Tag Archive | yoga

“Father Forgive Them”

Jan25

Today’s blog revisits the topic of forgiveness and offers tools when even the desire to forgive feels outside of our grasp.

 

 

Revisiting Grief

This weekend, grief decided to make a reappearance.  The grief that paid me a visit is the grief of loss as is related to perceived betrayal.  On the highest and most profound level, I know that betrayal is not really possible.  Another person does not have the power to betray me, hurt me or deprive me of love.  But, since I have not yet achieved the fullness of enlightenment, Buddhahood, or Christhood, it often feels as if they do.  So when I was reminded of what I might perceive as betrayal or harm to me at the hands of another, I found myself wrapped in the cloak of my inner victim, seething with hurt, rage, even hatred.  I wanted to lash out in revenge.  Scream my rage.  “Make them pay.”  Fortunately I think I know better…..maybe.

Setting Aside Old Behaviors

In the past, if I felt hurt or betrayed by another, I simply wrapped a cloak of resentment and hatred around me so that I would not have to feel the pain of loss.  My first inclination when grief decided to pay me a visit this weekend was to indulge this impulse.  But now after 20+ years of inner work, I have come to understand how unproductive and potentially hurtful these defense mechanisms of hatred and resentment have been to me and to my ability to be open to healthy intimate relationships.  I knew I needed to set aside my defense mechanisms of hatred and resentment, be present to the pain, grieve the loss and be open to another layer of forgiveness.  Ha….my defense mechanisms had other plans it seems.

Calling in Reinforcements

I tried, I really did.  I tried to be understanding.  I tried to be hospitable.  I tried to stand in compassion.  I tried to allow myself to grieve.  I tried to be forgiving and let go.  But when Tuesday came around and I was still being chased by my demons of resentment and hatred I knew I needed to call in some reinforcements.  So while being attentive to my yoga practice Tuesday night, seething in anger, I prayed.  First I tried a mantra.  Then I tried to engage the practice of Tonglen.  Then I tried breathing.  Then I tried visualization.  I tried everything in my arsenal of spiritual practices, but instead of relief, all I felt was more rage.  Then somewhere between the in and out breath, in the middle of Sun Salutation A, I heard a tiny voice in my head that said, “Father forgive them, they know not what they are doing.”  I immediately recognized this as Jesus’ words on the cross.  While Jesus was hanging on the cross, being spit at, harassed, tortured, these were his words for his tormentors.  Did Jesus feel betrayed, angry, hurt, disappointed, despairing….YOU BET…..and in the face of this, when he was perhaps incapable of offering forgiveness himself, he asked it of God.  I heard these words and realized the powerful healing balm inherent in these words.  I immediately embraced these words as my mantra and in doing so, I felt an enormous amount of relief.  My hatred and anger subsided and I began to find peace.

Outside our Reach

What I realized is that sometimes (ok, maybe often), forgiveness is totally out of our reach.  I wanted to be compassionate, loving, forgiving….but found I could not.  I guess I’m still human.  And, when forgiveness is outside of my reach, there is a source that I can turn to that can accomplish the forgiveness for me.  And, in turning that which needs forgiveness over to this loving Source that I call “God” and Jesus called “Abwoon”, there is relief.  So today, I continue to offer these words in regards to the perceived betrayal,  “Father forgive them, they know not what they are doing,” and enjoy the relief of knowing that God is taking care of it.

What hurts, losses, betrayals are you still grieving?

Where are you struggling to forgive these losses?

How might Jesus’ words help you to surrender this forgiveness to God, inviting God to help you through that pain?

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

You Are Loved

Jan23

In today’s blog I share with you the words that came to me during my yoga practice yesterday morning.  I believe these are words for all of us!

