Experiencing The Light

Most people who talk about seeing "The Light" or being "Led down the Tunnel", have come back from a near-death experience.  However this is not the only way to get there as I experienced on the eve of April 1, 2012.  David (my soul partner) and I were at the Wayside Inn, in Carmel-by-The-Sea, after a day of touring the Monterey Bay, Northern California. We had been here for four days and this was the first time we both felt drawn to meditate.  We sat in the lotus position on the bed, closed our eyes and let ourselves tune into the wonders of the Universe.  

My meditation practice always begins with a few deep breaths to calm the mind and the body.  After that I bring my awareness to the third eye allowing it to open further, by envisioning golden light entering my crown chakra and filling my whole body. There is an immediate sense of peace and serenity that comes when you use this very simple imagery.

After 10 minutes or so I opened my eyes and crawled under the blankets.  David and I lay side by side in an embrace. We had spent some time by the ocean that day and so my mind returned to the majestic sea.  A sphere of light hovering just above the water entered my thoughts.  At first it seemed like the sun, but it was not.  A setting sun would eventually become a half circle as it touched the horizon.  This light remained a perfect sphere, with many other smaller circles of the brightest white light I had ever seen spinning inside itself. 

Without any thought of wishing to move toward it, I found myself inside the swirling light.  How I am able to possibly describe this experience is awe-inspiring as words cannot express the journey of the mastered soul.  These words can only come close to what a true experience will offer you.  And so in the most vivid way of sharing this story with you I can say, "It was like walking into Heaven."  I was experiencing the magnificence of God in a form that was recognizable to me.  For the first time ever I was incredibly conscious of both worlds, of being in the sphere of God and of being in the room with David. I began to cry, not tears of sadness, tears of elation.  In this sphere of light there was no separation because there was no judgement.

I immediately became one with the light, and felt no separation.  I was gifted the opportunity to be connected with the sensation of my body which allowed me to sense the 3rd dimensional world, while simultaneously being sustained by this great light which gave me everything I could ever need.  In the light there are no needs, you just are without any label attached to your being.  You do not even have to make a choice, like we do here on earth, "I wish to be enlightened," or "I choose to be a teacher"  The light opens you up to the nothingness of nothing and allows you to see the perfection in that.

I stayed in this space for some time the tears marking my gratitude of seeing God express Himself to me in this way. I asked as the session of light stayed with me, "Could I stay in this space of bliss, could I bring back to my daily life everything that I experienced in the light?" And the answer was no, not at this time, not yet. 

How can this be?  How can I experience God in this light, through this meditation and not experience God everywhere?  Many new thought people believe that God is everything and God is everywhere.  This is true, yet there is something inside of us that does not allow that to be.  It is not God that separates--it is us that separates only out of ignorance.  Yet as we ask why, we open ourselves up to releasing the illusion of separation.   Can we simply snap our fingers and clear the illusion away?  The answer is "YES" and "NO."  We can only clear away what we are ready to clear away.

We do this through a process called, the life we have chosen to live.  We have chosen, meaning we can choose how it will unfold.  I have found that a regular practice of meditation/ contemplation is a great tool for spiritual growth.  Seeing love in all situations must first come in the silence of one's own mind before you can experience it with all beings.  And to get to that place of non-judgement, we must begin with clearing out our old beliefs, and letting go of past programming. 

I encourage you to find a great teacher or guide to help you.  I have sought many healers and teachers that have helped me open up to who I am today.  A great Teacher/Healer/Guru will help you see what you cannot and allow you to discover how to access the power and the answers that dwell within your soul.  

The more I sit in meditation, the more I provide these sessions for others who are open, the more I live my purpose and stand in my truth, the more I experience this bliss.

So let this be a message to all that the more you follow your bliss the more you will live in bliss in every moment.

blessings and love Shivananda

 Contact me-- (818)-455-6913 or through my website. www.RaisingHumanConsciousness.com

The Final Cleanse

I finished the cleanse on Thursday March 22, which is interestingly enough "World Water Day."  I definitely got my fill of water and really understood how important it is to fill our body with this wonderful resource each day.  Every time I had a glass I would visualize my cells coming to life. With life, we have energy, with energy we create!

