What is love? Yes, that question has been posed since humans have come together...and do we have a definitive answer? In some ways, I think I have evolved into at least accepting and understanding some aspects of what love really is - the Truth of Love, so to speak, at least with regard to my experience of it - especially during these last few months. Here is what I feel is true in my heart right now:
Love is always present. Yes, I believe it is always, always a force - a power - a presence enveloping us in every way - if we but pay attention.
Love is free. Meaning that it cannot be bound, hoarded, owned, bartered (I will love you if you do this or don't do that), or contained.
Love is unconditional. It has no strings - does not require certain behavior in order to be felt or experienced, nor does it "disappear" upon demand, request, etc. It is not turned on or off at will - I believe it is always "on".
Love is more powerful than fear. When fear is present, adding more love will dissolve the fear.
Love is generous. We have the capacity to love and love and love lots and lots of people, cause I believe we are literally love. When we think we can "own" love in the form of a person (i.e., I can only love my husband, my wife), I believe we are actually in fear. ( Yes, I do feel this is true from my own experience.)
Love is kind. Love does not hurt. Period!
Love is patient. Love will wait for the perfect opportunity to make itself realized and does not force itself upon anyone.
Love is accepting. Again, love is "loving what is" as Byron Katie so beautifully states.
Love is fulfilling. Love completes itself. There is no "other" - it is the all in all.
Love is what each one of us is at our core. We are the expression of love, if we but allow ourselves to accept, receive and give away that which we are.
Today, I am loving my courage to have walked this sacred journey into love with my heart open wide. I am feeling so blessed by the fulfillment of an intention I set one year ago which was to be a being of love - to be an expressino of love and to know love with all my heart and soul. Each morning for about a year during my morning spiritual practice, my prayer-bead mantra has been: "There is One Life; That Life is God's Life; That Life is Perfect Love; That Life is My Life Now". In the sacredness of this moment, I believe I am literally experiencing love so fully that I am overcome with gratitude.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Suffering
In the Buddhist tradition, suffering is created by attachment. Attachment to the way things turn out - attachment to the way we want people to be - attachment to our ways of thinking that do not support us - attachment to having "our own way", etc. etc. etc.
It seems we are confronted with this idea of being attached to just about everything in our lives! Does it not appear to be the way of being human? At least in our Western materialistic culture, I believe it is almost encoded into our DNA. In observing children, at about age 2 the word "mine" becomes a consistant mantra. Many of have failed to move on after we have learned that word!
When I am especially attached to an outcome of some particular experience - in other words, when I want what I want when I want it - and then it doesn't happen, I experience upset (or suffering). The idea of staying open to, and accepting, life "on life's terms" (meaning what is) appears to be a big challenge for most of us. I have struggled with it over the years and have come to understand that I have an easier time with some things than others. In other words, there are 'degrees' to my levels of attachment.
So when I bump into one of those places that is more difficult than others, I pray for the willingness to let go. I pray for my heart to stay centered in the place of love where life is for me (all of life) and not against me in any way. I pray for my mind to let go of its attachment to whatever it is I am so convinced is what is necessary for my highest good. (I really have come to realize that I have no clue what that is!!!) I pray for the willingness to let go of control. And, if I can even begin to do one of those things, I suffer less.
In counseling many people over the years, I have learned that most people do not really know what they want at all. Most of us know what we do not want - and that is usually not to be uncomfortable in any way, or inconvenienced, or challenged by life. We wish everyone else would just do what we decide is best and our life would be grand. But would it? I really think not, for it appears that we simply do not grow without struggle, conflict or suffering of some kind. This appears to be part of simply being human. So, the more aware we are of our internal strugging - the more we challenge our attachment to outcome - the more we are free, which translates to more loving, more kindness, more peacefulness.
Yes, life always supports our highest good and suffering appears to be one stepping stone on our journey of awakening.
Blessed be,
Lynn
It seems we are confronted with this idea of being attached to just about everything in our lives! Does it not appear to be the way of being human? At least in our Western materialistic culture, I believe it is almost encoded into our DNA. In observing children, at about age 2 the word "mine" becomes a consistant mantra. Many of have failed to move on after we have learned that word!
When I am especially attached to an outcome of some particular experience - in other words, when I want what I want when I want it - and then it doesn't happen, I experience upset (or suffering). The idea of staying open to, and accepting, life "on life's terms" (meaning what is) appears to be a big challenge for most of us. I have struggled with it over the years and have come to understand that I have an easier time with some things than others. In other words, there are 'degrees' to my levels of attachment.
So when I bump into one of those places that is more difficult than others, I pray for the willingness to let go. I pray for my heart to stay centered in the place of love where life is for me (all of life) and not against me in any way. I pray for my mind to let go of its attachment to whatever it is I am so convinced is what is necessary for my highest good. (I really have come to realize that I have no clue what that is!!!) I pray for the willingness to let go of control. And, if I can even begin to do one of those things, I suffer less.
