Co-Creative Mentoring Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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Happy Earth Day! Rest Deeply in Earth's Intelligence

4/22/2022

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If we surrendered to earth's intelligence, we could rise up rooted like trees.
              Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke’s Book of Hours: Love Poems to God
 For this Earth Day let’s take a moment to pause and

bring awareness to Earth and nature. Even though we have

different beliefs, cultures, and nationalities--we're all in this

together on Earth. It’s a perfect time to reflect on the

interdependent relationship between caring for the planet and

caring for ourselves. So let's pause and celebrate this beautiful,

blue marble!  Let's expand our love for each other and

ourselves, raise our vibration, increase our capacity to live in

balance and harmony.  This is our gift to Earth. Check out this

event sponsored by the Institute for HeartMath


Earth Day Special Focus: Celebrating Our Earth.


I've been thinking a lot lately about earth's intelligence and how

the relationship I have with my body is a reflection of my

relationship with  Earth.  One aspect that I've come to

appreciate is knowing that when I explore my inner landscape, I

also deepen my connection to Earth.


Having been on a journey of exploring my inner landscape for

decades, I often (these days, more often than not) come back to

the realization that each daily  practice, each conscious decision

to gently and lovingly regenerate my body by reconnecting with

its intuitive ways of being, I naturally experience the restorative

rhythms of nature. And, the energetic shifts I make extend

healing to Earth. This is a process that includes curiosity and

deep listening.



So, how are the body and Earth interconnected?


Like the human body, Earth has a natural intelligence. After an

injury, and given time, both heal themselves. It's no secret that

we co-create the natural and social web of life that supports and

sustains us and Earth.  We are connected to nature and

dependent on it for the things we need to keep us alive.  Just

like us, Earth needs balance. She needs consideration. She

needs kinder treatment. Earth's natural systems make life on

our planet possible. Our actions have an impact on the health

and well being of Earth.  We’re part of Earth. We’re not separate

from her. Since every decision affects our interconnected Earth,

our best option is a simple one — treat all elements of

existence, including ourselves,  with equal care and attention.


That's what I’m trying to do with Co-Creative Mandalas: Bring a

connection, a balance, a look outside, and inside our world and

ourselves. All in the hopes of appreciating ourselves, each

other,  the beauty our world has to offer, and the contribution we

make within the ebb and flow of nature itself. By respecting

Earth's transforming capabilities we can flow with an

appreciation of her beautiful, sustainable, nurturing cycle of life--

within and in the world around us. The serenity of nature is

outside us, and at the same, who we really are--whole and

complete.  I love discovering and experiencing the awe of

knowing that everything, somehow, fits together.

Even a stone, and more easily a flower or a bird, could show you the way back to God, to the Source, to yourself. When you look at it or hold it & let it be without imposing a word of mental label on it, a sense of awe, of wonder, arises within you. Its essence silently communicates itself to you and reflects your own essence back to you.
                 Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
Do you remember a time as a child when you were curious

about the world around you, playing in nature, touching it,

feeling it, smelling it? To feel connected, to be in touch with who

we are, we have to go back and connect with our childlike

respect for nature, and appreciate its serenity. When we

connect our body with Earth,  we build a sense of trust

within, so we can relax into openness and acceptance — and

sense what our body needs moment to moment. One of the

many ways of doing that is Earthing (also known as grounding),

a way to make contact with Earth's surface electrons by

walking barefoot outside. I love this time of year when the

weather warms up and I take my socks off! I like to do this first

thing in the morning when there's still dew on the grass. This

practice involves connecting your body, mind, and spirit to

Earth.


Studies also show that connecting your body with Earth's

electrons has many health benefits. According to the National

Institutes of Health
Earthing can improve sleep, decrease

stress, and improve well-being. Research supports Earthing as

an essential element for boosting your overall health and

wellness. Learning to ground your body with  Earth helps

regulate your emotions and nervous system, and gives you a

solid foundation to experience greater peace, stability, and

coherence.

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So, what is coherence?


From physics to metaphysics coherence has an impact on all

people and things. "The state of coherence is important to all of

us in helping to maintain our mental, emotional, physical and

spiritual well being. Coherence in relation to any system,

including the human body, refers to a logical orderly and

harmonious connectedness between parts, the  quality of Unity.

Among the many benefits of coherence are calmness, good

energy levels, and clear thinking". (Adapted from the Derbyshire

Community Health Services Bulletin, March 2012).


It's obvious to many of us that we've been at a critical junction in

human existence for quite some time.  We are at a choice point,

one that could be the most important ever faced. We are on the

threshold of a new stage of social, spiritual, and cultural

evolution.


On the one hand, we see evidence of social and political unrest

and financial instability, along with dramatic changes in the

environment. Very few people could have predicted the war in

Ukraine. These are real problems, even if we hold the belief that

we are on the verge of a new planetary order.

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.
                                                John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra
Many of us intuitively sense the interconnectedness to  Earth's

rhythms, the energy that is the life force within of all things.

Scientific hypotheses are pointing toward the possibility that

invisible magnetic influences emanating from the sun and earth

profoundly affect life on earth from birth to death.  Studies show

that solar and geo-magnetic cycles not only correlate with

human health indicators, but also with such major societal

conflicts as violence, crime, terrorism, and war. Our energy also

influences geo-magnetic cycles, and by extension Earth, in

life affirming and destructive ways. For an in-depth exploration

of numerous scientific studies about the interconnection

between our energy and planetary energy and how each

influences the other, check out The Global Coherence

Initiative: Creating a Coherent Planetary Standing Wave



So, how do we develop coherence?


To many of us (most of the time), it's clear that we're on the

verge of a shift in human consciousness, one in which we are

co-creators and more in control of our own evolution.  I'm

heartened by the increase in the number of individuals, groups,

and organizations around the world who are longing and

working for peace, environmental improvement, and social

change. Never before has there been global access to practices

that increase balance and peace through personal and

collective efforts, including prayer, meditation, affirmations,

mindfulness, and energy modalities. Even so, the individual and

collective stress of the current times sometimes makes it difficult

to calm down, focus, quiet the mind, and experience coherence.


Each of us is capable of achieving, maintaining and increasing

our coherence. One of the simplest and quickest paths to

enhance coherence is through intentional positive feelings.

These include compassion, caring, love and gratitude and other

states of appreciation. In contrast, we can quickly become

incoherent when we experience constricted attitudes and

emotions, i.e., emotions such as anger, fear and anxiety. Just a

note about constricted emotions: They aren't bad or negative.

They serve a purpose and it's important to recognize and honor

those emotions. When we accept ALL our emotions, we are

accepting ourselves. As Carl Rogers said: “The curious paradox

is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change”. There

are many processes and techniques that support the exploration

of constricted emotions. My favorite is
Emotional Freedom

Techniques--EFT/Tapping



Every time we look to make a change, heal our past, or build a

new future, we must let go of something and integrate

something. It's like digestion. And, like every change on Earth,

something must release in order for a new intelligence to shine

through. This process depends upon our capacity to rest calmly,

discern what's good for us, and what isn't, and transform our

experience into action.



The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Coherence", from a

photograph of a single peony symbolizes healing.  This mandala

supports our search for unity and balance. For appreciating all

the interrelationships we have. For experiencing the feeling of

curiosity, awe,and wholeness. Thoreau describes this as "at

one-ness".  This mandala communicates a reverence for life--

the knowledge that we live and we want to keep on living. We

share this desire with all living beings--from bears to blossoms,

bees to whales--we are a family of living beings, experiencing

life on the living Earth.

Picture
See the world around you, see Earth, with innocence, delight, and curiosity. Discover what nurtures and sustains you.

Coherence Sacred Practice:


Intention:


The real power of the practice is the intention you place behind

it. This is the time of coherence. Start your day by setting the

intention that you are dedicating this time to self-care, to

remembering Wholeness and awakening to Unity.  This practice

is a simple method of helping you to develop a state of greater

coherence at will. So with practice, it can be used to manage

stress, promote feelings of well-being and be present, without

conscious effort. With practice, you'll discover that this inner

resource is available to you  for increasing periods of time. 


Be gentle with yourself as you discover what nurtures and

sustains you.


Choose what you need to create sacred space: Flowers, leaves

represent spring, candles, incense, and music can help guide

your focus.


When you are ready, invite any subtle colleagues, allies, your

guides and helpers to join you in your sacred practice. Wait a

moment for that connection and alliance to form.


Before you begin the practice:


First, invest some time for reflecting on the Coherence mandala.

What message does it have for you? What expansive energy do

you want more of in your life?  You may choose to reflect on

your vision statement. How will bringing Coherence into your life

support manifesting your vision?  How will you nurture the

mandala of your life? How will you practice self-care and self-

compassion by bringing more Coherence to your life?



Now, the Coherence practice:*


Create a coherent state in about a minute with these simple but

powerful steps.


Step 1 Heart Focus – focus your attention on the area around

your heart, the area in the center  of your chest. If you like,

place your hand over the center of your chest to help to keep

your attention in the heart area.


Step 2 Heart Breathing – breathe deeply but normally and feel

as if your breath is coming in and going out through your heart

area. As you inhale, feel as if your breath is flowing in through

your heart, and as you exhale, feel it leaving through this area.

Breathe slowly and casually, a little deeper than normal.

Continue breathing with ease until you find a natural inner

rhythm that feels good to you.


Step 3 Heart Feeling – This is the most important step --

as you maintain your heart focus and heart breathing, activate

an expansive feeling. Recall a time when you felt a feeling of

love, compassion, or appreciation. One of the easiest

ways to generate an expansive heart-based feeling is to

remember a special place you’ve been to or the love you feel for

a close friend or family member or treasured pet.



When to use the Coherence Practice


This experience should ideally be done for periods of time each

day, as a way of promoting health and a sense of well being.

With practice, the state of coherence can become deeper and

more profound. However, this technique can be especially

useful when you start to feel a draining emotion such as

frustration, irritation or anxiety or stress. Using quick coherence

at the onset of less intense constricted emotions can prevent

them from escalating and bring you back into balance more

quickly.


You can use the quick coherence technique anytime, anywhere

and no one will know that you are doing it. In less than a minute,

it creates positive changes in your heart rhythms, sending

powerful signals to your brain that can improve how you are

feeling.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,

Picture
* (Adapted from HeartMath Institute, https://www.heartmath.org)
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Welcome to the Season of Blossoming: Awaken to Spring’s Unlimited Potential

3/21/2022

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Springtime inspires us to believe that, along with the earth, we too might change, release the past, and give birth to new ideas.                                 
                                                              
Madisyn Taylor--DailyOM

Yesterday was the vernal equinox, when the sun crossed the

celestial equator and day and night were of equal length, equal

distance between north and south pole, it stood still in the

balance. This auspicious event has been celebrated for

millennia and marks the beginning of spring. Nature awakens

from its winter slumber and life begins again.


With the arrival of spring, are you experiencing an awakening

within? Are your senses delighted by the fragrance of new

blossoms, the sight of fresh growth, and the promise of warmer

weather? Spring invites us to rejuvenate ourselves and embrace

a new beginning, a new idea, a new vision.


Spring is the beginning of the journey from darkness to light.  It's

an expansive, creative time. Much like the blossoming stage

that accompanies spiritual liberation. This is a time of pure

potential on the wheel the Great Mandala. Anything is possible

for you in the months ahead! We the stand in the doorway

between winter and spring, inviting new growth, blossoming,

and expanding light.
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun,
And I say, It's all right
Little darling...
I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling
It seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun,
And I say, It's all right
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
It's all right
It's all right

                                                                                  George Harrison
We made it through the dark winter months and here we are at

spring's new beginning. It's the dawn of a new day, a new

season. A new chapter is beginning for you.


Spring is a joyful time, with themes of awakening, rebirth, and

new life. Nature is waking up after her long winter's rest.

Everything is coming alive; the natural world is being reborn.


This same thing is happening within you – in your life & in your

spirit.


It’s the beginning of the growing season. A time of new life

emerging. New beginnings. A new chapter. This is the time to

focus on refining your Vision Statement, on what you want to

see grow and blossom in your life in the months ahead. And, for

asking yourself: How do I want to grow and blossom?


As the seasons change, so do our lives.


The spring energy pulls us toward growth. It provides us with

the supportive, nurturing energy necessary to transform in life.


Now, more than ever, it's so important to be in alignment with

the seasonal energy that helps us flow more easily and

gracefully when life presents changes and challenges.


