What Is Real?

"The world is nothing but my perception of it.

I see only through myself.

I hear only through the filter of my story."

~ Byron Katie ~

Byron Katie Talks About Herself

This is an exerpt from an interview by Ray Hemachandra. Ray asks Katie: Would you talk about the fluke and grace? Who were you when The Work was born, and who are you now?

Katie Answers:

Who I believed myself to be was a hopeless case. I would wake up in the mornings, notice I was still breathing, and hate God for keeping me alive. I would constantly think of killing myself, but I had three children, so that wasn't a possibility.

I was clinically depressed. I was agoraphobic, full of rage, so paranoid that I slept with a gun under my pillow. I would go for days and weeks at a time when I couldn’t even bathe or brush my teeth. My self-esteem was so low that I slept on the floor, because I didn’t believe I deserved a bed.

One morning, in 1986, as I lay asleep on the floor, a cockroach crawled over my foot. And I opened my eyes out of this dead sleep—a 43-year-long sleep—and in place of all that darkness was a joy that I can’t describe. No one had told me you could be alive and happy, and if someone had said that, I wouldn’t have believed it. I thought you had to die—physically die—to escape.

In that moment I was absolutely unidentified, so I can’t say “I.” It was without identification. There was no time or space. There was nothing separate. All that was left was amazement and joy. And whenever a thought—whenever any of the thoughts that had depressed me all those years, those terrifying thoughts that told me how worthless and terrible I was—hit my mind, I saw that it wasn’t true.

I began to laugh—or, without identification, we can say that it began to laugh. It just roared. I like to say it was born out of laughter.

The Work was born in that moment. I realized that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but when I didn’t believe my thoughts, I didn’t suffer. And I’ve come to see that this is true for every human being.

So, the first two questions in The Work—“Is it true?” and “Can you absolutely know that it’s true?”—are what I saw when the thoughts appeared. No thoughts are true. They can’t be. I saw that with absolute clarity.

The third question is “How do you react when you believe that thought?” Well, that was obvious: sadness, anger, despair. I saw that all these things are the effects of believing a thought that isn’t even true.

Then I saw that there was no identity until the thoughts appeared, so the fourth question is “Who would you be without the thought?”

Then what I call the turnaround, which is a way of experiencing the opposite of what you believe, occurred. I saw that for every thought, the opposite is just as true, or even truer. I realized that it was all upside down and backward—what was true, what was not true, what was the dream world, what was the real world.

For example, I used to suffer from thoughts like “My husband should listen to me.” The turnaround was “My husband shouldn’t listen to me.” How did I know that my now ex-husband shouldn’t listen to me? He didn’t. That was reality.

So, I had all four questions and the turnaround literally in a moment—in less than a moment. And when I talk about my world, people relate to it, because it’s so familiar to them. It’s them. They’re hearing themselves.

Inviting people to inquiry is much more powerful to me than describing my experience. When people ask me, as you did, I try to describe it, because it’s all valuable. And when people hear me tell the story, they often say, “Oh my goodness, I get it. I get it!” But it’s not enough.

Asking the questions — actually writing down your stressful thoughts and putting them up against the four questions, then turning the thoughts around and finding genuine examples of how the turnarounds are true — that’s what changes lives. Every cell in your body is awake with inquiry. And you cannot believe the old thoughts again.

Every mind deserves to be free. When the mind is free, that’s the end of suffering.

Me Time

Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They have just discovered these secrets and used them to become wealthy. You can do it too.

Here is secret #16:

MAKE TIME TO BE ALONE. This time is for planning and listening to what's inside you. Give your creativity time and silence to speak to you.

My notes:

Yes! I say yes and yes again. I love this one. It's important - and since I live alone it shouldn't be too difficult. Why is it that I don't have this structured into my daily routine? How is it that I fritter this time away on mindless trivia?

Pay Yourself

Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They have just discovered these secrets and used them to become wealthy. You can do it too.

Here is secret #15:

PAY YOURSELF FIRST. This is the first rule of the wealthy. Put money into savings before you pay bills. And DON'T touch it.

