In talking about the importance of the lower chakras, the discussions delved into both cultural stereotypes of language and perception, as well as encompassing the whole re holistic and energetic. I heard from a lot of healers who were surprised at their own Aha’s. Many people commented that they thought they were incorporating the whole-body approach. Many others also noted their own realizations regarding their own previously unconscious biases toward “upper”.. . Often the biases are not outright articulated…. But bias can take the form of where we put our attention, our energy… our focus.

In the discussions, I noted that maybe it was time to take the 30 day challenge. I asked who else was interested in joining this. Several people responded enthusiastically.

In the writing of that article and the week-long discussions that fo0llowed, I have been giving a lot more thought an consideration of bringing the energy down into the physical. I actually want to elaborate on that. By thought, I do not mean reflection or meditation or intellectual-thought. This past week, I have been more aware of things I do, and bringing conscious attention to accessing, working with and utilizing the lower three chakras- the physical-level/oriented centers.

So here are a few exercises I have been doing…feel free to try them and see if they work-help-etc..

Breathwork- I have a clearing/grounding ( in terms of clarity… centering/meditation, rather than chakra grounding—which, I think many will appreciate, myself included, are not quite the same. I use an eight-count inhale and eight-count exhale. I have been going up and down the centers, doing at least one round on each chakra. I started by just doing first-round “ waking each one up”, or, finding where ai felt it.. locating it energetically. This may sound very elementary, but it actually isn’t. Try it. Do you envision it? Feel it? Hear it, like music? How does each one look-feel to you?

After the first round, I think went up through the3 chakras, 2-3 rounds on each one, before moving on. I made sure I had a strong feel for each one, before drawing that energy up or down to the next. I went up to the top, and then drew that thread of Light up to the 8^th chakra, source- the pure white light from our highest self and connection to ultimate source. I then drew this white light down, to source and replenish the energy body, anchoring it into the crown chakra with a round of breakthwork, feeling and envisioning this connection. I then drew down both the white and the violet to the next chakra, usng a round of brreathwork to anchor-ground that connection. I went through the chakras in this way.l have done this both by drawing just the preceding colour and the white down to the next chakra… and I have done this by drawing down ALL preceding colours-chakras. In ters of holding a good visual and energetic, drawing them all down is a little harder. So at least for starters, try JUST the preceding chakra- and that will weave good connection between them, strengthening the energetic network.

When I had gotten down to the Root chakra, I made sure I had a good connection, and then proceeded to ground that to the earth.

In one of my rounds of meditation chakra work, I created a sort of storyline.. it begins with source. With the crown, we tap into source. The third eye takes that and begins to create and perceive it as Vision. The throat chakra begins to put the pieces of that cosmic information together with Intuition. The heart takes that intuition, and with LOVE, begins to HOLD that possibility. NEXT is needed the WILL, the conscious intention to set that passion for the idea, into motion. A plan and determination. From there, we need passion, creative thought, the /fire in the belly. This is how we take that idea and make it work. From there, this energy feeds and fulfills our needs for survival. But for this to happen, we also ne3ed the nourishment from the planet, the resources of the physical world, a PLACE for it to exist, nutrients ( money, networks,whatever)… to bring this into existence, to give it birth.

Psoas muscle stretching – I had recently been reading about the importance of the psoas muscle in terms of the connection between energetic and physical. Amazing synchronicity on the timing. So I have been dong stretches, simple side stretches. Standing with feet planted solid, right hand around the front-body, reaching to the left belt-loop/waist. Holding with a gentle stretch-pull- never to discomfort or pain. The right hand, behind the back, to balance and complete the stretch. I have been focusing that same breathwork exercise, but breath8ing into those lower three centers feeling the breathwork count, expand the area, dire3cting the breath in such a way that each chakra area is addressed, sending down energy, and allowing that energy and stretch to create expansion both energetically and physically. I do several repetitions, and was amazed that I was even picking up hints of sacred—geometry pattern-feeling with each chakra, unique to that chakra. I have no idea if a pattern is like a finger-print and its own identity, or if that pattern changes over time. This will be an interesting ex0ploration and I am looking forward to finding out

I have also spent time laying out on the ground, unwinding and clearing the lower chakras, direct contact with the ground, on my belly. I have found that not all exercises need to be intense and active. Let the body and energy body and Earth do their work. I learned this approach doing bowen bodywork, which holds the premise that the body has inherent wisdom and knows what to do, if we can “ set it up” and get out of the way.

I have also done some impromptu bowenwork on myself, intuiting my own procedures and able to feel the results by what it did in my body. That is one of the neat things about the bowenwork- since it is working by waking up and activating the body’s own systems.. you can tell by the response, the energy flow that you start to feel in your body… that its working. I doubt most people know bowen, or bodywork, but I would guess that if you do some of the stretches, and look up and understand a little bit about where the ps9oas muscle is, that you could do some gentle massaging and use the intent of sending that to the psoas and area…. and you might be surprised at the results. Again, be gentle and use intent.

