August B 2017
Cover Story
Metaphysics
22
80
Julia Cameron - The Power of Life Lessons
84
Health & Healing 34
Reiki - The Basics of Our Universal Life Force
88
How Intuition Enhances Our Lives Illumination: Animal Communication - Black Ask Whitedove
Spirituality
Astrology & Numerology
40
94
44 48
Pay Attention to These Five Urban Sacred Signs Yajna, Feeding the Eternal Fire Within The Great Transformation Within
OM Living 56 60 64
5 Reasons Why Having Patience Is Hard (and Why We Could Practice It More!) The Importance of Choosing Your Vibration What Shall We Tell the Children?
Relationships 72
Is Marriage a Cause of Loss of Separate Identity?
What Should I Name My Baby: Numerology Focus
Personal Growth 102 Getting Ahead – Think Big, Act Small 106 What's So Special About New Beginnings?
World Vision 112 Wthout Context, Life Can Be Drastic
Books 118 A Necessary Clearing
Life Lessons Julia Cameron Interview with OMTimes Magazine
JULIA CAMERON has been an active artist for more than four decades. She is the author of more than forty books, fiction and nonfiction, including such bestselling works on the creative process as The Artist’s Way, Walking in This World, and Finding Water. A novelist, Omtimes.com
playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has multiple credits in theater, film, and television. She divides her time between Manhattan and the high desert of New Mexico. OMTIMES: What prompted you to write Life Lessons? Life Lessons was born out of my experience with living alone and seeking spiritual comfort. It could fairly be said that although I wrote the book for others, I also wrote it for myself. I live alone, up the mountain from central Santa Fe. The occasional bear, coyote or deer make up my visitors. Although I am frequently in touch by telephone with my friends from New York, it is still lonely. My Santa Fe friendships are blossoming, but “drop by” friendships are few and far between. When it snows, which is often, I find myself snowbound. The drifts around my house make visiting impossible, and so I face many a lonely night with prayer as my companion. My writing room holds octagonal windows looking into the woods. By day the room is cheerful, filled
with light. By night, the room is dark, and as I peer through the glass, I spot flora and fauna, but no human being. It was on a snowy winter’s night when I felt particularly isolated that it came to me to write Life Lessons. I wanted comfort, and I realized that spiritual comfort was what I was seeking. Curled in my large leather writing chair, I set pen to page. Words floated easily as I sought out higher forces to ease my loneliness and anxiety. OMTIMES: What types of issues did the words address, and did they lessen the loneliness and anxiety you describe? The first prayer addressed my fearful state: “Little One, why are you anxious? Why do you worry and fret? I am with you always, and I intend you great good. Still your frantic imaginings…” The prayer struck straight to my heart. I was frightened, and my imagination was turned toward darkness. The prayer continued: “Feel my calm. There is no need for panic.” As
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Reiki The Basics of Our Universal Life Force by Sunanda Sharma
The Universal Life Force and Power of Reiki The first symbol of Reiki is Choku Rei. The general meaning of Choku Rei is: “Place the power of the universe here�. Omtimes.com
Use the power symbol to increase the power of Reiki. We can also use it for protection. See it as a light switch that has the intention to instantly boost your ability to channel Reiki energy. Draw or visualize the symbol in front of you and you will have instant access to more healing energies. Choku Rei also gives the other symbols more power when they are used together. Reiki Power Symbol and Energy The symbol can be used any time during a treatment but it is especially effective if it is used in the beginning of a session to empower the Reiki energy or when used at the end of a session to close the session and seal off the Reiki energies. The Reiki power symbol is, as I have said before, mainly a power switch but you can also assign it further uses. Remember it is always your intention that governs what happens. If you want to add new “functions� to the Power symbol then just have a clear
statement and intention of what it is you want the symbol to do and it will do it for you. Some Uses of the First Reiki Power Symbol Increase the power of your healing abilities; use it as a light switch. (Draw or visualize Choku Rei in front of you or draw it in your hands if you want.) You can focus the Reiki energies (like a looking glass) on a specific point of the body. (Draw the symbol directly on the spot being treated.) Increase the power of the other symbols. (Draw it before drawing the other symbols.) One can use the Power symbol to close a space around the receiver and to stop the energies received to disappear from the body. (Draw it above the body with the intention of sealing the healing process.) The Power symbol can be used to spiritually clean a room from negative energy, to leave it in light and make it a holy place. (Draw or visualize the symbols on all the walls, ceiling and floor with the
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Pay Attention to These Five Urban Sacred Signs by Sherrie Dillard
Five Urban Sacred Signs and Their Messages At one time or another, we have all wondered if the bird at the window or the coins that we continually find are more than random
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circumstance. In our heart and gut we feel with certainty that someone or something is watching over us and sending us a message. A surge of energy may flow up the spine and the hair on the arms may rise with intuitive recognition. A simple sense of knowing and feelings of love and comfort often alert us to the presence of a sacred sign. However, all too often we limit our awareness of sacred signs to the natural world. While we may become aware of a message within the formation of a cloud, a feather or butterfly landing on our path, sacred signs and messages can also manifest through inanimate objects and things. Everything and anything in our environment can be used by a higher power and presence as a messenger. All things can reveal guidance from the unseen. If you
live in a more urban or residential area where your contact with nature is limited, a higher presence and power is still present. The universe is both chatty and clever and has unlimited ways of communicating with us. Here are a few sacred signs that we might encounter in our everyday environment and their possible meaning. Windows Being Cleaned Seeing windows being cleaned on a building can indicate a need to achieve clarity about ourselves and a situation, especially as it relates to our career, life purpose or activity with others. We may not be perceiving our true gifts and abilities. Take some time to focus on what you truly want and be true to yourself. The cleaning of windows may also indicate that we may not see another or a
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5 Reasons Why Having Patience Is Hard; And Why We Should Practice It More by Cori Savenelli
Practicing Patience is Not Easy Reactions to being forced to have patience range from simple annoyances to down-right anger. Here are some reasons why and how overcoming the displeasure of being patient and looking at it differently can change your life.
