Inner Smile on a Cold Day

Yesterday was one of those days, you wake-up completely on the wrong side of the bed. Tripping, spilling, cursing the morning away. I thought for sure it was going to be a horrible day. To boot, I’m late and there is ice all over my car. So, after de-icing the car and cranking up the heat I feel the heat of being late. Not that I was going to get in trouble, I just really hate to be late anywhere. So, there I am in my car, driving through my neighborhood, thinking of nothing but being late and how bad of a morning it was.

Freeze……Can you see how the day is shaping? It’s going to be bad and I’m determined to make it so. Ok Go!

As I get to a corner in my neighborhood I notice my neighbor and her grandchild waiting for the bus. This woman always waves to me and I wave back but it will take a huge undertaking to remove my negative thoughts. And then it happend. Although I might have been 20 degrees and ice everywhere, her Grandchild looked up with that pom on top of her knitted cap and her stripped mittens to “smile and wave” at me. I was stuck in my tracks, unable to move.

The moment of seeing a child smile and wave changed everything. I felt that “Inner Smile” blurb up and fill my body. The last thing to hit was the smile on my face. A simple act of joy and a smile melted me, turned everything around.

I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way to work…..then it cascaded to a spring in my step and my humor…….I felt like bouncing to every meeting.

The “Inner smile”, from Lao Tzu to Buddha, a concept of love from the inside.

What I felt was a massive amount of Qi cultivation at that moment, continuing throughout the day, thinking of my Qigong instructor saying “let a smile float up to your face” only brought more Qi. My practice of “Loving-Kindness” as of late came to mind as well and I was again washed in Qi and calm.

Some call it the Buddha Nature or Loving-Kindness and some call it the “Inner Smile”, I called it unexpected.

This just goes to show how much of a quality day we create by just thinking it as well as the power of a wave and a smile from another being.

For meditation and more articles:

Meditation from Yoga Journal

Metta: The Practice of Loving Kindness by Kris Vockler

Popularity: 22% [?]

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Qigong, Dreams & Serpent Initiation

Contributing Author: Christina Bjergo, LAc

Grand Master of Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong

When I started utilizing and teaching Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong in November 2006 I had no idea where the journey would take me. By incorporating this unique form of movement meditation into a weekly routine practice, however, so began a period of tremendous spiritual growth beyond my wildest expectations.

One of the main benefits of this form of qigong is that it connects people to their innate body wisdom – allowing movement, feelings, images and impressions to spontaneously arise from the world of the unconscious, from the world of God. This access to divine energy and wisdom is further explored through visual artistic expression and automatic writing. It is a time to have fun, be playful and for many such as myself to experience a newfound sense of freedom and Self.

But the benefits extend outside of the classroom. In addition to increased feelings of joyfulness, peace and vitality I almost immediately found greater clarity and harmony to my nighttime dreaming and began enjoying increased lucid, guidance and prophetic dreams. Flowing with Nature through qigong also shifted my waking life and I experienced heightened positive synchronistic events, greater intuitive hits, and prophetic occurrences in Nature that offered validation and insight. In April 2008, I began having dreams marking the beginning of an initiation - candles being lit around me and being asked by a teacher if I was ready are a couple examples. At first, I interpreted this to mean that I should seek a spiritual program of study. I soon came to realize, however, that I had begun a kundalini awakening and that all the guidance and instruction I needed was already available (though maybe not always consciously) within me. I was facilitating the spiraling serpent rising (with qigong being the primary tool) and it therefore occurred safety and smoothly in steps and stages as I was psychologically and physically ready. In the next several months my psyche (conscious and unconscious working together) went through the cyclical process of death and rebirth leading to the resurrection of parts of myself previously splintered off, the transcendence of old traumas/issues, and the ascension into higher planes of existence and dimensions of myself.