By the 6th and 7th day I hit another wall.  I felt the hunger.  I went downstairs on the evening of Day 6 and found my partner eating cereal with milk.  I could almost taste the milk in my mouth, the smell was intoxicating.  I felt weak, I put my arms around him and held in this wonderful embrace I began to cry.  He told me I could eat again, and that I didn't have to go on with this.  I knew that was true, no one was forcing me to endure starvation.  Yet as I took a deep breath I remembered what my purpose for going on the cleanse and that was..."PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL STRENGTH"

These attacks of hunger were simply my mind screaming, my ego needing to rule over my connection with God.  The mind of will can be very strong, however the mind of God is even stronger.  I returned upstairs and sat at my meditation alter.  I have a beautiful picture of Turiyasangitananda (http://www.saiquest.com/html/swamini.html) When I stare into the photograph I am connecting with her essence and she speaks to me.  On this evening she said, "You only have to do two more days." And with those words I knew I could go on, I knew I could make it to day 8.

As I awoke on Day 7 I felt revived, full of energy and ready to go on.  It truly is amazing how much energy you can have on this simple drink of lemonade for 10 days.  And I have read that some people go on for up to 28 days.  So it is a testament that the body can endure this cleanse and go beyond what the mind may conjure up when you attempt anything that challenges your "normal" routine.  The mind can have a way of keeping you lazy if you so allow it to.

Once again on the eve of Day 7 the fighting mind hit me again with fear. I had read in the book that these psychological games often take people off course and that if you waited a few hours or sometimes even minutes these thoughts would pass, and they always did.   This is good advice when you are being guided to start something new, the mind may come in and convince you that you cannot succeed, to keep you lazy in your routine.  However from my experience if you pursue you will break through these old patterns.

For us to continue to evolve to live in a state of ultimate happiness, we have to cleanse ourselves from the past.  We have to cleanse ourselves from beliefs that no longer serve who we are and who we are becoming.  This is evolution, this is how you reach the light.

I had surpassed these 2 days of mind-talk and I was free and clear.  The Guru's voice had told me that 8 days was all I needed to do.  I decided to go one more and finished on Day 9.  I had already surpassed the hardships, my mission was to bring out both my physical and spiritual strength and this I had  done.

You are advised to do a full day of orange juice and then move to fruit and soups before full solids.  On the last day my soul partner brought me home a liter of freshly squeezed orange juice which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Food tastes better than ever and I am learning that they do not control me.  I eat things very slowly now and have a deep appreciation for all the abundance in my life.  Three days after the cleanse we ventured to Carmel, California and are enjoying all the wonderful fine dining restaurants--- loving life.

Shivananda

"The Master Cleanse" - Time for Spring Cleaning

I have taken a leap of faith and started the Master Cleanse -- feeling great on Day 5 of 10.  I had heard about the Cleanse seven years ago now and always thought about doing it, but my fear held me back.  The thoughts that halted me were; that it would be too intense, I would feel weak... and that I would lose too much weight!

After an overload of sweets one day and then attending an incredible meditation led by Tony Jabbour at The Body Sanctuary in Thousand Oaks. I felt it was time to cleanse.  For me this is not solely a physical body experience as I do everything from a spiritual beginning.  I set My Intention "I am ready to step into Mastery -- Master of my life, Creator of my experiences." And with this said I was ready to go on the 10 day Program.

I decided to jump right into it.  Many suggest you take a three day ease-in period, which is not necessary however probably helpful if your eating and mind set needs time to adjust.  I have a very determined mind and when I set my intention to do something that resonates with my energy, I jump right in feet first.