I have also been spending conscious time outside. Making a note and practice of connecting with the trees and earth energy ( faeries, nature, gnomes, insert ty0pe of choice, as well as the elementals/elements.)..

Massaging each center, essential oils, just holding your hands over each one briefly. One important aspect is to keep in mind.. what are you DOING.. what is your engaged activity, especially around the physical-oriented centers.. because this is about the ability to reconnect the re3alm of ideas and energy, with the physical world—how we walk our talk, our ability to make things HAPPEN, to manifest and be abundant. We all want abundance and synchronicity—but the cosmic mailman needs an address for delivery- a PLACE for those things to HAPPEN.

All of these things have been working to build an awareness and more consistent feedback loop mechanism. Or, the beginning of one. I hope, that like any activity, that with time those energetic muscles become strong, fit and vibrant… and that the outcome will be better success and connection to physical level manifesting.

Have any interesting exercises to engage the lower physical-level chakras? Share. Try these exercises and share your results… I want to work on this conscientiously for the entire month, or so– and see what changes begin to occur. Anyone else want to participate?

Also- if you like these kinds of exercises and hands-on aspects, do check out my book also… a lot of beneficial, similar concepts and approaches in there:)

ps- don’t forget to share and like;)

Like this post? Then check out my Book!

I was just out grazing my goats… a neighbor is very generous in saying its fine for the goats to graze in his open field. The dual benefit-drawback.. is that I need to stay somewhat in attendance while they are grazing. I can usually work a horse or teach a riding lesson, and keep them in sight. But there are times when the benefit aspect is just sitting out or laying out in the grass– constructively doing nothing. Pretty sweet deal:)

This morning while I was out in the field, stretched out in that perfect spot between sun and flickering shade… I spent a while grounding and meditating– by which I mean a relaxed flow of thoughts, that were coherent and interesting. I had a few mini aha’s and insights…

The first one was in reference to the lower chakras… As most healers know.. the vast majority of people stepping into their spiritual awakening are all over-focused on the “ higher chakras.” I also went through this.. process.. or journey.

Somehow it seems that the “higher chakras” are better, or more important.. they are a “higher vibration,” our connection to Source, or spirit, or cosmic energy-vibration. THAT is the “good stuff.” And we spend an awful lot of time sucking all that “higher energy” into our energy bubbles. I don’t know if this is because we really do still live in a paradigm that likes to rank things.. which some being better, superior, or more desirable.. than others. Most light-workers are very top-heavy.. stuck in their “upper bodies,” or as we might call them, dreamers.. with their heads in the clouds, etc. This is not to pass judgement, simply to note that the metaphors we use to describe people…. really does reflect the energetic paradigm that is playing out.

What I realised this morning.. and a little bit, last night ( it came into better clarity, from a vague amorphous shape).. is that, like the colours in a palette, or the rainbow– which the chakras mirror… each colour has its place role and function.

Additionally, what I did add in this morning, was.. the absolute importance of the “ lower chakras.” and wow- we even refer to them as lower chakras.. and by which linguistic association.. lower is inferior.. lower grades, lower levels of a building are less desirable than a penthouse, etc. I am sure you could come up with several of your own associations on that, yourself.

BUT… the lower chakras.. they are the physical chakras. If you consider the body even, where they are located, they are more strongly connected and relate to the physical organs of digestion, organ function, and elimination/grounding. We NEED those chakras. Especially the healers and light-workers… it is one thing to have an idea, a concept… but the same way the body needs physical calories in order to be a top performing athlete.. the light-worker NEEDS to strengthen those chakras in order to make anything HAPPEN.

Synchronicity, is like electricity, it needs a closed circuit.. a ground to complete the circuit. And anyone who has animals, and electric fencing can appreciate that the best fencing is useless if it is not a full circuit, or if anything is grounding it out, as we say.. the stray branch will interfere just as much as if it were broken completely.

So… all the upper chakra development, and elevation won’t help the light-worker to make things happen in their lives. Their vision will remain in its dream-stage.. a concept that stays up in the upper atmosphere and chakras… without the meat and muscle of the lower half.

I remember years ago, when I was still learning my path, I had an association that if you had to work on your lower chakras…. it was like that was your “level”.. no one wants to stay stuck in 1^st grade.. we all want to be graduate students. So I think there is a tendency to gloss-over those foundations. But this couldn’t be less true. I understand now, that having a block in a lower chakra, for example.. can mean the higher chakras are all tuned and honed like a higher performance race car. That ones personal vibration is not insulted or diminished by doing the work on the lower chakras. An athlete would not exercise one leg and not the other.. or just the upper half of the body without the lower. But all too often, that is what light-workers tend toward.. energetic paraplegics.. whose lower half remains under-developed or dismissed as less important/ relevant. Would you feed your body in such a way that nourished only some organs, and not others? That is what we do, when we dismiss the vital importance of the whole energetic spectrum and energy field. Want to manifest something, but can’t? Chances are it is because the physical-oriented department is out of shape.

