The Creation of the Universe

In the time before Time, when the days were endless and there were no nights and everything existed in the hands of Perfection, Brahma enjoyed the company of his consort, his mother-sister-daughter-bride, his constant companion, his treasured Beloved.  They were everything to each other and they were All that the other had.

They enjoyed creating novelties to surprise and charm the other.  They would laugh and play together, sing and dance with one another, each moment an expansive delight in one another’s presence.  All was Perfection and there their joy was unanimous and unequivocal.  

Amidst their creative endeavors, they discovered the true pleasure of playing hide and seek with each other; each of them would take turns with one of them closing their eyes whilst the other tip-toed off to hide, waiting to be found by the other.  With every game, they discovered new and innovative ways to hide from each other, always wishing to give the other a novel riddle as to where they could be found, so that each time the game became more beautiful to behold, more challenging to complete.  It was in this manner that time and space were made, a stage set for their playground.

More and more complex creations were made manifest to enable the expansion of their perfect playground.  Great gardens grew and waters were woven, skies were opened and deep caverns created.  They made many, many realities, always taking great delight in their creations, for this was their most prized game, their joyful uncovering and rediscovering of one another, for they cherished each other very much and were always thrilled to be reunited.

Every world that was made was more spectacular than the previous.  Various rules and regulations enticingly set the nuance of each firmament, thus providing vast variety which enhanced the elements and colored the conditions of each place.  So enamored were they with each other and with their thrill of seeking and finding, that they put much loving energy into the grounds of their glory, and became fascinated by the fantasies of the worlds in which they hid.

At the start of a game, the Beloved told Brahma to close his eyes and to not peek because she had a very special treat for him this time, so he placed a great fog around himself to shroud his vision.  

As her consort counted in wait for her to hide, the Beloved divided herself up into innumerable pieces, hiding herself invariably in incalculable places, sprinkling herself throughout the vast galaxies and realms in which they had created.  In addition to this, she made herself so varied and unrecognizable to him that he would have a sincere challenge finding her in all of her facets of Being.  

It proved to be the longest expanse of the time either of them had ever experienced, so long in fact, that they eventually started to forget who they were, and that they were even playing a game.  

It is into this reality that we find ourselves now, lost and unsure, longing for the love of our Eternal Beloved and all of the missing pieces which need to be placed back together to be fully and wholly reunited. 

Once upon a time we were each other’s delight, and there is still a bit of that sparkle of a dream within our hearts, for that is where the Beloved has put all of her pieces for her perfect partner to recollect.

Discovering The Law of Return

We are existing concurrently in multi-dimensions and timelines of our Self- all fractals of the reality which is whole and complete.

There are certain Laws which govern our existence.  One of the most well known laws is that of Karma, or, more precisely, The Law of Return.  It states: Each thought, deed and action will be returned to you in order to teach empathy, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. 

Be thou aware of the Law of Return.  Cast only what ye wish to catch!

Oh, to be a healer is to cast the light and disperse the shadows.  Blessings come in many forms and flavors, all of which can guide us toward love and unity.

Look deeply at the wound; see the hooks and barbs embedded therein.  Love gently extracts the thorns and thistles.  Love heals the damages inflicted.  Love mends with great care and compassion; with practiced patience does Love gingerly heal all afflictions.  Love always wins, for in truth, all there is is Love.

Let the shadows be dispersed!

Dance in the light of joy and forgiveness!

How precious we are, every one!

What grips and grapples, what ensnares and enslaves, Be Gone!  In the name of Love, Be Gone, Be Gone!

How to Get Grounded Without Falling Down

 Living in the Creative Heights

Artists, inventors, philosophers, mystics, and all spiritualists who expend much time and energy in the creative realms ofttimes become so enraptured with their esoteric heights that they may forget to eat, sleep or do other necessary activities of daily living.  For example, have you ever been in the groove of your creative or meditative mode and find yourself saying, "I really need to go to the bathroom, but it can wait, I can hold it!" and then, in what seems to be the blink of an eye, you find that three hours have passed and your bladder is extended beyond belief and is not happy.  Perhaps you find yourself rushing to appointments and forget to bring items with you that you needed because you've given your time and energy to the creative idea, forgoing the very real and pressing presence of the here and now.  It is not that you're lazy or procrastinate; it's that you're preoccupied by the grander plan, the greater schematic, and everything else seems to take second or third (or sixteenth) place.  All you really want to do is keep on creating!

