vessels of consciousness

All along the eastern seaboard we just had our first major snow storm of the season. Although it's bright and sunny today, it still has not stopped snowing and the sixteen inches of snow is barely melted. 

Let's not forget that it's still officially fall and not yet winter, making this sting even more. This first snow is magical and magnificent, even as we shovel white fluff off our sidewalks and driveways into high mounds at inconvenient corners. 

Nature in all her glory, her pristine and crystalline brilliance blinding in today's bright sunshine, lords it over all. 

Sahasrara, crown chakra

Just like much of 2020, we're not sure how to do this, how long it will take, or what lies beyond this change. For those who have the realization, all we know is we can no longer stay where we were. It feels that the amount of people who are hearing their soul calling has occurred at a much higher number in this pandemic.

December 2020 message

This message is from Sandra Ingerman and Isis - posted on Sandra's website, December Transmutation News 2020.

I felt that the message Isis shared was a powerful one, and I wanted to share it with all of you in case it speaks to you and touches you on some level. I am sharing only the core of her message:

“There are an abundance of planets and dimensions where spirits incarnate to learn and evolve. 

Steiner veil painting

Here on Earth you were born to experience love, light, and joy, but the lesson was to first experience suffering and then to be able to reach beyond that dimension where inside of you (not outside of you) there is an inner sense of love and joy. Actually, joy is not the correct vibration for in reality it is bliss that your spirit feels. 

In your world, teachers, including your own, encourage you to open your heart to the spirit of love. 

advent season

Many of us are looking forward to the end of this challenging year of horror. Even with the virus still raging out of control we find ourselves more hopeful with the advent of the holidays. 

This time last year few of us were aware or alerted to the news of COVID-19. None of us ever foresaw how far and deep the devastation would affect us all around the world. Yet as our world crumbled around us many resorted to more inspired ways of being.

homey Advent candles

Much as we love the holidays, Christmas tends to lose its magic and charm as we grow older. Participating in Advent may bring back that awe and wonder our younger selves enjoyed so well. 

The rituals and traditions associated with Advent are both ancient and fluid. Churches have observed Advent for centuries, but each congregation and individual may participate in different ways.

Many light candles each Sunday, telling a different part of the Christmas story leading up to Christ’s birth.

Isaiah 9:2

Advent is a gift. A time to behold the wonders of this expectant time of year. Embracing the themes of hope, joy and preparation we feel God more tangibly in his message of love and salvation and the birth of Christ.

Advent invites us to slow down and enjoy the hope and miracle that each day of life brings us. Instead of overeating, traveling, stockpiling — we fill our deepest interior with a holy presence.

We reset our internal watch to God’s time. We listen to the divine within instead of the constant barrage of buy, buy, buy.

Hope springs eternal in us

Honoring this time reminds us of the lessons in waiting, the joy in anticipation, the pricelessness of hope.

subject | object | symbol

Science and spirituality can be quite surreal when dealing with reality as revealed by quantum physics and the Buddha's teachings on Oneness. We truly are each co-creator with and in the universe. 

Print by Philipp Igumnov

Never have we been more polarized in any and all aspects of our lives, stretching bounds to breaking point. In a continuous feedback loop of infinite creativity the dreamer is the dream and witnessing the dream changes it.

The revelation of the dream state is the true nature of humanity - as connected and collective. The hardest of hard sciences shows us we can dream up the highest possibility if we set our minds to it - literally and figuratively. 

Being unaware creates trance states that cause disassociation and leads to collective madness. Just witness our current state of divisiveness across the world - what other proof do we need? 

As conscious awareness influences how the dream manifests. We can actually dream ourselves awake. 

We all have our own individual inner guidance that is always here with and for us. 

We do have to learn to listen before we can energetically express inner into outer manifestation. 

We have whatever it takes to heal ourselves. Do we want this enough to achieve it? 

11.11.2020 & its significance

What does 1111 mean?

Cosmic trigger. Auspicious sign. Awareness booster. Awakening alarm. Ascension gateway.

Change is happening all around us and our involvement in shaping this change towards a better outcome which is of critical concern.

When your attention is repeatedly nudged by recurring numbers and patterns, what strikes you? 

Is it chance or coincidence? Or do you believe in its alignment and synchronicity?

open portal

More important than chasing after what 1111 means pay attention instead to what is happening in your life as you notice 1111 or other repeating patterns. According to those who have had this experience for decades you may be guided, assisted, triggered or reminded in the moment for a specific reason or particular purpose.