We spent the past few months focusing on our inner world. It's

been a time of resting and inner reflection, a time of Solitude

and Visioning new dreams.


At the spring equinox your energy begins its shift back into the

outer world.


You may be feeling alive right now with new ideas, new plans,

new inspiration. Your spirit may be feeling ready for a fresh start.

The inspiring spring energy is encouraging you to be reborn.

Parts of you are coming alive in ways they never have before.

Embrace this new beginning.


Spring is an inspiring season filled with so much hope and

possibility. Our lives will be flooded with powerful growth energy

in the coming weeks and months.


And you have the power to create whatever you want with the

rich, expansive energy.


Anything is possible for you in the season ahead! So ... what will

you grow?

Picture
What does the natural world look and feel like where you are?

Does it look and feel like spring yet? Is the ice slowly melting? In

Colorado where I live--the days are spring-like and winter-like--

often within 24 hours.


Sometimes this time of year can feel a little hectic, disorienting,

or chaotic after the inward focus of winter. For some people

spring offers a fresh, bright perspective on life as the earth

warms and  blossoms. In either case, I find a gentle cleansing of

body, heart, mind, spirit, and home smooths the transition from

the quiet solitude of winter into the clear, light, and hopeful

energy of spring.


I'm feeling a mixture of caution and hope. I feel like my spirit is a

bud ready to fully blossom, to feel liberated.


I love the energy of new beginnings, renewal, balance, and

blossoming that comes with spring. I feel it within and see signs

of that movement all around me. The crocus, snowdrops, and

Tete-a-Tete daffodils are blossoming in our yard. The tulips are

showing their green sprouts. I bought daffodils to brighten up

our living room on the days when it's still gray and cold outside.


To celebrate this spring, give yourself the gift of self-care.


As the rise in seasonal energy shows up within and without, it's

so enjoyable to take walks, watching nature as it comes alive

and feeling that same aliveness within. I encourage you to take

a walk today, if you can, get outside and look for signs of inner

and outer spring energy.


When we intentionally and consciously prepare ourselves, our

homes, spaces, and our visions- we move into the spring with

clarity, confidence, grace, and ease! With mindful

awareness, we can draw down a multitude of healing blessings

inherent to each season of the Great Mandala… if only we

create a little time and space to do so.


How do you want to mark and honor the changing season?

What would you like to do with this sacred time? I suggest

keeping it sweet and simple.


It's meaningful to me – honoring the seasonal shifts.  For me,

it’s spiritual,  a sacred practice. It's a time that I connect with

myself by  connecting with Wholeness through nature.


Sometimes I have the best intentions for doing something to

celebrate the change in seasons. Then, life happens, the day

passes....and I'm busy or I forget.


Here's the beauty of seasonal changes--the energy shift lasts

longer than the actual day and time.  Celebrating doesn’t have

to be right ON the equinox! (Don’t put too much pressure on

yourself!) Anytime in the next couple weeks is perfect.


By creating deeper connections in your life – with nature and

with your inner and outer resources, you feel more firmly

grounded in your life. By creating a firm foundation for yourself, 

you feel empowered & in control in your life – so you can face

whatever life throws at you.


Living in alignment with this energy helps you grow, expand,

and experience a deeper, more meaningful life.


So, how do we draw in the growth we want to see in life and find

more balance and open to the new beginnings blossoming right

now?


Listen deeply… to your heart. Tend the garden of your heart

space, open to what's possible as the days lengthen.


Notice the strong and grounding energy all around. Remember,

your deep wisdom of inner listening embodies strength, solitude,

and the courage to step into your vision. You've been

hibernating through the winter, dreaming your creative vision

with deep insight. Now,  waking in the spring, you emerge ready

to succeed.



Here's what's necessary for bringing your vision to the world:


1. Heal and strengthen your body. How can you take care of

yourself and honor your body today?


2. Protect and care for your new creative vision. Who are the

trusted people you can share your vision with?


3. Answer the call to the next level of courage. What is one

courageous act you can take today?


4. Remember the force of love is transformative. How can

you be loving toward yourself and others today?


5. Embrace the rhythms of nature. Where are you in your

process right now?

(Adapted from Bear Energy, author unknown)




Whenever and however you decide to celebrate a simple spring

moment, it doesn’t take much time.  Ten minutes with a candle

and your journal can be very powerful! Walk barefoot in the

grass? In just a few mindful minutes you can reclaim your

balance and feel better… more resilient and more joyful, calmer,

more connected, and more aligned with the energy all around

you. This is the perfect time to use your tools, the meditations,

and practices you already know for growing inner resources and

connecting to your outer resources.


This Co-Creative Mandala, "Blossoming" from a photograph of

Camassia quamash, from the Nez Perz Indigenous Tribe means

"sweetness" (symbolizes consciousness), reminds us of

emerging inner and outer growth.


When we turn toward our vision for the months ahead, we set

our sights on blossoming and thriving. We discover what is

nourishing. This is the time for drawing experience from the past

(winter's Solitude and Vision) and potential from the future

(Spring's Blossoming) into the present moment. Listen to your

inner "yes".


Picture
Spiritual blossoming simply means blossoming in life in all dimensions - being happy, at ease with yourself and with everybody around you.
                                                             
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar        
Blossoming Sacred Practice


Intention:

The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind

it. This is the time of blossoming. Start your day by setting the

intention that you are dedicating this time to self-care, to

remembering Wholeness by awakening to Unity.  What helps

you remember your purpose? Reading your vision statement?

Journal writing? Being in nature? This is a powerful time for

manifestation. Be gentle with yourself and the new life that's

blossoming, awakening to the light.


When you are ready, invite any subtle colleagues, allies, your

guides and helpers to join you in your sacred practice. Wait a

moment for that connection and alliance to form.



Choose what you need to create sacred space: Flowers, leaves

that represent spring, candles, incense, and music can help

guide your focus.


Before you begin the practice:


First, invest some time reflecting on Blossoming, the stirring

energy and its invitation to welcome your vision as it opens and

unfolds. You may choose to reflect on your vision statement.

How will you support manifesting your vision? How will you

nurture the mandala of your life? How will you practice self-care

and self-compassion?



Now,  the Vision practice:


1. Take a few deep breaths to ground and center. Take your

time here. Don’t rush. Take several deep breaths and use any

grounding technique that works for you.


If you choose you can imagine a root extending from the base of

your spine and growing deep into the Earth. Invest a few

minutes feeling the Earth energy traveling up your root, through

your body and all your chakras.


Imagine that energy bursting through your crown chakra and

extending far into the heavens. Feel the Source energy entering

your body through your crown chakra, filling and surrounding

you.


Sit in this energy for a few minutes, feel yourself connected to

Source.


2.  Allow your gaze to fall softly on the Blossoming mandala.

Be easy, don't force it. Allow the mandala to come to you. What

do you notice about the mandala? What draws your attention?

How does its energy feel in your body? Just notice and

wonder...I wonder what the Blossoming mandala wants me to

know? Feel its vibration. Allow the Blossoming vibration to flow

to and through your body, bringing you clarity.


3. Ponder for a moment:

    a. Where in your life are you right now?

    b. What have you tended and held close in the winter season

since solstice?

    c. What new shoots in your life are emerging now?


3. Be aware of the qualities of the winter just ending, with its

emphasis on Solitude and Vision. Breathe in these qualities in

your life, and celebrate the gifts of your winter.

    a. What gift of knowing do you welcome, widening the

balance of light at this time of the year?

    b. Breathe in the gifts of the coming spring season - rain and

warmth, increasing sun, and Blossoming.


4. Be aware of the Co-Creative Mandala vibration of

"Blossoming":

    a. What gifts of potential do you welcome into the balance of

light at this time of the year?



Invest a few minutes toward holding the Earth, others, and

yourself in the rhythms of expansion, creativity, and growth.


Now:


In honor of spring,  make a list of the many possibilities you

envision for the future. Take the list outside and bury it in the

earth (or in a planter box or pot), surrendering the fertile seeds

of your imagination to the nurturing soil. In tune with the season,

watch in wonder as the last of the snow dissolves into the rich

brown earth, and stark winter gives way to green possibility and

the beauty of Blossoming. Trust that, along with the Earth, you,

too, are Blossoming.


This spring, gift yourself with some precious time for

Blossoming.


I'm sending you love and gentle spring  blessings for the season

ahead. May this be a time of beautiful, expansive growth,

transformation, and Blossoming for you.

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What Vision Are You Nurturing?

2/28/2022

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February is the border between winter and spring.
                                                                              Terri Guillemets
As I was preparing to publish this blog, Russia invaded Ukraine.

It's with a heavy (and hopeful) heart that I sit down to re-write

the introduction. My heart, thoughts, and intentions go out to all

people suffering in this horrifically backward step for civilization.

I'm beside myself with sadness.


And, I'm heartened by the response to the crisis from our global

community. There are so many groups gathering together, as

united citizens of the world, to chant, pray, tap, meditate in

support of all those effected by the war! We're multiplying our

collective energy and power to end this war in the Ukraine.


We picked this year's Co-Creative Mandalas theme months ago,

and it's suddenly even more relevant at this moment: The

importance and value of Unity.  The need for Unity – seeing all

beings from Wholeness and "commUNITY"--coming together to

support each other – is not just a personal or local issue. It's a

world-wide imperative. As I look back on ancient and recent

history, I see that a lot of progress has been made since early

bands of humans roamed the earth and conquered or were

conquered by one another. But as developments of the past

days show us, much more is still needed. As a civilization, we

continue to grow and evolve.



Typically, our monthly newsletter/blog includes information and

practices that we hope are helpful for your pathway toward

personal growth and evolution of consciousness. This one is

slightly different. With Unity and commUNITY in mind we're

offering a link to resources and practices that support our

individual and global healing. Many of you know of or practice

Donna Eden's Eden Methods. I love her work and her

commitment to living her life purpose.  Here's a link 

to several free online courses she and Eden Method

practitioners offered during the pandemic.  We can "Stand

Together Even as the World Falls Apart" as Donna so eloquently

states.   Each course speaks to our Co-Creative

Mandalas theme of Unity and has meaning in relation to

what is right now unfolding on the world stage.



In support of bringing the vibration of Unity into our daily lives,

Vision--feeling the joy of being part of Nature and envisioning

limitless possibilities--is the vibration for this time of year.



February 1st marked the half-way point between Winter Solstice

and the Spring Equinox (the first day of Spring is only 20 days

from today!). The Earth is tilting back toward the sun, the

daylight hours are longer as we  step out of winter in the

Northern Hemisphere. The seeds in the still frozen soil are

struggling to break their shells.


Right now life is beginning to manifest in the outside world.


Nature is just beginning to make Her shift from the dark, inside,

incubation time to the outside, expansive, physical world.


Where I am in Colorado we're slowly thawing out of the recent

deep freeze. I trust that Mother Nature is waking up and soon

the crocus will be poking their heads through the frozen soil.

Picture
Do you feel the seeds of your Vision stirring, becoming clearer,

and reaching for light?


This can be an exhilarating time for exploring possibilities and

daydreaming about your vision  that supports living your

purpose and welcoming the new into your life with an open mind

and an open heart.  


This is an important time for treating yourself with great love and

compassion, to deeply nurture yourself, and to spend some

lovely alone time just being in the gentle calm and stillness. It's

time to sip homemade broths and tea, nurture ourselves and

have naps, and enjoy the benefits of slow exercise.

Whenever we grow, we tend to feel it, as a young seed must feel the weight and inertia of the earth as it seeks to break out of its shell on its way to becoming a plant.
                                                  
Alice Walker-Living by the Word


You can use this powerful seasonal energy to bring your winter

dreams, the seeds of your vision,  to life. Consider that you are

becoming a seed of change inside the mandala of your life -

your thoughts, your emotions, your relationships, and your

spiritual path.


It's a powerful practice to relate to ourselves and our vision as

seeds for sparking change in an interconnected world, for

awakening to Unity by returning to ourselves and considering

the vision we can bring forth into the world.


The only question is: What do you want to grow with this potent

manifesting energy?


Your  vision contains possibilities that await your attention, love,

and intention--your co-creative presence. The first step is

stating your vision. Clarifying your vision is like fuel for your life

that generates energy and excitement.


I love the idea that Vision helps us see a future that shines a

light on our path toward our possible future.


I love the idea that Vision is the ability to see a future that hasn’t

happened, YET. It's defining what your life will look like when

you move forward with purpose. Having a clear picture of what

you want helps you start living as if your vision is alrea
dy real.


