The thing about noticing things about other people is, the more we notice them, the more we notice them! What I mean by that is, if you notice someone doing something that you find irritating or annoying, the more you pay attention to it a) the more you’ll find they do it and b) the more you’ll begin to notice other things that you find irritating. It’s the same as anything in life really – the more you put your attention on something, the more likely you are to notice more of it. I am finding that at the moment with silver cars – they seem to me to be bloomin’ everywhere!

Noticing things about people is not a bad thing. Indeed, the more we notice things the more we can learn to appreciate them and what they bring to us. We can choose to react to what we’re noticing in a negative way, or we can choose to accept and appreciate the contrast of life. If we react in a negative way, we’ll just notice more and more how irritating that person’s voice is (!), we’ll probably not be paying attention to what it is they’re saying, and we may end up so wound up that we’ll end up snapping at other people.

Remember, it’s not our place to make other people change just so that we can be happy. Better to find other things about them to appreciate. Pay attention to what they’re saying and the words they’re using, rather than the tone of voice. Appreciate that they are different to you which means that you can experience contrast . Appreciate the fact that you’ve noticed you’re finding their voice annoying and so can learn tolerance and acceptance. Imagine if someone tried to force you to change your speaking voice just because they found it irritating! What would you say to them?

This is not to say that it’s not OK to ask someone to speak quieter or louder – I know I find myself asking Bill to speak more quietly at times because it can hurt my ears. However, his loud voice is not who he is. He is more than that – so much more. As is the person whose voice (or whatever else) you are finding irritating.

Try to see past differences in other people that you initially find challenging and either learn to appreciate them, or look for other things to appreciate. If we were all the same there would be no learning from interacting with each other and life would also become very dull indeed. The reason Source/The All That Is/God extended itself into, seemingly, separate “souls” was so that it could experience contrast and difference, and so learn from it, ultimately expanding and growing. Maybe think about someone you’re interacting with at the moment whom you’re finding “difficult” and challenge yourself to find other things to appreciate about them. I’m sure you’ll find your relationship will improve ☺

Just as an author begins a new chapter in a book, so we begin a new stage in our lives in every moment. Each new moment we live this physical experience can be the beginning of a new chapter of the book we are writing. Whether or not we choose to start a different theme or continue the one before, each new moment we are still more than we were. We have no choice but to grow and expand because of what we’ve learned in the last moment and the moment before that, and the moment before that, and so on.

The thing about books is, they tend to have a single theme – ie. It can be about crime, passion, space, fantasy etc. Rarely does the person writing a space science fiction book choose to change theme completely to being a biography or fantasy about unicorns and wizards.

With our lives, we are not so restricted. In each moment, we can choose to start a different page or a different chapter and change the theme too. Admittedly, it’s not always feasible to change from being an architect to a woodcarver in the turn of a page, but the theme of where we’re headed can change within a few pages.

The key point here is, in very moment we are more than we were. Today we are more than we were yesterday because of all the things we experienced. We are not the same person. As we experience so we grow and expand. The thing is, and this is the wonderful thing, we get to choose how and where we expand to. Whilst others can have an impact upon our lives, they can only do so if we allow them to. Everything that happens to us and that affects our lives is there because we have chosen to include it into our life experience. The way we do that is by where we place our attention.

So in each moment, wherever you choose to put your attention is what you will experience. It will also send signals out to the Universe to send you more of what you are putting your attention upon. In each moment, you can change where you put your focus and it doesn’t have to be the same place as it was in the last moment. We are all powerful, spiritual beings, having a physical experience. Only we can decide where to put our focus. Only we can decide what we think, and, ultimately, only we can decide what we choose to feel in each moment.

The last moment we experienced is not who we are and does not define us going forward. It is only this moment, right here and right now, that defines who we are in this moment. And in each moment, we are more than we were.

So if you’re feeling stuck in a rut in any part of your life, remember, you can begin to change that right now, just by thinking something different, and focusing on what you do want. We are powerful creators and, because we are growing, expanding, and evolving in each new moment, we are able to create exactly the life we want by where we are putting our focus. Stop letting past events define who you are right now, because right now is a new moment and you can choose something different.

As you may remember, recently I did some work with Karen Peach to create the Essences of Illumination. These Essences are very much focused upon our spiritual journey to reconnection with Source/The All That Is, and were created such that they form a 6 (or 12) month course - depending on whether you take both masculine and feminine essences. More on that soon. The Essences of Illumination are incredibly powerful and take you on a journey of letting go of fears, attachments, and blocks and creating deeper connection with the One Soul within. We have already had some very positive and valuable feedback and I look forward to sharing these with you soon.

