Happy Holidays

May your days be merry

May your heart rejoice,

May you find peace and contentment

In these holy days.

 

Happy Holidays.

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)



Procastinators, Take Note!

     Yes, I know, you had every intention of having your holiday shopping done by Labor Day, but here it is mere days before The Big Event and you haven't even started.

     Dear One, wipe the shame and regret off your face, sit down, and listen to some words of wisdom.  Shop smarter, not harder.  Order a copy of The Gemini Bond for those still uncrossed on your shopping list.  You can do this at home.  You can do this in your pajamas.  You can do this any hour of the day or night, and nobody will be the wiser.  They will, however, be very grateful for your thoughtful and generous gift.  Trust me on this. 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

Another Gift Idea

     One of my favorite gifts is a gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  Why?  Because I get to spend some money on myself, guilt free.  How about you? 

     Here's an idea.  When you get a gift card this year, consider treating yourself to a copy of The Gemini Bond.  After all, you're here, reading this blog, obviously interested in empaths, psychics, and Twin Souls.  This book will satisfy those curious urges, and more. 

     So, for less than the cost of a calorie-laden fancy cup of coffee, treat yourself to The Gemini Bond.  The best part?  It won't add fat on your hips.  Enjoy.

Only 20 Days Left!

     Can you believe that you have only twenty short, over-busy days to get your holiday gifts?  Are you deep in panic mode?

     Relax.  There's a quick and easy solution.  Order a copy of The Gemini Bond for that special loved one.  Do they like fast-paced thrillers?  Check.  Do they like mysteries with a twist?  Check.  Do you want something fast and easy to purchase?  Check.  Check.  Check.

    So, check out the right side of this column and click on the link to your favorite mode of reading material -- electronic or paperback.  Then, sit back and enjoy watching the others around you race around in panic mode.  You can relax.

   

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

Happy Thanksgiving

May this day be filled with blessings

and

May you be wise enough to be grateful.

 

I am grateful for you.  Thank you for reading.

 

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)



The Roswell Rock, Part 2

     Last week we looked that the origin(s) of the Roswell Rock.  This week we're going to discuss what I think the symbol on the rock means.

     Do you remember that the solar and lunar bodies are symbols for the masculine and feminine?  Notice on the rock (previous post) that the two circles both contain the symbols of the sun and moon.  Notice that they are both contained in a larger circle that looks very much like an eye. 

     Here's my take:  when two souls have balanced their masculine and feminine energies and merge as one, they are taken into the eye of the divine.  That's the power, and destiny, of Twin Souls.

     Hooey or not, that's for you to decide.

The Roswell Rock

     Today we delve into the topic of UFOs and their alleged presence in New Mexico (among other places).  Specifically, we are going to look at the Roswell Rock.

     On September 4, 2004, Robert Ridge, an auto body shop owner, was walking in the desert around Roswell, New Mexico.  Yes, that Roswell, the site that many believe is where a UFO crashed in 1947, leaving spaceship debris and alien bodies. 

     Back to Mr. Ridge.  It took four years for him to go public about his find.  Interestingly, the rock is a replica of a crop circle that occurred in Chiseldon, Great Britain, in 1996.

     Some have inspected the rock and believe that its fine craftsmanship means that it is of alien origin.  Yet others believe that it was made by MLennium Productions, a company which made stone replications of crop circles.  They are no longer in business and cannot be contacted.  Believe whichever version you wish.

     What interests me most, however, is that nobody has discussed what the symbol means.  When I saw it on TV, it jumped out at me that it references Twin Souls.  More on that next week.

A Book on Coincidence and Dreams

     I recently read Robert Moss' book The Three "Only" Things: Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence and Imagination.  He talks about how we can use the Field theory to understand our present and even manifest a desired future.  What I found most interesting was his section on dreams.  I guess it's because in The Gemini Bond, the main character, Rissa, has dreams which eventually guide her to meet her Twin Soul.  I know of others who have predictive dreams and this influenced my writing about Rissa's gifts. 

     Mr. Moss takes it further to explain how to do lucid dreaming, where you can enter a dream in a semi-conscious state and interact with that dream on a different level.  I personally have managed to do that only a handful of times.  Perhaps this book will help you be successful in that.  Interesting reading.

Happy Hallowe'en

Happy Hallowe'en,

Guys and Ghouls.

 

(illustration courtesy of pixabay.com)



Another Interesting Book

     OK, I'll admit it.  I've been really late in hopping on the Ursula K. Le Guin band wagon.  She's been writing for quite a while and I've not been hooked on her stuff until this last summer, when I read one of her early books, The Lathe of Heaven.  All I can say is, "Wow."  What a gutsy book.  And imaginative.  And beautifully written. 

