An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, fear, self-pity, guilt, resentment, vengeance, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."
He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
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Which One are You Feeding?
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Every moment of every day, we all make the choice of which of these "wolves" to feed. Sometimes it is a conscious choice, sometimes not. Sometimes it is an obvious choice, sometimes not. Sometimes it is a difficult choice, sometimes not. When we consciously choose to feed the "evil wolf," we usually do so with elaborate justifications about why it is the right choice. The justifications usually include language about pride, patriotism, God’s will, safety and security, and/or past or present grievances. And we are often "fed" the choice—or at the very least, provided with the justification for making it—by the culture, by the media, or by our families, friends and peers who have already made the choice to feed the evil wolf.
We are offered that choice more and more these days, as events in the outer world seem to be more and more violent, more and more outrageous and horrific. We are definitely offered the choice when we see millions of refugees fleeing for their lives from war and oppression, juxtaposed alongside radical, violent extremists claiming their violent actions are motivated by religion. Adding to the mix, we have people in positions of respect and authority fomenting fear by claiming that everyone of that religion—refugees and extremists alike—share the same beliefs and violent tendencies.
Is it simply human nature to find a large number of people that share something in common—be it race, color, religion, nationality, or political view—and turn them all collectively into the boogey man because "they are not like us"? Looking back over decades of this behavior, one has to wonder: Over and over again in history we have seen it, almost every nationality has been placed into this category by some other nationality, and the members of almost every religion have been placed into this category by those practicing some other religion. In Europe and the Middle East, the "holy wars" (there’s a concept!) raged for centuries, Catholics against "heretics and infidels," protestants against Catholics, gentiles against Jews. The religious wars in Ireland began in the mid-1500s, and (open) hostilities finally ended in the early 21st Century. Periodic conflicts and tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims began in the 600s. And let’s not forget the witch trials or the legendary Hatfields and McCoys, who allegedly carried out a bitter blood feud over many generations.
In the last 70 years, the U.S. has placed Japanese-Americans in internment camps and arrested, reviled, and ruined any person that anyone else claimed might possibly be a "Commie." (If you don’t remember what happened to Japanese-Americans after the Pearl Harbor attack, or you don’t remember McCarthyism in the 50s, take the time to read up!).
Do humans actually need a "common enemy" to turn against, do we just enjoy it, or are we taught to do that? And, as anyone knows who was bullied in school for being short, fat, smart, wearing glasses, or being different in any way from some perceived norm—or anyone who is poor and needs unemployment benefits, welfare, or food stamps due to a death, divorce, or downsizing—being demonized, reviled, and persecuted is not just reserved for those who are dangerous.
History has shown over and over again that groups of people can do terrible things to other people when they have been taught to fear them (and we are often taught that by those who will profit in wealth or power from that induced fear). We demonize an entire race of people or all the members of a religion when a few members of that race or religion act out and do violent things. And now we have elected officials and media personalities who, in our 24/7 news cycle, seem determined to convince everyone that all Muslims hold exactly the same views and, for our safety, we must fear and loathe them, even those who are fleeing their homes for their lives to get away from other Muslims who are creating havoc, disruption, and war, or those who were born here or have lived peacefully in the country for decades. It seems that we forget there have been many so-called Christian terrorists, as well.
Why would we believe that all members of any nation, race, or religion, are exactly alike? Are all Christians alike in their beliefs or the tenets to which they adhere? Of course not. How many Catholics eschew birth control, as traditionally taught in Catholicism? How many still believe divorce is a sin? Although these doctrines are taught, many, many Catholics do not follow them. Yet we are asked by some to believe that all Muslims believe and practice the same precepts being used to justify violence by a group that may or may not be acting from a religious, rather than political, agenda.
It really is time for humanity to learn that most things are not just "black or white," even though it may be easier or more expeditious to believe that they are. Most things are, at the very least, "50 Shades of Gray"! It’s time to realize that we are all different and, while we can always find others who look, feel, believe, think, and act the same, it is a fallacy to think that "all men," "all women," "all Americans," "all Christians," "all Catholics," or "all" anything are alike in all ways. Certainly there are people in every walk of life, in every race, culture, and religion who act in bad and sometimes very violent ways, but they are the minority.
