Spiritual Growth Articles

Ellie, my friend of thirty years, once pointed out to me, “You are just such a good liar . . .”

I Don’t Like You by Jim McDonald, LIMC

I read sometime back about an architect who designed and built an office 'campus' complex. He did not put in any sidewalks, or footpaths between the buildings. He just planted grass and waited with patience. After a few months there were well trodden paths between all of the buildings, which he used as the map for his footpaths and sidewalks. While this may seem clever -Many of us create our life Paths just this way. We wait to see where others have walked successfully or ju

I was listening to a lecture by Dr. Wayne Dyer the other day. Dr. Dyer said “I don’t think it’s really possible to motivate another human being…” I began to think about that and I believe Dr. Dyer is correct. I believe that there is a subtle and powerful distinction between motivation and ...

I was asked, “How can you live your life this way with no money?” I started to laugh. If you have read some of my other articles on my blog you will have pieces of problems that I have dealt with. Some people would call it a dark cloud, others judge you by what society would say as a whole. Life was a real long and hard journey but the outcome is yet to open up for me.

In order to clarify the social aspect of all the subjects dealt with in the previous paragraphs it was thought apt that all the 5 subjects be given a form of a question. With the result research scholars will get required help to choose their topic of research. Along with this since a periphery will be demarcated no unnecessary straying will be seen. Along with a pure research based intellect these questions will be analyzed scientifically. When with the aid of logic, facts a

Recently, there have been news stories about scientists who are cloning pigs. The great benefit of this research, say the newscasters, is that pigs are anatomically similar to humans so they hope to clone organs that can be used for human transplants. Science fiction? No. Bizarre? Yes. Well, maybe not so bizarre. Medical science has been using animal products to treat human disease for years. Diabetics take insulin derived from pigs. Some vaccines are derived from animal diseases. Pigskin has been used for grafts on human skin.

The human mind is an amazing piece of equipment. It processes an astounding 400 billion bits of information every second. It is at the same time trying to regulate healing, breathing, moving, thinking, repairing, protection, prevention, temperature, food absorption, hormones, chemical reactions, and a whole host of other processes that enable us to stay alive in each moment.

If you are considering a spiritual retreat, congratulations! This is a profound decision to make for yourself. As we age life inevitably becomes more complex. Taking a spiritual retreat at critical transition points in your life can be analogous to upgrading the operating system on your computer: it allows you to process the more complex issues that are coming up in your life. A good first step is to consider your intention for the retreat. Take the time to ask yourself about your innermost feelings and desires, then write down your answers for increased clarity.

In feudal times, the wealth of the nobility was nearly always unea ed, and the poor had a negligible likelihood of ever improving their lot. It is often overlooked that the rise of capitalism was part of the Enlightenment's agenda of bringing prosperity and well-being to everyone. And although it is far from perfect, although it can certainly be abused by corporate greed, Ponzi schemes, and so forth, it is still far more promising than any other economic system so far devised.

Feeling anxious, socially anxious, stressed, depressed can be extremely painful and limiting to our life. It might cause us not to feel comfortable in ourselves, not to be ourselves or live our values, not to do what we would like, not to have the job we would like, not to live the life we would like.

Joy. It's a simple word that somehow defies description on a broad scale because it is so specific to each person's life and spirit. Happiness is a little easier to grasp, at least as a concept. Happiness lights up a room, has long term effects and many sources over the course of time. ...

2012- Is it the end or the beginning? Our whole world is becoming a mirror. What you wish on someone else will be reflected back to you. Because our so-called “time” is speeding up in frequency your karma will come back faster. The evil you do will be facing you much sooner. There are people on this planet who wish to stay in their “power.” God permits these negative actions for a time and then the gig is up. We all are being tested. Our deepest fears are coming to smack us in the face. Are they real or just phantoms of thought?