What I think:

Finally! One secret I can commit to actually doing. I used to do this all the time. I'd put money into savings before I spent any of it. Even if it was only $5. Then stuff happened... you know how it goes... years passed... and recently I started doing it again... and then... well... you know how it goes... stuff happened...

Is this the story of how I put myself last? or is this the story of how I only see what I don't have and make no provisions for having? or is this the story of seeing only the lack? I dunno. But it's a story I'm going to change.

Anyone else have anything to say about this? Do you pay yourself first? or last? Is putting yourself first something you often do? or is it the other way around? And are your savings and your self-worth related?

Big Dreams

Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They have just discovered these secrets and used them to become wealthy. You can do it too.

Here is secret #1:

DREAM BIG DREAMS. Thinking Big will change your life.

My thoughts on this subject are as follows:

It occurs to me that I never truly allow myself to dream big. Yes, I have big ideas about who I want to be in the world and what I want to have - but when it comes to what I want to actually do - the dream shrinks considerably. I start thinking in terms of what I don't want. I don't want to have to work, I don't want to have to drive in wintry weather, I don't want to be tied down, I don't want to be obligated to this or that... etc. And it turns into this long list of what I don't want.

So, I'm thinking, what do I actually want to do? What excites me? What fulfills me? What big exciting thing could I be flinging myself into that would actually pay my bills and bring me the freedom to be the coolest, funnest, most interesting version of me?

And when I do think those big thoughts about what I might be doing if only I could, when the dream begins to get really spectacular, I get nervous and scared, and immediately back off... What if I can't pull it off? What if I'm not good enough, young enough, smart enough? What if I can't measure up?

So, what are your thoughts? What is your experience? What are your big dreams? And are you allowing yourself to think those grand thoughts? Or do you sell yourself short? What about self sabotage? Do you do that too? Or do you have people around you who function in that capacity?

I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about this - because - frankly, I'm thinking I need all the help I can get!

The Supreme Optimist

Use stereo headphones to experience the relaxation effect properly.

From Instant Self Hypnosis, the following audio uses affirmations, relaxing sounds and binaural beats and you will relax deeper than you ever have before. If you focus on the affirmations your mind will be in a good state to implement the changes you desire.

Do NOT operate machinery while listening to this recording as it will relax you deeply. For best results sit in a relaxing chair, use stereo headphones and close your eyes to help your body relax deeply.

Giving Your Self Approval

Along with control and survival, approval is one of the three basic human wants that keep us entrapped as the ego.

It's astonishing how far people will go for approval. The multi-billion dollar cosmetic industry is just one example. The clothing industry is another. The list goes on and on.

People pattern their behavior based on what they think will get approval. And yes it's common to subject ourselves to control to get approval.

The amazing thing is that it's incredibly effective to give ourselves approval. There's no need to seek it anywhere else.

This is amazingly powerful stuff.

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Confidence Building Technique

This Technique helps you to get back your lost internal self confidence. You can turn back to this method whenever you require the power and self-confidence. The successful people in this world have one thing in common - tremendous power and self confidence. They have the capacity to convert their thoughts to action through their power and self confidence.

What is Power?

From the many meanings that can be given to the word, one of them is the person's ability to convert thoughts to action. Through this exercise you will be able to generate a solid power within you that will help you to use all the knowledge lying inside you.

Confidence Building Technique

• You have to create a circle of confidence in front of you. Stand up straight on your feet and imagine the existence of a powerful circle in front of you. Stand firm and tall.
  


• Focus on your inhalation and exhalation of breath. Imagine a liquid inside that circle in front of your body to be of any color of your choice. Recall any past incident of your life when you felt powerful and confident.
  


• Just imagining this powerful and confident state will develop tremendous power and self confidence within your body. Slowly this state of power and self-confidence will increase in its intensity and you will strongly feel the increase.
  


• A time will come when this state of tremendous power and self-confidence will reach its PEAK. When it reaches the peak, immediately close your fists and hit a punch in air. Shout in the loudest tone "YES".
  


