Talk Radio - Sept '09
Candice was featured LIVE on the air on Wednesday,
September 30th. You can listen or download a podcast of
her segment here!
Team
Sizzle Podcast
- Live on September 30, 2009
Soul Vibes: LoA Demystified
Below I am offering a synopsis of a recent presentation
and coaching forum for those who may not have been able
to attend. This has been a vision of mine for some time,
and it was an honor and a joy to see come to fruition.
The fact that I was offering the presentation itself is
evidence of its content! Enjoy.
This
serves as a great introduction to the Law of Attraction,
and how it informs SHiNE Coaching from a “soulular
perspective.”
Soul
Vibes: Vibrational Self-Mastery & The Law of
Attraction
New
Renaissance Bookshop, Portland, OR
Thursday, August 13, 2009
by Candice Schutter
This coaching forum focused specifically on a teaching
that has gotten a lot of mainstream attention in the past
couple of years – the Law of Attraction. It is my hope
that you will leave here tonight with a greater
understanding – not only of the Law of Attraction – but
of HOW it relates to a deeper aspect of who you really
are. We will explore the LoA from a soulular perspective
in order to make it a meaningful and practical part of
your spiritual practice. This gathering is about
self-directing your energy. It is about consciously
aligning with who you really are in each and every
moment.
I was first exposed to LoA in 2000, through a daily
martial arts (qigong) discipline. It was then that I was
first introduced to the idea that my thoughts were
powerful causal factors in my everyday life. I was hooked
on learning more! Since then, I have been an avid student
of metaphysics. In 2003, I was exposed to new thought
ministries, and I studied how modern pioneers like Ernest
Holmes created an philosophy and spiritual way of life
that put this awareness to work through affirmative
prayer. On my metaphysical journey, I have cycled through
seasons of passionate inquiry, as well as times of
intense skepticism and uncertainty. My recent studies –
namely of the leading edge work of
Esther and Jerry Hicks
– have led me to understand LoA in a larger sense. Much
of what I will be sharing with you is inspired directly
by their work – along with my own experience and the
clients that I see applying these principles.
It is important to remember that the recent buzz around
the Law of Attraction in mainstream circles is only
hinting at a deeper pulse. We live in a marketplace. As a
result, media created to appeal to the mainstream is
often a watered-down version of the truth. I am
interested in expanding your definition of these unseen
forces, placing them into a spiritual framework that can
lead to a joyful and uplifting existence. Remember to
smile often and have fun!
What
is the Law of Attraction?
The Law of Attraction is based on a number of progressing
premises:
(inspired
by the teachings of
Abraham-Hicks,
among others)
1.
Everything is Made Up of Energy
The
universe is made up of energy – both visible and not
visible. Everything seen and unseen is energy. By
definition, energy is in a constant state of perpetual
motion - thus, it is also known as vibration. The slower
the energy is moving the more dense it is. The more
dense, the slower it is to change. For example: thought
is a faster moving energy than matter. From this
perspective, materialization is the slowing of a
continual vibration into form. Therefore, it is said that
there is a vibrational reality that exists, proceeding
all that we see in physical form. The vibrational reality
is real – it is just unseen until a continuous holding of
that resonance results in matter (or evidence in physical
form).
2.
Energy is Life & Life is Perpetual and
Expansive
Everything
in the universe is in a perpetual state of expansion and
growth. All living things move towards greater thriving,
and change form in order to do so. This expansion is
constant and all living things are an aspect of this
expansion. Since everything is energy, it can be said
that everything is one energy - one pulsing, expansive
force of life. Put in a spiritual framework, it is Source
expressing and evolving itself through all form that it
takes. It is all a part of the overall expansion of life
- even you. There is no escaping expansion, it is an
inevitable aspect of life itself.
3. Expansion Happens Through Polarity &
Contrast
Expansion
happens through the law of polarity. The physical realm
is driven by contrast. And through contrast, all desire
is born. In other words, in order to become more, all
living things experience contrast – it is in the
not-wanting of things that a new experience is born –
when we have an experience of “no not that” we co-create
a vibrational version that is better – it happens
immediately, as the way of the universe it one of
expansion and continual creation.
The
Law of Attraction (mainstream, material
perspective):
We
have been taught, plain and simply:
like attracts like.
The Law of Attraction says what you put your attention on
will continue to evidence itself in your life. Whatever
you focus on will expand. Therefore, the more that you
focus on “what-is”, the more of the same you will get. So
we are taught,
focus your attention on what you want
instead.
The
Law of Attraction (soulular
perspective):
Put
in a larger context, we can take the Law of Attraction
much further. (Or rather, it takes US further). The Law
of Attraction is working continually. We cannot apply it
any more than we can apply the law of gravity. However,
we can certainly understand it better! From a greater
context, the soulalar perspective says this: Your desires
are born of the polarity of life. When you desire
something (as a result of contrast), you become a
vibrational match to something greater. And regardless of
the form that it might seem to take, EACH and EVERY
desire that is birthed in you is a desire for soul
connection. No matter what desires that contrast has
birthed in you,
there is only ever one desire
at the root of it all – to become more of who you really
are. Thus,
when you experience contrast, you create a new version of
YOU
that simply must be experienced as a part of the greater
expansion of life itself. As soon as it has been
conjured, your soul begins to stir. Suddenly that
potential is ripe and ready in you, and
nothing less will do.
How
can I “use” the Law of Attraction?
It is a bit of a misnomer, for the Law of Attraction is
always at work in your life. In fact, IT is using YOU in
the greater expansiveness of life. What you can do,
however, is understand how it is working. You have all
the guidance you need, built right in!
YOUR
EMOTIONS – YOUR ENERGETIC GPS SYSTEM
You
are hard-wired for expansion. You can very easily learn
how to use the feedback of your emotions to understand
where your vibration is at any given moment. If we use
our earlier definition of energy, we are reminded that as
an energy is contemplated over time, it becomes more and
more dense. Until eventually, it will evidence itself in
our physical reality.
Thought >>>> E M O T I O N >>>>
Form
Therefore, emotion is the intermediary between thought
and form. It gives us immediate and undiluted feedback
about how we are vibrating.
The soulular LoA invites us to take this even further.
