Author: soulsticespirit

HAPPY FULL BLUE MOON IN LIBRA

The blue moon: A blue moon does not appear blue in the night sky. Rather, it was named “blue” because of its rareness; the second full moon in one calendar month. Contrary to its irregular presence, the 31^st March, 2018 marks the second blue moon in just 3 months. This rare incident last occurred in 1999 and will not be witnessed again until 2037.

In addition to having two full moons and one new, March has been full of activity. Because it is the third month of the year and the number 3 relates to communication (numerology) and cooperation (tarot), we may have experienced much shifting and fluxing in our personal relationships. We were likely able to work together with others for a common goal.  We likely had a faster-paced, very social month. As this was a genuinely charming experience, we are about to head into a far slower period. For this we can thank Mercury retrograde.  https://soulsticespirit.com/2017/04/09/mercury-retrograde-what-does-it-mean/ Because Mercury itself is the planet of communication, when it turns retrograde its effects will put a screeching halt to the beautiful social butterfly essence of March.

As with all full moons, this is a time for release. The full moon is the culmination of the lunar cycle, meaning that it is now time to release that which no longer serves our highest good. This particular moon is in Libra which is the sign of balance and justice. In terms of personal relationships, we will find ourselves assessing whether or not we are having all of our needs met- and whether or not we are providing a healthy relationship for our partners. Because the focus of the Libra is on balance and Justice, we are more readily able to view our relationships more objectively. What is off balance? What can we do to bring ourselves and our relationships back to balance?

Too, due to the Libran influence we will be more readily able to detach from those aspects of our lives that continue to throw us off balance. Any addictions such as substances, drama, attachments to other people or past experiences will be illuminated as that which must be released. Though these aspects of our lives will be easy to spot, their releases may take strong courage and conviction. It is up to us to step up and do the work to become more streamlined versions of ourselves.

Conjunct to the full moon in Libra is the sun in the sign of Aries. Aries, a fire sign, encourages action before thought. It is important that during this 48 hour full moon period we take extra caution to think before we act. We must always remember to take stock of how our actions and words will affect others. Remember that once we have spoken, we cannot un-speak our words. Aries, the sign of the ram, embodies the “charge!” element of our animalistic nature. While this has the potential to create an environment where we are constantly “butting heads” with each other, we can also utilize this energy to take charge of any projects we have let fall by the wayside. With the sun in Aries, this is an excellent time to revisit old ideas and run with them!

Since the times of the ancients, blue moons have been considered a time of great fortune. Whether we choose to spend this blue full moon in meditation on our hearts desires, engaged in full moon ritual or dancing in a full moon drum circle, this moon promises to be one of joy and freedom!

ANIMALS & DIGESTIVE HEALTH PART 2: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In part 1 of this article we discussed proper feeding information for young, middle aged and aging animals. There are innumerable brands, ingredients, factories and types of cat and dog food. There are innumerable practices, rules and beliefs that many different professionals have about what is considered to be proper nutrition for cats and dogs. With all of these varying beliefs, how is the average consumer to know what is the best choice for her family?

As I have stated in all of my classes, speeches and articles prior, READ INGREDIENTS. It is absolutely astounding what some animal food companies pass off as food”. Further, when questioned, these companies and the professionals who sell these foods will tell you that animals do well on these non-food items and not to be concerned. When told this, I pose the question to consumers: “would YOU eat food that’s first two ingredients (for example) are pork by-product and corn gluten?” We can all guess what their answers are. Cats and dogs require whole foods on a daily basis to ensure a healthy quality of life. Their systems vary from humans, yes, however time and time again studies have shown that animals who eat diets similar to those which their ancestors in a nature ate have healthier minds, bodies and spirits. (For more information on these studies, see any of Dr Karen Becker’s articles).

How do ingredients relate to poop, you ask? The poorer the quality of food the more poop we find. In a nutshell, when cats and dogs regularly eat nutrient poor foods, they will eliminate more. This is because their bodies are not absorbing nutrients simply because there are none. Conversely, when fed nutrient rich foods such as raw food diets or species appropriate semi-processed foods, they will eliminate less because their bodies are being nourished by their food (as it should be!).