• Take a step ahead and come in the imagined circle. Once you are in the circle imagine that the colored liquid filled with confidence in entering your whole body. This liquid is increasing your power and confidence tremendously. You will have a totally new and "charged-up" experience. You can repeat if needed. Count 1,2, and 3 and then slowly open your eyes.

Advice

• If you practice this technique two or three times a day for 21 days continuously then you will surely experience tremendous boost in your power and self-confidence.
  


• Once you have practiced the technique enough, just close your eyes, remember a past incident where you felt powerful and self confident and which bring power in you. just when you remember that incident, shout "YES" loudly
  

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Being Authentic

Virginia Fitton, teacher and seminar leader, offers a guided meditation on what it means to be authentically human. For more, visit Global Mindshift.

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The Perfect Self

When we see everything as its' true essence, it's all perfect the way it is.
Seeing perfection includes seeing ourselves as perfect.
The following guided meditation will help.

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Self Esteem - A Guided Meditation

A guided relaxation session affirming the theme of love and self-esteem.

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Seizing the Sword

Today we're exploring the ninth stage of being a hero (from Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces):


9: The Hero Seizes the Sword

Having survived death, beaten the dragon, slain the Minotaur, the hero now takes possession of the treasure he's come seeking. Sometimes it's a special weapon like a magic sword, or it may be a token like the Grail or some elixer which can heal the wounded land.

Sometimes the "sword" is knowledge and experience that leads to greater understanding and a reconciliation with hostile forces.

The hero may settle a conflict with his father or with his shadowy nemesis. In RETURN OF THE JEDI, Luke is reconciled with both, as he discovers that the dying Darth Vader is his father, and not such a bad guy after all.

The hero may also be reconciled with a woman. Often she is the treasure he's come to win or rescue, and there is often a love scene or sacred marriage at this point. Women in these stories (or men if the hero is female) tend to be shape-shifters. They appear to change in form or age, reflecting the confusing and constantly changing aspects of the opposite sex as seen from the hero's point of view. The hero's supreme ordeal may grant him a better understanding of women, leading to a reconciliation with the opposite sex.

Food for Thought:

I've recently been playing those ridiculous facebook games. On most of them, there are trophies and rewards that get collected as a result of completing certain tasks. My vampire wars trophies look pretty impressive, to me anyway, and when I was transcribing this post, it occured to me that maybe it would be helpful to make a sort of "trophy case" for our real lives.

What if we sat down and thought about all the things we've gained from our "supreme ordeals" and life lessons, and made a scrapbook of sorts. We could have a place to showcase our talents and skills, and abilites acquired through experience. It might also be helpful to keep track also of our tools and stuff, and have a place for certificates and diplomas.

What do you think? Is it possible that something valuable could be gained from keeping track of our progress through this journey called life on earth?

It's a list!

To do this exercise you will need a piece of paper, a pencil or pen, highlighter pen (optional) and a timer or clock. Any kind of paper will do, but if you have paper and pen you really like, that will be even better.

Set a timer for 10 minutes or note the time on your watch or a clock. Write your name across the top of the paper. Then write everything positive and good you can think of about yourself. Include special attributes, talents, and achievements.

You can use single words or sentences, whichever you prefer. You can write the same things over and over if you want to emphasize them. Don't worry about spelling or grammar. Your ideas don't have to be organized. Write down whatever comes to mind. You are the only one who will see this paper. Do your best to avoid making any negative statements or using any negative words (for example: I am not lazy).

When the 10 minutes are up, read the paper out loud to yourself. Sounds good, doesn't it? Read it again just for the pure enjoyment of hearing all that good stuff about you.

Now, take your highlighter pen and highlight every single attribute, talent, achievement, or personal quality that is also shared by the "who you want to be" character from your chosen book or movie. If you don't have a highlighter pen, circle or underline those qualities so that they really stand out.

If you are working on something of a more general nature, for example, if you have made a commitment to finding a closer connection to the Goddess, or letting go of fear, or something along those lines, use the highlighter to emphasize those qualities, talents, achievements etc that will assist you in making that connection or releasing that fear.

