What do You Believe?

There is a school of thought in the self-growth field that suggests the universe and everything in it is a projection of the mind, and beliefs about the self dictate what perception reveals about it. If true, then we not only create our lives, but also everything and everyone in it we perceive with the body’s senses. In fact, if physical reality is a mirror of our conscious and unconscious beliefs (especially the latter), then it’s only an illusion, and has no basis in reality at all.

This isn’t just a fancy New Age theology. It’s been a running theme throughout some of the recorded history of faith and philosophy at least as far back as Plato, and the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, among many others. Modern science - specifically the fields of quantum physics and human biology - continues to find evidence supporting the concept that we are what we believe. Therefore, it can be deduced that if we identify the self with the body, our beliefs affect us on the level of form; whereas if we identify with a spiritual self, our beliefs alter to reflect a different reality than what the body alone perceives.

Any seeker of the spirit self knows it’s not easy to dissociate from the idea that one is not a body, because we spend the bulk of our lives believing it. We’re taught from a young age to accept that ‘seeing is believing’, when we should be taught that ‘believing is seeing’. This state of confusion could be one of the reasons people struggle to maintain their sanity in a world that they themselves have made insane. Of course, it depends on whether or not you ascribe to this particular school of thought in the first place.

If you do, there are many ways available to help discover the depths of your spirituality. Some practices, like meditation, yoga, Qi Gong, and others, have been around for centuries. There’s also a diverse array of conceptual texts on deepening one’s spiritual awareness that offer guided instruction on how to go about it. Deciding which one may work requires some trial and error, but generally whichever is needed at a given point in time will show up in a person’s life when they’re ready for it.

Personally, the teachings of A Course in Miracles rings true for me, being filled with concepts that suggest a spiritual wisdom has laid them out. It may not have the same appeal for everyone, but its logic seems remarkably thorough and it’s approach consistent. I’ve read some criticism of the Course, and have actually chuckled at the attempts of some writers to offer any that are more believable than the Course material itself. It’s a work that’s difficult to refute.

Regardless, the point is that there are numerous, effective methods to help increase one’s self-awareness. I think examining beliefs about the self, and altering them if necessary, can help change the illusion of a chaotic world to one more closely resembling what we all want from it.

I also think it’s safe to presume that everyone is already on their own path to spiritual awakening, whether they’re cognizant of the fact or not, but as more people make a purposeful effort to find greater spiritual awareness, a domino effect of learning will take place. Understanding will grow that the world we see is not one we need feel forced to live in, and greater peace and harmony are possible. If you’re ready to take another step in that direction, the very short reading list compiled below may help get you started.

A Course in Miracles, published by the Foundation for Inner Peace
A Return to Love, Marianne Williamson
Loving What Is, Byron Katie
Living the Wisdom of the Tao, Wayne Dyer
Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul, Deepak Chopra
The Disappearance of the Universe, Gary Renaud
The Biology of Belief, Bruce Lipton
The Gratitude Effect, John Demartini
Steering by Starlight, Martha Beck
The Places that Scare You, Pema Chodron
What the Bleep Do We Know?, various authors

Reiki for Mind, Body & Soul

A Reiki (“ray-kee”) treatment is a great way to promote self-healing, and ensure ongoing good health. Originally created by Dr. Mikao Usui at the end of the nineteenth century, Reiki is widely known and used. It’s also recognized by Western medicine as an effective, non-invasive treatment that reduces healing time and pain levels significantly, especially in post-operative patients, as well as with injuries or illnesses.

Reiki is a Japanese term meaning ‘Life Force Energy’. It assists with balancing your energy centers, the seven areas of the body’s energy field, or aura, that are commonly referred to as chakras. The seven chakras are called the root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow and crown. These centers flow freely with energy when they’re clear, helping support a healthy, happy individual. When they’re blocked by persistent negative feelings or stress, the effects can manifest in many ways. Experiencing pain or illness of any kind is common, whether emotional, physical or mental. Reiki helps clear the chakras of negative energy, treating both its causes and symptoms.

A Reiki practitioner doesn’t ‘perform’ healing; they’re trained and attuned to accept and channel powerful life-force energy to their clients. They may use several Reiki techniques to administer treatment, depending on their training. Some place their hands in various predetermined positions on the body; others keep their hands a short distance away from it. Either technique works; a client typically feels the flow of energy as heat when they’re being treated. A Reiki practitioner with strong intuition can often pinpoint areas of the aura or physical body that are ‘sore’ spots, and focus on them when giving treatment.

Ultimately, guiding the Reiki energy depends on a client’s needs; being intelligent, the energy knows what chakras or areas of the body require it. For example, if you have trouble expressing your needs to others, Reiki energy will concentrate at the throat chakra to help meet that challenge. If you have a broken heart, it will focus on that area to help you heal. If you’re recovering from injury or illness, the energy will support that healing.

