Awareness Without Mind Clutter

Posted on by Tom Kelly

When you teach a child that a bird is called a bird, they never see the bird again. – Unknown

Peregrine Falcon, Arizona

Without realizing it we often clutter the beauty of our life experience by expanding it far beyond what is there.

In the 1980’s when music videos became popular, Neil Young made a conscious effort to “not” tell a story with the videos he made. He said “we are killing imagination by offering a story-line to go with the music we write,” and I agree with Neil.

Why not spend some time experiencing life without clutter, expanding our experience.

Eckhart Tolle often speaks about observing without adding unnecessary thought. For example, as you watch a bird, simply see the bird and enjoy the experience without adding thought such as, what a beautiful bird, what beautiful colors, etc

By eliminating thought and clutter we open to a truly Divine experience. These are magical moments of consciousness, multidimensional in what is perceived.

Why We Meditate

Posted on by Tom Kelly

We meditate to go from the level of problems to the level of solutions. Will meditation solve all problems? No, but meditation allows us to see problems through a much different lens. If we are then able to step forward with a different framing of our situation, a new and more clearly defined reality will be seen.

Meditation is the path to consciousness and being conscious is like having won the lottery. The only difference being, all sensation of this glorious state continue well beyond any material success.

 

Natures Message

Posted on by Tom Kelly

Last week while taking a short break from work to enjoy some sun and warm weather I had an unusual visitor join me. As I stood there enjoying the moment a small white moth flew toward me. It meandered alone its path determined to attract my attention, which it did. As the moth flew in front of me I was struck by its flight. If you have ever watched a moth fly, you will know how they seem to struggle and yet manage with an uncertain grace. She (the moth was a girl) fluttered and flopped clumsily as she literally climbed through the air molecules in front of me. She flew in awkward little circles and with my hand on my hip flew between my arm and body circling behind me, flying back around in front. She flew down near my knees, then behind me again landing softly beside my right foot. As she sat quietly on the grass a collogue who had joined me looked down at the moth, then up at me and then back down again to where the moth sat peacefully. I looked down as well and wondered how many more sleeps she might have before the seasons would fully change bringing an end to her adventure. It was in this long moment of wonder that I said, “I think we will see her again.” Not a second later she flew again, coming close one last time before departing on her journey. As she left I had a sense of cosmic understanding. We are often in the right place, yet we overlook the significance of many things that call to us. On this day, our friendly moth was determined to ensure she was noticed, and not because she would soon die, but because she was alive.

By Tom Kelly

Quote of the Day

Posted on by Tom Kelly

How can we love ourselves fully if we really don’t know ourselves? The depth of love we express for ourselves and all living things is directly related to the openness and presence allowed by our being. Living with an openness detached from egoic stimulation shines light on every moment we encounter. Surrendering into “our” truth brings an opportunity to experience what is real, free of burden which then allows the full expression and peace and love to evolve within.

Yoga and Healing

Posted on by Tom Kelly

Those who know me understand how much I connect with Yoga. And although there is nothing that can replace doing a class in person and being part of the community, there are times when a good teacher pops up online.

For me to endorse a teacher, number one they need to have an advanced level of knowledge but more importantly, offer “safe” options in their routines. You should never leave a yoga class hurting, or in worse condition than when you started. This is why choosing a teacher is so important, whether online or in person. As a student, it is “our” responsibility to gauge our level of participation, keeping in mind growth and expansion comes over time. If we compare ourselves to students in the class we have immediately lost our reason for being there. As a yoga student one needs to be committed to our process and free of comparison. A teacher reads the class and gears the practice to keep everyone interested and safe, leading students beyond the pose and yet in sync with the group.

This week I was looking for a psoas release and came across this wonderful yoga teacher Brea Johnson. Her videos range from full-length classes to short videos specific to help to gain strength, stretch and releasing muscle groups or areas of the body. I find her approach safe and effective. If you are looking for ways to expand your daily practice and can’t get to a class in person. Brea has created a video to help you expand, get stronger and be safe.

