On Meditation

"Many people think that meditation is the process of training the mind. I prefer to think of it as a process by which we learn to percieve with the heart without the conscious or unconscious judgement and self-editing of the human mind. When someone says "keep this in mind", I think "Take this to heart" because I think that the heart is really the seat of Human intelligence and the key to global consciousness."
-Grace Gemini

Exercise: What I Like About You

The Universe sends us reflections that match our vibrations.  Consider this list of positive aspects each morning, pausing after each word or a group of words to feel what the word means to you.  If it's a good feeling, keep the word.  If it's a bad feeling, replace the word with something that feels good or eliminate the word altogether. 
Remember, that it's the *feeling* of the word (it's vibration) rather than the word itself that is what will draw the reflection.  When you say the word, does it make you smile?  Do you get a warm, and relaxed feeling in your solar plexus (good feeling) or do you tighten up somewhere, feel angry or sad (bad feeling).  You can have a particular person or circumstance in mind and use words that apply specifically to them.  But remember, you're not trying to "change them", you are trying to add this vibration to your own so that it will come back to you. And yes, if the aspect is not something you have experienced from the situation, you can just make it up-remember, this is what you want reflected back to you.
You can also use lists like this to attract things into your life that you aren't experiencing now. I wanted to stop at 100, but thinking about the situation, I got so caught up in it I had to add more!  I might add to this list from time to time, and feel free to post suggestions in the comments!
(this is taken directly from my journal so please pardon any duplicates, and I'm using this blog entry to actually reinforce the vibrations so thank you for allowing me to do this!)

Then, be aware through your day for reflections of the words coming back in the events, circumstances and behaviors of the people around you, and be sure to record them all!
HAVE FUN!

1. jolly
2. jovial
3. loving
4. caring
5. sweet
6. gentle
7. kind
8. compassionate
9. happy
10. joyful
11. truthful
12. honest
13. open
14. generous
15. giving
16. intelligent
17. educated
18. smart
19. magnetic
20. attractive
21. personable
22. friendly
23. warm
24. genuine
25. patient
26. dedicated
27. devoted
28. loyal
29. focused
30. attentive
31. sensitive
32. stable
33. sure
34. trusting
35. trustworthy
36. beautiful
37. blissful
38. bountiful
39. handsome
40. fun
41. sophisticated
42. worldly
43. spontaneous
44. child-like
45. calm
46. peaceful
47. serene
48. mellow
49. centered
50. balanced
51. content
52. protective
53. supportive
54. sexy
55. sensual
56. demonstrative
57. affectionate
58. charming
59. playful
60. intelligent
61. connected
62. aligned
63. confidant
64. friendly
65. easy going
66. carefree
67. cooperative
68. multi-faceted
69. complex
70. evolving
71. curious
72. artistic
73. talented
74. creative
75. imaginative
76. visionary
77. considerate
78. relaxed
79. refined
80. funny
81. encouraging
82. big hearted
83. grateful
84. appreciative
85. punctual
86. delightful
87. sincere
88. resonant
89. youthful
90. interesting
91. flexible
92. fair
93. innovative
94. resourceful
95. clever
96. romantic
97. in the moment
98. harmonious
99. wise
100. uplifting
101. fascinating
102. enjoyable
103. positive
104. insightful
105. entertaining
106. perfect
107. spiritual
108. responsive
109. competent
110. mature
111. accepting
112. clear
113. enlightened
114. brilliant
115. light-hearted
116. gracious
117. graceful
118. Understanding
119. vibrant
120. vital
121. strong
122. joyous
123. interesting
124. empathic
125. radiant
126. courteous
127. honorable
128. decent
129. comforting
130. tender
131. sympathetic
132. amiable
133. aware
134. helpful
135. vivacious
136. open minded
137. inspiring
138. inspired
139. cheerful
140. intuitive
141. fascinating
142. approachable
143. out-going
144. refreshing
145. optimistic
146. sure
147. versatile
148. forgiving
149. exciting
150. thoughtful
151. witty
152. comforting
153. encouraging
154. soothing

"Manipulation is trying to convince a person that your opinion of them is more important than their opinion of themselves."
-Grace Gemini

I Am. The First Law- Walt Whitman, God and Popeye

In the years leading up to the American Civil War, American writer and poet, Walt Whitman carried a notebook with him everywhere he went; and it is by his commentary on everything he saw, that we come to know him the best.  

It's a lot like the notebook I carry with me.  We both jot down observations, notes, things we need to remember, questions we need to ask, a hundred different first lines to what we are sure will be the next "Great American Novel"- all the usual stuff.  But there is one entry in Whitman's notebook that is particularly worthy of note.  

