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“I would say that the thrust of my life has been initially about getting free, and then realizing that my freedom is not independent of everybody else. Then I am arriving at that circle where one works on oneself as a gift to other people so that one doesn’t create more suffering. I help people as a work on myself and I work on myself to help people.” ~ Ram Dass {via oceanofmind}   

Must be Dreaming

What's in a name?

There are 8 letters in your name.

Those 8 letters total to 33

There are 4 vowels and 4 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 6
The characteristics of #6 are: Responsibility, protection, nurturing, community, balance, sympathy.

The expression or destiny for #6:
The number 6 Expression provides you a truly outstanding sense of responsibility, love, and balance. The 6 is helpful and ever conscientious, making you quite capable of rectifying and balancing any sort of inharmonious situation. You are a person very much inclined to give help and comfort to those in need. You have a natural penchant for working with the old, the young, the sick, or the underprivileged. Although you may have considerable creative and artistic talents, the chances are that you will devote yourself to an occupation that shows concern for the betterment of the community.

The positive side of the number 6 suggests that you are very loving, friendly, and appreciative of others. You have a depth of understanding that produces much sympathetic, kindness, and generosity. The qualities of the 6 make the finest and most concerned parent and one often deeply involved in domestic activities. Openness and honesty is apparent in your approach to all relationships.

If there is an excess of the number 6 in your makeup, you may exhibit some of the negative traits associated with this number. There may be a tendency for you to be too exacting and demanding of yourself. In this regard, you may at times sacrifice yourself (or your loved ones) for the welfare of others. In some cases, the over zealous 6 has difficulty distinguishing helping from interfering. You may have difficulty expressing your own individuality, because of involvement with responsibilities and causes. Like all with the Expression of the number 6, it's quite likely that you worry much too much.

(must remain mindful of those ;)

Your Soul Urge number is: 9

A Soul Urge number of 9 means:
With a 9 Soul Urge, you want to give to others, usually in a humanitarian or philanthropic manner. You are highly motivated to give friendship, affection and love. And you are generous in giving of your knowledge and experience. You have very sharing urges, and you are likely to have a great deal to share. Your concern for others makes you a very sympathetic and generous person with a sensitive and compassionate nature.

You are able to view life in very broad and intuitive terms. You often express high ideals and an inspirational approach to life. If you are able to fully realize the potential of your motivation, you will be a very self-sacrificing person who is able to give freely without being concerned about any return or reward.

As with all human beings, you are prone to sometimes express the negative attitudes inherent to your Soul Urges. You may become too sensitive and tend to express emotions strongly at times. There can be significant conflict between higher aims and personal ambitions. You may resent the idea of giving all of the time and, in fact, if there is too much 9 energy in your nature you may reject the idea. You may often be disappointed in the lack of perfection in yourself and others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 6

An Inner Dream number of 6 means:

You dream of guiding and fostering the perfect family in the perfect home. You crave the devotion from offspring and a loving spouse. You picture yourself in the center of a successful domestic unit.


(i'd like to think so, or certainly aim in that direction)

Curious?
http://www.paulsadowski.com/numbers.asp

Love, Light & Liberty ~

I wish you every Blessing...

Living One Vibrational Energy L.O.V.E.

I am, You are, We are, I Am.

I still see you all the time in a tree, or a smell, or a everything... ~ Someone, Somewhere

Sharing the heart... A lesson by Pema Chodron

Sharing the heart is a simple practice that can be used at any time and in every situation. It enlarges our view and helps us remember our interconnection. The essence of this practice is that when we encounter pain in our life we breathe into our heart with the recognition that others also feel this. It's a way of acknowledging when we are closing down and of training to open up.

When we encounter any pleasure of tenderness in our life, we cherish that and rejoice. Then we make the wish that others could also experience this delight or this relief. In a nutshell, when life is a burden, think of others. If this is the only training we ever remember to do, it will benefit us tremendously and everyone else as well. It's a way of bringing whatever we encounter onto the path of awakening Bodhichitta...

~ Pema Chodron

Today's food for thought by Swami Sai Premananda...

It’s very simple; it’s not complicated. If you want to go home and complicate it with the mind and say, “Oh I can’t do this,” then you’ll never do it. But if you simply accept the truth and do, then it will come very quickly. Don’t let the mind complicate your life; always be simple.

Start off by doing simple acts of love.

To people and friends whom you haven’t said, “I love you,” to in a long time, send an email out tomorrow: “How are you? I’m just sending a loving thought to you.” You’ll see what happens. When you leave a shop, turn around and tell the person, “Have a nice day.” Then you’ll see how you change that person’s point of view and how happy they feel. Wear a smile on your face when you walk the street and see how many people will smile back at you. Have a wilful feeling that everybody should feel love today in a small way. It starts by you doing something in a small way to make someone very happy. If you know something is going to make someone happy, then go out of your way and make them happy. That is our duty as human beings.

Can you imagine if everyone lived with this principle?
Everyone you talk to would be trying to make you happy.

How beautiful is this?

A little help from the stars....

TUE APR 27 Returning to a sense of buoyancy and optimism – following yesterday’s Saturn-Uranus conflict and Juno-Pluto joust – is easier said than done. While today’s alignments are tame by comparison – the Moon trine Neptune in air signs Libra and Aquarius (12:46PM PDT) followed by a lunar shift and the Moon trine Chiron in water signs Scorpio and Pisces (4:00PM PDT) – this Tuesday is in a tense crossfire between Monday’s upheavals and tomorrow’s potential revelations due to the arrival of the most important Full Moon of the year. The Taurus-Scorpio solar-lunar polarity every year honors the Buddha’s teachings, spirit and exalted presence. He was said to have been born, achieved enlightenment, and died at the Full Moon in the sign of Taurus. In approaching the high vibes entering our planet and humanity shortly, the Moon spends close to three hours in a void uncertainty zone from 12:46PM PDT to 3:29PM PDT (when the lunar orb enters Scorpio). The Moon in this eighth sign of the zodiac reminds you to ferret out secrets and solve mysteries. Don your detective garb in Sherlock Holmes style and get to the originating cause of baffling enigmas. Soar like an eagle this evening and let your keen vision give you a new appreciation for the arcane knowledge and wisdom of ancient India, Egypt and Greece.

http://www.ishalerner.com/

Thoroughly enjoyed this ;)

Tuesday Night Yoga...

Welcome
Elizabeth greets you with harmony and kindness
Not to mention a bright beautiful smile
Tango was her musical selection tonight
'To set the air of fluidity' she declared
For all who choose to join tonight
One by one the congregation rolled in
Smile
Welcome
Smile
With a gentle sway across the hard wooden floors each drifted
To their own little patch of waiting bliss
As the scent of incense and flowers reached their sense
Breathe
Let's all begin with a breath
She whispered but you heard with your whole being now
And the sound turns to Om
Magical musical Aum

Now the candle light flickers as she guides us into practice
Centred in our breathing
Relaxed, comfortable, aware of our breathing
We work through our awareness into visualisation
Till we are all simply bright beautiful balls of light
A room full of orbs
Reaching up to the skies
Breathe
Shine
Flow
Bend, Stretch, Glide, Reach, Jump, Hold, Release, it begins
Breathe
Listen to your body and sink into I-am-ness
Breathe
Be one with your Dharma (self-discipline) through Dhyana (meditation)
Breathe
Rise up, forward bend, look up,
Downward dog, Extended, Child, Cat tilt, Dog Tilt, Rabbit to Gracious to name a few
The list goes one and one intuitively
All rhythmically moving with the wind breaking through the Aum
In unison reaching up to the sky
It comes to our attention
A lightning storm is taking shape outside

This is Bliss
We were dancing with Mother Nature

From Eagle to Tree through to Warrior III we glided
Half Moon, Crescent Moon, Extended Sides, Prayer Twists into Side Plank we flow
Breathe, Bring back your awareness
Locust, Fish and Crocodile, Cobra, Plank and Boat we try
And on and on and Aum
Until the stands
Then Savasana
Is it that time already?
With her Indian twists and sometimes a dancers treat, This class is always Bliss
And your participation is requested in a gentle manner

Closing Prayers:

Om
Om Lokaha Samastaha Sukino Bhavantu
Lokaha Samastaha Sukino Bhavantu
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi
Om Sri Gurubhyo Namaha Harihi Aum

Namaste!

Th night sky we found on exit
My camera didn't capture the light show that came with it
But that memory I hold.

And that's how you touch a woman..

Eckhart Tolle once said...

Enlightenment means rising above thought, not falling back to a level below thought, the level of an animal or a plant. In the enlightened state, you still use your thinking mind when needed, but in a much more focused and effective way than before..

