visualization

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

Psychic Protection: Tools of the Trade

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There is a lot of buzz this year surrounding all the wonders this year is heralding.  I am seeing more lightworkers waking up to their purpose, healers coming into their power, and people taking the step into a life they might not have imagined possible.  We know that this year is bringing in a new and powerful energy.  It is tangible.  It is amazing to be on the front lines of this changing dynamic, this new and beautiful energy, but there is the other side of the coin that we are not really discussing.

There is a universal balance that naturally occurs as awakening takes place, and as light beings are moving into places of power, so are those that are not of the light.  In this changing dynamic it is more important than ever for us to hold our center, breath, and protect ourselves.  This is also one of the most neglected areas of psychic work.  It’s fun and powerful to be able to connect and gain information, but we have to do that from a place of protection and grounding.  Information and energy is moving around us quickly, and we really need to be careful of how much of our personal power we give away.  Below I am going to give you some techniques that I use to invoke a bit of protection in my own practice:

  1. Hematite is a great protection stone.  So is Black Tourmaline.  These stones are like little soldiers that will help to absorb the negative energy energy around you.  The beautiful thing about stones is that they work even if you are not conscious of the fact they are with you.
  2. White light and affirmation work.  Saying affirmations of protection throughout the day is a great way to remind yourself that you are protected and surrounded by the white light of the divine.  Sit and visualize the energy moving around you, and through you.  Then extend this energy into the spaces that you are in to ward against any energies that might be in those spaces.
  3. Eat healthy foods.  Yes, eating poorly lowers our immune system, our energy system and makes us sluggish.  Give yourself lots of leafy greens, fresh raw veggies, and water throughout your day.
  4. Exercise.  When we are in motion we are less stagnant and are able to move energy around and through us with ease.  Holding sacred space even in our physical activities is important for our growth and connection to the temple which houses the soul.
  5. Develop a daily spiritual practice.  I like to start my sacred practice first thing in the morning.  This can be as involved or as simple as you want.  I do yoga, affirmations of protection and grounding, visualization of white light, and a few other techniques that are my own.  Start the day in gratitude and try to find “sacred moments” throughout the day
  6. Breathe.  This is probably the most important thing to be aware of.  I notice people holding their breath throughout the day.  Breathing in itself is cleansing.  So BREATHE!
  7. Tune in throughout the day.  Are you giving away power?  Are you in center?  Where are your thoughts?  Carry a pocket journal and tune into spirit through the day.  Develop communication and conversation with your intuition.

It is not my purpose to create any fear, but we really need to be sure that we are keeping up with these shifting energies.  We want to be sure that we are as healthy and whole as we can be.  Moving into divine space is a beautiful thing, and as a teacher it is my goal to help you get there safely.

Here is a recent episode of:  The Psychic and The Witch with a discussion on protection work.

In a future post I’ll discuss magical protection.  Using charms, amulets, gris gris, roots, and physical body practice to engage the protective elements.

You are loved, you are beautiful, you are divine.

Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.deviantyogi.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

michael@michaelbrazell.com

Keeping Your Eye on The Prize by David Salisbury

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Visualization is not a foreign word to anyone in the new age community. We see it pop up in instructions for meditation, pathworking, spell work, and a great number of other things. How many times have you heard the phrase “now I want you to imagine in your mind’s eye…” in a self help CD or even at yoga class? It sounds easy, right? Just imagine it in your head and POOF, you just practiced what is called “intentional visualization”, also called “creative visualization” or “mindlight”. Though people don’t talk about this very often, most people find that it’s not as easy as you may think.

Just as anyone with experience in meditation can tell you, it’s a concept that’s so simple yet can be a pain in the butt to get right if it doesn’t come “naturally”. Anyone can sit still and breathe, but can everyone keep their mind clear, their soul focused, and their brain-chatter quiet? Usually not. The same goes with visualization. If I tell you to imagine a bright red apple in your mind, what happens? OH, right there, you just did it! Now I want you to imagine the apple and only the apple. Now background, no thoughts associated with it, and no other meaning to it. Gets a little harder, doesn’t it.

For visualization to be effective and powerful, we need to do more than just “imagine it”. We had good practice with this by playing make-believe as kids, but as our hardened adult minds grew, our ability to see things in the mind, in the astral, shrank. Let’s try the apple again, but this time give it a little more “oomph”. When you see the apple, imagine how it would taste to you. Let your mouth salivate as if it’s right in front of you. How does it feel when you hold it in your hand? What does the crunch sound like when you take a big bite? By doing all of these things, we are engaging all of the five senses (plus our 6th) to bring the apple out of our mind and into the astral. And what happens in the astral, takes formation on the material. Speaking of that, don’t be surprised if you find you crave apples for awhile after doing that exercise! Remember that when we visualize, we are putting a thought into the universe, an energy that has a body. A prayer would be like the “soul” of the visual body. It helps move it forward and creates change in a tangible way much quicker. Next time you pray, visualize the intended outcome while you do so. See it happening in your mind like a movie. You can stop, rewind, and fast forward. Just remember to not let images of doubt, fear, or failure cloud your work or you’ll be putting road blocks up that your work will have to drive around before it can reach its goal.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the inner working of visualization, try it! If you find it’s difficult for you to imagine an image you’re not alone. Practice makes perfect. If you can’t clearly imagine the movie scenes, go back to the apple, or any simple image. It will come to you.
Meanwhile, remember to keep your thoughts in good order in your day to day life. Just as we can visualize things for our benefit, we can do so for our hindrance as well. When we imagine negative things, we’re essentially sending curses. And it would be silly to curse ourselves, wouldn’t it? When you see something negative, try thinking to yelling “cancel, clear!” and imagining a big red X. This can help cancel out your thought.

Do you have any tips or tricks for creative visualization? I’d love to hear them!
Blessed Be,

David