Overcoming Fear-Dance In The Light

 Overcoming fear is possible…it is the precursor to fearlessness. Fearlessness is based in Knowing what is true from moment to moment. It is devoid of exageration and drama and leads to healthy life choices. Fear is good when it signals to avoid harm to yourself or to others.

In this day and age many simulated techniques are taught to quell the razor’s edge. Beware of the teachers whot would risk your life or sanity to sell you a bill of goods. The claims they can bust fear should be questioned,contemplated, and resisted if they can put you in harm’s way.

There is a wide spectrum of choice offered in the simulation of overcoming fear. The recent sweat lodge tragedy registers as the epitome of trusting the absurd, the unfathomable, the untruth of one’s self. Countered with rope courses and rock-climbing that build confidence, an adventure in self-awareness in our youth- boils down to one vital element – discrimination.

Real fear taken to the ultimate is our fear of death or fear of full blast living. We fear pain, loss, emptiness inside. We fear we will not be loved or not be capable of loving. We fear financial demise, being alone, illness, being eaten by tigers, and so on.

Each fearful moment we encounter must be faced square on. We must go through it, one way or another- to come out the other side: dancing in the light with gratitude for our life. To grow, to BE one with fear and peace within simultaneously is an ultimate test. If fire walking gives a glimpse of that truth, if it brings enthusiasm and a sense of understanding of self…so be it.

MerrieWay Muses: In peaceful living, fear takes a back row seat – You  surrender to the LOVE of  ALL. www.merrieway.com

Stress Buster 2 Minute Dump The Gunk

Overwhelm, anxiety can’t get it all done? Thoughts swim in your head non-stop: Stuck in a mind-loop perpetuates an anxious ready state. No patience left, can’t focus or center yourself. The key to re-balancing your state of being is ridding yourself of habitual self torture and misery.

As an actress I learned to speak or yell out the inner dialogue of the character. Not repeating the words on the script’s page, but capturing the inner dialogue going on in the character’s head. Emotions would trigger and BAM the character would come alive, a real person emerged that I could relate to and portray.

To be real, enlivened in the NOW you can release stress mode. Your inner dialogue needs to come out  or it will remain in a mind-loop. Physical exercise is a known stress release; that’s why jogging, swimming, hitting tennis balls have a beneficial effect.  What to do when you don’t have the time to go to the Gym and you’re at your wits end, or you’re on deadline and scheduled to car pool kids at the same time?

Take the thoughts out of your head and dump the gunk.

If you’re at home, alone preferably, close the windows so you don’t disturb the neighbor’s peace.  Without thinking or editing, repeat OUT LOUD what is going on in your mind. You might start pacing, even yelling, or crying. Keep speaking until there’s nothing left in your mind, nothing left to rant.  If necessary you can do the same exercise in the car; windows rolled up and you’ll receive the same benefit.

 A good cry releases pent up emotions and gives space for a lighter energy to emerge.  If you feel a surge of anger, put a pillow between your teeth to quiet the sound. Bite down on the pillow and release the feelings. Do it until it naturally quiets.  In minutes you will feel a shift.

Sit quietly and deep breathe for a couple of rounds. Allow a calm light energy to flow through you permeating every cell in your body.  Allow the sweet energy to brighten your spirit.

A stellar way to release stress and pent up feelings is automatic writing. Since I was a child I have written my thoughts and feelings down. This practice is done without thinking what you are going to write.  Don’t edit or judge. Let it flow.  You can also write the essence of you experience speaking your thoughts OUTLOUD in the above exercise.

All done you’re good to go. Fulfill your daily activities with a sense of calm. Your LightHeart is with you, eternally guiding you… in Joy and LOVE.

MerrieWay Muses:  To Forgive releases what you are holding onto…the pain, resentments,guilt, blame and nasties. Forgive yourself and others…LightHeart Path.

www.merrieway.com

 

 

Avatar’s Battle Cry – Heart and Unity

AVATAR, mega blockbuster spreads a great message – promoting global unity. It depicts the battle that must be fought:The battle of righteousness. When the souls of our fellow beings are tortured and the sacred is annihilated, torn from the womb of our MOTHER- it is time to stand up for the weary – it is time to stand up and do what is right.

