Blog Posts

I declare NO-vember to be the month for saying....NO!

9/11/2015

I was listening to a talk yesterday by Lee Harris. He said something that stuck like glue and rang alarm bells in my ears. "Saying No, can open the door to some big Yes's."
How many times have we said yes to something even when we heard a little voice inside saying no? Only to discover later that we missed out on something wonderful because we were so busy saying yes to someone or something that we weren't really that interested in & didn't really want to do? I have done this in the past and I sometimes struggle with saying NO now.. All we really need is a little space to let our truth arise and give us clarity on why and how we can say No. A good way to put this into practice is by not saying yes or no straight away if you feel unsure and ask for some time to think it through before committing to anything. This allows us to do and act from our heart & truth and should eliminate the feeling of selfishness and or guilt that can often arise when you want to say no. (Society does like us to put others needs before our own and will objectify those who don't). It's a hard lesson for most of us.
Saying No to over-committing, over-extending, over-working, over-socializing (yes, it's that time of year again) is saying YES to YOU and YES to your Family. It's saying YES to your health, Yes to rest, Yes to play, Yes to discovering who you really are and what you really want. It's saying a BIG YES to FREEDOM!! Can you see how many doors this tiny little no opens? YES!!
I am declaring NOvember the month of NO. I wish to make NO serve me in the best way possible. I want all my NOs' to open the doors to Yes. YES! YES! YES! This will require space, time, quietness, deep inner listening and will help me to be more attuned to my inner needs, wants & desires. I will make 'NO' part of my Yoga practice for the entire month of NOvember.
Are you with me?
What do you mean, NO?
hahaha...you may just miss out on some mighty big YES's.
Namaste
Chez xo

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The (lost) Art of Conversation

1/11/2015

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This morning I awoke with this thought...'My Dad has lost the art of conversation'. This gift that we all take for granted has ended his 64 year marriage and isolates him from others.
We, his family were too frightened to answer him back or share our opinions & perspective with him if it was different to his. We all wanted to please him so much that we either went along with what he said or we kept quiet. This act of self preservation on our behalf has aided him to lose the art of conversation. If we did have a different opinion or disagreed with him he would get louder, more abusive and so worked up that you would just back down or walk away. We often just left Mum to cop the abuse as we snuck away hoping he didn't notice we had done so. He saw himself as the head of the household & felt that it was only his views and opinions that mattered. When he talked, you listened!
So, he talked, we listened. This is how you have a conversation with my Dad. This has always been the way. This has, I feel, also caused him to become deaf. How perfect! Now, he has an excuse not to listen to anything you have to say. His deafness and his refusal to wear hearing aids makes it so difficult for you to talk to him that you give up. So, you just listen to him and don't contribute too much to the conversation because it is way to tiring. When he does talk, it's not really a conversation anyway, it is more just a set of opinions and complaints about everything and anything. He has very little if anything positive to say about the world or it's people. His true joy is in talking about the past and HIS past experiences. We have heard many of his stories, over and over in fact. Once again, because we can not offer our perspective it is all purely about him and his life.
At 87, it is hard, maybe even impossible for him to change now. But I see where, how and why I have contributed to this lost art of conversation. Yesterday, I went to visit him in hospital. I stood at the door way for a couple of seconds and looked at him before he noticed I was there. I felt love for him and thought he looked quite serene and well. It was only when we started to converse that the awkwardness and unease surfaced. No hearing aids. I have to raise my voice and repeat myself. He asked questions about Mum and tried to listen, but I found myself not wanting to say too much because it was too much hard work and I don't like yelling when the room is full of others trying to rest in their beds. The doctor came around and I had to interpret everything because he was a "quiet talker'. Then when Dad found out he couldn't go home, he started to bitch and complain about the shower. I showed him how to make it work for him, but he wouldn't take it in. So, what did I do? I shut down, listened to him complain for a while, said I have to go and I walked away. It is too hard, he won't listen, it's sad really.
I now see why I am such a good listener and why I find it difficult to talk about myself & what I do. I am going the opposite way, I am in danger of losing this wonderful art of conversation. Too much listening and not enough contributing, tipping the scales in the opposite direction. So interesting isn't it?...answer me! hahaha..
With 'smart phones' we are surely in danger of this art dying all together as we text or message each other on facebook instead of having real conversations. I too am guilty of this and sometimes I just crave a person to person conversation. May we all find balance with this art. May we all be contributors so that we can share our stories, listen to others stories and learn as much as we teach.
How do I tell my Dad he has lost the art of conversation, and we, his family helped him to lose it. Do you think he will understand? Do you think he will listen? The thought of broaching him with this conversation causes butterflies in my stomach. Hmmm...maybe a conversation for another day.
Namaste.

