Know that this is a year where the possibility is strong for learning a new approach to reconciling with your unknown.  Know that endings are always about coming face to face with the unknown.  Also know that as a rule humans don’t like the unknown and will allow an inflexible sense of self (ego) to dominate their reactions to life’s events.  Reacting to the unknown through fear keeps you stuck.

But, if you can allow yourself just a moment before you react, you will find the opportunity to choose your action in response to the unknown instead of blindly reacting through fear.

In this moment, you may also allow yourself the opportunity to look inside yourself and ask about your fear of the unknown.  With conscious action, you can shift this habit and allow more supportive actions when the unknown makes itself present.  Curiosity, anticipation, growing confidence, willingness to witness — all are supportive choices which will greatly affect your experience of and action within the unknown.  They are supportive because they provide you with a different experience of the unknown; they allow you to think of yourself and the world around you in a different way.  Blind reaction doesn’t change anything.  Conscious choice allows the gifts of the unknown to make their way to you, reinforcing a different response both to that which you don’t know and to fear itself.

You can change your habit of the unknown.  Make this the moment that you will allow yourself the opportunity to approach differently.  Let fear be.  Let yourself respond in choice.  Let the unknown appear before you in a new light.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to live my life in fear?
• What stands in the way of releasing my fear of the unknown?

Consider these Affirmations:

• I no longer allow fear to rule my life.
• I allow myself to consciously choose my path.
• I am learning to receive the gifts of the unknown in joy and in curious anticipation.

We think of the unknown as chaotic, dark, maybe even malevolent.  I know that in my life, I’d rather have a clear idea of where I am going than to feel unsure of where I am stepping and what I can expect.  It’s sometime a constant battle for me to not be overwhelmed by the pending shadow of my unknown.  Yet, I also know that I do not like living in fear.  I don’t like feeling scared into doing something, anything.  I have gotten so much better about not letting myself be overwhelmed by anxiety.  I am a lot better at noticing sooner than later the driving nature of fear around me and in me.

Back in October, I started having an increasing number of surging awarenesses (I call them epiphanettes!) about what I needed to accomplish next in my life.  (I have always had this going on, the difference in October was the increasing volume.)  My heart was overflowing (and still is) with ideas and realizations and new understandings about a whole range of things in my life  –  from how to organize myself to new knowings about topics in and around the Akashic Records.

Among other epiphanettes, I realized that the time had come for me to commit to the full vision of my work.  I have always been aware that I live very close to the edge of the known and the unknown, that I thrive at this edge, and that it is a place that not many are comfortable with.  But I realized that I had come to the point where my health and well-being depended upon my full commitment to all of me and all of what I envision for myself and my life and the people around me.  To hold back was to hold the circle too small for any growth to happen for me or for my students, family and friends.  To hold back one more second was moving from yesterday’s old truth to stand in today’s new dishonesty.

It’s exciting to claim vision.  But the day-after feeling is full-on fear.  Can I trust myself?  Can I trust that others will show up?  Can I hold it together?  Will I implode because in my vanity, or humility, I have overlooked something (i.e., in my humanity will I be less than the perfection I demand of myself?)?  Can I keep my promises?  What horrible thing happens when I fail?  Because, of course, the fear is very clear that I will fail.  Holy Moly!!  Is this really what I signed up for?!!

The way I deal with my fear is to ask myself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”  Then I think about what I will do if the worst happens.  And then I commit to my vision.  Because I have made my fear present, I have figured out a way around, and because I will not let myself be controlled by fear, I commit to my vision.  I commit to what I want to do.  I commit to what I want to bring to life.  I commit to myself.  The commitment doesn’t get rid of the fear.  But the commitment helps me move truthfully in the direction of my heart’s understanding of who I am and who I want to become.

So as you read the rest of this newsletter and all the various announcements about the new programs I am offering this year, know that what I am doing is committing to all of me.  That I am trying not to hold back anything of me.  But also know that I have no idea how everything will work out.  I trust that what needs to be for me and for all of you will become over the next couple of months.  I am working on allowing curious anticipation rather than rigid fear of failure.  I am working on feeling the joy of allowing myself to create the space for my vision to become whatever it becomes.

