Mana
Gardening

My grandmother, a.k.a. Nanny, shared with me today that she used a mana gardening technique of replacing memories. She didn’t put it like that of course, but as she told the story, I realized that’s exactly what she did.

Nanny lives in a place with many other elders. The elders get together and share their stories of the past quite frequently. Instead of telling her story of her traumatic upbringing along with divorces and illnesses etc., she shared that she had a very loving, caring mother and father and had a very fun and loving childhood. She also shared that she had a wonderful husband who died young and they had a loving daughter who was very well cared for and nurtured.

In mana gardening, there’s a technique where you replace a non-empowering story with an empowering story—one that makes you feel good instead of one that makes you feel traumatized.

So without knowing it, Nanny gave herself the gift of feeling good instead of putting yourself through the memories of her tragic childhood and marriage! She shared with me that the purpose was so that she wouldn’t have to go through those emotions again. Some may consider that being untruthful,  however, I see it as a gift to herself and her wellbeing. Had she told the dramatic stories, she would’ve felt the negative emotion again and likely would have had to share many more details that would enhance the negative emotions. She just did not want to put herself through that again.

Every time we re-tell the story of a traumatic event, we inadvertently live it again. We experience all the emotions as if it just happened (like right now) as opposed to many years ago. That is how your mind sees it and that is how your body reacts.  Neurologically speaking, she created a new neurological pathway that, if she re-tells the new empowering story a few times or perhaps many times, has the opportunity to become part of her memories and enhance her well-being by leaving her feeling fulfilled with her life, rather than like a victim of a crazy life.

Such techniques, shared in the book Mana Gardening, Empower Yourself and Live a Better Life, have the power to help you replace memories that are potentially harmful to your wellbeing, with memories that benefit you and keep you happier. These are also excellent topics for the fields of Mana Psychology™ and Mana Sciences™.

And as you know, being happy is paramount to healthy vibrant living!

Get your copy of the book and to learn Mana Gardening happiness techniques.

Namaste,

Michelle

Decision Making Can be Super Simple if you Use and Rely on Inner Guidance.

How do you normally make decisions? What is your process?

Do you make a list of pros and cons? Do you play out each outcome and see how each might feel? Do you waver back-and-forth not knowing what choice to make? When you have an important decision to make does it keep you up at night? Does it leave you feeling flustered and doubting yourself?

I used to do all of this.
After Mana Gardening came to me (rather, after it came through me), I stopped all that and began to rely solely my inner guidance for making important (and not so important) decisions.

Mana Gardening is an inner technique using your creative imagination that allows you to quickly and easily access the inner voice that lies within. Everyone has an inner voice specifically designed to assist in everything from what food to eat, to where to relocate. Your guidance is personal to you and directs you towards actions that are consistent your best interests.

As an example, recently I was offered an adjunct teaching position at a local college and had to decide whether to take the position. It was for teaching a single class, as opposed to multiple sections of the same class. I was excited for the opportunity to teach at this college as I had applied for full time opportunities there before and was not selected. At this point in time however, my mental mind was saying, “No way!” It was not worth my time, not enough money, and would take way too long to prepare for each class.

I took this decision straight to my inner garden. After relaxing in that space for a bit and asking whether or not to take the position, interestingly, my inner guidance said, “Yes, do it.”
I did it. I agreed to teach the class, reluctantly.
I did this because I have learned to trust my inner voice even when my mind conjures up many good reasons to not listen to it.

Who knew that my consulting jobs would start to dwindle? Who knew that I would love my students so much? Who knew that I would adore the opportunity to inspire the students and let them know how amazing and immensely intricate their bodies (and hence they) are?

My mental mind was not aware that I would enjoy the material so much that it would be inspire me to serve others on the health and well-being path.

My mental mind was not aware that the connections I would make with the students and colleagues at the college would be so beautiful. And that the opportunity to serve others would also serve me. My inner voice knew all of this, yet my mental mind did not have access to that information.

