Formerly Serious Philosophy

Naturally

2012-03-04T21:42:00.000-08:00

Naturally

c Judith Froemming 2012

"Eagles, beagles

elephants and cats

never wear

war paint, armored vests or gas masks.

Rhinos, dinos

tigers and bats

never drink

diet pop, booze or processed crap.

Grizzlies, wigglies

wild boars and rats

never rush

to work, play or finish a task.

Muskrats, turtles

ducks and wombats

never forget

to eat, stretch, play and nap."

Tuning Hearts

2012-03-03T20:43:00.001-08:00

Tuning Hearts

c Judith Froemming 2012

"Me, may my,

millions of thoughts a year.

You, yeah, yikes,

illusions of fear.

They, then, try,

judgments of the fray.

We, want, why?

Patient sun smiles, 'Play!'

Ours, hours, awes,

this moment is free,

to tune our hearts

to present infinity.

Just like the sea,

one sweet single drop,

joins the body of Love,

that will not be stopped."

Formerly Serious Philosophy: A Bun Dance (For Abundance)

2012-02-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

Formerly Serious Philosophy: A Bun Dance (For Abundance): A Bun Dance (For Abundance) c Judith Froemming 2012 "The dance of the Universe is open to all. This cotillion debuts a white-hot ball...

A Bun Dance (For Abundance)

2012-02-19T01:18:00.000-08:00

A Bun Dance
(For Abundance)
c Judith Froemming 2012

"The dance of the Universe is open to all,
This cotillion debuts a white-hot ball,
Light moves the hearts of small and tall,
The warm star holds this world enthrall.

Waves dance the Reel, pulled back and fore,
Shining bare rumps dance off tribal lore,
Laughing leaves shimmer in easy 4/4,
Sparkling stars conga and reflect Amore."

The Way

2012-02-14T00:03:00.000-08:00

The Way
c Judith Froemming 2012

"A note on the wind,
calls feet to the dance.
Whimsy in the clouds,
tells the heart to take a chance.

A smile from a daisy,
lights the way with Love.
A drop of evening rain,
lifts eyes to see above.

A crescent moon on black,
shows the spirit how to grow.
A leaf floating downstream,
calls the mind to let go."

You Are Invited

2012-02-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

You Are Invited

c Judith Froemming 2012

"Fear judges,

'You are sinful and thoughtless.'

The child thinks,

'I'm unholy and unblessed.'

Fear judges,

'You are wrong and should know better.'

The child believes,

life's a challenge of emotional bad weather.

Fear judges,

'You are needy and in the way.'

The child feels

lonely and can not stay.

The flower shares,

'Welcome! You're the creator of colorful.'

The child paints

the world awake and splendor-ful.

The bird shares,

'You can soar the great sky.'

The child lifts

her expanding heart and takes flight.

The tree shares,

'You are rooted and strong.'

The child reaches out

and invites all to belong."

Photo by Jenna Matilde

Lean Inward

2012-02-05T00:07:00.000-08:00

Lean Inward
By Judith Froemming

"Go ahead,
stretch your view of existence.
Check it out,
question with persistence.

Lean inward,
release the resistance.
Be peace,
Love is instant."

c photo by A Gentle Way

Heart of Generosity

2012-02-04T02:55:00.000-08:00

Heart of Generosity
c Judith Froemming 2012

"She paints her earthy belly,
with strokes of lily and rose.
Colors caress the eye,
scents delight the nose.

She mixes skies of whimsy,
splashed with sun and rain.
Moisture quenches the thirst,
hunger is sated by Her grain.

She spreads Her art to each corner,
with aware simplicity.
The gifts are freely given,
from a heart of generosity."

Union

2012-01-26T22:01:00.000-08:00

Union

c Judith Froemming 2012

"The tree of life
grows deep roots of Love that linger.
The moon's halo
slips it's ring on her branched finger.
The wind whispers
a warm wedding incantation.
Heaven kisses
her earth in sweet celebration."

Best Or Worst

2012-01-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

Best Or Worst
c Judith Froemming 2012

"On this way, it seems clear,
intentions are inner directives.
To believe it's 'the best of times,'
invites joy or reflection.
To believe it's 'the worst of times,'
invites freedom or invectives.

The choice, it appears,
depends on one's perspective.
Creation has no beliefs,
in a life that is collective,
both simultaneously appear;
it's separation that's ineffective."

Be Your Own Presence

2012-01-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

BE YOUR OWN PRESENCE

c Judith Froemming 2012

"No matter the day,

no matter the night.

No matter the fray,

no matter the fight.

Release the e-motion

and take a deep breath.

