The
Seduction of Silence
Finding a moment of silence can be a rare thing.
Whether it is an addiction to mobile phones and
sending text messages, and other noise
pollution, a constant bombardment of noise can
take its toll on us all. So how can we escape
this endless cycle of noise and find some
silence in our lives?
It can be quite a task, especially when our loved
ones may demand our time and attention, and
there isn’t much privacy and quiet available
within the walls of our own house. So what can
we do to find that utterly silent space we all
need to heal and grow? There is one solution.
Meditation.
Meditation is an art. Used properly it can help
us experience the seduction of silence. It can
help us access our center. It is not anything
occult, esoteric or “outside” of normal, daily
life. In fact you probably already do a certain
type of meditation, even if you don’t call it
that, whether it is typing, jogging, cooking or
guitar-playing!
Whenever you keep your attention so strongly
focused on something that no other thoughts
intrude or interfere, that’s a form of
meditation. Watching the waves break on the
beach or staring into the flames of a campfire
or fireplace can be a meditation. As well as
walking, eating or washing the dishes! Anything
that forces all of your awareness onto just one
thing, so that the usual chatter of the mind is
momentarily stilled into silence is a form of
Meditation.
From the time we are children we need privacy, but our parents
don’t allow it. When we need time for ourselves
in our relationships, our partners may find it
hard to accept. The planet is becoming
overcrowded. Where can we find the space we need
to be alone? The trick is to look inwards. Only
a meditator can be truly alone. He can transform
solitariness into solitude. Then when he is
totally alone he is not lonely, not at all.
Besides, we all know what our minds can be like! Is yours a
never-ending conveyor belt of thoughts fired at
you at the speed of light or a harmonious stream
of positive ideas? Are your thoughts flung out
all over the place, or are they used as a
conscious tool to assist and manage your life
for your highest good?
We should be the Master of our Minds and not
vice-versa.
That is where Meditation comes into play as the
art of mental self-control. Meditation can help
us get rid of all that extra clatter which is
taking up too much space inside, and remove all
those negative thoughts, which hinder our
wellbeing, and sometimes our sanity!
Anything done with focus, awareness or
mindfulness is a form of meditation, no matter
how mundane it may seem. Once you’ve learnt to
be mindful, to be conscious of the present
moment, to be aware of your breath – every
action and every thought can become the
momentary focus of a meditation.
Love and Meditation are two of the most important
things in life. If we can learn these two
things, life can take us to the ultimate peaks
of happiness and fulfillment.
Love means the art of being with others while
Meditation means the art of being with your
self. Both are two aspects of the same coin. A
person who does not know how to be with himself
cannot truly relate with others.
When you are with others, see them as a mirror.
What are you doing? How are you doing it? Are
you making their life more miserable? Are you
creating a hell for them? Or is meeting with
you a blessing, a sharing? And when you are
alone then sit utterly silent, absolutely in
silence, and watch yourself. Discover the sound
of silence. Do not try to fill the emptiness
with the sound of the T.V, or the radio in the
background.
Watch your breathing, watch your thoughts, watch
your memories, watch yourself in your totality
without interfering – simply watching. And
slowly, watching one’s breathing, one’s
thoughts, one’s memories, slowly great awareness
explodes within. That is the art of meditation.
“And remember both: just as the bird has two
wings, let love and meditation be your two
wings. Create a synchronicity between them, so
they are nurturing each other, helping each
other.” Allowing you to fly.
Excerpted from The Rainbow Bridge, Osho
Meditation is a transformation of your whole being. You are no more
part of a crowd, no more a cog in the wheel. You
have taken your responsibility on your
shoulders. You have become a free individual.
Nationality and religion will disappear because they are all
arbitrary lines, man-made. The man of meditation
is bound to be a citizen of the world. He is not
going to be a Christian, or a Hindu or a Muslim,
because he can contact existence himself, there
is no need of any mediator, no need of any
priest, holy book or church.
With meditation, the body becomes your temple,
your church, the mind your map, and the soul
your guide. If the whole of humanity had to
become meditators, religions would be extinct,
because we would all have a direct link with the
God-force within. Than of what use would the
Church be, the priests or the scriptures? Their
role would be totally defunct. For this reason
alone, it is highly unusual for anybody who has
a personal interest in keeping the power of the
Church alive, to approve of Meditation as a
means of unifying Body, Soul and Mind.