It may seem silly to even broach this subject, for many people in our society will not be able to relate to not keeping a regimented schedule or a consistent time table.  Most people live their lives completely by routine; it is a viable way of living, for living by rote routine provides a very real sense of stability in an otherwise unstable reality.  "The world may be falling to pieces, but at least I have my morning coffee."  However, most artists and other creative folk have a difficult time keeping a regular sleeping schedule, let alone a breakfast routine. 

It Is Important to Keep Grounded to Sustain a Balanced Existence

As one who admits to actively living in the heights of creative mode and much preferring the energy up there, verses the density of dogma, disease, demand and dementia that pervades our mundane world, I can attest that it is quite necessary to remind myself to stay grounded without falling down and losing the joy and freedom for which I have so diligently worked to achieve.  This requires a great deal of discipline, finesse, balance and discernment for as soon as one starts to pay attention to the lower levels of living, one may easily become discouraged, disgruntled and as un-eased as the collective.  To assuage this downward demise while still keeping a strong tether to the here and now, I have discovered a few very important activities that will work wonders in maintaining the balance necessary to live more fully without compromising integrity, honor or impose unnecessary harm upon the sensitive soul.

Be Fully Present In Your Body

So much time is spent out of body, conjuring new ideas, creating novel concepts of awareness, spinning and weaving the warp and weft of our worlds, that we may forget the beautiful sensuality of being in our bodies.  We have many sensational faculties with which to employ and to delve into each of our subtle senses.  Using conscientious alacrity and aplomb adds wonderful levels of enjoyable awareness we simply may have forgotten.  Here are a few ideas to spark the enjoyment of being in your body.

Take a Walk, Dance, Hike, Swim, Skip, Roll Down the Hill

Move your body! Remember what it feels like to be actively awake and aware of your movements as they relate to the world around you.  Be in nature as much as you are able, for its simple resplendence and beauty will rejuvenate your very soul.  Watch the sunrise and sunset, listen to the wind blow through the leaves and see the sunlit patterns cascading through their canopy.  Drink deeply of the woodland experience. Inhale the rich beauty of moss and mushrooms. Splash in the surf and skip stones in the streams.  Cast your gaze upon the twinkling stars at night.  If you do live in an urban setting, go to a park, find someplace that is less chaotic, less maniacal; steer clear of places where there is mayhem to disturb, disrupt and distract your inner peace.  Do not spend time in places and amongst people who will cause you worry (i.e. social media, the news, your gossiping neighbors, etc.)  This will only serve to deflate and deplete your energies.  Likewise consider competitive sports: the layers of desire and division may inhibit your fullest enjoyment of the activity.

Care for Plants, Pet Your Pet,  Play with Children

Activities which involve other life also stimulate your well-being as long as it is reciprocal in balance.  Gardening, putting your hands in the dirt, smelling the flowers, pruning the plants are all very grounding and loving activities that will reward you on many, many levels.  Most pets and children have the innate ability to freely give love and joy without being demanding.  If you are finding yourself taxed by obligatory walks with the dog or dutiful outings with the kids, this is not going to reset your peace of mind.  If you do not have (or want to have) access to your own children or pets, simply observe kids at play or animals in nature.  This removes you from the interaction a step, but does allow you to feel the energy and enable you to become replenished by it.

Cook, Bake, Bathe and Pamper Yourself and Other Self-Nourishing Activities

How wonderful is it to waltz in the wafting aromas of a gloriously good meal?  Each step in preparing food for yourself and those you enjoy can be such a pleasure in and of itself, well before the sharing and consuming of the meal.  You create an idea of what to make, you carefully consider and choose the ingredients (maybe you can hand-pick the peaches from the farmers market for your compote or the patiently pluck the herbs from your garden for the soup?) Let each bite be it's own gift and savor your repast with delight.

