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Coming into alignment with my life: Fasting, Contemplation, and Yoga

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Today I kicked off a new direction.  A new re-engagement of my path.  I am choosing to live a more whole-hearted existence.  Even as someone that engages a more direct spiritual path, I sometimes find myself at odds with what I truly want from life and from my path.   I feel at times we really get caught in the actions of giving, and we do not take time for receiving.  I am now going into a place of balance.

When I feel the world around in flux, I move into the internal landscapes.  I am about to engage on a new path, and its time to cleanse and take responsibility for all that is in my life.

So it begins.  I am starting a 40 day (maybe longer) fast.  Now, to some this sounds like an impossibility and/or perhaps a bit loony.  Well, of course!  Taking full ownership of what we put into our bodies is a radical idea.  Food is a source of power and potential.  Its is energy.  It gives us fuel, but we often surrender power away to our food choices.

When I engage in a fast, I go hardcore.  So here are my eating parameters:

  1. I am only drinking water
  2. I am only eating simple non-processed raw foods
  3. I am only going to purchase foods with minimal/no packaging
  4. I will eat a balance of carbohydrates/fats/proteins
  5. I will be kind to myself and those around me while in the detox phase of this dietary transition.

Ok, so why line number 5?  Well, I am starting this in the middle of a Mercury and Uranus retrograde, after being bombarded by solar flares… So, I have to be sure that I am kind to myself, but more so those around me.  When we detox the body starts to purge away toxins stored in the organs, the muscles and fatty tissues.  This can make us initially feel sluggish, weak, and for lack of a scientific term.. BLAH.  We tend to lash out at those that are closest to us in these times, so we have to watch where our actions may be taking us within this space of cleanse.

**Also a special note to loved ones of those engaging in a fast/cleanse:  Be kind to those engaging in this spiritual pursuit.  It’s not easy aligning the body, mind, and spirit through relinquishment of our favorite food stuffs.  Don’t tempt us away from the journey by offering us things that are not in alignment with our goals, support us in our journey towards alignment, and be part of the process through actions of love.

Along with the food parameters I am also adding some lifestyle changes that to this process, as well as some daily tasking that I am to take on:

  1. I am going to do 1 creative thing a day.  Draw, paint, write a poem, sketch, write a story, etc.  I’ll be posting those on this blog.
  2. I am to reduce my ecological footprint as much as possible.  (I’ll discuss this in a bit)
  3. I am to reduce the amount of stuff that I am holding onto.  This is to include clothing, books, ritual items, etc that is no longer serving me towards my goals of alignment.
  4. I am to live a more simple life.  In action and words.  (more on this in a few)
  5. I am to hand make one or two outfits by hand (this is something I’ve always wanted to do.. I’m going very yogaish… and this is gearing me up towards creating the clothing line for the website launch).
  6. I am only to travel with minimal stuff.  I tend to overpack, and carry too much.  I love my books, and instead of taking 4 books with me on one single journey.. I’m making a resolution to take each book I pick up from start to finish.
  7. Daily personal yoga practice/meditation/contemplation of sacred text
  8. I am to start my day at 4:30 am daily to make full time for spiritual practice.

This sounds like a lot, but it really is just about coming into alignment on a deeper level with a lot of things that are currently in my experience.

I am also taking this time to engage a higher level of responsibility for the world around me.  I’m reading a pretty amazing book called: “Radical Simplicity by Jim Merkel”.  The book helps takes you through a process of acknowledging what your eco footprint is and how you can start to reduce that by leaps and bounds.

I am also taking this time to journal more.  To engage introspection on a deeper level.  Daily readings, predictions, channeling and being in spirits energy.

I am also moving towards aligning myself with my community more, which is another reason for the new website.  This will have its own post soon, and its going to be pretty amazing.. so stay tuned!

I am also going to move towards living my yoga completely.  I at one point thought about the possibility of taking my initiated yoga name as my legal name, I’ve been in contemplation of this for a few days now… I am going to realign with that name energetically as I feel it helps me to integrate my spiritual self into my mundane life.

