Joseph Campbell on Following Your Bliss

Joseph Campbell visited me in my dream two nights ago and chatted with me for a long time. I don’t remember what he said, but I suspect it was something along these lines, regarding “Sacrifice and Bliss,” from episode 4 of The Power of Myth:

Such a strong, wise presence he was! I watched The Power of Myth (on videotape!) in the early months after my 1998 TBI. He had a profound impact on me then, and I feel his guidance again since my dream.

I’m copying a YouTube comment by Sitting Owl, as it gets more into the Sanskrit idea of bliss:

Pity you didn’t include the bit where he explains what Bliss is. It can only be found in the video version and helps to clear people’s confusion about bliss; most think it’s desire. The realisation of your BLISS (Your True Being) comes only when you can live any passing moment of your life without being influenced by any FEARS, DESIRES, or SOCIAL DUTIES to live any particular way! As adapted by: Sitting Owl from a quote by: Joseph Campbell

Original Quote: “The realisation of your bliss (your true being) comes when you have put aside the passing moment with its terror, temptations, and its statements of requirements of life that you should live ‘this way’.”

…All of which brings me back to one of my favorite mantras of all time, and the one that happens to be on the back of Doorway #2, The Alchemy Door, which features the Joseph Campbell quote: “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” This quote got acted out in a different dream a couple weeks ago where a wall and then a magical door appeared out of nowhere. Anyway, here’s the Moola Mantra that begins Om Sat Chit Ananda Parabramha:

“Two Wise Women (Plus One…)” ~ Mia Feroleto hosts Ann Kreilkamp and me on her Podcast, New Observations

Mia Feroleto, Ann Kreilkamp and I had a three-way call in late March, talking about Coronavirus, healing practices, spirituality, uncertain times, and astrology. Our conversation clocked in at 1 hour 11 minutes. You can listen to it here.

Mastering Modern Midlife with Catherine Grace O’Connell and Laura Bruno

Today, I’m excited to share my one and only video interview. I love Catherine’s write up from her newsletter, which you can read here. You can watch this conversation on Facebook, Podbean, iTunes, or YouTube, which I’ll also embed below. We cover medical intuition, healing, Lyme disease, some of my personal story, plus an extra focus on Midlife, the healing power of creativity, and the North Nodes.

Catherine refers several times to our having recorded this interview twice, alluding to me being “a very high vibe being.” The story behind that is the reason this remains my one and only video interview. I’ve done many phone interviews, and I used to have many videos on YouTube until my channel got censored in 2011. However, I don’t do sessions or interviews via video or computer, because I have a history of blowing out nearby electronics. Doing an intuitive tune-in ramps up my energy in a big, sometimes explosive way, so I lobbied hard for using a landline on my end. I delayed too long, and Catherine and her business partner Mike stopped doing audio-only interviews. By the time we scheduled, it was video or nothing.

I warned them about my tendency to blow things out, and I surrounded my laptop with stacks of orgone pucks. I theorized that I should be OK as long as Catherine didn’t ask me to do an intuitive scan or anything too energy related in the interview. If we were just talking, and I was careful with my energy, then it should work. We had a great conversation the first time, but at one point, she asked me an intuitive question. I tuned in and when I looked directly into the camera, I blew out the equipment on their end, erasing half the interview. This had never happened before or since, and they use backup cameras and recording. It was all wiped.

Soooo, we re-recorded, and we ended up enjoying this conversation even more. You might notice me trying hard not to look too directly into the camera. If you know me in person, you’ll also notice my concerted effort in this interview not to talk with my hands. I know from Reiki classes that whoever’s in line of my right hand — the one that almost got struck by lightning — gets blasted with energy the entire class. I didn’t want to send that energy into the camera or laptop screen.

I tried so hard to keep my energy in check so we could have a successful recording this time, and it worked!

I’m sharing the behind the scenes details here, because some people ask for video sessions and may wonder if I can do a video interview, then why can’t I do a video session? Trust me, you get much better intuitive work from me when I’m not spending the bulk of my energy trying not to blow out your or my equipment! It really took a massive amount of concentration not to let too much energy spontaneously leap out.

That said, this was a super fun interview. I love how it showcases Catherine’s and my friendship, as well as the deep topics of healing and transformation we discuss. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Do check out her write up here. Also, just a reminder that my monthly North Node Horoscopes are available exclusively on Catherine’s site. We post those around the 22nd of each month, depending on when the Sun changes signs. Enjoy!

Announcing a New Collaboration with Catherine Grace O’Connell!

I’m so excited to announce this long in the works collaboration with one of my favorite people on the planet, Catherine Grace O’Connell. I featured an interview with Catherine back in 2016, sharing her amazing recovery from Lyme Disease. She’s come so far since then, now a leader and inspiration for so many women in Midlife and beyond.

