I haven’t written a Blog entry for a long time – there are so many Blogs, so much written, visual and auditory material on the internet, so is it really worth my spending precious time just adding more?

Mostly my answer to that is no. it isn’t.  There are more positive and amazing things I can be doing directly through my shamanic energy work.

However, I do find certain thoughts coming to the surface and forming into expression during these challenging times.  Maybe it will add something to offer them here:

One is, the importance of acting with integrity.  If you follow the link to this Wiki entry, it is interesting to see how incomplete it is – but worth reflecting on the different senses of meaning offered, for what integrity means to you.

Two is, the importance of making good choices rather than “decisions”.  If you follow the link, you can read and reflect on making choices on different kinds of decisions.

Three is, the importance of facing and dealing with your personal challenges – don’t ignore them, don’t run away and hide, don’t resort to actions that are less than honest, positive and life-enhancing.

Many of you face financial problems, loss of health, work, family, home – these are exactly the times to pare back to the basic principles.  Act with integrity, according to your own highest values and beliefs, make good choices – you are where you are – now create a better way forward for yourself, your family, your friends, your community, for all of us.

Believe in what you can create. and make it beautiful. Make it life-enhancing.

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Stepping into another’s shoes is useful to do: you gain new insights and maybe in experiencing the other’s point of view, conflicts can be avoided or healed as you better understand this different other.

Have you ever thought of taking this further and stepping into the experience of – plants, for example.  What do they want and need, if they could tell or show you how they feel?

Imagine, step inside and maybe this will help you grow your garden, create a greener cityscape or live in harmony with your plant neighbours.

What else would give you a new and useful perspective? What would your town or city say or show you? What would the land, buildings, rocks, earth say? Do any of these insights help you to be a better neighbour?

How about animals? Your pets, livestock, animals in the wild? Take the time to really notice and watch them. Do they seem healthy, happy and how and why do they behave as they do? Step inside, find out and while you’re there, notice how they experience you? Maybe you’ll find out, on the inside, different things than you may imagine from the outside.

Step inside another’s perspective and expand your own.

I visited BBC Radio York this morning to talk about dreams on the Breakfast Show – you can listen to the piece here:

Dreamwork – BBC Radio York

Recently I was fortunate enough to get one of my favourite kinds of work – a contract to work with a private client, wanting intensive shamanic energy training.  Motivated to invest the time and money for an intensive period of practical 1 to 1 training, they benefited and progressed dramatically, acquiring all the skills they wanted and more.  I was challenged to meet high specific requirements, to teach a variety of shamanic skills and methods – exactly what I love the most – advanced shamanic energy work with lots of variety, and it didn’t hurt that I was also well paid and got to enjoy some time off in the sun, in between sessions.

Win : win in the best ways – a great experience and collaboration, highly successful outcomes with all goals being exceeded and work well rewarded.

The work and my client’s identity must remain confidential, so suffice it to say that the greatest reward for me, is to know that the skills I teach are going to be put to very good use.

My own favourite way of learning is to find an inspirational teacher, with excellent skills, who is willing to share them fully and as fast as I can absorb them.  Given the time and money I like to immerse myself fully in the experience to reach a good level of understanding and skill as soon as possible.

I’m sure many of you feel the same – but often we don’t have both the time and the money available for the luxury of a 1 to 1 apprenticeship or training.

Instead, what I look for in my own development – and what I offer in my own courses – is the most practical solution possible:

• Intensive accelerated practical skills training
• In 1 complete ‘chunk’ and in the shortest time possible
• A teacher who is good at what they do and good at teaching it
• Small group size for access to the trainer

The right kind of practical, intensive training saves time and money and you can always read books for theory, background and applications, following training.  Following these steps in your chosen area of learning will help you to reach the leading edge of human potential.

Meanwhile I am looking forward to my next great experience – teaching shamanic skills to a small, select group of explorers at the beginning of April… My challenge, and my pleasure, is to help these special people to develop as fast as they can in the ways that they want, to achieve the wonderful work they intend to do…

What’s your next learning adventure?

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Back last century when I did a secretarial course, it was all so easy – if you started “Dear Sir” you ended “Yours faithfully”. If you started “Dear Mr Bigby” you ended “Yours sincerely”.

Emails have changed all this, throwing our written leave-taking into confusion. Now our business correspondence is largely via email, and this is so much more informal, what is appropriate? And how do we differentiate between business and more personal emails?

For a while, I noticed “Best wishes, regards or kind regards”. All was fine and I tended to reciprocate in kind. “Love” as a sign-off was reserved for my family and close friends – loved ones.

But somehow people can’t leave it at a standard sign-off; or perhaps, tempted by a loosening up of conventions, their creativity and self-expression has started to blossom. Anyway, when stuck in the company of my computer and unable to ‘people watch’, I started noticing the variety of closing messages:

Some people seem to have started varying the warmth of their closing sign-off, perhaps in an attempt to make emails more personal. So I have received ‘warm wishes, warmest wishes and warm regards from those who wish – well, to add more warmth to their sign-off. Today I received “fondest wishes” in the first communication from a new acquaintance, which prompted these reflections.

