every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… ~ This is how you change when you go to the orchard where the heart opens: you become fragrance and the light that burning oil gives off, long strands of grieving hair, lion and at the same time, gazelle. You’re walking alone without feet, as riverwater does. The taste of a wine that is bitter and sweet, seen and unseen, neither wet nor dry, like Jesus reaching to touch. A new road appears without desirous imagining, inside God’s breath, empty, where you quit saying the name and there’s no distance, no calling dove-coo. A window, a wild rose at the field’s edge, you’ll be me, but don’t feel proud or happy. Bend like the limb of a peach tree. Tend those who need help. Disappear three days with the moon. Don’t pray to be healed, or look for evidence of “some other world.” You are the soul and medicine for what wounds the soul. ~ Rumi ~ ~ walking the camino of peace has been such a deepening and widening of the heart of sky transporting me into a cave of illumination and silence and is a perfect prelude to the next adventures including leaving on a jet plane in a few hours to celebrate my mother’s ninety-fifth birthday and begin on friday a week of climate action and forty days devoted to climate meditation. and saturday is the international day of peace and monday is equinox… for the next week, i’ll be meeting you in the field out beyond and on the inner plane as i’ll be unplugged and tuning in through the ethers… namaste’
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… ~ a day of listening to falling water and dancing with the rain… a day of walking without feet like riverwater flowing home to source… a day of gathering in the river below the river singing and celebrating motherwaters… a day of rising and falling waves, always being ocean raindrops falling home peacefully to the sea, to the sea… ~ such a delicious day, this next to last day of walking the camino of st francis as a dancing raindrop moving in the rhythm of an ancient sea turtle floating in the akasha re-membering… yesterday marked 2100 days of daily journeying/journaling the poetic peace pilgrimage along this rainbow trail… today is the fifty-sixth anniversary of the horrific bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama taking the lives of four astonishing lights: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise NcNair and shocking the nation and the world… their tragic deaths marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, ultimately, contributing to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964… instead of provoking a race war, Birmingham Sunday rallied people from around the globe to support the civil rights cause… let us pause for a moment to re-member all astonishing lights paving the way for critical progress and bending the arc of the universe towards justice… today also marks the eighth anniversary of the occupy movement, another bending of the arc towards justice, which inspired me three months later to occupy the abundance of infinite love and gratitude… today i also remember the dream of five years ago of the tidal wave facing me, being in a state of suspension pondering whether i could open myself to the strength flowing through the cosmos, do i have it in me to hold the tension, to feel the dissolution, the loss, can i summon the courage to walk the path with heart… today i see great spirit in the wave in a new way… as a dolphin/eagle/dog… the more i look into the wave, the more i tune into the breath of great spirit, the more i can deepen into breaking through to freedom… yes, Don Juan, all paths are the same for the journey is the destination, it is the process that matters, the coming home to the heart… yes, choose a path with heart, follow it wholeheartedly rejoicing in this moment of the extravagant journey that is life, the quintessential pilgrimage… may we all travel a path with heart open to our ever more abundant cosmos generously gifting us whatever is needed… blissings!
