Ho’oponopono prayer and mantra

I recently came across this Hawaiian prayer and mantra. I was touched by it’s elegance, simplicity and how powerful it could be.

I am sorry
Please forgive me
I love you
Thank you

A friend asked me what it meant, so this is my interpretation.

AS A PRAYER…
You can address this prayer to God, Lord, Father, The Universe or Higher Consciousness – according to your beliefs and comfort. This is how I understand it:

“I am sorry” is to acknowledge my words, actions and deeds to others where I showed-up less than my best. To me, when I say the words, “I am sorry” soulfully, I am reminded of someone and/or something I did for which I which I have regret. Sometimes it is a small thing: like being too busy to give time to a friend or avoiding something that I know should deal with, but that I haven’t. Sometimes it’s bigger stuff where I said or did hurtful things to someone, or a past issue still not resolved, or where I want the other person to say sorry first. Saying sorry then brings to consciousness these things that I wish to begin to put right. I know that until I recognise my part, my role in the areas of my life that are not going so well, I will remain stuck and not able to step fully into the flow of life.

“Please forgive me” reminds me that even though I strive to be my best, I frequently fall short. I am asking for forgiveness in this sense to be acknowledged. I ask to be still seen as a loveable being, despite my flaws, my lack of good judgement, of daft things I’ve done and the occasions when I have hurt others.

“I love you” is an expression of my unconditional love to God for being part of the wonder, mystery and magic of life. To me, this is recognition that I am not alone. I am part of the whole: we are one. We are all connected. I don’t fully understand that which is the Divine, the greater power than I, but I feel the connection. The words “I love you” allow me to sincerely express how much I am indebted and joyful for being part of the rest of what is.

“Thank you” is gratitude for all the many wonderful people and things that that I am blessed to have in my life. Even at times when my life is upside down and it feels like I am struggling, when I want it to be different, I know I still need to express my gratitude for I don’t have the whole picture. Saying “Thank you” allows me to be truly grateful for everything, the good and yucky stuff, trusting it is all part of the tapestry that is my life. Any stuff that is currently yucky may yet prove to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

AS A MANTRA…
A mantra is said repeatedly. It can be to reinforce the above, but to me, a mantra is a conversation with my soul and the meaning then is slightly different.

“I am sorry” is to allow my soul hear that I am aware that I haven’t yet found the courage nor the way to shine in the way I know my soul aches for me to do so.

“Please forgive me” is asking my soul to still love my human nature and not to give-up on me yet.

“I love you” is expressing love to the real me inside, the ‘me’ beneath the masks and facades that I might wear, to my soul, which is the light within me.

“Thank you” is again gratitude for my soul being there for me no matter what muddle I might get into, my soul patiently waits as my soul purpose is slowly but surely fulfilled.

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just a little zany

Early Sunday morning and there is little traffic as I drive off the island. Looking across Portland Harbour, the sea is deep blue and ruffled with with mini white horses. It looks cold. My car tells me the air temperature is -2°C. Why am I doing this?

At Greenhill, the Esplande is almost deserted. As I wait outside beach hut 35, a middle aged man and woman greet me with a smile and a “Good Morning”. They’re wearing sheepskin hats and gloves and bulky coats. I wonder what they would think if they knew I was about to go swimming?

Is anyone coming? This is my last sea swim of the year – I hope at least one or two others will come!

On the horizon the sky is a milky blue, tinged with pink. It looks like it’s trying with all it’s might to break up the thick grey cloud above. The wind has dropped and the tide is high, which will make getting in so much easier. The sea is running East to West so we’ll be heading out to the Red Stick.

I stamp my feet and rub my hands. I’ve only been here a few minutes but I’m already getting cold. Then Claire and Rob turn-up, quickly followed by Annie and her dog – and no, she says, she’s not going in! Within minutes there are 9 of us chatting, exchanging stories about the sea, our last swims and debating how cold it will be: the consensus is it’ll be between 9 and 10°C.

Still no sign of Kate. Kate owns hut 35. It’s warmth for changing and a hot drink afterwards are pure luxury. A beach change at this time of year is an uncomfortable thought. As we steel ourselves to begin undressing, Kate jogs towards us, all smiles and telling us she overslept.

