Release and the Burning Bowl

This week, we saw the first New Moon of the year with a special manifestation ritual.  Excitement and anticipation for the opportunities of the new year are settling into reflection, goal setting and release.  In honor of new beginnings, I lead a burning bowl ceremony at my house.  It is ceremony whereby, you spend time in prayerful meditation (in my case assisted by shamanic drumming). 

The goal is to bring up to the service all the issues, events, people, feelings etc from the previous year you want to release and be healed of.  With intention, you write each item on a piece of paper and then burn it in a prepared sacred fire for release and transmutation by God and the loving group of angels gathered to assist.  It's a great way to cut cords to old "stuff" and to create space for new growth. 

Then, again with intention, on a separate piece of paper, you write out the new life, attributes etc. you want to create and have manifest in your life...always noting that this or something better is created for the Highest Good for all concerned.  At that point, you can burn the second sheet of paper and release the creation of your goals to God or seal it in an envelope to open the end of the year.

It was a busy day of preparation and sweet omens.  Two hawks excitedly circled overhead, above my driveway, cawing their boisterous cry.  It was as if they were sounding the alarm..."She's here, she's ready, she's awake!"  In shamanic terms, the hawk medicine alerts us that important information is forthcoming.

Collectively and individually, our group members released personal doubts, fears and persistent disappointments.  We released familial trauma and painful lessons inherited from our bloodlines.  After cleansing our auras and balancing our chakras, we then allowed ourselves to dream and feel the prosperity and joy that come from truly living and embodying our life's work, as God intended us to live it in this lifetime. 

We utilized energy medicine, shamanic drumming and the power of fire as catalysts for healing, change and empowerment.  Lost not was the power of laughter and amusement...the Highest level of energy for manifestation.  It was a great day, with great company (in person and angelic alike).  What a blessing to know the power of our Creator and right intention.  Come on 2011, bless and prosper us.  We are soooo ready!

MiChelle Jeneen, Energy Skills Educator
www.spiritrefreshed.blogspot.com

Parenting Spiritually in 2011-Prayer

It's not exactly a news flash, but parenting today is harder than ever. I'm always struck back to reality, when I see how we parents and our teens interact.

Everyone LOVES babies! We get really excited about the shopping, preparing and anticipation of the arrival of a new baby. As they grow, we have parent teacher conferences, little league baseball, soccer games, Sunday school and birthday parties galore.  Fast forward a decade and a half, and the intention is the same, but the application is different.  Before I scream, I say a quick prayer for wisdom and patience (ooooh, that patience is an elusive character).

Then puberty hits...dum, dum, dum. Hormones, power struggles and endless hours of parental anxiety hit the scene. As the mother of a 13 and near 15 year old...I can attest to the fact that the joy, pride and love I feel for my kids is often tempered with tension, frustration and fear (for their futures).  Grades, test scores, college and career planning, peers, social websites, drugs and alcohol, sex, spirituality, emotional growth, compassionate spirit, self esteem...whew, no wonder I often can't sleep at night! 

In every instance, what has helped me the most, beyond therapists, parenting magazines, fellow moms (whom I love dearly) and lovingly nosey mothers and in-laws...prayer and meditation.  Prayer is asking the questions and meditation is listening for God's answer. 

In her book "The Power of a Praying Parent,"  author Stormie OMartian says, "God didn't promise that nothing bad would ever happen to my child.  But praying released the power of God to work in his life, so I could enjoy more peace in the process."  I pray often...alone, with others, with my kids.  My goal is to show them that peace that comes from spending quiet time alone with our Creator, can give us time to let the smoke clear and the clear thinking to return. 

Parenting.com has a timely "Moms and Dads New Years Resolutions" on their website.  Tips like nurturing a marriage separately from the kids and carving out quality family time for outdoor play, all reminded me how important it is to relax and slow down.  Like many parents, my husband and I are actively engaged (trying) to stay connected to the kids and to stay in their inner circle.

We struggle to swallow hard, breath deep and remember we are stewards, not dictators. These new generation of kids energetically come here with a different agenda (and BS radar) that us old folks had to work hard to remember. We were never taught to question authority, to build a deep relationship with God for our self (without the dogma of the world or the church on the corner), to utilize intuition for everything and to live life freely an open without fear. Metaphysical Mom Leigh Harris lists some great mindful goal setting ideas in her blog this week.

Watching my boys become men, right in front of my eyes, has me thumbing through the photo albums and boxes of old jerseys and sports equipment. I remember how idealist I was, as a new mom. And I distinctly remember saying "Their life, and dreams, are their own...not mine or their dad's."  Now, with their help, I'm learning to put those ideals into practice.

MiChelle Jeneen, Energy Skills Educator
www.spiritrefreshed.blogspot.com


 

Meditation for the New Year

Artwork courtesy of http://leahdorion.com/

There is a feeling of hope and anticipation in the air.  Beyond the calendar New Year...the theme of 2011 already seems to be strive for authenticity...have faith...reflect...be where you are.

So many new, creative ideas are being dropped into my spirit right now.  I can feel my energetic space expanding, like a balloon, full of breath and ideas.  The challenge, with this human body and physical plane, is to remain grounded, present and to bring the spiritual into the here and now.

Important work is at hand, and it requires work.  But struggle and lack are beginning to fall away.  The time for allowing is upon us.  So the "work" requires meditation, reflection, visualization, contemplation and setting of right intention.  "Peace, be still." is an anthem that keeps playing in my head.  Allowing and surrendering the Spirit of Oneness to guide my thoughts and actions proves to be calming, healing...though at times quite terrifying.  Challenge yourself this seek to sit quietly in reflection on 2010.  Then allow yourself to dream and visualize a new story for yourself and ask for angelic assistance to allow those blessings to come into fruition.

MiChelle Jeneen, Energy Skills Educator
www.spiritrefreshed.blogspot.com