Sometimes Being with family can be hard.

Sometimes being with family can be hard. I recall the Ram Dass quote -- "you think you're enlightened? Go spend a week with your parents..."

Yet being in relationship is our best access to transformation - our best access to Love - because others act as our mirrors reflecting back to us all that we offer the world...the good, the bad and the ugly.

And who better to be our best mirrors than the people who we are closest to...

This weekends' lunar eclipse highlighted family and romantic relationships...and it just so happens that my parents are here visiting in Hawaii.

We've shared stories, had laughs, eaten great meals together, went a wonderful talk-story event last night with Hawaiian music...but it hasn't been a walk in the park the entire time. We've argued, got angry, triggered, hurt. We all had our "stuff" come up.

For me, I realize how easy it is to get caught up in the 'blame game' and I how much I've been blaming my parents for all things I don't like about myself.

When we make our parents (or anyone!) "wrong", we're really just expressing our own self-hatred.

And when we attempt to control another's behavior, it's a futile attempt to control Life.

This visit hasn't been pretty 100% of the time...but at least I can use the hard times as an opportunity to look at myself and make the changes that are necessary to love ME more...and as a natural extension, to love THEM more.

Our parents gave us Life. They took care of us and loved us to the very best of their ability.

Forgive yourself for all the times that you didn't realize that Truth, and be grateful for the opportunity to remember.

#LOVErevolution #therealdeal #Cycles #ho'oponopono #Mirrors #Truth #unlock #unlockwhoyoureallyare

When I Didn't Think I was Beautiful...

When I was a teenager, my self-image was completely distorted so I had a nose job because I didn’t think I was attractive enough.

The surgery was so painful and traumatic…it wasn’t very long before I completely regretted and resented that I had the operation.

And I still thought that I was ugly.

It wasn’t until I ‘woke up’ at age 28 that I realized how beautiful I am.

And when I finally realized it and declared that I was beautiful, the strangest thing occurred…

Like magic - and for the first time ever - people and strangers EVERYWHERE starting approaching me to tell me I was beautiful: the guy at the corner bodega who sold me coffee every morning, a stranger on the subway, others walking down the street…it was a complete breakthrough.

I had always looked to others to tell me that I was attractive (or worthy, or good enough), but it wasn’t until I realized myself how beautiful I actually was, that the outside world started to tell me too.

We all have emotional trauma that acts as a block in our lives. What's your emotional trauma? For assistance releasing it: https://snapappointments.com/listing/2LG or email: keri@kerisender.com

You are the Dance...

Just spent a week in Maui for OneDanceTribe Hawaii 2017.

I danced through so much that it feels like I'm still processing and catching up from the shifts and ripples that all the movement invoked in the swirling tidepool that is (my) Life...

And I found God in the dance.
Or rather, I surrendered until Spirt danced me...

It's hard to explain the pure awe and utter delight in knowing that your hands and arms are moving but that you aren't the one moving them.

It's the experience of a deep knowing of the Truth that ultimately God is the one in control.

I also danced until I lost my mind...but not in a way that I felt crazy. In a way that I listened to my body so much that my brain stopped trying to run the show. My brain had nothing left to say.

I danced until I found my power, and then I gave it away to another dancer. I fell in love and got my heart broken and all to be reminded of the basics of Attachment 101.

I danced through crisis and longing, reached and pulled until I couldn't help but to yield to the dance. 

I was left with a choice to dance in struggle or dance to surrender...

Life can feel unsure at times. The dance can feel confusing and rocky...yet when we stop and remember that we are being danced by God...well, that we can trust.

Because we ARE the dance.

Journey Through My Energetic Sensitivity

At 8 years old, my mother was depressed. I could hear her sobbing and crying from her bedroom upstairs for hours.

The last thing I wanted was my Mom to be sad, so I made a decision:

On a subtle, energetic level I decided that like a sponge or an energetic magnet, I would use my empathic abilities and take on her sadness so that she wouldn’t have to hold it.

