http://www.spiritualliving.com/ en cathleen@cathleenoconnor.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-02T14:08:07+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/happy-2012/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/happy-2012/#When:13:08:07Z It’s that time of year again when all the promise of dreams lies ahead and resolutions are made for the “you” you want to be in the future.  Yet life is not a process of resolutions; a very real fact that explains why they so rarely come to fruition.  No.  Life is a process of dreams and themes.  If you were to look at different phases of your life you will perhaps begin to notice some themes emerging.  The process of growth means that we evolve and learn in a repetitive way - so an early theme of money-making and career-building might shift over time to themes of motherhood, care-taking and perhaps even creative expression. Themes are different than resolutions because a theme is an overarching concept that guides your daily life.  For this new year, we want to suggest a new ritual.  Instead of resolutions, if you even still do that, we would like you to choose a theme or two for 2012. Here’s an example.  Cathleen’s theme for the last few years has been about simplifying her life.  That has led to a very deliberate process of letting go of clutter, furniture, associations, memberships, debt, projects and even a couple of relationships.  A theme embraces all of who you are. Here’s what to do if you like the theme idea: Sit and think about what might be a worthy theme for you for 2012.  Most likely the first intuitive phrase that comes to mind will be the one most important for you to adopt. Write your theme on a piece of paper and also put it on display somewhere for you to see on a daily basis. Now take the following areas of life:  family, friends, romantic relationship, finances, work, health (mind, body, emotion), spiritual connection and creativity.  For each area write down some changes you can make or action steps you can take to implement your theme in that area. That’s it.  The rest is to live each day with the awareness of your theme.  With that awareness in mind, you can check in as you make decisions about where to spend your energy and time to see if your theme is supported. Last bit is to review your theme at least monthly (better weekly) to see what is shifting in your life.  You recommit to your theme each and every day so embrace it wholeheartedly - with gratitude and joy. Some of you might choose to make “create more balance in my life” as your theme for 2012.  If you do, then think about how to implement that theme across all the dimensions of who you are.  You can do it!  Life isn’t a job of perfection but progress and perseverance.  And each day brings the opportunity to again create what you want and become all that you want to be. We send our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who join us in creating this spiritual community and wish you blessings of joy, love and light for this new year ahead. Elizabeth and Cathleen 2012-01-02T13:08:07+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/how-you-live-your-day/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/how-you-live-your-day/#When:12:06:11Z “How you start your day is how you live your day; and how you live your day is how you live your life.”         ~~~ Louise Hay What an amazingly profound insight by the renown pioneer in the creation and use of affirmations, Louise Hay.  If you are not familiar with her work or the work of Hay House, then you are missing out on some wonderful resources for creating balance in your life. Think about how you start your day.  Do you wake up feeling relaxed or rushed?  Is your attention immediately drawn to family members or what it is you have to do that day?  What is the first thought that runs through your head when you wake up in the morning?  Is it one of anticipation for what lies ahead or one of exhaustion before you even put that first foot on the floor? When you do get up, do you immediately put on the radio or the TV?  Or do you sit for a few minutes with your cup of coffee and take the day in?  Maybe you have your coffee on the run for the train - no time for the pleasantries and necessities of breakfast.  Does your day start hurried or peaceful? One of the keys to balance is to live life in the frame of a day rather than in compartments of work, home, family, money, spiritual connection, friends and self-care.  In the frame of a day all parts of you may be served especially if you learn to start your day in the way you want to live that day as it unfolds. A good spiritual practice is to start your day (each day) with purpose, intention and in the way you want to live that day.  That might mean that you start your day with thoughts of love, gratitude and ease.  Or it might mean that you wake up without the alarm clock and just stay in bed for a moment and affirm to yourself, “This is a beautiful day.”  It might mean that you need to let go of a habit or behavior you have each morning that keeps you from fulfilling the goals you have for your life and adopt a new behavior that aligns with what it is you want to create. Lady Gaga has said that she tries to begin each day with compassionate messages towards herself - another way to say that is that she begins her day with self-love.  