Spirited energy, Spiritual Buddy

"watercolor painting by Melanie Elliott, author of this blog"
(please excuse grammar and spelling errors as the author is visually challenged)

The significance of this art form is the authors intent to create a sense of harmony and energy with the values of color.

Recently I visited a dear friend whose existence in life and community as we know it will end.....death is near.

 

All family and friends feel absolutely helpless in their wishes to provide comfort and strength of mind and body.  Efforts to assist her will hopefully enhance the energy she will need in her new journey. 

 

In a blind-sighted effort to assist, I thought a few spiritual-guided poems might provide some solace.  I had hopes that an exercise of this nature would enable her to gain strength and inner peace -- elements that are thought to enhance one's spiritual travels.

 

My determination to find a source of some comfort led me to the Internet to search for appropriate words of peace and calm.  I came upon a perfusion of quotes for those in their last days of life as we know it.

 

Early in my search for quotes my eyes fell upon an interesting one that was not appropriate for my friend but a few lines compelled me to read with intense concentration.   The quote read:

     "Human beings are made of body, mind and spirit.

     Of these, spirit is primary for it connects us to the source of everything......in our external world of consciousness

and that







each of us is here to discover our true self-----that essentially we are spirited beings who have taken manifestations in physical form....that we are not human beings that have occasional spirited experiences and that we are spiritual beings that have occasional human experiences.

(author - unknown)

 

     I could have jumped for joy after reading the wisdom within the above quote.

     As I carried on in my search the next day, my computer had a hiccup and I found myself unable to re-connect with the Internet service.  Trouble-shooting efforts failed however I did become aware of an unusual situation when checking network connections.  In the past,  "carpe diem" was assigned as my network username----a self-assigned code phrase.  In it's place were the words "Melodie" and beside it "connected".

     That which I was seeing was without doubt that Melodie (my late twin and spiritual buddy) was providing me knowledge that her spiritual energy was present.

     I was at a loss as to how I could encourage our spiritual selves to come together at that very moment.  I took the chance of sliding the cursor to a connection with the server of my Internet function.  As the cursor slid  across the desktop, a photo of Melodie appeared.

     It was Melodie's message to me that I was appropriately managing my goal to enhance our "connection".

     I did manage to calm down long enough to call my Internet server and a technician walked me through  the steps that would provide solutions to what I translated as a technical error.  Undoubtedly Melodie had her hand in sending this technician of incredible professional service.  His advise, encouragement and support were so kindly and sensitively provided.  He was successful in making the adjustments that were needed to return my computer to a functional status.
 

     Before shutting down the exercise of restoration, the technician said there was one last step and that was for me to assign a new network username.  Without a moments hesitation, I asked if "Melodie" could remain.  I am certain that Melodie had answered that question as I began to acknowledge what had just occurred.
 

     I began to become anxious that, in the moment, I could do the wrong thing (click on a wrong key) and loose Melodie's energy presence. I moved forward by allowing that which came to mind (without pre-rehearsal) as she was providing me directions so that we could enhance our bond (a bond few have ever experienced) and enjoy the moment.

     With Melodie's spiritual-energy guidance,  I shut down my computer and went to the one place in my home that I have reserved and protected as our meeting place.  I hurried to that location, namely my bed,  and at the end of it is a large picture of Melodie.  From that point we share thought, humor and words of peace and love.  Oh how we did laugh -- as Mother would say, "she keeps you in stitches".  We discussed my need to return as a sister to two of my siblings and forgive them, her comments on my latest artwork were so welcomed, we discussed my need for increased appreciation with respect to my relationship with a male friend, and more.

For those readers who believe in spiritual energy, I trust you will enjoy this occasion....celebrate with me.

Nightingale  

      

An Auspicious Coincidence

Wow !! Don't you love those auspicious coincidences!

This image is an eight-room Inn located 47 miles north of  New York city and owned by Richard Gere and two partners.

The following is a letter to Richard Gere, InnKeeper of the Boston Post Inn and connects my interest with this site:

Dear Mr. Gere:

INTRODUCTION: I wish to share with you an out-standing auspicious conincidence -- an event that speaks to your spirit, energy,  calm and the provision of hope. I am a 65 year young Shambhala Buddhist living in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia -- the location of the North American Shambhala Buddhist Headquarters.

BACKGROUND: Just weeks ago I received a diagnosis of heart failure. Days later and in a moment of an empowering peace, I felt a desire to establish a list of life opporutnities to embrace as I am aware life, as we know it, is in it's finale.

With this awareness, I felt a need to list a few desired life-experiences in this transition as such experiences would provide me renewed energy to leave life at my personal best. 

