WELL BEING

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle's work teaches us his perspective on how to live a spiritually centred life. He has written many books and shared teachings on dealing with grief, living in the moment or ''the now'' and the benefits to be found in practicing stillness and meditation, and living a spiritual existence. He explains the mental pain caused by living in memories of the past, and the difficulties we bring to our lives by focusing on dreams for the future. When you live in either the past or the future, and compares this to the relief found than the past or future, and the benefits  found in  embracing our spirituality. I love the way he reminds us that we are spiritual beings having a human experience and that in this knowledge, there is immense psychological freedom. The understanding of this concept is life changing in that it reminds us that this journey is but a step or a single lesson in our evolution. Which you can interpret as; you have a thousand of these lives to lead - so don't sweat the small stuff. It is an instant perspective changer. Everyone you talk to will tell you that they find their view of their life different if contemplating that they have many thousand more lives to lead. The other assurance we receive is that in our return to spirit, we re-connect

Go and Get Giving

Human beings are inherently social creatures. We are hard-wired to make social connections, be community members and support one another. There’s no two ways about it. When we are living in harmony with our ”community” and actively giving to it we are happier more fulfilled beings. When you look more closely at this to see what factors most contribute to the sense of fulfillment, the number one stand out is giving.  Further, it’s not anonymous giving, that delivers us the best results personally. It’s the giving of time, of support, or items that we have had a hand in either creating or collecting or raising funds to purchase. It makes people feel so positive that they seek over and over to repeat the process, and for some people becomes the inspiration that charges their lives. This is an example of the Law of Giving and Receiving which essentially tells us that all energy can be categorized as either giving or receiving energy. This balance of energy is what powers all things in our universe. The more energy you expend in either area, the more that will in turn, naturally flow back to you. “The universe operates through dynamic exchange – giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe.”  – Deepak Chopra explains. Therefore, we see that in our willingness to give that which

What screws us up most in life

This is so true. How often do you catch yourself doing exactly this!!?! Thinking about the things you wish you had done, the things you wish you owned, the things you feel you've missed out on and the way you wish your life was. It's so easy to focus on the 'have not's'. The perceived failings, the difference between where you are and where you wish you were. Many people spend their lives this way, imposing an abstract sense of failure upon themselves, that does nothing but stir up feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. What if we just stopped doing that to ourselves? Imagine how much better the quality of life would be if we learnt to focus on what was in front of us, rather than what we 'wish' was in front of us. We all need to come back to the moment, to 'now' and let go of the reality we imagine, the past we miss, or the gaps we perceive between our 'wants' and 'have's.  Don't wish your life away in this type of pattern... Focus on what you feel, what you sense, what you love right now, and spread your wings and soar. Focus on how good 'right now' feels. Living in this exact moment, 'now' is profoundly liberating. Everything becomes possible again - pain recedes into another dimension, and opportunity presents. Try it, I promise you it will deliver you the

Strawberry Vodka Sorbet

Sorbet is the perfect treat for hot sunny days. Icey-fruit cocktails are too are hard to beat too. Whether you go for the adult version or the child-friendly version, you'll love this recipe. It works great with other mixes of berries too - experiment! This strawberry sorbet is made with fresh in-season strawberries, but when strawberries are out of season, use frozen ones. If you have an ice cream maker, simply pour the prepared mixture into your machine and follow the manufacturer's instructions. If like me, you have no ice cream maker, a blender or food processor is all you need to ensure a smooth sorbet. Ingredients: 2/3 cup water or vodka 2/3 cup sugar 1kg strawberries (about 5 cups) 2 tbsp lemon juice Preparation: Stir sugar and water(or vodka) together in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Bring sugar and water syrup to a boil, then remove from heat. Allow to cool down in pan for a 1/2 hour (the syrup is extremely hot) before transferring to a 1 cup container and chilling it in the refrigerator. While the syrup is cooling, hull strawberries and place them in a food processor or blender. Blend strawberries to a puree, then pour through a sieve into a medium-size bowl. Add lemon juice, and stir well. Refrigerate puree until the syrup has chilled – about 1 hour.