     What interested me, aside from the highly original story of a man whose dreams alter current reality and the doctor who uses those dreams to his twisted advantage, is how in each new reality, the man's romantic interest keeps coming back.  It's as if the eddies of reality, however changed it is (and there are aliens and a volcano-splattered Portland, Oregon is some of these realities), bring her back to him. 

     Sounds like Twin Souls a little bit, doesn't it? (Except the volcano and aliens part, that is).

     If you haven't already, treat yourself to this book.

An Interesting Book

     I am finding that Michael Singer's book The Untethered Soul is still proving to be a challenge.  I mean that in the sense that it is a bit challenging to get through (the writing is a little dense and the concepts deep, although no more so than, say, Eckhart Tolle's writing style), and it's kicking my little spiritual butt. 

     That aside, I wanted to mention another book Singer wrote back in the 1970s called Three Essays on Universal Law.  It is even more dense, stylistically, than his later book, but he also explains the concepts of karma, will, and love in clear ways.  It reads a bit like a scientist explaining Eastern concepts.  If you'd like to learn more about the laws of karma, how will works, or the law of love, check it out.  My advice?  Take it slow and in little sections.  It will sink in better that way.

What Personality Type are You? Part 6

     Perhaps you've read through the other personality quizzes and haven't found one that fits you yet.  That's OK.  We have one last quiz today.  Let's try this one on for size.

     This person often has a strong, lean physique, with long, large bones, a sculptured, narrow face, deep-set eyes, narrow shoulders with wider hips, and long fingers and toes.  They are articulate, clever, and introspective.  They may seem self-contained and self-sufficient.  They have penetrating and scrutinizing minds, and often have well-developed critical thinking skills.  They are curious, seeking knowledge and trying to understand.  They prefer to remain hidden, enigmatic, and anonymous.

     They may come across as emotionally inaccessible and distant.  They may struggle with isolation and loneliness.  They may seem tactless, unforgiving, and suspicious.  They might be labeled eccentric or fanciful.  Physically, they may suffer from backache, chilliness, frigidity, hardening of the arteries, and problems with teeth and gums.

     Does this sound like you?  If so, you are a Water type, a Philosopher, as explained in Beinfield and Korngold's book Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine.  The Water type's power comes from their ability to conceive, concentrate, and conserve.  However, they need to balance their toughness, bluntness, and detachment with tenderness, sensitivity, and openness. 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

What Personality Type are You? Part 5

     So far, we've explored the personality types as explained by Beinfield and Korngold in their book, Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine.  Perhaps you don't resonate with the descriptions from previous weeks of the Wood, Fire, or Earth type.  Well, let's see how you do with today's quiz.

     This person often has an erect, trim physique, with smooth skin, delicate features and small bones.  They may hold themselves with their chest high.  They like definition, structure, and discipline.  They respect authority, virtue, and discretion.  They strive to live according to reason and principles.  They hold themselves, and others, in the highest of standards.  They love beauty, ceremony, and refinement.  They are often methodical, precise, and reserved.

     This personality type may have problems with coming across as indifferent or inhibited.  They may seem autocratic, overly strict, and persnickety.  They may seem formal, distant, and unnatural.  They might be labeled as self-righteous, perfectionistic, or dogmatic.  Physically, they may suffer from stiff joints and muscles, dry skin and hair, shallow breathing, sensitivity to barometer changes, and poor circulation.

     Does this sound like you?  If so, you are a Metal type, an Alchemist.  Metal types need to balance their rationality, self-control and meticulousness with passion (Wood), spontaneity (Fire), and social involvement (Earth).  Are you starting to see how a personality type needs all elements in order to stay in balance?

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

    

What Personality Type are You? Part 4

     OK, perhaps you're not a Wood or Fire type.  Here's another quiz to see if this personality type fits you.  Remember, these are basic personality tendencies we're describing, not one's whole type.  This is based on Beinfield and Korngold's book Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine.  You may read more there if you're interested.

     This person tends to have a round physique, with a round face and soft, smooth skin.  Their hands and feet may seem proportionally small.  They tend to have broad shoulders and hips.

     This personality type wants to feel needed and loves to be involved.  They like to be in charge but try to avoid the limelight.  They want to be all things to all people and are agreeable if not overly accommodating.  Their fundamental goal is harmony and togetherness.  They strongly prefer loyalty, security, and predictability.

     They may have issues with worry, obsession, and self-doubt.  The may come across as meddling and overprotective.  They may hold unrealistic expectations and suffer from disappointment.  Physically, they may suffer from unruly appetites, indigestion, water retention, muscle tenderness, and lethargy.

