Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Heaven or Hell: A Daily Choice


By Rev. Amari Magdalena



At some point in my life I began to surrender the story of the untoward happenings of my childhood.  I woke up to the fact that my parents probably did not roll out the bed each day, throw their legs over the side and stand up proclaiming, “How can we screw this kid up today!”  Quite the revelation and one that leads me to today’s topic.

Perhaps some of this did come out of my inculcation in childhood.  My mother always said we create heaven and hell on this earth; it isn’t some other place.  Though a lot of the early years felt more like hell, at times, than heaven, in the recesses of my mind I subconsciously absorbed that belief.

As the shamanic path became much more relevant than the formal religions I was exposed to, and I recognized the rising and falling natural rhythms, I was in a better position to accept this wisdom. I now recognize that each day, each hour, each moment, I have a choice.  I can either choose to live in the lighter mind of heaven or fall to the depths of heavy thoughts in hell.  It is MY choice.

I just got off the phone now from “push button hell.”  (Some years ago, I did an amusing skit for a University of Phoenix on this scenario.)  My anger was evidenced as it was taking me more time than I’d planned to take care of something.  Wanting a person, I finally hung up, redialed and this time waited for the prompt, “Or push 9 for another reason.”  9, got me to a human.  I had to laugh at not the failure of the push button system, rather my impatience that caused my ire.  I’m sure I’m not alone in allowing that little venture into Hell with today’s automated everything.

So very many people, in a complicated and complex world, that I know are living in Hell.  There are lots of reasons and I surely don’t offer my choice of heaven or hell when they are in the depths.  However, I do know from my personal experience of score and fifty years on the planet, that I choose my state of mind.  Further, I direct my consciousness to being more aware.

Much of the time, no matter what challenge is being presented, I recognize the choice of mind focus. As a result, I’m in an even and hopeful mood most of the time.  My anger when aroused, and other hellacious emotions, is short-lived and often laughable on the other side of its expression.

What I teach, and practice, is holding up the palms of your hands each day.  In one resides Hell; in the other Heaven.  Looking at the palms of your hands and weighing your choices, ask yourself, “Do I choose Heaven or Hell?”  When it gets down to this simplicity, I believe it is easier to see the choice and choose for a more peaceful, hopeful state of mind. 

The world will continue to unfold as it will.  There will be times of peace and times of great division. In duality, that is a reality.  The mystics, avatars and masters who walked the earth and recognized that they were on the earth, not of the earth, figured that out.  This is a temporary experiment in separation.  Once we wake up, choosing our state of mind, and enjoying the ride, becomes much easier.

So today, ask yourself: “Heaven or Hell?”  The former will bring peace and perhaps laughter; the latter confusion and depression.  The Dalai Lama with his great sense of humor personifies heaven. That’s the example to follow. I sincerely hope that today you have abundant slices of heaven!

May light in the east awaken your creativity; release in the west clear the darkness, wisdom in the north guide and renew you; childlike hope in the south restore your spirit; connection with higher mind above shine on you; deep reverence for earth below give you sustenance; and may the spirit within ignite the flame of love in all parts of your life.


[17th Blog in this series.  53 past blogs are found in “Shaman Talk,” ebook and softcover on Amazon.]

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Protection from Untoward Energies


By Rev. Amari Magdalena



Today in a meditation class, I was asked about how to protect oneself from untoward energies and how to recognize them.  This is an interesting subject as many people who are more open to the mystical and psychic phenomenon seem to perhaps be disproportionally more likely to experience darker energies.

First, I’d like to share that I basically adhere to the biblical: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” I believe something in our subconscious subscribes to the concept of evil rather than it actually exists.  Old superstitions often leave people in fear with a deep-rooted belief in evil.

The Course in Miracles states that the only truth is Love and all else is false.  This, for me, confirms my personal belief. Yet, I am not naïve to the fact that much of man’s inhumanity to man looks a whole lot like evil. I am also aware, and have experienced, what might be dubbed psychic attack on a few occasions.  One involved a psychic attack on one of my family members when the person felt he could not reach me. The attack was experienced as very real and scary to the person.  I too initially succumbed to fear when I felt I was receiving energies from my personal Darth Vader.

We could say then that psychic attacks are real in our perceptions of them.  When experiencing them, it helps to feel empowered.  Having tools for protection can be comforting and help each of us set up appropriate boundaries to deflect the negativity. At times the attack may be veiled in so called guides who flatter our egos to control our psyches. Yet another form of negative energy direction though perhaps subtler.

In either presentation, establishing very clear and purposeful boundaries is ultimately the best protection. Many rituals exist to rid oneself of negative energy.  We might benefit from a Limpia Smoke Cleaning with appropriate protection prayers.  Some people may have a specific chant they repeat in such a circumstance.  Others may surround themselves in bright white or violet light. The construction in one’s mind of a pyramid of impenetrable light is yet another protective devise.  The Golden Shield of St. Germaine with the Violet flame is a further example of a protection creation.

I believe the most effective devise is a demand that the entity or energies step into the Light or leave.  This is stated quite forcefully with an iron clad belief that no darkness can exist in the brilliant light of pure Spirit. Added to that is embracing one’s own power and holding one’s space. Regular smudging and airing out of a home or frequently occupied space can also provide immeasurable benefit.

If all else seems to fail, I highly recommend a prayer I was first introduced to at Unity:

The Prayer of Protection
Written by James Dillet Freeman
  
“The Light of God surrounds you.
The Love of God enfolds you.
The power of God protects you.
The Presence of God watches over you.

The Mind of God guides you.
The Life of God flows through you.
The Laws of God direct you.
The Peace of God abides within you.

The Joy of God uplifts you.
The Strength of God renews you.
The Beauty of God inspires you.
Wherever you are, God is!
And all is well. Amen.”

You can substitute your name for Creative Source instead of God as you choose.  Further realize that YOU are an aspect of Creative Source/God, and as such are fully empowered to deflect anything coming into your consciousness or presence that is in any way interfering with your peace and serenity.  Hold your power, send the energy back to where it came from releasing it into Light. Clear up the parts of your psyche that are open to the concept of evil and correct your Karma. Stand in the full power of your Divine Nature.  And, remember, the I AM is impenetrable.  May you be blessed and freed of anything, or anyone, that keeps you away from your authentic inheritance of divinity.

[53 Past Blogs are in my book "Shaman Talk" available in softcover and ebook on Amazon.com]