Following on from these Essences, I was guided to create another set, which, at first, I thought would be a straight-forward "Chakra cleansing and balancing" range of essences. In some ways they are, as each one has a bearing on a particular chakra. However they are also focused on bringing through higher vibrations of Light to assist in grounding and enhancing our gifts and talents - thus aiding the spiritual growth and evolution of the planet and ourselves.

They are named "Sacred Heart Essences" by the simple fact that they are birthed through the Heart. Our true and deep connection to Source is through the heart - although we do bring in Light through the Crown. With the creation of each essence, I found my heart opening more and more and felt a divine sense of peace. I also felt waves of unwavering compassion and love that I cannot really explain in words. Suffice to say, I felt such honour and comfort with the creation of each essence it was lovely to experience.

Unlike the Essences of Illumination, Sacred Heart Essences do not need to be taken as a 7-month course. They are stand alone although, of course, if a person wished to experience them as a course that's also fine. As I mentioned, whilst they have a bearing on the chakra system, they also are focused upon specific areas.

The Sacred Heart Essences are:

· Grounding the Light (base chakra)

· Creation (sacral chakra)

· Centred in the Light (solar plexus chakra)

· Sacred Heart (heart chakra)

· Delivering Truth (throat chakra)

· Clarity and Insight (third eye chakra)

· Bringing in the Light (crown chakra)

Each essence will bring in higher frequencies of light to clear and cleanse the particular chakra, but will also work on the Light Body as a whole. When the chakras are functioning properly and at a high vibration, Light flows through them more freely, allowing for greater insights into the life we are experiencing and the connection of our physical experience with those of others. As more, higher vibration Light flows through us we are uplifted and able to function in higher dimensions of existence.

We are also more able to help uplift others just by being in the same room so that they experience this upliftment through their own lightbody.

An explanation of the focus of each of the 7 essences follows with an option to invest in one or more of the essences at the bottom

It leaves me to say, thank you for allowing me to share these essences with you. If the essences do resonate with you, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did birthing them and as much as I do working with them.

With love and blessings,

Alun Illumine
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grounding The Light

This essence works in a two-fold way in terms of grounding the higher frequencies of Light that are flowing down through the chakra system from the Crown Chakra and also helping you feel more secure in the here and now. In the same way the electricity needs grounding into the earth to make it safe, so we need similar grounding for the Light flowing through us. Not only does grounding the Light stop us from becoming hurt by it, the Light, as it is grounded, also helps raise the vibration of the planet as a whole. The more Light we carry and ground, the more Light the Earth itself can carry - and so it also raises in vibration.

Being grounded also means that we aren't continually floating off into the ether and means that we can feel the stable foundations we need in order to build.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

I am grounded and secure

Creation

One of the main purposes/focuses of the Universe is to create and expand. We are extensions of the Universe (Source/God) and therefore as we create and expand, we are facilitating the expansion of the Source/God.

This essence will help you connect more deeply with the Intention of the Universe to co-create and expand - whether that be a new product, painting a picture, a new way of living, a happier life for yourself and so on. Ideas for expanding your life will come more easily and the creative energy, which is Source Energy, will flow more fully into your creations and your creative thought.

This essence will also help to cleanse and balance the energy within the Sacral Chakra such that higher vibrations of Light can flow more freely.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

I lovingly co-create with the Universe

Centred In The Light

It is not uncommon for life and the challenges associated with physical existence to cause us, at times, to become uncentred. This can cause anger, envy, and resentment and a whole heap of other unhelpful emotions which are often felt first in the Solar Plexus area.

The Solar Plexus chakra is very much associated with how we inter-relate to others and to the world in which we live. It is often the first place we begin to feel stress, discomfort, and dis-ease when we are out of synch with Source. This essence will help to keep you centred within yourself and within the Light that shines down through your energy system. By remaining centred in the Light we are able to focus more clearly on where we are right Now, and not fall prey to the Ego Self which seeks to keep us in a place of fear and negative emotion.By cleansing and balancing the Solar Plexus chakra, we will be more able to stand in our Power and not be knocked off centre by our own Ego Self or the Ego Self of others.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

I am peacefully centred. I own my own power

Sacred Heart

Deep connection with Source/God flows through the heart. The heart is associated with Love, as is God. Everything is God, and God is in everything. There is a lovely phrase that fits well here: God is love, and those who live in love, live in God, and God lives in them. The Heart is the door to Source/God through which all unconditional love and creative, expansive thought flows.

This essence will facilitate a wider opening of that door to Source/God and allow deeper and more profound feelings of unconditional love to flow. Within all creation there is love, whether or not it is obvious to us. Using this essence will allow a greater, compassionate love to flow through all that you do and the ability to perceive love where once you thought there was none. It will wrap you in wings of living, loving Light flowing from the centre of God to the centre of your being.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

I am very loved. I am very loving. I Am Love

Delivering Truth

As we move through life, we learn, develop, and grow, and so our connection to Source/God becomes more clear and apparent. It is when we really feel that connection that we are more able to speak our truth more confidently and more lovingly.

