How I Tested the Universe & You Can Too

Posted on by Tammy

I’ve always been a girl who looks for proof. Maybe it’s the Virgo in me, but the more detail and proof I can get on something, the better. I’m always up for a challenge or test to find out for myself if something is actually true, and that is what author Pam Grout offers in her New York Times bestselling book “E-Squared: Nine Do-It Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Thoughts Create Your Reality.” So I took her up on the challenge.

I decided to try the first experiment, which tells you to demand from the universe, or what she calls the Field of Potentiality, a clear sign that it exists.

The experiment Grout lays out in the book is to ask the Field of Potentiality to send an unexpected gift or blessing with the deadline of exactly 48 hours. It was 11 p.m. at night when I started the experiment, and was excited at the possibilities.

In the first 24 hours nothing happened. But knowing the universe sends us signs all the time, I didn’t worry, and kept my eyes open for my unexpected gift. However, at 11 p.m. the next night, I got worried.

Why had I not received anything unexpected? Did I do something wrong? How can I tell people the universe has their back and is always sending signs, if I just failed this experiment? I went to bed thinking maybe I would start over again tomorrow.

When I woke up the next morning, I was still thinking about how I could have possibly messed up this assignment. I live my life looking for and receiving signs from the universe, from loved ones who have passed, and from my angels and guides. What did I do wrong?

I hear from people all the time about how they don’t receive signs from loved ones who have passed, or from their angels or guides, and I always tell them the signs are there, they are just not recognizing them when they arrive.

Surely I could not have missed an unexpected gift, right?

WRONG!

I walked into my home office the next morning and realized what happened. The day before, I was going through the mail we receive at Elevated Existence, which is often filled with new books, CDs and DVDs to review. In one of the packages, a musician, Paul Avgerinos, included his CD Bhakti and a beautiful dark green T-shirt with the same word on it. As I walked into my office that morning, I saw the T-shirt and it hit me. That was such a nice surprise, and yes, a very unexpected gift!

Not only that, but I have been looking for some new T-shirts with inspirational words and sayings on them, and “bhakti” is a Sanskrit word meaning “love and devotion.”

Thank you universe! And thank you Paul Avgerinos, who I’m sure had no idea he was conspiring with the universe on behalf of my experiment!

I share this story for two reasons. One, to show you how easy it is to miss the signs sent to us everyday from the universe, angels and our loved ones who have passed. It has become such a big part of my life, and yet even I missed this one … temporarily!

And two, there really is a higher force who is listening to you, and who hears your cries for help and direction. It’s not about whether or not the universe or God answers our prayers. It’s about whether or not we are tuned in, conscious or aware enough to recognize the answers when they come.

Try the experiment yourself, and keep your eyes, ears, mind and heart open for your gift or blessing. I promise you, it’s already on its way.

Tammy Mastroberte is a three-time, award-winning writer, founder of Elevated Existence, and publisher and editorial director of the multi-award-winning Elevated Existence Magazine. She started the new age, spiritual and self-improvement publication at age 30 – eight years after the sudden death of her mother from a brain aneurysm only three days after Christmas in 1999. This tragedy led her down a synchronistic path to discover her purpose and the meaning behind many of the events in her life – including her mother’s death. She now shares her guidance, and the wisdom of today’s top authors and spiritual celebrities through Elevated Existence Magazine. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter: @ElevatedTammy on Instagram: elevatedtammy. For more information, visit www.tammymastroberte.com.

Editor’s Advice: The Universe Always Guides Us Back to Purpose

Posted on by Tammy

Have you ever followed a GPS, but accidentally took a wrong turn? Mine immediately kicks into gear to re-route me to my destination, with a voice saying, “calculating route.”

A few years ago, as I became more conscious and aware through meditation and spiritual practices, I began to recognize how the Universe, God or Source works the same way as the GPS in our car.

No matter how far you stray from your purpose or the higher path you are meant to walk along, the Universe never stops trying to re-route you and gently nudge you back.

