Month: October 2018

Rise of the Sacred Feminine

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

The feminine holds the mystery of creation and in the current world crisis that we are facing we need to reawaken to the spiritual power and potential of the feminine. Feminine qualities belong to both men and women and they draw us into the depths of soul, embodiment, love and compassion.

All crises contain an opportunity for each and every one of us to step in and redefine who we are and how we want to live in relation to wild nature, mother earth and each other. It is an opportunity for transformation ~ deep, wild, raw and real!

Real transformation does not happen overnight; it is a long process that involves facing ones shadow, ones fear, ones pain, ones doubt and questioning everything that has been held as truth in your life to date.

Transformation is the ultimate surrender; an act of rebellion against our own outmoded ways of being in the world, and surrender to the old we must if we are ever going to create a new life, a new vision, and a new path forward that embraces our current state of Being.

We, as a collective are living in transformational times ~ a time when the balance between the old and the new way of being in the world is upon us. I believe that this point in our evolution as a species is inviting each of us to become the most empowered, compassionate, creative and powerful version of our selves.

It is time to radiate our unique essence out into the world to effect lasting and positive change. This time we are living in is calling each of us to become deeply caring of each other, the earth and all who inhabit this extraordinary world.

I believe that there is a monumental movement around the world and it focuses on a return to earth-centred practices and ways of living and being that honour our connection to all life as Sacred.

This movement represents a recognition and a reclaiming of the other half of our sacred nature ~ the Feminine. It directs us into our hearts, our souls, and into the intuitive use of the mind. A place where relatedness and caring for all sentient beings on this earth; our mother, is of paramount importance. It is a movement towards feeling, embodied wisdom, beauty, love, empathy, being, true power and compassion.

This impulse, when balanced with the sacred masculine qualities of courage, healthy assertion, strength, focused will, protection, structure, balance and perseverance, result in a deep journey towards soul-centred wholeness.

The Rise of the Sacred Feminine is a collective journey that is inviting each of us to bring forth our gifts to this world. A world that so desperately needs spiritually mature men and women, who care deeply enough to ignite a fire of love and fearless compassion that transforms and awakens our collective consciousness at this important time in our history.

I believe that we are on the brink of great change my friends and I hold the vision of a world that is peaceful, kind, heart-centred and awake!

I hope you do too, for it is so important for all our future generations.

Keeping it real

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

For those of you that know me well and have attended my women’s circles, presentations and workshops; you know how much I emphasise the importance of being grounded, authentic and embodied on this spiritual path.

There are all too many that are ‘talking the talk’ but not ‘walking the walk’ and not understanding what that potent choice really means right now here on this earth in choosing a life that is grounded and guided by Spirit in words and deeds ~ embracing LOVE IN ACTION.

I see too many people talking about ‘non-attachment’ and ‘free love’ whilst their lower chakras are all out of balance with loose boundaries, ungrounded energies, commitment issues and spiritual ego.

I hear women in spiritual circles calling each other ‘Goddess’ and expecting this title from their partners and peers through manipulation and a ‘supposed entitlement’ just because they’re women.

I know that for many women, they are simply trying to empower, encourage and embrace the beauty and magnificence in each other and you all have my full support. But come on Sisters ~ WE can do better than this, and it is certainly time!

It is time to stand tall and strong and grounded as women in our feminine radiance and power and embrace the light AND the shadow. Without this balance, integration and ‘groundedness’ we are heading for disaster of enormous proportions that will be excused, ignored and wrapped up in the concept of ‘love and light’ which continues to perpetuate all this ‘new age’ movement and propaganda.

As much as the new age movement has been important in bringing spiritual teachings and universal laws to the masses, I also believe that the new age movement has been one of the most destructive movements on this planet ~ covered in a sugar and spice consumerism blanket of brain washing and pseudo-spirituality.

Real abundance and self worth is not outside of ourselves, it is within each of us.

It is in our connection to the sacred, to each other, to all things in life. It is real, embodied, raw and wild. It is seeing the divinity in everything, embracing and accepting all parts of our self and understanding our connection to ALL THAT IS.

It is time to look at all sides of this existence on our planet, not just the side that makes us feel good about ourselves and comfortable in this life. It is time to see all that is going on in this world and commit to making a difference in any way that we can. The future of our planet and the future of all species, (including ours), deserves this respect and care.

It’s time to know where your heart breaks and to follow that lead in making a difference in this world for the greater good of all ~ however big or small you choose to play.

That means embracing light and shadow, knowing what is going on in the world around you, having a daily spiritual practice and act of service, and above all ~ keeping it real!

Yes, it is all about LOVE and LIGHT ultimately ~ but we must understand what ‘LIGHT’ we are following…
Only LOVE is REAL.

Authentic in every moment

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

The Oxford Dictionary describes the word AUTHENTIC as being of ‘undisputed origin’ and not a copy ~ genuine’.

If that is the case, then the most authentic beings I know are animals and children. Why? Because they exist exactly as they are. With no false pretences or agendas, fully engaged in the present moment, expressing their needs, thoughts and feelings, with absolute honesty.

