Self Discovery Through Collage

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Lara

Directed Collage: "what do I love about me?"

Collage is a fabulous medium to use in art therapy because it easily resonates with most people by diverting any concern a client may have about their artistic ability. As an art therapist I often find that clients go through a period of getting comfortable with creating art. Depending on past experiences with creative activities, some time is spent learning that creating within the art therapy context is about process and expression rather than technical artistic skills. Once a client feels a sense of safety within the therapeutic space and relationship, experimenting with the new mode of communication and expression that art lends to gets easier and the real healing work begins. It is unfortunate that many people developed self-beliefs that they are not artistic or imaginative. Let it be known: art making is possible for everyone! Drawing, painting, collage and other art forms are simple methods of expression that are easily available to almost everyone regardless of age or abilities. Making art in art therapy does not require artistic training and all expression is acceptable.

Before I go on to discuss collage as a self discovery tool in art therapy, I would like to clarify the difference between this approach and that of vision boarding because the two are distinct processes that are not to be confused. Vision boarding is a particular exercise where individuals choose and create intentional images for the purpose of visualizing and/or attracting certain elements into one’s life. In art therapy creating a collage is not about manifesting an intentional reality, instead it is about discovering one’s internal reality. Aspects of the self are illuminated such as unconscious beliefs and ideas, thoughts and emotions.

There are two ways to approach collage making in art therapy:

Directed Collage: in this approach the images chosen follow suit to a specific theme or directive such as “create a picture all about the things you love about you”. Directed collages provide a unique perspective related to the theme/directive provided and often inspires a new understanding of oneself.

Spontaneous Collage

Spontaneous Collage: in this approach images are chosen with no theme in mind. Rather than thinking through what images relate to a directive, here the idea is to choose the images that one gravitates toward. This method involves trusting one’s own attraction to an image regardless of what it is. Following one’s inner nudge in this way involves being able to go with the flow of an image choice and being comfortable with not knowing why. Spontaneous collage reveals more unconscious information and insight into ongoing or current struggles and concerns.

Once you have chosen which approach to take you can begin the process of collecting images. Images for collage can be obtained from magazines, photographs and books. You can also use textiles and found objects such as certain types of mesh or natural objects like leaves and flowers, these add dimension and texture to your piece and allow for an abstract quality.

Once you have set aside a selection of images you can begin the process of placing them on a board, paper or canvas. Glue sticks work great and white glue is needed if your images are made of a heavier material like photographs or found object/texture pieces. Take your time to arrange the images and play with the placement. Collage can be treated like a puzzle in a way in that you can fit images together like pieces. Images can overlap or have gaps in between. You can use scissors to further shape an image. Once you have decided where the placement of images will be you can begin the process of gluing them down.

This exercise can absolutely be completed on your own outside of the context of an art therapy session. If you choose to do this without an art therapist, I highly recommend that you write down your associations to the collage in a journal or that you take some time to reflect on the image created as this process will help to facilitate your journey of self discovery. Explore the narratives that emerge and relate them back to you. Ask yourself: how do the narratives and associations that emerge in this collage relate to my current life circumstances? Does the collage trigger an emotional response? If so, what area of my life does it relate to or remind me of? If you find that many emotions and thoughts have come forth as a result of this exercise seek the support of a trusted friend or loved one with whom you can safely share and explore the experience with.

Be Peace,

Lara

Posted in Art therapy, Healing, Psychology, Self Help | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Creative Journaling: An Art Therapy Perspective

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Lara

“Creative Journaling” is a term coined by art therapist and author Lucia Capacchione. In her beautiful book “The Creative Journal”, Cappacchione illustrates the many ways that one can explore their inner world through doodles, drawing, poetry and prose as a means of self-exploration and growth.

I recently revived the creative journal technique in my both my art therapy practice and personal self-growth process. Working with a journal in this way is a great way to bypass the analytical mind and get to the core of emotions, challenges and blocks.

Beginning a creative journal is easy! Simply purchase a sketch book that is devoted only to your expressions and pick up drawing materials of your liking (markers, pens, pencil crayons, etc).  Use your journal regularly to release and explore feelings, thoughts and challenges. There are no rules around how often you should make an entry, instead simply follow your inner call to release and explore aspects of yourself as they come up.

