Get Ready

By Karen Bishop

Greetings!

The re-connection is finally coming! What a wild and seemingly unpredictable ride we have been on, but if we can understand what is indeed occurring, it can all make sense. Things are proceeding right on track as we continued making our way up the spiritual evolutionary ladder.

As more and more of the masses become involved in the process, the stages still repeat themselves over and over, but with much more of an impact now as so much more has been embraced and engulfed within higher vibrating energies. And in addition, the higher we vibrate, the more intense and magnified every movement and shift becomes.

When this process really began in earnest around 2000, there were but a few in the forefront having the many experiences that the ascension process creates. With each succeeding phase, more and more souls get on board and thus, we become closer and closer to creating heaven on Earth and a planet which becomes closer and closer to the visions most of us embody as the beautiful new Earth we knew it would eventually become.

So where are we now and what is on the very near horizon? The solstice of June 21st will pack a very powerful punch, but why will this be, what will it create, and how did we get here in the first place?

From January to Now

After we arrived fully at the next level or dimension (the end of March), we then began to experience manifestations of residing in a higher vibration. The loss of our normal boundaries was the most pronounced. This created in many, experiences of having our boundaries disrespected, of feeling a sense of danger or perhaps a feeling of not being safe, and of feeling bare, naked, and vulnerable.

The higher we vibrate, the less density surrounds us within and without, and a loss of boundaries is very common.

Another common manifestation for many was re-connecting or coming into contact with individuals we had not seen for awhile, of family re-unions and old connections re-surfacing. This was because when we reach the "other side," we connect with the best parts of our loved ones, brothers and sisters, and those with whom we shared past connections. If not occurring in a physical manifestation, some had this experience in their dream state.

Feeling cold with an inability to get warm is another manifestation of transitioning from one dimension or vibration into another…or in other words, going through a shift. Weeping for the loss of the old, or the energies of what can no longer exist in a higher vibration, occurred as well, even if many did not consciously know why they were feeling so emotional. Feeling as if one was having a meltdown is also a frequent occurrence of the ascension process, as so much of us begins to open, leave, and come apart during these times.

We also began to vibrate higher and thus to come to the higher vibrating awareness that we cannot save another or even save the planet. When we attempt to go where others are, or to a lower vibrating space, we have to drop down ourselves, and this we can only do for certain amounts of time. We need not "drop down" anymore, as it is now time for many to "come up."

And this brings us to where we are now. We need to pull out and allow for the energies which need to experience an awakening and a change to have the opportunity to get to this place on their own. If we continue to go where they are, attempting to hold them up and support them, we will only be robbing them of their opportunity to hit rock bottom, to then ask for change, to try something different, to come to a new awareness on their own, to ask for assistance, and most importantly to be willing to listen and embrace a very new way.

Over and over through the years of writing these energy alerts I have received criticism, anger, resistance, and "correction" from some who are not yet ready or who have not yet had an experience of residing in a higher dimension. They are simply viewing things from a filter of an old 3D reality. Holding on to these old filters can greatly slow us up now. And this will become very evident for the many masses which will arrive on our heels.

As I have said so many, many times….residing in a higher dimension is not what we thought it would be. It is quite different than our old 3D minds could wrap themselves around. Over and over I am invited to connect with those practicing old 3D perceptions of spirituality and New Age thought and I am unable to participate. There is much un-doing which needs to occur and as we vibrate higher and higher, we will need to be ready to show others who are now willing to let go, a new and higher vibrating way of being and perceiving.

The discomfort that the ascension process creates is designed to allow souls to be willing to open up to something new. To realize that what they thought was real, simply was not. To be willing to let go of the reigns and to allow for help. advice, and perhaps a trust in someone or something that has been to new and higher vibrating places.

This is what the ascension process creates….a breaking down and releasing of much. And through this breaking down, we then connect more fully to the higher ways of a higher vibrating reality. If we rush in and attempt to save everything before it has a chance to arrive at its own point of giving up and opening to something new, we will only impede the process of the fall. And the fall is a vitally important step on the ascension journey.

