The Faces of God

Sometimes when I meet someone who has had a very strong religious (not spiritual, necessarily, but religious) background, they are uncertain of what to think about talking to angels or Jesus or Buddha. In a world where black and white understanding seems to make people feel safe, I think many people have a hard time imagining that the messages and lives of Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Muhammed, or any other great spiritual teacher can all be valid and correct at the same time.

But they are.

The best way I can explain it is to imagine that God is a large box. Each side of the box is a facet of God: one side is Buddha, another Jesus, another Muhammed, and so on. Yet the contents of the box is the same, although the outward appearance may seem different on each side. And so Jesus, Buddha, and other Godly figures are all the same.

Perhaps this is an oversimplification, but I think of each face of God as having a particular specialty. For me, Jesus is the greatest teacher of love and compassion, and when I need help understanding love, I call on Him. Buddha's mastery seems to be with the mind, and when I need help conquering the deceptive nature of our fearful and small-minded consciousness, I call upon Buddha. All of these messages are valid and important, and they've seemed to arrive in a "package" that reaches a particular group of people at a particular time when that message is needed.

Archangel Gabrielle/Gabriel

Archangel Gabrielle is extremely powerful. She is a fearless kick butt angel, more like an Archangel Michael or Ariel than a Raphael. Her particular specialties lie with communication. She is very helpful in giving us the strength to speak truthfully about how we feel and what we believe. Anyone who has a job that involves leadership and communication can call upon her for help, or anyone who feels they have trouble speaking openly and honestly about what they feel could also benefit from her help.

There's no mistaking that Gabrielle has a distinctly feminine energy, yet many know her as Gabriel. In a time when the Catholic Church favored the patriarchy, they didn't seem to like idea of powerful beings being of feminine energy. In some ways, though, it really doesn't matter, because an angel (and all of us really) have an existence beyond sex or gender identification. But for what it's worth, when I communicate with her, she looks like a female and seems to identify with female strength--think Xena Warrior Princess.

This is same Gabrielle who appeared to Mary to tell her that she would give birth to a son she would name Jesus. This makes perfect sense to me, since this is a message to give Mary strength in her purpose. From my days as a little girl at Catholic school, I imagined this nice angel being loving and kind to Mary, talking gently; but now that I've had my own interactions with Gabrielle, I really don't think it went that way at all! I imagine it was more like being summoned by a great, powerful voice to gather strength, courage, and resolve, because a monumental task is going to be bestowed upon Mary. I imagine it to be much more like a call to arms than a gentle talk with a friend.

Now here's an angel with a story of strength. In fact, Gabrielle means, "God is my strength." I have been using this as my mantra lately. When we take on our problems as if we are alone in fixing them, we've forgotten God in the equation. Our problems don't have to be our burdens alone, and when God is our strength, we are never defeated.

Enya

I was introduced to Enya by my roommate Vija in my freshmen year of college. She also introduced me to my husband. I should drop that girl a line, huh?

I'm very familiar with "A Day Without Rain," the album that was out when I was a freshmen, but I haven't kept up much with the woman otherwise. So I was looking for some meditation music and came across this great playlist on YouTube (my apologies that I can't embed it). I also recommend this playlist which has 40 songs on it! I really love the first song, "Amarantine":

You know when you give your love away
It opens your heart,
everything is new.
And you know time will always find a way
to let your heart believe it's true.

You know love is everything you say;
a whisper, a word,
promises you give.
You feel it in the heartbeat of the day.
You know this is the way love is.

Amarantine...
Amarantine...
Amarantine...
Love is LOVE IS LOVE love

You know love may sometimes make you cry,
so let the tears go,
they will flow away,
for you know love will always let you fly
-how far a heart can fly away!

You know when love's
shining in your eyes
it may be the stars
falling from above.
And you know love
is with you when you rise,
for night and day belong to love.

To Ponder

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
~Eleanor Roosevelt

The Prince of Egypt

I love this movie, especially when I'm feeling burdened, lost, confused, and heavy-hearted. Don't worry, you didn't miss its release. It came out in the late 90's. It's the story of Moses, and there are so many pertinent messages about our relationship with God in this movie. As someone who struggles to have faith in what can't be seen or proven, this story touches my heart. I actually like to watch this movie alone with a box of tissues and a hot chocolate.

