Tag: Health

8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life

8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life

We can’t imagine what life would be like without meditation. It has seen us through tough times and many life  changes, keeping us sane and grounded and real. Life is challenging enough; we  can never know what will arise next and only when our minds are clear and  focused can we make the best decisions.

How are you able to deal with the madness and chaos that occurs daily? How do you deal with the challenges  of life? Meditation is highly misunderstood and often under-rated yet is perhaps  what it takes to be a truly sane person. How does meditation affect us? How does  it shift our priorities, enable us to make friends with ourselves, to find  answers to our questions?

Here are eight ways meditation can make your life more meaningful and  enjoyable!

1. Living With Kindness

No one deserves your kindness and compassion more than yourself. Every time you  see or feel suffering, every time you make a mistake or say something stupid and  are just about to put yourself down, every time you think of someone you are  having a hard time with, every time you encounter the confusion and difficulty  of being human, every time you see someone else struggling, upset, or irritated,  you can stop and bring loving kindness and compassion. Breathing gently,  silently repeat: May I be well, may I be happy, May I be filled with loving  kindness.

2. Lightening the Load

In a stressed state, it is easy to lose touch with inner peace, compassion  and kindness; in a relaxed state, your mind is clear and you can connect with a  deeper sense of purpose and altruism. Meditation and  medication are derived from the Latin word medicus, to care or  to cure. A time of quiet calmness is, therefore, the most effective remedy for a  busy and overworked mind. Anytime you feel stress rising, heart closing, mind going into overwhelm,  just bring your focus to your breathing and quietly repeat with each in- and  out-breath: Breathing in, I calm the body and mind; breathing out, I  smile.

3. Letting Go of Me

Stillness is always there between the thoughts, behind the story, beneath the  noise. What keeps us from experiencing our natural state of being is the  habitual and ego-dominated monkey mind. Meditation enables us to see clearly, to  witness our thoughts and behavior and reduce self-involvement. Without such a  practice of self-reflection there is no way of putting a brake on the ego’s  demands. From being self-centered, we can become other-centered, concerned about  the welfare of all.

4. Dissolving Anger and Fear

We do not accept or release our negative feelings so easily; we are more likely to repress  or disown them. But when denied they cause shame, depression, anger, and  anxiety. Meditation invites you to openly meet these places, and to see how  selfishness, aversion and ignorance create endless dramas and fears. Beneath  these is a quiet stillness where you can get to know yourself; this is a  wondrous and beautiful experience. Whether you practice for just ten minutes a  day or longer does not matter. You are releasing your limitations, while opening  to self-acceptance and awareness.

5. Awakening Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and  others. As you sit in meditation and watch your thoughts and feelings moving  through you, so you can observe that who you are now is not who you were just a  moment ago, let alone a day, a week, or a month ago. Who you, or someone else,  was when pain was caused is not who you are now. When you experience your  essential interconnectedness you see how the ignorance of this creates  separation and suffering, so that forgiveness for such ignorance arises  spontaneously.

6. Generating Harmlessness

Simply through the intent to cause less pain you can bring greater dignity to  your world, so that harm is replaced with harmlessness and disrespect with  respect. Harm is usually caused unintentionally, whether by ignoring someone’s  feelings, putting yourself down, reaffirming your hopelessness, disliking your  appearance, or seeing yourself as incompetent or unworthy. How much resentment,  guilt, or shame are you holding on to, thus perpetuating harmfulness? Meditation  enables you transform this through recognizing your essential goodness and the  preciousness of all life.

7. Appreciating Appreciation

Take a moment to appreciate the chair you are sitting on. Consider how the  chair was made: the wood, cotton, wool, or other fibers, the trees and plants  that were used, the earth that grew the trees, the sun and rain, the animals  that maybe gave their lives, the people who prepared the materials, the factory  where the chair was made, the designer and carpenter and seamstress, the shop  that sold it—all this just so you could be sitting here, now. Then extend that  deep appreciation to everything and everyone in your life.

