METTA CENTER

"The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson   As I meditated today, I asked the Universe what will be helpful for me to focus on. A swift and powerful feeling of sweetness filled my heart. The message came clearly: "Keep Loving". In the spirit of that message and giving thanks to all that has supported our lives, I would like to give thanks to the Universe for you, for your unique presence in the world and for bringing your blessings to everything and everyone that crosses your paths. With appreciation, Christine  2020 has been a challenging year for pretty much everyone worldwide. Here are a couple simple self-healing tips to help you connect to more inner peace as you move through this period. Using  EFT , you can tap with the setup phrase of: "Even though I am having trouble accepting (whatever the situation is), I deeply and completely love and accept myself and choose to feel love and appr...

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 November 2007 Metta Center email newsletter.) In Taoism and Chinese Energy medicine, there is an exercise called "Inner Smile", where you smile at your inner organs. This exercise has a very practical purpose: self-acceptance and appreciation. This simple and gentle practice is very effective in balancing your meridian system and is very nourishing to your spirit. Here is a slightly different version of this exercise: Sit or lie comfortably. Alternatively, you can even do this exercise when you are walking or in the shower. Begin by taking several deep breaths, exhaling slowly. Allow yourself to recall the time someone extend a kindness to you and you can feel a sense of appreciation gently arising from within your heart-center. Noticing this feeling of appreciation, you bring your attention and extend this feeling to various parts of your body. Starting from the top of your head, bring your attention and appreciation to...

In recognition of the many forms of Light that walk with me on Earth, I am holding this Lakota Sioux Prayer close in my heart. Aho Mitakuye Oyasin All my relations.  I honor you in this circle of life with me today.  I am grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge you in this prayer... To the Creator, for the ultimate gift of life, I thank you. To the mineral nation that has built and maintained my bones and all foundations of life experience, I thank you. To the plant nation that sustains my organs and body and gives me healing herbs for sickness, I thank you. To the animal nation that feeds me from your own flesh and offers your loyal companionship in this walk of life, I thank you. To the human nation that shares my path as a soul upon the sacred wheel of Earthly life, I thank you. To the Spirit nation that guides me invisibly through the ups and downs of life and for carrying the torch of light through the Ages, I thank you....

(This article was first published in November 2007 Metta Center email newsletter.) Yesterday, I was sitting outside in my garden. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying the sun and feeling the gentle wind on my face. I heard the hummingbird calls and the songs of robins. The air was perfumed with the late-blooming roses. I decided to open my eyes, and invited my Inner Being to see the world with me. I noticed that sun felt warmer. There was joy reflected on the leaves as the sunrays bounced off them. The air smelled so sweet. I felt so alive! My heart was filled with warm, glowing feelings of joy and I loved it! I felt like jumping up and down like a kid for the sheer joy of being in love with life itself. Then I heard, "It is from this place of abundance that you can truly give what you have." I was reminded that joyful giving comes from a place of fullness, not lack. From a place filled with love, not fear. From a place of ease, not striving. From non-attachment, not fro...

the sun, gentle and warm on my skin the soft wind that dances with the leaves and caresses my hair the brilliant, sparkling colors I see the blue skies of the morning, the white clouds, the turquoise sky with pink clouds at sunsets, the red trees and orange vines the vibrant green grass in November, glistening under the sun the beautiful and gentle woods with smells so sweet the songs of birds reminding me to celebrate life a life so filled with wonders and amazing gifts... Thank You.

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 ...

Giving thanks to all the good in our lives can be done every day, as I am sure you all do in one fashion or another. We can do it quite effortlessly with a simple nod, a wink, a pat, a thought, a smile, a hug, a "thanks!", a kiss, a dance, an appreciative whoop -- all are ways to express appreciation. The best thing about appreciating someone or something is that we can't help but tuned into the energy of love. As we tune into that vibration of love, we are not only the generator but also the recipient of this beautiful connective energy. It really is an amazing feeling to be giving and receiving love in the same instant! I was recently in a meeting where the person I was meeting with brought her two-year old son along. He was a VERY shy boy, and didn't say a word during the entire one-hour meeting. For a young child, one hour must feel like an eternity. He tried to amuse himself as best as he could, playing with his yellow toy bus as he positioned himself close ...

On this coming Thursday, in the U.S. we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Holiday. A special day in the year that is set aside to appreciate our blessings. Receiving all the myriads of blessings in our lives with joy and gratitude is a powerful and uplifting spiritual practice that can be easily done on a daily basis. It is easy to be grateful when things are going our way but what about when the events in our life are not to our liking? Accepting our "fate" may feel like defeat and where's the glory in that? Here are some tips to help you to feel good (and grateful) about your life, even when things are not going well: Take the time to find something in your life that is going well . I found that when I pay attention to the beauty, the peace, the harmony, the quietness, the gentleness, the ease, the spaciousness, the safety, and the love that IS around, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. It is so helpful to remember that we are all worthy to receive grace by v...

 "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...