"When You Believe"--I dare you to watch and not cry. For the children's singing part, this is the translation:
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has triumphed gloriously
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has triumphed gloriously
Who is like You, oh Lord,
among the celestial Who is like You,
majestic in holiness In Your love,
You lead the people You redeemed In Your love,
You lead the people You redeemed
I will sing, I will sing, I will sing




"Through Heaven's Eyes"--Truer words could not be spoken. Here are some of my favorite lyrics:
A single thread in a tapestry
Through its color brightly shine
Can never see its purpose
In the pattern of the grand design

So how can you see what your life is worth
Or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man
You must look at your life
Look at your life through heaven's eyes

So how do you measure the worth of a man
In wealth or strength or size?
In how much he gained or how much he gave?
The answer will come
The answer will come to him who tries
To look at his life through heaven's eyes

Reincarnation

Have I shared this before? I love this video, and I came across it in 2009, but I thought I would just share it again. For anyone who's interested in past lives, you must watch this video. I think skeptics will be especially impressed.

In the second video, I'm a little disappointed in the reporting. There's an argument that this is a "faith vs. science" issue, and I really can't agree with that. Many, many religions believe in reincarnation, as do people of traditionally non-believing faiths (ie Christians). Faith and science really aren't in conflict, but I think that's a post for another day.

What Does it Mean?!

So I hope you don't get your latest up-to-the-minute news here, because this post is no exception to the evidence that my posts are a bit behind the times. Double rainbow guy was a big hit this summer. But whatever.

So for anyone who didn't see this video getting around the interwebs this summer, "double rainbow guy" is Paul Vazquez, who lives in a remote area new Yosemite National Park. The video speaks for itself, so if you haven't seen it, then watch it.

My question is, what's the big deal people? So many comments conclude that "he must be high" or insinuate that there's something wrong with him. While I admit that the former is possible, I truly hope not. He maintains that it was just "full rainbow power" that compelled him to laugh and cry at the site. And I am totally jealous.

I have moments like this during my meditations where I really feel one with God and everything is just as it should be, and usually it makes me laugh, cry, and smile. How wonderful to be captured on camera! I just love it, and I wish we had less cynicism and more honest searching for the beauty in all things. This guy obviously knows how to appreciate life and love the gifts of each moment.

I feel like meditating right now and trying to have my own double rainbow moment . . .

Blissful Journey-Marina Raye

This music is beautiful Native American-style music. Marina Raye actually has a few CD's, but the others are distracting to me because I get agitated with sounds of water and birds and such coming out of my speakers. The flute on this CD is just lovely.

From Daily Om

Keeping Things in Perspective
Mountains

Mountains have always captured our imaginations, calling us to scale their heights, to circle and worship at their feet, and to pay homage to their greatness. Mountains can be seen from thousands of miles away, and if we are lucky enough to be on top of one, we can see great stretches of the surrounding earth. As a result, mountains symbolize vision, the ability to rise above the adjacent lowlands and see beyond our immediate vicinity. From the top of the mountain, we are able to witness life from a new perspective—cities and towns that seem so large when we are in them look tiny. We can take the whole thing in with a single glance, regaining our composure and our sense of proportion as we realize how much bigger this world is than we sometimes remember it to be.

Mountains are almost always considered holy and spiritual places, and the energy at the top of a mountain is undeniably unique. When we are on top of a mountain, it is as if we have ascended to an alternate realm, one in which the air is purer and the energy lighter. Many a human being has climbed to the top of a mountain in order to connect with a higher source of understanding, and many have come back down feeling stronger and wiser. Whenever we are feeling trapped or limited in our vision, a trip to our nearest mountain may be just the cure we need.

There’s a reason that mountain views are so highly prized in this world, and it is because, even from a distance, mountains remind us of how small we are, which often comes as a wonderful relief. In addition, they illustrate our ability to connect with higher energy. As they rise up from the earth, sometimes disappearing in the clouds that gather around them, they are a visual symbol of earth reaching up into the heavens. Whether we have a mountain view out of our window or just a photograph of a mountain where we see it every day, we can rely on these earthly giants to provide inspiration, vision, and a daily reminder of our humble place in the grand scheme of life.

The Waiting Game

Isn't it interesting that sometimes one person consistently gives you the messages that you need to hear so badly? Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) always does that to me. Whether it's an interview, a book, a blurb in a magazine, I always finish an excerpt from her thinking, "Damn woman, you are right on."

Here's her two cents from Oprah magazine.

"People often underestimate the power of . . .
waiting a situation out. As I've gotten older, I've noticed there's a great deal of power in a pause. Sometimes we make problems worse by rushing to fix them."

Oh how I hate to wait! Whether it's waiting to finally book a trip, or waiting to hear news on a job, or just waiting to figure out what's next, the waiting makes my skin crawl. All of my concerns about whether or not I'm doing the right thing come out of the shadows when I'm standing still. I've incorrectly internalized the idea that waiting means something is wrong. And even though I've had experience to the contrary, I still hate to wait.