Let go of the notion,

that this is your death.

A breath is a choice

to forget fear's incessancy;

to hear your own voice

and your own presence be."

Quench The Thirst

2012-01-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

Quench The Thirst

c Judith Froemming 2012

"Quench the thirst.

Say yes to your worth.

There is no first,

only infinite birth."

When The Thinker Has Thunk

2012-01-05T23:23:00.000-08:00

WHEN THE THINKER HAS THUNK
c Judith Froemming 2012

"When the thinker has thunk
and convinced you of dearth,
spinning stories of junk,
disparaging your worth;

take a bath in the sunlight,
have a talk with the moon,
drink a glass of sweet starlight,
rest your heart on a bloom."

Enough Stuff

2011-12-26T23:16:00.000-08:00

Enough Stuff

c Judith Froemming 2011

"Wanted more stuff,
got more stuff,
stored the stuff,
overwhelmed with stuff,
protecting it was tough.

Realized it's just stuff,
didn't need the stuff,
gave up wanting stuff,
gave away the stuff,
empty now, with enough."

The Greatest Adventure

2011-12-26T01:30:00.000-08:00

The Greatest Adventure

c Judith Froemming 2011

"Life Plays best, when I BE that which I was born for;

that which energizes the heart.

Limiting beliefs about leaving the shore,

lure me, like a ship-wrecking siren,

to dash my 'life's thriving' on the rocks of 'just surviving;'

until I wrench the wheel back toward open seas,

trust the true compass of the heart,

and sail into the greatest adventure I'll ever be...wholly me."

Without Any Trouble

2011-12-12T02:21:00.000-08:00

Without Any Trouble
c Judith Froemming 2011

"Peace frees an imprisoned heart,
without a key.
Laughter lifts a despairing heart,
without a muscle.
Forgiveness melts a frozen heart,
without a fire.
Emptiness clears a cluttered heart,
without a shovel.
Breath calms a frightened heart,
without a lie.
Love welcomes a suffering heart,
without any trouble."

Food For My Soul

2011-12-03T21:53:00.001-08:00

Food For My Soul

c Judith Froemming 2011

If I water you not,

when your leaves quiver with thirst,

I deny you your growing season.

Your full-bodied greening

is whole food for my Soul.

Denying you, defies Love's reason.

Wholly Meal

2011-12-03T21:26:00.001-08:00

Wholly Meal

c Judith Froemming 2011

There is joy in every tear,

there is light in every cell.

There is Love in every fear,

there is heaven in every hell.

There is no separation,

Life is a wholly meal.

There's not one bite it will spit out,

the taste alone, can heal.

Photo by Jenna Matilde

Stuff

2011-11-27T21:40:00.001-08:00

Stuff
c Judith Froemming 2011

It can be stuffed in a garage,
a pyramid or a head.
The energetic load
creates weight that is dead.

It's a 'wait' for the future,
a 'wait' for the need;
just let go of the fear,
it's here, Now, you're free!

It's Grrrrreeeaat!

2011-11-27T16:09:00.001-08:00

It's Grrrrreeeaat!

c Judith Froemming 2011

"It starts with a fall, a stumble, a grrrrr.

The teaching has told you; 'it's not good to err.'

who is this teacher, unquestioned, all-knowing,
who traps the present in effort, unflowing?

The doubt, the fear, the misgivings the grrrrr,
expand in the moment to include so much more.

Love, in one breath, expands and extolls
the fall with the lift, the tumble to the roll.

The tear and the smile, united as friend,
play it together, beyond the no-end.

The journey is now, one can't be late,
and most of all, it's wholly GRRRRREEEAAT!"

Photo by Jenna Matilde

Red Dance

2011-10-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

Red Dance

© Judith Froemming 2010

"Enjoy the beauty

Of this early fall day,

The invitation to let go

Of ripe leaves

Of want, desire, need;

Limiting beliefs.

In this appointed time,

They fall away;

Freeing you

From some non-existent past.

Tumbling effortlessly,

A beautiful red dance,

Playfully letting go.

THIS moment releases your hold

On that which was never meant to be permanent.

It floats gently back to the Mother."

<a href="http://public-domain-image.com/nature-landscapes-public-domain-images-pictures/autumn-public-domain-images-pictures/red-autumn.jpg.html" title="Red autumn">Red autumn</a> by Titus Tscharntke

Straw Into Gold

2011-10-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Straw Into Gold

© Judith Froemming 2011

"We can't actually live in the past.
We can only live Now.
Attempting to drag the past into the present
causes suffering in the now,
because it's only an illusion.
It's not the past; it's the present.
The only way to be at peace,
is to end the war within
and LIVE in this present moment.

