Maria Duval - Simplicity, Patience And Compassion: The Three Treasures

Simplicity, Patience And Compassion: The Three Treasures
According to Eastern tradition there are three treasures on the pathway to enlightenment: simplicity, patience and compassion. At first glance, such simple ideas. Yet after contemplation one easily recognizes: it?s these basic thoughts, when woven into our day, that can lead each of us to a contemplative, peaceful and more fulfilling life.

In this short article then, I invite you to take a page from Eastern religion: explore the three treasures and become aware of your relationship to them.

Simplicity
The first treasure: simplicity. Simplicity in thought and action. According to author Thomas Cleary in his translation of Taoist Meditation, simplicity leads the seeker on the Way. Simplicity of thought, he tells us, can often be brought about by silence. And in the silence, we gain personal wisdom. If finding 10 or 20 minutes each day to rest quietly or meditate could bring you closer to peace, would you be more conscientious in devoting this time?

Simplicity of action, however, feels a greater challenge. It involves priorities and discovering what is truly important. Here?s how I personally handle this: When I feel overwhelmed by my ?to-do list? I create a game by challenging myself to let go of everything I can do without. Then, I remove as many things as I can from my list. What I am left with are those items of greatest importance. I devote as much time necessary to completing each task with joy and precision.

Try it now. What can you remove from the task list today that could bring you closer to simplifying your life? What will you place your attention on?

Patience
Treasure number two: patience. Yes, the virtue. And just like simplicity, it is also a challenge to move slowly through tasks until they have been completed or to remain calm when dealing with someone outrageous. I?ve found that we are often mirror images of others and attract to us parts of ourselves. This is important to note as it could manifest positive or negative events, depending on mindset. In this light, Inalya Vanzant reminds us to keep thoughts pure. She tells us to remind ourselves: "I will gain more understanding when I realize... how I interpret what comes at me is a reflection of what is in me." When faced with a situation requiring patience ask yourself: Am I casting a positive image?

In this framework, more of my favorite wisdom comes from author Richard Carlson in his new book: Easier Than You Think. In it he explains, when we are with someone, we should make every effort to pay expert attention to that person. This engages them and often can diffuse a stressful situation by simply making them feel important. With this in mind, the next time you engage in conversation or even a casual chat with someone: ask yourself if you are creating a role model's image.

Compassion
Compassion, the third treasure. I often liken it to empathy. Although we cannot always know directly what it is like to be another, we can value everyone?s need to be heard. Conflict or anger is often a cry for help. We simply need to be aware of our circumstances in effort to create compassion in our lives. We will be called to help others as we become more enlightened vessels of peace. Events will come to us as a reflection of what we need to heal in ourselves.

Thomas Cleary reminds us we should always act in sincerity. In Taoist Meditation he writes: ?to choose what is good and hold onto it firmly is a matter of sincerity.? Compassion, as well, challenges us to define what is most important to us; a reoccurring theme throughout the three treasures. To me, this involves being awake and aware in our lives to see the ways in which we are available to give sincerity and service.

Today, be aware of the ways spirit is working through you. Remember: You are the vessel of peace for others and the world. I believe, the more we become vulnerable to trust and open ourselves to sincerity, the more we can allow compassionate behavior into our lives and become enlightened each and every day.

In Conclusion:
It is my wish these positive ideas enhance your life and bring you peace. Be conscious every day of the messages you are receiving, the people you meet, your experiences. It is amazing the way these simple ideas can enrich your life exponentially. Go forth then, and be aware. Place your attention on the three treasures: in the darkness they will bring you light.

Laura M. Turner is a 15-year veteran fitness instructor, fitness trainer and natural health practitioner. She hosts http://www.body-and-beauty.com a website dedicated to inspiring and educating others about the benefits of creativity, natural health and fitness. Check out Laura's latest book Spiritual Fitness: The 7-Steps to Living Well or subscribe FREE to her online magazine The New Body News and Wellness Letter: http://www.new-body-news.com

Mystical Land, Powerful Journey
Imagine meditating on an active volcano. Mauna Loa, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the most massive mountain on Earth; measured from its base on the seafloor it rises 56,000 (27,000 higher than Everest from the base) and lies over 13,700 above sea level. It was snowing on the peak even as we basked in the sun on the black sandy beaches of Puna, approximately 30 miles south of Hilo. All of Hawaii is beautiful, but I have never been to such an incredible place and wanted to share with you what a SAI retreat was like so you can join us next time. Each morning we were led by Maura Hoffman in an absolutely wonderful yoga workout and then led into a powerful Shaktipat meditation, so by breakfast we were already naturally high as a kite. Late morning and afternoon we would typically go on excursions and meet up again in the late afternoon for Dhyana, getting even higher on the Divine. By the end of the week everyone went to an even deeper level in their meditations and several people had life changing breakthroughs as the Shakti just sets your spirit free. One day we went hiking to beautiful Akaka Falls and then went swimming with sea turtles, another day we went into a lava tube ---the womb of the Volcano--- and sat sauna style as steam vented up into the darkened chamber. Another day we went trance dancing with another retreat group and later danced on the beach to the sounds of a dozen drums beating and the crashing of waves on the beach. We also went to the geo-thermal natural hot tubs, snorkeled about with beautiful fish, ate incredible natural meals, got massages, and had fun activities each night, such as, Kaya Kalpa Anti-Aging Secrets, Tantra, Love Tap's, Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Bliss Sessions. We also just hung out on the beach and got to know each other better. But the height of the trip was walking out to the lava flow. Kilauea extends out the side of Mauna Loa and is still active. We could see the steam from the lava flowing miles away from our totally decked out retreat center Rama Shala. Friday evening we hiked out of Volcano National Park and went within feet of flowing magma (molten rock) as it dropped right into the sea expanding Hawaii's shore line. Maura and I stripped down in the pitch of darkness and swam right out to the middle of the lava flow, within 100 feet of the cascading lava sputtering like a pressure cooker as it met the crashing waves below. The whole ocean reflected the bright orange glow as we bounded in the bubbling waters heated by the lava. For a hundred yards to our left and to our right was red-hot lava flowing into the ocean. Absolutely amazing. I had to tell someone (hope Mom isn't reading this). Go to http://www.selfawareness.com/VideoPhotoGallery.html to see the photos. From the Heart, Steven S. Sadleir

Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization. Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!

Goddess Inspiration
Are you so busy doing, doing, doing that suddenly the hour, day, month, year is gone and everything seems like a blur? Have you ever asked, "Why am I here? There’s got to be more to life than this." I asked those questions. In the hopes of finding some answers, I read books, took classes, meditated, and even became certified in several healing modalities. No matter what I did, something was missing! Some piece in the puzzle of life alluded me. I felt, whatever that missing piece was, it would pull everything together, showing me the entire picture. In the midst of my confusion, I met Monica Garaycochea, the creator, founder and teacher of Goddess Inspiration, a workshop devoted to support women to discover their true self. I asked Monica, "How did you start your journey?" Monica took a breath and started, "It began about fifteen years ago, in Spain, my native country. I was a medical doctor with a successful clinic. I was married to a successful man, had a nice home, a beautiful healthy baby boy, and was well respected in the community. From the "outside" all appeared happy, but the truth was, something was missing "inside". I was deeply unsatisfied. I tried to stay busy by doing, doing, doing, attending to my clinic, my home, baby, husband, friends, but no amount of doing or distractions could keep my world from unraveling. My family and intimate relationship were extremely important to me and these were the first to unravel. My intimate relationship became absolutely painful. I felt like an injured animal, trapped without an escape, alone and vulnerable. To survive, I responded the only way I knew how; I blamed the outside and kept creating more upsets and arguments which led to serious problems. When I look back on this time in my life, I realize I was absolutely empty. I had nothing "real" to give. I tried to cover my emptiness by being demanding. It was hell for me, as well as everybody close to me. This time in my life sadly ended in divorce. However, through the pain of divorce, I felt compelled to look inside myself. Gratefully, I found the courage and the support to face my life and myself. This is when I jumped on my own personal labyrinth to heal and forgive my wounds." Monica took a quiet, reflective moment before continuing. "During this time I discovered many things about myself. The most important discovery being, that I realized I did not know or honor my femininity. What did "being feminine," mean to me? That was a HUGE question. Honestly for me, being feminine meant I was a second class human being, irrational, emotional, uncomfortable, manipulative, seductive and painful. Therefore, I denied my femininity. To fit in and be comfortable in this world, I developed my mind and became very intelligent, capable, practical, rational, successful... Then one day, during a quiet moment, my heart presented these questions. Why did God create both women and men? Why am I a woman? And, what does that mean to me? Today I realize these questions ultimately connected me with my passion for life. Once I accepted that my physical body was not an accident, being in a feminine body became a sacred and divine gift. This beautiful path led me to acknowledge the divine Goddess within - a gift that is within every woman." I asked Monica, "Can I also experience my inner Goddess?" Without hesitation, Monica replied enthusiastically, "Yes!" Immediately I asked, "HOW?!" Monica laughed and said, "The first step is to acknowledge and celebrate the wonder of the feminine body. Have you ever thought about the difference between male and female bodies? The male reproductive organs are very simply on the outside, they are highly visible which relates to the outside. For me, that gives me the understanding of masculine energy as being more outside oriented, more action oriented and more goal oriented. By contrast the female reproductive organs are internal, indicating energy that is more invisible, more inside oriented, more mysterious. The wisdom we can experience by honoring and feeling our womb is very powerful. From our womb, we can "comprehend," even "embrace," the wisdom of conception, pregnancy and delivery of creation. I am not referring to only babies, although having a baby was the biggest miracle I have ever experienced in my life, but I’m talking about any kind of creation: a project, desire, idea, etc.. When we become aware of that inner wisdom, we can more easily embrace the cycle of life: birth and death, night and day, new moon and full moon, light and darkness... To have this understanding, coming from deeply inside, means life is an experience and each moment is magic. You’ll no longer be afraid to live but will feel your connection with the force of LIFE and naturally experience the flow of LIFE." I was confused and asked Monica to explain what she meant by using your womb to experience life. Monica realized this was a new concept for me, so she gently and lovingly continued. "This is not something that can be logically explained to you. It can only be experienced, however, I will do my best to give you an idea. I see the feminine body as a divine tool of communication that helps us learn the lessons of this physical world. This gift is wrapped in the form of a beautiful feminine body and has the ability to awaken the Universal Spirit in and through us, allowing women to experience and expand their divinity and sacredness in a concrete way. What a concept! As we become more aware and intimate with our body, we’ll learn a new language. This new language is the essence of femininity, it will be awakened and developed during the Goddess Inspiration workshops using various playful methods such as dance, visualizations, body expression exercises and ceremonies. I see the feminine organs as representing the Universal Womb where all creation begins. Our womb and the miracle of the menstrual cycle allow women to experience a level of receptiveness that goes beyond mental thoughts because it’s magic, it’s unpredictable, it’s patient, it’s peaceful, it’s quiet, it’s unconditional and absolutely pure potential." I was curious and wanted to know more. "What is your vision for Goddess Inspiration?" Monica said, "My vision for Goddess Inspiration is to encourage all women on earth to recognize and honor their sacredness and experience their divinity. The picture by Sir Edward Burnes-Jones, "The Mirror of Venus" (on the front page), exemplifies my vision for the workshop. The workshop is for women only and provides an opportunity to look at our true, inner self with the safety of sisterhood of other women." I was intrigued! So, I asked Monica to tell me more about the philosophy of Goddess Inspiration. Monica explained, "Goddess Inspiration provides the opportunity to heal the wounds created by the belief that our spirituality, our divinity is separate from our matter, our body, our physical world. It is NOT separate! Doubting your direct connection to "DIVINITY" prevents you from truly knowing and feeling love because this perception of separateness will be perpetuated in your world. With this idea of separation, we can not find peace. We might be afraid, fight, judge each other, or compete. We can relate to the world from our sacredness and divinity or from fear, judgment and thoughts of separation. The choice is ours! However, if we have the courage to find our roots in this physical body and understand how this physical world works, there is an opportunity to enlighten ourselves, which will support the enlightenment of the world. Through Goddess Inspiration we can realize everyone enjoys the benefits of both masculine and feminine aspects in their BEING-ness. Goddess Inspiration acknowledges both of these aspects, but concentrates on the feminine. The masculine virtues are well developed while the feminine virtues need to be re-awakened and developed so we can create more of a balance or harmony within our personality. Imagine a world with action that honors the heart, the soul and the mysteries of life." I asked, "How will you bring these gifts of the feminine into our consciousness?" Monica replied, "I use the myths of ancient Goddesses, hence, the name Goddess Inspiration. I chose the ancient Goddesses because of the similarities between our societal values, both being a patriarchal civilization. Why do I use myths? Mythological stories have a powerful way of using parables to explain life experiences. Each Goddess that we explore will exemplify an aspect of our personality. As we identify with the individual Goddesses and their unique personalities, we will begin to understand and embrace who we truly are. We’ll celebrate our uniqueness, while understanding and embracing the similarities. The archetypes or personalities of the ancient Goddesses are universal. We all experience the different Goddess archetypes during various stages of our life. An archetype is an inner force that has a pattern of behavior requiring you to act in a specific, concrete manner. An archetype, once activated, is very powerful. If you are unaware of the archetype, then chances are you will become a victim of that archetype. The good news is that through this workshop you can become aware of the various archetypes. So, instead of becoming a victim, you can experience and learn how to call up the archetypes and use them as support when needed." I asked Monica if knowing the different Goddess archetypes help us to only understand ourselves better or if it will help us relate better to other women in our life. Monica said, "Of course! Knowing the archetypes help you learn and understand yourself more as well as definitely help you to understand and relate to other women. With this worldly understanding you’ll be able to honor and respect all women in their own life pattern. You will no longer have the tendency to judge other women, instead you’ll accept, acknowledge, support, even celebrate their path." I asked Monica to show me how this might look, so she said, "Okay, let’s play!" Using our imagination, Monica guided me on a fantasy trip to a wedding. In a flash, our surroundings change and to my surprise we are sitting in the choir loft of a beautiful church. From this vantage point, we see the entire church filled with guests. All eyes are on the bride and groom as they exchange their wedding vows. We focus our attention on the bride. She is absolutely radiant as she says, "I DO." Soon the couple kisses, sealing their vows. The bride looks into the eyes of her new husband, and we feel her deep connection and commitment to him. Smiling, the couple turns to their guests and the minister announces, "It is my great pleasure to introduce Mr and Mrs Alvin Maker". The bride slips her arm over her husband’s and feeling very proud, almost superior to her unmarried friends, walks like a queen slowly down the aisle. With this observation, Monica points out this bride is a Hera, the Goddess of Marriage and Commitment. For a Hera, being a wife is the most important role in her life. We follow the couple to the reception that was being held in an outdoor garden. Monica chooses a branch in one of the trees where we comfortably Goddess watch. It is gorgeous! The flowers were in bloom and a breeze carries the sweet fragrance of summer. Trees provide shade and coolness on this summer afternoon. There is a very festive atmosphere. Our attention is drawn to a female guest who is serving food to several children. She is warm and tender, always looking around, checking to see if anybody needs anything. She is smiling and enjoying herself while assisting others. Monica explained she is an excellent example of a Demeter, the abundant Goddess Mother. Demeter experiences life as a "caretaker", mother and general nurturer as the most important role in her life. From the branch of the tree, we spot a woman who looks distraught. Slowly, a younger woman approaches. She is dressed in a flowing pastel blue, flower print dress with flowers in her hair. She looks so innocent, almost naive. We feel she can sense the pain of this troubled woman. She glances around the reception until she makes eye contact with an older woman, her mother. She seeks an approving nod before starting up a conversation with this distraught woman. With the mother’s approval, the young woman sits next to the woman and starts up a conversation, offering comfort and a reassuring hug. Monica smiles and says, “this young woman is Persephone, a very sensitive and intuitive Goddess. She experiences life beyond the physical world. We hear a noise and look around. There’s a commotion coming from the area near the fountain. We notice many guests are agitated and leaving the area. That’s when we see two dogs fighting. From out of the group, a woman moves quickly and decisively to separate the dogs. She has an air of confidence with the animals and the animals respond to her gentleness and confident demeanor. While petting and calming the dogs, she checks the dogs for injuries. Soon, the two dogs that were fighting just moments ago are playing nicely and go merrily on their way. We are curious about this woman so we take a closer look. She looks a little out of place for a wedding. She has a style all her own. Her dress is very casual and comfortable. She’s not wearing any make-up and even though her hair is going gray, she does nothing to hide it. When she returns to her girlfriends to finish their conversation, a man approaches but soon leaves. The emotional discussion about woman’s rights and the protection of children made him uncomfortable. Monica explains she represents Artemis. Goddess Artemis is passionate about protecting the female sisterhood and the rights of women, children and all the creatures of earth. The reception is alive with joy, laughter and music. Many guests are dancing. Our attention is drawn to a group, who is purposely standing apart from the party. A woman standing in the middle of this group catches our attention. She was a tall woman wearing a classic style, cream-colored skirt suit. Her hair is stylishly cut. She actually looks too "perfect," as though she walked off the cover of some magazine. She seems very self-assured and is participating in a lively discussion. She is the only woman standing among several men and appears very comfortable in this situation. Our attention focuses on the conversation and we are surprised by her expertise, mixed with practicality. She is offering many strategies and tips on how to be successful in business, explaining how she climbed the corporate ladder to become VP. We are so engrossed in this conversation, we almost fall out of the tree. Monica smiles and says, "It’s obvious that Athena is in her element and enjoying herself." Goddess Athena is an intellectual who is very career and success driven. As we regain our balance in the tree, we notice a new couple is just arriving. The man is well dressed and his wife has an outfit that coordinates. They look great together. She is draped on his arm, there is no doubt they are a couple. She leaves her husband to get him a drink and a plate of food, serving him before she gets herself food. At the food table, she starts talking to someone that looks like an important man. Taking the man’s arm, she leads him over to her husband and involves them in a conversation. Monica mentions this behavior is typical of a Hera, supporting her husband to be powerful and important. Mid-sentence the men go quiet. Suddenly Hera’s demeanor changes as her eyes move in the direction of her husband’s fascination. She notices a woman dancing provocatively and sensually. She inserts her arm under her husband’s elbow and moves in close, almost in a protective stance. She is jealous. Monica exclaims, “I know that feeling!” We could not miss this other woman, she was wearing a form fitting red dress and she obviously takes great care with her make-up and hair. She exudes confidence, both in the way she looks and in the movement of her body. She flows with the rhythm of the music. She is more than beautiful, she is in love with her experience and everybody is naturally drawn to look at her. She is aware of people looking at her, but it does not disturb or distract her, she is pure innocence in the experience. She is the embodiment of passion and the man she is dancing with is captivated by this display as we are. We are so entranced by this display we lose all track of time. I have to shake Monica from her trance. "Hey, who is this Goddess?" Monica responds that she is Aphrodite, the Goddess of Sensuality and Love. It is very easy to lose all sense of time with this Goddess. She enjoys beauty, for beauty’s sake, just because. Goddess Aphrodite can inspire us to be "ONE," to be "IN LOVE" with ourselves, spirit, another person, a project, or life in general. Monica asked me, "How would you like to experience and enjoy all these Goddesses?" My response was, "Is that really possible?" Monica smiled and said, "Yes, that’s the gift that is within every woman." I enthusiastically replied... "WHERE DO I SIGN UP?” Goddess InspirationTM, Encounters with Your Inner Woman AS WOMEN, we are asked to be so many things to ourselves and others. We are mothers, sisters, bosses, lovers, wives, designers, and chauffeurs. If we are so in charge of our lives, then why is it so many women feel more lost and out of control than ever? We extend and expand, giving of ourselves until our storehouses of empathy and wells of compassion have run dry. As May Day arrives to reminder us of our feminine roots, take a personal inventory. As the earth warms and awakens ask yourself, what do I desire for my life? Perhaps you would like to be more fulfilled in relationships with your partner or family, your body or Self. Have you resolved to show up more fully in your life? Are you ready to relinquish the old and embrace the Now? Over the last five years I have seen my life propelled in the direction I have long desired as a result of working with Dr. Mónica Garaycoechea . I am continually renewed with a sense of curiosity for life. Even on a bad hair day I find myself wondering, "What's next? What's new for me?" I have gained the tools to move into the life that I have always wanted. How does honoring our connection to the Divine Feminine manifest such profound results?