How lovely is it to soak in a warm bubble bath and steep in the sensations of aromatic tinctures, lighted candles, and potted plants, to nurture and nourish your body with oils, to pause with pleasure at the perusal of your own, glorious magnificence?  Actively engage your senses. This is celebrating yourself on all kinds of levels by treating yourself well, with respect and utter joy.

Do It with Love, Or Don't Do It at All

In the end, it is all your choice how you wish to expend your energies.  We all have things we want to do and things we must attend to create and maintain an exquisite existence in this life.  Do not rush your tasks; consciously achieve making each step a delight, and not a chore.  This will indeed extend your enjoyment throughout the entire process and garnish you with enough joy that may easily radiate as a pure gift to others.

Toxic Relationships: How They Occur and How to Gracefully Disconnect From Them

Every one of us has been hurt in this world.  We've all fallen down, made mistakes, hurt others, hurt ourselves.  None of us have escaped this experience of life without having sustained a bruised heart and broken trust.  Some of the worst wounds have occurred when those who are closest to us have abused, exploited or neglected us, even while claiming that they love us.  Instead of being pure and unconditional, love suddenly has strings attached.  The soft, sweet signals of love become entangled with and tainted by denser qualities, casting shadows of doubt and showers of despair.  

Most people are able to move through their struggles when proper attention is paid to their inner shadows of insecurity, self-doubt, anger, grief and resentment; however, there are some people that choose to not expend the time and energy it takes to clear out their wounds.  They may distract themselves with busyness, withdraw or go numb, hoping to hide from the pain and pretend everything is ok when it is not.  Walls may be built to protect the inner wound and the outer world becomes a competitive battle-ground. 

When Pain Turns Toxic

If an inner turmoil is "swept under the rug," the pain must go somewhere.  Sometimes the pain goes inward and the person suffers internally, masking their pain with mood enhancing medicines or mind-numbing drugs; their pain may be played off non-nonchalantly, often without the knowledge of others who are very close to them.  This can eventually manifest into auto-immune diseases, anxiety and/or depression, risky behaviors, alcoholism and avoidance behaviors (such as over-working).  If not properly contended, these coping habits will turn into seriously disabling conditions. 

Sometimes the pain goes outward and the person will lash out to those around them, targeting others to dispel their grief and angst.  We've all experienced having been around someone who is unpleasant.  Seemingly out of nowhere, we become the brunt of their "bad mood."  They criticize and judge, cajole then condemn.   It is likely the person is going through challenges in their life and they do not know how to properly deal with the emotions and thoughts that surface.  Some wounded people become caustic or sarcastic, demeaning or demanding. 

It is important to understand that people only fight or flee when they are in pain and do not know how to deal with it properly.  It may be a colleague or a supervisor, a friend or a stranger.  If it is someone with whom you feel no obligation or less of a personal connection, it may be easy to allow it to roll off your back, to simply turn and walk away from the bitter venom that arises; but if the person is a relative, a spouse or a close friend, you may feel duty-bound to stay and take the abuse, to try to help them by listening and offering suggestions, to stay in loyal contact with them because of cultural or personal expectation. 

This article is to help guide those loving, compassionate and empathetic souls who have long-suffered the sting and continuously bear the burden of another person's displaced wounds (directed intentionally or unintentionally upon them) and who have observed through time these continued patterns that the wounded person in their life has not been able or willing to take accountability for themselves and the harmful behaviors they exhibit.  

The wounded person seeks approval and sympathy from outside of themselves because they do not understand how to nourish themselves, and will continue to take it from others who are willing to give it to them.  This can be seen as the "poor me" syndrome whereby the wounded person recounts how horrible are their life circumstances and how unfair others have been to them.  This is a cry for sympathy and attention.  At the same time, the wounded person may often judge, criticize and condemn other people to a fault for their mistakes in order to point out how worthy they are in comparison.  This is the wounded ego at work crying for recognition through self-inflation by the degradation of others.  Both actions are dis-empowering.