For the deluded mind a thousand books of
scripture are not enough. For the awakened
mind, even a single word is too much.
- Zen Saying.
By becoming a meditator you will be working in
the inner world to create a space there. And
infinite space can be created there because you
can throw out all the junk that is inside. You
can throw out the thoughts, the desires, the
memories, the past, the future. That’s what
meditation is all about; throwing out all the
useless contents you’re carrying so that you can
feel yourself surrounded by infinite vastness,
as open as the sky, like a bird on the wing. And
that vastness is divine.
On a more mundane level Meditation has many
well-known benefits, which have been confirmed
scientifically. It will calm you down and help
you deal with the stresses of everyday life, by
teaching you to observe your thoughts and
feelings, to witness the movie of your life like
it is passing on a screen, while feeling
inwardly serene. It will increase your available
energy. It can be used to lower your blood
pressure and heart rate, as well as to slow down
the ageing process. Meditation can also help you
appreciate life more, view it with renewed eyes
and refreshed energy, and face change or loss
with greater acceptance and compassion.
Knowing about all these benefits, how could
anybody not meditate? How can anybody not find
half an hour to spare daily in the morning, at
sundown, before bedtime or at any time
whatsoever to sit silently and enjoy true
privacy, intimacy with oneself and aloneness?
There are three very simple answers: “Excuses,
excuses, excuses!”
J
Nevertheless, if you commit yourself to take up Meditation on a
regular basis I recommend creating a private
space where you can be undisturbed for a short
while. Decorate it with cushions, meaningful
objects, flowers and incense to your taste. A
space outside where it will be easier for you to
access that space inside. And if you REALLY
cannot find the extra time or privacy needed,
make the everyday acts of walking, eating or
driving your daily meditations by doing them
with as much awareness and focus in the present
moment as possible!
Here are Three Simple Meditations
to Help Inspire You!
A Flower Meditation
If you want to truly appreciate a flower, you
have to sit by a flower, you have to listen to
it, allow the flower to have its say. Watch the
flower, be open to its silent grace, befriend
it, and allow it to mirror its beauty in you.
Only then can a flower reveal its secrets to
you.
A Moon Meditation
It is easier to meditate at night, when most
people and their endless barrage of thoughts are
asleep, unconscious. Meditation is far closer to
sleep than any other activity with only one
difference. In sleep you fall unconscious, while
in meditation you remain conscious, but with the
same relaxation. The full-moon night is the
best. Many people who have become buddhas have
attained their enlightenment on the full-moon
night, even Buddha himself.
A Star Meditation
Get more and more in tune with the stars.
Whenever the night is clear just lie on the
ground and look at the stars. See yourself as a
small lake, a small pool of consciousness, and
allow the stars to mirror themselves in you.
Choose a star, see it outside and see it
reflected in you. Once you get in tune with it
you can simply close your eyes and see that
star, your star. You can always find a star with
which you simply feel in tune, which is on the
same wavelength. That is your star. Meditate on
it. C’mon try it!
“Watch the clouds of your mind pass you by,
And your spirit so freely shall fly”
Erika
Brincat © 22/08/04
For Manic!
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Scents and Sensitivity
Erika asks Krista Henderson, a qualified beautician, massage & yoga
therapist, how we can work on overcoming some of
the most common addictions we are affected by in
everyday life, through the use of essential oils
and their natural scents and sensitivity to a
persons needs.
Addictions come in many different forms. You don’t need be an
abuser of drugs to be an addict. Let’s face it
we’re ALL addicts in some way or another!
Whether we are addicted to the idea of a bar of
chocolate to cheer us up, to coffee and sugar to
keep us going during the day, to alcohol to ease
any physical or mental tension, to sex and
having different partners to fill the emptiness
inside, to shopping to make us feel good, to
over-exercise to give us endorphins – the happy
hormones, or to cigarettes to give us the
illusion that we’re giving ourselves a relaxing
moment during a busy day. Admit it - if you are
human there is a 100% chance that you may have
an addiction or two without which you would feel
absolutely miserable!
When the body craves a substance and cannot function properly
without it, one is addicted and the body will go
through a withdrawal period. Withdrawals can
vary from headaches to nervousness, shaking,
sweating and even hallucinating. People who are
addicted to heavy substances such as alcohol or
heroin will go through great physical
withdrawals and must seek the help of a
professional, but in other less severe cases
aromatherapy can assist in easing the pain and
especially the emotional distress.
