Message on The Shadows

I was gifted with Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes's seminal work, Women Who Run With the Wolves as a birthday gift. The version I was given fits right into my purse and I have been walking around with it and reading it during the quiet spaces of my day. This is part of an active meditation that I have been in practice with whereby I collect information and use the "quiet" to sift through and decide what to keep. I use my morning meditation, oracle cards, numbers, what appear to be unrelated moments and anything else that strikes me as possible. I walk in a space of awareness | gratitude | power at all times, remembering my purpose and listening for the next steps.

In reading Estes's work on initiation and the space in which all women at some point are faced with the predator, I have been forced to look back a ways. According to Estes it is through facing the predator, that women are able to release themselves from the boxing in of expectation. The predator leads to the shadows. The shadows are the fears that we allow to dictate our lives. By looking on those things we close our eyes to, we begin to gain courage and kill that which in essence wants to kill us.

I had to ask myself if there were areas within my shadows that I was afraid to look upon. The answer, of course, came up "Yes." In asking the question, my shadows revealed themselves and in the revelation I am forced to see the thing that needs to be killed. My next phase depends upon this and so I am left no choice but to do battle. With each step, I uncover my inner child, the hopeful essence of myself that remains despite the earth-plane trauma. I see how the shadows have come to be and why they linger. I also understand that knowing them is not enough. They must be thoroughly dealt with in order to be truly exorcised.

The ritual that follows is something that I have been using to assist in my next cycle of lessons. I pray you find it useful. Read through the guidance until you are clear on what to do. This will ensure that your ritual is performed at the highest level of consciousness without interruption. Always have your sacred journal nearby to capture messages as they come.

• Turn of all electronics and find a quiet place.
• Next, decide first: air, fire, water or earth. Don't dwell, just pick an element to serve as your conduit.
• Once your element is selected, get a representation of that element and set it in front of you. It could be incense (air), a candle (fire), a cup of water, or rock (these are just suggestions)
• Activate you conduit (light it, swirl it, spin it, etc) and as it moves stare at it intently
• Ask your shadows to show themselves. Be as pragmatic or dramatic as you like when you evoke them, but in a clear voice command your shadows to appear.
• Take notes on what comes up immediately. Don't think, just write. Keep writing until the shadows have gone.
• Let your conduit sit, leave the sacred journal and walk away.
• Return no less than 24 hours to the space and review what you have written.

Once the shadows make themselves known, you are left with no choice but to plan an attack. You are no longer ignorant; can neither unsee what you have seen, nor unhear what you have heard. Just like you, the shadow has a job to do--fulfill its destiny. Now that you have shone your light onto them, the battle will begin. It will be a long war, for some, but in all cases a necessary one. You have begun, now it is time to act.

IA

A Work in Progress..

Greetings!

It has been quite a minute since my last post, but alas, here I am again. My path continues to be full of lessons and I am finding myself, yet again, at another crossroads-so to speak. In working on the various projects that my passions continue to place me in, I am finding more and more that the energy I need to sustain myself needs is immense. It is a good thing that there is a limitless supply to go around.

Recently, I decided to revisit the James Redfield's best-selling novel, The Celestine Prophecy. I started it years ago and for some reason stopped right before the eighth insight was revealed. This time around, I purchased the audiobook instead, and took the content for another spin. Despite its sometimes "hoakey" approach to coincidences and story-telling style, the content regarding energy, conflict, scarcity and control dramas, was so enlightening that I found myself really re-examining how I approach my life and the people in it.

In fact, it is because of the revisit to The Celestine Prophecy that I have a new presentation that will be presented at the next The Red Tent Symposium for Women in October. This issue of control dramas and how they lead to conflict, really moved me. As I listened, I remembered the "a ha!" feeling I had when I first read the book. His basic point that control dramas are essentially a fight for energy and that this is what leads to conflict, is so aptly relevant and a necessary message to the world. Now, years later, while I still agree with Redfield's initial four (Intimidator, Interrogator, Aloof and Poor Me), based on my observations, have expanded this area with two of my own (Martyr and Posturer). Control dramas are dangerous for two main reasons: 1) they prevent all of us from receiving the messages regarding our life paths that according to The Celestine Prophecy, come easier when we are open to receive, and 2) control dramas are self-perpetuating, as they play out all they do is re-affirm their existence.