Do not be fooled. When I type “nutrient poor food”, most consumers would imagine that I make reference to cheaply priced cat and dog food. And they would be wrong. Believe it or not, most of the expensive brands of cat and dog food are almost completely devoid of nutrients. Do not be fooled by marketing schemes or professional authorities claiming that they know the best option for your dog or cat. Do not believe anything you read or hear. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. Read labels and look up ingredients for yourself. Do not blindly feed your animals what other people tell you to feed.

In addition to the unfortunate variety of nutrient poor foods on the market there are several other aspects of cat and dog food that bear examination. One such aspect is researching where the food was sourced. Be mindful of the fact that every country has its own guidelines of what is appropriate to feed cats and dogs. For example there are several well known brands of cat and dog food that have processing plants overseas. What is the likelihood that these countries in Asia have the same guidelines of adequate nutrition as Canada the UK and the US? Slim to none. Taking this one step further, not only are the feeding guidelines questionable but the duration of transport time of food from Asia to North America calls into question how may additives and preservatives are processed into these foods and food products to give them such a lengthy shelf life. When an animal consumes these products they fall subject to malnutrition.

Lastly with respect to the ingredient lists of foods, we must ask ourselves about a crucially overlooked element. Speaking from personal experience, my animal had a severe allergy to American cat food. Despite the list of healthy looking ingredients, hair was falling off of her ears and she was inexplicably itchy. I was at a loss- the food I had found for her looked to be up to par with her regular Canadian cat food. So why was she so itchy? And then the answer became clear: different countries feed their cattle, chickens and turkeys differently. This is to say that in Canada, we refrain from feeding our farm animals steroids and hormones. However in the US, it is common knowledge that their cattle and chicken feed practices often include the feeding of hormones and steroids. My cat is sensitive to the hormones and steroids in the meat of her American cat food.

On the subject of food intolerances, did you know that cats lack the digestive enzyme responsible for the breakdown of grains in the digestive system? They lack the digestive enzyme amylase. This enzyme is present in dogs, humans, horses and most other mammals. However, it is not present in cats. So why do so many cat food brands contain grains? The obvious answer for most is because its filler. When we see foods that say “brown rice”, “oats” etc… we must run the other way. Of course, it is also important to note the quantity of grain in our cat foods. Some cats can digest a minute amount of grains without issue. What happens when cats eat grains over a prolonged period of time? In any mammal, unprocessed grains metabolize into sugar. Particularly in dry cat food where the grains are contrived from human grade cereal, these white sugar grains will wreak havoc. When a cat (or human) has a higher level of sugar in the bloodstream, the blood sugar spikes and the insulin goes out of whack. Sound familiar? If you connected these bodily functions to diabetes, you’re correct. This is where feline diabetes comes from: the cat’s body’s inability to process excess grains.

In addition to feline diabetes, an excess of grains (especially from dry food or kibble) has been linked to urinary crystals, urinary tract infections and early stage kidney failure. This is because in order for the cat’s gastrointestinal system to pass the dehydrated food through the body, it must draw water from all of the vital organs. The water drawn from the vital organs will help to moisturize the dehydrated food so that it is able to make the journey through the stomach, intestines and colon. After a prolonged period of time, these vital organs will become depleted of water and lead to severe kidney problems. And if that’s not enough, the vet bills for urinary surgeries and dialysis are appalling. (Not to mention the trauma for your animal and your family).

The lesson in all of this is clear: feed your animals whole foods and species appropriate diets. Do your research- ask professionals for their opinions. Whatever their answers are, be sure to read about them on your own to make sure you agree. Do not blindly take advice from just one source. Remember that just like all other companies, cat and dog food companies will manipulate you through targeted advertising. Do not fall prey. Be smart about your choices.

TUNE IN NEXT TIME FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THIS ARTICLE- READING YOUR ANIMAL’S TELL’TAIL’ SIGN OF HEALTH.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANIMALS & DIGESTIVE HEALTH:

Just like all other schools of knowledge, the more you know about animal health, the more power you have. Whether in reference to proper nutrition, feeding methods, times of day, types of food and all other sub-categories, there are innumerable sources to read and watch about what is the “best” for your animal’s digestive system. Though most conscious animal caregivers will research as much as they can to ensure an excellent quality of life for their animal companions, there are often categories of animal digestive knowledge that go unnoticed. The following information will outline several important techniques and practices to ensure optimal digestive health; therefore longevity and exceptional quality of life.