Would all Christians withhold marriage licenses from gay couples as one woman did in Kentucky? No! Are all white Southerners merely waiting to walk into traditionally black churches to gun down worshippers? No! Are all police officers racist or quick to shoot? No! Would any of us like to be judged, condemned, and demonized merely because of our race, nationality, religion, or even our profession, because someone else became violent and did horrendous things? NO!
Trying to make things a simple choice between one extreme or another, or to demonize and label an entire category of people, results from lazy, illogical thinking, and a lack of taking responsibility for one’s thoughts, beliefs, and discernment.
As we move slowly out of the Piscean Age, it is interesting to remember that one of the hallmarks of those 2,600 years was "duality," which focuses only on the extremes, with nothing in the middle—"all or nothing," "us versus them," "with me or against me," "right or wrong," and, yes, "black or white." Other hallmarks of the Piscean Age is the rise and dominance of hierarchy and all the "-isms," such as nationalism, communism, capitalism, and racism.
The new, Aquarian Age, urges us all toward liberty, freedom, and brotherhood. It also requires us all to grow up, use our own discernment and stop blindly playing "follow the leader;" take responsibility for our thoughts, beliefs, and actions; condemn bullying and abuse of power of any kind; move away from blind fear—of others, and of the unknown—and toward love, compassion, and respect for each other; and to act with courage, when needed, to protect and help "the least of these, thy brethren," as Jesus exhorted his followers.
In fact, many believe that those who are looking for "the Second Coming" of Christ to come as the return of Jesus are really looking in the wrong direction; that the true "Second Coming" is when humans start acting, individually, in a more Christ-like manner, with love for one another. It doesn't really look like we're doing very well with that, does it? It is fascinating to see so many so-called Christians acting in such un-Christian ways because of their overwhelming fear, yet they cannot see what they are doing or how hypocritical they are.
Much of the "escalation" in recent decades—and even in the last 100-200 years—is a result of the conflicting energies of the old paradigm of the Piscean Age and the new paradigm of the Aquarian Age, as the old fights against giving way to the new. These are not compatible energies, especially as we move away from following external authority to following internal authority and as we move from fear into love.
Every single person on the planet is caught up in these conflicting energies, and many, many people feel that they will literally explode from the pressure of the conflict within themselves. Outmoded, entrenched ideas and ways of being do not give up easily and go away, within ourselves or out in the world, simply because "it is time."
Due to the intensifying energies, the amount of fear-mongering and fear/anxiety among the population, the amount of separation because of "otherness," the amount of fundamentalism, and the amount of violence have increased exponentially—aided and abetted by the increased casual violence in our culture (on TV, in movies, in video games) and our continuous warmongering, which cumulatively brainwash us to accept violence and killing as "normal" rather than horrific; and, yes, it is also fueled by fearful reactions to the rapid changes in technology and personal freedoms in society.
Although these strong conflicting energies, choices, and changes are merely reflecting the nature of the times we are in, that does not mean it is easy to navigate these huge waves of change! The Cherokee legend, above, lays it out in a deceptively simple way. The "wolves" are constantly on television, on the news, and within each of us, asking us to make the choice of which wolf we will feed, and quite often, because of all the elaborate justifications, it is not clear which we are actually feeding. Often it comes down to what we are willing to give up to preserve our illusion of safety; and often we do not realize the extent or importance of what we have given up until it's too late. It is up to each of us to learn discernment and take responsibility for what we choose to think, believe, and do.
Make no mistake: THIS is the time, and THIS is the way we will collectively and individually define or refine who we are and what we stand for… one choice at a time. As we used to say, THIS is where the rubber meets the road! We may only see in retrospect, over time, the fullness of who we have chosen to be, and whether we can be proud of that or not. THIS is when and how we decide, collectively and individually, whether we will create Heaven on Earth or condemn ourselves to Hell.
So, as we think about the complexities in the world and which wolf we will feed, it behooves us to remember other times when specific groups were demonized or singled out as targets of fear and prejudice, and to remember what was done to those "others" because of that fear. It behooves us to remember that in the United States, most of us have ancestors who came here as refugees, fleeing starvation, oppression, or war. Aren't we fortunate that our forebears were allowed into the country and provided safe haven?