Many people find that when they initiate a creative process, the mind gets in the way with such narratives as “I am not creative” or “I cannot draw”.  Please know this: the truth is that ANYONE can draw! If you can write, you can doodle and therefore you can draw! Therapeutic art making is not at all about creating beautiful technical imagery that is of professional caliber, in fact quite the contrary; it is about allowing your inner imagery to flow freely, without judgment and preconceived notions. In this process there is no one to grade or criticize your expressions. Your journal is a safe space for you to check out your own self at your own free will. I suggest that you keep your journal private, sharing it only with those you trust and with whom you wish to explore your journey of self growth.

Warm Up Excercise

I often begin a creative journal entry with a brief grounding exercise. Sitting in a chair with your feet planted firmly on the ground begin to take some long and deep breaths as you relax your entire body. Scan your body for any areas of tension and consciously soften and relax these areas. Once you have completed the relaxation exercise you can move on to an entry or if you prefer you can start with a warm up. Warm ups are helpful if you find that you are struggling with the narrative of your mind. In the warm up simply allow yourself to doodle with absolutely no notions of where the piece will lead, simply doodle for the sake of doodling to ease you into the experience of this form of expression.

"How do I feel right now?"

When you are ready you can continue with a more directed entry that is centered on a theme. For example you can explore what you are feeling at the moment and depict the feeling visually. You can add words to the image as well to create a narrative. There are many ways to approach each entry by using directives in the form of questions to access information. Think about what it is that you would like answers or direction in and create a question around that to frame your entry. For example ‘where am I at in my life?’, ‘what do I like about my life right now?’, ‘what am I struggling with?’.

Allow the images and words to come forth without censoring. The more you play with this mode of expression, the easier it becomes.  Over time you will reap the many benefits of keeping a creative journal such as: gaining clarity of life situations and struggles, making more conscious decisions, overcoming thought patterns that hold you back and being able to define and implement changes in your life.

Namaste,

Lara

Posted in Art therapy, Journaling, Psychology, Self Help | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Peaceful Food, Peaceful Life.

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Lara

In both my home and online life, I have received much positive feedback lately about the food I cook and the recipes I share. THANK YOU! I really appreciate this because I sincerely believe in the benefits of eating well and have made it a personal priority to do so. I especially enjoy helping others to open to new ways of eating and perceiving their food intake. I recently moved to a small rural town and quickly found that I was likely the only vegetarian around! Having moved here from downtown Toronto where many share my veggie lifestyle and where veggie restaurants and alternative grocery shops are a dime a dozen, out here I found quite the opposite to be true.  I found that there was an initial discomfort when I shared my vegetarianism with others. This reaction is not new to me of course, even in the big city and suburbs I have found those who are confused by a veggie diet, and I am happy to say that only once did I encounter an individual who became enraged by my choices. I have learned however that such reactions are very much based in a fear of the unknown. We all carry the burden of such fears and so in the light of such adversity one can practice empathy and compassion. At times like these I like to create an opportunity to share the great food that a vegetarian diet has to offer as well as the remarkable health benefits. I have always maintained an ‘agree to disagree’ stance on difference, and enjoy the sharing of information and ideas as a practice. There are many paths to take in this life and we are each on a journey of discovering that which feels in line with our personal truths.

And so as you journey to find what works for you in the way of diet and lifestyle, I invite you to explore and experience the wonders of ‘Chana’. ‘Chana’ is an East Indian style seasoned chickpea dish that has many variations depending on what region of India the dish comes from. This variation comes from the southern regions of India. Be warned, this dish has quite a kick but you can reduce the heat by adding less peppers and cinnamon. For an even greater cooling effect, eat with a dollop of plain yogurt.

Begin by making a hot mixture, grind the ingredients together and set aside:

1/2 clove of garlic

1/4 inch of fresh ginger, grated

A pinch of cumin seeds

In a saucepan heat:

1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

A tiny pinch of hing

1/2 a teaspoon each of cumin/mustard/sesame seed mixture

When the seeds pop, add and sauté until the onions are soft:

2 medium onions diced

1 1/2 tomatoes, diced

The hot mixture

1 tablespoon of tomato paste (optional)

Add powdered spiced and whole spices:

2 teaspoons of cumin/coriander powder

1-teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon garam masala

6 whole cloves

Black pepper

2 inch cinnamon stick, broken into pieces

Then add:

1 3/4 cups of cooked chickpeas (19 oz can)

2/3 cup of water

1 1/4 teaspoon of salt

2 Tablespoons of fresh cilantro chopped

Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot. Excellent served with brown rice.