In counseling many people over the years, I have learned that most people do not really know what they want at all. Most of us know what we do not want - and that is usually not to be uncomfortable in any way, or inconvenienced, or challenged by life. We wish everyone else would just do what we decide is best and our life would be grand. But would it? I really think not, for it appears that we simply do not grow without struggle, conflict or suffering of some kind. This appears to be part of simply being human. So, the more aware we are of our internal strugging - the more we challenge our attachment to outcome - the more we are free, which translates to more loving, more kindness, more peacefulness.
Yes, life always supports our highest good and suffering appears to be one stepping stone on our journey of awakening.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Perception - again
I have written about perception before, but it revealed itself to me once again in another amazing way.
Do you have siblings? If you do, when you get together to remember your upbringing, do you each have a different view of the same circumstances? This is true in my family, and from what I have discovered in discussing this with others, it is a very common experience. We each bring to our experiences who we are - internally. We each bring our own fears, imaginings, fantasies, phobias, beliefs, opinions, etc. established long before in our very young years.
So whatever is going on in the present moment, is influenced by all that has gone on before and colors the lens through which we "see" reality.
A few days ago, I had such an experience. An intimate partner whom I was with over 40 years ago and I have been communicating with the intention of healing some of the woundedness from that time and being present now. (Or, at least that is my intentio). What we have discovered is that we both had the same perception: that we were not loved by the other! Oh my...At that time, I felt so insecure and fearful (of just about everything) that I simply could not believe anyone loved me - period. So, this belief was projected out from me in behavior that "proved" my belief. My friend evidently was doing the same thing.
Could we have shifted our perceptions? Probably, but we were so young and so very wounded ourselves, we had no tools with which to shift to another viewpoint. But, now we do. Now, we have (or at least I have) a deeper understanding of what motivates me and a deep desire to experience my life as a loving and kind and caring person - beginning with myself. I believe I now have a heart that is free and fearless when it comes to loving - both myself and another - and I am willing to stay curious; I am willing to ask questions to gain clarity - as opposed to staying silent for fear of "offending". Questions shift perceptions as they shed light on beliefs, opinions and "made-up stuff" that we each seem to continually create in our own minds.
Perceptions keep us separate unless we open to delving deeper - going underneath the surface where our True Self resides. This is where the furtile soil of connection lies - where dreams and relationships thrive. Let the air in and begin to ask questions; become curious and dissolve some of those worn-out perceptions.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Do you have siblings? If you do, when you get together to remember your upbringing, do you each have a different view of the same circumstances? This is true in my family, and from what I have discovered in discussing this with others, it is a very common experience. We each bring to our experiences who we are - internally. We each bring our own fears, imaginings, fantasies, phobias, beliefs, opinions, etc. established long before in our very young years.
So whatever is going on in the present moment, is influenced by all that has gone on before and colors the lens through which we "see" reality.
A few days ago, I had such an experience. An intimate partner whom I was with over 40 years ago and I have been communicating with the intention of healing some of the woundedness from that time and being present now. (Or, at least that is my intentio). What we have discovered is that we both had the same perception: that we were not loved by the other! Oh my...At that time, I felt so insecure and fearful (of just about everything) that I simply could not believe anyone loved me - period. So, this belief was projected out from me in behavior that "proved" my belief. My friend evidently was doing the same thing.
Could we have shifted our perceptions? Probably, but we were so young and so very wounded ourselves, we had no tools with which to shift to another viewpoint. But, now we do. Now, we have (or at least I have) a deeper understanding of what motivates me and a deep desire to experience my life as a loving and kind and caring person - beginning with myself. I believe I now have a heart that is free and fearless when it comes to loving - both myself and another - and I am willing to stay curious; I am willing to ask questions to gain clarity - as opposed to staying silent for fear of "offending". Questions shift perceptions as they shed light on beliefs, opinions and "made-up stuff" that we each seem to continually create in our own minds.
Perceptions keep us separate unless we open to delving deeper - going underneath the surface where our True Self resides. This is where the furtile soil of connection lies - where dreams and relationships thrive. Let the air in and begin to ask questions; become curious and dissolve some of those worn-out perceptions.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Glorious
Several years ago, I wrote a lengthy poem entitled, "Glorious " and then created a small booklet with images and photographs, sayings and icons that depicted the various phrases and stanzas of the poem. I would like to share it with you this morning...as the view from my home in Mexico is just that - glorious overlooking this amazing and (today) calm lake.
GLORIOUS
Dawn embraces the meadow
with rays of illumined knowing;
cracks penetrate the cave of bondage
as Hope struggles to remember.
REALITY OR ILLUSION.
Tentative the heart that knows only fear.
Feelings deadened by years of
forced forgetfulness suddenly connect
with inner Truth. Wake up!
Vision soars in ribbons of clarity
loud as thunder.
GLORIOUS THE VIEW.
Eyes wide as willingness points to new
avenues where the search for self -
and SELF - ensues.
Wrapped in love, enveloped in good.
Faith wins!
Drop the mask of separateness.
ALL IS ONE.
Always present...Whole...Complete.
Spirit within embracing all...as All...
through All.
Essence of life and love,
unnamable and infinite.
Divine inspiration gilded by
sacred thought.
I AM THAT I AM.
Passion fuels internal unification
as wholeness heals separation.
Truth revealed when Nature
joins spiritual beings in
celebration of beauty and perfection.
