to be this way.

Truly, the healing that we all need is within our own thoughts. Somewhere during the course of this lifetime, we all have felt alone and afraid. This is the experience of the large black hole that we all try to fill up with something: i.e. drugs, sex, possessions, work, etc. The list is endless. If you don't believe that this is the truth, then take a real good look around you. Look at our world, your family, friends, and then take a real good look at yourself. This seeing is not a time for any judgments whatsoever, for anger and judging are one and the same. Rather it is a starting place of our own process of un-learning separateness. Instead of usual running away in fear from this, I am asking all of us to do the unusual: to have enough courage to stop, turn around and face it.

This un-learning of separateness requires no hope or faith for its fulfillment. It is a very natural state in the process of self-realization. You will find this black hole within everyone and that in most cases it will contain absolutely nothing. This nothingness is the driving force in our spirit that causes us so desperately to try and find some meaning to our lives.

I cannot over emphasize the importance of this, nor can I just give it to you from my words. It must be experienced as the truth in all of us, by a brutal forgiving honesty. Once realized, it becomes obvious that we are all in the 'family of one', separateness having been dropped as we all search to fill this nothingness.

The universe was created out of love, and we are all a part of that creation. The unconditional love that I felt during my NDE was very powerful. Instinctively we fear this kind of love by layering it with many conditions. The greatest fear we face is, will this love I give be returned? It's as if we all think that we only have so much to give, and that it might run out. We tend to look at other's failures as the only reality in this world, and become even more fearful of this powerful emotion. Somehow we have forgotten that the giving of love is the blessing, and returns to the sender an abundance of even more to give. This is the lesson that we all have to learn; this is what we need to fill that big black hole with! I know in my spirit that these lessons will be learned by all, and then we shall all be transformed into new planes, and be given even greater gifts to share.

http://www.greatdreams.com/nde1.htm

Friday, October 27, 2006

Doing Your Own Will

From: Starlight Beam
Date: Oct 27 2006 4:11 PM


From: KnightsIntent
Date: Oct 27 2006 12:05 PM


Thanks
*Karen~Karma*


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**~Doing Your Own Will~**

Perhaps the highest expression of religious faith is to believe that you will find that which you seek. What greater religious experience is there then the awareness of an inner power that can change your future according to your inner Will. The second greatest experience is treading the path that leads to that goal.

Almost everyone believes that if one is dedicated and works hard for some goal that it can be attained. This is known because of personal experience as well as knowledge of others who have overcome impossible odds in reaching their goals in life. We are also familiar with the average type person that faces some emergency and does super heroic feats manifesting supernormal strength, stamina, or mental acuity. It is a very common experience of seeing individuals with mediocre capabilities who, when promoted to some higher job, blossom into very capable people. Literature is filled with people with poor health or strength who with their strong dedication and effort are able to transform their bodies into models of perfection for others.

Successful people generally summarize their secret of success as finding a goal in life and then working hard for it. This message is so common, however, that the import of its content is lost. It is stating in no uncertain terms that you control your own future and that you have the power to overcome any opposing forces. If you step back and look objectively at the statement, it is pure magic. You are able to transform yourself and your world through the power of your mind. You do not need outside forces; you have it all within yourself!

The irony of the manifesting of a power that can only be considered as divine is that most religions teach against it. The reason for this is simple in that the churches must place themselves in between such magic or divine forces and you. God, or some exterior force that the churches have special access to, must not be available to the layman. The larger society also joins in diminishing the concept of an inner power of change. Society wants you to find a proper place that fits within the framework of a neighborhood, institution, or religion. Society wants you to be satisfied and secure and to do your assigned duty. Religion wants you to feel dependent upon their priesthood and rites. Both want you to follow the law.

The majority of people fall prey to the opposition of society and religion, and you can find several examples within your own experiences. You have given up some of your goals because they looked impossible from your socially trained position. In general, goals are given up because they seem to require more effort than what you could possibly deliver. One old proverb is, “Many pass up opportunity because it looks like hard work”. The other excuse that is given is that it would require some miracle to find that goal. (This despite the statements of successful people of how miracles happen when needed.)

Our culture has such statements as, “Rome was not built in a day” that are used by the successful people to encourage those who are starting their journey toward some goal. Proverbs (16:9) has another very important teaching, “A man’s heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps”. It is in each step toward the goal that miracles happen.

One of the important lessons that is generally learned by most people is that it is very foolish to attempt to control the steps by yourself. One general conclusion is that the harder you try, the deeper you sink into your trouble. In attempting to direct and control your own steps, you substitute your own conditioned mental limited wisdom from the miracle of that which miraculously happens that your brain could have never foreseen.

The journey toward a goal consists of steps. Each step becomes another short range goal which requires the faith that something will happen to give you the proper insights, strengths, talents or stamina to carry you through. This wisdom is likewise well known by you from experience.

When your brain becomes fully aware of the power within yourself to reach a goal, the next concern is your ability to seek the proper goal. It is at this point that finding this proper goal becomes of paramount importance and not the faith that you can reach a goal, especially since you probably already have that faith even though it is not generally acknowledged.

There are two general methods of selecting your goals in life. One is to accept some given goal as your own and the other is to find or create your own. Societal pressure generates a given goal for most people that starts with parental pressures followed by institutional demands and then the duties to maintain your social position. In this case the Will becomes subordinate to society.

Finding or creating your own goal in life is firstly dependent upon looking beyond any socially induced goals. This means that the brain, which has been socially conditioned, is not of much help and an inner search of the mind must be undertaken.

In most seekers it is this search or creation of the inner goal in life that becomes the starting goal in life resulting in steps that may lead you into some very unexpected experiences. This goal is generally manifested initially only as a sense of unrest or some yearning for something more that cannot be defined. It is then faith in the finding of this goal and a great deal of effort that carries you to the next step.

