The New-Age Movement: Full of Narcissists Or Magical People?

The New-Age Movement: Full of Narcissists Or Truly Magical People?

It’s hard not to get really down thinking about humanity when you’re scrolling through social media or spending time on the Internet. Even just walking into a store can be enough to put you in the wrong mood. The New-Age movement has permeated our culture, and years ago, I would have been so delighted by this news. Unfortunately, the version of the New-Age Movement that dominantly exists now is not the movement that I came to love and grow within.

Our society truly has devolved into a mish-mosh mess of labels, fake identities, false claims, and unhealthy obsessions. The original New-Age Movement provided so many opportunities for growth, spiritual enlightenment, and light-seeking, but it has been hijacked by people seeking attention, thinking it’s trendy, and not fully embracing the purpose and meaning of becoming a person of the New Age.

If you’re wondering if you’ve been surrounding yourself with a bunch of New-Age Narcissists, or if you might be one yourself and want to change for the better, then let’s talk about the dangers of getting sucked into this label and identity-obsessed consumerist culture.

Appropriating the Spirituality of Other Cultures Without Embracing the True Light

We’ve all seen it. Maybe we’re even guilty of it ourselves. Some of the most inspiring Divine Masters of history and the biggest spiritual movements have come out of cultures we’re not a part of and haven’t even experienced first-hand. For instance, how many people do you know have been practicing Yoga but have never been to India and have not even bothered to become informed about the origins and true meanings behind this amazing practice?

So many Yoga classes available now are just empty shells of the practice. They are meant more for exercise than for genuine spiritual practice, or they just feed into the ego rather than cultivate spiritual growth. In reality, Yoga is an essential element to the faith and spiritual lives of so many people, but it’s been copied and pasted over to Western Culture without all that wealth of light, love, and divinity. Then, it’s been exploited through marketing and consumerism to the point that it’s almost unrecognizable from its true purpose.

Scrolling through Instagram, I bet there are at least one or two people who come to mind who you see posting their Yoga journey. They have endless selfies and photoshoots of them striking popular poses, meeting with their spiritual teachers, and wearing expensive clothes and accessories that call to mind South Asian cultures.

All of this, I bet, is just a play on their ego. They’re obsessed with their self-created identity as a Yoga student, getting in touch with their spirit, and they want everyone everywhere to know it. Their identity is marked and advertised to the world through their clothes, home decor, trips to the studio, and endless posts online.

Now, I’ve talked a lot about Yoga, but that’s only just one example. Many other practices have been hijacked and turned into consumer products and services that entirely miss the authenticity and purpose of these things.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, for example, also has so many amazing practices like Qi Gong, acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine that have been hijacked and turned into purely exercise or spa treatments.

Next time you find something in the New-Age Movement that you’re thinking about trying, first ask yourself: Am I taking on this practice because I fully understand its importance and purpose and have the intent to change my life through it, or am I just attracted to the consumerism and altered identity it will give me?

Obsessing Over Trauma, Fears, and Hurdles With No Intent to Grow and Move On

Similar to how many people take on spiritual practices for the sake of feeding their ego, the New-Age Movement is also overflowing with people who have adopted the language of self-awareness and reflection but not the intention to be reformed and healed.

The New-Age Movement, or at least the original version, urged us to dive deep within ourselves, identify our flaws, recognize our dark sides, and pursue the light. We’re supposed to seek change, evolve, and become our best selves. In the New-Age Movement culture that exists now, we’re focusing way too much on speaking about ourselves and dwelling on our past and the negatives.

Think about it: how many conversations have you had where the formula is always the same? “Oh, I’ve had a very terrible childhood full of toxic family members. I still struggle with the trauma and all the bad habits that I have left over from that.” And then they make some really quick, disingenuous remark about how they’re working on themselves.

Or maybe you hear this a lot: “All these people around me are way too negative. They are really bringing down my mood, vibes, and spiritual health. I really need to cut these people off.”

How about this? Do you know that one person that just never stops talking about themselves and their growth? Do they constantly word-vomit about their feelings, leaving no space for others, and have no intention of hearing anyone else’s advice or proposed solutions?

All of these behaviors are the result of self-obsession. These New-Age Narcissists believe they are participating in the New Age Movement by identifying “toxic” people and relationships and purging themselves of trauma and fear. At the same time, they’re never rolling up their sleeves to truly heal, find spiritual growth, or better themselves in any way. They never fully turn inward or reflect on how their own flaws might be causing their problems – or other peoples’ problems!

Feeding Into the Consumerism of New-Age Movement Symbols, Trends, and Products

We’ve already touched on this a bit, but I want to emphasize that the original New-Age Movement has been overrun with consumerism. It doesn’t take long for companies to identify trendy images, symbology, and practices that it can turn into a product or service and make major profits.

Gym and fitness chains have fully taken on Yoga classes as a daily exercise offering. Spas and resorts have embraced incense, essential oils, crystals, acupuncture, and culturally-distinct massage techniques.

Every cheap, fast-fashion mall store sells jewelry and clothing that consumerizes Asian and indigenous cultures for Western profit and enjoyment.

What’s at the very heart of consumerism? Narcissism. We buy these things because they feed into our ego. They help build our outward identity. That next pair of dream catcher earrings, that new incense holder, that fresh yoga mat you just bought – all of those products make us feel more trendy and more “in-tune” with our spirituality without actually feeding our spiritual growth.

Confrontation Is Not Only Scary But Completely Unwelcome

Finally, New-Age Narcissists are terrified of confrontation. They are so fearful of being confronted about themselves, in fact, that they’ll label anyone who dares to do so as toxic and turn them into outcasts.

How dare you insinuate that the Yoga studio I’ve been attending is led by a disingenuous guru? Can you believe that person told me I should stop being so obsessed with what kind of Starseed I am, or which number on the Enneagram fits me, and that I should instead start delving deeper into who I am and feeding my true light?

How dare they.

Self-obsessed, identity-obsessed, label-obsessed people are more concerned with introducing themselves to the world as a type of alien or personality label than they are with doing the deeper persona work. New-Age Narcissism is a religion for children, avoiders, and deeply broken people who are unwiling to face reality. They have no true intention of discovering themselves, they just want to follow the celebrities, influences, and trendy gurus that tell them lovely things and don’t really challenge them to change.

All these things are a replacement for the virtue, integrity, loving intention, and spiritual growth that are the hallmarks of the original genuine New Age Movement. I wish you luck on your journey to full enlightenment, and luck as well in finding others who are genuine light-seekers just like you.

REMEMBER!

You are a beautiful Living Being filled with light and love, born from stardust. You are unlimited potential in every direction. With a focus on discipline, virtue, and your own goodness, you can become as expanded and liberated as you desire.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

LOTS OF BLESSINGS TO YOU!

There is no “Other.” There is only you experiencing yourself.

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner (Shri Krishna Kalesh) is an intuitive mystic, clairvoyant reader, and a loving life & business coach. He created “THE PERSONALITY CARDS,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships.

He created The Shankara Oracle, a profound divination tool that includes 18 gemstones, a lavishly designed divination board, and over 300 penetrative oracle cards – all to help you heal to your core and illuminate your Being.

Paul studied with Lakota elders in the Pecos Wilderness, who nurtured his empathic abilities and taught him the sacred rituals. He has lived at ashrams with enlightened masters, including Amma, the Hugging Saint, for whom he’s delivered keynotes at Her worldwide events.

Paul tours the world lecturing on spiritual liberation. He lovingly offers intuitive readings, inspirational coaching, and illuminating courses to help others with self-discovery, decision-making, healing, and forgiveness. Book a session with Paul: HERE

April 12, 2024April 26, 2024

The Wonders Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas

The Wonders of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas (TCM)!

Have you ever wished that there was a better way to achieve full health for body and mind that made more sense and worked much better than what your doctors have prescribed? You wouldn’t be alone, and many have turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas instead with amazing results!

Modern medicine certainly has its benefits, but it also has so many downfalls. Overall, many Western medicinal practices lean on treating symptoms rather than solving problems at the source. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on the most basic unit that makes up our entire Universe and Being: energy.

What can be more effective at bringing you back to optimal health and happiness that realigning the balance of your very being?

The Wonderous Origins of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine is believed to originate from the early Zhou Dynasty of China, around 3,000 years ago! It’s possible that many foundational elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine go back even further, as researchers have found earlier writings about the properties of herbs and how to apply them. As TCM evolved, set formulas and practices were written down in medical books dated from 26 B.C.E to 220 C.E.

TCM is the name for the overall concept, but the Chinese have come up with countless formulas and practices that have been tested over thousands of years. These practices and concepts include acupuncture, the Five Elements Theory, herbal medicine, Yin and Yang, Qi Gong, and so much more.

Bringing Traditional Chinese Medicine into the Modern Era

Before even the 20th century, most of the Chinese population only had access to Traditional Chinese Medicine, specifically Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM), as a way to address their illnesses and conditions. Even today, TCM and CHM are leading practices for medical needs. The Chinese keep the teachings and spirit of CHM alive, passing it down through generations both orally and in writing. The power and belief in TCM and CHM greatly rival even the powerful effectiveness of Western modern medicine that has permeated the region.

Now, numerous practices originating in TCM and CHM have traveled across borders and oceans and are now common practices across the globe. Practices like Tai Chi (Qi Gong), acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, and more are all well-known across the West and used regularly.

How did we get here? TCM and CHM remained largely untouched by the scientific method until the 20th century when researchers really began to dive into the science behind practices like herbal medicine and prove that many of the formulas created by the Chinese for thousands of years are not only valid but amazingly effective.

Don’t believe me? Did you know that the medicine now used to treat malaria actually derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine’s classic works dated back to the 200s C.E? Nobel Prize-winning scientist Youyou Tu found a recommendation in Ge Hong’s A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies to use Ginghao. With some innovation and testing, Tu’s research led to the creation of dihydroartemisinin, a form of “sweet wormwood” or Ginghao, which effectively treated malaria in the 1970s.

How to Apply Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas to Your Conditions

At the most basic level, Traditional Chinese Medicine bases many of its practices on Yin and Yang. The Yin and Yang concept is familiar to many in the West: it essentially represents complementary opposites that need to be in perfect balance. TCM assigns many illnesses and conditions to an imbalance of Yin and Yang, and it addresses them by using formulas that apply levels of Yin and Yang to bring the energies back into balance. For example, if you have too much Yin, then you’ll need a dose of Yang in some form to rebalance you. Yin and Yang are directly related to Taoism, the very popular religion in the region which requires followers to keep their energies in balance.

