Letting Go Of Getting Stuck In Life By Being Present With Our Stuckness Through The Power Of A Sweet Surrender

Posted on by under Spirituality, Uncategorized

“You can’t feel good when you’re feeling bad about feeling bad.”

-Rhonda Byrne

Looking back in the rearview mirror, I remember working with a spiritual counselor for many years, who reminded me that people get stuck in life, and can have a really hard time getting unstuck. His empathy statement still sounds true because, the truth is, we all get stuck.

Upon reflection, my old spiritual counselor’s wise guidance invited a personal awakening of an awareness that a big part of my own getting stuck at that time was that I was getting stuck on other people’s stuckness . . . and taking it personally. It can be hard to not to become moved by other people’s stuff. Although experience teaches that it is freeing to stay centered, and observe those entanglements soften and relax. Ah, letting go of victim consciousness is a process, like peeling away the layers of an onion.

Awakening to our true nature as spiritual beings having human experiences happens when we are surrendering to the will of the Universe by getting in alignment with it. Ancient meditative movement practices like Tai Chi supports this process by integrating the right and left hemispheres of our brains, and facilitating emotional regulation of our neurological systems by re-patterning them.

In addition to Bruce Lee’s beautiful introduction, the video below also features Professor Cheng Man Ching, who brought Tai Chi to the West, and some of his students who reflect back on their experiences with him. Both of these men had very strong rebellious streaks because they brought secrets of their people to the West. Sharing their knowledge with outsiders was strictly forbidden, and against the orders of their masters.

But they both knew that the West needed to be clued in to the mysteries of the martial arts. Although Professor’s students deeply respected him as a master, some have also said that he wasn’t an enlightened being, and that he had an ego. His playful soul and competitive spirit is probably what made him so approachable to his students. Not long before he died, he said that he was approximately 70% Confucius and 30% Lao Tzu. He also emphasized that he was interested in learning how to be human, and that it takes a long time to do that:

Reflecting back on my own experiences with getting stuck, and what to do about it reminds me of my last semester of college, many moons ago. At that time, I took an extra class as an independent study with one of my psychology professors so that I could graduate on time. Part of my stuckness back then was procrastination. It’s not that Grandmother’s Stop Procrastination tapes with subliminal message hidden underneath ocean waves didn’t work. It’s just that building ‘Righteous Chi’ works gradually, like the power of water. Once enough momentum is present, there is no stopping it.

Back to my last semester in college . . . I took a heavy course load to fulfill my academic requirements for graduation. My psychology professor was also a part time psychotherapist, who worked with a colleague who was also a therapist with his own full time practice. These two progressive men were both concerned about when their clients would get stuck during their therapeutic process, particularly between sessions. Part of their stuckness as psychotherapists was when their clients would get stuck. As therapists, they felt a degree of responsibility and helplessness about that.

Given that, both clinical psychologists were very interested in exploring a newly emerging therapeutic idea at the time called bibliotherapy. Basically, bibliotherapy is a medium to utilize reading, and other multimedia forms (movies, videos, podcasts, quotes, articles, etc.) to reinforce the power of the therapeutic process for change to occur. The independent study explored a deep dive into how bibliotherapy might be utilized as a medium to help clients get unstuck; especially during the interval between sessions or when they were outside of a therapy session. The three of us met weekly to discuss and unpack bibliotherapeutic experiences. I read a bunch of literature on the emerging subject, and wrote a paper based on my research, our clinically oriented weekly conversations, and reflections about what I learned from the experience.

Many years later, I collaborated with librarians, who were aware of the growing body of research on bibliotherapy’s efficacy. Plenty of counselors out there will assign “homework assignments” to their clients. In many cases this involves utilizing bibliotherapy as a medium to water the seeds of change so that they can take root.

Flash forward to today, experiences with getting stuck in therapy appears to be akin to how meditators talk about applying what we learn during sitting meditation to when we’re off the cushion, and going about the business of living our lives. A big part of why we get stuck has to do with our habituated mind, and cravings that block us from experiencing the present moment. Truly, this is a relatable experience to anyone who is taking an honest look at themselves, or in many cases feeling triggered by looking at others.

Finally, check out the video below by highly respected veteran spiritual teacher and nun, Pema Chodron, that further amplifies the sentiment. She has been a leading catalyst in bringing Buddhist principles to the West:

May all beings be free and awaken to inner peace,

Ari

Digging Into Groundhog Day, Underground Tunneling Toward The Vernal Equinox & Riding Off Into The Sunset Of Death, Whilst Awakening To The Dawn Of Rebirth

Posted on by under Consciousness, Spirituality, Uncategorized

We began as mineral. We emerged into plant life, and into the animal state, and then into being human, and always we have forgotten our former states, except in early spring when we slightly recall being green again.

