Little Sparks of Light and Joy
Life can be very overwhelming at times. This is especially true at the moment given all the challenges we are faced with.
By taking out attention to the little sparks of light and joy in life, we can often overcome the sense of overwhelm and bring ourselves into a place of balance and calm. This in itself can help us to deal with the 'bigger' issues with greater ease and success.
These little sparks of light and joy may be very small indeed. They may be so small that they often go unnoticed within the miasma of overwhelming issues that take our attention. This means that we often feel we have no sparks of light or joy in our life, just overwhelming challenges which can drag us down.
If for a moment, for a brief amount of time, we can look for the little spark of light or joy in our life, this can have a profound affect on our wellbeing. And we do not have to 'be' or 'do' anything else. We can simply look for what is already there and allow it to come into our awareness.
This is important as very often, when we are overwhelmed or low in mood, the thought of having to do something else or think in a new way, is too much to deal with. By focussing on what is already in our life, the process of drawing forward the joy and the light is perhaps easier.
If you wish to try this, take your attention to a moment when you may have made a difference to someone's day. It does not have to be a big thing, for we are looking at the little sparks here.
For example, you may have let someone go in front of you in the queue at the supermarket. Then, consider that although this action may have made little difference to your day, but may have had a big effect on theirs. The person may have felt valued, they may have felt as if they mattered, they may have felt 'seen' in the world. Your simple gesture which you did easily, perhaps without thinking; may have meant they were on time for an appointment. The possibilities are endless.
Focussing on the energy of the little action, noting how it may have helped that person, allow the light and spark, allow the joy to emerge. Consider, how did you feel when you allowed this person to go ahead of you in the queue? How did this affect your mood, your sense of self? Perhaps you did this when you were feeling vulnerable, but you still did it.
Notice how you feel now about that little deed. Feel it's power and how it might help you feel useful, worthy, valuable, confident and capable.
Allow that little spark of light and joy to settle into your energy and perhaps shift your mood from one of overwhelm to one of confidence and capability.
Never underestimate the power of the little things - the simplest of actions, the small decisions. They carry equal energy and can affect us as much as the so-called 'bigger' actions, reactions and decisions.
It really is the little things that count. So when you notice these little sparks of light and joy that you have brought to the world, they emerge into your awareness and can illuminate your life like stars, scattered throughout the night sky.
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Wesak Full Moon
Full Moon in Taurus – The Wesak Ceremony.
The full moon in Taurus which occurs this year on 7th May is always a special event in the spiritual calendar. The Received Wisdom from the followers of esoteric traditions states that on this day, at the precise moment of the full moon The Lord Buddha himself travels through dimensions and through time, to come to bless the earth in a ceremony which is said to take place in the foothills of the Himalayas in Tibet. This is called the ceremony of Wesak.
This blessing is an act of great service on the part of Lord Buddha and it witnessed, it is said by all those who follow the spiritual path, not only in the Buddhist way, but in all traditions.
The interesting fact about this ceremony is that around the time of the full moon, many of those who are spiritually-minded are reported to dream about taking part in the Wesak Ceremony. Some are aware of the synchronicity, some not.
Whether you dream of the ceremony or not, the Wesak full moon is often one of significance and shift. Given our extraordinary times, I suggest that this year, at this time, this Wesak Full Moon has even more gravitas, more power and more significance. Every insight will be more focused and more poignant because of what we are experiencing.
Here is a visualisation for the Wesak Ceremony.
Visualise yourself in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet. You are entering a fertile valley protected by the loving, guardian mountains. Take a moment to look around at the surrounding mountains and beautiful vegetation. Notice the clear air and scent of the world in its purest state.
At one end of the valley, there is a large, flat rock. On the rock is a crystal bowl full of water from the mountains.
You begin to notice that you are not alone. Many others are filling the valley and with each new arrival the sense of anticipation grows.
Every participant knows where they need to sit. This includes you. Notice where you sit. It is near the large, flat rock or is it at a distance? How do you feel about where you are sitting?
Notice who comes to sit close to you. They may well be members of your soul group or your spiritual ashram. Notice how you feel.
You realise that you are wearing special robes. What colour are they? What does the colour symbolise to you? Who else is wearing the same colour robes? Where are these people sitting in relation to you? How do you feel about these robes and who else is wearing the same as you?
As the time of the Wesak Full Moon approaches, the Masters and Lady Masters of Light assemble on the large, flat stone and encircle the crystal bowl of water. They being to chant and these chants are echoed by those watching, including you.
At the precise time of the Full Moon, a tiny speck is seen in the sky. This speck travels closer and closer until it can be seen to be the embodiment of Lord Buddha.
As the Lord Buddha materialises fully, The Masters, Lady Masters and assembled company bow to honour him. Notice how you feel at this point.
The Lord Buddha then blesses all who are gathered and this blessing travels like a wave through the valley and begins to build in strength – enhanced by the hearts and minds of all who are present. The wave of blessing then expands to touch all beyond the valley and the earth and all living things are touched by the energy of love.
The Lord Buddha then takes His leave and begins to travel back to the highest realms, his act of service complete for another year. Those present chant their gratitude to Him.
For a moment, you sit in the energy of the blessing. Your meditation is then broken by a fellow participant who offers you a sip of water from a small crystal bowl. This is water from the crystal bowl on the flat rock, imbued with energy of Lord Buddha’s blessing.
You gratefully take a sip and notice how you feel. You then pass the small bowl on to the person nearest to you. From whom do you receive the water? To whom do you pass the bowl of water?
You then rest in meditation and when you come to full awareness you see that the Masters and Lady Masters of Light are beckoning you to leave the valley. Notice which of them is most appealing to your soul. Which Master or Lady Master is this?
You leave the valley with a blessing this time from the Master or Lady Master who calls to your soul the most.
As you leave the valley, you find yourself entering your present-day life, a room perhaps where you are sitting for this meditation.
Acknowledging this space, you can either bring your full awareness back to the present moment, ensuring you are fully grounded, or you can ponder further on the questions below – or on questions of your own:
Given the increased sensitivity and awareness many are experiencing, perhaps you might wish to take time to consider what this blessing from Lord Buddha means to you on a personally? Maybe ponder on what this blessing is bringing to you at this time? What is it highlighting? What is it clearing? What is the greater shift that is said to be occurring at this time? Perhaps you can be reassured by this act of service from Lord Buddha? Perhaps you may find enlightenment from this blessing?
No matter what, perhaps you can allow the blessing from Lord Buddha to sustain, inform and support you as you move through your everyday life. It is a real gift to us all at this time.
Warmly,
Julia
Easter Full Moon
The full moon in Aries on 8th April 2020, is a very special one. It is the Easter Moon and is one of the three great spiritual festivals of the year. This has fundamentally, nothing to do with Christianity however, although the story of Jesus is a reflection of the spiritual meaning.
The Easter Moon is linked strongly with the process of spiritual initiation. As souls in human form, we are given the opportunity throughout our life, to take initiations which enlighten our souls. These can be challenging on the human level, but serve to push us along our path at a pace we are able to deal with.
It is understood that these initiations often run concurrently through the timeline of our life and come to the fore at various times, to further challenge us and bring us deeper understanding of ourselves and our soul service.
So, for example you may be working on the aspects of the first three initiations at once. This is especially likely as the first three initiations are to do with mastery over the physical, emotional and mental aspects. Perhaps you feel that sometimes you are in loving control of these aspects of yourself, but your situation in life shifts and you need to ‘work’ on yourself again and to a higher level, to maintain that centred feeling and sense of mastery over the emotions and especially the mind.
The Easter Moon is linked to the fourth initiation. It feels to me that every year, this initiation presents itself via the energy of this moon, encouraging me to relive the process, hopefully from a new perspective.
The fourth initiation is a very challenging one. It is called the Crucifixion Initiation, so its link to the story of Jesus is obvious. From a spiritual perspective that reaches beyond organised religion, it is the initiation of great shift.
The fourth initiation brings a sense that the rug has well and truly been pulled from under your feet. Whilst going through this initiation, you may find that you lose all that is ‘normal’ and familiar. Everything is taken from you. I have heard of people losing jobs, homes and relationships at this time. When it comes, it can be quite devastating.
From this place of loss however, a new energy is introduced and brought in to our lives. The old is very much replaced by the new and that new is of a higher vibration. This might take time to establish itself, but you will find yourself in a more healing, loving and light life having gone through this initiation. Most people who have experienced the fourth initiation say that in spite of everything, they are glad they went through it.
The energy of the fourth initiation is ultimately therefore, one of renewal and rebirth, again echoing the story of Jesus and His death and resurrection.
The fourth initiation can arrive in your life and any time and, in my experience, many times. Each time it brings a new lesson about renewal and rebirth and if you can trust this, you will be able to work through the initiation process much more easily. It’s like peeling an onion, isn’t it? We work through one layer and then, when the time is right, we peel off another layer of the same onion.
Remember, we are never asked to do more than what is possible. We are always held in so much love by the Masters of Light, we cannot fall.
