The Holistic Wisdom Journal  

November 1, 2001
Articles In This Issue...

~ What Is Intuition

~ Sex & Spirituality

~ So You Want To Quit Smoking?
   Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Thoughts On The Subject

~ The Muslim Religion Islam?
   General Principles

By Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D.
Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.

Some call it psychic ability, some call it Extra Sensory Perception (ESP); I call it Intuition. When I began to learn about intuition, I remember thinking that people who had developed this ability would be able to read my mind or know about anything they focused in on. That is not how intuition works as I later learned. It is more complicated, and elusive than that. However, it is very powerful and can change the way you live your life when you learn to tap into the messages that your soul wishes you to have.

Skeptics of the world who want physical proof of everything are out of luck here. There is no physical proof because intuition is not physical, it is metaphysical. Just as emotions are subjective so is intuition. There are no current means to measure intuition. Do we really need to classify and contain everything in the world in order to say that it exists?

How many times in our history do we need to be reminded that those people who dare to believe in things that we have not yet proven, are the ones who make our world a more evolved place? Visionaries such as Einstein, Galileo, and Leonardo Da Vinci are just a few who believed in something that had not yet been proven. It was not until they dared to believe that being humble and not assuming we have all the answers in understanding our world is the first step to really seeing all the possibilities of it. They also believed in taking a risk to pursue something that felt right, despite the criticism of the skeptics of their day. There are many paths to enlightenment, and in the end we owe it to ourselves to follow the path that feels right to us. The concept of intuition feels right to me and that is why I practice it and offer teachings about it.

The first time I encountered someone who had mastered their intuitive abilities was when I met an 88 year old woman named Ruth. She lived in Iowa and did "readings" for people for $15 dollars an hour. I sat down to receive my "reading" with mixed feelings. Part of me thought it would a fun thing to do and something to laugh about with friends. Another part of me thought that it was a total scam and I was such an idiot for doing something so ridiculous. Then there was that part me that was absolutely terrified that this woman might actually be the real thing and that she would know what was really going on inside me. She would see past all of my defenses, and the "face" that I wanted the world to see. I was afraid that she would see the part of me that makes me the most vulnerable... my soul.

After having held my hands for a few moments this kind, wise, and compassionate woman gracefully looked at me with a twinkle in her eye and smiled. She proceeded to tell me details of my life that she could not possibly have known. She told me about my moving to the Washington D.C. area within the next couple of months, about my brother becoming successful in computers, about my returning to school to continue my pursuit of a career in the healthcare field, and on a more personal note, about my emotional struggles with my parent's divorce and my grief of dealing with an eating disorder.

I was so taken aback by this interaction with this incredibly beautiful 88 year old woman, that I inquired about how she had been able to know so much from merely holding my hands. She explained that she "tuned in" to the energy that came from me and began to close her eyes and see pictures of my life in her mind. She described it as a movie that she was watching, except that it did not go from start to finish; rather it was as if "clips" of my life flashed before her, and she merely interpreted what those pictures meant in regard to me.

From that moment onward I have studied and practiced intuitive abilities. In my sessions with you I will teach you about your own intuitive abilities and how to access them. I believe in empowering clients to use their own intuition as it is the most pure form of information for their life path than any other. When someone else intuits for you, it is put through their own sensory filters and interpreted by them. It will thus have their own slant on the information regarding you and should be taken as merely that.

Energy is the essence of all that is. The desk in your room that you see as being solid wood is actually atoms and is not solid at all. In fact it is more open space than solidity. Our bodies, when broken down to their smallest levels are also energetic frequencies. We omit energy when we speak, when we act, when we move, when we think and even through our mere presence.

Everyone has had those moments when you feel someone putting forth a certain "vibe." Sure there is body language, and I certainly won't dismiss that as something we pick up on all the time. Yet, it is more than that. For example, at a funeral where the corpse is displayed in an open casket, there is the sensation that the soul is missing. It is as if the energetic essence is no longer in the body and one cannot sense it any longer within the physical presence. It is that feeling that I am taking about. We are energy interacting with other energy at all times. Strengthening intuition allows us to be more conscious of the energetic exchange within all interactions.

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By Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D.
Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.

In our current time and within our western society, our sexuality and spirituality are often considered separate. However, throughout other cultures and times, it has been considered a spiritual act to engage in masturbation, intercourse, or other sexual behavior. My hope is that more people can begin to better understand the beauty of experiencing spirituality with sexuality.

It is my belief that love, integrity and spirituality can be found in all types of sexual relationships. While there are many types of sexual relationships that can be experienced in life, as long as they embody integrity, good communication and honesty it can be a healthy sexual relationship that allows for spirituality to be experienced within it.