–Rumi

A Full Snow Moon on February 1st sheds moonshine on the birth of February, followed by the Imbolc aka Groundhog Day on February 2nd. Energetically, spring starts now because the seeds underground are starting to think about waking up from their winter slumber.

Whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, the arrival of the Vernal Equinox on March 20th marks the official onset of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. The equinoxes reflect the Nature’s balance of day and night; which reveals homeostasis of yin&yang/light&dark/masculine&feminine energies.

When I think of honoring the Imbolc tradition of the approximate halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, I think of the shamanic energy medicine of Groundhog as an animal spirit guide.

How many of us would benefit from waking up to an elevated state of consciousness that Groundhog awakens as a metaphor for reincarnation?

There are evolving souls in the spiritual community, who have shared that they have an attachment to a desire to not incarnate anymore, and would prefer to stay in the spirit realm after their experience in this lifetime ends.

While I respect a person’s sovereign right towards self-determination, there is wisdom in the old saying, be careful what you wish for. In order to really trust the Universe, you have to do the shadow work. The voices of trauma can be exhausting at times.

Groundhog energy medicine awakens death without dying as a real perceptible reality during the gift and many blessings of this lifetime. In this experience, we are reminded of the cyclical death and rebirth aspect of life. In every breath we take, a part of us dies, while another part of us is reborn.

Besides, science has confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we have trillions of cells living within our bodies that change like tastebuds over time. From that perspective, we really aren’t the same person we once were, nor will be in the future. Might as well learn to illuminate every cell in our bodies and learn to make them smile. There’s God(ess) in that.

For you gamers out there, playing video games is akin to the shamanic death without dying experience. You get to hit the reset button, start over, get a new life, and explore different levels. The program is already there and reveals itself when the time is ripe. Beyond that, it’s up to you how to play the game. Freewill within the program’s matrix. Once you know the program, you can transcend it.

Knowing our true identities as mostly luminous, formless beings of light can be the torch that carries you toward the perceptible reality that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, we have find the eyes to see that the sun is still there, it’s just hiding behind dark clouds. More importantly, there is light within, no matter how consumed with darkness we might feel.

Just as an example, the classic American film Groundhog Day captures the sentiment of moving beyond the egoic realm of egocentric manipulation to waking up to the realm of Oneness or Unity Consciousness. Remember that Groundhog Day, like Halloween, derives from ancient traditions honored by our ancestors. I first saw this movie in High School and thought it was hilarious. Little did I know that I would end up going to college in the Pittsburgh area of Western Pennsylvania, where the film takes place, and later realize the profound spiritual depth of this movie that stands the test of time.

And then in the next clip below, we have an open hearted and high minded spiritually oriented conversation between Oprah Winfrey and Eckart Tolle to further capture the sentiment. I remember when I first picked up Eckhart’s new book at the time, The Power of Now. This was back in my social work graduate school days in Miami in the late 90s. The trauma of my mother’s suicide was still a fresh deep soul wound, and I was craving finding deeper spiritual meaning in my life to deal with the loss so that I could move forward. Upon reading the this book, I was struck by how his own suffering transformed into a radical spiritual awakening. I was inspired back Zen, and continue to be right Tao.

Flash forward to March, 2009, when Oprah brought to life the first free online planetary book club that explored this spiritual teacher’s next book, A New Earth. Both of my grandmothers died earlier that Winter. I felt triggered by their deaths, my energy field was gravely depleted, and l really looked forward to their live weekly webinar sessions. It was a light at the end of the tunnel for me at that time. I had already been working for several years as a day treatment social worker, in the same Public School community that I worked in over the past couple of decades. I still don’t know how I got out of bed to go to work in the morning during that time. Because we had meaningful connection, a concerned School Nurse I worked with at that time could see auras, and commented that she could see how weak my energy field was. Between Winter’s dirge, and my own grieving process, the time was ripe again for some more transformational inner work.

Switching horses, we will officially enter into the Year of the Fire Horse on February 17th. Fire Horse’s energy reflects greater movement, decision, freedom and courage so that we can effectively gallop into unknown frontiers.

Perfect timing for much transformation on this year’s pathways ahead. But transformation isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Growing pains are part of the process, and we do need to get off of our cushions and live our lives. May the Chi of the Fire Horse heat up our saddles, and get us off our bums, so to speak.

