Intention

I am confused about how the saying goes. Is it "the road to hell is paved with good intentions or the road to heaven is paid with good intentions?" What is the reason I ask? Well, I have discovered what "intentions" are. They are what motivates us to do things. If you are not motivated to do it you will not do it. Example: I had every intention of going to that party, but time got away from me. First off if was a priority to you, you wouldn't have allowed time to get away. Second: If that party was of interest or a desire you would have been there. Intentions in truth come from the heart. So to say you intended to do something you are saying you are doing it with love. A better way would be to say it is "I thought about it" or "I meant to". Unless it truly comes from the heart. Than it is an intention, and every intention is followed through on. So it is my belief that if the saying is " the road to heaven is paved with good intentions". Than are perception about it is wrong.How so?
I let you think on that.

Being Grateful

I have been pondering all day about what to write on today's blog. Then my thoughts kept coming back to Thanksgiving day and what is it mean to be grateful to those I love. Most of us when we are asked about what we are grateful for, we are often grateful for the materialistic or physical things that we can see. It is not a bad thing that we are grateful for all those. Have you ever paused and thought for a moment of what you are really grateful for; may it be the love that you receive from your spouse, kids, parents, in-laws, friends, the lifestyle that you have, the peace and security that you have living in this country while others sacrifice their life for us. While it seems like we are only grateful for the good things that happen to us, we seem to forget to be grateful for the worst or mistakes in the past that happened to us. Those mistakes were the lessons that taught us to be who we are right now.

This Thanksgiving let us give thanks to the painful lessons or events in the past and be grateful for all things that have happened to us: the good and the bad, big or small; for everything happens for a reason. And be grateful for your Heavenly Father, the Universe, or God for sending you those lessons. Let us take time to thank those who love us and those we loved; appreciates the small things in life, the abundance of friendship, times, wisdom, love, opportunity, and be grateful to be alive everyday. Namaste.

Dark side of Appreciation

I learned about this on Sunday. After teaching the Steps to Gratitude class on Saturday I was open to learning more and I was informed about the dark side of Appreciation. Most of us don't see it as even being apart of Appreciation. It is what happens to distract us from achieving Grace. What is the dark side? Infatuation. When you appreciate something so much that you have to have it which than turns to must have; which may than turn into need. You are in infatuation now instead of appreciation. Once it becomes a need you now have an addiction. Here is an example: I appreciate a cup of coffee so much I would like to have more. I receive another cup of coffee and I am not satisfied so I will get another one. I have it but feel as if I need another. Hope this makes sense.

Inner Weather

Many people belief that what you are is what you handed genetically; may it be heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, obesity, depression, or osteoporosis. This belief system has been pass on for generation after generation, people belief that there is nothing that they can do to change this; it is in my gene and I have to accept it.

Well, according to Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. in his book The Biology of Belief, life is not controlled by genes but the environment. He realized that both the human body and the universe itself are mental and spiritual in nature. There’s a field of invisible energy with a total absence of physical properties that creates the particles that we call “cells,” and this invisible field is the sole governing function of the body.

Dr. Lipton understanding that our personal belief systems, including our perceptions, have the capacity to trump our genetic inheritance and our cellular DNA. In other words, what you are is what you believe, not what you were handed genetically. Your perceptions have the power to change your genetic makeup-your beliefs can and do control your biology.

How is this apply to me you might ask, by reseting your mind to the possibility that your beliefs carry far more weight than you realized in determining what you can, what you’ll undertake, and how far you’re capable of going, you can overcome all the excuses you have in your life about your health, diet, exercise, anxiety, and happiness.

If you are depressed, unsatisfied, unhappy with your life or you feel helpless and hopeless with your circumstances; then, take a moment to re-exam your life, and your beliefs. Maybe it’s time to let go of the old beliefs which didn’t serve you well, and embark upon the new belief and thought patterns, and witness the incredible change in your physical and spiritual life.

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. It is founded on our thoughts. It is made up of our thoughts. If one speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows one, like a shadow that never leaves.” –the Dhammapada.

inspiredlifesanctuary.com

Senses

With the cold season coming up many of us are dreading the possibilities of getting one. May I suggest taking a moment to enjoy the fact. I know this sounds strange especially when you don't feel well. Have you ever heard of when one of your senses is compromised the others will intensify? Example: If you are blind your hearing becomes better? Have you ever had a hang-over? When you woke up were your senses overly sensitive? This is kind of what happens with a cold, if you have a head cold your body aches do to compensation. It has to feel everything so you can process your world, since your brain can not do it. I challenge you to test my theory. The next time your nose is clogged see if your eyesight seems a little sensitive.