As an offshoot, I had another insight– which may be relevant only to myself, but since it was connected to this thread, I thought it might tie in, in some way. I remember when I had had a discussion with someone about the light-workers, working with ascended masters.. I was told I was currently working on the 2^nd ray ( of seven).. or it might have been the 5^th. I remember when I had read the different items.. the 6^th had resonated more for me.. as had the 7^th/8^th rays.. I realised this morning.. as a light-worker.. the ray I might be working with, and the associated Ascended Master.. might have nothing to do with my own personal developmental level.

It could very well be like the teacher who chooses a grade level to teach, because that is an area they already know well. Of course it could also be that, while they know that area…. it could just have been the cosmic niche that was open and needed filling. A vacancy… or a bigger “need” for people working with that ‘level.’ so again, I have found that it is imperative not to hold onto our human and especially Western paradigm and unconscious concepts of levels and assessment. Where we have chosen to be.. may have little or nothing to do with our spiritual maturity/ evolution/resonance. Or it may… or it may, but not in any way we might perceive it to be. The universe is a very funny place, that way. The trick is to be able to “do the work,” that is presented to each of us… and be able to detach from any self-assessment around it. It might be part of our inner work, it might be our “cosmic community service.” Either way.. attend it with love and compassion– because it is, ultimately.. the work we have chosen or agreed to do:)

ps- don’t forget to share and like;)

Like this post? Then check out my Book!

It’s spring finally! and the horses are ready to get back to work after the winter.. Do you just want to spend time with horses and develop that bond through casual riding? Do you want to improve equitation and riding skills– whatever your level or interest and goals, we can help you improve your riding! ? would you like to strengthen your seat and fine-tune your existing skills?

Working with retired race-horses, that are quiet, gentle and intuitive, will help develop that heightened sense of partnership and collaboration. learn ” relationship building”.. “intuitive awareness”, and develop “energetic integrity.” great for non-traditional learners who struggle with relationships or boundaries/respect:)
*build strong seat and balance
*All lessons are private or semi-private. 30.00 hour for lessons
*Individualised training for each student to meet personal goals
*Develop relationship, intuition, and integrity
*Training services also available on and off-site.
Horsewise teaches hunter equitation with a holistic approach that teaches horse and rider to work in partnership in a relaxed and comfortable way. Lessons may incorporate grounding, breathwork and yoga, in order to supple the muscles to create more fluid movement.

This is a small holistic barn, using holistic protocols, herbalism and other approaches that also serves as a therapeutic approach to riding and life.

Horsewise is a 6 stall barn, with space an open space for a boarder.

Teri is a teacher, herbalist and bodyworker. She has been working with horses for 30 years and has incorporated her holistic work into horse training and coaching.

http://www.horsewisevt.com

EO and Sam, both very happy after a great lesson!

EO and GMC student Cailin

http://beingherd.com

Teri J. DluznieskiM.Ed.
HorsewiseVT
Poultney
(802)884-8064

click on the link to access the pdf.  Hopefully I will figure out how to embed it.  but I wanted to do this in order to share this information, and it is not my work ( I’m not this brilliant, esp around traditional chinese medicine, or lyme:)

Lyme – Freuhauf

I’ve worked with a handful of riders who had deep fear-issues, some of whom had many years of riding and horse-ownership.  What needs to be understood, and addressed, is the way the body stores fear-memory at the cellular level. Yoga, breathwork, grounding and relaxation techniques need to be incorporated- otherwise the trainer and the horse will always be working  “upstream”..against that existing current of fear-memory.

another big aspect of addressing the “overcoming fear”…is the absolute release of expectation and outcomes.  Again, at the cellular level, it is re-training the energy-body.  On the first level,  it is essential to create safe-space.  Even if it is sitting on the horse at the Mounting block and never taking one step.

Additionally, work with all new students on a longe line- even if they have ridden with other trainers or have experience coming into the barn.  Teach them that it is about calibrating to new-horses, and not about their skill level as a rider.  If a rider objects to this, as an insult to their skill– this also speaks volumes about their pride, versus their intuition-empathy. Pride and ego are not the most compatible companions for building relationship and partnership with horses…. those need to be put aside, before intuition, connection can come forward to create genuine rapport.  Ultimately, it is always about “building relationship,”  and those need to be grounded in trust and awareness.

Ask the rider if they would like to walk, or prefer to chat for a while-about ‘whatever.”  the goal is two-fold.  On the first level, it is allowing the body to relax, and know that it has no expectation.  nothing sudden or dire is going to happen.

Ask the rider to do some stretches if they seem, look comfortable.  this can often be noticed via a release-breath from horse and/ or rider.  The horse is a barometer for what is going on inside the rider. USE this!

Secondly, in doing this, it is building a trust relationship.  he rider understands, at all levels, that neither horse nor trainer are going to suddenly push them over the edge, the cliff, into their fear.

At first approach, this may seem like a slower approach.  However, if there is fear.. there is a breach or trust.  That sacred relationship needs to be restored.  And, the trainer needs to understand, is sacred.  And the trainer should never decide FOR the rider, what the rider is ready for or should do, or be able to do.

while working in this approach, it is better to work with very short successful bursts.  It is imperative, NEVER to push too far or too long, and put the rider into a stressed situation.  Additionally, short successful “bursts” are far more effective for entraining muscle memory and learning, than pushing past into the point of fatigue.