It was my attempt to heal her…and many others throughout my life.

In my early thirties I started to understand just how much I would dissolve my boundaries and take on everyone else’s energy instead of feeling and focusing on my own energy and Truth.

This was particularly overwhelming when I was a trauma therapist. After a full day of seeing clients who were survivors of severe physical and sexual abuse, I remember walking home at night and suddenly feeling frightened in the City streets I had felt completely safe on for almost 10 years.

As a result, my time as a trauma talk therapist was one of the darkest periods of my life.

When I truly recognized that I was taking on other people’s energy, it was like I drew back the heavy red velvet curtains of a theater and saw the backstage version of me.

I realized that when I didn’t have to take on everyone else’s energy and heal them, I could actually work on healing myself.

I started to tune into what I was feeling and experiencing on the inside, instead of constantly reading others.

At first though, I was angry at myself for not focusing on my own energy. I was also completely  frustrated because I didn’t know how to stop.

My Supervisors at the trauma clinic didn’t help ease all my self-judgement. Instead of aiding me in my energetic sensitivity, they grew increasingly concerned of how my client’s stories and symptoms were impacting me (called “vicarious trauma” in the field) and eventually decided to fire me because they didn’t know how else to help.

So it’s been a process I’ve had to figure out myself.

And in this process I’ve learned that when I feel things for others, I am not actually resolving their pain in any real or long-term way.

I am only trying to do the work for them, instead of focusing on myself to gain that much more self-awareness and self-mastery.

So little by little,  I stopped taking on my clients’ energy. Then I stopped taking on my friends’ energy.  For a whole year, I focused on my energetic attachment to my Mother.  I’m still learning how to manage my energetic sensitivity with my life partner.

Today, I know how to use my empathy and energetic sensitivity to assist my clients. I connect to, and tune in with others to facilitate mental, spiritual and energetic clearing.  Together we untangle unnecessary blocks and create new patterns of thought and behavior.

And it’s truly a beautiful thing to help others find the keys to Unlock Who They Really Are.

Finding Faith Amongst Any & All Circumstances + the *NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Holiday Special Package*

Finding Faith Amongst Any & All Circumstances +
the *NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Holiday Special Package*

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Greetings and Salutations,

Important information came through from God/Spirit/Higher Power recently for me to share with you:

Be aware of the times you feel hopeless because in essence you are telling Spirit "I don't really trust you".

If Spirit were your friend, how do you think being uncertain about them would effect your relationship?

If your perception of the friend is full of anxiety or mistrust then they will appear untrustworthy, despite the Truth of who they are.

Too much worry shows Spirit you don't believe.
So relax and allow the ebbs and flows of life to carry you along to your destiny.

Choose to believe in Spirit every second.
Choose to believe in yourself.

*NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Holiday Special*

The New Year is a powerful time to shed old ways of Being to
Unlock Who You Really Are.

I fully support you in letting go of old energy so you can create YourSelf to be the version of you who you desire to be, so I am offering a

*NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Holiday Special* 
which includes:

The Igniter Program: 
Three (3) 50-minute Clearing & Transformation Sessions
+
3 Clearings or Activations from my Tools to Unlock You 

for only $297
(Up to $623 in Value!)

To purchase, schedule your 15-minute Alignment Inquiry Call HERE.

*Sessions are available over Skype or In-Person.
*Must Be Purchased before December 31st, 2016.

Release the past that has been holding you back
and Unlock Who You Really Are.

What People Say...

"Thank you for last night.. Thank you for being exactly who you are and being able to hold such a space for me. I love the way I feel more ME today. And I feel like I am back in my body again... 🙏" -G.P.

Sender-Receiver Suggests:

Don Slocum is my favorite Yogi Photographer.

