Integrated Energy Healing

My Secret Method for Receiving "Divine Downloads"

Mary Riposo — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:26:00 GMT

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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Can Diet Improve Your Psychic Ability?

Mary Riposo — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:14:50 GMT

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.

"Mining for Gold: Discovering the Gifts of Your Past Lives"

Mary Riposo — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:30:43 GMT

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:

Come to a place of quiet/stillness

Place your hands over heart for several moments

Consider these questions:

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?

Create a conscious intention to carry those skills/attributes into your daily life, to cultivate and nurture them, by writing an affirmation, using the following guideline:

"I am grateful for the gifts made available to me from any and all previous lifetimes, including but not limited to the gifts of (insert skill or attribute here). I realize that these gifts have prepared me to meet the challenges that I face, and to ultimately fulfill my purpose, in this lifetime. I hereby honor these gifts and incorporate them into my daily life, so that I may clearly recognize and live in accordance with my highest path and purpose."

Place the affirmation in a prominent place

State the affirmation for 21 days in a row

Notice the difference in your life!

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

Mary Riposo — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:43:24 GMT

Happy Valentine's Day! On this day dedicated to love, why not pause for a moment and make an intention to love yourself? I truly believe that we can only love another when we act in loving and compassionate ways toward ourselves. I'd like to share an affirmation I've been using for a long time now. It was written by Louise Hay and it's called the "I Love Myself" affirmation (see below). If you resonate with it, I encourage you to make it part of your daily practice.
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 Top 5 Myths of Soul Mate Relationships

Mary Riposo — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:05:07 GMT

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

www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

2012 ~ The Year to Discover Your Life's Purpose

Mary Riposo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:21:20 GMT

There have been so many misconceptions about the year 2012; many of which even predicted the end of the world! In spiritual terms, the year 2012 simply offers us a greater opportunity to co-create our lives on Earth.

But in order to co-create a life that's in alignment with your highest path and purpose, you need to know who you are at Soul level, and what you're here to do. In 2012, you will have greater opportunities to gain a clearer understanding of yourself as a spiritual being, and to discover your Life's Purpose.

As this spiritual doorway opens for you, you will be asked to step onto a path of greater service. But how do you begin?

One simple thing you can do to find your next step is to practice the following exercise:

Find a place where you won't be disturbed for 10-15 minutes.
Come to a comfortable seated position and center yourself.
Silently ask yourself the following question, "How shall I serve?"
Sit quietly and wait for the answer. Allow it to come in whatever form it takes. Don't judge.
Write down whatever information you receive.
Sit quietly and meditate on the message.
Then act on it as you go about your day.

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

How to Stay Balanced During the Holidays

Mary Riposo — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:54:48 GMT

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

Are Past Life Issues Blocking You? (Part 1-Abundance)

Mary Riposo — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:51:03 GMT

Are you a holistic practitioner, healer, or spiritual teacher who's experiencing ongoing financial problems? Do you make just enough to get by, and can't seem to get ahead no matter what you do?

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

What is Your Purpose in Life?

Mary Riposo — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:50:44 GMT

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

Do You Suffer from "Isolated Healer Syndrome"?

Mary Riposo — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:36:25 GMT

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

Interview with Bill Yoder, author of "The Happy Mind- Seven Principles to Clear Your Head and Lift Your Heart"

Mary Riposo — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:43:00 GMT

Hi Bill,

It's a pleasure to interview you about your newest book, "The Happy Mind". The Happy Mind approach offers us an opportunity to start thinking differently about happiness. It allows us to make happiness the starting point and not the destination, the driving force and not a whim of fortune. I really enjoyed reading your book and I think my readers will, too. How is it that you came to develop the principles in your book?

For the past 45 years, I have been studying Eastern and Western philosophy and religion searching for answers to the “big” questions: What’s going on? Why are we here? What’s the meaning and purpose of life? The driving force behind such questions was my desire to improve the quality of my life: to experience an inner sense of peace and well-being—in short, more happiness. This is not merely a selfish quest, since an inner sense of serenity and well-being is the wellspring of genuine compassion and unconditional love. And of course it works the other way as well: when we extend compassion and love to others, it brings us joy.

So over the years, I’ve come to focus on the question of happiness itself: Where does happiness come from? What causes unhappiness? How can we shift from unhappiness back to happiness?

