In June 2006, the real estate market in my home town took a nose dive.  It looked a lot like an airplane falling from the sky, ready to crash land into the ground and burst into flames.  Oh, is this too dramatic a picture?  After all we are talking about real estate, not air disasters. 

Many will say it was unexpected.  More will say “it had to happen; the real estate bubble had to burst”. Few were prepared for how much and how hard the world would fall.  I too thought it would never hit this hard.  After all the press always blew things out of proportion.  I went to sleep one night in 2006 with a great, but frustrating job, lots of pay, a new software in development which was my husband’s path to our future and woke up 18 months later with that same job paying 60% less, no investors in our software company, up to our eyeballs in business debt, a house 60% upside down and our lives totally out of control!

What do you say when things like this happen?  You say WOW; we must work on a different path.  We say, let’s try it on our own.  Let’s try swimming upstream.  Honestly, I don’t even know how we navigated those next five years.

Many people in my community, in communities around the country spent the last five years in a daze.  Did we know where the next bit of work would come from?  Did we know if we were improving or getting worse? Some turned to their faith for answers, others to “the government will be my savior”, others to whole new career paths.  I just went back to basics.

The big question is “did we learn from this experience?”  Some will say yes.  I am now saving 10% of everything I make, no matter what (read “The Richest Man in Babylon”).  Some say no, as soon as they were able they started charging up new credit cards that replaced the old ones.  What do you say?

I say what a wakeup call.  I really didn’t expect this to be more than 5 years worth of worry and stress and discovery.  I wish I had all the answers, even now with all the lessons on the table, I am not sure I have learned all that I need to move forward.  I do know that it’s time for my spirit to return.  It is time for my inspiration to build and for my writing to return.

There are many out there that have lived through this last five years and are so much better for the struggle.  What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!  I have heard that before and I do believe we are given the tools to make us stronger; we just have to use them.

So this is the first chapter in a very long path.  I could say “back to who I was,” but that would be a mistake.  I think it’s a path to who I can be.  So if you would like to join me on this journey, just keep an eye out for the next chapter. 

If you like, comment to me on your journey and we can move forward together.  Certainly 2012 has potential?  What do you think?

Spirituality is imbibed in human lives. When we choose to be spiritual, it is only a chosen lifestyle. We are only showing to the world that we are more spiritually aware, by connecting to spirit.

When you say a particular person is spiritual, or really spiritual, you are implying that he is connected to the spirit and thus he is more aware of the spirit. Remember, we are a spirit first, having a physical skill. We have come to this world prepared for a physical experience. Being spirit, which is a thing, is different from being spiritual, a physical experience.

Spirituality doesn’t give us psychic ability. There are people with such abilities who are not living a spiritual life. The so-called abilities of the Psychic are physical aspects, since you can feel, hear, smell and taste them. Since they are mere extension of our everyday lives, they can be experienced by all. When you are spiritual, you are being natural.

Spirituality, spiritual and spirit are different things, connected by the physical know-how and our opinion about them.

All of us are spiritual, since we are somebody. By being spiritual it doesn’t mean that you are a breed apart, that you will see things which others never did and that you will be very wise

Below I will outline two ways of constructing this, one in an easy manner and the other slightly fiddlier. The first headband is to be worn around the head at brow/third eye level. The second headband fits from the third eye area ,and runs over the top of the crown area, and down the back of the head, ending at the base of the skull.

Crystal Headband Method 1

You will need the following items, all very easily obtainable.

• Some copper wire, the kind that can be bought in any craft shop
• The crystal/crystals of your choice.
• A piece of fabric, this can be whatever you wish so long as it is a shade of blue, or purple.
• Glue that is suitable for copper, stone, as well as fabric
• A pair of pliers.
• A pair of wire cutters

Begin by taking the copper wire. Cut a length large enough to not only reach around your head, but to also enable you to fasten it tightly around the crystal.

Lay the crystal in the centre of the wire and cross the wire over it. Now turn it over and cross the wire over itself, forming a cross enclosing the crystal. Take the wire, with crystal attached and place around the head, so that there is a good overlap. Now cut it just after the overlap and twist one end into a loop and the other end into a hook using the pliers.

Congratulations you now have a crystal headband!

Crystal Headband Method Two.

 Take your piece of cloth, and cut it so that it is about two, or three inches wide and approximately three to four inches in length. Lay it on top of your head so that it reaches down at the back just above the neck and just above your nose at the front. Once you are happy with the length and have trimmed it. Lay it on a flat surface.

