Spiritual Activism: Women-- my mother

I learned so much about women by watching my mother. I can remember being in a home, where at the age of 10 I was the man of the house. I never knew how strong women where until I learned to watch my mother. She has the strength of a thousand men, and the heart of a gentle dove. We never had it easy growing up, but you learn to appreciate more when you do not have it easy. You learn to look at your mother and see her strength, the strength that only pours out of her heart and into our hands so that we may feast on her struggle.. clearing a path of light for us. Selling her mother's jewelry so that we can have light, making pillows to sell at the flea market so that we can have vacations... I never knew the strength of women until I learned to watch my mother. We take for granted so much in this life. As children we grow, we run, we play, we just know that we are here as part of a bigger plan... Thank you to all the women, mothers, sisters, nieces, teachers... Thank you for the life you have given.. and continue to give We never take the time to say thank you to the one's that in their struggle, mended the pillows that would carry our dreams to the waking world. So, thank you.

Spiritual Activism: Religion- Touching the face of God

God. Goddess. Higher Power. Great One in the sky. There are so many names, so many images, and so many directions and paths to take. I do not think that there is really any one "path" that does not intersect another. The problem that I see is the corruption that is present in what we now call "religion". I can not and will never understand a Shepard that lives beyond the means of those in his flock. When there are people giving money to an infinite truth, giving their last dollar, giving away their last supper... so that a man can wrap himself in a fancy Jesus, because that his what he says God wants. Not my God... the God that I see each and every day in the eyes of those that move into each moment, on their own paths, beating their own drums, and creating waves of light in their path. The God I know loves all, and expects nothing in return. The God I know sees the beauty in the darkest parts of our world, and still smiles. The God I know sees the beauty in my sometimes fucked up life, and still says "I love you". The God I know would not cause a young gay man to want to die simply for choosing to love. The God I know scoops his hand deep into my heart each and everyday and reminds me that I am God. I am him, I am her, I am it, and I am you. My God reminds me each and everyday that I am the creator and in his image I am created and in my image I create.. and if I am to create I should plant the seeds of love, and water them with hope... and when that hope reaches the seeds it will blossom into peace and in that peace I will see the face of God.. and when I reach out my hand to touch the face of God I will realize that I am touching my own cheek.. your cheek..... our cheek. We are God... We are love... we are hope... We just are...

Love.

Mike Brazell

Spiritual Activism: GLBTQ Rights

Well, here we are. We are in a time of great change. We are making progress towards new truths in our time, connecting, sharing, and moving out of a place of fear. As a gay man I can say that I have seen the changes. We have moved through many struggles and there are many up ahead. What I want to focus on in this post in the harm that we create in our own culture. It is the damage that we impose on one another that is the worst. We are slowly moving towards a time where we will have the right to marry, we will have the right to work anywhere without harassment, we will be able to serve this country as the proud men and women we are.

It is the damage we do to one another that still cuts the deepest. We look at each other with such a sense of judgment. So deep is this judgment that we in turn begin to judge ourselves and our own place in this great big world. We have become victims of our own hand. When we wish to create change and acceptance in the world around us, do you not think it is time to accept one another. There are so many lines that have been drawn G/ L/ B/ T/ Q/ rather than coming into to a place of unity... a place where we are more than a random letter in the alphabet. When we stop separating ourselves, we being to be part of the whole. We move in directions that are so outside of creating change that we forget that we are so much more than we realize. We are all children of the same divine creative energy- God, Goddess, Higher Power, Allah, or flying spaghetti monster.

We have polarized ourselves not only from the greater group, but we have also polarized ourselves within our own ranks. Now is the time for change. Now is the time to "BE" part of that change we so much want to see in the world. Accept each other, grow, love, and become one.

There is so much pain in this world, and so much that we here take for granted. In many places in this world, it is illegal to be gay. People are killed as an acceptable form of punishment. We need to be thankful for the opportunities we have in front of us. We need to be grateful that we have the freedoms that we do enjoy. Once we learn to be in a place of appreciation for what we do have, the universe will always bring us more to be thankful of.

This is a great video by poet Andrea Gibson, I think it really captures what I am trying to get across:

Spiritual Activism: Speaking out for animals

A question I get asked a lot is: "So, how does spirituality tie into animal rights work?"

Well, the question I always pose back is, "How does it not?"

We have become so far removed from the other beings on this great big planet, that we feel we are the ones that are in control. An to an extent we are (and what a fine job we are doing, huh?). We have learned that it is okay to do the worst to those that we consider lesser than us, and in turn we who are lesser than others have the same happen to us most often than not. Do we see a trend? The way we treat others is how we will be treated in turn. We cannot destroy life on such a massive scale and just expect everything to be okay. Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer are killing us just as quickly as we are killing these animals. Some call these illnesses the "animals revenge"... but, I doubt these beings of love would wish us any harm. We are the ones that have created our own crap filled swimming pool.

