spirituality

Bobcat Spirit (and Fox) Helped Shift Me Out of My Funk

Posted by Barbara Techel

Bobcat Spirit (and Fox) Helped Shift Me Out of My Funk

I awoke in such a funk this morning! Ever have those? And I wasn’t quite sure why.

As the morning wore on, the angst I was feeling continued to grow, even though I still wasn’t sure what it was about.

Getting on my exercise bike, while listening to a podcast, I felt my anxiousness continue to grow. Especially when I noticed two lint pieces on the arm of the sofa, and the more I tried not to notice them, the more they bugged me. And right away my mind tried to convince me that something was “wrong” with me.

But soon enough I knew this was a clear signal that something was brewing below the surface and I knew I had to work with it. John and I have something we say when seemingly simple things become the object of a frustration, and we know better that it isn’t about that particular thing. We say “It isn’t about (fill in the blank)! In my case today I said, “it isn’t about the lint on the sofa!”

Once I was finished exercising I pulled up the Insight Timer meditation app on my ipad, feeling called to find a guided meditation. I knew I needed to work with my emotions, but that I also felt that what I really needed to do was surrender. I came across a lovely woman named Sarah Blondin who does the most beautiful guided meditations. The one I chose was “I Learn to Surrender.”

Listening to her soothing voice and beautiful poetry of words, the tears finally came near the end of the meditation. I felt I still needed a bit more inward time so chose another one of her meditations. This time, I listened to “Accepting Change.”

Afterwards I made my way out to my writing cottage and sat at my desk where I keep my oracle cards and journal. In my journal I wrote, “Dear Spirit, What is it I need to know about the frustration I’m feeling today?”

From Wisdom of the Oracle I pulled Observer in protection (reversal) — the essential meaning of this card is about perspective, objectivity, and neutral observation from a distance.

So what did that have to do with my frustration? Well, I knew right away it was guiding me to see that I was getting caught up in my head of trying to intellectually figure something out that can’t be dealt with in this way. I was also trying to control my feelings of frustration because I was feeling bad for having them.

Once again I had to remind myself that all emotions are part of being human. In order to release them, I must feel them. The observer in protection (reverse) was my extra nudge from Spirit to take the time and pay attention and work through all my feelings.

Just the awareness of this brought me relief. Asking Spirit for my next right action step I turned to the Spirit Animal Oracle deck and pulled Bobcat Spirit and the short message on the front that says, “Life is a mystery.”

Ain’t that the truth, I heard myself say. And the truth is that sometimes that mystery can feel so very distressing because we want control and we want an outcome we are wishing for that we think is best. I was reminded, once again, that I have to be okay with the unknown right now.

Not only do I need to again practice sitting in the observation of all my feelings about a certain situation I realized my angst is about, I also have to trust that either an answer will come at a later point, or it may not come at all. Even though that feels uncomfortable, I’m being called to sit with it.

Turning to the guidebook after journaling my understanding of the cards regarding my particular situation, I especially resonated with this line from Bobcat Spirit:

No matter what, Bobcat Spirit is a sign that you are being called to trust, even when what is revealed does not agree with your need for intellectual certainty.

What I do know now with certainty that after taking this time to focus inwardly is that I’m feeling much better, even though the situation hasn’t changed and there is still uncertainty – but my perspective shifted and from this place I’m feeling much more peaceful.

As I look at the observer card again noting fox on the card I’m sensing the message of how sly and clever our minds can be at deceiving us. But it’s dropping into our heart during challenging times and listening and just being, that we eventually find our way back to truth and understanding.

XO,

Barb

I’m offering a special price on my Oracle Guidance Readings if you are feeling stuck and need some support. I’d be honored to hold space and offer guidance. Click on graphic to learn more about my readings. P.S. Though special price is only good through December 21st, you can schedule your session for the New Year if you wish.

Meditating Buddah Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Meditating Buddah Dog

Just a few days ago I wrote about how Gidget rarely spends time in my writing cottage as she did in previous years. As I’ve become more aware of allowing her to make her own choices instead of automatically scooping her into my arms thinking she wants to be with me, I’ve discovered she is perfectly content to stay in the house.

I also shared how when she did spend time in this space with me, where I go through my morning rituals before settling down to work, meditation being one of them, that often she was wiggly when I’d place her next to me in my big chair where I like to meditate.