Finally there are 6 of us ready to swim. Simon is in a wetsuit. Claire, Rob and Marion are brave souls wearing just a cossie and 1 hat in true sea-swimmer style. Rachel and Mandy, like me, are wearing neoprene booties. And I’m the wuss of the girls, wearing 2 hats and a thin neoprene top too.

On the stony beach, Kate calls for us to get together for a photo! After the ‘click’ we almost race down to the sea edge and, without a moments hesitation, determinedly walk in to the icy water. We have all learnt that trying to acclimatise slowly is far more painful. The high tide means that within a few meters we can swim. I plunge under the water. It feels like I’ve dived into snow – my hands, feet and face tingle uncomfortably with cold. My body goes into minor shock, literally taking my breath away. I kick hard and pull fast, but it’s no good, I am hyperventilating. I flip over on to my back and see 2 others also doing backstroke. The sky is getting lighter and a seagull soars just a few feet above me. The sea, the beach, the coastline – I feel their silent beauty inside of me. I try again to do front crawl and manage a few strokes before again reverting to backstroke. I tell myself to relax, to try and melt into the water. My breathing is slowing down and I turn over again and feel the strong current I swimming against.

I can see my hands as they pull the water in front of me, but I can’t feel them. I kick hard to try and generate some heat in my body. The Red Stick is not that far away but just getting there feels like a big challenge. I reassure myself that I can do it! In the summer we would have hardly have warmed up at this distance! Despite the freezing cold it feels wonderful to be immersed in the crystal clear water. The mini waves rock my body to-and-fro and I feel myself getting more into the rhythm, cutting through the water, becoming one with the sea.

I look up. The Red Stick marking the edge of the rocky outcrop is in sight. Even this momentary stop carries me a few feet backwards as the current pulls me away. I put my head back into the water. I will get there! Soon I am level with the stick. I take a moment to breathe in the beauty of view of the coastline. The others are already turning back and I follow their lead. Now the current is with us carrying us quickly back.

Walking up beach, we all have lobster red legs. At the hut, Annie laughingly helps me take my top off for my hands are useless clubs. It takes a while for us to get dressed for our fingers are clumsy and numb from the cold. I miss Tina’s Mum who use to mother us all at times like this. Rest in peace, Joan. Like the other girls, I pile layer upon layer of clothing onto my cold body. Kate hands me a mug of hot fruit tea. I cup my hands around it and bring it close to my face wanting the heat and steam the thaw me.

As we all regain some body heat, we joke and encourage each other for what we have done, but it’s too cold to stay long and so we say our goodbyes. I’m beginning to shiver and I know it’s time to get going before my teeth start chattering.

As I drive home, I see the blue waters of Portland Harbour once more, and I know why I do it. When I swim in the sea, I’m touched by beauty. Never once is the sea the same and you never know quite what mystery she will reveal to you whilst you swim. I love the paradox of pitting my strength against the sea and also knowing that the sea is so incredibly powerful that I am but nothing. I love that when I am swimming in the sea nothing else matters, that I am filled with peace. And yes, just like my sea-swimming friends, I am just a little bit zany too

A golden path across the sea

Church Ope Cove is as beautiful as it’s romantic name suggests. It’s a small bay on the eastern side of Portland. It’s shore is covered with beautiful, large, white pebbles and the sea swishes them back and forth creating music that soothes your soul.

The remains of Rufus Castle stand high above the bay, still keeping a watchful eye over all that come to the beach. Steep cliffs surround and protect the bay. At their foot posh sheds (beach huts!) are dotted around and a large rusty metal machine-part stands proudly on the beach. Is it a piece of modern sculpture? Did it just get washed up? The oddity of it is very Portland – and I love that it’s a mystery.

On the tide-line, are a row of large pale cream rocks, smoothed by centuries of lapping waves, which make a perfect place to meditate. If I go early in the morning, rarely is anyone there but me. Then I feel incredibly blessed to be given this beauty to enjoy by myself and yet curious why I’m the only one drawn here. Perhaps it’s because my ‘early’ is quite early!

Playing with the stones!

