Can Art Heal?

 The Healing Power of Music  (Part 1 of 4)

By Adriana Paredes -Staff Writer

Creative expression can make a powerful contribution to the healing process and has been embraced in many different cultures. Cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien shares that shamans and medicine men believe that the moment a person stops singing and dancing that person loses touch with his or her soul creating stress and unbalance which can result in the appearance of disease. Throughout recorded history, people have used pictures, stories, dances, and chants as healing rituals. This four-part series will explore the healing power of artistic expression and its relationship to metaphysics.

Engaging in artistic activities either as an observer or as an artist can enhance one’s moods, emotions, and overall psychological state. Creative activities contribute toward reducing stress and depression and can serve as a vehicle for alleviating the burden of chronic disease.  Over the past decade, health psychologists have begun looking at how the arts might be used in a variety of ways to heal emotional injuries, increase understanding of oneself and others, develop a capacity for self-reflection, reduce symptoms, and improve behavior and thinking patterns.

Music, Health & Metaphysics

Music is the most accessible and most researched medium of art and healing. Music therapy has been shown to decrease anxiety and short term pain. Music therapy programs can help to restore emotional balance as well. Music can calm neural activity in the brain, which may help to restore effective functioning in the immune system partly via the actions of the amygdala and hypothalamus.

Music has been used with cancer patients. According to the American Cancer Society, there is evidence that, when used with conventional treatment, music therapy can help to reduce pain and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It may also relieve stress and provide an overall sense of well-being. Some studies have found that music therapy can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.

Studies have shown that students who take music lessons have improved IQ levels. In particular, listening to music composed by Mozart produces a short-term improvement in tasks that use spatial abilities as the music produces more activity in certain areas of the brain. This has been famously called the “Mozart effect.”

Music has been an essential part of metaphysics. According to internationally recognized clairvoyant, and spiritual teaching Barbara Y. Martin, “When I listen to an inspired piece of music, I see wonderful spiritual energies of various hues connected to the musical ideas. If the music is particularly uplifting, there will be these incredible musical thought-forms. Not all music has this. Some has a neutral spiritual effect and other types of music unfortunately have a debilitating effect. The quality of the music has a lot to do with its spiritual power.”

Dimitri Moraitis, spiritual teacher and executive director of Spiritual Arts Institute adds, “Music emanates from the vibratory activity of life, sometimes called The Word of God. It is part of the spiritual as well as physical spheres. From ancient to modern times, metaphysicians have well-known the spiritual power of music as a tool to elevate the soul. Listening to uplifting music or even better, learning to sing or play an instrument has a wonderful effect on the consciousness.”

It is never too late to engage in a musical activity by doing so you may be uplifted and find another beautiful way to express your soul.

Sources:

http://www.artandhealing.org/why-it-matters/

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/MindBodyandSpirit/music-therapy

Creativity is essential both personally and in a progressive society. The world needs creative energy. Regardless if you are an artist or inventor, creativity needs to be part of your life. It is part of your spiritual power and makes life exciting. In today’s scientific world we tend to downplay the arts, yet both are essential for a well-balanced life.

God is creative and creativity is part of your spiritual evolution. Being creative is a reflection of God; it brings you into a higher level of consciousness. God gave you the ability to create – It’s one of your greatest blessings! Being creative trains you to become the co-creative being that you are destined to become.

Your aura plays an indispensable part in building up creativity it is where you generate the power to be creative. Once you generate that power, it will show up in your life.

What does creativity looks like in the aura? Creativity shows up in many ways. The first and most prominent is in a part of the aura known as the magnetic division. The magnetic division is seen a little above of the heart chakra and to the left . It looks like a blue sphere of light with energies radiating from it. And almost appears like its own energy center.

This is the place where you generate the spiritual power to bring the creative ideas into objective form. It is where you give life to creative inspiration. The color most often seen in the magnetic division is electric blue as this is the energy of talent.

When someone is very talented and expressing that talent, the electric blue will be vibrant and radiating strongly. If the person is talented, but not expressing the talent, then the electric blue can begin to fade indicating the talent is there but not being used.

In addition to the magnetic division, a very creative person will have flows of powder blue and silver light radiating down from above their head indicating the person is in touch with divine inspiration.

Notice that talent and inspiration are two different energies. This is because they represent two differing aspects of the creative process. You can be a talented individual but not inspired and vice versa. When the two are working together, you can accomplish great creative feats.

How do you increase your creative flow? Start by being creative! It does not matter if you are a professional artist, simply express the creative urge within you. If you have a desire to sing, then sing. Or if you have a desire to write, then start writing. Make that a part of your life of for the sheer joy of your personal creative expression. And do not judge your creativity. If it’s truly coming from your heart, it’s part of the divine flow and will be constructive.

Call upon the powder blue ray for inspiration and new ideas. Meditate upon this power and feel it blessing all levels of your consciousness. Then follow through on whatever you are inspired to do. The divine does not inspire us with idle ideas. Inspiration is meant to be put to use! And through your creative expression you are drawing yourself closer to your divine source and the creative pulse beat of life itself.

