The Light of Christ in You

💫The Light of Christ in You💫

We are so much more than our physical bodies.

"We are spiritual beings having a physical experience."

This life is known as maya, meaning 'illusion'. Not that it isn't 100% real, but because this isn't who we are originally.

We can learn to feel more and more into our spiritual selves to help us navigate this life and tap into spiritual gifts that are our birthright. This is done through a DAILY spiritual practice that is not just about meditation and eating healthy (although those are two important practices). It's all about our ability to access and hold onto Prana - life force, chi, the light of Christ...it's that spiritual charge that animates all of life.

The following is an excerpt from the book, "Awake as in Ancient Days" by Felice Austin, also known as Nam Joti Kaur :

"According to ancient masters, “Prana is a mystical force that is found in all living physical entities, but which is non-physical. It is in the air without being air. It is in water without being water. it is in food without being food.” The ancients said that wherever there is life in the universe, there is prana. Without prana, all would be dead, lifeless matter. The word prana is derived from the Sanskrit word signifying absolute energy, divine energy, or as I know it, the Light of Christ.

The scriptures say that the Light of Christ “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space” and is “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed.” Though prana fills the immensity of space and is in all things, humans have a special relationship with prana because of our intellectual capabilities, which empower us to receive and transfer prana. Consequently, we can choose to fill ourselves with more prana, and we can also “send” prana to others for healing purposes."

Usually when "Christ" is spoken of, we are referring to the Master, Jesus Christ. Christ is a title rightly given to the Lord Jesus Christ as he was a master of prana, or life force energy.

Jesus tells us in John 14:12 that we can do greater works than his. Um...wow. Right? And...how?

We have the Light of Christ in us:
"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." John 1:4
“You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14
"The anointing that you received from him abides in you." 1 John 2:27

The Light of Christ is in you! Christ is the anointing, an oil. Literally. Inside our bodies.

We become "closer to Christ" by following the Holy Spirit (our own intuition - also known as our Higher Self) and following the Word of God.

We become "closer to Christ" not by simply "being" Christian and believing, but practicing daily. The quickest way to do this is by gaining an understanding of, and harnessing, the power of prana with daily, intentional spiritual practice.

Follow along for more insight and get tips on how to purposefully and more properly make use of prana in your everyday life.

Food for Thought Friday: Healthy, Whole Foods

It's funny how things happen sometimes.  We don't even see how closed off we are until we are finally open to something, then take a small leap of faith in the right direction and suddenly a whole world of knowledge is opened up to you because you showed you were ready.  Treasures of knowledge that were there all along, but you couldn't see it for some reason.  You weren't ready.  But now...

This is how I feel my 40 day fast to break free of sugar addiction is going (see first post here).  The fast was a definite leap of faith because I was prompted to add meat to it.  At the time I didn't know what meat had to do with sugar addiction.  But it brought about a study of The Word of Wisdom that has helped me see things in a new light.  We're talking former Paleo-believer here.

The Word of Wisdom
Before I get into that I want to explain that I don't believe Latter-Day Saints need to avoid all meat in order to "keep the Word of Wisdom."  It has been defined as abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, illegal drugs, and habit-forming substances. But I promise you, there is SO MUCH MORE depth in that one section of scripture!  You can search it out for yourself here if you like.

The Paleo Framework
Years ago I took a "hiatus" from church.  My health took a nose-dive and I sought anything that would help, including a healthful way of eating.  I came across the Paleo diet (grass-fed meat, healthy fats, no grains, beans, legumes, or processed sugar) and was hooked since this was around the time we were also trying to add whole grains into our diet and noticed a lot of stomach upset.  Well, removing grains like Paleo recommends not only helped that but also helped my PCOS and skin issues.  My husband and I both lost weight and felt better.  Paleo certainly did give me a healthy framework to use.  But I believe now that it wasn't the removal of grains so much as it was the removal of processed foods.  Which brings me to...

Processed Foods vs. Whole Foods
Aah, the phrase we are all so familiar with.  But sometimes we might not think this one through - or, at least, I hadn't.  Maybe because I was Paleo and didn't eat bread to begin with, but this was one of the "ah, ha" moments for me: "whole grain" bread is processed.  All bread is processed.  For that matter canned foods are as well and many other things.  On the other hand, whole foods are just that: whole, as they are found in nature.

Now, immediately our minds go to: "But what about calcium?....protein?...fat?"  Plants have it all built in.  Think about it: "People eat meat and think they will be as strong as an ox, forgetting that the ox eats grass."  The elephant, the rhinoceros...herbivores.  How do they build strong bones and muscles?  Obviously the plants must contain the nutrients they need.