There are a few of you that have expressed coming on this journey with me.  This is a great time for alignment.  Fasting, centering, and breathing are great ways to begin this process.

What are you willing to part with, and for how long?  Fasting can take many forms, and not always food.  You can fast from Facebook, talking, sugar, coffee, etc.  The idea is to regain your power, to hold onto center and to be in alignment with what you want from this experience.

Set a time limit, and remember–there is no failure. We start, and then we stop.  If we stop before we reach the finish line, it gives us a chance to see where we still may be in limitation… this will allow you to come into alignment with actions of expansion.  When we are aware of where we are, we have the power to move forward.

I am also going to be more cautious with the things that I say.  So, if I appear quiet, it is not that something is wrong, or that I am upset, or that I am ignoring you.  It is me, absorbing the beauty of each experience, and then reaching out through that energy with words that are filled with spirit instead of just reacting and giving power to things that do not deserve it.

There are lots of positive changes just on the horizon.  What are you doing to engage your path?  What are you doing to be more in the body?

Stay tuned, much, much more to come!

Mahayogi Das, CFT CSN MAT PAT

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

Tuesday Spiritual Fitness and Nutrition Tip: 7/10/2012

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Most of us have tried dieting at some point.  We have gone through the ups and downs, and the “in-between” seems to remain the only constant.  For many, dieting it the final ditch effort to reach an end result.

“Its beach time, and now I have to lose 10lbs”

“I have a part to go to and I need to fit into that outfit”

These types of connections to the way we eat and the way we engage the body in fitness only lock us into places of limitation.  When we truly take our practice of bettering the body to both our physical and energetic core we begin to make lasting changes.

They body’s physical core is made up of the muscles of the Latimus Dorsi, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and abdominal region.  These area also the body’s largest muscle groups and when the core is worked in unison you are facilitating a full body workout.  The larger muscles also burn more calories due to their size.  So the more you work the core, the deeper and more effective your workouts will be.

So, how do I work the core–do a plank.

I know it sounds simple.  One single exercise engages all of the above mentioned muscle groups and also helps to create balance and alignment.

In many spiritual traditions the energetic core is located in the solar plexus.  Doing meditations to also help strengthen our connection to this deep center will resonate to our physical center.

The foods we put into our body are also able to help us facilitate alignment.  When we eat things that are in our highest good.  When we avoid polluting the body with toxins we are able to create both physical and energetic balance.

Take your practice to the core.  In the coming weeks I’ll be posting videos and guides to show you how to structure workouts to engage the core.

Love and Light!

Mike Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

The Changing Face of Spirituality

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One of the beautiful things about my job is that I get a front row seat to the world of spirituality.  Managing a book store gives me access to not only what is entering the world, but what people are seeking.

“I’m spiritual, just not religious” is a common phase that is tossed around a lot these days.  I am seeing more and more people coming into a greater state of alignment with their own vibrations and this is causing them to question old patterns, ideas, and concepts.  Questioning the world around us is powerful. It is common ground that we can all reside in.  The beauty of life is all the unknown.  Even in debate and disagreement we are able to grow.  If we only sit at the table with people who share the same ideas and beliefs as us we only get more of the same.  It doesn’t mean we have to accept someone else’s reality, but it allows me to at least share in a moment.  Challenge is good.  Challenge allows for us to move through resistance.

For me, spirituality is about expansion and not limitation.  I am seeing so many people reaching across the aisle to connect with others.  We still have a lot of disruptive energy in the world around us and communities are coming together to respond to these shifts in consciousness.

We are becoming more active in our spirituality.  Yoga, Qi-gong, breath work, and nutrition have been areas I’ve seen a lot of people starting to come into alignment with.  We must honor the temple the soul resides in.  New energy is coming in constantly, and we need to be able to hold and channel that energy out to be of the highest service.

The new generation of light workers are awakening to their purpose.  We all are.  Latent healing and intuitive gifts are activating in everyone.  Many of us have felt some resistance in the shift.  Resistance is not always bad, but let your resistance open you to expansion and not limitation.  Do not let your fears get the best of you.

