This post may be a bit out of the norm for ArizTravel… I mean, it’s not REALLY all about tourism, people and places in Sedona, the Grand Canyon and so forth, BUT when I read our guest blogger’s latest contribution, I just had to post it.

I’ve been watching back-to-back episodes of Showtime’s “Weeds” Season 4, thanks to my Netflix account. And Greg’s experience going to the dentist in Mexico totally made me laugh because I couldn’t help thinking about Weeds characters going to Mexico for cheap Xanax and the like, having to pee in a venti iced Starbucks cup because the line of cars waiting to go in and out of Mexico was so long, etc.

But Greg’s message has a more serious, self-improvement message, delivered in his usual colorful way. Enjoy it… and be sure to hug your monster (read on to get what I mean.)

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Hugging the Monster
Crossing the Arizona Border Into Mexico

Many Arizona residents go to Mexico for dental work because of the dramatic difference in cost. Little did I know what awaited me on my semi-annual dental trip across the border! The day I made the 4.5 hour drive to Yuma and then into Mexico I had stomach cramps and mild diarrhea. It wasn’t bad enough not to go and I had put off the trip twice now, so I had to make the trip.

On the way I was listening to an interview on NPR with Ben Sherwood who wrote a book called “The Survivors Club“. Ben mentioned that all the survivors he interviewed had one thing common: there was a moment when they “hugged the monster”, meaning they embraced what they feared most. At the time, I thought, “Cool way of looking at it.” In matter of hours, I didn’t realize I would be hugging a monster! On the drive I stopped in a few mini-marts looking for club soda which I knew would help the cramps which had gotten a little worse; no luck. Even though I didn’t feel well, I felt safe inside the car so I kept going.

I got to the border-crossing and parked the car and walked the 100 meters across. I figured I would be 45 minutes tops and get back across and try to feel better. As I went by customs, I noticed there was small line of 20 people. This surprised me a little because on the last trip there wasn’t any line. Then I remembered it was winter as opposed to summer when I was there last time so there were probably more “snowbirds”.

The dentist’s office is only few blocks in and it was just a 5 minute wait till he could see me. Cool! First thing he said to me was, “I am surprised you came at this time of the day with the line?” I replied, “Oh, yeah, I saw the line.” He looked at me a little funny and shrugged. He didn’t say anything more about it and we finished half hour later (saving about $1000!) and I walked briskly up the street anxious to get to the car and head back. Now before I tell you what happened next, let me describe one of my big monsters which I have worked on but I guess not enough: It’s a fear of getting stuck some place sick, maybe you can relate! Many years ago, I got stuck really sick in a few places where I couldn’t get help. Even though I had come a long way that fear of feeling helpless was still a little inside me

To continue: I saw the line of twenty people waiting to cross the border up ahead and as I got closer I noticed it curled around the corner. I was thinking, “Oh man, I am going to have to wait maybe 10 minutes, what a pain.” I rounded the corner to get in line and in front of me stood literally a 1000 people waiting in line, stretching maybe a mile! I looked again, thinking it had to be a line for something else, – I’m not sure what; I just simply couldn’t believe it. I will tell you, brothers and sisters, in that moment something inside of me broke. I felt lost, alone, and scared. I thought this just can’t be, I couldn’t accept it. I have spent years avoiding this kind of moment. I could feel the cramping in my gut get worse.

I looked up and down the line of people who seemed relaxed and accepting of the wait. This seemed very strange to me. Why weren’t they outraged! I was standing there looking at one of my greatest fears, being stuck some place sick. The monster! And when fear hits, you know the need to go gets greater! Of course, I am afraid I might have an accident, then what do I do!

I tried to pull it together and think how I could get around this: I could approach a border patrol officer and say I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t think I could stand in line. But something inside me felt that might not be wise given the tension around border crossings these days and also I looked a little straggly that day which might not be good. There was some other reason I didn’t do that which didn’t become apparent to later. Then I thought, I could palm a twenty and approach someone at the front and say, “Hey, Bro, thanks for saving my place.”–flashing the money at them. Again same thing, I just didn’t feel the motivation to try that.

Not knowing what else to do I started to walk back to the end of the line. I remember thinking some thing will happen to save me before I get to the end! The line just kept going on and on! Same thoughts, this just isn’t possible! It was five people across and when I say a thousand people, I am not exaggerating!

