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• Your Shadow Aspect:The Returning Characters of Your Life story
• Inspirational Teachers: Who has had a deep impact on your life?
• How to Visualize: Law of Attraction Tips and Techniques
• Meditation Techniques for Beginners: Mantras, malas and mandalas
• Tips on Meditation For Beginners

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Do you ever feel as if there is a certain person that keeps reappearing in your life but in different forms? Do you feel as if when your life moves into a  refreshingly new chapter this character arrives again to be the monkey on your back? No matter how hard you try you just can’t shake them? You get rid of one and another appears who looks different but is the exact same irritating character.

Who are these characters and why do they keep following me?

First we need to understand why they keep appearing. There is obviously a lesson we need to learn or a reality we need to witness that we keep missing. And so the Universe keeps bringing us yet another opportunity to grow.

The character that keeps appearing in my life is a  mean-spirited holier than thou, hypocritical judgemental person who could have a wide variety of expletives used to describe them. It’s a person that seems to be always so hateful and dominating. I generally don’t find them in my social circle as I have greater control over that but they certainly do arrive in other situations such as the workplace.

It was just the other day when filled with frustration and anger with this person’s mean small mindedness it clicked that this is the reoccurring character of my  life story.  “Your here again, Didn’t I just get rid of you!” I’m so tired of this person and they have to leave my life story now!

So I’m on a deep mission now to discover what it is I am missing. I want to learn the lesson so I can rid this negatively draining person from my life forever. This character gives me so many intense feelings of dislike and disgust. And that’s what I now need to focus on. I am continuing to ignore something deep inside of me that this character brings to the surface.

Many of my spiritual teachers speak of this as being the part of yourself that you are refusing to acknowledge which is why you get so upset by certain people or character traits. This is known as your repressed shadow. Your shadow aspect is the person you are choosing.It is pushed down and causes a whole lot of problems for you.It is because you are refusing to take ownership of those qualities inside yourself. This character of mine is merely a reflection of what lives in me.

WhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaTttt!! Are you trying to tell me that I’m mean spirited, small minded and judgemental? I don’t act like that! Or at least I don’t think so…. Maybe I do… Oh dear. Now I am horrified to think I may come across like this to others. Maybe I can see a little of this in me. Uughh!

This doesn’t necessarily mean this is how you are as a person and how you act but what it means is you are capable of being so and you refuse to acknowledge that this is a fact. Every one is capable of being and doing anything. Your shadow is the part of you, you don’t want to own.

How do you get the monkey of your back?

The Key is not to repress your shadow but to acknowledge this character trait with in you and to move closer towards it while disallowing its full expression in daily life.

In my research I’ve discovered a simple technique where you face your shadow and own it.

1. Choose the person who is upsetting you for whatever reason. This person is someone who is causing a strong emotional charge in you.

2. Face it: Now face that person in your imagination. Use third person language (he, she ,it) to describe the qualities that most upset you. “He/ She does….” He/She makes me angry because” “I hate it when she/he….”

3. Talk to it: Begin an imaginary dialogue with that person and talk directly to them as if they are in the room with you. Tell them what bothers you about them. Ask them questions such as ‘Why are you doing this to me? “What do you want from me?” “What are you trying to show me?” “What do you have to teach me?” Imagine their response to these questions and speak it out loud.

4.Be It: Become this person who irritates you so much. It might feel uncomfortable but you must embody the character traits you described in the face it step. These are the exact traits you have been denying in yourself. Use first person statements to say who you are. For example I would say “I am mean spirited,“ “I am judgmental”

5. To complete the process, notice these disowned qualities in yourself. Experience the part of you that is this very trait. Avoid making the process abstract or conceptual: just BE it. Now you can re-own and integrate this trait in yourself.

I’m looking forward to applying this technique and getting the monkey off my back once and for all. I can see how I am totally repressing these aspects of myself. Being that person is my worst nightmare and now it’s time for me to own that which I am capable of being.

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I thought I’d do a quick blog post  to recognize some of my favorite and most inspirational teachers so far in my journey of life.

Personal Angels

There have been many individuals who have entered my life albeit briefly who have had a dramatic impact upon it. These are my personal angels sent to me through divine intervention to bring to me a message or push in a certain direction. I believe in these kind of angels that live on the ground disguised as you and me. The people who for some strange and unknown reason appear in your life and disappear just as quickly yet leave a deep and lasting impression tp help to change the direction of your life.

My personal angels can’t help you but you need to be aware and watchful for when your personal angels enter into your life to have a deep and lasting impact on you.

