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Awareness
I often use this word, awareness, as a key word for both my blogs and Rosemary’s. It is a good synonym for “consciousness” and, I’m sure you know by now, we are all about increasing our level of consciousness, our awareness! I don’t think I have ever written about this subject specifically, but several events lately have caused me to pause and wonder just how developed my awareness is!
The other day I went to Radio Shack to replace a power supply for Rosemary’s portable DVD player. I took the player with me to be sure I got the right one with the correct tip to plug it in. I purchased the adapter which we tested in the store; it worked perfectly and even brought up the DVD in the player. I left the store with my purchase and drove off in the car for the next errand. When I got to my next stop I looked around for the DVD player and it was gone. I ransacked the car thinking it had slid off the seat or under a seat. It was nowhere to be found. I went back to the store in case I had left it there. No one had seen it. I retraced my route in case I had left it on the car roof and driven off with it there. No sign of it! Now I was frustrated, confused and upset; how could a DVD player simply disappear. I returned the power adapter to the store. The player has never shown up!
Awareness. My awareness shifted focus at some point in this transaction and I lost a DVD player. I was distracted by my next errand and failed to successfully complete the current errand.
And then again, the other day, I was preparing for my Qigong class. I have this delightful alarm-clock, Zen meditation timer that I began using a couple of weeks ago to gently remind me with a very pleasant chime where I am within the schedule of the class and practice. The timer was not in the bag I use to carry things back and forth to class. I looked everywhere, even the car in case it had fallen out of the bag in transit. A day or so later I decided to look for it in the place I used to keep it before I started using it for Qigong; and there it was! I have no recollection of putting it back in its old place!
These two stories remind me of an old favorite Zen story of mine; in this version it’s called “Full Awareness” and goes like this:
After ten years of apprenticeship, Tenno achieved the rank of Zen teacher. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous master Nan-in. When he walked in, the master greeted him with a question, “Did you leave your wooden clogs and umbrella on the porch?”
“Yes,” Tenno replied.
“Tell me,” the master continued, “did you place your umbrella to the left of your shoes, or to the right?”
Tenno did not know the answer, and realized that he had not yet attained full awareness. So he became Nan-in’s apprentice and studied under him for ten more years.
Yes, I can easily say I have, at least, 10 more years of practice to reach “full awareness.”
I am finishing this post just after returning from my Svaroopa Yoga practice. The opening and closing Shavasana focuses on body awareness; whole body awareness from the tips of the toes to the crown of the head. The guided meditation is a wonderful practice of total relaxation and yet a heightened sense of awareness. Ten years more is not such a long time!
PS: The contemplation for my yoga practice this week speaks pointedly to this subject of awareness:
Real happiness abides in Self-knowledge alone. All else is fleeting. To know one’s Self is to be blissful always. – Ramana Maharshi
The Heart of Humanity – Richard’s Commentary
Yesterday’s post was a message, as channeled by Rosemary, from The Divine Feminine. There is little I can say that will enhance their powerful message. But I do want to offer some thoughts and examples, perhaps in my way to amplify the message.
My first thought in encountering the words of The Divine Feminine comes from my training and work in indigenous cultures and their understanding of this “Heart” especially as it relates to ancestors. We, as living humans, stand on the bones of our ancestors; but their hearts beat right beside our own. Many of you know Rosemary as a medium who can speak directly to our ancestors, those who have transitioned in the near past and even ancestors from generations past. They are right here with us! So, when The Divine Feminine speak of The Heart of Humanity and say: “This is not about the individual heart of a single person but, rather, the collective heart of the humans both alive and in spirit” they include our ancestors in this Heart. Why is this important? They are right here with us, watching us, cheering us on. So often their messages through Rosemary are words of pride in our achievements, words of encouragement to continue to learn the lessons and evolve, words of comfort that they are with us! Their hearts beat within The Heart of Humanity just as ours do. Live and love within this energy!
My second reaction to the message is a recall of a divination card I often receive from the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue, PhD. Maat is a Goddess in the deck that 
carries the message of “fairness.” (I’ve pictured the card here.) The key to understanding the message of this card is in the definition Dr. Virtue offers for fairness: “It’s when all parties involved surrender their personal agendas in favor of the greater good for the entirety of the group. This requires trust in the wisdom of the group.” And I add this requires trust in The Heart of Humanity.
