It is astonishing how delighted I feel when the sun is shining (good thing I am moving to a place where it shines most of the time!). Even tho the rain is needed, and the cooler temperature feels crisp on my skin, I relish the sun. When I was young and growing up in Portland, Oregon, I did not know that the sun actually did shine most of the time in places - not just every once in awhile. Education is a good thing! It gives us the opportunity to make more conscious choices.
Have you read the book "Outliers"? I highly recommend it. It just may make you joggle your pre-determined ideas in all areas of your life, not just in the ones the author is emphasizing in the book. Question...question...question...and then wait to see what evolves from your inner Mind.
You just may be surprised and delighted. An entire new world my open to be explored.
You are loved,
Lynn
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Willing to Accept
Over the years, I have observed that one of the major stumbling blocks in the ability to shift away from one belief, opinion, or idea is the ability to simply be willing to accept the possibility - just the possibility - of a different view. How very rigid we (or I) seem to be in holding on to beliefs that work in opposition to my highest and best good. What I might think is my highest good, often turns out to be just the opposite, or, in the very least, much less than even ordinary good!
What is it that keeps me stuck in those old thought patterns? I believe the ego is definitely at work doing what appears to be its job of keeping me "safe". Safe meaning what is known, cause if I am comfortable with what is then it can take a rest. But, I really question whether this is what life is about - playing life "safe". In Truth, we are always safe as we are eternal beings and life goes on forever.
Okay - okay....If I am unwilling to accept greater and greater good then how is it supposed to appear in my life? And, how do I even know what good for me really is if I am not open to new and different experiences or beliefs - especially those beliefs!
I believe I must consistently monitor my tendency to slide - to slide back into the "safety net" whether that be evidenced in my lack of curiosity in the natural world around me (the planet), my tendency to eat the same food or watch the same movies, or cut my hair the same way, etc. etc
An example: yesterday I had the opportunity to watch a program on the National Geographic channel. (Don't you love their photographers - wow). Anyway, the show was about creating life on Mars! Yes - us human beings using our ability to create (with skill & expertise) greenhouse gas to heat Mars enough to sustain human life! WOW... that is using the imagination. I watched myself (or rather listened to my internal dialogue) as I almost stopped listening to the scientist because of my judgment about what we are doing to our planet now; I leaped to..."and we are going to do this to another planet"! 4
Then - I became acutely aware of my thinking, stopped myself and "became willing to accept" a higher possibility. It was fascinating and revealing at the same time. Not only my thinking - but the program content as well.
So, if you are willing, I encourage you to begin being a conscious listener of YOU. Where are you stuck and to what do you find yourself willing to accept? Try doing this for a week and see if you begin to shift into a more open and willing state of acceptance and watch life begin to explode with color.
You are loved,
Lynn
What is it that keeps me stuck in those old thought patterns? I believe the ego is definitely at work doing what appears to be its job of keeping me "safe". Safe meaning what is known, cause if I am comfortable with what is then it can take a rest. But, I really question whether this is what life is about - playing life "safe". In Truth, we are always safe as we are eternal beings and life goes on forever.
Okay - okay....If I am unwilling to accept greater and greater good then how is it supposed to appear in my life? And, how do I even know what good for me really is if I am not open to new and different experiences or beliefs - especially those beliefs!
I believe I must consistently monitor my tendency to slide - to slide back into the "safety net" whether that be evidenced in my lack of curiosity in the natural world around me (the planet), my tendency to eat the same food or watch the same movies, or cut my hair the same way, etc. etc
An example: yesterday I had the opportunity to watch a program on the National Geographic channel. (Don't you love their photographers - wow). Anyway, the show was about creating life on Mars! Yes - us human beings using our ability to create (with skill & expertise) greenhouse gas to heat Mars enough to sustain human life! WOW... that is using the imagination. I watched myself (or rather listened to my internal dialogue) as I almost stopped listening to the scientist because of my judgment about what we are doing to our planet now; I leaped to..."and we are going to do this to another planet"! 4
Then - I became acutely aware of my thinking, stopped myself and "became willing to accept" a higher possibility. It was fascinating and revealing at the same time. Not only my thinking - but the program content as well.