I invite you to join me however you can.  Take the next step in your life whatever that may be.  Know that I am a fellow traveler available to you simply by asking.  Take the next step in your journey in the Akashic Records whatever that may be.  Know that I am here, fully committed to holding space for your journey.  May your path be full of support, may your heart overflow with joy, and may your vision rise to meet you, showing you the way.

In Joy!
Cheryl

Reading Week and Online Scheduling
Here’s the schedule for 2012 (subject to change as may arise):

• January 16 – 21
• February 6 – 11
• March 29 – 30
• April 9 – 14
• May 7 – 12
• June 11 – 16
• July 16 – 21
• August 6 – 11
• September 18 – 22
• October 15 – 20
• November 12 – 17
• December 10 – 15

I offer Akashic Record Readings and LifeVision Maps during Reading Week, as well as Directed Study and Investigation for Sage Path students.  I have just recently organized an online scheduling system on my website.  From the comfort of your home, late at night, early in the morning, or in between, you now have the opportunity to schedule the day and time that works for you without the back and forth of email.  Remember, though, that if Reading Week doesn’t work with your schedule, then let me know your availability and I’ll see what we can work out for you.  To make an appointment visit this page:   http://www.trine.com/akashic-records-appointment/

Many Paths, One Mountain: Spiritual Journey, Spiritual Practice in the Akashic Records
Finally, I have finished the manuscript for my second book!  If you heard a yell of triumph about the middle of December that was me!  What started as a workshop over ten years ago then moved to six strands that I cut from my first book has now transformed into its own 175-page offering.  The early review from my beta-readers says that the book is very accessible, practical, and empowering.  From my point of view, I offer the five steps of the spiritual journey to the spiritual seeker with practical suggestions, affirmations, and work for yourself both within your heart and within your Akashic Records.  Now begins the process of publishing.  Maybe by June?

Completion on one front now opens the time for beginning on another.  My next (third) book is already taking form in my mind and on paper.  This next offering will be about claiming your eternal scribe.  Stay tuned for details.

Workshops
I am offering three brand new workshops this year!!  Three!!  (Remember what I said about commitment earlier?!).  Plus, offerings for both Sage Path Level 1 and Level 2.  Here’s a short bit of information about each and then a table to help you keep everything straight.

Sage Path 1: Opening Your Own Akashic Records
One-on-One:  Available whenever you are ready!
Group Format:  Saturday, February 11, 9am-5pm — by teleconference with several follow-up meetings
Visit this page for more information:  http://www.trine.com/sagepath/

Sage Path 1 Refresher
One-on-One: Available whenever you are ready!
Life happens and sometimes you feel like you have lost your connection to your Akashic Records.  This is not unusual and there is an easy solution:  call me!!  We can talk about what’s not working and I will let you know how I can help in your situation.  Usually an hour’s meeting with a 30-minute follow-up or two gets you back on track.

Sage Path 2:  Opening the Akashic Records for Others
Group In-Person: April 20-22, Portland, Oregon
Group Teleconference:  Dates beginning in April
Visit this page for more information:  http://www.trine.com/sagepath/opening-the-akashic-records-for-other/

Sage Path Intensive:
This offering is Sage Path Level 1 and 2 combined with individual Directed Study with me
Visit this page for more information:  http://www.trine.com/sagepath/

Sage Path Level 3

Akashic Records Journey to Chaco Canyon
May 16-21, New Mexico
I have had a dream for a long time about traveling to a special place with a group of Akashic Record Readers and experiencing the location through the energy of the Akashic Records.  Chaco Canyon is very special and I am beyond ecstatic that this will be our first journey.  I invite you to join me on a vision quest in Ancient Lines, Star Connections.
Visit this page for more information:  http://www.trine.com/akashicrecordsjourney/

Cycles of Life and Death
April through September
This is a virtual workshop that will happen mostly through partner practice over a six month period.  Creation is a cycle that we experience as beginnings and ends.  In this workshop we are going to look at this cycle and understand the flow of its energy in our lives.
Visit this page for more information:  http://www.trine.com/sagepath/cycles/