As we mature, we learn that for some people our behaviour is not acceptable and we begin to change who we are in order to please others; to fit in, to make our lives easier, or because our truth may hurt someone.

Recently, I have been reflecting on the many times that I have not been authentic in my life. Whether it was out of fear of being seen, of hurting someone or having to share a difficult truth.

Importantly, the times in which I have not been authentic have cost me dearly ~ personally, professionally or socially.

Being authentic means showing up fully engaged in the present moment; whatever that moment may bring. It takes a potent combination of courage, trust and vulnerability.

By being deliberately intentional in our choice of where we come from, we then have a choice to either use all of the ‘defense mechanisms’ that we have built up over a lifetime that protect us from deep intimacy, or we allow ourselves to be truly seen.

To be authentic, you just have to BE.

Be with the things you can’t be with. Speak your truth. Risk being vulnerable. Cultivate courage. Trust yourself. Love yourself. Love others. Detach yourself from a desired outcome. Be committed to yourself and to the process and let go of what could, should, must, or needs to happen.

The gift of growing older is that you care less about what others think as you develop a more authentic connection with yourself, with others, with life and with everything around you.

The best way to achieve a more fulfilling and passionate life is to cultivate a more authentic life and here are 3 ways in which you can begin today:

1) Identify areas, people and situations where you are not being authentic.

Start observing yourself in various situations with others and check in to see if what you are doing, how you are being and what you are saying is coming from a space of personal truth or whether you are just trying to please others, to fit in, to make your life easier or not to upset the status quo.
2) Cultivate the courage to speak your truth.

Speaking your truth is an essential aspect of living a life of passion, fulfillment and authenticity. However, for many of us it is much easier to talk about speaking our truth than it is to actually do it.

Speaking our truth means that not everyone may agree with us and that’s okay! We don’t all need to agree on everything to have respect or love for each other.

3) Risk being vulnerable.

Vulnerability is not easy. It requires honesty – honesty with how we’re feeling, with what we want, what we need, what we fear, etc. And though at times it may be difficult, vulnerability will promote an intricate and irreplaceable intimacy with everyone in your life.

It takes courage and vulnerability to show up and reveal who we really are in any moment or situation, however the rich rewards of a deeper intimacy with life and with others is surely worth the risk.

You know what? We can all sense authenticity in a person and isn’t it one of the most attractive qualities around?

Show up. Be present. Take risks. Reflect. Keep on trying, and know that we are all in this together.

In its best and most functional sense, authenticity is a deep connection with SELF – the I AM presence.

Imagine a world where we all had the courage to be AUTHENTIC IN EVERY MOMENT.

Shamanism: a way of life

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

Shamanism is not a belief system. Shamanism is a path of direct revelation and experience ~ deeply personal, alive and connected with the totality of life. Shamanism is one of the oldest healing traditions of all earth-honouring people and can be found in many different cultures worldwide. It is the oldest way in which humans have sought connection with the totality of LIFE and as a ‘spiritual path’ it is over 100, 000 years old.

For those of you who know my work, you know that I refer to myself as a shamanic practitioner – I don’t refer to myself as a SHAMAN. I do this out of deep respect for this ancient healing tradition because I know the origins of the word and what is required to become a shaman / medicine person.

Often I see and hear people in the West refer to themselves as ‘shamans’ and many of these people have not been born into an indigenous tribe or tradition, have not studied with elders, and most importantly have not gone through the MANY initiations and rites of passage that this path usually requires of a person.

You know, I get it! Shamanism is very popular right now and is certainly making a huge resurgence in many spiritual communities around the world. Everyone it seems wants to be a SHAMAN. I just ask that we all bring some respect to this ancient healing practice and way of life and realise that not even the ‘REAL SHAMANS’ call themselves that!

Why? Because they understand what the word really means and where its origins come from. They also have a deep reverence for this tradition and way of life.

The word ‘Shaman’ actually comes from the Tungus tribe in Siberia and means ‘one who sees in the dark’ and refers to a traditional healer or medicine person. A Shaman is an intermediary between this world and the world of spirit.

Shamans act on behalf of the community conducting ceremonial rituals, healing the people, healing the land and helping to guide others on this sacred path. Traditionally it is the responsibility of the shaman to ensure the wellbeing of the family, the community, and to make sure that there is ‘right relationship’ with the totality of creation.

As well as many other methods of divination and healing, the one thing that all shamans have in common is the ability to communicate and interact with the world of spirit and nature. In this way the shaman helps to maintain balance and harmony on both a personal and planetary level.

Whilst many of us shamanic practitioners, teachers and healers work in similar ways to the ones mentioned above, it is time for each of us to understand our unique gifts and offer them to our communities and to this world. Not as a copy of anyone, of any tradition, or of anything; but as a unique individual with our own stories, our own ancestral and spiritual lineage, our own path to walk, and our own ‘medicine’ to offer this world.

Know yourself and all else will follow!

A path of radical embodiment

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

One of the biggest challenges in taking on ‘changing the world’ is that the problems seem insurmountable. Often, it means we give up, we don’t even try, we think our small efforts make no difference.