40 Days Together In Worldwide Oneness!

Join us in a fast from all negative thoughts and actions June 21 to August 1, 2010.

The Law of Attraction: “Your thoughts create your reality!”

EVENT:

We humans are so close to tipping the balances of the new Light and the old dark energies on this planet. By joining together, for ONE final push, there is a possibility we can finally tip the scales for all of humanity, birthing this new world of Light. We have been preparing for this time since the Mid 1980’s raising the planetary vibrations, ending duality and bringing people worldwide into a state of higher consciousness. This is a calling for the final push of all Lightworkers, 11:11ers, Yoga practitioners, Spiritual and Religious groups to join together and overshadowing any darkness, tipping the scales for the planet into the Light. Remember darkness is ONLY an absence of Light… Shine your Light until there is darkness no more!

In the Higher Realms, before being human, we experienced only Light. There was no darkness there. We chose to incarnate as humans for our soul growth and to feed the mind of God with our experiences. We humans are all of both, Light and Dark. We live in polarity in these lower 3rd dimensional frequencies. Our mission and our lives on this planet has been to fully experience duality and all possibilities in that realm of lower vibrations. We have done this, and now it is time for the journey back home to the Light.

Now it is the time of completion, and time to bring humanity back into the higher realms of Light, or Christ Consciousness, the 5th Dimension. By joining together for 40 Days and shining your inner Light and Love on this planet and to everyone around you, we begin the journey home, and will shift the balance of this transition, having more Light on this planet, than darkness. This will be accomplished in mind and heart of all who participate.

Also the significance of 40 Days of fasting from negative thoughts, will fully anchor one’s Spirit and thought processes into the arena of Light…For one who focuses on it, you can fuse your Spirit with your physical being, bringing Heaven to Earth. I personally can testify to this process, as I am already there. This was a process well known by all Holy Men and is found in all Religions Holy Books. It is time we as humanity do this for ourselves. It is graduation time. It is the time of completion.

WHY BEGIN JUNE 21?:

These dates were specifically chosen because events known to occur in the month of August. In August there have been more invasions, more wars, nuclear bombs, and just simple dark things happen, than in any other month of the year. At that time, the heat of the summer has taken heavy holds on the emotions of people… In anticipation of changing this to a time of Light, 40 Days leading up to August is being chosen as the time. Also, beginning just after the Summer Solstice has great significance as we begin closing the cycle of the year. We are closing the cycle too of duality, and birthing into a state of Oneness. This event will help establish the Light on the planet, helping to anchor the coming 1000 years of peace.

WHERE AND HOW:

This is and event that can be participated in or experienced anywhere on Earth. It is a call from inside yourself, from your heart, from On High, from your Spiritual self. All one has to do is consciously choose not to entertain thoughts of Lower vibrations. Turn off your news that feeds the darkness. Turn off your TV, Radio, Computer, Video Games, or anything that keeps you in the lower realms. Think of things Spiritual or of a more vertical thinking rather than the linear thinking of the material world. Yes, we all have to work, take care of our families, and still participate in this 3D world, but we can rise above it, into a different way of thinking and being. It is all in your mind. If you do this lovingly, living through your heart, you will begin to feel a state of bliss, of Pure Love that will begin to overshadow your whole being. When you feel it, anchor it, as that is the new way of being for all of humanity.

HOW YOU CAN FURTHER HELP:

Tell your family and friends about this event, and what you are going to do… Ask them to join in, or at least allow you to experience this time in peace for yourself. By doing that, even those who choose not to participate are at least conscious of what is going on

Hopefully everyone will see the significance of what is possible, and that which is being called for to join in. Let everyone know, your families, groups, churches, let it be known via emails, newsletters, and so on. Post it on your FaceBook page, your websites and print it on flyers to post around letting people know.

INVITE, INVITE, INVITE.


♥ COLLECTIVE ONENESS ♥

Sand Dream

Was it ?

ffffound.com

Miracles By Walt Whitman ...

Why! who makes much of a miracle?

As to me, I know of nothing else but miracles,

Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,

Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,

Or wade with naked feet along the beach, just in the edge of the water,

Or stand under trees in the woods,

Or talk by day with any one I love--or sleep in the bed at night with

any one I love,

Or sit at table at dinner with my mother,

Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,

Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive, of a summer forenoon,

Or animals feeding in the fields,

Or birds--or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,

Or the wonderfulness of the sun-down--or of stars shining so quiet

and bright,

Or the exquisite, delicate, thin curve of the new moon in spring;

Or whether I go among those I like best, and that like me best--

mechanics, boatmen, farmers,

Or among the savans--or to the soiree--or to the opera,


Or stand a long while looking at the movements of machinery,

Or behold children at their sports,

Or the admirable sight of the perfect old man, or the perfect old

woman,

Or the sick in hospitals, or the dead carried to burial,

Or my own eyes and figure in the glass;

These, with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,

The whole referring--yet each distinct, and in its place.



To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,

Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,

Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same,

Every foot of the interior swarms with the same;

Every spear of grass--the frames, limbs, organs, of men and women,

and all that concerns them,

All these to me are unspeakably perfect miracles.



To me the sea is a continual miracle;

The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the waves--the ships,

with men in them,

What stranger miracles are there?


(1819 – 1892)





Peace is every step.

The shining red sun is my heart.
Each flower smiles at me.
How green, how fresh all that grows.
How cool the wind blows.
Peace is every step.
It turns the endless path to joy.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

A thought to ponder on my way to yoga... Blessings...

Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes... If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralyzed...Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as bird wings... ~ Rumi

A prayer before practice;

By the power and truth of this practice:

May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness
May all beings be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow
May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrow less
And may all live in equanimity with out too much attachment and too much aversion
And live believing in the equality of all that lives...

be water my friend from manitou on Vimeo.

Manitou Yoga from Will Hommeyer on Vimeo.

Mesmerizing ...

Colours from Charlie McCarthy on Vimeo.

"Reality" is what we take to be true. What we take to be true is what we believe. What we believe is based upon our perceptions. What we perceive depends on what we look for. What we look for depends upon what we think. What we think depends upon what we perceive. What we perceive determines what we believe. What we believe determines what we take to be true. What we take to be true is our reality.
So . . . We create our own reality.  ~  Gary Zukav

Kind words and deeds will raise your consciousness and enable you to identify with the soul. Let yours be a message of joy and hope, for doing so will open you to the gifts of spirit. By creating an extraordinary life that fits your dreams you clothe your soul with enlightenment and inspiration. Write a new chapter and make the book of your life a story of happiness that celebrates love as a blessing.


Create harmony and peace and a spark of the divine will light your soul. A happy and passionate life begins with an inspired heart and a fertile spiritual landscape. Know that he who is at one with the beauty of nature is rich in spirit and embraces a higher vibration. The seasons of transformation are upon us, discover your true purpose and yours will be a love filled journey towards wholeness and happiness.

In my heart there are visions of hope and beauty that celebrate the human imagination. Imagine Peace and you inspire the purpose within, Imagine Love and the seeds of possibilities will enable you to live your true nature and evoke your own greatness. Let us all be inspired to Imagine a world of unbridled joy and shared humanity for doing so will lead us to a rose garden of spirituality where happiness is a way of life.
~ Micheal Teal

Clever .

Big Ideas (don't get any) from James Houston on Vimeo.

BY THE WATER from marzio on Vimeo.

If you remember nothing else, always remember this one great secret of spiritual practice: we don't have to feel any particular way. We don't have to have special experiences, nor do we have to be any particular way. With whatever arises, whether it's pleasing or not, try to remember that all we can do is experience and work with whatever our life is right now. No matter what life is and no matter how we feel about it, all that matters in practice is whether we can honestly acknowledge what is going on, and then stay present with the physical experience of that moment.   ~   Ezra Bayda

Reincarnation from Memo Akten on Vimeo.

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION

by Carlos Lascano


A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.

 

Shifting Consciousness;


"The world we are experiencing today is the result of our collective consciousness, and if we want a new world, each of us must start taking responsibility for helping create it."  ~ Rosemary Fillmore Rhea



Below are 7 levels of consciousness that clearly outline a path for our evolving Consciousness:

- Tribal and mass consciousness - one obeys the group and lives by trial and error

- Individual consciousness - one develops a stronger sense of self and ego

- Seeker’s consciousness - one asks questions and seeks independence

- Intuitive consciousness - one develops the heart and is becoming spiritually aware

- Group consciousness - one serves a higher good filling the needs of others
 
- Soul consciousness - one experiences spiritual service.


On which level do you spend most of your time? What are you doing to shift to the next level of being?