Brea Johnson on YouTube

Heart and Bones Yoga

If you are looking for a studio to Practice in Ottawa there are many. All good studios offer trial packages to allow students to attend different classes and be with as many teachers as possible. Your goal as a student is to find a class and teacher that challenges you but also support growth on an individual level. Remember, no two people are alike, our bodies, bone structure, flexibility, and life experience are different. Thus your practice will be unique to you.

Students who fully surrender at their own level in class are often learning and experiencing far more than a student who might look great in a pose but may not see or feel a deeper sense of self. Not that any practice is right or wrong.

Here is a shout out to my studio, keeping in mind the Yoga community in Ottawa support each other – Pranashanti Yoga Centre

Quote of the Day

Posted on by Tom Kelly

We are a culture of “doing” and sometimes “being.”

If we look at ourselves as two interlaced and free-flowing entities, we intuitively know there must be a balance. The part of us that physically cooks a meal needs to be in touch with the creative energy of imagination and curiosity to create something special. Just as to daydream and inspire needs a place to land and blend with what might be as simple as a hug or handshake.

Hypnosis and Healing

Posted on by Tom Kelly

Most people think of hypnosis and are immediately reminded of something they saw on television or watched at a fair or exhibition. What we remember is a hypnotist making people fall asleep and then act foolish on stage. In movies, we were shown the Hollywood version of mind control as patients were stripped of their dignity and diminished using hypnosis.

Until recently, I myself thought hypnosis was nothing more than tricks for those interested in entertainment.

In 2017, I read a book that offered hypnosis as a method to heal past trauma and after doing a lot of homework I reached out to a friend to have a session.

What I have learned is that with the right practitioner, hypnosis not only can be but also is a powerful healing tool. Unlike what we recall from television where people are sound asleep and not aware of the present moment, one is actually quite aware of what is happening.

A hypnosis patient is guided into a deep trance state, which I call super consciousness or an area of Theta brainwave. Theta state is the area of consciousness between being awake and being asleep. So Theta is actually a deep meditative state and considered by Shamanic healers as the bridge to the subconscious mind.

Let me clear up possible myths about being in a hypnotic trance. You are not asleep and unable to understand what is going on, you are simply very relaxed and feel very alive and empowered. I can say for the record that in Theta state one is fully aware of their surroundings and can come back to a fully awake state without assistance, so you are always in control.

In hypnotic trance or Theta state, the power of suggestion or the ability to see beyond our beliefs and patterns is very powerful. This is where our greatest healing work happens.

In many respects, hypnosis is no different from other healing modalities and a client must find a practitioner they trust, someone who will manage their experience with complete care and integrity. All good healing practitioners tune in and are literally there with a client as they journey through an experience that is meaningful to them, something they need to heal.

I am very fortunate to know Sandy a very talented healer and certified hypnotist. I can offer her contact information to those interested in her services.

Earlier this summer I had a session with Sandy and to be honest I was not 100 percent certain what I would be working on?

I had a gut feeling there was something unsettling from my childhood that was calling for my awareness and this is where my session led us.

I almost immediately went to a place in my past where I was 7 or 8, and fully connected to an experience that had upset me. The remainder of the session became about processing the underlying pieces of what was perceived in those moments and fully understanding this reality. All healing of this nature is about seeing a trauma clearly, knowing how it affected you and then stepping forward to heal or reclaim. We honor the feelings from the past, in a sense lightening their weight while creating a new loving perception for yourself and all who were involved.

These moments of healing always stun me with the power they possess to transform something we may barely have remembered. These transformational unfoldings always leave a client completely uplifted. It is something you can see in their eyes like something new and bright has reappeared for them. Also important is to review the core messages of the healing so that there is a takeaway as a reminder of the power that was reclaimed.

As we enlighten a moment from our history and brighten a space within ourselves, we also can brighten and heal for others who surrounded us in these moments. What we affect through healing is always much bigger than ourselves (or should be)!

By Tom Kelly