From the native americans perspective, all events and items that enter your life have a meaning behind them. For instance, if a dove crosses your path (flies overhead) then it’s possible to see that a symbol of peace in your life, or that you need to make peace with your current circumstances in order to move beyond them. Your specific circumstances will interpret the symbol to benefit or challenge you.

Some symbols with great meaning do not come from the physical world. People have visions and may not realize it’s a vision. They write it off as an oddity and forget about it. The dream world is another symbol filled place that is often too casually dismissed.

These various symbols are your life trying to get your attention. Some of this information, particularly from animal symbols, has come from generations of Native Americans. Shamans have used this symbol decoding for thousands of years to understand the messages that the universe provides. These are not dark, scary concepts. They are simply part of our world, provided for our use and comfort. A little guidance from a dove or lamb or even a ladybug can be extraordinarily helpful.

If you are encountering a symbol repeatedly that’s not part of your daily routine, you may want to find out what it is trying to communicate. There are Native American resources to get you started.

“Animal Speak” and “Animal-Wise” by Ted Andrews are excellent resources for understanding what animals and insects symbolize in our human lives.

Although these books help you to interpret the symbols around you, eventually you will intuitively begin to understand the universe is bringing you a message. You are awakening insight to things not seen by the naked eye.

It’s called CLUTTER!

So what do we do? (more…)

Wikipedia defines the law of attraction as follows:
“Thoughts have an energy that attracts like energy.[2] In order to control this energy, proponents state that people must practice four things: [8]

1. Know what you want.
2. Ask the universe for it.
3. Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way.
4. Be open to receiving it.

Thinking of what one does not have, they say, manifests itself in not having, while if one abides by these principles, and avoids “negative” thoughts, the Universe will manifest a person’s desires. ”

In my opinion, the most important, and most difficult step is #3 - that we will receive in our life that which we FEEL.  So, when you stare down a giant pile of bills every month, you get more financial worries!   The real trick is in being able to transmute those emotions into positive, well being emotions that generate prosperity and peace of mind!

In a nutshell, changing that knot in your stomach is a lot like using a doorknob.  If you open a door and walk through every time you feel the knob (knot), you will let the view on the other side of the door take over and you’ll let go of the knob (knot).  Now you’re getting somewhere.  Here’s the way I’ve found works best for me.  And, by the way, it is incredibly powerful with one or two other ‘like minded’ people.

1. Create a scenario in your mind of ideal circumstances, kind of like making up a script for a play.
2. Start talking about the situation as if it has already happened - or act out the script.  ”Wasn’t it incredible the day we got the ……”  Really get into it.  Make up conversations with your imagined perfect boss, over your new opportunity, or car, or the hang gliding you just did over the Alps!
3. If you have someone else bouncing back comments about the great thing that “just happened”, and maybe they shared it with you, then you can really build a powerful story, but even if you’re talking into the kitchen sink, you will begin to feel subtle changes in your emotions.  There will be instants of joy, of the thrill ride, of the satisfaction over your accomplishment.  Those are the emotions required to manifest number 4 - being open to receive.

Is it like a child’s make believe game?  Absolutely!  And guess what … make believe is a powerful game that children exercise daily.   Most major religions bring this up in one way or another. The bible text says something like “you must become like a little child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven”.   If you want your personal heaven, start pretending you’re in it.  Watch any little child and you can see they leave their current reality and become part of their play.

For some reason we lose the meaning and power of playing make believe by the time we are in the full swing of school.  It’s like society purposely dumbs down our imagination. We, as a society, need to get back to utilizing the make believe game.  It can change our personal lives as well as our nation and world.

Keep your focus on the scenario that you want to live in, not on the scenario you want to fix.  You could say:

“Wow, I’m so thankful now that I’ve paid off all of my debt and have mountains of money coming in!  It was so fast, too.”
That was OK but notice where the focus is.  There may be some knot left behind.

