The First Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks

From Hay House: "Don't ignore intuitive tickles lest they reappear as sledgehammers." That's the first rule of Ten. 

Tenzing Norbu ("Ten" for short)—ex-monk and soon-to-be ex-cop—is a protagonist unique to our times. In The First Rule of Ten, the first installment in a three-book detective series, we meet this spiritual warrior who is singularly equipped, if not occasionally ill-equipped, as he takes on his first case as a private investigator in Los Angeles.

Growing up in a Tibetan Monastery, Ten dreamed of becoming a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. So when he was sent to Los Angeles to teach meditation, he joined the LAPD instead. But as the Buddha says, change is inevitable; and ten years later, everything is about to change—big-time—for Ten. One resignation from the police force, two bullet-wounds, three suspicious deaths, and a beautiful woman later, he quickly learns that whenever he breaks his first rule, mayhem follows.

Set in the modern-day streets and canyons of Los Angeles, The First Rule of Tenis at turns humorous, insightful, and riveting—a gripping mystery as well as a reflective, character-driven story with intriguing life-lessons for us all.

My Review: Buddhist Monk turned Homicide Detective turned Private Investigator. Here begins our relationship with Tenzing, a man who gets shot, quits his job and starts an investigation that takes us on an incredible journey. Throughout the novel we see how he came to live at the monastery, his tepid relationship with his father, why he left the Monk lifestyle to join the force, and how he continues to incorporate his Buddhist teachings into his new life. 

In the beginning, a woman comes to Ten's house, looking for the previous owner. They were lovers, until she left him and joined a spiritual cult. Ten has just left his job the previous day, has no income and is a little disjointed, so he inaccurately reads the situation and turns her away without any information. The next day cops come to his house, and let him know her body was found in the park, strangled to death. Feeling guilty for not helping her out, Ten decides to take on the case himself and give her Spirit peace. He connects with the previous owner to tell him the news and find out more about this woman. In the process, he discovers this case may run much deeper than he originally realized. Mafia connections, insurance fraud, murder and that's just the beginning. 

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is that although it is a "serious" crime novel, the Buddhist teachings spread throughout ensure that it is never dark, never hopeless, never makes you queasy. When Ten quits his job, his partner on the force, Bill, is concerned that he won't be able to survive without money. Ten assures him that the Universe always provides, and you see him go through his own private ceremony, communing with the Buddha, meditation, etc. to bring abundance into his life. Shortly thereafter, a freebie case turns into over $15,000, with three clients paying to essentially solve what becomes one case. It's enough to get him officially set up in his practice and be comfortable for awhile. 

The mystery kept you on your toes; we met a great cast of characters including John D, an elderly man living on a defunct almond farm who "adopts" Ten as his son. Together they do a lot of the investigating and grow extremely close in the process. 

I highly recommend this novel. If you are interested in a great mystery, powerful characters, a bit of Spirituality, and just a tiny speckle of romance, this book is for you. 

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

2012 Intentions

It's that time of year again and I've got some fantastic Intentions set. This week I plan on getting my new Vision Board together and putting together a schedule to keep me on track. I'm really excited about some of the things I have lined up and in continuing some of my Intentions from last year. This year will be about healing and growing. 

1. Make a Plan and Stick With It. I have a plan, and I keep making plans, but then somehow I never get them fully implemented. My goal is to focus on Green Smoothies, Enemas and my Supplements, and continue to add in other aspects of my plan as I create my schedule. This will be a year of healing. I also have some cleanses planned as well. 
2. Get Physical. This is something that I struggled with last year, mostly due to my heart. And while that is still an issue, I believe that I am at a point where gentle exercise can be added. I got a new yoga mat and DVD for Christmas, and so that's where I will start. 
3. Read, read, read. You may have noticed that I joined several reading challenges this year. I used to have a book attached to my hip; I read daily, at dinner, in the evening, doctor's office's, wherever I could. Last year my brain developed a bit of a fog, and I had a hard time focusing on reading. This has improved, and I've already read one book for 2012! My goal is at least 52, a book a week, and the reading challenges will keep me motivated and give me variety. 
4. Write Daily. I will schedule daily writing sessions, whether it's working on my book, my blog, etc. I will write for at least 2 hours daily. 
5. Publish My First Book. I have 100,000 words ready to be edited and turned into a fabulous book on the early years through 2011 of my healing journey. I have purchased a great program to help me in this endevour and fully intend to have a book deal by year's end. 
6. Grow my Blog. By year's end I intend to have over 250 followers, at least 100 on Facebook, steady traffic, etc. You can help me with this by becoming a follower, retweeting posts, liking posts on Facebook and joining my Facebook community. 
7. Meditation and Visualization. These two tools are so important in healing the mind and the body. I have done visualization exercises that have shrunk tumors and healed wounds on my body. There is no excuse not to continue to do this. Meditation is a great tool for creating balance and peace. 
8. Spiritual Growth. I wish to continue on my Spirit Junkie path; I will be re-reading Gabby Bernstein's book, posting about it, and completing the exercises. I also plan on diving into a Course of Miracles, and have already discovered a weekly study group and online social network. I will incorporate prayer into my life and learn to "let go and let God". We are Spiritual beings living in a physical body, and it's time I gave some love to my ~ing. 
9. Travel. My health prevents me from doing anything too wild, but I do still want to travel. One of my 31 Things is to have a Missouri weekend, and I intend to make that happen. I also will do some weekend trips to Columbia to visit friends and am looking into possibly going out to North Carolina and spending time with my grandparents. As I heal, I will expand my possibilities. 
10. Friendships. I really want to focus on developing the friendships I have, and growing new ones. It seems like each year I have people come and go, and so working on those relationships and continuing to put myself out there and create new ones is so important. My friends are what got me through my health battle this past summer, and I want to make sure I keep them!
11. Give up TV. My Time Warner account renews in May, and I'm seriously thinking of giving up  TV.  I only have 5 shows that I watch, 2 of which are ending this season. Anything worth watching I can either Netflix at some point or watch online. I find that TV is just a distraction and I really don't care anymore. There is so much more out there, and why spend $60 on cable per month when I can increase my Netflix and spend $10 or less. 
12. Learn to Knit. This has been on my 31 Things for awhile, and I actually took a class and never got a project started. So something at the first of the year I'm going to either retake the class or simply go to this wonderful local knitting store and get some help. I found an extremely simple scarf pattern for an easy first project, and intend to grow as a knitter. There is also a weekly Meetup group for young knitters, and I think it would simply be a great hobby. 

