to myself and aptly named Living in Grace.

Each year I grumble about the timing of the retreat – holiday traveling

is not fun – and also the weather on the California coast can be disappointing –

but once I’m there and unpacked the grumbling voices fall away and the part of

me that brought me there – year after year – is full of gratitude and joy.

Choosing self mastery in the midst of a common mental and emotional challenge

is much like this process. The first voice you hear inside might not be full of

enthusiasm, joy and YES. In fact, it may be grumbling, fearful, expressing doubt

or some other well worn tactic that has worked in the past. Our job, as a spiritual

scientist, is to recognize the voices of the ‘old’ story, the old belief systems, and

gently, but firmly say, I hear you. Thank you for sharing. I’m choosing differently

this time.

Each time we override those old patterns that happen automatically and choose

to shift – in that moment, or the following, or the next day – we begin to

lay a new path through our reactive nature of upliftment, self loving and self

acceptance. The results? amazing GRACE.

The holidays can be challenging so keep your spiritual scientist observation

skill ready. Observe, accept, listen with compassion and forgive.

Keep asking yourself, how can I ask for and live the highest good

today?

I love this quote by Arundhati Roy and will close with this thought as the

world celebrates in this season and in so many ways the holy ness of who we are:

‘Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day

I can hear her breathing.’

blessings of one breath at a time,

Rebecca

Tracking the broadcasts of my inner thoughts and feelings also reveal energy leaks. What does fear about a national headline or bottom line in my check book do to my energy level? It shuts it down. Or sends me unconsciously running to numb the fear with my favorite self medication.

What does frustration or disappointment do to my sense of self motivation, inspiration or esteem? (all qualities of my level of energy) My body feels drained and my ‘thinking’ becomes muddled and cloudy.

Choosing  TO BE rather than TO DO shifts my focus and renews me. There is a popular slogan that goes, Energy follow thought.  So to think, I’m going to be peaceful, for example begins a flow of energy toward the experience peace. But if I really want to have a full body experience of peace and move into a state of peace I must  put into action those activities that produce peace.

In other words, there is a level of ‘doing’ in the ‘being’. Being is not passive – it’s active. The results of focusing my thoughts and then my energy on a state of being: peace, joy, loving, calm, openness, fulfillment, abundance produce what I am after.

Taking a 10 minute TO BE break in the middle of my day is like soaking in a nice hot bath or walking in a fresh, sunlit  forest. My energy is renewed with a vibrating life enhancing flow.

If every thing in this world of form is energy, as described by the quantum scientists, then continually sourcing upward spiraling energy enhances health, self esteem and abundance. That new car is not abundance. The car itself, however luxurious or expensive, does not source a vibration  of abundance. I carry that vibration of abundance. We often confuse the symbol for the experience.

The same is true with my obsession with my TO DOs. Crossing off one TO DO is OK; finishing my list of TO DOs is better; sourcing the joy, abundance and loving of who I am, breathing deeply and experiencing my fullness as I am going from task to task is the BEST!

Wish me luck! My new birthday gift to myself begins now.

It is time to speak up and out about our most precious values and convictions.

When I was a child, loving, compassion, kindness and charity were taught mostly behind the walls of our religious institutions. Those values were not discussed much, if at all, in the halls of schools or offices. Growing up in a very conservative religious area of the country this split between the head (rational and provable ) and the heart (innate knowing) confused me. I very quickly resigned myself to the hypocritical two-sided personalities of the adults in my life and adopted the same dualism as a young adult.

Later, I discovered that speaking from the heart took courage, inner strength and some care to move beyond the easy fall-back beliefs of the crowd. There appeared to be an invisible veil of repression shrouding any voice that articulated a more compassionate point of view.

Today, times are changing. We have a President that speaks openly about service, the less fortunate, not ‘me’ but ‘we’. I talk to people every day who no longer want or can remain quiet about the absence of peace as a viable national security option, honoring of the sacred in all life as a foreign aid policy and stewardship of the earth and her diminishing resources as our new bottom line.

