Fructose & your health

Fructose-containing sugars cause weight gain not only because of the calories they contain, but by triggering your "fat switch." They tell your body it's time to store fat, just as if you were an animal preparing for hibernation. By avoiding fructose and "turning off" your fat switch, you can help prevent or treat obesity. Fructose is not a healthy alternative to sugar, so do your best to avoid it.

MAY MORNING MESSAGE

Hopefully, you have begun to read your newest lessons. The very first class is now on Lesson 55. That's a lot of reading for those of you who have stayed the course. And a lot of writing. Not so many of you write here in Your Open Classroom, though many of you write to me personally and I always answer, though it takes me some time. We receive so much from the angelic realm that we are unaware of, and often ungrateful for. There is so much light that comes your way. Each day I hold the light for you that flows to me from the angels. There is not one day that goes by that I do not think of each of you personally, and direct energy and good thoughts your way.

Your cost for what you receive here is very small, and I have never raised the price, and do not earn a lot of money from angel work. I want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to be exposed to these lessons. Some students have dropped out of school, even though there pictures still appear here, since I don't know how to take them away. That's okay.

Most people are just not ready for the level of commitment that is necessary to evolve in this school. Most people want the easy way--not the clear and simple way. That is, the ego wants the easy way; the way that is easy for the ego is never easy for the heart. It is not the way that completes the soul.

Let's talk about soul completion for a moment. Have you ever heard that phrase? I doubt it, because I never wrote it before, and I have never seen it written anywhere. So are you ready for some deep esoteric Truths?

There is little understanding of what the soul is. Have you ever thought about what the soul is? The spiritual journey is a journey to soul completion, to wholeness, holiness. Holiness, as we speak of it here, (try looking holy up in your dictionary. Such beautiful words describe it!)--holiness is complete and absolute identification with your True Self, living in complete service to the Most High -- as angels do.

Speaking of angels, there was once a time when the angels were greatly tested. Some were tossed from the Kingdom of God, and now serve darkness. These were never true angels. The true angels were separated from the dark angels during this war against God. This left the true angels. That is a story for another time. All stories come in their own time.

Angels were greatly tested, even as Jesus was tested, even as the Buddha was tested, when he was given all the sensuous pleasures of the earth, and chose in the end, Truth, even as you are tested. The kingdom of God has never come easy to anyone. So when you feel the need to cry and complain about how long it takes for you to understand, how hard your life is, please remember that the greatest enlightened beings that ever lived -- or live -- have gone through very hard tests. Why should it be different for me or you? Aren't you looking for the greatest treasure? If even the angels, even Jesus, even Buddha, even every enlightened being, is tested, should it be different for you? Isn't it worth all your effort?

Only EGO wants it to be different. Only ego demands everything be given it, without it having to do the work. Only ego complains and makes your life miserable. The ego is what you call you, and it isn't you! It is an impostor. A fake. A parasite. Ego is darkness.

Those of you who put Truth first, who show up for your lessons, are making the most progress. I know this is so because I see it in you. I feel it. Your spiritual evolution depends on where you choose to focus your energy.

But...we were talking about the soul, weren't we. About soul completion. This is a fascinating subject. I will write more about it, either in a future lesson (which means past #55) or here in Your Open Classroom. We shall see. For now, keep showing up. Really show up. Show up as much as I do. I show up as your classmate and as your teacher. The more you show up, the more amazing your spiritual life will become. Forget about what your classmates or other people are doing. You are not here to row someone else's boat. You are here to row your boat! You are here for your soul completion. More about soul completion and the battle of the dark angels against God -- in the 'future' that will be our present by the time we get there. Smile.

