"Dis-connections, Re-alignments, and the Miracles of 'Local'" - Karen Bishop - April 22, 2008

[I Have A Dream]

DIS-CONNECTIONS, RE-ALIGNMENTS, AND THE MIRACLES OF "LOCAL"
Karen Bishop
April 22, 2008

Greetings!

Although this rarely occurs, it has been much longer than usual in between energy alerts this time. The last energy alert was posted on April 3rd. I was blessed a few weeks ago to acquire my dream land here in the red rocks of the same local area of New Mexico where I have been living, and blessed as well to acquire a rare and “very modest” rental home (or rather, interesting shack) directly across the road within a brief walking distance of my land, where I can reside while I am building some kind of structure to live in! The land and the terms of acquisition seemed to be magically orchestrated, all in divine and perfect order for our new energetic space of new beginnings, as I will address further on in this energy alert. In this regard, I have been moving, have not had internet access, and have been ill as well. At one point I attempted to post this newest energy alert at an internet café about an hour away, but my new laptop would not connect there either! All this supporting our latest energy status of dis-connections. My new internet service was finally connected a few moments ago, so things are finally back to a normal and functioning state…if only I could find my pots and pans! I thank you for your patience…

The energies of late? Much has been missing its mark, as we have broken through into a very new and higher vibrating space and this greatly affects our aligning and connecting experiences. In addition, it can feel as though we are in a no space with nothing much going on at all, and perhaps feeling as if there are no connections to anything either! Are we hanging out there in the middle of nowhere, abandoned, lost, and left behind to our own defenses? Are we in a strange and new space with no one to talk to, to connect to, and with anything and everything seemingly lost out there in a black hole far, far away? Is everyone and everything gone? Are our businesses, friends, means of support and much else gone forever? Will we be able to survive? Does anyone care about us anymore? Have we fallen down a long tunnel far, far away?

I can assure you that all is in divine and perfect order.

Some manifestations of our dis-connect: We may hear information from someone about a situation, and completely different information about the same situation from someone else. We may be told one thing, and then suddenly, an entirely different scenario manifests, as if some other reality was taking place and it suddenly arrived in our space, but somehow we missed out on how it got there, and it may not even match what we had been experiencing or were being told only a few days, hours, or minutes before. Someone says this and another person says that. Nothing may seem to make sense and confusion can abound during these times!

We may not be able to connect to what we seem to need to connect to. There may be delays, interruptions, or even an extreme inability to connect at all. There may seem to be no open door to communication with no understanding or comprehension from either party. Misinterpretations can abound during these times. We may connect to someone with the same name as the one we are trying to connect to, but it is an entirely different person!

Connections to things electronic may seem to go haywire with constant glitches, problems, and the like. Electronics may not seem to operate as they should, with one mishap after another, with seemingly no resolution in sight.

We may make progress, but in small steps, little increments, and when each accomplishment finally arrives, it may not be the best one, and so yet another solution or manifestation unfolds. This is because much is re-aligning and sorting itself out. The dust has not yet settled with all of the new due to come our way.

Much of everything may seem to have disappeared. Our means of financial support may have dwindled, our friends may seem farther away than normal, and much of anything may seem just too busy to find us. We may feel lost, confused, and left out. We may feel empty or perhaps floating around in a space of no space, all alone on a deserted island.

We may find that when we attempt to connect locally, or to anything which is near to us in the physical, our connections manifest in record time. We may think something, and it miraculously appears in seconds. Miracles may seem to abound when we stay put, or in our immediate space. Local has all the power now, as this is our new evolutionary status.

Here is what is occurring: The doors finally opened fully to the other side, or to a higher vibrating space around the latter part of March. Some experienced this as an initiation of sorts in their dream state, as well as having some strange and unusual occurrences regarding sounds (usually buzzing), seeing lights, and the like, as well as an intense and dramatic letting go. For some, it may have felt like a huge door swung open, and for others, they may have felt nothing at all.

In the 3D reality, we let go of our physical bodies when we “die.” We don’t take our suitcases with us either. Through the ascension process, we are dying while we are still in our physical forms, only this process is occurring gradually in small steps. During this last phase into a higher vibrating space or dimension, we needed to let go of much that was holding us back or keeping us in a lower vibrating state. In this regard, we most recently needed to dis-connect from others who were holding us down.