Worthiness and Love

Of late, I have been reflecting on worthiness – specifically worthiness of being loved.  This love is of course about our intimate human relationships, AND I know at the deepest core of my being, that this worthiness is ultimately about Divine Love and our ability to believe we are loved unconditionally, infinitely and beyond measure.  As in worthiness of human love, we might hear that God loves us, but do we actually believe it?  Most of the time and for most human beings, I would say the answer is “NO.”  And what I have learned is that until we not only hear this love, but believe in it….with our whole hearts and souls, we are without peace, joy, compassion, mercy and fulfillment.  In other words, it is in REMEMBERING the LOVE that WE ARE…..that we find peace, contentment and joy.

God Speaks

So I showed up for yoga class yesterday morning with these thoughts wrapped around my aura.  Before beginning class, our instructor usually invites us to state within ourselves an intention for our practice.  I didn’t have a specific intention for the morning, so I simply sat in silence, waiting.  Then, clear as a bell, I hear God speak.  And this is what God said to me, “You are my beloved daughter, and with you I am well pleased.”  Yeah, Yeah….I know this is scriptural….and that it comes from the scriptural narratives about Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan by John.  And…..I also believe these are not only God’s words for Jesus….but are God’s words for us as well.  And…..hearing these words yesterday made me wonder, “Is this the truth Jesus had to hear, know, embrace and embody before he could embark upon his own healing ministry?”  I think perhaps it is!  So I used these words as a mantra during my yoga practice and allowed myself to not only hear these words, but begin to believe them.   And in being present to these words, I felt peaceful, joyful, grounded and secure.

My Prayer for You

So, here is my prayer/invitation for you today – that you take these words, You Are my Beloved Daughter/Son, and with You I am Well Pleased – imagine that God is saying these words directly to and about you……and believe that God is addressing you in this way.  Then, let your heart be open to hearing, believing, embracing and embodying this truth…..BECAUSE…….YOU ARE LOVE…..YOU ARE LOVED…..YOU ARE WORTHY….And the quicker you know this….the quicker you will know peace, contentment, fulfillment and joy!

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

God will be the Death of Me!

Oct1

I share today’s blog as a way of illustrating the beginning stages of spiritual discernment – learning to recognize the Divine call in action and learning how to discern the path of our highest good.  While this discernment is nowhere near complete for me, I thought it of value to share the beginning stages for those who may be faced with similar life-direction questions.

The Wake up Call

The other day I’m paying bills and when I look at the respective balances in my savings and checking accounts, my heart dropped to the floor and a feeling of panic filled my body.  Immediately, I went to the fear,  “Dang it! Do I need to go out and get a “real” job?”  I spent the next several hours contemplating all the places that might hire a 18 year veteran of ministry.  How do you transfer ministry skills (spiritual direction, hands-on healing, etc.) to a real job….and could I even find something over minimum wage?  Then I felt the tell-tale shut-down of overwhelm and despair and took a nap.  ARGH!  After my nap, I realized that I had fallen right into my own trap….I had indulged in fear.  Isn’t this the very thing I teach my students and clients NOT to do.  Teacher – back to the drawing board with you!  So, I went directly to the only place I know to find persistent and reliable peace, clarity and comfort…..and that is GOD.

Pray Pray Pray

So, since the bill-paying day, I have been praying my head off.  I have placed the questions before God: What am I supposed to do?  Do you want me to get a “real” job?  Give me direction.  Give me clarity.  And in between my begging and pleading, I have been taking time to journal, meditate, chant, practice yoga.  I know that the answer to the question is not in my little pea brain because if I go there, I will end up choosing something out of fear or panic or desperation.  And, I know that God’s way is always better – more in line with what is in my highest good, somehow involving my gifts and somehow in service to others.  I also know and have seen that God’s plan is always WAY better than what I could have come up with on my own…and that God’s plan leads to fulfillment, freedom, peace, joy.  I also realized in the midst of my prayer that the “wake up” ultimately has NOTHING to do with money and EVERYTHING to do with God inviting me to greater expansion.  I’m just not sure how much more expansion I can take!