Remember, upon desiring something it has become a
vibrational reality for you. Not only that, YOU have
become a match for that (on a soulular level) and nothing
less will do. Thus, how you feel becomes an absolute
indicator of how close or how far away you are from that
NEW YOU that has become. When you feel “good” you are
right on track, in vibrational alignment. When you feel
“bad” you are holding yourself apart from your potential
in some way.
In summary, the LoA (material perspective) says...
think/feel/act in accordance with what you want. There is
wisdom there. Sure. Yet people get what they want all the
time, and then later wonder why it didn’t yield
happiness.
I invite you to evolve in your understanding of this
force of life. The LoA (soulular perspective) says...
think/feel/act your way into vibrational alignment with
who you have BECOME. Allow the perpetual expansion of
self to guide you towards true happiness. You can still
enjoy the ever-changing means through which ultimate
happiness comes. Yet, you experience the joy of
authenticity and soul alignment when you understand that
the physical pleasures of life - enjoy them! - are
wonderful containers through which expansion can occur.
Key Understandings in order to work WITH the
LoA:
You
Attract – The Universe Creates
It’s
called the Law of Attraction for good reason.
Let yourself off the hook when in comes to “creation.”
You attract a possibility through your desire and
subsequent ability to align yourself with it. Reality is
subjective, and you experience what you are available
for. Many different possibilities already exist. It is
really up to YOU which of these realities you align with.
You Live In An Interdependent Universe
You
are not the only show in town.
Your thoughts are not the only ones out there, and your
energy effects more than just you. The possibility of
something is sometimes collectively determined... the
probability (in your reality) is personally determined by
your match to it. Likewise, trust in the unfolding. Your
good is a part of the greater good. The perfect outcome
is determined by a vantage point that far exceeds your
own, benefiting all involved in the perfect way and
timing.
Feeling
Matters More Than Thought
You
can affirm until you are blue in the face, but feeling is
seeing.
Therefore, it is MUCH more efficient to monitor your
emotions over thoughts. Use how you feel to determine
your vibrational alignment to your desires... then use
thought to re-direct towards better feeling sensations
(alignment). Here is a great tool for changing your
primary vibration on any given topic.
Click Here
to learn about the Focus Wheel Process.
Energy
Matters More Than Content
The
energy of alignment is the only thing that matters, It
matters far more than the content of your desire. Because
the world is a marketplace, we are fed story after story
of people manifesting exactly what they wanted. And you
may just do that! However, the only manifestation that is
ever occurring is alignment with true power (the soul)
and how it can be best expressed in any given moment.
When you get too caught up in the content, you MISS the
point (and the power is lost). You distract yourself from
obvious goodness.
Action
is Essential on the Big Stuff
Action
can help to shift a vibrational pattern.
We have learned that action without alignment can be
futile. Yet on the big stuff, alignment without action is
a tall order! Action can be the missing ingredient to
truly place you in vibrational proximity to your desires.
Thus, action is not creating the perfect outcome... it is
placing you within the vibrational vicinity of it.
Likewise, if you don’t tend to your vibration, action can
be the one thing that is making you a mismatch to the
vibration that is at the root of your desire. Therefore,
action when in alignment is the most powerful combination
there is!
There
are No Absolutes in an Expansive Perspective
What
you don’t know can’t hurt you unless you pretend to know
it all.
This perspective is not meant to be all-encompassing. We
are continually growing in our understanding of this
force in our lives. Be willing to test it out and be
willing to expand and grow in your perspective. Take what
works for you, and leave the rest behind.
At the core of this message is this: follow your soulular
compass to the life that expresses the continual you that
is unfolding!
Do
you want the nutshell version?
Your dreams are drawn to you, if you allow them to flow
you in their direction. Embrace the moments of discomfort
for the clarity they bring, and then release them by
focusing on what they are birthing in you. Feel good,
relax, accept, and enjoy the expansion of life. We all
benefit from your willingness to smile.
Desire: Friend or Foe?
August 2009
It
is never the idol that you want,
but what you think it offers you.
A
Course in Miracles
Desire. Friend or
Foe?
Let's face it: desire has gotten a bad rap for
centuries. With roots in both eastern and western
religious traditions, renunciation of desire has
penetrated the collective psyche as a noble aim in an
ever-expanding material world. We are taught - through an
onslaught of psychological, sociological, and spiritual
influences - that desire is selfish and fleeting...and
that the ego (desire's vehicle) must be defeated in order
to experience true happiness. Yet despite our best
intentions, desire remains a human epidemic we have yet
to overcome as a species. Some might wonder, if we are
truly evolving, why are we still yearning?
Humans are a species mesmerized by dichotomies. We
continually do the dance of extremes in order to propel
ourselves forth. Desire is a force hard to deny; thus,
when renunciation of the material world wages a war
within, we turn to consumption. After feeding impulse
after impulse, we find we are still left empty. We
pretend our hunger means nothing...we pretend it means
everything...and now we are ready to stop pretending.
Every human longing points to a potential within. Our
minds are magicians, continually whipping up potions that
we think promise us the end we are seeking. We spend time
and resources casting spell after spell in hopes to
manifest the IT that will deliver us the sensation we so
long for. Time and time again, the end-result is
short-lived. Thus, we blame desire itself for leading us
astray.
Yet, what if we are simply missing the point? What if
desire is not the problem. Perhaps it is our approach to
it that needs to be re-evaluated. I have come to
understand that each and every desire (without exception)
point us in the direction of a universally-desired
sensation. Thus, at the heart of our desire is alignment
with a potential that is seeking to be born through our
life experience.
What You Really Want is
YOU
The object of your desire is not the problem; the fact
that you want IT is not the source of your mood swings.
It is in the misunderstanding of these impulses that you
find cause to suffer. Put simply, desire is an indicator
that something more is calling to you. Life's struggles
aren't a result of the cycle of incessant wanting.
Suffering may be due to attachments to the many forms
that your physical creation has taken, or may take in the
future. Or, perhaps more commonly in our western
culture,
suffering is ignoring oneself and never fulfilling the
potential buried beneath surface
longing.
What you really want is to E X P A N D - to express more
of your evolving essence. The objects of your desire are
simply things that you believe will deliver the goods -
the goodness that it your birthright. Desire is the eager
whimper of a more expansive YOU that is currently hidden
from view. To deny it is to deny your innate tendency for
growth and expansion.