WE ARE ONE.
Blowing distant echoes into
God's knowing womb;
yesterday's memories fade with
soft kisses wrapped in joy
knowing NOW is all.
Union complete in love's sweet moment;
Angels sound the call of
SURRENDER.
You are More than my BELOVED;
You are More than my JOY;
You are More than my HEART;
You are More than my LIFE;
YOU ARE MY VERY SOUL.
Blessed be,
Lynn
GLORIOUS
Dawn embraces the meadow
with rays of illumined knowing;
cracks penetrate the cave of bondage
as Hope struggles to remember.
REALITY OR ILLUSION.
Tentative the heart that knows only fear.
Feelings deadened by years of
forced forgetfulness suddenly connect
with inner Truth. Wake up!
Vision soars in ribbons of clarity
loud as thunder.
GLORIOUS THE VIEW.
Eyes wide as willingness points to new
avenues where the search for self -
and SELF - ensues.
Wrapped in love, enveloped in good.
Faith wins!
Drop the mask of separateness.
ALL IS ONE.
Always present...Whole...Complete.
Spirit within embracing all...as All...
through All.
Essence of life and love,
unnamable and infinite.
Divine inspiration gilded by
sacred thought.
I AM THAT I AM.
Passion fuels internal unification
as wholeness heals separation.
Truth revealed when Nature
joins spiritual beings in
celebration of beauty and perfection.
WE ARE ONE.
Blowing distant echoes into
God's knowing womb;
yesterday's memories fade with
soft kisses wrapped in joy
knowing NOW is all.
Union complete in love's sweet moment;
Angels sound the call of
SURRENDER.
You are More than my BELOVED;
You are More than my JOY;
You are More than my HEART;
You are More than my LIFE;
YOU ARE MY VERY SOUL.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Good or Negative Thoughts
Last night a friend asked me what the difference was between a "good" thought and a "negative thought" in relation to its effectiveness in manifesting. This question was prompted by the reading of the first chapter of a book called, "Living the Science of Mind" by Ernest Holmes in which he outlines the basic philosophy of this teaching. I am facilitating a weekly study group of this book which began yesterday. Most of the students attending have never heard of this philosophy and are seeking ways to anchor some kind of spiritual practice in their lives.
As this was the first day and the first chapter in a lengthy book, Ernest Holmes does not really answer the question directly. He is giving a simple overview of this teaching and how it works in our daily lives. This book is a compilation of various works by Holmes along with transcriptions of various lectures he gave over the years.
As this philosophy is not necessarily a "religion" in the classical definition (we do not worship anything), what it is has to do with is the idea that all of creation is energy and is creating itself 0ut of that energy - initiated by some movement in "thought" or "consciousness". It is a way of thinking that shifts the actual pathways of the brain (over time and with much practice) to create greater and greater peace, joy, love, harmony, beauty and creativity in the world. It enriches or enhances whatever spiritual journey a person may already be engaged in - or even if one is not walking a spiritual path, it enriches the day-to-day experience of living.
It is not easy; simple - but definitely not easy.
So back to my friends question. I believe that Ernest Holmes would say that "good" thinking promotes wholeness and life and aligns itself with unlimited qualities that exist everywhere and all the time (love, beauty, peace, power, light, abundance, joy) and that "negative" thinking is just the opposite and is likely based upon fear or separation from life in some way.
Her question specifically related to a group of people engaged in activities promoting preservation of the planet who all seem to have various "opinions" about how action should proceed - and many of them appearing "negative". She wanted to know which were "right" - and the answer is that all of them are right. There is no "wrong" way of thinking - only ways of thinking that manifest an undesired outcome. As that occurs, a new thought is then introduced whch can create a totally different outcome.
As things - ALL THINGS - begin first as a thought, then it follows to create different "things" (experiences, etc), it is absolutely necessary to think different thoughts.
Musings on a 75 degree day from Mexico....
Love,
Lynn
As this was the first day and the first chapter in a lengthy book, Ernest Holmes does not really answer the question directly. He is giving a simple overview of this teaching and how it works in our daily lives. This book is a compilation of various works by Holmes along with transcriptions of various lectures he gave over the years.
As this philosophy is not necessarily a "religion" in the classical definition (we do not worship anything), what it is has to do with is the idea that all of creation is energy and is creating itself 0ut of that energy - initiated by some movement in "thought" or "consciousness". It is a way of thinking that shifts the actual pathways of the brain (over time and with much practice) to create greater and greater peace, joy, love, harmony, beauty and creativity in the world. It enriches or enhances whatever spiritual journey a person may already be engaged in - or even if one is not walking a spiritual path, it enriches the day-to-day experience of living.
It is not easy; simple - but definitely not easy.
So back to my friends question. I believe that Ernest Holmes would say that "good" thinking promotes wholeness and life and aligns itself with unlimited qualities that exist everywhere and all the time (love, beauty, peace, power, light, abundance, joy) and that "negative" thinking is just the opposite and is likely based upon fear or separation from life in some way.