My work thus far had focused on the development and strengthening of my lower dan tian as the physical center of the body that rests in the belly from a Qigong perspective. This area has correspondence with the element of water and shamanic journeying to the Lower World/Underworld. In November 2007 following a spiritual odyssey to Egypt, I experienced an alchemical activation of my Instinctual Soul or Divine Feminine aspect (also known as the Ka energy body in ancient Egypt and the Po Soul in Traditional Chinese Medicine) and have been able to consciously see and work with my Ka energetic double in other dimensions. Marking the completion of this kundalini awakening, I had nighttime dreams of completion such as candles being blown out and seeing myself ritually crossing a snake skin threshold as I stepped onto a new path ahead.

My spiritual development has shifted at this time to my upper dan tian which is the spiritual center of the body that rests within the center of the head according to Qigong Theory. This area corresponds with the element of wind (the breath of God) and shamanic journeying to the Upper World or Heavens. In so doing, I am connecting more fully with my Celestial Soul or Divine Masculine aspect (also known as the Ba Soul in ancient Egypt and the Hun Soul in Traditional Chinese Medicine). As I more fully integrate the masculine and feminine aspects of myself, a unity into Oneness is revealing itself through a Sacred Marriage of the heart. The heart is, I believe, the place where the potential for God realization awaits. It is a place beyond duality, where the Holy Spirit resides, and Paradise awaits.

~Christina

Popularity: 25% [?]

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Update “Spread the Love NOW! Group Writing Project”

Photo Credit

As many of you know we were part of a wonderful project called “Spread the Love NOW! Group Writing Project“. Created by those wonderfully enlightened folks at [The Middle Way], [Zen-Inspired Self Development], and [UrbanMonk.net]. The project was fantastic and led me to a whole new group of enlightened ones to read and be a part of on this crazy path we each share yet walk alone. To read Beyond Zen’s part of the project, check out this post: A Story of Compassion and Dying.

I want all of our readers to also enjoy some of the great writing from this project; stories of compassion, concepts of compassion from many spiritual themes, and discussions on definition of the word “Compassion”. The list is below, enjoy!

~La Boheme

Entries

Ben Lumley at The New Horizons Project.

Kris Vockler at Beyond Zen.

Corinne Edwards at Personal Growth with Corinne Edwards.

Isabella Mori at Change Therapy.

Paula Kawal at Journey Inward Coaching.

Liara Covert at Dream Builders.

David Bohl at Slow Down Fast.

Deb Estep at Deb_Inside.

Swami Nirmalananda Giri and ReddyK at the Atma Jyoti Blog.

Mary Jaksch at Goodlife Zen.

Takuin Minamoto at Daily Action and Natural Expression.

Robin at Reflections on Compassion, posted at Yogini Myspace Blog.

Karen Zara at Abaminds.

Jenny Mannion at Heal Pain Naturally.

Evan Hadkins at WellBeingAndHealth.Net.

Shawn Williamson at do you LIVE or simply EXIST.

Patricia Singleton at Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker.

Alex Blackwell at The Next 45 Years.

Akemi Gaines at Gratitude Magic.

Vitor Bosshard at The Fractal Forest.

CG Walters at Into The Mist.

John Torcello has also contributed an entry by email, I’ve included it in the comments below.

Brightdays at Brighter Days for you and me!

Karen at Loving Awareness.

Krista at Lucid Amphibology.

Karen Lynch at Live The Power.

Andrea Hess at Empowered Soul.

Waters at Waters: The Last Thing I Wanted To Give.

Eric Grey at Deepest Health.

Stephen Hopson at Adversity University.

Em Dy at Pulse: Intention to Treat.

Iain Hamp at Follow Your Passions.

Rahul at Raw Speak.

Stephen Miracle at AltNoise.Net.

Pearl at Interesting Observations.

Mark at My Tropical Escape.

Matthew at Loving Awareness.

Daylle Schwartz at Lessons from a Recovering Doormat.

Charities Link at Charities Link.

Mihaela Lica at Pamil Visions eWritings.

David at Virginia Breeze.

Jerry Summers at Nothing Like Now.