Thus enters the summer solstice of 2008. Our boundaries have lessened, the veil has become thinner, and within this process many have been taken advantage of for their kindness, consideration, love and supporting ways which exist in a higher reality.

These ways are inherent in most lightbearers, and it can thus be difficult not to utilize them in a lower vibrating reality. In a higher vibrating reality, these traits are embodied by all, and there is then in existence a wonderful balance of give and take, with each soul contributing in equal amounts to create a whole in total and beautiful balance. But we are not quite there yet.

The solstice will accomplish much and change this to a degree. And it will accomplish much by the shear fact of its existence. Whatever is currently occurring on the planet will be affected in whatever way it is vibrating. (More on this further along in this energy alert.)

We went through a period of "waiting" for as many souls as possible to get on board beginning in January of 2008. Many we very ready to move forward, but we wanted to ensure that as many as possible had an opportunity to make their decisions as to where they chose to be in regard to moving into the higher realms or not. The waiting period was frustrating at times, but necessary.

Now, there has been enough time. So then, those who have not yet awakened or made their choices to get out of the greed mentality, are not yet willing to embrace unity and the whole, are not yet aware of others around them, and not quite ready to love and respect their brothers and sisters, will get one big whollop and wake-up call with the advent of the summer solstice.

For those who have been more than ready, perhaps feeling frustrated and extremely disappointed in how things have been unfolding…perhaps wanting to leave this earth and go home, and perhaps wondering if the darkness will ever leave, they will receive their just rewards of miracles and beauty beyond imagination.

I suppose this sounds oddly Biblical or wrathful, but this is not the case at all. This is not about judgment or punishment, it is not a biblical-type prophesy, but simply about energy and how it operates. There is no right or wrong, good or bad, but only the relationship of energies to energies. The big event of the solstice of June 21 will involve the arrival of a much higher vibrating energy, and what it creates will simply signify what is in alignment with it and what is not.

The Summer Solstice of June 21

The energy of June 21 will arrive from within the earth herself. And even before the 21st, we will experience a window of energy beginning around mid-June which will continue until a day or two after the solstice itself.

Deep down at the core of the earth resides an energy which has not been utilized or released for eons of time. It has resided there undisturbed until the right time. The right time is now, as the frequency is at a point which is signaling that it is now safe and now time for this higher vibrating force to arrive fully on the planet Earth. The solstice will serve to activate it.

The higher vibrating energies are arriving now much more from within than from without. They are coming from within each and every one of us and from within the earth herself. And this is why we are now approaching the time for unity and community. We are sustaining ourselves much more than ever before as we are embodying much more higher vibrating energy within.

The high gas prices here in the US are greatly encouraging this process. Families are wanting to be closer together. We will be wanting to support one another more than ever before. This is simply the process of returning to a reality of unity, community, love and support, and leaving one of materialism, greed, separation and self-absorption.

So then, for some, this new energy will catapult them into higher vibrating ways and manifestations. It will serve to re-connect those with what they need to now connect to according to how they are vibrating. It will be all about alignments in accordance with each individual and where they are.

In this way, many will now begin connecting to their dreams and dream partners, or perhaps bringing their current relationships up to a higher vibrating existence. It will be all about new connections in much more loving and respectful ways, and all about very new connections to very new manifestations as well.

We will be activated now in regard to a new and higher frequency. We will now connect as individuals and for the earth as well, to a very new anchor.

What is not in alignment with this new connection will now receive another big shake-up so that an opportunity will arise for a different choice. As most of us know, we get clobbered oh so gently at first, and if we are not yet willing to let go and make a change, we then get clobbered a bit harder, and so on, until we finally get it usually through great suffering.

And after enough of the masses are then willing to ask for help, guidance, support and much else, those bearing the most light will then be welcomed with respect and appreciation as way-showers. And this when our store-fronts will serve to support us with an enormous amount of abundance.

