My Journey to Enlightenment

As I've said before, I have been on a quest for enlightenment for over 5 years. I have been drawn to buddhism because I see it as a way of life more than a religion. We are all buddhas within. I've been living and learning how to encompass everything that I've learned over the years. My life has been transformed in such a beautiful way. I have a deeper appreciation for so many things in my life. I've always been grateful for everything in my life, but I, like many others never loved myself and gave all my love away. I realized that I was missing out on so much happiness. I now take time for myself, and above all recognize when that "me time" is needed. Now my life is whole in so many ways. I wish I could bottle up this feeling of overwhelming happiness that I have and sell it! I'd be rich lol. I was very lucky to have found my new family with SGI. They have surrounded me with love and light. I'm sharing all this with you today, because tomorrow I will receive my Gohonzon. This is a goal I set for myself for August and have attained this goal a month early and am elated! Here's a simple explanation of what a Gohonzon is for those of you who are not familiar with the practice. The Gohonzon is the stimulus that helps us draw forth this most enlightened state of life, perceive the Buddha state as the true nature of our life, and live in harmony with our environment. The Gohonzon takes the form of a scroll inscribed with Chinese and Sanskrit characters. The significance of the Gohonzon lies not in the literal meaning of the characters, but in the fact that it is was created by Nichiren as the physical embodiment, in the form of a mandala, of the eternal and intrinsic law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The phrase "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Nichiren" is written in bold characters down the center of the scroll. We chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" to connect with the Universe, with the vibration that we give out as we chant. Nam derives from the Sanskrit word namu, meaning "to devote oneself." Myoho literally means the Mystic Law--the underlying truth or principle which governs the mysterious workings of the universe and our life from moment to moment Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. For me putting what I've practiced throughout the years along with chanting, has added so much more awareness to my life. I feel so connected with the universe and everything in it. I have always been a lover of nature, but now I have a deeper admiration for it everywhere I go. I see beauty in people that I meet that I may have overlooked before. I'm so excited to continue my journey.

The Buddhist view of life is a profoundly holistic one that sees no essential separation between our lives and the life of the universe. When we draw forth the power of wisdom and compassion through prayer, we are drawing forth and directing the same universal wisdom and creative compassion that manifests in everything from the intelligent bonding of molecules to the symbiotic evolution of species, to the decay and formation of galaxies.Ultimately it is belief in their own potential that enables human beings to develop and to advance in the face of difficulties Human RevolutionInterconnectednessTreasuring DiversityCreating ValueWisdom Compassion~ NAMASTE'

ASK*BELIEVE*RECEIVE

Ahhh ...How simple those three words are! And yet how many of us ask for the wrong things without even realizing it? I know I have throughout the years and fell into a cycle of doom. "Bad" things just kept happening one right after another, where I found myself asking the universe, unknowingly, for more of the same thing by saying, "What else can happen?", "What else is gonna go wrong?" etc.. I have recently met some really good people out here in Vegas, who excitingly believe in a lot of the same things I do! Being around people of the like is a constant reminder of what type of vibration I need to be putting out there into the Universe to receive what I desire! I have learned patience, persistence, positive thinking, and manifesting. Some people are blessed to receive blatant signs from the Universe of which direction to go with a certain thing, some may choose to listen, and some may not. All I can say is PEOPLE! This stuff really works! Seriously! It's amazing when it happens, and I personally feel blessed and very grateful!

I will let you in on some personal things that I believe were the Universe working in my favor and showing me signs along the way. I'm gonna start with a sign I believe that was given to me, and I didn't realize what it meant till 3 months later. When I went out to Sedona for a vacation, we were taking pictures at the mountain overlook, and my eyes were drawn across the street to two trees. They weren't anything to look at really.

