Who are your people?

Find them.

Stay in touch.

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

I love my tribe. My tribe feels like home. And my tribe is the group where I can most fully express myself. My close friends are an aspect of my tribe because they are friendly, caring, compassionate, and open-hearted.

But my truest tribe are folks who share my love and exploration of spirituality, metaphysics and the great beyond. We also believe in possibility, oneness and so much more (too challenging to put into words). THESE are my people. My tribe.

Once upon a time this was called New Age. Yep, that’s how old I am. (I mean how long I’ve been into this.) I had likely listened to a few speakers locally and I had listened to a lot of books on tape. Then, for my 40^th birthday my mom gifted me with a trip for the two of us to my first mind-body-spirit conference. It was called Celebrate Your Life. (I think, now, that this may have been their first) and it was in Chicago. It was the most fabulous experience to be with like-minded people (my tribe), with ample opportunities to learn about spirituality, and myself.

I returned there a few more times over the decades and even had the chance to attend two week-long trainings from Omega in Rhinebeck, NY:  there was Past Life Regression certification by Dr. Brian Weiss, and another summer I learned a particular energy training with Danis Bois.

Meeting other participants who attend the same trainings and sessions, and sharing information with others who have attended different speakers, enhances the whole experience. Another added bonus that makes the larger experience magical is being a part of hundreds (not tens) of people who share the desire to grow personally and spiritually. My tribe.

During the last 10+ years, I have focused my Tribe experiences and training differently: small group intensives with one teacher, everyone learning together. These have been delightful, educational and intimate, and I have had no complaints. Yet, I realized as the world has “re-opened” after Covid (2023) that I missed the more expansive experience.

It came to my attention a few months ago that Dr. Brian Weiss would be providing a full day pre-intensive experience for the I Can Do It conference in Tampa, FL. I felt the calling to learn with him once again, and to attend the other speakers’ presentations for the extended weekend.

I just returned and it was everything I was seeking! It is difficult to explain how impactful it really is when one is surrounded by their tribe – and not 2, or 10, or 20, but hundreds. Brian Weiss’ session apparently had 600 attendees and the total conference held 2000. The speakers were great. In addition to Brian Weiss some of my “old” favorites were there: John Holland, Colette Baron-Reid, Sonia Choquette, Rebecca Campbell, and Gregg Braden. (They referred to themselves as the “OG”.) I also got to hear some of the newer generation: Jim Kwik, Kristen Butler, Kyle Gray, Kris Carr, and Gabby Bernstein. (There were others as well, but choices had to be made.) And, thankfully and beautifully, most of these speakers “held the bowl” for us all – creating a supportive energetic environment for us to do our work and learn the concepts. My tribe!

For three days I was surrounded by the principles of spirituality, compassion, metaphysics, and personal growth. While walking through the halls of the conference center, participants not only made eye contact with each other, but additionally greeted each other with warmth in their eyes that came directly from their hearts. My tribe!

So, I return to those original statements:

Who are your people? Who makes up your tribe? What connections do you seek to feel like you are truly part of community that additionally makes you feel more whole as an individual?

How can you find these people? Does it start with books, webinars, and YouTube videos? Can you find groups locally? (With virtual access, they need not even be geographically local.)

Are there organizations that are already established to bring members of your tribe together? How might you arrange to gather with them – even if it is only occasionally?

Once you find your tribe, see if you can stay connected: meetups, phone calls, emails, zoom, or meeting for coffee or a meal. I attended an on-line, live course for 12 weeks in 2019 and still stay connected with several of those attendees. I zoom with each of them about once a month. Some are across the country; another is in Europe. None of that matters. We stay connected. I’m still FB friends with someone I met nearly 20 years ago at Omega. Others are local and we get together, even if it is infrequently. My tribe!

Sometimes I find myself feeling very isolated and alone. But being with 2000 like-minded people for a weekend reminded me that these people made the choice to come to this conference. Others will attend a different mind-body-spirit conference that is coming in August, others in the fall, or next year. I must not get discouraged in feeling that I am alone. I am really in abundant company! My tribe is more numerous than the individuals that I can identify in my contact list or that I know of in the professional world. In fact, it’s larger than the 2000 who I shared space with last weekend. 🙂

It’s time to fill your bucket. Find your tribe.

Namasté

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield, MI. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties, work or school related anxiety, ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders, and those who wish to Remember and Become ‘Who You Really Are’. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www.JudyLipson.com for more information.

This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to replace medical care.

Our intuition is always there, always reading the situation, always trying to steer us the right way. ~ Arianna Huffington

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

I’ve known about my sixth-sense for some time. I first heard the term six-sensory from author and spiritual teacher, Sonia Choquette. Being a six-sensory means that you process your world with more than the conventional five senses (visual, auditory, touch, taste, smell).

