METTA CENTER

Thanksgiving Day usually involves getting together with one's own family. For some people, that is both good news and bad news. If it's bad news to you and you'd like to find a way to be appreciative rather than grumpy while you are with your family, here are some simple tips: Using EFT , you can tap with the setup phrase of: " Even though I don't like my family, I deeply and completely love and accept myself ," and tap on all the points. Don't worry if at first you feel guilty admitting you don't like your family. After tapping, you most likely will see that there are aspects of your family that you DO like after all. Then, you can choose to focus on those aspects to maintain a loving connection with your family while you are together. Even I don't like my family all the time, and after tapping using this setup phrase, I am able to realize and remember that I LOVE my family. Using TAT , get in the TAT Pose and focus on whatever it is tha...

(This article was first published in May 2006 Metta Center email newsletter.) Joy, I think, comes in two flavors: the euphoric feeling (Hurray! Amazing! Yes! Hallelujah!) and the easy-and-happy feeling (Ain’t life good? Ahh, bliss, life is sweet!) Both flavors are delicious. How do you get to joy, and how do you maintain it? There are many paths to joy, as many as the grains of sand. Recall the various times you felt happy, and at ease. Was there any one formula for your happiness? Or were they varied, and in that variation, you felt alive and happy? What is “joy” to you? Perhaps your joys come in predictable patterns: you love nature, flowers, clouds, winds, water, music, birds, etc. So, by allowing yourself to experience and notice these wonders as much as possible, you feel joyous. Some of your joys may not be so predictable. They might come from your allowing your self to grow in your awareness, to bring healing to yourself, to explore life, to have adventures, to rest, to listen...

 A fascinating talk!

(This post was first published in October 2008 Metta Center email newsletter. The original author of the story is unknown.) A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your childre...

One of my clients commented, "No matter how good I have been, I still get punished!" This pattern often stems from underlying beliefs such as "Life is not fair!", or "It is not safe to love/to be happy/to be good". As my client and I tapped through her beliefs, a thought that we all are free to change Universes bubbled up. It was such an a-ha moment! One where you shout, "of course!" What a liberating and delicious thought it is to consider that we can easily change Universes to a new one that fits us better. Who would have thunk it, eh? Here's a sample EFT script to free yourself from old patterns by changing your universe. Think of a pattern you'd like to let go of, and tap along the script below. In this script, I use the aforementioned pattern which troubled my client as an example. Tapping on the Karate Chop or rubbing on the Sore Spot, say the following Setup Statement either aloud or in your mind. "Even though no mat...

(This EFT script was first published in October 2006 Metta Center Newsletter. If you are not familiar with EFT, you can find a brief introduction to this powerful self-healing technique in my " EFT Tapping Points " webpage. For information regarding EFT trainings, you can visit http://www.eftuniverse.com , www.aamet.org , or www.energypsych.org ) Many of our physical and emotional issues stem from not feeling good enough about ourselves (lack of self-esteem). The interesting thing that I often notice is that, for whatever reasons, the thought of letting go of the feeling of inadequacy is terrifying for many people. Using EFT, let's clear out any anxiety we might have about feeling good enough. Tap on the Karate Chop point or rub on the Sore Spot as you say the following setup statements : "Even though I don't believe it ist safe for me to feel good enough, I might become a different person and I might not know who I am anymore, I choose to accept myself a...

In one of my recent meditations, I was reminded by Spirit that we bring the energy of hope and love onto the planet, by allowing ourselves to be happy and appreciative of our lives. Like the rain that comes in spring time, inviting seeds to grow into seedlings, our feelings of happiness and appreciation nurture the energetic seedlings of hope and wholeness for the collective consciousness. When I asked how we can best support those who are affected by the latest current events (Japan, Middle East, etc.) Spirit answered, "Appreciate them."  How can our feelings of happiness and appreciation help anyone, or make any significant contribution, especially to people who live far away? At the energetic level, when we allow ourselves to be happy and feel appreciative, we feel amazing! And this beautiful, radiant energy invites everyone across the globe to rise up to that vibration as well. This life-giving energy helps others on the planet permit themselves to hope and love d...