Happy Easter 2013

Hi Every One!
It's Kev wishing you all a Happy Easter wherever you are -- or aren't. Thanks for the little bird photo, Jean-Paul, that Indira sent along with her Easter message today. I've never seen you here in the classroom, JP, but I am sure I have never seen many of you here, and possibly never will. Happy Easter anyway! I am rushing off for a long hike, to celebrate Easter with the rabbits and whatever other little creatures I happen to see out there -- and to commune with my own soul -- alone -- one of my best places to be -- alone in the wilderness, when I am not with students who are dedicated to Truth. More and more as I continue in the school, I find my desire to be with "ordinary" people falling away. By "ordinary" I mean people who are dedicated to becoming "somebody" in the world. I like to be successful and earn money and do well with my career -- but no longer do I think I have to be "somebody." Sometimes my mind does go in that direction -- comparing me and my life to others --- which is very painful -- and I watch that happening, sometimes getting involved in it, and spending time in the pain -- until I am pulled, thankfully, back to the teachings in our school, back to remembering the teachings. Kev

Renascence and Renewal

Dear Students, Being a writer and a poet (of sorts) I love words. Words are my playground, where I feel closest to Truth, second to pure nature. Being in nature, close to the simple nature spirits and all growing things, even the animals who are hidden from my view, who see me, even as I do not see them -- is like being next to God. Do you ever realize that as you walk through nature, animals are looking at you? Maybe birds or squirrels, depending on where you live. Here in Southern California, it could easily be a mountain lion, a rattle snake, or a coyote, so one must exert great care where one steps! 

I encourage all of you to write. No matter what you write, write! If you are not used to writing, you might find a new language. The voices of angels like bells might pour through you. Your own sweet soul might speak to you. You'll never know unless you try. 

I am learning guitar. Practicing. Right now I can play only a few chords, but a few days ago, I couldn't play any! Should I give up because my fingers are clumsy and untrained? Should I give up because it requires practice? Should I give up because I am not a master guitar player? I don't think so! 

Neither should you give up, even if your writing does not yield immediate results. Keep on keeping on. In every aspect of your life. Of course, the silly dark ego wants you to give up everything -- but it. The angels sing to you -- give up only what is false, useless, and limiting. Do not give up that which inspires and brings you joy. Give up the silly ego. It is an imposter, a fraud, a child wearing a mask pretending to be God. See behind the mask. Realize that there is nothing behind the mask. Nothing! Darkness is not real. It has no power. It runs this world (which is why we cannot defeat the wars and greedy politicians) but it does not have to run your life! You can escape. You can be free. Realize you are free and you are. YOU ARE. It is not freedom that is an illusion. The illusion is that you are not free. 

It is so simple really. Just step over the invisible barrier that keeps you in lack, loss, fear, and limitation. Step over it! You can do it. You can! Yes!

Life is more joyful than you can imagine. This joy does not come from outside. It does not have to do with playing the guitar or the most wonderful walk in nature, as inspiring and satisfying as these are -- it is WITHIN! 

So try some writing. See what happens. As you know, you are always welcome to put your writing here. Or your poetry. Don't be shy. If you are shy, do it anyway. This is a way to get rid of the false imposter of shyness. Letting shyness rule your life is letting ego rule your life. Give it up! Give it up NOW!

Here is the complete poem Renascence:

SPRING EQUINOX SPECIAL GIFT OFFER ANGEL READING

Happy Spring!

I love winter solstice and spring equinox, don't you! That's because I love nature more than just about anything. I imagine beautiful rituals of dancing in the fields with flowers and singing with the coyotes on a cold mountaintop. So today I am offering only for students, the opportunity to have a Spring Equinox Angel Reading for only $60, which is a great savings from my usual fee. I'd love to do it free, no fee, but sigh, the world costs a lot to live in. 

All you have to do is send me an email or give me a call by April 1, 2013. My cell phone is 323-557-8934. I suggest you contact me early so I can fit you into my schedule at a convenient date. We can do it by phone, if you live far away.

Last night when I was out walking, the half-moon was directly overhead, and I had to tilt my head waaay back to see it! It was a crispy cool night complete with stars. By the way, have you noticed the natural moon phases at the bottom of this page? You can see the phases of the moon here, even if it is hidden from your eyes in the skies by storms or clouds. 