I found a lot of resources at www.TheMasterCleanse.org.  They do mention that the Ease-Out Period is extremely important.  This where you take another three days after the cleanse is done to juice, then move to fruit, soups, salads and then other solids.  They mentioned that most people find they naturally start choosing healthier options, which is another great benefit, and a great way to work through food cravings.  When you do something like this for an extended period of time, you are in a sense re-programming your body to make different choices.

As a healer I know how to work with people to re-program their minds, but when the chemical make up of your body is pulling at you to do certain things, finding clarity can become difficult.  So I realized that although my mind was already very strong from years of meditation and contemplation with the Higher Self, the physical aspect of myself needed to be addressed.  And since today is the Spring Equinox it is another reminder about the importance of BALANCE.

Here are some highlights:

DAY 1- Excited about first day, it was pretty easy for me, surprised at how much I enjoy the lemonade drink, and had no cravings for food.  I am drinking 8 cups of the lemonade drink + water in between.  You are advised to drink the lemonade mix whenever you feel hungry.

Drink:
2 cups Filtered Water
2 tblsp. juice from organic lemon
2 tblsp. organic maple syrup
1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper

DAY 2- I started the Herbal Laxative "Smooth Move" (which you are supposed to take every night) and awoke to waves of  stomach pains, felt the contractions of my colon. Know that if you do this you will need to be very close to a toilet first couple of hours in the morning.

I took the pain as an opportunity to work through it with my mind.  I spoke to God, I called out to Jesus, I chanted the mantra "I invite Golden Light Into my Body."

Later that night I attended a group sing-a-long and upon driving home at 10:30pm I noticed how incredibly alert and alive I felt.  I had so much energy, contrary to my original thoughts that I would feel weak.

DAY 3-  Woke up thirsty. I knew before I started this program I was very dehydrated, but surprised that after two days of drinking water I am still so thirsty.

My partner made an avocado & tomato sandwich on some healthy grain bread and I was surprised at how poignant the aroma of avocado smell could be... I think my overall senses were improving.

Mid afternoon waves of bliss!

DAY 4- Morning waves of pain still felt.  Able to take the morning salt drink, which really cleanses the system, important part of the program.  The night tea is the "agitator," the morning salt drink the "cleanser"

Mid day I had my first feeling of being weak.  I had not exercised the day before and I think that makes a big difference.  A daily exercise program really works well with the program.

As well as having a Spiritual Practice.  In conjunction with this I happen to be reading the book, "Ramtha" at the same time which is very inspiring.  Basic theme -- "Know that you are God"

End of day had a family meeting and thought maybe I should quit, am I separating myself from those close to me, as not eating when others are, has a stigma of being anti-social.  I realized this was just old programming and as I awoke on Day 5 I got the feeling to go forward I am half way through!

DAY 5- Still wok up thirsty.  My body is getting a great re-hydration.  I am finding it interesting how the drink is putting me on a schedule.  As a self-employed person I tended to eat my meals at various times throughout the day.  With this program I am finding that every 3 hours I take the lemonade drink.  I like the schedule that my body is developing.

My skin looks amazing and my eyes are so bright.  Used to the morning cramps and they are lessening.  Feeling good, motivated, still lots of energy, mind clear and focused, and ready for what is to come.

For me The Program is about Having more Energy, Increased Clarity and Happiness comes with all that!  Most of you know I am already a pretty Happy person, enjoying the extra boost.

Every so often it is good to challenge yourself, some people run marathons, some people walk right into their fears.  Set your goals a little higher and enjoy the challenge of what comes, which often is a great boost in self-esteem.  When you are FEELING GOOD, you are loving yourself and it is easier to love others.