Hmmm - she must be a Louise Hay fan.  That is exactly what Louise recommends - that you start each day with loving thoughts towards yourself and extend that love to everyone you will encounter that day. May you live your days, all your days, with greater presence, love and purpose. 2011-11-10T12:06:11+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/duality-and-oneness/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/duality-and-oneness/#When:18:58:32Z Sometimes you might see in the reflection of another, your perfected image - all that you’ve hoped to be, all your potential realized.  Such is the feeling when you fall in love.  Your beloved becomes a radiant mirror to your own light in the world.  In this feeling is the experience of oneness - a merging with another that is profound, deeply nurturing and fulfilling.  It is an experience, however fleeting, of the greater truth of which you are aware - that we are not separate after all - that we are all ONE. And then, as someone said to me recently, reality sets in . It is hard to sustain that beautiful space of oneness as two people become busy again in their lives and the wonderful mirror of your beloved starts to reflect your own fears, self-judgments and the capacity you have to love yourself.  Now the experience is of duality - the deep realization of separation and perhaps even aloneness. There is no way to avoid these experiences of duality and oneness because you, like all of us, live in a plane of existence where the physical reality tells you that you are separate yet the spiritual reality (your true reality of existence) calls you to oneness again and again. So, your spiritual path is to become your own beloved.  Instead of looking for the affirmation of your worthiness from someone else, become the mirror to your own radiance.  You can do this by meditating on your inner light, by creating affirmations that send love to your beautiful heart, by looking deeply into your own eyes and sending messages of acceptance and love.  As you do this just notice how hard or easy it is. Restore your connection to all that is through love of self.  As that relationship heals, your relationship with the Divine grows and deepens. 2011-10-23T18:58:32+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/a-retreat-with-marianne-williamson/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/a-retreat-with-marianne-williamson/#When:14:19:56Z This blog entry is submitted and written by Debra Cerbini who participated in Elizabeth and Cathleen’s Teleseminars following the chapters in Marianne Williamson’s book, A Course in Weight Loss.  Debra had the opportunity to attend an intensive retreat with Marianne in upstate New York in the spring.  Here is her experience.  If you want to contact Debra with any questions or comments, her email is dcerbini@aol.com.  We thank Debra for sharing her experience with all of us - it is quite an inspiration!! The retreat was a wonderful experience packed with yoga, meditation, delicious organic vegetarian food, intense one-on-one sessions with a psychologist specializing in addictions and, of course, Marianne in all her glory. As we discovered when she joined our telesession, Marianne is an amazing inspirational speaker who shares her knowledge and answers questions with intelligence, grace and sensitivity. The talks were directly from the book, emphasizing certain chapters in particular - for example, there was a large altar on the podium and all participants were invited to walk onstage and place their sacred object after explaining its meaning to the group. Some people shared deeply painful and personal stories, childhood dramas & traumas. Grace Gedon, psychotherapist, along with Marianne, attempted to extricate the underlying kernel and encourage the woman to release, reframe or rebirth as necessary. It became clear to me how many of us tend to become our stories and cling to them as excuse or explanation, repeating them over and over ad infinitum. This retreat was an opportunity to release the old story to make way for something new and powerful. Miracles did indeed abound and the 100 women and one man (who actually sat next to me on the last day) were courageous, loving and supportive. One rather poignant moment that stands out was when a woman, short white curly hair and clear blue eyes, stood the first night and shared that her name is Joy but she never felt as if she matched her name. Recently widowed with many family problems, she touched the group deeply and became a symbol - arent we all seeking joy after all? Later in the retreat, a forgiveness ceremony was held during which we were asked to write to three people to release resentment. Most of us chose to forgive ourselves first. The journaled pages were then collected and burned to release these old resentments from our spirits. The group unanimously chose Joy to represent us on the last day to carry the ashes to the river where they were ceremoniously released to the water to be carried away and returned to the land. Only our lighter hearts and clearer energy remained. Needless to say I returned very charged and remain lighter with a positive outlook. It is challenging to focus on self care when back in “real life” with work, family, house, responsibilities, etc. I have learned to respect and appreciate my wins (I