Living Energy Blog

The following is an excerpt from Session Two of Twelve Keys for Life and Self Mastery: Opening the Gate to Self Knowledge and Self Awareness

For a complete description of the one hour downloadable program and worksheets click here: http://bit.ly/JztBYf
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We are energetic beings living in a sea of energy and just as the energy of the universe takes many forms and has many layers, so do WE. To fully connect with and express our best selves in the world then it is imperative to have true Self knowledge and Self awareness. These are most efficiently gained through understanding  of the structure of our minds and energy systems.

It has often been said that “knowledge is power,” and nowhere is that truer than when we are speaking about ourselves and the lives we create. Self-knowledge includes understanding how we work as human beings as well as how we have personally operated up until now to construct our lives.

That brings us to Self-awareness. Self-awareness includes the ability to observe oneself, but the way we are using the term implies even more than that.

We share the view that each of us is in the world to bring more of our spiritual nature into human form – to become more of our authentic Selves and grow past the small identity that may have served us well until now but no longer does.

We live in a time that necessitates living in new ways … a time that requires us to rise to challenges from a different perspective than in the past so we can live lives that are more nurturing, satisfying, fulfilling, abundant and prosperous in every way.

To us, the term Self-awareness represents a knowing beyond observation of our patterns of thought, feeling and action. It describes a presence of “I AMNESS” that is beyond the average thought, feeling or sensation of human experience. It is the direct awareness of our spiritual nature.

We are addressing moving from the lower mind controlled by the ego and its self-protective – but often mistaken – ideas and beliefs to a level of BEING that embodies more of your spiritual essence … your soul nature. This is the place where we embrace our full potential and engage the power of our authentic Selves.

There is an art and science involved in this opening to the authentic Self. The way has been laid out for us through the millennia, but now we have the additional benefit of research in Mind-Body Medicine and Energy Psychology, as well as Quantum Physics, documenting age-old wisdom and providing important information to help speed us along on this exciting adventure of discovery.

The beginning of this journey necessarily includes a working knowledge of the mind, as it is the vehicle that transports us for a portion of our journey.

Our mind is not only an operating system; it is also where many of our obstacles lie. To understand the mind’s structure and have a working knowledge of its functions can help smooth our way as we seek to create change in our lives.

In this session we discuss the three levels of mind and how to use each of them appropriately. We talk about methods that are most useful with each level and provide an experiential exercise to help you begin to identify and sort out the layers of your own mind.

Image via Wikipedia

We all have fears and anxieties, real and imagined. They seem to be part of our human journey and perhaps are present to help us grow as souls. There was a time when I believed that knowledge alone could quell the fires of fear and quiet the anxieties that agitate the mind, breed turbulent emotions and disturb sleep. I found that not to be the case! Information can be a great first step, but by itself knowledge and the everyday mind are not equipped for the task of quieting the fears and anxieties that shake our foundations on our walk through life.

The discovery that it is necessary to have methods to transform knowledge into inner knowing, a felt experience that amends our default patterns, was a doorway to freedom for me. The most effective approaches I found were those that included personal energy work and the map of consciousness that the chakra system provides. Once I began to work with my energy system, I found life and living to become much more manageable… and even better—enjoyable and happy! In my opinion, understanding and knowing how to address our personal energy system  offers both a means to remove what agitates and troubles us, as well as the means to build in new self sustaining, nourishing and life enhancing energies.

Any journey toward healing or rebalancing necessarily begins with the root chakra as it is the foundation of our physical and psychological being. It is also the primary mover and shaker concerning fear and anxiety! Strong root chakra energies allow you to face life without being overtaken by unnecessary anxiety and to respond from a grounded strength to difficult, stress filled situations.

ROOT CHAKRA: Your Secret Ally
The root chakra is located at the base of your spine and is the first to develop after birth. This energy center is the foundation of your energy system, the seat of your physical vitality (Kundalini), and a cornerstone of psychological and spiritual well being.

Physically the root correlates with the adrenal glands and all bony structures….It provides support and a framework for both the physical and psychological body. We learn to crawl, walk and stand as the root chakra expands and comes online. In addition, first chakra energy also assists us with putting down roots in the world and standing on our own two feet.

Trauma, family stress and a lack of appropriate nurturing during the first few years of life can unbalance root chakra energies. Early disruption of this energy is recorded within the system and has the result of amplifying reactions to later losses or upsets such as loss of a job, living situation or person in your life. Who among us in the first five years of life did NOT have some circumstance that left its mark on our ability to feel totally safe and secure within the world? My experience is that it is part of the human condition and simply needs to be addressed and not denied or battled with ceaselessly

My Mother, My Self
The positive archetype for the root chakra is the Earth Mother. A person with strong, positive root energy honors and cares for the body as a sacred vessel that carries them in the material world. Physical needs are well cared for which results in healthy vitality as well as abundant energy to flow upward to nurture the higher chakras. The higher chakras help to expand your inner world, and open up greater creative manifestation and expanded spiritual experience.

Physically the root chakra governs the immune, skeletal and lower digestive systems. When root energies are out of balance the physical issues that present are: poor balance, sciatica, chronic fatigue, bowel disorders knee, and leg or foot problems.

Emotionally a lack of first chakra energy manifests as being too rigid and not being open to options for change…change can also be difficult if you are overly grounded —-this is evidenced through being overly controlling, or lacking in imagination or initiative.

If root energy is steady and balanced you can transcend fear—thoughts of loss do not disturb your inner peace, sap your strength or drain your vitality. Fear does not always show up as an outright anxiety disorder or phobia. It can also appear as shyness, dread or fear of criticism. Many people feel fear as an absence of security or as difficulty experiencing inner stability, safety and comfort.

Strong balanced Root Chakra energy enables you to:
 Be open to opportunities that can emerge from the unknown
Experience an inner source of comfort, soothing and ease
Tolerate ambiguity, paradox and not knowing
Move through change with more fluidity
Feel inner security, stability and safety
Care for self in healthy ways

For Root Chakra Balancing Meditations:

Chakra Guided Meditiatons http://bit.ly/wWnQ2J

Energy Aerobics http://bit.ly/w1D4sN

Related articles

• The Root Chakra (blissreturned.wordpress.com)

Exploring and learning to manage your energy is a way to move beyond concepts to the full realization of you personal power.

The process of understanding our energy systems, overcoming the weaknesses and promoting the strengths has been referred to as the  spiritual warrior’s path. Undoubtedly this is because honest self appraisal requires courage. We cannot embark on this journey without encountering ourselves; however, it need not be difficult or painful.

An attitude of curiosity and adventure, as if you are entering into a garden filled with wonderful dicoveries awaiting you, can  turn your journey into a treasure hunt that can be fun! Remember the treasure is the real you unencumbered by fear, outmoded scripts and heavy burdens … the real you who can live with purpose, passion, creativity, harmony, balance, abundance, health and prosperity. Seems like it’s worth the trip!

If we understand energetic principles and use energetic approaches, we can bring about change with less conflict and greater comfort as well as access our inborn natural capacities more easily. Often our attempts to change are approached from a stance of willpower, hard work and a forced focus on what to be or not to be. The world of energy provides ways to facilitate change more
easily, to integrate new patterns and abilities more effortlessly so we can become that person we see in our mind and feel in our heart.

All aspects of our Selves are important. Life is more enjoyable, balanced and fulfilling if we understand, appreciate and care for
all our parts. This may seem like an obvious statement, but often we humans tend to over value one aspect and develop it to the exclusion of others. Each aspect of our Selves provides a different level of awareness, a facet of our wholeness, and a distinctive way to experience the world. When we embrace the whole of our being we develop greater mastery, have more skill and ability to
live more fully, vibrantly and with more satisfaction and fulfillment.

Consciously developing and navigating our human energy system helps turn these concepts into reality. An energetic perspective
regarding our selves and our lives opens the door to a deeper awareness concerning our true nature; it offers a broader lens to look through; provides more options for discovery, promoting health and healing, and developing higher level human capacities including creativity, intuition and spirituality.

For a moment imagine a free flow of energy sweeping through you like a river that is free to flow through the landscape. Feel what it would be like to BE this river, at first meandering, then rushing along more strongly, perhaps stopping to pool in a happy little eddy just for the joy of it, once again picking up speed as the current moves forward toward the future, exhilarated by the prospect of a new adventure around the next corner.  Feel how this river moves smoothly and evenly through a variety of landscapes shifting, moving, and shaping itself to navigate the terrain but never fighting, stopping or stagnating. Of course rivers do hit
obstacles just as we do in life. But unlike the river we have choices, free will and the ability to not be at the mercy of the elements….if we know the appropriate skills to navigate the territory.

When our river of energy is negatively impacted by life, people, events, traumas or stresses, automatic reactions occur as mechanisms of protection and survival. Unfortunately these can then become a source of obstruction to the free flow of energy that would fully enliven us. If all of our energies are not fully charged, properly flowing and coherent, we can not meet the world with the full force of our being. Our view of the world and our place in it then tends toward negativity, limitation and feelings of
deficiency. We may experience suffering and pain in our lives as a result of these ‘wounded’ energies reverberating through our being. Working through our intellect is not enough nor is it the most elegant or powerful way to release our suffering, pain, reactive responses or troublesome patterns. The good news is that there is a lot we can do to remedy these situations. Working with our energy body/field and the chakras can release old stagnant, stuck energy, help to heal over wounds of the past, stabilize and ground us so we can live in the present fully and with ease. It is the most profound and fundamental way to reclaim our power.

As we work with our energy, we expand our selves and become better able to connect and live from an authentic center. In addition, we become large enough to hold all of life and strong enough to meet life directly which adds a depth and richness that is lacking when we live from our minds in what becomes a watered down version of life.

Compassion as a thought, a concept, guides us to do good. There is a self reinforcing loop that forms between our compassionate actions and hearts. This can help to build a deeper well of compassion to draw from and is good for both the “giver and receiver”. This dynamic has actually been studied and shown to boost heart intelligence/health , reduce stress and promote immunity.Compassion is good medicine!

I also believe there is another compassion beyond that sourced in the conceptual …one that emerges from deep within a soulful person…one who has a profound connection with the rhythm. pain, beauty and harmony of life and living. This compassion flows from a fullness of heart and soul seemingly because it must — a clear, direct, honest expression of the inner being of that person. Energy, power, consciousness and passion blend in an exquisite web flung wide into the world to be shared with all—and to serve as a model of what possible for all should we choose to open to it.

Maya Angelou is such a soul. Her presence, voice and essence reaches deep inside those with ears to hear stirring latent soul qualities and encouraging them to be given birth through each one of us.

Today, Labor Day, 2011, I find myself reflecting on the meaning of work. Most times when I hear about work it is in a negative context such as: “Ugh! I have to go to work.” Or “No, I can’t do that, I have to work today.” Or one’s spirit is a bit deflated and resigned to: “I wish I could join you but I have to work.” Sometimes I hear people looking forward to the future: “I can’t wait to retire. Then I won’t have to work.” Some of my Facebook friends commented on those who were working on this holiday vs. those were enjoying the fruits of that labor. The ones doing the commenting were the ones “working” today and not enjoying it.

So what is “work” and why does so much of our life revolve around it? What is your purpose in exerting physical labor or mental activity? In a larger context, consider whether or not your work reflects your passion … something that interests you deeply, something you care about and something you love doing. A job, on the other hand, is a way to earn a living and pay your bills. If you are among the lucky ones, you love your job and that is your work.  Imagine how different the world would be if everyone unhappy with their jobs, switched until they found something they truly loved and then they engaged passionately in daily work. Or perhaps people could begin to view their jobs differently and appreciate the ways in which their job adds value to their life as well as the lives of others.

It used to baffle me why people spend so much of their lives doing something that they regularly complain about or that genuinely makes them sick or that they don’t enjoy. The more deeply I engage in my work, the more I realize that it’s because many people live their lives unconsciously, on automatic pilot, and feel powerless to change. Without thinking, people spout off about going to work, being at work or having to work. Are you among them? When this happens, universal forces arrange themselves to bring you exactly what you are feeling and what you express. Reflect on this for a moment. How do you feel about your job or your work and what do you say to others or articulate about your circumstances?  Do you see any patterns between what you convey and what actually happens or unfolds?

The good news is that you and your circumstances can change, even with our high rates of unemployment. In a few days, Karen Kallie, Tony Pace and I will launch the first program in our Living Energy: Personal Energy Empowerment Series. Watch for it. It might help you shift your life and engage in work that you truly love. Perhaps by Labor Day 2012 you will be positioned to love your work and your job!

Related articles

• Labor Day (xandrepressview.com)
• Labor Day Blessings! (guchiid.wordpress.com)

1. Be aware of your energy. The more familiar you are with how you mange and shape your energy the more you can be in charge of what happens and your responses to events and people. During an interaction feel the energy in your body.  If there is something that feels unpleasant, especially re: a power issue, you can place your hand over your solar plexus, your midriff, and say “you have no power here now.”

2. If you are aware that you have been attached to through energy cords, use imagery to detach them. Gently extricate them and send them lovingly back to the one who “corded in”. Also intend to gently and with care return your energy to the place the cord was released from. Return to your center.

3. Create strong healthy boundaries through your energy filed and refuse to engage. (It takes more than one.)

4. Know that you have a choice. Become mindful, present to the moment and calmly choose your response– which can be to not engage.

5. Make it a practice to get quiet, work with your mind power, center and ground your energy via your breath.

6. Keep your energy strong through making it a habit to frequently intentionally flow strong, vibrant energy through your body, filling in any empty spots and smoothly out any irregularities.

7. If someone habitually drains your energy, intentionally (and wordlessly) flow energy toward their feet, in your mind say “ you can do this for yourself”.

Here is a link to an excellent piece by Daniel Pinchbeck on the oil spill, our transitional times, opportunities and challenges, as well as some great comments on our power and collective transformation. 

It is long but very thought provoking, eye opening, scary and hopeful if you read all the way to the last two paragraphs! Lots of food for thought in the comment section as well. What do YOU think?

http://www.realitysandwich.com/gulf_oil_spill_unfolding_prophecy

F.E.A.R.

 False Evidence Appearing Real

 FEAR! False? Not real?

 How can we say that?

Everyone knows we all feel fear and it’s real!

What this acronym hints at is that there is a lot of fear that is unnecessary….perhaps most!

According to Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, fear is always a projection of something that might happen, not something that is happening now.  When we let our mind wander into the future, we create an anxiety gap between what is real and what we are projecting to be real.  The future is not real.  Only the present is real.

 Fear is a psychological condition that is separate and separates us from who we really are.  It comes in many forms such as nervousness, unease, worry, dread, anxiety and more.  If we allow it, fear can grip us so tight that we lose touch with our inner and true self.  Fear separates us from our true power and our inner source.

 Fear manifests in our minds through our ego self.  When we identify with our lower mind, the ego runs our life.  When we let fear take over, we yield our personal power to others.  When we identify with our heart, we can become the creator of our lives.  There is no place for fear in the heart.  When it comes down to it, fear is not real. 

 Although fear may seem to have many causes…stay tuned, more to follow on Thurs. re: the causes as well as the antidotes for fear.

Energy is your personal power. When you allow others to control you, when you attempt to control them, when you cannot forgive, or when you focus more on the needs of others and sacrifice your own, you are giving your power away.

 “Where attention goes, energy flows.”

 Unresolved issues from the past bind energy that could be flowing through your life! Fear of the future dissipates energy that could be filling you with joy! Bringing your energy into the present allows you to create the life you love to live.

What is your typical habit of mind?

Where is your energy focused?

Do you focus on your  strengths or your weakness?

Are you focused on what is right or on what is wrong?

Are you focused in the present?

Through focusing on (feeling) what is strong, right, present and flowing we can bring power to what we would most like to change. Doing the opposite weakens and drains energy so there is nothing to bring to creating more of what you DO want!

Climb Your Ladder of Success Without Running Out of Gas!: The Simple Truth on How to Revitalize Your Body and Ignite Your Energy for Lifelong Success

April 19th features the incredible talent, knowledge and passion of John Rowley. John is a #1 National Best Selling Author, International Speaker, Entrepreneur, World’s leading Lifestyle Strategist, TV Personality, Fitness Celebrity, and continues … Inspiring Millions to action! John is the pioneer in combining peak performance principles with physical and spiritual disciplines for complete and lasting success. His credentials include being a college athlete whose career was cut short by a near fatal car accident, a career as a janitor and the nerve to tackle the high powered world of Manhattan real estate and the dynamic international field of bodybuilding and fitness. He was one of the youngest SR. VP’s of any major real estate company in Manhattan, owned a gym which received international attention when it was featured in the movie, Pumping Iron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. Today John is an in demand speaker, author and resource to much of the media including Fox News, CBS, The Wall Street Journal, Martha Stewart radio, etc. As a Peak Performance Coach and Lifestyle Strategist, John delivers his powerful message worldwide. In his 1st book, “Climb Your Ladder of Success Without Running out of Gas!” John shares the powerful lessons he learned while having one foot in the business world and the other in the fitness arena and how when combined enhance every area of your life.