Simplicity

balance, friendship,

It’s always good to be reminded of the KISS (keep it simple sweetheart) principle.

Too often, when presented with a problem, we default to overthinking, resulting in a mindstorm of “what ifs” and making mountains out of molehills.

So how to simplify?

It may be that you need not only to de-clutter your mind, but your surroundings as well.  What are you holding onto metaphorically that is no longer needed?

I recently had a bit of a tidy up and discovered a box under the house that had been unopened since moving in some 15 years ago. It contained four years of university notes and other items that I obviously thought important enough to save all those years ago. Apart from a couple of things, like the outline for the thesis I never started, the mountain of paper grew and filled the recycle bin. Other things that I retained were some letters from family and friends.

Meeting up with friends on Australia Day reminded me that true friendship is a simple, enduring affection that can be picked up and resumed without needing to explain anything. Life can be challenging and unpredictable at times and unconditional acceptance by friends helps to overcome adversity.

Simplicity offers us freedom…. It’s about not being concerned or attached to what others think about us and having the wisdom to live our lives in a way that lets us follow our hearts and dreams, yet being mindful as we go along our way.

It takes courage to simplify.

By divesting yourself of the things and thoughts that keep you imprisoned, you can open the door to a more creative and simple life.

Wisdom

Philosophy

Socrates said “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing”, which I have found to be abundantly true. Yet the dictionary definition of wisdom is just as confusing.  Wisdom can be :

  • the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of being wise
  • the fact of being based on sensible or wise thinking
  • the body of knowledge and experience that develops within a specified society or period

This was particularly apparent when studying Homeopathy. Finding the appropriate remedy seemed extraordinarily easy after taking a short course for home use. A dozen remedies for a dozen or so children’s ailments, what could be easier?  A little knowledge is useful, but the trick is in turning it into wisdom. After four years study of Classical Homeopathy, it was a little more difficult and took a lot longer to find remedies for clients.  There are thousands of remedies that are available and it takes considerable skill to find a remedy that exactly matches the symptoms that a client may present with. My lecturer taught us that the second best remedy is the one we have in our dispensary. I’m sure it is the same with other disciplines of studies.

But how do we know what we know and can we be certain that what we know is correct?

I’m sure the wisdom is in knowing that we know nothing.  Perspective will change how something is viewed and this may be through the mirror of time or through research or philosophy. There are people who would argue that Homeopathy cannot possibly work due to current scientific/rational thinking – that it is a “placebo effect”, yet thousands of people who have taken remedies for ailments and have been cured would vehemently disagree. It is within the realms of possibility that one day science will prove that Homeopathy is curative and acknowledge it as a legitimate form of medical treatment.

Scientific thinking has much changed since the time of Galileo, DaVinci and even Einstein. Theories that seemed improbable in those times have been proven to be true and so it is necessary to keep an open mind to the possibility Hahnemann came up with a curative method before his time.

Respect

balance,

Respect is another of those words that has many different layers.

It can mean a regard for the rights of others, a feeling of admiration for certain qualities in another, a reverence for living things or it can be a kind of a social code or responsibility to act in a certain way.

We can also have respect for ourselves and this is shown by our emotional, spiritual and physical responses.  Emotional respect is about honouring yourself and other living beings. Included in this is the respect we show to others by not gossiping or saying untrue things about others.

But what is Truth?

Often based on our own perception, it can be skewed by ego and illusion and occasionally when we “speak our truth”, it is not the truth of the intended recipient and an emotional hurt occurs.

The Reiki precepts

Just for Today
Do not Anger
Do not Worry
Be Humble
Be Honest in your Work
Be Compassionate to Yourself and Others  teach us respect and compassion and it certainly feels good to be kind and respectful to ourselves.  

Spiritual respect is more about a quiet reverence for all that the Universe provides and our connection to whatever higher power or divinity that we pay attention to.

Physical respect is about our stance, how we hold our bodies and how we wear our clothes.  It’s also about respecting and establishing clear boundaries and not getting into other peoples personal space.

