Topic : Defining Your Authentic Self

Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey
is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in
our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be
consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the
meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.
Marianne Williamson,   -- A Return to Love
All the best to you ! Have a sensational week  Lynn 

Belinda, I am a visualist ... I have created "mind tools" that have helped me work thru most of my issues since I began to practice it (started with CREATIVE VISUALIZATION by Shakti Gawain back in the early 90's).  And then when I learned meditation techniques, it all came together. 

Now, I can do it anywhere on the drop of a dime.  Right now, I've been trying to work with a visual suggestion from Dr. Katz's book.  He said that when I feel the urge to eat, I should see myself on a surf board waiting for the wave and then when it comes (the urge that is), I ride it out and make it to shore.  He said, if I do it for a little while, it will take hold and I'll be able to finally stop the urges. 

I've done it twice already, and for me it has worked.   

The weirdest thing that I ever experience was I used to do this "balance" visual that had a mountain and a field in it.  I was working on bringing my masculine and feminine energies together.  After about a month or two, I went out of town and stopped at a flea market where I purchased a picture that reminded me of my visual.  Later when I got it home, I saw that there was a man & woman walking in the field holding hands.  It was like "WOW" it's exactly how I saw my visual play out. 

Do you do visuals? Meditate? 

I am doing visual work though.  I've been learning names on the world map (as well, the shapes).  Learning universal symbols like Hiragana, Katakana and kanji (still a while to go there).  I may even try for my license or do other outdoor activities which is map-reading and being more visually aware.  For me, this is not as natural and so as challenging as the more advanced visual work of imagining what isn't occuring at that moment.  You should be able to surf I imagine from doing that.  Do ou know that there is a lot of balance and even direction by where a person stands?  (from Totally Wild, Australian show) 

(I have given up on trying to do self-help, as it does seem that sometimes, a person needs a base, like a surfboard, first, then observation skills, that you talk of.   

Good luck surfin' 

Belinda 

I'm into working with material.  I find it amazing to see folded material transformed into something totally different. I also love working with colors ... sometimes I just buy a piece of material and  drape it on something so i can see it. 

Yes, self-help takes you off on a journey to different places and if you are on shaking ground it can derail you or help you resurface onto a path that's where you are to be. 

Sometimes we all need to become more aesthetically aware! 

Just I need to know more about the world, as well as the true intentions of people around me, everyone needs more awareness.  Awareness of language, feelings etc.  

Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey
is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in
our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be
consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the
meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.
Marianne Williamson,   -- A Return to Love
All the best to you ! Have a sensational week  Lynn