In 2007, I was convinced it was time to move back to my hometown near St. Louis, Missouri. I applied vigorously to teaching jobs, had a few interviews, and nothing worked out. I cried so much that spring, not understanding why I couldn't have this one little thing. What's wrong with wanting to be closer to family? What's wrong with wanting to help out my parents? What's wrong with going back to the place that I came from?

I didn't understand God's logic, and it didn't matter how hard I pushed; I was not getting a job.

It took me about 2 years to realize why that move would have charted a completely different course for me. In St. Louis, I would have quickly bought a house, probably had children relatively soon, and both of those decisions would have locked me in as a high school English teacher. I wouldn't have discovered Reiki, hypnotherapy, or met a truly powerful medium who helped me realize my own healing and psychic abilities.

But I didn't know this at the time.

So for all of you who are in a waiting game like I am right now, have the faith to wait it out. And then remind me of the same thing!

God the DJ

It's been my experience that God, our angels, and our loving guides use every avenue they can to speak to us. Pay attention to repetitive signs and messages and ask yourself, What is God trying to say here?

I've been having my own experience with this lately. "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield is following me wherever I go. Car trips, doctor's offices, Pandora, I am hearing this song everywhere. I'm not sure what they want me to do with it. I have two thoughts. Either:

1. They are telling me to write.
I am unwritten . . .
The pen's in my hand . . .
Staring at the blank page before you . . .
No one else can speak the words on your lips . . .
Today is where your book begins . . .

2. They are telling me to be open to the possibilities of the future.
I'm undefined . . .
I'm just beginning . . .
Ending unplanned . . .
Reaching for something in the distance . . .
Release your inhibitions . . .
Live your life with arms wide open . . .
The rest is still unwritten . . .

I think both messages are important for me to hear right now, but I'm not sure which one they really want me to hear. What do you think?

To Ponder

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
~Henry Ford

Reiki Rhythms

I'm especially excited to share this music with you because this is a local (ish) artist from Indiana. Her name is Linda, and I met her in Louisville, Kentucky in 2009 at an expo. She is a Reiki Master/Teacher, and wrote and recorded this music to compliment any Reiki session; but truth be told, you could use it for peaceful meditation or as any relaxing background music.

You can buy her music here.

To Ponder

"Fear is static that prevents me from hearing myself."
~Samuel Butler

Don't Feed the Fear

Lordy B, there is so much to be afraid of today. 30 minutes of nightly news can make me physically ill. And don't you love it when a commercial for the upcoming news will say something like, "Is your drinking water slowly killing you? News at 10" or "Is your house going to collapse on you in your sleep? Find out tonight."

Enough already!

We live in an age where information is constantly coming at us. I believe they call this the "information age." How 'bout that. But with the barrage of information coming at us, not all of it is worth of our attention. Some information is put out there that will cause a instinctual fear response. We always have to ask ourselves:

• What is the message?
• Who gains from this message?

I'll use my now-extinct teaching skills to demonstrate for you with an example. I believe the fancy education terminology is "modeling." Yes, I'm going to model for you, but no photos please.

Let's take a look at this October 2010 cover of Oprah magazine and see what key adjectives and nouns jump out.

• Superstar
• Power (2 times)
  
• Strength
• Energy
• Shine

If I had to sum up the message of this magazine cover, it would be "You are strong, and we can help you be stronger." The Oprah Magazine gains from this message, because what they clearly communicate with this cover is that they have information that can help us be better people. I really don't have much of a beef with that. Go forth, Oprah.

Listen to the adjectives and nouns used in the information you receive. If words like alarming, shocking, attack, invasion, plots, havoc, and disaster are found in a "call to action" piece, what are they really calling you to do? They're calling you to be afraid. Be very afraid. Some messages are certainly worth our concern. But be wary of news outlets and people you know who's persistent message is "This world is scary." Because right after they've convinced you to be scared, they're going to try to tell you what to do with your fear. Buy bottled water. Vote for so and so. Don't turn on your oven. Etc.

Fear does crazy things to us. It makes us imagine enemies where we have none. It makes us suspicious of each other. Fear is extremely successful at playing to our basic survival instincts which tend to make us very unhappy, terrified, uneducated people. Pay attention to the messages behind the information and see what you can find.

The Lama's Chants

If you're into the meditation music scene, you might have heard of this one already. If not, wow, you are in for something wonderful. This is Tibetan buddhist chanting music. It's haunting, spiritual, and will definitely take you deeper into meditation. I use this when giving myself Reiki as well. Here's the Amazon.com information.

