Shakti calls – are you ready?

The sensual energy, creativity and emotional connection are all aspects of the Kundalini Shakti, or Shakti, the divine feminine spiritual force. Far more than a mere sexual force, it is the luscious, juicy path of inspiration, discovery, happiness, health and spiritual well-being. It’s your life mojo! It is a forgiving, generous and strong energy and drives us to grow into our potential.
Many women today are disconnected to their Shakti energy – unhappy, unfulfilled, creatively blocked.
They struggle with an energetically toxic world and internalise this as toxic thinking – the need to compete, compare, look perfect, have the perfect life and partner – all external validation to prove they are “good enough”.
The truth is we are all more than good enough.
Even as we are works-in-progress, we are more than good enough.
We just need to reconnect. We need to listen to ourselves, not the “shoulds”. Follow what calls you, question and challenge your fears.
Ah, there’s the fine print: more than good enough demands the best of you, and nothing less. It requires improvement and spiritual growth – there is no place or complacency or victimhood.
We have all seen that woman who has that magnetic something, even if she isn’t what media would tell us is gorgeous.
We have met people that have crafted amazing lives, in big and small ways.
People that have overcome horrendous tragedy or illness and left an amazing legacy. They have all had to push through their fears.
No, some people won’t like it. Those who haven’t stepped into their own power are threatened. There will be snide comments and judgments. Leave them to the mirror of their insecurities.
Be brave enough to celebrate your body, your sexuality, the physical experience. Be brave enough to feel smart, strong beautiful, in all your flaws. Be brave enough to give yourself permission to dream and grow. Find your internal compass, so you are not windswept by a world that tries to tell you you need to by x,y and z to be a success.
This is the gift of Kundalini Shakti. She calls..are you ready
© 2016 ~The Body Sacred: Embracing the Divine Sensual
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Next Embracing the Divine Sensual Women’s Workshop

Join us for another exploration into the world of the Shakti – the potent feminine energy present in us all. This workshop will concentrate on techniques to connect to and energise the Kundalini Shakti energy
Women of many ancient cultures have always gathered in circles of sisterhood, to teach, support and share. It is every woman’s birthright to feel alive, sensual, attractive and happy in her body. The pure inner self of every human is innately beautiful, strong and loving. Reconnection with the sacred self, so frequently lost in modern living, is the key to confidence, sensuality and fulfilment – both in the relationship to self and with another.
Women of many cultures have always gathered in circles of sisterhood, to teach, support and share. Embracing the Divine Sensual is a safe, supportive space for women wanting to explore and expand their sensual selves. Sexual techniques will be discussed but no nudity is involved, participation in exercises is optional.
(The next and final workshop for this year will be Sunday 14th December where we will focus on methods to clear old emotional blocks and traumas in the base and sacral chakras)

Manipura – the solar plexus chakra – an overview

This chakra is concerned with matters of power, boundaries & responsibility. Responsibility for one’s words, actions and their consequences – for self and others. It is an active, dynamic, outwardly focused, yang energy chakra. Its energy yearns to do and make things happen. Its corresponding element is fire, its colour golden yellow.

Having a healthy, balanced solar plexus chakra is a key aspect of good self esteem and integrity. On the negative side this means taking it on the chin and not passing blame. 0n the positive side, this is being able to graciously accept the rewards and praise that come when one has reaped good sowings.

Ideally we live the way of the so-called peaceful warrior – respecting ourselves and others. People who are comfortable in their own identity, experience and power are not easily thrown off course when difficulties or doubts arise. They are not threatened by the thought of having to learn or receive help.

They are not defensive or threatened by others. They pick their battles if challenging situations arise: by either not engaging, or, if necessary, standing ground and refusing to be mistreated. They will not turn a blind eye to the mistreatment of others, and protect them if need be.

The attributes of the manipura are yang..typically traits that are considered masculine in many cultures. Everyone needs a healthy balanced manipura chakra, but males in particular this chakra really is important in feeling a strong self identity as a MAN – feeling strong, respected, powerful and able to protect those he cares for.

The manipura chakra comes online in toddlerhood (The tantrums of the Terrible twos!) and matures in the teens – a time of testing boundaries, and often risk taking whilst exploring adult freedoms and responsibilities. In both these life stages there is a big reassessment of our place in the world and how we can effect it.

