Ask Andrea: Ayurveda

What is Ayurveda and is that Energy Healing?  

Ayurveda is the ancient (6,000 years old) comprehensive and amazing health and healing system of East India. It is based on natural cycles and the belief that we are unsurpassed, self healing instruments.  Ayurveda is a holistic approach meaning that the whole self is considered in terms of diagnosis of discomfort, disease or disorders and that no part is considered with our consideration of how it relates and interacts with the whole. The premise is that all is one and all is interrelated. The goal is to determine what is out of balance and bring it into balance to achieve harmony, optimum health and well being.

Ayurveda is largely preventative medicine in that it seeks to maintain balance at the most sensitive levels. Patients of Ayurvedic doctors pay the doctor to keep them well by treating the most minor ailments and bring balance. This is done on many levels and in many ways, such as through extensive assessment, recommended diet and habits that are individually designed for your unique mind/body constitution. Treatment can also include herbal remedies, Vedic astrological and numerological readings, gem stone healing, fasting and cleansing, massage and many more possibilities. Ayurveda is energy healing by its very basis of natural remedies and treatment for attunement to natural energetic cycles.  

This incredible science is self-informing, self empowering healing system and I highly recommend studying it if you haven’t and if it draws you. Please refer to my book, Light Through the Keyhole – The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy (pgs. 190-201) for further introduction and study of the basics of Ayurveda.

Ask Andrea: Energy Medicine

What can be healed by Energy Medicine?

Theoretically anything. Scientifically speaking because of the nature of the work and the hundreds of methods of healing and the fact that it defies traditional healing and research practices, the “scientific proof” is scant. However, I have been involved in multi-cultural, multidimensional and holistic energy healing for over 40 years, and I have personally witnessed hundreds of healings of all kinds (including my own) on all levels of being, emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual relationships and social. I have also conducted single study research showing improvement and success in health and well-being goals.

Areas that energy work is particularly effective and helpful are releasing and resolving negativity, limiting beliefs, poor self esteem, fear, depression, addiction, anxiety, skewed thinking, trauma of all sorts, circular thinking, and phobias just to name a few. Often energy healing works when nothing else has. Our basic nature is one of peace, joy, well being and purpose. If we find ourselves suffering and unhappy, it is ultimately due to interruptions and blocks in our energy systems. Credible energy work reveals and resolves the origins of our suffering and re-establishes the correct flow and direction of our energy. We are then able to go on clearly and with defined purpose and peace.

For a better understanding of all the aspects involved in energy healing, please refer to my comprehensive book about Holistic Energy Healing, Light Through the Keyhole – The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy.

Ask Andrea: Good and Bad Energy

Is there good and bad energy? 

Everything is energy/frequency/vibration/flow. Everything! Energy, in and of itself, is not good or bad. It is the intention behind or the misuse of the energy that makes it correct or incorrect. Words, thoughts, emotions, ideas and actions all are energy. If they originate from the state of love and compassion they appear to be “good”, helpful, positive and kind. If they originate out of the state of hate and fear, they appear to be “bad,” negative, damaging and hurtful. Intention drives energy. 

There is really no bad energy except stuck energy. Acting out judgment, fear, blaming anger, resentment, are examples of sticky energies. Offering acceptance, forgiveness, love and joy are flowing energies. In addition, we draw the energy of our current state of being. Universal energy has an electromagnetic quality. If we are angry and resentful, we draw it. If we are loving, kind and accepting, we draw that. This is what is meant by free will. We have the ability to choose. Although we may be in denial, we know at some level when we are in or dealing with negative energy. It is up to us to change it or move away from it. 

Energy healing modalities, particularly Energy Psychology, are helpful here when we can’t seem to find our way. For more information and instruction about Energy Psychology and methods, please refer to my book, Light Through the Keyhole – The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy (pg. 55 and pgs. 153 to 160).

Ask Andrea: Yoga

Is Yoga a type of energy healing?

Absolutely. Yogic practice comes from the same ancient wisdom that is the basis of energy healing. The knowledge that we are energy beings, infinite in our true nature, and that how we think, move and breathe affects our entire being. Yoga practice brings cleansing, balance, flexibility and strength to the body. It creates a clear and discerning mind and reveals our spiritual nature as well. I personally subscribe specifically to Kundalini Yoga and Meditation because every aspect of the teaching is energetically based and all teachings have been preserved and expanded on that basis.