     Does this sound like you?  If so, you are an Earth type, a Peacemaker.  Your capacity to nurture, to build community and your devotion to relationships needs to be balanced with solitude, self-expression, and self-reliance.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

What Personality Type are You? Part 3

     Perhaps the last quiz didn't quite fit your personality type.  Well, here's a second quiz for you to try on for size.

     This person often has a soft, willowy physique, with graceful hands and feet, and a long neck, arms and legs.  They relish excitement and yet enjoy intimacy.  They are keenly intuitive and passionately empathetic (an empath?).  They enjoy the power of charisma and desire.  They love sensation, drama and sentiment.  They like things to be hot, bright, and vibrant.

     This personality type may have problems with anxiety, agitation, and frenzy.  They may be labeled as "drama queens (or kings)."  They may have unusual perceptions and sensations, and may be called hypersensitive or giddy.  They may wear themselves out into nervous exhaustion and have issues with insomnia.  They may abuse mind-altering substances.

     Does this sound like you?  If so, you are a Fire type, a Philosopher, according to Beinfeld's and Korngold's book Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine.  If so, you need to balance your unique ability to realize joy and fulfillment with some temperance of your fervor; you need to learn to withdraw and separate yourself when necessary and embrace and merge when it's called for.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

What Personality Type are You? Part 2

     Here is the first quiz toward understanding your underlying personality type, according to the Chinese elemental theories explained by Beinfield and Korngold in Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. 

     This first personality type usually has a muscular, square physique, a swarthy complexion, and strong, slim hands and feet.  They seek out challenges and push things to the limit.  They enjoy pressure and do well under stress.  They enjoy speed, novelty, and skill. They love action, movement, and adventure.  They tend to be leaders and enjoy being the first, best and only.  Their confidence may sometimes come across as arrogance. 

      They have problems with being intolerant and impatient.  They often have volatile emotions.  They tend toward extremes -- either very impulsive/self-indulgent or else over-disciplined/self-punishing.  They may abuse stimulants or sedatives.

     Does this sound like you?  If so, you are a Wood, a Pioneer.  You need to balance your intensity with flexibility, allowing you to retreat and yield when necessary and to surge ahead when it's called for. 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

What Personality Type are You? Part 1

     No doubt you've taken at least one personality quiz in your lifetime; perhaps you've taken more.  I've seen them simplified into colors ("I'm a blue!") or into quadrants.  Even magazines offer personality quizzes on a regular basis. 

      I was reading an interesting book entitled  Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine by Beinfield and Korngold (OK, so I have varied interests).  According to their interpretation of the ancient Chinese elemental system, there are five basic personality types.  The authors stress, however, that just because we have one dominant personality type doesn't mean that the other elements aren't also active in our personality.  I think that is key.  For the truly balanced personality, we need all five elements working as a team, each coming to the fore when the circumstances call for them.  If one element becomes overly dominant, the others become weak or unbalanced and that can manifest as problems in the personality and/or physical illness.

     What are the five personality types?  They are Wood (the Pioneer), Fire (the Wizard), Earth (the Peacemaker), Metal (the Alchemist), and Water (the Philosopher).  Already pegged your type?  Come back next week and we'll explore each type in turn. 

Summer's Last Gasp

     Can you believe that summer is nearly over?  Have you had all the fun you wanted to have?  Have you traveled to all the places you wanted to see?  Have you read all the books you wanted to read?  If not, this is the perfect time, during the last week of summer, to order or download your own copy of The Gemini Bond.  Enjoy your last summer fling today!

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

A Room of One's Own

     In the last post, I talked about a part of Virginia Woolf's wonderful book on writing, A Room of One's Own.  Her basic argument is that for a woman to flourish as a writer, she needs a room of her own (no intrusions, no overwhelming list of duties to perform) and enough money to live simply.  Wouldn't that be great? 

     She also pointed out that many great writers came from a wealthy background, meaning that they had the room of their own and sufficient means to live so that they didn't have to earn a salary.  Is that what it takes to be a great writer?