People are usually attracted to a substance to
fill in the space lacking in their life.
Sadness, meaninglessness, low self-esteem and
grief are but a few reasons to take up drugs.
Taking anti-depressants for example is a common
scenario amongst people in society today,
especially women. Instead of looking into the
problem over a longer period of time with a
professional therapist, "pill popping" is the
easy way out, or so it seems. This of course is
a fallacy as the problem is increased rather
than reduced. For the psychological issue
remains and added to it is the now physical
condition.
Krista Henderson shares with us some advice on which oils are
essential to deal with addictions. Many of her
blends are also based on the Ancient Indian
Tradition of Ayurveda, and reflect a beautiful
balance between East & West. Ayurveda, the
science of life, is the first holistic approach,
developed in India, over 2,000 years ago.
Although one may wonder if such an old system of
healing is valid for today's Western health
concerns, Ayurveda has proven its efficacy in
recovery from drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
Krista’s interest in Ayurveda started after she qualified in
Western Beauty and Massage therapy, when she
read a book Called "Absolute Beauty" by
Pratima Richur and found it mind blowing! The
traditional Indian system took the whole person
into consideration and treated everyone as an
individual. Of course back then the term
Holistic wasn't even heard of. It was after 10
years of Western practise that she decided to
learn Ayurveda as she felt that there was more
she could do for her clients’ well-being.
She embarked on a journey of self-discovery and study in Sri Lanka.
There she learnt about the different body types,
their characters and what can be done with food,
exercise, aromatherapy, colour and meditation to
improve the wellbeing of a person as a whole.
She also believes she became a better person
from living with the Shengalise and sharing
their lifestyle.
How do Essential Oils work?
Essential oils are gentle yet powerful scents, which will help ease
any issue in a sensitive way. The olfactory bulb
is just above the nose and is actually part of
the brain. It is the home of our emotions,
sexual feelings and learning. The limbic system
is the link between the voluntary and
involuntary nervous centres and the link between
the left and right brain. Essential oils connect
directly to this system through the olfactory
bulb, hence causing reactions in the body
through smell and are also absorbed through the
skin.
Here are a Few Essential Essences
to have in your own Healing Cupboard at Home
Listed below are a few oils and their psychological benefit to help
ease addictions. They may be either used as
blends for addictions or one may choose an oil
to help with any of the emotional conditions
mentioned. One does not have to be an addict to
use essential oils!! Please also note that only
a few of the benefits of the individual oils
have been listed.
Drug Addiction
Essential Oil
Helps with
Vetiver
Fear,
anxiety, anger
Basil
Mental fatigue, confusion, resentment
Bergamot Depression, sadness, tension
Alcohol Addiction
Essential Oil
Helps with
Lemon
Turmoil, mental blocks, irrationality
Marjoram
Hostility, mental strain, anger
Juniper Guilt, conflict, emptiness
Nicotine addiction
Essential Oil
Helps with
Lavender
Irritability, panic, worry
Chamomile Roman
Stress,
tension, short temper
Neroli
Anxiety, panic, fear
Always mix a maximum of 1 drop essential oils
to 1ml base (vegetable) oil.
Over-eating Blend
Clari Sage 10 drops
Orange 30 drops
Cedarwood 20 drops
This blend will help to relax someone who has
difficulties controlling food cravings. It
should be placed into a small bottle and inhaled
when the cravings come on. She/he should sit
down, close the eyes and inhale the blend,
allowing the craving to subside. A drop of this
may be applied to the wrists and behind the
ears.
Other useful essential oils are Orange,
Grapefruit and Atlas Cederwood. Any of these may
be added to the bath (5-15 drops) with a table
spoon of powdered milk to help dilute. Swish
around into the water.
Hang-over Blend
Juniper 10 drops
Sandalwood 15 drops
Lavender 3 drops
Take 5 drops of the above blend into a teaspoon
of vegetable oil and massage into the temples
and hairline. Massaging into the liver area and
the back of the neck will add to the
effectiveness.
Muscle strain (for over-exercised muscles)
Blend
Eucalyptus 5 drops
Peppermint 5 drops
Ginger 5 drops
Diluted into 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and
massaged into the area.
A General Anti-Addiction Blend
Chamomile roman x 2 drops
Neroli x 6 drops
Juniper x 4 drops
Place the above into a bottle and mix 5 drops in
a teaspoon of vegetable oil (sunflower is fine).
