Methods to (Distinguish) the "Madness"
"The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them." -- Albert Einstein
Does it often seem like the problems we experience are someone else's fault, due to some circumstance beyond our control, or because "it happens?"
While it is true that people do crappy things, we can't control everything, and "it" does happen, making any one of them the source of our problems doesn't do anything to empower us. Quite the opposite. When we think that the cause is "over there," we inadvertently give up our power and it, then, is over there, too. Ergo our upsets, breakdowns, feeling powerless, you name it.
When I realized the "my power's over there, not with me" thing, it was no longer a matter of who or what I could blame (including myself). It became a matter of me getting my power back, or better yet, not giving up my power to begin with. So I shifted my thinking and took on that I am at cause in the matter of, and 100% responsible for, everything I experience in my life.
Living from the context that we are accountable and responsible for everything we experience gives us power that we cannot have when we put that accountability and responsibility on someone else, be it our spouses, kids, or bosses. Our experiences are not for them, but for us, to create.
For me, getting this requires that I see my role in the situation, and I often don't see it right off the bat. That's where these ways to gain insight come in. Through using them I can discern and own my role, alter my thinking, shift my perspective, and get my power back.
That's why I'm writing this lens -- to support you in getting your power back when you feel that it has left your body and is in the hands of someone with whom it doesn't belong. And I invite you to use any of the tools below to support yourself in empowering yourself and keeping your power where it belongs -- with you.
(Image from Vision,org)
Does it often seem like the problems we experience are someone else's fault, due to some circumstance beyond our control, or because "it happens?"
While it is true that people do crappy things, we can't control everything, and "it" does happen, making any one of them the source of our problems doesn't do anything to empower us. Quite the opposite. When we think that the cause is "over there," we inadvertently give up our power and it, then, is over there, too. Ergo our upsets, breakdowns, feeling powerless, you name it.
When I realized the "my power's over there, not with me" thing, it was no longer a matter of who or what I could blame (including myself). It became a matter of me getting my power back, or better yet, not giving up my power to begin with. So I shifted my thinking and took on that I am at cause in the matter of, and 100% responsible for, everything I experience in my life.
Living from the context that we are accountable and responsible for everything we experience gives us power that we cannot have when we put that accountability and responsibility on someone else, be it our spouses, kids, or bosses. Our experiences are not for them, but for us, to create.
For me, getting this requires that I see my role in the situation, and I often don't see it right off the bat. That's where these ways to gain insight come in. Through using them I can discern and own my role, alter my thinking, shift my perspective, and get my power back.
That's why I'm writing this lens -- to support you in getting your power back when you feel that it has left your body and is in the hands of someone with whom it doesn't belong. And I invite you to use any of the tools below to support yourself in empowering yourself and keeping your power where it belongs -- with you.
(Image from Vision,org)
Archetypes
Patterns in Human Consciousness
I first learned about archetypes when I studied the work of Carl Jung in college. Years later I read Sacred Contracts
by Caroline Myss and learned to use them to access deeper understanding of myself and my life.According to Ms. Myss, each of us has twelve primary archetypes, of which four are common to everyone: Inner Child, Prostitute, Saboteur, and Victim. Which astrological houses they fall in on the "Archetypal Wheel" indicates our predispositions, life lessons, and more. (To see and print a copy of it, visit the Archetypal Wheel page on Myss.com.)
In my opinion, the reason why looking at our archetypes is helpful is because it allows us to depersonalize those aspects of ourselves that we may not like. (Who wants to think, much less acknowledge, that they have the traits of a Prostitute? My guess: no one, probably not even real-life prostitutes.) But here's the thing: all archetypes have both light and shadow aspects, not just the ones that immediately come to mind. In depersonalizing the traits, the ego no longer feels threatened and gets out of the way. Then we can bring the positive and negative archetypal characteristics to the surface and see how they affect us. From there we can choose to look at ourselves with love and compassion, shift our perspectives, and be, think, and act in more effective and empowering ways.
