Heidi DuPree

Thursday, January 26, 2017

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!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

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.

Monday, January 2, 2017

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!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Two Bronze Medal Winners in the 2016 Readers' Favorite Book Awards

"The world wouldn't be complete without ALL our stories." ~ Jacqueline Woodson, Each Kindness

I am thrilled to announce that The Other Medicine That Really Works won a bronze medal in the Health-Medical category from the 2016 Readers' Favorite Book Awards, and Awaken Your Greater Health won a bronze medal in the Spiritual category. Both books have won numerous awards, including a Silver medal in the 2015 Nautilus Book Awards for Awaken Your Greater Health.

Health at its highest expression is not just the absence of disease and illness symptoms. It comes from living from your heart instead of living in fear or living small. The stories, techniques and information in these books can help readers unleash the energy being used to just survive, enabling them to thrive and experience true power, health and happiness.

Readers' Favorite receives thousands of entries each year from contestants that range from first time self-published authors to New York Times bestsellers, and has earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Penguin and Harper Collins. Readers' Favorite has received the Best Websites for Authors and Honoring Excellence awards from the Association of Independent Authors and is fully accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating.

I am deeply honored by this recognition and the opportunity it affords to bring the message of hope and healing to more people who need it.

Unfortunately someone took my copy of The Other Medicine That Really Works from the display so I didn't have it for the ceremony or pictures. But I do hope they enjoyed it! Here is a video I put together with clips from the awards ceremony in Miami, Florida:

Heidi DuPree is an award-winning author, holistic nurse, Certified Traditional Naturopath, and transformational entrepreneur with a deep appreciation of nature, a passion for knowledge and a mission to challenge how we think of medicine. She is the founder of the DuPree School of Energypathy Healing®, an online school that offers courses to highly sensitive women who wish to master their energy, and programs leading to certification in Energypathy Healing®.

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

Monday, October 17, 2016

How to Reset Your Life

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." ~ Oprah Winfrey, What I Know For Sure

In September 2016 I took a week off from work and designed a much needed "retreat" for myself, scheduling activities each day that would contribute to my growth. These activities included communing with nature, meaningful social connections, activities from a self development online course I was taking, and meeting with both my healer and my coach by Skype. I playfully named my retreat "Heidipalooza" and embraced each day with zeal.

It was no coincidence that I scheduled this retreat to coincide with a full moon lunar eclipse and the fall equinox predicted to bring in another wave of ascension-level energies. (For more about ascension, click HERE. ) I knew I would need some space in my life to process and integrate what was to come. But I had no idea how profound the experience would be. Because by the end of the week, I experienced a complete reset of the way I work in the world-- from in-person, to online...from local, to global. This is no small thing, considering I have been working pretty much the same way in the same room for over 20 years.

I've written extensively about endings and beginnings in my award-winning books, and I've experienced them in my life. But nothing prepared me for how dramatic this change would be.

What is a Reset?

A reset is like an inner earthquake. It may seem that an earthquake is a single, isolated event. But an earthquake is the end result of many years of built-up tension along a fault line. The release of that tension produces the event. And once the dust settles from an earthquake, we can usually see that the ground has repositioned. It is the same for an inner earthquake. Immediately after a life reset, we may find our worldview repositioned. That shift will likely include changes in our mental and spiritual beliefs, a shift in our emotional state, and bodily changes - all for your highest good.

In physics a reset like I experienced is known as a "quantum jump" - a sudden leap from one state to another without any discernible process in between. One day I worked the same way I always have, and the next day I no longer had any desire to work that way. A quantum leap is by its nature unpredictable and unexpected. But when it happens there are some things you can expect.

After a reset you may experience the following:

Change in viewpoint. Overnight, you may see difficult situations in your life in a whole new light. Solutions to problems that you couldn't solve can seem suddenly obvious.
More in the present moment. You may become less preoccupied with the past and the future and find yourself more in the present moment.
Less judgmental and critical of self and others. Behaviors of others that were previously intolerable to you may no longer bother you as you become disengaged from drama and more accepting of yourself and others.
Health. You may experience a shift in your health with sudden positive changes in your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual states. Change is never isolated to one aspect of our life. We are mental, spiritual, physical and emotional beings and change affects every level. Along with my work reset, I also experienced a sudden positive shift in my eating habits -- and that's not a coincidence!
Irreversible. When you experience a reset, it will feel like you can't go back to your previous state - even if you wanted to. The change is "one-way."
Push-back. Change creates discomfort in those you are connected to. This is understandable and requires a compassionate response, not guilt that you have changed!

Create Your Own Retreat

Although I was largely unaware of it, I was apparently ready for a reset of my work life. Because these inner shifts that product dramatic outer change do not happen unless we are ready - whether we are aware of that readiness or not. In the same vein, you can't control a reset or decide when it will occur. But what you can do is create space in your life for growth, engage in healing activities... and let go of the outcome.

You don't have to take a week off from work to create a retreat. The important thing is to seek out activities that contribute to your growth. These activities will help you move toward the changes you want in your life.

Get help. See a professional who specializes in personal growth and healing, such as a healer or a life coach.
Detox. Drink more water and eliminate processed food from your diet. Eat more raw food.
Eliminate Clutter. Spend some time clearing clutter out of your home environment.
Unplug. Try unplugging from social media and disengaging from any social interactions that are negative.
Plug in. Choose to interact with positive people who raise your spirits and your energy. Spend time in nature, especially with your shoes off to ground with the Earth. Deep breathe for ten minutes at a time. Meditate.