There are as many paths to understanding, awareness, peace, freedom, love and meaningful service as there are people. Enjoy your journey!

"Consciousness is not just some by-product of the human brain mass. Consciousness is all pervasive. It is in everything and is everywhere. Your individual human consciousness exists within and is a part of a universal consciousness."  ~ Delfin Knowledge System

HigherAwareness.com

Compassion Exercise

Honesty with one's self leads to compassion for others.


Objective: Increase the amount of Compassion in the world.

Expected Results: A personal sense of Peace.

Instructions: This exercise can be done anywhere that people congregate (airports, malls, parks, beaches etc) It should be done on strangers, unobtrusively, from some distance. Try to do all five steps on the same person..


Step One:   With attention on the person (soul) repeat to yourself;
"just like me, this person is seeking some happiness for his/her life"

Step Two: With attention on the person (soul) repeat to yourself;
"just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life"

Step Three: With attention on the person (soul) repeat to yourself;
"just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness and despair"

Step Four: With attention on the person (soul) repeat to yourself;
"just like me, this person is seeking to fulfill his/her needs"

Step Five: With attention on the person (soul) repeat to yourself;
"just like me, this person is learning about life"


Variation:

"I celebrate the light we both share in Consciousness and infuse it with Love"
" I welcome you in my heart space and circle you in Love"

Family members, old enemies and antagonists still present in your memories, all other life forms,
Try this on all of them and settle in awareness to witness the ripple...   Reflections...

by Phrenzel.

Erykah Badu - Window Seat (Love the ending!)

Erykah Badu - Window Seat (Official Video) She Gets Butt Naked In The Video!

Thank you for your friendship and your love.

However life may turn,
This gift will be a mountain that has made my river bend,
Nor will it flow the same way to the sea.
Knowing you is something I'm made of.
Years will not this part of me remove.
One lives for just a brief eternity,
Understanding truths that never end.

~ Nicholas Gordon

A Human Mandala: A Prayerful Pose during the Monsoons in India.

Gratitude: When Divine Grace Visits…

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ” ~ Innerspace


I'm with Einstein on this one! “My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble minds. That deeply emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incom...prehensible universe, forms my idea of God.”     ~ Reflections!

Yes He Can ?

Missing Him...

It's been 4 months now since my Soul Brother passed over to the Spirit plain and although I know he's happy, safe and in Loves arms,  I still find myself txting him, looking out for him when there's a noise at the front door, or looking up to the skies to share my moment with him. Everything is as it should be, perfect in this moment. Perfect.

I'm so grateful we were open to each other to share the memories of the moments. I'm so grateful that he gave me the chance to experience his light and share mine. I'm so grateful for the lessons he taught me and keeps teaching me. I'm grateful for his ever present presence.    They never leave your heart. He'll never leave my heart,    and I'm grateful for the awareness.  Perfect.

I miss him but I'm grateful for the Perfection of this moment. Perfect.

This Full Moon in Libra ...

The Full Moon in Libra is exact on March 29th at 7:25 pm Pacific; 10:25 pm Eastern and March 30th at 3:25 am London Time.


Staying Self-Possessed

This month's Full Moon in Libra shines a strong moonbeam on balance. It can illuminate what's needed to stay composed and aligned with your moral values, in a time of societal breakdown. The Moon in Libra is opposite the Sun in Aries, inspiring you to be courageous and true to your own sense of destiny.

The Aries-Libra see saw is about balancing the need to be self-centred, with the need to be responsive to your friends, mate, family. You can be brave about cutting out whatever throws you off centre, especially habits of relating. A big question here is how to stay self-possessed when so much is pulling on your energy. The Full Moon is a very psychic time. And the active cardinal energies are in abundance. So watch for signs that flash on new possibilities that may call for bold action.

This Full Moon unites Aries-Libra energies, inviting us to grab the reins of our lives, and stop giving away our power. It's a great time to invite an infusion of power, so you walk tall and grow more powerful with each act of integrity. It's also about presenting a self-image that reflects the power and beauty you hold within.

We're All in this Together !

The Sun (Aries) and Moon (Libra) are both engaging with Pluto in Capricorn at the lunar peak. This gives us previews into possible themes that will be big into summer and fall. The Pluto part of the equation is revamping the economy and our institutions. You can't swing a stick these days without finding a hidden agenda behind public policy. But the counterforces of Aries and Libra show paths to finding alternatives pathways (Libra) and having the courage to act on them (Aries).

If you're feeling like the dark is winning, keep in mind that we're just entering Pluto in Capricorn. Much of what we're seeing as the evil underpinnings have been there for awhile. There's urgency now that more are aware of conspiracies and hidden agendas within our leadership structures. It's helpful to take the long view and see the dark as a counterbalance to the light, and both are part of the great mystery. It's part of a cosmic drama that engages our own inner dark and light, and harmonizing that is a mental challenge that we can meet with the Libra energies.

Saturn (Libra) is also square to Pluto and at 0 degrees Libra. In retrograde, Saturn asks us to review our personal dance of purpose. What role are you meant to play in this time of epic transition? What have the unique events and challenges of your life prepared you for? Saturn asks us to commit to the special purpose that we've signed up for, not just for ourselves, but to be an active part of re-shaping our society.

What can help now?

Finding those on your wavelength.

Creating a tight-knit practical needs support system.

Don't contribute to the polarization of us vs them.

Eat the lightest, cleanest, highest quality food you can afford.

Listen to your guidance about where to be.

More Influences:
Venus and Mercury in Aries
Allow anger to be a catalyst, with Mercury Aries. Speak your truth directly. Cut out filler words that dilute your message. Don't let people tie you up in time-wasting conversations.
Mercury is aligned with Venus in Aries. Tell it like it is, to clear the air and make relationships fresh again. Ties that are meant to last can survive confrontation and emerge stronger. Be bold with each other and start a creative collaboration.

Venus-Mercury in Aries sextile to Neptune Aquarius
Find fresh visions for the future via your 'net connections. Act on some of the concepts that you've been exposed to, and express them in your unique way. Find love among the kindred spirits you're meeting.

Mars Leo sextile Saturn-Moon and trining Sun-Uranus
What's burning inside of you, is a key to what needs to emerge. What are you passionate about? What's been on your mind since the end of last year? Now is the time to start acting on those heart-led longings. It's a key to your special mission, and what only you can contribute.

Jupiter in Pisces
Take comfort in the knowledge that you're an eternal, multi-dimensional being. Jupiter in Pisces reminds us that life is a dream, and to some extent, we can shape the outcome. Great leaps of growth can happen by healing past lives, and connecting to your allies in spirit. It's also prime time for diving into the imagination, and expressing yourself in non-verbal ways (photography, painting, drawing, pottery, gardening art, sacred geometry, music, sound healing).

Libra is a cardinal sign, known for pushing the envelope, impacting others, forging ahead, being at the leading edge. Libra is an air sign that is fair-minded, artistic, socially energetic, mentally forceful.

Full Moon in Libra: glamming it up; adding sophistication to your wardrobe; luxury and refinement; righting a wrong; pursuing justice; being forceful with an alternative narrative; pushing your ideas through (with tact); choosing another path; weighing your options; clear-sight; reaching for ideals; championing human rights; being a voice for truth; overcoming polarity-thinking.

This Full Moon illuminates: relationship imbalances and strengths; areas screaming for justice; bright spots to follow; creative inspirations; ways to make life more pleasurable; culture that elevates.

It's a Good Time to:

Move past right/left, partisan thinking.
Identify areas that call out for balance -- more work? more play?
Resolve a lingering conflict with someone you know.
Mediate a dispute.
Indulge in a spa day (on a budget, try this at home).
Read a book or article that challenges your mind.
Network, mingle, go on a first date.
Attend an art gallery opening, or explore the museum with a friend.
Enjoy a rooftop or mountaintop candlelit dinner for two.
Weigh the pros and cons of a situation.



ENJOY THE MAGIC!!! CREATE SOME MAGIC!!!

Chakra Cleansing Meditation..

Here is a Chakra Meditation for clearing and charging your Chakras:

I use this type of meditation whenever I need to "recharge" and when beginning astral projection practice.

Lie or sit in a relaxed and comfortable position, as you would for any meditation. Your spine should be straight and your head in alignment with your body. This meditation is in script mode, should one want to tape it and listen to it while performing the meditation. It is preferable to learn about energy and the methods of balancing, cleansing and charging the chakras and allow one's own inner voice to lead the meditation. The following is just one way of performing this balancing. Allow your meditations to evolve and to reflect your individual values and beliefs. If taped, a slow, deliberate pace should be used with a mild voice and the appropriate pauses. The body should already be relaxed and the mind tranquil when beginning this meditation. Eyes are closed.

