We often hear the word mantra associated with a number of spiritual practices including yoga and meditation. The word mantra can be broken down into two parts: “man” which means mind, and “tra” which means transport or vehicle. As a more common definition – a mantra is something that can be used to assist your mind in entering a deep state of meditation. In more traditional Vedic practices, a mantra is used to access a spiritual state of consciousness. When either chanted or spoken, mantras help direct the healing power of Prana (life force energy). Many people believes that in order for a mantra to be effective, it must be used on a regular basis for several months. At its most basic, a mantra is meant to calm the mind and bring you back to a mental state of happiness and simplicity. Mantras originally in the Sanskrit language – so trying to pronounce some mantras may seem a little intimidating to most of us, however, simple one word mantras like “Om” can be extremely effective and powerful! While mantras are strongly associated with yoga that is not the only place they can be used. In many spiritual paths, your mentor will assign a mantra to you and it will change and evolve as you follow your spiritual path. People can use mantras, to give themselves a quiet time to focus at any point during the day. They can be used to uplift, energize, and even sooth. (While this is not the more formal use of a mantra, this type of use has gained considerable appeal in our modern age.) To get the most from your mantra, choose a word or phrase, and chant (repeat) it in a way that works for you – be it out loud, quietly or just to yourself in your mind. Based on their historical use, I suggest that these types of shorter mantras should be chanted 108 times (mala beads can help with that – more about malas in my next article!) No matter what, the importance lies in being able to focus your attention to the sound! As I am sure you know – the purpose of mantra is to give yourself something to focus on. To do this, you repeat a particular sound or short phrase over and over. It is important that your word or phrase resonates positively – but also important that it resonates with you personally. It’s important to note that not all mantras work for all people so unless you have been given direction from a spiritual mentor, feel free to choose another mantra to see if it is a better fit for you personally. Having a daily meditation ritual allows you to create a more peaceful, less stressful life! Here are a few possible mantras to consider: “Aum” or “Om” pronounced the same; this is a Sanskrit word meaning “it is” and can be found in many cultures. The next article will be an in-depth look at the meaning of this sound and its symbol!) “Ham-Sah”, “So Ham” (pronounced “So Hum”): another Sanskrit word, meaning “I am that”. For this mantra, the idea is to say “So” on inhale, “Ham” on exhale. “Om Mani Padme Hum” is a Buddhist mantra, often associated with Quan Yin, meaning “the jewel is in the heart of the Lotus”. (Next week I will be posting more information about this mantra.) “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is one of my favourite quotes attributed to Gandhi. “I change my thoughts, I change my world” and another lovely thought by Norman Vincent Peale. So what can you do if you if none of these mantras resonate with you? Why not create your own? Here is a simple process to get you to that goal! Start with an area of your life you would like to have a mantra for - it can be family related, personal, or even career related! Begin by making a point form list of what you feel are your biggest achievements. (Remember this is for your eyes only so write anything that comes to mind!) Next, number these achievements from most to least important based on the amount of happiness each achievement brought you (1 has no pleasure associated with it and 10 has created the biggest smile on your face!) If you feel as though there are two or more achievements that make you really happy, think about what you had to do to obtain that goal – which one was the most pleasurable in the process of getting the achievement? Which objective made you the proudest? Now comes the difficult part – take that achievement and summarize it into ONE or TWO simple words that will make you recall how GREAT you felt when you met this achievement! The word does not have to be selected from the words in your achievement- it can be a word that summarizes or makes you recall the pleasure this achievement brought. One friend struggled very much with her fertility and finally when she did get pregnant, she would meditate with the words “baby girl”. To this day those words still make her smile! This reminds her how she hard she has worked to overcome some very personal struggles; and reminds her each day of the product of those struggles! The idea is that your mantra is personal to you, and that it is a positive statement that resonates with you into the depth of your heart and soul. You are the only person who even needs to know what word(s) you have chosen. Just call in this phrase or word whenever you require an affirmation to help you move forward! Blessings to you! #mindfulness #meditation #mantra #chakras