8. Being Aware

Awareness is the key to awakening. Through awareness you can see your monkey  mind and all its mischief. Almost everything we do is to achieve something: if  we do this, then we will get that; if we do that, then this will happen. But in  meditation you do it just to do it. There is no ulterior purpose other than to  be here, in the present moment, without trying to get anywhere or achieve  anything. You are just aware of whatever is happening, whether pleasant or  unpleasant. No judgment, no right or wrong. Simply being aware. Enjoy!

Let Me Breathe: A Simple Abundance Meditation

Let Me Breathe: A Simple Abundance Meditation

It’s okay that you feel afraid, wild one, but it is not serving you. Pause  for a moment to release it now, and then return to this meditation any time you  feel the shadows begin to creep back in. Take a long, deep breath into your body  and then release it. Wonderful, do that again… breathe in even more slowly and  more deeply, holding it in for a moment and the release that breath from every  corner of your being, and hold that emptiness for a moment as well. Good. Now,  read along as you continue to breathe these same deep, cleansing breaths.

Let me breathe in the transformative love that flows with ease through  the universe, and breathe out the fear that aches in my chest. Let me breathe in  the healing light of the thousand angels who are holding me in this moment… and  breathe out the dark whispers that echo in my mind. Let me breathe in the warmth  of my spirit community and breathe out the lie of isolation. Let me breathe in  the simplicity I long for, and breathe out the hurt and complexities of  yesterday. Let me breathe in my wild and passionate nature, and breathe out  every obstacle to openness. Let me breathe in the truth that I AM, I AM… and  breathe out resistance to love. Let me breathe in divine abundance and then,  breathe out the need to deny the divine within. Let me breathe in the eternal  flow of love and abundance… and then breathe out to  release all that no longer  serves me.

Need An App for Meditating (Boy, they have everything these days, lol!)

Free Guided Meditation Tool

Have you been wanting to get into  meditation but didn’t know where to start? There’s an app for  that!

Former monk-turned-meditation-guru Andy Puddicombe wants everyone to learn  the power of meditation, and his Headspace project is all about helping people  learn how to meditate. His Headspace app for iPhone or Android is a powerful tool for  anyone looking to learn the basics of meditation and start a regular  practice.

If you’re not familiar with Puddicombe, check out his inspiring TED Talk  above about the power of taking 10 minutes to meditate each day. Or, as he calls  it “doing nothing.”

I just started using the app recently, and I’m already loving it! The basic  program is a series of ten ten-minute meditation practices, which you go through  in order. Each day builds on the previous day’s practice. After that, there are  a couple hundred other meditations that you can try in any order that you like,  though the additional programs are not free.

Before you do your first meditation, he also walks you through a short series  of videos to help you get in the right headspace for your practice. He  emphasizes that meditation is a skill, and that you shouldn’t force it. One of  the things I’m digging most about this program is that he frequently reminds you  that it’s OK if your mind wanders and it’s OK to have conscious thoughts while  you’re meditating. The key is noticing when that happens and observing those  things without letting them effect you.

I also love the tone of the program. There is no new-agey music, creepy  whispering narrator, or strange sound- or voice-effects. He just calmly walks  you through each day’s exercise. If you prefer more of a new-age spin on  meditation, this app might not be for you.

Take Ten, Day One  Video

This is the introductory video from the Headspace Take Ten series. The rest  of the series is available via the Headspace app for iPhone or Android.

Herb Jar to Enhance Your Energy and Power

Herb Jar to Enhance Your Energy and Power

 

Fill a jar with the following herbs:

Cinnamon (for dream Magick)

Nutmeg (for good luck)

Allspice (for healing)

Ginger (for lunar magick)

Basil (for protection)

Fennel seeds (for spiritual healing)

Garlic (for spiritual purification)

Marjoram (for protection)

Sage (for spiritual purification)

Cloves (for protection)

Mustard seed (for protection)

Before you do any scrying or any kind of psychic or magic work, inhale the scent deeply, and shake the jar gently.

Peaceful Sleep Spell

Peaceful Sleep Spell

 

You Will Need:

  • 10 Cardamom pods
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 15 cloves
  • 1/2oz peppermint
  • 1/2 oz rosemary
  • dried peel of 1 lemon
  • White candle
  • Pink Candle
  • 4 small bags

 

The Spell

Cast your circle. Light a white and pink candle, place them on your altar or work area. Crush the cloves, cardamom and salt to a fine powder. Blend with the herbs and put in bags. As you are making the bags concentrate on peaceful memories and beautiful thoughts. Seal the bags. Close your circle.