So then, during this latest phase, we were being encouraged to let go of our old ways of “helping,” assisting, holding on to others through compassion, and even finally letting go of the responsibilities we had held for so long in regard to getting this planet into a higher vibrating reality by using ourselves as the vehicles for transmutation. We were being released so that we could “die” some more, go to the light, and arrive in a new reality.

I am currently recovering from a kidney stone (part of the reason for the delay in writing a new energy alert!). I have never had one before and have not been to a doctor or health practitioner in several years…it was all so very strange until I realized what was occurring. I am truly blessed to have wonderful neighbors. A few days after I moved into my first house here last October, we were invited to dinner across the street. There I met Jerry and his wife Nelda. Jerry and Nelda, an awesome couple of Mormon faith, have watched over my house while I was away, always made sure I was OK, invited me to dances and dinners in town, helped me move into the house I am now occupying, Jerry dowsed my new land for water, and the like. A few weeks ago Jerry had a kidney stone and it was discovered that Nelda had ovarian cancer. When I heard about this, I was crushed and immediately went into compassion. Very soon after, I got a kidney stone myself and the major portion of the pain was in the area of my ovary.

Because the state of compassion vibrates lower than love, we can easily take on the energy of what we are showing compassion for. This lowers our vibration. The answer is to stay in love and to stay separate. This is what was holding many of us back from moving into the new world. We may have cared too deeply for others with a strong desire to help and assist.

We no longer need to assist in this way. We can retire now from our old roles. Our mission has been accomplished. As we learn to vibrate differently, we can now move on.

Currently, then, we are “re-booting.” We are gearing up and re-aligning ourselves for the new and everyone is different in regard to how this manifests. Some may feel as though they do not want to do a thing, cannot get going, feel a heaviness and a dragged down feeling, and very lethargic. Some may feel spacey, dis-oriented, have difficulty concentrating…or maybe even lost in space. Others may be preparing as if a spring cleaning is needed. And during this house cleaning, many may find that it is indeed time to let go of much while we are preparing for our very new beginnings.

We are indeed re-aligning to a great degree. This is what is causing the strange occurrences with connections. As we are now vibrating higher, we are no longer in alignment with the things we used to be in alignment with. Because of this, we may find ourselves not being able to communicate with others, not wanting to continue friendships, and certainly experiencing an inability to connect to electronics and much of anything residing in the old world of lower vibrating creations!

As we have reached the end of the tunnel, we may feel like much of everything else is on the opposite end of the tunnel where we are, and thus, much can feel as if it is existing somewhere far, far way.

When we begin to vibrate higher, we are almost literally invisible to old lower vibrating forms. When I tried to find an installer for my internet satellite, they could not find my community or new address anywhere in their map system. It was as if I did not even exist. This is what at times can create the feeling of being lost. And this is what is creating the re-setting, re-aligning, and the new connections as well.

In addition, we may need to part with some of our brothers and sisters, as we no longer share the same roles or pieces and realities of the new world. This was the case for Phil and I, as we have now completely parted in all ways. We were intended to be together for a brief time, and we are now done with what we came together to do. Someone who is an ideal match for me now is due to arrive very soon. And during this parting process, I indeed learned about holding on as well. Wanting to part as a team effort, supporting each other, and being there for each other did not work. I was holding on in an effort to take the high road of parting ways in integrity, consideration, with caring and mutual support, and this only created confusion and stress for both of us. I would have never guessed. When it is time to let go, it is simply time to let go in all ways.

A brief side note here: For many, our new beginnings involve being with the partners and friends of our dreams and our ideal mates. Our ideal companions are just that. Meaning it is not necessary to have a partner who shares our project or our “work,” and certainly who is not in our space to help us balance our issues. Ideal partners in the higher realms reflect a wonderful companionship, as at this point we are fairly complete and whole all on our own. This is part of the reality of these very new beginnings which we will indeed experience soon. We are in yet another of the many transitions of the ascension process, and this particular one has many, many facets and phases as it is so very monumental.

