Everyday Bliss

this is my daily view at dusk just now, at Riverstone Cottage in the Santa Cruz mountains. the silence is breathtaking yet there is sound. a soft, murmuring sussuration of wind, bough bendings and stealthy scuttlings… so far below the normative decibels of city life as to be a balm to the spirit.

last night there were more meteors, stars shooting short and burning up in our atmosphere. a wish for each one. the last, a nearly heart-stopping plummet to evaporate seemingly only a few hundred yards above the hot tub where i lay soaking. brilliant burst, then, vanishment…

I am in the midst of sixty acres of  ::::::::treesilence:::::::::  of the redwood variety. In a little riverstone cottage that overlooks a vast tract of forest twenty miles down to the ocean, on the top of a mountain hard by the Forest of Nisene Marks – southern Santa Cruz county. The views are breathtaking. Looking down, I can see a tiny bluesilver sliver of sea in the lacuna where trees part to reveal a brief crescent of coastline. All around the silence is so deep, you can feel it in your bones. Occasionally, a creature unseen will chatter, move brush or drop things from a tree. These occasional forest whispers are like a wise chef’s seasoning in a dish of epicurean proportions. The sibilant rustling of needled branches fills my thoughts with…nothing. Nothing at all.

I am to have three whole days here by myself. This is the first. I am writing a book proposal while here and am online doing research today, then will be turning off computer for the rest of my time here. New semester of the CEC starts next week and this is the first actual vacation – (vacation=relaxation, most so-called vacations are not) that I’ve had in seven years. It’s been way, way, way too long.

Last night I spent hours in the hot tub underneath stars so vividly bright I could actually see the Milky Way galaxy with the naked eye. I was blessed with the opportunity for three wishes as I actually saw three shooting stars – meteors burning up in the atmosphere. Perhaps a remnant of the annual early August Perseids, I stopped counting after three. Three wishes is an overabundance. Best not to think of asking for…or taking…more. The clarity of the stars entranced me and the atmosphere was cold enough to spend quite a long time in my own skin, staring dreamily up at the constant twinkling of the heavens from the steamy redwood tub.

A waterfall runs down a course of riverstones beside the cottage to a serene pool in a sunlit meadow, below. Near the waterfall is a treehouse observation deck built into the midst of a Circle of Nine Sisters – thick-barked  capacious redwoods that sprang as daughters from a central mothertree, now long gone. Large enough for a party of ten to be seated comfortably, I’ve set up my yoga mat here and this morning, greeted the Sun with salutation and joy. Melting…melting….melting into the mat….spending luscious hours meditating and soaking in the beauty of the energy and the views. I will sleep among the Sisters tonight on doubled yoga mats with a thick woollen quilt, as it is quite chilly this far up on the mountain – even in August.

And now, I’m off on a hike to watch the sunset from the top of the mountain. Hope your day is treating you as well….

From guest writer  Lisa Wilder, we have a timely piece for all you Energy Coaches and Therapists out there on how to Better Your Business. Lisa is a phenomenal coach and woman of great personal wisdom – I can recommend no one of greater integrity to you in teaching you how to run a superbly successful business. (to find out more about Lisa, read her bio at the end of the article)

I asked Lisa to write for our readers who have their own coaching, therapy or other service businesses as she is the very best. Lisa will be writing for us in the months to come and I have a recommendation: copy all her posts and put them in your "Business Development Tools" folder (what? you don’t have one? start one today!)

Welcome Lisa, to Sage Wisdom and the Quantum Flow Community.

How To Become An EXPERT…No Matter WHAT You Do! by Lisa Wilder

One of the greatest investments you can make to ensure your
business is wildly successful is in the area of your professional
development. It’s essential that you:

§ First become
an expert in your field.

§ Then become
known as an expert in your field.

While these two essentials sound like one and the same
thing, there’s an important distinction between the two. The first is about the
knowledge and skills you already possess, and the next is about increasing your
market’s awareness of the knowledge and skills you possess. You can’t become
known as an expert in your field without first being an expert in your field.

Choosing a very specific area of expertise for which you
want to become known has two big advantages:

• It
  will allow you to become known as an expert in your field much more quickly.
• It will make it much easier for you to hone in on what you already know so that you can begin to recognize the areas in which you need further development.