Wishbone at Wishbone.

Arvind Devalia at Make Things Happen.

Samir Bharadwaj at Samir Bharadwaj dot com.

Popularity: 36% [?]

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Bardo, Death, and a Moment of Transition

Often when I tell a story I shy away from those in which I was part of or a party to, to me it smacks of ego-center and self-serving. Yet this story, as it happened to me, was one of great compassion and love for my family. I did nothing but be present and party to something so amazing, I will never forget it.

Not far after my Grandfather passed away, the wife of one of his brother’s also passed away. Her husband had passed on some years before and she lived the rest of her life without him. I am very fond of that side of my family, although my father and my immediate family are not blood relation, you would never have guessed it. My Father and I are direct blood relations to this family in every spiritual sense of the word.

My Mother called to tell me that my great Aunt was passing, in hospice and not expected to live much longer. I remember thinking to myself; “It’s ok, I can go see her at 2PM tomorrow”. Why 2PM? I’m not sure but I knew that I had the time and that was the perfect time. So the next day at 2PM I went to the hospice center to visit. When I arrived I found my family all huddled around her in various states of shock, fear, sadness, love, kindness, and compassion. I was immedately welcomed and took a place in a chair next to my cousins.

As is customary in our culture, we all sat around and told stories of this woman, remembering the past and enjoying each other; laughing and crying together. As I sat there I thought to myself; “What can I do right now? What should I do? What is appropriate?” In studying Buddhism for years I wasn’t sure how to behave in front of my family at this moment, if I said anything, would it come out lost on a crowd who didn’t study Buddhism as I did or would my words we welcome?

After some time, a little voice in my head said, go see her, put your hands on her. This didn’t bother me either as I had been studying Reiki for years and placing my hands on an other to ease pain and suffering is a pleasure. I asked; “Do you all mind if I hold her hand”? Of course my family was like, “Please, get up here and join us”. So I did, I placed my hand in hers and joined the stories around her bed and tried to project energy and compassion onto this woman who was about to pass. The moment was very enjoyable as when I joined the group the stories seemed to flow and become more intensified.

Some more time went by and another voice in my head said to place a hand on her chest and one on the crown of her head. It felt so natural to do this, it felt like home to be in the energy field of not only my great Aunt but my family. It felt like being home, truly a good feeling.

What I felt was truly amazing, I could feel my great Aunt in the throws of her last few moments on earth. It was at this moment that I knew why I was to be there at 2PM, it was truly her last hour. With my hands placed on her head and chest I could feel her energy slowly untangling and lifting away. The next vision in my mind was of her husband and my Grandfather who appeared to be waiting for her to arrive. Right then, at that moment, I knew it was time for her to pass.

I told my family; “Come everyone, join around, put your hands on her, you can feel her; she’s here and she feels good”. Slowly each person in the room, about 15, got up and joined the rest of us around this woman and placed their hands on her feet, legs, hands, chest, head and stomach. I felt as if I wasn’t myself, like the sound of my voice wasn’t mine, I was elsewhere. Then I said to every one in the room; “Hold great thoughts of compassion and love for her, she is leaving now, she needs to know it’s ok and she is loved and love is waiting for her when she untangles from this life”, everyone did that, the room got silent.

In that moment when the room became silent, everyone could feel her. As soon as the last person put their hands on her, the room got very quiet yet very loud with love for what felt like forever but surely was just a few seconds. She passed on in that moment, the second the last person joined, she left. In that moment, what Tibetan Buddhists call Bardo, we all experienced that time in between when one life ends and another begins. The moment didn’t last forever and one everyone realized what had just happened, the tears began to fall. They were tears of joy for the ending of this life and the joining of pure love on the other side, where her husband and my Grandfather waited to welcome her and bring her into everything.

I didn’t do anything other than just be there, I could not have been more grateful to have done so in that moment. I can only hope when I pass from this life I can be in the presence of those who have witnessed my life and help me pass as we did for her.