So here is what is ahead and what we are evolving into as a whole and as individuals, even though you may be tired of hearing it so many times! (smile): We have refined ourselves and purified to a great degree, although we still have much more yet to do. This creates a more purified version of who we are. In this way, we then begin to attract other more purified things into our lives which match where we currently are. As things are condensing and refining more and more, the denser energies are also leaving as well, creating much less space in between our connections. Thus, we need to re-align with things that now match where we are. Those we part from will also re-align with things that match where they are as well. All in divine and perfect order.

Small communities will begin to form, as they are beginning now. This will create much in the way of “local.” You may find yourself now using a landline phone instead of a cell phone. You may find yourself connecting more to others who reside in your immediate community. The airlines here in the US are supporting this energy of “staying home,” as thousands of flights have been cancelled lately due to unusual circumstances. We are refining and purifying, and this creates a natural state of congealing with other energies similar to ours….thus, local communities, as energies which are vibrating lower seem to exist somewhere far, far away.

Becoming more grounded will be prevalent, as well as aligning and grounding to your area of residence. And yes, small communities can form within big metropolises. We need only be in an area where we feel good, as that is all that matters. If you feel that you are not yet in this space of local community, you are not alone. We are all right where we need to be, and this will be addressed more fully further on in this energy alert.

As the solar flares of the past have subsided to a great degree, our connections to the light will come much more from our connections to each other. We are vibrating higher now within ourselves, and we need only connect to each other for love and support. Yet another alignment to starting new communities here on Earth.

Those of us who have been unable to drop extra weight will see it falling off now. Holding the light or higher vibrations for the whole is no longer necessary, as we have reached a critical mass as well as moved into a higher vibrating reality, and thus, left the denser energies behind. The weight or light we carry is now more evenly distributed among the masses, as our mission has been accomplished. We need not carry it by ourselves now in order to shift the energies. And in addition, we will be communing with our brothers and sisters of the light and thus, need not carry this weight or light when we are together.

When I used to visit the ancient sites, I would love to communicate with our ancient elders and learn how they used to live and what they held dear. I am no longer in this space. During the last visit I made to my favorite site during the equinox, it was made very clear that I need only hang out, enjoy myself, and learn nothing more. This is because we have now surpassed these ancient and highly evolved ways. We are now at a point where we can create what we choose on this planet Earth. It is entirely up to us. And this is part of our new beginnings. Our old spirit guides may have departed as well, as our guidance is being encouraged to come from within ourselves…not from without (even though our spirit guides were always only higher vibrating aspects of ourselves anyway: it is just that we are now becoming them or surpassing them).

So for some, new guides may arrive and for others, they may be greatly encouraged to use their wisdom from within. As we continue with our evolutionary process, more and more we become the angels of the earth ourselves as we ourselves become the non-physical beings with whom we used to consult. This is why we may appear invisible to some, or at least, greatly unnoticed in the old reality of lower vibrational manifestations.

We will begin to support each other through utilizing our own unique gifts and talents within our local communities. About 25% of our time will be spent providing service to the masses in the way of our store-fronts. Our store-fronts will connect globally, while the remainder of our connections will be to our local environment. Our store-fronts will bring in the financial support we need which makes up for any support we still cannot get from our local communities.

We are all at different levels of this scenario. Generally speaking, the first wavers have retired and all their needs will be met. On down the rungs of the ladder will be others who desire to follow. These individuals will be assisted by those who have retired, and they will be assisted through the store-fronts. In this way, our store-fronts will cater more to the mainstream than ever before. Know as well, that there are always overlaps and grey areas. Some may not serve the mainstream, but serve others who are near the top rung with much more higher vibrating services. Others may have store-fronts at the same time that they are still moving up the ladder. This is just an overview of our evolutionary process and how it will most likely unfold and there is always room for change as we are the ultimate creators.

Currently in the US our economy is resetting itself. It is experiencing a rebooting as well. So there is much going on all at once now, as the US has always been the fore-runner for the rest of the world. Our store-fronts will be the glue that holds what is left together. We will all be OK. We will be OK either through our store-fronts as wayshowers, or through the assistance of others who are a bit ahead of us. Or even through the love, unity, connections, and support of our new communities!

No one is better than another, and no one has missed the boat. We determined our roles and how they would unfold well before we entered these physical forms. In this way, we are all right where we need to be according to what our own individual roles are about. Holding the space where each of us is residing is always perfection. In this way we assist the whole as we assist ourselves. We need to be in different spaces. This is part of the process…

Re-booting almost always involves the heavy feeling of lethargy, but it always passes as well. We may feel as if we are going in circles and getting nowhere, but as things settle out through their new alignments, we will experience more magic than we have ever known.
www.whatsuponplanetearth.com

Wishing you heaven in your heart, starlight in your soul, and miracles in your life in these miraculous times...