Words are powerful! Speaking authentically resonates deep within. But often times we silence our voice and abandon our ideals because we are unaware of the sabotaging inner voice of fear. What I have discovered is that speaking up and speaking out is often derailed by unconscious thoughts from our head. And the ability to move beyond those inner roadblocks can be  learned and practiced.

Here are a series of questions to assist in getting to that quiet voice of truth. Moving beyond a knee jerk response establishes a line of communication that can be tapped when we hear the call to present a different point of view.

What is it that I want to say?
What are the limiting beliefs or fears?
Where is the power?
What did I learn?

Step One: What is it that I want to say?
Your first response may come from defensiveness, fear, judgment, anger or some strong emotion. You may hear something like this inside.
“I want to tell them how wrong they are”
“I need to change their minds.”
“I’m really upset by what they said and feel out of control.”

These human responses often drive us to fire off a response that is emotionally charged and not grounded in our being. We feel it immediately. And because our words carry a charge our listener is engaged on the same level. The results are usually unsatisfactory because no one is actually heard or honored.

Acknowledge that level, take a deep breath and go deeper. What is behind that knee jerk reaction? Finish the sentence this way and discover if this resonates.
“I want to tell them how wrong they are so I can feel in control.
So I can feel like I’m right.
“I need to change their minds because their ideas bring up fear, anger, upset etc.
“I’m really upset by what they said and feel out of control so I need to create separation and distance between us.”

Step Two: What are the limiting beliefs or fears?
Underneath defensive and reactive responses are usually a deeper limiting belief or fear of being judged – by the other or ourself.
Examples:
“This will not be popular.”
“You don’t really know what you are talking about.”
“Don’t rock the boat right now.”
“It’s not that important. Just walk away.”
“There you go starting an argument and ruining the party.”
“They won’t like me if I disagree.”

Acknowledge this next level of excavation and keep going.

Step Three: Where is the power?
Perhaps the timing of this question seems strange. What if authentic power lives just beyond the habitual limiting beliefs, fears and judgments?
The Heart is it’s home. What does your heart request you say?
Try these opening phrases to encourage the heart voice.
“My experience is…”
“I long for…”
“ What is important to me is…”
“ What I value more than… is …”
“I believe that …”
“What I have discovered is …”

True empowerment comes from speaking what the heart wants to say rather than the rapid fire response of the head. The secret ingredient of heart-speaking is truth. Truth is centering and grounding. Speaking  truth begins to shift the energy of contraction into expansion. Breathing gets easier. The nervous system quiets. The mind is still.

Step Four: What have I learned?
Probably the most important question of the four, learning requires that I stay conscious of the movement inside and let go of what no longer serves me. A fear or belief that has conditioned my behavior all my life may drop away. A habitual response that has given me momentary control or superiority will be discarded. My willingness and ability to understand my inner dynamic may shed light on another’s inner dynamic. The combination of new revelation, new understanding and new experience creates the new paradigm shift. Now that’s a place of power!

Are there circumstances where maintaining silence also sends a strong message?
Absolutely. And the more that you check in with your heart the more discerning you will be in those situations.

Each person has a unique way to uncover and discover their empowering voice. I encourage you to practice these four simple questions in service to your quest to express the truth that lies within.

And finally, powerful words from a German Pastor…

In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me — and by that time no one was left to speak up.
- Pastor Martin Niemöller

Why Now?
Our human experience is shifting. Old traditional structures and institutions are crumbling. Our consumptive lifestyle is running out of resources. The pop culture’s values, glitter and bling are less and less appealing.

Our human senses are waking up. We hear with different ears. The superficial lies and posturing of our world leaders comes through loud and clear. We see through to the hidden agenda of corporations, political rhetoric and patriotic causes. It’s like sitting through a movie and predicting the end – we’ve seen this same script many times before. We’re bored and time for a change.

But what is causing this shift of perception? Is it really just since recent disasters in this country: 9/11, Hurricane Katrina or globally the Indonesian Tsunami that so many people are acknowledging that something is going on? And what is the difference we sense, witness and feel stirring deep inside?