Love KAREN~KARMA

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Why Stories Matter




Why Stories Matter (Part 1)



"That's the story of my life," said the young woman as she
slammed the file on the table and ran out of the meeting.
Accustomed to such behavior from her, we resumed without
comment. Wherever she went, trouble followed.

"If that's the story of her life," I thought, "Then maybe
she needs a new story." On that day, I began thinking about
the ways stories teach and form us. Whether we realize it
or not, we each have a core of stories we live by. Stories
determine the ways we see ourselves and the world, and the
principles by which we decide to act. Our internal stories
set our intentions, since what we look for, we tend to find.
Stories give us purpose and direction. "To tell a story is
to construct a life," wrote Deena Metzger. In other words,
we are the stories we tell ourselves.

The world is made up of stories, and so are we.

Stories shape our experience at the same time we put our
experiences into words and stories. Stories and experiences
reinforce one another in a circular fashion. We've been
given those stories by our culture, our teachers, our
religious leaders, our families. Almost everything we know
has was taught to us in the form of a story.

Stories serve as foundations for our lives.

We take the stories our families have handed us, and at an
early age we begin to live out those scripts. With help
from our parents and others around us, we start to shape
ourselves and our environments to fit the story. In a
sense, we choose the costumes, props, and sets for our
story, then set about hiring (and firing) the actors to play
out the parts we've "written" for them. Seen in this light,
we may blame others less. Ever notice how a succession of
"actors" will fill the same role over time?

Stories give shape to our experience.

Even the name of a story has power because it focuses our
attention and provides a meaning and framework for the
story. Titling a story involves intention, judging, and
interpreting as we go. We tend to find what we're looking
for, so a story directs our search, however unconsciously.
When we write or say to ourselves, "This is a story
about..." we choose a direction for the story to take. If
we begin to give an account of our victimization, for
example, we select details to support that construction.
But if we set out to tell a story of empowerment,
liberation, or redemption, our attention will focus on facts
and events to build toward that conclusion. In telling a
story, we must choose the elements that comprise it.

Stories bear witness to truth.

Without witnesses and their descriptions of their
experiences to create documentation, our personal and
cultural history would be lost. Letters, journals,
chronicles, documentary films, even fiction accounts
preserve metaphorical truth. Since stories have the power
to touch hearts and consciences, it has the power to help
bring about change, to correct injustices. In Victorian
England, Charles Dickens' novels exposed the abysmal living
conditions of the lower classes and the harsh treatment of
children working long hours in dangerous mills and
factories. He managed to convey truth so vividly that his
readers could put themselves emotionally in his characters'
places. By bringing those horrible conditions to the public
conscience, he brought about political change: Because of
his novels, the Poor Laws were repealed and new laws were
created for free and compulsory education for all children.

Stories help us understand one another.

In listening to the narratives of others who have gone
before us, we find we travel in company, not alone. We
learn that others have traveled similar paths. We discover
common threads and universal themes. As more and more
people write their confessions, memoirs, and
autobiographies, we see that all our stories are more alike
than different. Shared stories give us community that
transcends time and space.

As we know the power of stories in our lives, we learn to
tell them deliberately to shape our lives and our world. By
telling stories, we create our truths, our foundations, our
communities, our world, and we create a future in which we
can bring possibilities to fruition.




Saturday, October 21, 2006

A Better World

A better world

It may sometimes seem that the world is shallow and petty and focused only on meaningless, superficial concerns. Yet you can choose to live in a better world.
It may appear that there is an overwhelming amount of violence, despair and injustice in the world. Yet you can choose to live in a better world.

Look at the world in a positive light, and suddenly you've made it a better place. Act on the possibilities that you see, and you give real substance to your positive vision.

Imagine how the world would be if everyone became focused on the positive possibilities. By directing your own awareness toward those possibilities, and by acting on them, you make them more vibrant, more visible and more compelling.

By working to improve your own attitude and your own life, you become a living example for all the world to see. And a living example is hard to ignore.

The way a better world emerges is one life at a time. Start with your own life, and let the goodness quickly spread outward from you.

-- Ralph Marston

What Magnificent World

What if you have more power, much more power in fact, than you realize? What would you want to do with it?

What if the way you look at the world could change the world itself? What kind of world would you choose to see?

What if things you always considered impossible were suddenly to happen for you? What new possibilities would you start to consider?

What if you discovered, without the slightest trace of doubt, that your reality springs faithfully and relentlessly from your imagination? What would you begin to imagine?

Do the limits in your life exist because someone or something has imposed them on you? Or are they there because you have chosen the comfort of their familiarity?

Imagine letting go of those limits, and watching them fall effortlessly away. What magnificent world will you dare to create?

-- Ralph Marston

Friday, October 20, 2006

The Most Beautiful Flower

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the
long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by
life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on
dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A
young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He
stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with
great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower,
and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn, not enough
rain or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and
go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But
instead of retreating he sat next to my side And placed the
flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise,

"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I
picked it; here, it's for you." The weed before me was dying or
dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I
must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the
flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him
placing the flower in my hand, He held it mid-air without reason
or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That
weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice
quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the
very best one. You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to
play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and
wondered how he managed to see A self-pitying woman beneath an
old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see The
problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all
of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty
in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose And breathed in
the fragrance of a beautiful rose And smiled as I watched that
young boy, another weed in his hand

About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.


-- Author Unknown

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Tapping Into Abundance...

Tapping Into Abundance with EFT
20 Mar 2003
Using the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to Remove Blocks to Prosperity

Hi!

My eight-year-old son, Karson, is a magician. He has mastered the fine art of manifesting his abundance. I marvel at his ability to magnetize everything he wants into his life. Yesterday Karson informed me that he is manifesting $18.00 for a new Lego set. I have watched this child's process with great interest because his ability to get exactly what he wants is quite inspiring. All he has to do is ask for it and within a few days it shows up. I am sure by this time next week he will have his $18.00 (he just may charm me into it soon.)