Speaking of blazing saddles, the Eclipse Season further fuels the flames of transformation with a Solar Eclipse on the Chinese New Year, and then a Lunar Eclipse on March 3rd. Many of you are already feeling these energies before the first eclipse takes place.

Of course, the aftershocks of the Spring Eclipse season will carry on through College Basketball’s March Madness, the Ides of March, Vernal Equinox, and into the Aries time of year. The season of Aries the Ram starts around the onset of baseball season, and energetically always feels like a new year because it is the first sign of the Western Zodiac.

As we already know, eclipses are catalysts for change and shaking up the status quo in our inner and outer worlds. There’s nothing to be superstitious about with regards to any of these energies because, like the present moment, they are what they are.

More importantly, what matters is how we align with the energies at play. Hunkering down and riding the storm out are typical conditioned human survival instincts. But instead of running away from the weather by heading down to the shorelines to get washed out; consider what the animals like rams do in times of alarming weather fronts.

Rather than resisting and fighting ominous weather, they head for the mountains to gain a better vista so that they can intelligently secure deliberate footing that harmonizes with Climate Change.

Or you can curse the weather, fight against the current or push the river, so to speak.

May all Beings be free and live in the present moment of Inner Peace,

Ari

A Crazy Business Idea For Co-creating A Beautiful New World

Posted on by under Uncategorized
Daily writing prompt
Come up with a crazy business idea.
View all responses

Imagine a freethinking society where everyone meditates because it is a common core value that is built into a new systemic normal where energy is freely shared and exchanged. I know it sounds so Celestine Prophecy and all (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

But in this paradigm, we are operating from a liberated state of consciousness; where our Oneness and interconnection are regularly understood, and are self-evident in our day to day operations.

We will still differentiate and respect boundaries, but we do that without seeing ourselves or anything else for that matter as separate or disconnected. Different strokes, for different folks.

From this perspective, the institutionalized isms, trashing the park, wars, violence, gang banging, organized crime, the so called legitimate maximum-economic profit capitalist conditioning, economic strangulations, and the need to control each other fades away, and is released into a black hole in the Universe. It doesn’t get killed or die, it just transforms.

It’s like letting go of a balloon or blowing bubbles as a kid with positive self talk forms traveling within those thought forms as they float away into the depths of the Universe.

Reminds me of a longitudinal connective friend who recently told me he has been “sober from the news for over a year.” Even better to hear was that he was experiencing levity from unplugging, and commented that he doesn’t feel the charge he once did about others when discussing politics and other mistakes as portrayed on the news feeds. Funny, over two decades ago, the same friend told me he wanted to learn how to levitate. Ah, like a good folk song, psychic development can get the job done without the frills.

It’s hard to go wrong with peaceful, calming thoughts folks. And you can focus on them more when you are not seduced into the mainstream media behavioral trap.

Speaking of the aforementioned Jame’s Redfield’s classic book, and subsequent film, I really appreciate the author’s intention of The Celestine Prophecy to inspire readers to “reclaim their power from dominant authorities and dysfunctional relationships: not via political or legal action but through a personalized spirituality that portrays life as a meaningful journey toward self-actualization.”

Alas, the ego doesn’t understand this dimensional frequency vibration because it can’t control it. What?

Just as an example, we all know that we have created a lot of trash in the park. And we have produced more humans with more disposables. But even with waste management, imagine compressing the empty matter of trash in a way that literally opens up space.

Once the new space is cleared and opened, the possibilities are endless. What used to look like a dump, landfill, transfer station or recycling center is no longer taking up space that appears as an eyesore. You wouldn’t even know it’s there anymore because now the space has transformed into a garden variety of new forms that reveal new growth. This is yet another win-win solution that only looks crazy in an insane paradigm.

Without the need to make a profit off of destructive and dissasterous forces, a more playful and balanced form of cooperative competition takes place. It’s less like competing against each other where there’s winners and losers. It wasn’t till I was in my mid-20s till I heard the saying, if you had fun, then you won.