Her question specifically related to a group of people engaged in activities promoting preservation of the planet who all seem to have various "opinions" about how action should proceed - and many of them appearing "negative". She wanted to know which were "right" - and the answer is that all of them are right. There is no "wrong" way of thinking - only ways of thinking that manifest an undesired outcome. As that occurs, a new thought is then introduced whch can create a totally different outcome.
As things - ALL THINGS - begin first as a thought, then it follows to create different "things" (experiences, etc), it is absolutely necessary to think different thoughts.
Musings on a 75 degree day from Mexico....
Love,
Lynn
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Good and More Good
There is an affirmation that I have used over the years that I received from an old book. It goes like this: "Good and more good is mine. An ever-increasing good is mine. There is no limit to the good that is mine. I accept this good now." I think there is more to it, but this is the way I remember and the way I use it.
If I accept that the entire Universe is engaged in supporting me - if I believe that the Universe, the energy of life is unified in its desire to express more life or more good - then I feel comfortable and safe no matter what is happening on this Earth plane for I am at home everywhere.. I am a part of life itself and not separated from anyone or anything. It is the feeling of separation that brings sadness or disquiet to my heart and to my experience.
When I feel separate from the goodness that life is - when I feel separate from the life that is flowing through me (and through you), then I become fearful. At some level, I believe that life is somehow against me and ultimately, you are against me - so I do not feel safe to be me and begin to create barriers within my own heart so I won't be hurt.
Again and again, I must bring my conscious awareness back to my deepest desire and that is to be a loving, accepting and kind human being - especially to myself. As Howard Thurman said, "I want to be more loving in my heart - not just have the idea of loving." This is sometimes my challenge with folks who push my buttons (of course, this is where I need to look more closely and ask how did the button get created in the first place...). Again, it comes back to a feeling of separation. Somehow my ego gets all bent out of shape, fear sets in and then I automatically surround myself with barb wire and protective layers to keep me safe!
Safe from what? I am always safe if I but remember who I am. Remembering is key...
Oh my....good and more good is mine. Yes, good is being experienced all the time. My life is good and each experience I have reminds me even more fully how unified and connected I am to this good. Remember e is my word for today....how about you?
Blessed be,
Lynn
If I accept that the entire Universe is engaged in supporting me - if I believe that the Universe, the energy of life is unified in its desire to express more life or more good - then I feel comfortable and safe no matter what is happening on this Earth plane for I am at home everywhere.. I am a part of life itself and not separated from anyone or anything. It is the feeling of separation that brings sadness or disquiet to my heart and to my experience.
When I feel separate from the goodness that life is - when I feel separate from the life that is flowing through me (and through you), then I become fearful. At some level, I believe that life is somehow against me and ultimately, you are against me - so I do not feel safe to be me and begin to create barriers within my own heart so I won't be hurt.
Again and again, I must bring my conscious awareness back to my deepest desire and that is to be a loving, accepting and kind human being - especially to myself. As Howard Thurman said, "I want to be more loving in my heart - not just have the idea of loving." This is sometimes my challenge with folks who push my buttons (of course, this is where I need to look more closely and ask how did the button get created in the first place...). Again, it comes back to a feeling of separation. Somehow my ego gets all bent out of shape, fear sets in and then I automatically surround myself with barb wire and protective layers to keep me safe!
Safe from what? I am always safe if I but remember who I am. Remembering is key...
Oh my....good and more good is mine. Yes, good is being experienced all the time. My life is good and each experience I have reminds me even more fully how unified and connected I am to this good. Remember e is my word for today....how about you?
Blessed be,
Lynn
Monday, January 18, 2010
Intentions
This past Saturday, I facilitated a workshop on setting Intentions for 2010. Many of the participants were surprised that it was not about goal-setting or making "resolutions" - pleasantly surprised. The focus of this workshop (or "funshop" as a friend called it), was to determine (through thoughtful and inward contemplation) how we intended to show up this next year. In other words, who did we come here to be rather than what have we come here to get!
We then created a visual board with pictures and words to remind us of our intentions.
For sometime now, it has become apparent to me that my reason for being in this particular incarnation is to learn how to love. Yes, I did say learn. Love has been so "out of my reach" for most of my life. It has been something I read about, observed in other people, saw depicted in movies or on tv, but was not something that was readily apparent in my own experience of life. I was not taught love, nor was it modeled in my growing up by the people around me.
From the age of about 3 or 4, due to circumstances in my family, it was clear I was not wanted by my parents. Of course, I had no understanding of what this was about until years later - but it had a profound effect on how I thought about myself. My belief about myself was that I was unacceptable and unlovable. Much of the remainder of my life provided "evidence" to support this belief....until recently (last year) when I set the conscious intention to "be" a person who loved.
I wanted to feel love; I wanted to be love; I wanted to "get" love (kind of like getting a puppy); I wanted to absolutely know that I was loved to shatter my childhood belief about myself.
So, I began to "practice" loving unconditionally. Loving people who were "hard" to love. Loving myself when I forgot and was "unloving". It became the focus of my life. I longed to break the pattern. (George W. Bush was my biggest hurdle for several years!). For the last several months, I have been in communication with my second husband who also happens to be the "love of my life." Our relationship was tenuous 40 years ago and I have written about it before, so will not repeat that information. It has been my current intention to show up with him as I truly want to be - from my highest self - and not simply react based upon our past association. I wanted to release all fear and open my heart completely (or as best as I could)...so I consciosly shfted my focus about and to him and have been blessed beyond my wildest imaginings.