I arrive at the end of the line and cue up, like everyone else, another clue to future realizations. It occurs to me I need to do something to distract myself from feeling sick so I thought I have to get charming and talk to the people standing around me! I start chatting to two older women in their mid-sixties standing next to me (there friends).

They were very nice and told me they were snow-birds. One woman says, “She lives in an 8×40 cell (motor home) with the devil (husband)”; the other, in a fifth-wheel with a similar devil! I chuckled inside thinking, even in Mexico I can’t seem to get away from women in unhappy marriages (in my Sedona retreats I seem to attract a lot of wonderful women with similar issues)! I ask them what they are doing in Mexico. “Oh, we just come across to shop once a week, tequila is much cheaper over here.” I say, “Did you know about the line?” She says, “Sure!” I query them, how long the wait is. “About two hours!” OMG, I am think, I won’t make it. Fear runs thru me again. I ask them if they could save my place, I need to use a rest room.

It takes a while but I finally found one. I buy some water and head back, worrying how I am going to spot the two women amidst the thousand people. As I approach the line, they wave. Thank, God! I joked to them, “You knew I might not see you?” They nod and smile, obviously veterans of “the line”! Still feeling queasy I start talking again, letting the funny Greg show up. They tell me some great stories about traveling around the country and life on the road.

As the line moves ahead little by little, Mexican women mill around us selling gum and other little things. I think I need all the good karma I can get and hand them a dollar each when they approach. Incredibly, every time I do, within a minute the line takes a big jump! Wild! Then I guess the word gets out and suddenly there of lots of beautiful little Mexican women asking me for money! I go thru all my singles and tell them I’m tapped. And then I think what the hell and unwrap some of the gum they gave me and pop in my mouth. I don’t think I have chewed gum for 15 yrs! It tasted pretty good!

By this time, my two line-mates and I, have become fast friends and we are yukking it up and laughing. Even though I still feel sick, I think to myself, you’re making it, brother, you’re making it. I ask them, still not quite believing it, “You knew you were going to wait in line for two hours?” They nod, a strange sort of pride on their faces. The first of many realizations that day occurs to me: these wonderful women (who I later refer to as my “line-angels”) are in a separate reality then me. Truly! I get this principle once again in a deeper way.

As I stood there enjoying the gum, it dawns on me why I didn’t try to talk my way across or hand someone money–that was an old behavior from “back in the day” and when I was growing up and I just wasn’t that person anymore. It was a sense of self-importance, that I’m not like everyone else; I don’t have to stand in line! I was suddenly grateful that I naturally didn’t make those old choices.

I look around at the other people in line and I noticed a few interesting things: I was probably the youngest person there. They were mostly seniors and everyone truly did appear accepting of the situation. I heard no one complaining and registered that I hadn’t heard anyone complain in the hour and half I had waited thus far. I wondered if that would’ve been the case with a younger crowd. Perhaps with age comes acceptance and patience. I really absorbed their powerful modeling. I also noticed that I didn’t see anyone smoking. I am not sure what this means but I thought it interesting. Also, I didn’t see any couple getting into it or purposely not talking to each other. Maybe the unity of the situation creates these phenomena, something to consider.

Me and my two line-angels finally round the corner and are only a matter of thirty yards from crossing over. I can’t quite believe I’ve done it. I shake my head a little in gratitude. I turn to my new friends and tell them the bottom truth: “I wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t sure I could handle this but talking with the both of you and your friendliness really made the difference. I don’t think I could have made it without you. You are my line-angels!” They laugh and tell me they were happy they could help.

I enter the customs trailer, show my passport and within seconds I am across! I say goodbye to my angels and head to the car which I have never been so glad to see! I check the time on my cell phone. We waited in the line for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Wow! I never would have believed that I could have done that feeling as sick as I did. I found a deeper strength in me that I didn’t know I had. I hugged the monster! Sometimes, brothers and sisters, the way to get over something is to meet it head-on. It may be scary, even terrifying. But just like me, you can do it.

As I thought about writing this story over the last few months, I felt there was important underlining message I hoped to communicate, that even spiritual teachers have their fears! And it’s ok to have fears, to not judge them or think you failed or you’re not getting “it”.

This was the first of a number of “hugging the monster” events since that day. So, stay tuned! I invite any emails of your own moments of facing your fears.

