Dreams of Heaven...

In the movie, What Dreams May Come, heaven is shown as a bright, over saturated technicolor landscape of meadows, lush grass, beautiful flowers and green trees.  Our oh so inadequate languages have developed words for heaven; Eden, paradise, nirvana, more.  But no word can come close to the ultimate reality.  But we might ask, if the spirit world is so great what are we all doing here?  Believe or not we choose this sojourn on earth.  We forget when we come here, forget who we really are and where we came from.  But we are not lost.  Built in to humans and our cultures is the longing and the drive to remember who we are, that we are a spirit having an earthly experience.   We are also aware that no one is imprisoned on earth.  Sooner or later we all go back to where we came from.   We still make the choice to come here and have the experiences we have. 
We can make our lives better by paying attention to those longings to remember our spiritual home.  We just have to start letting go of the notion that this body and this life is all there is.   All we need is the intention to find out more and the willingness to let go. 

Perhaps...

Creating God in our own image, such as the old vengeful father type in the sky, is really quite an insult.  And when you begin to think of God as the spirit of everything, you begin to think differently about deity and divinity.  From Dr. David R. Hawkins book THE EYE OF THE I:
"That which is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent is not vulnerable to threat or emotional upset; thus, God is not prone to revenge, jealousy, hatred, violence, vanity, egotism, or the need for adulation or compliments.  The beneficiary of worshiping is the worshiper.  God is totally and absolutely complete and has no needs or desires.  God is not unhappy or upset if you have never heard of him or don't believe in him..... God is not codependent or neurotic and does not suffer from paranoid psychosis with grandiosity." 
I really like that part:  "The beneficiary of worshiping is the worshiper."  and Dr. Hawkins speaks of the beauty and glory of God in many other places in his work.   It is true what has been said, that God is Love... and if there is Divinity in all of us, if we are all a part of God then we too are Love.   As humans we can be quite petty.  We can be prone to revenge, jealousy, hatred, violence, vanity and the rest.   We don't have to be...  Heaven is within, so perhaps we can reach within for that love that we are and find heaven at the same time...  Perhaps...

Seek Beauty...

Beauty is it's own reward and not difficult to find.  Seek beauty.   Walk in beauty...

If you Follow the Teachings of Jesus...

Not so popular now are the bracelets that held the simple letters WWJD.  And in fact they have become something of a joke.   I wonder how many people really thought about those letters.   And when it comes right down to it, What WOULD Jesus have done?   A man that taught love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek, what else could he have done if he believed his own teachings.   Few if any of the followers of Jesus, then and now, were as enlightened as he was.  They interpreted his words through their own biases.  He was a master, a teacher, who had come to teach us the basics of love.   So many since then, including his own disciples felt they had to interpret this teaching.  If you are trying to follow the teachings of Jesus, what will you do?

You Can Have an Affect...

You are experiencing pain.  You are depressed.  You are feeling as though you are so stressed you could just scream.  These are all energies, negative energies that feed on themselves.  Sometimes a chemical can help, a pain pill, an antidepressant, a tranquilizer.   Sometimes it seems that these chemicals are the only things that help.  But the power of being positive can really make a big difference.   Also you can use use these techniques along with medication. 
You find yourself wallowing in a negative emotion.   Reach for a bit of joy.   Think about a child, a pet, an experience that has given you joy.   Read something that makes you smile.   You can see for yourself what this will do for yourself and your feelings.   When you enter a dark room and turn on a light... the darkness disappears.  When you laugh you cannot won’t feel depressed or anxious...  So look for the joy, look for a place of love, change your energy.  This is a way you can have an affect on the way you feel. 

Choose Awareness...

Choose Awareness, Love, Joy, Forgiveness, Compassion.  Without awareness you may have been chosen by negativity, anxiety, worry, guilt, shame and fear.  And what I mean by ‘you may have been chosen’ is that often we were influenced even as a small child by the negative emotions of our family, church, and others of influence close to us.   Without knowing it we have been living under that influence.  Choose awareness and start living...  truly living...

Maybe the Search is Not Your Thing...

Maybe the search for spiritual information and truth is not your thing but you might consider at least trying to increase your life happiness, peace and joy.  You will be so much happier and it will leave an impression on the planet and on others, especially those close to you.  If a teacher or religion does not promote peace and love I would think twice about following that teacher or religion.   And even if you aren’t in an avid search for spiritual truths, maybe the one closest to you or a child close to you might be the searching one or is to become one.   Always keep in mind how what you do and believe affects those around you and the planet.  

So Much Would Begin To Shift...

