I have just attained a new ally: her name is victory. I went to a Sokka Gakkai meeting last night, and I am floating on air. I want to write so much. I have goals for this evening. But something told me to sit back down and write. Speak of this thing I have just experienced.
I am quite the multidimensional, multidenominational browser who actuallys enjoys a variety of faiths, but I never quite slide all the way into one, claiming it fully for my own. I pick and choose what I will partake in. Some would way I was not loyal to any group...but in a way, I am loyal to all, for I honor their tools and I use them, as well as pass them along to others who may richly benefit in this endeavor. So I find matching dialogue that patterns the conversation language of the group whose person I am efforting to assist.
I largely use Hindu mantra as a form of spiritual warriorship, in order to help people push energy, but I also use Christian prayer, Huna tools, Buddhist mantra and the Native American medicine wheel, in addition to Angel healing, to help guide my and our world. So in saying this, I had already been exposed to the Buddhist path, and knew of the Sokka Gakkai movement. But when I spoke to a friend about it, an avid practitioner of 24 years, I decided to have a look at it.
This practice filled me with so much spirit and love, I had space to help my relationship heal, and so last night I put energy on the pieces in our lives that had been filling our hearts with so much heaviness. We just needed help. This group of unknown soldiers until last night anyway, filled my heart with so much love, that we sat and basically chanted for each other. Wow. To give away your problems for the sake of the group, is what this group is about, because after all, we all are interconnected. This was hugely moving to my psyche and being, to sit among this beauty of humanity.
Nam myo ho renge kyo is the title of the Lotus Sutra. I will comment more on this in future postings. But for now...
Many prayers, chants, mantras, one goal: to see the "face of God"...or, to see ourselves as we truly are. Namaste.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Being Hood, to Buddhahood.
...There honestly isn't a difference.
Being "hood," is the state of being in one's home and familiar surroundings. It can also mean where one feels they belong, where they can be their own beautiful, ugly, basic, extravagant, glorious self, without judgment, competition, or expectations. A person who's being hood is claiming to be whatever they are, and also can somehow be proud of it, regardless of how bad it truly might be to their health, or that of another's. Being hood can also include a strong love and affiliation to your homies, your comrades, people who have your back and will always be there for you no matter what. If you are hood, you can be put to the test and thrive, passing the test with flying colors. Your character and behavioral patterns could take question with some, but your loyalty and faith in your homies is flawless like a diamond.
Now, I don't see Buddhahood too much differently. Firstly, to be in a state of Buddhahood is to have experienced seeing oneself in the highest, happiest, most detached, simplest form of existence possible, the path of least resistance. This is only one way that I take Buddhahood. It also means placing yourself aside, so that you can help others attain a state of Enlightenment, whatever that means for each individual personally. You have placed faith and loyalty in the path of the Boddhissattva. This includes a deep sense of compassion for humanity, but also for your imperfect self. This state is also about uncovering your passionate, detached presence in your life and in that of others. You are always making an intense effort to be as present as possible, not allowing for many distractions. Buddhahood helps you to see yourself as you truly are, come what may, all your flaws and imperfections all perfect and shining once again, bright as a diamond.
Show me how the two are different, and I'll show you more ways in which they are in fact the same. Namaste.
Being "hood," is the state of being in one's home and familiar surroundings. It can also mean where one feels they belong, where they can be their own beautiful, ugly, basic, extravagant, glorious self, without judgment, competition, or expectations. A person who's being hood is claiming to be whatever they are, and also can somehow be proud of it, regardless of how bad it truly might be to their health, or that of another's. Being hood can also include a strong love and affiliation to your homies, your comrades, people who have your back and will always be there for you no matter what. If you are hood, you can be put to the test and thrive, passing the test with flying colors. Your character and behavioral patterns could take question with some, but your loyalty and faith in your homies is flawless like a diamond.
Now, I don't see Buddhahood too much differently. Firstly, to be in a state of Buddhahood is to have experienced seeing oneself in the highest, happiest, most detached, simplest form of existence possible, the path of least resistance. This is only one way that I take Buddhahood. It also means placing yourself aside, so that you can help others attain a state of Enlightenment, whatever that means for each individual personally. You have placed faith and loyalty in the path of the Boddhissattva. This includes a deep sense of compassion for humanity, but also for your imperfect self. This state is also about uncovering your passionate, detached presence in your life and in that of others. You are always making an intense effort to be as present as possible, not allowing for many distractions. Buddhahood helps you to see yourself as you truly are, come what may, all your flaws and imperfections all perfect and shining once again, bright as a diamond.