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Mandala of Abundance - Painting & writing by me, Chez. xox

2/8/2015

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To receive the riches of the world you must first become empty. Empty of longing, of desire, empty of grabbing and holding. You must let go of everything you think you are and who you will become. To have everything you must realize you are nothing. In your emptiness there is an abundance of space, power and presence which is filled with spirit. You see you are not empty at all, you are nothing and everything all at once.
There is stillness and movement. Your breath is singing, your heart is dancing, your body is swaying in extacy. Breathe deeply into your well-spring of spirit. Bathe in your nothingness. Float on the surface of peace. Drown in your beingness. Indulge in your own pure poetry. Feel it rise up.
You are the painter, the poet, the singer, the dancer, you are the scholar, the writer, and the mathematician too.
You are all the colours in the spectrum. All sounds come through you. You are the seeing and the seen. You are touch. You are beyond the five senses. You are sense itself. You are truth, you are lies, you are laughter and cries. You are sensual, sexual, you are funny & wry.
You are Masculine & Feminine, baby and child. You are old, you are young, you have just been born and you are dying. You are human, you are angel, you are spirit and soul. You are all that is. You are the abyss.
You are the soil, the seeds and the trees. You are the animals that roam, fly, swim and crawl. You are the grass and the oceans, the rivers and valleys. You are the sky, the heavens, you are hell too. You are war and peace. You are the darkness and the light.
You are the nature of duality.
You are all the power that ever was and ever will be.
You are pure presence.
You are fullness and emptiness, everything and nothing.
You are the Uni-verse, meaning one song.
You are the beginning and the end.
You are the Mandala of Abundance.
You are That.

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Featured Art Peace - "The All Seeing Eye"

11/7/2015

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There are numerous theories concerning the All Seeing Eye, also known as The Eye of Providence, or the eye of God watching over humankind. One of the earliest known examples is the Eye of Horus & in the Egyptian hieroglyph for their God Osiris. Through various myths they were symbols of protection, healing and restoration.
My interpretation of the All Seeing Eye in this art peace is of the omniscient & omnipresent (all knowing & all powerful) source of all creation that is present within all beings. The blue eye-ball represents innocence & asks us to see life through the eyes of a child, without judgement. When I look at this peace, I feel a strong pull toward my 3rd eye, (6th Chakra). Our 3rd eye calls us to see everything as it is from the point of witness or observer. The gift of this chakra is seeing - both inner & outer worlds and allows us to access our inner guidance.
The symbolism of feathers deal with ascension & spiritual evolution to a higher plain. Feathers were worn by Native American Chiefs to symbolise their communication with Spirit, and to express their celestial wisdom. I have chosen Chrysocolla gemstones which are associated with clarity & communication. Tigers Eye gemstones let you see everything (insight). They are also good luck.
I spend many hours on each art piece to create authentic and quality art. It truly brings joy to my heart to share my gift with you. These art pieces are designed to create positive, healing energy both within your being and your living space.
Namaste.
Chez xo

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"Be not just the rose, but the rose bush"

