Spiritual Awakening Revisited

Spiritual awakening has become something of a catch-phrase these days. Everyone is looking for that experience - the new age high, the ascension to a higher realm.  It was with a bit of amusement that when doing a Google search for current articles on the topic that I found one on the first page of Google that I had written two years ago (http://www.mysticfare.com/experiences-of-spiritual-awakening/). Why this one had stayed so prominent is the mystery of Google. Today I found an entire website devoted to spiritual awakening, a Wikipedia page under "religious experience" and also 5 ads for groups that will for a fee help you towards that goal including a spiritual awakening test to see how advanced you are, supposedly. 

I suppose I no longer have to begin my article by explaining what spiritual awakening is, but still everyone seems to have a bit of a different idea. Suffice it to say that not only is there more interest in the subject than even 2 years ago when I wrote that first article, but there are more people having all kinds of experiences of a different kind. I know this because they come to me for readings and I tell them they are normal and not to worry. It's long been predicted that we are going through some kind of quickening if not actual evolution as a species. Maybe it's simpler than that. We are just starting to use our right brains, something we could have done at anytime. It's just that we were so in love with our industrial wonder that we overlooked that aspect of our being. OK. Enough philosophy. Let's see what people are experiencing. Jim Tolles on the website, spiritualawakeningprocess.com states that he deals mainly with three types of people. I often work with three main types of people:

• People who want to develop a spiritual practice
• People who are dedicated to spiritual growth
• People who need to heal
• People who are in awakening

So here we are back to the awakening. I suspect that the high some people experience with awakening, the blissful state, is a natural carry-over from the psychedelic drug days, a kind of natural high. What is curious is that so many people are now experiencing this altered state. Back to Mr. Tolles again who is helping people going through awakening.

Orient and Ground You in a Spiritual Awakening
Anyone in awakening can feel completely out of sorts. It's a bewildering and scary place initially because spiritual awakening falls so far out of the realm of what is considered "normal" in Western society. It's also a blissful, ecstatic, and extremely connected space. I'll work with you to find appropriate grounding and help you to fully embody this energy as you shift from an old way of being into your true self. I'll also remind you regularly that you are not "crazy," but are in fact waking up to real "rationality" from the insanity that we live in.

From my own experience with this state and from what people have told me, there is often a feeling of dizziness, feeling light-headed and a need to take a break from "deadlines", pressure and the rat race. Some people feel more connected to others, even people they just met. Others may know things before they happen, or at least what others are thinking. The Eco Institute has an whole list of characteristics. Se if you can relate to any of these:

• Letting go of once tightly held beliefs and views. 
• Zoning out for extended periods of time. A spacey feeling.
• Sensitivity to negative people, events.
• Feelings of “tingling” electrical-like energy running through parts of the body.
• Having more meaningful dreams.
• Becoming aware of “synchronicity”, the seemingly unrelated events & signs we see & experience.
• Wishing to break away from blind conformity, outdated institutions, unnecessary customs, & the overall status quo.
• Unexplained changes in appetite & eating habits, weight. May sometimes look younger.
• Wishing to spend more time in nature.
• Changes in what you read, do with your spare time, & watch on TV (or turning off the TV altogether).
• Greater “awareness” of yourself and the outside world. 
• A greater sense of inner peace and interconnectedness, with intermittent periods of emotional upheaval.  Read more from this source here.

Please leave any comments about your own experiences with spiritual awakening. It's only beginning and I see it as a hopeful process towards possible world peace and more harmony in this sad world.

Australian Tour Company: Journeys of the Spirit

Here's another spiritual tour company that is worth checking out. With the internet so easy to access these days and the use in international calling using plans such as Skype, there should be no problem making reservations from North America. Julie Barker is at the center of this company who says, "Her personal interests have always included a commitment to health and wellbeing of mind, body and spirit.."  The trips include some of the usual places such as Bali, Thailand and Machu Picchu. However, there are some other alternatives that look intriguing - Kerala Ayurvedic retreat including an audience with the Dalai Lama, Byron Bay Yoga, Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), and Bhutan (going on right now). There are also "tailor made journeys" available that let you and a small group of friends set up a private journey.  Here are some more details about a trip that is soon to happen to Peru and Chile (9/13 - 10/14). The website states there are only 4 places left.