Inner wisdom is available to all, yet many do not know how to access it. Learning how to quickly access inner guidance and getting to that place where you listen, trust it, and take the appropriate actions can serve you to your great delight! It is kind of like listening to your heart or a higher power speak. Sometimes you get information that is not what you’d expect, yet it is inconceivably brilliant!

Plus, using your inner guidance to help you with choices and decisions saves you the time and energy of going back and forth, creating lists, and doubting yourself. Your inner voice knows what you want. Allowing yourself to trust and follow your inner voice helps you stay at peace within, creates strength and leaves you empowered.

If you would like to learn how to use this ancient Hawaiian technique we call Mana Gardening to empower yourself and your life, register for our training course starting Aug 2o17 here.

Namaste,

Michelle

Today as I was pulling out of the chiropractor’s office, an older lady, walking rather quickly on the sidewalk, caught my eye. She was clearly talking to me but I didn’t really hear what she was saying. It was something about the bus. As I waved her over, she asked me for a ride because she had just missed her bus, it would be an hour before the next one came, and she was too tired to wait.

I noticed a bit of an old automatic reaction starting — a feeling of being bothered by the request. I decided NOT to choose that autopilot reaction. Shifting quickly out of that and into a feeling of compassion and service, I said, “Sure hop in!” I had no idea where this woman needed to go but she said it was pretty close. Here she was in my car, a kind woman in need of a lift so she could get a nap at her friend’s apartment before having to go back downtown to get in line for the next meal. It turned out she only needed to go about a mile. We wished each other a Happy Valentine’s Day and she was off. It felt really good to have helped a sister out!

Asheville, NC by Maleah Stein 2016

What I find so interesting is the automatic nature of negative responses, or responses filled with ‘what about me’ energy. It seems we actually have to consciously CHOOSE the positive over the negative.Another interesting point concerns that moment of choice. If we are aware, we can notice and then choose to follow either a negative-feeling energy or a positive-feeling energy. Both options are available in any moment and the fact that a negative one showed up first is not ‘bad’ and I’m not ‘bad’ for having that thought. The positive-feeling energy was right there for the choosing as well. It’s simply a matter of choice.It’s about BEING the change you wish to see in the world. So consistently decide to practice BEING positive: keep choosing positive-feeling responses, keep choosing service, and keep helping a brother or sister out!Much Love to You,Michelle

Do you notice your mind making complaints that make you unhappy?
I notice these things, too.

After feeling pretty good for a while, do you suddenly not feel that good anymore? If so, then take a look at what was just going on in your head and you may see why. I bet your mind has been busy complaining, resisting, and/or procrastinating. (Like my mind does…)

This morning on the way to the gym, I was feeling in good spirits. I had already done my morning mana gardening meditation. Then in the gym,  I caught my head saying things like,

“I don’t want to be here…”
“Ugh. How fast can I get outta here?”
“Why do I always have to move the squat bar holders up a few notches?”
“Why can’t people put the bar cushion away in the right place?”

 

Felt my energy going downhill and my mood going south.

Noticing my complaining mind,  I decided to do something different.

My intention was to switch my thoughts to change my focus from complaining to something higher that would feel better. The answer I recieved was really helpful, so I was guided to share it.

Asking Questions

First off, let me explain about questions. Many of us know this, yet our minds keep playing this game and we don’t always catch it as quickly as we would like.

If you ask a question, the universe works to answer it.

With that said, always (or at least as much as possible) ask questions you really want an answer to. Questions, that when you learn the answer, you feel good about.

Do NOT ask questions like:

• Why is there so much traffic?
• Why are people so huffy today?
• What is my problem?
• What is wrong with me?
• Why does this always happen to me?

Because you will get the answer at some point and it won’t feel good and it likely won’t serve you to know it anyway. Ok, so that’s the deal with questions. On with how to stop the complaining mind.