The process to determine one's twelve archetypes, as laid out in Sacred Contracts
, is relatively simple. The basics are these:
- Read through the section about archetypes and select the eight that best represent the ways you've been and experienced things through most of your life. These eight, combined with Inner Child, Prostitute, Saboteur, and Victim, comprise your twelve archetypes.
- Write the name of each archetype on a slip of paper. Do the same for the numbers 1-12, which represent the zodiacal houses. Then put each group -- archetypes and numbers -- into its own pile.
- Do the brief meditation with the intention of matching each archetype to its corresponding house.
- Select one slip from each pile and place the name of the archetype into the house with that number on the wheel.
- Repeat the above step until you have placed all twelve archetypes on the wheel into their respective houses.
These days, when I feel like I'm swimming against the tide in any area of my life, I use my wheel to determine which of my archetypes could be playing an active role in my experience. The first thing I always see is "Saboteur," which is in the house of Highest Potential. Then I look at the archetype in the area of life where struggle or blocks or some other issue has shown up, and reflect on the ways in which it is impacting me in that area. Sometimes I immediately get how I've been being about it while at other times, I need to journal or ask a higher power for guidance in order to be able to shift my being and actions and thus resolve the issue.
Have you ventured into archetype territory? If yes, please share your thoughts in the guestbook.
(Images from livingbrands blog and Amazon.com
) Discover Your Archetypes
From "Addict" to "Warrior"
Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential
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The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.9 Part 1)
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The Language of Archetypes: Discover the Forces That Shape Your Destiny
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What Story Are You Living?: A Workbook and Guide to Interpreting Results from the Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator
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Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World
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Astrology
With a Retrograde Here and a Void of Course There...
I know next to nothing about astrology and rarely read my daily horoscope online, in the paper, or anywhere else. However, I do acknowledge that the planets, sun, moon, and celestial activity can play a role in our experiences. (If the moon can affect the tides, then it can affect us, since our bodies are composed of 70-80% water.)So I pay attention when I find out that Mercury or another planet is retrograde, the moon is void of course, etc. and take advantage of the opportunities these occurrences offer (e.g. starting a new project or taking the day off).
And I learn about these events from Lorelei, an astrologer in the Atlanta area who sends out emails about celestial goings-on, does personal readings in in-person and over-the-phone sessions, and more. (Her emails alone are very enlightening.) If you'd like to connect with Lorelei for a session (I do not get referral fees) and/or get her email updates, send her a note; her contact information is on her website at LoreleiLive com.
As an FYI, an astrology enthusiast friend of mine recommended the book, Spiritual Astrology
, which I recently ordered. I'll let you know what I got from it after I've read it.(Image from diamondconsciousness.com)
Dreams
There's Gold in Them Thar Hills... I Mean, Dreams
When I was younger, I used to have dreams in which my mom, siblings, and I didn't know what to say when my dad came home from work... because he had passed. I didn't know then what this dream was telling me and have since interpreted it as my dad letting me know that he was (and is) still in my life.I remember my dreams most of the time, and I do my best to capture them in my journal as soon as I wake. And occasionally the dream is so vivid that I can remember it years later.
To interpret my dreams, I use my intuition and symbolism I've learned along way, instead of a dream dictionary. I've looked at many and none of them have resonated with me, but if you have a recommendation for one that you like and use, please let me know in the guestbook. Thanks!
Anyhoo, for example, I interpret dream sequences where I'm in a car as symbolic of my "movement" -- whether I'm moving forward in my life (I'm driving), being supported in moving forward (someone else is driving), or stuck or stalled... you get the picture.
As far as I can tell, dreams can both provide insights for me to consider as well as bring into waking consciousness things I hadn't even thought about before. Powerful.
Do you interpret your dreams? If so, how? I'd love to know so, if you'd share it in the guestbook, I'd appreciate it!
