Living Energy Blog

Change and creativity…so many aspects enter into the equation when we are trying to navigate the former and embrace the latter! One aspect that may not be commonly thought about with either of these topics is that of expectation.

Neuroscience is showing us however that we should think about expectations. It has been clearly demonstrated that the brain actually changes its activity based on our expectations!
In one experiment individuals were instructed to expect to see color even though they were viewing black and white…their brains made the same changes as if they had actually perceived color.
This is very exciting! Imagine! The brain responds to the choice you make about how you want (or in this case are told—much like in life!) to perceive something! So it seems to follow that the brain can shift from a closed, preconceived way of processing to a more open creative one should we make that choice and adopt that intention.

The fact that our brain changes its process in response to our expectation is not simply interesting. This and other similar research is pointing to the notion that we are all much more the driver of our own bus than we ever thought! We always have the choice to discount this information, resist it and or ignore it altogether like a news bulletin we opt to not receive.  Haven’t we all at one time or another felt the hurt, confusion and righteousness inherent in being the victim of circumstances? We experience ourselves as the one affected rather than the one with the power within our lives. It is a major cultural conditioning that has kept us imprisoned within our own inner cell for centuries!

Of course, we would feel this way. We cannot demonstrate something we do not really understand or know how to use—our minds! So, we have been a bit less than graceful in shaping some of our realities! Not really a big deal….unless you walk away from it.

You see the process of choice making and its ramifications continues to work whether you are aware of it and consciously using it or not. If you do not take responsibility for your part in the process then the outcomes in your life may not be as you would like. Responsibility is a daunting word, but in this case it ultimately leads to freedom and can become a source of deep peace and joy. But you’ll have to try it, stay with it and practice, practice, practice before you can really experience that in any ongoing way. But once you do life changes beautifully! And I must insert my usual caveat here—we do not control everything, but we can exercise more influence than we have thought possible. And the tools that we use in learning to use our higher minds are the same ones that will build inner strength, stress hardiness and the ability to remain centered within our own higher heart-mind…and that will help navigate the stormy seas that arise out of our control or influence.

Next post: Effective Methods to Remove Blocks to Clear Perception

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In the last post we spoke about the importance of balancing electro-magnetic energies. Below is a recorded guided “meditation” that will help you do just that. This is a method that I incorporate into many of the recorded programs we do–it is an excellent tool to use at the start and end of other methods and it can be used alone to help you to: (1)increase your sensitivity to personal energy; (2)center and ground yourself; (3)experience more inner ease, peace and freedom from tension.

Whether you are new to this “energy  running” technique or use it on a regular basis,  I would love to hear about your experience with it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here we are, at the turn of the calendar page –TA DA–we made it,  welcome 2013!  Some thought we would not make it but here we are. Now we can move beyond all that to the new opportunities for creating, experiencing and living that await us.

Really any day is a good day for new beginnings, but it is natural at the turn of the year to pause, take stock and think about our future. Hope springs eternal as we set our resolutions for the coming year — in spite of all evidence showing that most resolutions are forgotten pretty early into the New Year!

So what are we to do…abandon all good intentions and goal setting? As I have thought about this dilemma for myself I have come up with some ideas that work for me and I would like to share them with you in the hopes that they may support you with the changes you would like to make. These ideas are not magic and are not foolproof, but they do keep me more on track toward successful outcomes, less prone to negative thoughts when things do not go as I would like and they do help me to stay the course more easily than traditional approaches to resolutions.

1. Take time to review, acknowledge and celebrate
It is important to look at what went well in addition to the things we want to change. Energetically, dwelling on the negative (E.G. our failure to accomplish or have a desire or goal) saps our strength, creates incoherence in our field and leads us toward more failure rather than greater success.

Focusing on what went well and what we have achieved helps keep our energy strong, free flowing and coherent…all qualities that help support positive outcomes! In our humanness we tend to forget what went well, where we did grow and learn, and become more of what we would like to be, or to have more of what we would desire in our lives.

2. Look with new eyes on what has not gone well
Focusing on the positive does not mean that we overlook or avoid looking at what has not gone well, or where we would like to see something different than our current reality. We need to face reality and not escape into a spiritual bypass that leaves us ill equipped for living.

However, what we can do is look through new eyes…eyes that help keep our energy strong, that offer a doorway through which we access our innate resiliency and help maintain forward momentum. Typically when we look at what has not gone well; our unconscious response is to energetically collapse. This is a ripe breeding ground for self judgment, criticism or obsessive ruminating on the negative aspects of ourselves to arise.
A shift in vision from head to heart keeps us in an open and flowing state where self compassion, loving kindness and soul presence sets the stage for insight, intuition and new solutions to emerge. This spiritual vision is an antidote to being stuck, stagnating or giving up.

 3. Practice Mindfulness and Create Core Reminders to Keep You Focused
The capacity to be present to our lives that develops as a byproduct of a mindfulness practice is of enormous help no matter what our intention or goal. In fact any type of regular meditation practice supports all aspects of ourselves and our lives.

In addition to that practice, creating cues to use throughout the day to re-center and focus around our goals or intentions can be very helpful.  One of the questions that I like to use to help me stay focused on my intentions is, “Is this choice/feeling/thought/belief/action one rooted in loving kindness? Does it support me; expand my wellbeing and help me move toward my best Self-expression and goals? “. This approach does assume that the goals or intentions you are setting really do contribute to those areas! You may need to come up with a core question that fits more specifically for your needs.

For me this approach helps remind me about the real meaning of things rather than simply concentrating on an outer behavior or target with no real awareness of how it is connected the deeper aspects of my Being. In this way I remain more conscious…even when I choose to not do what is really in my best interest!! J That is important to know and integrate too!

4. Include Pleasurable Activities Daily
We are hard wired for pleasure. A lack of pleasure contributes to fatigue and stress. If we overlook this deep need, we will find ourselves unconsciously acting in ways that are counterproductive as we try to fill our pleasure quotient through the back door!

What brings you pleasure? Make a list and keep it handy! One woman I knew filled a coffee can with slips of paper with relaxing, pleasure giving activities and drew one each day. When we are stressed or tired it can be hard to think of something that can recharge our energy so a way of having those ideas handy can be of value.

Early bird registration SAVINGS ends August 1st for Elements of Enlightenment Retreat on Lake Winnepesaukee!

Some comments from previous participants:
Magical, grounding, cleansing! Thank You! B.C.
A transformative, life affirming weekend! J.M

The retreat dates are September 28-30 2012, on Sandy Island in Lake Winnepesaukee N.H. This years exciting topic is “Conscious Connections: The Practice of Mindfulness”. We are very excited about this years line up, we have some of your favorite presenters back and some new ones to share with you .

Check out our  website http://www.elementsofenlightenment.com/  !!! You will find all of this years schedule of presenters and events on the site. We have tried to make it as user friendly for all of you, with an easy registration form and pay-pal options.

There is still plenty of time for you to pick the cabin you would like and fill it with a few of your closest friends!  Early registration prior to August 1st, 2012 is an energy exchange of $400 per guest. After August 1st, 2012 the energy exchange is  $500 per guest I hope you have a wonderful spring and adventurous summer. We look forward to seeing you in the fall on the island!

Blessings and Inspirations,

Kim and Kate

Our newest relaxation recording features ocean waves set to music to draw you into a deep state of peace.  

Sound, waves, nature and music have long been known to possess healing properties for body mind and spirit.Wave Med blends those energies in a way that creates an experience you can enjoy over and over again.

A conversation between music and specific wave patterns provides you with a twenty minute relaxation experience that refreshes and rejuvenates you in the midst of a busy day,  or can help you unwind and let go of stress at the end of your day. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

To sample this recording click here: http://tinyurl.com/7v2pwgd

Meditation (Photo credit: atsukosmith)

As all of us of a certain age begin to make our way through the latter part of life, there is much concern about retaining our ability to lead productive happy lives and continue to be independent if not productive members of society. The good news is that we are learning how our lifestyle choices can positively impact our continued health and well being. No longer is it a forgone conclusion that we will all be subject to the ravages of aging just because we have advanced in years.

 I remember years ago hearing Deepak Chopra remark that aging was a mistake. By that he meant that we did not necessarily have to succumb to many of the health issues and declining capacities that previous generations believed were inevitable. Science is beginning to show us how true his statement is–and even better it is showing us the tools and their effects on how to make this our reality.

Here is an excerpt from some research on mindfulness and how it affects the brain from Harvard/MGH.

“Perhaps one of the more intriguing aspects of Dr. Lazar’s research is the finding that cortical thickness was more pronounced in the older subjects. A number of factors, including age, sex and genetics, influence the thickness of the human cortex, with age being the leading factor. Despite the affects of aging on the prefrontal cortex, Dr. Lazar and her team found that the average cortical thickness in two regions of the cortex of the 40 -50 year old meditators was similar to the average thickness of the 20- 30 year old meditators and control subjects. This suggests that meditation may slow the rate of neural degeneration in specific locations of the cortex.”

Read the full article here: http://www.hms.harvard.edu/hmni/On_The_Brain/Volume12/OTB_Vol12No3_Fall06.pdf

This video is a great brief explanation of how meditation operates to rewire your brain to decrease stress.

“The practice of meditation gave me the set of skills to guide my own transformation. It has been the most life altering skill that I have gained. I shifted from thinking that my emotion and thoughts owned me to feeling like I could play a role in changing my state.”

From Neuroplasticity: Changing our Belief about Change, by  Joanna Holsten

http://www.dailygood.org/view.php?sid=221

Energy Arc, central electrode of a Plasma Lamp. Français : Arc énergétique, électrode centrale d’une lampe à plasma. Român?: Arc energetic, electrod central al unei lampe cu plasm?. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the key elements in an energetic approach to living is to FEEL good. Not only is this a goal, it is also a part of the method to achieve the goal. We are so accustomed to working hard, striving, pushing…efforting to reach our destination that it never occurs to us that there can be another way. It is not that we are to give up making an effort to reach our targets…the point is that we can do so with a lot less angst than most of us generate! The key here is in the attitude and inner state that shapes our approach.

Fortunately the same techniques that are used to help discover our problem patterns can also be part of the solution. Meditation and strategies encouraging healthier patterns of breathing can help heighten awareness of mind-body patterns that have resulted in a depletion of our energy resources. At the same time these methods begin to help develop an easier inner state of being and can be used to coach the mind to create new patterns and healthier ways of thinking and feeling. The enhanced well being that comes in the practice eventually spills over into real life!

Numerous studies have shown that these two simple techniques used on a regular basis result in ‘stress hardiness’ and improved health. So even if you have no interest in becoming knowledgeable about energy you can still benefit in very significant ways!  In addition to strengthening the nervous and immune systems, these practices also help quiet the mind and body so you can become aware of subtle energies within yourself and in your environment. They are the cornerstones for other methods that can eventually provide you with greater control over your energy.