Shamans tend to be men {Women have more of these abilities in their natural state and require less altered consciousness.}, though women also can become shamans; some women shamans are extraordinarily powerful. In some cultures, shamans are involuntarily chosen by the spirits; they realize their calling in a transformational experience, often a serious illness that brings them close to death {For example Damion Brinkley of today.} and is self-cured. In other cultures, persons with natural shamanic gifts are selected at a young age, trained and initiated.

It’s the most powerful weapon on Earth. It can turn the impossible to the possible in a matter of seconds. Yet, few people even Christians seem to take advantage of this free, priceless commodity. The name of this mighty weapon you may ask? Prayer: The act of conversing with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. If it’s not the constant bombardment of the media focusing only on negativity, it’s the monotony of our daily life which causes many to forget this simple task at our fingertips.

Learning how to be content in any circumstance necessitates that you begin by making the decision to take life where you find it and work with it.

Moms seldom take time to be alone with God but it's essential for a healthy spiritual life. Take these steps and experience the rewards of taking the time to focus on God every day.

About a special man....

Archangel Raphael is considered the guardian angel of humanity. He is also the divine physician, the archangel of health and healing, and the angel of abundance and creativity

A brief study of King Herod's slaughter of the young boy sin Bethlehem in Matthew 2:16-18

I love recipe books...looking through them, collecting them, and occasionally even using them. I suppose just having them is rather like a safety net. It's always mind assuring to know they are there just in case... But unless they are opened up and used, all the secrets inside will forever remain hidden from view. It will benefit no one. Are you hiding your hidden treasures from view?

No one comes to this world without a gift or special talent that is not unique to him/her alone. The gifts that we bring are the tools we will use to experience physical life in our own special way. For some it is obvious, for others one may have to look a little deeper. The use of such gifts or talents are also subject to interpretation and are often used for purposes other than what we wanted to experience before birth. Most of us spend a lifetime searching for the connection to them.

So, none of us arrived with an Owner’s Manual, neatly referenced to enable us to look up our ails, appreciate where we are, and, understand what is next. We expected its indelible validation to enable us to navigate some of the more fearful and exhilarating moments in our lives.

I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let me tell you this works! How does God know what we want or need if we don't get specific and let Him know?

Understanding humanity's relationship in time and space is crucial in understanding his relationship to that which created him. This awareness leads us to enlightenment and the knowingness that we are part of a process and not separate from it. We are one with all that is, and the process cannot work without us.

I had visions of my daughter for about five years before she finally showed up. She turned out exactly like the little girl in my dreams who had haunted me all that time. I was so very glad to see th...

When you go fly fishing you cast your bait way down the river and let it float. Do you give God your anxieties and let them float away and realize He is in control or do you keep the bait close so you can pick up the anxiety whenever you want?

The time we spend on earth is very short when you consider the scope of the universe. Often, we don’t see the big picture and get lost in the details. What is our purpose in the few years we have?

The metaphysical lore of the East is, quite logically, intertwined with the arts associated with the Shadow Warriors of Japan. Often, the influences are obvious, as in the use of the Shinto ceremony of respect and acknowledgment used to open and close classes; others, like the 5-element classification systems are not as apparent.

Connor, a man in his late 40’s, has achieved everything he ever thought he needed to feel happy and secure. He owns a successful business, has a wonderful wife and two children, and a beautiful home....

We confuse ourselves about the meaning of the spiritual path. And because of this confusion, we never embark on it. Yet the end of confusion comes from looking at the essence of true spirituality. Once we capture that essence, we can act in a way that sets our feet on that path.

Do you ever say to yourself: “I can’t do such and so, I’m just not that type”? In one arena or another we all do, and these beliefs we hold about ourselves govern almost every aspect of our lives.

For the past several years I have struggled with getting (and staying) fit. Ok I admit it, the struggle has been longer than just a few years. As a kid, instead of playing nicely with the girls, I fought with the neighborhood boys. I attempted to join their fun and received new scars weekly in bloody games of soccer. I was always the last one picked to play on the kickball team and, as the catcher of my 5th grade softball team, I pummeled the pitcher in the head with a fast ball. Uncoordinated in team sports, I succeeded only at baton twirling which was fun but I barely broke a sweat. After failures in group sports I thought I'd try running so, a few years ago I attempted to train for a half marathon. I ended up limping home in tears and thought I’d never exercise again. (I couldn't even MOVE after that, much less exercise!)

It doesn't matter who you are, or what job you are doing, that irksome little demon named stress will always be peeking around the corner, waiting for its next chance to get under your skin.

If you have every thought about pampering yourself for a day, you should go ahead and do it. Fresno spas are the places to go.

Breathing, drinking tea is just a few stress busters these days. Why not try landscaping and pound that dirt (stress) into its place!

This article explores the relationship between stress and management of anger.

Four fabulous energy management secrets which contribute to spiritual warming are really no secret at all... So what exactly is energy management? In this case, it's not managing coal or natural gas reserves, it's about how we manage ourselves during times of stress and anxiety; when our energy isn't grounded, and our thinking scattered; when our minds are too full of everyday stuff to think clearly.