We humans seem to be quite attached to our drama and our negativity and yet so much would begin to shift for us if we were only to start making an effort to live from a place of love and joy.  One of the most effective ways to start living in love and joy is to begin a serious search for spiritual reality beyond what most of us know.   What is accepted for religious and even spiritual experience and practice in this time is for the most part basic elementary school.   Middle school, high school, and college level and higher spiritual information is so amazing.  Its like a medical degree instead of 5th grade biology.   And amazingly enough, the search itself is loving and joyful.  So you don’t have to wait to start living from a place of love and joy.

The Key to Joy...

In my search I am led from one bit of information to another. My hope is that by sharing some of what I find another can find that next bit of information that is looking for them.   These are quotes from Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.
"The key to Joy is unconditional kindness to all life, including one's own, which we refer to as compassion.  Without compassion, little of any significance is ever accomplished in human endeavor."    Page 73
"Numerous bestselling books have told us that to love is to live healthily-but love of our fellow man can ensue only when we stop condemning, fearing, and hating each other."  page 220
"Relatively few people are genuinely committed to peace as a realisitic goal, for in their private lives, most people prefer being "right" at whatever cost to their relationships or themselves.  A self-justified personality is the real enemy of peace."  Page 221

Respond to each Moment with Your Highest Truth...

There is a lot happening on the planet now and  I choose to believe that we are at the beginning of what can turn the human race into a peaceful, creative people.  Over the weekend I came upon an article that talks about what is going on and what the author thinks is happening.  I liked what he had to offer especially about what we can do:
“What can we do?
First we need to stop.

Then to surrender the need for any kind of outcome,

feel for a thread of consciousness that connects us to the whole,

continue to standstill until we can discern our highest truth,

expand into our fears, limitations and blockages,

respond to each moment from the grandest vision we ever had about ourselves,

we need to be bold and courageous,

follow only the Right Action we can feel in our hearts,

to give selfless service to those who cannot yet see so clearly.”

Good thinking don’t you agree?  Especially the part about “we need to stop”  and “expand into our fears, limitations, and blockages”  and “respond to each moment with the grandest vision of our highest truth”.
Really nice words.   The author’s name is Chris Bourne, the article is Running to Stand Still, and you can find the entire article at:   http://wakeup-world.com/2012/08/20/running-to-stand-still/

Be Aware of your Energy...

It has been said that we have auras, energy fields, around our body that reach 4 to 8 feet out from us.
This means that we touch/affect others and our environment everytime we walk out among people.   If you are in a bad mood, if you are angry, that energy will touch those your aura touches.  If you are happy and joyful it will effect the environment around you.   You touch your loved ones, strangers, nature...
Be aware of the kind of energy you are putting out when you are among others.  And remember the first rule.... First do no harm.   

A Dark Night on Planet Earth...

It's a dark night on planet earth

But it's right before dawn

There's a new light on planet earth

It is the rising sun

Oh it's a dark night

But there is a new light

Can you see it coming

Coming on Planet Earth

So face the rising sun

Greet the morning dawn

For there is a new light coming

Dawning on Planet Earth

RAKakaSparrowhawk 2012

Today some simple beauty...

Today I simply want to share with you some images I took yesterday of a deer in the city.  Deer have a beauty and gentleness that I love.   When you see a deer think of that gentle beauty.   Say thank you.     

Sow the Seeds...

The following are quotes.    
“You can take things from Gaia that are energy, instead of physical resources. We speak yet again about geothermal, about tidal, about wind. Again, we plead with you not to over-engineer this. For one of the things that Human Beings do in a technological age is to over-engineer simple things.”

“Your current ideas of capturing energy from tidal and wave motion don't have to be technical marvels. Think paddle wheel on a pier with waves, which will create energy in both directions [waves coming and going] tied to a generator that can power dozens of neighborhoods, not full cities. Think simple and decentralize the idea of utilities.”

“...there will be those who are young today who are going to start a new way of banking, a new way of health care, and a new way of insurance. And when you see these plans, you'll say, "Why didn't we think of that?"

“Watch for the youngsters to set this in motion, and they will, for they are the voters of tomorrow and they do not want the energy of today. To some of them, it's so abominable they won't even register to vote in this energy.”

I have praised the channeled messages of Kryon previously, and Primarily because they are so positive and helpful.  The above are quotes from a Kryon session in Dallas, Texas, in March of this year, called The Calibration of Free Choice.  I urge you to read this in its entirety.   And then mention some of the ideas to the young people you know. They are the ones that will implement them.  And who knows, that young man or woman you know may be the one that makes the breakthrough. 
Here is the link to the entire piece:
http://www.kryon.com/k_channel12_Dallas.html

Let me leave you with one more quote.  It is one that tells us what we can do.  It tells us what a lot of us are already doing:   
“I'm about to leave yet again, but not before this admonition. Seed planters, you have 18 years to plant these new seeds. They will grow faster if you do it now rather than later. Your part to play is to have a higher consciousness in these areas at home and at work, and to show those around you what you know through your wisdom. Show them the love of God in your life by treating them as you would yourself - to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Create solace around you, a bubble of peace around you that is so desirable that people will want to be with you. Be non-judgmental.”

