Letter from the Spirit of Truth

Dearest You,

I am the voice of the season. I am the Spirit of every season. I am within everything, and everything is within me.

I am within you. Who am I? Who are you? We are the Christ consciousness. We are a state of truth, love, peace, faith and knowing. I am that highest vibration. And your true nature is the same.

If at times you don’t feel lifted up, ask! Ask me, within you always, to lift you to this place of truth. You will be there, even as you ask. For this is the Kingdom. The Kingdom within you always.

Do not search outside yourself for upliftment. There may be tools – groups, others, things, activities – that amplify your good feelings. These are created in the image of truth, as you are. But without these tools, you are the same! You are truth, even without ministers, teachers, groups, friends, family, presents, food and more. You are truth – now and forever!

Seek the truth already within you. Your being is peace, love, hope, joy, faith. All the gifts of the season are yours right now.

Ask Me, ask the Christ, to lift you to where you can know and feel these gifts. And all these things and more will be added unto you!

You are love, as I am. You are light, as I am. You are life itself, as I am. And as you believe, so you receive. As you believe and feel the truth, it becomes visible in your life on Earth.

Ask! Write a letter to the Christ in You, and it will be answered!

Bless’d be!

The Spirit of Truth

Shine your Light! Holiday Prize #2

Peaceweaving-logo

In deciding what would be fun to share for the Shine your Light! Giveaway, I wanted to choose woven and musical things aligned with the positive energy of Peaceweaving. Sounds good, right? Yet I had no idea what those things would be!

Just this past weekend it hit me… Uh, do we not offer And so it Is! vol. 1? Well yes, we do!

So prize #2 is a free mp3 download of the album, notes, lyrics, instrumentation and cover art. And more than one of these might be given away!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it… 😀 Follow the guidelines in the original post (see Shine your Light! link above) and describe your favorite winter festival tradition, memory, etc.

It’s as easy as that! My intention with this and all of Peaceweaving is to expand spiritual connection for myself and all others!

Enjoy, and may you feel blessed, now and always!

Celebrate Light – Winter Holidays Song

Instrument: Lady – tenor Flea ukulele

Refrain:
Come! Join our festivals of light and song
Shining through the darkest night and singing all day long!
Join our celebrations of great love
Singing all in unity,
With candles lit for you and me,
We stir up joy and faith and peace
For all that is below, touches above!

1. Celebrate the Yuletide,
The returning of the light
Once more days grow longer
The sun’s becoming bright again
Oh
Refrain:

2. Celebrate Hanukah,
The miracle of faith
We don’t think we have much
But blessings make it stay and grow
Oh
Refrain:

3. Celebrate Kwanzaa
The unity of all
One people and one nation
May we spread peace to great and small
Oh
Refrain:

4. Celebrate Christmas
The birth of Christ in you
The symbol of a baby
As love and life in all you choose
Oh
Refrain: (twice)

Light Within – Meditation

Companion 5-minute meditation to Celebrate Light – Winter Festivals Talk. This meditation guides us to reconnect to our own light within, and to be the string, that others may reconnect with their inner light as well.

Instrument: Hang drum

Celebrate Light – Winter Festivals Talk

Metaphysical talk on the similarities of Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and Yule. I shared this at Unity of Reading on December 9, 2012 – the second Sunday of Advent.

Based on the following selection by Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore:

The Twelve Powers of Man

by Charles Fillmore
pp. 111-112

All these “woes” are to those who are living in the letter instead of in the spirit of the law. But Jesus did not condemn religion, nor religious organizations. His denunciations were aimed at those who profess to teach and to follow the law but fall short in carrying it out in their lives.

Right here, however, religious teachers should be on their guard in framing tenets for religious organizations. Do not dogmatize in creed, or statement of Being, as a governing rule of thought and action for those who join your organization. These things are limitations, and they often prevent free development because of foolish insistence on consistency. The creed that you write today may not fit the viewpoint of tomorrow; hence the safe and sure religious foundation for all men is that laid down by Jesus, “The Spirit of truth . . . shall guide you into all the truth.” A statement setting forth the teaching of a religious institution is essential, but compelling clauses should be omitted.

Original Affirmation

I know that there is one light. I call this light Christ. As I prepare for the birth of Christ, I recognize that others prepare for their own spiritual birth. I realize that, regardless of our traditions, celebrations, words and songs, we all rejoyce in our growing awareness of light. I give thanks for the Christ light in all its forms. And so it is!

Advent: Purity Consciousness

I was raised in a traditional Christian church, where we sang happy songs on Palm Sunday, had a sadder sermon around Good Friday, and then sang happy songs again on Easter. But there was always an overhanging layer of sadness for me, even in the Spring.

But during Advent, everything felt bright and beautiful. We sang traditional Christmas carols, and when I played music later, I continued that.

Recently I thought about why Christmas always felt so good to me. Why was Christmas Eve my favorite church service all year long? Why did I sing carols just a little louder than I sang anything else? And why could the simplest Christmas story bring tears to my eyes?