When blocked or overactive, this energy can become frustrated, angry and even abusive – this may direct inwards or at other people. Taken to extremes – a need to dominate, always be right or play power games.  A person with an underactive manipura may lack personal boundaries, and be passive or apathetic to challenges, or carry a victim mentality.  In either case, the result may manifest as competitiveness or a need for external validation. In tantric practise releasing pent up energy or emotional blocks in the manipura chakra can release immense energy. Experienced martial artists can consciously harness and manipulate this energy.

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2009 http://www.embracingthedivinesensual-thebodysacred.com

So…had a spiritual awakening. Some tools for the fast lane!

The shift in consciousness can be a huge creative and lifestyle inspiration..or an existential crisis, depending on how you handle it.

People often think of awakenings as extreme – whether traumatic or ecstatic – these are the dramatic ones we often hear about. (Many yogic/energy teachers are wary of people consciously trying to raise Kundalini for this reason.) But they can be just subtle shifts in awareness and ideology that kind of sneak up. It just may be the wake-up call of an illness or break-up. Even getting older – you realise you can’t have or do it all – so it’s time to get real and choose. The other big one is realising we are abusing our planet in an utterly non-sustainable way..and no-one is going to rescue us. As a species we need to change track..fast. It is part of the process of emotionally and spiritually growing up. These are not once off events, smaller versions of these shifts happen many times over the course of a lifetime.

Either way, your perception has shifted; of yourself, the world and your role in it.

You might have a few hours or days of bliss and glee. The burst of learning, inspiration and creativity can be really energising. You want to share your joy and newfound insights. A whole new world of possibilities…

Then things get real. Things won’t feel right, until you get the bigger picture answers. People often talk about Kundalini awakenings in terms of dramatic physical symptoms – heat, sleeplessness, hypersexuality etc. What I want to address in this article is the common mental, emotional and ideological challenges people face. Because these are the keys to integrating the shift.

In a tough-love nutshell:

a) You drank of the nectar and had a glimpse. You and the universe have agreed that there are bigger and better things

b) In order to make these shifts, your egoic identifications are being challenged. The ego resists change, however positive it may be.

c) This shift in consciousness is permanent – and it is a call to self-responsibility and action. There is no going back. Resistance is futile, will hurt, and take a lot of energy.

You can fool your mind, but the soul will not be bullshitted with excuses, justifications and distractions. The amount of denial required to maintain the facade results in agitated, ungrounded energy (anxiety, frustration) or emotional shutdown (depression, hopelessness, apathy). It is easy to project this emotional edginess, and “my life isn’t right because…” onto the people or circumstances close to us, or whatever triggered the awakening.

Worst case scenarios are people internally churning until something unrelated triggers off white-hot rage, misery or anxiety attacks. The stereotypical midlife crisis is another (sadly common) manifestation. They have ignored their inner calling to grow and evolve for so long that they feel the need to reject their entire life circumstances and regress to an 18 year old responsibility free lifestyle to feel alive/themselves again. Basically hiding behind a new set of distractions.

My best advice would be listen, learn, embrace and be patient – with yourself and others. Things may feel so off that you want to run away – literally or metaphorically. The external world will shift, BUT there is a delay. Yes, it is a time for change and decisions, but not rash ones. Be gentle with yourself – don’t feel that everything that came before is a failure or meaningless, and beat yourself up. Everything that came before is the journey brought you to this realisation. The lessons tend to recycle until you get it.

Things that used to feel fulfilling may no longer fit. A sense of yearning for a more purposeful life, to feel a part of something bigger, are common themes.The changes could be subtle or dramatic – consciously spending more time with family and friends to cultivate better relationships, more time for personal pursuits, activism, a healthier lifestyle, change of living circumstances or job. It doesn’t mean that you need to reject everyone or everything, but as you change, your dynamics with people will shift. Some people may not be as important in your life – some may leave. People can be genuinely concerned, threatened or jealous about the new you, especially if you have made sudden dramatic changes. Give things time to adjust before burning your bridges.