Now on this you will need three crystals. Once again these are of your choice. The ones I will use in this example are Larimar, Amethyst and Lapis Lazuli. These will work in harmony in the vibrational sense with my Crown Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and Throat Chakra. Taking the crystals, decide where you will want them to touch on your head. I will have the Larimar on my Third eye area, the Amethyst on my Crown and the Lapis at the back of the skull. Now cut two lengths of copper wire the length of your cloth and glue them half an inch apart parallel to each other. Glue the crystals on top of the wire lengths. You will end up with a strip of cloth with two pieces of copper running its entire length and three crystals at intervals.

Once the glue is dry you can try it on your head. You will need to gently bend it to the shape of your head. To use this type of meditation aid you will need to be sitting in an upright position. With the other you may lie, or sit as you wish.

  “Transference of energy on a human level takes place with attention. As our senses and thought processes take something in or react to something, a transference of energy takes place.”

   From birth we automatically pick up on these fields of energy and start learning how to soak up as much as possible of it in order to develop. From the outset we instinctively know that the best way to absorb it is from our surroundings (as we become cognisant of them) and from human contact.

   Therefore in order to soak up as much energy as possible we seek constant attention, love, recognition, support and approval, primarily from our parents. Depending on the character of our parents we adapt our behaviour accordingly to gain the most attention.

   This adaptation of behaviour that we adopt so early begins to become ‘us’ and define our emerging character archetype, (whether it be aggressor, intimidator, aloof or ‘poor me’ or a combination of each). Then in later life we subconsciously use these archetypes in daily life to ’suck out’ or drain the energy from people we have contact with, a bit like spiritual vampires.

   I’m sure you’ve automatically been drawn closer to people you feel an inexplicable connection with, just as you are repelled by some people even before they open their mouths.

  “The unhealthy practice of developing an aggressive or ingratiating aura of energy around oneself and using it to steal the life force from other people is the underlining source of human conflict and aggression in the world today.”

   This invalid form of energy collection must be recognised for what it is and dispelled before spiritual growth can proceed. Once we stop playing these games we very quickly realise that there is actually an unlimited healthy supply of this energy available to us from nature and the external environment that we inhabit. This can literally be absorbed simply with attention, appreciation, contemplation and meditation.

   “Natural energy surrounds us in abundance. It is available to all with no strings attached. It is free. It is pure. It involves no destructive emotional blackmail. It is based solely on love and it is everlasting.”

   Once too you can recognise these ‘mind games’ for what they are you learn to actually listen to and evaluate people with a new awareness and understanding. You can achieve a ‘controlled removal’ from the usual emotional knee-jerk reactions and choose your reactions instead. This seemingly simple act will uplift you and empower you and life for you will suddenly be very different and far more joyful.

   Once these two lessons are learnt, ie. the recognition of our spiritual energy source and how best to gather it with respect and integrity, you will have achieved a giant leap forward in spiritual growth.

Throughout my life, almost everyone I know has connected with that place of all knowing in some way.  Here is a personal example to share with you that is short and sweet.  I can often sense when an email is being sent to me and there were a few times when the actual content also flashed in my mind, only to have my email alert go off 2 seconds later with a similar message. I am sure a vast majority of people can relate at least one time that something of that nature happened and I will bet most of you would not consider yourself to be psychic. It happens all the time and we all have the faculty!

No matter the person or the type of information received, there is a common theme throughout. We sense something specific will occur and then it does. Personally, I get this rush of excitement when a psychic impression is validated. I think that surge of emotion comes because we have no logical way of knowing that was going to happen, yet we knew and that can be freaky but also really cool.  Of course, like any ability, some are naturally born with a very strong sense while the rest of us fall somewhere else along the scale. We all have potential to impove if we choose. I am working very hard to advance my ability because I believe that having a strong, reliable connection to that on a consistent basis can be of great service to people.

We use our intuition more than we think. It is so subtle that we are not even aware of it. Our lifestyles are on fast forward and the only way to tap into it is to slow everything down.  A good way to start being more aware and increasing impressions is to keep a little notepad that you can bring everywhere. Everytime you have an intuitive thought, write it down and you will see how many times throughout the day you are using your 6^th sense. You will be surprised at how many impressions turn out to be correct.  Do not sensor anything, no matter how weird or random it seems.  If you have a flash in your mind of hearing the word “banana”, just write it down and see if it happens. I really have fun doing this and it is a great way to start being more aware of that part of yourself and build your confidence in your abilities.  

