It has been months since I wrote....on my blog and in general....writer's block? Perhaps. Things shifting and energy being required elsewhere? Feels that way. I feel like so many of us are used to life unfolding and unfolding and unfolding...in certain, predictable ways. However, what happens....what do we experience....how do we feel...when things shift and our "norm" doesn't occur as we feel it should?
Many of us would feel frustrated. Uncertain as to what is happening. Why are things slowed or stopped? Why do I feel so unproductive in this area of my life? We ask all the "whys" as to what isn't happening and often miss what amazing things are instead occurring for us! It may all look and feel different and perhaps has shifted our gears, so to speak. And if we really stop for a moment to take in what is REALLY occurring, we begin to see that EVERYTHING is in DIVINE and PERFECT ORDER! That life is still unfolding for us....just in different ways...changing the scenery for us....to keep us exploring news areas of this wonderful life that we are here experiencing!!!
For me, I had that moment of frustration...wondering why no writing was coming....nothing.....................for days............................and days....................................and days......................
And then.....when I let go of the expectation for any writing to happen....I saw that other areas of my life were opening and unfolding and happening in ways that were so beautiful and inspiring!!! That I was exactly where I needed to be....it's just that it felt different from the "normal" flow I was used to.
It's important for us to follow the natural flow and rhythm of our own life and the cycles that we flow in and out of. Some days or weeks or months you may be on a creative high........other times you may feel tired and can't keep your eyes open.....and yet other moments you may feel the need to travel and be adventurous.....If you feel you want to sleep, sleep. If you feel inspired to write, write. If you want to enjoy weeks with your lover in bliss land, bliss out. Whatever the cycle is that you are in, fully enjoy it! Ride it out! Each of these cycles and moments are unique and will pass and will change. And when a moment passes, things will never unfold exactly the same way as it did ever again.
Instead of judging self for not being creative or not feeling inspired or not being more active or for resting.....enjoy the flow what is occurring, often the down-time and really appreciate WHAT IS happening right then and there! That's when we can fully step into our lives and appreciate each and every moment, cycle and event that occurs!
Just like the leaves that turn from bright green to crimson shades that seem to glow in the fall season....enjoy the transformation that is taking place before your very eyes. Breathe it in! I promise you, life will begin to feel more fulfilling and enriched because you are being present to what is instead of what isn't.
Ride the waves of life and flow with the cycles of change.....
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Meditation is for Everyone!
Last summer I had the honour of working with an Olympic Athlete—a Canadian-born snowboarder who was having difficulty with his mind and focus while on the hill and in his personal life. We worked together with meditation, visualization and clearing techniques to create an inner stillness and peace in his presence which translates in everything that he does, including snowboarding!
Here’s an exerp from one of the articles written in the Toronto Star: “Not that Lambert isn't still fretting about that Olympic spot. He's a worrier by nature. It's learning to deal with that anxiety with the help of a "meditation guru" in Toronto this past summer that's helped turn him from someone who had trouble cracking the top 15 to the third-ranked snowboarder in the world in his specialty this season.”
For a full read of the article:
www.thestar.com/sports/wintersports/article/752034--self-control-michael-lambert-s-new-mantra
Meditation is one of those tools that can assist everyone and anyone in all areas of their life. Meditation decreases overall stress and the stress response in the body, regulates blood pressure, eases digestion and clears the condition of the “monkey-mind” that sooo many of us suffer from!
Meditation doesn’t need to be a long process….even a few minutes every day can make a huge difference.
In teaching meditation classes I often tell students to set aside even a few minutes each day….set a timer….and slowly build up to 20 minutes or so. Even a few minutes will provide an amazing effect on the mind, body and spirit. And to let go of the concept of stopping all thoughts because it is impossible….the mind is a part of us, a part of our very being. It is like an ever-running machine. Imbalances occur when it runs us, which often happens in today’s world. However if can give the mind the right tools and environment, we can learn to have it work with us as opposed to run us. We can still the craze of the mind and the billion thoughts we do have each moment. And can learn to still it enough to feel our own being and center...our own stillness, to begin to hear beyond our ears or everyday perceptions and begin to hear the inner voice...the inner dialogue….the inner guidance of our expanded self.
We begin to receive the answers to the questions we all have. And it’s only in this stillness that we are able to hear clearly, because we are slowing down to listen.
I will also often suggest to students and clients to follow a meditation CD or visualization, something that will give the mind something “positive” to focus on while the body slows down and rests and renews. Then allow some time for just breathing, being and listening to the breath, feeling the breath moving through the body. Allowing the breath to become the mantra.
