Taking ACTION by doing almost NOTHING . . .

All know the way; few actually walk it. ~Bodhidharma

Action. Taking action. This week, we are focusing on taking actions towards the manifestation of our dreams. This is something that scares many people. And, you know, at first glance, it can be a really scary thing. Somehow, when you put together the words action and dreams, people freak out. I think it's because our minds make it a much bigger deal than it really is. Those that are working horrible, life-sucking jobs think taking action means quitting their jobs and jumping headfirst into poverty all for the sake of dream fulfillment. Other people aren't quite sure what they want or if they even have any dreams they'd like to fulfill. So, they think that since they don't know what they want or what their dreams are, they can't really take any action.

Well, I'm here to share my experience with uniting those two words, action and dreams, and surviving . . . thriving! I can promise you that it's not as scary as it seems and if you just trust the Universe and most importantly BELIEVE that you will be alright, no matter what, the action part of the equation will literally take care of itself. At least the big actions, the physical ones where you actually have to move and do things.

As the quote above says, we all know the way. I say this all the time, we all have the answers we seek. And, the first step in taking some action towards fulfilling our dreams is to actually do very little at all, at least physically. I'm talking about meditation of course. This is the first thing I tell someone that seems to be having a hard time dealing with life or not sure of what they are doing. Like I said, we have the answers inside, the way to get to them is by listening to the stillness within.

This is an action step of the spiritual kind. And I think one of the most valuable ones on the road to manifestation. Again, some people just don't get the whole meditation thing. They can't quiet their minds. They can't sit still. They can't keep thoughts from popping up every single minute. It seems impossible to be able to get any answers when all they keep hearing is the melody to Gaga's "Pokerface." I personally don't accept any of these as excuses to not meditate. As with anything else that might tackle in this life, the more you do it, the easier it gets. And, I'm one for doing away with rules for just about everything and meditation isn't spared.

The goal is to have what Abraham calls, pure positive thought. They believe it's easier to teach us to meditate than to have just pure positive thought. And, I believe they are right. But, on the way to pure positive thought, which can be achieved via a great meditation practice, feel free to try other meditative practices.

For example, although I do meditate and love my meditation practices, my biggest form of meditation is my art. When I am working on my art, I am taking part in almost 100% pure positive thought. Why? Because I love it! I can do it all day and night if I could get away without sleeping. When I am creating a piece of art, my mind is so focused on the work and I am in such a state of JOY that hardly a thought enters it. What does that remind you of? Meditation! By doing what I love, I am connected to the creative power of this Universe and nothing of a negative nature can be attracted to me at that moment. Hence the reason I am in BLISS. I am able to reach pure positive thought and in a sense practice hours of meditation while I am doing my art.

So, if meditation scares you and quieting your mind seems like an insurmountable feat, I urge you to do something you love doing for at least 10 minutes a day. Find something that will help you focus and be able to rest your mind, quiet those thoughts. Listen to some music and make it your intention to just concentrate on the music itself, on every single note of the song. Paint, draw, sing, go for a walk in the park . . . do whatever it takes to get you as close as possible to having pure positive thoughts. This is an important and life-changing step on the road to your dreams. Believe. Listen. Allow.

Peace and Light to you and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel

Giving THANKS to 2009 and 2010 . . . for everything . . .

Happy New Year Everybody!

It is officially 2010! It is not only the start of a wonderful new year, but also the start of a brand new decade! Before we march forth, with our eyes focused on the bright lights ahead, I'd like for us all to give some thanks to 2009. That's how I started my day on this 1st of January, 2010. I did a Thankful Meditation where I sat down and gave thanks to 2009 for all of the experiences it brought me:

• Thank you for my mom and dad still being around
• Thank you for my beautiful Jhon being in my life
• Thank you for my friends, both old and new, for the color they bring to my world
• Thank you for the teachers I attracted and thank you for the lessons I was taught
• Thank you for the art that flows through me
• Thank you for the joy that this art brings me and others
• Thank you for each day that I was able to take a breath and move my body along
• Thank you for the cold, the rain, the sun, the heat, the sleet, the snow, the fallen leaves, the blooming flowers, the wind . . .
  
