tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17996163105113349202024-02-07T20:15:48.834-08:00Sahar SoundEmotional Support. Rhythmic Teaching. Counseling and Spiritual Support.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-51042234458119082462017-02-06T07:30:00.000-08:002017-02-08T08:09:45.507-08:00Climate Change: Humanities Greatest OpportunityClimate Change: Humanities Greatest Opportunity.<br />
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<b>A Scientists' Take</b><br />
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"The primary <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">cause of global warming</span> is from humans, mostly burning of fossil fuels to drive cars,
generating electricity, and operating our homes and businesses. Within the next fifty to one hundred years, the Earth may be
hotter than it has been in the past million years. As oceans warm and
glaciers melt, land and cities along coasts may be flooded. Heat and
drought may cause forests to die and food crops to fail. Global warming
will affect weather everywhere, plants and animals everywhere, people
everywhere." ~ Ashiq Hussain<br />
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"The throwing out of balance of Nature throws out of balance the lives of men." F.D.R.<br />
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How have we gotten to the point where we are looking at the possibility of human extinction? We have tried to control life on Earth. Yet, by the results, we see that we've failed miserably.<br />
In our attempts to control life, rather than recognizing that everything we need is provided, we perpetuate the belief, that
just to survive, we have to struggle.<br />
<br />
"In complete control.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTMf7IfnWPlUfEubMS0F59RGgaWPGQozu0hgQZEUNRBzq4CFF11T9gSaWSN3aNk0M2PQU52Hqzo-oEO8BGuFu4n6-d7PYVWIdn_jXhkhTcS8n-hRl6Pmz1lkfEYL1qHMaHZdDJ4h8y50/s1600/13244139_10153705685216733_8928920071592969499_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTMf7IfnWPlUfEubMS0F59RGgaWPGQozu0hgQZEUNRBzq4CFF11T9gSaWSN3aNk0M2PQU52Hqzo-oEO8BGuFu4n6-d7PYVWIdn_jXhkhTcS8n-hRl6Pmz1lkfEYL1qHMaHZdDJ4h8y50/s320/13244139_10153705685216733_8928920071592969499_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>Pretending control, with dignified authority<br />
We are charlatans...<br />
Or maybe just a goats' hair brush in a Painters' Hand" ~ Rumi<br />
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I believe this poem has answers for us. I believe that being the "brush" means that we are the "tools" through which this "painter" creates their art. We are like Pinocchio and Gepetto is the universal force beyond us, pulling the "strings". And when we let go of control and align with this infinite force we feel expansive, alive, and inclusive.<br />
We've all felt it.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: red;"></span></span></span></span></span><br /></b></span>
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<span style="color: #013301; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>"There
is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there
are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #013301; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the
shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and
our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #013301; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of
all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and
journey comes to a halt.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #013301; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #013301; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #013301; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>We are the ones we've been waiting for. ~ </b></span>Hopi Elders, Arizona</div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></span><br />
There is a flow to life of great beauty, where synchronicity and magic are the norm. To align with this "flow", we must know how to recognize it. Lean into the voices of inspiration, intuition, and love. Abandon all investment in the thoughts that tell you that to get by you need to push, lie, manipulate, hide the true you, or become rich or famous. These fear-based concepts have no place in this flow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckCk-n37Zvs2uJEKbtkBsu1i9tskplbhA9vc_r4F1eLQnqumWkG5FDK8MnOO-yVa9ry7ZzSLcnvQRYyK-1puPq3veZIsi3ayR85kM5FJhIXyBi8OwNIPYsUt_ZZzCUbdBqwl4zNIphyw/s1600/14202741_10154454466943279_1133461841833873260_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckCk-n37Zvs2uJEKbtkBsu1i9tskplbhA9vc_r4F1eLQnqumWkG5FDK8MnOO-yVa9ry7ZzSLcnvQRYyK-1puPq3veZIsi3ayR85kM5FJhIXyBi8OwNIPYsUt_ZZzCUbdBqwl4zNIphyw/s320/14202741_10154454466943279_1133461841833873260_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." </b>~ Howard Thurman<br />
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The balance of our planets air, water, and
soil has been trashed. As
we are moving closer to the "precipice" of environmental
destruction (and our very existence), we are seeing beyond our
perceived differences, to recognize that we are one family. We are learning that each
person has skills, gifts, talents, and ideas, unique to them that can be a contribution to the well being of life on
this planet. We are stepping out of fear and isolation, into Love.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-25518950758932726562017-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:002017-01-09T06:00:03.695-08:00Gossiping/Complaining/ Venting: Any Value?<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; white-space: pre;"> Do you ever just want to express your angst, your anger or frustration unedited in
the presence of someone who fully accepts you?
But, do you prevent yourself from doing this fully because you believe that by
expressing these feelings you're perpetuating them, maybe even making them (and
whatever issue you're dealing with) bigger?
Do you then keep them to yourself?
When feelings are not expressed, they become nagging annoyances. They fester and
grow into dis-ease. Think of emotions as "energy in motion." They gotta be
expressed. They need release.
It's HOW we express them that makes all the difference. When we share them with
the intention of getting others to agree with us, to support our position, we are
gossiping. The more we look for collusion from others, the more intense and all
encompassing these feelings become.
You could see gossiping as one end of a spectrum.
Next along this spectrum is complaining. When we complain, we may not be looking
for collusion or even agreement. But, we may be indulging
ourselves in our victim story or our righteousness. Here, the feelings may not
become all encompassing as rapidly as gossiping. But they will continue eating at
us.
At the healthy end of this spectrum is venting. Inherent in the word is the idea
that we are releasing. When venting, we aren't looking for agreement. We want to
be witnessed. Our intention is to have whatever is within us expressed. Without
venting, we as the pressure cooker, will explode (very messy).
To vent with someone simply witnessing me feels awesome! I feel stronger and I
gain insight as to how I can more deeply feel my emotions and express them.
If you want to vent in a safe, supportive environment, where you are seen and
accepted just as you are, contact me. I have a coaching practice in Sebastopol and
in Novato. Follow this link for more details on my work with my beloved Ronit:
</span><a href="http://www.communityacupunctureofmarin.com/blog/mindful-coaching-for-individuals-and-couples" style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; white-space: pre;" target="_blank">http://www.communityacupunctureofmarin.com/blog/mindful-coaching-for-individuals-and-couples</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; white-space: pre;">
May the venting be with you,
Sahar
</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: monospace; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-83287939175140193122016-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:002016-12-01T11:25:26.192-08:00Life Coaching Support<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans" !important; font-size: 26px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
Heart-Centered Life Coaching</h2>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are:</span><br />
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<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Concerned about a relationship</span></li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stuck in your life</span></li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weighed down by addiction</span></li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Afraid of what's around the corner </span></li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yearning to open to the wealth of strength and joy within you...</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjnusnovGZ0tOvKukLBicoKwbFWQR8I6BI_glEt4Kaw4FJe4u7doyDtsxV4YT0YnK6vmFSnZNpOGpP6Pp_toenyXiU0HBFDrEZrv1lP7OiJ_30SidIK4ir0WxGFaFYCyd4KHZEFzRt-Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-25+at+12.15.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjnusnovGZ0tOvKukLBicoKwbFWQR8I6BI_glEt4Kaw4FJe4u7doyDtsxV4YT0YnK6vmFSnZNpOGpP6Pp_toenyXiU0HBFDrEZrv1lP7OiJ_30SidIK4ir0WxGFaFYCyd4KHZEFzRt-Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-25+at+12.15.31+PM.png" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Before I started this work, I would not have been able to express myself in this way. I have developed strong loving friendships." - K .Radtke</span></div>
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<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"><td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="border: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 15px; vertical-align: top; width: 465.2px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">"Sahar prepared the space for growth and safety that set the stage for breakthrough experiences." - </span><span style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;"> D. Church, co-author of "Heart of The Healer"</span> </span></td><td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="border: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 15px; vertical-align: top; width: 464.4px;"><blockquote style="border-left: 0px; color: #666666; font-style: italic; line-height: 28px; margin: 2em 0px; padding: 1em;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal;">"Sahar prepared the space for growth and safety that set the stage for breakthrough experiences." - </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> D. Church, co-author of "Heart of The Healer"</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal;"> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It allowed me to learn more about whom I really am and what I want in life. We were able to truly do some deep gut level work. I feel better about being a man." - P. LaDeau</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">"Miraculous! I look forward to more time spent in your safety and wisdom. Thank You from deep in my heart." </span><strong style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;"> </strong><span style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;">- M. Holland</span> </span></td><td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="border: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 15px; vertical-align: top; width: 464.4px;"><blockquote style="border-left: 0px !important; color: #666666; font-style: italic; line-height: 28px; margin: 2em 0px; padding: 1em;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About Sahar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 1975, I experienced a profound awakening that lead me on a path of self-discovery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During my study with the spiritual master Swami Muktananda, I received certification as a teacher </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of meditation and yoga. Recognizing the power of the imagination, I added to this,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a study of hypnotherapy. In 1988, I became certified as a hypnotherapist. The following year I received </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">certification as a third level Reiki practitioner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the early 90's, I developed the series "Exploring The Male Heart", designed to assist men in </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">deepening our experience of ourselves: individually, as a gender, and as spiritual beings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also in the mid 90's, I created the series "The Sacred Art Of Drumming",<br />designed to give an experiential knowledge of ones' True Nature along with<br />tools to express this in daily life.</span><br />
<i style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">I have worked as a counselor, life coach, and mentor for 25 years, guiding individuals and groups. </span></i><br />
<i style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">I am available at my home in Sebastopol, Sonoma County; as well as in Novato, Marin County, CA</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-7507318255669281392016-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:002016-11-30T08:00:16.339-08:00The Drum Circle: A Time For Connection<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ehPv0DJy8W748GtjZHTYmvA4CtwiyL_DvayRbfe6K9wKbI390dalIYBHOE9Jt-Y0N-BftNKIe1llekonbjSFWsYOMqiGbaLpp4IhH0KQ0nRQKbR8UO0aPcFy4mS3qdxPCdpWo-BzHHQ/s1600/sahar+home+321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ehPv0DJy8W748GtjZHTYmvA4CtwiyL_DvayRbfe6K9wKbI390dalIYBHOE9Jt-Y0N-BftNKIe1llekonbjSFWsYOMqiGbaLpp4IhH0KQ0nRQKbR8UO0aPcFy4mS3qdxPCdpWo-BzHHQ/s1600/sahar+home+321.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ever been to a sporting event with thousands of people rooting for one of two teams? Quite provocative, right? Lots of energy, lots of excitement. Whenever we are in a group with an aligned focus, our experience is amplified. This is the amazing gift of the drum circle. As the group aligns with a steady tempo, we experience an amplification of the peace we experience in meditation. This is a form of group meditation. Take a look at these amazing results of studies documenting the profound effect of this dynamic: http://maharishiprogrammes.globalgoodnews.com/maharishi-effect/research.html.<br />
<br />
In drum circles, I witness participants drop into peace and experience an expansion of the sweetness we identify as intimacy. As each person drops into stillness it becomes easier for others to follow. The "default" state of everyone present is no longer of thought and separation, but of peace and Oneness, creating a kind of hundredth monkey dynamic; the more people who enter peace, the easier it is for those who haven't to do so.<br />
<br />
To listen to an extended interview I had on this subject, with Susan Baron, a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the PsyD Program at California Institute of Integral Studies, click on:<br />
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9w6q0548cfzwei0/Vi9FW3jCse/Sahar%20Interview-Baron%20Study%2012%2016%2013%20%201H24M57S.MP3 (cut and paste into your url)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LdzbYkldoJXtyM8Amx9sUBoa6de7-zj9wI1UWcHuKLXwZr-_RZ-j5SpQtqK5Hd8WhT-SWURpLIKJ4xMGoVXWK2CsPo4wG0EvwDkZx5kWtiikZra0v6Zuki8akXeOGJKDVXeV2ERKrb4/s1600/hanuman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LdzbYkldoJXtyM8Amx9sUBoa6de7-zj9wI1UWcHuKLXwZr-_RZ-j5SpQtqK5Hd8WhT-SWURpLIKJ4xMGoVXWK2CsPo4wG0EvwDkZx5kWtiikZra0v6Zuki8akXeOGJKDVXeV2ERKrb4/s1600/hanuman.jpg" width="165" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;"><b>Drumming In Celebration Of </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;"><b>Our Sacred Traditions
</b>During this darkest time of the year,
are you yearning to be with others
in an intimate and supportive environment?
I invite you to join our circle through the holidays
and the birth of a new year.
We'll gather in a warm, candle-lit home, around a fireplace.
The rhythms will be soulful, the guided meditations,
tranquil and reflective.
6 Thursdays, beginning December 15th
Held at 1356 Hurlbut Ave., Sebastopol
7-9pm. $120. (707)331-5460
We will honor each of the following holidays:
Dec 15th: Solstice. Embrace the gifts of this darkest time.
Dec 22nd: Hannukah/ Diwali: the Festival Of Lights. Welcome the light.
Dec 29th Christmas: honor the birth of innocence and love within.
Jan 5th New Years: renewal of intention. Welcome the new.
Jan 12th Martin Luther King Day/Kwanzaa: Celebrate African American culture.
Jan 19th: Honoring our Local/Global community/family.
If you are inspired to share a ceremony with us, please contact me.
Visit my web site: </span><a href="http://saharsound.weebly.com/" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;" target="_blank">http://saharsound.weebly.com/</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;">
Read my blog at: </span><a href="http://saharsound.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;" target="_blank">http://saharsound.blogspot.com/</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;">
On YouTube: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/saharsound" style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/saharsound</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre;">
On Facebook: Sahar Eric Pinkham
About Sahar
I have been playing hand drums for 36 years and teaching them for 22
years. My study has taken me to the feet of Zakir Hussein. He has been
given the moniker of "worlds greatest drummer" by The Grateful Deads'
Mickey Hart. At The Ali Akbar Khan School, I studied with Swapan
Chauderi. I studied extensively with the Sikh priest Sham Sher Singh. I
also have had the honor a brief study with BabaTunde Olatunji.
I teach congas, djembe, tablas and other hand drums. I teach group
series and private drum lessons, out of my home in Sebastopol.
I offer private lessons in person and via Skype.I tailor a lesson plan
that is right for you, in terms of duration, frequency and pricing.