Show me how the two are different, and I'll show you more ways in which they are in fact the same. Namaste.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sliding into Contemplation.
Contemplation: The action of looking at something thoughtfully for a long time; deep reflective thought.
The newness of Spring hath sprung; the trees bloomed full and children played well in summer. The air turned crisp and thoughts of securing the harvest and planning for the holidays set in. A festive spirit hit our field of consciousness....and then for some, dissipates into the quiet solace and contemplation of a new season, winter. I hear the rain falling, and I know my place.
This is where I am.
It seemed to all become very clear today, as I was hustling and bustling in the kitchen, making mashed cauliflower, sweet potato fries, kale chips, brussels sprouts, flavored greek yogurts with walnuts and cinnamon, veggie soup and corn. Kai and I washed towels, cleaned the turtle tank, spruced up our balcony and vacuumed. The washing machines were full when we first walked down, so I took the opportunity to clear out my car. I even washed dishes and swept the floor. Whew!! I didn't think the day's chores would end, but Kai and I managed to create a very good flow of activity, from a late rise to a late night writing spree. One thing I knew for sure, was that I would sleep well and welcome the new day with lightness and joy.
I also know that, the more I cook and prepare now, the better my winter season of hibernation and contemplation can commence. I don't want to do these things over my break. I only want to read, research and contemplate, as the downtime between all other daily duties. However, the cleaning is my moving meditation. It focuses my mind on important things, like my next step in the wheel of changes.
I feel my soul deeply purging. It is starting to rummage for unanswered questions. Summer and Winter both bring this search out in me, this hunger for all things profound and unanswered, far reaching and mysterious, as mysterious as the night Christ was born. It is even more interesting that some very healing and grounding oils such as frankincense and myrrh were given to the Christ child, which would enhance his powers of intuition and wisdom.
Maybe this was the reason for cooking the vegetables, in order to get into a deeper state of being with the earth. Since I am embodying the epitome of health, I am living and honoring this way of life within me with regularity, knowing that the Universe senses this response and works with my flow to create greater waves of positive change, using myself as the consciousness tool, the role model. This essay of thoughts is a work in progress.
The newness of Spring hath sprung; the trees bloomed full and children played well in summer. The air turned crisp and thoughts of securing the harvest and planning for the holidays set in. A festive spirit hit our field of consciousness....and then for some, dissipates into the quiet solace and contemplation of a new season, winter. I hear the rain falling, and I know my place.
This is where I am.
It seemed to all become very clear today, as I was hustling and bustling in the kitchen, making mashed cauliflower, sweet potato fries, kale chips, brussels sprouts, flavored greek yogurts with walnuts and cinnamon, veggie soup and corn. Kai and I washed towels, cleaned the turtle tank, spruced up our balcony and vacuumed. The washing machines were full when we first walked down, so I took the opportunity to clear out my car. I even washed dishes and swept the floor. Whew!! I didn't think the day's chores would end, but Kai and I managed to create a very good flow of activity, from a late rise to a late night writing spree. One thing I knew for sure, was that I would sleep well and welcome the new day with lightness and joy.
I also know that, the more I cook and prepare now, the better my winter season of hibernation and contemplation can commence. I don't want to do these things over my break. I only want to read, research and contemplate, as the downtime between all other daily duties. However, the cleaning is my moving meditation. It focuses my mind on important things, like my next step in the wheel of changes.
I feel my soul deeply purging. It is starting to rummage for unanswered questions. Summer and Winter both bring this search out in me, this hunger for all things profound and unanswered, far reaching and mysterious, as mysterious as the night Christ was born. It is even more interesting that some very healing and grounding oils such as frankincense and myrrh were given to the Christ child, which would enhance his powers of intuition and wisdom.
Maybe this was the reason for cooking the vegetables, in order to get into a deeper state of being with the earth. Since I am embodying the epitome of health, I am living and honoring this way of life within me with regularity, knowing that the Universe senses this response and works with my flow to create greater waves of positive change, using myself as the consciousness tool, the role model. This essay of thoughts is a work in progress.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Communication at the heart of Relation
I feel as if I have just won Relationship Scrabble.
This profound breakthrough in communication seems to be the thing I needed to find my peace again as a person who prides herself on being able to keep strong communication in partnerships. The problem for me had always been one of noticing that my relationships were still failing, skipping a beat and then ending. Isn't communication supposed to improve and maintain the status of a healthy, working union? I'm going to say yes, and then proceed in the idea that more communication can only help the intimacy grow.
