Connect To Your Knowing

Have you ever just known something without understanding how you know it? I'm talking about the sort of information that spontaneously comes to mind when you are occupied at some task that has nothing at all to do with the information. The knowing is so strong you cannot deny the thought. Then later--it might be an hour or a day or a month or a year--you find that understanding has worked itself out just the way you knew it would. I believe we all experience this from time to time. This is the sort of information that comes from connecting to Oneness, and Oneness is something you have the ability to intentionally connect to if you so desire.

What is Oneness? Oneness is the place where everything exists and nothing is judged. It is the place of truth and contains all knowledge and all understanding. For me, it is the ultimate place for answers because nothing is hidden there.

In our 3-dimensional world, many things are hidden from us. It is easy to hide information from us here because we have been taught to think purely with our minds. We use our five senses to gain information. Coupled with the lessons we learn from our families and the society around us, we base our beliefs and understandings on this extremely limited information. The irony comes when we believe we have all the answers. What the mind provides to us is merely one or maybe a couple particular perspectives. It does not provide a complete picture.

Our hearts are what connect us to Oneness--connect us to our knowing. As Oneness contains all knowledge and information, a person can access anything they want to understand by connecting to the heart. Our hearts think through feeling. This is why listening to your feelings plays a crucial role in accessing the knowledge that comes from connection to all things. Feelings give you immediate feedback about direction in life. If a choice makes you feel happy and expansive, understand this is a choice that will move you toward purpose. If you feel sad, angry or fearful, it is time to back away.

Connecting to Oneness is the place of creativity. This is where artists and musicians and scientists go for insight and understanding, even if they are not consciously aware that's what they are doing. People who have good problem-solving skills are often connected in to the heart. Again, Oneness contains all knowledge and information so this is where new knowledge comes from.

There are techniques and tricks you can use to help you tap into this infinite understanding in an intentional, conscious way. There is no right or wrong way to connect. Not every technique will work for every person. That said, what you need to understand is this: connecting to your knowing lies in the ability to connect to and think with your heart. Ask the Universe for help connecting. Answers will come when you ask.

When we are all able to connect to our knowing--connect to our hearts--our world will be a very different and wonderful place.

~CSE

 

  

What It Means To Be An Empath

I didn't grow up knowing I was an empath. I knew I understood what other people were feeling--so much so that when someone around me was feeling sad or angry I would do what I could to make them feel better. Often this included playing the role of defender when I saw someone getting bullied. There were times when I felt other's feelings so well I could pretty much tell what they were thinking. I always knew when someone had a crush on me, which usually resulted in me turning distant in order to keep would-be boyfriends away. I just knew I did not want to engage with people in that casual way.

I didn't know there was such a thing as an empath until I had a very unusual experience. I was working as a Pre-K teacher at the time. It was a normal day in my classroom and I was supervising my class during their free choice time. As I stood there watching the kids at play, I heard words form in my mind. The words were, "You are an empath." My first thought was, "I'm a what?" I didn't have the first clue as to what the word meant, although I assumed it had something to do with empathy. The voice was comforting and familiar, as I had heard it many times throughout my life when I really needed something extra. I know now that voice belongs to my main guardian angel. I'm still not sure why he chose that particular time to give me that information. I just know he did.

When I got home, I did a quick computer search and asked, "What is an empath?" As I began reading articles on empaths, several light bulbs went off. This is why I hated being in large crowds and needed lots of alone time! (Emotional overload.) This is why I can't stand horror movies or movies involving human tragedy. (Too much suffering.) I adore spending time hiking in nature because of the calming energies I am able to absorb. There were quite a few different traits that seemed to fit this description of empath. Considering I didn't even know what the word meant when I first heard it in my head (and that it turned out to be a real word), I thought it was quite significant.