Pause every 10 minutes, have the rider drop their stirrups and breathe.  I also have riders do breathwork. Deep breathing, informs the body to relax– that the stress has passed.  It also allows muscles to oxygenate, further allowing the muscles to relax and re-energise.

Simple exercises are also key helpful aspects. Exercises that build a strong “center point” or balance. Things like toe-touches, arm circles as well as various yoga-stretches…serve, when used with intention, to inform the body where its balance is.

Teaching to engage with all the senses, is another element. When riding a horse, the body is taking in huge amounts of information, and the brain is neurologically attempting to process it. letting a rider walk, on a longe line, with hands on hips, or the top of the head..and closing their eyes..is letting the body FEEL, what a horses motion should feel like.. tuning in on deeper levels..and, with the body-understanding.. begins to come a body-relaxation.

Built into this approach, is the understanding and implicit lesson, that riding is about spending time with the horse.  hugs, pets, rewards each and every time the horse walks, whoa’s, or stands for the exercises…this creates feedback loops of praise/reward between horse and rider.

And remember- if there are days when the rider only wants to sit on the horse, hug the horse, or walk in a single circle.  That is where they are at.  honour that.  remember, as a trainer– it is no longer about YOU.. support their journey:)

Equine Touch is a subtle but powerful approach to helping horses balance their body for optimal postural alignment.

Easy modality to learn

Great for horse owners, trainers or anyone who works with horses: rescues, stressed, injured or traumatised horses.

• good for both casual or professional use
• injuries, emotional issues,
• enhanced performance
• Veterinarians, equine massage, chiropractors etc

also an opportunity to learn about herbs and holistic care of your horse as well as being part of a holistic community of equine practitioners!

I Will be hosting training levels one and two in Poultney, Vermont May 24,25,26, ( Memorial day weekend).  If you are interested, contact for information.  Please share with interested horse owners and professionals.  Course fee 450.00.  crash and couch space may be available.

a gorgeous double-rainbow that demonstrates parallel levels reflecting the same light

I’ve been coming across a lot of things lately about connected-ness. A lot of spiritual based “messages” to remind us how much we are intricately connected, to our higher Selves, to our angels, to God.. to the Universe around us.  All of these messages, from different denominational directions:  all worded slightly different, as befits the paradigm in which it rests.  But all sharing a very identical message.  Everything is connected.  That means each of us.  No one is, nor can be.. ever be… alone or dis-connected.

I was just discussing the other day.. seeing and understanding the bigger picture.. the web, the connections of interplay.. I would take the process one step further — as with quantum physics and string theory/ M theory etc… All levels are reflections of shared dynamics. SO, as much as it is important for us to understand the heirarchy of connection.. i think it is also essential to understand the role of connection across space.  Literally.  Physical actions, choices and awarenesses that play out every day.  It is all but pointless to grasp a spiritual truth, if we cannot embody and “translate” that into daily action and activity.

From Oil, which is becoming more and more evident re the wars we are fighting where oil is the underlying resource– to our food.  many people put oil in their cars, without thinking about or even being aware of the far-reaching ripple effect..the lives that have been impacted- in that fuels journey from the ground, to the fuel tank.  It seems we only understand the language of Money- we change our habits– not because of a strike in Nigeria, or an oil spill in the Gulf, but because the price of putting petrol into our tanks becomes astronomical.

this might not be the optimal example; teaching say the process of where our cereal comes from.. ( and lets not even get into the whole GMO aspect, which while important, is a sidebar for this)..  How can we teach our children the process, the journey.. all the factors that play out? planting a seed of corn and experimenting with different approaches ( each kid chooses their own approach, organic, playing music.. whatever).. for some direct impact input.. but they visit an organic farm, a big-ag farm. they see what happens from beginning to end of the chain of events.. and also have them create timelines, with collages and stories.. from the seed of corn, or the carrot that is planted in a far away country.. and all the experiences and events it goes through before finding its way onto their dinner plate. who planted the seed?  who watered it?  what kind of lives do they live?  how was it transported? how many miles? Track it’s journey around a globe…

Maybe then, our children, and hopefully the rest of us would grow into understanding of important issues that face other people in the world.  I would add in the controversies of food as fuel ( ethanol).. but my main drive here.. was.. what we do here.. impacts areas we might never consider.. where corn as fuel, raises the price of corn too high, so that the villages in Mexico cannot afford their corn to make their food…Even in ways where it is unintended and/or by well-intentioned conscientious people.  As is the case now with quinoa.

Quinoa is an amazing food from South America, rich in protein and nutrients, very tasty and nourishing, even though it grows at very high altitudes in generally poor soils.  quite the paradox.  the added paradox, is that this super-food is beginning to catch the attention of western cultures.  And now, it is becoming too expensive for the people who need it to live…and they can’t afford it, because our demand for it has driven up the price.