So, if you are willing, I encourage you to begin being a conscious listener of YOU. Where are you stuck and to what do you find yourself willing to accept? Try doing this for a week and see if you begin to shift into a more open and willing state of acceptance and watch life begin to explode with color.
You are loved,
Lynn
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Life as Energy
The experiences of the past several days have reinforced my belief that life - all life - is energy, influenced, caused and directed by consciousness. Thought - both conscious and more importantly subconscious thought - is all that exists.
The Buddha said: "All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts."
If our thoughts truly create and form the foundation of our life, and as we think approximately 65,000 or more thoughts a day, what determines which thoughts manifest themselves as embedded beliefs? It has also been scientifically proven that we think basically the same thoughts (or the same flavor of thoughts) over and over and over again. These patterns become literally embedded pathways of our brain, much like water flowing over time wears away stone to form a channel.
Experiences have a direct impact on this flavor of thought by informing our body (primarily our nervous system) as to whether the experience is life-affirming or life-threatening. (Fight or flight) To remain in a life-threatening thought pattern over long periods of time "traps" the energy within the body and can create negative physical sensations or dis-ease.
Due to the release of my old life-threatening thoughts which had formed an energy block within my physical body around this 40-year old negative relationship, today my body feels light and relaxed, free of any tension at all. During my meditation this morning, I could literally feel the flow and openness of energy in my body - and how very grand!
Even though I have been teaching this for almost 20 years, to have it reinforced by my own life-altering, energy-altering, conscious shift in thought is truly astonishing. It reinforces in such a positive way the Truth of this teaching.
To those who are skeptics or who dismiss and disregard the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the new sciences, I encourage further study. The wisdom of the sages, Shamans and mystics over centuries is being revealed again and again by people just like me.
Blessed be,
Lynn
The Buddha said: "All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts."
If our thoughts truly create and form the foundation of our life, and as we think approximately 65,000 or more thoughts a day, what determines which thoughts manifest themselves as embedded beliefs? It has also been scientifically proven that we think basically the same thoughts (or the same flavor of thoughts) over and over and over again. These patterns become literally embedded pathways of our brain, much like water flowing over time wears away stone to form a channel.
Experiences have a direct impact on this flavor of thought by informing our body (primarily our nervous system) as to whether the experience is life-affirming or life-threatening. (Fight or flight) To remain in a life-threatening thought pattern over long periods of time "traps" the energy within the body and can create negative physical sensations or dis-ease.
Due to the release of my old life-threatening thoughts which had formed an energy block within my physical body around this 40-year old negative relationship, today my body feels light and relaxed, free of any tension at all. During my meditation this morning, I could literally feel the flow and openness of energy in my body - and how very grand!
Even though I have been teaching this for almost 20 years, to have it reinforced by my own life-altering, energy-altering, conscious shift in thought is truly astonishing. It reinforces in such a positive way the Truth of this teaching.
To those who are skeptics or who dismiss and disregard the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the new sciences, I encourage further study. The wisdom of the sages, Shamans and mystics over centuries is being revealed again and again by people just like me.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Monday, November 16, 2009
Safe Passage
Years ago, I recall sharing with a client, who was in the deepest despair, that healing would begin with the tiniest opening of the heart - just a willingness to be willing was all Spirit needed to rush in and claim victory! Yesterday, I personally had such an experience.
To continue from yesterday's post, my "friend" chose not to meet with me either in person or by telephone. The reason given was that it would not be in the best interest of my friend or my friend's family. My initial "reaction" was automatic - a definite feeling of disappointment. This appeared to be a repeat of our past relationship; pull me in and then push me away. But as I said, this was automatic and therefore based upon memory and not present-moment awareness.