A possible answer……and God will be the death of me!

Yesterday I’m at yoga practice and as our teacher invited, I had stated an intention in my heart as we began practice.  My intention:  clarity and direction.  Well….I got WAY more than I bargained for.  I am not yet able to share what showed up for me in practice as I have not yet tested it under the scrutiny of spiritual discernment (determining what is “of God” as opposed to what might be coming from my false-self or ego.) and I will not be making any decisions around what was revealed until sound discernment is accomplished and I am DARN SURE that this is coming from God and not from some other less benevolent place.  What I will say is that what showed up is something that has come back around in my journey of discernment….over and over and over and over….and it is something that I have resisted, then tried in various degrees and various incarnations and ALWAYS met with failure.  So why the heck is this what is showing up yet AGAIN!!!???    And, if it proves to be an authentic call and something that is coming from God……it will REALLY tick me off!  And just so everyone knows that it is ok to initially say “no” to God (if this is coming from God) and that we do still have free will……this was exactly my initial response to the possibility of this “guidance and direction.”  NO NO NO  No Way.  No How.  You must be out of your dang mind!  God, you will be the death of me if this is really what you want me to do.  I’ve already done this WAY too many times….and it has always failed?  Why would this be any different?  I don’t want to do this!  Why can’t you give someone else the hard jobs for once?  NO NO NO NO NO!

Then God Laughed at Me

So, here I am shaking my fist at God, telling God there is no way I am doing this if this is what God wants me to do.  Then God laughed at me and showed me the mantras I had been praying in my head as I was practicing yoga while waiting for clarity and guidance, Let it be done to me according to your word.  Lord, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.    And then God showed me how (assuming this is authentically from God) this time would be different from the rest and why it might just work.  Doh!  For the record, my answer is still no….at least until I’m really sure this is from God, but in the end, I know that if my discernement proves that this is authentically where God is calling me, I know better than to say “no” because whether I want to do it or not, I know that if it is from God, it will be for not only my highest good but will be life-giving, nourishing and supportive to others and that if I do say “no” that God will hound me until I relent and say “yes” because as I have learned (the hard way)  GOD IS A NAG!  And in this….God just might be the death of me!

How might the things in your own life that stimulate fear be God inviting you to greater expansion, something more life-giving, healing or release?

What tools do you use to find comfort and clarity through times of fear?

How do you discern if “guidance” is of God as opposed to coming out of your own ego, fears, false perceptions or attachments?

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

Into the Arms of the Beloved

Sep6

Love, relationships, desire, passion….all things that drive the human experience.  How do we stay grounded in wholeness and not get thrown out into the ethers as we try to cultivate healthy, intimate, loving relationships?  I certainly don’t have the answers….but I do know of a spiritual practice that does help us in our quest for love.

 

 

Teaching what I need to Learn

I’m just saying this from the get-go……I know nothing about love.  I used to think I knew everything….then I got married, had joy, suffered loss, struggled, got divorced.  Apparently I didn’t know everything….and there are a billion lessons I have learned being in relationship with one individual for nearly 20 years.  Much of what I learned were all the things I did wrong and all the illusions I brought into the relationship that later proved to be false, along with all my unhealed childhood wounds that probably made an enduring relationship impossible from the start.  And while it is easy to be jaded or disillusioned about partnership, I find I still want healthy intimacy and still long for an enduring partnership.  HHHMMMM   Maybe I’m human.

Human Longing

While it would be really easy to say, “I will just be alone.  I know how to do that and I do it well,” I also recognize that as human beings, we are programmed to be in relationship.  We are a relational species and function best when in partnership and living in community.  So, while there is a profound temptation to escape into the woods into a hermitage all my own, I also recognize that we are all called to partnership and to seek out healthy intimacy.  The problem is that sometimes this longing comes out sideways and compels us into compulsive, co-dependent, addictive, unhealthy behaviors.  This is where spiritual practice becomes all the more necessary and beneficial toward our goal of healthy partnership.

