The power of no words: talk fasting

Energetically, summer solstice is the perfect energy for bringing what we want from the ether into the material world. But before we create, we must learn to listen with an open heart in order to make room for Spirit to take up residence in the soul and mind.

Dialog between Divine and humans is incessant. If you're not hearing what Spirit is saying to you, it may be time for a talk fast. That's right --- stop talking to tune in to the hum of the Universe. Every waking moment we are either processing the noise around us or creating responsive and reactionary noises of our own. We are sometimes better able to participate in the cosmic conversation with Source while sleeping. Messages leak through in dreams and impressions. Unfortunately, the messages may be lost again when we awaken from the dream and resume conscious living. But when we combine consciousness with silence, we are inviting divinity to speak to us directly and purposefully.

Abstinence from talking is an opportunity for us to transform our lives into vehicles for purposeful change. Listen to what others are really saying to you. Listen to the sounds of nature and life that surround you everyday. Listen to the true beauty and messages in moving and touching music. Listen to God.

There are many wonderful reasons to go on a talk fast:
 

• reconnect with your inner voice
• emotional purging of jealousy, fear, anger, grief and other negative feelings
• enhance peace and serenity
• receive answers to questions about your life
• observe yourself and others doing what you naturally do
• get spiritually grounded and centered
• create a lasting habit of pausing and thinking before speaking
• discover the good in EVERYTHING you are experiencing in your life

Set aside time to plug into this powerful source of insight into the unseen in your world. 

Choose 1 to 4 hours everyday for a week to refrain from speaking. Maintaining a schedule of silence will be like setting an appointment for a conversation with your higher self or God. After a day or two your connection to higher consciousness will occur more quickly and last longer.

The benefits of a talk fast are amplified by healthy eating. Plan to avoid toxins like caffeine, processed foods, sugar, dairy and meats while on your talk fast. The less your mind and body have to focus on digestion, the more energy it has to focus inward and receive clear messages from your higher self.

"Trees are the earth's endless efforts to speak to the listening heaven." ~ Rabindranath Tagore. Spend time around trees and in nature. In religious writings, trees are often viewed as symbols and manifestations of divine knowledge. They possess a grounding energy and ancient wisdom. Trees nurture and nourish mankind in many ways. The beautiful connection between humans and trees is exemplified in Shel Silverstein's timeless children's classic, The Giving Tree.

Drink plenty of calming tea. Chamomile, valerian and lavender teas are excellent for calming the nerves and helping to quiet the spirit. You will find it much easier to quiet the chatter in your mind and bring you into the present.

Journal to bring consciousness to changes in your life as you practice and honor sacred silence. Be conscious of how you choose your words when you do speak to others. Observe how others react to you and how you handle disappointment, pain and negativity throughout your week of talk fasting.

Happy healing.

Tools for insightful living

Los Angeles is bursting at the seams with alternative lifestyles and endless opportunities to study and sample many different modes of living, thinking and being.  Some LAUSD elementary schools have added "Spirituality for Kids," an enrichment social emotional learning program teaching children to make wise choices by listening to their inner being.  Psychics, astrologers, yoga masters and spiritual advisors provide guidance to anyone who wants to know when, why, how, what or where things are happening in their lives. We are the reported home of the largest Catholic diocese in the United States. You can worship among 22,000 members of the Crenshaw Christian Center, or study ancient African Spirituality with truth seekers at KRST Unity Center on 78th Place and Western in south L.A. Whatever your preference for insightful living, you can find it in L.A. 

Humans are undoubtedly poised for a shift in consciousness.  The dense, material world in which we live is faltering and reactions vary from prophecies of everything from apocalyptic damnation to Divine expansion. There is one thing on which we all agree --- we are here right now.  As of this moment we are living, breathing, doing beings.  For as long as there are humans on Earth there will be millions of people looking for ways to live better and more fulfilling lives.

Below is a brief list of tools you may use in the pursuit of living more insightfully and on purpose.

• Astrology:  The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies and their influence on human affairs.  
• Feng Shui:  According to Jayme Barrett, feng shui consultant and author of the Los Angeles Times bestselling book Feng Shui Your Life, feng shui is an ancient art of placement that helps you to arrange your home, office, indoor and outdoor environments so that your life is harmonious and your dreams are realized to their fullest. Many people report that feng shui has helped them see themselves and their lives more clearly. 
• Akashic Field Therapy (TM):  AFT founder, CJ Martes unites penetrating scientific insight and ancient knowledge to help individuals resolve traumas and realize their full mental, spiritual and physical potential.  Ervin Laszlo, Ph.D. and author of Science and the Akashic Field, says “Akashic Field Therapy (TM) is an integral method of healing that allows an individual to reveal important information that is creating subconscious barriers or blocks to happiness & well-being." 
• Crystals:  There are many ancient references to the use of crystals in healing the body and mind. The earliest mention is in the Papyrus Ebers dated around 1600 B.C., which lists different crystals and their healing properties.  Today, crystals are used for physical and emotional healing, and spiritual balancing.
• Reiki:  An ancient Japanese healijng modality that uses Divinely guided or intuitive life force energy to promote natural healing and realignment of mind, body and spirit..
• Meditation:  Meditation is the a method of calming and quieting the mind.  In a state of meditation we can  tap into our intuition and receive clear messages from our higher selves, God or divinity.
• Pendulums:  Pendulums date back as far as 6000 BC.  They are used for healing, dowsing and gaining insight into future events.
• Tarot cards: Tarot readings pull back the curtains of our lives so we can see what's really going on. They empower us to make choices that support personal growth, spiritual development and the manifestation of what is best for everyone involved. They present options and answer questions that help us navigate life in the flow, rather than fighting blindly against it.

If you're feeling stuck, surrounded by negativity, uncertain or unclear about the direction of your life, perhaps a bit of insight is all you need to clear the cobwebs. Do some research to determine which method is best for your personal belief system and needs, and go for. You'll be happy you did.