Thoughts from the Inner Realm

Wake Up and Create a Miracle

2011-12-27T19:03:00.001-05:00

Many think of my work as an intuitive medium, shamanic practitioner or guide as being about communications with spirit. But intuitive abilities, while core to my work, are not really the point. Intuition and my work are about exposing the illusions that limit us and revealing the truth of our exquisite potentials.

Intuition is the communication system of wakeful living. It shifts you from identifying with the limits you have learned and integrated into your creative process and come to believe as “fate” or “reality”. By opening to your intuitive truth, you shift out of the restrictions of the stories that define you and make you feel the need to be “special; more than; better than; young; gifted; rich; successful” in order to be happy. These needs arise from the identification with the tool meant to give you a physical journey as an unlimited creative spirit. That tool is known by many names: the ego; the personality; the mind; the thought machine; the lower self; the identity; the false persona; the illusion and so on. No matter what you call it, that tool is not the truth of you. It is merely a tool given to assist your spirit in having a full immersion experience within the physical world.

At this point in human evolution, most have come to identify fully with the tool aka the ego – and have given it full power to rule life and create reality. In short, it’s become a god. It determines your perceptions; shapes your emotions and physical wellbeing and dictates most of your experience as a person when you live with the ego – stories of your life – as your power source.

We are all invited to live awake. Wakefulness is the presence or remembrance that you are a spiritual being with unlimited power to create your reality. Your ego cannot accept that statement as truth. So it will work hard to prove you wrong and explain how a power outside of you pulls all the strings for your life.

To live an intuitive life means never accepting what you hear, see or feel as the end game. It means living in the question. It asks you to be open to seeing the truth with full awareness that your mind wants to dominate your perception by feeding you lies about who you are and what you can be. Intuitive living is the invitation to discovering truth through direct experience. Find out – are you truly what you believe? Do you hold the power to unleash limitless miracles in this lifetime? Are you truly capable of experiencing unlimited joy, love, health and prosperity without buying into the illusion? Are you capable of experiencing unlimited joy, love, health and prosperity when you buy into your story (the illusion)?

The video below reveals a light show projected onto a building in Portugal. Watch the video and notice what appears real. Projections can seem very real. What do you notice when you see the movie on the front of the building? Do you know that you too are creating a movie that is your life? That movie reflects your deepest beliefs about who you are; what you can be and have; what is reality; how much love, joy, health and prosperity is available to you. What is true?

Watch and let me know what comes up for you…

This Holiday Send Your Love

2011-12-23T23:59:00.004-05:00

This is a time of celebration for many. Across the globe we honor the Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Bodhi Day, Yule, Ashura and Kwanzaa. These holidays symbolize how deeply we connect with divine spirit through our cultural and religious orientations. The holiday celebrations can be an opportunity to connect consciously with the divine or feel disconnected throughout the glamorized and material focus of season. A willingness to honor the season, your celebrations and your loved ones with integrity to your deepest values and spiritual core will enrich your holiday experience.

As you move through the next few days, consider the following:

1. Take time to connect. Before engaging with the demands of your day, take time to breathe deeply into your body, practice mindfulness meditation, guided visualization or journeying to experience a direct connection with spirit.

2. Proclaim your intention for the day. State your intention for the day. Examples are: to be present; to radiate loving kindness; to cultivate compassion; to bring joy and laughter into the world. Give yourself a way to consistently remind yourself of that intention. Examples include: to place a coin or crystal in your pocket; set a tone on your iphone; or tie a ribbon around your wrist as ways to remain true to your intention for this day.

3. Smile freely. Research shows that facial expressions impact emotions and behavior. So lift your spirits and those around you through the simple act of smiling.

4. Stay true to the meaning of the holiday. Why are you celebrating? What does this holy day mean to you? Are your actions reflecting that meaning? What you eat, drink, say, share and receive can be in direct alignment with the meaning of this holy day(s) or an excuse to abandon that connection. When your actions and words reflect your deepest values, you will experience spiritual fulfillment throughout the experience.

5. Give more to those in need. Give your time, energy, smiles, laughter, loving kindness, food, financial support to those in need. Most of us do not need another toy or trinket. But we all thrive on compassion, kindness, loving attentiveness; soulful connection. Seek out those who may be isolated and struggling during the season - in hospitals, homeless shelters, Veterans groups, grief support groups, hospice, animal shelters, senior citizens homes or within your circle of friends and family - and give your loving support in whatever way spirit moves you to do so.

6. Write a thank you note. Take a few moments to appreciate all that is present here and now. And write a note of thanks to the source of what you are experiencing. Your note can be written the divine; family; friends; loved ones in spirit; yourself; colleagues....you get the idea.

7. Tell people how you truly feel. One thing I've noticed over the years of speaking with those in spirit is the need to express more love and truth. Every one in spirit seeks to communicate the love that transcends all physical limits and tell truths that promote healing, connections and living in alignment with the divine. Do not wait or hold back; share your truth and your love openly and honestly.

8. Let go. Learning from those in spirit once again, those who forgive and love freely ascend without issue into the highest realms of divinity. Those who resent or cling to having things "made right" suffer and struggle in after life. This is the same experience in the physical world. If you are hurting - acknowledge the truth of your experience compassionately and move into the willingness to release all resentments. Let go and let the divine uplift, heal and free you one moment at a time.

I wish you blessings for a loving holiday created through consciousness.
Lori

http://youtu.be/eScjBaZ0_ZU

Send Your Love

Sting's song (similar to William Blake's poem)

Finding the world in the smallness of a grain of sand
And holding infinities in the palm of your hand
And Heaven's realms in the seedlings of this tiny flower
And eternities in the space of a single hour

Send your love into the future
Send your love into the distant dawn
Inside your mind is a relay station
A mission probe into the unknowing
We send a seed to a distant future
Then we can watch the galaxies growing

This ain't no time for doubting your power
This ain't no time for hiding your care
You're climbing down from an ivory tower
You've got a stake in the world we ought to share

You see the stars are moving so slowly
But still the earth is moving so fast
Can't you see the moon is so lonely
She's still trapped in the pain of the past

This is the time of the worlds colliding
This is the time of kingdoms falling
This is the time of the worlds dividing
Time to heed your call

Send your love into the future
Send your precious love into some distant time
And fix that wounded planet with the love of your healing
Send your love

There's no religion but sex and music
There's no religion but sound and dancing
There's no religion but line and color
There's no religion but sacred trance

There's no religion but the endless ocean
There's no religion but the moon and stars
There's no religion but time and motion
There's no religion, just tribal scars

Throw a pebble in and watch the ocean
See the ripples vanish in the distance
It's just the same with all the emotions
It's just the same in every instance

There's no religion but the joys of rhythm
There's no religion but the rites of Spring
There's no religion in the path of hate
No prayer but the one I sing

Send your love into the future

And fix that wounded planet with the love of your healing
Send your love
Send your love

There's no religion but sex and music
There's no religion that's right or winning
There's no religion in the path of hatred
Ain't no prayer but the one I'm singing

Send your love
Send your love

Creating an Authenic Holiday

2011-11-30T09:20:00.002-05:00

The holiday season is upon us and most of us find ourselves invited into the habitual choices that we now call traditions. Some of the patterns inspire and open our hearts while others lead us to feeling disconnected, pressured and overwhelmed at this time of year. So how can we change the trajectory of this season’s dance and create a holiday filled with love?

1. Remember who you are. You are the very essence of love. Love is the pure, unconditional essence at the core of all life. It streams from the Divine Source without barriers, without judgments, without needs. It is a constant flowing energy that is your true essence. It never pulls back or shifts from your being.

2. Cultivate a Love Practice. What you focus on expands. Take time each morning to be silent and connect with your true essence. Begin by sitting in a comfortable position, spine open and upright, arms resting at your sides. Breathe deeply into your body and elongate your exhale. Relax your jaw and facial muscles. Breathe in and out deeply several times and then normalize your breath. Picture someone you love unconditionally. Feel the love within your being and appreciate your heart’s ability to radiate love so freely, so easily. As you connect with this love, expand the energy so that love saturates all the cells of your body. Expand the love outward until your whole space is illuminated with love. Make a decision to bring this loving energy into your day. See the day unfolding in your mind as you radiate pure love. Bask in this radiant love. Bring this energy throughout your day and notice what happens.