Coming out Sideways

There is one primary fear and its resulting compulsion that drives the “coming out sideways” behaviors of our inborn drive for partnership.  In chapter six of my book, Authentic Freedom – Claiming a Life of Contentment and Joy, we explore the fear and its compulsion in detail.  In summary….the fear is, I am not loved and the compulsion is Envy.  When we have forgotten that love is our very nature, is who we are and who we are called to be, we seek for love outside ourselves, falsely believing that “that perfect someone” will make us feel whole, complete, loved.  WRONG!  There is nothing outside of us that can do any of these things.  Love, fulfillment, completion, wholeness are inner qualities and can only be found by seeking and journeying inward.  The good news, however, is that as we come to know the love that we are within ourselves, our external, intimate and personal relationships begin to reflect this love.  So in our search for healthy intimacy, the journey starts within!

Seeking and Finding the Beloved – the Practice of Bhakti Yoga

There is a beautiful spiritual practice that comes from the Hindu/Yogic tradition called Bhakti Yoga.  Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion, specifically, devotion to the “Beloved” within.  What is amazing to me is that this kind of practice is also present within both the Hebrew and Christian traditions, perhaps less obviously so, but it is there.  In Bhakti yoga, our spiritual practice is given over to rapt attention upon the Divine Beloved that resides within.  One might image the Divine Beloved as any of the Hindu expressions of the Divine – Krishna, Ganesh, Kali, Radha, etc.  In the Christian tradition, Jesus. Mary Magdalene or Mother Mary would be the image, in the Hebrew Tradition – YHWH or his forgotten feminine consort – Asherah.  And what is great about Bhakti practice is that it can take many forms, the focus being attention to the image of the Divine Beloved while engaging in whatever spiritual practice you might feel called to in the moment- Chant, Meditation, Yoga, Creative endeavors, etc.  The goal is to keep your mind fixed upon the image and the idea of the Beloved, allowing one’s self to connect more and more fully with the abundant outpouring of Love embodied by the Beloved and to sink more and more fully into remembering the Love that we are as reflected by the Beloved.  As Bhakti practice unfolds, we eventually find that there is no longer the illusion of separation between ourselves and the Divine Beloved, but that we have become one.  In this space, we remember fully the love that we are and freely and generously live that out in the world and our outward relationships begin to reflect the knowledge of this love.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you live in the Fox Valley area and are interested in exploring this topic more deeply, I am offering a program, Conquering Co-Dependency and Opening to the Fulfillment of Love on Monday evenings starting on Monday, September 26th.  Just know….this is the teacher teaching what she needs to learn….and we will all be students in this process!

Where are you seeking outside yourself for “the person who will complete me?”

What kind of healthy intimacy do you long for?

How can you begin that search through connecting with the Divine Beloved that resides within?

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

Surprising Tidbits of Wisdom

Aug19

One of the lessons we are invited to learn as we move along the path of our spiritual growth is how to use the gifts we were given to explore, discover and embrace our truth, thereby reclaiming the contentment, love and joy that we are.  As Jesus reminds us, “The truth shall set you free.”

Workshops and Wonder

Last night I had the fabulous opportunity of sharing the Authentic Freedom workshop with a group of 20-some people at Inner Sun Yoga Studios who were brave enough to give themselves the gift of time for their own journey of healing and self-discovery.  We learned about the call to freedom – the Divine call we are all invited to accept – to depart our own worlds of inner slavery (to our fears, false perceptions, ego-attachments) and return to our own inner promised land – the place of contentment, joy and love within us.  Then we explored the Authentic Freedom process as a tool for healing and letting go of our fears so that we can more and more fully enjoy a fulfilling and joy-filled life.  It was out of this workshop that a surprising tidbit of wisdom flew into my brain and out of my mouth and had everybody in the room raising their hands…”Can you repeat that?”  The trick, trying to remember what just flew out of my mouth!  :)

Here’s the Wisdom

We were discussing the spiritual compulsion of sloth along with the fear out of which this compulsion arises, “I do not know.” ( my truth, my path, my call, my purpose, etc.).  These are the words that flew out of my mouth and are unfortunately NOT written out this way in my book, Authentic Freedom – Claiming a Life of Contentment and Joy, but just might make it into my third book, The Prayer of Recollection:

We have all been given the gift of:

A reasoning mind

A questioning spirit

A discerning heart

and

An empowering will

We are expected to use it!