    I must confess that I read her book with some envy and a touch of bitterness.  I do have to earn a salary, my to-do list is often overwhelming, and I have a room of my own only for short periods of time.  Perhaps it is my life lesson to learn to live with limitations:  of time, of health, of money, of energy and opportunity to devote to creative works.  It is a source of occasional frustration, but something I need to learn, obviously.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

Some Thoughts on Writing

     I read Virginia Woolf's wonderful treatise on writing,  A Room of One's Own. Have you read it?  If not, grab a copy and spend an afternoon with this penetrating and diverse thinker.  Toward the end of the book, after analyzing the prose of a woman writer, she digressed to ponder the mind of a good writer.  She said that one cannot write fully from a man's point of view or fully from a woman's point of view, but that both the feminine and masculine sides of the writer's personality must unite to produce a work of worth.  Here is how she states it:

Some collaboration has to take place in the mind between the woman and the man before the act of creation can be accomplished.  Some marriage of opposites has to be consummated.  The whole of the mind must lie wide open if we are to get the sense that the writer is communicating his experience with perfect fullness.  There must be freedom and there must be peace. . . . The writer, I thought, once his experience is over, must lie back and let his mind celebrate its nuptials in darkness.

     Isn't that fabulous?  It also brings to mind what I touched on in The Gemini Bond.  In order to be ready to re-unite with one's Twin Soul, one must balance the masculine and feminine aspects of the personality.  It is in becoming whole that we are ready for wholeness.  Something to ponder.

Some More Words to Ponder

Here is an assemblage of quotes.  Enjoy.

Sixty years ago I knew everything; now I know nothing; education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.  (Will Durant)


A man's ignorance sometimes is not only useful, but beautiful -- while his knowledge, so called, is oftentimes worse than useless, besides being ugly.  Which is the best man to deal with -- he who knows nothing about a subject, and, what is extremely rare, knows that he knows nothing, or he who really knows something about it, but thinks that he knows all?   (Henry David Thoreau)


The more we live by our intellect, the less we understand the meaning of life.  (Leo Tolstoy)

Some Words to Ponder, Part 3

     Some more words of wisdom by Eckhart Tolle:

     Artistic creation, sports, dance, teaching, counseling -- mastery in any field of endeavor implies that the thinking mind is either no longer involved at all or at least is taking second place.  A power and intelligence greater than you and yet one with you in essence takes over.  There is no decision-making process anymore; spontaneous right action happens, and "you" are not doing it.  Mastery of life is the opposite of control.  You become aligned with the greater consciousness.  It acts, speaks, does the works.

(illustration courtesy of pixabay.com)

Some Words to Ponder, Part 2

     More wisdom from Eckhart Tolle:

     Dogmas -- religious, political, scientific -- arise out of the erroneous belief that thought can encapsulate reality or the truth.  Dogmas are collective conceptual prisons.  And the strange thing is that people love their prison cells because they give them a sense of security and a false sense of "I know."

 

     Nothing has inflicted more suffering on humanity than its dogmas.  It is true that every dogma crumbles sooner or later, because reality will eventually disclose its falseness; however, unless the basic delusion of it is seen for what it is, it will be replaced by others.

 

     What is this basic delusion?  Identification with thought.

Summer is Half Over!

     Can you believe that summer is half over?  That means that you have less than half a summer in which to enjoy a great book.  Why not try The Gemini Bond?  It deals with Twin Souls in a fast-paced thriller.  Order or download your copy today!

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

Some Words to Ponder

     From the May issue of The Sun (OK, so I'm a little behind on my reading) are some wonderful quotes from Eckhart Tolle.  Enjoy.

 

The human condition:  lost in thought.

 

 

The stream of thinking has enormous momentum that can easily drag you along with it.  Every thought pretends that it matters so much.  It wants to draw your attention in completely.

Here is a new spiritual practice for you:  don't take your thoughts too seriously.

 

 

Spiritual awakening is awakening from the dream of thought.

 

 

The realm of consciousness is much vaster than thought can grasp.  When you no longer believe everything you think, you step out of thought and see clearly that the thinker is not who you are.

Happy Independence Day!

May you celebrate freedom from want.

May you celebrate freedom from overwhelming desires.

May you celebrate freedom from unproductive thinking and unhealthy habits.

May you celebrate the freedom to be completely  and uniquely you.

 

Happy Independence Day.

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

 



Gifted Children and Psychic Experiences

     I was reading a fascinating article in the May issue of The Sun, a wonderful magazine for people interested in good writing and story telling.  (An aside:  Years ago, I sent the editors of The Sun what I thought was a funny article about relationships, and learned that they don't do funny.  They do thought-provoking, they do insightful, they do heart-wrenching, they do beautiful writing, but they don't do funny.  Lesson learned).  The article, entitled "Beyond Their Years," is an interview with Linda Kreger Silverman, who has spent her career studying and testing gifted children.  Toward the end of the article, she mentioned how some gifted children have talked about their past life experiences.  One boy spoke of how he used to make mats while living in his past life in Egypt.  Other children have shown psychic sensitivities and gifts.  Some seem to be telepathic, others have otherworldly knowledge. 