Fear can be an important emotion, a signal that something is wrong, and caution is required. But blind, irrational, unthinking fear is like a nasty, contagious virus. It puts us into an emotionally reactive state, reduces us to our most primal aspects, and cuts us off from our guidance from Spirit and from our higher and nobler selves and instincts. The only inoculation or protection against this debilitating virus is to consciously recognize its presence, choose to put the fear aside, pause and breathe, and let love in to inform our reactions and decisions.
Being loving does not mean that we must be naïve or allow ourselves to be used or taken advantage of. We can be loving, and still be cautious, informed, and discerning; we can be loving, and still act intelligently, prudently, and responsibly for all concerned and for the greater good. But when we throw away all of our finer traits of compassion, generosity, and kindness (personally and nationally) because we have succumbed to overwhelming fear, suspicion, and greed, that is when we have, in fact, chosen to nourish the "evil" wolf and we have "sold our souls to the devil." (Just remember: there WILL be a Life Review, and each and every choice does matter!)
If we cannot stand up with courage and empathy to help others being labeled, bullied, demonized, persecuted, and rounded up or run out of their homes—because of our fear and overwhelming need for security and control, or because of our need to project our own "dark side" onto others in an attempt to deny and externalize it—then, when it comes our time to be singled out, who will stand up for us?
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Martin Niemoller, German Protestant Pastor, who spoke out against Nazism and passive collusion
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Happy Holidays and a Magical New Year!
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I wish you all wonderful, loving, joyful Holidays,
and a magical and joyful New Year!
Next year, indeed, will be magical, a year that is “ripe” for manifestation, and all the planets are literally lining up to help us create meaningful change in our lives and in our world. We are all Divine Creators, so go out there and have fun creating what you wish to experience in your life!
All content copyright © Ellyn Dye, 2015
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Feeling Gratitude and Cultivating Peace
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This is the time of year when we collectively turn our attention to gratitude, love, joy, and peace. We take the time to show our loved ones how we feel. This can be quite a challenge in the best of times, because we add to our already busy lives by filling the holidays with parties, errands, shopping, and stress just at the time, in the Northern Hemisphere, when there is the least amount of light and energy to support us. As an added bonus, we often experience all the unresolved issues with our family coming up to smack us in the face!
This year, we have the additional challenge of a world in uproar, seemingly filled with violence, terrorism, threats, and fear. As we are being graphically reminded of the worst of human behavior, and as we are being viscerally shown our own fears, self-doubts, need for control (aka our "dark side" or "shadow"), it is important, for ourselves and the world, to search inside for our higher and nobler instincts and take them out into the world.
We must remember that if we all succumb to overwhelming fear and turn on each other with fear, suspicion or hatred, then the terrorists have won. There IS a war being waged, and it is most importantly a war for our consciousness, for our Spirit, for our souls. When we lose ourselves to fear, we lose that war.
My wish for everyone this year is a massive refocusing on Love, Joy, Gratitude, Peace, and Abundance in ourselves, for ourselves and our loved ones, and for every human being on the planet.
In these hectic, often stress-filled days, I hope you will take the time to rebalance and re-center and re-ground yourself, that you retain or regain hope, love, and optimism.
When we spiral down into fear, pessimism, and depression, it is easy to stay there and to not only infect others, but to create and attract circumstances in our lives that enhance and reinforce those feelings.
The good news is that we can also do the reverse: Consciously remaining hopeful, loving, and peaceful attracts circumstances in our lives that reinforce those feelings. Don't believe it? Try it out and see! You'll not only feel better, but happier things may come your way!
You might want to read my past articles on Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men (December 2014) and on Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude (November 2013). They still apply today.
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Venus and Jupiter Bless Us
for the Holidays!
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We get another break this month, just in time for the Holidays. Venus, the planet of Love and Value, and Jupiter, the planet of Generosity and Good Fortune, are quite active this month to help us celebrate!
On December 21, the Winter Solstice, the Sun enters Capricorn, the start of a new solar year, celebrated by the ancients as the Return of the Light and/or the Coming of the Sun (Son). Those in the Northern Hemisphere will experience more light every day as the days become longer.
On December 24, Venus sextiles Jupiter, energizing love, generosity and good fortune.
December 25 is blessed with a Super Full Moon in Cancer trining Neptune, giving us a double-whammy of harmony, especially related to home and family. Uranus will also go direct, after five months of retrograde, so we should experience an oomph of energy and an inclination toward humanitarian causes.
And we'll end the year on a high note, as Venus moves into Sagittarius, emphasizing partying, optimism, and new experiences.
Mercury will retrograde January 5-25, and we are already in its "shadow," so use caution when taking advantage of after-Holiday sales, especially of electronics or anything related to transportation. You might want to get rolling on your New Year's Resolutions early because, after January 5, despite your good intentions, starting new ventures will not be well aspected or supported. The month of January will be a good time to review the past year and do research and preparation for launching new initiatives and activities in February.
*Find out more about Mercury Retrograde in the October 2013 issue of Tunnel Vision.
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Sedona Journal of Emergence
Published My Article!
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This month I'm celebrating because my article about 2016, "The Year of the Empowered Human," was published in the December predictions issue of The Sedona Journal of Emergence!
The Sedona Journal is a well-established metaphysical magazine that has been published since the 1970s. The December issue is available for sale now, in bookstores and online. I'll publish the article in my newsletter next month, but you can also find a link to it on my website.
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Need Some Help Navigating the Waves of Change?
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These are the best of times and the worst of times! Humans hate going through change, and we usually resist like crazy, even when we are undergoing changes that we want. And resistance only makes it all much harder!
If you need help navigating these waves of change, stepping into Who You Really Are, and making some of the difficult choices that often come with that, check out my Intuitive Life Coaching services on my website.
With my knowledge of the times of Shift that we are experiencing, and the perspective and wisdom I gained from my Near-Death Experience, I can help you understand what you're going through, where you're headed, and how to get there with as much joy and ease as possible.
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It's not too late to get your calendars for 2016! Here's what you'll find on my website, www.LionMagic.com:
 My 2016 travel calendars are now available at discount prices! Check out calendars with photos from Alaska, Bermuda, France, Grand Canyon and Sedona, Ireland, and Jamaica.
My me taphysical fantasy novel, The Search for the Crystal Key, is an adventure for all ages about believing in yourself and the power of love, with tools for living and information about how life works that I received during my NDE. Available now in paperback, EPub, and Kindle! This is a great gift for those "new kids" on your list, ages 10 and above! Great for any age.
 Downloadable mp3s of my Journey Through the Tunnel presentation and guided meditation to go through the Tunnel of Light, feel the unconditional Love of Home, and bring it back to planet earth.
And FREE for your information:
Recordings of new radio interviews, with discussions of my NDE, what I learned, and what's going on "out there."
My "3 minutes of fame" on Fox News talking about my NDE!!
The complete list of "What I Learned from Dying."
The video of "Creating Heaven from Hell," my September 2012 presentation at the conference of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), with details about the Great Shift and the astrological influences, what is happening, and what we can do to navigate through these times of radical and dramatic change.
The Archives of all past issues of Tunnel Vision!
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Please Share Tunnel Vision
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If you liked this issue of Tunnel Vision— if it inspired you or caused you to stop and think about something in a different way—please share it! If you re-post an article, please credit my authorship and add a link or reference to my website, www.LionMagic.com. Thank you!
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 I am an Intuitive Coach, Public Speaker, Author, Reconnective Healing® practitioner, and Practical Mystic.
A Near-Death Experience (NDE) in 1985 expanded my psychic abilities and created a link with some very loving—and humorous—Guardians of humanity and the ancient wisdom, who gave me a huge amount of information about life and the evolution of mankind.
I bring this knowledge and connection to my clients and audiences, along with over 30 years’ accumulated wisdom and understanding of metaphysics, life on earth, and Who We Really Are.
I am the author of the metaphysical fantasy novel, The Search for the Crystal Key—an adventure about believing in yourself and the power of Love; and I am currently writing a new book, Creating Heaven on Earth... One Soul at a Time; A How-To Manual from the Perspective of a Near-Death Experience.
Find out more at LionMagic.com.
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