After a few minutes the body, mind and spirit will synch up, link up and integrate. We begin to feel more grounded and present to life! Which will allows us to feel and experience the fullness of each and every moment!!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Clarity from Aligning
Well...the last few months have been a time of major changes, many uncertainties and lack of clarity as to what is next and where I'm going or want to be. So much has been opening up and occurring in Toronto and other parts of Ontario...I fell in love with Canada all over again and have been enjoying my time here! So, I was questioning the reason behind leaving and going back to LA now......As with my last few trips to LA, I've felt uncertain if it was aligned for me to be there. However, every time I journeyed there, amazing things manifested! So here I was again, needing to trust this space of unknown and follow the call to LA for another adventure.
I made the decision to drive down for a few months, leaving tomorrow. But when I woke up this morning, trying to get packed and ready to go I was feeling that same uncertainty, sad to leave all that is here. Instead of sitting in the confusion this time, I stepped out of the house and naturally returned to a place that was familiar and grounding to me, taking a little down time, reconnecting with nature, which always leads to the fullness and alignment of self....so that I could get clear. I went for a walk in a beautiful park in north Toronto! And quite the walk it was....clarity was all around me! It was exactly what I needed! It was amazing!
Have you ever felt or experienced those special moments when it feels as though all is aligning for us...that literally the universe is speaking to us...maybe through a person or a license plate or a billboard sign or nature....? Today I had one of those days.....!
Along my walk, I chose to step off the path most traveled and ventured into the forest a little deeper, closer to the stream that was effortlessly flowing by and found a small opening where the sun shone down so brilliantly, through the circle of trees. It was like a magical little fortress with five trees in a circle....it welcomed me to step into the center of it. It was in that moment that I felt my breath slow right down and expand through my lungs, I could taste the aroma of the spring air, my body and spine came into alignment and I began to tune into the subtle, yet powerful, elements that surrounded me. As I tuned into each of them I felt the firey sun beam stronger, I heard the water rushing over the rocks more clearly, I felt my feet firmly planted like roots into the earth, and experienced the air rushing through the trees and all around me. I felt myself aligning these four elements, like the alchemist, wielding them through the energy of ether - the fifth element that binds them together in unison and harmony!
It was soooo magical.
In that still moment I called upon my guides, ancestors and friends passed and asked for clarity and guidance as to what to do next, where to go next, what was in my highest and best good along this path of creation and life.....
Was I to drive down to LA, beginning tomorrow? Or was I to stay in Toronto and begin to plant some physical roots here again? What was in the highest and best good now?
After asking the questions, I stood in silence, waiting to hear and feel the answers.....
Yes, I felt strongly that it was a good time to depart for LA within the next day or two and not to plant in Toronto just yet....that there were people I was to connect with in LA....there were things to do and experience down there right now. That I would have a lot of fun and meet some wonderful people, that are essential to my path.
In a split moment of doubt, I said, "Okay universe and elements, if this is in fact true, show me a sign, make something happen to verify this...so that I know without a doubt that this is in fact correct....."
Literally, two seconds passed and among the silent forest a dog barked....then again.....I waited and said, "Okay, if that was for me, let him bark one more time...." .....and to my wonderful, pleasant surprise, he did....one more loud, clear, distinct bark. And then all was still and quiet again...not only for the remainder of my time in that magical circle, but for the rest of my walk back.
I felt elated, joyful, grateful, aligned!!!! I thanked the elements of nature, my guides and this special place....I left the sanctuary of the woods and returned back to the trail....as I stepped onto the trail, right in front of my feet, my first steps, was a feather!!! I love it!!! I smiled! I haven't seen a feather on my path in soooo long.....
For the longest time...since I was 12, studying wicca and shamanic traditions, I became tuned into the power of nature, the elements and the significance of feathers on our path....this feather was right in the middle, pointing forward, clear, distinct....a clear directional sign of "YES, you are are on the right path. The way is clear and balanced."
For the remainder of my walk I heard woodpeckers busy in the trees and as I walked past a group of trees, one called out loudly to me! Startled me a little. When I looked at it, it hoped/flew along from tree to tree, following beside me....how amazing I thought...it's following me...what does it have to say? When I got home, I looked up the woodpecker in Ted Andrews book, "Animal Speak".....here are some key points related to the energetic significance of the woodpecker:
- the power of rhythm and discrimination, to stimulate new rhythms and to trust my own unique rhythms and flight patterns....to know that the foundation is there and it is safe to follow own rhythms
- the drumming of the pecking indicates forthcoming changes and the heartbeat of the earth, representing new life rhythms
- the black and white of the woodpecker reflects the need to see things clearly...that things are clear if we look closely and the red on head represents the stimulation and wakening of new mental faculties
How fitting....don't you think?!!