What is Karson's secret? How is it that he gets his desires fulfilled in record time without stress and worry? Karson believes, without limitation, that he will create what he wants. He doesn't worry about whether it is right, whether he deserves it or even entertain the thought that it won't happen. He knows he'll get it and he does.

How easy it is for children to believe with such conviction that they will get what they dream about, especially if no one tells them that they can't have it, or they shouldn't have it or that people in China are starving and they should be satisfied with what they have.

How many of us adults can manifest without limitation? It requires complete faith and belief that it is possible. Most of us struggle with deep conditioning that we can't have what we want. We don't deserve what we want. We have to work hard to get what we want. We struggle with believing in instant miracles, placing "real life" blocks to how and when what we desire will show up in our lives.

Creating the money we need to live the life we dream of is the biggest block that I see in my practice. I have many clients who know what their heart's desires are but who do not believe that they can live out these desires because they don't have the money. Or they feel guilty for asking for something that isn't "realistic" or practical.

The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can be a powerful tool to help you move past limiting beliefs, conditioning and emotional blocks to manifesting abundance. EFT can quickly remove from your subconscious mind and your energy field blocks that you may have to magnetizing your prosperity.

I have listed below some sample EFT setups to use to help you explore your beliefs about money and prosperity. Try some of these setups and see what issues may come up for you. Then use EFT to remove your limiting beliefs.

If you are unfamiliar with EFT, visit www.joyfulmission.com and download my free manual, "EFT for Everyone" and learn how to use this remarkable simple tool today. I have seen EFT change people's lives in a minute!

Examples of some common Limiting Beliefs relating to money and prosperity:
-You have to work hard to make money
-Women need a man to support them
-You have to be born rich or just lucky
-You have to have a college degree to make a lot of money
-I'm not the rich one (smart one, financially astute one, etc.) in my family-Money is dirty, bad, un-spiritual
-You can't make money doing what you love
-Creative people are poor (starving artist syndrome)
-There is a limited supply of money--if I earn money I am taking it away from someone else


Set Ups for common Limiting Beliefs:
"Even though no one in my family has money."
"Even though I don't trust myself to take care of my money."
"Even though I'm afraid I'll lose any extra money I make."
"Even though I'm a woman and I'm not supposed to make a lot of money."
"Even though I'm broke because I don't have a good education."
"Even though people might hate me/envy me/abandon me/use me/ if I have money."
"Even though I can't be more successful than my father/mother/parents."
"Even though I'm afraid I'll have to give up my spare time to have more money."
"Even though I don't know how to manage money."
"Even though I'm ashamed of my financial status."
"Even though I'm afraid of financial responsibility."
"Even though I don't deserve to be happy/successful/rich."
"Even though I'm afraid of success."
"Even though I believe I was meant to be broke."

Set Ups for Reversal and Secondary Gain:
"Even though I can never get over my money problem."
"Even though I don't deserve to have money."
"Even though I am not worthy of abundance."
"Even though I'm afraid to let go of this problem."
"Even though I don't believe I can change."
"Even though I'm afraid to have money."
"Even though I'm afraid to be financially independent."
"Even though I don't believe I can reach my financial goal."
"Even though being broke means I can rely on other people."
"Even though I stay poor so that I can get attention/help from my parents."
"Even though I believe money is not important to me."
"Even though I am getting a secondary gain by having this money problem."

The Past:
1. What events from the past make you feel anxious/guilty/ashamed?
2. Where are you holding unforgiveness, lack of gratitude?

Set Ups for "Past" Abundance Issues:

"Even though I was ashamed to be poor."
"Even though my family didn't have money."
"Even though I had no responsibility."
"Even though I've never had money."
"Even though I've never been successful in the past."
"Even though no one in my family has managed their money properly."
"Even though I have wasted the money I have had in the past."
"Even though I my money was taken from me before."


The Present:
1. What triggers compulsive spending?
2. Are there problem times of day when you spend more?

Set Ups for "Present" Abundance Issues:

"Even though there is a recession and I know I can't make more money."
"Even though I feel deprived when I live within my means."
"Even though I don't think I have enough money."
"Even though budgets make me feel deprived."
"Even though no one in my family has money."
"Even though I need to spend money to feel accepted."
"Even though I ignore my money problems."
"Even though I shop when I feel lonely/sad/bored."


The Future:
1. What fears do you have about the future?
2. How will money change your life?

Set Ups for "Future" Abundance Issues:

"Even though I'm afraid I'll still be unhappy even if I have money."
"Even though people will expect more of me if I have more money."
"Even though I won't know who I am if I have enough money."
"Even though I believe there will never be enough money."
"Even though I don't think I can make/have more money."
"Even though I don't know how I am going to make more money."
"Even though I believe I'll never get out of debt."
"Even though I know I will lose money when I get more of it."

Our money beliefs are deeply rooted in our culture and our collective consciousness. In my experience, it may take a lot of tapping to get to the root of your money beliefs.

Personally, I still find aspects of limiting beliefs about abundance in my own consciousness. I was raised in a very hard working family. I am still clearing my beliefs about needing to work hard to make money. Be patient with yourself if you find that you are having to tap a lot to clear experiences and root beliefs that are keeping you from experiencing prosperity!

Tap a little on these issues everyday! I recommend that you tap at least 15 minutes everyday on anything that you need help with.

If you have any questions or if you think you need more help, please don't hesitate to contact me, karen@joyfulmission.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Love,

Karen

http://www.joyfulmission.com/articles/
article/1975190/26251.htm

How To Love Like You Will Never Be Hurt

How To Love Like You Will Never Get Hurt
20 Jun 2003
Hi!

Well, Christmas sped by and, in the blink of an eye, the grocery store has been converted from a wonderland of red and green to the sweet combination of red and pink. Valentine's Day is dawning and we will soon be inundated with commercial messages of undying eternal love.