Pilgrim Prospect- Being IN Balance

Have you ever felt like there is more to life than what you know, or you are here on earth for a greater purpose. This yearning leads us to our spiritual quest. Some will turn to wealth, prestige, drugs, sex, alcohol, gambling, or sports to fill the void in their life. We are seeking the spiritual from the materialistic or outside world instead of from the inside.

Do you see heaven in your daily life? Many times you tend to focus on the physical or material world too much that you lost sight of the spiritual world; hence, you are out of balance.

When you are out of balance, you see yourself in a false manner. Your true essence is spiritual, rather than physical, but you’re unable to recognize this. When you find the balance point, you experience heaven right here on earth.
You can begin to equalizing your material and spiritual life by making a conscious decision to look for the unfolding of Spirit in everything and everyone you encounter. You can see nature, people, and events with the new lenses. When you allow yourself to see through filters in your lenses and your thoughts, you will notice pure love vibrating right before your eyes. You will see the world with new light and understanding.

Sogyal Rinpoche observed that two people have been living in you all of your life. One is ego and the other is the hidden spiritual being whose still voice of wisdom you have only rarely heard or attended to.

You can restore some balanced in your life by looking for Heaven everywhere and listening and attending to that hidden spiritual being that is within you at all times. Then and only then you will fill the void in your life.
inspiredlifesanctuary.com

Seeing Within – Intuition for Greater Self-Knowledge

Hunches, ‘gut’ feelings, listening to your heart, personal revelation, and insight – these are ways of describing that ability we all possess yet often discount – intuition. Intuition can be used for more than getting a glimpse of the future. Creativity, self-improvement and inspired action all come from listening to our intuition.

What is Intuition? The dictionary definition of intuition is “quick and ready insight;” and “the act or process of coming to direct knowledge without reasoning or inferring.” It is derived from the Latin word “intueri” which means “to see within.” It is a way of knowing, of sensing the truth without explanations.

Whatever we don’t understand we tend to put on a pedestal, treat as a god or a devil. It can be quite frustrating when we are GETTING the message, but NOT GETTING any logical reasoning along with it. When a person first becomes alert to intuitive messages it may seem disturbing not to understand the importance or unimportance of the messages.

By following through on your everyday hunches, you are actually taking test drives, virtually honing in on your listening skills. These skills will serve you well. Everyone is apparently intuitive, but many people have flabby intuitive muscles. Learning to listen to your inner dialog tones and strengthens this muscle. The more you use your intuition the better you get at it. When we choose to ignore our gut instincts, we are only hurting ourselves.

Listening to your intuition is the essence of art and creativity and soulful living. Intuition is what you use to find the purpose of your life and your place in the world. Once you awaken your inner guide by unlocking the wisdom of your subconscious mind, you already know what to do. Being objective is harder when you are emotionally involved. It is more mature to admit your emotions as a factor than to deny them.

True or Truth

Most individuals believe that they are one and the same or that they are interchangable according to the way it may be used in a sentence. Such as "Is it True the sky is blue?" verses "In Truth the sky is blue." In my experience though "True" is an outer world reflection where as "Truth" is an inner world belief. How this works is what you preceive as "True" in your outer world will become "Truth" in your inner world as that is what you believe. Hence, somethings that you believe, may in "truth" be wrong. How will you know? by the worlds definition "true" means an indisputable fact. In other words for anything to be "true" in this world you have to prove it and in order for you to have truth it must have been proven.

Let's smell lemon

Lemon is the most common household items that you can find, not only it is easy to find and available in any season; it also is one of the most beneficial to your health. Lemon has been used to fight scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) in Christopher Columbus day, fight food poisoning, malaria, lower blood pressure, help with liver problem, arthritis and muscular aches and pain.

The citrus smell of lemon helps boost your memory; this is very beneficial for students when studying for the test. You can put a drop of lemon on your palm and inhale it before study, and at the end of your study. Before you take the test smell the lemon, it will trigger your memory. The research showed that using lemon before the test increases scores by 50 percent.

Any citrus fragrance especially lemon promotes clarity of thought and purpose. It is invigorating, enhancing and warming your spirit. It is great for depression, stress, increase mental accuracy and concentration. A University in Japan found that diffusing certain aromas in an office environment dramatically improved mental accuracy and concentration. Diffused lemon resulted in 54 percent fewer errors, jasmine 33 percent fewer errors, and lavender 20 percent fewer errors.

Besides being anticancer, antiseptic, improving microcirculation, and an immune stimulant, it helps with urinary tract infections, parasites, obesity, sore throat, and digestive problem. Lemon oil has been widely used in skin care to cleanse skin and reduce wrinkles and acne. It works extremely well in removing gum, wood stains, oil, and grease spots.

So, when you feel down or beat at the end of the day, when you are studying for your exam and feeling overwhelm, or the thought of upcoming holiday depresses you. Take a moment to take a deep breath and smell the lemons.

The Flaming Tree

I believe fire is the element of celebration,when you are excited or enthusiastic about something there is a fire that burns within. Do you know what this feels like? It is completely different feeling then acid reflex. It's a warmth that starts in the middle of your stomach than spreads gradually through your body, as it does this you feel like you are going to turn into a puddle. When it reaches the top of your head it brings this chill that runs right up your spine this has you giggling. If you don't recall this feeling or haven't felt it I suggest you follow these instructions.

The Flaming Tree
Visualize a tree of fire (not it being on fire totally different feeling, blazing against the night sky. Against the darkened sky the true looks like a Fourth of July fire work.

Imagine each of the leaves bursting into flame to represent each amazing and ahhh inspiring experience you have had. As each leave burst recreate the feeling of each experience (such as graduating from high school, birth of a child, riding a roller coaster, a trip to Disneyland, paying off a bill.) Notice how full your tree of fire is with leaves. You have many reasons to celebrate. Enjoy these joyous moments even as they fade, feel the warmth and exhilaration you now feel.

Memory Enhancement

I recently came across an interesting article on orgasm and health. According to Dr. Oz, having 200 orgasms a year will reduce your physiologic age by six year and improve you mind, body and soul. One of the many benefits of this is improving your memory due to the increasing amount of blood flow and oxygen to your brain. So you see, sex is pleasurable and also keep you healthy, have more SEX.

Keeping your energy flowing is also help to boost your mind and keep it active. I learned this exercise several months ago; it was very beneficial then as it is now. This exercise is called pumping your memory:

1) Place your right hand over your left heart chakra (your chest).
2) Place your left hand above your ear (on the side of your head) with fingers point upward.
3) Take a deep breath into your nose and out of your mouth 3 times.
4) Move your left hand and place it at the back of your head fingers point up and repeat the same breathing.
5) Place your left hand over your right chest.
6) Place your right hand over your forehead and take 3 deep breaths.
7) Move your right hand above your right ear (on the side of your head) and take 3 deep breaths.
Practicing this at least one or twice a day will keep your memory sharp and be able to recall what you learn more accurately.

However, the most important thing is to keep your nervous system free of interference. Without interference, the communication or information between your brain and the rest of your body is free flowing; every organ is function at it best. And finally, be positive, meditate at least 10-15 minutes per day, letting go of your emotional junks, get a good night sleep and listen to your body.

The Shift from Ambition to Meaning

I recently watched the movie- The Shift, by Wayne Dyer.
I actually decided to watch it twice because the first time I got so much out of it that I forgot all the inspiring "Ah-Ha" moments that I was having. The second time I was prepared with a pen & paper.

I would like to share a thought about the concept of shifting from Ambition to Meaning. Those that know me, would say that I am a go-getter. I like to accomplish tasks and accumulate achievements. I have always considered myself as Ambitious. I have realized that being ambitious is not serving me well. What does serve me well is living with Meaning or Purpose in my life.

When living with Meaning, Life is complete. It takes the "need to do something" out. Accepting and Trusting that everything happens at its perfectness. It is a Life of Bliss, Joy, Happiness, Love, and Grace.

When living without Meaning, Life feels like a continuous chore- going from task, to task, to task- always searching for something else to do, get done, or accomplish in order to full-feel a void. What is the void? Individual/personal Meaning.

What feels better to you? Continuously paddling up-stream in a river, exhausted and frustrated that you are not going anywhere. Or, allowing the float to take place and enjoying life as it comes to you.

I have experienced both scenarios at times in my life, and now thanks to Wayne Dyer's reminder, I choose to float the river. Those that have not yet seen the movie- The Shift, I recommend it.

With Love,

Daniel Hansen
Inspired Life Sanctuary

Shimmering Self

I read that Peacocks are ancient Indian symbols of transcendence-- their shimmering plumage was thought to be the result from eating snakes and transmuting the poisons into colors. How does this apply to us? Well, emotions such as envy and jealousy can be poisonous and corrosive especially if you allow them to take over. By transmuting the poison from with in than your inner beauty will shimmer through more brightly. I hear you "How" do you transmute the poison. The answer is simple, "Stop feeding it". I say the answer is simple I did not say the process is simple. It can become simple with practice.