How much joy can you bring to the world today?

 

This beautiful way reminds us to be Joybringers at every opportunity. So often we look for joy outside of ourselves, instead of seeking ways each day to create and be in joy, from our heart – generously; our heart in union with our spirit, and the Great Spirit.  Living joyfully is living, loving, and leading in a spirited way.

 

The shamanic way reminds us that we only ever have two outcomes from how we think and act on our path – one will create light energy and one will diminish and deplete it.  Focusing you intention each day to create light energy will assist you on your mission of Hei Le’a (pronounced Hee Lay Uhh!).

 

We discussed attitudes as a means to stay in your power in The Third Way, and we revisit this concept here.  The attitude of Gratitude is a primary attitude to support Hei Le’a, along with a Glass Half full attitude – an Attitude of Bounty and Abundance – and an Attitude of Delight!  Delight and gratitude for the simple things in life.

 

Step out to serve rather than be served – to love rather than yearn to be loved – to affirm instead of searching for approval – to allow rather than seek – to create joy through loving kindness and generosity of spirit rather than expect others to make you happy. These are the way of Hei Le’a.

 

Generosity of spirit is the essence of joy.  Having a joyful spirit so that when you walk in the room it actually lights up. You know people like that!  They walk in the room and they are delighted to be there and everyone wants to be near them. The Dalai Lama has such energy – Mother Teresa too.  I have been in the same room as these dear Joybringers – Bringers of Light and Love, and can never forget how I felt in their presence. They radiated love, peace, and joy and were fully present with everyone in the room.

 

Let’s look at some simple ways you can create joy in your life:

 

·      Smile often – a smile will set you free!

·      Set out to make someone else smile – and to set them free!

·      Develop a great sense of humour. Laugh at life! Don’t let it overwhelm you – have a good chuckle at your absurd misfortune – pick up sticks and have another go (be aware not to laugh at someone else’s misfortune however as they may not be on the same page).

·      Breathe deeply into and from your heart – connecting your heart with the heart of Mother Earth and the heart of Father Sun above. Imagine love flowing freely between you and then begin to breathe this love out to the world. Open your heart fully with the intention of sending out love, light and joy to those who need it most.

·      Be generous and give your love and light freely without fear of there not being enough to go around – with an attitude of bounty and generosity.

·      Ask yourself each morning in meditation and silent reflection – setting your intention for the day – “How much joy can I bring to the world today?”

·      Set about letting go any resistance to joy. Whenever you feel the resistance – the shadow creeping over – clean your energy field – command any foreign energy to move through and away to Sacred Gates into the light and the Heart of Father Sun Rising in the East (remember to close the gates when you finish cleansing) – or down to the heart of Mother Earth below. Gently pull heavy chords of worry, burden, sorrow and regret wherever you feel them and plug them into bubbles and stars of light, delight, love, compassion, wellness, truth, and joy in the World Above where the Ancestors watch over you.

·      Take an occasional trip with the sprit of Eagle (I have created a GREAT CD for this purpose) and sprinkle golden stardust and golden seeds of love, light, bounty, and joy from the heavens above down upon your River of Dreams below.

·      Call in animal spirits who you see as having a natural spirit of joy, and ask them to walk beside you – ahead of you – behind you – to fly above you, to journey with you to the worlds below to reclaim your joyful spirit.

·      Step into the spirit of joy for the day – or put it on over and around you like a cloak.

·      Count your blessings, beginning with the food you eat. Eat joyfully, gratefully aware of all the love and labour that has gone into creating the food that nourishes your body.

·      Look for ways to show loving kindness – to create joy for those you love – and for those you don’t even know.

·      Stay in the vibrational energy field of The True-Heart (supported by being present in the moment to oneself and ones environment) and move away lovingly from the temptation to slip into darkness with the Wounded Heart (driven by regret from the past and fear of the future,

·      Walk strongly, aware of your values and your intentions with your eyes wide open to the joys of life (Ahu Ahu – the First Way), knowing who you are, where you have come from, and where you are going (Mea Hui – the Second Way), and stay in the light and your inner power by trusting in yourself and your journey (Mana Wa Hele – the Third Way).