3. Practice presence. Presence is the portal to love and equanimity. Our culture believes love, happiness and fulfillment are dependent upon circumstances and others. Love, peace, prosperity, wisdom and more are energies within us. Where you put your attention, will expand. Take a moment right now, to breathe deeply into your belly, elongate your exhale and do this several times. Allow your breath to normalize. Let your attention focus on breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out. Let thoughts float by, without giving them your any more energy thatn simply noticing their presence, while focusing on your breath. Love is always present within your heart. It is not conditional. Love is not dependent upon your fulfilling your to-do list; getting things perfect; giving or receiving the right presents; meeting someone’s needs; or being worthy. YOU are born from the essence of love. When you learn to be with your breath and right here and now, you access your innate power through presence. You discover love, peace, joy and prosperity as energies within you ready and willing to expand through your presence.

4. Act with kindness. Make a decision to be a force of love through kind actions this season. Instead of joining into the hustle bustle; slow down and give someone your space in line; lend a helping hand; give someone your full attention. You never know what burdens another person is carrying within their being - so breathe, access love and practice random acts of kindness throughout your day. The energy upon which you focus expands.

5. Cultivate appreciation. Gratitude is the essence of our presence to love. Set a timer to ring several times in the day: make this your gratitude alert! Notice where your attention is at that moment. Breathe deeply and focus on 3-5 things your deeply appreciate. Breathe and appreciate your ability to experience and cultivate gratitude and love. Whatever you focus on expands.

6. Create a New Tradition. With the focus on material gift giving, children learn to associate abundance with stuff. Perhaps you can do something different this year and create an appreciation book for members of your family filled with statements and images expressing your gratitude. Have your children do the same and include their drawings. Take time to write those things you deeply value about the individual. Decorate the book as an expression of loving appreciation. Notice what expands in your life.

7. Discover true meaning in your holiday. What do you celebrate and why? Spend time discovering what the holiday truly means to you. Cultivate a meaningful connection to the event your honor – Christmas; Hanukkah; Winter Solstice; Kwanza or others. As you discover the meaning of this holiday, align your choices with this significance. Where you spend your time; the gifts you may exchange; the celebrations you’ll create or attend can deepen that connection to your holiday or serve as a distraction from it. Bring meaning into every action associated with the holiday and notice what happens.

You are the essence of love incarnate. You are pure potential awaiting your focused attention to bring forth exquisite creations into abundant experiences and forms within the earth. Awaken to your authentic power. Connect with the miracles associated with your holiday, the infinite well of love within you and the power to expand that love and appreciation throughout the season. And notice what happens.
Seeing you in the miracle of love now and always,
Lori

Divine Guidance or Ego Guidance?

2011-11-15T23:46:00.005-05:00

Intuition is the language of non-physical energy. All humans are inherently intuitive because you are essentially non-physical energy. You are a spirit having a physical experience. And that makes your first language intuition and you innately capable of understanding divine guidance. Like all sensory abilities, intuition can be developed and will expand in its accuracy and relevance as you intentionally evolve and awaken to your true essence.

At first, your intuition will most obviously flow through the energy centers aligned with feelings and emotions. You may get a gut sensation - opening or tightening in the solar plexus. Or you may feel sensations on your skin or an energetic surge throughout your body that equates with a "knowing" calm. You may have telepathic experiences like finishing sentences of another person or knowing when a friend will call.

Early in your intuitive development insights, symbols, signs and synchronicities appear random. Dreams seem important but their meaning ambiguous. The yearning for more fulfillment will strengthen. And you may even notice a spirit or flash out of the corner of your eye.

Because of our culture's devotion to the third dimension and its dependency upon the intellect and physical form, we tend to fear intuition. Imagine that? We fear the language of our divine nature and the benevolent aids willing to serve and support our evolution.

Divine guidance is never meant to be elusive, intimidating or haphazard. It has a purpose to awaken you to your true self. You are not your physical body, mind or emotions. You are not your story, beliefs or fears. Divine guidance is designed to reinforce the truth – that you are an infinite being of exquisite divine essence. Your purpose is to awaken and express your highest self into the most exquisite creations on earth you are willing to bring through. As you do this, your intuition grows proportionately.

Intuition will lead you into the easiest pathways for fulfilling your divine purpose. It will guide you into healing all that blocks your true essence from radiating freely throughout your energy field and support you through every facet of your life. Whatever divine intuition leads you to do, it will lead you through. Divine guidance does not set you up to fail; it will connect you with all required resources to support your true mission.

When you develop your intuitive abilities, your soul’s presence expands into your whole being and life. So will your wisdom, health, joy and capacity for love.

The ego lives in a state of fear, blocking the intuitive truth from leading the way. It strives to keep you believing in the third dimensional reality while negating the true power of your spirit. It isn't bound by truth but by design, it feels so real to us.

So how can you tell the difference between Divine Guidance and Ego Guidance?

Qualities of Divine/True Guidance

• Empowering, wise tone and content
• Repetitive; consistent - will last a lifetime or more until you act upon it
• In harmony with all life
• Expresses joy in the here and now; is not interested in the future
• Strong, powerful, difficult to ignore
• Encouraging, deliberate and not emotionally attached to an outcome
• Compassionate, uplifting, inspirational, empowering
• Is soothing, warm, nurturing, healing to the core of your being
• Supportive of the highest good and potential for you and all
• Reveals resources from exceptional places
• Equally empowering to your authentic self and authenticity of others
• Direct, simple, to the point, without explanation
• Arrives spontaneously or through intentional communion with the divine
• Helps you to know you are powerful and equal to all others; gifted and beloved in equal measure
• Reminds you that you have power to choose and create your reality
• When you enact the divine guidance, your life improves and when you don't your life is stalled, stuck or worsens
• Promotes letting go of limiting beliefs and paradigms
• Advances you spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically
• Supports health and healing without fear or shame
• Never condemns your choices while leading you to healthy, loving actions
• Encourages an open mind, open heart, emotional flow and physical health
• Unconditionally forgiving
• Balanced, holistic - is interested in the wellness of all life. Will not sacrifice the health of one thing to better another.

Qualities of False/Ego Guidance

• Disempowering with judgmental tone and suggestions
• Changes topics, directions, ideas on a whim or to follow trends
• Self-serving, competitive and mistrustful
• Delays your happiness and fulfillment
• Insidious, sneaky, schemes, mocks and insults to feel powerful over others
• Emotionally driven; mimics admonitions from childhood; mirrors your deepest fears
• Drains your energy and resources; sources energy from others
• Feels dark, dense, prickly, cold
• Critical, condemning, immature tone; self-righteous; tears you down
• Reveals barriers, limitations and reasons for not following intuitive guidance
• Weakens you or others; makes you superior to others; thrives on separation and competition
• Rationalizes deceit; revenge; cruelty, condemnation of others
• Guides you to act from obligation and guilt
• When you enact ego guidance, your life stalls or worsens; you repeat lessons over and over; you feel beaten up by life
• Requires allegiance to your beliefs and paradigms; cannot tolerate questioning
• Stalls spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual growth
• Shames your emotions, healing or processing and emotional needs
• Rigid, perfectionistic, controlling
• Demands reparations; is conditional, unforgiving and vengeful
• Sees life in black and white; right and wrong; dualities and polarities
• Believes the end justifies the means; “dog eat dog world”; “no pain, no gain” are some of its mottos
• Perceives external forces as creating your reality
• Provides vague guidance; desires status like making you a hero, special or famous

You are a divine soul existing as a hologram of Divine Source Energy. Within you exists the unlimited resources for prosperity, joy, empowerment, love, truth, health, wisdom and enlightenment. Intuition is your bridge to your true power and the creative potential awaiting your discovery and expression!

This weekend I am offering Intuitive Empowerment Intensive - Level 1 at Soothe Your Soul in Oxford, Michigan November 19 and 20 (248)-236-9855. It will be offered in Royal Oak Michigan in late January. Level 2 will be offered in February and March 2012 for details click here.

Springtime in Paradise

2011-11-12T23:19:00.004-05:00

When you enter into an intuitive flow, it means letting go of your ego, opening to your higher soul-self and merging into the flow of divine guidance. Living in intuitive flow is counter culture. It means you are moved to act in accordance with divine will and not the ideas that reinforce logic or the imprinted perceptions of your thinking mind. It may mean that those around you who live in alignment with the ego, will not be comfortable with your choices. It takes courage, disciplined willingess and action on divine guidance to live a soulful life.

Earlier last year, when meeting with my colleague Megan Gunnell to plan and create a mind, body soul retreat, I suggested we enter into shamanic journey to discover what our divine helping spirits had to say about where we should go and what we should offer. Allowing the rhythm of the drum to guide us, we shifted from ordinary realities into the ethereal realms of spirit. There, we meet with benevolent spirits who provide insights, guidance and healing as needed. Afterward, we each shared what we had learned. And to our amazement, our divine helpers encouraged us to create a retreat in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica was not on our radar so we were surprised! As Megan and I let our preconceived ideas go and opened to the intuitive flow, we were serendipitously led to the perfect resort in the southern point of the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula. The place is called Anamaya and is nestled on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is surrounded by the tropical rain forest and resides in one the five Blue Zone Regions of the world. A Blue Zone refers to an area so rich in prana (pure life force) that the individuals who live there are healthier and live longer than anywhere else on the planet.

Listening to intuition takes practice. Doing something outside of your comfort zone will challenge your ego: the questioning mind that is ever present and will work hard to negate the expansive suggestions of spirit. The ego is self seeking and immature in its tone and guidance; it will change its mind often and require facts and proof before taking action. Divine guidance does not waver or appeal to your ego in any way. Your spiritual helpers are not interested in making you comfortable - their job is to support your soulful evolution. To expand on a soul level, you have to be willing to let go of ideas that keep you experiencing status quo. That means, you will be challenged.

When you let go, open and listen to the divine, you will be led to people, places and things that open your mind and heart, uplift your spirit, expand your ideas about you, others and life itself. Divine guidance always serves the highest good of the whole. The ego's choices means that some benefit at other's expense. Divine guidance emanates from that which is unified with all-that-is, so everyone matters equally.

As Megan and I researched Costa Rica and the resort, we found ourselves awed by where we were being led. First the resort: Anamaya means wellness, without troubles and good health in Sanksrit and that is the focus of our retreat and professional mission! Anamaya is a small boutique hotel, allowing all of us participating in the retreat to be the only guests at the resort for the entire week. The kitchen serves organic, locally grown foods offering both vegetarian and organic poultry and fish meals.

The yoga deck is located outdoors, allowing for full views of the ocean and plush tropics throughout the workshop experience. We are told that we will be hearing the sounds of monkeys and tropical birds as we flow through our morning yoga, daily breath work, meditation and creative activities. The resort has a beautiful salt-water infinity pool overlooking the ocean and spa services including massage and infrared sauna.

Can you imagine spending an entire week engaging in yoga, meditation and meaningful connection to yourself and others while surrounded by beauty and prana? I am overjoyed by where spirit has led us. And excited to see if your spirit will be leading you to join us!

Anamaya is only a five minute walk from the renowned Montezuma Falls and short walk to the beach. A few miles down the road is a stretch of beach
known as Playa Hermosa meaning "beautiful beach" in Spanish. Play Hermosa is considered one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. The local beach towns are Mal Pais and Santa Teresa!

We continue asking and receiving guidance to create a uniquely enriching experience for our participants, so far our retreat includes: yoga, organic meals, relaxation, excursions into the countryside and an abundance of creative activities to rejuvenate and awaken your mind, body and spirit.  You will have a workbook to use during the retreat and take home.

Our Awakening Your Senses Retreat will be held April 22 through 28, 2012. You are welcome to arrive April 21 to get comfortably settled before we officially begin on the evening of April 22. If you are drawn to taking this retreat, breathe deeply into your body and listen to your intuition to see if this is the place for you to be that week in April of 2012. Quietly allow your soul's truth to rise into your consciousness and throughout your being.  You may notice a deep calm in your belly; an opening in your heart; a clear knowing about going or perhaps you see yourself on that yoga deck in full immersion. All of these can be the voice of your innate guidance system communicating "yes"!  When you are divinely guided to do something, you are always also guided on how.   Resources and support will be easily and effortlessly shown to you - you will never be guided to do something that puts you in any jeopardy or furthers debt.

Conversely, if the Divine guidance is "no", you will feel a calm within yourself about not going.   Even when disappointment may arise, you will feel, know or see the truth of being elsewhere. So listen to the divine guidance within and trust you will be led into the exact right place - Anamaya or somewhere else!

This retreat is nearly full but Anamaya has just expanded its restort allowing us to invite six more guests! If you choose to join us, please enjoy a discounted rate of $1750 for the week's stay if you reserve before December 1st. We also allow for monthly payments to make this as easy as possible for those divinely inspired to participate. You can register by clicking here to place a deposit and reserve your space.

Megan and I will be holding an informational meeting on January 7 with details going out to the participants. There, we will provide details about preparations and travel to and from our destination. We can answer questions and you'll be able to meet the women with whom you will be sharing this experience. We are also sending an informational email for those making plans now.

Intuitive guidance consistently brings me to my knees in gratitude. I am awed by the people, places and experiences woven into this remarkable life journey thus far. When I listen to intuition - I am always led to joy. When I ignore it because of my ego fears - I am always led to suffering. Its a practice to listen and honor divine guidance consistently - and I am a humble student of this practice.

Teaching others to access intuitive wisdom through yoga practices; contemplative and mindfulness techniques; breath work and shamanic journeying is a joy beyond words. You were born intuitive and wise. By learning to open to your higher self and learning to trust the divine guidance of spirit discern between that and your ego - you can live the greatest adventures in one lifetime!

Namaste, Lori

11/11/2011 Part 1: Channeled Message from The Rays of Orion

2011-11-11T08:57:00.005-05:00

YOU are a holy being. You are a creation of the one true source of creation. That is a holy truth that no being can diminish. All beings are creations of the divine. Within that reality, you are the one being who can make a difference within your life and within your world.

How do you do this? By allowing that which is truly you to shine forth without hesitation. To do this you must know who you are. Most of you will not know this by simply thinking. You will want to spend time it the quiet of your essence. The place beyond thoughts. When you do this, the light within you has the opportunity to expand into your consciousness and to move beyond the thoughts that inhibit you from being your true self. When you are in the state of abiding peace, love and joy, you are aligning with your true essence. From this place, you have the power to create a reality far beyond the reaches of the mind. The mind alone cannot conceive of your infinite power. It will confine and limit what which is you and what you are here on earth to create. This infinite power is not grandiose. It is not superior to others or less than others. It is an exquisite expression of the divine moving through your unique form: your mind, body and spirit. As you open to this, you will feel only love for all humanity. You will not be able to feel anything less. That love will permeate into every aspect of your life. That love is divine energy – the consciousness of Source energy.

On earth you are still experiencing linear time though it is collapsing. You will feel this happening more and more – time will move quickly or stand still for those you are present to the energetic shifts occurring on the earth now. You will feel an abiding love for your fellow humans. You will feel waves of profound peace. Where you are in discord from your higher holy selves, you will feel uneasy. Do not fear. Let go and trust that you are being guided into a path of freedom. Releasing all that does not fit your higher selves will take a deep state of surrender that unfolds one breath, one step, one gentle choice at a time.

You are not being led into more suffering by letting go of that which is not true for your higher soul self. As you open to this path, you will feel the bliss arising into your being. Let it saturate your cells and remind you of the heaven in which you are living as a soul. Allowing this light to pour into your everyday will ease the choices you are making. Fear nothing. Only love is real.

Today - 11/11/2011 is a day for blessings. Rise into the divine love of your awakened heart chakra. Sit in the stillness of your exquisite soul light and let it permeate every cell of your mind, body, emotions and spirit. Radiate this love fully into your consciousness. As you do this, you will feel the truth of love as YOU. Then, radiate this love into all life on earth. Envision this energy permeating the globe. Send your love into the animal kingdom. Send your love into the mineral kingdom. Send your waves of love in to all nature and the earth itself. Send her your love. Fill the earth with your light. Radiate your love into all humanity; enfold the globe with your love. Send your love into the skies, the ethereal realms and all that is living beyond linear time. Send your love into the universe. Send your love to your helping spirits. Your angels and guides and beloved ones who now live in spirit. Radiate your love without hesitation.

Send your love into your future. Into your descendants. To all of your ancestors. Send your love to your past selves. To all things you have done from nobility and all things you have done through fear. Send your love to your future selves. Send your love without hesitation.

As you bask in the divine truth of your love and this infinite love that is ever present, know this is your true state of being. Feel into this bliss. Know it. Sense it. Notice its presence within everything that is truly you. You are love; love is you.

As you do this, radiate your love into your day. See this love flowing from you without limits today. See your love greeting you, embracing you and uplifting you through the day. See this love enfolding everyone you encounter. Let love be the one true focus of your day today.

11:11:2011 (aka11:11:11:11) is a gateway. It is a portal through which you can move elegantly by choosing to align with love. LOVE is the invitation, the destination and the exquisite partner guiding you through this passage. Open your heart, feel the love within your being, let yourself adjust to this truth and today, walk in the spirit of love wherever you go. Bless the world with your phenomenal light. You were born for a divine mission. YOU are here to radiate your love light into this world without fear or limits. You are here to express this love through the passions and talents of your heart. Listen, allow and be that which is pure truth – LOVE.

May your days be an exquisite adventure in the realization and expression of LOVE

Law of Attraction Ho'oponopono

Transcending the Disease to Please

2011-11-05T01:46:00.005-04:00

Do you have the disease to please? Most of us were not raised with the healthiest of boundaries. A boundary is the energetic limit that nurtures your mind, body and spirit and keeps others from imposing behaviors that exploit or undermine your power.

When you give until it hurts you set the tone for how others will treat you while reinforcing your lowered sense of worth. Having weak boundaries can mean you find it hard to stand up for yourself but feel ever so willing to do so for others. You may agree to do things that you just do not want to do. Perhaps you tolerate rude or sarcastic comments directed at you. Or maybe you allow others to get their way and push through your boundaries because you dislike conflict. And if you have the people pleasing pattern, you probably take other’s comments and even life itself, personally. Setting healthy boundaries allows you to develop a healthier sense of self; deepen your relationships with others and live in balance.

Establishing healthy boundaries begins with self-awareness. Your intuition is constantly communicating what is and is not true for you. When your solar plexus or gut tightens, your intuition is signaling to you that something is off. Any energy loss within your being reveals boundaries are not being honored and that its time to set a healthy limit. When you feel energized, inspired, calm in your stomach, throat and heart – your intuition is communicating that you are in alignment with your true self and that your healthy needs are being honored.

You have the right to personal space, respect, personal power and to honor what is true for you even when it disappoints others. You do not have to give into others requests to make them or you feel more comfortable. And you are not responsible for making anyone feel good at your own expense.

Discover your needs and limits.

• Identify what you will not tolerate. Make a list and take care to honor each one. Some examples might include, “I honor myself when I do not tolerate…”

o Comments about my body size, weight
o Criticism, sarcasm or jokes at my expense
o Rageful outbursts toward me
o Invasion of my privacy
o Racist, religious, sexist, off-color jokes and remarks
o Others telling me what I feel or should do
o Minimization of my emotions, intellect, skills or intuition
o Lying or deceptions of any kind
o Denial of addictions, abuse or irresponsible actions
o Blame for how an adult feels
o Violence; Rageful outbursts directed at me or others in my presence

• Identify what you most need to feel safe, respected and honored.

o My needs and wants are respected, even when my partner or others cannot meet them
o Anger or disappointments are discussed calmly, with each person accepting responsibility for his/her emotional experience, perceptions and needs
o Compassion, kindness, empathy and understanding for one another’s perceptions are present when stating emotional concerns or insights; needs and wants
o I tell the truth and am told the truth
o I accept full responsibility for honoring my needs and wants

• Know your rights and honor them. Make a list of what you have the right to give to yourself and ask for from others. Some examples of what you have the right to ask for and to give to yourself:

o No talking during a massage
o Quiet personal time in your own home
o Help with responsibilities for your house
o More information and/or time before making a decision
o To say no without explanation
o To do what you need even when it disappoints someone else
o To have no alcohol, smoking or drugs in your home
o To not give in to threats or the demands of others
o To allow others to be responsible for how they feel, and responsibly give themselves what they want and need.
o To eat only the foods and beverages that are appropriate for your health

• Honor your time and energy. Make a list of how you respect your time and energy and stick to it. Examples may include:

o Not answering your phone unless you want to do so
o Turning off your ringer
o Return phone calls and email messages at your own pace
o Change your mind
o Cancel appointments when you need to tend to your wellness
o Create a sanctuary for silence or personal space within your home
o Sleep the amount of hours that truly serves your heath
o Take all the time you need to grieve and heal from loss or trauma
o Not attend family functions where boundaries are not respected
o Not join into gossip and other conversations that drain your energy
o Refrain from listening to or watching programs that reinforce suffering and drain energy.

• Know who you are. People's actions reflect their inner life though they often blame others for how they feel and behave. When you find yourself personalizing someone’s comments ask yourself the following:

o Is any of this true about me? Be willing to check this out honestly. If there is truth in the comment, ask yourself what you need to do in response. You do have the power to see yourself without judgments and grow. If the comments are not true, let them go.

o How much of this is about the other person? Be willing to check this honestly too. You can compassionately observe that the comments are projections, reflecting the individual’s unconscious suffering. You do not have to take responsibility for their suffering but you can act from compassion and healthy boundaries. Sometimes the best support you can offer is to disengage from unhealthy and disrespectful requests and actions.

o Do I need to take action to honor my personal power here? Sometimes you need to say stop or walk away if an individual isn’t being reasonable or respectful. Sometimes you need to refrain from all interaction when an individual is threatening or not taking any responsibility for his/her part in the problem. But most of the time, you can establish healthy boundaries through compassionate dialog and willingness to know yourself and other without judgment. Imago dialog is one of the most powerful tools for promoting healthy boundaries, nurturing growth and intimacy between caring adults.

Prepare yourself: Setting boundaries will feel foreign if they were not honored when you were growing up and are still being violated now. When you are asking for boundaries to be respected, do so with a compassionate or neutral tone. With practice, honoring your boundaries will feel natural. Every time you say “yes” and “no” to what is true for you allows your authentic energy to expand.

Strategies for Setting Boundaries

1. Establish support. Before having a boundary setting conversation, speak to a supportive friend and practice what you will say. After the conversation speak with a friend to process how it went and tend to any residual feelings.

2. Do not establish boundaries while angry. Process your strong emotions with individuals who will not personalize or judge your emotions. Wait until you are calm and feeling neutral to discuss and establish clear boundaries.

3. Ask for you what you need without attaching to the outcome. Ask for what you need and want in a clear, calm and compassionate manner. Do not expect others to do what you ask. Boundaries are not demands. You are responsible for meeting your boundary needs as an adult so ask and understand that your partner or the other person may choose not to meet your requests. This gives you the freedom to do what you need to honor your limits respectfully by taking action or letting go of the request.

4. Take full responsibility for what you need and do not make demands of others. Use clear, simple and direct language. Examples include:

• If you continue to yell at me, I will leave or hang up.

• When you need to discuss business or set appointments, call me during business hours and expect return phone calls during business hours only.

• I value my job but I am unable to give extra time at work in order to honor my family time and remain in healthy balance.

• I hear that you are angry with me; can you tell me more about that in a calm and clear manner?

• This is my fee for the services I provide. I do not lower my rate, just as you do not lower your salary.

• I ask that you stop commenting on my body size and/or weight.

• Thank you for asking me to participate; I need some time before I can respond about my ability to join in.

• I thought this would be a good fit for me at the onset; but I now find it no longer feels right to me. I will find a replacement accordingly.

• I will not be lending you money anymore. You now need to take responsibility for your financial life; so please do not ask for money from me again.

• It is hard to say no to you because I do not want to disappoint you; and the answer is still no.

5. Do not defend, debate, over-explain or rationalize your boundaries. Be direct, gracious and firm as you speak. When the other party is resisting your boundary, restate your request.

• Individuals who do not have healthy boundaries will not respect yours easily. They may try to get your to compromise your limits, cut you off from conversation and relationship or demand that you change while assuming no responsibility for their actions. They will usually perceive their needs or boundaries as more important than your own; and point out the error of your actions or limits. Threats of rejection or intimidation regarding your requests are meant to control you and bring you back into dysfunctional dynamic.

6. Enforce your boundaries. You must back up your boundary needs with consistent action. Each time you acquiesce to the demands of those who do not respect your boundaries, you give up your power. Practice building up your boundaries one healthy choice at a time.

7. Do not let guilt be your guide. Guilt is often the foundation for people pleaser's decisions. Guilt is internalized anger that was not safe to be expressed in early life. You will likely feel guilty about making strong decisions that reflect healthy self–worth and contradict expectations placed upon you throughout your development. The guilt will rise up, so greet it with your compassion and remember it is an expected sensation telling you that you’re breaking free from dysfunctional patterns.

8. Surround yourself with healthy support. Choose to associate with individuals who are able to calmly and easily discuss differences; establish healthy boundaries and do not personalize when you need to make a decision that differs from what they need or want.

Practice setting healthy limits; honor your needs and wants and listen to your intuition consistently. You have the right and the power to create nurturing dynamics that revere your personal boundaries and uplift, inspire and empower you!

End of the Mayan Calendar - October 28, 2011

2011-10-28T00:12:00.004-04:00

By now we know about the prophecies of profound change within our midst. Many of us have been aware of the December 21, 2012 date as the end of the Mayan Calendar. According to some researchers, that date is incorrect and the true date is October 28, 2011. It seems the fourteen month difference from the December 21, 2012 date is attributed to the error in translating from a lunar to a solar calendar (Gregorian Calendar).

Whatever the date may be – we are in a shift from lower frequency human consciousness into a higher one. And this is a time of celebration! We are moving from a solar plexus dominated species (third dimensional ~ ego centered creative pattern) into a heart centered consciousness (fifth/sixth dimensional and higher ~ intuitive/soul centered creation experience). Intuition is the dominant language of this higher dimensional experience and will be the foundation upon which you can rely for integrating the energetic accelerations and transitions.

These changes have been happening for some time. But they are accelerating. Most will experience these shifts much like we do physical and spiritual growth, as a process – not an event.

We are being assisted through this important transition. If you are still reading, here is where it may challenge your mind’s perceptions of this process. There are highly evolved beings of light surrounding the globe in triangular formations who are stepping down finer vibrational frequencies to uplift us through the transition. Still with me? Hang tight because our DNA is encoded to expand from its double helix into a multiple strand expression. And that is being activated.

I know that this sounds like science fiction. I have been given information like this since I was eight years old and believe me - I know how it sounds! But it is happening. Everything my guides have told me over the years, is occuring before my very eyes. Including the unfolding of intuitive processes within the general population; tsunamis; governmental and economic shifts and more. The world is shifting and we are all changing at a cellular level. There is nothing to fear. It is not a doomsday prophecy but a rising from a consciousness that bound us to suffering into a trajectory of love.

Prior to your birth, you – as a soul being - chose to be on the earth during this transition and you are therefore already prepared to adjust. If you are conscious of the changes, you will feel them happening within you and within your personal lives. It makes it easier to navigate the acceleration process when you participate in it. If you are not conscious of these changes, you may feel like your world is being rocked to the core. And even if you are aware, you may feel like you're on tilt at times.

Hold steady. Breathe deeply. And open to the process.

Some of the symptoms of these changes are experienced on the earth as natural disasters and polar shifts. The earth is also adjusting. Other symptoms manifest as breakdowns of dysfunctional systems that were bred from the ego and no longer fit a fifth (and even higher) dimensional consciousness. That means governments, economies, health care and educational systems and other institutions will dissolve to make way for holistic approaches manifested through the soul-centered consciousness that serve the highest good for the whole.

If we respond to these changes without fear, we will simply grow into new ways of operating. But the ego doesn't give up so easily. So we may experience full blown collapses before we create anew. This is a time of celebration, as we are evolving into a new era of creation for humankind.

Remember, if you have ever built a house - you dig out the land first. It does not look like much at first, so you have to hold the vision of your intention, allowing its creation to happen one step at a time. If you are not aware of what is happening, you may be terrified when you see only bare land. When you know what is happening, you can feel the excitement of something beautiful in the making.

On a personal level, these higher frequencies mean we will no longer be able to tolerate relationships, jobs and all scenarios that are out of alignment with our soul. We will be called to make significant changes and we will feel uncomfortable until we do. You will no longer be able to see yourself as your physical identitiy alone. This shift requires you to acknowledge your true essence as a soul. Your intuition will become sharper; your dreams more vivid. You may notice more signs from spirit; experience greater synchronicities. You may want to eat differently; make amends; bring closure to the past and heal. You may notice the need to move to a new area NOW or the deep knowing that you cannot ignore your soul's purpose. You may feel a spiritual shifts and emotional upheaval. As you open to these experiences, you will move through this transition with greater ease. As you resist, you will feel increased tensions and addictive patterns may become acute. Your intuition is in place to help you navigate these changes from living a disconnected, obligated life into fluid alignment with your soul.

This is a quickening which means time is collapsing. You may notice things happening more rapidly. Manifesting will be easier and your loving thoughts will show up in numerous forms far more readily. Fears will also move more quickly into physical formations and feel far more intense than usual. The shadow is ready to be exposed, witnessed and transmuted. Compassion is the golden key to unblocking trapped energies and moving them all into higher frequencies.

So how do you cope during this transition?

Meditation – Mindfulness and other forms of meditation will assist you in calming your body, mind and emotions. It is an essential ingredient in your shifting from identification you’re your ego-personality, opening into your true higher self and developing your intuitive skill. Make time every day to sit in silence, breathe in and out of your body consciously, let thoughts float by as you witness your mind’s activity without judgment.

Develop Your Intuition – Intuition is the language of the soul, linking you to all that is. It is the bridge to your ascension. Intuition transcends the rational mind’s limitations and allows you to experience your authentic creative power and tap into resources that logic alone can never discover. To move through this transition process consciously, discover and cultivate your intuition one day at a time.

Let Go – Take time to identify beliefs and systems that do not serve your highest good. You are worth the effort to heal all that binds you. Letting go is a conscious process, often accomplished through smaller steps. Release old patterns; recover from addictions; relinquish unhealthy relationships; clear clutter; let go of things that do not uplift you.

Open Up to Love– As you release, you will benefit by also opening your heart and mind. Your heart chakra is a gateway to the highest divine frequencies experienced through the human consciousness as unconditional love. It can be found within the essence of all the chakras but is most easily identified through the heart center. As you open to this divine love and focus it in the direction of your healing, you can transmute beliefs and patterns that limit your true creative power. You will then unleash the exquisite divine nature that is you. Practice chanting or focusing on unconditional love; ground and then focus on the heart and upper chakras and allow that love to radiate throughout your system. Send that love into your cells daily; then into your personal life and then in to the world.

Clear, balance & Activate – Your chakras are the ethereal organs of your energy system. During this time of change your chakras are shifting into a unified chakra system by opening to higher frequencies and allowing higher chakras to be accessible to you now. These higher chakras allow you to experience your true Avatar or Higher Self Consciousness within this body, in this lifetime. Make time to release ethereal cords and accumulated energies that cannot serve your highest good. Clear, balance and attune to the higher frequencies daily.

Raise Your Dietary Vibration– Eating foods of higher frequencies will allow you to be more connected to your soul’s wisdom, the angelic support consistently present for you and assist you in integrating finer energies being stepped down for your benefit. Higher vibrational foods are directly from the earth, locally and seasonally grown, with minimal processing. They are organic, raw and have not caused harm to any aspect of life.

Rest – All this shifting is energy in motion. You are releasing, healing, accelerating and integrating. That is an active process. Acknowledge this and take time to rest, adjust and rejuvenate. When experiencing this energy change unconsciously, you will feel drained, anxious and uneasy without knowing why. Take time to nurture you!

Play – Playfulness and spontaneity are natural states for us. When we are going through a lot of change, the ego may feel fearful and resistant. Worry can be habitual, so the above steps will help to loosen its hold. Intentional play will assist you in breaking free from ritualized patterns stemming from learned beliefs. Laugh; have fun; dance; create; think out of the box; color; wear glitter; jump on a trampeline; play catch; be in the world like a child. Take time to play!

Engage in Conscious Exercise – Move your body with the intention to heal and uplift your energy. Exercise that colludes with your ego’s goals will cause harm to an aspect of your being. Conscious movement will enhance your overall health without compromising any aspect of your body, mind, emotions or spirit. Conscious exercise promotes presence in your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Dance; swim; yoga; qi gong; tai chi and other forms of joyful, sensual and uplifting movement will support you through this change process.

It is a time of change and a time of celebration. You can embrace this rite of passage, move with the currencies intentionally and enjoy the process!

Law of Attraction Ho'oponopono

Sweet Surrender

2011-10-26T11:34:00.002-04:00

While walking on a treadmill in my home in 2002, an angel reached down from above me and touched my forehead. Suddenly, I knew that a young boy who was no longer physically alive, needed to speak with his mother. His name, age and manner of death were all revealed to me. Though interacting angels was already a part of my life, I had never been asked to share a message from the deceased to the living before this moment. “Don’t you know that I am not medium?” I declared to the angel who was not moved by my objections and simply said: “Michael* needs to speak with his mother.” I asked, “How do I do such a thing?” and I was immediately shown a clear image of someone I knew casually. “Call her now; she knows the boy and mother” said the angel.

I was being asked to place the strangest phone of my life. I imagined a scenario somewhat like: “Hi there, I am Lori – you know, Sam’s mom from our children’s playgroup. While on the treadmill this morning an angel touched my forehead…um…yes, I said an angel….yes, yes… the angel touched me and no I haven’t been drinking or recently released from psychiatric care…..yes, I see angels….yes, before today…yep I see them….ok.. Before you hang up, do you know a young boy named Michael* who inexplicably passed away who has a mother named Jane*? “

What would you do?

I placed the call.

And yes, the woman I called knew exactly of whom I was speaking. It was her cousin. She contacted Jane and two days later the boy’s mother called me. As we spoke on the phone, I relayed messages to the mother of a young boy whose spirit stood in my kitchen. We spoke for two hours. I could feel the energy of these messages touching the heart and soul of this grieving mother as she validated their accuracy. The boy was surrounded by loved ones in spirit and angels who were helping him as he was working to be freed from the pull of his mother’s despair. I noticed that her suffering was impacting his ascension process but as his messages were received by her, he grew lighter.

After the call, I was awed by the inexplicable interaction with this woman and spirit. I fell to my knees and cried: Who am I to bring through such messages? Dear God what do you want me to do with this?

I was a wife and mother living in suburbia. I had left a successful corporate career upon the birth of my daughter and was planning to attend graduate school to earn my doctorate in clinical psychology in the fall. I intended to develop a private practice, open a healing center, lead workshops and teach at the college level. But the divine had another plan for me. Slowly I released the tight hold to my goals and opened to a completely different idea for supporting others through their healing process.

How often have you been invited by spirit to let go of what you think you need to do; what you want; or where you should go for something unknown and likely far greater than your mind can envision? When you truly listen and allow divine spirit to flow into your consciousness, you will first feel the tension between what you believe you should be/do/have/want and what is true. I had deep judgments about the idea of being some kind of "psychic". I envisioned carrying a crystal ball, wearing scarves and long gowns! And my rational mind likes research and factual evidence. Being asked to do readings felt like I was being asked to jump off the edge of the Grand Canyon. It was letting go of what I expected and how I saw my self and it was letting go of what seemed rational and doable for something unknown and not readily accepted. But through the art of surrender, I learned that I was never being set up to fail. I was opening to a whole new way of being in the world; exploring the depth of consciousness and that which exists beyond the scope of our limited abilities to adequately quantify.

When you surrender into that higher wisdom that aligns you with spiritual purpose and divine order, you will discover a grounding fulfillment and sense of serenity that can only be realized through this type of letting go. Like me, you may enjoy checking off the items on your codependent-ego-driven-to-do-list. But doing so will not evolve, fulfill or truly serve the highest good of life.

The ego isn’t too keen on this idea. First of all, it has stuff to accomplish. It has to prove itself worthy by earning more; getting more; accomplishing more. It has to keep you busy so you will not discover who you are. So the ego resists surrender, because it views it as defeat.

Surrendering to a higher source of wisdom takes a courageous willingness and knowing that you are not bound by the constructs that shape your personality. As you move into the intelligence of your soul through your intuitive processing, you will hear the challenges rising from every learned belief you have inherited that defines you and your world. Because the ego denies your true infinite essence it requires more from the physical world to satisfy its cravings. The ego is never at peace and when you are led by it, you are never peaceful. Surrendering to a higher power will feel horrifying because your ego will require evidence for your choices. You will be urged only to do that which you can prove, that which supports your identified code of conduct.

Your intuitive truth does not abandon all reason. It supplies you with resources and a clear pathway for fulfilling soulful calls. It never asks you to suffer for intuitive choices.

Your spirit exists in a complete unity with all-that-is. There is nothing you lack when you are fully conscious of your true self. You are neither fear or doubt - or the obligations that sustain both. When you surrender to your soul self, you are aligned with values that serve the highest good of life. You cannot cause harm, exploit or deceive any aspect of life when you live intuitively. Rationalizations, minimizations and denials are experiences for the ego. Acceptance, noticing, being and empowered action are the providence of intuitive living.

Today I am a student of surrender. I experience it as an art of relaxing the body, mind and emotions through focusing on my breath. It allows me to sense my true nature and no longer identify with the fears swarming through my ever-present monkey-mind. That is a practice, as I feel into the expanse of my soul’s true essence and honor the intuitive call to actions without resistance. There is no emotional turmoil associated with intuition; only a fluid dance with the truth. So when resistances arise, I know the ego is working hard to prove its case. I practice noticing compassionately, calming my body and choosing to honor the highest truth. Each step I take in this state of surrender ensures I am living in harmony with life.

This is what I now do for a living. I sit with individuals or groups of people and I attune, align and allow divine essence to pour through me in service of the highest good of all concerned. Labels like "medium", "healer" "shamanic practitioner" don't truly fit but they do allow many to have an inkling about what might happen in a session or class with me. My practice is allowing: it is the art of sweet surrender. And that description may not work too well on a business card, I know. Though I may speak with loved one's in spirit, encounter the akashic records and discover soulful essence of my clients or teach soul retrieval and shamanic journeying......in truth each encounter is all about showing up and surrendering - nothing more – and nothing less.

*the names were changed to protect privacy.

What is Intuition and Why Does Intuition Matter?

2011-10-18T14:20:00.005-04:00

Intuition is the convergence of your innate wisdom with non-physical essence and your physical sensory system. When skillfully mastered intuition can enhance your mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being; connect you with your purpose and allow you to tap into unlimited benevolent resources. Sound like a lofty promise? It is and it delivers.

At a time when the world is changing rapidly, intuition is the bridge to your sanity. It is the resource for navigating changes in the most abundantly sound and purposeful manner.

Because you are not just a physical being, when you experience life through your physical sensory system and mind alone, you will feel a nagging ache for something more. That painful disconnect is created through identification with your personality as the beginning and ending of you. It is the call home to your true self. Your soul and benevolent non-physical guides are ready and able to assist you throughout your lifetime.

So why not take the time to discover who you are by learning to honor your intuition?

First, let’s be clear about what intuition is not.

• Intuition is NOT a haphazard manner for making decisions without any criteria. It does not dismiss the need for rational, real-world application.
o Intuition is the language of non-physical energy. Understanding intuition requires you to hone and test your skills. Undeveloped intuition can lead you astray. To cultivate accurate intuitive flow you will need the willingness to make mistakes as you discern between true divine guidance and the hunches streaming through your emotions and thoughts (aka your ego).

• Intuition is not a new age phenomenon.
o Intuition is as organic as your five physical senses and as old as human consciousness. For over 40,000 years indigenous cultures benefited from understanding intuition as the source for spiritual insights, healing and living in balance with the natural rhythms of life. Mystics, prophets, shamans, midwives and other great masters used intuition to bridge the gap between suffering and awakening. Scientists, explorers, adventurers, farmers; poets, artists, builders and chiefs also used intuition to bring through new noble pathways for living. Intuition is a practical, down to earth system for accessing the non-ordinary reality for wisdom, spiritual enlightenment, healing and every day thriving.

• Intuition is not motivated by your emotional triggers and desires.
o Intuitive insight and guidance is never attached to your wants, thoughts, beliefs and emotions. It streams from your neutral eternal self and the benevolent forces of spirit existing beyond the seeds of personal desire. It does not change as you change your mind. It does not flatter or acquiesce to your ego. It will not make you believe you are superior or less deserving than others. Intuition is the truth beyond all emotion and belief that is designed to lift you from your attachments and into a freedom of flow that will enhance your well-being in ways your mind cannot truly accept. It is neutrality infused with compassionate awareness - it is never judgmental. And it does not change its message to agree with your beliefs. It will always pull you in the direction of true growth, fulfillment, health and peace.

Intuitive choices are holistic. Intuition allows you to move in a synchronicity that benefits your whole self – not just a part of you.  Intuitive choices will therefore benefit the whole system, not just a part of it. For example, if you are intuitively moved to go into a specific profession, when you enact this guidance precisely and consistently, you will draw from your natural interests and talents; experience deep fulfillment in your work; thrive prosperously; benefit others holistically; grow intellectually; feel emotionally uplifted and evolve spiritually. When you honor your intuitive being in this career you will not be able to exploit or be exploited; you will not pollute or use resources in ways that undermine the ecosystem. Your intuitive process will serve your well-being and therefore the health of all.

When you choose a profession solely based on your rational mind, you may use your natural skills to earn a lot of money and even experience great success. But when you live by your rational mind, you experience your resources, options and self as limited.  Your ego's choices will guide you to work hard for a lot; pay a price for your success. You will thrive in some ways but always at the expense of fulfillment, physical health, balanced relationships, spiritual evolution or environmental safety. You will rationalize these costs as the "price you pay" for this chosen work and even create an economic system or other beliefs to support this paradigm as valid. That which is derived from the rational mind alone, will always benefit small facets of the physical world without any authentic consideration for the costs to other aspects of life because the ego/rational mind experiences you as separate from everyone and everything. Intuitive choices revere the whole and therefore serve the sacred balance of life.

Intuition brings your dreams to life. You were born as a multisensory being destined to fulfill your soulful aspirations that your mind readily dismisses as too hard to reach. Intuitive dreams draw power from non-ordinary resources and support your spiritual evolution. Intuitive dreams do not place you in a power position above others or create fast fixes to your life. Instead they support your expansion and will evolve you. I was once asked by a client "why would my guides ask me to do something that I don't feel comfortable doing in order to realize my dream?"  His guides revealed: "Because your not wanting to do this thing reflects your internalized fear of failure and process of evolving. You are learning that neither has power over you. As you enact this guidance you will become free from this belief and evolve. This process also deepens your purpose and writing. Your work will flourish through these steps". Intuitive dreams do not necessarily make you the next American Idol or Nobel Prize Winner because they are not ego-centered goals but your experience in realizing intuitive dreams will be that symbolic and fulfill you without being solely dependent upon prizes and fame. You may win an award; but the true present will be the journey.

You are not meant to struggle. Suffering is founded on the addiction to our physical world. And that can make us us feel we have to control people, places and things for our lives to be successful. It makes us feel disconnected and thrives on the belief that soul dreams will not pay the bills. We then dismiss intuition because the mind cannot believe what it cannot prove and the world supports the paradigms founded on the rational alone. When we seek beyond the false belief that we are a limited self and begin to discover who we truly are, we access a serenity and power existing within the core of our being. Through intuition we discover that love is a constant presence within our heart that no person, thing or circumstance has the power to thwart. We unleash the innate infinite stream of energy that is not dependent upon external circumstances or perceptions to exist.

Intuition will heal you by first freeing you from all that binds you to your past and your false beliefs. Intuition reveals the most relevant means for expressing your passions and talents into meaningful service. It provides real resources for its direction. Intuition opens you to breakthroughs and is the source for discoveries and new inventions in our world. When accurately applied, intuition invites the soul of life into your choices so that all life is enhanced.

When you learn to master your intuition, you will know what to do with deep confidence sustained by a limitless source. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by life’s roller coaster ride, you will be able to navigate the ups and downs with increasing facility and equanimity. Eventually you will only experience the present moment, so ups and downs will be meaningless.

Though I was born intuitive with psychic gifts, I suffered for many years by not honoring my intuition. Because I experienced innumerable abuses throughout childhood and violent traumas in my early adult life, I lost touch with my soul and fell into addictive patterns that only reinforced my sense of isolation and pain. By my twenties I felt completed defeated by life.

During one evening of basking in a familiar anguish, I humbly prayed for help. And something happened that changed me forever. As if out of a Hollywood movie, a brilliant swirling light streamed through my living room. It was clearly visible and filled with the exquisite angelic beings who enfolded me in divine love. I was overcome with peace as their love poured into my every cell. These angels communicated in unison and encouraged me to walk a path of recovery. They shared insights about my state of being and told me they were willing to help. By listening to their guidance, I was led to the people and places that would help to nourish my mind, body and spirit back to health. After that night, I practiced surrendering my addiction to my ego and opened to a higher truth one day at a time. I practiced listening, testing the intuitive guidance and growing my skills.  Doing so changed my life for the better in every meaningful way.

Today I still hone my intuitive and psychic skills daily. I take nothing for granted because intuition is as strong as my consistent application in every day life. My work as an intuitive medium and shamanic practitioner grew from this practice.

I currently offer Intuitive Empowerment Workshops to support others in coming home to their true essence and living life in the flow of divine guidance. I teach esoteric approaches in a practical, down-to-earth manner to help individuals of all levels of experience and backgrounds.

Imagine how your life would be better if you could easily access the help of your divine angelic guides ?

In November I am offering a weekend workshop at the beautiful Soothe Your Soul Center in Oxford, Michigan.  You may hear, feel, see, envision, dream or simply know intuitive guidance. Intuitive Empowerment is designed to help you discover the power of your internal navigating system and learn to use this innate gift with confident accuracy. The more you tune up, tune-in and practice honing your guidance system, the easier it will be to master intuitive flow. I hope you will  take the time to discover and develop this invaluable gift by joining us on November 19 and 20.  Call 248-236-9855 to register today.

Recovering Your Soul Self

2011-10-12T09:51:00.004-04:00

Have you ever taken care of others before honoring your own basic needs? In our culture, this behavioral trait is often seen as a positive attribute that is indoctrinated at a very young age and rewarded throughout life. Many of us were raised to believe that we need to earn our value in this world by pleasing others at our own expense. We learn early to say “yes” when we really mean “no”; to give when what we need most is to receive; and to strive for a perfectionism that can never be realized. We come to believe that self-care is selfish and that disapproval from significant others is intolerable. This pattern becomes so automatic, we often find ourselves acquiescing to the needs of other to avoid confrontation at any cost.

But the price for this behavior is the connection to our authentic self. This kind of caring is not serving the highest good for anyone and exemplifies what’s been coined as codependency – a term developed out of Alcoholics Anonymous. Though codependency is not a clinical diagnosis, it describes a pattern of behaviors, thinking and feelings that promote unhealthy self-sacrifice and caregiving.

Codependency manifests when our sense of worth is based on meeting the needs of others. This behavioral pattern is learned in early childhood and modeled or encouraged throughout development. It moves the individual to seek control over people and events; strive for perfectionism and avoid uncomfortable emotions. Codependents will care for others until they begin manifesting physical and emotional ailments. They will tell you that they are “just fine” even when they are hurting, exhausted and feeling used up. Codependent individuals tend to blame themselves for abuse, loss and troubles within a relationship.

Sound familiar? If you grew up in a home where a parent was alcoholic, addictive, narcissistic, physically or mentally ill, abusive or unavailable you are likely to have the pattern of codependency. When its left undressed, codependency will progress into other addictive patterns such as alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, workaholism, sexual and relationship addictions. Individuals struggling with codependency patterns tend to attract abusive, aggressive or narcissistic individuals into their lives. They often remain in unhealthy, stressful jobs and relationships or repeat these relationship scenarios until they confront the internalized patterns and heal.

I have been in many circles where individuals claim to be codependent in a casual manner while everyone chuckles - though codependency is no laughing matter. When we lose touch with our authentic nature we compromise our soul’s purpose on a daily basis. The price is one’s emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

What does the pattern of codependency look like? Codependency includes patterns of denial, compliance, avoidance, low self -esteem and control.

• Patterns of denial include the inability to feel or identify emotions; a lack of empathy for those who do not sacrifice like they do; a minimization of anger and a repeated draw toward unavailable individuals.

• Compliance patterns manifest as a compromise of personal values and integrity to avoid rejection or reactions from others. Compliance patterns include extreme and unwarranted loyalties; acquiescing to other’s needs, wants and opinions; and exchanging sex when love is what’s truly desired.

• Individuals with codependency patterns have internalized the admonitions from early life making the inner critic highly judgmental of self and others. Because the codependent’s sense of worth depends on others’ perceptions of him or her, it is nearly impossible for someone with this pattern to admit they are wrong or easily make decisions. One with this pattern rarely advocates for the self; but will boldly do so for others. Individuals with codependency patterns do not set healthy priorities and often forgo personal success and gratification while privately resenting being overlooked.

• Control is a central theme for one with codependency because they were lost within the chaos of their childhood homes. They believe others need their help, should take their advice and become resentful when directions are not well received. They give a lot of praise, gifts and affection in exchange for approval. They will manipulate others to meet their own needs but deny this is happening when confronted. They are rigid and when hurt; they will cut people off rather than self-reflect, negotiate or compromise.

• Codependency patterns include avoiding intimacy, judging others harshly and allowing personal addictions to people, places, and things to interfere with their ability to form meaningful relationships. They will do not believe that a power greater than themselves will truly enhance their lives. Emotional expression is often viewed as weakness.

Do you have the patterns of codependency? Take a few moments to ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you ever had a hard time at having fun or letting go?

• Do you feel guilty or uncomfortable when others give to you?

• Would you rather be giving than receiving?

• Do you know what you like, want, need and honor it easily?

• When you take care of yourself, do you feel selfish or guilty?

• Do you often put other’s needs before your own?

• Do you feel a strong need to be in control, in charge or follow rules to feel safe?

• Do you personalize criticism or other people’s choices?

• Do you ever seek approval or validation from others in a way that compromises your personal well-being, integrity or even your safety?

• When you want to say “no” do you make an excuses or even lie to avoid disappointing someone else?

• Do you struggle with sense of confidence or find it difficult to make decisions?

• When you make a decision that serves your highest good and others question it, are you able to remain true to your choice?

• Can you tolerate disappointing others when being true to yourself?

• Do you blame yourself when issues arise within a relationship?

• Do you avoid confrontation and work hard to “keep the peace” at any cost?

• Do you isolate or avoid intimacy?

• Do you feel mistrusting of authority figures?

• Are you much more able to express anger about injustices that are done to others than stand up for those done to you?

• Do you feel compelled to help people solve their problems and take care of their feelings?

• Do you work in a helping profession?

• Do you feel empty or bored when you are alone or do not have someone to care for?

• Is it challenging for you to be still, sit in the silence of meditation and discover your inner world?

• Do you lose interest in your life, friendships and dependents when you fall in love?

• Do you stay in relationships that don’t work for you or tolerate abuse, deceit, addictions within your relationship?

• Do you remain tied to unhealthy relationships due to financial dependency?

• Do you ever say “yes” when you really mean “no”?

• Have you ever lied in order to avoid confrontation or having to explain your boundaries?

If you said yes to several of the questions above you may be living out the pattern of codependency. Liberation from these patterns requires being honest about them in the first place. Having the pattern of codependency is not your fault. It is learned in childhood when primary caregivers model this behavior or expect family members to support their narcissism and other dysfunctional patterns. When a family system does not value the exquisite wholeness of each individual, this dysfunctional pattern will breed addictions including but not limited to codependency.

You can heal from codependency.

If you are experiencing codependency patterns, healing will be a courageous act of letting go of your false self and discovering the authentic essence that is you. Codependency keeps you feeling small, trapped and isolated – recovery allows you to experience direct support from spirit and a community of individuals committed to healing and evolving consciously.

Steps for healing from codependency:

• Choose to heal. Recognize that you have adapted patterns of seeing yourself and relating that do not serve your highest good and limit your potential for intimacy and thriving. It is the healthiest individual in the family who seeks therapy or help. Admit where you are struggling and give yourself the help you so deeply deserve.

• Make your healing your first priority. Codependency is an insidious pattern of suffering by accommodating other's needs over your own. It is a pattern that is highly revered within our culture. The pattern means you put your own needs last and deny how people pleasing is hurting you and others. To heal you will need to confront this habit with fearless willingness to see and understand yourself and then make a new choice, one day at a time.

• Join a Recovery Group. You cannot heal codependency in isolation. Hiding your struggle and doing it on your own are symptoms of codependency. Share your courageous healing journey with others who are truly committed to changing their behaviors and diligently working a recovery program to do so. Go to a therapist specializing in reclaiming the healthy self; attend 12-Step Programs dealing with these patterns; attend healthy-self recovery and empowerment groups. You will discover that you are not alone and gain tools to heal and grow in safe, nurturing environments. Some local options include:

o Eleanor Payson’s seminars and groups www.eleanorpayson.com on discovering the healthy self.

o Chris Sarris workshops on the Power of Belief http://www.puravidacoach.com/.

o My workshops on Intuitive Empowerment http://www.lorilipten.com/ help you connect with your soul’s truth in favor of your mind’s habitual patterns and connect with the divine guidance consistently present through presence.

o Shamanic Apprenticeship with Colleen Deatsman http://www.colleendeatsman.com/ Shamanism is the ultimate freedom from codependency because you will learn to discover your true essence, wisdom and spiritual guidance.

o Codependents Anonymous, Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families and Alanon are 12-Step based recovery programs specifically dealing with this pattern.

• Develop one day at a time approach to your healing. You did not become codependent in one day and will not heal overnight. Through years of exposure to dysfunctional patterns during your most vulnerable developmental states, you developed your strategies for valuing and caring for yourself and managing relationships. You heal only in the present and this is done with support, one healthy choice at a time.

• Practice compassion. Compassion fuels healing; judgment locks your wounds in place. Compassion allows the healing energy from the heart chakra to infuse whatever you look upon. Judgment locks the energy of your perception in place. Healing is a process, like learning to walk. When you open your heart and allow compassion to flow, you give yourself the space necessary to stretch and grow. Just like when you learned to walk – you held on at first, took it slow and fell down often. You were always going to walk but imagine if you had judged your every move, fall and day-to-day progress. You probably would never walk! Healing is no different. When you become willing to actively engage in the process of self discovery one day at a time with compassionate wisdom from a supportive community and from within - you heal and grow.

• Cultivate spiritual connections. Healing from codependency restores your connection to your innate exquisiteness and the sacredness of life. As you shift from identifying with your imprinted beliefs, you will uncover your soul’s purpose and potential. This is connection is cultivated through daily practices such as: meditation; guided visualization; connecting with nature; prayer; engaging in creative expressions; playing, dancing and moving to music; yoga, qi gong or tai chi.

• Let go and let the divine take over. You do not have to manage, control or fix the lives of other adults. You do not have the power to make others happy or miserable. You do not have to advise or force a situation or help anyone “get it”. People are exactly where they need to be in this life; and when we get out of their way, their soul path can unfold. Take responsibility for your life and leave the rest to the divine.

• Emotions are healthy. Anger, grief and deep hurts may rise into your awareness when you stop resisting them through codependency patterns. These energies are not negative and will not harm you when you allow them to move through you safely while you compassionately witness their flow. Emotions have the power to inform you of the story you have survived and when integrated, you will feel the restoration of your true essence flourishing. Codependents often avoid sharing the deepest emotions; so it is important to seek support that does not attempt to placate, fix, minimize or judge your emotional struggle in anyway rather supports, witnesses and compassionately allows you to experience emotions without judgment or collusion.

• Healing will feel selfish. In the beginning, taking time to heal and honoring your soul’s truth over your habitual patterns will feel uncomfortable and even selfish. You will have to learn to feel the tension of disappointing others while you recover. People who are used to you giving at your own expense and doing what they want so they can feel supported, will fight you. In my personal recovery, this has proven to be my greatest challenge. Saying yes and no when others dislike it has cost me relationships and for a codependent, there is almost nothing worse. But in recovery, it is a sign of releasing relationships based on dysfunctional patterns. I have surrendered so deeply to honoring spirit, that doing anything else is like dying a slow death.

• Extreme self-care is the foundation of your recovery. Get enough sleep and rest; exercise to nourish you health; eat a balanced diet; tend to your spiritual life; honor your emotions; learn to listen to your soul’s wisdom and witness your mind’s chatter without giving it life; breathe deeply; spend time outdoors daily; practice giving when its authentic and receiving with openness; get a massage; laugh out loud; share your story; take it one day at a time.

You are a divine soul. You were not born to please or improve other’s lives. When you learn to listen and honor your authentic soul-self, your life will expand into a meaningful journey. When you feel disconnected from your purpose and meaning, it is because you are struggling with the beliefs that define you into something less than your true self. Recovering your authentic being is a life-long journey that promotes your spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual health.

Healing from codependency allows you to accept others and not change them to meet your needs. You will cultivate an intimacy with yourself that allows you to develop meaningful connections that will include deep self-respect and respect for others. You will make decisions that flow from your core and not compromise your integrity. You will be in relationship where each individual accepts full responsibility for his/her personal joy, thriving and well-being; gives freely and truly; and receives freely and truly. Conversations will openly validate your and other's experience of reality without needing to undermine or change your perception and vice verse. Confrontations will manifest with abiding respect for each personal perspective. You will tap into the infinite well of wisdom, joy, love and health consistently present to you through conscious presence and discover that you are worthy of all the grace of life!

Renewal: Making Peace

2011-10-07T22:41:00.006-04:00

And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. – Leviticus 119-118

For remaining silent when a single voice would have made a difference