2/7/2015

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Sitting in meditation this morning, I had on my little altar a vase with one single pink rose in it. Roses are such a thing of beauty, perfect in every way. My rose is at that perfect stage of not being fully opened, just enough so the petals are softly curled open and it has that beautiful youthful shape that is exquisite...a blossoming bud! I was enthralled and entranced. Then I remembered how I had pricked my thumb on the thorn when I was pruning it. It got me a beauty and it bled. My thumb was still a bit sore yesterday, so it must have injected some poison into me too. I thought then that the rose bush is an ugly plant and how is it that it has such beautiful flowers? But I see that the thorns are there to protect the flower from predators...such as myself. My inner teacher said to me, "be not just the rose, but the rosebush.. It was then that I began to see the beauty of the whole plant. The thorny stems, the leaves and the fact that the plant is deeply rooted in Mother Earth. I see how resilient this plant is. I am an intuitive gardener, so I don't really follow any guidebooks on how and when to prune my plants, I just do it when I feel to. So, they are very "forgiving" too. And that's funny because the stone that I picked out of my treasure box this morning was, :"Forgiveness".. It seems this flower was not just beautiful, but strong, resilient, protected, deeply rooted, fragrant, thorny & forgiving. Yes! I want to be all of that!
The flower is nothing without the plant. Embrace your wholeness!
Namaste,
Chez xo

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June 28th, 2015

28/6/2015

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There is so much more to you.....

13/6/2015

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It's not just blood that runs through your veins.
It's not just air that breathes your body.
It's not just brains that fill your head.
It's not just your organs that keep you alive.
It's not just your skin that holds you together....
It's not just your eyes that help you to see.
It's not just your ears that make you listen.
You are made of the stars & the earth.
Creativity and inspiration run through your veins and fill up your entire body.
Life force energy has breathed you into being.
Your significance is astounding.
You are an intricate piece of the puzzle.
More than connected to the Cosmos
You are it.
Shine Bright!
Namaste,
Chez xo

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May 18th, 2015

20/5/2015

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Love

11/5/2015

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Photo by Rebecca Carpentero

I was sitting in a pre-recorded Satsang with Mooji last night after my meditation under the light of the full moon. It was delightful as usual. He said something that has stuck with me though. He said, "Love never asks to be loved back. That is attachment". He just said it in passing, but out of all that I heard, and it was almost 2 hours of talk, this is what stuck with me. "Love never asks to be loved back, that is attachment".
I think of all the times I have expected to be loved back. I think of all the moments that I have felt disappointment in my heart because I feel that someone doesn't love me the way I love them. I also see it in others when they feel like they have not received the love or warmth that they were reaching for. There are times when we all may feel like, we give so much and get nothing or very little in return. We can often think or even say, how much "love hurts". Are we just comparing our love? My love is much stronger than yours! O.M.G!!
Recently, someone very close to me lost their love. Their partner ended the relationship and he was absolutely devastated, heart broken. It broke my heart to see this person so sad. All I could do was give lots of love & Reiki Healing which helped a lot, but I know it is only time that will completely heal this broken heart. He is definitely attached. He didn't want to be free. He wasn't ready. He so wanted to hang on to that love. The pain of not being loved back is excruciating!
I'm not sure that it helps me to know that love never asks to be loved back. But it does help me to look at what I am thinking in those times when I feel I am not getting back what I am giving out. I look at all the arguments and fights that people that really do love each other have. It is never about love or lack of love. It is always about attachment and not getting what they expect. It is because they are loving that person and expecting their love to be returned in the same manner. Imagine if we all just loved each other without expecting to be loved back. It kinda seems unbalanced doesn't it? Giving without expecting anything in return? Surely, this is only the love of Saints. Surely, this is only the love of God.
I think. like yoga & meditation, it is a practice. Loving and letting go, loving and letting go. Eventually, it will lead to freedom. Because really, isn't that what non-attachment means? Not being attached means you are free. I can feel the space already. But I know it will take quite a lot of practice. But then, all things worth while do.
I was given this quote by a dear friend. It has been hanging on my fridge for a while now and it pretty much sums up all of the above.
"The heart never takes. The heart never reaches out and grabs.
It receives by giving. But it can't just receive by giving.
It must receive by giving and then relaxing, knowing that it will receive".
- Guru Singh

Namaste
Chez xoxo

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My contribution to peace (written in honour of the centenary of Anzac 25.4.15)