Use to massage the chest, hands and feet and
inhale. You may also like to use this in a
diffuser in the room you spend most of your time
in. A couple of drops can be placed on a tissue,
to be sniffed throughout the day.
The Final Treat - A Head Massage
Recommended to help beat Withdrawal Symptoms
Nothing is more soothing and healing than touch.
Especially when someone is convalescing or
withdrawing from a substance. It is a good idea
for any caretaker to perform a head massage on
the person suffering withdrawals from drugs.
Massaging the head is a safe bet as it is most
likely to be in less pain or less sensitive then
the rest of the body to touch. The head of
course is full of nerve endings and a head
massage will indeed affect the whole body. This
is ideal for people who do not like physical
contact on the body.
1) Allow your client/friend/patient to lie at
the edge of the bed.
2) First one should make contact, so place your
hands on the forehead and allow some time to
pass, waiting to feel the person relaxing under
the gentle touch of your hands.
3) Take a little oil into a saucer and touch
your fingers to the oil, taking up a little oil
(do not over oil a person as this can be
uncomfortable to the recipient).
4) Place your index and second finger in the
middle of the eyebrows and make clockwise
circles on the area.
5) Pull up from this area to the hair line
(repeat this movement a few times)
6) Claw your hands (like you were holding a
ball) and press gently on the hair line moving
into the hair until the head reaches the bed.
(repeat)
7) Come back to the hair line, press gently and
release over the head (repeat)
8) Rub the temples 9) Rub behind the ears 10) Pull the ears gently
11) Apply both hands on the ears for a few
moments
12) Come back to the eyebrows and pinch them
gently placing your fingers above and beneath
the eyebrows moving outward towards the temples
13) Apply slight pressure under the eyes from
the bridge of the nose to the corner of the eyes
14) Place a finger from each hand under the tip
of the nose moving outwards over the upper lip
(moustache area)
15) Pinch the chin with both hands placing the
thumb on the chin and the forefinger on the jaw
(under the chin) and move outward towards the
ears, applying pressure and releasing, rub the
large muscle at the edge of the jaw.
16) From the edge of the jaw move down onto the
neck again applying pressure and releasing
gently.
17) Place hands behind the neck. Massage the
muscles at the base of the neck and up to the
base of the head.
18) Place hands over the eyes and rest for a
minute or two to finish off.
The sequence may be repeated up to 3 times per
session.
Erika Brincat, International Guest Writer for The Art of Healing (AU) © 2004
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The Tao of Healing
Erika Brincat interviews Dr. Lydia Oukhaneva
M.D., psychiatrist, and psychotherapist, on
the alternative
therapy known as Su Jok
The word SU in Korean means the hand while JOK means the feet. Thus
the name itself speaks all about it. Discovered
by a South Korean scientist, Professor Park Jae
Woo, he was able to make a substantial
contribution to the traditional approaches of
acupuncture. Professor Park Jae Woo is
considered a man of profound knowledge and
spirituality who works hard without
self-interest, filled with a desire to help
people be happier and healthier.
When compared to other holistic methods of healing, Su Jok is
simple and uncomplicated. In fact it is this
simplicity that has endeared Su Jok to holistic
practitioners and students all over the globe.
Su Jok is so effective as an acupressure therapy that often the
need for needles does not arise, as the health
problem is taken care of simply by applying
pressure to the corresponding points on either
of the hands or feet. This news can come with a
sigh of deep relief for people who do not sit
very comfortably with the idea of being poked
with needles in sensitive spots, no matter how
much they know it is meant to be pain-free and
for their own well-being.
“The Great Spirit of Healing and Love
is revealed in hands and feet
designed similarly to the human body”
- Prof. Park. Jae Woo
Erika: When did you first hear about Su Jok?
Lydia:
My interest in Su Jok began when I met Professor
Park about 8 years ago. He is really
challenging. A professional M.D. in Seoul, he
has improved the ancient knowledge of
traditional Chinese acupuncture, and the
traditional Chinese philosophy about the five
elements, by combining them with the South
Korean branch of knowledge and the Indian
knowledge about the chakras. Last year he
had a big lecture in the Moscow Su Jok Academy,
about the connection between modern physics,
Quantum Physics, the physics of mind, psychology
and energy work. I have read research about
patients who were cured by this man from very
serious problems and it all made a lot of sense.
