Soul Navigations

Listening to Spirit - Whatever the Holiday

New Spirit Journal is a great online and print Journal here in the Pacific Nowthwest.  They just published the December edition which has an article I wrote.  It is worth checking it out at as there are lots of interesting article. http://www.newspiritjournal.com/  It is also below for your reading ease.

How often have you said to yourself, “I knew that was going to happen!” or “I should have listened to my intuition!”?  It is very easy to dismiss our intuition.   Intuition is our soul speaking to us.  It most often speaks in whispers of feelings, hunches and inklings, images, sometimes they are difficult to hear and interpret.  I have a number of instances where life would have flowed more easily, if only I would have listened.  Listening to our intuition or “spirit” is listening to our soul, wise self or higher self.  When we listen to our inner promptings, our life tends to run a little more smoothly, timing of events seem to synchronously coordinate without our attempts to manage all the details.  And sometimes when we listen, we help someone out in ways that are unimaginable.

  These days when I discount my inner promptings, it is usually because their warning triggers fear, and sometimes I purposefully ignore these inklings, not wanting my life to be directed by fear.  That is why I discounted the vague apprehension I felt when I thought of our up coming trip.  I chalked it up to my worrying mind.  I may have discounted my intuition, but someone else was listening to his.  This is a story of someone listening.

It was Christmas Eve.  We had been driving all day to our friends in Nelson, B.C.  We were on the last stretch before the Canadian border.  Our car was packed with bags, presents, and our two girls who sat enthralled, listening to books on tape.   It was now very dark.  The weather conditions had been good, but the temperature was starting to drop.  We stopped for gas, and in the interest of time, my husband asked at the station about a shortcut that would reduce our travel time.   We took recommended road, but soon discovered that it was not well used, nor well lit.  It was curvy and hilly, and now becoming very icy. 

            My husband drove more and more slowly.  My focus joined his on the road.  Sensing our attention to what lay in front of us, our two young daughters also became more silent, and then began to scream as we suddenly slid into the other lane and stopped just before the rail and the descending hill.  I could hear the blood pumping in my ears.  It was a close call. 

My husband and I both carefully got out of the car to check the conditions.  We needed to put on chains, but could not from the down slope we were on.  Of the few cars that passed only one gentleman in a truck stopped, just enough to make sure we were not injured and then left quickly without another word.  After all, it was Christmas Eve and everyone was trying to get somewhere. 

            My husband was looking for flat ground and a flatter surface to put chains on.     We slowly restarted the car and inched our way back to our side of the road, but could not make it down without sliding into the ditch.  We had to stop.  At least this time it was a more controlled stop. 

            By this time our girls were very quiet, occasionally asking for reassurance, which I amply gave them despite my concern.  And then I sat quiet for a few moments and sent out a prayer, a request for safety, protection and guidance.  With a heart that pulsed strongly for the well-being and safety of others – my children, I sent out a strong call.

            Barely 2 minutes later a car pulled up and actually stopped.   Out of the car came a short, bearded man.  He brought his flashlight, as we had been fumbling around in the dark trying to put chains on.   He helped us put on the chains in no time and offered to guide us out of the icy area to the juncture where the path was well trodden.   He told us that though he lived in the area, he rarely took this route, but felt directed by spirit to take it this evening.  I thanked him for listening, for helping, for the light he brought to us, and the flashlight he gifted us that evening.  We shook hands good-bye, and exchanged names. 

            As we followed behind him off the icy road, my husband kept reciting his name, and since he has a penchant for palindromes, he reversed his name.   With glee he exclaimed “NOEL, Noel! Leon is NOEL backwards!!”

To this day I feel deep gratitude for this gentle man who listened to spirit, who helped us out of a difficult situation, and brought peace of mind.  When we listen to the whispers of spirit, we strengthen and deepen our connection to our soul; we become more centered, whole and an integral part of all life around us.  My distress call was heard, and for this I am grateful, not only to Leon, but to spirit, to that which connects us in this web of life.

 In what ways do you listen to your own inner guidance/spirit?  How do you feel after you follow these promptings?  How has listening to intuition assisted your community at large? 

 

© 2010 Leslie Helen Bambic Ciechanowski, M.Ed

 

 

Card of the Week: ENTANGLEMENTS

Definition:  Snare; involvement; complication; entwined; confuse

Have you ever tried to untangle a ball of thread?  It can be difficult to see where one thread begins and the other ends.  This is the nature of the entanglement card.  Some suggest it is the nature of our network of interactions in the world.  I have experienced this card in two ways.  The first is simply finding that there is unknown interconnectivity between people or groups; the other involves more psychological entanglements.

When you are emotionally entangled in a situation it may be difficult to see the situation objectively. You may be too involved in something that is not really your concern, where others are too involved in your issues, or perhaps where there is a network of influences that are not known yet significantly affecting the situation.  Finding out where your involvement ends and others' begin may be unclear.  Boundaries are blurred and potentially enmeshed.  Projection of each person’s issues may make clarity and resolution difficult.

Look to your own internal attachments, desires, ambitions, expectations and fears, as they may be preventing you from seeing clearly.  Loosening your attachments and taking some distance on a situation may allow greater clarity.  There may be a hook into someone else’s energy that needs clearing. 

Disentangling is a process of detachment - clarifying your personal boundaries and those of others.  When do you feel drawn into something that is not your issue?  Are you fighting someone else’s battles or protecting someone emotionally?  Is your energetic involvement in others’ issues taking you off your path?

© 2010 Leslie Helen Bambic Ciechanowski

Fuzion Oracle Cards

For over thirty years, I have explored the Tarot, Runes, and other ancient forms of divination. Inspired to integrate these systems into an easily accessible oracle, I simplified the complex imagery of the Tarot while capturing the essence and depth of both the Tarot and the Runes.

I also incorporated elements of positive psychology as a way of honoring the characteristics of human experience that assist us in achieving positive outcomes in our lives.

In the fall of 2009, I had completed a unique set of cards know as Fuzion Oracle Cards. These cards are designed to evoke the whole mind. Words tap a verbal or ‘left-brain’ response. Images tap a visual or ‘right-brain’ response. My aim was to facilitate access to one’s personal meaning - conscious and subconscious - as well as expand the edges of our own creative possibilities.  Consistent with this approach, there are no written explanations to ‘guide’ the individual.

I am pleased to offer these cards, which can assist in tapping the language of the soul through metaphor and through facilitating deep listening. These cards help to raise awareness of the interplay between the inner and outer world, and can be used as a tool for soul-inquiry on a daily basis.

Music by  Snatam Kaur, Kabir's song

For purchase inquiries click on products on the above menu bar.

© 2010 Leslie Ciechanowski

 

Fuzion Oracle Cards Searched At Security!!

 

In 2009 a major focus of my creative and intuitive energies was directed toward creating my own oracle deck, which I have named Fuzion Oracle Cards. You can learn about them at: http://www.fuzionhealingarts.com/products.html.  I will be writing more about them in the future.  The following is an account of a fairly recent occurrence at my local airport…

 

A funny thing happened on the way through airport security the other day.  Something I would have never anticipated.  I had an early morning flight, and as such my late night scramble and early morning rising had left me bleary-eyed.  I stood patiently in line, my bags stuffed to full capacity.  I made it through all the regular airport check in lines fairly quickly, and reached the dreaded insecurity line… oops, I mean security line. The line was moving fast. Gradually and laboriously, I launched my belongings through the dark hole of the conveyor belt.  Carry on bag, purse, computer out, liquid bottles in plastic, shoes, scarves, and coat.  Stripping for the search.  I tried to go quickly, feeling the pressure of others waiting behind me. I had not even finished placing all of my belongings in the plastic containers when I noticed the line had come to a halt. 

 

Pleased at the slower pace, I organized my remaining belongings, making sure nothing was trailing behind.  The pause was a little longer than normal. Curious I leaned over and guessed they were looking through my bag.  I felt no threat, having combed through my purse the night before for any scissors, or stray essential oil bottles that I often tote around as part of my accoutrements.  The woman at the scan then started to call someone over with her “walkie-talkie”.  Now she and someone else were examining one of my bags.  I made my way through the security sensor. My curiosity was aroused…What had I missed? I wondered. 

As I approached, a tall and solid looking male security officer had my purse open.  The Fuzion Oracle deck lay on top of my bag.  I looked quizzically.  “Is this your bag ma’am?” 

“Yes”.  I replied.

 “Ma’am, what is this?” he said looking down at my bag to the cards. I hesitated slightly, trying to take in the scene…How had my cards been a security threat?

“Why,” I hesitated, “they are an oracle deck.” My voice trailed upwards as if asking a question.

“What ma’am?”

In a split second or two my mind raced through the history of the human race, as I know it, peppered with one oppressive regime after another.  I felt the immediate grip of an oppressive force.  Memories of ancient ancestors, ostracizing, obliterating, burning, jailing, and executing the innocent for purported “heretical” beliefs flashed through my mind.  I felt myself censoring my responses, my body tensed slightly.  What could I say that would be “safe”?  I thought of “Tarot cards”, but immediately censored it, what if that association landed me in the category of Satanic worshipper and black sorcery, then I would go, burning in the hell-made-real of peoples’ minds.

“Oh they are… like angel cards.” Yes, that sounds better I thought. 

“What do you do with them, Ma’am?”  he queried, still sternly staring at me, as if trying to read some darkness that was not there.   Now I was incredulous.  Was this for real?  Had I woken up in a different century?  Clearly they had discerned they were not a national threat.  Why would they not simply let me go?

“Well you ask a question and pick one,”  I said. He still stood, unwavering and expressionless.

“So, you pick a card and read it for other people?”  There was no warmth from this male officer; I could not read the nature of the question.   

“Well, no, it is for people to use and interpret for themselves.”  How could I explain in few succinct words the sublime wisdom of the unconscious mind and the accessibility of this depth through symbols while standing in a security line, being grilled by this man in uniform?  And what if I said I read them for others; would I then be scrutinized for witchcraft practices?  I reached for them once again and felt the beauty that they invoke.  “Here, you can look at them.”

“Uhuh, ma’am, we went through them already”.  He would not let me go.  I did not know what to say now. 

“I made them,”  I said. 

“You made them?“ he asked somewhat accusingly. 

“Yes, I made them.”  Oh oh, now I am in trouble…arose in my consciousness.  His countenance never softened but then launched into an explanation of how the thickness of the deck in my bag attracted suspicion. He let me and my cards go. No jail time, no burning at the stake, or hanging this lifetime. Healing?  Synchronicity?  I breathed deeply and went on my journey.

May we experience the freedom from fear. 

 

 

 

Copyright 2010 Leslie Ciechanowski

Synchronicity

   Synchronicity, a term popularized by C.G. Jung, is often defined to as the co-occurrence of events that are meaningfully related.  These co-occurrences are causally unrelated in nature, but are perceived as meaningful “coincidences”.  I use quotations because I believe that there are no coincidences, simply a lack of awareness of the web and rhythm of life of which we are an intricate part.  Experientially, synchronicities are perceived as the felt sense that somehow the inner and the outer world have come together in some manner, and moved into alignment. 

    The experiences of synchronicities are abundantly peppered throughout my life.  Sometimes they resonate loudly, like a gong in my ears alerting my attention.   Other times they are like highlighted words on a page, beckoning me to pay attention, confirming or acknowledging an experience.

    Here are a few recent experiences I would like to share.

 

White Feather

    While in meditation one morning, I felt a noble native presence behind me.   It is not unusual for me to sense these types of energies.  Call it guidance, or an active imagination, this was what I sensed and simply noted. Then came an impulse, a feeling or thought that flashed, as if being conveyed to me by this presence, that I needed a feather.  My “thinking mind”, always looking to input chimed in, “I have lots of feathers”.  Whenever I walk, I pick up feathers as my nature treasures.  I moved back into meditation and the space of openness and emptiness.  I had the impression again, this time stronger and more forceful– you need a feather.  Okay!  I thought, “I will bring one into my meditation area when I am done!”. 

    I had forgotten about this little exchange that took place during meditation and not less than ½ hour later I opened the front door, there on the front porch was a white feather!  My heart leapt and eyes teared as I gave gratitude for life’s miracles and mysteries.  In all of the 10 years living in this home, I have never found a feather on our porch – it has a large overhanging roof.  Furthermore, I have never found a white feather in our yard or neighborhood in any of my walks. 

 

Pennies

    This event occurred more recently.  I was walking in a busy parking lot thinking about a recent retreat I had attended and the wonderful soulful connections I experienced with people I had met.  I came out of my reverie when my foot came down directly behind a handful of pennies that had been strewn upon the ground.  Wow!  How lucky, I thought, not one penny but a whole bunch!  When I got into the store I cleaned them off and counted them.  They equaled 13 – the same number of wonderful people I had met!

    Little synchronicities happen to us daily. How easy it is to pass them by, to walk on and not notice connections, validations, and confirmations that speak directly to our soul.  Take time daily to listen to your heart.  Take time to open to your spirit, and slow down to see the spirit in the world around you.  It is always there, everywhere.  It is our distracted rushing and busy-ness that prevents us from tasting the sweetness of life. 

    If you are so inclined, feel free to share your own synchronous events!