Calm in a busy world
December 21, 2025 will mark the start of the astronomical Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year, after which daylight hours gradually lengthen. This returning of light is a symbol of birth and renewal for many cultures over the centuries ( see my previous blog entries for details.) It is a time of deep stillness, introspection, and the triumph of light over darkness. Continue reading “The Winter Solstice, Festival of Lights, and Yoga”
“ The Winter Solstice is a time of ending and beginning, a powerful time – a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken.”` ~Frederick Lenz
The Winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is when the Earth’s pole reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. It is the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year when the sun is at its lowest maximum elevation in the sky. (wikipedia) Continue reading “Winter Solstice Blessing 2024”
“ In the Spring at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
~Margaret Atwood
The Winter Solstice is on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 4:48 PM. This is the time when the Earth’s tilt away from the Sun is at its maximum and the Sun’s maximum elevation in the sky is at its lowest. In our Northern Hemisphere this marks the shortest day and the longest night.
From ancient times to the present, the winter solstice is celebrated in cultures world wide. Besides Stonehenge in the U.K., here are a few examples.
Alban Arthan is Welsh for “light of winter”. In Druidic tradition it is thought of as a time of death and rebirth when nature’s powers and our own souls are renewed.
The Feast of Juul– This is a festival observed in Scandinavia when fires are lit to symbolize the heat, light, and life given properties of the returning sun.
Dongzhi Winter Solstice Festival – The ancient Chinese believed that the yang or the positive energy will become stronger and stronger after this day, and so families would get together to celebrate. Continue reading “WINTER SOLSTICE: 2022 (Alban Arthan)”
“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”
“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 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.