Invite fear into your mindful consciousness and care for it every day.

The Buddha taught us this.

“The next time it manifests, we will receive it the same way; we will care for it the same way with the energy if mindfulness, and then it will return to the depths, weaker still. It loses energy every time it is embraced by the energy of mindfulness, which is really a mother.

The door is already open; mental formations can now flow freely. And if you practice that for a few weeks, the symptoms of mental illness will disappear. This is because you are now in a situation where you have good circulation in your psyche. That is why Buddha taught us to invite fear into our mindful consciousness and care for it every day.

There is no battle between good and evil, positive and negative; there is only the care given by the big brother to the little brother. In Buddhist meditation, we observe, we act in a nondualistic fashion, and thus the waste materials if the conscious mind can always be transformed into flowers of compassion, love, and peace. Our consciousness is a living thing, something organic in nature. There are always waste materials and flowers in us. The gardener who is familiar with organic gardening is constantly on the alert to save the waste materials because he knows how to transform them into compost and then transform that compost into flowers and vegetables. So be grateful for your pains, be grateful for suffering – you will need them.”

From True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh

Affirmation: “I see the stars.”

Which of your neglected friends would most enjoy hearing from you?

Friendships last a lifetime.

True heart connections can never be cut no matter the distance or time.

When you “have a caring, compassionate response to another,” there is this bond that is formed of unconditional love. You understand, “shit happens.” And that things can get carried away.

You understand that life takes hold, and life’s focuses and journeys sometimes have to go separate ways for a time to ultimately reconnect. You “honour the Divine in each other, as your connection brings healing and joy.”
We lose touch even though we said we wouldn’t. But there should not be guilt there. A true friend knows and understands. What friends have you lost in contact with? Did some need to be discarded for other reasons? Which ones are you willing to welcome back into your life? Even for just a moment to catch up. Trust your heart, and search yourself. Who would most enjoy hearing from you? They may just need it.

“My heart is full and open, as I recognize the Divine in my beloved” friend. – Joanna.

Lunar Meditation: The scent of flowers.

Do flowers bring fond memories to your mind?

Of your childhood, a favourite relative, or your backyard garden?

Scent is so powerfully connected to our sense of memory that we often use scents as cues rather than the other way around.

Flowers speak of nostalgic moments for me. Where does scent bring you?

Lilacs remind me of the forts we used to make in my grandmother’s hill-bushes. Wild roses remind me of my great grandfather’s barn.

These flower essences share their aromatic medicine with a smile on their petals. Their goal in life is to flourish, look and smell robust, and fade to then come back again. Their goal is also to share their happiness and love.

The gift of flowers has either grown to be an expectation and underappreciated, or remained one of the greatest gifts one can receive.

Gifting in the form of the secret language of flowers is oh-so romantic. If you were to use the scent of flowers, what would you hope to say? Is it too dandy, or just the thing?

One of the best gifts I have received were tansies of wildflowers. It brings back so many memories…

Mmm, sweet soft aroma dreams to you dear ones.

Good night.

Lunar meditation posed by Caitlin Matthews, Celtic Devotional.

Affirmation: “I understand we are all connected.”

Abuse Blessing

“Liberator of Souls, assist and release all who are imprisoned in spirals of violent abuse: both those who perpetrate abuse and those who receive it. May the shackles of anger and resentment be transformed into the loving bonds of peace and understanding. May the beauty of each soul blossom as the Spirit awakens all life this Summer morning.”- Caitlin Matthews

Lunch-break Ponderings

How can you bring simplicity and shape to your muddle?

Sometimes, things need clarity.

Sometimes, things are far too confusing and untidy that our minds and spirits are left in quite a state.

Sometimes, the best way is to surrender and reshape what is troubling you.

Life is filled with transitions. There are many phases we go through. Times of good, and times of bad. Times that hurt, and others which make us laugh.

But that pain and hurt can be a challenge to get over. Those traumas beg to be understood and transformed. They beg to be heard and healed.

“I heed the inevitability of change and discover the gifts found un letting go.”- Joanna.

Sometimes, the simplest thing we can do though is seek understanding from your heart and move on. Migrate the mind from a place of adversity to one of calm acceptance.

Shit happens dear ones.

It is up to us to find the calm in the midst of the storm. After we have exhausted ourselves and our spirits to our limits, the best thing we can do is stop. Be quiet. Breathe. And listen to mindfulness. From there all things can be reduced to their simplest terms. From there we can reshape our path, and alter it as needed.

Namaste.

Solar question posed by Caitlin Matthews, Celtic Devotional.
Photo by Joanna Powell Colbert, creatrix of the Gaian Tarot.

Lunar Meditation: The role of ecstacy in your life.

Ecstacy: an overwhelming feeling of joy.

It seems we have a theme going today. Haha..

Do you live a life where there is something that creates this overflowing feeling of happiness and trancendence?

Have you ever even experienced this pleasure?

For me, it is those moments of sheer adventure, of discovery, of going on a quest.

It is those moments of painter’s light.

It is those moments relishing in hedonistic foreplay of the soul.

Hush, light your soul’s flame, and ignite your inner ecstacy.

Good night, sweet dreams.

Lunar Meditation posed by Caitlin Matthews, Celtic Devotional.

Which special gifts and abilities are you neglecting?

I’ve written it before and said it a million times, if you have a natural talent, use it! Practice it! Hone it!

Don’t neglect your abilities.

“Step into the flow of creativity or other favourite activities where worry and self-consciousness cease to exist. When our hearts are open, it is easy and a great pleasure to share and be of service. Celebrate and get out and play in the sunshine. Sing, dance, make love, let your creativity run free. Shine on!” – Joanna.

I have forgotten to have fun. I have forgotten to draw. I have forgotten to live spherically, in many directions.

I have neglected my ability to be whimsical and embrace my childish enthusiasms. I’ve grown far too serious. I have neglected my joyous Sister Otter.

It is time to remember my art, my verve for climbing trees, playing games, swinging, and licking ice creme cones.

It is time for some “Under the Tuscan Sun” therapy!

Off I go!

Namaste!

Solar question posed by Caitlin Matthews, Celtic Devotional.
Photo of the Sun by Joanna Powell Colbert, creatrix of the Gaian Tarot.