They're Finished!

My two latest books have finally been completed.  Details below if you're interested.

Love's Eternal Reflections is a collection of poetry. The forth and possibly final in my Reflections Series.    Where would we be without reflecting on love in all of its splendor and magic?  In this life, love can flow easily if and when you are ready and willing to let it.  So, let it...every day and in every way.  If you think that in some way you may be missing love, start deep within you and look for it.  It's there and when you finally find it, you will see love everywhere you look.  :)  Book information is below:

Link for Purchase or Details (Click here)

Expanding Horizons begins where Changing Perspectives left off...expanding on the concepts previously shared along with adding a few new tools and suggestions.  Expanding Horizons is for the spiritual traveler seeking to learn about his or her path in life, the things to look for, the tools to assist on the journey and the perspectives to open your mind to hold that will hopefully enrich the spiritual seeker's journey.

Link for Purchase or Details (Click Here)

Illusion and Progress

If there were one thing I wish I could impart to you so that you could really feel the depth of it, it would be that although we compare and contrast ourselves to everyone and everything around us, it does nothing to make us better than we are.  The ego likes to think its better looking, smarter and dresses way better than that person over there and so, it must truly be great and by far, superior.  The funny thing is that the soul over there and the soul in you doing the real observing in life is already great.  Its just that it is quite possible that neither entity knows the truth of these words just yet.  All humans on this planet are part of the same species.  We all eat, drink, think, love or try to.  We view this great big beautiful world differently only because our thoughts have been shaped drastically by the experiences we have held.  If our hearts have been broken, we will see the world with very little trust.  If our bodies have been broken, we may see existence with so little light that we may never recover.  But, this world and it’s inhabitants is part of us.  We have existed and adapted to this world’s cold and very hot climes and throughout time, the times.  We have developed our intellects, our understanding sometimes, and our sense of self through our perspectives and when we remain open our perceptions will change and grow over time just like our world is ever unfolding and changing with its cycles.

What if you had the capacity to know that every person on this planet was special and an important contributor to the whole of existence in this space-time?  Yes, even THAT person over there that drives you absolutely crazy.  Even THEY are an important contributor in essence, in spirit, in energy, in action, with in action or in some other way that you are not yet able to discern or accurately perceive.  If you knew this though, even if you felt conflict by the actions of others, do you think you might still be able to rest easier knowing every person has his or her place here?  This is not a recipe for apathy but rather one that promotes living and then letting the living be and be as they are.  The only line I think I could ever draw is to restrain those who exercise their free will by circumventing the free will of others.  Spiritually, it would be grand to know that everyone could do anything they wanted here if and only if they did not in any way usurp the free will of another.  Some souls have not learned the dire self-consequences of eroding the free will of others.  They will ultimately answer for such behavior but while such souls are deeply  mired in the illusion that causes this behavior, I would move to have them removed from society at large so they could do no more harm.  Having said that, when I step back, I see how so many of us learn even from the bad behavior exhibited by others in this world.  I’m not suggesting I support the bad and negative things, please understand.  It’s just that I begin to grasp and understand the grand design of this place, this world as it exists within this particular dimension without changing a thing.

I truly believe that only a small portion of the essence of me is here in this space-time as an incarnate being.  If the essence of my repeated visions and dreams holds true, there are aspects of us in other places, Elsewhere and Elsewhere 2, I like to call them.  In the panorama of my visions and dreams, and maybe it is all just wishful thinking, but the souls are so loving, so compassionate and kind and they truly care to be mentoring, uplifting and seeking to educate where I truly wish to understand how and why we exist doing the things that we do.  Every soul has their place and purpose in this space-time and not one soul can be certain of the place and purpose of another.  And so, the little self digs in with the better than, greater than at the cost of judgment, negative feelings and commentary that does nothing but create a swirl of illusive, thick energy that a heart cannot feel its way through.  But, each soul can dissipate this thick wall of illusion and when they do, they begin to feel the love from inside and if they do not become afraid and they keep on going, they will begin to see the light and love in even THAT guy over there that seems to make everyone’s life so miserable.  We think we know what is best for another by what is best for ourselves.  In some cases, we may be right but in some cases we may be wrong.  If we do not know the soul path of another, what may be right for us could be dangerous for another’s pattern and path of learning.  Why would the left hand judge the right hand when it belongs to the same body system and has the same or similar purpose but just from another perspective?  There are reasons, it is for growth.  

When you begin to understand this, you can reach for higher and more rewarding lessons that makes your stay here in this world so very pleasant and wonderful.  If you are not in this place at this point in time but want to be, believe that you will be and pay attention to what you are learning and teaching.  If you take action in tune to the dictates of your soul rather than the ego (and you can feel the difference by tuning into your own body’s guidance system to guide you), you have already won half the battle. ~Blessings of great love, understanding, compassion and light beautiful souls.

