Living in the Light

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“Money is a symbol of our creative energy. The more willing and able we are to open to the universe, the more money we will have in our lives.” Gawain.[1]

Shakti Gawain, author and pioneer in personal growth field.

It was about twenty years ago, when I first started reading Shakti’s Living in the Light meditations. I had the blessed opportunity to attend a workshop with this diva. Her presence is truly as magnificent as her inspiring books and meditations. As she confidently marched up the aisle from the back of the packed hall we were all electrified. She captivated us and held our attention for the whole day. We wrote, performed and pushed the envelope for ourselves and for her. We opened ourselves up to her every word, and ultimately to universal creativity.

Suzi Orman the diva of money, itself says it this way, “Money has a life force, an energy force, of its own. The conditions under which you and your money live will, in the end, determine whether your life will be a rich one or not.”

[1] Reflections in the Light: Daily Thoughts and Meditations, by Shakti Gawain. pg. June 1. New World Library, San Rafael, CA, 1988.

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Positivity

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“The mind grows sicker than the body in contemplation of its suffering.” Ovid.[1]

Metaphysics, New Thought religious movements, Norman Vincent Peale, Silva Mind Control, A Course in Miracles, all the authors in The Secret, and even Ovid the Roman poet have been telling us that we must change our thoughts to be healthy, happy, joyous and free from suffering. Ovid’s quote implies that when we put our attention (contemplate) on our symptoms, aches, pains and/or on the illness itself our minds become sick, too- or even sicker than the body. Logically, it must follow then, that in order to heal ourselves we must put our attention elsewhere. However, this is more easily said than done.

Learning, studying and practicing an eclectic variety of psychological and holistic approaches to raising our consciousness affords us an expanded opportunity to heal ourselves. We can truly discover what’s best for ourselves when we align our minds with divinity, the sacred, our Higher Power, The Universe. When we are walking in light, we are less likely to be thinking about our symptoms. There are so many ways to achieve the miraculous, yet for every moment of every day in our lives, there is only one combination to unlock the doorway; there is only one combination to ensure that we make the necessary decisions for health and well-being. With Celestial Psychology® we develop an arsenal of techniques guaranteeing that we will have a better chance at finding the right keys in every given situation.

Principle Eleven for Celestial Psychology® reads: Human beings are capable of healing themselves and each other with consciousness. Consciousness plays a direct role in the effectiveness of energy as medicine.

[1] Ovid[1], Roman poet (43 B.C-A.D 17?) Tristia, (9 A.D.), pg. 715, Encarta, Book of Quotations, St. Martin’s Press, NY. 1993.

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Wisdom

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” James.[1]

Do you think Mr. James, (1842-1910) one of the founders of psychology, was referring to ‘turn the other cheek?’ Seems like it. Or maybe ‘choose your battles carefully’ is another truism that suits the quotation. For good mental health, this is right up at the top of the skills list, alongside the number one skill, assertiveness. Actually, knowing what to overlook can be deciphered by the assertiveness formula. If we can’t let it go, after we’ve considered how we see it, how it’s made us feel and what we need, then we can’t overlook it without risking being passive. Passivity breeds depression, malcontent and in many cases physical illness. Aggressiveness gets us into all kinds of trouble. So practice assertiveness. Maybe we should ask William if he minds if we change his quote by adding: “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook and when to be assertive.” I really don’t think he would mind. Do you?

[1] William James, 1890. The Principles of Psychology, vol. 2, ch. 22. From the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations, by Augarde, pg. 112. Oxford University Press, 1991.

 

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Hindsight

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“Hindsight may not be so much better than foresight, but it’s much better than no sight at all.” Anne Wilson Schaef.[1]

Think about it! What if we had no insight at all! We wouldn’t be able to understand anything about ourselves, our behavior, thoughts, feelings or attitudes. For that matter, we wouldn’t be able to understand much about the behavior, thoughts, feelings or attitudes of our family, friends, neighbors, politicians… Hmm, maybe that takes something more than insight, let’s see, maybe outsight… just kidding! Seriously, though, next time we start beating ourselves up for what we ‘should’ have known about the past, let’s just stop. Stop the ‘should a’s, could a’s, would a’s, what ifs and if onlys and practice being grateful for insight. Be grateful for having the  insight, for being aware enough to actually be processing the incident, issue or argument.

The most fundamental goal of therapy is to ‘make conscious what’s unconscious.’ In Celestial Psychology® we call it doing ‘holy work.’

[1] Laugh! I Thought I’d Die (If I Didn’t), by Anne Wilson Schaef, p. February 29. Ballantine Books, NY, 1990.

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Our Journey

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“I am willing to believe that I am on a special journey. Today’s experiences are part of it. I won’t fight them.” Anonymous[1]

Let’s rewrite this one and affirm, “I know I am on a special journey… I know I am on a spiritual journey.” When we affirm what we may or may not fully believe or for that matter, what we may or may not fully understand- we bring our consciousness around to acceptance. When we are flowing along on the river of acceptance, our experiences take on a whole new meaning. We are able to stay on course because we are not fighting, resisting, or being defensive.

As overused and trite as it may have become, “go with the flow,” is still one of the most profound expressions of our time. It’s meaning continues to deepen as we evolve. In the 60s and 70s going with the flow held a very different meaning for most of us. And now, as we live with the excitement of our ever-so rapidly changing world … well, it’s like surfing the white-water rapids of acceptance.

With Celestial Psychology® we study a wide range of psychological and holistic modalities, mastering techniques and integrating them into our own repertoire of tools for ‘riding the waves of acceptance.’

[1] A Woman’s Spirit, anonymous, p. April 30. HarperCollins Publishers, NY, 1994.

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Negativity

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“Negative projections can become self-fulfilling prophecies.” Anonymous[1].