Paradoxically, it is the denial of our deepest desires
that causes the ego run amok. Anyone who has ever stayed
the course of a circumstance (or way of being)
long-outgrown knows the blessed tantrums of the ego.
Interestingly, when we finally let go and yield to what
would feel better - in thought, word, or action - the
tempest fades. Alas, could the ego be an ally on this
journey?! Oh yes, indeed!! An
ego-soul alliance is pulsing at the core of
this message.
Metaphorically speaking, your soul is in a state of
perpetual rebirth. (I mean, in this
life,
you are meant to evolve continually). Your ego and the
world of form offer vessels of gestation through which
you are meant to grow in and out of. And, it is the
contractions of desire that deliver you forth. They
ensure your expansion by pushing you towards greater
degrees of love, joy, freedom, and well-being.
Expansion through
Form
Some spiritual teachers have told us to seek the medicine
from within. They say that if we sit still long
enough...if we dive deep enough...and if we resist the
dream of the physical world around us, we will be
rewarded with limitless joy. Yet, is the point of this
physical dimension simply to deny it? Or, can we have
both? - the boundless joy of expansion and the pleasures
of human existence? Rather than enlightenment
in spite
of the physical world, could
this planet of ours become the container
through
which we express our collective
enlightenment?
Every aspect of the living world is in a state of
perpetual expansion. Growth and evolution of form is the
way of the physical domain. At the root of this
propulsion forth is - you guessed it - desire. The
longing for something better. Desire is the catalyst for
change. Change is a means for personal expansion. And
personal expansion is the key ingredient in collective
evolution.
Accept and
embrace your desires as reflections of latent potential
within all of us.
Join the Dialogue
Those of you in the Portland area, join me this
Thursday, August 13th at New Renaissance
Bookshop.
I am honored to be leading a coaching forum that will
shed a new light on desire, the ego, and the metaphysics
of creation. We will explore and evolve the Law of
Attraction through the lens of the soul. Questions,
comments, and contributions are welcome. Hope to see you
there!
Click here to sign up.
Note: CLICK
HERE for a follow-up post on the Soul Vibes
event.
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Inspired Action
June/July 2009
Action
may not always bring happiness,
but there is no happiness without action.
-
Benjamin Disraeli
What should I do?
It's a common question. I come face-to-face with it often
- in sessions with clients, and in my own personal life.
At the heart of the question is disempowerment. It begs
for a prescribed to-do list that will help to sooth the
feeling of disconnection. However, acting from such a
desperate space rarely feels good. Rather than
approaching the situation with immediate action, I find
it to be far more efficient to focus on clarifying
desires. When we do this, we address the feeling space
directly, and then let the to-do list emerge from the
space of inspiration.
Inspiration is alignment with the best of
you.
For the most part, I tend to follow my bliss where it
takes me - which means shedding old skin (ie. labels and
livelihoods) often. I have been told I am being
'impulsive' and 'unreasonable' more than once. If
following my impulsive whims makes me appear flighty and
without rational direction. So be it! The compass that I
follow is Happiness Itself...and it always points toward
my greater good. I can honestly say that I get happier
and happier as the years pass. There is nothing more
fulfilling to me that riding the waves of inspiration. I
do what I love; I love what I do. When that statement no
longer applies - and I have learned this the hard way -
it is time to make a change. And when I do, I feel a
surge of inspiration and opportunity that defies
description. In short, letting go of what no longer
serves me makes me available to what does. Thus, in
response to what should I do?, the primary and immediate
action that is required is to stop doing that which I
feel I am no longer a match with.
Having said that, living an inspired existence is not a
lazy affair! On the contrary. It takes dynamism, energy,
and stamina to ride the waves of inspiration as they
come. Taking inspired action lends itself to a life of
courageous self-discovery. And while it may mean taking a
scary leap or two (or twenty-two!), the payoff is bigger
than any other. When you are feeding life with what sends
your heart soaring, it rewards you with life force energy
and opportunity beyond measure!
How does it feel?
How do you know what constitutes an inspired
action? Use the compass within to direct your
sails.
You see, at its best, action is fueled by inspiration and
passionate self-discovery. At its worst, action holds us
in stagnant defiance of who we are longing to become.
When you are reaching for something in your life, action
is futile without right alignment. Actions that disallow
your continual expansion create dis-ease in your world.
Simply put, they are inefficient, energetic leaks that
need addressing. You recognize them for the strain and
discomfort they bring about. On the contrary, ease can be
found through inspiration. Sometimes it is found in
pushing edges that propel you forward. The sensation is
one of freedom and exhilaration (sometimes confused with
fear). Yet, the cliff-diving leaps of creation become
easier over time as you learn that what moves you to jump
has the power to send you soaring.
Look at your to-do list for the week. What do you see?
Responsibilities? Inspired Ideas? For most people,
responsibility takes the cake. Indeed, our daily comings
and goings are important. Many of your daily tasks make
you available to the peace of mind that invites
inspiration. Yet responsibilities become liabilities when
they keep us apart from ourselves. Action is inefficient
when it holds in fearful stagnancy. The way of
humanity (and all of life) is one of continual expansion
and transformation. Inspired action means taking a
risk...and moving towards what moves you in the moment.
Therefore, consider taking less action...and
allow inspired actions to take you (further).
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VulnerAbility
Soul Dialogue ~
a personal exercise in self-coaching
A
sample dialogue for finding the light in the dark.
Your soul voice is available to you,
always.
to learn more about soul
dialogues, click here
It Starts with
Me:
I ask that you talk through me, here and now.
I feel like shit. I am too tired to fight the fight to
feel good. Today is a down day, and I am allowing it to
be.
Good.
So that’s it? That’s your divine wisdom?
You have
to allow me in order to hear me. Are you open to
guidance? Truly? Or are you so adamant about feeling as
you feel that you will block my wisdom as it pours
in?
I am willing, yes. There is space for light here.
Okay,
then. Let’s talk. Forget the medium of the medium... get
your hands dirty with me.
Okay.
Where do I start?
With the
truth. There is no greater light than the truth.
Especially when you are poking around in the dark, as you
are now.
Alright. Well, the truth is, I feel like crying. I feel a
familiar frustration and powerlessness that comes and
goes. It’s been a long time since I have felt it, but it
is here now.