Meditation is a key to getting your mind where it needs to be so that you can be aware of the impressions. If your brain is on ludicrous speed, then you will not be able to pick up what the “other you” is trying to say. You do not have to spend hours a day doing this. To start, 10-20 minutes a few times a week is a good way to ease in.    Eventually, you should aim for a daily sitting. You may or may not receive impressions when you are meditating. If you like, write down any thoughts that come to your mind that you feel are important, whether it is an impression, insight, or new idea.  It can be hard to sit at first but try your best to stick with it. Once it becomes regular practice, you will swear you cannot live without it. Sit quietly somewhere comfortable. Reduce distractions to an absolute minimum as best you can. Light some candles or incense and/or play some relaxing music. It is up to you. The key is to try to slow down your mind. This is hard sometimes. If thoughts keep coming just acknowledge and dismiss them. Do not engage, judge, or analyze them. These thoughts are not you, they are created by you and you can control them. Next time you get anxious, tell yourself that you are having an anxious thought. Do not tell yourself that you are prone to anxiety or are an anxious person. Then replace it with an affirmation or some other positive sentiment. Eliminating negative thinking as much as possible can change your life.

There are many great resources for intuitive development. Many great workshops and classes are available all over the country. Books and Cd’s can be found both online and in bookstores. Information abounds on the internet. There are many ways to pursue a path of study, but the most important thing is practicing and focusing on your impressions and not all on theory in a book. It is helpful of course but will not in itself advance your actual intuition. I highly recommend a development class to build confidence. Even if you have never had a psychic experience before, I guarantee you will have one at a class like this. The energy created by like minded individuals trying to tap into this knowledge will open you up for sure. You may shock yourself with the things you know and it will show you that the potential exists if the right vibration is achieved. That vibration is the key. Once you find a source of information that peaks your interest, give it a fair try and see how you develop. If you stick with it, I promise you that you will see your ability advance. It is already there, it just needs some tweaking.

Good luck on your journey within yourself. Remember that it may not be easy at times, but it is worth the effort. You will soon see what can be achieved is limitless and the power of your mind is the key to a better future.

I wrote him a letter and we made contact via email. I tracked him around cyber-space to learn a little more and visited his blogs. He seemed like an ordinary man, originating from Transylvania, interested in spirituality. I had no idea who he was, or what he looked like, but something stirred deeply in my soul.

One day he asked me to proofread a book he was writing called: “Successful Life with Perfect Prayer”. I had done this kind of thing on a voluntary basis when I lived in India for four years. Though by no means a professional, I accepted, feeling that even the small amount that I could offer would be of some help to him. Little did I know that this was actually the beginning of my own healing journey.

I am pleased to say that his book is now in print. It is about the power of the mind and the art of prayer – detailing the best way to pray by using the law of attraction …

Working on it, I found myself inspired and guided. The book showed me how to take control of my own destiny – life was no longer something that “happened” to me, now I was able see how I could create the reality I wanted. I began to understand that my own lack of self-love had drawn to me relationships in which I was not loved or valued. Everything began to make sense and I was keen to apply the teachings I had so studiously been editing.

Finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to the wisdom that this man had shared and I looked forward to the time that I would be able to meet him.

Soon that day came and it was as though I had known him for a long time. I had taken the opportunity and canceled all my travel plans, organizing instead a two month holiday, as near as possible to where he lived, in order to facilitate learning more about spirituality. I intended to read, study, meditate in nature and generally focus my mind on better things in the ample free time I thought I would have.

He proposed to teach me martial arts exercises as a way to evolve spiritually and improve my karma. At first I was perplexed, but soon it became evident that every move I made revealed something of my attitude towards life, something of my karmic lessons, and something of my existential paralysis. There was little time now for lazy reflection – the training was intense.

Often I wondered who this guy really was. He seemed to know my thoughts and feelings, poke at every painful place in my heart so carefully concealed. He uncovered my soul’s willful, even defiant reluctance to participate in life and I felt her fear and pain at having to face it.

Now I felt truly vulnerable – letting him see my imperfections held the risk of being disliked and rejected, this caused many shadows of the past to loom before me, but I need not have feared, for his love held me secure as he ground down my ego’s defenses.

So it began; the task to make the mind release its strong protection over the heart. To coax the soul out to where she feared most to be and help her find her dignity and self respect; to show her how to protect herself; to teach her that she did not need to stand and offer the other cheek, but to gently step aside and give love in return; to introduce her to her shadow and befriend it.

The martial arts, his book, life, him, and I- they were all, though seemingly separate, strangely connected, like a chain of events perfectly set into motion.

After the extensive training I have come away a different person. I still feel like one who is walking in the woods rather than looking down from the mountain top with a clear view, but somehow the woods have meaning and there is direction. My mind continues to feels like a fish caught in a net, but now I know I can break free, thanks to the incredible love and dedication to truth this man holds and reveals through the secrets of martial arts, courses and his books.