Category Archives: Inspirational

Check this out!, Community, Inspirational, meditation

Tonight is the Full Moon – Lets Make it Count!

February 22, 2016 Jordan Leave a comment

Tonight is a Full Moon that I have been preparing for since before the last new moon. The culmination of everything that was worked for since the New Moon, and as always, setting the stage for what is next to come.

There are two sides of this, as usual. The Yin and the Yang. Let me describe first the Astrological qualities of this full moon, and then tell you about the personal happenings going on in my own life.

The Astrology

Tonight, the Full Moon is occurring in the Sign of Virgo. Virgo is the symbolic energy of the independent creative woman, the virgin. In Tarot it is linked to the card “The Hermit”, which is all about inspiration from within, circumspection (looking at the whole of things and taking in all of the data), and blazing the trail based on your own knowing, rather than following in the path set out by another.

As this relates to the Full Moon, this is the time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. This is a time which is emotional, romantic, and meaningful beyond measure.

This Full Moon is all about balance between the day-to-day functions and minutia that we often get caught up in, and our own spiritual health and growth. There is a power greater than we can understand at work here, moving through us to create an inner peace to the turmoil, so that we can tackle the outer world turmoil in greater stride than we had before.

Now, CafeAstrology did a great job of writing up some stuff about it, so instead of try and paraphrase it i’m just gonna quote them! Thanks CafeAstrology!

” Some sort of crisis (which can be a crisis of consciousness) or sudden awareness of a lack in our lives provides us with a golden opportunity to explore our emotional needs within the context of the house polarity where the Full Moon occurs in our natal charts. This Full Moon urges us to strike a balance between work and service, practicality and impracticality, criticism and acceptance. ”

With the Moon full and bright in the sky, symbolic “illumination” occurs in our own lives. However, these new feelings and revelations are emotional ones, as there is a sense of emotions bursting forth into our consciousness. It’s time to express ourselves, and to let things out of our systems. Over the next two weeks, we will discover what this means for us. For now, we can’t sit on our feelings. We need to express them. Of course, we might want to exercise some care while doing so, knowing that what is coming out of us is not particularly rational as yet.

-CafeAstrology

The Personal

I’ve often found its really helpful to hear from someone else what THEY are going through, in order to get some clarity on what’s going on in my life… So i’d like to do that for you now. Instead of try and write it all down, I’m just going to record it. 2 birds with one stone, right? I need to make more content for youtube anyways, and this is a great place to start!!

Peace to you and Yours!

Healing, Inspirational, News

6 Simple Ways To Detox Your Body From Toxic Sugar

February 21, 2016 Submitted By You Leave a comment

The past focus on fats have led many American’s oblivious to the true waist line bandit:sugar. Many diseases and health issues are propagated by sugar, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, depression, acne, infertility, and impotence. If you are one of those people who don’t think you are consuming a lot of sugar, I challenge you to keep track for three days. I guarantee that you are consuming sugar by at least 3,000 grams of sugar in that period. The average American consumes OVER 150 POUNDS OF SUGAR A YEAR. That’s so gross.

Removing this dietary staple is difficult. Not only is it found in everything packaged, we become dependent on the energy and dopamine rush we get from its consumption. As you proceed to remove sugar from your life, I’d recommend you create a list of reasons to post of your fridge and have a support group you can call on to talk you out of continuing that ‘sugar life’.

Go Cold Turkey

Definitely the harshest way to quit any unhealthy pattern, it is also the quickest and most effective. No cheats, no tricks, no excuses. Be prepared to lean on your support system HEAVILY.

Stop Drinking Your Calories

Got a bottle from the last tasty beverage you drank? Take a look at the nutritional information on it. There’s a high probability that you’re surprised at the outrageous sugar content. Realize as well that the liquid form of sugar is more damaging to your body than eating it. The liquid form is broken down more easily and faster so its literally going from your stomach directly into your liver. To eliminate sugar from your diet you can just skip the entirety of the bottles drink aisle.

Start Your Day With Protein

Regardless of what you’re attempting to do to your body via your diet, NEVER SKIP BREAKFAST. EVER. In fact within the first hour of being awake you should put something in your face.

A protein rich breakfast can curb sugar cravings through out the day. It is also just good for you all around. Your body will need additional protein and good carb sources as it works to detoxify itself of sugar and sugar by products.

Fight Sugar With (Good) Fats

To reiterate fats are not your enemies. Healthy fats help you feel full, balances your blood sugar and is an excellent source of cellular energy. Combine healthy fat sources with protein and it will boost your natural metabolic rate. Some common foods that are healthy fat options: extra virgin olive oil, avocados, coconut oil, coconut butter, nuts and seeds, and fish with high Omega 3 content.