·      Stay present – to yourself, in time, and with the people and spaces around you (Ku Ala, the Fifth Way);

·      Keep your heart open no matter what (Hamama  Puuwai, the Sixth Way) and allow yourself to joyfully dream the life you want and be the best person you can be (Kupaii Wai – the Seventh Way) knowing and trusting why you are and what drives you to live in love, light and joy (Kuke Ana Wai, the Eighth Way).

 

I trust this has been helpful for you here as I strive to add my little bit of love, light and joy into the world each day.  Please help me do this by taking time to share this wisdom that has come through me – and you.  The wisdom of The 8 Ways

 

Much love and gratitude always, and all ways, 

 

Heather

More on The 8 Ways here:

http://www.shamanicpathandpractice.com/the-8-ways.html

(Artwork by Heather Price – 100 Day Mandala Quest of The True-Heart, 2011-12)

 

This way reminds us to live in the light by living in harmony with time and change.

So often when change comes about fear comes up and we resist it – even when it is clear that it is inevitable and there is nothing we can do to stop it.  It can feel powerless at times to go through change. At other times, change is welcome and we feel like our prayers have been answered when it comes about. Change is a natural part of life, and life would cease to be without it. 

When you look to nature with its changing seasons to guide you through times of change, you will see that much of life and our experience is cyclic. While the event that changes may never be revisited, our memoires and feelings can be.  
When you are in the midst of change, you can look back and see how well you managed change in the past. You know therefore that the current situation will pass, that order will be restored. 

Having mantras and affirmations to guide you through change help you to stay in your power from a place of trust and acceptant. Here are a few that I find useful:

“This too will pass”; 
“The Universe is bountiful and new opportunities come my way every day”; 
“I welcome change with ease and grace”; 
 “I believe in myself and trust in my journey”. 

Nature again teaches us that flow gets interrupted. There are times of bounty and times of drought and famine, followed by balance and harmony again. Rivers flow strong in the wet season, but may not flow at all during the dry.  Storms can interrupt calm and gentle seas. Men and women, and even children, of the land and seas understand this. They don’t give away their power during the tough times, rather they dig in deep and search for resources from every direction to see them through, staying strong and watchful for the next opportunity to act on. If they are well experienced, they build their resources during the easy times, but they keep their power by not forgetting the lessons of the pass.

We hear the saying ‘forgive and forget’, and we hear the saying ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome’.  Life is full of contrast, polarities, and contradictions, and Mana Wa Hele helps us to be strong and trusting within, to know when to let go and go with the flow, to know when to dig in and see something through.

And ...some would say if the path is not smoothe – easy and graceful – it is not the true path.

Shamanic wisdom teaches us that even when the path takes us through the mud, or we find ourselves awash in storms, swamped by giant waterfalls or destructive tsunamis, or flattened by raging winds - perhaps even ablaze in thick lava from volcanic eruption, or dragged down into dark, lonely caverns deep in the earth – we are in Divine Flow.

"Just for today, I believe in myself and trust in my journey, and stand by myself to traverse the way with ease and grace -  and I stand by myself when I fail to trust - and rant and rave and blame, or find myself in grief and despair!.... And I am willing to hold space for you to do the same."

Practical ways to practice Mana Wa Hele:

ATTITUDE: Change your attitude and you can change your life. Look at the attitudes you have during times of stress and decide if they serve you or not. Let those go that don’t by challenging them every time they come up. Develop daily mantras and affirmations to support your new attitudes. E.g. You may have an attitude of poverty – does this serve you? Are you in your power with this attitude? What thoughts consistently run through your head during challenging financial times? Do these help you stay in your power or not? If not, let them go – change them, develop the attitude of abundance, trusting in the bounty of the Universe, and your own bountiful inner resources. Put in place the mantras of “this too will pass”, and “the Universe is bountiful and abundant” to support your new attitude.

DAILY PRACTICE: Commit to a daily practice of Self Care (see Betsy Mills list of Self care at this link – for body, mind, heart and spirit: http://www.betsymillscounselling.com.au/). 