     This brings to mind several questions.  First, does being gifted mean that one has had enough past life experiences that one comes in to this life already ahead of the learning curve?  I remember Plato mentioning that in Meno, one of his dialogues with Socrates.  Socrates was demonstrating his Socratic method of teaching, where the teacher leads the student through a series of questions which build on each other and eventually gets the student to realize the answer.  In one example, Socrates was questioning Meno's slave about how to arrive at the answer to the area of a square made of four square halves, and at the end, when the slave boy came to the answer, Socrates deduced that the boy already knew the answer from a previous life.  His questioning only awakened the knowledge in the boy.  Are gifted children, then, older souls with more past life knowledge?

     Or is it possible that gifted children were incarnated in a more finely-tuned body in order to learn lessons specific to that circumstance?  A body more capable of subtle thinking, faster processing, and increased sensitivity would enable the soul to enjoy experiences that would put them in the minority of human abilities -- in the gifted range. 

     It's a puzzle.  But it is interesting to think about.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

Happy Summer Solstice

     Tomorrow is the summer solstice.  I never knew this before, but the word comes from the Latin "sol," meaning "sun" and "stitium," meaning "to stop."  This is because the ancients thought that the sun stopped on this day, being the longest daylight of the year.

     Some people, such as the ancient druids, marked the day with feasts and bonfires, while others celebrate it as the feast of St. John the Baptist and the first day of summer.

     However you celebrate, be sure to thank old man Sun for the gift of light and life.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

The End of Duality?

     Reuniting with our Twin Soul means that we have overcome many dualities the exist in this world:  male and female, light and shadow, positive and negative.  What remains?  Unity, acceptance, peace, objectivity.  I love this illustration:

(illustration courtesy of pixabay.com)

 

     It's a good reminder to keep working at balancing our inner selves while we prepare for uniting with our Twin Soul and, eventually, with the All.

 

Summer Reading!

     Here it is the beginning of summer and you need to ask yourself:  Are you ready?  Do you have your glorious stack of books packed into your beach tote for some happy hours of reading?  If not, be sure to add The Gemini Bond to your list.  Happy reading!

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

A Twin Obsession, Part 5

     In the religion of ancient Persia, Zoroaster had a vision in which he was led to meet Anura Mazda, the teacher of good religion.  This god was worthy of worship and had created beings to assist humans in living a worthy life.  Zoroaster also named Angra Mainyu, the twin of Anura Mazda, as the source of everything evil, and his assistants, the daevas, were emissaries of evil thoughts, words, and deeds.  In this pantheon, it is Anura Mazda, the god of goodness, who is the superior, and who will be assisted by right-living humans in defeating his evil twin.

     This points to the need for vigilance about how we act, think, and speak as we prepare ourselves for the reunification with our Twin Soul. 

(illustration courtesy of pixabay.com)

A Twin Obsession, Part 4

     In the Maya mythology, the hero twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque are highly revered.  Conceived from the seed of their dead father's severed head, they grew up to be ballplayers like their father and uncle.  Because their father and uncle had been killed in the Underworld after losing in a ball game, the twins grew up knowing they needed to avenge those deaths.  Once they reached adulthood, they did defeat the gods of the Underworld and eventually were transformed into the sun and the moon.

     I think this points to a deep truth, which is that in order to fulfill our destiny with our Twin Soul, we must defeat the shadowy, dark parts of our personality.  In healing those hidden parts, we become "in-lightened" and ready to reunite with our Twin.

A Twin Obsession, Part 3

     In ancient Syria, there is a legend about twin brothers Arsu and Azizos.  They are usually depicted as riding a camel (one humps or two?).  Arsu came to represent the evening star and Azizos the morning star.  Interestingly, the morning and evening star, most of the year, is the same star.  It is found in the west after sunset and in the east right before sunrise.  Which star is that?  Well, it really isn't a star, it is our sister planet, Venus.  You know, Venus, the goddess of love.  And perhaps it is reminding us that it is love that both guides us and fulfills us as we unite with our Twin Soul.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

 

A Twin Obsession, Part 2

     Twins have fascinated us since early recorded history.  Take the Egyptians, for example.  The god Geb was one of the earliest ones to appear, being the son of Shu and Tefnut (where do they get these names?).  Shu represented emptiness and Tefnut moisture.  So, we are talking primordial here.  The sibling and consort of Geb was Nut (really -- that's her name!) who was the goddess of the air.  Geb is symbolized by many things, including a snake, a goose, and represented habitable land.  There is a drawing of Nut, who is arched, naked, over the earth, represented by Geb.  In this image, he has the head of a snake (take a look here).  Other than the obvious phallic connotation, the snake also represents a close connection to the earth.

