Two Brothers – Author unknown

Once there were two brothers who inherited their father’s land. The brothers divided the land in half and each one farmed his own section. Over time, the older brother married and had six children, while the younger brother never married.

One night, the younger brother lay awake. “It’s not fair that each of us has half the land to farm,” he thought. “My brother has six children to feed and I have none. He should have more grain than I do.”

So that night the younger brother went to his silo, gathered a large bundle of wheat, and climbed the hill that separated the two farms and over to his brother’s farm. Leaving the wheat in his brother’s silo, the younger brother returned home, feeling pleased with himself.

Earlier that very same night, the older brother was also lying awake. “It’s not fair that each of us has half the land to farm,” he thought. “In my old age my wife and I will have our grown children to take care of us, not to mention grandchildren, while my brother will probably have none. He should at least sell more grain from the fields now so he can provide for himself with dignity in his old age.”

So that night, too, he secretly gathered a large bundle of wheat, climbed the hill, left it in his brother’s silo, and returned home, feeling pleased with himself.

The next morning, the younger brother was surprised to see the amount of grain in his barn unchanged. “I must not have taken as much wheat as I thought,” he said, bemused. “Tonight I’ll be sure to take more.”

That very same moment, his older brother was also standing in his barn, musing much the same thoughts.

After night fell, each brother gathered a greater amount of wheat from his barn and in the dark, secretly delivered it to his brother’s barn. The next morning, the brothers were again puzzled and perplexed. “How can I be mistaken?” each one scratched his head. “There’s the same amount of grain here as there was before I cleared the pile for my brother. This is impossible! Tonight I’ll make no mistake – I’ll take the pile down to the very floor. That way I’ll be sure the grain gets delivered to my brother.”

The third night, more determined than ever, each brother gathered a large pile of wheat from his barn, loaded it onto a cart, and slowly pulled his haul through the fields and up the hill to his brother’s barn. At the top of the hill, under the shadow of a moon, each brother noticed a figure in the distance. Who could it be?

When the two brothers recognized the form of the other brother and the load he was pulling behind, they realized what had happened. Without a word, they dropped the ropes to their carts and embraced.

Even if you’re not sure what your pet is trying to communicate to you, you can still move forward to healing them with touch. Animals are far more responsive than humans to touch because they are less blocked than we are. Remember, never use your hands in anger with your pet; they will recoil from your touch out of fear. Always discipline your pet gently, using your voice, so you are always seen as their safe protector.

If you feel your pet is in need of healing, you can place your hands on the animal and focus healing energy their way. This doesn’t replace the treatment or procedures your vet may be doing for the animal, but will complement them. Healing can also be done at a distance. As you probably already know, animals are extremely sensitive to any changes in their energy field and respond incredibly well to healing touch.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Rub your hands together until they are warm and tingling. Visualize a healing light flowing from your hands into your cat or dog, as you focus your love for your pet into the flow of energy. Try doing this for ten minutes a day. And even though the word is visualization, it’s really the feeling that’s important, not anything you might or might not be seeing.

Animals also respond to sound healing. They hear more octaves and tones than humans do and are very affected by soothing calm music, which reduces their pain and anxiety. Tibetan singing bowls can generate tones that particularly affect animals in a beneficial way.

Just as you would with your own children, feel free to explore other types of healing for your pets; in the end, you are the very best judge of what they need. Use your intuition and know in your heart that you are helping them.

There is a special pleasure that comes with being recognized, when the spotlight shines on your hard work and turns it into a moment of glory. Nowadays, those moments can be broadcast instantly across the globe since most of us are plugged into our digital devices constantly. Your rising star can be shot into the limelight through the many outlets of social networking and internet sites.

You have a book you want to publish? While the publishing industry reinvents itself, you can put your e-book online and be an instant author. You have a song, or a whole album full of songs, you want heard? Put them online. You have opinions and insights that you’re sure everyone is waiting to hear? Roll out your blog. Got nothing you want to share with the world? How about voting for somebody else’s big moment? The next American Idol, the next big star with the X Factor, the next big Voice is dependent on your vote.

Suddenly, everyone counts. Everyone has a say in what’s happening. What does it all mean?