On one page there is an entry which many believe to be simply the beginnings of his book "Leaves Of Grass", which reads; "And I am."

Now, many believe that those words, "I am", should be looked at as an unfinished sentence.  Popular opinion seems to be that the sentence was meant to read "I am (insert something here)".  In other words, "I am" was not meant to stand alone and Whitman just forgot to write whatever was supposed to come next.

I believe something else.  

As evidenced by a single notebook entry, I believe this was the point at which he began to access his real power as a writer and as a Human Being.

Modern Reality theory holds that there are 4 Laws (existing outside our "laws of physics" that really only pertain to our particular dimensional Universe anyway) that allow you to experience your version of reality.  The first law states "You exist".

That may sound simple, but it contains a sub-current of information that, when you realize what it means, is astounding and humbling.  It also comes with an inherent set of perks and bennies that we are given as human beings by the All-That-Is that can help us to navigate our existance.  

You see, if you exist *now*, you always have and you always will.  

"How can this be?" you ask? (yes, I heard you)-it is because of the way the Universe is structured.

Many of you have heard me talk about the concept of Time as something created by the ego mind for the purposes of understanding what is happening at a given moment.  This concept does not really exist outside our physical form.  ALL things exist, at all times- the past, the present and the future for our Higher Selves so if you "exist" "now"-you MUST also exist "then"- and then and then and then...

We see this referred to in the Bible, as God answers when Moses asks him what he should be called.  God answers "I am."  Not "I was", or "I will be", but "I AM."  It is the certainty of God's existance, and ours- all wrapped up in those two little words.

No beginning, no end.

In the image of God (insert definition here)

We can change form, and we often do- but in the knowing "I am", we know that we will always exist in one way or another.

Carrying this further, we understand that if we exist in all times, we have access to the information of our "other selves" AT ALL TIMES.  Once you understand that there is a connection, and how to access that connection, you can tap into the greater wisdom of yourself- Your Self.  You can, in effect, "borrow" from your alternate self when you need to.  If you have a question in this Reality, there is a self somewhere "out there" in a reality which has an answer.  

Take the cartoon "Popeye", for example, as a sort of comical analogy (pun intended).

I know you were wondering how in the world I was going to fit this in, well here it is:

If you are familiar with this cartoon, you are familiar with his catch phrase, "I 'yams whats I ams, and dats all that I 'yams" and that he often says this just before or just after he performs one of his daring feats of strength.  Looking at that through your "new" eyes you can see a layer of deeper meaning here in that it can be said that Popeye is calling upon the strength of his "other selves" in order to add it to his own and save the day.  "I am"- and that's all he needs!  

Now, one more baby-step.

If this is the case, and whenever you have a question there indeed is a "you" out there with the answer, then in means that what is "out there" is capable of BE-ing and doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

You are being supported by infinate existence- an existence that expands to include every answer you will ever need. Your imagination is the spark that creates these selves-and you could not have imagination if you did not exist!  Realizing this can be the difference between feelings of despondency, and a sense of empowerment.  

Though we may never know for sure, I think that, consciously or not, Whitman came into contact with this very powerful sense of connection with the writing of those two words. 

If you want proof of how powerful this realization can be, take this into consideration; three blank lines after Walt Whitman wrote "...I am." in his notebook, he begins the prose which will eventually be published as "Leaves of Grass"; a work which was to spread of the idea of an America free of slavery, and would earn Whitman the title of "The Father of free verse".  

The Purpose Of Fear, or, as the Klingons say, "Today Is A Good Day To Die"

I am surely showing my Geekery with this post, but so be it!

Many years ago, there was an episode of Star Trek Next Generation which involved some kind of spacial anomaly (remember those???) creating a line of demarcation which was passing through the ship-almost like the ship was passing through some kind of veil.  You could see this line as a shimmering field that moved along the corridors as the ship moved forward.  Eventually, most of the crew members were cowering in the corner of 10-forward (For those unfamiliar with the series, 10-forward is the Star Fleet Equivalent of a lounge) as the shimmering wave came closer and closer.  I won't give away the end of the story- (AWWW  but GRACIE!!!!)  But I will say that it sparked a dream the night I saw it.

In my dream, I was with that group of frightened crew members, watching the "safe" and familiar space getting smaller and smaller and wondering what to do about it.  To the horror of my colleagues, I adopted a rather Klingon attitude and, figuring that if I was going to get squashed anyway, I would get squashed on my OWN terms; and chose to walk through the veil and into the unknown under my own power.

