Metta – Loving-kindness

 

It hit me all at once. A domino effect of emotions flowing through my entire system. I can feel the process of death happening within. Metaphysically speaking of course. The Self I knew and was attached to was dying. A rebirth was taking place. Partially by a Universal force and partially by my own awareness. 

Prior to my trip to Tulum, my mind and body felt off. Once I returned I got really ill. An illness that lasted a month! In and out of the hospital. With no answers. Just test after test. (Currently, looking deeper into why there’s free fluid outside of where it should be in my pelvic area). 

In the midst of feeling ill, I had to pack and leave my sacred space. My sanctuary. My home. Packing and leaving took a toll on me. More than I realized it would. All I kept thinking about was all I could not control. Wishing I was better. Wishing I was still “home”. Wishing I can sleep well. Wishing, Wishing, wishing. This created so much struggle within. Soon I realized that home truly and literally is where the heart lives. But, I can’t lie, I’m going to miss shooting my videos in that amazing foyer! IJS…Lol!

Self-acceptance ||

The greatest gift I gave myself during this time was the space to love myself exactly where I was. In my suffering. I accepted myself right in the middle of my pain. Purging when I needed to and giving so much love to my heart. I meditated deeper. Practiced Qi Gong. Exercised a little. Smiled. And, most importantly, I appreciated every moment the Creator gifted me with. 

One of the mediation practices that helped me (and is still helping me) was Metta Meditation (also known as Metta Bhavana).

Metta means love (in a non-romantic way). It also means benevolence, good will, friendliness and kindness. Hence, loving-kindness. Metta derives from the Pali word friend. Bhavana usually mean meditation, cultivation, or development. I will explain more about Metta Bhavana in a later post. 

Here’s a simple Metta mantra I would mindfully send to myself:

May I be filled with loving-kindness.

May I be well in mind and body.

May I be free from all internal and external harm.

May I be at ease and at peace.

I would repeat this to myself and then say these words mindfully towards a loved one, someone who hurt me, a stranger and the Earth.

Thank you for reading. May you be well in mind and body. Filled with loving-kindness, at ease, peaceful and free from all internal and external harm.

Asé

Crystal of the Week | Calcite

I love collecting crystals (and stones) and have used them collectively during my meditation practice.  One day, I decided to go shopping for another crystal.  I had no idea what I wanted, however, as soon as I walked into the crystal store I allowed spirit to guide me.  I was attracted to this crystal with a honey, golden, hue called Calcite.  Calcite is a powerful energy amplifier.  It clears negative energy while removing stagnant energy.  I was so happy to be attracted to this crystal because I have felt immobile in the past and needed something to help motivate me and stimulate the creative juices within.

More information about Calcite –

• Can be placed on the Solar Plexus
• Physically, spiritually, and mentally speeds up growth and development – helping you to reach your divine calling
• Ease emotional stress and combating fear
• Although this crystal can help you relax it also stimulates you to move forward
• Helps attune to the higher mental planes
• Stimulates mental energy
• Promotes creativity
• Can help with channeling, astral traveling, intuition and enhance psychic abilities
• On a metaphysical level, it encourages mental awareness, bringing the physical mind and will together to help you connect with your higher-self.

 

Let me know if you had any experiences with Calcite below!

Beauty Review: Skinnamon Body + Face Coffee Scrub

I really get a kick out of creating my own beauty concoctions using natural ingredients.  However, once in a blue, I like to try other people’s healthy beauty products. I came across Skinnamon online and I was eager to try it out because the product is composed of ingredients that fit right in with my lifestyle!  Skinnamon Body + Face Coffee Scrub is an all natural product that promises to help you fight cellulite, stretch marks, eczema, acne and dry skin. Intrigued by all that the statement promised, I decided to test out the product.

Oh my goodness!  The smell of the fresh coffee bean is amazing! It made me want to eat it right out of the bag and I don’t even drink coffee!

I followed the directions, used the wooden spoon it came with and applied the product from the feet up, in a circular motion. I was very gentle with my face and lips and kept the product on for 5 minutes then rinsed it off with warm water ( I also did a final cool rinse – this is part of my beauty regimen but optional for you). Following my shower, I was introduced to much softer, radiant and dewy skin!

note* You might want to apply the product while in the bathtub as it can get a little messy.

This product left my skin super hydrated. I moisturized after the shower as directed but, I really felt like I could have skipped that step. The natural oils from this product permeated my skin without leaving my skin greasy.  It was just the perfect blend.  I normally have oily and acne prone skin, but this product helped balance the oil my skin naturally produces.

 

What you will find in this product:

Organic Raw Sugar, Ceylon Cinnamon, Robusta Coffee Beans, Himalayan Pink Salt, Organic Brown Rice, Cold Pressed Sunflower Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E.

Skinnamon is a 100% vegan beauty company with products formulated to exfoliate, polish and nourish the skin with a combination of Super Oils and Active Botanicals.   Handmade in New York City.