     I was apprehensive in drawing up a list however it came together in a timeline that astounded me. I am sure this list has been rehearsed in my subconscious for sometime.  Magically, eight items appeared on my list - items in which I feel have been provided an alternate energy source.

     An enhanced sense of power guided me as I produced this list and to my surprise your name continually appeared in thought as I wrote details my last wishes.

     I was very puzzled by the recurruing presence of your name and instinctly knew that the answer and explanation of this would come in due time and only in time would this be disclosed.

TIME ARRIVES:  On 14 September 2012 and in an effort to re focus from the distraction of pain as I laid in my bed,  I turned on the TV to view the Anderson Cooper show and felt it would not only be a distraction but that of a life-lesson as well.

     Upon hearing that you would be a guest my attention was totally present.  I instintualy knew my puzzle was about to unfold -- and that it did.

     As you encountered Anderson Cooper's interview space graciously bowed.  It was this gesture that led me to think that you possibly could be of the Buddhist tradition.  Indeed your greeting with Mr. Cooper was a touching moment and that which most Buddhist's can only aspire to attain.

Moving on:     Early in the interview Anderson Cooper stated something to the effect that you could so easily move through a room and I had a sesne he referred to your charm.....your demeanor was oh so, so much more and ata depth few could be able to appreciate -- the message you translated to Cooper was done with great spirit, heart and soul ... a greeting representing much more than "charm".

     I sensed the interview content would be the messenger of an answer to my confusion and puzzlement.  I listened with great attention.

THE STORY:  Your interview disclosed that indeed you are a practicing Shambhala Buddhist, a station I share.  You informed your audience that meditation practice is enteretained at the Boston Post Inn and I truly believe that this fact alone was my connection to your name which appeared on my end-of-life wishes.  I have every reason to believe that your property carries a special energy and it is intended for me to experience.

CONCLUSION:  I am currently researching means and possibilities of my being a guest at Boston Post Inn and participate in my meditation practice on site.
     Should this not materialze due to health issues or financial matters, it is my hope to provide Boston Post Inn with a self-painted watercolor painting.  This would provide me with a spirited energy and the connection I am experiencing.

     I cannot explain my connection with the energy at Boston Post Inn and do not need to know how this connection came about however that which I do know is of great comfort.

     I have sent along two questions via your Facebook site and if wheelchair accessibility is present, I can move forward in my wish to be a guest and practitioner.

Respectfully

 

LampsPlus.com bashs PayPal

Image: Watercolour painting by author of this blog entry. The painting reflects a kind blend of textures and color - elements that are often only imagined by the artist as a visual limitation no longer provides a full appreciation of the image.

In keeping with a visual barrier, I have been researching and searching lighting options that would provide maximum light source....this has not been an easy hunt as several elements must to be present in order to accommodate visual perceptions.

Today, I finally bit the bullet and ordered two lamps that have been on my wish list

for sometime. After hours of searches, I came to locate the lighting fixtures that had the requirements required and ordered them online from LampsPlus at a USA location.

Upon completing the order form, the process took me to the "checkout" and when browsing the payment methods it was very obvious PayPal was not present in LampPlus.com's listing of acceptable payment methods/options. The absence of PayPal should have been my first clue that LampsPlus.com had an issue with PayPal and that there was a history of unacceptable issues.

In an e-mail inquiry re PayPal's participation, I questioned the absence of PayPal and was informed that LampPlus.com "do not accept PayPal as a method of payment as it is linked to many elements of online fraud".

Out of necessity and with great reluctance, I bit the bullet and provided information from my VISA card for payment of the lamps....VISA was an acceptable payment source by LampsPlus.com

Shortly after submitting my order to LampsPlus I received an order confirmation number. This was followed by an e-mail appearing in my in box from LampsPlus.com asking that, for security reasons, I forward my billing address. This billing address was described as " the physical address your credit card statement is sent to". Despite my not being able to fully understand the last statement, I became fully suspect that this billing address submission requirement was a practice that smelt somewhat fishy.

I now await further communication from LampsPlus.com informing me that the lamps purchased would be shipped. This event will provide me the opportunity to cancel the order despite their ordering, and shipping policies. I will be asking VISA not to participate in this transaction with LampsPlus once I receive a statement from VISA. I spoke with the administration of VISA who inform me that LampsPlus were authorized $51.91 and advised me that my total expense would come to $51.88....one is tempted to ask what other oversights occur.

I do have confidence that LampsPlus.com that at some crossroad they will inform me what their behaviours and accusations are all about.

For shame, LightPlus.com

Viewers: keep posted as Iwill be adding progress notes to this blog.