Notice the Ravens? Well I've always been one to look up symbols and meanings of things that catch my attention, so I had a good friend look it up for me. Ravens are found all over the world in artwork and mythology. Whether the meaning of a Raven is good or bad depends on the people of that culture. Ravens have been regarded as omens of death, war, and bad luck to some, and creators of light, fire, magik, and change to others. Like any change within our lives, it depends on how you look at it. Change is the ending of one thing (death) and the beginning of something new (creation). It is no wonder we fear Ravens when they spiritually help us to let go of our obstacles so we can find new magik in our lives. Ravens teach us to find our true meaning of self. Helping us to bring forward our imagination and resourcefulness into our daily life. When we reach deep into our self, know our truth, and bring it into the light, this is powerful magik. In the Pacific Northwest Native mythology Raven is the bringer of light to the people. Just as Raven brought the stars, the moon, and the sun to us all; let Raven bring you to your own light and fly free into the magik of creation.
I was going through a rough time in my life, and on a soul search. I had been through a flood, was homeless, and a devastating breakup. I'd say I needed my "luck" to change a bit. This vacation happened to be the turning point in my life as strange as that was looking back now. Two months after I visited Sedona, I packed up and left family and friends and moved to Vegas solely on intuition that had been nagging at me since I left Vegas. After being in Vegas for 3 months, I had went through a total transformation. I had healed internally from things that had been haunting me. I had forgiven myself and others so I was able to move forward in many aspects of my life. I had learned to love and accept myself, which I was never able to do in my past. I felt like a completely different person, with a fresh new soul. I was ready for anything the Universe had in store for me!!
WELL, unbeknownst to me, the Universe had something brewing. As I've mentioned in my previous post back in September, I met someone amazing! The connection I have with her is deeper than anything I've ever felt before. Everything I spoke to the Universe about what I wanted in a partner, as far as character, beliefs, spirituality etc.. etc..She possesses! Yet, it wasn't that easy! She just so happened to live 4 hours away. We have maintained a long distance relationship, which has not been easy at times. We both continued to hope for things to open up where she could move here so we could be together. A turn of events, and some personal soul searching on her part, will be finally bringing her here to Vegas. Timing is everything! The kicker? Her name is RAVEN! Strange? Coincidence? I think not, but that's my opinion and honestly, that's all that matters is that I am the one who believes in the power of the Universe and the magic it can do in my life.

Yet my story doesn't end there of signs that I've received! Unfortunately I fell into the "doom" cycle. I was struggling financially and unconsciously asked the Universe for more of this unfortunate situation in my life. It got pretty bad for a minute, but I slowly started to realize what I was doing, and snapped myself out of it so to speak. I stopped thinking I didn't have enough money to pay my bills, or most of all buy a car that I needed very desperately! I sold my car before I moved out here, thinking I would be able to buy a car in no time. Things didn't quite happen the way I had anticipated, but it was actually my fault. After a few months of failed attempts at saving up for a car, and a failed attempt at picking up a "free" car from North Carolina from my sister, the Universe finally set the right people in my life to help me obtain a car. FINALLY! It took a month of telling myself I would have a car soon, being positive, and most of all patient. I feel blessed to have been able to purchase a car without a co-signer, because unfortunately my credit history isn't the best. :/ This however is the turning point for my poor credit. This was the break, and the one chance that I had needed for so long, yet I hadn't received. That was because of the vibration and the negative thoughts I had sent out for so long to the Universe! For years I had said out loud, "My credit sucks", "I'll never be able to raise my credit score", "No one will ever give me a chance to start rebuilding my credit". God, how dumb of me to have let that go on for so long! We live and we learn though! Say Hello to my cute little Nissan Versa! :D

