Beauty is an Ecstasy

And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy.
It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth,
But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted.
It is not the image you would see nor the song you would hear,
But rather an image you see though you close your eyes and a song you hear though you shut your ears.
It is not the sap within the furrowed bark, nor a wing attached to a claw,
But rather a garden forever in bloom and a flock of angels for ever in flight.
People of Orphalese, beauty is life when life unveils her holy face.
But you are life and you are the veil.
Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.
But you are eternity and you are the mirror.

Khalil Gibran

Instant Jungle

"Lucky Bamboo"
I discovered a bamboo nursery in Cotati this afternoon called Instant Jungle International. The peace of the place, the breath of the place, with bamboo trunks soaring into the sky, locked in an embrace with the breezes. And then Gary steps out from behind a row of bamboo and he is bamboo, spirit of bamboo in him, peaceful, still. Lucky bamboo. www.InstantJungleNorCal.com

Loving Yourself

From Donna Gershman, ALSP
(Licensed Spiritual Practitioner and Healer through the Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, California)

Today, you can begin to get yourself out of the “prison” of your own making, by letting go of judgment for yourself. Start by telling yourself that today is a new day, the past is the past, and it’s okay to love yourself right now, just as you are.

Be willing to forgive yourself for not always being your best, or for carrying thoughts about yourself that were ultimately self destructive.


The fact is, the minute you decide you are worthy of loving yourself, will be the same minute you will align yourself with Universal Love, the greatest healing power available. You will have just opened up the gateway for your healing, (the same gateway that you erroneously closed, by withholding love from yourself through negative self judgment).

The practice of self forgiveness is an essential part to healing any physical condition. Thankfully, you don't have to know how to do it, your simple willingness to, is all you need

Eddie Watkins Jr.

He was at the Center for Spiritual Living this morning. Hallelujah!!

International Day of Climate Action

Today, October 24th, was an International Day of Climate Action. I have added their link onto the side bar and there are so many International photos of people in every conceivable activity creating a sign "350". These photos are awesome. So, my personal action is to post their web site and garden more. Can you think of one more thing you could do to help reduce our carbon footprint? Go to the web site for more information and for a great connection to the global community.

I Send My Love to You Today

Every one of us
is called upon, probably many
times, to start a new life.
A frightening diagnosis,a
marriage, a move, loss of a job...
And onward full tilt we go,
pitched and wrecked and absurdly
resolute, driven in spite of
everything to make good on a
new shore. To be hopeful, to
embrace one possibility after
another--that is surely the basic
instinct...Crying out: High Tide!
Time to move out into the
glorious debris. Time to take
this life for what it is.
Barbara Kingsolver
From "High Tide In Tucson"

This poem reminds me that I have recently lost my job with health benefits and a regular paycheck, that I have moved out of my home of 25 years to reduce my expenses, and that I am finding my way through the midlife shift of role changes from mother to independent woman. This peom reminds me to be so easy with myself. My mantra this morning was, "I love you, Sanna" as I cupped my face. Let my post be a reminder to cup your face in your loving hands and tell that within you how much you love her/him. Sometimes it's all we have as we again face the "glorious debris" and rise again sustained by something deeper. I send my love to you today.
Go here for a very creative video: (the embedding feature was disabled, so you have to go there to see it! hugz...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvkxle5M2E4

Luther Burbank's Digs

I had a couple of hours to explore while my car was having a new fuel pump put in this morning, so I walked through Julliard Park and watched a group learn Tai Chi. They wouldn't let me join them without paying $10. I'm wondering about our society--I don't think anyone is charged to do Tai Chi in the park in China. After enjoying the park, I crossed the street and entered a little piece of heaven that was Luther Burbank's Home back in 1914 or so. His rose garden is in bloom, the scents...ahhh, the friendly folks chatting all about plants and gardening, and then there was this beautiful lady of a copper beech tree.
"It is well for people who think to change their minds occasionally in order to keep them clean. For those who do not think, it is best at least to rearrange their prejudices once in a while."
Luther Burbank
Did you know that Luther hung out with Henry and Thomas (Ford & Edison)? they were best friends, right here in Sonoma County. Wow...

Rich or Poor?

I read a sweet story recently about a widow raising 5 children. Their shoes had holes on the bottom, their dresses were worn and tattered. Their church announced that there was a poor family among their congregation that needed help and that a special collection was happening that day to provide money for that family. This widow and her children were very excited to be able to help someone and scrimped and saved their pennies, worked more odd jobs,turned off the lights earlier in the evening and managed to save quite a bit for the mysterious family. When the collection was gathered it was delivered to this widow and her children. The children in this family were shocked to learn that they were poor. It had never been their experience. They loved sharing the same knife at dinner. The freedom and comraderie that came with sharing with each other created a sense of being very rich in their minds. The mood created by this donation from the church was down right depressing. So, the family, through another announcement at the church, gave their money to a fund drive for Africa and their joy returned. Wealth is in the mind of the beholder.