Will the summer solstice create heaven on Earth forever more? No. But it will be an event which will provide a very new anchor for us to hold onto until the next phase of the ascension process arrives. If you are one who has found yourself dropping things, noticing things falling through your fingers, and experiencing a strange inability to hold onto much of anything (whether literally in the physical sense or otherwise), it is simply because we are now finally poised to have something very new to hold onto once again.

Yes, a new anchor is finally arriving. Are you ready?

www.whatsuponplanetearth.com

Wishing you heaven in your heart, starlight in your soul, and miracles in your life in these miraculous times...

Until next time,

Karen.

These energy alerts are offered several times per month by viewing them at What's Up On Planet Earth? If you enjoy reading this why not offer your financial support to Karen by making a donation. It makes it possible for her to continue offering information on her website free of charge.

It feels as though nothing is happening

By Shely [Sh’Shana]

It feels as though nothing is happening... It isn’t.
That’s what’s supposed to be happening... NoThing.

Let go of pushing, worrying, thinking things through, trying to make things happen…. Let go of hope – it is rooted in despair & fear. Let go of trying…. It is rooted in fear & failure…. Let go of self pity and your own victimhood.  Let go of doubt… it’s the little killer that stalks humanity… it’s original sin…. it’s ugly & very deadly.

Find the place in your heart that knows it’s all taken care of already… that knows it’s all ok NOW… the place that trusts…

Realise:

You can’t have anything till you let go of wanting it...

You can’t have what you want till you let go of what you think you want….

You can’t have anything new till you let go of the old way of being and doing....

Learn to sit still and do nothing; to think with your heart, not your brain. That will give you space to invite in what your Essence has created for you. Learn what it feels like to let your developing "intuitive brain", your new "2^nd brain", to take over… it’s seated in the pituitary gland and gives us a new way of thinking…. It flows "mindlessly". You are learning and changing a lot as "nothing happens".

You asked for this… let it take you… and you will be very pleased with the "who knows where" you end up in!

It feels like we have come to see a movie… we are quite a bit early, but there’s not enough time to get go out and get coffee, and we already bought pop corn and drinks. There’s nothing more to do …

You go through into the theatre… the lights are up. You choose a seat. You can feel the sense of excited anticipation building … you feel present in the moment …you look around…

There are a few others already seated, and every so often someone else wanders in… they also all have popcorn and a drink. You sit scattered around in your chosen seats, occasionally acknowledging one another with a friendly nod: with the camaraderie of shared intent.

You sit scattered around in your chosen seats, occasionally acknowledging one another with a friendly nod: with the camaraderie of shared intent.

Everyone sits patiently. There is nothing else to do.  

You can enjoy the time to sit and just BE with yourself, or you can waste it fretting about wasting it…

It’s absolutely your choice, and NO ONE else cares what you choose!

…that’s freedom!

With love from Shely [Sh’Shana]

Shely [Sh’Shana] is a master healer, transmission channel and "cosmic garbologist" who lives in Australia and offers phone sessions and lots of other goodies at her website at www.ExpandingRealities.net © Creative Commons

Freedom Has Its Price… But It’s A Price Worth Paying, Isn’t It?

By Max Eames

Many years ago, a very wise and special person urged me to live life with a sense of possibility rather than seeing it as hampered by limitation. My friend Josephine is now in her mid-80s. She has been an inspiration and mentor since my childhood. And she never stops. Josephine still goes on archaeological digs, serves as a trustee for various organisations, volunteers for charity, and always seems to be learning to play another musical instrument. She continues to be an inspiration.

I would never have guessed that a simple outing with Josephine when I was a young lad would have had such an impact on my life. One sunny California day, Josephine decided to take me to an antiques emporium, but when we arrived it was shut. Undaunted by this turn of events, she peered through the window and enquired, ‘Max, if you could have anything in there, anything at all, what would you choose?’

‘Nothing,’ I stammered.

