Why You Shouldn't Even Try to Figure Things Out

       "A brain-focused state creates an energy imbalance that compromises health. When we focus on our heart, our heart actually begins to manage the brain. When the heart is in charge, we are in our higher self and gain access to higher levels of health."  ~ Heidi DuPree, Awaken Your Greater Health

     "Keep your plans flexible. The Universe may have others ideas." ~ Diana Cooper, The Archangel Guide to Ascension

     I have been in the middle of a transition in my life since I "graduated" last year along with my youngest child. This end of parenting a minor has prompted a number of changes in my life. The way I work in the world has changed dramatically, from local to global. And I've created an online school of energy healing.

     I thought I had it all figured out. I mapped out this transition, planning every detail of what I expected to happen in the next year or two. I had already decided where I was going to live, when things were going to happen, and what it was going to look like.

     But here's the thing. When we try to find solutions or make plans by "figuring things out" we become brain-focused.  Sometimes solutions or insights do come through when we are thinking things through, but not if we're actively trying to figure it out!  Focusing on "thinking" and "figuring" keeps you in your mental self, separate from your emotional-spiritual self.  This limits the possibilities of how things can resolve and unfold.

     One moment I had it all figured out, and the next moment I realized I didn't know anything! All the plans I made were like a castle I had built in my mind. And now I could see that a castle built in the mind is not stable or sustainable. It was as if it was made of sand. A wave of energy from a total lunar eclipse had swept away my sand castle,  just as an ocean wave washes away everything on the beach with each tide.  Because I hadn't been heart-centered when I built it, and it wasn't in my highest good.

     I felt sad, realizing my plans had been swept away. I didn't make a conscious decision to let go of my plans. They were simply gone. When we ask for things in our life, we don't know how it will unfold. If we ask for happiness and simplicity, we may not realize what will be washed away in our life to create happiness and simplicity.  It may not be what we expected. And it may be painful.

     I had become attached to how I wanted things in my life to happen -- the where, the when and the how. So now that it was gone, I felt a sense of loss.  It was a death of expectations.

     It was time to get back to my heart.

Getting Back to the Heart

     It is far more effective to make decisions and live your life in a heart-centered state rather than a brain-centered state. This is because the heart is five thousand times more powerful than the brain and is a vital center of awareness, intuition and intelligence. When the heart is managing the brain, thinking and feeling states become more positive and we gain access to higher levels of health.

     When you realize you are in a brain-focused state, trying to figure things out, here's how to get to your heart.  I have created a technique for repositioning yourself to your heart called Energy Medicine First Aid.  You can receive a free text copy of this technique by subscribing at the bottom of any page of my website. Or you can download an audio meditation of this technique on Meditations to Awaken Your Greater Health   Here are some tips from Energy Medicine First Aid:

• Place your hands on your heart center located at the center of the upper chest.
• Breathe deeply as if you are breathing in and out of your heart center. 
• Make an audible sighing sound for the duration of each exhalation. 
• Say out loud some heart-centering affirmations, like: "No matter what, I am lovable, acceptable, and enough, just as I am." 

     I imagine myself now, sitting on the beach in a heart-centered state of surrender. The sand castles I built are gone with the tide that came in. And that's OK.  I will wait and see what the waves of energy wash up onto the shore to guide me. It could be anything, because the possibilities are endless!

Click HERE for the VIDEO version of this article.      

   

      For more energy healing solutions for sensitive and creative women, subscribe to this blog and go to my website to subscribe to my newsletter and receive a FREE recording "3 Keys to Removing the Blocks to Getting What You Want in Life" and a power-packed Energy Medicine Resource Bundle with handouts for my most effective energy healing skills! While you are there, check out my award-winning books and energy healing online courses that can teach you everything you need to know to live a healing way of life and awaken your greater health.

      Thank you for supporting this blog by using the amazon links embedded in this article for your purchases.  Your support is greatly appreciated! 

How the Divine Feminine Can Heal the Patriarchy

   "Divided, women perpetuate patriarchy. Together, women can heal patriarchy."
             ~ Megan Hollingsworth

     "Tbe deep Feminine, the mystery of consciousness, She who is life, is longing for our transformation as much as we are." ~ Lucy H Pearce, Burning Woman

     We are witnessing a modern re-emergence of the divine feminine after a millennia of suppression. The divine feminine is the highest expression of authentic feminine power and essence. But how can this expression of divine feminine heal the patriarchy? First, let's explore healthy masculine and feminine energy vs toxic. 

   
Masculine and Feminine Energy

     All of us, men and women alike, have healthy masculine and feminine energies that are equally valuable. 