Until next time,
Karen

Universal Copyright 2007 (sic) is authorized here. Please distribute freely as long as the URL http://www.whatsuponplanetearth.com is included as the resource and this information is distributed on a non-commercial no charge basis.

[Delphinus]

1. Interesting point here ...

Because the state of compassion vibrates lower than love, we can easily take on the energy of what we are showing compassion for. This lowers our vibration. The answer is to stay in love and to stay separate. This is what was holding many of us back from moving into the new world. We may have cared too deeply for others with a strong desire to help and assist.

I have noticed this about myself - and I always wrote it off to not shielding myself enough. It's interesting to read what she says about it.

Thanks, Dream!

[I Have A Dream]

2. Hi, Delphinus! She may be correct about compassion...

but I still don't believe that we're not supposed to have it or act upon it, even now. I think that the key is that we're now supposed to make it action-based rather than wallowing in it. If we feel compassion, we should do what we can to help the situation, and then return back to balance. If it actually does bring me down vibrationally, I'm willing to have that happen. However, by not staying focused on the thing after everything that I can do has been done, I think that much less damage is done vibrationally. (It's possible that it just works that way for me.)

I hope that you're able to find your balance also; you have such a kind, loving heart! :hug:

[Grateful for Hope]

19. I agree, Dream

Sometimes the action can be as simple as expressing a positive thought to another.

For instance, I work with a man who is quite overweight. He is trying very hard to lose weight (he is walking with a friend everyday, and he is watching what he eats). I really "feel" for him and, when he was talking to me about his situation, I wanted to give hime some words of encouragement. I then noticed that the shirt he was wearing at the time was looser than it had been the last time I saw him wear it. I was able to honestly say that I saw that he was losing weight already.

His look of appreciation was very sweet to behold. And, I think that, because he knows that I am noticing, he may have a tiny bit more motivation to stick to his regime.

[I Have A Dream]

20. Yes, Hope! Exactly! There are so many seemingly small things that we can...

do to make a difference in others' lives. That's compassion in action. Sometimes a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, or a smile given makes all the difference in the world to someone;just knowing that someone cares gives hope to people.

I have always been "told" that the smallest action either positive or negative is amazingly important. It's like that little pebble that is thrown into the water -- the ripples go on for a long time. We aren't always aware of the ripples that our actions have. Every small action has the potential to be extremely important to someone else, and the things that we think are really important may not really be. This isn't to say that we should walk on eggshells throughout life; instead we just need to live with integrity and do the best that we can. Nothing more is asked of us.

I'm glad that you were able to inspire your colleague. :)

:hug:

[Grateful for Hope]

26. I am in awe, Dream

I could not have said this as eloquently as you have.

Thank you, Dream.

[MorningGlow]

3. Wow, so much to contemplate in this one!

Thanks for posting, Dream! :hi:

I am particularly fascinated by Karen's comments on compassion as well, particularly because I'm an empath. I can't undo what's imprinted on my spirit in this lifetime (nor do I want to), but I can adjust my reaction to situations and people in order to help but not take on what they're putting out. It's always been that way; now it seems I have to do that even more. Interesting.

Like Karen, I feel like I'm "already there". My friend from my ex-coven called last night (the one who also left, shortly after I did) and we were talking about where we were in life now and how it feels. She said she's in an in-between stage, waiting to see where she fits in, which is fine. And I surprised myself by saying that I'm completely content--my business is going well, our son is doing fine, DH has a job he likes and he just got a substantial raise, we're working on our house renovations again after a long, lack-of-funds-related pause, and everyone in my family is in good health. At the moment everything I've asked for has come to me. What's not to enjoy?

And I noticed that I don't feel like I should be "getting out and doing more"--I don't feel the need to be teaching, or working in a coven with others, or being socially or politically active. Not right now. Perhaps that will change, but I don't feel driven to "DO SOMETHING" at present. Also interesting.

(Speaking of my former coven, can I send them this? "No one is better than another, and no one has missed the boat." Last time I checked, they were all up in arms that everyone had to "get ready" or "miss out" on the Shift.)

