Being Still, Being Present, and Just Being

September 3, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

I can’t believe that we are already entering into a new month. It seems like the year is blasting by at a rapid pace, and many of you are probably feeling the effects. Time seems to be pushing us into greater alignment with sensations of having to hurry, having to be on time, having to keep to a tight program/schedule and in some ways this takes us out of ability to just be present.

We have to find our stillness in all the hustle and bustle. Where is your center throughout your day? Many of us make plans to wait until we get home to begin our meditation practice, but after plopping down in front of the computer we end up either forgetting or just deciding there isn’t time for spirit.

It is important to prioritize your connection to the divine. Bring it into your day. Where in your day will stillness assist you in connection not only to your day, but to your divine nature. Taking controlled intentional breaths through the day are invitations to spirit to enter into that moment with you. When we allow space, we allow the divine to move into that moment. We just get to be present, even if it is just for one single breath. The key is to “allow” space for these connections to happen. I find myself reaching out in the business of the metro station, when people are testing my patience and grace. I find stillness at the cross walk.

Slowing down throughout the day and just saying “Thank You” to the divine for the moment that is right in front of us. Thank you for allowing me this space to breathe. Thank you for this job that I have. I also take this a bit further, and I love thanking God for the difficulties. Each time we are presented with a chance to step into our divine nature, and we truly step into that space, we are learning to be present.

Where do you find stillness throughout your day? Where do you give your moments of gratitude?

Live, love and be blessed. You are beautiful, you are loved, and you are Divine!

M. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

michael@michaelbrazell.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

www.youtube.com/soulinteraction

Intentional Breathing: Creating Sacred Space

August 17, 2012 / soulinteraction / 1 Comment

According to a world population data 108 people die every minute. We never know when we will say our final prayer, that deep exhale. These numbers also remind me of how often so many of us take for granted the fact that we are breathing. When life gets chaotic we hold or breath. We forget that it is the breath that helps things to move. We have to remember to breathe.

Intentional breathing helps us to make each breath count. To go into a place of purpose with each inhalation and each exhalation. When we connect into this space of intention we invite spirit into that moment with us. We “bring in” something that we might be missing, and create space for clarity, connection, and movement.

So, here is an easy process that will help you to start a process of intentional breathing:

1) Pick a word, a concept, or something positive that you want to bring into your experience. (love, hope, peace, joy, connection, compassion)

2) Bring that word into your mind’s eye. Focus on it, begin to feel it move through you.

3) Take a deep in-breath. Breathe that word into every fabric of your being.

4) Exhale and create space for the next breath, create space for the intention to become reality.

5) Keep this process going. The pause throughout the day and re-connect into this space of intention.

Where do you hold your breath? When do you feel that you need movement? What do you feel you need in your experience that you are lacking?

Mahayogi Das

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

Upheaval: Cycles of love and chaos

August 7, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

Chaos seems to be a constant in our time. We are feeling the energy shifting around us with more frequency. The earth and the universe that surround us are in constant change. We are feeling the frequencies of both love and chaos enter into our lives. We have to be sure that we are preparing ourselves for the cycles ahead.

Welcome to 2012.

I am not going to talk about the doomsday events, nor am I going to talk about the coming wave of light beings, and we will be sure not to talk about the mother ships lovingly circling the earth, but we have to admit this has been an interesting year.

2012 is what I like to call the year of expectation. It’s a very powerful and spiritual time, and as a global society we have energized it with a vibration of spiritual change. For better or worse, we are all “expecting” that something or even nothing will happen. Within the “something-ness” and “nothingness” of this year are a multitude of layers. Poles are shifting, the weather has been intense, violence has been on an increase, and mother Gaia is shrugging her shoulders.

As new energy comes in, old energy goes out. Dimensional energies are also merging. We are in 3rd dimensional density. This is our tangible reality. Just beyond us is the place where thought becomes manifest. One of the theories is that as 4th and 5th dimensional energies begin to merge with our more dense reality we will see thought become reality in an instant. Many of us are feeling the pushing sensation, the call to do something greater than what is right in front of us…and many of us are taking to the call. For others, this call is bringing conflict. Trust is not something we do well with in this density, but it is a big part of the spiritual process. Trust that when you take that step out into the world, that the universe is going to be there. Just as when you inhale, we seldom guess if the air is going to fill our lungs… it just does.