Today I will go out in nature and take a long solitary walk with my little dog, Penny (I mostly have to carry her) to the top of a mountain, to celebrate the nature spirits and spring equinox.

Here's another special little gift to you, all about the angels:

LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS

Dear Students,
The following is an email I sent to two clients (not students) who are going through a divorce, trying to decide the best living arrangements for themselves and their children. This email deals with money issues. Perhaps you will find it helpful:

THE ANGEL - A SONG

Dearest Students,

Here is a song, that is also a poem, by your classmate, Hirth Martinez. Eventually you will be hearing it as a song, especially if you come to one of my seminars. The melody is beautiful. Hirth wrote this some years ago, after hearing about my meeting with the angel, during my near-death experience. It says perfectly what my experience was and is. When you hear the music that goes with it, you will be taken to another realm, into the Sacred Event of the Angel.

THE ANGEL

How can I ever forget the event of the angel
How could I ever forget the look in her eyes
Love on the wings of a song

Someplace where all things belong
Somewhere there’s Dancing
Love and Romancing
Going strong
Somewhere nothing’s wrong

How can I ever forget the Lament of the angel
How could I ever forget the sound of her voice
Love on the wings of a dream
Sometimes there isn’t a choice
No matter how it seems
No matter how cool you are
Swinging on a star

How can I ever forget the intent of the angel
How could I ever forget the love in her heart
Love on the wings of her light
Some place where everything’s right
Somewhere there’s music
Someplace where everything’s bright
Somewhere in the night

I’m not forgetting the beautiful scent of the angel
I’m not forgetting the sacred event of the angel

I’m not forgetting the musical voice of the angel
I’m not forgetting the loving intent of the angel
I’m not forgetting the beautiful face of the angel
I’m not forgetting the beautiful truth in her eyes

I’m not forgetting the beautiful scent of the angel
I’m not forgetting the sacred event of the angel
I’m not forgetting the beautiful voice of the angel
I’m not forgetting the loving intent of the angel

I’m not forgetting the sacred event of the angel


© Copyright Hirth Martinez Music 2013 All Rights Reserved

Response to Student March 12

Good Morning Students, The following email is a response to a student who had questions about his patient. Although I have removed identifying information, the response should make sense to you. Click below to read the rest! Perhaps you will find something of value you in it for yourself.

Indira, How was your Retreat?

Good morning Indira,

How was your retreat?

Welcome back!

We LOVE you and MISSED you.

Love,
Mary Birdsong

Hearing with Heart

Beautiful Students,
 
I am in the process of posting some of the individual emails I have sent to students who have written to me privately. As always, I do not post private information, but only what will benefit all of you. Here is part of a response to a student:

I do hear your heart speaking here. The word hear - add a t — and we get heart. When we hear with the heart, then we can speak with the heart.

There is so much excitement ahead for you — because you are open to the lessons in your life, as well as the lessons in your school, willing to grow and evolve. This is the best thing about you — your open willingness to jump full force into life. Life is to be lived with great enthusiasm. We ought to jump into the ocean. Maybe the ego will drown, but the true self will emerge.

WALKING THROUGH THE GARDEN OF LIFE

Dear Students, Many of you write to me privately, and I answer your emails eventually. Here's an email I wrote to a student, which I am posting here for all of you. I have left off identifying information, so as to keep the person's identity private, though I know she wouldn't mind her name being here. Here is my email to her:

MORNING COMES

Morning comes
As cool as a cucumber
As ordinary as a day
As sacred as a song
As calm as The Way

There is nothing to do
Just Be
In the stillness
Of morning stretching itself
Over the earth

Nothing to do
Just stretch in unison
With the morning
Let myself be enveloped

If something as vast and simple
As a morning
Can come without me
Then so can the day

All I must do is breathe
Until there is no breather
Only breath
Breathing me.   

Response to Petra

Petra, I tried to write this as a comment, but it was too long, so the blogger wouldn't let me. So here it is as a post:

Petra, I appreciate that you so readily share your questions here in Your Open Classroom. This benefits other students also, who come here to read, even if they do not come to write.