Higher consciousness states are a purification – the ego needs to be burned off. It requires moving into a place of higher integrity, personal responsibility and sharing your gifts.  External barometers of “success” such as money, comparison, attention, high flying jobs, the right partner have less meaning. So it’s a case of finding the new after shrugging off the old.

Time to clear out little icky things about ourselves we’d prefer not to think about. Unless you are The Buddha, you have some – so it’s cool. We’re all in on this journey. So, time for the hard questions:

  1. What aspects of life aren’t working for you – what changes do you want to make? And how/why will they bring you fulfilment?

Don’t end up with a whole new set of distractions or labels. You don’t need to fit a societal version of spiritual or masculine/feminine or successful.  Find what fits you. No “shoulds”.

  1. What are MY core values? What are my short/ middle/ long term goals?

Hopefully your values and goals are mutually agreeable!! If they have been out of alignment with each other it will explain a lot. Commonly in an awakening comes the realisation that these aren’t in sync, or that they’re not what we thought they were. Perhaps we were operating on societal messages/ belief systems on what a “good” or “successful” person does and should aspire to. The labels we identify with often determine these – a successful husband, an attractive person, a good mother..etc. They may not fit you.

Goals are important to have and strive for – when you see where you are and where you would like to be, it is easier to come up with strategies and direction. Life is evolution. That’s what goals are for – not for beating yourself up with because you’re not there yet. Beware of putting expectations on outcomes “I’ll only be happy when/if..”. If I don’t achieve “x,y and z, I am a failure”. In the western world, we cause ourselves so much stress over the should haves – a partner, travelled the world, a house etc. There is a Buddhist saying about desire being the cause of all unhappiness. It takes you out of the present.

  1. What are the excuses your ego is hiding behind?

Not talented enough ~ too old ~ I’d look like an idiot ~ I have a mortgage ~ my partner wouldn’t let me ~ I’m too busy ~  if it was meant to be, it would have happened ~ my terrible upbringing ~ the dodgy back.

There is often a reason behind them – scars and baggage are a big one here. Emotional wounds create victim- or fear-based thinking, avoidance and distraction patterns. There comes a point where you cannot progress until these are resolved and released. This may be a matter of journaling and meditation, forgiveness, or professional counselling.

Remember at the time you did the best you could. Now that you have more life experience, knowledge and awareness under your belt you can wrestle your demons into submission. Cue the sleeper hold.

  1. What are the rewards of your uncomfortable comfort zone?

You get to stay SAFE. SUPERIOR. (= SCARED …..shhh!) You get to sneer at people who are living the life you secretly want to, knowing that you are safely out of the limelight where no one can criticise. The call to higher consciousness involves taking responsibility for yourself. People can spend entire lifetimes running from that, looking for the next fix to distract them.

Admitting to and naming the internal enemies is half the battle. Once you have the conscious answers to the questions, a plan of action can then emerge. It may be short or long term, and subject to change. There are still everyday practicalities and commitments to honour.

That old saying: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I would like to addendum that: When the student is ready, the resources and answers that were always there become visible.

The ball is in your court. All the best.

What awakening experiences did you have? How did you handle it? What changes did you make?

© 2012 embracingthedivinesensual-thebodysacred.com  www.facebook.com/thebodysacred

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Next Women’s Workshop: Sunday 14th September Marrickville

The Body Sacred: Embracing the Divine Sensual

It is every woman’s birthright to feel alive, sensual, attractive and happy in her body. The pure inner self of every human is innately beautiful, strong and loving. Reconnection with the sacred self is the key to confidence, sensuality and fulfillment – both in the relationship to self and with another.

Women of many ancient cultures have always gathered in circles of sisterhood, to teach, support and share. This introductory workshop for women will uses meditation, movement, dance and aspects of sacred sexual practices to reawaken and inspire.

This workshop is the fruition of many years of study and practice – meditation, yoga, esoteric concepts, dance, bodywork, tantra, ritual magic, Taoist practice and martial arts. It was created to share the knowledge and gifts of this path in a down-to-earth, non-judgemental and non-coercive environment.

The next Sydney workshop will be Sunday 14th September, 2- 4:30pm at Marrickville. Cost is $40/$35 including notes.  As numbers are limited and printed notes are supplied, bookings are essential.

blackmoonbellydance@yahoo.com.au

0401 873 881