My favourite rock slopes slightly downward – it makes sitting crossed legged easier. Once seated, for awhile I just watch the sea: I never tire of doing so. Lapping waves gently crash into the shore literally feet away from where I sit. The sound matches my heart beat and then, as always, I’m filled with peace and a oneness of nature. I notice and feel everything – and it is so amazing to do so.

Yesterday, I was there again. Light grey clouds glided across the early morning sky and a breeze ruffled my hair. And then suddenly the sun squeezed itself through a tiny gap and laid a golden path of light across the sea. The sea twinkled as if gold dust had been cast so thick, you could walk upon it. From where I sat, it lead from me to the very edge of the world – the place where the sea touches the sky.

I see the ‘golden path’ often – at sunrise or sunset. At the cove, from my Sky Room and also across at Weymouth. And it’s simple magic ‘gets’ me every time. Surely there must be a name for this wondrous vision? And yet I have found none. Perhaps you know it’s name and you will enlighten me!

Dolphins need your help!

On holiday in Egypt last year, a pod of around 12 wild dolphins let me swim with them for a while. At one point I had with one dolphin on either side of me and another beneath me. It was truly magical as they slowed down to take a look at me! They were bigger than me, and yet they approached me with what I can only describe as gentleness.

Last week I received a distressing email with half a dozen photos showing dozens of dolphins, in shallow waters, in the Faroe Islands. These were not like the beautiful photo as above. The photos showed these gentle creatures being butchered. Young men in wetsuits, were standing waist deep in the sea stained red with blood. They were welding knifes, stabbing at the stranded dolphins. A huge crowd were watching this from the shore. It made me feel ill. How could these young men being doing this?

Emails received like this are not always genuine. Due to the climate change talks being held in Copenhagen I knew there was political intent with the timing. So I contacted the WDCS (Whale Dolphin Conservation Society) to ask whether the photos and story with them was true or not. They confirmed the people of Faroe Islands kill hundreds of dolphins and whales every year in this way – as a rite of passage for their young men and for food.

In our cozy world of supermarket food we often disassociate cling-film wrapped meat from the animals they once were. But this awful slaughtering is cruel, inhumane, barbaric and totally unnecessary.

If we are going to live in harmony with our beautiful plant, we must not allow people to do this any more. The WDCS have more information and how you can help stop this and protect the dolphins of the Faroe Islands. See www.wdcs.org/faroes

2012: Prophesy, reality and the film

The Mayan Prophesy of 2012 is intriguing. Half of me dismisses it for I know inscriptions from centuries ago are bound to have many different interpretations and no-one can say for sure, “it categorically means this”. Half of me though is also curious to see if there is any truth in it for I notice all kinds of changes are happening far faster than we would have thought possible, even just 5 years ago.

The Mayan’s had a unique way of dividing time based on the rotation of the Earth around the sun, and also the relative positions of the Sun and our solar system in the Milky Way. Their system divides time like this:

20 days = 1 uinal
18 uinals (360 days) = 1 tun
20 tuns (7,200 days) = 1 k’atun
20 k’atuns (144,000 days) = 1 b’ak’tun

The Mayan’s believe the end of each b’ak’tun marks a significant change in our lives. The recording of the b’ak’tuns is known as the Long Count Calendar. Although there is debate as to exactly how their calendar aligns with ours, the popular consensus is that last day of the 13th b’ak’tun is winter solstice, 21st December 2012. This marks the end of their 5,125 year record of time.

On this day people from around the world (but notably not the Mayans of today) are predicting all manner of changes and shifts to our world. Some of the most popular include: shifts in the Earth’s polarity (this did happen eons ago, but there are no scientific signs that it will happen anytime soon), world-wide flooding, armageddon and spontaneous spiritual enlightenment. No consensus then!!

Although from my view point, a massive spiritual transformation would be amazing and wonderful to witness, it’s hard to imagine how that could happen. The analytical, rational part of my brain does not see how people involved in conflict and war around the world would suddenly be prepared to talk instead of fight. And this is the most obvious change to consider. Could all of the abusers of children (and there are horrendous numbers of abusers in the UK alone) suddenly become enlightened enough to stop, forgive and love both themselves and the children? Could all of the bosses who currently treat their staff unfairly, suddenly be respectful? I would so love all of these changes and more to become so… I hope it could happen… but I’m not expecting it will happen in just 3 years from now.