So there you go. What will your 2012 Intentions be? 

My Spirit Guides

This past week I've been going through old files on my computer and deleting/updating/organizing them to clear some space on my computer. Last year I took Reiki I and II, which you can read about in my post I'm A Reiki Gal Now. Anyway, during one of the meditations, I had this incredible experience where all my animal spirit guide came to visit me one by one. After the meditation I quickly wrote down who I saw, and later looked up what each animal represents. I had save the info, and found it here recently, thought I'd share. Do you know who your Spirit Guides are?

Cat  (general) -- The Great Teacher of Magic and Mystery; the cat lives totally in the moment with a deep psychic and spiritual awareness. Independent and unpredictable, agile of body and mind, a free thinker that meets challenges by perceiving the unseen. (One cannot own a cat; the cat will give and receive love only on its own terms) At home in the dark of the night it is a valuable ally when encountering the supernatural and facing your primal fears.  As the cat’s energy field flows opposite that of humans it has the healing ability to neutralize your negative energies.  (The healing energy cannot be taken from the cat, it is only given as a gift.) The cat teaches that the physical and spiritual worlds are not separate, but one.  In ancient Egypt cats stood guard at the temple gates and throughout history cats have been seen as the protectors of the pathways to the sacred mysteries.  (The Egyptian goddess 'Bastet' takes the form of a cat. The Norse goddess 'Freyja' rides a chariot pulled by two cats)  Note the colors and characteristics of your cat for that shall be mirrored in your life and will help you to understand the mysteries that your cat will reveal.  (The cat's karmic sacrifice is being the victim of “kick the cat".)  Cat Spirit often brings the warning of being the recipient of misdirected anger. 

 Horse  -- Symbol of freedom and of the wind.  No other animal has given Man the freedom of mobility like the horse. The horse gives the promise of speed and adventure. The horse is the symbol of true power and this power should not be used in a negative manner.  Powerful and rebellious, hot blooded and hot headed, horse spirit has power within that is sometimes hard to control.  Needing love and intimacy yet also feeling trapped by it.  Leaving home early yet having a hard time belonging elsewhere. Very self-interested yet its work benefits others. The horse shows many contradictions in character.

 Rabbit -- Receiving hidden teachings and intuitive messages.  Active around dawn and dusk, (the time of the fairies and fauns), they are guides into the mystical shadow world.  (Rabbit is interpreted in different ways in different cultures. In China, it is one of the astrological animals and linked to good fortune and the moon. To the Mayans, Rabbit was the scribe who kept the lunar calendar. In Native American tradition, Rabbit is known as the "Fear Caller", due to it projecting its fear of those wishing to eat it, and thereby attracting the predators it fears.)  Rabbit is known for its ability to procreate and fearful thoughts will procreate (manifest) into what you fear.  Movement by leaps, living by one’s own wits, not getting boxed into a corner.  Take advantage of opportunities that may present themselves only for a brief moment.  Examine the foods you eat and perhaps eat more of a vegetarian diet.  (The Rabbit is a spirit animal that is extremely open to one on one communication and when approached as an equal it will show great wisdom and guidance.)