My partner and I had several long discussions this week and it made all the difference in the questions we held for each other, like missing puzzle pieces. I was made aware today, of how I am teaching my partner how to ask the right questions when approaching situations and feelings that the process of intuition weren't answering. That's the other thing I noticed: intuition opens the inner sight to the world surrounding, and the individual's task is to see it, not necessarily for that picture to draw a straight path leading directly to the door with the answer behind it. Sometimes the search must be pursued.
In relationship I've been seeing how the search must be pursued and the right questions asked, in order to obtain the clearest response possible. If the right question is not asked, the right answer will not be gotten. This, to me, is the simplest truth I have agreed upon. This is also keeping in mind that the answer one is seeking, is dependent upon the answer one may have subconsciously decided and previously agreed on, based on past relationship experience. The toughest part is how the heart decides to render the current information based against personal history, be it successes or pain. Since I find this information in the past, I can probably register it as some form of pain, and for me, this means one or two things: pain is either the motivator, or the inhibitor, in relationship decisions.
When I explained to my man, that his current actions incited fear in my response to him based on my past, he understood after a rather lengthy explanation of what it meant. So I showed him a map to my front door, because he had been using his intuitive processes to discover my world, but not to the point of getting a direct reason for some of the rifts being caused. Then he showed me a map to his world.
I had been wondering why I was not quite able to successfully soothe the waters over an extended period of time, but now, given this new idea of actually taking the time to draw out the map, could help a future talk become a very clear and hopeful discussion. At first it seemed like such a no-brainer...but then, I looked at how much time I sometimes spend on trying to figure things out without details. Spirituality and intuition in relationships isn't always about knowing details. Instead, I can accept that it is more about asking the right questions.
This profound breakthrough in communication seems to be the thing I needed to find my peace again as a person who prides herself on being able to keep strong communication in partnerships. The problem for me had always been one of noticing that my relationships were still failing, skipping a beat and then ending. Isn't communication supposed to improve and maintain the status of a healthy, working union? I'm going to say yes, and then proceed in the idea that more communication can only help the intimacy grow.
My partner and I had several long discussions this week and it made all the difference in the questions we held for each other, like missing puzzle pieces. I was made aware today, of how I am teaching my partner how to ask the right questions when approaching situations and feelings that the process of intuition weren't answering. That's the other thing I noticed: intuition opens the inner sight to the world surrounding, and the individual's task is to see it, not necessarily for that picture to draw a straight path leading directly to the door with the answer behind it. Sometimes the search must be pursued.
In relationship I've been seeing how the search must be pursued and the right questions asked, in order to obtain the clearest response possible. If the right question is not asked, the right answer will not be gotten. This, to me, is the simplest truth I have agreed upon. This is also keeping in mind that the answer one is seeking, is dependent upon the answer one may have subconsciously decided and previously agreed on, based on past relationship experience. The toughest part is how the heart decides to render the current information based against personal history, be it successes or pain. Since I find this information in the past, I can probably register it as some form of pain, and for me, this means one or two things: pain is either the motivator, or the inhibitor, in relationship decisions.
When I explained to my man, that his current actions incited fear in my response to him based on my past, he understood after a rather lengthy explanation of what it meant. So I showed him a map to my front door, because he had been using his intuitive processes to discover my world, but not to the point of getting a direct reason for some of the rifts being caused. Then he showed me a map to his world.
I had been wondering why I was not quite able to successfully soothe the waters over an extended period of time, but now, given this new idea of actually taking the time to draw out the map, could help a future talk become a very clear and hopeful discussion. At first it seemed like such a no-brainer...but then, I looked at how much time I sometimes spend on trying to figure things out without details. Spirituality and intuition in relationships isn't always about knowing details. Instead, I can accept that it is more about asking the right questions.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Touch It Once.
I mean to plan every day. I finally make this incredible list of to-dos, and then it fails me. Or no, wait, I fail IT. It? My to-do list? Yes. I don't get even three things done off of my list, and then it gets upsetting to see this, day after day, the feeling of failure continuing to hit, when that same to-do list has not yet been ta-done.
I read an article just recently, about how we set our perceptions to the "FAIL" dial, by affirming these negative thoughts on a fairly consistent basis. "I'm tired." "It's so hard!" "I'll never get this done!" "She's always late to everything!"
What if we made a different choice? If only for one moment in time, what type of success could we have if we focused on what was successfully being done? What if we focus on what we know we can accomplish, without question? What if we used a Huna technique called "touch it once" and moved that project out the door forever?
It would require the busy part of our brain to be quiet, so we could focus on doing that one thing well. When we are driving or sleeping, eating or typing, it is tough to try doing anything else in that moment. So why not be in the moment and just touch it once?
This requires that we choose to shorten our to-do list, and, just for today, we decide that nothing else is more important than getting those three things done, and not an entire list of items.
Now we may find that we are infinitely capable of doing more, but to focus on the three most important items on your agenda may be the answer to a lifetime of lists that never get completed. Then, instead of carrying around the negative sentiment of "I never finish completing my list," you can say something like, "Oh, that? I've already crossed three items off my list today, and I feel absolutely amazed at my progress." Just a thought.
I read an article just recently, about how we set our perceptions to the "FAIL" dial, by affirming these negative thoughts on a fairly consistent basis. "I'm tired." "It's so hard!" "I'll never get this done!" "She's always late to everything!"
What if we made a different choice? If only for one moment in time, what type of success could we have if we focused on what was successfully being done? What if we focus on what we know we can accomplish, without question? What if we used a Huna technique called "touch it once" and moved that project out the door forever?
It would require the busy part of our brain to be quiet, so we could focus on doing that one thing well. When we are driving or sleeping, eating or typing, it is tough to try doing anything else in that moment. So why not be in the moment and just touch it once?
This requires that we choose to shorten our to-do list, and, just for today, we decide that nothing else is more important than getting those three things done, and not an entire list of items.
Now we may find that we are infinitely capable of doing more, but to focus on the three most important items on your agenda may be the answer to a lifetime of lists that never get completed. Then, instead of carrying around the negative sentiment of "I never finish completing my list," you can say something like, "Oh, that? I've already crossed three items off my list today, and I feel absolutely amazed at my progress." Just a thought.
Monday, November 12, 2012
The official entry into the 40s...the real "F" Bomb.
We are all works in progress.
Having said that....
I write this post as an ode to the past and a nod to the future. I stand in today, with my head erect. I realize that I really do know who I am and I know that an age isn't a real marker of accomplishment. In the long run, it has maybe more to do with how many lives you could impact. I just think that at 40, it starts to become a real push, like half of your life might be over, and it's time to get to the business of helping people grow.
Yeah, so I did think to myself, that I had goals I wanted to hit by today. Simple goals like cleaning my house and throwing away clothes and furniture, or finishing a certification, reading a book. The even larger goal is being the business entity of Blissfully Fit. Yeah, I wanted something done by today, and I'm not completely sure I did that.
But there are a few things I did do, and I'm honestly quite grateful for all of these things. Firstly, I hugged my son and told him I love him. Secondly, I had an amazing birthday night with an incredible man. Thirdly, I have been exercising my heart out, and people frequently tell me how youthful I appear, even when I open my mouth to speak. Yes, I have decided, it's still a compliment.
So what did 40 really bring me? It brought me a series of awarenesses and subtle revelations that affirm my purpose on this planet. It helped me realize that it's not over, not even hardly, and that I still have the life and the love within me to keep pushing for higher and more important goals if I am choosing this, which I am.
40 means something special to me. It means that I've made it, without really getting any older at all, but more eternal.
Having said that....
I write this post as an ode to the past and a nod to the future. I stand in today, with my head erect. I realize that I really do know who I am and I know that an age isn't a real marker of accomplishment. In the long run, it has maybe more to do with how many lives you could impact. I just think that at 40, it starts to become a real push, like half of your life might be over, and it's time to get to the business of helping people grow.
Yeah, so I did think to myself, that I had goals I wanted to hit by today. Simple goals like cleaning my house and throwing away clothes and furniture, or finishing a certification, reading a book. The even larger goal is being the business entity of Blissfully Fit. Yeah, I wanted something done by today, and I'm not completely sure I did that.
But there are a few things I did do, and I'm honestly quite grateful for all of these things. Firstly, I hugged my son and told him I love him. Secondly, I had an amazing birthday night with an incredible man. Thirdly, I have been exercising my heart out, and people frequently tell me how youthful I appear, even when I open my mouth to speak. Yes, I have decided, it's still a compliment.
So what did 40 really bring me? It brought me a series of awarenesses and subtle revelations that affirm my purpose on this planet. It helped me realize that it's not over, not even hardly, and that I still have the life and the love within me to keep pushing for higher and more important goals if I am choosing this, which I am.
40 means something special to me. It means that I've made it, without really getting any older at all, but more eternal.
Neutralizing Negativity
Hi!
You know, it's about that time to have that talk when the holidays start coming down the pike, and I have to remind everyone that this is the time of year to do exactly this: SLOW DOWN.