We all want to be seen, to be known, to be recognized for who we are. In fact, we not only want it, we need it. Social acceptance is the cornerstone of our self-concept, the vital ingredient in cooking up a positive identity. We thrive when others look at us with high regard. Every kindergarten teacher knows this.

But nowadays we live in a virtual world. We often have “virtual dates” before we ever meet face to face. In a world that pushes us to accomplish more and more on a daily basis—tackling overwhelming to-do lists while taking in more and faster images and information than ever before—the human dimension of seeing and appreciating each others’ unique gifts can shrink. With our fingers poised over a keyboard and our eyes glued to a screen, the river of kindness and care that should flow between individuals, the simple act of listening to and expressing gratitude for one another, can dry up. You can be left with an unnamed thirst for real connection to another human being.

We are, after all, social creatures who thrive when we have a sense that we belong. To the degree we lack a vital sense of belonging, we can feel isolated, alienated from any social network. When we are listened to and heard, our biochemistry stabilizes. Empathy is a healing force, yet a society that is constantly on “push” mode runs roughshod over our vulnerability, the space we need in order to really hear someone else. For many a fame- and attention-seeker, the need to grab the limelight is a symptom of a much deeper desire.

Perhaps this explains the growing fascination with grabbing that coveted 15 minutes of fame. American Idol and its clones, reality TV, Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube all feed into the collective thirst for belonging. But does that 15 minutes of fame or a 140-character rave review really quench your deep thirst? Or is it a substitute for the real thing—a deep soul connection that satisfies your true longing to be embraced in your wholeness.

A powerful practice that can break your sense of isolation and heal the place where you feel alienated is expressed in a bumper sticker slogan: Practice Random Acts of Kindness. This is the most basic means by which you can be the change you want to see in the world.

Next time you feel impatient or angry toward a stranger—you know, one of those people you are not “friends” with—try this experiment. Challenge yourself to let go of any negative interpretations of another’s behavior and give him or her the benefit of the doubt. Even though your knee-jerk response may be annoyance or frustration, note that you are assuming ill-will on their part. Did you respond in kind without much thought? For example, if someone cuts you off on the freeway, watch your reaction closely. Do you automatically shout, “You %&#@!”? Do you pre-suppose the driver did this to annoy you, rather than considering that perhaps you were in his blind spot when he went to change lanes? Or that he’s so upset about his father’s recent passing, that’s he’s blind with grief?

What we often don’t realize is that when we react with anger or annoyance toward another, when we judge or are unkind toward another, we also hurt ourselves. That’s right, you hurt yourself with judgment because the ill-will is occurring in your mind. Think about it. You judge another harshly, you zoom in on their faults, tally up the score, and decide they have in one way or another failed or lost. What have you gained? A sense of superiority? A boost in your confidence at the expense of hers? And what is the state of your mind? Are you full of love and peace and understanding? The truth of this situation can give you a new and, in a sense, entirely selfish motivation for practicing kindness.

Here’s another experiment. The next time you catch yourself judging someone, shift your attention and focus on what is beautiful or skillful about that person. Zoom in on details that can be celebrated and encouraged. Offer that person your approval by seeing him or her in the highest light possible. Now take note of the condition of your mind. You have just tapped into what I like to think of as the river of Ultimate Approval.

You have within your heart and mind the ability to quench that deep thirst for being seen, for being recognized for who you are, and the best way to start is simply to give your approval to someone else.

Applause. Applause.

Thank you everyone for making it such a wonderful event and look forward to seeing everyone soon!

When our kids were young, my friend, Mary, and I would often remark, “It’s all about perception”. Meaning – their perception vs. ours. While we viewed discipline as teaching life lessons, they likely saw it as cruel and unusual punishment. I’ve thought a lot about this lately and how perception fuels much of how we live our lives, both in relation to others and to ourselves.

It’s impossible to know just how someone else (especially a child) is interpreting our words or our actions unless we ask them directly. The tone of our voice might imply something totally contrary to what we intended. Maybe we’re tired or distracted and were just stating a fact, but the other person perceives that we’re angry or annoyed.

The science of Ayurveda is a great place to begin to understand why we all feel things so differently.  A study of the three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) around which Ayurveda is based, will reveal how we might have a different reaction to the same situation such as a boss making a cutting remark. The vata type would likely be hurt and overly sensitive, but the hurt feelings would soon dissipate. The pitta type might explode in anger (or at least be seething inside). The kapha type would probably “take it” but would never forget it! If you’re curious what your dominant dosha is, here’s an easy quiz you can take.