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between kitten/puppy food, adult cat/dog food and mature/senior formula? Most are unaware of the significance of the labelling. Whereas much labelling of cat and dog food is strictly for marketing purposes (such as “prescription diets” or “dental formula” etc), the age-categorized formulas can make all of the difference in the world toward the insurance of a healthy animal. To put it briefly, at every stage of an animal’s life, she has differing nutritional requirements.

Kittens and puppies (post-nursing- 1 yr) for example, need higher quantities of proteins and fats in their diets. As their bodies grow, their muscles, brain tissues and organs develop. In order for these and all other life functions to operate in a healthy way, kittens and puppies need more protein and fat as their bodies grow.

Adult animals (1-9 years of age) require lesser proteins and fats because their bodies have fully grown. Generally, adult cats require a diet far higher in protein than do adult dogs. Different breeds of dog have vastly different nutritional requirements. Another crucial difference between the canine and feline diets is that while most dogs are readily able to digest grains, provided they do not have allergies, cats cannot. Dogs have a digestive enzyme that cats do not. This difference in enzyme goes all the way back to their ancient origin. Cats originated I the deserts of Africa where there was no grain to be found. They subsisted on prey animals. This lead their digestive systems to develop without the enzyme required to digest grains. In fact, many cat foods contain grains. These grains, if fed for a prolonged period of time, lead to feline diabetes, obesity and urinary infections such as bladder crystals and UTI’s. For more information on this: https://soulsticespirit.com/2017/01/25/why-your-cat-should-be-grain-free/ .

Mature or senior formula is for adult cats and dogs above the age of 10. In keeping with the ever changing dietary requirements of aging animals, senior formula has lesser protein than does adult formula. This is because as seniors age, their kidneys are lesser able to process the higher volumes of proteins found in adult food. In fact, should mature cats and dogs continue to eat higher volumes of proteins, their kidneys are prone to early stage failure. This is due to the kidneys’ slower rate of function. Alarmingly, this is where the “big six” cat and dog food companies will capitalize on your worst fears. They will claim that if your cat or dog’s kidney blood work is even slightly off due to higher than necessary volumes of protein, their kidneys are doomed to fail imminently and that the only solution is to feed “prescription diet” kidney food. By now, most of us are aware that these big six cat and dog food companies put nothing but by-products, carcinogens and fillers in their food. There is absolutely not one ingredient that requires any prescription whatsoever. And the side effects of eating “pork by-product” and “corn gluten” (the first two ingredients of one of these foods) are far more catastrophic that they would ever admit. There is a much easier solution to this fiasco. That is to feed your aging cats and dogs appropriate senior formulas that are lower in protein. It is also paramount, should you find that your cat or dog’s kidney blood work is off centre, to ensure that you flush out their kidneys regularly by getting them to drink as much water as they can. If your cat or dog is over the age or 10-11 years old and eating adult food instead of senior, you will want to immediately switch to senior formula as well as flush their kidneys out with water. (Even though my cat is on senior formula I regularly flush out her kidneys by syringe feeding her spring water every day or two- this helps to rid her kidneys of any build up of toxins).

In addition to finding the appropriate dog and cat food formula for your little ones, you will want to make sure that you have an accurate method of switching foods.

Most people, when made aware that their animal food choices are poorer than they can be, will want to switch to a healthier choice for their animal friends. Many of these people will not have the patience it takes to properly switch their animal’s food to a healthier choice. Though the best methods do require patience, in the long run money will be saved on vet bills and heartache will be saved as the animal ages gracefully.

When switching an animal’s food to another type, it is always best to do so methodically. It is best to do so a little bit at a time. For example, you may begin with 7/8 of the old food and 1/8 of the new food for two days or so. Then, incrementally increase the new food little by little until the ratio is reversed. Most importantly, we must note that no two animals are alike. This means that the rate by which we increase the new food will be different from animal to animal. This is the part where patience is necessary. Observing the animal at every meal will help to understand how they are adjusting. Often an animal can take up to two to three weeks to completely adjust to a new type of food.

Any questions? Email jmorgan.soulstice@gmail.com to schedule your reading.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE: THE #1 TELL’TAIL’ SIGN OF ANIMAL DIGESTIVE HEALTH

 REMEMBER YOUR DREAMS IN THREE EASY STEPS:

Dreams have always been an important part of the journey to self awareness. Since the dawn of language, dreams have given us a window into our subconscious, our spiritual paths and our soul’s journey. Dreams are the gateway to our alignment of body, mind and spirit.