Now put your list in a convenient place – your pocket, purse, wallet, or the table beside your bed. Read it over to yourself at least several times a day to keep reminding yourself of how great you are! Find a private space and read it aloud. If it feels comfortable, read it to a good friend or family member who is supportive.

Remembering When

I really think I'm starting to actually make some progress with this project, and it occurred to me this morning that the turning point came when I realized that there have been times in my life when I really have allowed my inner Aragorn to come through.

For example, when I was working as a full time dog trainer... yes... those were the glory days for my inner Aragorn. I could walk into a room full of crazy insane barking dogs and nervous clueless people, and within an hour dogs who had never in their lives ever done anything anyone told them to do, were actually sitting and staying on command. I could take a dog home with me that had been labeled untrainable and mentally retarded by the local "dog psychologist" and in four weeks, that dog would know his basic obedience so well he was flawless no matter what was going on.

I remember one memorable class when someone brought in this little bulldog for private lessons, and for one whole hour all that little dog did was bark until he puked and then he'd bark some more, and all the while he was barking and puking he was also lunging and jumping, and biting the leash.... I was thinking "Oh My God!!" But we preservered, and 12 weeks later, that same dog did basic obedience off leash in a room full of other dogs and people. Not because I trained him, but because I taught his 12 year old owner how to train him... and if that's not an Aragorn thing, I don't know what is.

My first thought was that I should get back into the dog training thing again... but I'm done with that. It's not something I have passion for anymore... those days are gone. Then I started to remember other times, other activities where I allowed that part of me to come through.... and I began to have little glimmerings of ideas about the different directions I could take my life. One thing led to another, and now I'm getting more clear about what I want to do with myself, and the best thing is that the Universe is stepping forward to support me. That horribly indecisive, wishy washy, self doubting angsting no-I-couldn't-possibly-but-I-want-to-but-I-can't loop that I was winding and rewinding has finally come to a full stop. I can and I will "be" Aragon. I've done it before, and I can do it again. Yes, that feels pretty good!

So... what about you? Maybe you have a pretty good idea of the character you'd like to be like, a person you'd like to emulate, someone you want to "be." Think about it... Has there been a point in your life when you've actually had a taste of it... an experience or even a period of time of really "being" there, expressing it, acting it out, or feeling it? I'm wondering if just thinking along those lines might give you ideas and insights into "how to get there from here." Yes, the past is over... no going back there now! The future, however, you will be going there... tomorrow even... and if you can see the possiblities of the past, maybe you'll be able to see the potentialities in the future.

Some of us have talked about a deeper connection with the Goddess, or the Earth Mother as described in The Mists of Avalon or seen in Avatar. If you think back... isn't there a time in your life when that connection was deeply felt and real? And if it was deeply felt and real then, there's no reason why it can't be deeply felt and real now. It's just a matter of remembering the situations and circumstances or whatever it was that fostered those feelings, and then finding a way to recreate it in a new and different way here and now.

Note: If you still don't have a clue about who you want to "be," maybe it would be helpful to go back and take a look at the stuff we did on archetypes. This link: archetypes should bring up most of those posts.

Fantasy vs Reality

There's been a lot of talk recently about Post Avatar Depression. In short, people are depressed because their own lives don’t measure up to the fantasy. Wow... that sounds familiar!

Here's what one person said: “Ever since I went to see ‘Avatar’ I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na’vi made me want to be one of them. I can’t stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it.. ” - Mike

Some of this sounds similar to what happened to me the first time I watched Lord of the Rings, and I have been wondering what would happen, how would our world change if, instead of being depressed and playing the "can't go there because it isn't real" card, the people having those feelings of depression got inspired to create a life for themselves that contained within it the key elements of Pandora and the Na’vi people. If the people who were deeply touched by that movie pulled nature and living things into their lives, connected with the Earth Mother, and began to "do life" the Na'vi way... we might have the beginnings of a completely different relationship with the environment, the people around us, and the planet we all live on.