Since studying Ayurveda, I’ve learned that before I cast judgment on someone’s reaction, I do a quick “dosha assessment” and then usually have an ah-ha moment. My perception invariably changes and any possible misunderstanding tends to evaporate. Imagine how many relationships would be smoother if each person took the time to understand their partner’s unique constitution. I’m not making excuses for bad behavior here, but rather showing how a modification in our perception might change a potentially uncomfortable situation.

Then there’s the perception we have of our self and what’s happening around us that’s out of our control. If we can shift how we look at disappointment in our lives and instead see it as an opportunity for change and growth, we can move forward, instead of staying stuck in old patterns of negativity. A rainy day can go from a “ruined day at the beach” to a glorious chunk of time to burrow in, read a book, watch a good movie or do some clutter control.  Likewise, if we always see ourselves as depressed and stagnant, chances are our perception will become our reality. Sometimes just bringing this into our awareness is enough to help make that shift towards a more positive outlook.

How do you feel perception influences your daily life? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Guest Blog Post: Barbara Sinclair is a visual artist and holistic health coach living in New York City. “Studying energy medicine in Deborah’s 21^st Century Energy Medicine Program has greatly influenced every aspect of my life, both personal and professional.” You can learn more about Barbara and read her blog by visiting her website at http://barbarasinclair.com/.

Wow! Sure the guy was a clumsy jerk, but where did the depth of your rage come from?

If you really want to know what you’re feeling, look at how you react to someone or some circumstance outside yourself. We project our emotions onto those around us—both in our intimate relationships and with total strangers.

Think about it. How nice are you when a telemarketer calls at dinnertime, or when someone with a thick accent answers your call for technical help with your computer? What’s your automatic reaction when someone cuts you off on the freeway? Do you make nasty comments to the girl behind the counter at the dry cleaner when your favorite silk shirt comes back with stains, as if it were her fault?

Of course, in our daily life, it’s the people we are closest to that act as a mirror to our emotions. We tend to surround ourselves with those people who mirror the problems that we haven’t yet resolved inside ourselves. By seeing ourselves reflected in that mirror, we will eventually see what it is we have to work on. How do you feel when the kids at school bully your child? What do you do when you have a sneaking suspicion your husband is having an affair? How do you feel about caring for your parent with Alzheimer’s?

Basically, we incarnate in order to have relationships, although we may not figure that out till we’re much older. We think we are here to conquer the world, or to save the planet, or to have kids, or to grow pretty flowers in our garden, but it is relationships that are the essential ingredient for our growth and the evolution of our consciousness.

When we choose an intimate partner, in particular, we unconsciously look for somebody who is going to mirror back to us our own unresolved issues—the ones we brought with us from childhood or from previous lifetimes. For example, maybe your father left the family when you were four, or maybe you felt abandoned by your father even though he stayed because he paid zero attention to you; chances are you will pick a partner who brings out that very issue by abandoning you either emotionally or walking out on you physically. You have recreated a situation that mirrors your earlier situation so you can have the chance to heal that wound.

We choose to take on the problems inherent in relationships because, on a soul level, we realize that our interaction with others is the fastest way to become the very highest version of ourselves that we can be. There is nothing like struggling with an aging parent, a rebellious child, a straying spouse, or a demanding boss to bring up all your own issues. And it is that interaction that will move you along on the road to enlightenment.

What brought you to the point where you were ready to start the work of healing yourself? Was it a betrayal of some kind or a relationship crisis? Maybe it was a health scare, or simply a nagging desire for spiritual growth? What’s most important is that you are willing to face your personal emotional stew instead of burying those feelings. It means that you need some time and space to bring forth your emotional baggage—you know, the stuff that needs to be emptied out so your energy can flow more freely.

I bet you feel a sense of time pressure. We all are racing around with our noses buried in our latest tech gadget, making it very hard for us to live in the present moment. It was different before all the technology that we think is supposed to save us time. All of this equipment, in fact, makes us work longer hours because there is no getting away from it.

You have to give yourself the space in which to do inner work. Here is a technique that only take 10 minutes that helps you into the present moment and creates an inner spaciousness.