In Divine Light and Love,
Barbara Y. Martin

www.spiritualarts.org

Image by GearTech3

Deep in the heart of the Congo, a nation torn by civil war and poverty, one man’s love of music has transcended all obstacles and created the impossible – a symphony in the Congo.

Armand Diangienda was a pilot by trade, but when the airline he worked for went bankrupt he decided to follow his true passion, music.

Armand dreamed of creating a full classical orchestra. There were only a few challenges – there were no musicians, no teachers, no instruments, and no music.

Undaunted by the massive task, Armand taught himself how to read music and to play the piano, the trombone, the guitar, and the cello!

The visionary salvaged all the instruments he could find and convinced his friends to play. They in turn brought more friends. As word spread, Armand amassed 200 musicians and vocalists, all of whom he taught.

Today Armand’s home serves as a makeshift conservatory. From the early hours of the morning to the late hours of the night, every corner is filled with music, and with hope.

To read the full story and watch the truly inspirational 60 Minutes segment on Armand and his orchestra, please click HERE

At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama issued eighteen rules for living:

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
   • Respect for self
   • Respect for others
   • Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share you knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your seccess by what you had to give up in order to get it.

“A miraculous spiritual force operate in the midst of us. Although invisible to physical sensing, it is vividly alive and active.  It is a part of us and we are a part of it. This force is known as the human energy field – the aura.

“Everything you feel, think and do radiates a spiritual energy that comes through in definite colors and intensities. This essence is the aura. It is through the miracle of the aura that the Divine Light, divine consciousness, expresses itself in you.

Your Aura is an individual expression
of the Divine Light in action.

“Your aura registers and keeps record of how you’re using spiritual energy. When you draw in spiritual energy, you first draw that consciousness into your auric field before putting it to use in your life. By making a change in your aura, there will automatically be a corresponding change in your life.

“The depth of activity that goes on within each of us, unseen by the physical eyes, is truly amazing. For anyone who has studied this subject, on fact becomes crystal clear: There is far more to the unseen part of life than there is to the seen.

“As you study and meditate with the energy of the aura you will gain a greater knowledge of yourself, who you really are, and your unlimited potential as a spiritual being.”

To discover more about the aura, and to lean how to meditate with Divine Light (consciousness) please visit : www.spiritualarts.org

All works copyright Barbara Y. Martin.
Please email for use.

10 minutes of meditation a day can change the structure of the brain.

New research from UCLA’s Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI) has reveled that people who meditate regularly are in fact building their brains.

The study compared the MRI scans of 50 people who do not meditate with 50 who did. The results were impressive.

UCLA found that people who meditate long-term have more gyrification in the brain. Gyrification means more folding in the cortex, the folded gray matter playing an important role in consciousness. The more folds, the more we are able to process and assimilate information.

Researcher Lauders shares,

“One of the possibilities is that with an increase folding comes an increased number of neurons. And if we have an increased number of neurons, you might process certain information differently.”

The amazing news is that a meditation practice can be established with meditating just 10 minutes a day!

Metaphysics teaches that with only 10 to 15 minutes of meditation a day you can begin to establish a connection with your eternal nature, and with a sustained meditation practice you can absolutely change your life.

10-15 minutes a day is plenty to start with. The key is that your meditation be uninterrupted. It isn’t so much the length of time you meditate but the depth.

If in the beginning you find it difficult to meditate or quite the mind, be patient with yourself and continue to bring your attention back to the light. The wonderful thing about working with divine light in meditation is you are focusing your mind on the energy you wish to bring in and this helps to center the consciousness.

It is never too late to being meditating. At the perfect time to start in now!

Source: ABC

Taught by award-winning authors & teachers
Barbara Y. Martin and Dimitri Moraitis

This ground-breaking, signature metaphysics course trains you in how to access the source of your auric power – your own spiritual bank account of living light – to enrich all parts of your life.

In a unique and friendly class setting, you’ll learn and grow with fellow students, as well as student joining from around the globe, creating lasting connections and a deep spiritual fellowship.

With clear instruction,  you will discover how to build your own direct connection to the higher and inner spiritual worlds for guidance, inspiration and blessings.

Wether you are new to metaphysics or have been studying for years, this program offers fresh inspirations and practical spiritual instruction designed to help fulfill your soul’s potential.

Learn:

• What the complete picture of your aura looks like
• What the colors of the aura mean and say about you
• New insights into the chakra system
• How to meditate with Divine Light
• How to work with the power rays of spiritual enrichment, including love, prosperity, healing, wisdom and inspiration
• How to work with your celestial support system
• How to keep the light around you

6 Saturdays, April 21 0 May 26, $225
Daytime Class: 2:30pm – 4:00pm (PST)

Location: Unitarian Universalist Community Curch
1260 18th Street, Santa Monica, California 90404
(cottage just north of the church on 18th street)

To Register Call:
1.800.650.Aura (2872)

or register online Here

Try Us Risk Free!
If after the first session you are not completely satisfied,
we will refund your payment 100%
No questions asked.

Please Note: Change Your Aura, Change Your Life is prerequisite to
the comprehensive Seven Spiritual Arts Training Program.