I like this definition of fairness a lot. And it is little wonder that I receive this card a lot! What if our justice system were based on fairness: what’s good for everyone, the common good? How did The Divine Feminine put it? – “For the good of all.” With no qualifiers. We are all in this together. Sometimes we may not like this inclusive approach to “all.” But we are all members of The Heart of Humanity!
My third thought goes to our “community supported agriculture” (CSA) farm. As I write this, today is pick-up day. Each week we get a box of organic produce fresh from the fields. During this past winter we purchased a family share in the farm. Now we are getting our return on that investment. We paid our local organic farmer in advance and now receive a share. This share means we are part of a community, part of the common good; and we are sharing now in the results, good harvest or poor harvest (and so far it’s been very good!); we share the benefit as well as the risk. Our community farm is part of The Heart of Humanity.
The Heart of Humanity is about our Ancestors and what they worked hard for, it’s about fairness, and it’s about sharing in the common good. I hope you are enjoying your share in this Heart!
PS: Come speak with your ancestors! They are alive in The Heart of Humanity. Your next opportunity to participate in a Conversation with The Other Side is July 13 at 7:00 pm Eastern. You can join the Conversation online via a video internet connection, or voice/phone; and if you can come to Annapolis, join Rosemary live! Get the details here.
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: The Heart of Humanity
A message for you today from The Divine Feminine:
“Dear Ones,
We are here today to speak of the Heart of Humanity. This is not about the individual heart of a single person but, rather, the collective heart of the humans both alive and in spirit.
The Heart of Humanity is an energy of immense, unselfish, unconditional Love. This love for all humanity is the impetus behind humanitarian efforts of all kinds. Great spiritual teachers of all traditions have cared very deeply for the well-being of the people around them and for humanity at large. In fact, ‘humanitarian’ implies that the caring is only for human beings but this kind of caring and love extends to all Life, to all Beings, including animals and even plants.
Think of the teachings attributed to Jesus and Buddha about compassion and love for all. They were teaching about the Heart of Humanity. The Dalai Lama and other holy people of contemporary times teach the same message of caring for all.
Now notice how many preach a different story of separateness, of difference that allows one to feel ‘better than’ others, of deservedness vs. undeserving. There are those who are preaching the concepts of ‘mine vs. theirs’ with no concern for the common good. This does not come from the Heart of Humanity but from the source of greed that depends on fear of lack. This has no heart energy in it at all.
Some who claim to be religious people have embraced the teachings of separation and greed but have couched their preaching in a language that they think speaks to a common good. They have either deluded themselves into this belief or have chosen to mislead others by consciously using language to cover up the energy of greed and separation.
Great spiritual teachers offer their teachings to those who are ready to hear. They share from a place that they realize is greater than their own ego. They do not attempt to coerce or to impose their beliefs on others. They have too much respect for the free will of humans to try to convert someone to their way of thinking. They merely offer and allow the hearers to decide for themselves what they will accept.
This attitude for sharing spiritual teaching comes from the Heart of Humanity. The energy of ‘allowing’ is a more loving energy than that of ‘coercing’ or ‘converting.’ The Heart of Humanity is a gentle energy.
But this same energy can become fierce in the face of threats to the common good. When energy is needed for the preservation and protection of a group of people the Heart of Humanity spurs human helpers into action. This is the response you see in outpourings of help after disasters on Planet Earth.
The Heart of Humanity also compels people to work for the evolution of consciousness on the Planet. Teaching about the connectedness of all, that what is good for one is good for the group, that each individual has a responsibility to all others – these teachings stem from the Love and Compassion in the Heart of Humanity.
‘For the good of all.’ This does not have qualifying factors as some would propose when they separate people into groups who deserve and those who do not. When one makes a choice that seems good for an individual or small group at the expense of or that harms others, then one is not operating from within the Heart of Humanity.
‘For the good of all.’
Let this become your mantra. You cannot separate yourself from the matrix of all humanity. You can only choose how you will make your choices as one node in that matrix connected to all other nodes.
When you choose to work for the highest good of all humanity, you light up your node and add light to the entire web that connects all humans on Planet Earth. Your choices for yourself become clear as this light shines upon the possibilities. And YOU benefit from these choices as well.