Namaste,

Lara

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Riveting Rapini Pasta

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Lara

As a devout yogi and vegetarian, I have been practicing mindful eating for many years. I have been fortunate to have learned a great deal about nutrition and alternative eating through the guidance of many health practitioners along the way namely naturopaths, Chinese medicine doctors, ayurvedic practitioners and of course yoga teachers and through my yoga teacher training. Becoming aware of the impact that diet has on over all health and well-being has been both an empowering and eye-opening experience.  In essence, food IS medicine and we ARE what we eat!  Attending to your own diet and practicing mindful consumption is one of the ways to take control of your health and be an active participant in your healing process.

As a tribute to conscious eating, I would like to share with you one of my favorite recipes of all time: “Rapini Pasta”.

Rapini is a green leafy vegetable that is popularly used in the cuisine of Southern Italy. It has a bitter flavour and is rich is nutrients such as Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A and C. Some people are not keen on the bitterness of rapini, but keep in mind that when you complement it with a mild food like pasta or a strong flavour like garlic it really offsets the bitterness. I have included substitutions and variations in this recipe to fit the needs of differing diets and tastes.

Rapini Pasta (4-5 Servings):

*           1 bag of brown rice penne.

(You can use any type of penne you prefer, I use brown rice pasta because I like to keep wheat products to a minimum).

*           2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil.

*           6-8 cloves of garlic finely minced.

(I am aware that some yogi’s do not eat garlic. You can make this dish without it although be warned, the garlic really adds to the flavour of this dish).

*           A dash or two of red pepper flakes.

*           One bunch of rapini.

*           Salt to taste.

*           Grated Parmesan Cheese

(For Vegans, use a soy based ‘cheese’ product)

Variations

  • Variation: Add 12 – 16 sun-dried tomatoes diced ( adds a sweetness to the dish, very tasty).
  • Variation: Add half a small block of soft goat cheese ( adds a rich and creamy flavour).

In a medium-sized frying pan, lightly sauté the pepper flakes and garlic. (If you are including sun-dried tomatoes and/or anchovies, add them to the mix). When finished remove from heat and set aside.

Fill a medium to large-sized pot with water and add some salt. When the water boils, add the pasta and cook according to instructions or to taste preference.

Rinse the rapini well and cut off the first inch from the bottom stems. Cut the rapini into bite-sized pieces or to preferred size.

When the pasta has about 2 -3 more minutes left to cook, add the rapini to the water/pasta mix and let it cook in there until the pasta is ready. Be sure to add the rapini right at the end of the pasta’s cooking cycle because you don’t want it to over cook and loose its nutritional substance, you just want it to blanch slightly.  (An alternative is to steam the rapini separately, your choice).

Once the pasta has cooked to your desired taste, drain the pasta and rapini mixture using a colander. Be sure to let it drain properly to get all the water out.

Place the pasta/rapini mixture back into the pot. Add a touch of salt to taste. Add the oil/garlic combo and stir. (At this point you could add the goat cheese if you are using it).

Top with some Parmesan (or Soy cheese).

Happy Conscious Eating!

Lara

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Dreams, Symbols, Insight, Guidance

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Lara

I recently had a most powerful dream, its message was clear and distinct: “stop deciding what you are going to do and instead allow yourself to be led”. This statement has stayed with me since the dream, floating about in my mind, gently asking me to the examine the ways I may be attempting to control aspects of my life when instead an alternative course of action may be to surrender and to let go.

Dreams have the capacity to reveal truths about our inner world that may be otherwise difficult to see, face or come to terms with. Our minds are really good at concealing painful/difficult aspects of our self, life situations, personality, health and relationships. The mind will create all kinds of ways to do this including rationalizations to keep us ‘safe’. We all know that delving into our pain is no easy feat, and so creating explanations and rationalizations is one of the ways that the mind keeps us from facing our own selves. Dreams however offer a window into the truth of what is happening, they can bypass the censor of the mind and offer glimpses of insight that can be quite transformational.

There are many schools of thought that support this notion of dreams as being strongly connected to ones psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual self. Psychoanalysts, depth psychologists and other psychologists of differing schools use dreams in their therapeutic work. Depth psychologist Carl Jung proposed that dream imagery could be literally drawn out using art mediums as a means to delve deeply into their meaning and hence oneself. As an art therapist I work with images and symbols as a means to assist individuals in getting to the core of their struggles and blocks. Creating images within a therapeutic context is akin to examining the images that surface in the dreamtime: both bypass the mind and reveal the deeper truths of one’s inner world.