My best friend Yoshi (not his real name) is probably the most passive person I have ever known, and many times it drove me up the wall, as I didn’t see very much drama in his life. On occasion during his high school years he would be confronted by a bully. Where I would be thinking of kicking the guy in the balls or smashing his face, Yoshi always found a gentle way out. I used to think it was cowardice. Yoshi didn’t attract many of these people to him and it seemed like it only happened when he was with me.r

Every professional relationship has a purpose, and often we don't really know what the purpose is. We may think different relationships have different purposes. The purpose of a relationship with a potential customer may seem to be to sell a product or service. The purpose of a manager-staff member relationship may seem to be to motivate the staff member or to succeed in the leadership position. The purpose of a networking relationship may seem to be to get new business. The problem with these relationship purposes is that they are about getting.

Life Coaching is all about the present and the future; it is all about taking control of our lives, now, and creating the future we want. It is not about analysing events of the past or going back to old emotions. But it is true that what we are today is the result of what we have experienced, ...

You may be the type of person who tells yourself that you need to get away in order to rest or that you will rest when you have time. Perhaps you say that when the job or project is done, then you'll rest. Maybe you are even waiting for "the kids to be grown up" before you'll rest. This way of living life, where we are consistently putting off what is essential for us, makes no rational sense at all.

Temptation. This one word encompasses all of the greatest threats to a consistent and successful Christian walk. Let it be known that you cannot resist temptation. That is, temptation will always be a part of your life. But you can refuse to give into it in the power of Christ. The Best of Circumstances …all our fathers were under the cloud… passed through the sea… baptized into Moses… at the same spiritual food… drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritu

“When we don’t create or express, we get homesick – homesick for ourselves. We’re missing the richness, the beauty inside of us.” – Pam Grout Did you know that most depression is caused by unclaimed creative expression? In my healing practice, many of ...“When we don’t create or express, we get homesick – homesick for ourselves. We’re missing the richness, the beauty inside of us.” – Pam Grout

"God asks only that you include yourself among those you love." - Neale Donald Walsh. The birthing of new and essential feminine energies over the past few months have meant that we have had to have been in touch with our emotions (whether we are male or female). Not only the daily ...

n During our childhood, life may not have been all wine and roses. Sometimes things may have been bad, even terrible. This may have caused us to react in a particular way that may making our life miserable now. For instance, I know a person who feels criticized no ...

With Heather Fanjoy,BS,ATP®

2010 – Where are we headed? Just what are we marching to? Who are we associating with? With all the seeming chaos in our world there is always divine order. The world’s theme is “harmonizing chaos.” Boy, do we need it now! A conscious person will endeavor to create harmony wherever they are and in whatever situation they find themselves. In the ancient art of Jin Shin Jyutsu the #20’s are located on the forehead above the two eyes. This “safety energy lock” is known as “Everlasting Ete ity.” Gently holding these two points will calm down a hyperactive child or adult.

With all the chaos surrounding us in the world, in our country, in our communities and at times in our homes, it seems almost impossible to find our way spiritually. Yet this can be our most opportune time to say stop to the chaos and say yes to inner peace. Finding inner peace does not need to ...

All the lonely people Where do they all come from? The Beatles, Eleanor Rigbynnn“Lonely People Face Higher Risk of Heart Disease,” Science Daily headlined recently, revealing perhaps more than it intended about what alte ative medicine calls the mind-body connection in human health. As if we ...

Network marketing is an age old industry that has not changed much since its first inception. Avon is one of the original network marketing opportunities and it is celebrating 125 years this year. Until very recently, all network marketing opportunities entailed talking to anyone that you thought might be remotely interested in what you had to offer. For the more adventurous amongst us, this presented a challenge and required some thinking outside of the box in order to maintain a continual stream of leads to talk to.r

Self Love Is… A Miracle From The Heart Self-love is attained by embodying the language of the heart; the language of love, peace, appreciation, gratitude, joy, compassion, kindness, affection, and acceptance. The beauty of this is that it is actually the Truth, the essence, of who you are. You are naturally joyful, peaceful and compassionate! Being able to truly embody this energy, know to the core of you that this is who you are, presents the greatest challenge. The questio

Living with no-mind does not mean living as a zombie, or drifting through life in a daze. It means being totally alive with your senses, body, feelings and awareness wide open and awake to this moment’s pulse. It means allowing life to happen through you rather than interfering with that flow with your mind and your thoughts. When you are trying to live life through a philosophy or system, then the formula, ritual, or concept, comes between you and the direct living experience of the moment. Life comes second; your first allegiance is to your system.