The connectedness is a fact. There are those who know this fact and there are others who misguidedly believe that they are isolated from others and that they can make choices for themselves without regard for others or even at the expense of others. Sadly for them, they cannot choose to be isolated from the connection. Thus, the energy of harm stays in the energy grid and seeks to attach to like energy. It will be enhanced by similar nodes and will come back to them magnified.
This is what the traditions teach about karma. The energy you put into this grid seeks like energy and returns to your node magnified.
Choose to energize the Love and Compassion of the Heart of Humanity!
And So It Is.”
PS: Your next opportunity to participate in a Conversation with The Other Side is July 13 at 7:00 pm Eastern. You can join the Conversation online via a video internet connection, or voice/phone; and if you can come to Annapolis, join me live! Get the details here.
ROSEMARY’S INSPIRATION: The Heart of Humanity
Rosemary’s video for the week: The Heart of Humanity
PS: Your next opportunity to participate in a Conversation with The Other Side is July 13 at 7:00 pm Eastern. You can join the Conversation online via a video internet connection, or voice/phone; and if you can come to Annapolis, join Rosemary live! Get the details here.
MONDAY’S POEM: Hello Grandpa
Last Monday I posted my poem “The Journey” about a trip I often take. On that trip I almost always see my grandfather’s skull. Sometimes we talk. This is one conversation:
Hello Grandpa
I see him on the sandy
Floor of the cave I visit.
He is nothing but bones now,
Just a skull, really,
Grinning there, guarding.
“Hello, Grandpa. I love you.
And, thanks for being here.”
He laughs through that grinning
Maw, hollow eyes alight with fire.
I can almost hear his whisper:
“No place to go! I am everywhere.
Good to see you too!” Eyes flare.
“You are grandpa too!
How’s that going?
Are you getting the hang of it?”
I stumble and look back.
These are no idle questions.
“It could be better. You are a
Perfect model. It starts with
Loving me as you loved me!”
©2013 Richard W. Bredeson. All rights reserved.
The Cycles of Life
This week’s theme in Rosemary’s blog was Cycles beginning with her video message on Tuesday. Yesterday I wrote about the primary cycle in human life, human consciousness: Death. And as we move now into the energy of the Summer Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere I am once again reminded of all the cycles that occur in our lives, from the most minute, the life and death of a single cell (we lose more than 50 billion a day to apoptosis!) to the solar cycle through solstices and equinoxes and all the solar holidays in-between, to human death.
As I thought about Glenn Smith, his early-in-life transition (he was only 55) I drew two divination cards (a daily practice, usually with the intention of divining the energy for the day); I wanted to tap in and see if Glenn had any messages for me through the cards.
First I drew Butterfly Maiden from the Doreen Virtue Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. No surprise as this card is all about “transformation.” This is what I wrote about the card, pictured here:
Death is the big transformation for humans, only rivaled in grandeur and trauma by birth. And in a sense these largest of events in our experience of consciousness are one and the same. They are each part of the human cycle, a circle which has no end nor beginning. Birth, Life, Death, around we go always becoming, renewing, rejoicing in the knowing! And not knowing!
The second card I drew was from the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck; it was the 10 of Disks, “wealth.” This is what I wrote about the 10, pictured here:
Wealth. Fulfillment. The completion of human goals. Another “end-vibration” card showing me that endings are not only OK but need to be expected. We can never be sure when a life is fulfilled. Too often endings are abrupt and unexpected. A greater cycle, beyond human consciousness and understanding – the mystery – is playing out. We are but cycles within cycles adding our ounce of Oneness to the tidal ocean of consciousness. Rest, Glenn. We hold your ounce as precious!
We can measure so many cycles: the cycle of a cell’s life, the cycle of the sun as it appears to spin around the earth. But how do we measure the cycle of a man’s life? The span of time from birth to death, to fulfillment of one life, remains in the mystery. Yet there is so much to learn from each precious life.
I learned many things from Glenn in our too short friendship. He was such a gentle man and yet so deeply conscious. Read about him in the blog we wrote together: powerfulsensitivemen.com. And here’s something he wrote for Rosemary I want to share:
Having always thought I was a bit odd and different from the regular crowd, I was overjoyed to receive a message passed to me through Rosemary Bredeson that I was indeed ‘different’, during a group session I attended. In fact every message she passed to the twelve people gathered had some impact on me. The message I received could not have been more relevant for me even though I have had many readings by many different psychics over many years. Her joyful way of expressing heartfelt messages from The Other Side was a delight to witness.