I’ve discovered that happiness is our natural inner state of being, rather than an outer state of affairs. Whenever we are upset, it is because we are blocking our own awareness of our inner happiness. Ultimately, those inner obstacles are based on a few core beliefs that we have simply inherited from our culture. If we can shift those core beliefs, we can open ourselves to experience the deep and lasting happiness that is our true nature. The Happy Mind develops an alternative set of core beliefs that can help us to open our minds to that deeper self-awareness which is the essence of true happiness.

Q- The first principle you outline is the principle of "One Power"; that power being the infinite eternal creative potential forever expanding well-being; in essence, the power of love itself. I consciously choose to live by this principle, and it's what I teach in my Reiki classes. Yet, my students still struggle with this idea and many of them feel the need to shield themselves from "bad energy" or "evil influences". Can you explain this from your perspective?

The principle of one power is the core belief that there is only one power or source, and that power is love—the infinite eternal creative potential for ever-expanding well-being. The other possible core belief is a belief in two-powers—the belief that there is a second power that can block or limit or threaten the power of love. You are always believing in one or the other of these core beliefs, even if only subconsciously. You start off in a two-power way of thinking, since that is the dominant thought pattern of our culture. This means you experience your life as a mixture of good and bad.

But whenever you experience badness or evil, you can interpret that experience in one of two ways. You can choose to believe that the reason you’re experiencing evil is that there really is evil out there. Then it would be appropriate to feel afraid, to shield yourself from the evil influence, or to attack it and overcome it.

Or you can choose to interpret your experience of evil from a perspective of one-power. This way of thinking would say that you are experiencing darkness not because there really is some power for darkness, but simply because your own eyes are partially shut. In other words, the darkness you perceive in the world is only a reflection of the darkness you are projecting. The answer is not to fearfully attack the darkness or fearfully defend yourself against it. The most appropriate response is simply to extend more love.

You don’t always get to choose when you perceive evil and feel fear. But you can always choose how you will interpret and respond to it. Your choices are fear or love. Your response will either reinforce the illusion of evil or dispel it.

Q- You describe how our culture tends to take a "technique approach to life and happiness". We read books, take classes, and try some of the approaches we learned for a while, but never seem to be satisfied or to achieve happiness. Can you explain what's going on here?

We start in a way of thinking based on a foundational belief in two powers. That way of thinking necessarily adds elements of fear and conflict to every experience we can possibly have. A “technique approach” gives us tools to deal with our many experiences of fear and conflict. But if we don’t actually change the foundations of our whole way of thinking, we will continue to make more “problem experiences” for ourselves. If we believe that we are separate from the source of our good, then we will always experience our lives as limited and lacking in some way, no matter how many techniques we use to manipulate and change the world.

This is not to say that all of these various techniques are wrong. Indeed, they may be extremely helpful in dealing with particular problems in our daily lives. But to really experience deep and lasting happiness, we have to change those underlying core beliefs that give rise all of our experiences of fear and lack and threat. Otherwise we will spend our whole lives just battling the symptoms, but never really healing the underlying “disease,” the underlying illusion of the absence of love.

Q- A large part of my practice focuses on the past. In the past life readings and past life regression sessions that I offer, I help people release the perceived influences of their past with the goal of manifesting happiness in the present. Can you talk about time and how it influences our thinking in this regard?

The real focus of The Happy Mind is the beliefs and thoughts that shape and color our experiences. We ourselves add all of the meaning that we find in our experience, and the perceived meaning of our experience determines how we feel. So my book tries to find the few underlying core beliefs that lie at the foundations of all of our other beliefs and thoughts. Changing those core beliefs is essential to changing the quality and feeling of our life experience. In other words, healing our lives means healing the inner thought patterns that are blocking our awareness of love’s presence.

One possible way to understand these inner thought patterns is in terms of “the past.” From this perspective, previous experiences that left some lingering influence in our current thought patterns will continue to determine the quality of our life experience now. So it is helpful then to uncover, heal and release any limiting thoughts from previous experiences. This whole process of uncovering and healing the past can be extremely helpful in healing the present.

I say that this is “one possible way,” because I believe that sometimes we can heal our present thought patterns directly without reference to the past. For me, “the past’ is ultimately just a story that we are telling ourselves now, consciously or subconsciously, It doesn’t actually “exist” now, except in our memories. However, virtually everyone in our culture believes in the reality of time and the past. This belief has deep roots in our psyche both collectively and individually. In that context, ‘healing the past” may be an essential part of healing the present.

The important issue is releasing our limiting thought patterns now. So for me, it doesn’t make any real difference whether we do this by using a framework of past life regression, or a framework of remembering my deepest inner truth now. It all depends what is the most effective approach for the person you are trying to help. Both approaches can arrive at the same destination of deep inner peace and joy.

Q- Many of us have fearful thoughts that block our experience of happiness and love. Can you offer one simple tool we can use right away to begin to allow happiness into our lives?

One simple tool that can help you to shift from unhappiness to happiness is wonderful opportunity exercise. When you are upset, it is because you yourself are blocking your inner happiness. You are blaming your upsetness on someone or something else, but it is really caused by your own thoughts. So you can think of the person or situation you are upset about as a wonderful opportunity to uncover and let go of your own inner obstacles. Until you let go of those thoughts, they are always working in the background to limit and sabotage your happiness. Every situation in which you feel upset can become wonderful opportunity to uncover your own self-deception, and open yourself to a whole new level of happiness.

This does not mean that the situation you’re facing is wonderful. It means that if you are upset now, that upsetness is coming from inside yourself. It is being caused by you blocking your own deeper self-awareness. So any situation that brings those inner obstacles to light can serve as a wonderful opportunity for you to discover and heal the real cause of your unhappiness.

Q- Thank you , Bill, for your wonderful insights. I highly recommend your book and your workshops. Where can people go to experience more of your work? (include your website, location for your book, and upcoming workshops).

Visit my website www.TheHappyMindBook.com for hundreds of articles, practical exercises, and more. My wife and I offer a one-day workshop entitled The Happy Mind Workshop. The whole idea of changing the foundations of all of your unhappy thoughts is simple in theory. But in practice, it can be challenging, since you have a lifetime of believing your old beliefs, and a lifetime of experience that validates and justifies them. Plus you live in a culture that unconsciously accepts those old beliefs without question, and reinforces them for you every day.

We offer a 2-hour mini-workshop entitled Happiness: The Gateway to Everything You Want For Yourself and Others. The next mini-workshop will be offered at the Unity Church in Albany on June 19th. Many people think that getting everything you want is the gateway to happiness. But actually it’s just the opposite. Happiness is the key to physical health, loving relationships, genuine compassion, realizing your deepest dreams, and experiencing prosperity and well-being in every area of your life. And it is your guide on your journey of self-awakening.

We offer an extensive three-day workshop, Living the Happy Mind: Undoing Your Inner Obstacles To Happiness. This workshop goes into depth about how to actually live the seven principles in your daily life. And it guides you to discover your own unique life purpose and the gifts you bring to this journey.

We also do book signings and presentations in the upstate New York area. For information on our workshops and other events, visit www.TheHappyMindBook.com. If you would like us to come to your area to offer a workshop or a talk, please contact us through the website or call us at 315-736-3324.

Best of luck, Bill. I hope that my readers will check out the wonderful things you have to offer. I highly recommend your work!
Blessings,
Mary
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 12/11/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:02:00 GMT

Believe in yourself.
Trust your instincts
and follow your heart,
for in doing so you shall manifest
all your heart's desires.
The life you have
for so long aspired to create
will soon manifest.

~ Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary Riposo
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 12/5/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:20:00 GMT

                                  Negative thoughts and feelings
                            can sabotage your pursuit of happiness.
                                 Allow the healing light of love
                                  to flow through your heart.
                         Consciously infuse each negative thought
                                or feeling with love and light.
                                Feel both your heart and mind
                            aligning to your Soul's sacred purpose
                            and unleash your Divine potential
                                through the power of love.

                                             ~ Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 11/28/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:02:00 GMT

                            Let go of your fear of being judged.
                                     You are good enough!
                                It is time to unlock all that you
                      have kept safely locked away in your heart.
                               Your true essence and potential
                             have been restricted by structure
                                and method for long enough.
                             There is no right or wrong way.
                                            Just be you!

                                                              ~ Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Prayer for a Divine Life

Mary Riposo — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:28:00 GMT

I came across this prayer and immediately knew I needed to share it with all of you. It is very powerful, and combines the efforts of Joel Osteen and Ashana. I hope you enjoy it!
Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Prayer for a Divine Life

Beloved Divine Source, I Thank You right now that healing is flowing into me. I Thank You that You are restoring and refreshing me, that I am well and free. I Thank You, that You are giving me Your understanding Love. I firmly declare that I AM FREE and that I am becoming ALL that You created me to be.

I go into this day expecting Your favor and I Thank You that I am now annointed, equipped and empowered to do ALL that You have called me to do.