What does
it say?
It says, that I am so blessed and yet I...
Stop
making it pretty. What does it
say?
It says that I am afraid. It says that I am lost again.
What if all the spiritual mumbo-jumbo is bullshit? How is
it that I could be flying so high for months, and then
fall with such force?
Ah,
well... the impact of a fall is always relative to the
height from which you came. You felt higher than ever, so
that much more painful is the fall.
Okay. Well that sucks.
Perhaps.
Or perhaps the pain is there to paradoxically remind you
how far you have ascended in your journey. And let me
remind you that you never fall as far as you think.
Remember the Spiral Model? {more on this
soon}
I guess. But I am angry that I am still working on this
piece around my livelihood. I have invited everything I
have ever wanted into being. I have so much of what I
want. And today, I am angry. What the hell does life want
from me?
There is
only one way to find out... What do you want from
life?
I just want to be me. Isn’t that enough?
If it
were, then wouldn’t you just do
that?
It’s harder than it sounds. I suppose I really just want
to feel good, to be happy.
Okay, that
feels closer to the truth. And what feels good to
you?
Being creative, being real to the moment, uninhibited
self-expression, loving and being loved, laughing, play,
adding value, smiling and dancing. So much feels good to
me!
Yes, there
you go. Shift your focus there.
These are the actions that you must take. Anything that
aligns you with these. Let go of worry, doubt, and
frustration. Become obsessed instead with joy,
possibility, and fascination. You are good at this. You
were born knowing how to do this. Reignite the soul
through choices that align you with the sensation listed
above.
But isn’t it naive to behave in such a way... when there
are clearly things that aren’t working.
And so
what are you proposing? That somehow focusing your
attention on what is not working will help somehow? Do
tell... how will worry help to mend what is tattered in
your thinking, and thus in your experience?
It won’t.
Right. The
only thing that will free you from the hamster wheel of
self-defeating thoughts is shifting your attention in
another direction. One that feels good.
So...?
So it’s
just like they taught you in grade school. Should you
catch fire... stop, drop, and roll. In this case... STOP
by pausing and witnessing yourself, DROP the story that
feels defeating (just let it go!), and ROLL into
alignment with what brings you joy by no longer resisting
it.
It’s that easy, huh?
Indeed. It
can be. If you are willing to let go to the joy that is
flowing all around you.
Thanks for the chat. I feel very loved.
Oh, and
you are!!
Soul Light
April/May 2009
The
moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and
hesitate to tell the truth that is in us...the divine
floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.
Elizabeth
Cady Stanton
As a coach, I am privy to the themes of human experience.
While the stories of our lives take on different shapes
and characters, certain sensations are common. Feeling
stuck - either energetically or circumstantially - is a
common sensation that we all face at one time or another.
Upon closer examination, "I feel stuck" is describing a
sensation of powerlessness. To feel powerless is to lose
connection to the voice of your soul and the more of you
that is longing to become. As a life coach with a
soulular approach, my job is to poke around in the dark
to help realign you with the light source beckoning to
you from within - reflecting itself through your life
experience.
Neale Donald Walsch cleverly describes the SOUL as a
Singular Output of Universal Life. So let's imagine your
soul is a light source through which a larger
intelligence speaks to you. Your soul light shines on the
fluid landscape of your life in order to guide your way.
Like a compass, it directs you to move this way and that
in order to connect you with the larger Light of Source.
When you yield to the trajectory of your soul, you feel
the bliss of Source shining upon you. You feel powerful
as you move towards more of you as an outpicturing of
this Larger Light. Your soul is unfolding you through
your experiences, and its job is to take you in the
direction of more of you becoming. Yet, when you turn
from your loving soul light - often towards the
directional light of what you think others might want of
you - you feel lost and disconnected from joy. The light
seems to elude you. Why? Your soul has shifted its
energetic focus in the direction of who you have become,
and you are not following along. You are stuck being who
you once were. Your discomfort is your soul calling out
your name in the dark, inviting you to turn towards your
future. Thus, the feeling of being lost (or stuck) is
good news! It lets you know that you have developed into
the new you, and that now is a time to shift your vantage
point and direction.
Living authentically is an internal gauge that can only
be read from within. When you are in alignment with your
soul light - your values, passions, purpose, who you are
becoming - you know it by how good you feel. Authenticity
is an continuous dance of keeping your vibration (way of
being) level with the next evolution of your soul's
unfolding.
When your soul light turns you in an unpopular direction;
you must go in order to realign. Approval is fluid and
co-creative - others reflect how much you are able to
accept your right to become. They give your will
something to push against in order to develop strength
and confidence in who you are. Yet, this discomfort too
shall pass. In the end, living authentically is never
about rebellion - fighting against what others think of
you only strengthens your fixation on them as your
gauge. Nor is authentic living about isolation - to
live in alignment with who you are does not require
abandoning the desires of (and your commitment to) those
you love. On the contrary, you are more present and true
in every relationship when you are confident, secure, and
walking in the world as who you really are. You no longer
confuse the way you feel with outside causes; nor do you
expect others to be as you are. You understand that YOU
are the first cause of your greatest joys and sorrows,
not those around you. Because your joy depends on you
alone, the people in your life approach you eagerly. Your
feeling good is up to you...they are off the hook! This
leaves you both present for authentic connection.
As a final thought: when you are feeling powerless, it is
important to note that your soul light only gets stronger
and stronger in your search for it. It is there; always
it is there calling out to you. In fact, without this
light from behind, you would not even be able to see your
shadow. Isn't that a grand design!
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Flow~NW Hoop Gathering
There is no right or wrong. There is only flow or not
flow.
Anah (aka: Hoopalicious)
I recently returned from a long weekend in Bend, Oregon
where I attended the first annual
NW Hoop Gathering.
It was a transformational weekend, filled with
workshops led by hoop pioneers from all over the
country. Presentations ranged from free-form
explorations to technical skill-building, as each of
the facilitators shared their unique approach to
hooping with over 100 attendees. (See a
full page article
in the Bend Bulletin).
When I first picked up a hoop in 2006, I never imagined
where it would take me. The most powerful aspect of my
path in the hoop has been the way it has taught me to
surrender to the unknown. By allowing myself to be
carried on the current of the hoop, my life has orbited
to new heights. To me, the hoop is
contemplative playtime.
