Image by @digital_errors

As we close off another year, it can be difficult to ignore the posts showing up on our feed about new year’s resolutions. The dialogue is often around goals to increase productivity or improve physical fitness and health, enhance our focus and performance, create more wealth, travel to new destinations etc. It can be exhausting and, in fact, highly counterproductive towards achieving our true desires and dreams.

This year, instead of focusing on acquiring abundance in the form of material possessions or a certain level of physical attractiveness, we invite you to release ego-driven ideals of what your new year should look like and go inward with these five easy ways that will guarantee increased happiness, abundance and inner peace in 2019.

1.Meditate

The idea of meditation can be extremely intimidating for many. As a society, the majority of us have subscribed to a never-stop, always-hustle attitude. In fact, we move so quickly that we never stop to talk about how this is not a sustainable existence. If we are constantly answering the demands we have placed on ourselves, as well as allow ourselves to give into constant distraction, we miss out on spending time with the most important person in our lives; ourselves.

Meditation gives us time to connect with ourselves on a deeper level, allowing us to listen to our body and our soul’s needs, wants and desires. We spend so much time working on our exterior that we never stop to hear what we actually want, believe or need. Meditating is the single best gift you can give yourself to increase your sense of peace and personal happiness in 2019. If you’re new to the practice, start with five minute sessions. A simple Google search can get you started on the right track.

2. Reduce Your Animal Consumption

The less we consume animals in our food, beauty products and clothing, the better we are able to connect with them on a higher level. A deeper connection and respect for animals (not just household pets) will automatically increase your ability to connect with your natural environment and view the gifts of nature from a new perspective. When we stop finding ways to conquer living beings for our personal use, we are able to see a line between our existence and the existence of non-human beings. In fact, if you stop eating animals such as cows and pigs, you are likely to find you connect deeper with your dog. Further to, consuming something that has been tortured to get on your plate means that you are actually consuming pain. When we eliminate or reduce instances of consuming unnecessary pain, you are guaranteed to find that your heart feels lighter and your ability to connect with nature increases.

Just like starting a meditation practice, the idea of reducing animal consumption can be intimidating. Don’t feel like you can eliminate animals from your diet? Reducing your consumption is an excellent way to put the concept of animals as food into perspective. When we eat less , we respect them more. The Meatless Mondays trend is a great start.

3. Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude daily is the number one way to increase your sense of abundance. You will find your life is full of everything you want and need when you stop and make a point of expressing gratitude. Focusing on what we want naturally produces a mindset of lack and scarcity, ensuring we continue to attract situations into our life that leave us wanting.

The less we speak of what we want and the more we appreciate what we have, each day will seem like a gift of the utmost abundance. Turning our daily tasks into instances to express gratitude is an excellent way to incorporate the practice seamlessly into your life. For example, instead of saying “I have to work out today”, say “I am grateful for the ability to condition my beautiful body that acts as a vessel for my existence”. Instead of saying “I have to go to work” say “I am grateful that I have a job that allows me to have a roof over my head and food in my fridge”. Instead of saying “I need to drink more water” say “I am grateful that I have water to drink”.

We are all much more abundant than we think. As we are living in a day where Instagram tells us what we should aspire to want, it is important to remember that often times, we have an abundance of what would deem anyone a very blessed person.

4. Put Down Your Phone

Our phones work to create a constant connection to a world of advertising, articles of non-necessary information that is shaped to look like news and celebrities who’s job it is to make us feel less than in order to buy things we do not need to be happy (beauty products, clothes, diet pills, cars, etc.) The scroll has become an automatic pass time. We are actively allowing our precious time on this earth to be wasted day by day, looking at pictures of people from high school, or people we don’t even know. It is no wonder we feel tired, drained, and a need to constantly be on the move.

So in 2019, put down your phone. Give your mind, your body, your eyes a much needed reprieve. Set your own standards of aspirational living and GO LIVE! Go outside, stop taking pictures of everything, embrace the day. Leave the phone at home.

If you want to monitor your phone time, here are some great apps that will help you track your phone usage.

5. Don’t Buy Anything 

Ok, buy things you NEED, like food. But stop buying things you don’t need, including new clothes, excessive personal care products and entertainment items. Take the start of the new year as an opportunity to clear out your closet of anything you don’t need anymore. Be ruthless. Let go of emotional attachments to old items and make a very conscientious effort to stop purchasing new items, because more often than not, you don’t need what you think you want. Do this any way you need to. Unsubscribe your email from your favourite companies that promote unmissable sales. Stop agreeing to go on shopping trips. Don’t go to the mall. Turn off commercials.