Dr Wayne Dyer

Often referred to as the ‘father of motivation’. Wayne Dyer has inspired me to search for meaning in my life and to recognize my true purpose and to follow that path. My lessons learned from his spiritual wisdom have really placed me on my current path. He helped me to ask the right questions and how to listen for the answers.  His lessons on Taoism: The Way have helped me to recognize the peaceful path to life. Wayne speaks often about living from the flow of life- it is from this space that true inspiration and the perfection of life exists. He has inspired me to be inspired and to allow life to speak through me.

Yossi Ghinsberg

I cannot think of Yossi without tearing up. I had the pleasure of hanging on to his every word for 3 hours at a seminar in Puerto Rico.  Just being in his presence and feeling the divine energy that he emanated raised my vibrational levels to a much higher place. I still feel this whenever I hear his name and will continue to live off this forever. Here is a man of infinite wisdom about the meaning of life and how we are all interconnected. I love Yossi. His embrace was filled with such gentle warmth, love and acceptance. He is always there for me in my dark moments. I listen to his videos and his soft gentle voice immediately brings me back to what is important in life and how everything, no matter how bad, is actually so perfect. He inspires me to not be fearful but instead to serve life and it’s purpose.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela has taught me the power of forgiveness. His book ‘The Long Walk to Freedom’ tells an inspirational story of his courageous fight for freedom and the equality of all men. To hear how all he endured living 28 years in a cell just because he dreamed and fought for a better world to then walk away with total forgiveness and reconciliation in is heart, makes me believe in the greatness of man.  He inspires me to live with forgiveness and to strive to be a better person.

There are so many other wonderful teachers who have entered my life at the right moment and inspired me to live my best life. These are the 3 most influential in my life. These are the ones that when I hear their names I stop for a deep breath of divine recognition,  joy, love and  gratitude for the positive impact they have had on my life and for all they do to make this world such a beautiful place.

Namaste

Who are your greatest inspirational teachers? Share in the comment box below who has had the greatest impact on your life and why.

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Meditation means a focus on the present and a clearing away of the thoughts in your mind. This definition of meditation is what prevents people from even starting. I know it did for me for a very long time. Most people see this as an impossible task. How could one ever stop the mind from thinking. In fact this space of absence of thought probably frightens most. If you’re not thinking then what are you doing?

It’s actually a very peaceful place but a difficult space to enter into. You should not let this stop you. Instead you must understand that meditation is a work in progress and with practice it gets easier. There are many simple meditation techniques for beginners to help you do this.

Removing all thought

Your focus should not be on removing all thought but instead allowing the thought to pass through your mind without paying it any attention or deep analysis. What you should do is instead say “Wow, there’s another thought, isn’t that interesting” and then let it go on it’s merry way. Often you will find your mind will get caught in a thought and eventually you will recognize what you are doing and you can pull yourself out of it by again saying this sentence. Don’t get frustrated that you can’t control your thoughts. Just let it go and move on.

Mantras

A very simple way to remove the thoughts from your mind is to simply repeat a mantra or phrase over and over again. The most well known is ‘Om’ which represents the sound of the Universe. You can instead choose any word or phrases that are meaningful to you. The sound or vibration of the phrase will act as your central point of focus. Find your mantra, test it out to see if it helps to make you feel peaceful, alert, calm and relaxed. Allow this to become the focus of your thought.

Malas

Create your own mala to help you stay focused with your mantra and meditation. A mala is simply a bracelet of 27 small beads and one large bead. When meditating hold your mala in your hand and move each bead between you fingers as you repeat your mantra. Pause between each bead and acknowledge the silence. The large bead represents wisdom and when you reach this after your mantra circle,begin again, this time moving in the other direction.

Mandalas

Mandalas are circular designs used as focal points in your meditation. They are meant to symbolize the journey of self realization. I recommend creating your own as it’s a powerful meditation exercise in itself. To make one, create a circle outline with a bowl. Trace around a quarter in the center of your circle and then add in your own details. Include colors, images, words and symbols that are meaningful to you and will help you on your path to self awareness. When meditating focus on your mandala as you say  your mantra,

These meditation techniques for beginners are a great starting point for your path on the removal of thought from your mind to find the space of eternal peace and stillness.

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If you asked anyone to describe what meditation looked like the majority of people would describe a person
as sitting in a candle lit room, hands in prayer style, eyes closed and repeating the ‘Om’ mantra. While this is indeed a technique to help you on the path to meditation, it is not the only road.

There is no right or wrong way to meditate. It is a very individual thing  and takes many shapes and forms. Meditation actually means paying attention. Paying attention to your world and paying attention to yourself and becoming more self aware as a result.  Any time you are completely focused on an activity and are completely present your are meditating. That means you can be meditating while reading, eating, painting, playing sport, running or listening to music. As long as you are totally present. See it is easy to meditate.