Here’s the Trick

Here’s a great trick when you notice complaints flowing.

Ask a NEW question.

Ask,  “What do I LOVE about this?”

When I asked that question in the gym, my mind was flooded with positive, feel good answers!

—I loved that it’s summer and I rode my bike to the gym and simply took off my helmet and started working out. Loved that I didn’t have to wear 4 layers and head to the locker room to de-garb before working out. Loved that today, that part of my life felt easy.

—I loved that my muscles were building strength and I could feel it.

—I loved that my body could even do what I was asking of it, that I was healthy and feeling powerful.

—I loved that I could drink great tasting filtered water and not chlorinated water there.

—I loved that I was there and that others who were taking care of their bodies were there as well.

 

Then my mood/energy started to shift back up into the positive realm. This is because, instead of focusing on the answers to my complaints and negative questions, I was now focused on a really healthy plethora of awesome answers!

What a great question to ask!

The monkey mind is bananas (well actually it’s nuts!) and works hard to keep us in a negative space, so we have to have some tricks up our sleeves to help us stay true to highest nature. We have a right to be happy! Hope this trick helps you!

Next time you notice the mind complaining about something, just ask,

“What do I love about this?”

Or ask questions you really want the answers to and see what you get. Bet you will feel much better!

Namaste,
Michelle

Get Ready for an Expansive Experience that will get you
Happy About Your Life!

As we await the publication of our first book, Keti and I have begun to share Mana Gardening teachings with folks.  Many have excitedly asked,

• How do I get started?
• What is the first step?
• I want to start right away, what can I be doing before the book comes out?

Thank you for the questions!  In response to those questions, I have created 2 free audio files (below) that you can tune into anytime.

Audio 1 answers the questions, “What is Mana Gardening?” and “How do I get started?”  Audio 1 also provides you with suggestions and examples that prepare you for Audio 2.

Audio 2 guides you to create and experience your mana garden.

What is Mana Gardening?

In a nutshell,  Mana Gardening is an easy, fast and fun technique using your imagination that at first cultivates:

• relaxation,
• a sense of wellbeing,
• a feeling of being at peace,
• and a feeling of being nurtured.

Feelings very much needed in our busy lives!

The Benefits

From this place of stillness and wellbeing, which you can access very rapidly, you can then experience a higher wisdom , your own inner guidance, your intuition or whatever you choose to call that creative wisdom that lives inside of you.

You can ask questions in your mana garden and receive the wisdom and clarity you request.

One of the first benefits is immense relaxation no matter what is going on around you.  You can go to this safe, nurturing place within your imagination, your mana garden,  in  a matter of seconds and feel your body relax.  This feeling of relaxation and wellbeing can reset your moment, your hour or your entire day!

It can:

• calm you,
• change your perspective,
• and provide a mini recharge.

And you can do it in 30 seconds wherever you are (please not while driving!)

Getting Started

To get started, you will want to consider what type of environments feel good to you and allow you to feel at peace, nurtured, safe and loved.

Some examples:

• sitting next to a waterfall
• being next to a stream or river listening to the water flowing past you
• amongst wildflowers in a meadow with abundant wildlife
• in a quiet library
• on a cozy couch next to a warm fire
• cuddling with your children or special someone
• floating on the water
• fishing, sailing, surfing or boating on beautiful water
• on a mountain top watching the sunset
• relaxing in a hammock in a cool summer breeze in the shade

Once you have an idea of which scene you would like to create for your relaxation, listen to Audio 2 as I gently guide you to experience your very own mind garden.

From there, you can go into your mana garden via your imagination and relax at will any time you want.

Keti and I recommend experiencing the peace of your inner garden several times per day (5-6 is ideal).  Again, this takes very little time (30-sec to 2 min tops) and can be done while in an elevator, waiting in line at the store,  waiting for coffee, waiting for computer software to load up, while waiting for your kids to get buckled in the car or while they are lolligagging.  (Obviously, any time you are waiting you can be mana gardening!)