Now I just need to grab onto the tail of this kite: "Those of us who have been unable to drop extra weight will see it falling off now."
:rofl:

[midnight]

4. I surely have been having trouble with the connections of

many things. I hope all the people and events that I have working towards will connect soon. I do have a question about the store front discription-what is this?

[MorningGlow]

5. Storefronts

I think Karen means "what we do to make a living"--whatever traditional business we're involved in, as opposed to "trading" and "local support", which is more like a bartering system that we'll be engaging in more in the future. It seems like she refers to storefronts as what services we offer, almost like freelance businesses, but I'm assuming it also has to encompass being employed at a traditional job...? :shrug:

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on my interpretation! :hi:

[midnight]

23. That is what I thought Karen was alluding to.

So if I have no store front yet, I hope I will be alright.

[I Have A Dream]

24. That was my understanding as well.

I think that she's just saying that we have to be part of the current money-based system for a while longer yet. I don't think that she's saying that it will be a more dire situation than what you have now if you don't have a storefront. (At least, I didn't take anything that she's ever said to imply that.)

I'm sure that you'll be fine, midnight. I'd think that your higher vibrational frequency will make it needed less than now, although the "old" will still be with us for a while longer even while things start to change to be less money-based. In past alerts, she has stressed that we need to "make our living" doing what makes us happy/using our gifts. :hug:

[Why Syzygy]

6. Maybe she means ..

the ways Light Workers will serve in the Ascension/Transition. I'm not sure I connect with her ideas, but they are interesting to think about.

I googled, "store-front" and "storefront". It seems to me to be about WHO we are. Our way of Being. A lot of people ask. But other times she speaks of it as something very physical, like land.


Don't know if this link will work the same here >
http://www.google.com/search?q=site:www.whatsuponplanetearth.com+store-front&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS245US246


For many weeks we have been tuning up and aligning with the now higher vibrations that we are residing in. Step by step, we are integrating and preparing. If we choose, we can set up a storefront….an energetic front, so to speak, for the lower vibrating reality to funnel money and support to us until we are totally and completely free of a monetary based society. And through this storefront, which exists on an energetic line in between the dimensions, we are also able to serve and assist those in transition. These two purposes work in total harmony and cannot, then, fail in any way. They will support us and others, while we are learning to live within new ways of creating and being.
http://www.whatsuponplanetearth.com/february26.2007.htm

What is your dream? What is your heaven? What will your store-front be, which will support you until money is no longer needed? How will you help those experiencing the fall? What is your contribution to make when it is time to re-build? As you build your heaven, will you bring what you know and have learned to the areas that need re-building?
http://www.whatsuponplanetearth.com/August16.2007.htm

[midnight]

25. I found one of Karen's August 07 posts helpful in discussing

storefronts as something that feels a need or a passion...Good reminder-thanks.

[eilen]

7. Okay, this is just weird

First-- what she says about telecommunications etc. My home phone keeps cutting me off, esp. when I am talking to my friends who have a high vibration. It just hangs up. Sometimes it does it when I try to switch to speakerphone, other times, when another call (I have call waiting) happens or just for no reason at all. Secondly, a few days ago all my contacts were wiped off my phone and my computers. My entire addressbook off my Mac was deleted somehow. I called Apple and they told me that it was gone forever. I had to try and rebuild it--I'm still tracking down numbers. Thirdly, I keep accidently turning my ringer off my cellphone. There is a switch on the side-- I am sure I do not do this consciously. The only calls that seem to go through lately has been telemarketers, they are calling me multple times a day. Auto-dialer is the devil.

The other, I have been feeling really lethargic lately, not sick, just tired and unable to get any Ooompf!. I also have allowed certain activities to fall by the wayside. Its not that I don't enjoy them, it is a combination of lethargy and the sense that what energy I have, I should focus in other areas.

Storefront.... lately people have been approaching me to do sewing for them. Most of it is not in pay, some is charity, other is barter. I have also been given opportunities to pick up better skills with this. There is other work coming toward me (volunteer) in regard to my sewing guild. I have been giving references to others for reiki or other healing arts--I still feel that I need to continue healing myself.