Keep Up With Your Carbs

Carbohydrates are the basic building blocks for energy. You probably need to up your carb input to keep similar energy levels to when you were eating sugar. You will want to avoid starchy food options as best you can, so breads, pastas, any potato, winter squash and beets for the first ten days. This ten day period is what will be necessary to reset your natural energy levels. I know we cleared away a lot of meal staples with the last list but don’t worry you still have many options. Greens, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, collards, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, fennel, eggplant, artichokes, and peppers are just a few of the options that are in line with your goals.

Drink Water, Rest and Breathe!

Take the time and congratulate yourself for your efforts. Keep in mind your goal list and call on your support group when you need. Don’t underestimate the severity of the chemical change you are subjecting your body to. Drink lots of water so the toxins your body frees can leave the body. Detoxifying is a heavy drain on your bodies energy stores so rest up. You have the perfect excuse to take naps over the next couple of weeks, so make good use of it!

Check this out!, Inspirational, News

Check Out This Abandoned “Psychedelic Salt Mine” In Russia

February 21, 2016 Jeff Wilson Leave a comment

Yekaterinburg is the industrial and cultural center of Ural Federal District, Russia. Its sprawling, rich cultural metropolis has been hiding a beautiful geologic formation. A couple hundred feet below the city is a mine rich in the mineral carnallite, giving the caves an insane psychedelic collision of colors. Carnallite is an active ingredient for plant fertilizer and is normally a yellowish red color. Most of the mine is abandoned but Mikhail Mishainik, photographer and spelunking enthusiast, and his friends explored the caves and corridors now abandoned and forgotten. What he found was astonishingly beautiful.

After exploring for twenty some hours and spending the night on a couple of occasions, Mishainik found superb content for photos. While typically earth toned, the carnallite in these caves has taken on all the possible variations of colors, from vibrant reds, stark white, fluorescent oranges, emerald greens and rusty purples.

“It is easy to get lost as many of the passageways look the same, we navigate our way around very carefully.Many people know about the mines but it is very difficult to access them if you don’t have an official permit,” Mikhail said. “We take our safety very seriously, but of course there are always dangers. There is the possibility of a gas leak from chemicals such as methane, hydrogen sulphide carbon dioxide as well the risk of a landslide. The danger element is part of the fun and it’s a special feeling being somewhere very few people have seen.”

The Russian explorer has other adventures that he has graciously documented on his website. The Internet and the Spirit Science crew were blown away the naturally psychedelic formations. Its a great reminder have how grand the world we live in is.

Check this out!, Inspirational, News

The Most Beautiful Hand Drawn Video: The Day That Death Fell In Love With Life

February 18, 2016 Submitted By You 1 Comment

This is an entirely hand drawn short video by Marsha Onderstijn, an animator from the Netherlands. This video follows a fun representation of death. Death appears as a cute specter wearing a skull as a mask. Death is going through a forest when it see’s a dear. There is a prolonged sense of longing as Death projects a sense of loneliness. Everything Death touches, dies.

A really well done video, done entirely by hand which is a rarity these days. Most animated videos are products of massive production lines and computer projections This video has been received warmly at various animation festivals. It was even featured on the EYE film DVD of Selected Dutch Shorts.

The idea that death is in love with life, and that is why Death takes living beings, isn’t a new idea. That doesn’t stop it from being a fun concept!

This version of Death is softer than most, metaphorically relating a more ‘human’ side of Death. It would make sense that Death is a sad spirit, with a unquenchable desire for contact and communication. We fear and hate the idea of death, if everyone hated you it would color your character strangely as well.

The Life of Death from Marsha Onderstijn on Vimeo.

Discoveries, Inspirational, News, Thoughts

The Secret Influence of Sanskrit On Our Modern Languages

February 18, 2016 Submitted By You Leave a comment

Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Etymologists are finding evidence of Sanskrit being layered in with Greek, Latin and Germanic Languages. This is interesting because the languages on either side of a particular mountain range don’t look anything a like.

This shows that there was not only extensive travel (and probably trade to fund the travel) but mutually beneficial relationships between various races and kingdoms. For them to be communicating this thoroughly, on multiple personal and familial levels, is extraordinary. It shines more light on the beautiful differences between us all, while highlighting the unmistakable similarities.

Language is the agreed upon sounds for mutually understood ideas and actions. Every word and phrase is a contract of understanding between the people who speak and hear the agreement. You show me an apple. I see the apple. We agree on the enunciation of the word apple. Trade, travel and war spread words and the ideas they represent across the globe.

The similarities are witha number of common words I never would have guessed were influenced by Sanskrit. See a List of Greek/Latin/English words that have been influenced by Sanskrit here. I found that the Sanskrit word ‘aadim’ (the first or most ancient man) had influenced Adam’s name pretty cool. The name Korea was influenced by ‘Gauriya’ meaning Gouri, a Vedic Goddess mind blowing.

