Unconditional Love

This morning I woke thinking of this term unconditional love and reviewing how I use it and what it truly means to me.  I have begun using the term frequently when practicing Reiki.  The words are - "I offer Reiki (energy healing) to ________ with unconditional love for her/his highest purpose and greatest good."  I didn't invent that - just use it and in so doing it has come to me a clearer understanding of what unconditional love is.  Not only that, I've become more adept at actually practicing it - giving unconditional love.  I'm writing about this for my own growth, but also to share with you the notion of  considering unconditional love and what it might mean to you.   Honestly, I am not very good at it - by my definition - but my definition and my thought processes are coming together more frequently and thus in practice.....I'd love for you to share thoughts on this with me.....Can you tell yesterday was a quiet day for me?

Plum Branch Friend

What a beautiful Friday!  It rained last night and this morning I was walking the labyrinth in a very light misting rain that provided an unusually spiritual setting.  It's hard to avoid God in such surroundings - so I don't - I just join in the beauty.........  Yesterday afternoon I spent a delightful hour with Denise Chrislip in Plum Branch - her skills are unbelievable!  She has built her own home and yoga studio and other buildings doing 95% of the work herself!  She makes beautiful drums from gourds (and other materials) gourds bigger than any I've ever seen.  Her leather work is lovely - and jewelry.  She is also a fellow yoga teacher - her specialty is Kriya yoga so I'll get a chance to learn more about that with which I've had little experience.  I'm sure I've missed something.  Any way, two souls met in Plum Banch yesterday.  What an experience.  Sorry I didn't take any photos.  Next time I will.

Rocks and Drums

Here's a new photo of the labyrinth taken  from the end of the west direction facing east.  Notice the new third circle of rocks!  It has been suggested we have a drumming circle here August 31 - Blue Moon night.  Anyone interested?  I just recently received my new little drum - in the photo resting beside my Celtic bodhran  (boh-rahn) purchased in Ireland years ago.  If you're interested in coming, let me know.  We could all walk the labyrinth that evening also, of course.

Rocks in the Labyrinth

Every now and then we make friends with people who make a significant impact on our lives.  Millie and Todd are two of my newest friends to do this.  They are loyal yoga students to begin with - but much more than that.  For example, yesterday they hauled rocks (AGAIN) and added them to the labyrinth.  (This is a before picture) It is growing by leaps and bounds now instead of one rock at a time.  If you'd like, bring your rock (any size at all will find a home) and add it.  If you'll give it to me first, I'll put the source and date on it with permanent ink.  If you've never walked the labyrinth, you don't know what a spiritual experience it can be--come try it anytime - you don't even have to say hello to me - just walk.

Drum Circle at Flat Rock

Sunday morning - finally I'll get back to church this morning - been away a few weeks while on vacation etc.  But, must report on yesterday's adventure first.  Millie and Todd took me with them to Flat Rock to a Drum circle - probably 50 people there - beautiful setting beside a lovely lake with many lotus blossoms - sorry they were closing when I was there so no photo - but one of the drum circle with those who couldn't resist the rhythm without moving their bodies also - and the red streamers made it even more fun to watch.  All of us had a chance to play a drum and/or other sound makers.  I had ordered a drum for myself just the day before - so now I know a bit about what to do with it when it arrives.  We had a vegetarian supper, talked with many people of many different stripes, and had a fun drive conversing about all kinds of stuff from the Chick Filet incident to personal stories we had not shared  before.  All in all, a lovely experience I'll be looking to repeat soon.  Maybe even at the Yogatorium!  Who has a drum?  Are you interested? Let me know and we'll give it a try - after all we did attend a drum circle facilitator's class yesterday so we know a bit about it.

Compassion - the Enemy is Us

Last evening my spiritual sisters and I considered compassion and discovered difficulty understanding how we might learn to have compassion for ourselves - suggested as a prerequisite for having compassion for others. Part of the problem is accepting that we suffer.  It's difficult to avoid comparing our own situation to the global situations and coming up with any clear evidence of suffering.  A key word came to me this morning - judging.  When we find ourselves judging ourselves harshly - no matter what for - express compassion for OURSELVES.  Remember the comic strip Pogo?  That's where we got We have met the enemy and he is us.  When I judge myself harshly and notice it - I will immediately express kindness to myself for the error.  My plan is to try to notice daily harsh judgments - wherever I may express them.  Wish me luck.

Relinquishing what I am

  I must be willing to give up what I am in order to become what I will be......Einstein.   That's the hard part - giving up what I am.  When that is conquered, the rest follows naturally, or so it seems to me.  Somehow, the guidance steps in when we empty.  I find guidance in the pauses.