Part of the problem is that there is a perception that because something is a "fantasy" or a "work of fiction" or "just a movie" it can't possibly be real, that it's impossible to "live the fantasy" or be "larger than life" and that all your dreams can only come true if they are ordinary, commonplace, mundane, acceptable, and "real."

I reject that kind of thinking. I reject it because I'm planning to live my fantasy life. I'm going to be Aragorn, Buffy, and Auntie Moss... I'm going to pull all those fantastic magical characters that inspire and move me out of my imagination and move them into action. I'm not content to sit around wishing things were different. I'm ready to take some chances and, like Buffy, I'm ready to kick ass. Actually, I'm much more interested in doing the impossible than I am in doing what's realistic.

And that's what we're doing here on the Prosperity Project this time around... looking at how to bring magic and fantasy out of the "wishing" realm and into the "being" world. So, tell me, what movie, what book, what story really speaks to you... what fantasy, or piece of fiction pulls on your heart? And when that happens, what do you say to your heart? Do you talk about all the reasons why it isn't possible? Do you tell yourself that maybe someone ELSE could but you couldn't? That you're not young enough, old enough, experienced enough, or strong enough? That you don't have the money, the opportunity, the knowledge? What would your life look like if you allowed the impossible to be possible? And isn't there at least one small thing that you might be willing to change, add, subtract, give, give up, express, or actually do that would begin, even in a very small way, to make your life more magical, interesting, meaningful, etc?

And here's something else to think about.... if there is something in a book or movie that really speaks to you, it's because you recognize it in yourself. It's not that you are trying to "be" someone else. What's happening is that there is something larger within you that longs to be expressed. How would if feel, what would your life look like if you allowed it?

Introductory Stories

"In every generation there is a chosen one.

She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness.

She is the Slayer."

Buffy Summers knows this tale by heart, and no matter how hard she tries to be just a "normal girl", she can not escape from her destiny. Thankfully, she is not alone in her quest to save the world, as she has the help of her friends, the hilarious (and surprisingly quite effective) evil-fighting team called "The Scooby Gang". Together, Buffy and company will slay their demons, survive one apocalypse after another, attend high school and college, and above all, understand that growing up can truly be Hell... sometimes literally.

So what does that have to do with us?

Well, I was thinking. What if I wrote something similar about me? What if you wrote something similar about you? What would it say? And it occured to me that something like this might be helpful. We might learn something about ourselves, something important.

So I made it into a kind of a fill in the blanks template. I wondered what we might come up with if we played around with it... and would it be something that might "work" or be helpful in some way. How about it guys, wanna give it a go?

"In every _________ there is a __________. She (he) alone will ___________ against (with) the ___________, the ___________ and the _____________. (Your name)  __________ knows this tale by heart, and no matter how hard she (he) tries to be just a ________________, she (he) cannot escape from her (his) destiny.Thankfully, she (he) is not alone in her (his) quest to ___________, as she has the help of her friends, the ________ (and surprisingly quite _______) _______ team called "_______". Together, (your name) and company will _______, survive one ______ after another, attend (go to)  _______ and _______ , and above all, understand that ________ can truly be ______... sometimes literally.

Is it even possible?

My friend, Michelle, loves Avatar, the movie that I watched as "homework" for the Project. Her big thing with the movie was that she really wants to "go there" to BE on that planet, to grow up as one of "the people." She loved the idea of going to sleep in one place and waking up in another more alive, more vibrant, more beautiful place in a stronger, better body. I think that if she could figure out how to be "magically" transported right into the movie, (with her children), she'd do it in a heartbeat.

So right away, she's feeling disappointed with her "real" life because it can't ever be that. For one thing, she's not a giant blue person with a tail. I know the feeling. It's how I felt initially when I decided that I wanted to "be" Aragorn even though I'm not a man, not a son of Numenor, not descended from kings, and if an Ork attacked me I'd be dead in probably less than 3 seconds flat unlike Aragorn who could probably kill it without even getting out of breath. From a purely logical point of view, it isn't realistic and doesn't seem possible.

