Spiritual Detoxification for a New You     

Contrary to the naysayers beliefs, I'm happy to report that I went the distance in cleaning out my physical body. The program consisted of a strict and pure diet, along with a de-toxing drink and some tablets each day. At first, it was grueling. I didn't think I could make it to Day Two let alone Day 21. It seemed like the longest stretch of time looming ahead of me before I could savor my delicious dark chocolate again. And what is wrong with organic chocolate anyway, I asked. But it's not what's wrong with chocolate, it's about purging your physical self of toxins, sugar, heavy metals and plasticides and other things that just don't belong in the human body in the first place.

Somewhere along the way, while I was munching on rice cakes and almond butter, a shift occurred. This de-toxing program was no longer the enemy out to make my life miserable, but was now a friend that was making my life enjoyable. As the toxins left my physical body, peace enveloped my spiritual and mental bodies. A sense of calm so strong enfolded me that I felt deep inner bliss and deep abiding joy. My whole being radiated love and serenity and I felt a glow within that radiated in the outer. Usual problems that would have irked me, no longer did so and I shifted to a state of love no matter what was going on around me. My daily meditations reached a state of awareness that I only reached on long meditation retreats and it even surpassed some of those experiences. I was flying high on purity of self and it was wonderful.

Certainly de-toxing the physical body yielded magnificent spiritual transformation, and, if it could do so, why not do a 21-day mental detox program to go along with it. Here are some recommendations that you can do for mental de-toxing to reach higher levels of consciousness:

• Eliminate toxic thoughts - Fear, guilt, shame, criticism, anger are all toxic to our true nature and harm our spiritual selves as well as our physical selves. These emotions suck the light out of you and cast you into an emotional black hole. Fear is the opposite of faith; for if you had faith, you could not feel fear. Cast these negative thoughts from your mind with affirmations (positive statements of truth) and prayer and let them go easily and gently from your mind.
• Purify your diet - By adopting a healthy diet, you raise your vibration and reach higher levels of consciousness. Eat healthy grains, organic, free-range meats and eggs, vegetables and fruits, and eliminate sugar as best you can. Buy organic as much as your budget will allow and feast on God's bounty from nature by avoiding processed foods with additives and chemicals.
• Seek only God - and all will be added unto you. A prayer you can use is:

I seek only God. I seek only Good. May God reveal itself to me in all that is seen and unseen. I see God in the sun, moon, flowers, animals, birds and in the eyes of everyone I meet. I seek God first and foremost and an am outlet for the expression of God. All that I do is God working through me to express the greater idea of life. I am humble in doing the work of God, and give greatly of myself to all of humanity. I seek that God reveal itself to me everywhere I look. I behold only God. I behold only Good.

And so it is!

• Be a servant of the Divine - Every day upon awakening invite God to work through you today. As a result, whatever you do in your work, your relationships, your daily activities will be blessed with unconditional love and an attitude of self-less service to others and to creation.
• Cultivate gratitude in your heart - One is truly blessed when grateful for all that life gives. Everyone faces challenges from time to time, whether it is financial, relationships, health, career, depression, etc. No matter what the challenges, you can find a spark of gratitude in your heart for something even as simple as the sun shining on your face that day. Gratitude carries with it positive and wonderful energy. In fact, researchers have found that people who keep gratitude journals on a weekly basis have fewer physical ailments, feel better about their lives and are more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who focus on negativity. Send your love and gratitude to God, and you will propel your life into a deep state of sacred joy. Express this gratitude daily and watch it grow into wonderful demonstrations in your life.

I invite you to get started on your spiritual de-tox program today. Try it for 21 days, and let me know how it goes.You can contact me through www.liveyourjoy.org. I'm betting on you making it the full 21 days and for the rest of your life. And while you're at it, savor a piece of dark chocolate and enjoy the ride!