What Grama Betty and veganism have taught me...

To love unconditionally. To give without expectation. To give your best until you take your last breath. To stand in the face of fear, and always have faith.

Today marks a day of celebration and love in my life. My grandmother Betty is enjoying a wonderful vacation at the beach while commemorating her birthday. This remarkable matriarch is the apple of my eye. She has been by my side through thick and thin, and I am so thankful to have her in my life. She's not traveled an easy road herself, but who among us has? Undeterred by adversity, she continues forward with love in her heart and faith in knowing that “in the end everything will be OK. If it's not OK, it's not the end.” I need this reminder every once in a while.

Today I am also blessed with my 5 year Veganiversary. For five years I have lived a complete vegan lifestyle. Of all the days in the calendar year, this is the one day that I really like to take a look back and reflect upon changes, achievements, and contemplate my goals for the future.

So what do veganism and my Grama Betty have in common?? Both have taught me to love unconditionally. There are reasons why there are poems written about a grandmother's love. It is unique, and yet grounded in wisdom. It teaches you to see through the temporary, for all things change, and then encourages you to get back up when you've fallen down. A love like this is absolute.

I have also found an unequivocal love in the vegan lifestyle. It is something that sparked my attention momentarily when I was a child, but it came back full steam ahead upon watching the movie Babe. Who knew “Why would the farmer eat me? The farmer is my friend.” would create such a spontaneous echo in my soul, so suddenly and unexpectedly? Many would call this type of love for other sentient beings unique, but it too is also grounded in wisdom.

“All beings tremble before violence. All fear death, all love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?” ~Buddha

I cannot find anything more true than this statement. All beings, regardless of race, religion, sexual preference, physical body form or language, want and need the same basic life essentials: to love and be loved, to feel secure, and to be happy. We all bleed the same color. We laugh and cry in the same language. We all most certainly die.

Some people get their panties in an uproar over open discussions about spirituality and veganism, and some vegans get cranky when you mention any type of spiritual connection to the lifestyle. I guess these topics create uncomfortable feelings when they are not fully understood. It's hard to face fears and uncertainties, but isn't that an essential part of life? Looking, learning, thinking, reasoning, and feeling - these are all tools for understanding life. It's within these five elements we find ourselves on a path that is unique for each individual, whatever that path may be. So what is this all about anyway? What is the point that I am trying to make?

My Grama Betty once told me something that my Pap Larry would say when he was alive, and that is “When we die and go to heaven, we aren't going to walk down a corridor of doors marked Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, or Jewish. And if there is, won't everyone be surprised when it empties into the same big room.” Indeed, won't we? Standing together as brothers and sisters, regardless of creed, color, race, religion, or species, that is love and that is my point.

The Crown Chakra

Hello and welcome! Our recent discussions have been geared towards our chakra system and how it works. Today I'm going to provide you with some information about the Crown Chakra, the last of the main chakras that we will be going over. As mentioned earlier, there are hundreds if not thousands throughout the body, but these 7 main chakras are most commonly examined.

The Crown Chakra, or Sahasrara in Sanskrit, is violet or white in color, and is located at the top of the head. It correlates with the pituitary gland, central nervous system, and cerebral cortex. The crown is all about wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment. It represents our ability to be fully connected spiritual beings. When this chakra is open, you experience awareness of your world, with a lack of judgment or prejudice. Under-active chakras can leave a person rigid in their thinking, not allowing them to be spiritually aware. On the other hand, if we ignore our bodily needs in an addiction to spirituality, the chakra becomes over-active. At this point, over-intellectualizing can become a commonality.

Emotional attributes include experiencing pure bliss, seeing and appreciating inner and outer beauty, grace, and total experiential spiritual connection. Imbalances can manifest as boredom, confusion, apathy, an inability to learn, alienation, depression, and over time can lead to physical and mental ailments, headaches, mental illness, nervous system disorders, and pituitary problems.