I think the real question is, OK.. so how do we reconcile the differences between movie life and real life, between "fantasy" and "reality." How do we bridge the gap between what we wish our lives could be and what our lives are right now this moment. And where does "being realistic" fit into that equation?

One thing I thought of was how easy it is to play the "can't" card. For example: If one of my great fantasies is to have a 1000 year old oak tree in my front yard, it might be tempting to say... well... I can't because... and then start listing all the reasons why something like that couldn't possibly happen. Can you imagine what the root system would look like? It would take an act of God, a massive expenditure of money, and a giant machine... and even then... it might not survive. And do oak trees really live that long anyway?

However, if I think in terms of what I might actually be able to do, I have a number of options:

1. Plant an acorn - at least it's a start.
2. Buy a young oak tree - again, it's a start.
3. Save for a house with an ancient oaks already growing in the front yard - not a bad idea.
4. Visit an oak forest and look for the oldest tree - at least that way, I'll know one when I see one.
5. Create a photo album of old old oak trees - keeping the dream alive.
6. Put an ad in the local paper that you'd like to purchase one - who knows what might happen?
7. Find out if an ancient oak tree is available as a bonsai - it'd probably be over the top expensive, but how could it hurt to check that idea out? And at least it'd be smaller.
8. Create and dedicate a space in your front yard for the tree so that you'll be ready for it when it arrives - now that's positive thinking.
9. Invoke the spirit of a 1000 year old oak tree - might be a cool and interesting thing to do.
10. Designate a spot in the front yard for the tree and then act as if it really is there, rake the "leaves" in the fall, pick up fallen "branches" after a storm, admire it in the spring, and enjoy the "shade" in the summer - yes... sounds pretty wierd... but hey, you'd have a "virtual" tree which is better than no tree at all.

My point is that just because something seems fantastic, unrealistic, or impossible, it doesn't mean you can't take steps to pursue it anyway. And who knows what might happen? You might embark on a journey that takes you places and introduces you to people you never imagined! It might even be the best thing you ever did for yourself!

So... what is it that you'd like to bring to your life? Is it a character? A place? A situation? Skills, talents, abilities? What are you telling yourself? Are you playing the "can't" card? Or are you ready to get started on your list of possibilites?

Using Movies To Expand Our Limited Selves

Our current project came about because I really do think that great movies as well as great fiction give us a really great way to look at ourselves through a different mirror, and to try on or try out completely different, larger, more expanded versions of life might be like if we could but allow it.


So, here's what I'd like to know. What movies have you watched that changed the way you think about life? Which characters inspire you? Those inspiring characters live somewhere within you, or they wouldn't be so inspiring... what would happen if you let them out? How would your life change if you did that?

Believe it or not, The Lord of the Rings is not the only movie I think about. I play this game with every movie I watch. Recently I watched The Wrestler. And wow... he was me! I was astounded at how amazingly the same we were. It was such a graphic image, and so decidedly familiar, that I immediately set about trying to change things.

I talked about it so much that my daughter asked me, "Mom, what are you going to do if this year, when you watch the Lord of the Rings, you find out that you're actually The Wrestler?"

Daniel and I watched "City of God" and while neither one of us identified very strongly with any of the characters, we did have a great insight into how it was that the main character got everything he wanted in the end. It was quite illuminating, and enlarged my understanding of how manifestation works in real life, in the real world.

I watched all 6 seasons of The Sopranos... and came away with so much that was helpful and valuable. Yes, the Sopranos! Hearing Tony Soprano in my head, "She's dead to me" has been an invaluable tool for dealing with difficult people. I hear him in my mind, and suddenly I find that I don't don't have to allow that person to affect my mood, my feelings, or my life.

The first 3 seasons of Dexter was a real eye opener! Just think about it. What if your father... or your mother... or your parents... knew the real you, had a clear vision of who you were born to be, and then dedicated themselves to teaching you all the things you needed to know in order to be hugely successful at being the best YOU that you could possibly be... irregardless of WHO that you might be!

