Mind-Spirit-and now, the Body!

Really soon, now, Bob and I embark on a Bike Trip that we have dreamed of for a really long time.  OK, let's tell the truth here...HE dreamed of it, I could barely imagine it!  We will be cycling (yes, pedaling!) the Coast of Oregon.  The process of getting here has been quite an adventure already.  

My body has often lagged behind the growth that I have accomplished in the world of spirit, emotion and mind.  When I read The Way of the Peaceful Warrior years ago, I was amazed by the idea that one's body could be that much of an ally on the path of life.  I grew up using my mind to get me through.  In high school, I woke up to the fact that I could actually LEARN to use my body in fun ways, first through interpretive dance, and then through volleyball and basketball.  I was amazed to discover that my body could learn too!  I began to look forward to PE, instead of it being the dreaded class of the day, and I had fun there.  In the next decade, I learned to rock climb, and began to lead wilderness expeditions (similar to Outward Bound), and became a ropes course instructor.  In all of these experiences, I had a sense of personal power, and wanted to share that with others.

Fast forward to meeting Bob 12 years ago.  As you may know, that man never stops moving!  His process is the opposite of mine; in many ways his Body leads the way.  He first convinced me to get on a bike by creating Monday lunch rides:  yep, if I rode my bike up this gnarly hill, the reward was lunch at Cabo San Luis.  We did this regularly, and it got easier and more fun.  Lucky for me, he had previous girlfriends who trained him not to leave them in the dust!  He was patient and encouraging. 

Over the years since then, I have continued my practice of yoga, worked with the Law of Attraction, meditated regularly, and ridden to lunch almost every Monday.  Little by little, we started taking bikes on our trips, and last summer I surprised myself by being able to mountain bike at 10,000 feet in Colorado!  The wildflowers and the pristine meadows in Crested Butte were their own reward (lunch was actually secondary!).  As many of you know, I have been working with the nutritional aspects of live food, superfoods and the emotional/mind piece of seeing food as fuel not as entertainment. The process continues, and some days are more powerful than others! 

Bob and I added errands and missions to our Monday rides. We made the Tribune (local newspaper) with a picture and all, focusing on our alternative transportation.  I even found myself choosing clothing that was bike-friendly. 3 years ago, I dropped Bob off in Seattle, and he pedaled all the way home (to San Luis Obispo, CA), while I drove to visit friends and family.

A year ago, I finally said yes to a new bike (there it is, above, on a ride in Cambria this spring). Bob had been trying to get me one for years, but I kept saying that I didn't ride enough.  I have to admit, though, my new bike, a Trek FX 7.5, has really inspired me.  It was easier to keep up; what I had thought was just not being in shape turned out to be (partly) a function of the equipment!  I got a really cool rack and panier set, and began to find excuses to go for a bike ride!  As you can imagine, Bob was delighted.  We began to talk about touring (after all, I had the packs for it).  I kept waiting to be in the kind of shape that would allow me to do this ride. Then one  day the lightbulb went on.  I thought back to my days of backpacking.  I was always in great shape at the END of the trip.  So, what would it take for this to be do-able for me?  Where were the campgrounds closer together so I could get from one to the other?  The Oregon Coast.  Alas, the planning began.  And the training rides. 

Check out my next blog for the preparation!  

Collaborative Leadership-Finally

Leadership has been a two-edged sword for me; all my life.  As a kid, I was seen as “bossy”; yet I was always the one everyone turned to when something needed to be organized, created or manifested! Sometimes, even then, I felt like I was “alone out front”.  At the same time, being a leader came very naturally to me.  (For now, we will skip the introspection/examination of my need for control…we’ll save that for another blog!).  So organize and lead, I did.  Almost like I had to.  I was in charge of neighborhood summer talent shows (with tickets, seating, costumes, programs and refreshments!) our little play “store” (complete with bags and price tags) and our restaurant (I vividly remember the great pleasure with which I saved and spent my allowance on the napkins we thought were essential!).

At 15, I took over the disorder in the Band director’s office (much to his delight!) and began a 4-year “career” of organizing the band, drill team and majorettes to get us to all of our trips and performances.  (150 kids, buses, uniforms, gear, places to sleep…). 

Fast forward to 1999.  After re-locating to the Central Coast to create San Luis Obispo Center, I began to long for collaborators.  Although my vision was really clear, it felt like something (someone?) was missing.  First, I connected with the Spirit of QuietStar (the angels, guides and other non-physical energies at the heart of the creation) in a conscious way, and things began to get clearer.  Soon after, I met Bob.  He immediately felt drawn to be part of everything I was doing; first assisting me in classes and events, then taking on parts of the creation as his own, adding his own ideas and energy.  QuietStar could grow, and I could breathe again.  I felt such a relief - and so much support.  In fact with each person who came into QuietStar, I felt more at ease.  With each step of the development of our group here, it became more clear what a co-creation this was going to be.  I discovered more about co-creation; how to be part of a team.  But still, I was the leader.  I liked collaboration, that was clear.  What was next?