Walking in the footsteps of the ancient Incas, we explore the many breathtaking natural wonders of this very sacred land. A soul nourishing and uplifting experience!

Perhaps we will be blessed with the sighting of the rare pink dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon, enjoy a hike to the Chacan Rainbow Temple in Cusco and explore the magical realm of the Andean spirituality. Magnificent, extraordinary, breathtaking - words cannot fully describe what you will receive from our experience at Machu Picchu.

It seems that these trips are very popular. For example, their Kerala Ayurvedic retreat sells out a year ahead of time. The tour guides that Julie hires seem experts in their own fields and worth accompanying just to get to know them.  Here are two examples - Peter Bliss and Cathy Brown. However, these are only two of several more very knowledgeable and colorful guides.

Peter ~ is a dynamic business educator who has a very practical yet holistic approach to business and lifestyle. He has studied, coached and presented through keynotes and seminars throughout the corporate world both in Australia and overseas and combines simple western business intelligence with traditional eastern wisdom. He has experienced and is very aware that stress affects us all in different ways. If unaddressed it can be detrimental to all aspects of our lives and halt our full potential. Peter is passionate about mental wellbeing and has a unique ability to impart techniques with humor and practicality, bringing awareness to support you in creating a more balanced and fulfilled life. He has changed his own life through practicing what he teaches. We are delighted Peter will be guiding our Bhutan journeys 24th October to 6th November, 2014.

Cathy started her healing journey 24 years ago when she was diagnosed with secondary melanoma and was told she had only a couple of months to a couple of years to live and that chemotherapy and radiotherapy wouldn’t work. Her children were only six and eight and she knew she had to find ‘another way’ to heal.

After visiting 3 other doctors and told the same story, Cathy joined Cancer Support WA, which was the first place to give her hope and support. Over the years she has facilitated and instigated Wellness Programs, Support Groups, Women’s Healing Circles, the Gawler Foundation Healing and Wellbeing Program and many other groups. She has also been teaching Reiki for 20 years which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the spiritual aspect of life. We are delighted to have CSA Wellness Facilitator, Cathy Brown guide our mid- September's upcoming Kerala journey.

There are also trips to spiritual places right in Australia such as this trip proposed for 2015 to Karijini, Australia to learn from the Aboriginal elders.

The magic of the Pilbara is a world in which land, people and culture are intimately linked. One of the last frontiers covering 500,000km, the Pilbara is home to some of the most striking landscapes in Australia ~ ancient rock art, spectacular waterfalls, pristine rock pools and magnificent gorges. Blessed with spectacular red beauty, we will explore the spiritual heart of the Pilbara in Karijini National Park, offering you a truly unique outback experience that you will never forget. We share this mystical area of the world with Aboriginal elders, immersing ourselves within the wisdoms of this sacred land & observing through the focused lens the many landscapes surrounding you. Our breathtaking walks will have you discover the hidden gems of this extraordinary natural wonder.

Have I got you interested? Best to visit their website: http://www.journeysofthespirit.com.au/ and find out for yourself what they have to offer. I found the website to be a refreshing change from North American companies with the Ausie bent on the spiritual world. Julie herself has an interesting story of working in some high profile companies and then returning to Australia to set up her own company. As usual, if you go on one of these trips please send a comment so other readers can benefit from your experience.

Spiritual Travel to Tibet: A Meaningful Journey

Here is a travel company (actually a Tibetan Cooperative) called Tibet Travel Coop that uses a Tibetan staff of travel agents, tour guides, cooks, drivers and hosts who know the Tibetan travel industry and have been working in every part of Tibet. The picture of the Coop members is great - all the families too including the children. There are some very moving testimonials from travelers who plan to go back. This is definitely an authentic experience you won't soon forget. Here is some of the text from the website.

