BE-ing Stillness

I enter my space this morning. My sanctuary, my haven. It has been a comfort to me - a single space where I alone choose what accompanies me in my space. A clear, clean, peaceful place creativity and quiet.

But I look around - I've been so busy, so occupied, I haven't noticed... my space is not clear nor quiet at the moment. Clutter has dented the typically strong sense of tranquility. What happened?

In the dim hours between nighttime and dawn, candlelight brings glow to my sacred space, renewing a sense of clarity within. It is time for a clearing and cleaning. Re-create my sacred space once again. Return to a sense of gentleness, balance and harmony.

I draw a Spirit Circle card from each deck:

Reclaiming Sacred Space - Yes, of course I'd draw this card. Heart smiles. The Universe knows.

I do not hold grudges. I am releasing anger and resentment. - It doesn't matter in the least how or why the clutter got here, or who put it here. What sense does it make for me to dwell senselessly on what doesn't matter? Instead, I bring my focus to the beauty. Simply invite sacred harmony in to my heart, my space - in this moment.

Yes, the Universe knows.

Posted by Silence at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Awhile ago I was asked this question:
What's been the most useful life lesson you've picked up over the years?

I have just re-read my reply, and it reached right into my soul. A spirit-gift to myself.

1) The nature of impermanence. Things will always pass. Good or bad, they'll always pass. Appreciate each moment for the good it brings. (And the good it brings may not always be apparent until much later - just wait.)

2) Live consciously. Don't make a mess in the first place, and you won't have to clean it up later. (Literally and figuratively.)

3) We teach others how to treat us. Don't see yourself as a victim in life; see yourself as a volunteer. In other words, if you're eating a &$#% sandwich, chances are you ordered it.

4) Rule 62. (Don't take yourself so seriously.)

Posted by Silence at 08:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why do we really start living only when we become aware of how much closer we are to dying?

What if we were to embrace life now? What would that look like? Feel like? Taste, sound, smell like?

Posted by Silence at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beautiful video found on a friend's site inspires me to share it here.

Posted by Silence at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beautiful, clear autumn morning. Sun rising with an amazingly inspiring flourish of orange-gold and purple over the forest of changing leaves. These morning moments have become so rare. I envelop myself in them, cradled in the comfort of familiar silent solitude.

In the quietness, a fleeting thought - it is not events that have happened that make us the 'walking wounded'; it is our lack of forgiveness of them that keeps us in pain.

Forgiveness does not come from a place of superiority or judgement: "I have seen your actions and judged them. They are not up to my high standards, but I'll let it slide this time."

True forgiveness involves acceptance, understanding and compassion. Connection with another being. Humility and gentle thinking.

Forgiveness... a path of freedom.

Posted by Silence at 07:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A day of rest, slow movement, release of thoughts, and introspection comes to a close with the scent of summer dusk before a rain. Enchanting cacophony of birdsong as the feathered ones take cover from the impending downpour. Winds whirl, a chill moves in, winged and four-leggeds scamper to take cover, and then...

Nothing. No rain. No storm. Just stillness once again.

I observe and feel joy for the cool clarity of evening. I am learning to carry what is on my shoulders in a different way, and the weather reflects my willingness to change in the moment - to react in a different way than is expected.

Remain in peace, in each moment.

Posted by Silence at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Several times in the last few days I have come across others writing about 'falling backwards'. The repetition is not by accident; of that I am sure.

Falling backwards requires complete trust. Or the possibility of broken wrists. Facing forward and trusting that whatever is behind us will offer a soft place to land. And knowing that the falling isn't what will harm us; resistance to the fall is what creates injury.

A spiritual Nestea plunge.

Am I trusting enough in those moments of free-fall to notice and observe my reaction, and to accept the fall? Can I enjoy the journey on the way down?

Posted by Silence at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I awaken to the sound of silence. Peaceful, blissful soul stillness. The world has not yet awakened, except for a lone raven's call from high in the cedars.

I rise without a word, thankful for the quietness. In meditative moments of mindfulness and solitude, I feed the animals, care for the plants. Mindful walking. Mindful drinking - yin/yang water. Mindful collecting firewood and stoking the morning fire. Mindful of contributing to the stillness, not crashing over it.

I do not speak; morning is a time for silence. My actions are gentle, my steps non-intrusive.

Awareness and thankfulness of BE-ing stillness in the sacred Morning.

Posted by Silence at 08:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are tears of release. There are tears of self-pity.

Or maybe there are just tears.

Today I cry, and my mind judges me for the tears. Why? What does it matter why I cry today? I feel I need to, so I do. Release = Real Ease. There is no need for judgement. Just to honor that which I have learned so well:

"The body weeps the tears the eyes do not shed."

The tears are a gift, an opportunity to rise above the judgement and just allow things to flow as they should. Whatever is welling in these eyes of mine, may it continue to flow and transform into whatever it needs to be for the good of All.

Posted by Silence at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I listen to gentle pattering of rain droplets on the windows in this little cabin. The most enchanting blooms of perfect pink roses grow on wild bushes out back. For endless years of city living, my heart ached to live in the woods in a small log cabin. My spirit is in paradise.

A few moments of solitude this morning in silence. Well... near silence. Small, twittering birds dance amongst the tiny, cool rain-mist droplets with soft little chirps, while the clock on the kitchen wall takes advantage of the quietness, making itself known with an increasingly louder monotony of tick tocks. The harder I try to not hear it, the louder the ticking seems to be.