As we feel and express our unique rhythm, we align with the Rhythm of Life.</span></span><br />
<br />
I invite you to take a look at this amazing drum circle, I had the cool privilege of facilitating, in honor of Baba Ola Tunge, at The Health & Harmony Festival. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYvIBpmEFZ8.<br />
<br />
If you want to read more of my blogs, go to: http://saharsound.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
I wish you Peace,<br />
SaharAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-72584251768985906132016-11-27T08:19:00.003-08:002016-11-27T08:19:52.819-08:00Heart Centered Life Coaching/ Counseling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG7RQvRX40tHpBaSfx6othPnRUNAoj2_pMdnM-krPLAmQwpBEMnNqeK0bzBW9FFAo6OjfkFJUGdd2nL6pv2SAE6hVkaufZ0SQ2jdufRJH9rrZo0y00GX1Ne6BktrRXE3TgPWx4b4Tq40/s1600/13177639_10154128519883279_5421535872724557212_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG7RQvRX40tHpBaSfx6othPnRUNAoj2_pMdnM-krPLAmQwpBEMnNqeK0bzBW9FFAo6OjfkFJUGdd2nL6pv2SAE6hVkaufZ0SQ2jdufRJH9rrZo0y00GX1Ne6BktrRXE3TgPWx4b4Tq40/s200/13177639_10154128519883279_5421535872724557212_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you are:<br />
<br />
*Concerned about a relationship<br />
*Stuck in your life<br />
*Weighed down by addiction<br />
*Afraid of what's around the corner<br />
*Yearning to open to the wealth of strength and joy within you...<br />
<br />
It is my 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.<br />
<br />
Testimonials<br />
"Before I started this work, I would not have been able to express myself in this way.<br />
I have developed strong loving friendships." - K .Radtke<br />
<br />
"Sahar prepared the space for growth and safety that set the stage for breakthrough experiences." -<br />
Dawson Church, co-author of "Heart of The Healer"<br />
<br />
"It allowed me to learn more about who I really am and what I want in life.<br />
We were able to truly do some deep gut level work. I feel better about being a man." - P. LaDeau<br />
<br />
About Sahar<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9leXgcnLQhUChrd4HhkoZD7NfDjSqviK1Gh4eEHqMAwY3rbc6aM-4j3an5R3bYEFpEWY2-h7elQ3o4_mX-eW680JINTdaRUZRXQlvqC-fhh-i9qCKHdGyV2niZjg4rop6uQFS6e2S5A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-25+at+12.15.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9leXgcnLQhUChrd4HhkoZD7NfDjSqviK1Gh4eEHqMAwY3rbc6aM-4j3an5R3bYEFpEWY2-h7elQ3o4_mX-eW680JINTdaRUZRXQlvqC-fhh-i9qCKHdGyV2niZjg4rop6uQFS6e2S5A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-09-25+at+12.15.31+PM.png" /></a> In 1975, I experienced a profound awakening that lead me on a path of self-discovery. During my study with the spiritual master Swami Muktananda, I received certification as a teacher of meditation and yoga. Recognizing the power of the imagination, I added to this, a study of hypnotherapy. In 1988, I became certified as a hypnotherapist. The following year I received certification as a third level Reiki practitioner.<br />
In the early 90's, I developed the series "Exploring The Male Heart", designed to assist men in deepening our experience of ourselves: individually, as a gender, and as spiritual beings.<br />
In the mid 90's, I created the series "The Sacred Art Of Drumming", designed to give an experiential knowledge of ones' True Nature along with tools to express this in daily life.<br />
I have worked as a counselor, life coach, and mentor for 28 years, guiding individuals and groups. I am available at my home in Sebastopol, Sonoma County; via Skype: as well as in Novato, Marin County, CA.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-88336420424383881712016-10-28T16:00:00.000-07:002016-10-28T07:27:03.850-07:00On Prejudice Prejudice is as prevalent today as it has ever been. The recent national consensus report gives a sobering example. Although only 4% of the U.S. population are black males, they account for 60% of all people incarcerated in this country. Statistically, one in three black men will spend time in prison in his life, whereas one in seventeen white men will spend time in prison.<br />
<br />
Why is this? What is it that perpetuates this need to oppress another? In short; fear. But of what?<br />
And why is it that the minorities seem to be receiving the brunt of this prejudice? <br />
<br />
<span class="bqQuoteLink">"<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mayaangelo148650.html" title="view quote">Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.</a>" </span><span class="bqQuoteLink">~ </span><span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maya_angelou.html" title="view author">Maya Angelou</a></span><br />
<br />
<strong>The Root Of Prejudice</strong><br />
<br />
When we allow our shame to influence us, we make our choices from a sense of inferiority; from a subconscious belief that we are not deserving of love and success in our lives. If we don't recognize that we are being controlled by our shame, we externalize it by transferring it onto someone else. We assign them the place of inferiority, while we assign for ourselves the place of superiority, in an attempt to feel our worth. But as long as we externalize our shame, we'll continue to see ourselves on a self imposed scale of deserving - not deserving, superior - inferior, worthy - not worthy, good - bad, acceptable - not acceptable.<br />
<br />
We have repressed our shame on a collective scale. Globally, we play out this "shame scale". Imagine a group of people who are controlled by their shame, getting together and conferring about their need to be superior. Although, this group could be any demographic, given that I am a white male, and am acutely aware of how white males have discriminated, I'll assign these people that color and gender. "How shall we do this"? they ask. "Well, we have to have a common enemy, people we can all agree are inferior to us. It should be people who are easily identified. We'll then come up with 'evidence' to prove how inferior they are." Through having identified this other group, they now have a false sense of bonding; they now have each other to validate their illusory sense of superiority.<br />
<br />
Since their common "enemy" has to be someone they can always spot, their easy choice was women and other races; a kind of default choice, as on the surface, women and other races appeared so different. This speaks to the fragile nature of prejudice. Prejudice is just a collectively agreed upon belief, which has no basis in reality. There's the story of the woman who when she goes to bake the roast, cuts the ends off and throws them away.. When asked why, she has no logical answer other than to say "that's how my mother did it". When asked, her mother said the same, all the way back to the great-grandmother who started the "tradition" of cutting the ends off the roast for the simple reason that it was too long for her pan! It started as a reasonable step and became a tradition; an assumed way to think and act. Like this tradition, prejudice has no logical basis. It's roots are plane and simple; insecurity.<br />
<br />
<span class="bqQuoteLink">"The less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudice.</span><span class="bodybold">". ~ <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/clint_eastwood.html" title="view author">Clint Eastwood</a></span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
It has been a century and a half since the Civil War and racism continues to this day. In contrast, the gay rights movement got under way in 1976, with Harvey Milk being elected as the first openly gay city commissioner in the country. In these relatively short 36 years, the "gay" issue is now nearly behind us.<br />
<br />
So, why is it that gay rights have moved along so quickly while minority rights move so slowly? I suggest it's because gays are harder to "spot". As simple as that. How fragile prejudice is! "If we can spot 'em, we can judge 'em". Gays have always engaged in every area of life, through the entire spectrum of social experience: economic (from poor to wealthy), political (from red to blue), and religious...you name it. "Coming out of the closet" was the best thing they could have done for themselves and so in turn for all of us.<br />
<br />
<span class="bqQuoteLink">"<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgeaike185718.html" title="view quote">If
we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone was the same
race, creed and color, we would find some other causes for prejudice by
noon.</a>" ~ </span><span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_aiken.html" title="view author">George Aiken</a></span><br />
<br />
<strong>We're All Prejudiced</strong><br />
<br />
We can drop this painful drama by simply acknowledging that we're all prejudiced. We all have shame-based feelings of low self worth and at times, try to compensate by attempting to be superior to another, whether through developing a skill, a degree, a big bank account, a fancy home or car or most prevalently, an "attitude". Through the lens of shame, we go through our lives comparing ourselves to literally everyone to determine whether we are either more deserving or less deserving than they are. We then get to the work of either becoming "superior" or keeping "superior" to them.<br />
This mechanism is "alive" in all of us. Let's be honest, we're all afraid (to some degree) of <i>each other.</i><br />
We're afraid of their judgement, which is rooted in our own belief in our lack of worth.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>An Exercise</strong><br />
<br />
Within the first moments of meeting someone, we develop a story (albeit subconscious) of this person's activities, preferences, even their beliefs.. I invite you to look at a picture of a person you or don't know (or preferably, sit with someone) and ask yourself the following questions, taking note of what comes to your mind.<br />
<br />
What is this person's income? What are they good at? What do they do for work?<br />
Are they mechanically inclined? What type of house do they live in? Do they rent or own?<br />
What is their religious affiliation? Are they a vegetarian? What is their sexual preference? <br />
Are they competitive? Do they like sports? Are they introverted or extroverted? Are they superficial or "deep"? Are they creative? If so, how? Are they intelligent? <br />
What are their "blind spots"? What kind of relationship would you have with them?<br />
<br />
Once you've written your answers, take a moment and share this information with them. This can be very revealing for both of you and therefore, very intimate, which I find interesting because you have just told them all your judgments about them. Yet you feel closer to them and they to you!!!<br />
Once we acknowledge this previously subconscious story (that was determining our choices regarding our relationship with them) it no longer controls us. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qz8-SuXQQg-Q5KYZ9RnBVqtkC92prd_MlQzOBbDDE_-l8pZsytzu0OkKVY_YXcWG3fMnNurjXGj5DQ1Iv6TSthuBHHb4rmkgVYcb-WCwxxu-g2cyhZNx7JzuOfhg3ZmxKL-_UZd3Nvc/s1600/sahar+home+278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qz8-SuXQQg-Q5KYZ9RnBVqtkC92prd_MlQzOBbDDE_-l8pZsytzu0OkKVY_YXcWG3fMnNurjXGj5DQ1Iv6TSthuBHHb4rmkgVYcb-WCwxxu-g2cyhZNx7JzuOfhg3ZmxKL-_UZd3Nvc/s320/sahar+home+278.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
The genesis of prejudice is "other" thinking; seeing ourselves as different from other people. When we move beyond prejudice, we move beyond seeing ourselves as different. <br />
<a name='more'></a>We see all people as having the same needs as us. We all need food, clothes, shelter. We all need loving attention. We all have the same basic feelings of sad, mad, glad, and scared. Each person has strengths and weaknesses. Each person has beautiful Gifts, that when nurtured, contribute to the well being and happiness of everyone. <br />
<br />
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a
way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." ~ Nelson Mandela (From <i>Long Walk to Freedom</i>, 1995)<br />
<br />
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Do you feel stuck in your life? Do you have concerns in a relationship or.feel weighted down by addiction?</div>
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Do you want to experience the wealth of strength and joy within you?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
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.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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Visit my web page; <a href="http://www.saharpinkham.com/heart.html">www.SaharPinkham.com</a>.</div>
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On Facebook: Sahar Eric Pinkham</div>
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On YouTube: SaharSound</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wish you Peace.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-13973226000742225842016-10-27T17:00:00.000-07:002016-10-27T17:00:00.358-07:00The Worlds State of Affairs <b>Humans Growing Up; A Story</b><br />
<br />
In the 50's we were like children. We lived with "Father Knows Best", both in our lives and on t.v. The male authority was God and we accepted that. We might have felt angry, scared, or alone. But, for the most part, we tried to put on a happy face, to give the impression that all was always fine. In the 60's we grew into our "teenage years" and rebelled. No way were we going to go along like sheep and say "yes" to our governments desire to kill and oppress. It was a time of acting out our anger and fear that had been building throughout our "childhood". During the 70s and 80s, we grew into "adulthood"; we were waking up. We started questioning others motives. Reality t.v. became a hit, along with talk shows that dug deep into peoples personal lives. Gossip had come out of the closet. We took a long look at people we thought were different from us and realized that they're not so different. They have the same feelings as us, the same needs as us.<br />
<br />
As we grew up, we went from blaming others to questioning our choices and our very existence. For decades we had avoided politics, accepting that all politicians were corrupt and since we told ourselves that <i>we</i> were not, we let<i> them</i> do the "dirty work". But we realized that we had abandoned ourselves by letting others legislate our lives. Because we did not hold them accountable, the politicians were enjoying the freedom to legislate how <i>they</i> saw fit. Not needing to listen to "the people" they were in bed with those who would further their agenda, while receiving lots of $ to further their insider friends agendas.<br />
<br />
In the 90s and early 2000s, we brought what had been expressed in the streets in the 60's to politics and corporate America. Today, we continue our search "down the rabbit hole". We are digging deeply to understand just how far we have gone in relinquishing our own freedom of choice. We see the deceit and oppression of those to whom we have abandoned our free will and we don't like it.<br />
<br />
As we dig deeper into our search for Truth, we see just how complacent and in denial we have become. We now are taking a good look at who we are. We are hearing "not in our name" more frequently. We are reclaiming the power that we had relinquished so many years (if not millennium) ago.<br />
We are hotly debating every aspect of life, with the underlying themes of justice and equality. Every issue that had been in the "closet" is now center stage.<br />
<br />
Every aspect of our existence is being examined as never before. From equality to environmental stewardship, to the birth rite of each person to choose their path. I believe that we have chosen to recognize that we are one people, one family; in truth, one mind. We have chosen to awaken to this truth at this time, concordant with the massive changes we see everywhere on the planet.<br />
<br />
<b>The Catalyst For Change</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5oNM6zms9OdXCjuphGFnUw_7cO_wQX9hUi5vmp3rdozGb67vRGKbxdzaj7IF566BdVnCtD1Nf_Rbbo5lUT5BWzWXZ3seP_Wy4kuOavp6KCCI8lOGOs8fyISCCJVIUXvJWQrt_RmW2fc/s1600/sahar+home+287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5oNM6zms9OdXCjuphGFnUw_7cO_wQX9hUi5vmp3rdozGb67vRGKbxdzaj7IF566BdVnCtD1Nf_Rbbo5lUT5BWzWXZ3seP_Wy4kuOavp6KCCI8lOGOs8fyISCCJVIUXvJWQrt_RmW2fc/s400/sahar+home+287.jpg" width="346" /></a>The times in my life when I have awakened the most are the times when my survival was most at risk. In fact, to the degree that I was on the "edge" was to the degree that I recognized the beautiful gift that is my life, this world, and the people in it.<br />
.<br />
Beyond war, deceit, oppression, and our perceived differences is the very environment in which we live. The balance of our planets air, water, and soil has been trashed as we have abandoned ourselves. We are in a process of returning fully to being the stewards of our planet. As we are aligning in this one focus, greater creativity is being released. As we move seemingly closer to the "precipice" of environmental destruction. we are stepping out of our fear and isolation into Love. The call to return to our Oneness has never been louder and our aligning in Oneness has never been faster.<br />
<br />
<b>We are realizing our deepest dreams on the canvas of our entire planet.</b><br />
<br />
In the "big picture", remember that even our bodies and this planet are transitory. This will all cease to be at some point. That we are One in Consciousness; this is eternal. I believe that we are here to return to that awareness. I believe that we have chosen to use this "play field" of Earth to come Home.<br />
Welcome Home.<br />
<br />
Still we see our human sisters, brothers, and our children being brutalized. This brings us to our knees. It breaks our hearts. What can we do, how can we "deal" with this reality? I do my best to put myself in their shoes; both the perpetrators and the victims. As I
"walk" in their shoes, I imagine what they may be experiencing and
become clear as to what needs they may be trying to get met. No matter which side of any conflict someone is on, in the end, they want love. The sooner I understand what is motivating them to their fight or flight stance, the sooner I understand them, and have compassion for them .<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRujyna-eI0ghKOebt8Zd4LeTxXbsaXw5K-gXyoGcYWuEwdzOGgxke3qsMqJQQ4W8a6Yn-gNviLmB2gKiyVnp2E3ZGW2PA5x3nDIjqRDLX3UxefZS_LG8kzwhQ4zTEeZD_wHM5aOtcXQ/s1600/sahar+home+278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRujyna-eI0ghKOebt8Zd4LeTxXbsaXw5K-gXyoGcYWuEwdzOGgxke3qsMqJQQ4W8a6Yn-gNviLmB2gKiyVnp2E3ZGW2PA5x3nDIjqRDLX3UxefZS_LG8kzwhQ4zTEeZD_wHM5aOtcXQ/s400/sahar+home+278.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Consider these few lines from the song, The Rose;<br />
<br />
"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.<br />
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes a chance.<br />
It's the one who won't be taken who can not seem to give.<br />
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live."<br />
<br />
When I have walked in the shoes of another, I understand what needs they are trying to get met. The beauty of this is that by assisting them in getting those needs met, I find mine met as well. I feel fuller, more satisfied. If you want to receive compassion, offer it.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> "Be the example you want to see in the world." </b><br />
<b>~Mahatma Gandhi</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-61026977525080238722016-06-11T09:52:00.000-07:002016-06-11T05:35:22.670-07:00Hardship<b>How It Starts</b><br />
I grew up in a very sheltered town: white, middle class, conservative, straight (for all that I was aware). We were taught to be polite. The "darker" nature of humanity was hidden away from us. Even our parents distress and conflicts were kept behind closed doors. So, when they finally divorced, it was a huge and sudden shock.<br />
<br />
Although, we often think that we are giving our children a gift by hiding the more base side of ourselves, what a child learns is to fear people who behave with other than the sanitized politeness. Even worse, children learn to fear these natural aspects of themselves. They learn to repress their fear, anger, even their sadness. When this is the case, they cannot access the great assets these emotions provide. Fear may warn us of danger, anger may be a call to justice, sadness may evoke compassion: it may open a door through which we can experience the impact of a loss and therefore, truly let go.<br />
<br />
When my parents divorced, I moved with my mother to a life that provided opportunities to open to my repressed emotions. In a school where I was teased, chased, and beaten to the point of having my leg broken, I could no longer deny the feelings boiling within. The fear that kept me running away from these bullies turned to anger that exploded towards one boy who had chased me after school. This huge volcanic release of anger was quickly followed by a torrent of sadness. It was a very cathartic and enlivening experience.<br />
<br />
"I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!"<br />
~The Invitation, Oriah Mountain Dreamer<br />
<br />
<b>The Gift Of Hardship</b><br />
Reflecting back to that time, the greatest gift has been to see just how I brought this situation into my life (and inevitably, all situations). Entering this school with the naivete that I should only be polite, not defend myself, nor tell an authority, I quickly became the bullies' personal punching bag. It was my lack of knowledge of this side of society, how to be with it, and my discomfort with my anger, that attracted this dynamic into my life. If I'd been comfortable with my anger, I wouldn't have continued to cower and remain passive. In reality, that dynamic was the perfect opportunity for me to access my anger and use it to advocate for myself. Granted, this was an explosive expression of it, which is what we often experience when we are afraid of what we might do or what might happen to us, if we express it<br />
<br />
This wake up became a huge doorway of opportunity for me. I studied martial arts and meditation. I got into counseling. These tools allowed me to see 1) just how much I had closed off from my emotions, 2) how much of life I was missing because of it, and 3) how beautiful and enlivening the experience of emotion is.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVV9k3nECCreXYcv7PjQDsJfcLNX7YUtmHPC42XBAGjGi_VfWcS0PuZO1iZRxC1BB8MdNou_TYVt0T8qN29Da96b_-5CyY-DYsG5GsqYhpTvqUjnpn_o7D4dLBU1_FCoTUYnX4r63xwA/s1600/sahar+home+287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVV9k3nECCreXYcv7PjQDsJfcLNX7YUtmHPC42XBAGjGi_VfWcS0PuZO1iZRxC1BB8MdNou_TYVt0T8qN29Da96b_-5CyY-DYsG5GsqYhpTvqUjnpn_o7D4dLBU1_FCoTUYnX4r63xwA/s1600/sahar+home+287.jpg" width="346" /></a>Two
years into my first marriage, I had an affair. I lied outright to my
wife. This was <i>very</i> painful. I thought that I had done something so
shameful that it needed to be hidden from her, that telling her would
be too painful for her, and more to the point, for me. I told her lies, which
just amplified this pain. Our relationship eroded until I
couldn't handle it any longer. Telling her the truth, although initially
very painful, was the most
freeing thing I could have done. When I finally confronted my fear and
shared openly, I felt great relief and freedom. I also learned from the depth of pain of having
had an affair, that I didn't want to do that again.<br />
<br />
<br />
"I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine of your own,<br />
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it!" ~The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dream<br />
<br />
Throughout my life, what in the moment I identified as "hardship", I have since recognized to have always been a Gift. These times humbled me, bringing me closer to my humanity. They deepened my compassion for myself and all beings, and in the end, opened my heart to greater Love and acceptance, while deepening my gratitude for life.<br />
<br />
The Hawaiian Kahuna practice of Ho 'Oponopono is the cultivation of the awareness that everything in life is a
Gift. Every thing, every situation, every person, every breath, even every thought and feeling. The only focus we need to have is to treat this Gift as we would any
other gift. We "unwrap" it with anticipation of the new, fresh opportunity that is presented to us. If initially we don't see the Beauty of this Gift, we ask "What Gift
is Life giving us?" til we do. We look for the Gift in every moment. And when we do, we find it. We cherish it. We recognize what it means to
"cherish" this life that is ours. With this attitude,
there is never hardship.<br />
<br />
<b>"The World Is As You See It" ~ Swami Muktananda</b><br />
So, is hardship even a real thing, or is it how we perceive the situations in our lives? Is it perhaps a fabricated human falsehood? Imagine that at our core is the "petri dish" of perception: how we think of ourselves and the world. Out of this foundational idea/story grows our self image and the lens through which we see all of existence. The optimist sees a world of opportunity, the pessimist sees gloom.<br />
<br />
"It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.<br />
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes a chance.<br />
It's the one who won't be taken who can not seem to give.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfwkjkBO-sGbs3rFHaKNAaFdM1YXqk7t1TGoUVyCkpkkyTMX11nik61ZRL9NWoS5uOXxclDa78UC3T6kcXn4VyzjTOAACpKPi-9zw6SwSpidNIU41yrrJqlyrdUH7cLT1aCbELAkPKdI/s1600/sahar+home+274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfwkjkBO-sGbs3rFHaKNAaFdM1YXqk7t1TGoUVyCkpkkyTMX11nik61ZRL9NWoS5uOXxclDa78UC3T6kcXn4VyzjTOAACpKPi-9zw6SwSpidNIU41yrrJqlyrdUH7cLT1aCbELAkPKdI/s1600/sahar+home+274.jpg" width="320" /></a>And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live."<br />