If we study the evolution of consciousness on the planet rather than wars, we realize that the next obvious step is usually expressed philosophically, spiritually, or socially long before we wake up and honor the dead guys. Pierre Theilhard de Chardin wrote in the first half of the 20th century, “We are not human beings have a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience” I believe the truth and reality of ‘what that is’ is just now dawning for many.

Dawning happens gradually.
Different aspects are illumined as the heart and mind move beyond the familiar way of perceiving and expand ‘down the rabbit hole’. We can sense something new before we can articulate it; contemplate it before we own it; have a new awareness before we become it. The form is usually the slowest to catch up with what we have already seen and perceived. To hold steady during the transition from essence to form requires steadfastness, endurance and courage.

If we are to lead the formation of new business, social and spiritual models impeccably, and not continue to follow old dead end paradigms helplessly, attention must begin inside – to access true empowerment, clear and focused attention and soulful intention.

It is not enough to change horses in mid stream. The water is toxic. It is fear-based creating separation, alienation, power struggles, lack, and hierarchical belief systems. We must claim and exercise the spiritual mantel that is our divine birthright – a cocreative partner with the divine forces of the universe. Then the flow of life creates abundance sustaining us all to do well, live well and love well.

We are powerful cocreators.
Learning how to cocreate responsibly and in alignment with our Soul, rather than our ego, takes patience, practice, higher levels of cooperation and grace. A way to shift into the divine cocreation playing field is to become a spiritual scientist.

The New Age Spiritual Directory defines spiritual science as: The evolution of high consciousness as it relates to the human being, to the Universe, and all creation, as taught by the ageless wisdom, esoteric studies, and theosophy.

In my work, I define a Spiritual Scientist as one who observed through the eyes of the soul how to work masterfully with the human reactive nature, apply the learning to their life and cocreate heaven on earth.

When you learn self-mastery, you no longer need self-help.
Many self-help approaches give good, practical advice for solving problems. Solving problems doesn’t always resolve the deeper issue. Like constantly putting out fires, you can tire of the old drill because problems continue to pop up.

Self-mastery is the ability to recognize and be successful at choosing a loving point of view. When your choices come from knowing the goodness of who you are rather than wanting the pain to stop you create lasting peace of mind, joy, happiness, fulfillment and abundant loving. This new point of view shifts the way you view any problem that may appear. It’s another opportunity to grow in compassion. It’s an expansive gift of on-going awakening. It reveals the truth that lies beyond the veil of unknowing.

Self-Mastery also opens the door to cocreating with your Divine Self – the wise, impersonal, unconditionally loving partner that knows exactly what you can do to discover and live life differently

Feeling a little sluggish these days? Having trouble focusing on what needs to get done? Fed up with dragging around ten tons of useless baggage?

Clutter happens! Not only in tucked away closets or out-of-the-way basements, but in your heart. When the heart is stagnant your energy is on empty.

In the heart, cobwebs go undetected! Dark corners are secret places where fearful thoughts, painful memories, and regrets build up. Bit by bit your vital life force drains out an unseen opening. Confusion replaces alert thinking and spontaneous compassion. You are not present to those you love.

It’s time to clean house.

Here are a few tips to renew, re-energize and revitalize  your life!

• Throw out those tired worn-out beliefs about your potential, your talents and gifts that no longer fit. Ask yourself, Why am I holding on to that limiting belief? What game am I playing to stay small?
• Scrub away that long-ago hurt you feed with old movies of how you loved and lost; didn’t get what you wanted; it just wasn’t fair. Notice how much time is spent in the past? Accept what happened; let go, and become present.
• Unburden your heart and let the fresh breeze of compassion andself- forgiveness blow away the dirt and grime of guilt and regret from with- holding love. Again, check inside. Who am I punishing, really? and at what cost?
• Don’t forget to wash those windows – to the soul.Let your eyes gaze with clarity and truth on self-defeating behaviors that no longer serve you. Where does your need to control keep you uptight and stressed out? What addictive patterns are running you? Make a conscious choice today to see with new eyes.