All too often we fear to speak our truth because of what others may think of us and as a result reject us. When others appear to reject us that is their Ego Self and not the extension of Source within them. There are times when we do need to stand our ground and speak our truth with love and compassion. Those are two very key words connected with delivering truth. When we speak from the perspective of love and compassion even difficult things we need to say flow more easily. This essence will help with confidence to deliver the truth that lies within your heart in loving, understanding, and compassionate ways.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

I speak my truth with love and understanding

Clarity and Insight

The "third eye" is often associated with seeing within and has strong links with intuition and foresight. Many cultures wear jewels or other decorations upon the brow between the eyebrows to signify this.

When we allow ourselves to, we can connect with our Third Eye Chakra and see, feel, or sense what is actually going on. Unfortunately the inner chatter of our Ego Self tends to drown out any sense that we gain through our Third Eye and it can also distort any images that we "see" in our mind's eye. This essence will help to quiet the mind and open the third eye more fully thus enhancing psychic abilities of hearing, seeing, and feeling. It will give you a clearer insight of the challenges you are facing - such that you can see more clearly to the heart of the matter. You will also gain greater clarity in terms of knowing what would be the most beneficial course of action.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

I see clearly and I trust my intuition completely

Bringing In The Light

We are grounded through our Base Chakra and just as we connect with the Light through our Crown Chakra. This is the portal through which Light flows into our lightbody and energy system. We cannot exist without Light.

Our journey as Soul Extensions is to return to Oneness. Oneness being Source/God. As we learn, develop, and grow, we let go of more and more lower vibration energy and become lighter. The higher we vibrate, the more fine and bright is the Light that shines and flows through us. It is through this connection with Source that Light flows through us and into, eventually, into the ground beneath our physical feet. That Light touches every chakra in the body and also flows through us to uplift everything that surrounds us. Like attracts like, and Light also uplifts Light.

Imagine bringing a 100 watt lamp into a room where a 60 watt lamp is already on. The 100 watt lamp will light the room more brightly, it will not be made darker by the 60 watt lamp. The more Light we carry within us, the easier it is for us to move with the flow of the Universe. This essence will help raise the vibration of the Crown Chakra to allow the bringing in of higher frequencies of Light from the God Source. It will enable these higher frequencies to flow through the whole energy system and out into the physical world. The more Light in the world, the easier it is for everyone.

The affirmation that goes with this essence is:

The Light of God flows through me with ease

The investment for each essence is £15 plus p&p or £95 for the whole set plus p&p

“If other people just did what I wanted them to do all the time the world would be a much easier place”. Hands up if you’ve ever thought this is or something similar. It’s a common thing to think – that we would be a lot happier if others would only behave in the way we want them to. But, of course, in actuality wanting that just causes conflict. For example, let’s say you want to park your car in a particular place in the street and you want all the other neighbours to stop parking in your space! Now the other neighbours want you to stop parking your car where you park it because they don’t like it being parked there. Who wins? Who is right? To answer, neither wins and both are neither right nor wrong. You are all just expressing preferences for what you want to happen.

You can take this analogy into so many areas of your life. All too often people allow their happiness to depend on others doing or not doing something. “I’ll be happy when….” and of course, even when “when” does happen, there’ll then be another “I’ll be happy when….” to follow it. So people end up being constantly frustrated or disappointed because they’re placing all their happiness on events over which they may not actually have that much control.

To take this to an extreme, we sometimes think that we know best what is right for other people and so we try to impose our views and values upon them. Now when it comes to our children, at first we can know best when they need to eat, get up, get their homework done, go to bed etc. As they get older, however, we need to allow them to make more decisions for themselves – regardless of whether we actually agree with them or not. You see already where conflict can lay. There is this presumption that because we’re older than someone we will know better and that’s not always the case. Or let’s look at Hitler – some of his views were about creating the best race, survival of the fittest etc. In itself that’s not necessarily a bad idea in terms of wanting people to be the best they can be. However his actions went beyond what most would consider acceptable although he was doing what he thought was right and imposing those views upon others. Where do we draw the line between just wanting others to change to make us happy and realising we are being so unaccepting of others views and behaviour that we end up negatively controlling them.

Remember we resist others when we think they are trying to change our behaviour or dominate us, so it’s obvious that they will also do the same.

To take this a step further, sometimes the things we want to change about others are things that we actually notice about ourselves. By focusing upon them in others it’s easier to ignore them within us and so we feel better and more superior. We come back to comparing ourselves with others which is never a helpful thing to do. We’ll always find someone “better” or “worse” than us and we’ll end up getting our validation from putting others down.