     What does this have to do with Twin Souls?  Perhaps it points to the fact that our separation goes far back in time and that our longing for our other half is as profound as the earth longing for the sky. 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

 

A Twin Obsession

     Twins have fascinated us humans for eons.  What is it about twins?  Is it because twins sometimes share a closeness that we can only imagine?  Is it because twins sometimes share a unique language, verging on telepathy?  Is it because twins can sometimes feel each other over long distances and sense when the other is troubled?  Is it because twins remind us of something far deeper, far more profound, as in the essence of our own soul's nature?

     Let's look at some twins through history and see if it speaks further about our soul's essence.

     Take ancient Greek myths, for example.  The twin children of Zeus and Leto were Apollo and Artemis.  Zeus was adopted as the god of the sun and Artemis (later, the Roman goddess Diana) represented the moon. 

     How often have we seen reminders of that, even in wall decorations?  Perhaps it is a reminder, at a deep level, that our whole essence is a combination of the male (sun) and the female (moon) and that this points to our eventual reunification with our Twin Soul. 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

De-Brine Your Mind, Part 5

     In his article "How to Soak in Divine Brine," which appears in the March-April edition of Spirituality and Health, Kevin Anderson offers some wonderful quotes to combat the daily soaking in negativity that we receive on a daily basis.  Here are some final offerings:

     Do you suffer from doubt?  Roll these quotes around in your mind for a while:

If you hear a voice that says you cannot paint, then by all means paint and the voice will be silenced.  (Vincent Van Gogh)

As long as we stand in our own way, everything seems to stand in our way.  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

     What if you sit smugly in your own beliefs?  Try these ideas to combat the illness of absolute certainty:

Doubt is not the opposite of faith, it is an element of faith.  (Paul Tillich)

The infinite transcends every particular content of faith.  (Moses Ben Jacob Cordovero)

     I hope you have enjoyed these little gems of wisdom as much as I have.

 

 

De-Brine Your Mind, Part 4

     Kevin Anderson, in the March-April edition of Spirituality and Health, wrote in his article, "How to Soak in Divine Brine," that an effective way to combat the daily soaking of negativity we receive is with some divinely-inspired quotes.

     Are you plagued by fear?  Try these ideas:

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.  (Leo Buscaglia)

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.  I would like to see you living in better conditions.  (Hafiz)

     Are you having issues with your relationship?  How about these:

Love find its soul in feelings of incompleteness, impossibility, and imperfection.  (Thomas Moore)

You may call God love, you may call God goodness.  But the best name for God is compassion.  (Meister Eckhart)

     Feeling better?

 

 

 

 

De-Brine Your Mind, Part 3

     In the March-April edition of Spirituality and Health, Kevin Anderson writes that one way to combat the brine of constant negativity that we soak in daily is to think more positive thoughts.  Based on different issues that you might struggle with, he offers a series of pithy quotes.  Here is another sampling:

     If your issue is that you feel you cannot go fast enough, do enough, or have enough time, try these on for size:

A mind that is fast is sick.  A mind that is slow is sound.  A mind that is still is divine.  (Meher Baba)

What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.  (Meister Eckhart) 

      What if you struggle with shame?  Try these:

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls, the most massive characters are seared with scars.  (Kahlil Gibran)

I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing Light of your own being.  (Hafiz) 

     Beautiful, no?

De-Brine Your Mind, Part 2

     In the March-April edition of Spirituality and Health, Kevin Anderson offers a series of helpful and healthful quotes for combatting the constant barrage of negativity that we are soaked in every day. 

     Say you are feeling unhappy, fill your mind with these thoughts:

Happiness is a byproduct of an effort to make someone else happy.  (Gretta Brooker Palmer)

It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, but it is not possible to find it elsewhere.  (Agnes Repplier)

     What if you struggle with materialism?  Try these on for size:

Trying to satisfy one's desires with possessions is like trying to put out fire with straw.  (Confucius)

Attachment brings manifold miseries, non-attachment brings manifold bliss.  (Sivananda Saraswati) 

     Happy de-brining!
    

 

 

De-Brine Your Mind

     In the March-April edition of Spirituality and Health, there is an interesting article by Kevin Anderson called "How to Soak in Divine Brine."  (If you would like to learn more, here is the link to the magazine).