Mindfulness is being aware of out thoughts, physical sensations and our environment at any given moment. By that, I mean really “tuning in” and listening to what is going on with us and around us! In being mindful, we are allowing out thoughts on these things to simply exist – and not attach any judgement to what we are thinking. We are focused on the here and now – not thinking ahead, or looking behind ourselves. Why Practice It? As with meditation, being mindful has proven to have many benefits. It can: Increase sleep quality Boost our immune system Improve our memory and focusing skills Reduce stress (including parents and pregnant women) Help ward off anxiety and depression (including those who suffer from PTSD) Increase relationship satisfaction Increase self esteem Increase creative thinking Fights obesity Decrease hostility and rage – in fat those who practice mindfulness are more likely to help someone in need! Reduce negative emotions Instill confident Here are some key components of practicing mindfulness and ways to incorporate its simplicity to your daily routine: Consider your breathing – pay close attention especially if you are feeling stressed or have a very strong emotion Add small segments of time to your daily habits where you can practice being mindful – take stairs and focus on the feeling of climbing up each one, for example Pay attention to the physical sensations you experience each day – as in the shower meditation you can find here Give yourself a time to ‘re-set” and perform a body scan to notice where you are feeling out of balance or have tightness or stress; - focus on each part of your body for just a few seconds, recognize what you feel there and allow it to let go. Try the raisin exercise – this can actually be done with nearly any food but a raisin is a good example: focus on the item - slowly use all of your senses, one after another, to observe it in great detail, from the way it feels in your hand to the way its taste bursts on your tongue. These are just a few examples of mindfulness idea you may want to try. Like any other practice, it is a skill that takes time to develop and not all aspects may be the right fit for you – so don’t give up, just try different things until you find the way, and time that works best for you! Allow yourself the chance to “single task” instead of multi task. Folding laundry? Feel each piece, notice the textures, is it warm from the dryer still? If your mind wanders, simply bring it back to the current action or situation and keep going. Accept that each day is not going to be perfect – but that mindfulness will help you make each day better. Research suggests that at least 20 minutes a day of mindfulness is a good starting point. From there, try working up to a longer time of 45 minutes a day. Join your shorter sessions into longer ones and before you know it, you’ll be there!! For more information or alternative mindful moments, check out this article called “Pocket Mindfulness” Happy Friday the 13th! Have a terrific day! #mindfulness #pathstominfulness

Last week I posted a couple of articles about meditation - clearly these were also about mindfulness, so let’s stop for a moment and consider the similarities and differences! Both mindfulness and meditation come from ancient Buddhism, but really the idea is that meditation encompasses mindfulness. Generally both mindfulness and meditation help us by calming the mind, so in some sense these terms overlap - yet they are also different and refer to unique purposes and definitions Both meditation and mindfulness have spiritual roots. Mindfulness is thought to originate through chants or mantras; whereas early records of meditation can be found in the oldest texts of Hinduism, called the Vedas. Meditation is the art of creating a deepened state of consciousness that is quite different from the usual waking state. Since there are many ways to practice meditation, it is a very open-ended concept. The difference between meditation and mindfulness, simply put, is that mindfulness is a method or a way of practicing meditation. Even though meditation originally focused on spiritual growth, over time it became more aligned to match the goals of society and was used to reduce stress, so the number of ways to practice meditation expanded to include: silence, breathing, tantra, yoga, visualization, and of course, mindfulness. Meditation is an umbrella term to encourage the idea of reaching a blissful or happy state of concentration. There are a number of ways someone can strive to reach this heightened level of consciousness such as love, compassion and practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness itself is the act of focusing on being in the present. The idea is that by completely focusing on a current situation – such as the breath meditation I posted last week-we are not able to have other thoughts enter our minds, thus removing strong emotions. It can be quite easy to fit this kind of meditation into daily practice. It can be done while preparing and drinking a cup of tea. Eating can be another way to practice mindfulness – do your best not to allow distractions to enter your mind and focus fully on the food before you. Consider everything from the colour to the scent, and of course the various flavours that are present. Think about each time you chew and don’t take in more until you have properly swallowed. Another simple idea is to multi-task less (yes, I know, crazy right?)! Bring your full and complete attention to what you are doing right at this moment; or perhaps try actively listening during your next conversation with someone. Ask questions during your conversation to help you gain a clearer understanding of their thoughts and feelings. This also means waiting until they have stopped speaking to formulate a response…. I know it sounds easy, but in our hurried world, we seldom take the time to hear what others are saying before we are mentally preparing our response. As you know from my previous post, there are many health benefits to adding mindfulness or meditation to your day. There is now also important research showing the effect that positive thinking and mindfulness can be of benefit to breast cancer patients, impacting their DNA. It seems we are only just beginning to discover the effects that meditation and mindfulness can have in our lives and that the reach of our actions may be much more extensive then we currently know! #meditation #mindfulness

