Women with Passion: Spiritual & Soul Mentor Marita Rahlenbeck

I was recently interviewed by Kimberly Riggins, Founder/Creator of Kimberly Riggins, the Art of Eating Chocolate Naked for her Women with Passion series.

Why are you so passionate about [your work]?

The world is hurting, and the people in it are hurting. This hurt is so unnecessary. As I do my work and witness the breakthroughs, the relief, the joy, I am repeatedly reminded that this is my calling.

My job on this planet at this time is to give people the opportunity to step out of their unhappy routine, their robotic life and see the possibilities that when the Light shines on and in them, these possibilities are screaming to be let go and given birth to!

What I do is sacred as I mirror the Divinity of who you are back to you.

If you had to inspire us in just 2 sentences or less, what would you say?

You have gifts and value within you along with the spark of the Divine. When you need support on your internal spiritual journey, I will help you.

To read the full blog interview, visit here.

Hello from Heaven

As December marches on ever closer to The Holidays I find myself reflecting on Death - a lot.

2012 has been a year of Death in my world.

Death to many things from dreams, love, and hope to people whom I hold dear.

It’s no secret that death is part of this dance we call life. Each and every year, indeed, every day, has an element of death to it. But 2012, for me, held too much, thank you.

The first many months held many lessons about death to Self. It was not a pretty time. I plodded through the mud and dark forest and eventually found a clearing until I was able to navigate into a beautiful place where the Sun was shining. It still shines...and I have new dreams, new love, new hope.

July forward held many deaths - my Mother died in July creating a tailspin of emotions that are just now, as I dig into Christmas things, bubbling up “from nowhere.” Two uncles died in Germany. One, when I saw him last, I knew I would never see him again. The second, my “favorite” if I may say, so, - we Skyped frequently and although I knew he was very ill, I did not allow myself to see the signs. So, when I got the word, I reeled in grief. And I watch from a land far away from his wife and my cousin as they navigate through their private grief and can only hold space for them, while I wish I could weep with them in my arms.

A dear friends father died on 11/11/12. They had a very private and small gathering; I was honored to be among them. I watched the family come together under the enchantment of the Matriarch. It was beautiful. Truly. I watched as my friend’s wife stood beside him with her love, strength and support and saw how well he had chosen his life partner.

A month later, on 12/12/12 my former husband’s father died, sending the entire family into grief at the unexpectedness of it all. Again I witnessed a Matriarch preside over her family with such Beauty and Grace. I saw a family not afraid to show their raw emotions - something rarely witnessed during my time as a family member. It was a beautiful thing to behold. The Patriarch had assembled his 12 children, 28 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren together from all around the country in his honor.

~~

So today, Archangel Oracle deck* in hand, I asked for a general card for today and tomorrow (Solstice) and laughed with delight when I read “Hello from Heaven.”

Archangel Azrael: “Your loved ones in Heaven are doing fine. Let go of worries, and feel their loving blessings.”  

~~   Did you know? Archangel Azrael is the Angel of Death? ... Either did I.


Offering you extra special Holiday Blessings today and each day from my heart to yours.


* Doreen Virtue’s Archangel Oracle Cards

Reaching Out In Loving Kindness

I have been known to plop myself down beside a “stranger” and say hello. I am not shy. Some of that boldness comes from my being raised by German immigrants and spending a great deal of my youth in Germany with my extended family. If you’ve never traveled to Germany, if you or a party of two go into a restaurant and it’s “full” it is not uncommon to be seated with another party.

In my teens I trekked throughout Europe more than once, backpack on my back and Eurail pass close to my chest. I traveled alone. And, contrary to what you may think, so did many, many others. Our natural human tendency is to befriend. So saying hello, offering a hairdryer to bickering travel companions (true story! and after over 30 years I am still in contact with one of them!), and connecting with strangers came easy.

Now, I live across the street from the Masonic Home where they offer transitional care and assisted living. I love to walk the campus. On a recent walk, I noticed a couple sitting in the sun; my Voice told me to go say hello. It was a lovely afternoon, so saying yes to this directive was easy.

They were love birds. She was very shy; he was exactly the opposite. You could tell he was the kind of person who is the life of the party. A quick wit and so sweet! My name is Hal; what’s yours? He asked me question after question. Sometimes repeating himself, revealing he suffers a bit from dementia. He asked if I had kids, yes. How old. 21. You’re not old enough for a child of that age. Why thank you. I do think I love you. And on and on our conversation went.