• Thank you for passing time just as it always has and always will and letting me be a witness
• Thank you for the special days
• Thank you for the special nights
• Thank you for each heart beat
• Thank you for finishing the year on a high note
• Thank you for beauty
• Thank you for color
• Thank you for laughter
• Thank you for abundance
• Thank you for lack
• Thank you for the money that flowed into my life and bank accounts
• Thank you for being able to pay others
• Thank you for love

That was all for 2009. I then thanked 2010 for all of the amazing things that it brings forth:

• Thank you for being so bright and shiny and new
• Thank you for 12 months filled with joy
• Thank you for the abundance that you bring
• Thank you for the opportunities and possibilities that are right there for me to enjoy
• Thank you for the love I can be a part of
• Thank you for the times with family and loved ones and friends
• Thank you for my art and the growth of my business
• Thank you for all of the lessons that are on their way
• Thank you for the teachers
• Thank you for my life

I went a little further but you get the idea. This was a magical way to begin the new year. 2009 had its ups and downs but when all is considered, it was a phenomenal year. How could it not be? I was here on Earth. Each day gave me the opportunity to do what I came here to do on the physical realm. It was up to me to make things happen. In some areas, I succeeded. In others, I realized there is still work to be done. But, I was given 365 days to do something wonderful. I am now given another 365 days to do even better!

Thank you for being a part of my journey and I look forward to continuing it with you. There are some changes coming to The Daydream Chronicles. They are all very exciting and I look forward to sharing them with you. Many, many, many of my dreams are coming through this year. Some have already started to manifest and it feels wonderful! I will share all of them with you here and hope you start to share some of your dreams with me as well.

I encourage you to take the time these next few days, during the first five days of 2010, and do a Thankful Meditation giving thanks to 2009 and welcoming 2010. Give a heartfelt THANK YOU to this new year and welcome it!

Peace and Light and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel

Inviting HOPE . . .

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, HOPE for tomorrow." ~ Albert Einstein

When faced with challenges, we can do many things to try and take care of them. We can face them head on, or ignore them. We can ask for help or try and take care of them on our own. I believe the most important thing to do when faced with a challenging situation, or what most people call a problem, is to really sit with it and ask, "What is this situation here to teach me?" I believe that every boulder that appears on our path is a lesson we are here to learn. And as Louise Hay says in You Can Heal Your Life, some times, as you walk in your own personal journey, a boulder shows up that you've faced before. It's there to see how you handle it this time around. How do you manage to get it out of your way for good? Did you really learn the lesson it is there to teach you?

I came across a boulder just in the last couple of weeks. It presented itself and at first, it seemed bigger than ever. I couldn't believe it. Hadn't I faced this one before and somehow managed to get it out of my way? Why was it here again and this time, BIGGER than ever! It was almost too much for me. I immediately knew that this time around, I needed to get serious and really tackle the issue at hand. This particular lesson had come back, and stronger, because I hadn't really faced it head on the last however many times it had visited me. I had sort of taken care of it, but not really. I had kinda used something to move it out of my way and proceeded to ignore that it was there, at the side of the road, traveling with me . . . gaining speed and veering towards my path.

First thing I did was meditate on the issue. I quieted my mind and asked for help. This is something I've done many times in meditation. Whenever I'm stuck on anything, usually on how to proceed with a certain situation, I turn to meditation for the answer. I believe we have all the answers we need right inside us. What happens is that we allow outside influences and noise and distractions to clutter our minds. The more we allow this to happen, the harder it is to be in tuned with our inner voice that is always there ready to guide us. By quieting the mind, and blocking outside noise, that voice is allowed to rise. In addition, we are able to tap into the Universal Source Energy, that from which we come from and are a part of. Ask and you shall receive.

