I was working with a client recently who sought my help because she was in a state of overwhelm in her life, and was searching for a renewed sense of purpose and direction. She confided in me that she just couldn't connect with spirit in the way she used to; and she was beginning to feel depressed and was having trouble focusing. I asked her if she meditated. She said she tried, but just couldn't sit for long without feeling frustrated, and gave up, which made her feel like a failure.
I suggested she begin with a "meditative" practice, instead of pushing herself to practice formal meditation. At first she thought it was cheating, but once she tried it, she realized it was a great way to re-connect with spirit, get the clarity she needed, and ultimately manifest a life of meaning and purpose. She later reported back to me that it truly saved her life! What I shared with my client are the four steps I use to receive "Divine Downloads", and stay connected with spirit on a regular basis; and now I'm spilling the beans and sharing them with you as well.
Here they are:
Step 1) Get Quiet:
These days, there's so much "noise" in our lives that it's hard to sort out our own thoughts from the barrage of information that bombards from the environment. What's worse; the noise can come from inside our heads as well! The average person has enough difficulty screening out all of that extraneous information, but more and more of us are beginning to realize that we're exceptionally sensitive and don't tolerate the high levels of "noise" in our lives. Books such as "Quiet" by Susan Cain, "The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron, and "Are You Really Too Sensitive?" by Marcy Calhoun support the fact that over one-third of the population are introverts. So, more and more of us are recognizing that we need quiet in order to function at our best. By getting quiet, we can begin to hear that still, small voice within, which is our inner wisdom, or Higher Self. One way to re-connect to your own inner wisdom, and to spirit, is to get quiet by engaging in some form of "meditative" practice. You can do this by participating in an activity that; 1) you're good at, 2) is repetitive, or rhythmic, and 3) allows you to surrender your mind so you can connect with something bigger. Some good examples are walking, knitting, swimming, rowing, yoga, tai chi, dancing, praying, etc.
Step 2) Make it a Habit:
Once you've chosen one thing you like to do that fits the parameters outlined above, then carve out the time to do it on a daily basis. You don't need a lot of time; 5, 10, or even 15 minutes is sufficient. Play with the amount of time you need in order to make it work for you. Then commit to doing it for the next 21 days; that amount of time is the minimum we need in order to make it a habit. Consider this your sacred practice, and do it at a time that works for you, such as first thing in the morning, right after you get done with work, or right before bed. Set a trigger so you remember to do it, especially in the first few weeks, when you're likely to forget. You can do this by placing a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or your fridge, scheduling it into your datebook, or setting up an electronic reminder that will notify you by phone or computer. Whatever works for you is fine.
Step 3) Ask… and Receive:
Great; you've decided on a practice that works for you, and have it scheduled into your day! Now, each day before beginning your sacred practice, ask a specific question that you would like guidance on. Expect to receive insight and guidance on that question during or right after your practice; then let it go altogether! It's all about freeing up your mind; not holding a focus; so just send it out to the universe and have faith that the answers you need are on their way to you. Pen yourself to receive, and you'll be surprised at how often you receive a "Divine Download" during your practice (or shortly thereafter)!
Step 4) Take Action:
Once you've received the information you need, it's important to take some type of action in order to shift your life in the direction of your desire. This follows the universal law of energy exchange. When you take action, the circle of energy is complete and you go to the next level, where you'll not only get more clarity, but more information and assistance in taking action. But if you fail to take action, you'll remain stuck in your situation. So remember to take a step based upon the information you receive; even if it's a baby step!
I hope this information was helpful to you. I'd love to hear what you think, and how this method works for you. What practice do you use to maintain a connection with spirit? How has it helped you to receive your own "Divine Downloads"? Please feel free to post a comment below.
Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com
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We all know that eating right is a good way to maintain your health. Do you remember your mother telling you to "eat your vegetables" when you were a child? We all know that a diet high in raw foods and vegetables is good for our physical health; but did you know that eating your vegetables can also improve your psychic ability? Research has shown that regular consumption of dark, leafy greens such as kale, bok choy, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, and seaweed vegetables, improves the health of the pineal gland.