And, now, it has happened.
For the very first time - yes, the very first time - I feel loved. I actually FEEL (all through my physical body) an internal awareness of comfort, sweetness, acceptance, joy, beauty, peace and grace. Oh my God...I do not have words sufficient to express this experience. And, use of the word now has an entirely new meaning for me. It is so much bigger - so much more inclusive - so much more alive - so much more.....
THANK YOU LIFE and THANK YOU LOVE..
Blessed be,
Lynn
We then created a visual board with pictures and words to remind us of our intentions.
For sometime now, it has become apparent to me that my reason for being in this particular incarnation is to learn how to love. Yes, I did say learn. Love has been so "out of my reach" for most of my life. It has been something I read about, observed in other people, saw depicted in movies or on tv, but was not something that was readily apparent in my own experience of life. I was not taught love, nor was it modeled in my growing up by the people around me.
From the age of about 3 or 4, due to circumstances in my family, it was clear I was not wanted by my parents. Of course, I had no understanding of what this was about until years later - but it had a profound effect on how I thought about myself. My belief about myself was that I was unacceptable and unlovable. Much of the remainder of my life provided "evidence" to support this belief....until recently (last year) when I set the conscious intention to "be" a person who loved.
I wanted to feel love; I wanted to be love; I wanted to "get" love (kind of like getting a puppy); I wanted to absolutely know that I was loved to shatter my childhood belief about myself.
So, I began to "practice" loving unconditionally. Loving people who were "hard" to love. Loving myself when I forgot and was "unloving". It became the focus of my life. I longed to break the pattern. (George W. Bush was my biggest hurdle for several years!). For the last several months, I have been in communication with my second husband who also happens to be the "love of my life." Our relationship was tenuous 40 years ago and I have written about it before, so will not repeat that information. It has been my current intention to show up with him as I truly want to be - from my highest self - and not simply react based upon our past association. I wanted to release all fear and open my heart completely (or as best as I could)...so I consciosly shfted my focus about and to him and have been blessed beyond my wildest imaginings.
And, now, it has happened.
For the very first time - yes, the very first time - I feel loved. I actually FEEL (all through my physical body) an internal awareness of comfort, sweetness, acceptance, joy, beauty, peace and grace. Oh my God...I do not have words sufficient to express this experience. And, use of the word now has an entirely new meaning for me. It is so much bigger - so much more inclusive - so much more alive - so much more.....
THANK YOU LIFE and THANK YOU LOVE..
Blessed be,
Lynn
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Present Moment Living
What does it really mean to live in the present moment? Can any one of us truly do this? Are we not so influenced by our past experiences that each moment is somewhat guided by that influence?
It seems that if I was to live completely in this moment, my thoughts, feelings and actions would be experiencing what was happening now - except that they will have been guided by my thoughts, feelings and actions from the past! Spiritual writers and guides (including myself) encourage living in the present moment - hence the title of this website. But, is that really possible. When I contemplate this more deeply, I really do not think it is totally possible. Yes, I can bring my awareness to my breath and consciously experience my breathing and the life within me from one breath to the next - but very quickly, my mind begins to "have its way with me."
Quite possibly dedicated monks and mystics who live a cloistered life of prayer and meditation on a day-to-day basis have the ability to actually live in the present moment. I would like to have the opportunity to discuss this possibility in depth with one such monk or mystic at some future date - but here again, I am moving away from this moment!
Yesterday, I received an e-mail from someone I knew many, many years ago informing me that it was not possible for him to continue including me on his Facebook as a friend (plus a couple of other ways he intended to "fade away" from any visible association with me). In one way, I completely understand this action as it is in alignment with his past (quite distant past) behavior. However, it may also be in alignment with possible new intentions he has set for himself in this current phase of his life. What is my reaction or response to this new information? Varied.
After sitting with my initial disappointment, I had to ask myself what was the disappointment about? I guess I really want the past to stay in the past and for my friend to "see me" as I am now - or to see "us" as "we" are now, without our history influencing current behavior. Is that at all possible? I am unsure. So, I took it to prayer and what revealed itself to me was maybe my friend needed to know that I have forgiven him and released any blame from our time together. I don't know if this is true, but I will contemplate this idea and possibly convey this to my friend.
I so want love, rather than fear, to guide my actions. AND, I do know that love always wins.
Blessed be,
Lynn
It seems that if I was to live completely in this moment, my thoughts, feelings and actions would be experiencing what was happening now - except that they will have been guided by my thoughts, feelings and actions from the past! Spiritual writers and guides (including myself) encourage living in the present moment - hence the title of this website. But, is that really possible. When I contemplate this more deeply, I really do not think it is totally possible. Yes, I can bring my awareness to my breath and consciously experience my breathing and the life within me from one breath to the next - but very quickly, my mind begins to "have its way with me."
