Human afterall

One of my students said to me in meditation last night that I am her spiritual teacher, I should have it right by now!


Well, I used to feel like I had it all together and didn't struggle with certain things.  Now this is keeping in understanding I have had times of depression of extreme struggle of times when I wasn't sure if I had the strengths to pull through.


Then I did a ton of work on me.  And that work (meditation, yoga, mantra, breathing etc.,) paid off in a big way.  But it is an ongoing process of life.  You can't fall back asleep, but that is so easy to do.


I've said it for years if you want peace, happiness & harmony you have to do the work for it. 

It's a larger challenge when you watch others around you, those you love & care for not be able to be whom you wish they were. You want better for them, but they aren't willing or ready to change nor do they want for themselves what you wish for them.  They too are human.  They too can fall asleep. 


That's just it.


The best we can do is lead by example.  Live our lives the way we believe we should.  And on the days when we are beating ourselves up for whatever reason, we can leave it by the side and move forward towards awakening.


To us waking together.
Tam
x

Soothing

This art journal entry came about while I was journaling thoughts that I found soothing.

It doesn't matter who we are we all have 'one of those days' when we need things to help us feel better.

I was surprised to see the cat jump out of this painting. I was about to Gesso over it when my husband's eyes begged me not to harm the kitty! Thanks to him, the kitten lived on and I'm happy I left it in there - so cute!

Anyhow as you can see I find cats, tea and yoga all things that make me feel better on days when I'm not 100% - there were other things too but this is the full expression.

Enjoy Soothing:

Right side

Left side

 Full page

PS. It's a shame the lightening in this picture is so poor - its actually quite vibrant in real life.

PPS. What do you find soothing?

Acceptance

One of the things I adore about art journaling is the ability to create something wonderful out of emotions that may not feel the best.  All of us have things in our lives we wish we could change; things that aren't to our liking.

The things we wish were different can be a source of fear, struggle and depression.  Or we can utilize the saying, "Help me to accept the things I can not change" (I know, so 12 steps here, right?)  We can poke fun or realize it's essence of truth.

We can keep up the struggle and allow the chaos into our internal world, or we can release it to the larger powers of spirit; trusting things will unfold as they should (which they will anyhow regardless of our involvement).

This was similar to one of my journal entries which helped me shift from the pain of a situation to releasing it to spirit.

Isn't she lovely?  I even found the courage to thank this situation as a blessing:

 



 I have no idea why the bird ended up in there but for some reason it wanted to be.

 



Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you too find a way to come to a place of acceptance with something you are struggling with.

Namaste,
Tammy
x

RIP Nelson Mandela

 

We are so blessed to have shared space with this man. 

 

 

 

This is one of my largest wishes for you - May you live the life you are capable of living.

Much love,

Tam

xo

 

PS.  My other wishes?  May you live a life filled with love, laughter, happiness and peace.

Feeling lethargic?

Here's a technique for those days when you are feeling lethargic that you may or may not have heard of.  It's beginning to incorporate the Bhandhas throughout your day.

 

These are the internal locks applied similar to valves to direct the prana upward through the subtle energy system (nadis, chakras, meridians).

 

The bhandhas are mulabhandha (root lock), uddiyana bhandha (belly button lock) and jalandhara bhandha (neck or throat lock).

 

Like the breath they can be illusive as our focus slips away from them. Give it a try to see what I mean.  Begin to breathe deeply and evenly and allow the breath to be your sole focus for a least a minute.  If this practice is new to you it will be challenging as every 30 seconds or so we have a new thought to take our focus away. 

 

Traditionally they are used in a yoga practice which can deepen if the bhandhas are utilized. Apply them as you move through the asanas (physical postures).  However you need not be on the mat to apply them to your life.

 

Here’s how to apply the lower two:

At the end of the exhalation apply mulabhandha by drawing up on the muscles between the perineum and the anus. These are the same muscles that stop the flow of urination. Keep holding it.

Take a full breath at the end of the exhalation come to the belly button lock by drawing the abdomen in and up thereby applying uddiyana bhandha. It’s not a hard holding or crunch of the core, but rather a lifting … concentrated holding the abdomen up and in.

Here we’ll skip Jalandhara, but know it is mostly used for pranayama (loosely described breathing) practice. The bhandhas can significantly shift and change your yoga practice taking you to entirely new levels of concentration, focus and present moment awareness.

Give it a go even off the mat and see, sense and feel how your energy can & will change!

Let’ s begin to use them today. Here is link to a video I did awhile ago explaining locks further:
http://tinyurl.com/energylocks

Thanks for watching & reading!
Namaste,
Tammy






PS.  Joining in the energy today to honour our soldiers and give thanks for our freedom.  Lest we forget.

PPS.  Please subscribe to the youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ganesharocks
 & follow on twitter @tllc

Eternally guided

I was first introduced to Rumi's poem "The Guest House" from a reading by Lilias Folan at a Yoga conference a few years ago.  It was so comforting and so applied to what I had learnt about myself over the years.