In 2008, I was driving home from an amazing trip in the Pacific Northwest.  I had spent 3 weeks staying with friends and friends of friends, people I knew through QuietStar or earlier times in my life.  It was amazing.  Each place I went, I felt the threads that join us all, and a powerful sense of the Web of Life began to come into focus.  Back in SLO, others kept QuietStar moving forward.  It was the longest I had been away, and I felt a bit like a mom leaving her baby.  QuietStar was going through another growth spurt. 

I was driving home, through Southern Oregon when it hit me:  QuietStar was not “mine” anymore!!  It was OURS!  I felt “that shiver” go through me….and I knew this was Truth.  But I had no idea what that really meant.

It was huge for me.  After years of being the one who received the vision and  created the structure, it all began to change.  Now, I could get pieces of the vision, half of the picture, but never the whole thing.  At first this was frustrating and disconcerting.  I knew the paradigm of leadership was changing for me, but I couldn’t see what was coming.

Soon after returning, I began the process of creating the non-profit, “church” that I knew was wanting to be born.  I filed the papers, and received the letter from the State making it official. 

It’s important to note that by this time, QuietStar’s Core Team had grown to include 20 practitioners and volunteers, co-creating a full schedule of workshops and events, and our Store was filled with books, music, essential oils and other goodies for the transformational path.  Many people had discovered “us”!  In all this, I knew QuietStar was trying to grow, and was feeling a bit frustrated by my inability to fully shift into the community co-creation QuietStar was clearly trying to become. 

I began to ask for help; to call in allies. 

And then I took a walk with my neighbor, who was completing a book. She asked how I was doing, and I felt the frustration and the tears spill out.  (I always like to focus on the positive; I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction…but clearly, this all wanted to be said!)  I loved the gleam in her eye when she said, “That’s it…the new paradigm!  You are right in the middle of the shift to collaborative leadership, and you feel the same way many people do!”  I cried harder.  I wasn’t cracked or incompetent.  I was just on the leading edge, making it up as I went along, and didn’t even realize it.  Relief!  Breath!  This friend was Delia Horwitz, and the book, “Collaborative Soup.”  She continued to tell me that everything I was describing pointed to the new collaborative style of leadership.  Her explanation was that many “conscious” people were having the same issues; she and Paula (co-author) had discovered and developed tools for this process.  The biggest thing she told me that day is that QuietStar knows what it wants to become; we just need to nurture it!  Delia offered to help me (and QuietStar) make this shift.

Since then, Delia has continued to support my understanding of collaboration.  I am delighted that she will be sharing her wisdom with us at this Sunday’s Vortex at QuietStar.  Bring your questions about your own collaborations (in process or wanting to start), and we’ll share in the delight of the discovery. 

Are You an Empath? Part 2-Tools

It’s actually an asset to have such a finely-tuned vehicle (your body-mind-energy system). In order for it to work FOR you, it is important to listen to it, care for it, have good boundaries and learn how to use your intuitive, empathic gifts. Wondering how to do that? Here are some tools we like:

• Energy Medicine: gather yourself and strengthen your boundaries. Check out Kathryn Brewer’s blog to see her favorites from the Energy Medicine Kit by Donna Eden.
• Salt Water: Make a salt water spritzer using Himalayan Sea Salt. Use it several times a day, especially anytime you start to feel overwhelmed.
• Water: get in it! We are both big fans of baths, jacuzzi’s, creeks, walks along the beach, showers; even sitting and looking at water.
• Listen: When you take the time to pay attention, your skills improve. Nurture your abilities through meditation and relaxation.
• Learn about your gifts by reading or attending classes. For beginners, Elaina suggests the books of Sanaya Roman.
• Awareness: observe what environments seem to be “too much” and avoid them, go there at a better time, or come home and clear yourself after.
• Balance and clear your chakras and energy field. Elaina has three favorite cd’s for this: Vocal Toning the Chakras (Jonathan Goldman), The Bliss of Transformation (QuietStar Band) and Journey through the Chakras (Colette Baron-Reid). Available in our store and online store.
  
• Come to our "Empaths, Sensitives & Intuitives Workshops: Due to popular demand, Robin and I have created a series of workshops for Empaths, Sensitives and Intuitives. We promise to make them fun, relaxing, and share lots of tools with you! We are very excited; we’ve been waiting to co-create a workshop together, and here it is. See Flyer for more info. Register now
  

Thank you for taking the time to nurture your spiritual gifts. With everything going on in the world today, you are needed! Blessings on your path.

