Oscar Wilde

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are 
looking at the stars."-Oscar Wilde

Happy Valentine's Day

💘www.theclearandsimpleway.com

February 14, 2018
Valentine's Day
Dear Students💞

Happy Valentine's Day! Those of you who have been around for awhile know that I post an updated version of this lesson every Valentine's Day. Today is no exception. It was once Lesson 13; now it just appears here every year.

🐠You swim in joy, as joy swims in you.🐠It is only that you are not awake, and so you cannot experience this joy.🐠Your school helps you wake up to the joy that is eternally present.🐠🐠🐠

AN ANGEL BOX

Today you are invited to create An Angel Box.
Or you could call it a Letting Go Box.
Your box can help you fulfill the following prayer:

Angels have a snarky sense of humor.

I’ve been struggling with (self-imposed) solitude… overwhelm… you know, earth stuff. This morning I attempted to accomplish a couple of things before work, and turned on my computer and printer. My Angel Lessons #1 (which I’d printed out days ago) began spewing forth in full color from my printer; but no printer progress window was showing. I finally found it manually, but the print queue showed completely empty - so there was no project to cancel! The only way to stop it was to turn off the printer. I angrily started to tear up the pages (thinking ‘wasted ink, expensive’ etc…) but then came the Aha. Okay, okay, OKAAAAY, YOU GUYS! Very funny. I am listening. Instead of that other stuff, I opened my binder and read 6 pages (for the 6 that printed) and then posted this to share it with you. 

Today is the birthday of my beautiful, brilliant, shining daughter, and I think back to the most wonderful moment of my life - bringing her forth into this world. As an adult, she isn't just my child, she is also a friend. I am so blessed. Happy 13th, friends.

Turn Towards God NOW

Turn towards God NOW, even when nothing is going wrong, even when you feel fine. I was reminded today of this little story: I lived on Maui for 6 years, a quiet secluded life. For some time I lived alone in a tiny house with an expanse of green fields and the ocean for my backyard. The guava trees, the banana trees, and the wind were my companions.
I used to fly to Los Angeles to work. That's where I was in my first big earthquake. I was awakened by hundreds of car alarms going off and the big double bed I was sleeping in sliding across the floor. Having never been in an earthquake before, but hearing the car alarms, I thought at first it was a tsunami warning -- because that's what it would have been in Hawaii.
My mind suddenly realized it was an earthquake, and I thought -- the house is going to come crashing down on my head, I am going to fall through to the 1st floor, and it's really going to hurt, but only for a minute, because then I will be dead. So I sat down on the floor to meditate so I'd be ready to die. And the earthquake stopped.
My years of spiritual practice allowed me not to panic -- and to prepare to die. So don't wait to turn to God. Turn to God now. Now while you still can. Now while your breath still flows. Now.

Light has already won

You may have heard that there is a battle between darkness and light, heaven and hell, God and Satan. Darkness battles. Light never does. God is not in a battle. God is not battling the devil or darkness or whatever term you like to use. God is revealing Satan, darkness, all that is false. The wisdom of the heart cannot be learned. It can only be revealed. Light Reveals. Darkness Conceals.

A Healing Prayer

A HEALING PRAYER FOR OTHERS: I ask the great unseen healing force to help you and to bring you to the healing that is perfect for you according to the divine will of God. I put my trust and faith in the great love and power of God. I meditate now upon you joyful and full of life, and bring you to remembrance of the light shining in your heart like a pure bright crystal, restoring, rejuvenating, relaxing. And so it is. Amen.

A HEALING PRAYER FOR YOURSELF: I ask the great unseen healing force to help me and to bring me to the healing that is perfect for me according to the divine will of God. I put my trust and faith in the great love and power of God. I meditate now upon the great joy of Divine Presence, beyond that which my mind can comprehend, upon the Life within me. I consciously bring myself to the remembrance of the light shining in my heart like  a pure bright crystal, restoring, rejuvenating, relaxing. And so it is. Amen.