Some seem to want to add a spiritual element, or to show their spiritual allegiance, by signing ‘Namaste’, ‘Bright Blessings’ or ‘Angelic blessings’, while others seem to have an urge to be creative, to personalise or to make their own individual mark.

I was suitably impressed some years ago by the NLP Master Trainer who started signing off with “Be Well”. It was the most original and unique sign off and, better still, a positive suggestion. Others must have liked it too, as this particular signature statement has been much copied amongst the NLP/personal development community, who have taken it up, or tried for their own variations of “Stay Well” (not so good if the recipient is not well) or “Get well” (equally unfortunate if they regard themselves as already well) or “Be Well Now” for added emphasis!

Meanwhile the originator continues to use his sign-off, probably secure in the knowledge that ‘us NLPers’ all know where this one originated…

So what is your experience? What is the most unusual, meaningful or interesting closing wish or greeting you have received? And does your own signature statement reflect the message you wish to convey?

Wishing you, dear reader, the most stimulating blessings of mind, body and spirit you could possibly wish for on this bright and cheerful day,

Susanna

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Imagine you had a plot of land – quite a large plot of land, large enough to build a residential complex and a shopping arcade and a leisure area, perhaps restaurants, gym, leisure centre, green parkland area and other services – A mini residential area with all utilities and lifestyle choices close to hand.

What would you do? How would you design it?

Quality of life, desirability and saleability determine the need for some green areas and attractive landscaping. For similar reasons there must be some facilities and utilities there. Yet this must make a profit, or at least be sustainable. Where do you expect to make the bulk of the funds for this project? From businesses, offices, service industries, residential homes?

You may have nothing to do with building, architecture or town planning – neither do I – but bear in mind all the considerations you have, when you are choosing a desirable place to live.

Surely these places should all be designed with these considerations in mind: would this be a good, balanced community? Would I myself want to live here? (At the appropriate stage: young single, professional, married with children, retired…) How would you design a balanced community, bearing in mind what already exists, surrounding, and perhaps ‘zoning’ areas accordingly? Would it make sense to have quieter, easily accessible areas for the older part of the population, and a student/young people’s noisier, area, with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, away from residential areas.

If so, then such a design must also take account of transport and services needed to take people to and from the areas they wish to use?

All these considerations, involve an internal community harmony. There is another level of consideration too – harmony within the landscape. Doesn’t it make sense to take into account the natural shape of the land and the resources and natural building materials that are present? If you do not take account of the land, for example – if you do not allow for flood/river drainage, you can end up with serious damage to your homes and buildings.

This whole ‘hypothetical’ discussion is all about planning holistically, in harmony with all around you. And just because it has all been done before, does not mean it was done right, nor that there is not room for fresh ideas, for reviewing the past and renovating for the future.

Surely it is time to take advantage of new developments, new technologies and a new age of fresh minds, to design better communities to live and work in, sustainably, for the future.

For example: if we are concerned about global warming, diminishing resources, increasing populations and other ‘modern ills’ we should be thinking about costing better heating and lighting solutions into new developments and redevelopments. We should be finding better, more harmonious ways of using space, new ways of creating and enjoying community space.

And yes, governments, town planners, builders and architects are concerning themselves with these matters. My point is that more people need to take an active part and to respond to invitations to comment and to participate in the way their own local town, city or community is moving forward.

Why am I writing about this as a shaman, healer and energy worker? Because I believe that shamanism is actually a very practical concern. It has to do with the spiritual wellbeing and health of the community, and this is greatly affected by where and how people live. Traditionally, in Hawaii, their shamans (kahunas) were traditionally the ‘people of knowledge’ and they each had their own specialties. Some had to do with the spirit world and magical realms, but equally there were shamans whose expertise was in hunting, fishing, agriculture and community building.

It seems to me that 21st century healers, energy workers and shamans tend to float about with ‘energy tools’, ‘angelic guides’ and good intent, flowing positive energies into the land. For one thing, this is a remedial approach – trying to go round and fix energetically what has become out of balance. For another thing, many of them do not take the time to notice, respect and harmonise with what is already there. They bring their own practices and tools and ‘do their energy thing’ instead of taking the time to sense the bigger picture and work practically and in harmony.

I’d like more ‘energy workers’ to bring their practices ‘down to earth’ in practical ways. And I’d like everyone else to discover and integrate their latent shamanic energy abilities. Then we can all be shamans and live in harmony and balance with each other and the natural world around us.

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Quality or Quantity? This is important to consider, especially in the current tough economic climate, when finances are so tight for everyone.

Do you buy quantity of the cheapest foods to feed your family, but maybe lose out on nutritional quality? (And through public demand, supermarkets drive down prices so far that producers of quality foods may be driven out of business and the quality option is potentially lost?)

This is how local shops and personal service lost out to superstores and large shopping malls. This is how jobs and labour and product in development and production are outsourced to countries where labour and material costs are cheaper, thereby losing these jobs at home. Yes, this may be creating new jobs elsewhere, but also may be leading to ‘sweatshops’ as labour costs are screwed down. It doesn’t seem ethical or sensible, but is it necessary and unavoidable? (And yes, some do redress this injustice by ensuring fair trade prices to local producers overseas – but none of this helps the problem at home.)