"Now that you are relaxed and feeling very much at peace, take a moment to ground yourself here in this moment, in this body, in this place, in this time......Take some deep breaths....In.... and out....In....and out....Follow the breath as it flows toward your nostrils, as it enters your nose, as it fills your lungs and then as it is expelled. That's it, just relax into this quiet moment. Breathe in...follow your breath... and out. In....and out.

Feel where your body meets the (chair/bed/floor). Become aware of your body from head to toe, of your weight, of the heaviness of your limbs. Now focus on the area at the base of the spine, the area between your legs. This is the root chakra. It's energy is red, and it governs your physical body, your physical health and vitality. In your mind, study the appearance of this chakra...note it's color and vitality. Mentally envision the chakra and note any symbolic symptons of dis/ease. Have you been caring well for your body? If your chakra is dusty, dirty, torn, or otherwise less than a perfectly brilliant red whirling vortex, imagine your hands (or those of a guide) working on the chakra. If it is dirty, clean away the dirt and throw it into an imaginary pail with a lid. Allow those hands to repair any imperfections, and when the chakra is clean, mentally take the pail and hurl it into the sun. Watch it as it travels through space and then bursts into a zillion bits of energy upon solar contact. Allow the sun to recycle this energy back into the universe.

Now turn your attention back to the root chakra. It is a clean and red. You are surrounded by infinite root energy. Imagine the room glowing red with this energy, feel it's strength and power. See red swirls of energy flowing to your root chakra. You can feel this as a tingling as the energy fills your root chakra. As the energy swirls in your chakra grows large and deep red and strong. Allow the energy to fill your chakra until it is so vital that it extends several feet out from your body. In your mind you can see your root chakra, a brilliant red swirling vortex of physical energy.

Now turn your focus up to your abdomen, to the area of the "womb." (Or where the womb would be if you're a man). This is the orange chakra, that which controls clear thinking and creativity. Take a moment to observe the chakra. Note it's color, it's vitality. Is it clean and strong? Or is there work to be done here? Allow those invisible hands to cleanse the chakra, to repair or heal it. Discard any imperfections in the pail, and send the pail to the sun to recycle the energy. Now focus on the orange chakra again. It is now clean and whole, and a bright orange. Call out to the universe for orange creative energy and feel the space around you begin to glow orange. With a tingle you feel the energy begin to swirl into your chakra, charging it with vitality, with creativity, with clear-thought. Watch as your orange chakra grows and whirls, until it extends out from your body for several feet, just as the red root chakra is still whirling and strong.

Now, turn from the red chakra, up through the orange chakra, to the solar plexus. This is the heart of the yellow chakra, that which governs will and ambition. Take a few moments to examine this chakra. Note it's color and appearance. Have you been lazy of late, or perhaps too driven? Examine your will through this chakra. Allow the invisible hands to cleanse the chakra and heal it, discarding any imperfections or impurities in the pail. Send the pail to the sun for recycling.

Now return your attention to the yellow chakra, that of will. It is now clean and a bright yellow. 'Universe, send me yellow energy, will energy, energy to achieve my goals, to work for that which I value and desire.' Feel the yellow energy surrounding your body, and with a tingle feel the energy swirl into your solar plexus. In your mind you can see your red/root chakra glowing, whirling, your orange/womb chakra pulsing brilliantly, and your yellow/solar plexus chakra glowing strongly, extending several feet out from your body.

Now turn your attention to the middle of your chest, to the heart chakra, the green chakra. You may feel an instant wave of emotion. This chakra governs your feelings, your emotional connections to others and to the universe, to life itself. Examine this chakra. Note it's color, vitality, any impurities. Gently allow those invisible hands to cleanse and purify the chakra. Reflect a moment on how you've been feeling emotionally lately. Are there bindings holding in pain? Or is the chakra tight and hard with anger? Release any tensions, imperfections or impurities to the pail. Send them to the sun for recyclying. They are still yours if you choose to hold them, but for now, release any pain or anger.

Now focus back on the heart chakra. It is clean and a beautiful green color. It whirls strongly and evenly. 'Universe, send me green energy for my heart! Open my heart to the world, to all beings big and small, with compassion for our shared experiences and journey. Fill my heart with love energy, that I may in turn give love to others.' Feel the green energy whirling into your heart. Watch the chakra grow and glow and spin with this new energy. From the red chakra through the orange chakra through the yellow chakra through the green chakra, your chakras are cleansed and charged and huge with energy.

Now focus on the throat, center of the blue chakra which governs communication and personal magnetism. Examine the chakra, noting the color and any imperfections... Perhaps you haven't been honoring your own beliefs and speaking out when you should. Or perhaps you've been talking over others, or not listening well. Perhaps you've been feeling shy and afraid to extend your energy in communication. Allow the hands to heal and cleanse the chakra and when finished, send the impurities to the sun for recycling. Now the chakra is clean and strong and bright blue. Feel the air fill with blue universal energy. Feel the throat open as this energy swirls into the throat chakra. This energy charges your aura with magnetism, drawing others to you. Feel your throat open with this swirling, strong blue energy.

Now focus on the middle of your forehead, the third eye. This chakra is indigo and governs psychic vision and intuition. Examine the chakra for imperfections. Perhaps it is locked up due to fear. Perhaps it no longer spins out of neglect/stagnation. Allow the hands to cleanse the chakra, to heal any imperfections and recycle them in the sun. Now look at the chakra. It is a beautiful deep indigo, clean and whirling. There is psychic energy available to you beyond measure. Feel it charge the air, swirl in and around and fill your third eye chakra with deep, vital indigo energy. Feel the third eye open, and note any mental visions as this occurs. Now is a good time to pray for increased psychic power. Note the red/root chakra, the orange/womb chakra, bright, strong, big! Move your attention up to the yellow/solar plexus chakra, to the green/heart chakra, open and brilliant, to the blue/throat chakra and the indigo/third eye chakra. Your chakras are huge, whirling, and fully charged.

Now focus your attention at the crown of your head. This chakra is violet near the body, fading to white further away. This chakra governs your connection to the universe/God/Goddess/The Creator, etc... This chakra is like an umbilical cord to "home." Reflect on your spirituality of late, examine the chakra and allow any healing needed. In my experience this chakra generally needs much less work than the others. Allow the hands to heal, to cleanse, and recycle the discarded energy in the sun. Now examine the chakra. It is brilliantly violet, glowing white around the outside. Mentally reach out to that which you consider your "source..." to "God" or the Universe. Feel the response, the energy flowing back to you. Pray for the peace and joy of a strong crown chakra connection. Feel the violet energy flowing in, a loving embrace of your whole self, of your soul. See the crown chakra grow enormous, and the white energy surround your body.

All your chakras are now clean, charged and in balance. From the red/root chakra, to the orange/womb chakra, to the yellow/solar plexus chakra, to the green/heart chakra, to the blue/throat chakra, to the deep purple/third eye to the violet/crown, your chakras are spinning and whirling, full of energy and vitality. See the white energy that extends up and out from the crown chakra enveloping your whole body in a egg of white energy.

You are completely refreshed, calm, and peaceful. Your energy is balanced. You are full of vitality.



Reflections!!!
 

Look what found its way to me in a random moment? Hello Mr Cricket!

First visit ever to this house  :) 
Cricket signals a time in our lives when our intuition is being activated, and to see one reminds us to trust our inner knowing. (Got it!) We should listen to our gut or what we believe to be true based on our own perceptions. The long antennae of the Cricket symbolize our own heightened awareness of reality. (Thank you Universe and Mr Cricket for the reminder)


Many believe that finding a Cricket in the home is a symbol of good luck and to kill one will bring you bad luck. And still others believe that finding a Cricket in your home is a sign that a relative has reincarnated. The singing of the cricket also heralds the beginning of a happy period in our lives with new experiences of fun, success, and joy. (Funny, I heard them singing in parts of the CBD just the other morning and thought it was unusual, love these moments)

Chinese legend links crickets with longevity and good fortune. Disney used a cricket as a representation of conscience.
 
What a lovely Sunday surprise... Reflections...

Remembering the way of Miracles ...

Friday, 01 January 2010 00:00

By Chip Richards



I have always been fascinated with the idea that miracles are meant to be a normal part of our daily life and who we really are.

Recently, I was plunged into an experience that called for the living validation of this theory. It is in some senses a very small story (about 14cm high), with stakes not as brooding as some of our current world issues, but this encounter has left us with a potent road map and reference point to the inner pathway of miracles, which has since rippled profoundly into all areas of our life. I share it here in hopes that it will trigger your own recognition of subtle patterns and miracle experiences in life, through the stories and creations you are living right now…

Missy went missing ...

