Yanni's Blog

I would like to take the opportunity now to share with those of you who read my blog, why I do the work that I do.

I would like to introduce you to what I refer to as the “Embrace” and how it is at the core of all that I do and be.

It is through the “Embrace” that “all things are made anew.” As well, it is through the “Embrace” that we all are made whole and healed. And it is through the “Embrace” that we can listen and learn from each other.

What follows is a brief story that may put this is a broader context for you:

Some eighteen years ago I was participating in a series Intuitive Development classes. During the classes we would meditate and quiet our minds and go into a very profound place of peace where we would access a deep, deep connection with extraordinarily loving energies.

I had been participating in these classes for about a year and had really enjoyed the warmth and camaraderie that had formed among all the class members. As well, I had very much enjoyed the peace that the experience of the classes brought. So, too, the class facilitator, Philip Burley, was a truly excellent channel and the messages that came through him were very profound and healing.

Then one night as I was “tuning in,” an overpowering sense of peace and pure Love just cascaded all over and through me. I had never felt this before and it just kept growing and growing and getting deeper and deeper, wider and wider, fuller and fuller. Truly for the first time in my life I knew what it meant to have “my cup runneth over.”

It was there and then that I “knew” that I had found “it.” I had found both my connection with Source/God and had also found my vocation or calling in life. I “knew” that my life had been leading me to this moment so that that I could really “get” what was important and then help others experience that same “Embrace.”

So, on that day it became clear to me that my raison d’etre (reason for being) was/is to continue to deepen that connection with the “Embrace” for myself, and, in whatever way possible to help others to find “It” for themselves, as well.

So, all my work up to now is dedicated to this purpose.

See my blog post on 08/02 for part II.

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Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"Change and Strength are an 'Inside Job.'"


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(length 10:01 minutes)


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A boy and his father were walking along a road when they came across a large stone. The boy said to his father, "Do you think if I use all my strength, I can move this rock?"
His father answered, "If you use all your strength, I am sure you can do it."

The boy began to push the rock. Exerting himself as much as he could, he pushed and pushed. The rock did not move.

Discouraged, he said to his father, "You were wrong. I can't do it."

His father placed his arm around the boy's shoulder and said, "No son. You didn't use all your strength - you didn't ask me to help."

Do you believe that the Universe is a friendly place or not?

Do you believe that there are energies and beings that are just waiting to help you, if you just ask for their help? Or do you believe that you are a spiritual orphan?

Do you believe that if you ask for support and believe and expect that it will come to you, that it will come to you?

These are the questions and beliefs that this parable is asking you to explore.

So, just take some time to explore these questions. By doing so, you will come to better know yourself and then you will be better able to draw upon the sources of strength that are available to you.

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In order to change anything in your life, you must first make a change within your self. Every change is an “inside job.” Change is not about controlling or changing another person or situation in your outer life so that it suits you better. It is about changing you, internally.

So, for example, if you want to experience peace in your life, you must first seek to create peace within yourself no matter what. The level of peace you experience in your external life is solely dependent on the level of peace you feel within. Then as you attain this internal peace, you achieve a peace that the world can not take away from you.

You, thus, have achieved a peace that is rock solid and deep. Then you know what it means to stand on solid ground.

So, whatever you wish to change or achieve, you must first go within, honestly evaluate your thoughts, beliefs, fears, etc. about the issue, release the ones that do not serve you and then embrace the ones that do. Then things will really change for you.

It can and likely will be a challenge to be so honest with yourself, but it is the only way to really effect significant change in your life.

Try it with anything you would like to change in your life. It really works.

Meditation is the primary tool I use to access this level of myself. It is the best way I know of to get in touch with my underlying beliefs and thoughts. And it is the most effective method with which to create the changes I want in my life.

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Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"Using Meditation to Relax and Manage Stress, Part II"


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(length 10:35 minutes)


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The following blog has four parts to it. This is Part IV. Refer to the last three blogs for Parts I, II and III.

Preventing Tension: In order to prevent excessive tension from creating di-stress you first need to be conscious of what is going on in your body and mind. So, regularly and consistently take the time during the day to observe yourself and be aware of how your body and mind are responding to the situation at hand.

If you are feeling the effects of stress, catch yourself before it gets any worse and start releasing the pent up energy by breathing consciously. Just being conscious like this will go a long way in helping you not hold on to any negative energies.

So, when you feel tension, just use any or all of the three breaths I have taught you above and you will feel so much better. Doing at least ten full breaths like this will help to calm you down and/or re-energize you.

I would suggest that you practice these techniques at least five times a day. If you do, you will feel so much more relaxed and at peace than you ever imagined. And all you have to do is incorporate these simple techniques.

Peace be with you!

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[The following blog has four parts to it. This is Part III. Part IV will follow in the next blog. Refer to the last two blogs for Parts I and II].

What follows is a description of a series of simple breath meditation exercises that will help you to calm your emotions and be much more relaxed:

Emotional Distress: When you are under emotional stress, breath into your abdominal area and keep your focus of attention there. Let your belly comfortably expand on the inhalation and slightly contract on the exhalation. Breath in for a count of four, hold briefly, while you imagine any negativity being gathered into the breath, and then breath out all the negativity for a count of four or more.

Use this breath to help calm yourself when you are feeling anxious, overly excited, worried, while doing something new, etc.. Do at least ten of these breaths. It helps to calm you down and re-energize your adrenals, pancreas and digestive organs.

Feeling Overwhelmed: Breathe as above, but now into your heart area. Just notice the rise and fall of your breath in the heart area. It is more subtle than in the abdominal area, but still perceptible.