To open and balance the crown chakra pray, meditate, sit in silence, keep a dream journal, put a clear quartz in your water bottle to purify it, get outside and breath fresh clean air and soak up the sunshine. More importantly, see yourself in every person you meet and find commonality with others. If you like stones and crystals use amethyst, clear quartz, or opal in your meditations or carry them with you throughout the day. Burn lotus incense, or use lotus, frankincense and myrrh, or violet essential oil. A common positive affirmation you can use is, “I am one with the Universe/God/etc.”

Here is a nice guided meditation you may find beneficial! 

This will wrap up our discussion of the crown chakra, and the series of blogs on the chakra system. I hope you have learned something that you can take with you that will be of some value. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to be writing about next. There are so many things I want to talk about! If you have a particular topic you'd like me to approach, leave a comment below or email me at jodi.sweitzer@gmail.com

~Namaste

The 3rd Eye Chakra

Hello and welcome! Our recent discussions have been geared towards our chakra system and how it works. We've looked at the intricacy of each of the lower chakras, and in this blog, I'm going to provide you with some information about the Throat Chakra!

The Third Eye, or Anja in Sanskrit , is indigo in color, and is located on the brow line, between the eyes. The third eye chakra is all about insight. When it is open, your intuition is on spot. You may have tendencies to fantasize, which is great; however, staying in a fantasy land too long will cause the chakra to become over-active. Rigid thinking will cause you to rely primarily on beliefs, rather than trusting your intuition, causing the brow chakra to become under-active. This eventually leads to difficulties in thinking for yourself, and causes one to become easily confused. In rare and extreme cases of dysfunction in the brow chakra, hallucinations may occur.

Emotional attributes of the brow chakra include intuition, wisdom, imagination, and the ability to make decisions. Conditions that manifest in the physical body due to dis-ease in this energy center include reoccurring headaches or migraines, blurry vision or blindness, nightmares, sleeping disorders, depression, neurological disorders, eye problems, and depression.

To open and balance the brow chakra, start following your intuition, meditate, make a vision board, and make a dream journal to analyze your dream. Affirm yourself by using the mantra, “I am intuitive.” or “I think positive thought about myself and everyone.” Ingest foods such as grapes, blueberries, chocolate, and lavender tea.

If you like stones and crystals, you can meditate or carry lapis lazuli, quartz, or sapphire. If I've got pants on with a pocket, you can guarantee I have my labradorite with me! Incense includes mugwort, saffron, and star anise, while lavender and camphor are excellent essential oils for the brow.

Below is a link to a youtube video that is a breathing meditation to open the Third Eye. I really enjoy this one!! You breath energy in and out of the chakra, and I can always feel a little bit of pressure at my brow when doing this! 

Have fun with the meditation! I hope you find something within this information beneficial. Next time, we'll be discussing the final chakra, the Crown Chakra! Until then, my beautiful and peaceful ones~

Namaste

The Throat Chakra

Hello and welcome! Our recent discussions have been geared towards our chakra system and how it works. We've looked at the intricacies of each of the lower chakras, and in this blog I'm going to provide you with some information about the throat chakra!

Picture by Gloria Gypsy

The throat chakra, or Visuddha, is blue in color and located in the center of the throat. The throat chakra symbolizes expression and communication. When the throat chakra is open, expression comes easily and naturally. An under-active chakra causes shyness, leaving us unable to speak our truth, and causes a blockage in the chakra. In contrast, someone with an over-active chakra might talk way too much, often in a domineering fashion.

Emotional attributes affecting the throat chakra include self-expression of our personal truths, feelings, needs, and wants. When we are able to express our deepest truths and create from our soul, we allow ourselves to live in our dharma, experiencing unlimited abundance. Ailments that can manifest in the physical body due to issues in the throat chakra include sore throat, mouth problems, stiff neck and shoulders, swollen glands, and thyroid dysfunction.