We must learn that we are all one. The smallest insect to the biggest mountain. We are all connected. Here is an experiment: Go out to the ocean, dip your finger in the water, and close your eyes. In that singular moment, you are touching EVERYTHING. The sand, the beings in the sea, all the lands of the world, the clouds that are formed by the mists of the sea, the wind that blows the sea spray on all... We are all more connected that we realize. It is coming into that place of true realization that we have to understand that we cannot continue to kill others. In this day and age, there are so many wonderful non-animal options that it is silly to say "I CANT".

There are those that say a vegetarian or vegan diet is too difficult, and yet--they have never tried it. The hardest part is getting over your own ego and doing it for the sake of doing it. Some people go vegetarian only for the health reasons, Great! Some people go vegetarian for the animal reasons, Great! Some people do it for all the above, Great! The reason is not the key, the key is that we are helping animals no matter the reason.

And for all the veg people out there in this big world... remember to support those on their journey. Too often we are quick to criticize others before we applaud them. If you have a friend that is shifted from eating chicken to choosing chicken that was humanely raised and slaughtered, applaud their awakening. Each progressive step is one step closer to a better life for all.

Remember, the best way to create peace and love in the world is to be peace and love.

You are loved, adored, and cherished.

Namaste

Mike

xoxo

Spirtual Activism

Where best to begin than with a topic like this. Now, spiritual activism does not mean that I expect you to go make some signs and start marching up and down the street yelling Buddhist chants (but if you do, send me pictures.) What this really means is living a life that is good... well, what is good?

Ask yourself this, "How do I want to see this world? What do I want more of in my life?" If you want world peace, should you not start by bringing more peace into your life? If you want more love for the world or a higher quality of love from others, should you not start by loving yourself?

We so often look to the outside for change, but we have not yet fixed that "thing" within ourselves. It really is not about fixing it, but more so about accepting it. It is always there, we just chose not walk a path of greater resistance. We feel that there always has to be a fight. That activism and change has to be about struggle and fight. It does not. I've helped open more people to the idea of animal rights and gay rights just by being myself.. more so that holding any sign or yelling any chant.

I am going to be doing some very focused posts in regards to spiritual activism as it relates to some of the largest activist driving issues: Animal Rights, Gay Rights, Gender Equality, and Spiritual Equality.

If you have thoughts, comments, or questions feel free to post them in the comments section. If you wish to email to Darrin and I to address:

psychicduo@gmail.com

You are all wonderful and beautiful souls.

Much love -- Namaste

Mike

Ok.. first things first... Introductions.

Hi there...

You're probably wondering, umm.. who is this guy, and why do I want to hear what he has to say. Well, I really do not have any straightforward answers for you. What I can offer you is blunt truth, respect, appreciation, love, and understanding in a place of non-judgment. I have been involved in professional psychic work for the past 2 years. I really love what I do. I love when I am able to be of service to others, to see them have the "Ah-Ha" moments, and to sometimes share a tear or two. I really came into my gifts early on, but due to the strict religious climate at home, and state... I sorta repressed them, much like my sexuality. As we move through life, we meet people that open doors, move mountains, and that just say a friendly work... and this shifts our entire way of being. I've been blessed with many people who have been these "life shifters"... hitting the pinball machine knobs at just the right moment to send me forward.

This is one of the biggest reasons I am so excited about this blog. Darrin and I share a common vision and dream. To see this world and those in it reach their fullest potential. To see people smile, and to lend that shoulder when needed.

I have two websites...

www.michaelbrazell.com : this site shares information about my yoga practice, my reading and reiki work, and gives a more gentle insight into who I am and the work I do.

www.deviantpsychic : is the Mike with an edge site. I am posting my personal predictions, and sharing my work with you, but with fewer filters. :-)

I also have a couple of blogs aside from this one (yes, I am a busy boy)

http://cupofhope.blogspot.com : I love affirmations, pick me ups, and just all things of a positive nature. I like to share those little moments of my day that make me smile, grin, or just all out laugh.

http://deviantpsychic.blogspot.com : The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the blunt-honest-down to earth- delivered with a smile- truth. On this blog I share a bit of my edgy humor, my sarcasm, and all those things that make me the fun loving tattooed/pierced psychic that I am. I am going to offer predictive work, spirit driven messages, and just some all round good information here.

Check all of these often, or pick and choose which ones you like.

Ok... you've had your fill of me for now I am sure.

One last thing...

You are all loved. You are all beautiful, shining, souls. Each of you is a gift to this great big world. My you smile today, tomorrow and everyday.

Till next time...

Mike
xoxo

Welcome from Mike Brazell

Hello All,

Just wanted to say hi!!!

It is going to be a true pleasure working with Darrin. I can remember the first time I heard him on the John Holland show and getting a peek of us doing some work together in the future... and here we are. This really is manifesting at its very best. We are coming together so that we can share a bit of our work, out lives, and our own journey with each and everyone of you. Darrin is an amazing teacher, writer, and a true inspiration. I am looking forward to sharing this path with him, and in turn.. sharing it with each of you.

You are all wonderful, beautiful souls... shine your light bright from within, and give to those that are without.

xoxo

Mike.