The Rose~ Amanda McBroom<br />
<div>
<br />
Do you feel stuck in your life? Do you have concerns in a relationship or.feel weighted down by addiction?<br />
Do you want to experience the wealth of strength and joy within you?<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Contact me:<br />
On Facebook: Sahar Eric Pinkham<br />
On YouTube: SaharSound <br />
<br />
I wish you Peace.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-91672364922812931002015-01-27T11:58:00.001-08:002015-01-27T11:58:25.811-08:00"Defending" Peace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Nn9SIxM7sfl-tymz3vq17KQo0vwPcE9blybCS_kg09WDj-nbpxILcmwp6EmOsRL55MTBO1rOayH20Tpen0Ms4xhIn1CI9cT0UhNCJeorM04tIxdp2hkG2FsHtmIx8P5KpUx_xN3lU8/s1600/meeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Nn9SIxM7sfl-tymz3vq17KQo0vwPcE9blybCS_kg09WDj-nbpxILcmwp6EmOsRL55MTBO1rOayH20Tpen0Ms4xhIn1CI9cT0UhNCJeorM04tIxdp2hkG2FsHtmIx8P5KpUx_xN3lU8/s1600/meeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a> Over the last six months, we have had the honor of caring for my wife Rebeckas' best friend (of 45 years!), Melody, during her cancer treatment and transition. She asked us if she could stay with us because she believed that she would receive the best care and the most loving support with us, in our home. The kind of care and support she believed she could not receive at her home in Grass Valley. We gave her our bedroom, which was perfect for her, as it has it's own bathroom and is separate from the rest of the house. Like a small apartment. We considered it an honor to have her stay with us. A profound opportunity to be of service.<br />
We set out to make our home a sanctuary for her and all those who would come to visit and stay. Many did. For the last two months, there were no less than 5 people staying in our home and with visitors, we had as many as 15 people here at a time.<br />
Her youngest son Pavel, visited her about two weeks before her passing. He came into our house stoic and angry, not saying a word or making eye contact. While visiting Melody, we wanted to make him (and the 6 other people visiting her) comfortable, so we brought chairs and pillows up. After I brought up a chair, Rebecka brought us some pillows. To Rebecka, Pavel said "this is your house. But this is my mother. So, keep your husband out of this room, as I'm feeling like I want to throw something through the wall!"<br />
When she came back downstairs, I saw a look of terror on her face, like I've never seen. This saddened me greatly. I also felt great anger. I wanted to storm up there and expel him from our house. It took all my will to restrain myself from this. I didn't confront him, because I so wanted to support him in having as loving a visit with his mother as possible. I just stayed out of the way. In fact, after speaking with a few people about how to proceed, we agreed that it would be best if I wasn't visible when he came through. I tucked myself away in our sons bedroom for the duration.<br />
Our house being a two bedroom, towards the end of Melodies life, we frequently used Elijahs' room as the only other room in the house where we could close the door. It was very magnanimous of him to share his only private space with us.<br />
Rebecka and I had set out to make our home a place where all were welcome. We made it our focus to support all who came, with a hug, a meal, or a bed. We loved the idea of creating this sanctuary. So, to have Melodies' son come and (as we saw it) defile this temple (where his own mother had requested to stay), shocked us to our core. We were distressed for many days after his visit. It was enough to be caring for her in our small home, with a steady flow of people coming through. This was devestating.<br />
When we finally felt some peace again, word got to us that apparently, Pavel hadn't had his "moment" with her. We witnessed many beautiful exchanges between Melody and the people who came to visit her (possibly, their last time). Each, having had their "moment:" a sharing of tears, regrets, wishes, and love.<br />
So, word got to us that Pavel was returning. I remember it vividly, the morning that we got this news. I was doing yoga in Elijahs' room (the available room), feeling very conflicted as to how to protect my family from threats (or worse), while keeping as peaceful an environment as possible.<br />
The plan that I approached Rebecka with was, that when he arrived, I would stand outside the front door with another adult male, with the door closed. I would say something like "you are welcome to be in our home as long as you are kind to all who are here and threaten no one." I would extend my hand, to see if he would shake it in agreement. Then, I would allow him in.<br />
Rebeckas' response was that I should not even be visible when he arrived. Like before, it would be best if I stayed in Elijahs' room. The nurses, the social worker, the friends and family who were with us, all agreed.<br />
I was torn. My male, husband, father, protector: gaurdian of our home wanted to take a position of strength.<br />
It occured to me to call on those whose expertise it is to protect and keep the peace. I called the Sebastopol police station. Now, the police in this town are a fine example of peace-keepers. I have witnessed them many times, in difficult situations, where they used tact and dialogue to deescalate a situation. I told the cop my idea of standing strong in front of our sanctuary. He listened without interruption. He proceeded to tell me that the best plan would be for me to not be visible to Pavel. Why give him a target for his aggression? Just let him on through and if there was a problem, to call 911.<br />
I was very grateful for his advice. I was also very relieved. Once again, Life had taught me that there is always a way to create peace: always a way to be peace.<br />
<br />
"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." ~ Albert EinsteinAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-76600340843259403122015-01-22T12:23:00.000-08:002015-01-22T12:23:04.413-08:00Death Bed Forgiveness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVNhiUVAMn0uF58F7FcIDktqTp9KZqFPjj1rroKgcPa_hDMBVQlbXfe8wFWF2hv9-tgUEOvGvDQNVW0CByssC5KneAxH5nLyEMvBzwDeDZy8qoe_WMFkCG3pUhAGlrd7WQEJV1J5yymI/s1600/meeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVNhiUVAMn0uF58F7FcIDktqTp9KZqFPjj1rroKgcPa_hDMBVQlbXfe8wFWF2hv9-tgUEOvGvDQNVW0CByssC5KneAxH5nLyEMvBzwDeDZy8qoe_WMFkCG3pUhAGlrd7WQEJV1J5yymI/s1600/meeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a> In March of last year, my wife's best friend (of 45 years!) Melody, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The most deadly of all cancers.<br />
<div>
Melody asked us if she could stay with us during her treatments and during this time of transition. We were honored to receive such a request and proceeded to create our home as a sanctuary for her and all those connected to her, who would be visiting and staying with us.<br />
While with us, I had the honor of supporting her therapeutically. As a counselor and hypnotherapist, I supported her in delving into her psychological wounding. As we reflected on her relationship with her sister Dawn, it became apparent that for her, this relationship held more pain, grief, and shame than any other. For Melody, the enormity of this pain was so great, that she believed it to be insurmountable: unhealable. So much so, that she didn't want to address it.Yet, in the final stages of her cancer, word got to Dawn that Melody was dying and Dawn came to visit. </div>
<div>
When Dawn arrived, we ushered her up to Melodies room. There, with Melody barely able to speak, they made eye contact, they held hands, they cried, and each said "I love you." I had the profound Gift of witnessing how this seemingly immovable obstacle to love, melted in a few seconds. Gone. </div>
<div>
Replaced with, love and gratitude. Truly a miracle. </div>
<div>
The only obstacles to love were Melodies thoughts about all the instances in her past, when she had experienced pain. She had decided that given these experiences, love was not possible. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTKWCouF1xM0qDL0tfbxFeBKp6WzKxXjhfqmE7A46JRmfGx2ZVbNSCO0KBedyWu01dP0-t2ws3syQm2UCgl027aL8-mixBsuDmF5UxdHii4Z5wbZir9MyvZRqiS_j-VCHrE2rmuzH3rA/s1600/meellll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTKWCouF1xM0qDL0tfbxFeBKp6WzKxXjhfqmE7A46JRmfGx2ZVbNSCO0KBedyWu01dP0-t2ws3syQm2UCgl027aL8-mixBsuDmF5UxdHii4Z5wbZir9MyvZRqiS_j-VCHrE2rmuzH3rA/s1600/meellll.jpg" /></a> She compiled these experiences into a "book" as it were, becoming a kind of "playbook" for relationship: a reminder of what was possible (pain) and what was not (love). But the moment Dawn showed up, the book vanished. and with it, the past stories of pain and victimization. In that moment, all she knew was love and gratitude. She needed to let go of that "book" in order to love.</div>
<div>
Our present time emotional suffering stems from the belief that our present and our future will be filled with suffering, given our past. So pain is a "time thing." It only exists when we bring in the past hurts and overlay them onto our present reality. Whereas love is a "present thing".</div>
<div>
In short, the only evidence for the existence of time, is the "<br />
distance" we are from love.<br />
Bon Voyage Melody. <br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-79824924147106528392014-05-06T09:56:00.002-07:002014-05-06T09:56:48.620-07:00Addiction<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What is addiction? How do we recognize when we're addicted? What to do then?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance or engages in an activity that can be pleasurable, but the continued use of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life, responsibilities, such as work or relationships, or health. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Users may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others." ~ Psychology Today </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Common And Seemingly Uncommon Addictions</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVdNTA89NtbpdbbKH7VJPlXa2hIWMu-tcf2dljzNAWxBBl7oj2lLcSndE3Rft7Ii72SkFYFKGCpeNVPVqrCiVN8HV9Ig-WSylQrPU2oVLGeVpvxEwVe4zTMg7r41VcZ08qsILkZXUnM8/s1600/sahar+home+157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVdNTA89NtbpdbbKH7VJPlXa2hIWMu-tcf2dljzNAWxBBl7oj2lLcSndE3Rft7Ii72SkFYFKGCpeNVPVqrCiVN8HV9Ig-WSylQrPU2oVLGeVpvxEwVe4zTMg7r41VcZ08qsILkZXUnM8/s1600/sahar+home+157.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When you are sad, bored, or depressed, do you go shopping? Rather than looking at what you can acquire, look for what you can let go of. When I let go of something
physical, mental and emotional "space" are cleared. It's as though by
letting go of a thing, I have more of me! "Less is more". I
feel more relaxed and inspired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When you travel, is there some element of escape from your life? Do you give yourself permission for activities when you travel, that you don't allow yourself in your daily life? What does this say about your daily life? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There's a scene in the Star Trek movie "Insurrection", when the crew
of the Enterprise visit a planet where the people have the capacity to
travel anywhere in the galaxy but don't. When asked why, one of them
replied "Where would galactic travel take us, but away from here?" Sonoma County is this way for me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are led to believe that for us to be happy, we must have
entertainment, adventure. Yet, these activities are only temporary
retreats from what I call our "default state": the experience of ourselves and our lives that is most common to us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Dependence On Making Others Dependent On Us</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We may not recognize when we are attempting to lure people into a dependency on us. When we can create this dynamic, we feel a temporary sense of power; one that likely turns to emptiness. Reflecting on a significant relationship in your life, please take a moment to answer the following questions. As writing is so revealing, you may wish to write your answers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In this relationship: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Are you looking for a certain
kind of attention? What kind? Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Are you in a power struggle? What is the nature of this struggle?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Are you
making them your "project? What are you looking to change in them? Why? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do
you feel yourself to be a better person when you're with them? How so?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you look to them for permission to behave a certain way or engage in a certain activity? What way/activity?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When in relationship, we often pick one of two polarities. Call
them high/low, good/bad, empowerment/dis-empowerment, right/wrong,
deserving/ undeserving. I
have chosen all those roles many times throughout my life. When
I have chosen the "high", "deserving", or "good" polarity, I put on a
persona to match that. I talk the "high" or "good" talk, while hiding those
aspects of my life I think the person I'm relating to will disapprove
of. As a child, I assumed the belief that I was a
"good, loved" child. So, as an adult, I have tried to
place myself into the "good" polarity.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Addiction To Emotions</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Lafjp6QDOChUuuwMJKwjphgTV2wwm01GG-ifl6RpdRva495adU3BNB58FlUoHJ3fXkLB3XtBSi0spOeTts6Eu6-HzpAGS9tn94Zr3tdJVMfXpnzyNHUNW7hCJrCZBpSVpbyimmfu_34/s1600/sahar+home+158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Lafjp6QDOChUuuwMJKwjphgTV2wwm01GG-ifl6RpdRva495adU3BNB58FlUoHJ3fXkLB3XtBSi0spOeTts6Eu6-HzpAGS9tn94Zr3tdJVMfXpnzyNHUNW7hCJrCZBpSVpbyimmfu_34/s1600/sahar+home+158.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Often, our first reactionary emotion is anger. We believe that this makes us powerful and will frighten our "opposition." We feel adrenaline moving through us, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">our hearts beating
faster, the
blood flowing faster, providing more oxygen to our bodies. Through this, we know we're alive. From this perspective, being peaceful
is somehow associated with weakness. Yet, we are our
most clear thinking, centered, and strong, when we're
peaceful. We are more aware of our surroundings and other people. We are more aware of what is authentically true for us. True strength is accessed through a still mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When wallowing in sadness, we can find further evidence as to how we are alone in the world and how "nothing goes our way." We sink into depression and see a world filled only with loss and heartbreak. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When we allow our fear to influence us, we make
our choices from a sense of inferiority; from a subconscious belief
that we are not deserving of love and success in our lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Allowing our emotions to influence our choices perpetuates this self imposed
scale of deserving-not deserving, superior-inferior, worthy-not
worthy, good-bad, acceptable-not acceptable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Addiction To Thought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thoughts are our constant companion, whether we like them or not. Even when our thoughts are distressing and worrisome, there is a familiarity with them. We believe it's our thoughts that remind us that we're alive. "I think, therefore I am." ~ Rene Descartes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our lives revolve around thoughts such that we believe that without them, we are somehow lifeless and purposeless. We have become so addicted to this belief that we may never even question the value of thought. This is our most basic addiction. The one that leads to all others. When we deal with this addiction, all other addictions and in fact, our very existence, is positively influenced. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I am not my
thoughts, emotions, sense perceptions, and experiences. I am not the
content of my life. I am Life. I am the space in which all things
happen. I am consciousness. I am Now. I Am." ~ Eckhart Tolle, Stillness
Speaks</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDCSTli52vnZIUf98-wMdVc0TT1Sn9G01onf0XVaPuIR8_TjpGsGbgDVH29OOOYET7u4LGxJI84FtW9nT0VNv9LCtYGbx_DwANxNDgnBw5Y3X94KM3rtD3OJhIITkG2ifMvBUxv_Vbsg/s1600/sahar+home+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDCSTli52vnZIUf98-wMdVc0TT1Sn9G01onf0XVaPuIR8_TjpGsGbgDVH29OOOYET7u4LGxJI84FtW9nT0VNv9LCtYGbx_DwANxNDgnBw5Y3X94KM3rtD3OJhIITkG2ifMvBUxv_Vbsg/s1600/sahar+home+154.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Beyond
(or behind) our thoughts, there is an awareness that has
always watched the drama of our lives. It's like a screen upon which the movie </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(thoughts, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">emotions, even our dreams)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is projected. Although
this "screen" (this awareness) remains free from what is projected upon
it. In Eastern Mysticism, this awareness is called the "witness". I
consider this "witness" our doorway to Infinite Lif</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">e </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Notice
when you are focused on creating or giving, how you have fewer
thoughts about
yourself, about what you can get from another (no greed or
manipulation); no thoughts of hiding or defending. In fact, there are fewer thoughts altogether!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b><br /></b><b>Becoming Aware Of Addiction</b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One great dynamic to reveal our addictive tendency is in the drum circle. When playing a rhythm, we often experience boredom (just like life, when in a repetitive cycle) This boredom may also be experienced as a frustration and an increasing desire for a change: speed up the tempo, add some more parts to the rhythmic pattern, something! It's this very boredom (both in the drum circle and in life) that leads us to try to find something to "fill our consciousness." When one stays with this boredom, not trying to change or minimize it, but accepting it, the boredom gives way to deeper peace and joy. Sit with your boredom, let it build within you, breathing deeply as you do. Let go of results and time, of doing of any kind and just sit. The boredom will pass when you have fully accepted it. When I do, I experience a peace and joy as sweet as any entertainment or adventure. This peace is available 24/7.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Freedom From Addiction</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBhjI8JCPSboSZ9VmkVkyetRheA804tHKrXwi2kiV_Rax3k_9QIqGjIS023flBfIJQXnKGFLqX7sDByTisGxowGsjx7iFotAQAu3JJbEmG37G7pLoS4gLszWTF8yuHGM9uKxHpYHI7Eo/s1600/sahar+home+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBhjI8JCPSboSZ9VmkVkyetRheA804tHKrXwi2kiV_Rax3k_9QIqGjIS023flBfIJQXnKGFLqX7sDByTisGxowGsjx7iFotAQAu3JJbEmG37G7pLoS4gLszWTF8yuHGM9uKxHpYHI7Eo/s1600/sahar+home+152.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I
love to quote Joseph Campbells pithy, poignant, phrase; "Follow Your
Bliss". Like the bumper sticker says: "If it ain't fun, don't do it". I believe the essence of why we fall into addiction is that deep down we know this exquisite Bliss is within us: that it is in fact, who we are. But since we are so addicted to thought, we use our thoughts to find it. We look to externals to experience it. It ain't there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Follow your bliss. What do you love to do?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Following my Bliss, my entire life has changed. I do work
that I love, I live with people that I love, and have learned how to
return to love when I have entered conflict. Follow your bliss long enough, and your life becomes filled with inspiration and passion.</span><br />
<br />
Do you feel stuck in your life? Do you have concerns in a relationship or.feel weighted down by addiction?<br />
Do you want to experience the wealth of strength and joy within you?<br />
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.<br />
Visit my web page; <a href="http://www.saharpinkham.com/heart.html">www.SaharPinkham.com</a>.<br />
On Facebook: Sahar Eric Pinkham<br />
On YouTube: SaharSound <br />
<br />
I wish you Peace.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-14306117678370271102014-04-18T07:26:00.000-07:002014-04-18T07:26:15.472-07:00Parenting<b>My Story</b><br />
One week after I graduated from high school, I moved into an ashram (the Indian equivalent of a monastery). I wanted to experience the Truth of my existence. Also, if my parents relationship was any clue to marriage, I wanted to get as far away from that as possible. I saw marriage as a death of sorts, filled with repression, dishonesty, drudgery, and pain: lots of pain.<br />
<br />
In addition, I saw raising children as a further step into this "hellish" realm. Children would only add chaos to the picture, exacerbating this horror. I believed that all things joyous and free were not to be found as a spouse or parent. So, I traveled down a path of celibacy and monasticism for 6 years.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlhKGri2B5cznRJYv9n3wRhE-2r9PJ1DedxJ7gMsmYonI1KWSadJsRG5miTO7lTSBgGo_yXrioJAlzGRElassLw-Zzn7-QzHQVaihKv9JD1mwvDixKvD5WnEHicOeM9eHjbN5b0_MlVY/s1600/IMG00018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlhKGri2B5cznRJYv9n3wRhE-2r9PJ1DedxJ7gMsmYonI1KWSadJsRG5miTO7lTSBgGo_yXrioJAlzGRElassLw-Zzn7-QzHQVaihKv9JD1mwvDixKvD5WnEHicOeM9eHjbN5b0_MlVY/s1600/IMG00018.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a><br />
Even with this strong fear of relationship, I met
my first wife in the ashram and we were married
within a year. Six years later, we had a son. For the first few years of his life, I feared his dependency on me would exclude all life outside of taking care of him and working. I believed that for the next 18 years, I would have no freedom. No time for <i>me.</i><br />
<br />
This fear that we'll lose our freedom, upon having a child, is common among new dads; one that can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. We transfer our fears of parenting onto our children and our lives, creating a life of drudgery. We tell ourselves that our children are in part, the cause of this drudgery. "If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have to work so hard, so long". We may find ourselves regretting time with our children, while waiting for a
few "precious" moments to ourselves. I call these thoughts "what about me"?! <br />
<br />
<b>Fear Turns To Guilt</b><br />
During my first sons teenage years, I felt much guilt, that I had been so distracted by my fear, during his early years.<br />
This guilt
lead me to not be clear in my relationship with him. I would invite him
to participate with me, in activities that he wasn't interested in and
then I'd be disappointed/ sad when he didn't want to join me. I would
take this as a rejection. My decisions were clouded by my guilt, such
that I couldn't see that he just wasn't interested. What a tangled web we weave!<br />
<br />
These fears of marriage and parenting were the phantoms from my own childhood, continuing to haunt me. I was raised in a home where we children were often separate from our parents. When our father (who worked long hours) arrived home, we weren't allowed to be with him, or my mother. They went into the den, closing the door. When we wanted to be with them, we would knock on the door to the den and wait for a "yes" before entering. We'd stand in the doorway, ask our question(s) (usually rehearsed), receive an answer, and then leave, closing the door behind us. Formal, impersonal, and cold.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." ~ Albert Einstein</b><br />
<br />
How remarkable that the very lifestyle that I feared most is the one that has encompassed over 1/2 of my life! When we invest energy into pushing something away (in this case, marriage and kids), we give it energy. To the extent that we reject anything is the extent to which it stays with us! Think of yourself as standing inside a big rubber band. As you push against one side, you are met with the same force. The more you push it away, the more force there is on you.<br />
<br />
<b>Healing Your Inner Child</b><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">To recognize just what "wounds" you are bringing into the present, take a moment and recall the most painful memory from your childhood. Bring that memory fully into your minds' eye. Place yourself into that scene. As you are reliving this scene, what do you feel? Sadness, fear, anger? The extent to which you feel these emotions is the extent to which that experience still colors your life today. </span>I invite you to give yourself a few minutes for the following exercise. It may assist you in freeing yourself from the influence of your past.<br />
Imagine the child (who was you, from that memory), standing in front of you. See them feeling all that you felt in that scene. Take a moment for this.<br />
Imagine centered in your heart, a brilliant colored light.