Click HERE to view the full 7 Spiritual arts Program!

Not local to Los Angeles?

Join us from the comfort of your home, online!

Our unique program allows you to participate in real-time internet classes tosee,hear and interact in course instructions, group meditations and spiritual blessings.

For each session students log onto a secure website and receive spiritual instruction from internationally renowned teacher Barbara Y. Martin along with Dimitri Moraitis.

By joining our online community you will have the opportunity to learn and grow with fellow students from all over the world, creating lasting connections and making powerful strides forward on your spiritual path.

6 Wednesdays, April 18 – May 23, $225
Evening Class: 6:30pm – 8:00pm (PST)

To Register Call:
1.800.650.AURA (2872)

www.spiritualarts.org

Meditation is inspiring millions of people the world over to join together in supportive community and actively improve their lives and the world we live in. Young and seasoned practitioners alike are finding new ways to work together and are uniting under a common goal ~ Positive Spiritual Evolution.

Wake Up London, a group of young meditators with a big vision, have organized a mass mediation demonstration this month entitled Sit In Peace. The event will be lead by Buddhist monk, author and peace advocate, Tich Nhat Hanh.

“Sit in Peace is an opportunity for families and friends to generate peace together through meditation and stillness,” said Elina Pen, a spokesperson for Wake Up London. “We want to offer people a chance to stop, relax, and enjoy their lives.”

This event is one of many mediation experiences sweeping the world that are offering meditation as a tool for peace, healing, clarity, joy, and ultimately, enlightenment.

What makes mediation so effective? Meditation teacher Barbara Y. Martin shares,

“Meditation is your time to receive from God. By meditating regularly, you give yourself the ability to let the world around you drop away and commune one-on-one with your divine source.

“An effective meditation refreshes and renews all levels of your consciousness giving you more spiritual power to apply in all facets of your active life. Mediation is an essential key for spiritual evolution.”

Time magazine reported that over 10 million people mediate, and that number is consistently growing. What was once only known to a few is now available for all.

As the practice of meditation continues to sweep across the world, we now have more opportunity then ever to apply these ancient, time tested techniques for personal, societal, and global benefit by attuning to the vibration of peace, unity and love.

~Jaqueline Marie

For more information on mediation visit www.spiritualarts.org

source www.wkuplondon.org
yoga images from Ambro

Clearing negative energy from your home is a simple, essential task. Your home is your personal temple, and regular purification of negative energy is the key to keeping your sacred space a place of positivity, happiness and peace.

A clean, clear environment is conducive to a clean, clear mind and heart.  By clean we mean free of negative energy, as well as clutter and grim.

Just as dust and dirt can accumulate, so do outbursts of anger, moments of extreme sadness or depression, and experiences of fear. Theses buildups of low vibration have a direct effect on our emotions and sate of being.

By clearing your space of negative energy you can remove energetic obstacles and negative patterns, granting yourself the freedom and peace you desire.

Steps to Purifying Your Home With Light:

1. Burn orange and blue candles in what would be the center of your home, placing a large bowl of salted water between the candles.
2. Allow the candles to burn for 10 minutes. Visualize the light of the candles illuminating every room, the doorways, the windows, the telephone lines, and especially the bed you sleep in.
3. Now say the following prayer, asking the light to bless your home:
   
   “Down-ray the orange red flame of purification into the center of this house, including all rooms, grounds, and property. Take all black and gray atoms at least 10 feet into the mineral kingdom and dissolve them in the light.

   “Upon completion of this purification, down-ray the blue-white fire to change and rechange all aspects of this home, retaining this energy and bringing this house into the highest vibration possible.”

   Sense the light blessing everything in your home and thoroughly cleansing it.

4. Flow up your housecleaning with a prayer of protection. The prayer itself builds up over time, helping to keep negative energies out, while also uplifting visitors who come in:
    

   “Down-ray the golden ray of Thy divine protection to surround this home in seven flows of this light, strongly protecting everything herein and everyone who enters. In Thy Holy Name I ask this.”

Repeat this exercise every day until you feel it’s well established. After successfully doing this exercise, you will feel very different inside your home.

All works copyright 2012
From Barbara’s award winning book: Change Your Aura, Change Your Life

If you would like to use any of Barbara’s writings, please email us at Barbara@spiritualarts.org

In this illuminating workshop award winning authors and teachers Barbara Y. Martin and Dimitri Moraitis explore how to work with your aura and spiritual energy to enhance and elevate your creative power.

This is a must-attend workshop for artists, writers, musicians, actors, inventors and EVERYONE who wishes to develop their creative talents and potential.

Discover:

• How creativity and talent appear in the aura
• The Keys to activating inspiration in ALL areas of life.
• How to work with spiritual energy to enhance your creative power
• How creativity is an essential part of your spiritual growth

Demonstration of clairvoyant aura readings is part of this event!

FREE!
Call to reserve a seat. Space is limited!
800.650.AURA (2872)

Workshop held at:
Unitarian Universalist Community Church
1260 18th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404

www.spiritualarts.org