I thank my teachers and NPR for helping me that day and my two line-angels!

A Ho,
Greg

Gregory Drambour is the owner of Sedona Sacred Journeys, am spiritual retreat organization in Sedona, Arizona. Custom Spiritual Retreats and Healing Sedona Vortex Experiences

photo credit: lanuiop on flickr.com

Okay, that sounds like a mother’s advice.  And maybe that’s fitting, with Mother’s Day approaching this weekend.

But what this post, another installment from guest blogger, Gregory Drambour, is  encouraging locals and Sedona visitors to do is learn from all the great messages we’ve heard in our lives – our mothers’ lectures (“Be responsible!”), the Golden Rule (“Honor them and they will honor you”), the Boy Scouts’ motto (“Be prepared!”), the inner voice that is Fear (“Something’s not right here, proceed with caution!”), the voice of Reason (“Sun is setting in the West + Trailhead was West = Head West”), and our own positive self-talk (“You CAN do this, stay focused!”).

Greg’s post is, on its surface,  a warning and a checklist for safe hiking in Sedona.  As an experienced orienteer and guide in this area, Greg gives great pointers on staying calm, minding your trail and being prepared.  But on a deeper level, Greg reminds us to both see Fear as a healthy and helpful instinct, and also to use positive self-talk to help guide us to workable and successful solutions in our lives.  Remember that even though you may not be on the path you thought you were on, you can safely see your way to your destination.

Enjoy, and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms and people who have moms.

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Sedona Can Be A Teacher – Confronting Fear

photo credit: heyjohngreen on flickr.com

Yesterday in the early evening I went hiking and climbing for a few hours by myself in the big red rocks above Sedona. I climbed up further then I’ve ever been.
I stopped at a red rock plateau way above the town—what a view of Sedona! I could see all the way to Court House Rock. I felt something pushing me to go further–so up I went—the degree of steepness and danger increased with each ten meters. I was scrambling on a lot of loose rocks which were unstable. I hesitated for a moment but then as always I kept following that gut feeling that has served me so well and kept climbing. I could see that I was nearing a towering red rock face–something kept pulling me towards it.
When I got to the cliff face, I sat down and went into that place of stillness, trusting that there was something that Spirit wanted me to feel or see. After about five minutes nothing came and then I felt inside it was time to descend. I wondered what this inner guidance was all about. As you can probably tell this is a very dangerous place (I would never take clients here—no worries!)
The decent was steep and again a lot of unstable little rocks underfoot. I felt myself being pulled to the left and questioned briefly if that’s why I was drawn to the cliff face. I would not have descended this way but it was only 100 feet from the way I had come up. So I went down and down—always being very careful—talking to myself, “Easy Greg, careful, stay focused”.
I stopped to get some water and looked around. The area I was standing in looked totally unfamiliar and I could not see the way I had come up. As I climb I always make sure I can retreat on the same line. I didn’t see that line! So I could be descending into a cliff drop! A wave of fear ran through my body and I could feel that sinking feeling on the edge of my emotions, ready to sweep in. Having hiked a lot off-trail in the Sedona area, I know how easily you can get yourself into serious trouble very fast. Fifty-foot cliff drops have a way of appearing out of nowhere.
My experience hiking off-trail has taught me a great deal and it really served me well on this beautiful Sedona evening. Now instead of panicking, I sat still for a few moments and do what all good climbers and hikers should do: situation assessment and equipment inventory. I had about one hour max until twilight set in and enough water for at least three hours plus a cell phone that was operational. I just went quieter listening for my inner guidance. After a few moments it guided me to explore the line of descent I was making another a few hundred meters and if nothing appeared to show me a clear way down I would back-track to the cliff face. The fear inside me has eased considerably. I made sure I greeted the little plants along the descent, “A Ho, brothers, A Ho sisters.” Always remembering–if you honor them, they will honor you, which is always my intention with the plant, rock and tree people when I guide clients on Sedona Vortex experiences.
I kept talking to myself as I took one step at a time over the unstable gravel and pebbles, “Easy, brother, one step at a time.” When I got to the distance I had marked, I could see that the topography (finally got to use this word!) appeared to be transitioning into the base of the mountain. Let me stress the word “appeared”. It’s not always as it looks. But my inner guidance said go for it and I did. Within about ten minutes I was safely down at the base!
I was unsure of how far I was from the trail head I had veered off to start the climb but I knew it was the in “that” direction. Again, first stopping to check how much light I had left and to make sure every five hundred meters I was heading the right way, not getting over confident. After about twenty minutes I found the trail and stopped and offered my deepest thanks to the Old Ones and the Rock and Plant People for watching over me.
Why tell this story? I have seen this kind of scenarios end up badly. I saw clearly how I didn’t let fear get me un-centered. I felt the fear and didn’t try and run from it. I let it motivate me to slow down and quiet down even more than I was. I gave my experience a chance to form itself. I was patient and did not get ahead of myself. And I was grateful for my experience to lead me down the mountain safely. I saw that I have truly learned something over the years and was proud of myself.
Ultimately, I was grateful that I followed my inner guidance to climb as high as I did—I wouldn’t have learned as much about myself and trust and using emotions if I hadn’t.
That’s part of living here in the Magic Kingdom called Sedona—you never quite know what a little early evening stroll will bring!
A Ho,
Greg

