Kristi Johnston

Visual Meditation

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Visual Meditation Blog

What is a Visual Meditation? Will I be watching someone meditate? Is there going to be lovely vistas to lull me into a calmer state? These may be some of your questions, so I’m going to fill you in not only on what it is, but how it came to be!

Visual Meditation is a brand new (I think) form of meditating. If you have ever heard of or experienced automatic writing, that’s how this came to me but in abstract watercolor images instead of words.

I had an urge from spirit telling me to set up 10 pieces of watercolor paper taped to boards all around the table with my paints, water, spray bottle, flow medium, and my biggest brushes. I had no idea what was coming, but I had the time, so I followed directions and got everything ready.

Half way done!

Once I was set up I took a deep breath, fully connected to spirit, let go of control, and let the fun begin! In just a little over an hour I had 10 paintings completed!! It was clear to me that they were in order, so I took photos to remember their order.

Final one complete, bottom right, still wet!

Next, I shared them with a few close friends and received a little feedback on them. We understood that each image carried its own energetic vibration and together they provoked a sense of calm, peace, and clarity.

The next step was putting them into a powerpoint presentation each with a few words to guide the experience. I added music to one version, and finally a guided meditation to another. Both of those versions are offered here for free.

The combination of the energetic vibration of the images, soothing music, and guided meditation bring you quickly to a place of peacefulness. Each image will soon have its own individual meditation, and a Peace Journal with the whole series of images plus journal prompts is now available too!

Kristi Johnston

Navigating Life As An Empath

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Last night we had the privilege of holding an Empath Support Group at Uplifting Connections in Bridgewater at the generous invitation of the owners, Kellie and Jon Hailey.  14 empaths gathered to share concerns and questions as well as stories of challenges and triumphs. Questions were sometimes answered from our experiences but often channeled directly from Spirit. We are fully supported in our quest to live comfortable and meaningful lives!! Those in attendance ranged in age from recent graduates to retirees and were all relieved to see recognition and understanding on the other faces in the group as they spoke of experiences many in their lives had deemed somehow wrong or unacceptable.

Each time we hold one of these groups there is a common theme or thread that runs through the evening. Last night’s theme was personal emotional safety and coping with the extra feelings of those around you. Several important tools were shared including staying grounded and practicing good self-care. Among the specific coping mechanisms that were shared, many talked about spending time outside, being in or near water, using deep breathing, prayer and crystals. One of the more unique practices was to write the unwanted emotions down and then to shred the paper while deliberately releasing the emotions as it shredded. I have a feeling there will be some busy shredders in the upcoming weeks!  A full list of all of these tried and true suggestions was created and it may be found here.

One final thought that is important enough to repeat here- we are all connected- how that shows up in our lives differs but we should always try to react to another with compassion and from a place of love. Whether you know who those “extra” emotions belong to or not, sending out love and light is a powerful and empowering tool that will help keep you safe, aid those you are sensing and help you release those emotions that don’t belong to you.

Spirit retreat 2016 Puerto Vallarta sunset from the boardwalk of the city
Kristi Johnston

Affirmations

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An affirmation is a word or words that will bolster your confidence, solidify your resolve and encourage you to take the next step no matter how daunting. something to keep you moving forward.

Here’s a perfect example: once our 7 year old neighbor was dropped off by the school bus and no one was home to meet him. He came to our door and we could hear him repeating to himself “Be brave, just be brave” until he knocked on our door to ask for help. Now I’m fairly certain no one coached him to do that, he just knew that he needed support and to get that he needed to overcome his shyness. Giving himself a dose of a confidence-boosting affirmation was just the ticket. He was only out there a few moments before he knocked.

Affirmations are a way to use our conscious mind to alter the deep-seated beliefs and behaviors. This can be a part of your daily self-care and a gentle way to show yourself love. The ones that work the best are those that target the real issue that is slowing you down. I believe it is more effective to focus on just a few (one to three max). It is critical to choose affirmations that are stated in the present and in the positive voice i.e. “I am fearless.”

Do something with me, try these phrases on for size by saying them out loud: I am enough; I am strong; I am worthy; I am accomplished; I am beautiful; I am lovable; I am powerful; I trust my instincts; I embrace change; I welcome challenges; I am capable; I love myself; I am successful. The one or ones that are the most difficult for you to say with truth and conviction may be where you want to begin your daily affirmation ritual.  

Say it out loud at least a few times per day. Affirmations aren’t going to change how you feel immediately but rather over time- you say it and think it with your conscious mind until your subconscious aligns. Soon you begin making decisions and taking actions as if it were true until your words, actions and feelings about that affirmation all line up!

image of sunrise
Amy Antonellis

Too Late to go Back To Sleep

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“Too late to go back to sleep…”

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I love theater and this is a quote from “Defying Gravity”, a song from the musical Wicked. I admit, somewhat sheepishly, that until now I didn’t really know what it meant in the context of the song. Recently the full intent of it hit me like a ton of brick. I had just received a message from spirit that basically pushed me out of the proverbial (cozy and warm) nest and the realization that once awakened to the full enormity of All that is, it is impossible “to go back to sleep”. How I processed that went something like : “wow, that was a lot of intense information, all I really want to do is crawl in a corner and forget about it for a while, maybe it won’t seem so challenging after a bit of time away from it.” Pause for thinking and a little hyperventilating, then “oh, that was the message. There is no more time, the time is now and I have to act. Shoot! Can’t I just have a little more time pretending I don’t know it? No? Oh blast.” Then the song came into my head and a light bulb went on.  That’s what the song meant! Once youknow, you can’t pretend that you don’t know. You can’t “go back to sleep.” You have to move forward and put fear, doubt and second-guessing aside.

The-day-has-begun
The-day-has-begun

Are you in that place where youknow but you are still letting apprehension or self-doubt prevent you from taking the next step? Are you pretending that you don’t know and staying in your cozy corner? We understand! That’s what we are here for at the Center for Holistic Healing and Art, to support you in that scary unknown where you step out of your comfort zone and into the Light of endless possibility!! We have many opportunities for you to explore the amazing world beyond our 5 senses. If you need information on something we’re not offering- let us know right here on the blog. We love input!

Feeling like you might be ready to immerse yourself in this kind of learning? We have a week-long retreat in paradise March of 2016 to do just that. There is still time to register and get a $100 discount here: http://bit.ly/1MEHpyL   Find out more info here.

Wishing you Love and Light,
Kristi