Bride & Groom

August 1st my son wed his beautiful bride. A precious day, a precious moment. May blessings abide in their life together.

On Marriage From Kahil Gibran:

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.


Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

Shelby Spong's "Good Indignation"!!

A Manifesto! The Time Has Come!
by Shelby Spong

This is what I might consider to be "Good Indignation"!!
Go Here:
New Thought Theology
Bishop Spong's Manifesto
http://revdavida.blogspot.com/2009/10/bishop-spongs-manifesto.html

A Good Indignation

The previous post of yesterday's quotes seems to have lodged itself in my brain. (See yesterday's entry.) "Good Indignation?" What does this look like? In order to initiate some movement in regards to this embedded post of yesterday, what if I were to try on some "good indignation" and see what powers come of it? I indignantly claim my good, my financial windfall, all of the gifts, acceptance, and success in my creative projects, and I indignantly take back my power from the sisters of my childhood who broke my doll, smashed my guitar, and sulked with their own indignant jealousy and resentment leaving me trapped in powerlessness and lack. I, with "good indignation", proclaim that no one is in my way of my good!! How's that? Does this match the "Good Indignation" that Emerson talks about? I feel stirrings within of a new felt freedom, an excitement that something is being born within me that I have longed for...What are your thoughts on this "good indignation" concept. Is there such a thing? If you try it on how does it fit for you? I would love your feedback on this.

Photo of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mr. Emerson was influential in the creation of the New Thought Movement at the turn of the century. Here are but a few of his quotes:
"A good indignation brings out all one's powers."
"A man is a method, a progressive arrangement; a selecting principle, gathering his like to him; wherever he goes."
"A man is what he thinks about all day long."
"Always do what you are afraid to do."
"Do the thing we fear, and death of fear is certain."

Sunday Afternoon At Spring Lake

Attainment

ATTAINMENT
Use all your hidden forces. Do not miss
The purpose of this life, and do not wait
For circumstance to mould or change your fate.
In your own self lies Destiny. Let this
Vast truth cast out all fear, all prejudice,
All hesitation. Know that you are great,
Great with divinity. So dominate
Environment, and enter into bliss.
Love largely and hate nothing. Hold no aim
That does not chord with universal good.
Hear what the voices of the silence say,
All joys are yours if you put forth your claim.
Once let the spirit's laws be understood,
Material things must answer and obey.
The Papyrus 6,3 (April 1906): 32.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Another Love Poem

DEATHLESS
There lies in the center of each man's heart
A longing and love for the good and pure,
And if but an atom, or larger part,
I tell you this shall endure--endure
After the body has gone to decay--
Yea, after the world has passed away.
The longer I live and the more I see
Of the struggle of souls toward the heights above,
The stronger this truth comes home to me,
That the Universe rests on the shoulders of Love--
A love so limitless, deep, and broad,
That men have renamed it and called it God.
And nothing that ever was born or evolved,
Nothing created by light or force,
But deep in its system there lies dissolved
A shining drop from the great Love Source--
A shining drop that shall live for aye,
Tho' kingdoms may perish and stars may die.

Daughters of America. 5:2 (February, 1891).

Samhain or Halloween

Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, for the Celts divided the year into two seasons: the light and the dark, at Beltane on May 1st and Samhain on November 1st. Some believe that Samhain was the more important festival, marking the beginning of a whole new cycle, just as the Celtic day began at night. For it was understood that in dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed below the ground. Whereas Beltane welcomes in the summer with joyous celebrations at dawn, the most magically potent time of this festival is November Eve, the night of October 31st, known today of course, as Halloween.

In the country year, Samhain marked the first day of winter, when the herders led the cattle and sheep down from their summer hillside pastures to the shelter of stable and byre. The hay that would feed them during the winter must be stored in sturdy thatched ricks, tied down securely against storms. Those destined for the table were slaughtered, after being ritually devoted to the gods in pagan times. All the harvest must be gathered in -- barley, oats, wheat, turnips, and apples -- for come November, the faeries would blast every growing plant with their breath, blighting any nuts and berries remaining on the hedgerows. Peat and wood for winter fires were stacked high by the hearth. It was a joyous time of family reunion, when all members of the household worked together baking, salting meat, and making preserves for the winter feasts to come. The endless horizons of summer gave way to a warm, dim and often smoky room; the symphony of summer sounds was replaced by a counterpoint of voices, young and old, human and animal.