Knowledge

As Tibetans, we can share our communities, customs, history, and spirituality from our hearts and experiences from childhood live rather than from travel guidebooks. After all, we believe you come to Tibet partly to experience Tibet's culture and having a good Tibetan guide matters.

Responsible Tourism

We support local communities, use local services, volunteer in local villages, and donate a percentage of our profits to sustainable projects. After all, our bottom-line is not just measured by how much we made but how many Tibetans we are able to employee and how well we are able to protect the environment for future visitors to enjoy.

 The trips are divided into 3 sections: spiritual journeys, cultural odysseys, and trekking adventures. The cultural odysseys are further broken down into homestay, classic Tibet, spirit of Minyak and shangri-la! In this case I won't elaborate more. I urge you to explore this fascinating website yourself and find out the incredible journeys that you also could take with them. http://tibettravelcoop.com

Near Death Experience Predicts the Future Ahead on Earth

In 2012 a woman named Martha St. Clair nearly drowned while water skiing. As you will hear her describe in this video, she fell and was pulled under the water when the rope became tangled around her leg. She had many of the same experiences as others who have come back from the other side, but this time she was shown what was ahead for this planet and why we are all here this time during these huge changes. This is a must-listen for anyone spiritual who wants to survive the coming days.

Near Death Experience Predicts the Future Ahead on Earth

Now that you know what Martha saw, perhaps you would like to read more about near death experiences. It's a popular subject these days. If you go to Amazon and type in "near death experiences" you will find 14 books on the topic published in 2013. I've chosen one to share with you but please leave a message regarding any other good choices you know here below this article or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mysticfare Here is one of the best new books. What Happens When We Die: A Psychic's Exploration of Death, Heaven and the Soul's Journey After Death by Echo Bodine. Here we have much the same material in much more depth as the video you just watched. I hope you like it.Just click on the image below to see more.

Journeys of the Spirit Revisited

For those of you familiar with this website you might know that one of the regular listings under the heading, “Mystical/Spiritual Tours and Retreats” is Journeys of the Spirit. Sheri Rosenthal, a former doctor who was wealthy but not happy, found her focus in life through a spiritual direction and through journeys to sacred sites. She continues to create with her talented staff the journeys she herself calls, “transformational, soul-stirring and awe-inspiring”.

Upcoming journeys:
Heart Wisdom of Whales and Wild Dolphins, Panama, 9/15 – 10/11/13
Highlands and Mystical Islands: Sacred Scotland, 9/15 – 9/24/13
Reconnecting to Truth through Horse Wisdom, Tucson, Arizona, 9/18 – 9/22/13
Journey to Machu Picchu – Authentic Spiritual and Cultural Wonders, Peru, 9/26 – 10/ 5/13
Access your Dreams Retreat, Assisi, Italy, 10/12 – 10/18/13
Kindfulness – a Healing Retreat in the Himalayas, Nepal. 10/16 – 10/25/13

I like how this website is organized into categories such as By Region, By Trip Type, By Month and By Price. The home page features a map of an imaginary island with the types of trips such as Women’s Retreats, Mind-Body-Spirit, Spirituality in Business, Power Journeys, Volunteer Travel and Yoga Retreats. The option to plan your own retreat is also possible. Sherri has a recorded message for you which you can experience on this home page if you have Flash on your computer. Here a sample of what these trips are about.

Ready to move deeply inside yourself using ancient and indigenous spiritual traditions and ceremonies, meet local shamans, connect with other realms, trance dance or participate in a sacred plant ceremony? A Shamanic Journey is the perfect experience for you!