Healing with the Akashic Records Matrix
September 12-16, Oregon Coast
One topic that I probably will not write a book about for a while is healing within the Akashic Records.  First, one of the biggest areas of growth for me right now is a profound shift in understanding the possibilities of healing balance.  This understanding can really only be demonstrated in-person and the ability to do the work is for advanced students only.  Additionally, it is my intention to make this an annual offering in which we as a group learn and investigate this topic.  In September, we will be learning about the Matrix and we will be looking at releasing trauma.  That is why I would prefer that those participating in Healing Matrix have the work in Cycles of Life and Death.  Trauma is a frozen moment in the cycle, releasing trauma requires understanding of the energetics of the cycle.
Visit this page for more information:  http://www.trine.com/healing-with-the-akashic-records-matrix/

The bottom line:  If you are interested in any of these workshops, let me know.  If you are just beginning on the Sage Path and are interested in the Sage Path 3 workshops, let me know and we can talk about the feasibility of accelerated study for you.

Sunrise from Crown Point in the Columbia Gorge. Just a touch of light making its way through to reflect on the Columbia River below.

Life is not always what I expect.  Sometimes that is a great relief, sometimes a frustration, and sometimes pure joy.  Since I returned from my trip to Japan in April, life has been rich, full, frustrating, and mostly unexpected.

The first unexpected moment unfolded as I was getting off the plane and finally taking in what a physical challenge being in Japan had been.  Totally unrelated to any bigger events, it was a challenge that was personal and entirely physical.  Coming to terms with the reality that I wasn’t healed from the car wreck back in September, I was finally facing the utter fear surfacing that I might not be able to return to the physical activity I was used to.  I realized I was really afraid.  And angry.  And quickly moving towards a despondent response.  The solution?  Lots of physical therapy, warm water exercise, and easing off myself.  Which meant devoting time and attention in a direction that I hadn’t expected in that moment.  But the payoff for several months of hard work has been worth it.  I am walking without pain for several miles rather than just several minutes.  I don’t feel so weak and I feel my body settling into a point of balance that is both familiar and new.  Most importantly, I am finally back to dancing lessons with my husband.  We have been doing a foxtrot class this month and though there are still some concerns, I am getting through the hour and enjoying the experience as the hard work that I invested over a year ago seems to be returning in my body’s memory of slow, quick, quick.

Horse Thief Butte, Washington: This butte is a wonderful place for hiking both around and to the top. I just wish the name were different.

The next moment was my daughter’s graduation from high school.  Not that this was unexpected.  No, but it was the kind of moment that we all dream of for ourselves and our loved ones.  A milestone.  A claiming.  A turning point.  It’s also one of those moments that tend to have lots of planning proceeding, so much hoopla, so much anticipation, that it is hard to be in the moment.  But as my daughter walked across the stage with her head held high, walking in the most amazing red high heels, I saw who she had been in the years proceeding.  I saw all of who she had become from newborn baby to toddler to teenager to young woman.  I saw a radiating being of light claiming for herself her path, her future, her finish and her new beginning.  To be so lifted in that moment unexpectedly took my breath away.  You go girl, you go!

June also saw me taking a new step in the way I teach in the Akashic Records.  It has always been a dream of mine to take the learning process into the world around us.  That’s exactly what we did.  One day a new group of students learned how to open the Akashic Records for Other.  The next day we turned this process towards specific locations in the Columbia Gorge and particular experiences of the Gorge such as earth, wind, and water.  The last day we all got up before the crack of dawn to witness the sunrise from a high point within the Gorge, then spent the rest of the day visiting various places in the Gorge, both in Oregon and Washington.  A powerful journey as participants matched the previous day’s experience in the Records with the actual place.  The entire experience was wonderful and so successful that I’ve decided to do it again next year — read below for details.  And pictures here in this post are from some of the places we visited.

On top of the butte, looking east up the Columbia River.

The last moment that I’ll mention comes from thinking about my trip to Japan for the last couple of months.  In particular, I have been thinking about what makes it easier or more difficult to develop a strong connection with the Akashic Records.  While I think that the single most difficult issue is trust, I think that what is called point of view or frame of reference and how tightly one holds her frame is the biggest obstacle.  I’d never taught in Japan and while I had no reason not to believe that I would be able to help students in Japan learn how to open the Akashic Records, there are just things you don’t know for sure until you have had the experience of them.  And not surprisingly, students there had the same issues as US students.