The Trick of Gravity

From the 2os to the 50s sounds like a journey from youth to old age in terms of years, doesn’t it? Yet, at 57 I feel as young as I did at 29. I look in the mirror and I often do not know who that is looking back at me. I recognize the eyes, the smile, but the overall look isn’t reflecting the inner youth, the eternal Sanna that I hang with everyday. I recently spent an evening with a group of 20 somethings and I noticed something. These young adults were able to leap to the floor, squat and sit Indian style in one breath. Wow! I need at least 3 minutes to even reach the floor and forget squatting!! Yet, I am not old by any means. Gravilty is having its way with us all, and as this flesh and bone yields closer to the earth and to the power of it in form, the Spirit seems to soar in the opposite direction. I am becoming younger not unlike Benjamin Button in that movie. I can’t remember if, at birth, I pondered how wise and ancient I felt, and yet my body was so young and brand new.

Spirit Mask Making with Young Adults

Love Is The Law

THE LAW
The tide of love swells in me with such force,
It sweeps away all hate and all distrust.
As eddying straws and particles of dust
Are lost by some swift river in its course.
So much I love my friends, my life, my art,
Each shadow flies; the light dispels the gloom
Love is so fair, I find I have no room
For anything less worthy in my heart.
Love is a germ which we can cultivate--
To grace and perfume sweeter than the rose,
Or leave neglected while our heart soil grows
Rank with that vile and poison thistle, hate.
Love is a joyous thrush, that one can teach
To sing sweet lute-like songs which all may hear.
Or we can silence him and tune the ear
To caw of crows, or to the vulture's screech.
Love is a feast; and if the guests divide
With all who pass, though thousands swell the van,
There shall be food and drink for every man;
The loaves and fishes will be multiplied.
Love is the guide. I look to heights above
So beautiful, so very far away;
Yet I shall tread their sunlit peaks some day,
Since close in mine I hold the hand of love.
Love is the law. But yield to its control
And thou shalt find all things work for the best,
And in the calm, still heaven of thy breast,
That God, Himself, sits talking with thy soul.
Yesterdays. By Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
London: Gay & Hancock, 1916.

The Russian River

I went to the banks of the Russian River today and dipped my toes into the river sand bottom. I waded through the clear meandering water and breathed in the river, the moist, woodsy willow smell of the peaceful river. The dancing alder tree leaves, yellow and brown, cast a canopy of autumn beauty high above me. Water skeeters skimmed over the surface as I gazed into memories of half naked children squealing with delight as they swung from a vine, splashing into summer fun just a few years past. I knew not then what I would have to let go of today. I lowered my hands into the coolness of the river, "Wash me," I prayed, "Wash me clean of this nostalgia, this sorrow that comes to every mother who once held little angels in their arms, who were once smothered in child love and now stand fulfilled of their commitments, turning to follow the fork in the autumn path."

I Will Fight No More Peter Kater

Begin the Day

BEGIN THE DAY
Begin each morning with a talk to God,
And ask for your divine inheritance
Of usefulness, contentment and success.
Resign all fear, all doubt, and all despair.
The stars doubt not, and they are undismayed,
Though whirled through space for countless centuries,
And told not why or wherefore: and the sea
With everlasting ebb and flow obeys,
And leaves the purpose with the unseen Cause.
The star sheds radiance on a million worlds,
The sea is prodigal with waves, and yet
No luster from the star is lost, and not
One drop is missing from the ocean tides.
Oh, brother to the star and sea, know all
God's opulence is held in trust for those
Who wait serenely and who work in faith.
Poems of Power by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Chicago : W. B. Conkey, 1902.

A Second Bill of Rights

A second Economic Bill of Rights was the brain child of FDR who died before he could work to bring this into reality for Americans. In Michael Moore's new movie "Capitalism: A Love Story", he reveals that Japan, Italy, and Germany all have this second bill of rights as part of their rebuilt governments after WWII. I believe our government, or those from the US, helped create this bill of rights for these countries in their reconstruction. Something to ponder. Moore's new movie has very interesting facts and history, as well as his entertaining and comic relief theatrics. I can tell he cares very deeply about our country. Go see it!