Beyond contemporary psychological theories, Native American counsellors have been practicing dream interpretation for millennia. In his incredibly wise and thought provoking book ‘Honoring the Medicine’, author and healer Ken Cohen says that ‘like today’s psychologists, native American counsellors recognize that dreams commonly express in narrative and symbolic form people’s conflicts, fears, hopes and desires and help them to work through the residue of thought and emotions that are seeking resolution’. Like Jung who advised clients to draw their dreams, Native American counselors would ask the dreamer to re-enact their dreams in which dream narratives where acted out and if necessary brought to a positive conclusion. Other perspectives on dreaming suggest that dreams do not necessarily come from within, that through dreaming we may receive visits from ancestors, the spirit realm and spirit entities. Some also believe that when we dream we are actually traveling and experiencing what we dream in alternate realities.

All of these ideas of course beg the question: ‘How can one work with dreams as a self help tool?’ As with most subjects, there are many perspectives. Having studied and practiced dream interpretation both personally and professionally as a therapist I would like to offer to you the 10 techniques that I have found to be the most helpful when working with dreams.

1. Keep a Dream Journal: Purchase a journal that you will use exclusively for documenting your dreams. Always keep this journal by your bedside and be sure to have a pen or pencil with it. The idea is to be able to wake from your dream and without too much fumbling about; you can quickly turn on your light, grab the dream journal and pen and promptly record your dream. Write down all that you can recall. In the beginning you may find that your recall is limited or fragmented; that is OK. What is important is that you consistently document the dream and do so right after you dream (as opposed to waiting till the morning or later at which point you will forget aspects of your dream which may be important). Consistency in recording your dream in part of the process of training your mind to recall the dreams. When you are finished date the dream and if you can, give it a title.

2. Intend to Remember your Dreams: Before you go to sleep, simply intending to remember your dream helps to train your mind to do so. Simply say to yourself a few times “I will remember my dream”. With intention means that you do so will all of your being – mind, body, heart, with focus and sincerity, stating that you will remember your dreams. Once you become proficient at dream recall through intention and the use of a dream journal you can take your dream work to the next level by asking for specific guidance to come through (yes, you CAN do this!!).  For example if you are struggling with an interpersonal issue with a coworker, intend to receive guidance by asking “please help me to understand the conflict with so and so through a dream or through dream guidance”. You can also write the question in your journal with the date. Only ask one question at a time and it is best to wait until this question has been answered before you ask another question for the sake of simplicity and clarity. The next step is to release and trust that the answer will come. Know that it may not come that night, the next night or for that matter even a week later or longer. There is another element to consider as well: the answer may not even come in a dream; it may come in another form all together. In this sense asking for dream guidance is akin to prayer or asking source/the universe/the great spirit for guidance: be willing and open to receiving an answer if any form, it may come through in conversation, in an article you come across or as a sudden insight. Be open, you will be pleasantly surprised.

3. Avoid relying on dream dictionaries: I have personally found dream dictionaries to be highly generic and simplistic and as such the meaning of symbols to be meaningless or irrelevant to my dreams. Remember that the symbols and narratives presented are very much connected to all aspects of YOU and therefore what is most important is how you perceive them. For example lets take the image of a large calm body of water. For me this image conjures up feelings and associations of peace, tranquility and serenity but for someone else, it may bring up dread, fear and anxiety. Personal association and experience play a significant role in this work. Think of the imagery in your dreams as being yours alone. Ask yourself: how does this image make me feel? What associations does this image conjure up in me? Having said this I have found that there are a couple of areas to consider when it comes to the meaning of symbols, and that is that of ‘universal symbolism’ or ‘collective symbolism’. What I mean by this is the collective meaning of symbols over time and across cultures. For example when an animal represents itself to you in a dream, it may be that the persona, characteristics, behaviors and ancient collective symbolism of the animal has special significance for you at this time. An incredible and valuable resource for this information is found in Ted Andrews books ‘Animal Speak’ and ‘Animal Wise’.  Another area to consider that has powerful collective information is the symbol of a home/house/dwelling and its rooms. Psychological theories postulate that a house in a dream represent aspects of the self or the mind and that specific areas of the house in a dream correspond to specific areas of the mind. For example the basement represents the unconscious or exploring new rooms can mean opening to new unexplored areas of the personality. This is not meant to be taken in an absolute sense, but instead as a tool to consider when deconstructing a dreams meaning.

