Oneness with Ourselves

Must pass along another paragraph from Quezada's Compassionate Awareness:
As we move toward oneness with ourselves, the energies of our body, mind, and soul converge.  We sense that our body needs to be touched, fed, and exercised.  We know that our mind must be taught, stretched intellectually, and challenged creatively.  We believe in the ability of our soul to soar with the angels and penetrate the depths of spiritual mysteries.  As we tend to each of these parts, we tend to the whole.  [Amen.]

Dying to the Old and Being Born to the New

As you know, I spend much of my time reading.  One of my favorite little books now is Compassionate Awareness: Living Life to the Fullest by Adolfo Quezada.  His words:   The rhythm of our life is giving and receiving, and the balance of the two is the way of creation.  First we open to the seed, the rain, and the sun before we can offer up the fruit.  We are earth and water, fire and air.  We are matter and we are spirit.  We destroy and we give life.  We die to the old and are born to the new.   These words are so in line with my shamanic training.  I am constantly amazed how my exploration of belief systems all go full circle and encompass the same basic goodness.  I am particularly attuned to "We die to the old and are born to the new."  For me, that is what my life has been and is all about - learning -  change - growth - moving on - dying to the old and being born to the new.

Walking the Earth the Beauty Way

Today is a nice one to be inside after a couple out.  Yesterday I resumed my regular walks picking up trash from the roadside and filled a kitchen trash bag within less than 100 yards on ONE side of the road.  The winter has seen much accumulation.  Next sunny day I'll continue my efforts to "walk the Earth the beauty way" as I say in my plea to the Winds of the South when opening sacred space. It is one small effort that is rewarding in both providing a pleasant view once the trash is gone while I'm walking for the joy of walking it, and a feeling of doing one small thing to protect Mother Earth.   Perhaps this is a thought for those of us considering doing something positive for God's creation during Lent?

Lent - 40 days of remembering

Yesterday we had a session that included gaining a little basic knowledge about Lent.  If you are not aware of the practice, you might enjoy googling it.  One common belief is that you must "give up something."  Over the last few years I have instead begun "doing something" to improve my spiritual life.  For example, I have decided to read Bible scripture each day for the 40 days (which is not my regular habit).  One of the thoughts about the Lenten season that was new information for me is the 40 days represents the 40 days and nights that Jesus spent alone in the desert.  Perhaps I knew that at some earlier time in my life, but it was a pleasant surprise yesterday.  As I have practiced, I have become ever more convinced of the value of isolation - for spiritual growth.  It seems impossible for me to maintain my spiritual connection without periods of isolation - frequent ones.  And so I do it.  It is a rare day when I don't find some time to go inward - alone - in the practices of meditation, prayer, and simply contemplation - sort of an aftereffect of meditation.   In an attempt to improve this work, studying mindfulness is my work these days.  On March 22 we will retreat here at The Yogatorium concentrating on mindfulness from 10 to 5 that Saturday.  Come join me and 9 others to expand your spiritual growth as well as your breathing ability.  See www.yogatorium.blogspot.com for more info.

Relationships

I'm sure by now you have given up on me.  To be honest, I don't know where the week went - lots of different places.  This morning, my Pod Sisters are leaving in a few hours and I'll have time to reflect on the wonders of our friendship.  It all began years ago when we met at the Claritas Institute for Interspiritual Mentors in Boulder, CO. For more than seven years now we have been meeting three or four times a year for a couple days and  nights together to share experiences.  In addition, we have a teleconference call once a month checking in on personal lives and also discussing a book chapter.  We just completed Women Who Run With Wolves  which has been a delightful experience even though a very long book!  A wonderful way to tighten friendships by hearing each one's reaction to some wisdom teachings.  Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't.  But, always our friendships grow deeper by connecting in these ways.  The longer I live the more I realize the most important thing in my life is relationships.  Soooo, please don't give up on me.  I promise I'll be more consistent in my writing….at least this week!

Drum Circle/Fire Ceremony

Our gathering last evening at the tipi was ------I can't find words to describe my feeling this morning.  Special.  Exceptional. Inspirational.  Heaven-sent.   Beautiful.  Exciting.  Lovely. Incredible.   All of these and more.  Eleven spiritual beings in human bodies sat, stood, knelt around the fire - sang, spoke, chanted, played the flutes, drums, rattles and sticks - listened, prayed, healed, and shared in so many ways on so many levels it's heart-stopping.  If you haven't yet been with us, look forward to doing so.  We will schedule another one soon - probably in March.  Meanwhile, Love - Peace - Joy to each and every one of you in the group last evening and those sharing this  event in cyberspace.