In ancient societies, dreams were revered as omens and premonitions. Dreams were given much emphasis as they were considered to be signs from the Gods. In ancient Egypt, there were specific areas of structure that were specifically decorated to facilitate dream recall as Egyptians believed that dreams birthed messages of both good and evil. In Native American cultures, there was little to no delineation between experiences had in dreams and those in waking life. For example, if a man was to dream of having been bitten by a snake, in waking life the Shaman would treat the man as if he had been bitten in waking life. In this culture the energy of a snake bite in a dream damages the man the same way it would in waking life. In these cultures as well as many others, every morning children were asked if they dreamt and if they did what they dreamt about.

Because of today’s fast paced society, it can be easy to wake up and forget the places we visited and the people who crossed our paths as we slipped into a different state of consciousness: The dream world. Though the world is very different from how it was in ancient cultures where there was a tremendous emphasis placed on the importance of dreams, the messages of our subconscious are still very much a valid wealth of information.

Some of those who wish to recall their dreams, for various reasons, may find it to be a challenge. Here are three easy steps to begin to remember our dreams and to begin to understand ourselves on a much deeper level:

1)      STATE OUR INTENTIONS- Every night before bed, say aloud “Tonight I will remember my dreams”. BecayAs with all other spiritual practices, or even practices of memory recall, stating our intentions is the first step to manifesting our wish. By stating this one simple sentence (and, of course putting meaning and feeling behind the words), we will be able to readily recall our dreams in no time! We must also remember to be patient with ourselves. For some of us, it may take a week or two or three for the intention to manifest. It is perfectly common to have to practice stating the sentence every night for a few weeks before any changes in memory are noticed.

2)      DECORATE OUR BEDROOM/SLEEPING AREA WITH SPIRITUAL ARTIFACTS- In the times of ancient Egypt, Greece and Native American cultures, it was commonplace, when desiring to recall one’s dreams, to have a specific area to do so. This specific area would be filled with divination tools, spiritual artifacts and items of prayer. To these cultures, these items would allow their gods to know that they wish to recall their dreams. In today’s society, having spiritual artifacts such as feathers, crystals, spiritual books or personal items from our specific heritage will accomplish the same thing. If we feel disconnected from our heritage, collecting spiritual artifacts from nature or finding items in our day to day life that inspire us will ignite our intuitive nature. If we are not sure what we believe, at the very least, these items will spark our subconscious before bed and allow us to travel to far-away places and times, filling our dreams with wonderful stories and meaning. These colourful dreams will inspire is to remember them upon waking.

3)      JOURNAL- Journaling is by far the most effective way to remember our dreams. If we have yet to remember even one single dream, by journaling our thoughts day to day, we are in effect bringing our creative spark to life. By coming into our creativity, we are more readily able to recall our dreams, as these two activities both stem from the same side of the brain. Once we do begin to remember our dreams and to journal them, it is always interesting to look back and read the dreams we used to have. More often than not, they can be linked together! Journaling is an excellent way to retain detail as well. When it comes to dream interpretation, even the smallest detail can be very important! It is useful to have the dream journal right beside your bed so that you are able to record absolutely everything you remember- whether it is a colour, feeling or location when you wake up.

Dream recall is a practice that can be both fun and informative. It can bring to light deep rooted issues that need healing, past life regressions, health issues or even remind us that we shouldn’t eat certain things before we go to bed! Dreams are the doorway to facilitating a better understand of ourselves, why we are here at this time and our place in the universe. By studying and understanding our dreams, we are well within the means of finding inner peace and wisdom.

TO SCHEDULE YOUR DREAM INTERPRETATION READING, EMAIL: jmorgan.soulstice@gmail.com