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Patience Forces Us to Be Present Without Certainty It can be difficult enough being “in the moment” (while mindful and centering ourselves) while engaged in routine. Throwing uncertainty into the mix creates an open space in our energy for anxiety, worry and possibly depression. Patience is Inconvenient Our human “being” likes to know what is happening. It likes to prepare and get ahead. We want things to be very convenient with as little stress as possible. So, we associate patience with inconvenience. Patience Can Sometimes Lead to Assumption Who among us has never fell victim to engaging in assuming, whether regarding a relationship, a financial situation or another person’s motives. Having to be patient for something creates the potential for thousands of assumptions about the conclusion of the event or situation. Our range of theories span from the probable to the ridiculous. And it fills our heads and spirits with confusion and frustration.
Thus, having patience can to unintended stress. Patience Takes Away Our Power and Control Sometimes emotional, psychological or even physical pain can be a direct result of waiting. In situations where patience is required for something meaningful and personal, our survival and protective instincts kick in and we are tethered by an energy of helplessness, particularly involving anything that will greatly impact our lives. With this sometimes comes a feeling of being potentially thwarted in some way. It can create an unsettling and nervous atmosphere for ourselves and those around us. Patience Makes Time and Creates Space for Options Sometimes people don’t like to have too many choices. Those who adhere to the notion that destiny intervenes can often become uneasy when there is time to “choose.” Patience creates an unsettling feeling around loss of control, but also around too much control.
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Is Marriage a Cause of Loss of Separate Identity? by Marcia Naomi Berger
The Idea of Losing One’s Separate Identity “No man is an island,” said 17th-century author John Donne. This is true in marriage. Spouses do become interdependent in many ways.
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But this does not force each of them to give up their separate identity. It is important to keep one’s individuality after tying the knot. Yet, none of us is totally self-sufficient. In fact, just about everyone depends on car mechanics, airplane pilots, farmers, friends, accountants, therapists, and others. Certainly, in a good marriage we rely on our marriage partner. We respect each other’s individuality, and connect as romantic partners and as lifetime teammates. Balancing Independence and Interdependence Here is how one wife explains how she views her marriage: Amy says, “I think of my marriage as a three-stranded braid. One strand is me, a separate person. Another is Michael. The third strand is our relationship.” She is
describing her marriage as a union of two individuals who are both independent and interdependent. Until recently, the roles of men and women were fixed and interdependent. Usually the husband earned the money (or brought home the kill). His wife had a separate identity, where she cooked and kept the home fires burning. Today, in many good marriages, spouses are interdependent in different ways. Either partner can be the “provider” or homemaker. Often, both jobs are shared. Some couples have “commuter” marriages, living in different states or on different coasts in the U.S. because of where they work. They may spend weekends and vacations together. Other couples are business partners. They may share an office at home or
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How Intuition Enhances Our Lives by Judi Lynch
Our Inner Guidance of Intuition Listening to our inner guidance can not only enhance our lives, it can absolutely save it. Many people have experiences that involve acting on something because of a “feeling� or a dream in which there was a clear message. In many cases, they were correct. Sometimes Omtimes.com
anxiety and fear can cause confusion as to which is an actual message or possibly just imagination. Learning to be still so that we can hear the psychic connections in their true transmission is very important. Our spiritual connections need clearing to function properly. If we feel a lot of internal noise and issues surfacing on a regular basis, it is a good idea to examine how we can effectively take steps to help in healing past hurt and trauma. Clearing out the spaces in our hearts helps us to accept new ideas, people, and places. Our ability to connect with spirit will become brighter, our tone lighter, and our purpose clearer. This sustains our lives. Validation and Visualization Have Their Purpose Validation and trust happen over time, and we can reacquaint with our higher selves. It is part of our evolutionary process as humans to understand how these energies heal and communicate with us. This is what we truly need to know to be happy and healthy during our time on Earth. How we visualize
assistance is unique to each of us. It may be through prayer and religion. It may be through yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, and energy healing. In each of these choices there is a connection to source, love, energy, and guidance. Episodes of dĂŠjĂ vu allow us to know the energy of this experience. It feels like time slows down, or maybe even stops. The experience of climbing up to the top of a mountain range can elicit the feeling of having a thousand souls joining with you at the top. The energies of loving souls who have lived here and elsewhere, maybe other planets, are filled with knowledge they love to share. When our connections are flowing with energy from the higher frequencies, we can share in miraculous events. Intuition and Positive Visions Feeds Synchronicity Our psychic senses are alive inside our third eye centers which operate in unison with our crown chakra and pineal gland to help bring us information. This information comes in as visions of people, Omtimes.com
What Should I Name My Baby? Numerology Focus by Greer Jonas
Top Baby Naming Advice Parents Want to Know I see it happen often. Parents who are expecting lose sleep at night thinking about the right name for their baby. They consult baby books, look at lists on the computer, and check
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numerology frequently. Often, parents are torn between what their head and heart tell them, not knowing how to best name their baby. “Here I am, 7 weeks to go until baby is due! I have been literally kept up at night thinking about her baby name. I look at numerology all the time, but am torn between head and heart, and just not knowing on what baby name to give her.” --Sara
Greer’s Response on Discovering Baby Names Greer: I get this question all the time. Trust in yourselves as the parents, the names will come! Yes, you can start looking at baby books and baby sites on the computer. I especially like the sites that have the meanings of the names. You can also expand your search to everywhere: street signs, store names, novels. The baby names will flow!