Used on a daily basis, I have found that being aware of our own control dramas is a great way to enhance our spiritual openness. Understanding that there is a limitless supply of energy through meditation, heavily forested environments, prayer, and even exercise forces us to be more aware. Understanding when we are depleted, forces us to stay aware. And while the term "force"may seem harsh in the space of spiritual openness, the fact is that change for many of us can only be achieved when we have a sense of urgency.

With my revisit to the area of control dramas, I am able to better serve my needs and the needs of those around me. As one client so eloquently put it, "It [control dramas] helps me not hate people, when I realize that they really can't help themselves. They want energy and don't know how else to get it." Yes, this is a very strong sentiment, but what it has done for this client is allow for an honesty that she has been struggling to attain for many months. By accepting her aloofness as a control drama, she has been able to examine her issues on a more real level. The changes in her are astounding!

We are all works in progress. By accepting this without judgment and being aware of how we fight for energy, we can begin to find better ways to energize ourselves without the need to engage our control dramas. Staying connected to the higher source is key for a more energized and fulfilled existence. This, for most people, is not a new understanding, but the effect of the disconnect from that higher sources still plagues humans across the globe. What will it take for a conscious shift? I think it is simply a matter of time. As I move forward, everything I learn only serves as confirmation. We are all capable of balanced lives. Change comes only when we accept the truth that we all need energy, and will do anything to get it. Once this is revealed, the real work can begin.

IA

August Newsletter

Hot off of my computer! Here is the latest edition of Smile Herb Shop's "Inner Smile", the newsletter for which I serve as editor. In this issue, we get you ready for the Back to School transition. Highlights include:

-Natural remedies for ADD/ADHD
-Herbs for transition
-Aromatherapy and Supplement suggestions
-Upcoming classes

There is also a coupon for the "Bring a Friend" promotion now running until August 31st. Just click on the image and get the full newsletter. Enjoy!

Fridays at Smile

This morning around 5am the entire house started to shake. I suspected it was an earthquake, but dismissed it as a ridiculous notion, since after all this is Maryland. It was a short episode, but I felt shaken inside in a way that I had never experienced. I had no control over whatever it was that had just happened. I couldn't make it stop. I awoke later to find that my intuition was in fact spot on. I had experience, albeit a minor one, my first earthquake. Later that morning, I went to my trainer who put me through an intense workout. He offered up a smoothie as a reward and then it happened-"ACHOO!"

I sneezed and thus started what might possibly be the second flu-like illness this summer! Already since that first sneeze, I have been battling the headaches, sinus congestion, sneezing and slight fever associated with illness. The last bout was a month ago. It left me drained and seriously considering the emergency room. I thought then, like I do now that there must be a connection.

Fast forward to my shift this evening at Smile. I spoke to a customer on the phone who was suffering from constipation due to IBS/colitis. I could hear her frustration as she explained the past few months of special diets, loss of energy and imbalance. I recommended a remedy for her current condition and then made suggestions for long-term maintenance. At this point I should share that I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1998. It started out as IBS and progressed from there. It was by far, the most debilitating physical experience of my life and it really took a great deal of soul searching to find a solution. I had listened to the doctor's recommendations to no avail. At some point, I started listening to myself.

My doctor was convinced that I had some sort of infection despite all of the negative test results. When I asked if my condition could be stress related, she looked at me and said quite confidently, "Nobody is that stressed." I, of course knew better and believed that there was a connection between what was clearly happening to me physically and what I couldn't grasp emotionally/spiritually. Once I made the connection, I made a decision to reclaim my physical self, by acknowledging those things hidden deep within. It was from this place that I offered the customer on the phone the additional advice:

Whatever it is you are holding onto, get it out of you! Colitis (I believe) is all about the things we hold onto. The things we store in our gut that don't belong to us. It's hard to move in this world when you have to haul around your stuff and everybody else's. I told Carol, the customer, "Write a letter to everyone that you have issue with. Be honest and use whatever language you need to use to get the angst, anger, resentment and whatever else out." Once the letters were written, I instructed her to put them in envelopes and address them, but not to seal them. The next step was to place the letters somewhere and walk away. "If after about two weeks you feel compelled to send your letter to the addressed, go for it. If after two weeks, you find that writing was all you needed--burn them. Whatever you do, get the stuff that's making you sick out of you, so your body can find balance." At this last part, Carol sighed heavily like a weight was being lifted off of her.