I trust! I trust! I feel clear!! What a beautiful day. Such clarity! So simple.....and all it took was for me to slow down, align, ask the questions, listen for the answers, trust and then receive the clarity! Thank you universe!!!!
I made the decision to drive down for a few months, leaving tomorrow. But when I woke up this morning, trying to get packed and ready to go I was feeling that same uncertainty, sad to leave all that is here. Instead of sitting in the confusion this time, I stepped out of the house and naturally returned to a place that was familiar and grounding to me, taking a little down time, reconnecting with nature, which always leads to the fullness and alignment of self....so that I could get clear. I went for a walk in a beautiful park in north Toronto! And quite the walk it was....clarity was all around me! It was exactly what I needed! It was amazing!
Have you ever felt or experienced those special moments when it feels as though all is aligning for us...that literally the universe is speaking to us...maybe through a person or a license plate or a billboard sign or nature....? Today I had one of those days.....!
Along my walk, I chose to step off the path most traveled and ventured into the forest a little deeper, closer to the stream that was effortlessly flowing by and found a small opening where the sun shone down so brilliantly, through the circle of trees. It was like a magical little fortress with five trees in a circle....it welcomed me to step into the center of it. It was in that moment that I felt my breath slow right down and expand through my lungs, I could taste the aroma of the spring air, my body and spine came into alignment and I began to tune into the subtle, yet powerful, elements that surrounded me. As I tuned into each of them I felt the firey sun beam stronger, I heard the water rushing over the rocks more clearly, I felt my feet firmly planted like roots into the earth, and experienced the air rushing through the trees and all around me. I felt myself aligning these four elements, like the alchemist, wielding them through the energy of ether - the fifth element that binds them together in unison and harmony!
It was soooo magical.
In that still moment I called upon my guides, ancestors and friends passed and asked for clarity and guidance as to what to do next, where to go next, what was in my highest and best good along this path of creation and life.....
Was I to drive down to LA, beginning tomorrow? Or was I to stay in Toronto and begin to plant some physical roots here again? What was in the highest and best good now?
After asking the questions, I stood in silence, waiting to hear and feel the answers.....
Yes, I felt strongly that it was a good time to depart for LA within the next day or two and not to plant in Toronto just yet....that there were people I was to connect with in LA....there were things to do and experience down there right now. That I would have a lot of fun and meet some wonderful people, that are essential to my path.
In a split moment of doubt, I said, "Okay universe and elements, if this is in fact true, show me a sign, make something happen to verify this...so that I know without a doubt that this is in fact correct....."
Literally, two seconds passed and among the silent forest a dog barked....then again.....I waited and said, "Okay, if that was for me, let him bark one more time...." .....and to my wonderful, pleasant surprise, he did....one more loud, clear, distinct bark. And then all was still and quiet again...not only for the remainder of my time in that magical circle, but for the rest of my walk back.
I felt elated, joyful, grateful, aligned!!!! I thanked the elements of nature, my guides and this special place....I left the sanctuary of the woods and returned back to the trail....as I stepped onto the trail, right in front of my feet, my first steps, was a feather!!! I love it!!! I smiled! I haven't seen a feather on my path in soooo long.....
For the longest time...since I was 12, studying wicca and shamanic traditions, I became tuned into the power of nature, the elements and the significance of feathers on our path....this feather was right in the middle, pointing forward, clear, distinct....a clear directional sign of "YES, you are are on the right path. The way is clear and balanced."
For the remainder of my walk I heard woodpeckers busy in the trees and as I walked past a group of trees, one called out loudly to me! Startled me a little. When I looked at it, it hoped/flew along from tree to tree, following beside me....how amazing I thought...it's following me...what does it have to say? When I got home, I looked up the woodpecker in Ted Andrews book, "Animal Speak".....here are some key points related to the energetic significance of the woodpecker:
- the power of rhythm and discrimination, to stimulate new rhythms and to trust my own unique rhythms and flight patterns....to know that the foundation is there and it is safe to follow own rhythms
- the drumming of the pecking indicates forthcoming changes and the heartbeat of the earth, representing new life rhythms
- the black and white of the woodpecker reflects the need to see things clearly...that things are clear if we look closely and the red on head represents the stimulation and wakening of new mental faculties
How fitting....don't you think?!!
I trust! I trust! I feel clear!! What a beautiful day. Such clarity! So simple.....and all it took was for me to slow down, align, ask the questions, listen for the answers, trust and then receive the clarity! Thank you universe!!!!
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