I meditated and asked for guidance on a Monday morning and by 10:30am, on that same Monday, I had the first of many answers. A good friend had gotten the urge to visit a particular site, for no apparent reason that she knew of. She was about to click off of the site when something jumped out at her and she immediately thought of me. She e-mailed me the link to the site and wouldn't you know it? It was for one of the things I had been specific about in my meditation. The site almost used the exact words I had used in my questions to the Universe. In the past I would've put this down as an interesting coincidence, but, now I know better. My intentions when I meditated were very clear and honest. I was specific in my asking and I got specific answers . . . almost immediately.

This was only the beginning of the work for me. During the course of the week, I had to face that boulder more than once. A couple of times during that week, it felt as if I had somehow ended up underneath it and felt it crushing me. With additional meditation and a constant clinging on to HOPE, I was able to come out from under and once again, face it. I'm still in the process of easing it out of my path for good. This time though, I feel that it's moving easier than before. By setting my intentions and focusing on what's behind this boulder, I truly feel the shift happening. My hope is for this lesson to teach me all I need to know and for me to grasp every single bit of information from it. I wish to learn form the instances I've been faced with it in the past. I wish to deal with it in the present. . . .REALLY deal with it. And finally, I hope for a peaceful resolution. Every day I focus on all the amazing beauty and love and abundance and kindness that surrounds me. Every day I remind myself that everything in my life is perfect. I realize the power I have to manifest miracles. I invite hope into my heart and core and know that I am part of a loving Universe and that ALL IS INDEED WELL.

Be kind to yourself and those around you. If you're facing your own personal boulder, come face to face with it and then ease into it. Ask for divine guidance and listen to your inner voice. You have all the tools necessary to overcome any obstacle that comes your way. All you have to do is listen . . . you know what to do. You always have and you always will.

Peace and Light to you and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel

What would I do without . . . HOPE?

"To sit patiently with a yearning that has not yet been fulfilled, and to trust that, that fulfillment will come, is quite possibly one of the most powerful "magic skills" that human beings are capable of. It has been noted by almost every ancient wisdom tradition." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

What would I do without HOPE? What would my life be like without that inner spark that continually burns bright in my core? I truly believe that not much of anything would happen to any of us if we didn't have it. If we didn't hope for something better or brighter, or if we didn't believe that there really was magic in believing. Even the most unawakened among us, have some form of hope keeping them on whatever path they're on. There's the hope for a better job, more money, a sunny day, a good weekend, a cure . . . a hope for love, more time, things turning out well. . . and on and on we hope . . . we dream . . . we trust.

In our darkest times, that's when we need hope the most. During times of struggle and hardship, our connection with that inner spark needs to be strengthened. No matter what we may be going through, activating what Elizabeth Gilbert calls our "magic skills" is integral in our capacity to overcome the darkness and shine. It wasn't until recently that I've realized the importance of using anything and everything at my disposal to make myself feel good in times when I'm facing some sort of challenge. It's not a matter of ignoring the situation and pretending that it isn't happening, but rather a shifting of focus. By doing whatever I can to lift my spirits and latch on to a wave of positive energy, keep that hope alive as they say, then the challenge loses some of it's hold on me.

A lot of the times when we're faced with difficulties, it's so easy to be consumed by them and devote all of our mental and physical energies to them. The more consumed we are by what is happening, the worse it seems to get. Of course, this would make sense. What you focus on expands and that goes for the good as well as the bad. And while we're focusing on the challenge, there's very little chance of a solution popping into our heads. Instead, it's quite easy for fear to take over and add itself to the situation. I can tell you that living in fear of something is never a way out of any challenge or difficult circumstance. Fear paralyzes and once paralyzed, it's quite hard to make any kind of rational decisions, if any decisions at all.

If we are able to quiet the mind and put the challenge aside for just a little bit, we can begin the process of coming up with a solution. My usual challenge seems to involve financial issues. It's the one area of my life that still presents itself over and over again without some sort of resolution. I recently came upon this challenge once more. At first, I couldn't believe that it was happening again . . . AGAIN! I almost, almost, gave in to the usual fear and allowed feelings of hopelessness to take over. But, with the help of some of the magical techniques I've learned in the past year or so and some wonderful magical friends, I was able to rekindle hope. I was able to make the shift out of that dark place and at least focus on what was shining bright right here in front of me . . . even in the midst of the challenge.