Erika: What convinced you about Su Jok’s
capability as an alternative healing therapy
suitable for today’s modern living?
Lydia: I had a few cases that were quite
serious. One of them was Sinusitis. The patient
had had years of problems and a high allergic
level and after 10 sessions he was cured, and
his operation was cancelled. Another case
activated my interest in Su Jok even more. The
situation was on a train during a long voyage in
Russia, when a passenger began to have a heart
attack. You can imagine a train with no stations
nearby, where the next station was about 3 to 4
hours away. Of course there was a big panic on
the train and assistance called some doctors to
help.
I happened to be there so I
punctured the point which was corresponding to
the heart with the needles, the blood came out
and in a few minutes the passenger felt much
better, and when the ambulance finally came in
the station, the passenger was ready to go, they
just did the Electro-cardiogram in the train and
they found that he could continue his journey.
They discovered that it was the beginning of a
heart attack that was prevented. I felt really
happy because it was a coincidence, although
nothing happens by coincidence, and I witnessed
the results so quickly.
I also had a lot of
cases with children hurting their knees, or
their head and when one found the point of
correspondence, the pain would disappear in a
few minutes. For me this was like a miracle. The
medical mind is very skeptic, and I could hardly
believe it.
In the beginning I was
trying to see if it was just a coincidence, but
when you read more and more theoretic books of
Prof. Pak, one begins to understand that it is
very deep knowledge, not just medical. It’s a
big system, working with the mind and the
emotions.
Erika: Is it considered an improvement on
Chinese acupuncture?
Lydia:
Prof. Pak discovered the possibility that the
Indian ‘chakra’ therapy and the Chinese
principle of acupuncture can work very well
together. Although Su Jok is not only
acupuncture, it also consists of working with
seeds, magnets and even the leaves of plants.
This makes the method very natural and usually
we do a lot of courses were we show basic Su Jok
for everybody, where you can be cured in a few
minutes if your problem isn’t so serious.
Erika: Can you explain to us the basics of
how it functions?
Lydia:
Nowadays, nearly everybody knows the basic
principles of the computer. We have a keyboard
and a system of files. When we need to open some
file we press the combination of some buttons.
Our hands, feet and ears are the basic three
most comfortable and effective systems were we
have thousands of points corresponding with the
different parts of our body. Different needles
may be needed depending on whether the doctor is
working on an emotional level or a mental level.
Erika: Does it take intuition?
Lydia:
Intuition does play a big part. You can say it
takes intuition based on knowledge.
Erika: Are there many different techniques
involved?
Lydia:
Yes, there is acupuncture, Moxa therapy where we
are using heat with herbal cigars, and the seeds
therapy. We also can use parts of plants, such
as leaves. People find seed therapy very
fascinating because usually we use seeds just
for food and nutrition. The colour and shape
play a very important role in treatment, for
example the kidney beans have the shape of
kidneys. The more the seeds look like the
corresponding organs, the quicker the effect.
They are applied with a plaster to the
corresponding point for the particular organ.
Like all natural therapies, in Su Jok the doctor
and the patient are sharing the responsibility,
while in conventional medicine it is only the
doctor who takes responsibility for the
patient’s health. And the patient also has
homework to do, if he really wants to cure
himself. So usually the treatment is like a
lesson. And all my patients have some basic
knowledge of the topography of the organs and
the anatomic structure.
Erika: During treatment do patients learn how
to heal themselves?
Lydia:
Yes. And it’s more interesting for
children because afterwards they play with the
seeds and all this natural equipment and they
easily learn how to help themselves. There are
very interesting situations were children are
teaching their parents. Many children are
suffering from tummy ache from stress, tension
or not eating proper food. When children start
to treat themselves, they are very curious, and
they are very open. So they start treating each
other, they also show their parents how to treat
themselves, and this is the way it should be in
a family.
One does not need to learn where each and every
point is located, as long as one understands the
basic corresponding points to the body. It is a
highly effective and preventive method of
healing with no side effects. Su Jok is useful
both on the physical and emotional level, and
allows you to take responsibility for your
health, any time and any place.
Every person has the right to learn and master
the simple methods of self-healing. If you use
the wrong points by mistake, nothing will
happen, the effect will be neutral. However, Su
Jok acupuncture has to be done by a specialist.
Erika: Although it originated in
the East, has Su Jok become also popular in the
West?