Quite possibly dedicated monks and mystics who live a cloistered life of prayer and meditation on a day-to-day basis have the ability to actually live in the present moment. I would like to have the opportunity to discuss this possibility in depth with one such monk or mystic at some future date - but here again, I am moving away from this moment!
Yesterday, I received an e-mail from someone I knew many, many years ago informing me that it was not possible for him to continue including me on his Facebook as a friend (plus a couple of other ways he intended to "fade away" from any visible association with me). In one way, I completely understand this action as it is in alignment with his past (quite distant past) behavior. However, it may also be in alignment with possible new intentions he has set for himself in this current phase of his life. What is my reaction or response to this new information? Varied.
After sitting with my initial disappointment, I had to ask myself what was the disappointment about? I guess I really want the past to stay in the past and for my friend to "see me" as I am now - or to see "us" as "we" are now, without our history influencing current behavior. Is that at all possible? I am unsure. So, I took it to prayer and what revealed itself to me was maybe my friend needed to know that I have forgiven him and released any blame from our time together. I don't know if this is true, but I will contemplate this idea and possibly convey this to my friend.
I so want love, rather than fear, to guide my actions. AND, I do know that love always wins.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Walking In Time
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to share a small, hand-held photograph album of my first marriage with some new friends. One of them exclaimed, "Oh my - you look exactly the same!" This was such a surprise to hear as these photos reflected a time when I was 49 years younger. Has time and living all these years truly not had that much of an effect on my body? Certainly, my internal life - especially over these last 20 years - has calmed and been more conscious of living with intention and purpose; but the frame containing my Spirit has received little focused attention.
One reason, I am convinced, is that I have literally always believed that my body is healthy and have affirmed this in my mind as an underlying belief that simply is the Truth. I have always had a good relationship with my body and appreciate it. I think it is quite lovely and am grateful for how it has supported me so well. For years, I was in the clothing business and have felt grateful that I can wear pretty much whatever I want and they look good and feel great on me. My body is a joy to experience.
I feel especially grateful that I have not had to "work" at staying in a weight-range that supports my frame, nor have I been overly-engaged in exercise, etc. I am also grateful that I have been able to eat pretty much anything I like (and I do), which is grand since eating is a passion in many ways - especially really good food well prepared.
So - what makes this so? Genes? Belief? Swimming daily as a child for 7 consistent years?
A part of me believes that swimming all those years - each day from the time I was about 7 until about 14 - has a huge impact on my body today. In some way, I believe I was training my cells to "remember" how powerful and graceful and responsive they actually are, and that this "training" has remained part of the anchor sustaining my body all these years. Is this factual? Don't know - and am not attached to a definitive answer. What I do know is that I am grateful and feel blessed to experience life through my body in such a blissful way.
Thank you life.
Blessed be,
Lynn
One reason, I am convinced, is that I have literally always believed that my body is healthy and have affirmed this in my mind as an underlying belief that simply is the Truth. I have always had a good relationship with my body and appreciate it. I think it is quite lovely and am grateful for how it has supported me so well. For years, I was in the clothing business and have felt grateful that I can wear pretty much whatever I want and they look good and feel great on me. My body is a joy to experience.
I feel especially grateful that I have not had to "work" at staying in a weight-range that supports my frame, nor have I been overly-engaged in exercise, etc. I am also grateful that I have been able to eat pretty much anything I like (and I do), which is grand since eating is a passion in many ways - especially really good food well prepared.
So - what makes this so? Genes? Belief? Swimming daily as a child for 7 consistent years?
A part of me believes that swimming all those years - each day from the time I was about 7 until about 14 - has a huge impact on my body today. In some way, I believe I was training my cells to "remember" how powerful and graceful and responsive they actually are, and that this "training" has remained part of the anchor sustaining my body all these years. Is this factual? Don't know - and am not attached to a definitive answer. What I do know is that I am grateful and feel blessed to experience life through my body in such a blissful way.
Thank you life.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Creating 2010 Intentions
Next Saturday I will be facilitating a workshop to create Intentions for 2010. This is a wonderful way to begin any new year or project. Intentions differ from "resolutions" in that they are generated from that place within that is Spirit-led - as opposed to setting a "goal" and then using our human will-power to "make" it happen. Most of my life, when I have set resolutions at the new year, they have become a distant memory (and hard to recall) after less than a month.
Intentions take us into the flow of life. They allow us to work within the natural framework of our inner being...that part of us that is continuously supporting our higher Self and our greater good. Resolutions sometimes have felt to me to be in opposition to my natural state of being, and I think this may be the reason they never rooted deeply enough in my own consciousness to manifest.
I believe we set intentions much of the time in a very unconscious way. As I listen to my inner dialogue, I pay attention to what messages are continuously present in my mind. These are anchoring some desire, some need, some want that I have into the Mind of Spirit...and eventually will bear fruit. Recently, I experienced such a revelation.
For the longest time (probably most of my life), I have acquiessed to the needs, wants and desires of the people closest to me. In the latter years, I have told myself that I am "accepting" of behavior (when I actually wasn't) - or, I have told myelf that what I wanted or desired was "not that important" - to just let it go...it's "not that big a deal", etc. etc. What I have recently discovered is that I have been engaging in a form of (what a dear friend recently labeled) "solf-self-abuse"! At first, I rejected the label immediately. I was the product of major abuse in my life and certainly knew what abuse was...and what I was doing was definitely not that. Or was it?
