De-Brine Your Mind

     In the March-April edition of Spirituality and Health, there is an interesting article by Kevin Anderson called "How to Soak in Divine Brine."  (If you would like to learn more, here is the link to the magazine).

     In the article, Anderson says that the reason we feel we are so messed up sometimes is because of our environment:  we're pickled because we are constantly soaking in really messed-up brine.  Think of the 24-hour news cycle with its barrage of negativity and fear, the constant friction between pragmatists and ideologues (example:  Have you ever wondered if "ideologue" and "idiot" have a common root word?), the partisanship and corruption in government, wars around the world, economic inequality, pollution and overpopulation . . . Do you feel pickled yet?

     Well, Mr. Anderson argues that the best way to de-brine your mind is to fill it with healthy antidotes.  He offers pithy quotes based on the specific issue you are struggling with.  Here's an example:

     If you struggle with low self-esteem, try these thoughts on for size:

Between God and the soul there is no between.  (Julian of Norwich)

          See the Supreme in the body, see the Supreme in the mind.  (Yogaswami)

     We'll have more de-brining antidotes next time. 

Happy Spring Equinox

It's a time of balance --

Of light and darkness,

Of male and female,

Of dreaming and doing,

Of being and non-being.

 

May you be blessed with balance.

 

(photo courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Are Geminis Empathic, Part 2

     In the last post, I was trying to answer the question of whether people born under the sign of Gemini are natural empaths.  To me, a person who really isn't all that into astrology, that's like asking whether Geminis are all left-handed or brown-eyed. 

     What's more, I find that when I look at astrology descriptions, I can find aspects of my personality in practically any sign.  I'm creative and generous (Leo), impatient (Aries), intuitive (Cancer and Pisces), sometimes secretive (Scorpio), intellectual (Aquarius), perfectionist (Virgo), and, oh, so modest (Virgo).  Believe it or not, I was born under none of those signs.  So, to say that one person fits only one sign doesn't make sense to me.

     What makes more sense is to view the gift (or curse) of empathy as something that is developed over many lifetimes.  Or, it could be triggered by some early life events in which the child needs to be able to "sense" the safety of his or her environment.  Either way, I think being an empath has little to do with one's astrological sign.

     Feel free to disagree.  I can be, at times, very easygoing (Libra). 

Are Geminis Empathic?

     Before I give my opinion about this question, I first need to provide a disclaimer.  I'm not all that into astrology.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's my scientific bent, or the fact that I didn't grow up with it; still, it's just not my thing.  Now you know.

     Still, the question of whether people born under the sign of Gemini are naturally empathic is an interesting one.  I mean, it makes sense, since Gemini people are under the sign of twins who were torn apart and then reunited.  It would seem that the surviving twin would naturally have their third-eye searchlight on. 

     But let's go back to the original myth of the Gemini twins.  In the Greek version, the Gemini twins were actually two sets:  Castor and Pollux were boys and Helen (later of Troy) and Clytaemnestra were girls.  Both Pollux and Helen were children of Zeus and were demigods.  Of course, we usually hear of the boy twins and how they were inseparable.  When Castor was killed in battle, Pollux mourned deeply. Pollux asked his father Zeus to return his brother to him.  Since this was not possible, Pollux ascended into the heavens to join his brother and ever since then the twins have been together. 

     According to the wonderful book, Mythic Astrology: Internalizing the Planetary Powers by Ariel Guttman and Kenneth Johnson, this myth not only symbolizes the need to balance the male and female aspects of our personality but also the mortal and eternal.  The book goes on to describe how the Gemini constellation appears to other cultures and the lessons to be learned there.  If you're interested, please refer to the book.  It's a good one.

    But are Geminis naturally empathic?  More to come.

Some Wonderful Quotes

     At my bedside table is a small stack of books, which change from time to time.  At present, I have a small book on top of this stack:  The Quiet Mind.  It's a terrific little book and contains some pithy words such as these:

"Be true.  This is the essence of the spiritual life.  The note of the spirit is sounded on the higher planes, and the knocks you receive in everyday life are to test you, whether you can ring true.  To ring true you must always sound the note of God, or good, which is within you."

Or this (for us Type A's):

"Have confidence in that divine Love which holds you close.  You have nothing to fear, and if you don't know which way to go, stay where you are.  Just be still and quiet and you will find how remarkably conditions will work out for you.  So much tangle is made by this eagerness to get on with something.  You only get into a muddle and then have to retrace your steps.  Be still and trust in God."

A New Driving Technique

     I hate to admit it, but I'm a little bit of an impatient driver.  Just a little bit.  Like, it's a good thing that my car isn't loaded with a cannon because, really, there are some drivers who should just go ahead and meet their maker just for driving with their blinker on for more than five miles or blasting me with their angry music or tailgating or texting while driving and weaving all over the road because they aren't paying attention . . . really, that cannon would take out a lot of traffic problems and things would move along much more smoothly . . . except for the divots . . .

     But I digress.

     But all that impatience isn't good for me, and isn't very spiritual either (not to mention the homicide issue).

     I have learned, when I start to feel that tight, irritated urge to honk the horn or hit "fire" on the car cannon, I take a deep breath and say,

"Thank you for the opportunity to learn patience."

 

     And, you know, it works -- at least 90% of the time! 

 

     For the other 10%, well, beware of the divots.

    

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

to All Twin Souls, Lovers, and You

 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)