Jesus’s decree “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” is at the heart of what Easter is all about.  Resurrection means raising up, coming out of fear/judgment/etc back into the love/Christ/pure life energy that I AM.

Take a moment now to feel your heart’s desire to fully awaken to and express the great love which you truly are.  Then, say “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” either silently or out loud.  If those words resonate for you, repeat them as often as is natural over the next fear days.

If fear and other old, contracted energies come up for you, be grateful that those energies have come out of the subconscious into the light of awareness. Dive into them as deeply as you can, then affirm “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.”

The high point of the Easter cycle is sunrise on Sunday morning.  If at all possible, get up early and go to a place in nature where you can watch the sunrise.  In the last moments before the sun appears, feel your deepest desire to be free of any old beliefs/patterns/etc. which have caused you suffering.

When the sun rises, feel the Christ/love being reborn in your heart.  (If it’s overcast and the sun is not visible, know and feel that the sun is still rising in your heart.)  Joyfully affirm “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.”

Sit in silence and bathe in the Christ energy which radiates from your heart.  When you’re ready, go forth and let this energy express in whatever way is natural, whether it’s in community, with family/loved one(s), or in solitude.

Blessings for a joyous Easter,
Andrew

I had the privilege of having Ascension Rock all to myself for a few hours on New Year’s Day.  I felt that I was eye-to-eye with God, re-connecting and getting real about my true priorities for 2013.

Today, I snow-shoed back in with a client.  As soon as we closed our eyes, I felt that familiar sense of Presence.  After meditating, I turned to face the majestic rock formation.  The sun had melted an eye-shaped opening where the black stone peered through the white snow.   I gazed into God’s eye, feeling grateful to be Home once again.

Are you ready for a new adventure in 2013?  Are you ready to take the gifts you’ve received in 2012 and more fully live the Truth of Who You Are?

At the beginning of a New Year, a powerful wave of fresh energy is launched.  If we’re open, we can catch that wave and ride it in whatever direction we choose.

Here are a few practices I’ve found effective in getting my New Year off to a great start:

1) Take some time between now and December 31 to review the past year.  If you notice any judgments of yourself or others coming up, allow yourself to deeply feel the judgment, then choose to forgive and come back into peace.  For a very effective, step-by-step forgiveness process, try my friend Ana Holub’s Prayer Sandwich.

2)  As midnight approaches on New Year’s Eve, reflect on which quality (e.g., joy, abundance, acceptance, etc), you want to more fully bring forth in your life in the coming year.  As the clock strikes midnight, focus on that quality.  Depending on your style and the setting, you may silently contemplate it or yell it out.

3) On January 1, ask for a fresh vision for the New Year.  Go into the Silence, receive the vision, and write it down.

4) Then, ask yourself, “What are my #1 inner and outer goals for 2013?”  Write them down.  Then ask, “What can I do in the first 10 days of the New Year to build momentum toward those goals?”  Write down these action steps

Virtually all of us developed a wide variety of limiting beliefs when we were very young. Many of us formed a deep underlying belief along the lines of, “I’m not good enough,” or “There’s something wrong with me.”  Many also developed beliefs such as, “If I am simply myself, then people won’t like me,” or “If I tell the truth, then I will be attacked.”

Such beliefs led to the development of our false self or personality. (This word is derived from a Greek term meaning “mask.”) We went through life pretending to be someone other than the Love that we are. We played it safe, holding back from expressing our Power and sharing our Truth.

Many of us, including me, were propelled on a spiritual journey, seeking to get away from the pain of the false life we were living. This worked to a point. Like many of you, I was blessed to have profound experiences of awakening to who I AM. But, my deep, false beliefs and the fear they engendered never fully went away. I bounced back and forth from experiencing myself as a Divine Being to feeling like a scared little boy.

In recent years, I finally was ready to deeply examine and free myself of the false beliefs which, after all these years of spiritual practice, were still profoundly limiting me. I discovered a wonderful process called “The Work,” which was developed by Byron Katie. Through trial and error, I added in some other elements to create a extremely effective model for creating deep, sustainable shifts. Here is a step-by-step guide to this model.