What a joy to be able to remove the battery!

Not so with my thoughts, nor with the habitual 'white noise' in my ears from too much time spent with no time for silence. Like the clock, my thoughts and my busy-ness also grow louder as I try to not listen to them. Giving my attention and effort to avoiding them gives them power, because attention is attention, no matter what kind.

So I gently take my attention elsewhere, to the silence, to the heartfull thankfulness for where I am in this moment. Eyes open yet 'resting', I breathe in deep, cleansing breaths. I breathe out affirmation of my trust in the Universe that everything is exactly in the place it needs to be.

I do not try to rid myself of the thoughts nor the busy-ness. I do not try anything. I simple breathe and Be.

Silence.

And finally, I am quiet.

Posted by Silence at 08:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I write this by the light of the just-full moon. It sets in the clearest western sky as the sun rises to the east. Beautiful and enchanting blend of balanced energy.

Balance... I am reminded to find what is important for my own personal balance and nurture it.

Brain challenges... creative expression.
Devoted work hours... dedicated time for play.
Solitude... family time.
Laughter... tears.
Heated passion... gentle softness.

Love... and love.

Posted by Silence at 06:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To be vulnerable... that is strength.

To allow others to see and feel who we truly are, at the risk of judgement against the deepest parts of our souls... that is courage.

"When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly."

That is trust.

Posted by Silence at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have been faced with a unique challenge to open myself up to alternate perspectives, which lead me to ponder how, at times, attachment to my own perspectives have lead me into deepest despair.

How naive can I be to assume that my own perspective, this one human being in a sea of billions, is the only valid viewpoint? Wow. I am thankful for the reality check, returning to a place of peace.

Imagine you and I sitting at a table together. On the table between us is a vase. I could be thinking it's the most beautiful vase in the world; you could be thinking it's the most wretched thing you've ever laid eyes on.

Who's right? Neither one of us... it's just a vase.

So... I begin to consider my perspectives of my own life. Challenges arise and I observe my mind jumping to the worst conclusions, getting carried off with "what if's", making 'problems' out to be bigger and more important than they really are. (Not-so-commonly known as "pole vaulting over mouse sh*t")

I notice there seems to be a need for labelling "good" and "bad". But things just ARE. Looking from that perspective, all is well and managable, and I become thankful for the experience.

Posted by Silence at 08:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am thankful to be surrournded by families who honour and embrace the respect and care of our elders. I am proud to be one of them in a time of my father's illness. I travel in peace, knowing that this is the turning of the great wheel... and trusting that the outcome will be for the higher good.

This old man, once vibrant and strong and authoritative, now ill and uncertain. It is an honour to give back the care and guidance he has given me in this lifetime.

An article in the newspaper baffles me - a woman leaves her mother to die in her home, while she is out spending mother's money on herself. I am perplexed and dismayed. I do not understand.

I truly do not understand.

Aho, Dad.

Posted by Silence at 07:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What would the world be like if we were born old and grew young throughout our lives?

Posted by Silence at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A flurry of deaths and uncertain lifespans within the space of a few short weeks. I observe the chaos of reactions around me, and I attempt to maintain my own silence. I find myself tempted to react too. I come close to being drawn into the chaos, but retreat from it just in time. Why bother? What good will it do?

I am here do what needs to be done. I make my own decisions instead of resenting others for trying to take control. My walk is my own; I honour it and celebrate it with gentleness.

So I return to the Silence and wait. Do what is in front of me. Observe. Wait some more.

And in the Silence I find peace.

There is no reason to push the river. Everything is happening in it's own perfect timing. Look past the illusion of "right" or "wrong" timing, and honour the natural flow of things.

Aho.

Posted by Silence at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Feelings unexpressed in waking hours come to the surface in Dreamtime. What once felt like "nightmares" now are great blessings, tools in my satchel to help bring me to greater awareness in waking hours. I move forward with wisdom and mindfulness, instead of blindly scurrying to keep a step ahead of my own worst fears.

A wise woman once offered me this wisdom, "Make a friend of the horror." Instead of running, I simply turn and face my fears with integrity, shining Light into the darkest corners. Funny thing when I shine light on monsters: they're not nearly as ugly nor powerful as I thought they'd be.

“All evil is like a nightmare; the instant you stir under it, the evil is gone.”
~ Thomas Carlyle

Posted by Silence at 07:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The sudden passing of someone whom I loved very deeply and intimately. I travel to the place of his memorial to share with others his life and the graces he's given each of us in this lifetime.

Most of his life he struggled - the intense inner struggle of finding himself. Finally the last two years brought relief. He stopped searching and embraced the journey. For the first time ever, he discovered his true meaning of peace.

And then, suddenly, he left his body just a few short days ago.

We mourn for ourselves. When the grieving passes, all that is left is the Love.

Je t'aime, Raymond.

Posted by Silence at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Breathing in the warm, humid summer morning, I feel energized. Lots to do this week, and I am enjoying being mindful while I'm "doing". Not getting lost in the doing, but paying attention to it. Breathing in it, and breathing it in.

I am not what I do.

Posted by Silence at 06:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We sometimes build the illusion of walls around our hearts to protect us from pain. Funny thing about those walls - we create them to keep hurt out, but instead all they seem to do is trap hurt inside, and it eats away at us from the inside out.

I see the walls for the illusions that they are, and release them so that my body, mind and spirit may once again BE in harmony.

Posted by Silence at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)