For more information, please visit http://www.creativequestions.com

Choosing your career? Listen to yourself
Ever been called to lunch and refused it or postponed it because you had a late breakfast and were not hungry? Ever seen people cajoled into marriage, even if they were not ready, because it was time for them? In short, have you ever, when told it was time, felt otherwise?

Some people choose the evening snack over the lunch. Many choose to remain unmarried if they realise they can’t do justice to the bond. What do you think separates these people, however moderately, from the great majority who live by the book?

It is the realisation that there are more tracks than one to choose from. Nobody’s life is predetermined. There are a thousand different ways to go in at any point in your life. And cliche as it may sound; you ARE in charge of your life.

Career paths are usually laid out in order of merit. The best on top and the less promising below. Sadly, this numbered list is so off the mark, even with the basics, that it serves no useful purpose whatsoever in the long run. The average clueless student (and I mean clueless in a good way) is asked to choose from a given number of careers. These inevitably, are the most popular ones.

The shortsighted ones will tell you that there is no hope beyond what lies before you now. They will also tell you how foolish you are to even consider the possibility that you can be different. You will find it difficult to resist their words, because they have, over time, convinced you that being stubborn is bad. That being different is just not done.

The math of it is simple actually. The world works like a machine. People are cogs. It is easy to be a cog. You move with the other cogs, which move with the others. There is very little you can decide, if you want to decide at all. The machine conditions the brains out of you and soon you are happy to be a cog, unable and unwilling to look beyond a cog’s existence. In time, you will even recommend a cog’s life to others.

I am not saying cogs are not important. I am saying you don’t have to be one just because everyone you know is one. Not if you can be something else. Something you will be happier as. Something you can do that no one else can.

You can start by assigning the list of careers to trash. Realise that there is only one list. And that list is inside you. It is made up of all the things you can do and want to do. Maybe you can do more than one thing. Maybe it’s something nobody would bother doing. Maybe it’s something nobody has ever done. It wouldn’t matter, because the answer, unlike the so many disembodied voices you grew up hearing, would come from within yourself.

It is time when you decide it is time. Not yet? That’s just fine. Hone yourself if you have to. Learn more, unlearn a few things. Get back that stubborn streak you were caned and conditioned out of. That’s the way!

With all due respect to the cogs, in time, you will run the machine.

Vijayendra Mohanty is a freelance writer from India who blogs stories and essays at MYPAJAMA.COM. Much of his fiction is set against the rich backdrop of Indian mythology and folklore. He is currently writing his first book.

Witchcraft Supplies You'll Need
Crystals/Stones

Each rock (whether it is a crystal or not) has a higher or lower density vibration. This makes certain rocks (crystals & stones) powerful collectors of Magick energy.

Whenever you are in a situation where you are about to buy stones or crystals, it is important to physically touch different ones before buying them. It helps to close your eyes and really “feel” the stone �" concentrate on how the stone resonates with you, and select the ones that are special.

Here I list the most commonly used stones that will help you with your Magick work (along with their Magick properties):

Amber �" changes negative energy into positive energy; protection
Amethyst �" courage, psychic energies, dreams, healing addictions (especially alcohol), peace, happiness, love; opens crown chakra
Apache’s Tear �" protection, luck
Aventurine �" money, luck, mental agility, visual acuity, peace, healing; opens heart chakra
Azurite �" psychic energy, dreams, divination (the art of looking into the future), healing, concentration, transformation
Bloodstone �" courage, strength, victory, wealth, self-confidence, success in business and legal affairs; stops bleeding; helps regulate the first four chakras
Carnelian �" courage, sexual energy, verbal skill, peace; alleviates jealousy, apathy, fear, and rage
Chrysocolla �" wisdom, peace, love, communication, vitality
Citrine �" psychic powers, protection, creativity, sexual energy; deflects nightmares
Clear quartz �" intensifies energy (both positive and negative)
Coral �" protection from evil; resolves conflicts
Diamond �" courage strength, healing, protection, spirituality, mental and sexual abilities
Dolomite �" relieves sorrow
Emerald �" prosperity, mental and psychic abilities, dreams, meditation, visual acuity, love, peace, balance; opens the heart chakra
Fluorite �" balances and stabilizes relationships
Garnet �" strength, physical energy, healing, protection, purification, compassion; opens the root and crown chakras
Geode �" fertility, childbirth, meditation, freedom of spirit, psychic abilities, dreams, astral travel
Hematite �" grounding, calming, healing, divination, intuition, physical strength; aids restful sleep
Herkimer Diamond �" enhances psychic abilities and clairvoyance
Jade- healing, protection, wisdom, prosperity, love, long life, fertility, courage, peace
Jasper- healing, protection, health, beauty, energy
Jet- protection, hex breaking; dispels fear
Lapis Lazuli �" courage, joy, love, fidelity, psychic abilities, protection, healing, beauty, prosperity
Lepidolite �" peace, spirituality, psychic, strength, luck, protection, psychic abilities, emotional balance; deflects nightmares
Lodestone �" cleanses crystals and aligns their energies, balances the chakras, removes obstacles
Malachite �" power, energy, protection, love, peace, success in business, vision quests, gardening
Marble �" protection, dream recall, meditation
Meteorite �" enhances work with spiritual and celestial beings
Moonstone �" grounding, love, divination, sleep, gardening, protection, youth, harmony, peace, magick, travel
Obsidian �" grounding, divination, protection; deflects negativity
Onyx �" emotional balance, self-control (especially in sexual matters), binding, protection (especially against someone else’s magick), strength
Opal �" beauty, prosperity, luck, power, psychic abilities, visual acuity, emotional balance
Pearl �" manifests truth, peace, and serenity
Peridot �" protection, prosperity, sleep, health, emotional balance, intuition
Rose Quartz �" love, peace, happiness, healing (especially of the emotions)
Ruby �" prosperity, power, courage, integrity, joy; deflects nightmares
Sapphire �" psychic abilities, inspiration, love, meditation, peace, healing, power, prosperity, protection
Smokey Quartz �" healing, directing and absorbing energy, altered states; dissolves negative energy
Sodalite �" healing, meditation, wisdom, calm, grounding, stress reducer
Sunstone �" protection, energy, health, passion, sexuality
Tiger’s Eye �" courage, prosperity, protection, energy, luck, judgment and common sense, honesty, divination; eases depression
Tourmaline �" love, friendship, prosperity, business, peace, sleep, energy, courage, protection, inspiration; opens the third eye center, or the sixth chakra
Turquoise �" courage, protection, prosperity, luck, friendship, healing, communication, happiness, emotional balance, astral travel; strengthens all the chakras
Zircon �" protection (especially from theft), beauty, love, peace, sexual energy, healing, mental alertness, emotional balance



Herbs

Herbs also bring unique Magick energies to the table when doing spell work. Not only do we Witches use them for spells, but herbs are also becoming more popular to treat health ailments throughout the world.

Before ever ingesting herbs (for any reason), it is important to consult with a doctor or herbologist who can make sure that nothing you drink or eat will be harmful.

In your Magick you will usually ground herbs into fine powders, or stuff poppets with herbs that will release the energies you are looking for to bring about the best spell results.

Here is a listing of the herbs with their Magick properties:

Acacia �" Protection, psychic powers
Allspice �" Money, luck, healing
Almond �" Money, prosperity, wisdom
Amber �" For stability, self-confidence, and peace
Ambergris �" To awaken love and emotion
Angelica Root �" Used for protection and exorcism and to cause visions
Anise �" Protection, purification, youth
Apple Blossom �" For love and friendship
Balm of Gilead �" Attract new love, mend broken heart, protection, healing
Bayberry �" Money, good luck, peace, harmony, well-being
Benzoin �" Purification, prosperity
Bergamot �" Money, hex-breaking
Blessed Thistle �" For purification and protection from evil, used in hex-breaking spells
Buckeye �" Carry to attract money and to ward off aches and pains
Camphor �" To awaken past life memories, stimulates psychic awareness
Carnation �" Protection, strength, healing, vitality
Catnip �" Creates a psychic bond with cats, attracts good spirits, love and luck
Cedar �" Healing, courage, purification, protection, money, hex-breaking
Chamomile �" For sleep and meditation, and to attract money
Cherry �" Divination, love
Cinnamon �" Lust, love, success, power, psychic awareness, healing, protection
Clove �" Money, love, lust, exorcism, protection
Clover �" Protection, money, love, fidelity, success, exorcism
Coltsfoot �" Draws peace and tranquility, promotes visions, also used in spells involving animals
Comfrey �" For safety during travel and to draw money
Cyclemen �" To draw love and truth
Cypress �" For comfort and solace, to ease feelings of loss
Damiana �" Used for lust and love
Dragon's Blood �" Power amplifier, protection, love, banishing, potency
Eucalyptus �" Healing, protection
Five Finger Grass (cinquefoil) �" Protection, prophetic dreams, wisdom, and success in court cases
Frankincense �" Spirituality, protection, exorcism, consecration
Galangal �" For courage, strength, and for avoiding legal problems
Gardenia �" Love, peace, healing, spirituality
Geranium �" For fertility, health and love
Ginger �" Success, power, money, love
Ginseng �" For attracting love, luck and health
Gota Kola �" Meditation
Heliotrope �" To attract money and gain power
Hemlock �" To induce astral projection, to purify magickal knives or swords
Hibiscus �" For love, lust, divination
Honeysuckle �" Money drawing, psychic awareness, memory, healing, power, honesty
Hops �" Healing, sleep
Hyacinth �" For love and protection
Hyssop �" Purification, protection
Jasmine �" Love, prophetic dreams, money, sleep, love, healing, health, meditation
John the Conqueror �" Money, love, happiness, hex breaking, protection
Juniper Berries �" Protection, health, increases psychic powers
Lavender �" Chastity, love, peace, happiness, clairvoyance, longevity, sleep, protection
Lemon �" Longevity, purification, love, friendship
Lemongrass �" For lust, psychic powers and to repel snakes
Lilac �" Protection, banishing
Lily of the Valley �" For peace, harmony and love
Lotus �" Spirituality, love, protection
Magnolia �" Peace, nature spells, hair growth
Mandrake �" For protection, fertility, money and love
Marigold �" Protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters, psychic powers
Mistletoe �" Protection, love, fertility, health, exorcism
Mugwort �" Strength, psychic powers, healing, astral projection
Musk �" Courage, fertility, lust
Myrrh �" Spirituality, healing, protection, exorcism, transformation, consecration
Narcissus �" For peace and harmony
Nutmeg �" Fidelity, luck, money, health
Orange �" Divination, love, luck, money
Orange Blossom �" For beauty, love
Orris �" For love
Passion Flower �" Peace, sleep, friendship
Patchouli �" Fertility, lust, money, protection, divination
Pennyroyal �" For strength, protection, peace
Peppermint �" Love, psychic awareness, lust, mental stimulant, energy
Pine �" Healing, protection, exorcism, fertility, money
Plumeria �" For love
Primrose �" For protection and love
Rose �" Love, beauty, psychic powers, divination, healing, luck, protection
Rose Geranium �" Protection, fertility, love, health
Rosemary �" Mental powers, youth, protection, love, lust, purification, sleep, exorcism
Rue �" Healing, mental powers, protection, love
Sage �" Wisdom, animal guides, wishes, immortality
Sandalwood �" Spirituality, protection, wishes, healing, exorcism
Sassafras �" Health and money
Spearmint �" Healing, love, mental powers
Spikenard �" For good luck, fidelity, and health
Strawberry �" Love, luck and beauty
Sweet Pea �" For friendship, courage and strength
Tangerine �" Psychic powers, mental powers
Tea Tree �" Healing, anti-fungal
Tonka Beans �" Love, money, courage, wishes
Vanilla �" Magickal powers, mental powers, love, lust, rejuvenation
Vervain �" Love, protection, purification, peace, money, youth, healing
Vetivert �" Hex breaking, peace, luck, love, protection, exorcism
Violet �" Animal guide work, wishes, peace, love, luck, lust, protection
Witches Grass �" Happiness, lust, love, exorcism
Wormwood �" Psychic powers, calling spirits, protection, love
Yarrow Flowers �" Courage, love, psychic powers, exorcism
Yerba Santa �" Beauty, healing, psychic powers, protection
Ylang Ylang �" Love, lust, peace

Rose has been practicing different forms of Witchcraft for over 27 years. For more information on witchcraft supply visit her site The Ask Rose Ariadne Witchcraft Site"

5. The Importance Of Being Grounded (2)
- Do you know what it feels like to be grounded? - Do you know how you can achieve better grounding in your life? I remember that, although I was meditating for quite a long time already, I had difficulties in feeling what it was to be grounded and to me it was very helpful to work with the meditation technique that I am going to tell you about: My teacher and mentor Christopher Beaver (Telluride-CO) taught me that: “Each individual possesses a natural rhythm that is as unique as their fingerprints or DNA. Staying connected to Mother Earth creates a change in your own personal energy field, so that you can re-align to a more natural way of being.” I have experienced that by becoming grounded you take the first step in evolving your consciousness towards change. Please be aware that these self motivation tips are the key to change and growth. Therefore I recommend you to practice this self motivation exercise in order to obtain the necessary self motivation skills. To achieve better grounding in your life, I share this meditation with you. I am convinced that it will be of great help to you too: 1. Find a quiet place and sit, either in the Lotus posture, or in a chair with your back straight and both your feet on the ground, your hands resting on your thighs with the palms up. (This helps you to be open) 2. Close your eyes and breath, while your jaws are unlocked and your tongue touches the back of your lower front teeth. 3. Take 3 slow deep breaths to let your body know that you are going into meditation. 4. Start breathing-in through your nose and- out through your mouth and open yourself to receive Mother Earth’s energy. Feel this energy surround you like loving arms, sending you nurturing and unconditional acceptance. 5. Feel an imaginary cord opening up underneath your body and visualize it to roll out to the centre of the earth. 6. A red colored grounding energy enters your body at the base of your spine. Let it flow into your pelvis and the lower part of your body. Then direct it up the back of your spine and let it go up to the top of your head, after which you let it flow down the front of your spine. 7. Keep breathing-in through your nose and- out through your mouth, while you feel this energy moving up and down your spine and into the lower part of your body. This meditation will truly help you to: - feel connected to the Earth - balance - create a deep inner peace - become stress-resistant - feel energized - bring you to your deepest internal information - feel what you REALLY want So, give yourself a gift, take action and repeat this exercise for 20 minutes every day.

Ab van Deemter (http://www.passiontogrow.com) is a Personal Growth specialist and a spiritual person, who believes in sharing his knowledge of personal perseverance. He has studied metaphysics and other holistic methods for many years and embarked on a life of success. With successful tools for personal freedom he has made it past a life full of obstacles and now mentors and teaches business owners, their staff, his own employees, as well as a large group of private individuals.

Minor and Major Tarot Cards
Tarot card nowadays have turn to divination and part already of psychic form of reading with regards on the meaning of every tarot cards that signifies every personality of people who wants to know their tarot card. Almost lot of people want to know about reading tarot cards. Finding an absolute tarot card reading instructions are very difficult. That's why, we are only rely on what does a tarot reader published the meaning of those tarot cards. Through this published meaning of every cards either minor or major cards, it really helps us to know what does a tarot card signifies on our personality and life from past up to the future. Tarot cards are compose of 78 cards in a tarot deck. It was made up of 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana and the fool. The fool represent the 0 number and the major arcana represent the numbers I-XXI. And the minor arcana are composed of 4 aces, 4, kings, 4 Queens, 4 knights and the cards numbered from 2 to 10. Tarot cards according to many people, it was originated from different countries which the dominant tarot cards symbols are in traditional Italian card which composed of swords batons, coins, and cups. As we continue learning about the deck of Tarot cards, major arcana cards are mostly symbolize the large issues of our life. Its either the issue in our inner or maybe in our outer world. Accompanied with major cards are the minor arcana cards which describe how the individual reacts to any given circumstances that appeared on the sets of cards. This are pertains to their own personality, upbringing and current lifestyle. To forecast the meaning of every symbols of minor cards, here the brief divination definition of these symbols: Batons rule fire, it rules our ability to experience joy, passion, and sexuality which rules our creativity, personal nature, physical activity, color, and connection of people to plants and animals. Next is the swords that rules air. In this symbol, it rules our mental state and describe our capacity for logical thoughts. It was emphasize also that swords rule truth, honesty, and integrity. Another one is the Cups that rule water. This rules our emotions and our ability to emotionally bonded with others in the form of warm and meaningful relationships at many levels. And the Coins that rule earth. In physical level, it is our physical body which required us to keep us alive. This symbol symbolizes wealth and wisdom. Usually we used our wisdom or intellectual mind in order to gain wealth which tend to give us our needs and wants like foods, clothes, and shelter. In major arcana, here are the 22 symbols that represent 0 as the Fool, I represent the magician, II is the High Priestess, III is the Empress, IV represent the Emperor, V is the Hierophant, VI is the Lovers, VII symbolize the Chariot, VIII is Justice, IX symbolize the Hermit, X is the Wheel of Fortune, XI symbolize Strength, XII is the Hanged Man, XIII is Death, XIV is Temperance, XV is the Devil, XVI symbolize the Tower, XVII is the Star, XVIII symbolize the Moon, XIX is the SUN, XX symbolize the Judgment, and XXI represent the World. This are the composition of major arcana that dwells on the minor arcana. Any symbol in major arcana have each own definition.

The author recommends Psychic Guild for best tarot reading and dream interpretation.

Essence And Manifestation
Essence is the totality of who you are - the one - just as it is right here right now. Immutable; changeless; timeless; spaceless; depthless; completely independent of all arisings; block of rocklike solidity; infinite darkness; indescribable - none of these descriptions come anywhere near to what it is like - they fall abysmally short of the mark, and your interpretations of these descriptions does not even come close to these "pointers". There is no possibility whatsoever of being told of how exquisitely rich this one is, that who you are is. You are going to have to experience this for yourself. You are going to have to travel the "journey of self discovery" yourself. You can be this essence because who you are is this essence. It is the "motion of seeing" that is flowing through your very eyes right now. This "motion of aliveness" is the "central point" of itself - essence - writing itself out into its play of manifestation through the mindbody that you find yourself driving around through, day in and day out. Of course, this one is all things everywhere. Without it - who you are - there would not be any manifestation. It is the fullness of nothingness that gives life to all. There is no "gradual" about this essence. It is and it is right here right now. It is complete - changeless. It is not a growing thing. It is not unfolding. It is finished - it did not begin and nor will it end. It is - isness ising. There is no "one" in the driver's seat. You cannot compete for that position because it does not exist. Duality does not exist in this essence. Everything is this one. All creatures, great and small, are this one. All humans are this one. Not only it is who you are, it is also who everyone is. Manifestation is the ground of duality. It is where polar opposites play themselves out, where variance has such "scope," variation. Manifestation was born and it will die. Accordingly, all things within manifestation - all minds, all bodies, all sensations, all emotions, all "heavens and hells", all visions, all feelings, all "toys", all arisings, all subtleties, all grossness, all creations, all worlds, all celestial beings, all human beings, all "shmee" beings, - will die. They were born, they live for a time and they die. Your mindbody - this vehicle that you drive around through - is a part of manifestation. It is an arising that was born and will die. It is not who you are Until you come to realize who you already are you are going to believe yourself to be who you think you are which is just a part of manifestation - not who you are. Who you are is the essence that is flowing through and sustaining this manifest existence - this is who you are. You are not your mind even though you cannot conceive of how you could not be your mind. You may well believe that you are not your mind because of concepts that you have come across about how you are not your mind. But these concepts have not relieved you of the bondage, entrapment, estrangement and imprisonment of this mind that you take to be your "guiding light" in life. This mind is part of manifestation. Who you are is not. Concepts are of this mind - manifestation - and cannot deliver you of who you are, which is beyond not only of this mind but beyond all manifestation - beyond beyondness. Manifestation is the playground of love. Love coming to know itself from within its own dance.

Elysha is a self realized teacher of the heart. http://www.elysha.org Elysha is available for satsang in New Zealand for those who are ready for a change in spiritual consciousness. http://www.tran7.com/Elysha/elyshavids.html

Yoga, Union with the Ultimate
Absolute Being, Absolut Knowledge, Absolute Bliss ( Sat, Chit, Ananda), the eternal triad which is the Universe and we are, is the substratum of the entire Universe. This is the great secret which we must discover in our long evolutionary journey.

Now enhance your Being, Knowledge,Bliss, which are from time immemorial considered as Wisdom's frame of reference.

Through adding to your Sat (existence), developing your Chit (subsistence) and enjoying Ananda you will witness a spiritual evolution or realization in your mind. With practising yoga, one sees the Absolute Self everywhere through his eyes of wisdom. He will become absolutely impersonal. He will not have a bit of selfishness in him. His Id will be completely annihilated. And in times he will attain the Eternal Bliss of the Self

The word "Yoga" itself is derived from a Sanskrit word "Yuj", which means to unite. Union with Cosmic Intelligence is the Yogic objective.

What we sow, we reap and this Universal Law is known as the Law of Karma, the Grand Law of Causation. We have to understand that the miseries of life and the Negativity which we experience are all the inevitable clearing process of exhausting our Karma. We have to understand that despite our sufferings, mistakes and ignorance, the Divine Will is leading us, through every circumstance, towards the final Realization. This faith will give us equanimity.

Even in rags, I am a god
Fallen, I am divine
High I triumph when down trod
Live will I when slain !

It is natural that our faith may be assailed by some misfortunes which happen to us. We have to understand that Initiation is a process of intensive culture and accelerated evolution and the bad experiences which happen to us are merely wages.

What can all these trials and tribulations do to the Godhead within us, the Almighty Self, He who transcends Space, Time & Causality? Him the jail cannot confine nor the gallows end !

Let us follow the Four fold path of Yoga. They are…

Jnana Yoga Union via Wisdom The method by which the intellect is used to negate the bondage of material world.

Raja Yoga Union via Psychic Control The psychological approach focusing on concentration and meditation.

Karma Yoga Union via Action This is the path of eliminating the ego and attachments through selfless service.

Bhakthi Yoga Union via Love A way of union through conversion of the emotions to devotion.
Human mind has immaculate powers. And it differs from person to person. People can awake the hidden psychic and occult powers in them by understanding and realizing the power of their mind. The four-fold path of Yoga offers some unique ways to emancipate oneself from the material world using the divine intelligence.

The Intellectual Man can go for Jnana Yoga or Union via Wisdom

The Active Man can pursue Karma Yoga or the Union via Action

The Adventurous man can followe Raja Yoga or Union via Psychic Control

The Emotional Man can look for Bhakthi Yoga or the Union of Emotions

Practising any one of the four powerful and vigorous Yoga paths will take you beyond the five concentric sheaths to the Absolute Self, which is the cosmic power in individual bodies

While Raja and Jnana Yogas are more or less for the initiated, Bhakti & Karma Yogas are for the ordinary man. You can understand the basic principles of Yoga by reading some books on the science. An good beginner's book dealing with Self Development is Dr Ashok Selvaraja's 7 Golden Secrets to know your Higher Self. The characteristics of both the lower and the higher selves are highlighted and Cosmic Union becomes easy.

Article by G Kumar, astrologer, writer and programmer of www.eastrovedica.com He has 15 years research experience in Stock Market Astrology and in various other branches of Astrology. Recentlyhe was awarded a Certificate by the Planetary Gemologists Association as a Planetary Gem Advisor. Free Yoga tips at Blog http://fourfoldyoga.blogspot.com & lens at http://www.squidoo.com/fourfoldyoga

World War II Foo Fighters
In the 1938 comic strip Smokey Stover, a firefighter was known for his line, “Where there’s foo, there’s fire.” From Smokey, aircraft pilots borrowed the term “foo fire” to describe the various unexplainable phenomenon seen in the skies over Europe and the Pacific theatre during World War II. While Allied pilots initially thought the flying objects were German secret or psychological weapons, after the war it was discovered that sightings were also reported by the enemy, who had assumed the crafts were US-made. To this day, the sightings remain a mystery.

Over the course of the war, fireballs, estimated to be as big as 300 feet and as small as 1 foot in diameter, were reported and thoroughly documented. These apparitions left witnesses awe-inspired, wary, and frightened�"although the foo fighters never harmed or attempted to harm anyone. The CIA was commissioned in 1952 to study the reports and concluded that while mysterious, foo fighters were not a considered a threat to national security.

A Foo fighter is an umbrella term that includes flying objects of various shapes and sizes. Wobbling, or vibrating flares were described as glowing globes of intense green, yellow, red, orange, or white lights. One crew even reported observing the phosphorescent spheres going through a sequence of color changes at regular intervals. Other reports describe them as silver or gold metallic, and disk-shaped. They frequently appeared at the wing tips of planes in pairs or alone, although sometimes they were found in larger clusters of fifteen or more. In one report 150 objects were estimated to be arranged in 10-12 lines. Picking up an aircraft, these blobs of fire could reportedly pace a plane at very high speeds through extensive evasive maneuvers for several minutes. One British officer and his crew of sailors tracked an object from the deck of their vessel for over an hour. Although a few baffled pilots attempted to intercept, and even fire upon the globes, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the objects usually zoomed away of their own accord.

Foo fighters were mentioned in the American mass media. Ponderous articles appeared in Time and Newsweek in 1945, contributing to the wave of UFO consciousness building in the US. By 1952 so many civilians were contacting government agencies regarding UFO reports that regular intelligence work was being affected.

While scientists have never been able to explain the phenomenon, many speculations have been advanced as possibilities. Five of the most plausible theories are:

1. The fireballs may be nothing more than St. Elmo’s Fire, a reddish brush-like discharge of atmospheric electricity which has often been seen near the tips of church steeples, ships’ masts and yardarms. It also appears at a plane’s wing tips.

2. They may have been optical illusions, mere after-images of light remaining in pilots’ eyes after being dazzled by flak bursts.

3. Occurrences may have been the rare effect of “ball lightning,” a glowing, drifting bubble of light typically eight inches in diameter. These generally, though not always, follow regular lightning strikes.

4. Bright ground objects reflected from the curved plastic canopy of an aircraft can be perceived as images above the horizon.

5. Proponents of the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) have suggested that foo fighters are hard evidence of ETs visiting earth.

Foo fighters are certainly some of the best documented reports of UFOs, and photographs and respected testimony abound. Hopefully in time the mystery will be solved, and this comic book name will be replaced by its true name.

About the Author: Francesca Black a long time science fiction buff, manages content for UFO Gifts http://www.ufo-gifts.com and Science Fiction Corner http://www.science-fiction-corner.com