In Tibetan Buddhism there are 6 levels of Bardo; This Life, Meditation, Dream, Dying, Dharmata, and Existence. They are the fragmented in between states, the gap between the ego and the self and the gap between the self and the next.

Popularity: 19% [?]

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New Research Topic @ BeyondZen; What is Love?

For years I’ve been thinking about what is Love, how do you define it and where does it come from. I know! Not an easy topic, many philosopher’s and scientists as well as metaphysical studies have all tried. It’s all of the following: emotion, feeling, attitude, expression, chemical reaction, etc. I’m guessing that a word that has so many meanings in the English dictionary will be very hard to pick apart, heck, many great minds in the world have tried.But there is something missing, it’s like we can describe the symptoms but not the root of what Love is.

I’ve read interesting articles and had similar discussions on Love being the pure energy of the Universe, a stretch I know, and that pure energy was what exploded in the Big Bang. Maybe worth exploring here, maybe not.

Over the next year we at Beyond Zen are going to tackle and attempt to build on what we know of love, not sure how we are going to do that but we will.

So, now is your turn, what is love? I urge you to comment and tell us what you think it is, not what it looks like or what chemical changes occur when one is “in love” but try to get at the root, is there more behind the curtain or not? What do you think?

La Boheme

Popularity: 63% [?]

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Florida Newspaper Explains Reiki, Healing on All Levels

Photo from:http://www.overhall.com/body_work.htm

Charged Up About Reiki by Matthew Solan

A recent web trawl of articles finds a recent article by the Sarasota herald Tribune on Reiki and what it is.

Following the opening of a new healing center, Sarasotahealing.com, the Sarasota Herald Tribune features; “what is Reiki”? From the article; “Reiki is a 4,000-year-old Japanese healing modality that works to balance the chakras, or energy centers, located in specific areas of the body. A Reiki therapist channels the universal energy around us to where it’s needed by placing his or her hands on and around your various chakras. ‘Reiki is a powerful and precise system of healing,’ says Sonia Morissette, Reiki master and owner of Sarasota Healing (www.sarasotahealing.com). ‘It accesses universal life force energy, which helps promote healing in all living things at physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.’”

The article goes on to describe what “Chakra’s” are and how Reiki works with them; “A chakra is a vortex of energy. There are seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown. Described as being about the size of your hand and resembling a spinning wheel, chakras spin at different speeds, fast or slow, and vibrate at various frequencies. The first spins the slowest and the seventh the fastest. When a chakra is “blocked,” it spins too slowly or quickly, or even in the wrong direction. When this occurs, physical and emotional problems can manifest, such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, chronic pain and insomnia. Reiki gets the chakras to work smoothly again.”

Click the link above to read the full article.

La Boheme

Popularity: 28% [?]

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New Essential Oil Blend, Eases Racing Feelings & Thoughts

Thoughts and feelings, both of which can race from time to time and cause a bunch of issues. As an Empath I often don’t know if it’s caused by someone’s feelings or mine but either way, my mind will race. Yesterday was one of those days, whatever attachments I had that day they were causing some huge swings in my mind, of course causing some suffering. As of late I’ve also been trying to use my essential oils more and experiment as to what might work or not.For thoughts and feeling out of control, this is the blend I came up with and it immediatly went to work calming my thoughts and bringing me back to ground.

Speed Zone for Thoughts

Equal parts: Sandalwood, lavender, rose, spruce, and Ylang Ylang.

Use: Forehead, temples, throat, Heart Chakra (especially if related to love attachments). Use anytime you like. Works very well in a diffuser or a bath if you need that extra slow down. I think it lasts a few hours because I usually don’t apply again for at least 4-5 hours.

Enjoy!

Update - Uses for Individual Oils Listed Above

Sandalwood: Common dictionary listing for this oil is for Bronchitis (diffuser), chapped skin (in cream), depression (many locations), dry skin (cosmetis, creams), laryngitis (diffuser), leucorrhea, oily skin (cosmetis, creams), scars (cosmetis, creams), sensitive skin (cosmetis, creams), stress, stretch marks (cosmetis, creams).