Personally, I hate Valentines Day. It is one of those female holidays where what women want and men deliver is quite different. I have watched many women bite the dust on Valentine's Day, a 24-hour reminder that we haven't been loved the way we think we want to be loved.

I am a deeply sentimental fool. I hate that our expression of love for each other is limited to one day a year. I would like every day to be Valentine's Day. Why wait for a special day to live out love? Love is a frequency of energy that is available for us to dip into at each and every moment, if we choose.


LOVE IS A VERB
Even though according to the dictionary "love" can be used as a noun, I believe that love is a verb. Certainly love is a feeling. But living love requires action, courage, commitment and letting go of attachment.

We all struggle to love unconditionally. Unconditional love requires that we love like we are never going to get hurt. Whether we are parents, friends, or romantic partners, life is an ongoing lesson of learning how to love without attachment to the outcome.

Being a parent, for example, offers us a great opportunity to experience unconditional love. The best parents I know love their children for who they are. Parenting with unconditional love requires the strength to set clear limits and boundaries, while still accepting children for who they are and acting as if they are capable of living their own lives.

Parenting with unconditional love also requires that we trust that our children can deal with their emotions and the truth. And that our children will deal with difficult lessons that we can't always save them from. We can only offer love and sanctuary. Love isn't about rescuing. It is about trusting that a person can handle what has been thrown their way.

When it comes to friendship and romantic partnership, love must become deeply selfish. Real love is not sacrifice. Whenever you think you are sacrificing yourself to "love", you are actually expressing the expectation that what you really deserve and desire from love won't find you. How many of us compromise in the name of love? How many of us accept less than what we desire because we feel that we don't deserve or can't have all that we want.

I am a champion for love. I believe that we can have love in the form that we want if we allow for space for love to find us. When we fill our lives with compromise in the name of "love", we don't leave a space for true love.


THE COURAGE TO LOVE
In friendships and romance, how many of us are in relationships that are less than fulfilling? How many of us have the courage to ask for what we want from our partners? How many of us have accepted a level of love that hurts us or forces us to live out our lives based on someone else's expectations? How many of us hold on to this distorted love because of society's rules or out of guilt?

Great acts of love require great acts of courage. It requires vulnerability, honesty and receiving.

How many of us hide from real love because we don't believe that we deserve it? Love can be delivered to us magically and unexpectedly, wrapped in beautiful paper with a lovely bow. I have watched real love slip away so many times because the recipient of this gift has been afraid to open it because the timing is "wrong" or the circumstances don't allow for it.


LOVING YOURSELF FIRST
When we feel hurt by what we think is "love", it is because we are looking to others to validate our own self worth. When we feel unworthy of love, it is difficult for others to love us the way we think we should be loved. And when we hang on to unsatisfying love just because we feel a desperate need to be loved, we leave ourselves open to heartbreak and disappointment. How can others make us feel loved when we don't love ourselves first?

The greatest act of love is to love ourselves first. It is in loving ourselves unconditionally that we set a standard for how we want to be loved by others. Do you love yourself enough to demand the love you deserve from friends and partners? Do you love yourself enough to receive the love you deserve?

Now, don't get me wrong here. I know this "loving yourself" thing presents a challenge for most of us. During our lives we have internalized many beliefs and patterns of self-sacrifice that discourage unconditional love from finding us.

I can attest to the power of these beliefs. Out of a fear of getting hurt, I used to see myself as the Stone Queen living in the Castle of Anti-Love. If anyone tried to love me, they had to swim across a moat filled with monsters (no drawbridge here), and then they had to bust through the portcullis while my guards poured boiling oil on them. Then, if they actually made it that far, my pursuer would then have to run down an alley filled with flying arrows to make it to the tower where they would find me, the Stone Queen, glaring at them with scorn. Their next challenge would then be figuring out how to bring the Stone Queen back to life. Have you ever locked yourself away from love like this? Many people do.

Needless to say, when people failed to enter my Anti-Love castle I saw that failure as proof, once again, that I was fundamentally unlovable. I wonder sometimes how many people gave up trying to enter my castle. How many times did I turn away real love while I sat feeling so sorry for myself? Have you ever done this in your life? Is there ANYONE on this planet who hasn't done this at one time or another?

I am still learning how to love. Everyday I have to confront the Stone Queen in the mirror and remind her that WHEN SHE LOVES HERSELF she becomes the Queen of Hearts. When the Queen of Hearts flashes her beautiful smile to me in the mirror, I know that I am love and all that I deserve will find me, if I choose to let it in.


LIVING YOUR TRUTH
Real love demands Truth and Integrity. In order to live love we have to live in truth. Many times, for example, we feel that we love people in our lives, but we relate to them in ways that do not serve the highest good for either person in the relationship. To really love means not only to feel the love, but also to act in the best interests of ourselves and those persons involved. In a parenting relationship, a romantic relationship, or a friendship, there are ways of relating that honor each individual's needs and ways of relating that are not correct for those involved. Again, understand that I am not talking about sacrifice here, but truth.

If you love someone, but you feel compromised in the way you are relating to that person, do you have the courage to release him or her from the relationship? Even if it "hurts" that person in the short term?

A courageous friend of mine asked me one day if I could look at the people in my life with the Eyes of Love. She pointed out to me that if we can't see our children, our partners and our friends through the Eyes of Love we may continue to hold on to them or to our current way of relating to them, but we will simultaneously be blocking Real Love from finding them. How cruel is that?

Are you holding love hostage by living out a love that is a lie? When we pretend to love someone in a way that doesn't feel correct to us we are not honoring our truth, and probably we are not honoring the other person's truth either. Furthermore, by holding love hostage we may be keeping more appropriate forms of love from finding our partners, friends, or children. In many cases we fail to express our truth in relationships because of guilt, fear of the judgement of others or because of our fear that we will hurt someone. If you are holding on to a particular way of relating to someone you love because you don't want to hurt them, what are you holding them back from experiencing?