Spend 10 minutes outdoors. Most of us work under artificial light a lot of the time and use electronic devices that create disturbances in our energy field—phones, computers, pads and pods, television, microwaves. When we do go outside, we are either in the car or protecting ourselves so carefully that we rarely get any direct sunlight on our bodies. This creates a lot of abnormality in our metabolic functions and our sleep.

It doesn’t matter if the weather is bad or if you live in a city, the key is to feel nature for a moment. In a city, look at the sky and listen to the birds. When in the country, walk barefoot on grass or at the beach. Eat your lunch sitting with your back against a tree.

By spending ten minutes a day reconnecting with nature, you can get back a feeling of calm. When you are in a state of relaxation for ten minutes or more, you can get in touch with feelings that you have pushed down in your body. You will realize that you are actually upset about the conversation you had with your mother yesterday or the argument you had at work with somebody the week before or maybe a divorce that you experienced ten years ago. And those are all fertile emotional ground for your healing.

It’s summertime – go outside for a few minutes and enjoy!

Throughout the ages and across every tradition, there are symbols and metaphors for the journey we all take from bondage to liberation.

We can look at that journey as the rising of kundalini from the first chakra at the base of the spine, where our concern is basic survival of the individual self, up through the crown of the head, the seventh chakra where we merge back into Oneness with All That Is. We can see it as the Hero’s Journey, the Arthurian quest of the Knights of the Round Table, the story of Demeter getting free of her imprisonment in the Earth, Osiris rising from the dead, the climb to the mountaintop.

In two of the main Western religions, Christianity and Judaism, their liberation journey stories take place in the spring, when life is renewing itself after the dead cold of winter.

At sundown on Monday, April 18th, the first night of Passover is celebrated with a “Seder”—that classic Jewish meal centered around the biblical story of Moses leading the Hebrews out of slavery to the Pharaoh in Egypt. The book that is used during the meal, the Haggadah, exhorts everyone at the table to look at the story of liberation as more than just a tale of what happened way back then, but as a personal experience—the way that you, too, are being led to your own liberation.

The main ritual question of the night is asked by the children at the table: Why is this night different from all other nights? And the answer is “Because we were slaves” and this is what G-d did for us: from the Angel of Death passing over our homes to the waters parting in the Red Sea to let our people go.

We are, indeed, all slaves to our egos, to our antiquated beliefs, to the relentless tyranny of our minds, to the destructive emotions we harbor. Now imagine having the power of Moses to open a clear-cut path through the obstacles that block your escape from slavery so eventually you, too, can get to the Promised Land. The power wielded by Moses sprang from his deep connection to God, to Source. Although it may take 40 years of wandering in the desert, and the testing of faith when confronted with a seductive Golden Calf or two along the way, the path to liberation—for an individual or a people or a civilization—is through connection to Source.

The end of this week brings us to the Last Supper celebrated by Jesus and his disciples, undoubtedly also a Passover Seder, that set into motion the events of Good Friday, leading to the Passion of Christ and the resurrection—another perfect metaphor for the journey to freedom from bondage. We all carry our crosses, bear the burdens of human suffering. We all seek resurrection into the Light.

It pains me that differences in religions have been used to divide people, when at their heart, all religions are based on the same mystic journey from bondage to liberation. Let’s dedicate this week to celebrating that journey of evolution of consciousness. As we gather together in rituals around the table at home or in places of worship, let us remember and reflect upon how far we have come, and acknowledge that we’re all walking the same road to redemption.

What’s Your Dosha?

To get started on a deeper exploration of Ayurveda and the wisdom it holds for your health and well-being, take the following quiz to find out which doshas are most prominent in you.

Instructions: For the 20 statements listed below each dosha, mark from 1 to 3 how accurately the statement fits you.

1 = Doesn’t fit me

2 = Fits me partially or part of the time

3 = Fits me very accurately or most of the time

At the end of each dosha section, tally your total score for that dosha by adding up the individual scores within that dosha. Then when you get to the end of the quiz, compare your scores for the three doshas.