The more you focus on your vision, the more you will become

and embody your vision. So, how can you live intentionally

during  the year ahead?


There's been a lot written about strategies for manifesting your

dreams, including creating  "Who do I want to be?" "What do I

want to do?" and "What do I want to have?" lists and creating a

vision board. I think those are great ideas.


One of the most powerful tools I've used is writing a personal

vision statement. This statement will help you gain clarity about

your purpose--why you're here.  It can help you realize your

vision because it's shows that you believe your life has purpose.


The following prompts will help you as you think about and

create your vision statement:



1. What seeds are you planting?  Love? Hope? Service?

Joy? Healing?


2. What is your role, your contribution in this life?


3. What message and knowledge do you want to bring to

this life?


4. What change within will bring the change you want to

see in the world?


5. What words of wisdom does your future self offer you?


6. What was the time or times you felt the most inspired

and accomplished—the most you. What were you doing?

Who were you with? How did you feel in those moments?




Be creative, have fun, play with your vision statement--add

colors, images, photos, write a poem, or a 6-Word novel. Post it

where you'll see it several times a day. I'd love to see your

creations--post them in the comments below or send an email.


The more you focus on your vision statement, the more you will

become your vision. A great vision statement offers a wealth of

benefits--clarity, resilience, presence, focus, and optimism.

As you finally emerge with greater ownership of your values and gifts, remember to honour the as yet fragile nature of new life. Tell yourself the story, again and again, of the love you offer, and the love you deserve, while your vision gains strength at the root.
                                                                        Toko-pa (toko-pa.com)
The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Vision" from a photograph of

crocus (symbolizes courage) gives us confidence to take a leap

of faith and trust that we have a unique purpose we're meant to

fulfill in this life.  Follow your curiosity and let intuition guide you.


We are each seeds; we each contain the energy to influence the

mandala of our lives. And like seeds, we each are influenced by

the rhythms of nature. Seeds lie dormant in fallow ground. 

They take in nourishment from the soil around them. Ultimately,

seeds germinate, sprout, grow, flower, and bear fruit. Nurture

the seeds of your vision. Be gentle to your self.


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Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.
                                                                        Rumi

Vision Sacred Practice


Intention:


The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind

it. This is the time of stirring, the beginning of a new growth

cycle.  Start your day by setting the intention that you are

dedicating this time to self-care, to remembering Wholeness by

awakening to Unity.  What helps you remember your purpose?

Reading your vision statement? Journal writing? Being in

nature?  This is a powerful time for manifestation. Be gentle with

yourself and the new life that's breaking it's shell, swelling, and

reaching for the light.


Choose what you need to create sacred space: Flowers,

candles, incense, and music can help guide your focus.


Before you begin the practice:


First, invest some time reflecting on Vision, the stirring energy

and its invitation to plant and nurture seeds that are the source

of your possible future.  You may choose to reflect on your

vision statement. How will you support manifesting your vision?

How will you nurture the mandala of your life? How will you

practice self-care and self-compassion?



Now,  the Vision practice:


1. Take a few deep breaths to ground and center. Take your

time here. Don’t rush. Take several deep breaths and use any

grounding technique that works for you.


If you choose you can imagine a root extending from the base of

your spine and growing deep into the Earth. Invest a few

minutes feeling the Earth energy traveling up your root, through

your body and all your chakras.


Imagine that energy bursting through your crown chakra and

extending far into the heavens. Feel the Source energy entering

your body through your crown chakra, filling and surrounding

you.


Sit in this energy for a few minutes, feel yourself connected to

Source.


2.  Allow your gaze to fall on the Vision mandala. What do

you notice about the mandala? What draws your attention? How

does its energy feel in your body? Just notice and wonder...I

wonder what the Vision mandala wants me to know? Feel its

vibration. Allow the Vision vibration to flow to and through your

body, bringing you clarity.


Take a deep breath and let go into your inner stirring. Imagine

you're a seed, nestled in the womb of Mother Earth. Feel the

stirring of life within your heart and the gentle opening of the

heart's protective shell. You're starting a new cycle of growth.

Enjoy the bliss of being. Give thanks for the mandala of your life

and join with the flow of life all around you.

May a good vision catch me
May a benevolent vision take hold of me, and move me
May a deep and full vision come over me, and burst open around me
May a luminous vision inform me, enfold me.
May I awaken into the story that surrounds,
May I awaken into the beautiful story.
May the wondrous story find me;
May the wildness that makes beauty arise between two lovers
arise beautifully between my body and the body of this land,
between my flesh and the flesh of this earth,
here and now,
on this day,
May I taste something sacred.

                                                                                    David Abram
Peace and joy to your seeking heart,
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Are You in Tune with Life's Natural Rhythms?

1/18/2022

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Solitude isn’t loneliness. Solitude is when the entire serene universe seems to surround and hold you quietly.
                                               Victoria Erickson--"Edge of Wonder"

We've just passed Week 2, of 2022. How are you?? I hope your

New Year is off to a good start!  I trust you’re still feeling the

hope and potential a new year holds. I wish you and your loved

ones the very best in this next turn of the Great Mandala.  May

you receive all you need to navigate the times we are living -

may you find ease, joy, and grace in the midst of all of it!


During these first weeks of 2022, I can’t help but ponder the

miraculous possibilities that the future holds.


With hope and positivity in my heart, I'm inspired as I reflect on

the challenges, blessings, fears, and triumphs of the last two

years. Like many of you, my life has also taken a labyrinth of

twists and turns, but by grace, the wisdom and truth of life has

always been near. When I remembered, I noticed that the inner

and outer resources were readily accessible. Now, more than

ever, I realize what a gift remembering is! The inspirations,

wisdom, and insights, were right at my fingertips! What a

blessing to be able to make spiritual connections, so that every

day I build my capacity to remember Wholeness-individually and

collectively AND be engaged in the process of awakening!


I’m reminded again that there is nothing like the blessings of

nature that come with the cycles of the seasons to keep things

flowing.


For some of us, this is the winter season. And, for some of us,

we're experiencing a metaphorical winter. Both are marked by

contrast, by a feeling of constriction.


At this time of year, in the northern hemisphere, I'm reminded of

Victoria Erickson's words in Rhythms and Roads:

So many feel lethargic , unmotivated , or worn out in this hemisphere.
We are really not made to rocket straight  through Winter, ablaze with energy .
Look at nature .
The ground, the plants, the animals are deep at rest .
This is the natural way of things .
Spend some time with the long nights, the moon, solitude, the bare earth, stillness .
Be easier on yourself.


Nature's natural rhythms orchestrate daylight and nighttime,

when seeds lay dormant and when flowers bloom. These

energetic rhythms turn green leaves to bright red, gold, and

orange. We human beings (and all beings) are attuned to this

"universal sense of timing". Our physical, mental and behavioral

changes are guided by the
24-hour Circadian Rhythms cycle.


Because of these internal and external rhythms, we intuitively

and instinctively know when it is time to stop working, when to

rest, eat, or be active.


We can override those rhythms and use our energy and place

our attention on pursuits that are out of alignment with our own 

and nature's rhythms. Not listening to our mind, body, and spirit

and not paying attention to what's happening in nature

diminishes our ability to renew and recharge. When we're out of

alignment with life's rhythms, we feel like a weary traveler who is

experiencing jet lag.This is the time to  breathe deeply  and look

at nature moving to its own organic timing. A walk in nature can

attune to us her organic rhythm, while allowing us to re-align our

own. When we move to our natural rhythm, this
raises our

vibration so that we notice Wholeness within and in our world.


so we can achieve all we choose to do with less effort.


Our best guide is to listen to and move with our own internal

timing, while partnering with the rhythms of nature.


During 2022, we're offering you 12 gifts, opportunities to

connect with nature, the natural rhythms, and your inspired life.


Every day, each month, and at each turn of the season, we

have created a Co-Creative Mandala that represents what’s

happening in nature at that time. Each Co-Creative Mandala

offers a vibration and message that connects you to the

changes in nature that affect your life – physically, emotionally,

mentally, and spiritually.



In this monthly blog, you'll find a Co-Creative Mandala that

supports tuning into what’s happening in nature each month by

mindfully connecting to the seasons and your inner life. The

"mandalas within a mandala" offer an exploration of the changes

in nature and the way those changes affect you. Each day

throughout the year is an invitation for self-reflection, for

journaling, for noticing the ways that the energy and vibration of

the seasons affect you.  This is a sacred, thoughtful, journey

toward aligning your inner and outer resources with the vibration

of Unity.   When you gently gaze on each mandala, the

image becomes a portal for remembering and awakening to

your true nature.


We invite you to invest in yourself by connecting to the 12 gifts

found within each Co-Creative Mandala--a you explore a

pathway that allows Unity to emerge.

Picture
Solitude is the first of the 12 gifts that support the pathway of

Unity, the Co-Creative Mandala vibration for 2022. 
Being able

to sit alone with your thoughts, feelings and body sensations is

a skill that takes time to master. We often reach for our phones

to distract ourselves, or rely on external stimulation to avoid

engaging in self-reflection. Solitude is the first step toward

awakening to Unity.
Unity isn't a goal or a destination. It's the

reality of life. Nothing exists independently. No single

component is more important than another. Mindfulness, the

realization of the effect of our actions and appreciation of the

present moment, is the practice of  remembering Unity. "Unity is

complete enlightenment, the spontaneous, uncontrived ability to

look at nature and the entire creation from the perspective of

Wholeness.” Tony Nader.


During our journey around the Great Mandala in 2022, with

each passing season and in harmony with the cycles of nature,

I'll be sharing insights, resources, and sacred practices that

support the 12 gifts--one for each monthly, seasonal Co-

Creative Mandala--as we awaken to Unity.


These 12 gifts include:



1. January: Solitude (finding the stillness at the center of your

heart)

2. February: Vision (envisioning limitless possibilities)

3. March: Blossoming (discovering what is emerging)

4. April: Coherence (feeling the connection within and with

others)

5. May: Sensitivity (appreciating your divine gifts)

6. June: Oneness (letting go of feeling separate)

7. July: Goodness (suspending your inner critic)

8. August: Serendipity (seeing the wonder in everything)

9. September: Luminosity (accepting your brilliance)

10. October: Persistence (surrendering to the mystery)

11. November: Optimism (choosing your life story)

12. December: Contentment (pausing and appreciating grace-

filled completion)



This 12-month cycle is a journey through the seasons that

begins and ends with winter.  Winter is all about contrast--both

the literal winter and the metaphorical winter we experience in

our human experience. Incorporating consistent daily practices

supports renewal and gives you the opportunity to bring

awareness to the present and find the flow in your natural

rhythms more easily and gracefully.


Ebb and flow is a natural part of all life.



If the entire cycle of the Great Mandala took place in one 24-

hour period, this time of year would be ~1am.


What are you usually doing at 1am? What does your spirit crave

at 1am? That's when the mind, body, and spirit seek deep,

delicious sleep, stillness. and solitude.


This is a time in the cycles of nature for absolute non-striving.

There’s no ‘DO’ing at 1am. Can you give yourself permission to

do nothing? To do things that don’t feel ‘productive’, but instead

feel restful and nurturing? Can you be easier on yourself?


Instead of crossing off To Do’s, can you sit and read a book??

How about soaking in a bath? Or enjoying a nap?!!


This applies to your personal and spiritual ‘work’ as well. No

striving or pushing there either.


In our 24-hour metaphor, that means most of the time from the

Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox may be spent in deep sleep.

Remember, part of the night (metaphorically, too) you’ll cycle

through REM sleep and feel inspired to journal, or do some

other activity that connects you with your deeper self and your

creativity.


Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D., a physician, researcher, and

author of the book Sacred Rest reframes what respite truly

means. Sleep, she says, is but one of many forms of rest. To

experience restorative sleep, we need to pay attention to all the

other forms of rest during the day.


“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

Annie Dillard


In order to do that, consider adopting daily, consistent practices

in the following Four Containers in which you can enjoy the

benefits of Solitude as you practice Sacred Rest.




Four Containers of Sacred Rest: (adapted from a practice

by
Homaira Kabir)



1. Physical Rest: Including napping and sleeping. Turning the

volume down on sensory input. Intentionally disconnect every

few hours. Close your eyes, put on soothing sounds, and give

your senses a break. How do you rest your body?


2. Mental Rest: Quiet your chattering mind. Create lists where

you dump all your thoughts and tasks onto. What ways do you

integrate silence?