She began as a client, nearly at death’s door when we started working together. Catherine has since become a dear friend. We’ve talked about collaborating in some way since that interview in 2016, and everything came together for it to happen this year. New Year, New Decade!

I’ll be writing a monthly North Node Horoscopes column for her site and newsletter. Unlike typical Sun Sign Horoscopes, which rarely hit the mark, if you follow the path of your North Node, you’ll always hit your True North.

The column was Catherine’s idea, because my work around her Leo North Node proved so pivotal in her recovery and now career and life purpose. She wanted to share that with other women in a big way. (Her site is tailored to women, but many men read it, too. Catherine just feels a particular calling to help Midlife Women find themselves in a big way.) You can read Catherine’s vision and North Node story here.

We plan to release new scopes each month around the 22nd or so. We got them up that day, when the Moon just happened to cross my own North Node, but she planned a bigger launch today. I hope you enjoy this joint offering. If you’re not familiar with Catherine, you’re in for a treat. She combines beauty on the outside with fierce passion and beauty on the inside, inspiring people to transcend the life they were told to live … and instead, have courage to live the one they’re meant to live.

Big blessings and Happy Chinese New Year, too!

Comment Bump Up from the Mike Clelland interview of Laura Bruno

This is a comment bump up from the post of Mike Clelland’s interview of me on Whitley Strieber’s Unknown Country. (You can read what I had to say about that interview here.)

The comments are all very supportive and excited, until September 7, when reader William C says:

Michael, forgive me, but I cannot believe you take all these New Age practitioners seriously and give them a public forum. Lyme disease is a horrible disease. To equate it to some sort of spiritual awakening is almost obscene. But hey, I was trounced on Whitley’s forum for not being a New Ager, since I guess that is a prerequisite around here. Really sad.

Something led me to pop over to the interview page today, and I happened to see the comment. I felt it important to reply there, and also to share the exchange here, for clarity:

I’m sorry you feel that way, William. I can assure you that I in no way trivialize the horrible experiences of my Lyme clients. I nursed my (then) husband through Chronic Lyme, and I also survived my own infection with Lyme. It IS a brutal, existentially crushing disease, and I do not take that lightly.

The emails I receive from people who’ve read my writings on Lyme disease, as well as comments from clients with advanced, Chronic Lyme, share a sense of relief, a “clicking in,” profound gratitude, and a feeling of finding the blessings and especially the Meaning within the trauma. It’s like Victor Frankl’s ability to survive his concentration camp experience by finding meaning.

Those I know who have completed the “initiation” for lack of a better term, are living deeper, more joyful and meaningful lives than they ever imagined they could prior to Lyme. That in no way invalidates the journey or the scars they acquired along the way, but those soul wounds also triggered much deeper healing and inner peace.

I realize how from a superficial look, other people would consider me a New Ager, but I am actually NOT a proponent of New Age fluffy luv-n-lite. I find it toxic, disabling and disempowering, but I’ve learned not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Some tools and concepts, taken much deeper, can heal in profound and loving ways. “Know thyself” is powerful advice and balm, and sometimes it helps to have someone reflect that self back to you. I consider this sacred work, and I wish you well.

Peace,

Laura

UPDATE 9/9/19 Comment Bump Up from the comments to this post on my blog:

I define “New Age” as diluted and distorted Mystery Teachings that people swallow because of the “truth signature” while not discerning that there may be poison and lies tagging along for the ride. At its worst, luv-n-lite callously victim-shames and/or spiritually bypasses opportunities for real growth. True Love and True Light nurture and heal, whereas New Age platitudes act more like a sugar rush and/or superfoods laced with toxic heavy metals. Not a fan!

Interview on “The Unseen” with Mike Clelland: Healing, owls and UFO’s with Laura Bruno

I’m so excited that Mike Clelland has this entire interview posted online! (Originally, it was only going to be the first half for everyone and then the second half for members of the Unknown Country website. It does have some sponsorship ads, which you can fast forward over. I’m just happy for Mike making it available to more people.)

I loved this conversation! Between this interview, his research for my chapter in his book, Stories from the Messengers, our email exchanges, and some other phone conversations, Mike has a way of getting information out of normally very private me.

The interview begins with a story I’ve told many times — how I got into doing Medical Intuitive readings — but then we go places I don’t normally talk about in a public way. We cover some of my experiences with owls, precognitive dreams, and even a very rarely told UFO/lightning strike story.

Then we get into Reiki, astrology and life path topics, both mine and Mike’s. He happens to be living his life path, which includes doing these very deep sorts of interviews. I always enjoy interacting with Mike, but every single time, I have to laugh afterwards: “I told him what?!” This interview is no exception. It has things in it that I had literally thought, “If I ever share this, it will be in thirty years.” Haha, joke’s on me: that Mike Clelland knows how to get the information out of me!

