Category: Blog-Intuition

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Stuck to Soaring

Summers are my happy time being a warm weather creature living in the Northeast United States. 

The comfort of warmer weather, longer days of light, and a slower pace are soothing to my soul.  This combo also invites me to spend as much time outdoors as possible.  And I get the thrill of rediscovering what I call my Sacred Pond in the Pocono mountains.  

I call it mine because I am the only human inhabiting the space. 

To be fair, this summer I shared the pond with a hundred thousand water lilies, a blue heron who was fishing, butterflies and bees gathering nectar, a white duck taking a meticulous bath, birds singing, trees dancing, clouds traveling above offering intermittent shade, a beckoning path, and a blank page.  Even though I was the last to arrive and only visiting, I loved to claim it as my happy place. Settling in on the first of many mornings, I arranged my chair in my typical sunny spot.  

I prepared to gaze upon the wonder of the space, but a damn bush was blocking my view. 

I felt a surge of indignation (at a bush no less) for limiting my capacity to enjoy the natural arena.  Recognizing that bushes have a right to grow, I settled my mind into an appreciative space.  My body naturally released layers of stress as I simply looked around and followed the sounds of the natural world.  All seemed to be in perfect order … until I’d glance through that damn bush to try to see a whole section of the damn pond. I noticed I “glitched” each time my gaze swept in that direction. 

It was like trying to see the play on stage when a (damn) tall person was sitting in front of me.

I solved that one by limiting my range of vision.  Again, I settled into a peaceful place.  No longer bothered by the limit I refused to see. That was a fine solution until the hot sun started cooking me.  No small breeze was offsetting that fire in the sky. So, I moved my chair up the path to the shade of the pine tree. 

Wow!  What a view!  I had my pond back with no obstruction! 

Who would’ve thought that a small elevation in my “view” – a shift in my perspective would reveal the solution to my dilemma of being stuck in the bushes?!  Apparently Life knew it was that simple.   

Shifting perspective. Elevating my point of view.  I got the message. 

Many luscious moments later, my eyes strayed to the sky where a magnificent bald eagle was circling. She flew in circles – coming closer to me with every loop.  I stood to witness the majestic creature and I marveled at how clear her vision was to locate a mouse from such a high elevation. 

It was as if nature was making a point of teaching me the benefit of changing my perspective. 

As I stood to follow her flight pattern, I began to see the radiating energy patterns flowing in all directions from the eagle.  Once I witnessed this, her flight pattern shifted.  I was transported as she demonstrated the expanding interactive potential of energy when in a “flow pattern” – when one was in a coherent relationship with the surrounding environment. I craned my neck to gaze above me through the tree tops to track her movement. 

Nature was making a point of teaching me the benefit of changing my perspective.

 

And then I jumped out of my skin.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you” said a man as he walked past me.  Seriously, where did this stealth walker come from?  My new friend was out on his weekly mushroom foraging trip.  Mushrooms?  I thought I might get another level of the lesson about expanded perception – the psychedelic kind. I was wrong. Turns out he and his group of friends spent their weekends trapping turtles, foraging for berries and mushrooms, and some other “live off the land” activities. 

I was gifted with a glimpse into a way of living that was foreign to me. 

Bald eagle forgotten, I entered a fascinating conversation with this slightly hyperactive mountain man. We examined the berries nearby, looked at the painted turtle tracks, and discussed how to forage mushrooms without wiping out the crop (so selfish).  I learned what it was like to grow up right up the road and how my magical pond was once a pristine swimming and fishing haven until my beloved lily pads invaded the lake. What I learned about beavers was fascinating! 

And then he was gone as quickly as he arrived.  

I settled back into my chair and found my perspective had changed again. I was more spacious. I felt part of the landscape as if I was now in a new conversation with the land, sky, and creatures which made up this pond. In the course of an hour, I was expanded.

I went from stuck in the bush to soaring like an eagle to finding myself a part of this Sacred Pond.

Everything here was part of the whole, including me. Settling in once again, there was nothing left to do but enjoy myself in the flowing conversation all around me. 

And I spent some extra time loving that little trouble making bush that started everything. 

I wonder what teachers are going to show up on your path to demonstrate the practical power of changing your perspective. Hope they come soon and help you soar. 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Project Reset, part of New York City’s court system, offers those charged with minor offenses a 3 hours art class instead of court.  The courses vary from hands on creation of art, museum visits, and restorative talking circles. Reset was so successful, cutting low level misdemeanor processing by almost half, that it spread to New York’s other boroughs. Imagine the creative potential of close to 40,000 people given another change to avoid criminal records or jail time. Practical creative solutions. Now that’s a work of art.

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Light Bathing in my PJs

Sunday was a brilliant day as I found myself immersed within a day long practice of “Light Bathing.” 

This wasn’t my plan nor did that term pop into my mind until I was already deep within the process.  With my morning shake in hand, my plans rearranged themselves when I was called to engage my Soul in meditation.

Sitting in my pajamas on my back deck, journal nearby, I closed my eyes and dropped into the moment. 

The birds sang.  My neighbor swept his patio. Planes occasionally flew above me.  The breeze rustled my hair.   I wandered through a visually rich inner landscape.  My Soul Conversation was enlightening.   Amidst all of this movement, Stillness emerged.  

I felt lit from within as I basked in the warmth of the sun. I was light in every sense of the word.

 

Opening my eyes, I noticed my dog resting nearby. He looked regal as he soaked in the sun – totally at rest and seemingly content. I realized that he often sought the light patches in the house or spent time resting in the sun on the back deck. Totally at rest and seemingly content. 

Moving inside, my plans rearranged themselves again when I felt the desire to attend to my plants.  