Reading stories of people who reverse cancer, diabetes, and all kinds of ailments is always very inspiring, but I've realized that doesn't have to be our fate.  Why use healthy eating as a backup plan for if we have to.  Why not choose to and avoid so much pain - not to mention lost wages and medical expenses.  Why?  Because it's extreme?  I think we need to redefine our definition of extreme.  Surgery is extreme.  Chemo and radiation are extreme.  Eating natural, whole foods is not extreme.  Eating healthy, whole foods isn't the backup plan, it is the plan!

I will never consider myself "vegan" but I have found vegan recipes extremely helpful.  I like to refer to this way of eating as a "whole food plan." Our bodies are obviously made to be able to eat meat and process the nutrients, but not full time, everyday.  Don't believe me?  Do the research.  If you dare ;-).  You, too will have a whole world of knowledge open up to you.

Food for Thought Friday: Partial Fasting

Our first 40 days has gone by in a flash of amazing insights and greater awareness to our incredible bodies.  I was inspired to begin a 40 day fast for my food addictions: no refined sugar, no refined wheat flour, and (to my surprise) no meat.  The night I opened my fast with prayer and meditation the bright blue full moon rose over the eastern horizon.  This is extremely significant to me because when I began my first 40 day meditation one October morning, the full moon was setting over the western horizon. 

I was also inspired to track my days by adding a charm each day to this bracelet I made.  My 12 year old daughter Hailey is apparently following my progress since she noted yesterday how many days I've gone without sugar by counting the charms and followed by a sincere "Good job!".  This is a big deal. She has her own food issues that came on over a couple choking crises. So now I'm realizing the bracelets significance: it doesn't only serve as a reminder to me of my commitment, not to mention a little motivation, but it is a visual representation to others that might need inspiration.  Here's what the bracelet looks like if anyone thinks this idea might work for them:

I can't tell you how many weeks, how many days - I've started and "failed" and started over again to try and eat healthy.  Turning it into a "partial fast" has made all the difference.  I didn't even have any of the typical withdrawal symptoms like headaches and a general cruddy feeling for the first few days from not having sugar.  And 6 days in I've realized that it's not about 40 days anymore - well, not exactly.  I know that after 40 days my addiction will be broken.  But I will need to continue this way of eating if I truly want health physically and spiritually.  

Fasting is Feasting
Fasting is a discipline that can be very helpful.  It has been used for ages as an advanced aid in spiritual awareness.  Fasting can quicken your pace and open you up spiritually because you are putting off the "natural man" like nothing else.   Fasting is feasting for the soul.  When we have addictions of any kind our body and soul are out of balance.

Food is fundamental and it carries with it a ton of psychological weight.  When we deny ourselves or cut back it unleashes all the unmet needs that we are using food to cope with.  We are suddenly left  with an opportunity to sit with those feelings and learn that the Lord will provide and that all is well.  

Much of what we have grown up to know about fasting in the LDS church (going without food and water for 24 hours) is highly advanced and now that I have learned about partial fasts and its power, maybe a little limiting.  Not only that but many don’t know how to properly prepare the body for something so strenuous physically and emotionally that I think we end up missing out on the spiritual part of it.

Resistance to Fasting

Going without food and water is not appropriate for everyone like pregnant/nursing women or people with blood sugar issues – BUT that makes a lot of people think that’s them because they feel they might be a little hypoglycemic and they skip it all together because of this. There’s a lot of limiting beliefs surrounding fasting.   Anyone who is on a steady diet of sugar (incliding processed, refined foods like white bread)  and caffeine is going to feel hypoglycemic when it comes to changing your diet suddenly.  And when we break a fast by eating a large meal any emotional and physical benefits that might have occurred will be undone immediately.  In contrast, if we can eat consciously while breaking a fast, that can go a  long way in terms of carrying that consciousness throughout our day and our lives. 

Partial Fasting

There are other ways to fast besides 24 hours without food or water: as long as you combine a fast with prayer and intention it can be really powerful.  A partial fast, or mono fast, is when certain foods are cut out of the diet and a person only eats certain foods.    A partial fast doesn't mean that it's another diet cleanse dressed up as spirituality. It should be done with prayer and intention.

You could do something similar to lent when you choose one food, or one food group to give up based on a predetermined amount of time.  You could do something called The Daniel Fast where you give up meat, leavened breads and sugars.  You could fast just one meal. There’s juice fasting… …if you wanted to break an addictive habit like sugar you could do one day, then the next time 2 days and so on.  One could fast only food and allow water.  Or maybe just fast between meals if you tend to be a grazer.  But it doesn’t have to be food -you could do an online fast, or a Facebook fast….the list is endless but it certainly means all can do something.  Fasting is much like Kundalini Yoga and Meditation – it can meet you where you are at.  