I realize as I write this, that these words stand on their own.  Now the question is, where in your own life are you using, or refraining from using, these gifts? I want to know!

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

The Mystery of Allowing

Aug12

One of the things we learn on the spiritual path is the invitation to non-work.  Today’s blog explores this counter-cultural movement and how is solidifies our call to live a peaceful life.

 

Making Things Happen

I know I don’t have to tell you this….but we live in a culture that expects us to “DO.”  We live in a capitalistic society and one of the primary tennents of this model is that those who “get” got there because of their hardwork and diligence.  The implication of this is that if someone doesn’t have, or seems to be lacking in material goods and wealth it is because “they didn’t do,” and there tends to be a cynicism and lack of compassion toward “those people.”  Well guess what…..Capitalism is a lie!  (I know, a pretty bold statement for 7:30 in the morning!).  I’m not ignoring the value of hard work and diligence, but sometimes we don’t “get” JUST BECAUSE.  Some people work their butt off and have nothing to show for it….and not because they are wasting their money on frivolities.  This is the downside to capitalism….work does not always mean “get” and while the rich get richer, it is always at the expense of other people in that society…someone always loses.  This awareness, however, does not detract from the expectations and pressures of our society for “doing.”  We are expected to make things happen, to work toward our dreams, to be diligent in manifesting what “we want.”  The assumption is that we are the SOLE source of manifestation in our lives, that we know what is best and that we are the ONLY ones that can make it happen.  Guess, what?  God has another plan!

God’s Plan of NON-Doing

There is no other way for me to explain this than to be direct.  God (higher self, the Divine, Higher power…whatever you want to call it!!!!!) KNOWS what is in our highest good and wants us to know it and wants us to receive it.  And guess what?  There is NOTHING we need to DO to make it happen.  Ok, that’s not quite true.  We need to do two things, which ironically aren’t “doing” at all…but are forms of “being”:

  • Be open to receiving the knowledge of what is in our highest good….we do this through diligent attention to our spiritual practice.
  • Be open to RECEIVING what is in our highest good – we do this by saying “yes”

The Magic of Allowing

When we diligently tend to our spiritual practice (prayer, meditation, yoga, chanting, mindfulness, etc.) and when we are open to recognizing that we might not know what is in our highest good and surrender our own will to that of our Higher Self, then magical things begin to happen:  The perfect job falls into your lap, the inspiration for your next novel shows up, you meet someone in a very unexpected way, the solutions to a problem you have been facing reveals itself.  I call these the “God nuggets,” little moments and items of grace that simply show up and all we have to do is say “yes.”  This is the magical mystery of allowing…and other than paying attention, we did nothing to “make it happen.”  Oh yeah, we did do one other thing….WE GOT OUT OF THE WAY!

What do you have to show for all the “doing” in your life?  How’s that working for you?  How’s that working for others?

Where can you employ less “doing” and more “being”?

What are you being invited to allow?

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

 

Foreword – Authentic Freedom, Claiming a Life of Contentment and Joy

Feb21

Time for a little shameless, self-promotion!  Today’s post is the Foreword to my upcoming book, Authentic Freedom, Claiming a Life of Contentment and Joy. The Foreword was graciously and generously penned by one of my teachers and mentors, Julie Tallard Johnson and I am deeply humbled to receive these words.  I know Julie to be a person of deep authenticity and integrity and you can know that if she says something to be true….it most certainly is.  I do not take her words lightly which makes me even more humbled to receive this Foreword from her.  Thank you Julie!