The past offers you a wealth of experiences,
to create a Loving today.
Spin your straw into gold.
You're the only one who can.
The best gift you can be for anyone
is to BE fully here, now.
This honors all who have passed before.
Every leaf that falls from the tree
is not the end of the tree."

Playground

2011-10-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

Playground

© Judith Froemming 2011

"This is the Playground
where my Guides,
in splendid costumes, that look like you,
spin, tumble and dance before me.
Regaling me with story after story,
laughing, playfully prodding,
'Are you still taking this personally,
or are you Awake, Now?'"

<a href="http://public-domain-image.com/people-public-domain-images-pictures/female-women-public-domain-images-pictures/women-sitting-on-beach.jpg.html" title="Women sitting on beach">Women sitting on beach</a> by Jon Sullivan

It's Your Dance

2011-10-02T02:44:00.000-07:00

It's Your Dance

© Judith Froemming 2011

"If you find yourself going 'round in circles,
reach out and grab my hand.
Stretch yourself and dance your feet
to the rhythm of this living land.

Round and free and wide we spiral,
heads tossed to spill our laughter.
Feet grounded by Her clear vibration,
we dance the end of our disaster."

One Celebratory Breath

2011-10-02T02:36:00.000-07:00

One Celebratory Breath
© Judith Froemming 2011

"Fear?
Of what?
Death?
Where did I get the idea
that my body should not pass?
This incarnation
is about the length of a gnat's eyelash.
It is One breath.
An inhale at birth,
and an exhale at death.
It's One celebratory breath of
All That Is."

The Edible Day

2011-10-01T02:29:00.000-07:00

The Edible Day

© Judith Froemming 2011

"I drink in a splash of orange sun juice,
cooled by grass green cubes of ice.
I swallow a scoop of blue iris-cream
on a slice of clear sky pie.

More than enough to quench my thirst
and end my gnawing hunger;
this slice of universe on my plate,
fills me with awe and wonder."

Loving As Art

2011-08-25T00:48:00.000-07:00

Loving As Art

© Judith Froemming 2011

I notice

I create a lot more joy,

by expanding the playground,

and sharing the toys.

I notice
I create equanimity,
by quieting the mind,
and traveling belief-free.

I notice
I create a compassionate heart,
by Originally Blessing,
and Loving, as art.

photo by Jenna Matilde ç 2011

The magic button — Make Everything OK

2011-07-21T01:48:00.000-07:00

The magic button — Make Everything OK

My Calling

2011-03-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

My Calling

© Judith Froemming 2011

The only guru
I'll ever follow
is a simple flower.

Grounded and ascended
in the same moment,
this is my calling.

Public Domain Image: Yellow roses dew petals by Jon Sullivan

Training The Dog

2011-03-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Training The Dog
ç Judith Froemming 2011

If I allow my dog
to pee on the floor,
chew up the couch,
and bite my friends,
my house will be a mess
and my friends will leave.

If allow my mind
to pee on my life,
chew up my comfort,
and bite my loved ones,
my life will be a mess
and my soul will grieve.

<a href="http://public-domain-image.com/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-pictures/dogs-public-domain-images-pictures/austrailian-shepherd-dog-running-in-the-snow.jpg.html" title="Australian shepherd dog running in the snow">Australian shepherd dog running in the snow</a>

by Michelle Buntin

No Regrets

2011-03-02T22:50:00.000-08:00

No Regrets

ç Judith Froemming 2011

When a caterpillar

becomes a butterfly,

she doesn't choose the color of her wings.

When a caterpillar

becomes a butterfly,

it is not because of what it brings.

When a caterpillar

becomes a butterfly,

she doesn't regret coming from such ilk.

When a caterpillar

becomes a butterfly,

she knows her wings are made from silk.

Image name: butterfly butterflies wings. Photographer: Jon Sullivan. Picture format: JPEG, picture resolution: 768 x 1023 pixels. Copyright: Public domain image, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, royalty free stock photo.

Paradise Created

2011-03-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

Paradise Created

© Judith Froemming 2011

This heart
took flight,
because it was ready;
because it trusted,
because it was steady.

Free from fear,
it released apprehension,
it knew its answers
before its questions.

This heart
took flight,
in a still, small moment,
expanding the Universe,
by being at Home.

This file (sunrise-canyon.jpg) is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use.

Immortality

2011-02-26T01:13:00.000-08:00

Immortality

ç Judith Froemming 2011

Two lips
ablaze;
the breath
amazed.
Immortal desire,

to start a fire!
(the gods

are definitely

behind this.)