If anyone wants to do The Master Cleanse and would like a buddy I would be happy to help. Contact me through my website: www.RaisingHumanConsciousness.com

Much love, Shivananda

Here is another great resource book to check out: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lose+weight&sprefix=lose+w%2Caps%2C208#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lose+weight%2C+have+more+energy+%26+be+happier&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alose+weight\c+have+more+energy+%26+be+happier

**Energy** How Do We Sustain It?

Many people are talking about energy; with the focus being on energy conservation.  The trend of our times seems to be on building more efficiently run cars, and new inventions are being released daily to help boost the efficiency of our homes: with solar panels, geothermal heating, rain water recycling run-off systems.  All this is wonderful... however the most important energy we need to focus on is OUR INTERNAL ENERGY.  When we engage our inner life force with physical or mental activities (thoughts of joy, or thoughts of worry) we are in essence using up our supply.  Our level of inner peace and our ability to be abundant creators in the world is affected.

Every time we do something that is out of alignment with who we are, we use up our energy, thus we have less energy for the things we are supposed to be doing.  I realized this very important truth the other day, when I was multi-tasking.  I was in the midst of doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen floors, and baking my delicious apple pie for my sweetheart as a Valentine's love gift. All of a sudden I found myself on the verge of exhaustion. I took a moment to sit on the couch and meditate, and the answer came clear-- my body had gone on overdrive because my focus was on too many things.  Normally I would have been able to sustain that pace, however my internal barometer was guiding me to put all of my awareness and love into the pie that I was baking.

I live my life as a walking meditation, meaning that I am always growing through my self reflection on every thing I do and think. This is the path of enlightenment. Meditation has taught me about focus, and with focus great miracles come forward. Every time I focus all of my love and attention on my food preparation, people say they love it much more than when I have been in a hurried state. This goes for everything, the attention we place on our work, our relationships, manifesting our goals, comes with much greater ease and joy, when we give the spotlight to one particular activity or thought.

It is time we switch the focus from energy conservation to "Energy Abundance."  How do we do this? Do what you do, with love in every moment.  If there is something you have to do that you do not love, find a way to make the task at hand a joyful game, see it as being in service to humanity or give the opportunity to someone who really loves doing it.  In the past I have done things out of obligation and then felt my energy totally depleted at the end of the day.  Always ask yourself, "Is this activity in alignment with the Highest Good for Self and All Beings?" or "If I did this activity would I be making the world a better place?"  When I let it go I know there is someone else who is waiting for that opportunity.  The best gift you can give someone is the opportunity to do what they love. 

And finally to fully sustain your energy start tapping into the Universal Supply God the Creator.  When you work and trust in Him, you are forever supplied.

All my love to you, God

blessings and light,

Shivananda

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1416549249/shakti-the-power-of-woman

Paramahansa Yogananda's Mahasamadhi

On March 7, 1962 Paramahansa Yogananda left his physical body by way of "Mahasamadhi", which is a God‑illumined master’s conscious exit from the body at the time of physical death.

What I have experienced through learning about this great teacher, is that all beings can be gentle, loving, compassionate and sustain a pure presence of awakened consciousness.  It takes great commitment, and when you say "YES" to this path, you will find it is the most rewarding journey you will ever take. Paramahansa Yogananda was so awakened through his Meditaiton Practices and his deep connection with God that he knew exactly when he was to leave his body and he did so.

We all choose our death.  We are the Creator's of our story and so in the final moments there is something inside us that says, "It is time to transition now."  This explains why some people live through tragic accidents or life threatening illnesses. We all have a destiny to fulfill here in this incarnation, and when our destiny of completing our life lessons, of overcoming our fears, of serving others, and of self realization is done, we shed the body. Some Masters like Paramahansa Yogananda stay in physical body for a time even after all the life lessons have been learned.  This is part of their service to humanity, to be the doorway to inner truth.

 

“My body shall pass but my work shall go on. And my spirit shall live on. Even when I am taken away I shall work with you all for the deliverance of the world with the message of God.



Coming to a place of peace around my own physical death has actually allowed me to fully live this life.  So many people are on some unconscious level aware of their impending death and so it leaves them in a continuous state of uncertainty.  This fear comes from being attached to this world, and claiming it to be your reality when in fact it is not.  Self realization and awakening comes when you let go of all of it, your attachments to your material things, your family, your work, your money, even your perceived sense of identity. This is what Siddartha Gautama (The Buddha) realized as He sat under the Bodhi tree.  Freedom comes when you release your attachments.