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… ~ All paths are the same, leading nowhere. Don Juan ~ yes, Don Juan, all paths are the same for the journey is the destination, it is the process and not the outcome, the coming home to the heart is what it’s all about, this magical mystery tour, the buen camino, the good read road, this project of awakening, this being in the present moment. the now here… so, may we all choose a path with heart, any path resonating as one with heart, follow it, and then rejoice and laugh knowing life will be over altogether too soon… and, may we all cultivate the feeling with every breath of having everything needed for this extravagant journey that is life, the quintessential pilgrimage… as walking the camino of st francis winds down, may i/we continue traveling on a peaceful path with heart, a path where we are at one with the pathfinder… om shanti, shanti, shantihi…
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… on this ides of september, with the inbreath i’m re-membering a lucid dream of four years ago when a familiar image re-visited me, a towering tidal wave is suddenly upon me… yes, i have butterflies but no panic as i witness the wall of water for deep inside i know what to do – dive right in and go down into the ocean deeps… this dream brings me right to another celebration of today – it’s astonishing light of being day and today i shine a light on the sacred… ~ We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share. ~ Maya Angelou ~ ~ this coming friday may be the biggest day of climate action ever and may greta thunberg’s (the most prominent voice of the climate movement) dream be rea-eyesed… yes, may we put an end to the war on nature and may we all join in living the Dalai Lama’s Vow… ~ For as long as space endures And for as long as living beings remain So then may I too abide To dispel the misery of the world. ~ while walking the camino and standing in the light of this foretelling moon she declared today that it’s time on the clock of the world to live as one in the deep peace of flowing waters, to honor and respect everything as sacred and interconnected, to stand in the truth of interdependence real-eye-sing we all need each other, it’s survival of the nurturingest… welcome to this brave new world that mirrors the ancient ones, living together on the banks of the river of joy where everything is moving and changing and flowing from moment to moment… the universal stream of life is consciousness, our shared consciousness co-creating a sustainable dream of the earth and bringing us together in a field of love to embody and manifest heavenearth… yes, foretelling harvest moon, we are listening, seeing and feeling the seventh generation is awakening and arising leading us into the promised land of healing and harmony among all our relations with peace and love and joy becoming the coin of the realm, the currentsea of cosmic unity… om shanti shanti shantihi
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… as i walk the camino of peace today under the harvest full moon with the sun still shining in virgo, i continue being challenged, appropriately so, in this sacred moonspell of september to contemplate what is sacred to me/us, so sacred that i’d/we’d go beyond usual comfort zones and give the fullest measure of my/our energies… this contemplation is one that plays like a broken record and one where i love bringing up the image of both the inner and outer cosmic blue stars as the whirling primordial space, the womb of chaos giving birth to dancing stars, big dreams, brave new worlds, that space of breaking free of convention and daring to dream with wild abandon… ~ A MIND THAT HAS NO WALLS, THAT IS NOT BURDENED WITH ITS OWN ACQUISITIONS, ACCUMULATIONS, WITH ITS OWN KNOWLEDGE, A MIND THAT LIVES TIMELESSLY, INSECURELY – TO SUCH A MIND, LIFE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY THING. SUCH A MIND IS LIFE ITSELF, BECAUSE LIFE HAS NO RESTING PLACE. – JIDDU KRISHNAMURTI – ~ yes, this is the dancing blue star, free and easy wanderer, imaginal cell i aspire to being and the soul draws me towards… so, dear sangha of free and easy wanderers, what is sacred to you, calling you to break your heart open?
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… thousandfold thanks, sister moon, heart of abundance, horn of plenty for this spell of basking in your bounty, bathing in your light, drinking in balance, flowing in harmony, gathering in your generously streaming of quintessence and slowly harvesting the fruits in this turn of the wheel calling us to come within to listen to the song of our soul, the pied piper of life… under this moon of water with a mystical bent, what is our soul calling us to do with our wild and precious life? dance to move your energy through the body to embody the full moon’s energy… let your prayers flow through… this moon under yhe virgo sun also asks us to go within to see how we are being called to of service… how do we express our reverence for earth? what do we need to let go of? what inspirations are welling up collectively? now, let’s take this moment to conspire, to breathe together in gratitude gathering the quintessence re-membering who we truly are… loving sparks of light… ~ I am not these eyes and what they see, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… settle into spacious awareness saying… I am not these ears and what they hear, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… breathing in and out and simply being saying… I am not this mouth and what it tastes, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… I am not these hands and what they touch, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… I am not this nose and what it smells, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… now noticing thoughts arising and memories saying… I am not these thoughts, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… I am not these memories, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… now seeing the whole body and feeling the body from within the body saying… I am not this body, I am the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… breathing in feeling simply loving awareness… breathing out letting go of everything except resting in the soul of loving awareness quintessentially… thank you for filling us with lovingkindness thank you for supporting us in everything thank you for holding us in peace and ease shanti, shanti, shantihi…