You benefit most when you come out of "hiding" and are willing to share your confusion and questions, as well as insights and answers, here in the Open. Your OPEN Classroom.

I think you have found your answers as you wrote. This is part of the value of writing. There is a special energy that permeates this classroom. It is the energy of the angels, of Truth, of all students who come here, searching for answers.

AWAKENING

Nothing is happening. Nothing ever happened. The world is a dream. Nothing is real, only this moment, right now. There is no past. There is no future to fear or even prepare for, even though we must prepare. Everything is happening now. Everything just is. It is not good or bad. Each past moment falls away like the skin of a snake and each moment I emerge new and fresh, untouched by anything that happened since the past is only a dream.

When the pain gets to be too great, AND we do nothing about the pain from the old ego self - when we do nothing to relieve the pain with our old ways, the old 'me' vanishes. The more we try to resolve/solve/dissolve the pain from our old ego nature, the more the pain grows. There must be a complete letting go, the realization that ‘I’ can do nothing; only then with this surrender can a higher force come in and do for us what we could not do for ourself.

Now is okay and always has been. Now is all that will ever be in the ‘future.' There is nothing to fear. There is nothing to regret. Fear and regret, panic and anxiety, depression and loneliness, are all tools, tricks, of the ego. They just do not exist if we do not accept them as real.

Everything in this world is temporary so there is no need to be in panic or fear. Everything changes. We make the mistake of thinking that the transient is real, forever, and permanent, and that causes pain. It is not real. The world is maya, a waterfall always changing before our very eyes, and our physical eyes do not see with spiritual sight, only the spiritual eye can see what is real, the ONE eye, the I.

Light and Love for Mary Birdsong

Dearest Students,


I have sad news today, from our classmate,
Mary Birdsong. Here is what she wrote:

"My dear, sweet, daughter-in-law, Tiffany, was
killed in a car crash last Wednesday (Feb. 6th).
She was by herself driving on the narrow, curvy,
hilly, two-lane highway out to their house at
Beaver lake, and went left of center at one of
the curves and hit a pick-up truck head-on, and
was killed instantly.  The driver of the other
pick-up was life-flighted to the hospital and
survived.

Please ask the students in our school to keep us
in their prayers, and yours as well, Indira.
 
I remember when I first read your comment in your
email that you could see the possibility
of me making a book about Kahlan and her grandmother
(me). And it gives me goose bumps as I write this, because
I am an even bigger part of Kahlan's life, now that
she has lost her mother.  Kahlan is just a little
over a year old now.  As you know, she was born
Christmas Day 2011.”

Meditation

I've been getting a lot out of the meditation daily messages. Thanks, Indira! I also like the idea of setting small goals towards a larger goal. It helps me to stay in today, instead of worrying so much about tomorrow. 

I like to set my goals for the day, then, when I notice my mind going off into the future, it is easier to remind myself to just stay focused on my present task.

Sitting meditation helps me to see how much anxiety I have--that often I am staying busy because I am anxious, and this only increases the anxiety. It is not easy for me to sit, but it is a very useful practice. I don't so much like to watch my mind. Often my thoughts run away with me. But I am doing the sitting meditation anyway. Action by action. Step by step. 

REFLECTIONS

Dearest Students, 

Perhaps by now you realize that we have all met before, even if we have never met physically in this life. We have been together in other realms of existence. There are other realms!  Earth is not the only one. Earth is a small blue pearl 🔵 spinning somewhere in space.

YOU were always meant to be here. We were always meant to know each other. How do we know this? Because we are here, together as One, no matter how far we are from each other. You are here and being here is part of your destiny. Otherwise, you’d be somewhere else. You would not have come across these Teachings 📖

Even if you think there are no angels, no miracles in your life, there are. That you are here at all, reading these words, taking these lessons, is a miracle. All the circumstances of your life had to come together in just the right way for you to be here. One turn in another direction and we might have missed each other. And we have not missed each other. 

Not everyone can be here. These lessons are not met for just anyone. On the other hand, they are met for everyone. Only everyone is not ready. You are ready. 

