Several years ago, at the Amma meditation retreat in Los Angeles, I ate lunch next to a woman named Marlana.  She had a light emitting from her energy field and it was enchanting.  We started talking and soon I sat back and just listened to her speak.  Both her wisdom and grace were astounding.  She was a master storyteller; worldly, educated and honest.  A friendship grew that day.  Although I never physically saw her again, we chatted on the phone often for several years.  I found out the other day that she passed away.  I have been crying ever since.  I know she is in a better place, but knowing that we will never speak again in the human realm-for now- leaves a void in my heart.  I ask myself, “How can someone I only saw once in my life leave me so grief stricken?”.

The answer that comes to me is that it’s not the number of times you are with someone but how they touch your heart and soul.  I believe she was one of my human guardian angels.  Marlana would always tell me to write and that my destiny was to share the truth about crystals, energy and ancient secrets with my soul brothers and sisters through the written word.  My entire life I have wanted to write.  However, my entire life I have run away from writing.

Why?  FEAR.  Psychologists say FEAR is our most primal emotion.  It is the way we avoid hurting ourselves. If this was true how could writing hurt me? The critic inside my head says what if it is not relevant? What if it doesn’t matter?  How do people get past fear?  Yogananda says to look fear in the face and it will cease to trouble you.  He said we must change ourselves if we want to be free from fear. 

Today I will look fear in the face and put the pen to paper.  Today my grief reminds me that a chance meeting years ago was not by chance; it was destiny. Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  Today be inspired to ask yourself, “what do I fear?”, and have the courage to change it. BE fearless, free yourself, free your soul and move forward it is liberating.

In memory of Marlana one of my spiritual teachers.  I will miss you dearly.

Namaste,

Heather.

Twenty five years ago, I went to see an aryuvedic doctor who told me that in order to achieve a balanced life, I needed to learn how to meditate.  He believed that the commitment and consistency of the practice would help me become more grounded.  At this time in my life, these two things were completely foreign to me: meditation and being grounded.  I was lost, and at a fork in the road.  My girlfriend told me about a weeklong retreat, in Canada, where I could learn how to meditate.  The week was comprised of a cleanse,  silence, a daily message, and long walks. 

At the time, it sounded perfect, so I booked the trip.  I soon learned that what I needed and what I wanted were two completely different things.  Upon starting the retreat, we were told that the week would be spent mostly in silence.  During meals, we could whisper, but the remaining time we were advised to “remain in silence, take long walks among nature, and just be”.  I had NO idea how to do any of these things; SILENCE (hello I live in - LA its all about go, go, go), MEDITATE (what’s that?), JUST BE (Huh?).  Needless to say, the retreat that I thought I wanted and needed became my worst nightmare.  I remember sneaking phone calls to my family and friends saying, “Get me out of here! What have I done?” 

During my meditation training, they told me I needed to meditate for 20 minutes, two times a day. This entailed sitting, breathing, and meditating on a word that was given to me.  I remember opening my eyes to look at the clock and 30 seconds had passed - UGGGHHHHHH.  Every few minutes I would open my eyes and ask, “Am I meditating yet?”  My teacher would smile and tell me to go back to “the word”.  Would the 20 minutes ever end?  I felt like I was in a torture chamber.  I understand that this seems dramatic since all I was doing was sitting, breathing, and saying a word over and over in my head for 20 minutes.  However at this point in my life, I had never done any of these things, especially at the same time, for 20 minutes.  After what seemed like an eternity, it was finally over.  The instructor smiled and said, “Very good.  I’ll see you tonight for your evening meditation.”   

The next 3 days were hard - very hard.  I was once again at a fork in the road.  Do I leave the retreat or do I stay?  I remember feeling uncomfortable, angry, and frustrated.  All the silence and limited food was really getting to me. 

On day 5, in my morning meditation,  I remember opening my eyes and 20 minutes had passed easily and effortlessly.  I had done the entire meditation without watching the clock or asking “am I meditating yet?”  I had experienced what everyone talks about, the bliss/the nothingness connection.  I was hooked!