Moonlight

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The sky has been so beautiful the last few nights and then - this morning I saw the moon in the west in all its pale orange splendor behind the loblolly pines I planted many years ago when I was planting pine seedlings in research plots and had a few left over.  At the time, Dad said "I don't know why you're planting those for me - I'll be dead and gone long before they make trees."  Well, he did live long enough to see them become trees and certainly now for me, my children, and my children's children's children(when they are born) to enjoy them. …..But back to the moon.  Lately I've been practicing nurturing myself by bathing in the light of the stars and moon - no, not naked - but still absorbing the white light from above and being renewed thereby.  So, the photo early this morning - just before the sun rose in the opposite sky over in the east where it is now.  Soon, it will be time for sunbaths!!!  And then, then I'll disrobe somewhat.  But for now, it's enough to just be in its light so quickly following the moon.  Marvelous creation in which we live.

Snow Event

I'm betting this is a unique scene for our area - ENJOY!  There is something special in B&W photos for me.  Somehow Spirit is so much more evident in this edition of the photo.  ….The snow has been a beautiful experience for me.  I observed an avalanche yesterday as the sun warmed the Earth and the accumulated snow on the roof of The Yogatorium suddenly plunged down to the Earth with a roar!  I don't recall ever before in my life having heard and seen such.  What is still mysterious is that the snow fell from the top roof over the snow on the porch roof apparently since it is still covered???? Or, did it push the lower roof's snow away and then take it's place?  And then, the beauty of the icicles hanging from my porch gutter?  Beauty, beauty everywhere!

EcologicalParadox

Jack and Me in the Pond - Summertime

From Front Porch Gutter 2/13/14

The Present

A great day to be inside watching the rain and snow battle over which will take place when.  Right now the snow flakes are winning but I doubt if we'll get a total cover of snow this time around.  But, we'll see.  Tonight will be a bout with ice so I'm shutting off rooms and moving heat into a central place and staying warm.  Soup thawing on the stove.  Plenty of food in the cottage.   A holiday from the usual to enjoy the unusual.  ……..I'm reading The Invisible Church: Finding Spirituality Where You Are -a loaner from Suzy and I've already ordered my very own copy.  That's how fitting it is for me at this point in my spiritual journey…..particularly when the author refers to himself as a Christian shaman!!!  And, when he quotes Thich Nhat Hanh (Titch Not Hahn is how I pronounce it):
We don't have to wait until we die to go to the Kingdom of Heaven; in fact we have to be very alive.  The Kingdom of God isn't just an idea; it's a reality, available to us in the full moon, the blue sky, the majestic mountains and rivers, and the beautiful faces of our children.  We need only to be present. ...  I say, AMEN.  The photo is a gift from a friend.

Frogs and Drum/Fire Circle

The frogs are back!  Last night they were really singing forth with great gusto!  What does this mean - are they predicting the ice/snow we will get in a couple days?  Or were they fooled into thinking winter is over?  The sky was so clear last night - a wonderful time to bathe in the light shining from the heavens…..Drum circle/fire ceremony in the tepee was lovely and so much more, so deep I can't find words.  Thanks to all who participated and especially to Dusty and Pam for hosting us.  It is impossible for me to select a high point - all the activities were high points, one right after the other.  But, the space was especially important, allowing the energetic flow among us that was.  To know it, you had to be there…….a second one is scheduled for the 16th.  All spaces have been spoken for, but you are welcome to put your name on a waiting list for the possibility of cancellations and for a third session to come.  Just send me an email - yogatorium@ninetysix.net will do it - or call my cell 864-506-4063.

Inversion practice

Wow!  Where did this week go?  One place it went - someone recommended "The Hunger Games" trilogy and all three came on my Kindle - once I began, I couldn't quit!  What a spellbinder.  At any rate, life goes on.  One thing I did do more importantly this week is a practice head stand - making sure I'll still be able to do it in April on my birthday!  Of course, I'm using the wall - not free-standing, but I'm quite happy enough with that support.  ……..Now I'll get to studying "Finding God in the Questions" in preparation for session this afternoon.  A very thought-provoking book, keeping me on track with my spiritual growth.  Several new students showing up at yoga classes.  Each one a welcome addition to our group.    And, sometimes I now have an assistant doing the demonstrating so that I can be free to do more individual adjustments during classes.   Beneficial to all of us.

Walk the Labyrinth

Here it is already a new week.  Mondays are busy ones with yoga at the Y this morning, and at The Yogatorium this evening.  Now I have a new wonderful opportunity and am working Mondays and Thursdays with a lovely  woman who is confined to a wheelchair and has asked me to practice yoga with her.  What a thrill it is to be able to test my true understanding of yoga in its entirety - not just physical poses, but breathing, meditating, and body awareness - all of which she is eager to practice.  I have recently found much wisdom walking the labyrinth and thought you might enjoy seeing an aerial shot I found in the directions here on Meetups.  If you haven't tried that site, do so.  You'll find lots of groups from which to choose.  And, if you are interested in walking the labyrinth, come on out any time.  Just walk across the dam and you'll be there.  Spend as much time as you like.