Can you look at your partners and friends with the Eyes of Love? If your relationship with them is not serving your highest good or their highest good, can you set them free to find Real Love? Setting someone free is sometimes the greatest act of courage and love, even if the other person doesn't see it that way in the present moment. Sometimes great acts of love can be the catalyst for profound personal growth. In time, your partner may even thank you, because what you are really doing when you let go of an incorrect way of relating to someone is this: you are living your truth and you are allowing the other person to live their truth. You are living love.


LETTING GO OF ATTACHMENT TO THE OUTCOME
Lastly, Real Love requires letting go. When you really love, you love without knowing how the story will end. It is about loving for the sake of loving. Listen, I know how hard this is! I can't even read a mystery novel without reading the last page first. I don't like entering into things when I don't know how they are going to turn out. Don't you always want to know that the story will have a "happy" ending?

But, in the name of love, I am learning to let go. When I look at my children, I realize that no matter how they "turn out," I will always love them. This is the closest I have come to experiencing unconditional love at this point in my life.

When I get lost in wanting a specific outcome from a relationship, I think about God. Does God stop loving us when we goof up? God doesn't care if we are artists, if we don't go to college, or if leave our suburban lives to become psychics in Sedona. He doesn't even stop loving us if we hurt others. The love of the Divine is unconditional.

If we can accept that we are a holographic representation of the Divine, then I have to believe that can we learn to love without attachment. Perhaps this is the greatest spiritual challenge of being incarnated.

So, as Valentine's Day approaches, take the chance to love like you will never get hurt. Love without conditions and attachments. Love yourself first. Have the courage to take loving action.

Live Love!

Love to you!

Karen
(The Queen of Hearts)

http://www.joyfulmission.com/articles/
article/1975190/26308.htm

Emotional Energy

Emotional Energy
20 Mar 2005
Hi!

I am so grateful to have children. My children have always been my greatest teachers.

Today I picked up my seven-year-old daughter and my nine-year-old son from school. As my daughter joyfully leaped into the back seat she cheerfully proclaimed, “I cried in P.E. today. I missed Daddy (Her father lives in another state and they don’t get to see each other very often.)”

“But,” she went on to tell me, “I liked crying because then I got to be happy again and everyone in my class and my teacher hugged me.”

My son piped in with, “Yeah, that happens to me sometimes. I just think about it for a little bit then I go on with what I’m doing.”

My children’s resiliency and matter-of-fact acceptance of their emotional state kind of amazed me. How many times to we, as adults, get lost in our emotional states, react inappropriately to situations or simply put our emotions aside? How many of us would have the courage to break down and cry for a moment in the middle of a group of people?

So many of us, me included, have been struggling with intense emotional energy these last few months. It seems as if, on a global level, we are all processing and releasing old limitations and emotional wounds.

I personally have struggled and resisted this process in many ways. I tend to over-analyze my emotions as a way of avoiding dealing with them. If I can come up with a logical reason for my feelings then I can kind of make them go away. How many of you do that?

AVOIDING EMOTIONAL ENERGY
Most of us have developed powerful strategies to help us avoid our emotional energy, especially when we are experiencing emotions that are uncomfortable and even painful. Some common ways to avoid feelings are rationalization, finding other “more important” things to be upset about, shutting down and engaging in addictive behaviors (And I don’t just mean the ones we consider bad. An addiction is any kind of behavior that takes you away from being fully present with an emotion.).

But, I believe that we have a fundamental misunderstanding about emotions. Emotions are not just an experience we can avoid. Emotions are energy. We have to process emotional energy; let it run it’s natural course or else we run the risk of misdirecting emotional energy and having it hurt us in destructive and chaotic ways.

In the Human Design System, there is an energy center called the Emotional Solar Plexus (The large triangle on the right side of the chart. For more information about the emotional solar plexus click here: http://joyfulmission.com/joyful_mission_00000d.htm).

That is how vital emotional energy is to the human personality. We actually have our own energy system for processing emotional energy!

LIGHTNING BOLTS AND HOT POTATOES
Emotional energy is like lightning. Once lightning strikes, it will take the path of least resistance to get to the ground. Emotional energy will do the same thing.

Here’s an example for you. The other day my youngest daughter and my step-daughter got into a fight over who stuck their tongue out at the other first. Big fight. Big feelings.

At first I tried to make them give each other an apology and scolded them for not working it out. Instead of calming down, they got even more mad at each other and retreated with great flair to opposite ends of the house. Both of them were crying hysterically.

So, I tried a different parenting tactic. I went to each of my daughters individually and simply listened to each side of the story. Within about two minutes they were both hugging and kissing each other. And they went right on playing as if nothing had happened.

All they really wanted was someone to listen to them. They just needed to express their feelings and have them respectfully acknowledged. They really didn’t need me to fix anything, just hear them out.

The intense energy between all of us can be like an emotional Hot Potato. We all juggle powerful emotional energy that is simply longing for appropriate expression. When we can’t find an outlet for the energy, we start lobbing it at each other until it finds some kind of an outlet.

How many times as adults do we throw emotional Hot Potatoes at other people instead of dealing with our emotions appropriately? And how many times do we deny other people the gift of appropriate emotional expression because it is too uncomfortable for us to deal with?

I find that if I simply allow my kids to tell me about their feelings, the fight will go away or be handled very quickly. They really don’t seem to care much about the actual issue. They just want to have their side of the story, and their emotions, really heard.

You know, a hot potato can be hard to handle. But when it cools down enough, it can be a delicious meal. Allowing someone to express their emotions freely is a true act of love and sometimes courage.

And, the freedom to appropriately share emotional energy is a true building block to intimacy.

Imagine how all your relationships would change if the people around felt that it was safe to share all their feelings with you without fear of getting shut down, being judged or punished.

