Buddha Speaks - Feeling Pain Together

Direct Seeing -  With direct seeing, we know that we are not alone in our suffering and that no one need feel alone when in pain. Seeing our oneness is the beginning of our compassion, and it allows us to reach beyond aversion and separation.

-Sharon Salzberg, “A Quiver of the Heart”

When I read this passage, I am reminded that not all of us see the same way.  I realize that many people judge others’ pain to be lesser than their own.  I wonder why we seem to feel aversion, or even jealousy, about other people’s pain.  A scene from the movie, “Grumpy Old Men” sticks in my mind.  Jack Lemmon’s and Walter Matthau’s character each competed to see who had the biggest hurt!  It was funny, and sad, at the same time.

I confess, when I see other people in pain, I most often seem to hurt for them.  It quickly goes away.  The pain lets me see/feel how they are feeling, and, I empathise with their pain.  I typically respond the same way to tears of grief or sadness.

I think most people are like that!

Judy@angelsandancestors.com

The July Angels Magazine “Summer Freedom” is at  www.angelsandancestors.com

See our websites:  legionsofmichael.blogspot.com www.thestoryoflight.com; www.datacloudconsulting.com; www.datacloudconsultingblog.com

Spirit Animal - Hummingbird Visit

Last week, I received a wonderful story about Hummingbird.  I have permission to share this.  Enjoy!

A summer ago I had a hummingbird land near me while I was swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks, it was an incredibly humid day, one of those days that you didn't even get out of the water. It sat where I was floating... for a good solid few minutes, and would hop down every so often and drink some of the water.

(Picture from Allie.  I blew up the hummingbird in the picture below so you could see how comfortable it looks!)

It was a really awesome experience... before then, and since, I've always loved hummingbird, their photos, any artwork, seeing them in and around the gardens around my house... I enjoy swallows too... I have swallow ornaments hanging from my ceiling in my bedroom... and hummingbirds as the background of my blog.

I'm not really sure if you check this e-mail often or even do this sort of thing anymore... but is there any certain way to know if that is my "spirit animal?" I know you cannot choose your animal... but how do I know if it has chosen me or not?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

Allie

______________

Allie, I will answer your question by saying that spirit animals choose us by spending time with us in non-traditional or non-normal behaviour.  A hummingbird does not normally sit on a spaghetti floater and drink water.  When hummingbird does this, it is honouring you for enjoying the sweetness of life, and shows you that the water is sweet by drinking it.  She shows you too, that at that moment, your life could not be sweeter!

If you are hanging up swallow stuff, then Swallow has touched you in some way, perhaps in dream time, and the stuff that you put up is in honour of this relationship, and to help you stay in touch with swallow’s energy.  It is one of your spirit animal guides.

Please understand that spirit animal guides may change over time, and sometimes, a guide is with you only while you are experiencing a certain situation.  So, your hummingbird may be with you all your life; or, it may suddenly flit away, and a new guide will take its place.  It sounds however, like Swallow is a long term guide.

I have not posted a blog on Swallow.  This is a reminder to me to do so! 

Thank you!

Love and light to you,

Judy

Judy@angelsandancestors.com
The July Angels Magazine  “Summer Freedom” is now up at  www.angelsandancestors.com
See our websites:  legionsofmichael.blogspot.com www.thestoryoflight.com; www.datacloudconsulting.com; www.datacloudconsultingblog.com

Spirit Speaks - When Lightning Strikes A Tree

“Lightning is good.  When Lightning strikes a tree, people say that tree has been blessed and they go to gather that wood for special purposes.”  -  Apache Tradition

Last week, lightning hit a tree on Poplar Island, an island in the Bow River, and part of Fish Creek Park.  The tree burned for a long time, for it was a large tree, and had lived a long time.

I began to think about the tree.  One of my thoughts was that the Elementals had decided that this tree was special, and that it should not suffer the fate of being chewed down by beavers, and then becoming part of the next beaver dam. 

Instead, the Elementals decided that this tree would be transformed from tree to charcoal.  It then becomes a wonderful instrument of cleaning and healing for all the animals that ingest it.  As it washes into the river, it becomes a natural filter.

It seems to me that this is how humans may transform – with one flash of great light they become less than they were before and then so much more.

I wish you a flash of inspiration!

Judy@angelsandancestors.com

The July Angels Magazine “Summer Freedom” is at  www.angelsandancestors.com

See our websites:  legionsofmichael.blogspot.com www.thestoryoflight.com; www.datacloudconsulting.com; www.datacloudconsultingblog.com

Spirit Speaks -- Rivers, Streams, and Creeks

For the last ten years, we have lived quite close to the Bow River and to Fish Creek.  This year, although the Bow and Fish Creek have flowed to the tops of their banks and slightly over, we have not had the flooding that many places have had.  Because the melt is very slow this year in the mountains, we still may have flooding to come.

