Tag: connection

The Inherent Blessing.

I thought today about a young woman I once knew. In college, she was my mentor – someone who knew the grace in our connection to all living beings. An ‘old soul’, as my mother would say – meaning, she held a warmth of light now centuries old.

Those in her presence felt an instant gratification, as if their emptiness of heart were suddenly made whole.

It reminded me of our responsibility to others, the mystery of these unspoken encouragements – a softened smile inviting the traveler’s tale.

We are not only what we do, but think – the manner in which we hold our own spirit an indicator of how deeply we may touch another. When we are able to take care of our own life, as Osho once shared, we begin to see the celebration taking place in the existence before us.

It is the alchemy between mind and spirit, our silent truth and inherent blessing.

In peace…

Namaste ❣️

In This, We Are Connected.

There’s a beautiful teaching relayed in the pages of the Talmud; one which softly underpins the necessity of our connection.

“How do we know that dawn has arrived?” a Rabbi once asked of his students. After a long silence, one of the students finally replied, “When you can tell a sheep from a wolf?”

The Rabbi shook his head no.

“When you can see a blue thread upon a mottled green cloth?” another asked.

Again, the Rabbi shook his head no. After some discussion, the students finally conceded their loss. “Tell us, Rabbi – how do we know that dawn has arrived?”

The Rabbi replied: “When you can see yourself reflected in the eyes of another, and realize that that we belong to one another – *that* is how we know that the dawn has arrived.”

There’s a dawn that extends beyond the first light; one which unifies and empowers. It is the dawning of our love, and the blessing of our birthright. Within which, we find the spaciousness to become ‘whole’. And through which we discover the freedom of these ‘bindings’.

Though sadly, we tend to suffer the malady of our distinction; a barrier born of ego’s plight.

When in reality, are we not all manifestations of the same endless light?

A little something to consider, my friends…

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

An Effort of Heart is Never Wasted.

I was sitting in the sun, waiting for my daughter, when a young squirrel scurried up next to me. I’ve been feeding them over the past several months – almonds, peanuts and bits of dried fruit.

He was curious, certainly – though the fear that normally predicated our encounters had dissipated. In its place, a sense of gratitude and oneness.

Mind you, it took several months of painstaking care to arrive at this moment. Every morning I’d grab a handful of nuts, leaving them in small piles against the fence – tucked away, using the junipers as ‘cover’.

Normally, they wait until I’ve pulled away to begin their scampered rush. Though today was somewhat differed, a sweet young soul ‘bowing’ before me with the warmth of appreciation in his eyes.

“I appreciate you”…these are the words we often say, though how often do we follow through? To take the time to nurture connection, even when our efforts may seem uncelebrated.

But for these moments right here and now…when the grey squirrel pauses to offer its thanks. Only then do we ever truly know, that an effort of heart is never wasted.

In peace, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❤️

When Pathmaker and Pathfinder Become as One.

I remember as a child placing my hand upon a snow encrusted elm.

An unexpected winter storm had ravaged the area leaving the surrounding trails largely unreachable. Save for one, where the downed tree had graciously offered its service.

I saw her first from a distance, her shattered limbs marking a faint outline of the path’s ‘former self.’ And, hinting at the dangers yet to come.

I should have felt fear, but as the howling winds whipped across my half-frozen cheeks I could think of only one thing…

My appreciation for that which is not often seen, and moment which are often missed.

As I lay my hand across the roughened bark, I felt an undeniable connection. For a fleeting moment, I lost all sense of ‘self’.

That’s how it begins, you know – our growing awareness of our unity and connection. Reminding us that sometimes we are both path-finder and path-maker all at once.

This is the way nature’s lesson unfolds.

In peace…

Namaste ❤

A Destiny of Faith.

When I was a little girl, I remember asking – “What makes the world go round?”

“Faith…” my teacher answered.

Styrofoam models of intergalactic systems filled the gymnasium floor as onlookers marveled at the display. Though, we’d been reviewing a lesson on the planetary movements around the sun – I was still struggling to understand its motivation.

“But, why…” I asked again. Just as any other 6-year-old, I wasn’t content with her scientific ramblings. I didn’t want to know about the effects of gravitational pull; I wanted to know why.

What caused the earth to favor the sun; why did the moon choose this path?

“Faith…” she smiled again. “Faith is what brings everything together.”

Maybe it isn’t possible to have all the answers? Maybe faith is God’s way of leveraging our assurance?

Or, even more simply yet…

Perhaps, faith is the means by which all are connected?

A little something to consider my loves…

In peace…

Namaste ❤

A Happiness Born Through Connection.

“The problem with this world,” Mother Teresa once shared, “is that we draw our family circle too small.”

And, she was right.

For at the end of each day, do we not ‘draw our blinds’? Blocking the needs of the many to preserve the sanctity of one?

Yet, throughout this world the voices still cry. Entire communities are being lost to the devastations of poverty, disease and global war. And, children find their sleep without the promise of tomorrow.

The Buddha taught that we must turn towards the sorrow in order to fully understand it. Likewise, that our own faith might be encouraged in helping another find theirs.

Only then may we finally begin to understand: true happiness can not exist in isolation. Rather, true happiness is born through our connection.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤

How Do We Know That We Are Loved?

How do we know that we are loved, my darlings?

Is it not realized within this fullness of breath? As we begin to understand and know the true blessing of a resilience born inside the frailty of our own human existence?

And, as our feet touch the softness of this earth, do we not feel it within each and every step?

So often we feel alone, my loves. We question our connection to all those around us, and the value we lend in return. We become preoccupied and distracted by the formalities of day, losing ourselves in a schedule-driven pacing. In doing so, we fail to appreciate our intrinsic connection to the wonders of life which enrich us.

Simply said, we forget what it means to be alive.

I think love is life, my darlings; the means by which we may begin to widen the aperture by which humanity perceives itself.

We can begin to heal the wounds of this world.

“We have the Earth and the whole cosmos within us.” shares Thich Nhat Hanh. “We are made of the sun. We are made of stars. Touching the true nature of reality, we can transcend the dualistic view that the cosmos is something greater than ourselves or different from ourselves.”

Oh, my darlings, can’t you see…?

You don’t have to feel love; you ARE love.

Namaste ❤️

This Question of Soul.

“Is the soul solid, like iron?” reflects poet, Mary Oliver. “Or, is it tender and breakable like the wings of a moth in the beak of an owl?”

Can it carry Hope upon a hummingbird’s wings?

My darlings, though often we may mistake as our Achilles heel – trust, that Soul is what keeps things ‘real.’ A silvered thread to “this moment now.”

Soul is what brings life to a weathered leaf; and peace to the simplicity of these scattered morning rays.

It captivates, enriches, and glorifies – making magic of ‘weeping’ willows.

And, cradling this gift of life within two humbled hands.

Soul is that which gathers us ‘here’, my loves – a simple faith restored through breath.

Namaste, my loves ~ and on this day, may we find courage enough to honor this light within us all.

❤️

A Little Something of Our Sameness.

“This is the subtle truth; whatever you love, you are.” – Rumi

My darlings, this morning I wanted to share one of my favorite passages from poet, Jalāl ad-Dīn Rumi. One which speaks to the depth of our interconnectedness; and whose threads form the very fabric of humanity.

“Whatever you love, you are…”

My goodness, what a brilliantly compelling truth. That I, in looking to the eyes of another, see myself in that ‘reflection’ before me.

In their stillness, I find my own sense of calm. And, in their suffering, I find compassion growing. It’s all right there, all at once – every inkling, every stirring – intended to reinforce these threads of connection, and show us just what it means to be human.

It’s this ‘oneness’ which connects us all, my loves. A boundless peace manifested through our journey.

And, when we’re able to break free of these barriers to love – only then, can we finally step into the wholeness of our being.

“Whatever you love, you are…”

My darlings, in this way – you and I are one in the same.

Namaste <3

To Hold the Energy of Happiness in Our Hands.

When I was a little girl, my mother gave me the most poignant advice.

“Follow your heart,” she smiled. “because, no matter where you’ll end up, the energy of happiness will always be in hand.”

It seems simple enough, now doesn’t it? Though, just as the heart may help us to find our way through – likewise, it can cloud even the most purposeful of vision.

But, the heart always knows what the mind fails to see. It recognizes the inherent loving-kindness and unconditional joy that often evades the sophisticated logic of our thinking brain.

So, what does it mean to live from one’s heart?

Imagine a moment in which all aspects of judgement were replaced by an unconditional acceptance – and, grounded in the ease and joy of connection. This is the energy we should be striving for each day.

“Our heart knows what our mind has forgotten,” writes Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee “it knows the sacred that is within all that exists, and through a depth of feeling we can once again experience this connection, this belonging.”

My darlings, it is this inexplicable sense of belonging, which serves as our beacon. It is the heart’s one true way of carrying us ‘home.’

To follow one’s heart is to honor this sacred connection; to invite possibility even where fear cautions us otherwise.

But, more so, to have faith in this one simple heart – knowing that it exists just for you.