Hang the bags at the corners of your bed. As you hang each bag, say:

Sleep be with me

Peaceful sleep,

Restful sleep

Let my mind be eased

Let my body be calmed

Wings of darkness,

Let the sight of night and dream

Be clear, be quiet,

Let my troubles drift away and let me dream.

Stop Nightmares Spell

Stop Nightmares Spell

Items You Will Need:

  • scarf (white or cream colors work best)
  • 4 cloves
  • pinch of basil
  • pinch of ground sage
  • lavender or vanilla oil (whatever you find more soothing)
  • black marker
  • white ribbon

The Spell

Lay the scarf out. You will be putting spices into it.  Place the spices (ground sage, 4 cloves, basil) into the scarf and add 2 drops of oil.  Gather the scarf at the top (like a moneybag) and tie it with the ribbon.  On the outside of the scarf draw the nightmare that plagues you (e.g. spiders, falling, whatever).  Place the scarf under your pillow and sleep with it there.

 

Exploring Your Crystals

Exploring Your Crystals

For this visualisation exercise, choose one of your favourite crystals, one you already know quite well. A good place to hold the crystal for this exercise is at the solar plexus.

1. Sit in a relaxed comfortable position, holding the stone in both hands. Take a few moments just to relax and focus on the crystal in your hands.

2. Slowly let your awareness float down into the crystal until you reach a point where you seem to come to rest.

3. In your minds eye, identify how the crystal feels to you. is it warm or damp, cool or dry, smooth or rough? Take a minute or two to explore the energy of the crystal through your inner touch.

4. Now relax again and turn your attention to any quality of sound within the crystal, whether it appears to be a tone, a pulse or a tune. Is it high or low? Simple or complex? Listen to the sound of the crystal for a few moments, then relax again.

5. Take a few deep breaths, then imagine you are breathing in the crystal’s energy through your nostrils. What smell, what taste does the crystal have? Can you identify it?

6. Relax once more, then open your inner eyes. Imagine what the structure and the energy of your crystal looks like: the quality of light, the images, the landscapes, scenes and figures that may be related to you. Don’t attempt to analyze what you see. Just let the imagery play before your eyes.

7. Now become aware once more of the crystals taste, its smell, its sounds and its touch. Very gradually bring your awareness out of the crystal and become more aware of your body and the world around you. Record notes in your journal so that you may remember your experiences.

Crystals

Crystals

A crystal is a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture of them, and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces. But it’s more than that. A crystal is one of the many bounties of the Earth’s crust. They are a powerful tool and correspond directly to the element of Earth, but also the Air, Fire and Water. Each crystal has it’s own vibration and thus each vibration corresponds to a correspondences such as healing, protection, relaxation etc. Because each crystal does have a vibration, a larger crystal is not any more powerful than a smaller one. A larger one might look better, but not everyone has the means for such a thing.

Several crystals have the same correspondences, but, to chose which one you want you must first have a look at all those crystals without touching them. See which one has an effect on you. Now, when the crystal has been chosen, or when the crystal has chosen you, you must individually have a look at the crystals, Separate the ones which you like from the ones you don’t like just by having a look at them. Then, pick up each crystal in you receptive hand, opposite to the power hand, so if you are right handed it’s your left hand, and close your hand into a gentle fist. Feel the crystals pulse, it should be like a gentle drum rhythm, it could be very fast, or slow. You will feel whether the crystal is right for you, or not. The crystals vibration will complement yours and act like a ‘lock and key’ to your aura in the sense that they will blend. The crystal will let you know if it is not for you.

A newly bought crystal should be cleansed. This could be as long as a whole moon phase, with elemental cleansings, or just a simple mental cleansing. Before buying that particular crystal, it would have been touched my many people, and been next to many people who might have been upset, angry, sad etc. So this may effect you. To cleanse, it could simply be a dip in salty water, being buried over night in the ground, gone through crystal cleansing incense (or frankincense, sandalwood or just about anything for that matter, maybe even a herbal blend for the crystals purpose), being placed on a bed of quartz crystal, being passed through a flame, fairly quickly, being brushed with a feather, being placed overnight in moon light, or sunlight. Be careful because some crystals fade or lose color from being held in the sun, some even disolve in water, or may react with the candle flame, so be careful.

