Category: spirituality

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Day Twenty-Seven

Sunday, Funday!

This is our final Sunday fun-day for this Challenge.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been working this Challenge for almost 30 days. I’ve learned many things about myself. We’ve addressed both emotion and friction while incorporating them into our workout. Actually, they are a result of the workout.

I was raised during a time when we were taught that we needed to control our emotions. We needed to keep them hidden. We were weak if we showed our emotion. And no one wanted to see you cry. “Suck it up buttercup”, “brush it off and keep going”, were words we heard when we heard when we got hurt.

I don’t blame my parents for this though. They were only parenting the way they were parented. Part of our shadow work is to heal these wounds and change the perception of how we grow and learn.

For many years of my life, until recently, in fact, I hid my emotions. I never cried in front of my children. Certain people said I had a cold heart, because I didn’t show emotion. While that hurt, I never let it show. But it did affect me. For a while, I believed it. Yet, somehow in my “cold heartedness”, I still took excellent care of my children, volunteered and gave to charities. I was always there to help anyone who asked. Now that I look at the big picture, I can tell you I do have a heart.

The emotions didn’t break lose until I started doing the work. I’ve been focusing on my shadow work for years now. But to be honest, those tears didn’t flow freely, until I started this challenge.

I believe the friction created by the workout options is what forced the emotion to the surface. The friction creates pain in the body. We are learning the the pain we experience isn’t just a physical reaction to the body working muscles that haven’t been worked in years. The pain is also an emotional response to the energy that has been stored in those muscles. The “work” forces and releases that energy which is what prompts the emotion, causing the tears to release that energy.

I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to shadow work. I’m a “newbie”. I will tell you I’ve learned a lot. I’ve become more acquainted with my true self. I’ve learned to trust myself. And I’ve learned that with time and patience, I can heal.

I’ve also learned that those working the Shadow Work Challenge have been a great support to each other. It is a new experience for me. I’m thankful for all the gifts that this Challenge has afforded me.

If you’re looking to grow and heal from past trauma of any sort, you should consider joining the Challenge in January 2023.

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Letting Go – Day Twenty-One

I can’t believe we’re already at the day 21 mark. Yes, the work has been hard, but it has also been rewarding.

I’ve learned many things about myself. I have always been a hard worker. But I have also neglected myself. I put others needs before my own. Because of this I never exercised, and I’ve not been concerned with what I eat. I eat well. Meaning I don’t eat junk food. When I was diagnosed with Hashimotos I addressed that. Now I eat mostly raw foods because I can’t be bothered to take the time to cook. On occasion I take a couple hours on a Sunday to prepare a root vegetable soup (my take on minestrone without beef broth), but outside of that I don’t plan meals.

Learning about the Doshas has helped me focus a little more on meal planning. I have a clearer understanding of how food effects the body and the emotions. It’s amazing how, when we stop to look at the big picture, everything falls into place. Food is energy, we are energy. It makes sense that we want the food we put in our bodies to match the vibration of our body. After all is is the expression of the soul.

I want that expression to match my soul purpose. So in addition to what I put in my body, I’m becoming more conscientious of moving my body. Each of the exercises Brice introduced through this challenge have been a wonderful way to observe how my body reacts and responds to pain. They have given me the opportunity to use these modalities to get to know my true self. Not the self that wants to run and hide when the pain comes up. I’ve learned that self is the ego, trying to trick me, to get me to quit. My true self is the me that pushes through the pain and keeps going. It’s the self that is learning to be honest about the pain. To sit with tit and learn the lessons that are present so I can heal those old wounds.

I can’t believe we’ve been working this challenge for 21 days. The time is passing quickly. I’ve learned a lot, but I know I still have many things to learn. I guess I’ll see what the next eight days bring.

I know we’re almost there, but it’s still not to late to join the challenge. You’ll finish later, but you will learn so much. I hope you will consider joining us. It’s never too late to begin to heal.

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Finding Courage – Day Fifteen

So, we’re at the half way point of the Shadow Work Challenge. We began today as we did the first day with Marnie Alton’s Barre exercise. By now I’ve become accustom to waking early and beginning my day with my new friends.

Today is Tuesday. And true to the Challenge we learned something new today. If you’re familiar with the Hindu faith, you will already know Tuesday is Hanuman’s Day. Brice brings up Hanuman today, who is the Hindu warrior monkey god. He represents courage. The story goes like this.

Rama (who represents God) marries Sita, (represents the soul) his true love. Ravana the demon king (our ego) who can’t be slayed kidnaps Sita. Rama searches tirelessly for Sita. Until he meets and hires Hanuman (represents courage) to find an rescue Sita. It’s a beautiful story. Brice gives a brief over view of the tale below. One much better than my brief synopsis.

We are all fighting an inner war. Our ego against our soul. The only way we will win this war is if we find the courage to fight our demons. The story of Ramayana is one story that represent this struggle. Another is the Bhagavad Gita. Where Arjuna is the warrior who must find his courage.

We are writing our story by working through this challenge. We must find and conquer our demons so we can ascend and move into the light. It is the struggle we face along the way that serves as our work, our karma. In the video below, Brice recaps the day, helping us put into perspective the work that lay ahead.

So, we end the day as we have done for each day of the challenge. My journal has become my constant companion and confidant. I write that nightly entry, read for a while, then turn out the lights for the night.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet, the effects of the nightly ritual of lights out by 10pm. My sleep is a better quality and I wake more rested. That alone is worth joining the challenge.

I know we’re half way through, but you could still join the challenge, you’d only finish fifteen days later that most of us. There are those who have joined later and are finishing a bit later. It doesn’t matter. We all get there when we are meant to arrive.

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Addressing Anger – Day Seven

Anger can become a big part of shadow work. Exercising can bring up emotions that have been dormant for years. In some cases, lifetimes. When we start shifting energy in our body, we could trigger these emotions. This is what is meant by shadow work. Sometimes these emotions manifest through pain in the body. Maybe I should say that the pain triggers the emotions. Some people experience these emotions as sadness, depression, anxiety, or anger, to name a few. Today we are addressing the emotion of anger, and how to manage it in a healthy manner.

On day three of the challenge, we were provided with a kickboxing option. Part of the reason for this option was so those who find anger coming up in the shadow work, can work through that anger by putting that energy into a form of exercise that allows for a release of tension and anger.

So, we have experienced Barre, Yoga, Dance, and Kickboxing as forms of exercise. We are growing. We continue to write in our journal. Learning more about the Doshas and how we can heal through not only exercise, but food too.

If you want to learn more about yourself and how you can be a better you, this challenge is a good way to find out who you are and what makes you tick. I’m glad I decided to step up and look within. There is much opportunity for growth in this challenge. You can still join. It’s never too late.

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Day Four – Shadow Work Challenge

Much pain coming….

Brice will tell you about this in the video below.

Today we learn about the reality of pain and ego death. We have so much to learn about who we are. This challenge is one way for us to address the existence of our eternal soul.

For those that don’t share the views mentioned here, please be respectful of the rest of us as we learn more about the possibilities that exist. We incarnate into this 3D world many times to learn. We create a contract to give us the opportunity to learn from the journey.

Listen to the video below to learn more.

We have so much to learn about our bodies, our souls and the Karma we must work through during this lifetime. The video above is a long one, but the information Brice and Steph share will help you better understand the Mysore room and the experience you might have while working with the instructor.

This challenge is offering the opportunity for each of us to grow and learn. It is offering us the information that can help us expand our knowledge and work through and heal the energy in our bodies.

I hope you will consider doing this challenge. It’s never to late to start.

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Thinking Outside of The Box

Well, I’ve made it through another year. Another year older. Hmmm…

I think I’ll look at it as another year wiser. It’s amazing what we can learn in a year.

I’m continuing to evolve spiritually. While the post today has nothing to do with Hashimotos, it does have to do with healing. I’m learning that when we dig deep into our self, our soul, our being, we begin to understand how it is that dis-ease finds a way to manifest in our bodies.

I’ve been reading the lost books of the Bible. I’m amazed at the early teachings that were omitted from the Bible. While I don’t intend this post to become a debate in religion, I must say that we have been cheated. Humanity has been kept from the greatest gift in learning. If you have the chance, I suggest you start reading them. Quite enlightening. Maybe that’s the reason the Church doesn’t want us to read them.

Reading these books has prompted me to ask more questions about myself. Where I came from, what my purpose here is. How does everything fit together? The universe, God, humanity, ancient history. There are so many things we don’t know. To be honest, I think some of what we do know, those things fed to us by those in control, can’t be true.

Back to spirituality. In questioning the early history of our planet, I’ve come to realize that the mystery school teachings have a valid place in our reality. Of course, there is a God. He is part of us. He exists in each one of us. If you think about what Jesus (Yeshua) taught, it makes sense that we are more than we have been led to believe. He told us to be like Him. He taught us that we could multiply loaves, turn water to wine, walk on water, among other things. Jesus said God is within us. I’m sure you’re wondering where I’m going with this.

Well, I’m not going to teach a lesson in religion. As a matter of fact, Yeshua, despised religion. I only wanted to make a point. And that point is, if we expand our minds, we can do anything. As we become more in tune with ourselves, and learn how to control what and how we think, the possibilities are endless. Part of me wonders if that’s why the Church tells us that yoga is evil. Yoga teaches you how to focus, to be in the present moment. It teaches you how to control what you think, and how to move your body so you can work through all the trauma you’ve experienced.

I’m not a yoga expert. But I understand what I read. And anything I’ve read about yoga and meditation tells us that it is when we control our minds, how and what we think, we will be free from the matrix that has kept us enslaved. If we take control of our minds, stop watching and listening to the media, that is brainwashing us to be puppets, we will be surprised at the freedom we will enjoy.

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Meditation Options

So, I started my Qi Gong practice. With it, comes meditation. While I do the simple meditation that is part of the practice, I include focused mediation in my daily routine. It took me a while to ecide which worked best for me butafter some trial and error I decided on the focused mediation. Below I listed some forms of meditation you can research. The list is growing.

But I’ll start with what appears to be the most popular options

•             mindfulness meditation

•             Visualization meditation

•             focused meditation

•             movement meditation

•             mantra meditation

•             spiritual meditation

I looked at mindful meditation and understand it originates with the Buddhists. It appears to be the most popular form of meditation practiced in the West. In this form of meditation, you focus your attention on your thoughts as they pass. Observe them without judgement. Observe any patterns while combining concentration with awareness. This practice is a good one to do alone, without a teacher.

Visualization is the practice of that focuses on physical feelings associated with the body and emotions where you focus on feeling relaxed, peaceful, and being calm. I

Focused Meditation utilizes the five senses. You can focus on the breath. Or you can focus on something external like counting mala beads, staring at the flame of a candle, moon gazing or listing to a gong. As a beginner you may find it difficult to focus for more than a couple minutes at a time.

Movement Meditation includes things like walking, gardening, Qi Gong, and Tia Chi. I use this in Qi Gong. While you move focus on the parts of your body as you move. It’s amazing what you feel.

Mantra Meditation is a forma of mediation you see in Hindu and Buddist traditions. With Mantra meditation you focus on a specific word or phrase as you breathe.

Spiritual Mediation could be a means to connecting with a higher power. A form of worship or prayer. It focuses on developing a deeper understanding of spiritual/religious meaning.

There are other forms of meditation. These however, are the most widely known or understood as meditation practice. You should research each form and determine which works best for you.