Yes, that's right. I don't mean to sit down on the couch or face down on the bed without any movement. I mean, focus your mind and thoughts towards your goals and plan carefully for the spring of your winter's current stasis...so if that means that you don't feel your exercise and nutrition plans are going quite as well as you may have expected, know that it's only part of the solution to health. Your emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness means just as much.
No, I'm not talking about having to go to a church or stop being emotional or that the thoughts running through your head have to stop. I mean, this is an excellent time to pull all parts into balance. Truth is, I can't write while I'm jogging, and I can't sleep while I'm exercising. There is a time and a place for everything, and
YOU HAVE TIME TO DO IT ALL. You really do.
You just have to know that there is a plan beyond yourself and you are fulfilling it, each and every moment of the day. Now. Can you accept that? Or will you fight this truth, tooth and nail?
Another truth is that our negative self-talk begins to permeate our existence like a poison. Haha. I said, OUR. We all do it. I do it at times when I am not even aware. I have a few best friends to apologize to today, in fact....Yes, it is important to be heard and to be understood. At a certain point however, you might try working a bit harder to offset a particular response that your body tends to use, in order to protect yourself from potential harm.
The kidneys really take one for the team. The kidneys produce cortisol, a hormone that kicks up during a physiological stress event, like exercising, along with adrenaline. Both of these hormones create the fight or flight response in the chemistry. Now, I just heard a workshop given by a phenomenal doctor that made me remember why so many people seem to be responding from this stressy, angry, fearful place, a place we learned to respond to as children. And believe me, we want these fears assuaged, or at least we think we do. But everytime they are, we are being told that those fears, and that emotion, is not okay to have, so we never end up healing from it.
Instead, we carry this stress response into our adulthood and we act out fears and create these boundaries around our fears that keep us in this safe little box, that over time, shows itself as fairly unreasonable. With every negative interaction, like a putdown for example, even if it's not meant to be taken seriously, coming from yourself or others, incites the cortisol response.
Now how much more stressful do the holidays need to be?
Do yourself a favor and enjoy the moment in the day when you feel guided to sit down. When you do, take a deep breath, say a quiet affirmation, bless the affirmation with gratitude, and forgive yourself. Remember what this season is for, and remember how much I Love you.
Blessings,
Connie
You know, it's about that time to have that talk when the holidays start coming down the pike, and I have to remind everyone that this is the time of year to do exactly this: SLOW DOWN.
Yes, that's right. I don't mean to sit down on the couch or face down on the bed without any movement. I mean, focus your mind and thoughts towards your goals and plan carefully for the spring of your winter's current stasis...so if that means that you don't feel your exercise and nutrition plans are going quite as well as you may have expected, know that it's only part of the solution to health. Your emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness means just as much.
No, I'm not talking about having to go to a church or stop being emotional or that the thoughts running through your head have to stop. I mean, this is an excellent time to pull all parts into balance. Truth is, I can't write while I'm jogging, and I can't sleep while I'm exercising. There is a time and a place for everything, and
YOU HAVE TIME TO DO IT ALL. You really do.
You just have to know that there is a plan beyond yourself and you are fulfilling it, each and every moment of the day. Now. Can you accept that? Or will you fight this truth, tooth and nail?
Another truth is that our negative self-talk begins to permeate our existence like a poison. Haha. I said, OUR. We all do it. I do it at times when I am not even aware. I have a few best friends to apologize to today, in fact....Yes, it is important to be heard and to be understood. At a certain point however, you might try working a bit harder to offset a particular response that your body tends to use, in order to protect yourself from potential harm.
The kidneys really take one for the team. The kidneys produce cortisol, a hormone that kicks up during a physiological stress event, like exercising, along with adrenaline. Both of these hormones create the fight or flight response in the chemistry. Now, I just heard a workshop given by a phenomenal doctor that made me remember why so many people seem to be responding from this stressy, angry, fearful place, a place we learned to respond to as children. And believe me, we want these fears assuaged, or at least we think we do. But everytime they are, we are being told that those fears, and that emotion, is not okay to have, so we never end up healing from it.
Instead, we carry this stress response into our adulthood and we act out fears and create these boundaries around our fears that keep us in this safe little box, that over time, shows itself as fairly unreasonable. With every negative interaction, like a putdown for example, even if it's not meant to be taken seriously, coming from yourself or others, incites the cortisol response.
Now how much more stressful do the holidays need to be?
Do yourself a favor and enjoy the moment in the day when you feel guided to sit down. When you do, take a deep breath, say a quiet affirmation, bless the affirmation with gratitude, and forgive yourself. Remember what this season is for, and remember how much I Love you.
Blessings,
Connie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)