She sighed, ‘Oh c’mon, Max. Try again.’ She waited to see if I would rise to the occasion. Frustrated, I told her I thought it was a stupid game, a bit of torture, to even consider such a question – since I obviously couldn’t afford a single thing within those four walls.

Josephine stooped down, looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘I’m talking about possibilities – and you’re talking about limitations. Never live your life that way. Not even for a day. It’s a big mistake.’ She then asked me if a university degree with my name on it might be on the cards.

‘Gimme a break,’ I thought to myself. ‘That’s a long way away.’ But after a long pause, I finally whispered, ‘Dunno…I’m only ten years old.’

I could sense Josephine’s impatience as she rested her hands on my shoulders. She then looked me squarely in the eyes and gave me what for: ‘Listen to me carefully, Max. However you do it, you’ve got to start to broaden your horizons, right now. You’ve got to imagine the possibilities. The academic world isn’t for everyone; that I know. But it opened a lot of doors for me, and I can’t help but think it’d do the same for you. Just because you’re young, it doesn’t mean you can’t dream about what the future holds.’

Josephine then softened toward the startled little boy, who by now was instinctively standing at attention: ‘It’s just that clearly you need something up your sleeve that makes you believe you can do anything – absolutely anything. Even when you’re an old man, you need to keep hold of a dream or two. From now until the day you die, if you don’t have something to aim for, believe me, you’ve got nothing.’

I have never forgotten that moment. It is etched in my brain to this day. No matter what happens to me in life, it always colours my thinking: always aim for something, and always imagine the possibilities. Admittedly, sometimes the possibilities seem at low ebb when you feel that you don’t have what you want or need – or when struggles with things like debt overshadow every aspect of your life. The key to genuine happiness is a sense of balance; a healthy dose of the sensations of prosperity, freedom and abundance.

And it isn’t always what’s in your wallet that determines the strength of these sensations. We’ve all heard of people who have everything they could ask for but are desperately unhappy. Indeed, what can money actually buy? What is the point of accumulating wealth, if you don’t choose to enjoy it or to share it sensibly?

Ask any lottery winner what it meant to them when all those noughts suddenly appeared on their bank statement. For some people, I suppose the thought alone triggers images of briefcases brimming with cash, guitar-shaped swimming pools, and cars I’d be too embarrassed to drive. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m glad somebody’s revelling in it somewhere out there at this moment.

But money in itself only ever ‘buys’ you one of two things. When you have a bit more than you need, it creates possibilities. When you have a bit less than you need, it creates limitations. It reminds me of what Mr Micawber said in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield: ‘Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six; result: happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six; result: misery.’ Indeed, if ‘prosperity, freedom and abundance’ prove to be nothing more than positive feelings – upbeat sensations – then each of us could choose to invoke these feelings in our lives every day, starting today.

In that sense, I hold the view that prosperity in itself isn’t the answer to anything in particular. At best it’s a tool, something you can use to create the kind of life you want to put into motion for yourself and your family. At its most basic level, money is part of the machinery of life. Discovering a way to keep more of it in my pockets was the launching pad of the Wealth Mechanic programme.

When I myself was chronically in debt, I was forever constrained by my own limitations.

The balance of my life was skewed. At the time, I was choosing to believe that, before I could explore possibilities, I had to climb out of the financial hole I had gotten myself into.

I decided to find out if there really was such a thing as ‘life after debt’. Since an early age, I knew that ‘freedom has its price’? In my quest for freedom, it was my fate to learn the lessons the hard way: fellowship programmes… hypnosis… life coaching… group chanting… you name it; I rode the ride and bought the T-shirt. Along the way, I’ve gained a lot of insight into what leads us toward destructive overspending (especially when the "Winter Blues" hit us), having struggled for years with my own issues.

The freedom I fought for and eventually won gave me the opportunity to rehabilitate some long-forgotten dreams. Although I had worked so hard to be a successful architect, I was no longer finding it a fulfilling career. I’d begun to suspect that I could contribute more through retraining as a psychotherapist – a decision that still enriches my life to this day.