4. Simplify the Dream: For those dreams that are highly complex and detailed in nature, it can be overwhelming to begin the process of pulling out its meaning. For such dreams it can be immensely revealing to re-state the dream in a very simplified manner. First write the dream down as usual in your dream journal and then verbally articulate the dream out loud as though you were explaining it to a 5 years old. Another similar technique is to verbalize the dream as though you are sharing it with an alien. Doing this really pushes you to break down the symbols even further. If you can work with someone to help you, that is even more powerful. Ask your helper to pretend they are a child or alien and have them interrupt you when they don’t understand or need further explanation (just as a child would). Take careful note of the clarifications and explanations that take place.

5. Play with the characters of your dream: This is a technique that I learned from a highly skilled and experienced psychotherapist. In our work together she asked me to retell the dream from the perspective of another character in the dream. When I first tried this I could not believe the insights that surfaced. Another facet of this approach is to perceive or recognize that each character in the dream represents aspects of you. Once you accept the possibility of this, it is truly amazing what parts of your ‘make up’ are being reflected back to you through the dream!

6. Pay close attention to verbalization’s in your dreams: Any dialogue that occurs in a dream must be carefully documented and highlighted because often what is said is of utmost importance to you. Take these verbalization’s as direct messages to you. If the meaning of the verbalization in the dream is not clear immediately, don’t worry about it! Use the techniques above to deconstruct the dream and then just sit with it and wait. Often dream meanings make sense as time passes.

7. Don’t forget the feeling factor: This is a feature of dreaming that is most often overlooked and yet so very fundamental. When you are recording your dream in your journal, be sure to include all the subtle elements and especially feelings. The feelings represented in your dream are very much indicative of what you are really experiencing but may not be consciously aware of. Remember that dreams can take you to the core of your inner world, be prepared to get really honest with yourself when you begin this journey. When I am helping someone with their dream this is often where I will take them first: “what were you feeling?”

8. Breakthrough Dreaming: Clinical psychologist and founder of the Association for the study of Dreams Dr. Gayle Delaney wrote an excellent book called “Breakthrough Dreaming”. In it she offers a specialized technique that involves interviewing the dreamer to get to the core of the metaphorical language of the dream.  There is one technique of hers that I would like to highlight for you and that is to isolate the actions and feelings presented in the dream. Where the feelings and actions are connected, create a simple chart where one side represents the action and one side represents the associated feeling. For example in my dream journal I wrote: “I am in tears. Hurt by Barb’s aggression towards me, I say to her ‘I feel you are being really critical right now, but whatever’. She says, ‘OK’ in a tone that suggests that she doesn’t get me and as if she is mocking me”. To break this down into action and feeling I would write: Action: I confront Barb about her insensitivity. Feeling: I feel dismissed and mocked. After doing this I considered the ways in which this scenario reflected my waking life circumstance. I was able to come to terms with the underlying elements of an interpersonal conflict. This technique helps to break down the dream into little condensed bits that carry a lot of valuable information. When interpreting dreams, always consider how the message of the dream reflects your current life circumstances because it is likely doing just that, helping you to work through what is happening in your life at present.

9. Be open to literal and very simple meanings: Sometimes dreams are so ‘straight up obvious’ that there is no need to get into in depth interpretation! Often dreams will be as simple as showing you eating a food like kelp and may be simply guiding you towards considering a diet change or it can reveal a call out that your body needs a certain nutrient. A death in a dream can simply mean the death of a part of you, a birth can mean something is ‘giving birth’ in your life.

10. Be patient, trust and commit: To become proficient at working with your dreams takes practice, patience, trust and consistency. Don’t give up when the answers are not clear or when they don’t come right away. It takes time to understand the unique language of the dreamtime, so be easy on yourself and have fun. Remember that this work is so valuable! Just think of the vast resource of self-help knowledge available all within you!

Dreams play a vital role in our lives. They are mirrors into our inner world: our psychology, emotional states, physical well being, conflicts and concerns. Dreams also can offer us spiritual guidance and direction. It is a most exciting adventure indeed, enjoy it!

I would love to hear about your experiences so please do not hesitate to share them with me and to ask questions. I am available to help and guide you through this process in any way I can.

Be Peace,

Lara

Posted in Dream Interpretation, Intention, Intuition, Psychology, Self Help | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Exploring the Intuitive Realm

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Lara

‘Intuition’ is a loaded word in the sense that it conjures up many ideas, associations and images from individual to individual. For many people, intuition is equated to psychic phenomenon: tarot cards, crystal balls, the reading of palms. This however is not intuition per say as much as it is divination, that is, using a tool to access intuition. For others intuition is a gift reserved only for women, intuition is about feminine prowess, maternal/female instinct and such, but this however is also inaccurate since intuition is beyond gender and sex. What about hunches and premonitions through dreams, is that intuition? The answer is that all of the above mentioned involve intuition in some way or another. Each and every one of us have the innate ability to connect with our intuitive selves.