Upon reflection, writing and prayer, I realized that I had been given a HUGE gift in the e-mail communication from this person that touched my heart deeply. We both had shared honestly and openly with each other for the first time in all these years and I was brought to tears - Spirit had its opening!
I also realized that my request to meet in person was so that I could stay in control. I honestly had no clear idea of what I wanted from my friend, and was not aware enough (still operating with my closed heart) to realize I had already been given what my soul desired... Love in the form of freedom! The freedom to love and be loved completely...no strings attached, no agreements, no contracts, no conditions, no constraints...oh my sweet GOD.
What a sacred time this has been - and continues to be for me. I feel jubilant and overflowing with such appreciation and gratitude for my willingness to just be willing. My heart is free and this dear beloved friend has "safe passage through my mind" as well as my heart.
Blessed be,
Lynn
To continue from yesterday's post, my "friend" chose not to meet with me either in person or by telephone. The reason given was that it would not be in the best interest of my friend or my friend's family. My initial "reaction" was automatic - a definite feeling of disappointment. This appeared to be a repeat of our past relationship; pull me in and then push me away. But as I said, this was automatic and therefore based upon memory and not present-moment awareness.
Upon reflection, writing and prayer, I realized that I had been given a HUGE gift in the e-mail communication from this person that touched my heart deeply. We both had shared honestly and openly with each other for the first time in all these years and I was brought to tears - Spirit had its opening!
I also realized that my request to meet in person was so that I could stay in control. I honestly had no clear idea of what I wanted from my friend, and was not aware enough (still operating with my closed heart) to realize I had already been given what my soul desired... Love in the form of freedom! The freedom to love and be loved completely...no strings attached, no agreements, no contracts, no conditions, no constraints...oh my sweet GOD.
What a sacred time this has been - and continues to be for me. I feel jubilant and overflowing with such appreciation and gratitude for my willingness to just be willing. My heart is free and this dear beloved friend has "safe passage through my mind" as well as my heart.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Creating New Beliefs
Recently, I had the opportunity to communicate with someone I knew intimately 40 years ago. My experience with this person at that time was life-shattering, and eventually became the focus of the most profound forgiveness work I have ever done. I now believe it was the greatest gift I have ever received because it propelled me out of victimhood and showed me the power of true forgiveness.
However, when I received an e-mail from this person recently (after having no real contact for all these years), I was acutely aware of the sensations in my physical body. My stomach immediately began to clench and what appeared to be uncontrollable heightened awareness of possible danger took over; I was 29 again and my body was in protective mode.
All of this created in MY MIND by MEMORY.
As I have no new information or experience of this person in the present moment, I have nothing with which to create a new "memory" in my body. Yes, I can conjure up positive "pictures" of this person or I can make up new possibilities in my mind, but what I realized is that this would take a huge amount of energy and time - especially due to the depth of the psychic pain embedded within me.
So how to heal? How do I literally release my attachment to the old beliefs and replace them?
I proposed a personal meeting with this person so that I could replace - or actually create a new - mental equivalent, one which would override the one existing in me now. I feel it would assist me greatly in resolving this dilemna and speed up the healing process. Hopefully this will be possible prior to my leaving the country. Plus, I intend to begin immediate forgiveness work for myself and my role in creating this belief in the first place.
In many ways, my heart has been stuck for 40 years. It is way past time "to open the windows of my mind and let Spirit fly in and out." (Rumi) I will know when I have replaced the old beliefs with new ones when this person has "free passage through my mind."
Blessed be
However, when I received an e-mail from this person recently (after having no real contact for all these years), I was acutely aware of the sensations in my physical body. My stomach immediately began to clench and what appeared to be uncontrollable heightened awareness of possible danger took over; I was 29 again and my body was in protective mode.
All of this created in MY MIND by MEMORY.
As I have no new information or experience of this person in the present moment, I have nothing with which to create a new "memory" in my body. Yes, I can conjure up positive "pictures" of this person or I can make up new possibilities in my mind, but what I realized is that this would take a huge amount of energy and time - especially due to the depth of the psychic pain embedded within me.
