Thoughts on the Sedona Sweat Lodge Incident

I read about this situation initially from an email from James Ray since I subscribe to his list. Until then, I hadn't heard about it. But, of course, his email made me most curious.


To me, this is a situation that exemplifies the need for balance in all actions. It also represents the dichotomy of personal responsibility and societal/organizational accountability.

If I take the 10,000 foot view from a Law of Attraction point, which is what this group tries to embody, then all the individuals involved co-created the physical reality that played out.


As 'harsh' as it may seem, those who crossed over, those that developed dis-ease and those that provided the environment for it all co-created it. At any point, any one of the individuals, at a soul level, could have chosen a different path and a different outcome. Certainly, the fallout and aftermath were co-created as well.


I do not say that lightly, for there are events in my own past that I would have gladly 'blamed' another for the 'misfortunes' that I attracted. But, in doing that, I would have missed the gifts that were within it and abdicated my responsibility to God, Fate, Luck - call it what you will.



Using the principles of LOA and then observing the results - ALL the results - are a part of the experience we are creating here on Planet Earth.


Yes, there is no 'death'. I believe that. But grief is here and so, I feel it is necessary to acknowledge what has happened, learn from it and help those who do not recognize the continuity of Spirit to embrace the value of what has happened. Perhaps those gifts are to learn responsibility, perhaps those gifts are to learn to live and love in the now, perhaps those gifts are to learn nonjudgment. It is for each of us to discern.

In talking with another metaphysician, we considered the idea of 'death'. What if those who crossed, made that decision in the soul understanding that this would be the highest, most loving way for them to make their transition that showed a true celebration of what death is all about -- Graduation Home.

Only the souls involved can truly recognize the value of the situation. Those on the outside can grandstand about right/wrong; responsibility/accountability and the whole discussion of sacred ceremonies. Does anyone really have a corner on that? Is any group, no matter how long standing, how noble a history, how laudable a goal really the *only* group *authorized* by Spirit to celebrate love, life and growth?

I don't think so... (And, that is definitely a whole other blog about copywrites, trademarks and spiritual knowledge!)

All cultures have had, at one time or another, traditions and ceremonies used for less than stellar purposes. Shall we chat about Samhain/Halloween?  Perhaps someone should ask the Wiccans about that...



I remember when I was first introduced to SOM many years ago. I felt that some of the teaching lacked compassion because there was no apparent 'understanding' of the plight I faced. But, I realize now that in order for me to see the gifts, I needed someone outside of the situation to see the Truth. While she has graduated from physical life, I know that she can appreciate my appreciation for a lesson I have finally learned - and is probably laughing about how long it took me to learn it. That lesson is one of totally personal responsibility for what transpires in our physical life.
 
No one has a corner on Truth, ceremony or connection to Spirit.
There is no death - only graduation and welcoming Home.
 
Perhaps it is time for society to consider that understanding...

More On The Secret... You Attract What You ARE

What comes into your life is based on who you are...

Not what you 'think' about or what you want...

That is what causes all the confusion about what books like The Secret, Think and Grow Rich or the Law of Attraction are really saying.

People who primarily 'think' their way through life find this the most challenging aspect of using the Law of Attraction. The primal force in drawing what we want into our life is really our feeling nature - our internal guidance system (IGS) that tells us if we are really at the same frequency of what we wish to attract into our lives.

Being a 'systems' type person, feeling my way through to what I want to show up in my life has not been easy - in fact, I still work through this issue on a daily basis.

But, it's true that as we feel our way, we can attract all that we think we want - it's a matter of frequency and energy.

It Karma too...

The second Law of Karma

You Attract What You ARE, Not What You Want

In order to have a healthy, wealthy and successful life - we need to participate. Our inner world is reflected in our outer circumstances. If our outer circumstances are not what we want them to be, there is a disconnect with our conscious mind and our feeling mind. Somewhere along the line, our feelings, our beliefs are not in sync.

If you want to have a loving relationship, show love to others - regardless...
If you want to attract smart people into your life, learn and become and expert in something...
If you want more abundance in your life, be abundant in all that you do... be generous... be kind...

We are not alone and create our outer environment from within...

So, what are you going to create today?

Cherise

Are You In Harmony With Your Abundance?

I'm always trying to come up with ways to keep myself motivated...

I write affirmations, I visualize but sometimes I just can't put all the ideas together in one fell swoop...

Have you ever felt that way?