If you go through your household and rid it of everything you no longer need, use or want, you will find you immediately feel lighter. Further to, if you stop purchasing things you don’t need, won’t use or even really want, you will find your bank account is more abundant. We work so hard for our money, it is important to respect it. By making mindful purchasing decisions, we will automatically increase our financial security.

Image by
Kyson Dana

With an intensely cosmic summer coming to a close, many of us may be welcoming fall with open arms, ready to dive into the newest versions of ourselves after shedding some serious layers during the warmer months. Now is a time to put concerted energy towards finding our feet and getting grounded. The new fall season is a perfect time to apply what we learned of ourselves this summer and our new understandings of our surroundings to our greatest benefit. Below are simple ways to get yourself in alignment for this next chapter, and help carry you through the rest of 2018 with two feet on the ground and a high vibe heart.

Reassess Your Sleeping Situation

There’s something about waking up when its still dark that will get you feeling like you didn’t get enough sleep. With the turn of the seasons, make sure your sleeping sanctuary is in top form, so you can rest your bodily temple and allow it serve you through the harsh winter climate. Devote time and energy this fall into building out your sleeping space so that you feel excited to give into slumber each night.

A great way to ensure your bedding serves you to the highest is by checking out its back story. Can cheaper fabrics and unethical manufacturing processes really bring us total comfort at night? Check out local Canadian brands like Haute Coton , a misson-driven luxury home textile company. With a “seed to consumer” philosophy Haute Coton evaluates every aspect of the manufacturing process with a commitment to the planet and the people behind their products. They select the best processes for packaging, inks, dyes and paper used in their materials along with environmentally-conscious shipping methods, . Haute Coton offers a range of luxury organic cotton sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers to help you fall into the new season with a clear conscious and open heart.

Goal Set with the New Moon in Virgo 

If you haven’t been working to set your life goals with the moon cycles, fall is a great time to try something new and see what you can accomplish with a ritual to help welcome a new season. We suggest finding a welcoming group to circle with during the upcoming new moon in Virgo (September 9th). Even if it is a small gathering with friends; brew some tea and talk about what you want to achieve over the next few months. If you are looking for something just as welcoming but a bit more guided, we suggest searching Eventbrite for New Moon ceremonies in your town. They can range from Crystal Soundbaths, Reiki sessions and Intention-Setting yoga to more in-depth experiences. Check out Soulsisterhood Toronto, an amazing group of women who gather each New Moon and Full Moon, offering a free circle and experience to those who are looking to set intentions for the new cycle and leverage the collective energies of likeminded spirits.

Meditation

Are you not meditating yet? It’s time to get on it! Meditation is an excellent way to slow down the pace of your mind and thoughts so that you can gain a clear perspective on your next steps and moves ahead. If the concept of meditation feels intimidating, we suggest working with an app like Calm or an online program that can guide you through smaller meditations and help you lead up to longer ones. We suggest checking out Kait Hurley for a non-intimidating first step into the practice of meditation. With a range of different practices starting at 5 minutes to longer, Kait will guide you through a non-judgemental practice and help you find your breath and clarity. She’s also a huge cat lover.

Re-evaluate Your Crystal Collection

We love crystals, obviously, however it is good to know when to put certain ones down and maybe re-asses our needs. For example, while you may have felt the a strong need for the support of agate to help calm the intense energies of summer, it might be time to ramp up your vibrational flow with a more stimulating crystal, such as citrine, a crystal recognized for its ability to amplify our paths to success. Reflect on what assistance you feel you need to call in over the next month or two. Is it clarity? Is it focus? A crystal like florite will be more beneficial than rose quartz, for example. Make sure your supporting tools are aligned with your goals for fall.

Image from Energy Muse

Hydrate with Crystals

We tend to drink less water when the weather starts to cool off. But you need to stay hydrated if you plan on accomplishing all those high vibrational goals! We’re so excited to see that VitaJuwel is now available to Canadians at Well.ca. We suggest staying hydrated with crystal infused water to help enhance your inner vibration and increase your wellness. Get all your water in with an infusion of gems and crystals to enhance your inner being and internal wellness.

Stay tuned as we announce upcoming workshops, events and moon guidance this fall to assist you in your path and journey. Namaste!

Mercury Retrograde Started July 26th, 2018 Ending August 18th, 2018

It’s no coincidence that the final days of Mercury Retrograde (ending on August 18th) coincide with a yin moon phase, and a Crescent Moon phase at that. Yin moon phases indicate that the energy offered from the moon serves us in a receptive manner, as opposed to a  yang phase which serves us in a active manner.

So what does this have to do with the current Mercury Retrograde we are presently experiencing? First thing’s first:

What Is Mercury Retrograde?

Four times a year, the planet Mercury is said to go into Retrograde, meaning that it appears to be moving in an opposite direction from the Earth. Simply put, planets move from east to west around the sun. Mercury in Retrograde refers to the four times a year when the planet moves from west to east around the sun, giving us on Earth the optical illusion that it is moving backwards.

Think about when you are driving on a highway and pass a car. The other car appears to be moving backwards, but it really is just moving slower than you. That other car is Mercury in this analogy.

What’s All The Hype About? 

Mercury is recognized as the messenger of the Gods and the planet of communication and logistics. On a modern-day level, this means that we can expect interference in our daily conversations, emails, travels or when we are making plans. It may feel as though we are talking to loved ones and co-workers through a thick static, where messages are getting caught or missed.

Technology and travel can be highly effected during this time. Think back to the start of this Mercury Retrograde (July 26th). Did you experience any issues with your travel and technology? Did your TV stop working for no reason? Did you pop a tire?

This, of course, can be frustrating and is why Mercury Retrograde gets a bad rap.

What’s Good, Though?

On a woo-woo level, it is said that when Mercury goes into retrograde, he travels deep into the underground of our psyches, opening up the pathway to our base-level human consciousness, offering insight into past experiences and helping us gather information for the next phase in our journeys. Because we move so fast, we rarely have a chance to stop and reflect on how our past stories are shaping our present lives and future experiences.

When Mercury goes into retrograde, we are forced to slow down. Technology and travel will push back, forcing us to go inwards for insight. Your phone’s not working? Take five to meditate and download information from your higher self. Bus is late? Embrace the opportunity for a long, head clearing walk.

Patience is a virtue during this time and one that will be greatly rewarded. When Mercury goes into retrograde, its a time for data-collecting and reflection. Time alone is essential during Mercury Retrograde. You may have tapped into to some key insights about your life direction or relationships during this time. Mercury has a lot to reveal to us, and when it goes into retrograde, we have a greater opportunity to listen.

Making the Most of these Last Few Days

It’s no secret that this has been a super charged summer, one that was extremely transformative, whether you realized it or not. Shifts happened this summer and we are all susceptible to them. We absolutely LOVE the fact that the last few days of the Mercury Retrograde fall in a receptive yin moon phase, the Crescent Moon phase, when are called to stop and breathe into our final intentions of the summer, allowing them to permeate our bodies and minds.

We are invited to take advantage over the next few days of the final insights Mercury can offer us in its last days in Retrograde. Because the planet is retrograding through the fire sign of Leo, we may feel an opposing pull to rush into action. But remember, even Lions know when to lay low and observe, calculating the jungle before making their next move. Lay low over the next few days. Meditate and reflect. And most importantly, listen. The universe has messages for you and Mercury wants to help you receive them.

Lena Bell

With our city’s fast-paced energy, it can be challenging to take a step back. An inherent need to keep moving and doing can often keep us from tending the most important parts of our being. Through the practice of meditation, we can work towards creating calm and finding breath, focus and clarity.

And while the importance of meditation may seem to be another buzzy idea used to sell books and apps, there are many ways to ease into the practice without spending much, if anything at all. In honour of achieving enlightenment through mindfulness, we’ve rounded up a few places in Toronto that can help you start your meditation journey while on a budget.

The Quiet Company — Check out their calendar of events here

Every Friday between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm, The Quiet Company offers a $10 drop-in meditation class called Reset with Meditation.  This lunchtime class can help bring back that concentration to tackle the last few tasks on your to-do list before the weekend starts.The session will include two guided meditations and encourages all levels to come and participate.

Image Credits: The Quiet Company

Meditation Toronto — 766 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C4

Meditation Toronto gives you something to look forward to at the start of your work week. Every Monday between 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm learn three simple and effective mantra meditation techniques at Mantra Meditation. All of the classes that Meditation Toronto offers are free of charge. Simply contact them for directions or show up.

Image Credits: Meditation Toronto

Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre — 77 Harbord Street Toronto ON M5S 1G4

Start your morning off bright and early at one of Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre’s free Satsang Group Meditation class. This class is held every Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Meditating in a group builds a stronger spiritual atmosphere which creates a more in-depth experience of meditation. People of different level are all welcome from newcomers to experienced yoga teachers.

Image Credit: Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre

Centre Place Toronto — 101-320 Richmond St. E. Toronto ON M5A 1P9

Every Tuesday and Thursday between 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Centre Place Toronto creates a peaceful and relaxing space for Zen and Mindful Meditation. Using the Zen Buddhist traditions and the mindfulness technique, this class works to assist with managing anxiety and depression to achieve deep relaxation. These classes welcome all levels and are free of charge, however, if you wish to donate to give back to the community there is an opportunity to do so.

Image Credits: Zen and Mindful Meditation