So even though I thought it would be cheesy (and it is!) I went to see the film 2012. It’s a formulaic film with all the emotional buttons in place. The special effects are stunning. The story cleverly weaves together many of the predictions into one (albeit far-fetched) whole and there are some genuinely funny bits too. The question about choice was interesting: if just a few of man-kind were able to survive a cataclysmic event, and you had the power to choose who and what was saved – how would you choose? That would surely be an impossible choice!

From this though, I see we each have choice. Everyday we can choose how to live our lives. Individually, we may not have the power to stop climate change, create world peace, stop child abuse, or live in harmony with the Earth and so forth, but if enough people were to actively and genuinely choose to live a life of peace with themselves, others and the Earth, maybe, just maybe, there could be a massive change for the better – and sooner than we hoped.

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The Power of Nature

Wild sea at Portland

Too rough for a swim!

Dangling from Chesil’s 18 mile band of pebbles, lies Portland. It’s my new home – and I love living here. Its rugged nature and the hodge-podge houses of Fortuneswell – built centuries before town planning – are both ugly and very beautiful. When a storm comes in, you know Portland is an exposed place too as it’s one of the first bits of land the sea hits on the south coast .

The houses here are built with huge slabs of Portland Stone. So yesterday, when the wind howled like an angry banshee and the sea smashed into Chesil Beach, I felt safe and protected by my home.

As the storm abated, I joined a small crowd at Chesil, watching the spectacle of the sea at its most  powerful. It was awesome to watch. It reminded me how insignificant we are when the wind and sea throw a joint tantrum!

Today, the sun came out of hiding and I joined my friends for our weekly swim in Weymouth Bay. Protected by Portland, and with a very gentle slope, Weymouth Bay is one of the safest places to swim in the UK. Today the waves were perfect for body surfing and just challenging enough to make our swim a good work-out. Ten of us swam and played for half-an-hour, and for added madness, we swim without wetsuits! The cold, the feeling of pure exhilaration when you catch a wave that carries you along, or when it tumbles over you whilst swimming, is hard to describe. I just know these times are filled with wonder and joy. I have no time for worries or concerns for there is simply a connection between me and the sea. It also reminds me that being in nature always has this effect: of giving peace. I am very lucky to live here for I have the sea, several beaches, cliffs and a costal path to enjoy. But everyone can experience this peace that nature can give that is very powerful. No matter where you live, there will be a pocket of nature somewhere close to your doorstep for you to enjoy. I truly hope you find a little time each week to feel that peace too!

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We love our children don’t we?

In  this month’s Big Issue, in an article called “Divine Intervention” I was struck again about how many of our children are neglected. This paragraph below caught my eye:

“Of 11 million children in 2008, social services directly intervened in the lives of 125,000. A further 200,000 live in households where there is a known risk, and 235,000 are children in need of local authority support – but never quite cross the threshold of ‘significant harm’ to warrant action.”

The NSPCC statistics on child abuse is equally horrifying. Their survey showed 7% of children experienced serious physical abuse. Over 11% are sexually abused and 6% of children have experienced serious absence of care in their childhood. This NSPCC link gives you more depressing statistics: http://is.gd/s8hx 

I am deeply saddened when I read about these children. Many of the parents of these children are in desperate need of help – and the vast majority get short changed. Our society mostly turns a blind eye. There are no easy answers. But surely there is a way forward to help these children and their parents?

I want to help teenagers in trouble. I’m not quite sure how just yet, but I felt the need to put this out to the Universe and see where it goes. In the meantime, if your children have friends whose Mum and Dad, aren’t loving their children the way you love yours, give your love to them. Showing up as a parent who is loving, kind, and interested, yet with strong boundaries and good family rules can give a child hope and a life-line.

Don’t forget to log your swim to France as ‘a trip abroad’

It’s the most beautiful day here in Weymouth: pale blue sky, birds singing, sun shining… it really feels like Spring is coming.

It’s the beginning of my sea swimming season too. I met my friends on the beach this morning and we went for a quick swim. The sea is so COLD it literally takes my breath away. And yet it also makes me feel so alive. It felt so good to be back in after my 3 month winter break. Several of the swimmers in my group are fabulously strong: 4 of them have already swum The Channel and in August, there may be a 5th name to add to this honours list.