30/4/2015

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I deeply honour and respect all those that fought and fell and lived through hell to keep our country "alive".
But you were mislead.
I deeply honour and respect all the families left behind without their significant other.
There was much blood shed.
One hundred years on and what have we learned? And have we really been saved?
Sometimes I think it mostly in vain for there are few new roads paved.
I believe the best way to end war is to become a lover of peace.
And the best way to love peace is to become peaceful within.
I believe war starts and ends with me. My choices, my words, my thoughts and my deeds.
War is going on all the time. It never ends so lets not pretend.
There is an inner battle going on in your mind almost constantly isn't there?
I bet if we had a bomb for every un-peaceful, un-loving thought we had we would blow ourselves up..several times a day!
So, for me, the best way I can end the war and honour all those that gave their lives is for me to gain inner peace.
Yes, war starts and ends with me.
I meditate daily to befriend my unfriendly thoughts and make peace with myself.
I practice yoga daily, not just to have a healthy body, but to remove any toxic energy that may be trying to take up residence within.
My body is my country and I will fight for it's peace every day.
Every day that I sit on the mat or meditation cushion I become a war hero.
Every moment that I become present with my thoughts I become a war hero.
Every thought that I send love to, I have stopped the war!
Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all did this simple practice? I can.
And that is why I do this practice. It is my contribution to peace.
Because the war really does start and end with me.
Namaste
Lest We Forget.

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Chez Healing Arts is based in Redbank Plains, Brisbane Qld, Australia.

Terribly Terrific Testimonials.

(Keisha commissioned me to create a special wedding gift for her dear friend). -"Dreaming Heart is beautiful. I cried when I met her, she's the perfect gift".

(Cathy purchased Sweet Dream Catchers for herself & as gifts for friends) -
"Hey Chez, it just arrived this arvo! It's BEAUTIFUL! I love it. It is sooo her it's scary! U have a great gift as mine was perfect for me & Holly's is perfect for her! Thank you so much!

(Kellie purchased Shiva/Shakti for her bedroom as a gift to herself.)
"I wanted a special something for my bedroom wall. As soon as I saw Chez's work, I knew I had to have one of my own! Shiva/Shakti is big & so is the energy it captures! There is so much perfect symbolism in every part of it. I turn to it to help guide my feminine & masculine attributes & to bring deep awareness & balance into my relationship with my husband. Thank you Chez, it fills my heart with joy to have this in our sacred sleeping, loving space".

Suzie wanted to offer her young daughter a gift to help her sleep peacefully.
Hi Chez, Here is a pic of Sierra with her Faery House Dreamcatcher which she loves. We've had two beautiful nights with her sleeping really well. Your note to Sierra about the Dreamcatcher was just Divine. Thank you for making such a wise and magical piece for her. - Suzie

Hi Chez,
I received my dreamcatcher....love it love it. The funny thing is for the last couple of weeks I have been talking about peacocks and wow its in my dream catcher, very insightful. Thank you so much, hangs very proudly in our bedroom. ~ Karen

(Kerri commissioned an Art Piece for her daughter's 21st birthday.) "My girl Tianah loves loves loves it!!! She clutched her heart and said WOW!!!" Many many thanks.

(Susan,Owner/Principal of Wild Places Yoga). "I receive so many comments from students who are captivated by the energy your Dream Catchers hold".

(Carrie-Anne, Principal of My Health Yoga purchased a custom made Outdoors Dream Catcher for her partner). - "Chris loves the Dream Catcher! He is blown away!! So many beautiful details, this piece will continue to reveal itself for many years to come. You are truly amazing, Chez!"

(Cath, an interior Designer commissioned me to create Eagle Warrior II).
"Hi Chez,
I have her on the wall above my workspace!
She looks beautiful!
Thank you so much - It feels so good with her there - I am soaking up her energy!
I have your business cards also thanks - they are beautiful too!
I also love the new one in the studio - Freedom. That may be next!" x Cath

Loved my barefoot forest dream catcher as soon as I opened the box. Perfect for our newly built family room to remind us of our love of bush walking. Many thanks, Nicola.

I declare NO-vember to be the month for saying....NO!

The (lost) Art of Conversation

Mandala of Abundance - Painting & writing by me, Chez. xox

Featured Art Peace - "The All Seeing Eye"

"Be not just the rose, but the rose bush"

June 28th, 2015

There is so much more to you.....

May 18th, 2015

Love

My contribution to peace (written in honour of the centenary of Anzac 25.4.15)

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Terribly Terrific Testimonials.