“Promise me you won’t take her outside”, were Asheyana’s last words before she and our son Joshua left our home in the hills of Byron Bay for a weekend in Melbourne. As she said this, she cradled the feathery yellow bird in her hands – scratching it blissfully behind the ears – then placed her gently on my shoulder. Missy had come into our life the previous Christmas, and while I had never before considered myself as a ‘bird owner’, amidst the magic of getting to know this little being as she flew around our house and celebrated our arrival into each room, as she sprinted across my computer keyboard (adding words like “jk7?~” to my sentences) in times of great stress, as she stole cornflakes from Josh’s cereal bowl and gently cleaned herself in the mist of Asheyana’s showers, we had all fallen deeply in love with her. And yet, part of me had remained conflicted about her captivity, wishing I could go outside with her, where she would be free to fly and return to us of her own will. My family’s argument, which I also understood, was that she would never survive out in the wild… so why tempt fate?

About an hour after I said goodbye to Ash and Josh, and about five minutes before I settled into a weekend of very focused writing (with a major deadline waiting on the other end), I stepped outside to grab something off our verandah, somewhat unconscious of the fact that the little bird (who was literally as light as a feather), was still perched on my shoulder. We had been onto the covered verandah together before, and this would only be for a moment, but I could not have predicted what would happen…

As I stepped outside, Missy fluttered to the top of a hanging hula-hoop. As she landed on the plastic ring, it spun into motion, flipping her off balance into flight – off the verandah, into the open air! With calls of great distress, she circled over the house in a panic before crash landing into a high tree canopy. I raced into the yard, trying to call her down, but she just paced back and forth along the limb as if she didn’t know how. Jumping onto the trampoline I tried to encourage her into flight from there… and for a moment I thought it might work. She gingerly opened her wings and stepped off the ledge, but something startled her mid-flight and she ended up flying straight over my head, into the rainforest of the National Park!!! A tiny yellow dot, panicking, screeching and vanishing in the distance.

With Asheyana’s last words echoing painfully in my gut, I sprinted after Missy, up along the old fire track deep into the forest, calling and listening with every step. But she was nowhere. I may as well have dropped a goldfish fish into the ocean and swam after it. I was furious with myself for my casual disregard of Asheyana’s deep wishes, horrified at the thought of having to tell her and Josh what had happened, and deeply disturbed knowing that our sweet little friend was flying lost in the jungle – into the territorial grounds of eagles, crows, magpies, snakes and more.

Two hours later, sweaty, scratched and already well behind my writing schedule, I vowed to myself and the Universe that I would do all in my power to bring Missy back. I did not know how, but I knew this must be done. I found myself voicing this intention clearly and repeatedly out loud – first to myself, then to the trees and the kookaburras. I went to the spring at the centre of the property and called out to the nature spirits and all who would listen. I asked for help. I stated my intention for her to return and my willingness to do whatever was needed to assist. The forest studied me in silence. I took a breath, thanked them for their help and bolted back to the house to see if Missy had arrived home yet.

I arrived instead to a call from Asheyana, checking to see how I (and little bird) were doing. I have often noticed that when we strongly state an intention to the Universe, among the first things to arise are symbols of what may be blocking our internal flow from receiving it. This is often misperceived as a setback, but in truth it is more like a weed rising in the garden after rainfall – it simply calls for gentle release, so we can get on with the mission of growing. In this case, my energy of clear intention to bring back Missy, was being squashed by my guilt and fear of telling my family what had happened – and I knew it. As much as I had hoped to have this situation solved before I spoke with Ash, here we were on the phone, and I knew the only way forward was honesty. I told her what happened, and after swearing, crying and hating me for a few minutes, thankfully she turned, and in a voice of startling clarity, said, “Bring her back Chip. We have to bring her back.”

We both fell very quiet on the phone. Then from that silence, an idea began to rise. Knowing that we are all energetically connected and that animals often communicate with pictures, we decided the best thing to do was to turn the intention of Missy’s returning into a picture. Something we could revisit in our mind over and over and something that would build a genuine positive feeling in our bodies. With no sign of a yellow bird anywhere, it seemed a tough time to initiate a visualisation experiment, but we knew the energy had to start somewhere.

I asked myself what could be the very highest outcome of this experience. Initially I couldn’t get past the devastating vision of having to tell Josh what had happened, but slowly I moved through other more ‘realistic’ scenarios until I eventually came to an image… an image that felt in this moment to be nearly impossible, but one that to me represented the highest possible outcome.

The image was of Missy flying right into my chest and me catching her. I imagined the feeling of overwhelming relief and gratitude we would feel for this to happen, and for a moment I allowed myself to feel it. Somewhere in the field of all possibilities, there must be a probable reality of Missy coming home; so we both decided to hold that vision above all others, and to do our best not to doubt the universe’s infinite capacity to line up with our intentions. This vision would be our message. We would share it with a few key friends and we would return to it over and over, letting ourselves feel the feelings of the image. From there it would be up to me to listen and follow whatever impulses may arise to help bring us closer to its realisation.

We hung up the phone and, as the sun went down on this first day, quiet inklings began to rise in me of steps I could take to build the energy of Missy’s return. The first was to record my voice whistling and calling out to her (something she always responded to). So I positioned our stereo speakers at the window and much to our neighbours’ curiosity, I began pumping this recording into the forest. As darkness fell, I knew she was out there shivering on a limb somewhere. Maybe she could hear me.

The next morning I rose with an increased sense of focus. If she was still alive, she would still be somewhere in the region – so I turned up the stereo volume and left it on repeat as I made up a sign to distribute and headed into town. On the way, I repeatedly stopped at the sound of whistles in the trees – often engaging in lengthy call and response exchanges before realising I was talking to the wrong bird. “Prepare to buy a puppy”, was the best vote of confidence I got from a friend I passed in town as I handed him my flyer, but I would not let this deter me. She was coming home.

Each time I hung up a flyer, I paused to look at her photo, imagining Missy flying into my chest and how incredibly grateful I would be. Shortly after hanging up the last flyer, something subtle happened that I would not normally attach significance to, but on this day it meant the world… There in the very small town of Mullumbimby, in the space of three minutes, two different people (a kid on a bike, then an old man in a car) went out of their way to approach me and ask for directions. Never before nor since has this happened. So I took it as a sign – I must be putting out the energy of navigation in some way or another.

A short drive – and many whistle stops – later, I arrived home and discovered another piece of the puzzle… As I sat in the verandah trying to get a fragment of my writing project done, I became aware of an immense amount of bird activity above the yard. In the space of an hour, I saw two wedge-tail eagles, a hawk, several crow families, kookaburras, a pack of rainbow lorikeets and a huge flock of doves – so many more than usual. They were hovering, circling and mingling in almost eerie ways around the house, as though they had been called there and wondered what for. It seemed whatever we were doing was having a magnetic effect of sorts… but perhaps it needed more clear focused. For as the sun went down on the second day, still no sign of Missy.

That evening we returned to our meditative images and I told Asheyana the next time I called her it would be with tears in my eyes from Missy’s return. We both wanted to believe this and felt encouraged by the signs, but with a cool winter night on the rise and a rain forecast the following afternoon, we knew our window of time was narrowing.

Morning of day 3, I rose to a phone call from my aforementioned friend. He had good news and bad. The good news was that he remembered hearing a story of a bird returning to its owner after flying off for several days. The bad news was that on closer inspection of my flyer, he noticed that I had written the WRONG contact phone number!

This was not the first opportunity I had to spiral into self-judgment, but somehow I knew this would not help. I decided instead to try embracing the wisdom of Aikido and ‘accept the hit as a gift’. There must be a gift in this somewhere… I zoomed back into town, and carefully began renumbering every one of the flyers I hung up the day before. Halfway through, I felt my energy begin to rise and I realised that this activity was like a mantra to the message. It was giving me the chance to once again look at full colour images of Missy at home, and to really connect with the vision of her return.

I knew I had put out a pulse that was being received in some way by the animal world, and despite the passing hours and the growing rationale against it, I continued to ‘feel the vision’ of Missy’s return to my chest. This focus was of course intermingled with waves of doubt and fear of the worst possible scenarios, but I noticed that, whenever a fearful image would rise, I would let it move through with a breath, then I would simply return to my vision. If she freely chose to live out her days as a wild yellow dart in the woods, then I would try to accept this, but if she wanted to return, my job was to help…

If she was having a hard time finding home, perhaps I could do more to bring home to her. So I lit a fire in the stove as a smoke signal, maxed out the stereo volume and basically folded our house inside out. I brought her cage, food and much of my wardrobe out into the yard, hanging them up in the trees. I ate cereal, played music and typed on my computer. I spent the day doing all the things she was most familiar with, but doing them outside. The yard looked hilarious but for some reason it felt like the right thing to do.