Photo credit: rogerbarker2 on flickr.com

Guest blogger, Gregory Drambour, has some wise words for us all today. I encourage our readers to check out Sedona and the spiritual retreats that are available there. Our website, Sedona.net is a great resource for finding ways to reconnect with yourself in Sedona. Of course, Greg is one of Sedona’s premier retreat providers, so be sure to check him out as well.

When you own who you are–you will tend to attract people who get you.

***

Last week during a session with a very courageous client on a Sedona retreat, I asked her this tough question:

Describe yourself to me, tell me who you are.

She really struggled with it and I have found most clients do when posed this question. It’s hard for people to see what is unique about themselves. And we do all have uniqueness but it’s seldom encouraged. So I model for them by telling them how I see myself. Here is an example:
Yesterday, I had aquatic-garden-specialist over at my house to give me an estimate on putting in a goldfish pond and a little waterfall. The waterfall would start at the front of the house, flow into a pond with goldfish and then into a stream, running by the side of the house and into another small goldfish pond at the back of the house. Sounds cool, doesn’t it? After he showed me how it would work, I asked him, “Would the little goldfish from one pond get to visit the goldfish from the other pond?” That’s the me deep inside speaking, that’s Greg in one sentence; knowing that I care about this, makes me smile. I love it when I let this part of me flow out. It took me a long time to own who I am. I want to encourage clients to see who they are and be proud of it.

When you feel yourself deep down, that place feels certain. And also, when you own who you are–you will tend to attract people who get you.
If you’re in relationship and your partner doesn’t get you—then you have a few choices: One, find a way to communicate to them that’s its important they see who you are. Two, consider if you’re with the right person. You deserve to be seen!
I have so many wonderful women who come to my office and tell they don’t feel acknowledged by their mates. And when that happens continually over years, bad things begin to happen. You deserve to be appreciated. Don’t give up.
I want to encourage you right now to take five minutes and write down who you are, what’s unique and special about you. Go for it! Start anywhere. It’s important, brothers and sisters–see your specialness. Let it flow out. I promise you, it will feel wonderful!
Come discover yourself in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona!
A Ho,
Greg

Photo credit: carbonNYC on flickr.com

If you asked 10 people who have been in therapy why they started seeing a therapist, I’ll bet 9 would say it was because of a negative experience, past or present.  I think the same goes for people who visit Sedona with the specific purpose of reconnecting with their spiritual side.  But in this month’s post from guest blogger Gregory Drambour, we learn that it can even more beneficial to come on retreat or seek guidance when we’re feeling good about our lives.  Enjoy!

***

I got an email from a regular client a few days ago wanting to cancel her phone appointment because she was doing well. Now, this was a client that is working with me prior to her coming here for a Sedona retreat. I have had a handful of clients do this in addition to enrolling in the Long Distance Clearing Work before their trip. I have found that we are getting very powerful results with this pre-retreat work.

I wrote the client back and said I thought it was important to keep the appointment because when you are in a good place you are much more likely to hear something at a deeper level. After I finished the email, it surprised me that I haven’t written about this dynamic sooner because it’s important!

It’s a logical idea: when you are in a low mood or insecure or reactive, it’s hard to hear something deeper. You are in a place of needing an answer and that’s a difficult place to hear something from. I have communicated to clients who are in low-mood and answer to their issue and their response is: “No, that’s not it.” Then half hour later, when there mood is better, I have said the exact same thing and they get it!