If you find the very idea of having to become an expert
intimidating or overwhelming, you’re not alone, but like anything else worth
doing in life or business, it’s much easier than it might appear: Just break it
down into doable steps.

Step 1: Become very clear about how you want to be
known in your field.

When I say “become very clear,” I
mean very clear. Get specific. Within
any field the possible areas of expertise are too numerous to count. Don’t try
to be everything to everyone. Trying to be everything to everyone, far from
helping you to become known as an expert, will only confuse your market and
frustrate you. Simply put, it’s much more effective to know a lot about one
thing than to know a little bit about many.

Steps 2 & 3: Identify and
acknowledge the expertise you already have, and identify the expertise you need
to gain.

This is not the time to be modest by undervaluing your knowledge and skill or
to inflate your ego by over-estimating your knowledge and skill. For this
process to work, you’ve got to be really honest with yourself. Have fun with
it. Give yourself a big pat on the back for all of the expertise you’ve already
got and let the possibilities for gaining new expertise inspire you.

Learning new things is exciting,
and when you’re always striving to learn new things, things you can share with
your market, that excitement shines through and is very attractive. You can’t
fake excitement and passion for what you do and how you can help your market,
and that excitement and passion will resonate with the market you’re meant to
serve.

Here’s a brief side-note for those
of you who are already experts in your field: I’d like to challenge you to
explore the ways in which you can expand on your current expertise. There is always more to learn.

Step 4: Look at all of the ways in
which you can gain the expertise you need.

Start by doing some research
online. Who in your field already has the expertise you’re looking to gain?
Gaining the knowledge and skill you need doesn’t have to be difficult. If
there’s someone in your field who can walk you through what you need to learn,
by all means, jump on the opportunity. Read any books or ebooks they’ve
written. Take a class or two or three. Enroll in an online program. Explore the
possibility of a mentor/apprentice relationship.

Learning what you need to learn will increase your
confidence in your ability to provide the best possible services and products
to your market—the first key to moving from being an expert to becoming known
as one. You have to be confident in your own expertise and ability in order to
instill that confidence in others.

When you really know your stuff and can demonstrate your
expertise to your market, you’ll be able to clearly distinguish yourself from
the many others who provide similar services, you’ll gain greater visibility,
and you’ll become known as the expert
in your particular field. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll earn the
reputation and trust necessary for a potential client to engage your services.
You’ll gain new clients, increase sales, and significantly improve your bottom
line.

Investing the time, energy, and money necessary to become an
expert or to gain additional expertise is one of the best investments you can
make to ensure the on-going success of your business. You’ll reap the rewards
of your investment many, many times over.

About The Author:

Lisa Wilder has over eighteen years in business management, and development,
and is passionate about helping service professionals to create lives and
businesses joyfully doing what they love. Lisa specializes in small business
development, including branding, marketing, and online systems and management.

With deep roots in energy systems management, Lisa ran and developed a Traditional
Chinese Feng Shui training and consulting business for many years. More recently, she co-facilitates
the Book Yourself Solid 15-week intensive with internet entrepreneur, Michael
Port.

Find Lisa at: “The Wilder Zone” http://www.thewilderzone.com
where she provides superior personal and professional coaching and support for service
professionals.

I often get email asking me questions about this or that aspect of energy therapy and coaching practice. While I don’t have the time to answer all queries, one posted in my Quantum Flow Bioenergetics forum was wide-spread enough a problem that I answered it there and am reposting it here. If you’re interested in this forum, you can collaborate here: Click to join QuantumFlowBioenergetics

Reader "A" from Egypt writes in: "About 4 days ago after much success using energy methods, my muscle tests started coming back weak. I tried it on my name and some facts about me and also all the tests were weak. I tried every possible way to correct that problem and nothing happened. I tried EFT, BSFF, drinking alot of water, Collarbone breathing, psychological reversals, TAT and TLR Appreciation but also, nothing happened. What am I doing wrong?"

Hi A–, You said this happened four days ago and you had done Collarbone breathing and it hadn’t worked. Collarbone Breathing takes about four to six weeks of steady practice (at least 3x a day) to work well, so you might want to apply this technique over again.

I personally do not use muscle testing that much in self-work, as so very many things can throw it off: energy toxins that include certain foods, improper amount of sleep, geopathic or earth-related stress such as being too near a powerful volcanic area, earthquake fault or other earth related anomaly – even going under high power lines, or having a firm negative mindset on an issue can scramble your energy and mess up a circuit (muscle) test.