Today, I read that all UK residents may need to record every single trip abroad. Why? Why-oh-why does our Government want to us to do this?!! They will no doubt claim it’s part of national security, against anti-terrorism, to protect us, for our own good etc. Is it really though? To have yet another bit of our privacy invaded? Why do they need to know when and where I go on holiday? Does it matter if my business occasionally takes me abroad? Why do they need to know how often I travel? What do they want to really know from this data they’re proposing to gather? What will they do with it? How much is it costing us? Wouldn’t this money be so much worthwhile if it was spent on education or health? Aghhh!! 

And just in case you’re wondering what’s the connection to swimming… this is a line from the article:”Last night, reports suggested that the Borders Agency would expect cross-channel swimmers, trawlermen and Cross Channel day-trippers to log their plans”   

So when my friend reaches France, climbs out on the rocks for 2 minutes to show she swam the channel, she will have to also have record it as ‘a trip abroad’!!

A new way of living life?

Is anyone else concerned that our world economy, according to the pundits, needs 20 nations to agree to something being called The Grand Bargain? The G20 meeting in London next month is supposed to provide the world with a way out of this muddle we’re in. The intention is great – the proposal is for the developed and the developing world to work hand-in-hand with one another. But it’s all based on Capitalism as it is now – and I for one don’t believe it’s the way forward. 

I can understand that our Governments don’t want to even consider letting go of the old financial ways – for there is not a way for them to pay back the trillions they owe to the central banks and to other nations. The thing is, I think the Credit Crunch is acting as a huge wake-up call for ordinary people like me and you. Instead of blindly following what our Governments are telling us to do – people are really beginning to think for themselves. People are seeing that they are being asked to buy things they can’t afford (and I do understand the job-salary-buy cycle: but this is more than this) and they are realising much of the stuff they used to buy – they don’t really need. The trinkets, novelties, following the fashion trends (not just in clothes but everything) that they bought into, does not bring happiness. Most of all, people are tired.

Happiness quite simply can not be bought. Happiness is an inside job. It’s also a choice. People leading simpler lives in the countries that have not yet walked along our western developed path, are often much happier than us. Most westerners have lives that involve running as fast as they can on their Hamster wheel of life. They don’t have time to stop and simply be – to notice the beauty of nature, enjoy being with their children, giving love and care to others. At this point, right now there is a wonderful opportunity for us to change the way we live our lives. We have the technology to live in a very different way. If we want, we can choose a different path.

How could we change to a new way of living? This is a mind-blowing question: one I don’t have an answer for apart from knowing from the core of my being, that more of the same is definitely NOT the answer. The Grand Bargain is more of the same. I do know that we, as human beings, are infinitely creative. If enough people want the world to really change, then we will find the answers. Some people are already thinking outside of the box – we need more people to do so!

I recently came across a movie made in 2005 called the Zeitgeist and an update made last year called Zeitgeist Addendum see http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com and watch them for free. I’m not sure that I agree with everything in these films, but they are provocative and thought provoking, as well as suggesting some radical alternatives to Capitalism. Do you have thoughts on how the ‘new way’ looks? Are you beginning to live your life differently? Are you ready to walk down a different path? I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Are you worried?

Are you worried about losing your job or your home? Or how you are going to survive?

Credit Crunch, recession, depression, financial crisis – the words alone can tip you into worry. Just for a moment though, imagine what your life would be like if you took away the worry. Just the worry. Not the outlook. How would your life be different?

Most worry comes from fearful thoughts about events that haven’t yet happened. Our imagination is great at creating worst-case scenarios. Worry goes round and round in your mind and doesn’t get you any further forward… And because you don’t know the outcome, the unknown possibilities are far more scary than reality of any situation when you have to face it.

If you catch yourself worrying, make a conscious decision to switch into your analytical, reasoning, clear thinking mind. Now start asking yourself these questions: What can you do right-now today? What might be a different solutions to the one you are worrying about? Who can help you? All clouds have a silver lining (yes, sometimes you need to look hard to find it!) what is yours in this situation? If your hero was in your shoes, what would he/she do?

Have a lovely day. Try not to worry – for worry itself is not helpful. You can switch your thoughts. Go on! Give it a try!