Hours passed, fires dimmed and storm clouds began to build. Just before sunset, I gathered an armful of firewood on my way into the house, and as a token gesture, let out one final whistle, as I had done hundreds of times in the past few days. Turning toward the house in surrender, I suddenly heard in the distance… a familiar response. I whistled again. This time the response came louder. I had always been mystified how birds like penguins know the unique call of their young in a colony of thousands, but in this moment I knew this was for me. I dropped the wood and bolted into the trees, whistling and listening with each step. As I came to a narrow clearing, my eyes rose to the top of an 80-foot gum tree, where a tiny yellow form paced back and forth looking down. I whistled once more, and in a moment of surreal magnificence, she took flight with wings of new confidence and dive-bombed through the clearing... right into my CHEST! Just like the image we had dared to hold. I grabbed her with both hands and scrambled up to the house. With tears of disbelief pouring down my face (man, I didn’t realise how much I loved this bird!) I called Asheyana and heard the conversation unfold that we had rehearsed and imagined. “She’s back! I have her! She’s OK!”

That night as I watched Missy eat her weight in seed and gratefully settle back in to her human home, I recounted the tale with Asheyana, unravelling many incredible lessons Missy had taught us. Lessons about clearly stating our highest intention and building energy around the FEELING of that vision – even when it seems out of reach. Lessons about listening to our highest wisdom, taking simple practical steps when called to and being willing to flow with what comes. Lessons about letting doubts and fears arise and release as we continually return to our higher focus. I realised that no matter how far-fetched our dreams and ideas may seem, if we can envision them and build energy around them in our bodies, then there is nothing we cannot create. In truth, this is perhaps one of our greatest callings – to continually stretch ourselves to see greater possibilities beyond our ‘apparent’ reality; to know that our world is an ever-evolving reflection of the visions we hold clearest and share most deeply with those around us. Whether we are calling a tiny bird back from the forest or calling healing to our body… whether we are seeking resolution to a challenging personal situation or peace in a land of conflict… whether we are calling for a new home or new vitality in the elements our living planet… the pathway is the same. It starts right here with the visions we hold and the energy we build around them. While it is often crisis and challenge that brings us into the focus of our infinite creative capacities, it doesn’t have to be that way. In truth these moments of greatest challenge may simply be helping us remember how incredibly creative and powerful we are all the time – when we open our view of what is possible and come together, for the higher good of all.



Chip Richards is an author and spiritual life coach, devoted to helping people of all walks awaken to their true SELF, higher purpose and infinite capacities in life. He is the co-founder of New Earth Creations and the Moving Mountains 33-day Journey of Awakening.

The true beauty of the inner self is its spirit nurturing truth which breathes joy and happiness into our very soul. By living life in harmony and balance we awaken our inner universe and cultivate infinite love for all beings. The essence of being alive is to live an inspired life of higher self discovery that opens doorways to richness of spirit and inspires us to embrace the earth as a sacred womb of love.

The essence of reality is that if we have the courage to change ours will be a reservoir of spiritual experiences that clothe our souls with flowers of love and gratitude. Mother Earth and Father Sky embrace the positive aspects of the self thereby illuminating a path of celestial awakening. If you accept love as a way of life you will cultivate joy and and create a nurturing environment of happiness and harmony.


By bringing earth closer to heaven we can all give birth to the magnificence of our own being. Ours is a journey of compassion and transformation, by breathing in the moment we cultivate spiritual wellbeing and celebrate the miracle of life. Let your Global Soul create a new Humanity.

~Micheal Teal

There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more.


~ George Gordon Byron (1788-1824), [Lord Byron]

Makes Me Wanna Holla!

Hot Cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues”… Go JM.

http://jhnmyr.tumblr.com/post/422978472/found-item-heres-a-recording-i-made-in-my

To connect with the angels we must trust our inner voice. Have a talk with your spirit guides, experience the extraordinary and embrace the beauty within for doing so will enable you to live the life you want to live. We are all Earth Angels and our souls are the place where heaven and earth meet. By knowing yourself you change the world for the better and live your higher self. Be love and you connect with the angels. ~ Micheal Teal

My soul is dressed with beams of light that i may serve as a beacon to those in the shadows who are seeking vision and spirit. By bringing earth closer to heaven we can all give birth to the magnificence of our own being. Ours is a journey of compassion and transformation, by breathing in the moment we cultivate spiritual wellbeing and celebrate the miracle of life. Let your global soul create a new humanity. ~ Micheal Teal

Come! Let's do Seva!

Seva also Sewa, short for the word Karseva refers to "Selfless Service", work or service performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. In the Punjabi language the person performing such service is called a Sevadar..


How can we do this together?




The Jambange Project in the foothills of the Himalyas is building a medical center for hundreds of nearby villagers - many are refugees from Nepal and Tibet, as well as hoping to support the local economy with ecotourism, trekking and a yoga center.


The Jambange water tank project is an integral first step, aiming to provide each household with a 500 litre water tank for seasonal water collection and to store water by connecting pipes to the natural mountain run-offs.

They are aiming to raise a 1000 tanks which would cost US $ 100,000. The local people in Rimbick are generally manual labourers, who earn on a day to day basis, and when they dont earn they have to do without. They earn approx one and a half dollar a day, which is bare sustenance wages.

Individuals wishing to do seva by donating will forever be in the prayers of the recipient family, and will recieve a photograph showing the family and 'their' tank with 'your' the donor's name painted on it as a permanent tribute to their gift.

Feb 2010 watertanks arrive..

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

Lift your spirit and the light of your inner being will twinkle like the stars at night. Elevate your soul and the miracle of who you are will blossom like flowers of gratitude. We are love and the soul of humanity will flourish only when each of us embraces that love with all the strength and courage we have. Be the love you are and live with abundance and joy. Let love as a way of life be your gift to the universe. 

~ Micheal Teal

Friends who do the work... Want to help ??? Pay it forward...

I received this notice from a soul sister yesterday about her caring friend Tiffany, who is volunteering at an Orphanage in Vietnam.    Touched my Soul..
She is raising funds to better the lives of the orphaned monk children. Your generous contribution (should you chose to make one) is for a worthwhile cause...

Lets help make a difference to the lives of these kids! ... $30 (usd) could bring music to their lives, how could you resist???

(Thanks for passing this on Sonia)

Tam Ky Program
Tam Ky is a city in the Quang Nam Province of central Vietnam. It is 860km south of Hanoi, 947km north of Ho Chi Minh City and 70km south of Da Nang City (a 1½ hour drive). Tam Ky is the capital of the Quang Nam province and has a population of approximately 100,000 people. It is most famous for the nearby ancient Cham Towers. You won't find many westerners in Tam Ky, so it certainly offers a different experience of Vietnam compared to the more touristy areas.

The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) partner in Vietnam cooperates with local authorities such as the Quang Nam Union of Friendship Organisations and Quang Nam Department of Welfare to place international volunteers in the following placements around Tam Ky.

1. Home of Affection (HOA)

The Home of Affection is home to 35 orphans and disadvantaged children. Many of the children are orphaned due to parents who have died in the 2006 or 2009 typhoon, and relatives are unable to care for them. The children range from 3-17 years old. During the school semesters, the older children go to school and receive

general education. Classes change depending on whether school is in or whether it is school holidays. Some of the children have intellectual and physical disabilities, and some come from very sad and tragic backgrounds. But you wouldn’t know if from the smiles on their faces and the affectionate cuddles they give you.

The children share rooms according to age and sex. The rooms are very basic. Some have desks, some have lockers, they share a bed, some don’t have mattresses. Some windows don’t even have glass on them, so when it rains water comes in, insects come in and on the cooler nights the children don’t have warm clothes or warm blankets. A sign of damp rising is evident.

The kitchen used to prepare food for the children and wash up areas is absolutely disgusting. Laced with mould and all sorts of breeding bacteria. Their bathroom facilities are not much better. All the children go to the local schools near by – except for the really young ones under 5. Their day starts at 5am when they wake up. Then it’s 5.15am for exercise, 5.45am for breakfast, 6.30am they go to school, 11 am they are back from school, 11.30am is lunch, 12.30pm is afternoon nap, 2pm they go back to school for the afternoon, 4pm they are back and have to do homework, and then it’s dinner at 5pm. They go to school 6 days a week. Dinner is a very basic bowl of steamed rice, a bit of veggies and dried meat of some sort. So once a month volunteers fund a feast for the children. We organize a more decadent meal which only costs $1.1m VND ($66 AUD) to feed all 33 of them. We also fund the monthly breakfast program, which costs $3m VND ($180 AUD), making sure the children have something to eat before they start their day. In the evenings at 6pm, volunteers teach the older children English and General studies twice a week. The younger children are still at a basic English level, learning the alphabet, colours, days of the week, greetings, etc. The children love art lessons, games and sports. Every second evening is used for art/crafts, games or sports.