3. Emotional Rest:  Body scan meditations  are really helpful,

where you shine the light of your awareness on different parts of

your body to undo tension, and to understand what your

emotions may be asking of you. This is a really powerful time to

embrace a simple meditation practice. Can you give yourself 5

minutes a day to meditate? 2 minutes? Every other day? "In

meditation, all borders, boundaries, and separation between

ourselves and the universe begin to disappear. We begin to

realize the inherent oneness of all beings and all of creation."

H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji


4. Spiritual Rest: The sources of spiritual rest vary depending

on our beliefs and what we find uplifting. For some of us, it

comes from religion and prayer. For others, it comes from song,

dance, walking in nature, or pursuing a passion. It’s anything

that makes us feel part of something larger than ourselves.

What nourishes you spiritually?



Remember,  Solitude means you have choices about when

and how you invest your time and intention toward integrating

rest into your daily life. One day, you may focus on Physical

Rest, the next day on Spiritual Rest. You decide...Create days

and design your life with joy and ease, while building resilience

along the way. Embrace a kind and loving relationship with

yourself.


I can’t guarantee that any of these strategies will give you a

quick fix. But what I can say from my personal experience that

investing time, energy, and intention toward creating moments

of Solitude and nurturing all four containers of rest is that not

only is my sleep far more restful, but I also feel transformed as a

person. I’m far more present with the people I love.  My focus

and creativity have never been better. And I feel a sense of

belonging with the world that makes me deeply grateful to be

alive.


The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Solitude" from a photo of blue

spruce (symbolizes darkness and peace) and snow (symbolizes

stillness) reminds us to tap into our inner resources, to practice

Sacred Rest.  It's the perfect mandala for beginning our annual

journey around the sun and invites us to intentionally find

solitary, quiet time to just be. Solitude is an important part of our

self-care practices as we take refuge in a space that is both

beautiful and peaceful.

Picture
Create moments of Solitude anywhere and
at any time you choose.


Solitude "non-doing" sacred practice.


Intention:

The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind

it. This is the time of rest...for mind, body, and spirit. Our day

can include self-care as a whole while directing healing energy

where it is needed most.  Start your day by setting the intention

that you are dedicating this time to self-care, to remembering

Wholeness by awakening to Unity.  It's up to you to decide what

you need to do to cultivate self-care in your life. For some, it

may be time spent in reflection. Others will turn to calming

activities that help them remember their purpose, such as

journal writing, being in nature, or studying. Your self-care can

take a more direct form as you use the Solitude mandala to

balance and ground yourself.  


Choose what you need to create sacred space: Flowers,

candlelight, incense, and music can guide your focus toward a

more tranquil state. You may choose to listen to music through

headphones since tuning out can help you tune in to Solitude.


Before you begin the practice:


First, invest some time reflecting on the winter energy and its

invitation to rest, dream, and be. You may choose to simply

reflect or you may choose to write in your journal. How will you

allow yourself to rest in the fertile darkness and Solitude this

Winter? How will you nurture yourself? How will you practice

self-care and self-compassion?


Now,  the "non-doing" practice:



1. Take a few deep breaths to ground and center. Take your

time here. Don’t rush. Take several deep breaths and use any

grounding technique that works for you.


If you choose you can imagine a root extending from the base of

your spine and growing deep into the Earth. Invest a few

minutes feeling the Earth energy traveling up your root, through

your body and all your chakras. Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.

Feel the Source energy entering your body through your crown

chakra and surrounding you.


Sit here for a few minutes, feel yourself connected to Source.


2.  Allow your gaze to fall on the Solitude mandala. What do

you notice about the mandala? What draws your attention? How

does its energy feel in your body? Just notice and wonder...I

wonder what the Solitude mandala wants me to know? Feel its

vibration. Allow the Solitude vibration to flow to and through

your body, bringing you calmness and peace.


There's nothing you need to do...just be. Be with the mandala

vibration. Be with your thoughts, your feelings, the sensations in

your body. There's no right way or wrong way to be. Just follow

where your heart leads you...Locate the stillness at the center of

your heart and accept the gifts that Sacred Rest brings.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
                                                                                Carl Jung
I hope in your journey around the Great Mandala toward Unity

you find the happiness you deserve. And I hope you learn to

find yourself. To trust yourself. To feel and follow your heart. I

hope everything you ever dreamed of finds you--in the sweetest

and warmest way.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,
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Welcome to the Season of Resting, Dreaming, and Being

12/21/2021

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It's possible, even in the midst of anything, of everything, to turn towards joy. To invite tranquility. To invite softness. To receive it wherever it may be found.
                                                                            Geneen Roth

As the seasons change, so do our lives.


Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (and

Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere). The cycle of the

Great Mandala is complete. In Nature's stillness, allow yourself

to savor fulfillment.


So … we’re in the cold season--the shortest days of the year.

This is the season for meditation, sacred practices, and using

our tools for growing inner strength for reconnecting with your

most tranquil and essential self. These days are for sleeping

and snuggling. For going slow. Drinking hot tea. Dreaming by

the fire.  Trusting the light will return, in due time.


Modern society and the demands we put on ourselves, can

keep us from our most important work in winter: Reclaiming

tranquility… and feeling balance and joy, calm and connected.

It’s a cruel irony that right now, when our spirits need rest, we’re

also in the craziness (and fun) of the holiday season.


Winter can be such a difficult season for so many of us. The

long, dark days can feel very heavy and depressing. Unlike the

song "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year", it can be a really

challenging time.  I think a big part of that disconnect is because

we're not aligned with Nature's rhythms, the seasonal energy.

Instead we're working against it and because of that, it's

creating a lot of dis-ease in our spirits.


The good news: We can choose to focus on self-care. When

you're aligned with the natural cycles, the energy is so

supportive, so deeply nurturing to your spirit--when you allow it.

The most ancient spiritual wisdom was centered around the

predictable shifts in seasonal rhythms that govern all of life. With

mindful awareness, we can draw on a multitude of healing

blessings available to us each day during this (and each) cycle

of the year.



Each month this year we've journeyed along the Pathway to

Oneness, exploring the natural rhythm of each season, honoring

and celebrating nature. You've learned monthly practices

designed to connect you to the energies and blessings of each

season. This season’s energy of rest is vital for restoring our

energy and after the outward-focused months of summer and

facing our shadows in the fall. We need winter’s rest to prepare

our spirit for the return of the growing months ahead when we'll

explore the Pathway to Unity (the Co-Creative Mandala theme

for 2022).

Picture
Four Essential Blessings:


When thinking about following any spiritual path toward

remembering our Wholeness and all that entails, I'm reminded

of our basic need for connection. According to scientist,

psychologist, and spiritual seeker Dr. Joan Borysenko

there four essential blessings of deep connection that every

human being needs to feel tranquil and whole:


    1. Connection to your essential self--your true nature, your     

     Wholeness.
   
   
     2. Connection to the beauty and biorhythms of nature--the

     nurturing energy and cycles of the Great Mandala.
   
   
     3. Connection to the present moment--mindful awareness,

     self-compassion, and self-love.
   
    
     4. Connection to infinite spirit--Source.



The Winter Solstice is a particularly powerful time for slowing

down and reflecting on those essential blessings. In order to

make the connection to our inner and outer blessings, our

resources, rest is really important soul work right now. This is

the time to reflect on what we're ready to release and to dream

about our intentions and hopes for ourselves, others, and the

world in the new year.   Lafayette, Colorado poet and author

Mary Saracino describes the solstice as, the “night of unfurling

desires” in her poem "Winter Solstice Prayer".

Deep night, Dark night
Night of the longest sigh
Soulful night, Sacred night
Night of the longest dreams
Cold night, Holy night
Night of unfurling desires
Womb of the world, Birther of hope
Bringer of peace and good will
Pray, pray for all good things
That suffering for all will end
That life will thrive and generosity reign
In the hearts of all humankind
That joy will rise and children will fly
On wings of prosperity
Oh hear our plea, this silent night
When the moon is round in the sky
When hopes are high and eyes are wide
with delight and audacity
May Love prevail tonight, and always
Leading us back to our Source
May we dance with the dark, without hesitation or fear
And savor her promise of plenty
Deep night
Dark night
Night of the longest sigh
May our weary hearts stay vigilant and receptive
To all that is loving and dear

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Finding tranquility in the chaos:

Adapted from The Seasonal Soul



In the midst of the holiday madness (even if we don't participate

in it, we can still feel the collective energy) I'm offering these

practical tips for finding tranquility so that you remember to stay

calm, peaceful, present, and relaxed over the next few days and

weeks so you can more fully experience the natural rhythm of

the winter season.



1. Make self-care your number one priority.

Take extra gentle care of yourself. Doing good things for

yourself will keep you centered. Just as important--practice self-

compassion.


2. Slow down & breathe.

Literally, slow down. Walk slow. Drive slow.

Take several deep breaths. (Exaggerated, deep belly breaths.)

You can do this in traffic, in a shopping mall–anytime you feel

out of alignment with the seasonal energy.


3. Set boundaries. "No" isn't a four letter word.

Be super protective of your energy. Remind yourself that self-

care is your number one priority.

And, you know what … people who care about you get it. And

usually they feel more empowered to protect their own energy in

the same way.


4. It's okay to be mediocre. (GASP!)

When you start to envision those perfect scenarios, the perfect

holiday things-traditions, crafts, activities, meals. STOP. Remind

yourself that what matters most is feeling rested so that you are

present for sharing the love and spontaneity with your family

and friends. May you be gloriously mediocre and totally in the

moment!


5. Savor the small things.

 
Step outside (literally) of the whirlwind, pause and really notice

all the beautiful, magical things about this time of year. Take in

the sights, sounds, tastes, and scents you love about the

season.  


Even if you only incorporate one of these tips, you'll be that

much closer to finding tranquility even in the chaos.



The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Tranquility",  from a photo of

Pine (symbolizes strength), Blue spruce (symbolizes

resilience), and Snow (symbolizes tranquility) reminds us that

no matter how dark it gets, there’s always a spark of light. The

light will always return. A new day will always begin.  Each

season and its inherent healing blessings contribute a vital part

to the wholeness of your life. The mandala revolves eternally,

offering continual opportunity for our personal evolution

throughout all the seasons of our lives. Welcome this new turn

of the Great Mandala with an open mind and an open heart.

Picture
In the darkness, new dreams are born.
Bring darkness to the Light and chaos to tranquility.

Tranquility Practice


Intention:


The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind

it. This exercise is a powerful tool for clarifying and manifesting

your dreams and desires. When we give attention to our hopes

and intentions and then do something tangible to represent

them, we begin to make them real. As you send your intentions

out to the Universe you are creating a powerful affirmation for

yourself.


You'll need your journal and an unlit candle.


Before you begin the practice:


First, invest some time reflecting on the winter energy and its

invitation to rest, dream, and be.Write in your journal.


1. How will you allow yourself to rest in the fertile darkness this

Winter? How will you nurture yourself? How will you practice

self-care and self-compassion?


Now, reflect on the past year. Autumn was all about reflecting on

the things, people and/or beliefs you were ready to release from

your life.


2. What are the remaining things, people, beliefs you’re shaking

off? What feels good to release from this year?


Next, reflecting on the year ending and and a new year

beginning that brings new hopes and intentions.


3. What seeds of new beginnings are you already starting to

dream about? What ideas are coming up for the new year?

Get really clear & very specific about what you’d like to

draw into your life. (The clearer you are the more power

the exercise will hold).



The Practice:


1. Take a few deep breaths to ground and center.

Take your time here. Don’t rush. Take several deep breaths and

use any grounding technique that works for you.


I like to imagine a root extending from the base of my spine and

growing deep into the Earth.


Invest a few minutes feeling the Earth energy traveling up your

root, through your body and all your chakras. Imagine that

energy bursting through your crown chakra and extending far

into the heavens. Feel the Source energy entering your body

through your crown chakra.


Sit here for a few minutes, feel yourself connected to Source.


2. Focus your attention on the "Tranquility" mandala.

Feel its vibration. Allow the "Tranquility" vibration to flow through

your body, bringing you calmness and peace.


Ask the mandala to support you, and to absorb the limiting

beliefs you want to leave behind with the old year.


As you think about what you want to leave behind, let your

thoughts flow into the mandala. Give the mandala the darkness

so that from the darkness the light can return.


3. Hold your unlit candle in your hands.

Close your eyes and think about all the hopes and dreams you

have for the new year.