Similarly, in the Mahabharata, the Indian epic, Arjuna, the great warrior doubts his earthly calling. No longer fearless, he bears his soul to his Avatar, Krishna “I cannot go into this battle and fight, they are my family. I cannot go… and destroy them.”

 With great compassion Krishna answers, “Ah, but this is the battle that must be fought. You were born for this fight; you have trained for a lifetime. This is the battle of righteousness. And, I will be your charioteer.” With Krishna at his side, the battle was fought.  Krishna, like Avatar’s Sky People is always shown to be blue in color. And, the hero in Avatar ultimately fought his own people, the warriors, for the sake of humane action.

Beyond that similarity, we are being summoned today to act in a righteous way. We must stand for the downtrodden, for ‘there goes I’.  We must imbibe compassion and go beyond our limited perceptions; and reach out in the spirit of kindness to our earthly brothers and sisters. We must dissolve the notion of separatism, to look and SEE our Oneness.

The isolationism of our time begs for us to look inside of ourselves, to recapture the  enlightened notion, the mirror image of our true Self that exists in everyone. The business of our lives, the selfish way of existence; grab all as quickly as possible leaves us alone and afraid.  So bound to what exists outside of ourselves, we ignore the truth of simplicity and LOVE that is everywhere for us to behold.

In Avatar, the gentle love between strangers, from different cultures and different creeds triggers a remembering… the longing within our hearts to be seen as wholly. When we gather heart in heart, hand in hand, reaching out to help one another, to live in harmony; peace on earth will exist. We will flourish as ONE. We will touch the soul of truth, embrace and gently nod, with our heart vibration…”I see you. I Love You, as ONE.”

MerrieWay Muses: “I see you. I Love You”…relecting all that is, all the good that is our birthright. All is Love. www.merrieway.com

MerrieWay Muses…Hats Off for a Happy Life

How many hats do you wear…Mom, Dad, Daughter, son, plumber, CPA, salesman? Yippes the list is endless. How about tossing your hats in the closet of no return…and looking beyond what you believe defines you?

 Here’s what I did…I took my favorite labels and decided I make a stew, put them in a big pot and puree them, let them cook down, until the blend was so tasty, delicious that I could be real in the moment without switching gears. I’m not talking rigidity here, I’m talking freedom. The kind of freedom that is connected to loving nature, people, loving what we do without having our ego identity sewed up in it, slamming us at every turn to be more, do more, telling the lie that we are not good enough, perfect enough or deserving.

 Here’s what I discovered. It’ so simple; when I’m working with my accountant, I’m more left brain concentration. When I’m filming “MerrieWay Day”, I bring on the funnies, hopefully you’ll agree, or not. See, that’s the biggee, letting go of the result, the need for approval, being on top. That doesn’t mean you’re not on top of your game, you just don’t need it to be whole. To be YOU…the one inside that bubbles up with joy, the one that has compassion for yourself, as well as for others, is the Knower– Infinite wisdom, infinite self, the Self. Maybe we’ve been here before, another lifetime, another planet.

 All of that doesn’t matter: It’s NOW. This is the moment that counts. That means letting go of the labels and all they insinuate, not only to you, but to everyone involved. Can you do it? Can you toss those ego hats in the closet of no return? Which label bothers you the most? Come on share how.

 MerrieWay Muses: There is one label I will not toss and no one can take it away… “I am LOVE”… Now isn’t that something–So are YOU. LOVE

www.merrieway.com

Glorious Moments -7 Tips to Connect… A Vegan in Action

Watching a tiny squirrel whisk through our yard… was glorious. He stopped at a flowering bush, standing tall on his hind legs; he nipped off a flower and chewed it. Watching, I inhaled the beauty of connecting with him. He stared at me for a couple of minutes, so rare. Then grabbing a kumquat that had fallen from a tree, he held it in his front paws;  munching and crunching with great delight.

