This
journal is presented chronologically - click here to proceed to the
most recent entry.
2011
Aries New Moon Mandala
April 3, 2011
Nature
Shows the Way - So what's New with you?
The
ice melts... water flows and the dream-seeds that we planted last
fall like winter wheat prepare to be birthed. These dream-seeds
have now, in this mandala, become eggs encasing the dreams yet to
be born - the possibilities of new life or a new way of being. The
only egg for me at this time of year is the egg of the Robin, the
harbinger of spring. Robin eggs are a speckled, powder blue. This
powder blue associated with the Throat Chakra teaches us to express
ourselves positively in all we do. We are lead to new beginnings
without fear by restoring trust in ourselves and our soul. In addition,
as the water flows nature is nurtured... grass becomes green, once
dead-looking, naked trees are clothed in life and flowers bloom.
Can you smell the fragrance of the lily at the center - a symbol
of purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life? This mandala resonates
with the ever-expanding, hope-filled joy of possibility. A new and
and more life affirming way is ahead if we but root ourselves at
the center, allow the ever-expanding growth, go with the flow and
trust the natural process of birthing our dreams and ourselves into
Be-ing.
Blessings
Always,
L
;-)
Editors
Note: We thank Lynn for sharing her colored mandalas and meditative
process. She tells us that she takes her finished mandalas to the
Qi Gong class she attends and they all meditate on them, trying to
see them with their 3rd eye. She said the Aries mandala brought lots
of smiles because, "... it felt so expansive and accompanied
with a feeling of joy - like hope-filled expectation and excitement."
Thanks again Lynn; your mandala brings us smiles too.
2011
Taurus New Moon Mandala
May 3, 2011
Ta-Da!!!
Here I AM!
The
exhausting work of birthing is completed. The eggs have hatched and
new life abounds. No longer are thoughts and dreams hidden in the
secret recesses of the M/mind, but rather they are tangible manifestations
present here in the physical realm for all to see and experience.
I
am struck by the “petals” (or in this case, feathers) in
this Taurus New Moon Mandala as they extend beyond the circle. In
Mandala work, the circle contains a snap shot of the psyche. So the
physical manifestation of a thought or dream is represented here not
only by the number 8 (matter, incarnation) but also by the extension
of the petals/feathers beyond the rim of the circle. That which extends
beyond the circle expresses its birthing into the physical realm.
So what are we birthing? What am I birthing?
As mentioned above, birthing is exhausting work and to represent its
challenges I selected the symbolism of peacock feathers. I recently
learned that the food of one of the most beautiful birds in the world
is thorns. Thorns, then, suggest that suffering or struggle is part
and parcel of the birthing process. The feathers themselves represent
the glory that awaits us by "digesting" our suffering. By
going through the pain instead of trying to bypass or avoid it, we
are changed. The pain is transmuted - compassion grows and our connection
to one another is elevated because that process has birthed a greater
Love within us.
For
the center of the flower, I chose the color red – the color of
the Cosmic Christ which is also represented by the number 8. St. Irenaeus
states, “The Glory of God is a man fully alive.” It is interesting
to note how during this cycle I have been asked to “Exit the
Alone Zone” (Marianne Williamson), to ‘show up’ - to
‘put myself out there’ for all to see and experience. To
watch doors as they close and others as they are opened to me, to
witness especially the new connections being made. “For when
we connect, commune, bond and build bridges our lives glorify God.
When we separate, hate, fear, enclose ourselves, we back track on
the glory of God.” - Fr. Richard Rohr.
So
how do we connect? And with whom? We connect to the Cosmic Christ
in our encounters with nature and through our participation in spiritual
practices (also ‘8.’) Through our struggle and suffering
we are purified (gold) and our suffering gives way to compassion (pink.)
Through this compassion, we reconnect to our own purity, innocence
(white) and humility (grey) and are then able to see those traits
in others. We connect to others through the heart (green,) and through
(purple) knowing that we are all heirs of the kingdom - children of
the great I AM.
Blessings
Always,
L
;-)
2011
Gemini New Moon Mandala
June 1, 2011
All
Together Now! Or for the younger set: We’re all in this together!
I
was really excited when I first saw this template…it started talking
to me right off (symbolically of course.) If last month’s Mandala
is “Ta-Dah! Here I AM” this one answers the question, “So
Now What?” This Gemini New Moon Mandala answers that with connections,
relationships and communication. There’s a lot here so let’s
dig in!
There
are Three groupings in this Mandala, 1x12, 2x6 and 3x4:
1x
12…twelve symbolizing the number of what is completed, which forms
a whole, a perfect and harmonious unit. Like the 12 Tribes, the 12 apostles
or the 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 in this Mandala represent all people.
We’re all in here symbolically speaking - the full spectrum of
color symbolizing the great diversity of humanity. There are no islands.
No one stands alone. We are a unified whole…diverse, interconnected
and woven into the web of life.
2
groups of 6 (= 12.) Two is Yin (feminine, receptive, dark) and Yang
(masculine, projective, light) - two sides of the same coin. One cannot
exist without the other. The spiritual meaning of the number Two deals
with exchanges made with others, partnerships (both in harmony and rivalry),
and communication. Two urges us out of our indecision, calls us to unite
with like minds, and like ideals. Two asks us to exert our natural flow
of judgment to do what is best for our souls. Six represents harmony,
balance, sincerity, love, and truth. Six naturally reveals solutions
for us in a calm, unfolding manner.
Twelve
in the combination of 3x4 represents the manifestation of the Trinity
to the four corners of the horizon suggesting that each triad in and
of itself is incomplete. Each of the four sets of 3 is grouped by element:
Fire (red,) Earth (green,) Air (yellow) and Water (blue) which suggests
that we get along easiest with those “in our group.” The others
in our triad compliment us, make us feel at home and are easiest for
us to love. People outside of “our group” – those in
the other triads - are less like us and are more challenging for us
to love.
As
a musician I was curious to play these triads and hear what kind of
a sound they made. Musically speaking ‘C’ is linked with the
color red at 1:00 on the face of this Mandala “clock.” Every
color clockwise raises the pitch one half step. In musical terms, each
triad plays an augmented chord, meaning that the 5th of the chord is
raised. This sound is unsettling to our ears. We naturally want to resolve
the 5th - to lower it and settle in. If I were to suggest a feeling
that sounds like an augmented chord, it would have to be anticipation
or longing.
This
sound just leaves you hanging out there… waiting. It literally
and naturally wants to move but without changing one of the players
or adding something new or different, it is stuck waiting… further
suggesting that the other two in the group are not enough. We long for
the missing element that helps us get moving or resolves our lack of
inertia in some way. I asked Sandra about the energy of these “trine”
groups:
“The
energy of a trine (120 degrees) flows easily, generally too easily.
