June 6, 2020

It was only a few weeks ago when many parts of the world were under a full lockdown. While we were confined to our homes, we looked back at times and cherished memories of experiences we had before the world came to a still stand.

We wondered how long this would last; we imagined what we would do once this is over, and we were longing for ease of the restrictions so we could leave from our homes and enjoy nature, visit with friends and family and experience more freedom again.

However, instead of having an opportunity to integrate these surreal experiences from the past 3 months and be grateful that we seem to have overcome the worst with the Covid situation in many parts of the world for now, we are again grappling with unjustifiable, unimaginable violence, ensuing rage and deep sadness that get re-stirred.

I believe I am not alone in starting to feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, or the way shown to us by media. Everything seems to be burning, inside out. However, looking deeper, there is an opportunity created for everyone to see through the illusion and find a higher plan orchestrating everything in this world.

I want to believe humanity is evolving into something greater than before and will achieve, ultimately, the highest good for all. The images of the fires seen on media reminded me of the legend of the phoenix bird that was born from the ashes of the fire that consumed it. The phoenix represents transformation, death, resurrection, and rebirth.

As a powerful spiritual totem, the phoenix is the ultimate symbol of strength and renewal.

It is symbolic of the sun, which assumingly ‘dies’ after every sunset, only to be reborn in rising the next morning. After all, the sun never truly dies, rather, it is an immortal part of creation, continually rising from the ashes of the fire that burned it.

Combined with the frequencies of the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse which occurred on June 5 and the 6-6 (June 6) gateway symbolizing harmony, nature, elemental, balance, and healing, this weekend provides us with another powerful opportunity to let go of anything that no longer serves us, and let another cycle of rebirth carry us into renewal just as the sun does every day.

After I arrived in Hawaii for the first time in spring 2008, the first book I read was ‘The Power of Now’. The book, written by Eckhart Tolle, was gifted to me by Olivier, a former work colleague. It was 12 years ago when I started to realize that our thoughts mostly focus either on the past or the future, but rarely on what’s happening now, in the present moment.

By focusing on the past, we may feel regret, sadness, resentment, and unforgiveness. By focusing on the future, tension, worry, anxiety and stress may arise. We then find ourselves in a cycle of wasting our energy on things we can’t control anyway. 

Most of us are aware that the only moment we truly ever can impact is the present moment. ‘The Power of Now’ insists that we can’t find the peace and happiness we seek in anything outside ourselves. Instead, the only way to find true peace and fulfillment is through being present in each moment. 

However, although it seems to be such an easy concept, it can be challenging to apply. Learning how to focus on the present moment, the here and now, is like strengthening a muscle with time, practice, and patience. Practices such as meditation, breath work, or Yoga Nidra are beneficial for becoming more present over time.

Getting exhausted from the negativity presented in media is another reminder for me to put the mobile phone away and reconnect in nature with what’s present right now. In my book Hawaiian Rebirth, I share that when we connect with nature, we receive energetic and spiritual support for our process of rebirth.

Being fully present with the elements of nature – the water, the wood, the fire, the earth, and the metal – will help you to discharge from any negativity and restore your natural connection with the energy of wellbeing so richly found in forests, ocean, rivers, and mountains.

So this weekend, with the energies of the 6-6 gateway and the full moon lunar eclipse still enveloping us, I invite you to also take some time away from the mostly negative news in the media and reconnect with nature, with yourself, and ultimately with the source of being.

By breathing consciously, you can become present allowing the incoming energies flow through you and ground them into the earth. Then visualize how the Phoenix, the Sun bird, transmutes all the chaotic energies and offer them as a catalyst for great changes, strength and renewal in your life and in the world.