One of my dear clients asked me to join a little experiment in appreciation. We spend a minute each day, at 9pm exactly, to send appreciation to each other and ourselves. This circle now is 3 people strong, and you are invited to join us if you would like to participate in this beautiful experience that transcends time and space. If you would like to join us, it's easy: Set an intention to join the appreciation circle for one minute at 9pm every night. You don't need to know anyone in the circle to join. When we send out appreciation, it is a well-being wish. It is one of the most potent forms of prayer. You can send your appreciation about life, people in your life, or about yourself in whatever way that feels right to you. There's no right or wrong way to do it. A general attitude of gratitude is fine, a simple thankful thought is fine, you can simply wish well-being to yourself, others and the whole Universe... Truly, whatever feels best for you at the time is ...

As November rolls to an end, the holiday season is also just around the corner for many people. For some, the festive season can bring added stress as well as painful memories. There are many ways to manage the holiday season so that you can enjoy the season with more ease, grace and peace. Here are some tips: Set your intention as to how you would like to feel during the holiday season. Decide what activities you would enjoy doing. Let go of or delegate activities you don't enjoy. If you find yourself feeling resentful or uptight, use EFT and tap.  If painful memories come up, acknowledge your feelings. Use EFT to help dissolve these painful memories and bring more peace to yourself.  Eat healthily, avoid sugars and alcohol as much as possible. Just because festivities are typically associated with these substances, doesn't mean your body does well with them.   Take time to nurture yourself with quiet moments to journal, walk in nature, and breathe fully and co...

(The following post was first published as an article in May 2005 Metta Center email Newsletter) How do you connect with Angels and Beings of Light? How do you know who your guardian angel is? You can connect to Archangel Michael, Archangel Raphael, Archangel Gabriel, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad, Krisna, Tara, etc. And, since there is no ego in their realm, they really don't care whom you called upon. They are just happy that you are willing to turn your attention to the Light Realm for assistance. No, you don't need incense or candles to make contact with them. If the act of lighting incense and candles brings you to a relaxed state of being then, by all means, enjoy your ritual. But, know that it is not a requirement to connect with these loving beings. You don't need to believe in them either, even though trusting them will bring clarity to the communication line between you and your angel. Think of doubt as static noise in your communication line. So, how do you con...

(This EFT script was first published in Metta Center newsletter, September 2010.)   Success and failure are siblings, I believe. Failures are great learning opportunities and help us build a strong foundation for future successes. Success brings us to new experiences where further successes (and failures) are possible. Sometimes, we keep ourselves small and not very successful in life because we fear that our success might lead to unwanted failure. So here's an EFT script to release the fear that success can create more opportunities for failure. Tap on the Karate Chop point or rub on the Sore Spot as you say the following setup statements : "Even though I am afraid that my success can create more opportunities for me to fail, I deeply and completely accept this fear and myself." "Even though I don't like the thought of failing after my success, so a part of me would rather sabotage me from achieving my success to protect me from further failures,...

(This article was first published in the Oct/Nov issue of Metta Center email newsletter.) When I first heard "Energy follows thought," it was all "hocus-pocus" to me. Life, however, is a great equalizer and teacher. After several "unhappy" life conditions (illness, relationship issues, etc.), I looked deep inside myself and, sure enough, I found that I held many negative beliefs that matched these "conditions". Apparently, I had been manifesting negative thoughts. When I decided to shift the thoughts connected to the issues, I noticed that my outer situation changed as well. Often times we manifest negative results unconsciously. What we feel, think and believe the most is what we will attract. Have you found that your positive affirmations don't always work? The problem is that these affirmations are not your prevalent thoughts. They are just a very thin veneer over a bunch of outdated and perhaps negative habitual thoughts. Just saying...

Spring is here! I love watching all the new buds and branches shooting out from plants. It has been magical indeed to watch my plum tree blossoming and then, poof, the blossoms fell and new green leaves came out to adorn the tree. How did the tree know how to do that? Nature's designs are amazingly intelligent and graceful. Do you ever wonder how we grow? Our bodies just grow, from infant-hood to childhood to adolescence to full grown adult. For most people, the process of growing is very effortless. You don't wake up each day and say "OK, now, I am going to grow 1mm today" or "I am going to grow one more new cell for my nails". It's just done. Simple as that. Most of us need to enlarge our self-concept. We may see ourselves as a bag of bones but, in truth, we are eternal, multi-faceted and multi-dimensional spiritual beings having a human experience. It's time to think of ourselves as much larger and grander than just a physical and emotional be...