As you suggest, they are missing the impetus for action. Things flow
so easily the energy becomes lazy. "Why bother, it'll happen
on its own", but it usually doesn't. It needs some friction or
challenge to get it going and that comes from having another element
introduced.” To develop to our full potential we need the “others.”
- Sandra Mosley
In
addition to the groupings listed above there is a single set of six
at the center. The spiritual meaning of the number Six also deals with
enlightenment; specifically "lighting" our path in areas we
require spiritual and mental balance. Six beckons us to administer compassion
and consciously choose forgiveness in a situation.
As
this Mandala suggests, we are connected to one another by the One who
weaves the web of life that binds us all together. He who lives within
us but is not of us - Whose light burns within us - teaches us the Way
of Love, forgiveness and compassion through our interaction with one
another. As Sandra mentioned, to develop to our full potential we need
the “others.” We are truly all in this together!
Blessings
Always,
Lynn ;-)
2011
Cancer New Moon Mandala
June 30, 2011
Home
When
I first looked that this Mandala I couldn't help but notice the frenetic,
helter-skelter lines which to me represent our crazy, busy, modern day
lives. And yet underneath this craziness there is an underlying calm,
a stability (represented by the number 4) that grounds and centers us,
makes us feel safe, secure, connected – at peace . There is only
one word that describes these feelings :
Home
"When
I think of home I think of a place where there's love overflowing."
– Home from The Wiz
I was
blessed with two grandparents who were born under the sign of the crab.
Neither of them, however, were remotely crabby. Both were very sweet
individuals that had a way of making people feel at home. My paternal
grandfather had such an easy smile and was a carpenter by trade. He
built many homes, schools, bookcases, cabinets and other things of the
home. My maternal Grandmother got hospitality better than anyone I've
ever known! If company were coming, she cooked. If a handyman was coming
to fix something, she cooked. Cooking was inherent in her caring about
and for someone. Interesting that the color associated with the sign
of Cancer is yellow-orange. If we look at the color from a chakra perspective
and where it might lie in the body, we find orange at the womb and yellow
at the solar-plexus. What lies in between them? The stomach. Grandma
was a very creative cook. I call her a kitchen-cupboard cook. She didn't
necessarily rely on proven, written recipes. She would often just open
the doors of her kitchen cabinets, take stock of what was there and
then make something magical! My favorite childhood meal was most probably
nothing more than sliced hot dogs in vegetable soup. But because she
called it Pennies from Heaven it was amazing! And to this day, quite
memorable. The very thought of it gives me such a warm feeling.
As
I worked on this mandala expressing "home," I was preparing
to travel home to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my parents.
50 years of this faithful, loving relationship have yielded four children,
8 grandchildren, a bountiful bouquet of many and varied colorful friends,
many life experiences and memories. My parents LIVE life to the full!
In their 70's they are constantly on the move - traveling, hiking, dancing,
and socializing. Their life together has not been all sweetness and
light, however. They worked very hard to provide for their family and
prevailed through many challenging times together. Even though they
may have disagreed about something behind closed doors, they always
stood together in front of us kids. Their fidelity and unity fostered
stability in our home.
The
thought of home invokes happy memories for many. For others home is
not remembered as a place of safety, security or love. For others still,
there may be a mix of both. Let's take a look at the word "home"
and some words used to describe it:
Residence
– a place where one lives
Family Group – a family or any other group that lives
together – a place of belonging
Birthplace - the place where somebody was born or raised or
feels that he or she belongs
Native Habitat - the place where an animal is most common
or indigenous
Place of Origin – the place where something originated
or is based
Headquarters – main place of operations of an organization
Safe Place – a place where a person or animal can find
refuge and safety or live in security
Place of Assistance – as in a nursing home…a place
where somebody who is in need of care, rest or medical attention can
stay or find help
Goal - In many sports, it is the place or point that must be
hit in order to score or must be reached in order to be safe from
attack
Common
to all of these definitions is "place" and in many cases "a
place of belonging."
Several
years ago I dreamed that I was driving down a street looking for "home."
I searched and searched but could not find the address. I woke up feeling
distressed and needed to orient myself. I needed to find my address.
I needed to find "home." What did this mean? I knew where
I was born…I knew where I lived, I had a family of my own, and
yet, I felt disconnected - lost. I visited a wise and wonderful woman
and through our time together the image that came to me was a person
with hands raised to the heavens. In that moment I knew that there was
more to "home" than my current understanding of home. It was
apparent that the home I was seeking was not to be found on this earth.
"Home," THE place of safety, security, peace, and unconditional
love, was to be found in the presence of God.
"You
have made us and have directed us toward Yourself,
and our heart is restless until we rest in You. "
- St. Augustine of Hippo Conf. 1.1
People
often speak of longing to go "home" to the Lord perhaps because
they grow weary of this existence. Someone once said to me, "Your
home is where your spirit dwells." So 'Whether we live or die we
belong to the Lord.' - Romans 14:8 So whether here - spiritual beings
physically manifested on this earthly plane; or there – having
shed these mortal "clothes" dwelling in spirit only - we belong
to God.
God
is our "point of origin," from Whom we come and to Whom we
return - where everyone and every created thing belongs. With God we
are safe and secure because we come to know that we are so much more
than our bodies. Divine assistance is but a request away. Cultivate
a right relationship with God and everything else falls into place.
No matter how frenetic and crazy my life, my Centering Prayer practice
– consenting to the presence and action of God within, or in other
words, one of the ways I spend time cultivating my personal relationship
with God - is the foundation of my day and the reason for my peace and
sense of calm - the feeling I have that all is well no matter what is
going on in my life. Being grounded in God helps me navigate the events
of my life in more loving ways.
Living
in the presence of God we know peace. We live in complete safety. We
are secure. We are never alone, and we are loved and cared for beyond
words. In God - we are home.
2011
Leo New Moon Mandala
July 30, 2011
Friends
This
mandala represents the full expression of summer! It radiates such JOY!
An over the top kind of JOY which cannot be generated by a single heart
alone. The interlocking of these hearts suggests community – a
close, tight-knit community. The similar shape and size of the hearts
suggests a joining of equals - a gathering of friends.
“But
friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of
life,
and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.”