ANIMALS AND SPOKEN WORD

Many human companions of animals often wonder if their animals can actually understand the words they speak to their animals. Almost all of us have realized that our companions respond to us when we communicate to them with spoken word.
But how much do they understand spoken word when we are speaking to other humans within the vicinity of the animals?
Studies have shown that each species of animal has a relative capacity for understanding human language. Some breeds of species have the capacity to understand more than others as well. There are numerous benefits to practicing exercises with our cats, dogs, parrots and horses whereby we teach them the meanings of pertinent words. One obvious benefit is to aid in their learning what is acceptable behaviour. By using command words we are able to express fairly clearly how we wish for the animal to behave. Conversely we are able to express what s undesirable behaviour.
A second, perhaps lesser considered benefit to teaching animals to understand spoken word is for mental stimulation. What few people realize is that to promote longevity and healthy quality of life, in addition to adequate physical, animals require adequate mental stimulation. Without mental stimulation animals easily become bored and lose their mental sharpness. Some even choose to act out when they are not being challenged to utilize their mental capacity. There are several ways to maintain a healthy learning environment for our animal friends. By allowing them the opportunity to socialize and play outside they are subject to a wide array of smells and energies that is sure to stimulate them. Perhaps more to the point, encouraging our animal companions to engage in games with spoken word can be an excellent tool to help them learn and grow. One such way is to lay out several items and teach an animal the name of each item. Using memory game techniques, the animal may quickly learn (depending on species and breed) the names of the items involved. Keeping our animal friends’ minds active will promote a much healthier quality of life.
In fact, animals are acutely tuned into the element of spoken word that lies between the lines, so to speak. Beyond the language of letters strewn together to create precise words, animals understand a deeper aspect of spoken word. And that is intonation. Though companion animals may not be cognizant of all of our chosen words, they can certainly read our messages through intonation, or the tone of our voice. Animal are keenly sensitive to sound. Their audio-sensory perception is one of their most prominent survival mechanisms. Their ability to relate to pitch and volume is magnificent. Therefore, when we raise our voices, lower our voices, anger, soften, speak loudly and whisper, the tones of our voice carry far more information than do words themselves. Though animals ill not always understand each word we speak, we will notice that they do respond to the tones of our voices.
Conceivably, there is a third, deeper understanding that companion animals have through our spoken word. And that is their fundamental language: energy. Spoken word or non spoken word, our animal friends resolutely understand every thought, feeling and belief we have; whether we move a muscle or not. Because our animal friends feel that it is their familial duty to keep our balance and the balance of the household energy, they have adapted to a deeply sensitive understanding of human consciousness. Relative to their energetic interconnection with human consciousness, companion animals have become acutely empathic to their people. For those who are new to the study of spirituality and animal consciousness, empaths are those who unconsciously take on other people (or animals’) thoughts, feelings and beliefs and believe that they are their own. This means that when their human companions feel blue, they need not speak the words or even move a muscle to express their sadness; animals ascertain their person’s blues through empathic wisdom. In other words, animals feel what their people are emoting.
Further to their empathic nature, animals understand a vast array of their people’s thoughts. They may not recognize separate words that create the sentences we may think. However, they do understand both pictures and feelings. If we are visual thinkers, animals will likely have an easier time understanding our thoughts. This talent renders them telepathic. Telepathy accounts for the ability to obtain information from another conscious entity without using spoken word. Animals are highly telepathic as this is how they communicate with each other. Animals generally understand human thought however there is a substantial gap between animal and human consciousness as humans have a wider range of experience than do animals (i.e. driving a car, buying groceries). To an animal these examples would feel like sitting inside an object that moves or being hungry. Animals understand concepts without the added spoken word.
Do animals understand spoken word? Yes. Not only do they understand spoken word but they understand beyond the third dimension and feel the words we speak. Animal consciousness is far more complex than most humans give credit for. This is an excellent opportunity for us to connect with animal kind in new and beautiful ways. With great certitude, we will learn just how similar the animal mind is to the human!

HAPPY FULL MOON IN VIRGO!

Today marks the full moon in Virgo. It is the first of two full moons in the month of March, 2018. This renders the month of March to be the second month of this year with a blue moon, a very rare spectacle.

This full moon is in Virgo. Virgo is a beautifully feminine sign that shines its light on our Divine feminine (yes, even for men). Through this feminine connection we are able to ask ourselves what we need to feel fully nurtured; body, mind and spirit. However though the focus is on our Divine feminine aspects, we must also account for the meticulous, compulsive nature of the Virgo. This nature may become combative to the gentle, nurturing persona of the feminine goddess. Because of the polarities of these experiences, it is our challenge during this full moon to seek balance between the two.

Virgo is very analytical. Virgo is grounded and Earthy. On its own, its combination between meticulousness and analogy can often feel oppressive. Thankfully, we will find harmony in allowing ourselves to get lost in the ethereal nature of the Piscean sun. The sun is in Pisces which is often sentimental, deeply emotional and highly sensitive, the juxtaposition of the earthy Virgo and ethereal Pisces has a strong capability to keep us centred and in the present.

The Virgo moon could have us self-criticizing all day. Further to this, we may find that we are extra critical of others. Beware, as what we are critical of others is merely a reflection of something that is triggered within us about ourselves. What we feel we do not care for in others is a reflection of an aspect of ourselves. Under the autonomous Virgo full moon, we will be apt to hop to the ‘fixing’ of that which we are so self-critical of. While this is a very noble effort, take care not to root yourself too firmly in logic alone as you may miss out on the magic that is gifted upon relinquishing our concerns to the Universe.

Simultaneous to the full moon, Venus and Jupiter come into alignment. Venus is the beautiful, loving energy and Jupiter is the planet of abundant exaggeration. Jupiter will have us always wanting more. This alignment can leave us imbalanced as we will want to ‘do what feels good’ to excess. If and when we feel ourselves slipping way into self-indulgent behaviour, we may call on our old friend the Virgo full moon to bring us back to ground.

The focus of this powerful full moon is on being present in the moment. For those who are challenged by simply ‘being still’, these 48 hours are the perfect opportunity for you to learn to tune into the present. Studying deep breathing techniques will assist you with this new focus. The focus on being present will allow us to ascertain what is working for us and that which no longer serves us. As with all full moons, this aspect of the lunar cycle exemplifies an ideal time to release.

By being present in the moment, we allow ourselves to become more deeply attuned to the Divine Source, allowing us to fully open our hearts to the vibration of unconditional love. The longer we sit within the vibration of unconditional love, the higher we raise the vibration of the collective consciousness and our Mother Earth.

5 WAYS TO RAISE YOUR VIBRATION

Everything in the Universe has a vibration. Living beings, inanimate beings, spirit; all have vibration. Each vibration varies from the next. No two humans, animals, plants or minerals have the identical vibration.

In addition to each individual entity possessing its own unique vibration, each vibration has its own resonation. This is to say that some vibrations are lower than others. Therefore some vibrations are higher than others. Living beings have living vibrations. They are subject to shift and flux based on our experiences, surroundings, feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Our vibrations are constantly influenced by both internal and external circumstances.

Those of us who are conscious of our vibrations are aware that by placing ourselves in different contexts with different people can have varying degrees of impact on our vibrations. Those of us who are sensitive know all too well the kind of impact external negative energies can have on our own vibrations. Often, when we leave a building or conversation we feel drained and depleted. This is because we have allowed other people or spaces to drain and deplete us.

Those who have chronic mood disorders such as anxiety or depression have vibrations that are easily influenced by our mental wellness. Often it can be quite challenging to rise above the depths of depression or the throes of anxiety.

 For any situation in which we find our vibrations compromised, there are several techniques that are tried, tested and true to raise our vibrations to our highest and greatest potential. Listed below are five easy ways to do so:

1)      Meditate- Meditation facilitates both relaxation and clarity. It also facilitates reconnection with one’s Divine connection. When truly engulfed in meditation, the “ego” or “thinking” part of the brain takes a back seat to becoming one with all that is. This oneness connection alone will raise your vibration. Because the Divine Source Consciousness is the highest known vibration in the universe, when engaged in meditation the connection to it brings our vibration to a higher resonation. When most think of meditation they think of sitting in stillness. Though this is a common and highly effective form of meditation, there are many other ways to do so. Often walking, swimming or dancing are equally as effective in terms of becoming in alignment with a higher vibration.

2)      Dance/Drum- Body movement is an excellent means to raise our vibration. This is because dancing is both grounding and liberating at once. By dancing we are reconnecting with our bodies. Additionally, by aligning our movements with the rhythms of our bodies we are facilitating a type of meditation. A moving meditation. Other types of moving meditation include; yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi to name a few. By facilitating these types of body connection, we are connecting our physicality with our spirituality. All spiritual groups from Shamans to hippies have used drumming and dancing to create a trance-like state that is a type of meditation. This meditation elevates us. By elevating our mind, body and spirit we are elevating our vibration. Often we may become so engrossed in these meditations that we may seem to travel to alternate realities.