Did I like baseball. No. Not really. He pointed at my hat. A brand new Twins baseball cap. Yes, I can be incongruent. My ex-husband gave it to me. Ex? And thus began that rabbit hole of conversation about where he worked and lived. Funny. How he found all the minutea interesting....

He did not want me to leave, but at long last I really wanted to finish my walk....He made me promise to come visit again.

This sign is found on the Masonic Campus.Fast forward a week and I am again walking through that lovely campus. I see someone sitting on a bench up ahead. As I get closer he’s now getting up and walking back to the building. As I approach, I greet him with enthusiasm so as not to frighten him. And it was Hal! Oh, it was so much fun to see him again. I walked back with him and he flirted with me, not remembering that I knew he already had a love bird lady friend. *Grin*

On this impromptu visit he asked what type of work I did. What did I write? Where do you live? So far? That’s a long walk; I hope you make it. And I, in turn, learned all about his wife Patty who died 12 years ago and his three children...

When was the last time you engaged in a conversation with someone you didn’t know? Wasn’t it fun? Each of us has a gift to offer another. I gifted this couple, and later Hal alone, by seeing them, acknowledging them, engaging with them. Fifteen minutes tops.

Do something special for someone you don’t know. It might mean sitting down and having a chat; it may be holding the door open for someone who’s coming up behind you; it might be intentionally looking at someone in the eye and seeing him.

I’d love it if you’d share in the comment section below what you did and how it rocked your world (and theirs). Go ahead, make someone’s day serendipitous and then tell us about it so it can live on ...

Music And Its Magic

For literally years my mentor said Music, Movies, Music, Movies, Music, Movies => they will shift you faster than anything. I resisted (because, I confess, I did not understand the depth of its Truth).

I, in the past and for most of my life, have preferred Silence. Just Silence. Or perhaps a nice Mozart Concerto.

In the last year, however, that’s changed. Something shifted inside me, and I suddenly could hear the Code, Source Code, Symbolism in the music. Then, a very difficult life experience took my new found appreciation for music to the next level. I recognized how my Guides used the music to show me something very specific. I recognized when I was being told to turn on the radio and lo and behold there was the perfect song to speak to the very depth of my being. Music has become a way for my Guides to help me see things, understand things, appreciate what is, and shift. I appreciate this unique way of being guided and inspired.

When I look at the music I enjoy, I am rather surprised at the variety that is represented. People who know me well are rather (not so quietly) surprised at some of the music I listen to. Enigma to Daughtry. The Piano Guys to Nickelback.  Mat Kearney to Altiyan Childs. (who is Altiyan Childs? Just one of the hottest artists in New Zealand and Australia. We’re missing out here in the US.) Some pieces ARE quite unlike me. (Like Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Blue on Black with the long guitar solo?! yes, really.) I certainly cannot explain it. I choose to delight in this new part of me.

What I do Know is that our voice has a resonance, almost like a signature, that speaks to others on a level we cannot comprehend. So music, then, heals and shifts on many different levels with its multi-faceted layers. There is the voice of the artist, the lyrics and the actual music. During intense times of change and shift, you may find that you listen to the same song over and over and over again and/or the same vocalist over and over and over again. Some facet of the music is working on a deep level like a salve. I can’t explain it, but I Know it to be true. ~ Feel the need to listen yet just can't one more time? Play it and mute it. The energy alone will do its magic. No need for you to actually listen to it. Allow your body and Soul to do the work without your ears involved.

Now, I consciously turn OFF the music to be in the Silence. How very interesting!

And I appreciate both Silence and the healing of music - all varieties of music.

What changes within yourself have you noticed that takes you by surprise?

Gratitude For Everything . . . Even Cancer

Today's guest blogger is Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW. Ashley is a psychotherapist and author living in southern New Hampshire.  She is the author of “Shortcuts to Inner Peace” and “Transcending Loss.”  For more resources and information, visit her website at www.ashleydavisbush.com.

I frequently write about the importance of gratitude as a practice in living a life of more joy, more happiness, more love.  Occasionally, someone will challenge me,

“It’s easy to be grateful when life is going smoothly, but what about when times are really tough?”

“All the more reason to cultivate gratitude,” I generally respond.

Recently, however, my 46 year old husband was diagnosed with colon cancer.  After a CT scan, a colonoscopy, and major surgery, he’s now embarking on the journey of chemotherapy.  This life changing and often overwhelming experience has pushed me more than ever to walk my talk.  