I’ve noticed many drifting into old places.  Others are drifting into the future.  We only truly have the singularity of one breath in any given moment.  Don’t take it for granted.  The past shapes us, and the future helps to guide us… remember that the destination is the road beneath us.

Find joy and appreciation in all that you do.  Even if you do not like your job, appreciate it.  The resistance you feel from going in to that place day after day will only inspire you to grow into new opportunity.  Everything can be “good” if you find the gift it is bringing you.  Upheaval is a state of cleansing.  The more we tune into our intuition daily the more we come into greater alignment with that divine flow.

What are you moving yourself into?  Where are the waters of the divine taking you?   What is your resistance?

Michaell A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT
www.michaelbrazell.com
www.deviantyogi.com (yoga blog)
www.soulinteraction.com (spirituality blog)
www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell (radio show)

PBP2012: K is for Keepsakes

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I am very tangible with my spirituality.  I love to anchor my growth in to tokens that I can place on my altar or hold to remind me of those moments.  I love tokens, totems, and reminders of faith.  With all the distractions that surround us, being able to hold a piece of your spiritual journey is powerful.  I’ve never much been a crafty person, but it has been an area that has called me as my journey has evolved.  I like to pick up stones from my walks, and if I have a spiritual moment on that walk, I’ll place that stone on my altar.

I feel we are living in a disconnected time, and even as spiritual workers we might find ourselves caught up in the busy nature of life.  There is much work that has to be done, and we need to remind ourselves to take a moment to appreciate the journey a bit.

There are also times when I give my students little medallions or stones during a class.  I feel that after a class the completion paperwork is nice, but having something a bit more tangible can help to remind us of the moment we took that next step.  I have a mala that I wear constantly.  I’ve worn it ever since I’ve stepped onto the path. It carries my energy, and has been through every up and down.  It is my constant connection to that first day.

If we look back to our youth, many of us had the teddy bear that was also our best friend… that toy that connected us to a place of safety.    What are your reminders?   Do you have tangible objects that take you back to moments of initiation,  graduation, or just a moment where life made sense?

If this is not something that you’ve tried, I’d recommend it.  I find beauty in being able to physically touch those moments of spiritual connection. To hold my faith deeply in my hands.

Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

Psychic Medium/ Modern Mystic

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.soulinteraction.com

www.deviantyogi.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

The Michael Brazell Show: On Air

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So, this has been a facinating year.  Life is moving and changing quickly.  I am committing to bringing spirit into all facets of my own life, but am also going to take it to the masses.  I just started a new radio show on blogtalk radio called:  The Michael Brazell Show.  I will be featuring guests from the spiritual spectrum.  I will also be Co-hosting a Monday night segment with Wiccan High Priest David Salisbury called The Psychic and The Witch.  I’ll be posting a full schedule here in the next couple of days so that you can tune in.  For now you can visit the blog talk page and click the follow me button on the show’s home page and you’ll get updates as shows are posted.

www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

I’ll be doing live on-air readings, spirit connections, and hosting discussions.  I’ll be spanning the spiritual spectrum and dishing it out with a lot of fun!

If there are topics you’d like to see discussed on the show feel free to add those in the comments section below!

Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.deviantyogi.com

michael@michaelbrazell.com

Updates: Interviews, Magazine, and Radio Show

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The world is changing quickly and I too am feeling the deep need to evolve.  I have started reaching out to those in the spiritual community to share their stories here on Soulinteraction.com and the response has been wonderful.  In the next few weeks I’m going to start the interview process and get those posted, you do not want to miss out on this!  If there are folks that you think would be a good fit for the site feel free to suggest them, and I’ll try to line up future interviews.  I am looking for those that are out and about in their spiritual communities, those that are helping to evolve the soul’s of the masses, and are present in their divine experience.  If this sounds like you, or someone you know, suggest their name and contact information if you have it to:  michael@michaelbrazell.com

I am also going to host a show on blogtalk radio.  This is still in the “rolling it around in the noggin” phase, but I’m noticing those things become reality very quickly once they even enter the mind.  Spirit is driving this car, and I’m loving it.  I’m also lining up special guests, guest co-hosts, and want to make it a fun and spiritual experience.  I’ll be conducting readings via the call in feature, and will this too will allow a deeper connection with the community at large.