[Shallah Kali]

8. I disagree about compassion but then one of my allies is Kwan Yin

Maybe more precisely what she is describing is pity? 'Oh you poor thing' instead of lending a shoulder and helping hand for a time. I find compassion strengthening. It makes my heart expand with loving kindness. Pity gets me caught up in other people's stuff. Compassion while it gives me the desire to help does not get me caught up. And frankly I don't *want* to live in a world where people don't want to help others! That is what I find a horror in my current reality.

Maybe there will be more than one reality when this is done because I am not aiming for this destination. I want healthy connection and compassion. As an empath there is no bliss like feeling love flow between me and those I care about. I am not responsible for anyone but myself yet I choose to help where I can and does the most good. Also, very selfishly I still need help myself at times and thankfully my loved ones don't turn me down.

[I Have A Dream]

9. Yes, you said what I feel really well, Shallah.

The lack of compassion is one of the big things that I dislike about the stereotypical Republican and the way that they look at and approach the world. (I say stereotypical because I know many Republicans who are extremely compassionate.)

I know that I came here on Earth at this time not just to help raise my own vibration but also to make a difference in the lives of people who are in my life. If I ever turn into someone who doesn't have compassion and consider it one of the things that I value most about myself, I've failed in this life, in my opinion.

I'm really uncomfortable when I read this. (She's said it at least once before.) I'm hoping that she really means that we can't stay in that mindset of being, as you said, "caught up in other people's stuff". I don't have to do that to be compassionate and act upon my feelings of compassion for others. What a sad world it will be if this is where we're headed. (Although I do understand that once we're in a higher vibrating reality, there will almost assuredly be less need to help others since there will be fewer problems of the type that require compassion today.)

:hug:

[Shallah Kali]

11. I am glad you understand what I was trying to say w/pity vs compassion

also compassion does not mean we take on other people's stuff as our own any more than helping a friend move means you do all the lifting and carrying or failing to take the tough love approach when someone wants a caretaker or wastes the help you give. I knew a person who would cry poverty but then go and get her hair done instead of buying food. I won't waste myself on people who waste my help, I will save it for those who make the most of it.

I don't want to be part of a world where most people are 'as long as I and my immediate family are comfortable I don't care'. I know people who have said exactly that and meant it, some of them pillars of the church/community. It is that sort of mind set that lets so many horrors occur in this world without being stopped. If wanting a world without that sort of mindset and behavior that means being left behind so be it :)

:grouphug:

[I Have A Dream]

12. I totally agree, Shallah!

:grouphug:

[Shallah Kali]

13. {{{GRATITUOUS GROUP HUGS}}}

:grouphug:

That felt so good I had to do it again!

:grouphug:

hehehe!

[Callie McAllie]

10. All this makes sense to me, and I actually AM losing weight!

After four years living with a forty pound weight gain from my stressful old job, suddenly it has become easy to lose the weight. I have dropped 25 pounds since Thanksgiving.

My husband, too, who has been so lethargic and depressed and disconnected...at the end of March it's like someone flipped a switch and he is happy and determined and involved with us all again. We chalked it up to seasonal-affected-disorder, but maybe it's really the energy. Or maybe both. He even started cleaning out the garage last night! Talk about a place that could use some housecleaning.

Here's a reason for all of us to start housecleaning. Because of worldwide demand for construction materials, all the prices are rising dramatically. Even the price of nails! My husband has boxes and boxes of old nails and screws and things in the basement.

We have so much stuff. Maybe that should be our storefront? Just sell all the stuff we really don't need on Ebay. He is planning to have a big yard sale soon, so maybe we'll just keep it local.

[Proud_Lefty]

14. I have a little different take on the compassion part

Hello Dream :hi:

I guess I’m looking at her comments about compassion from a different perspective because they completely resonated with me and confirmed what I’ve desperately have been trying to achieve over the past year.

I’m very compassionate about what’s happening to my family, friends and even people I don’t know. When I hear of injustices happening to people or find out someone has severe physical, mental or financial problems, I immediately feel empathy and deep sadness for their situation. I also have a tendency of trying to correct their problems if it’s at all possible. I’ve been learning that this isn’t a good thing for a few different reasons.

