Of interest here is the fact that about 300 years ago, the study of spirit and mind were separated in order to create a quantifiable study of the mind in the realm of “pure science”.  Prior to this, psyche was identified and understood as the inseparable mind/spirit. This occurred during the Mayan cycle which viewed everything in terms of duality. Most human beings living today have known only this pervasive duality consciousness.

This split between mind and spirit underlies the limited success in clinical results in the field of mental health. It also contributes to the difficulties we have and are experiencing as we’ve moved into new Mayan cycles of intuition, telepathy, and wholeness.

The hippie movement of the 60’s and 70’s reflected dissatisfaction with consumerism, image based lifestyles, and conformity.It also expressed a desire for spiritual enlightenment, love and peace. It was brought forth from the energies of a consciousness rapidly evolving toward the completion of the cycles in 2012.

The term “stress” was first used in 1946 to show that psychological reactions can cause illness in the body. Carl Johan Calleman, author of The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness, says “Stress is a product of the modern mind and reflects the confusing influences on the individual of two different frames of consciousness linked to two different Underworlds (major cycles).”

He points out that when high high-frequency spiritual pulses of light started to be transmitted to the right-brain hemisphere as early as 1947 and more significantly in 1999, the influence of these pulses created a conflict between the rapidly developing higher consciousness and today’s dominant materialistic social values, resulting in significant stress and burnout.

Calleman adds, “The body seems to be telling the individual that it is not being aligned with the divine plan and refuses to go on. Those afflicted are not the lazy, but rather the compassionate – individuals who cannot shield themselves from the high-frequency pulses of the new (cycle)” He also indicates that stress and burnout may be a wake-up call that can lead to greater awareness and expansion of consciousness.

Our study of innate Brilliance has created a new mindset for these unique times. We understand Brilliance to be that innate part of ourselves that has access to all we need to know. It is our link to the Universe and our higher state of mind. When we access our Brilliance we move past conditioned thinking and old patterns of awareness and we move into all of the awaiting possibilities and potentials of our human beingness. Learning to live from our Brilliance keeps us aligned with the Now energies of creation and allows us to flow with universal oneness regardless what cycles are ending or beginning.

Learn more about utilizing our Brilliance Formula in our book, Activate Your Brilliance: 12 Keys to the Art of Living Happy.

Perhaps it’s time for a new mindset for the holidays. Some of the major holidays of the year celebrated by different religions have already passed. Thanksgiving is over as well. But no matter where we go we are surrounded by the trappings of Christmas, with Kwanza and Chanukah coming up for those who celebrate these days.  Gifts, decorations, food, and more can frazzle us while they dazzle us. It could be time to start some new traditions.

The real trick is knowing that our mindset is just a set of thoughts and beliefs inside of us, and we can change these if we choose. What is it we really want to accomplish in this holiday season? What is the true gift in our gift-giving? It seems that one reason we give gifts is to show appreciation to another person. When gifts are expected, and few thanks given, we wonder if appreciation is really the issue.  What message do you want your gifts to say this holiday season?

If you want to show appreciation and love to others, there are many types of gifts. Do you want to share more of yourself and less of Macy’s this year? What would happen if you chose a special object, possession, picture, or memory and wrote or shared its meaning as your gift to each loved one? While you might expect some to be disappointed, the gifts of your personal expression, hopes and insight would long be remembered.

What if you gave each person an empty jar and filled it with notes listing the talents, strengths or characteristics you most love or appreciate about that person? That gift is one that could keep on giving for a lifetime. And such a jar certainly would invite more notes over the year ahead. The gifts we give that are not expensive often create a wealth beyond compare in the hearts of those who receive them.

Now back to that holiday mindset.  We get to choose our thoughts, so will you see those twinkling lights on your neighbor’s house as something beautiful in the dark of the night, or as a reminder of what you haven’t gotten done yet? Will you see yourself as wise and discriminating if you choose a heart-filled gift from within to personally share with those you love, or as inadequate and disappointing if you don’t buy everything on your child’s wish list at Target?

At Back to Brilliance we focus attention on living from our Brilliance, that part of our mind that is connected to all life and the universe itself. We know that anyone can learn to live from this state of awareness and thereby create healthy, happy, fulfilling lives for themselves. The Mindset of Brilliance is like that Energizer Bunny who just keeps going, and going, and giving to enrich our lives.

We know that our mindset is ours to create and that the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others is to live full out, and to express and share our true selves with those we love. Following our heart’s direction is primary, while the trappings of the holiday season are secondary. Give like you’ve never given before in this season of holidays. Risk giving a part of your true self to those you love this year.

Now that we are adults, we get to play at the same game. Often we are playing unaware that we are pulling to us the aspects of life that we focus our thoughts on. It is quite amazing and is equal in accuracy to our childhood pastimes.

Now, what are we saying?  Take a look at your day’s high points and low points.  Jot down a few of the strongest elements of your day. Then ask yourself: “What thoughts did I pay attention to today?” and “How do these thoughts relate to the most memorable incidents of my day?”

We create the flavor of our day through our thinking as surely as a magnet will always attract metal.  Our accumulated thoughts, our Mindset, can be put to good use to create our lives.  Check everything around you – what does it look like, sound like, feel like? The quickest way to discover where your attention has been is to look around you. You have created this with the magnet of your mind.

P.S. You can always shift your focus and put your attention on what you want the most. This will surely change the picture of your life.

Oprah has featured many writers over the years who have stressed the value of mindset. Her project with Eckhart Tolle stresses expanding one’s consciousness, which is moving from old beliefs and patterns of thinking to a broader mindset that encompasses much more. If you check Google for “mindset”, you’ll find over 15 million entries. Mindset is mainstream.

Many have looked to the workings of the mind to create a foundation for change. It is generally recognized that we have patterns of thinking and beliefs that have been developed over generations. Our minds try to hold on to these beliefs even in the face of new evidence that contradicts old beliefs.

With all the personal development programs and the focus on making your dreams come true, there is a whole body of information that suggests that by learning new habits of thinking, we can change our lives for the better.

There is a new and growing movement, exemplified by the movie “The Secret” and others like it, that demonstrates that our thoughts play an important role in creating our lives.

The times we are living in, with costs rising, wages falling, the need for both parents to work to make ends meet, little time for relaxation, and so on, are stretching the fabric of our lives. Many wonder, “Is this all there is?” and want so much more.

At Back to Brilliance we focus attention on living from our natural Brilliance, that part of our mind that is connected to all life and the universe itself. We know that anyone can learn to live from this state of awareness and thereby create healthy, happy, fulfilling lives for themselves.

To do this requires a new understanding of mind and how it operates. It requires the commitment and diligence to practice moving away from our thought patterns and outdated beliefs. Most importantly it requires moving to your brilliant point of view.

Our books, reports, programs and courses focus on how to activate one’s brilliant mindset. It is this brilliant mindset that generates the brilliant thoughts and feelings that recreate our lives. Having walked this way ourselves we provide the insights, road signs and strategies for making this shift as simply and easily as possible, knowing that this is the greatest and most profound change we’ve ever made.