     Although both men and women have these qualities, men are especially gifted with these masculine energy traits:

• independence
• focus
• integrity
• direction
• confidence
• strength
• logic
• freedom
• passion
• stability
• discipline 
• awareness

    Although both men and women have these qualities, women are especially gifted with these feminine energy traits: 

• affection
• tenderness
• radiance
• surrender
• empathy
• loving
• patience
• nurturing
• receptivity
• flow
• sensuality
• sharing
• intuition

     The problem is that in a patriarchal society where men have authority over women, these feminine  traits are viewed as "less than" and even held in disdain. This creates a toxic imbalance.  Let's explore this further 

Issues in Patriarchy

     Although patriarchal systems where men have authority over women have been in place for thousands of years, they are not based on inherent biological differences between men and women. Rather, they are a social construct. Systems that give men control and dominance over women cause an imbalance of power that permeates every facet of society, creating an environment ripe for abuse. 

    Without the balance of healthy masculine-feminine energy, the patriarchy fosters toxic masculine and toxic feminine energy. Toxic masculine energy is characterized by:

• aggressiveness and forcefulness
• competitiveness
• egocentricity
• mechanical approaches
• arrogance
• insensitivity
• spiritual emptiness
• greed

      Toxic feminine energy is characterized by:

• dependence
• neediness
• moodiness
• manipulation
• lack of focus
• excessive sentimentality 
• irrationality
• weakness

     In seeking gender equality and success in a patriarchal society, women disown their healthy feminine qualities and adopt toxic masculine traits. Not only does this not work for women, but it has far-reaching negative effects. 

     When women adopt unhealthy masculine traits, they live out of alignment with their authentic healthy feminine energy, which becomes suppressed. Suppression in energy systems has widespread effects on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. This is because health is a direct expression of energetic flow and frequency. When energetic flow is disrupted and energetic frequency is diminished through suppression, the result is poor health on every level.  In this state of energetic disruption, the intuitive, radiant gifts of women are blocked and diminished. 

     The use of unhealthy masculine approaches is especially toxic for highly sensitive women, spiritual women, and healers and coaches. For these more evolved women, the repercussions of living what amounts to a "lie" about who they are is even greater. The more conscious, the more awakened, and the more evolved we are -- the more we are unable to tolerate living in lack of energy flow with diminished frequency without physical, emotional, mental and spiritual consequences. I can tell you this from personal experience.  

     When I became a published, award-winning body-mind-spirit author, I was presented with fear-based, toxic masculine marketing programs that appealed to the ego, valued sales over service, and profits over passion. These toxic masculine traits were present even in marketing programs purporting to be spiritual! Although I observed other authors engaging in these programs seemingly without issue, each time I made an attempt to implement a toxic masculine approach, it would create tremendous disruption in my energy systems. Each encounter with these programs left me shaken and feeling like a failure. Ultimately I rejected these approaches entirely. 

     The good news is that the toxic imbalance and suppression created by patriarchy can be healed by women sharing their feminine gifts.  In Awaken Your Greater Health, I wrote about sharing my own gifts: "My goal is no longer how many books I sell. My 'goal' is peace, harmony and happiness. My ministry is to offer my awakened presence as a gift to hold the space for others to awaken from their amnesia- the same amnesia that I was afflicted with that made me forget that I am innately whole."

The Needs of Women

     When both men and women are present in an environment, what typically emerges is toxic masculine energy. This patriarchal effect is well-documented in business and educational settings. Men tend to become competitive, and can aggressively dominate discussions by interrupting and speaking over women. And males in authority positions tend to show favoritism in their actions and decisions, giving preference to the males under their authority rather than the females. 

     In a co-ed environment, more than likely women's needs simply are not met. Women need to feel COMFORTABLE, SAFE, and SUPPORTED. And that happens naturally when women connect to each other in women-only environments because:

• Women are hard-wired to relieve stress by nurturing other women.  
• Female friendships are vital to health, healing and well-being for women. 
• Women have a special gift for compassion, empathy and intuition that they naturally use with other women. 
• Female-only environments foster confidence in women.
• Women-only gatherings are therapeutic for women.
• Women simply feel safer in women-only environments.

    I recognize that men are also struggling with the toxic effects of patriarchy. But when a woman heals, that healing radiates to everyone she is connected to. When a woman heals, her radiance heals the world. In intentional women-only groups, the magic that happens is the emergence of the divine feminine.

    The Emergence of the Divine Feminine

     When women gather together in groups with the intention of healing, support and connection -- something amazing happens. Sharing begins. Intuition and nurturance flows. Energetic frequency rises. Mystical energy radiates. Healing happens. And women blossom. The magic that occurs is the emergence of divine feminine energy.