First of all, I realized that some people are experiencing their hardships to pay off karma. Jumping right in the middle of it, even with the best of intentions, can often times make matters worse instead of better. I’ve heard that my interfering with someone else’s karma can actually result in my owning their karmic debt. Not sure if that’s accurate or not, but I read it somewhere and it gave me reason to pause in my actions.

Also, the deep grief that I have felt when others around me are hurting is a negative emotion, not a positive one. As we are preparing for many global, economical and political changes in this world, I know my role will be to provide calmness and peace of mind to what most will find utter chaos and turmoil. We have to stay positive and strong whenever we possibly can. It’ll only get harder in the years to come.

I didn’t interpret Karen to be saying to stop caring about people. Personally, I know I will always care about people and want to help them in the most effective way I can. But the degree of compassion I’ve been displaying in the past hasn’t been healthy for me or for the ones I’ve shown the compassion towards. So I have been learning where to draw the line. It’s 100 times better to pull people up with hope and strength than allow their situation to pull me down into despair.

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do, but feel horrible. I’ve been there too often and have realized I can’t go there anymore. When situations arise, like Karen says, I try to continue to love, but block myself from choosing to hurt so much, especially since it doesn’t benefit anyone anyway. I haven’t mastered this balance yet, but I completely understand the concept.

Just my two cents worth as balancing out my involvement relating to compassion and so many other aspects of life have been a big part of my recent spiritual studies.

[I Have A Dream]

15. Hi, Proud_Lefty! I agree with much of what you said.

Staying in the negative emotion is not at all healthy; that's something that I've been able to pretty much overcome. I'm able to return to balance quite quickly.

Only speaking for myself, I seem to have an internal radar for when my getting involved will help or hurt the person involved. If I feel that the person isn't acting responsibly, I'll hesitate to step in, at least after the first time since I think that everyone deserves a second chance. However, there are definitely times when I "get" that I'm not supposed to do anything at all. In those cases, it's difficult, but I stay out of it. I know that much is being communicated from other realms as to when I shouldn't and should help. Sometimes it's the very act of helping that the person needs; they need to know that the Universe is not abandoning them and that they are loved and cared for by the Universe. I feel that this is when I'm "asked" to step in, and when it is, I do it with pleasure.

I have also heard that we can take on others' karma. It's a delicate balance, but I feel that as long as I'm listening to my inner voice, I'm safe. However, I'm willing to take on some karma for the people for whom I care, especially when they are doing everything that they can themselves to improve their situation.

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this issue. It's one near and dear to my heart, and, as I hope you know, your wise counsel is always appreciated by me, my friend.

:loveya:

[Proud_Lefty]

16. Yes, you are wise to that inner voice

That's why I seek your counsel often. I try to listen to my own, but there's so much activity around it all the time, it's hard to know what voice I'm actually hearing.

Finding that balance is what it's all about. I was told once that when we find our complete balance, we've succeeded with our final lessons on earth. If that's the truth, you're there, my friend.

:hug:

[Shallah Kali]

17. A few thoughts on Karma

I apologize to use such an extreme example but this is one that I once was told and it stuck with me. When discussing when to help people and possibly interfere with their Karma someone pointed out if a person was drowning would any of us let them die saying it was their karma or wait for someone else to take action figuring it was someone else's karma to help? Personally I cannot believe anyone would be punished for wanting to help another person. If it is truly that person's path to suffer they will end up in a similar mess again.

Now as another already has said in this thread I agree there is compassion and then there is wallowing. I know a person who seems to get a strange sort of enjoyment in suffering of herself and others. Then there is the ain't it awful gossipy talk of local tragities that do no one any good. I do have to work to keep my heart open while not taking on other's stuff. I think it was Stephen Levine who called it keeping your heart open in hell. For me this is part of my personal path that has lead me to great growth. I am learning to accept that the pain of not being able to help instead of shutting myself down. I do what I can without half killing myself in the process and focus on helping those who won't waste my effort. I try to give a hand up, show them ways to help themselves or find others who can teach them instead of caretaking and doing everything for the person. Some people the more you do the more they want, expect and even demand. I have learned the hard way to just say no and do the tough love route with people like this. I guess it is the difference between feeling compelled to save everyone and choosing to assist and facilitate. I am in therapy for an anxiety disorder and other stuff and friends and family want to know what my therapist tells me to do. They can't understand she rarely tells me what to do. She assists and facilitates so that I can see for myself what to do while providing a kind supportive presence.

