Soul In Hand- Massage/Bodywork System

January 26, 2008-

Chakra Meditation...

The Awakening of Energy

In “Lynne’s Tips” I have posted a Breath Meditation and will soon post a Chakra Meditation. But first, I thought a discussion of the Chakra system might help to clarify (or confuse?)

A brief description of the seven main Chakras is a difficult thing

to write. I’m going to give it a try but please check out other sources. If you search on the web, dozens of wonderful sites (with great illustrations) are available to explore and there are many good books on the subject.

I have a fascination with Eastern and Western ideas and their concept of the spinal system, so I will mention both.

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel of life” or circle. There are seven main Chakras, or energy centers, starting at the base of the spine, ascending up the spine to the top of the head. Kundalini or Spiritual Energy lies in the base or root Chakra.

By awakening each Center with thought, intent and/or Yoga, life-force energy can clear and activate them. Activation stimulates each energy center and clears out blockages. “Blockages of what” you ask? Well, negative feelings, attitudes and past trauma, just to mention a few.

“Regardless of what religious, spiritual or meditation tradition one follows, the awakening of this energy, by whatever you call it, is a most innate and essential part of spiritual advancement or realization.” -Swami Jnaneshvara of www.swamij.com, a yoga meditation site.

The colors of the Chakras

from top to bottom are:

Crown- White (or Golden Yellow)

Third Eye- Purple (or Lavender)

Throat- Blue (or Indigo)

Heart- Green

Solar Plexus- Yellow

Sacral- Orange

Root- Red

What each energy center represents can be very complex. A short description cannot do them justice... but here goes:

Crown- Communication with, and connection to, the Devine

Third Eye- Awareness

Throat- Communication

Heart- Love

Solar Plexus- Power

Sacral- Relationships

Root- Survival

Eastern (mystical) and Western (anatomical) ideas are tied together when working with exercises that stimulate our spinal column. Chakras are located near nerve centers along the spinal column. These nerve plexuses are bundles of nerves that branch out into the body system from the spinal cord. Each Chakra is associated with endocrine glands along the spinal highway.

Kundalini (Spiritual Energy) runs in and around the spine, near the same pathways as Cerebral Spinal Fluid. Cerebral Spinal Fluid acts as a cushion or buffer protecting the brain inside the skull, the central canal of the spinal cord and the cranial nerves and spinal nerve roots. Nerve roots allow excess spinal fluid into lymphatic channels regulating amounts of fluid and releasing neural-endocrine factors into the blood stream.

Imagine our “Spinal Life-Force System” consisting of: Our chemical or hormonal communication system (Endocrine); Our physiological communication system (Nerves); Our internal fluids for protection (Cerebral Spinal Fluid); Our immune system (Lymphatic) and Our Spiritual Ascension pathways (Chakras.)

Meditation and Yoga exercises are two ways to stimulate and activate this Spinal Life-Force System. These are self-induced actions of activation and clearing which I highly recommend. You can also seek help with activation and clearing from outside sources, such as Reiki and Healing Touch practitioners.

December 16, 2007-

Accept, Forgive and Move Forward

Acceptance of one’s self and one’s circumstances is essential in spiritual growth. What I mean by acceptance, in this context, is acknowledgement or admission, not approval.

When we acknowledge and understand, we can forgive. In forgiving we make room for growth.

I don’t know many people that are totally satisfied with themselves and with the way their lives have turned out. Some won’t admit it and put on a bravado attitude, some won’t stop stressing over it and others are doing so well you just want to scream... for their good fortune, that is. However you handle it, remember to accept where you are right now. Accept the fact that you are a product of your own choices. Accept who you are. Accept who your parents are and accept however they treated you. Accept the relationships that you’ve had, the children that you have. Accept the job you have or don’t have. Accept them all as a gift. Good, bad or ugly, “we got what we got.” There is nothing you can do to change the past. Just accept it.

At this point you’ve accepted yourself and your life, right? Well at least you’ve thought about it? If so, now forgive yourself. You did the best you could with what you had to work with. We all did the best we could with what we had to work with, so forgive your parents, forgive your mates, forgive your children, and forgive your boss, even if you work for yourself. Forgive the universe if you don’t have a job!

If you put energy into acceptance and forgiveness it will allow you to shed some of the burden off your shoulders. Stop blaming and accusing yourself and others for the way things are. Relax a little.

When you truly can accept and forgive, a path is cleared for taking a new direction.

On this new path, carry only honorable intent, for you and for others. When you stumble or fall, dust yourself off, pick up your honorable intent and “keep on trucking!” Now that you’re on the new path, moving forward, evolving, anything is possible.

The next time you have to forgive yourself, it should be easier than the last time, if you truly have good intent in your heart.

New Year’s resolutions can be nearly impossible to keep. Instead try this: on Dec 21st or 22nd, observe the winter Solstice by acknowledging what has grown cold and dark within you. Then, light a candle, or build a fire in your fireplace. As the flame grows, think about what good qualities you could encourage to help you move forward. The longest night will pass, and you will have planted the seeds of growth in your mind and in your heart.