Anyway, here’s the interview. It’s pretty wild, but I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Archive of the April 6th A Fireside Chat

I’ve heard from several people who missed the live A Fireside Chat with Zany Mystic and me this past Saturday. Lance White sent me the link for anyone who wants to listen to the replay.

As usual, the hour flew by! We talked about permaculture, gardening, art, synchronicity, cultivating beauty, healing, spiritual initiation, and the power of creativity. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

Laura Bruno on A Fireside Chat with Zany Mystic: Saturday, April 6

Just a quick reminder and links: this Saturday, April 6th, I return to A Fireside Chat with Zany Mystic. Lance White (Zany) and I always enjoy our conversations and look forward to discussing current energy archetypes, Faerie, and various esoteric topics TBD. We go with the flow!

Here’s the link to my guest bio.

Here’s the link to A Fireside Chat with Zany Mystic. We’ll be on Station 1 of BBS Radio at 7 p.m. Pacific/10 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, April 6. If you can’t listen live, you should also be able to find an archive on this page once they get it up. I hope you can join us live. We’re excited to see what comes through!

April 2019 Specials and a Radio Show

Happy April Fool’s Day! Despite today’s date, these are the real April 2019 specials.

Also, heads up that I’ll be on “A Fireside Chat with Zany Mystic” this coming Saturday, April 6th at 7 p.m. Pacific/10 p.m. Eastern U.S. time. I always enjoy talking with Lance White (aka Zany Mystic). We’re never quite sure what will come up, but likely topics include Black Moon Lilith, faeries, devas, tuning into the Otherworld and other practical/mystical topics. I’ll provide the link and reminder closer to Saturday — just wanted to let you know about the live show.

APRIL 2019 SPECIALS

20-Minute Property or Home Reading

In preparation for spring cleaning and garden season I’m bringing back the 20-Minute Property or Home Reading special. You email me an address and possibly photos of a property you rent, own or are considering purchasing or moving to, and I email you my findings and suggestions. I can focus on the overall energy, things to tweak to support life goals, and/or permaculture suggestions and resources, based on my Permaculture Design Certificate and creation of a 1/3 acre food forest.

This 20-minute email reading covers time spent reading your email, tuning in and typing up my reply. It may also be combined with a Property Clearing/Relocation Booster ($77) based on whatever I glean from the reading. $77 if prepaid on or before April 30, 2019. ($154 total if you’d like both the reading and the clearing. If you’d like 40 minutes, you can also double the email time.) Please contact me to sign up.

$555 Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher Certification Special

Every once in a great while, I feel led to offer this special. I’m taking $95 off the normal rate for in-person or correspondence/phone/distance training and certification for Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher.

This special obviously does not apply to everyone, as you will need at least Reiki Level 2 Certification from me or another Reiki Master Teacher in order to qualify for the training. I also require a casual but effective application process so that I get a sense of readiness for this next level. 555 indicates divinely guided positive change, so it seems like an appropriate number for certification to teach “divinely directed healing energy,” another definition of Reiki besides “Universal Life Force Energy.”

People considering this special might find this Reiki Master Teacher FAQ post helpful in answering common questions related to discerning your own readiness and our compatibility as teacher and student. You do not need to know for sure you’d like to teach Reiki in order to take this training. You just need to feel ready to learn Reiki from the perspective of one who could teach and who has committed to living the Reiki Principles as much as possible in your own life.

For more than 16 years, many students who already received their Reiki Level 3 training from another Reiki Master Teacher have completed their second Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher Certification with me in order to increase their confidence and knowledge before going on to teach their own students. Because many teachers don’t teach others to teach, preparing Reiki Master Teachers to teach their own students has become my specialty. I honor this training process as a sacred journey and transmission.

If you decide you’d like to apply for in-person (in Kalamazoo, MI) or long distance Reiki Level 3 Master Teacher Certification, please contact me, and we’ll start the short application process. The message to post this special was so strong this morning, that I’m excited to see who steps forward. Offer valid if prepaid on or by April 30, 2019.

Timothy Glenn on A Fireside Chat Tonight

Heads up to all you Timothy Glenn fans: Tim will be on A Fireside Chat with Zany Mystic tonight (Saturday, January 26, 2019) at 7 p.m. Pacific time (10 p.m. Eastern). You can find the link to the show here, listening on Station 1. If you can’t make it tonight, Lance White (Zany Mystic) has the shows archived on the same page. They have no idea what they’ll cover tonight, but Lance and Tim are a lot of fun together — great on air chemistry and a wide range of topics.