However, to live in hope – requires the notion that we can change our selves and the world and it requires our radical embodiment and action – a path that has power, purpose, magic and wisdom.
On this path, we work towards becoming vehicles for the Divine in this world.

Everyone I know on an authentic spiritual path works on herself or himself first. Without that, our work can be ego-based and damaging, both to ourselves and to others.

Each of us on this planet has a shadow aspect of self and real shadow work is vital to making a difference in the world. Why? We have to be able to understand what our issues are so that we can address the issues of the world.

Most activists are addicted to doing. Many mystics are addicted to being. However it takes an understanding of both aspects of these archetypes in order to be able to accomplish the real work of Sacred Activism.

Taking guided action, based on one’s own spiritual guidance empowers our work in an entirely different way.

Instead of operating from our own ego, we realise that when we listen and trust in the process of our lives and work with Spirit there is a divine purpose to everything.

There is a sacred power in this type of activism.

Sacred Activism demands nothing less than the true integration of matter and spirit, masculine and feminine, self and others. It is a masterful panorama of how to get from the world as it currently is to a world as it could be.

One of my favourite questions from author and mystic Andrew Harvey in his book ‘The Hope’, is one that will systematically guide anyone who asks into what their own unique path of sacred activism might be, and it is this: “What breaks your heart?”

For me, it’s the empowerment and freedom of all individuals, especially women; mostly because when we empower women we empower an entire community and everyone benefits – especially the children.

I routinely offer workshops, mentorships, global retreats and services that assist people in remembering who they are, and in understanding that authentic empowerment requires the ‘breaking free’ of all restrictions that have been placed on us from family, friends, religion and society.

“Follow your heartbreak” is Andrew Harvey’s truly inspired variation on the well-known quotation from Joseph Campbell’s – ‘Follow your bliss.” The most fascinating thing about Andrew Harvey’s work is that the heartbreak will take us right to our bliss if we pursue our own spiritual work and take guided action to birth the new planet that is ALREADY rising.

This time, more than ever before, requires us to be vigilant in our daily spiritual practices, to stay deeply embodied and present, forge networks and connections with likeminded individuals and create a global revolution of people who are creating effective, long-lasting and conscious change.

WE are all shared caretakers of this incredible planet, all sentient beings and of each other – it’s time to RISE IN LOVE.

Feminine leadership and its role in global awakening

Posted on by Beata-Alfoldi

All over the world, women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement.

However, progress towards gender parity has slowed in many places around the world and violence, rape, sexual slavery and many other atrocities continue to be committed against women on a daily basis.The Dalai Lama made his famous proclamation at the Vancouver Peace Summit in 2009 that; “The world will be saved by the Western woman.”

For any Western woman who is inspired by the Dalai Lama’s sentiments and truly wants to make a difference in the world; our HUMILITY and ABILITY TO LISTEN is of utmost importance.

We need to be attentive to the ways we can sometimes bulldoze in with good intentions and unconscious assumptions that we know what is best for a community, or with the belief that we have some divine ordination to ‘save others’.

I would offer that a simple re-frame of the Dalai Lama’s proclamation might be helpful here.

Perhaps instead of trying to ‘save the world’ we might instead cultivate our capacity to deeply LISTEN to the world.

This way, we can support the natural intelligence and leadership that already exists within our global communities.

You see, the problem has never been ‘the masculine’ in roles of leadership – it has been the absence of and bias against traditionally ‘feminine qualities’.

And although, labelling traits as either masculine or feminine reflects popular perception rather than evidence-based fact, it’s a useful way to think about what works in organisations today.

The following qualities, traditionally identified with women, produce excellent results for leaders of both genders.

1) Empathy: Being sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.

2) Vulnerability: Owning up to one’s limitations and asking for assistance where needed.

3) Humility: Seeking to serve others and to share credit where it’s due.

4) Inclusiveness: Soliciting advice and listening deeply to the people around you.

5) Generosity: Being liberal with your time, contacts, advice, and support.

6) Balance: Giving life, as well as work – equal consideration.

7) Patience: Taking a long-term view over short-term results.

The most charismatic leaders around the world today are appreciated for their capacity to listen, for their open-mindedness, for their ability to stay calm in stressful and challenging situations, and for their emotional and relational intelligence.

Great leaders throughout history embraced optimum qualities of leadership and let go of traditional notions of gender.

There is an ancient Incan prophecy about ‘The Eagle and the Condor’ and it talks of a time when the Eagle from the North and the Condor from the South will unite.

It speaks volumes of where we have come from and where we are going as a society.

The Eagle represents the North – masculine energy and the power and will of the mind. The Condor represents the South – feminine energy and the compassion and wisdom of the heart.

The prophecy continues by saying that the next 500-year period, which began in the 1990s, would be a time of divine union between the Eagle and the Condor. Or rather, that there would be the potential for these two archetypal energies to fly together and birth a new era of awakening and consciousness on this planet.

 If we could all LISTEN deeply to what this world needs, instead of trying to ‘save it’, we could become facilitators for the organic emergence of a FEMININE LEADERSHIP around the globe.

A leadership whose time has come!