When we look back on the events and subtle signs from our past through a process I call Following the Footsteps, we can all begin to uncover this re-routing. Even though we didn’t notice it at the time, the Universe actually had our back! Bestselling author, Marianne Williamson often says the Universe is “both self-correcting and self-organizing,” and I continue to see it happen in my own life.

For example, at 29 years old, after my first formal meditation training, I knew in my gut I wanted to work for myself (the first gentle nudge from the Universe). But at the time I had no clue what that meant, so I pursued the possibility of working on my own as a freelancer. However, nothing real came out of it (a small detour).

One year later, after working in the magazine industry for 10 years, I realized I truly longed to write on and cover topics I was passionate about, such as spirituality and self-help (another nudge), so I ventured out to find an established magazine or website to work for in this segment (another small detour). After months, I realized there were not many out there and certainly not on the East Coast where I lived. I even interviewed with a couple, but the fit just didn’t feel right for me.

One day I was chatting with a friend about my desire, and she casually suggested I start my own online magazine (hello Universe, my old friend). I laughed and told her she was crazy. But six months later, Elevated Existence Magazine debuted online with Deepak Chopra on the cover.

Even though I didn’t respond to that first nudge of working for myself by immediately starting a magazine and website, the Universe or God never stopped putting ideas and opportunities on my path. Eventually I got the message!

I’ve realized it doesn’t matter how far we may stray from our intended higher path, or how many detours we take on the road to our greatest purpose, because God never tires of gently guiding us back. Through signs, synchronicity and the nudges of our intuitive voice, we are guided, and when necessary, redirected.

The next time you feel lost, uncertain of your direction or in the midst of what seems like chaos, take a moment to still your mind, and ask the Universe or God for directions to the fastest and most direct route for the highest good of your soul.

Try this prayer:

Dear God, I’m unsure of what to do, what I truly want, and/or which path to take next. I want to do whatever is best for my highest good and the highest good of all those involved. Please open my eyes, ears, mind and heart, that I may recognize the signs and synchronicities sent by my guides, angels and spirit to lead me where I am meant to go. Thank you – Amen

No matter how many dark roads we travel down, or how far we stray, God is always traveling behind us with a flashlight ready to lead us back to love and purpose. It’s often as easy as turning around to recognize the light.

Editor’s Advice: A Simple Tool to Calm Down

Posted on by Tammy

A few months ago, I saw bestselling author and integrative physician, Dr. Andrew Weil, speak about a breathing technique on the Dr. Oz Show. He called it “a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system,” and in today’s busy, stress-filled society, we could all use a natural tranquilizer once in a while!

It’s known as the 4-7-8 Relaxing Breath exercise, and the best part is it takes only a minute and a half each day to practice. While many people see immediate benefits, these increase over time.

I recently added this exercise to my daily routine, and I love it. So, of course, I have to share it with all my elevated friends because it’s so simple, doesn’t take much time, and offers so many benefits! (See video below for Dr. Weil demonstrating the technique.)

The exercise must be done twice per day, at four cycles each time. Dr. Weil uses it before his morning meditation and at night when he lays down to sleep, and that is how I began incorporating into my life. I actually find it improves my meditation session and relaxes me before I even begin my mantra. I also use it whenever I feel stressed, anxious or triggered by something, and it immediately sends me into a place of calm.

Dr. Weil said this breath is the “single best method” he has found for falling back to sleep if he wakes up in the middle of the night, and it is also a very powerful anti-anxiety tool – even helping those with panic disorders.

“You are putting a signal into your nervous system and the effects of this are cumulative,” he said. “I guarantee you, if you will stick with this you will be amazed at what you will see.”

All you need to do is place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of the tissue right behind your front teeth, inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold it for a count of seven, and then exhale through your mouth making a “whoosh” sound for a count of eight. Do this for four cycles.

After a month of practice, this can be done for up to eight cycles at a time, twice per day, and also as needed throughout the day. Not only do you get immediate relief, but you are retraining your body and nervous system to function differently.

Watch Dr. Weil explain the technique and demonstrate it in the below video, and I hope you like it as much as I do!