VISION QUEST OVER TIME:
Set yourself a long term quest that will allow you to step into and build your inner strength each day through focus and commitment.  A hundred days of creating mandalas dedicated to the way of the TrueHeart Self for instance. 

BECOME A GREAT OBSERVER: Take half a day or a full day off and go and sit in nature. Watch and observe how the tiny creatures of nature survive the massive challenges they face at every minute, and how Mother Nature has supported them to do this. Write a list of each creatures characteristic that helps them survive and thrive. 

SPIRIT ANIMALS WILL HELP: Call on the spirit of the animals you have observed and know about to assist you. Look at your own natural strengths and coping mechanisms and build on these. Write a list of them. Remember and affirm them at every opportunity: “I am strong, wise and creative, I will find my way through this. I call on Ant to help me carry this load today”

PRACTICE DETACHMENT: Learn to ‘let go’ without attachment or resentment. Don’t take things personally – allow others to make their own decisions and learn their own lessons, trusting in them and their journey. This does not mean your withdraw you love or support – just try a different approach. Step back and allow rather than trying to control. Hand over the Big Stuff to Great Spirit. “Let it go, and get back in flow”.

LOOK INWARD FOR YOUR SOURCE OF POWER: Remember to turn to the World Within and to the Ancestors (your grandmothers and grandfathers will help you) to search our your power and take time to understand, validate, and heal wounds from your early childhood – seeking out professional help if you can to do this. Remember, your innocence and power, if seemingly lost, can be retrieved. The World Below may be where you need to go to bring to the light and illuminate the truth of who you are. The Second Way, Mea Hui (in an earlier post), will help you with this. You will see more about this in reference to the artwork below as I share my own process to reclaim the power of my Sacred Feminine.

These are just a few says to practice Mana Wa Hele, and I am certain you will have other ways that assist you to manage change and to stay in your power. Please be generous and take a few moments to comment with your own suggestions on how to stay in the light and share these with others. Loving kindness, gratitude and generosity of spirit are quality ‘attitudes’  that keep us all strong and connected. 

Many blessings your way today,

Heather

How do you present and introduce yourself to the world – what are you known for? Where have you come from? Where are you heading?

The Second Way asks you a lot of questions about yourself and your path. The biggest of these being:

Are you the person you aspire to be?

Do you live the life you want to live?

Life is a journey of learning, and many people look outside of themselves for direction – appropriately so at times as the World Without is a reflection of the World Within. It allows us a place to measure our satisfaction of where we are at and inspires us to do more, or at times less, or to do things differently – in order to truly live authentically and peacefully.

When you know yourself well, without the blinkers and masks that shield you from having to step up and be seen, shadow parts of self – warts – and all, you  can truly walk consciously and confidently in the world.

Archetypes are symbolic universal roles or masks that contain energy vibrations and patterns that either expend or enhance energy. There are primary and secondary archetypes that we can look at, for example:

The Wounded Child is a primary archetype and The Lost Child, The Abandoned Child, The Rejected Child, The Betrayed Child, The Shamed Child, The Controlled Child and so on, can be seen as secondary archetypes.

A more positive example of a primary archetype in early childhood is The Child of Light who might present more individually as Nature’s Child, Blessed Child, Beloved Child, Golden Child, The Innocent Chid, Loved Child,Spirited Child, and so on.

Another example is the primary archetype of Survivor, and secondary archetypes such as Rebellious Teenager (aggressive type) or Servant or Slave (passive type). Survivor can also be seen in a more positive way when looked at as being related to the another primary archetype – The Warrior, with secondary acrchetypes such as The Peaceful Warrior, The Spiritual Warrior, The Quester or Visionary, The Obedient Soldier, The Tyrant, The Rebel Fighter, and so on.

You may also develop a primary archetype of The Adventurer who plays out as The Quester, Pioneer, Explorer and others.

The Leader as a primary archetype may present, and when explored more individually, show up as Emperor, Queen, King, Knight of the Round Table, Servant Leader, Conqueror, Dictator and so on.

