What are Affirmations?

One very effective technique used to change energy is by using affirmations. Affirmations are actually very easy to do. Simply repeat at least 15-20 times a day, or write out on paper a statement such as *I deserve a healthy and joyful long term relationship, filled with love and devotion, and I shall find it very soon.*


You may even want to type your Affirmation out on paper and place it strategically around the house, where you'll frequently see it. You should keep the message going in front of you for the entire period of time that it takes to attract the situation you are looking for.


The idea behind using this technique is that you are putting your intent out to attract to you what it is that you desire. You are, in a sense, changing the current energies to those that are more conducive to what you want most, by reprogramming your thoughts, and the way you view the self.. It is based on the Metaphysical principle, " As ye think, ye are". This technique can actually be used for anything that is important to you to attract in life.


As a side note, Affirmations are not something that should ever be sold. They are to be given with love, to be used freely, and when needed. It is simply one of those wonderful gifts from the Universe.


Sample Affirmations:

1.) I deserve to find a really rewarding new job, quickly and easily.

2.) I deserve a good promotion!

3.) I deserve to sell ( or buy ) my house, quickly and easily.

4.) I trust the Universe, that it will work for the greatest good, and I will be open to all opportunities.





What are Mental Movies?

Another technique to use is Mental Movies. The idea here is that you become your own director and create a movie of exactly what you want to occur.


In your minds eye, see yourself achieving what you desire. Then follow this through from the beginning to the end of the goal. Use all your senses, i.e. seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching.


Be really creative here as it is your movie and you can direct it in any way you want to. Take time every day to run this movie. This also is very helpful in achieving what you desire as it creates a new reality. Bruce Jenner swears he won the Olympics this way, and was not the best athlete in the competition.

-RC



The Healing Power of Tehillim:

For healing and comfort, reading from the Tehilim, The Book Of Psalms attracts extremely powerful energies. By placing a miniature Tehilim under your pillow at night, and carrying it on the left side of your body by day, you will attract healing and protection. You can find both items from Judaica shops.





Protection for the Home:

There are a variety of methods for clearing bad energies from your home. But before you consider doing Sage smudges, or salting with Kosher salt, do some house cleaning first. Dust, dirt and clutter are known agents of disruption that attract negative and unhealthy energies.





How Many Soul Mates Do You Have?

In Kabbalistic thought, the soul has five levels: Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Chaya, and Yechida. Since each of these five levels can energize, there may be several possible soul-mates, (zivugim), for each person. It all depends on which level of the soul needs to be rectified in a particular lifetime.





Wonder why "The Secret" does not work for you? Here is the reason:

G-D set up all manner of creation to give and receive. Measure for Measure. Tzedakah means righteousness and justice in giving, and it is the single most powerful act a person can do.


By performing Tzedakah- doing the right thing by giving kindness and charity to others, you are fulfilling your responsibility- your place, as a functioning part of G-D in the process of creation. And by doing so, if ever at a time of need, you too, will receive.


The real secret behind "The Secret" is not about trying to manifest money, houses, cars, hot lovers, and all sorts of material desires to satiate your ego. We cannot properly deal with everything we have, let alone what would happen if we were actually given everything we desire. If your kids wanted to eat nothing but chocolate candy for an entire week, would you let them? What do you think would happen if you did?


The secret is to GIVE. Give with a smile and open heart to others. "The Universe", like ourselves, is a just a manifestation. It cannot manifest. It is a creation by something far greater: The Creator. So, when you are in need, why not go straight to the top? Ask the One and only Source- G-D. If you have, by giving Tzedakah, merited help, you will surely get help when needed.





The Rambam's Ladder- The Eight Levels of Charity

-Mishneh Torah, Laws of Charity, 10:7-14

One of Judaism's most revered and greatest of Rabbinic Sages was Rabbi, physician, and philosopher, Moses Maimonides (1135-1204). In addition to his many scholarly works, such as "The 13 Principles of Faith" and "The Guide for the Perplexed", The Rambam laid down the 8 levels of charity.


Considering the effects of giving for both the giver and receipient, The Rambam, in his Sefer HaMizvot, with compassion and a good dose of common sense, sought to make people aware of the need to give charity, and in what manner the giving charity affects others.