This again was unexpected. After all, I had a Dead Plant Sale when I lived as a resident advisor in the undergraduate dorms during grad school.  I was clearly missing the ‘green thumb’ gene, yet here I was with a desire to tend to my plants.  I have only one type of plant in my home and office given my seeming inability to keep them alive. Whatever type of plant I have, it is very forgiving and truly resilient. 

I discovered that my plants were thirsty, the leaves wilted, and the vines long overdue for trim.  

So I watered them.  Trimmed them.  Talked to them.  Promised them more care.  Finally I moved them all into the light. 

When my husband came home, I informed him that our plants were “Light Bathing” until tomorrow.  

I was struck by that term.  I actually felt a warm pleasure throughout my body when it was said aloud.  I noticed that I had turned on the lights that day in all of the rooms around me – using light as an accent of the beauty and tranquility of my surroundings.  

Later in the day, while hiking in the woods, I noticed the presence of light everywhere.  
I walked through ribbons of light in the denser forest and in bright sunshine through the field.  When I prepared and ate my dinner, I blessed the food and those who brought it to me with Light.

I recognized that Light Bathing was not a new thing – it was a normal part of life.  My dog already knew this, as did my plants.

Creating a new art piece that evening, I felt the lightness of enthusiasm and enjoyment while translating an inner vision into physical form. I chanted while I worked and consciously poured light into every layer of the mixed media painting. 

My day ended with a practice to Steady the Light. 

I resourced my energy field – physical body with the vital life force arising from the Earth and descending from the Heavens. Grateful for the day, it was no surprise to discover that it ended much as it had begun …

I was light soaked.

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

A recent Gallup poll reported about a third of workers in the US are unhappy and disconnected at their jobs. Research at Central Michigan University found that exposure to natural elements seemed to have a positive impact on workers. Sunlight exposure revealed an even stronger influence. Indirect sunlight was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms while direct sunlight was related to improved satisfaction and sense of loyalty at work. Employers, take note! 

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Am I Present?

I was lost in a dream the other day. Caught up in an old story about how to live life – my way. 

I felt the stress of this dream – occurring in the light of day with eyes wide open. This was my clue that I was dreaming. Stress – a friendly reminder that I had my knickers in a knot over something I thought was a problem. I noticed my tension and took a breath. Enjoying another deep breath, I asked one question:

“Am I present?” 

Of course this is a trick question. Each time stress offers the invitation to ask this of myself, the answer is the same: “No, I am not present. I am lost in the story of me and the way life should be.” Yet, the beauty of this undefended awareness is the opening of potential of noticing what is here. What would happen if I took a few minutes to really notice what was happening?

“Noticing” is a simple practice which has the potential to bring you rapidly into contact with what is happening.

It is so simple that this powerful practice is often engaged in a cursory fashion or overlooked altogether. This is especially true in our fast paced, self important culture. Silly really – this wasting of our precious engagement with Life – in order to get one more thing done, to get someplace faster, or to stay lost in our storyline just a wee bit longer.

So, I drop within the moment and notice.

I breathe consciously and tune into my body. The breath moves me in unpredictable patterns if I let it, as if there is a wisdom in the rising and falling code that unlocks tension I did not realize was there. When I notice my body, places of tightness automatically soften as if they were just waiting for my glance in order to relax. My posture shifts. I feel younger, gentler, and more trusting.

It doesn’t matter why my mind is scattered, my body tight, my breathing shallow, or my attention turned inward. 

Without a need to know anything, I just allow the breath and inner awareness to move as it will. Everything breathes, softens, and opens. This happens rapidly when I enter the action of noticing with an open mind and heart, willing to be with whatever I encounter without having to create a story about it.

At some point, without effort, my noticing turns to my environment.

The texture of the fabric of my clothing or furniture, the sounds near and far which harmonize with the movement of the light and my breath, the array of colors and objects patiently waiting to be seen. As my awareness broadens, the perceptions integrate into a living story worth exploring.

I realize that my stress has dissipated – my personal story has dissolved.  

I recognize the awareness of one pulsating, moving presence. There is a conversation occurring – Life is speaking and Life is listening – and I am that. The wisdom flows unimpeded and is easily translated within this relaxed Presencing experience.

I realize that my stress has dissipated. My personal story has dissolved.

 

Ah yes. This Presence. So familiar once noticed.

It seems surprising that I had forgotten this way of being – so real and true. And yet, it is understood that dreaming is a habit. Not only mine, but a habit for most. This makes me even more grateful for the question that arises within me, unbidden now, at times when I am lost in the old stories. I welcome the trickster who lives within the question like I welcome an old friend who knows me well and cares for me deeply.

“Am I present?” always leads me down a rabbit hole worth exploring.

Like one of my favorite mythical heroes, Alice in Wonderland, I may remember more than I expected when I venture down the path of this exploration. Simple enough, this practice of noticing.  Yet powerful enough to boost my intuition so I can tune in more fully to the Divine conversation.

I was lost in a dream yesterday.

Asking myself the question “Am I present?” This automatically interrupted some nonsensical story and dropped me into breathing and noticing. 

And then I woke up.

In my pajamas, in my bed, while it was dark and the birds had yet to sing. I took a breath. I noticed my body, my bed, my room, and beyond within. Grateful for this habit that empowers me even when I sleep.

So dreamy. This sense of wakefulness. 

 

Peace be with you and with all.  No exceptions. 

HeartWarming

 News

Multitasking is touted as the super power which guarantees success. That’s a myth. Rather than helping you accomplish more things faster, it actually interferes with you doing anything well.  The benefits of the well known adage “Be here now” are backed up by science. Slowing your pace and placing attention on what is right in front of you has been shown to increase productivity, happiness, and …wait for it … charisma. When you’re fully present, people feel understood and supported. Increasing potential for positive relationships, which are one of the strongest predictors of happiness and success.  Bust that myth.