What if the people in your life felt like they could share their emotions with you without having to make excuses, cover up, lie or blame? What if they could communicate their feelings effectively?

How would that one simple shift in how you handle emotional energy change the way you relate to all the people in your life?

ACCEPT YOURSELF
And, what if you could then extend that same level of acceptance and understanding of emotional energy to YOURSELF? What if you could make it okay to completely accept your own feelings without shutting down, judging or punishing yourself?

As I mentioned, emotional energy is like lightning. We can experience it, and let it run it’s full, natural course. Or, we can stuff it and deny it.

But, imagine what happens when we stuff and deny emotional lightning bolts. They don’t go away. They ricochet around inside of us until we blow up at something that seems sometimes insignificant, or we manifest physical symptoms, depression and even serious illnesses.

I can’t tell you how many times I have had clients that have manifested huge grief reactions over seemingly insignificant events in their lives. It is not uncommon. Usually, with a little detective work, we find an old emotional wound that needs to be expressed and honored. With a little self-love and acceptance, the old energy can be released and you can move forward.

I am still learning to do this myself. But I have discovered that if I simply and lovingly allow my emotions to follow their natural course, they dissipate rather quickly. And, somehow, even though this experience can feel intense, sometimes painful and uncomfortable, it is much easier to just go through it than to avoid it and suffer with it for years.

Think of emotional energy as a balloon, blown up fully but not tied off. You can either let it go and it deflates quickly or you can release it a little at a time, squeak by squeak.

Would you rather take a deep breath and let it go or squeak by, suffering for a long time?

There is nothing wrong with either way. It is simply a matter of deciding how you want to experience your life.

Just like spring offers such an amazing contrast to winter here in Minnesota, painful emotions offer a powerful contrast to the experience of joy. It is through my experiences of pain that I have a deeper understanding and appreciation of all the blessings and happiness in my life.

Allowing yourself to feel the full range of the human emotional spectrum can
make your experience more fully alive and authentic.

Take care of yourself today! Go outside. Experience the richness of spring! Enjoy being alive!

Love,
Karen


http://www.joyfulmission.com/articles/
article/1975190/26316.htm

Indigo Children

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Indigo Children
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:01:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: *Karen*
Reply-To: karen@joyfulmission.com
To: patels@access4less.net

Joyful Mission
October 17, 2006

Dear Christiane,

Attention - Parents, Grandparents, Educators, and Anyone Who Loves Children:

The Time To Make Important Decisions About How You Raise and Educate
Your Children Is Right Now. Mark October 28, 9:00 am Central Time on
your calendar!

"Give Me Three Hours Of Your Time And I Will Show You How The Hope For
The Future Of Our World Is Sitting Undiscovered In The Heart Of Your
Precious Children (And How You Can Help Your Child Unleash His Hidden
Magnificence)."

Have you noticed that kids today seem different? Do you have an amazing
child in your life who just doesn't seem to fit in? Are you and your
child struggling with school, homework and discipline? Does your child
have intuitive insights and a wisdom that seems, at times, beyond her years?

You may have an Indigo Child.

Many educators, psychologists and child development experts will tell
you that kids today are different. Professional counselors,
psychiatrists and psychologists are being flooded by families in crisis
with "difficult", "hyperactive" and out of control children.

More and more children are being diagnosed and pharmaceutically treated
for Attention Deficit Disorder, Asberger's Syndrome and other
psychological disorders. Many of these children are put on Ritalin by a
school system that feels a need to control them.

Children today ARE different!

Undeniably, children truly are different today. We see the evidence
everyday in schools, at home and on the news.

Some people believe that these "new" children have come to Earth now to
help create deep social and spiritual changes. Others believe that these
children as expressing signs of distress related to our high divorce
rate, premature exposure to sex and violence or too much pressure in
school.

Parenting Indigo Children is Challenging!

Whatever the source of this behavior, if you are a parent of one of
these children, you are probably feeling overwhelmed, despairing and
exhausted. Indigo Children take an enormous amount of emotional energy!

Listed below are some of the defining characteristics of Indigos. Use
this list as a survey, to determine whether your child fits these
characteristics:

. They come into the world with a feeling of royalty (and often act like
it).
. They have a feeling of "deserving to be here" and are surprised when
others don't share that. Self-worth is not a big issue. They often tell
the parents "who they are".
. They have difficulty with absolute authority (authority without
explanation or choice).
. They simply will not do certain things; for example, waiting in line
is difficult for them.
. They get frustrated with systems that are ritual-oriented and don't
require creative thought.
. They often see better ways of doing things, both at home and in
school, which makes them seem like "system busters" (nonconforming to
any system).
. They seem antisocial unless they are with their own kind. If there are
no others of like consciousness around them, they will turn inward,
feeling like no other humans understand them. School is often very
difficult for them socially.
. They will not respond to "guilt" discipline ("Wait till your father
gets home and finds out what you did!").
. They are not shy in letting you know what they need.
-from The IndigoChildren by Lee Carroll and JanTober

These children, although very challenging at times, are profoundly
gifted and, when properly guided, can be very powerful. If we, as
parents and educators, do not learn how to help these children manage
their emotional energy (as well as our own), our experiences can be very
trying and even extremely damaging.

Parents And Educators Have To Know How To Raise and Educate These Kids!

These kids learn differently. They are very, very smart. They are
compassionate, powerful, dynamic, spiritually and emotionally gifted.

These kids are our future.

As a parent or an educator, you WANT to do right by your children. You
WANT to raise strong, healthy, empowered children but you might not know
how. Old parenting and educational strategies and styles just don't work.

Let's face it. These kids are different. To do right by our children, we
have to understand them and then revolutionize our parenting style and
our educational system.

The old ways just don't work anymore.

To raise strong, successful, happy and healthy children you have to
learn new skills and knowledge.

