leahbrier.com » spirituality

How to be alone

leah — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:50:15 +0000

Found via Susannah Conway who found it via Vivienne McMaster

Princlples for life

leah — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:35:32 +0000

These are the 5 Reiki principles ingrained in the amazing healing technique, but they have become goals that I set for myself every morning.

Just for today, I will not be angry.
It’s not a matter of never getting angry, but rather, when anger creeps in try to deal with it accordingly and then let it go.

Just for today, I will not worry.
Again, there is no way to absolutely avoid worrying, but rather than worry about what happened before or what will happen next, be present and let the worry pass.

Just for today, I will be grateful.
Be grateful for simple things and as well as the things in the larger scheme of life. Even difficult things can give way to things such as thanks, forgiveness, smiles, good words or gratitude — all things that worth being grateful for.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Believe in the work being done and do that work respectfully. Life should be lived honorably and with a head held high.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
Bring loving-kindness into every personal encounter. Treat things as you would treat people, and as you would like to be treated in return.

images via Little Garden

Resolution review

leah — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:05:22 +0000

It’s March 1st and it’s time to take a look back at the road I set out for back in January. That means it’s time to check in on my progress with my New Year’s resolutions.

1. Wear high heels
I made it through January, I believe I wore high heels at least 6 out of the 7 days a week. It was great, until the snow started at the end of the month into February. Because of that I have adjusted this resolution, which I was telling myself was to wear high heels EVERYDAY, to attempt to wear high heels whenever possible and appropriate. It really is a great confidence boost and a great workout, especially downtown on those cobblestone streets!

2. Find a man who buys me flowers
Still working on it. Maybe I should hire some help! Accepting hydrangeas at all times!

3. Add to my collection of Buddhas
I haven’t added to my collection but I have a few Buddha’s that I am interested in purchasing including this Buddha candle and this adorable fuchsia Buddha pillow.

4. Concentrate, meditate, negotiate
A huge change has occurred in my life with the discovery of Reiki, the ancient Japanese spiritual healing method. It has renewed my faith that health and happiness is an active, hands-on, extreme sport, not a passive waiting game. I have been sharing Reiki with everyone who is interested and writing a lot about my experience both here on my blog and privately. I think the best lesson I have learned while meditating is the beauty of personal mantras. I share a few more common mantras every so often here and here, but I have come up with a few that really help me center myself when times are tough. I AM A STAR THAT SHINES GRACEFULLY.

5. Buy a proper vacuum
Done! I didn’t buy it per se, I got another hand-me-down, but much lighter, vacuum from my parents and it works great! In addition to regular vacuuming I also lint brush my new couch, which is white and collects a lot of hair and fuzz, on a weekly basis!

6. Floss
Still hate it, but doing it everyday and….yeah, it’s just flossing — nothing too fabulous to report here!

Monday mantra

leah — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:52:19 +0000

Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu — May the world be blessed with eternal peace and goodwill.

Just a reminder: If you are interested in trying Reiki please let me know. I would love to set up some appointments and share as much as possible about this powerful universal life energy!

Come one, come all!

leah — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:02:41 +0000

I received the miraculous gift of being trained and attuned to practice Reiki Healing yesterday and I am so incredibly humbled and grateful for the experience. The magnificent Lisa Levine trained a group of 5 of us and it was just an amazing day. Here are some highlights:

1. I can now properly describe what Reiki really is (which is a HUGE relief!)

2. I can now practice Reiki on myself and others

3. The universal life energy is forever sealed in me, I will be able to carry this life force, and share it for the rest of my life (and maybe lives to come!?)

4. Atole, the sweetest, Reiki attuned, dog in the whole world spent much of the day learning with us

If you are interested in being a guinea pig in my first few weeks of practicing and playing with Reiki energy, please let me know. I would love to set up some appointments and see this baby fly! If you have any questions about Reiki pleasefeel free to ask — I am open to help and share as much as possible about this powerful healing tool and universal life energy!

Universal life energy

leah — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:17:14 +0000

[[Show as slideshow]]

I am starting to take a more active approach to my health and happiness. Doctors, some forms of therapy and even my yoga practice has become a more passive experience to becoming healthier and more fulfilled. In an effort to take control I have started going to Lisa Levine, an incredible Reiki master, for both Reiki and breath work. Lisa is helping me unlock my highest self, the person inside all of us that can help us get through the rough times and who shines though during the easy, breezy moments of life. Lisa is also an incredibly talented artist, above is some of her work from her site. You can also buy t-shirts with her art!

I’m going for Reiki 1 training this weekend so I will be able work on my own healing and begin to share my knowledge with other people. I am so excited!

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is an ancient laying-on of hands healing technique that uses the life force energy to heal, balancing the subtle energies within our bodies. Reiki addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances. The Reiki practitioner serves as a vessel that supplies healing energies where they are most needed by flowing out of the practitioner’s body through the palms of the hands and sent through to the recipient.

Release your tension

leah — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:02:39 +0000

I learned in yoga part of the essence of yogic philosophy is ingrained in the concept of “Attention without Tension”. I was immediately struck by how poignant that thinking is for my life, and probably for many people. Usually when there is something I have to pay a lot of attention to I very tense, I even get tension headaches. But this way of looking at it helps lift that weight. I feel like I can now apply the same level of attention but release the sense of impending doom/tension that gets the better of me.

Arnold Patrick Martin’s ‘Ring Tension’, above, is a beautiful piece the exemplifies, to me, this idea of how tension and attention can, and should, work together rather than being diametric and opposing opposites in our lives! know I have to apply a lot of attention to, I get very tense of me. Phew!

When the moon is in the twelfth house

leah — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:54:16 +0000

It’s my birthday and I can’t sleep — story of my life! Call me crazy, but this seemed like the perfect time to do what I had to do — read my horoscope. The scary part? Some of it really resonates me and sounds like me, while some is complete hooey. Who cares though, this is what birthdays are about!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY also goes out to my brother from another mother Jeff Hughes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Dempsey, Orlando Bloom and Connie Lui‘s brother!

Naima from America's Next Top Model as Capricorn

Sun in Capricorn, Moon in Pisces

Your astrological combination indicates a quiet, undemonstrative individual. You are retiring by nature and prefer domestic activities. A somewhat passive person, you require a stronger force or person to move you out of your state of psychological inertia. Much about you is concentrated and inner-directed.

You seek integrity of self. You make a good friend and confidant, for you never reveal a secret that has been told to you. But you don’t allow friends and associates to penetrate beneath your outermost mask. You deal well with people in unfortunate positions, because they arouse the compassion inherent in your Moon influence. Under favorable circumstances, your psychic and mystic tendencies could be awakened. The key to a more harmonious existence lies in using your organizing ability to establish a more active life. You possess a high degree of innate ambition and perseverance.

Ascendant in Pisces, Neptune in the Tenth House

At the time of your birth the zodiacal sign of Pisces was ascending in the horizon. Its ruler Neptune is located in the tenth house. Usually, because of the dual nature of this sign, your experiences seem always to oscillate between two extremes. Emotionally, you may become confounded and perplexed when your soul is torn between opposite attractions. Your temperament is, nevertheless, kindly and able to appreciate the most subtle emotional experiences.

You are inclined to introverted living – reserved and retiring. You would do well to gear your life to occupations where your creativeness can be expressed freely.

Your life will be replete with flux and change, and yet this will not be a source of annoyance as you are most adaptable to situations.

Essentially, you are expansive, guided by intuition and emotion, and falling very easily into elated or depressive moods.

You have a natural ability to perceive from unknown sources where the mind does not intervene. Such an ability, unfortunately, is usually misunderstood or has little application in life. If you do become involved in art, however, there are very good prospects for success as a painter, musician, writer, or poet.

Your sexual life will be highly varied and intense. When you fall in love, you feel as if the limitations of your personality are dissolving and you are receptive to everything that exists.

You need a strong hand to protect you and lead you into the practical world. Generally, you have inclinations and tendencies for the following: professions dealing with occult matter or mediumships, religion, seafaring, acting, psychometry, clairvoyance, painting, poetry, mysticism, and espionage.

The ruler of your life events, Neptune, here, is an indication that you may find it hard to determine definite goals in your life. Most of your effort will be expanding climbing the social ladder by obscure and mystical methods, and it might be difficult to obtain material success.

Saturn in the Ninth House

Saturn was found in the ninth house at the time of birth. This indicates that your concern over the impermanence of all things will urge you to restrict your personality traits and assume a position of caution and planning before pursuing any important matter.

In a practical sense, your attitude to all higher intellectual functions is that of a studious, serious, and meditative person. You must, however, be attentive to the possible presence of several challenging elements in your intellectual make-up such as depression, fear, and severity.

Sun in the Eleventh House

The Sun was found in the eleventh house at the time of birth. In general, this is a favorable position. Throughout your life you will receive assistance from persons occupying superior positions in life. After middle age there are strong possibilities that you will gain in reputation and esteem through relationships with people of prominence. Destiny may grant you sufficient strength of character and even opportunities to carry out your wishes to their utmost.

Spiritually, you seem to have a loyal disposition and you are straightforward and honestly oriented. You’re very well aware, however, of a sense of superiority and dignity.

Venus in the Eleventh House

Venus was found in the eleventh house at the time of your birth. Your aspirations in life are very aesthetically oriented. You strive for peace and harmony and if it were left up to you the whole world would be more humane, kind, and considerate. In your more personal relationships, Venus gives you the capability of obtaining substantial gain and assistance through your friends, who will desire to assist you with the best of intentions.

Moon in the Twelfth House

The Moon was in your twelfth house at the time of birth. Secretly, you enjoy a love of romance and adventure that lends a bit of excitement to your daydreaming. It is possible that the little popularity that you may enjoy in this life will be from some very reserved and secretive circles where your merits are recognized.

It can be expected that you will be successful in positions that call for solitude or remote locations.

Moon Conjunct Ascendant

The Moon conjunct the Ascendant shows that you have some emotional hangups. You want close, intimate contacts with others, but you tend to keep people at arm’s length because you are afraid you will become obligated to them.

You are a mass of contradictions – making demands on people but complaining when they do the same to you; expecting others to make overtures to you and withdrawing when they do. Although you are highly imaginative, you react to stimulating people in a generally negative and critical way.

On the surface you are independent, but you yearn for a quieter role in which you can enjoy the comfort of knowing that someone really cares for you. This can only happen when you lower your defensive barriers and learn to compromise by meeting people halfway.