Because of a ‘financial fix-it’ formula I devised in order to address my struggles, I started to believe in myself enough to take a few chances. My leap of faith took an unexpected direction: a friend of mine and I decided one day to live out a commonplace fantasy by opening a restaurant around the corner. Although I had no prior experience, part of me simply wanted to see if I could do it – and do it well.

Being my own boss was an extraordinary and rewarding adventure. Nonetheless, some six years down the line, I started to feel I’d fully extracted all there was to learn from the experience – and we sold it as a successful going concern.

The point is, we did it – and isn’t that what life should be about? After all those years of getting it so wrong financially, the experience enabled me to re-shape my self-belief and confidence afresh by finally getting something so right. I would never have had the opportunity to follow my dreams – explore life’s possibilities – if I hadn’t earned the financial freedom to take a few chances. Yes, freedom definitely has its price. But often it’s a price worth paying – don’t you agree?

Max Eames

Psychotherapist And Author Of The WEALTH MECHANIC,

Your 100% Proven 7-Step Financial Fix-It Formula

www.MaxEames.com

Celia Fenn`s Earthlog

As ever Celia Fenn's messages have been spot on recently, and for me this one really hit the nail on the head when it was sent to me by a friend towards the end of April. I thought it so good I'm publishing it in this issue, because much of the explanation still holds for me. If you would like more up to date reports from Celia you can visit her website http://www.starchildglobal.com/
 

Colin.

The Grand Finale !.. | 20 April 2008 | 19:37:41

20th April : The "Dreamy" Wesak Full Moon : When I woke up this morning, I felt like I was in another dimension. I was dreamy and "out there", walking in the "Dream Time", and I'm not entirely sure if I am back yet. But that is ok, this is a powerful time, and Archangel Michael has been explaining to me what the energies mean, and so I can pass this on to you. But, first, here is an image that I took last year in Holland, that captures the multi-dimensional nature of the "Buddha" Moon. It was taken into a shop window, and so the "layers" are reflections in the glass of the window, creating a layered and dynamic experience much like what today feels like:

I noticed in the days leading up the Full Moon that I felt an intense sexual energy in my body. What was that? Well, Archangel Michael explained to me that this was the creative and joyous power of the Earth being transmitted from the crystalline grids into my body. It is the energy of the Earth's bliss and joy being received by us! Wow...and was it strong! Archangel Michael explained to me that most people feel this energy as sexual excitement because that is how the body is used to dealing with the creative power of the Earth energy. It is received into the Base and Sacral chakras, and it never rises any higher. The original design for humanity was that this energy should be lifted into the Heart, and that there it would "connect" with the powerful energy of Source being transmitted from the Great Central Sun via the Crown chakra and into the Heart. In this form, the Earth's creative power would be expressed as Compassion and Unconditional Love, rather than just sexuality.

The Old Earth way of experiencing the Earth's energy is through sexual power. The New Earth's way of experiencing the Earth's energy is through the power of the Heart.

I have been following with great interest, the story of the Polygamist group in the USA who have had their children taken away because of their spiritual/sexual practices. Images of these people show women who look as though they still live in the 19th century, and are firmly "stuck" in a past energy. I think these people are being used by Spirit to make us aware of the "old" relationship between Spiritual and Sexual energy, and the emerging new relationship. This polygamous group practices "Spiritual" or "Celestial" marriages, where girls as young as 12 and 13 are married off as "wives" to much older men who already have other wives. They then proceed to produce large families of children. In this interpretation of the "spiritual marriage", the "power" is held on the sexual level, and becomes a way of abusing and exploiting women and children. Men, as well as women, are seen as nothing more than sexual beings who mate, and this is considered to be spiritual service. So, the Creative Power of the Earth is held and trapped in the lower chakras, and is used as a tool of control and domination. This is most clearly seen in this kind of group way of life, but it also holds true for most sexual relationships in the old energy in some way.