Use this breath when you feel overwhelmed, overworked, overloaded, suppressed, depressed, fearful, lacking in confidence, in a crisis, under pressures, etc. This energizes the heart and lungs.

Mental Tension: Breathe into your head, as above. Consciously take a deep breath high up into your nose and try to feel the energy circulating in your head, face, eyes, neck and throat. Breathe oxygen into your brain and head, neck, face, eyes, neck and throat. Feel energy flow into all these areas.

This breath is for headaches, dizziness, migraines, insomnia or when you feel mentally foggy and unclear.

To be continued...

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Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"Using Meditation to Relax and Manage Stress, Part I"


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(length 8:03 minutes)


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The following blog has four parts to it. This is Part II. Parts III and IV will follow in subsequent blogs. Refer to the previous blog for Part I

By using meditation, you can significantly lessen your level of tension and experience the following positive, relaxing, scientifically proven effects:

Highly alert and focused mental state
Deep state of relaxation
Decrease in perspiration, muscle tension, and levels of stress hormones
Slower more even breathing patterns
Slower heartbeat
Lower and more stable blood pressure
Diminished fight or flight response
Better digestion
A boost in energy, stamina, and natural immunity
Speedier recovery from illness
Improved response time, motor skills, coordination, & other physical responses
Enhanced mental concentration
Greater emotional mastery and stability
Enhanced feeling of well-being
Prevention of physical problems
More graceful aging
Better sleep

As well, the regular practice of meditation can help with the following conditions:

Lessens the frequency and severity of asthmatic attacks and other allergic reactions.
Materially reduces stress and stress-related illnesses like heart disease, hypertension, tachycardia, headaches, and insomnia.
Significantly alleviates present moment and chronic physical pain from arthritis, back injury, and most other causes.

Also, meditation can help with: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Diabetes, Gastrointesnal Disorders, Sexual dysfunction, Post-traumatic Stress, Panic Attacks.

So, as you can see, you can significantly improve the quality of your life by learning how to incorporate meditation into your life. Meditation techniques are simple, short, and easy to do. And they will help make your life so much more enjoyable.

[Please not that you should always consult a medical professional if you have any of the above-mentioned conditions.]

To be continued...

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The following blog has four parts to it. This is Part I. Parts II, III and IV will follow in subsequent blogs.

Stress is an everyday fact of life. You can't avoid it; but you can manage it in a way so that it works for you and not against you. If you allow stress to run unchecked, you will most likely create problems for yourself physically and emotionally.

Below is a list of some of the various kinds of ailments that chronic stress can cause:

Muscle weakness, muscle tension, shoulder, neck, and backaches
Hypertension
Peptic ulcers, stomachaches
Colitis, constipation, chronic diarrhea
Amenorrhea–suppression of menstruation, failure to ovulate
Impotency and loss of libido
Asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments
Diabetes
Decalcification of bones, osteoporosis
Inhibition of immune and inflammatory systems
Headaches, fatigue
Arthritis
Premature aging
Depression
Anger, hostility
Difficulty making decisions and concentrating, frequent crying
Insomnia

Please note that when you are overly stressed, your adrenal glands secrete corticoids (adrenaline, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) which inhibit digestion, reproduction, growth and tissue repair, and the immune and inflammatory responses.

So, as you can see from the above, chronic stress is not good for you. But, just as we get so caught up in a chronic stress response to life's challenges; we can also learn how to experience the "relaxation response" through the practice of meditation.

To be contunued...

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Life Mastery's Friday Weekly Podcast:

"Dedication, Discipline and Intentionality; the Keys to the 'Good Life'"


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(length 10:44 minutes)


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This is a continuation of my last posting on July 3.

Intentionality and dedication is the Master’s prayer and gift to him/herself. With clear intentions, one can manifest one’s dreams, purpose and goals and live in great peace. If you are half-hearted, the Universe responds half-heartedly. If you are clear, the Universe responds clearly.

To attain the Mastery that is your birthright, you must be very purposeful in all that you do. No breath, thought or action is ever wasted. Everything is clear and on target. You know who you are and where you want to go or “be.”

Please be assured that this is not a process that is rigid and dogmatic nor is it mental in nature. Nor is this a process that has as its primary focus the accomplishment of external goals. Rather it is a process of being in touch with your Self and, therefore, by being in touch, you become so true to your Self that your every breath, thought and action is inspired from the depths of your soul.

Thus you learn to live a life of impeccable clarity and ease and are no longer buffeted by the whims of the ego. Instead you live in a constant state of inspiration and revelation and flow from one experience to another.

So, to access this state one must take the time to look within and listen to one’s Self by employing the sacred tools of meditation, prayer and contemplation.

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In whatever way works for you, it is so, so important daily to take the time to make connection with your Source. If you do not, then you will not be in touch with your Self. And, if you are not in touch with your Self, you can not “be” your Self.

You are your “most significant other.” If you do not spend time with this most significant part of who you are, you will never be true to your Self nor will you know your Self.

So, some form of meditation, prayer or contemplation is essential in order to connect with your Self and to live the “Good Life.” Hence, in order to become one with your Self, dedication, discipline and being clearly intentional are so important.

One of the fastest ways to become one with your Self is to be disciplined---that is to take time to meditate, pray, as mentioned above and to also exercise, eat well, fast, read uplifting literature, etc.---in other words to take time to develop “order and clarity” in your life and to “be” with your Self.

The word “discipline” and “disciple” come from a Latin root that means to grasp or to comprehend. So, to be disciplined means that you steadfastly focus on something so that in time you truly understand or master it. What could be more important than learning how to be a Master of one’s life?

Very few people have the patience and discipline to apply this kind of focus in their lives. I dare say that most adults have a shorter attention span than children.