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Weekly Reading #8: Stay Focused

February 21, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Weekly Mandala Reading #8

It’s easy to be distracted by all things big and small while moving forward along our path. In continuing with last week’s discussion of finding joy on our path, this week’s mandala reminds us to stay focused on our path.

These days, lots of things try to grab our attention…from disasters, scandals, and reality TV shows to more personal things like the laundry, emails, and all the gadgets that help us ‘make our lives easier.’

We may choose many pathways in this lifetime which is part of the joy of being here, more importantly, striving for excellence (vs perfection) in all we do while honoring our authentic self is our True Path.

Fears, doubts, ego, peer pressure and other such human foibles can lead us astray, distracting us from this Path. And that’s okay as long as we become aware of this distraction and put ourselves back on track. It becomes easier with each course correction, that the distractions eventually change into mere breezes passing by as we continue on our merry way.

The Key to Staying Focused

Be diligent and vigilant about asking ourselves: am I on the Path or am I distracted away from it.

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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Weekly Reading #7: The Path

February 14, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Weekly Mandala #7: The Path

Ever been on a roller coaster? Up until I received hypnotherapy for my height issues, I stayed away from them. Now, I love them!

The coolest part for me is when I relax as we quickly approach the top of a soon-to-be big drop so that as I fly over the top and drop (while still relaxed) I receive the full effects of zero gravity, weightlessness. In that tiny moment, I’m floating on air. What joy!

Having that experience requires being present in that very moment without thinking about the next hill, drop, twist or barrel roll.

We’re being asked to look at our paths and to ask questions about them…Where am I right now? Where do I want to be? What can I do now to move forward? What has to wait it bit? Is what I am about to do helping or holding me back?  What am I neglecting/avoiding? Do I even want to be on this path? How can I make it fun?

The Key to Being On Our Path:
Find the joy in where we are while moving forward, on our way to where we want to be.

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Weekly Reading #6: On the Horizon

February 9, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

On the Horizon

In the movie “Contact” young Ellie asks her dad about life on other planets. He offers a wonderful answer: “I don’t know, Sparks. But I guess I’d say if it is just us…seems like an awful waste of space.” (iMDb)

When we look up at the night sky through the ‘goggles’ of this mandala, we see waves of energy radiating outward into the vastness of space. And if we observed earth from any one of these stars or planets, we would see earth radiating an energy life force as well.

At the center of this mandala, a tunnel emerges, allowing us to delve deeper on the path into our own world where we can explore the core of earth’s life force.

We can use this example on ourselves. All around us, everything consists of some form of energy…people, animals, plants, rocks, etc. Along with experiencing this energy outside of ourselves, we can experience it within ourselves. Take a moment to feel your vibrational energy field within your own body.

Energy/Life exists everywhere.

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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Weekly Reading #5: Supermind

January 31, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Supermind (click for larger view)

Vernon Howard defines Supermind as the mental faculty which is above and beyond conditioned human thought (“The Power of Your Supermind” pg 14).

Ever have a brilliant idea just pop into your head at the oddest moments? Mine usually occur while talking. My left brain becomes so preoccupied with talking that the right brain takes a quick trip to access this Supermind, channeling in a brilliant idea which then blurts out of my mouth often leaving me wondering “wow…where did that come from?”

This mandala represents this Supermind where Thoughts await their journey from Thought into form. I liken it to this giant spotlight roaming the Earth in this Supermind dimension searching for anyone who may be open to it.

Howard states, “Supermind exists within everyone but [we are] asleep to it. Our entire task…is to awaken to the unfoldments of Supermind.”

We can wait for it to come to us in snippets of Divine Inspiration or in our dreams or in serendipitous events.  Or we can consciously tap into it directly when we quiet our busy little minds through meditation or creative activities (coloring mandalas works great for this).

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Weekly Reading #4: To Source

January 24, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Weekly Reading #4: The Source

All roads lead to Source, to God, to God Energy, to 100% pure white Light, to Heaven, or whatever term you feel comfortable using. Even if we choose to pooh-pooh this notion, eventually, we ALL come home to the Light, the Source.  Just because we don’t believe it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

Many wonder what path to follow, what belief system to adopt; others opt out completely believing that what we see here on earth is all there is. Regardless of the path we choose, this mandala reminds us that we all go to the same place.

