Saturday, March 22, 2008

Day 6: The world is in me

by Sara S. Nichols, religious science practitioner (RScP)

I'm working through round 2 of Deepak Chopra's "synchrodestiny" daily meditations from The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence. There's a different meditation each of 7 days, and then you rinse and repeat as needed. Get the book to really follow along. There's so much in it that I'm not going to cover.

After meditating for 20 minutes using the "so hum" breathing technique (breath in through your nose thinking "so" and out through your nose thinking "hum") I focussed on today's principle: Shiva Shakti which means, I am not in the world, the world is in me.

I am both attracted and repelled by this notion. It comes at an odd time for me. Lately I have been working to pull back from the idea that I am responsible for the entire world. I have been focusing on establishing peace, harmony and prosperity in myself, so that I might share those gifts with others. But I don't think that Chopra's principle here is about taking responsibility for the world. It's more about knowing that everything I do and say affects everything else. It's about an awareness that I am connected to all I see.

A word about an aftershock I experienced from yesterday's Sutra regarding emotional freedom. I had a dream last night that I had this big physical ugly screaming fight with an old nemesis of mine and was running from him. I ran to escape his wrath and as I found my children and asked them to hide me, who should I run into but Don Perata (current leader of the California state Senate) whom I consider another problematic figure (long story which my children sum up with the phrase "she's persona non grata with Don Perata"). I woke up in terror with heart pounding.

As I was looking at the dream, I realized that perhaps what I was really fearing was my emotions about these guys (the guilt, fear, resentment) and not the men themselves. The truth is that once issuing the order to ban me from the office, Don Perata has probably not given me a second thought. I, however, have thought a lot about my banishment--I resent it. I think it's unfair. I don't deserve it.

This, my friends, is NOT emotional freedom. Thank you to my dreams for pointing out an area where I am still being chased.

If things are challenging today, here is a Sutra statement: imagine that you are both masculine and feminine, if you choose.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Day 5 (round 2--day 12 for me): Letting go of anger the destructive force

Day 5 Deepak Chopra's daily meditations on how to discover your "Synchrodestiny" out of his book, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence.

After meditating for 20 minutes using the "so hum" breathing technique (breath in through your nose thinking "so" and out through your nose thinking "hum") I focussed on today's principle: Moksha which means I am emotionally free.

Chopra talks about the different emotions and how they capture and enslave us. The most destructive, he argues, is anger. He says that venting anger can only make things worse, that it does not produce freedom. Anger is the most destructive emotion because it creates the illusion that we are separate from others instead of one. When we are angry, or vent anger, we literally tear the fabric of the universe, the whole cloth into which we are all woven.

Instead of venting anger, better to deconstruct it--break down the anger so that I can take personal responsibility for it. He has a couple of different exercises for this, both of which are good, but I really don't know a better one than that set forth in the 12 steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous.

Step 4 is to do a searching and fearless moral inventory. The classic "Big Book" way to do it is to identify the emotion, say anger, then put who you're angry with and briefly why you're angry. Then write out what this anger or resentment affects (my personal relations, pocketbook, sense of self, whatever). Then, and this is the most important part, what is my part in the resentment or anger? Where have I been self-seeking, selfish, dishonest or fearful.

IF I do this relentlessly with every bad emotion, it brings me true emotional freedom because the only thing that I can control is my part. I can't do anything about other people's parts. Nothing at all.

If things are challenging today, here is a Sutra statement: Imagine that you are free from blaming, free from feeling blame or guilt.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Day 4 (2nd round) Letting Go and Letting God

by Sara S. Nichols RScP

Day 4 Deepak Chopra's daily meditations on how to discover your "Synchrodestiny" out of his book, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence.

After meditating for 20 minutes using the "so hum" breathing technique (breath in through your nose thinking "so" and out through your nose thinking "hum") I focussed on today's principle: San Kalpa which means My intentions have infinite organizing power.

Reading more about this principle, the most important thing I take away from it today is "let go and let God." In other words, once I have set my intentions, I don't need to "do" anything about them. My intentions have infinite organizing power. Once they are set, all I need to "do" is to concentrate on conscious connection with the one infinite intelligence.

The two greatest tools I have for letting go are meditation and gratitude. I start my day with at least 20 minutes of meditation and I end it with writing a list of 20 things I'm grateful for.