Once you have your names, I can help. I am not going to tell you what name you should use, but I can tell you what the vibration is and together we can look at what “baby” wants to call his or herself! Ultimately, he/she will tell you. You will know when you say the names out loud if it is a go. Naming Baby - a Karmic Connection Just be prepared, even when you are positive of the name, when baby comes out, you might discover that no one wants to call him/her the name you give them. Instead, everyone uses a nickname. (And sometimes the nickname is nothing like the original name). Readers, how many can relate? Naming your child is a karmic connection where all are affected. You may want your child to be outgoing or lively, but then must practice being alert, patient, and on your toes. Your job as parents is to
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Are You Looking to Get Ahead? How Big is Our Dream? Getting ahead in life can seem impossible, but it is within our grasp. How might we take those whisperings of our inner voice and bring them out into the world? How big is our
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dream? Would we like to write a book, create an album, give a concert as a solo artist? There are many ways to express our essence, or inner calling: from being a restaurant owner to a graphic designer, from being a healer to a top performer. Perhaps the question is, how can we stay on purpose with so many things pulling at us? So often, we set out to follow our calling, only to be side-tracked by our daily life. We end up placing our mind maps and grand ideas in our “important papers” file in the desk drawer. Slicing Down the Big Idea into Smaller Pieces We might think of our big idea like a pie or delicious cake. Start by dividing the project into small slices-12 slices, or milestones-that we can accomplish as part of a yearly project. From these 12 slices, we then break it down into about 20 steps a month. We can see how much more
manageable this is. When we define our path to success, it becomes less overwhelming. The Key in Getting Ahead is Taking Baby Steps Every song, article, or book is written line by line, page by page, hour by hour, and step by step. Consider this from Dr. Jean Houston, a scholar, philosopher and researcher in Human Capacities: “I really don’t like to write. I think writing is one of the most difficult tasks of all. You’re facing the blank computer, you’re facing the blank page..., and you’re hoping prose will emerge and it’s a sense that you have to pull up from yourself all manner of qualities, all manner of selves, really. So, it makes sense that the local self is in resistance because it really doesn’t want you to turn the page on your own history. You are off on a desert island of yourself.”
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Without Context, Life Can Be Drastic by Kathy Custren
Without Context, Meaning Can Fade Without context, our world loses much of its meaning. There are shades of nuance that exist throughout the
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vibrational spectrum, that lend added definition, and some may say dignity, to life. In the absence of these sprinklings of understanding, we lose empathy; hardened to only to the extremes of what we see and hear.
severed head of President Donald Trump. This firestorm of incendiary controversy fueled social media for days. It enraged folks that such a prominent comedienne would “do such a thing.” “What about the President’s son?”
Before we react to words, in anger, frustration, or even haste, let us stop to consider that there may be more to the picture. When something is bothering us and a caring person takes the time to stop to ask how we are, do we say how we really feel? “I’m fine,” is the standard response to an often-un-standard inquiry. Deep down, we know the other person must have noticed something to make them ask in the first place.
Yet, we might quickly forget that these images do not come about of their own accord. We see a well-constructed, highly colorful image designed to inflame. We overlook seeing effigies of President Obama strung from a tree, as if lynched. Surely, the young Obama daughters saw those images more than once while growing up in the White House. If not, kudos to the parents for keeping them insulated; my family saw them.
Recent Examples of Context Clues
It is not all that easy to stand in front of a crowd and tell a joke, let alone one that makes an impact. Today’s comedians work in a realm of multiple layers of subtleties. These nuances
Take, for example, the recent exhibit of Kathy Griffin and the image of her holding a “piñata” shaped like the
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