Some Meditation Tips to Get You Started

Breathing Room

Paying attention to your breath is meditation. Most of us take breathing for granted and tend even forget to breathe. Breathe is life and proper breathing then is critical to our healthy and vitality. Conscious breathing is a big part of meditation. You want to be aware of your breath, replacing short, shallow unconscious breath with calm, full deliberate breath.  Expand your abdomen and fill up your lungs. Anytime you focus on your breath and breathe deeply you are meditating. It can be done anywhere and will instantly relax you. Spend a few minutes every morning meditating your breath in this way.

Creating your Space

You can meditate anywhere, any time and in any way. It often isn’t as easy as this sounds though as many distractions will surround you. To begin with it’s easier to start meditating in a calm, quiet and peaceful place.  A comfortable, inviting tranquil place will help you to quieten your mind and get in touch with your self. Make the place an encouraging and inspiring retreat. This will help to keep you practicing and it will be a place you will long to return to.

Make sure your space is free from mess and clutter. Your mind needs a clear and clean area to keep it from being unsettled. Be sure to have all the equipment you’ll need such as a candle, CD player, pillows and anything else that will help you feel relaxed and comfortable.

Get comfortable

Wear something cozy when doing your meditation. You need to be comfortable. You don’t want to wear anything too loose or tight and it must suit the climate. The less outside distractions the better it will for you to find the quietness within. Sit in whatever fashion is most comfortable for you. You want to avoid lying down as it’s too easy to fall asleep. Use a pillow or cushioning if you need it.

I will be providing further meditation techniques for beginners over the next couple of days. For now,  get comfortable in your special space, relax and just focus on getting to know your breathe more.

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‘In prayer you communicate with God, in meditation God communicates with you‘.-Innerspace

Meditation is something we’ve all heard about and have been curious to try but the majority of us completely freaked out by the whole idea of the experience. Be sure to watch this space as I’ll be writing several posts on the  importance of meditation in our lives with some simple strategies on how to meditate for beginners.

A couple of years ago, I kept hearing about the benefits of meditation and wanted to try but just didn’t think I could shut my brain off and be able to do it. I want on a mission to find out what exactly it was and how to do it and why meditate. What I discovered was an absolute beauty in silence. A place of pure peace and calm, light and love.  You learn to not control the chatter of your mind but to just let it pass without judgment or anxiety and there lies your freedom.

Meditation is a journey which brings you back to life. It teaches you how to slow down, clear your head and focus on the present. It helps us to let go of our attachments and irrelevant thoughts, outside distractions and get to know and value ourselves. Meditation  is known to reduce stress levels and improve health, through greater self awareness and poise. It also helps you to think more clearly and creatively.

I found a great quote about meditation “In silence lies the ability to listen; to listen to ourselves, to others and to God. Listening is a lost art. Without it we cannot communicate, we cannot relate to each other and so we cannot live life meaningfully. We need to learn to listen. Sitting in silence allows us to listen to ourselves and to understand. This silence can heal. The worries, the pain can be healed when we listen. Spiritual medicine is ever-present in the soul. Whenever we need it, to whatever extent we need it, we can find it within” Innerspace

We need to listen more as all the answers come from deep within ourselves. Meditation allows us to hear the answers to all our questions and prayers. It’s a time to escape the chaos of our lives and just be.  I don’t meditate as much as I would like and in my crazy hectic schedule I miss and crave the silence. It’s like a refreshing glass of ice cold water in the middle of the desert. It’s the space where I can go and know that everything is perfect.

To read more
Why You Should Learn to Meditate « AlumniRoundup.com

Why You Should Learn to Meditate. January 22, 2010 by aka Tito. Filed under Health & Fitness. Leave a Comment. January 2010 NEW YORK – Be Moore of AlumniRoundup.com interviewing meditation instructor Light in NYC. …

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After my run this afternoon I was thinking how much I just love life and am so passionate by all it has to offer me when I suddenly began thinking about elephants and how I have a deep connection and love for them. Elephants are simply magnificent creatures and having the opportunity to spend time with them in the wild in Africa was one  of the highlights of my life and is firmly etched in my heart.

African Elephants are the largest, land animals and when you get up close and personal with them in the wild your heart just stops from sheer delight mixed with fear. You instantly become aware of their power and how they could squash you in a minute if they chose to. We had many instances where we were surrounded by them in our little hatchback and I was terrified yet in such awe.

Elephants have presence, you feel their immense energy and power and know that you are around something so wise and  magical; something that can teach you so much about the mysteries of life. I fell in love with these fierce yet gentle, loving, wise and loyal creatures and forever will they sit with joy in my heart.