Reiki works on all mental, emotional, physical and spiritual levels, restoring balance and a sense of well-being. It’s very relaxing, and aids in cleansing the body of toxins. Anyone can receive a Reiki treatment regardless of their spiritual beliefs; Reiki is non-denominational. Children especially benefit from treatment, and pets like it, too.

The Canadian Reiki Association (www.reiki.ca) lists certified Reiki instructors and practitioners in your area. It also provides FAQ’s, relevant articles and testimonials to the effectiveness of Reiki treatments.

Why Meditate?

Meditation is the easiest way to find peace of mind, and bring balance to your life. There are thousands of meditation methods, and you may need guidance to get started; but it’s not required. You can start your own practice just by taking a few minutes each day to focus on breathing in and out, and experiencing whatever happens in those moments without judgment or expectation. Be kind to yourself; distractions are normal. Minimize any thoughts or feelings by allowing them to occur, and if need be, gently bring your attention back to breathing. Your breathing is your anchor, always giving you something to focus on. Attending to the regular rhythms of your breathing can help both the mind and body relax.

The goal in meditation isn’t to strive for enlightenment; the goal is to not strive for anything at all. This will open your mind to your one true Self, where you will discover a vast space of inner calm. It’s like seeing yourself from a distance, but in fact you move closer to the core of your being, your one true mind. This sense of calm awareness gives you the ability to respond to moments in life, rather than react to them, and experience any thoughts or feelings that arise within your moments as the true you. Discovering your true Self gives you freedom to accept life’s experiences without attaching to them, as they are not of you, but only perceived by a body that you believe is you.

There’s no right or wrong way to meditate, but use these simple guidelines to get you started:

1) Do it daily.

2) Try to do it at the same time each day.

3) Don’t worry about distractions like thoughts, sounds or feelings; these are perfectly normal for everyone. It takes practice to learn how to accept them, and tune them out.

4) If you keep your attention on your breathing while you meditate, it always gives you something to re-focus on when distractions happen; and they will happen.

5) Focusing on results will frustrate you; focus on the moment, and results will follow.

Meditation offers greater emotional and mental freedom to deal with life’s ups and downs. It allows you to see further into who you really are, creating more ‘space’ to accept life as a process, and helping you find your way through it with direction, ease and calm.

There are some common myths about meditation that deserve de-bunking:

Myth: Meditation takes too long.

Truth: Start with just five minutes a day; as you build up your practice, you’ll actually want to meditate for longer periods, and you’ll soon wonder why TV ever seemed so appealing.

Myth: Meditation is for old hippies, monks and New Age types.

Truth: Meditation has universal appeal; without it, the lives we lead - busy, over-stimulated, and stressed out – can result in unnecessary illness, dramatic emotional exchanges with others, and needless guilt about everything. Meditating just once a day can bring more harmony, joy and peace to your existence.

Myth: I can’t meditate without knowing there’s some tangible benefit at the end of it.

Truth: Meditation is not a degree program or race to win; it’s a life-long endeavour that can only benefit every aspect of your being. It cannot hurt you, but it can profoundly change the way you live by reducing stress, broadening perspective, and helping you enjoy each moment without getting caught up in the ‘drama’ of daily life.

Read this...

Welcome to the first blog entry for One Self Inspired Learning. May you find some wisdom on these pages, and perhaps we'll help each other to our realizations. Maybe that should be singular; the blog title refers to the Oneness within which we are joined, not as separate identities, but as one mind. There really is only one realization to uncover.

Every person has their own path to pursue, so the process they take is totally individual. How you come to the truth of what you are is yours alone to discover. However, there are guides to help you along the way. They're anyone you meet, anytime, anywhere. Some seem unimportant, others stand out. No matter how you perceive them, every person on Earth is a guide to your Self.

If you are seeking guidance, it cannot help but find you. Maybe that's why you’ve arrived at this web site. Maybe if you take this moment to think about what your heart is telling you about life - just the heart, not the head - a reason will reveal itself.

Still unsure? Maybe I can help. There’s always a reason we attract specific people to our lives. It may not present itself right away, but you can bet it exists, nonetheless. You’re here because you’re meant to be; whether it results in a more worthwhile mutual exchange beyond the fact that you're reading these words is up to you.

This is an opportunity for both of us to heal and grow. I think that’s a healthy way to look at things, at least if or until we communicate directly about what we really need from each other.

I don't have the answers you seek, but I can show you where they are. You have them already; all you need to do is realize it for yourself. It won’t cost you a dime for an hour of my time. If that feels like a nudge at all in your thoughts after everything you just read, then drop me a line.

Love and blessings