Identify a belief which appears to be limiting you or causing suffering. Take a few conscious, grateful breaths. Feel gratitude for the chance to explore this belief. Then ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is it true? (Answer simply “yes” or “no.”)

2. Am I totally, absolutely sure it’s true?  (Only necessary if you answered “yes” to #1.)

3. How do I react to this belief? (It’s important to look for an answer to this question in your body or emotions, not your mind. Find the place in your body, where the reaction is strongest, then explore this reaction as deeply as you can.)

4. Who would I be without this belief? (Again, directly experience the answer in your body or emotions as deeply as you can.)

5. How do I react to this belief? (Going back and forth between these two questions at least a couple times is very powerful. After you’ve deeply experienced your reaction to this belief, invite fresh energy into the  center of the pain or contraction as you inhale, then release it on exhalation.)

6. Who would I be without this belief?

7. Could I let it go? (Is letting go of the belief a possibility?)

8. Would I let it go? (If letting go of it is a possibility, would I choose to do so?)

9. When?

10. What is a new affirming, supportive belief I could substitute for the one I am letting go of?

11. What will my life be like with this new belief? (Close your eyes to see, hear or feel images from your new life.)

12. What can I do in the next week toward moving forward into this new chapter of my life?

This approach is built around asking yourself questions. I’ve found that self-inquiry is an extremely powerful tool. When you ask yourself questions with genuine desire to know the truth (not simply to validate a preconceived opinion), you are opening yourself to the possibility of real change. The key is to look for the answers in your body, not in your mind. The most powerful answers will come as a direct experience, not in words or concepts.

The first question, “Is it true?” is a critical one. When I am guiding clients through this process, I often throw a pen in the air, then ask, “If I throw this pen in the air 100 times, how many times will it come down to the floor.” The answer is, of course, 100 times.  That’s the definition of true I use in this process. A belief is true only is if it 100% accurate. Realizing a belief is not true is deeply liberating. We begin to see that unlike the law of gravity, which we are always subject to (at least as long as we make our home on this Earth), the belief we are exploring is just a thought. That thought only has power over us to the extent we accept it as reality. Once we question it, it begins to lose its hold on us. We can then make a conscious choice of whether or not to keep that belief.

The last question, “What can I do in the next week toward moving forward into this new chapter of my life?” is also vital to the success of the process. There is an old saying that, “Actions speak louder than words.”  If you go through this process, but continue to act in a way that is consistent with your old belief, the work you’ve done to shift it will be undermined. On the other hand, if you immediately begin to take actions consistent with the new belief, you’ll build some serious momentum toward a deep and lasting shift.

If a belief is deeply embedded and held in place by fear or other strong emotions, it probably won’t disappear forever after the first time you use this process. If you go through this process honestly and deeply, you will almost certainly weaken the belief. Most likely, it will come up again to challenge you.

When this happens, the key is to be grateful that you’re aware of the belief, rather than unconsciously falling back into it. From this place of grateful awareness, you can simply chose to refocus on your new empowering belief or, if the old belief still has a strong hold on you, go through the process again. As many times as the limiting belief, comes up, continue to meet it with grateful awareness. It will get weaker and weaker until you are free of it.

The more these old, false beliefs are released, the more the truth of who you are will shine through. You will be a beacon of peace in these changing times.

Lately, one of my great joys has been guiding visitors on a spiritual tour to Fairy Falls, located just a few miles from Mt. Shasta.  While tourists flock to better-known waterfalls in the area, Fairy Falls is seldom visited.  It’s truly a sacred site, a place where you can be silent, hearing no sounds other than that of the rushing water.   Or you can yell “I AM” at the top of your lungs without disturbing anyone.

The falls has a powerful cleansing effect.  Many visitors arrive fatigued from long journeys or stressed from their everyday lives.  A hike to Fairy Falls is a great way to start their Mount Shasta retreat.  Within a few minutes of standing in front of the falls, almost invariably, they are buzzing with energy and big smiles on their faces.  They have woken up from the dream of separation once again and are rejoicing in being reunited with the One Life surging through the falls and through their veins.