I teach English to a class of 9 children aged 12-14 years old. Initially they were quite rowdy, disruptive and disrespectful – thinking I was just another volunteer that will finish up in a month, and that I was a push over. How wrong were they!

I let them be in the first week to see their behaviours and characters. In the second week I made them sit in class balancing books on theirs heads to gain concentration, improve posture and improve tonal projection when they spoke in class – instead of having them slumped over their desks and mumbling. If anyone dropped their books, I made them do 10 knuckle pushups. If they failed to complete homework, it was
20 knuckle push ups. So that straightened them out. In English classes, we focused on the sounds and words beginning with “TH”, “CH”, “SH”, “F”, “W”, and “J”.

The Vietnamese alphabet does not have F, W or J, so this can be hard for the children. We also focused on past, present and future tenses, reading and comprehension, dictation, writing their thoughts in journals, conversational skills, confidence in public speaking. The children did very well, as indicated by their test results every two weeks. On Australia Day, I proudly wore a t-shirt with the Aussie flag and taught the kids the states in Australia and we sung the national anthem.

In our games and sports sessions, we play eye spy, hopscotch, dodge ball/poison ball, musical chairs, frisbie, twister, three legged race, soccer, shuttlecocks, skipping rope, etc. I also run a taekwondo clinic and basic self defence. This is very popular with all the children as they also learn how to count in Korean. I also teach dance (the hokey pokey, the Macarena, the Twist, the Bus Stop and the Nut Bush). This is also very popular with the children.

In February I took my English class back to the house where volunteers stay and we had an afternoon of cooking. We made gourmet spaghetti bolognaise! This exercise cost $750,000VND ($45 AUD). Each student had a task to do, whether it was grating carrots, chopping veggies, cooking the spaghetti, preparing the mince sauce or setting the table. I even made paper chef hats for them. We all had a great time. Following lunch, we served up snack foods and watched DVDs. February is also when the new year Tet festival takes place – the biggest celebration on the Vietnamese calendar. This is usually a sad time for the children, as they do not have families to go back home to, no big feast and no lucky money in little red bags. So I surprised the children by giving them all $30,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) – equivalent to $1.80 AUD. They were so delighted. These are some of the children from the HOA

Saying goodbye to these kids was very emotional. I gave them each a goodies bag filled with exercise books, pencils, pens, sharpeners, erasers, correction pens, tooth brush, combs, stickers, sweets, photos I had taken of them, the older boys got disposable razors and the girls got clips and hair ties.

The Tam Ky Baby & Children’s Orphanage

This orphanage is actually on the outskirts of the city in a neighboring village surrounded by emerald green rice paddies. The orphanage is the permanent home for 45 orphans aged from newborn to 11 years old. There are 13 babies, 5 toddlers and 21 children. When the children turn 12 years old, they are moved to the Hoi An orphanage (about an hour’s drive north) where they can stay until they are 17.

Most of the babies and toddlers have unknown backgrounds as they are dumped in neighboring villages, on the side of the road, in the jungles or near rice paddies. Many of the children do not have parents because they have passed away or left home. A minority of the children have poor parents who are unable to look after them or send them to school. There are 12 Vietnamese staff who are referred to as 'Mothers'. The mothers care for the babies and children. On any given day 8 mothers would be at the orphanage (3 looking after the babies, 1 looking after the toddlers, 2 looking after the children and 2 cooks). They are kept busy cleaning, bathing and feeding the children everyday. The mothers are paid $80USD per month (average monthly income in Vietnam is $100USD per month). Again, some of the children have intellectual, physical disabilities and tortured backgrounds.

Volunteers care for the babies and children while the mothers are doing chores or have a little break. Sometimes volunteers assist the mothers to feed and bathe the children. There are some teaching programs, but it’s mainly games and art/craft activities with the children. The babies and toddlers do not wear disposable nappies – this is considered a luxury item only to be worn if they have diarrhea or for night time use. The nappies they are basically made of 2 handkerchiefs – one folded into a rectangle and then placed in the centre of another folded into a triangle. Each baby and toddler goes through an average of 8 per day – as they are not absorbent at all. So the mothers are constantly washing, drying and folding at least 288 andkerchiefs a day!

Each day there is a different activity we organize with the children, from dress ups, art & crafts, sports, music & games and manicure/pedicure days. The children share rooms according to age and sex. The rooms are very basic and only have timber slat beds with no mattresses. Some children sleep in metal cribs..and that’s all they have. The condition of the rooms are not much better than that of the HOA, which is riddled with bugs and damp rising. At least the kitchen is in slightly better condition that that of the HOA. Again, the washing and bathroom areas are laced with mould and all sorts of bacteria. Nine of the children are old enough to go to the local primary school. 15 other younger children have English classes with volunteers each morning. The babies who are old enough to eat are feed blended boiled rice (like a congee/porridge mixture) with a little bit of blended veggies – usually carrot or broccoli. The toddlers get fed the same. The older children eat a bowl of rice and some dried bits of meat. As with the HOA, once a month volunteers fund a feast for the children. We organize a more decadent meal which only costs $800,000 VND ($48 AUD) to feed all 25 children (babies and toddlers do not partake in this feast.

In the first three weeks of commencing volunteer work in January at the orphanage, we were peed on, pooped on and puked on, and encountered the following breakouts:

1. Lice infestation amongst the children. So we implemented a preventative program whereby every Friday when the children are bathed, they must use lice shampoo/conditioner. Volunteers also had to follow this program to prevent getting lice.

2. Bug/mite bites. The babies suffered horrible bites where by the part on their bodies would swell where they had been bitten.

3. Scabbies infestation. The babies suffered from this all over their hands and feet.

4. Scarlet fever. One child suffered scarlet fever.

5. Fevers. Many of the babies were teething, therefore many of them had high fevers.

In February we faced the below;

6. Diarrhea. 8 babies had diarrhea

7. Vomiting. 5 babies suffered severe reflux and vomiting.

8. Ear infections. 7 children had severe ear infections causing them to have high temperatures.

Volunteers were constantly going to the pharmacy to get supplies to treat the children, and at times personally taking the child to the local hospital and funding the consultation and treatment. A small clinic (the Rainbow Clinic) was built in December with funds donated from previous volunteers, where two junior nurses with very basic training are employed. However, funds ran out and the clinic could not be stocked with medication. So the January volunteers used their own funds to stock the clinic with supplies costing $3mil VND ($181 AUD). I continued to replenish stocks in February $2mil VND ($121 AUD). An expensive exercise, but a very worthy one. Everyday volunteers bring bananas for the toddlers and children, so they have a healthy treat. This costs $600,000 VND ($36AUD). Unfortunately, the babies missed out. In February, I implemented a fruit and veggie program for the babies so they didn’t miss out. Every Friday, the babies would enjoy a rotation of blended mango and banana, custard apple, papaya, sweet potato or pumpkin.

Volunteers also donate money and buy the following necessities to ensure children at the orphanage don’t go without; baby milk formula, special corn milk formula for a lactose intolerant baby, disposable nappies, baby wipes, nappy rash cream, baby cream, tooth brushes, tooth paste, baby oil, milk bottle teats, bottle brushes,
teething rings, eucalyptus oil, shampoo, soap, children’s multivitamins. This costs $4mil VND ($242 AUD).

There is a 5 year old girl with cerebral pausey, who is stuck in her inadequate sized metal crib. Her name is Duyen. Volunteers spend at least 40 minutes with her each day to massage and exercise her. Without volunteers she’s left in the crib and lacks the social interaction she needs to simulate her. In February, we managed to raise funds amongst ourselves so she could be admitted to the disabled children’s hospital for 6 months to get the specialized care she needs. This costs $2.16mil VND per month ($130 AUD).