It has taken me a long time to be able to shield myself from certain emotional situations. Some of my shielding comes from my gifts themselves. Because I understand others' emotional needs in a very intimate way, I can often find ways to help them feel better quickly, which in turn helps me feel better. Other parts of my shielding involves life lessons where I have learned to understand that others poor treatment of myself and others usually stems from pain that is part of their BEing. I am able to understand it is theirs and not take it personally.

On the flip side, it has taken me a long time to appreciate what I can do. It has only been the past couple of years that I realized I am very good at my customer service job because I can read people well. I know what they need and can sense small problems before they become bigger problems, Over the years, I have found that I can talk to hurting people for just a little while and help them find solutions to the problems they encounter. I used to take this ability for granted, but no more. It is a blessing to be a spiritual/emotional healer.

The more we begin to tap into the wisdom and guidance of our hearts, the more empathic we become. Like all muscles, empathy must be practiced. It is not for the faint of heart. Courage is required when you allow your heart to be opened to others. After all, you are allowing yourself to be opened to pain. Harnessing empathic power gives one the ability to heal whatever is focused on, whether self, others or the planet. Empaths are here to help heal the world.

~CSE

 

Recognizing Evil

I used to have a Pollyanna outlook on life. Everything was good, and you could find some good in everyone. While I still try to find the good in people, I am less likely to be fooled by the darkness. My adventure down the rabbit hole has changed me.

True evil tends to be insidious. It waits in the shadows and allows goodness to take overt control. Then, when your trust has been granted and your guard is down, evil takes over. Generally by the time most of us figure it out, we too are sucked in to the whirlpool and are drowned or almost drowned.

Years ago when I was still in my late teens and early 20's, I allowed myself to get sucked into a cult. I say allowed myself because it is true. From the first moment I met Jeffrey Lundgren, I did not like him. There was something cold and hard about him that gave me the willies, and there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that warned me to stay away. I managed to stay away for the first few weeks of my summer job as a tour guide at the Kirtland Temple. Then one day, Jeff found me alone in the visitor's center and used the opportunity to gain my trust. He came to me and said, "I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I hope that doesn't stop us from having a good working relationship." It was at that moment my Pollyanna mind took over. I thought, "Maybe I have misjudged him. Maybe I should be a little more open to who Jeff is."

That was all it took for me to allow myself to open the door to evil. While my story ended much better than most in the group, the whole experience did teach me something. I understood how important it was to directly connect to God myself instead of looking to other people for answers. Others would potentially lie to me and abuse me. God never would, and he would give me the information I truly needed to know--even if I didn't understand it at the time.

So how do we recognize evil if it stays in the shadows? By being conscious and aware, and that means being connected to the Divine through the connection within your own heart. The heart connection has access to all information where the brain does not. It was my brain that reasoned, "How could anyone who professes to want to have a good working relationship not really be good at heart?" I allowed the bad vibes I got through my heart connection to be overshadowed by something my mind told me was a good thing!

In order to recognize evil when it comes your way, stay in your heart and listen to it when it gives you a feeling or other information that is out of the ordinary. Understand that the stronger the feeling you have about someone or something, the more likely it is that the danger is bigger. Most people you encounter through your heart space will not give you big, bad feelings. This is because most people are just like you--not perfect but at least trying to lead a good life.

One thing you can consciously do is ask questions about new people and new situations. When you encounter a new person you might ask the universe, "What do I need to know about this person? What do I need to pay attention to?" Asking questions when you are in your heart space will give you answers. If unexpected information comes, whether good or bad, do yourself a favor and listen to it!!! That is definitely the Divine speaking to you. Seemingly random information does not just come of its own accord. If you find yourself thinking, "Where did that thought come from?" That is exactly the sort of information you need to pay attention to!!!

Recognizing true evil is not an easy thing to do, but it gets easier the more you encounter it and listen to the information your heart gives you. It is your heart that will keep you safe and help you navigate the treacherous waters we all encounter from time to time in life.

Continue to be conscious, be aware and ask questions. It may just save you from a world of pain and misery.

~CSE