It is ironic, that on the one hand we live in a world, on a planet, that is almost completely wired and connected.  We have advantages and luxuries once unimaginable.  information about anything is right at our fingertips.  Literally.  However, it seems we carry less of an awareness than ever… about the ripple effects of what we do in one place, and the far-reaching impacts and ramifications… they are out of our immediate impact zone.  We do not feel it ourselves– and those seem to be the only ripples we care about.  What we don’t understand, is that in this ever-connected era.. what affects others, DOES affect us, and vice versa.

Learning how to follow the ripples of an action, or a practice/idea.. beyond our own spheres.. not just how does this affect US/me.. but how does it affect others. I would add into that concept, the practice of the Native Americans.  They had a practice that looked not only across “space” at ripples.. but across Time… to see where the ripples would lead, Tomorrow.

From what I understand, any time there was an important decision to be made, the entire community came together. and the elders discussed issues.. and every major decision was made… not just about how it affected the present.. but how it affected their children, and their childrens children– down for seven generations.. which is where the name for the recycled/ holistic products line “Seventh Generation” comes from..

That, is real-life learning.. learning about how actions impact real-life.. i was just reading/ watching about how tuna off the coast of CA are now showing low levels of radiation. Did anyone consider these possibilities when deciding to build nuclear power plants?

On the flip side, I read yesterday, that Germany made a huge ( total(?) commitment to going solar/ alternative.. and is now producing more power from sunlight than the rest of the world combined ( think that was correct?).. and has closed most of their nuclear power plants, or is soon to do so(?).. so- change is possible.. when we make the commitment, from the understanding/awareness that we can do better, and serve the needs of the environment– which is where we all have to live/share;)

The paradigm shift that needs to develop… is leaving the ” toward me” paradigm.. how the “I” benefits.. from the Id based “want”… to one of proper relationship.. with self, with others, with environment.. and even with Time.  So that We recognise that all things resonate.. that “flow” is two-directional… and, like physics dictates.. the equation must balance… it is Natural law and its perfect best. And as we are all energy, living in an energy-based world, literally and metaphorically… grasping this, and discovering small ways to begin to embody it.. brings us all into balance.

Share thoughts in the comments  or any specific global-connections worth mentioning?

I was just having a chat, online, with a colleague about hemp, regarding a post about hemp being used to cure cancer… This was my response to a comment.  I thought it was worth sharing: .. I think “cancer”  is a mufti-faceted issue.. that can be “cured”… but also, the body needs to be treated, for toxins, for imbalances etc.. even mainstream medicine understands cancer as a “failure ( or breakdown) of the immune system” to recognise and remove cancerous cells, before they can establish themselves and get out of control.

also the original posting was about treating autism– and, from what I understand ( and I do not have an autistic child, so I do not have the direct, first-hand experiences of someone who lives with this), you don’t-can’t cure autism.. and you DEF can’t treat autism without addressing the underlying issues of GUT imbalance and body-systems, CNS etc.

One thing hemp/ hemp oil probably contributes, one mechanism, is that when the body is in stress-mode.. it cannot, will not go into healing mode.  The body is very capable of healing itself. it is more effective than any doctor, any pharmacologist etc, at producing what it needs.

The question that needs to be asked.. and addressed: is why has the normal routine body-system ceased doing its job/s…

One element of this, is stress.  the human body, has the flight-fright-freeze mechanism for survival- and when it is in stress-mode, be it from Life, illness, emotional or mental components, and even dietary stress.. the body-system stays locked in fight-flight.  And when the body is in that “mode,”  it does not do anything else, well.  it is saving and conserving all of its resources for a potential life-threatening situation, fighting, or fleeing… When in imminent danger, the functions of the immune system are secondary.

Telling the body- in every way and via every pathway, that it is now “safe,” is essential, in order for it to say.. ooh, okay.. breathe, relax: think, digest, heal… secondary functions.

This necessitates removing stressors, detoxing, repairing-rebuildung the GUT, working at both the CNS and muscular levels, internally-externally, via stretching, exercise, yoga, massage, etc.. and in this aspect, I will guess that canabis is a major contributor.. allowing the entire system to RELAX…

and while industrial hemp does not have the THC that recreational marijuana does.. it does have huge nutrients, and a LOT of other healthy things.. I am a HUGE fan of HEMP, industrial hemp, as it is now termed.  and yes- we need a better delineation than Industrial Hemp…to differentiate it from marijuana-hemp…

I sincerely hope that hemp finds commercial use and legal agricultural availability! It makes a food crop, paper, clothes/fibre, medical-health aspects, protein-food source,  hemp oil hugely healthy, this list goes on and on… I’d love to hear other  uses and stories about how you have used Hemp, and perhaps cannabis, in holistic health and health-related issues… share in the comments…

This was an amazing double-rainbow that appeared perfectly east-west, on the 2012 equinox. It looks like a cosmic gateway, brighter inside that inner portal:)

I thought for quite a while, leading up to New Year’s Eve.  It seemed that given the transition of the whole 2012 energetic, just a few months prior… made this New Year’s somehow… more significant.  As though, having passed some rite of passage, or survived a potentially tumultuous experience.. I should be changed in some way.. carry a greater significance.  No idea why… and perhaps now, as that energetic balloon of hype, dissipates.. the urgency and significance of that epic moment in cosmic Time.. will diminish.