Let this be the 'Light of your inner Love'. Breath in this Light and
let it fill you. Send a steady stream of this Light to the heart of this child. See them receive it. See them fill with gratitude, and
peace. See this Light fill their chest. See them rejuvenated by this
Light of your Love, as though they are receiving the most enlivening Nutrition. See
Joy fill their being. See them feel Inspired, Creative, and Loving. Do
this now.<br />
<br />
As you send this Light to them, take this moment to tell them whatever you are inspired to say. Reassure them that you are aware of them and their needs: that you now advocate for them in every way. Take a moment for this.<br />
<br />
Now, see in their heart a brilliant, colored
Light of Love. See a steady stream of Light and Love extend from their
heart to yours. Allow yourself to receive it fully. Let it fill you as
they have just been filled. <br />
Now envision a
flow of Light and Love from your heart to theirs and from their heart to
yours. Take a moment for this..<br />
<br />
You may wish to imagine taking them in your arms: feeling the warmth of their little body against yours. You may then wish to create a beautiful, sacred spot for them in your heart. Place them there, surrounded by your Love. <br />
<br />
Every time you find yourself in the influence of these past hurts, remember this child and send them Love.<br />
<br />
<b>The Gift Of Parenting</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ1VKxYM7K2LVITLvfYBtM4yu7Ovt_JRrYrCvTyH2MGJuKT6tpuJiBXAtBaq3xO9wX0ACt1A7912l2VzVtCupLAy7IQd7DNO9qy2pYxb0Wr2vIaZl-Db9ICsg7SDGTXghrNEpMgBThf0/s1600/The+three+Pinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ1VKxYM7K2LVITLvfYBtM4yu7Ovt_JRrYrCvTyH2MGJuKT6tpuJiBXAtBaq3xO9wX0ACt1A7912l2VzVtCupLAy7IQd7DNO9qy2pYxb0Wr2vIaZl-Db9ICsg7SDGTXghrNEpMgBThf0/s1600/The+three+Pinks.jpg" /></a>I see parenting as a journey of clearing the path before us, so that we may see the "path" that our children are on, not the one we think that they should be on. Whatever unhealthy beliefs and behaviors from our childhood, that we carry into our parenting, our work is to free ourselves from allowing it to influence how we see and therefore parent our kids. Our work is nothing short of completely freeing ourselves of these influences, that we may see our kids clearly: that we may no longer see that there is anything at all that we need to change in them. In so doing, we see our children's innate ability to handle whatever is in their lives. They come into this world with the strength to meet any challenge. They come in with the creativity to rise and flourish. For example, infants are fully aware of what they want and don't want, and have no fear expressing this. An infant will cry until they are fed, changed, given a nap: until the unmet need is met.<br />
<br />
<b>"Be The Example You Want To See" (from your children) ~ Mahatma Gandhi</b><br />
The only reason that we see anything other than capable, strong, immeasurably creative beings is because of 1) how we have taught them, through our own unhealthy behaviors and more importantly, 2) we doubt our ability to support them in recognizing and living in their innate strength and beauty. Simply, when we recognize that within us is an infinite wealth of creativity and strength, we see it in others and support them in seeing it in themselves.<br />
The following applies to us <i>and </i>our kids. Read it once as it is, then replace references to you with your child's name, <br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060927488/skdesigns/" title="Quote from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. By Marianne Williamson. Pg. 190-191.">
<div class="t1">
<span class="qo">“</span>Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we
are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you <i>not</i> to be? You are a
child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were
born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just
in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are
liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates
others.<span class="qc">”</span> <span class="qc">~ Marriane Williamson</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote cite="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060927488/skdesigns/" title="Quote from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. By Marianne Williamson. Pg. 190-191.">
<div class="t1">
Enjoy this adventure with my sons::https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwsaAT022Vc </div>
</blockquote>
My son's upcoming play<br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060927488/skdesigns/" title="Quote from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. By Marianne Williamson. Pg. 190-191.">
<div class="t1">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-5919566803714223422014-04-09T16:30:00.000-07:002014-04-11T08:08:47.743-07:00Meditation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2opfANVLvAXj_Xh4CmdvkC8birfIjMEQD4ScMQnsmBvwjD5s-K_BHKKh5JJkdtUGsKzxmctHzB28AClFcZhH8niYSDkn0VgTEWHaVRZVNb7LVgJFKz6_A6rgxngb9Cx0oeGdxIrbQ7AQ/s1600/sahar+home+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2opfANVLvAXj_Xh4CmdvkC8birfIjMEQD4ScMQnsmBvwjD5s-K_BHKKh5JJkdtUGsKzxmctHzB28AClFcZhH8niYSDkn0VgTEWHaVRZVNb7LVgJFKz6_A6rgxngb9Cx0oeGdxIrbQ7AQ/s1600/sahar+home+185.jpg" height="200" width="185" /></a>Meditation is the uninterrupted flow of focused awareness.<br />
<br />
<b>We All Meditate</b><br />
In every thing we do, is the opportunity to bring this focused
awareness.<br />
In fact, you are already engaged in some form of meditation. Just discover what. A few of the activities in which we experience this focused awareness are driving, gardening, cooking, walking, dancing, sitting, sex, playing music, exercise, writing, sports, eating, reading, crafting, building, drawing, studying, painting, cleaning, washing dishes: you get the idea.<br />
<br />
<br />
Feeling emotion deeply is meditation. Notice how when angry, there are times when you have greater focus. Notice when you allow yourself to fully feel and express sadness, how much your mind is focused. When scared, to the extent that you just feel this fear, free of blame or victimization, do you feel alive. Notice also in these instances, just how quickly emotion moves through you, returning you to peace. Emotions are
just "energy in motion." <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDAUCLWXuB0UVl91Y0N0xdxeJKNKVhCJgMQK8jEPb83yKNxZ_r3HalYLEAM4eMLaXxH-5cCyNONwgYUUYIF0IpmCe76DCJXkTseeYKd-ilLR1xzOTLO-unbIWevI7KjbqECcy4sRZZ_c/s1600/IMG00020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDAUCLWXuB0UVl91Y0N0xdxeJKNKVhCJgMQK8jEPb83yKNxZ_r3HalYLEAM4eMLaXxH-5cCyNONwgYUUYIF0IpmCe76DCJXkTseeYKd-ilLR1xzOTLO-unbIWevI7KjbqECcy4sRZZ_c/s1600/IMG00020.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a>When we allow thoughts, emotions, and physical
sensations to be experienced, we are in meditation.<br />
<br />
It's when we apply meaning and/or past associations to the experience that we think of the experience as "bad" or painful. In Eastern Mysticism, the distinction is made between physical pain, being a natural part of life and suffering, caused by our overlaying of stories/ meanings/ associations onto the moment. There's nothing to be done, but accept and feel "pain", but suffering, it is said, is optional. Suffering is a choice.<br />
Another way of looking at this is that suffering is caused by the false belief that we are unlovable, no one accepts us, and that we're separate and alone. What I call our "what about me" fears. <br />
<br />
Notice
when you are in a focused awareness (or meditation) how you have no thoughts about
yourself. No thoughts about what you can get from another (no greed or manipulation); no thoughts around why you should hide (there's nothing to hide); no thoughts about any need to defend (there's nothing to defend). There's no "what about me." Notice how
you're experiencing a steady flow of focused attention on your activity and how good you feel. In this "flow" or "zone", there's no self-awareness, no separate self, no me verses anyone or anything, no "fight or flight".<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I am not my thoughts, emotions, sense perceptions, and experiences. I am not the content of my life. I am Life. I am the space in which all things happen. I am consciousness. I am Now. I Am." ~ Eckhart Tolle, Stillness Speaks<b></b></blockquote>
<b>The "Zone".</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ_5GYAxvwt5go29ivRl13xujT3MLhq7w-ZT9foj8Y29nRRhGqCpq6w0kudRZBDjPYFqUKWeqoey_RrSPZSZ266MLTb4HuGFSUldgFGON2ubOyzlgsccjTs_VAc8APyVpVnX7HQ8qj8s/s1600/sahar+home+236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ_5GYAxvwt5go29ivRl13xujT3MLhq7w-ZT9foj8Y29nRRhGqCpq6w0kudRZBDjPYFqUKWeqoey_RrSPZSZ266MLTb4HuGFSUldgFGON2ubOyzlgsccjTs_VAc8APyVpVnX7HQ8qj8s/s1600/sahar+home+236.jpg" height="200" width="123" /></a>In one study of athletes "peak experiences" or the "zone", <span style="font-size: small;">"characteristics included focusing on the present moment,
effortless merging of action and awareness, loss of personal ego, sense
of control, clear feedback, and an intrinsic reward system. Athletes
recalled these special moments during sport participation as salient,
highly valued and extremely meaningful.' This "zone" has been studied extensively in sports. while often missed in our day to day activities.</span><br />
<br />
Meditation has it's formal practice as well. You may associate it with the following steps: sit up straight, in the
lotus or half lotus position, place your hands on your knees or in your
lap. Have a focus, whether it be on a mantra, a
geometric design, your breath, or on a given location, like between your eyes or your
navel.<br />
<br />
When I studied formal meditation, I learned that meditation is one step in a series of steps. This first step being "concentration". I learned that the step of concentration is when one is attempting to bring focus to a certain train of thought, such as repeating a mantra. Think of the analogy of the meditator being like a carriage driver and our thoughts are the team of horses. I think of the stage of concentration as attempting to bring the horses (our thoughts) into alignment. Initially, the horses are heading in all different directions, not unlike an unfocused or confused mind. The next stage is "meditation". In this stage, the "horses" have come into an alignment. We still have thoughts, but we are not pulled in different directions by them. We are peaceful and somewhat detached. In this experience we're not lead by reaction, confusion, or fear. We are motivated more from peace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHePvDwew9nrPpI9ZOBeI-cH5ysuIkPxBV-pb0NFt6zQiVhpgMB_fclPqa5OY_qElZIdDdeb95xeRFPjFsb6wQCgHr8kNLY5omhs9gjc7w-hfzp5OalTOVA-4I7fg8hv7Hv3KQqHmrHc/s1600/sahar+home+208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHePvDwew9nrPpI9ZOBeI-cH5ysuIkPxBV-pb0NFt6zQiVhpgMB_fclPqa5OY_qElZIdDdeb95xeRFPjFsb6wQCgHr8kNLY5omhs9gjc7w-hfzp5OalTOVA-4I7fg8hv7Hv3KQqHmrHc/s1600/sahar+home+208.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
The "Pink Pig" family (last name Pinkham, you know)<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Group Meditation</span></b><br />
Ever been to a sporting event with
thousands of people rooting for one of two teams? Quite provocative,
right? Lots of energy, lots of excitement. Whenever we are in a group
with an aligned focus, our experience is amplified. As the group aligns, we
experience an amplification of the peace we experience alone. This is a
form of group meditation. Take a look at these amazing results of
studies documenting the profound effect on communities, of this dynamic:http://maharishi-programmes.globalgoodnews.com/maharishi-effect/research.html.<br />
<br />
My favorite form of group meditation is as a drum circle. An amazing way to align our consciousness, while having great childlike fun. Take a look at this video of a drum circle I had the honor of facilitating:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYvIBpmEFZ8<br />
<br />
Peace, Sahar <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-21274854709024844032014-03-13T16:38:00.000-07:002014-03-13T16:38:59.711-07:00Our Fear Of Rejection<b> Our fear of rejection: what others might think, say, and do about/ to us.</b><br />
<br />
This fear leads us to behave in ways that we think others
will approve of...<br />
*because we are yearning for
acknowledgement/ approval/ acceptance...<br />
*because we're afraid that they will reject/ abandon/ even abuse
us...<b></b><br />
*because we fear they will validate our beliefs, that we are unlovable & unworthy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXp4SO8O7_9JebshRgT24JiCqXIqMVHR0ZvGaLXbB4JVDpyh5mmQ6s4PPSZXSYXUqw3FFhxG4EaJGQKgHLtcRXLY8Z6lKML_OMk5R_HD5nx5q2NvBptg96fVZGTEgrNBjhwimHMlLN7s/s1600/IMG00015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXp4SO8O7_9JebshRgT24JiCqXIqMVHR0ZvGaLXbB4JVDpyh5mmQ6s4PPSZXSYXUqw3FFhxG4EaJGQKgHLtcRXLY8Z6lKML_OMk5R_HD5nx5q2NvBptg96fVZGTEgrNBjhwimHMlLN7s/s1600/IMG00015.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a><br />
<br />
Why do we carry this fear?<br />
Is it a part of the human make up?<br />
Is it genetic?<br />
What is it's origin? <br />
<br />
There's a story my aunt told me about a three year old boy. As she was visiting our family, the door had been closed to the children, so the adults could have their "adult time". She recalls witnessing this toddler lying on the floor, scratching at the
bottom of the door to the room where the adults had gathered, hoping to get some attention: hoping to participate in their gathering, while not being an interruption or "disturbance".<br />
Quite an ironic thing. This child, while just wanting loving attention, was at this tender age conflicted, because he also had been given the message that he was an "interruption" into his parents well-being. What to do?!<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>This child was me. Although, it could have been <i>any</i> of us.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRBhR4xMv3Ob-vA5huSdNR2uHryJ9W-7pFcFxTbMblP8X5mLSEAX2r0Ngx5SGB-j9_c9NvOtWB-Jya1Q00Ex9VA1t9HThU9jufz6TN0sCjSJFhxF0g6jHxzf9Pda8xn2UabfhFyKPdiw/s1600/IMG00026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRBhR4xMv3Ob-vA5huSdNR2uHryJ9W-7pFcFxTbMblP8X5mLSEAX2r0Ngx5SGB-j9_c9NvOtWB-Jya1Q00Ex9VA1t9HThU9jufz6TN0sCjSJFhxF0g6jHxzf9Pda8xn2UabfhFyKPdiw/s1600/IMG00026.jpg" height="147" width="200" /></a><br />
As young children, we made significant decisions in relationship to the main authorities in our lives (generally our parents). These decisions were based on the degree to which we were loved and accepted as the unique, naturally gifted and beautiful beings that we are. With parents who were in conflict, we may have made decisions about how to behave in order to be safe. Thus began our fear of rejection.<br />
<br />
Each decision was added to the creation of a "book", "written" by us. This "book" became our self image.<br />
It is this "book" that is the source of our fear of rejection. This "book" is the only thing that separates us from each other, yet, all it is is a collections of stories with no real identity, no real existence.It's just stories!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ3KYhdUDAsPUGxdzzuPE42Cs71KCX2f0s4PoQY_cH_IQDX2OpboGMHCfHcUmgJTWgb6YtcLx2v6pWkjL4JMIPB35TEtbfdvGIBPy89Xvdl4sZUMpNp6S8eVBa0zDJnUq8IzZcfAzNt0/s1600/IMG00008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ3KYhdUDAsPUGxdzzuPE42Cs71KCX2f0s4PoQY_cH_IQDX2OpboGMHCfHcUmgJTWgb6YtcLx2v6pWkjL4JMIPB35TEtbfdvGIBPy89Xvdl4sZUMpNp6S8eVBa0zDJnUq8IzZcfAzNt0/s1600/IMG00008.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a>These decisions/stories eventually lead us away from our
natural state of authenticity and spontaneity, to believing that we had
to determine our life's course based on perceived circumstances. We
shifted from an internally, freedom-based, proactive reality (experienced as "us as Life" or "us with Life") to an
externally based, reactive existence (experienced as "us as separate from Life"); an existence of struggle, which is how most of us live.<br />
<br />
"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure." ~Helen Keller<br />
<br />
In my quest for self awareness, I explored how my childhood experiences and decisions have influenced my choices and perceptions in my adult life. I've recognized which choices were made from my fear of rejection. I then traced this fear to my early childhood: often, to within the first three years of my life. This allowed me to recognize when a current choice/perception was based on an early life decision,. Seeing that the present has nothing to do with my past, I could "place" that fear with it's origin, allowing me to see the present as new, with infinite possibility. I could now make a more loving/present choice.<br />
<br />
In a hypnotherapy session, I regressed back to my birth. In this regression, as I was being held by the doctor, I had the impulse/ thought: "I am a man. I'm going to do<i> this </i>on my own". This initial impression was as I grew up, solidified into my belief that I was an "island," that I was alone in the world, (not a part of Infinite Consciousness). It was me against the world: my survival was achieved through competing with others: my success was on the shoulders of others (not <i>with </i>others). I also learned that when I suffered, I should do it alone. I shouldn't burden others' with my pain, they had enough of their own. No one would understand me anyway. Since these beliefs are solidified in our earliest years, addressing our fear of rejection requires us to forgive our parents. It helps to remember that all parents raise us with the skills they can access within them.<br />
<br />
Notice how after sharing the story of my wounding, not only are you not judging me, but that you are feeling compassion for me. When we hide any aspect of our lives, whether it's behaviors, our past, or our beliefs, vital energy is utilized in it's repression.This steals away from our physical and emotional well being and our clarity of thought. We look to others to love us, but when we live freely, we are loving ourselves. Living transparently is true intimacy. Think of intimacy as "Into me you see". When we live openly we feel a deep satisfaction, a sweet gratitude, and a sublime peace.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgKM47U0-N-2akd8lC-7a6sjYwAXOhsKnfPVY5taAHK6nixLUdNkIu-ZlhQtM8x8IO15UrzMe6iUeUBnRmq5vn-2u3iMNpNpklpJDYS9qMmh6F6EWEWla1FzARaXBmNtuYhyphenhyphenGdphRK6s/s1600/IMG00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgKM47U0-N-2akd8lC-7a6sjYwAXOhsKnfPVY5taAHK6nixLUdNkIu-ZlhQtM8x8IO15UrzMe6iUeUBnRmq5vn-2u3iMNpNpklpJDYS9qMmh6F6EWEWla1FzARaXBmNtuYhyphenhyphenGdphRK6s/s1600/IMG00021.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><br />