As you hold your candle say out loud what you wrote about your

intentions and dreams for the new year. Read aloud what you

wrote. Don’t hold back. The clearer you are, the more energy

you will give the candle.


As you hold the candle, ask the Universe to hear your call. Ask

for help bringing your dreams to life, for support in realizing your

own power.


4. Place your candle somewhere it can safely burn all the way

down.


5. Light your candle and say a prayer:


Say a prayer that all your hopes will manifest with the flame of

this fire. Ask for all your limiting beliefs to be burned away. Ask

for this Solstice flame to light the spark of your intentions and

dreams for the year, and to give you the strength, resilience,

and tranquility to bring them to life.


Spend a few moments in meditation. You may choose to use the

"Tranquility" mandala as a focal point. Notice and wonder...


Close your eyes or gaze into the flame of your candle. Send a

silent prayer of thanks to the Universe and to your guides and

visible and invisible supporters.
 


Wishing you the blessings of Nature throughout the Winter

season.


Tranquility and joy to your seeking heart,


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Give Yourself the Recognition You Deserve

11/30/2021

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Attention is the way you bless yourself with love.
                                                                          Geneen Roth

Warm days, cool nights and a bounty of autumn colors have

made for a spectacular fall in our corner of the universe- one of

the best in years. As we begin the last month of 2021 on a

cooler note,  one of the things I try to do is express gratitude for

what I'm truly grateful for. I can’t help but pause and reflect on a

year unlike any other. As I look back on the past year I give

thanks for all I have experienced, learned, and shared, drawing

in the learning as seeds I will plant and from which I will grow

and take the next steps in my life. I'm also grateful to be inside a

web of community, and you are a part of that!


Gratitude helps us see a world that is much bigger.   When we

feel gratitude, we help each other (and ourselves) grow. In this

season of gratitude and abundance, being aware of our

blessings and what we have, and honoring the feelings that

come with what we don’t, as well as acknowledging that there

are people with circumstances that make it difficult to feel

grateful, has a powerful relationship to health and well-being.


Why are the words, ‘I’m thankful’ more keenly felt this time of

year?


I believe it lies with our intention. Because we pause; because

we're more mindful about expressing our gratitude for people,

circumstances, and things we value in our life. Our state of mind

when we give thanks matters.


By definition gratitude is a feeling. In positive psychology

research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with

greater happiness. The word gratitude is derived from the Latin

word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness

(depending on the context). Gratitude encompasses all of these

meanings.

Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives.*
Maybe you have daily gratitude practices. The  gratitude

practices I have include gratitude walks, a gratitude journal, the

ritual of hearing what my partner is grateful for and expressing

what I'm grateful for after every evening meditation. The

gratitude practices in our lives open our awareness to

hopefulness for the future. Gratitude generates hope, and hope

is the window of future possibilities.  As Mary Davis says, "
The

more grateful I am, the more beauty I see."

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Typically, gratitude is expressed for people, circumstances, and

things outside ourselves, along with things that are larger than

ourselves including nature and a higher power.


In the world of business, employees are often shown

appreciation with recognition celebrations, certificates, awards,

and gifts. I recall one year at the college where I worked being

given a gift of my choice (I chose a Leatherman style tool) as

recognition for my years of service. It was fun to receive the gift,

and more importantly, I felt seen for my contribution to the

college, for making a difference in students' lives. That

recognition held a deep meaning for me.


Although saying "thanks" is  important, meaningful recognition

goes beyond the words.   Meaningful recognition involves

genuinely seeing another person.


Studies show that being seen is a basic human need that

begins early in our lives and is necessary for thriving.  Our

survival depends on feeling safe and secure. We feel the safest

when we're given positive feedback and protection by our

caregivers. In early childhood the need for recognition, being

seen, is a healthy response to the human condition we all share.

As we develop emotionally being seen becomes less about

survival and the need for outside approval.


At some point, it becomes an inside job to see ourselves

through the lens of Wholeness.  When we honor it, awaken it,

and actively draw upon it we see the truth of who we are.
It was all going to be an inside job…It was recognizing my truth, the truth of who I am.
                                                                                    Anne Lamont
When we remember our Wholeness, we thrive and grow.  Our

capacity to extend love, kindness and compassion to others

also grows. In effect, we are able to see others once we see

ourselves.


I believe that recognition, being seen,  inspires us and another

to be her best self, to remember her Wholeness, and is an

acknowledgement of her goodness.


A client told me recently that she often expresses gratitude for

nature and for her spouse. But, it never occurred to her to give

herself recognition or gratitude.


When was the last time you gave yourself recognition for all that

you are, all that you do, and all the ways that you're being in the

world matters? Did you know that the self-love work you do

changes the "infrastructure" of your being and rewires your

nervous system? When you give yourself recognition you

discover a powerful inner strength you didn't know you had.


When was the last time you showed up for  yourself?
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Do you know that you're an amazing person? I hope you know

that about yourself! It's vital that we connect with that part of us

that is brilliant, capable, creative, talented, valuable and simply...

enough.


By showing up for yourself every day you bring more love, hope,

trust, and compassion to humanity.  Thank you for continuing to

do the work – even when you encounter obstacles, setbacks,

and self-doubt. Your determination to keep showing up for

yourself is so incredibly inspiring and the reason why I do what I

do!


You might be wondering … well, what about my terrible mood

and grumpiness and feelings of loss and despair, how do I show

up and give meaningful recognition to "those" parts of me?


In the midst of uncertainty and loss, and endless obligations

and worries, and hearing the inner critic, it’s so easy to get

disconnected… from your essential self, your inherent nature,

from Wholeness. Which means it might be difficult to show up

and give yourself the recognition you deserve.


So, how, specifically, do we extend our love, gratitude, and

recognition into places within where we might not typically feel

gratitude, where we might not want to look?


How do we generate and express gratitude and give

ourselves recognition mindfully? The best idea is to start within,

because one thing is sure - many of us  don't spend enough

time giving recognition to who we are or in expressing gratitude

for ourselves.


Often it’s too easy to hold ourselves to standards we would

never impose on someone else. "Our own worst critic" the

saying goes.


We theoretically love ourselves, right? But do we give ourselves

much true recognition? Do we really sit with ourselves in

gratitude?


I believe there is absolutely a part of you that knows how good,

worthy and lovable you are, so it’s time to focus on your light

and let go of self-critical thinking, that voice inside that says

you're not enough.


Meditation teacher Tara Brach, in her new book, Trusting the

Gold
, writes about a teaching she often shares in her talks

called “This Belongs”—that whatever we might be feeling or

experiencing, this too belongs to the sacredness of this

moment. With self-love we can feel the sacredness of all that we

are, no matter what .


You are a gift in this world, and in order to fulfill your purpose

here, it's so important to deeply anchor yourself to self love.



The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Recognition", from a

photograph of a rose (symbolizes friendship and caring)

reminds you to make friends with yourself, to choose you--every

single day! It is SO IMPORTANT to remember: this is a

practice.  You are creating a personal & spiritual PRACTICE of

self-love, of self-recognition.  And that means continuing to

show up – however you can. Imperfectly, awkwardly, you keep

showing up for yourself. These blogs I write are actually

reminders for MYSELF!! I am constantly beginning again and so

can you.  Just keep practicing!!


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Your loving presence touches many more people than you realize. When you show up for yourself, you  show up for the greater whole.
Recognition Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

"Recognition" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of thanks giving.


Intention:


We are moving toward the completion of our pathway to

Oneness. The energy is quieter and more introspective at this

time of year.  You can use the seasonal energy available to you

right now to feel deeply grounded in your life. Feel anchored &

empowered by investing in the vibration of "Recognition".




The purpose of this exercise is to help you practice self-

recognition, gratitude, and self love.




Imagine if you were a child again for today, what would you

most want to hear? What would make your heart light up with

delight?





Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention

toward your personal growth and well-being.


Don’t rush.

 
As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

the "Recognition" vibration.


In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-"Recognition" makes you think of. Write how you feel

when you look at it. Write about what the associated chakras

represent (root, sacral, solar plexus, throat, and crown) and how

that might be applicable to your journey toward Oneness this

year.


Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out.


Take another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations

as you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing.

Bring your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the "Recognition"

mandala; allow the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the "Recognition" vibration

to flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Recognition" vibration flowing through you and

down deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart

and extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the

"Recognition" vibration is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Sit with this energy for a few minutes.


Now, turn your attention toward the "Recognition" mandala.

What about the mandala captures your attention?


Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know, to recognize?


Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.




Here is the Exercise:


In your journal or notebook write a list of 10 things about 

yourself that you want to  give recognition to, that you're

grateful for. If 10 things seems like too many, start with a smaller

number. Just start!


Notice what you choose to focus on. You might phrase your list

with a focus on the different "parts" of your personality  and why

you're thankful for them. You might focus on your self-care

practices and/or the ways that you extend loving kindness to

yourself and others. (Adapted from an exercise by writer Kelly

Blass)


Here are some examples from my list -- numbers 2, 6, and 9 --

that emphasize gratitude for particular parts of myself that I want

to give recognition to:


2. I'm grateful for the part of myself that is absolutely in love with

my partner. I have a whole slew of internal personality "parts"

who show up in relationship with my partner.  Part of me is

concerned about his health and well-being and part of me sees

all the ways that he takes care of himself.  Part of me wishes

he'd make different decisions about his health and part of me

honors those decisions. Part of me gets silly and playful and

goofs off with him even as part of me is serious and concerned.

Part of me grieves the "future loss" and part of me is in the

present, appreciating every precious moment we have together.

All of these parts contribute to the part of me that loves him

unconditionally.


"Everything is a gift. Grateful living is a celebration of the

universal give-and-take of life, a limitless yes to belonging."

Brother David Steindl-Rast


6. I'm grateful to the part of myself who doesn't need to get it all

right, all the time, who lets go of perfectionism in favor of "good

enough", in favor of "this belongs". This quote, related to writing

but applicable in so many arenas, sums it up:


“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the

people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and

it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think

perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run

carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you

won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that

a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to

do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while

they're doing it.” - Anne Lamott


9. I'm grateful for the part of myself that loves music,  joy,

irreverence, and laughter. Sometimes I remember myself as a

child and it seems I was very playful, often joyful, and

sometimes very serious. I'm a meditator, so sometimes I retreat

into silence and contemplation when life comes on too strong.

But there is also a part of me that loses herself in laughter and

silliness. Here's to that part of me, the one who has her priorities

straight.


"Take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away, but do not

take from me your laughter.  Pablo Neruda


So -- try it! Just write a list of 10 things you see and feel

grateful for in yourself. And most importantly, slow down and

take it in.  Now go! Close your email. Give yourself the

recognition your deserve!


Read your list more than once or twice. Bask in the recognition

of your deep value.


Also, notice how you do it. I noticed that when I read over the

list, the next day, there were still so many parts within that I'm so

not comfortable with - parts that I don't want to see and it was

difficult to authentically extend any gratitude. So I am starting

again! I notice it's worth the discomfort.


Giving yourself recognition and deep listening is an act of self-

love that takes you beyond theoretically loving yourself.

If anyone is worthy of sitting inside the glow of your amazing

being, it's YOU! Self-value, which is worthiness,confidence,

empowerment and feeling safe to be your complete and unique

self allows YOU to choose. Choose YOU! Choose YOU!

Choose YOU!


We're actually choosing at every moment. Let's start choosing

from Wholeness.  Come out from hiding - your heart is worth

sharing.


When we remember our unique value that has always been

there, we're not waiting for the approval of others, we become

clear about who we are--whole and complete, the Light of the

world.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,


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This is the Time For Slowing and Releasing

10/31/2021

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The more life is asking, the more you need moments of silence to nourish yourself and stay open to the flow of life.                                                                     Anonymous
I so appreciate you for your continued, collective efforts toward

doing your work/play and for your contribution toward bringing

more light to the world.  When you believe in being the change

and in what you’re doing, it’s easy to make a difference. Thank

you!


The golden, orange, and red leaves are swirling, the geese are

heading south (and they're hanging out here for the winter), and

the days are much cooler. What a grand and beautiful Colorado

fall!


October 31st marks the mid-point of autumn in the northern

hemisphere. Can you see and feel the shift in the seasonal

energy? Our inner world is inviting us to dive more deeply

inward. Days are shortening as we move into the dark side of

the Great Mandala.


Our body's internal clock knows deep down that a change of

season means a change in us, too.


Fall is a wonderful season for all things comfy and cozy– it’s

also the time of year when many of us may lose the energy and

motivation we need to keep moving forward towards fulfilling the

goals we set at the beginning of the year. Remember those?