Daniel and I got a lot of insight and inspiration about Magick from watching Rome. Seeing that pagan society in action gave us so many ideas and clues about how to live a magickal life.

Our current project came about because I really do think that great movies as well as great fiction give us a really great way to look at ourselves through a different mirror, and to try on or try out completely different, larger, more expanded versions of life might be like if we could but allow it.

So, here's what I'd like to know. What movies have you watched that changed the way you think about life? Which characters inspire you? Those inspiring characters live somewhere within you, or they wouldn't be so inspiring... what would happen if you let them out? How would your life change if you did that?

Why is it harder for some of us?

I don't know why I'm finding it so hard to just strike out and DO something to really claim my inner Aragorn! Or to find my "great work."  Am I expecting too much too soon? Am I avoiding something obvious? Are you having as much trouble as I am when it comes to figuring out how to bring this larger than life character, or archetype into reality?

So this is what I was thinking about when, the Master of the Universe sent me to a web page with this article:

Some things are easier for some people and harder for others in all areas of life. Why?

Huna philosophy says that the world is what you think it is, there are no limits, energy flows where attention goes, now is the moment of power, and effectiveness is the measure of truth.


In this context, the answer to the question is that it has to do with what you believe about yourself and about life. Right now you are manifesting everything in your life quite automatically without any apparent effort. When you have no blocks about a particular thing, the slightest thought can bring it into your experience. People who seem unusually lucky in certain areas simply have no fears or doubts to get in the way in those areas. So they can decide on something related to those areas and have it happen with ease.


It is when you want to change a long-standing conditions in your life in a conscious way that you often have to apply so much time and energy in manifesting the change. This is because you must also change the beliefs that brought you to your present condition. When changes seem to occur on their own, it is because you haven't noticed a more gradual change in beliefs that has been taking place on a "subconscious" level.


You manifest your own reality. But it is the total "you" that does this, not the conscious mind alone. To put it accurately, your Higher Self creates your reality according to the beliefs you have established in your Ku. And those beliefs are established by concentrated attention and repetition by your Lono.


To change your experience, you must change yourself. The rule of life is that you get what you concentrate on. Just be sure you know exactly what it is that you are concentrating on. Many think they are concentrating on having health, wealth, love, success, or spirituality, when they are really concentrating on the lack of it. Manifesting something very different in your life will depend on the strength of your motivation, the persistence of your concentration on what you want instead of what you don't want, and the degree of confidence you have that the Universe will help you get the best possible outcome according to these factors.

~Serge Kahili King

Did you find that helpful? I did. But then, I could feel myself slinking away, leaving it in the realm of "something I read," "something I agree with," and "something I could talk about here." And as I was watching that moment of action slip away, I clicked on another link on the website and found this! It's called the Menehune Lagoon, one of those online oracle type things. So, I asked the question, what is the first step I could take in my quest to become Aragorn. Here's what I got!

WELA KA HAO!

Strike while the iron is hot!

Don't hesitate. Do it now.

It's time for action, rather than thinking.

Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you.

Ever the doubter, always a procrastinator, I then asked "But how do I know what those opportunities are?" And this was my answer:

'IKE NO I KA LA O KA 'IKE, MANA NO I KA LA O KA MANA

There is a time for knowledge and a time for power

When you don't know what to do, ask for higher help.

It's time to put your knowledge into practice.

If you don't have all the answers, trust yourself and do it anyway.

Looks like I'd better get started and do something right now! I'm thinking I'll start by turning off my computer. Then, I think I'll turn on some music and get some energy moving in this house!

Your Great Work

Hey guys, I found something really fun to help us get a grip on this project. It's a little flash video called, "Find Your Great Work." It's really clever and cool, be sure to check it out. These are the highlights:

1. Things only get interesting when you take full responsibiliity for the choices you make.
2. Changing your focus changes what's possible.
3. You must make not one, but two choices.
4. You're not doing great work if everyone's happy.
5. If you're doing it by yourself, you're not doing great work.

And in summary:

Jump in, look for great work, say yes, say no, get clear, and invite others in. 

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." Carl Bard, writer.