I got sober in Minneapolis 25 years ago and I was very lucky to meet a therapist by the name of Joe Bailey. Joe is now a best selling author and a leader in his field. I met Joe very soon after he was introduced to Health Realization, a new paradigm in psychology. Eventually I moved back to New York but every six months would fly back for a little retreat and spend time with Joe and his associates. I was always a wreck when I got there—depressed, angry, sad, etc.. After my third trip, one of Joe’s associates, who always annoyed me with her perceptiveness, pulled me aside and said, “Greg, next time, why don’t you come back when you’re in a better place, you might just hear something!” How annoying! She was right, of course. Thanks, K.

That was very sound advice and one I would encourage people to hear. One of the things I am teaching people is how they psychologically function via an insight. That’s important distinction– thru an insight not their intellect. So it’s much easier to receive an insight when you are in a higher place. When clients who are here on Sedona retreats quiet their negative or unproductive thinking, they hear deeper.

Does this mean you shouldn’t call me or come for retreat when you are in a bad place? No! But sometimes I try to get clients feeling better before I really start to talk to them. Remember, brothers and sisters, nice feelings, higher feelings are always the path to your wisdom. The more you are in them, the more you access your wisdom or live in your wisdom.
So next time you are feeling really good about yourself and your life, give me a call! I invite you to come explore the magic of Sedona with me.

A Ho,
Greg

Photo credit: hyperscholar on flickr.com

March is one of my favorite months in Arizona.  The weather is darn-near guaranteed to be perfect for 31 straight days and it smells fantastic outside.  The lemon, orange and grapefruit trees in my yard and north Scottsdale neighborhood are in full bloom and the sweet, intoxicating smell drifts through my open windows.

The thought of opening the windows, airing out my house and engaging in some serious spring cleaning has been a hot topic amongst my friends this month.  But beyond removing dust from shelves and rotating my closet from winter boots and tights to flip flops and sundresses, we concur that spring also a season for clearing out emotional clutter, and replacing dark thoughts with visions of new life, healing and growth.

I can’t think of anyone better to discuss spring cleaning for the soul than Greg Drambour, our favorite spiritual blog contributor.  Greg is a cancer survivor and shamanic healer in Sedona, Arizona.  Here’s Greg’s How-To list on cleaning your  home so you can heal your body, mind and soul.

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The Energy of Your Home

My understanding and knowledge of how important the energy of your home is has deepened in the last three and half years since the cure. You want to get the energy flowing in your home and office environment in a way that’s beneficial for your healing.

There are few steps to accomplishing this:

One, find someone who knows how to read the possible toxins that may be lurking in your home. I am referring to a healer that works on a subtler energy level. For example, the lead may have been removed from the house but the energy still exists at a deeper level. There are individuals who are experts at removing this. And, of course, a conventional toxin evaluation would also be wise.

Two, seek out a Feng Shui consultant; I would strongly recommend a person who is fluent in Form or Compass Feng Shui, which calculates your birth date and the Chinese calendar into the evaluation and recommendations. I find this style much more powerful than westernized Feng Shui or what is called Black Hat Feng Shui. On my property there were three dead trees that were literally in a straight line from one end of the house to the other. They were situated in the Health Section of my property-this was not good! I had them removed right away. I certainly did not want the energy blocked in that area. Whether you believe in this philosophy or not, I would do it anyway-it can’t hurt!

Thirdly, I would smudge or use aromatherapy in the house daily and open the windows. Lemon is what I use in my house and office. Get a state-of-the-art Air Cleaner. Keep the house clean, make it a priority, it will help you keep moving forward, feeling constructive. Remember the powerful words from the great book, Tuesdays With Morrie–”when you’re in bed you’re dead!”

Fourth, there are powerful people who can support you in removing any bad energy in the house. They specialize in extractions of entities or negative energy forms that don’t serve you. Seek them out – the right one will show up. You’re on the path to wellness. God will provide.

Fifth, make sure the polarity on the north and south sides of the house are positive as well as the ley lines. This is something you can fix yourself and will find instructions among the next few articles. I will include it along with some other helpful tips.