Another primary archetype is the Co-creator, with secondary archetypes appearing as Manifester, Magician, Healer, Kahuna, Wise Sage, Shaman, High Priestess, High Priest, God, Goddess, Holy One, Guru….

This Way guides you to look at the many archetypal roles you have played out or been dominated by in the past that are still consciously or unconsciously influencing your way of being in the present, and to decide if there are new, healthier archetypes you can step into to support where you are at now, and where you are heading.

When you explore symbolism in this way, you see how archetypes can be used to map out the story of your life, for example:

Innocent Child -> Victim (Betrayed Child) -> Survivor (Rebellious teenager)-> Warrior (Spiritual Warrior)-> Leader (Advocate) -> Co-creator (Wounded Healer/Visionary/Shaman).

When you practice Mea Hui, it is important to realise you can do this in two ways, with from the perspective of the Wounded Heart, or from a wiser place – that of the True-Heart Self. While looking through the Wounded Heart eyes, we may identify archetypes that have drained us energetically (and may be still doing this). Instead – when we choose to search out the light archetypal energies through the True-Heart, and journey into soul consciousness, we can establish and reclaim archetypes that raise our vibration constantly. The True Heart turns to the Ancestors (the ones who walked the way we aspire to walk) to activate cellular memories within us to guide us and allows to drop the veils and to tell transitional stories that uplift and illuminate:

Child of Light -> Spirited Warrior -> Peaceful Warrior -> Peacemaker -> Wounded Healer-> Servant Leader -> Dreamer -> Dreamholder ->Difference Maker.

You might also like to introduce yourself to the world archetypally. I just love doing this with groups of people and am always surprised just how well people discover themselves (True-Heart Self) through this process. To help you understand – this is me:

“My name is Heather, I am Grateful Daughter of Earth and Sun,Granddaughter of Moon and Sky and the Ancestors in the Stars. I am Mountain Dwelling Earthwoman who runs barefoot with wolves and walks among bulls. The wind is my brother, and the Rivers Dee and Mehi run through my Scottish Highlander and Islander blood. I am daughter, sister, friend, lover, beloved, aunt, mother, mother-father, and grandmother, guide, teacher, mentor, and humble servant-leader of the communities I walk and live in. I am holder of the flame of the truth of the True-heart and it is my mission to inspire those who walk with me to take up their own flame of truth and to live, love and lead in a spirited way.”

How about you? Who are you? What mission are you on?

Let Mea Hui guide you into your truth today!

I wish you well on your journey of discovery of the True-Heart Self, and hope this reflection here has been helpful.

Please feel free to share this with others to create more portals through which to create and share light energy. 

In great gratitude, Heather. 

Walk authentically and shine the best of you - from your True-Heart Nature.

So often we slip into the Wounded Heart when we have lost our way. This way, fuelled by memories of trauma from the past, can only lead to darkness. When we learn to go more deeply into to the truth of who we are, we discover we have a wise. loving, true heart in the core of our being and knowing that is spirited, strong, passionate, and compassionate.

This heart is aware and understanding of the fragility of the Wounded Heart, and values the lessons learned. However, it is fuelled by living and being in the present moment, aware and responsible for all thoughts, words, intentions, attitudes, actions, and reactions. The True-Heart steps out to create light and love, and is prepared to dive deeply into the darkness to expend energy in order to expand consciousness and illuminate the way towards this end.

To stay strong today and shine in your True-heart Nature you will do well to be sure of your values, stay true to the spiritual principles that guide and inspire you, and set out to illuminate light where ever you walk. Walk in your power and attempt to empower and inspire those who walk beside your from a place of love and kindness. Caring for yourself, in body, heart, mind, and spirit will keep you strong and focused.

The Crow (Ahhhh) and Wise Owl (Hoooooo) will remind you of this way. Crow pulls you up with a loud shriek if you trespass the laws of nature and your own truth. Owl guides you with the wisdom of the great ancestors who walked strongly for the good of all, in union with Universal Truth and the Great Spirit who guides us all.

Live, love and lead with your True-Heart spirit today - this is the Ahu Ahu way.

Have a beautiful day

Heather, with love and gratitude