There are eight levels of tzedakah, each greater than the next:

[1] The highest level, above which there is no greater, is to help another become self- sufficient. By giving another a gift or loan, or to offer entering into a partnership, helping another to find employment are examples. The idea is to strengthen another, that their hand is no longer has need to dependent upon the help of others.


[2] A level down, is to give to the poor without either party- giver or receipient knowing who the other is. This is performing the mitzvah for the sake of Heaven, alone. By giving anonymously, the dignity of the recepient is preserved and honored- as it should be, and the donor is not put in a position of feeling , or appearing greater than another. There the righteous give in secret, and the good poor are helped in secret. Ways of giving anonymously are by donating to reputable charities.


[3] The next level down the ladder, is when one knows to whom one gives, but the recipient does not know the giver- the donor of the charity/gift. The greatest sages, would walk around, in secret, and put coins in the doors of the poor. This is a very is worthy and good to give charity if you know that those who are responsible for distributing charity are not trustworthy.


[4] The next lesser level of charity is when one does not know the recipient, but the recipient does know the identity of the benefactor. How did the Rabbinic sages solve this one? They would tie coins into their robes, and then throw their robes on their backs, never turning their faces to look behind. The poor would then quietly pick the coins out of the sages robes so that they would not be seen, thus, ashamed.


[5] The next lower level than this is when one places the charity directly into the recipient's hand, but gives before being asked.


[6] A lesser level than this, is when one gives charity to another person after being asked.


[7] The next lower level is when one gives too little, while able to give more, but still gives gladly, and with a smile.


[8] The lowest level is when one gives unwillingly, and begrudgingly.



Just a few thoughts to consider:

- Get a jar or box. Each day drop a coin into it. When the jar is full, bring it to your favorite charity.


- When going to the market, buy an extra can or two, or some packages of spagetti, a bag of rice, beans, or soup mix, and bring it to your local food pantry.


- Jews are commanded to give 10% of their income, after taxes, family needs. If this is not possible, donate your time and talents to help others.


- The highest form of tzedakah is to help provide someone with self-sufficiency. Help a friend to embark on a business project by extending an interest free loan. Help someone find a job. Bring a friend into your family business.


A note regarding kindness: No one should ever have to pay for another's help with his or her dignity. That' is why one should always try give anonymously. Give before you are asked. Spare another the embarrassment of having to beg. And always, perform Tzdakah with a smile and warmth.

- RG


Rekindle Joy

Find a few moments of quiet each day to release "outer noise." As an adult, life became more complex, more structured and stressful. The practical, day to day concerns force us to become more pragmatic, controlled, and confined. We lose touch with that childlike sense of joy essential to well being, creativity and the ability to stop and simply enjoy life.


Ever watch a cat? Apart from being perfect hedonists, they really do know how to stop and smell the roses. We worry too much about smelling the coffee.


So, relax for a few minutes in a quiet place, and think of 4 things that brought you joy as a child. Try to remember them down to the last detail, allowing your mind to feel, see, hear and smell the sensations of each of those joyful moments. Then ask yourself what brings you this type of joy as an adult.


Take some time each week to indulge in doing something that brings you this joyful feeling. Invite someone special to join you in this, and reconnect back to a more fun and simpler time. You'll not only feel happier, you'll also rekindle innate creativity and find yourself more refreshed and able to release stress.





An Eye For An Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth

Feeling mad at someone? This one is probably the most abused and misunderstood teachings in history. The term actually refers to Restitution, rather than Retribution. The teaching is meant to convey a balanced, even handed way of approaching and fairly resolving problems with others.


If someone hurts you, rather than striking back from anger, try to confront them from your mind and heart, and help them to see they caused pain. If you cause another to lose their vision, help them to see. If you cause another to lose a tooth, provide food they can more easily eat. More directly, rather than using violence, reacting from anger, and a desire for revenge, react from compassion and a desire to heal the situation. Use your mind, and your heart to try to help another to understand your point of view. All but the most unbalanced among us, will generally open up, and talk things out. And, if they won't, then it is time to just walk away. Remember, the abuse belongs to them, not to you.