This is how Glenn was in life; he always seemed overjoyed and delighted!
I went to my Svaroopa Yoga class tonight energized as I often am to take respite in my body, to bring my consciousness to my physical being rooted as I am in this life for now on the planet. For the evening’s contemplation my teacher used a quote from Aristotle:
Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
Glenn was a happy man, passing to another phase of consciousness having fulfilled his purpose in this cycle on Planet Earth.
Storm Surge in Your Life! – Richard’s Commentary and Glenn Smith’s Obituary
I had one of those days when it may have been better to remain in bed under the covers! Yes, it was another storm surge kind of day! It built up early after a late night wrestling with video production, technical issues, computer sluggishness, internet connectivity glitches. The storm actually started early yesterday. I hope it surged to its climax today as I lost a DVD player (don’t ask!) and made two trips out to get the produce from our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm (their delivery truck broke down, so they were having a stormy day too!).
But I do have a perspective on all of this I need to share:
On May 9, 2013, a friend and colleague, Glenn M. Smith, died suddenly and shockingly, in Huntsville, Canada. He had been ill for some months with strange symptoms attributed to ALS and then Lyme disease. I learned of this diagnosis and thought, OK, treatment is available. Then I received word he had passed. This was truly a sudden and violent storm!
Glenn and I met at a Baeth Davis Scientific Hand Analysis event and then stayed in contact and met again at another BaethLife Purpose event. Baeth saw potential in both of us as caring, sensitive, yet strong men and suggested we figure a way to work together. We started a blog, PowerfulSensitiveMen.com and posted a few things along the way. But we both were busy with other things and then Glenn fell ill.
I have been asking myself, and him, what we should do with the blog. And I got a pretty clear answer today to write this post, post it on the blog and then see what happens. First I want to post part of Glenn’s obituary that appeared in the Toronto Star on May 24:
Glenn Smith passed away peacefully in Huntsville on May 9, 2013 of ALS and Lyme Disease. Glenn was born on April 27, 1958 in Richmond, BC, to parents Wesley and Lorraine. He is survived by his beloved partner of 7 years, Sharon Miller…Glenn was a tradesman, a massage therapist, an author (Lotus Petal) and spiritual guide. Glenn loved to play and have fun. He acted, learned the trumpet and joined a dance class in his forties. He loved to test his body through athletics – as a football and baseball player, as a runner and as a triathlete. He loved the outdoors – boating, swimming and skiing. He was an incredible cook. He was a meditator for over 30 years and a spiritual man. He loved quietly and gently being of service to others. Mostly Glenn loved Sharon. He and Sharon shared a deep love and connection that inspired others.
Glenn was a “powerful, sensitive man.” He is truly missed. I regret not having the opportunity to pursue our work together in the physical but I have a sense we will be working together in another format; because for me the work needs to continue. I know that he agrees. And whether or not our joint blog continues is only a matter of form.
I have more to say about this and Glenn, but for today I want this post to reflect his gentle nature and sweet presence I feel as I write. I will write more about storm surges and their impacts tomorrow.
My little rain-storm today was nothing compared to what Glenn and Sharon have been through. Perspective is always so sobering and so calming to that inner storm!
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: Storm Surge in Your Life!
Are you surrounded by storms in your life? It seems as if everyone has something going on that feels like a big storm or a series of little storms, but this is how people are describing the transitions and transformations that they are experiencing.
‘Maelstrom’ might be a better word to use, for there seems to be a lot of turbulence associated with the lessons we are all learning these days.
You might not believe it but being in this turmoil is not as bad as it seems, when you look at the big picture of your life. Of course, when you are in the midst of a storm, it’s difficult to focus on anything but the storm. However, if you lift your thoughts and consciousness to a higher level, you will see that there is a lesson to learn in every storm.
In the physical world, storms often come during the hottest part of the day and serve to break the unrelenting heat with a bit of a cool down. The air can be clearer after a storm. Some people relish a good storm with thunder and lightning and others hide in fear. Certainly there are physical storms that must be respected for the force of Nature is very powerful.