Daily Aromatherapy – Scented Beeswax Heart

Daily Aromatherapy – Scented Beeswax Heart

 

Scent a room with this decorative accent. Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape from a sheet of natural beeswax. Wrap the heart in cheesecloth and infuse it with a few drops of Rose Otto. Place the wrapped heart in a plastic bag for a week. Remove and discard the cloth and glue a ribbon hanger to the back of the heart. You can even decorate it with dried flowers and a bow. Hang it in the kitchen or
even the bath!!
)0(

 

Brought to you by AromaThyme.com –  http://www.aromathyme.com

The Witches Spell for August 6th – CURSED OR BLESSED

7rf%20W%2013

CURSED OR BLESSED

You need:

Piece of burlap

piece of wool

piece of silk

Some polished stones (polished) from a river or stream

A live leaf

A bowl of fruit and/or bread

A dead branch

 

Lay the silk, wool and burlap at the foot of your bed in that order. About 5 feet from the foot of your bed, toward the left, lay the branch. About 5 feet from the foot of your bead, toward the right, place the bowl.  The branch is the barren curse and the bowl is the bountiful life that withers the curse.  Lay one stone on each cloth then lay a path from the wool, straight down the center, between the bowl and the branch.  The stones must touch. At the end lay the leaf.  By laying the stones, you show respect for the fates and the balance of life.  Light three candles and incense and meditate over the rite.  Sleep without touching the items.  When you wake, watch how much the stones have moved.  If they bias the branch, you are cursed.  If they bias the bowl, you are blessed.  If it doesn’t move, no outside force is affecting you.  If you are cursed, how far it has moved will determine the strength of the curse. Reset the path, and that night, light the three candles and the incense and meditate again over the rite.  Sleep again without touching anything. The path should have moved less than the first time.  Repeat this every night until the path stays in the middle.  Next, move the path toward the bowl following the same meditation and sleep process as before.  Continue this every night until the path stays at the bowl.  When it has done so, you may complete the rite.  Touch nothing, but for the three following nights, meditate over the rite, to seal your new fate.  The stones must be returned to the river or stream where you got them from .  The branch must be returned to the forest floor where you found it, and the leaf cast to the wind.  The bowl of fruit must be eaten,  and the cloth must be saved in a dark place, undisturbed.

Daily Feng Shui News for Aug. 6 – 'National Fresh Breath Day'

If you’re certain that your occasional bad breath is not caused by digestive difficulties, gum disease or any other chronic conditions, then take advantage of today’s ‘National Fresh Breath Day’ tips from the world of all-natural medicine. Immerse two sprigs of fresh parsley in white vinegar and chew it in order to sweeten what comes out of your mouth. Or you can mix two drops of peppermint essential oil in a glass of warm water and swish, but never swallow. After you spit out the first mouthful take another one and gargle and then spit it out too. Do this until the glass is empty. With all this beautiful breath going on you might now look at life as half-full — like a glass, that is!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Frankincense Bath Kisses

Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Frankincense Bath Kisses

You can make these now and freeze them for your holiday gifts.
These lusciously scented “kisses” are a bathtime luxury. Melt one ounce cocoa butter and 2/3 ounce shea butter(available in most health food stores)in a microwave, then add 1/3 ounce sweet almond oil and 1/8 teaspoon each frankincense and sweet orange essential oils. Pour into small candy molds and place in the freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from molds. Place one or two ‘kisses’ into hot bath water. Store the rest in a ziplock bag in the freezer.
.
Brought to you by AromaThyme.com – http://www.aromathyme.com

Let's Talk Witch – 'Stretching Your Energy Field'

Stretching Your Energy Field

People who have presence, who have personal power, often have an expanded energy field or aura as well. The energy field, in fact, is what we react to when that person walks into our view. With practice, you can learn to expand your energy field from the usual several inches around your body to several feet. The field is easy to detect through touch. Stand in front of a mirror and open your arms wide, as if you’re about to hug someone. Bring your hands slowly toward your head until you feel a slight resistance. This should happen when your hands are several inches away from your head. When your energy field expands, you’ll feel the resistance farther away from your head.

