October 19th, 2011
Throughout the world, there is a shift happening. People are waking up to the changes in their lives, in their neighborhoods, in their worlds, and in their hearts. People are noticing the radical changes happening and are speaking up about creating a more equitable, sustainable, and loving world. I have been listening. I have been watching. I have been having conversations. I have been chanting. I have been praying.
As Occupy Wall Street has made its way to other cities, towns, states, and countries, there is something bubbling up. It’s more than arrests and protests shown on the news. It’s a movement. For me, it’s a movement towards grace. All it takes is one heart to change and a revolution (there is love in revolution) has started. It’s a movement of waking up. It’s a movement of noticing what is occupying my mind, heart, soul. It’s a movement towards building community, creating dialog, and opening up to more love.
When I meditated on the Occupy Movement, I sat with the question: How can we occupy more love? Here is what my meditation revealed:
How can each of us occupy more love? How can you liberate love in your every day interactions? All it takes is one loving heart. Love creates more love and more love and more love.
The voice of love starts inside and only then can it echo outwards. Notice what is occupying your mind, body, spirit, family, and world. All of it starts within. Breathe. Breathe love.
There is so much love to be shared and it comes in many forms. We love “love” so much that we share it with our words and actions. We love ourselves so much that we can move beyond greed. We love our country so much that we are willing to share with our neighbors. We love our world so much that we create policies that reawaken the planet.
How are you liberating love? What is your Occupy Movement that you are waking up to? What is occupying your mind, body, spirit, and soul?
I have more listening to do.
Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | 1 Comment »
October 14th, 2011
As the world evolves and more people are called to demonstrate and speak out, I couldn’t help but ask, is this my time to connect more vocally with love? As I sat in meditation, I listened to aligning my heart and soul. It is time to align in new ways, with more people, in a bigger way.
This time I will align my heart and soul.
This time I will call myself home.
This time I will journey to the source of all love.
This time I will connect my vision with deep love.
This is our time. I can no longer do it alone.
This is the time we are called together in peace.
This time. Your time. My time. This time.
My soul is demanding me to show up differently. I am listening.
Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | Toning the Om
October 12th, 2011
I was reading an article, Burning the Evidence, by Dominique Browning in Sunday’s New York Times and was inspired by her metaphor of comparing life to a game of Chutes and Ladders. In the article Browning writes:
Life really is like a game of Chutes and Ladders, I thought, taking the long view while nosing around, and burning up my life. You work hard to climb, and you get lucky, too; you’re ambling along when suddenly, wham, you roll wrong, you make a stupid move, and you’re perilously upside down the slide. You’ve got to pick yourself up and start the climb over again. It gets wearying after a while.
That’s the starkest pattern in all of our lives. It takes so long to get the hang of it, the slipping, sliding, and starting over, that by the time we’re old enough to know that the climb is everything, the whole story, the destination doesn’t matter, we’re tired enough to let wisdom in, to move efficiently, thoughtfully, to finally stop and enjoy the view along the way.
There it is – for Dominique Browning life is like a game of Chutes and Ladders. I started thinking about what ‘game’ my life is like. The first one that came to mind was the game Twister. Right hand red. Left foot yellow. Left hand green. Right foot blue. My life is like Twister because it twists and turns and various parts of my life and friends intertwine. Like the game, we cross paths on our way to reaching our various destinations. I live my life like the colorful mat the game is played with so many vibrant interests (writing, coaching, reading, traveling, drumming etc…). At times, I trip over myself, over all the things I have said yes to, and all of my work engagements. But mostly, I am like the game of Twister because it is so full of play, of colors, of falling down and getting up again. In the game Twister, there is no limit on the number of people who can play – so full of possibilities. And, anytime I play, there is always a good amount of laughter.
Thinking back to all the games you played in childhood (or perhaps play now with your children), what game most represents your life? I’d love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment!
Let’s play!
Mary Anne
Posted in Life | Toning the Om
October 6th, 2011
How ironic that I read about the passing of Steve Jobs on the very device he so brilliantly helped create – an iPhone. I stood there as tweets came pouring in about how we lost a genius. After hearing the news, I went to my “Steve Jobs” email folder and read through various inspirational quotes, stories, and videos I have saved through the years. I kept this folder to go to on days I feel less than brilliant and need some reassurance. It was easy to find inspiration from Steve Jobs. The first email quote I opened read:
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Namaste Steve Jobs. I will remember how you used your genius to keep us connected. I will remember that you honored your ability to think different. I will remember you for teaching me to think different and bigger. I am grateful to you for giving me the tools to connect and grow – how I used my iTunes and iPod to carry many years of music, how I used my iPhone to meet and connect with my family in Louisiana, how I used my iPad to grow my business, and how I bought an iMac that allowed me to make a “It Gets Better” video. I have downloaded apps that have allowed me to use my creative genius. I knew this day was going to come. I just had no idea how sad I was going to feel. And while I may be an “Apple groupie”, what I have really admired is his ability to share his genius and his determination to keep going when many times along the way he could have quit.