(c) 2013 Jaie Hart (photo, random internet find - painting is signed so you can trace it back to it's creator)

Subtle and Secret Passageways

If only we paid as much attention to the things that really mattered as much as we pay attention to the things that don’t or are merely illusion, the better off we would be.  But, how does one get to a place where they know which is which so they begin to want to aspire to that place?  I guess we have to grow so tired of experiencing the very same illusion hidden in different faces and places throughout time and realize what we see is what we choose to see for good or ill.  We make issues out of those things we most need to learn from until we learn.  As the cycles and circles and patterns repeat throughout your lives, paying closer attention is the absolute best course of action.  Then and only then can you create the openness and willingness necessary to see.  Sadly, even when you begin to see, you won’t believe it at first and so you’ll test it and it will test you.  Sometimes you may become so frazzled and frustrated, seek momentary solace, comfort and healing only to have the same exact thing show up at your door in the form of the next face or issue.  We are so brilliant and relentless in our aptitude for learning that we will try to hide what we most want even from ourselves.

It is of no consequence that it takes us time to realize those things we must realize.  We have all the time we need and perfectly so.  It’s hard learning in this world but at some point you begin to realize the true beauty and gentleness that it holds and your eyes, mind and heart suddenly open and you watch bewildered and enchanted interchangeably as the illusions recede like morning mist when the sun warms the land.  It’s a challenging process to say the least and an amazing process to say the most and there just are no words truly adequate to define rare moments of clarity and full cognizance of a choice, a thought or a fleeting or lasting feeling.  All are clues, road maps and arrows to the truth if we would but take a moment and strive to embrace it beyond our fears and pain.  Oh the beauty you would receive for trading one ounce of sorrow and pain created by the ego’s illusory assumptions.

So much oversimplification runs rampant from egotistical minds striving to sound the smartest when the truth is actually spoken more accurately and soulfully by the humble ones you would not even see unless you looked for them with love.  Answers they have and love in infinite volumes for the true seekers who tire of the dream.  The landscape can change and all your wishes and dreams that may have once created anxiety and feelings of lack seem not so important as you find out the truth about you, the nature of desire and the full brunt of the suffering these things create.  Pain is no enemy and in fact, once you traverse the oh so subtle and secret passageways necessary to befriend it, you’ll be amazed at what you find.  This is a world of perfectly timed messages from beautiful messengers regardless of garb and masks they seem to appear in.  Consider all you know and see emanates from the same Source, even you.  Stretching, experiencing, learning and growing is what you do every day until you gain what you came for.  It is so perfect as are you.  ~Blessings of love and blissful peace.

(c) 2013 Jaie Hart, (photo, very fortunate random internet find)

Empowering vs. Victimizing Thoughts

One can never be made better by envy or in the act of a negative judgment of another.  Does misery really need company?  Misery does nothing all by itself except give one a very limited perspective from which to view the world.  

It may seem that others get what you feel you deserve sometimes but realize that such feelings are really no representation of the truth.  If you dig deep within you may discover that what it is you truly want is not the thing that someone else receives and gains recognition for.  Perhaps it is just that you wish to receive recognition yourself...congratulations for a job well-done.   

I think in terms of my own example of something I'd really like to have but I just cannot seem to make happen no matter how much I make or how fantastic my credit rating is.   I drive by beautiful homes in suburbia.  These are not extravagant homes by any stretch of the imagination.  I make great money and yet, I cannot afford to buy one of those homes and have at times I have felt frustrated by wishing I could have what others have and yet don’t.  Why can I not have this one simple thing? 

Well, there could be good reason.  How about that for most of my life I have chosen to have kids and raise them (not an inexpensive endeavor).  I have also chosen to give them the things I didn’t have as a child.  My children have nice clothes and are well cared for and we always have money to do little things here and there that make us smile.  What would the house really give me that I do not already have?  Where ever it is I and my children are is home.  

 I have learned that the feeling of home is deep within the heart of me and perhaps that is my lesson for this life, to learn that home is not a thing that costs a lot of money so you can call it yours.  Perhaps my lesson is not to be a home owner at this point in this life.  Maybe my lesson is to not become so entangled financially in that way just now.  Being a single mother with even an excellent income does not allow home ownership in the area that we love here in California.  So, would a home make me happier?  Maybe but what if it doesn’t?  What if I buy the home and my job disappears?  I could “what if” myself into oblivion but that’s not really the point.

What I find I cannot do is exist in a state of envy because another’s path seems better than mine. I cannot belittle myself by choosing the thoughts that others have what it is I deserve and yet I don't  -  poor me.  Not on your life!  I chose my path.  If wanted another, I would be on it but I am not and I have faith and trust enough in this grand design to know that I chose my path as it is and it’s perfect.  I realize that I cannot judge success in this world by home or car ownership.  I cannot judge success personally by whether my children are good or bad people.  I cannot judge success by the good job that I have because if it is gone, does that suddenly render me a failure in life?  No.   

A less comfortable individual would that make me for certain but I know me and have come to depend much on my ability to be resourceful and to make good choices even when others think they may be crazy.  So, why do we as a society judge personal success by comparison to those who have succumbed to very effective marketing campaigns that were designed to get at the weaknesses in our own egos?  We want love and recognition, I think.  

