Divine Potential

I am no longer willing to perpetuate any human story that obscures my divine potential.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman

Wonder over worry

At every juncture
trade in your
worry for wonder
& watch what happens.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman #practicewonder #zumaview

Evolution over conditioning

Conditioning and programming run deep and are often unconscious. Every step of evolution involves dissolving a layer of conditioning. This is truly where the rubber meets the road. Yet it can be really confronting when blindspots and inauthenticity are brought to light. This is where I'm finding I need equal parts courage and compassion. I find looking at my choices is crucial to see whether I'm committed to moving forward or staying with old worn out patterns of thought and behavior.

Your choices reveal whether you're more committed to your conditioning or your evolution.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman

Living vs. making a living

Don't wake up one day and realize you spent so much time making a living that you forgot to live your life.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman

Heart Open

I'd rather feel my heart break open a million times, than to ever allow it to harden over with fear and cynicism.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman

New leases

Oh yeah!!

When LIFE gives you a new lease, sign it in bold ink asap!

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman

NEVER TURN AWAY A WOMAN ~ Support our GoFundMe Campaign

A couple of weeks ago I led a yoga session for a group of women at Union Rescue Mission homeless shelter on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles. There were no bamboo floors or flashy yoga pants. We pushed back chairs and luggage and brushed dirt to the side. We rolled out mats and began the session with TVs blaring. Skepticism shot like lazor beams from the eyes of the beleaguered faces, yet a few willing hearts swapped their chairs for a mat and off we went. About ten minutes in, I noticed the TVs were off. Whew! I also felt the chatter from the women seated subside and noticed they were actually tuning in. Cool! 

I made eye contact as much as possible to let them know they were included. Many times I choked back tears. Not because I pittied them. But because I saw their value. I saw that they were my equals, my sisters and I wanted them to know that too. To them, I probably looked like a privileged white girl. And to some degree that is true since unfortunately those of us with white skin are often favored whether we ask for it or not. They have no idea where I came from and that just one year ago I was a step away from homeless. And now is not the time to tell them my story. I can only share my heart and let them FEEL that I care whether or not they ever know why.

As we were ending the practice, I invited everyone to take one deep breath together as if we were one body. I found myself saying and meaning it with all my soul, "unity is power." That simple phrase pulled everyone in and there were nods and verbal expressions of agreement. As we all took that deep breath together, there was a palpable quiet in the room. The energy had completely shifted. Everyone felt it. Everyone felt the power of unity.

This no doubt will go down in history as one of the most moving and significant moments of my life. 

This event was part of  

Never Turn Away a Woman, 

an endeavor to enrich the lives of the women of Skid Row. Our primary focus is raising money to create "Survivor Beauty Bags" that include things that are not readily available to these amazing sisters. Things such as lotions, and essential oils, and other items that support their femininity and sense of value.

If you feel inspired to help, you can donate to our GoFundMe Campaign HERE

In May 2017 we will hold an artist/writers show at Leimin Space in Chinatown. All proceeds will go to our Never Turn Away A Woman campaign. Between now and then (and beyond) we will be offering yoga and other workshops that uplift and empower the women at Union Rescue Mission.

I so appreciate any support for this venture!

Physical Distortion

Just knowing this opens up all kinds of possibilities... The physical senses don't report reality. They distort reality and then report the distortion.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman

Revelation is Listening

Revelation isn't something given to a "chosen one," but is discovered by one who is listening.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman #tunein #listen #everyoneisachosenone

Weird is normal

Can anyone relate?

I used to say thank goodness I'm normal, now I say thank goodness I'm WEIRD!!!

Anyone who isn't at least a little weird is definitely not normal.

Alison Bristow
#theshaktishaman #weirdisnormal

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