I have, in past, suffered from pretty severe depression (I was actually stuck there for years).  One day during this time of suffering a girlfriend said to me, "It's the best thing that could happen!  Depression is such a blessing!"

I thought she was nuts - dropped off the deep end... riding the short bus... loosing her shit.....

I wondered, "How the hell can depression be a blessing?"  It took me a few years, but I finally got it - without knowing or understanding true pain can we truly appreciate what the other side feels like. 

She was so right - you can not have up without down, right without left, incorrect and truth... it's relative.  For us to really appreciate living an abundant life we need to live it's flipside.

I've also learned that happiness takes work.  

This knowing took me so many years to understand. 

I think that's why "The Guest House" made such an impression on me like no other. 

May it do the same for you,
Namaste,
Tammy


THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~Rumi

My wish for you is eternal guidance

And the times they are a'changin

As I typed the title of this post I just realized how long it's been since I've played this song on the guitar.  I'll definitely have to fiddle with the Fender later and see how I make out with that. 

Yes change, it's that time of year - change in so many ways.

Children are back to school so it's a time for change with students, for parents and for teachers.  As a Yoga teacher its time for me to get back to the mat with my yoga tribe (something I've truly missed over the past month and can't wait to get back to).  It's growing close to a change of season and the energy of the planet is also in it's state of change and flux as we embrace a cooler climate in Ontario.

It's how we show up for the changes that is significant. 

How are we embracing change?

Are we able to show up fully?  And if so do we do with tired feelings, anxiousness or happiness? 

It is interesting to become an observer and simply watch ourselves in the midst of change.

There is so much we can learn simply by being and watching.

The trick is to do so without giving our inner critic energy; without judgement as we allow the process of change to unfold within our lives and our hearts.

Embrace the changes around you with an open heart and an open mind; knowing that some changes can result in our largest amounts of growth.

Trust you are being guided and remember you have so much potential in there!

Much love,
Tam
xo

PS.  So one thing I've changed is how I'm going to be using my Etsy shop.  I am now ready and will make the time to sell physical paintings and not only offer digital.  Here are the first two that are no longer digital:

The Beach

 

and

 

Burst

 

 

 Thank you so much for your support!   You rock!

Guided toward WellBeing

Ok, so I was wrong about the Royal baby - there was a 50% shot that I was right.  Still think its funny he was born on a full moon though.

Just a fast post today as I promised to let you know when I had posted my Exercise & Wellbeing  product over on my Etsy page.

 So did you hear, I posted my 40 Day Mini Exercise and Wellbeing Journal Printable Weight loss guide and planner over on my Etsy page?  LOL

I had so much fun putting this program together.  The mini journal above supports 40 days of recording your behaviours & a place for you to pre-plan some changes.  Plus you get all of these:

 



Exercise Plan, shopping list, Weight & Wellbeing Journal, Health & Wellbeing script (all of these are 8 1/2 x 11") and more... go see them on the Etsy shop.  Anyhow they'll help you to get through the 40 days of shifting your behaviours. 

We can all have a plan, but it is those who write their plans down succeed more than those who do not.  The act of writing puts the plan into action and allows you to see where you are headed, record your success & progress and helps you to overcome resistances in this case to release.  This not only applies to weight release but all other aspect of life also.

That's really what it is about when it comes down to releasing whatever it is we no longer wish to hold onto.  Realize for the most part it is only a behaviour pattern and behaviours can be changed. 

Repeat after me, "Changing is effortless and easy"

Now you may not believe that, but the more you say it the more the mind will believe it.  It is our wish that you live your best life possible.  May you be happy, peaceful, loving & enjoy the health and wellbeing that is your birth right. 

May you be continually blessed and find peace.

Namaste,
Tammy

PS. Here's a mini meditation for today I stumbled upon written by Ram Dass:

"Ask yourself: Where am I?

 Answer: Here.

Ask yourself: What time is it?

Answer: Now.

Say it until you can hear it."

PPS.  Now if I can remember to use this later while I'm at the dentist it will all be good.  I did just write it down or type it (in this case) so in this thinking it will be!

Scripting - an exercise in possibility

I can't recall where I learned this technique first.  I'll admit, I'm a bit of a self-help junkie (those who know me best will laugh at this statement... a bit???) Anyho.... it was either my buddy Bob (Bob Proctor) or John Assaraf.  But I guess since Bob was one of John's teacher's we'll give him the credit.

Me & My Buddy Bob... a meeting of which was also created using this technique. 

Can you tell I was nervous?  Blushing!!!!

Many of the teachers tell you to get really clear on your goals and write them down.  John puts it this way, "Have Absolute Written Clarity on Your Vision/Goal/Income—Write It Down."

I concur.