This file (red-tulips.jpg) is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use.

The Release

2011-02-26T00:45:00.000-08:00

The Release

Ç Judith Froemming 2010

You review

the day from your bed,

and release

the things that have bled.

You preview

the morrow, less dread,

and release

expectations ahead.

You hug

your arms 'round your head,

and dream

the One Dream, instead.

Time to let go

and receive.

Lost and Found

2011-02-24T02:10:00.000-08:00

Lost and Found
ç Judith Froemming 2011

When I found myself without money,
I learned to share myself.
When I lost my house,
I became a traveler.
When I lost my parents,
...Mother Earth and Father Sky gave me a Family.
When I found myself without a child,
I re-parented myself.
When I lost my job,
I created my calling.
When I found myself without beliefs,
I learned compassion.
When I lost my direction,
I found my Way.

The Retreat

2011-02-22T00:27:00.000-08:00

The Retreat
ç 2011 Judith Froemming

Five days in the woods,
following tracks through the snow.
Five days by the lake,
...watching sun rise and sun go.
Five days in the silence,
a deep, grateful thrill.
Five days on the One seat,
the mind quiet and still.

Being

2011-02-21T23:44:00.000-08:00

Being

ç 2011 Judith Froemming

When you are confused,

troubled,

lost at seeing,

breath into your sail...

return to

Being.

This file (ocean-beaches-sunset.jpg) is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use.

Generosity

2011-02-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

Generosity
ç Judith Froemming 2011

There is such generosity

in letting go of

suffering;

belief,

resistance,

expectation,

disappointment,

achievement,

failure,

knowing,

not knowing,

living,

dying...

The wind sings

a welcome home song

as it dances,

The Dream

through winter trees.

There is such ease

in no leaves.

Every cycle has its

last dance,

final call,

door closing

invitation

to let go.

When I am

this generous,

I'm fully alive

in the open spaces

of stillness.

This file (leaf-leaves-streams-water-reflections.jpg) is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use.

When Your Intuition Hits You Like a Train

2011-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

This post was originally published on the Cirkla blog at www.Cirkla.com.

Train by AussieGall on Flickr

One day, I was helping a friend move. We were moving boxes from his old garage to his truck. He was handing boxes to me and I was handing them off to the truck. At one point he turned to me and said, “Hurry up!” I remember being surprised by his command. I put my box down, took a deep breath and responded, “The Universe never asked me to rush.” For a second, a stunned look froze his face, then it melted into laughter. We both laughed and continued at a relaxed pace.

“The Universe never asked me to rush,” was my meta-voice. Because I followed my 'gut feeling' and spoke the thought that had clearly popped into my mind, our moment was relaxed and joyful. In The Intuitive Advantage, Kathryn Harwig say's, “I use intuition to aid my life and I have one measurement. If it improves my life, I keep doing it. If it doesn't, I stop.” I would not have trusted this feeling in the past. I would not have had this thought in the past. It was my intuition guiding me, telling me my truth in this moment.

What is intuition? According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, “intuition is the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. It's a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.” There is no right way to receive this information. It's often different for each person. It's like a radio station. My Highest Self or Higher Guidance is broadcasting a signal from the 'station' and in order to pick up the signal, I have to tune into my station's frequency. Only then can I 'receive' the broadcast and pick up the information being transmitted.

Growing up, I never considered myself to be very intuitive. I didn't know that everyone has a great capacity for intuition. I was taught not to trust it, so it went to sleep. If you don't believe your intuition exists, it's pretty hard to recognize it when you meet it. I started to wake up to my intuition in the process of looking for ways to get well. I had severe migraines, allergies, chronic hives and asthma, and was growing tired of prescription medications and dead-end answers to my questions about recovery. I was told to just take my medicine. Something told me that there had to be another way. I didn't know it then, but that was my intuition sending a signal.

Through study and research, I learned to practice a more holistic lifestyle. I started to practice self-hypnosis and insight meditation. This allowed me to focus on remembering who I was and what I came here to do, rather than on who I wasn't and what I didn't come here to do. This self-acceptance gave me the courage to question, re-frame and release my fearful, limiting and erroneous beliefs. It also woke up my intuition.

I also learned how to breathe, again. I learned to shift my breathing from my chest to my diaphragm, which signals the brain to flood the body with relaxing chemistry. Just these two uncomplicated actions allowed me to begin to create an interior calm and balance that felt like nothing I'd ever known before: the ability to end my own suffering. I call this awake. As I began to calm down and wake up, I was able to pay more attention to the signals coming in from my Higher Guidance. I began to pick up these signals. I began to trust my intuition. I began to heal. In Suzuki Roshi’s words, “we pay attention with respect and interest, not in order to manipulate, but to understand what is true. and seeing what is true, the heart becomes free.”