Or you could say:
“Wow, I’m so thankful for this perfect day.    It’s so great to be at ease with Charlie.  He’s the best business partner I could ever have.   He just called. He bought the tickets for my vacation to the Alps. What a great bonus!!  And to think everything is taken care of at home.  I’m living my dream.

The further you get into the scene, the more you’ll feel it.  The less you’ll think about the debt, the need for money, the knot.  I think you get the idea.  Give yourself a month of trying it out and you’ll begin to realize how powerful this tool can be.

The Tau Te Ching is only 81 verses long. A beautiful way to begin a meditation is to read a verse, contemplate it, and meditate.

Here is a portion of the 1st verse:

A way that can be walked is not The Way
A Name that can be named is not The Name

Tao is both Named and Nameless
As Nameless it is the origin of all things
As Named it is the mother of all things

Here is a portion of the 81st verse:

Words born of the mind are not true
True words are not born of the mind

Those who have virtue do not look for faults
Those who look for faults have no virtue

Those who come to know it do not rely on learning
Those who rely on learning do not come to know it

In the first century, followers of Jesus wrote many letters and documents about his life and teachings. The writings were copied, read and cherished until they were destroyed in a massive cleansing during Constantine’s reign 400 years after his death. Only four were deemed to be correct and placed in the cannonized literature of the church by the council of Nicea. The rest were burned.

In the mid 20th century, a jar of these ancient writings was unearthed from its hiding place deep in a cave. These dead sea scrolls cracked open the door to truth long ago locked away. Today, the floodgates are opening and the ancient teachings are being widely viewed for the first time. Chopra’s book thoughtfully presents the texts so profoundly important to the first century followers, and to todays Christian followers.

Chopra presents the clear, unmistakable message of Jesus, without the stained glass, without the twists and turns of theology, and without the dogma. He captures the message of the earliest documents available, taking the reader back beyond religious councils, decrees and creeds, to find the direct, personal statements made by Jesus. He incorporates passages from these texts with the four “authorized” books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Light shines through this work by Deepak Chopra. In an era of finger pointing and hard fundamental lines, this Eastern trained author brings the West a gem of inspiration with his book, The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore.

This book of spiritual transformation will capture you from the first chapter. Brook Medicine Eagle is one of the most respected Native American teachers of the modern era. She invites all those who love Mother Earth to claim their new roles as Earth Mages. She travels beyond the illusion of death to offer us this ceremonial awakening.

Following the traditional Native American teachers of prior centuries, the author picks up threads of ancient teachings and weaves them into a very modern day study that blends with many other indigenous cultures around the world.  As the book unfolds it becomes obvious that the many voices of planet earth have been vocalizing a very similar message for thousands of years.

Brooke teaches the wisdom of the heart, and the divine knowledge common to all theosophies. She references the Hindus, The Christians, the Koran, the Mayans and many other visionaries and prophets including those of the Iroquois and other Native Americans.

The Last Ghost Dance: A Guide for Earth Mages is a book to read slowly and more than once.

Author: Brooke Medicine Eagle

This is a spiritual classic, as well as a heartbreaking record of the lives of the Lakota nation.  No matter what your religious preference, you cannot help but have a profound respect for this Native American author and his message.  His message is powerful, and he is an inspiration to all mankind.  It should be listed in the required reading section for all students of American history.

Author: Nicholas Black Elk narrated to John G. Neihardt

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession is part science, part art, part love affair with the world of music and how it affects us. Mankind has always known music is fundamental to our existance. This wonderful book proves it.
Author Daniel Levitin explores music from the fundamentals to the  scientific with his rocker-turned-neuroscientist perspective.  His mind-blowing exploration opens the mind to the possibility that music is more fundamental than language in the evolution of the human mind.

This is a must read for musicians and composers, and a plus read for all of the rest of us.

Author: Daniel J. Levitin

Extreme misconceptions and fears by religous leaders have led to shamans being systematically killed or driven underground over the centuries. Most people today consider the practice some kind of evil religion, extreme in opposition to Christianity, Islam, Buddhism or other major religions. However the practice might be compared to the the town doctor instead of the priest, and the practicioners have existed in every culture and religion on earth.