Upon deep contemplation and much inner reflection, I have come to believe that indeed this is what I have bveen doing. When I fail to make my needs, desires, preferences or wants known to another (especially th0se close to me out of my deep fear of rejection), I am telling myself that I AM NOT WORTHY...that I am not valuable enough or important enough; not the action or outcome - but ME.
A this writing, I believe this AHA is the revealing of a deep inner intention that I set many years ago to express and live from my Higher Self. If I am unwilling to take full responsibility for me (and that means speaking up and actually taking ownership of my wants, desires, etc.), then I am not living from my Higher Self - I am only playing "make believe".
This revelation is a huge one for me and I intend to seek guidance as to how to proceed to give voice to what has been revealed. One action I am willing to take, however, is to stop - right now - remaining silent when my life depends upon speaking up.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Intentions take us into the flow of life. They allow us to work within the natural framework of our inner being...that part of us that is continuously supporting our higher Self and our greater good. Resolutions sometimes have felt to me to be in opposition to my natural state of being, and I think this may be the reason they never rooted deeply enough in my own consciousness to manifest.
I believe we set intentions much of the time in a very unconscious way. As I listen to my inner dialogue, I pay attention to what messages are continuously present in my mind. These are anchoring some desire, some need, some want that I have into the Mind of Spirit...and eventually will bear fruit. Recently, I experienced such a revelation.
For the longest time (probably most of my life), I have acquiessed to the needs, wants and desires of the people closest to me. In the latter years, I have told myself that I am "accepting" of behavior (when I actually wasn't) - or, I have told myelf that what I wanted or desired was "not that important" - to just let it go...it's "not that big a deal", etc. etc. What I have recently discovered is that I have been engaging in a form of (what a dear friend recently labeled) "solf-self-abuse"! At first, I rejected the label immediately. I was the product of major abuse in my life and certainly knew what abuse was...and what I was doing was definitely not that. Or was it?
Upon deep contemplation and much inner reflection, I have come to believe that indeed this is what I have bveen doing. When I fail to make my needs, desires, preferences or wants known to another (especially th0se close to me out of my deep fear of rejection), I am telling myself that I AM NOT WORTHY...that I am not valuable enough or important enough; not the action or outcome - but ME.
A this writing, I believe this AHA is the revealing of a deep inner intention that I set many years ago to express and live from my Higher Self. If I am unwilling to take full responsibility for me (and that means speaking up and actually taking ownership of my wants, desires, etc.), then I am not living from my Higher Self - I am only playing "make believe".
This revelation is a huge one for me and I intend to seek guidance as to how to proceed to give voice to what has been revealed. One action I am willing to take, however, is to stop - right now - remaining silent when my life depends upon speaking up.
Blessed be,
Lynn
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Evolving Stories
Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to receive a phone call from a dear friend who was sitting at the ocean's edge preparing to launch 3 "ships" off to sea in honor of the goddess (unsure of just which one). She had created the ships the previous evening out of waxed paper. Each was decorated with a different sprinkling of glitter iin colors of red, blue and purple - the goddess likes purple and glitter. Inside each one, she had placed tokens or momentos which would appeal to the goddess - small reading books, poems, perfume (sprinkled on cotton balls so as not to pollute the ocean!), bracelets or other jewelry, etc. Oh how I wished I had been there to share in the ceremony and encourage the little ships on their journey. Who knows, one may eventually show up on the beach in Puerto Vallarta!
Creativity and its expression - so multi-layered and extensive. I am always in awe of my friend's creative gene. She appears to be a never-ending example of how Spirit expresses through life and through our humanness.
I am firmly convinced that this creativity gene is very near the surface of my friend's consciousness. Was she always this way? Was she encouraged as a child to express herself in such amazing ways? I must ask her...but in any event, I believe that each of us has this gene - each of us has the ability to sing, or dance, or draw, or write, or.....fill in the blank...from the moment we are born. What derails its expression through us is the stories we have repeatedly told ourselves over the years, beginning from our first breath.
Have your personal stories evolved over your lifetime into a fuller expression of who you truly are? Have you allowed yourself to grow and expand your own self-talk to one of encouraging "you can do it" messages? From my own experience, I had to give myself conscious permission to embrace and practice my creativity - and then to accept whatever I had then created as being good! This was, perhaps, the most difficult part - not to compare what it was I had created with an accomplished or acknowledged artist.
Over time, however, I have sufficiently shifted my internal story. I also have accepted that my creative gene is continuously evolving and thus, the stories I tell myself must evolve as well.
How about this year of 2010 you encourage your own creative gene to grow in whatever ways feel good to you? I promise it will be a fun experience for you and those around you.
You are loved in all ways,
Lynn
Creativity and its expression - so multi-layered and extensive. I am always in awe of my friend's creative gene. She appears to be a never-ending example of how Spirit expresses through life and through our humanness.