Some paths are easier, some are longer, some are exciting and some are boring.   The question is, do you want to go the path of pain and misery or joy and peace?

So when choosing your path, go with your heart…go with the one that feels true to you and encourages you to be a better person, inspires you to make this world a better place, brings joy, love and peace to you and all those around you…choose that path.

And regardless of the path chosen…know that we can always choose again.

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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Weekly Reading #3: God Energy

January 17, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Weekly Mandala #3: God Energy

My head buzzed the whole time I drew out this mandala and still does as I write this post. I feel like my head is expanding. Very intense…in a good way.

I realize that the term “God” can be challenging for some. It took me many  years of therapy to get over the strict religious upbringing that ‘taught’ me that God is this old white guy sitting on a throne in the sky judging every move I/we make and that if I/we don’t behave, I/we will most likely end up in hell.

My understanding of God evolved into this idea of a universal life force, an infinite, loving, and powerful energy. A friend calls It 100% pure white light. Whatever you call It, It exists in all of us, in all things.

So when I look at this mandala I feel this intense God Force, God Energy, continuously radiating out in all directions. The rotating cubic square depicts the Eternal All-Knowing aspect of this Energy, which we all can access at any time.

In beautiful synchronicity, I present to you today’s daily inspiration of Vernon Howard from the New Life Foundation:

“Q: You once said there is nothing I need do about my problems, 
and also that I can do everything about them. Please explain.

A: The conditioned self made up of contradictory desires and
false viewpoints can do nothing but fall even deeper into the pit.
But the new you, the Supermind-self, your cosmic consciousness, 
knows the answer to everything. This new you can reach the point 
where it needs no answers because it has no questions.”
The Power of your Supermind, Chap. 9, p. 115

Assignment

Whatever issues, questions or problems you may be experience at this time…

  1. pick one and look at it in your usual way; think about it, write about it, blog it, ignore it, draw it, whatever comes to mind for you to approach it. What answer or solution do you find? Often times just taking your issue out of your mind eases some of the pressure and from there maybe a plan of action comes out of it.
  2. Now pick that same issue and connect with this Eternal All-Knowing Energy. Please note that even though this mandala shows this Energy as if it is outside of us, it really represents what is inside of all of us. However you can do it, go within to this All-Knowing Energy, this Cosmic Consciousness…some ways you can do this are meditating on this mandala, doing yoga, being in nature, or sitting in your sacred space…whatever works best for you. Bring your issue into this space and ALLOW the solution, the answer to present itself  to you. What answer or solution comes to mind?

If the second half of this assignment feels beyond the envelop for you, belief or trust-wise, start with a simple issue or question and work your way up. In the big scheme of things all issues/questions/problems have the same weight and effect. So while it may look  like you are tackling bigger and bigger issues, they all are, in fact, just another aspect of fear.

As our confidence in this All-Knowing Energy grows, we will reach the point, as Vernon Howard states, where we need no answers because we have no questions.

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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Weekly Reading #2: Earth Energy

January 10, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Earth Energy

This week we explore the energy of Earth and Earth’s place in planetary space. When I look at this mandala I sense a continual two-way communication between Earth and planetary space.

The auric image of a volcano top in this mandala shows, metaphorically speaking, how the communication goes directly into the core of Earth’s being and that it offers a direct channel between Earth and all that is beyond Earth.

We can choose to attune with Earth’s energy as well as experience this vast energetic and galactic communication.

Assignment

  • Throughout the week, take a few moments here and there to feel the Earth. Be aware that we exist on a planet that rotates and orbits out in space.  See if you can feel the Earth move. Ideally, if you can, go outside and be on a piece of Earth to really get in touch with the energy of Earth.
  • As you go about our day notice if any space in your home, property, work, street, park, etc feels better than other spaces. In our local park, I have one place that I love to visit…it feels energized and mystical to me. What is it that makes one space feel better to you than another?
  • Recall a place you visited in the past where you noticed how good it felt to be there. Meditate on that place to experience that feeling again. You can always re-connect with that feeling…anytime without having to physically be there. For me a couple of places stand out…the grand canyon, a beach near Stuart, Florida, the top of a hiking trail outside of L.A. and 3 spots at Crater Lake in Oregon.
  • Continue with last week’s assignment of connecting with our night sky only this time do it while experiencing the energy of Earth. Imagine being in on the conversation between Earth and planetary space. What are they saying to each other? What are they saying to us?