If you are looking for new, effective ways to raise your amazing child,
then please join me, Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 9:00 am for a special
3-hour teleseminar, The Indigo Revolution.

During this teleseminar you will learn:

. How to understand your child's behavior and why they do what they do!
. How to effectively discipline your child and strengthen your relationship.
. How to really listen to your child.
. What is Attention Deficit Disorder and how you can treat it without drugs.
. How to parent for high self-esteem.
. How to have together as a family.
. How to raise an internally motivated child.
. How to "peer-pressure proof" your child.
. Learn how to handle intense emotional issues with grace and calmness.
. What is the special purpose of your Indigo child.
. How families and school systems must change to help these children.
. Embrace parenting as a spiritual journey.
. Get your kids to cooperate at home and school without yelling,
screaming and begging!
. How to use EFT to help your children.
. How you and your child interact based on your unique Human Design.
. And much more!

Look, I know how tough it can be to raise kids today. I am a single
mother of four children, a nurse and a child development specialist.
Over the last 20 years I have noticed big changes in children and families.

When I first started teaching parent education classes, very few parents
had really big problems and struggles. Even fewer parents had children
with Attention Deficit Disorder.

In the last parenting class I taught, over one-third of the families had
children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. The families in this
class had big struggles and these were highly educated and very
motivated parents who had an enormous number of resources available to them.

When they learned about Indigo Children, they were shocked and relieved
to finally have answers for what many parents already knew what was true
in their hearts. These children aren't a problem. They are the answer.

And we, as parents and educators, have to start looking at what is RIGHT
and what is PERFECT about these kids. When we focus on growing what is
working and continuing to find solutions that are healthy and empowering
for this magnificent new generation of people, we will all be working
together for a more perfect and beautiful world.

Won't You Join Me?

Saturday, October 28, 9:00-12:00 am Central Time Zone I will be hosting
a 3-hour teleclass about Indigo Children. The cost is $79.00 All
participants will receive a recording of this special seminar so that
you can listen over and over. I will be sharing a lot of information and
you will want to listen carefully. I know how important your children
are to you.

To register for the class simply click here:

Or call 612-799-3247 to register. You will receive an email confirmation
of your registration when you sign up for class.

Attend From The Comfort Of Your Home!

This is a teleclass. All you have to do is dial in, press *6 and mute
yourself and you can be a part of this powerful class and still hang out
in your pajamas! You can attend from anywhere in the world as long as
you have a telephone.

I hope you will join me!

I look forward to hearing your stories and meeting your beautiful children!

Love,

Karen
Joyful Mission
--------------------------------
email: karen@joyfulmission.com

phone: 612-799-3247
web: http://www.joyfulmission.com

If Only We Believe

If Only We Believe...

To believe is to know that every day is a new
beginning.

It is to trust that miracles happen and dreams really
do come true.

To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky and the wisdom of
the man in the moon.

To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes and the beauty of an
aging hand, for it is through their teachings we learn
to love.

To believe is to find the strength and courage that
lies within us when it is time to pick up the pieces
and begin again.

To believe is to know we are not alone, that life is a
gift, and this is our time to cherish it.

To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just
waiting to happen, and all our hopes and dreams are
within reach...

If only we believe.

- Anon

Are You Here...

It is said, to "take no thought of tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself". Another way to understand this is to realize that "only this moment exist".

One moment ago does not exist (did it exist? - you interpret that it did, yet no one else can interpret in the same way that it was so.)

One moment from now does not exist (will it exist? - how will you interpret it to happen? - how will you create it?)

I entertained a thought a moment ago to sit down and write this, yet the moment I was writing in is not the same, and the thought has been changed by it; the doing of it has changed it. By translating the thought to text, it has become something else...it has become more...and it has also become what has past already.

In other words, in this moment I have created a summation of what was prior to it. Everything I have done or thought before becomes everything that is right now...nothing else. Everything I now see in this moment, I created...I made it so. I drew it to me.

I can not summize what happens next until I have reached that next moment...so in fact, the next moment can not be reached from here. I do not arrive...I must be present. The present is the only thing that is possible.

Therefore, yesterday is imagined as happened and tomorrow is imagined as will happen...and in both cases, I can only hold an image of either...which are truly and uniquely, completely my own. Images therefore can be changed...meaning images of before and images of later are only a reference I decide them to be.

To center into my present, I become one with it and realize nothing else may exist here that I do not allow here, and it is not so much an allowance, as it is a creating.

I create, with absolute authority, "this very moment"...one after another after another after another...

Are you here......




c2006-knightsintent

100 Quotes From "The Secret"

Mindful~Heartful
Date: Oct 18, 2006 9:06 PM


Thank you Rob!