I am also in the creation phase of getting a soul inspired psychic/spirituality focused magazine in the works.  I love tangibility, and I am working out the details to make this a reality.  I am thinking old school punk style “zine”, but we may try for something a little more fancy.  I’m letting spirit direct this, but if anyone out there wants to come on board for the brainstorming, contribution phase, please drop me a line michael@michaelbrazell.com

 

That’s it for now.  The book is coming along great, as are some wonderful events here in the DC Metro area.  I’ll be posting a full event list here in the next couple of days.

Love and Light– You are Beautiful, You are Loved.

Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.deviantyogi.com

michael@michaelbrazell.com

PBP2012: H is for– Healer Heal Thyself

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What a crazy year this has been.  It seems that time is moving quicker than ever.  Mother Earth is waking up as well, and there has been a lot of  global upheaval.  As individuals engaged in spiritual practice, it is more important that ever for us to ground deeply into our individual healing craft.  It tends to be an area that many of us forget to engage in, and on a deeper level, we tend to treat ourselves last.   We must first treat ourselves to deep healing daily.  If you already have a healing practice (Reiki, etc) be sure that you are giving yourself time to go into places of healing, rest, and re-connection with your divine self.  If you do not have a healing practice, then it is time to start one.   The basis for healing is cleansing, trusting your connection to the light, and bringing that energy through you.  Allowing for this daily, even for just a few moments a day will help you to enter not only your day, but your spiritual practice with greater clarity.

The next step is to begin extending that healing to the world, and the Earth around us.  When is the last time you gave Reiki to a tree?   Many of us spend a lot of time trapped in the land of technology.  Spirituality is all of around us, and in times of loss we as healers need to extend that out into all of creation.  If you are watching TV, and you see a tragedy, send healing love and light.  We must be of service at every moment possible.  When we heal the world around us, we also heal.  We are all connected through that vibration, and what has an impact on one, has an impact on all.

With oneness in mind, it is even more important to take time for personal healing.  If we are sick, it becomes hard for us to connect to those around us that are counting on us.   If you already have a healing practice, reasearch others.  It never hurts to have extra tools in the tool belt.  If you practice and study Reiki, look up things on Quantum Healing.  It does not mean you are trading one out for another, but each has its strengths and one practice might be more accessible than another depending on the situation.

So, I leave you with this… What would it be like to give healing, energy, and light directly to God Herself?

Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.deviantyogi.com

michael@michaelbrazell.com

Spring Cleaning Detox: Taking Your Diet to the Green Zone

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Spring Cleaning Detox: Taking Your Diet to the Green Zone.

Spring is in the air, and its time to bring our lives into greater balance.  Next week I’ll be hosting the first of many Deviant Yogi Lifestyle Challenges.  This is a great way to connect into greater health and deeper alignment.  Read, post, subscribe!

Conference Call Meditation, Classes, and Discussions: Test Driving the Infinite

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As part of my ever-expanding universe and to make some of the stuff I am doing accessible to everyone I am starting to use some of the conference calling services.  I’ve done this in the past, and we had a lot of fun with it, tho we limited it to just meditations.  This time around I want to have round table discussion on various topics, and I will have workshops that I will also host via the conference call.  I am also going to find one of the video conferencing sites that will allow us to do some face to face meditations, etc.

For now, I leave you with a mini meditation that I recorded on the fly.  I’m just in the test driving phase, so it’s not the best quality, but it’ll give you an idea of where I am going with it.  I am also in process of getting some new youtube videos ready for launch!

To access the mediation:

Call in number: 530-881-1499
Type in Access Number: 368726#

Thank you for listening, supporting, sharing, and growing in this divine experience with me.  Also, if you use an online sharing service for conferencing and have had good experiences let me know so I can check it out.

Namaste

Michael Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.deviantyogi.com

michael@michaelbrazell.com