When you hold on to what you think is true so tightly that you can’t allow yourself to include a new idea or possibility into your point of view, you limit your experience, not only in life, but also in your experience with the Akashic Records.  When we think we know what we will see, that’s what we see.  But when we begin working in the Akashic Records, the opportunity and the challenge is to receive the flow of energy that you do not know.  It’s a paradox for sure.  You want to know, and to know, you need to find a way to see what you don’t know.  If your frame is rigid, solid, and clutched tightly, nothing you don’t know will make it through.  But if you can allow in flexibility and permeability, then the unknown flow has a way of making its way to you and you have a way to receive and stand witness to that which you don’t know.

On the Washington side of the Columbia River, looking north towards Mount Adams. It was a stop on our journey we called the NoName Place.

This isn’t a new understanding for me, but it is something that I have been pondering the last couple of months.   Lots of people think they need all kinds of spiritual experience to be able to learn to work in the Akashic Records.  While experience can be helpful, sometimes it can make your frame too rigid.  What’s needed is the flexibility of Beginner’s Mind where you approach with the attitude of I Learn, rather than the defensive reflex of I Know!  No matter your native language or the ambiance of your culture and society, it’s about your point of view, your frame of reference and whether or not you are open to learn.

Finally — in several senses of that word!  I have actually found the time to work on my next book.  I put it away after September’s wreck and just retrieved it in May.  I am really excited at how it is coming together.  All about the spiritual journey and spiritual practice, both in general and within the Akashic Records.  It’s also morphing beyond my expectations as a living, breathing flow of energy.  Just like the last book, I have these moments where I read what I wrote the day before and wonder, “Where did that come from?”  Which brings me (once again) to my final epiphanette: when you get out of your own way, the unexpected joyfully, wonderfully, magically happens!

In Joy!
Cheryl

Announcements:

1.         Sage Path Level II in the Columbia Gorge, April 20-22, 2012.  Learn how to open the Akashic Records for Other.  Prerequisite:  Sage Path Level I, Opening Your Own Akashic Records.  For more details, give me a call or send me some email.  Detailed information will be available in September.

2.         Sage Path Level III and Higher:  Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, May 17-22, 2012.  This is an advanced experience for those who can sleep under the stars literally for two nights — no showers except maybe the meteor kind.  Detailed information will be coming out in September.

3.         July Reading Week:  Now through Saturday.  A few appointments times are available.  Make your appointment or give me a holler.

4.         August will not find me in my office except for a sporadic check of email and voice mail.  Got a daughter to send off to college.

5.         September Reading Week:  September 12-17.  Make your appointment or give me a holler.

6.         October:  Japan.  Here’s the Japanese version.  Check out the videos.  Or wait, maybe not.  Cheryl as video star was never a possibility that I contemplated.

7.         January: Los Angeles.  An emerging possibility.  Details available when the creative motion has fully bloomed.

Part of the group standing at the Stonehenge replica situated just at the edge of the Columbia Gorge.

It’s also has been twelve days since I arrived here in Tokyo.

And it has also been 20 years since I was last in Tokyo and thirty years since I lived here as a Junior in college.

The short summary: I am having a great time. I am seeing old friends and making new ones. I am working hard and enjoying every minute.

On the evening of March 30, I came by bus from the airport just as the sun was setting. Roppongi, the area whereI am staying, was lit up like Christmas with all kinds of neon signs. I was glad to get to my stop. It had been a long flight about half full with only a few non-Asians on board.

The apartment where I am staying is on the tenth floor of a building that I am told is earthquake-proof. It’s very nice and has everything I could want including a wireless network, a nice little kitchen, a washer/dryer, and an ofuro (deep bath tub). I have an open view from the balcony and feel that I can curl up and take a break when I need.

The guest event I did on my first evening in town was very well attended — over 40 people. I have done five days of private sessions so far — about six a day. I work with an interpreter but get the chance to throw in my own rather-mangled Japanese occasionally. This past Saturday and Sunday I did my first workshop with 30 amazing participants. Before I leave on April 19, I will be doing two more days of private sessions and three days of workshops.

The company that is sponsoring my work has been in business since the late 1980′s and is the largest and oldest company organizing spiritual workshops in Japan. The people that are working with me are all amazingly kind and generous and are taking really good care of me. It’s fun working with them and seeing the easy camaraderie amongst them.