Cleaning up your internal environment renews the spirit. The inner heart space sparkles with enthusiasm. Energy returns to fuel fresh insights. The slate is wiped clean.

Take one day – 24 hours – and focus on cleaning your inner environment.

Then have a seat and relax, put up your feet and pat yourself on the back.

Job well done! 

I first heard this teaching story from a time management facilitator 10 years ago. Here is my version…

A college professor, tired of hearing all the excuses about incomplete assignments and complaints of ‘too much’ homework, walked into her classroom one day with a large glass jar, a box of big rocks, a smaller box of pebbles, a bucket of sand and a pitcher of water.

“Today’s lesson is about perception.” She immediately had their attention.

“Class, please tell me when the jar is full,” and proceeded to fill the glass jar to the top with large rocks. “Is the jar full?” she asked her bright students.

“Sure,” came the response from someone on the back row sounding a little bored and peeved at the obvious question.

Without responding, the professor picked up the box of pebbles and gingerly poured the contents into the jar filling all the crevices around the big rocks with smaller pebbles.

“Class, is the jar full now?” A light chuckle went through the room. “Well, OK, now the jar is full,” remarked the same back row student to save face.

Again, without responding, she picked up the bucket of sand and slowly emptied the contents into the jar. The sand easily filled all the spaces around the large rocks and small pebbles to the very top of the jar.

“Remember class, this is a lesson about perception. Is the jar full?”

“No” came a chorus of voices from the class. “No, the jar is not full.”

Her eyes twinkled. One more time, she picked up the pitcher of water and carefully emptied the liquid into the glass jar all the way to the top.

“Class, is the jar full?“
“Yes!” came the enthusiastic response from her students. The air was buzzing with the electricity of a teaching moment.

The professor waited until the room was quiet. “If you know what matters to you, what lights up your heart, what brings lasting joy and happiness, what is the next crucial step toward an important long range goal – do that first…and then there will time, energy, and space for everything else.” And she walked out of the room.

Blessings of
Quiet, still moments of awe;
Visceral bubbles of joy;
Belly laughs with good friends or total strangers;
Hugs and more hugs;
Deep breaths and sighs;
Relaxing full body stretches;
Soul-ful pauses of wonder;
Delighted smiles on children’s faces;
Shifts beyond the illusions of the mind;
And glimpses of your divinity and the divinity of others
during these holy-days.

Financial cutbacks, rising food costs, fear of job loss consume our coffee conversations. Regrets, what ifs, and obsessive thoughts wake us up in the middle of the night. We feel the shifting sands under our feet as the old institutions crumble. The sea of life seems vast and our personal boat very small when the gathering storm clouds threaten. 

Is there a safe haven in the midst of these changing times? Can we genuinely find peace, calm, and a steady hand to navigate through and not only survive but thrive?

It’s not easy to steal our focus away from the world and turn inside for the answers. And how do you find answers anyway when inside feels jumbled, upset, riddled with fear, judgment or guilt?

Are the answers really inside? your conscious mind asks. Don’t I need to work harder, circle the wagons, watch my spending, stay on guard, be informed, stay safe?

Or maybe I need to think positive thoughts, say abundance affirmations, change my diet or hairstyle, take a course in public speaking, pray, meditate, take up yoga?

What’s really going to work? Not only now, but in the future? What will work time and time again and build lasting health, wealth and happiness? What will silence the mind chatter, sooth the fears, comfort the despair, clear the air and restore clarity?

What will open my heart again so I smile with genuine warmth, laugh outloud often, speak kind words, or sit in silent support?

What will keep me safe no matter how much the waves of uncertainty and change toss me about?

If you are really ready for the answers to these questions you stand at a portal to discover the truth beyond the facts and what has always been available to you. This is not magical thinking or a quick fix. The ‘work’ requires a gradual, practical step by step choice to shift and let go of what no longer serves – old beliefs, judgments, perceptions, conditioning and confront the status quo inside. 

A year from now – hey, six months from now – you will thank your self for the courage to move beyond the known and the comfortable. If you need an invitation you have one. If you are waiting for someone to save you YOU are the one who will come. Are you tired of waiting?