That's a natural response to this time of letting go, moving more

slowly, shedding the leaves that no longer serve our highest

good.


(And this year I'm hearing that many people feel more drained

and depleted than usual...)

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In nature we can observe how the cycles of spring, summer,

autumn and winter keep moving and transforming in the wheel

of the Great Mandala. In the wisdom of the natural cycles, we

realize not every moment is about being active. Throughout this

year we've provided Co-Creative Mandala reminders that are

symbolize moments of gestation ("Silence" at the New Year), of

sprouting ("Awakening" at Spring Equinox), of growing

("Expansion" at Summer Solstice) and, also, of dying

("Alignment" at Fall Equinox). We are not meant to keep

producing like machines; we're meant to co-create with nature's

seasonal energy. The leaves fall and become compost,

nurturing a fertile ground for a new life and rebirth to occur.

Hope is inspired by the knowledge that spring will return.


Old beliefs fall away, we shed the stories that keep us stuck,

and honor our need for contemplation so we can move forward

with new insights and wisdom.


Everyone's life, both inner and outer, is constantly changing.

After so much disruption over the past year and a half, this is an

important opportunity for us to look at the critical role of

contemplation...



Deep contemplation of self, nature, and spirit can raise

awareness of our connection to a greater whole, to Oneness.

Common forms of  contemplation include meditation,

breath work, mindfulness, Tai Chi/Qigong, yoga, journaling, and

prayer. These more ritualized forms are often practiced twenty

minutes or more, once or twice daily. There are also informal

practices that extend into daily life i.e., taking a walk, gardening,

enjoying a hot bath. Listening to music and creating art can be

ways to include contemplation in your life. All these practices

raise your awareness of the miracles all around you.  With

enhanced awareness of self and others, our tolerance and

compassion increase.


Connecting with nature & the seasonal energy is so powerful

and life affirming.

Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe. 
                                                                       
Wayne Dwyer

So much continues to happen in the world. This means it’s more

important than ever for us to realize and remember this truth:


We are in control of our inner life.


Maybe the current pandemic is reminding you to slow down and

step back from the noise of the world and step into the wisdom

and aspirations of your true self.


And allow your life to unfold…


Now is the perfect time to go inside, contemplate, and look,

explore, question, connect, contact, let go of what is holding you

back. To let go of anything--thoughts, feelings, beliefs...that no

longer serve you.


The seasonal energy offers this perfect time for making peace

with yourself.  Don’t judge anything that comes up for you. Just

notice and feel whatever you need to feel, and practice being an

observer. Observe your inner life without judgement.


And as you turn inward, don’t be afraid to look at your dark

parts, your shadows–be an observer. No judgement. What do

your shadows want to show you?


What do you see if you gaze unafraid at the darkness you fight

to hide? What if, instead, you wrap your arms around those

parts of yourself–what if you send yourself only deep,

compassionate love?


Remember: When you honor your shadow and clear the blocks

to love's presence and see what is larger than the fear or the

story you're telling yourself, you discover that your presence is

contagious...Love, Wholeness, Oneness is contagious.

All any feeling wants is to be welcomed with tenderness. It wants room to unfold. It wants to relax and tell its story.
                                                                          
Geneen Roth

No matter what is unfolding in the outer world, you get to

determine everything that happens in your inner world. You get

to give yourself permission for your life to be joyful, simple, easy

and fun. Your outer world is a vibrational reflection of your inner

world, which means you get to create a life experience based on

your conscious intention.


These days of shifting inward invite us to turn extra attention

toward contemplation. Turning toward our practices invokes our

willingness to lean into "the invisible means of support," as

Joseph Campbell called it. Contemplation creates a refuge

where we dissolve the obstacles to staying open, staying clear,

and move toward a place of compassionate presence with all

that is.


In my personal life, I experience so much contrast. Right now,

today, I'm feeling a lot of goodness as I put the garden to bed

and write this blog.  It's been an amazing gardening season with

so much abundance! I love sharing ideas and inspiration with

each of you.


At the same time, I also know someone who's battling with

COVID and another who's quality of life is challenged by chronic

illness.


There's always so much. Life is so big.

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I continually remind myself while I encourage you to embrace

and integrate the story of self-care, self-compassion and self-

love by taking care of your energy each day no matter what it

looks like, and by remembering that we are inherently worthy

simply because we exist.


This is the time to honor whatever the emotion is ready to be felt

and released within you at any moment. I invite you to feel your

body, to listen to your heart, to embrace your essence and

whisper lovingly in your ear: I am Love. I am Wholeness. I am

Oneness. This is the truth of who I am.



The world is full of things I can't control. But what I can control is

my choice to view troubling outside events as an opportunity to

lean into contemplation and to work on myself. To make the

universe that is my heart, mind and soul a more complete, more

healthy, more whole place. To change myself and the world for

the better.

You can only be connected to others if you are connected to yourself and the truth inside.
                                                                              
Elie Tahari
It has become increasingly clear that our connection to

ourselves impacts our connection to others. While we are

inherently social animals, our most extensive social network lies

deep within ourselves -- making a solid foundation to stand on

that is necessary for a meaningful life by connecting with the

deepest parts of your being.


As Jennifer Kogan says in a PsychCentral article, to feel more

connected to others, it's essential that we first connect to

ourselves. "We need to be grounded in who we are before we

can have healthy relationships with others."


Here are five reminders that contemplation helps strengthen

your connection to your true self and by extension, your

connection to others and the world:


     1. Take Back Your Life: What is holding you back, what do

you need to release in order to fulfill your purpose in the months

to come?


     2. Trust Your Intuition: How can you tap into (and

strengthen) your inner guidance system and listen to your "still,

small voice"?


     3. Raise Your Vibration: What is blocking the flow of love in

your energy system?


     4. Shake up Your Routine: What can you do that takes your

life out of “autopilot” and moves you into the curiosity that invites

you into the unfamiliar territory where growth happens?

 
    5: Re-commit to Your Best Life: How do you want to show

up and co-create a life you truly love?


Each season has its own unique magic – an invitation for you to

expand in some part of your life. The natural energy is

encouraging you to stretch & grow in some way.


And when you connect the personal growth work you are doing

– this inner exploration – with the power of the season, you're

able to make profound forward movement on changes you want

to see in your life. You begin to align with this vision you have

for yourself & how you want to live your life and take action that

brings more light to the world.



Discover what your anchors are in life and what gives you inner

strength. Then invest time in contemplation and keeping these

things as alive as possible.


For me, my creativity, my connection to nature and Spirit, and

connecting with family and friends are constants regardless of

what may be swirling around "out there". If any or all life’s usual

reference points or anchors disappear the certainty of these

connections are still there.


Honor all you’ve learned, forgive yourself for what you have not

yet mastered, and give thanks for everyone who has helped you

along your way. Shining a light on your lessons learned,

illuminates not only your past, but your present and your future.



This Co-Creative Mandala, "Contemplation" ( from a photo of a

dahlia (life purpose), snapdragon (release), and globe thistle

(resilience). It reminds us to embrace the changes that happen

within and in the world. All things come to an end, transform,

and unravel. Finding our center in the midst of uncertainty in

contemplation supports our journey into the unknown, the first

step toward deepening wisdom.

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...if you know the art of divine contemplation, easily and consciously we can unite the inner and the outer world.
                                                                          
Sri Chinmoy


Contemplation Exercise:



In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

"Contemplation" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of slowing and releasing.


Intention:


This is a time for contemplation, for slowing down and finding

your inner anchors and for releasing what no longer serves your

highest and best self.


Noticing the inner and outer effects of seasonal changes tunes

in to your inner wisdom and your "essential rhythm".



Slowing down allows you to contemplate and savor your

experiences; it allows you to fully focus your attention and

energy on your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and the

world inside you.  Slowing down also lets you be more mindful,

deliberate, and fully present. When we slow down, we are giving

ourselves the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with our

natural rhythms and the seasonal energy. We let go of  stress,

and allow our bodies to remain centered and grounded. Slowing

down is inherent to fully savoring anything in life. Slowing down

lets you appreciate whatever it is you are doing.



Here's the exercise:


Our bodies receive loving attention and care when we slow

down. This can be done by performing a body scan on

yourself*.



Begin by lying in a comfortable position and taking three deep

cleansing breaths.


Let your eyes rest on the "Contemplation" mandala. Note the

colors, the texture, the image. What do you notice in your body

when you look at the mandala.  Just be with the mandala. 



Now:

Imagine a sunbeam entering the top of your head.


Feel this light slowly scanning each part of your internal body.


Allow it to scan every cell in your body and keep breathing.


Every time you exhale, blow out negative energy you may feel.


Notice any changes, any sensations in your body.


You may feel a shift in body temperature, see a color or flash of

light, or hear a voice offering you guidance.


If you feel a block in a certain area of your body, sit with that

block and feel into it. Ask your body why that block is there and

what you need to do to release it.


Try not to judge or analyze the wisdom that comes to you.

Often, we experience energy blocks in our body because our

body is trying to tell us something.


You may want to breathe into that area until you feel the block

dissolving.


When you have finished your scan, take one last deep breath

and exhale any energetic residue that you are ready to release.


Next:

Write any thoughts, emotions, insights you experienced during

the body scan.

Consider these questions:

1. How do you want your life to change?

2. What is most important to you now?

3. How will you take the insights born of this unprecedented

time and bring them forth into the world?




Sending love,light, and peace,
Picture
*Body Scan adapted from Daily Om
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Fall is Calling: Are You in Alignment?

9/22/2021

0 Comments

 
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.                    
                                                                            Albert Camus
Happy Autumnal Equinox!


3, 2, 1 … POOF! It's September already...can you believe that

we've traveled along the pathway toward Oneness for eight

months already?!  


Just like that, summer is over--at least "on paper".  It still feels

like summer even though the calendar says otherwise.


Get ready to enjoy crisp morning air, the crunch of fallen leaves,

and all things comfy. Many of you may already be experiencing

the cool mornings and have noticed that some of the leaves are

beginning to turn yellow, crimson, and orange.


For the second time this year, there's a balance between light

and darkness. At the Vernal Equinox in March, the cycle of life

turned toward increasing light. Now, the Autumnal Equinox

brings a return of increased darkness.


It’s the season for harvesting and now is your opportunity to

gather and savor the fruits of your hard work and creativity. For

appreciating all that you've accomplished over the past few

months. For feeling proud of yourself for facing the changes and

challenges that shape your current reality with grace.


We tend to acknowledge the changing season without

understanding that we, too, are in transition, are being

transformed.


If you’ve been bumping up against old patterns, negative

thinking, fears, worries or even grief, guilt or shame, you may

realize that the energy many of us have experienced over the

past few months was all about transformation.


This energy that surrounded us may have brought up fears and

other deep past issues within ourselves; challenges for us to

deal with that we have not dealt with or have experienced for

decades. Now, more than ever, is the time to practice self-

compassion, self-acceptance, and self-love.


How did you fare as you moved through the waves of

transformational energy?

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The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.
                                                                            Albert Einstein
Author Byron Katie puts it this way: “Life is simple. Everything

happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the

right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to

like it…. It’s just easier if you do.”


You have an opportunity to soothe your heart and strengthen

your relationships, starting with yourself, your loved ones and

friends. You have the ability to fully trust in life, and the universe.

This is a good and safe time to come into alignment with love.


As you move into alignment with your sacred life, shifts happen

– for yourself, for your family, your loved ones….and in ripples

for the world. Life has been rather rough over the last year­–no

surprise–so use this time to restore your energy and get in the

mind, body, and spirit recuperation you truly need.


As you connect to source or spirit you become the very best

version of yourself, living your most authentic, passionate and

joyful life. And sharing that love and light vibration with others.


This is an amazing personal journey of transformation, starting

as all journeys do . . . with you.



Equinox energy is here right now. It is all around you and within

you, offering you the rich gift of balance and joy. When I watch

the energy of the earth, the most striking difference when we

come into the equinox times is that there is a stillness that

settles. Like a pause. A time for balance. It hangs in the air and

sits on the grass like gentle mist, touching all of the earth and

her inhabitants with a gentle invitation to pause, balance and

feel the stillness.


As the cooler, shorter days become more frequent, I encourage

you to spend some time thinking about and reflecting on what

you want the final quarter of 2021 to look like for you. With all

the shifts and changes you might not have gotten to scale as

many rungs as you hoped when 2021 first started, but that

doesn’t mean you can’t still make progress.

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Nature Wants You to Grow and Thrive


If you've been reading this blog for a while, you've likely noticed

that I like to use the change of seasons as an opportunity to

pause and reflect. Nature is always showing you how to bring

yourself into alignment with–a new life, your true nature, with

your Wholeness.


When we look closely at the energy present in each season &

what’s happening in nature, we begin to see the Earth supports

our personal  growth work.


Whether you consider yourself a “nature person” or not, we are

all connected to the Earth. We are part of the sacred web of life.

We are all living, growing things on the Earth. We are affected

by the forces & energy in nature–just like trees, just like the

gardens, just like all the animals.


When changes occur in nature, they resonate within our spirit.


The season is changing. The energy is changing. And there are

ways your spirit wants to stretch & grow in response to that. (Or

release & turn inward, as the case may be.)


Autumn is the perfect time to reflect on your life and any growth

& changes you’ve gone through over the year so far.


These are some really powerful questions to ask yourself this

time of year. Use them as journal prompts throughout Autumn.



Count Your Blessings


Summer was a time of abundance, growth, and play. It's

important to acknowledge all you're grateful for.

 
Reflect on the blessings you’ve received this year.
  • What abundance did you experience this year?
  • What blessings have you received?


Acknowledge Your Efforts

It's important to appreciate your triumphs and all the hard work

you've invested in your personal growth.


Reflect on your personal harvests.
  • What are the things in your life and within yourself that you’ve been tending and nurturing?
  • What are some accomplishments that you’re proud of?


Prepare to let go


In Autumn we are drawn to the balance between life and death.

Everything is dying all around us. And that death is necessary,

in order for new life to grow in the spring.


That’s true for the trees and the flowers, and its true for you as

well. In order to experience new growth, we need to let go of our

old leaves–old patterns and habits that no longer serve us.


The transformations undergone by living beings seem much

more like endings than the transitions they really are. Dormancy,

not death, is the hallmark of fall. This dormancy allows for new

growth in the spring.
  • What are you ready to let go of?
  • What do you need to shed in order for new life to grow?


This Co-Creative Mandala, "Alignment" from a photo of a dahlia

(symbolizes balance) reminds us when changes and challenges

happen, align your mind, body, and spirit with your true nature--

your Wholeness. Prioritize it every day, in whatever way feels

best to you and feels doable. This will help keep you grounded

and help you remember your connection to all things. How you

experience each and every thing in life is determined by how

connected or disconnected you are, how aligned or misaligned.

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Aligning with your Wholeness means letting go of all thoughts, beliefs, and things
that no longer serve you.

Alignment Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

"Alignment" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of transition.


Intention:


Autumn has arrived. The days are shortening, the leaves are

changing colors. There's a feeling of change, transition, and

transformation in the air. This is a time for reflection, for a

harvesting all the fruits of your labors, for feeling proud of

yourself for all your accomplishments, and for letting go.


Noticing the inner and outer effects of seasonal changes tunes

in to your inner wisdom and your "essential rhythm".



If you have been feeling that inner calling to shift your vibration

and step into harmony and alignment with who you really are

and are ready to allow yourself more joy, peace, contentment,

love and happiness in your everyday life, then I highly

encourage you to do the following alignment exercise as often

as you like.


Perhaps the most crucial self-care practice for our times is to

tap into our heart’s guidance—to bring us peace in a polarizing

world, to bring us into alignment with our true nature. That is

where we notice and feel our support systems helping us

connect with the love that always surrounds us. Then, our sense

of separation begins to fade and we can begin to see each other

as connected through the great Oneness of who we truly are.



Here's the exercise:


Take a moment to follow your breath, into your body. Feel the

flow of prana, fresh life energy, as it fills your lungs and flows

down your whole body.

    Notice the sensations that are present and just keep

breathing, effortlessly, with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and no

one to be. Enjoy the breath as it flows in and out of your body,

noticing, perhaps, relative places of stuckness and places of

flow.
   
     Let your eyes rest on the "Alignment" mandala. Note the

colors, the texture, the image. What do you notice in your body

when you look at the mandala.  Just be with the mandala. 


Take a moment now to focus on your heart, both the front and

back of your heart. Invite any ancestors, guides, or support

systems to connect with you at this time.

    Take a few moments, allowing for the flow of energy to come

through the back and front of the heart, and rest in the energy of

this support for a few moments. Let your sense of Spirit flow

through your entire body, receiving it with openness, perhaps

even a sense of awe for this beautiful and instantaneous

connection.

    Close with gratitude, for those who chose to be with you at

this time, and for yourself for giving time for your practice.



During this time of transition and transformation invest time for

yourself, move and shift your energy with Alignment practices

Allow new possibilities to come into your reality to remind you of

your Wholeness.


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How Are You Protecting and Nurturing Yourself?

8/31/2021

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Every time you make a commitment to your own self-care, self-love and self-respect and then follow through, you build trust in yourself.       
                                                                           Miranda J. Barrett

I hope you are well and thriving.


It’s a beautiful, hot, late summer day here in the foothills of Fort

Collins, CO. The gardens are overflowing with an abundance of

flowers and veggies and the bees and butterflies are daily

visitors (along with grasshoppers, but that's a whole 'nother

story). Like me, you may notice that your essential rhythm is

shifting with the seasonal changes. Despite the hot days still

ahead, the energy of the sun has shifted. The days are getting

noticeably shorter. We are beginning to see signs of the Great

Mandala turning toward autumn. The first of the leaves are

turning yellow, the skies are azure blue, and the nights are cool. 

Do you recall, "back in the day", when students usually wrote a

short essay entitled, “What I did for summer vacation.”


I feel like I've been on vacation for a few months. Sometimes,

not in a good way.


Have you noticed all the ways that the world is changing (not

only the natural world)? It's hard to miss, right? From the way

we learn (and teach)… to the way we work (and the KIND of

work we do)… to the way we connect, communicate, and

collaborate with each other… in so many ways, life is very

different from how it was just a few short months ago!


I know. Me too. Sometimes, I just need to stop and take a deep

breath.


When our minds try to comprehend (that's what minds are wired

to do) the changes, challenges and suffering in our world today

it can shut us down, or close us off from life force energy.

There's a paradox here, a contradiction: We want to stay awake

to it AND, IT, is so much to hold. And even though we try to,

we're not meant to hold it all. For a lot of reasons, sometimes

we try because we think that that is what makes us a part of the

whole, or maybe makes us a “good” person who is always

available to help and support others, who never says no.


It's important to recognize that you can be awake to the

suffering but that you don’t have to carry the weight of it on your

shoulders. For many of us that's a difficult ask: Stay open

hearted and at the same time don't get overwhelmed.


This is not about me (or you) doing it all, taking it all on; it's not

about any one individual. Damn. Here is another place where

we may experience a multitude of seemingly conflicted truths.

I'm my own being with a unique experience of our world right

now. AND I am profoundly connected to the whole, perhaps in

ways that my human understanding is unable to comprehend.

Yet.

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In the meantime, it’s never been more clear that our world

needs people with greater sensitivity, compassion, and a sense

of connection to each other and the natural world.  Yes, the

world needs us,  people who are grounded and stand firmly in

their sovereignty. And, in order to respond to that need, we

must understand ourselves on a deep level.




Are You an Empath, a Highly Sensitive Person, or a

Combination?



Have you been told (or discovered on your own) that you’re a

really good listener, have a big heart,  are passionate, caring,

creative, in touch with your emotions, see the "big picture",  and

easily see where others are coming from? You may already

know these are the gifts of an empath and/or a highly sensitive

person (HSP). Dr. Judith Orloff, author of "The Empath’s

Survival Guide", is one of the leading experts of empathetic

personality types gives an 
overview of the distinction

between empaths and HSPs
 
Check out her 20 question

Are You an Empath quiz
,
too.



Whether you're an empath or an HSP or a deeply caring

person,  many of us agree that there are both pros and cons to

being exceptionally sensitive. On one hand, we tend to be great

friends and partners,  generous, and reliable. On the other

hand, we are often described as “emotional sponges” and

people who “take on the pain of others at their own expense,”

meaning they can easily become upset or overwhelmed by their

emotions and environments.


If you've noticed that you're highly sensitive or an empath,

you've likely developed many effective strategies to deal with

the inherent challenges that come with exceptional sensitivity.

Like you, I use those strategies in daily life as well as with

clients. For me to thrive as a well-being coach, I need these

strategies to protect myself from sensory overload or burn out.


I believe pursuing self-mastery along with spiritual, physical and

emotional well-being are two of the most valuable investments

we can make in our lifetime. It’s a tremendous gift to be either

an empath or an HSP and we don't want to close ourselves off

from these gifts—but if we haven’t learned to regulate our gifts

and set strong boundaries, the energy we absorb from others

can lead to emotional and physical dis-ease. While being very

attuned to others and your environment can be beneficial in

many ways, it’s also important to protect ourselves from

overwhelm and self-criticism.


Even with the strategies you're using, do you struggle with

absorbing the stress and the suffering you see (and feel) all

over the world?


How can we ground ourselves, set boundaries, and hold space

for others in a healthy way?

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Tips For Protection and Self-Care


Here are  three self-care practices that protect you from

overwhelm, without resorting to self-numbing, overeating, or

addiction, from our friends at Lorian Education and
Dr. Orloff


1. Honor the Losses

First, we need to give ourselves time to acknowledge the losses

we're experiencing— the way the world used to be, separation,

the loss of safety and security, fears of what might happen.


While it's important to be in tune with the grief that others feel,

it's just as vital that we steady our own energy fields with our

daily practices and by seeking out support from friends and/or

health and well-being practitioners.  Check out the services that

my friend and colleague Bonnie Thompson offers.


Remember, the death of the old, contains the seeds of new

beginning. This time of year – the dying plants turn into seeds

for next year’s growth.


2. Set boundaries and stick to them--
Practice Sacred

Selfishness



For empaths and HSPs, it's hard to set boundaries. And, we

need to set boundaries. Without them you're not going to be

available and present. Sensory overload isn't good for anyone.


Remember:

You're not selfish if you want to be happy.

You're not selfish if you want time to yourself.

You're not selfish if you don’t want to give up yourself to take

care of others.



Tune into your intuition and give yourself permission to:


Be clear about your boundaries: Who are the people you

want to be around? What works best for you in a variety of

situations?

Remember, it's not necessary to always be open.


Say NO=no isn't a 4 letter word. AND, you're not selfish if you

need to say no in order to honor your needs.


Get comfortable with not solving others’ problems. It's a

process. This takes time. Give yourself some grace and be

patient with yourself.


Sacred Selfishness creates harmony, raises your frequency and gives others the dignity of their own process... (by)teaching them that they are competent and do not need to be rescued.
                                                                    Cynthia James


3. Carve out enough alone time to rest, rejuvenate,

recharge:


For better or worse, empaths and HSPs are tuned into the

people and environments around them. This is why making time

to unwind, ideally alone and in nature, is a great strategy for

restoring your energy and relaxing. When you practice self-care

techniques throughout the day you're holding sacred space

while not taking on all the stress and suffering, you're holding

the light without taking on the toxic energies.


When an environment feels hectic and overwhelming, practice

self-care and step away from it for at least a few minutes to

clear your thoughts and your energy field before returning.


The most restorative environments tend to be those with few

people and no noise, bright lights, phone calls, texts, emails,

internet, television or conversations.


The healing power of nature is a source of replenishment. "Go

into nature" whenever possible as a means of coming into and

sustaining your power as an empath/HSP.


Connectivity with nature creates a map for moving forward

toward a greater sense of community, toward a vision of what it

means to be connected energetically as a global, planetary

family. It's a way of knowing we are all connected--the Earth,

humans, plants, forests, the Universe--the great love that

nurtures, sustains, and surrounds us. These past few months

have offered a way for humanity to learn that we're all

connected, we're guardians of the Earth, we are co-creators.

We need each other!


Also, practice mindfulness, self-awareness, and self-

compassion to quieten the inner critic and clear limiting beliefs.

Practices that support making those shifts include EFT/Tapping

and HeartMath.


Each of us can make a difference.


The time is now — and our help is needed to act with love and

compassion, in calm and steadiness, in alliance with each other

and with our seen and unseen co-creative partners.  How we

stand with what is happening individually and collectively during

this turbulent time will make a difference for each of us

individually, and just as important, it will determine how

humanity’s relationship with Earth proceeds.  That is big!  This is

not just "the News," it is important work.  


