ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: Change, the Brain, and Life Force Energy

Breathe into the base of your spine and allow the breath to move all the way up your spine into your brain.  If there is any constriction along the spine the breath cannot move energy all the way into the brain and thoughts die.

All thoughts in the brain need the energy of Life Force to be maintained but this energy does not just come from conscious thought.  The unconscious mind can also energize thought by repeatedly visiting that thought and giving it power.  This is how ‘old tapes’ can remain powerful in one’s life, even at the unconscious level.

What thoughts are gaining power by being revisited at the unconscious level?  What do you believe about yourself that you are not changing because you keep reinforcing the old belief?

The only way to change is to change.  Change the thought pattern that generated the behavior that resulted in an action.  Trying to change without addressing underlying beliefs and thoughts is doomed to failure.  ‘Trying’ to change is just that – ‘trying.’  Changing takes real change.  Anyone who wishes to change must start by changing something, even one little thing, to signal the brain to embrace the coming change.

If you wish to change your eating patterns and diet, then change something about how you eat.  Don’t sit in the same chair, eat at the same time or table, buy at the same grocery store.

If you wish to change how you exercise or move, change the clothes or shoes you wear.  Choose a different location, partner or time of day.

If you wish to change work habits then rearrange your work space.

If you want to change the energy at home then redecorate, change lighting, play different music, open different windows, use different doors.

Change something first, then change the brain.  Change the brain and you can change everything else.

Your Life Force Energy is within you as a fire burning brightly but sometimes your perception of it is dimmed by the blinders of your thoughts.  Ramp up the fire, the flames of Life Force Energy, and burn away the blinders.  Shine that Light upon the world around you.

All of this energy relies on an open spinal column through which the energy can flow, from root to crown through the brain.  You have the power to open this energy channel through a combination of visualization, physical exercise and energy work with light and color.

The focus is on the column of Light that is YOU, the individual.  Use color and light to set the vibratory frequency level that opens you to your own greatness.

Then Be that Unique Greatness – YOU!!!

PS: Do you want some help with the changes you are inviting into your life? Apply for a Discovery Session with me; it’s easy! Do it here

Surprise!!! – Richard’s Commentary

While thinking about my response to Rosemary’s article on this subject I received an email from a mentor/teacher/friend, a deep scholar and also a gifted astrologer, about the energies of the times we are experiencing. I’m quoting a bit of his latest offering to set the stage for my thoughts about surprises.

More on the BIG astrology now – it IS that important – from Chris

“The aspects of the end of this week represent a rupture in consensus reality.  In other words, what we take to be true about ourselves, our community, our nation, and our planet could be challenged or expanded (or both).  My best advice is that if we see an opening in the “medieval fort” of everyday, programmed awareness, we should run through that opening.

“The possibilities for expanding consciousness are huge.  But we have to choose to engage with those possibilities.  We have to step outside the fort and challenge things we take for granted.”

Chris Largent

 Surprise!!!  A “rupture in consensus reality” certainly has the element of surprise embedded in it! Wow! But what does this really mean?

We have been anticipating big shifts with all the thought-energy, the expectations generated around 2012.  While much of the hype is gone, many understand that the Winter Solstice, 2012, was a turning point, not THE EVENT itself. We are now in the midst of that long turn. Some are suggesting that we may see big shifts with the Summer Solstice as the transformation to a new era begins to unfold in earnest. And many astrologers are aligning events in the Heavens with the correspondences of ancient calendars to conclude big things are happening.

Beliefs are certainly shifting and rapidly. Just look at one example around the issue of same-sex marriage rights. No matter what side of this issue you might support there has been an incredible, rapid shift in American acceptance of the LGBT Community and their rights to equal treatment under the law! Consensus reality is reforming here in a surprisingly positive direction. Chris goes on to say:

“The consciousness doors that open now will allow for big inner and outer shifts through the summer of 2014 – but the opening is NOW.”