It is extremely tempting to focus on all the negative aspects of my ‘life interrupted,’   from the giant fear that surrounds this diagnosis to the gut wrenching financial strain of huge medical bills.  Then too there’s the more fine-tuned negativity of resenting this life detour and feeling self-pity at the stress of managing a full schedule without a full capacity spouse.

Yet, deep down, I know that I have the choice as to whether I shine the flashlight of my attention on my difficult circumstances (no matter how legitimately worrisome) or whether I shine my attention on my many gifts and blessings.  Yes, I would say that upon going through this challenge, I need to choose gratitude now more than ever. 

My gratitude list includes but is not limited to:

Gratitude for Western medicine

Although it’s easy to take our medical advancements for granted, I have found myself blown away by and extremely grateful for diagnostic tests, skilled surgical teams, anesthesia, efficient nursing staff, a clean and competent hospital, major medical health insurance, pain medication, and even the miracle (and potentially life-saving quality) of chemotherapy.  In another time, in another country, these resources would not be available. 

Gratitude for support

There’s nothing like a crisis to bring out the kind and generous nature of people.  I have been moved to tears by the compassionate support of family, friends, loved ones and even strangers.  While specific visitors, meal deliveries, gifts, flowers, and cards have been much appreciated, the heartfelt well wishes and prayers offered through the venue of social media (primarily Facebook), has uplifted me during dark moments.

Gratitude for the human body

While I am more aware than ever of the fragility of the human body, I am also more in touch with its miraculous healing properties.  To think that a body can be cut and sliced and then can heal itself is incredible.  And the ability of the immune system to protect the body from germs and infection leaves me in awe of the design of this beautiful, physical machine.

Gratitude for my faith

With every new challenging life circumstance, I find myself ever grateful for my deep faith in the Divine.  I typically rely on my spiritual practices (prayer, meditation, Shortcuts to inner peace) and open myself to trusting that everything is as it should be (even if it isn’t always as I would have it!)

Gratitude for the comforts of home

I find that the simple comforts of home provide a web of security that keep me grounded.

Gratitude for the love between me and my husband

I am grateful for the extraordinary love that we share every day and I am secure in the knowledge that even death cannot diminish our eternal love.

Gratitude to know that I am not alone

As I hear stories of others who have survived cancer (or not survived), and stories of tragedy and triumph, I feel myself connected to the human condition.  I know that my husband and I are not the first, nor the last, to be on this journey.  Sickness and eventual death are ever-present realities, part of the package deal of being alive.  I realize that I am not alone and I am grateful for that.

Gratitude for the cancer itself

Perhaps this is the most challenging gratitude of all.  However I am aware that this experience with a life-threatening illness can, if I let it, increase my awareness, heighten my mindfulness practice, and sharpen my appreciation for life.  Whenever a challenging situation presents itself, I always find the best question to ask is, “What lessons can I learn from this?” 

As the surreal shock of diagnosis has faded to practical accommodation and finally to radical acceptance, I realize that gratitude will help me cope both now and every step along the way.  And so I nurture it quietly, steadfastly . . . and gratefully.

Each first Friday of the month, the topic here on my blog is Gratitude in preparation of the Day of Gratitude I host on my Facebook Page each month on the second Tuesday. Please join us July 10 in celebration of and with Gratitude. Want to contribute? I'd love to hear from you!

The Vortex In The Middle Of My Living Room

Last week I was a guest blogger for Shaman Medicine Woman's blog. It begins like this:

I have a vortex in the middle of my living room.

It began its activation in 2007 when I had a monthly Healing Circle in that room and continued in 2008 when I met a woman who channeled the Ascended Masters. The Healing Circle was replaced, so to speak, with opening my home to her and the Masters. That’s when it really kicked up. You can imagine the magic that was made!

Now, and since 2008, about twice each year I am guided to recharge the space. It’s usually around a full moon. I don’t plan it; it’s not on a schedule or anything. I just listen and then build a grid which, over time, takes on its own life. ...

For the balance of the story and for photos, please visit the original post.

In Memory Of Henry

We always think there is a tomorrow.

Why is that?

Why is that? (yes I am asking twice because I don’t understand!)

Sometimes I make choices assuming there are tomorrows. And you probably do, too.

Today I did my daily home HEART session and as I was integrating, my friend Henry came to visit. Henry died 3 years ago around this time. He was 93. Being in that higher brain space, the grief just poured out – no dam holding anything back. The only regret I have around Henry is that I did not call him back when he reached out to me.