~ Thomas Jefferson
Summer
by its very nature is expansive and we are more “outward bound”
by getting out of the house and connecting more to others during the
summer months. Family reunions, picnics, and social gatherings with
friends are more prevalent in the summer. In the New Moon phase of this
cycle, my parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. What a
party!!! 300 people from all over the country and Canada attended this
event. As I mentioned last month, my parents are avid travelers, hikers
and dancers – old time and polka to be specific - and it is through
these venues that they have met and befriended such a great gathering
of people. I entered the celebration knowing maybe 50 people comprised
of relatives and family friends from my childhood hometown. By the end
of the event I had met and danced with many new friends and had come
to know and appreciate why my parents like to spend so much time with
these lovely people. What a joy-filled, fun-loving group! They dance,
they sing, they laugh... what joy! They have a good time and it keeps
them young!
As
we near the end of this cycle, I am preparing to send my first born
off to college for the first time - certainly a bittersweet time. This
event, though natural and organic, is both joy-filled and sad at the
same time. I am excited for him, certainly proud of him and happy with
where he has chosen to attend college as it is truly the manifestation
of his heart’s desire. It also means that we will not be able to
enjoy each other’s comapny as often. Our family tree is transitioning
into something different and life will be forever changed. Gratefully
I have had the company of many friends – some of whom are also
sending their first (and in some cases only) child off to college. And
while our hearts do not perhaps exude the joy of this mandala at this
time, they are certainly lighter for having joined together to share
the experience and be supported by the loving and compassionate company
of friends.
I invite
you to join me with open and joy-filled hearts to give thanks for the
blessing friends – both new and well seasoned - who are woven into
the fabric of our lives. They comfort, support and listen as well as
celebrate with us and bring with them the songs of joy and laughter.
They journey the roads of life with us through the ups and downs giving
us also the opportunity to be great friends. They let us know that we
are not alone. Encircled hearts... joined in the company of good friends.
Blessings
Always,
L ;-)
2011
Virgo New Moon Mandala
August 28, 2011
The
Eternal Perfection
The reoccurring symbol used in this mandala reminds me of a Nautilus
shell. This modern day sea creature’s fossil records indicate that
it has not virtually changed for a mind boggling 550 million years –
having survived five massive animal extinctions. It is one of the few
species in its class to have a shell. Nautili are born with seven chambers
to their shells and will mature with 30.
They
live for 20 years and as they grow move forward in their shells, sealing
off the chamber they have outgrown. These empty chambers are then used
for buoyancy allowing the Nautili to more easily remain at comfortable
depths and upright in the water. Their eyes do not have a lens or cornea
and so view the world with “pin-hole vision.” Because of this
limited vision, they find safety by residing in darker depths near the
ocean floor or the dark slopes of coral reefs, coming to the shallows
only at night to feed and once a year to breed. If
they spend too much time at very deep depths, the pressure will cause
the shell to fill with water and they will have to actively to swim
to a depth more suitable for them. Should a Nautilus venture too deeply,
it runs the risk of imploding its shell.
The
shape and form of the Nautilus shell have inspired many artists and
architects (think of a spiral staircase or the Guggenheim Museum in
New York) and its geometry is widely found in nature – pine cones,
a head of cauliflower, and placement of leaves on plants. Its ratios
are found in our DNA and in the measurement of distant galaxies. The
geometry of the shell is the blueprint of the sacred foundation of all
things and is symbolic of the interconnectedness of all the various
parts of the whole. There are seven overlapping shells in this mandala
- seven being the number of completion, entirety and perfection.
“You are a Divine creation –
a being of light who showed up here as a human being at the exact moment
you were supposed to.
You are the beloved,
a miracle,
a part of the eternal perfection.”
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
Time marches on…ever forward moving...fleeting…which once
spent cannot return. I have just returned from taking my firstborn to
college for his freshman year, 1200 miles away, as I begin to contemplate
the meaning of this mandala. And it occurs to me that there are landmark
times in life when we have outgrown the space in which we live. Though
often emotional and perhaps even painful for us and those who love us,
change is necessary to continue the evolution of our being. Birth, weaning,
leaving the home of our parents, taking a job, midlife, and passing
from this life are certainly among these universal landmark times. Other,
not so universal, landmark times might be going to school for the first
time and learning to drive.
The
cycle continues forward with each generation… children are born
and grandchildren… and on it goes. At each landmark time a little
more space is created for something new – something different.
In many of the early landmark times we are given the gift of a little
more freedom and are encouraged to be a little more self sufficient
and responsible for our own well being. The
older generations become mentors and witnesses of the sacred dance of
life around them even if they don’t have children of their own.
In the years of mentoring, parenting and grand-parenting it seems to
me that the lessons are more about learning to detach from outcomes...
learning to open our hands and let go, allowing the young-lings to connect
to their own inner wisdom and find their own path.
In
each phase we hopefully become a little more authentic, more ourselves,
with a little more understanding of the ways of “life.” We
come to know our limits and make adjustments when we feel we are in
over our head. Too
much time spent living at overly stressful levels can cause life threatening
health concerns and dis-ease within the body and the mind. We live in
the dark not knowing what lies ahead. With our limited sight, or knowing,
we can only guess at what might come next and trust through grace that
we have chosen well the path that lies ahead. Each chamber of life sealed
behind holds lessons learned to help us remain upright.
If
what I’m hearing in this cycle is any indication, certainly love
and forgiveness are a major part of those lessons. In Matthew 18 this
question was posed: “How many times must I forgive? Seven times?”
As if to say, “Must I forgive completely? Entirely? “ The
answer Jesus gives is 77 times, or 7x11. One possible symbolic meaning
might be: Forgive as many times as is necessary to take the relationship
back into balance…back to when it was new or pure… back to
its perfection – back to love.
We
continue the journey forward until we have completed the purpose for
which we have been sent and are released from the container (or body)
we inhabit into the loving arms of the One from whom we came - back
into the Eternal Perfection.
Blessings
Always,
L ;-)
2011
Libra New Moon Mandala
September 27, 2011
Heart
of Gold
Happy Birthday to me! I’m 103! Well… not really… but I did celebrate
my 50th birthday during this cycle. Though my husband has said many a
time that I will live to be well over 100 and look like an apple head
doll. You know, those shrunken, dried up, wrinkly, apples sculpted to
look like a face? Actually, I can see it. ;-)
As I began to contemplate this mandala, this question came to me from
Dr. Wayne Dyer:
Are you aging? Or Sage-ing?
In this cycle I also heard 59 year old, X Factor contestant, Leroy
Bell ask: “Am I growing old and bitter because I’m not following my
heart?“ Hmmm….aging? Or Sage-ing?