How often have we had an injury or a bruise especially of the elbow that continually gets bumped, banged and bruised again? Sometimes it seems the harder we try to avoid hurting ourselves the more we do? When we pay attention to the thoughts that have been mulling around in our heads we realize that we’ve been negatively projecting. “Watch out! Don’t bump that elbow!” Scientists are discovering that thoughts like these are actually attracting the continual mishap, because the brain does not register the word don’t.

From this very specific example we can see how important it is to be conscious of what we are telling ourselves at all times. Ask yourself what I am telling myself about this or that and we will see what we are projecting regarding that aspect of our lives. Only when we work on ourselves and raise our consciousness by making conscious what’s unconscious can we begin to tap into our infinite potential. When we affirm that we can do something we will do it. So, let’s try an experiment. Next time we have a bruised elbow let’s affirm, “I am healing my elbow.” I am curious to know if the elbow gets bumped again at all. My guess is that it won’t. Be sure and let me know.

Celestial Psychology® helps us delve into our subconscious with a myriad of eclectic approaches bringing us to our highest divine potential.

[1] A New Day, anonymous, p. 248. Bantam Books, NY, 1988.

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Self-Esteem

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“My self-esteem profits when I profit from my mistakes.” Larsen & Hegarty.[1]

This is a quote for July 16th in the daily meditations, Believing in Myself. It was on the same page with the quote, “A stumble may prevent a fall.” -Thomas Fuller. How many of us have soul-searched after we’ve made a mistake, to realize that we’ve learned an important lesson from the mistake?  And with even further reflection we realize that because we have learned from the mistake, we have actually prevented further damage. The authors say, “Pratfalls aren’t fun,… [however] Self-respect can be salvaged if we use our slipups to help us become more aware.”

Raising our awareness is one of the goals of Celestial Psychology®. When we are aware of our thoughts, actions, and emotions our self-esteem soars. Affirming, “I learn from my mistakes” will free our minds from the ravages of self-recrimination and allow us to creatively profit from them.

[1] Believing In Myself, by Earnie Larsen & Carol Hegarty, p. July 16. Simon & Schuster, NY 1991.

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Conscious Breathing

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

“Make conscious breathing your anchor.” Barbara Ann Kipfer[1].

What a tremendous image! “Breathe, breathe, breathe into the paper bag,” folks tell us. “Take a few deep breaths when you’re anxious,” therapists say. “Count to three on the inhale and hold, count to three while exhaling and hold,” the gurus say. There are hundreds and maybe even thousands of techniques for mastering our breathing to achieve everything from relieving anxiety to raising Kundalini energy.

An anchor is with us at all times. Whether we’re in full sail or we’re docked, the anchor is vital to our existence. We can’t survive without breathing. Whether our breathing is shallow (which it’s bound to be at times) or deep into our diaphragm, putting our attention on it – perhaps by visualizing an anchor – making it conscious is bound to help smooth our sailing. I really think Barbara Ann is on to something here. Don’t you?

[1] Self-Meditation: 3,299 mantras, tips, quotes and koans for peace and serenity by Barbara Ann Kipfer, p. 166. Workman Publishing, NY, 2006.

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5 Tips for Beating the Winter Blues

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

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Upcoming Spring Events!

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Celeste Emelia Mattingly

SUNDAY, March 20th
BLOOMFIELD – Celeste Emelia’s School of Consciousness-Raising presents:
7 Historical Stages of Psychotherapy and the 7 Chakras; A Fascinating Journey
Join Celeste Emelia Mattingly, LCSW and Dory Dzinski, LPC for the unveiling of this state-of-the-art and scholarly correlation.  Experiential exercises, handouts, video clips, power-point presentation, discussion and refreshments!
For more information about Celeste visit: www.celestemattinglylcsw.com
For more information about Dory visit: www.dorydzinski.com
3 Barnard Lane, Top Floor (enter through rear of building)
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm – Refreshments – Cost: $20.00

SATURDAY, April 9th
BLOOMFIELD – The Center for Holistic Empowerment and The Door Opener Magazine Present:
Search Engine Optimization with Joanne …
www.TheCenterforHolisticEmpowerment.com for more info.
3 Barnard Lane, Top Floor (enter through rear of building)
Time: 10 am to 1 pm

SUNDAY, April 17th
BLOOMFIELD – Celeste Emelia’s School of Consciousness-Raising presents:
“The Egoic Mind”  What is it and how can understanding this and other New Thought/spiritual or metaphysical concepts promote good mental health?
Join Celeste Emelia Mattingly, LCSW and Dory Dzinski, LPC for this fascinating and practical seminar. Experiential exercises, handouts, video clips, power-point presentation, discussion and refreshments!
For more information about Celeste visit: www.celestemattinglylcsw.com
For more information about Dory visit: www.dorydzinski.com
3 Barnard Lane, Top Floor (enter through rear of building)
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm – Refreshments – Cost: $20.00

SUNDAY, May 22nd
BLOOMFIELD – Celeste Emelia’s School of Consciousness-Raising presents:
An afternoon of consciousness-raising with “The Living Light Cards”
Join Celeste Emelia Mattingly, LCSW and Dory Dzinski, LPC as they premier these brand-new, truly living, divination cards. These beautiful and extraordinary cards were divined  by Meg Blackburn Losey, Ph.D. The afternoon will include a personal mini-reading, a brief overview of the history of most commonly used divination cards, a lively discussion and of course some light refreshments!
Pre-registration is required by phone 860-586-8700 or visit: www.celestemattinglylcsw.com
For more information about Dory visit: www.dorydzinski.com
3 Barnard Lane, Top Floor (enter through rear of building)
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm – Refreshments – Cost: $35.00

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