I'll elaborate more on this in the next entry. For now, sit quietly for just a few minutes and visualize what HOPE looks like to you. If you were able to see a physical manifestation of it, what would it look like? To me, my Dream Symbol also stands for a symbol of HOPE. I see it as that spark that keeps everything lit up for me. Shine!

Peace and Light to you and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel

The power of two, three or more . . . continued

Om is the resonant frequency of the cosmos. In the beginning Om arose from the primal silence of pure consciousness, and from It came forth all that has ever been, is now, or ever shall be. And into It do all things return. - Courtesy of Atma Jyoti Ashram

Back in 1998 I had the opportunity to attend a talk/meditation with Lama Surya Das. I had just read his book, Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World, and although I couldn't find anyone to go with me, I ventured forth and went to the talk alone. This was actually unheard of for me at that moment in my life. I was always very afraid of attending places alone, feeling all self-conscious, etc. But, I had really enjoyed the book and it was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up.

I wasn't sure what to expect since I had never attended anything like it and I definitely had never been a part of a group meditation. So, I was excited and scared and just did what I sometimes do in situations like that, I fake my way through them. I observe and pretend to know what I'm doing. No need to do that in this case since of course, everything was wonderful and everyone was very sweet and respectful and the like. Well, Lama Surya Das' talk was quite inspiring. He basically expanded what he had written about in the book and it was just a marvelous opportunity to get the information from him directly. At the end of his talk, he announced that we would then do a meditation session with him. I was like, Oh man, what's this going to be like. Coming from a Jehovah's Witness background, I had never really been involved in anything like that. There was no meditation taught, spoken or written about in their literature. None of that "going within" to find the answers and definitely, NO CHANTING! That was considered all sorts of wrong! A pathway to the devil for sure. So, at that moment, I really didn't know what was going to happen or how I was going to react to it. Again, I faked it. Well, I faked it at the start of the meditation, but then, something amazing happened.

He had us chant the word OM, but very, very slowly. We held on to the {{{{MMMM}}}} part of the word for quite some time every time it was said. At first my mind wandered and I kept opening my eyes to see what was going on. Then, I started to feel something in the room and in my body. The vibration formed by the {{{{MMMMM}}}} in OM started to take me into a deeper level of awareness. It wasn't only that I was chanting it, it was the also the addition of the entire room of close to 50 or 60 people. All of us united in this beautiful practice and chanting one simple word with so many meanings: OM (or AUM)

Global Om - 2009

The room started to vibrate with the power of OM. I felt it in my face, my chest, my arms, hands and fingers. Even my chair was vibrating. There was this incredible wave of energy that enveloped me and hopefully everyone else in that room. Instead of being freaked out, I was surprised to find myself completely immersed in it. I never wanted it to stop. This feeling of silent knowing and of all that is GOOD is what I had been striving for. Wow!

Well, as you can imagine, the meditation session had to end. Lama Surya Das expertly guided us back to "reality" and the night ended. I remember meeting a friend afterwards and having a hard time explaining to her what I had just experienced. Luckily, she was more attuned into the spiritual and chanting practice than I, so I didn't have to work too hard to explain it. But, that night and that experience has always stayed with me. I had first-hand knowledge of the power that we have at our disposal and how powerful indeed it could be when a group gathers with good intentions. The meditation/chanting also gave me a glimpse into our vibrational world. I felt the vibration of the word OM literally changed the atmosphere in the room until it became that loving wave that could be felt!

It had been years since I felt anything like that, but recently, I felt something very close to it. It happened at one of my last IntenSati sessions. This time, the feeling went a little beyond a wave of energy. It was more of a knowledge that was given to me. I'll go into details on Saturday. Until then, I encourage you to gain some knowledge about chanting meditations. Here's one to help you get started: OM Meditation

Peace and Light to you and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel

Watch your words with care . . .

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

~ BUDDHA

After a daydreaming session, it's so important to keep that dreamy, positive energy going. I can't stress this enough. Make sure you follow a daydream with some words affirming those dreams. This is important, because the last thing you want to do is negate what you've done with negative thoughts or words.

