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!

Love it? Share it!
[sgmb id=1]

I bought a zoo. Kidding. I bought a GONG.

by Barry Raccio

"Sound is the force of creation, the true whole. Music then, becomes the voice of the great cosmic oneness and therefore the optimal way to reach this final state of healing. " -- Hazrat Inayat Khan
The idea of healing with sound isn't new; like many ancient practices it's taken we modern humans a bit of time to catch on to its benefits. Geneticists have decoded the musical expression of our DNA; NASA meanwhile, recorded the sounds of planets and even a "singing" comet (European Space Agency Rosetta Probe, 2014). Little surprise that our bodies produce a positive response to therapeutic sound.
Science defines Theta waves as those that fall between 4-7Hz and occur during (REM) sleep and also in deep meditation. The sound(s) produced by a gong most often elicits Theta waves in the brain. This brings you to a state of consciousness that is almost dreamlike as the sound waves in both hemispheres of your brain sync together (called brain-wave entrainment) -- leading to improved focus, elevated endorphin levels, greater immune and glandular function and less stress.
The more I studied and experienced the power of this unique healing modality, the more I realized I wanted to incorporate sound healing into both my personal practice and in guided meditations with my students. The energy of our planet is in flux as we transition from the old to the new and these energetic shifts impact us daily. Sound healing is another powerful method available to us to bring us back to our divine center.
Love it? Share it!
[sgmb id=1]