Now a little something for all you beautiful souls.  Skinnamon is offering $5.00 off for my viewers. Promo code: SADE5. Shop here to have your own experience with soft, healthy, glowing skin!

 

 

 
  

Disclaimer: Skinnamon sent me this product for reviewing purposes. However, the views and opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the people, institutions or organizations connected with the company. I choose the content on this blog and the opinions on here are solely mine.

Destined

Was it fate? I feel as if I was destined to share time and space with an amazing group of talented individuals. What a magnificent gift the universe presented me with this past weekend! Blissfulness and peace combined in what was a bountiful spiritual experience.  August 8, 2015: The addition to the archives of my soul’s greatest memories.

I always wanted to model, yet I gave up years ago after facing many closed doors. Clearly, I was not built tough or strong enough to deal with the “no’s.” Not really obsessed with the idea, but excited about the thought, I decided to submit my photos to an artist, by the name of Young Paris, after seeing his “model search” post on Facebook.  Believe me, I was already mentally prepared for the “no.” However, I never thought about being unprepared for the “yes”.

When I received the message, “are you available on August 8th?”, I had to read it twice before I became ecstatic!  “Yes. I’m available!” I shouted. I realized, in that split second that no one could hear me.  Then all of the negative thoughts commenced and began doing circles in my mental.  They ranged from: Am I good enough? Was this a mistake? Suppose I mess up and waste his time? Talk about self-inflicted mental abuse!  It took me a while before I responded. I just was really not prepared for the “yes”. Subsequently, I remembered why I even started this blog – to encourage, to motivate, and to remind other over-thinking individuals (like myself) to let go and let God and just live!  After that self-reminder of my new life anthem, I responded to his request. It was not until the day of the video shoot that I realized that this experience will be more than just playing a role.  I realized that, on that day, the universe was going to bless me with a spiritual reward: not necessarily tangible, but definitely attainable.

Surrounded by God’s work, listening to nature’s language and working with a talented cast had me in awe. I found it so beautiful to witness Young Paris involving his family into his vision. Being around an artist, a musician and creative director, dancers, a videographer, designers, and make-up artists, had my creative juices flowing! I wanted to sketch, dance, practice yoga and meditate.  The feeling was so overwhelming.  There were sporadic moments where I spoke to God.  I expressed my gratitude for being present in that very moment. When the shoot was over, sage was lit and thanks were given to the Highest Power. We headed to Young Paris’ mother’s house. His mother cooked an amazing dinner and the cast was entertained by Young Paris and his family. They commenced to play the African drums. *Silent break*. This was when my emotions took over. I started to tear as I heard each sound from the drums. Each beat matched the rhythm of my heart and the sound of home that was taken from my ancestors.

It was at that very moment, whilst listening to the beat of my culture, I realized that I was destined to be there! My path led me there! The purpose of the shoot was not for me to realize my dream of being a model. The purpose of the shoot was to become richer from God’s natural resources, to connect with nature and other beautiful souls. I knew that no matter what, I would definitely take something from this experience.

History begins with yesterday and it is up to me to make sure that I incorporated what I know about my Caribbean culture and recreate my Afro-Caribbean culture.  My future family will remain grounded and will be knowledgeable about their culture. I will provide them with a platform to be creative and expressive.

As they were kidnapped and brought to the Americas, my ancestors were told not to sing their songs or beat their drums. They were programmed to believe that everything about their culture, appearance, and language was dreadful, unattractive, and uncanny. They were stripped of it all and forced to forget everything about their history. Fortunately, I live in a time where we are proclaiming our song and beating our drums again! I will recreate the culture that was stripped from me and study the history that was hidden from me. I will sing my song and move to rhythm of the drums.  And our history – African history – this planet’s deep history will thrive!

So it is. Ase.

Know Thyself

“The Body is the temple of God within you; therefore it is said, ‘Man: Know Thyself’.” – Egyptian Proverbs

Do you truly know yourself?  Do you truly understand who you are on the inside?  I’m not talking about knowing your favorite color, foods, places to go, etc…  I mean, do you have a deep understanding of your inner-self and knowledge of the presence of your soul?  When one truly knows oneself, I believe it is nearly impossible for anyone to persuade them to do things that contradict who they are.  When you truly understand yourself, you will accept yourself and all of your perfect imperfections.  You will respect and love yourself fully and, in turn, you will understand, accept, respect, and love God.  You will also know God on a deeper level, understanding that just as God is all around you, God is also very much within you.

If you haven’t thought about the aphorism, “Know Thyself”, don’t worry.  Join me by setting aside at least five minutes a day to meditate, pray, chant or be still (whichever works for you). Catch your breath and let go of all stress and anxiety.  Release all of the clutter in your mind and begin to listen to the language of the Universe.  It will take patience and lots of practice.  However, I am positive you will benefit tremendously from it.

If you decide to do this, keep me posted on your journey towards self-awareness and true self-love.  I would love to know how you’re progressing!

With Love,

DS