quit smoking during our 21 week process and almost totally stopped eating in front of the tv, a habit from childhood). I’ve also learned that I am not my story and am free to release the past and be in the moment, allowing the future to unfold, trusting all will be as meant. Miracles are possible - change occurs step by baby step, opportunities for self-loving choice are always before us. Thank you both for sharing this telecourse with us, and to all who participated: May you feel protected and safe. May you feel contented and pleased. May your physical body support you with strength. May your life unfold smoothly with ease. With much love and many blessings, Debra 2011-07-30T14:19:56+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/the-energy-of-money/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/the-energy-of-money/#When:11:01:47Z One of the messages as I write this post on the first day of July, 2011 is about WAVES OF PROSPERITY.  It’s a new moon day and I have pulled the WAVES OF PROSPERITY card from the Doreen Virtue Mermaids and Dolphins Oracle Deck.  The message is that abundance is all around now and flowing like the waves of the ocean, washing over you with prosperity on all levels.  Whopee!  However, if you’ve been listening to the news lately, it may seem like as a country and individuals we are experiencing anything but.  So what is the spiritual energy behind our current economic woes and how do we move beyond these times of seeming scarcity into the abundance that the Divine has ready for us? The answer lies in the larger meaning of abundance.  Abundance is a state of gratitude and receptivity that attracts opportunity and positive events.  So, this month make your spiritual practice one of opening up to abundant thinking in all areas of life.  Put money worries aside and work with abundance in other areas.  Open up to an abundance of love, an abundance of friendship, an abundance of ideas, an abundance of good times, an abundance of blue water, an abundance of laughter, an abundance of sunshine, an abundance of sleep, an abundance of creativity, an abundance of hugs, an abundance of appreciation, an abundance of joy. If your desire is to become financially abundant, begin to embody the energy of abundance - the financial bit can’t help but come in as you radiate the energy of an abundant being.  As it always is with the spiritual path, become that which you want to see in the world and in your own life - or the simple instruction - as within so without - as above, so below.  Align with the true nature of the universe - it is your true nature as well.  You are not limited in your capacity to feel joy and vibrancy and enthusiasm and compassion and gratitude.  So, this month, make connecting to your true Divine nature your spiritual goal and then wait for the miracles of abundance to begin to flow. Try it.  Experiment and see what happens! Blessings always and in all ways, Cathleen 2011-07-01T11:01:47+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/tragedy-in-japan-what-can-you-do/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/tragedy-in-japan-what-can-you-do/#When:21:36:20Z Lately so many people have expressed their frustration at feeling helpless to assist in the disaster unfolding in Japan.  Couple that with fears of nuclear meltdowns and just the magnitude of the tragedy and to many it feels emotionally overwhelming.  So many people are talking about this being just the beginning in the build-up to 2012 and the long-foretold earth changes of many culture’s oral traditions that it is easy to become fear-based when events such as what is happening now occur. There is a spiritual response to this or any tragedy.  Outside of the assistance you can provide monetarily to contribute to disaster relief wherever crises are found in the world, as a spiritual person you have a profound calling to hold a vision of a healed planet.  From the rebellions happening in the Mideast to wars in the Sudan and natural catastrophes such as the BP oil spill, the hurricane in the US and Haiti, the tsunami that rocked Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, the earthquakes in Chili, New Zealand and now Japan, it is clear we are in a time of great transition for our planet and our global human family. This is the time that the need to ignite the universal heart is at its greatest.  What the planet and each of us most needs is to remember the safe embrace of our divine connection - to the earth, to each other and to source.  So, take time each day, every day, and sit and hold in your mind and heart a vision of a healed Japan, of grieving hearts comforted, of nuclear reactors cooling safely, of an extended human family that grows closer with each passing hour. Here is a prayer to use if you want: Divine Source, Send love and light to your peoples around the world. Heal our hearts and minds and move us from fear to love. Restore mother earth to her rightful place in our hearts. Help us honor all of creation and transform our negativity and darkness with the light of your love. Be with the people of Japan in their time of need and open the hearts of all peoples in compassion and connection. Manifest our vision of a healed planet. Let it be bathed in your light and love. Guide me and direct me so I can best serve the highest good of all during this time. Release me from my fears and fill me with faith that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Bless this planet and her people always. With humble gratitude. Amen 2011-03-16T21:36:20+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/the-celtic-new-year/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/the-celtic-new-year/#When:13:34:56Z Posted by Cathleen O’Connor November 1st was celebrated in ancient times as the start of the new year.  