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.
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.
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!
Learn the one essential skill that allows you to face any challenge with confidence, sturdiness, and inner calm.
More than a technique. It’s a game changer.
When standing at a crossroad in your life, it’s natural to seek answers. To search for certainty about your next steps. To want assurance that the decision you are making will lead you in the right direction, with the best possible outcome. Here’s where your mind jumps in.
There are conversations you may instinctively avoid. Death. Dying. The journey beyond are among them. The final exhale. The closing of the body. The long walk home. The next place of being. In many ancient traditions, this is not an ending, but a sacred passage—a birth into new realms of being. Yet here, in this fast-moving world, death often remains veiled in silence, wrapped in fear, and avoided in conversation.
There are conversations you may instinctively avoid. Death. Dying. The journey beyond are among them. The final exhale. The closing of the body. The long walk home. The next place of being. In many ancient traditions, this is not an ending, but a sacred passage—a birth into new realms of being. Yet here, in this fast-moving world, death often remains veiled in silence, wrapped in fear, and avoided in conversation.
I was playing the game “Headbands” with my dog the other day. Playing board games and interactive games like charades are good fun. Given my kid has flown the coop, we hoodwinked our dog to play a rousing game of Headbands with us. We even let Milo choose the first card, but he seemed to have a hard time guessing what his card said.
As you celebrated the Summer Solstice and the New Moon this past week, our beloved shamans who are South of the Equator were celebrating the Winter Solstice in Cusco, Peru. Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, takes place on June 24th to commemorate the beginning of the Inca New Year and the Winter Solstice. Originating in the 15th century by Emperor Pachakuti, Inti Raymi was created as major Inca festival to honor the sun god Inti.
These past months have been filled with confusion, anger, and fear for many in this country. Witnessing deportations without due process, assaults on the courts and universities, flip flopping tariffs, and military action have shaken the foundational sense of safety and justice for many Americans. I’ve been listening to you and engaging in many conversations about how to live in balance during these times.
