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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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
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’,
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’,
* Adapted from a presentation by Julie Spangler
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