Visiting Fairy Falls is like going through a magical doorway.  You leave behind ordinary reality and come back into the magic of the Present.  From there, you can journey on up Mount Shasta, wide open to receive the wondrous gifts waiting for you in this sacred mountain sanctuary.  

All activities on US Forest Service property are conducted through Shasta Vortex Adventures who operates under Special Use Permit from the USFS, is fully insured, and operates on a non-discriminatory basis.

I’d been through a sacred separation myself back in 2006.  Francie and I had a deep commitment to maintaining our love and deep friendship while ending our marriage.  Six years later, we are still dear friends who are very much part of each other’s lives.

Peter and Jan came to Shasta with their love for one another still strong, but with a knowing that it was time to live separate lives.  Our journey began with a sharing of appreciation and gratitude for all the gifts of the marriage.  This opened the space for honest communication about several issues they’d had difficulty talking about on their own.  I introduced them to some tools from Nonviolent Communication, as well as some I’ve developed.  Both Peter and Jan were able to express their profound sadness, as well as their anger and fears.

We then hiked to a beautiful spring where we did some cleansing rituals.  This allowed Peter and Jan to come into the present moment and fully enjoy being on this magical mountain.

Next, we hiked through the forest to a special power spot.  The energy there helped Peter and Jan to connect powerfully with their own Divine Presence.  They both received fresh insights on the importance of the separation for their soul growth.

After another hike to help them ground the energy they had received, we arrived at a sacred site where I’ve often taken couples to renew their marriage vows.  Here, Peter and Jan looked into each others’ eyes and made their separation vows, promising to continue to love and support one another.

Now, Peter and Jan are back in England, no longer living together or being lovers, but following through on their vows.  They have realized, as Francie and I did, that the form of a relationship may change, but love doesn’t come and go.  When two people have the courage to stay open to love, rather than closing down their hearts in fear, their separation is truly a sacred one.

I love meditating at Ascension Rock.   It’s one of the vortex spots where the always potent Shasta energy is turned up a few notches.

After spending a couple hours at Ascension, I felt re-charged and peaceful.  I also received a lot of inspiration for the 2012 Mount Shasta Spiritual Adventure Retreat which I’m leading in September.

I’ve taken many people to Ascension Rock over the years and almost all of them have experienced a strong connection with their own  I AM Presence, their divine essence.  Many have received clear visions as to how that Presence wants to express when they return home.

Ascension Rock is also a powerful place to make vows.  Aurelia Jones, author of the Telos books, used to bring her students here to make their vows to the Ascended Masters after having gone through a week-long  initiation.

When I’m working with couples on the mountain, I like to bring them to Ascension Rock to make new vows to each other.  I’ve seen several marriages move in a much more positive direction after this ritual.

It was great to have Ascension Rock all to myself on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  And, I’m looking forward to bringing the folks I guide on Mount Shasta retreats this Summer to this incredible spot.  Now that it’s 2012, the energies here feel stronger than ever!

I’d love to hear about your experiences on 11:11:11, whether on Mt. Shasta or somewhere else in the world.

Where can we find peace in these uncertain times? With 2012 approaching and the rate of change accelerating in our personal lives and on the planet, how can we maintain our equanimity?

Ultimately, the peace we seek is within ourselves and we can access it anywhere. But, with so much fear and confusion in the mass consciousness these days, it can be extremely helpful to spend time in a place which supports us in coming home to peace. The most powerful such place that I know of, is Mount Shasta in Far Northern California.  Consider taking a Mt. Shasta spiritual retreat this Summer.

This sacred mountain offers us many things, including:

1) an abundance of beautiful places to be in solitude

2) an energetic amplification of all spiritual practices

3) a powerful example of constancy amidst all the changes

4) pure energy which helps us to receive clear guidance

Mount Shasta has a rich variety of magnificent environments to be in silent communion with nature. Depending on our preferences, we can be alone in the middle of dense forest, in an alpine meadow with a crystal clear creek or on a butte with awesome views.  The only sounds we hear are birds chirping and squirrels scurrying about. Being in such places is deeply relaxing. It’s easy to slow down and bring our awareness into the present moment, which allows us to begin to feel a sense of wellbeing and realize that in the present there are really no problems, nothing to worry about.