You can also train yourself to see your energy field. Gaze into a mirror in a twilit room. It’s best if a dim light is at your back. If you wear glasses or contacts, remove them. If you have 20/ 20 vision, gaze at your head in the mirror and let your eyes unfocus, so that your reflection seems hazy. The longer you gaze at your reflection in this way, the more likely you are to see a halo of light surrounding your head. Some people detect colors, others simply see a halo of transparent light. Now think of something that made you exceptionally happy— your marriage, the birth of your child, the purchase of your first home, getting an offer for a great job. Conjure the emotions that you felt during this event or experience. Let the emotion fill you completely. As the emotions suffuse your entire being, your energy field will start to expand, and the halo will balloon.

As you’re feeling your energy field expand, take several deep breaths. Pinch your right nostril shut and breathe in through your left nostril. Hold your breath for a count of ten and exhale through your right nostril. Repeat three times, then switch nostrils. Alternate nostril breathing stimulates both hemispheres of the brain and, as you become accustomed to charging your energy field, the alternate breathing signals your unconscious of your intent. With practice, you can charge your energy field in ten or fifteen seconds. You can use this technique for just about anything— when you’re hoping to attract love, new job opportunities, or meet new friends. Your body becomes the tool. It can be done anywhere, anytime.

The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need
Singer, Marian; MacGregor, Trish

Today's Tarot Card for August 5th is The Sun

The Sun

Monday, Aug 5th, 2013

What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self — who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person’s life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled “Back to Eden.” The Sun’s radiance is where one’s original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It’s as if this card is saying “You can do no wrong — it’s all to the good!”

Spirit Summoning Spell

Spirit Summoning Spell

You might ask why summon a spirit. If it has been haunting you or just making you feel uncomfortable. You can find out exactly what it wants by summoning it.

Ingredients:   Mint Sprigs

Another technique used to enhance your positive results during a spirit summoning session, is to leave twigs or pieces of fresh mint as an offering during your attempted contacts.   If you are attempting the contact inside a magical circle, the mint should be placed on your altar, in an offering plate.

Daily Feng Shui News for July 26th – 'One Voice Day'

There’s no better time than ‘One Voice Day’ to share some ancient wisdom from the Eastern Ayurvedic tradition. This healing modality says that we should spend some time each day intoning each of the vowels in the modern day alphabet. Elongate the vowels for an extended period of time in order to fine tune your brain, balance your breath, reduce your heart rate and infuse yourself with an overall sense of well-being. These A’s, E’s, I’s and O’s are tremendously good for U!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

The Witches Almanac for Sunday, July 21

2444

The Witches Almanac for Sunday, July 21

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money
Incense: Lemon, Frankincense
Planet: Sun
Sign: Leo
Angel: Michael
Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White
Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak
Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate
Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

Insect Repellent

INSECT REPELLENT

2 oz. vegetable oil or vodka
1/4 tsp each citronella and eucalyptus essential oils
1/8 tsp each pennyroyal, cedar and rose geranium essential oil,

Combine ingredients and apply mixture directly to all exposed skin. Keep oil
away from eyes and mouth – take care not to rub your eyes right after applying
the repellent with your fingers

Insect Bite Oil

I don’t know if you have the same problem that we do. You can’t sit out at night without the bugs trying to carry you off.  Then while you are swaying at this one, there is another one biting the crap out of you. Then you scratch yourself to death the rest of the night. This oil recipe below is simple but it good. It takes the itch right out of those bites.

INSECT BITE OIL

1 tsp Lavender Essential Oil
1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

Combine essential oil and vegetable oil and dab mixture directly on bite as
needed. Store in a bottle with a tight lid.

Your Animal Spirit for July 16th is The Fox

Your Animal Spirit for Today
    July 16, 2013 

Fox

Fox medicine represents the ability to blend in. She can change colors to blend with the seasons—becoming almost invisible against a backdrop of snow or foliage. Fox also has an amazing sense of smell that enables her to sniff out dangerous situations. Be like a Fox—street smart and safety savvy—don’t call attention to yourself as today is a day of watch and wait.