 



Shivananda says, " My only purpose here is to be one with God.  I have placed no bondage or label on anyone and in this way I am free to love all even more generously. I see you for who you are, a beautiful spiritual being, an essence-- that is God."

Take time every day to sit in the silence. If you are seeking guidance to find the place of inner peace, I can help you get there.  Through my meditation practice I have found a way to access this portal of peace and joy.  All those who wish to invoke this state it is possible.  Find your path way with someone you trust.  I have been to many healers myself throughout the years and each one has helped me get a little closer to my own Mahasamadhi." 

all my love,

Shivananda

We Have A Choice

Yesterday I decided to go on a body cleanse.  I set the intention to eat smaller portions, mostly vegetables for three days.  I awoke on Day 2 had a big bowl of steamed kale and half a boiled egg.  A couple hours later I found myself so incredibly weak I could barely think or walk and my stomach was crying out for food.  I had just activated my fight-or-flight response and my mind went into panic.

I took a deep breath and thought for a moment, "What if I could not have food for some reason?" Suppose there was nothing in the house and all the stores were closed, "What would I do?" I took another deep breath and realized that if I could not ingest food at this very moment I could create the nourishment I needed with my thoughts.  I began visualizing myself completely sustained and fulfilled.  It took less than a second for me to regain my body functions, the pain in my stomach subsided, and my energy came back.

This made me realize just how powerful the mind is, and how it can take us to a place of suffering or bring us into a state of joy. Having had the foresight to choose to be nourished rather than to choose to live in lack, completely changed my perception.  My physical body cravings subsided and my mood lifted. I felt empowered and I became happier.  Choice gives us the opportunity to be Happy.

This little incident made me think of the bigger picture of  how our global collective consciousness is filled with so many people in the world who are suffering because of some type of lack in their lives.  It became very clear to me that this proposed perception of 'lack' is all self-imposed.  Breathing into the heat of a situation as it is happening, allows you to reach a turning point. A moment of silence is experienced and the wisdom to make a different choice is revealed.  This is enlightenment and with it comes the change; an opportunity is now open to move from being a 'victim' of life happening to you, to becoming the hero of your own story.

Meditation has allowed me to rise up out of every difficult situation that comes my way.  Taking the time to focus each day on a visual image that resonates with my higher self has filled my consciousness with some wonderful coping mechanisms that now automatically pop up in the midst of a chaotic situation.  Trust that your higher self knows what to do and when to do it.  I ask you to walk with me, dissolve the fears and illuminate the truth.  That truth being, "ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD, AS I AM LOVED, I AM WHOLE."


Never, ever, ever, ever give up.  Meditation is with you forever.  It allows you to go into the center of the eye of the storm and be at peace with what is!

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE WALKING THIS TRUTH. 
WILL YOU WALK WITH ME???

For classes in meditation and private sessions visit Shiva's website: www.RaisingHumanConsciousness.com

all my love & insights,

  Shivananda

To Thrive you must come Alive

The life I am living has become so incredibly interesting I literally could write my stories all day long.  And yet I choose not to as I choose to live the life, to be immersed in each moment and in that way when I do write I have much more interesting stories to tell.

Today I discovered a plant in my house which I had bought a week ago.  When I got it, she was healthy and alive, and when I looked at her today her leaves were drooping and wilted.  Some of her flowers still had a vibrancy that were saying to me, "We are still alive!" yet the stems were weak unable to stand tall.

 

So I did what I do best, and provided exactly what she needed, which was water and love.  The photo below is what happened in the period of three hours.

Lesson of the day

Give yourself what you need to thrive and you will.  This plant lights up the world with it's beauty and it can only do that if it is in it's full vibrancy.  To thrive you must come alive.  Reach into the depths of your core, connect with the purpose you have come here to fulfill, and then live it in every moment.

love Shivananda