Tanya Craig

Loving Thy Neighbour - A True Story

19/4/2019

One night, a neighbours son walked out onto the street and screamed out in rage after his video game ended sooner than hoped.

We also heard a cracking noise and thinking he probably just threw something at the big tree out front, we didn't go out to investigate.

In the morning we found the newspaper cylinder broken off the side of our letterbox. A little shocked we considered perhaps speaking to his mum.

Realising I felt conflicted at this thought, I took a deep breath, centred in my heart and asked myself what it was that I really wanted to say, and these words came forth;

"We know your son is awesome and I also know that last night he forgot how awesome he was when he broke our letter box. Please just let him know that we don't use that part of the letterbox anyway so it's all perfectly fine, we understand and we still think he's awesome."

In the end we decided to say nothing as nothing needed replacing.

Here are some things I've come to know about the healing power of Love.

Life will always present opportunities to choose either fear or love.
Our left-brain 'projects' into the future based on past experience. Our right-brain is pure 'presence', it unifies, extending and creating love.
What we give to others, we are teaching to others.
What we give to another, we also give to our Self... you can actually feel it.... it's because we are one.
Our true Self is our present heart-mind connection and is here to serve the greater higher purpose of all ...this is our one purpose.
Without access to true vision our left-brain is only in service to its separate self and it fears union.
Our true Self is Love and it is one with the Universe/Source/God/Divinity/Life-force/The Tao/Great Spirit etc..

Choosing the greater vision of universal love doesn't mean that we gloss over or avoid addressing a situation.

It means that we are aware and able to practice looking through fear and separation to the presence of Love in all ....raising each other up.

A miracle happens every time we choose Love whether the words are spoken or not... stay with the vision and the heart.... all is energy... all is one... Love.

Namaste,
Tanya

Spiritual Awakening and Spiritual Emergence

3/10/2018

Someone approached me recently with concern for her adult son who isn’t ‘spiritual’ but says his third eye is opening. This had me wondering, how many other ‘non-spiritual’ people are spontaneously ‘waking-up’ without a previous frame of reference. She and her son were doing great. He, researching his 'non-ordinary' experiences whilst managing well to stay grounded in his daily life. This isn’t always the case and it’s a real credit to their trusting and heart-centred way.

In my career so far, I’ve had only a few clients seek my help who were going through intense spiritual awakening. In my training it was termed ‘spiritual emergence’ or if it’s becoming a crisis for someone ‘spiritual emergency’.

What is Spiritual Emergence?

Spiritual emergence is...
"the movement of an individual to a more expanded way of being that involves
enhanced emotional and psychosomatic health, greater freedom of personal choices, and a sense of deeper connection with other people, nature, and the cosmos.

An important part of this development is an increasing awareness of the spiritual dimension
in one's life and in the universal scheme of things."
(Grof & Grof, 1990)

Spiritual emergence can happen to anyone, in fact I believe it is happening to our planet. Those who are spiritually attuned are noticing that the 'veil between worlds' is becoming thinner. Science is reporting that Earths magnetic field is becoming less defined as our poles begin to shift toward a predicted pole reversal.

Whatever the reason, as a planet and as people we seem to be awakening to energies beyond our ordinary ‘field’ of vision. With a shifting personal and planetary field, it makes sense why centreing in our heart chakra and awakening our presence to the greater unifying force of love, has become key to our process.

For each of us this process is also a uniquely personal one, be it sudden and rapid, full of grace or a deepening spiritual path. For most however, it is just the stuff of life, such as facing major challenges like illnesses, and death/s. All challenges have the potential to awaken our conscious presence and release what no longer serves our truer self.

How can we help?

There are ten common themes of experience that spiritual emergence may take. The SEN website www.spiritualemergence.org.au is a great resource with pages of information, such as how to recognise spiritual emergence and how to support a friend or family member who is having an intense awakening. You may even recognise the key themes showing up in your life as 'mirrors' to your own emergence.

Acknowledging that they are moving through
an important and natural process,
removes much of the fear and resistance,
which then allows it to
flow with more ease and grace.

For some these experiences may be so frightening that it may seem they are 'losing' their mind or going to die. Death is a common symbolic theme that arises during spiritual emergence as the fear-based consciousness or ‘ego structures’ begin to breakdown and 'die'.

This breakdown is followed by a break-through into awareness, love and unity-consciousness.

Why is it so important?

Most people going through spiritual emergence intuitively know their experiences are an awakening process. However, because of the intensity some may seek help, be diagnosed and prescribed strong medication to halt this process. In some cases when all other practical tools and assistance doesn't help, prescribed medication will be needed to help manage it.

Who else can help?

There is a lot we can all do to help another and ourselves stay present, grounded, fed, rested and safe during spiritual emergence. Finding a heart-centred practitioner that is versed in the symbolic and energetic terrains of both the collective and the personal unconscious can be very important for some. Witnessing, integrating and grounding the energies through processes such as art, ritual and client-centred spiritual counselling, will assist the transition from unconscious fear to loving presence in both the ordinary and spiritual realms more effectively and safely.

......And other times, it may simply be a warm bath or immersion in nature that will serve best :-)

To find out more about my art therapy sessions go to Art Therapy.

Namaste,
Tanya

Art Therapy and Eating Disorders

7/9/2018

A helpful perspective

Whenever we struggle with an ongoing issue, in truth, it is actually 'life' nudging and helping us to grow and evolve. Contrary to what consumerism tells us, all of us are exactly where we need to be right now and our struggles indicate that we are emerging from a cocoon that no longer serves us. It is a time of renewal. There is no where else anyone can be but exactly where they are right now. Welcome!

Art Therapy is about reclaiming your true self, your innate beauty
and your powerful connection to Source.

Who is this for?

Eating disorders are generally characterised by excessive concerns about body shape and weight, leading to harmful weight control behaviours.

My support in this area will suit anyone who is struggling with any of the following....

disordered eating
body image issues
unhealthy dieting

clinical eating disorders

...OR those who feel they will benefit from growth in any of the 7 areas below.

Art Therapy for eating disorders focuses on 7 key areas needed to shed the old cocoon and strengthen your wings. The structure below is entirely flexible as everyone's journey is unique.

Centering in awareness and your true self
Understanding the eating disorder/disordered eating
Skills for solving the problems
Understanding and reclaiming emotions
Healing body image issues
Finding self acceptance

Developing spiritual connection

How does the art therapy happen?

Each area above has a range of art therapy processes to engage with and each is a process of exploration and self-realisation which enables you to evolve. Every process of exploration (shedding) is followed by a secondary process of responding (renewal) to claim the power in what was realised or gained from the first.

What if I'm not good at art?

You do not need to be good at art, in fact it's better if you are not because then you bring a childlike quality to your art and the symbolic message will be clearer as opposed to art that's main focus is to look 'beautiful'. Each process has a specific focus for the 'art' with clear and simple guidelines.

It is not how the art looks that matters,
but what it is telling you about your experience.

What art materials are used?

A range of easy, 'no rules', mixed media (art materials) are used; collage with glue sticks and magazine images and coloured tissue paper, water colour washes, oil pastels (as in the drawing above), finer detail can be added with coloured gel pens, textas or coloured pencils, clay for sculpting and acrylic paint for ink blot pictures.

And lastly! There's opportunity to start your own visual arts diary if you choose to. Additional suggestions can be given at the end of each session for further self-expression to be done at home.

Namaste
Tanya

Path of Light

31/5/2018

Light Filled Balloon
Cup of Abundance
Sun, Divine Source

Inspiring Centre
Alive and Present
Flower of Life
Heart Petals of Light
Yielding Heart

Gaia - Earth Mother
Roots
Grounded Illumination

Illumination
Meditating Eyes
Connected and Balanced
Still and Aware

Rising Heart
Growth
Womb of Creation

This is the latest banner which I recently painted for the stairwell to my therapy room.
Having not yet named it, I posted it on facebook and received the above reflections from others.
The title that has come to me through this process is 'Path of Light'.

Thank you to all those who shared :-)

To celebrate, I want to offer the below 'simple truth' which is
also a beautiful 2-part metaphor to ponder in relationship to our current path.

If you are in a dark room,
and you open the door to light,
light will flood into the room.

If you are in a room full of light,
and you open the door to darkness,
darkness does not flood into the room.

Such is the power of Light.

Adapted from "We Are This Light " by Mooji

Sacred Presence - a true story

30/4/2018

A couple of months ago, a woman in her thirties came to me for a massage and when I asked her if there was anything I should know before we began, she said that she was feeling very sensitive, both premenstrual and strongly affected by the full moon. For about a week, she had been struggling to manage her emotions. When I asked her what she felt she needed from me, she asked for a very gentle and nurturing massage.

As I began a gentle massage, she asked me if I could go a little softer. Then a second time she asked if I could go even softer. A third time, I asked her if I should go softer still and she said yes. For a moment I stepped back from the table to re-centre myself with the realisation that this was no longer massage......but instead, sacred touch. I set my intention; "to meet and honour her exactly as she was" and to bless her with the long flowing strokes of heart-centred Hawaiian sacred touch. There were moments in the connection when I actually felt I could feel her soul with my hands. After the massage, her eyes were shining. "Wow", I said, "you look amazing!" Her reply was, "I FEEL amazing!"

She has also given me permission to share the text message she sent to me later that day:
Thank you so much Tanya! My heart feels so much lighter! I feel grounded in a peaceful way. My mind feels happy to be me, just as I am. And I also feel inspired !

Our paths crossed again a week later and she said that the massage had been a turning point for her, that she was still feeling great.

One of my key steps to providing a great massage for someone, is to empty myself of any 'agenda', and to be receptive and present to the person in front of me from the minute they arrive. I trust 100% that there is a very good reason they are here and that much of this resides with the greater unknown. I surrender to the greater field of exchange allowing myself to be guided by the client's mind, body and spirit and the sacred art of Lomi Lomi.

No two massages are EVER the same. This was the third time I had massaged this woman and previously she hadn't had a massage for over 10 years. Contrary to what many people think, massage isn't only about releasing muscular tension through technique and pressure, it's also about sacred presence and receptivity. It's important that you trust your practitioner and also trust your need to speak up if something isn't working for you.

Namaste
Tanya

Double Lomi Lomi Massage

25/4/2018

I partner up with my beautiful Lomi-Sister Andrea for this very special massage experience. 'Double Lomi Lomi' (also known as 'Two Hearts, Four Hands Massage') is where you are massaged by both Andrea and myself at the same time!

With Double Lomi Lomi, as well as getting double the massage in the same amount of time, you are also being attended to, by two very caring hearts, each bringing our unique gift and expertise to the massage. Having already shared our Double Lomi Lomi with many people, it has developed into a beautiful synchronised dance. Andrea and I love sharing this amazing gift with as many people as we can!

Another benefit of Double Lomi Lomi is that it is almost impossible not to surrender fully into this blissful experience, because your mind literally can't follow along i.e. work out whose hands are whose, so it stops thinking entirely, leaving you more open to the full benefits of the massage. So why not take blissful massage to the next level!

We often muse, that If everyone in the world had at least one Double Lomi Lomi it would be a much more loving planet. Fact is, we are all worthy of a much better world and it begins with each of us... By recognising our own self-worth, we open our hearts further when giving and receiving with our world. Filling your own cup enables you to give whole-heartedly and deeply to others.

Call or text me with some suitable times if you'd like me to arrange a Double Lomi Lomi for you!

Lomi Love
Tanya
0415 227 058

Scribble Drawings

19/7/2017

When is the last time you did a scribble drawing? Back in the days of Mr Squiggle maybe?

In art therapy scribble drawings are an easy way to bypass the conscious mind/ego and allow current images/messages to arise from the subconscious for integration. It begins with some random scribble then slowly turning the page around until you see something begin to emerge in the scribble. Then, fill in the picture to welcome it forth!

The final part of the process once the drawing is filled in and feels complete, is a technique called amplification in which I guide you more deeply to connect with the energies and messages arising from the symbolism. This is where, what you are ready to know about your issue comes to realisation and begins to be integrated into consciousness through a process of relating, understanding, acceptance and love.

There are variations on how this process can be engaged with depending on where you are at in your process. If you are exploring an issue related to your body I may ask you to scribble with your whole body involved or if it's an emotional issue I may ask you to feel into the emotion as you scribble e.g. 'angry' scribble. Or I may ask you to formulate a specific question that you are asking and hold it with intent as you scribble. All in all the disarming of the ego in this simple process of allowing an image to arise through the nonsensical gateway couldn't be more surprising and powerful.

Divination Card Sessions

24/3/2017

Divination Card Sessions are for gaining clarity and awareness on a specific aspect of your life or a question you have.

Unlike other card readings, during this process (originating from transpersonal art therapy) I guide and empower YOUR innate ability to divine and powerfully realise the answers to your own questions!

Be guided through a beautiful process of divination in which truth and knowledge becomes apparent through a deepening connection with your cards.

Here's what Andrea and Monty said about their sessions;

"I had a unique card reading with Tanya. I chose 3 cards and called them deep, deeper, deepest. One by one I saw what they meant for me guided by Tanya so beautifully in her calm loving way. I had a question to ask and I got the answer in a most magical and unexpected way. It was a wonderful personal experience to read my own cards. It bought up stuff from deep within, but felt good to finally voice it in a safe space. Today I feel lighter, brighter and completely at peace." ~ Andrea

"I've had many card readings, this one was the most profound by far. Tanya's process with the divination card reading is truly incredible. She guides you to delve deep into the images and see what's being shown to you. Her questions and guidance as she holds space allow and empower you to tap in to your own intuition and process the messages as they surface. I was absolutely amazed at how much I was able to see in the cards!! " ~ Monty

Blessing Ceremonies.

18/3/2017

Linda's Home Blessing

Rise Shakti Rise Blessing

I did two Blessing Ceremonies this last month...one for Rise Shakti Rise (right) and beautiful Linda Rose (left) asked me to facilitate a blessing for her new home. Here's what Linda shared;

"The last 12 months have been a bit of a journey for me emotionally but I am now on my own and in my own home. The one thing I wanted was Tanya to do a Home Blessing. As Tanya has studied Shamanism I love her gentle natural approach to life. It was a beautiful simple time with close friends gifting me something that they had found in nature (maybe a shell or piece of bark) and I received it with a wish from them. I now have these treasures in a special place in my home and I feel my house is now my home. Thank you Xx"

Bringing ritual and ceremony back into our lives is a passion of mine. These events bring back meaning to our important rites of passage which are part of being human and largely uncelebrated in our culture. Sharing these thresholds with the people you love and your community connects us in ways that bring us closer together, in recognition and support of each others sacred milestones.

I am always moved by how naturally people speak from their hearts when guided to in sacred ceremony.

Replenishing your Yin in support of your Yang.

14/3/2017

It's so important to make time to come back completely to zero each week and enter a deeply restorative state to replenish your feminine Yin energies.

Without nourishing your deep Yin your masculine Yang 'doing' energy is empty and relying on caffeine, anxiety and will power which isn't sustainable for your overall health.

To support your weekly cycle I also have limited times available on Sundays (your day of rest).

Also, if you are someone who doesn't wake-up in the morning feeling revitalised, then a weekly massage can help to train you to let go of stressed yang energy and surrender into more restful nights of sleep.

<<Previous

Loving Thy Neighbour - A True Story

Spiritual Awakening and Spiritual Emergence

What is Spiritual Emergence?

How can we help?

Why is it so important?

Who else can help?

Art Therapy and Eating Disorders

A helpful perspective

Art Therapy is about reclaiming your true self, your innate beauty
and your powerful connection to Source.

Who is this for?

How does the art therapy happen?

What if I'm not good at art?

It is not how the art looks that matters,
but what it is telling you about your experience.

What art materials are used?

Path of Light

Sacred Presence - a true story

Double Lomi Lomi Massage

Scribble Drawings

Divination Card Sessions

Blessing Ceremonies.

Replenishing your Yin in support of your Yang.

Author

Categories

Telephone

Email

What is Spiritual Emergence?

How can we help?

Why is it so important?

Who else can help?

A helpful perspective

Art Therapy is about reclaiming your true self, your innate beautyand your powerful connection to Source.

Who is this for?

How does the art therapy happen?

What if I'm not good at art?

It is not how the art looks that matters,but what it is telling you about your experience.

What art materials are used?

Author

Categories

Telephone

Email

Art Therapy is about reclaiming your true self, your innate beauty
and your powerful connection to Source.

It is not how the art looks that matters,
but what it is telling you about your experience.