In much the same way as in T’ai Chi Push Hands, avoiding conflict and getting along with each other is more about knowing when to lead and when to follow by listening and being sensitive to each other’s energy. Just as an example, a verbal assault is met with non-resistance and knowing that standing in your personal authority means that it’s ok to walk away. But in this crazy business idea, there is no need for an assault of any kind because the deeply engrained and conditioned human patterns are blown away like the old Oklahoma Dust Bowl days. When teaching his beloved T’ai Chi classes, past students of Professor Cheng used to say that he would emphasize to “be like a ghost.” This is akin to the idea (and more importantly the perceptible experience) of emptying the mind, or creating spaciousness (a more accurate translation)… or like mindfulness or presence (a more accurate translation). Check out the brief silent clip below to get a feel for his demonstrations:

On a subatomic level, forms are paradoxically mostly empty and formless anyway. Of course we know that from a brain science perspective that most of what we see only includes a fraction of what’s really going on before our eyes.

There’s deep dive wisdom behind the truth that things will appear as they truly are when the doors of perception are cleansed.

In the Billy Carson meditation clip below, he has created a beautifully powerful meditation with relaxing music in the background. I feel that it captures and amplifies the sentiment. Please enjoy taking a closer look and allowing yourself to get into the spirit of this meditation:

Cat & Mouse Is What I Do

Posted on by under Mindfulness, Uncategorized
Daily writing prompt
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
View all responses

I remember when I embarked on an adventurous family reunion in Italy many years ago, and one of my cousins looked at me, and said, “Ari, is it fun in there?” She was referencing my mind, and made this comment after I cracked a barrage of puns, and other theatrical wit. Perhaps if my Italiano was better, then I could have disguised my cornball humor so that it would have read like a foreign language.

And then many moons later, I worked for a new School Principal who brought with her a book called Fish Philosophy into the school community we worked in together at the time. As our new administrator, she built in Fish Philosophy into our staff professional development to enact cultural norms encouraging us to “choose your attitude” and “make their day.”

The theme of Fish Philosophy is simple and was adopted from the famous fish market in Seattle, where the workers throw fish at each other, customers and have fun doing it. Imagine that . . . work and play going together, and that we have a choice in whether we do that or not in the school of life. Before I even read any of the book, a new coworker came up to me after a work related training, and made it a point to tell me that he had started reading the book, and said that I was a good role model of the book’s theme.

https://www.pikeplacefish.com/about

Since before I came out of the womb, I’m sure the cat and mouse part of my personality wasn’t part of my hidden self. As a boy, my mom said that I liked it when she read to me in the womb. Truly, I was probably already acting out the characters that she was reading to me. Most of the trouble I got into in school by teachers, and later in sports by coaches was my clowning around with people, and finding parody and jest in the everyday mundane encounters.

For example, one of my favorite coping strategies to introduce to kids (and adults) is the idea of imagining that the business of life is like playing a video game in your head. It’s been since I was in Middle School that I was a regular video game player, but when I came across that strategy, it resonated in me and many other students I worked with over the years. The Tai Chi classes I have taken also emphasized and embodied the idea of playing with form.

These days, most people expect to be entertained, and typically by someone or something else that they perceive to be outside of themselves; as in an external object of affection, like a pacifier. But the real trick is to discover ways to play with life. As other people take notice, it does tend to become contagious.

Just as an example, I like to play around with mindful breathing during a workout or exercise routine because it brings you into the present moment. Breathing mindfully also makes the workout or exercise routine feel less like work, exercise or a routine for that matter. And when I play my guitar, that’s all I’m doing is playing. It’s more fun that way.

Firing Up Our Horses & Blazing New Saddles Into The New Year Ahead

Posted on by under Consciousness, Uncategorized

A Full Wolf Moon on January 3, 2026 lays early tracks into the New Year. May our inner Wise Wolf guide us into new pathways in consciousness. The energy of Wolf is a powerful teacher in soul development. Humans have much to learn about the governance of wolves. Their politics of living reveal a hybrid approach that balances a healthy sense of both individualism and collectivism. Like the old saying, no man (or woman if you are one) is an island. Wolves have a clear pecking order but rely on each other for interdependence.

When I think about the wisdom of Indigenous People, it’s hard not to remember the longitudinal seven generations ahead perspective from the Iroquois Nation of the Americas. From a politics of living standpoint, we give purposeful attention to the way our actions now will impact seven generations ahead, or approximately 150-210 years into the future, in human-centric terms at least. And of course the converse is true in the way that we look at the past and how it affects us right now. We have relationships with everything, whether realized or not.

New beginnings on the New Moon in Capricorn on January 18th heats up our saddles, so that we are equipped to blaze new trails into vast frontiers of our technological and social emotional learning in the new year ahead. A lot of people are talking about AI these days. Of course there are both positive and negative applications in the advancements in AI. Find a middle way when walking in the circle of romanticizing or demonizing AI, technology, the human and planetary plight, etc.