("Psyche's Dream" by Josephine Wall. Image from Ursi's Eso Garden)
Guidance
Seek and Ye Shall Find
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:9 (NIV)A friend of mine recently told me that the word "ask" is actually an acronym. A is for Ask, S is for Seek, and K is for Knock. How cool is that?
When I ask for guidance, it is given to me. When I seek answers, I find them. As for knocking, let's say the doors to my subconscious, higher self, and access to my Source and spirit guides are opened when I do.
How do I ask, seek, and knock? I pray to God -- silently, aloud, and in writing. (I often write letters to Him.) Ditto when I ask my spirit guides. I also meditate, journal, and chant Sanskrit mantras for guidance and insight. And I have conversations with friends I trust, particularly those who can "hear" me (get where I'm coming from) and have the capacity to tap into their intuition in that moment.
One of my favorite ways to receive guidance is to do readings with my angel cards and different sets of tarot cards. (I also do readings for my family and friends when they request it.) Although many people use these types of cards to see what the future has in store for them and/or others, I don't because "the future" that is seen in a reading is based on the person's energy at the time of the reading. And because energy shifts, what the future holds shifts as well. Instead I ask about what I can be and do to move forward in a particular area(s) of my life. I usually do a 4-card spread where the...
- 1st card = the theme of the issue related to my question
- 2nd card = the main block that is preventing me from moving forward
- 3rd card = the most important thing I can do to clear the block
- 4th card = the outcome I can experience once the block is cleared
To paraphrase another verse from the Bible (and statements made by Abraham and other guides): We have not because we ask not.
So ASK -- Ask. Seek. Knock. And receive.
("Spiritual Guidance / Healing" watercolor artwork available for purchase at Eden Spirit. "Healing with the Angels Oracle Cards" image from Amazon.com
.) My Favorite Card Decks for Guidance
From Angels to Zen
Healing With The Angels Oracle Cards (Large Card Decks)
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Osho Zen Tarot: The Transcendental Game Of Zen
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Oracle of the Dreamtime
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The Elemental Tarot
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Messages From Your Angels Cards (Large Card Decks)
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Journaling
Seeing Through Writing
When I journal with the intention of gaining insight and I allow myself to write stream-of-consciousness style (or should that be stream of subconsciousness), what comes up can be life altering. Seriously.I think it's a matter of first writing out all the stuff I'm actively thinking so I can purge myself of these thoughts. This then creates the space for insights to arise.
Because journaling is a sacred ritual for me, I am quite particular about where and how I go about it. (In a quiet room or outdoor space, by myself, with no TV, music, or other external distractions are musts.) The types of journals and pens I use are also important to me. I prefer hard-bound journals with attractive covers and college- or narrow-rule lined pages. As for pens, I prefer medium-point ones in dark blue or dark purple ink. Call me picky but I use what works for me and don't use what doesn't.
Lastly, I do this kind of journaling whenever I feel called to do so, whether it's in the middle of the day or late at night. I figure that this particular sensing knows better than my conscious mind does, so I go with it, and the insight that is there to be revealed usually shows up in short order. Cool.
Do you journal? If yes, are you as picky as I am about the kinds of journals and pens you use? :-D Share your thoughts in the guestbook!
(Image from Incense of the World)
Attractive Hard-Cover Journals
Beauty Outside, Insights Inside
Japanese Screen Journal (Notebook, Diary) (New Journals)
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Namaste Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Foldover Journals)
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Persian Splendor Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Guided Journals Series)
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Peacock Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Oversized Journal Series)
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Smythe Sewn Faux Old Leather Wraps, Foiled, Lined
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Kinesiology
Messages in Our Muscles
My layman's definition of kinesiology is simply "muscle testing." It is typically done by / with a kinesiologist to determine things that are below the level of our conscious awareness. (It's how I found out that I have an allergy to wheat.)The premise of kinesiology is that, when testing a substance or statement, our muscles will go weak when it is not in alignment with our body chemistry / health or higher self. (Interesting note: Through doing kinesiology at a health seminar a few years ago, my and several other people's muscles went weak when tested against packets of cane sugar, organic brown sugar, aspartame, saccharine, and Splenda, but stayed strong with stevia.)
