Connecting With Spirit

I have arrived at the seventh and final chakra--the Crown Chakra.  This chakra is associated with our spiritual connection.  I finished off my 7-day chakra-balancing yoga experience with a powerful headstand preparation practice.  I finished the session in the full headstand posture in the hopes of expanding my consciousness and being open to receiving divine messages today.

I wanted to make sure I had an open and receiving demeanor because for the first time in twenty years, I decided to attend church!  I had been entertaining doing this for about a week now after discussing the possibility of finding a "new thought" church with my therapist.  She initiated the discussion and being very open to what she suggests, I decided to give it a try.  I was on the fence about going until yesterday when my decision was clinched by a "divine" sign from the Universe.  I was looking for parking in Dupont Circle, which is usually a nightmare-- and after driving around for about 10 minutes I allowed my intuition to guide me down a little road that looked like an alley --and low and behold I found a spot that fit my car like a glove.  As I walked down the street I glanced back at the road sign so I would know how to find my car again and the street sign read "Church Street."  An actual literal SIGN!

So, I decided to go to a little local interfaith church this morning.  I wasn't nervous. I had no reservations, which I usually do when trying something new.  I just felt open and enthusiastic.  The sermon was about self-worth, which is ironic since I just started a herfuture.com group focused on cultivating self-love.  The pastor was very energetic and humorous.  The delivery of his powerful message was captivating.  I appreciated the inclusion of all different faiths from an Islamic prayer to an African drummer to a reading from the Book of Maccabees.  I was especially moved by the live music performed by a violinist and pianist all throughout the service.  I was touched by the warmth I received from the attendees and the pastor and their encouragement for me to return.  It felt like I was a part of their loving fellowship already.  I'm not necessarily going to become a member of this church right away, but it really helped open me up to the possibility of having this be a part of my spiritual practice again.  My plan is to go visit other spiritual centers to see if I find one that feels just right.

A funny thing happened when I returned to my car after the service.  I totally broke down sobbing out of nowhere!  I had suddenly become so overwhelmed with emotion and it was just pouring out.  I still don't quite know what to make of that but I believe that I had really been opened up and perhaps this was the manifestation of the immense joy I was feeling or maybe there were some repressed feelings that needed to come out.  I'm not sure--but it completely energetically wiped me out.  I was already running on little sleep from the night before so that just did me in.  I slept for a couple hours this afternoon and I am still wondering how I mustered the energy and brain power to write this blog tonight.

The artwork for this chakra is an image of an open and receiving lotus flower.  I love the symbolism of a lotus flower because it is this beautiful bloom that grows right out of the muck.  It flourishes despite the yuckiness that surrounds it.  How true is that for all of us resilient human beings?!  What's interesting is that this image is the only image so far that is really similar to the image I created four years ago:

Maybe this speaks to the fact that my spirituality and receptivity to divine messages is always present regardless of what I'm going through.  I think I remember feeling that way at the time I painted the last lotus.  I think I was confident that even though I was in a pretty low place, some part of me trusted that I would emerge from it and blossom again....and hey, guess what?--I did.  I think the best divine message I received today (which, came from that little guide from within) was "Hey Brooke...go ahead and trust." I think I've been fearful of trusting in the past because what if I trusted and things didn't turn out the way I hoped?  Then I would be disappointed and hurt and my trust would be compromised.  But the thing is...things do turn out how we hope, it just is sometime a convoluted path to arriving there!  There is no harm in trusting...if nothing else, it feels a heck of a lot better than waiting for the other shoe to drop or worse--deciding that you are doomed.

Okay now, YOUR TURN!

What does the image of a lotus flower look like for you?  Is it closed up in such a tight bud that it cannot receive anything?  Are its petals opened up so much that it leaves you feeling confused, addicted, or disconnected?  Or are the petals in an open just right and in a receptive manner?

Characteristics of a balanced Crown Chakra are:
* a healthy spiritual connection
* wisdom
* open-mindedness
* receptivity
* ability to question

ACTIONS:  Search for meaning and examine your beliefs
                     Create a special alter in your home for worship
                     Develop a spiritual practice that is not necessarily religious
                         in nature but more importantly, works for you.
                     Visit a spiritual center
                     Fast and meditate in an effort to purify consciousness
                     Make an effort to be present and mindful

MANTRAS:  I honor and protect my divine spirit.
                       I know my higher purpose is being fulfilled.
                       I trust in the Universe and I trust in myself.

SONG:  "This little light of Mine"  I don't care what your belief
                           system is--this song rocks!

What do you do to connect with spirit?  Please tell me!

Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me.
Namaste,
Brooke