1. _____  I have a tall, thin or small-boned build; I don’t gain weight very easily.
2. _____  I have a tendency toward anxiety or worry.
3. _____  My least favorite kind of weather is cold weather.
4. _____  I develop gas or become constipated easily.
5. _____  Left to my own devices, my eating & sleeping habits are often irregular.
6. _____  My hands and feet tend to be cold.
7. _____  I typically walk more lightly and quickly than others.
8. _____  I like to be active; sometimes it’s hard for me to sit still.
9. _____  My hair tends to be dry.
10. _____  My tendency is to eat quickly, and I have a delicate digestion.
11. _____  My sleep is light and interrupted; I may even suffer from insomnia.
12. _____  I learn things quickly but tend to forget them quickly as well.
13. _____  I am easily excited.
14. _____  My moods change quickly.
15. _____  Decision-making tends to be difficult for me.
16. _____  My nature is to be enthusiastic and vivacious.
17. _____  My mind is very active, sometimes restless, but also very imaginative.
18. _____  My speech pattern is quick and people say that I’m talkative.
19. _____  I tend to have dry, rough skin, particularly in winter.
20. _____  My energy comes in bursts and I get worn out easily.

VATA SCORE ___________

1. _____  I am a perfectionist by nature.
2. _____  I tend to perform activities with a high level of precision and order.
3. _____  Hot weather makes me especially uncomfortable or causes me to  ————– quickly become fatigued.
4. _____  I really enjoy cold foods, like ice cream, as well as cold drinks.
5. _____  When conflicts arise, I tend to become intense, impatient, and irritable.
6. _____  Skipping or delaying meals makes me very uncomfortable.
7. _____  Whether I show it or not, I am easily annoyed and quick to anger.
8. _____  My hair is fine, thin, and reddish or blonde and prematurely gray ————- or balding.
9. _____  I don’t tolerate spicy foods well.
10. _____  I tend to be quick to perspire.
11. _____  I tend to be stubborn.
12. _____  I am fairly strong and can handle many physical activities.
13. _____  My bowel movements are regular; I am more likely to have loose stools ————- than constipation.
14. _____  I am more likely to feel that a room is too hot than too cold.
15. _____  I thrive on challenges and am determined to achieve my goals.
16. _____  My hands tend to be warm.
17. _____  Under stress, I can be quick to anger and am often critical of both ————- myself and others.
18. _____  My appetite is strong, and I can eat pretty much anything I want to ————- without problem.
19. _____  I tend to maintain my weight without much effort.
20. _____  I tend to gather many facts before forming an opinion.

PITTA SCORE ___________

1. _____  My physique is large and solid.
2. _____  I sleep deeply and for long periods of time.
3. _____  I gain weight very easily, sometimes it seems just by looking at food.
4. _____  Skipping meals is easy and not typically uncomfortable.
5. _____  I need a full 8 hours of sleep in order to function well the following day.
6. _____  I am typically groggy in the morning and slow to get my day started.
7. _____  I frequently suffer from sinus problems, asthma, chronic congestion, ————- excess mucus or phlegm.
8. _____  I tend to be sensitive and affectionate, sweet and forgiving.
9. _____  I have smooth, oily, moist skin.
10. _____  Cold, damp weather affects me adversely.
11. _____  It’s my nature to be calm and slow to anger.
12. _____  My weight tends to be above average for my build.
13. _____  I tend to do things slowly and methodically, in a relaxed and leisurely ————- manner.
14. _____  I learn slowly but my retention and memory are good.
15. _____  My general disposition is easy-going—it takes a lot to fluster me or ————- stress me out.
16. _____  I eat and digest slowly.
17. _____  I have dark, thick, wavy hair.
18. _____  My stamina and endurance are strong, and I enjoy a steady energy ————- level.
19. _____  The gait of my walk is generally slow, steady, and leisurely.
20. _____  My reaction to conflict is to get lazy or depressed.

KAPHA SCORE ___________

Vata ________                    Pitta ________                   Kapha ________

Understanding your results: If your primary dosha is extremely prominent, with a score as much as twice as high as your second dosha (for example, Vata–55, Pitta–21, Kapha–19), you are a single-dosha type. If no dosha is extremely dominant (for example, Vata–34, Pitta-55, Kapha–29), you are a two-dosha type, with the leading dosha coming first in your body-type name. If all three doshas are nearly equal (for example, Vata–43, Pitta–38, Kapha–46), you are the rare three-dosha type.

Have fun!

To learn more about your Dosha score and Aryuveda, check out my online Energy Medicine Program where I teach all that in level 2.