Then the miraculous occurred. I went into another room, sitting near a big picture window. He followed me, standing on his hind legs and staring, tuning into me. A gentle sweetness permeated, entwining our hearts. Once again we shared a delicious moment of silence, wonderful energy passed between us – a heart message of ONENESS.

As if shopping in a grocery market, he nibbled on some grass, discovered a flowering bush, enjoying a hearty lunch. Amazing to watch:  a baby squirrel Vegan…in action.

MerrieWay Muses: 

• What glorious moments flash before us and we don’t see? 
•  What glorious moments touched you? Warmed your heart?
•  What opened the door to the miraculous- the seen and unseen?
• Can we make Awareness in the moment our greatest treasure?
• Can we stop, listen and delight in moonlight, listening to the brustling branches in the wind.
• Can we mix the magic moments, blending them into the practical, as well as the sublime?
• Please share, we’re listening. Can you hear the subtle call?

www.merrieway.com

Merrie Lynn Ross Answers Paul Allen- This Emotional Life

Merrie Lynn:  “What prompted you to produce “This Emotional Life?”

Paul: “A few years ago, I visited an Ivy League school to learn about recent discoveries in the fields of science and medicine. The most striking thing I heard wasn’t about cutting-edge research, but about the state of mental health among students on campus: one in four took anti-depressants in order to function at school.”

Merrie Lynn: “It’s incomprehensible that we passively watch legal drugging of our youth. With Phama’s TV ads promoting non-stop we are traveling down an unchartered course in our youth’s healthy mental development. So troubling.”

Paul:  “Even more troubling: if your son or daughter is in college in the United States, the chances are one in 10 that he or she will seriously consider suicide.”

Merrie Lynn: “Suicide rates amongst our youth have increased yearly- a family devastation, as well as a great loss to our communities, the loss of promise – no words can measure the emotional pain of tragedy.

Paul: “As I considered what a stumbling block emotional turmoil can be in the life of a promising young student, I realized we all know someone — a family member, a friend, even ourselves — who faces emotional challenges and needs help.”

Merrie Lynn: “Denial, embarrassment, unawareness can keep us from seeking help. Youth feel invincible. Who to turn to, who to go to for help can become a quagmire; even if you seek it.”

Paul: “It’s not always easy to find effective help. Part of the reason is that some of us look for a quick fix from the largely unregulated “get happy” industry. We are inundated by self-help books, films, shows, infomercials, seminars, and mega-events promising happiness in just three easy steps.”

Merrie Lynn: “Whoops, I’ve written a book “Bounce of the Walls-Land On Your Feet.” It is a know-how book with techniques that have worked for me…including meditation, and spiritual, mind, body connection, along with practical personal stories about my life learning curve. As a comedy gal known for her antics as daytime’s first comedienne, you know right off you’re not on a shrink’s coach or in a doctor’s office. But, there are common-sense truths of life in it. And, I am known for giggles and bringing on the happy…getting to the heart core.

Paul: “We are told to get in touch with our inner core, embrace a few “truths” and we’ll be free of ills and insecurities. Think positive thoughts. Lose weight. Make money. Save money. Find love. Get married. Act young. Lose weight, again.”

Merrie Lynn: “Discrimination is difficult when you’re out of sorts, vulnerable, and needing help.

Paul: “Research shows that no more than five percent of what’s offered by the $10 billion-a-year for-profit self-help industry will work.’

Merrie Lynn:  “There is no panacea…life is an experiment, a trial and error learning process ,and each of us is responsible for what or whose advice we choose to follow. We must determine what works best for us.”

Paul:  “The good news, I learned in producing This Emotional Life This  a three-part series that aired on PBS this week, is that effective, proven, help is out there. Science and research can put us on a more informed path to emotional health and well-being.”

Merrie Lynn:  “Cutting edge information is vital to counteract the Pharma’s first line of attack in addressing emotional issues like anxiety and stress. Numbing- it-down doesn’t lead to happiness…or how to maintain that state of well-being.”