Autumn Newsletter

EMF Balance, Hypnotherapy, Weight Loss, ,

Is Hypnotherapy or Meditation more effective for improving creativity?
A busy mind cannot learn well, so the ultimate aim is to relax the mind to allow creativity to blossom. Herbert Benson MD in his groundbreaking book The Relaxation Response studied the physiological effects of several types of meditation and was able to show that meditation lowered stress and anxiety levels for people that took up the practice. The downside being, that when they no longer meditated, the stress and anxiety returned. The studies were done in a scientific way and physiological symptoms were recorded over a period of time. Many of the people in the study found that their blood pressure was lowered; they had more clarity and became less negative in their mindset.(The Relaxation Response. Herbert Benson MD. William Morrow & Co New York 1975)
Hypnotherapy can also relax the mind, but we must take into account the differing depths of trance that you may go into. There are four measurable states

  • Light Trance – which most people can go into quite easily as it’s relaxation with a focused attention. Watching TV, reading a good book, even driving may be activities you do whilst in this state.
  • Apparent somnambulism – a deeper state where it looks as if you are deeply relaxed, but not deep enough for pain relief or anesthesia
  • True somnambulism  – in this state surgical or dental procedures can take place and the mind goes into a state of blank “nothingness”
  • The Esdaile State – not many people achieve this coma like state and it is said that in this state you can achieve total bliss.

In answer to the question, both can improve creativity, but as Meditation relies on regular practice, blocks may return. In the trance state, suggestions can be made that are accepted by the subconscious mind and only a few sessions may be needed. If the block is a result of stress from a traumatic event, then a therapeutic intervention can be done to clear that whilst in trance as well.

Another therapeutic application of Hypnotherapy is the Virtual Gastric Band program. Lately there has been a lot of publicity about the excellent results in reducing Diabetes Type 2 when a surgical Gastric Band has been fitted. The cost of this operation is now around $14,000 and, as with all surgery has some risks. The Virtual Gastric Band is just that…virtual… and has been used successfully around the world for some years….and with no side effects. I was trained to deliver this program 6 years ago and have seen great success with clients who commit to following the program. The brochure is available on this page….

Add yourself to the Reiki Register Here

What is the Reiki Register?
It is an opportunity for you to receive a full Reiki session at no cost to you during any 1:1 or small group training in exchange for honest and detailed feedback to the student.

How long does it take?
You will need to allow around 2 hours for a fully supervised session and feedback to the person giving the treatment. The session is “in person” for Level 1 trainings and remotely at a designated time for Level 2.

Do I need to be a Reiki Practitioner?
You don’t need to have done a Reiki course, but ideally you will have experienced at least one Reiki session, but this is not a pre-requisite.

What happens after I register? After your registration, you will receive an email detailing the date, time and location of the training.

How are sessions allocated?
Sessions are allocated on a first come, first served basis and you will be notified if you have the session or not. In other news, work continues at the retreat and you can follow the progress on my blog.

I have upgraded my EMF Balancing Techinique practitioner status – which I studied way back in 2000 – and for the Autumn season, (March, April & May) I  am offering Phases 1 to IV at just $90 a session or a package of all four phases at $320 – saving $40.

Unfortunately, due to exchange rates and changes at the Institute of Social + Emotional Intelligence the cost of SEI profiles have risen. Coaching packages are available at the current rate.

Nurture

Insights, Meditation, , ,

What does nurture mean to you?

Is it the care and protection of those you love or is it the nourishment of your own body and soul?

Pondering the nurture versus nature debate, it is interesting to consider whether our genetic inheritance contributes more than environmental concerns. We can nurture our bodies with adequate clean water and fresh, wholesome food. Likewise, we can nurture our souls with taking time out to appreciate nature – literally stopping to smell the roses!

With ongoing studies in epigenetics showing that our genes can adapt as they interact with environmental factors, the nurture versus nature conversation becomes more complex.  Behavioural epigenetics studies have shown that it is possible that behaviours can be imprinted into genes and these imprinted genes are handed down through several generations. Studies done on identical twins, who have the same genes can exhibit very different behaviours even when brought up the same way.  Social and emotional conditioning as well as environmental factors may well be part of the nurture versus nature conundrum.

I find it interesting to reflect on what I may have inherited from my forebears.  Apart from the likelihood that I may have a genetic predisposition to the diseases that my ancestors suffered from, I have the opportunity to make changes by ensuring that strong environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle choices offer the opportunity to imprint on my genetic makeup.

Other factors to consider, especially in recent times, are the effects of trauma on the brain. Repeated trauma will change the brain, affecting how we learn and process new information.

From an educational viewpoint, a stressed student is one that is likely to have some difficulty in retaining information.  It is unfortunate that negative experiences are far stronger than pleasant ones and it can be expected that sustained or prolonged traumatic experiences are likely to be retained in both our brain circuits and as a genetic change. I’m sure my teaching colleagues will attest to this, an anxious parent is most likely to produce an anxious child. Nurturing then becomes something to consider within our educational system.