This set me thinking about the role of rivers and streams and creeks.  Shaman, medicine people, and mystics believe that the water that flows in a bed (rivers, streams, creeks) represents:

• going with the flow
• evolution and change from one state to another
• the passage of time
• creation and destruction
• shape-shifting
• emotional journeys at different levels
• return to oneness
• travel from one place to the next, similar to the Chariot card in the Tarot
• and, the river represents goals

The Bow, then, is showing those of us that live close to it, that when emotions run high (as in high water) change must happen.  Just as the water causes an evolution in the course of the river, we are in for an evolution in our lives – perhaps who we are and how we live.  The river has been high now for several months.  This shows that there is a long period of time that will pass where our emotions will be high, and therefore quick to be in the forefront of things.  There will be some destruction of what was and a creating of new things.  What we once thought we knew will take on a new shape, and it will be better.

The river runs year after year.  Life flows the way it needs to.

Judy@angelsandancestors.com

The July Angels Magazine “Summer Freedom” is at  www.angelsandancestors.com

See our websites:  legionsofmichael.blogspot.com www.thestoryoflight.com; www.datacloudconsulting.com; www.datacloudconsultingblog.com

Spirit Animal - Dove Drops Feathers

The other morning, I stepped out of the house, through the patio door, and found some dove feathers on the mat outside the door.  I picked them up, said a thank-you, and left them on the table on the deck.  I was going to clean them when I got back from walking the dogs.

When I got back, the dove feathers had blown back to the mat.  I laughed.  Dove surely wanted me to use these feathers for something.  And, when the dogs and I were walking, I found a beautiful magpie feather sitting on the middle of the path. I found this quite unusual since that path is walked by over a hundred dog owners and their dogs, each day, and usually twice a day.

So, I  knew that something was special about feathers, and I knew that Dove was sending a message.

1.  Feathers are very often a sign from the Angels that they have heard your prayer, or request, and that they will do as you have prayed for the greatest and highest good.

2.  Dove is about peace and being peaceful, and being nurturing.  I am working this out in my life right now as I run a consulting company, teach StarTalker Quest weekly, and still see clients twice per week for Angels And Ancestors.  It seems like Dove is offering her help.

3.  While Roger and I were having breakfast that day, Dove came and sat on the peak of our house and cooed at us while we were eating.  It seems like she was saying to be gentle to ourselves and to enjoy our life.

4.  I have been contemplating making a new drum beater, and I keep seeing it with feathers at the end.  The gift of the dove feathers seems like I will be making a “Dove” drum beater.

Judy@angelsandancestors.com

The July Angels Magazine “Summer Freedom” is at  www.angelsandancestors.com

See our websites:  legionsofmichael.blogspot.com www.thestoryoflight.com; www.datacloudconsulting.com; www.datacloudconsultingblog.com

Mother Earth Speaks - Black Sea Salt

A picture of Black Sea Salt.  What is it?

The ingredients say 100% natural salt (lava salt from Hawaii) and activated charcoal powder. What is Activated Charcoal Powder? Simply burnt wood that has had all its oxygen removed. It is a non-toxic universal antidote that can be taken internally or applied topically. In powdered form, activated charcoal is one of nature’s most efficient adsorbents­a powerful aid in eliminating toxins, gas and many poisons from the human system. Provides relief for gas, diarrhea, swollen skin and more. So, not only is it a pretty salt with a nice crystalline crunch, it has, besides the sea salt, an ingredient that is healthy for your insides and outsides! –from /www.purezing.com

In one of the new moon meditations, we were linked up with Mother Earth, and she advised us on what natural product we needed, from her, to help us achieve good health.
In my meditation, I was guided to get Black Sea Salt.  I had no idea what it was, or why I would want to use it.  It took me several weeks to find any in a local store.  When I finally found it, I purchased it and began using it.  I have been using it now for a month. 
The black sea salt has trace minerals, plus charcoal, in it, that my body needs.  Since using it, my body does not crave salt in the same way that it did previously.  I find that I eat less food when I use the black sea salt.
Remember, that this is not medical advice and that you should check with a doctor before eating anything that is unknown.  And, do take what I say with a grain of salt!  However, physically, my nails are stronger and my hair is growing faster.
Mother Earth knew what she was talking about! 
Judy@angelsandancestors.com
The July Angels Magazine  “Summer Freedom” is now up at  www.angelsandancestors.com
See our websites:  legionsofmichael.blogspot.com www.thestoryoflight.com; www.datacloudconsulting.com; www.datacloudconsultingblog.com