My Mother is a caretaker and keeps running into people who want more and more help and she won't turn them down. I am trying to help her stop wearing herself to exhaustion doing for others pointing out things like the groups that exist to help people in their situation. She will want to do everything she can for those people even the things some can do for themselves but won't because she jumps in and volunteers again.

These are my thoughts and part of my path trying to find what works for me.

[Proud_Lefty]

18. You make some great points, Shallah

If someone was drowning and I had the ability to save him/her or do something to help, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. If we see people in a situation where we can help, even if it’s just to listen to them or be with them during their difficult situation, I would automatically step in. I really don’t think Karen was suggesting that we stand back and forget about compassion completely. I think she was saying that when you know you can’t do anything towards making a positive difference towards their situation and embracing their problems would only pull you into dealing with the lower negative energy, you should know to let go, send them your light, and keep yourself protected.

I’ve read that it’s possible to own the karmic debt from getting too involved, not that it is inevitable. I know that several times during my life, I’ve jumped into situations trying to help someone and many times, it completely backfired on me. My intentions were always good, but I still paid a dear price. You call it punishment. I call it lessons learned.

Here’s another thing I’ve encountered. My sister, who’s in her late 50’s, has always been terrible with her finances. She never seems to make enough to cover her expenses, yet she’s always refused to look for a different (more stable) kind of career. Whenever she has had any money, she’d quickly blow it on stupid things. This lifestyle has caused her, me and the rest of the family an incredible amount of pain. My parents used to financially assist her all the time because they simply couldn’t say no to that hysterical call crying that things were being shut off for failure to pay her bills. My parents have now died and I initially tried to pick up the ball where they left off and help her out whenever I could. Invariably, she’d always do something really rude or inconsiderate that would made me feel I did the wrong thing by sending her money. A few years ago, I had a reading to talk to my parents on the other side, and they told me they clearly see now how their assistance to my sister prolonged her ability to care for herself. When they saw me picking up where they left off, they “inspired” me to refrain from helping. They said she will only learn her own lessons if we (now me) would back off and let her do it herself.

Your mother sounds like an incredible giving person. She’s probably very content with doing for others as that is obviously her path in life. However, I hope with time she will learn to discern when she is actually helping people and when she is just being drained of all her kindheartedness by closely dealing with those I call the “emotional vampires”. There are so many people that love to suck the life out of loving people like your mother. If she can ever see that when she gives of the heart to someone who wants to help themselves, she gets so much back for the next person. But the ones that suck all the goodness out leave little behind for anyone else. It’s not good for her or anyone else involved. Bless her heart, though. I love people like your mother. If we had more like her in this world, peace, love and prosperity would finally reign.

[I Have A Dream]

21. It's so nice to have you here, Proud_Lefty.

I've missed you!

:hug:

By the way, I strongly suspect that you're right about Karen's intent. I hope that she discusses it and makes it more clear in a future alert. She has too much heart to think that any compassion at all is no longer appropriate.

[Proud_Lefty]

22. Thanks Dream

I miss you too.

:loveya:

And I hope I'm right about Karen too. Life without compassion just doesn't make sense.

[lildreamer316]

27. ! I think I found a connection to something stella wrote earlier (about the compassion/love thing)

Here, stella had talked about the translation of 'love thine enemies'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=245&topic_id=61308

"Love thine enemies" = "Love your enemies. From a hidden place, unite with your enemies from the inside. Fill the inner void. That makes them swell outwardly and fall out of rhythm, instead of progressing step by step. They stop and start harshly out of time. Bring yourself back into rhythm within. Find the moment that meets with theirs', like two lovers creating life from the dust. Do this work in secret.This kind of love creates. It does not emote."


Aha!!

I'm going to do some more studying on this. The above passage invites one to look at the scenario from a totally different perspective, I believe.

Hmmmm.

[Why Syzygy]

28. Eckart Tolle speaks of this

in "A New Earth". He calls it "Presence". When dealing with a troubled individual, remain Present and do not feed their ego drama, OR JUDGE in any way. Judgment is the opposite of compassion. It isn't the same as "sympathy", because he doesn't want to feed the pain body. We are looking for an elevation from that position, so feeding it is counter productive.

You might want to read some of the excerpts to see how he teaches the concept.