Calm in a busy world
“This food is the gift of the whole universe,
The Earth the sky and much hard work.
May we eat in mindfulness so as to be worthy to receive it.
May we learn to eat with moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness. Continue reading “Meal Blessings”
Happy Autumn from Peace Mountain Yoga!
Provincetown MA
One day I was at the beach. From my chair, I watched the tide as it ebbed. The sea gulls were all on the sand bars – as if they were having a family meeting or taking in some R and R, all happily clustered together. Some were cawing, some laughing, the little ones purring. Soon the sand bar started to shrink as the tide was coming in.
“Even a wounded world is feeding us.
Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy.
I choose joy over despair.
Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy
Is what the earth gives me daily
and I must return the gift ~ Robin Wall Kimmerer
What is Joy? Joy is traditionally defined as a state of great delight or happiness. Searching further, we find that joy refers more to an inner feeling, and happiness is more of an outer expression. We choose joy. Joy transcends. Happiness reacts. We find joy in spite of uncertainty. Joy endures hardships and connects with meaning and purpose. Joy is a constant, internal state on a spiritual level. Happiness is an external temporary emotion. “Joy is in the heart. Happiness is in the face.”~ from compassion international. Continue reading “Joy of Uncertainty: Embracing the Mess”
The symbolic meaning of flowers has been accepted for centuries throughout the world and in literature as well. In the Victorian era, flowers were used to send messages that could not be spoken aloud. A “yes” answer came in the form of a flower handed over with the right hand and if the left hand was used the answer was “no”. If a flower was given upside down, the ideas being sent was the opposite of what was traditionally meant. Flowers depicted emotions such as love, strength, disdain, courage, pride, loss, joy, and sorrow to name just a few. Continue reading “The Spiritual Meaning of Flowers: A Garden Meditation”
We are all facing a global situation of fear and sadness. The War in Ukraine and the lingering pandemic can cause us to feel alone and powerless. Yet each of us can foster change in the world. We all possess an inner light of love and healing. There are many ways to cultivate this light and share it with others. It takes hard work, attention, courage, deep faith, grattitite, and the realization that we are all connected. 
To heal Mother Earth, (Gaia) we must first manifest the changes needed within ourselves as the following paper will explain. I hope the wise words and practices will cultivate a feeling of inner hope, love and, peace for you and our planet. The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken.
~Frederick Lenz
On Tuesday, Dec. 21st, 2021, once again the sun will travel its shortest path through the sky, giving us the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Winter begins. Holiday lights shimmer and glow, reminding us that we are once again celebrating our inner light as well as the light of Nature. The vibratory energy of the seasons allows us to reflect and go within to rediscover our own inner radiance and release any inner darkness that no longer serves us.
Pandemic living may make this more difficult. However, there are ways to amplify our own vibrations so that we may deeply align with the positive energy of the changing season and the changing times. Then we may share the radiance with others. This may be the year to keep it simple and self-reflect as you engage in self care.
I would like to share a few suggestions that have inspired me this season. Continue reading “The Winter Solstice ~ 2021”
Dear Friends and Family,
I would like to share a verse from this “amazing” poem by Maya Angelou. The light and love in these words serves us all well in these challenging times.
Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem
We clap our hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you, to stay a while with us.
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.
May you find your joy, wonder, peace, and love this holiday season and throughout the New Year.
All blessings,
Franny and Andy
Felices Fiestas
Chag sameach
Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers ~ Kahlil Gibran
Plum Village is a global community of mindfulness practice centres offering retreats and teachings on engaged Buddhism and the art of mindful living, founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. We share these contemplations with you, on this day before Thanksgiving:
This food is a gift of the earth, the sky, numerous living beings, and much hard and loving work.
May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude so as to be worthy to receive this food.
May we recognise and transform unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed and learn to eat with moderation
May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.
We accept this food so that we may nurture our brotherhood and sisterhood, build our Sangha, and realise our ideal of serving all living beings.
Autumn is my favorite color.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower” ~Albert Camus
Nature is once again awash in the colors of autumn. I watched the sun peep out of the clouds after yesterday’s storm. It was shining magic light on the orange, scarlet, gold and plum tree branches. The hills glowed magenta at dusk.
The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus. said,”The only constant is change”. Continue reading “Yoga for Fall, the Pandemic, and Letting Go”