If things are challenging today, here is a Sutra statement: Imagine that your intention is orchestrating the activity of the universe, counterbalancing the whole ecosystem.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Prosperity Prayer and My Peace

Hi Everyone,

Teri here. I thought I would share a Prosperity Prayer that Alma received from Joseph. Alma and I are working with this 2-3 times a day and while I don't have any big money miracles to report yet, I do feel much more peaceful. Actually peace is wonderful abundance and I am very grateful for it!

Dear God —

I surrender my financial affairs and concerns about money to your Divine care and love.

I ask that you remove my worries, anxieties and fears about money, and replace them with faith.

I know and trust that my debts will be paid and money will flow into my life.

I have only to look to nature to see proof of the abundance you provide.

I release all negative thoughts about money, and know that prosperity is my true state.

I commit to being grateful for all that I now have in my life.

I learn to manage my finances wisely, seeking help where needed.

And finally, I ask you to help me understand my purpose in life and to act on that purpose with courage and strength. I know that prosperity will come, in part, by doing work I love. Please help me use my skills and knowledge to be of service in the world.

Thank you, God.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Day 8: The ultimate reality

Cycling back to day 1 again (second time through) of Deepak Chopra's daily meditations on how to discover your "Synchrodestiny" out of his book, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence.

After meditating for 20 minutes using the "so hum" breathing technique (breath in through your nose thinking "so" and out through your nose thinking "hum") I focussed on today's principle: Aham Brahmasmi which means The core of my being is the ultimate reality, the root and ground of the universe, the source of all that exists.

If I am feeling out of touch with this principle today, I can use these sutra statements to center myself:

Imagine that the whole universe is being played out inside you
Imagine that you are connected to everything that exists
Imagine that you are eternal

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Day 7: Accessing the Conspiracy of Improbabilities

Day 7 Deepak Chopra's daily meditations on how to discover your "Synchrodestiny" out of his book, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence.

After meditating for 20 minutes using the "so hum" breathing technique (breath in through your nose thinking "so" and out through your nose thinking "hum") I focussed on today's principle: Ritam which means I am alert, awake to coincidences and know that they are messages from God. I flow with the cosmic dance.

Chopra translates Ritam directly as "I am alert to the conspiracy of improbabilities."

I love this. It makes me think of another word, "pronoia" which is the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower you with blessings. Basically this principle builds on all the previous principles and is the whole point of this practice.

In identifying coincidences, our "nonlocal" intelligence (variously described as the unconscious mind) recognizes something of importance to us. Hence, there is no such thing as a "meaningless" coincidence. The mere fact that we notice something and label it a coincidence shows its meaning.

At any given point in our sensory field, we could choose to pay attention to any one of 100s of things. At this moment, I could pay attention to the noise of the shower my husband is taking, the crooked painting on the wall, the old teabag left in a saucer on the table, the wind moving the trees outside, my son getting himself a snack or the slight ache on the right side of my neck. I choose, instead, to pay attention to the computer on my lap, on which I am composing this post. If I choose to pay attention to any particular thing and notice that it "coincides" with something else in my consciousness, that is because for whatever reason that item is important to my subsconscious or nonlocal mind.

The goal of the synchrodestiny work is to follow this trail of breadcrumbs to my good. To notice where I am going and the many ways in which I am supported at all times. To relax and enjoy the journey.

If things are challenging today, here is a Sutra statement: Imagine that you are a contribution to the world.

Of course you are!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Day 6: I am giving birth to the gods and goddesses inside me

Day 6 Deepak Chopra's daily meditations on how to discover your "Synchrodestiny" out of his book, The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence.

After meditating for 20 minutes using the "so hum" breathing technique (breath in through your nose thinking "so" and out through your nose thinking "hum") I focussed on today's principle: Shiva-Shakti which means I am giving birth to the gods and goddesses inside me; they express all their attributes and powers through me

The basic concept on this one is that I embrace both the masculine and the feminine and all the faces of God and they can all express themselves through me.

If things are challenging today, here is a Sutra statement: Imagine that you are an enlightened being with infinite compassion.

Which is totally easy for me, as long as I have no interactions with anyone. Well, actually, then I'd feel guilty. It's impossible (but to be striven for!).