Setting aside ethical questions for a moment: while money / cost is a necessary consideration, I feel that quality is the better choice – it makes more sense.

Better nutrition – quality – and maybe you need less bulk. Or the less you can then afford actually does you more good.

In my own field, finding the right training, rather than any cheapest option, makes sense, as you get what you really need to get the skills and experience you want. If the cheaper options don’t give you that, it is not a saving, and may be a complete waste of money.

Like some people I know, who buy clothes and shoes in the sales, because they are ‘bargains’ and cheaper – but they are never quite the right size, or colour or fashion.
They don’t look and feel quite right and they don’t end up wearing them, or if they do, they don’t feel and look as great as they look and feel in the higher price things they love in the right colour and size.

I don’t advocate spending wildly, but investing in quality, choosing wisely and having less ‘clutter’ around ? Definitely, YES.

Choose quality in your life. You don’t need so much quantity – much of it is just clutter.

Many of the ‘savings’ are false savings anyway – the endless sales and price reductions and offers are driven by the public’s demand for cheaper prices and bargains.

Yes, prices must be kept competitive, but beyond a certain point, materials and labour cost a certain amount and that is it – push it more and what you get is sub-standard goods and poor service. Or you drive people out of business and the quality is no longer available. Is that what you really want? If so, don’t complain when goods don’t last, service is poor and food is tasteless and leaves you listless, low in energy and overweight.

If you would rather be healthy, skilled, fulfilled and paid what your time and effort is worth, and you want the same for others – then go for quality, every time.

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I remembered there was an occasion when time had split and doubled briefly – I’d come out into one place, bringing flowers for a friend and 15 minutes later while still visiting there, I’d come to visit a different friend in hospital, bringing the same flowers and visited there. When I’d left and walked home, time had somehow snapped back into one stream and continued from there – my walk back home from both separate places had arrived back at my door into the one life stream again.

So I wanted to lucid dream / astral time travel back to this time split to explore both streams and find out (if possible):

a) how it had occurred
b) how I could make use of these possibilities
c) whether there were any more far-reaching consequences to this. I.e. would it be advisable to leave this alone, or could I do it again?

What I discovered is that I could go back, the consequences of which was that a third ‘me’ witnessed and viewed both ‘time branches’, which is how I’d known this had happened in the first place and had remembered both streams.

I thought (lucidly) about the possibilities while ‘there’ in both streams and was able to ‘pause’ or slow the events to have long enough to think it through and not miss anything.

I didn’t manage to find out how my time line split or re-emerged – these parts went hazy/blurred, dream-like? But it seemed to me that this was possibly a good thing (maybe a self protection not to know), so I’ve left it alone for now and will ponder some more in the waking (daytime) state before doing anything further.

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The Love Stream, Part Three of Four

Living in the love, to me, means letting go of judgements – desisting from judging others or yourself harshly. Instead, seek to accept and yes, even love yourself and others. Instead of making judgements, judging wisely the course of your actions and your thoughts and feelings.

Relax into love. Ask the love stream to teach you how to be loving, to help you to judge wisely and to love well. It is so easy to ‘be right’ and to make others wrong – but it only brings pain to all concerned.

Take issue, if you must, about words and actions, habits and behaviours. Speak and act to redress perceived wrongs, but maintain a positive regard and respect for other human beings, and indeed for all life on the planet. We are only human and I believe that we are all doing the best we can manage, even though this does not mean that all we do is acceptable.

In any event, we can never know the full story of someone, to judge them, as a person, ‘good’ or ‘bad’, positive or negative. We can judge their actions, but even then, who can foresee all possible results of an action?

The best we can do and strive for, is to speak and act the best we can, according to our own highest principles, values and beliefs. And remembering these are only the best we can manage at our personal present stage of mental, emotional and spiritual evolution.

Today – see how long you can go without making any kind of negative judgement. If you catch yourself making one, seek to find a positive way of reframing it. Clear these negative thoughts from your thoughts, speech, actions and behaviour and what are you left with? Can it be love..?

The Love Stream, Part Three of Four

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The Love Stream, Part Two of Four

It can be very hard and challenging to love – I am the first to admit that I am nowhere near perfect. I can find it very hard to love and to trust other human beings at times, especially when I have felt hurt by their words and actions – I want to close myself off and hide, or to lash out in anger or fear. And I think this is a natural human reaction.

But –

There is always something or someone to love and to appreciate, if life’s events or other people let you down or cause you pain. If it is hard to face people, start by focusing on the beauty of nature, plants, animals or birds. I have found that this helps me feel calmer, then happier, stronger, more positive, and then I am back in my heart space and can face and love the humans again.

I have found that whenever and wherever I notice and focus on and feel the love – I feel better, happier, healthier and more of a sense of purpose and meaning in my life.
So my recommendation to you, for this week, or just for this day, is to test it out for yourself – make love your guiding light and notice what follows.

The Love Stream, Part Two of Four

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