Lydia:
Its popularity has improved. The last five years
clinics have opened in the Mediterranean area in
Cyprus and Turkey, and in Europe there are Su
Jok centers in Germany, Britain and Switzerland.
There are centers nearly all over Asia. In
Mexico they have a big clinic. Dr. Pak’s first
step was to try and introduce this practice into
the third world countries, since it is an
inexpensive method of self-healing. It was his
gift to the world. India also has a few clinics
for Su Jok therapy.
Erika:Can it be combined with
other remedies, or is it sufficient to use Su
Jok alone?
Lydia: Su Jok is quite independent. It can work by
itself, but I always involve food correction
because food also has different types of energy,
so it is best to combine it with the right diet.
Erika:For which kind of patients
would you especially recommend Su Jok?
Lydia:
For those who really want to be
healthy! (laughs)
Not those who want to indulge.
It ibetter if the patients are involved in the
treatment.
To tell you the truth there is no
limitation. We even have Su Jok therapy for
emergency
cases, unless emergency surgery is
needed.
Erika: Can you describe some of the ‘tools’
used in this therapy?
Lydia:
The seeds themselves have to be healthy. They
must not be damaged, and they must be covered,
in good condition, and ripe. You can get them
from any food stores. I also use a lot of Music
and Sound to help the patients relax, and in
fact they are usually surprised to see how fast
time has gone by.
The needle in Su Jok therapy is very small. The
sharp point is about 0.8 mm. The needles have
two functions: stimulating, and as an antenna,
they are a projection of the meridian to
regulate the movement of the energy.
Erika: Is there the possibility of learning
Su Jok?
Lydia:
I have held courses called ‘Su Jok for
Everybody’. They are open for the public as
well as medical specialists. In fact there are
some massage and beauty therapists who are using
the seeds when the problem is not serious, for
example in the case of muscle or joint problems.
Su Jok is based on the Tao philosophy, which
embraces the idea that the best things in life
are the most effortless and simple ones. It
seems that even when it comes to self-healing,
life can be a cup of tea!
(Professional photos of the needles and seeds,
with an emphasis on this organic way of healing
were provided)
Erika Brincat ©July 2004
The Malta Independent on Sunday
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The
Universe's Abundant Energy
Somehow it appears – and stop me if I’m wrong! -
that the general feeling on the island at the
moment, despite many improvements and positive
road works on the journey to becoming a truly
fully-fledged EU member with an infrastructure
that actually works and runs smoothly, seems to
be that there isn’t enough money to go around!
Is it my imagination or are a good majority of
people having a hard time making ends meet and
struggling to keep it together during the daily
grind? Please let me know if I am misguided. I
hope so!
Some people know I have chosen an unusual path so
far. A law degree in the bag, but not practicing
within a law firm or any commercial enterprise,
it may look like I have thrown away a good
opportunity to have a solid foundation financial
wise. Instead here I am doing what I love,
writing away and freelancing for a number of
publications. But even I have begun to question
now, is doing what you love worth the financial
struggle of chasing after payments and not
having a fixed monthly wage to rely on? Surely
it is our birthright to have all we need for a
comfortable secure life and in order to fulfill
all our dreams and fruitful desires? Being
spiritual after all is not tantamount to being
broke! Material success is very important for
physical, emotional and mental well-being all
round, and we all experience that directly in
our every day lives.
Having recently turned 30, it just dawned on me
at last that I can not rely on hoping for Prince
Charming to turn up on his bike, save the day,
fall madly in love, pay all my bills, print all
my poetry books and take me on regular voyages
to India and all over the world anymore!
JAnd besides, the M & D Fund (also known as the
Mum & Dad fund) is definitely running out since
I no longer have the excuse/valid reason of
being a student. Fair enough! (about time, you
must be thinking!)
So what’s the catch? Surely there must be a way
to keep on doing what one loves and also be
self-sufficient? How can we access the
universe’s infinite abundance and live a
prosperous life using our innate God-given
skills? There have been quite a few self-help
books about this topic, but the one I find
absolutely the best and comes highly recommended
is Shakti Gawain’s ‘Creative Visualisation.’
Here are a few vital and key tips:
In creative visualization you use your
imagination to create a clear image, idea or a
feeling of something you wish to manifest,
giving it positive energy until it becomes
objective reality, that is, until you actually
achieve what you have been imagining.