Somehow, I didn’t come up with some awe-inspiring Resolution– there was no.. Pay-it-forward kind of revelationary insight that would change my life or the lives of those around me.  1 January, was another fairly ordinary day.

But I spent New Years Eve, with the memory ( or ghost?) of a very good friend of mind– as neither of us had ever engaged in the frenetic energy of this wild-party event.  So somehow, it seemed appropriate that i spent it quietly, reflecting, a sacred fire, and a glass of wine.

As noted, there was no huge inspiration or wisdom.  But rather than a resolution, I decided to choose a Word. A word that would embody and set the Tone, or resonance for the year to come.  Again, I had hoped something profound, something worthy of a Bodhisattva…:)  No such luck.  the word that kept popping into my head that night, was Bounty.

the Latin root, means Bonus… which has many of its own connotations.. most of which feel appropriate ( unless one is discussion corporate pay bonuses.. in which case… no- they did not earn and do not deserve.. anything resembling a Bonus!

I looked it up.  I like the definition.  I like the connotation.  there are several:a payment to encourage the destruction of noxious animals: or, liberality in giving : generosity  But the one I liked the best was this: generosity evidenced by a willingness to give freely.  THIS is the relationship I wanted to cultivate with the Universe.  It is one thing, to consider abundance, or the ability to Manifest… However– what about the return on investment?  As noted by the definition: a reward or premium.”  I was liking that, even better.

I suppose, as an offshoot of that I came up with the idea of practicing gratitude and generosity for the new year.  I am not sure if I would consider this a Resolution… but rather, as a way of cultivating a better relationship with the Universe around the concept of generosity, Bounty.  What I have learned from my Teachers, is that we do not get what we want from the Universe, we get more of what we already are/have.  This is because that is our resonance.  It is like a radio dial.  if it is set at a station, or frequency..  that is what the antenna picks up and transmits, and receives.

So, how does one get what one does not have already?  i suppose this is the experiment I have set out to play with.  To see about changing ones awareness and vibration… in order to create the like, begets, like.. dynamic.

in doing this, I have made regular attempts and practices of three things, all of which are centered around these dynamics.  firstly, I made a 2013 Jar.

Whenever something really great happens, something memorable, i write it down on a piece of paper.  I write a brief description, and on the back I also write what this experience embodies.  Is it Friendship? Compassion?  Magic? This serves two functions.  It is building my awareness of the really positive things, and it is building my awareness of what TYPES of things, as well.  At the end of the year, I will celebrate all of these events, remembering them and the year.. and this will celebrate all of those wonderful events, keeping them vivid in my energetic field.  already, at the end of January, I have ten slips of paper.  And this past week has been slow, with horrific weather and inclement mode.  That was kind of impressive– this much amazing stuff really does happen!

I suppose this is the internal, personal half of this resolution.  The external portion, the more active aspect.. is that I decided to make an exercise of practicing Gratitude, and Generosity.

In terms of Generosity, I try to keep some change in my pocket, and when I go out, to run an errand or go to the market, I make a point of donating a bit of change, somewhere.  One day, I was out running errands, and was almost done.  I was having a hard time finding any of those cute little jars where people ask for support for various causes: from animal rescue, to family hardship.  So, while I was on my way to the transfer station, I remembered seeing a donation jar at the village store.  i really didn’t need anything, but I ducked in anyway– having known the owners for many years ( they also have a nice selection of wines:). I noted that yes, there was a donation jar, with a warm and friendly picture on it, perched next to the cash register.  Perfect! of course, examining the glass jar more closely, did bring to my attention that this donation jar was toward a tropical vacation for the owner LMAO!  but yes, I most assuredly dropped some change into the jar.  I figure that maybe this will offer a recreational flavour to the Bounty that comes back– it doesn’t have to be just for bare necessities.. the universe can and should provide for the soul and playful things we also need.  At least that’s my argument, and I’m sticking with it:)

The other thing I have been doing, is practicing Gratitude.  I have often, over the years, made a practice of keeping chocolate on hand.  I actually don’t eat a lot of chocolate, so this isn’t hard to do.  But when I would be in the area, for example, like near my chiropractor’s office…I would just slip in, and leave a handful of Belgium chocolate chips out.  They would find it, like a mini-christmas.. know who was there, and that i was saying “hello” and wishing them well:)

Now, instead of being random.. I have been keeping a jar in my car…. I use a jar, because i seem to have a time-share with a Mouse.. and this Mouse, does have a sweet tooth.  This Mouse, also likes goat’s milk soap– and has no fear of me whatsoever– but that is another story:)  Anyway, when someone does something for me, or I wish to say Thank You, for something.. I now bring a piece of chocolate to that exchange.