You are ready to give up being the you that hurts. You are understanding that it is impossible to be peaceful being the you that criticizes, condemns, and finds fault with just about everything—most significantly, yourself. 

What are you not? You are not your fears and doubts. All experiences of fear and darkness happen to your false self. The false self is an illusion. It is not who you are.

You have traveled lifetimes to come to this school, even to this moment, to these words. The angels say—Remember! 

The angels sing this word 🎼 Remember 🎼 The angels sing 🎶 Remember! Remember who you are! You are here to remember 🎶 

The angels sing you a lullaby, a lullaby of Remembrance. 

The angels sing 🎵 Remember! Remember your divine nature. Remember who you are🎵.

You have traveled lifetimes, in many bodies, to reach this moment. You are meant to wake up in this lifetime. You are not meant to sleep forever. Waking up happens slowly and it happens in a moment.

Each moment we must remember to wake up and stay awake. Each moment we must forgive the past. We must have compassion for ourself. We must remember that the world of Maya is a world of illusion, delusion, and seclusion from Truth.

We have all met before. I recognize each of you at some level, as you may recognize me and each other. I feel a deep and abiding love as I write these words, a divine connection. Perhaps you feel it too. 

You are not alone, even when you feel alone. You can always pick up your lesson and read a few words. You can know that those words were written just for you, because they were. You can visit Your Open Classroom. You can practice the exercises and meditations offered in your lessons.

We are all connected by the same Consciousness that holds the stars and galaxies in place. We have traveled lifetimes to come together here. 

The angels sing to you, a Lullaby of Love, a lullaby meant to wake you up—🎵Remember🎵 Remember who you are! Remember and return to your Divine Essence🎵.

🎼 You are love and you are loved beyond all measure. Never give up your spiritual path. Never give into despair. Never turn from Truth. Turn towards Truth and Truth turns towards you 🎼

The angels are with you now, this moment. 

The angels have been with me for so long they have become part of me. I feel their essence—an essence I try to communicate to you. 

My near death meeting with angels, beings of Light, and the Light transformed my life. It created an opening for angels to enter my consciousness and change my thinking.

It has taught me that ego is not the one in control, as much as it wants to be. It has taught me there is no power greater than that of an angel aligned with the only Power there is. Sometimes a small part of my ego demands its life back, the life before angels, but that can never be. The life of ego is no life—it’s not life at all. 

You have been touched by the angels. Your life can never be the same, no matter what you do, where you go. The more intensely and the longer you work with angelic energy, the more ego will dissolve. There will be less of the false you and more of the real you. 

This is not as easy as it sounds. Letting go of who you think you are can be frightening. It can be painful. But remaining as your limited ego self is more painful, a pain that never ends, lifetime after lifetime. The only way out of the pain is through the darkness into the Light. 

The love and protection of the angels are with you always. Angels are real. As real as you are. Angels exist as Protectors, Guardians and  Messengers of God. Angels are Light. And Light is God. The essence of an angel is Divine Compassion. 

Angels and Miracles

Miracles can happen with or without the help of angels. I like to think of most miracles in my life happening because of angels, since I so often experience the energy of angels within and around me. I just wrote a daily message today that said:

WATCH FOR MIRACLES!

My flight out of LAX was delayed today, so I am flying out on December 18 Tuesday, instead. This gives me time for a new post, which you can read in Your Open Classroom, about a magical angelic experience that just happened to me. You may remember a previous message that talked about being open to small miracles. The more we can see small miracles, the more we can see the larger ones. For instance, the fact that you are here now breathing, reading, attuned to higher consciousness, searching for a way to know God is a miracle. Let this be your “homework” — each day, for the rest of December, let yourself become aware of a miracle, no matter how small. Write it down. Feel the awesome energy of the miracle. This will open you to larger miracles.