So how to heal? How do I literally release my attachment to the old beliefs and replace them?
I proposed a personal meeting with this person so that I could replace - or actually create a new - mental equivalent, one which would override the one existing in me now. I feel it would assist me greatly in resolving this dilemna and speed up the healing process. Hopefully this will be possible prior to my leaving the country. Plus, I intend to begin immediate forgiveness work for myself and my role in creating this belief in the first place.
In many ways, my heart has been stuck for 40 years. It is way past time "to open the windows of my mind and let Spirit fly in and out." (Rumi) I will know when I have replaced the old beliefs with new ones when this person has "free passage through my mind."
Blessed be
Thursday, November 5, 2009
My New Home
Hello...
It has been several months since I have posted to my blog. If you have been reading this on a regular basis, I apologize for my inconsistency...but, have a really good reason! I am moving to Mexico and have been investigating and exploring exactly where.
My new home is on 16 de Septiembre in a town called Ajijic in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. This particular "village" is south of Guadalajara about 45 miles and sits next to Lake Chapala - the largest lake in Mexico. My new apartment sits next to the lake on a large piece of property filled with beautiful lawn, rose edged pathways, lots of lemon, lime, avacado, mango and banana trees...and a lovely view of the lake with which to contemplate the joy of life.
I will be making the physical move on November 29. A new friend and I will be meeting up in Tucson, Arizona and "caravaning" down Highway 15 on the Western coast of Mexico. The trip will take about 4 days and, I am sure, will be delightful, beautiful and filled with new signts, sounds, tastes and experiences. Fodder for my blog.
Mexico and I have been having a "love affair" for over 35 years, so this move is not a sudden one. Choosing Ajijic (pronounced Aah - hee - heek) was influenced by the weather (nearly perfect - low 80's in the day and 50's in the evening almost all year) and the people I have met. A part of my life will be active in supporting a minister friend of mine in building the Lake Chapala Center for Spiritual Living. It is our vision to create a truly multi-cultural spiritual center celebrating the oneness of Spirit in all.
So, I will be more consistent in writing this blog - but there may be a few weeks gap during the transition and awaiting internet connection.
Sending gratitude to you for your willingness to check-in now and again. I appreciate your interest in reading my journal entries.
Blessed be,
Lynn
It has been several months since I have posted to my blog. If you have been reading this on a regular basis, I apologize for my inconsistency...but, have a really good reason! I am moving to Mexico and have been investigating and exploring exactly where.
My new home is on 16 de Septiembre in a town called Ajijic in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. This particular "village" is south of Guadalajara about 45 miles and sits next to Lake Chapala - the largest lake in Mexico. My new apartment sits next to the lake on a large piece of property filled with beautiful lawn, rose edged pathways, lots of lemon, lime, avacado, mango and banana trees...and a lovely view of the lake with which to contemplate the joy of life.
I will be making the physical move on November 29. A new friend and I will be meeting up in Tucson, Arizona and "caravaning" down Highway 15 on the Western coast of Mexico. The trip will take about 4 days and, I am sure, will be delightful, beautiful and filled with new signts, sounds, tastes and experiences. Fodder for my blog.
Mexico and I have been having a "love affair" for over 35 years, so this move is not a sudden one. Choosing Ajijic (pronounced Aah - hee - heek) was influenced by the weather (nearly perfect - low 80's in the day and 50's in the evening almost all year) and the people I have met. A part of my life will be active in supporting a minister friend of mine in building the Lake Chapala Center for Spiritual Living. It is our vision to create a truly multi-cultural spiritual center celebrating the oneness of Spirit in all.
So, I will be more consistent in writing this blog - but there may be a few weeks gap during the transition and awaiting internet connection.
Sending gratitude to you for your willingness to check-in now and again. I appreciate your interest in reading my journal entries.
Blessed be,
Lynn
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