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The
Five Cycles of Change:
A Spiral Path to Expanded Consciousness
by Terri Lyne Anthony
By
recognizing, fully embracing, and accepting the cycle of
change we are in,
we will naturally begin cooperating and shifting into the next
phase with far
less struggle. |
For me, change was
associated with pain and fear early in my life, so I struggled to
prevent it. Each time it occurred, it seemed that I lost something
precious in the process. Perhaps many people feel this way. Today's
world is changing at an alarming rate - new technologies and medical
information, the stock market crisis, and threats of terrorism. It is
not uncommon to feel as though we are being attacked by change.
Often, we resist change,
try to prevent it, and keep life as it is. Why is this? Change forces us
out of our comfort zone. It makes us stretch our "spiritual
muscles." It also requires a certain amount of energy to move out
of our daily rut. Family, friends, or coworkers may feel threatened when
we change. But what if we could make change work for us, rather than
struggling against it or feeling victimized by it? A lot of energy that
is wasted in fighting change could be opened up for creative purposes.
I believe that there are
five distinct cycles that we all pass through on the way to making a
change. The amount of ease or dis-ease and stress experienced with each
cycle is largely determined by how we are able to deal with each stage
along the way. Some stages of change seem easier to work through than
others, but each is equally important and cannot be omitted or ignored
without paying a high price. Each cycle of change must be completed
before beginning another cycle. By recognizing, fully embracing, and
accepting the cycle we are in, we will naturally begin cooperating and
shifting into the next phase with far less struggle. Here is a brief
synopsis of each cycle of change:
Cycle One ~
Neptune's Dream
This cycle is represented by the womb and the element of Water. When in
this cycle, a person feels relaxed, floating, in a state of "just
being." All needs are met, and one can breathe Life in deeply.
Nothing needs to happen in this stage. One is moved to rest and be free
of struggle. Daydreaming and meditation are Cycle One activities. In our
modern, fast-paced, goal-oriented culture, this cycle is often neglected
and dishonored; we do not allow ourselves time to just "be."
As a result, we lose our creativity. Our batteries run down. Addictions
are often about trying to stay in the Womb. To be healthy, we must move
forward and complete the next phase.
Cycle Two ~
Saturn's Domain
This cycle is represented by the birth canal and the element of Earth.
For a majority of people, this is often the most difficult stage of
change. A person experiencing Cycle Two is incubating, preparing for the
action required for change to occur, and getting grounded. Limitations
are recognized; boundary issues are brought to the surface; a plan is
developed; and information gathered. This cycle can produce the feeling
of being stuck or constricted. Feelings of hopelessness and
helplessness, of being trapped, may surface, sometimes to the point of
depression. There is a growing restlessness, which eventually turns into
extreme discomfort if one is resistant to change or in denial of some
kind. Confusion about what to do is common. Frequently a person may say,
"I can't stay in this situation, but I don't see any way out of it
either." Life seems to be squeezing one who is stuck in Cycle Two.
Cycle Three ~
Pluto's Soul Flame
The third cycle is related to the opening of the cervix and the element
of Fire. A great urgency to create change characterizes this stage. It
is full of powerful transformational energy. Some aspects of this stage
include passion, creativity, movement, alchemy, use of one's will,
chaos, and even anger. Anger is often just built-up energy that needs to
be released into creative action. It is what gets us born into life or
moved into a new situation. Many people are afraid of the power of this
cycle, particularly the anger (if present) and intense energy. If we try
to ignore or deny this phase of change, we can fall back into Cycle Two
and get stuck in the process, at least temporarily.
Cycle Four ~
Venus Rising
This fourth part of change represents surrender (although, of course, we
can surrender at any stage of change) and the element of Spirit. Aspects
of Cycle Four include humility, letting go of results, feeling whole or
complete, unconditional love, and calmness. This cycle occurs when we
surrender ourselves completely without attachment to outcomes around any
given situation. We have faith in ourselves and the process that is
taking place. Our life and will is turned over to a power greater than
ourselves. Where in the third cycle there was a need to push, in Cycle
Four there is a need to stop pushing. Here, we need to fall into the
heart of ourselves and just be with the truth until we are somehow,
miraculously, moved to the other side of the situation. This is not to
be confused with the passivity of Cycle One. It is not a phase in which
nothing happens. Rather, Cycle Four is about the proper use of will. It
is hard work to let go and trust that everything will work out for the
highest good in the end. What once seemed impossible now begins to form
in our new reality. We are then automatically moved into the next cycle
of change.
Cycle Five ~
Jupiter/Eagle's Point of View
The fifth cycle of change represents Shamanic (Higher) Consciousness and
is related to the element of Air. Rebirth, rejuvenation, celebration,
vision, clarity, gratitude and deep peace are aspects of this cycle.