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… i awaken on this second day of the third year of the most conscious, deepest, and most expansive awakening initiation in the glow of boddhicitta, the awakened heart opening ever wider and wider to the suffering of the world… in the buddhist teaching of love, there are four elements with the first being maitri – friendship, brotherhood/sisterhood/beinghood, loving-kindness… the second is karuna – the capacity to understand the suffering and help remove and transform it – compassion… mudita is the third element – joy… the last element is upeksha – nondiscrimination which is a higher form of love… The four qualities, also call the four unlimited minds, are limitless – infinite love… the bodhisattva of love is in us, boddicitta is our heart… so i’m feeling so softened this day on the camino simply binge totally surrendered in the present moment breathing peace and listening deeply… ~ For Presence Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon. Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path. Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity. May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame. May anxiety never linger about you. May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul. Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul… ~ John O’Donohue ~ ~ may we experience each day as a sacred gift woven around our boddicitta heart of wonder… namaste, beloveds
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… ~ we all be longing to come home to our one heart to awaken and re-member our original space of belonging where mother waters sing to us of our true nature one body, one mind, one heartbeat, one love welcome home to our belonging circle welcome home to an ocean of love ~ today, the walk on the camino delivers me into a community, truly, a common unity of love and compassion and generosity and encouragement for the brokenhearted living in the gap of the world that is and the world that can be… today is a day of collective grief and the first day of eleven days of global unity culminating in international peace day on the twenty-first and as we come together seeking wisdom for how we hold ourselves with integrity through our collective dark night and awakening, i turn to one who speaks eloquently on this essential question, one on which our survival depends… ~ HH the Dalai Lama on Global Compassion: “I believe that at every level of society—familial, national and international—the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in a particular ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities. I believe that the cultivation of individual happiness can contribute in a profound and effective way to the overall improvement of the entire human community. We all share an identical need for love, and on the basis of this commonality, it is possible to feel that anybody we meet, in whatever circumstances, is a brother or sister. No matter how new the face or how different the dress or behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people. It is foolish to dwell on external differences because our basic natures are the same. The benefits of transcending such superficial differences become clear when we look at our global situation. Ultimately, humanity is one and this small planet is our only home. If we are to protect this home of ours, each of us needs to experience a vivid sense of universal altruism and compassion. It is only this feeling that can remove the self-centered motives that cause people to deceive and misuse one another. If you have a sincere and open heart, you naturally feel self-worth and confidence, and there is no need to be fearful of others. The need for an atmosphere of openness and cooperation at the global level is becoming more urgent. In this modern age, when it comes to dealing with economic situations there are no longer familial or even national boundaries. From country to country and continent to continent, the world is inextricably interconnected. Each country depends heavily on the others. In order for a country to develop its own economy, it is forced to take seriously into account the economic conditions of other countries as well. In fact, economic improvement in other countries ultimately results in economic improvement in one’s own country. In view of these facts about our modern world, we need a total revolution in our thinking and our habits. It is becoming clearer every day that a viable economic system must be based on a true sense of universal responsibility. In other words, what we need is a genuine commitment to the principles of universal brotherhood and sisterhood. This much is clear, isn’t it? This is not just a holy, moral or religious ideal. Rather, it is the reality of our modem human existence. If you reflect deeply enough, it becomes obvious that we need more compassion and altruism everywhere. This critical point can be appreciated by observing the current state of affairs in the world, whether in the fields of modern economics and health care, or in political and military situations. In addition to the multitude of social and political crises, the world is also facing an ever-increasing cycle of natural calamities. Year after year, we have witnessed a radical shifting of global climatic patterns that has led to grave consequences: excessive rain in some countries that has brought serious flooding, a