Tammy Mastroberte is a three-time, award-winning writer, founder of Elevated Existence, and publisher and editorial director of the multi-award-winning Elevated Existence Magazine. She started the new age, spiritual and self-improvement publication at age 30 – eight years after the sudden death of her mother from a brain aneurysm only three days after Christmas in 1999. This tragedy led her down a synchronistic path to discover her purpose and the meaning behind many of the events in her life – including her mother’s death. She now shares her guidance, and the wisdom of today’s top authors and spiritual celebrities through Elevated Existence Magazine. Follow her on Twitter: @ElevatedTammy or on Instagram: elevatedtammy. For more information, visit www.tammymastroberte.com.

Editor’s Advice: Follow the Footsteps of Synchronicity

Posted on by Tammy

How would your life change if you knew that everything occurring in it – both good and bad – was solely for your benefit and the growth of your soul? What if you knew that no matter how far you stray from the path you are meant to be on, the universe will never stop offering opportunities to navigate you back?

It’s seemingly impossible to see the silver lining when blinded by those dark clouds that can temporarily block our view from the sun. But even in the most chaotic of times, meaning often reveals itself when the smoke clears.

That’s what I find comfort and peace in today, and that’s what keeps me going when I hit a speed bump that temporarily slows me down.

You see, I don’t believe in accidents or coincidences. I believe there is only a meaning we have yet to uncover. And I believe this because I’ve seen synchronicity play out in my own life time and again.

When I started college I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I went to school full-time during the day, and worked part-time at a chiropractor’s office in the evenings. I eventually decided to major in English Writing because writing was something I enjoyed. It came easily to me, and I was told by teachers at an early age I had a talent for it.

When I turned 20, I was dealing with a lot of conflict at the chiropractic office, and was no longer happy there. We often see conflict and chaos as a bad thing, right? Well, keep reading…

I thought it might be a good idea to get a part time job where I could do some writing. Then I might be better able to get a job when I graduated college the following year. I quickly found an ad in the newspaper from a local magazine publisher seeking part-time help from an editorial assistant, and writing was part of the job. They offered flexible hours so students could apply, and the office was only 10-minutes from my house. With absolutely no experience, I applied for it, interviewed and was hired!

It was just 10 years later, after experience at two other publishing companies where I worked my way up to Executive Editor, that I decided to start Elevated Existence Magazine.

Do I think it’s a coincidence that writing came easily to me, and I was told I was good at it when I was very young? No way! We are all given unique gifts and talents to use in this life, and when you marry those talents with passion and purpose, there is no limit to how far you can go.

Do I think it was an accident a publishing company only 10 minutes from my house was hiring someone part-time when I started looking for a new job? Of course not! The universe is constantly presenting us with the opportunities we need and want. The key is to be open to them, recognize them and act on them when they are given – and of course, be grateful every step of the way.

I know the universe was setting me up with the experience I needed in the magazine industry, and it was also connecting me with the people I needed to carry out my purpose. I actually met the current creative director of Elevated Existence at one of the publishing companies I worked for (she was the art director and graphic designer for one of the magazines I worked on). And the creative director who designed the template for the magazine and helped me launch it five years ago was also a co-worker in the publishing industry.

This is just one example of many synchronicities I have been able to see clearly by looking back at my life path up until now. It’s an exercise I call “Following the Footsteps,” and can help you gain the reassurance you need in your present and future circumstances to keep moving forward. Knowing that everything does indeed happen for a reason, and for our ultimate good, helps us trust and have faith in the future – especially when things don’t seem to be going our way.

Did you lose a job, but find yourself grateful because an even better one came along? Maybe the new job allowed you to travel to a convention where you met the man or woman you were meant to marry. What about the last minute decision to attend a dinner party where you met someone who helped you take your business to the next level? Or the woman on line in Starbucks who overheard your phone conversation and had the perfect solution to your problem?

Synchronicities are gifts from the universe, and they are everywhere. They are happening all the time for everyone on the planet. When you start following the footsteps and connecting the dots to these links in your past, it will be easier to spot them as they unfold in the present and future.

Listen to me talk about synchronicity and other tips to live an “elevated existence” on Awakenings Radio here!

Do you have any experiences to share? Leave them in the comments below!