At this time of isolation, the rug has truly been pulled from under our collective feet. We are facing the loss of so much on so many levels. It feels as if we are undergoing a collective Fourth Initiation, which well may be the case.
Added to this, we are often still dealing with balancing and mastering our minds, emotions and bodies. These three aspects will also have been challenged by the lock-down. So we are working through four initiations at once.
When and if all seems lost, when and if all life seems to be bad news and ‘dark’, you may wish to consider that this might well be your Crucifixion Initiation. Then, you may well be able to see things from a new perspective and take courage from this.
We are fortunate if we have some awareness of this. Many do not, yet they will be feeling the effects of the process. Compassion and kindness are key supports at this time.
Remember, a full moon is always a time of heightened emotion. This Easter full moon is always powerful. You may well be feeling its effects now. Be gentle with yourself during the time of this full moon and the lock-down and love yourself. You are working for the highest good in challenging times, in ways you may not be aware of.
I send my love and gratitude to you all for all you are doing.
Warmly,
Julia x
Gratitude and Blessings
At this time of year, I feel quite introspective. The dark days seem to focus my attention inwardly and I spend time pondering on my inner life and energy.
Given too that it's the end of the year, I feel drawn to taking stock and, hopefully without too much judgement but with love and compassion, I review the year just past and attempt to make plans and set intentions for the incoming, new year.
One of the things I feel happy about - and relieved, is the way in which I have been prompted to be more grateful. I have some very wise, loving and insightful friends, family and colleagues around me (for which I am grateful), who allow the gratitude energy to shine strongly in their own lives. Over the past couple of years, with their support and my own focus, I feel I have anchored the gratitude energy more strongly in my life. As a result, being grateful has become easier.
And I know this alters my energy and my mood...
Where I focused on the challenges and was sometimes overwhelmed by these, I now balance challenge with being grateful. Yes, the challenges are still there, but seem less all-encompassing when sprinkled with a bit of 'blessing-counting'. This raises my mood, my energy and I feel more able to face said challenges. The healing maxim 'energy follows thought' holds true here. If I think I am blessed and can name my blessings, then I am blessed and my energy shifts.
Keeping it simple
Anyone who has worked with me will know I like to keep things simple. This is true with my gratitude practice.
I suggest you start small and simply notice when possible, all that you have in life to be grateful for. It doesn't have to be a big thing, but it often is. For example, being grateful for health, family, friends, home etc. These things might appear to be 'normal' or so mundane you don't notice them. But imagine being in the shoes of anyone who has experienced the loss of these 'normal' things, then you will see how 'big' and important and special they are in life. Then you can easily be grateful - every time you think of your 'normal' life.
You can also be grateful for any small thing, for example, having enough milk for that much-needed cuppa or unexpectedly finding £5 in your 'other handbag'. If you notice everything for which you are grateful, then the gratitude energy builds and it builds quickly.
Each and every thing for which you are grateful is revealed as a blessing in your life.
You build the gratitude muscle..
You become stronger and the gratitude habit - the gratitude muscle kicks in automatically. It's amazing and can be transformational. Why not try it?
Perfect timing...
I started my gratitude practice at this time of year. A lovely lady, the mother of a dear friend of mine, gave me a diary. I had already bought and used my diary for that coming year so I had to think of how I would use this one.
I began a Gratitude Diary...
Every day, just before I went to bed, I wrote at least 3 things for which I was grateful that day in the diary. Some days I struggled to think of three things, but some days I needed to go into the 'notes' section as I had so much to be grateful for. I wrote anything and everything that came to mind. I was astonished. It all just flowed. It was overall, extremely easy to do.
And now...
It feels that I am in the habit of being grateful. The challenges remain and some days I feel more grateful than others, but gratitude is an established part of my life.
If I can do it, you can.
Of this, I have no doubt. Notice your blessings and say 'thank you' for them. Then notice how you spread this wonderful energy within your life and within the lives of those you meet.
Thank you for reading this. I am grateful.
Warmly,
Julia
Hello and welcome!
Thank you for visiting my new website.
It has come into being thanks to a lot of help and support from a group of very talented and extremely kind and patient people. Thank you to all at Access By Design in Chichester and Scan Station in Bognor Regis, for helping me. You have been lovely. I'm so glad I found you.
Some of the website may seem familiar to you, the content is based on that of the old site with some alterations which are intended to bring clarity to you, the viewer. There is also some new additions, including some beautiful images and of course, this, the Blog. I hope you will enjoy these and find them interesting and helpful. This is the intention anyway.
I wish you 'happy browsing' and look forward to hearing from you if and when you feel I could be of assistance to you.
Warmly,
Julia