And then when we talk about Chinese astrology, it will be the Year of the Fire Horse on February 17th. Unlike the sun based Gregorian calendar, the timing of the lunar-based calendar changes from year to year, depending on where the lunar cycle falls.

An awakening of Fire Horse’s archetypal forces reveal greater movement, decision, freedom and courage so that we can effectively giddy up into unknown frontiers.

The forthcoming Eclipse Season further ignites the changes coming down the pike in 2026; starting with a Solar Eclipse on the Chinese New Year, and then a Lunar Eclipse on March 3rd.

Remember that eclipses are catalysts for change and shaking up the status quo in our inner and outer worlds. New and Full Moons during eclipses are like regular New and Full Moons on steroids. New Moons are always associated with new beginnings and Full Moons are always associated with heightened energies. There’s nothing to be superstitious about with regards to any of these energies because, like the present moment, they are what they are. What matters is how we align with their energies.

In much the same way as horses being key drivers in expanding humanity’s sense of collective freedom; advancements in AI, robotics, and celestial discoveries will be amplified over the next several years. We will be reworking the way that we take care of ourselves, and organize the business of our lives.

It’s as if these shifting energies in consciousness are hitting the reset button. As such, we will be equipped to upgrade our internal systems so that we can effectively integrate, and align with the changing frequencies that we will continue to be faced with, and need to tune into.

Our humanity needs to catch up to our significant technological advances during the digital age we have been living in. This transformation will lead to our collective consciousness evolving into alignment with Cosmic Consciousness, Diversity in Unity, and a generalized sense of Oneness. Check out the short clip below from the 1995 film Powder that illustrates the point:

Keep in mind that the changing tides and new waves of spirituality and consciousness will continue to gain momentum by flowering and blooming into a New Earth; where we are literally co-creating Heaven on Earth in more healthy normative ways.

Like the old REM song, it’s the end of the world as we know it. Gone With The Wind will be the dying old segregationist ways of Us and Them. Rather, we are moving further into a We and Us approach. Check out their music video that artistically amplifies the sentiment:

In this frequency, everyone belongs, and awakens to their soul purpose and recognizes their unique role to play during the transitional process of a New Aquarian Golden Age and Paradigm. When enough of humanity shifts into this frequency in a normative way, consciousness transforms into harmonization with Cosmic Consciousness, aka God, Christ, Unity, Collective Consciousness etc.

Truly, the escalating violence, dirty energy, emphasis on maximum economic profit, rise in polarity consciousness, or the duality playing out in the 3D realm are catalysts to the break down of the old ways that no longer serve. Moreover, these systemic breakdowns will create spaciousness and make room for what’s next for us as we make forward progress in our evolutionary process. The more present we are, the less our suffering will dominate the playing field.

We will continue to move away from the past coveted egoic positions of power, towards soul power, standing in our personal authority, and becoming the change we want to see in the world.

Otherwise, if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem, so to speak.

Paradoxically, living through the digital age gives us incentive to enter into a new chapter of universal planetary consciousness. The Earth already has a heartbeat. Might as well listen to it with an open heart and mind. The ride is far more graceful and joyous when we say yes to it because what we resist persists.

Everything is accelerating and revolutionizing. This is why it is more important than ever to slow down, be mindful of our breath and stop and smell the roses. Think of the revolution as something different from anything that we have ever gone through yet.

Speaking of revolutionary energies, it’s always a good idea to check your own inner state of consciousness as you navigate life’s everyday aches, pains, pleasures, situations and moments. Remember that you can’t feel good when you’re feeling bad about feeling bad!

As mindful meditation becomes the new normal; these awakening truths will become self-evident within our individual and collective constitutions, if you’ll pardon the Declaration of Independence pun.

Artistic, philosophical, spiritual and technological movements will become further aligned and harmonize with each other toward a deeper and higher reality than the conventional one we have known.

As the old narrative fades away, emerging healthier relationships will leave us with a more perceptible sense of emotional, financial, and spiritual rebirth.

2026 will reinforce awareness and presence in humans embodying love, empathy, compassion and kindness. May we recognize ourselves in the mirrors reflecting back to us any blind spots we might have missed. Everyone matters, and we can all win.

May all people be free and experience inner peace as a way of life,

Ari

Universal Spirits In A Material World Revisited

Posted on by under Consciousness, Original Poetry, Poetry, Poetry Community, Uncategorized, Writing Community
I first wrote this poem in November 2013. Feeling moved to revisit these comet inspired poetic synchronicities. That was Zen my friend and this is right Tao . . .

The weather underground is akin to the air up there
A Full Moon and Comet are coming soon to a theatre near you

What do we do?
Well it’s up to you . . .

Surfing the energetic waves rolling into the bay of emotional tides . . .

Do you bear witness to a fading Twilight Zone curtain?
(With or without the applications of technology)

An Empire burns while the Cosmic Chakra Wheel in the Sky turns . . .

Peace in the Middle East
Peace in the Americas
Peace in Africa, China, Tibet, Planet & Universe throughout

We are the Dali Llama
We are Malcolm X
We are Universal spirits in a material world

Healing our polarity consciousness
Integrating our Yin-Yang Twin Flame Soulful feminine Moon and masculine Sun

Tunneling inward into the dark toward the Winter Solstice

And from the ashes a Phoenix Rises –
Clearing dust settles with meditation as shelter from the storm

Taking The Mythical Step Through A Portal Into Infinity Revisited . . .

Posted on by under Consciousness, Uncategorized

I wrote this poem in November of 2013. Thought it would be nice to revisit with illustration & live video recording of poetry reading. Note the synchronicity of the old comet reference back Zen and the new comet in our consciousness (3I/Atlas) right Tao:

We stand at the doorstep of Infinity . . .
Massive change is coming our way

A Full-Moon on Sunday . . .
Trailed by a Comet in its waning wake

Giddy-Up toward the darkest hour on the Winter Solstice . . .
Coaxing back the Light in the dark of the Night

Releasing egoic entanglements with form . . .
Spirited energies realigning who we are

Rising tides of oceanic waves flooding our sea of consciousness . . .
Slumbering folks waking up from napping while under the influence of systemic conditioning

Sitting at the dock of the bay in meditation space . . .
Theta state in the green lantern heart space

Feeling waters of empathy bubbling up wells of Love . . .
Illuminating my soul

O darkness of yin . . .
Light a moonshadow o’er inner landscapes

Checking out energetic pulsations of neurotransmitters traveling through bodily pathways . . .
Portals to consciousness are they

Consciousness, Comets And Transdimensional Movement Through Portals Into A New Age And Paradigm

Posted on by under Consciousness, Uncategorized

Mercury went back direct on November 29. It’s often a time that feels like the old Twilight Zone TV show to many people. Be kind to your mind during this transition, especially because it usually takes approximately 10 days before the mental fog clears up.

Are you listening to your dreams, decoding their symbols, and noticing the heightened synchronicities revealing themselves all around you?

A Full Cold Supermoon arrives on December 4th. Remember Supermoons are like Full Moons on steroids. This Full Moon will amplify universal energies at this time.

Paradoxically, these energies can soften our hearts and minds. When energies are amplified, it’s especially important to be gentle and soft on ourselves and each other.

When we are faced with the need for changes and spontaneity, we can find a sense of safety in thinking about our feelings and sharing them with other people. People are meant to come down into their souls more during the holidays, and particularly in December.

Try not to get sucked into running the hurry up offense during societal consumerist mania. A cool head can be an asset. But but a cold heart can cut you off from the spirit and magic of the season; as well as become a Grinch who steals this from others. Harmony of the head and the heart is a balanced way to be present at this time.

Like water, taichi is a friendly reminder that there is power in softening our edges. Because, like water, cultivating this energy builds gradually. Eventually, a slow drip gains momentum and cultivates power.

Surrender deeply to the river of life and allow it to flow with grace and ease through your body and soul.

And then a New Moon in Sagittarius on December 19 welcomes new beginnings to satiate the hunger of expansive souls. A positive outlook on life and belief that things will get better; even when confronted by challenges, is part of an effective transformation process.

After the New Moon, the Winter Solstice on December 21 will mark the darkest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere. This is the time when our ancestors coaxed back the light; which gently allows for shifts in our consciousness into a new dawn of awakening. Even in darkness, there is light.

The Winter Solstice is a good time for us to get in touch with and express our gratitude for what we have experienced over the past year. Tis the season to let go of anything that we are struggling with, have little or no control over or any resistances to what is persisting in our lives. The clinging and grasping is part of what we resist that persists. Let it all go. A ceremonial fire ritual, especially in a community of people is a powerful way to capture the sentiment.

I remember when a community of men stood around the fire and got real for over a decade around the Winter Solstice. It was a powerful time. Men often hurt in ways that we are not even aware. This can manifest in a garden variety of ways, like the way men often use humor as a way to approach, and then retreat. It’s hard not lose ourselves in work to do and bills to pay. In the old patriarchy, avoiding intimacy is just something you do. But thankfully, the times they are a changin’. By redefining masculinity, we see that being in touch with our feminine sides; such as listening and being sensitive are powerful ways to be men. Besides, it makes us better role models.