In this vast and glorious play, anything is possible. You are possible. Angels are possible. Miracles are possible. “Statistically, the possibility of any of us being here is so small, that you'd think the mere fact of existing would keep us all in a contented dazzlement of surprise.”[i]

[i] Lewis Thomas (1913–1993), American physician and poet. The Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher On Probability and Possibility, © 1978, Penguin.

So here is my little miracle for today. Two or three days ago, I lost my car keys. I was sure they must be in the garage or the house, since I'd parked the car in the garage, taken a couple items from the garage, and come into the house. But I could not find them. I felt certain they were not in the house, since I had just done a thorough cleaning, to prepare to fly from the west to the east coast for Christmas. I had another car key, but the lost key was an electronic one. Without it, I couldn't open the glove compartment or the trunk, since I'd locked them electronically. And a new electronic key is very expensive to replace.

Now, because my flight was delayed today (which means I fly a day later) I had extra time, so I went into the garage to look for the key again. I didn't find it, and was about to give up, when my eyes went to a stack of white paper, and there were my keys! I was astounded. I knew the keys were not there when I looked before. In fact, I had organized that very stack of white paper, thinking to bring it into the house sometime, after I lost the keys.

No, I hadn't asked the angels to help me find my keys. Nonetheless - the angels surely placed the keys where I would be sure to find them - on the stack of white paper! That's my miracle for the day. As I have given you all the homework of noticing a miracle in your life each day, I will also be doing that homework. When I have a chance, I will be writing my miracles here - so keep coming back!

Another small miracle is that the person who is picking me up at the airport in NYS called this morning to ask if I was coming in today or Tuesday. I told her today, and she said that I had initially told her Dec. 18. I didn't remember saying that, as my flight was always for the 17, but -- it turned out to be true! And if my flight hadn't been delayed today (which meant I would have missed my connecting flight) -- I would not have been here for the miracle of the missing keys!

All my love,
your teacher and classmate

FOR DECEMBER 21, 2012

    We are in our last month before 2013. Some of you may have read my November Message on my website: theclearandsimpleway re: December 21. This is more about that. As students in the school, you are asked to think for yourself and not just believe what you hear. Do not think that people outside of you necessarily know more than you do. Yes, they may know more about chemistry, sewing, or hiking; we are not talking about that kind of expertise. We should get expert help when we need it.

    We are talking about thinking for yourself. Do not blindly believe what the world says. You are here to go beyond this world, beyond time. This is possible. Yes, the body lives in a time world and this cannot be escaped. But your spiritual self is timeless. Your true divine self is eternal. When we fret and worry about what might happen on December 21 (or any other future time) we are entering into the maya. What is the Mayan Calendar, really? Look at the word: MAYAN and you will see that it contains the word: MAYA.

    MAYA: in Hindu philosophy it means: illusion.

    The 'end of the mayan calendar' means to go beyond the illusion (maya) which means beyond time. Let December 21 be a time for you to re-commit yourself to your spiritual path, to moving from the unreal to the real. The world will not end; there will be no mass transformation of consciousness. It doesn't work that way. It never will. There can be only an individual transformation of consciousness. When you change, the way you see the world changes, and so your world changes. 

      Resolve to learn to think for yourself. Watch the way the world (media, other people, politicians, friends, and lovers) tell you what to think and how to feel. And watch yourself mechanically reacting. Just watch. Become aware. This is the best gift you can give yourself. Become aware of your mechanical reactive nature. Watch yourself being pulled emotionally. Watch how you suffer. Just watch. Be aware. And ask something higher than yourself to show you the way to freedom. Your lessons are something higher than you habitual mechanical reactions. These words are something higher. We have the possibility to let something higher in, but it is hard to do that when our false self (false thinking, feeling, and acting) are talking up all the space. Watch the false self taking up all our precious space, getting fatter, causing us to suffer. Watch it. Become aware. Awareness is the great healer, the great revealer of both lies and truth.

     With Love,
      your teacher & classmate

Happy Birthday dear Teacher, Indira!

Happy Birthday Indira! I have on my calendar that Sunday was your birthday. I hope you had a lovely day!
Love,
Mary Birdsong