I have to say, this is an excellent question for this landmark year
in my life. As I walk through the threshold of the “golden years,” my
body is certainly aging and changing. There are more things to “watch”
and “keep tabs on” - nothing to worry about, just a “pat on the head”
from my doctors followed by “we’ll see you next year.” My vision is
changing and reading glasses are becoming necessary. Snow is starting
to come in on the roof to which I respond: “BRING - IT - ON!” I had
a hair stylist once say to me, “Ya know Lynn…we’re gonna need to start
coloring pretty soon.” My response? “If color touches my hair – and
that’s a big “IF” – we’ll match the grey! ;-)
As I wrote about in last month’s reflection, I am definitely entering
the stage of learning to open my hands and let go – let go and let be.
Let go of outcomes, of things that no longer serve me, of not having
to be everything to everybody. There is a tangible and welcomed gentleness
to my life right now. I’m learning how to say “no” because what is being
asked of me doesn’t resonate with me or the burden of adding yet another
thing to my schedule will stretch me too thin. (I can get pretty ugly
when I’m stretched too thin and so does my house!) I am no longer willing
to “fill a space” because it needs filling. I say “yes” because what
is being asked of me is important to me and I can support it with every
fiber of my being. In essence, I can authentically embrace it. I am
learning about what I stand for – and against - without apology.
I have always loved the 3 stages of womanhood: Maiden, Mother, Crone.
I have to say, I have a special place in my heart for the Crone. LOVE
Her! When I read about her as a young woman, I could hardly wait
to become her! There is such a wealth and depth of wisdom in her - a
quiet knowing in those twinkling eyes and gentle smile. A beauty and
loveliness in those lines and wrinkles that have come from having truly
lived life – her life - in her way, giving and sharing the gifts that
are truly and uniquely her own. There is a confident presence, a grounded-ness,
and a genuine goodness about her that says she knows she is more than
her body…SO much more. She is appreciated not so much for what she does
or is able to do, but for the love she brings to everything she does.
Not to say that she doesn’t have a little spunk. She can mean business!
But, having quieted the ego, she speaks genuinely and sincerely from
her heart and her words are truth - unbounded but spoken with love and
having quieted the ego, they are unaffected.
This mandala holds a 5-pointed star and as I have shared before, my
personal symbolic understanding of the 5 pointed star “announces to
the world that Love has arrived in physical form and that when we seek
Love we will find Love.” In this cycle of celebrating my 50th year,
I wonder… How well am I manifesting Love to my family? To my community?
My world? What is getting in the way of manifesting that Love? Where
do I need to open my hands and let go? Am I, indeed, aging – growing
old, stiff, dry and brittle, closed and unyielding, unwilling to embrace
the changes necessary to truly live a life well loved? Or am I Sage/Crone-ing?
Becoming wise – the kind of wisdom that accompanies a well tended and
well cultivated soul – a kind, caring, and open heart that radiates
an unconditional Love without limits, strong in the knowledge of who
I am and yet yielding to the music of The Maker, embracing the fluid
continuation of this sacred dance?
The ribbon in this mandala, also in the shape of a star, speaks to
me of “gift.” Each of us bears a gift within to be given and shared
as God’s gift of love to this world. You are a gift of love. Know it.
Own it. Be it. Like the X-Factor contestant, can we be courageous enough
to listen to the song in our hearts and dare to dance to its tune? Dare
to unwrap the package within and share our gift without judgment to
its quality or value? Can we dare to make a difference? Or will we deny
our true self and just grow old and bitter?
| |
You
are always a valuable, worthwhile human being-
not because anybody else says so,
not because you're making lots of money,
but because you decide to know it.
- Dr. Wayne Dyer
|
Our society, regrettably, devalues the wise ones. Knowing, at any
age, that we are worthwhile human beings regardless of what society
thinks and not because of what we do but because we decide to know it
is in and, of itself, quite powerful. How do we come to that decision?
To that knowing? It is helpful to know, in the words of 1 John 4:19,
that God loved us first. We find our value by tuning in…into
our hearts - the place where heaven meets earth - into that stillness
where the small, quiet voice sings His song of love to us. And, through
the relationships and the events of our lives God invites us to the
way of love. Certainly many of these relationships and events have tested
our metal – and like a refiner’s fire have given us the opportunity
to remove unloving ways from our hearts and to soften our wills so as
to take on the image and likeness of the Maker. It’s not about what
we do or something we have attained – it’s not about the ego - but rather,
who we are - and in knowing Whose we are - that we find our value. We
are loved. We are love. And we belong to Love. This is truly a gift
that can never be taken away by anyone. Accept it with humble gratitude.
Treasure it. Embody it. Embrace the wise one within, dance to the song
in your heart and you shall surely cultivate your heart of gold.
Blessings Always,
L ;-)
2011
Scorpio New Moon Mandala
October 26, 2011
To
Infinity and Beyond
At
this time of year in my faith tradition we celebrate the feasts of All
Saints and All Souls and we remember, in a special way, all those who
have passed from this world into the next. As a cantor I have had the
privilege to sing for a great many funerals through the years for people
of all ages…from tiny infants, to children, and adults of all ages.
Some of these souls I have known quite personally – like my grandparents.
Many I had no knowledge of prior to their funeral. And as a cantor,
I have often been witness to the grief of those left behind. Interestingly
enough, the day I first laid eyes on this mandala was a cloudy, rainy
day. Just looking at it reminded me of grief. No sun, just grey clouds
and drizzly rain. No joy…just sadness and tears.
If
life unfolds in the “typical” way or the way that “nature
intends,” it is interesting to see how, in retrospect, the events
of our lives prepare us for the big event of leaving this physical plane.
From my own life experience, I can say that I have moved many times
in my married life and every move has been a death of sorts – a
small death if you will. Each time I moved from one place to another,
those I had come to know and love were no longer physically present
to me. I know on a spiritual level we are always connected and never
parted and although I could certainly contact them in any number of
ways especially in this day and age by phone, e-mail, text, Twitter
or Skype to mention a few – there is something about being in the
physical presence of someone… to see the light in their eyes. This
sense of “loss” of the physical presence had often been a
cause of sadness, sometimes grief and was often accompanied by a disinterest
in life, at least for a short period of time. Regardless of what I think
or believe, the heart feels what the heart feels. The more emotionally
connected I was the more challenging and difficult the move. As I worked
through this mandala it occurred to me that it is through these times
in my life that I can understand the loss that one might feel when a
loved one “dies.” And I have to say that being connected to
a faith community was a great source of support to me as I tried to
find my way in each new space… meeting new people, making new friends,
finding where I fit in – in essence starting all over again. Truly
any life event that challenges us to let go of something, someone, or
someplace can also prepare us for the big event – the transition
into the next chapter of LIFE.
