What is Spirituality?

1. Spirituality is connecting your self with your understanding of God and the universe. It is not a religion, it is you discovering the sacred part of you that is connected to the bigger picture. Knowing that all is the same and one within itself. 2. It's being open to sense, feel and learn through your higher self which is the connection to all spiritual knowledge and universal truths. It is intuitive based. It's what feels right for you. It comes from within not from without. 3. Spirituality does not confine you to one belief system - it is open to all. It leaves you to explore and to form your own truth. It is open and flows. 4. It is a personal relationship between you and God or the universal source. Everyone gets a different answer that relates best to him or her. However universal truths are the same. Truth is truth, there is no arguing with it. (Like an apple is an apple.) How do we begin this journey? Through learning to be still and sitting in silence, you can connect to the universal source through prayer and meditation. This connection will guide you to your deepest truth. The more you practice, the more clarity you will get. This is where you will find the true meaning of love, grace, compassion, humility, gratitude, and more. You will be at peace with yourself, which gives you tremendous freedom! The spiritual journey is - The Journey Of You! "Many organized religions represent God as an external entity. Spirituality portrays God as an integral aspect of our humanity." - Andrew Harvey

How to Find Your Truth

Finding your truth starts with how you feel about something. What has meaning and brings warm feelings, peace and joy to you? This is part of your essence, of who you are, what makes you who you are, and what your constitution is made of. This is where you feel most comfortable with your self.  It has, “This is me” written all over it! For me, the ocean is so much a part of my essence. Whenever I am in it’s presence, I am home. When we feel at home, we are able to truly reflect on who we are. What does the ocean bring out in me? My truth, my honesty and integrity.  My whole self emerges I am all things but mostly I am peace. I am a part of all that is peace. It is in this kind of space within one’s self, that we find our truth. To find true happiness this should never be compromised. If you have this you have everything. It is what you know in your heart of hearts to be true for you. So you connect in through something like this and you pay attention to what it is giving you in feeling and knowing. This is your higher self or intuition locking in with source. “Intuition is God’s imprint on the Soul”– Jodi Hershey    Here is a Work Sheet: Always Qualify-Qualify- Qualify! Be Clear! 1. I am? ________________________________ 2. I want to become more? ________________________________ 3. I am becoming? ________________________________ 4. My true calling is? ________________________________ 5. I have decided to? ____________________________because I am worthy of it. 6. I am happiest when I am around: Type of people ______________________, places ________________________, and environments__________________________. 7. I am sensitive to? ________________________________ 8. Because I had the experience of? ________________________________ 9. I no longer want to carry? ________________________________ 10. I have decided to let go of ________________________. This sensitivity no longer serves me. I have learned all I needed to from it. I am giving it back to the universe.      11. I am free to be? ________________________________ It is all that I am.

Using Stones and 8 Crystal Must Haves

How to Use Stones: When working with crystals you are working with their energy and frequency. All stones come from different backgrounds, much like us. They have a story to tell. See which one you are drawn to. There are no mistakes. Start by holding them in your hand and, with eyes closed, go into a quiet state. Focus on just the stone and how it feels in your hand. Become a partner with its energy. You may feel a tingling sensation in your hands. Take a few deep breaths and ask the crystal to share its information with you. You can feel their frequency. Are they soft spoken, busy as bees, just watch in your minds eye what they do. Be the observer. You don't need to participate, you just need to be open. Use your intuitive mind to watch and feel. When you have had enough or are done with the information always thank them for sharing with you. Once you tune in with your stone, you can go back to them to talk or ask questions. They become your friend and are there to assist. If you don't like the energy of the stone put it back and find the right one for you. Eight Stones to Start With: 1. Rose Quartz: Self love. It's gentle, kind, soothing and nurturing.  Unites with the Divine. Keep one by your bed. 2. Clear Crystal Quartz: Master healer. It amplifies any energy, thought or intention. It also has the ability to amplify other stones. It absorbs, stores, releases and regulates energy. This stone stores energy, so cleanse if it has been around negative energy. Most powerful of all stones. 3. Hematite: Protects against negative energy. 4. Black Tourmaline: Transforms negative energy. 5. Turquoise: Serenity, emotional balance, wisdom and wholeness. Enhances creativity and spiritual knowledge. It's a HAPPY stone. 6. Amethyst: Spreads spiritual light around you. Brings forth intuition. Brings forth wisdom. Great stone to meditate with. Brings calmness and peace. Promotes balance. Spiritual protection. 7. Selenite: Calms and helps nervousness. I use it to clear all blocked energy. Can lift one's awareness. Helps with headaches, stiffness and swelling. Master clearer. 8. Smoky quartz: Good for grounding self and manifestation of ones dreams. Helps one to do something practical with spiritual information. Much Love,Jodi