There is a 2 year old toddler who has hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain). He’s name is Son. At 3 months he was taken to a smaller hospital in Danang to get a CT scan. Doctors there said that he’s a hopeless case, cant be treated and he would die by the time he is 6 months. This doctor provides the same diagnosis to all the disabled orphaned children. Upon learning about Son’s history, I was very keen to get him to Saigon for a more comprehensive examination to see if there was a possibility that surgery could improve his life. For two months I was embroiled in political and government red tape and grew immensely frustrated at the lack of compassion from officials. In the first week of March, upon learning about my soon to be departure from the program, I was given the go ahead and everything was organised within 12 hours! Through the kind donation of $700 from one individual at home who knew about my plight, I was able to fund a two night medical expedition to Saigon for the toddler, a mother, the director of GVN-Vietnam and myself. We were fortunate to be seen by prominent Dr. Canh and his team of 5 other doctors at the Cho-Ray hospital in Saigon. Son had a combination PET-CT scan. This machine is the most expensive medical equipment in Vietnam. The Prime Minister went to the USA to personally get it for Dr.Canh – director of the unit. The scan showed Son has two conditions; congenital brain malfunction and holoprosencephaly. What this basically means is that his head is filled with 70% water. His brain did not develop and did not split during pregnancy and when he was born. Normal people have two sides to the brain. He only has one. And a very small one. He's brain has only formed one third of the size it should be. Even if we had surgery to insert a tube from his brain to his stomach and drain the fluid, it will eventually fill up again. He would need further surgery to replace the tube as he grows – if he survives for a longer period of time. Draining the fluid will not improve his quality of life. It will just minimise the size/weight of his head. He's brain will not develop any further. He will not develop any further. So unfortunately, that was it for this little boy. Nothing more we can do except provide him with good care and make his life as comfortable as possible. I was content with the thoroughness of the diagnosis and the rationale for not pursuing it further.

Tam Thanh Program:

Tam Thanh is a small fishing village 15 km east of Tam Ky. It is an isolated beach area where the families are very poor and the village is inaccessible during the rainy season. Many of the children leave school because their parents cannot afford the fees, plus there is a shortage of teachers in the area. Volunteers work with staff teaching English to up to 60 children aged from 10 to 16 years old. Class sizes are variable and the children are very keen to learn. The program aims to improve their English in order to assist with future job opportunities and to encourage the children to stay at school.

Economic Zone

Students at the Economic Zone are adults who are business people. They deal with foreigners in their business activities and volunteers work to improve their English pronunciation, comprehension and conversational skills. Volunteers fund the monthly electricity expense to run the classes ($38,000 VND = $2.30 AUD) English for the kids (Misa Centre) This is a centre where children aged 6-12, from more affluent families attend private English tutorials. Volunteers help with pronunciation, conversation skills and games to improve their English.

Disabled Hospital

The Disabled Hospital is a rehabilitation centre helping families with disabled children. There are around 20 children aged between 8 months to 8 years. Some of them are far away from their homes are provided with food and accommodation at the hospital. Some return home after physiotherapy, whilst others stay on at the hospital. Most of the children have cerebral pausey. Volunteers work with local therapists to provide physical and mental stimulation for children. Volunteers also assist in English lessons with staff and interns at the hospital. Volunteers fund special high protein milk for the children, disposable nappies, massage oil and also provide each family with $150,000 VND ($10 AUD) a month to assist with living expenses while at the hospital.

Accommodation

Our volunteer program fee covers accommodation in a rented house with 2 floors, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Rooms are equipped with a mattress on the floor (as a bed), pillows, mosquito nets and fans. The bathroom has a shower head on the wall, and that is the shower – the whole room turns into a shower. There is no shower basin or shower curtains. There is permanent ventilation by way of holes in the walls, which also allows all sorts of bugs into the house despite our efforts to use bug spray. We share the house with a planet of ants (as big as the size of a long grain rice!), a community of mosquitoes, a tribes of flies, heaps of geckos, and a family of mice..oh and occasionally we are startled by flying cockroaches the width of a 20 cent coin! There is a washing machine, fridge and computers with internet access. Occasionally the front door lock falls out, there’s a surge in electricity resulting in regular black outs and sometimes there’s no hot water. There is no air-conditioning and the windows don’t open. Although basic, it is close to shops (photocopying, toiletries, treats, etc.), internet cafes and local cafes.

Sometimes we have transportation to take us to our placements. But we usually ride the bicycles. Some bicycles are missing a pedal, none have reflectors, sometimes the brakes don’t work, the wheels are creaky, there’s no bell, we have no helmets and more often than not – the chain comes off. We also have 3 basic meals organized each day.

Volunteers

In January we were fortunate to have 7 volunteers in Tam Ky from all over (USA, Malaysia, Australia and Chile). We all contributed $30,721,000 VND ($1862 AUD) in funds to ensure a successful program in January. In February, there were only 2 volunteers due to the Tet festival interruptions – where the whole of Vietnam practically shuts down for 10 consecutive days. This causes huge disruptions to business and transportation. The lack of volunteers meant the possibility that we could not continue to fund the program to its fullest. But the program continued and I was able to donate $42,950,500VND ($2603 AUD) in funds, medical supplies, clothing etc. thanks to the generosity of the following people at home;

1. Nik Vorrias

2. Samantha and Con Vorrias-Tsatas

3. Leyla Swatman

4. Kelly Osborne

5. Ruth Swatman-Vo

6. Oanh from MyChemist Highpoint

7. Jenni Pham

8. Chris Pham

9. June Swatman

10. Melissa Richards and her Credit Task Force team at ASIC

11. Ngan Ngo

12. Jill Doctor

March 2010 and beyond

I am very proud of the work I have done in Tam Ky and very privileged to have met some of the happiest kids who have so little. I finished in Tam Ky on Sunday 7th March, and I leave knowing the program is left in good hands with 5 volunteers (new and experienced returning volunteers) from Canada, USA and Australia. Although I’ve left Tam Ky, my volunteering adventures are not over. I left the endless rice paddies in Tam Ky for the endless beaches in Nha Trang - where my family originally came from. Nha Trang is along the coast in the central-south region of Khanh Hoa province – population 250,000. I arrived on Monday 8th March, and am giving myself a 3 day break before commencing volunteering at the Loc Tho Pagoda Orphanage – 20 minutes by car on the outskirts of Nha Trang City in a village community. I will be here for four months. I am doing this on my own. There is no organization providing me accommodation, transportation or meals. I am in the midst of finding accommodation to call home for the next four months, and trying to figure out the most economical and safest way to get to the pagoda.

I discovered this pagoda orphanage by dining at a restaurant here in October (Lanterns Restaurant) who supported this orphanage (one of three they support). They told me this one was the poorest of the three and I visited them on my return in December with two friends. I will arrange games, sports, arts/crafts and other activities with the children on Sundays – their free day. I will teach English Monday – Thursdays. The children are all Buddhist as it’s a Buddhist pagoda, run by female monks. There are about 40 children who permanently live here aged from 4 months – 16 years. The children live, play and go to school on the grounds of the pagoda. The children have special monk hair cuts and wear monk robes as a sign that they are committed to studying Buddhism – leading them to an enlightened life of becoming a monk. During the day, the pagoda opens it’s doors to the poor children in the village so they can get some sort of education. The total number of children can top 100 during the day. There are only 2 teachers who teach about 80 children. The remaining 20 is taught by an older monk child (14 years old) who then has to teach himself at night time.

The public worshipping areas are beautiful and in pristine condition to encourage worshippers to come, pray and donate money. The money received goes to the necessities of paying for electricity, food and basic medicines. The private living areas, playing areas and some classrooms is appalling. The children don’t have
enough pencils and have to share it during class. Unfortunately these children can never be adopted as they are not part of a government organization.

This pagoda orphanage is off the beaten track. You find it in glossy brochures, or part of any tours. Few people come across this pagoda orphanage by dining at Lanterns restaurant (and reading the preface to the menu) or by word of mouth from those who have visited the pagoda. Therefore, the orphans and village children are rarely exposed to volunteers who want to help in any way they can. I would like to raise the below funds to improve the facilities and lives of these monks and the orphans they look after:

If you are able to assist in donating funds towards the above initiatives, funds can be credited direct to my Australian Bank account below:


Account Name: Tiffany Pham


Bank: National Australia Bank


BSB & Account No. 083155 – 79 093 6363

I have also established an international PayPal account to accept funds from all over the world direct to my
PayPal account and via payment from your credit card.

Please follow the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgibin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=lahdidadah%40hotmail%2ecom&lc=AU¤cy_code=AUD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted

Please ensure you provide your name and brief details of the initiative you’d like to contribute towards.

I will provide regular updates (and I promise it wont be as long as this one) on my adventures at Loc Tho Pagoda. I would sincerely like to thank you for taking the time to read this, as this is a sign that I’m able to raise awareness and show you another way of life through my eyes. I would also like to thank you in advance for your generous assistance.

Sincerely,

Tiffany