Well, as always, the answers came from within me. It’s the pure innocence of Christmas. I mean, let’s face it. The Christmas story is of a tiny baby with the power to save the world. How much more innocent does it get? I’m of the opinion that everybody loves a baby… 🙂 But no matter what you believe about Christmas, let’s think about the power of so many people believing the traditional story.

Here you have a story, like the legend of Santa Claus. But unlike Santa, no one says that baby Jesus has a naughty or nice list. That must be the “glad tidings of great joy” the angels sang about! 😀

Baby Jesus, or Christ consciousness, is there for everyone. Babies in general don’t care what you do or who you think you are. They couldn’t care less about how you identify yourself, your past, what your name is, what you’ve supposedly failed at, or how much money and stuff you have. Babies love, because they come from love and are still connected to that. Babies are not mind and body. They are fully immersed in their experience. And as babies, their experience is still oneness.

This oneness consciousness is always available to us! At Christmas time it becomes a mass consciousness – something more people than usual believe, something that dominates people’s thoughts, feelings, words and actions.

As you prepare for celebrations of your own, whether Christmas or otherwise, choose to make yours a purity consciousness. Be aware of your oneness with all people and things. Bless others and yourself, no matter what appears in your or others’ experiences. Love unconditionally, as the Christ child does. Because the Christ child was not born over 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. Christ’s birth is not a once-and-done thing. Christ consciousness, where love is the source and motivation of everything, can be born within you every moment of every day. And if sometimes Christ seems far away, that’s ok. Just choose, in this moment now, to bring your awareness back to love.

You don’t need to believe the Christmas story to reap its benefits! This message is for anyone and everyone who is willing to hear it, who finds it true, and who decides to live it. Because, what good is your religion or spirituality, if it doesn’t produce a better life for you?

Shine your Light! Holiday Prize #1

Double-knit-doll

Want to know how you can win this doll or other prizes? It’s easy! See the Peaceweaving Holiday Giveaway Guidelines.

Most of the prizes are woven, but I like to throw you for a loop now and then! 😀

Double-knit-dollPic2

This silly, cuddly doll is safe for any age. She is double-knit and was created on a knitting board.

Her body is a soft ribbed texture and partially stuffed with polyester fiberfill. Her head is a zigzag texture and moves so she can nod… or sleep! Her hair was crocheted in loops, using fuzzy, curly yarn. She is free to be hugged, carried around and loved with no bits and pieces to pull off.

She hasn’t been named as yet… So the winner will have the pleasure of getting to know this dolly and discovering her name!

Shine your Light! 2012 Holiday Giveaway

So many holidays are approaching! And all of them are festivals of light, love and song! Yule/Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas… If I haven’t included something you celebrate, please share!

The prevailing thought this time of year is that even in the darkness of Winter, the sun rises again. And that is the warm fuzzy part of Winter. 🙂

Now for the fun stuff. I’m offering handmade prizes from now through January 6, 2013, and all you have to do is share something!

Tell me your favorite light-filled, spiritual, religious, family-and-friends or solo holiday tradition or ritual… Fave song? Memory? Cookies? Ok I’ll stop now… Share whatever you want about something special to you. You don’t even need to know why you think it’s special. It’s enough that you feel this way!

Also, tell me how you share feelings of love and joy with others. It may be a physical action, a blessing, thought, prayer… And this is not an all-inclusive list! I want to hear, in your own words and feelings, what makes you feel good and how that extends to others.

I’ll be posting prize pics throughout the holiday season, as I create the items. For now, think about your most meaningful, warm and fuzzy Winter (or Summer if you’re down under!) happiness, and share it as a comment on this post.

This is one way I’m spreading the handmade, holiday spirit of light and giving. It’s not really a contest… But as many prizes as I come up with, I’ll choose that many of my favorite comments, the ones I resonate with or however that works, and send you a prize!

Guidelines

1. Comment on this post about something special to you during this season (see above).

2. Include how your feelings reach out to others.

3. Leave an email address with your comment so I can contact you and send your prize! It will not be published.

4. Share as many times as you like! These things have a way of multiplying… 😀

5. Tell your friends! Please share this on Facebook, Twitter, the back of your hand, your blog, wherever you share stuff you like, as allowed by common sense and legal say-so.

Thank you for spreading peace – not just during the “holiday season” – but all year, through your thoughts, words and actions toward yourself and others!

I’m so Tired!: How to Feel Better Fast

Has the fatigue hit you yet? Winter blues maybe? Many people feel down, heavy, tired or listless this time of year, in the Northern hemisphere. And that’s ok!

Yes, I said it’s ok! It’s only “a bad feeling” if you think it is. Now hang in there and let me explain…

First, consider your words. Are you saying, “I am tired?” If so, then start there. Are you truly tired? The truth is that you are not tired. Your being, the Spirit at the center of who you think you are, is never tired. It is, and has, infinite energy! So even though you don’t feel it right now, think about the truth that you are not tired.

If you need to talk about it, which of course adds tired-feeling energy to you (and we all know you want to “be” more tired, right?), then say, “I feel tired.” Put the accent on “feel,” because tired is just a feeling. “Right now I feel tired.” Ok. Fine. You feel tired right now. Accept that. Then stop talking about it and move on.