Your sixth sense is your gut instinct. It’s natural, normal and everyone has it. The parental version of sixth sense awareness happens when children first venture away from parents: When you get there, if something doesn’t feel right I want you to call me or leave right away. Others talk about business relationships and opportunities: I just knew from the start that this was not a good person/idea, but I didn’t listen to my gut and I got burned. Think about the varied ways that your sixth sense has been involved in your life.

Now that we have established that you have a sixth sense, the question is: Do you listen to yours or have you ignored your inner voice?

Choquette believes that “your sixth sense should be your first sense”. Author Sophy Burnham (The Art of Intuition) says it’s the subtle knowing without ever having any idea why you know it. If you are ready to embrace your six-sensory self, there are ways to develop, and learn to hear, your inner voice / gut instinct / intuition: 

RECOGNITION – It is already communicating with you, but your mind’s chatter hides it. Busy minds and activities make intuition difficult to receive.

SOLITUDE AND CREATIVITY allow you the opportunity to reconnect with yourself, so strive to regularly build them into your schedule.

MINDFULNESS – Silent meditation is the most common, but you can be mindful during chores, exercise or any other activity. Focus your mind on each aspect or movement of the activity to quiet the chatter.

BREATHWORK – In your mind’s eye watch the movement of your chest and abdomen as it moves away from your spine on the inhale and then back inward on the exhale. This also helps to focus the mind and still your thoughts.

RECEPTION – You may ‘hear’ the message, see symbols or visual pictures, feel sensations or emotions in your body, or have a vague yet clear ‘knowing’. It may seem like a subtle whisper or a powerful download.

WRITE/DRAW – Relax your mind, close your eyes if you wish and write or type whatever comes to mind. You can similarly draw in a free association manner.

DREAMS – Dreams and intuition both come from the unconscious. If you remember your dreams, they can become a source of information. Begin each night with a request for information about a specific question. When you awaken, write in your journal everything that you can recall about that dream as well as your questions and recent life events. Review your journal regularly looking for symbols and patterns.

DISTINGUISH the difference between mind chatter and your inner voice. As you practice you will likely notice that your inner voice speaks clearly, concisely, gently and without judgment. These are not the typical descriptions of your inner chatter.

MAKING A DECISION? Imagine a path or a doorway for each of the choices that you face. As you approach each: feel for density, heaviness, thickness; observe the visual cues of light, dark, color, sparkles; look for excitement, dread, fear, approachability, resistance, expansion.

PRACTICE will allow you to trust your inner voice/instinct/intuition. Begin with small questions that don’t feel life altering, such as, which route should I travel to my destination today?

EMPATHY – Your empathic abilities are a gift. You don’t require the fullest amount of input to have the knowledge. Instead, modulate the amount of information that comes in to you. Use intention as well as the techniques described in Energy Cleansing.

TRUST your intuition and allow it to become a more significant part of your daily life!

Living life as a six-sensory is beneficial because all of your senses are more attuned to give you the fullest information. This allows you to see the many options that are available, to know when to proceed and when to withdraw, in relationships and professionally, and to ultimately recognize and live your life’s purpose.

When you are connected to your inner wisdom you can experience a deep, strong connection to your true Self. This provides a calm and confident power, fewer emotional triggers and less anxiety or depression. Living a six-sensory life is a profoundly empowering experience.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

A unique and evolving vocabulary to describe an increasing number of children

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

During my years working in the schools and in my private practice, I have met many Indigos. I find them to be wise, intuitive, caring, and curious and they often have a “spark” – which seems to challenge the existing educational and societal constructs.

Many students who have been diagnosed with ADHD are Indigos. It’s as if the characteristics that define one, describe the other: out–of–the–box, right-brained and otherwise unconventional learner, and global thinker.

In addition to the previous descriptors, Indigos are often described as old souls. They may be immature, yet older than their years. They like animals and nature. They might seem to have low self-esteem while simultaneously acting grandiose. The rebellious spirit of the Indigo seems to say: I know I’m here for a purpose. I know that the way we treat each other and our Earth is supposed to change. I’m tired of waiting. Let’s get on with it!

Indigo children are described as being born in 1978 or later, yet many born prior to 1978 will see themselves in the Indigo descriptors. Authors Nancy Ann Tappe, Lee Carroll and Jan Tober have written about Indigo children. Doreen Virtue, in her book The Care and Feeding of Indigo Children, offers a complete list of characteristics.

At the time of their identification, Indigo Children were not as common as they are now. Over the years I have encountered many more of these students. The qualities of Indigos also seem to be changing, evolving if you will. Doreen Virtue identified this next group as Crystal Children. They have all the same qualities as the Indigos, but they don’t have the rebellious spark and vigor. They personify the empathic spirit of the Indigos. It’s as if they exude love and are spreading compassion and acceptance.

Incidentally, no group is considered “better” than another. They may be variations or maybe each group has a purpose. It seems that Indigos had to jumpstart change. Most people are not keen on changing and systems can even be slower. So Indigos needed a kick-butt attitude to get us moving.

Just as Indigos increased in numbers, Crystals are also increasing in numbers. I have considered the possibility that many children with autism are Crystal Children. Is the growing number of children with autism indicative of the increase of Crystal Children? While children with autism are hypersensitive, not all Sensitives, nor all Crystals, have autism. As I explained in Sensitive Children, Sensitives are interconnected with others on an empathic and energetic level, though they are often challenged to connect with others socially. I have heard many parents of children with autism tell of their child’s psychic knowing about family, friends or others. Parents also often describe their children with autism as being filled with love.

Another group are Rainbow Children. They are similar to Crystals, but according to Doreen Virtue they don’t have the karmic ‘baggage’ of past lives. Baggage refers to unresolved issues as a result of our life experiences. Karmic baggage is the idea that a person has unresolved issues that have carried forward from other lifetimes. Students of metaphysics hold the belief that these experiences from past lives can subconsciously affect us in the present.

Indigos, Crystals, Rainbows, Lightworkers, Sensitives, Six-Sensories, Star Children. Regardless of the name, they/we are living these concepts: We are all interconnected. We are each more than a member of the family of Earth, or even the Universe. We are multidimensional beings.

I strive to help these individuals, their families and educators realize that though they don’t always excel in the way that society expects – academically, socially, etc, they have gifts and are worthy. Regardless of age, as I work with these individuals I help them to:

• Understand and accept their sensitivities, empathy and intuition
• Develop self-confidence and be empowered
• Establish personal and energetic boundaries
• Minimize their sensitivities, fears and the effects of anxiety
• Remember that they are spiritual beings having a human experience

I hold the Indigo, Crystal, Rainbow and Star Children in your life in light and love. May we all recognize our purpose and live our lives to their fullest potential.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

Published in Metro You Magazine, June 2012

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Have you noticed that in increasing numbers, people are opening to their spirituality?  We are sensing an awareness of our alignment with the Universe.  We are striving to develop this alignment and our intuition, and are given increasing support by our society. It is no longer an activity or belief that must be hidden.  It is now commonplace to find others with whom to share experiences, knowledge and truths. Books are plentiful in bookstores with whole sections (and stores) devoted to the New Age.  Movies and TV dedicate stories to this theme with large viewer participation.  There is comfort in knowing that others have spiritual beliefs and that we can share our experiences of past lives, chakras, medical intuition, angels, spirit guides, spiritual counselors, meditation, etc. without fear of alienation and isolation.

Spiritual evolution happens through the growing awareness within each of us that we are not in isolation.  With this insight comes recognition of the importance for us to care for our environment and each other.

Our sense of our evolutionary experience is abstract and intuitive.  If we trust our inner knowledge we will find our answers and inner peace.  Spiritual leaders and gurus can be beneficial for us to support our opening and our awareness of our own personal knowledge, but we can also make our way through this development on our own, or in the company of others, walking along our new path.

As we develop peaceful contacts with each other and within ourselves, the positive vibrations increasing across our planet bring ever-greater positive changes.  Surround yourself with positive people as often as possible.  Evaluate your friendships, relationships and employment.  Seek connection with your Universal Source to increase feelings of love and self-worth.  This can be done in meditation as well as prayer. Do inner work through the use of self-help manuals, therapy and friends to improve any negative relationships in which you are currently involved.

Being in positive surroundings raises your vibrations, which enhances all aspects of your life and increases your intuition.  In return, your positive vibrations encourage others to raise their vibrations and increase their positive behaviors. This ultimately has an exponential effect.  The positive energy of each of us forms together to create a global effect for positive change.

What is our role in spiritual evolution? We must release ourselves from assumptions of how things should be.  If we open to knowledge and love we will find the answers for our personal and global future.  Writers and speakers show us the way and allow us affirmation of what we believe, of what we do, and of what we know.

Step forward and listen.  What does your internal wisdom say?  Heed your call and follow your head as well as your heart.  This is our evolution.  You are walking with others as you move in new directions.  Fear not the path and do not fear the outcome.  You do not walk alone.  You walk with numerous others who are evolving with you.  Reach out to find them.  Support each other and always listen within.  We are striving for peace.  We are supporting humanity.  Together we are creating a new pattern for living – assimilating the metaphysical with the physical.  Together, we can support Earth’s children as they find their way on their paths and support each other as we follow our internal wisdom, and our hearts.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

This article appeared in PhenomeNews Magazine, October 2004