In the celtic traditions the year was divided into two halfs - a season of light and a season of darkness.  It was at the beginning of the season of darkness that the celtic new year began because it was believed in darkness lay the seeds for the harvest that would come in the following season.  If you think of this tradition as a metaphor for your spiritual work, then we are coming into the season (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) where it is time to go within and plant the seeds for what you want to manifest in the year ahead. Take some time this month to really create a clear picture of what it is you want to bring forth in your life.  Think about your health (mental, emotional, physical), your work in the world, your relationships (friends, family, romantic love), your creative self-expression and your connection to divine source.  Make some vision maps in each of these areas and begin the process of germinating the seeds for the future.  The celtic festival of Samhain (prounced sow-in) was a time of reflection, honoring of the ancestors and planting the seeds of manifestation.  Happy visioning! 2010-11-01T13:34:56+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/angels-all-around-us/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/angels-all-around-us/#When:18:02:48Z International Angel Day is Sunday, September 12, 2010 - a celebration around the world of the angelic realm. As I was preparing for the celebration that Elizabeth and I will offer in communion with so many others I was remembering how connected to the angels I was as a small child.  I had a true rapport and ongoing relationship with my Guardian Angel.  I can remember lying in my twin bed, leaving a space next to me so my angel could also lie down and sleep when I was sleeping.  While I didn’t see my angel, I talked to her all the time - to tell her about my day and my little girl dreams and concerns.  My Guardian Angel was a comfort and companion at a time when I needed that most. In a real fit of identification with my angel, I decided that I should cut off half my bangs and give them to her.  This little adventure happened because my mother had shown me a picture of angels in a story book, and, at age three, I noticed that the angels didn’t have bangs.  So, later that day, after everyone had gone to sleep, I took my mother’s craft scissors silently out of the drawer where she kept them, opened the window in the bedroom I shared with my sister and cut part of my bangs off and threw the hair out the window so my angel could catch them. You can imagine my mother’s reaction when she saw me the next morning with zig-zag bangs beyond the repair of any stylist’s skill.  At first she thought my sister who was older had done it as a prank but no.  I patiently explained to her that angels didn’t have bangs so I cut half of mine off to give them to the angels so I could be more like them and they could be more like me.  Try arguing with that logic!! Do you have favorite memories from your childhood of your relationship with the angels?  If so, connect with them again in the spirit of International Angel Day and invite in again that little child’s belief, love and grace.  Just stay away from the scissors! Posted by Cathleen O’Connor 2010-08-26T18:02:48+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/intend-and-intention-by-cathleen-oconnor/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/intend-and-intention-by-cathleen-oconnor/#When:23:21:11Z I intend a bunch of stuff – all the time, in fact. I intend to exercise every day but often don’t. I intend to eat only organic food but still succumb to that occasional Micky D’s. I intend to go to bed at the same time each night to get a really good sleep but often get caught up in some show and then am up way past my target nighty-night goals. Actually, now that I think about it, the stuff I intend to do rarely gets done. So what is it about intending that is different from intention? Like Indiana Jones after the Ark of the Covenant, I set out to discover the subtle shift that happens when I set intentions versus when I just intend. And I think I found the answer. Setting an intention takes focus, clarity and dedicated energy where my intending to do something is often a throw-away thought – one that floats in and then on but never really stays long enough to take root. When I set an intention, however, I usually sit and journal about it a bit, visualize about it a bit, and take the time to see, hear, smell, taste, feel the result as if it were already with me. I honor the process and myself and that makes all the difference. So here are my simple rules for setting intentions and moving out of the intend place into real change: First open the heart to possibility. Often the limitations you and I may experience come from our own beliefs about what is truly possible. If you want