Celebrate Life!

I started my Heidipalooza in the spirit of rejuvenation. The change it facilitated has not been easy for me or the people I am connected to. But life transitions do not have to be serious or heavy either. Change, no matter how uncomfortable, can be fun if we approach it as such. I choose to celebrate all the changes in my life, big and small!

Saturday, October 8, 2016

The Power of Self Tenderness

"There is nothing as strong as tenderness. And nothing as tender as strength."
~ Saint Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

No matter how much money I have in my bank account, I tend to feel some anxiety when I'm checking my balance, or paying my bills. This morning was no exception. As I felt the anxiety creeping in, I began talking to myself out loud in the same soothing voice I would use for a loved one who was fearful. Almost immediately I felt myself relax. Amazing! Could it really be that simple? Well... yes and no. It is as simple as talking to yourself with kindness. But making the shift to doing so can be challenging. Because for many of us, negative self-talk is deeply ingrained.

For sensitive persons who are awakening and growing, who are usually also empathic and have a lightworker purpose (read HERE to find out if you are an empath) learning how to talk lovingly to self is the mastery phase of the ascension process. This is because loving self-talk is a master key to health

Although we talk lovingly to our pets, children in our lives and other loved ones, it may feel "wrong" to treat yourself tenderly. You may have never even considered this before, the disparity between how you treat yourself and how you treat your loved ones. We tend to exclude ourselves from our circle of loved ones! But the truth is, in order to truly love others, you must align yourself with self-love. Because kindness is the healing salve for your wounds (more about that HERE)

How to Talk To Self With Tenderness

Here are some tips to learning how to be tender with yourself:

Tone and Energy. Talk to yourself using the same soft tone and energy that you would use for a child, a beloved pet, or a dear friend. Cherish yourself by showing tenderness.
Words. This self talk could be anything from "Sweetie" or "Honey" to "You can do this. I believe in you."
Know that it may feel awkward to talk to yourself this way - like trying to be affectionate with a stranger. Because many people are so estranged from themselves they do feel like a stranger! If you are just starting a relationship with yourself, it can take time - just as it takes time to get to know anyone new in your life.
Imagine someone you care about in distress. What do you feel? The caring feeling accompanied by an expansive feeling in your chest is compassion. Now transfer that feeling of compassion to yourself.

Tender Self-Talk Vs Narcissism

I want to make a point here that tender self-talk is not narcissism! A narcissist's self-talk would be more like "I am better than others." Being tender with yourself is about treating yourself as well as anyone else, not treating yourself as superior to others.

The Power of Self Tenderness

Self-love has a powerfully positive effect on your health and well-being. And here's why: Loving yourself aligns you with the truth of who you are. This is a universal truth - you are lovable and acceptable always and forever, no matter what. When you deny yourself love and acceptance, this produces a state of disharmony which disrupts the flow of your energy. And the state of your energy determines the state of your health.

When you are tender with yourself, your energy instantly shifts to a state of harmony, which is your natural state of health and well-being. This is why I immediately felt myself relax when engaging in tender self-talk during an anxious episode.

Tenderness is powerful medicine - energy medicine, what I refer to as The Other Medicine That Really Works.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

How to Deal With Your Inner Bully

"The worst bullies you will ever encounter in your life are your own thoughts."
~ Bryant H. McGill, Voice of Reason: Speaking to the Great and Good Spirit of Revolution of Mind

You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens. ~ Louise L Hay, You Can Heal Your Life

Recently I saw a video on Facebook about how to deal with a racist bully verbally attacking someone in public. In the video, this was a man verbally attacking a Muslim woman. This is my interpretation of the video recommendations:

Do not make eye contact or engage with the bully in any way.
Go straight to the person being bullied and introduce yourself with a smile.
Do not treat them like a victim or act like a rescuer. Doing so just reinforces the bully in the victimizer role. Instead treat the person being attacked with kindness and caring by engaging in a pleasant conversation. For example, ask them about a movie they've seen recently or a book they've read. Focus on them exclusively and act like the bully isn't even there. This withdraws energy from the conflict and expands the energy of kindness.
If the bully does not leave, ask the person if they would like to leave, such as going to get a cup of coffee.

After watching this video, it occurred to me that this was excellent advice for any kind of verbal bullying - both internal and external!

Do you have an inner bully?

Do you have an inner voice that throws your fears in your face, questions your decisions and calls you names - like stupid, silly, ridiculous or crazy? That's your lower self, also known as your ego. It's the part of you that is controlling and fearful. It says it's protecting you, but it's really keeping you small. How can you tell if an inner voice is your lower self? Simply this: It's the voice that makes you feel bad about yourself.

To deal with this inner bully, you can use the same guidelines as the video:

Do not engage with your inner bully. Do not confront or argue with this inner voice. Don't focus on it or give any energy to it.
Go straight to the part of you that is wounded in the energy of loving kindness. Start a loving conversation with yourself, reminding yourself of all your positive attributes. Recall specific memories that empower you. As in...remember the time that you ____ and how good you felt about yourself...
Do not feel sorry for yourself or treat yourself as a victim. And don't view your lower self as a victimizer. Doing so just reinforces these disempowering roles. Instead, redirect the energy by treating yourself like your own best friend.
If the inner voice persists, immerse yourself in a pleasant activity. Focus on any sights, smells, sounds and the physical sensations of this activity. What you focus on grows. What you withdraw your focus from dissipates.