Intuition is a dreamy, lucid place within the self. It is a place that is non-linear and ever flowing, without boundaries.  To access intuition is to consciously connect the mind/body/spirit with the intention to receive. To go into an intuitive state is very much about opening to possibilities, allowing oneself the freedom to play and imagine and most importantly, working towards removing the obstacles that the mind creates which interfere with exploring the intuitive realm.

I am often asked about how one can harness the power of their intuition. One of the greatest lessons my teacher imparted to me was to let yourself have fun and play. In my training she actually said “if you feel like you are making it up, well then go ahead and make it up!” When I first heard this instruction, I thought it was ludicrous, ‘make it up? Why would I want to do that?’ I thought. But over time as I practiced to hone my intuitive skills I realized that my teacher’s instruction was helping me to take away the self-imposed load off of my own mind!  The mind is ever willing and quick in telling us that we are being ‘crazy’, ‘ridiculous’ etc. As such, part of the process is to bypass that monkey mind and to continuously come back to intention: connecting to the intuitive realm.

The quality of the intuitive experience varies from person to person. For some it is a strong sensation felt in the body or a physical urge so to speak. This may be felt in the heart center or in the gut (hence the saying ‘I had a gut feeling’). For others they may perceive images in their mind’s eye, they may ‘hear’ words or phrases or they may generally feel a sense of ‘knowing’ all throughout their being. For some intuitions happen only during a dreaming state. I have personally found that writing, creating art and drumming are ways for me to access intuition through a process I call ‘journeying’; an intended ritual and system that takes me into the intuitive realm and prepares me to receive information.

To receive intuitive information is a very exciting endeavor.  For the aspiring intuitive, know that you are already intuitive. The first step is to give yourself permission to have fun and explore. The next step is to try different ways to access intuition in order to find the avenue(s) that work for you (that is visual, audio, body centered, hunches, dreams, writing, art, drumming etc). Give yourself some small exercises to try: the next time the phone rings, give yourself a moment to check in and ‘see’ who it is before you pick up. Or the next time you are lost, check in and ask your intuitive self what way is the right direction. You will be amazed at what comes up.

Nurturing intuitive ability is a highly valuable process that is both therapeutic and spiritual. It is one that can steer you towards delving deeply into your own self which over time lends towards establishing much trust and confidence within.  In fact to be intuitive is to TRUST. To be intuitive is to accept change and take risks. To be intuitive is to allow yourself to be free and playful. To be intuitive is to be willing to explore beyond the confines of the mind/body complex and embrace the understanding and awareness of what lies beyond: interconnection and the dance of intimacy with oneself and the great All.

Make room for the intuitive in your life. Embrace the beginners mind and delve into the deep waters of the intuitive realm. Enjoy and remember to have fun!

Much Love,

Lara

Posted in Channeling, Energy Healing, Healing, Intention, Intuition, Intuitive Healing, Meditation, Self Help | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Where there is sound, there is vibration

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Lara

I have found that the intentional use of sound in healing has transformed both my spiritual practice and the energy channeling work I do. The mystical sounds of Tibetan singing bowls can bring a seeker into a state of calm serenity and reunite them back to connection with their body, spirit and the great All.

The use of Tibetan Singing bowls goes back to the 8th century A.D. Native to the Himalayas, especially Nepal and India, the bowls are hand hammered and traditionally made of a seven metal alloy of gold, silver, iron, mercury, tin, copper and lead. Each of these sacred metals are aligned with the seven chakras of our body. As such the ancient and otherworldly sounds produced by these transcendental instruments resonate deeply with the energetic body, allowing the seeker and healer to tune in to the energy centers and body with greater ease and clarity.

Leading traditional Tibetan Healer Suren Shrestha shed’s light on the way that singing bowls can heal in his lovely book ‘Healing with Singing Bowls’. He says: ‘ everyone has a vibration that is a signature of their health and well being. Similar to a musical instrument that can fall out of tune through use, our bodies can also fall out of vibrational harmony and potentially develop illness and imbalance’. The use of sound and vibration can be used as a way to re-tune us back to health.

Consider the relationship between our bodies and water: ‘As much as 70% of the human body is made up of water, so when you strike a singing bowl next to the body, the vibration creates an energetic mandala like pattern in the body’. Not only does the sound of the bowl alone induce a calming and peaceful effect, also the vibration it generates stimulates movement within the chakra system both individually and as a group, encouraging shifts, expansion and healing.

