Attitude of Gratitude

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Starting the Day off Right

I do not do Yoga. I own lots of videos, books, mats and other various equipment and sure, I have experimented a time or two…haven’t we all? But there was something about all the Beginning Yoga stuff that didn’t quite work for me. I got the breath work down, understood the poses and I wanted so much to be one of those people who fell in love with the discipline and saw my life transformed by the balance and flexibility it brings. But if I am being honest… my time is so precious and I just didn’t get enough in return for the time I would give to it. If I squeeze 30 minutes of freedom out of a day to devote to my health I needed to feel like I used the time wisely. I needed the burn, the sweat, the sweet exhaustion that seemed to whisper to me.. “you did good”. Doing Yoga felt as if I was trying to merge my meditation time with my workout… but somehow not committing to either. In spite of that…I keep trying to make it work. I have read enough and learned enough to know that it really can be life altering and can balance the body and mind like few other practices can.

So, when I came across this Picture on Pinterest I decided to give it a go. All of the poses were familiar to me and I thought if nothing else it would be a great stretch before doing some “real” workouts. Needless to say, this routine was awesome. Somewhere between the third and fourth pose I felt completely focused on my breath. At first I think this focus first came as a need to distract myself from the burn, but as I started concentrating on it, my body started relaxing into poses. By the end of the routine I felt I had accomplished a great deal. For the first time, I felt as if I understood the beauty of this practice and I felt like my body would remind me in the morning of how much of a workout Yoga can be. This picture is from Women’s Health and I think whether you are a newbie like me or a seasoned veteran you will enjoy it immensely. Namaste.

Prayers for Thich Nhat Hanh

Our thoughts and prayers are with Thich Nhat Hanh as he faces some challenges with his health right now.  I would like to share this post from  Plum Village

Official Announcement

Re: Thay’s present health condition and how to support Thay’s recovery

Plum Village, November 12, 2014

To all Plum Village Practice Centers,
To all Practice Centers and Sanghas World Wide,
To our Dear Beloved Friends,

With a deep mindful breath we announce to the world the news that yesterday, the 11th of November 2014 Thay, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, experienced a severe brain hemorrhage. Thay is receiving 24 hour intensive care from specialist doctors, nurses and from his monastic disciples.

At present, Thay is still very responsive and shows every indication of being aware of the presence of those around him. He is able to move his feet, hands and eyes. There are signs that a full recovery may be possible.

For the last two months, Thay’s health had already been fragile due to his advanced age. He was hospitalized in Bordeaux on the 1st of November. He was gaining strength day by day until this sudden and unexpected change in his condition.

All the monasteries in the tradition of Plum Village are organizing practice sessions to generate the energy of mindfulness and to send Thay this healing and loving energy. We would like to ask the whole worldwide community of meditation practitioners to participate and support us in this critical moment. We know and trust that Thay will receive all your energy and that this will be a big support in his healing and recovery.

Our practice of stability and peace in this very moment is the best support we can offer to Thay. Let us all around the world take refuge in our practice, going together as a river to offer Thay our powerful collective energy. We are all cells of the great Sangha Body that Thay has manifested in his lifetime.

Future reports on Thay health and recovery will be posted officially at www.plumvillage.org, langmai.org, villagedespruniers.org, and http://www.facebook.com/thichnhathanh.
On behalf of the Monastic Dharma Teacher Council of Plum Village,

Bhikkhu Thich Chan Phap Dang
Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chan Khong Nghiem

Please join us in sending Loving Healing Energy his way.

Tiwaz Rune for Our Veterans

I should have known, before I even reached into my bag, which Rune I would pull out today.  Tiwaz is relevant not only because it is Tuesday, but because it is the Rune of our Warriors and Today we celebrate those who sacrificed for our freedoms. Tiwaz is the rune of sacrifice of the individual for the well being of the whole. It is the rune of Balance and of Justice,  of Sacrifice and Victory,  of Order and of Peace.