Paul: “For two years we explored where our happiness comes from, what we can do to find more of it and how we can better cope with emotional issues.”

Merrie Lynn: “Your show is exemplary in possibility…the examples are so relatable.”

Paul: “The real-life stories in the series are powerful, honest and complex: Can an adopted child who spent years in an orphanage learn to form healthy attachments with others? Can newlyweds survive when “happily ever after” quickly turns to infidelity? How does a woman stricken with cancer, a young man confined to a wheelchair, or a prisoner of war find courage, fulfillment and a positive and complete emotional life? “

Merrie Lynn: “When reality hits us personally, or affects someone we love we need to adopt a healthy perspective to make responsible choices. Is information disseminated in the framework of  show’s stories?”

Paul:  “Those compelling stories are combined with the latest scientific information in psychology and neuroscience and anecdotes from well-known musicians, actors and others. (If John McEnroe isn’t an expert on anger, who is?”)

Merrie Lynn: ‘That’s true. Well…maybe Mike Tyson ranks higher in the anger department. What emotional health approaches to emotional health discovered during your investigation?”

Paul: “In addition to the documentary, the project includes a website with broad and substantive content about emotional health and related issues. There are blogs by a variety of experts, including writers, researchers and mental health professionals. There is a list of more than 2,500 resources with information from trusted sources such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. You can also find other people in your area who are interested in getting together to talk about emotional health.

Merrie Lynn: “Wow the show aired, what to do if someone missed it?”

Paul:  “If you missed the series during broadcast, you can watch full episodes at PBS website  until January 20.”

Merrie Lynn: “What is the most revealing information you learned.”

Paul:  “Through producing this project we learned that companionship is a basic need for human beings. Beyond the necessities of food, water, and shelter, a key to maintaining emotional and physical well-being — from our first to our last breath — resides in our ability to positively connect with people. The nature of our earliest relationships and experiences actually affects the way our brains grow.”

Merrie Lynn:  “Recent studies have indicated the brain grows until 25 years old, and we still have a chance to improve it by using it over a for a lifetime and the brain has the ability to grow new dendrites and connections.

Paul: “One question scientists still hope to answer is whether there’s a period of time where children must receive a certain kind of emotional input for their brains — and, by extension, their social lives — to develop normally. Regardless of the answer, parents and caregivers must recognize the long-term importance of forming a positive social and emotional environment for infants and children.”

Merrie Lynn: ”Every child is unique, it is difficult to generalize what works for one child and not another. Doctor Spock was correct in suggesting early bonding. To calm a child he encouraged role-modeling behavior, as well as behaviorial modification. What about coping with fear or anxiety?”

Paul:  “We also learned a great deal about fear, anxiety, anger and grief. These emotions can threaten relationships and cause us physical harm. Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.”

Merrie Lynn:  “Stress is our modern-day enemy. It’s paramount to meditate, deep breathe, walk, smell the roses, or anything else that chills us out- hot baths, yoga, reading a good book.  What else did the scientists discover?”

Paul: “Scientists are learning a great deal about the importance of individual resiliency in managing difficult situations and experiences. Recent studies of soldiers returning from war have been particularly enlightening as to the importance of this human quality to emotional health.”

Merrie Lynn:  “The VA has increased their mental health staff and are looking for alternatives to psyche procedures to alleviate trauma.”

Paul: “There are about 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. And up to 20 percent of those still in combat will return to their families with combat-related stress disorders, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The challenges facing military families and parents of infants are the two areas that I feel are most in need of deeper attention. Outreach programs have been launched and if you need help you can get information on the website.”

Merrie Lynn: “Thank you, we are clearly on the same page. MerrieWay Day TV is about uplifting news and Bringing on the Happy. “  www.merrieway.com

Sleepwalking Through Life? Wake Up to Knowing

Where is Knowing, the deep awareness, that is authentic… being true to our self? We can go through the motions of daily activity, unaware, not mindful, robotic and reactive. It takes practice, attentiveness, and making the choice to live in an awakened state of beingness.