Here’s a few points on how a shaman may compare to a religious leader:

The religious leader is concerned with a person’s personal life and relationships in this life and how they affect his ultimate spiritual life.
The shaman is concerned with finding spiritual causes of disease. He looks for help from the spirit world to heal the individual.

The religious leader is interested in the actions and activities of people in his church.
The shaman is interested in the activities of spirits and how they affect a person who is ill.

The religious leader is concerned with how a persons actions affect his eternal soul.
The shaman is concerned with the way the eternal soul through many lives is affecting a person in this life. He may visit the past lives of the soul to heal trauma that has carried forward into this life.

The religious leader is interested in salvation of the soul for eternal rest.
The shaman is most interested in finding soul parts that may be missing and returning them to their owner in this life.

The religious leader instructs followers on correct actions to get to heaven one and avoid hell.
The shaman is interested in many spirit realms and develops maps and tools to explore and navigate them.

The religious leader preaches to groups of followers.
The shaman treats individuals, though they may develop a following if they prove their expertise in healing.

Shamans have existed among indigenous people since earliest times. Evidence of their practice of journeying to other realms are seen on cave walls. They usually lived apart from the tribe or clan and were called upon when there was illness or suffering to deal with among their people.

The shaman would collect tools to assist him or her when the need arose. Modern day shamans collect similar tools. One primary tool is the drum. Shamans have been known to call their drum their horse, which they ride into the other worlds. The percussion of the drum is used to create a theta wave. This soundwave facilitates the brain pattern associated with lucid dreaming.

The shaman also develops relationships with animal spirits and beings in the spirit world. Since he is working with many spirits and does not see the limitations of time as it currently is recorded, he may work with Zeus, Abraham, the Bear spirit, the Eagle spirit, and Jesus all in a session to heal someone. These animal spirits, elemental spirits, beings and ascended masters come to assist of their own volition, but not on command. They accomodate the shaman when the request is made respectfully with offerings.

The healing at times involves removal of negative spirits and sending them away, usually into water. It is interesting to note that a passage of the bible records Jesus removing negative spirits from a woman and sending them into a herd of swine. He also worked with the elemental spirit of wind and water, calming the storm and walking on water.

The shaman also works with the spirit helpers to retrieve missing parts of a person’s soul. The comment “I feel like part of me is missing” or I just haven’t been the same since…” are common themes to the shamanic healer. The shaman searches for the sources of these missing ‘feelings’.

Traumas often lead to parts of the soul retreating to safety. The shaman invites the soul parts back, showing them it is safe to return once the trauma has passed. If the personality can split, as has been found in psychiatric research, the shaman sees it is possible to merge the split.

There are now many books on shamanism and many people practicing shamanism. A caution is in order. Just like there are quacks practicing medicine without proper training or knowledge, and there are religious leaders lacking the spiritual values and morals required to lead a flock, there are also people professing to be shamans that have little understanding or training in the practice. If you seek the assistance of a shaman, check references.

Two excellent books by trusted and reliable shamans are listed on our bookshelf, Journey to the Sacred Garden A Guide to Traveling in the Spiritual Realms by Hank Wesselman, and Soul Retrieval. by Sandra Ingerman.

If you are beginning the path toward health, peace and a higher vibration, there is no better place to start than with some of Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books. The Power of Intention is a beautiful introduction into your new great wonderful view of the world.  You may have seen this exceptional speaker on public television.

Dr. Dyer presents this book in context with his own life experience, and his vast knowledge of sacred and historical texts. He has become so popular over the past few years that he is literally changing the the inspirational landscape.  He has written many books over the years and continues to write and lecture around the world.

The light shines through Dr. Dyer’s writings and presentations. You can feel comfortable in listening to or reading his material, knowing he never confronts anyone’s position or faith as wrong.  He simply states the truth we all know.  We are called to peace, love and joy.

Author: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer