Knowledge and Self Cultivation = Reflection

Knowledge and Self Cultivation is the area that you would want to enhance if you are about to embark on learning or doing something new.  An area which would support any self-growth or self enrichment focus.  It is also the ideal area for cultivating peace.

If you have ever taken a yoga class perhaps you have come across the pose "Tadasana" or Mountain Pose.

Credit:  Living Yoga blog

I would describe the basics of the practise of Tadasana as the action of reaching through your feet into the earth, stabilizing the body; while simultaneously extending your head to the clouds, embodying the essence of a literal mountain.  

Mountains are majestic, they are wise and mysterious.  

If one were to travel up a mountain you would certainly enjoy the vantage point of looking at where you came from and be in a good position to see where you are going.

Knowledge and Self Cultivation is about Self.  What we have learnt in our lives, what we wish to learn and what we have learnt inherently about ourselves through all of our experiences.  

I feel the best representation of this area is Reflection.  I believe that we benefit from seeing where we have been in order to give us perspective on where we are going.  The good times, bad times, easy and hard times.  The whole package.

Reflecting on our lives is not about judging what we didn't do, didn't achieve, or how crap this or that situation was.  Reflection gives us the opportunity to view all those instances and observe what we were taught.  They are the ingredients of who you are in the present.

Each and every experience in your life has had value in creating who you are today.

Reflection is an opportunity to look for the value in those experiences with perspective.  

• Looking back versus going back.

Reflection can be celebratory.

• The "I" did, "I" tried, "I" learned, "I" survived, "I" overcame. Give yourself credit. 

Seeing your past as the base and building of your mountain and going upward and onward to the clouds.

The saying that "hindsight is 20/20" expresses that it is easy to see the value or the lesson of an event after the fact.  What this can also do is provide you an opportunity to see what you are holding onto from your past that may no longer serve you in the present or will serve you in the future.

The potential lies in the viewing the lingering feelings from an observer's standpoint, rather than judgement.  

Ask yourself what it would feel like if you no longer held heavy feelings about someone or something in your past?

How would it feel to move forward into your future without some of the excess emotional weight of the past?  

How would that affect your the stability of your Center or your Core?

I invite you to ponder and feel this, if you so choose let one thing or something go.

You may also like:  The Feng Shui Bagua Map

The Feng Shui Bagua Map

The Feng Shui Bagua is an essential tool in associating areas of your physical space with the 9 areas or guas on the map.

Depending on the style of Feng Shui which you are interested in; the process of Bagua application may be different, however the areas on the map would not be dissimilar to the image above.  Therefore you may find that you enter your home through the Knowledge and Self Cultivation gua or that your bedroom is located in the Wealth and prosperity area.

This map could be laid over your entire property; it would be applied to your home overall, as well it can be mapped specifically on one or every room individually.  

The Bagua encompasses all the areas of our lives:

• Knowledge and Self Cultivation
• Health and Family
• Wealth and Prosperity
• Fame and Reputation
• Love and Relationships
• Children and Creativity
• Helpful People and Travel
• Career

These eight compartments, surround the Center, the common denominator or the glue that holds it all together.  The interconnectedness of the outside squares is possible because of the Center square, it is my opinion that the Center is YOU.

I personally use the Bagua Map as not only a tool which relates to our physical space, but as a tool which I value when looking at what is going on in my life, my thoughts, my feelings, my experience overall.  As well I can apply it to the things which I wish to bring into  my life, things I'm working on or towards manifesting.

The Five Elements series of posts I did (Metal, Earth, Water, Wood, Fire) beginning with the pop quiz, may have given you another perspective in which to look at creating balance, and potentially how your living rooms may or may not mirror that.  

This series of posts is my interpretation of Bagua map as it applies in Feng Shui; followed by how it can be an instrument aiding us in observing the balances and imbalances, to create connectedness and perspectives in our lives.  How our "go forward from the center: our thoughts, attitudes and feelings" have a direct impact on moving forward. 

Just like for your home, a Feng Shui consultant may invite you to move furniture, add elements, or subtract clutter in order to get the energy moving in your space; de-cluttering our minds is equally as important.  

My intention is to share with you my approach in Creating Space in life with my Creating Space Bagua.

With Grateful Ch'i...

Reflection: On the Roads Already Travelled

Credit:  Beth Bacaglia's Simply Inspired

I shared this beautiful photo on my Facebook page and commented "I believe that its possible that we may only see the route as scenic, after we have travelled it".  

Have you ever white knuckled your way through a road trip?  I know I have.  

My first driving experience on the, I'll say the other side of the road, was travelling from Edinburgh to St. Andrew's golf course.  

Had to do a selfie before climbing behind the wheel!

The directions I gave my passengers were:

• NO Talking
• NO Squabbling
• NO Breathing too loud
• Definitely NO music
• Pretty much do NOTHING to distract me from the task at hand.