When visiting a kinesiologist isn't possible, we can do self-muscle testing to get answers ourselves. If this is something you would like to do, view the video below for one self-testing method. I recommend that you begin by saying, "I have permission to self-muscle test right now" and then test for yes or no per the instructions in the video. This may sound silly but it's not; its purpose is to prevent your getting inaccurate results. You may consciously want to do the self-muscle test but subconsciously, you may not. (I have gotten a "no" on several occasions.) When I do have permission, the answers and insights I gain almost always provide clarity.
(Image from auroville.com)
Self-Muscle Testing
Meditation
Quieting One's Mind to Hear One's Spirit
I meditate for different reasons, one of which is to gain insight.During the normal course of the day, we have a kazillion thoughts flying through our minds. Some we latch on to and run with while others we let go of without even noticing that we had the thoughts at all. Yet when we get still and envelop ourselves in silence, that still, small voice within us has the room to come forth and speak and inform us of things we can't get to through the mind chatter.
When meditating to gain insight, I usually sit in silence with my legs crossed on a floor pillow, close my eyes, place my hands and fingers in the "knowledge" mudra position (see below), and focus on my breath. Not the process of breathing but the breath. This helps me to have something I can return my focus to when I realize that I am grabbing onto the mind chatter that shows up, thus making it easier to let go of the extraneous thoughts that pop up and to hear what my still, small voice, spirit guide, or God has to share with me. Mine is a slightly different take on the traditional Vipassana meditation; which is explained in the video below.
Other times I do a conscious breathing meditation whereby I follow the guidance on the breathwork CD. For this I lie on the futon in my meditation room with my eyes closed, arms at my sides, and a pillow under my knees (not head or neck) to take the strain off my back. What typically happens during this meditation is I experience a surge of emotions from the deepest part of my being, sob, and release old energy that no longer serves me. Then in the calm that follows, insights emerge.The guided meditation CD I use was gifted to me by a breathwork practitioner friend and, as I understand it, it is not available for sale. (If it is, I will put a link to it here.) However, a fellow breathwork and meditation enthusiast friend of mine recommended the Journey Into Meditation CD
, which has meditations for healing, insight, and manifestation. He says it works wonders. If you've used this CD, too, let me know how it works for you in the guestbook.(Images by simian2021 on photobucket and from Amazon.com
) 
Knowledge Mudra (from dragonsofjustice.org)
Insight Meditation
Vipassana
Non-Dominant-Hand Writing
Let Your Other Fingers Do the Walking
Right-handed people like me mostly use the left hemisphere of the brain (the area of analysis, language, etc.) while left-handed people mostly use the right hemisphere (the area of creativity, intuition, etc). Doing non-dominant handwriting (NDH) allows us to engage with the non-dominant hemisphere so we can access thoughts and feelings of which we're not consciously aware but sense nonetheless.I learned about NDH when I read Recovery of Your Inner Child
by Lucia Capacchione, and when I did it the first time, I was amazed. What came out was how I'd been so focused on getting projects done that I hadn't made time for playing. No wonder my muscles felt tense and my head felt heavy. While I enjoy my work immensely, I hadn't been making time to have fun!
These days I do NDH to communicate with different aspects of my Self and even spirit guides to discover things I hadn't been aware of. All that's needed is several sheets of blank, unlined paper, different colored pens or markers, and a few minutes (maybe more) of quiet, alone time.Using my dominant hand, I write out a question with a colored pen. Then using a different colored pen in my non-dominant hand, I write whatever comes up without thinking about the words. I then repeat those two steps until I get insights that make me go hmmm. When words won't come, I'll switch from writing to drawing with my non-dominant hand. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
It's a very cool process and it only takes as long as you're willing to engage with a subconscious part of your Self or a higher power. If you'd like to learn more about non-dominant handwriting, I recommend this book.