Liebster Nomination

Thankyou so much to Dreadlock Tarot who made me so happy yesterday by nominating me for the Liebster Award. Funny, how much it meant to me, big smiles all over my face. Thankyou for this Dreadlock Tarot http://web.archive.org/web/20140225101347/http://dreadlocktarot.com/2014/02/24/liebster-blog-award/ And guys, check out her blog, its awesome, funny warm and engaging and special - just like she is, so have a look: http://dreadlocktarot.com was nominated for good reason, its warm, funny, engaging and special... just like her readings sound to be too!! There are a few requirements for accepting the Leibster Award nomination, one of them is answering 10 questions posed to you by the nominator. Here are the questions I was asked, and my answers: Dinner party. 6 people living, dead or fictional. Go. Gandhi, John Lennon, Aleister Crowley, my Grandmother, Coco Chanel, Mother Theresa What is the one thing you have always wanted to do but are afraid to try? Sky diving - I just can't find a compelling enough reason to do it. I should have taken the leap before having smurfs. (children) What is your favorite singer or band and your favorite song by them? Nick Cave, Ship Song - have to admit this changes regularly... possibly daily, probably before this gets posted, but it's definitely my right now fave. If you could live in any country in any time period where

Distance

  Seek to understand, rather than to be understood...  Listen when spoken to. Abandon your ideals to hear those of another. Listen with your heart and mind to what is being shared and understand the person speaking. Empathy, true empathy to spirit, one another and the universe...   Amber | www.intothesoul.com

Where do you go find god?

Where do you find your god? I don't mean the stuff they teach you in religious studies, I mean the profound sense that there is something greater than yourself and that you are somehow connected to it, and possibly a part of it. Where you know or feel there is a divine presence... an energy or 'intelligence' that is beyond you. Which is a funny thought in itself because how can you know that there is something that you don't know? Hmmmmm. And how is it that every race of people who have lived and that do live on this earth have come to the same conclusion? Different interpretations, but same conclusion. Do you catch yourself talking, praying, begging or bargaining with 'a higher someone'? I definitely do. It surprises me that I've done this since childhood. No one taught me to. I was firmly brought up to believe that there is no such thing as a god, and that religion was essentially rubbish. The only world that existed was the physical one around me, and that each life was a one way ticket. But it doesn't feel right to me... I'm often talking to this energy when I'm nervous or worried... I'm begging it for reassurance when I'm afraid, and I'm thanking it and questioning it at other times. I find 'my god' in

Spirituality is good for you: 5 reasons why!!

Spirituality is good for you. Yes, truly, it's a fact. Having spiritual meaning or religious belief in your life benefits you in these ways: Health; lower occurrence of major disease - heart problems, cancer etc. Self-care; better nutritional choices and diets. Higher levels of exercise and sustained practice of stress relievers like yoga, meditation, prayer, tai-chi and similar. Emotional & psychological benefits; lower levels of depression, anxiety, sense of meaning and connection protects them from loneliness and bonds them to their community. Self-acceptance; have a sense of meaning and purpose that guides them at all times. They are more confident and active in community - driven by the idea of being of service to others, rather than anything of a self-serving nature. Reward comes from contributing, therefore they are easily able to determine their value in a positive way. Love; feeling loved by 'god' or 'creator' fills and provides the spiritually minded with an unshakeable sense of worth and value and of being loved. Therefore they give more love and draw more back into their lives. Researchers impressed by the health advantages of those with 'faith' assert that we are 'hard-wired' for spirituality.  Meaning, we are born needing to connect to a higher source. Without this connection we have to combat unnecessary self-doubts and fear, combined with a need to 'prove' our worth, that the faithful do not have. Those with faith unite in believing the human journey is a

Top 20 Benefits of Yoga

Increases overall quality of life Gives you more energy Improves your athletic ability Improves your mental clarity Boosts your immune system Improves short term memory Increases your ability to concentrate Self-esteem rises Tones and strengthens your body Flexibility increases Improves skin tone Improves stamina Improves posture Increases productivity Speeds up the metabolism Improves quality of sleep Helps you cope  better and be less effected by stress Helps slow the aging process Improves balance Reduces the risk of memory loss, back pain, knee pain, anxiety, obesity, stroke, type II diabetes, depression, heart disease, upper respiratory infection.... and so on.  

