Out with the old. In with RENEW.

by Barry Raccio

This year, the Winter Solstice (Dec 21) falls on the same day as the Full Moon. A solstial Full Moon is a rare occurrence -- happening about every 19 years! It is both the shortest day and the longest night of the year and radiates the potent energies of regeneration and renewal. That energy will merge with the vibrancy of the Full Moon, offering us incredible opportunities for healing and transformation.

When we think of holiday traditions, we don't often associate them with the concept of energy. Even in places like my home town of Palm Springs, Ca -- where it rarely snows, except high in the mountains -- there's a change in the air as Winter approaches. Our energy begins to soften. We feel the need to gather with friends and those we love. There's a nudge to turn inward, to seek comfort and focus on what we want and need.

It's easy to believe our traditions are the reason we act this way but it is the synergistic pull of the season -- something humans have experienced for centuries -- that created and informed many of the traditions we celebrate.

On Dec 21 you can invite the transformative energy of the Winter Solstice into your life at any time during the day or night. Spend an hour alone, just for yourself. Turn off any electronic device that regularly draws your attention. Sit quietly and take few slow breaths. In the stillness of your mind, think deeply about yourself: Who you are; who you want to be; and what you want your life to look like. Push away negative thoughts about things you perceive to be faults or mistakes you think you've made. This time should not be about regret. It's about freeing yourself from past hurts, old patterns and false beliefs.

Let the combined energies of the Winter Solstice and the Full Moon help you clear your path of the things that are stopping you from being who you are truly meant to be!

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Three Mantras You Should Never Say

by Barry Raccio

"I don't know. I'm not ready. I can't do that.

I came across this quote the other day, and even though I've read it many times the meaning still resonates. Every thought, every word is a message to your higher self. One of the gifts of Kundalini yoga -- and there are many! -- is that it teaches you to communicate with your creator-self. This creation is a powerful partnership -- and like any good partner, your higher self only wants to help you create and live your best life.
Take a moment to think about this. What would your "best life" look like? Think about it and see it clearly in your mind. Don't worry if it's not a fully-formed picture, just a basic idea will do for now. Now consider what you *think* might be stopping you from experiencing this life. While each person will have different reasons and circumstances, there are three primary things that impact our ability to attain the life of our dreams: "I don't know." "I'm not ready." "I can't do that.".
It's important to understand how each of these messages is received and translated by your higher self. Remember, your higher self wants to help you create a life of purpose, passion and joy. Even if you don't see the full picture right now you probably have a good idea of what that life is. How do you know? Your higher self gives you clues all the time! When you experience something that fully engages you, that gets your heart racing and fills you with excitement; something that gives you all the feels and you literally can't stop talking about or thinking about -- that's the direction you want to go in. Maybe it's "only a dream" -- the craziest, nuttiest dream anyone has ever had. So what's stopping you? The same thing that stops many of us.
I don't know how I will ever... I'm not ready to ... I can't do that because ...
These are more than words, they are messages. It's important to understand this. Your higher self stands ready to open the doors of abundance. When you recite one or all of these "mantras", you're actively telling your higher self, "No, I don't really want to live a magnificent life. I'll just keep doing this thing I'm doing now while dreaming of something different."
The technology of Kundalini yoga is designed to help you release self doubt ("I don't know"), hesitation borne of fear ("I'm not ready"), and the biggest stop sign of all, "I can't!". It's time to flip the script: "I do know (what you want); I am ready (to live a life of purpose and passion); and "I can (do whatever you dream)!
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