to play in the universal amusement park, then it helps to fully open to the infinite potentiality and possibility inherent in every moment. Next open the mind to flexibility. If you’ve always done things the same way and still don’t have what you want, then you may be holding too tightly to how something is supposed to unfold. Remove all expectations and let the universe surprise you. I’ve found that universal wisdom will always come up with more spectacular results than I could ever imagine. Take a few moments to dedicate to the process – just a few – you can fit it in, I promise. In those few moments, write your intention in as positive language as you can muster. Then sit and close your eyes and visualize that intention fulfilled. Really see, hear, taste, smell and sense your life with that intention manifest. Feel happy – happiness raises the vibration so get into your happy place and go with it. When you feel you really have it you are there and sending your intention out to the universe – all wrapped up with a big, bright red bow. Happy Intentions!! 2010-05-19T23:21:11+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/the-final-awakening-by-deborah-at-beingknowingdoing.com/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/the-final-awakening-by-deborah-at-beingknowingdoing.com/#When:21:25:07Z Death—- the last sleep? No the final awakening.~Walter Scott Death as the final awakening? Yes! I love this quote because it sums up everything I’ve come to learn about death.  The WORD death makes most people shutter.  The WORD conveys’an ending’ of some sort, and usually not a good one at that! THIS is what I would like to change in our world! As I know it, death is a BIRTH into something new- ALWAYS.  Death is a transformation of energy. Sometimes that energy is of ‘form’, like when a person’s body dies, or when we simply boil a full pot of water until it evaporates. Yes, I DO recognize there is a major difference between a pot of water evaporating, and a loved one’s passing. The difference comes from what we believe we can recreate. We can not make our loved ones come back into form. We can ALWAYS boil another pot of water.  We are more attached to the things we feel we can not make new again.  We try to keep things status quo in fear of having too much change. By design this halts the entire process of life and living and shuts down the entire system. For example,when a cell of our body refuses to go through its normal death cycle, the cell continues to replicate and it creates a mass.. often times known as cancer. It then goes on to affect the entire system. We grieve deeply for the things that’once were’.. which includes your smaller waistline, your youth, your carefree and fearless attitude, a good time, ..yesterday. However,  we never really enjoy these things in the moment anyway, because we are never really fully present. When we go with the ‘grander’ plan, and come from an understanding that nature has Divine Intelligence and THIS intelligence is precisely what we are made of, we can fully embrace, understand and process the ‘flow’. We can become powerful co creators in the process of our own dying.. or living. Which ever you prefer to call it. Death is all around us AND within us every day. When are YOU going to embrace and LOVE that fact? That is when you are fully integrated into the ‘Divine Flow’. When we embrace death, we are fully present in our life ! Join me on WednesdayMay 5th at 7PM EST when I launch my new and exciting 5 part series on the above topic in a Worldwide Teleconference right here on SpiritualLiving.com!  More details to follow!! 2010-04-07T21:25:07+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/prayer-for-finding-your-life-purpose1/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/prayer-for-finding-your-life-purpose1/#When:17:08:47Z Excerpted from Karen Paolino’s new book The Everything Guide to Angels What does it mean, “living your life purpose”? When you are expressing who you are and doing what you love to do from your authentic self, you are living in purpose. You share with others your gifts, your talents, and what you feel passionate about. When you’re in purpose, you feel good about yourself because you know you’re making a contribution to enhance or help others in some way. Purpose is what brings you joy, happiness, peace, and fulfillment. It’s not living from the expectations of others or doing what you have to do or are supposed to do. When this happens you feel stuck and trapped in a something that’s not who you are. This creates unhappiness, resentment, depression, and stress. PRAYER TO SAY… “Archangel Chamuel, Archangel Michael, Archangel Jehudiel, Gazardiel, and Hasmal, my desire is to know and live from my divine purpose. You know exactly what it is that will bring me happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and joy. Help me to unfold it for myself. Give me the direction, courage, and guidance I need to become one with my divine purpose. Show me the possibilities to live my purpose fully and to create all the abundance I need and desire. Thank you.” Karen Paolino will be offering a Working with Archangel Haniel and Archangel Jeremiel: Enhancing Intuition and Receiving Divine Guidance teleseminar this Thursday, April 8, 2010. She is one of Spiritual Living’s regular presenter and is author of The