Think it stops there? NOPE! Positive affirmation and sending a certain frequency out to the Universe is like a chain reaction! Once you start Asking, Believing, and Receiving, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! I have been living with a roomate since I've been here, and obviously with my girlfriend moving here I'd need my own place! So the search began! We talked about the things we would need out of a house, and what we both wanted. I had an image in mind of exactly what the home I'd like to live in looked like. The very first house I looked at was honestly perfect! It had every amenity we would need. A backyard for her dog, 3 bedrooms for us and my two girls. And many more things that were a must. I didn't want to jump at the first thing I saw, so I continued to look. I found almost 20 homes that fit into my criteria. I narrowed it down to 3 after comparing for hours. I dreamt of that house for two nights! I set the appointment with the realtor and began our voyage from one end of town to the other. As we walked through each house, I found myself comparing them to the very first house I looked at. This house was pulling me towards it, and I couldn't get it out of my head. As one who believes in symbols I decided to look up what the name of the road that the house was on stood for. I actually laughed out loud when I read it too! It stood for BOND OF LOVE,& I LOVE YOU. How perfect! We're beginning our new life together and this is what the street name symbolizes? I'd call that a sign! So I decided that was our house! I felt myself visioning us in it, and where I would be putting furniture. I put a deposit down and waited for an answer from the realtor, since I had asked for less than what they had wanted for it. Everytime I found myself thinking negative about not getting accepted, or things not working out, I immediately switched gears and turned them into positive thoughts! This was our house! I knew, felt, and manifested my heart out! I received a phone call today, and after some negotiation the house is officially ours :) How AMAZING! At this point, it's pretty surreal! I doubt it'll actually sink in until I move into the house in 3 weeks! I'm so excited, and grateful to have everything I could ever ask for come into my life! I can't wait to begin our lives together and start making memories in the new house!

After all of these AMAZING things that have happened I can't wait to see what else I can manifest! ASK*BELIEVE*RECEIVE
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*Some information in this blog is accredited to:
http://www.ravenmedium.com/TotemAnimals.htm

Your Self- Worth....

We all at times let our self worth get lost when we are trying to attain certain things in our lives. Usually for us women, it takes being in a bad relationship for us to realize that we have let this slip. I believe we all need to give more love to ourselves before during and after a relationship, not just after things go wrong and we're left asking ourselves all the questions. What did I do wrong? What could I of done different? Am I not worthy of their love? We all have so much love in our hearts, why shouldn't we give ourselves the amount of love that we would give to our lovers? I know that in the past I've lost myself in relationships because of pouring everything I had into that other person. I made the mistake of not focusing on my needs, and wants and filling my own happiness tank. We all have certain needs and wants, and what most of us don't realize is that it is our responsibility to fill that void, not someone else's. We tend to feel needy at times and look to the person we're involved with to make us feel better, which is ok to a certain extent. When that person doesn't fulfill this need we have, we sometimes feel neglected, and may tell them their not paying attention to us. What we all need to realize is that in those moments of need, we need to catch ourselves, and turn our attentions to ourselves. Find what your lacking that's making you feel that way. Take time for yourself and workout, paint, write, read a book, go out with some friends, whatever it may be that you can do to fill that tank up again. I guarantee if you practiced this, you would find that your relationship will flourish. It will especially help if your with someone who does the same when their feeling needy. Love yourself and know your worth. That's not to say that your partner shouldn't be giving you certain things you need out of the relationship by any means. Relationships should be a team effort. It takes two people to be in a relationship and at no time is it right for one person to give more than the other. We are all a work in progress within ourselves, our jobs, & our dreams, so what makes your relationship any different? It doesn't its a work in progress, and you have to "work" at it. Meaning putting effort into it. I know my worth, I know that I deserve to be with someone that will give back what I put into it. I deserve to be treated with respect. I deserve to be with someone who communicates their feelings to me. I deserve honesty. I deserve thoughtfulness. I deserve compassion. I deserve passion. I deserve to not be judged. I deserve a chance.....
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Fate...