To open and balance the throat chakra, tell someone a secret you've been keeping, set your boundaries and practice saying “no”, keep a journal, sing, scream, or laugh. Use your voice to speak your deepest truth. Eat fruits, and drink juices. If you are having difficulties with any of the above, use the affirmation, “I express my truth.”

Various stones and crystals work wonderfully to help clear up negative, toxic, unhealthy or otherwise stagnant energy. Aquamarine, turquoise, sodalite, blue agate, celestite, blue topaz, kyanite, and amazonite can be cleansed and charged for use in meditation or to carry with you throughout your day. Burn frankincense or benzion incense, and use essential oils like ylang ylang or gardenia.

Use the same meditation as discussed in the previous chakras, but for the throat chakra focus your awareness to the throat. Imagine a beautiful sky blue color, and use your magic paintbrush to brighten up any dull or darkened spots you may find within the blue light. Allow thoughts, feelings, and sensations to come and move freely through you.

This wraps up our discussion of the throat chakra. Next up, we'll be taking a look at the third eye chakra! Until then, my beautiful and peaceful ones~

Namaste

The Heart Chakra

Hello and welcome! Our recent discussions have been geared towards our chakra system and how it works, as well as the associations of the root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras, and ways we can open and balance them. In this blog, I'm going to provide you with some information about the Heart Chakra!

Picture by Gloria Gypsy, Deviant Art

The Heart Chakra, or Anahata, is green in color and is located at the center of our chest. The heart chakra represents love in all of its many forms throughout the entire span of our lifetime(s), as well as the kindness and affection that we give and receive. When this chakra is open, we live with compassion and harmony. An under-active heart chakra leaves us feeling cold and distant, while an over-active chakra tends to smother others or is based on selfish needs.

Emotional attributes include love, joy, inner peace, and calmness. Ailments that manifest due to an inactive heart chakra include heart or lung disease, allergies, breathing issues like asthma or sleep apnea, chest pain, pneumonia, hypertension, circulatory or immune system disorders, and upper back pain. Imbalances over time can lead to heart and breast cancer.

To open and balance the heart chakra you can use the affirmation, “I am pure unconditional love.” Hug yourself. Practice gratitude. Love and support the child within. Do volunteer work that has meaning for you. Smile and say hello to strangers, and always express your love for others. By sincerely opening your heart to everything you experience without judgment or condemnation, healing can occur.

If you like stones and crystals, emerald, jade, peridot, rose quartz, aventurine, malachite, kunzite, unakite, and moldavite are excellent for the heart chakra. Incense that aids the health of this chakra includes yarrow, jasmine, lavender, orris root, and marjoram. Essential oils are eucalyptus and rose.

For the heart chakra you can use the meditation previously mentioned in the Solar Plexus blog, this time focusing your awareness to the heart, and imagining a beautiful emerald green radiating from your chest. Remember to remain non-judgmental about any thoughts, feelings, or sensations you may experience during meditation. This meditation is all about acceptance. If you see any dark or dull areas within the green chakra, create a green paint brush in your mind and touch it up until it shines brightly. During this meditation, feel free to place any of the above mentioned stones on your chest, and burn some incense to set the mind at ease. Lavender is one of my favorites for this!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this blog on the heart chakra! I hope you find this information beneficial. Next time, we'll be discussing the Throat Chakra! Until then, my beautiful and peaceful ones~

Namaste

The Solar Plexus Chakra~

We've been discussing our main chakra system, how it works, and associations of the first (root chakra) and second (sacral chakra) chakras as well as ways we can open and balance them. In this blog, I'm going to provide you with some information about the solar plexus chakra, also known as the power chakra. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them below!

The solar plexus, or Manipura in Sanskrit, is golden yellow in color, and located in the upper abdomen. The solar plexus chakra relates to assertiveness, especially when dealing with others in group situations. When the power chakra is open, you feel in control and have ample self-esteem. An under-active power chakra will result in indecisiveness, causing you to feel timid, and keeping you passive in action. Conversely, an over-active chakra is indicated through aggression. Bullies are a perfect example!