Also known as the "Third Eye" or “Ajna Chakra”, the pineal gland is located at the back of the head (behind the pituitary gland), and serves as our center of psychic awareness. Consuming foods that are high in chlorophyll, such as dark, leafy greens or seaweed vegetables, helps the pineal gland convert sunlight into electromagnetic energy, which is what your energy field runs on. Another way to improve the health and vitality of your energy field is by getting out in the sun on a regular basis (30 minutes per day). When your pineal gland is healthy, your "Third Eye" will open, and you'll be able to more easily expand and contract your psychic awareness, leading to improved visualization skills and better intuition.
Just as important as it is to include foods in your diet that nourish the pineal gland, there are a few things you'll want to avoid if your goal is to improve its functioning. Consuming meat and fish that contain high amounts of mercury, carbonated beverages, fluoridated water and toothpaste, and exposure to smog have been shown to block the functioning of the pineal gland. The good news is that you can restore the health of your pineal gland by making just a few minor lifestyle changes.
Here are some simple things you can do to improve the health of your pineal gland.
Psychic Diet Action Plan:
Eat dark green, leafy vegetables
Avoid meat and fish containing mercury
Eliminate carbonated beverages
Drink filtered water
Use an air purification system
Get 30 minutes of sunlight daily
Switch to a non-fluoride toothpaste
If you follow these guidelines on a regular basis, you'll not only see improvements in the health of your energy field, but you'll also be rewarded with greater intuitive skills. Try it for 30 days and see!
Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com
I hope you enjoyed this article. If you'd like to reprint it in your ezine, or on your blog or website, please contact me for permission.
We all long to have a deeper understanding of ourselves at Soul level, and to know with certainty the greater purpose of our life. Have you ever felt an internal prompting to do something "special", but don't quite know what it is or how to go about doing it. These internal promptings, to be sure, are messages from your Higher Self, urging you to fulfill your life's purpose. In essence, they remind you of what you were born to do. But how can you find your life's purpose and begin to live it?
Did you know that your past lives can reveal clues to your current life's purpose? The skills and lessons you learned in your past lives were, in essence, preparing you to meet the challenges you would face in this life. For example, maybe you worked as a scribe in a past life, learning valuable skills that would help you become a successful writer in this lifetime; or maybe you were the wife of a doctor in China in a past life, which prepared you to become an acupuncturist in this lifetime. Is it possible that being the oldest of 12 children in a past lifetime allowed you to learn the leadership skills you needed to run a successful business today?
All of your past life skills are available to you, and when you consciously reclaim even one of them, you will recognize your life's purpose more clearly and truly begin to live it. Although it helps to have a guide to help navigate this territory with you, it's not impossible to do it alone.
I offer the following as one simple way you can reclaim a past life gift:
If time, money, etc were not an issue, what would you choose to do with your life?
What skills/attributes do you have that draw you to that dream?
I hope this has been helpful to you! Please feel free to post a comment if it has.
Blessings,
Mary
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com
"I Love Myself" Affirmation
Deep at the center of my being,there is an infinite well of love.
I now allow this love to flow to the surface. It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being, and radiates out from me in all directions
and returns to me multiplied. The more love I use and give, the more I have to give. The supply is endless. The use of love makes me feel good,it is an expression of my inner joy.
I love myself; therefore, I take loving care of my body. I lovingly feed it nourishing foods and beverages, I lovingly groom it and dress it, and my body lovingly responds to me with vibrant health and energy.
I love myself; therefore provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fills
all my needs and is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of love
so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it.
I love myself; therefore I work at a job I truly enjoy doing, one that uses my creative talents and abilities,working with and for people I love and who love me, and earning a good income.
I love myself; therefore, I behave and think in a loving way to all people for I know that that which I give out returns to me multiplied. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am.
I love myself; therefore I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences and I am free.
I love myself; therefore I live totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright and joyous and secure,
for I am a beloved child of the Universe and the Universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more.
And so it is.
by Louise Hay, from "You Can Heal Your Life"
The Soul Mate relationship is the most sacred of all relationships. Soul Mates join together and travel through time in sacred union, assisting each other in their spiritual evolution. As Soul Mates, we contract to incarnate together lifetime after lifetime; playing important roles in each other’s lives, and helping one another learn our chosen life lessons. The idea of the Soul Mate relationship has long been fraught with misconceptions. The popular media has portrayed it as an idealized relationship in which there is no conflict; only joy and love between two blissfully connected people. Then why do the majority of us experience challenging relationships? Have we just not yet found our Soul Mate? As a Past Life therapist and Intuitive Consultant, I get these questions a lot, so I decided to address five of the most common myths about Soul Mate Relationships here.
Myth 1: We have only one Soul Mate.
Truth: We all have many Soul Mates. Our Soul Mates show up in the major relationships of our lives. They play the role of our parents, our children, our spouses or significant others, our bosses, etc.
Myth 2: Our Soul Mate is the person we’re meant to spend the rest of our life with.
Truth: Not all soul mate relationships are meant to be long term. The impact of a Soul Mate relationship is determined by what occurs in the interaction between the two people, not in the length of time the relationship lasts.
Myth 3: Soul Mate relationships are harmonious.
Truth: Not all soul mate relationships are meant to be harmonious. Soul Mates have agreed to play roles in our lives that spur our spiritual growth and development, and can do this in ways that are supportive or antagonistic, depending on the circumstances.
Myth 4: Our Soul Mate represents our “other half”.
Truth: Past life research does not support the concept that Soul Mates were created by the splitting apart of our Soul at birth; resulting in our longing to be reunited in bliss. In fact, we’re attracted to another person at Soul level not because that person is our unique complement, but because by being with that individual, we are inspired to wholeness ourselves.
Myth 5: Soul Mate relationships are the ideal we should strive for.
Truth: Soul Mate relationships are not something we can work to develop; they are predestined (karmic). In fact, they’re disguised as our “ordinary” relationships. All we have to do is look at our closest relationships to find our true Soul Mates. That’s the beauty of it!
I hope this article has helped to give you a new understanding of Soul Mate relationships.
Blessings,
Mary
By practicing this exercise on a daily basis, you will not only gain a specific plan of action, but you'll also begin to create a life that's in alignment with your Highest Path and Purpose!
Blessings,
Mary
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com
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by Mary Riposo, PhD
As we enter the month of December, our thoughts turn to giving. The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activity, as we fill our evenings and weekends with shopping, parties, and events. Our attempts to create meaningful experiences for our loved ones can not only drain our pocketbooks, but also sap our energy at this time of the year, resulting in depression, anxiety, and even physical illness that can linger into the new year.
When we chronically overextend ourselves, our energy fields lose their state of balance; in essence, we're giving out more energy than we're taking in. When our focus is on giving, we're less open to receive. I believe that the simple act of receiving can be the key to maintaining balance during the busy holiday season.
This month, I encourage you to make an intention to be open to receive. There is infinite energy available to us at all times, but we must be open to receive it in order to maintain balance in our lives.
One simple thing you can do is pause and check in with yourself. When you focus on giving, you place your attention outside of yourself; so pause, breathe, and take a moment to check in with yourself. Ask yourself what you need. Then give yourself whatever you need; and if you can't do it in that moment, do it as soon as you can.
Consider it a gift, whether it's a cup of tea, an afternoon nap, or a sweater. Then really open to receive that gift; feel the energy of the gift as you receive it; let it fill you up. Hint: if you do the same when someone else gives you a gift, no matter what it is, you'll be well on your way to restoring balance in your life.
Blessings, Mary |
If this describes you, you're not alone! In fact, I hear from people on a regular basis who tell me they're having difficulty manifesting abundance in their lives. These are gifted healers who have dedicated their lives to helping others, yet can't seem to get ahead. Yes, they make money but they can't seem to hold onto it (as soon as the money comes in, something happens to drain their bank account). Many of these beautiful souls end up living week to week, and they and their families suffer for it. It always breaks my heart to hear their stories. I can relate, because I've lived through it.
When I first started out as a healing practitioner, I had trouble charging for my services and worked long hours, often seeing up to nine clients a day (and giving away sessions for free). It wasn't until I developed fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and adrenal insufficiency that I began to ask the bigger questions, such as, "why have I created this pattern in my life?" and "what can I do to clear it?".
It was only when I learned to read my own Akashic Record that I understood the source of the pattern I had created, and how to resolve it. For me, it was related to my past lives as a spiritual seeker. I had lived a monastic lifestyle in many of my past lives, and had made vows of poverty, which I carried over into my current life. I looked around and realized I had recreated the life of a Monk! I was living in a studio apartment, making barely enough to cover my basic necessities, and working long hours in a service oriented profession. I laughed out loud when I realized just what was happening!
Since that time, I've successfully cleared the energetic patterns that were blocking my ability to manifest what I need, and I joyfully embrace the abundance that's available to me, which has allowed me to fully step into my life's purpose. I now have a successful business as a healer and a spiritual teacher.