Where do I begin...Ive always been the one my friends come to for advice it seems. I keep a positive outlook on the situation and use my instincts to steer them in the right direction. I've tried to use my instincts to put my life in perspective lately and I thought I was on the right track. I've always felt that you should follow your gut and heart because they will usually never fail you. When you follow your head you get wrapped up in too much of the nonsense that gets in the way of true happiness. You start asking the what if questions and comparing things to the past and not fully enjoying what is going on in the present. Although this is easier said than done, I've tried my best to do just that and follow my gut and my heart, which has led me to some wonderful places lately. Life is a journey and you learn things about yourself as you go along. I have learned that I am someone with a huge heart, and no matter how many times I get hurt and my heart is broken, I just can't seem to change into that person who builds a wall so high no one can ever get over. I'm weak, and like everyone else am looking for that love that makes heads turn. I found that with someone, and it felt so natural. Everything fit in its place and worked out as we went along. I was entirely head over heels in love and felt like I was on top of the world. What a great feeling! And out of nowhere it has all been taken away from me. I am crushed and wonder how something so amazing can be given to you by the universe and taken away so quickly. I truly trusted my instincts and I feel like I was let down. So my question to myself now is, do I continue to trust those instincts that led me straight to heartbreak? Do I allow myself to even consider opening up to someone ever again, just to have it all be taken away from me? I don't want to end up to be one of those bitter people who never find happiness because I'm too scared of what might happen. I don't want to build walls to not be able to share myself with someone on a level that is so deep you get lost. My connection with this person, was beyond the limits of explanation. I seriously could not find the words to describe how amazing this meeting of my soulmate was. I knew it the instant I laid eyes on her. Everything boils down to free will and you can't control someones actions, emotions etc... When fear steps in..fear of the unknown, some people can't accept it even if it feels right. Sometimes you just have to accept that not everyone can let go of their past, and their time with you has come to an end. We all have more than one soulmate out in this world. Just because you've felt a deep connection with someone & lost it for whatever reason, doesn't mean you'll never have that again with someone new. You just have to be willing to not compare them and allow the relationship to flourish. Open your heart and enjoy the ride.
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"Anam Cara" The Friends of your Soul....

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For as long as I can remember I have always believed people come into our lives for a reason. Weather we ever realize that reason or not is irrelevant, but when you do open up your mind and figure it out its an incredible feeling. I have been blessed to have a handful of amazing people in my life that are truly the "friends of my soul". The kinds of friends that call at the right moment. I could be having a bad day and one of my friends will call me and turn it all around. I could be driving in my car and one of them will pop into my head and I'll get a smile on my face and the next thing I know they are texting me or calling me, and when I tell them I was just thinking about them they say the same. I might be in a dark place for a minute as we all are at some point and it seems like nothing will free me from it, and one of them will say something to me that touches me in a way and is almost like an awakening, and I completely come out of my funk. The type of people who come into your life and your having a conversation with sharing something your passionate about and they get the chills from the energy your giving off or visa versa...Incredible!!  I am in an amazing place in my life right now and I have been able to step back and take a look at the people in my life that I consider the "friends of my soul" and I realize why and for what purpose each and everyone of them has been brought to me for. They all serve their purpose so to speak. I can only hope that I too can serve a purpose to my friends and bring them happiness and be there when they need me the most. I believe more people need to slow down a bit and be grateful for who has entered their lives and take the time to be in the moment with their "friends of their soul" and enjoy them to the fullest. :) I believe I have always known these people were special to me in some form in my life, but the place I am in right now has given me the insight to be able to recognize the true purpose of our friendships. Not all may recognize this in their lives and that may be because they are not in a place where they are even comfortable with their selves.
~In Celtic Spiritual tradition, it is believed that the soul radiates all about the physical body what some refer to as an aura. When you connect with another person and become completely open and trusting with that individual, your two souls begin to flow together.Should such a deep bond be formed, it is said you have found your “Anam Cara” or soul friend.
Your “Anam Cara” always accepts you as you truly are, holding you in beauty and light. In order to appreciate this relationship, you must first recognize your own inner light and beauty. This is not always easy to do. The Celts believed that forming an “Anam Cara” friendship would help you to awaken your awareness of your own nature and experience the joys of others.
The “Anam Cara” was originally someone to whom you confessed, revealing the hidden intimacies of your life. With the “Anam Cara”, you could share your innermost self, your mind and your heart. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an “Anam Cara”, your friendship cut across all convention, morality and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the “friend of your soul”. The Celtic understanding did not set limitations of space or time on the soul. There is no cage for the soul. The soul is a divine light that flows into you and into your Other. This art of belonging awakened and fostered a deep and special companionship. When you love, you open your life to an Other. All your barriers are down. Your protective distances collapse. This person is given absolute permission to come into the deepest temple of your spirit. Your presence and life can become their ground. It takes great courage to let someone so close. Where a friendship recognizes itself as a gift, it will remain open to its own ground of blessing….. When you are blessed with an “Anam Cara”, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place: home. This bond between friends is indissoluble: “This, I say, is what is broken by no chances, what no interval of time or space can sever or destroy, and what even death itself cannot part”.
~ from “Anam Cara…Wisdom from the Celtic World“, by John O’Donohue