An experience like the one described above is readily available anytime we seek solitude in nature, whether it be on Mount Shasta or the in woods, beach or open desert close to where we live. Yet, Mt. Shasta offers something special, beyond nature’s universal gifts. There is a reason why people come from all over the world to explore there.

My experience is that Mt. Shasta is constantly emitting a powerful vibration which supports our spiritual awakening. I have had the blessing to travel to many stunningly beautiful places. I‘ve had wonderful experiences hiking and camping throughout the United States. Yet, since I first came to Mt. Shasta in 1978, I’ve kept returning there.  Even when I lived in Washington, DC for 14 years, I made an annual Summer pilgrimage to Mount Shasta. I was willing to invest the time and money on the journey because the mountain has an energy I haven’t found anywhere else.

Mount Shasta serves as a massive tuning fork. The peaceful, loving vibration that radiates from the mountain helps us to tune into that same vibration within us. When I walk on Mount Shasta’s slopes or even look at the mountain from a distance, my heart opens.

I find that any spiritual practice I do is greatly amplified by the energy of the mountain. As I’ve gone through different phases of my spiritual journey, I’ve explored all sorts of methods to connect with God. When I’m on the mountain, whatever I do works remarkably well. A short meditation, a moment of heartfelt prayer, or a few decrees brings me to a place of deep peace that I might not reach after a day-long retreat someplace else.

Native Americans have long been aware of the spiritual power of Mount Shasta. In the past century, people from many other spiritual traditions have been increasingly drawn to come here. Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, I Am students, New Agers and folks with all sorts of other spiritual beliefs come to Mount Shasta from all corners of the Earth. The mountain doesn’t discriminate. Its silent transmission touches the hearts of all who come to seek peace.

Mount Shasta embodies, as much as anything can on the physical plane, that which is constant amidst all the changes. As storms come and go, as the summit goes from radiant white to barren brown, as the trees on her slopes are cut down and grow back, the mountain is unshaken. It continues to radiate the same pure vibration.

The key to being at peace in the midst of change is to connect deeply with that which is unchanging. It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on the outer dramas happening on the planet or in our own lives. It’s easy to have our attention go to the thoughts firing away so continuously in our minds, the emotions pulsing through us, and the physical sensations we may be experiencing in our bodies. There’s a natural tendency for our attention to go to that which is moving.

Yet, beneath all of the movement, there is a place of silent stillness that is always present deep in our hearts. In times when everything is going smoothly, we all experience moments, perhaps many moments, of connecting with this peace. The challenge is to find it even in the midst of intense turmoil. In these times, the mountain’s example of constancy, is particularly potent.

For these past 33 years, I’ve always known that no matter whatever is going on in my personal life or on the planet, I can come home to myself on the sacred mountain. I’ve come to Mt. Shasta for retreats after painful break-ups and financial setbacks. I was here at the outbreak of the Gulf War and while the world economy teetered on the brink of collapse in the Fall of 2008. During such times, the mountain reflects back to me that which is unchanging in myself, and I find peace.

Mount Shasta is a wonderful place to receive clear guidance for our lives. The energy, the air, and the water on the mountain are so pure and pristine. When I go up on the mountain, I have a sense of being filled with this pure energy with every inhalation and releasing fear and residue from the past on the exhalation. If I’m sitting by a stream, I feel that the Life flowing through the water is also flowing through me. When I ask for guidance, I get a strong sense of how Life naturally wants to express through my body. I can see my next steps as obviously as I see the trees in front of me. I come down from the mountain with the confidence that comes from clear vision. In the midst of all the uncertainty and fear that is in the air, I know who I am and what I am here to do.

In these times of rapid change, there is a great need for people who can maintain their equanimity in the midst of any earthquakes, nuclear disasters or bank collapses that may come. Just like the mountain, they radiate a calming energy that impacts all those around them.  I invite you to become such an instrument of peace. If you’re struggling to find peace where you are, consider coming to Mount Shasta for a spiritual retreat. This beautiful, sacred mountain will be a powerful ally on your journey home to the stillness that lives deep in your heart.