Emotional issues that impact the solar plexus include our self-confidence and esteem. Worthiness is a problem that almost everyone struggles with at some point in their lives. Primary characteristics of a healthy solar plexus are confidence, mental agility, and the ability to lead effectively. Dis-ease correlating with this chakra manifests as chronic fatigue, poor memory, colitis, parasites, diabetes, hypoglycemia, ulcers and other ailments of the stomach, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder.

There are a number of different remedies that can be used to open and balance the solar plexus. Affirm yourself by saying, “I can do it!” Explore mind puzzles, perform in public or do something else that normally frightens you. Laugh. Read mentally stimulating books, lay out in the sun, or complete a liver cleanse or detoxification.

If you like stones and crystals, tiger’s eye, ametrine, citrine, topaz, amber, and rutilated quartz are excellent for your power chakra. Incense that aids the health of this chakra are dragon's blood, sandalwood, saffron, cinnamon, and ginger. Essential oils include lemon, peppermint, and fennel. A simple meditation can be performed by taking a few minutes of silence, allowing yourself to breathe deeply and focus your attention on the solar plexus region. Imagine the solar plexus is a radiant golden yellow. Sit in the warmth and comfort of this brilliant golden energy. Notice any thoughts or feelings that arise without judgment. If your mind's eye spots any dark or dullness in this chakra, imagine you have a golden paint brush and use it to restore the light to its magnificence.

This wraps up our discussion on the solar plexus chakra. Next time, we'll be discussing our heart chakra! Until then, my beautiful and peaceful ones~

Namaste

The Sacral Chakra

Hello to everyone in the blogosphere! Recently, we looked at our main chakra system and how it works. We discussed the first chakra, the root chakra, its associations, and ways we can balance it if it is not functioning properly. Today we're going to discuss the second chakra, known as the Sacral Chakra. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them below!

The Sacral Chakra, or the Svadisthana, is orange in color, and located at the hypogastric plexus; or genital/womb area of the pelvis. It is approximately 2 inches below the navel. The sacral chakra relates to our feelings, and represents our capacity to accept change, feel creative, as well as our ability to be comfortable with our sexuality. People with healthy sacral chakras allow feelings to flow freely, expressing themselves without being under or over emotional. They live passionately, and are open to intimacy, having no problems with their sexuality. Other attributes include creativity, adaptability, and emotional release.

Emotional issues that will affect our sacral chakra include our sense of well-being, pleasure, and abundance. People who are not comfortable being open around others and feel the need to constantly wear a poker face often have an under-active sacral chakra. Those with an over-active chakra tend to become emotionally attached to people, are constantly emotional, and are very sexual. Dysfunction in the sacral chakra can manifest physically in several different ways: lower back pain or stiffness, circulatory system problems, urinary and bladder infections, eating disorders, alcohol and other substance abuse problems, as well as depression are common expressions of sacral dis-ease. Women may experience menstrual issues, and men can manifest prostate problems, both affecting reproduction.

There are a number of different ways that you can open or balance your sacral chakra. Taste is the sense of the sacral chakra so savor your foods, enjoying their flavor without rushing. Oranges, cantaloupe, and any type of nut will nourish this chakra. Eat with your hands when possible! Other pleasures that will balance the sacral chakra include hoola hooping, relaxing in a long aromatic bath (using essential oils such as jasmine, orange blossom, and neruli), and dancing like no one is watching. Sometimes I do this in the car while traveling, doing the butt jig to some of my favorite music!

Stones and crystals that assist in healing the sacral chakra include coral, carnelian, moonstone, amber, chalcedony, and sunstone, mookaite, and other stones in the jasper family. Orris root, gardenia, and damiana are excellent incense for the sacral chakra. The important thing to remember is to shake things up by trying all your options!

If you'd like to try something visual, here is a short guided meditation I found on YouTube, created and shared by Angel Meditations.