E.g. After relaxing your body into a deep
meditative state of mind, (STEP 1 seems crucial!J)
Imagine that you are working in your ideal job
situation. Imagine your self in your ideal
physical setting or environment, doing the work
you enjoy and find satisfying, interacting with
people in a harmonious way, receiving
appreciation and appropriate financial
compensation.
Repeat this short simple exercise often, perhaps
twice a day or whenever you think about it.
Energy is Magnetic. One simple law of energy is
that energy of a certain quality or vibration
tends to attract energy of a similar quality and
vibration. Thoughts and feelings have their own
magnetic energy that attracts energy of a
similar nature. We can see this principle at
work, when we “accidentally” run into someone we
have just been thinking of, or “happen” to pick
up a book that contains exactly the kind of
information we need at that moment.
Positive statements called affirmations are also
a very important part of creative visualization.
If you like you can end your visualization with
the statement to yourself:
“This or something better, now manifests for me
in totally satisfying and harmonious ways, for
the highest good of all concerned”.
For after all:
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you, For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he
that seeketh, findeth, and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened.” – Matthew 7:7,8
According to Shakti, the most important thing is
to remember to use creative visualization often,
to make it a regular practice in your life,
especially before you go to bed and upon
awakening.
The clearer and stronger your intention, the more
easily your creative visualization will work. In
any given situation ask your self about the
condition of your intention. If it is weak or
uncertain, look more deeply to see what your
doubts, fears or concerns may be. Sometimes your
hesitations may be an indication of feelings and
beliefs that need to be acknowledged and healed.
In some cases, hesitation may be an indication
that this is not a truly appropriate goal for
you.
What we want to avoid and stay away from is
scarcity programming and the consciousness of
lack. This is an attitude or set of beliefs
about life that goes something like this:
“There isn’t enough to go around…..”
“Life is hard, and full of suffering…..”
Instead we can try to use the following:
“This is an abundant universe and there is plenty
for all of us”
“Abundance is my true state of being, and I am
ready to accept it fully and joyously”
“I am attracting all that I need easily and
effortlessly”
“I love my work, and do it wholeheartedly,
receiving fulfillment and financial security in
return”
“God is the unfailing, unlimited source of all my
supply”.
One must actually believe in it and keep at it
for a while in order to make the affirmation
effective! So it does take some work!
Another useful pocket-sized but powerful book I
came across is:
Money Magnetism by J. Donald Walters:
How to attract what you need when you need it.
A trick is to visualize the purpose the money is
meant to serve, rather than just a wad of money
coming your way. If you need the money to create
something intended for the highest good of all
and which will help you to serve others, it is
even more likely to manifest. I have seen this
at work, when attracting sponsorships to fulfill
creative goals. It doesn’t seem to be as
effective for enhancing the wardrobe and buying
that extra pair of shoes!
Here are a couple of interesting quotes:
“A consciousness of abundance attracts
abundance.”
“To attract money we must be confident that we
have a right to our fair share of abundance in
the universe. Don’t wait for good fortune to
smile on you and don’t be passive on the demands
you make on the universe.”
“Will is desire plus energy directed towards
fulfillment”.
“Energy used joyfully doesn’t exhaust energy, it
generates more energy. The truth is the more you
use your energy, the more you will find that you
generate energy.”
A beautiful prayer by Paramhansa Yogananda is
included:
“Father Divine this is my prayer: I care not what
I may permanently possess, but give to me the
power to acquire at will what I may daily need.”
Donald Walters, also known as Kriyananda tells
us: “Remember God is in money too. God is in
business. God is in the banks as much as He is
in the mountains and the clouds, the temples and
the churches. And though it is, I grant you,
more difficult to see Him in the marketplace,
nonetheless, He is there too!”
He goes on to explain that energy generates
magnetism. Apparently, the stronger the flow of
energy, the greater the magnetism and it is our
personal magnetism finally that attracts all
that we receive in life. Our magnetism depends
to a great extent on the positivity with which
we direct our will. Positive thoughts are
magnetic; negative thoughts weaken our
magnetism. “A cheerful attitude is magnetic,
despair and lack of confidence is de-magnetising.
Love is magnetic, so is faith, while doubt
destroys magnetism. Try to be always positive,
always cheerful, full of hope, faith and love
even in the face of difficult circumstances.”
Now if only I could follow my own advice, keep
the faith, and walk the talk…….;)
Erika Brincat © September 2005
For Manic!
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