(This EFT script was first published in Metta Center newsletter, March 2009.) Our power is in the present, in the Now moment. However, so many of us have learned and trained ourselves to live in the past or in the future and ignored the beauty that is present in the moment. When we feel stressed, overwhelmed, or fearful over something or someone, it is an indicator that we have temporarily lost sight of the Now. Of course, you can always bring yourself back to your powerful and precious Now by doing simple breathing meditation or simply focusing on something pleasant in the Now. But for many of us who have been entrenched in this habit of dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, it can be quite challenging to practice living fully in the present. So, here's the EFT script that can help you become more present in your Now. Shorten the sentences or change the wordings to fit you better. Use this script as often as you like. I have included two more additional tapping ...

New Year is an exciting time for me. It is true that we can start anew any day, any time and every day. However, New Year always holds a special energy of growth for me. There is an energy of excitement, and anticipation of all wonderful things. And, the New Year bears with it powerful potentiality ready to express itself. Setting your sacred intention for the New Year is a powerful step to consciously create the year that you want. Unlike a New Year's resolution, setting a sacred intention for the New Year is not about just setting goals to be reached. It is more about setting the "flavor" for the year: what spiritual qualities would you fill your new year with? For example, if you would like to have a year of meaningful work and deep connection with others, your intention could be something along the line, "I intend to create a meaningful life for me filled with fulfilling work and loving relationships with others." Maybe what you would like is to explo...

It is winter here in the Bay Area. The temperature has plummeted, the rain has visited, the sunlight is paler, and many of  the trees have dropped their leaves. Mother Earth is making space for a new beginning. Winter inspires gentle stillness within me. In that stillness, I can feel the acknowledgment of what has been and the quiet excitement of what is to come. Winter teaches how we can hold a graceful balance between the old and the new. It teaches how we can honor the process of transformation. Take a moment to be still and go inward. Honor that place, where what has been and what is coming can come together in peace.

 "Gratitude is heaven itself." ~ William Blake Offering gratitude is way to open your heart. Gratitude is an outflow of positive feelings and, in return, you receive an inflow of positive feelings. This flow of energy exchange keeps your heart soft and open, ready for more blessings and giving. It improves your mood and attitude about life, and it opens you for more wonders in life. As we approach Thanksgiving Day and the holiday season, I invite you to take some quiet time for reflection. Just remember and appreciate all that you are, all that you have and all that you have done. Notice what that does to your heart chakra. About five years ago, I started my daily ritual of giving thanks when I woke up in the morning and when I go to bed at night. This daily ritual helps me honor and value the everyday blessings in my life. This practice also helps me be aware of the wonders of the world and be in the child's mind, open and receptive. Here's another gratitude p...

Divine Energy, which flows through everything and all of us, is always accessible to us. Accessing the Divine Energy is quite easy. Just intend to do so. Take a moment now, and say to yourself, "I intend to connect with Light", or "I intend to connect with my Divine Source," and wait for an experience. Intend and decide that you can connect and align with your Divine Energy quite effortlessly and it will happen for you in that manner. Your experience will be different from another person's, for your connection and your relationship with your Divine Energy is uniquely yours. Please don’t compare what you experience with another person's experience. There are times when it is more challenging to connect with this wonderful, beautiful part of you, especially if you have been focused for a long time on that which is not working, what you do not have yet, or what you are doing wrong still in your life. How do you get from a place where you feel separated from you...

Happy New Year! My intentions for this New Year are simple: miracles, abundance and healing. Miracles are wonderful to experience and really not as hard to manifest as we often make them out to be. To have miracles, first we need to redefine and expand our definition of what a miracle is. Does it have to come with an angel voice, or does it have to be the impossible made possible? Is it enough if the miracle is simply a single tiny life in a barren landscape? I have learned that when we allow our eyes to open and truly see that there are miracles already happening right now around and within us, we invite even more miracles into our lives. Life is a miracle itself, precious and full of wonders. Our body is an amazing miracle as well! We allow more miracles into our lives when we allow ourselves to do something different than what we normally would, even if that difference is very small. Let me tell you about my miracle today. It was a beautiful and exquisite day today: the...