I Thank You because I know that:

I am accepted;

I am approved;

am appreciated;

I am anointed with Your favor and Love;

I am well able to do what You are asking me to do.

I Thank You, and I know that I am passing all spiritual tests, for:

I am strong;

I am healthy;

I am confident;

I am forgiven;

I am redeemed;

I am creative;

I am inspired;

I am enthusiastic;

I am well-motivated to take the action that leads to my success;

I am excellent;

I am focused;

I am disciplined;

I am full of integrity and fine character;

I am adored;

I am cherished;

I am joy-filled;

I am loved;

I am Light;

I AM DIVINE.

I Thank You, because I wake with certainty and I radiate your Divine Love to every person and situation I encounter today. I radiate your Divine Love to every cell and atom of My Being, down to the DNA. I radiate your Divine Love to all of my chakras and to all of my energy bodies, pouring brilliant, radiant Light into my emotional body, my mental body, my aura, my subtle body, my causal body, my radiant body and my luminous body.

I Thank You, my Beloved, that my best days are out in front of me. I know You have great things in store for me and You are giving me all that I need in order to accomplish all that You have asked me to do.

I call myself blessed, successful, prosperous, productive and fruitful. I am now experiencing Your goodness in a greater way than ever before and I offer all that I am and all that I do to You, as I step into a new level of my Divine destiny. A destiny of love, an expanded awareness of the Christ presence and power within the temple of my Heart.

And so, my Beloved, I let go;

I release every disappointment and regret;

I release every mistake and failure;

I release every resentment and feeling of anger;

I release every judgment and criticism;

I release every loss and rejection;

I release every sadness and sorrow;

I release to You my fears and doubts and I accept Your promise of Light and of a Divine Life, alive and passionate in Love.

Right here and right now, I step into that Divine Life renewed by the expansion of my Mind and I am ready for ALL the good things You have in store for me.

I believe it;

I declare it;

And I pray it in the Name, through the Power and by the Word of the True Omnipresent Christ Consciousness.

For it is so and So It Is.

This “Prayer For A Divine Life” is an adaptation of the prayers of Joel Osteen, with contributions by Elana Cara and Ashana.

Blessing for the Week- 11/7/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:58:00 GMT

                                                  Spirit Guide

                                    Invite your Spirit Guide into your heart.
                                   Share your fears and concerns,
                                   as well as your joys and pleasures.
                                    There is no need to be formal;
                                    your Spirit Guide has known you
                                    since before the dawn of time.
                                    In fact, your Spirit Guide knows you
                                    better than you know yourself,
                                    and loves you exactly as you are.
                                    Begin your relationship now.

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 10/24/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:57:00 GMT

                                                          Intuition

                                                    Trust your intuition
                                        and know that what seems logical
                                            may not necessarily be right.
                                            The answer to your question
                                                 lies inside your heart.
                                      Endless possibilities exist for you.
                                          Stop trying to work it all out
                                     and instead, feel your way through.
                                       We, your Angels, will guide you.
                                                   Trust your feelings-
                                             "what feels right is right".

                                                                                       -Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 10/17/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 20:30:00 GMT

                                            Inspiration

                                       A wave of inspiration
                               and a stream of beautiful ideas
                                 are about to enter your aura.
                                        Trust your intuition.
                             Pay attention to unusual thoughts
                           and don't discount your imagination.
                                   Many wonderful ideas
                        which have gone on to serve humanity
                           were initially scoffed at or ridiculed.
                           Your helpers in spirit will guide you
                        in discovering ways to apply your ideas
                         and manifest new realities for your life.

                                                          -Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo, PhD
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 10/12/10

Mary Riposo — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:15:00 GMT

                                                           Inner Child

                                 Nurture your inner child and begin to express
                                     the awesome beauty you hold within you.
                                   We live in a world where a formula exists
                      for everything, yet love and creativity have no formula.
                            They do not need to be studied-simply nurtured.
                                 Regularly set aside some time to just play!

                                                                -Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com

Blessing for the Week- 10/3/10

Mary Riposo — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:09:00 GMT

                                                      Healing

                                            Listen to your heart.
                                      Love is the greatest healer.
                              It has the capacity to balance and heal
                              your emotions, thoughts & perceptions,
                                which will in turn heal you physically.
                              Trust in the power of love to guide you,
                                  and your life will be transformed.

                                              -Toni Carmine Salerno

Blessings,
Mary
Mary E. Riposo
www.IntegratedEnergyHealing.com