In the meta-physical world, the storms of your life are inviting you to shift into that higher consciousness so that you can complete the lesson presented and move on with your life. After the lesson is learned you no longer need the storm!
Look around you and notice where the energy feels turbulent. Is it in a relationship? A job or business? A living situation? Your finances? Your family? Your health?
Then ask yourself if you are focusing on the storm or on the lesson to be learned. They are two different things.
If you find that you are able to see only the storm then you might need to ask for help from someone who can help you get a different perspective. There is no shame in this. In fact, it is only the strong person, who is ready to evolve and grow, who is willing to seek assistance in that growth. The storm can blind one to the other possibilities that are around. It can be helpful to have a guide.
If, however, you are focused on the lesson that is being presented to you through the storm, then you will not be distracted by the storm and will continue to move forward in your personal growth and the evolution of your consciousness. The more you practice keeping your focus on the lesson, the less will be the impact of each storm that invites your growth.
Time is speeding up for humans on a path of evolution and the storms seem to be more frequent and more turbulent. This signals that our growth is happening in huge leaps, not in tiny steps. Think of a baby chick who has developed inside a nice, secure eggshell environment. There comes a time when the chick must work hard to emerge and continue its growth in the harsher outside world. And, yet, the real growth happens after pecking its way through that shell.
You are pecking your way through the shell of old patterns of thought, limiting beliefs, behaviors that will not serve the new you. Keep working at it. You will break through!
See each lesson as guidance about the next step for you. Each storm is clearing the air so that you can see the way forward. Keep working on yourself and your growth will be in quantum leaps and the reward will be great.
Weather the storm today by looking for the lesson that leads you to your best tomorrow.
PS: Are you ready for a shift? Are you prepared for the next storm surge headed your way? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready to handle the next storm-cycle in your life! Schedule Here
INSPIRATION FROM ROSEMARY: The Cycles of Life: Promotions, Breaks, Lessons
My video for the week: The Cycles of Life: Promotions, Breaks, Lessons
PS: Are you ready to graduate? Are you prepared for the new lessons headed your way? If you need answers for questions like “what is my next step?” Rosemary can help. Schedule a FREE Discovery Session with her to be sure you are ready to handle the next cycle in your life! Schedule Here
MONDAY’S POEM: The Journey
The Journey
It begins with rhythm,
Vibrational experience
Animating all existence.
Follow the rhythm
In and down, through
Openings to the cave.
Heart-ground, warm,
Shadowed red tomb
Holding skull, eggs.
The far edge opens,
A window to a
New world, lush, green.
The ledge is high
Offering vistas, yet
No clear way down.
It takes a leap to
Fly on Eagle wings;
On him, in him, him.
The vistas from the ledge
Are nothing to what is
Seen from Eagle’s Aerie.
Vision cascades over
Distant vision, layers
Deep in detailed waves.
The seeing takes away breath
Even for the seer.
Distance is nothing to Eagle eyes.
The ground rushes up;
The dead pine, host to nest,
Reaches and closes in to hold.
The climb down to ground
Is easy, dead branches
Forming natural ladder-rungs.
Mossy, grassy soft lushness
Connects coolly with clay feet,
Absorbing weight, responding.
The round shadow lumbers
Toward the trees from
Shimmering stream, deep pool.
She nuzzles close for a scratch,
Always gentle with a fierce love,
So protectively peaceful.
Her power is unquestioned.
It flows through her body
As she moves, radiating strength.
It flows from her and into
All she encounters, empowering
Those who trust, whom she trusts.
Mother Bear’s energy and power
Comes from her motivation
To protect and nurture.
It is her nature, her purpose.
She knows her purpose and
Embraces it unconditionally.
This grounded sense of beingness
Emanates from her and
Touches all whom she encounters.
Distant echoes of
The calling drum
Reverberate to consciousness.
Thank you, Bear
For your grace and power.
It ebbs and flows.
It lifts carrying upward.
Thank you, Eagle
For flight and sight.
Rock ledge landing,
The cave alight with a
Red glow, cooling embers.
Three eggs rest
Alive with dragon power,
Almost humming with potential.
Grandfather’s skull grins
Upward, always on guard
Watching, waiting, loving.
The insistent drum
Vibrates rapidly home,
The journey done.
©2013 Richard W. Bredeson. All rights reserved.
Men and The Goddess 