Sahar Sound: Follow Your Bliss; It's Who You Are

We recently saw "YesMan" with Jim Carey. In it, he makes a "covenant" to say "yes" to every request made of him; to every opportunity presented to him. Though initially saying "yes" to eveything, he realizes that he has not said "yes" to himself. His discrimination develops to the point where he learns to say "no" to his decisions based on what others wanted for him and from him, when it wasn't what he wanted for himself. This allowed him to hear more acutely his intuition (or his "yes") and his wishes for himself.

For me, intuition manifests as a joyous inspiration for a specific action. This joyous excitement (or "yes") is free of any suffering, yet filled with great anticipation. A very life affirming feeling. If I die today, I want "Follow Your Bliss" as my tombstone epitaph (although, I have no "plans" to leave this mortal coil any time soon). I would place this phrase on my tombstone because these words are a reminder of my vision for my life. and I would call them the "secret of real happiness" for all beings. The more I follow my Bliss, the more Blissful opportunities show up in my life.

I love that bumper sticker that says "If it's not fun, don't do it." Amen to that!!!

We Are Bliss

At age 15, I met an enlightened Being, Swami Muktananda. Three days into my visit with him I had the direct experience of my truest Self. I was joyfully chanting away, my arms swaying, my whole being uplifted. In an instant, the "borders" of my being dissolved; no body to confine me or separate me; no three-dimensional reality whatsoever. Distance disappeared; no here, no there. Time dissolved; no sense of before or after. This experience was of an eternal Now and an Infinity without measure. This was accompanied by a Boundless Joy. Free of thought; completely still, I was not separate or alone. Only our minds conjure up the thought that we're alone.

Thought free, infinitely blissful, transcendent of everything, at one point I had the thought "this is great!" At that very moment this experience began to "shrink". Over the next few hours I became more identified with my thoughts and body. Although, I remember being in the lunch line and still being so blissed out that I hugged a pillar next to me! Even the pillar was a part of the Oneness.

I learned that this experience is called "Satchitananda". "Sat" means Existence Absolute. "Chit" means awareness of this Existence. "Ananda" is Infinite Bliss. I now had a name for my truest Self. Ever since, I have identified that experience as a "pointer" back to the real me.

As you explore every aspect of your life, I invite you to ask yourself: Do I experience joy, vitality, peace, or love when engaged in this?
Or is it a promise of some later reward?
Promises of later rewards are offered by insurance companies, religions (ie Heaven), the promise that making your body look a certain way will get you a relationship. Making enough money will provide future security.

Don't ask the world what it needs
Ask yourself what makes you come Alive
And go and do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
~ Harold Whitman Thurman

What inspires you?

Have FUN with these links: http://www.jibjab.com/view/Z5ogqmzZxcBvfi7YGkfz
http://www.jibjab.com/view/Mfb3yUrDSjOS5WAgORdz

Experience:

At age 15, I experienced a profound awakening that lead me on a path of self-discovery. I was so inspired, I opened a meditation center in what had been my brother's bedroom.
After High School, I moved into Swami Muktanandas ashram. During these 6 years of monastic life, I received certification as a teacher of meditation and yoga. This opened the door to many rich opportunities. I taught stress reduction, meditation, and personal growth in colleges, businesses, and prisons.
In the early 80's, I managed an ashram in Oakland; a large residential facility which held classes for up to 1200 participants. I taught meditation in conjunction with counseling. It was during my years in the ashram that I experienced how living simply in collaboration with others created a life of real abundance.
I made an in depth study of rhythm. I studied tabla drums. Tablas are incredibly versatile and evocative drums. They are melodic while evoking a deeply primal experience. I continued my study of rhythm with congas and the African djembe.
In 1988, I became certified as a hypnotherapist and in 1989, I received certification as a third level Reiki practitioner.
In the early 90's, I developed the series "Exploring The Male Heart"; to assist men in deepening their experience as spiritual beings. I created the series "The Sacred Art Of Drumming"; to give an experiential knowledge of one's True Nature along with tools to express this in daily life.
I have had the honor of working with developmentally disabled and abused children. Drums have been a profound vehicle in transcending the physical and mental boundaries towards a personal connection.
To watch them transform from being withdrawn and combative to engaged and inspired is to this day, some of the most rewarding work that I know.
I have been in practice as a counselor for 26 years and presently have a practice in my home-studio in Sebastopol.

Do you
.. feel stuck in your life?
.. have concerns in a relationship?
...feel weighted down by addiction?
...want to experience the wealth of strength and joy within you?

It is my profound honor to assist you through whatever passage you are traversing, to a deeper awareness of your innate worth and the recognition and expression of your unique gifts.
I'm available for sessions by phone, Skype, or in my Sebastopol office.
All the very Best,
Sahar

Sahar Sound

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Follow Your Bliss; It's Who You Are

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