It is a vehicle that allows two parts of me to unite in a
harmonic convergence. My free spirit is nurtured by the
joy of dance and exploration through movement and
radiance. And the spiritual seeker and metaphysician in
me is taught volumes about how the flow of energy moves
in and around my body and mind. The hoop is a metaphor
for the ways in which life speaks to (and through) me.
Joyful. Powerful. Active. Yielding.
The
SHiNE Workshop - What Moves You Matters
Saturday, April 11, 2009
My workshop presentation was at the end of the day on
Saturday. After many hours of hooping, attendees were in
need of a breather. In the spirit of flow, I surrendered
my workshop plan to the tides of the moment. The majority
of our time was spent in seated discussion. I introduced
attendees to my ever-evolving experience of flow as a
harmonic balance between Who We Are and Who We Have
Become. Upon opening the floor for questions, we
discussed the perceived barriers to living with
authenticity. Topics of discussion included: the opinion
of others, family dynamics, how ‘should’ can disempower
our choices, and getting to the core of what it is we
really want. In short, we applied the energy dynamics
that the hoop is helping us to master to our everyday
lives. How can we flow more deliberately towards our most
joyous experience of life?
After a lively discussion, I was eager to move and vessel
the understanding through movement. We had very little
time, so I picked two exercises to end with. First, we
moved into a circle formation and surrendered our hoops -
“you are not what you do.” We co-created our own harmonic
flow of energy - two concentric circles weaving in and
out of one another - as attendees connected with their
community face-to-face, hand-to-hand in a perpetually
moving circle dance. From there, I felt the space was
hungry for release. A Nia experience followed through a
powerful dance of rhythm and sounding. The power of over
100 voices wildly basking in unison is still
reverberating in my heart.
I am ever-so grateful to
Mollie Hogan
of
HoopDazzle
- friend, student, and event organizer - who wouldn’t
take no for an answer. When she encouraged me to present
at the event many months ago, I voiced my concern about
teaching hoop technique as my energy is so much more
drawn to coaching these days. She encouraged me to create
a workshop that I would be eager to teach, and reassured
me in my ability to deliver. I faced my demons of doubt,
and I did just that. Thank you, Mollie, for your
unconditional love and support.
And I was so delighted and appreciative to see so many
friendly Portland faces in the crowd! Your presence made
me feel at home and at ease. Special thanks to
Lacye Lee
for her assistance and support during my workshop!
A
Shout Out to the Presenters
I
am continually amazed and inspired by the people that I
meet through the hoopdance community. The focus of this
year’s event was The Evolution of Flow. In the world of
flow arts (ie: poi, staff, flags, etc), hoopdance has
arrived and is rock-solid! Presentations focused on
experiential understandings of flow understanding,
specific to the hoop. These few paragraphs could hardly
do justice to all the brilliance shared in the
presentations... nevertheless, a shout out feels
warranted. I express my gratitude to:
Baxter
of
The Hoop Path
for his shamanic teaching style that reminds us all to
“go blind” and dive deep into what moves us at our very
core.
Ann
of The Hoop Path for her poise, grace, and willingness to
look closer. Her teaching presence ignites a powerful
fusion of femininity and strength.
Spiral
of
Spiral Hoop Dance
for her beauty and presence as she led us through a
variety of technical applications inspired by her
inspirational circus-style studies. I appreciate so much
getting to know her... her smile, her curiosity, and her
wonder.
Rich
of
Isopop
for a diagrammatical workshop on isolations and
break-style hooping that was awe-inspiring and effective.
Christabel
of
HoopGirl
for her continual courageous pushing of limits! Her
workshop on floor hooping and micro-hoop meditations took
each attendee into previous uncharted territories in and
out of the hoop. Go, soul sister, go!
Khan
for his wisdom and insight as he expressed an
understanding of flow that pushed our boundaries into
quantum physics and beyond. I was especially affected by
his presentation, as I saw so clearly how the hoop is
really a vehicle for the energetic teachings that come
through us all.
Philo
of
Hooping.org
for his playful and approachable teaching style that
emphasized legwork and so much more. I am so grateful to
Philo and the way in which he owns who he is and connects
us all to one another, one click at a time.
Anah
(aka Hoopalicious) of
Hoop Revolution
for her expertise and willingness to share it. I felt so
much alignment with her teaching, in philosophy and
technique, and I appreciate the ways she pushed me into
so many areas of exploration in my hoop I had yet
experienced. I am renewed with inspiration!
Thank you to all of the presenters for your wisdom and
sharing. The best part about sharing a platform with you
all was truly feeling complete authenticity in our
sharing with one another and the community at large.
And as a final thought... a very heartfelt thank you to
the radiant women in my life who support me every step of
the way. I am blessed in friendship withe amazing women
who inspire me endlessly! The best part of my weekend was
the sharing of laughter, insight, and delight with ladies
dear to my heart:
Jasmine, Christabel, Holly, Keri, Jennaluna, and
Mollie...
you rock my world!
Cara and Sylvia...
you were both there with me in spirit. Thank you for your
invisible support. I love you all!
Basking in Appreciation
Life
Just Keeps Getting Better and
Better
Candice’s Gratitude Journal
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Basking
in Today’s Vibrations
I am so grateful for this day. The sun is shining high in
the sky and Portland is aglow with joyful faces. I love
making eye contacting and sharing a smile with a
stranger.
I appreciate the conversation that I had with my mom on
the phone today. It was brief but full of love. We
connected heart-to-heart, and I told her how happy I was
that she was my mom. It was another special moment when
we talked about her dad, my grandpa. We both smiled in
awe of his spirit. I am grateful that he is my family...
grateful that I share genes with a man who is healthy and
happy at 93 years of life. He is a humble man who leads
by example - through simple service and a peaceful
disposition. He is a testament to the power of a simple
existence and how it begets health and wholeness. I love
him dearly.
I feel blessed with amazing friendships. Tonight I will
have dinner with two of the most wonderful women that I
know - Jasmine and Sylvia. I am grateful that we have the
abundance to share a delicious meal together. I love that
we talk to one another with such unconditional love and
acceptance. I look forward to many magic moments between
us.