Practicing these values can make any type of sexual relationship fulfilling, no matter what the "politically correct" doctrine of society dictates. No single type of relationship is better than another. A sexual relationship is simply a choice, and with that choice comes the opportunity to assume accountability, responsibility and to accept that in everything we do, including sex, there is an opportunity for spiritual growth and connection.

When we experience unhealthy sex, we are sure to find within us, emotional and mental wounds which our soul is urging us to heal. Our soul wants us to become more whole within ourselves, and sexual experiences provide an opportunity for us to reconnect with ourselves as well as experience the interconnectedness we have with others. Sexual experiences are actually a perfect opportunity to heal some of our inner wounds. When we seek out these spiritual, sexual experiences we can reconnect to our desires, our sense of empowerment, and the pleasure of being alive.

When we feed into our insecurities, fear, anger, and other challenging emotions then we may begin to seek sexual experiences that are not spiritually rewarding. Sometimes our inner dysfunction is so powerful that we not only numb ourselves to spiritually rewarding sexual experiences, but also to having physically, emotionally, and mentally rewarding sexual experiences.

If we allow ourselves to completely surrender our insecurities, and hang ups, we can truly see our interconnectedness, and sense spirituality within all things including something so beautiful as healthy sex. We are granted an opportunity to see a sexual partner (whether in fantasy or in reality) as a reflection of aspects within yourself. Sexuality is a quest for wholeness. Who we are sexually, mirrors who we are on many levels.

Psychologically and spiritually, whether we experience masturbation, sex with the opposite or same sexed partner we are being called to integrate the feminine and masculine aspects within us. In the feminine aspect of divinity we can see the ability to conceive, give birth, and transform. In the masculine aspect of divinity we can see the power to fertilize, impregnate, and generate.

Individuals who can speak openly and honestly about their sexual needs will find that they can be respected for their individuality and sexual choices. Couples can negotiate their differences, enabling their relationship to gain intimacy and passion. Good communication and personal agreements are facilitated, giving each partner a more clear understanding of the relationship.

When you experience sexual spirituality you have a wonderful opportunity to experience yourself in a renewed way. You are given the opportunity to heal shame, fear and repression as well as discover your natural, spiritual, sexual, healthy self. You can begin living your daily life in a more balanced, sensuous way, gaining spiritual, sexual knowledge while nurturing yourself and others with love and harmony. Your connection with yourself, your body, and others will deepen along with your sense of spirituality. You can create healthy boundaries with yourself and you lover(s). You can even reach higher levels of sexual intensity and sexual ecstasy. Enjoy!

By Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D.
Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.

Quitting smoking is a very difficult addiction to break. It is an addiction, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Here are my thoughts on this.

Spiritual Needs-

One Native American interpretation of the act of taking smoke into the lungs is symbolic for taking in "spirit." They used pipes during their ceremonies to reflect this belief as well as to enhance their access to a spiritual realm by using peyote.

On a spiritual level an addiction to smoking may be reflective of the need to take in "spirit" in a more comprehensive way. Finding your spirituality in other ways is a good place to start in addressing that. A tangible example may be having a spiritual ceremony that incorporates all the elements (Water, Earth, Air, Water, Metal).

For example, a new moon ceremony, is a great day to start a new phase. It could be something like this-

1) You write down on a piece of paper 3 categories. The first is what smoking has meant to you in the past, the second is what smoking has means to you now, and, the third is what you see your smoke free life like. Be specific with descriptive words that will make your writing as lucid as possible.

2) Take the paper and hold it close to your heart, meditate in silence as you make your transition to letting go of your addiction.

3) Hold the paper over a candle flame with some metal clamps so as not to get burned, and hold the burning paper over a bowl of water. Place the ashes into that water.

4) Take the water outside and pour them into a special place in the ground, and speak words of letting your addiction go to the universe.

5) Do something that is quite and reflective to take in and appreciate your new leash on life.

Mental Needs-

On a mental level it will be important for you to examine "self talk" that goes on in your mind. What kind of messages are you sending yourself around smoking? Are you shaming, or giving yourself guilt for it? If so, it may be time to honor your smoking for the ways that it has served you. Perhaps it is not been healthy in some ways, but it has probably soothed you through some difficult moments in your life, and it may be time to acknowledge how it has served you. I am not suggesting that you see it as all positive, but nor should you hold it as all negative either. It is time to adjust your mentality to see how you can now fill the loss of your addiction with more healthy and positive behaviors.

Doing meditative exercises where you take in deep cleansing breaths and mindfully focus on the clean air filling your lungs cleansing out all of the toxins and tar build up in your lungs would also be a great way to integrate your intentions.

Emotional Needs-

On an emotional level smoking has provided you with a level of comfort. On a psychoanalytical level, because smoking is associated with the oral stage, it may be of interest to you to look at the oral stage in your childhood to determine if there was something that you are still struggling with now.