shortage of precipitation in other countries that has resulted in devastating droughts. Fortunately, concern for ecology and the environment is rapidly growing everywhere. We are now beginning to appreciate that the question of environmental protection is ultimately a question of our very survival on this planet. As human beings, we must also respect our fellow members of the human family: our neighbors, our friends, and so forth. Compassion, loving-kindness, altruism, and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood are the keys not only to human development, but to planetary survival. The success or failure of humanity in the future depends primarily upon the will and determination of the present generation. If we ourselves do not utilize our faculties of will and intelligence, there is no one else who can guarantee our future and that of the next generation. This is an indisputable fact. We cannot place the entire blame on politicians or those people who are seen as directly responsible for various situations; we too must bear some responsibility personally. It is only when the individual accepts personal responsibility that he or she begins to take some initiative. Just shouting and complaining is not good enough. A genuine change must first come from within the individual, then he or she can attempt to make significant contributions to humanity. Altruism is not merely a religious ideal; it is an indispensable requirement for humanity at large.” ~ may we deeply listen and digest this wisdom of how to hold the tension by responding creatively rather than reacting with retaliation and violence and by re-membering who we truly are… beloveds of the beloved circle… namaste
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… such a conscious quest i’mon these last two years to do just that – to awaken every wild cell in this body cell of the one body we all are and what an adventure transmuting the lead into gold… for the last nine days, i’ve been in intense purification feeling into the anniversary of 730 days or 104 weeks of the deepest, most conscious awakening initiation ever inspired by my ruptured fire eye exploding in pain on 9/11 and for the second time in a couple of years, i was offered an invitation to go deeper into insight as outer sight was being severely compromised… as with all calls to initiation, i did not feel i had it in me to make this pilgrimage, and, yet in surrendering to limited outer sight, a rhythm of synchronisiddhi, of meaningful co-incidence followed opening my broken heart to a heart broken wide open… holy synchronicity, in this deep pool of reflection, a re-membering flows by… today is also the sixth anniversary of the first outer poetic peace pilgrimage, a day when i connected with Sacajawea who vowed to guide me through the wilder-ness… approaching the beginning of the third year of awakening, it’s so interesting to be in the midst of a third challenge of saving eyesight which is catapulting me into the most profound letting go amplified by the loss of so much history and by the walking of the camino going from outer to inner… this awakening project we call life guided by the enspirited soul emphatically, magnetically pulls me home to be an instrument of peace, a hollow reed, a channel for source energy to pour love through… so, on a day such as this, under the spell of the moon waxing full, may we let go of the inessential and re-member what truly matters is who we are… souls dressed up in loose garments dancing/singing light between the worlds…
every outbreath, an emptying… every inbreath, a re-membering… walking the camino today is a day of deeply breathing and dancing in the chaos on this day of nines which is the number of transformation and is an energy resonating so profoundly through me on the ninth day of the ninth month as i take refuge in the blissness blue moon lodge, because blue moon lodges are the lodges for transformation, of transformation… today’s walk along the camino of peace brings up the words of the Dalai Lama about our island home desperately needing more peacemakers, healers, restorers, lovers and storytellers which reminds me of an old legend of the first peoples of this land… this legend about a savior named deganawida, the peacemaker, originated over a thousand years ago during the final decades of pre-columbian america at a time like now, a time of pervasive fear and instability in the iroquois world when a young virgin gave birth to a son… she was told in a dream that “your child will be a messenger of the creator and will bring peace and harmony to the people on earth.” when deganawida came of age he told his mother, “I shall now build my canoe from white stone, for the time has come for me to start my mission in this world. I know I must travel afar on lakes and rivers to seek out the council smoke of nations beyond this lake. It is now time for me to go stop the shedding of blood among human beings.” as deganawida began his mission he first encountered a group of hunters who were fleeing from the bloodshed in the their own village and he instructed them: “Go back to your people and tell them that the Good News of Peace and Righteousness has come to your nation.” the peacemaker’s mission, as the many accounts of the legend make clear, was to reestablish the natural equilibrium on which the well being of individuals, societies, and the whole of creation depends… deganawida achieved this mission by healing them—by “making their minds straight.” deganawida’s role was not that of a warrior, but a redemptive shaman—a healer… he was quite explicit about the mission: “health means peace, for that is what comes when minds are sane and bodies are cared for.” on this day of transformation, may we all be peacemakers every moment… yes, make us instruments of thy peace and where there is hatred let us sow love and where there is despair, hope and where there is darkness, light… om, shanti, shanti, shantihi… namaste’
