What Vision Are You Nurturing?

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.

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 already 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.

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,