From the magical Milky Way to stunning sunsets, his images remind us to bow to the awesomeness of Mother Nature.
Aluminum prints will make a spectacular addition to any space. Check out his work and order prints: http://www.donslocum.com/
*Special 15% Discount if purchased by December 24th.*

And if you live in West Hawaii, join Don in a 90-minute led Ashtanga Yoga Class:

Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:30pm-7pm
$20 Drop-In / $80 Monthly
*First Class Free*
Malama I Ka Ola Holistic Health Center in Holualoa
76-5914 Mamalahoa Hwy Holualoa, HI 96725
 

Here to Remind You to Believe,
Keri xo

www.UnlockWhoYouReallyAre.com
917-592-1883
keri@kerisender.com

The Importance of Grounding Right Now

The Holiday Season is such a busy time of year that it can often result in life feeling stressful and unbalanced.

Make a commitment to take on a daily grounding practice every morning.

Grounding practices are a short exercises that set a powerful intention for your day to keep yourself calm and connected to the Earth.

Here's a powerful one that also incorporates connecting to the Heavens and creating a shield of protection from any energy around you that doesn't serve your Highest Good:

Transitions

Who are you in transition periods?
In the space between
the old story and the new one...

And how do you function within the pause?

Are you fearful of your future,
Or do you have Faith?

Can you feel yourself surrounded by the Grace of Spirit, 
Unraveling your ties to the Past...
Anchored by Trust,
Directed by the flutter of your own juicy red beating heart.

#unlock #unlockwhoyourreallyare

Practice Being Yourself...

At three years old I sat in a highchair around the dinner table and listened to everyone’s judgments and criticism of everyone else.

As I listened, a piece of my Soul slid right from out of the high-chair and landed all the way underneath the table on the kitchen floor.

I was mortified.

I wanted to hide.

If everyone else was being criticized, wouldn’t I also be judged?

This fear of being judged made it hard for me to be myself for the 25 years to come, until at age 28 my first spiritual teacher looked me straight in the eyes and said:

“Keri, when you walk into a room, half the people will love you and half of them will hate you before you even open your mouth to speak…

So you might as well just Be Yourself.”

Every day I practice Being MySelf.  

Every day I practice not giving a shit what people think when I walk into a room.

Droppin In: Iceland Edition

Iceland, you make me drop in so deep.
Faces of tourists show a whole world of insides, of perceptions of the world.

And at the same time...
Oneness.
The Holy Grail of Reality.

An icy brother of Hawai'i nei
for sure.
An Experience of Transitions.
And as I ingest the beauty,
the energy,
I can finally feel
the depth inside of me.

Eyes As Slits

When I close my eyes,

I feel awareness expanded.

I see some flecks of light, 

energy moving, 

bursts of red and orange.

I feel the same awareness 

When I look inside of my body.

a tight hamstring,

Electric energy spewing from toes,

an open heart.

When I open my eyes,

I feel no "I".

I have eyes as slits,

That rip from nothing 

Into Everything.

Gates into a single perspective,

The projector of one movie,

That IS all there Is.

Back to the Basics: Polulu Valley

This was the first time I hiked to the second valley alone, and this accomplishment has showed me my progress since I first got here 3 years ago.

Sometimes I forget how FREE I need to Be in order to be in alignment, and to Be happy.

What a blessing to be reminded again. I asked Spirit how and it showed me the way. I just keep asking questions, opening up the energy and letting the journey show me the way...

And up here, at the top of this gorgeous Valley pondering how on Earth did Spirit create all this beauty, and create me, and have me stand here in my little pink shorts and grant me the grace to witness this beauty...only then do I remember that Spirit is the greatest mystery of all. Spirit is not to be understood...and I learn my lesson in humility.

Up to the Mountain, Keri's Version

I went up to the Mountain,
to connect with Great Spirit.
Humbled and awestruck by the
Powerful Hawaiian energies
that unlock my third eye
And feed mana into the sky
where I shower in the Milky Way,
and far out-galaxies and
countless shining stars.
I am grateful for the message I received
up on Mauna Kea:
A reminder that all of life is projected out of Ajna, 
my third eye...
That there is no difference between me
and that Milky Way,
That I am as Divine as those far-out galaxies,
That I am the same as each and every star.

