January's Calling

The days are slowly growing longer.  People are getting back to life after the holidays with great intentions for better health, deeper spiritual connection, better financial control.  I personally, have recommitted myself to Stillness, to Movement, to Surrender.

This time of year always calls me inside.  I become wildly erratic when I don't take the time to rest enough, exercise enough, drink enough water, eat enough hot oats, or drink enough strong herbal infusions.  The lack of light affects me.  The dry air affects me.  And somehow, this time of year is like a jolt that makes me look evermore deeply into the darkness and admit where I am compromising my soul.  I become ill.  It's a dance.

Sitting with eyes closed, breathing slowly with awareness, relaxing into this here...I surrender what is changing for me, what remains for me, and I surrender to the great Nothing from which all arises and returns back to.  This is my meditation.  Namaste.

Goddess of the Day

Gaia - The Earth Mother

Gaia is from the Greek Myths, the mother of all Titans.  She is the personification of the Earth, and so home, or mother of all things inhabiting this planet.  She is the plant kingdom, animal kingdom, mineral kingdom, the elements, and more.

This day, Gaia inspires us to look around and acknowledge natural world and our place in it.  We are not apart from the other sentient beings in this Earth-world.  We are, instead, irrevocably woven into the complex tapestry of Gaia.

Today, we are asked to acknowledge the interconnectedness through the whole of which we are a part.

http://gaiagoddess.com/

Nettle Oatstraw Infusion

I am sipping my nettle oatstraw infusion thinking about all of the plants that have soothed my body, mind and heart over the years.  I am considering the connections to the women (and some men) that were made through my love of plants. 

Thinking fondly about my relationships with them all, I imagine deepening these as I drink the infusion.

I wonder at how this strong brew can transport me into a better state of wellness and well-being.   It does these things subtly and powerfully with no side effects.  Just like my Grandmother's love.

Herbal Wisdom-Burdock Root

Burdock- Arctium lappa

Time to dig up the roots.  My teacher says today (meaning any day) is the best day for making medicine.  Her favorite kind of medicine is the nourishing sort.  Drinking root teas makes me feel exceedingly nourished and deeply supported!  While the spring harvest is best as food source and fall best as medicine, I will use this root whenever I can get it!

Burdock has many uses and I know people who have used every part of this plant ally medicinal healing.  Create oils and salve to heal burns or to nourish skin and nails from the outside. 

Burdock root can be used as food as well.  I happen to really enjoy it's rootsy, earthy flavor.  Though, when used in steamed root samplers and in soups one can hardly discern this great nourishing herbal ally from other root vegetables.

On it's own, it makes a thick and dirty infusion for drinking.  The tincture of this root draws forth all of the inulin in this remarkable ally for diabetics.  It is capable of cooling a body and slowing a person down and can help to soothe intense emotions like anger or jealousy.

Burdock also aids and supports the lymph system, liver and kidneys.  It is a great supporter of the digestive system as well.  I personally use it when I know I might have a hard time relaxing at night or when I am going through times when I need grounding, nurturing, and stabilizing.  Used over a long period of time is when results are best seen, however.  Either way, this immune strengthening ally is highly recommended here.

www.susunweed.com Susun Weed has been my teacher for 10 years.  In all that I have learned, I honor her.

Meditation Musing: Noticing the Stillness

Whatever the medium is that draws you inward and to the Stillness, let it not be more important than the goal.  Stillness can be recognized at the beginning of your practice session, even before you pay attention to your breathing, think your mantra, or whatever else you may do.

If there is effort involved in noticing the Stillness here, use your technique, but curiously consider how much Stillness you notice.  Even when there are thoughts the Stillness remains and can be noticed.  Even when techniques are being used Stillness may emerge.

It is in the paying attention of it that the magic happens.  Noticing the Stillness is not meant to be a struggle or a mission.  It will likely give you a headache to treat this tip as such.  Instead, innocently watch and wonder about the quality and degree of Stillness that is present more often during your practice.  Enjoy!
 Artwork by Jing Jing Tsong.  Used with the permission of Jing Jing.  See more of her art:  www.jingandmike.com

Goddess of the Day

Inanna - Goddess of Holy Work

Inanna is specifically associated with sexual love and fertility.  She was the energy which inspired priestesses to initiate men in the holy work of sacred sexuality.   Making sex a place of purity, spiritual union, and powerful positive transformation would change the way we treat our bodies and the rest of the world.  A resurgence of these priestesses (and priests) is what may be called for now!

Inanna beckons us to become a Hierodule of Heaven, or a "servant of the holy."  She asks us to bring greater attention to the subtler aspects of each action we take, thoughts we think, and words we speak.  To become more fully present is the greatest way we can do holy work.  Whatever it is that we are participating in, holiness happens when we consider ourselves a servant to the Divine. 

Inanna asks us to become the priests and priestesses of our lives.  She asks us to foster mindfulness and deep listening.  We bring our attention to not only our love-making, but washing the dish, writing the report, eating our meal, walking down the sidewalk. Each moment is an opportunity to ask ourselves, "as a priest(ess) of the holy work that is my life, what would the Divine have me do now?"

Beltane is swiftly upon us.  Inanna celebrates unity with her husband Dumuzi.  We celebrate what is fertile in our lives.  We honor the powerful message of Inanna's invitation.  We agree to be the priestess, the priest.

Now I implore you to light a fire, lay naked with your lover (or alone if you prefer) and become a servant of the holy this night.  Namaste.

(inspired by Feminine Mysteries in the Bible, by Ruth Rusca)

Following the Joy

Practical application of our spiritual practice can include watching for what brings us deep joy.   That joy may lead to cartwheels on the grass, or it may just allow us to be very present in a conversation with people that we meet.

Suffering seems to be a natural and mandatory part of our lives.  It seems that spiritual practice must involve some degree of suffering to prove that we are achieving progress.  While fear may arise,  it can be witnessed objectively.  Suffering is the other option.

Shifting the awareness to seek out what innocently brings us joy can take our attention away from the choke-hold of fear.  Following the things that fill us with joy is a way to practically apply our spiritual practice.  When we do, we may find that challenges arise, but instead of suffering, we will know the freedom of choice.