Let go of the shores and trust that you will be guided and taken to where you most need to be.

The New Year of the Fire Horse on February 17th will reflect many more big changes coming down the pike. In Shamanism, the energy of Horse symbolizes personal freedom. Consider perceiving the fire element as a blazing saddle that will facilitate the development of a further sense of personal freedom in our lives as we build new frontiers together.

Energetically, one of harbingers of big changes coming our way is the arriving mysterious interstellar comet that scientists are calling 3I/Atlas. It appears that there are mixed reviews about 3I/Atlas’ constitution. It seems that there is agreement among many that 3I/Atlas it is ancient; as in billions of years old, in linear time at least. And apparently, there is a high level of consciousness embodied within it. But as Indigenous people have long known; there is consciousness in everything.

Be mindful that with a deeper and higher sense of personal freedom, which is an Aquarian personality trait; comes the freedom to choose and responsibility to act on how we navigate these big changes we are facing.

As we have discussed in this blog, comets have historically been seen as harbingers of change. I don’t think its a coincidence that this ancient comet has associations with the Sun, and is moving through our neck of the woods into the Year of the Fire Horse. Our Solar Plexus Chakra is our inner sun or our personal will. And the Sun gives us sustenance.

We have been programmed to shy away from mystery, and fear the dark and unknown. But it really is the question that drives us. It’s hard to go wrong with a position of curiosity and empathy.

Allow your imagination to be free to see and feel beyond the veils of ‘normal’ reality into the unseen realms and mysteries of the soul.

Regardless of what exactly 3I/Atlas is, it already appears to be shifting our collective consciousness. There is no doubt in my mind that it has a role to play in awakening a more transcendental, expansive and open hearted and minded perception of the world we live in.

Ponder its universal energies as being a much needed upgrade to elevate our consciousness . . . So that we are equipped to effectively evolve into new ways of being spiritual beings having human experiences.

Of course there is always freewill and choice. If you look at this comet from the viewpoint of the lizard brain, then it will probably look ominous and perhaps seen as a threat.

Given past behavior, we can predict with a high level of confidence that the military-industrial complex looks at it that way, and the talking heads on the media will probably parrot the party line they are ordered to repeat. A real free press doesn’t do that, nor does a more free thinking, fair and just society foment that kind of deception.

Pun alert: Because of the aforementioned tendency, this writer wouldn’t be surprised if an elaborate Wizard of Oz like Wicked elaborate hoax is already being manufactured as we speak. Of course, their intent is to try to control the narrative by keeping people distracted, afraid and enslaved in devilishly repetitive and fixed ideas. The battle to control the public mind is nothing new.

Isn’t it insane to want to keep people asleep, when we are meant to awaken to our Better Angels?

But then again, you all know the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing, and expect different results.

Remember that every moment is a new moment, including another moment to be liberated from being driven to distraction.

That’s why is so important to be mindful of the living moment and the power to remember to breathe and focus on positive self talk. The living moment is always there for us to live and breathe in.

As we look back over the last year, December a powerful time where we can slow down and reflect on forgiveness and acceptance, and focus more on giving, peace, and joy.

Slow down, see the playing field, and welcome a gentle and soft approach with the energies at play right now. Allowing for openness and receptivity, and thinking about what you can do for others is the gift that keeps on giving.

May All Beings Be Free and Know Inner Peace,

Ari

Fellow Luminous Souls Traveling Together In Collective Cosmic Consciousness . . .

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Ari Reading This Original Guided Meditation

In much the same way as the Shamans of the Americas, the Buddha recognized the reality of suffering, and became aware that the way out of the nightmare was to face it head on.

And then the Christ torched the Light of Compassion with the Power of Love; thus revealing that the Kingdom of Heaven is encoded in everything and everywhere.

Likewise, as many of our ancestors have done; a growing body of folks on the spiritual path today are awakening to the vision to go beyond the negative self talk mainstream movie reel that appears to get louder, more divisive, demonizing and repetitive as we speak.

May the we allow the light to illuminate the shadows . . .

A critical mass of people are now seeing through the smoke and mirrors that front as an illusionary curtain behavioral trap that is sold, bought and processed as everyday reality.

Because, this seemingly intangible deeply mysterious dimensional experience transcends the five senses and 3D realm.