3)      Mantra/Chanting- Mantra is the art of discovering a concise set of words that raise our vibration. There are traditional mantras that many practice such as mantra for abundance, mantra for self-healing and various other uplifting phrases. By chanting a short set of words that uplift us, we will also be raising our vibration. For example, we may choose the mantra “I am healthy- body mind and Spirit”. We may choose “I am in alignment with my highest abundance” or any such phrase that helps to clear out negative belief systems from our consciousness. By repeating positive words to ourselves we are in essence rewiring our synapses to a healthier state of being. We are “talking ourselves out of” negative thought patterns and “into” positive ones. Chanting has been utilized for lifetimes after lifetimes to facilitate meditation. Monks, Buddhists and various other disciplined groups choose chanting as a form of aligning themselves with each other as well as the Divine Source consciousness.

4)      Connect with nature/animals- Animals and nature naturally have a vibration that far supersedes most human vibrations. Animals and nature are gifts from the Divine to assist us with remembering where we came from and ultimately where our souls plan to end up at the end of our human incarnations. Ever wonder why we feel recharged and refreshed after camping, playing with cats and dogs, horseback riding or hiking? This is because nature and animals are of such high vibration that when we immerse ourselves in their energies, our energies become elevated by association. The beauty of nature is that when she elevates our vibration, she powerfully shifts the low vibe energy with which we visit into positive energy. Take care, however with animals because they are prone to holding on to low vibration energy when confronted with it. Always remember to practice energy healing on animals regularly. Or, if you prefer, always ask your animal’s angels to clear your low vibe energy from your animal once your animal has recharged you!

5)      Compassion- Perhaps the most challenging yet most rewarding way to raise your vibration is by learning to find compassion for all other beings on our planet and in the Universe. The challenge arises when we encounter someone who angers us, saddens us or stirs negative energy within us. To learn to rise above this negativity and find compassion for those who have offended us is a remarkable way to keep our vibrations high. At first, this action may feel like a tall order. An effective technique for finding compassion for the offender in a hurtful situation is to take a step back and ask yourself what you have in common with this person. Finding common ground is an excellent foundation for beginning to find compassion for others.

These are just five of many activities to engage in to raise your vibration. Because there are so many reasons why it may become lowered, taking up regular practice of one or more of these activities will surely aid in keeping you in alignment with your beautiful Divine spark!

WHY “HEALING” HURTS

Whether we are conscious of it or not, all spiritual souls are on their own unique path to healing. The journey of the spiritual soul begins at the origin of the universe and ends (so far) with complete enlightenment. Souls live one life after another until they have learned all of the lessons that they need in order to stop incarnating completely.

Though the process of healing one’s soul audibly sounds as if it were a gentle and nurturing process, in fact it is often quite the opposite. In the trenches of it, healing can be painful. Why is it so much so?

Before recounting some of the reasons why healing can be painful, we must first acknowledge ego’s role in the process. Ego is, for all intents and purposes, the enemy of spiritual enlightenment. For those who wish to know what ego refers to, let us recognize its origin in the Hindu scripture: the Bhagavad Gita. This ancient text makes reference to the two parts of the human existence; the ego and the self. Whereas the “self” is the part of human existence that maintains direct connection with the Divine Source, the “ego” is the personality, or the aspect of human existence that develops relative to one’s experiences. The “self” is one’s Divine spark and the “ego” is the earthly attribute of human existence. The goal of living with these two unseen forces within us is to have them be at peace with each other. As many of us know this is insurmountably challenging.

The process of ‘healing’ often includes examining our shadow sides. This happens when we are confronted with aspects of ourselves that are out of alignment with our highest good. This confrontation can be painful at best due to the ego’s inability to acknowledge that it is misbehaving. The ego will both put ideas in our heads to create a certain type of unhealthy behaviour as well as challenge us once the “self” aspect of ourselves realizes that it is out of alignment with our highest good. The ego wishes to make us feel like we can do no “wrong”, that we are error free and that we know best. Therefore when we are confronted with our shadow sides, any admittance that we have behaved in an unhealthy manner toward ourselves or another can be highly uncomfortable.

Embracing our shadow sides is often challenging due to its practice of reliving past heartache. Often we reencounter situations and/or feelings that we had thought we’d previously overcome. Yet here they are again, surprisingly staring us in the face. We wonder why we are feeling these ways again after all of the hard work we put into healing them before. But, as with all other personal growth, these heartaches have layers and layers of work. The more highly evolved we become, the higher the angles from which to relive and release the past. The higher the angles we rise to, the greater the perspective. The greater the perspective we have, the more complete the healing process.