I wrote up index cards, have notes on my mirror, carry pieces of paper in my purse.

But, I recently stumbled on a nifty tools by Prosperity Cards

Check 'em out - they're pretty cool and it's neat to have a hundred dollar 'bill' in your wallet all the time.

Hey, check it out and let me know what you think by posting a comment below.

TTYL,

Cherise

Is "The Secret" Really Karma in Disguise?

Yesterday, I wrote about a commentary I had read about "The Secret". I won't belabor the article but it did prompt me to think more deeply on some of the more pointed comments about the materialism of the book.

As I thought about it, an interesting thing happened... I came across a description of the twelve laws of Karma. In reading them, I realized that they detail much of what the book is about. The Laws of Karma are really about Cause and Effect.

Isn't that what The Secret was trying to reveal?

I think that all the hoopla over the book, the negative stance, along with some of the 'over the top' statements have taken the point out of focus.

Let's get back to basics, shall we?

The Great Law of Karma

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap

If there is a cause, there is an effect. This is not just a metaphysical law, this is a scientific law - just check out some of the greatest scientists of our time...

Why stating this in a different format should prompt people to sound a warning bell is beyond me. In fact, I'll bet most parents have used this in reminding their children that "what goes around, comes around".

So, if what we sow, we reap, the real point of addressing any issue is within us. It can be no other way.

Think about it... two people can have an identical event happen in their lives and one will take the experience and grow from it. The other, will use it as a point of crystalizing their lives from which every future event is judged. If the event is positive, then each subsequent event may be view positive. If it was negative, other events - not nearly as impactful - seem to take on the same 'flavor'.

But, it's still our choice in how we see it and what we do with it.

So, what's your choice?

What are you willing to sow in order to reap?

Are you willing to see/sow only good -- even in the face of negative/bad events? Knowing that those events are the seeds of what you sowed in the past?

And, if you recognize that you are receiving what you created, you can then begin to change your mind and sow only good...

Let's start today - in our businesses, in our families, in our relationships -- to sow only good, positive and upbeat ideas into each other.

Let's sow INCREASE to everyone we meet...

It doesn't cost a thing but it's benefits to you and to those around you are immeasureable.

I'd love to hear what you've sown today... send me a post.

The Secret - Truth or Fiction?

Today, I read in the Chicago Sun-Times a commentary by Richard Roeper where he detailed his opinion on "The Secret" -- the book/DVD that has been making it's way on the internet rounds for almost the last year.

As he states, he wasn't really open minded to reading the book or even taking an unbiased view of the information provided. If that was the case at the outset - why even bother wasting his time and then waste even more time in writing an article trashing it?

I suspect that his commentary was to 'enlighten' those who haven't read the book or seen the DVD... To 'warn' others of the approach of positive thinking or the more materialistic view that the material presents.

I've read "The Secret" and watched the DVD. I could say that his opinion has merit - provided that one wasn't open to the mysteries of the way the Universe works. I found his article ironic for it did not appear that in his review, he was aware of some of the latest relevations in quantum physics.

While I can (and will in future editions) talk about the power behind The Secret, it is unfortunate that someone with such a wide reach, by a few keystrokes, may influence people who could be helped by the information.

The fundamental teaching of a book like 'The Secret' is not some pollyanish view that Roeper suggests but a more basic recognition that our thoughts/feelings create our reality. In fact, I'd ask him - does he believe that his thoughts and feelings have NOT created his world?

Certainly one of the challenges he mentioned is that people 'think' their illnesses into existence.

Here, I can see his point -- maybe...

Would he deny the scientific evidence that stress kills?

Would he deny the scientific evidence that negative attitudes decrease immunity?

Would he deny the scientific evident that more people have heart attacks between 7am and 10am on Monday morning than at any other time of the week? Perhaps this isn't something we 'think' about either but when most people would rather DIE than go to work - somethings gotta give...

His commentary is simplistic, for the book does not state that direct thoughts create such situations - Really, it is a matter of consistent thought and visualization - but not on the actual events itself but on the feelings that they create. For feeling is the basis of creation - not the cold thought of day to day living.

And, feeling is what prompts us all to do what we do - even if we try to convince ourselves that we've logically chosen a certain path in our lives.

So, Mr. Roeper - it's unfortunate that you spent all that time to produce a biased opinion on a piece of work that you didn't even want to understand but, instead, choose it to use as fodder to forward your own agenda...

And, I ask you - is 'The Secret' fact or fiction...?