The Free Audios

The Intro/How to Get Started audio was separated from the experience of Entering your Mana Garden, so once you have the background info, you could just go straight to the guided meditation and not have to re-listen to info you already know.

Listen in as often as you like! They are here for you as a makana (which means gift in Hawaiian).
Audio 1: Intro/How to get Started

Audio 2: Plant your Garden- Guided Meditation

It gives me great joy to share Mana Gardening with you and your feedback is welcome. Your sharing helps others, so please share your experience.

If you would like more, please join the Mana Gardening email list for our newsletter in the subscription box below.

I have a feeling you will immensely enjoy your personal slice of heaven, your mana garden, and I can’t wait for you to receive the immense benefits!

See you in the Garden,

Michelle

@ work:

Throughout my life, I have been required to attend meetings that drone on for hours, and hours. I am sure you know the drill: your boss goes on and on about nothing.  The senseless complaints are long, the hot air is choking. The only thing that gets accomplished is a waste of your valuable time. I once sat in a two hour business meeting where our CEO explained a basketball story that went something like this.

The coach said, “Only throw the ball overhead.”

The all star player said, “If I do that I won’t make the shot.”

The coach said, “Do what I say, right or wrong.”

The team lost every game,  but they did learn how to do what they were told.

End of story.

What was the point here?

Do what I say, win or lose, right or wrong?

Seriously?

This pretty much sums up my career with this company:  we lost a lot of money, but our CEO got a big fat bonus every year.

Sound familiar?

Anytime I wind up in a meeting that serves no purpose, I reflect on that basketball story.

It really could be so different, it really is easier than this.

There is a simple Mana Gardening-inspired method that goes like this:

Send out an email to stating the problem.

Say, “Short meeting- each person has to present a one sentence simple solution.”

“As your boss, I will start the meeting with my solution. We will take only a few minutes to discuss solutions and choose some to try, the meeting will take less than 20 minutes.”

A CEO should be held responsible to condense the problems into one sentence statements and they should be able to present a one sentence solution to every problem.

@ love:

We should use this same simple approach.

Ever been greeted with the phrase “We need to talk”?

This statement makes me want to cry. I know we are about to play the spin our lives upside and ruin everything good about right now game.

Your loved one is unhappy and does not have a clue what is really wrong or what they really even want.

Next time you find yourself in this place, try this:

Instead of talking, think of a one sentence statement of the exact problem plus a one sentence solution.

When you find those two sentences, then ask your loved one to try the solution together.

What a wonderful world it could be…

The mind, body and soul is a garden, our actions and thoughts are like seeds, let us water the mana, and pull out the weeds.

Keti

Aloha kindred souls! I am a research scientist and a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor. I was taught Hatha yoga based on methods that align your body to avoid stress or injury. I am currently working with another wonderful yogi documenting ways anyone can use simple basic yoga techniques to access the energy within to empower us and center us! The ancient Hawaiians called this energy Mana and believed that by nurturing this power we can enjoy our lives fully, retain our personal happiness, and heal ourselves too! We are using Yoga practices to help individuals move inwards on their own journey, to embrace their forthright personal empowerment. We are not leaders or gurus, we are simply fellow explorers searching for ways to use and build upon the Mana that is already freely ours. let us journey together!

Watch for our Yoga tutorials to be posted soon but I dont want to say goodbye without giving you something you can use right now. So tonight before you go to bed, stand up, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Picture yourself somewhere beautiful and ask yourself if any place on your body has an ache or pain, or perhaps there is sorrow in your heart or stress on your mind. Then reach upward, stretch as tall and long as you can up towards the stars, and exhale letting go of the ache, the pain, the sorrow and the stress, breathe an exhale. Congratulations you jsut completed two yoga postures, Tadasana and Urdhva Hastasana! Then get into bed feeling better about yourself and did you have any idea that Yoga could be so easy!!!! Stay calm and MANA on!