Sharing truthfully with another person truly "sets us free." I consider it the greatest honor for someone to invite me to bear witness as they explore the dark mystery of their inner world, especially their wounding, their pain. This invitation is their way of saying "I feel safe enough with you to have you "walk" with me into the valley of my inner darkness.: to support me while I explore my fear/pain/wounding".<br />
<br />
<div>
When I recognize thoughts based on my fear of rejection, my desire is not to try to push them away or pull them in. Just to recognize them and give them no attention. Let them be a side show, while I make new choices based on my present reality. You've probably heard "What you think of me is none of my business." This approach goes a step further, to"what <i>I </i>think about me is none of my business."<br />
Doing this, one becomes aware of "fresh" thoughts: thoughts that until this time have been shrouded by fear. These fresh thoughts guide us to our Highest Good.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipihpovUx7DnMHIkX5xbqk0ZSl4HmqQ0o4sLLP0C9iULhtG7uSSxrqnFa8HkhQy0kN-wLEfSFF75f8q_PcOz827Aynhr-U9IK4lbZDYjQIecq9nPqi7OtVPRl1k_Kj230eCIvUAybElN4/s1600/IMG00034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipihpovUx7DnMHIkX5xbqk0ZSl4HmqQ0o4sLLP0C9iULhtG7uSSxrqnFa8HkhQy0kN-wLEfSFF75f8q_PcOz827Aynhr-U9IK4lbZDYjQIecq9nPqi7OtVPRl1k_Kj230eCIvUAybElN4/s1600/IMG00034.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a><br />
Live
large. Share your life with others. Share your stories. Because as long as you keep them locked up you won't know
freedom. As you continue living openly, you'll realize that there is
nothing within you (or anyone) that is worthy of our shrinking from
life.<br />
<br />
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate, is strength undefeatable." ~ Helen Keller<br />
**********************<br />
Do you feel stuck in your life either in relationship or by addiction?<br />
Do you want to experience the wealth of strength and joy within you? It's 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. Visit my web page; <a href="http://www.saharpinkham.com/heart.html">www.SaharPinkham.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By the way, these great pictures are of my adorable son, Julian.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wish you Peace.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj8Fpbo8hozY9JP2h0GG5JKgW2lGocJmB8zuw7h_jVZIi4PHCuyin1ZKTTqf1EDvLJQblDk6J4dDrj_eTLtR0grPgTjZ9Q9FsK2aThH44xuGYMXbj3T_KHS9-DrJZsFqvCO8fco1Enag/s1600/IMG00010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj8Fpbo8hozY9JP2h0GG5JKgW2lGocJmB8zuw7h_jVZIi4PHCuyin1ZKTTqf1EDvLJQblDk6J4dDrj_eTLtR0grPgTjZ9Q9FsK2aThH44xuGYMXbj3T_KHS9-DrJZsFqvCO8fco1Enag/s1600/IMG00010.jpg" height="200" width="103" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>Intention</b><br />
I often experience just how powerful intention is when I'm teaching a drum lesson. As my student is focusing on embodying the rhythm, I hold the intention that they are playing the rhythm with ease, their hands and bodies are relaxed, and that they feel the groove of the rhythm. As I place all my focus completely on them, it's remarkable to see how quickly they get the rhythm. What's also remarkable is that the moment that I'm distracted (I have a thought about something or someone else), they lose their focus and the rhythm! Without my saying a word, without doing a thing, they lost the rhythm!<br /><br />We seemingly combined our consciousness, doubling our energy and focus towards their embodying the rhythm. <br /><br />I encourage you to explore this phenomenon. Start with a loved one. Join with them in their focus as they are engaged in some activity. Watch what happens when the two of you are completely focused and what happens when you are distracted. Then bring this to other people: strangers, performers, people struggling. As you support these people, you are living the Golden Rule. You are giving them what you want: loving support. By giving it to others, you'll fill with the gratitude you feel when you receive support.<br />
<br />"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited" ~Albert Einstein<br />“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” -William Arthur Ward<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Imagination Combined With Intention</b><br />I'd like to share these powerful tools (of intention combined with imagination) with you, in a guided meditation, designed for greater happiness: yours and all peoples. I invite you to give yourself 10 minutes.<br />
To set the stage, see that there is nothing in your surroundings that may distract you for the duration.<br />
<br />
Start by holding the intention of harmony with all beings, with all life. This simple act may well be the most important step in this process<br />
Make yourself comfortable. Close your eyes and breath deeply. Allow your breath to enter in through your nose, filling your lungs and abdomen. Exhale through your mouth. Give yourself a minute to slow your breathing to about one breath for every 30 seconds. Give yourself a moment for this.<br />
<br />
Now imagine a beautiful light above your head. Imagine this light as the Light of your Higher Self. You may wish to give it a color. See it scintillating with Vibrancy. See It radiate out in all directions. Take a moment.<br />
<br />
Now imagine a beam of this Light descends into and through your head, into your heart. See it grow in your Heart. See it pulsate with Life and Love. As you breath in, feel the elation and joy in your heart. Take a moment.<br />
<br />
Now send a steady beam of this Light and Love to someone you love dearly. See this person receive this Light in their heart. See them relax as they breath it in. See it grow in their chest, reaching into their internal organs; feeding their entire body like the most real nutrition. See them grow in vitality and joy. Take a moment.<br />
<br />
Now send this Light to the people in your life; to friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, community leaders. Send it to people with whom you are in conflict. As you love them, you are loving yourself. Take a moment.<br />
<br />
If you find yourself questioning your right or ability to Love so large, consider the following words. "We were
born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just
in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. <span class="qc">” ~ Marianne Williamson</span> <br />
<br />
Now send this Light to the people in the world you believe most need it. Imagine it traveling around the world and raining Beauty on people everywhere. Swami Muktananda said "It's always raining Grace. You just need to take down your umbrellas". Imagine all people having "taken down their umbrellas" to deeply receive this love.<span class="qc"> Imagine the entire world in harmony, in celebration, song, dance, music, and however you are inspired. Do this now.</span><br />
<span class="qc"><br /></span>
<br />
Enjoy this.....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl0-zNAOXOAic54csbfJ_60uFNSPTHWAkpLjmz-g_PBM0qdtNXg4CfrAzl1ddv2CbdLFhmWWvx4JuupOxZYjQVjwshK-iEutRiLcX09LI6IzIWFl7m_E5O1rUSg78Nn5vxxzLC0AeTQs/s1600/sahar+home+228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl0-zNAOXOAic54csbfJ_60uFNSPTHWAkpLjmz-g_PBM0qdtNXg4CfrAzl1ddv2CbdLFhmWWvx4JuupOxZYjQVjwshK-iEutRiLcX09LI6IzIWFl7m_E5O1rUSg78Nn5vxxzLC0AeTQs/s1600/sahar+home+228.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a>"Just imagine a world where there is no conflict, no selfish competition,only loving cooperation. Imagine a world free of pollution, free of want, free of disease, free of disaster. Imagine a world populated with smiling, laughing, happy, joyous people, all radiantly healthy, all abundantly supplied, all loved and loving. Get the feel of such a world, and put yourself right in the middle of it. Think of yourself as filled with life and energy and vitality, with a body that is strong and vibrant. See yourself surrounded with abundance and enjoying true prosperity. See yourself doing what you love and loving what you do, unbound and free. See yourself with the capacity to embrace and love and serve every single man and woman and child on this planet, regardless of who they are or what they have done and feel that unconditional love radiating from you to all, and returning from all to you. And then see everyone in the world as you have seen yourself in the ideal. Let there be peace in your heart, the excitement of victory in your mind, and joyous words on your lips." Selamat Ja! Sheldon Nidle & Colleen Nidle<br />
<br />
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: black;">May all being be happy. May all beings know Peace.</span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-3872484223501544192014-02-26T17:59:00.000-08:002014-02-26T17:59:04.436-08:00Healthy Boundaries <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRtnOHVraDBXbGARm0bf51Gu4HVZ2e_7oJZ1eeuQ42Gk8y644dPc-UMXfdXGyxi7CUUb5C6NBgTkaK8T4SaORCsTqzKu6a8FG5d5kN2HcSnHV3-ypQn5j_IbRaQHtrLSVQyViBVMLn5o/s1600/sahar+home+285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRtnOHVraDBXbGARm0bf51Gu4HVZ2e_7oJZ1eeuQ42Gk8y644dPc-UMXfdXGyxi7CUUb5C6NBgTkaK8T4SaORCsTqzKu6a8FG5d5kN2HcSnHV3-ypQn5j_IbRaQHtrLSVQyViBVMLn5o/s1600/sahar+home+285.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>We often create boundaries because we believe that we have
something to hide, something to keep safe. In so doing, we create all kinds of walls around us,
both figurative and literal, keeping others out. While simultaneously,
we yearn for human connection: love. We look
to the sky, telling ourselves that to meet beings from other planets
would be the most significant event humans could experience. While here at home, we
continue to keep secrets, to hide/ isolate and protect ourselves from each other. What to do?<br />
<br />
<b>Find Your "Spot"</b><br />
In her book "Dance", Oriah Mountain Dreamer recalls a dance class she partici- pated in, where each participant was assigned a "spot" on the floor. This was their "home base". They could breath only while on this spot, not while out on the floor, dancing. They could return to this place whenever they chose. When participants left their spot, they held their breath and danced. Initially, people were hesitant to go far from their spot. But, as they relaxed into the reassurance that their spot was always available, they moved further away, taking progressively longer periods on the floor. <br />
<br />
I liken this to how we are in our relationships. We tell ourselves that we first
need to be and feel safe. We want to determine if the people in our lives meet our requirements for safety. In other words, that we feel comfortable and not threatened in their presence. Once this is established, we
gradually reveal aspects of ourselves/our lives, to see how they will react. If they are
accepting, compassionate, and supportive, we continue to reveal ourselves. To the
degree that they show us acceptance and
compassion, is to the degree that we allow ourselves to relax/open up in their presence. We then trust/hope that they'll continue to be accepting of these aspects of ourselves.<br />
<br />
<b>The Illusion of "Trust"</b><br />
What do we mean when we say that we "trust" someone? Through our experiences with them, they have exhibited behaviors that meet
our definition of "trustworthy". As long as they continue to behave
within our definition, we'll "trust" them: we will feel relaxed/ safe with them. The catch here is that when
we look for a person to behave as they have in the past, we compare
their present behavior to their past behavior. When we have
expectations on anyone's behavior, we're sure to be disappointed! <br />
<br />
In truth, there's no trusting other people; just degrees of comfort with
ourselves in their presence. Take this "trust" expectation off of them and
recognize what aspect of yourself you are uncomfortable with, in their presence. The degree one is comfortable in the presence of another, is the degree one <i>trusts their own ability</i> to stay connected to their "spot", while in anothers company. Their "spot" being the feeling of peace generated by a comfort with the Life within us and around us.<br />
<br />
<b>The Healthiest Boundaries</b> <br />
In my time with Swami Muktananda, I had the profound honor of witnessing his capacity to remain completely in his "spot" at all times, with anyone. Because of this, he welcomed all people. Because of this, he had quite the motley crew in his inner circle. It wasn't just the "good" people, or the people who were on their best behavior. There were people hungry for power, fame, and money. There were people who were mean, aggressive, and deceitful. This was quite a wake up for me, as I had always prided myself on being a "good boy". I thought that attempting to wear a halo all the time would bring me closer to him and God.<br />
<br />
Another teacher, Oriel, taught that within each of us is the potential for every human expression: from the Christ Consciousness (Unconditional Love) to the Hitler (hatred/ condemnation). In my earlier life, I allowed myself to feel and express only smiles and happiness. With the support of this teacher, I saw how I was denying an essential part of myself. I had tried to hide/deny/avoid my anger, grief and shame thinking that these were "dark/ low/bad" expressions of myself, only to learn that these are integral aspects of my humanity. It's not that there are aspects of myself that are bad. It's how I express them that can be either destructive or freeing.<br />
<br />
I recognize that this entire spectrum is available within me. This is quite freeing.<br />
To the extent that I am comfortable with this spectrum within myself, am I comfortable with it in others.<br />
<br />
"I want to know if you can sit with
pain, mine or your own,<br />
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it."<br />
~ The Invitation, Oriah Mountain Dreamer<br />
<br />
<b>Just Say "No" </b><br />
Having healthy boundaries is the ability to recognize what you
don't want
and express it. Simply said, the ability to say "no". But we often don't, for
fear of rejection: what others might think, say, and do about/ to us. <br />
<br />
We behave in ways that we think others
will approve of... <br />
*because we are yearning for
acknowledgement/ approval/ acceptance...<br />
*because we're afraid/believe that they will reject/ abandon/ even abuse
us...<br />
*because we believe/ fear that they will validate our thoughts/ beliefs that we are unlovable & unworthy.<br />
These thoughts and beliefs dampen our natural ability to express healthy boundaries: to just say "no".<br />
<br />
<b>Abandoning Ourselves</b><br />
Sometimes we say "no", but then if things don't go our way, we
throw in the towel. We then say "yes", when we don't feel it. Sometimes we hope that others will just "read" us and know what we don't want. In fact, we even become passive aggressive when they don't!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeLW0Jcc9YDjqlIyaDTKsZZEJdF0BnEprGkKIqUtbInyrmleb8YI-hS9YBFgDjaj8AbGL7Akr8mTMKqjdPh5gA0Qtmfh0rSYDMpgaSRNAAzO7sCt5Ez5YHzK2S-EM0vofjeZSdvQH9V8/s1600/IMG00030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeLW0Jcc9YDjqlIyaDTKsZZEJdF0BnEprGkKIqUtbInyrmleb8YI-hS9YBFgDjaj8AbGL7Akr8mTMKqjdPh5gA0Qtmfh0rSYDMpgaSRNAAzO7sCt5Ez5YHzK2S-EM0vofjeZSdvQH9V8/s1600/IMG00030.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a>I've heard it said that with
children (as with adults), we may have
to repeat ourselves 10,000 times, to get a point across. Of course, this
is an exaggeration. The point is that when we are comfortable with the world in and around us, we advocate for ourselves, we speak what is true for us. This won't change
just because the response we got wasn't what we wanted.<br />
To not take
personally what others think, say, and do about us is one of the biggest steps we can take to be free.<br />
<br />
"I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself.<br />
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul."<br />
~The Invitation, Oriah Mountain Dreamer<br />
<br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060927488/skdesigns/" title="Quote from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. By Marianne Williamson. Pg. 190-191.">
<div class="t1">
<span class="qo">“</span>Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we
are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you <i>not</i> to be? You are a
child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were
born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just
in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are
liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates
others.<span class="qc">” ~ Marianne Williamson</span></div>
</blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-29133865014494900032014-02-19T08:52:00.000-08:002014-02-19T08:53:57.058-08:00The Gift Of Drought<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgArnObinQ3Wti4SpiEzECpeX7farMwMP8Hatkpah3NTJ9mvHPu28qKd-5Q4C31tp43DPpPp0V7HC4QHlGx-VAL02Mq6bQwyAyrt2yk5K7CNSv1MiurPW9uYYnPFdXlzGWLrr2sQETNM/s1600/sahar+home+159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgArnObinQ3Wti4SpiEzECpeX7farMwMP8Hatkpah3NTJ9mvHPu28qKd-5Q4C31tp43DPpPp0V7HC4QHlGx-VAL02Mq6bQwyAyrt2yk5K7CNSv1MiurPW9uYYnPFdXlzGWLrr2sQETNM/s1600/sahar+home+159.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've heard much talk regarding the devastating </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">possibilities of a water shortage. In drought years, we lose crops, wildlife, forests...even our homes and lives. In this article, I look at how <i>all </i>our perceptions of drought are based on our own misguided approaches to stewarding the land. I will also share ideas that can help reduce this potential harm. To make the changes necessary, we need to recognize how seriously wasteful we are in our use of water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Landscaping </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We
are so removed from the intimate relationship that life on this planet
has with water, that we are increasingly inefficient in its use.