The wounded person stays in their wounded place because they are enabled by others not to take accountability for their own care-taking and self-love. It is up to each individual to reclaim their power in the unbalanced relationship. When the enabler continues to allow the disabled to feed off of their energy or dump their refuse over the good-will of the other, the imbalance will make both people unhealthy unless the cycle is broken.  If what is shared and shown in love is not seen or ignored by the disabled and attacks continue, then one must remove themselves from the relationship until the wound is recognized and willingness to change the pattern is made manifest. The enabler must stand up for themselves by holding the dis-abler in loving accountability.

Riding Yourself From an Energy Vampire

At some point, you will recognize when it is time to curtail the relationship.  Here are some signs to recognize when you are at this stage:

• You are depleted whenever you are around this person.
• You do not enjoy their company but feel obligated to continue to keep them in your life.
• You stress out about their drama.
• You feel judged, dishonored and tricked by them.
• After spending time with them, you feel like you have been used, under-valued and under-appreciated.
• You hear them talking badly about you to others despite your best efforts of friendship and loyalty.
• They are paranoid about how you feel about them and seek constant reassurance.
• You keep hoping things will change in the dynamic of the relationship and continue to be disappointed.

It is a significant step to remove yourself from an energy-vampire especially if they have been in your life for many years.  The pattern of abuse has been worn thin by time and is so rote that it may be jolting to them when you finally stand up for yourself.  Do not second guess yourself when you decide to step back and cut the tendrils that tether you to them, despite your good heart.  It is not ok to be someone's punching bag,  no matter who they are in relation to you, no matter how sour their lives have gone or how abused they have been by others.

Here is an example of a letter I wrote a few days ago to someone who has shown decades of abusive patterns via control, judgement and belittlement, who has offered support and then changed their mind at the last moment as a power-play and was not willing to take accountability for their misdeeds against me and others. 

 Dear xxxxxx,
I write this letter with love.  It is very apparent to me that you are suffering ~ you have such bitterness, anger and judgement that rides heavily on  your heart and prevents you from having joy, levity and self-love.  When you speak to me with loathing, hatred for your life circumstances, judgement against me and so many others,  it is like poisonous darts or a vomitous mass you project.

Please know I have worked very diligently and very carefully in removing people from my life that are motivated by fear and guilt.  I only abide with those who are gracious, loving and compassionate.

Until you can work out some of the darkness that shadows your heart, shrouds it with malice and resentment toward me and others, I will not abide or tolerate any connection with you.

Please do not write or text or call me.  You are free to come and visit once you have cleaned yourself up <3

I do not need your judgement or your pity.  I most assuredly do not need your money or your time.

Best of luck!


Use this as a template, as you like, to help untangle yourself from anyone who misappropriates your goodness, tries to dis-empower you or tries to take away your dignity with guilt and oppression.  Please notice that, in the end, the door to the relationship is not completely shut, but boundaries are indeed set so that until the perimeters are met, the relationship will not continue.  There will be no space for argument, no more fuel for the fire to continue.  Do not engage with them until they acknowledge their mistakes and make the real effort to change these deep-seated patterns of abuse and exploitation.  It is entirely possible that the wounded person may never want to take accountability for themselves in this life. Be willing to accept that you've done all that you can and now it's their turn to master the strength to heal themselves.

The Unveiled Mystic: the Journey Behind the Journey

I do not remember asking to be a mystic, it just happened.  

You would not think anything was very different about me should you meet me, only, perhaps, that I am a completely approachable, sincere, and kind person.  I always have loved nature, animals, children and have had a very real and intimate relationship with God for as long as I can remember. 

I was raised in a "normal" American fashion: the eldest of three daughters brought up in the mid-west to educated middle-class parents who loved each other, had married young and who stayed married to each other their entire lives.  We were a God-fearing, God-loving family.  We ate meat, potatoes and two vegetables every dinner and had an apple orchard in our back yard.  I walked to elementary school.  My mother baked loaves of bread and made cookies for our family as well as worked part-time.  My father worked hard and steadily throughout my formative years and he celebrated each Friday night, loving to be home with his family for the weekend and enlisting us girls to help him with the yard-work. We were raised to be good stewards and responsible people.