The Caldera

Last night I went to the Caldera,
With moonbows dumping into Pele's pot of Gold, 
the Milky Way hovering close, 
and the brightest Mama Luna illuminating the early morning Sky.
With my boots scraping the dusty earth,
I danced a wave.
I flowed around the cliff side
And danced a silent thank you to Madame Pele. 
I danced a silent thank you to the upcoming Spring,
To the balance of light and dark,
And to celebrate the light beginning it's turn to prevail.
I surrendered my body to move with the cool windy gusts that mixed with Spirit.
And after my movements led me to Stillness,
I took that Flow and tucked it into my pocket.
And showered in the Volcano Goddess.
I let the warm glow of lava,
Fill my heart and Soul.

Shadow-Werk.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO READ MY NEWSLETTERS OR SEE MY POSTS ON FACEBOOK OFTEN TELL ME HOW POSITIVE I AM.

AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I AM GENERALLY A POSITIVE FORCE OF LIGHT. I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND I ALWAYS WILL BE...

WITH THAT BEING SAID LIFE AND HEALING IS A JOURNEY, AND EVEN I HAVE THOSE DAYS AND MOMENTS THAT ARE NOT SO FULL OF SUNSHINE.

WE ALL HAVE OUR MOMENTS DANCING WITH OUR SHADOWS. 

OUR MOMENTS DANCING WITH THE DARK. 

FOR ME PERSONALLY, I GET FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY WHEN MY EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT FULFILLED OR WHEN THINGS DON'T GO MY WAY. 
I COMPARE MYSELF TO OTHERS, GET COMPETITIVE AND INSECURE WHEN I SEE PEOPLE ACHIEVING GOALS THAT I HAVE YET TO ACHIEVE MYSELF.

AND SOMETIMES, I JUST HAVE A STRAIGHT-UP NEGATIVE TAPE RUNNING RAMPANT IN MY HEAD WHERE I THINK NOTHING BUT DISMAL, DREARY THOUGHTS FOR MY FUTURE!

HOW DO WE MOVE FROM A SHADOWY GHETTO TO THE SPACE WHERE WE MEET OUR FULL SELVES, BRIMMING WITH OPTIMISM, AWARENESS AND LIGHT?

SHADOW-WERK.

IT'S FUNNY TO USE THE TERM 'WORK' THOUGH 

(OR 'WERK' IF WE WANT TO BE IN TOUCH WITH OUR DRAG QUEEN SIDE ;) BECAUSE WE THINK THE WORD 'WORK' MEANS DOING SOMETHING, LIKE CHANGING OR FIXING IT.

BUT WITH SHADOW-WERK, THE "WORK" ACTUALLY IS TO DO NOTHING...EXCEPT OBSERVE.

ACCORDING TO MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE SPIRITUAL TEACHER RAM DASS, OBSERVING THE SHADOWS MEANS INVITING THEM 'IN FOR TEA'.

THE WORK IS GETTING TO KNOW THE SHADOWS. 

GETTING REEEAAAALLLLY INTIMATE WITH THEM.
NOT TO JUDGE THEM.
(YOU'RE HUMAN, AFTER ALL AND EGO CAME WITH THE PACKAGE.)
THE WORK IS TO INSPECT THEM, OBSERVE THEM AND NOTICE THEM. 

TO MAKE THE SHADOWS YOUR FRIENDS.
TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR THEM JUST LIKE YOU WOULD IF THEY WERE YOUR FRIENDS.... 

SO HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH THOSE SHADOWS?
AND WHERE CAN YOU GET UNATTACHED TO THE SHADOWS AS THE TRUTH AND INSTEAD SEE THEM AS MATERIAL FOR EVEN MORE AWARENESS OF YOUR SELF? 

Love YourSelf.

The most important thing you can do is LOVE YOURSELF. 