Approximately 25% of the water used in the U.S. is used for garden irrigation.
In the summer, the amount
of water used outdoors by a household can exceed the
amount used for all other purposes in the entire year. Many people
believe that beautiful gardens and lawns require extensive watering,
fertilization and pesticide application. As a
landscaper for 30 years, I recognize that a beautiful garden can be had
using as little as 4% of what we use today, while reducing pollu- tion,
and protecting the environment. By installing drought tolerant gardens, 90% of this water could be saved for more personal needs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Home Use </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In our homes, we dump the valuable water from the sink, shower, washing machine, dishwasher, and the toilet. Using grey-water systems, we can
send the water from the sink, the shower, and the laundry to the garden. This could cut our water consumption by as much as 75%! <span style="font-size: small;">Additionally,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> an average of 25% of the water used in the house goes to toilet flushing. This wasteful approach can be replaced with some age-old technologies, while saving big money and better stewarding our environment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today's sewer systems overflow, causing beach closures, the spread of
illness and other environmental contamination, even in
places that actually have sewage treatment. Fortunately, we don't need costly sewage plants or septic systems to
render human waste into a harmless substance that, instead of being a
problem, is a solution to problems of water shortages, water pollution,
and reliance on chemical fertilizers. Instead
of wasting precious resources, we can
make rich humus and fertilizer from feces and urine! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Composting and dry toilets use natural processes to turn human excreta into a valuable soil amendment. They typically use little to no water<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Collecting
urine is a key step in recycling human nutrients. Urine contains
most of the nitro- gen, phosphorus and potassium we release. These
nutrients are the major components of chemical fertilizers, and urine is
an amazing plant fertilizer!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b><b>Rainwater Catchment Systems</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*Rainwater systems provide a source of water where needed. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz-ygEGnk0VtEQDgWL8L5FX7EEZnHFdzVGkYwApgrL-sPC9yuWxscXMJIUvQZZ2ssO3777WIm19diMsRH72tubk-3qtg8DSpvOLJq0tk-VkcPjokvOtGoc0rtUG5Y4A5pZo8xlGDD2-E/s1600/sahar+home+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz-ygEGnk0VtEQDgWL8L5FX7EEZnHFdzVGkYwApgrL-sPC9yuWxscXMJIUvQZZ2ssO3777WIm19diMsRH72tubk-3qtg8DSpvOLJq0tk-VkcPjokvOtGoc0rtUG5Y4A5pZo8xlGDD2-E/s1600/sahar+home+146.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*The systems are owner operated and managed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*They provide an essential reserve in
times of emergency and/or breakdown of public water supply systems.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*They are built to meet any requirements. Poor house- holds start with a small tank and add when affordable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*They improve the engineering of
building foundations, when cisterns are built as part of the substructure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*Rainwater may be superior to groundwater or surface waters,
that have been subjected to pollution. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*Construction and maintenance are not labor-intensive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><b>Golf Courses </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are approximately 16,000 courses in the United States —
about half the total in all the world. The
average American course uses 312,000 gallons per day. In
Palm Springs, where 57 golf courses challenge the desert, each course requires a million gallons a day! That is, each course,<i> each day</i> in Palm
Springs, consumes as much water as an American family of 4 uses in 4 years!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If golf course water came from recycled water sources, Americans could reclaim enough water to serve 55.5 million Americans! If you add in the water saved through the previous suggestions, 277.3 million Americans would be served! Water is definitely not in short supply. It's how we use it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>The Big Picture....</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>A Catalyst F</b><b>or Change</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The possibility of drought brings people together. An article in Scientific American states "Human beings are fundamentally social
animals and it is the protective nature of our social relationships that
has allowed our species to thrive. Decades of research shows that <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/feeling-it/201208/connect-thrive">social connection is a fundamental human</a>
need linked to both psychological and physical health, including a
stronger immune system, faster recovery from disease, and even longevity".</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCah4qM6iEsTz10Xt1KnkvXurQ376y1XoGivHFHR5DEysliJVA0gg7MmYycT6NjgaVWiLxI5ZwghqTi5s6maRCDjY_HNcCk6XIjs9b3tCGtwcmCLOMP6QQ7C17SlCaUT05G1pYsQSNWRE/s1600/sahar+home+287.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCah4qM6iEsTz10Xt1KnkvXurQ376y1XoGivHFHR5DEysliJVA0gg7MmYycT6NjgaVWiLxI5ZwghqTi5s6maRCDjY_HNcCk6XIjs9b3tCGtwcmCLOMP6QQ7C17SlCaUT05G1pYsQSNWRE/s320/sahar+home+287.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The balance of our planets' air, water, and
soil has been trashed. Fortunately, we are returning to being the stewards of our planet. As we align in this focus, greater creativity is being released. As
we move seemingly closer to the "precipice" of environmental
destruction. we are stepping out of our fear and isolation, into Love.
The call to return to our Oneness has never been louder and our aligning
in Oneness has never been faster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>We Are Realizing Our Dreams</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In
the "big picture", our bodies (even this planet) are transitory. This
will all cease to be. The fact that we are One in Consciousness is eternal. I believe that we are here to return to that awareness. We have chosen to use this "play field" of Earth to come Home. Welcome </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnQIW5ekS0mYznRwBIRITGGczRm7whv_qBpigwJChwfbKftaztMtBA5_wzcFe-nWr6-EZ4fkeOJcwR8GLYh_f9HrCacclX86OUh85PUfriW8qElVDJp_aGEvoFVRhRM43ZYkwn3M6Lxk/s1600/IMG00020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnQIW5ekS0mYznRwBIRITGGczRm7whv_qBpigwJChwfbKftaztMtBA5_wzcFe-nWr6-EZ4fkeOJcwR8GLYh_f9HrCacclX86OUh85PUfriW8qElVDJp_aGEvoFVRhRM43ZYkwn3M6Lxk/s1600/IMG00020.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-87853325011744156292014-02-09T11:32:00.001-08:002014-02-12T17:00:03.084-08:00For Valentine's Day: Ready to LOVE Bigger Than Ever?In this article, I explore ways we can open to and express Love <br />
<br />
<b>Relationships</b><br />
<br />
We
enter relationships for innumerable reasons. Most often, it's with the intention of getting certain needs met. Some of these are being
understood, being accepted, receiving compassion, and companionship. To best get these needs met, with each person you are in relationship, I suggest you first ask yourself:<br />
1) what do you want from that person?<br />
2) what do you feel with this person?<br />
3) what do you want to feel more of with them?<br />
Once you have discerned what you want in relationship to them, turn that desire into an offering to them: a gift, if you will. Extend to them the very actions that may give them the experience you are wanting. Because in the end, whatever need(s) you are attempting to get met, you'll do so by "giving unto
others
what you want to receive from them".<br />
<br />
Whenever you meet someone (anyone), I encourage you to ask yourself one simple and easy to remember question;
"Have I built a bridge to this person?" In other words, "Have I walked in their "shoes?".
"Do I have compassion and empathy for them?". "Have I applied the Golden Rule?" As we apply this approach to relationship (all relationships), we create a "bridge". This bridge can be built from you to all people. The more bridges we create, the more we get our needs met, the fewer expectations we place on others, the less conflict we experience.
Eventually, creating bridges becomes our natural approach to
all relationships.<br />
<br />
I encourage you to take this ideal to all of life. Animals and
plants, vehicles, buildings, everything. As we create "bridges" to
everyone and everything in our life, we see the Sacred manifest, as a
continual stream of Beauty. We see the Hand of God weaving Itself
through each moment.<br />
The term "Namaste" expresses this. meaning "The Light within me sees and honors the Light within you".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtao-lQEbwBlyiLIkL4Q9GNM2gAQeGz9TXf8oN98Vxiw3EjEdlSGbItSfuyY8zHZ_rsE7cU3x2L73xIcbyzDeEYcH4ZuBjN21QqD2uC-AXJKsGUCm2-PSk4dYBI_zeCaGHF_JBJqwv8XI/s1600/sahar+home+289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtao-lQEbwBlyiLIkL4Q9GNM2gAQeGz9TXf8oN98Vxiw3EjEdlSGbItSfuyY8zHZ_rsE7cU3x2L73xIcbyzDeEYcH4ZuBjN21QqD2uC-AXJKsGUCm2-PSk4dYBI_zeCaGHF_JBJqwv8XI/s1600/sahar+home+289.jpg" /></a></div>
It's been said that there are two basic choices in life: to love or fear. We choose love
because it feels better. We may fall back into fear, but as we keep choosing love, our "love muscles" strengthen to the point that we no longer choose
fear. At this point, we
experience the 'choiceless choice' to Love.<br />
<br />
<b>Intimacy</b><br />
<br />
Traditionally, we have held that intimacy is an experience between 2
people. The sweetness of connection. The giving and receiving of touch, of loving words and
sentiments. Seeing deeply into The being of another. Indeed, this is exquisite! Yet, we spend much of our lives in
search of that person (or people) we believe can "give" us that experience. The
great irony (and the great redemption) is that the sweetness we
identify as the experience one "gets" in a loving relationship is
completely available within us, in every moment!<br />
<br />
I
like to think of true intimacy as "In-to-me-you-see". To the extent that we
allow ourselves to be "seen" is the extent to which we feel intimacy. It's an inside job. As we become comfortable with ourselves (our past, our addictions, our secrets), we have less to hide. With less hiding, we have less desire to find someone else to show us love. We are now loving ourselves.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGMfQ-OzPdE_Pds-eLZ_FHYZ7Wn7MfyCbHzlOQxdAWDWWHO91hyphenhyphenAG5fnefzpMHyCw9mnmO7yiUdepqAwo4AvvLoAWmGMv2t8fJ4PQbHWRsQ2ssjxmwfSBKKDAvQEq_W_cz7zrlf7-C94/s1600/sahar+home+153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGMfQ-OzPdE_Pds-eLZ_FHYZ7Wn7MfyCbHzlOQxdAWDWWHO91hyphenhyphenAG5fnefzpMHyCw9mnmO7yiUdepqAwo4AvvLoAWmGMv2t8fJ4PQbHWRsQ2ssjxmwfSBKKDAvQEq_W_cz7zrlf7-C94/s1600/sahar+home+153.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>To the extent that you
no longer hide (your inner world is no longer hidden from your
outer world), do you experience intimacy, moment to moment. Call
it Freedom. The freedom to Be exactly who you are, at every level of
your Being. A great spiritual teacher of mine Swami Muktananda, said
"When every thought, word, and action are aligned, one experiences True Freedom." That's Intimacy!<br />
<br />
Recently, my son Elijah (precocious as he is) said "Isn't the word 'intimacy' "In to me<i> I </i>see"? Haazzaa!!!! Out of the mouth of babes! (OK, so he's 15 years old and almost as tall as me. But you know, he'll always be me baby)<br />
<br />
<b>Unconditional Love </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Muktananda was once asked "What would you do if I shot you right now"? His reply: "I'd die loving you".<br />
How can we open to unconditional Love?<br />
I invite you into an exercise that will give you an immediate opportunity. Give yourself 10 minutes.<br />
Imagine the person with whom you are presently experiencing the greatest conflict. See them standing in front of you. What do you feel? Don't push these feelings away, don't dwell on them. Allow them. Do this now.<br />
<br />
I now invite you to recognize how this person is presently the greatest "Angel" in your life. Just by being in relation to them, you are aware of the area in your being where you are experiencing the most suffering. This is likely the area in your life where you are presently offering the least love. And if love is what you want, you can now bring love to the darkest place in your life. Right now. Are you ready? If so, continue...<br />
<br />
Imagine centered in your heart, a brilliant colored light. Let this be the 'Light of your inner Love'. Breath in this Light and let it fill you. Send a steady stream of this Light to the heart of this person. See them receive it. See them fill with joy, gratitude, and peace. See this Light fill their chest, traveling out their arms, down their legs, and up into their heads. See them rejuvenated by this Cosmic Light, as though they are receiving the most enlivening Nutrition. See Joy fill their being. See them feel Inspired, Creative, and Loving. Do this now.<br />
<br />
Now see in their heart, a brilliant, colored Light of Love. See a steady stream of Light and Love extend from their heart to yours. Allow yourself to receive it fully. Let it fill you as they have just been filled. Do this now.<br />
<br />
Envision a flow of Light and Love from your heart to theirs and from their heart to yours. Feel the gratitude for having loved. For having chosen the single most important aspect of life. Do this now.<br />
<br />
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="5"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left">This Valentine's Day (and every day), my wish for you is that you choose Love. May this 25 minute video inspire you.
<a href="http://www.forbiddenknowledgetv.com/videos/consciousness/a-message-of-hope.html" target="_blank">http://www.forbiddenknowledgetv.com/videos/consciousness/a-message-of-hope.html</a><br />
If this link doesn't take you to the site, paste it into your URL. <br />
<pre> </pre>
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<pre> </pre>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-57248163706723343802014-02-05T17:38:00.001-08:002014-02-25T08:18:01.230-08:00Financial ConcernAre you worried about "keeping afloat"? About how on Earth you're going to pay all those bills?<br />
In this blog, I want to share with you my road to financial freedom. It may not be what you think.<br />
In fact, I invite you to allow for the possibility that you have been defeating your very desire of providing wealth and goods in abundant measure.<br />
<br />
<b></b><b>Review Your Definition Of Prosperity</b><br />
<br />
I want to start with what I think exemplifies this: the accumulation of stuff. Have you heard the quote "Possession is nine tenths of the law"? This is an expression from a system that I suggest, more often than not, gives more rights to those who "own" stuff, than those who don't. I suggest it's time we question our assumptions regarding possession/ownership.<br />
<br />
When you are sad, bored, depressed, do you go shopping? It may be the "American way". But is it yours?<br />
When
I'm sad or depressed, rather than looking at what I can acquire to give
me a temporary lift, I look to see what I can get rid of. Inevitably, I
find something that I'm ready to let go of. And when I do, "voila"! I
feel more relaxed, peaceful, and inspired. When I let go of something,
physical, mental, and emotional "space" are cleared. It's as though by
letting go of a thing, I now have literally, more of me! "Less is more".<br />
Whenever you feel the desire to get something, I encourage you to slow this immediate reaction to run off and buy, buy, buy. Take time and inquire within as to whether you really want this. What is motivating your desire? Is it the fear that if you don't get that thing, (even food and clothes) that you'll suffer?<br />
<br />
Deafened by the voice of desire<br />
You are unaware The Beloved<br />
Lives in the core of your heart.<br />
Stop the noise and you will hear<br />
His Voice in the silence. ~ Rumi<br />
<br />
If you resonate with this at all, why not try a shopping "fast". Stop this process in it's tracks and only move when
inspiration moves you. Only then. And when you are inspired, listen and
follow the inspiration precisely as it moves you, kinda like Gepetto
pulling Pinnochio's strings. Don't run off to the store. Let the
inspiration take shape in you. Let it fill you with the joy of
anticipation of newness, fun, and the knowing that this Inspiration (or Intuition) is guiding you, and in It's Time and while this is happening, you will discover that this
thing will come into your life in perfect time.<br />
<br />
We don't have to do a thing
based on survival fears, or the resignation of "I owe, I owe, so off to
work I go". Allowing Inspiration to guide us is very FUN. We align with
the "Infinite Knower", that consciousness that "knows" us way better
than we know ourselves and that has in store for us a life that is more joyous than we can imagine in our wildest fantasies.<br />
To have this, we need patience and trust. We don't need to run around collecting our nuts and saving
them for those rainy days. When there is a need, no matter how big or
small, Life provides the perfect solution. PERFECT.<br />
<br />
<b>Experiencing Real Wealth </b><br />
<br />
Some years ago, I awoke one morning with an inspiration for
recumbent bikes. I let this inspiration fuel me and guide me. One "door" after another magically opened. Synchronicity was afoot! As I "walked through these doors", an
entire body of knowledge opened to me. I
learned about a vehicle that is superior to any form of transportation
on the planet! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4fENo5fXl6M93zzfhSLXuzxcXEW2ZzKKHOXCjOdqbYtz5M0duU1DuP7DySMm60Pv-WcTDwzjnFxQWsVrEThrtfSXYG8PXhdNrqjtpFr64lrrTrh6dslmLP8qs79dqgzMAjIdoXPpjtU/s1600/sahar+home+294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4fENo5fXl6M93zzfhSLXuzxcXEW2ZzKKHOXCjOdqbYtz5M0duU1DuP7DySMm60Pv-WcTDwzjnFxQWsVrEThrtfSXYG8PXhdNrqjtpFr64lrrTrh6dslmLP8qs79dqgzMAjIdoXPpjtU/s1600/sahar+home+294.jpg" height="163" width="200" /></a>As I
proceeded along this road, everyone I spoke to who owned a recumbent
LOVED IT! I finally found the design that most fit my life style.