There was no alcohol in our house; there were no firearms.  We attended church every week as well as Sunday School and Wednesday night services.  I went to church camp every summer from third-grade through college and chose to attend a Christian Liberal Arts college my freshman and sophomore years.  I never drank or did drugs while I was in school; instead, I did a LOT of babysitting, had a paper-route, worked at the library and then as a waitress as soon as I turned 16 and was heavily involved in our community youth orchestra, symphonic band, piano lessons and choirs.  We always had a dog. 

My life growing up was all very normal and idyllic.  I never asked for much more than what I was given, though I always knew that there was more: I had a very idealized concept of romance, well before I was even a teenager.  This was to the detriment of my relationship with my parents, for I sought my Beloved with the same aplomb and alacrity as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, once upon a dream. (Fairy tales, fantasy and romance always have intrigued me.)

I was 17 years old when I had my first mystical experience.  While my parents and sisters were inside together watching a movie, I was out in the backyard near one of the pear trees, heartbroken over my love gone lost, praying without ceasing and gazing up into the clear night, the star-studded sky.  Fat tears were rolling down my cheeks as I asked God "Why??" over and over again, confused, distraught and ever so sad.  It was then that I saw a shooting star streak across the heavens and was overcome with the very real presence of the Divine- so much so that I was completely compelled to lay prostrate, face down on the dewy grass, unable to look up.  I was overcome with a great sense of calm, of peace, of love and the very real reassurance that I was taken care of.  My sadness dissipated; I arose, dried my eyes and went back into the house with such awe, such thankfulness in my heart.  Never again could I dare doubt the reality of God after that.

Time proceeded, my love was found and lost once more, this time *I* was the one who ran away.  For 20 years I lived an alternative life without him present.  I married someone else, I had a child; I divorced and married again and divorced again... I threw myself into the world: my careers, parenting, hobbies all became priorities above my spiritual life.  I stopped hanging around God-loving people.  I ceased praying.  I became "practical" and put my job before my spirituality, my spouses before myself.  I ensconced myself with worldly pursuits and pleasures and ended up being taken advantage of by the world, chewed up and spit out.  I was angry, I was forlorn, I was physically sick, emotionally spent and spiritually distraught.

But something else happened, too.  Just as I had gotten to the point of exhaustion, of total depletion and had given up on being able to work full-time due to an array of illness and dis-ease, God fetched me once more back into the embrace of Love- this time with a vision.

I'm not sure what came over me, but I had this very strong sense to go into the attic and dig out from the recesses a rock that I'd obtained 15+ years ago from a book/jewelry/gemstone mining store I visited long ago when I first moved to Asheville, NC called the Silver Armadillo.  It was a lovely piece of fluorite, raw and uncut in its cubical blue-purple formation with tiny white calcification cubes like stars studding some sides.  My intuition was strong and I felt to go to the window of my room and gaze outside, place the crystal on my forehead and then close my eyes.  I felt a tingly-burning sensation where the stone touched my flesh and was given a scenario in my mind's eye of people walking around, minding their own affairs, living their lives as usual while I saw a doorway, a window open in the sky that revealed a blazing bright Eye.  No one else seemed to notice it whatsoever, but I was riveted, captured by it's gaze, locked into it's sight with my own and then these words came pouring into me over and over again, "I am Holy Thine.  I am Holy Thine.  I am Holy Thine."

Being so entranced by this vision, I blinked open my eyes and immediately drew out the image I had seen onto paper so I would have some tangible reminder of the indelible impression it left within me.  I drew the sun-like radiant Eye in the open doorway in the sky, I drew a man who was not paying attention and looking elsewhere, I drew myself as a black shaded silhouette with a lightness inside.  Since that time, I've been gifted with more visions- all of which have left me with such deep feelings of awe and gratitude, with amazement and humility.  None of them have been of death or destruction or the end of the world.  All of them have been awesome, intriguing and inspiring, very real reminders that we are much more than what we seem. 