I love my job! I am so happy to be doing work that allows
me total freedom and flexibility. I spent the day writing
about things that inspire me and bring me joy. It is easy
for me to make money doing what I love! The greatest gift
in my professional life in this moment is collaboration!
I appreciate Christabel Zamor (I call her my co-creative
soul mate) and the work that we are doing together. I am
looking forward to the many successful co-creations
before us. I know that I will make loads of money while
helping millions to reconnect to who they really are...
so that they can experience abundance of creativity and
resources, too! I love my job!
Today
a little girl (about 7 years old) said she liked my
computer. It was so nice to receive her smile.
I walked through the park
near my home today. I love the sound of children playing.
I took a minute to soak it all in. It felt good to soak
up the sounds and sensations of freedom and fun.
I am grateful for all of this and so much
more!
Basking
in my Vibrational Escrow
I
know that my life is getting better and better each day.
New opportunities continue to pleasantly surprise me.
I expect the unexpected... through the best possible
outcomes for me in all areas of my life. I know that
there is a Source of perpetual bliss that is guiding my
life. When I feel good, I am connected to it. So I look
for reasons to feel good, all day everyday.
Freedom is a sensation that I know well. It comes to me
with ease and in many forms. Money flows freely into my
life in more and more ways, reminding me that when I feel
good, I attract goodness in all its forms. I am also
blessed with opportunities to travel and connect with
like-minded souls. I meet so many amazing and inspiring
people!
I love that my work feels like play. I love that I make
money being myself. My work is a montage of my many
passions... dancing, playing, and sharing things that
come naturally to me.
My business is growing so fast, and it is easy to keep up
with and manage. I have aligned with the perfect people
to assist me in the follow-through on a variety of
projects simultaneously. I am surrounded by talented and
resourceful SHiNE Agents who have helped to grow and
share this message internationally. The work is touching
lives beyond my wildest dreams.
I appreciate the relationships in my life, and how they
continue to deepen and expand. I am now able to visit my
family whenever I please, and spend time connecting,
learning, and growing. My friendships are glorious and
transformational environments of fun and sharing. I
especially love the retreats I take often with my closest
girlfriends. I fly us all to far off places for playtime.
It is a blast!
And my new home by the water is dreamy! I even have a
boat. Of course, my beloved partner is the captain... and
that’s fine by me! I trust this beautiful and honorable
man with my heart. We share such a wonderful life
together... and we look forward to a family. I appreciate
the way that he makes me laugh and grow each and every
day.
Life is really magnificent. Thank you for all these
blessings and more.
My practice of basking in
gratitude is inspired by the teachings of Abraham-Hicks.
(www.abraham-hicks.com)
Rose-Colored Glasses
March 2009
There
is no excuse not to feel good
knowing what you know.
Abraham-Hicks, 2-8-09
You may have noticed that the
February issue of theMessenger never made it out into
cyberspace. I was on a personal retreat - a Abraham-Hicks
Well-Being Adventure Cruise to the Mexican Riviera with a
dear friend and nearly 600 like-minded souls. It was
truly a pivotal and inspiring journey for me. I feel
certain that I was forever changed by the inspired
teachings I was exposed to, the individuals whom I met,
and the hours spent steeping in hot tubs and
transformative discussions.
Something was revived in me...something that I have known
since my first dawn in this world...something that shapes
everything that I choose as I walk through the
world.
Life was meant to feel good.
I so enjoyed being on the receiving end of a message that
clarifies with such simplicity the essence of that which
I share in every SHiNE offering. My commitment to our
inherent right to feel good is the source behind each and
every SHiNE creation. When we are in alignment with who
it is we are becoming, we radiate contagious enthusiasm
and creative inspiration. When we allow the natural
expression of our truth and magnificence to shine, we
feel fabulous and connected to all of life. However, when
we dilute the fullness of our gifts or disallow our most
honest self from evolving forth, we suffer from
disharmony or dis-ease. My life has been - and continues
to be - a navigation of this most basic principle of
life. The path of my bliss dares me to step into
alignment with more of my potential with each passing
moment.
So what are common stumbling blocks for so many of us?
Why don't we feel good more of the time?
Learning to Trust Yourself
In some cases, we navigate our course based on the
opinions of those around us. We turn our attention away
from our internal guidance and we fixate on how we are
being received by our environment. Dis-empowerment is
self-inflicted as we stray from our path in order to
become what we perceive is expected of us or become stuck
in being who we once were. This tendency often shows up
subtly through our self-talk; we use words and phrases
like: should
and
have
to.
The honesty of what is real for us is denied for the sake
of what we think is right, rather that what we know is
right for us in the moment.
Finding the joy that is in our very nature hinges on our
ability to differentiate our desires from the desires of
those around us. What turns you on is personal and unique
to you. Let us all be reminded that the need to please
others - and/or to fit into a way of being that is
contrary to the essence of who we are - leads to
suffering. It is a Loving Universe that guides us in this
way. Through energetic imbalances - negative emotion
and/or physical dis-ease - we are being guided to return
to ourselves once more. It is nature's way of
saying: Deny who it is you have
become and I will remind you to make a shift. Realign
with what brings you great joy and you will feel
relief. It is always reminding
us...in order to feel good,
you must be true to the essence of who you really are -
and who you are continually becoming.
I can't think of
a message more loving than that.
Relief As An Indicator
It is in the moments of disconnection from Who We Really
Are that we feel fear and discouragement. It is only when
we miss the point of such moments that we get stuck in
the rut of despair. These 'low moments' are simply
letting us know that we are not aligned with our deepest
desires. Our inner guidance is providing us with feedback
- in this case, negative emotion - that let's us know we
are out of alignment with direction in which we are
evolving. The more we feed this self-created reality of
disempowerment (with self-defeating criticism or
habituated actions) the worse we feel.
However, if we turn away from the discomfort and
consciously seek a feel-good experience, we immediately
feel relief. And relief is feedback that lets us know we
are moving closer to Who We Really Are. Relief can come
from shifting your attention from a topic that "brings
you down" to a topic that is neutral and/or of a higher
frequency for you. At other times, it is a matter of
re-framing your experience so that you see the gift - the
opportunity to develop into more of who you have become -
through each and every choice you make.