‘When there is a deep relaxation through soothing, resonant sound, the body is affected on a cellular level, opening up the flow of energy to move us back towards vibrational alignment with health’. In this way, healing sound can essentially help shift our energy frequency from lower levels ( where emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger and resentment are held) to higher levels ( love, peace, connection and joy).

I have found that Tibetan singing bowls and energy channeling go hand in hand in that both work with the subtle energy body to increase life force flow, improve immunity,  bring harmony and balance to the chakra system and brain hemispheres, remove emotional and mental negativity and enhance creativity.

There are no absolutes when exploring sound as healing. One does not have to use a singing bowl to reap the benefits of healing sound in their personal practice. Chimes, drumming and even chanting the sacred mantra ‘AUM’ instigates relaxing mind states, journeying, trance and contemplation as well as raising the frequency of energetic vibration towards health and balance. Where there is sound, there is vibration. Use it with healing intention to direct your vibrational frequency to a higher level.

Be Peace,

Lara

Posted in Chakras, Channeling, Energy Healing, Healing, Intention, Intuitive Healing, Meditation, Sound Healing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Purifying with Sage

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Lara

The practice of smudging has become an integral part of my spiritual and healing practice. Although I have used sage for a number of years, over the last year in particular my relationship and understanding of this sacred plant has deepened significantly.  I have learned that like all plant teachers, sage has a very  particular quality and purpose that must be honored and appreciated when choosing to work with it as an ally.

In one of my favorite books ‘Honoring the Medicine’, author and healer Ken Cohen writes about how the burning of sage has the power to induce altered states of awareness and he goes on to explain how science interprets this capacity to the ways in which scent is connected to specific parts of the brain. I have experienced this first hand. Each morning I begin my day by burning sage. After I light the leaves and gently blow out the flames, the scent immediately has a calming effect on my being and I feel a profound connection to All.  I offer the sacred medicine to father sky and mother earth and then proceed with personal prayer. I wave the smoke using my hand ( you can also use a feather ) all over my body ensuring that all areas have been reached. In her book ‘Hands that Heal’, author and healer Echo Bodine offers a simple prayer and cleansing ritual which I have found works really well with the burning of sage. Simply say out loud: ‘Please clear my body, please clear my mind, please clear my spirit’. I tend to end my morning ritual this way. Afterward be sure to say ‘Thank You’, an expression of gratitude for the unconditional support and healing that is ever available to us. This simple intention of clearing is a great way to begin and end your day.

Sage has a powerful capacity to prepare a sacred space for ceremony, prayer and healing, as such I always prepare my healing space with sage. I walk around the room in a circular fashion and wave the smoke around with my hand and as I do so I ask the Great Spirit to clear this space. Any tools that I use in the healing work I make sure to clear as well: my singing bowls, drum, the oils I use, the table clients lie on. If the client agrees, I always wave the purifying smoke of sage over their body to clear their physical, emotional and energetic fields before I channel. As I do this I state my intention and actions out loud so that the client has an opportunity to be an active participant in their own healing process and so that they may learn the benefits of clearing in this way for themselves.

Before I channel for energy and sound healing, sage is always the precursor as it helps to prepare my entire being ( physical, mental and spiritual) for healing work. Ken Cohen said is best when he wrote ‘sage is like a person whose presence is healing’.

All of us can benefit from a practice of regular clearing. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are energetic sponges. We carry bits and pieces of the all the people that we come into contact with and sometimes these pieces even manifest in physical symptoms that are not even our own. Consciously intending to clear away whatever does not serve you helps in the process of releasing it. Experiment with all the available ways to clear, for some it is through prayer alone, for others it is through the use of crystals or visualization.

For me, sage is my great ally. There are many paths,  find what works for you and enjoy the process!

Love and Peace,

Lara

Posted in Channeling, Energy Healing, First Nations Healing, Intention, Plant Medicine, Prayer, Smudging, Sound Healing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stilling the mind with sound

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Lara

I have been a yogi for a number of years now. I found yoga at a time in my life when I needed it most: I was steeped in clinical psychology studies and working with challenging issues and environments. I didn’t have much time or love left over for myself, and this was beginning to take its toll on my physical, emotional and spiritual self. I set out to find a teacher and eventually found a studio and teacher that fit. Yoga showed me a path to not only nurture and balance my physical and emotional body, but also how to observe and still the mind.