I needed the car to be the most tranquil environment so I could focus specifically on:  

1. Staying in the proper lane,
2. Driving the proper speed limit (meaning not too slow in this instance),
3. Negotiate the skinny roads,
4. Listen to the Sat Nav,
5. Most importantly listen to the constant mental chatter of "You can do this"!

I can tell you that the scenery was unique, from the little glances I stole and eventually I was able to converse and at one point laugh.  

Was I able to appreciate the scenic route I was on, literally.  I'd say no.

Once I finally got the car parked and was no longer behind the wheel could I appreciate it? I'd say...umm yes, and perhaps after my wine with dinner the yes had more oomph.

The literal task of driving was not the issue, it was seeing the road from a different vantage point and NOT thinking it was wrong, it was simply different.  

Credit:  Gratitude n all

Driving on the left vs the right side of the road is exactly the same, however when all of your driving has been from the left side of the vehicle on the right side of the road, making that switch is mind bending.  And for anyone who has made the switch, even temporarily you may concur that you can almost feel the new tracks in your brain being paved.

Having now driven for the past year in Australia, I can appreciate the process even more.  I celebrated when I could comfortably drive with the radio on, began to multi task by yelling at the kids or be able to take a drink of coffee in transit.

Does it feel normal? Kinda, well it feels "less new".

The journey over the past year, driving included, has been scenic in more ways than one. Whether I was able to appreciate that fact in the moment or only when looking back. 

I believe there is always something interesting to appreciate, see and learn through observation and reflection.

What Book is it or was it for you?

I just read a blog this morning that broached the subject of "Which of the current hot books out there, that are meant to inspire self cultivation and knowledge, should a person work with?" Books by Ekhart Tolle, Jerry & Esther Hicks, Byron Katie and The Secret were the ones referred to and how there are differences in their approaches to the manifestation of your best life yet they may be confusing as they are similar but very unique.

So which of those and the many other authors out there inviting you to embrace and live your dreams do you follow? Is it a mish mash of many techniques or is there one that makes you say, “This is it, I get it, I can do this!”

By far the book with the most awareness is A New Earth by Ekhart Tolle with the diligence of Oprah. I have to say that the book was okay but for me at times boring, wanting him to get to the point and it has been sitting on my shelf with maybe 30 pages left and I can’t bring myself to finish. I didn’t do the online class, couldn’t get connected, I watched the shows where people had these light bulb moments on page such and such, so I would grab the book re-read the section and shrug my shoulders and think, I’ve got nothin’! I disagree with what Oprah said repeatedly that this book will be the one to transform your life…”if you are ready to receive it”.

Hmmm so it took me some time to work through that comment since I wasn’t having these light bulb moments so am I not ready to “receive it”? Admittedly I took that as a challenge to forge through and came upon a page that I interpreted that what I was already doing meant I was living the New Earth. Did I need to press through the book in order to know that, probably not but I did and well if I never read those 30 pages I’m good with that.

Esther & Jerry Hicks were highly acclaimed for their book, Ask and it is Given, Esther was also featured in the original release of The Secret. I opted to buy the book “The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent”, and could not get into it. Again for me it was written in such a style that never seemed to get to the point, repetition is a means of retaining information and yet I was struck with being annoyed that they it was like walking on a treadmill, not actually getting anywhere.

Byron Katie has a fascinating book, “Loving What Is”. I’ve skimmed it and have used her tools with success. She has an amazing story of triumph and how this information came to be and has undoubtedly moved many people forward with her approach.

As for The Secret, I think this is the most brilliant way to make people aware of their own power and that which is bigger than them. The marketing, the packaging, the style and the delivery is stellar. I love to tell people about the movie and have shared my copy with many. Is it the be all and end all? No I wouldn’t say that. However it may very well be the beginning of something for many that may encourage them to delve deeper or it may be their “thing”. For me it wasn’t new information but the means in which it was communicated and their interpretation of the info that prompted a renewed energy in the process for me.

When you get a recommendation from someone about a product or service or whatever, there is a 50/50 chance that it’s not going to be the same for you as it was them. At the end of the day what works for me, may very well not work for you, or may work for you far better than it ever worked for me. I am always willing to share what I know or my resources, however, I have included in my recommendation with all things, “Take what you want and leave the rest.”

The question was posed at the end of that blog this morning was, “What book would you want with you on a deserted island?” Based on Knowledge & Self Cultivation my choice would be: “You Can Heal Your Life.” By Louise L. Hay.

Enjoy Your Day!

Time Travelling

If you are feeling stuck, if you are feeling blah and if you are looking for a way to energize your mind and spirit I highly recommend one of my most favorite books, The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron. It is a “text” book per se, whereas at the end of each chapter you’ll find exercises to complete and in doing so you may begin to discover and or re-discover the things that bring you joy. I’ve gone through the book both on my own and in a group and it is, in my opinion, a wonderful way to deepen your Knowledge and Self Cultivation and Feng Shui your entire spirit.