    The divine feminine is the highest expression of authentic feminine power and essence. These are the archetypes most frequently associated with divine feminine energy:

• Mother. You do not have to be a mother to embody divine mother energy. This highest expression of mother births and brings forth new life both literally and figuratively.  She is patient, devoted, selfless, forgiving, nurturing and unconditionally-loving to those she cares for.
• Goddess.  Goddess energy is the flow of wisdom, intuition and mysticism. She inspires, renews and guides others with grace and intuitive knowledge.
• Priestess. The priestess is connected to source and channels this divine energy for others. She facilitates the spiritual growth and conscious awareness of others through ritual and ceremony, and teaches through her personal example. 
• Lover.  Divine feminine lover energy is passionate, affectionate and deeply sensual. She appreciates beauty in all forms, and relishes sensory experiences.
• Warrioress.  Grounded, confident and calm, the warrioress is the selfless and courageous fighter for the highest good for all. She liberates and protects those in need. 
• Queen.  The Queen is the highest expression of feminine power and authority. She brings order and balance with compassion and a sense of fairness.

      You can call forth your own divine feminine energy by contemplating the qualities of these archetypes. Focus on the expressions of archetypal energy that you recognize in yourself now.  And then imagine what it would feel like to have qualities of the archetypes that you are less familiar with.  By imagining how you would think and behave if you embodied these archetypes, you bring forth more divine feminine qualities within yourself.
   
     Anyone can see that the world is deeply troubled.  We don't need more toxic aggression. The world needs the gifts that women have -- the gifts that emerge when women connect to each other in groups. 

      For more energy healing solutions for sensitive and creative women, subscribe to this blog and go to my website to subscribe to my newsletter and receive a FREE recording "3 Keys to Removing the Blocks to Getting What You Want in Life" and a power-packed Energy Medicine Resource Bundle with handouts for my most effective energy healing skills! While you are there, check out my award-winning books and energy healing online courses that can teach you everything you need to know to live a healing way of life and awaken your greater health.

   Thank you for supporting this blog by using the amazon links embedded in this article for ANY purchase.  Your support is greatly appreciated! 

    

What to Expect When You're Ascending

   "Each and every person who lives from their higher self raises the consciousness of the planet."
~ Heidi DuPree, Awaken Your Greater Health

     "When you're born, you get a kind of amnesia. One of the things we're doing on earth is remembering what we forgot."  ~ The Afterlife of Billy Fingers

      I have previously written a post about ascension symptoms, which occur during the process of "upgrading" to a higher vibrational frequency and a higher state of consciousness. You can read that article HERE.  But you may wonder what to expect once you've integrated that upgrade, and what it means to be at a higher level of consciousness. Because when you are going through a tumultuous ascension upgrade, it helps to know what awaits you on the other side!

     Here is an excerpt from the award-winning Awaken Your Greater Health on what to expect as you ascend.

You may experience a decrease or cessation altogether of the following:

• triggers
• worrying
• self-sacrificing
• negativity
• resistance
• judgment and criticism of self and others
• doubt, shame, guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger and pride
• fixing, care-taking, tricking, converting, impressing, cheerleading, rescuing, projecting and people-pleasing

You may experience an increase in the following:

• sense of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance
• expression of health
• ability to love and accept all aspects of self and others
• ability to see divinity in others and all situations
• recognition of signs and messages from spirit
• positive interpretations of life experiences
• sense of fulfillment, effectiveness and efficiency
• courage, neutrality, willingness, acceptance, reasonableness, love, joy, peace enlightenment and grace

You may experience a shift in the following that can change your identity and how you see yourself:

• from reactive to proactive
• from rigid and restricted, to expansiveness in body, mind and emotions.
• from outside-in orientation to inside-out
• from living in the past and projecting onto the future to being in the moment
• from lower-self authority over self to self-governance by spirit authority
• from materialism to spiritualism 
• from seeing and experiencing life as lacking to experiencing life as unlimited
• from surface orientation to deeper meaning of life
• from victim to creator, from persecutor to challenger, and from rescuer to facilitator
• from surviving to thriving

    The similarity between the title of this post and the title of the book What to Expect When You're Expecting is no accident. Because as pregnancy is an expectation of birth, ascension is an expectation of rebirth, a rebirth to a higher state of being.  If you are experiencing ascension symptoms, then you have chosen on a soul level to ascend and rebirth. And like birth, ascension can come in waves and involve uncomfortable "labor."

     Ascension is an incremental process that begins with an initial soul-level awakening. Awakening is waking up from illusions and false beliefs by remembering who we truly are - spiritual beings of energy and love! The awakening and ascension process involves a series of adjustments to higher vibrational frequencies. The increases, decreases and shifts outlined in this article give you an idea of what awaits you on the other side of each ascension "upgrade."  If you would like to read more about the experience of being in your higher self, click HERE. 

  For more energy healing solutions for sensitives and creatives, subscribe to this blog and go to my website to subscribe to my newsletter and receive a FREE recording "3 Keys to Removing the Blocks to Getting What You Want in Life" and a power-packed Energy Medicine Resource Bundle with handouts for my most effective energy healing skills! While you are there, check out my award-winning books, oracle cards and guided meditations that can teach you everything you need to know to live a healing way of life and awaken your greater health!

   Thank you for supporting this blog by using the amazon link embedded in this article for ANY purchase.  Your support is greatly appreciated!