We
are not human beings having a spiritual experience,
We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The
words we use say a lot about what we think and believe. The Latin word
for soul is “anima” which is also the root word for the verb
‘to animate.’ The soul then animates, or gives life to, the
body. And conversely, when the soul leaves the body, the body dies.
In my faith tradition we believe that life continues after physical
death, and yet our words and our emotions quite often paint a very different
picture. We say, “He died.” These words show our preoccupation
with that which can be seen and felt – the body. Yet, my faith
tradition tells us that he lives - eternally. Think about that…
We do not die. Our bodies die. We live –
forever! So to say that someone is dead is truly…not true.
We
refer to ourselves as homo sapiens which translates to ‘wise
man’ further connecting us to the body. If we take into consideration
that we are indeed spiritual beings having a human experience then perhaps
homo spiritus, the term coined by David Hawkins MD Ph. D., or
Alberto Villoldo’s homo luminous, better describes us.
To
come to the place where we believe that we are not our bodies is quite
a journey for many. It is really quite easy to over identify with our
physical life. Every sense is involved. We see. We hear. We smell. We
taste and we touch –and I’ll add: we feel. It is all very
tangible – all very “real” to us. And certainly how we
view the spirits of those who have passed is colored by any number of
the spooky movies we’ve watched. There may be an inherent fear
in communicating with something that is not “tangible.” How
do we know who we’re talking to after all? ;-) Knowing that it
is easier to connect to the physical, how do we endeavor to make a consistent,
conscious connection to our deepest, truest self - the spirit –
and the spirits of others no longer embodied? This kind of communication
requires a different lens with which to see, and a different sense to
feel or sense it - and a different language or way of communicating.
We can certainly ease into that connection through any number of spiritual
practices: meditation, contemplation, reading spiritual literature,
regularly connecting with a faith community in shared worship, and participating
in creative work in its many forms are some examples. I also love connecting
to spirit through nature.
The
language of spirit is symbolic in nature and, while each symbol has
cultural, universal and/or archetypical meaning, symbols can also have
another meaning based on our own history and personal, earthly experience.
Everything – every creature, every plant, every season through
their very nature, expresses a symbolic meaning. Even events in our
daily lives can be a channel of communication. Say what you need to
say. Ask your questions and then be still and wait for the answer. It
is considered rude in most circles to completely dominate a conversation
– spirit is no different. Be willing to be still and silent and
allow the other to speak. With eyes, ears and hearts in the ready, be
open to the conversation that is unfolding around you.
The
passing of my maternal grandmother in December of ‘09 was one of
the most mystical experiences I have encountered. Her funeral was one
of the most joyous I have ever attended. It was truly a celebration
of her earthly life and her continuing life. From the day of her passing
through the day of her funeral celebration, the whole of creation rose
up to tell us that she was very much alive…if only we had the eyes
to see the story being told. From the overwhelming number of robins
on the lawn the morning of her passing - truly too many to count (yes,
a huge flock of spring birds on the morning of December 26 –
that’s winter! Can you imagine?) - to the beautifully hoar frost-flocked
trees on the day of her funeral (which reminded us all of the beautiful
lace crochet work she made) to the many and wondrous signs around us
- too many to mention - everything spoke of her, that she was very much
alive and present, and that this was a new beginning for her –
a new springtime - a re-birth if you will. Through everything around
us she was saying, “Today, I am made new. Come celebrate my joy!”
It was glorious! And the nature that surrounded us was absolutely stunning
- resounding in that joy!
In
addition to my own experiences, I have heard a great many stories from
people whose loved ones have passed - stories of electrical malfunctions
and ringing phones with no one on the other end often occurring at the
same time each day or night - and stories of birds, butterflies, balloons
and lady bugs. The signs are everywhere. The conversation is never ending.
The message is the same: “I am here. I am very much aware of what’s
going on in your life. I love you!”
And
so, this month, I invite you to connect frequently to spirit. Stop.
Be Still. Be open and watching - aware of the loving conversation going
on around you. Know that you are a being of spirit and light which extends
beyond the life of your body into Infinity… and Beyond!
Blessings
Always,
L ;-)
2011
Sagittarius New Moon Mandala
November 24, 2011
Love...
Love... Love
Not
unlike the Gemini mandala earlier this year, this is a mandala that
speaks to me through layers and numbers and is supported by the conversation
unfolding around me. This cycle started out with gray clouds dissolving
to reveal amazing pink clouds! As I was out walking the dog that marvelous
morning viewing those amazing clouds, I was “told” …”clear
away the stuff in the shadows, Honey (grey) – all you need is Love!
(pink) From the get go, all I heard was:
Love…
Love… Love
Working
from the outside in, the number 24 in the outer ring announces the theme
of Rebirth. Connected to this Ring of Rebirth is a set of 12, symbolically
stating that all of humanity is being called to this rebirth. Unlike
the Gemini mandala that divides and categorizes, this mandala puts all
of humanity in the same basket – a level playing field, no one
stands out, no one life or group of people are more important than any
another. Here, humanity is a single, unified whole – Children of
Light wearing royal robes of blue-hued purple – as we are all “heirs
of the kingdom” and children of the Most High. Now, we may stray
from this birthright, but it is our spiritual heritage – our true
identity – and yes, all of us.
The
next single ring tells us Who calls us to rebirth. Symbolized by the
purity of white and the pink of unconditional love, this Being goes
by many names. My original thought was to list a number of names given
to this divine entity by the many and various religions and peoples
on earth – it’s quite the list! But, out of respect for those
for whom The Name is so sacred and is held with such reverence so as
not to be spoken aloud or even printed, but invoked only in prayer,
I decided against it. It also occurred to me that any name we use is
not only greatly limiting and inadequate but also begins the process
of separating us into groups which is counter to the message of this
mandala. Regardless of the many and various names we use to address
and describe this - our Source and End – This Divine Being is,
none the less, the One and the same for us all. As I am fond of saying:
there are many paths to The One. This circle tells us we are not alone
on this journey. The Divine One is with us, intimately connected to
us, communicating, nudging and nurturing us to re-birth.
The
next circle of Six speaks of the human condition. There are a few colors
I could have chosen for this ring… drawing to ourselves green for
growth, pink for unconditional love, or possibly the soft yellow of
light. As you can see, I decided to go with grey – the grey of
the shadow lands (not unlike the grey clouds I saw earlier this cycle.)
This ring represents those places in our lives where we need to go into
the shadows – into our darkness - and shed some light. Grey is
also the color of a mature selflessness - of (in the words of Marianne
Williamson) “How can I be of help” instead of “What can
I get out of this?” Six is where we look to where we fall short…
To people or situations that push our buttons…. make us go into
orbit, off the edge, or become destructive to self, others or our environment.