This week I posted on FB a short prayer which could also be used as a meditation. It is often associated with the Hamsa hand. The Hamsa hand is a very old Middle Eastern talisman. It can be seen in many cultures and religions and is used as a protective symbol. People believe the Hamsa will protect them from harm, especially against the evil eye* (see below) and it acts as a good luck talisman bringing them abundance, goodness, fertility, luck and good health. The word “Hamsa” can be spelled many different ways including: hamesh, hamsa, chamsa, and khamsa. This ancient symbol’s history is difficult to define since scholars of various faiths are unable to agree on the interpretation of the word Hamsa. It may have started as a Pagan symbol and then been adopted by other cultures. It is believed that the word, "Hamsa," comes from the Hebrew number five being "hamesh". In the Arabic language, it is called "khamesh" and in the Sunni culture, the Hamsa is associated with the Five Pillars of Islam. With all this information, you can see how an accurate historical lineage is difficult to obtain! What is the Hamsa hand? It is a hand with 5 defined fingers – often with an eye in the centre of the palm of the hand. While it is often worn as jewelry, it can also be found in all kinds of home décor items from cushions to door knockers. People use this higher power or energy source to keep themselves protected from various forms of negativity that are outside their control. Often times the Hamsa hand or Hand of Fatima can be seen by guests as soon as they enter the home and there is a strong belief that this symbol will protect the home from fire. Depending on who you ask, the Hamsa have very different symbolisms. The Hamsa hand is also known as the Hand of Fatima (Mohammed’s daughter) and the Hand of Merriam (Moses’ sister) so this symbol is significant to those in both the Jewish and Muslim faiths. It is also sometimes referred to as the Hand of Mary representing Mary, mother of Jesus. For Hindus and Buddhists, the Hamsa is less about protection from negativity and more about energy flow in the body, the five senses, and the mudras that affect them. In this case it is often believed that each digit has its own energy element and is associated with a chakra: Thumb- Fire element, solar plexus chakra. Forefinger- Air element, the heart chakra. Middle Finger- Ethereal elements, throat chakra. Ring Finger- Earth element, root chakra. Pinkie Finger- Water element, sacral chakra. These energies can be combined to change the flow of energy in the body and heal psychological and physical ailments. A bracelet or necklace pendant with the Hamsa hand is often worn by people who have faith in a "Supreme Power" and find themselves at a cross-road in life. This is not so much a “religious” symbol as it carries across many religions because people who wear a Hamsa all have faith in a higher power. Early on, many cultures adopted the eye as an icon for their protection, others used Hamsa and so over time the most popular universal symbol was the two of these meshed together becoming an eye placed in the palm of a hand. This is the common Hamsa that we see today. The eye is there as “all seeing” and it warns the owner of the hand of any negativity. *There is superstitious belief that certain people possess the supernatural ability to cause disaster, illness, calamity and even death simply though the look or stare they are giving someone – this is what is widely known as the evil eye. #Hamsa #Spiritualsymbol #Prayer

If you know me at all, you know that I love animals of all kinds and since Easter is so often associated with Rabbits, I thought this would be a good time to bring this animal’s spirit meanings to the front of our thoughts! Beyond the fact that they taste delicious (the chocolate ones, I mean!), Rabbit as a Spirit animal is a very complex creature and is featured in many different cultures. At one time, a “lucky rabbit’s foot” was a common item. (I always wondered though….. how was this lucky for the rabbit?) Anyway, Rabbits are considered lucky in a number of cultures, and they are also thought to bring abundance. Below, I will touch on a few of the symbolism's that Rabbit is known for…. beginning with Rabbit’s shy personality: Rabbit Meanings and Symbolism Fear, shyness and anxiety- if Rabbit has come to you now, it might mean that it is time to overcome your fears and make a move! If you have ever held a Rabbit, you know their hearts beat very fast so are often associated with people who have highly sensitive, extremely alert, and very cautious personalities. Rabbits will freeze then suddenly bolt away – often in a zig-zag pattern- when they sense danger. Since Rabbit has few natural defense mechanisms, they must treat everything as a potential threat, but are still able to sit and eat, and sleep well in their burrows. Trust that if rabbit has come forward in your life, it is to help you move forward - even in times of fear – and to let you know Rabbit will protect you from harm! Fertility – Generally people know that rabbits are a species that populate quickly and easily. This is also part of why Rabbit represents Easter – the idea of new beginnings and a new start. The symbolism of fertility not only represents the ability to conceive a baby, but also refers to new ideas and the birth of plans. The rabbit is sacred to Ostara (or Eostre), an ancient Germanic fertility maiden Goddess. Ostara