We all know that meditation is challenging. In my process of learning I had many questions… What approach do I follow?: Do I focus on my breath? Do I focus on my body? Do I use a mala? Do I recite mantras out loud or in my head?  What posture do I practice?: Do I sit in a chair? Do I sit cross-legged or Japanese style? The plethora of styles and lineages out there can be very confusing and overwhelming for a seeker. For years I worked with all of the above techniques. My teachers advised for me to choose one approach and stick to it. Of course this makes perfect sense, the mind needs a routine to fall back on, this helps it to find stillness. The problem was that I just could not find a way that really allowed my body and mind to rest…..

One day I had a profound insight into and intuitive draw toward using Tibetan singing bowls in conjunction with energy healing. (I will get into how Tibetan Singing Bowls are connected to the chakra system in another article). With this new insight I set out to learn everything I could about the use of singing bowls in healing work and found a bowl that resonated with me.

Very excited, I brought the bowl home and set it up in a special place in my healing space. I prepared myself and the room by smudging it with sage and saying a prayer of thanks to the Great Spirit for revealing this teaching to me. I prepared my mind and body for stillness as I held the bowl out in front of my heart and gently struck its side with a traditional mallet. The sound of the bowl impacted me deeply. I could actually feel the sound working and moving through my physical and energetic body. I struck it again and found myself carefully listening to the resonant sound as it rang and slowly dissipated into silence. I struck it again and this time as I listened to the sound so very closely I also began to sense the natural rhythm of my breath gently inhaling and exhaling without effort.

And then it occurred to me: this is meditation. I am not my mind, I am not my thoughts.  I am ever-present in the moment, pure awareness.

I do not know how long I remained in that state, in that room, on that first day with the bowl. There was a valuable lesson in this experience, I learned that patience and persistence are essential qualities of establishing a spiritual practice. It took me many years to get to this place of finding what really works. I believe that each of us must find our own unique way.

Be Love,

Lara

Posted in Energy Healing, Healing, Meditation, Sound Healing, Yoga | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spirit works through us

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Lara

Last week I had a most wonderful encounter with spirit and intuition. I was really struggling with myself, everything was a challenge, all tasks daunting. We all know periods such as these when they come up. At these times it can become really difficult to see the good in anything. The mind wants to cling to that loop of thoughts it has come to know so well only because familiarity makes it feel safe to do so.

In an attempt to move away from this frame of mind, I pulled out some of my well being  tools to help me. Writing in my journal is a powerful outlet for me, with it I let all thoughts and feelings pour out onto a page, no matter what it is. In her wonderful book ‘The Artist’s Way’, author Juila Cameron calls this process ‘brain drain’: that is simply releasing all the gunk in our minds by writing it all out without censoring. I also burn sage to clear my energetic field of negativity and I pray to the Great Spirit to help me see past this difficult time.

So on one of these days that I am feeling particularly low, I decided to lay on my bed and channel healing energy to myself. After a few minutes I fell into a light trance, a common occurrence when I am channeling. I let myself drift into the ethereal realm, somewhere  between sleep and wakefulness. As I slowly began the process of coming back into my body, in my mind’s eye I distinctly see an image of a plant. I looked closely at this plant, trying to discern what type of plant it is. With this curiosity came the words ‘Lemon Balm’. Suddenly I was fully back to presence and wondered to myself why spirit led me to this plant? A quick search through my herbology books indicated that lemon balm is a medicine that is particularly adept at bringing on feelings of calmness and mental clarity. I was amazed. Could this herb help me? I had to find to out!  The local health food store sold tinctures of Lemon Balm, also known as ‘Melissa’. The remarkable plants medicinal properties made itself apparent to me almost instantly! I felt calm, relaxed and at ease. The worries and thoughts that plagued me dissolved, and in its place came a sense of peace and certainty that all is well and will be well. I even felt that my ajna chakra, to energy center between the eyes, was being polished up by the medicine. My mind became stable and settled.

This experience served as a gentle reminder for me to always come back to the earth, to spirit and to my intuitive self for answers and guidance. Sometimes we need the assistance of our plant helpers to move forward and move past a block. And more so, guidance is available to us all the time. The cliche ‘ask and you shall receive’ is true in many ways. We are supported and loved by the universe. At any time we can ask for guidance and know that the answers will come. Spirit works through us. The key is this: Ask with sincere intention,  know the answer will come in any form, trust it will and release it. Let the Great Spirit do its work. It will.

Peace and Love,

Lara

Posted in Chakras, Channeling, Energy Healing, Intuition, Plant Medicine | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments