Wolf Medicine & the Power of Direct Revelation

This is a Tibetan wolf's tooth that found it's way into my life when I first moved to Maryland. It was found in a Tibetan shop across the ocean that was being cleaned and swept, in a dusty old pile of sweepings. Then it found it's way to America and into my hands and heart and medicine bag.

It is a power tool and a treasured totem and friend to me today, a fierce heart-protector, a tribe -n-pack connector, and I have used it in ceremony to cut away old threads and strong cords that simply do not belong.

But mostly it is medicine that accompanies me deep in my heart, and let's me know directly and powerfully that I have fierce protection around my sensitive (empathic) heart when I go out into the world, and that I am never alone without my pack or tribe. I wear it on a red satin cord that connects me to the great Sisterhood, to all things wild, and to Her.

A word about animal totems ~ although we may first learn about animal medicine from the internet, books or medicine card decks, all valuable and wonderful teachings, I still love to read them sometimes too, ultimately we must get to know our animal guides firsthand, for ourselves, and take what we have learned elsewhere and let it go with trust that we ourselves will come to know and feel firsthand the messages that are truly meant for us. This, as with dreams, is how we cultivate our personal recognition of the true meaning of any sign or totem for us.

When we establish a personal connection to animal wisdom in our daily lives, by listening and feeling into our own intuition and knowing, then when we are blessed by an owl feather, an eagle's cry or the still gentle presence of a deer, the deepest messages and meaning will begin to come to us as gifts in our hearts, and will begin to take root inside of us, re-awakening and expanding our inner knowing and wisdom connection to the Earth and all living things. visible and invisible. We will become the medicine keepers that we are, and begin to not only know, but embody, the truth and the Way.

Shamans call this the gift of Direct Revelation. and in Shamanism, we learn quickly that direct experience becomes our greatest Teacher and our mastery too. This is the true Path and the Way.

When among the presence of animal Totems, out in nature and in the world around you, Pause. Deepen. Listen. and let SPIRIT show you the way.

Namaste

Are You an Emotional Empath? Centering & Balancing Strategies for Your Self-Care

Are You an Emotional Empath? Centering and Balancing Strategies for Your Self Care ~
Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s New York Times Bestseller, “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” (Three Rivers Press, 2011)

Empaths are highly sensitive, finely tuned instruments when it comes to emotions. They feel everything, sometimes to an extreme, and are less apt to intellectualize feelings. Intuition is the filter through which they experience the world. Empaths are naturally giving, spiritually attuned, and good listeners. If you want heart, empaths have got it. Through thick and thin, they’re there for you, world-class nurturers.

Recognizing that you’re an empath is the first step in taking charge of your emotions instead of constantly drowning in them. Staying on top of empathy will improve your self-care and relationships.

Emotional Action Step. How To Find Balance
Practice these strategies to center yourself.

Allow quiet time to emotionally decompress. Get in the habit of taking calming mini-breaks throughout the day. Breathe in some fresh air. Stretch. Take a short walk around the office. These interludes will reduce the excessive stimulation of going non-stop.

Practice guerilla meditation. To counter emotional overload, act fast and meditate for a few minutes. This centers your energy so you don’t take it on from others.

Define and honor your empathic needs. Safeguard your sensitivities. Here’s how.
If someone asks too much of you, politely tell them “no.” It’s not necessary to explain why. As the saying goes, “No is a complete sentence.”

If your comfort level is three hours max for socializing--even if you adore the people--take your own car or have an alternate transportation plan so you’re not stranded.

If crowds are overwhelming, eat a high-protein meal beforehand (this grounds you) and sit in the far corner of, say, a theatre or party, not dead center.

If you feel nuked by perfume, nicely request that your friends refrain from wearing it around you. If you can’t avoid it, stand near a window or take frequent breaks to catch a breath of fresh air outdoors.

If you overeat to numb negative emotions, practice the guerilla meditation mentioned above, before you’re lured to the refrigerator, a potential vortex of temptation. As an emergency measure, keep a cushion by the fridge so you can be poised to meditate instead of binge.

Carve out private space at home. Then you won’t be stricken by the feeling of too much togetherness. (Chapter 8 discusses nontraditional living settings compatible with an empath’s comfort zone.)

Over time, I suggest adding to this list to keep yourself covered. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you’re on emotional overload.

With pragmatic strategies to cope, empaths can have quicker retorts, feel safer, and their talents can blossom.

Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s New York Times Bestseller, “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” (Three Rivers Press, 2011)

http://www.drjudithorloff.com/Free-…/emotional-empath-EF.htm