celebrates new life. It is because of Ostara’s vigil, even through the long winter months, that spring returns to us in full vitality. You will find this nurturing goddess at the root of Easter celebrations, and see how her sacred rabbit has been morphed into the Easter bunny over the centuries because she had the head of a hare, and the body of a goddess. It is no wonder that she is associated with rabbits, flowers and eggs! If Rabbit is suddenly on your mind, perhaps it is the right time to start your family or to move ahead with the plans that you have been considering! Abundance and wealth –Rabbit is a symbol for wealth and abundance throughout many cultures. Their abundant reproduction and their ability to gather and store food in their burrows to get them through the long winter months teach us to work hard and save so that we can make it through the lean or difficult times. Another indication of Rabbit’s abundance symbolism has to do with Rabbit’s teeth that never stop growing. It is a good thing they love to eat and chew! Their diet is usually green – the symbolism of which implies health and prosperity. Motion and spontaneity -Rabbit tends to move quickly, in unpredictable ways. Rabbit has been known to leap over nine feet high! They bound along and suddenly take a different direction in their zig-zag pattern. Many small children love the quick paced antics of Rabbit, and as adults we need to embrace these playful movements. Rabbit is here to remind us that some spontaneity in life is a good thing! If Rabbit appeared to you and you are feeling “stuck” or bored in some area of your – follow Rabbit’s advice and make an unexpected move. Create some fun and adventure spontaneously...and notice the changes that follow. If you are a planner who always feels safer by being “in control” allow yourself the freedom to let go and experience things you would miss otherwise. Retreat and be Grounded -Rabbit is very closely linked to the seasons, the changes of Mother Earth, and specifically Springtime. Rabbits are burrowers and their underground burrows symbolize Mother Earth energies. Rabbit wants each of us to remember how best to care for ourselves – retreat when we need to, look within and collect ourselves. Rabbit is an earth element animal with a very deep connection to the sacred spirit of Mother Earth. If Rabbit has appeared, it is to remind us that we must connect to the Mother in deeper ways and that in doing so we will become even more grounded in our thoughts, actions and Being. Perception – Rabbit has amazing perception! Rabbit can see a 360 view without turning his head! Rabbit also has incredible hearing. It is these features that Rabbit has come to remind us how we each have a set of tools available to us at all times. Rabbit’s lovely fur transitions with the seasons and allows Rabbit to stay hidden and safe when necessary. Rabbit wants you to know that your own inner abilities and strengths will lead you where you need and want to go! Creativity and Cleverness – We know of all the childhood stories that Rabbit can also be creative and very, very smart! Rabbit relies on his keen observation skills to avoid dangerous situations; Rabbit creates burrows with multiple exits; Rabbit even knows he is less likely to be seen when standing still, then when moving! Rabbit uses all these skills and more to solve problems creatively. Perhaps Rabbit has shown himself to you at this time as a reminder that you need to employ your own creative skills to solve the dilemma that you are facing; or that perhaps you are neglecting your creative side and it is time to make a change! Moon symbolism - Rabbit is a nocturnal creature and so shares lunar symbolism. There are several cultures where one can find the moon depicted as a Rabbit. For example, in Buddhist culture, it is said that the Buddha, disguised as a hare, threw himself in a fire as sacrifice to the god Indra. His reward was to live an eternal life as the moon. Moon is a symbol for intuition and reflection, so because of this, Rabbit is often associated with strong intuition. Moon also symbolizes the depth of our emotions –just as the Moon is a reflection of the Sun – we are also a reflection of our emotions, so without question, Rabbit also symbolizes reflection. As you can see, Rabbit is a wonderful animal to be connected with – whether he is a Totem Animal, Power Animal, Spirit Guide or if he has suddenly just “hopped” into your life! In any case, be sure to welcome Rabbit along with Spring! Have a Hoppy Easter! #Easter #Rabbit #SpiritAnimal #GoddessOstara

What are the benefits of meditation? When I started to dig a little deeper into why this is so good, I was really surprised by some of the research I read and all the different areas of our lives that benefit from simple meditation! Relaxation Research has established that meditation produces tangible benefits for physical health, including: PLUS: Increased production of the anti-aging hormone DHEA-which means a reduction in the aging process Lowered cholesterol levels Decreased inflammation (a leading cause of disease) Improved immune function Students getting improved grades Who wouldn't want all that goodness in their lives? #whymeditate #healthyliving