"Second Bill of Rights"
Every citizen has the right to:
A job with a living wage
Freedom from unfair competition and monopolies
A home
Medical care
Education
Recreation

The Holder

My body is like a container, holding the world inside. It takes such great strength and courage to hold the world, not unlike the famous Atlas. Living is holding the balance between holding and releasing, taking It in and expressing It back out again. Aches and pains arise in those tender places of too-long-holding. In this image is a fetus, and the birth is to take place up through the opening at the mouth area. I created Her during an Inner Journey through Art Therapy. She is an actual outline of my own form.

Hip Hop

I took a hip hop class today from my son (pictured above in one of his videos). He is giving back to his community by giving a free dance class on the first Sunday of every month. Today was the first session and the room was full, and everyone had a big grin on their face! I must have been quite a site--a 57 year old Mom groovin' it. I was actually dong the "snake" and the "body roll". But hey, I'm tellin' ya, live Now, have fun, be young and you will feel young. I am practicing more and more the gutsy act of doing whatever I want, when I want, and I pay no mind to any insecurities about what I might look like (well, maybe a little--but not much!!), or what others think. It's simply too late for that. There is no more time to waste on going down that detour. Surrender yourself to the Now, as Thich Nhat Hahn says.

Ah Ha Tai Chi!!

I was inspired to learn Tai Chi and set an intention to attend a class at 6:30am. I made it to one session. That same evening I was wide-eyed and bushy tailed well into the night--energized and alert from my first Tai Chi session. When I awoke the next morning the chronic discomfort in my lower back was completely gone. I walked around all day a new person. So, I decided I had to find a way to learn Tai Chi. Lo and behold the same instructor, a Shifu Justin Eggert, teaches classes at "Li's Tai Chi & Kung Fu Academy" in Santa Rosa at a more accessible hour. I emailed my daughter and she took classes at this academy a few years ago, my son took two classes from Justin, AND my daughter-in-law went to school with him. A small world does not describe the synchronicity of this situation. So, I attended my second session of Tai Chi this morning, experienced a light trance state at the end, and was so emotionally moved by the beauty of this art I almost wept. You see, in Tai Chi, what I am observing is how one can move their body with such an awareness, consciousness, and Oneness, that one's movements become in sync with, what I will call here, the Universal Field. (Chi, God Stuff) I move my hand and there is an interaction, relationship, with the God stuff around me, I move my body and this God stuff flows more freely through my body and body systems, opening flow within to the flow without,(a Yin/Yang dance), healing every cell, tissue, and thought. You gotta try this!!! It can't be just me...Check out the research on this stuff. Want a miracle?

Color, Color, Color

I sat in on a lecture today about the biology of aesthetics, by Stephen Palmer from UC Berkeley. Sooooo scientific--my brain hurt. I realized how intuitively focused I have become. Anyway, one conclusion made was that color preferences seem to be survival based in that they lead us to healthy food, and healthy behaviors. Collectively we prefer the color blue, as opposed to poopy brown, or snotty-food rotting yellowish green. Bees and hummingbirds came to mind as I recall they find their flowers, source of food, by color--just like us! There were gender differences as well. Females prefer muted colors, thus men tend to wear muted colors to attract the female. Men prefer saturated, or vivd colors and women tend to wear bright colors to attract males. I unwittingly wore a tie dye blousy thing to the lecture and was pleased to learn that sophisticated people tend to wear and prefer variety of saturated and bright colors. Well, who knew....What color is cyan? (blue-green in contrast to green-blue) What's your favorite color? (besides blue...)

From an Ex-Marine

"A Soldiers Rock"

This moving verse was created during one of my classes this week and I have permission to share it. This person is in a Day Services for Adults program, elderly. I am always surprised to discover the stories of these folks when I take the time to tune in and really see them. We have an adult who was injured in a hurricane and is now confined to a wheel chair, can barely speak, and yet she is so cheerful, and full of life. I didn't know until today that she has two children and four grandchildren. First impressions do not yield the richness of a life behind the scenes of flesh, and nerve responses.

In Loving Memory
To Lillian

Alone, today, I wander through
discarded memories of my life
And step around decaying thoughts
And perished dreams of long ago;
And now I know.

There was a time when tides were high
The sea of love reached up to me,
It rose, it swelled, it surged, but I was safe
Above the force of love.
And now I know.

A barren rock of loneliness,
I proudly stood above the sea;
The gift of love receded when the tides of life
Were gone from me
And now I know.

Lorin

My Elephant

Here is my little guy I needle felted. These two are now friends on one of my altars.

Enjoy the Angels

Herald Angels

Herald angels of Jesus' birth and resurrection were certainly supernatural. Their main task is to tell a truth which communicates God's will to some person(s), leaving the results to the people who hear it and the Holy Spirit at work among them.