I have learned to tune into my whole bodymind, ask it questions and wait patiently (never very long) for the often-subtle indicators that tell me which way to go. Indicators can be a muscle twitching, a sudden desire to shift position, needing to take a deep breath – they will differ for everyone, yours will be unique to you. I find this method superior to standard muscle testing, though it is nearly impossible to "teach" as such. Simply pay attention to your body and anything that happens in it when you calm yourself, sit quietly and ask it one question at a time. Come to know its responses and you’ll be able to tell what the shifts mean to you.

I would also suggest watching what you eat. Avoid caffiene (coffee, tea & sodas), processed foods, plus wheat, sugar and milk – three of the biggest allergens and energy toxins. Also, three times daily practice of Cross Crawls, Cook’s Hookup and the Bellybutton Correction exercises from now on for you until this condition resolves. You can find these here at our website:

http://quantumflow.com/stressrelief.html

If you still feel you need muscle test confirmation, you might also ask a friend to test you – sometimes our self-tests can be thrown off by things like I mention above while a friend may be much clearer. Both of you should drink water and do the above exercises before trying to muscle test each other.

I also take messages from the Universe when things like this happen.

When I get too dependant upon a particular method, then sometimes the method will cease to work – or so it might appear – to teach me how to grow past it.

You may want to consider just pressing ahead with for instance, EFT: "Even though EFT is not working for me right now, I am tapping…Even though it seems like I am wasting my time, I’m tapping on that…" and so on.

Or, you might prefer to just take a break and give all of the personal growth "work" a rest for some time.

Relax and meditate on the best course of action. Listen to your body.

And good luck to you!

Warmly, Maryam Webster

– Had fun at the CEC Freedom Festival yet? Get it now, FREE until September 1st: http://certifiedenergycoach.org/freedomfestival2006.html

I previously spoke about several ways to wake up in your life here. I’ve another way that will support you day to day. This involves use of ZPoint Process (click this link if you don’t know ZPoint as yet). I’ve given this process the title of a phrase I heard while in meditation with the thangka of Green Tara that hangs in my bedroom:

"Gentle Being, Wake Up Now…"

1. Sit in your meditation space or at your personal altar or a similar quiet space and with intent, turn your attention to the Now.

2. Register all that is happening. Focus on what you hear, the many different sounds there are around you. Birdsong, a plane overhead, the hum of a fan, your own bones creaking, the soft whoosh of your breath, the ticking of a clock, children playing outside…and realize by the time you have listed all these to yourself, that the moment has changed and you are in a different Now.

3. What do you see as your eyes rest gently, with soft focus? The many twists and turns of a painting, a random sock strewn on the floor, motes of dust hanging and turning in the air, a shaft of sunlight illuminating the dustmotes and the pattern of the carpet…and realize by the time you have listed all these to yourself, that the moment has changed and you are in a different Now.

4. What do you feel, as your attention turns inwards? The taste in your mouth, the smells around you, your left leg feeling stretched in the quads, sweat running down your neck, an itch on your right forefinger, the breath filling your nostrils and lungs, a sense of heaviness in the abdomen…and realize by the time you have listed all these to yourself, that the moment has changed and you are in a different Now.

5. When you have brought your mindful presence and awareness to what composes your space, both outer and inner, draw a circle in your mind, out in front of you by a few feet. Put all of the things you’ve noticed into your circle. Right now, you are outside the circle, which symbolizes the way we may experience ourselves being "outside of" the Present Moment.

6. Now, ZPoint style, clear all the ways: "I am asleep to the full experience of the present moment" and perhaps all the ways: "I disconnect myself from the Now"…or words that are even more meaningful to you. And also, all the reasons, emotions and places those are held in your bodymind concerning living fully in the Now.

7. Now, count these down while repeating your cue word, over and over again, down from 10 to 0. You might be interested to find in this particular "erase the tape" that the images in your circle do not fade, but in fact become more real, more solid, more "there" to you.

8. When you are down to zero, then step your whole body into the circle and sit, stand or lie down – whatever is nurturing to you. Be with all the things in your present awareness.