Similarly, TCM also uses the Five Elements theory, which assigns elemental properties to different parts of the body. The five elements are fire, metal, wood, air, earth, and water, and these elements are interrelated. This theory relies on two circles of elements: the generating circle and the overcoming circle, each of which directs how the different organs in the body are connected to each other. Using the different elements can help identify and solve issues with specific organs and functions in the body.

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas generally consist of three to four main ingredients, each one with its own role in how the formula will affect you. Each ingredient will fit into one of these categories: ministerial, deputy, assistant, and envoy.

The ministerial ingredient is chosen according to the main cause of the illness, such as “ascending Qi” or “kidney yin deficiency.” Then, the deputy herb is chosen to help with coexisting symptoms or add a compound effect to the first herb. The assistant herb is then chosen to counteract any known side effects that the first two herbs could cause, such as improving moistness where there could be dryness. Finally, the fourth herb helps carry that treatment to the correct part of the body that is being addressed, such as the lungs or kidneys.

As a result, Traditional Chinese Medicine takes tremendous care and forethought as well as personalization for each individual. However, there are some very popular formulations that seem to do very well across the board for specific conditions, which we’ll now explore below!

Wen Dan Tang for Anxiety and Insomnia

If you’ve been lying wide-awake at night and experiencing unrelenting anxiety, Traditional Chinese Medicine has found a cure long before Western medicine ever offered suggestions. The solution can be found in the Traditional Chinese Medicine formula called Wen Dan Tang, which scientists now know affects the production of the brain-gut peptides and receptors in the brain directly correlated with our emotional and behavioral changes as a result of lack of sleep!

Without getting too muddled in scientific terms, the brain-gut axis is rebalanced by Wen Dan Tang by keeping levels of Ghrelin, the brain-gut peptide, stable even after a lack of sleep. As a result, insomnia-related anxiety is reduced greatly.

So, what is Wen Dan Tang? This formula can be found in the 12-century Traditional Chinese Medicine classic Treatise on Diseases, Patterns, and Prescriptions Related to Unification of the Three Etiologies. However, it dates back even further to the 400s and 500s A.D., when it appeared in Yao Seng Yuan’s work Collection of Effective Prescriptions.

The formula includes a mixture of extracts and shavings from oranges, tangerines, bamboo, pinellia tuber, poria, and honeyed licorice root.

Originally, Wen Dan Tang was created as a warming treatment for the gall bladder. It was meant to treat fluids that led to the depression of Qi, or energy. As treatment evolved, Wen Dan Tang was used to treat both illness of the digestive system and any psychiatric symptoms, which directly correlates with what we know today: that it helps with the brain-gut axis.

Ban Xia As the Active Ingredient Treating Depression, Anxiety, and Gut Conditions

Speaking of pinellia tubers, Ban Xia is exactly that. Within Wen Dan Tang, Ban Xia has been shown to work even on its own – after being cooked and processed – to transform cold phlegm and dry dampness in the body. Cold phlegm and dry dampness, according to TCM and CHM, lead to insufficient functioning of the digestive tract, lungs, and mood.

After research in the West, Ban Xia is now accepted as a treatment, especially in formulations meant to treat depression and anxiety in a way that rivals Western alternatives like Prozac!

Chai Hu for Fevers and Inflammatory Conditions

Chai Hu, or bupleurum root, is one of the most popular active ingredients used throughout Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas. TCM explains that Chai Hu can resolve the Shao yang level in the body and Yang Qi, especially in the stomach and spleen. Overall, it can spread liver Qi, which TCM explains can improve any menstrual problems, fever, vertigo, and emotional instability that one might suffer from.

In Western medicine studies on animals, Chai Hu has been proven to reduce fevers and inflammation. As a result, this TCM formula has become widely available across the U.S. and Europe. Lately, studies have shown that Chai Hu even has anti-cancer effects!

Sheng Mai Yin for Cardiovascular Diseases

Sheng Mai Yin consists of three major TCM ingredients meant to replenish Yin and Qi in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed that Yin and Qi deficiency can lead to cardiovascular problems.

This formula consists mainly of Ginseng, Ophiopogon, and Schisandra. All three of these ingredients are strong active ingredients that help the body generate fluids. Ginseng tonifies the blood and restores your vital energy. Ophiopogon improves Yin and clears heat from the heart. Schisandra improve Lung Qi.

In studies, the Sheng Mai Yin formula has been shown to stimulate the activities of important chemicals in the body like GSH peroxidase, ATP enzymes, and superoxide dismutase and create an anti-apoptosis effect in rats. These effects showed benefits to this formula for DOX-induced myocardial fibrosis, furthering TCM’s claims that Sheng Mai Yin is a great help for cardiovascular conditions!

Yu Ping Feng San for Chronic Inflammation and Respiratory Diseases

Do you or someone you know have COPD or another chronic respiratory disease? Yu Ping Feng San has long been used as a treatment for these ills, and for good reason.

In animal trials, Yu Ping Feng San effectively treated lung injury and suppressed inflammatory chemicals that would be released by the body naturally. How? Traditional Chinese Medicine instructs to create the formula with the dried roots of Astragalus, Atractylodes, and Siler root. All three ingredients have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties as well as great defenses against pathogenic invaders and other immune system threats.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yu Ping Feng San has traditionally been used to treat most lung-related illnesses like colds, respiratory infections, the flu, bronchitis, and more.

Er Xian Tang for Perimenopause and Menopause

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Er Xian Tang is formulated to attack the symptoms associated with liver blood vacuity, yin vacuity, and kidney yang vacuity. These symptoms include things like brittle nails, falling hair, decreased libido, night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, palpitations, and so much more. This formula is perfectly crafted for the symptoms that many women experience when they’re close to or suffering from menopause.

TCM explains the combination of Epimedium herb, Curculigo root, Morinda root, Phellodendron bark, Tang-Kuei root, and Anemarrhena root creates the perfect concoction to supplement the kidneys, increase yang, support the liver, and clear heat. It also regulates the reproductive system.

But does it really work? In a recent study, the Er Xian Tang formula was able to treat at least one menopausal symptom in participants with a confidence of 95%.

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for Back Pain and Sexual Wellness

The Traditional Chinese Medicine formula Liu Wei Di Huang is crafted perfectly for improving liver and kidney yin. Chinese Herbal Medicine claims that deficiency in the liver and kidney yin can lead to a whole host of symptoms and illnesses such as dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, headaches, and more. Most importantly, Liu Wei Di Huang is formulated to fight back against the effects that aging has on the back and male performance.

This formula uses a blend of Rehmannia cured root tuber, Chinese yam rhizome, Asiatic dogwood fruit, tree peony root bark, Asian water plantain rhizome, and poria sclerotium. This combination is perfect for raising the levels of liver and kidney yin.

In TCM, low yin in the kidneys can lead to weakness and soreness from the lower back down as well as too much heat and exhaustion. Further, this means that after sex, one is more likely to be too sore and too tired to perform again. By supporting an increase of kidney yin with this formula, you can help your body to replenish energy quickly and get back to your life.

But this formula isn’t just for men, either. Yin deficiency leads to many symptoms for women as well, such as crippling hot flashes during menopause. You can even support more stable glucose levels with this Traditional Chinese Medicine formula.

Can I Try TCM Myself?

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years, which means that it is a master craft not to be taken lightly. To ask if you should be crafting Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas by yourself is the same as saying you’re trying to manufacture Prozac at home. Not only is it extremely important to get the right ingredients, but to prepare them and measure them out properly. In addition, diagnosing yourself is quite risky without a long history of research and practice in the art of Chinese Herbal Medicine!

To benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbal Medicine, it is highly recommended to first seek out a TCM practitioner. An expert will be able to help you get more clarity on what exactly is causing your ills, such as deficiency in kidney yin. Unlike Western medicine, which uses a one-size-fits-all approach to assigning certain medicines to specific illnesses, Traditional Chinese Medicine looks closely at each individual and creates formulations that will solve those issues at the source. In other words, a TCM practitioner will look at your body holistically, and then they can help point you in the right direction to choose the right TCM formulas and dose properly.

Without that key information, you could end up making your problems even worse. So be careful and seek out an expert!

Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Be Combined With Other TCM Practices?

Not only can you combine Chinese Herbal Medicine with other Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, but it’s highly recommended. Many methods like Qi Gong and acupuncture are highly effective for reducing stress and pain, improving mental focus, and increasing stability and regularity in the body. Using these methods combined with a TCM formula like Wen Dan Tang for anxiety and insomnia can greatly improve one’s quality of life.

Adding Traditional Chinese Medicine practices to your daily life, anyway, is an amazing idea even if you don’t suffer from any of the above conditions. You might not have cardiovascular or sleeping problems, but you might if you don’t take care of your energy flow! The whole point of TCM is to keep your Qi in balance and flowing properly, so continuing to use the practices and formulas of TCM is a great preventative measure so you can stay healthy and sound.

REMEMBER!

Not all methods will work for everyone. TCM is a journey, and the best way to health and happiness for someone else might just not be your journey, and that’s okay.

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

LOTS OF BLESSINGS TO YOU!

There is no “Other.” There is only you experiencing yourself.

Meet Paul Wagner

March 26, 2024March 26, 2024

How To Be An Effective Intuitive Coach

Coach. Leader. Guide. Mentor. These are just a few of the titles given to those people in our lives that encourage and lead us to be better. If these people in our lives do right by us, they can help us let go of the bad things about us, help us shed the old and ugly or broken parts of ourselves, and help us grow and develop into higher versions of ourselves.

An intuitive coach can have a much stronger effect on the lives of their clients because we can tap into the Universe, and connect with the higher presence in order to guide others to a deeper understanding of themselves.

What Does It Mean To Be “Intuitive”?

Being intuitive means that we have the ability to have a sense about things from beyond, just simply by knowing it. It is similar to common intuition, but stronger and more focused, as the sense is through a higher connection to the Universe – and the knowledge comes from beyond normal senses.

Tapping into the normal senses, a keen observation, and the skill of really listening to another individual – being able to put yourself in their shoes and understand where they are coming from – are essential parts of this ability too. But the connection to a higher understanding is what gives intuitives knowledge beyond the normal senses and our ability to tap into yourself and your journey well beyond what you might have before.

What About Intuitive Coaching?

