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Winter Solstice: The Blessings of Namaste'

12/22/2019

 
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we are in the midst

of the shortest days of the year.  This is a time when many

people turn toward personal reflection and spiritual practice. It's

easy to get caught up in the busyness that comes with the

season, forgetting that this is a natural time for rest.  As

humans, we are intertwined with the cycles and rhythms of

nature. As with all things in nature, we need a regenerative

cycle that re-calibrates and restores our energy.  Being quiet

and still is the natural way to be, particularly at the darkest time

of year. It's crucial to align with the seasonal energies of the

Winter Solstice, the return of light, as the sun turns once

again toward lengthening the daylight hours.




All the world stories, myths, and science tell us that light is the

source and beginning of life. From sacred traditions we hear

about the presence of Source (or God or Christ or the Buddha

within), the many names for Wholeness. They are reminders

that are never separate from light, the presence and expression

of our true nature. This is a time for us to intentionally focus on

celebrating and remembering the light that is always with us; for

honoring our inner light and lighting our inner candle.




All humans share the ability to generate light from within, even if

we don't always express or acknowledge it. This power is

released through love; this love creates the space in which light

can manifest. When we love and accept ourselves and extend

that love into the world, the world begins to glow. Our inner light

evokes light; our light changes the environment--like bringing a

candle into a dark room. Letting our light shine often requires

intention and practice.  The more conscious we are, the greater

the overflow of light. The more intentional we are, the more our

inner light blesses everyone and everything around us.


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Our destiny is about co-

creating with the material

world and bringing forth

our inner light by

remembering our

Wholeness so that others

remember theirs. Focusing

on bringing our inner light

to the world around us is the expression of Namaste'--"the light

in me, my overflowing light, connects with and honors the light

in everyone and everything around me."


We're at a time when many of us feel the call to bring our inner

light into the world. Even the smallest acts can bring blessings

and lift up the energy around us. We know it when we

receive/see it--a smile, a caring word, a kindness that stays with

us long after the encounter. Recently, I was in a long line at the

post office, waiting to mail a package. I was feeling antsy

because it seemed like the line (there were at least 25 people

ahead of me) was at a standstill or at best moving along at a

snail's pace. As I was feeling a bit cranky, a woman in front of

me began chatting with the people around her, making jokes

about how long the line was, and sharing funny stories.  The

tension in the air softened as everyone around her laughed and

started chatting and before I knew it, we were at the end of the

line (in this case, reaching the end of the line was a good thing).

When she finished her transaction--the woman turned to the

people still in the long line, waved her receipt in the air and with

her contagious joy said--"You can do it! Don't lose hope!" I

noticed that many people smiled and laughed. I can't help but

think that her playfulness stayed with those people beyond the

line at the post office. I know I still feel the glow of it and the

memory makes me smile.



Sometimes we may think there's nothing we can do to help our

world. Simple acts of kindness and being a loving presence are

always possibilities. It's not always easy to love, but we can

choose to. It comes down to consciously choosing to love

ourselves and extend our "love-light" in to the world. This Co-

Creative Mandala, “Inner Light” invites you to honor the light

within. The following exercise offers an opportunity to remember

your Wholeness and extend Namaste’ to the world.



Picture
The love within us is meant to extend outward.

The closer we grow to our inner light,

we feel a natural urge to share it...

by which the energies within us

might flow out to help heal the world. 


Marianne Williamson



Hospitality Exercise:*


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

your inner light and extend it to others. You can bring the light

to the world anytime by offering this Blessing of Hospitality.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

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

sacred space for doing this exercise throughout the season.

Come back to this exercise as often as you like. You can do it

any time you feel inspired to extend your inner light to the world.

Make it your own.


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

peace, love, inclusivity, and community.


Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths.


Now, open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a few

minutes toward allowing the “Inner Light” energy to flow to and

through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting through your

crown chakra & extending far into the heavens. Imagine the

“Inner Light” energy flowing through you and down deep into the

earth. Imagine it radiating from your solar plexus and extending

out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the "Inner Light"

energy is a radiant ball that encircles you. Now, sit with this

energy for a few minutes. 


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Relax into to your body and its quietness.



Now, imagine that you are hosting a gathering in your home.

Extend you inner light, a feeling of welcome, so guests feel safe

and surrounded by love. Extend the spirit of hospitality into all

the rooms around you, fill the space with your inner light. 

Welcome into the space the individuals who may be feeling a

sense of fear about the world around us--imagine who they are

and what they might be afraid of. Invite and welcome these

people into a space of loving hospitality, embraced by calm,

safety and appreciation of who they are. Extend a spirit of

blessing, honor who they are. Let your inner light, the spirit of

hospitality and caring flow out to them. Notice what is happening

in your body, as you offer welcome and caring for their well-

being.


What do you notice, about yourself and who you called forth?


Now, let them go. Trust that the hospitality, the love, caring,

peace, and warm embrace you offered goes with them and

extends to each person on our beautiful planet.



Lifting the spirits of everyone around is co-creation in action. At

the end of the day, your inner orientation, tending to your inner

light, loving yourself, and being a "love-light" for others is up to

you.  You aren't alone. Even though it is up to each one of us to

tend to our inner state of being, thank goodness we have each

other. Remember the reach of your kindness, your smile, your

joy, your light makes a difference in the world.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart.


Namaste’,

Picture
* Adapted from a presentation by Julie Spangler

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    Author

    Sheryl Harrell, Gardener
    of the Soil and of the
    Soul & Co-Creator of
    Mandalas. Happy you
    found my Blog!

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