Uri Geller has expounded some controversial belifs regarding this.

I believe that people who have constant contact with the 1111 phenomena have some type of a positive mission to accomplish. It is still a mystery to me what it is that we all have to do or why are we all being gathered and connected together, but it is very real and tangible.

I feel that it is immensely positive, almost like there is a thinking entity sending us these physical and visual signs from the universe. In me, it activates the power of prayer, love and determination to somehow help the world. Someday I suspect we will find out the true meaning behind this puzzling phenomenon.

Flikr - h.koppdelaney

In shamanism the belief is when heart and life force are aligned and united as one, then anything is possible as we step into the realm of dreams and miracles. 

Shamans around the world are calling out to wake up from this current collective [non]consciousness we are all living with, and dream a new world into being. 

Watch out for the next big day - 1212. 

breathe in, breathe out

Our breath is so valuable and intrinsic a part of our life force and yet how many of us can honestly say we breathe at our optimum best?

Do you take round full breaths or are you a shallow breather. Under stress or duress, does your breath remain deep and steady, or do you find yourself hyperventilating? 

Watch this animation of how our lungs look and work to get a better idea of how they serve us. 

Single Cell Animation of the Respiratory System

Did you know that our lungs are different from one another? The right consists of three lobes - Superior, Middle, and Inferior. While the left only has two lobes - the Superior and Inferior.

Lungs are encased by the Pleura - a membrane surface that lubricates the lungs movement as we breath.

The Diaphragm is the muscle that helps pump air into and out of the lungs. As it contracts (moves down), the air is sucked in, as it relaxes (just as bellows work), the air is pushed out.

The respiratory system is such an amazing wonder. It is good to remember this to appreciate and care about ourselves more.

what our dreams portend

Since attending the Dark Night of the Soul course given by Sandra Ingerman recently, I noticed the gap between my asking for something and it manifesting has shortened and compressed, yielding almost immediate results. 

It has resulted in some changes in fine tuning my healing practice and disciplines. For example, I grew up a believer in the power of prayer. The powerful act still moves me deeply, yet I now prefer to light a candle and wordlessly offer it up on the altar with whatever intentions I hold. 

Dreamwork Summit 2020, The Shift Network

The simplest offering of love and light is enough to yield immediate and miraculous outcomes. Best yet, when I am confused or at a loss, I allow grace to move through me and ease any stress or fear. The act of absolute surrender frees and liberates me completely. 

a manual for peace | within & in our world

Thich Nhat Hanh distills the essence of Buddhist thought and practice with the grace and serenity he is world famous for. 

Since the 60s, when we were first introduced to his words and work through his efforts to end the Vietnam War, he has emphasized the power of mindfulness to transform our lives. 

His book, You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment, delivers his wise words simply and directly. Providing us with an easy and doable manual for day-to-day living. 

available online

Simple, warm, direct, and startlingly potent, this book reveals the heart of the Buddhist path and helps us to reconnect with the joy and wonder of being alive, regardless of life’s changing circumstances. 

In, out. It is enough to breathe. 

Deep, slow. Simply witness your breath. 

Calm, ease. Let go and relax - no thoughts, no plans, no agenda. 

Smile, release. Connect to our self, here and now, body and mind, all and whole. 

We are here, completely alive. That is the magic and miracle of life. 

new download

Feeling frazzled? Easily triggered? More forgetful? Don't let this scare or worry you.

In truth our brain is evolving - working out new pathways of consciousness - it is being rewired. While the old ways are being abandoned - the new ways are still being discovered or formed - we feel the gap and lack more.

be like sea glass

The sensation is temporary - it'll pass. In the meantime here's a breathing exercise to help you along.

communing with spirit

Altars have always held a special fascination - it may be a childhood holdover from our tradition of visiting churches, especially when we are in a new place, genuflecting in front of a new altar and offering up some special intention.

Bacolod City Basilica, interior

Sacred sites and shrines can be so varied and different - serving an individual person, family or community. Both ancient and ageless - its purpose long lost through the eons. Whether a man made structure, a sacred space in nature, or a natural gathering place - they kindle our interest and can be quite awe inspiring.

Façade of Miagao Fortress Church, Iloilo

When and where it is possible - listening to the stories that go with the why of how a shrine was erected or a space set aside for a sacred purpose, quiet contemplation, a physical reminder to pause and take life in - maybe even make an offering in return to express gratitude and appreciation.

traditional Buddhist shrine, Chiang Mai