QUESTIONS

Los Angeles Sunse

Questions to increase awareness:

• What is my current state?
• What am I thinking?
• What am I believing?
• What am I feeling?
• How am I acting?
• What am I saying?
• What is the tone of my voice?
• What is the tone of my energy?
• What does my body feel?
• What do I feel?
• Am I trying to win?
• What am I trying to win?
• Is this God’s will?
• What am I carrying with me into my future?
• Is this the state I want to be in?
• Is this the state I want to carry into my future?
• Am I relaxed? At ease with myself and the world?


The Secret of the Crystal Mountains

Just sharing with you that I've written a lovely children's story (for children of any age). I wrote it awhile back, and have recently pulled it out of my computer. I may do some illustrations for it. Haven't decided if I'll seek a regular publisher or publish it on my own somehow. It is full of spiritual insights and guidance, perfect for children who are so inundated with the thoughts and beliefs of the ordinary world.

This is a story about a zebra named Wind who dares to leave her tribe, the Zolites, and venture into the Dark Jungle, in search of adventure. She is tired of living by The list of Warnings, Rules, Beliefs, and Regulations Regarding Zolite Behavior that all Zolites must obey. She wants to find out for herself what is true. On her journey, she is attacked by a lion, saved by a Unicorn named Shalimar, and begins to learn about traveling the path that Unicorns travel, which is the way of the Heart. She thinks she can travel it with her feet, because she is the fastest zebra in Africa, but  soon learns that this path cannot be traveled in her ordinary way.

When the student is ready (my first post here)

I found the Angel School by following an internet trail of breadcrumbs. You know; something piques your interest. You click once, then again at the next place, and the next... and then you arrive somewhere that was calling you. Maybe you didn't even realize you were searching for it, but it's just what you need. 

For a little bit, there, I thought it "wasn't for me" - but then I cleaned my glasses and looked at it again. Dang, those glasses were dirty! Indira is a ray of light that I needed to shine on me. Indira is  awesomeness. Indira says we are all teachers AND students. So I was mulling about this stuff.

WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY…

…the Teacher (or Master) will appear, as the adage goes. There comes a point in your journey when you are ready to graduate to a new mentor, guide, modality, or dimension. We outgrow clothes, friends, jobs, and relationships, when they no longer serve us. Teachers are no exception.

NO "SKIN IN THE GAME"

Once upon a time, in a small village, the Buddha (or someone like him - we cannot be certain) cured all the beggars' illnesses and afflictions for free. He thought he had done the highest of good deeds. But his miraculous efforts backfired. Now that the beggars weren’t blind and crippled anymore, nobody was taking any pity on them! They all had to go out and get real jobs! They were quite disgruntled about this, and directed all their anger, indignation and blame at the Buddha.

These 'students' had not made any commitment. They thought they wanted to be free from their pain, stigma and decrepitude. However, once unfettered by their chains, they saw a whole new world - one in which they had to step up. It was scary. They said, “Uhm, I’ve changed my mind! Can I please have my club-foot back??”

THE MORAL OF THE STORY:

Teachers: Assign a value to Your Good Stuff. Don’t sprinkle it where it won’t take root.

Students: Step up to the plate. If you are here, it’s your turn at bat. Posting this is my first swing!

I am happy to be here.  :o) 

Winnie the Pooh

If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever.--Winnie the Pooh

The Love of Angels

Experience the love of angels pouring in and filling you. 

The love of angels is like vitamins for the heart 

Like sunlight for the soul, 

Like faith when all faith is gone. 

When you are feeling down, 

Just thinking about angels can lift your spirits. 

Just reading about angels and imbibing 

Their essence can empower you. 

👼 Angel Message 👼

Dearest Students & Classmates💕

I was just informed by a sweet little birdie that I hadn't posted anything here since January 23. Time flies! I am still in NYS. I am with my elderly mom and that requires some attention. My time hasn't been my own. Yesterday the snow was gone (again) after it warmed up and rained. I woke up this morning to a white world and it feels somehow like winter just started (again) ⛄ And I've had my telephone clients. Also, many of you write to me personally, and it takes time sometimes to respond, since I like my responses to have depth and meaning, not just a cheery hello. I often take time to absorb what you've written, focusing energy upon your words and you, as I do also for my regular counseling clients, until a reply is ready. This allows the energy of the angels to fill and surround you, since energy IS. 

I love you to write to me, whether you do that here or in person, so always know I am here for you. Writing here is a way to share your spiritual journey with others, as I do.

That said, I was inspired by the same little bird (though she doesn't know it yet) and the angels to post a special angel message, which I haven't done for awhile. But—one minute—while I go pour a cuppa coffee. It's organic fair trade. Be right back 🕰

Dearest One💚
While many people on earth refer to us by names, we refer to ourselves as "the angels." It isn't that we don't have names, though we don't need them—we instantly recognize each other, and are always known by God. Because you live a certain way, you come to believe that is the only way. This is why it is so hard for human beings to change and give up old ways, even when they are harmful.

Ask yourself: What is my name? What does my name mean to me? What associations arise with that name? How am I hypnotized by that name?

How can you be hypnotized by a name? When your lover calls you sweetly by your name. When your boss calls you angrily by your name. When your child says the name only children can say "mommy" or "daddy" (in whatever language you speak). When your dying mother whispers your name. When the loudspeaker at the airport broadcasts your name.

Your name is just letters put together to form a certain sound. It is convenient to have a name on earth, in fact: necessary. When you see a friend, instantly their name forms in your head. You identify others with their names, as they do you. This is fine for practical purposes. One of the signs of memory loss is forgetting names.

Have you noticed that you like hearing your name spoken? It's a good thing to use people's names when you speak to them. Are you someone who remembers to use someone's name? Some people hardly every acknowledge others by name. Or only use a name to convey a negative message. It is very sad to never hear your name, not be acknowledged, have someone treat you like an object. No one enjoys being called, "Hey, you."

EXERCISE: Consciously do your best to call people by their names when you speak to them. Don't say, "Would you go to the store for me?" Say, "Katharina, would you please go to the store for me."

EXERCISE: Be aware of how and when you use names. What is your tone of voice? Angry? Happy? A person's name is their identity. As spiritual students, you learn to rise above the idea that your name is your identity, but most people, even you, are not there yet. So, be conscious. Putting negative energy into someone's name is like hitting them over the head with a rock. Okay, so not that bad. 😉 But it still hurts.

For yourself, try to imbibe this message. Try to understand that your name is not you. It is just a symbol by which you are known in the world. Notice when someone uses your name with negative energy. Notice how that affects you. Notice how you react. Become aware of your reactions!

What you are not aware of controls you. When you become aware of something, it begins to lose control over you.

So enjoy your name. Names are useful tools in the world. I have many names. When I am in New York State where I grew up, people call me Jude. When they write my name, they write Judi. In California and Austin, people call me Indira. When I first toured in Europe, they spelled my name, Judy, so I left it that way. And they call me Judy. My given name is Judith Ann Parsons, though now I often write it, "Judith Indira Parsons." Of course, in Europe, it is often pronounced without the J. Some people, especially those who don't know me, call me Judith.

Investigate your own name. And the names you call others.

When you are feeling bad, realize that negative voices (thoughts) are speaking to you, even when you cannot hear them. You will become more adept at hearing the negative thoughts that torment you as you do your spiritual work. You will stop calling yourself, and other people, bad names.

EXERCISE: Sit alone in meditation calm and quiet. Call yourself by your name. Say it sweetly. Gently. Lovingly. Respectfully. Feel the vibrations move through your body at the sound of your name spoken with love. 

With greatest love,
the angels 👼 👼 👼

Dopamine

Dopamine is the brain’s master 'pleasure' chemical. This single neurotransmitter is responsible for a plethora of mental and physical processes. By learning how to stimulate your own dopamine levels naturally, you can help depression, anxiety, apathy, and fear, while boosting feelings of pleasure created by this amazing little neuron.

💕💖Here is a nice list of ways to increase Dopamine in your brain -- besides reading your nice uplifting lessons and visiting your nice uplifting classroom😊💖 I borrowed it from this site: http://themindunleashed.com/2017/12/increase-your-dopamine-levels-naturally-and-never-feel-depressed-or-anxious-again.html

Singer/songwriter Hirth Martinez turned the blues into a song, "Oh, the blues is a terrible thing, but it's beautiful to sing." So you can also sing your blues away, or ✎ write a song🎶, a poem, or a letter💌 to your 😇angels. Click below for more ideas...