But move on…to what? To how you want to feel, of course! You want to feel full of energy? Happy? Excited? Pick a feeling you’re familiar with. You know, you felt it long ago, before you felt so tired. Go ahead, pick one!

Maybe you can’t jump right from “I feel tired” to “I feel___.” Guess what? That’s ok too! So choose a feeling just a little bit further in that — direction. The self-talk might go something like this–use your own words though, because it will mean more to you:

“I feel tired.”

“I feel tired right now.”

“I don’t always feel tired…”

“Yes I do, I always feel tired this time of year!”

“But I don’t feel tired —” When? In Spring? Summer? At parties? Remember a time when you don’t feel tired and fill in that blank.

“I don’t feel tired in Spring.”

“I feel invigorated in Spring.”

“I feel full of life.”

“I feel happy.”

“I feel like anything is possible.”

“I feel excited.”

“I feel —” put in the feeling you desire.

See how we moved from “I am tired…” way back there, to “I feel excited right now?”

This is called Socratic Logic. You’ve probably heard of affirmations – positive, present-tense statements of universal truth. But sometimes, when we use affirmations, we’re not in a place where we can actually feel like they’re true. So even though affirmations are great tools, they don’t help us if we can’t feel like they’re true. In fact, they feel so untrue that we have angry feelings instead of positive ones!

We can use Socratic Logic to get to a place where we feel the truth of an affirmation. It may take quite a few steps. (Say it with me…) And that’s ok! The point is to get to a better feeling, and to keep moving forward. In order to move forward, we need to acknowledge where we are right now. And if that’s “I’m tired,” then that’s where we start.

Abraham says it takes only 10 minutes to get to a better-feeling place. All right Abe. Me? Sometimes I’ve counted 10 hours before I truly felt better. But no matter how long in physical, linear time this takes, it’s so worth any effort to finally feel good!

11/28/12 Full Moon Celebration

I created this full moon distance ritual for The Order of the White Moon. I will expand on this soon; for now, realize that I choose to study both metaphysics and Goddess spirituality at the same time. For me they are beautiful companions.

In any case, I share this ritual as a demonstration of openness, acceptance and connection to all people, all beliefs, and all nature. If you resonate with this and wish to participate, perform the ritual yourself on November 28, 2012 – the night of the full moon.

Though OWM is mostly women, like-minded men are welcome in my own practice.

It’s fine if you’re unfamiliar with Pagan, Wiccan or other circle castings and closings! Just intend to create a circle, or create a visible one in your space. When finished, say a blessing and open the circle.

Date: 11/28/2012

Intention: Full moon in Gemini, beaver moon and goddess Ceridwen (Celtic Goddess of rebirth)

Before the ritual, spend some time in nature, ideally at night, in the 3 days preceding the full moon. Even outside on a porch or steps is fine; intention to connect with nature and the moon is the most important here.

As you create this time, think of the Beaver moon. So named because it was traditionally the time to set traps before Winter, it is also a time of incubation. What do you want to gestate or incubate? What is germinating now, to bloom or become tangible or visible in Maiden Springtime?

If you’re in Springtime now, what are you planting and cultivating to harvest/finish in Autumn?

Come to the ritual with these things in mind or written down.

Items

Northern Supplies

warm Autumn drink (apple cider, pumpkin spice-flavored coffee, tea or cocoa, etc, something that tastes like Fall to you)

3 candles (1 orange, 1 black, 1 white)

Southern Supplies

Cool fruit drink, milk, or anything that tastes like Spring to you

Candles as above

Preparation

Prepare drink before ritual. Place on seasonally decorated altar if you have one, along with the candles in holders.

If you like music for meditation, have some on hand.

Ritual

The differences in this ritual between the Northern and Southern hemisphere are subtle and not truly necessary. The main idea is that in the Southern hemisphere, you’ve already started planting what you will harvest, and can see it because you’re cultivating it already.

In the Northern hemisphere, we’re letting our desires grow, unseen, within the Earth until Spring when they will burst forth as buds do. Sometimes through the Fall and Winter, we need reminders to “keep the faith.” This ritual is one reminder.

Cast circle in whatever way you choose.

Invoke/call goddess Ceridwen with these words:
Lady of the resting night
Whom each crossroad brings delight
Welcome in this circle clear
As in time desires appear!

Gently relax into a light state of meditation, with music as you prefer.

Light orange candle, saying:
By the fire that you keep
Through all growth that comes in sleep
Warm desire in my heart
As in faith I do my part!

Light black candle, saying:
If the way seems dark and bare
Or overwhelm feels like despair,
May I know deep down the truth
That as the wheel turns, next is youth!

Light white candle, saying:
I will see the things I ask
I believe they come to pass
Until then I know their truth
Placing them within your womb!
I give you (name the things that are germinating in Ceridwen’s womb for you now)

Meditate on releasing any attachment you feel to these desires, knowing that all is well.

When you feel ready, bring yourself out of meditation and continue:

Thank you for your presence here
Banishing all doubt and fear
Bringing in the darkness safe
Meant to cradle me in faith!

Drink with gratitude.

Open circle and put out candles safely.