 It’s obvious I’m in a sleepwalk state when I’ve eaten a meal and five minutes later I feel hungry, or I’ve driven to an appointment and I barely remember where I’m going. This isn’t just being ditzy; it’s a loss of awareness of body/mind consciousness, a lack of attention to the physical surroundings and details. If allowed to become habit, overtime it will cause loss of memory, or the beginning of Alzheimer’s.

Use or lose it…in this case refers to mindfulness: the act of intentionally performing an action, rather than a reaction of unawareness or sleepwalking through life. We can pop into mindfulness with practice. Practice begins with tuning-in. If you are feeling worried or heavy mind chatter dominates, the breath will relieve the tension and feeling of being unable to cope.

 Make a conscious choice by beginning on the breath…the great sustainer of life.

• Inhale deep and exhale long…. Three one minute breathing rounds…will alter your state.
• The unconsciousness mind has accumulated thousands of years of tension, drama, and the layers of physical, mental, emotional, psyche trauma remain embodied, needing to be released.
•  In the stillness, when the mind quiets, a space expands in every cell, down to the sub-levels of vibration energy frequency.
• When we quiet the mind, many layers of emotions erupt and release. It is at this release point we may realize that emotional triggers are caused by something deeper. In energy awareness, it’s not necessary to know the exact causes, the healing takes place in the release and the acceptance of the shift.

 In our MerrieWay encounters, tears flow, anger, hurt, blame and confusion dissolve and a peaceful, joyous, blissful state arises. This does not have to take years of therapy, or extreme spiritual practices. As humans we have evolved to a state of spiritual openness and a readiness to manifest instantaneous shifts. This potential is available to everyone. Through energy shifts and deeper understanding, we can drop what doesn’t serve us and make quantum leaps and a fully enlivened life can be accomplished

 MerrieWay Muses:  At your requests to go deeper in our group experience, we will be offering a global opportunity, so wherever you are in the world you can participate in MerrieWay Tune In Tune Up… to enhance your enlivened potential.              www.merrieway.com

Dream A Little Dream- 2010 Drop the Baggage

After New Year, rushing about, who would have thought we’re one 10th through this new decade.  Let’s make 2010 a time of dreaming new dreams, for ourself, our family, community, country and the world.

Can we bow our heads for a moment, take a deep breath and envision a positive, uplifting year. Can we gaze inward and acknowlege that this is the time- NOW - to drop the baggage that keeps us stuck, believing in what no longer holds true for us.  Let’s Dream our growth, Hear our  soul’s unfolding message-  Live our potential.

How can we dream a bright future or envision this awesome year ahead, when we hold on the baggage, the limitations, that which holds us back from living that full life? Silly isn’t it, to play a drama game, that keeps you unhappy. Change the game, change the Dream.  Share it with us, we all need the input, the support, the LOVE.

MerrieWay Muses: When we ‘Bring On the Love- Love Circles Back to the Sender.”   

www.merrieway.com

Who Said You Own Anything… Do you?

Trolling through the foothills with my two pups, we came across a field of overgrown weeds and metal junk scattered about. Memory traces of day’s gone by: pre-foreclosure, when the fruit trees weren’t  dying from lack of water, lack of care. 

 

In the middle of the ruin, one tree stood proud…miniature grapefruits dangled from its branches in fruity delight.

Gazing at it from behind a half-open gate, temptation waved a beckoning. The fruit called out, “Don’t leave me hanging on the vine, eat me.”  Sounds like a fantasy in the making, most likely.  With abandon we went through the gate and headed for the tree.

 

In earlier days I would have found it sacrilegious to snatch fruit.  But, these little guys needed picking, if ignored their fate was merely wasting away, ground trodden with their fallen brothers and sisters.

 

My mind flashed back to a fertile avocado tree in our yard that was nightly sabotaged by invaders, filling baskets with the fruit. I recall asking one of the neighbor culprits, “How can you pick fruit without asking and then use it for salad in your restaurant? 

A simple answer landed a zinger, “Those are God’s avocados, not yours.”  

 

Of course, that was true!  But my inquiring mind and relentless ego needed to ask, ”Would you feed me or anyone else free in your restaurant ?”