Can we take a step back and witness our inner life through the lens
of love and see the unloving choices we continually make? Can we see
a better way? Can we dare to ask for the help we need to make the changes
necessary to become the people we’re called to be? We long to be?
The people our spiritual heritage tells us we are. The work that Six
speaks of, then, is love, compassion and forgiveness.
Forgiveness
can be a difficult thing…often challenging at best. So much can
be learned in the history of an individual or a people as to why they
(or we for that matter) behave as we do – not that any amount of
understanding forgives an unloving act, but it can help soften our hearts
to see the brokenness of the one(s) needing our compassion and mercy.
If the history is not available or is not enough to soften my heart,
I try to think of the person as a very young child or an infant. Have
you looked at a six month old lately? I had the pleasure of meeting
little six month old Ethan and his lovely mother on a plane trip earlier
this year. Such a de-light was he! So much light in him… with such
an easy smile. Little ones, like Ethan, just light up a room and elevate
everyone around them. So, if you’re having trouble forgiving someone,
take them back in your mind’s eye to a time when the light in them
was bright. A time before the world got to them and they felt that they
needed to make changes to themselves to feel safe, to belong, to feel
loved or to be in control…. and in that bright and fragile light
find forgiveness. Forgive - yes. Allow them to continue to harm us –
no. Sometimes the work of Six includes risk…a movement away from
or a moving on as painful and as uncertain as that might be. Failing
all that, pray and ask for help - and the way will be shown. And again,
sometimes it is our very selves that we hold in that light.
The
next ring of three says Spirit to me. Spirit inspires, ignites, renews,
gives life, strengthens, and sanctifies… yes, makes holy. The Holy
Spirit accompanies us on our journey and, again, no matter how daunting
we think the road ahead, we are never alone – unless we choose
to be. We have the option of closing the door…of hanging up the
phone…but we are not alone unless we choose to be alone.
Through
the work of Six and the grace of Three and The One, we are brought,
then, to the perfection of Seven. “Be perfect as your heavenly
Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 And, what is perfection? But love!
What does love look like? Let’s start with ourselves. What do you
love to do? Not ‘what does so and so think you should be doing,’
but what do YOU LOVE TO DO? What makes time fly by when you’re
doing it? What brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face? Whatever
that is, integrate more of it into your life. Cultivate it. Nurture
it. When we do what we love, we are more content and we bring our authentic
selves to the world. CULTIVATE WHAT YOU LOVE!
Secondly,
love is uplifting. Not only does love lift us up, but it lifts up everyone
around us. Short story: I was at a mother’s day retreat a number
of years ago. After the morning session as I typically would do, I sat
down to draw - a mandala of course! ;-) I began to draw four orbs, one
for ‘The Eye that beholds all things in Love,’ then, a fiery
red to represent my daughter, a peaceful blue for my son and for myself,
a white and pink orb because I wanted to draw to myself a more God-like
love – an unconditional love – unaffected – no attachments.
My
children were much younger then and as I was drawing I was thinking
“a mother gathers her children around her.” You know, holds
them tight…keeps them safe… but, when I had finished the mandala
I realized that the book that I was drawing in was upside down. In effect,
I was being told ‘a mother does not gather her children around
her…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
She LIFTS THEM UP!’
Love lifts up the people in our lives – the stranger and the well
known alike. It can be as simple as a smile, a compliment, or a kind
or patient gesture to those we come in contact with throughout our day.
I saw a wonderful video this month about “paying it forward.”
The first person in the video helped out a young man who did something
nice for someone else and on and on it went, each receiving an unexpected
gift of help or kindness and then passed it on to another until at the
end of the video, the original man received a kindness from someone
that could be linked back to his original act of kindness. Like the
domino effect, one act of loving kindness has to power to encourage
others to do the same!
I selected
blue for this ring of Seven, the color most often associated with Mary,
the preeminent Mother. I had heard this past month that Mary is often
shown reading a book when depicted in artwork of The Annunciation. Some
symbolically regard this image as Mary contemplating the prophecies
written about her Child yet to be born. Others regard the book she holds
as a symbol of her open, willing spirit… open to the will of her
Creator – to her divine purpose, whose blank pages wait for the
Creator to write her story and in essence, direct her life. “To
be perfect” is to be open and receptive to the will of God and
our divine purpose – to bring our unique gift of love to the world.
No one else can know it for us. It is a truth spoken deep within the
heart that only the silence of dreams can hear. No one else can offer
our gift because it is uniquely ours to give. It is never too late to
give it. And yes, what is being asked can sometimes be terrifying -
often because we don’t know what others will think. With Mary,
may we have the courage to say, “Let it be done to me according
to Your will.” The gift of Free Will tells us that we can always
say no, but I have found that my life is greatly blessed in so many
ways when I say “yes” and follow the path laid out before
me.
The
inner two circles are connected. The answer to “What is being reborn?”
is found here. Together they remind me of the ancient Icons that celebrate
the lives of saints and Holy Ones. More specifically, these two circles
remind me of Jesus, The Christ, whose icons often have the image of
a cross within the halo and whose birth will soon be celebrated by many.
He is, for me, the truest expression of Love that has ever walked the
face of the earth – consubstantial - One with God. Whether one
believes in Him or not, whether one knows of the historical Jesus or
not… if you live your life in love… you know Him. Through
The Christ, in Love we are called to be saints... called to be holy
- to let the light of Love shine through us and lift up those around
us.
Also,
during this cycle, this article came across my path: “The Dharma-Driven
Life” by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PHD, the spiritual leader at
the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. In it he states,
“Hindus have been waiting for Lord Vishnu to incarnate as Kalki
to fix the world in their favor. Buddhists are waiting for the pending
incarnation of Maitreya, the next Buddha. Christians are waiting for
the second coming of Jesus. Yet if we create a virtuous mind and fill
this world with the virtues of love and compassion, these great incarnations
will walk into our lives while we are here on earth, and we will be
the recipients of their loving grace. Mere waiting won’t do. What
is re-quired is a sincere commitment to personal transformation. It
all begins with the recognition of our personal dharma and the determination
to practice it in our daily life.”
“A sincere commitment to personal transformation…” and
yes, “mere waiting will not do.” Seems that many of us are
waiting and while we’re doing all of this waiting, can we, each
one of us, be courageous and dare to open our hearts and say “yes”
- to do the next right thing… the next loving thing regardless
of the cost to us personally? To clear out the cobwebs and shadows and
let the light of love we knew as young children be born again in us
– a generous love that knows no stranger - to be in every situation,
place and circumstance nothing but Love… Love… Love.
| |
Christ
has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which He looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes,
you are His body….