Kundalini is the name for your individual “soul expression energy” and is particularly elevated and strengthened through the practice. All aspects of the teachings are included in the practice and include asanas/position/movement, pranayam/conscious breath, sound/chanting/mantra/music, and meditation. There are hundreds of sets/kriyas and meditation and they are energetically correct and prescriptive. What I mean by that is that they are designed for a specific effect such as sets for elevation of the spirit, for glandular health, for strengthening the nervous system, for experiencing infinity, for fearlessness, overcoming addictions, and on and on. It is the most comprehensive and limitless modality for healing that I am aware of.

Please refer to the sections in my book Light Through the Keyhole –The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy on Meditation (pg.124), Yoga in general (pg. 134) and Kundalini Yoga and Meditation (pgs. 202 – 210).

Ask Andrea: The Power of Energy Healing

What is the most amazing energy healing you have ever seen or experienced?

There are so many I really can’t single one out for they are all phenomenal in their own way. What I can add is this - energy healing seems magical because it uncovers knowledge and information that we are not consciously aware of. It informs us of our unconscious and conditioned limiting thoughts and beliefs that keep us stuck. It also reveals to us our true identity of limitlessness, pure creativity, unique and important value and purpose.

Energy healing opens up worlds of possibilities, realizations of who we already are and enables us to think, dream, and act in ways we not only were unaware of but thought impossible. It shows us what we were in denial about and that includes our own birthright of happiness and joy. Also, it gives understanding that there is nothing we need that we don’t already have within us. These are the most amazing things about energy healing benefits and effects. It opens the world of understanding universal and individual energy and bringing it all together. This is why I wrote my book all about Holistic Energy Healing, Light Through the Keyhole –The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy. I want everyone possible to know, learn, practice and integrate into their lives what I consider to be the very bright and present future of world health care.

ASK ANDREA: Pranayam

If you could use only one energy healing method, what would it be? 

Pranayam: Conscious use of the breath. This ancient healing practice offers limitless choices and extraordinary benefits. One of the best things about it is you can practice anywhere, anytime because all you need is your intention, attention and breath. 

Each state of being has what is called a breath signature. For example, depression is characterized by slow, shallow almost nonexistent breath. Anxiety, on the other hand produces fast shallow breathlessness. Tranquility and peacefulness brings smooth satisfying breath. 

Pranayam presents the opportunity to consciously change or choose your state of being. There are literally hundreds of different methods of breathing to experience hundreds different of states of being and awareness such as physical relaxation, limitlessness, an open heart, forgiveness, exhilaration, cleansing, improved aerobic capacity, deep meditation, mental clarity, calming emotions, eliminating addictions…and on and on. 

Briefly, here is one of the most well known and practiced pranayam. It should be practiced at least 3 minutes to experience the benefits and shift in energy. Long deep breathing – focusing on the breath, breathing slowly through the nose inhaling and exhaling deeply for relaxation and stress release. 

For more information and leading Pranayam Practices, please refer to the Pranayama section of my book Light Through the Keyhole –The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy, (pgs. 211-221). If you have any questions, please leave a comment or contact Andrea.

Ask Andrea: Energy Healing

What is energy healing and how does it work?                                                                                        

Energy healing is based on recognizing the underlying life energy that universally permeates all life. Most cultures have a name for this energy. The most well known in the western world is the Chinese word Chi (vital energy) and the East Indian word Prana (lifeforce energy). Energy healing also depends on the understanding that this life energy must be able to flow freely in specific direction and frequency or we will suffer from a myriad of problems and distress.

We have a complete and elaborate energy system to access and interact with the universal life energy.  The components of this system are Chakras (power centers) Meridians (energy channels) and Biofield (individual unique layered field of energy). Another important understanding is that we are all one connected field of energy. Healing energetically literally affects all life. By healing ourselves, we help heal others.  

All reputable effective energy healing approaches achieve four basic goals: (1) Determine the energetic origin of the distress. (2) Release the energy interruption in the energy system. (3) Re-establish correct flow and balance of the universal energy (4) Address negative thoughts and beliefs and replace them with affirmative self perception and identity for sustainable healing. There are literally hundreds of energy healing methods.  Please consult my book Light Through the Keyhole –The Power to Heal Life and Live Joy for an extensive descriptive categorization of over 180 different methods (pgs. 27 – 29) for a deeper understanding of energy healing choices.

(Send your questions about energy healing to Andrea! https://www.facebook.com/energistandrea/)

Get Ready for the Best Year of Your Life

 It is said that life is simply a series of experiences and more importantly, it is not the experiences that determine the quality of your life but how you live them. The best news is we have been given the gift of choice and can determine the quality and purpose of our lives.  Never before have I understood this concept as I do now and I owe that to my study and experiences in India.