FOREWORD

I only read or recommend books where I am certain the author has walked her talk.

You are holding such a book.

The moment I met Lauri, to the last page of this book, I witnessed a journey of authenticity that leads my Christian brothers and sisters to personal freedom. This book is a simple and compelling means to claim God’s inheritance. Lauri offers genuine ways to heal the separation today’s Christians often feel from themselves, God and each other. It is a journey that you take on your own but not alone.

She points the way with a gentle but firm hand encouraging us to heal the divide between us and the Divine. She calls this journey one to Authentic Freedom. There are many “freedoms” that present themselves to us that in fact lead us away from our true nature and Divine inheritance. To avoid these you need someone who has walked her talk.

Her inquiry practices and exercises guide the reader gently through a process that can only lead to one’s true birthrights of inner wisdom and happiness. She doesn’t make false promises instead relies on your willingness to heal the divide from your side and take the necessary steps toward your spiritual legacy.

She bravely challenges one’s perception of God while borrowing from her studies in Lay Ministry in the Catholic Diocese, reveals Christian practices that offer direct experience with the Divine, and presents real means to the Christian Mystical Experience incorporating the Yogic Chakra system and her studies in Reiki energy. She doesn’t hold back and boldly reveals to the reader the hidden teachings of Christ that her studies and practices uncovered.

If you feel a divide within yourself, have had a painful relationship with the church, are searching for means to heal the wounds of the past, or want a journey that uses the teachings of Jesus the Christ, you have found the perfect book. Don’t set it down until you know what Lauri knows, God has been within you all along.

Julie Tallard Johnson, MSW, LCSW author of The Wheel of Initiation: Practices for Releasing Your Inner Light.

Confessions of Un Enlightenment

Jan3

I humbly acknowledge less-than enlightened behavior during a time of enormous change.  UGH!


Dangling in the void

I am learning that divorce has a way of making you feel as if not only the rug – but the entire universe has been pulled out from beneath you and you are left dangling in mid-void trying to find some place to put your feet.  At least that is how I have felt for the past several weeks (ok, maybe months).   A truly enlightened being would be able to face this dangling in the void from a place of contented observation and surrender.   Throughout this experience, I have been continually reminded of how un-enlightened I truly am.  So……here are my confessions of un-enlightenment!

Reaching for anything to hang on to

In this position of dangling in the void, I have found myself desperately reaching out for anything to hang on to.  It was this reaching that compelled me to seek out Christmas Eve mass.  As my friend Karen so lovingly reminded me, “What the hell were you thinking?”  At one time in my life, I had found spiritual refuge in the mass, most specifically in the very building in which I chose to attend mass this year.  In my un-enlightened state, I had approached this liturgy with the mind of an active member of this faith community rather than with the mind of the visitor that I really was.   When I discerned that the spiritual path I had come to embrace could no longer be contained within the orthodoxy of the Catholic institution and decided to rescind my membership, I gave up any rights to question, challenge, condemn.  Again, as Karen said, “What was I thinking?”

Unknowing and Allowing

I have also found for me that this dangling in the void puts everything into question.  (See paragraph above!).  What DO I believe?  What about my dreams, hopes, desires – are they real or simply the workings of an over-active imagination?  Am I supposed to continue in my chosen vocation as Spiritual Director, teacher, healer – or is this another one of my fantasies?  Do I even have a right to claim to teach things of a spiritual nature when I am obviously so un-enlightened?  What about my desire to write?  Am I really any good at it?  Can I actually be a single parent, write novels and support my family?  What about a house?  How will I provide for my family?  Is it time to get “a real job?”   Is there really such a thing as a soulmate/twin flame or is this just another one of those lies?  Do I even want to enter into another relationship….anytime, anywhere with anyone?  (I know, WAY too early to ask these last two questions).