One of my biggest affirmations was an accident. A number of years ago, I went to Germany to study and travel for a month. At the end of a long day of traveling by car, my two companions and I were tired. I was driving and they were discussing how to locate our car rental office in downtown Munich, Germany. We kept missing the address as we circled the block, for the third time.

At a stop light, the discussion intensified. The GPS system kept insisting, 'turn left'', so when the light changed, I waited for a car to cross in front of us, then checked my left and pulled into my turn. A split second later I heard and felt a loud crash. I notice that we'd been hit. I remember asking, 'Will we be alright?' The answer came instantly. A voice in my head said, 'You'll be fine.' I was immediately calm, and felt no anxiety or fear from that moment on. As my senses cleared, I realized that the impact was on the driver's side and I had to be pulled out the passenger door across from me.

We'd been hit by a train. As I stood outside of our totaled car, looking at this massive commuter train, I remember staring at the train, thinking, 'It's not every day that you get hit by a train and can walk away to tell the story.' While the other two were being attended to by medics, I noticed a woman coming out of the crowd waving a small bottle. She approached the medics, as if offering her bottle, and I saw one of them wave her away. I 'knew' that this was for me. I felt a certainty and rise of energy as I moved toward her. It turns out, she was holding a bottle of Bach's Rescue Remedy. She put a few drops in the glass of water that she was holding, and motioned to a chair that had miraculously appeared (in the middle of eight lanes of rush hour traffic!). There was only one thing to do: sit and drink in the remedy.

As it turned out, we were all fine. The other two had some painful bumps and bruises. I had nothing, except a growing awareness of how good I felt. Not only was I fine, I felt better over the next two weeks than I'd felt in a long time. That voice in my head saying, 'You'll be fine,' was my Higher Guidance. Trusting it allowed me to know that I'd be OK, not just physically, but spiritually, mentally and emotionally. It allowed me to become clear and calm through the whole lengthy process of extricating ourselves from a rush-hour train crash, in a foreign country. It allowed me to extricate myself from a career path that didn't serve my greatest good.

It also allowed me to respond calmly to one of my traveling companions when she insisted, 'We almost died!' My response was simply, 'And we didn't.' It was clear to me that this was an exit point that none of us took. I didn't know why they didn't take theirs, but it was up to them to figure that out. It was up to me to figure out why I didn't take mine. I already had a clue. My Higher Guidance pointed out that my friends had been given traditional medical assistance, while I was guided to alternative assistance. Oddly, I never met with a medic that day.

I 'knew' this was a sign, for me to re-visit and trust the messages that I'd been getting. I'd been ignoring the signs to create an alternative healing practice rather than a traditional therapy practice. Not sure where to focus, I'd been going back and forth for a few years, taking lots of alternative courses while attending traditional graduate school for theology, then marriage and family therapy. Sitting in the middle of the chaos, drinking Bach's Rescue Remedy, I finally felt clear. I heard the 'voice' in my head, felt the knowing in my gut. Now, as I practice opening, asking, listening, trusting and taking action, I need fewer train accidents to get my attention.

There are many good classes, teachers and books available to guide you in opening to your own intuition. Jump in. It's a great Way to live. Start by simply noticing if something gives you energy (you talk about it, feel a thrill or curiosity, want to take a class in it), trust it. Follow it. This is your intuition, your inner guidance encouraging you to explore this area. If you feel your energy being drained (you feel ill, tired, oppressed or confused) trust this message and walk away from it. Always walk toward something that gives you energy.

With practice, I slowly began to hear my own 'meta-voice of truth' and notice signs from my Highest Self or Higher Guidance. As time went by, my noticings went from once-in-a-while to daily. I noticed that my Guides were so willing to communicate, that once they noticed I was paying attention to a particular sign form, they continued to communicate with this method. It took them a long time to get my attention, so they may as well stick with what works, right? I remain grateful for Higher Guidance and continue to evolve my ability to tune in. I get regular guidance through repeating numbers, coins, patterns, symbolic images and events. It's an amazing Way to live.

Tuning in can begin by creating a simple opening practice. Create your own opportunity every day. You have this same opportunity every hour, every minute and every second of your day. Clear your energy field and prepare yourself to receive your Higher Guidance.