On a more holistic level, it will be important for you to find nurturing in other ways so that taking away your emotional coping skill of smoking won't be so difficult. Do things that will comfort yourself on an emotional level. When you need hugs ask for them, when you need to feel safe and warm, try to connect with someone who makes you feel that way, or if alone do things that will accomplish a similar feeling such as taking a hot Aromatherapy bath. Finding others to talk with that are going through the same thing is also helpful. I am sure if you look there may even be chat rooms for people that are quitting smoking. Emotional support from someone who knows what you are going through is a fantastic way to get you through this.

Physical Needs-

Investing in some acupuncture and Acupressure (especially ear points known for assisting in addictions) would be a great way to provide assistance. Exercising is another way to feel physically empowered and in control of your life which will also help.

One thing to keep in mind is that smoking is very much a chemical addiction, and things like the "patch" or Zyban medication are chemicals that may make your transition easier and there is no shame in making it easier for yourself. It is of course a personal decision and you ultimately must do what feels right for you.

Other suggestions-

Drugs:
~ Zyban

Chinese Herbalism:
~ Green tea assist in healing the damage done to the liver.

Herbalism:
~ Oats: will calm you and assist with will power.
~ Skullcap & Valerian: calm the nervous system and will assist with withdrawal symptoms.
~ Cramp bark: aides in nervous tension and jitters.

Aromatherapy:
~ Antidepressant oils include: chamomile, clary sage, ylang, ylang, and rose.

Flower Essences:
~ Crab apple: for purification
~ Gorse: For being stuck in a negative pattern
~ Mustard: for depression with an unknown cause

Vitamins & Minerals:
~ Primrose Oil: Provides GLA (gammalinolenic acid) to assist with mood swings.

By Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D.
Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.

I think it is important to understand what people believe, in order to better understand others. Due to the 9-11-01 events, I thought it might be interesting to find out more about the Islam religion.

One common error I have found is that people often refer to the religion as Muslim, when really that is not a religion, it is a group of people. The religion is called Islam. This religion is rich with history and beliefs and this is a small glimpse-

Some Basic Islamic Beliefs:

1) Belief in God:
Muslims believe in one God. They believe God is the true God, and every other deity is false. They do not believe that Jesus was the son of God or in a Trinity as do the Christians. "He is God, the One. God, to Whom the creatures turn for their needs. He begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none like Him." (Koran, 112:1-4) The Arabic word "Allah" means God (the one and only true God who created the whole universe). This word Allah is a name for God, which is used by Arabic speakers, both Arab Muslims and Arab Christians. This word cannot be used to designate anything other than the one true God.

2) Belief in Books:
Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind and as guidance for them. Among these books is the Koran, which God revealed to the Prophet Mohammed . God has guaranteed the Koran’s protection from any corruption or distortion.

3) Belief in Violence:
The Koran states "Defend yourself against your enemies, but do not attack first: God hates the aggressor" (2:190)

4) Belief in Ethnic Equality:
Malcom X made his 1964 pilgrimage to Mecca and found that racism had no precedent in Islam.

5) Beliefs regarding Women:
The institution of marriage is a sanctified act, and generally it is considered acceptable to have up to and no more than four wives. This is if the wives can be treated with love and esteem. If a first wife is not treated with love and esteem, it is discouraged to have more than one wife. The Koran does indicate that monogamy is the ideal.

A woman must give her consent to be married, and divorce may be instigated by a woman. Divorce is however very difficult to achieve, and there are many hurdles to make for one to take place.

Women are encouraged to veil themselves. The Koran states "Tell your wives and daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks closely around them. That will be better so that they will not be recognized and not annoyed." (33:59)

Variations of this custom are matters of local custom and are not religiously binding.

6) Belief in the Angels:
Muslims believe in the existence of angels and that they are honored beings. The angels worship God alone, obey Him, and act only by His command. They specifically believe in the angel Gabriel, who they believe brought down the Koran to Mohammed.

7) Belief in the Prophets:
Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God, starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe that Mohammed is the last prophet sent by God. "Mohammed is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the last of the prophets..." (Koran, 33:40) Muslims believe that all the prophets and messengers were created human beings who had none of the divine qualities of God.

8) Belief in a Day of Judgment:
Muslims believe in a Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds.

9) Belief in Al-Qadar And Freewill:
Muslims believe in Al-Qadar, which is Divine Predestination, but this belief in Divine Predestination does not mean that human beings do not have freewill. Rather, Muslims believe that God has given human beings freewill. This means that they can choose right or wrong and that they are responsible for their choices.

The belief in Divine Predestination includes belief in four things:
1) God knows everything. He knows what has happened and what will happen.
2) God has recorded all that has happened and all that will happen.
3) Whatever God wills to happen does happen, and whatever He wills not to happen
    does not happen.
4) God is the Creator of everything.

Thank You For Reading The Articles Contained In
The Holistic Wisdom Journal