Sacral Chakra meditation

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a few minutes to read this blog. I hope you have learned something new or remembered something once forgotten. Next time, we'll be discussing our Solar Plexus chakra! Until then, my beautiful and peaceful ones~

Namaste

The Root Chakra

Hello everyone! I hope that you are all doing well and are full of love~ Last time we took a look at a general overview of the chakra system, and today I'm going to provide more detail about the Root Chakra! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them below!

The root chakra, also known as the Muldhara, is located at the base of the spine. It is the first chakra and is the color red. The root chakra is associated with survival, our being present physically and feeling comfortable in all situations presented to us. It represents our foundation, and directly relates to our feelings of being grounded and secure. People with healthy root chakras live in the present moment. Other attributes include security, safety, patience, being physically strong and career or financial success.

Emotional issues associated with lack of money, food, or shelter often cause fearful or nervous tendencies and this can be a sign of an under-active root chakra. Many people with under-active root chakras may also feel unwelcome in many places. Signs of an overactive chakra include greed, materialism, obsession with security, and resistance to change. Common manifestations in the physical body related to the root chakra are weight problems, tailbone and hemorrhoid issues, degenerative arthritis, knee troubles, sciatica, intestinal disorders such as constipation or diarrhea, anemia, frequent colds, depression, fatigue, lower back pain, and cold hands and feet.

To balance the root chakra, practice grounding meditations by imagining your tailbone attaching itself to the core of the earth and soaking up its energy. It is also vital to get plenty of quality rest and sleep, to garden or walk, (with bare feet if possible) paying close attention to your connection with the earth. You could also drum or hug a tree! The sense of smell is a root chakra sense so practice smelling the world around you. You can also use an affirmation, such as “I am strong, safe, and grounded.” Vegetables from the ground (carrots, beets, potatoes), hot spices like red cayenne peppers, and apples are also good for the root chakra.

Stones and crystals like garnet, tourmaline, obsidian, ruby, red jasper, red or black onyx, pyrite, smoky quartz, hematite, and bloodstone are excellent for opening and balancing the root chakra. Please make sure your crystal is cleansed and charged before using! If you like incense, use cedar, and for those who use essential oils, patchouli and sandalwood are excellent options!

I hope you have learned something from this blog, and now have an idea of how your root chakra affects you, and what you can do to balance it. Next up I'll be discussing the second chakra, the Sacral Chakra. Until then, my peaceful loves~  

An Overview of the Chakras!

Today we are going to take a look at our chakras. I will give an overview of the chakra system and each of the seven main chakras then touch base on some “minor” chakras. Later, I will be posting more in-depth information about each of the chakras, ailments associated with closed or over-active chakras, and some tips on how you can open and balance your energetic system. Please know that this information comes from not only from research I have done, but through my experiences as a Reiki practitioner as well. If you have any information that you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment below! Enjoy~

The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit word “wheel”, and the chakra concept is featured in tantric and yogic traditions in Hinduism and Buddhism. The shakta theory, introduced to the West in 1927 by Sir John Woodroffe (known by the alias Arthur Avalon) in the book The Serpent Power, was primarily based on the translations of two Indian texts: Sat-Cakra-Nirupana and Padaka-Pancaka.

Chakras are not found in the physical body. We cannot cut someone open and find the root or any other chakra; however, these energy centers can be detected. I often check chakras before and after giving a Reiki treatment with my pendulum, but I will get into that more later! There is no consensus on the total number of chakras that we have in or around our bodies. Some believe there are as many as 340,000! Almost everyone can agree that there are 7 main chakras, starting at the base of the spine and continuing up the torso to the top of the head. These vortices of energy collaborate with the body through the endocrine and nervous systems. Each of the seven chakras is associated with one of the endocrine glands, and also with a specific group of nerves called a plexus. This means each chakra is linked to particular parts and functions within the body controlled by the plexus or endocrine gland associated with the chakra.