1. We all work with one infinite power
2. The Secret is the Law of Attraction (LOA)
3. Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting
4. We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think
5. Every thought has a frequency. Thoughts send out a magnetic energy
6. People think about what they don't want and attract more of the same
7. Thought = creation. If these thoughts are attached to powerful emotions (good or bad) that speeds the creation
8. You attract your dominant thoughts
9. Those who speak most of illness have illness, those who speak most of prosperity have it…etc…
10. It's not “wishful” thinking.
11. You can't have a universe without the mind entering into it
12. Choose your thoughts carefully – you are a masterpiece of your life
13. It's OK that thoughts don't manifest into reality immediately (if we saw a picture of an elephant and it instantly appeared, that would be too soon)
14. EVERYTHING in your life you have attracted – accept that fact – it's true.
15. Your thoughts cause your feelings
16. We don't need to complicate all the “reasons” behind our emotions. It's much simpler than that. Two categories – good feelings, bad feelings.
17. Thoughts that bring about good feelings mean you are on the right track. Thoughts that bring about bad feelings means you are not on the right track.
18. Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming
19. You get exactly what you are FEELING
20. Happy feelings will attract more happy circumstances
21. You can begin feeling whatever you want (even if it's not there)… the universe will correspond to the nature of your song
22. What you focus on with your thought and feeling is what you attract into your experience
23. What you think and what you feel and what actually manifests is ALWAYS a match - no exception
24. Shift your awareness
25. “You create your own universe as you go along” Winston Churchill
26. It's important to feel good ( ( ( (((good))) ) ) )
27. You can change your emotion immediately – by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience
28. When you get the hang of this, before you know it you will KNOW you are the creator
29. Life can and should be phenomenal – and it will be when you consciously apply the Law of Attraction
30. Universe will re-arrange itself accordingly
31. Start by using this sentence for all of your wants: “I'm so happy and grateful now that…… ”
32. You don't need to know HOW the universe is going to rearrange itself
33. LOA is simply figuring out for yourself what will generate the positive feelings of having it NOW
34. You might get an inspired thought or idea to help you move towards what you want faster
35. The universe likes SPEED. Don't delay, don't second-guess, don't doubt…
36. When the opportunity or impulse is there – ACT
37. You will attract everything you require - money, people, connections… PAY ATTENTION to what's being set in front of you
38. You can start with nothing – and out of nothing or no way - a WAY will be provided.
39. HOW LONG??? No rules on time – the more aligned you are with positive feelings the quicker things happen
40. Size is nothing to the universe (unlimited abundance if that's what you wish) We make the rules on size and time
41. No rules according to the universe – you provide the feelings of having it now and the universe will respond
42. Most people offer the majority of their thought in response to what they are observing (bills in the mail, being late, having bad luck….etc..)
43. You have to find a different approach to what is through a different vantage point
44. “All that we are is a result of what we have thought” - Buddha
45. What can you do right now to turn your life around?? Gratitude
46. Gratitude will bring more into our lives immediately
47. What we think about and THANK about is what we bring about
48. What are the things you are grateful for?? Feel the gratitude.. focus on what you have right now that you are grateful for
49. Play the picture in your mind - focus on the end result
50. VISUALIZE!!! Rehearse your future
51. VISUALIZE!!! See it, feel it! This is where action begins
52. Feel the joy – feel the happiness :o)
53. An affirmative thought is 100 times more powerful than a negative one
54. “What this power is, I cannot say. All I know is that it exists.” Alexander Graham Bell
55. Our job is not to worry about the “How”. The “How” will show up out of the commitment and belief in the “what”
56. The Hows are the domain of the universe. It always knows the quickest, fastest, most harmonious way between you and your dream
57. If you turn it over to the universe, you will be surprised and dazzled by what is delivered – this is where magic and miracles happen
58. Turn it over to the universe daily… but it should never be a chore.
59. Feel exhilarated by the whole process – high, happy, in tune
60. The only difference between people who are really living this way is they have habituated ways of being.
61. They remember to do it all the time
62. Create a Vision Board – pictures of what you want to attract – every day look at it and get into the feeling state of already having acquired these wants
63. “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.” Albert Einstein
64. Decide what you want – believe you can have it, believe you deserve it, believe it's possible for you
65. Close your eyes and visualize having what you already want - and the feeling of having it already.
66. Focus on being grateful for what you have already – enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.
67. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve” W. Clement Stone
68. Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind.
69. When you have an inspired thought, you must trust it and act on it.
70. How can you become more prosperous?? INTEND IT!!
71. 'checks are coming in the mail regularly'…. or change your bank statement to whatever balance you want in there…. and get behind the feeling of having it.
72. Life is meant to be abundant in ALL areas….
73. Go for the sense of inner joy and peace then all outside things appear
74. We are the creators of our universe
75. Relationships: Treat yourself the way you want to be treated by others – love yourself and you will be loved
76. Healthy respect for yourself
77. For those you work with or interact with regularly – get a notebook and write down positive aspects of each of those people.
78. Write down the things you like most about them (don't expect change from them). Law of attraction will not put you in the same space together if you frequencies don't match
79. When you realize your potential to feel good, you will ask no one to be different in order for you to feel good.
80. You will free yourself from the cumbersome impossibilities of needing to control the world, your friends, your mate, your children…..
81. You are the only one that creates your reality
82. No one else can think or feel for you – its YOU – ONLY YOU.
83. Health: thank the universe for your own healing. Laugh, stress free happiness will keep you healthy.
84. Immune system will heal itself
85. Parts of our bodies are replace every day, every week..etc…. Within a few years we have a brand new body
86. See yourself living in a new body. Hopeful = recovery. Happy = happier biochemistry. Stress degrades the bod.
87. Remove stress from the body and the body regenerates itself. You can heal yourself
88. Learn to become still – and take your attention away from what you don't want, and place your attention on what you wish to experience
89. When the voice and vision on the inside become more profound and clear than the opinions on the outside, then you have mastered your life
90. You are not here to try to get the world to be just as you want it. You are here to create the world around you that you choose.
91. And allow the world as others choose to see it, exist as well
92. People think that if everyone knows the power of the LOA there won't be enough to go around – This is a lie that's been ingrained in us and makes so many greedy.
93. The truth is there is more than enough love, creative ideas, power, joy, happiness to go around.
94. All of this abundance begins to shine through a mind that is aware of it's own infinite nature. There's enough for everyone. See it. Believe it. it will show up for you.
95. So let the variety of your reality thrill you as you choose all the things you want… get behind the good feelings of all your wants.
96. Write your script. When you see things you don't want, don't think about them, write about them, talk about them, push against them, or join groups that focus on the don't wants…. remove your attention from don't wants… and place them on do wants
97. We are mass energy. Everything is energy. EVERYTHING.
98. Don't define yourself by your body – it's the infinite being that's connected to everything in the universe.
99. One energy field. Our bodies have distracted us from our energy. We are the infinite field of unfolding possibilities. The creative force.
100. Are your thoughts worthy of you? If not - NOW is the time to change them. You can begin right were you are right now. Nothing matters but this moment and what you are focusing your attention on.