The other thing about all this comparing stuff is that the more we focus upon those things that others do that we don’t like, we’re failing to see the things they do which we do like. What’s that phrase “If you look for the bad in a person you’ll see it. If you look for the good in a person – you’ll see it”.

Ghandi once said “Be the change you want to see”. This is a wonderful phrase and definitely worth thinking about. If you want your neighbours to be more accommodating about where you’d like to park you car, perhaps think about how you can be more accommodating back. The key message here is – let go of the need to change others to make yourself happier. Change your own beliefs, views, and values and the world will change with you. Focus upon the positive aspects and that’s what you’ll attract more of. And be careful about only semi doing this with the belief that if you look for the positive aspects they’ll change the way you want them to! Really appreciate the positive things about the person and/or situation. It is only through contrast that we can decide what we want from life, so appreciate that they’ve given you the opportunity to realise what you do want and grow from the experience. By genuinely appreciating someone and feeling good about it, you’re more in touch with who you really are (and who they really are) – and that is a loving, sharing, powerful, beautiful being. It is then that you will receive the intuitions and guidance you need to resolve a particular situation. You might find that actually you don’t need to park your car there after all, or you might have attracted a new result of finding somewhere even more convenient that won’t annoy your neighbours, and so on.

Notice where you’re wishing others would change their behaviour or where the world needs to change to make you happier. Think about things to appreciate about the situations you’re dealing with and really get in connection with your Self. Final note – don’t be hard on yourself where you notice you are trying to dominate others to your view. Just be aware of it. Let go of it. Then focus again on appreciation. Happy changing!

Everything that lives goes through change throughout its life. Some of those changes are huge and some are very gradual. Some are completely life changing, and some just continue to enhance or enable life. Some nearly kill the thing that’s changing, and others are smooth and relatively painless. If we look at a caterpillar which, after a certain amount of time, forms a chrysalis around itself and then changes into a moth or a butterfly. I don’t think we really know whether it’s painful or not during the change itself, however when the butterfly or moth emerges from the chrysalis it can be quite stressful, hard work, and very tiring. Eventually the moth/butterfly emerges fully, spreads its wings to dry, and shows off its beautiful new colours. So, this change has been completely life changing – moving from one insect (a caterpillar that crawls along the ground and plants eating leaves) to a butterfly that can fly and drink the nectar from flowers.

I also read a story recently about the eagle and about the choice it makes about changing – either completely change and re-grow it’s beak, talons, and feathers, or not change and live for only a few more months. The change process is quite painful and lasts around 5 months with the result that the eagle can live for a further 30 years! Quite an amazing story.

So the Eagle changes parts of its body and the caterpillar completely transforms itself into a butterfly or moth. A cygnet eventually lets go of its baby feathers of brown and becomes a beautiful white swan. Just three ways demonstrating how life can change: one completely, one through choice, and one gradual through growth.

The thing with us humans is that we can do all of those if we want! But the key for us is choice. Do we choose to change, grow, and evolve or do we choose to stay where we are? The Ego Self will tell us that change isn’t necessary or that it’s painful and uncomfortable and so many of us fear change. We like things to be just the way they were. We like comfort zones. Imagine how fantastic life would be though if our comfort zones were constantly being gently stretched - in ways that are exciting, fun, and enjoyable. Life is evolving and moving on whether we like it or not and we can choose whether or not to gently stretch our comfort zone and change, or to stay where we are and fall further and further behind. If we leave changes for too long, then it can be a painful process like it is for the eagle. Having said that, we can also go into hibernation and come out a different person (like the caterpillar and the butterfly). Or, we can go through continual growth and change like the cygnet into the swan.

Here’s the thing though. With the Universe, life never stops changing, moving, evolving, creating, and expanding. And so it is with life. We can’t just change from egg to chicken (as it were) and then stop there. Embracing the understanding that transformation and change is constant – it’s the only constant there really is! It’s up to us whether we allow that change to be painful, and at the last minute, or whether we choose continually to review and reflect upon where we are NOW, in order to change and evolve along with the Universe.

At the end of the day, change will happen whether we like it or not. We can choose to be pulled along kicking and screaming and getting lots of bruises and slaps in the process, or we can move along with the change and enjoy the ride. Is there change you are resisting at the moment? Are you fighting it just because you don’t like change or because you weren’t the one to initiate it? Are there areas of your life you’re avoiding changing because it might cause a lot of upheaval? Remember, it’s better to start making small changes now while you know things need to change, rather than wait until you have no choice whatsoever and when the change will be huge and incredibly painful to deal with. Better suffer a grazed knee now than a broken leg later.

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us a universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest ... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.
This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Albert Einstein