Request for Higher Guidance: Morning Intentions

At the beginning of the day, upon arising, create a practice of opening yourself. Sit quietly, close your eyes and take three long, slow, deep breaths into your diaphragm. Exhale twice as long as you inhale (in to a 4 count, out to a 8 count, even pace). Now, inhale into your diaphragm and on the exhale, state one sentence of your intention. Repeat the breathing, with each statement, until you feel a shift, an opening in your state. Be delighted as you open, ask, listen, trust and take action to signs around you!

I NOW remember who I AM.
I ask for my Highest Guidance today (regarding specific question, if you have one).
I NOW create my life's purpose guided by my Highest Wisdom.
I AM open to receive and understand my Highest Guidance, NOW.
I AM grateful for my Highest Guidance.

Request for Higher Guidance: Evening Intentions

At the end of the day, before sleeping, create a practice of clearing and releasing your day. Sit quietly, close your eyes and take three long, slow, deep breaths into your diaphragm. Exhale twice as long as you inhale (in to a 4 count, out to a 8 count, even pace). Now, inhale into your diaphragm and on the exhale, state one sentence of your intention. Repeat the breathing, with each statement, until you feel an ease, a letting go. Be delighted as you open, ask, listen, trust and take action to signs around you!

I NOW remember who I AM.
I ask for my Highest Guidance tonight (regarding specific question, if you have one).
I NOW release my day to my Highest Wisdom.
I AM open to receive and understand my Highest Guidance, NOW.
I AM grateful for my Highest Guidance.

The Release

You review
the day from your bed,
and release
the things that have bled.
You preview
the morrow, less dread,
and release
expectations ahead.
You hug
your arms 'round your head,
and dream
the One Dream, instead.
Time to let go
and receive.

Ç Judith Froemming 2010

A Resolution to Love Yourself Just As You Are

2010-12-08T01:51:00.000-08:00

By Judith Froemming

ç December, 2010

The snow is falling, people are bustling, turkeys are roasting. The holiday season is here. Right after you've eaten your fill, opened your presents, and kissed your last relative goodbye, a sense of exhaustion washes over you as you realize that 2010 is over. A new year is about to begin. You think, with a sigh, that you haven't lost those 20 pounds, you're still working at the same unfulfilling job and you are still in the same power struggle with your wife/husband/lover/child/yourself. Where did the possibilities go?

A client recently said to me, “I have to make a New Year's resolution to stop procrastinating, but I'm better at breaking them than making them. Is there a trick to making a good New Year's Resolution?

There is no trick, except in the mind. The only thing that I have to do is question my thoughts about having to be better, work harder, and go faster. What if where I am is exactly where I'm supposed to be? My life is my teacher. What if I'm enough, just as I am? That's a peaceful thought, and in thinking it, I feel better. If I try to force myself to change through tricks and manipulations, I end up pushing the same rock up the same hill over and over again. So I stop pushing against and start going with myself.

Where did this need to constantly push and bend ourselves into a pretzel of twisted improvement come from? We were told a story. When I was a very little girl, I was told that there was a Santa Claus. About age seven or eight, a sixth grader told me that Santa Claus was made up. I was confused and sad, but my mom told me that it was true. She told me that I was growing up now and grownups don't believe in Santa Claus. I didn't find that very helpful, so she told me that I'd still get presents. I felt a little better. When she told me that I could help trick my younger brother, I felt even better. This is just one of the stories I was told. But at least I was told it was a story.

Another story that I was told when I was very young, was that I was born originally sinful (read: not good enough) and that if I didn't try hard to be better, I'd be punished. A lot. No one came back later and told me that this story was also made up. It was. And it was a very scary story for a child. Most of us carry a version of it with us today at the subconscious level. Even if we've personally walked away from this particular doctrine, its residue permeates the subconscious level of our culture.

In many ways we're still pushing, rushing, and forcing to get our lives right, to be better, to go faster because no one came back and told us it's all made up. We're good enough. Even rush hour is made up. I don't have to rush to improve my life. When I create calm hour and calm life, I thrive.

As it turns out, I'm originally blessed. When I live my original blessing, my deep sense of inadequacy dissolves. I begin to trust that my own life will guide me and teach me. I begin to trust that when I do what gives me energy, I thrive and become who I really am. I create my life's purpose with Joy and Balance. And no pushing is needed.

Life happens on its own. It's a flowing river. All I have to do is turn my canoe downstream and paddle with the flow instead of against it. I can trust the process; this natural flow of life. Instead of living my life, life lives me. It gets easier.

Discover the benefits of curiosity and openness. Learn to live in the flow of the Universe. Suzuki Roshi famously called this ability beginner’s mind. In his words, “we pay attention with respect and interest, not in order to manipulate, but to understand what is true. And seeing what is true, the heart becomes free.”