To Ponder

“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.”
~Rumi

How We Can Help

Yesterday, I talked a bit about protecting yourself from the negative energy of others, or what many people call shielding; but you can go even one step further! Instead of just avoiding negativity, you can also use your own positive energy to have a positive impact on people and events.

As a Reiki Master/Teacher, this means that I give Reiki to people, places, and events as often as I can think of it. This means that I'm sending loving universal energy. If you're not attuned to Reiki however, remember this: thoughts and intentions are energy. When you hold a loving thought or intention, you bring positive energy to whatever it is that you're focused on! So anything from your mom's health to a job situation to those affected by a tragedy, your meditation on positive thoughts and intentions can help bring good change.

Also, believe it or not, prayer works. I've relayed messages of numerous people on the other side who've asked their loved ones to pray for them. I've even been "shown" through my third eye what it feels like on the other side when someone is praying for you, and it's like a shower of loving energy. Prayer is good!

And you don't have to think of Reiki/positive intentions/thoughts/prayer as only being good for people. You can send these intentions to events, animals, geographical locations, in the past, present, or future! For example, on the anniversary of September 11th, I spent an hour giving Reiki to all of the injured, deceased, and anyone who was a victim of that day's tragic events. Or when it comes to the oil spill (more like oil catastrophe) in the Gulf, you can send positive intentions/thoughts/prayers for the animals, water, and people affected.

And once you realize that this can be used for all people, events, places in the past, present, and future, there's really no limit. Send love to holocaust victims. Send positive intentions to your future marriage. Send prayers to a war-torn country. There is no limit.

Infectious Attitudes

One of my psychic gifts (and what can sometimes feel like a curse) is my empathic ability. As an empath, it is very easy for me to absorb the feelings, emotions, and energy of the people around me. Empaths have to be careful of their environment, because a wonderful loving place can feel like heaven, and a stressful angry place can feel like hell.

Empathic skills make it much easier for me to be a compassionate person, because when you really take on the emotions of someone else, how can your heart not respond? I really believe empathy is a gift given by God to help us love one another.

Empath abilities are among many people, and I bet that you are one yourself or you know someone who is. If you are, here are some tips to help manage your skill:
1. Avoid exposure to stressful or harsh environments like traffic jams and arguments
2. Try to stay away from disturbing images found in violent movies, news reports, disturbing reality TV, you tube videos, etc.
3. Avoid toxic people who seem to have much drama in their lives, and make sure to be a good friend to those who may be depressed or have anxiety issues, but be sure to keep your distance and buoy your strength with meditation before and/or after your time together.

These are just a few tips. Empath abilities can be confusing because they really do feel like your own emotions, but in fact are someone else's. Meditation/prayer/sleep are key in washing away those energies.

Soul Mates

If I really had my ducks in a row, this post would appear on Valentine's Day. I always marvel at the way that magazines and TV shows are so timely; the week before Thanksgiving there's always the "Thanksgiving episode" in my favorite TV shows.

Planning. Who knew.

Let me share with you what I've learned about love relationships by relaying the messages of angels and guides many times:

• First, there isn't necessarily something like a "soul mate" exactly, at least not in the way movies, TV shows, books, etc. would have us think. 99.9% of us don't have one person we are destined to be with who will make our blood boil and our brains turn to mush for 60 long years of blissful marriage. I know this sounds Earth-shattering, yet the world keeps spinning and gravity is still keeping my hair lying flat.
  
• We actually could conceivably have a functional, happy relationship with several people in any one lifetime. Our choices, his choices, timing, and in-the-flow happenings get us to the point of picking one.
• There are many "archetypes" in love relationships. There is the teacher/student dynamic; the best friend dynamic; the door-opener who shows us the world; the one that teaches us how to love ourselves; the best cheerleader we could ever have; and many more. None of these dynamics are happenstance; we choose the mate that helps us in the way we need help. Even if it is an abusive relationship, we are learning from it.
• Sometimes a love relationship is a short-term deal where a partner will appear in our life to teach us something important, and then either we or they will move on. Moving on from a significant relationship does not mean that it was an unimportant relationship; sometimes the most important lessons come from the ex-boyfriend/ex-husband.
  

With this information, you can imagine that some of us have a really difficult time with relationships. I often talk to women who are concerned that they've missed "the one," or feel very happy with their current partner but have a nagging feeling that they aren't actually "soul mates." The best thing you can do is to get that kind of malarkey out of your head. Try not to be concerned about whether or not your relationship meets the textbook definition of soul mates; it very rarely exists in reality. Instead, allow yourself to learn and grow from your love relationships, and marvel at how beautifully they've taught you such important lessons about yourself.