Here, we have expanded our consciousness and reached a greater
understanding of our situation and our life. Life seems to make more
sense and the struggle is over. The change is complete and is
incorporated into our way of living. There is a sense of wanting to
share what has been experienced and learned. Where there was once doubt
and confusion, there is now greater awareness of the connectedness of
all things. This is also a period of adjustment to the changes that have
been made. An individual in this cycle of change might feel as a
butterfly, emerging from its cocoon to dry its wings in order to take
flight.
And then - just when we
think we can coast for a while - the spiral of life turns, and once
again, we embark upon the five cycles of change in another part of our
lives. But having gone through it before, remembering all that it took
to create the previous change, understanding that each Cycle does not
last forever, but moves forward, we can move with the flow of change in
our lives and truly co-create with the Universe.
Terri Lyne Anthony
is a Reiki Master-Teacher, certified Shamanic Breathwork Facilitator and
Ordained Spiritual Counselor. She has created the HeartPath Wellness
Center in Wasilla, AK, offering workshops, seminars and private
sessions.
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Creating
Change
by Elizabeth Wallmann
Our
thoughts are powerful stuff. They determine not only
our immediate experience, but also set the stage for
everything we have in life. |
Deep down, most of us have
desires, needs, or goals. There are things we wish were different.
Some of us want to have a different weight or body shape. Some people
hope for a new career, more money, or a new relationship. Some people
want relief from an enduring illness. The point is, most people have
something they want to change. The translation of this want is really
a desire manifested differently.
Some people manifest their desires
quickly, while others seem to wait a lifetime. A few individuals can
simply think a thought and watch the consequences appear almost
instantly. Can you image being able to lose those extra twenty pounds
effortlessly, or have that perfect new job seemingly fall into your
lap? These things happen, and they happen all the time.
Manifesting is making real. It is
making something evident that was once not visible. It is actualizing
what you desire on the physical, tangible plane. The mystery has been
how to manifest. How does one change or create anew, particularly
something that has been difficult to shift or change in the past?
Your thoughts are extremely
powerful; we know this. According to the most conservative
interpretations in research on health and disease, 90% of all diseases
are directly related to an individual’s thinking. Many argue the
figure at 98%. We know that if a person believes he or she is
incapable of having wealth, that individual will remain poor. It
doesn’t matter if you supply resources. The thinking behind every
action will ultimately relate him or her back to impoverished
conditions. We know that if a woman loses weight yet does not change
her thinking patterns, the weight returns. If a man believes he is
unlovable, he will continue to experience lonely conditions. Our
thoughts are powerful stuff. They determine not only our immediate
experience, but also set the stage for everything we have in life.
Every individual’s “thought
energy” is directly linked with current reality and the ability to
change, create, and manifest. Part of the problem is that many people
are still tied up in what they don’t have. A great deal of thought
is spent in looking at what is not right: lack of health, money,
friendship, or love. The translation of this statement is that
energetically we are manifesting exactly where our thoughts reside.
Many of us don’t realize that
creating positive change (or manifesting) has to do what with what is
in the mind and heart. If we really want to create a change, our first
line of action must be to take responsibility for our part in what our
current conditions are. This is not taking the blame. It is accepting
that we are participating in creating and maintaining the way things
are through how and what we think.
We have been taught not to dream.
We have been trained to focus attention on what is wrong or bad in our
lives. We have been taught that if we dream, we are crazy or just
using fanciful thinking. The myth is that if we attend to what we
don’t want, it will change. These notions keep many people stuck in
not having what they really do want.
In order to truly change
something, you first need to cease all judgment. I mean quit! Stop
forcing, fighting, and being fierce with yourself: Refrain from
placing yourself into good/bad thinking or comparing yourself to
others. For one thing, judging, and thinking in terms of good and bad
does not change what you have. If anything, it perpetuates it. If you
want to lose weight, and keep focusing on your “fatness,” you will
continue to manifest weight. If you are lonely for companionship, and
spend time thinking of your difficult conditions, you will continue to
have them. Thus, the very first thing you will need to do is to
practice accepting the way things are. Acceptance looks and feels like
simple acknowledgement, no more and no less.
The immediate next step is to
place all of your attention into what you do want. This means actively
thinking about your desire and feeling it. Let your mind pretend. Let
your heart experience that pretending. Let your heart desire! Let your
body feel that desire. For example, if you want to lose some weight
this month, let yourself really think about it. What would you look
like? What would you be doing? What would it feel like as you go about
your day? Go even deeper into the idea, and consider really how you
would feel. How would your body feel as you sit, stand, or lay down?
Start thinking about it every day, every moment of every day. If you
catch your thoughts drifting back to your weight, simply shift your
attention back to what you want. Let yourself see and feel yourself as
you desire.