     In the article, Anderson says that the reason we feel we are so messed up sometimes is because of our environment:  we're pickled because we are constantly soaking in really messed-up brine.  Think of the 24-hour news cycle with its barrage of negativity and fear, the constant friction between pragmatists and ideologues (example:  Have you ever wondered if "ideologue" and "idiot" have a common root word?), the partisanship and corruption in government, wars around the world, economic inequality, pollution and overpopulation . . . Do you feel pickled yet?

     Well, Mr. Anderson argues that the best way to de-brine your mind is to fill it with healthy antidotes.  He offers pithy quotes based on the specific issue you are struggling with.  Here's an example:

     If you struggle with low self-esteem, try these thoughts on for size:

Between God and the soul there is no between.  (Julian of Norwich)

          See the Supreme in the body, see the Supreme in the mind.  (Yogaswami)

     We'll have more de-brining antidotes next time. 

Happy Spring Equinox

It's a time of balance --

Of light and darkness,

Of male and female,

Of dreaming and doing,

Of being and non-being.

 

May you be blessed with balance.

 

(photo courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Are Geminis Empathic, Part 2

     In the last post, I was trying to answer the question of whether people born under the sign of Gemini are natural empaths.  To me, a person who really isn't all that into astrology, that's like asking whether Geminis are all left-handed or brown-eyed. 

     What's more, I find that when I look at astrology descriptions, I can find aspects of my personality in practically any sign.  I'm creative and generous (Leo), impatient (Aries), intuitive (Cancer and Pisces), sometimes secretive (Scorpio), intellectual (Aquarius), perfectionist (Virgo), and, oh, so modest (Virgo).  Believe it or not, I was born under none of those signs.  So, to say that one person fits only one sign doesn't make sense to me.

     What makes more sense is to view the gift (or curse) of empathy as something that is developed over many lifetimes.  Or, it could be triggered by some early life events in which the child needs to be able to "sense" the safety of his or her environment.  Either way, I think being an empath has little to do with one's astrological sign.

     Feel free to disagree.  I can be, at times, very easygoing (Libra). 

Are Geminis Empathic?

     Before I give my opinion about this question, I first need to provide a disclaimer.  I'm not all that into astrology.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's my scientific bent, or the fact that I didn't grow up with it; still, it's just not my thing.  Now you know.

     Still, the question of whether people born under the sign of Gemini are naturally empathic is an interesting one.  I mean, it makes sense, since Gemini people are under the sign of twins who were torn apart and then reunited.  It would seem that the surviving twin would naturally have their third-eye searchlight on. 

     But let's go back to the original myth of the Gemini twins.  In the Greek version, the Gemini twins were actually two sets:  Castor and Pollux were boys and Helen (later of Troy) and Clytaemnestra were girls.  Both Pollux and Helen were children of Zeus and were demigods.  Of course, we usually hear of the boy twins and how they were inseparable.  When Castor was killed in battle, Pollux mourned deeply. Pollux asked his father Zeus to return his brother to him.  Since this was not possible, Pollux ascended into the heavens to join his brother and ever since then the twins have been together. 

     According to the wonderful book, Mythic Astrology: Internalizing the Planetary Powers by Ariel Guttman and Kenneth Johnson, this myth not only symbolizes the need to balance the male and female aspects of our personality but also the mortal and eternal.  The book goes on to describe how the Gemini constellation appears to other cultures and the lessons to be learned there.  If you're interested, please refer to the book.  It's a good one.

    But are Geminis naturally empathic?  More to come.

Some Wonderful Quotes

     At my bedside table is a small stack of books, which change from time to time.  At present, I have a small book on top of this stack:  The Quiet Mind.  It's a terrific little book and contains some pithy words such as these:

"Be true.  This is the essence of the spiritual life.  The note of the spirit is sounded on the higher planes, and the knocks you receive in everyday life are to test you, whether you can ring true.  To ring true you must always sound the note of God, or good, which is within you."

Or this (for us Type A's):

"Have confidence in that divine Love which holds you close.  You have nothing to fear, and if you don't know which way to go, stay where you are.  Just be still and quiet and you will find how remarkably conditions will work out for you.  So much tangle is made by this eagerness to get on with something.  You only get into a muddle and then have to retrace your steps.  Be still and trust in God."

A New Driving Technique

     I hate to admit it, but I'm a little bit of an impatient driver.  Just a little bit.  Like, it's a good thing that my car isn't loaded with a cannon because, really, there are some drivers who should just go ahead and meet their maker just for driving with their blinker on for more than five miles or blasting me with their angry music or tailgating or texting while driving and weaving all over the road because they aren't paying attention . . . really, that cannon would take out a lot of traffic problems and things would move along much more smoothly . . . except for the divots . . .

     But I digress.

     But all that impatience isn't good for me, and isn't very spiritual either (not to mention the homicide issue).