Have a delightful week!

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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Weekly Reading #1: Welcome

January 3, 2012 by The Mandala Lady

Welcome

Starting today and every Tuesday, I plan to create and post a weekly mandala reading with the intention of offering insights for that week (Tuesday-Monday).

When I posted the Winter Solstice mandala reading on December 22, I felt compelled to invert the colors to expose an image of what looked like a parallel universe. Seeing that inverted image inspired me to create the weekly mandala readings on black paper.

By doing so it’s as if we’re being allowed to see images, energies and vibrations that would normally go unnoticed. Had I used these same colors on white paper, most of it would be barely visible.

It reminds of how during the day we see one sky and at night we see another…we see way beyond our world. Just because during the day we don’t see (with the naked eye) the stars, planets and galaxies, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. The light from the sun just shields it from us until it goes around the other side of our planet.

This mandala welcomes us to this weekly series as well as welcomes us to be open to the possibilities of what exists beyond our normal day-to-day world.

I sense that these energies, these vibrations exist to remind us of the joy, compassion and guidance that are there for us to tap into and experience.

Assignment

  • Take note of the difference between the day sky and the night sky as a reminder to be open to the possibility of seeing beyond what you think you can see.
  • Take the opportunity to be with the night sky at least once this week, to experience how we are standing on a planet that ‘floats’ in space, that we are among a vast array of planets, stars and galaxies.

    For those of us in the northern hemisphere, tonight would be an excellent night to do so since the earth passes through a stream of debris known as the Quadrantid Meteor shower, with up to 100 meteors an hour! It’s expected to peak around 07:20 UT (02:20 am EST) on Wednesday morning, January 4th…11:20 pm PST on Tuesday night, January 3rd.  For more info…

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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Winter Solstice 2011

December 22, 2011 by The Mandala Lady

Winter Solstice 2011 Mandala

This mandala looks like a cosmic flashlight exposing an opening into an inverted version of our universe…a parallel universe. And just for the fun of it, I used the “invert” effect in photoshop on the mandala and below is the result. Interesting.

Winter Solstice 2011 Mandala - Inverted in Photoshop

The mandala also looks like a magnification of one of the items flying by in the stream of red, green and gold flowing horizontally across the paper.

At the Newgrange mound in Ireland, built over 5,000 years ago, the only time the sunlight comes in to light the passageway and chamber inside is at sunrise on the winter solstice. Those who built the mound paid attention to and paid homage to this time of year. The sunset is aligned at Dowth.

So what does it all mean?  What’s the message here?

Winter solstices mark the beginning of a new cycle…it’s Earth’s new years day in the northern hemisphere. New light is shed onto the next 12 months, with new energy to help us move along in our earthly and spiritual evolution.

Why wait until the new year to start anew with whatever goals and aspirations we have for ourselves in 2012? If we start now, we’ll already have a running start by the time we sweep all the party favors up off the floor on January 1.

Along with this winter solstice we will also experience a new moon in three days on December 24…an added energy boost for starting anything new.

Rather than setting specific goals such as lose 40lbs or organize the garage, how about we strive for more deep-rooted life-style commitments such as loving and respecting ourselves in every way, living authentically, or being true to ourselves.

When we truly love and honor ourselves, we will naturally eat more appropriately and take better care of our bodies…which will produce the desired results of dropping 40lbs.

We when love and honor our surroundings, we will naturally do whatever we can to make our environment more pleasing…which will produce the desired results of having a clear and organized garage.

And we have the added bonus that when we love and respect ourselves, we will automatically love and respect others.

We just have to remember that when we do something counter to our commitments, that we quickly recognize it, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back on track.

I hear this countless times and it’s just as true here…slips are not the problem, it’s what we do after we slip. Do we want to wallow in self-pity and self deprecation or do we want to move forward with the intent of doing better next time? It’s your choice.

Just like they tell us when meditating…as soon as we catch ourselves thinking about anything, we are to stop right there, without any judgment or further thoughts, and return to the breath…always come back to the breath.

Life is a celebration and while a lot of us in the northern hemisphere are experiencing cold and wintery weather, with nature in hibernation all around us, beneath the surface there is a promise of new growth and more light just around the corner.

