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Creating Bridges: Spirituality & Philosophy:
Water For The Dry Sponge
Chronicles and Essays
By Shaun Brown:
Get On Board The Soul Train!
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by Shaun Brown |
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Winter is the season to settle in, spend time with ourselves, gain a few pounds and inner-dwell. The Germanic tribes, way back in history, would bring in an evergreen tree as a symbol of preserving life throughout the winter. They would shut the door and party for the whole month of January! Yikkes~ where’s the Advil? But after that these Ancients knew it was time to regroup and get a plan as February arrived.
We aren’t as extreme as then. But whether we are conscious of it or not, in the winter we go within. It’s called the hermetic stage~ a time when we percolate, reconfigure and enclave. Then just as the Earth moves toward the sun so we move outside of ourselves reconnecting with the outerworld again. It is time to plant the seeds, held in our apothecary, created through the dark days of winter.
At this particular time of history, in this outerworld, we notice that maybe it’s become pretty financially messed up as we venture out and take a look? The ground can seem a little barren. The economy has become sucky, what with some folks losing their jobs or even worse their homes!
This time in history has become a time to hold on to the financial seat of our pants. Especially if you are a middle class creative type, such as myself, this is a time of uncertainty. Yes, life can be trying and yes life cycles are a constant, but sometimes we can start questioning our faith. Are we really being cared for by Spirit? This is a good time to make a conscious effort to re-affirm positive plans and grab those new seeds of hope. It’s time to re-create yourself again!
As I feel blessed to have this opportunity and platform to share my thoughts with you, I never know what I am going to write about each month and I question is it even relevant? The powers that be, for this magazine, always have faith that what ever I write about is perfect for that month. So each month something always comes to share as I let go and Trust. That Trust needs to flow into all facets of my life.
I am concerned about what financial direction we have gone in but having been on the planet for quite awhile, I do also notice that this outerworld, this illusion, has a pattern~the pattern of ebb and flow. My mantra is always and only comfort. Sometimes the picture may not look like I think it needs to, but I have always been taken care of. In times of outside trepidation I remember to go within and continue to ask for guidance. I know something fabulous is on its way. I can’t see how the dots connect but sometimes when I do I am always humbled. The Universe, in its wisdom, is perfect just the way things are.
An allegory that has really helped me, in this re-creation cycle, is: There was a lady sitting at the bus stop waiting for a bus. It’s cold and she had been waiting for a while. “When is the bus coming?” She thinks to herself. “When is the bus coming?” All of a sudden someone drives up in a Mercedes and asks her if she wants a ride. She says no thanks, because she is waiting for a bus. The question, in simple terms is: What are you waiting for?
Another doggerel that I refer to, in time of trouble, is an old gospel song talking about getting on board the Soul Train. It goes, “People get ready there’s a train a comin’ picking up passengers from coast to coast. Don’t need no ticket to get on board it, don’t need no baggage you just thank the Lord.” Regardless of your Spiritual connection this straightforwardness states there is some action you can do as you come back into the world to reconnect and make a difference.
We get on board the Soul train (or Mercedes as it were), we ask for Guidance, and then we let the train take us forward. Remembering that the Universe lies within we reconnect with our Soul, which is THE Soul, in all of us.
The Soul Train Wheels
The information contained here, when implemented, will guarantee you a smooth ride this 2008. No matter where your train takes you these absolutes will lead you to a wealthy and wise future:
1. Meditate daily-if we want to be guided by the Universe we must pick-up the phone. C. Myss
Affirm-The Universe is prosperous it only knows how to give. If your affirmations are: I’m broke, I can’t pay my bills, life sucks…That’s exactly what the Universe will continue to give you. Always think positive affirmations. My work is embraced by all, I am paid well, I am healthy, happy and able to humbly Serve. W. Dyer
Pray and Move Your Feet~ This is the Quaker Mantra and I use it daily. If you come upon a wall move left or right. If nothing appears to be happening just keep going. Maybe the Universe is still building your vision. Sometimes when we close one door we need to stand in the hallway and wait for the next one to open instead of banging it down.
2. Volunteer your time-not your occupation (this keeps your intention to serve clean), just show up to a cause or charity you never know who you will connect with. S. Brown
3. Give-the first check you write every month to a Spiritual Path. This can even represent a non-profit organization such as PETA or the SPCA. It is letting go of a prized possession and a gesture of Trust that given freely, the Universe will reciprocate 10 fold.
S. Orman~ as well as Saints and Sages of all Spiritual Thought
4. Self-Care~ This one is overlooked most of all. Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional parts of your being must be tuned up or moving in that direction. You can only heal as much as you are healed.
Practice driving this train for three months and your life will change dramatically.
The number one wheel is so multi-directional that I want to share with you the ritual that seems to keep me steering straight. The other three wheels on the Soul Train: Volunteer, Give, and Self-Care are pretty explanatory.