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
~ St. Teresa of Avila |
May
your celebrations be joyful and filled to overflowing with love! And,
may every grace and blessing be upon you and those you love throughout
the coming New Year!
Blessings
Always,
L ;-)
2011
Capricorn New Moon Mandala
December 24, 2011
Let
There be Light!
So
I was out walking our dog, Maggie, just slightly prior to dusk on Christmas
Eve which, by the way, was also the day of the Capricorn New Moon. As
I walked, I heard the song of geese as they flew overhead. I looked
to the sky expecting to see the dark shadows of geese flying in their
typical “V” formation. But, to my surprise the geese were
not dark at all, but are were all lit up, reflecting the light from
below, ebbing and flowing in a gentle arc like smoke or spirit against
the darkness of the night sky. As they passed, two of the geese broke
away from the arc creating the appearance of two gentle eyes and a lovely
smile on that crisp, calm, clear, winters night and I couldn’t
help but wonder: Am I living a life that makes God smile?
In
his book, Jesus of Nazareth, Karl Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict
the XVI, writes, “God speaks to us through scripture and through
the events of our lives.” This has truly been the case in my life.
God does indeed speak to us in a variety of ways if only we have the
ears and yes, sometimes the eyes, to “hear” what is being
communicated. I also believe that God wants so desperately to communicate
with us that He will use whatever medium we are open to, to communicate
with us. Personally, I love nature. Love being in it! And have found
the language of God to be symbolic. Every created thing says something...
means something. And the meaning is determined by contemplating how
a living thing is born, how it lives and how it dies. One can find many
a book on the subject, but personally I like researching and being with
it. Thinking about it and what it says... what it means. So at the beginning
of each cycle, I keep my eyes open and pay attention to what is coming
across my path, what catches my attention, what strikes me as unusual,
something that makes me wonder… ponder… and then watch throughout
the month to confirm what I understand the message to be through a variety
of ways – like quotes coming across my facebook page, interactions
I have with people, songs on the radio… any number of things. Sometimes,
these things are the impetus of the contemplation for the month and
they are confirmed in nature. It varies so I just stay open to what
comes. This month geese kept coming to me in a variety of ways. In addition
to the first encounter, three groups of geese flew so close over me
one morning that I could hear the sound of their wings. I have never
been so close before so as to actually hear the wings against the air.
It is not unlike the sound of the wind blowing gently through the needles
of a fir tree. It’s a shushing kind of sound…..shhhhshhhhshhhshhhshhhh…
so gentle, so soft. And, I imagine that angel’s wings might make
such a sound. During this cycle, I also became aware of a 40 day, online,
meditation practice called “Winter Feast for the Soul” which
began on January 15th. Winter Feast is an interdenominational, world-wide
event to promote peace through mediation. This year they added acts
of kindness. On the cover of the 2012 brochure, is a white goose in
flight as viewed from below. What are the odds? Did I join it? Heck
yes! How could I not? ;-) So, what’s up with the geese? Inquiring
minds (like mine) want to know!
If
you’re familiar with geese, you know they are migratory birds.
They have a great sense of direction and return to their source or birthplace
every the spring. They mate for life which speaks of their fidelity.
While migrating, the stronger geese are at the tip of the “V”
or wedge which cuts the air and allows for less drag on the geese behind
them giving them a bit of rest as they fly. As the geese at the tip
of the V grow weary, they fall back into the formation and allow others
to bear the force of the air. Geese never leave one of their own behind.
Should one of the geese become injured or ill during the trip, another
goose will leave the migrating gaggle and accompany the fallen bird
until it has healed or has breathed its last. (Such kindness! Such compassion!
One has to wonder if a goose can do this why is it that many of us have
such a time of it?) It is extremely rare to see a lone goose - they’re
almost always in community. They communicate in LOUD honks! There
is no mistaking the message! It is loud and clear! So… 1) great
sense of direction to their source or birthplace, 2) faithful, 3) know
their limits, 4) great kindness and compassion, 5) live and die in community,
and 6) are clear communicators. Okay… so what does this have to
do with the mandala?
This
Capricorn New Moon Mandala is a natural extension of last month’s
Sagittarius New Moon Mandala. Through the work of the Sagittarian Mandala,
a once small and hardened heart begins to grow and breaks open –
breaks free. Sandra’s design of this Capricorn Mandala suggests
that this heart opens with such tremendous force that it doesn’t
just break open, it shatters open! This little light is STREAMING! It
will no longer be hidden or contained! The light within has no choice
but to flow outward.
There
are three groups of numbers in this mandala, 30, 11, and 3. Thirty,
the number of circles in the outer ring, is an interesting number. 30
can represent perfect balance in the cosmic organization; it can mean
“to express the maturity of the crop;” it can also correspond
to terms such as the Expiation, the Sacrifice, the Martyrdom. Interesting
word… Martyr. It came to me very early in this cycle as St. Stephen’s
feast day follows on the heels of Christmas Day. Now defined as “A
person who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles”
I learned this month that the original meaning of the word Martyr comes
from the Greek, meaning “witness.” In addition, tradition
tells us that David came to rule Israel, Ezekiel began to prophesy,
John began to preach and Jesus began his public ministry – all
at the age of 30 suggesting that the gravity or seriousness of the work
at hand requires a necessary maturity – a readiness if you will.
The
number 11, or a double 1, is a master number, which doubles the power
of the number that is doubled. Ones then are about new beginnings and
purity. As eleven, it also represents higher ideals, invention, refinement,
congruency, balance, fulfillment, and vision. Eleven elevates and asks
if we are centered or off kilter? In the capacity of 1+1 = 2, (2 is
also about balance) eleven also deals with equality, justice, calm,
kindness, tact, and duality or opposition.
And
in the center of this light-filled heart, is the dance of The Three:
Father, Son and Spirit, intimately connected and flowing together in
community… in divine union. They are the source from which the
light in this heart radiates and are the model of community. Interesting
thing about community, we really don’t know what love is until
we’ve lived in community – in a family for example. It is
easy to love in isolation, so peaceful…serene – lonely at
times, but, most definitely quiet and peaceful. And you don’t have
to worry about miscommunication for that matter either. But put us in
community and there will be times that test not only the quality of
our love but the boundaries as well. In addition, clear, truthful communication
is important for maintaining quality relationships.
So
here we have a maturity and readiness to witness, a new beginning in
a way that keeps us in balance, and in the center, the Dance of the
Divine - the source of it all. And then for me there are the geese representing
a great sense of direction or connection to source, fidelity, balance/knowing
your limits, kindness and compassion, community, and clear communication.
