Time for Action

No doubt you are feeling the increase in tempo as the frenetic pace of the holiday season encroaches on all other aspects of life. If you are like most people you might find yourself grumbling about the time, energy and costs associated with Christmas, Hannuka, New Year and other social events. It’s as though they all come together in a crunch and society is swept up in the tidal wave of celebration, festivities, social interactions, etc.

Overall, this time of the year is incredibly stressful for many people. At the risk of sounding negative – not meaning to be – there are countless individuals who cannot afford the expense of presents, party and celebratory foods and the expectations foisted upon them to be more than generous with presents.

Yet, regardless of these expectations and consumer pressure to spend and indulge more than in previous years this is also the time of year when more suicides occur. For many individuals in our society this time of year results in heavy credit card debt that may take months to pay off, and which places extra stress on household budgets that are already over-stretched. It’s easy to deduce that depression could easily be a by-product, or end product, of rampant marketing and consumerism.

Over the years I’ve spoken with individuals who like myself don’t subscribe to the concept of celebrating Christmas. However, in many instances they continue with the charade of participating in festivities because of family expectations. Or, possibly because to be different from the mainstream is too challenging?

 Don’t get me wrong, I love the practice of spending time with loved ones, of celebrating thankfulness and sharing joyful moments. Ideally these moments should be ongoing, at times when it’s convenient and suitable for family and friends to congregate and share their abundance and love.

 Spending time together because the time has been deemed to be one of celebration and cause for great consumerism just doesn’t have any meaning for lots of people any more – yet the charade is often continued!

 In earlier missives I’ve referred to the fact that Earth and climate changes are occurring rapidly. Along with these physical changes there are also paradigm shifts taking place.  Yet, it seems that as much as we acknowledge that change is strongly evident there is also an ongoing clinging to old traditions, habits and belief systems. In order for the shift in consciousness to become fully effective and impactful we have no choice but to put into action new practices while letting go of those that are dated and irrelevant to the new heart centered consciousness paradigm we are shifting into.

 Stepping away from the dated traditions that have shaped society takes courage. How can we as a global society become more cohesive, live in true community and develop inclusiveness? It is through recognizing the traditions, beliefs and habits that keep us in bondage to systems that we begin making changes.

 Identifying the traditions and belief systems that are limiting is the first step. Talking about what isn’t working, what isn’t relevant or applicable is the next step. It is through discussion and sharing that the kernels of new models for functioning develop. Finally, comes the need for action. Without action there is no change. Without action there is no growth and the status quo is maintained.

Below is an excerpt from the new Ram Dass book, “Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart”.

“Ours is a journey toward simplicity, toward quietness, toward a kind of joy that is not in time. In this journey out of time to “NowHere,” we are leaving behind every model we have had of who we thought we were. This journey involves a transformation of our being so that our thinking mind becomes our servant rather than our master. It’s a journey that takes us from primary identification with our psyche to identification with our souls, then to identification with God, and ultimately beyond any identification at all.”  

 If we truly are shifting into the Now Moment, or as Ram Dass calls it ‘NowHere’ we then have no choice but to leave behind every model of who we thought we were. This means letting go of traditions, beliefs, dated concepts and paradigms, etc.

 Are you truly ready to let go and leave these behind? Are you willing to ‘buck the system’, challenge the beliefs of others, and take action to ensure that what you feel and think is in alignment with all your behaviors?

What will you find when you do this? That remains to be seen. I suspect that you will still be the same person, reveling in the Now Moment, living in appreciation and joyfulness and without the pressures currently being experienced by many at this time of the year.

Personally I feel liberated – freed from expectations and stresses. I choose to not embrace traditions such as Christmas and religion. Instead, I feel so much peace and joy and celebrate the feeling of Oneness in all actions and interactions. However, I will add that it’s taken many years of questioning and reflecting to reach this awareness. It has been a process of letting go, of accepting that it’s okay to not conform, of learning that ultimately the chains of being in bondage were all in my mind.

Where are you on this journey? What can you do to create greater ease within? As always, it’s a matter of choice!

 

Check out my blog at www.joyinoneness.blogspot.com.au for more comments and information

regarding the changing times we live in.

 

Riding the Waves of Change

Holiday season is a time for spending quality moments with family and friends, and reflecting on the important things in life. It also happens to be one of the most stressful times of the year.

Currently we are experiencing some incredibly intense energies as our planet and solar system are moving further into the photon belt. This phenomenon occurs every twenty-four to twenty-six thousand years (depending on which school of thought you follow). When this happens there is a significant shift in vibration, shifting everything into much higher frequencies.

While this is something that can be discussed academically, and which we may think really doesn’t impact us greatly, the truth is that we have been impacted and affected by these changes for some years. The intensity of these energetic changes, however, has dramatically increased in recent months.

Currently stress, tension and anxiety seem to be highly prevalent in our society. It’s easy to lay the blame for this occurrence on our economic climate, erratic weather conditions, poor crop harvests and on declining employment opportunities. These, however, are merely indicators of the significant shift that is occurring.

As the intensity of the higher energetic frequencies impact our physical bodies we find ourselves in a state of dissatisfaction and flux. Some of the indicators that are evident within society include:  relationships ending;  family dissension;  employment dissatisfaction;  friendship dissolution;  change of residence/locality;  and increasing suicides.

While the above factors may all be viewed as potential disasters they in fact indicate that on a deep level there is significant inner change occurring. Anything and everything that is of a lower vibration cannot – and will not – survive and flourish in the higher frequencies.

This means that lower frequency energies that once held relationships together no longer do so, employment situations that are detrimental to one’s highest good will change, etc.

The process of shifting from the lower frequency into the higher frequency vibrations is not without its challenges. There is often great mental and emotional pain. At times there is physical manifestation, in terms of illness conditions.

So, how can we best ride the waves of change with minimum impact on our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing?

There are no hard and fast guidelines. Each person is unique and has a unique biochemistry. What may work beautifully for one individual may have no impact on another’s state of wellbeing.

Some suggestions that may provide assistance in coping with the intense stress and anxiety that is occurring at the moment include:

1.  Begin each day with a heartfelt expression of gratitude. This may relate to some particular aspect of your life, or it may be more general.

2.  Undertake daily recreation and relaxation activity – this may include walking, gardening, swimming, meditation, yoga, tai chi, etc. Anything and everything that helps lower stress levels. This does not include competitive activities!

3.  When a challenging situation arises over which you have absolutely no control, remind yourself gently, “This too shall pass”. A very powerful statement that assists in letting go of attachment and expectation.

4.  Deal with issues as they arise, instead of putting them to one side and worrying needlessly.

5.  Avoid stimulants and activities that induce a ‘flight or fight’ response in your body. This may mean no longer watching drama or action television last thing at night – but you will sleep so much better!

6.  Remove all electrical appliances from your bedroom and sleep in the dark – your body will heal as you sleep without the interference from ‘dirty electricity’ emitted by appliances.

7.  When a situation arises ask yourself, “Is this my problem?” If it is then deal with it. If it’s not then allow the person responsible to handle the issue/s.

8.  Let go of the need to control and learn to Trust.

9.  Worry less and laugh more.

10.  Take time daily to be in nature. Smell the roses, hug a tree and allow your body to enjoy and absorb the sun’s healing rays.

I am sure there are many other practical and helpful suggestions to reduce the stress of the changing times. It’s up to you to find the methods of letting go and relaxing that work for you – and when you do, then stick with those methods.

If you have other suggestions I welcome them. Just share your comments for others to read and adopt! We are all in this together, and the more we support one another and develop a sense of community the less stressful the whole process of shifting into the new and higher frequencies will be.