Soon after I got the big news that I was well, I rented a room in a house for a few months. The first day there I woke up sick and remained sick literally to the day I moved out two months later. The woman who owned it was a bit lacking on cleaning – the house was very moldy and dusty but the reason I got sick was that place was full of old pine needles from the Xmas tree she had up. My holistic doctor discovered that I was ultra-sensitive to old pine needles! Go figure!

Make your home a sanctuary-it doesn’t cost a lot of money. Go haunt garage sales or Good Will – this is always fun. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good, that inspire you. Don’t overlook the importance of a healthy environment – let your environment reflect how you want to look inside-model to your disease how you want it to look – healed. Heal your home not only inside but also outside.

***

For more information about healing the possible emotional contributors to illness, please go to Cancer Survivors or Spiritual Retreats .

Healing hands - photo credit: Wonderlane on flickr.com

For today’s Spirituality Week topic, I was thinking about using the Spirit to heal oneself physically, not just emotionally as we’ve discussed earlier this week.  As a cancer survivor, our guest contributor Gregory Drambour has a very personal perspective on this topic, and shares it with our readers in his article, “Stuck in Illness.”  Read it and find out how you can work with Greg in person on a Sedona healing retreat.

Wow! What a big subject! I have had many clients here on Sedona healing retreats who are stuck in illness. And, personally I’ve had a great deal of experience with also being stuck in this place.

What does it mean to be stuck in illness? Simply, when you can’t seem to get well.

You can arrive at that stuck place many different ways: Conventional medicine has no more answers for you and then you explore a few alternative methods but you never seem to get totally well. Or conventional medicine doesn’t believe you’re really sick and you just live with the pain or on pain medication. Or you’re sick and never do anything about it, living with it. Or you just simply run out of the energy to try and get well.

The reasons are plentiful and sometimes very subtle but they all arrive at that same place—living in illness.

How do you get unstuck? In this first part, I want to talk about getting the right knowledge. This has been a theme of many of my drifts in illness. And it does feel like a drift. In 1990, I got very ill with intestinal cramping–the pain was bad. It went on for three years. No one could figure it out. And at some point, I just gave up trying. The cramps would come on suddenly and for no apparent reason. Sometimes it was so bad; I would end up in the emergency room where they didn’t know what to do with me. This illness and pain changed my way of being in the world.

For 6 months, I was afraid to leave the house that I would be stuck somewhere—sick. For most of that time, I followed the advice of a holistic doctor who prescribed specific supplements to me. I believed in him and still do but I didn’t get better. I would never leave the house without a carry-bag of medications and herbs—a habit that took years to let go of.

One day, I was in Albuquerque and decided to stop and say hello to a famous holistic doctor who was close to some friends of mine. I decided in that moment to ask her to evaluate me. She said I had a tape worm and parasites! As soon as she told me, it made perfect sense to me. I started her program and in a matter of weeks I was finally better!

Where did I innocently go wrong in this journey?

First, because it would come and go, I got fooled into thinking I was getting better. And thus didn’t take more aggressive action. But I knew inside I wasn’t getting well. I didn’t listen to that voice inside. I didn’t have the depth of knowledge then how important that voice was.

Second, I didn’t know there were reliable holistic ways to diagnose me. This can be described as a lack of knowledge or not asking the right questions or not asking what questions I should be asking.

Third, I should have accepted that the wonderful holistic doctor I worked with was not going to get me better. The proof was evident. I was afraid to venture out into the unknown and stayed with what was familiar—even though it wasn’t working! Sound familiar!

Fourth, I didn’t push the conventional doctors to give me more extensive testing. I just sat back on it, almost like I went to sleep around the idea of being well—make sense, brothers and sisters? Being sick became familiar.
It blows my mind to think that during that time if I had the right knowledge, I could have walked into any health market and asked for herbs for parasites and in a matter of weeks I would have been well. I was sick for three years! I can’t even describe the pain I went through. Many of you know exactly what I am talking about.

Fifth, maybe I should have found someone like me! Maybe, I didn’t look for that person. A person who would say, as I say to many clients, “I know you’re tired of going to doctors, of trying this program and that one—I know you’re exhausted but you can’t give up! Keep trying, keep looking—there is always a cure—whether it’s inside you or in some office somewhere—there is an answer. You can be well again!”