9. Make a positive affirmation such as "I am continually aware of the present moment and live in the Now"

10. Count upwards from 1 to 10. You might be interested to note that the things inside your circle with you sometimes sink into your bodymind, or fade away entirely as they become facets of your continuing awareness. Whatever changes you observe will be unique to you, and will be harbingers of your increased awareness.

Enjoy, and repeat as necessary…

This just in from Sharon Cass Toole, coordinator of the Toronto Energy Psychology Conference:

Due to an editing error in our last newsletter the early bird deadline is being extended to August 30.  This gives you a few more weeks to take advantage of the Early Bird Fee deadline and save over $100!  Full information and registration at:

http://www.torontoepc.com

We already have a sizeable group registered from all over the globe as more and more professionals, interested non professionals and even former skeptics are discovering the merits and miracle of Energy Psychology.

Please come and be a part of this wonderful community. Each year those who attend this conference say that it feels more like a family reunion. You are invited to join us and become a part of our growing energy family.

Pre and post conference workshops are filling up so register now for the workshop of your choice. Toronto is a bustling, diverse metropolis full of many beautiful tourist attractions as well as gourmet restaurants and designer shopping where you get more value for your U.S. dollar.

Come and share the excitement! The daily schedule is now available on the conference website: http://www.torontoepc.com If you would like to attend the conference or a pre or post conference workshop for a vastly reduced fee, there are still a limited number of Work Scholarships available.

Please pass this announcement to others who may be interested and to lists to which you may belong. Thank you in advance. I look forward to welcoming you to Toronto!

Warmest Regards, Sharon Cass Toole Conference Chair Tel: 416-221-5639 Fax: 416-221-7126 E-mail: info@torontoepc.com

The Aussies are Coming! – Australian Energy Psychology pioneers and my very good friends Steve Wells and Dr. David Lake will be returning to the USA this October to conduct an exciting new series of workshops. They’ll be visiting Los Angeles and Seattle, and there are 4 different workshops to choose from. If you are interested in overcoming inner blocks, achieving financial and life success and leveraging your results using dynamic energy techniques then these workshops are for you. Steve and David use advanced EFT and their own Simple Energy Techniques (SET) and Provocative Energy Techniques (PET) to facilitate truly transformational change. I’ve provided an overview of their workshops below. Click on the links for more information.

100% YES! Breakthrough for Success. Your opportunity to experience a personal breakthrough. This exciting new workshop conducted by Steve Wells is a totally unique combination of energy techniques, values clarification and core issues work that will give you the “missing link” to your personal success. Align your actions around your true values, break through limiting beliefs, create change at a core level, and go for your goals 100%! For more details see: http://www.eftdownunder.com/US100YES.html

Serenity in the Market: Energy Techniques for Trading. The psychology of trading successfully. Anyone who trades the markets knows how crucial it is to trade in the “right mental state”.  Designed for active market traders this exciting new workshop conducted by Dr. David Lake will show you the way to emotion free trading. See details at: http://www.eftdownunder.com/UStrading.html

Provocative Energy Techniques (PET). Learn to treat problems with lightness and humor. This powerfully effective PET approach developed by Steve Wells and Dr. David Lake is a unique combination of humorous and provocative communication strategies combined with practical meridian stimulation. The result is an approach that transforms. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn the practical patterns and principles behind this powerful approach. For more information, see: http://www.eftdownunder.com/SeaPET.html

The Power of Connection: Energy Techniques to Enhance any Relationship. A totally unique workshop presented by 3 facilitators – Australian MD Dr. David Lake together with US-based Relationship Coaches, Kerry and Kristelle Sim. You’ll learn how to not take relationship challenges personally as you apply powerful energy techniques and communication tools to enhance your connection and improve your relationship conversations. For more details see: http://www.eftdownunder.com/connect.html

You’ll really enjoy Steve and Dr. David’s warm, friendly style and provocative ways of initiating and enhancing lasting change. I’ve taken their Provocative Energy Therapy (PET) and Advanced EFT workshops and found them a marvellous experience. PET incorporates the psychological work of Frank Farrelley and is a powerful way you can lead your clients into their own deepest Resource States for change. It’s exciting to see what Steve and David are doing in furthering their work, and they have my wholehearted support and recommendation.

The "EFT Wonders From Downunder" don’t get to our shores all that often, so if you have the chance, MAKE SURE you grab a seat at these workshops before they’re all sold out!