The people who are showing up at the workshops and private sessions are all equally interesting and serious about understanding themselves and their lives. Not one of them has missed the chance to thank me for coming to Japan at this time. I tell them that especially given the circumstances I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

The evening after the first day of sessions, I went to dinner with my interpreter. As we were standing at a large intersection waiting for the light to change, she turned to me and said, “Look around at the people standing here and at all the corners. What’s strange is that normally this intersection is filled with people from all over the world. And tonight when I look, the only foreigner I can see is you.” I have heard this from many people that Tokyo has suddenly been emptied of its foreign population. And while I don’t know what is normal, I do know that I don’t see many other faces like mine and Roppongi is supposed to be one of the main locations for foreign and especially American folk.

The second day of sessions (this would have been two Sundays ago) and which I do in my apartment, in the midst of a session at about 5pm, I felt my chair move, looked up, looked around, looked outside, looked back at the two sitting with me. We all gasped at the same time and one of us said, “Jishin da!” It’s an earthquake. And sure enough I could feel the building swaying and the light fixture on the ceiling was shaking. The buildings outside were also moving. And just about when you thought it wasn’t going to quit, it did.

Since then, I have felt at least 5 other tremors and two more major aftershocks. The first aftershock was last week at about 11pm in the evening and was a 7.0 shake off the coast in the same general location as the March 11 event. That was really scary because not only was my 15 floor building swaying, there was some bumpiness going on, along with a low but audible roar like a train moving by. The worst just happened about 30 minutes ago. Starting with the now normal-seeming swaying, the swaying picked up, added some bumpiness and continued way longer than anything before. It’s quite the strange feeling to have your apartment building behave like a roller coaster — two very opposite ideas that should not go together. About the time that I felt like it wasn’t going to stop, I walked away from the sliding door and tried to decide if I should put on some clothes instead of my nightgown. Even now as I am writing this, we are quaking again. Not as big as before, but definitely motion up here on the 10th floor. The first big one really did scare me. And I had to make myself think things through. I am sitting in a building that is very new and built within the strictest building codes Japan has for earthquake safety. This building withstood a 9.0 earthquake with no damage. The likelihood that this “minor” shake is going take it down is very, very unlikely. Holding my breath does not make it go quicker, but it does make me feel better. More than likely another building will go before this one, look outside and take a survey. I look. Buildings and trees are moving, but nothing is crashing to the ground. Ok, I think I will make it. Oh!! Finally! The rock-n-roll show is done.

And this is probably the biggest weirdness: you can’t go outside, look around and see earthquake damage here in Tokyo. For such a huge motion in such a large place, this city withstood the disaster with minimal damage.

To see the effects of the quake, you have to look at the people. One of my very good friends was in another section of town shopping with someone when the earthquake started. They were told to run from the building since it was old and ended up on the sidewalk where there was some crashing of some building facade. She is really shaken from the experience and was not very happy to visit my tenth floor. The same tenseness born from a moment of true panic can be seen in most of the people I talk with, especially the ones who bring up the event. For a country more or less accustomed to a shake every now and then, this time their sense of firm earth was shaken to the core both literally and figuratively. Most everyone says of it, “Nagai jikan deshita!” “It lasted a long, long time!”

Of course the other part of this is the nuclear power plants. Most Japanese that I have talked to concede that they are very dependent on alternative forms of power as well as foreign oil. But as one friend said she doesn’t think that nuclear power should be the answer if only because of the problem of nuclear waste. And everyone is shocked that their government would allow a nuclear plant in a tsunami/earthquake region to be lax in regulation and not be required to withstand seismic activity of more than 7.0.

In that area of conversation, when I first got here, the several grocery stores and quick shops I visited were remarkable for what they didn’t have on the shelves: packaged and canned food, and water. Across Tokyo there has been a run on water and other packaged foods in order to avoid radioactive contamination. When I was leaving the office last Friday, my colleague insisted I take an umbrella because it was sprinkling outside. He said that I needed to use it so that I wouldn’t be exposed to any radioactive substances in the rainwater. Now that ship has sailed because today I went on a walk, went a little further than intended and when I heard a crack of thunder, I knew I was in trouble. Sure enough, a nice spring shower, me dripping wet trying to get home as quickly as possible.