A wise friend once said to me,” The thing that will cure you is always close at hand.” She was right–it was right down the block at the health store!
Wow! I have waited a long time to write this one, brothers and sisters! There are many more subtlies to this theme and I hope to talk about them in future parts and continue to explore these issues with clients here on Sedona retreats with me.

I truly hope this has helped.

To be continued!
A Ho,

Greg

Ancient writing. Photo credit: tajai on flickr

Wondering what some of the Spiritual terms you’ve heard are all about?  Here’s a quick Glossary of Spiritual Terms.

Spiritual: Concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul.  Many would agree that one can be Spiritual and/or Religious, but they are not the same thing.

Psychic: A person apparently sensitive to things beyond the natural range of perception

Clairvoyance: (From 17th century French with clair meaning “clear” and voyance meaning “visibility”) is the apparent ability to gain information about an object, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses, a form of extra-sensory perception.

Clairaudience: An auditory form of ESP paranormal information is received outside the range of normal perception through voices, whispers and auditory impressions.

Clairsentience: A general term for clairvoyance and clairaudience. Clairsentience typically occurs in the form of ESP through physical sensations or smells.

Intuitive: A person who possesses an apparent ability to acquire knowledge without a clear inference or the use of reason.

Medical Intuitive: In alternative medicine, a Medical Intuitive is a person who uses their intuition to find the cause of a physical or emotional condition.

Creator: A deity in a creation myth responsible for the creation of the world (or universe).  Also referred to as God, Higher Source, Great Spirit, The Universe, All That Is, et al

Divinity and divine: (Sometimes ‘the Divinity’ or ‘the Divine’) are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power, or its attributes or manifestations in the world.

Transcendental: Non-natural; existing outside of or not in accordance with nature; of or characteristic of a system of philosophy emphasizing the intuitive and spiritual above the empirical and material

Shamanism: Shamanism refers to a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world. Practitioners of shamanism are known as shamans; an animistic faith having the belief that the mediation between the visible and the spirit worlds is effected by shamans

Animistic: Attributing souls or spirits to animals, plants and other entities, in addition to humans. Common in Asian and Native American religions.

Vortex: (or vortexes or vortices) Areas of concentrated energy rising from the earth. Whether you agree with some vortex enthusiasts that the vortices are a portal for celestial and terrestrial spirits, you may feel a range of sensations from a slight tingling on exposed skin, to a vibration emanating from the ground when you encounter a vortex.

The Three Principles: Based in Hinduism, the three cornerstone moral and ethical values are self-control, non-injury and truthfulness.

Alternative Healing or Alternative Medicine:  As used in the modern Western world, encompasses any healing practice “that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine.”

Metaphysics: The philosophical study of being and knowing; the branch of philosophy investigating principles of reality transcending those of any particular science.

Aura: a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object like the halo or aureola of religious art. The depiction of such an aura in religious art usually connotes a person of particular power or holiness.

Chakra: a Sanskrit word meaning circle or wheel; a nexus of biophysical energy residing in the human body, aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head.

Karma: is the concept of “action” or “deed” in Indian religions understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect.

Are there any other terms or concepts about which you’ve been curious?  Post them in our comments and get in on the Spiritual conversation!

Conversations With A Sedona Retreat Leader:
Doing Something About How Your Children See the World

A few months back, I had two wonderful mothers [in Sedona] on multi-day Sedona retreat.  What was interesting is that even though they were on separate retreats they had very similar stories—in fact they looked alike! Both were recently divorced and had multiple children. During my meetings with them, I had some deep insights about their children and higher-level parenting. I promised Beth I would write a story about my insights which she heard deeply (Go Beth! Testimonial)

I want to set this article up by telling you a few interesting facts:

According to current traditional mental health literature children learn in three different ways: one, they inherit their parents inner emotional life; two, how their parents are interacting with the world and each other, in other words, modeling; and three, what you’re telling them verbally (which drops dramatically when they become teenagers!)

Between birth and age 7, kids are a giant sponge, they have no discernment, they take in everything both positive and negative. The information they receive forms their subconscious which they will see their world through, especially when they are in a low mood.