I shared my story and the energy on the other end was a little lighter than when we first began. Carol admitted that there were some family issues and that those issues were a contributing factor to her depressed state. She liked the idea of the letters and was very appreciative of the suggested remedies. "Bless you Risi," she said, "Thank you so much for what you have said." The phone called ended with well wishes and we both felt like she had a good plan to go on. I hung up the phone and was left to ponder my own imbalance: What was I holding on to?

While I still am not sure of the connection between this current illness, I do not doubt that it is there looking me right in the face. In sharing this week's insight, I continue to recognize the healing that comes when we are able to look past our physical ailments to a deeper place where the imbalance truly lies. Our bodies our powerful, adaptive machines that will always put out what we put in. The key to discovering the connections is in keeping up with our input and b-not being afraid to let go of those things that do us harm-ALL of it.

Fridays at Smile is a reflective piece based on the insights I gain during my weekly shift at Smile Herb Shop. The names are fictional, but the stories are real.

July Workshops

This month I will be hosting three workshops as part of the ongoing series at Smile Herb Shop. All of the workshops are $25 and require pre-registration.

"Natural Care for Black Hair"
Monday, July 19th | 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Saturday, July 31st | 2:00 pm-3:30 pm

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES. Designed with Black women in mind, this workshop will discuss a variety of natural options for regular hair care and maintenance. This class will address care for all hair types: relaxed, pressed, natural etc. and is geared towards creating a healthy hair environment.

Risikat will offer basic tips and share a few remedies for issues like: dry scalp, hair loss, thickness, growth and more. Students can also bring in the products they already use for feedback, and should also be prepared to sample some of the suggested products. Class size is limited to 12 students in order to accommodate questions and concern.

"Creating Ritual & Sacred Space"
Saturday, July 24th | 11:00 am-12:30 pm

This workshop designed to empower students to create rituals in daily life. By separating habit from ritual, Risikat will discuss and guide students towards recognizing the importance of daily ritual and the value of deeming space sacred for overall balance. Herbs, cleansing rituals, altar creation and more will be discussed. Students will learn to create balance through daily conscious action and sacred space building.

All workshops will take place:
Smile Herb Shop
4908 Berwyn Road
College Park, MD 20741
301.474.8791 call for registration

Smile Newsletter: July Edition

This month's edition of the newsletter has all kinds of great tips for summertime herb use and travel. Also be sure to check out the special coupon inside. Click here for the entire newsletter.

Smile

Currently, I am the editor of the Smile's newsletter "Inner Smile". Starting in March of this year, we decided to make the newsletter available electronically. Each month the newsletter is based around a theme and this month's theme is men's health. Learn about herbs that men can use to improve their overall dynamic wellness and get a complete listing of upcoming classes in June.

Click here for the June edition, or review previous issues listed in the right-hand column.

Black Hair Care Workshop

As an herbalist working at Smile Herb Shop, I often get questions from Black women on how best to care for their hair. I decided that it was time to create a workshop around the topic. The first two went so well in May, I am offering two more sessions in June.

“NATURAL CARE FOR BLACK HAIR”
Wednesday, June 16th: 6PM-7:30PM
Saturday, June 26th: 12PM-2PM

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL HAIR TYPES AND TEXTURES. Designed with Black women in mind, this workshop will discuss a variety of natural options for regular hair care and maintenance. This class will address care for all hair types: relaxed, pressed, natural etc. and is geared towards creating a healthy hair environment.