Ideally it’s a sacrifice of some kind…If you don’t like chocolate to begin with that’s not something you need to give up. ;)

Facts About Fasting

Fasting doesn’t send your body into “starvation Mode” and there are actually many benefits to it:

1. Improves insulin sensitivity 
2. Gives your digestive system a rest energizing the body's metabolism to burn through calories more efficiently
3. Promotes longetivity
4. Regulates the hormones in the body so that you experience what true hunger is
5. Improves brain function because it boosts the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
6. Helps us practice self-control and strengthens willpower
7. Fasting allows us to feel better both consciously and physically. With a lighter body and a clearer mind we become more aware and grateful for the things around us. With no food in the digestive system, this makes room for more energy in the body – the digestion is one of the most energy absorbing systems in the body.

There are many wonderful promises found in Isaiah Chapter 58, one of them is to "loose the bands of wickedness" and "undo heavy burdens".  I take that to mean addictions and things that hold us back.  Fasting will release our attachments to anything that we think we need.

If you want to add fasting to a 40 day journey, pray about it and see what comes up during meditating to find what is right for you.  Fasting is truly a great tool to help us balance our spiritual and temporal needs.

If you liked this post I will be posting more every Friday about the body and its relationship to food as I dive into a study of The Word of Wisdom, the temple body, and our modern way of eating.

Sat nam,

Samantha

Is Yoga Compatible with Christianity?

Short answer:

Yes.  I believe it is completely compatible.  I have my own experience of my faith deepening immensely when I began my practice sincerely and there are so many other faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints and Christians of other denominations who have found the same deepening of their faith due to their own personal practice.

Long Answer:

I believe wholeheartedly that it most definitely is, but unfortunately some do not understand the strength yoga can provide spiritually and they say no to its compatibility, their reasoning being that:

"The practice of yoga is based on the belief that man and God are one. It is little more than self-worship disguised as high-level spirituality." (Source)

I strongly disagree.  For example:

•  Look at the word "Atonement" more closely = At - ONE - ment: 

"The literal meaning of the word "Atonement" is self-evident: at-one-ment, the act of unifying or bringing together what has been separated and estranged." Jeffrey R. Holland

• The definition of "yoga" comes from the same root as "yoke" and means "union," specifically union with God.

And there are numerous accounts in scripture to help us understand:

• Psalms 82:6 - "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." 

• Luke 17:21 - "For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

• 1 John 4:16 - "...God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 

• John 10:34 - "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"

• John 17:11 - "That they may be one, as we are."
• John 17:22 - "And the glory which though gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."

I want to point out our egocentric notion of what "Christianity" means with a few quotes:

"... non-Christian faiths teach many truths too ... God raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all the children of men, of their own tongue and nationality, speaking to them through means that they can comprehend; 'not always giving a fullness … of the gospel of Jesus Christ; but always giving that measure of truth that the people are prepared to receive.'” - R. Lanier Britsch

“The world’s religions are not just corruptions of an original message but rather the product of a purposeful plan of God to reach all of his children, meeting them exactly where they need to be met. While some of the truths in other faiths may be the product of the original gospel passed on, many had brand new beginnings in meetings between the founder and his God. Falling into this category would certainly be Nanak, Zoroaster, Abraham, Muhammad, and Baha’u’llah. God seems to have given them new messages designed to raise the people of their day to new spiritual heights.” – Roger R. Keller, Light and Truth: A Latter-Day Guide to World Religions.

“Now we stand in the full blaze of the restoration of the Gospel.  If people in other spiritual traditions and philosophies even without the restored Gospel, obtain such marvelous manifestations as those recorded in the world’s spiritual literature, it may be that many of us have hardly begun to plum the riches and powers of the restored Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” – M. Catherine Nelson

And finally...Fear not:

• "Fear not the reproach of men." - Isaiah 51:7

• "God hath not given us the spirit of fear."- 2 Timothy 1:7

• "Fear not little flock; for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." - Luke 12:32

*   *   *

Yoga is consistent with Christian teachings and in alignment with Christ-centered values and beliefs, such as taking care of the body and growing closer to God.  There are also reasons why people with no religious affiliations are drawn to it.

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Tiehard de Chardin

When one uses yoga and meditation as a tool to grow closer to God, self-worship is not a part of the picture.  In fact, it is a sacrifice, a personal commitment which develops self-discipline and builds character.  I can see how the adversary does not want that, so I guess there will always be the naysayers.