     I have learned, when I start to feel that tight, irritated urge to honk the horn or hit "fire" on the car cannon, I take a deep breath and say,

"Thank you for the opportunity to learn patience."

 

     And, you know, it works -- at least 90% of the time! 

 

     For the other 10%, well, beware of the divots.

    

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

to All Twin Souls, Lovers, and You

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)



A Fabulous Book, Part 3

     You may be wondering why I would recommend a book that has precious little to do with Twin Souls.  After all, Michael A. Singer's book, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, is about learning to go beyond oneself and move toward a constant awareness of the Universe/Divine.  What does a book about moving away from the everyday little self and merging with the Universe/Divine have to do with uniting with your Twin Soul?

     Everything.

    In order to be ready to unite with your Twin Soul, you need to be both less and more.  You need to become less of the small, everyday self and raise your vibration to become more in tune with the higher Self.  And whatever work you do to evolve, you do for your Twin as well.  Your vibration will be matched, even as you work to raise it. 

     You see, uniting with your Twin Soul is not about looking on match.com or searching "out there," but working on your self and your Self.  That's why this book is important.  I hope you'll read it!

A Fabulous Book, Part 2

    In the previous post, I was enthused about a book that I've been reading:  The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourselfby Michael A. Singer.  I can't recommend this book highly enough. 

     To me, it reads less like a step-by-step method book and more like a collection of essays.  Really, any of the chapters could have been expanded and turned into a book.  This book is meaty.  Still, there is a sequential aspect to it, with the chapters more or less building on some of the concepts from the previous chapter.  It culminates with how to become completely in union with the Universe/Divine.  This is the stuff of mystics and saints, folks, and Mr. Singer tells you how to get there.  So cool!

     Would you like to challenge yourself for 2015?  Read this book.

A Fabulous Book

     I spent the last several months reading a book that has really challenged me.  How I found it is rather interesting.  I was looking for another book for my bedtime reading, and told the Universe that I really didn't want to read another book about living in the Now or building my future with my thoughts and a vision board (I have philosophical issues with the last belief).  So, I happened to be glancing through my latest Oprah magazine and found a list of books that she recommended (yes, Oprah), and found several that piqued my interest.  What I settled on was  The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourselfby Michael A. Singer.  Maybe it was the cool cover that got to me.

     In any case, this is a book that I've been reading maybe one or two pages at a time.  It has challenged me to go deeper and to move toward a higher vibration.  In fact, I'm re-reading it because I need some of the lessons to penetrate my hard head a little better.

     Want a challenge?  Run, do not walk, and get this book.  The cover is nice, too.
    

New Year, New You? Part 2

     Have you been listening to your thoughts this past week?  Have you been watching what you say about your hopes and beliefs for the new year? 

     If you truly want things to change, you need to develop that constant self-awareness.  Those little passing thoughts and words that say something to the effect of:  "This year won't be any different, things won't change, I still will suffer what I've been suffering" will tell you what you believe.  And if this is what you believe, and what you put your energy into, whatever it is that you don't like will continue to torment you.

     Here's a better way.  Look at whatever it is that challenged you in 2014.  Was it health?  Finances?  Relationships?  Now, look at it as one experience in your lifetime.  Then, tell the Universe, "Thank you for that experience."  What?? you ask.  Yes, say thank you. 

     After all, didn't you learn something while going through that experience?  Was your character shaped in some way?  Did you develop a new inner strength or insight that you didn't have before?  That's what Earth School is all about, friends.  So, look to your Teacher and say thank you. 

    After that, get yourself up, dust yourself off, and greet the new year, with all its new lessons, with a brave face.  You can do it.

New Year, New You?

     I don't know about you, but 2014 really kicked my butt.  I, among many others I know, experienced some serious challenges in the now-past year.  Perhaps you or someone you know did, too.  Was it health, financial, or relationship issues that got you?  For many of us, 2014 really put us to the test.

     I know, I know, we all look at the shiny new calendar hanging on our wall and say, "It had better be easier this year.  Last year stank."  But let's look at the energy of this statement.  You're putting out energy that resists everything that we hated about 2014.  Let me tell you a little secret:

 What you resist, persists.

 

     In other words, if you put your energy in pushing back at all the unpleasant stuff from the last year, you'll just tell the Universe that you want more, because after all, you're putting all this energy in it!  It's based on another secret:

 

What you focus on, expands.

 

     What to do? 

 

     Well, for this week, listen to your thoughts and listen to your words.  See if they demonstrate a belief in better things, or are they showing that you still aren't over the hateful issues of last year.  More to come.