What about money? Have you been
experiencing yourself as financially deficient? Look at how much you
have and visualize more. Let yourself appreciate money, in all its
forms. Let yourself feel it. How does it feel to you to have more
money? Do you feel more secure? Let yourself pretend to have more
money and feel that security. If you have more money, do you feel more
freedom? Let yourself pretend and feel that freedom. Now, what would
you be doing?
This year can be different for
you. You can create positive and powerful changes in your life. It
starts by examining your thinking and then allowing yourself the gift
of imagining differently. This imaging connects to your heart and
feeling centers. It also connects to your body. When you think and
feel differently, you act differently and directly shape your reality.
If you’d like to try this simple
way of creating change, I suggest you pick one situation or
circumstance you’d like to change. Next, develop a very clear idea
of what you want. Let your heart and mind go completely. Allow
yourself to have some fun with this, as new and clear pictures will
come to you in a natural way. Part of completely letting the heart and
mind go is to actively relax into now. Use a relaxation technique that
works for you. It could be as simple as lying down and systematically
relaxing each muscle group in the body. As your body/mind relaxes, you
can more effectively imagine a new. Then, begin the practice of
imagining the desired goal as if it already exists.
What begins to happen is a psychic
and energetic shift toward that goal. For example, you may find
yourself eating to live, not living to eat. Or, perhaps you begin to
feel loveable (or acceptable), and other people begin to be attracted
to you, seemingly out of nowhere.
You can create new realities in
your life. You can bring what was once nowhere into now here,
by shifting your attention. Begin by directing your thoughts and your
energy to what you want. When you place your attention on what you
want, reality cannot help but conform.
Elizabeth Wallmann,
Ph.D, C.Ht, is an internationally recognized educator and
therapist. Her background includes Matrix Energy Healing,
Hypnotherapy, and Acupressure. She currently works at a holistic
health center: 562-1062 or 275-3397.
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It’s
Okay—It’s Just Transformation
by Dawn Baumann Brunke
Change is inevitable.
Sometimes we long for it and can’t stop talking about it. Reality
seems tinged with new sparkles and there’s a jaunty bounce in our
step. Other times we aren’t so sure: is it really better or just
another round of more of the same? Maybe it is better but we’re not
used to it yet; or, maybe we have some resistance to the new. And
still other times change is not welcome one little bit. It is all we
can do from jumping up and down, having a good, loud crying fit,
like we did when we were 2 years old.
Some people say the point
isn’t so much what changes, but how we handle the change. Because if
you really think about it, change is just…change. It is neither good
nor bad. Rather, it’s our particular preference that determines if
something is ‘good’ or ‘bad.’
Perhaps you’ve noticed an
inordinate amount of change lately. I know I have. Moreover, I’ve
found myself not only as a participant to change but also as a
frequent observer. What I’ve discovered is that one is often just as
involved in witnessing change as being an active player. Why?
Because if we are truly keenly observing, we can’t help but see and
feel what issues are also speaking to us, and what is still in need
of healing.
A friend of mine was
recently going through some turbulent changes with her friend. Money
was involved, along with accusations of deception, unethical
conduct, betrayal and more. It got complicated and each side
threatened to involve lawyers (and we all know it’s bad when lawyers
get involved). Tempers ran high and I found myself the reluctant
observer to a barrage of emails that jolted back and forth between
them. It made me wonder: what am I supposed to see here?
Then one day, I called my
friend, asking her what was going on and if anything had been
resolved. She said she was sure everything was going to be okay; the
situation would resolve itself. I was perplexed. For weeks I had
witnessed nothing but the ups and downs of emotional confusion,
anger, blame and sadness. What had changed?
“What about your friend?” I
asked, with more than just an observer’s degree of curiosity.
“I am blessing her for all
the lessons, for everything she taught me. And it was a lot; she
taught me so very much.”
Normally I am a bit suspect
when people say things like this. Maybe we want to mean it—because
it does seem like a good thing to bless rather than curse—but
sometimes the words seem more like convincing covers, as if we are
trying to persuade ourselves of what we think we ought to be
thinking or doing.
“Really?” I asked, perhaps
sounding a bit confused myself. “What about all the
changes—everything that has happened?”
“Really,” she answered with
a loud, clear laugh. “It’s okay—it’s just transformation.”
After we hung up, I went
outside to stand in the sunshine. Thinking of my friend’s words, I
gazed at the mountains and felt a smile sneaking over my face. A
pressing weight I didn’t know I was carrying—uninvolved observer I
pretended to be—suddenly slid from my back and shoulders as a noisy
laugh burbled up and out of my body.
The shadow of a low-flying
raven passed overhead. As I watched, he dipped and turned, curving
round in a graceful arc, as if to look at me again.
“It’s okay,” I called
skyward. “It’s just transformation.”
Dawn Brunke is the
editor of Alaska Wellness and author of Animal Voices and Awakening to
Animal Voices: A Teen Guide to Telepathic Communication with All Life
(see www.animalvoices.net
for more).
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