For example, let's say you've taken a five-minute break to do a little dreaming. All is beautiful. All is just perfect in your daydream. The time is up and you follow your dreams with "Well, that was nice. . . But, it'll never happen." BLOCK! With just those few words you've completely blocked the manifesting energy of your dream. With a simple thought of "that was a complete waste of time," you're on your way to proving yourself right. It was a complete waste of your time if you just didn't let yourself believe.

This is a feeling Universe and as I've written before, when we let ourselves dream as vividly as we can, we come close to "living as if!" We let ourselves experience those feelings of living the life we truly want. In turn, powerful manifesting powers are activated. But, with a simple sentence of doubt or disbelief, you can block that flow. There is, as the famous book states, MAGIC in believing. Let yourself experience this magic if only for those five minutes a day. But make sure to keep the magic going. Once you're finished with your daydream, follow it with a few positive closing words. Try "As we think, so we'll become." "Let all these things or something greater manifest for me." Or, as Meister Eckhart said, "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." Just say a simple "Thank You" after your daydreaming session and that will be enough to keep you in the flow.

I try to stay in that creative dream flow for as long as I can after a daydream session or after my meditation. With a simple "Thank You" I acknowledge what I've done. I give thanks for all of the possibilities and opportunities that will appear as I work towards those dreams. Oh yes! There's work involved when there are dreams to manifest. But, it all begins with the dream!

Peace and Light to you and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel

Visualizing your dreams

Excerpted from the workshop in Boston, MA on Saturday, October 9th, 1999:

Act a little less and think a little more... We're not saying stop acting and do it all in mind. We're saying work your 8 hours or your 10 hours or your 16 hours.. Just spend at least 10 or 15 minutes -- in a day where you are working 8-10-16 hours of physical action in order to maintain the physical stuff that you've gathered around you -- trying to find pleasure from some vision.

Afford yourself that. And that 10 or 15 minutes that you are finding pleasure, will cause a focalization of Energy within you that the Universe will actualize around. You will begin to notice that you are more productive, because of 15 minutes of visualization, than you were from 16 hours of hard labor. --- Abraham

When I received that quote in my Inbox yesterday, I started to smile. Every single word made so much sense. It is exactly what I have been doing for the past several weeks. Not so long ago, I finally understood that fine balance between what is going on in the physical world; the job, the appointments, the family issues, the love issues, etc. etc. All those things that feel real to us because they are happening around us and we can feel and touch them. And, then the flip side. That other world, that for my purposes I like to call my Day-Dream World. It's what I believe Abraham is talking about in the quote above.

I start my mornings with an Ah Meditation session, where as I recite or chant the sound of "Ah", I clear my root chakra and visualize the things I'd like to manifest. This is the start of my day and it affords me a peek into that Dream World. The world where I am already doing what it is I am longing to do. Where I am already able to accomplish the many things that are on my agenda. I won't go into them here because these things are filled with magic and should not be shared too often. But, needless to say, as I do the Ah Meditation, I am able to see and most importantly, feel all of the things I want to manifest and do in this world.

This feeling, this peek into that other world stays with me throughout my day. I try to go to that space as much as I can during my day, no matter where I am or what I'm doing. And, especially on Day-Dreaming Tuesdays, I make sure to set aside times during the day to daydream and "live" in that space for at least 5 minutes.

It has been written that daydreams have the power to show us what our lives can be like. And, if you pay attention, they can guide you towards a better life simply by giving you something to compare your present state with this "dream state." In other words, if you daydream of an amazing vacation and you see yourself enjoying all this vacation has to offer. Maybe it's an entire week of lounging at the beach or by the pool and doing absolutely nothing. Or, you're backpacking through Europe letting yourself go wherever the wind blows, truly being adventurous. If you daydream these scenarios, you are more likely to try and make your next vacation match this dream vacation and the Universe will get on board and help you get just what you've been visualizing.

