Finding Spirit Here Now

Yesterday afternoon we held the final session of our Creating a Happy Life series of  Sunday afternoon 2-hour gatherings in The Yogatorium.  In April, we will be Finding Spirit Here Now, a set of four similar sessions.  I am currently developing the content and will be feeding you tidbits from time to time.  For now, know that it will be nature-based with much time outdoors and investigating several philosophies and spiritual practices ranging from yoga sutras through energy healing practices including Reiki and Shamanism.  As usual in my seminars, we will avoid offending those of any belief system and attempt to inspire each attendee to a deeper level of personal spiritual understanding. And, as usual, the more effort and practice you put into the process, during and between sessions, the more you will gain.  The sessions will be held April 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 3 to 5 pm.  The fee is $100.  Class size will be limited to ten.

Drumming - Togetherness

The drumming last evening was spectacular.  The committed ones, Todd, Millie, Pam, Dusty, Becca, and Me are developing a togetherness that is beautiful.  As one said last evening, "we are getting better."  And, yes, we are getting better - not only at the physical act of drumming (Thanks to Denise's, Dusty's and Todd's leadership) but in the divine process of going inward.  For me, there was a point last evening when the drumming of each of us became the drumming of one - it only lasted a short time, of course, but those moments are divine.  That's the only word for them.  Isn't that what we're after in our journeys - to become one with all?  It seems to me drumming is one way to actually feel that happen emotionally and physically.  We will do more drumming.  Stay tuned and join us for a taste of togetherness.  By the way, you don't need an expensive drum - we use sticks, ratttles, little drums, big drums and even 5-gallon plastic buckets - Todd's favorite.   

Oneness

It's raining again!  I am soooo happy!  The daffodils are blooming at the Yogatorium - Thanks Ray - but it is still cold at nights.  Spring is not far away, though.  What a lovely time of year this is......  I often read from a collection of writings from Celtic wisdom and this morning's read landed on this major principle:  Perhaps the single most attractive element of Celtic wisdom and spirituality is its link with nature.  Celtic mysticism is the mysticism of the earth.  This crosses religious lines--Christians embrace the Celtic love of nature as fully as do neopagans.....Native American wisdom is clear in its respect for Mother Nature....This is the kind of truth I seek.  Where do our lines cross and mesh together?  What are universal truths?  How are we all connected?  How can we all connect?  Where is the Oneness?  It seems to me it can be seen most definitively in Nature.  Am I missing something?

Men and Geese

Good morning.  So I'm clean.  Yesterday was a great one - felt better all day after the honey facial - until the online date I had was cancelled!  Felt like I was 16 again with pimples and too much fat.  Amazing how such memories jump right up and grab me.  I fixed it with Hershey's milk chocolate nuggets.  On better days I choose the dark chocolate ones.  Back then it was Mounds bars.  But, that won't stop me.  I'm really having fun checking out guys out there who are looking - for companionship mostly?  Anyhow, that's what I'm assuming till I find out different. ......The geese are back.  Heard them this morning for the first time in a while.  There are many farm ponds in the nearby vicinity and they seem to move from one to the other visiting here most often early in the morning or late afternoon.  I love their honks. I don't love the mess they leave in my yard, particularly around the bird feeders.  But, lately they have been staying away from the yard.  Once a year or two ago we counted 43 on the Pond at one time and they all seemed to stay forever and use the yard facilities.  Now a half dozen or so just fly in, swim around a bit, and leave.  Just the right amount of time.  Enough.  Time to get ready for yoga class.

Cleaning Me

Today is cleaning day - not the cottage so much as my clothes and my body - specifically hair and face.   I'm sitting  here this morning drinking green tea with a hot olive oil treatment on my head and as soon as I finish my write, I'll apply honey to my face.  Amazing what a great facial honey is - learned about it years ago from some unremembered source and haven't done one in a while.  Hearing friends talking about "getting a facial" reminded me that it had been years since I'd had one and it might be beneficial to my skin and my soul to take that bit of tender loving care of myself.   Last night I soaked my feet and treated them to a callous removal and the usual pedicure treatments.  Even remembered to grease the feet and wear socks to bed.....Once I get the oil washed out of my hair and the honey off my face (it's always fun to lick with my tongue as much as I can reach) it's off to the laundromat to wash my clothes.  The way things are going, I may even get to mopping the floor and cleaning the shower and tub.  Actually, I do these things occasionally, but not often enough to qualify as a routine cleaning.  After all, I'm the only person using the facilities, so it doesn't seem required.  Fortunately I do have cottage guests occasionally and in anticipation of their visit the thorough cleaning does get done.  It's not that I don't enjoy a clean living space, clothes, and body - it's just that a daily shower of my body (along with a chakra cleansing) seems to be sufficient as a regular routine.  I even enjoy the process of cleaning house - it's just that I more enjoy writing, reading, walking and just sitting.