Sometimes with clients on Sedona retreats it might be important to identify the beliefs and imprints from their childhood they are still operating from or seeing the world through. Those imprints are really like a filter we look through and then experience our world based on the content of that imprint. For example: “I can’t get anything right. I’m always wrong.” If you looked at your world through these words, you get a constant state of judgment of yourself and need to be perfect or fear of making a mistake.
Now back to my two clients and their kids. I asked them both two questions:

1. What imprints and beliefs do you think your children formed as result of watching you and your ex-husband go through conflict and then divorce? Remember based on the above and they way kids learn—they picked up on that interaction no matter how much you both tried to hide it.
2. What imprints and beliefs did you yourself create from that experiences leading to divorce? And again, remembering, that your kids will inherit your inner emotional life

I think these are powerful questions and they take courage to explore. But I believe the process can really create a different future for your children and yourself. My assertion is why not address these beliefs now as opposed to when they become adults. Make sense?

Depending on the children’s age, you can actually engage them in a partnership about discovering these beliefs—trying to keep it as light as possible. For example, a general one: “When you saw Daddy and me fighting what did you feel or think”? Or, if they are perhaps a teenage girl, you could ask them, “Do you think it’s okay for women to not fight back and just try and go along?” That’s a big one and one that has come up many times on retreat. Or the opposite, a non verbal one: “When someone is yelling at you, you yell back louder and don’t let them win!”

There are so many negative messages being passed around when a couple is having trouble. So, if you could sit down and really try and identify them, I believe it would take your parenting to a higher level because you would see very clearly why your children are behaving in a certain way and thus see their innocence. But also, see your innocence and don’t get into a big guilt trip! “Oh my God, what have I done to my children?” That will help nothing. You were living your life and parenting from that information you had—period! You are getting more and perhaps new information right now! Go make use of it, my friends!

I suggested to Beth, that in partnership with her children she could actually write these down and put them on the refrigerator. And to point out to herself and her children when they are seeing the world through one of the beliefs, which of course are usually negative. Ask yourself and your kids: “Am I seeing this event through the negative filter of the past or is there another possible way of looking at this?” Wow! Can you imagine how powerful that would be if a twelve year old heard that? The mission is to empower yourself and your children to have an insight that when they see their world or events negatively it’s coming out of these beliefs and has nothing to do with reality!

When I explain to parents the three ways children learn, they all get it but very few make the connection to their present day parenting and those three rules. Meaning, they don’t realize at a deeper level that the way to teach their children is by working on themselves, by modeling to them. If you are divorced and want to help your children dissolve those beliefs that were formed, then first dissolve them in yourself—simply stop seeing your life thru them: “I will never open myself again to another man.” Guess how your teenager is going to interact with the opposite sex when they get older?

I sense this is the first installment, lots to talk about on this subject! Brothers and sisters, go about this exploration with lightness, continue to invite your natural wisdom to assist you—meaning stay out of your head—you head-trippers know who you are!
Let your parenting be an exploration!
A Ho,
Greg

Gregory Drambour is our guest contributor for Spirituality Week.  You can read more about Gregory on his website, Sedona Sacred Journeys.

Father and child in the snow - Photo credit: faeryboots on flickr.com

Day Three of Spirituality Week has a personal resonance for me.  I am the mother of a two-year-old, so guidance on how to teach my daughter about Spirituality is especially timely.

I took my little one to her pediatrician this week for a well-visit.  I had questions about her diet, potty training, sleep habits, discipline and behavior.  Every answer the doctor provided had a common theme:  whether it’s eating, sleeping, going potty, or behaving, my two-year-old is learning how the world works ALL THE TIME.  And her number one teachers? We, Her Parents.  Ah, the pressure!  And the glorious opportunity!  She is constantly looking to her father and me to see how people eat healthily, take care of their hygiene and environment, sleep and wake on a routine, and “predict with 100% accuracy” (hat tip to Dr. Phil) what consequences her bad and good behavior will illicit.

So when it comes to Spirituality, the same theme certainly applies.  Teaching my daughter to be Spiritual will mean that I will model forgiveness of self and others (see Day One’s Lesson on Forgiveness.)  I will shape her self-image by telling and showing her that it’s okay to make mistakes, to accept frustration and work through it, and try new things even if she might not excel at them right away.

Our guest Spirituality contributor, Gregory Drambour, has some additonal insights and real-life strategies for teaching your children about Spirituality in his article, Doing Something About How Your Children See the World.  Check out this guest blogger post from Gregory in Day Three Part Two.

Coming up on Spirituality Week – Day Four: Spiritual Glossary