Love and chaos are beautiful dancers. In Chinese philosophy it is thought that through chaos all creativity is born. We are creating new realities constantly. Each breath is an action of dying, and then being reborn. We have to learn to trust the breath. Breath is movement, breath is action, breath is compassion, breath is life. We in essence are the breath, and everything in the universe breathes. It’s important to pay attention to your breath daily. Notice if you are holding it in, or forgetting to inhale. Are your exhales shallow? The breath is what will help us get through the upheaval. As it moves, so do we. Every try to run a marathon holding your breath? It’s not possible.

Showing up to the experiences is also a tough thing for a lot of us to do. I know there are times I would much rather watch a delicious movie on netflix, but avoiding things in our life do not make them go away, it only gives them momentary space, and at times this actually waters things weeds we might not want in our garden. Showing up is also defined as taking responsibility, accountability, and acceptance of what is right in front of us. Showing up is also loving those sometimes broken pieces, the struggle, and the upheaval itself. Yes, love your upheaval. Love it so fully and unconditionally that it becomes something that aligns you instead of something that binds you.

Love and chaos. Both beautiful.

Breathe, trust yourself unconditionally, and show up.

Namaste.

Mahayogi Das CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/michaelbrazell

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

July 19, 2012July 19, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

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:

I am only drinking water
I am only eating simple non-processed raw foods
I am only going to purchase foods with minimal/no packaging
I will eat a balance of carbohydrates/fats/proteins
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:

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.
I am to reduce my ecological footprint as much as possible. (I’ll discuss this in a bit)
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.
I am to live a more simple life. In action and words. (more on this in a few)
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).
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.
Daily personal yoga practice/meditation/contemplation of sacred text
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

Engaging the Shift

July 9, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

Where are the waters of this life taking you? What do you feel your purpose is within this divine experience? Where are you within your body in this moment?

This is a year of engagement and integration. Who we “were” is now changing into who we have always supposed to be. Our greater purpose is coming to alignment, and more importantly we are being called to show up to our divine experience.

Most of us will go joyfully, others will go kicking and screaming. Those that find themselves in struggle need to see where their anchors are located and being the work of deep release. It is time to continue to see the shadow, to release our limitations, and to move into the breath.

There is work to be done. We have to engage life and spirit daily. This shift, this movement in consciousness requires us to show up.

Where do you feel the need to show up in your life? What is calling you in this moment?

The Changing Face of Spirituality

June 14, 2012June 14, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

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)

Soul Interaction Discussion Question

May 2, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

How do you define the soul? Is it definable? If your intuition is divine guidance, where is it tapping into? What is your wellspring of divinity?

Each week I’ll be posing questions to take us deeper. Feel free to answer below, write them in your journal, use them as prompts for discussions in your spiritual groups, etc. This is a great year for a bit of introspection.

Love and Light

Michael A. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

PBP2012: H is for– Healer Heal Thyself

April 20, 2012April 20, 2012 / soulinteraction / Leave a comment

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

PBP2012: “F”- Fasting for Spiritual Growth

March 23, 2012March 23, 2012 / soulinteraction / 7 Comments

Fasting is an important aspect of coming into alignment with our spirituality. Fasting allows us to come into alignment and to see where our personal power might have been surrendered to situations, things, food, or people. Fasting takes a bit of planning as well. One of the things that I like to do with my fasting is to take a few days to really plan it out. What do I hope to gain? What will I be giving up? How long do I want to fast? Being sure of our reasons for fasting and where we hope to go with it is an important aspect of the entire process.

Fasting also does not have to just be about food. We are constantly facing distractions, and there are a lot of things that deplete us of our energy. Fasting from the internet, cell phones, or even talking for a day can bring us back into alignment with the world around us. Fasting from food can show us where we might be reaching out through our emotions towards foods that might be harming us. Set a spiritual goal for your fasting cycle. Allowing yourself to find a deeper connection with your divine self. Pick a favorite book, some new chants, or even a physical practice like sacred dance/yoga. Set a schedule for your fast, and stick to it. Showing up is one of the hardest things to do in our spiritual practice.

Remember, there is no such thing as failure. I set a time parameter for my fasting cycle, but if I do not reach the entire goal I consider the time I showed up a success. If I didn’t make it to the end, I sit with that and I see where my stumbling stones might have been. I journal a lot during my fasting period. I look at my emotions, I go deeper into my divination practice, and check in with my emotions constantly. If I am removing something from my experience checking in with my emotions it allows me to see what power I might have given away.

Take a few moments and think about how you can deepen your spiritual practice by allowing something in your experience to sit on a shelf for a while. What is something you feel you can’t do without? That is where you start.

M. Brazell CFT CSN MAT PAT

www.michaelbrazell.com

michael@michaelbrazell.com

The Ritual of Fitness: Intergrating Intention into Your Gym Workout Routines

January 10, 2012 / soulinteraction / 1 Comment

Intention, Motivation, and Connection to Your Physical Practice

The alarm clock goes off, and your feet hit the ground, and of course the first thought on your mind is heading towards the gym. I can already hear the “Yeah, right” screaming from the recesses of your soul. Many will sleep in until the very last possible second, some rush to the computer the moment feet touch the ground to check email/Facebook/twitter/or the latest foursquare updates. Then after a long day at work, we are faced with our second opportunity to step into the sacred grounds of the gym, yet… we would much rather curl up to Netflix and catch up on the latest episode of Cake Boss.

The toughest part of any workout routine is setting up a steady routine. There is a frustration when it comes to working out. We have to remember that it took us a while to get to where we are, and it is going to take some time to see the results of our work. As spiritual people we know that when it comes to manifesting things take time. The universe/God/Goddess hears our call and life begins to synchronize and align to bring about the desired outcome. Our time in the gym is a microcosm of grand universal effect. The first step is to set a realistic goal for yourself. Ok, let’s pause right here. Many of you immediately added up some magical goal weight that must be achieved, some of you might have seen muscles ripping out of every crevice of your clothing, others may have seen themselves coming across the finish line of their first marathon. Let’s take the goal to an even smaller and simpler place: Just show up. That’s it. If you do not show up to your workout, then the goal will just remain a dream. The dream is also dangerous, because it can hold us in an expectation that is too far for ourselves to reach. If my goal is to run a marathon, but I’ve never even jogged a mile, I might be frustrated if in one week, I’m not wearing that gold medal around my neck. We have to be realistic about our expectations when it comes to our fitness. Even better is to release all expectation. Just show up and engage your experience.

You’ll also need a workout plan. Not knowing what to do in the gym can be intimidating. The machines can be complex, the classes can be intimidating, and at times we might just be overwhelmed by the multitude of choices in front of us. Simplify your direction. Start with cardio and build, do not be afraid to ask questions and take a class or two. Group fitness classes are a great way to burn calories, connect with others that are moving towards similar goals, and just have fun! When I was teaching and taking classes at a gym in Norfolk, I looked forward to my class, they became my “gym family”. You share stories, and get excited in each others progress.

Now, let’s take our workout a step further. What if I told you that you could add to world peace simply by engaging your process in the gym? Take a moment and think of something that is important in your life, something that you want to dedicate energy to. The next time you are in the gym set your intention, and dedicate your workout to that goal/place in the world/or person that might need it. A simple affirmation might go like this, “I dedicate the energy from this workout to all the homeless in my area. May they find peace, love and happiness this day” “I dedicate the energy of this workout to my friend Jim, who is going into surgery today, may the energy created guide him into greater health.” You get the hint… Be creative.

By setting an intention, you create a deeper connection to your workout. It gives the action new life and purpose.

Set the intention the night before and you might feel new drive to get those feet moving towards greater health the moment that alarm clock screams you awake.

I’ll be posting specific workout plans and tips to help ease the process and to make gym life less overwhelming. For those of you that are not members of a gym, I’ll be posting specifics for you as well.

So, let’s recap:

1) Just start by showing up. Not just to the gym, but to your life. Choose health, choose life, choose to better yourself on all levels.

2) Set a goal for yourself. Be realistic and release all expectations other than to be present in your gym experience.

3) Ask questions, have a plan of action. If you can spend 10 hours on Facebook, you can spend a few minutes looking up workout routines. Also feel free to email me directly if you have questions. I will also be posting a resource list in the next couple of days.

4) Give your workout a greater purpose by setting an intention. By doing this you make it more than just about you. You are creating and giving energy to the world around you. This alone should help drive your desire to get moving.