Love and Light, Elaina

“Are you an Empath?” Take this test...

“Are you an Empath?” (created by Elaina Geltner and Robin Klickstein)

1. Does it seem like you feel everyone else’s “stuff”?
2. Do world events (especially tragedies) send you into a tailspin?
3. Do you often wonder where “your” feelings are coming from?
4. Not sure about: “What’s mine, what isn’t mine.”
5. Do your feelings make no sense sometimes? (Am I crazy or am I an Empath?)
6. Do you feel more than other people?
7. Do family gatherings leave you feeling overwhelmed and discombobulated?
8. Do you find yourself spaced-out after being in a crowded store or big event?
9. Do people tell you that you are too sensitive?
10. Do you sometimes have food cravings or impulses to behave strangely that don’t seem connected to what you are experiencing?

The Scoring: If you answered yes to more that 5, you can be pretty sure you are an empath! Now what? Stay tuned for the next blog for some tips and suggestions....or look in QuietStar's Summer Newsletter. Join our mailing list

Summer Solstice: June 21, 10:16am PDT

Summer Solstice: June 21, 10:16am PDT. Do your own Ceremony to honor the longest day of the year, and get celestial help for your projects and manifestations! You can make this as simple or as complex as you like. The most auspicious time is high noon today. You could simply go out into the sun and express gratitude for all the life-force energy and soak it up! You could create a bonfire to honor the fire of summer, and connect with all the summer fires that have been created since the beginning of time. Attached are some samples of Medicine Bundles that you could throw in the fire! Make your own or come by the QuietStar store to get one made from our garden.

Using Sound to Ground and Center

I love to have things to listen to that help me ground and center. I am very sensitive to sound and vibration, and love to find things that shift me quickly. Listening to and creating Sound have become tools that I am very grateful to have discovered!

Recently, I added the "Getting into the Vortex" meditation CD by Abraham-Hicks to our store, and I love it. The first night I listened to the meditation, I had this amazing dream about QuietStar's (future) retreat center. I woke up inspired and passionate (and had been feeling overwhelmed before listening). Now I listen to it every night before I go to sleep. In fact, it helps me go to sleep, which is sometimes a challenge.

Tom Kenyon's voice really resonates with me: Lightship, Songs of Magdalen and the Golden Orb all shift my energy to a vibration of love and expansion.

Other favorite sound healers: Jonathan Goldman, Sophia, Dean Evenson

Simply humming balances the "emotional body" (a layer of the auric field), and there is so much research out there about the power of toning and sound. My favorite part is that it bypasses the conscious mind and goes directly to the more primitive/unconscious parts of the brain to create balance and relaxation.

I also love to "do" sound. It connects me directly to Spirit! When I play the crystal bowls, the native flute or use my voice for toning, it brings me fully into the present as all my awareness goes into creating the sound. I started out years ago just humming to Enya, then "humming out loud" and my sound channeling developed from there. All I have to do is remember that I have this amazing tool, and USE IT when I am feeling scrambled. Now I get to "do" sound in my sessions, in classes and at our Sunday Vortex. It is truly amazing!

Tonight, I am excited that we have Jay Schwed doing a crystal bowl concert at QuietStar. I am looking forward to experiencing his great wisdom and learning so much from him! That's his picture above!

3 Weddings and a Fair!

I realized that I have not posted a blog for so long....and I know why! I have been to 3 weddings and did the Transformational Arts Fair. All big rites of passage; events which create powerful transformation for everyone!

The Fair this year (our 3rd annual) was magnificent. Our Fair Committee astounded ourselves with how much fun we had, how much work it was(!), and how much we all grew in our ability to step up and share the wonderful world we live in. After the fair, we have a little celebration and invite the volunteers, exhibitors and musicians. Many people commented on how much LOVE there was...and I am delighted. About a week before the fair, as I was a bit swept away by the details, I went into meditation and asked for help shifting my own energy. And what I got was "It's all about the love!" As soon as that came through, all the stress I was feeling totally evaporated, and I was excited again. So, now that's my new mantra!

There have been lots of requests to do the Fair more than once a year. But that could, perhaps, create a mutiny, so we are cooking up some mini-fairs for you! Stay tuned.....November will bring more opportunities to hang out at QuietStar and enjoy all the love.

A big thanks to everyone who made this Fair happen, including all the volunteers, musicians, exhibitors and all of you who came to soak it up. It was SO worth it for us! (The next blog will be about the weddings...promise!)

Photo Credit: Thanks to Ed Joseph for the great picture of our Love (Closing) Circle at the Fair!
Love and Light, Elaina