I forgot. Plain and simple. No excuses. … that ate at me when his daughter called to tell me he’d left us. Ate.At.Me.

Henry and I met in 1995 at a festival where he was selling the jewelry he made, rock specimen and ironwood statues (He was a brilliant marketer. I could not decide between a hawk and a turtle, both totems for me. My 5 year old was looking at a $3 duck => read: very small duck. He told her If your mom buys both, I’ll give you the duck. I gave him the $100, he gave my daughter the duck!).

That was the beginning of many years of friendship. Many of the very unique rock specimen I own he allowed me to buy. I know it sounds odd that I use the word allow. But really, I consider it a privilege to own some of his pieces. I have the stories behind them. I have his joy and laugh imbued in them. And many of them he was so blessed to have found himself! That’s hard to say these days unless you visit a mine.

As he aged and slowed, I became ever more jealous and protective of the stones I’d purchased from him, knowing he’d one day leave me. And he was generous too, gifting me some very wow, awesome pieces.

So on this particular day, his spirit arrives, quite unexpectedly…and the regret comes to the surface again that I let him down. I knew he was lonely; his wife had died years before and he lived alone with his little dog. I worried about the flight of stairs he had to navigate to get to the laundry. You’d think I was his daughter – which I was, once upon a time in another life - that is so clear. We had a great relationship and friendship. I would bring him food, share meals with him, drive him on errands. I even picked him up and took him out of town for the day just for fun. At the time I drove a 2001 Jetta, and on the freeway he kept saying “ha, I’ll be darned. This is a nice, smooth ride” (inferring: for a small car) over and over again.

I made memories with him. Lots of very nice memories.

There’s a two pronged message here.

First, don’t assume you’ll have tomorrow to make that phone call, say you’re sorry to someone you know you’ve hurt, show kindness just because you can. Now. It’s all we ever have. Now.

I don’t believe in “judgment day.” I don’t believe we need that. We do it to ourselves so very well; why should someone else stand over us and beat us up? We’ve already done a great job in the present; no need to wait for the future.

In Aleph, Paula Coelho says:

"Even those who didn't do all they could have done have already been forgiven; they had their punishment while they were alive by being unhappy when they could have been living in peace and harmony. We are all redeemed and free to follow the path that has no beginning and will have no end."

Second, is HEART. As I mentioned in a previous post, HEART is leading edge technology to take humanity to the next level of Consciousness by creating new neuro-pathways in the brain. The body releases stress during the sessions in a unique full-bodied manner. And carrying around that guilt I had with Henry was apparently embedded so deep within me that on this particular occasion, it came to the surface. Interestingly, it was the anniversary week of his death.

I promise, I’ll be inspired to share more in-depth about HEART soon! In the meantime, though, if you Know within your being right now this is something you want for yourself, connect with me and I’ll put you on my list. I will be licensed in August, 2012.

And. Back to Henry. He knows I loved him. I know he loved me.

So. Go make that phone call and say what you need to say. Tomorrow may not come.

What Is The Relationship Of Gratitude With Your Day To Day Life?

Today's guest blogger is Sylvie Olivier. Sylvie is a visionary leader who spreads and infuses the Essence of Gratitude around the world uplifting people to live enhanced health, wealth and enriched relationships through transformative products and services.

She is a Bioenergetics Specialist and the author of the book Gratitude in Action ∞ Actions of Gratitude. She also obtained her certification as a practitioner of The One Command method as well as with the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Getting Thru Techniques (GTT) of the Awakenings Institute.

People are often asking me… “How can Gratitude help me when I have to face severe illness or I don’t know how to pay my bills?” Maybe are you experiencing some challenges at this very moment… maybe your relationship is falling apart, maybe you just lost your job or something else is happening to you now that is breaking your heart. Just know that Gratitude can bring you peace of mind and comfort during these hard times; Gratitude has the immense power to soothe you AND to shift your vibration to welcome new opportunities. This is amazingly powerful!

In fact, Gratitude can help you and support you more than you could ever imagine if only you would accept to fully embrace it in your life for a long enough period of time, while using your own will, this God-given faculty that we all have, to focus on everything that you already ARE, DO or HAVE, with a deep feeling of Gratitude in your heart.

Up until we experience it in our own life, we don’t really understand the power of Gratitude even though we think we do. And the good news is that we don’t have to work hard to know how to be grateful, for it is an integral part of who we are as a human being! The Essence of Gratitude is already flowing and circulating in you. You only have to become aware of its presence and acknowledge its power. Then, you will start to raise your level of awareness beyond ordinary thinking or ordinary consciousness, and you will feel more alive, happier, healthier and wealthier even though your actual circumstances have not yet changed!