To Break down the idea of language a little we’ll say a word has a particular meaning in England. That same word carried across the ocean to Canada, still carries the same meaning. A new agreement is made between the traveler and a Canadian. Lets say the word is ‘hunger’, and the people in England are experiencing a drought. This means, in England, the word holds unique connotations.

While a little of the history is inferred by the Canadian, as he sees the thin Englishmen talk about home, there is no drought in Canada. As this new word for hunger circulates through Canada, the connotation changes. The change in its meaning means people use it in a different context, and the pronunciation begins to vary.

Today the Internet makes a secure intellectual net, holding together languages and ideas. Without it, geographical separation and time would have a more visible wear on our shared terms. The change in our languages now comes as a very slow movement, powered more but social stresses and attitudes toward certain topics. Any previously regional form of speech is still present but there not as much word spontaneity as there was in the past. Most language changes are influenced by technological advances.

This influence happened because of the popularity of the Vedic culture. To keep up with the most current terms and agreed upon ideas cultures wouldn’t try to create their own version of Sanskrit words. They would just use the original word. The same thing happens in modern times with words like processor, internet, and other technical names. At first there is no translations of these words, until people feel comfortable enough with their end of the agreement.

Check this out!, Inspirational, News, Spirituality, Thoughts

5 Negative Thoughts That Halt Your Spiritual Growth

February 17, 2016 Submitted By You Leave a comment

Speech is a powerful tool. The way we consciously and subconsciously choose to express ourselves, it is a clear reflection of our mentalities and emotions.

More than just a reflection though, words are a form of action and carry a similar same weight. The mind frequently projects images or spins a thought into a realm we are not comfortable with. The mind is like a child, it grasps at things it knows it shouldn’t grab. This ‘grabbing’ action doesn’t inherently mean that the ‘child’ wants the object it reached for. There are many reasons our mind do this, but for the most part it is exercising its ability to do so.

This act of doing something to do it translates to our speech as well. Uncensored, our mouths can run up a storm. Words carry a different strength and influence than thoughts. There is a more quantifiable element to the immediate effect of words. Speech is an intangible form of action that stem from thought. As soon as you turn a thought or intention into an action, it leaves your realm of influence and becomes a separate entity. A cruel word can not be stifled or taken back. More actions must be taken to heal the damage.

We frequently use the cruelest of language on ourselves. Our minds are always chatting away, damning this and criticizing that. We sometimes foolishly vent these thoughts, normally in a joking manner.

The sarcastic shine to a ill hearted phrase does nothing to deter the damage. If anything it poisons those who hear it, tricking them into thinking it doesn’t hurt.

Below are listed some common phrases used to create a negative separate entity. In the interest of ‘blowing off steam’ or a weird sort of half hearted self forgiveness, we utter these phrases. They become actions that hurt us and slow us down.

“I’m So Stupid.”

There are so many definitions and types of intelligence. There is also the difference between wisdom and intelligence. Even if you’re being a little thick right now, have the wisdom to not belittle yourself. This phrase can be exchanged for, ‘I could have done better’.

“I Can’t Do That.”

This statement always precedes a conversation about technique and support, then after practice and effort the impossible is done. Decide what you want to do according to your priorities and do it.

Do not say that something is important to you and then mark it down with technical difficulties.

You jeopardize the sanctity of your priorities when you do this. This statement is interchangeable with; ‘This will be difficult’, or ‘I will need help with this’.

“I Hate Myself.”

‘Love is the capacity to take care, to protect, to nourish. If you are not capable of generating that kind of energy toward yourself- if you are not capable of taking care of yourself, of nourishing yourself, of protecting yourself- it is very difficult to take care of another person. In the Buddhist teaching, it’s clear that to love oneself is the foundation of the love of other people.’ Thich Nhat Hanh

This phrase should be replaced with: ‘I can do better’, ‘I will do better’, ‘It’s hard for me to be honest with myself right now.’

“I’m Ugly.”

This statement comes in many forms; I’m fat, my hair is hideous, my eyes are too close together, my nose has two holes.

They are all ridiculous. Beauty comes from inside, it spins out from a healthy spirit. Fashion is the nonsense that says people are this and that. Be beautiful and love yourself. This phrase can be replaced with: ‘I’m awesome!’,’My core is so strong!’, I am beautiful!’

“I Hate My Life.”

Don’t let the momentary madness in your skull or the storm in your heart ever exit your lips in this form. If you are upset with your life that means you care and are beyond frustrated. Voice your frustration and emotions but don’t ever lash out at the unique story that is your life. This phrase should never be spoken, replace it entirely with: ‘I’m upset’, ‘I am in need of help’, or ‘I want a hug’.