What I have noticed, is the huge change it brings to Gratitude.  Now, it is like there are 2 levels of “thanks”.. those for which it is an in-passing kind of experience.  And there are those, by which I make a concerted and conscientious expression of Gratitude.  By reaching in, and offering a piece of chocolate ( and its the good stuff, nothing cheap:)… it makes the expression of gratitude take on a different dynamic.  i am actively acknowledging something done for me, that is appreciated.  And, it is amazing at how touched, the recipient is, by the very small act, of offering a bit of candy to say thank you.

So this is an ongong experiment.  I’ll update as the year progresses.  I did have one experience that I swear must be a sign from someone, somewhere, that they are watching over me.  Several years ago, I went out shopping with my Mum, because she needed new winter boots.  And several hours later, she had a pair that she liked… I am not the world’s greatest shopper– thank god for online… and, for stores where I can go in, knowing what i want, get it quick.. and leave.  So after 2-3 hours twiddling thumbs, looking at boots, helping her try them on etc… my inner-child was climbing the walls ( i like to climb, but still:)… So i was greatly relieved when she was finally headed to the register.  At that final moment, I wandered off into the store.  NOW, I decide to be curious and look around. althouth actually, I wasn’t shopping.  I walked over to a rack, and picked a light blue fleece(?) hat off of the rack, put it on my head briefly.. and then headed back to the register.  here, I said, you can buy me this, for taking you shopping.  it really was a half-joke.. and was, I suppose a joking-way to ask if she would buy me the hat. i was never good at asking for things— I was raised with the adage- energetic.. if you have to ask.. the answer is going to be no.  so, I grew up, learning never to ask for things….

Anyway- my Mum looked at me very quizzically… tilted head and an almost scrunched-up face, bewilderment.  She said… after pausing for a moment of consideration, or meditiation, or something.. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear a hat.”  HMMMM… wow.. sometimes Mum could say something that conveyed more awareness than she appeared to carry.  And she was right, without ever being anti-hat.. I really have never been big in hats.  I generally never wore them.  I have no idea what sparked my interest in this particular hat.  But, this has been my hat for several years, and I wear it in the winter when doing barn chores or riding.

So I was quite crushed, about a week ago, when I had lost my hat.  I had had a day from Hell, and in my dashing about ( having run out of gas .. in my driveway, no less, yeah.. we don’t need to go there:)… and getting a gas can, gas, and getting car back on the road.. I had lost my hat. I really was devastated.  Most of the things I own, have been gifts, or hold some significant association.  This seems to be one way I remember on a regular basis.. the people and events that have meant something, or that someone had expressed their love or friendship.

I had checked with several of the locations and friends I had seen in the previous day or so.  Nothing.  i was about to go up and check at the local gas-station.. hoping maybe i had taken it off when i was paying for gas ( waiting in line).  I was driving up the road, right before town ( it’s a small town)… and i drove past an odd lump in the road, just off the center line.. similar to what a bunny might look like, had it not made it across the road.  For some reason, i slowed down, passing it by… and catching sight of it again in my mirror. hhmmmm… nooo…. I hit the brakes, and backed up the car.. and opening my door to inspect this dirty salt-covered lump… it was most indeed, a salt covered, forlorn looking hat-shaped lump.

It was a moment that was better than Christmas.. it was a surge of such huge and pure gratitude, love and joy.. that I have felt in a very very long time.  it was the feeling that something lost and cherished has come Home.  But added to that feeling, was the emotional aspect that someone, somewhere.. was most assuredly looking out for me, and.. more than just looking out.. actively helping!

I am not overly religious.. but do practice a non-denominational spiritual kind of cosmology. I don’t know what the rest of the year will bring.  But I hope that this last month has been the beginning of a new Relationship, and that I am cultivating something potent and benevolent.

I’ll keep you all posted.. and anyone else have any amazing synchronicty experiences?  share in the comments!

Still here? No Kaboom? Disappointed? No worries- there are still 7 hours before the technical “end of the world.” And, at least in this corner, in Vermont, some creepy weird wind, power-outages, and a stunning Rainbow that went, unusually… directly from east to west- rather than the more typical north-south directions. Granted, it was right around noon, on the shortest day of the year.. for which a rainbow.. a double-rainbow, no less… is a little unusual, to say the least:) In ancient times, people would have taken these things as dire omens, portents of things to come.. which rarely boded well for the people:)

Ironically, it is Western cultures that are more caught up by the notion of “end of the world.” The galaxy is millions of years old, and the solar system has crossed through its galactic center, thousands of times. And nothing dire has come to pass. What is this moment we are passing through? The solar system is lining up with and “crossing” the galactic center. This happens every 26,000 years (or so). It has happened countless times in the past, and we are all still here. Well, not literally. But the planet is still here, alive and kicking.