Live in your power my dear readers, show your wisdom, and sow the seeds of a new world of peace and beauty. 

"There is No Them, only Us..."

As I write this I am listening/watching A PBS program called Moyers and Company, facilitated by Bill Moyers.   In this program he is interviewing a Mexican American Poet, novelist and essayist, Luis Alberto Urrea.  It was some of his work that was removed/banned from classrooms in Tucson, Arizona, schools.  This is a very powerful interview and if you are ever at want for a definition of COMPASSION view this interview and/or read from Mr. Urrea’s work.  One of his quotes:  “There is no them, only US.”
The entire interview:  http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-between-two-worlds-life-on-the-border/
Mr. Urrea’s website:  http://www.luisurrea.com/

Seven Points for Positive Living That Work...

Here are seven points for positive living that work.  There is no special order for these ideas and they may or may not need to all be present.  You can decide that for yourself.
Gratitude:
It is amazing what gratitude can do.  Gratitude for what you say?  Gratitude for everything.   Emphasizing the positive is very helpful.  From the Morning Song from P’taah,  www.ptaah.com :  “I give thanks for the love that I am... Thank you for the gift of life that I am.... Thank you for the riches and the richness of my life....”
That is only a very small part of it.   It is very inclusive.  Try giving thanks for everything you can think of, P’taah suggests doing so as a song in your shower daily. 
Intention:
Make all that you want an intention in your life.  Think it, say it...Write it if you would like.  Here are some suggestions:  I intend to live a long life.  I intend to heal my life.  I intend to live a life free of pain, anxiety, fear.  You put in your choice.   You can only realize the power of intention by using it. 
Paying attention to the still small voice:
You can call this intuition, the voice of angels, God, whatever you like,  just know that it is that part of you that knows.  Sometimes this is only an urge, an inclination.  It has been called sychronicity.  The part of you that is in contact with Spirit, God if you wish. the part of you that is all knowing, will communicate with you if you only learn to listen and to pay attention.  
Positive Attitude:
It is not always easy to keep positive.  And if you are in a position where you are having trouble keeping positive work toward it.  Find the positive things and work to change your attitude.  You will be amazed what it can do for you. 
Acceptance:
Work to accept all things including all people.  If you can develop acceptance the negativity will flow off of you as the proverbial water off a ducks back.  Try it.  You will see that it works. 
Exercise:
The benefits of exercise have been touted for years.   Exercise such as a simple walk or yoga will do wonders.  And if you are so inclined, Dance.   You don’t have to be in a dance hall or disco to dance.  How about in front of your TV or Ipod?  Leonard Cohen, singer and songwriter, talks about dancing in his song, Dance Me to the End of Love”
with these lines.”Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love”
Meditation:
There are different ideas and definitions of meditation.  It has often been said that speaking to God is prayer, listening to God is meditation.  Dance and song can be forms of meditation.  Allow yourself to be quiet for a few moments.  Allowing yourself to become mindful, really present in your life is meditation.  

Find your own variations of the above ideas but by using these seven suggestions and making a practice of them you will find that they do work.   You may even by amazed by the changes in your life.  

What it Means to "Be....."

Remember that quote from Gandhi that we see often?  “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Have you ever really thought about what that means?  It means that there will never really be peace in the world till you are peaceful.  If you are not able to find peace within yourself, if you get angry when someone cuts you off on the road, if you are judgemental of someone who is not like yourself, you will never find peace within yourself. 
There is good news, however.  If you set your intent... declare to yourself that it is your intention to ‘be the change’, intend to heal those things in you that need healing, become the peace you wish to see in the world, things will start to change for you. 
The intention is enough to get it started and awareness and paying attention to your inner guidance will keep it going.  The other good thing is that once you start working on these things for yourself that energy moves out into your world.   It will effect your children, your husband, your friends, your enemies and the planet itself.  
This is what it means to “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Beauty touches us in the deepest parts of our psyche and soul.   Beauty puts in touch with that which is the best in us.
The Navajo have a curing ceremony which restores harmony in an individual by showing them the way to return to beauty.

The Navajo Beauty Way Ceremony

In beauty may I walk
All day long may I walk
Through the returning seasons may I walk
Beautifully I will possess again
Beautifully birds
Beautifully joyful birds
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk
With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk
With dew about my feet may I walk
With beauty may I walk
With beauty before me may I walk
With beauty behind me may I walk
With beauty above me may I walk
With beauty all around me may I walk
In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk
In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk
It is finished in beauty
It is finished in beauty
Anonymous (Navajo)

May you walk in beauty...

Beaver Lake, Pride and Yanni...