To be an intuitive coach requires having a specific skill set. Without having the abilities of an intuitive, you cannot be an effective intuitive coach (obviously). While many claim to have these abilities, or lead people in need astray through the smoke and mirrors of faked or disingenuous psychic and intuitive abilities – they are looking for profit or power or both at the expense of others.

True intuitive coaching helps clients with self-growth, guiding them on the path of tapping into their souls and uncovering their truest selves. Your role as an intuitive coach, and my role as well, is to lead clients to a deeper soul-knowledge and awareness of themselves:

- - What battles do they face?
  - What lies have they been told or have they told themselves?
  - What is it that they truly want out of their relationships?
  - What does their life path look like?
  - What do they want from their career?
  - What is the plan moving forward?

All of this just scratches the surface of what it means to be an effective intuitive coach. Let’s go deeper.

Understanding Your Role As a Coach

When we are young, our parents – if they are good parents – are our first source of guidance and discipline. However, as time goes on, we may rebel against our parents or start pushing back. This is natural, of course, and most people have done so in one form or another at some point in their lives. It’s possible that we feel they tell us what to do for their own benefit, or their advice is too predictable because we’ve heard it all before.

If the rebellion happens at a younger age, this is where coaches can come into our lives. They are parent-like figures that are not our parents – we somehow inherently take their advice and leadership more seriously because they are not as closely involved. As we grow up, we do not lose that need to have mentors that can both become intimately connected with us and still remain removed enough to offer unbiased, objective guidance.

Just as we often find ourselves listening to coaches more so than our parents at a young age because we can choose them as our leaders instead of the Universe assigning them to us, we need mentors in our adult lives that can help us see things from a different perspective. Sometimes, we just need to speak with someone who won’t stand to benefit from one outcome over another, who we haven’t grown up around to the point that we have too similar views and influences, or who won’t repeat predictable advice.

Your role as a coach is to understand why your clients would need you in the first place: as a mentor and confidant who can evaluate situations from the outside, apply new perspectives, and not cast judgments that fall too close to home.

Finding Inspiration In Other Coaches

These days, coaches can be seen almost everywhere you turn, and they take many forms. You might be looking to be an intuitive coach, but there’s a lot to be learned from the way different types of coaches lead their subjects. The most noticeable and perhaps public form of coaching that we see today is that of the sporting variety, but there are very famous coaches to be found under other titles – religious leaders and teachers, for example.

Secular Coaches

Some of the most famous coaches in history include Vince Lombardi, Mike Krzyzewski, and Bill Belichick. Wisdom such as “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect,” (Vince Lombardi) can be found on walls in halls of fame, and heard repeated at youth sporting practices across the country.

While helpful in guiding young people in the direction of building better lives, these iconic quotes and leaders are not applicable to all corners of life. These figureheads and their words of wisdom can guide us in the right direction, but they often lack the spiritual, higher note that we crave – that connection to something more. This is why we need to turn to our religious and spiritual leaders and begin the journey of finding intuitive coaches to help guide us in finding a deeper understanding of ourselves and the Universe.

Religious/Spiritual

There are a wide array of religious and spiritual leaders that cultures and religions across time and oceans have turned to for help. Some whose teachings I lean on often in my coaching and life journeys include Amma, the “Hugging Saint,” Anandamayi Ma, and many other inspiring divine masters.

Spiritual “coaches” like these take a much less simple, yet often more profound approach. They see things from a much higher level and can break down life based on value, purpose, and meaning rather than just in-the-moment, superficial consequences.

A great intuitive coach will find inspiration from both the secular and spiritual gurus of the past and present to guide them in forming their own style. They can use a mix of superficial logic and high-minded thought, always staying flexible in their approach based on the client’s personality and needs in each session.

How To Be a Good Intuitive Coach

There are all kinds of coaches: There are strict and impatient disciplinarians and lenient, patient, and flexible coaches. There are coaches we remember with loathing and the coaches whose wisdom we carry with us through the rest of our days. Ultimately, we strive to be mentors who effectively change the course of our clients’ lives and their outlooks, but it takes a special kind of formation, practice, and mindset.

Learn From What It Means To Be a Bad Coach

We all have had those people in our lives that claimed to be helpers but we knew were either liars or users. They were manipulating us or the people around us for their own gain. Bad coaches don’t fall far from this tree.

Many times, a bad coach is not dissimilar to a so-called psychic. A large number of people who claim to be psychic have done so without honing what abilities they have to connect with a higher consciousness. This leads to many frauds giving themselves the title of psychic while using the tarot cards and smoke show to create a profit for themselves using a soul’s need for help.

If you lack the skill set to be an intuitive coach – that is, if you do not have a good or strong connection to the Universe, or simply do not have the natural intuitive abilities – you should not be an intuitive coach. However, if you have the natural intuitive inclination, but have not ever used it, fear not. With time and practice, you can harness that natural intuitive gift into something that can grow your connection to your true self and the Universe around you.

Without the ability to move their own egos aside, these people will have difficulty being able to actually help their clients, and this may only lead others into more hardship.

Evaluate Your Intentions and Limitations

Much like being a professional athlete, a star musician, or anything exceptional, it takes a particular kind of person to be a good and effective coach. Beyond having the inherent talent and wisdom, you’ll also need the motivation to commit and the desire to truly serve others.

Coaches need to genuinely want to be around the people they will be guiding or leading. Coaches need to want to help those around them, to challenge them to be better, to grow both as people in general and in whatever it is that the coach is leading them towards. That being said, if you do not like being around people, particularly difficult or distraught people in challenging situations, coaching may not be for you.

Coaching comes with all sorts of challenges. Many different personalities will come to you, requiring guidance. And depending on the kind of coaching you will be engaging in, you may have to learn how to manage those personalities and situations both on an individual level and as a unit. You must get them to learn how to work with others as well as with themselves. If you do it right, you’ll be able to enjoy watching different personalities develop and evolve, and that is a beautiful and powerful thing that you can have the honor to guide.

It’s also important to remember that you are not the coach for everyone, and not every client is the client for you. Learn which personalities you work well with, and learn to read the intentions of people who approach you for guidance. Being able to discern well which clients you should accept and reject will be crucial to your own well-being and the success of your clients.

Only Coach What You Know

Ultimately, you’ll need to have a particular skill set that a client is looking for. Coaching requires one to be an expert, or at least nearly so, in whatever area or industry one is going to focus on as a coach. Oftentimes, the worst coaches are the people who have barely scratched the surface personally, yet have decided to advertise themselves to mentees as experts. Or even worse, they have taken up the title with no experience whatsoever just to have a position of power.

So, if you are particularly good at something – in this case, intuitive guidance and readings – and have the desire to help others grow, then I would highly recommend you as an intuitive coach. You might then also choose to niche down even further. If you have a tremendous amount of experience in business, for example, you might consider specifically being an intuitive business coach.

Build Your Intuitive Toolkit

Strengthening your intuitive abilities takes genuine commitment and willingness to dive deep into oneself, no matter what one might find. It requires learning true forgiveness, being wholly accepting of yourself, and sharing your beautiful light with others.

Some ways I’ve gotten in touch with myself are my favorite rituals, mantras, prayers and sutras. Specifically, I love getting myself through the day by repeating the Ho’Oponono mantra hundreds of times. This chant is one of full, genuine forgiveness of oneself and of others so that you are left with no attachments to guilt, regret, or hurt. Doing this allows me to center myself and better serve my coaching clients. It breaks down all physical barriers and attachments to this world so that I can connect with myself and the Universe more fully. I highly recommend creating a mental toolkit of all the spiritual and centering practices that will help you become a better coach, and make sure to make them part of your daily routine.

When it comes to your coaching sessions, make sure you’ve set up a sacred space. Tapping into your psychic and intuitive abilities requires a safe, clean, and spiritual space conducive to high vibrations and devoid of interruptions. Make sure you store all your divination tools with sacred respect as well, whether you set up a shelf or an altar for them. Build up your collection of tarot cards, oracle cards, crystals, oils, and more that can help you fully tap into your knowledge and abilities.

Finally, practice turning your intuitions into practical, grounded advice that’s truly helpful to your clients. As an intuitive coach, your role is more than just channeling messages to your clients. You help must interpret these messages in applicable ways so that your abilities are used for genuine guidance and formation. Never forget to show gratitude as well, both to the Universe and to your clients.

Consider My Personality Cards for Guidance

I would recommend building into your toolkit the Personality Cards I developed some time ago. They might add some fun and depth to the tarot card reading experience for clients. When used in the right way, the Personality Cards are always spot-on and help lead clients to a deeper understanding of themselves.

The Personality Cards don’t have to be used just for clients, either! You can use them yourself in your daily preparations – during prayer, meditation, or self-reflection. A good intuitive coach does not stop practicing or deepening their connection to the Universe.

If you lose that close connection, and that intuitive understanding gets muffled, you will not be able to help your clients – you may only hurt them and yourself.

The Personality Cards are a great and fun way to stay on track on a day-to-day basis. They are also an effective tool to help your clients open their eyes to deeper understanding and assist you in the guidance process in their sessions

Contact Me For Further Intuitive Coaching Formation

Intuitive Coaching requires the skill set of having a deep connection to the Universe and being able to harness that natural ability. Having a deep desire to help people is also necessary, and beyond that, a unique ability to understand others – to step into another person’s shoes and guide them on their journey to finding the right path. Let the Universe guide them through you, and both you and your client can reach a more enlightened state of consciousness.

If you are thinking about starting down the path to becoming an Intuitive Coach, or are not sure if that is a path you want to take – please feel free to reach out regarding a coaching plan or private session.

YOU ARE LOVE!

Meet Paul Wagner

March 22, 2024March 26, 2024

Mold & Mycotoxicity Illness

Shutterstock licensed image

Mold & Mycotoxicity Illness

Nowadays, it seems like everyone you talk to is dealing with an autoimmune disease, uncontrollable allergies, chronic pain or fatigue, inexplicable headaches, and more. It couldn’t have always been this way, could it? How come more and more people every day seem to be afflicted by so many illnesses and conditions that no doctors can seem to treat?

While mold is certainly not the only answer, it is beginning to be seen by researchers as a culprit worth pursuing. Research into mold and mycotoxicity is growing in popularity, though it is still too young and unexplored for any conclusions to be made. To this day, there are still no definite warnings or recommended treatments from organizations we trust to help guide us in achieving wellness.

