Our Shadow

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“It is our responsibility to bring into the light that which is darkest.”

What is our shadow?  Shadow is an aspect within each of us, that part of our nature that we would rather not share if possible, because the shadow holds our vulnerabilities.

Our shadow is often the part that we don’t wish to see in our life, and just as often a part that we can’t see, and yet, for some reason we have no trouble seeing it in others.

I always see my shadow when I’m irritated with others and start being judgemental towards life and myself.  I see my shadow more quickly now and let it go more quickly, simply because when I practice meditation and yoga it opens me up to see more clearly.

If we are not honoring a practise daily through humility, then the ego gets involved, and when we think we are greater than our ego, we lose sight of our shadow.

“Through humility we hold the medicine of love and wisdom. Humility keeps us teachable, on a humble path, an authentic path of power.”

Humility is the ability to use a higher thought process to evaluate the situation as it is, truthfully and honestly.  As we step into global and unity consciousness through a practise of meditation, yoga and stillness, we must carry the understanding that there is plenty for all.

We have to be willing to self-scrutinise by checking our motives. What are my motives?  What am I fearful of? What can I change in myself to make life more joyful and abundant. Try and stay out of fear in every situation.  Acknowledging it, without judgment, can transform it.

“It would be much more to the point for us to make a serious attempt to recognise our own shadow and its doings. If we could see our shadow, (the dark side of our nature), we should be immune to any moral and mental infection.”

It’s the doings, not the shadow, that get us into trouble! Energy is energy; it’s what we do with it that matters.

When we notice the shadow in someone else, instead of sitting in judgement of them, try holding them in a higher place through forgiveness and love and see what happens.

If we resent so and so because they did x, y, and z, we can ask ourselves, “How did it affect me? What could I have done differently?”

When we see the shadow, place it onto the table and surrender. “Oh, yeah, that’s me, too.” Once we have seen it, it loses its power, and we can choose how to respond differently. Honesty gives us freedom from self-deception.

“Let’s honor all the beautiful medicine out there that is trying to grow. Let’s ground ourselves in our own truths with open eyes and a compassionate heart.”

Stepping out

by Karen Lang, posted in Death, Finding Deep Happiness, Healing Grief, Healing our Bodies

“At times we are all afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or others or our possessions.  But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand.”  – Paul Coelho

My Aunty lost her son earlier this year and she has struggled immensely with her grief and her guilt.  Today she called to tell me about an experience she had, as she was walking along the beach.

She said she was walking alone, lost in the moment when suddenly she felt her son’s presence strongly come by her side.  At first she looked behind her because she was sure someone was near her and yet,  she saw no-one.  She then felt his hand placed softly on her back and he said “All you need to do, is keep moving forward.”

Such a simple statement and yet it was exactly what she needed to hear, to help her in that moment and encourage her.  She was overwhelmed for a few hours after at the thought that he was near her, but as she began to absorb the words he said, she realised it was all she needed to do and that she didn’t need to know how or why it happened.

When we feel overwhelmed in life, whether it is from grief or loneliness or feeling that life is not working towards your goal, you do not need to do anything besides accept, let go and continue to move forward.

If we stay in the pain of the past or locked in what we need right now, we cannot see the bigger picture ahead and all that life will bring us.  Instead, when we have the courage to sit in our pain and see and accept it for what it is, you will begin to trust that change and peace will come, just like the seasons and the sunsets.

As we all reflect on what this year has taught us and has given us, let us not forget that when we thought nothing was changing, it did, or when we thought life would never get better it did, or when we never thought that one of our goals would be completed it did or will in time.

We just need to remember to keep moving forward, always in hope and in love and never lose sight of how precious this moment is.

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness.” – Eckhart Tolle

Our Mirror

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“Everyone who comes into our life blesses us with the opportunity to forgive,  love and accept the parts of ourselves they are mirroring.” – Sa Silvano

How often are we annoyed at others in our life and yet feel they are separate from us and our own beliefs about who we are? Did you know that the things that annoy us, is just a mirror of our inner self and the parts we do not accept?

When we are conscious of this thought, we will begin to see that the external world is simply showing us what is hidden in the shadows of our inner world.  – Sa Silvano

It is difficult to understand this concept.  We hide different aspects of ourselves unconsciously and so it isn’t easy to confront or see this truth.  While we continue to deny this truth, we will continue to have the same type of people come into our life and show us what needs to be accepted.

Once you understand it is in you, you can bring light and love to this part of yourself and allow it to heal.  You will be amazed at how quickly your outer world will respond to this healing and it will give you a different reflection from those around you and how you live your life.

So how can this healing happen?

Sit quietly on the grass or ground at home and take some deep breaths.  Feel the part of yourself that is angry or hurt, ask where in your body are you feeling this and then send love and breath to that area.

If you can’t feel it, then just keep breathing deeply and allowing your anger and hurt to be released into the earth or ground with each breath.

See the person you are angry at in your mind and forgive them.  Breathe deeply.  If you need to do this a couple of times then do. Now see this person surrounded in light and breathe deeply.

Ask yourself where inside of you there is a need to let go and heal.  Feel where it is and forgive yourself.  Breathe deeply.

Now see this person with you surrounded in love and light, hold that image. Breathe deeply.

There is not always an instant fix for our pain and yet, practicing this ritual and meditation daily, will help release any anger and hurt towards others and move us into a higher understanding of our connection to everyone and the gifts they bring us.

True Meaning

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“When we search for the meaning of life, remember this:  Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.”  – Joseph Campbell

As we enter into the busy part of the year and move through the crazy cycle of buying too much, stressing too much and eating and drinking too much…stop, pause and breathe when you can.

Remember to reflect on what the true meaning of this time means and prepare, as we begin the New Year and all that it holds for us.

Remember to be grateful for all that you have been given this year and the gift that our children bring us.

Remember to be thankful for the health of you and your family and be supportive to those who have not.

Remember to be grateful for the immense abundance that we have and to share it where you can.

Remember to be thankful to those who have supported you and your goals this year.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. 

Accept the decisions you have made and then let them go.

Love and be grateful to those around you.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance grab it. If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it.

The Good Life

by Karen Lang, posted in Uncategorized

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”   – Brene Brown

How often do we label our life as “Easy” or “Difficult”?  How often do we define the way we are feeling with what is happening in our life right now?  It always comes down to this, either we allow life and everything that it presents, or we resist it.

When we resist life and resist what is happening to us with thoughts and actions to change or control it differently,  we stop the flow of abundance and the answers that help us accept the situation.

Our mind keeps us imprisoned and convinces us it is keeping us safe, when infact, if we step out of these conditioned thoughts and into the unknown of life each day, we become in sync with the flow.

Life is what it is and when we are able to stop attaching our illusions and emotions to this reality, we may just find that we can see life as perfect right now and that it is only our attitude towards this moment that makes it difficult.

Our minds are powerful tools that can take years off our life because we refuse to see what it is right in front of us.  Becoming aware and awake of how we make our lives challenging and how we block the flow is the answer to allowing life to happen as it should.

We are creating the obstacles not anyone else.  Our thoughts and choices are our own and create the world we live in right now.  When you live believing that another situation in the future will be what makes you happy or content, you will be sadly disappointed.  You need to find it in your life now, and realise your life could not be more perfect, that there is no other place you should be but here.

Focus on relieving your mind of this clutter and busyness and as you let go and surrender, you will find you will  receive what you need in the perfect time.

“…and that visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which also is the source of our greatest strength.”  Audre Lorde