High Fire, Wild Fire

In preparation for an annual conference, I decided to fast. I enjoy fasting and lead group fasting sessions as a way to help those not used to fasting and support experienced fasters. I find that every fast is different. Some are effortless, while others can be extremely challenging. This recent experience was a little of both.

The plan was seven days. Odd numbers for me anyway, are more powerful and I tend to work with herbs and rituals that encompass odd numbers. The week went by quite nicely, although in the midst of the week,we have been finalizing promotional materials. I have also been on spring break from classes, which is another reason I was excited to fast.I have started my Bikram yoga practice again and was able to two days while fasting, so needless to say, it was coming together.

On Thursday this week, one of my clients had a gig and we were up until about 5am working on the promo piece after that. When I finally went to sleep, I had strange dreams that included an accidental murder and band gig where the band got paid in meat.in the dream I ate a lamb chop.

I woke up extremely disorientated and had a "hit" that I had pushed to hard.I was able to get up and finish the remaining work and went off to work a double shift at the herb store.A little after 5pm, I felt it-a burning sensation in my upper abdomen. The pain was familiar, but not something I had experienced in over 10 years when I was diagnosed with an ulcer.

I became slightly concerned after the pain increased and resulted in dry heaving. For those not familiar that is when you throw-up but there is nothing in your system. None of the water or tea came up as it had been absorbed from fasting, so I took heed and ate something.

Ayurvedically speaking, I am considered high fire. I make decisions quickly and am constantly on the move on various projects. The fire is necessary and when it is low or goes out, I become sluggish and heavy, on the other hand when the fire is out of control, it is just as damaging. I had to call on my support group to work things out while I tended to self and today I feel much better.Eating helped where drinking did not and sleep also brought things to a managable balance.

The lesson, know thy self. Instead of just liquids, I probably should just do raw foods at this time, where my fire is higher. It was a good run though, fasting brings change for me and it's clear in my space and my physical form that things are clearer.In the end it was a great experience and despite how I came out of it, to know my fire is that powerful is oddly enough, more endearing than disturbing.

IA

Functioning Distance

It has been quite some time since my last post. I have always been more of a talker than writer, but that is something I am trying to change. In my role as counselor, I learn a great deal and I feel that it is part of my life path to be a messenger, so I am attempting to keep this blog as updated as possible.

The messages and lessons for the past few weeks have all centered around scarcity. There is a space where we sometimes get trapped and believe that we are not enough. This place would have us believe that we don't have enough of anything: food, clothes, money, etc. This "scarcity thinking" leads to "scarcity action" and before you know it, much like chicken little--"the sky is falling."

As divine beings, we all have the power to create our existence. With the popularity of The Secret, the Law of Attraction has been popularized, but at the same time misunderstood. Not only do you have to think it, you have to be the action that brings to you the things you want. But here's the rub-you don't need everything you want.

We cannot forget that the Universe, God, Ancestors, Spirit Guides know best. We as humans have only a very narrow understanding that no matter how heightened, is still only able to handle a few perspectives at a time. Sometimes what we want, in the long run, isn't good for us. And sometimes, we are our own greatest challenge. Scarcity is a reflection of being at "soul's edge". If you imagine your self as a point inside a circle, abundance happens when you are closest to center. The closer you are to the edge of your being, the closer you are to scarcity.

It is not always easy to remain centered, but it is imperative that you stay away from the edge. Life requires that you move and change, but growth happens when you are able to recognize scarcity and pull yourself away from the thoughts and actions that lead to discord. I have watched people around me in the last few weeks, and it is intriguing to see how we all deal with the pace of living.

As a ritualist, I realized earlier this year that a centered perspective was not going to be easy to maintain without ritual and herbal support. In preparation for a huge event, I felt myself gravitating towards the edge. In helping a colleague, I found a way to pull myself back to center and tether myself like a kite held by a rock. A daily tonic of ginseng, cinnamon, ashwaghanda, triphala and shatavari along with various tea blends enabled me to function at a distance. The constant offerings to me at my personal altar, created the necessary balance between this world and the next.

Instead of being in the "fray" of my life, I am now able to remain at center and handle things from almost an objective point of view. Yes, there are times when I want to smack someone, or even yell, but it's different now. Not being "caught up" is helping me work better and it is also allowing me to tap into that limitless divine energy that we all have access to.

In the end, the distance allows for clarity, without losing sight of what needs to be done. It is so necessary to remember ourselves as we journey and even more necessary to support our journey with sacred and divined action. We are human, but we are of God as well, to focus on one more than the other creates a schism that leads to the edge. Trust your instincts and honor your whole self, otherwise life will always be one of scarcity.

Take Care-
IA