Popularity: 13% [?]

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Ancient MRI-Type Machines of Egypt

Yes, yes, yes, I know I haven’t updated and told the complete story of Egypt, why I went, what I saw, what I did but this story has to be told because I keep thinking of it first when I sit to write about Egypt.

The trip was a tour created by Body, Mind, Spirit Journey’s, a pilgrimage to Egypt with the focus of learning about the ancient cultures once there, the Khemetians.

As many of you know I went to Egypt my Mother, one of my best friends and her young daughter. The four of us had a blast and we all became much deeper friends. About the 4th day we went to a site called Sakkara, the famous Pyramid of Djoser built by Imhotep for King Djoser. The traditional Egyptologists believe this to be a funeral complex but according to the ancient Khemitians (the people who were there before the Dynastic Egyptians came) this was a hospital. Let me back up a minute and say that there is enough evidence that I believe there was an ancient civilization who built the pyramids and today’s Egyptians came along and put their hieroglyphs everywhere. So, in ancient times this was a hospital that eventually became a site to prepare bodies for the afterlife. Of course I might have seen enough for me to say I believe, this is still just a theory and my most humble of opinions.

Now, back to the hospital. Priests of the mystery schools presided over this hospital that was open to all people. Yet it was the priests who had undergone the training to heal there. See the coolness coming? Healers……

So, at one particular area you have a raised platform made of stone and off to the right you have rows of these square ports with a sloping back to them, lined up on and in a wall of blocks. It was once part of a huge temple but today its eroded and falling apart. But the ports are still there as well as the platform. At this area the priests would activate the ports and a subject would stand on the platform. Using sound, the priests would put their heads in the ports and examine the subjects, creating a mental MRI of them so to speak. Diagnose, possibly heal with energy or prescribe an herb or other healing mode.

Well, our tour leaders used tuning forks and chakra bells to activate the ports and asked if anyone had an ailment and would like to stand on the platform. My friends daughter said she would but didn’t tell anyone what was wrong with her. I was in line first to try it so I walked in and put my head in the port and focused on Reiki energy. Used some toning that seemed appropriate. Closed my eyes. What I saw was a blue blob of energy move into my minds eye focus, which took shape of a body. I was floored. I could tell it was a body. Then, I got a clear outline picture in my mind of a stomach and intestines. I could see the outline in the body clearly, it had a blue electrical current all around the stomach and intestines. I had an intuitive feeling that her stomach hurt and possibly her intestines were not well. Then another body came into view and I felt horrible, the images jumbled so I broke off.

I walked outside to see that another in our group had gotten on the platform. So, that explains the jumbled feeling. I went to my friend and asked if her daughter had stomach issues, she said no. I was bummed, I thought for sure I had it right. After it was all over, one of the directors asked our young subject why she had gotten on the platform and she said her stomach hurt. Apparently she hadn’t told her mom.

Amazing! I saw it, too bad I couldn’t help her but I saw her issue and felt it!

How’s that for confirmation and coolness??????

-La Boheme

Popularity: 17% [?]

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Paths, Syncronicity, Visions and Life’s Purpose

In a dream My Maternal Grandmother came out of a hospital, handed me a red hair band and with earnest voice insisted, “It’s important you start with the Crane, you need to start with the Crane.” I had been contemplating two different Chinese Medicine Qigong Programs in Portland at the time. I did choose to follow the guidance, though, as it felt right and soon began learning Soaring Crane Qigong in addition to Acupuncture, Herbology and Shiatsu Japanese Bodywork at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. It was the beginning of my training into an ancient system of movement meditation for health and vitality originating from China. In addition to learning prescribed routines of the Soaring Crane form, I was also trained in Spontaneous Qigong, a powerful style whereby the mind is relaxed and the healing energies of Nature clean and strengthen the energy channels (meridians) of the body. Healing occurs as universal life force energy flows through and moves the body without conscious intent.