We have the knowing and the tools for this job.  We are the

ones we've been waiting for. We have an exceptional capacity

to sense subtle energy, connect to and align with the natural

world and tune in to  interconnectedness--to Wholeness.



This Co-Creative Mandala "Protection" from a photo of yucca

flowers (symbols of protection)  reminds us of the importance of

self-care. During turbulent times it may be more difficult to invest

time and energy toward our needs or for protecting ourselves

from being overwhelmed by all the energy coming into our field.

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Take the space and time you need to nurture your body and spirit. Focus on self-care--
you deserve it!

Protection Exercise:

In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

"Protection" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of change and uncertainty.


Intention:


We are moving into autumn. You've protected and nurtured what

you planted in the spring. You didn't just toss seeds in the dirt

and expect to come back to an abundant harvest. The seeds

you planted required loving care in order to truly blossom. When

you tend your garden well–if you protect and nurture what you

plant in your life (and in your garden)–you will experience

expansive growth and bountiful harvests.


Noticing the inner and outer effects of seasonal changes tunes

in to your inner wisdom and your "essential rhythm".


Are there times during the seasons when you experience a

deep, slow pace? Are there points in the seasons when you

move more quickly? Need more rest? Feel more energetic?

Being mindful of the changing seasons and how the changes

show up in your life cultivates self-awareness throughout the

year.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention

toward your personal growth and well-being.


Don’t rush.


As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

the "Protection" vibration.


In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-"Protection" makes you think of. Write how you feel

when you look at it. Write about what the associated chakras

represent (solar plexus, heart, throat, and crown) and how

that might be applicable to your journey toward Oneness this

year.


Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out.


Take another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations

as you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing.


Bring your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the "Protection"

mandala; allow the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the "Protection" vibration

to flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Protection" vibration flowing through you and down

deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart and

extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the

"Protection" vibration is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the "Protection" mandala captures your attention?


Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know, to discover?


Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.


Here's the exercise:


I’m inviting you to tune in to your inner wisdom and set the

intention of connecting with your own "essential rhythm".


There might be some layers that you get to clear as you go

within - including all the times you have overridden your own

rhythm and when it hasn’t been respected or honored by others.


You get to reclaim your own rhythm in this moment.


The best protection you have is heart-centered.  




>Close your eyes, breathe, slowly, feel your body relaxing,

breathe in, exhale stress, tension anything you might have

taken on that's not yours; give yourself permission to let go,

surrender, trust yourself.


~Breathe in your wholeness, breath out what isn't you;


*Place your hand on your heart--offer yourself unconditional

love, peace, calm, and compassion.


>Come you back to your loving heart where you are safe,

protected, and fully yourself.


~Offer yourself loving kindness, warmth, connectedness, come

home within your heart.


*Allow that warmth and kindness you're offering, to expand in

your heart, without forcing or efforting.


>Allow the gifts of your loving heart to replenish yourself,

reminding you of what is most important=your loving self, your

Wholeness.



You can return to the inner refuge where you are safe and

protected anytime you like.



Now, get our your journal or pen and paper and reflect on the

following questions:


From the place of refuge and safety, the questions you might

ask yourself:


1.  "What can I do to apply these protection and self-care tips in

my daily life?"


2  "What needs to change and emerge that supports inner and

outer connections"?


3. "How can I integrate and ground the understanding that

comes from my daily practices so that I can be fully present in

the world"?


4. "How can I use these insights to bring calmness to a turbulent

world"?



The best spiritual protection comes from being fully embodied

and approaching the world with curiosity and compassion.


Safety and freedom rest in being our sovereign, true selves.


Many teachers and wise ones are saying that empaths and

HSPs are on the forefront of a new way of being for humankind.


We have exceptional attunement to the natural world and a

great capacity for spiritual awakening. Our gifts are precious,

especially at this time of human evolution. Those gifts are the

source of our purpose--to keep opening our hearts and do our

part to bring more love, light, and compassion to the world.


Our gifts are needed so much today.


Peace and joy to your loving heart,


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What's the Best Thing That Happened Today?

7/31/2021

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A dynamic of consciousness, "discovery" is one of the essential driving forces of living entities.
                                                                              Jonathan Edwards

Can you feel how the energy has shifted since the Summer

Solstice? The sun is rising later and setting earlier. The Great

Mandala is turning.  This weekend, on August 1st, marks the

mid-point between Summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox.


And, summer's not nearly over! There's so much happening in

the garden...my sunflowers are beginning to bloom! We're

harvesting garlic and zucchini, tomatoes and lots of flowers! Our

garden is full and lush with beauty and the first bounty--the time

of year for the first harvest.


My memories of summer are often vivid because it's a season

blessed with bright colors, with fresh scents, vibrant flowers,

brilliant sunlight. And, lots of heat!  I grew up playing on my

grandparents' farms in southeast Georgia where everyday

brought a new experience, a new discovery. At my

grandmother's side, I learned (by osmosis) how to tend to

flowers and how to connect to the Earth.  I was carefree, felt

compelled to play, to relax, and experience all life's joys during

the sunlit hours.

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Summer is at its core a season of light, and by opening

ourselves and our spaces to this light, we honor all the joy

associated with the season. Opening windows and doors,

arranging bright-colored blooms in vases (my favorite), and

turning our faces toward the sun become a celebration.


Life has been pretty rough lately. This year has taken a bite out

of a lot of people’s energy, and you might well be one of them.

And, mid-summer is offering you an opportunity to get in some

much-needed nurturing and spiritual positivity.


What happens when the path has rough patches or the bind

weed gets out of control in my garden?


I've learned over the years that when I'm more connected to the

Earth, and in tune with her cycles of planting, growing and

harvesting, I'm more aware of what each season has to offer.

This part of summer is the time when the first fruits (and flowers

and veggies) of our labors are harvested. This is the time to

celebrate the harvests and to acknowledge all the hard work

that went into those accomplishments.


You may not be harvesting from a garden, but that energy is still

present. Remember the dreams you envisioned in January, the

seeds you planted at the Spring Equinox, your emerging design

at Summer Solstice? You have your own personal harvests–

your inner garden that you've planted, nurtured, grown, and

worked hard to bring to fruition in your life so far this year.


This is the time of year when we remember and appreciate our

hopes and embrace our fears about our own personal harvests.

We hope the seeds we planted in our lives last spring will

continue to grow & flourish this year. And yet, like anyone who

has ever planted a garden, you may have fears that a storm, or

a swarm of grasshoppers, or bind weed will ravage your crops

before you can harvest them. You may have fears rising up

about your ability to accomplish all you’ve worked hard for.


And, here we are...discovering what we envisioned is coming to

life in all its beauty! And, the intentions we set for the year

continue to emerge, to evolve. 



The Gifts of Mid-summer:


Mid-summer is an important time to pause and acknowledge all

the beauty you have in your life. And all the hard work it's taken

to get here. Like you, at the New Year I imagined what I hoped

for in my life this year; I set intentions. I did the same with my

gardens as I poured over seed catalogues and imagined all the

amazing colors, shapes, and scents that would fill my garden in

the summer.


What are the gifts that come with connecting to the natural

world? to the summer season?  Both growing a garden and

growing the blessings you’re co-creating in your life require

energy, attention, and intention--and curiosity. A sense of

wonder. A wondering mind, is open, curious and ready to learn,

grow and expand!


As you deepen your spiritual journey toward remembering your

Wholeness, you discover that life’s deeper meaning begins to

emerge. Soulful moments appear that touch you deeply, often

times they are hard to explain. Seeking and questioning become

familiar friends that lead to new discoveries, insight and healing.

It is powerful and transformative time.

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Quietening the Thinking Mind:


Staying curious and open sounds easier than it may be. Our

brain is used to thinking logically, interpreting rationally, and

sifting out what is not already known to be true which closes the

door to your remembering your Wholeness! When we quieten

the thinking mind and cultivate the observing mind, the worlds

discovered within are rich with metaphor, symbolism, and

wisdom. When explored with wonder and curiosity, our

consciousness expands! This leads us on a fantastic voyage

where discovery happens, problems are solved, new ideas are

inspired, and the miraculous becomes reality!


Over time, with patience and intention, you can put the ‘thinking

mind’ on the shelf for a bit and by utilizing your observing mind

you explore with wonder and curiosity ~ open to the unusual

and allow for anything to be possible! This creates an opening

where you begin to see, sense, or feel these new spaces within!



As this year's Co-Creative Mandala theme--a pathway to

Oneness--unfolds, we're reminded that focusing on each Co-

Creative Mandala helps shift our attention to the best in us, not

the worst; to our strengths, not our weaknesses; to possibility

thinking, not problem thinking. Each month offers the

opportunity for expanding our curiosity and capacity to discover

our individual and collective destiny.


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What's the Best Thing That Happened Today?


This is a wonderful time to reacquaint yourself with the joys of

summertime by immersing yourself in its pleasures. Wake up

with the sunrise, take a day trip to the beach or to the

mountains, indulge in an ice cream cone, or simply sit quietly.


Use all your senses, including focused listening to help quieten

the thinking mind. The air is filled with beautiful sounds

particular to the season. To begin, find a quiet, solitary spot. For

10 minutes, pay attention to the workings of your mind and allow

it to wander at will. Then turn your attention to observing the

sounds resonating around you and note what you hear, whether

the buzzing of bees, children's laughter, or birdsong--welcome in

all the joyful sounds that come with summer.  


In the spirit of discovery--Ask yourself this playful question:

What's the Best Thing That Happened Today? Listen for your

answer from within; see your answer all around you.



This month's Co-Creative Mandala, "Discovery" from photos of

hollyhocks (symbols of abundance) reminds us to invest the

time to reflect on and soak in the abundant light of summer that

supports remembering your connection to the natural world and

the ways that the outer world is reflected within as Wholeness.


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Discovery, like surprise, favors the
well prepared mind.
                                                          Jerome Bruner    
Discovery Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

"Discovery" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of light and first harvest.


Intention:


We are moving into the mid-point of Summer, it's the beginning

of harvest season. The energy is HIGH at this time of year. It

can be HOT. There are places literally on fire right now from the

summer heat. It's an intense time of year. And it can make you

feel overwhelmed and tired, excited and exhilarated. You can

use the seasonal energy available to your right now to feel

deeply rooted in your life. Feel anchored & strong by investing in

the vibration of "Discovery".


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention

toward your personal growth and well-being.


Don’t rush.

 
As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

the "Discovery" vibration.


In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-"Discovery" makes you think of. Write how you feel

when you look at it. Write about what the associated chakras

represent (root, solar plexus, heart, throat, and crown) and how

that might be applicable to your journey toward Oneness this

year.


Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out.


Take another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations

as you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing.

Bring your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the "Discovery"

mandala; allow the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the "Discovery" vibration

to flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Discovery" vibration flowing through you and down

deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart and

extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the

"Discovery" vibration is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the "Discovery" mandala captures your attention?


Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know, to discover?


Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.


Here's the exercise:

Enjoy this exploration as you think about your heart-felt desires,

what you'd like to discover about yourself as you begin to

manifest your desires. You've likely already been thinking about

your vision for this year and what's manifesting right now. 

Discover the ways that your outer world is a reflection of your

evolution of consciousness and your Wholeness.


Pause and acknowledge all the beauty you're harvesting in your

life. And all the hard work its taken to get here. Your strengths

that support realizing your dreams. The steps you can take to

make sure your dreams are realized.


Get our your journal or pen and paper and reflect on the

following questions:


1. What heart-felt desires are ready to harvest?
What have I

been  working on–dreams I've been chasing, projects I’ve

been building, inner gardens I’ve been cultivating &

growing–that are beginning to show signs of ripeness?



2. Which heart-felt desires need my attention now?


3. What are my strengths, my brilliance that support

fulfilling my desires in the weeks ahead?



4. What is one thing I can do right now to help ensure that

will happen?



All the growth in your garden (literal & metaphoric) … it needs

to be tended. It needs harvested. So make sure you take plenty

of time to rest.



Pause when you can. Indulge in summertime rest – nap in a

hammock, enjoy a cold beverage on your porch, bask in the sun

on a summer afternoon.


Take a moment to soak in the energy of summer and connect

more deeply with yourself and the natural world. This is a

transformative time. Discover all the ways your inner world is

reflected all around you.



The season is passing quickly, so while it remains, revel in the

richness of life and renew yourself in the wonder of the light. 



Wishing you all the miracles of discovery.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,


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