The Divine Mother is the embodiment of the Sacred Feminine energy. In the Roman Catholic religion the Divine Mother is Mary, the mother of Jesus, also known as the Blessed Mother. Divine Mother Mary's qualities are unconditional love, compassion, mercy, strength, patience, forgiveness and accessibility to all in need.

From following my blog, I’m sure you have gotten the sense that I’m not a woman who sits on the sideline watching life go by. I am engaged with life. I live a life of action. Action comes from confidence. Confidence comes from action. What initiates everything in my life is my focused intention to be of service to those around me. This does not mea I attempt to control people or outcomes, which, I have learned, is like beating my head against the wall.

Every one of us exits childhood with our own unique cocktail of patterns, programming, beliefs, habits, preferences, expectations, and mind viruses. Some of these ingrained pieces of our psyche are positive, such as saying please and thank you, brushing our teeth every day, and, hopefully, believing that education is important. However, we also enter adulthood with our share of wounds and neurotic tendencies. At a more subtle level, we are also programmed with certain beliefs and fears that limit our lives—mind viruses.

What is Self-Love? For me, Self-Love means that I am making my needs a priority in my life. Society teaches women to put the needs of others in front of ourselves. For years I did that. Work came first. When I married, my husband came first. Then when my daughter was born her needs also came before mine. I was exhausted since I gave everything I had to those around me. I was clueless that my soul was crying out for attention. Overtime, I lost the essence of who I was as a woman since I was so focused on others.

“We have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not mastered the simple art of living together as brothers.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Modern technology is supposed to simply our lives. Automobiles, cellular telephones, computers and so many more laborsaving devices can free us from having our energy tied up in physical survival. But too often we become engrossed in these synthetic creations and lose sight of our life’s purpose.

Sometimes the weather gets rough up there. What do I mean by “up there(?),” you may ask. I mean up there--high in the sky when you dare to spread your wings and learn the secret of flying. Sometimes I feel that life is only to teach us how to, “transcend the human condition of the common man,” as Ralph Waldo Emerson would say, so that we can truly fly “on earth as it is in heaven.”

You are a divine being. There is a theory that we are not humans here on this earth who must go through trials and tribulations to seek and attain spiritual awareness. Rather that we are already spiritual beings who are just having a human experience. This idea is reinforced with every encounter I have with non human entities – angels, higher beings, guiding spirits, etc. These entities are always perplexed as to why we humans are so committed to being miserable.

The “Tree of Life” or Lignum vitae is a common tree in the Caribbean and especially in Jamaica where it is their national tree. Plus it can be found in Central America, South America, Califo ia, Florida and in South Africa. And it has many wonderful health benefits including helping with HIV and arthritis and so much more. Other Names - The Tree of Life is also called Palo Santo, Guayacan, Wood of Life, Guaiacum officinale, Guaiac, Holy Tree, Lignum vine, and other names.

One of the biggest daily challenges parents face is getting their kids to eat when, where, what and how Mom and Dad want them to eat. Of course, herein lies the problem! Kids are not grown ups. They are free flowing balls of joy, and play, and laughter, and fun. They have little bodies. They have incredibly clear and accurate intuition. They know when and what to eat and how much, if we would only let them listen to their wisdom. If children do not want to eat, it’s usually because they are not hungry, not feeling well, are too tired, or are trying to control you.

As the river winds and wends its way downstream towards the sea it is flowing in the direction of least resistance. Is your own life flowing in a similar direction? If so, then you will find that your life is one of ease. More often than not, things will turn out the way you want them to, without you feeling that you need to put in a lot of effort at all. Everything will tend to flow naturally and easily, as you simply 'be', happy and joyful, allowing yourself to be carried along in the flow, appreciating whatever life brings.