How has Steve Jobs influenced your life? How will you remember Steve Jobs?
I hope we continue to “stay hungry” and “stay foolish.”
Mary Anne
Posted in Life | Toning the Om
October 4th, 2011
Everyone must take time and sit and watch the leaves turn.
-Elizabeth Lawrence
As we begin a new season and a new month, let us take time to welcome autumn’s alchemy. Notice what you are harvesting in your life. What are you drawing up from the Earth? What gifts are coming from the Earth for you to celebrate?
Come celebrate the harvesting of you with a shamanism weekend intensive, a forgiveness telecourse, a free meditation mojo teleclass, a retreat in Hawaii, coaching, and much more. For more information, please go to www.toningtheom.com
How will you harvest more love and peace this season?
Mary Anne
Posted in Happiness | Toning the Om
September 29th, 2011
Perhaps there are no words or endless words to describe who I am.
I am the hope of Spring.
I am faith that moves mountains.
I am the bagpipes that makes your feet tap. 
I am the laughter of a six year old.
I am the sunrise in the East.
I am a prayer and a song.
I am as loud as pelting rain.
I am as quiet as morning dew.
I am the New York Times crossword puzzle.
I am the Winter blizzard that arrives with intensity.
I am the bee that always finds the nectar.
I am the child of surprise and spirit.
I am the adult of wonder, of love, of generosity, and of faith.
I am truth, freedom, and limitless possibilities.
I am more than this.
I am.
I.
Am.
Mary Anne
Posted in Life | Toning the Om
September 26th, 2011
In an effort to release guilt, I decided to work on giving myself permission to do or not do things that would create more peace in my life. In the day-to-day, I have found I get too caught up in my ‘doing’ rather than ‘being.’ So, I started a list of what I will give myself permission to experience in order to feel more peace and more joy.
I give myself permission to…
Take a weekend off to play;
Read the entire Sunday New York Times;
Take a long afternoon nap;
Read three books at the same time;
Write from my heart all day;
Impulsively book a weekend get-a-way;
Book a massage;
Release toxic friendships;
Connect more with nature;
Be open to not knowing;
Make room for what is next;
Love myself more.
What are you willing to give yourself permission to experience?
Mary Anne
Posted in Life | Toning the Om
September 22nd, 2011
Meditation is not about zoning out; it’s about zoning in. 
Meditation is about getting real with your physical body.
Meditation is about listening to your emotions.
Meditation is noticing your thoughts and where your attention is flowing.
Meditation is sitting with your breath.
Meditation is about opening to your inner life.
Meditation is about living.
How do you want to live?
Breathe. Again. There it is. Life.
Mary Anne
Dedicated to everyone who is celebrating and discovering their “OM MOJO”
Posted in Meditation | Toning the Om
September 21st, 2011
Are you breathing? There it is – a breath. 
Are you smiling? There it is – a smile.
Are you laughing? There it is – laughter.
Are you listening? There it is – sweet sounds.
Are you loving? There you are, Love.
Posted in Meditation | Toning the Om
September 15th, 2011
As we begin to prepare for a new season on the East Coast of falling leaves and changing colors, I invite everyone to take time to look around at the changes happening in nature and within ourselves. Many of us have experienced extreme weather conditions these past few months. As I listen to the news about earthquakes, droughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods, I listen for the lesson. Evacuating from my apartment this summer taught me to pay attention to what is in front of me right now.
As I listen to clients speak about their lives and the ‘stress’ they want to release, I found myself inviting them to get their “OM MOJO” going. I asked folks to share what was getting in the way of finding their OM MOJO — their personal meditation practices that would give them space to slow down. Listed below are the most common things I heard and my invitation of new ways to respond:
I can’t do meditation. I don’t know how.
Perfect! The first place to begin is beginners mind – no expectation & an open heart.
I can’t meditate. I don’t have time.
Perfect! All you need to do is breathe consciously and you are set.
I can’t do meditation. I have attention deficit disorder.
Perfect! You get to wander with your mind. Wander towards one place and see the peace waiting for you there.
I can’t meditate. I have too many thoughts going on (Monkey Mind).
Perfect! Each thought can be a mantra to breathe in and out.
How do you want to harvest your OM MOJO?
Need support harvesting your OM MOJO? Join us for some upcoming Toning the OM™ events, workshops, retreats, and sessions!
Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | Toning the Om
Throughout the world, there is a shift happening. People are waking up to the changes in their lives, in their neighborhoods, in their worlds, and in their hearts. People are noticing the radical changes happening and are speaking up about creating a more equitable, sustainable, and loving world. I have been listening. I have been watching. I have been having conversations. I have been chanting. I have been praying.