Think of it somewhat like crossing the equatorial line. When we live in the Northern hemisphere, the sun rises on/over or right-shoulder. When we cross the equator, the sun now rises over/on the left-shoulder. It would be cool if something extraordinary happened to demark this changed phenomena, like the drain-water spinning the opposite direction ( water always spins the same way, hemisphere-dependent:)… But chances are good that this phenomena will pass as unremarkable as every other arbitrary linear milestone. Birthdays and new years. We construct milestones and ways of marking Time. Western paradigms seem more attached to this than indigenous cultures. Western cosmology has a stronger relationship with Linear Time. There is a clear Beginning, Middle, and supposedly, and End. I suppose the Beginning would be Eden, the Middle would be the birth of Christ, and the End, would be the Second Coming, the apocalypse, or Armageddon, etc. Seeing as none of these Endings were foretold to be delightful, I suppose it is easier to understand the Western pre-occupation with Time. The end was/will be.. the End. This is based on the western eschatology. That time is a Straight Line.

The poet Yeats, wrote about this conceptual change, or perception change in his poem, the Second Coming. In it, the falcon is flying in a gyre, ever widening, where he can no longer hear the falconer. That gyre is symbolic of the concept of Time. Time is NOT a straight line, but rather cyclic; circling back upon itself. In fact, he was taking this concept even a step further, noting that it is not quite cyclic. Rather, we are also moving through Time, so when we have circled back upon ourselves, we are not quite in the same place. We have moved through time, forward- so for a visual representation, it is more like a slinky, than a circle. We have traveled Up a rung, so to speak. It can be a bit difficult to wrap the mind around, grasping concepts that deal with 4rth and 5^th dimensional concepts– unless one is very drunk… then it all makes perfect sense, until morning- when none of it makes sense ( and there is a horrid accompanying headache).

This is a concept that indigenous cultures seem to have, intrinsically. First, they do not live in the same linear world that we do, of 4 seasons– for which great preparation and dread are required.. second- most of them still live ( those whom have not been displaced or poisoned) in an environment representative of the western garden of Eden- whereby they do not live by the sweat of their brow, and all their needs are provided for them. The indigenous culture works approximately 3 hours per day to sustain their needs. If we use TIME as a measure of evolution and success.. they have a far superior standard of living than any westerner. We work 10 hours/ day to sustain ourselves, job and maintenance etc..

But based on cultural, spiritual and cosmological differences, they hold a much different relationship with Time. And, they have a stronger relationship with mythic Time and living. They understand the power of Myth, and Story, far better than modern cultures. We are only NOW ( tricky concept there;), beginning to understand the power of our individual and collective mythic stories, and how they impact the way they reflect our inner beliefs, fears, wounds etc. The Story we live, affects the way we live our lives, interact with others, and treat our environment.

For example, in Western culture, god gives man Dominion. Wow- do whatever you want with it. Break it. Go forth and Conquer. Multiply etc. That is the Story we, as Westerners, modern culture based on the christian bible, are acting out, have been acting out for 2,000 years. The indigenous cosmology is understood in a way where god gave man Stewardship. This implies a social contract, a responsibility. An obligation as a care-taker.

ONE WORD. Two totally different universes evolved from ONE WORD. If you want to EVER think about the power of WORDS… Of ONE single word… Think on that.

Anyway- Indigenous cultures have a stronger connection to mythic time and deep-time. For them everything is cyclic.

When indigenous cultures speak of endings.. they often mean energetic transitions and meaningful shifts…in fact, for cross-cultural translations. the Andean explanation might have a better metaphor. pachacuti cycles.. started 512 yrs ago, means to invert…. and this cycle.. un-inverts the natural order that was destroyed by the Spanish conquest. i haven’t studied the Mayan cosmologies— but i would assume there is some similar conceptual ideology attached to the great-year cycles…the very fact that, at a time when we were scribbling on walls in caves.. the Mayans HAD enough astronomy to KNOW this cycle- which is REAL, in fact… should astonish us and make us wonder what the ancients knew… and how they knew it:)

It would be really funny if it did end and then they’d be like.. yeah– who’s laughin’ now white-boy:)… but these shifts are cyclic, and as I was just noting, often energetic and subtle, rather than literal. You have to understand the cultures and cosmologies, to appreciate the different perceptions that indigenous cultures use as their perception filters. In some ways, far superior to ours. and- one question we should all be asking.. When we were all still scribbling on walls in caves..the Mayans had enough astrology and/or astronomy ( understanding of planets, universe and deep-time) to be able to encapsulate a unit of Time that spans….well beyond our instant-gratification internet-fed sense of NOW…:) What did they know and understand, and HOW? 26,000 year cycles? Someone had an incredible level of astronomy and calculus- at the very least!

So this transition, while very real on the Energetic levels- with meanings and ramifications we cannot yet know– is a line of demarcation on the physical map. And just like a birthday or a New year.. is a good time to take stock. And to change direction/ redirect… re-callibrate…

SO- what one-word might you bring into the new cycle with you? What word-shift will you embrace, to move yourself forward up that spiral rung? I’ll have to think about this some. Maybe if I get a Bonfire tonight, I will bring that to the fire and see what Word, the Universe suggests for me. I also look forward to what anyone else has to say/ think on this topic. What ONE WORD… creates a new paradigm for you? For us? For everyone