In essence nothing else matters, because it all stems from Self-Love.

Everything that you manifest in the outside world is simply a product of how you think of yourself. 

Your world is a product of your beliefs --nothing more and nothing less.

I'm Taking Advantage of this Mercury Retrograde

I'm taking advantage of this Mercury Retrograde,

and pulling my awareness deeper inside.

Down through all the dusty, dark layers.

Discovering the parts of me that still think I'm separate from everything and everyone...

The parts of me that are so insecure 

that I don't post on social media for fear that I won't be as "liked" as I want to.

Untangling myself from a lifetime of being told that I need to look good in front of others,

And care about what they think.

That I have to do it that or this way.

Digging into the deep ditches of myself 

that STILL doesn't fully trust others.

Contemplating what it means for me to Live my Passion at THIS moment in time.

Tapping into that well inside of myself that will keep on keeping on, 

That knows that my process is wonderful and beautiful and unfolding 

just. as. it. should. BE.

And I will RISE

again and again 

like a Phoenix,

Until I'm fully born into the version of me 

That's who I TRULY am.

2 Months. 9 Cities.

2 months.
9 cities.
North India.
South India.
3 meditation & yoga courses.
Multiple kriyas.
Lots of karma.
A bunch of temples.
More than half a dozen bouts of a sick stomach from something I ate.
Several moments of impatience and frustrations.
Countless smiles.
Many moments of joy.
Ridiculously amazing food,
Beautiful snowy mountain tops.
Airplanes, trains, buses,
taxis, rickshaws, bicycles
and motorcycles.
Deep connections...

How did I managed to get so attached to you, India?
The calm chaotic hustle of your big cities,
The feeling of mushy rice in between my fingers as I eat on the floors of your ashrams
with deep gratitude and joy.
The unexpected friendships,
Early morning pujas,
Pre-dinner chanting,
And after dinner strolls
to converse with the statue of Shiva,
Reminding me of the Illusion
And my Goddess within.

I'm sad to leave you India,
But I will be back
For more opening of my mind and body,
For more levels of learning,
energy,
And awareness.
Until then...
Thank you
 and Namaste. 🙏

The Road from Manali to Amristar

Layers of India are peeling off,

And I see deeper into "the game".

Street kids who read minds,

And holy hot springs too scalding to enter.

In the cold nights of the Himalayas,

I dream about past lovers,

And I create my future.

A one way ticket to my destiny.

Fellow tourists commiserating about the cauldron of emotions that bubble on the buses and trains.

Sad to leave but ready to go.

Unexplained tears roll down my cheeks.

How exhilarating it is

on the dirty, dusty 

16-hour local bus to the next City.

When Infinite possibilities lie ahead.

alone again,

to be reborn, 

To be FREE.

If only we could remember 

this is Truth in every moment...

There's something that happens 

around hour 11 of the 16 hour bus ride,

After the teenage boy vomited several times,

And many have been standing the entire ride,

And a flat tire at midnight that took 1 hour and a dozen Indians to fix...

The I's on this overcrowded bus melt

Into one collective.

We are ONE energy.

now I can feel everyone's eyelids heavy from lack of sleep,

Not just my own.

We bounce from the bumps on the road in unison.

Over the potholes together now,

I am no longer a tourist.

I am part of this lovely Indian heartbeat

on the trail from Manali to Amristar.

This strong heart that still smiles and laughs 

On hour 11 of this 16 hour journey.

And I realize that I am amongst Buddhas.

A prelude to Amritsar,

Golden Temple of Oneness.

Tears trickle down my face again

This time from sheer beauty.

A prayer or two matches each thali plate 

filled with love 

and cleaned from Seva,

pure service. 

My heart is open 

From the utter magnificence,

the uncanny resonance,

And the sweet Parshan

That I share 

With everyONE.

Thank you Mother India,

for reminding me in the most unexpected of moments.

At 1am on the winding road

from Manali to amritsar.

And for leading me to this holy Temple

made of love and gold.