Is internal conflict the problem?

We all face major opportunities, challenges and changes in our lives. These come up around career, relationship and significant personal and family issues. It's part of everyone's experience. However, it's not always easy for us to know what we should do. Should we change jobs, end that relationship, relocate or invest our money there? Sometimes these decisions seem disproportionately overwhelming. So much so, that you end up unable to make any progress or decision at all. Often times seeking a 'reading' or spiritual insight is helpful. It provides clarity and insight. Helps you to explore options and outcomes and your potential for happiness. But sometimes even with this insight you still feel at a standstill. This is when it's really important to ask yourself whether the real problem is one of internal conflict? Internal conflict is when your desires or goals are not in line with your values or ''needs''. For example; security means everything to you when it comes to your job. To you it guarantees your lifestyle and peace of mind. Yet at the same time, you feel frustrated and stunted in your current role. You feel you should seek a new job, yet you're not able to commit to the idea.... its hard to walk away from what you have. Your underlying value of security is overruling your desire for growth and the possible risk of disappointment. Instead of delivering any clarity your thought process spins for weeks,

Loving Your Self?

All childhood long most of us are taught; ''treat others as you would wish to be treated.'' The majority of us do at try at least half heartedly with this one. But how many of us actually extend it to ourselves? I know many compassionate loving people who give everything they can to others, bending over backwards to support and care for them, and yet they are so mean minded when it comes to themselves, beating themselves up over the merest of trifles and giving nothing, not even kind words or encouragement to themselves. It makes little sense that we treat ourselves so poorly. The thoughts we have, the compassion we extend, and the kindness we show ourselves, determines everything about us. Our thoughts about ourselves, are exactly how we understand and define ourselves. We then go and reflect that understanding to the world, and in so doing, also show the world exactly what we in turn have to offer. This means that the way we treat ourselves and think about ourselves is very powerful stuff. If you're self-perception is lacking or negative, so to will be the people you feel drawn towards. You will not attract your ideal circumstances, experiences, or people, you will gravitate towards those that reflect your own self-concept. We seek out in others what we recognise and feel comfortable within ourselves. Therefore our concept of

Protect your Energy

This one is for all of you who have asked for tips on how to protect your energy. Here is a really simple way to do protect your energy that works for me : Lie down and close your eyes. Take a deep breath and consciously let the tension leave your body.... Fingers, neck, mouth, back... check that all are relaxed. Picture yourself lying down. Hold this image in your mind. Place a ‘bubble’ around yourself. See your body in the middle of the bubble. Note that the bubble is strong and flexible. This bubble is like a shield. Things will bounce off it, they will not penetrate it. Concentrate on shrinking the bubble to fit your body exactly. It has become a tight fit around you. It is perfectly comfortable and it fits you like a glove. This bubble is your ‘shield’. Practice seeing negative energy; harsh words, sad feelings, random spiritual energy, and so forth, just bouncing off it. See the emotions of others unable to penetrate it, the bubble is made of your energy and it is protecting you from all other energies. At first you will most likely need to practice putting this ‘shield’ around yourself 2 or 3 times a day. However as you become more familiar with it, the morning ritual should be enough. You should definitely notice changes

What screws us up most in life?