Creating as many enjoyable experiences such as regular meditation will help to overcome the negative experiences and imprint a more positive attitude or behaviour both in our brains and our genes.

https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article-lookup/doi/10.1525/bio.2011.61.8.4

Transformation

Transformation, , ,

Can change happen in an instant?

I believe so, but what about transformation?

I see transformation as a more gradual process; the sum of many small but not insignificant changes.

We can create and plan for change, yet whilst these changes can contribute, they are not necessarily the catalyst for transformation. Just as the caterpillar or dragonfly, both spiritual symbols of transformation, go through a series of changes or metamorphosis we too can apply this metaphor to stages in our lives.

It is unfortunate that some people may choose the certainty of staying in the same stage of development rather than take a leap of faith into the unknown and never know the riches to be found in the next stage. Imagine how it might feel to have allowed yourself the flexibility of body and mind, at the same time nurturing your soul as you begin a new journey revitalized and free from a rigid past.

Self

Insights,

“This above all: to thine own self be true
And it must follow, as the night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any man                                                                                                                 Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”

These lines from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet have come down through the ages as advice to live a balanced life.

But what is the self?

If you believe and trust in your Self,  then you can be guided by your pure heart and soul. If you can risk being yourself, trusting in yourself will allow you to be open to more possibilities.

You may have heard of the saying “Let go and let live”….  by letting go and trusting in the knowledge that night will follow day, you can surrender your conscious self to be guided by your heart and soul to a wonderful life.

Let go and let the answers to your questions come…..

Stories from the Outback

dreaming, extraordinary life, ,

What a lot of memories flooded back on reading an article in the travel section of the weekend newspaper…

Apart from the retreat …..which is sort of bush……..but not really…….. it’s a 40acre residential block surrounded by some light forest and farms, I’ve seriously missed being “Outback”.  My love affair with the red dirt began at age 11 when my father took a position as shopkeeper at Tarcoola on the Transcontinental Railway, just two years after arriving in Australia as “Ten Pound Poms”. We exchanged the bright lights of Adelaide for the bright starlight nights of a village on the edge of the Nullabor Plain and we children exchanged our “posh” English accents for an Aussie drawl…. We experienced the shimmer of the heat above the railway line as it snaked into the distance,  learned to look both into the distance and close by, to spot any movement (snakes) and danced in the dust as the first fat raindrops fell in a long time.

The store, with adjoining house was one of the few stone buildings and we lived a few meters from the railway as the goods were unloaded directly from the train into the shop. We all pitched in on days that the Tea and Sugar arrived. Circular crates of tetra pack milk were taken to the coolroom. The butcher’s van attached to the train did a roaring trade in fresh meat and samples of clothes were inspected and orders put in with Dad to relay to the bigger Commonwealth store in Port Augusta and to arrive on the next goods train. The train also brought movies and eagerly looked forward to and I seem to remember that film nights were held in a hall next to the pub.

The families of the fettlers lived a little way back from the railway – neat weather board houses all in a row and further up the hill, built during the gold rush, was the stone/brick schoolhouse.  In those years it was just 2 rooms – one for the “bubs” and another for the bigger kids – all eight of us – with different work for the different year levels we were in and I was the only one in my year level. Once a week, the girls went into the “bubs room” to do needlework with the teacher’s wife who taught the little ones.  Some of the other  school work we did together, such as having to rote learn poems, which I never got the hang of….

There was one about Ozymandius….

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter’d visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp’d on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock’d them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Which probably summed up the despair of the teacher as he struggled in the heat and with having to teach such a diverse group of students.

Spare time was spent roaming on the bicycles… always with the caution to stay on the roads as there were old gold mines in the area and keep the railway line in sight. Swathes of Sturt Desert Peas brightened up the landscape …the red and black in start contrast to the greenish leaves. I don’t think they were supposed to, but the train drivers would often stop and pick some on their return towards Pt Augusta for their wives.  Most of the time we roamed westwards towards an ancient escarpment, which in later years I discovered has some of the oldest rocks in the world.  Curiously we hardly ever went in the direction of Kingoonya, the next village towards the south. The highlight of the year was the race day at Mulgathing Station which was about 40km away. No 4WD in those days, we piled into to the trusty Holden EJ and off we went.

Then it was time for me to leave…. The school only catered for primary education and I was to go to Port Augusta for high school. Dad, having previously worked at Woomera, which was closer was adamant that it wasn’t the place for me to be. So the day before school started, I boarded the Transcontinental train with Mum and we went down to Pt Augusta. I met the family I was to board with and then Mum returned on the next train back that evening. This began the longest school term of my life. I loved school, but I wasn’t fitting in and I was stuck there until the holidays in May when I could return home.

