First from Cate: I got home, and I began to reach for comfort in the form of popcorn and mindless TV. This was a habit that did not serve me. (Please understand that I don't think there's anything wrong or bad about watching TV or eating popcorn, but, for me, it had become an out-of-alignment habit and unskillful way to seek relief.) But this night was different. I was returning home after a Sacred Cacao Ceremony with Shamanic Energy Medicine Practitioner Hyacinth Mills. It had been a blissful and profound experience, but nevertheless I got home and began to go back to my habitual pattern: sit on the couch at the end of the day, eat popcorn, and watch TV. I say "began to" because what happened was my body and soul said, No. Without the force of will, something within me revolted against the idea. It was as if I'd been purified by the cacao and all the patterning that led me to seek the couch in this way fell away. I couldn't do it. As we prepare for the next cacao ceremony at MKY on Sunday, May 19th, I reached out to Hyacinth to tell her about my experience and to ask her if it was typical of what people can expect. The following is how Hyacinth responded to my question. Read her beautiful words about the power of cacao. Now from Hyacinth: Cacao is a medicine of and for the heart. It gently allows you to peel back the layers to be able to witness, process and release what you have been holding onto, whether its limiting beliefs, behaviors, thoughts, emotions, actions or a mindset that isn't based in truth and love. We all have a story or things that we tell ourselves are true. When you are able to see those stories and behaviors for what they really are, not who you really are, through the sacred spiritual practice of a Cacao Ceremony, you are able to dream a bigger dream for yourself and for your life. Old patterns fall away, creativity and inspiration is enhanced and healing happens, often in ways you never imagined possible. It's not just a mindset, it's an energetic shift that you can actually feel over time and it begins with the first ceremony. Cacao is a beautiful complement to yoga and other mind-body healing practices. It works on a physical level, allowing more prana or life force to flow through your body and to your heart, clearing emotional blockages and tension. It works the energy body releasing trauma and energetic imprints and also the mental body through neurotransmitter activation and production of Serotonin, the feel good hormone, Dopamine the de-stressor/relaxant, Anandamide known as the bliss (Ananda) chemical, and so much more. Cacao is known as Food of the Gods for a good reason. There is so much to say but it is so much better to come and experience this sacred medicine ceremony. Plants are pretty powerful beings and have so much to share. I believe we need them now more than ever which is why I love to share the magic and mystery of the true meaning of Chocolate through Cacao Ceremonies. Join Hyacinth on Sunday, May 19 from 3-6pm for Sacred Cacao Ceremony & Shamanic Sound Journey.
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Right NOW -- this weekend -- is a great time to make a positive change. It will be the New Moon in Taurus. As we learn in the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, the New Moon is always a powerful time to set a new intention. With this New Moon, the energy of Taurus supports lasting change. You can think of yourself as the bull -- determined and grounded in strength and confidence. Are you thinking of making a change? Do you want to eat better? Move more? Wake earlier? Drop a bad habit? Shed a self-limiting or hurtful thought? Then, let's start NOW. If you've been considering a positive lifestyle change, start NOW. Give yourself every advantage. I've put together a list of 10 tips (which includes seizing the opportunity of the New Moon in Taurus) for giving yourself the advantage and anticipating and helping yourself through some of the challenges of change because change can be tricky. Before I get to the tips, let's look at why it isn't always easy to step into new good habits. No matter how much we want to step into a positive future full of good habits, our old patterning may threaten to overpower our positive intentions. Old patterning gets in the way in the form of discomfort. For example, you can imagine that you may feel off if...
In addition to the old patterns, we also have the constant chatter in our minds that can knock us off course. At times, many of us are flooded with unhelpful and distracting thoughts. Our minds can throw us off track. For example...
Kundalini Yoga has a plethora of techniques for overcoming the tricks of the mind and the entrenchment in old patterns. I've put together a list of them below with a couple other things thrown in. Pick the tips that appeal to you; pick the ones that you feel will nourish you and carry you through. But, for goodness' sake, support yourself. Spoil yourself with support! You deserve it!
Don't know who Syd is? Well, he's this super chipper Buddha who believes in you, believes in your vision and your ability to change. You can tell that he's saying, "You've got this. I love you." At MKY, we have a special connection to Syd because his creator is our dear friend and student, Ellen Atkins, aka the Suburban Monk. We are a proud Suburban Monk affiliate. You can click here to see all 14 colors of Little Syd, meet Big Syd, find out a little bit of how he came to be, and purchase a Syd for yourself and for your change. I hope these ideas serve you as you move closer and closer to a vision of your life that is the most expansive and joyful and aligned. Happy New Moon! Happy Change! |
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