As the colder temperatures have now become the norm for the season, I find myself wanting to linger as long as possible in my 1,100 square foot home before heading out to my 10 x 12 writing cottage. Home is one of my core values and though I’m not always fond about the cold temperatures outside, I do love the cozy feeling this time of year provides.

And so wanting to linger longer, I’ve been doing my yoga practice and meditation in my living room, with Gidget snoozing nearby in her bed. 

There is no right or wrong way to meditate, but what feels right, I believe. Of late, I’ve been laying on my back on my yoga bolster with my arms out to the side as I listen to a favorite meditation on Insight Timer. 

Just this week, everyday so far, something new and welcoming has occurred. Within about five minutes of my meditation, I will feel a little cold snout push its way under my hand. Then soon enough a soft, silky long body will be pushed up against my arm.

You know what they say that distance makes the heart grow fonder?

While I’ve grown to be more in partnership with Gidget, allowing her to make her own choices, there are times I do miss her in when I’m in my writing space. 

But these last three days and her wish of wanting to be within the space of my meditation has warmed my heart. As I finished the last pose of my yoga today, Gidget popped her head up from under her blanket and made her way over to me.

Holding her tiny face in my hands, I said, “Does someone want to meditate again today?”

This time I sat on the sofa and waited to see if she wished to join me. Sure enough. She sat at my feet looking up at me.

Picking her up, crossing my legs over each other, I nestled her into the hollow space of my legs. Calm as could be, and together, we shared a space of 15-minutes of stillness and peace.

Namaste – “the divine in me honors the divine in you” my dear little buddha dog. 

XO,

Barb

The Making of a Prayer Box and The Water Horse

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Making of a Prayer Box and The Water Horse

This past Sunday I spent the afternoon collaging and painting an old wooden box into a prayer box while watching The Water Horse – Legend of the Deep. 

As I mentioned a few blog posts ago, I have some family members and a dear friend going through some health challenges right now. It has left me feeling helpless at times and wondering what it is I can “do” to be of support.

The thing is, I know we must each walk our own journey and that we must also honor each person’s journey even when we feel like we wish there was something we could do to take away their challenging time. Balancing our own needs with wanting to help and respecting the dignity and choices of other’s can be a fine line to walk. 

Earlier this year going through a dark night of the soul myself, I came to feel Spirit envelop me for the first time in my life. I continue to be more comfortable with saying Spirit as I see this higher power as this swirling, right beside me, within and outside of me, as energy rather than sometimes labeled as male and/or God. But I came to understand that Spirit, even in those dark moments, was there for me.

And what if what my family members and my friend who are going through this difficult time could come to this same feeling and understanding of Spirit as I did this year? I’d certainly want that for them. Maybe that is how I can best support them and hold this in my heart and in my prayers.

And so the idea of creating this prayer box was born…I didn’t have any idea of what it would look like when it was complete, but just followed what felt right as I dug through decorative papers, paints, and pictures from magazines.

While I still think I may add something to it, though not sure what that is yet, I posted a photo of it on Facebook with this note: Spent the afternoon collaging this wooden box as a prayer box. With many I know going through a difficult time right now, I will add each of their names to the box as a way of holding space, love, light and peace for each of them.

Ronnie left a comment: Beautifully created…sincere& beautiful wishes. But how does light get into a closed box?

I found the question so intriguing! And so I thought for a few moments and wrote: It’s the light within each of our hearts – that when we say a little prayer filling our whole being with the light of Spirit, that we wish for the person we are praying for to be filled with that light, too.

I can’t help but think of the movie I was watching also while collaging this prayer box. The movie’s description of what it is about in case you’ve not seen it: On the shore of Loch Ness, Scotland, Angus (Alex Etel) finds an unusual egg. When it hatches, it releases an unexpected surprise: a water horse, the legendary creature from Scottish mythology. While the boy tries to keep its existence hidden from his mother (Emily Watson), he and his new pet, Crusoe, quickly become inseparable. But as the water horse grows larger, eventually becoming the fabled Loch Ness monster, Angus must protect his friend from those who would want to do it harm.

We’d do anything to help those we love to not suffer or come in harms way. While we can do what we can and be of support, we have to trust that this is their journey to walk as it is each of ours. And so it was with Angus, who loved that water horse he named Crusoe, with all his heart. But in the end it was for the highest good to allow Crusoe to continue his journey in his sea home that was best for him and it was that Angus could not travel with him as his  home is on land.

But it didn’t mean he didn’t love Crusoe any less — but all the more — for he loved Crusoe so much he set him free to swim the journey he was meant to.

XO,

Barb