All of these questions are hanging in the air around me like a swarm of Lakeflies (if you are from Oshkosh, you know how truly annoying this is!), buzzing in my ears and leaving their icky green slime all over me.  My spiritual teachers keep telling me, “Surrender into allowing.”  My unenlightened response?   “Allow this MF!”  I’m tired of allowing.  I want some action!  This is the second part of my confession:  on the road to enlightenment, I am impatient, controlling and I want the map in my hands with itinerary, timeframe, answers – AND I WANT IT NOW! 

Reactions and Brat-i-ness

The final part of my confession (for today anyway) – I am a big fat brat!  A truly enlightened being learns to refrain from responding to the ups and downs of life and simply surrenders to the ebb and flow from a place of peaceful contentment.  I have learned that most of the time, but most especially in the midst of this divorce thing…..peaceful contentment eludes me.  Instead, I react.  Hurt me?  I bite back.  Throw me a challenge?  I’ll throw a temper tantrum.  Ignore me?  I will stomp my feet and pound my fists.  Try to usurp my power?  I will draw my sword.  Stand in a place of non-integrity?  I will call you on it.  I find that at this place in my life, I cannot sit in the middle of the pond on my lotus leaf in lotus position meditating while the slings and arrows of life fly around me.  Instead, I feel more like a warrior, sword drawn and shield aloft ready to do battle.  So…..if you are as un-enlightened as me….watch out…..I’m just warning you!  :)  

Embracing un-enlightenment

So, as I acknowledge my un-enlightenment, I humbly return to my meditation chair, my chant, my yoga mat, my laptop and remember that the path to enlightenment is in the journey….not the destination….because obviously, I’m not there yet!

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries

Oshkosh, WI

http://yourspiritualtruth.com


Shameless Self-Promotion – Part 1

Oct27

It is time for a little shameless self-promotion.  As I explore my own giftedness, I invite you to explore your own!


There comes a time in every self-employed, professional’s journey when we must wave the flag of our own greatness, or our businesses would never get off the ground, and those that could benefit from the sharing of our gifts would never have the opportunity to enjoy those gifts.  Today is one of those days.  The invitation for me today to wave the flag of my own magnificence brings to mind the words of one of my teachers, Julie Tallard Johnson, “You each have your own unique medicine and there are people out there just waiting to receive it.” It is to those folks that I pen today’s blog. 

As you probably already know, I am a trained, professional Spiritual Director and Reiki Master Practitioner and see clients in person, via Skype and over the phone for these services.  What you might not know are the things about my education, training and background that make me unique in the field of holistic healing, personal growth and transformation:

  • I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic schools, studied Catholic/Christian theology and spirituality for seven years and worked professionally in the Catholic Church for 10 years.  As such, I bring a sensitivity to issues related to being raised Catholic.  Many of my clients are men and women who have been raised Catholic and are trying to find their own truth in the midst of what they were taught.  Some clients are trying to recover from the guilt and fearful images of the Divine that sometimes come with being raised in this tradition.
  • As part of my studies in Catholic/Christian spirituality, I learned ancient spiritual tools and practices not readily accessible to most Catholics or Christians.  These traditions have been carefully guarded by monastic communities and have been part of the Christian tradition for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, but not shared with the average Joe or Jill in the pew.  When practiced diligently, these tools help to facilitate profound spiritual growth, healing and transformation.  The focus of my work has been to make these tools available to EVERYONE!
  • Along with my studies in Catholicism, I have studied and enjoyed the practices of many other traditions: Buddhism, Paganism, Wicca, Hinduism, Yoga, Zen, etc.  Exploring and learning from these traditions has taught me to look for the places of connection between all the world religions and spiritual traditions, something I have brought into my own practice and have incorporated into my writings, my curriculum development, my program facilitation and retreat work.
  • In addition to studying and practicing Reiki, I have studied Chi Qong and Chinese Medicine.  Knowledge and experience in these fields of energy medicine have enhanced the work I do as a Spiritual Director and teacher.  All of the classes I teach incorporate this knowledge and experience.
  • Oh yea, and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Iowa and 10+ years of corporate experience in sales, management and marketing.