If you have been experiencing a myriad of symptoms that doctors cannot seem to find any proof or root cause of, it’s a good idea to look into how mold works and what can happen when it affects our bodies. Thankfully, there are already unofficial treatments that are forming, such as a detox, which might help you start feeling better.

Mold and Our Environment

When people think of mold, they jump straight to the more extreme, mature forms: visible black mold in showers and under sinks or white growths or fuzz on leftover food. What most people aren’t aware of is that mold is actually everywhere we can’t see, too. Before mold grows into forms we can see, it is floating about in the air we breathe, attaching to clothes and pets, carried in on our groceries, and embedding itself both outside and within our homes. Unfortunately, this also means that it enters our bodies regularly.

In fact, you could be regularly ingesting mold through your food. Common foods that contain high amounts of mold include:

- - Smoked and processed meats
  - Dried fruits
  - Alcohol like beer and wine
  - Nuts, most notably cashews and peanuts

Of course, mold just doesn’t exist. In order to thrive, it typically prefers warm, dark, moist areas. While you may have mold spores living on your furniture, in your clothes, and even in your dog’s fur, that mold won’t start really growing and causing issues until it lands in the perfect spot. For homes, that means growing in the tile grout in your shower.

In our yards, that’s the dark corner of our yard that doesn’t drain properly. For us, it means entering our system and hanging out while our body struggles to get rid of it.

It’s only when these mold spores start growing in their favorite places that they begin producing mycotoxins, which are believed to be the main culprit of any illness we experience due to mold.

Our Body’s War Against Mold Toxicity

Since mold is a naturally occurring thing in our environment, humans generally have the ability to get rid of it naturally. Our body has set processes for continually detoxifying our system, but some studies are now exploring why certain people are more prone to developing serious conditions brought on by exposure to mycotoxins, including specific genetic variations called SNPs.

Normally, exposure to mold can cause respiratory illness and worsened symptoms for those with respiratory conditions like asthma. Mold toxicity can also cause symptoms that are much like asthma, the flu, hay fever, and allergies.

Beyond that, mold has been shown to be a cause of some cases of pneumonia and eczema, and studies are now showing links to mold exposure with health effects on the brain such as memory loss and problems with vision and emotional regulation.

According to the World Health Organization, there are four major types of mycotoxins that have proven to cause serious health issues in humans and livestock.

- - Aflatoxins grow in grains, hay, decaying vegetation, and soil, meaning they are prevalent among crops and farm animals. It is most common to come in contact with these mycotoxins through spices, cereals, oil seeds, and tree nuts. These mycotoxins are damaging to both the liver and to DNA, possibly causing liver cancer.
  - Ochratoxin A is commonly found in dry vine fruits, coffee beans, cereals, spices, wine, and liquorice worldwide. It is most notably known for damaging the kidneys, but also can affect the immune system and fetal development.
  - Patulin is most commonly found in products made with apples that have gone bad. Liver, kidney, spleen, and immune system damage has been observed with exposure to patulin, as well as gastrointestinal issues.
  - Mycotoxins associated with the fusarium fungi, which all come under the umbrella of trichothecenes, are mainly common in cereal crops. Trichothecenes can cause severe reactions including sudden skin irritation and diarrhoea as well as oesophageal cancer. Research has also shown it can suppress the immune system, affect hormones, and even cause kidney and liver toxicity and infertility in animals.

How Can I Tell If I Have Mycotoxicity?

There are a number of methods for determining if your symptoms might be caused by mycotoxicity. So far, options include urine testing, bloodwork, nasal swabs, and a visual contrast sensitivity test. While some tests like the visual contrast sensitivity test can be bought online, other tests like the urine and bloodwork labs would need to be ordered by a provider and often aren’t covered by insurance.

The Organic Acids Test does include several biomarkers that could help determine if you have a fungal overgrowth and mycotoxicity. It will check for yeast and candida overgrowth as well as several mycotoxins. The IgE Mold allergy test can also determine if you have antibodies in your system built to fight against mycotoxins, which would determine if your body is actively trying to fight off infections from mold.

Sometimes, the most accessible way to know if mycotoxicity is affecting you is to undergo a complete detox and see if your symptoms subside.

Detoxing Your Body of Mold and Mycotoxins

If you suspect or know that your body is full of mycotoxins, you can try many methods for a detox that will assist your body in cleansing out the mold.

The traditional method is to cleanse the sinuses and the gut of fungal overgrowth through medicated nasal sprays and oral medications. For this approach, you’ll need to be diagnosed and prescribed treatments by your provider.

Some more accessible remedies include:

- - Increasing your intake of essential fatty acids to 3-4 grams each day
  - Taking binders like activated charcoal and bentonite clay
  - Using probiotics specifically known to fight mold, including S. boulardi, L. beveris, and L. pentosus
  - Adding supplements of vitamins C, A, E, and Zinc
  - Adding the antioxidant Glutathione to your diet
  - Utilizing herbal remedies like berberine, grapefruit seed, oil of oregano, uva ursi, gymnema, pau d’arco, garlic, caprylic acid, and plant tannins

As a daily routine, I recommend using herbal remedies like oil of oregano daily for immune support while you use other herbs like milk thistle or dandelion root to help your liver detox. Eating 2-4 grams of garlic daily will then help your body start ridding itself of the mold that is being fought off and detoxed by the liver and immune system.

Artichoke leaf extract and gingko bilboa supplements will help fight off the symptoms of mold toxicity while you detox, and then you should finish off with chlorophyll, which will help protect your body from further mold damage.

What to Eat During a Mold Detox

While you’re detoxing your body of mold, the last thing you want is to keep ingesting foods that are reintroducing mold into your system. Mold also thrives on starch and sugars, so avoid eating anything that will offer that food source. In general, avoid foods like mushrooms, vinegars, grapes, soy sauce, aged and moldy cheeses, nuts, potatoes, corn, yeast, and simple carbs.

Instead, try eating a lot of kitchen garden herbs, bitter greens, root vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, chia and flax seed, oat bran, and foods high in healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, ghee, and fish.

Meanwhile, clear your air with essential oils like orange and clove!

REMEMBER!

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

Meet Paul Wagner

March 14, 2024March 26, 2024

Heart & Brain Benefits Of NAD+, Resveratrol, L-citrulline & More

The Heart & Brain Benefits Of NAD+, Resveratrol, L-citrulline, Pterostilbene, NMN & More

When we ask, the Universe provides. No problems we experience in our world have been unanswered or left without resolve, we just haven’t found the answers yet! When it comes to the benefits of NAD+ and other resources on aging, deterioration of our bodies, and conditions of the heart and mind, it’s no different. There are so many naturally occurring chemicals in our environment like NAD+, resveratrol, l-citrulline, pterostilbene, NMN, and more available to us, and it’s our responsibility to take advantage.

At first, the names of these chemicals can be really daunting – what is resveratrol, really? Where could I possibly find something named pterostilbene? The answer might surprise you – many of them are found right in common grocery items.

If you’re looking to harness the power that the Universe has provided us in order to better and lengthen your life, here’s the perfect guide for you.

Benefits of NAD+ on the Brain

Believe it or not, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is actually a chemical that exists naturally in our bodies. We create and use NAD+ in our systems as an essential molecule for developing and regulating cellular energy. With great levels of NAD+ in our system, our brain health is most likely at its optimal.

Unfortunately, as with everything else, aging or chronic disease can lead our bodies to lesser levels of NAD+. As we lose our ability to produce enough NAD+, we lose out on the many benefits of NAD+ on our brains.

Let’s dive into a little more detail about exactly what NAD+ does for us.

NAD+ is a Messenger in Our Bodies

In Western Medicine, we often find ourselves focusing on the symptoms rather than the cause. Many medicines and treatments attack only one portion of what is a much larger issue, leaving us feeling a bit better but never on the mend. I prefer to look at things from a much more Eastern approach – Traditional Chinese Medicine treats us wholistically, attacking the source of the issues which permeate the entire body.

You might scoff at it, but it’s true. If one molecule or level or chemical is off in one part of the body, the effects ripple into so many other areas. We might end up experiencing symptoms that we never would have thought could be caused by something completely seemingly-unrelated.

Need proof? NAD+ acts as a messenger in our body, meaning it is in control of so many functions across our body that we never would have thought could be related. The same molecule that keeps your heart rate normal also controls your appetite and the way you sleep, and that molecule is NAD+.

NAD+’s wide-reaching influence has to do with the fact that it’s in control of neurotransmitters, which communicate signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Messages for your heart, liver, large intestine, and so much more are all depending on NAD+ to make it to and from the brain.

If you feel that you have a wide range of issues, such as changes in appetite, blood pressure, pulse, motor control, sleep, memory, and more, it’s very possible your NAD+ levels are involved. NAD+ is even an essential molecule that helps our body convert glucose into energy for our brains, so low amounts could mean a declined ability for the cells in our brain to keep functioning.

Benefits of NAD+ on Cognitive Function and Memory

Now that we understand a bit more about the function of NAD+ with neurotransmitters, it’s much easier to grasp that its role is extremely important for the brain. Our entire central nervous system depends on this molecule to take care of its messages, so it’s no surprise that it’s essential to our cognitive function.

As we grow older, we suffer a loss of blood flow to the brain and production levels of NAD+. As a result, many of us see our memories start to fade, both long-term and short-term. Researchers are now hoping that something called NDA+ IV therapy and supplements could improve the memory and cognitive function of older adults.

NAD+ is a Warrior Fighting Against Neurological Disease

Many neurological diseases affect memory and cognitive function, and we just learned that NAD+ can directly fight against it. Researchers are now very hopeful that restoring the right levels of NAD+ can help fight against diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease by boosting energy for brain cells. Even diseases transmitted to us that affect our nervous system, such as Lymes Disease, could be positively affected by increased levels of NAD+. Even if heightened NAD+ levels might not be able to completely cure neurological diseases, they have a great chance of at least relieving some of the more devastating symptoms and lengthening the time of a higher quality of life for these individuals.

NAD+ Protects Our Nerve Fibers from Demyelination

Demyelination is the breaking down of the coating of our nerve fibers, also known as myelin sheaths. These coatings keep our brain’s nerves intact so that messages between the brain and the rest of the nervous system – like the spinal cord – can continue to transmit properly and keep our whole body functioning as it should.

Demyelination can happen due to injury or degeneration. Either way, it can interrupt many key functions of our body such as vision, motor control, digestive function, muscle strength, and even cause pain.

Keeping healthy levels of NAD+ in our system means protecting our brain’s nerve fibers and maintaining a healthy function of our whole body.