As we move into spring, set the intention to make FEELING
GOOD your practice. When you come face-to-face with a
perceived source of discomfort, either shift your
attention or shift your perspective. Allow yourself the
freedom to choose how you want to feel in relationship to
the world around you. Whatever you do, find a way to feel
good. And yes...you can. You came into the world knowing
how to do this. You are hard-wired to follow your
emotions (internal vibrations) as indicators...you get
better and better at it with time and practice. Life is
supposed to be a process of continual improvement as you
become a master of choosing more consciously over time.
Since returning from my travels, I have re-committed to
this practice. And I have been exuding more enthusiasm
and positivity than ever! So much so, in fact, that I was
recently accused of seeing the world through rose-colored
glasses. To this I responded, "Thank you! And if you'd
like, I'd be happy to fashion you a pair!"
Seeing Pink Everywhere,
Candice
This
month's feature was greatly influenced by the teachings
of Abraham-Hicks. For more information, visit them online
at www.abraham-hicks.com.
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HoopGirl Training - Baltimore, MD
HoopGirl Level One
Baltimore, Maryland
I am settling in at home in
Portland, Oregon relaxing after three glorious days in
Baltimore, Maryland! I was there co-facilitating a
HoopGirl Level One Teacher Training. Although I had
taught the course material alongside Christabel on
numerous occasions over the past 3 years (and even helped
co-author many of the concepts), it was a new dawn for me
and for HoopGirl. This was the first training in which
the material would be presented without Christabel as a
facilitator. My intention going into the weekend:
to trust that I would be able to channel her wisdom
- along with my own - and deliver 100% on the promise.
And I am so pleased to announce that we did just
that!
I certainly didn't do it alone! My co-trainer
was Jennaluna.
Ripe from her Level 3 training, she was superbly present
as she courageously stepped right into the role of
Trainer! Jenna is a natural facilitator, and it was such
a joy to witness her holding the frequency of a leader
and guide. She was especially potent when she fully
embraced her power and yielded as her teaching worked
through her. I look forward to more opportunities to
teach alongside her... and share in more late night
laughter! I am so grateful to work alongside colleagues
that so soon become friends.
A group of 13 fabulous women arrived on Day One, fully
present and eager to learn about HoopGirl philosophy and
education. I was immediately struck by the presence of
each trainee. As the days unfolded, the attendees
initiated lively discussions that led us into many
expansive explorations of the material. It was so
easy to witness and identify the unique brilliance of
each in attendance:
Noelle is
the local hooper who made the training possible,
providing us with the perfect space and constant support.
She is a grounded, vibrant woman who has an impeccable
warmth about her. Noelle offers observations, questions,
and conscious facilitation that weave richness and depth
to the teaching experience.
Elena and
Tara came
from upstate New York, and I was immediately struck by
their shared commitment and focus. Their community is in
for a treat as they offer a combined synergy that is sure
to delight. Elena wooed us all with her warm and
expansive teaching style that reminded me the power of
eye contact and poise. Tara guided us with an effortless
wisdom and a sassy smile that melted our hearts and
brought joy out in our dance.
Carolann joined us from New Jersey.
She was our diva-goddess guide who demonstrated how
coaching and empowerment can so effortlessly be woven
into teaching hoopdance. I am personally inspired by her
commitment to learn and grow in the direction of her
bliss. Our lunchtime chat was a highlight of my weekend.
Pam came
to the training with a dream to bring Ohio to life via
the hoop. She blew us all away by her skill level - after
only 6 months hooping, she was teaching all of us a thing
or two! She is a testament of the power of online study.
Not to mention, a natural teacher and model of how
youthfulness is an ageless embodiment.
Chantiel came from Boise, Idaho... and
is also a student of many via her online studies. She
brought a inspiring and penetrating teaching style that
held a powerful space for instruction. I appreciate her
inquisitive and willing presence to learn and grow.
Katie (aka:
Surprise)
joined us from the DC area. She brought so much
creativity to her teaching via her remarkable attention
to detail. I especially loved her immediate integration
of conscious languaging and ability to reflect back to
each of us. Her success will be no surprise to me.
Tina B (Virginia) brought her
vast teaching experience into the hoop in such a personal
way. She has a sensual and joyous style that is perfectly
suited for the hoop - a mixture of bellydance and fitness
offering a powerful fusion. She made us all smile and
rest into the confidence of her instruction.
Becca was also from Virginia,
and I can't say enough about the integrity she possesses.
Each time I witnessed her - as trainee and as teacher -
she was in full alignment with who she is. As a result,
her teaching delivered a yoga-warrior-hoop journey unlike
any other.
Leda came to us all the way
from Florida and the performance troupe known as the
Hoola Monsters. She carries the natural poise and
radiance of a performer and it translates perfectly into
her teaching. I celebrate her smile and the power of her
natural abilities as teacher.
Allison blew us away with her
beautiful circus-style contortions during the photo
shoot! And as a teacher, she is a self-possessed bundle
of joy that you can't help but want to connect with and
learn from. She will surely magnetize many joyous bodies
into her classes.
I was always mesmerized when I would
witness Kara hoop
during breaks. A yoga teacher from North Carolina, she
has a fluid and majestic style that may be partially
inspired by the little guy she is expecting from within -
she did the training while 4.5 months pregnant! She
certainly brought the power and radiance of yin alive
through her teaching as she masterfully demonstrated and
"committed" to the task at hand. What an inspiration for
all the mothers out there!
I can't possibly leave out
Candice C. who was from a Maryland
mountain community nearby. She is a warm and delightful
woman who brought a lovely energy into the group. I was
inspired by her choice - one of self-love - to step out
on the second day, choosing to complete the training at
another time. Sometimes the path of least resistance
requires that we yield to an unexpected direction. I
commend her for honoring her inner guidance.
And a very special shout out to Kelly
Jo... a
previous graduate of the training was the ultimate
assistant to Jenna and I. She went above and beyond the
call of duty, catering to our every need and making a
distant training location feel like home. Thank you so
much for your presence, Kelly Jo! You are a star, for
sure. We missed you on Day 3 and are hoping that you are
feeling much better!
I couldn't possibly fully express the experience of the
past weekend in these few paragraphs. I will simply share
my gratitude to each and every one of the trainees for
bringing their brilliance into the space; the synergy was
inspiring to us all. And thank you, Jennaluna, for your
exquisite partnership and presence.
