Creating magic in the redwoods

A few days after the New Year, I got together with mystical artist and photographer Jasmine Amara in the redwoods of Occidental for a portrait session. I first met Jasmine before she joined my group coaching program, "Let go, Vision Transform."   Jasmine knew she was passionate about dreams, water, and photography, but didn't fully believe she could support herself through those passions.

Over the course of the six-month program, she came up with an exciting idea for a photography exhibit.  With some encouragement from me and the women in the group, she began taking photos for her series "Dreaming Awake" creating lucid imagery through double exposures.  When I first saw the images I acknowledged her for how unique and powerful they were.

Over the months that followed, Jasmine began to create a business for herself doing what she loved.  When she announced her offering of Visionary Portraits, I was inspired to participate.

Leading up to my portrait session, she asked me a series of questions..  One of those questions was, "What is your deepest desire?"  

I sat with that question for a few days, and eventually wrote this piece, (Which I sent to you a few weeks ago.)   It was about the feminine rising, women stepping up to take supreme care of themselves, to face their fears, and develop the courage to take care of the world.

Before our session, she asked me to read my deepest desire.  She created a sacred space with flowers, dreamcatchers, and sipping chocolate (ceremonial cacao from her travels in Guatemala).

Being witnessed in sharing my deepest desires in such a sacred and intimate space was a powerful experience.

Then, she took these photos.

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Images by Jasmine Amara Photography

To have this moment captured through photography was invaluable. When I saw the beauty and magic we created in the photographs, I was in awe.

After seeing the images I thought, "If Jasmine had never taken the steps to believe in her art, these images wouldn't even exist!"  

So today, I invite you to look through the images, and to ask yourself, "What gifts am I hiding from the world?  How could I be of higher service to others through my gifts and talents?"

It's time to honor whatever hidden creative potential lies inside of you, ready to rise to the surface.  Do you know what it is?  I'd love to hear in the comments.

Love, Meredith

P.S.  My next free teleclass series is filling up.  I'd love to share my latest insights with you, over the phone, or through the recordings. Find Your Glow As a Feminine Leader:Just sign up here.

The # 1 block of miracles in your life

Stress!

When you are stressed out, you miss out on powerful opportunities to bring you exactly what you need.  {tweet it}

I recently read a book by Deepak Chopra where he shared:

"Stress is a form of anxiety.  If you're stressed, then you can't even begin to think about synchronicity.  Synchronicity is a means of getting in touch with God.  It's a path to meaning and purpose in your life.  It's a means of having the experience of love and compassion.  It's a means of connecting to the nonlocal intelligence of the universe.  If my attention is on situations that generate stress, then it is difficult to access synchronicity.  To do so effectively you have to have an attitude of surrender to the universal domain, which is much grander than anything you could imagine.  Surrender requires a leap of faith, a jump into the unknown...and if you take this leap of faith you will be richly rewarded."  ~Deepak Chopra

Think about it - songs, books, and breakthrough ideas do not come through us when we are in a state of anxiety and stress.

We need to create the space for these miracles to occur in our lives.

I receive all my best intuition and creative ideas when I create the space to just BE.

So when I start to feel overwhelmed, here are my go to steps to drop the stress:

1.  Move your body - Wisdom lives in your BODY not your mind.  Get out for a run, go to yoga class, or dance!

2.  Get a good night's rest - turn off the cell phones and computers early, make yourself a hot cup of tea, read a book and go to bed!

3. Be creative - Here are some images of my most recent creative ventures inspired by the retreat I went to last weekend.  Try making a collage, an earth mandala, make a painting or sing a song.

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When we lessen the chatter of our mind we create space for creativity, intuition and insight.

If you're local,  and feel like life is pulling you in different directions, I invite you to my Yin & Harmonium Yoga Series starting on Monday September 22.

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Each class will be a deeply nourishing and relaxing yoga practice to release stress and open to new insights about your life.

Take a moment to slow down, breathe, and try to incorporate the above steps to let go of stress in your life.  Because only when we create the space to let ourselves rest, do we open up to receive miracles...

Much love,

Meredith

The gayatri mantra

Om

Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayat

Gayatri means to go beyond, to transcend. That is why we pray (through the chant of the Gayatri):

"Let this intellect be guided and inspired by something which is beyond the intellect – the Divinity."  - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

It is a prayer to the sun - the giver of life and light.  With this mantra we ask, "May our own intellect and being shine like the sun and may we each be guided in the right direction." - Sianna Sherman

Another translation, "In the name of the Earth and Heavens, may we be as bright as the divine spirit by the power of our meditation." 

I've been singing this mantra every morning for the past two weeks.  To me, it is a way to call upon the bright light of my spirit.  I pray this light to shine brighter than my fears.  May my divine purpose and path shine in front of me, and may any darkness or blocks in the way be transformed into this light.

Here is a beautiful version to listen to the gayatri mantra:

May you connect to this light of your spirit in your yoga practice and throughout your day...

Namaste <3

Love is stronger than fear

Everyday, every moment, you are presented with a choice.  You can choose to stay stuck in fear, or you can choose love, over and over again.

This year I’ve started making choices to create my own path.  When I used to think about leading a workshop or seeing clients one on one, I would sit in tremendous fear.  Now, I see a choice.  I can choose to dig a hole for myself and sit in my fear, or I can catch myself and choose to believe I am loved and supported in exactly what I want to do.

We are presented with so many choices even in just one day.  When we see ourselves beginning to dig that hole of fear, we can choose love instead.  Our job is to choose love over fear, again and again, every step of the way.

Ask yourself if your motives are in line with the higher good of all beings, and take action.

Choose to see the good in yourself, and take action from that place.

If what you are after is in the highest good for yourself, and other beings, it becomes your duty to serve that good.

Try this affirmation:

It is safe for me to be powerful and take charge of my life in positive ways. 

Integrate this into your yoga practice.  When you practice with dedication and focus, you become closer to integration and connection.  Light enters where there was once darkness.