Finding Spirit Here Now

Rain again!  I can't tell you how very happy rain is making me!  Not only does it give me permission to curl up with a good book - it is filling the Pond!  Still a long way to go, probably another foot - but improvement....Haven't caught sight of Harry Heron this morning - maybe he's over in the corner where the curtain is hiding my view.  Anyway, Harry will return.  He has for several years now been a regular visitor. ... Lately I've been playing with an online dating service - OurTime - and I'm astounded at how many possible fits have shown up.  What a lonely world we live in!  I knew there were lots of widows and divorced women but never dreamed there were so many widowers and divorced men!  Who knows?  Maybe there are a couple of guys out there waiting for me to show up!........   Meanwhile, back to my study.  Last session of  Creating a Happy Life in 2013 and Beyond is this coming Sunday afternoon - and then - then I begin work on the next set of sessions tentatively titled Finding Spirit Here Now.  If you're interested, let me know.  These Sunday afternoon two-hour sessions seem to work extremely well. ..a convenient time to reflect and journey together Join us!  Beginning in March - dates not yet set.

Winged Totem Animal - Great Blue Heron

Here's a bit of a thoughtful piece to bring us back together.  I've been doing much writing, but very personal.  Still perhaps you'll enjoy this piece. 
The Great Blue Heron is back.  Clearly he is my winged totem animal.  My power animal. (Shaman training coming out here.)  He plods along the edge between the deeper water and the land at a steady rhythmic pace and stops at a corner where the edge meets the dam, pauses, then continues along the edge of the dam.  It is pouring rain.  He has been 50 yards or so without fishing.  But he keeps plodding along at a steady pace.  Now he pauses at an obstruction of small branches lying in his way.  A mere hesitation.  The water is deeper along the dam where he is now and the walking more precipitous as the land surface drops away more sharply.  He hesitates more frequently.  But still he comes... cautiously placing one foot and then the other into the water's edge.  Can he feel energy vibrations of a fish in the water?  Otherwise it seems he would walk on the dry land at the edge of the water rather than in it.  That must be it.........I must also step into the intention cautiously but definitively --with hesitation at obstacles but without ceasing the journey. The journey is the delight.  The end of the journey is a death.  Each journey is a new beginning.  Each completed journey opens a new door or perhaps an endless number of doors.  Walking and choosing new pathways is a never-ending life opportunity.......Walking through new doorways, choosing new pathways is the golden opportunity this life offers.  Choosing wisely is a skill to be developed with practice.  Spirit is always available to guide our choosing.

Atlanta Commuting

I'm in Atlanta now.  Actually, Suwanee, in the northern suburbs Forsyth County.  I had a trial run with Susan this afternoon to pick up Jack from St. Francis so I'll be able to get him there in the morning.  It's a 45 minutes commute each way, so plenty of time for traffic jams which hopefully I'll be able to avoid.  Since my whole intention is to do this carpooling while I'm here, surely I'll be able to make it work pleasantly!  May even try a few side trips - one at least to visit a friend one morning before I make my way back north to home.  There's something challenging about driving in Atlanta that I love - particularly when I hear friends say how difficult it must be.  And, yes, it is difficult, but that's part of the fun.  If everything I do is easy to do, what's the point?  As you all know by now, learning and challenges are near the top of my needs.  And, it really doesn't make a whole lot of difference what I'm learning.  Susan taught me shortcuts to avoid traffic each way (different routes depending on time of day). 

Financial Review

Time for taxes.  Have an appointment with my tax man while I'm in Atlanta next week - so the next few days I'll be getting details in order.  In spite of the dread of doing this - I'm always tickled when I see how blessed I've been with the resources I receive each year and the frivolous things I've been able to .  It's fun particularly to see  the trips I've taken and the hours I've spent and miles I've driven for volunteer work.  Somehow it's a time of reviewing the past year in a way I normally don't think about and don't care about during my daily living.  But, it's good to once a year look back at my life in this way.  It always results in a few notions about improving how I live.  Not that I always follow through immediately - but at least the notions arise. .......I'm glad today is going to be a cold one - makes it easier to stay inside and stick with the tax project!