A very, very special acknowledgment to Christabel... my
dear friend and creative soulmate. Thank you for trusting
me to deliver the product of your brilliance to these
women. I am the better for it. I hope you know how you
inspire greatness in us all.
Joyous & Grateful!
Candice
Body Alliance
January 2009
Photo from The Full Body
Project
*[Wo]man
is the sole animal whose nudity offends her own
companions, and the only one who, in her natural
actions, withdraws and hides herself from her own
kind.
-
Montaigne
Tis' the season of new year's resolutions. Did you expect
to see a different kind of picture? Take a minute to
really look at the photo above. What comes to mind as you
view these full-figured women in all their glory?
When I was in college studying for my BA in Psychology
and Human Development, one class that rocked my world was
entitled: Prejudice and Stigma. My dynamic
professor, Chris Crandall, is still at it. He has
been studying prejudice for decades. Specifically, he
is an expert on the topic of weight-related prejudice.
I vividly remember the day when he revealed to us what
I considered staggering statistical findings. He and
his colleagues found that: The parents of obese
children were significantly less likely to pay to send
them to college. The familial weight-dependent
prejudice displayed towards female children was much
higher than that of boys. And that perhaps the most
painful aspect of the stigma of "fat" in all age
groups - what set this stigma apart from other
demographics - was that even people of the same size
and shape were reportedly prejudiced toward one
another. In essence, antipathy towards fat people is
pervasive and culturally reinforced, even within the
family and social circles.
The picture gallery referenced above intrigues me for the
way in which it challenges me to think. Did you notice
any culturally inherited prejudices in your perception of
these ladies? These are women who dance in naked defiance
of the cultural spell many of us are under. First, they
bask in the glow of self-acceptance without sucking it in
or reliance on airbrushing. That is inspiration enough.
Yet they take it a step further. They blatantly dare you
to face your judgments, your assumptions, and your
willingness to accept beauty in all its variations. They
dare to flaunt their abundant curves, usually kept
hidden. They reach to one another for the courage it
takes to be seen...a collective band of body-blazing
pioneers. They are heros in their own right.
Over fifteen years after Dr. Crandall's initial findings,
I can honestly say that I don't know one woman - of any
shape or size - who is immune from the terrifying stigma
of "fat" on some level. Again and again, I am surprised
to learn that even the most slender, dynamic, and
powerful women are fighting against their bodies. It's
the same story in variant forms...25-year old women
"feeling fat" while wearing everything from size two to
size twenty, 35-45 year old women confused that they are
no longer shaped like a teen model, and women 50+ years
young who quite literally ban themselves from the
pleasure of a bathing suit for life due to the pain of
body-loathing. It's our best kept secret - this emotional
sickness among women. We only allude to the symptoms of
it, as our helplessness keeps us from diving too deep.
On my own journey, I have certainly braved the seas of
change from adolecence into womanhood. Even my youth and
interest in movement didn't keep me immune. I look back
on photos of me athletic, thin, and in my “physical
prime.” I feel a mixture of awe and utter sadness that I
feared and "felt fat" even then! Now as I step into
another transformative season of life, I peel back the
layers on more negative beliefs and self-judgments as my
body is changing. When will I truly feel total body
acceptance?
If, like me, you have an intention for greater health and
self-care in 2009, I fully support your mission. Yet I
have discovered time and time again that intentions
driven by the desperation of body-loathing are not a
healthy prescription for change. True motivation comes
from a heartfelt desire for a more fulfilling life, not a
smaller dress size. And fitness is about so much more
than a number on a scale.
In 2008, I took a break from dancing and most forms of
fitness. This time-out was prompted by my body's cries
for a hiatus from over seven years of pretty much
continual dynamic movement. During that time the
prescription for my wellness was stillness. Over the
course of my time off, I gained nearly 20 lbs along with
the weight of some new leisurely habits. Nevertheless, I
was inventing new ways to be healthy and whole. And, I
was invited to love my body anew - an ever-developing
woman existing amidst a more curvaceous landscape.
I recently started dancing again...as the integration
completed its cycle, my spirit began to stir once again.
I thought it would surely take a few months to feel the
power of fitness and movement as I once had. What I
discovered after only 1 week of movement was glorious!
No, not that I had lost a bunch of weight or that I had
rock-hard abs. I discovered that I immediately felt alive
again...that sweat is an elixir of bliss when delivering
the spirit within...and that to move is to breathe life
forward. All of these are indicators of true fitness. To
express my spirit through the flesh, at any age and cycle
of life, that is wellness realized.
Lightness can be felt at any size. Beauty can be
activated in a deep cleansing breath or in a simple
movement of the hips. And fitness is an aliveness that
can only be measured from within.
Ladies, I know I am not alone
in my journey to change the way I think about my body and
fitness. Yet, instead of turning to one another for
support, we turn to our mirrors in shame. We turn to fad
diets...we turn to deprivation and isolation...we turn to
creams to hide our cellulite...and unfortunately, we turn
on one another through subtle energetics that feed our
pain and disconnection.
As with all mentalities we outgrow as a species, this
cultural madness must be brought to light and shed. In
2009, like the women pictured above, let's create an
alliance to accept one another in the ways in which we
would like to be accepted. I propose that we band
together to step out of the darkness and into the light
and brilliance that comes from navigating our fears.
Let's stop turning our back on one another and let's find
fitness, pleasure, and self-acceptance somewhere other
than in our reflections and dress sizes.
If you feel so inspired, I invite you to join me in the
following New Year's Resolution:
• I will do my best to accept and find beauty in my body,
as it is - giving myself at least one physical complement
per day.
• I will send a message of body-based appreciation and
admiration to at least one woman per day (via a heartfelt
complement, through thought or word).
• I will readjust my thinking in order to incorporate a
new definition of fitness - one where feeling radiant and
powerful is more important than feeling thin. I will seek
opportunities to express my radiance through my body in
2009!
SIGN THE CONTRACT
Body Alliance 2009
Print and Sign a Declaration to activate YOUR resolution.
FREE
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And by the way, Body
Appreciation is just one of the many topics we will focus
on in the upcoming Radiance Coaching Class Series (new
dates tba). If you feel moved to join us,
click here for more information. Hope
to see you there!
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Looking Forward to Celebrating Your Beauty,
Candice