The J.O.Y. Book List

Read. Recommend. Love. Some of these are old now but all speak some important truth’s that never age. They have taught me so many things. They are staples in my library. Dan Millman The Peaceful Warrior (CD - A must beginner’s movie) The Way of the Peaceful Warrior No Ordinary Moments: A Peaceful Warriors Guide to Daily Life The Life You Were Born to Live Wayne Dyers You Will See It When You Believe It The Power of intention Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life(Any and all of Wayne Dyer’s books. These 3 are my favorites.) Richard Bach Jonathon Livingston Seagull Illusions Running From Safety One Jodi Hershey The Call of the Day The Call of the Day Workbook  Miguel Ruiz – The Four Agreements Eckhart Tolle The Power of Now Stillness Speaks A New Earth Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose Alan Cohen – The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Anymore Louise Hay – You Can Heal Your Life Marianne Williamson – A Course In Miracles Michael Singer – The Untethered Soul Og Mendino The Greatest Salesman In The World The Choice Greg Braden The Divine Matrix The Spontaneous Healing Of Belief Awakening to Zero Point Marlo Morgan – Mutant Message Down Under Jane Roberts – The Seth Material(All Jane Roberts books are great! This one is my favorite.) Esther and Jerry Hicks The Law Of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham Ask and It Is Given Rhonda Byrne – The Secret Anodea Judith – Eastern Body Western Mind Dadi Janki – Inside Out(My Bible – Very hard to get. You have to go to Google: Type in “The Brahma Kumaris Website + London England” & go to the store.) Ram Dass – Be Here Now Laozi – Tao Te Ching Kahlil Gibran – The Prophet James Redfield – The Celestine Prophecy Paramahans – The Autobiography of a Yogi Deepak Chopra – The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Neale Donald Walsh - Conversations With God Chakra Andea Judith – Wheels of Life Cindi Dale – The Complete Book of Chakras Organic Gardening Machaelle Small Wright Perelandra Garden Behaving As If The God In All Life Mattered The Findhorn Community – The Findhorn Garden Herbal Healing Phyllis A. Balch CNC – Prescriptions for Herbal Healing Eliot Cowan – Plant Spirit Medicine Aroma Therapy Ravi Ratan – Handbook of Aromatherapy Crystals Melody – Love Is In The Earth

2018 – Color

The color of the year is purple. According to Pantone, "Purple communicate originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking. Futuristic."

Chakra Meditation

This is a specific Chakra Meditation and not for all Chakras at one time. Each Chakra has its own context individually, as well as its contribution to the whole. I am starting this with your Root Chakra because almost every issue starts with survival, safety and our place in the world. This is one we could do every morning to stay grounded throughout our day. Root Chakra – 1st Chakra Color Red: This Chakra provides grounding, stability, stamina, motivation, self- confidence, purpose, passion and excitement. 1st Chakra physically relates to legs, feet, base of spine, bones,and kidneys. If Root Chakra is imbalanced, you may experience or develop these symptoms: Instability, insecurity, weight loss/gain, constipation, arthritis, spinal tension and knee problems. Meditation You may want to purchase these items to enhance this meditation. Some are available at joyjourneyofyou.com 1. Sage smudge stick or aromatherapy spray for cleansing your aura 2. Root Chakra Aromatherapy Oil 3. A Root Chakra Chime which is tuned to the Root Charka frequency 4. A Root Chakra Stone – You can pick any of these:  Red Jasper, Bloodstone or others provided at the end or others provided at the end of this article. To start our Meditation, let's prepare and clear your space. Let's begin: Burn your sage smudge stick or use a cleansing sage smudge spray to clear your space and the energy around your body. Then, take out your Root Chakra Oil and put a few drops in your hands, rub your hands together, lift it to your face and breathe in. If you have a Root Chakra Chime, you can sound that softly now (3) times. If you would like to use a Root Chakra Stone, I would buy flat stones if placing on your body. Pick one that feels the best to you. Put on some healing music with no words, just sound. Pick something that you resonate with. This helps you relax and it nurtures you as you go into discovery. Lie down in a comfortable place. Close your eyes and slowly take (3) deep breaths, in and out. Begin Your Breath Work: Breathe in visualizing the figure 8. Start at the top of your chest, go across right to left. Then, circle around under the breast, then around the stomach and then back up and around. Do this (8) times. Next, visualize the Star of David. It is two triangles overlapping each other with the points going in opposite directions. This symbolizes as above (in heaven), so below (on earth). We are tying the energies into each other. This helps you to stay grounded and at the same time asking to receive higher information. Start to let go of all other thoughts. Every time a distracting thought starts to come into your head, say to yourself the word "PEACE", you can even sing it in your head, whatever will stop the chatter. This will halt the thought and bring you back to quieting your mind. Keep breathing as your mind quiets down. Ask your intuition or higher-self to guide you through this process and show you the message to heal this particular area/issue that is bothering you. Call in your Healing Angels and ask them to help you see what you need to know. You may not feel them, but that doesn't mean that they are not there. You just may not have discovered them yet. Call them in any way, they will come. They don't have to be recognized, but they like it when they are acknowledged. Begin your mental scan with your feet, up to your tail bone and then the pubic area. Anywhere there is a pain, breath red energy into that specific area. Rub a small amount of your Root Chakra Aromatherapy Oil softly in a clockwise circular motion on that spot. Ask your intuition what is it that this pain is showing you to work on in order to unblock this Chakra. Lay quietly for a few minutes. See what comes through. It may be a word, a picture or story – just be open to listening, feeling and seeing pictures in your minds eye. If you don't hear, feel or see anything, it's ok. Just stay open as an answer may come later that day or in a few days. Just be aware of what you asked and look deeper for the message. After when you feel you are done, slowly come out of your mind's eye and back into your body. Then breath in the Root Chakra Aromatherapy Oil and say your Root Chakra Affirmation: I am safe and protected by Mother Earth. She is providing me with energy, inner strength and courage. I am filled with stability and vitality to go out into the world today and know I am at my best. The warm red color of the earth will keep me grounded. Then, visually have your Healing Angels bath your body in red beautiful flowing light. Thank them for being there. You may use your Chakra Chime softly now (3) times to close. Close your Meditation with these words: I will stay open to hear or see the messages brought to me today and the days to come. I will continually check in with my Root Chakra. I send love and gratitude to my Healing Angels for what is being shown to me. Take one more breath in of the Chakra Oil, then say to yourself: My intention is to heal and open my Root Chakra. I will continue to send healing, flowing light to my Root Chakra, so that it is opened to be in alignment with the rest of my Chakras. AND SO IT IS!!!! You can wear the color representing the Chakra you are working on to strengthen and reinforce the energy of that particular problem. You can wear it in a scarf, blouse, shirt, necklace, bracelet, rings, etc. You can repeat this Mediation process with the other Chakras, as needed. In my book – The Call of the Day – you can find the other Chakra Affirmations. If you wish to use the Chakra Chimes and oils, you can find all of this on my website: joyjourneyofyou.com Here are some stones that you can use in this meditations for each particular Chakra: Root – Here are a few more: Hematite, Tigers Eyes, Ruby or Garnet Navel – Yellow Amber Heart – Emerald, Malachite or Rose Quartz Throat – Turquoise or Blue Topaz Third Eye – Lapis or Sapphire Crown – Amethyst, Diamond or Quart Crystal ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY… joyjourneyofyou.com Jodi Hershey