Rosemary has this to say about consensus reality:

“As a human being, it is easy to fall into the trap of always wanting to be in control of your life. That would be nice. But the Earth is inhabited by other human beings who also want to be in control of their lives. What happens when these two desires collide?”

What happens is, willing or not, consensus reality is reformed around that collision. Of course it doesn’t have to be a collision! Chris says:

“…we are like currents in a river.  In other words, we look at the world in terms of fluid processes (and whole systems).  If we look closely at our lives, that’s what we see: we flow within larger patterns, and we create patterns as our life-processes flow with other life processes.”

I love this analogy of lives that flow together, but there’s no doubt that there is colliding yet to come as we bump through the next months of transformation! As consensus reality dissolves around us we need to be prepared for the reformation of our reality. These are exciting times! And while I don’t always like surprises (I’m one of those people who likes to be in control) I am now at a stage of life where anticipation of big changes and moving forward on the evolutionary path of consciousness is very appealing.

What other cultural surprises might we anticipate? Well, they wouldn’t be surprises if we knew about them in advance! Are you prepared for the long predicted and anticipated shifts? Are you ready for the BIG SURPRISE?

It’s a Sign!!! – Richard’s Commentary

Inside-outside; optimism-pessimism; half-full-half-empty. There’s a spiral of thoughts here in Rosemary’s Exploration to digest. And somehow the article this week points directly at me!

I’ve been an optimist all my life. And I live a reasonably healthy internal life and do look for confirming signs all around me. And then I went to the doctor last week.

It’s funny Rosemary should use the example: “You might have been given a medical diagnosis that you don’t like.” My doctor visit, the first in several years, was just routine; I thought I should get a new base-line of all the numbers western medicine is so fond of analyzing. I feel in excellent health, eating well on a pretty strict regimen of raw nut, seed, fruit and vegetable smoothies for breakfast and lunch, exercising with yoga and qigong, meditating, working for myself and a pretty gentle boss (Rosemary); all good things right? So, the nurse took my blood pressure and seemed pretty alarmed; “all the celery in your smoothies doesn’t seem to be working” she remarked.

OK, I’ve had an issue with high blood pressure before; it’s a genetic condition. I have taken medication in the past but then controlled it reasonably well with Chinese herbs, acupuncture, etc. I thought I was good to go for life! Not so! The external sign here is a warning that things need to change even more.

And I am resisting this change; my resistance is not improving my blood pressure a bit! I am ignoring the external signs, but struggling to change the internal perspective in order to see the external signs change. While I remain an optimist my glass seems to be closer to empty than full! Am I fooling myself?

Since my experience at Qi Revolution with Jeff Primack I have been practicing his Level 1 Qigong Form every day. I am getting prepared for Level 1 training this Saturday. And I am planning to go for certification to teach Level 1 a week later on March 9th. I am optimistic that I can achieve this goal. I am changing my diet to include many of Jeff’s recommendations in his Conquering Any Disease book, following many of his suggestions for reducing high blood pressure (yep, more celery!) and curing heart disease. More internal changes.

Now, I realize this is a life-change and not an over-night change that I’m working on here. It’s only been a week since that doctor visit. But the optimist in me is looking for the external signs to support my internal changes. And my blood pressure remains high; that half-full glass is looking even more empty!

And the spiral continues, but in a downward spin. What is this about? All signs, whether they are inward or outward, point to lessons. There’s something karmic here; something much deeper than qigong practice and meditation. And I need to dig down where that spiral is drilling to wedge out this darkness that is shadowing my optimism. And no matter how deeply we dig for the lead or the gold, there is always another layer to dredge up, examine and alchemically transform. The signs point the way; they are critical signs to follow.

I am reading those signs carefully; I am taking my blood pressure multiple times a day. I am asking many questions and looking deeply in the dark mirror, working to clear it of dust. I am watching but not expecting new external signs any time soon. And that’s OK; I have time.