My third eye (and fourth eye!) have been opened and I feel energies throughout my body.  I can read the human heart and recognize Twin Flames almost as soon as I meet them.  Each person that comes into my life is on purpose, our meeting a part of the Grand Design, and I am able to see more than I ever even dreamed or fantasized was possible.  I am able to glimpse into the akashic records and view past and/or parallel lives.  (This has been an incredibly handy sanity saver when I've wondered why in the world have certain people come into my life and why are the dynamics so weird!!)  I am continuing to hone my spiritual gifts and am discovering more.

For me, keeping a journal and writing has been an invaluable part of this journey into the mystical realms.  Sometimes my writing comes so fluidly and so effortlessly that I know it is coming through me.  Some of my most profound poems have come in 30-45 minutes without any pressure and I know that I am but a co-creative and collaborative scribe taking Spirit's notes and adding my own flavor to these eternal messages of the all-empowering unity of love.

I will remind you that I was not at all a crystal-loving hippie child, or a mystical seeker.  I was not a new-age spiritualist or anything of the sort when these things started to occur for me.  I was raised with Christianity and science, two belief systems that poo-poo this type of reality with chagrin!!  I merely prayed and kept myself open to listening and following my intuition.  I understand that many people have spent their entire lives wishing and seeking these sort of experiences, and I must tell you- when your spirit is ready, and when the timing is most prime for everyone to benefit, these mystical experiences will find you. 

In the meanwhile, pray- ask to be led and to be guided- ask for assistance; keep yourself open and available to your intuition, for this is your guidance into stepping into what is greater than what we seem, and never cease your own personal quest for your spiritual relationship with our eternal Source. 

In the end, it's all about Love: love for Self, reverence for each other, for our world and for the Divine.

Many blessings to you on this most profound and provocative journey! Keep always faith, love and hope in your heart.
Namaste


 

A Letter of Universal Love

Beloved,

Greetings and Salutations!  I hope that this letter finds you well.  Let me remind you how very much you are loved and treasured, how you are honored and protected every moment of your beautiful life!  At times it is challenging to see (and therefore understand) why things seem to be the way they are, but I assure you: nothing is by chance.

It often takes the distance of time to see things from an alternate perspective as the miasma of our close proximity may distort the whole picture.  We are, each of us, part of a magnificent Grand Design - carefully orchestrated by a most benevolent Universe.  Some call this Benevolent Universe God.  Some call it Love.  Whatever you wish to name it, it is our Source.  From this everything is born and to this everything returns.

We are the Universe tasting itself, experimenting, expanding, uncovering and rediscovering.  We have been all things to each other - victims and saviors, the abused and the oppressors - lifetimes of choosing various roles to play, expanding our awareness and our appreciation for ourselves and each reflection of Ourself in others.

At times you may wonder "Why?"  Take these moments to reflect before you react.  Remember that in each moment you are given the opportunity to chose "What If...."  and do not be afraid to embark upon the road less traveled, to seek the adventures yet untold, to live the mysteries yet untapped.  

Use the past as a compass to remind you where you have been, and chose your Now based on what you understand of your own, beautiful truth.  

Never fear, Beloved, for each step you take is the right one: it adds to the flavor and diversity of our existence, to the ever unfolding knowledge of what is possible and becomes the greatest gift to oneself and to the All that Is.

Ennobled Woman

It Is Time To Reclaim Your Sovereign Divinity

Ennobled Woman, remember who you are.  

For too long have you allowed yourself to be devalued, under appreciated and disrespected.  For too long have you allowed yourself to be treated like a slave, a prostitute, a piece of property to be adorned and not adored.  Ennobled Woman, remember who you are.

You are the child bearers, the life-givers, the divine carriers of the Sacred Feminine Flame.  Ennobled Woman, rise up and model to our daughters the strength inherent within you.  Ennobled Woman, rise up and teach our sons that we are to be valued and respected.  Ennobled Woman, remember who you are.

Ennobled Woman, you are valuable and worthy of respect.  Treat your body well, pamper yourself and allow yourself to be appreciated for the divinity within you, for the sacred seeds of life that you carry each month. Ennobled Woman, remember who you are.  Ennobled Woman, do not give yourself away!  Remember your mystique, the undercurrent of your power.  Ennobled Woman, reclaim your Sovereign Divinity, for it is your birthright.  Ennobled Woman, remember who you are!