I have been meditating for many years now and I can’t imagine starting the day without it.  It took time, commitment, and the desire of wanting something that brought me great peace.  Over the years when people ask, “what can I do to become happier, healthier and focused”, I recommend meditation.  It is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.  If you are at a fork in the road, find a meditation technique that you connect with and start.  Try doing it for 40 days consistently and feel what shifts within you. 

In the silence and breath we become clear.  As we stand at a fork in the road of life, we can see which path is ours to take…

Namaste
By Heather Askinosie

Entry by Heather Askinosie

Several years ago I used to have monthly chats with a wise woman named Taylor Cash.  I met her through a Kahuna I was training with in Hawaii.  On any given day Taylor and I would cover a variety of topics ranging from spirituality and family to world events and how to solve them if we could.  It always amazed me how she was always grounded and calm when at times life seemed full of chaos and struggle.  So one day I asked her, “How do you stay balanced?”  She shared with me three simple truths: “Keep it simple, Life is full of Ebbs and Flows and ALWAYS use good old common sense”.  If you practice these three things, you will always be fine.  Could it really be that simple?  Over time I found these truths to be very valuable.  When I keep things simple life has a lot more flow and a lot less ebb.  I found that when I applied common sense to problems or questions I wanted answered, the solutions seemed to be simple.  I started to always ask myself, “What would common sense do?”  I felt free, liberated and in the universal flow of life.  Some days I got off track and after some time I threw common sense out the door. 

Recently on a trip to Santa Fe with my brother, Shawn and sister in law, Caron, (who by the way make the best chocolate ever!! Check it out at www.askinosiechocolate.com ) I was reminded of Taylor and her wisdom.  Caron looked at life in a similar way.  One day I asked her if she had any truths that she lived by.  She said, “Yes. Keep it simple, be aware of your limitations, limit your stupid tax (LOVE this one) and use common sense”.  She added that when she gives herself time to think things through and be patient with herself, she is able to forecast the consequences of her decisions.  Shawn said that her title at the chocolate factory is Director of Common Sense.  This way of looking at life has saved her time, money and endless hours of spinning her wheels.

Is common sense a forgotten secret?  Is it so obvious that it’s being overlooked?  I realized that two very smart women who I respect that have never met before shared similarities.  They own themselves, listen and practice the art form of common sense. I have found out recently that when I get stuck in old patterns or am at a loss on how to move forward, I ask the question, “What would common sense do?”.  With time and space, good old common sense always leads me in the right direction.

How is your mojo? Feel like your sensual and sexual energy could use a little firing up?  I am a firm believer in setting the stage.  The colors red and rich burgundy, scream Hot, Hot, Hot. Candles with essential oils such as ylang ylang, patchouli, neorli rose and honeysuckle get the olfactory senses attention and ready for romance.

To activate your saucy energy inside wear sensual gemstones such as sunstone, carnelian and tigers eye. Indulge in some of your favorite chocolate, believed to be the food of the Gods. The options to a sensual new you are endless. Baths, massage, music, and romantic visualization are all energy enhancing ideas. Pick your passion or let your passion pick you. Have fun, be playful, laugh and love - always a winning combo.

*Pictured above

The Second Chakra is connected to sexuality, creativity and personal power.  When this Energy Center is re-aligned sexual intimacy and sensual pleasure are restored.

The Fire Bracelet represents vitality, strength and energy.  It opens and stimulates the forces and juices that lie within. 

The Attraction Bracelet is worn to attract love.  It helps to open the heart, expand romantic communication and enhance sexual attraction. 

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, ‘I’m here to help you, ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, “And think of me.”

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn’t erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan..

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.
         
   
There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: ‘You don’t owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.’

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written.  How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard….

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, “Everything’s going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.”
         
   
There is an old saying What goes around comes around. Pass this on, let the light shine.