It occurred to me that when planning to go to India the first time,  I was actually compulsive about going. Now I know why. I realize that I was listening to my heart and deepest desires and willing to take action to fulfill my hunger for spiritual evolution.  It is in awe and deep gratitude that I share what I experienced during my first trip there. 

It was truly a trip beyond my fondest dreams, desires or expectations. In fact, it was beyond anything I could have known to expect.  Through the continual reflection of constant, honest, humble and discerning action and thinking and willingness of India's people, in spite of the government corruption and areas of poverty, I was given the gifts of experiencing joy, true knowingness, and deep knowledge.

I felt joy beyond emotion. A joy that wells up within you and doesn't go away.  A joy that is anticipatory and resultant of meeting the people and seeing the sights from Delhi to Rishikesh to Amritsar and substantiating all that I had thought was true.  I felt a knowingness beyond facts entwined in the deep passionate history and seeking of a purposeful and dedicated life that still permeates the culture in each person's calm reasonable and responsible, loving and forgiving approach to life.  I found understanding beyond knowledge --the powerful reflection of a people, devoted, taking each moment calmly and openly with keen dreams ever present in their actions, moving forward confidently and looking for the moment of opportunity then need.  I now have a new interpretation of manifestation with grace and ease, complete surrender to a spirit guided, supported and purpose driven life. This first trip to India was truly life-changing and helped me to look forward to the new year in a way I had never felt before.

It is with great anticipation that I look forward to being with you via phone, email, Goggle, Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, and at a retreat, in person, virtually, this dimension or others as we travel our great universe together truly understanding the gift of a life of service and joy.

For now, I am sending you my most heart/spirit felt wishes for all the peace and joy of this season and all that life has to offer. Dare to move confidently towards your most heartfelt dreams and desires! They are supported and attainable!

The Five Directions to Peace, Love and Joy!

Do you want more peace, love and joy? Take these five directions daily:

1. Back...Yes, back. Retreat is powerful. Step back and observe, recapitulate, assess what is positive and what is negative and what you feel is missing in your life.

2.Away...Move away from whatever is negative in your life. Stop judgment, comparison, competition and engagement or enabling this in your life.

3. Towards...Move towards with your attention and intention to what feels positive, life supporting, mindful, conscious, loving and contribute.

4. Inward...Look to your center, your heart, your gut and check-in regularly. This is where all your knowingness and correctness will guide you to right thought, belief and action.

5. Forward...As who you really are. Step into your power and purpose authentically, honestly, lovingly, and compassionately. Bring this truth to every intention, thought, belief and action. Be Peace. Be Joy. Be Love.

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. “

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”

- Buddha

Hearing the Universe

Are you hearing what the Universal Powers are saying to  you? Are you in open communication with the forces of manifestation? Another way of asking these questions is are you experiencing resistance and defeat to what you want or a flowing, noticeable support of your wishes and desires?  Are you feeling frustrated and tired and perhaps apathetic  or motivated and vital, passionate and fulfilled? 

To hear and speak effectively and connect and access the Universal Powers we need to be fluent in the language of the Universe; however, the language of the Universe is not thinking and words. It is vibrational and made up of images and feelings and silence.  Therefore, it involves cultivating our creative mind, raising our body awareness, and taking time to create silence and tranquility in our lives.  

Thinking and speaking words are usually about what we already know.  When what we know isn't working,  it's time to enter into creative thought, imaging, and feeling the messages in silence — coming to us and going from us.  The silence needs only to be a conscious moment. I call this living in the space between what we know or living in the unknown — living in pure potentiality.   

This is the dynamic process of transformation, manifestation, and enlightenment.  It sometimes feels awkward or uncomfortable to us because it involves a lot of not knowing, a suspension of the linear mind (thinking what we know).  These are the skills we enhance through the healing practices of energy psychology, introspection, yoga and meditation, awareness exercises, and being in nature. These practices open the intuitive powers and our correct full connection to the Universe!

Just having the intent to be fluent in creative solution, oriented imaging, conscious awareness of feeling and sensation, and allowing the silent moments puts you in open communication with the Universe — our rightful place.

An acronym to remember is ISAFE: IMAGE SILENCE ALLOW FEEL EVOLVE

“We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.” — Talmund

Live in the Moment

The nature of change is subtle.  The desire for change can be from pain wanting to be released or joy wanting to be increased. Whatever it is that motivates it, change begins and ends with the small things.  We live relative lives in an absolute universe.  We compare, compete, plan and try to make this year better than the last. We are earnest in our desire to live our best lives. We do our best and strive to improve, but sometimes we fall prey to using all our energy transporting from the past to the future and back missing the only time we can really change: this moment.  