A blank stare, then the frail pregnant woman-child retorted, “Restaurant is our business, growing fruit is Gods.”

 

I touched the tiny grapefruit, feeling its smooth, yet strong surface, admiring the sunny yellowish color, inhaling the refreshing tangy fragrance: I knew it was alive with divine energy. I murmured in awe,  “You are Gods gift….so sorry I forgot.”

 

 Selling, buying, having more, having less… boils down to one thing, “We don’t own anything.”  At best we are custodoians, loaned the opportunity to share, take care, preserve…. eternally a recycle  for future generations.

 Big surprise to the mortgage company that thinks this dilapidated property is their land now.  If we lose land in battle to a warring tribe, is it their land now?  In a  hostile corporate take-over, is it ours? Do we own our children, husband or wife, lover or friend?

 

Just as I caressed the grapefruit, contemplating the wonder of it all, my pup licked my hand.  Hmmm… my puppy, another my, my,my, jingled in my head., “Mine or yours?  Yours is mine , mine is yours… all is God’s.” 

Without further ado,  honoring grapefruit’s purpose to give, to nourish, to forever flourish…. 

I plucked it from the branch.

 

MerrieWay Muses: Forgive yourself for what you don’t know. Forgive other’s for what they don’t know. Forgive!

www.merrieway.com

 

 

Free to be YOU… Everlasting Truth

A young man approached me, with his hand outstretched. I hesitated, wondering, “What happened to this young man? What measure in life put him next to me on this foggy morn?”

He took out a cigarette and a designer lighter. His jogging shoes were new, pants fresh, Gap sweatshirt without a crease. Meeting his eyes, I could sense his feeling of loss, his aloneness. In recognition, a ray of light beamed from him to me…like an arrow of sweetness landing in my heart.  I smiled, reaching out, “Where are you from? Where are you going?”

He quickly told his story, coming from the cold weather, looking and searching for his family, no place to stay. His mother was back East, in a little town, where he was bored, had nothing to occupy his time. “What do you like to do?” I asked.  

“I cook, I can cook up a storm”, he related with a glint of enthusiasm.

“Have you tried the nearest mission?  You can volunteer to cook, in exchange for a place to sleep.” He smiled. “A good start”, I added, “ the mission is up the road.” Reaching in my wallet I gave him money for an approaching bus. 

Thank you M’am, he waved, boarding the bus. 

 I dropped into a let-go state, blessing his journey. Wasn’t it was his call, his choice where he was going- as it all of ours? Maybe he was off for a day’s adventure; he clearly had slept somewhere cozy the night before or his clothes would have been ragged. Maybe he needed a simple human connection; it was clear he needed counseling, mentoring, more than another cigarette, more than bus money. 

Feeling his overwhelm, I envisioned a calm, loving flow of light permeating his being, to a cellular level, allowing Freedom…to BE – to Know his Truth. The calm permeated my being, my prayer, my knowing of ONENESS.

How many times in life do we wonder where are we going? What is our purpose? Why are we at a loss, feeling so alone?

• Do we reach out for a connection with someone?
•  Do we express what we love to do?
•  Do we tell ourselves- this is my lot in life? Or, can we stop the lie – and breathe into our heart, and listen to our soul’s wisdom – a direct answer to our query.

When at a loss, we feel a stuck-strangling feeling of impotence, a hopeless quandary. This is time to get off your tuft, jog around the block or take a cold shower. Wake-up the energy field available in every moment. Listen! Wake-up your body, your senses, and your present time reality.

 The shift in awareness comes when we command every cell in our body:  Wake-up, get going, do what you have to do! Clean the slate of misgivings, clean up your resententments, clean the cob-webs of the mind. Change the limited facts, out-moded beliefs. Forgive- Let go and let God, the infinite wisdom guide the WAY..

MerrieWay Muses:  WAKE-UP! Decide NOW…”I am worth it. I will be steadfast and continue on and on…growing, breathing deep into Heart’s everlating Truth.” 
www.merrieway.com