Then in the middle of Term 2, I got a message to say that Mum & Dad had decided to move on from Tarcoola and we were heading to Western Australia. They packed up their belongings and put the car on a flat bed  carriage and as soon as I returned from school we set off .. this time on the “Tea and Sugar”, stopping at all stations on it’s way to Kalgoorlie. We had a compartment pretty much to ourselves and ate and slept in that. No refrigeration and I had memories of being violently ill in the main street of Kalgoorlie after a bung sandwich. Dad looked around for work for a couple of days and I don’t think they realized how far or remote Kalgoorlie was from Perth …. we set off in the Holden and arrived late one evening in Perth. After our sojourn in the outback, we were now back in the “big smoke”!

The next time I was “Outback” was as teenager, riding my 450cc Honda east across the unsealed Nullabor Plain road, a trip I was to make another 15 times over the years as I visited my parents who had settled in Western Australia.

Life, children, teaching all happened for many years and while we were discussing the purchase of a new car, I expressed that I would like to get a vehicle that I could go “off road” in from time to time. We ended up with a Nissan Patrol and the first trip was to Cape York. Quite a different adventure to Central Australia. Other trips were planned & taken…. Fraser Island (where to the amusement of teenage children, I got “air” under the wheels as I misjudged a creek crossing along the beach),  the old Ghan Railway line and Central Australia and back to the Cape. Another trip to Central Australia and a detour back to Tarcoola. We had to get special permits to travel through Commonwealth land – part of the Woomera rocket range and found the town closed down. The old house was boarded up with warning signs of asbestos and the pub was shut. The school had been extended to cope with the expansion when the Ghan Railway was re-routed through because of frequent flooding on the old track. They had even built a swimming pool! And I recalled the lines of the poem that I had found so difficult to remember…..

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Looking back

dreaming, labyrinth

My very first labyrinth was a temporary chalk labyrinth drawn in the chakra colours some 18 years ago, on the driveway of my city home. This is the fourth permanent labyrinth that I have built…… with another on the drawing board….The current labyrinth was constructed over the Easter weekend in April 2014 on my 16 hectare property not far from Rushworth.

The previous three labyrinths were constructed on a friend’s property down the road, nearer to Heathcote. These were also built over Easter weekends, but have now been “de-commissioned” and two have been totally dismantled and the last one has been totally overgrown with trees.

The first one was made of wood and branches collected from the property and laid out on a disused ant’s nest. Curiously, the kangaroos and wildlife left it alone and it stayed relatively intact for some 15 years.The next labyrinth was a little more ambitious and work began on it in 2006. Blistered hands and aching muscles were forgotten when I made the first walk! Visits over the years entailed tidying up the path until one year that became impossible.

In 2011 there had been heavy rains in Central Victoria, with many areas flooding and the dry, dormant land sprang back to life. The pathway of the labyrinth became a forest of young gum saplings! I did clear some and hoped to weave the rest into a fence but it became too difficult to manage and the purchase of my own property gave me license to be creative!

In the meantime, the current, larger,  Labyrinth is a Classic 7 ring Cretan style that grew, once I realized that it wasn’t constrained by space. The small structure in the centre has a shallow bowl that I fill for the blue wrens and wagtails that live in the nearby bushes. To follow the construction follow THIS LINK or look through the blog archives from 2012 onwards.

A smaller labyrinth has also been constructed… initially intended to be temporary, it has remained in situ for about 18 months and needs very little maintenance.

On “the bucket list” is the construction of a large Chartres style labyrinth similar to the one in Sydney’s Centennial Park and have it open for public walking. I’ll keep you posted…..

Save

Save

Issues

balance, Coaching, ,

We all, at some time or another, have issues.

It is our choice as to how we act or react.

If we have come from a fear or control based childhood our responses are likely to be different from someone who has come from an emotionally intelligent background.

By overcomplicating things, we can often exacerbate an issue…..  who hasn’t heard of the saying “making mountains out of molehills” ?

By learning some simple emotional intelligence strategies, we can escape the return to “default” and exercise choice in our responses. These strategies will give you the courage to identify fears or issues and by facing them, you will resolve them. For example if you have an issue with conflict, then a useful strategy is to become aware of different perspectives. Ask yourself “What alternatives and opinions can be considered instead of sticking rigidly to this perspective?”