In their Dreamtime, Indigenous people from Australia knew this experiential reality as more real than the normal Western version of reality back Zen as it is right Tao.

And yet, it is perceptible and spoken to us through stillness. It’s the in sound from way out.

The tricky part is that it takes trust to take a quantum leap of faith to hop off the lily pad onto a safe universal landing zone of Love and Truth.

Truly, we only miss the boat when we are in an identified place with our attached doubts, fears, mental tapes, concepts, and compartmentalized cognitions . . . aka the Chattering Monkey Mind or the Reptilian Brain.

From an elevated state of consciousness, we are equipped to release and let go of our wounds, control issues, hang ups, etc. and surrender to the Divine Will of the Universe.

In this free flowing expanding spaciousness, we will surf the rising tides of Joy and Light, as normative mindful states of sustainable consciousness.

Unity Consciousness embodies the recognition and intuitive understanding that we are all part of Cosmic Oneness.

From this space, we just know our interconnection with each other and everything for that matter, if you’ll pardon the spiritual-scientific pun.

May we remember to carry this pocketful of magic with us along our way, and continue to cultivate an experiential learning curve with a playful, light-hearted and healthy sense of detachment.

What’s your Light Language?

May all Beings be free and experience Inner Peace,

Ari

Fireside Chats, Venturing Into The Dark, and Fading To Black . . .

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A Beaver Moon fades into the backdrop after waning from its full status on November 5th. This Full Moon gave reflection to heightened pre-winter activity in preparation for colder temperatures, freezing waters, and the arriving winter season.

Just after that, Mercury went in Retrograde on November 9, and will remain there till going back direct on November 29.

Time to turn our clocks yin-ward to rewind, reflect, remember and slow down our pace. Darker days and cooler temperatures give us a natural advantage to journey into our inner caves, and gently allow the seeds underground to rest and hibernate, till its time to wake up in the spring.

Speaking of journeying into our inner caves . . .

Connect to the ancient indigenous people that still remain in underground societies. Heed their stories of communion with the Sky People, who were harbingers of change back Zen and as they still are right Tao.

Mercury in Retrograde can facilitate the process of receiving deeper insights into our subconscious minds. Tis the season for introspection, self-reflection, meditation and journaling.

Additionally, about a week before Thanksgiving; a New Moon in Scorpio on November 20th powers up deeper feelings. Moreover, meaningful relational exchanges may give less incentives to pursuing shallow relationships that no longer quench your thirst.

Human beings are complex, as are our relationships. Superficial relationships are challenged by the complexity of developing more meaningful relationships that challenge us to push our edges, and act as catalysts to grow in ways that our souls need.

Purification in relationships awakens us to sail with the winds of change at our backs. Being triggered by any chaotic energies can help us face up to what is rising to the surface for us to re-examine, and re-evaluate on how we want to move forward.

Keep in mind that it is still the Year of the Snake; which is highly symbolic of transformation. May the shedding of old skin or death of the old self awaken transformative inner alchemy by stoking the embers of your percolating new self.

What old wounds are you carrying from your longitudinal and multidimensional quest that you would like to release and let go of?

What old narratives do you wish to let go of, based on the stories that have been projected onto you or that you have adopted as your own?

What new growth would you like to see the light of day in the New Year ahead?

Appreciate that tunneling into the underground caverns of our souls requires facing unknowing and uncertainty with faith and trust that we will be shown the way. May we be mindful of and guided by the signs and synchronicities as supportive guides in the mirror of our minds.

A Cold Full Moon on December 4th, followed by the Winter Solstice on December 21 will mark the darkest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere. This is the time when our ancestors coaxed back the light; which gently allows for shifts in our consciousness into a new dawn of awakening.

Of course, it is the opposite in the Southern hemisphere because it will be the Summer Solstice; signaling the lightest day of the year there. Movement toward subtle waning light carries on after that.

Furthermore, it will be the New Year of the Fire Horse on February 17th, not long after the Imbolc aka Groundhog Day on February 2nd. By that time, Spring (or Autumn in the Southern hemisphere) will be starting energetically, even if only subtle hints are perceptible at that time.

The choice is ours what we choose to carry with us along our lifetimes. By that I mean what our ancestors have passed down on to us versus what we want to give back for inner alchemy and transformation.

We are magnetic creatures that are made up of energy. Like attracts like.

If we want to receive change, we have to become the change we want to see in the world first. We have to open up to the frequencies of joy and light if we want to become joy and light, just as examples.

May all Beings be free and awaken to the vibration of Inner Peace,

Ari