In Thanksgiving 2016


Bring the two wings of seeing what's going on and holding it with kindness in the light of awareness together
Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Ginger - and figs!
Deepen the look at how we wake up from trance
Each of us has been imbued with an Internal Teacher, a guide who's been authorized by God to pave the path home for us when we're lost in the pain of worldly illusion" (48). ~ Marianne Williamson's Tears to Triumph: The Spiritual Journey from Suffering to Enlightenment 
"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul." ~ Judy Garland
Great idea from Tara Talk: "Attend and befriend. See truly and hold kindly."
Hold in kindness these "Two Wings" that are Happening

Judgement distorts the scene and you see only the old associations that lead you to the same false conclusions
This flurry of snow thoughts
inside my mind-globe is continuous
no room for sunlight, warmth, peace.
I’m stuck inside a pattern I can’t control
unless I see the woman trapped inside
and the one holding the globe--
the choice to shake it up again
or cradle the scene in her hands,
till all the cold flakes have settled
and quiet serenity abounds.

Line going through big circle of awareness - metaphor - Joseph Campbell - part of Tara Brach's talk
"...My hair is being pulled by the stars again." ~  Anaïs Nin, Fire: From "A Journal of Love"
"Open all your pores and bathe in all the tides of nature, in all her streams and oceans, at all seasons."  ~ Henry David Thoreau
"Paradoxical, supremely difficult threshold-crossing of the hero's return from the mystic realm into the land of common day. Whether rescued from without, driven from within, or gently carried along by the guiding divinities, he has yet to re-enter with his boon the long-forgotten atmosphere where men who are fractions imagine themselves to be complete. He has yet to confront society with his ego-shattering, life-redeeming elixir, and take the return blow of reasonable queries, hard resentment, and good people at a loss to comprehend." ~ Joseph Campbell
"Quite? you don't say Quite" ~ Gilmore Girls - late to the party, but I arrived
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." ~ Albert Einstein
The more light you allow within you, the brighter the world you live in will be. ~Shakti Gawain
Ultimate truth of who we are: we are beings of a world more real than this one; it is the world beyond the veil. The spiritual world is a Universe of love and love only, where nothing but eternal peace and harmony exist" (56).
Vast Veil of illusion, created by the ego not to illuminate, but to hide, the world that lies beyond it" (55). ~ Marianne Williamson's Tears to Triumph
Wisdom in Waves - Musings by Kaveri Patel

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a 16-year-old Climate Warrior and Leader of Earth Guardians
"You ask a simple question..." ~ "Rory's Party"
Zillion times Mr. Medina Max Mr. Medina Max :) "Cinnamon's Wake"

Middle of the Night Explorations Nov 3 through 23

At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete.” The Great Gatsby
Being here is so much; because everything here apparently needs us, this fleeting world, which in some strange way keeps calling to us. Us, the most fleeting of all. Once for each thing. Just once; no more. And we too, just once. And never again. But to have been this once, completely, even if only once: to have been at one with the earth, seems beyond undoing.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke
Caring and sharing with love
Doing what must be done to move forward in peace
"Elucidation of how the mind operates and how it filters our experience." ~ Marianne Williamson
"Feel the wonder of all who came before you, and none of the fear." ~ Neil DeGrasse Tyson Cosmos S1:E3
Greatness in Going deeper into the physiology that is me through Wim Hof Method
Happy, Strong, and Healthy - Wim Hof - Healing the world
"It takes only a moment to breathe, a moment to be still, and just like that something in me settles, softens, makes space for Imperfection.
The harsh voice of judgment drops to a whisper and I remember again that life isn’t a relay race, that we will all cross the finish line, that waking up to life, is what we were born for. As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward, without even knowing where I’m going, that many times I can make the choice to stop, to breathe, and be and walk slowly into the mystery.” ~ Danna Faulds, “Walk Slowly

John O'Donohue: "uncanny how social reality can deaden and numb us so that the mystical wonder of our lives goes totally unnoticed. We are here. We are wildly and dangerously free." 
Kenosis is a total self-emptying of all things that you cling to in your head, except your purest intents." ~ Myofascial Release ~ The Self-Emptying of Body-Mind-Soul Kenosis
"Life is impressive." ~ Wim Hof  ~ "Live to the utmost."

My face is that of autumn, yours that of spring. My face is like a thorn and yours like a rose... these two come together...look at them through my eyes and you will laugh at this secret garden of joy.” ~ Rumi
Nothing retains its own form; but Nature, the greater renewer, ever makes up forms from forms. Be sure there’s nothing perishes in the whole universe; it does but vary and renew its form.”
Ovid's “Metamorphoses
Peace is the deepest connection. Peace from our center, the core, the Path is through the true self.
Quiet contemplation
Restorative stillness, within and with others
Satsang: Sharing of truth and the light of awareness. Day 18 : "Creating Peace from the Inside"

"To live fully all the days before" was Wim Hof's answer when asked what he wants to accomplish before his last day
"Universal truth: your life is always speaking to you." ~ Oprah, Day 22 :"Living at the Center of the World"
Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey: Treated me kind sweet destiny carried me through ...Visualized the love that came to be... I'm so thankful that I've received the answer that heaven has sent down to me… And I'll be eternally grateful...I had a vision of love and it was all that you turned out to be."
"Wim Hof on Mastering Your Breath, Body, and Mind with Lewis Howes" click here for video
eXplore without fear and we all become Indiana Jones. Life is an adventure, let's eXplore! ~ Wim Hof
Yes!

Zagarenski for the perfect "Z" :)

Week 3 for Creating Peace from the Inside Out Meditation Challenge

A Wisdom Story from Oral Traditions... “It is just this feeling that happens when a person walks through the woods at night, when the breeze is cool and the scent in the air is delicious. If another joins the traveler with a lantern, they can walk safely and joyfully together. But if they come to a crossroads and the one with the lantern departs, then the first must grope her way alone unless she carries her light within her” ~ Tales of the Hasidim

"Be present for all things and thankful for all things" Maya Angelou - Thank you for posting this, Kristen
Connection with joyful service... 
Day 16 : Seva - The Connection of Joyful Service: Today I embrace joyful service.
Every day I look for ways to live my vision:
Find a group that shares positive bonds
"Gorgeous Food Art" 
How can I help? How can I expand my awareness today?
Inclusion is a powerful tool for the greater good. Who can you Invite to your table?
Jackie in the mirror

Kendall (my cat) and Misty (my dog) have been Keeping me company during recent, long, painfully sleepless nights.
"Live life to the fullest. Be someone to look up to. Don't be phased by difficulties. Take time to reflect. Enjoy a little space. Honor the cycles of nature. Light up the night." ~ Advice from the moon. 
Mirror of Relationship Tells the Truth
Note: The Ragpicker's Amulet is a safety pin with a bit of cloth.
Og Mandino: “I have a vision wherein I can see thousands upon thousands wearing our Ragpicker’s Amulets. The Greatest Miracle in the World
 thank you Suzanne
"People will encounter each other in the marketplace, on the street, in their places of worship, in their public conveyances, in their schools and on their job and they will look upon each other's insignificant pin and rag and smile at their brothers and sisters… for each will know that the other is embarked on the same mission, the same dream, with a common purpose…to change their own life for the better and thus, joined together, change the world.” ~ Og Mandino
Reflection in Relationships deliver truths that are invaluable. Rejoice in the gift of knowing.
 thank you, ZenMama

Seva: The Connection of Joyful Service. Sharing the truth in a group of the like minded
Truth we resist seeing is often the very thing we need most to see
"Use your life to serve the world, and you will find that it also serves you." ~ Oprah, Day 16
Violet and her great Gram   80th Birthday
What we react to strongly in another person, arises from something uncomfortable in us that needs healing. ~ Deepak, Day 14 
eXcavation of the inner self is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself - polish the mirror.
Yes! fantastic photo Jess, and boho crown Tra
Zen and the art, love, and life of Nancy Ann Thomason Law

Be Kind. Be Gentle. Be LOVE embodied...

Adyashanti quote: "All negative energy is looking for resolution"
BE, love. BE consistent. Be Brave enough to live at the center of your world, and the outer world will one day deny you nothing that your soul desires." ~ Deepak Day 13
Connected breath Come what may...
Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the Desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Day 12
Erasmus: "The world is coming to its senses, as if awakening out of deep sleep." (1502)
"Finding Out What You Really Need" - Day 12 of 21 Day Meditation Challenge

Gratitude for Growth and Groundedness

"I relate to others from my strong core, my center." ~ Deepak, Day 13, "Life at the Center: The Core of Your Relationships"
Krishnamurti: "What is needed...is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn about fear, not how to escape from it."
Kid President + Glad to Give present How Good Spreads

LOVE
Mandy Smith 
November 10th gratitudes: turkeys, symbol of harmony and abundance; creating little mandalas of leaves, remembering impermanence; and honest expressions of feelings with open-minded individuals. #riseup #gratitudepractice #mindfulliving #bethechangeyouwishtoseeintheworld #mandalas #love
 "You're Awake, You're awesome. Live like it." ~ Kid President
Practice Prayer for Possibilities - Primordial Peace: Adyashanti
emotional Quotient : what will bring the greatest peace to everyone involved?
Ripples - Day 9 : Making a Good Relationship Better 
Simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus. ~ Ann Voskamp
"Through excavation your inner self... will help you recognize that something unresolved within you is manifesting in a relationship." ~ Oprah, Day 14
Unravel the source of that energy
Visualization - so incredibly important
eXcavation

Zen - this - to me is the epitome of a Zen moment: 


Sunday, November 6, 2016 thru the morning of the 9th

Asking better questions, and getting some Astounding Answers
"Bird in a Tree"   
Carlos Castaneda and a deeper look at the word "ally" - inspired by "Coming out of the Disconnect" Day 5 Deepak and Oprah Meditation
 Thank you, Maura
EKM quote from this day, Nov 8, 2010 : ""Let's frolic in the frost first!"<3 :="" am="" blessed.="" div="" god="" i="" thank="" truly="" you="">
"God's Grace is constantly re-represented to us over and over again... Go with the...
Holy flow" also, we need to be focusing on Health span, not life span
Ignorance is a choice I no longer make... "I call upon the healing power of awareness" ~ Day 6
John Mayer - Half of My Heart (video link here)
Knowledge AND action are needed to bring about change
"Look for the helpers" ~ Fred Rogers' Mom :)

Morning Meditation spot "My intention to heal sustains me through everything." ~ Day 7 "Giving Yourself Permission to Heal"

"Our Old belief systems are being crushed on the rocks of reality." ~ David Wolfe
Personal change occurs on three levels: what we believe, what we say, and what we do." ~ Day 8 "Improving Every Relationship"
Quantum World: Awaken Your Mind: 
Robyn Nola: "Butterflies are nature's angels. They remind us what a gift it is to be alive."
"Stack the odds in your favor, always"
True self exists beyond the restless mind." ~ Deepak Day 6 "The Healing Power of Awareness"
Ubiquitous : what is it about this word that I find so intriguing? 
Vast - why vast? I don't know, that was the word that came to me just now
"Worst thing ever? the thing you won't do. Best thing ever? the thing you WILL do." ~ David Wolfe
Yaqui "Man of Knowledge" THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN: A Yaqui Way Of Knowledge (1968) by Carlos Castaneda 
Zen Mama and Zig Ziglar to close out this blog post and move on to this new day: 

November 1-4, 2016

All Relationship is Connection: Day 1 of a new meditation challenge
Beautiful state is really the core essence of who you are without fear." ~ Tony Robbins
Creating Peace from the Inside out: The Power of Connection, first with ourselves
Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.” – Henry David Thoreau
Everything in life begins with connection
Flipping things around
"Gaining a Greater understanding of the healing power of awareness" ~ Oprah, Day 6
Heart to Heart connections can make us feel vulnerable, but...
Joyful intelligence of your soul, letting it flow from within
Kate, thank you for both the "I" and the "M" - and I suppose, the "K" :)
Laird Hamilton on the Power of Breathing to Succeed video

November's beauty has been spectacular so far: 

Pose of a child for meditation today, because Deepk said, "find a comfortable Postion, and that was the best I could do.  
Quiet space to respond authentically
Relationships : Day 2, "Ideal Relationships and Where They Come From"
Spiritual answer is based on how much love, understanding, and connection you have with and for yourself. ~ Deepak
Today was a bit of a breakthrough while meditating in child pose. Nov 4, 2016
Understanding the Unity behind all diversity
Valued : "I hear you" Values: truth, integrity, honesty, love, faith, devotion, and beauty
"When we feel beauty, We know it as truth." ~ Rabindranath Tagore
eXpressing honest appreciation for all who  eXcavation process... with Oprah and Deepak
Youthful vigor... "the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment."  ~ Rabindranath Tagore
Zagarenski original :  10/31/16