So, there’s my professional resume in a nutshell.  This is for your knowledge and if you know any of those people just waiting for the “medicine” that I have to offer, I invite you to share this blog and website with them.  I also invite you to take some time today to reflect on the education and experiences that have contributed to your own unique medicine.  How has this made you special and unique?  When was the last time you took the time to wave the flag of your own unique magnificence?

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries/yourspiritualtruth

http://yourspiritualtruth.com

The Hard Work of Enlightenment

Oct12

Two days ago I wrote about Shaktipat – the moment that we are awakened out of our ordinary existence and called upon the path of spiritual exploration, growth, healing and transformation.  What happens after Shaktipat?  GOOD HARD WORK – that’s what!!!


I want to thank my friend, Heidi for sharing the following quote from her spiritual teacher that she posted in response to Sunday’s blog on Shaktipat (spiritual awakening) and the path to enlightenment:

“Both my masters so thoroughly enbodied Sri (the most resplendent aspect of the Divine) that is would be easy to write off their accomplishments to a blessed birth or to the teachers that guided them.  Don’t kid yourself.  The heights they scaled reflect the sheer force they generated day after day through practice.  Yes, you reap what you sow.  Remember: practice is how the teachings breathe their sublime light into you.”

Amen.  Amen.  Amen.  Spiritual transformation does not end with Shaktipat.  In fact, Shaktipat, while frequently dramatic in its experience is perhaps the smallest and most insignificant portion of the spiritual journey.  We might have a moment of sublime awakening, but then what?  The image that springs to my mind is the perception that somehow the moment of Christian baptism or the moment we profess “Jesus to be our personal Lord and Savior”  the slate is wiped clean and we are now and forever saved.  Enlightenment does not end with a profession of faith, a sacred ritual or shaktipat.  These personally fulfilling moments are only the beginning.  Sound spiritual growth, healing and transformation only come about because of hard work and diligent practice.

The foundation of Spiritual growth, as we are reminded by Heidi’s teacher, is PRACTICE. Practice is the diligent attention to whatever vehicle we use to remember our intimate connection with the Divine/God.  In the Christian tradition practice is experienced as prayer, worship, mindful service, meditation and contemplation.  In the Eastern traditions practice includes these with the addition of movement (yoga, tai chi, chi qong, etc.).  The thread and crucial element that ties all of these forms of practice together and makes them effective  is ATTENTION.

Practice is focused attention on the Divine/Highest Self.  Practice transcends the activity of the mind and the restless actions of the ego and draws us into communion with the center of peaceful contentment that lies within.  It is in connection with this peaceful contentment that we remember our Oneness with God.  Sounds easy, right?  WRONG!  Spiritual practice, while simple, is NOT EASY!  In fact, diligent attention to our spiritual practice might be the most challenging thing we will ever do in our life.   The good news is that as challenging as maintaining a diligent spiritual practice may be, the rewards are well worth the effort!

Here are some of the  fruits of maintaining a diligent spiritual practice:

Healing – of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wounds and disease

Release from spiritual fears

Recovery from compulsive behaviors and actions

Increased peace, contentment, joy, compassion

Deep and profound knowledge of love (Divine love)

Discovery of our unique giftedness and call to share these gifts in the world

Empowerment

Inner Strength

Balance

Trust

The ability to surrender

Inner fulfillment

Do these qualities sound appealing to you?  Then what are you waiting for?  Get to work!  Enlightenment only begins with our spiritual awakening.  The rest is up to you!

Lauri Lumby

Authentic Freedom Ministries/YourSpiritualTruth

http://yourspiritualtruth.com