Is your business at a standstill, mental barriers and limiting thoughts blocking your abundance? You need a Spiritual Business Retreat to put you on the road to success!
Do you wake up wondering whose life you’re living? Feel like you’re lacking clarity? Find yourself short-tempered, frustrated or unhappy? Wish your relationships were more supportive and loving? Want to forgive and move on, but can’t?
If you crave freedom from your own life and mind you would definitely benefit from a Personal Intensive!

To read the original click here.

I understand from people who have gone on the Journeys of the Spirit tours that the service also includes travel and meals. Check out one of these great tours and let me know how it was. To contact them go to: http://www.journeysofthespirit.com or call 866-866-5566. If you mention MysticFare you will receive a discount on your trip.

Psychics and Healers Wanted

This is not my typical article but the notice came through the Humanity Healing University, a good source for information and learning. As they advertise for their online campus for Humanity Healing University, "Supporting the like-minded souls of the new conscious planetary culture".
Well back to the job opportunity. The organization is called the Supreme Psychics, and they are presently looking for "gifted psychics, clairvoyants, tarot card readers and astrologers" to join their team. All you need is a computer connection, a webcam and of course a computer. I suspect you also need psychic or healing expertise and experience, but they are encouraging anyone to apply.The benefits are enticing: work from anywhere in the world, set your own hours, make money and get paid every two weeks, 24/7 technical support. Well check it out. It might be for you or someone you know.
To read the full report click here.

Using Tai Chi to Overcome Arthritis

If one is to judge by popularity and assume this means a successful process of healing, Dr. Paul Lam, an Australian family physician and Tai Chi expert certainly has a good method. Amazon features 135 DVDs and books by this man. He has won numerous awards and his DVDs are in 16 languages. One of his first programs was Tai Chi for Arthritis, and since he started in 1997, over 2 million people have learned his method. Here is some descriptions of the program and the Tai Chi for Health Institute from the website.

Arthritis Foundation of USA and Australia, Arthritis Care of UK, Diabetes Australia, Osteoporosis Australia and other similar organistaions, fitness associations, universities and hospitals around the world supported one or all of Dr Lam's Tai Chi for Health programs. His instructors' training workshops are well recognised around the world, and accredited by Arthritis Foundation of USA; Australian fitness industry; American Council of Exercise; American Tai Chi Assocation; Florida and many other physiotherapist associations, HK rehabilitation society and the Korean Rheumatology Health Professional's Society.
Dr Lam's instructional DVD (some are in six languages) and books have made learning the programs easy and enjoyable. Dr Lam's team have also produced other tai chi instructional DVDs for learners of intermediate and advanced levels. You can find more information online.
Many of Dr Lam's students excelled in promoting health improvement and international competitions. Dr Lam is fluent both in English and Chinese. He enjoys working to bridge the gap between East and West, traditional and modern Tai Chi stylists.
To view the original of this post click here.

The Tai Chi for Health Institute was started in 2010 and includes training for teachers as well as practice of Tai Chi. From the calendar of events it seems that most of the present workshops are in the US or Australia. Dr. Lam teaches many of these himself, but with the burgeoning number of teachers being trained, having a workshop from Dr. Lam himself might be ending soon. While I myself have not taken one of these workshops, I certainly would like to join one in the future. Meanwhile, I’m going to order Tai Chi for Arthritis and see if it helps.

Spiritual Meditation Comes to Columbia University

Listen to this video on HuffPost Live in the Huffington Post “Healthy Living” Section to an interview with Dr. Lisa Miller, the new director of the Spirituality and Mind-Body Institute that aims to bring a more spiritual focus to modern medicine. Also being interviewed are future students of the program, Lorne Schussel now working with meditation therapy and a former med student, Patrick Kearney working with integrative medicine and Susan Lakatos, a former Wall Street banker who wants a new career.

As a graduate of Columbia University Teachers College I couldn’t be happier to see this new program. It’s a start to better integrate the knowledge of eastern and western medicine. If you like this video please share it with your friends. You will find it on the Mystic Fare Facebook page as well: http://www.facebook.com/mysticfare