Here are three simple steps to help you begin:

• Find a quite place to sit, close your eyes and take a slow deep breath into your diaphragm (visualize blowing up a balloon in your belly). Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Make your exhale twice as long as your inhale. For example, breathe in to the count of 4 and out to the count of 8. Keep it at the same pace. You don't have to do it perfectly. Human beings do better with practice.

• Take another deep breath in (as above) and on the exhale say in your mind, “I live and breathe in the flow of the Universe.” Repeat this for 5-20 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day, until you feel calm and open. Be curious about what you notice. Rather than judge it, see what you can learn from it. As thoughts, pictures or memories come into your mind, thank them and simply return to your intention statement. You don't have to do it perfectly. There is no such thing as a mistake. There is only new information.

• Through-out the day, anytime you are about to judge yourself or anyone else,

say to yourself (like you really mean it), “I love you, (your name)” and smile.

Trungpa Rinpoche says, “People always want to change their lives instead of using their lives to wake up.”

<a href="http://public-domain-image.com/holidays-public-domain-images-pictures/new-year-public-domain-images-pictures/new-years-in-village.jpg.html" title="New years in village">New years in village</a> by Jon Sullivan

Authenticity: An interview with Awakening facilitator, Judith Froemming

2010-11-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Interview by Amy Putkonen for The Edge magazine, November, 2010

Is what you do, say and be in alignment with your beliefs? For many, if they were honest with themselves, the answer may be no. I believe that most people wish to live authentically, but many do not. I spoke with one of the most authentic people I know to get some ideas for how to try and capture some of that authenticity in your everyday life. Judith is a lovely testament to authenticity in her life. If you have the good fortune to meet, work or play with her, you will find that she really lives her talk.

Judith Froemming is a Formerly Serious Person, Consciousness Coach, Five PATH™ (Five Phase Advanced Transformational Hypnotherapist), Seven PATH™ Self-Hypnotist, HNLP and ESM Practitioner and an InterPlay™ Instructor. She facilitates the process of awakening in both group and individual sessions in the Twin Cities area. You can find her online at:
www.infinitemindhypnosis.com

I think the cultural structures that define us sometimes limit our authenticity.

What do you think, Judith?

When I question my limiting beliefs, I set myself free. While it appears that cultural structures define me, what happens if I ask if this is true? What if cultural structures don’t define and limit me? What if it is my mind that defines and limits me?

When I accept limiting beliefs, I notice that I feel overwhelmed, stressed, afraid and dis-empowered. When I believe that these same cultural structures don’t define and limit me, I feel calm, peaceful, grateful and I notice the abundance of options that I actually have. I notice that it is MY MIND that defines me and sometimes limits my authenticity. I see now that cultural structures are neutral. They are there to create contrast so that I can see what I want to choose. I take responsibility for my choices, now.

Life in this dimension is a buffet. It is a table loaded with every conceivable dish. I can fill my plate with everything I don’t want, then complain at the checkout how terrible this buffet is, or I can fill my plate with everything I love and be grateful for all the wonderful, tasty choices I’ve made! I notice that this is a universe of contrast. I taste the pickles and I don’t like them. Good! Now I know not to take more pickles. I take the potato salad. I like it. Good! I’ll be taking more potato salad. In a free-will universe, I notice what creates suffering or what creates joy and balance for me...if I’m awake. And I can choose.

How can people break free of these limitations without alienating the people they love?

Byron Katie’s humorous, and pointed statement,“Other people’s opinions of me are none of my business,” powerfully challenges the impossible expectation of the above statement. Have you ever noticed that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t please everyone? I end up exhausted and resentful. Once I give up trying to control how someone else feels or how they feel about me, I can return to being.

There is a famous bible passage, “...You shall love your neighbor as yourself...”(NAS, Mark 12:28-31) It seems to focus on loving your neighbor. But does it? If I look more deeply, I begin to realize that I’m not capable of loving anyone any better than I’m capable of loving myself. If I try to avoid alienating someone by pleasing them at my own expense, I am not true to my spirit and I’m not loving myself or them. It may look good on the surface, but it’s not authentic.

Being true to my spirit might be interpreted as egotistical. Outside of my consciousness, I do anything to avoid feeling unworthy. I shop, control, gamble, sex, accumulate, drink, smoke, rage, and work to excess. This is what happens when I don’t believe I’m lovable enough to ask for what I want and need...until I wake up. When I love and accept myself, I can finally Love and accept you without expectations or attachment.

Can you teach people to be authentic?