“Life is available only in the present moment. If you abandon the present moment you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

Attention on the present moment expands time and allows the manifestation of our intentions.  Vow to yourself today to take as many moments as possible to consciously put your attention on all that you love and desire.  Vibrate your truth and allow the cosmos to clear the path.  It is a time of large rewards for small efforts.  Trust compassionately in your perfection and live your truth, giving all you meet permission to live theirs.

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” - Henry David Thoreau

Challenging Fear with Trust and Self Referral

The best advice I was ever given about being afraid to do what I desired was "do it anyway."  Think back on your greatest victories in your life and see if you can remember the moment you were afraid and yet went ahead anyway.  It is just an instant, sometimes called a choice point. Once you take that first step, challenging the fear,  the fear is left behind. It is nearly impossible to accomplish this action if you are not supporting yourself with clear and conscious intention.  Bring your intentions to the forefront by asking yourself why you have the desires you have and what image you have of yourself in your desired future.

This conscious self-referral is necessary, for without it, many of your unconscious intentions will be fulfilled and you will feel that you are a victim or that life “just happens to you.”  There is no joy in this because you are not in your personal power unless you are clearly aware of your intentions. Intention is the divine force of manifestation.  Take the time to write down five conscious intentions you have (but remember the great saying "be careful of what you ask for"). 

True conscious intention begins and ends with you.  Self-referral –having an intimate relationship with yourself– is your truth. Relate to what you wish to manifest only, and do not allow yourself to remain in object-referral because always relating to others means depending on their truth. There is no time or place for codependency, addiction, or negativity in this time of incredible expansive, joyous, and supportive energy.

It's all for you. Meditate, create, radiate. Accept your greatness and give back to life. 

Life Rules for Our New Era

Our common seeking, our oneness, our responsibility, and our true nature as humans have begun to seek us.  We are needed like never before to be present in our lives.

We all experience events that change us forever and in ways often not completely comprehensible to us. What we have known intellectually and at other deep levels for a long time is we are interactive beings. We are not separate but connected as one.  In that unseen connection lays our true identity (etheric, pranic, spiritual essence) that is uniquely us, how we think, act, interact, identify and create. In that way we are unique in our place in the universal field of being. When we don't understand that position, then we misconstrue our own true nature, purpose and path. We perceive that we are suffering when really we are just ignorant of our own true nature.  

What is required in this dilemma is a colossal and complete letting go of many limiting and negative thoughts and beliefs.  This can feel overwhelming and impossible and cannot be done with the mind, because it is the mind that is conditioned in these ways. It must be implemented first with our discerning intellect/higher self/soul and surrendered to the truth of who we are. Guru Parthasarathy's quote from Vedanta Treatise-The Eternities states this beautifully:  

"Love is being in harmony with one and all. Love means realizing your identity [in] with the world. Your oneness with all beings..."

Here are the subtle shifts of common thoughts and beliefs that you can incorporate to build the foundation that will free you to be completely you and to be fully present in your most important place in the universal field -- your life.

• Think not: "Follow your heart," but allow your heart to lead you.
• Think not: "Forgive and forget,"  but practice learning and understanding through states of gratitude, compassion, and humility, resulting in learned sustainable inner peace and trust.
• Think not: "This is good or bad," but does this feel correct or incorrect and act accordingly.
• Think not: "I don't know my life purpose," but how can I use my strengths to help others?
• Practice: Resist nothing, accept all, and perfect your understanding and resolution of the duality and paradox of your uniqueness and connectedness as your true identity.
• Seek only solutions. Learn not to seek contentment but to seek from a state of contentment

Consider this wisdom from the Hopi Elders Message that now has even deeper and timely meaning:

        ...we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle

            of the river, [of change] keep our eyes open and our heads above the water...see who is there with you and celebrate...Gather yourselves. Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.            

     All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in [joyous] celebration.

How We Can Know What Is Really Truth

I am moved to share what I have come to believe after many years of life and of study and experience with holistic healing for myself and others. This is for your contemplation. You may not agree, however, I hope this is helpful in some way. Our true nature and identity as human beings is one of peace, joy, harmony and love...We are gifted with the ability to reason, imagine, dream and create our lives. We are also gifted with the ability to be guided, nurtured and sustained by an all-knowing universal life source. The interpretation of that life source is different for everyone. We are each totally unique and all have very specific talents and beliefs. Our life's purpose is to use those talents to help ourselves understand ourselves, our lives, purpose and meaning and to elevate our conscious awareness and help others in any way we can.