Risikat will offer basic tips and share a few remedies for issues like: dry scalp, hair loss, thickness, growth and more. Students can also bring in the products they already use for feedback, and should also be prepared to sample some of the suggested products. Class size is limited to 12 students in order to accommodate questions and concern. Cost: $25 Pre-registration is required by calling Smile at 301.474.8791.

Location:
Smile Herb Shop
4908 Berwyn Road
College Park, MD

Smile has several workshop offerings in various areas of herbalism and Ayurveda. Click on the link to the June newsletter (to the right) for more details.

New Year, Same Goals

Greetings and Welcome to 2010!

I decided this year to bring in the year quietly and with a ritual. Having just acquired a new cauldron on the last day of 2009. I was determined to use the energy of the full/wishing/blue moon to my advantage and bring forth opportunity and abundance. Rituals are very important to the maintenance of balance and as I prepared and then performed, I found a peace and stillness that is often absent in my daily life. The goal for this year is the same as last year: expansion and abundance. The only difference is that this year, instead of being carried by the waves, I will ride them.

What exactly does that mean you ask? It means that I am making more space for me and using the seasons to help me along my busy path, This is the time for hibernation. Even as I write this it is a blustery cold day that has kept me indoors. In a few however, I will brave the elements to go to yoga and reassert my 30 in 30 challenge. I am on a mission to to do 30 sessions of Bikram yoga in 30 days. I have gone for 15 straight days and took an unplanned break yesterday, which means that in order to complete the challenge, I will have to do a "double" or two sessions in one day. The yoga has opened me up in amazing ways and while it has been hard to stay motivated, all I need to do is get to the studio and I am aligned with spirit. I realize that it has become a ritual that grounds me. The wrong food, the wrong time, not enough sleep, too much partying, etc and my practice becomes strenuous for that day. The beauty of it is that I can go back the next day and regroup for another try.

This week's lesson has been all about taking baby steps and humbling the self for spirit. In the studio it is you and the heat. The same postures are repeated every time, so you are able to gauge your growth. You are also forced to look at yourself in the mirror, something I absolutely don't do. In the space of yoga, I am slowly chipping away at years of tightness and pressure. I am releasing the "shoulds" in favor of "dos" and finding that even in the most difficult poses, where my breath is short and and my muscles are tight, there is peace.

I engage in the practice ultimately as a tool for peace and want to learn how to take that peace out of the studio into the world as I go about receiving the abundance, I conjured as we moved into a new decade. Welcome to 2010, let's see what she has in store.

Ese

IA

Getting Ready to Step Into the Light

Greetings-

I was in the midst of preparing for today's workshop, when I was struck to stop and take a minute to reflect. The past few weeks have been really hectic as I prepare for an event that I produce called "When Harlem came to Paris". The event itself is a lesson in mediumship as the artists involved portray actual figures from the 1930s. There is no script, so the artists must learn about the people they are portraying and "become" them for the night. The buzz is building and it has me in awe of the progress I have made along my path.

Recently, I did a radio interview with Amina Carter of WomanSphere By Amina and we talked about many things. She said I was a "pioneer" and I found that an uncomfortably fitting description. Surely, there were people before me who traveled the same path and as the saying goes, "There's nothing new under the sun." But as I sit here and do a mini review, I think Amina may have a point and I humbly accept the compliment. I am determined to live a life that has width and depth. Everything I do reflects that desire and even when things don't pan out as I would like them to, the effort of digging deeper is always worth it.

Life is more than what you make it, it is also how you live it. I am presenting at "Loving Self" today, because there are things I want to share and feel are valuable. There are so many things at our disposal to make this life a little sweeter. The talk today will be a great deal of fun; I can feel it! In pulling the seminar together, I am more than excited, I am at peace. Things are moving in a forward direction and the goals I set so long ago are coming to fruition. As scary as it looks sometimes, I am ready to step into the light and be recognized and noticed. I want people to see that it is possible to live a life of width and depth, but it takes hard work, action and most of all faith. The light is truth and in that truth there is no place to hide, so take heart and know that we are all built for the journey that we are on and embrace those things that you want--fully.

IA