If I want to be authentic, I am willing to create a practice of Love. I am willing to question my limiting beliefs, belly breathe to calm myself, and be still. I listen to what my Body, Nature and Source have to teach me...be here now. I will raise my emotional intelligence, give up dualistic thinking and end war with myself. I do what gives me energy and stop doing what drains my energy...I become a formerly serious person and love that I won’t do any of this perfectly. It’s not required.

When I slow down, I cultivate awareness, which opens me to sit quietly and learn to actually live in my body. Acculturation has taught me to avoid pain, but now I lovingly observe my pain. My body teaches me as layers of tension gradually release, my neglected body heals and energy returns. I can only be authentic if I am present.
I am unattached to the outcome of my choice, I just notice the information coming to me and make the next choice. I act rather than re-act. As I remain unattached to the outcome, I’m free to be grateful for what this choice reveals to me, what it teaches me. It’s simple. I made up that it was more complicated than that.

I am my own best teacher. If I seek guidance, the wisest teacher will tell me that the answers are within. When I commit myself to the practice of Love, my mind and body open to previously unknown dimensions of life. I do not need to improve myself, I only need to remember myself. My intention to practice loving-kindness creates a life of joy and balance. It frees me from my alienation, suffering and distractions and I’m finally able to love others, as myself. An authentic life is in the moment, being true to my own spirit, my own journey.

Do you believe that self esteem and authenticity are related?

Self esteem is rooted in accepting my original blessing or original nobility. When I am absolutely accepting of my being-ness, I love myself just as I am. My mind is quiet, my brain signals the production of healing chemistry and my body releases pain and tension and channels wisdom. I am grateful for this magnificent buffet and the opportunity to choose. EVERY choice I make is mine. Self-esteem allows me to own my choices...all of them. When I own my choices, I empower myself to live authentically.
The authentic heart is the spiritually mature heart. It is not a perfectionist. It has compassion for my being rather than goals for my future. It loves what is. Its only desire is to love
and be free.

Thank you, Judith. It was a joy to read your words. So true and so beautifully said!

<a href="http://public-domain-image.com/people-public-domain-images-pictures/children-kids-public-domain-images-pictures/silhouette-of-boy.jpg.html" title="Silhouette of boy">Silhouette of boy</a> by Leon Brooks

Formerly Serious Philosophy

Naturally

Tuning Hearts

Formerly Serious Philosophy: A Bun Dance (For Abundance)

A Bun Dance (For Abundance)

The Way

You Are Invited

Lean Inward

Heart of Generosity

Union

Best Or Worst

Be Your Own Presence

Quench The Thirst

When The Thinker Has Thunk

Enough Stuff

The Greatest Adventure

Without Any Trouble

Without Any Trouble c Judith Froemming 2011

Food For My Soul

Wholly Meal

Stuff

It's Grrrrreeeaat!

Red Dance

Straw Into Gold

Playground

It's Your Dance

One Celebratory Breath

The Edible Day

Loving As Art

The magic button — Make Everything OK

My Calling

Training The Dog

No Regrets

Paradise Created

Paradise Created

© Judith Froemming 2011

This hearttook flight,because it was ready;because it trusted,because it was steady.Free from fear,it released apprehension,it knew its answers before its questions.This hearttook flight,in a still, small moment,expanding the Universe,by being at Home.

This file (sunrise-canyon.jpg) is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use.

Immortality

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The Release

The Release

Ç Judith Froemming 2010

Lost and Found

The Retreat

The Retreatç 2011 Judith Froemming

Five days in the woods,following tracks through the snow.Five days by the lake,...watching sun rise and sun go.Five days in the silence,a deep, grateful thrill.Five days on the One seat,the mind quiet and still.

Being

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Generosity

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When Your Intuition Hits You Like a Train

This post was originally published on the Cirkla blog at www.Cirkla.com.

Request for Higher Guidance: Morning Intentions

Request for Higher Guidance: Evening Intentions

The Release

A Resolution to Love Yourself Just As You Are

Authenticity: An interview with Awakening facilitator, Judith Froemming

Without Any Trouble
c Judith Froemming 2011

This heart
took flight,
because it was ready;
because it trusted,
because it was steady.

Free from fear,
it released apprehension,
it knew its answers
before its questions.

This heart
took flight,
in a still, small moment,
expanding the Universe,
by being at Home.

The Retreat
ç 2011 Judith Froemming

Five days in the woods,
following tracks through the snow.
Five days by the lake,
...watching sun rise and sun go.
Five days in the silence,
a deep, grateful thrill.
Five days on the One seat,
the mind quiet and still.