Butterfly

“Death is simply a shedding of the physical body like the butterfly shedding its cocoon. It is no different from taking off a suit of clothes one no longer needs. It is a transition to a higher state of consciousness where you continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, and to be able to grow.” —Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross --Life Lessons, 2000

HERE IN THIS PRESENT MOMENT

HERE IN THIS PRESENT MOMENT
There are no worries
in the presence
of the heart.

Just for fun

What is your Solar Eclipse Identity? Mine is Creator of Magnificent Truth. Ha —I don't think anyOne but God is the Creator of Magnificent Truth — so it certainly is not the ego me — but the true me, the real me (as our School Song, by Hirth Martinez says). Speaking of Hirth, his would be Angel of Radiant Strength. Yes, that fits him.

Thich Nhat Hanh

I am posting these words from Thich Nhat Hanh in case you find them helpful. The angels say, "Often we want to blame other people or the world for our unhappiness. When we look deeper, we understand that we cause our unhappiness. We cause our unhappiness when we are not present in our  life. When we do not show up to take care of our life, we give permission to someone else to do it for us. We give unconscious thoughts permission to run our life.

And the angels say, "When we speak without conscious thought, without empathy, without considering another person’s feelings, we are like someone throwing a ball repeatedly against a wall — we might be enjoying it, but does the wall?"

empathy:
    1. the quality or process of entering fully through imagination into another's feelings or motives, into the meaning of a work of art, or the like.
      2. the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

The Lotus

The lotus is a flower
That grows in the mud
The thicker and deeper the mud
The more beautiful the lotus blooms.

Just because darkness threatens our world and tries to destroy us, does not mean we are destroyed. No matter what you face, you can continue to grow like a lotus towards the light. You do not have to know how to get out of the darkness. You cannot know with your mind. Fortunately, you do not have to know. There is a part of you that longs to be free. Never mind the mud! Stay focused on the light. Stay focused on your inner longing to know something higher and finer.

The main thing is to keep your wish for Truth alive. Understand that ego knows nothing of this wish. The wish to grow upward towards the light does not originate with ego. This wish of yours, the wish that brought you to the school, is pure and innocent. This purity and innocence is your true nature. Keep it alive! Keep it alive by showing up for your lessons and all the lessons of your life. Stay committed to Truth, and Truth will stay committed to you.

In this way, beautiful results will be created in your life. Show up, do the work, and leave the results in the hands of a higher power. When you worry about the future, you are holding hands with darkness. You have already forgotten the purity and innocence of the present moment. You have forgotten that all the mud in the world cannot touch the pure lotus blossom of Love. You have forgotten that the thicker and deeper the mud, the more beautiful the lotus blooms.

from a seeker

Dear Students, I am posting part of an email from someone, which might interest you. Someone on a path, still seeking, not yet finding, but on his way...
Judy, Thank you for responding to my email seeking information about your near death experience. Your beautifully written account of that remarkable event.  Thank you for sharing with me details of this profoundly spiritual and mystical experience.  It filled me with hope, anticipation, and optimism about the future.

I have been a seeker most of my life, but I have lacked a sense of direction and purpose as to what I needed. Your writing described well the emotional and spiritual fulfillment I have been pursuing, often through earthly means that have left me feeling depleted, not joyous.

I just am so impressed with your daily messages.  I have been seeking inner peace for years and have made progress, but your description suggests a higher level of attainment which is so desirable.

Sometimes

Sometimes we can only breathe
with someone
through the pain
sometimes that is all that is necessary
just to breathe
and remind someone of the steady rhythm of life
the rhythm that is always here
in birth, in life, in death
our fear of having no breath
is the greatest fear

the angels say, you are breath
you are life itself
how can what you are ever cease to be?
therefore, fear not, though the earth be removed
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea
God is your refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble

Sometimes all we can do is breathe
through the great grief
through the great hole that opens
through the great despair
sometimes we can only breathe