That' s also what I believe Abraham is saying when they mention that you'll find yourself being more productive in those 10 - 15 minutes of visualization or dreaming. I've experienced that myself lately. I've been concentrating on making a few dreams come true with my art just by spending time daily on the feeling of having already done the things I'd like to do. I can assure you that all of a sudden, I've turned around and seen the work multiply and I've produced more and more so effortlessly that it seems as if these things were done without me. It's amazing!

I can't encourage you enough to spend some time, 10 or 15 minutes, 5 minutes if it's all you can afford to spend, and just dream a little. Enjoy the process. Let it be a pleasurable experience and not a chore. You really have nothing to lose and so much to gain. If nothing else, you have given yourself a small break from the craziness around you. Your mind and body will feel the shift and the more you do it, the more you'll want to do it and for longer periods of time.

Peace and Light and Keep Dreaming!

Gene-Manuel

Inspired Action (2)

When I paid attention and listened to that inner voice (Inspired Action) that told me to go to the arts supply store and buy markers and paper, I had no idea what was about to happen. I bought an 11" x 14" pad of paper and a small supply of markers. I didn't know what I was doing or buying, but it all felt right.

As soon as I had the markers and the paper in front of me, and I was alone, I suddenly got this flashing vision of a leaf that I knew I had to draw. The need to draw this leaf was so strong, that for the next two hours, that's all I did. I drew this big, red leaf, with small dots and little details. After stopping, I realized two hours had passed but it had felt to me like a few minutes. A few precious minutes of bliss. For those two hours I had not thought about anything else but the leaf that was appearing in front of me. For two hours I did not think about any of the usual problems that would creep into my head. For two beautiful hours, I felt as if I had entered the Silent Mind I had heard so much about.

That's when I knew that I wanted to do this drawing thing more often. From this day on, every single free moment I had, I spent drawing. After the red leaf was finished, a blue candle kept popping into view until I had it in front of me on paper. This drawing showed the beginning of my use of symbols. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I had about 8 pieces ranging from Native American symbols to Egyptian hieroglyphs. I could not stop. As if I were possessed, I would walk into my apartment and immediately go to my drawings and start working. I would be in the middle of a sentence and as if in a trance, I'd stop talking and start drawing.

One day, I was compelled to investigate whirling dervishes. I suddenly remembered Kate Bush using whirling dervishes in many of her videos, especially the one for "Love and Anger," which I immediately searched for on YouTube. Something in their whirling made me want to know more about them. I ran to Google and was treated to an instant course in the history and images of whirling dervishes. After some time, the image of a whirling dervish in the Sema came alive on the page before me. Again, I was struck by how natural this felt to me. How creating this image was something I knew I had to do. "The Whirling" was the first of many whirling dervishes that I have had the honor of creating.

I have let Inspired Action guide me through this new-found passion and it has not led me astray. I am on an incredible journey that has brought such peace and tranquility and JOY into my life that is hard to describe. I learn from every single piece of I art I create. Every image, whether it is a whirling dervish or Buddha, a Tree of Life or a lotus flower, brings with it a message. I am humbled and consider myself one of the happiest people on this beautiful planet Earth every single time I get to sit down and create something on paper.

Always listen to that voice inside that is telling you what to do. Call it Inspired Action, Divine Intervention, gut feeling, the Universal voice, God, whatever feels right to you. You know what I am talking about because we all have it. Listen to it because it will never guide you wrong. If I would've ignored that voice that told me to go and spend money I really didn't have on art supplies that I had never bought in my life, who knows if I would be doing the art that I'm doing now? Although I have a strong feeling that I would've somehow ended up doing this anyway, it might have taken alot longer. But, by listening and not second-guessing myself, and trusting, I now create art that brings a never-ending supply of joy not only to me but to many others. I finally got the answer to those questions, "What am I doing here?" "What is my purpose?"

The answers we sometimes look for outside of us and in "things" are, most of the time, right in front of us. We have those answers and if we only make the room in our lives for them to come forth, by meditating, spending a quiet moment or two during the day contemplating all of the wonderful possibilities in life, they will come through. Like Eckhart says, "Stillness Speaks."

Peace and Light and KEEP DREAMING,

Gene-Manuel