Let’s release that which fails to serve us any longer and embrace a new commitment to shine our light even brighter than before…be the loving beings that we are meant to be.

Happy Winter Solstice!

joyfully, Maureen
The Mandala Lady

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Mercury Retrograde & Solar Eclipse

November 24, 2011 by The Mandala Lady

Yesterday, the planet Mercury started retrograding (going backwards)…at least from earth’s perspective. In just under 3 hours, “the Moon will pass in front of the sun, slightly off-center, producing a partial solar eclipse visible from Antarctica, Tasmania, and parts of South Africa and New Zealand.”  (from www.SpaceWeather.com)

Before Mercury goes direct again on December 13, we will experience a lunar eclipse on December 10. With mercury retrograde acting as bookends to these two eclipses, I felt inspired to do a mandala reading for the opening of this event.

MR/SE Mandala Reading

In astrology, Mercury Retrogrades offer an excellent opportunity to re-group, re-organize, re-invent, re-think, re-do, re-model…you get the idea. On the downside, M.R. also tends to affect communications, travel, electronics…causing delays, missed appointments, and the like. If you can, hold off signing contracts and buying anything electronic unless it’s a re-placement for something that recently broke. Read more about M.R.s…

[ modified this paragraph 11/29/2011]]
This particular M.R. is in the sign of Sagittarius. Per the Alpha Life Trends site…

With the November/December 2011 Mercury Retrograde, the major issue of goals, plans and directions are up for revision. We are on the threshold of major change and transition regarding our direction, location and purpose. The road that we have been on for this year of 2011 now requires that we make choices and decisions. The road had ended and we must choose to go right or left, we can no longer continue the way we have. This Mercury retrograde is setting the stage for the shift out of 2011 and movement into 2012, a universal FIVE year (in numerology terms) which represents CHANGE, BREAKTHROUGH AND FREEDOM.

New moons are a great time to start new projects; it starts the monthly lunar cycle. Add a Solar Eclipse to this and you get an extra dose of energy to support new beginnings. To quote my astrology friend, Steffan Vanel… this solar eclipse is “the beginning of a cycle during which you can re-boot, allow to die and be reborn, what you thought was true.”   Read more about this Solar Eclipse…

[added this paragraph 11/28/2011]
And from my dear friend and Astrologer, Angelica, she states the following:

These eclipses are about opening to wisdom, discovering a new insight. Open your eyes and take a fresh look at your world, your daily routine. Look for miracles, look for unseen clues. What you are looking for is not on the surface. Look deeper, look with your toes, with your spleen, with your heart, not just with your eyes. Expand your awareness. That is the invitation being made to us. So it’s perfect for Mercury to go retrograde to slow us down and enable us to see things a differently. Try on an attitude of gratitude. During the eclipses, make lists of all the good things that have happened in your life this year. A key phrase of this eclipse is “joy through commitment.” What can you joyfully commit to? There may be opportunities to make new commitments. Look for them.

So how does this mandala relate to all of this? We are being given this wonderful window of opportunity to make use of this super supportive energy to re-evaluate our lives, both personally and on the collective.

The eclipse is blasting us with energy (volcano-like structure) and the retrograde (little gold orbs) is giving us gems of insights as we explore deeply within ourselves, awakening to the truth about ourselves, and transforming/re-defining ourselves both individually and collectively. We’re seeing some of this play out with the “occupy” movement and in the Middle East.

For me personally, I plan to use this 3-week period to more clearly define what I’m doing with my life, my business, and my art. Am I being true to who I really am? Or more deeply, who am I really and what I do value; letting go of all that has stopped serving me in any way. Am I making the most of what I have to offer this world?  What fears and limitations are stopping me from moving forward? Who do I want to be? All deep, deep subjects/questions, I know, and yet it’s the perfect time to look at it ALL.

I think of my life right now as a yet-to-be-fired clay sculpture that I’ve squished back down to a pile of wet clay waiting to be re-shaped it into how I really want it to look, how I really want to be.

So yes, we can focus on the negative side of M.R. or we can use this time, with it’s extra boost of energy, to re-group and fine tune our lives, our goals, and our values. The universe is fully supporting all of us on this quest.

Although to be on the safe side, do double/triple check appointments & travel plans. :-)

joyfully,

Maureen, The Mandala Lady

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