So what does Beaver Lake, which is a small lake in Stanley Park, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and Pride, which in this case happens to be Vancouver’s big Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Transgender Pride Parade and celebration, and Yanni have to do with each other? 
Last Saturday morning my friend and I went hunting for a furry animal that likes to cut down trees and plug water ways.   The word was out that a beaver had returned to Beaver Lake which had been beaverless for quite some time and we wanted to see it.   We decided the best time to try and see it would be about dawn and that’s exactly when we went.   We saw the beaver... took a few pictures... nothing spectacular but we did find and view the beaver in Beaver Lake.   Dawn at Beaver Lake was spectacular however...Very few people, although there were some, jogging, biking, hiking in the area, not many.   It was silent except for a distant sound of the city now and then, so quiet...  Ducks swimming in the early morning light, a bird call here and there.  Silence and Sunrise.....Beauty at dawn.... So good for my soul, and the rest of me also.   
Sunday around noon, Vancouver held it’s Gay Pride Parade.   I guess you could say it was the opposite of the lake at dawn.   Garish, loud, a lot of people marching in declaration of who they are and that it is okay to be them.   On the way to the parade taking the water taxi across False Creek, there were two young families consisting of a mother and father and a small child, talking about how they were on their way to the parade.  They didn’t look gay, either of them, but they sounded like it was a big event.  Something to see, a place to take your family.  The crowd attending the parade was huge and the parade itself was huge.   A lot of people marching in declaration of themselves.  And a lot of people supporting that by witnessing this parade.  It was definitely not Beaver Lake but it represented something else.... Pride in who you are and pride in being oneself and declaring it rather loudly...
Now Sunday evening my friend and I attended a Yanni concert.   Yanni is the new age guy with the long hair and was married to Linda Evans for a while.   He has concerts on PBS.  I thoroughly enjoyed the music.   And through the entire concert he mentioned how he and his musicians have traveled and played all over the world.  He talked about some of the different countries and continents where they played.  As he was about to play his final song, he said he wanted to leave us with a few words.  At this point he mentioned how his musicians themselves come from all over the world, and that he had heard an astronaut speaking recently about how the planet looks from way up there.  This astronaut had been on the space station and he mentioned how from up there you can see no borders between countries.  From above you can’t distinguish borders... Its as if we were all ONE.   ONE people with no borders separating us.  He said traveling and playing in all of these countries and seeing all the different people, and hearing the astronaut had given him hope that we might indeed, one day be ONE people.  Then Yanni played his last song, “One Man’s Dream”.
So what do Beaver Lake, Gay Pride, and Yanni have to do with each other?  They represent my wishes for you and for the world.   I wish you the peace and serenity of Beaver Lake at dawn, the Pride of knowing who you are and being that, and I wish you the experience of a world without borders, that we are indeed, One People.  That is my wish for you and my dream... Not just one man’s dream...

A statement of ONE...

I am a strong believer in the idea that we are all ONE and that it is only here in the third dimension, the earth dimension, that we experience separation.  Within this idea is the idea that we as humans are made of God substance.  
The following is a part of a channeling, found on the internet and is a statement of Oneness that put a lot of information together for me.  The channeling is from this site and this page:   http://angelofdiscernment.blogspot.com/2012/07/illumi-not-anymore-i-message-from.html
"We remind you that All are One and One is All and each Soul is a part of the Great Unified Consciousness of Source. Each Soul is continuously and Infinitely connected to Source, complete with all the innate attributes of Source. Each Soul is equal to Source in EVERY way because they ARE Source, and as such incapable of the concept of “karmic debt”, for in order to incur karmic debt some form of judgment is inferred and conditions are requisite to be placed within that Absolute Unconditional Love. Do you see the conundrum? This cannot be. And so, by way of decree of the One Truth, The Law of One, which is Absolute Unconditional Love, there can be no judgment, no “karmic debt”."

We are ONE.  

"Like a Circle that you Find...."

“Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
As the images unwind
Like the circle that you find
In the windmills of your mind”

August, 2012.  Another circle.  Another cycle.  Another summer.  Another full moon.
August, 2012, has two full moons.   A blue moon it’s called.
Within the circles, within the cycles things change.  It seems to be human nature to resist change, but the change is inevitable.  Humans age.  People Die.  Animals die.  We lose loved ones.  We even evolve.   We humans even do change for the better.  Life can be good.  The changes can be good for us.   In fact, we create the changes in our lives.   Take a look at the circles, the spirals, the cycles in your life.  If you don’t like how they turn change them.

“Keys that jingle in your pocket
Words that jangle your head
Why did summer go so quickly
Was it something that I said
Lovers walking along the shore,
Leave their footprints in the sand
Was the sound of distant drumming
Just the fingers of your hand”

Lyrics from “The Windmills of your Mind” by Sting from the movie:  "The Thomas Crown Affair"