(Images from Scientific American and Amazon.com
) Numerology
A Twist On 2+2=4
Like astrology, I know next to nothing about numerology. One book, though, shed a lot of light for me about the power of our birth numbers in our lives: The Life You Were Born to Live by Dan Millman.Sometimes when I feel stuck or blocked, I reread the chapters on my life numbers to remind myself about the life lessons and life-path issues associated with them, and do the exercises to help me get to the other side of the "stuckness" -- the feel-good and empowering side.
To determine your life numbers, add up the digits that make up your birth date. For example, if it is November 10, 1971 (11-10-1971), you add 1+1+1+0+1+9+7+1. The sum is 21. Then add those digits: 2+1. The sum is 3. Thus your life numbers are 21/3, where all three numbers have influence on your life purpose and the number to the right of the slash mark has the stronger influence.
So what are the life lessons for 21/3?- 3: Expression and Sensitivity
- 1: Creativity and Confidence
- 2: Cooperation and Balance
If learning about what your birth numbers mean is something you would like to explore for yourself, I highly recommend this book
.(Images from OurWebOffers and Amazon.com
) Signs
The Everyday Kind, Not the Spooky Kind (OK, Maybe the Spooky Kind, Too)
I make everything mean something so, for me, there are no such things as accidents or coincidences. (Synchronicities, yes.) Even the most insignificant of occurrences can have significance when I notice them. For example:- Problem: Traffic crawling when I'm in a hurry. Insight: Leave early next time. Bonus: Blessing - the angels are keeping me safe.
Problem: Geese all over my lawn, leaving their yucky poop everywhere. Insight: New possibilities, ideas, and paths are available to me and/or it's a good time for me to start writing something new.
Problem: Weird sounds in the house when I'm alone. Insight: Spirit guides are letting me know they're with me or a spirit stuck on this plane needs my help to "get home."
The examples above are my interpretations of those events, but that's the point. Everything we experience is a matter of our interpretations. Without being delusional, I prefer to choose the ones that expand my thinking beyond the mundane ("Hey, look at all the geese on my lawn!") and that empower me.
Speaking of geese, the signs I notice most readily and most often are the ones involving animals. I live right outside the city of Atlanta, GA, in what is a predominantly "concrete jungle," save for front and back lawns, some trees, and a man-made lake here and there. So I don't expect to see animals that I associate with being in the woods, like deer, foxes, possums, and small lizards. Yet I do see them, along with squirrels, rabbits, crows, cardinals, and other critters. (That over-construction has contributed to the loss of their natural habitats is another matter.) When they show up on my path, I reach for the books, Animal-Speak and Animal-Wise, to find out what these mammals, birds, reptiles, etc. represent and symbolize, and map that information onto what's going on with me and my life so I can be clearer about what I can do to move forward.As for interpreting other kinds of signs, I usually make it up from the inquiry of, "What is God telling me?" A friend of mine uses a couple of books, Secret Language of Signs
and Signs, which she says have been very helpful in interpreting the signs in her life.If you're interested in signs and what they could mean in your life, check out the books below.
(Images from The Luck Shop and Amazon.com
) Resources for the Meanings of Signs
What They Can Tell You Can Amaze You
Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small
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Animal-Wise: The Spirit Language and Signs of Nature
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Secret Language of Signs
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Signs: A New Approach to Coincidence, Synchronicity, Guidance, Life Purpose, and God's Plan
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I've Shared Mine. Now It's Your Turn. :-)
If you've used and/or still use one or more of the insight tools in this lens, feel free to share your experiences of them here. Or share whatever you like, even if it's just your name!
And if you feel the information in this lens would make a positive difference for the people in your life, feel free to share it with them.
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- jacquelinestone jacquelinestone Aug 22, 2009 @ 11:06 pm
- You have some great information and resources here, all nicely presented. Thanks for sharing your insights and experience.
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- Pukeko Pukeko Aug 19, 2009 @ 5:27 pm
- Wow, so much great information here. 5*
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