December 2, 2007-

Moment by Moment,

Hour by Hour,

Day by Day

Each moment, hour and day is a challenge. As you wake up and the night’s dreams are quickly fading from your memories, your mind starts the process of lining up your responsibilities. It’s time to jump into the routine you’ve developed and “get ‘er done”. Today is not the day to change your routine, there are things to take care of, places to go, obligations that have to be dealt with.

These obligations may not include a healthy diet, an exercise routine, and a mind set of enlightenment. Most of us are used to functioning outside the arena of self care. We manage by focusing our attention on taking care of the needs of our family, home, and jobs. These are necessary duties that are important, but it takes energy, strength, and stamina to perform our daily chores.

Are you working at your optimum capacity? I’m not talking about becoming a professional weight lifter or a Yoga teacher. I am talking about enhancing your health by a combination of intelligent eating habits, moderate consumption, stress reduction, a self tailored exercise routine, and connecting with the God source power that is available to all of us, at no charge, from the Big Guy or Gal. I’m not selling a system, so don’t be scared. I’m just asking a rhetorical question, that you can answer to your self.

It is not a selfish thing to want to work with optimum capacity. When you take care of yourself, you have the stamina to handle the demands of daily living.

I’m not going to list a diet plan, or explain moderate consumption, or tell people how to exercise. I could give you common sense advice on these subjects, but you can get that anywhere.

I will (in the upcoming months) share with you some stress reducing ideas. Right now I want to remind you of the wonderful FREE power source ready to be tapped into. Did you forget or did you ever know how to connect and feel the comfort and peace and receive the energy replenishing light available to us? I’ve been in both situations, not knowing and then forgetting, again and again.

Since you are reading this, I assume you’re searching. Searching is good, but if you’re searching for a guru, someone to guide you, to lead you to enlightenment, stop it. The best advisor you can find is your higher self. Your higher self is connected to spirit and to the physical plane. It is always there, observing and willing to be of assistance.

As you are advised from outside sources you are bombarded with so many different ideas and approaches that it is hard to decide what to focus your attention on. If we are spiritually connected with our power source, all things fall into their proper place. OK, OK, it can be a lot more complicated than that, but let’s start there.

Starting to connect, or re-connect can be as simple as saying a prayer to your God, Here is one example,” You, who are the source of all power, whose rays illuminate the world, illuminate also my heart that it too can do your work.” There are many other prayers I’ve heard that I like. Making up your own, from your heart is the most powerful.

Also, if you’re saying it daily, try committing to a specific time. It’s a sign of respect to keep an appointment with your Source.

In this Holiday season, we have the opportunity to keep an appointment with our Source. The celebration of Christmas can be transformed into a joyous connection with our Source through brotherly (and sisterly) love. Whether we are Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jewish or undecided, we can all love. Love is the basic principle of all religions.

I learned (somewhere) that who we pray to is waiting to be acknowledged, waiting to come to our aid. All we have to do is ask. They can watch over us but they can’t intervene, unless we ask, then they can assist us! Don’t be scared to ask. This time of year it’s the only free gift available! Once you’ve asked, give thanks and praise for listening and being available, and give thanks and praise in advance for assistance! Happy Holidays!

NOVEMBER 16, 2007-

Keep Joy in Your Heart

Joy is a great antidote for negative thinking. When we keep joy in our hearts, it’s difficult to do the wrong thing. Thinking creates action, or at the very least energy, so having a positive mindset helps us respond to outside stimuli in a positive way.

Imagine leaving your home with anger in your heart and on your mind. How do you think you will react to say... traffic, not being able to find an item you’re shopping for, long lines in the checkout counters or at the bank, annoying co-workers, etc.?

Now imagine leaving your home with joy in your heart and on your mind. You can remember that traffic is a part of life, maybe you really didn’t need that item you can’t find, long lines might give you an opportunity to breathe deep and relax, or meet somebody that has something to share with you, and you may realize that the annoying co-worker is just another opportunity to learn another lesson. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Meditation and relaxation can help you achieve a good mindset that can make your life so much richer. Also, if you have a joke or incident that you can look back on, that makes you giggle or makes you happy, put it on a post it note, put it on your frig or in your car. It will remind you and allow you to have joy in your heart.

My niece sent me some “funny things kids say“ on my email and I giggle to myself or right out load every time I think of it, and I’d like to share it with you.

The Sermon a Mom will Never Forget: On this particular Sunday, “Dear Lord,” the minister began with his arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face, “with out you we are but dust”. He would have continued but at that moment, her daughter (who was actually listening to the sermon) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill little voice, “Mom, what’s Butt Dust?”

We all have things that just tickle us. Try to come up with some and carry them in your heart and don’t forget your “Butt Dust” when you leave your house.