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Awakening to my lifes purpose

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I recently took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. I completely went out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I only had $100 for the entire week. I stayed with someone I barely knew. Whom I became very close to. I flew for the first time, and alone at that. I knew going on this vacation would be an eye opening experience, but I honestly had no idea just how much. I have been wanting to go out to Sedona to visit the vortex's and feel the energy they hold. I tried not to have any expectations of something powerful happening to me as I surrounded myself by them. I'm very glad I went into this with no expectations and allowing myself to enjoy every minute of everyday. My first full day there, I experienced the Las Vegas strip which was incredible. The people, the amazing architecture, the lights, the food, and the entire ambiance of the city. On friday, I picked up my teenage girls and headed out to Sedona. It was a four hour drive but was very entertaining with them in the backseat. They are full of energy and quite the characters. We got into Sedona late so I had no idea how beautiful it was until I woke up in the morning. When I walked outside I was awe struck!. The view was absolutely incredible. Deep Red Mountains surrounded us in the valley. The weather was perfect. We decided to go out to Cathedral Rock and hike. When we started our hike it said 2.5 miles..not sure if we took a wrong turn but it ended up being a 4 hour hike. Halfway through the canyon we ran into a hiker that was very familiar with the area and said if we kept going it would be well worth it. So we trudged on. It was very hot and dry in the desert heat but I had been waiting over 10 years to venture here and was not stopping. When we finally reached the top of the mountain the view was so amazing I'm at a loss for words. The colors of the mountains, different shades and the trees was surrounding us. I could have stayed up there forever..If only I had more water!! Needless to say we only brought one bottle each which later realized that was a HUGE mistake. By the time we reached the bottom of the canyon I was damn near crawling back to the car. My mouth had never been so dry in my entire life. My skin felt like an alligator. On our way back to the hotel I started to get a headache, and my 13 year old already had one throughout our hike. We stopped for Alot of water :) Soon as we got into the hotel I crashed on the bed and began to feel sick. I unfortunately got heat stroke and was very dehydrated. I think I lost another 5 pounds, which I so can't afford. My friend, went and bought me some fruit cause I couldn't keep any liquids down and I ate a full bag of grapes. I woke up feeling much better, thank god! I wasn't able to see a sunset in Sedona but I experienced a sunrise :) We walked around the city and went into one of the many Art Galleries Sedona has to offer. I was blown away with the beautiful artwork made out of recycled material. I met an interesting woman named Ritza there. She had a very interesting life story to tell, and took to me in an odd but very comforting way. She felt compelled to give me her address and information and said if I was ever on a journey and needed a place to stay to give her a call. I felt a connection with her that is hard to describe. I feel like we meet people for a reason and plan to stay in contact with her. Who knows, maybe someday I will find myself on a journey back to Arizona and need a place to crash. So we left around noon to head back to Vegas. I felt kinda sad to leave. I definitely could have spent more time there. I had a great weekend with a new friend and my little girls, that aren't so little anymore. I thoroughly enjoyed their company. Last night in Vegas we went to the other side of the strip and then headed to the old strip on Fremont St. My eyes were buggin outta my head there was so much to look at it was a virtual overload. We gambled a little in each Casino and I won a bit which was fun. The slots were so old in one place I got paid in nickles :) During my two visits to the strip I saw a lot of homeless people and felt compelled to take pictures of them. But I didnt just want to take their pictures I wanted to know their stories, of why they were there and what happened to them to put them in that predicament. I then realized that I wanna be a Photo Journalist. I enjoy writing and telling stories and photography. After taking many different classes in college and changing my major a few times I finally realize this is something that really moves me. On my plane ride home I thought I would sleep since it was a 4hr flight. Instead, I ended up having a conversation with the man next to me the entire flight. We talked about everything under the sun and it was very interesting. He lived an amazing life and actually said that I had inspired him to start doing yoga. He also said I should pursue my dream because my pictures were incredible. That made me feel good coming from a complete stranger. I had a 3 hour layover in Chicago then hopped back onto my flight home. I ended up meeting another interesting man who told me he was an engineer and had no degree. He said its about the drive you have. He also said that he was thinking of a career change and talking to me inspired him to go for it. Life is too short not to go after the things you want out of it. So all in all I got exactly what I was in search of through this trip. It was an inner journey where I  stepped out of my everyday life and experienced new things and figured out who I really was and not who everyone else thought I was or thinks I am. I got to know me again. When I came home, I felt unsettled. I didn't feel the inner calm that I felt when I was out there. I can't place it just yet. I am thankful for this experience and will carry the memories for the rest of my life. Not only did I have a handful of special people touch me in a way that helped me, but I also touched them in some way. That is what life is about. Inspiring others to look within their-selves and not holding them back or putting doubts in their heads about who they are or what they inspire to be. Now, my journey begins.....Follow @heather_pratt74