The Practice of self-compassion as a tool for reaching your goals I refer to battle with illness a few years ago as the beginning of a spiritual awakening. What would be for most people a challenge to overcome, began for me a journey inviting me to look deeper into the root causes of illness. I came from a family of “sick people”. What I mean is that the people in my family didn’t know how to deal with their emotions, and turned towards addictions and physical illness a

An associate at work insisted I read "The Shack." He wouldn't give me many details of the book but did say it revealed God's grace in personal tragedy. After a few false starts, I was able to finally start the book. Not being a great fan of Christian novels, I was immediately disappointed but endeavored to continue reading. I confessed I was entertained by Young's prose in that he gave so much detail in visualizations of descriptions. I did become distracted as I begin to ana

Network marketing can be a phenomenally successful industry if you know how to generate leads and establish healthy relationships with your business partners. The health and wellness industry is estimated to be worth $500 billion per annum, and network marketing companies between them generate over $100 billion each year. Network marketing is a seriously exciting opportunity to work for yourself, generate a healthy residual income and never have to work for anyone else ever again.

For a few weeks I had been feeling down, low, and just not myself. My self-esteem was being hit in a hard way. From outside appearances no one would have known. Also, by outside appearances, people would have been surprised based on me having a good job, a good salary, a wonderful home and significant other, and having my own business. A spiraling feeling of sadness was coming over me and I felt I was not in touch with this sadness. Fear was settling in, which of course just made matters worst. The icing on the cake was my connection to the Holy Spirit was weak.

This topic evokes such a powerful energy within my Being. It's the essence of an energy I know my Soul has come here, once again, to attempt to attain. I accept that I have not attained it yet, and that it takes countless lifetimes of earth experience for the Soul to evolve. It sure feels like it's this lifetime though, that Mystical Ecstasy is something I'll be honored to fully experience, just by the sheer power of the magnetic pull I feel towards it. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the ride, savor the beauty, and follow my heart as best I can. What is Mystical Ecstasy?

James Van Praagh is a spiritual medium--someone who is able to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds. Unaware of his spiritual gifts until he was in his twenties, he slowly came to terms with his unique abilities. In addition, many of his sessions with grieving people who came to him looking to contact the spirits of deceased loved ones are explored. From a devastated mother recieving a message of hope from her deceased little girl to communicating with a young man, killed in Vietnam, who doesn't realize he's dead, the theme of hope and peace in the afterlife is affirmed.

What does the Bible say about OOBEs? In research for my blog, I recently ran across a TV interview with a Christian pastor who was asked about OOBEs. I found his reply quite interesting in the way he separated what he considered to be “of God” and what was not. He began by referring to several books of the Bible like Isaiah, Ezekiel and John’s Revelations. He spoke about the visions that these prophets had had and the fact that they seemed to have been in an out-of-body sta

I have been watching recently the very powerful new movie from Debbie Ford with Debbie Ford, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson and many others great teachers on the Shadow Effect. If you haven’t watched it, please do watch it, it is for the future of humanity. And these are some of the thoughts I have been thinking after watching it and from my work supporting people suffering from social anxiety, expatriates and others. In the movie they mention that the individual’s shadow begins in childhood with feeling bad about some parts of ourselves.

One of the most difficult layers for us to resolve is the one related to self-love. What is self-love? It is the ability to view who you are with unconditional compassion and acceptance. I’ve mentioned this before, and it is worth mentioning this again: anytime we are trying to “fix” something about ourselves, whether it’s through self-help, plastic surgery, or more education, training-whatever, we have to be very clear about the intention of our actions. We must ask ourselves is our behavior based out of resistance to who we are, or out of the necessity to embrace who we are?

Before the holidays people love to share stories about gifts they are giving. After Christmas, it’s all about what we have received. Giving and receiving is an old cadence, worthy of repeating. Two colleagues confirmed that belief for me in seeing their delight over a new tablet one received as a gift. The other has a 16-month-old son who gave his dad a Christmas morning described to me as, “A blast!” Magical times, these holiday seasons through which we pass each year. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day come special surprises, unexpected delights. Pay attention.

I stare for a long time, trying to disce the color of my grass. I consider the cliché about “the other side.” Time passes and distance helps me take in more of the view. I notice a crack across my vision. I pull away the pieces of the broken lenses – green in color – revealing the brown, weary, thirsty grass that has invaded my lawn. I wonder who had put it there. What horrible gardener had duped me into paying for such a mess? I look down at my hands, covered in callouses and soil, holding remnants of green lenses.