Oddly enough, that dream marked a turning point of sorts in my life and I began to examine how my attitude towards the fears in my life might be keeping me from doing the things I really wanted to do.  Now, bear with me a moment here while I explain something.

When you are experiencing a feeling of joy, like when you are doing something you love to do, you are emitting a vibration that is the closest your physical body can get to the pure vibration of your non-physical self.  You are more openly connected to that part of you which inspires you and which is best suited to guide you on the path to the you that you chose to come here to follow.  So, it can be said that when all your beliefs are arrayed to connect you to that feeling of joy, you are closer to being your true self.

All emotions are nothing more than a movement of energy through you (as it is said Energy-motion, E-motion), and all emotions emit a particular vibration.  They are designed to keep you aligned with that truest point- your "true North" of self-hood.  This is what is meant by the popular phrase "Follow your bliss", and the teachings of Abraham describe this as your "emotional guidance system", which is a good analogy in general.  They often say that when you do not feel good-for example, when you are experiencing fear, you are not "in alignment" with your true self.  When you *are* one vibration at your core level, and you are emitting another, non-compatible vibration through your emotions, you sense the discord.
The teachings of Bashar have a slightly different take on it (though they are really saying the same thing at the core).  The idea is, that you embody one vibration as your Higher Self, and when the physical "you", over time, adds layers of beliefs which are not compatible with the vibration of your higher self, you feel the discord in the form of fear.  So Fear, in effect, is the vibration of your Higher self as it is experienced when you hold certain patterns of belief (which are also vibrations).
Both of these views can be roughly compared to throwing two rocks into a pond.  Each rock will cause a certain configuration of ripples, but if the ripples happen to collide, the pattern is disrupted.

If your eyes aren't crossed by all this, read on!

So, if this is the case, it means that fear has a definite meaning and can become a tool for self-exploration.  When you are experiencing fear, you know you are holding a belief that doesn't "jive" with what your Higher Self knows is true about you (and your Higher Self knows a WHOLE lot more than you do-so trust it).  So your next step is to take a good, objective, look at what is happening and to ask yourself- "If I am attracting this situation to myself-or if what I am seeing in my reality is a reflection of what is going on inside my own head-what would I have to be doing (i.e. thinking or believing) to have brought this on?"  You are asking yourself, in effect, what beliefs would have to be in place, somewhere inside you, for this situation to appear as it does.  I usually carry a notebook with me.  As I experience a fear, I jot it down in the notebook, and when I get a moment, I look them over and decide which ones no longer serve me-and that would be pretty much all of them. ;)
Then, I choose to change the belief.  It's really as simple as that.  If the belief does not "come loose" at first, it's a clue to me that there might be another belief existing "underneath" that is supporting it.  With a little detective work, some meditation, and paying attention to how I feel, I usually get to the bottom of it very quickly.  I then write a line through the old belief and write the new belief in the book- "I choose to believe...".  The writing helps to "lock in" the new vibration with some physical reinforcement.
This is where some of you might use ritual, or mantra to act as your "locking in mechanism".  Whatever it is that convinces you that a change has occurred is fine so feel free to get creative if you are inspired!  Vianna Stibal, author of the book "Theta Healing" suggests that you envision your mind as a rolodex with each belief you hold written on a different card.  Then imagine the card with the negative belief being removed and replaced with another card containing the positive belief.
In this process, you are also transforming the energy of fear itself.  First, you create a sense of curiosity about what this fear is attempting to signal to you.  Then, when you have chosen your replacement belief, the curiosity becomes a sense of empowerment which puts you in closer harmony with your core being.  When you know that you have changed, your experience of what is around you will transform to be more representative of the new beliefs that you hold.

The Shamans of the tradition in which I was trained understood well the power of transformation, and it is said that every Shaman must undergo a kind of "death" in order to truly realize his potential.  Sometimes it is a death of old habits or systems of belief which no longer serve the Shaman in existing as the Being he was created to be.  We discover more of who we truly are through exploring the unknown- like what existed beyond the curtain on the Enterprise.  When I faced the veil of the unknown, I recognized it for the opportunity for transformation that it was.  In this "real world", I am no longer afraid of fear, because I know that it is a signal from my Higher Self that some examination is in order.  By facing it, I become stronger, and a more competent creator in my own reality.
As a Klingon in the dream, I said, as the Klingon warriors were famous for saying in the series, "Today is a good day to die", meaning that this was a moment in which I was being given a chance to transform myself for the better.
I took that chance.
My Life has been richer ever since.