Love and believing in it..

I'm a hopeless romantic, and always have been. I am that girl that felt all along that I had a soul-mate out in the universe somewhere and I would be drawn to them like a magnet. Love at first site. I believe...it exists! Some may argue that with me. Maybe it's because they have never had that moment where their eyes meet anothers and they feel something unexplainable. Cause let's face it, love is unexplainable in itself. We know we feel it, when we feel it but can't always determine why we feel it. Love can make you clinically insane, I watched a documentary on it. They showed two brains, one of someone who was head over heels in love, and one of someone who was clinically insane. They actually had the same brain activity going on.

Love can make us feel invincible which is an amazing feeling. It's almost like a constant high, and when you don't  feel that anymore you actually go through some type of with drawls. Love has a power within us that no other emotion can quite compare to, in a positive way that is. Love gives us the power to accept, heal, be patient, comforts us, calms us, and can also protect us. The song love can build a bridge is very powerful, because it can. When you have been hurt in the past by someone, new love can rebuild that faith in loving someone and accepting love back into your life. This may be hard and take some work, but with love on your side, nothing can come in the way. Unless you let it. Love is finding that one person that you can't breathe when your not with them or having the thought of losing them. Love is having a ton of patience in situations that you don't understand. Love is not perfect and has ups and downs. I believe if things get tough  its love that gets us through those tough times.

Love is not complicated. We are complicated beings. We make love complicated. We set high expectations for things, assume when we don't have an answer for the questions we have. When we finally get what we want out of love we want more. It's like a drug. We have insecurities that we question in our partners when we shouldn't.
We need to take a step back and look. be in the moment, instead of getting caught up in it. Take a step back and feel what your feeling. Realize how happy you may be, and be aware of why your happy. Take the time to appreciate this feeling and the person in your life that is making you feel this way. If we all stop and listen and feel once in awhile we just might be able to have long-term relationships that are healthy and flourish. After all that's what we all strive for...Right? No one wants to be hurt and we don't get into a relationship hoping for the worst. Be trusting towards your partner and patient. We're all different human beings and people are not going to act and react how we will to certain things. That is why we need to be accepting and give unconditional love. We don't fall in love with perfect people. We fall in love with people and start to see them perfectly. Love is an amazing thing! Enjoy it! Ride the wave of emotions that it brings into your life. Make it a healthy aspect of your life by taking notice and being in the moment instead of getting caught up in the moment.Follow @heather_pratt74
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