"What screws us up most in life ... is the picture in our head of how it is supposed to be." This is so true. How often do you catch yourself doing exactly this!!?! Thinking about the things you wish you had done, the things you wish you owned, the things you feel you've missed out on and the way you wish your life was. It's so easy to focus on the 'have not's'. The perceived failings, the difference between where you are and where you wish you were. Many people spend their lives this way, imposing an abstract sense of failure upon themselves, that does nothing but stir up feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. What if we just stopped doing that to ourselves? Imagine how much better the quality of life would be if we learnt to focus on what was in front of us, rather than what we 'wish' was in front of us. We all need to come back to the moment, to 'now' and let go of the reality we imagine, the past we miss, or the gaps we perceive between our 'wants' and 'have's.  Don't wish your life away in this type of pattern... Focus on what you feel, what you sense, what you love right now, and spread your wings and soar. Focus on how good 'right now' feels. Living in this exact moment, 'now' is profoundly liberating. Everything

Dense Moist Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

This recipe has been given the thumbs up by two very fussy and experienced cupcake eaters. I have never managed to sneak a vegan cake past them before… this is my first!! This will yield approximately 15 midsized cupcakes  Ingredients: 250 grams soybean butter (or your preferred vegan butter) 1 cup caster sugar 4 tsp Orgran egg replacer (at your supermarket) 8 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons vanilla essence 2 cups self-raising flour 4 tablespoons cocoa powder 250 ml's coconut milk, or coconut cream if you you're not counting calories 250 grams dark chocolate (make sure its vegan, most dark chocolate is) Icing sugar Method: Melt the chocolate and allow to cool to room temperature (if you don't let it cool it will likely seize, so do this step first!) Oven to 180C Line your muffin/cupcake tins and put to the side Beat  butter and sugar until creamy. It won't fluff up like dairy butter, but it will combine thoroughly and the sugar will no longer appear grainy, and the mixture will be smooth. About 5 mins. Beat the Orgran with the water until somewhat foamy and fluffy. Then add gradually add it to the butter and sugar mix. Beat in the vanilla essence Add a dollop of the chocolate and mix in thoroughly, then add remaining chocolate and mix thoroughly. Sift flour and cocoa powder together.

Appreciation

Happy Friday Soulful friends! We are almost at the weekend!! And for those whose time-zone is a little behind.... well it's almost Friday, so be happy too!! What an amazing week its been for me. I've truly been so inspired by some of the most wonder-full thinkers of all time. I've submerged myself in  the words and stories of Buddha, Mother Theresa, Socrates, Rumi, Sufi, and John Lennon, to name a few. I have seriously not been able to get enough of them this week!! If you give them a chance they absolutely feed and heal the soul. They may no longer be "here"  but they are definitely alive and kicking on in spirit. In their free-thinking, and their commitment to the plight and, or, service of others they have left me feeling humbled and inspired and humbled all over again. The perspective they have given me as to what really matters and what is truly important, compared with what is peripheral is unparalleled. If I picture myself trying to explain to Mother Theresa or Buddha or Rumi any of my current set of stresses and worries, I straight away see that to hold these particular concerns means I am fortunate. My needs for survival and safety and comfort are met and I am in good health. To live a life where all your basic needs

Self Love – Be Nice To You

Soulfriends, are you being nice to you ? Treating yourself like a good friend? Have you been kind and understanding to you today? Or have you been running around madly. working hard, squeezing things in and pushing yourself? Did you also have too little sleep? And have you been feeding yourself rubbish food too? Why!?!! Why are we all living this way. Busy-ness is taking over everyone and consuming our identities, and we're all just running around mindlessly. Busyness is the opposite of thoughtfulness, it's how we lose ourselves, miss out on living our lives, become depressed, lose our passion and joy in being alive. The need for stuff becomes consuming and usurps all the goodness from our lives, leaving us with nothing of value... truly the material is never valuable when the emotional life is bankrupt. Who cares how much you have if you have no one to share it with, and no one to love, or your health is compromised, or your mind overwhelmed or depressed? We all need to wake up and start caring again, and treating ourselves with the same care we would a friend. If you would not treat your friend the way you're treating yourself, then there's a problem!! And its time that it was addressed. A really good first step in this direction is just learning to pay attention to your needs again. To listen to

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