Although, 80% of the recumbents in the world are in Europe, this one was
designed and manufactured in Santa Rosa Ca.! The means to have this
bike came easily. This awesome bike is now my main source of
transportation. In fact, I sold my truck 6 years ago! This has been a joyous "ride" ever since. I believe this has also made huge, positive impact on the environment. Just riding this awesome vehicle, people always smile. I smile, knowing that they are being exposed to a significant contribution to living in greater harmony, joy, and peace.<br />
<br />
This story is just a snapshot of life. This Inspiration is always available to
us and in every aspect of our lives, and in every moment. I invite you to switch your thinking from "how can I get___(fill in the blank: anything, money, sex, lodging, you name it)" to "how am I inspired right now?" The more you ask this
question, the more inspiration you'll feel and the more you'll find
yourself on a Magical Mystery Tour, filled with every experience you
want, but better than you can possibly imagine.<br />
<br />
<b>Turning "Possession" On It's Head</b><br />
<br />
Reflecting upon the ideals and technologies I believe can make the greatest contribution to the health and wealth of humanity (while realigning us with our role as stewards of life on Earth), I came up with the following:<br />
<br />
Hemp; the most versatile plant known, that feeds the soil, requires no chemicals, and little water.<br />
Organics; pure, chemical-free, healthy, sustainable food and environment.<br />
Bikes: the most efficient transportation, both healthful and zero carbon emitting. <br />
Localizing: recirculate wealth into your community,while potentially drastically cutting air pollution.<br />
Sharing: ensuring all people have basic provisions for life, while giving people dignity and reducing crime<br />
Veganism: the greatest single producer of Co2 is the production of meat. Honor animals.<br />
Simplifying: reduce impact on the Earth and your psyche. Value life as it is.<br />
<br />
Of these, I believe "sharing" is the most important. All the rest are an outgrowth of an attitude of sharing. When we share everything, even the richest 1% will have more wealth than they do now! Everything will be available to them. Check out this amazing organization, that has outlined in great detail, regarding just how we can make this shift. The Venus Project: http://www.thevenusproject.com/about/the-venus-project<br />
<br />
<b>Imagine </b><br />
<br />
Imagine there is no Heaven, it's easy if you try.<br />
<div class="grid_5 omega">
<div id="lyrics-body">
<div class="lyrics-body">
<div id="lyrics-body-text">
<div class="verse">
No hell below us, above us only sky.</div>
<div class="verse">
Imagine all the people living for today.</div>
<div class="verse">
Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do.<br />
Nothing to kill or die for and no religion, too.</div>
<div class="verse">
Imagine all the people living life in peace.</div>
<div class="verse">
Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can.<br />
No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man.</div>
<div class="verse">
Imagine all the people sharing all the world.</div>
<div class="verse">
You, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.<br />
I hope someday you will join us and the world will live as one.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="writers">
~ John Lennon</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<b>What To Do </b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vK4TgkPwAPY_1UcsNEvrDhVpvZgduN2EkdZUPLjmU92lzD9II7OxmXd9o9KCN0gmS_8MeMwMEasPl7JfMdAVMDW-oA3DAcEDXg0LNvNYcR30EAgydcgYNdaAJ6bnSkI4DnDDKlvdjqI/s1600/sahar+home+362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vK4TgkPwAPY_1UcsNEvrDhVpvZgduN2EkdZUPLjmU92lzD9II7OxmXd9o9KCN0gmS_8MeMwMEasPl7JfMdAVMDW-oA3DAcEDXg0LNvNYcR30EAgydcgYNdaAJ6bnSkI4DnDDKlvdjqI/s1600/sahar+home+362.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a>Each time a
desire (for anything or anyone) arises, be aware of what you're experiencing. Are you anxious, bored, or desperate? If you are experiencing anything other than Inspiration, ask yourself "Do I really want this?" Take a deep breath and listen internally
for an answer. When you quiet your mind, you'll be aware of the answer to this question. It's always available. Until now, it has just been clouded with other thoughts that you have been trained to listen to first. Eventually, you'll be able to discriminate between fear-based thoughts and inspiration-based thoughts by the joy and deep peace accompanying them. Listen to those thoughts and enjoy the ever increasing Abundance Of Life.<br />
<br />
My wish for you is not to "have a great/ awesome day", or to acquire great wealth, or fame, or that your body be rock hard, with all the curves just so.<br />
My wish for you is that you "have enough"... that you "be enough". Peace.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-30989743864876487072014-01-29T11:52:00.000-08:002014-01-29T11:52:38.370-08:00Accessing The Eternal You <br />
Since our birth, there has been a "watcher" sharing our journey. Like a movie screen, it's the pure canvas upon which the "movie" of our lives is projected. Like a movie screen, it is not the "movie". It is clean, pure, and free, of the movie. Any number of movies can be projected onto it, yet it has no sense of loss or attachment to any person, belief, dogma. tradition, or family. It is the only part of our existence that is constant. We're referring to this "watcher", when we say "I am". From the moment we're born, there is an "us" that we know. This "us" is still awareness, witnessing the drama of our lives, it witnesses even our mind. It is the only part of our existence that has not changed. Everything added to the statement "I am" has (and does) change. Everything.<br />
<br />
Whatever we add to that statement changes and is therefore, not us. For example, "I am Sahar". I've changed my name many times, although no one name is more "me" than another. Or "I am a man". How real is gender? Or our bodies, for that matter? Biology is sooo changeable.There is a species of frog (the "common reed frog") that has been observed to change their sex organs from female to male.This occurs when the population does not have enough males to
allow procreation and is accomplished when a chemical trigger activates
the sex gene to disintegrate the female organs and develop the male
ones. Now that's a handy little trick!<br />
<br />
To live fully in the Truth of our Being lies in recognizing these temporary phenomena and detaching from our identification with them. Do any of these lines from Talking Heads "Once In A Lifetime" ring a bell?<br />
<br />
"You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
<br />
<div class="lyrictxt" id="content" style="font-size: 15px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 440px;">
You may find yourself in another part of the world
<br />
You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
<br />
You may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife
<br />
You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?
<br />
You may ask yourself, how do I work this?<br />
You may ask yourself, where is that large automobile?
<br />
You may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful house
<br />
You may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful wife
<br />
<br />
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was<br />
<br />
You may ask yourself, what is that beautiful house?
<br />
You may ask yourself, where does that highway lead to?
<br />
You may ask yourself, am I right, am I wrong?
<br />
You may say to yourself, my god, what have I done? </div>
<div class="lyrictxt" id="content" style="font-size: 15px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 440px;">
</div>
<div class="lyrictxt" id="content" style="font-size: 15px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 440px;">
<br />
Into the blue again, into silent water<br />
Under the rocks and stones, there is water underground
<br />
Letting the days go by, into silent water
<br />
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground<br />
<br />
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was.</div>
<div class="vbanner_lyrics">
<div style="position: relative;">
<div style="padding-top: 10px; text-align: center; z-index: 1;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<b>Transcend The Temporary </b><br />
<br />
This song elucidates our external search: longing for the right house or car or wife. In time, we may recognize that those ideas we had of happiness, being sourced by a thing or person, were misguided. When we recognize how we have placed our focus in absolutely the wrong direction, we start to listen within. We find that there is a "silent water", that this water is the "same as it ever was". It is experienced as a blissfully still awareness. This "Water" is the Force Of Life within, and to the extent that we let go of the reins of our lives and allow ourselves to be inspired by It, does our journey down this "river of life" become more beautiful.<br />
<blockquote style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ddffcc; color: #987602; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: #013301; font-family: Verdana,Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.<br /><br />Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate.<br /><br />At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.<br /><br />The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!<br /><br />Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.<br /><br />All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.<br /><br />We are the ones we've been waiting for.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #013301; font-family: Verdana,Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b></b></span><br />
<div align="right">
<span style="color: #013301; font-family: Verdana,Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">—The Elders Oraibi<br />Arizona Hopi Nation</span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #013301; font-family: Verdana,Trebuchet MS,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Join us in the ecstasy of song, today: January 29th, at The Center For </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. This free evening of chanting will be from 7-8:30</span></pre>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2oMGJ5RV2MrG9AKwGnRyiibhGY7lcA2cn5YWkWJSoiLRYk01FMfkKT65jStS9ymTMOGWGhg9cavrw_ZvU5EwfhVK7ashZcRj5R6-4eXvbqZTWZqS06VBGkd4_qmxW2PLbfPSI5ob4zQ/s1600/chanting+at+CSL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2oMGJ5RV2MrG9AKwGnRyiibhGY7lcA2cn5YWkWJSoiLRYk01FMfkKT65jStS9ymTMOGWGhg9cavrw_ZvU5EwfhVK7ashZcRj5R6-4eXvbqZTWZqS06VBGkd4_qmxW2PLbfPSI5ob4zQ/s1600/chanting+at+CSL.jpg" height="196" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-5763843620952526302014-01-22T17:30:00.001-08:002014-01-22T17:30:53.205-08:00Feeling Trapped Or Stuck? Ready For Freedom?Ever feel trapped, like you have absolutely no choice? As though you're completely stuck in this addiction/ relationship/ job or life? In this blog, I offer assistance in freeing yourself from this "prison".<br />
First, I invite you to consider that your present experience is a result of the way you think about yourself. Swami Muktananda said "The world is as you see it". Said another way: "You are the way you see yourself".<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>How Did I Get Stuck?</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1jHigT5DFBfosrB3kZPQiakc_mcBh84BtbZ71yZkfX55rf5XZUPysAwIdl040nM9mpPgRZ7NHIZgi-pU0WBLeSBDmQJJMmP9j56ASXZufsn8wmCpGQbof2X_iF180RIe0Oj7TvLO7Qs/s1600/IMG00003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1jHigT5DFBfosrB3kZPQiakc_mcBh84BtbZ71yZkfX55rf5XZUPysAwIdl040nM9mpPgRZ7NHIZgi-pU0WBLeSBDmQJJMmP9j56ASXZufsn8wmCpGQbof2X_iF180RIe0Oj7TvLO7Qs/s1600/IMG00003.jpg" height="200" width="118" /></a>As very young children we made significant decisions in relationship
to the main authorities in our lives (generally, our parents). These decisions were based upon the degree to which we felt loved and accepted as the unique and beautiful beings we were. Each
decision was a "brush stroke" in the creation of a "picture" that we
painted. This "picture" became our own self image.<br />
<br />
With
parents who were in conflict, we may have made decisions about how to
behave in order to feel safe. These decisions lead us away from our
natural spontaneity, to believing that we had
to determine our life's course based on perceived circum-stances. Eventually these decisions made up our outlook on life. From this outlook,(or self-written "manual" for our life) we have learned to strategize and prepare to defend/ hide/ oppress/ or seduce and manipulate people and circumstances. The extent to which we identify with our "manual" (disallowing other possibilities of perception) is the extent to
which we are invested in or attached to specific outcomes. This leads to a life of expectation and disappointment.<br />
<br />
In our first few years of life, we
shifted from our natural state of being internally based and pro-active (experienced
as "Us as Life"), to being
externally based and re-active (experienced as "Us separate
from Life" or even "Us against Life"). Consequently we frequently become complacent, living out an existence of struggle. <br />
<br />
Until we recognize this "manual", it will dictate our every thought, word and action. It will remain subjective and we
will never question it's validity or whether we could choose differently from it. Fortunately, the more aware of this "manual" we are, the more objective it becomes, and the less influence it has over our choices.<br />
<br />
<b>Gaining awareness of the "manual" is key. How do we do this?</b><br />
<br />
In a previous blog, I referred to the Vedantic practice of "Not this, not this". The practice is one of recognizing all that
is temporary (including the "manual"). Whatever remains is of a
permanent nature and therefore, the Truth of who we are. It's about identifying our attachments and investments. To do this become aware<br />
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: currentColor; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
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<br />
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<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona402419.html" title="view quote">We can't command our love, but we can our actions.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona402419.html" title="view quote">Arthur Conan Doyle</a></span>
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<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_wisdom.html" title="view topic">Wisdom</a>,
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_love.html" title="view topic">Love</a>,
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/our.html" title="view keyword">Our</a>
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<br />
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<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona154359.html" title="view quote">It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona154359.html" title="view quote">Arthur Conan Doyle</a></span>
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<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_wisdom.html" title="view topic">Wisdom</a>,
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/been.html" title="view keyword">Been</a>,
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/things.html" title="view keyword">Things</a>
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<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#et2l3piypY2UvVmW.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#et2l3piypY2UvVmW.99</a></div>
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<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Arthur Conan Doyle</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#ShCEQ1WBCbvcXIyk.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#ShCEQ1WBCbvcXIyk.99</a></div>
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<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Arthur Conan Doyle</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#ShCEQ1WBCbvcXIyk.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#ShCEQ1WBCbvcXIyk.99</a><br />
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<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/arthurcona134512.html" title="view quote">Arthur Conan Doyle</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#ShCEQ1WBCbvcXIyk.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_conan_doyle.html#ShCEQ1WBCbvcXIyk.99</a></div>
</div>
of the areas in your life where you want <i>results</i>. . The area of relationships may be the easiest to recognize where we are invested in results. Take a moment to reflect:...<br />
.<br />
Think of a person in your life and ask yourself the following questions: <br />
<br />
Are you in this relationship to get a certain kind of attention?<br />
What needs are you attempting to get met in this relationship? <br />
Are you in a power struggle with
this person?<br />
Are you making them your "project"?...meaning are you invested in them changing or "growing"?<br />
If so, what do you tell
yourself will be your reward when they change or grow into the person you want?<br />
Do you feel yourself to be a better person when you're with them?<br />
Are you are looking
for a certain kind of permission from them (for instance, permission to engage in a certain behavior or activity)? <br />
<br />
Now, think of an activity in your life and ask these relevant questions:<b><br /></b>
<b> </b><br />
<br />
Are you engaged in this activity because of what others have told you
you should do?<br />
To what extent is this activity an
escape? From what or whom?<br />
Do you experience joy, vitality, peace, or love when engaged in this?<br />
Or is it a promise of some later reward?. <br />
Are you engaged in this activity because you are wanting for something / someone to change?<br />
Are you engaged in this because it's tradition?<br />
Are you engaged in this activity out of a belief that by doing it you are more deserving? <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKDq54aoGllcO0bW78PK__rex6KHuo2RGnCU22EvYY9Om7Wv2bj7icbOaXHJSrNnUIITNICeB4sKnfKwVdmo6uveet80s0EOWGqYlud9EDdSJyN4bAKskd-orMo3Y-LARrsPD1YHxouE/s1600/woods+behin+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKDq54aoGllcO0bW78PK__rex6KHuo2RGnCU22EvYY9Om7Wv2bj7icbOaXHJSrNnUIITNICeB4sKnfKwVdmo6uveet80s0EOWGqYlud9EDdSJyN4bAKskd-orMo3Y-LARrsPD1YHxouE/s1600/woods+behin+me.jpg" /></a>This
is a process of recognizing all "self-generated" thoughts.
Thoughts born out of the belief that you are separate from life, alone
in the world, misunderstood, and consequently, that life is struggle.
When you recognize these thoughts and no
longer give them your attention, you then hear "fresh" thoughts, not
based on reaction, belief, or history. There is a deep peace and joy that
accompanies these "fresh" thoughts.<br />
<br />
One teacher of mine said, "become aware
of this "manual", don't try to change it, don't even try to minimize it.
Just let it be." When I asked his awareness of the influence of his "manual" in his life, he said "Its influence is like a fart in a distant
galaxy"! He lived a life of great inner freedom. He was fun too!<br />
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<table border="0" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;">OSHO ON
WAR</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> 'A man of peace is
not a pacifist, a man of peace is simply a pool of silence. <br />
He pulsates a new
kind of energy into the world, he sings a new song. <br />
He lives in a totally new
way his very way of live is that of grace, that of prayer, that of compassion.<br />
Whomsoever he touches, he creates more love-energy. <br />
The man of peace is
creative.<br />
He is not against war, because to be against anything is to be at
war. He is not against war, he simply understands why war exists.<br />
And out of
that understanding he becomes peaceful. <br />
Only when there are many people who are
pools of peace, silence, understanding, will the war disappear.'<br />
<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: xx-small;">OSHO, from: 'Zen: The Path of Paradox, vol
II<b>'</b></span></span></td>
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<a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3099197/?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"> <img alt="The Mystic Rose and the magic of the Empty Chair" src="http://www.blurb.com//images/uploads/catalog/73/2926473/3370903-6685e892c54a50f3c0690b115bed731e.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 167, 167); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 118px;" /> </a> </div>
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<div style="border: 0px currentColor; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 105px;">
<a href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3099197?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240" style="color: #fd7820; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">The Mystic Rose...</a> </div>
<div style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #545454; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 10px/15px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
OSHO COMIC</div>
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Buy Now! </div>
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<a href="http://www.blurb.com/books/3099197" style="color: #fd7820; text-decoration: none;" title="Book Preview">Book Preview</a> </div>
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</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
- See more at: http://www.otoons.de/politics/hug.htm#sthash.L1h3DfiX.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;">OSHO ON
WAR</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> 'A man of peace is
not a pacifist, a man of peace is simply a pool of silence. <br />
He pulsates a new
kind of energy into the world, he sings a new song. <br />
He lives in a totally new
way his very way of live is that of grace, that of prayer, that of compassion.<br />
Whomsoever he touches, he creates more love-energy. <br />
The man of peace is
creative.<br />
He is not against war, because to be against anything is to be at
war. He is not against war, he simply understands why war exists.<br />
And out of
that understanding he becomes peaceful. <br />
Only when there are many people who are
pools of peace, silence, understanding, will the war disappear.'<br />
<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: grey; font-size: xx-small;">OSHO, from: 'Zen: The Path of Paradox, vol
II<b>'</b></span></span> - See more at: http://www.otoons.de/politics/hug.htm#sthash.aevFp3tf.dpu“A Man of Peace is Not a Pacifist” by Osh<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-12436774978600657482014-01-15T17:24:00.000-08:002014-01-15T17:24:35.510-08:00More Extraordiary Abilities<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last week, I opened the door to one of many areas of our existence that is shrouded in doubt and suspicion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This "shroud" alone is one where those who have "out of the ordinary" abilities may well be afraid of a witch hunt if they were to reveal them.n Fortunately, people are now trickling out, revealing remarkable (some might define as) "miraculous" abilities. This week, I want to expose you to more remarkable people, that we may allow for the possibility that we have available within us, a Power of Infinite Possibility. I share this information that we may let go of our perceived notions of limitation and open to the World that has been heretofore labeled as "Magic".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Change The Weather </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As our governor is considering making a formal declaration that California is in a drought, many consider what can be done to bring the rains. I ran into (walked into really) a friend yesterday, who had just returned from a ritual, with the intention of bringing rain. Another friend had been to a ritual on Saturday, lead by a Tibetan Rimpoche, with the intention of bringing the rains. We've all heard of "rain dances", well here's a person who's <i>job</i> it is to change weather: http://www.drgrotte.com/NgagpaYesheDorjeRinpoche.shtml</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cut and paste the link into your browser. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For 3 years, I hosted monthly drum circles at the coast. It's a cosmic combination, being on the beach, around a fire, with music, drumming, and dance. During many of these events have I experienced this weather changing phenomenon. I remember one evening, whilst drumming around the fire, it was raining all around us, but NOT ON US! In fact, there was a "hole" through the clouds directly overhead, where we could see the stars!!! Cosmic indeed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Animal Communication </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What do St Francis & Dr. Doolittle have in common? Yup, they both communicated with animals. Well, this next woman is astounding in her ability to "talk with the animals". Take a look:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="5"><tbody>
<tr align="justify"><td><pre><span style="color: maroon;"><a href="http://openhandweb.org/animal_communication_documentary" target="_blank">http://openhandweb.org/animal_communication_documentary</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You may wish to cut and paste this link into your browser. </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cure Cancer</b></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What if we could cure cancer NOW? What if the ability existed NOW? Are you </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">skeptical? If so, why? Because it's "miraculous"? Something is only miraculous</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">when we don't know how to do it. Consider airplanes, telephone and the internet. At one time </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">these technologies might have been assigned to the realm of "magic" or even "witchcraft".</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well, I invite you to join me now in witnessing an end to cancer:</span></pre>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="5" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left"><pre><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmMNlmn1DPc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmMNlmn1DPc</a></pre>
<pre>You may wish to cut and paste this link into your browser.</pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As you witness this remarkable phenomenon, what do you think and feel? Are you</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">suspicious? Why? Could your suspicion be getting in the way of recognizing </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">abilities of your own? </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have you ever experienced healing happen at an accelerated rate? I've had the</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">privilege of assisting people through accelerated healing, whether through</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">relieving the excruciating pain of kidney stones or being free of the addiction</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">to smoking cigarettes. Here's a statement from a woman with kidney stone pain.</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Sahar has tapped into something powerful - the ability to use rhythm, sound, and </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">energy to get to the heart of the matter. I have experienced his gifts in an almost </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">magical way. He helped me regain my health when I had been suffering with what</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">appeared to be kidney stones. I walked in weak and hurting, and walked out whole.</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I can't explain it, but I sure can attest to it". ~ Venus Maher</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't list this testimonial to "toot my own horn", but to acknowledge how </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">accessible this Power Of Infinite Possibility is. </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If it happened through me, it's available through you as well. </span></pre>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I gotta tell ya that when I suffered (and ooohweee did I suffer) from kidney stones,</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was also exposed to the use of rhythm and sound in my healing. My wife Rebecka</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">drove me down to the Oakland Kaiser, where exists a million dollar machine that</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">performs something called Lithotripsy. I was given a Valium a few minutes prior to</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">the procedure and asked to wear one of those silly gowns, that exposes your butt.</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I laid down on this machine, while one person directed this long arm (that looked</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">like a dental x-ray machine) towards my kidney stone. They proceeded to pulse</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">sound waves into the stone and within 46 minutes, they had dissolved it! Now just </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">how COOL is that?!?! The irony was not lost on me, that I, a rhythmicist, was being healed</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">using sound waves in a rhythmic pulse! After the Lithotripsy treatment, I put my clothes </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">back on and my wife drove me home. Just 20 years ago, people would have scoffed if I had</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">told them this story. Twenty years ago, I would have been in the hospital for as much as</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">two weeks, during which time I would have had at least one invasive surgery.</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I share with you this technological means of dissolving kidney stones, be aware of your</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">level of acceptance to this as compared to any suspicion you may have upon witnessing</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">video of the group's dissolving of a cancerous tumor </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some years ago, I read a few books purported to be channeled from Pleidians. </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(During this time, I felt as though I was in the presence of unseen beings. But that's</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">another story.) I was fascinated by reading their observation that we invent tools to</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">remind us of what we are naturally capable of. They said that we created the microwave</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">oven to remind us that nothing is solid; that everything is made up of matter, which is made</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">of energy. We created the electric light, that we might go out into the dark and no longer </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">fear it. We created the telephone and the internet to remind us that we are telepathic. </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> What's next? </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Access the Wealth of Strength, Creativity, and Joy within you</b>
It is my profound honor to assist you through whatever passage you are traversing, to a deeper</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> awareness of your innate worth, and the recognition and expression of your unique Gifts.