Keeping all this in mind as we venture into this new year of 2012, these
three questions from a meditation of davidji from ‘Winter Feast
for the Soul’ come to mind: “How can I help? How can I heal?
How can I serve?”
“…Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening
the hearts
of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.
Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind!"
~ Henri Frederic Amiel, Swiss philosopher, poet and critic
Indeed! Tarry not! Be swift! Make haste! And in the darkness, let there
be light!
Blessings
Always,
L ;-)
2012
Aquarius New Moon Mandala
January 22, 2012
Clarity
from Within
Now
that my son is away at college it has fallen to me to walk the dog most
days and I’m beginning to realize that it’s really a good
thing that I have a dog. Nature is a natural springboard for contemplation
for me. I now know that I have been missing out on a lot of messages
and conversation because I hadn’t been getting out of the house
as much!
The
days surrounding the Aquarius New Moon spoke to me of clarity. I was
out walking the dog one foggy evening and I couldn’t see very far
in any given direction. Everything had an inherent “fuzziness”
to it. No clear lines… no clear delineations. I began to wonder,
“What is our tether… our compass when we can’t see the
way? What roots us and guides us when we don’t know where we’re
going?” And it made me think that as human beings, our vision -
or knowing - is very limited. We don’t know everything…we
can’t know everything. As a matter of fact we can only look at
life through the lens of our perspective and life experience. We cannot
see what life has in store for us because we can’t see beyond this
moment. Yes, we can plan, hope and pray for the best, but we really
don’t know what’s coming down the pike. And even in this moment,
our knowledge is limited. What we believe to be true may not be necessarily
so.
So
how do we find our way when it is not clear? When we are uncertain?
How do we know we’re going in the right direction? Or doing the
right thing? This mandala suggests that the place to start is within.
Represented by the four directions of this “foggy compass”
we can only go so far using our senses and our limited knowledge…
we can only see so far, hear so much, taste, touch and feel…all
important ways of receiving information, but limited and often experienced
through the filter of attachment and the colored lens of emotional programs
for happiness. When we go within, the fog clears - our ability to understand
deepens and we are able to “see” much further than we could
with our limited “eyesight.” When we go within and listen
to that still, small voice, we are able to go, as this mandala suggests,
to the four corners of the earth - far beyond what we can see with our
eyes, and experience more knowing than our limited minds can know. This
mandala also suggests that by going within, we can find stability…
peace… serenity… oneness – but it comes with a warning:
getting there isn’t always a bed of roses!
During
this cycle I became aware of Winter Feast for the Soul - an inter-denominational,
40 day, world- wide, spiritual practice to promote peace. Participants
were encouraged to meditate 40 minutes a day for 40 days which also
included, for the first time, a challenge to perform acts of kindness
throughout the day. I thought this sounded like a good idea and decided
to deepen my Centering Prayer practice. I continued my morning routine
of scripture reading and increased my Centering Prayer period to 30
minutes. In addition, thanks to Winter Feast, I added an additional
afternoon session, feasting on the smorgasbord of offerings available
from many different traditions. At the beginning of this meditative
resurgence – all I can say was it was BLISS! I began to realize
how very tired I was and made a commitment to get to bed earlier in
the evening. 22 days and counting… still pure bliss and making
small adjustments in my self-care. I was humming right along and then
all of a sudden, I began feeling agitated. It became harder and more
difficult to sit down. I was restless. I struggled to find the time
to fit my meditation practice into my day. I began missing a session
here…and another there and self care like sleeping enough and eating
well we were beginning to go by the wayside. My attitude was beginning
to get ugly and I became judgmental and emotional. When I reach “critical
mass” on the inside, I tend to turn outward and start looking for
imperfections in others. I became very aware that something was beginning
to bubble up. As suggested by the hexagon (number 6) in this mandala,
purification
is part of the meditative process. As davidji stated during one of the
meditation sessions, “In this practice we do not find bliss necessarily,
but what we do find is transformation! And we transform the world by
transforming ourselves.” (While I agree with the concept, I do
not believe that “we” do the work. Our work is to sit, be
open and attentive to the presence and action of Godwithin. The work
of transformation is done by the Divine Therapist – a term used
by Fr. Thomas Keating.) Another layer of my onion was peeling away…
another molting of the dragonfly… and I was resistant. Aware of
this resistance and the ugliness I was becoming, I opened my hands and
recommitted to the practice.
This
internal way requires us to open up and let go… let go of thoughts,
judgments, outcomes, to detach from what we think we know… to learn
to just be – present and attentive. To support this thought of
detachment, I was presented with this traditional Sufi tale three times,
by different people all within the first week of this lunation. Yes,
three times. That’s the great thing about God… He keeps coming
at you until you grab hold of it. Each time the message is often sent
with increased urgency.
‘An
old farmer had a horse he used to till his field. One day his horse
ran away. Upon hearing
the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck,"
they said sympathetically. "May
be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned,
bringing with it three other
wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.
"May be," replied the old man. The
following day, his son tried to tame one of the wild horses, was
thrown, and broke his leg.
The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.
"May be," answered the
farmer. The next day, military officials came to the village to
draft young men into the army.
Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors
congratulated the
farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said
the farmer. Sadly the young men
did not return from the war and on the story goes…’
We
don’t really know… In any given moment we truly cannot discern
if something is good or bad. We say ‘hind sight is 2020,’
but even in retrospect can we really see truth through all our filters
and attachments? Attaching a label of good or bad doesn’t necessarily
help any situation either. Quite often the label just gets our wheels
spinning and we are found out of balance and without any sense of peace.
Clarity,
peace, a profound balance and a sense of sacred oneness come from being
purified by the Divine Therapist. Though there may be times of challenge
as the Master Gardener tills the soil to remove the stones that impede
our growth, going within and consistently and faithfully connecting
to Source ultimately brings us to a place where we are more patient,
more kind, more loving, more generous, more thoughtful, more joyful,
more free… and able to more patiently endure wrong doings and trials.
And how is my practice going now, you might ask? While I’m certain
there are more rocks and layers yet to be removed and the practice is
once again more peaceful, truly there are moments in the practice that
take me beyond bliss…
We
do our part to transform the world by sitting down, being present and
allowing God to transform us from the inside out. And so, I extend this
invitation and encourage you to do your part to transform the world….
"Come,
come whoever you are
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving, come.
Even if you have broken your vow one thousand times
Come, come, come again."
~
Rumi
…and
in the silence allow God to reveal you to yourself...your true, unfiltered,
authentic self – at peace, in profound balance, and radiant with
pure love. Do come! And sit a spell. Be open and willing…and find
clarity from within.
Blessings
Always,
L ;-)
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