Near graduating four years later I sat in sweltering heat and solitude in the desert under a Ponderosa Pine on my first Vision Quest outside of Redmond, Oregon. There I connected with the Rainbow Serpent, the mythological Great Mother and creative energy of the Earth according to the Aboriginal people of Australia. After two days without food or water in 102 degree weather, and following a vision of seeing and feeling a huge black snake climbing up out of the water, my body started to move involuntarily and a snake like energy awoke within me. It rose upward into and throughout my body as I sat on the dusty ground and began to dance my body. With quick, winding serpentine stretches and sinuous sensuality I slithered around in a circle, my mind reeling in astonishment trying to make sense of what was happening. The experience culminated with my body coiling inward then with sudden and intense alacrity striking forward at an unknown and unseen prey. The experience was nothing short of profound yet I had no point of reference to understand the experience. Later through dreams and much research I came to understand that I had been initiated into a system of transcendental healing referenced in the myths and archeological evidence of ancient civilizations around the world. Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong had been birthed through me and with it I began a spiritual odyssey into the mysteries of the universe and a deeper understanding of God/the Divine.

I am sincerely grateful for my own healing and the insights that continue to unfold through my practice of Qigong. As a teacher of Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong, I enjoy helping individuals unlock their innate intuitive, creative energies and empowering others to live with greater joy, vitality and authenticity.

Christina Bjergo is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Shiatsu Japanese Massage Practitioner and founder/facilitator of Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong. Christina has a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in International Affairs. Upon completing her M.A. in Environmental Management, she became an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard spending the majority of her 11 years of public service writing pollution response regulations in D.C. and managed pollution response/investigations throughout Oregon and Washington. A practitioner of Asian Wellness, Christina teaches Qigong to help others connect with Nature for physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Her primary goal is to empower others to live with greater vitality, joy and authenticity. She incorporates dreamwork and shamanic techniques into her classes to help individuals unlock their own intuitive, creative energies. Christina is currently writing a book on Sacred Serpent Spiral Qigong to guide others on their journey to wholeness.

Popularity: 30% [?]

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Reiki I & II – 8 Week Course

Here it is the class many of you have been asking about, Reiki I & II in an extended 8 week format for longer study. I’m so excited about this, it’s a start of a new chapter for me, bringing Reiki and spiritual growth to others.

Here is the announcement at August Moon:

Eight Tuesdays
starting
September 4
7:00-8:30pm

Reiki I & II – 8 Week

Learn Reiki for Spiritual Growth & Helping Others…Reiki means “Universal Life Force Energy”, used as a complementary therapy alongside traditional medical treatments or used as a pathway for greater spiritual growth. Massage therapists and other bodywork professionals benefit greatly by adding Reiki to their usual practice. This class is taught in an extended 8 week format to allow greater time for subject presentation and practice.Learn and become a Reiki I & II Certified Practitioner.

Topics: What is Reiki, History of Reiki, Energy around the Globe (Chi, Qi, Prana, etc), Learn Traditional Buddhist Meditations & Chakra Meditations, What is the Aura?, Receiving Reiki Attunements, Working with Chakras, Scanning the Aura for Imbalances, Traditional Reiki Hand Positions, Reiki Symbols, Breathing Exercises for Ki Cultivation, and much more.

Benefits of Reiki practice: increased intuition, increased energy flow, increased health & awareness, increased empowerment of other energy practices (Qigong, Kundalini Awakening, Tai Chi, Meditation, etc)

Expanded Class Outline: www.beyondzen.org/reiki-training/

Tuition for 8 weeks $80

Contact: Kris Vockler 360-609-1001
laboheme.orchid@gmail.com www.beyondzen.org

August Moon

Vancouver’s Community Center

111 W 39^th Street Vancouver Wa. 98660

Corner of 39^th/Washington (360) 737-MOON

http://www.augustmooncenter.com

Popularity: 19% [?]

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