I am so glad that I came. I am very fortunate and very grateful to be here at this time. I don’t know exactly what this will mean for me or the people that I meet. But I do know that I am glad that I didn’t embrace the fear. Life is good particularly when you focus on connections with people and the joy that these connections bring.

That’s all for now.

Love,

Cheryl

The image of the spiral resonates within something deep inside us all: the ebb and flow of the lines, the giving and receiving of the image as it makes its path, the possibility of continuity and continuous participation.  Within the path of the spiral, the journey can be literally up the mountain or around the four corners of the earth.  Spiritually, the spiral journey can also be within the gentle motion of your heart or around the arduous mountain of challenge in understanding self.  We go and come, circling back and up and beyond to return home once again.

I mention the spiral for several reasons.  Over the last six months, I have often felt the presence of the spiral.  In some instances, I felt myself spiraling out of control.  In others, I felt myself barely making the next turn, the next step.  In contrast I can look back now and know that I have come a long way, and though this journey is not done in so many ways, I feel myself growing daily more excited about the journey.

I am getting back into my writing world and when I was trying to decided what to share today, I came across the following.  This was the newsletter copy I had prepared to send out the day of my car wreck back in September and had put it off and then forgotten its existence.  So it seems appropriate to share now as the flow returns and my journey begins a new turn.   More on that below.

The Spiral Practice
(AKA: Spiritual Practice Into Real Awareness Lovingly)

The following spiritual practice started out as a marketing exercise.  I asked a few folks to give me feedback and they found this really effective in helping to focus and clarify possible blocks or sources for feeling stuck.  Here’s how it works:

1.  The following list contains some possible problems or challenges that someone who is serious about spiritual growth and study might encounter.

2.  Take a look at this list, and choose the three to five points that fit you best right now.  You may either choose based on where you sense yourself generally or you may focus your choices toward a particular issue that you are wanting some clarity with.  You may also write your own points.

3.  Rank each of your choices using a weighted system with 20 points.  For example, if all the issues are equal for you give them equal ranking of 4.  If one seems more assign it a bigger portion, like a 8 and the others get 3 points.  The total must equal 20 whether you have 3, 4, or 5 choices.

4.  Now answer this question:  If you had to pick only one as the most frequent or most troubling, which one would you pick?

Here’s the Spiral List:
Never getting anywhere, feeling stuck
Not feeling good about myself
Trouble applying new ideas to everyday life
Trouble understanding physical and spiritual
Dealing with ambiguity
Dealing with complexity
Needing immediate assistance to see and understand what can’t be seen alone
Finding reliable/trustworthy guidance
Releasing blocks
Quieting my inner critic
Finding relief from inner trouble (anxiety, depression)
Support for spiritual growth
Trusting guidance from self
Feeling alone and lost
Trusting guidance from others
Balancing traditional religious beliefs with spiritual beliefs
Living without fear, judgment or blame
Integrating new learning
Finding balance/harmony
Trusting or feeling connection with the divine/God/Spirit
Feeling Like I Know, but Can’t Remember Who I Really Am
Living without fear, judgment, or blame especially of self
Identifying personal truth

I’d love to hear how this goes for you.  Please share your responses!

My next step:
Next Tuesday, March 29, I am traveling to Japan for three weeks.  This is a trip that has been in the works for almost 6 months.  Under the awesome sponsorship of Voice Workshops, Inc., I am going to be teaching about the Akashic Records and doing individual sessions.  Here are more detail.

I will have my own apartment in the central area of Tokyo — an area not subject to revolving blackouts because of the essential nature of the many businesses in this area.  I will be meeting new people and seeing old friends.  I know I will be busy, but I am hoping to get out a bit and look around Tokyo.  It’s been over 20 years since I’ve visited and 30 since I lived there.  I am excited to see the changes and witness the motion of this historic moment.

As my schedule allows, I hope to be posting pictures and writing about my experience — check this blog (http://www.trine.com/blog/) beginning March 31.  I will be back in my office Monday, April 25.

Mata aimashoo!  Literally: Let’s meet again later!
In Joy!
Cheryl