On the weekend, while assisting my family with funeral preparations, the discussion turned to the eulogy and the suggestion was made how, “wouldn’t it be a good idea to write our own”. That way it eliminates the stress of someone else having to do it and you would be assured that people heard what you wanted them to know about you.

I immediately thought of one of the exercises in the book called Time Travel. You are invited to write a description of yourself at the age of 80; detail what you did after 50 that you enjoyed. Then write a letter from your 80 year old self to you at your current age. What would you tell yourself? What interests would you urge yourself to pursue? What dreams would you encourage? And I’m going to add, what are you grateful to yourself for?

Just think you have the opportunity to tap into your 80 year old wisdom, whilst you lay the groundwork for the future. You have no limits with this letter, it can describe in detail your health at 80 and how grateful you are at that you took up (fill in the blank) as a form of exercise, or decided to become vegetarian, and that you credit that to having the energy of a 18 year old!

You can describe how the book you wrote, or the art you created or the widget you invented really fueled your spirit then and continues to do so.

Perhaps you may wish to write how your good friend Oprah keeps telling everyone that story about when you were on the show and the ratings went through the roof!

What would you tell yourself? What would/can/will you do in the present to make that 80 year old smile?

Sing your own Praises NOW and have fun doing so!

With Grateful Ch’i

Challenging ourselves with Change

I personally believe that the Knowledge & Self Cultivation Gua in Feng Shui is one of the most important areas on the bagua map to be mindful of when using Feng Shui. All of the guas are important and are inter-related however the significance of that gua is a place I myself start and encourage my clients to as well.

This gua is described as the “Still Mountain”, it is home of the Earth Element and is an area which encourages one to be still and grounded with self, and to meditate. When we take the opportunity to reflect on who we are, when we can be still and quiet we can invite clarity about what and where we are at with ourselves.

When mapping the bagua on my home overall, the majority of this area is outside in the landscape and encompasses my eldest daughter’s bedroom. This can present a challenge as I can not do much to this physical area in the winter and my daughter’s space is her own. Therefore I must ensure that this gua is boosted in other areas of my home to balance out the energy.

I feel that January is a month in which we can truly begin to check in with ourselves and reground, even when the ground is literally frozen. Despite January 1st being a landmark for creating resolutions or making intentions for the new year, based on collective consciousness, the month can be a time to reflect on the past, take stock, get clear, and my fave let go of the things that do not serve you (physically, mentally & emotionally).

My daughters suggested yesterday that they wanted to switch bedrooms, my Mom instinct was to say NO because I was already engrossed in de-clutter mode and I didn’t physically want to end up doing “their” project. Then the irony occurred to me, “Who am I to say No to changing rooms?” My kids are subjected to my doing this all the time and suddenly I don’t think this is a good idea, how funny is that! What a brilliant way for them to get a new fresh perspective by changing spaces, and what a great way to freshen up the chi in our overall Knowledge & Self Cultivation Gua. I laid the ground rules (I was Not moving furniture) and they very energetically tackled the project by themselves.

It wasn’t until late afternoon, when the chatter filtering down to me switched to outrage. I was quick to learn that my 9 year old (who instigated this move), suddenly realized she was losing square footage and wanted her room back NOW! My nearly 7 year old was not going to comply because hey this was a good deal for her and she succinctly said, “I gave you what you asked for and now you don’t want it!”

The grass is always greener right…So what do I do?

The move was 95% complete and if I decide to have them switch back that would stop one from hyperventilating but would surely put the other in a tailspin, and let’s face it I’d be doing the actual work because their cooperative spirit has been doused.

I decide to go with the life lesson door, and I clarify with the both of them about how this idea came to pass, I remind them of the excitement they took on the task with, I congratulate them for all the work they did by themselves without me, and how now that the work is done we will not be switching everything back to the way it was.

My 9 year old is absolutely devastated, and was frantically coming up with ways to describe how this is effecting her and she will most likely die because she has to be in that room and all she wants is her room back and she would be happy. I calmly let her know that when a person makes a big decision that there are times when the outcome isn’t as you expected but you have to find a way to make peace with it. I encouraged her to think about why she had come up with the idea in the first place and how she could creatively think of ways to make it work for her. It took time, she wanted to blame her sister, in the end she said that maybe this would actually be a good thing. And I couldn’t agree more!

When any change occurs in our lives the lesson we learn from the experience may not be clear or what we expected at first glance. How we learn to adapt to the newness and make peace with it will undoubtedly be a bigger lesson we learn about ourselves in the end.

In the words of Louise L. Hay, from You Can Heal Your Life:
In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect,
whole and complete, and yet life is ever changing.
There is no beginning and no end,
only a constant cycling and recycling of substance and experiences.
life is never stuck or static or stale,
for each moment is ever new and fresh.
I am one with the very Power that created me and this Power
has given me the power to create my own circumstances.
I rejoice in the knowledge that I have the power of my own mind to use in any way I choose.
Every moment of life is a new beginning point as we move from the old. This moment is a new point of beginning for me right here and right now.

All is well in my world.

With Grateful Ch’i
Sherry