Through February, I offer new client sessions on a donation/ barter basis.
I'm available for sessions by phone, Skype, or in my Sebastopol office.
Testimonials: </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "Much gratitude to Sahar for reminding me who I am and how I want to be in the world: </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">an expression of Divine love. Sahar is an amazing counselor both emotionally and spiritually</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(as well as so many other things!). Working with him has transformed me." ~ Sue Deanne</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "You allowed me to look deeply into the intricacies of how I function, discovering truths </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">which I hadn't realized. This is accelerated therapy that gets to the core of the truth. -N. Grace </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"... allowed me to learn about who I really am and what I want in life." -P. LaDeau</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "You prepared the space for growth that set the stage for breakthrough experiences."</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> -Dawson Church, co-author of Heart of The Healer with Norman Cousins</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></pre>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Join us in the ecstasy of song, Wednesday, January 29th, at The Center For </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. This free evening of chanting will be from 7-8:30pm. </span></pre>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-47574574434716441812014-01-08T18:17:00.000-08:002014-01-08T18:17:50.367-08:00Extraordinary AbilitiesWhen I was just a wee thing, my 7 year old sister lured my 6 year old brother up to the roof with the promise that he would be able to fly, just like Mary Poppins (whom they had just witnessed taking flight, with the aid of her way cool umbrella). My sibs proceeded up to the roof, with their "special" umbrellas in hand. With my sisters statement " I'm right behind you. You first", my brother took flight......for all of .5 seconds. Needless to say, his broken arm was all that he was able to show for it.<br />
This fantasy is one of many, that as kids, we longed for (or perhaps remembered the freedom of living outside the learned "box" of our perceived limitations. In this two-part article I'll share some stories of peeps living outside that "box".<br />
<br />
<b>Superheros Today</b><br />
<br />
Fifty years ago, Stan Lee created a few super comic peeps. Remember the Fantastic Four? I loved those comic books. My favorite was The Flame. he could turn himself into flames and fly! Lee also created The Hulk, Spider Man, and Iron Man. Well, fortunately he has set his sites on searching out <i>real</i> super humans. In fact, he has found quite a few people with very impressive abilities. I invite you to take a look at these people, all of whom he has filmed and studied, who are truly extraordinary.<br />
<br />
A man heats his hands with his mind to 200 degrees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOu9Q0HiG5U<br />
A blind man who sees better than those with sight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiKZ9t1f6_I<br />
A Samurai with amazing skill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4j83Mf70<br />
A man who makes any animal sleep with chi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYVBMLy920I<br />
A man who computes faster than computers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbvpp2ntK40<br />
A man who lasts in cold while others would die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ur3YaV6RIM<br />
<br />
<b>Our Extraordinary Abilities</b><br />
<br />
On a more personal note, I have a couple stories to share with you from my life. In my early 20's, I lived in an ashram. One morning, I left the ashram to pick up a friend at the airport. He was to arrive at 5:30 am. About 1/4 mile before the off ramp to the San Francisco Airport, I noticed an overturned tanker truck in the center divide. Immediately, I found myself on an "ice rink" of an oil slick. The car was spinning out of control in a clockwise direction. I saw another car spinning towards and then past me. As I was about to descend over the side of the road into a ditch, at about 45 miles an hour, I yelled "Om Namah Shivaya"! with all my being. These words were my mantra at the time and my way of proclaiming "Holy shit, God help me!!".<br />
The car stopped spinning and gradually reversed direction. It gradually aimed itself at the off ramp and stopped. I drove off. I arrived at the airport only to learn that my friend's plane was due the next day!!!<br />
When I returned to the same section of freeway, I found the traffic to be diverted away from it because the tanker had exploded into flames and was actually melting the freeway!<br />
In that experience I realized the power of focused intention. I aligned my entire Being into one exclamation, with the effect of having a car stop its 45 mph turn on an oil slick! After this monumental moment, rather than feeling fear, I felt great Peace and Power; an inner Knowing of the Perfection of Life. I was given a Gift. One that revealed the Infinite Possibility that is human life.<br />
<br />
One time, on a camping trip with my eldest son Julian and our friend Lionel, we had hiked up to a beautiful summit.Whilst enjoying the gorgeous view, I pulled out 5 dice and some Yahtzee cards. I told them it was my intention to summon all my focus on the dice turning up the very best hand possible for each turn. You guessed it, the first hand, the dice came up all sixs, the second time, they turned up all fives, then fours, then threes, then twos, then ones, then three of one and two of another! Each time we were (as you can imagine) flabbergasted!<br />
<br />
<b>Fire Walking </b><br />
<br />
Ever been to a fire walk? On three separate occasions have I experienced this extraordinary phenomenon. After two hours of instruction followed by guided meditation and discussion, we headed out to a ginormous fire. The coals were spread out into a swath about 12' wide and 30' long. Even spread out, the coals created tremendous heat. I could see waves of heat wafting from them. We were told that the key to firewalking was to walk when (and only
when) you had a complete "yes" to going. The "yes" was not to impress
another or to prove something to yourself. What a great lesson for life!<br />
When I had the "yes" I walked across the 12' section. WOW WOW WOW! I walked on super hot coals! The feeling was so deeply empowering that it changed my life. I knew that if I could do <i>that, </i>then<i> </i>the rest of my life was a "cake walk"!<br />
<br />
My wife Rebecka, relates a story about an extraordinary moment when playing cards with a friend.<br />
"We were playing a card game, I dealt the cards face down and he picked his up. For a fraction of a second I saw through the cards, as though the paper wasn't there. I saw an Ace of Spades. I said "That's the Ace of Spades". Not liking that she knew his card, he told her to "Deal them again". <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvRkMOc9oRq5Tvz7iTSLbAURvQRvft_ecjl7ysG-cdOSPBA5hxfwx_5GJThyDpPNAxaNX78acfaSUDw3aNddBCdGlGXWGrsYyeR1ELS_3k4a4yxqgjjpdyDNFs4E1Vibq_W6Jw9oFBdA/s1600/sahar+home+274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvRkMOc9oRq5Tvz7iTSLbAURvQRvft_ecjl7ysG-cdOSPBA5hxfwx_5GJThyDpPNAxaNX78acfaSUDw3aNddBCdGlGXWGrsYyeR1ELS_3k4a4yxqgjjpdyDNFs4E1Vibq_W6Jw9oFBdA/s1600/sahar+home+274.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>I have always been fascinated with superheros. In part, my fascination is my desire to recognize my own abilities, beyond my accepted norm. Although, when asked if I could choose one super power, I must admit it's the ability to make others feel love. Maybe it's not as "cool" as seeing through walls, but that has
been the one that has lit my way.<br />
<br />
I invite dialogue
around this topic. What extraordinary ability have you experienced
yourself and/or witnessed expressed by another? All you super humans,
come on out of the closet. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-85390052505379965932013-12-18T15:16:00.001-08:002013-12-18T15:16:18.741-08:00Follow Your Bliss; It's Who You Are<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
I love that bumper sticker that says "If it's not fun, don't do it." Amen to that!!!<br />
<br />
<strong>We Are Bliss</strong> <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Thought free, infinitely blissful, transcendent of <i>everything</i>, 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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?<br />
Or is it a promise of some later reward?<br />
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. <br />
<br />
Don't ask the world what it needs<br />
Ask yourself what makes you come Alive<br />
And go and do that.<br />
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. <br />
~ Harold Whitman Thurman<br />
<br />
What inspires you?<br />
<br />
<br />
Have FUN with these links: <a href="http://www.jibjab.com/view/Z5ogqmzZxcBvfi7YGkfz" target="_blank">http://www.jibjab.com/view/Z5ogqmzZxcBvfi7YGkfz</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jibjab.com/view/Mfb3yUrDSjOS5WAgORdz" target="_blank">http://www.jibjab.com/view/Mfb3yUrDSjOS5WAgORdz</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11962639204272095595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799616310511334920.post-450077305903046022013-11-29T17:58:00.002-08:002013-11-29T18:01:14.985-08:00The Most Versatile & Melodic Drums On Earth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2Q6_N4xDFnxqfEiLmWMRlGSB6qhUBrleGkzt773W0cGQ5mSikAuuA_v28zb6AZVL2aZJ3npXEdS0XhRXdYKDIclUDHjZdp1geUmaYDUH2MjXKsz4E-prN7NATY0CQANt0BvkPpDhwaE/s1600/sahar+home+326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2Q6_N4xDFnxqfEiLmWMRlGSB6qhUBrleGkzt773W0cGQ5mSikAuuA_v28zb6AZVL2aZJ3npXEdS0XhRXdYKDIclUDHjZdp1geUmaYDUH2MjXKsz4E-prN7NATY0CQANt0BvkPpDhwaE/s200/sahar+home+326.jpg" width="112" /></a><b>Celestial Instruments </b><br />
<br />
My teacher Swami Muktananda, tells a wonderful story about
tablas; it is said that a long long time ago, seers, deep in meditation,
heard beautiful, celestial music. They wanted to create instruments
replicating this divine music, so that mortal peeps (like myself) could
be inspired into a state of bliss, similar to what they felt, when hearing celestial music. Muktananda stated that there are 7 instruments in Indian
music created out of this inspiration. You may be familiar with the sitar, Ravi Shankar's instrument. This along with the tamboura, veena,
sarod, saranghi, tablas, and the ektar. Give yourself the gift of hearing tablas played live. It's a visual treat as well. Hypnotic!<br />
<br />
<b>History and Construction </b><br />
<br />
Tablas are part of an ancient music tradition dating back 5000 years. The tablas predecessor is called by many names; mrdangum, pakhawaj, and more. This two-headed drum, shaped much like a conga, is played laying on it's side. At one point this drum was divided into two halves, then placed upright, creating the first tablas, around 500 B.C.<br />
The "r. & d." put into these tablas is obvious. Look closely and see that they actually have 2 skins each. All other hand drums have just one. There is one skin that completely covers the shell and another that is braided into the first, covering only the outer inch of the head. This creates more variety in the tones produced. The black center is a paste made from a variety of ingredients, depending on whats locally available. This paste also adds another dimension, as it is like having another head on the drum, producing very snappy slaps. <br />
<br />
<b>The Ultimate Rhythm Section</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2RCIAcLntDwX9Snk2-2cz9EjbdovsArFSXdXSiErjKRmGnb-Uh3tnhOB9oqgIAMwIljTsDEQ8ZcWd-77X40BJiFWU_1O9aiDaCbuc_WwU0cD7zd-ZmDqC_XR6kWglpc_H3HqjSAuHUM/s1600/sahar+home+250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2RCIAcLntDwX9Snk2-2cz9EjbdovsArFSXdXSiErjKRmGnb-Uh3tnhOB9oqgIAMwIljTsDEQ8ZcWd-77X40BJiFWU_1O9aiDaCbuc_WwU0cD7zd-ZmDqC_XR6kWglpc_H3HqjSAuHUM/s200/sahar+home+250.jpg" width="130" /></a>In western music (i.e. rock, jazz, blues, etc), the foundation of this music is what's called the"rhythm section", comprised of bass and drums, Together, they create a basis for the other musicians to play "over". The rhythm section provides the groove for the band and the more the bass player and drummer are connected empathically, technically, and spiritually, the better the groove. Well, there is no more solid a rhythm section than when you have one person playing both parts. This is some of the magic of tablas. Playing these together is quite evocative as the tabla player "dances" between melody and rhythm<br />
The smaller (the "tabla") has 3 beautiful, distinct, bell-like tones, along with many other tones that make it the more rhythmical of the two drums. The larger drum (or "bayan") is a deeply resonant and melodic drum, akin to the talking drum from Africa. Over an octave of notes can be played on the bayan, making it the most melodic drum played today. <br />
<br />
<b>Drum Language</b><br />
<br />
You may have heard jazz scat sung before. You know, when the vocalist starts riffing with syllables like "adoobeedaabee adoobeedaa aboombamma whambamma adiddleeedee". Classical Jazz has lots of great "scat" moments. The origins of these spoken rhythms are in African and Indian music. To this day, African and Indian rhythms have spoken syllables. In fact each stroke on drums from Africa and India has a different "name" or spoken syllable. Here are a few: "na tun da din tet diri te re ke". Playing a stroke on the bayan while simultaneously playing a stroke on the tabla produces a different name. For instance, "na" played with "gi" is called "da". Tada!<br />
This language is a great tool for learning rhythm. One doesn't have to be at the drums to be practicing rhythm. You can sing these rhythms while doing dishes, hiking in the woods, or walking on the moon!<br />
And when you return to the drums you have embodied the rhythm and your playing is improved. Of course, it's also quite fun to know a spoken rhythmic language. You just never know when you might "need" it.<br />
<br />
<b>Played Like Piano</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYkx4pV9MeTzlLMAJeWrIriO04PznWA_XCBdZUI3WEeU0kVOE8rXVakCnxfSCvgvW97nEp9BdcP2b7RyMlv0t4G1FxpiMlR2fNTwD_ryvF-CNckj1-BrnaonLpxgDGFIRWB949w6W_sg/s1600/sahar+home+330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Most hand drums are played with the flat palm. Tablas quite different in that each finger can be played independently or together, making tablas more like piano than other hand drums. I took a few years of piano lessons in my early teens. So, I actually had a head start at the tablas. Remarkably, many of the strokes on the tablas are akin to the fingerings on the piano. There is even a parallel between piano and tablas in that the right hand plays both the tabla and the treble clef; both are higher pitched, providing much of the "lead" of the instrument, while the left hand plays the bayan and the bass clef; both providing the rhythmic and melodic foundation.<br />
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<b> A Night of Sacred Song</b><br />
<pre><span style="background-color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="color: white;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"></span></i></span></b></span> </pre>
<pre><b>Please join us for an evening of sacred song!
On the night of Saturday November 30 at 7:30 p.m, we'll be extending the </b></pre>
<pre><b>holiday of Thanksgiving with an evening of chanting and kirtan.
Through sacred healing mantras and prayers, we'll create a space
for love for ourselves and all Life.
</b><b>For this evening it's my honor to host Jens Jarvie </b></pre>
<pre><b>and Terri Ann Gillette.</b><b> Two exquisite musicians who bring such delight to song. </b><b> </b><b>
For information, call me at (707)824-1796.</b></pre>
<pre><b> </b></pre>
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<pre><b> </b></pre>
<pre><b>In gratitude for the Gift of this blessed life.
Peace,
Sahar</b></pre>
<pre><b> </b></pre>
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<pre><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: white;"><b><i><span style="background-color: #bf9000;">
Peace,
Sahar</span></i></b></span><a name='more'></a></span></pre>
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