Honestly, I think I’d prefer love over recognition any day but we seem to want to do things just for reward and affirmation.  I understand it but I think it breeds discontentment which may not be in line with our soul’s highest growth or, well, maybe it is. Pain can be a very good teacher if you seek to understand the reason pain exists.  Many don't.  They just go with the feeling of small, inadequate and ignored.  Perceptions - all - but not necessarily truth.

Learning to be content where you are, realizing you are where you are due to your own choices and no others is an incredibly enlightening experience.  I prefer in life not to allow victimizing thoughts into my own head because that means I have given all of my power away to people and circumstances outside of myself.  I do not wish to give my power away and so I realize that I must own the consequences of each of my actions and choices.  I can be the best person on this Earth and yet stupidly choose to walk down a dark and dangerous alley way.  If something horrible should befall me, is it the fault of the universe or is it just the consequences of my own choices or actions?   

Does it frustrate us when others can make a similar seeming choice to our own and seem to have a different or much better outcome?  Sure but really, we cannot see the whole of another’s life as we can see ours.  So, if you find yourself in a place of discontentment in life solely because you think others have more than you or have what you deserve, stop all thoughts right there for just a moment.  Consider where you are and how specifically, you got there.  Are there different choices you can make that may bring you what you truly desire?  Are there different attitudes you can embrace that might lead you to make better choices or have more reasonable desires?   

There really are no right or wrong answers.  Its really a matter of whether we are entertaining thoughts that remove all possibility of success or if we are embracing thoughts that fully support the creation of opportunity through taking accountability, making better choices and engaging in better decision making towards certain ends.  Maybe it is our thoughts on what success is that is really off?  Just some food for thought.  ~Blessings of higher love, wisdom and understanding. 

(c) 2013 Jaie Hart (photo above, random internet find)

And a song to share, just because I really like it....Dishwalla, Home:

Better Than Ever

Engaged in quiet meditation was I, enjoying fully the peace and stillness and noticing with amusement that there seemed to be no silence at all.  In growing quiet and turning within I heard sounds that had nothing to do with the outside world and not one single voice was spoken but I felt beautiful words conveyed in tones.  One was so high, like the highest tone of very small wind chimes or even the imaginary singing of angels.  The sound was so pristinely pure and so high it was nearly inaudible.  This sound, so faint, was steady strong as I observed from my spectator position nestled safely within the confines of my own mind.  There too, was a very deep and rich tone that reminded me of the deep sounds of a violin or a cello.  It reminded me of the Earth, so hauntingly beautiful it steadily played on in the silence while I felt it’s tune.  Somewhere in between several more could I hear and feel in that moment.  I realized with delight it was energy I heard.  Out of the various tones I perceived in that moment, I picked one familiar, my own and observed it playing in tune with the sounds of the Earth and the Universe.  In one second of observing the tone changed and took on a strange sense of rising.  It became infinitely vast and resounding with a depth I could not fathom an end to.  Just then, I physically felt a very strong and powerful and yet gentle swirling of the energy at the base of my spine. My sensation of the world rippled and became much less solid with every revolution of the energy as it swirled.  No sooner had I noticed the physical sensation of movement when I felt also the warmth of an internal fire beginning to spark to life at the base of my spine.

I could not move, gripped with curiosity and maintaining an observer position so I would not get in the way of whatever it was that was most definitely transpiring.  The energy began to inch it's way up my spine gently.  The further it moved, the warmer it became.  With that sensation, many more began firing as all of my nerve endings seem to come alive all at once bringing waterfalls of tingles from head to toe.  I sat there still, quiet, eyes closed observing.  The sensation moved to my heart center and exploded in heat like the hottest day of summer and with eyes closed the light inside my mind’s eye glowed bright as the sun in rich gold, tangerine and purple with white, moving and glowing and speaking a language I did not understand.  The energy moved up into my throat and there resided a little while longer and the light in my mind’s eye changed to sage green and blue radiating still more warmth and intensity.  It was becoming harder to breathe from the sheer heat of the moment and the infinite seeming strength of the energy but I sat there calmly willing myself into observance.  The energy moved to my brow and the heat grew even more intense but there it sat and not uncomfortably so at all.  I realized the heat was not the physical heat we typically experience here on Earth somehow. It was different and it did not burn.  A calm peace descended as it moved to the top of my head and a thought came then, “open.”  I felt then the stream of energy running freely and an interconnectedness to everything in existence.  "Pure unadulterated bliss" are the only words I can struggle to define it.  

I sat there in the afterglow for minutes that turned to an hour and I found my steady breath once again as the solidity of my physical being seemed to be returning.  This moment, this one moment in time I shall never forget, the love it brought me and left me still feeling.  One week ago it came and has visited me repeatedly since.  A new light and clarity of my vision ensued.  For a very ordinary existence, so very routine, the past 10 days have been so very precious to me.  Something inside me has been burned away and I feel an almost giddy sense of mourning which is so very hard to convey.  Life can change so quickly in seemingly quiet moments.  This moment I shall treasure and each moment that follows even more so.  I love this life and all that it brings.  The design is so much more perfect than we can truly understand until that precious and invaluable moment comes when we do, finally, at last understand and then nothing will ever be the same again.  No, never the same...but, better than ever. 

(c) 2013 Jaie Hart (photo, fortunate random internet find)