Watching the elephant families interact, as they took their daily mud bath, was such a profound experience.  We stumbled upon a water hole that had a couple of elephants bathing so we paused to watch. Then down from the surrounding hills came family after family of elephants led by Mummy Matriarch. She would guide them all to the water hole and we would watch as all the elephants would greet one another and then go and wash themselves down and roll around in the mud.

One of my most favorite animal moments ever is when two little babies saw each other across the waterhole and ran to greet each other. Smiling, they touched trunks in greeting and turned to run off to play in the mud together. Magical! (and I had just switched off the video camera!!!)

Another moment was at a different water hole when mummy was bringing her babies down for a drink and there at the hole was  a lion cub. In her protective mode she chased that lion cub around that hole until he realized who was boss and went on his merry way!

Why do I love them so much?

Elephants love deeply and are passionate about life: They live in a strong family unit. The mothers are so protective of their babies and spend all day teaching and loving them. They band together to shield their young if they feel danger is present. They are highly social animals and meet every day to share in the abundance of the mud pool. They cry when a family  member dies and mourns their death every year on their anniversary. They’re playful and fun! I feel like they are passionate about life like I am so I feel as if we are understand one another.

Elephants Never Forget: I love this so much about elephants and can relate to it a lot. Never forgetting can have it’s really bad points but at the same time it shows fierce loyalty. A game ranger friend of ours told us a fascinating story of the family of elephants who lived in the game park there. Over 100 years ago the borders of the park were much bigger than what they were at the time but they had just started extending the borders back out again. As they began pushing them out, an old cemetery became part of the park once more. As soon as this happened a herd of elephants found their way into the cemetery and smashed up every single grave stone bar one. That one gravestone was the only one that did not belong to a poacher. Over 100 years later the elephants finally got their revenge- the energy of it was passed down through their DNA. They have a mystical connection to the Earth. This is what frightened me so much about them yet I loved how loyal they were and would not forget those they love.

This also demonstrates the wisdom they have and the connectedness they have to the spirit world or world of energy . On the anniversary of a loved ones death they return to the exact spot of their death on the exact day to mourn. How do they know this? They don’t have calenders and watches. They know more secrets then we do, that’s for sure! You feel it in their presence!

The Mummy is the boss: She’s all woman! She’s fierce, she’s strong, she’s a leader, and a protector. She’s firm yet compassionate, loves her babies and chases away lions! Everything I aspire to be! Rock on Elephant Mummy! A 21st century woman.

I could sit all day with these majestic creatures and still would never learn all they know. One thing I do know is they have taught me a lot about who I want to be and how I want to live my life. I want to walk behind mummy matriarch to the abundant mud bath of life and roll in the luxury and joy of it all!

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This time last year, I began to ask some serious questions. I was in a lot of pain. I was always someone who lived every day in a way that made it count. Life to me was so fulfilling and full of wonder and for some reason I let that stop. I stopped making it count, I stopped making every moment count. What happened as a result was the greatest pain I had ever experienced. I have been through broken relationships, scarred upbringing, physical pain, self-loathing issues and all the rest but none of this even compared to living my life in this black hole of nothingness. This black hole of getting caught in the motions and not making it count and not living up to my true potential.

It was a choice. But I chose to be less than what I was. I chose to not live my life on purpose and I chose to run from my true purpose in life, through fear and self-doubt. With that came so many issues and problems, wake up calls from the Universe to get the big picture. Finally I got it and I asked the question ‘What is it I have to do?’ It was burning inside of me and I knew I was destined to do much better things. I just knew that I couldn’t have had almost 10 amazing years traveling the world and learning so much for it all to be for nothing. I finally understood that the Universe wanted me to do something with all of that knowledge, which I had been denying. I knew it was time for me to do it or I was going to keep suffering.

With that one question, came so many answers and 2009 became a year of incredible growth and preparation. When you ask the right questions you will get the right answers. If you are willing to say ‘Yes, I accept, I will do whatever it is I came here to do, and whatever it takes to do it‘ then you will tap into a powerful force of life.

When you do not live your full potential, when are not walking the path of your destiny, you cut yourself off from life. Underneath these ‘human being’ bodies of ours lies a powerful life force; each of ours is unique, as each of us has a special task to do through the life force. This life power is here to fuel our purpose, and if you aren’t living on purpose you are cut off from the true power of life. So much suffering comes as a result which appears in many different forms. These are all wake up calls for you.

In 2009, I began to learn that I am so much more. I moved back onto my path and my life is so empowered once again. It’s frightening to step outside of your comfort zone to be more, but I know that it is more painful not to. 2010 is the year that counts. What is 2010 going to mean for you? Is it the year that you ask the right questions, to learn and discover that you are worth so much more?  To learn that you have unlimited potential, that you have something so unique and worthwhile to contribute.

Make 2010 count. Make each moment, each day count. Why else are you here? To be sad, to be miserable, to be surrounded by problems that never end? Think about how ridiculous that sounds. That is not living, that is not why we are born. It is not in our nature to live this way.  This only happens when we don’t make our lives count. Make the decision,as 2009 comes to a close, to make 2010 count.

Forget the New Year’s resolutions. They rarely work. All you need to do is to commit to making it count. When you focus your life in this way, incredible things will happen for you. There’s no need to make resolutions as you will be in the flow of life’s power. You are worthy, you are powerful and you are good. Allow yourself the space to be free and to be who you really are. You have nothing to fear and everything to gain.

Make it count. 2010 is your year, make it count!

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Yoga is an intense form of exercise, which if done correctly brings to you many physical, spiritual and emotional benefits. There are numerous studies out there that will prove that people who practice yoga are calmer, more at peace and better able to deal with the challenges that arise in life. They also attain strength in body, balance and flexibility.

I have been practicing yoga for a short time and have already seen dramatic improvements in my flexibility, strength, balance and in my ability to connect to the source of my power. Yoga has taught me where to find the source of my power and how to use it to bring clarity, vision and purpose into my life.

The Power of your Core Strength

You core strength is your abdominal and back region. These are the muscles you engage and develop in order for you to develop strength and balance throughout your body. In yoga, your focus needs to be on engaging your core strength in order for you to complete many of the postures. This is the source of your power. If your core is strong you are better able to balance and hold your postures.

The power of your core radiates out through to the rest of your body. Yoga teaches you how to tap into and engage this power. It was when I started to use the power of my core that I noticed that it was my core that provided me the strength to do most everyday tasks. Focusing in on it, I could easily radiate that power out within my body to the areas I needed to perform the certain tasks.

It was as I started to learn this, and was able to see the strength of my core,  that I could easily see how it was also the source of power for all things. I saw huge potential in my life when I could tap into this power. This is the power you need to be successful in all areas of your life not just physically.

Living through your core allows you to make pure and right decisions. Your head is far too logical and your heart is too emotional. Your gut will always speak to you in truth and perfect balance. This is why you’re always advised to ‘Listen to your gut.’ This is the part that connects to the true source of power right in the center of your being.

When you have a decision to make turn all your focus to your core- it will speak clearly to you as to what you have to do. It never lies, it is never wrong and you will feel the strength of your core decision radiating outwards to keep you balanced and strong.

When I operated from the place of my core, great things happen. Things fall into place perfectly with seemingly no effort on my behalf.  My creativity opens up and my work is fueled by the strength and passion of my core.

Stretch a little Deeper Each Time

When you are doing a posture you must only move from the level that you are at. Stretch a little deeper so that you feel a slight challenging discomfort but never go to far so that you cause some damage. If you move at this pace, you will start to see continual and gradual improvements each week. You are not going to increase your flexibility to yogi status in one go- that’s wrought with much danger. Stretch a little deeper each time and you will arrive in a more peaceful, knowledgeable way.

When you are progressing to the actualization of your goals, take it steady. Stretch a little deeper each time so that you feel a little discomfort but not too much that it shatters you and puts you out of the game.

Use your Breath to Keep You Focused and Relaxed

To assist you in your poses you have to know how to breathe. When you pay attention to your breath, you notice that when a pose or posture becomes difficult, your breath sharpens, increases or disappears. You have to make sure you breathe evenly and deeply through each posture. This will help you to relax and settle into the posture. Your breath is the most important facet of any posture or anything in life- obviously, as long as you’re breathing you’re doing okay, right?  During the difficult times of your life, the first step is to remember to breathe correctly. This will bring to you the clarity you need to relax, and the strength you need to reach a little further will follow.

Learn to Let Go

Yoga is all about learning to let go and experiencing your body. Experiencing your body will allow you to challenge it and take it to a whole new place. When you release yourself to the posture your whole body and mind will relax which will allow you to increase your flexibility and create a whole new flow of energy. I

In life, you have to learn to let go of everything you are holding. All your stresses, problems and stories. Just let them go and allow yourself to relax, gain strength and create  a whole new flow of energy.

Yoga is such a beneficial form of exercise both for your mind and body. It will allow you to grow in strength, stability, flexibility and calmness of mind and spirit.  Healthy mind and body equals a healthy life full of wealth and happiness.

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