Does NAD+ Therapy Have Side Effects?

NAD+ IV therapy includes using an IV to infuse your blood with NAD+ supplements. As a result, risks could come from improper usage of an IV. If the drip is too quick, some providers report that their patients experience brain fog, muscle fatigue, cramping, and nausea, but claim this can be resolved by slowing the drip. Otherwise, research has not found any side effects of taking NAD+ supplements.

Are There Other Ways to Boost NAD+?

Research has shown that levels of NAD+ in your system are not controlled on their own. There are many things you can do to alter the levels of NAD+ in your system that don’t require a direct infusion or supplement. In fact, NAD+ has many “precursor” vitamins and molecules that lead the body to produce more.

Nicotinamide riboside is one precursor to NAD+ that is found in milk. You can also increase exercise, limit your exposure to UV, and increase your intake of foods high in vitamin B.

Benefits of NAD+ Precursor Pterostilbene

For example, do you eat a lot of blueberries? Pterostilbene is a polyphenol found in the berries that is a precursor to NAD+. In other words, eating increased amounts of pterostilbene can directly increase the production of NAD+ in your body.

Further, pterostilbene activates your sirtuins, which regulate your response to signals from the environment and to your nutrition. As a result, you can gain better control of your appetite and regulate your circadian rhythm for better sleep, among other things.

Benefits of NAD+ Precursor NMN

NMN, or nicotinamide mononucleotide, is a direct precursor to our body’s production of NAD+ along with nicotinamide riboside (NR). NMN can be found naturally in foods like avocado, cabbage, cucumbers, edamame, and broccoli as well as through sources of vitamin B3.

Increasing the levels of NMN in our bodies directly affects how much NAD+ is produced naturally in our cells, although age has been shown to inhibit our body’s ability to convert NMN into NAD+ over time.

To fight back against these decreasing levels and production, taking NMN supplements is a great choice. Increasing levels of NMN can help with anti-aging as well as boost the effectiveness of our NAD+’s ability to protect and regulate our nervous system.

Benefits of Resveratrol

You might have found NAD+ a bit boring since it’s a molecule made in our bodies and requires medical assistance for improving its levels, but I think you’ll like this one a bit better.

Resveratrol is a part of what scientists call polyphenols, which probably sound more familiar. They are like antioxidants and can help fight against damage known to cause diseases like heart disease and cancer, and it’s something you can get in your kitchen!

Where have you heard of polyphenols and antioxidants? You can find them at the bottom of your bottle of red wine! That’s because resveratrol naturally occurs in the skin of red grapes, and it’s also in berries and peanuts.

Resveratrol is Anti-Aging

I’m sure you’ve heard it a thousand times – drinking a glass of red wine has some amazing benefits, including anti-aging properties. Well, that goes for adding more resveratrol to your diet across the board. Researchers have been mainly testing the effects of resveratrol on animals, but so far, results have been promising.

One of the biggest reasons for these promising results is that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties. By lowering inflammation in the body, you can reduce puffiness as well as improve the way you feel and the function of your body’s natural processes. As an antioxidant-like chemical, resveratrol can also rid your body of toxins that are affecting the way you look and feel.

Resveratrol is Anti-Disease

A part of living a longer, healthier, and more beautiful life is fighting against neurodegenerative diseases. If you have inflammation in your system, it could be negatively impacting your cognitive function, motor skills, memory, and control of bodily functions. Much like the benefits of NAD+, the benefits of resveratrol have to do with protecting your neurotransmitters, and it does this by reducing inflammation and oxidative distress.

Further, studies have shown that resveratrol may play a huge role in helping to lower bad cholesterol, prevent insulin resistance, and even limit the spread of cancerous cells. Hopefully, continued research can help us utilize resveratrol to cure diabetes, cancer, and heart disease!

Are There Risks to Taking Resveratrol Supplements?

The jury is out on whether resveratrol supplements have side effects and risks according to the NIH. Resveratrol is not a regulated supplement, although it seems to be sufficiently safe with no serious reported side effects in healthy people.

They report that both short-term low doses and long-term higher doses have shown no side effects for healthy people, but that heightened doses might cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and even liver dysfunction if you have fatty liver disease. As always, it’s important to consult with your healthcare providers before adding supplements to your daily routine.

Where Can I find Resveratrol Naturally… and Not in Wine?

The key to finding resveratrol naturally is to break it down into its derivatives. In that case, piceid might be your answer. Piceid is one of the most important derivatives of resveratrol, and it can be found in many grape juices. In other words, you can still benefit from the awesome effects of drinking red wine without the alcohol.

Benefits of L-Citrulline

Okay, so where do benefits for the heart come in? Well, we already mentioned that the benefits of NAD+ improve regulation of blood pressure and heart rate, and the benefits of resveratrol include lowering bad cholesterol and rates of heart disease. L-citrulline has to do with the blood-brain barrier and control over blood flow throughout the body.

It also fights against neuronal cell death. Overall, L-citrulline can protect our brain’s interactions with our cardiovascular system, improving any cerebrovascular dysfunction.

The best part? You can get L-citrulline naturally in watermelon! If you’re not a fan, the molecule also comes in supplement form.

L-Citrulline Fights Cardiovascular Diseases

L-citrulline is a molecule that is a neutral amino acid, and it plays a key role in the nitric oxide cycle. This cycle produces nitric oxide – a molecule that relaxes your arteries and improves blood flow.

Because of this amazing benefit, L-citrulline is considered a great supplement for those who suffer from high blood pressure and are at risk of heart disease. Because blood pressure issues and heart disease are directly correlated with erectile dysfunction, L-citrulline treatment is also a great natural alternative for improving these symptoms.

L-Citrulline Could Help Malnourishment and Intestinal Problems

The research is still in its early stages, but L-citrulline has also shown promising results when it comes to animal testing regarding muscle protein levels. If the same results transfer to humans, then L-citrulline could be an amazing option for helping to improve malnourishment, especially in the elderly whose levels of muscle protein decline naturally.

Further, intestinal problems like celiac disease, small bowel damage due to radiation exposure, and even short bowel syndrome are possible conditions that could benefit from L-citrulline supplements.

Are There Risks to Taking L-Citrulline Supplements?

Unfortunately, there are no standards set yet by the FDA or any health authorities regarding taking L-citrulline supplements. Research is not far enough along yet for any solid case to be made for its benefits and risk. So far, though, there have been no reported side effects of taking the supplement.

With extra precaution, people are advised not to take L-citrulline supplements if there are pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood pressure medication, taking nitrates for heart disease, or any erectile dysfunction drugs. There are concerns that taking L-citrulline supplements might interfere with the effectiveness of these drugs, although there is no proof yet.

The Benefits of Arginine

When it comes to supplements that are making a name for themselves, arginine is certainly one of them. Lately, researchers and medical professionals are emphasizing the importance of arginine in our body’s natural functions. Arginine has huge implications for our heart health, especially.

Deficiency in arginine is rare because it’s a pretty abundant nutrient. It can be found in poultry, fish, red meat, dairy, nuts, seeds, grains, and more. As you can imagine, a vegan who doesn’t eat other sources of protein like nuts and grains could be in trouble (and not just because they don’t have arginine), but you most likely have sufficient levels otherwise.

What Does Arginine Do?

Arginine is extremely important for our kidneys, maintaining hormone levels and our immune system, wound healing, and controlling the arteries. In fact, this molecule is an amino acid that is converted into nitric oxide, the neurotransmitter we talked about earlier that helps with our circulation. If you’re worried about cardiovascular diseases and conditions, arginine is a great natural supplement for you.

Are There Risks to Supplementing with Arginine?

At low and moderate doses, there has been no evidence of risks or side effects when taking arginine supplements. If you’re taking higher doses, such as over 15 grams per day, you might start experiencing cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, so just stay conservative.

Allow the Universe to Provide

If you are seeking answers and help in the face of health complications, I’m so sorry that you are struggling. Not many other situations are quite as troubling as not feeling like you have control of your health.

Pray for others, and the Universe prays for us. The Universe provides all that we need, we just need to take advantage of it. The benefits of NAD+, resveratrol, arginine, and so many other naturally occurring elements will guide us through.

Meet Paul Wagner

March 7, 2024March 26, 2024

How Mushrooms and Trees Communicate and Thrive

Deep in the forests, in places uncharted or untouched by man, there is an incredible and unfathomable network of living organisms that accomplish things we never dreamed they could before. The ability for other living organisms to communicate with each other, even organisms that many of us view as the lowest on the “food chain” of life, is actually astounding. One of these amazing instances is how mushrooms and trees communicate and thrive in their natural habitat.

That’s right – mushrooms are truly magical, and that’s not just because so many species of mushrooms are dubbed “magic mushrooms” for their hallucinogenic properties. They’re truly magical because they’re so complex beyond our understanding.

How Do Mushrooms Work, Exactly?

When you think of mushrooms, you probably get the image of the cute little mushroom cap popping up out of the damp soil. While this image is correct, it’s actually leaving out a much bigger picture. The mushroom caps you see popping up are the equivalent of the fruit that grows on a tree – they are the reproductive parts of a much larger system that we cannot see underground.

To fully understand how mushrooms and trees communicate, you’ll need to understand the different parts of the mushroom network. The three major parts of the mushroom network to understand are the mushrooms themselves, their spores, and the mycelium.

What is Mycelium?

Mycelium looks and acts a lot like roots do for a tree. While we cannot see the mycelium unless we dig it up and study it, the structures are quite massive. Mycelium spreads out much further and wider than the mushroom caps we can see, yet they are still only made of thread-like roots that grow no more than a few thousandths of a millimeter in width per thread.

Mycelium spreads and penetrates food sources nearby, such as organic materials from which it can extract sugar. To extract sugar, mycelium needs to secrete enzymes that break down the organic materials it attaches to.

While mycelium sounds like its structure is fragile, it’s actually a very complex and intentional system of threads that last well beyond the lifespan of any mushrooms it sprouts! In fact, mycelium continues sprouting new mushrooms throughout its lifetime to continue the cycle of life.

Because mycelium is so complex, researchers have been discovering new ways to take advantage of such a resilient and interesting structure, such as paving way for new opportunities in sustainability and healthcare.

What Do Mushrooms Do?

The “fruits” of the mycelium network are the mushrooms we see sprouting up from soil or wood. There are too many species of mushrooms to count, so it’s hard to define exactly how they look. The most popular structure of a mushroom looks like a trunk with a cap on top, and even these types of mushrooms come in endless colors and variations. There are also mushrooms and fungi that grow more like tubes or mounds.

The most important job of the mushroom is to produce and distribute spores, which are the reproductive “seeds” that spread and set up new mycelium networks if they land in the right places. These spores root and grow mycelium much like a seed from the fruit of a tree would under the right environmental conditions.

Once the job of the mushroom is done – whether its spores are spread by the wind, passing animals, or other transportive means – it dies away. When it comes to the lifespan of a mushroom, though, there is a wide range depending on the species. While some smaller, simpler species of mushrooms can be fully grown in just one day, other large mushrooms can take a few months.

What’s So Important About Fungi and Mushrooms?

For many people, mushrooms are gross, ugly, and are signs of moldy and damp areas. For others, they are merely good for mealtime. In the wild, though, mushrooms play an extremely important function in the environment’s survival. We should truly look at them as a sign of rebirth!

Fungi and mushrooms are an entirely separate category of life all on their own. While plants use photosynthesis to generate energy from the sun and animals eat food to digest nutrients, fungi externally digest nutrients before they absorb the food into their network. Fungi break down dead and decaying organisms in the environment to fuel themselves, making them nature’s great recycler.

Without mushrooms and mycelium in our environment, the world would be a wasteland of dead plants. Fungi is the reason why dead plants can decay and make way for new life.

Okay, so maybe you already know that. But did you know that there’s an even cooler function for mushrooms and their mycelium in the wild? It has to do with allowing trees to communicate!

How Mushrooms and Trees Communicate

Despite popular knowledge, plants DO talk! In fact, trees can communicate with their neighboring trees much like herds of animals can communicate and work together for survival. How do they do it?

As you can imagine, the lifespan and survival prowess of mycelium underground lends itself to quick expansion. Spores continue to plant and create new mycelium networks in the soil and organic materials endlessly, and mycelium can literally live forever. Mycelium, therefore, expands underground and connects tree roots to other tree roots, creating a massive communication network that trees have learned to utilize for survival.

The network that mycelium creates for its own survival is also a tool for symbiosis with trees. The trees use the mycelium to transport nutrients and messages to each other. The mycelium graciously allows the trees to use them as a network for communication and offers nitrogen and phosphorous to the trees. In exchange, the mycelium is allowed to extract sugar for fuel from the tree roots. Scientists have found that mycelium actually digests 30% of the sugar that trees create from their photosynthesis efforts.

This symbiotic network is now referred to as the mycorrhizal network.

Wait… Trees Do What?

I bet you never imagined that scientists could claim that “mother” trees talk to younger trees to warn them of environmental threats. Old, wise oaks can tell saplings not to chase the light or shed leaves for fear of dooming their successful growth. One tree can even warn another tree of an impending drought or spreading disease.

Mainly, trees use their mycorrhizal networks to send resources back and forth to their fellow trees. Often, they share carbon that they’ve harvested from the atmosphere to ensure that the trees within their network are all thriving.

Beyond their carbon food, they can also send messages to alert others of danger. These trees use a method called “allelopathy,” which is the transmission of certain chemicals from one tree to another to warn them of a specific type of threat.

In response, the neighboring trees can act appropriately to defend themselves from the threat. Usually, this means they will excrete certain chemicals to stop the growth of a predatorial plant, prevent spreading disease, or ward off threatening infestations of insects.

This awareness and subsequent defense against environmental threats don’t even stop at biological and natural threats. Scientists have been able to prove that forests of trees can become aware of major destruction like deforestation and send warnings through their mycorrhizal networks to their fellow trees!

Believe It Or Not, Trees Can Be Tribal

Your mind is probably already blown away learning about mycorrhizal networks, and it certainly is a complex concept on its own. To make it even more complicated, trees can actually decide which trees they want to communicate with through these fungal networks.

Not just any mycelium network can create a symbiotic relationship with any tree species. Certain fungi prefer specific tree species so that both the tree and the fungi can benefit to the fullest extent from the exchanged nutrients. While it is believed that all trees are capable of forming these mycorrhizal networks, not all trees take advantage of them due to the lack of the correct fungi in their environment.

The majority of mycelium-tree symbiotic relationships consist of the “arbuscular mycorrhizal network,” which creates extensions of complicated structures that attach to the trees. The other remaining 35% or so of networks use combinations of fungi.

In addition, trees can prefer to only network with trees of their own species! For example, a birch tree might only be willing to connect with other birch trees. How can they tell? Specific tree species send off unique chemical compounds that identify them, and other trees can either recognize or not recognize that compound as their own unique compound.

Scientists have named this sort of “tribal” behavior within species as “kin recognition.” While they can’t prove that this kin recognition is happening for a specific reason, scientists believe that trees do this to ensure that trees of their own species survive and outlast other species so that they can become dominant in the area through easier reproduction.

At the same time, there are species of trees that are willing to connect with each other and share space within the same mycorrhizal network. Scientists have found birch and fir trees connecting and interacting through mycelium as a way to improve their resilience and longevity. Diversity is important, even nature knows it!

What Exactly Do the Communication Signals Look Like Amongst Trees?

Similarly to how scientists delve deep into researching the vocalizations and body language communications of animals, scientists are just now realizing that they can begin to decifer the language of trees. How mushrooms and trees communicate is one thing, but now how do trees use the mushrooms to communicate with each other?

In short, researchers describe the communication signals amongst trees as hormonal or chemical messages and slow-pulsing electrical signals through the mycorrhizal network. One Swiss scientists, Edward Farmer, is beginning to decipher the electric pulses that trees send to each other. He now believes that the majority of communication is a language of stress and warnings – they mainly communicate dangers to each other rather than content social speech.

Another scientist based in Arizona, Monica Gagliano, has been working on detecting if trees also communicate by emitting noises. She believes that trees can create sounds at a frequency of 220 in their roots, which is inaudible to humans but would sound like a crackling noise.

Finally, scientists have discovered that trees communicate with each other through the air and actually have senses of smell and taste. A great example is the way acacia trees can emit warning pheromones to surrounding trees that giraffes are beginning to eat their leaves. In response, the surrounding trees begin producing tannins at such large quantities that the leaves become sickening or even deadly to large herbivores.

Humorously enough, giraffes have become wise to this tree’s ability, so they’ve begun feeding downwind to prevent the trees from being able to send warning smells in the air.

Another intriguing example is the pine tree and the elm tree have to release warning pheromones when they detect catepillar saliva on their leaves. These pheromones are actually meant to attract the very species of wasp that enjoy feasting on catepillars! Many trees also recognize the taste of deer saliva and will begin producing chemicals to make the leaves taste bad to ward the predators off. We know that these chemicals only happen in response to the saliva because other kinds of injuries, such as snapping a branch, do not elicit the same response.

Peter Wohlleben’s Controversial Yet Astounding Work

Learning how mushrooms and trees communicate and thrive isn’t just a startling discovery for you. Scientists are still trying to grasp just how far this communication among plants goes. In fact, a forester in Germany has only in the past few years put together what is now his life’s work for a large audience in his book The Hidden Life of Trees.

Peter wanders through the forests near him, pours himself over research, and makes astounding discoveries about how these mycellium networks and communicative properties of trees actually stabilizes and supports the whole ecosystem. In one example, Peter discusses how he once came upon a once-gigantic tree that was felled with only the stump remaining. Upon a closer look, Peter discovered that the stump was still alive and processing chlorophyll, which would be impossible without his deeper understanding of the mycorrhizal networks.

How is this stump alive? Peter explains that the surrounding trees are still pumping nutrients and water to the stump despite its inability to provide for the rest of the trees in the network. “They are reluctant to abandon their dead, especially when it’s a big, old, revered matriarch.”

The amazing network of trees doesn’t end there. Peter further asks us to explain how such small young seedlings in dense forests can possibly obtain the sunlight and water they need to survive when crowded out by much older, larger trees.

In answer, he explains that the surrounding trees in their network provide for them so that they can grow and thrive. These seedlings receive the sugar they need through their roots rather than by photosynthesizing all of it themselves. In other words, Peter says, the mothers “suckle their young.”

Peter understands that applying such anthropomorthic phrases to trees is overdoing it by a little. At the same time, he hopes that the way he presents the community of trees in a way that’s highly intelligent and social, full of respect and support for each other, will help others see nature in a different light. He hopes that it will raise awareness for just how destructive and horrifying actions like deforestation really are, and that the world will wake up to having a deeper respect for our natural world.

What Can We Learn from How Mushrooms and Trees Communicate and Thrive?

The Universe is all interconnected. To dismiss the complexity and sentience of beings other than ourselves is not to rob ourselves from absolute beauty and wisdom, but to disrespect them and rob them of the treatment and empathy they deserve. I often hike through nature myself and can no longer ignore just how amazing our world is, how motherly and intelligent nature truly is. It can be difficult to not get frustrated when others can’t see what I see.

I urge you to stop and find stillness every day. Don’t let the hustle and bustle of daily life distract you from just how awesome and powerful our Universe is. Look within yourself, recognize that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Learn from the sense of community and responsibility for those in need that even the trees and the mushrooms have.

Identify and nourish your symbiotic relationships with others. Send love, recieve love. Send forgiveness, receive forgiveness.

REMEMBER!

Pray for others and the Universe prays for us.

I am here to help you awaken and bravely create an inspired life. Learn more about my services today and start changing your life in the most positive way.

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle.

Meet Paul Wagner

March 1, 2024March 26, 2024

St. Patrick – The Patron Saint Of Ireland

When most people think about St. Patrick’s Day, they think of the color green, shamrocks, and drinking Guinness Stout (well, or the local favorite, Murphy’s); yet, few know the true story of Maewyn Succat and how he used his superpower of empathy to save the beautiful folks of early Ireland by reducing their suffering.

Early Life

St. Patrick was born Maewyn Succat around 450-500AD. His father, Calpornius, was a decorated Roman-British officer and a deacon at their local Catholic church. Although raised in a Catholic family, it would be years till Maewyn would understand his connection with God and lead others to deepen their own spiritual journeys.

The earliest reports of the young St. Patrick’s faith were not recorded until his stint in slavery, believing that his imprisonment was punishment for his lack of proper catechism and belief.

At the young age of 16, Maewyn was stolen from his family’s house in Britain by a group of Irish raiders. He was smuggled into Ireland and forced into slavery for six long and painful years.