What is meditation? Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused. Practitioners of this art report increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as well as a more positive outlook in life. Meditation is about proper breathing and concentration of one’s thoughts. Begin by finding a comfortable position conducive to concentration. The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you may want a quiet, isolated area The principle here is focus. Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process Where to start? If you are unsure, try a guided meditation (there are tons of great ones on YouTube!) It’s a great way to help a person who is just beginning the process to concentrate better and easily achieve the full benefits of a meditative moment. Helps the user to focus their thoughts and block out any distractions to experience the pleasure of silence for a moment during the day. Assists people to follow the stages of meditation, allowing a person to go as deep into the process as they choose to. Allows anyone to see it as an option when dealing with tension in the workplace or home environments. If that seems too advanced try one of these techniques: focus on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight (I like to watch the flicker of a candle flame.). silently name every part of you body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works wonders. #beginningmeditation #guidedmeditation

well actually, this is what I like to do everyday! Meditate! I know that is a scary word for some people and just the idea of forcing oneself to sit still can be intimidating... but did you know that you don't need to be in a special place or have any tools in order to meditate? To meditate really just means to focus your thoughts on one thing - and that thing is breathing! (Really now, that sounds pretty easy doesn't it?) If you have never meditated, I encourage you to give this a try. * Get yourself to a quiet space. * Set an alarm for 5 minutes (that's not really scary - it's just 5 minutes, right?) Not a loud beep-beep-beep alarm but just some music that will come on quietly or a soothing nature sound that you like... * Find a comfortable position - traditionally it is sitting up but I even like to meditate laying down. * Close your eyes and breathe. As you inhale, count slowly to 5 - then exhale for the same amount of time. Focus on the rise and fall of your chest. * Other thoughts will float into your mind - your list of things to do, how mad you got when blah-blah-blah happened.... just accept these thoughts and allow them to pass through. Acknowledge these and let them float onward to their own time and space. Return your focus to your breath. * Just keep breathing and letting those thoughts float across your mind. (If you need to, you can always picture them as balloons floating from one side of your head to the other - or from your mind up to the sky where you can no longer see them. * When the alarm goes off it is your reminder to come back. You don't need to jump up and start running again. Just take a few more seconds, knowing that what you have done is turned inward to your true self and allow yourself to come back slowly. Notice how there became a point when you no longer heard any outside sounds? The only sound you noticed was your breathing....realize that those intruding balloon thoughts came through less and less often and as they did you were able to let them go and they floated away faster... * Open your eyes, enjoy the sensation of relaxation in your muscles and then allow yourself to return to your daily world. I bet you feel a little different after this don't you? Calmer maybe? Quieter? Perhaps you notice more of the small things going on around you.... truly in the beginning 5 minutes may feel like a very long time.... but even with 5 minutes you will reap benefits! As this week progresses, I will post a couple more articles about meditation, so watch for them here or on my FB page! Thanks for joining me today! #meditation #5minutes

Why would an intuitive have a blog? Well, obviously I will be using this page to share with you my business - including opportunities for free readings, card pulls and special promotions - but that's not the main purpose here! I want to share my spiritual, crystal, healing and animal communication knowledge. (You will learn quickly that I have a love for all living creatures.) I am on my own journey – following the path that is right for me – and I hope in sharing some of my beliefs, ideas and spiritual guidance, others of you might take a stronger step onto your own paths too! I am going to kick this off with a little talk about Easter- and Spring - and what those things mean to me! I can’t say I grew up in an overly religious family, but certainly there were certain occasions we celebrated, and Easter was always one of them. As a child, there was always the traditional chocolate rabbit and sometimes a few eggs hidden around – but mostly what I remember is that Easter was the beginning of Spring. There is always something wonderful about Spring…. whether it’s the longer days and more sun shine; shedding the layers of winter clothes; or just that thought of green grass and that summer never takes long to arrive – Spring is always good! Spring reminds us that, like the plants and trees that have been dormant for winter, we can also flourish! Spring is the opportunity for “Spring cleaning” (getting rid of the old) – and is the time for “airing out” (getting rid of the stagnant energy in our homes); and of course, there is always “Spring fever” (marked by all the births of new life in the animal world). For me, this Spring will have another new beginning – it is the beginning of my new business. To start it off right, all one-hour services will be $15 off for the month of April – so be sure to book your appointment before this egg-stra special sale-abration is over. (Sorry but I couldn’t help myself!) I sincerely hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to see what I have to offer; and at the very least follow this blog, or my FB page, where you are sure to find some inspiration! #SpringEasterSaleabration #Easter #Saleabration