And I’m taking a newly prescribed drug (two, actually, in one pill). Yes, I have at least temporarily resorted to western medicine’s approach to my condition. I am hopeful this will improve my pressure and give me more time for the natural approach to kick in.

Yes, I read the sign, and while I didn’t like the direction it pointed, I realize there are many more lessons for this western man to learn, many more internal adjustments to make and many more years to practice!

Where Are You Headed? – Richard’s Commentary

Permission, Dreams, Plans. Yes, these are the steps to answer the question of heading.

Permission is a big first step! Many of us find ourselves in situations that are stressful, unfulfilling, and far from the dreams we may have had as kids or younger adults. And nearly as many find themselves with the sense they are locked in to a life “not of their choosing.” Well, I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but humans are all about “choice.” We do choose everything that leads to every moment whether we want to believe this or not.

Staying in a situation that is stressful, unfulfilling and far from our dreams is a choice. We may feel like we can’t make a change. But we must give ourselves permission to make the changes that will lead to more satisfying lives. This is the time, right now, when we must begin to live into our purpose. And there is no external authority to give us this permission, this choice. This can only come from within. Yes, sometimes it takes courage to give ourselves this permission, to choose to change. But there is little chance of improvement without change.

Dreams are the second step in determining your heading. I am not suggesting a change in heading without careful examination of what you want in life. Perhaps security is more important to you than living the life of your dreams. In this case remaining in a secure but stressful environment may be the better choice. Do a gut check. Do a values check. What is most important? If your answer is greater fulfillment then go back to your dreams. Imagine the life you want. Fill in the details, begin to feel that life, breathe it, taste it, hear it, see the way it unfolds. This is creating the detailed vision of that dream. Dare to dream big. Let your imagination soar. This is the creative and fun part of this process.

Plans are the details of the dreams. Without plans dreams will remain idle, the hazy, cloud-like sketches of fantasy. Plans are an extension to the details of the vision, another layer to continue to build the dreams toward reality, the blueprints for the transformation. Plans generate the actions you need to take to make the changes. They identify the resources you need and outline the schedule and sequence of those actions.

And plans require attention too. Measure and assess the work toward the desired changes to track progress and to adjust the process as you gain additional information. As you implement your plans you will get continuous feedback; use this to make any needed adjustments. One of Rosemary’s mentor’s, James Roché refers to this process as kaizen: making small adjustments to improve a process based on continuous feedback and assessment. Even after your dream comes true kaizen can be applied to make the dream even better!

I just finished a four-day workshop with Jeff Primack, his Qi Revolution program. And it was awesome. I’ve been doing qigong for about a year now and have embraced the concepts, worked through a couple of forms and have incorporated it into both my health regimen. I also plan to blend some qigong concepts into a workshop of my own I am planning for this summer. Qi Revolution changed this vision I have, not only for my workshop but for my entire life! This is an excellent example of kaizen. I am making adjustments to my workshop plan and my vision for my future based on the feedback, in this case from the Universe, which brought me to Jeff’s workshop. It’s not a total change in direction, but a significant refinement in heading, a course correction that will get me to my dream more effectively and maybe even more rapidly.

Have you given yourself permission to dream big, beyond your current situation? It’s a big step! Dare to dream!

 

INSPIRATION FROM ROSEMARY: Winds of Change

My video for the week: Winds of Change:

Richard’s & Rosemary’s Divination for 2013

Hello, all! Happy New Year, 2013!

We have been enjoying some time with family and away from work and computers for the past few days! Thank you for that! And today, Richard drew a couple of cards for his daily practice and it turns out he drew the same card from the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue that I had drawn yesterday, on December 31. Coincidence? We prefer to dismiss coincidence and rely on synchronicity!

We have chosen to share our divination for 2013 with you all. Let this be our community fortune, from RosemarySpace:Lakshmi

From the Goddess Cards: Lakshmi, Bright Future: Stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine.