Blog Post #2 – The Breathe and Meditative State

The breathe is a very important element to become aware of. Using breathe work is helpful in a stressful situation. It can calm you down and bring you back to center. Just go in and follow your breathe only, and release your thoughts. You will feel yourself calm down. You will find it is a remarkable tool. The breathe is what you focus on to go inward to relax yourself and to go into a meditative state. It helps to focus on the breathe instead of your inner dialog. As you breathe you breathe in the inner knowing of peace and calmness and breathe out all of our non useful thoughts. We breathe and let go. We keep doing this until we come to stillness. As we get to our stillness we can begin to access our spirit and our higher self, which is connected to the energy of all that is. We sit or lie quietly and wait for what ever it is we are suppose to see in our minds eye or feel. There is no thought or judgement just watching and feeling as one let’s whatever it is move through you. If you start to go into ego thought go back to following your breathe. You will know when you are done and ready to come out to a calmer and more peaceful you.

Blog Post # 1 The 7 Chakras and Affirmations

Chakras – 7 Primary Use affirmations when focusing on a particular chakra as your opening and closing of your meditation.It could be as easy as just saying each one 3 times when you start your day- Can use for the seven days of the week. This way you start your day with intention. You can use your sound bell and the oil that go with it. 1. Chakra 1 – Root – Location -Base of Spine- Color RedAffirmation:I am safe and protected by Mother Earth. She is providing me with energy, inner strength and courage. I am filled with stability and vitality to go out into the world today and know I am at my best. The warm red color of the earth will keep me grounded. 2. Chakra 3- Sacral -Location – Below Belly Button -Color OrangeAffirmation:The soothing gentleness of water is filling me with positive thoughts. The deliciousness of "orange" is bringing me joy and inspiration today. I am loving who I am. 3. Chakra 3 – Location-Navel – Color-YellowAffirmation:The "Yellow" sun is filling me with self-Knowledge and I am clear on who I am today. My thoughts and actions are filled with light and right intention. I am empowered by the element of fire. 4. Chakra 4- Location Heart- Color- Green or PinkAffirmation: I will breathe in all the fresh air today.It will fill me with balance and love. I will let in the "Green" of nature and embrace all the love it possesses, filling my heart with the "pink" color of love. I am compassionate today and I am at peace with all that is. 5. Chakra 5 – Location-Throat-Color BlueAffirmation: My voice has been opened today by the color "blue". I have all the space in the world to stand clearly in my truth. I will share my voice and knowledge today with an other human being. 6. Chakra 6- Location- Third Eye- Color IndigoAffirmation: The "indigo" light that flows through me to hear the wisdom of spirit. It guides me through my intution. I will listen intently today. 7. Chakra- 7- Location – Crown- Color White -VioletAffirmation: The inspiration of "white and violet" energies is flowing through me, bringing enlightened self-awareness. I am uplifted by the sky and feel the vast creativity it is offering me.