By putting your attention and your focus on what makes your heart sing and your soul chant, YOU reveal to yourself the powerful human being that you already are! And by doing so, your level of awareness will raise and you will see things very differently. Instead of seeing lack or scarcity, you will begin to see abundance and prosperity everywhere! This is blissful and even magical… When we fully embrace the Essence of Gratitude in our life, we open ourselves up to living our life to the fullest; we become ready to live our purpose and our destiny!

The secret is in the feeling. The feeling of Gratitude indicates that you are having grateful thoughts and if you maintain this feeling long enough, it will transform the biochemical nature in your body – it will reduce stress, release tension and you will start acting and behaving in different ways AND, you will be open to receive things of greater nature such as optimal health, wealth and enriched relationships! Isn’t that great?

We are here to learn, grow and evolve, so every single situation that we live has the meaning of fulfilling this purpose. When we fully understand this, we become deeply grateful for our challenges because we know they are there to help us raise our level of awareness and thus increase our wealth and uplift the quality of our life!

Are you willing and committed to transform your life to live from your highest purpose? I invite you to welcome the Essence of Gratitude in your life. By doing so, you will be the uplifter that you were meant to be to serve the world in a very meaningful way, while living a grateful and abundant lifestyle.

My purpose is to bring the Essence of Gratitude in people’s lives and into the business world. I dedicated my life to exploring Gratitude in all its forms and in all its facets to spread and infuse its essence around the world. I would be honored to support you on your journey towards optimal health, wealth and enriched relationships.

I offer you a very powerful exercise called Breathing Gratitude… it takes only a few minutes and it radically changes your perspectives and your state of being. It goes this way…

Put your focus on your heart and start breathing in and breathing out… slowly and consistently. After a couple of breathings, begin to think about something or someone that you are grateful for and feel the Essence of Gratitude start to flow through you, from your heart to every cell of your being. Feel the connection to your heart and the love and joy that are emerging from your higher Self, your Sacred Self. Be present, be still and feel the Essence of Gratitude raising your vibration! It is that simple… it is quite easy and fast! Enjoy and have FUN!

If you allow yourself to practice this simple Breathing Gratitude exercise 3-4 times a day, you will open yourself up to welcome optimal health, wealth and enriched relationships at profusion!

Live in Gratitude!

Don't forget the next Day of Gratitude (June 12!) on Marita's Facebook Page!

If you missed her great blog detailing this monthly focus, click here!

That Was Like Sex

That was like sex.

My statement was met with a giggle and “tell your friends” from Drew, my HEART facilitator.

You’re my friends. So I thought I’d tell you....

I saw Dr. Drew Neville for the first time in August, 2011 when he was visiting Minneapolis, MN with Dr. Michael Cotton from Milwaukee, WI. They were sharing an amazing technique/modality with a small group downtown. I saw him again in October when I took a short trip to Milwaukee to experience this phenomenon known as HEART* technique which takes a person into Higher Brain Living.

Last month I finally committed to 20 sessions, and yes, after the sex like experience, I do wonder what took me so long! The experience that was like sex happened on my fourth visit, when Drew was in town for a few days offering sessions to local students (saving us a collective trip to Milwaukee. Gratitude).

For hours afterward I found myself just saying “wow, wow” out loud. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. That moment when time stands still - that place of nothingness - it’s real. I’d gone there for just a fraction of a moment in my first session, but on this visit, I achieved it (not on purpose - I wouldn’t know how to do that) three times. Oh my!

If you could experience zero point stillness, joy, bliss, gratitude, release, that feeling just at the point in your sexual interlude that you just never want to end and be in that swirly soup of yummy, would you? If you could achieve all that and still have it bathe you for hours afterward, would you?

HEART is leading edge technology to take humanity to the next level of Consciousness.  One day soon I will have my license as a facilitator, and I’ll be on the other side of the experience. There are no words. Simply no words. And this place of no words is where we are all going as a People. I’d love to have you come along.



This is one of an occasional post on HEART. I’ll circle back and tell you more about how I found it, Dr. Michael Cotton, its pioneer, his colleagues and more as I’m inspired to do so. I just knew, though, that a reference to sex would grab your attention. It sure grabbed mine!

*Human Emergence And Rapid Transformation