During this time, Maewyn turned to his faith to help him cope with his daily struggles. He regularly had vivid dreams that he used to direct his focus. In his book, Confessio, Maewyn explains that he interpreted these dreams as his way of asking his higher Being, God, to guide him.

One of these dreams came to the 22-year-old slave the night of his escape. In it, he saw a boat waiting for him at the harbor. Following his vision, he indeed found a boat that granted him safe passage back to Britain. After another brief capture, Maewyn was finally reunited with his family.

For many, the story of Maewyn Succat ends when he returned home after his time in slavery. One night, Maewyn had a dream that he received a letter titled “The Voice of the Irish.” In the background of his dream, he could hear Irish denizens begging him to walk among them. Unfortunately, in the dream, Maewyn could not read the rest of the letter, but the message would shape the rest of his life. It would also become the foundation of his forever legend.

Maewyn soon traveled to France and trained in a monastery. Twelve years later, under the direction of the Pope, he would return to Ireland as a Bishop. After returning, Bishop Maewyn Succat’s goal was to spread Christian teachings and compassion to all he met.

Bishop Succat brought gifts to Kings and lawmakers, while accepting no gifts in return. Over time, the public recognized his goodwill and compassionate nature and started calling him Patrick, Based on the Latin root for father, patr.

Miracles of the Father Saint

While St. Patrick was not officially recognized as a Saint until the 1700s, there is no short list of miracles performed during his mission to Ireland. There are several reports of St. Patrick bringing the dead back to life, some of whom had been dead for a year or longer before being resurrected by the great saint.

St. Patrick is also credited for the lack of snakes in Ireland. During a 40-day fast, he is reported to have chased them into the sea after being attacked by serpents.

Although scholars argue that the climate is too cold in the region to accommodate snakes, many believe the island was infested before St. Patrick arrived there. Some believe the story evolved over time, choosing to look at the tale as a metaphor of how the saint chased evil and blasphemy from a tainted land.

Modern Day Symbolism

Shamrocks

This three-leafed national flower of Ireland is found decorating parties around the world. Traditionally, these leaves are worn on the lapel or pressed into books for preservation. St. Patrick used the flower to describe the holy trinity to those who were unaware of the Judeo-Christian belief.

This lovely saint explained that three equal parts stem from the stalk, just how the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost stem from one’s own heart and faith. The lesson was so popular, many associate the foliage directly with the Saint’s life and mission. These days, adding a clover to anything qualifies it as a St. Patrick’s Day decoration.

The Color Green

In America, you might get pinched if you don’t wear green on the 17th of March, but the color green was not the official color of the patron Saint. St. Patrick was known for wearing blue robes, a color that was so popular, it became known as St. Patrick blue.

Unfortunately, Ireland and Britain’s history is dotted with war and strife, which was seen as synonymous with the color blue. Ancient Irish flags are blue, and the original coat of arms of King Henry VIII was blue and adorned with a golden harp.

Over time, the Irish considered blue to represent the English government and chose the color green to protest English rule. After the Irish Rebellion of 1798, green became a symbol of nationalism and the traditional St. Patrick Blue was lost to history.

Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Potatoes

Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast. Over the years the meal has shifted to a holiday that celebrates Irish heritage and the ancient traditions of this magical homeland. Even with the change in how people celebrate this day, the culinary staples have remained the same.

Foods eaten on this holiday connect participants to Irish heritage, while also presenting access to those in need. Corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes were staples in the relatively poor country.

Before the modernization of farming, cattle was only kept in Ireland for dairy and manual labor. Beef was difficult to find and only available for the rich. The British introduced cattle farming to Ireland and popularized the dish, but the meat still struggled to make it on the table of many families. While Beef wasn’t cheap, Ireland was known for its abundance of salt.

Salt was so cheap in Ireland, grains the size of corn kernels were added to beef to keep the meat from spoiling as it matriculated down the socioeconomic ladder. This new preserved beef was named corned beef and became a major export for the country.

The use of potatoes and cabbage is a nod to the many times Ireland faced food shortages. Back then, tubers and hearth vegetables survived the cold and were often a constant on a family’s table. The limited resources at the tie led to culinary innovations like Shepherd’s Pie and other hearty dishes centered around vegetables.

Leprechauns

The tiny fairy-like beings of Celtic lore are usually found adjacent to rainbows or pots of gold, yet traditionally, Leprechauns are not affiliated with St. Patrick.

Leprechaun Day is March 13 and celebrates these mischievous beings, who can either bring good or bad luck to those who meet them.

Though most people think of tiny bearded men in top hats, Leprechauns are historically thought to be cranky Beings who protect their own treasures, giving it to those who can catch them.

Because Leprechauns are celebrated just four days prior to St. Patrick’s Day, the holidays have been slowly merged into one, with most ignoring the 13th outright.

Some argue that Leprechauns don’t mirror the core beliefs of St. Patrick, but, like the Saint, the Celtic fairies reward those who have faith in higher power.

I LOVE fairies and leprechauns. It’s quite remarkable when one avails himself to you. Seek them out and surely they will appear before you!

St. Patrick’s Day In The United States

While the purpose of this holiday is to celebrate Irish Heritage, most of the modern practices were developed in the United States of America. During the great Potato Famine, millions of Irish migrated to metropolitan areas like New York, Chicago, and Boston. With them, these immigrants brought their own cultures and blended them with the preexisting colonial lifestyle.

The earliest parade was thought to originate in Boston, but in 2018, a study at USF discovered the first St. Patrick’s Day parade may have been celebrated in 1600 in St. Augustine, Fl. Currently, there are hundreds of St. Paddy’s parades celebrated around the globe.

Since 1962, Chicago has dyed the cities central river green for St. Patrick’s Day. Before the first ceremony, the city would annually test sewage levels by adding dye to local water. It’s rumored that a rogue group of plumbers dumped a large quantity of the dye into the river as a harmless prank, but a long-lasting tradition was born from their fun!

The massive volumes of Irish immigrants who had moved to Chicago had called for larger celebrations for the Saint. The city responded by annually dying the river to illuminate and honor Irish pride and culture.

The Core Beliefs of St. Patrick

Like most Masters and Gurus, St. Patrick was born with a different name. As he traveled around Ireland and shared his beliefs, people whom he healed and touched, later renamed him.

St. Patrick selflessly helped those in need and cared not only for the physical needs of others, but he nurtured the spiritual connection he knew they lacked. Ol’ Paddy’s love may have been watered down throughout the years, but through the ceremonies, parades, shamrocks, and Saint Patrick’s Day Catholic masses, the saint’s message of love, healing, community, and religious fervor remain in tact and as potent as they were back in the day.

Calling out to St. Patrick and other saints and Light-Beings, we acknowledge our connection to all beautiful and loving Beings throughout spacetime. Invoking a saint, guru, master, or avatar helps us connect with the light and embed into our lives.

Hail St. Patrick! With Love And Loyalty, We Invite You To Fill Our Lives With Hope And Goodness!

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle.

Meet Paul Wagner

February 23, 2024March 26, 2024

Spiritual Bypassing And How It Can Harm You

We all have our avoidance mechanisms. Maybe it’s a Netflix binge to avoid dealing with something uncomfortable in your life, or perhaps it’s constantly checking your phone, so you don’t have to address the awkward silence with a friend.

Whether we know it or not, most of us put up roadblocks that keep us from having to really look at something uncomfortable going on in our lives and deal with it. Such avoidance mechanisms are referred to as “spiritual bypassing,” which is a term coined by psychologist and author John C. Calloway in his book, “Unitive Thinking: New Visions of Self, Community, and Society.”

In his article “Spiritual Bypassing: What It Is and Why it Matters,” Dr. Neela Samant explains that spiritual bypassing refers to “a tendency among enlightened individuals to use their spirituality as a means of evading rather than addressing problematical aspects of themselves — what they see as negative or unworthy parts of themselves — as well as challenging social issues such as oppression, injustice, and inequality.”

The following will explain what spiritual-bypassing is, why you might be doing it, how it might hurt you (and others), and how you can stop doing it once and for all.

What Is Spiritual Bypassing?

Spiritual bypassing is when you use your spiritual practice or beliefs to avoid addressing issues that are uncomfortable to you. You use your spiritual or growth practice as an “out” clause to avoid addressing something you don’t want to deal with. This might be an issue related to your psychological health, some unresolved trauma, or something that challenges your identity.

Why Do People Spiritual Bypass?

People use spiritual bypassing because it’s easier than facing what’s really going on. Whenever something challenges your identity or you have some unresolved trauma that you haven’t dealt with, it can be painful and uncomfortable to confront that. It can feel like you’re being pulled into a black hole of self-doubt.

There are also issues of scarcity that can come up when you’re faced with your own struggles. You might feel like you’re not “good enough”, or that there isn’t enough “success” or “perfection” to go around. In this way, confronting your issues can feel like a threat to your own sense of security and identity.

How Can Spiritual Bypassing Harm You?

When you use spiritual bypassing, you don’t really get to confront your issues and work through them. This means they stay stuck in your system and continue to manifest in your life as unhealthy behaviors and thought patterns.

What often happens is that you might see some initial success using your spiritual practice to avoid dealing with your issues, but then your issues catch up with you. When this happens, you may feel like you have to turn to your spiritual practice even more, which can cause spiritual bypassing to become a chronic pattern in your life.

How To Stop Spiritually Bypassing?

First, you need to be aware that you’re doing it. To do this, you can keep a journal where you write down your feelings and thoughts. You can also talk to a trusted friend about what you’re dealing with and notice what you’re turning to as an “out” clause.

When you become aware of what you’re doing, you can start to challenge the thought patterns that lead you to use your spirituality as a crutch. Start to notice what you’re telling yourself and whether it’s actually true or not. You can also try to apply the same rules to yourself that you would apply to a friend.

Confront Yourself Head-On

When we look at ourselves honestly, we can connect with and release stored and suppressed emotions, and we can identify and release the personalities we create that do not truly honor who we are. If we continuously paint everything pretty and purple, we will have no pathway to deconstruct our false Selves.

Look at yourself, honestly. Admit your faults and seek to improve upon them. Release the aspects that do not serve you. Own your nature and life so that you can advance mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

What The Masters Say

While I cannot provide direct quotes from Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) or Mother Meera on spiritual bypassing, I can offer insights aligned with their teachings and general spiritual wisdom.