Tiwaz is a warrior rune named after the god Tyr who is the Northern god of law and justice,  after whom Tuesday is named. Tyr is a one-handed god with a long history. He sacrificed his hand in order to trick the wolf, Fenris, into being chained.  He was courageous, fearless, the master tactician and a consummate diplomat.  In an Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, Tyr is the North Star, around which the fixed stars in the night sky appear to rotate, Ancient seamen used this star as their main navigational aid in their long journeys and thus this rune aids us in travel as well.

I personally use this rune as a moral compass.  It reminds me to be fair and honest. To seek peace, courage and  compassion.   Like the North star, I need to remain true and calm and be the light that can lead others through the darkness.  I need to be focused.  To channel my energy towards my target just as the arrow of this rune symbolizes.  Tiwaz also reminds me that sometimes, to be victorious, I will need to sacrifice myself to the higher good.

 

 

 

Goddess Coloring Pages

I came across this website that has some wonderful Goddess Coloring pages and thought I would share it with you. I was originally looking for some for my daughter but I think these are going to be great for me as well. Maybe a few will find their way onto my altar. They have lots of different Goddesses. I chose to feature this one of Gaia because I was her this past All Hallow’s Eve. You can find her and more over at www.hellokids.com

Lodolite: The Shamanic Dream Stone

“The Shamanic Dream Stone”

Lodolite is a type of Quartz crystal with unique inclusions of many possible colors and types. No stone is ever the same. Often it has the look of landscapes. Thus, lodolite is often referred to as garden quartz, landscape quartz, or scenic quartz. These are remarkable specimens. Genuine rare, hard to find Lodolite crystals. They are so interesting and different. Truly a one of a kind unique, the energy is amazing!

Shamans used Lodolite to induce visionary experiences and healing. Clear Quartz is the “Stone of Power” and can help to amplify any energy or intention. Clear Quartz is also called the “Master Healer” and with the presence of the inclusions, this Quartz has wonderful healing abilities. It’s often used in meditation practices. Another metaphysical use of lodolite is to bring energies to effect manifestation of one’s desires. Lodolite is also said to enhance communication with beings on the spiritual plane and heighten one’s spiritual energies. It is used mystically to increase ESP and bring knowledge from your past lives.

Gazing into this stone is said to bring about a cosmic shift of consciousness. It harmonizes the higher vibrational energies of the aura, light body or subtle body. Lodolite is a very powerful journeying stone on all levels; cosmic, soul and personal.

Lodolite is a great dreaming crystal. It is also helpful for enhancing ones sensitivity to energy, like when using Reiki energy.

Alternate Names or Spellings: Lodolite Quartz, Lodelite, Lodalite and “The Shamanic Dream Stone”

Banish Negativity Spell

Spell to Banish Negativity

Using a Black candle, anoint with oil (Can use Olive Oil if you don’t have any Altar Oils) as chanting the following Spell.

I call on powers far and near
To banish what’s not welcome here
By this candle, I have charmed
I banish all that would cause harm

Help me ease my irksome strife
Remove all Bad this very Night
Take the burdens from my mind
Leave afflictions far behind

Heat of fire, Dark of Night
Rid this negativity from my life
Black absorbs, Black Banishes
As This burns, negativity vanishes

Light your Candle

Candle burn down, to remove all ill
This spell be cast by the power of my will
Let my spirit burn as surely does this flame
a symbol of my strength that will prevail in all things

Cleansed by the light of the fire
All Ill Gone, Blessings lift me higher
This is me, I am pure
No more bad shall I endure

Chains that bind, now break free
I am power, strength, and victory
Earth, Air, Fire, Sea
As it is willed, so mote it be!

Make sure your candle in is a place it can safely burn down completely.

The moon is waning as it gets smaller again, after the full moon. As the moon seems to disappear in the sky, use this time to do spellwork to remove things from your life.