Each of the seven chakras have their own colors, correspondences, and functions. The following are short descriptions:

Chakra One: The Root Chakra is red, and located at the tailbone. It is masculine in nature, and associated with the adrenal glands. Primary characteristics include survival, security, stability, and the ability to meet one's basic needs.

Chakra Two: The Sacral Chakra is orange, and located just below the navel. It is feminine in nature, and associated with the reproduction glands. Primary characteristics include sexuality, creativity, reproduction, emotionality, and adaptability.

Chakra Three: The Solar Plexus is yellow, and located below the breast bone. It is masculine in nature, and associated with the pancreas. Primary characteristics include personal power, confidence, and mental agility.

Chakra Four: The Heart Chakra is green, and located where? You guessed it, at the heart. It has feminine qualities, and is associated with the thymus gland. Primary characteristics include loving yourself and others, compassion, kindness, and a sense of peace.

Chakra Five: The Throat Chakra is blue, and is located in the throat center. The throat chakra carries masculine qualities and is associated with the thyroid. Primary characteristics include standing and speaking your truths, expressing oneself creatively, and maintaining integrity in all areas of living.

Chakra Six: The Third Eye or Brow Chakra is indigo in color, and located above the brow, between the eyes. Feminine in nature, and associated with the pineal gland, the primary characteristics of the brow chakra include wisdom, imagination, vision, perception, and intuition.

Chakra Seven: The Crown Chakra is violet or white, located just above the crown of the head, and is associated with the pituitary gland. Since this is not a “bodily” chakra, it is unified, rather than associated with feminine or masculine aspects. The primary characteristic of the crown chakra is connection to the divine or universal life force.

There are other minor chakras including the ears (associated with clairaudience). The seat of the soul (also known as the 8th chakra) holds information about karma and past lives. There are many more chakras from various cultural traditions! I find that working with the seven main chakras is effective, and trying to give you information about the hundreds or thousands of other chakras could confuse things in an already complex subject.

As you can see, chakras are not only relative to our biological body, but also an expression of our consciousness, much in the same way our auras reflect the condition of our consciousness. They are the openings for life energy to flow into and out of our aura, powering our physical, mental and emotional health. The Chakras are often described as "lotus flowers" or spirals of energy. They can also be perceived as a long funnel. The small end of the funnel is attached to the nerves or glands, and the wide end of the funnel reaches just outside of the body. Blockages or abnormalities can be detected with a pendulum held slightly above the body at each point.

Many people believe that the directional flow of energy differs between men and women. Like interlocking gears rotating clockwise and counter-clockwise, energy flows through the chakras from the root to the crown. For women, the root chakra spins clockwise and the sacral chakra spins counter-clockwise. For men, the root chakra spins counter-clockwise and the sacral chakra spins clockwise. This flow can be disrupted however, causing some chakras to spin at irregular speeds, to stop spinning completely, or to even spin in the opposite direction. As I go through each of the individual chakras more thoroughly, you will develop a better understanding of each energy center and how it directly relates to, and even manifests symptoms, in the physical body. I'll also give you tips to help you open and balance these energy centers. In the meantime, take some time to digest this information, and send all your questions my way. See you soon, my beautifully colored and peaceful beings!

Namaste

~Peaceful We~

Hello, and welcome to my Peaceful We! I'll be using this blog to discuss my perceptions and interpretations on an array of spiritual and well-being topics, as well as common issues we all face while walking on our path of happiness. Remember, there is no path to happiness, happiness is the path we are already on. It's our interpretation of events and perceptions of life that makes us feel as if we are off the beaten path. By learning to see this lightly grassed, dirt and pebbled path as yours to carve, paint, and pave, the myth of the yellow brick road will no longer hold it's grasp.


First up, I'll be discussing chakras, energy, and Reiki. If you have any specific areas of interest you'd like me to write about, please feel free to email me at peaceofmehealing@gmail.com.


Namaste


Jodi