The challenge for us in the New Energy, is to take that powerful Creative Pulse from the Earth and experience it primarily at the Heart, where it was always intended to be. Then, when the energy of Compassion is activated, by Union with the Spiritual energy from Source, the sexual energy can be experienced in a beautiful and balanced way that honors both the Human Body and both individuals who enter into a true, balanced, equal and loving, sacred or spiritual marriage between two individuals as "christed" partners.

So, that also explains the nature of the Dreamy energy of the Wesak Moon. As this poweful Divine Masculine energy of the Buddha encircles the Earth, it feels as though the Higher Dimensions come right down into the Heart. This morning, I felt like you do when you receive Reiki, dreamy and floaty and very relaxed. The powerful pulses of Divine Masculine energy from the central Sun are entering into the Heart and connecting with the Divine Bliss of the Earth, in a true spiritual marriage. So, when I feel a bit irritated because I "need to work", Archangel Michael reminds me that I am "working"!

The energy that flows into our bodies, as awakened Lightworkers, is then transmitted into the Human Collective. It contains both the "original blueprint" for human life on Earth, and the New Codes for the New Earth, which Michael has callled the Grail Codes. At this time, we are transmitting these codes to others because our bodies and our light bodies are now clear enough to be the receivers and transmitters of these new codes. We are indeed like Human Crystals, receiving and transmitting Divine Light!

The key is the Water in our bodies. The Light transmits the codes into the Water matrix in our cells, and it is then transmitted to the Water matrix in the cells of others, so that if they wish to "entrain" then they can.

The same process is happening with the Earth as a planetary body. The Light pulses are trasnmitting the New Codes for the New Earth along the "River of Life" and this is being received into the Oceans and Rivers and Lakes of the Planet. These codes are being activated very strongly at this time, to assist the Earth in her Voyage of Transformation into a Paradise Planet.

So, if you feel a bit out of things today, just know that you are indeed being part of the powerful transmission of Light energy. Be kind to yourself, rest, drink lots of water, and imagine yourself beaming out Love from your Heart to Create that Field of Peace that will manifest the New Earth through Unconditional Love and Joy and Service!

http://www.starchildglobal.com/

© 2007-8 Celia Fenn and Starchild Global

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License

Don't Bring me Down

By Bonnie Starr Mandell-Rice

I was having a wonderful week. I felt gloriously happy, boundless and at one with everything. I mentioned this to an acquaintance who replied: “I know it feels really good to be in that expanded state, but what is wrong with just being here? You know you can’t always feel that way, there is real suffering down here.” I was taken aback by her remark, feeling both a sense of threat (she would bring me down, take this from me) and shame (shame on me for not feeling the suffering), and struck by the beliefs implicit in it.

My acquaintance is correct that there is nothing “wrong” with just being here, experiencing ourselves and our energy as contained within and limited to our physical bodies and thus also experiencing ourselves as separate from everyone and everything outside of our bodies. Indeed, that has served the evolution of our souls well, for without the experience of separation, we would not have been able to explore and experience the many faces and facets of Divine Oneness and come to know who we really are: expressions of that Oneness. Yet despite our experience of it, separation is only an illusion. In truth separation does not exist for we can never be separate from the Oneness from which we sprang and that encompasses all that is and all that is not. The expansiveness, limitlessness, oneness and joyfulness that I was experiencing are our natural state. We have so limited and erroneously defined and identified ourselves, however, - as our bodies, our egos, our roles; as born in sin, or sinners or at least prone to sin; as needing to control ourselves and others so we do nothing “wrong” and so that we can be loved – that most of us have been unable to access or experience this state, at least not without the help of drugs or alcohol (neither of which I consume). As Dylan sang back in the sixties, however: “the times they are a’changing.” As consciousness on Earth rises (and it is rising), we will more readily access this state.

My acquaintance’s remark that “we cannot always feel this way” is a limiting belief that, despite it being consistent with my past experience (I don’t always feel that way), I do not share. We can always feel that way, because again it is our natural state. The fact that we can – that we have the ability – does not always mean that we do. There is nothing “wrong” in our not doing so; it simply is what we are choosing, on some level of our being (most often unconscious), to experience.

Still what was “right” about her remark was that, because of the sense of threat I felt upon hearing it, it reminded me to remain detached from the experience I was having. Whatever we feel, whether it be “unpleasant” feelings such as depression, grief or anger, or “pleasant” feelings such as love, peace, joy, bliss, or limitlessness, our feelings are simply experiences that we have; they are not who we are. Most of us prefer the pleasant feelings, and there is nothing wrong with that. The key is to not become attached to our preferences: we may prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla, but we will accept vanilla with sincere gratitude; we may prefer a sunny day, but will still enjoy a rainy one. When we simply notice that we are having a feeling and do not attach to it by identifying with it or making up (and believing or clinging to) a story about what it means or what caused it, our feelings are free to come and go. In this way we begin to remember that we are not the feeling or the experience but the one who is aware that he/she is having it. The wonderful irony is that when I remember that, I immediately feel more peaceful and expanded because I am neither denying what I am feeling nor limiting my self to the feeling or my thoughts about it.

Another thing that struck me about my acquaintance’s remark was that it also revealed her (I suspect unconscious) belief, which she also would have me share, that we must somehow feel badly because there is real suffering on earth. What my acquaintance failed to realize is that my (or anyone’s) feeling bad does nothing to alleviate the suffering of others. On the contrary, it contributes to lowering the vibration of everything and thus potentially increases suffering. My feeling joyful, on the other hand, raises the vibration of everyone and thus potentially relieves suffering. (I say “potentially,” because some people do not want their vibration raised; they enjoy their suffering.) This is so because we are all one, and thus what any of us experiences or feels we all experience and feel on a subtle, energetic level – even as the fluttering of a butterfly’s wing in China can affect the air currents in the United States This is why when groups of people meditate on peace in an area, violence is reduced in that area. This is why when the Dalai Lama or Thich Nat Hanh or other spiritual leaders enter a room, all those present feel a peacefulness descend on the room. This is why laughter is contagious.

The idea, reflected in my acquaintance’s remark, that we must suffer – or at least not feel too good – while others suffer affects many areas of our lives. Many people, very often spiritual people, accept this belief when it comes to financial abundance. Who are we to have so much when others go hungry? We thus close ourselves off from receiving abundance. We may judge others as having “too much,” as if their having less would assure that the abundance that exists will be spread equitably without more – without a shift in the consciousness of us all that would result in our knowing that there is enough and that there is more where that (whatever that is) came from that and in our acting from that knowing. This judgment keeps all who share it from experiencing having “too much,” however we define what “too much” is, and may even keep them from experiencing having “enough.”

When we share my acquaintance’s belief, it keeps us from shining our light. How dare we shine so brightly when others are not shining? Yet when a candle is lit in a darkened room, the darkness dissipates. If we would alleviate the suffering of others, we must allow our light to shine, we must allow our joy to elevate the collective consciousness, and we must allow ourselves to see through the illusion of separation and know and experience ourselves as One.

Finally, the threat I felt in the moment of my hearing her remark was that she might bring me down, take away my joy. I also felt a shaming: “shame on you for feeling so good when others are suffering.” Though I trust she neither intended to threaten nor shame me, my reacting to and experiencing her remarks in this way resulted in a come down for me, a jolt backward toward her reality. It took me a bit to remember that no one can make us feel anything without our consent; no one can dim our light without our permission. Remembering this, I withdrew the consent I had given to her and turned the light I am back on.

I am here shining it now for you and all who are willing to receive. Can you feel it? It is your light too.

COPYRIGHT : @ Bonnie Starr Mandell-Rice 2008. This article may be forwarded provided that the complete article and this copyright information are included. This article will be archived at www.transformativecoaching.net