Everything Guide to Angels and What Would Love Do?, a channeled 40 day journey to transform your fears into miracles of love. She is a Certified Angel Therapy Practitioner, a Hypnotherapist, and is founder of Heaven on Earth, a spiritual center for the soul in Abington, Ma. Karen is a passionate, clairvoyant spiritual counselor who teaches and empowers others to recognize their ability to communicate and connect with the angelic realm. Register for Karen’s Class Find Out More About Karen’s Work Added by Elizabeth Harper 2010-04-05T17:08:47+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/ask-alim/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/ask-alim/#When:01:08:08Z Many years ago, when I was first inspired to “channel” or Inspirationally Speak I would do so in my own home with no one around and no recording equipment. Eventually I was impressed with the idea of writing what came through. Whenever someone wanted to communicate with me in this way I would get a feeling in my throat as if a peanut were stuck in it. Then there would be an almost cobweb like feeling that would cover my face. This was my cue to prepare for a “transmission.” Usually I would write about two pages of information, mostly about earth changes, what to expect in the coming years, and general information about my personal progress. It was really nothing spectacular and I believe what was happening was part of my training as a channel. But, one thing remained the same, I would always off the transmission with the word “ALIM.” I thought this was just another name for Amen. Then one day the entity that would normally transmit messages asked if I would be willing to channel a different entity. What did I have to lose, so I said OK! This entity had a totally different and almost felt like he was coming from a higher dimension. His transmission was about my work with color and how we had, in a previous lifetime, worked together to bring the knowledge of color healing to the masses. He said our work was written about in “The Books of Abraham.” As soon as the transmission was over and I signed off with the usual Alim, I sprung into action and scoured all my books, including the Bible to find this Book of Abraham. I had no luck, so I went to the library - this was long before the computer age, so my only avenue of research was the written word. Still, I did not find anything about this book. A night or two later I was lying in bed and heard some voices that appeared to be coming from another space and time. We had a conversation, but I can’t remember what it was about. I do remember they told me that they came from Arcturus. When the conversation ended I again checked my library and discovered that Arcturus was one of the farthest stars in our universe, but I gleaned very little else. The next day I went to work at a center in London where I gave workshops and consultations. The man who owned the center had just returned from the US. I happened to ask him if he knew anything about Arcturus. He immediately put his hand in his bag and produced a book - We the Arcturians. I was not the first to have a conversation with Arcturians. I devoured the book and toward the end was surprised to find the answer to another question I had. The Acrturians were asked about the second coming of Christ. Their answer surprised me, but not in the way you think. They said the second coming was not a person, it was an energy - Christ Consciousness. They said this has been written about long ago, but that it was no longer available on earth. The book they were talking about was called “THE BOOKS OF ABRAHAM!” When I read this I almost fell off my chair. In the ensuing years I came to understand that Alim was not another word for Amen, it was a name, the name of my main guide. When the Internet became the research tool of choice I “Googled” the name. Alim means Teacher. I don’t believe this is his name. I have never seen him and yet recently our work together has become ground-breaking and innovative and with this I am beginning to glimpse his form. He is a master teacher, he does not give me a name because he doesn’t need to. Names are human. As spirit we are the name of light and love. He chose to be labeled Alim because he is my teacher and it helps me to identify with him in this way. His work with me has been multi-faceted. If you listened to the Opening to the Divine Series or the Spring Cleaning seminar then you will know that he is bringing in new information about the chakras and especially the ascension energy. This is all new to me and I am in awe of how this work is evolving. He has chosen to share this information with the Spiritual Living community, so I feel that my work with Cathleen is of great importance to our development as spirit having a hue-man experience.  Posted by Elizabeth Harper 2010-04-01T01:08:08+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness/#When:19:21:42Z This Sunday Cathleen and I will be offering a FREE teleseminar to welcome in the Spring, and what do we do at spring time? We spring clean! So naturally we are following up the Ostara class with a Spring Cleaning teleseminar later in the week. As the earth awakens in the northern hemisphere, I am mindful of nature’s agreement to communicate significant messages to me, whether it is a mosquito biting me to wake up, or a frog gently prodding me to cleanse. After all everything is an extension of our consciousness. A butterfly can mean transformation and change; an armadillo might reflect barriers and protection; while a rainstorm just at the right moment may signify a need to renew energy. The interpretation of the message wholly depends upon our own personal dictionary of symbolism, where our consciousness is focused, and how open we are to receive the sign. Well, your clutter is a sign too, it could be telling you that an area of your life is stuck. This month be aware of your surroundings, the messages in nature, how the weather reflects your inner world, play with the communication of the clouds, and remain open to the soul-driven interpretation of each sign. Be mindful of what is an extension of your consciousness and what is simply a natural part of your reality. A final note – If you are reading this article you may also need a gentle prod to cleanse. So, here are three suggestions, sign up for the Spring Cleaning teleseminar to get more tips on cleansing. 1. The simplest way to cleanse is to imagine a waterfall of light showering your auric field and personal space. 2. Take a shower or a bath to cleanse energy. Salts, such as Epsom salts are perfect in a bath. You can also use a salt scrub in the shower. Salt is a cleansing agent and is well know in the Craft as a protective agent. 3. Sound is an effective cleanser. Clapping your hands, using bells, chimes, crystal bowls, music, singing, anything that has vibrational potential can change stagnant energy. Posted by Elizabeth Harper 2010-03-16T19:21:42+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/thoughts-for-december/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/thoughts-for-december/#When:23:34:06Z Something feels different about this holiday season to me.  Recently I read that food banks in the area and charities that collect gifts for children in the social services system are reporting a dearth of donations compared to last year. It’s understandable.  It can be hard to give when one’s own resources feel so limited.  Yet, in spite of the problems all around, there is something else that seems to be stirring.  I hear people talking more this year about their connections to family, friends and each other and less about shopping, the hectic flurry of holiday parties and what to wear on New Year’s Eve. We seem to be holding a collective breath waiting to say goodbye to 2009 - a truly challenging year on so many fronts. What’s wonderful though, while we are all waiting to exhale, is that this truly is the season of grace - when small acts of kindness and connection really make a difference - when we reach out to each other with wishes for a brighter future and good fortune in the year ahead.  This year the gift for all of us I think is that gift of grace - that gift of remembering what really matters and how celebrating that never goes out of fashion.  In difficult times, grace is always present, just waiting to be discovered - a precious gift in plain wrapping that soothes the soul.  So, may you be blessed this season with grace, peace and the true joy and love of family and friends.  May you keep your heart open to greet the new year and plant beautiful seeds this winter of hope and desire.  2009-12-30T23:34:06+00:00 http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/a-season-of-gratitude/ http://www.spiritualliving.com/index.php/spirit/blog/a-season-of-gratitude/#When:15:04:04Z The season where we want to cultivate an “attitude of gratitude” is upon us.  And that has me thinking about why gratitude is such an important spiritual concept and practice.  For some time now I have prepared for bed each night with my own gratitude ritual.  I end my day, each day, taking a few moments (or even seconds) to express thanks for all the wonderful people, events, challenges, surprises and mysteries of my life.  And I do this regardless of what has happened that day - whether the news has been good or bad - whether I have felt well or ill - whether dreams have manifested or died - whether I have been a gracious expression of my divine nature or a comic misadventure at play in the world (you’d be amazed at how often THAT happens!).  Most of all I find that my gratitude ritual helps me keep perspective and a sense of humor about my own spiritual unfoldment.  It reminds me always that I remain a work in progress - an unfinished piece of magnificent art, sculpted by an unseen hand committed to revealing the beauty within.  Gratitude turns our attention away from our national obsession with imperfection and back to the divine reality of the present moment.  And, in the present moment, we are always and forever safe, loved, eternal and in perfection.  I think the Divine gift is to see all life as a mosaic of an image ever evolving.  If you can observe the work from just the right distance you can see the total unbroken whole of light and radiance rather than the individual jagged bits of color and shape.  My gratitude ritual reminds me I am part of the brilliant whole and softens the jagged edges of my being, bringing me into harmony with the creative source. So, in this season of gratitude my wish is that you open to the grateful heart within.  As you do, may you receive all the blessings of the season and of each other.  2009-11-15T15:04:04+00:00