Spiritual bypassing is a term used to describe the tendency to use spiritual beliefs and practices to avoid facing and addressing emotional or psychological challenges. It involves using spirituality as a way to escape or deny aspects of our human experience. Both Amma and Mother Meera, known for their compassionate and practical spiritual teachings, would likely offer guidance on how to navigate this phenomenon.

Amma’s Perspective: Amma, often emphasizing the importance of selfless service and genuine compassion, might say:
“True spirituality is not an escape from life’s challenges but a deep engagement with them. When we use spirituality to bypass our emotions or challenges, we miss the opportunity for real growth. Instead, let your spiritual practices be a means of cultivating inner strength and resilience to face life’s ups and downs with an open heart.”
Mother Meera’s Perspective: Mother Meera, who emphasizes the transformative power of silent presence, might share:
“Silence and stillness are powerful tools for self-discovery, but they should not become a means of avoiding the complexities of life. Spiritual growth involves facing our innermost truths, acknowledging our emotions, and integrating them into our spiritual journey. In stillness, find the courage to confront and embrace all aspects of yourself.”

How to Avoid Spiritual Bypassing:

Cultivate Self-Awareness: Both spiritual teachers would likely advocate for cultivating self-awareness. Recognize when spiritual practices are being used to avoid difficult emotions or challenges. Honest self-reflection is a crucial step in spiritual growth.

Integrate Spiritual Practices: Amma and Mother Meera might suggest integrating spiritual practices into daily life in a holistic way. Rather than compartmentalizing spirituality as an escape, make it an integral part of facing life’s challenges with equanimity and compassion.

Embrace Shadow Work: Shadow work involves exploring and integrating aspects of ourselves that we may have pushed into the shadows. Both spiritual leaders might encourage individuals to embrace shadow work as a vital part of the spiritual journey, acknowledging and transforming those aspects we may prefer to avoid.

Seek Genuine Connection: Spiritual bypassing can sometimes result from a desire to transcend human experiences. Amma and Mother Meera might emphasize the importance of genuine connection—with oneself and others. Authentic relationships and community support can provide a grounding foundation for spiritual growth.

Practice Compassion: Compassion is a central theme in the teachings of Amma and Mother Meera. They might encourage individuals to extend compassion not only to others but also to themselves. Embracing our vulnerabilities and imperfections with love and understanding is an essential aspect of the spiritual journey.

In essence, Amma and Mother Meera would likely emphasize that authentic spirituality involves facing life’s challenges with courage, compassion, and a genuine willingness to grow. Spiritual practices should be a means of deepening our connection with ourselves and others, rather than a way to avoid the inherent complexities of the human experience.

Summary

The point of spirituality is to help you be the best version of yourself you can be. It’s not there to be a crutch to get you out of dealing with things that challenge your identity. The more you confront your issues with spiritual bypassing, the more you’ll be able to use your spirituality for good.

You’ll also be a better friend to those who are dealing with their own issues by not using your spirituality as an “out” clause. There will always be challenges in life, and they are what make life exciting and meaningful.

By confronting your issues and using your spirituality to support yourself, you’ll be a happier, healthier, and more empowered person.

Meet Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner (Shri Krishna Kalesh) is an intuitive mystic, clairvoyant reader, and a loving life & business coach. He created “The Personality Cards,” a powerful Oracle-Tarot deck that’s helpful in life, love, and relationships.

February 13, 2024April 1, 2024

The Art of Positivity in the Face of Adversity: Insights from The Vedas, Buddhism, and Hinduism

We might never know why someone is attacking us. They might be deeply traumatized or they might have a sprinkle of evil within them.

The reason you might be experiencing adversity or attacks is most likely due to karma from a prior life. It might also be a divine intervention to inspire you to unearth a handful of feelings or vibrations that trapped within your core. Sometimes a provoking event can truly and fully free us. You might also have secret intentions or attitudes that include a form of Self-hatred or violence, which can attract similar attributes in our oppressors and challengers.

We attract what will uplevel us in all circumstances – but only if we yield to the nature of the event and choose to heal what is within us and rise above it all.

There is no exception. Regardless of the infraction, we always have the option to choose at least a sprinkle of gratitude. Doing so, avails us to our inner master and wisdom, opens our hearts,releases stifled emotions, and improves the states of our hearts and minds.

In the tapestry of life, challenges and adversities are inevitable threads. The ancient wisdom of the Vedas, Buddhism, and Hinduism offers profound insights on how to stay proactive, even positive in the face of attacks or oppression.

Drawing on the teachings of enlightened masters, these rich traditions guide us toward resilience, love, and encouragement even in the darkest moments.

Cultivating Inner Strength through The Vedas

The Vedas, the ancient scriptures of India, teach us that adversity is an inherent part of the human journey. Yet, they also provide a roadmap for maintaining positivity in the face of attacks. The Bhagavad Gita, a revered text within the Vedas, imparts wisdom on navigating challenges with grace.

Sage Yajnavalkya reminds us, “When you are insulted, you should remain silent; when praised, you should be equally silent.”

This ancient teaching encourages us to cultivate inner strength by not letting external circumstances dictate our inner state. The Vedas invite us to look beyond the surface of attacks and oppression, understanding that our true essence remains untouched by external forces.

Buddhism’s Noble Path to Resilience

Buddhism, rooted in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, offers a transformative perspective on responding to adversity.

The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths, foundational to Buddhist philosophy, acknowledge the existence of suffering but also provide a path toward liberation from it. By embracing the truth of suffering without succumbing to negativity, we can find the strength to endure attacks.

These ancient and penetrative truths are a foundational concept in Buddhism, setting forth the essential principles that form the framework of the Buddha’s teachings. These truths encapsulate the nature of human suffering and the path to liberation. Here are the Four Noble Truths:

Dukkha (Suffering): The first noble truth acknowledges the inherent nature of suffering (dukkha) in human existence. Dukkha encompasses not only overt pain but also the more subtle forms of dissatisfaction, unease, and impermanence that are integral to life. It serves as a recognition that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition.

Samudaya (Cause of Suffering): The second noble truth identifies the cause of suffering, known as samudaya. This cause is often attributed to craving or attachment (tanha). The insatiable desire for pleasure, possessions, and the continuation of existence contributes to the perpetuation of suffering. Recognizing and understanding the origins of suffering are crucial steps on the path to liberation.

Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering): The third noble truth introduces the concept of nirodha, which signifies the cessation or end of suffering. Liberation from suffering is attainable by eliminating the root cause, namely craving or attachment. Achieving a state of mental tranquility, known as Nirvana, is the ultimate goal. It involves breaking free from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and attaining a state of complete liberation.

Magga (Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The fourth noble truth outlines the path leading to the cessation of suffering, known as the Eightfold Path (Magga). The Eightfold Path consists of ethical and mental guidelines that practitioners follow to cultivate wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.

The path comprises Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Following the Eightfold Path enables individuals to overcome craving, attain insight, and eventually achieve liberation from suffering.

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle. You might also love The Sedona Method, created by Lester Levensen. It can be quite healing and helpful.

The Four Noble Truths provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature of suffering, its origins, the possibility of liberation, and the path to achieving it. This foundational teaching forms the basis of Buddhist philosophy and serves as a guide for practitioners seeking to transcend the cycle of suffering and attain enlightenment.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a contemporary Buddhist monk, offers guidance on embracing suffering with mindfulness:

“The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”

This teaching encourages us to remain positive even amid challenges, finding moments of joy and resilience despite external pressures.

Hinduism’s Call to Detachment and Love

In Hinduism, the concept of detachment from the fruits of one’s actions, as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita, offers a powerful tool for maintaining positivity under attack. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna, “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.”

This teaching encourages us to focus on our efforts without being overly attached to the outcomes. By doing so, we can weather attacks with a positive spirit, understanding that our actions are expressions of our inner values, regardless of external responses.

Enlightened Masters’ Wisdom

Enlightened masters from these traditions provide profound insights into staying positive under attack. Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in Vedanta philosophy, speaks of the power of resilience:

“Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.”

His words inspire us to persevere with unwavering positivity, recognizing that challenges are but stepping stones on our journey.

From the Buddhist tradition, the Dalai Lama emphasizes compassion as a response to hostility:

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”

This teaching underscores the transformative power of love in the face of adversity.

Swami Sivananda, a revered Hindu spiritual teacher, offers guidance on responding to oppression:

“Do not be ruled by three D’s – Deha (body), Dhan (wealth), and Dampatya (family). Have control over the Indriyas (senses).”

This advice encourages us to rise above material attachments and societal expectations, finding strength within ourselves.

Practical Steps Toward Positivity

Meditation – Meditation takes you deep within the Self where no external influence can disturb you, namely in the face of attacks. Allow yourself a moment of pause and meditation before reacting, giving space for a deeper awareness of yourself and your triggers, while also inspire a thoughtful and positive response.

Cultivate Empathy – Respond to oppression with empathy and compassion. As the Amma suggests, when we grow empathy and compassion, we exercise our divine nature.

Mata Amritanandamayi, affectionately known as Amma or the Hugging Saint, often shares profound insights on empathy and compassion. While exact quotes may vary, her teachings consistently emphasize the importance of cultivating compassion and understanding for others. Here’s a sentiment aligned with her teachings:

“Compassion is the essence of true wealth. It means having an understanding heart that embraces all of creation.”

~ Amma

This quote encapsulates Amma’s emphasis on compassion as a transformative force that goes beyond individual or material wealth. It conveys the idea that true richness lies in the capacity to understand, embrace, and extend compassion to all beings.

Amma’s teachings inspire people to embody empathy and compassion in their daily lives, fostering a more compassionate and interconnected world.

Focus on Virtue – When faced with attacks, draw strength from your inner values. Remember that your actions are a reflection of your character, and staying true to your principles can bring a sense of purpose and positivity.

Self-Inquiry – Looking deep within and seeking answers to the tougher questions can free you over time. If you can release deep-seated emotions and get into addressing the roots of your traumas, you will improve your Self-understanding and greatly improve your perspective and life.

Summary

In the symphony of life, maintaining positivity in the face of attacks or oppression is an art that draws inspiration from the ancient wisdom of Vedas, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

As we navigate the complexities of existence, enlightened masters guide us toward resilience, love, and encouragement.

By embracing these teachings, we not only find strength within ourselves but also contribute to a more compassionate and positive world. Remember, even in the stormiest moments, the light of positivity can guide us to calmer shores.

If you find this process helpful, you might also check out The Shankara Oracle. You might also love The Sedona Method, created by Lester Levensen. It can be quite healing and helpful.