How To Meditate-Getting Centered
Create a sacred space. This will be your sacred place to go to in the morning or when ever you need to go back to center and connect with A Higher Source. It can be just a small table, or as elaborate as you like. I keep my “prayer station” very simple. A white candle, some of my favorite incense (never synthetic), and a few icons of Higher Power symbols that resonate with me and give me focus. If you live with others, let them know that you are creating a special place for yourself to go and be quiet.
If this concept is a problem or is not taken seriously with the people in your life, ask yourself why they are in your life? The exception of course, being your children, don’t get rid of them! Actually when you come from a centered, genuine place, letting them know your intentions to be quiet and meditate or at least not to knock when you are in “special time,” will leave you surprised at how that habit can spill over into their lives and give them permission to have their own sacred space and quite time. Hmmm.
Upon awakening (within the first hour) go to your prayer station, light the candle and incense (optional) and set an intent that you would like to connect with Universal Power. You are always safe and secure when you set the intent to connect with The Light.
Spend some time slowly breathing in and out. Imagine that as you breathe in, your feet are connected to Mother Earth, and as you breathe out, the top of your head is connected to The Heavens. With eyes closed imagine energy coming up through the soles of your feet from Mother Earth filling your whole body to the top of your head, and as you exhale see the top of your head opening up, like a portal, receiving energy that flows down from the Heavens filling your body to the soles of your feet. Imagine that any excess unwanted energy can be sent down into Mother Earth~ she can handle it.
If you are feeling like you want to be filled with more Light, just see that light pouring generously into the top of your head filling up your body as much as you wish. Sit with this exercise. Breathe this vision in and out slowly. It only takes a few breaths in this manner every morning to start your day remembering who you really are. After you’re still, a simple prayer of “God direct me in this day” is good. Actually the simplest prayer is, “Thank you.”
Have a notebook ready so that when your head says, “Buy cat food, call John, do laundry,” you can write these things down and it will start slowing down your brain and allowing you to continue with the meditation without the urgency of ego wanting you to stop meditating. The ego likes to be in control. So basically you’re setting the intent to slow down your brain. As you do this every day it will become easier. When you are finished with your 5-20 minute meditation you will then have a to do list for the day! I have been a meditator since 1992 and I still use a notebook every morning.
The ego just never goes away, BUT it can be trained to sit on the sidelines and give your Inner Self time with it’s Soul’s purpose as you begin your day of Service. Setting up a prayer station speaks to the ritual senses like sight, smell and intent. It gives you an opportunity to have “me time.” Honor yourself and the Universe in this way. Your Angels are just waiting for you to pick up the phone and give you guidance.
Meditation doesn’t have to be an overwhelming ritual. If you are like me, you can set yourself up to do nothing if it becomes a chore. There is an abundance of meditation information out there that allows you to choose whatever path you like. Go for it!
Participate in all of the different classes and workshops that are offered if you like. Just remember to keep it simple, I don’t think God really cares about your details; it’s more about the intent. Some people spend all of their time in classes, looking for the answer out there. At some point the journey must start inward. All of your answers are inside. Some wise one once said, “The Temple of God lies within.”
The purpose of the exercise is to feel connected to Universal energy, and when you feel disconnected, start again. BREATHE! This takes discipline, but the reward will be staying in your Power and not being blown off course by passing challenges. You won’t be exhausted by the end of the day because all of your energy was misspent trying to hold up the Earth.
I’ve been on board the Soul Train for many years now; sometimes it has derailed but mostly not. I like a smooth ride and when the bumps come I still think something’s wrong. But when I look over the terrain of my life I understand that bumps are Gods way of reshaking my cargo so that I stay in balance. And when I complain about my finances to the Gods, I realize that I am very blessed. It’s all relative~I even have cable for gosh sake!
So step onto the trestle and be raised above the fray of perceived challenges. Come join us on the Soul Train!
Please write me in three months and let me know how your life has changed and then pass this information on.
Until Next Time~
Shaun
BeWellPublications.com
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Shaun Brown,
Author, Speaker,
Columnist
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Shaun Brown has been self employed most of her adult life. She has an AA degree in General Business and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Sacramento, in Communications.
Her main focus of education is in advertising, promotion and production. Ms. Brown began writing music 1971 and has continued to unfold as a writer in many other directions since that time.
Her best selling book is based on the course: "Create A Successful Holistic Business." She has authored two books on the subject and is actively involved in teaching workshops in N. California. Her holistic business articles are published in several national holistic magazines, and she has a successful holistic practice in Orangevale, California.
To find out more about Shaun’s books and workshops visit her on-line at
www.BeWellPublicatons.
com.
BeWell!
Shaun Brown
BeWellPublications.com
916) 988-4322
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