If you relate to my story, I encourage you to consider scheduling an Akashic Records consultation with me or signing up for one of my classes. I understand where you're coming from and I can help you clear the blockages to living your sacred purpose on Earth.
Blessings,
Mary
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com
There is much being written and talked about these days on the topic of our Life's Purpose. But, despite all of the media coverage, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the topic of Life Purpose; including what it is, how to discover it, and what to do once you've found it. As a Life Purpose guide, I get a lot of questions on this topic.
Most people come to me with the question, "What am I meant to do with my life?" This can be a great opportunity to delve deeper into the bigger questions, including "Who am I?" and “Why am I here?”; for it is only when you know yourself at the deepest level that you can truly understand and begin to live your Life's Purpose.
Each of us has a unique purpose in life, which can be defined as the way in which we are to make our larger Soul's Purpose manifest on Earth. As human beings, we collectively have a Life Purpose of deeply connecting with our Divine nature and expressing that truth in every moment. However, each of us will do that in a slightly different way. In fact, we are each given gifts which inform us of the way to express our unique Life’s Purpose. Once you realize the gifts you've been given, you can begin to use those gifts to fulfill your Life's Purpose.
So just what is your Life's Purpose; and what is it not? Your Life's Purpose is essentially how you are meant to affect humanity. It is your unique contribution to the world; not in terms of the job or career you choose, but what you are here to teach others. You may choose to express your Life's Purpose within your job or career, but your Life's Purpose is much bigger than a job or career. It will manifest throughout your life, and even though it will not essentially change, it will grow with you as you evolve spiritually.
There are many ways to discover your Life's Purpose. In my practice, I use a variety of strategies to help you tap into your Life's Purpose, including meditation, guided visualization, inquiry, and connecting with your intuition (i.e; Higher Self). I also offer intuitive consultations, which will help you to uncover and understand your Life’s Purpose from a spiritual perspective.
Anyone can discover their Life's Purpose with a little work, but it’s helpful to have a guide who knows the territory and holds the map of where you're going. It can mean the difference between receiving clarity and meaning in your life now, and wandering alone for years trying to find your way in the dark alone. So if you’re ready to answer the call to live your best life, I invite you to contact me today!
Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com
I want to share a story with you. When I first started practicing Reiki professionally, I was so enthusiastic that ended up feeling like Joel Fleischman in Northern Exposure. Do you remember the TV series "Northern Exposure"? It was one of my all-time favorite shows- it aired in the early 1990's and featured Rob Morrow as a medical school graduate who was required to work in a remote part of Alaska after graduation as part of his scholarship agreement. He ends up feeling totally isolated from the life he left in New York. In essence, Joel suffered from what I call "Isolated Healer Syndrome", a term I made up to describe what happens when healers totally immerse themselves in their work and become isolated, neglecting their own needs in the process.
So back to my story. When I first began practicing Reiki professionally, I was so enthusiastic about the work I was doing that at one point I was doing up to nine Reiki sessions a day. I loved working with the energy so much that I didn't consider that I might be overdoing it. In the process, I had stopped scheduling regular Reiki sessions for myself, and had virtually cut myself off from interacting with other Reiki practitioners. Can you relate to this? Maybe you don't do nine Reiki sessions a day, but most Reiki practitioners I know are pretty selfless and do much more for others than they do for themselves.
Needless to say, I learned pretty quickly that I couldn't keep up that pace, and that I wasn't doing anyone a favor by pushing myself so hard. In the end, I learned some valuable life lessons; that you must continually refill your own well in order to be able to give to others, and that being surrounded by a supportive community of healers is crucial to your own well being.
That's one of the reasons I offer an annual Reiki Retreat. The Reiki Retreat is a day long event that offers the opportunity for Reiki practitioners to come together to refill our own wells, and to reunite as a community of healers. I truly believe that if we are to be of service to others, we must be of service to ourselves first. If you're suffering from "Isolated Healer Syndrome", or you feel you're at risk for it, please consider joining me for the Reiki Retreat. This year's Reiki Retreat will be held on Saturday, August 20 in Syracuse, NY. The Reiki Retreat is a day long event that is filled with opportunities for learning, fun, and community. For more information and to register, go to www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com and click on the Reiki Retreat tab on the left side of the page.
Hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Mary