Today's practice is all about focus. How do we use our minds in the most practical sense of the word? How do we meditate as if outside ourselves, watching our minds, while not being simply reduced to the rantings of our monkey minds -- the ceaseless inner chatter that actually clogs our intuition with fears and obscures our vision with its limited scope. I believe that we can have both practical and spiritual applications to the way we live our lives. We can dream, meditate, and pray and we can make money, play, and explore creative hobbies. It's all about balancing the two concepts. And I think that's what todays tarot card of the day is communicating to me.
I drew the "Hare" card in reverse from Phillip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm's "The Druid Animal Oracle" deck. Drawn in reverse, the "Hare" card signifies that you are not paying enough attention to your practical life. Essentially, I've had my head in the clouds a bit. I get the message. A little more attention to taking out the trash and doing the dishes and of course the daily financial hustle, while not losing track of my dreams. Message received, loud and clear.
Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Taking Care Of Business"
Yoga With Adriene was all about learning to surrender. But it wasn't the smooth and gentle practice I was expecting. Instead, it was challenging with a slew plank poses. It reminded me that surrendering my seem passive, but it's an action. It's also important to learn to surrender to the situation in times that are tough. This is not giving up or just letting the hard stuff win, it's about surfing with the changes and commotions that life throws at us and doing so with ease. This takes practice, but it's something that my meditation and yoga practice is preparing me for. How to sail the windy seas of my existence as if it were a calm stream and how to approach the surging waves with joy instead of fear.
I've been exploring the topic of forgiveness a lot in the "Rituals For Transformation" journal by Briana and Dr. Peter Borten. Today I reflecting on the idea that forgiveness can transcend time and space -- healing in the past, present and future. I am a Reiki Master who is familiar with the energetic concept that healing can be multi-dimensional. Yesterday, a friend of mind told me that he believed that the mode of the fifth dimension was the concept of choice. I thought about it and had to agree. When you learn about things like the law of attraction such as in Gail Thackray's "30 Days To Prosperity", you understand that you choose to accept prosperity as a state of being. You can also choose a state of lack. You can choose to bring into your life the states of love, joy, peace, creativity, inspiration and a plethora of other positive ways of being. As I head towards the last day of my journey with Thackray's amazing book, (at least for now) I accept that each day and with every thought and action, I am choosing to be present in my journey. I am creating the story of my life. And I realize that I want to be the heroine of a triumphant tale that inspires hope and unconditional love!
Today I focused on taking it easy, even though Adriene's yoga practice was all about charism -- that spark of light that each us has that glows from within. I spent the day reflecting on and continuing to explore the self-love and forgiveness from yesterday and giving my body the rest that it desperately needed. I also realized that I have been the emotional support for not one but two friends today. It was an enriching experience but nonetheless took some of my energy. I'm giving myself the care that I need. It's time to unwind and let go -- time to chill out.
Today's practice is all about self-love. I am going through a process of forgiveness of self and of others this week. Most importantly, I'm becoming aware how holding onto resentments -- even against myself is blocking my personal growth, emotionally, spiritually, financially, mentally and in so many ways. I'm going through some really deep changes thanks to all of my journaling, and yoga. I'm connecting strongly to crystal and energy healing. I am coming into my own and starting to use all the gifts that Divinity has blessed me with.
Sometimes it feels like it's one step forward and two steps backwards. But oftentimes that's how it is. Today started off amazing and then it kind of wasn't. I'm hanging in there!
Yesterday's reflections and accompanying meditation in "Rituals For Transformation" by Briana and Dr. Peter Borten, were all about being in the moment -- residing in that quiet place of stillness that only you can find, while plumbing the depths of your subconscious and allowing things to surface organically. I noticed a theme that is occurring in my world over the last few days and that is one of forgiveness. In today's journaling exercise the book explored that area of life. I was able to release a lot of the areas that were being blocked due to a lack of forgiveness for myself and others. The lesson today was that "Forgiveness is the key to freedom". As part of the journaling exercise, you make your own affirmation. Mine is " 'I reclaim my freedom by exercising forgiveness!" Since the I agree with the book's statement that not forgiving is like holding onto restrictions that keep you from being truly free. I've found that what we won't forgive in others can often reflect an aspect that we won't or would not be willing to forgive within ourselves. When we forgive we make room for our own human imperfections and this is the space we can truly grow in. We are free to make mistakes, screw up, not be perfect and then correct imbalances and move on after our life lessons are learned. Today I tried to think of everyone that I couldn't forgive and aspects of my own self that I held a space of unforgiving judgment in and I just let them go as best as I could. It really did feel freeing!
One of the most beautiful songs I know about forgiveness is performed, composed and written by the amazing Rachelle Ferrell, whom I've had the pleasure of seeing live and who blows me away and brings me to tears...
"I Forgive You" Lyrics
It doesn't really matter what you did anymore It doesn't really matter what you did it for Or who you did it to…
Chorus
I forgive you I forgive you I forgive you Totally completely now What a freedom just releasing from my heart From my mind and soul!
Verse 2
It doesn't really matter whether or not I understand It doesn't really matter whether or not you're still my man I still love you… and
Chorus
I forgive you I forgive you I forgive you Totally completely now What a freedom just releasing from my heart From my mind and soul!
Bridge
I no longer want to hold on To that which doesn't make me strong And I don't wanna care no more 'Bout what's right or wrong I just wanna be whole again I want to be free again Want to be me again I just want to heal…
Pivot
I'm so tired of being in pain I just want to be whole again So…
Chorus
I forgive you I forgive you I forgive you Totally completely now What a feeling just releasing from my heart From my mind and soul!
Today felt kind of like a long distance marathon run. I've had to get my moments of stillness where I could find them. In my "Rituals For Transformation" journal I was urged to gather as many opportunities for tranquility that I can find. I'm an aspiring journalists so I am constantly bombarded with media. With this ceaseless flow of information, it is essential for me to find spaces where I can practice mindfulness. Buses, subways, moments on city benches, waiting to move at cross walks, in-between sips of coffee ☕ and other captured minutes or seconds can be chances for deep meaning. It's all about the quality of the journey and not the number of miles covered. Whether the road ahead is smooth or if every step has to navigate bumps and bends in the road matters not. The question I'm allowing into my focus is how I'm choosing to traverse the terrain ahead and what can I smile at and wish well as I leave it behind. How can I both conquer and surrender to the now? As I let it all flow with forward momentum and foster a spirit of acceptance, I learn and I grow.