So while we all are so different, have different ideas and life choices, how can we know our beliefs, thoughts and actions are established in truth? For me, the answers to this question lies into the knowledge, experience and awareness that our basic nature is one of peace, joy, harmony and love. This is hard to believe in and of itself with all the unrest in our lives and in the world. However, holistically and energetically speaking, that is our basic nature. Just as nature is peacefully ordered, following natural cycles and dealing with whatever influences are apparent we are part of the same life energy system.

For me there is a simple "bottom line" process for knowing the truth: The first basis is we feel the truth. I base truth being whatever creates our natural state of being. If your thoughts, beliefs, words or actions bring a sense of peace, love, understanding and gratitude then they are based in truth. If your thoughts, beliefs, words, or actions bring chaos, hate, misunderstanding and depression, anxiety or resentment, they are not based on the truth. Take time to consult with your heart and feel your thoughts, beliefs, words and actions toward yourself and to others. Your heart will never lie to you.

From the universal energy healing point of view, any state of being on any level that isn't peace, joy, harmony and/or love is due to an interruption in our energy bodies. The goal is to create a life/society/world that gives us the experience of our true identity - peace, joy, harmony and love through self inquire and thoughtful choices. We do this by consciously choosing thoughts, beliefs, words and/or actions that create peace, joy, harmony and love...

Sat Nam (I am truth)

Andrea

All truth is within...

The Power of Being the One and Only You to Heal Life and Live Joy

There is nothing more attractive and inviting than someone who is confident in who they are and what they believe and accepts and lives their uniqueness with kindness and integrity.  There is an inviting grace and ease and comfort about them.  And when that person is you, there is nothing that feels better or more fulfilling. Everything just works.   Contrary to that, is someone that does not know themselves well and depends on others’ opinions and reflections, titles and roles for identity, and either doesn’t know or is not sure of their values and purpose.  And when that is you, it’s confusing, painful, frustrating, anxiety producing and depressing.  Everything just isn’t working.  Relationships feel bad and don’t work out. Can you identify with each scenario? We all want to feel good about ourselves and have deep, meaningful relationships, but if we don’t really know ourselves, how can others know us? 

The major key to greater inner peace, strength and joy, is to know ourselves at our deepest level of being, and…to remember our true multidimensional, limitless nature. In my private consultations, Emotional Fitness Retreats and Kundalini yoga and meditation workshops, this is our goal – experiential self knowing.  When we commit to this self image, there is a tranquil flow, fearlessness and steadiness in our life.  Unlike being dependent on outside influences, we are guided by our inner truth, values and principles. This gives us strength for all life has to offer. We are able to be present and live with passion the whole spectrum of life from great joy and great sorrow in a deep, meaningful and healthy way and we are at peace. Sound like a worthy goal?
 Here are 5 ways to nurture your Self knowing and conscious awareness of the importance and power of being the one and only you.  These are the essence of Spiritual Intuitive Self-Healing Consider each suggestion. Keep them where you will be reminded of them daily.  Use them. Enjoy them and notice how your view and your experience of yourself and the world becomes brighter, more hopeful, welcoming, meaningful and magical and free of conditioned and/or addictive life patterns
1. Feed your mind. Plan tomorrow the night before.  Not just considering what you are going to do, but how you wish the day to go and how you want to look, feel and be. Get a detailed image what you wish and prepare whatever you may need to do to facilitate that. Then detach and get a good night’s sleep.
2. Feed your Soul.  Communicate with the infinite in contemplative silence. Meditate, become aware of your breath and your heartbeat, be in nature, ask for understanding and guidance, and let your deepest desires be known.  Listen, journal.
3. Feed your body.  Plan and make arrangements to drink 8 glasses of pure water over the day. Eat the purest, freshest food you can find. Avoid all toxins as much as possible. Treat eating as a sacred act. Drink the water and eat as if you love yourself.
4. Feed your emotions.  Be kind to yourself.  Be clear about your intentions and values.  Know them, make decisions based on them and live them.  Be willing to feel your life. Allow your emotions to tell you if you are congruent with what you believe to be the most important things in life, and act accordingly.
5. Feed your environment. Create nurturing environments for yourself and others. Take responsibility for your unique gifts and talents and your place in the world.  Be aware of what is needed that you can contribute to your environment at home or at work, to others in your life, humanity in general and Mother Earth. Show up.
Go ahead, remember and dare to be the one and only you!  No one else can do that and the Universe misses you if you are not present.