The only blocks to success, peace, balance, flow, are our own projections of problems, obstacles, fears into the future! Yes, indeed, project only positive aspects into the future and pull them back into the present. Stay in flow and the bright future flows to us. Stay in balance and all obstacles become gateways! Stay in Peace and the world around is a place of peace.

And, from The Crowley Tarot, The 10 of Disks: Wealth.

This card is about inner and outer balance to maintain a constant flow. As we recognize and own our inner treasures, the outer treasures will manifest. This card represents the completion of goals and the peak of Earthly happiness. By year-end our resolutions will be attained, goals achieved and material gain will be substantial.10 of Discks

These are the words Richard wrote.

We take these cards as wonderful omens for 2013! We have written often about 2012 as the year of transformation. We are in process of deep change. And with deep change come rich rewards. “It’s in the cards!”

May your 2013 be a year of rewards! May you Live Your Richest Life!

“Shift or Stay Behind” – Richard’s Commentary

The Great Shift

Are you with us? It takes a community. We can’t do this alone; no one can. It may be trite now but I am still fond of that catchy phrase: “it takes a village.” I’ve known what this means for most of my life. I grew up in a small rural village in Wisconsin. At that time I felt throttled, held back; but I was also protected, very safely held in that community.

I reached well beyond that community when I went off to Ethiopia to be a Peace Corps volunteer. And I found myself in a small community in the southern province of Gamu Gofa. Again I was isolated, held within narrow limits of both behavior and opportunity; and I was protected, held in a community that took good care of me when I was injured in an accident.

One of my favorite village experiences has been in Gavilan, Northern New Mexico, in Martín Prechtel’s “Bolad’s Kitchen.” It is a small village with ample opportunity. We are held there and hold each other in great love and respect. We learn, share, trade, offer and are given all that we need.

And now the Great Transformation is beginning to unfold. The world may not have ended on the Winter Solstice 2012, but the change began. We are changing. Life around us is changing. Can you feel it? Rosemary has been writing and channeling about this time for years now. Many others have as well. And people are waking up in this changing time. It is very exciting!

So, what do we do? We pay attention. The signs are all around us. We listen. The voices, especially that inner voice, speak the words of truth that we test in our hearts. And we ask, what is mine to do in this time of change? What is my purpose? How do I live into my Soul Purpose that I have been called to now?

If you don’t know your purpose or if you are troubled when someone asks you this question, it may be time to explore this deep issue. Another way to ask this is “what is your big WHY?” In the greater scheme we are all asked to wake up! We are asked to join in community with everyone in our soul groups, to form the villages that it will take to make the shift. And we each have a role or roles to play within those villages. Identify your role; hone the skills you need to perform that role. We need you to be at your best!

There are many paths inward to discover your “Big WHY.” There are gradual ways and fast tracks. For example Rosemary offers Scientific Hand Analysis, a body of proven techniques to reveal much about whom you came here to be through the examination of your finger prints and the lines in your hands. In one session she can reveal your Life School, Life Lesson and Life Purpose. Another way is to become aware of your intentions: when you first awaken set your intentions for the day; and when you are going to sleep examine your day through a “nightly review” to see how well your intentions were met, not in a judgmental way but through an analytical approach to help discern areas for improvement.

Awareness and intention are the basic tools of an awakened mind. An awakened mind is an essential component of the New Community. We are on a trajectory for major change in the way we are living on Planet Earth. This is The Great Shift.

Are you with us?

PS: You can learn more about Scientific Hand Analysis on Rosemary’s site!

EXPLORATION: “Shift or Stay Behind”

Are you ready for the Transformation?  Are you willing to transform?  Are you able to make the shift?

In these times of transformation we must become active participants in the evolution of our consciousness, for we can no longer limp through life in a reactionary way.  It is time to take conscious action in the direction of the vision of your life purpose, as revealed to you in your biggest dreams.  Step out!

So many people are hiding their gifts, playing small in a big world that requires them to play big.  Are you hiding?  Have you been playing it safe, instead of leaping forward?  The pause is over.  The time for action is upon us.

Are you aware of your gifts?  Do you know why you are on Planet Earth for this momentous occasion, the Great Shift in Human Consciousness in 2012?  Are you committed fully to manifesting your Soul Purpose in the time when all other Souls are waiting for you to step up?

These are the most important questions you can answer for yourself.  Go inside and spend some time in self-reflection as you ponder your life to date and where  you are heading.

In my work with clients I find that, more often than not, what they are hiding from is their greatness, their Inner Light, their immense power, not qualities that they are ashamed to reveal.  You know that you are more powerful than you have been demonstrating.  You know that you have gifts that have not yet been fully realized in the outside world.  You know that you can turn up the light inside you and shine more brightly.  This is not news to you, at some level.

Where is the fear?  What is holding you back?  Are you really afraid of failing or are you afraid of scaring yourself with your own magnificence?

Well, Merry Christmas, my gift to you is to hold up a mirror so that you can see that your magnificence is the gift that the rest of us are asking Santa for this year!

I see your Inner Splendor.  I KNOW you!  I SEE you!  I LOVE you!  Thank you for agreeing to share this wonderful time on Planet Earth with me.

Let’s hold hands and move forward knowing that we can support each other in bring more Light to the Planet.  Your Soul knew what it was doing before you were born when it chose this path, these circumstances, your parents, your friends – all those who are classmates with you at Earth University.  All that is or has been in your life has contributed to your personal growth and to the consciousness that you hold at this moment.  And you agreed to share the journey with the other Souls around you.

Realizing that this is a community effort, Community Consciousness, then how can you spend the energy it takes to hold yourself back when the whole Universe is conspiring to support you in leaping forward?  Relax into the New You being called forth!  Shift – into high gear and get leaping!

The world will not end in 2012 but it will change.  As each human being decides whether or not to awaken and shine his/her Light into the world, the world will light up.  Be the bright node in the fabric of humanity!  Shine your Inner Splendor Light and keep making it brighter and brighter!

With great gratitude that you have decided to share this time of transformation with me, I invite you to take the step forward that brings your Light out into the world for all to see.

Be the Shift!

PS: Have a wonder-filled Holiday Season and many blessings in the New Year!

“You Have Been Brainwashed!” a commentary from Richard

Brainwashed?  Yes, by one of the most powerful forces in my life (no, not Rosemary): my own ego!

As I have mentioned before part of my daily practice is to draw a couple of cards from my favorite decks to divine a sense of the energies of the day. One of my decks is the Crowley Tarot Deck and I use The Crowley Tarot by Akron and Hajo Banzhaf to continue to deepen my understanding of the cards. Today (Thursday) I drew the XVI of Trumps, The Tower. (I’ve included its image here). And my first reaction was: how cool to bring up this image of “destruction” asThe Tower I sit to write about brainwashing, its power and destructive potential and how to re-program from the brainwashing; in other words, destroy its impact and bring in the new images of self that are needed at this time!

This is 2012, and I am writing this on 12/12/12. Rosemary led a meditation today at 12:00 noon Eastern time, to activate and anchor the emerging energies of transformation as we draw near the Winter Solstice of 2012. What better time to let go of the old structures, the old energies, the old beliefs, the old brainwashing, those stories we’ve been telling ourselves for years, that may no longer hold any truth or power for us or over us.

And so I draw this card with its Tower, this burning, toppling structure that is an empty shell holding nothing for me as I move into the new energies at the end of 2012. Here are phrases from the guide book: “destruction of form…upheaval of values”, “enlightenment … that strikes like lightning and destroys … rigid ideas”, “overcoming one’s self”, “breaking open encrustations.” Wow, sounds like deprogramming to me!

The ego holds our beliefs, especially about ourselves. It is a wonderful friend, protecting us from both physical and emotional harm. It can also be our worst enemy holding us back when we are called to speak our truth, holding us to old beliefs when we receive new information that would help us grow, develop, evolve! The ego protects us but also holds us prisoner locked away in our tower. It is time for my tower to tumble!

And so I seek to burn down the current structures of my life, to sabotage my own ego, to break free of the bonds that fetter and hold me frozen in a place of safety but with little progress.

How? I will write more about my process and what is coming to me for tomorrow’s post. Meanwhile I continue all of my practices, which I have described in earlier posts. They serve me well and help me through the ego-generated blocks that no longer serve me. My practices are the “fire and kindling” I use to burn my imprisoning tower down.

Towers, so too brainwashing, can be good and bad. We need structures in our lives to hold us safe and help us hold the energy of the time; but when they impede our progress we need to burn them to the ground!

Burn your prisons down!

Oh, and happy New Moon (3:42 am EST, 12/13/12)! What better time to bring in the new energies of progress and transformation!

“Tools of the Trade” A Commentary from Richard

In this week’s Video Message and Exploration Rosemary speaks to different tools for inner work and ways to seek inner guidance. This follows the theme from last week as well; inner work during this time of transition, transformation, growth, evolution is critical to maintain balance, resolve and direction. And last week in my commentary I wrote about one of my main tools in my tool box, The Artist’s Way page writing. But this in one of many approaches I use to gain guidance and to confirm I am on the right path.

I have probably used just about all of the tools Rosemary mentions from dowsing with a pendulum (I even make them) to using cards and the I Ching for divination. I draw a couple of cards each day to both set the tone for the day and to gain some insight on the energies. I am currently using the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue and a tarot deck by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris along with The Crowley Tarot handbook by Akron and Hajo Banzhaf. I draw a card from each deck and consider both the individual messages and the integrated message from the two. The Virtue deck brings in a light perspective and is almost always positive in the messages it delivers. The Crowley deck is darker and gives me a more nuanced and shadowy perspective on the day. I enjoy combining these and deriving a sense of what might be in store for me. I am frequently rewarded and never disappointed in these cards’ guidance!

I use the I Ching to determine the energies for the month ahead. I cast a Gua (6-lines, two tri-grams) shortly after each new moon (I just cast a Gua yesterday for the new moon in Scorpio). I use the 50 yarrow stalk method (I even harvested and cut my own stalks from a patch of yarrow I grew in Colorado). I thoroughly enjoy the meditative approach to deriving each Yao (line) for the Gua. Again my focus while doing the work is to look for the patterns and energies ahead for the month. The I Ching is a highly intuitive tool and reminds me a lot of dream interpretation work. I treat the Gua as a map and the names, ideographs, decisions and commentaries as symbols and hints for the journey ahead. It is both fun and entertaining as well as deep and meaningful. Maybe at some point in further writings I’ll share my Guas for the months (moonths) and what I see as the way ahead.

Rosemary concludes her exploration and discussion with the use of alters. Yes, I have one, I always have one. I even have a method I use to take part of my alter with me when I travel. I have been using some of the same components, especially an old piece of leather I use as an alter cloth and wrap for my portable bundle of objects for years. The significance for me in using an alter is the passive grounding energy it brings to my inner work. My writing, drawing cards, casting I Ching Guas are all active methods using tools to gain inner insight. My alter just is; it represents my ground of being. The objects and symbols I choose are parts of me, from knuckle bones to stones, from crystals to statues and fetishes, from element representations to pictures, these are all bits and particles of who I am. They hold space and hold me in that space.

And as Rosemary requested I have included here a picture of my current alter configuration…it may appear to you to be a bit messy and cluttered; maybe that’s how my life is right now! (And maybe its state is pointing the way to some external work I need to do!)

 

What tools do you use for seeking inner guidance? I’d love to hear your answers; please comment!