Dolphin  -- [Do not confuse with the 'Porpoise'] -- Inner sounds that can create outer manifestations.  Living in tune with the patterns and rhythm of nature. Using the power of breathing as an emotional release of anger and pain.  Swimming freely and going along with your  feelings,  [Contrary to its popular "Flipper" image, the dolphin can be aggressive and  violent.  Out of 48 harbor porpoises stranded on the Welsh coast in 2004, 28 animals were found to have died from attacks by bottlenose dolphins.]  

 Snake  (general) -- Universal symbol of the exploration of the mysteries of life.  Because the snake represents the unveiling of the sacred mysteries many repressive belief systems have linked snake to evil ideas. (The legend of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is one example of these repressive systems using the snake as symbol of evil that had to be eradicated.)  The snake is a totem which appears as protection from religious persecution.  Throughout history the snake has been the subject of legends linking it to creation, fertility, transformation and sexuality. The snake is fire medicine, the medicine of transmutation and it is the symbol of transformation and healing. (The image of the snake is found on the "Caduceus", the symbol of medicine.)   The snake must shed its old skin in order to survive, symbolizing death and rebirth.  (The image of a snake swallowing its own tail is a symbol of eternity)  The shedding of the skin is also associated with astral travel and out of body experiences, thus in shedding your skin, the snake symbolically guides you along the path of transformation.  Which is the true meaning of the meeting of the snake with Eve in the Garden of Eden*. Once she had eaten the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, Eve then transmuted the energy of wisdom in a symbolic shedding of her old skin, thus her newly discovered "nakedness". {*Some "Eden" scholars suggest that the snake depicted in the story was actually 'Lilith' , the first wife of Adam, who had rejected the domination of Adam and left Eden, but returned to awaken Eve to the power within her.}  The snake is cosmic consciousness, the ability to experience all things without resistance, and the knowledge that all things are equal in creation. It signals a great transition in life through new opportunities and changes. Native American Totem Animal for "Scorpio"  

 Caterpillar -- Must evolve before assuming adulthood, shedding the old life to accept a new one, the spinner of the metamorphic thread.  The Spirit Keeper of the Sacred Smoke and guardian of the tobacco plant.

*and

Butterfly -- The coming of adulthood, transformation, the rebirth of the soul, too often a need to be noticed and stand out in a crowd.  Symbol of Psyche, the Greek Goddess of the Soul. Life is short, enjoy the journey. Fleeting moments. Transformation. Internal and external change

• The caterpillar develops into the butterfly through a process called metamorphosis. It comes from the Greek words, "meta", meaning beyond, and "morph", meaning form; to signify transformation or change in shape. Metamorphosis is a key element in Greek mythology. This ability to change shape or form is a major development in the stories of Arachne, Zeus, and Daphne. Almost all of the gods had the power of metamorphosis. Christians use the term “born again” to define the process. The spiritual symbolism of metamorphosis is quite obvious and easy to grasp. What is more difficult to grasp, in terms of the animal spirit meaning, is the emphasis on which stage you examine.  The wonder of the end result as seen in the butterfly is the one most focused upon, but the true essence of the transformation lies within the cocoon of the transforming caterpillar.  It is far too easy to be enchanted by the beauty of the butterfly and to ignore the lowly caterpillar. The true call to spiritual metamorphosis comes from the appearance of the caterpillar as spirit animal and the appearance of the butterfly as spirit animal is often a warning not to become seduced by the apparent beauty of the changes into forgetting the reason for undergoing the transformation. The attainment of the metamorphosis is not for the appearances of the physical world, but for the transubstantiation of the spiritual.  If, after you have undergone a seeming transformation, the butterfly should appear as an animal messenger, it may be that you missed the true meaning and purpose of the experience.

 Pegasus  (The Winged Horse) -- Pegasus comes to us from Greek mythology. He was born of the blood of Medusa as she was beheaded by the hero Perseus. Pegasus was concerned with sacred places and guarding them. He is the inspirer of rising above difficulties and teaches the importance of having quick and agile wisdom, as well as humility and knowing one's boundaries.  In modern times, Pegasus is seen as the symbol for the immortality of the soul, and as the carrier and protector that guards the spirit in its journeys into the astral plane. Pegasus is the power of the creative spirit in all of us. Pegasus is the horse of the Muses and in the service of poets. He is the symbol of inspiration, and of the beauty we bring to our life and the lives of others. Pegasus, calls you to create, in music, in poetry, in writing, in art and to share your expressions of beauty.

 Unicorn -- The ability to negate the effects of venom and poisons, the magick to make dreams become reality, connection to the spirits of the forest with its fauns and fairies.  The magick of the unicorn can effect the weather.  ( see: Whale/Narhwhal )  The legend of Zeus and the "horn of plenty" may be the origin of the myth of the Unicorn.

 Fox  -- The Fox is seen as a sacred animal  throughout the world.  The fox is the cunning and stealthy messenger of the gods and the magical guide to the world between time and space often shape shifting on the journey,(sometimes into human form).  The fox lives in the "In-between Time" on the edge of dusk and dawn and can guide the way into the Spiritual Realm.  There are many species of fox, but they all share the cleverness and cunning from which comes the expression, "sly as a fox."  For the fox learning to be invisible is an important skill in life. The fox shows how to develop the arts of camouflage, invisibility, and shape shifting.  The fox teaches how to be unpredictable by mastering the ability of blending unseen into the surroundings.  A creature of the night it is imbued with supernatural powers and is a totem of healing of body, mind and spirit.

Owl -- The owl is ruler of the night and seer of souls. The owl is honored as the keeper of spirits who had passed from one plane to another. Often myth indicates the owl accompanying a spirit to the underworld; winging it's newly freed soul from the physical world into the realm of spirit. Bringer of wisdom, revealer of secrets and omens, intuition and clairvoyance.  Brings clarity and illumination to dreams, (Moon magick). The “night eagle”, seeing and hearing that which others cannot.  Be aware of omens and portents for the owl brings the power to extract secrets from out of the darkness.  Native American Totem Animal for "Sagittarius". ('Lilith', who was the first wife of Adam in the Garden of Eden and in Christian lore was said to be the first witch, is often depicted as appearing in the form of a screech owl or with screech owls as familiars. The owl is also the familiar of goddess 'Athena')

31 Things: #14 Study a Course in Miracles and Attend a Workshop

"Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. They are performed by those who temporarily have more for those who temporarily have less"

"Love will immediately enter into any mind that truly wants it."

"When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him, you will see yourself ... for in him you will find yourself or lose yourself."

"What is healing but the removal of all that stands in the way of knowledge"

"Heaven is not a place or a condition. It is merely an awareness of perfect oneness"

"Seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world"

"Let forgiveness be the substitute for fear. This is the only rule for happy dreams"


One of my goals is to study the Course in Miracles. This past Spring my Mother and I both invested in the book, a massive volume that contains quotes, 365 lessons, a teachers guide, and little extra guidebook summary at the end. This book came out originally in the 70's and it's teachings have spread across the world. The verbage used is Christian, but it is NOT a Christian book. You can replace any mention of God with Universe, Buddha, Goddess, whatever floats your boat. It is the word of Jesus, and the general lesson is everything is love and fear is not real. Simple, but we humans have a way of complicating things. So the quotes and lessons give us something to grab onto. There are groups all over the world that get together and discuss the lessons, as it is a long complex work. We attend a group at Unity Village; however they were just getting ready to wrap for the summer, so we probably made 4-5 visits before they took their break. The meetings we did go to were extremely inspiring. You had "recovering Catholics", a former Baptist minister; we also had some guests that were from India one night that had come to Unity for a special event. I really enjoyed it and hope to go back at some point. The group has restarted and my Mom goes to the Tuesday mid-morning group. They also have an evening one later in the week. There is also an online group at Her Future that I plan on joining. One of my goals for the new year is to restart the lessons and start really going through it. Lessons that really touch me will be blogged about. 


So, this may be ongoing, but as I have done what my original goal is, I'm checking it off the list! Check out my 31 Things: Where I'm At So Far post from November to see the rest of the list. 


 


If you are doing this project, how is it going for you?

 

Guest Post: Rhonda of Awakening Wellness on Activating Your Joy Center

Today's guest is also my wonderful mother. Today she is going to share how to activate the joy center in our lives. Check it out, and don't forget to comment and let us know how you do!


The last few weeks have been tumultuous ones for me as I have been in the midst of a family crisis. In addition I know of several other families that are having their own personal crisis. I believe that the energies that are increasing almost daily now, are bringing the past into the present to be dealt with once and for all.  This could easily turn any situation into a crisis as events we have pushed down into a dark corner are coming out into the light where we can no longer avoid them. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself faced with problems from an unresolved relationship, or the emotional cause of a health issue, or any other fear and unpleasantness you thought you had left behind you. The time has come to stand up to your fears, stare them in the face and announce You No Longer Have Any Power Over Me! Fear like most bullies, will retreat once you stand up to it. Even if everything is wonderful in your life right now (and I sincerely hope it is) most of us can’t help but be effected by all the increasing chaos going on in the world. The vibration of fear is very strong right now and all this fear is making people angry. What we need is to find and anchor in our inner Joy and share the vibration of joy NOT anger with the world. I recently heard through a channeled message of a simple exercise for activating the Joy Center in the brain, and now I am passing that message on to you.
Activate your center of joy…

*First release any guilt about feeling joyful when the world is in chaos (sadness and anger worsens the condition-Joy shifts it for the better)
*Ask for help from your angels, your guides, and your soul.
*Acknowledge the ‘center of joy’ there is an actual, physical Joy spot located close to the center of the brain about 2/3 of the way back from the forehead.
*Imagine flooding your brain with the exhilarating energy of lemon yellow light.
*Allow the yellow light to tickle all your joy receptors. Imagine the light goes like a magnet straight to your joy center (whether you know exactly where it is or not- the light knows!)
*Allow yourself to breathe freely and deeply as you imagine this lemon yellow light Absorbing, Amplifying and then Broadcasting Joy through out your Whole Being.

If you haven’t felt joy in a while, it may take a bit of practice and continued effort to get your joy flowing. Say out loud…I allow joy! I deserve joy! I am joyful!

As you focus on feeling joyful, your vibration will be sending out a crystal clear message that will attract more joy into your life.

Whenever fearful situations come up remember that the vibrations of joy and fear cannot exist at the same time so you have a choice, continue to focus on the fear and bring more fearful situations to you, or focus on joy and attract more joyful things…
Fear or Joy, the choice is yours. 

Rhonda Sandmoen an energy healer in the Kansas City, MO metropolitan area, offers the Oneness Blessing, EFT sessions, Reconnection sessions, and Intuitive Vibrational Therapy sessions that are personalized with a blend of vibrational energies (Fifth Dimensional Healing, Tuning Fork Sound Therapy, Reiki and more) that bring you relief from stress, pain, fatigue, and illness, and facilitate your highest healing. She also offers distance sessions for you and your pets! Go to her website Awakening Wellness to schedule an appointment or sign up for one of her classes.

Relationships As Assignments

I've always realized that people come and go from your life for a reason. Sometimes its difficult to let go; most of the time it's obvious that it's time. Each person is a lesson, someone that teaches us to grow, and I am grateful for that. Recently I've run into a slew of relationship challenges. Long term friendships that may be ending. newer friendships where the original connection is weak; it's been difficult. However, I've also had a newer relationship that has become incredibly strong, amazingly so. This person is a godsend in my life. I have a few other friends that live in other parts of the state/country that I know are lifers. Everything falls together beautifully whenever I see them, and if we ever do have a challenge, it's looked at as a way to grow, rather than separate. I also have started a new friendship that seems promising. It amazes me how life balances out sometimes. I do hope the straggling relationships can be rebuilt, but I know that if not, I gained something from those experiences. I learned to speak up, have more fun, appreciate the differences in people, and for all those lessons and more I am grateful. I am also grateful to the people that float in and out, the ones that comment on blogs, send cards, post kind notes on Facebook, etc. that you really don't have a deep bond with, but these are relationships non-the-less. The waiter at your favorite restaurant is a relationship assignment, as is the girl who rings up your groceries, your neighbor, postal carrier, and everyone you meet, regardless if it's only a moment, or for a lifetime. I feel blessed to have met so many incredible souls, and look forward to continuing to develop those long term relationships and appreciating and letting go of those that move in and out of our lives.

Spirit Junkie Playlist

One of the things on my list to increase my Spirituality and bring joy into my life is to create inspirational and moving music mixes. This is my first one I did last night.

1. Kaleidoscope Heart--Sarah Bareilles
2. Dear God--Sarah McLachlan
3. Living Proof--Cat Power
4. Not a Pretty Girl--Ani DiFranco
5. Let Go--Frou Frou
6. Angels Collide--Amy Correia
7. I Love Myself Today--Bif Naked
8. Get Your Shit Together--Beth Hart
9. Something Like a Hero--Charlotte Martin
10. Man of Golden Words--Mother Love Bone
11. Giddy On Up--Laura Bell Bundy
12. Like a Prayer--Madonna
13. Joyful Girl--Ani DiFranco
14. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor Cover)--Cake
15. I Am Not a Robot--Marina and the Diamonds
16. Defying Gravity--Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith (Wicked)
17. Everything--Lifehouse
18. Don't Rain on My Parade--Barbara Streisand (Funny Girl)
19. Calling the Maker--Aimee Allen
20. Prayer of St. Francis--Sarah McLachlan

 Enjoy! What's on your Spirit Junkie playlist?

My Kripalu Spirit Junkie Adventure

This past weekend I went to a beautiful yoga and health resort in the Berkshires of Massachusetts called Kripalu. I went to see ~ing diva Gabrielle Bernstein. I had applied for a scholarship earlier this summer, and low and behold, they selected me! My seminar and room and board were paid in full, and Gabby even helped with the flight. Now, if you've been following along, just two weeks ago I was told to prepare for hospice care, I could barely move, my body was shutting down, etc. So how on earth did I have the energy to maneuver my way through four airports and a large resort? Willpower baby! Since my Cancer Update post, I've started a new program (which I describe here) that has given me energy, more strength, and better breathing ability. I also knew that I NEEDED this experience. Part of my challenge with healing myself is that there has always been this little piece (ok, so it was GIANT in the beginning) that wants to die. I needed this experience to help motivate me and eliminate that piece. Right before I left, my Mom and her friend Kelly brought over a beautiful shaman named Rainbow Moon who helped me shift that piece. I resisted like crazy at first, but we did some powerful work, learning to connect and identify with the inner spirit self (a major theme to this workshop) and to silence the ego. The persona I created for my Spirit is a cross between Xena Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She's a kick ass courageous warrior goddess who loves life and is a powerful healer. My Ego, computer dork. Who do you think is going to win in a showdown? Shanna Warrior Princess that's who!

So I had this understanding of my ~ing and Ego before going to the workshop. The workshop was called "Spirit Junkie" partially in honor of Gabby's new book out next month. She also recently released a Spirit Junkie meditation album, which has some great, and short, meditations. You can download from her site here. Anyway, I had an amazing weekend. We had orientation with a Q&A on Friday night, workshop most of Saturday, with time for other activities such as yoga, swimming, hiking (none of which I did) for those that could. I spent my free time journaling. Sunday morning we did a lot of group prayer, danced things out, and learned how to pass the lessons on to others. I met so many beautiful people who I hope to develop even stronger relationships with.

Some of the lessons I took from this experience:

1. The ~Ing and the Ego. Learn to recognize when your Ego is giving you shit, feel it, then let your ~ing guide you to a better place. Your Ego is the one that tells you that you can't do something, you are ugly, things are not going to work out, etc. Your ~ing supports your decisions, lets you know what a beautiful person you are. Which voice would you rather listen to? Remember, the computer dork is never going to be stronger than the Warrior Goddess. 
2. De-Special Relationships. Sometimes we make someone more important than us. It could be a boyfriend, your kids, a celebrity. Remember, we are all one, all equal. No one is better than you, and you are not better than anyone else. If you are making someone more special than you, sit down and find out why? Then find that strength in yourself. And realize that we are all human, with human limitations, even the most perfect seeming people have their issues and imperfections. You are a beautiful spirit; don't forget that. 
3. The F-Word. Forgiveness is such an important topic. I blogged about it previously here. I learned this weekend though that forgiveness is an ongoing process. There are always new issues that come up. Gabby has a great forgiveness meditation. I recommend writing a letter to the person or situation you need to forgive. Get nasty, let it all out. Then, finish the letter by forgiving the person/situation. I would then do the Forgiveness meditation from Gabby's Spirit Junkie Meditation CD, and then the Cord-Cutting Meditation. I suggest cord-cutting, because even after forgiving, we can still be "attached" to that person. This cuts any negative binds. Then, I would burn the letter and send the ashes off into the Universe. Forgiveness is the first step in any form of healing and growth. 

Overall, an incredible experience. I am re-motivated to work on my Ego and ~Ing, and now I have a posse of Spirit Junkie ladies to aid me with this. I am grateful to have had this experience and look forward to my continued growth and emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.

The Unmistakable Touch of Grace

A few weeks ago I posted an exercise from this amazing book, Embark on a Spiritual Journey. I explored the roots of Grace in my life, and where I am now. I've been reading this book and continuing the exercises and am amazing at how moved I am by the stories she's shared. This book provides tools on your spiritual journey, stories to inspired, examples of grace and much more.

Cheryl starts by asking us to be open to Grace, and provides a beautiful prayer to remind us to open ourselves. She also encourages us to ask ourselves several questions, including "How might you be blocking grace? What are you doing to control the situation?" As the book continues, she helps us look at the people in our life as "Spiritual Change Agents", a beautiful concept that really moved me. There is also a great tool for asking questions of your higher power, whether it be God, Buddha, The Universe, etc. I personally used this tool to get a guided list of healing tools I would need to completely heal my body.

In addition, she provides a list at the end of each chapter of suggested readings, meditations, etc. I have enjoyed her work, and previously wrote about another book of her's, The Extreme Art of Self-Care. If you are looking to expand your Spiritual life, this is a great book to get started with.

The Unmistakable Touch of Grace: Embark on a Spiritual Journey

I am now open and receptive to the power of grace in my life. I ask to be shown clear examples of how I can face this challenge with courage, wisdom, and strength.

A few weeks ago I began reading Cheryl Richardson's "The Unmistakable Touch of Grace." In this book Richardson shares her experience opening herself to the Universe, moving from depression and an abusive relationship to a place of inner peace, guidance, and love. Each chapter she shares her progression, and provides assignments to the reader to encourage our own exploration of grace. In the second chapter she encourages us to share our Spiritual Journey, thus far, with someone else. This is my story.

From Hinduism to Atheism and Back Again: Or, My Journey to Spiritual Love
My family never went to church, discussed God, faith, or prayed. As a little kid, I attended various church camps or Sunday schools with friends. I always thought it odd that the children never questioned anything and took it all on faith, a concept I struggle with to this day. In third grade some kids on the playground asked me if I believed in God. Eh? I had no idea. I told them I needed to ask my Mom and I'd let them know the next day. My wonderful Mom took it  all in stride, sat me down, and told me that when I was older I would be able to determine what path was right for me. She shared some basics of various world religions and I decided I liked Hinduism. Cow worshipping vegetarians who believe in reincarnation, why not? The next day at school I proudly told the kids I was Hindu. Satisfied that I had a "religion" we ran off to play tether ball. 

 In high school I declared myself an Atheist. I even volunteered to participate in a Q&A for my Sociology class. Classmates asked me ridiculous questions, like, "what will you tell your kids on Easter?". Hello, we're 14, really? Basically I decided that there were a million available religions and how the heck would anyone really know which one was right, so I'd just find out when I died. Atheist and proud, I even wrote a special column for the school paper, just in time for Christmas. Hey, I found it amusing. As I moved into college I realized Agnostic was a more accurate term, because I didn't really know, and atheists are firm that there is no life after death. Satisfied, I really didn't think about it again until a few years ago, when I realized that Spirituality is more than the "life after death question" and doesn't involve following a specific doctrine. It's a connectedness to our inner self and a believe that all life is connected and sharing in this experience. I related my Spiritual beliefs to the "Force" in Star Wars. 

I still don't have all the answers, but I am coming to terms with the fact that I am a physical, emotional and spiritual being, and being healthy involves creating balance in all areas. I am more open to connecting with my spirit guides, reading Oracle Cards, meditation, and recognizing signs that all are all around us. A Course of Miracles states, "When you believe something, you have made it true for you." I believe my journey is just beginning, and that journey is heading towards Universal Love. 

What's your Spiritual Journey story? 

2011 Intentions and 21 Day Adventure Cleanse

I've read several articles debating on the importance of New Year's Resolutions.  This year I've put together a list of "intentions" for the year, things that I feel are doable and will help my continued growth.

• I intend to create a daily practice of yoga, meditation and journaling
• I intend to drink at least one Green Smoothie daily
• I intend to do 35 minutes or more of cardio exercise at least 4 times a week, this includes dog walking, rebounder, etc. 
• I intend to focus on growing my blog this year, including number of followers, investing in SEO program, creating regular posts and updating the look
• I intend to write and publish my first book
• I intend to focus on my Spiritual practice, which could include taking classes at the Rime  Buddhist Center, increasing my meditation practice, Spiritual reading, prayer, and creating my own Sacred Space.
• I intend to start the year with a 21 Day Adventure Cleanse, and do mini-cleanses throughout the year
• I intend to continue to build and grow my friendships and schedule at least one social outing each week
• I intend to attend a Vipssanna meditation retreat as part of my healing and Spiritual growth
• I intend to take a vacation this year, location TBA

Yesterday I started my 21 Day Adventure Cleanse.  Unlike a lot of cleanses, you are encouraged to eat as much as needed to be satisfied, as long as the meals fit the parameter of the diet.  I am abstaining from all coffee, gluten, animal products, and sugar.  The focus is on fresh vegetables and fruits, either raw or steamed, nuts and seeds, rice, and healthy grains.  The cleanse also encourages daily exercise, meditation, and the utilization of detox tools such as the Neti Pot and Dry Skin Brushing.  Once a week there is a fast, only fresh juice, smoothies and tea.  This day of rest allows the body to really eliminate toxins.  I have been journaling my experience and will post recipes and my progress as I continue through the 21 Days.

What are your Intentions for 2011? 

Ego-Trippin' Down Judgement Lane

Oh how fearful and ugly the Ego can be sometimes. As my Reiki cleanse ends (thank the Universe!), I've had some feelings come up that I haven't experience for quite awhile. A few day ago I started researching my 30 Things before my birthday, one of those being "go to a shooting range."  I googled shooting ranges and started doing some research and my Ego started screaming, judging, freaking out. All I could think about is "What was I thinking? Shooting range? Those places are filled with crazy NRA-er's, psychopaths the lot of them! Blech!!!"  After about an hour of this I stood back and just took it in. I was angry, scared, and just horrible. What the heck got into me? My ego, that's what, amplified and going nuts.

A few days later my Dad told me I needed to get started on our 2011 company budget, and we would be meeting with corporate office this week to do some planning. I immediately flashed back to last year, and how angry and disappointed I was with the fella from corporate that "helped" us with last years budget. The guy clearly just wanted to get his job done and make our budget look "pretty" for his superiors, rather than helping us make it accurate and useful, so I ended up redoing a lot of it. The same guy is supposed to be meeting with us again and all I can think of is; I WANT TO MAKE HIM WEEP!! Yes, I want to put on my stilettos, break out my leather whip, and bring this man to his knees. Just thinking of it gives me happy tingles all throughout my body. Where's the love and humanity and gratitude in this emotion? I admit, I used to relish the opportunity to put someone in their place; I enjoyed firing people and have literally made grown men cry. However, that's past Shanna, right?

This is the deal, we do all of this work, this development, but the fact is, that we are still human. We are spiritual beings having a human experience, and that doesn't mean ignoring the darker feelings, or necessarily not having them at all. It just means that as we do this work, focus on gratitude, create love lists, recognize that all living creatures are connected, we may have fewer moments where the Ego takes over, but we do not erase it completely. Also, learning to recognize those feelings when they arise, and rather than ignoring or pushing them down, experience them. Just let the feeling happen, then take a deep breath, do some gratitude statements, and realize that the fear is your Ego talking, not your inner guide.

So how am I dealing with my judgements and power trips? By recognizing them, blessing those NRA ladies and gents, blessing the budget man, and realizing that there is nothing wrong with having different perspectives.  By opening myself to the Universe, I know I will find a peaceful way to experience both situations.  By the way, being peaceful, doesn't mean being a doormat. It simply means going into a situation with openness, but you still have every right to stand up for yourself if the situation calls for it.  But entering a situation with fear and anger will ensure that it turns ugly.

Oracle Cards

Oracle Cards are an ancient method of receiving guidance, clarity, and messages from your Spirit Guides.  I've been utilizing Oracle Card for many years now, on and off, but recently have gotten back into it.  I have five decks created by Doreen Virtue: Magical Mermaids and Dolphins, Magical Unicorns, Healing With the Fairies, Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards and Archangel Oracle Cards.  Recently I also purchased Toni Carmine Salerno's Magdalene Oracle.  Oracle cards are fun to use, and surprisingly accurate.  Sometimes I just pick one card to see what my "message of the day" is, other times I might be drawn to pick 3-4 cards and if I have a major issue, I might do a full reading with several cards.  This week I decided to tackle the same question with all six decks to see what would happen.  I asked what guidance might help me improve my health, career, and relationships.  Many of the decks shared the same messages with me, proving that maybe there is something to this intuition stuff.  Here's what I learned:

1. Detoxification.  Every single deck encouraged me to participate in a detox.  I realized that I've been thinking about scheduling a colonics and getting back into enema's lately, so this just confirmed to me that this is an important issue that needs to be taken care of directly. 

2. Exercise.  Almost all the decks drew a card that suggested I do more exercise.  Triton and I go on walks daily, but I've also wanted to incorporate rebounding and yoga into my daily exercise routine.  Once again, the cards affirmed that this is important to my journey.

3. Let Go, Let God. I had several cards in all the decks that basically indicated that yes, I'm on the correct path, my prayers/affirmations are kicking in, and I need to let go and allow the Universe to provide for me.  I was also reminded to continue to meditate, and believe that I know the answers to my questions. 

4. Transformation.  Many of the cards had this theme running through them.  All the work I've done, physically/emotionally/spiritually has caused me to turn a corner and land on a brighter path.  I'm changing and evolving and getting back in touch with some aspects of myself that I may have waylaid.  The cards encouraged me to enjoy the process, be grateful, and meditate.

5. New Relationships.  The cards told me I was surrounding by love, new relationships were coming, and family relationships were in a healing process.  I was also warned to beware of a new relationship with a person who is a user. 

Other messages received included: Serve Others, Laughter, Let Go of Stress, and Speak Your Truth.

The Dolphins and Mermaids gave me an interesting exercise.  Write down a list of your fears about moving forward, then "drown" those fears by putting the paper into a bucket or large bowl of water.  Then, take a cleansing shower, bath or swim.  The water seals your new way of seeing yourself and reminds you that you are equal to all other children of God.

Do you use Oracle Cards?

Eat Pray Love: Take Your Own Spiritual Journey

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert has had a resurgence of popularity recently due to the release of the Julia Robert's movie based on the book.  This wonderful story is Ms. Gilbert's Spiritual Awakening, her journey to self.  She takes a year and travels to Italy, India and Indonesia, learning important lessons about herself and life on the way.  Elizabeth experiences self confidence and sensuality through her exploration of food.  She meets many supportive friends, learns to forgive, meditate, and the important of supporting others.  She learns to love herself, and in doing so, is able to share her love with another.  An inspiring story, I highly recommend it.  After watching the movie, I started to wonder, "what would my Spiritual adventure entail?"  Of course, life lessons can be learned in any environment, but if given the opportunity to take a year off, where would I go? 

1. Greece.  This beautiful country has always intrigued me.  As a child I loved Greek Mythology and find the history of the country fascinating.  While not vegetarians, the Greek's diet is very vegetarian friendly, providing great dining options.  The country is situated on the ocean, with gorgeous beaches and cliff sides.  I can see myself strolling on the beach, baklava in hand, looking up at the cliff side dwellings.  This would be the beginning of my journey.

2. China. I've been fascinated with Buddhism as of late and China is rich with Buddhist culture.  I would love the opportunity to stay in a temple and learn from the masters.  China is also rich with the arts, mountains and valleys, and incredibly diverse people. 

3. New Zealand.  I've wanted to visit New Zealand for a long time now.  I've had a book idea ticking around the back of my head based in New Zealand; going there would make it a reality.  My dream would be to swim with the Dolphins, what an incredible adventure!  Talk about Spiritual Awakening, dolphins are such open and intuitive creatures, we have much to learn from them.  This country is stunning, friendly, and I imagine somewhere with a lot of great food options.  The perfect ending to my Eat Love Pray adventure.

Where would you go on your Spiritual Adventure?