Recently I scripted one paragraph of a perfect day.  In this paragraph I mentioned how much money I was making, a few new toys I had, what kind of car I was driving, how much fun it was during a holiday we had recently taken and how much I enjoyed spending time with the Oracle, the felines and fins.

Next let's envision some relaxing time at the beach!

I just added this one to my shop.

Now less than one month later a few of the things on this list have already occurred!  WOOT!!! Serious fun.... (see below).

It was hilarious actually as I just stumbled across the page I had written.  It was a worksheet to fill out from John Assaraf's old company "One Coach" .... now just because the company went bankrupt and is no longer in existence doesn't mean this technique doesn't work.  I'm here to tell you it sooooo does.  And it's fun to do!

When I was a kid I remember teachers telling my folks that I spent too much time day dreaming and not enough time focusing in class.  But day dreaming is fun, candy for the brain - the exciting world of possibilities.... the exhilarating what if????  (Can you tell I'm a Sagittarius?)

Here's how to use this scripting technique:

One a sheet of paper describe the following:

What income do you wish to achieve?
How you are spending your time?
Where are you living?
What are you driving?
Who are you with?
What kind of clothes are you wearing?
How are you contributing to the larger good of society (volunteering?  Tithing?)

... and anything else you wish to imagine.

Now you can put this paper in a safe place (under you pillow for sweet dreams) or simply stash it under other paper (like I did).  Read it.  Re-read it.  Forget about it.  It doesn't matter, but revisit the images you've created mentally time and again.

Sit back and watch for miracles.... like this one.....

So dang humdingally blessed!
Isn't he beautiful?

PS.  Please check out my new Etsy shop!  I'd love to hear what you think about my art or better yet make a purchase - I love making things for you guys.  Later this year I'll be offering originals and not so many prints.  Cheers & thank you for spending time with me! Love, Tam x

 

Metta and a grudge

This week while teaching meditation we explored "Metta".  Metta is a term which means loving kindness.  During the process of Metta we sent love to our loved ones, friends, work colleagues and those in general who help make our lives easier.

Then we sent love to someone we had a grievance with... ouch....much more challenging.

Some of the students when it was over shared they couldn't believe they were still holding onto this "________" (fill in the blank but realistically we're talking grudges here... fear, anger, disappointment... whatever it may be) for so many years.

Face it you may still be upset with "So and so"  for doing/not doing/overdoing "that thing" and have been for the past 8+ years.  Yeah, admit it, they still really tick you off! 

Here's the thing.  ______(so & so)________ hasn't given you a second  thought in all of those years!

Guess Buddha was onto something when he said, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

Rather than clearing the toxic emotions, you've held them, you're still getting burned up by them like a boomerang nothing has cleared.


......dang enlightenment!


Here's a process I've used for years to let people and grudges go. 

Maybe it'll work for you to?

Take a moment and focus on your physical heart or the essence of the heart center (anahatha) located at the center of the chest.

Begin to send your breathe into this space.

Imagine you are breathing from this heart center (not so much from the lungs, but rather the heart).

Allow yourself to expand love, kindness and compassion from this space.

Imagine you are a vessel sending love out to the planet, bathe the planet and all sentient beings with your love, your compassion.

Think of the one you need to release and say these (or similar words), "I forgive you, I release you, I let you go."

Remember to send these same feelings to yourself.
Much love,
Tam

"If you're compassion doesn't include yourself it is incomplete." ~Buddha

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” ~Rumi

PS.  You may have to chant these words like a mantra a million times before it takes, but trust it will. 

"I forgive you.  I release you.  I let you go."

PPS.  Oh and when you say "I forgive you" let it be to yourself first for not letting this go before now!  And while you are at it don't be hard on yourself you are human after all!

 

 

 

 

Oh Limitless Being

Do you understand that you really are limitless?   That it is you who sets the rules and regulations for your life? 

So many people blame someone else for their experience.  They give away their power and not allow themselves to thrive onward.  Sadly they have already given up.  They have forgotten how to connect.  They have forgotten life is not static.

They have become a slave to the mind (and even worse some to the cell phone... can't put the dang thing down when it sends a text notification they have to respond.  They can't help themselves...oops ... where'd that rant come from?  LOL  OK, ok, ... right now ....back on track..)

Our mind constantly lies to us.  It teaches us that we have a body, feelings, thoughts, time, space and limits. 

We are far more than these things.

If we can silence the mind we can discover this truth.  You my friend are a timeless, spaceless, witnessing being, one of spiritual abundance riding around in a physical body.

Here's an exercise to work with.  In meditation repeat the ancient words of Nisaradatta, "I am That" repetitively.

Notice how the mind will attempt to fill in the ____that_____. 

Go beyond the lies of the mind and discover the quality of all that "I am".

Remember who you really are.

Do not give up.  You are here to have a glorious experience.

You're only limitations are those you set for yourself.

Reach beyond your limitations with me & let's enjoy this ride!

 

 

.. not necessarily in Warrior 3, although it is super fun and be forewarned it may make you smile!