As with any type of change, healing can be uncomfortable. When we are wading in the depths of self healing, we will notice that spiritual inertia can feel far easier to live with than any action of rising above. To put it simply: it’s easier to dance with the devil you know than to dance with the devil you don’t. For some, affecting change is one of the most difficult parts of life. Particularly when it involves changing habits to which we have become accustomed. For these people, this aspect of their personality (ego) has been born unto them as their challenger. It has been born unto them so that they learn to balance that aspect of themselves with initiative and positive action.

Too, change can be highly uncomfortable to those who possess a fear of the unknown. They fear that though they perhaps are not on their best track, changing their routines and beliefs could end in further suffering. These people need be reminded that this is a classic fear tactic of ego. Ego will produce fear within us to stop us from evolving at any cost.

Healing often means embarking on a path to forgiveness. Whether our aim is to forgive others who have hurt us, forgive ourselves or a combination of the two, finding the love in any situation can be an uphill battle; with Self-forgiveness being at the top of the mountain. Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves? Many of us who feel that we have wronged another (or ourselves) will find it easier to maintain an element of self-pity or self-woe. Once again, this is the marvelous work of the ego. The ego will attempt to convince us that we are not worth forgiveness. The ego will oppress us into believing that staying angry or hurt is a way of life and that we do not deserve contentment. The truth is that every living being deserves contentment. The universe is an endless pool of unconditional love, available to all those who wish to access. The challenge arises when we seek out to rise above ego’s oppressive nature and come into alignment with the unconditional love that breathes forgiveness into our souls. For every one, rising above and learning to forgive is possible. When we become detached from our sorrow and see it objectively, we are more easily able to access the Self and follow its guidance through the path to self-forgiveness.

The process of healing to every single one of us means letting go. The process of healing means releasing old, stale energies. The process of healing means releasing that which no longer serves our highest good. And often, that is accompanied by sadness. For the most part, releasing stale or harmful relationships can have us feeling melancholic. They can frequently have us arguing with ourselves over the “what if’s” and the “should have’s”. On occasion we can be at war with ourselves over whether or not to remove a person or situation from our lives. The truth is, if these people and situations are facilitating our suffering; if they are repeatedly bringing down our naturally high vibrations, they are not right for us at this time. Though the self aspect of us is aware of this matter, the ego will fight it all of the way. The ego will convince us that the person or circumstance involved will suffer if we let go; that WE will have a gaping hole in our hearts if we let go. The ego’s work often will stem a dramatic war within. However- that is just the ego. We must learn to take a step back when the ego speaks to us. We must acknowledge that it is in fact ego and that we know better than to give into its drama. For that drama attracts more drama, and that drama attracts even more. And so on and so forth until we are far worse than when we set out to let go of the person or situation in the first place.

Yes, releasing is sometimes gloomy. However once we have cleared away those old, stale energies, we have far more room for new and brighter energies. Most importantly we have far more space to get to know ourselves again, free and clear of former anguish.

The healing process will have us thrown into the fire of rapid shifting and fluxing. Repeatedly we will find ourselves unbalanced and bouncing around. A goal of the healing process is to rebalance our energies. This means that when we set out to heal our darkness we will also find a symbiotic shift in our light. This means that while we are aiming to release any negative mood swings we are also releasing the positive. In fact any swinging at all is a sign that healing is necessary. When we are invested in our healing process we will find that in addition to lessening our lows we are lessening our highs. For even when we are at ecstatic heights, we are unhealthy as we are imbalanced. At first this may seem dull and disappointing. We may even feel like we have lost part of our unique dynamic. But- this dynamic is the work of the ego, not the self. The self is always balanced and compassionate; especially to us, individually. When we are kind to ourselves we are in alignment with our Divine spark- the Self.

Healing is a foundational aspect of personal growth. The journey is far easier when we accept that we will undergo moments of trial throughout out paths to healing instead of placing expectations on ourselves, our lives or other beings. When we accept that we are here in these bodies at this time to learn, grow and make peace with ourselves, we become warriors. We become empowered with each challenge we face. The shaking off of old belief systems and lifestyles is almost always uncomfortable. Letting go of old friends and situations can be sad. However once we have succeeded, we are one step closer to a more whole, more complete version of ourselves!

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