I am firmly convinced that this creativity gene is very near the surface of my friend's consciousness. Was she always this way? Was she encouraged as a child to express herself in such amazing ways? I must ask her...but in any event, I believe that each of us has this gene - each of us has the ability to sing, or dance, or draw, or write, or.....fill in the blank...from the moment we are born. What derails its expression through us is the stories we have repeatedly told ourselves over the years, beginning from our first breath.
Have your personal stories evolved over your lifetime into a fuller expression of who you truly are? Have you allowed yourself to grow and expand your own self-talk to one of encouraging "you can do it" messages? From my own experience, I had to give myself conscious permission to embrace and practice my creativity - and then to accept whatever I had then created as being good! This was, perhaps, the most difficult part - not to compare what it was I had created with an accomplished or acknowledged artist.
Over time, however, I have sufficiently shifted my internal story. I also have accepted that my creative gene is continuously evolving and thus, the stories I tell myself must evolve as well.
How about this year of 2010 you encourage your own creative gene to grow in whatever ways feel good to you? I promise it will be a fun experience for you and those around you.
You are loved in all ways,
Lynn
Friday, January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hola Dear Friends,
The first decade of the 21st century has passed. What astonishing news that seems to be for me as it seems just yesterday many of us were concerned that our computers would not work as we turned the clock to the year 2000! And, look how we began this decade - politically, we were pretty peaceful and definitely more solvent; economically, most of us were doing well; consciousness was growing around the climate changes that we needed to shift; and on and on.
For me, I had just graduated from the Holmes Institute and was newly licensed as a minsiter. I felt excited and hopeful about the future and was exceedingly grateful to be contemplating ideas for my spiritual community and the ways I would be serving Spirit in my new capacity as a spiritual leader. At the time, I had not a clue as to the profound impact this new role would have upon my life or the internal changes that would be required of me to serve at this higher level. Oh my!!!
Sometimes I think that 10 years is a long time. It is actually very short. Really just a blip on the radar of ones existence.
As I contemplate the next 10 years, as I reflect upon how I want to experience this upcoming decade, I find I must move even deeper into my inner contemplative self - actually my inner Higher SELF. I must still my outer - and oh so chatter-driven mind - and FEEL what wants to be born within me; what wants to be expressed or experienced through me. Where I am lving right now is a grand spot with which to begin this process - and I believe it is more of a process than an actual decision. I believe it is an emergent awareness that surfaces when I am still enough to pay attention - when I am available to "hear" its call.
My home sits next to this amazing lake. 60 miles long and roughly 30 miles across. It is large enough to have its own varied expressions, depending upon the wind and the weather, and is constantly changing. My view across the lake is of a higher mountain called Mt. Garcia (I think), and it too reveals it's own varied expressions. The lake supports hundreds of cranes, along with ducks, birds, etc. but the cranes are especially wondrous to observe. They are beautiful and graceful and still and powerful and contemplative and....
So each day, I have made it a daily practice to sit next to the lake and observe it through my own stillness. To meditate and open my heart and mind to accept the deeper awareness coming to and through me in the softness of this energy. Allowing myself to be - to simply be - and to pay attention to the inner voice gently whispering through my heart.
Life is good and you are loved.
Blessed be,
Lynn
The first decade of the 21st century has passed. What astonishing news that seems to be for me as it seems just yesterday many of us were concerned that our computers would not work as we turned the clock to the year 2000! And, look how we began this decade - politically, we were pretty peaceful and definitely more solvent; economically, most of us were doing well; consciousness was growing around the climate changes that we needed to shift; and on and on.
For me, I had just graduated from the Holmes Institute and was newly licensed as a minsiter. I felt excited and hopeful about the future and was exceedingly grateful to be contemplating ideas for my spiritual community and the ways I would be serving Spirit in my new capacity as a spiritual leader. At the time, I had not a clue as to the profound impact this new role would have upon my life or the internal changes that would be required of me to serve at this higher level. Oh my!!!
Sometimes I think that 10 years is a long time. It is actually very short. Really just a blip on the radar of ones existence.
As I contemplate the next 10 years, as I reflect upon how I want to experience this upcoming decade, I find I must move even deeper into my inner contemplative self - actually my inner Higher SELF. I must still my outer - and oh so chatter-driven mind - and FEEL what wants to be born within me; what wants to be expressed or experienced through me. Where I am lving right now is a grand spot with which to begin this process - and I believe it is more of a process than an actual decision. I believe it is an emergent awareness that surfaces when I am still enough to pay attention - when I am available to "hear" its call.
My home sits next to this amazing lake. 60 miles long and roughly 30 miles across. It is large enough to have its own varied expressions, depending upon the wind and the weather, and is constantly changing. My view across the lake is of a higher mountain called Mt. Garcia (I think), and it too reveals it's own varied expressions. The lake supports hundreds of cranes, along with ducks, birds, etc. but the cranes are especially wondrous to observe. They are beautiful and graceful and still and powerful and contemplative and....
So each day, I have made it a daily practice to sit next to the lake and observe it through my own stillness. To meditate and open my heart and mind to accept the deeper awareness coming to and through me in the softness of this energy. Allowing myself to be - to simply be - and to pay attention to the inner voice gently whispering through my heart.
Life is good and you are loved.
Blessed be,
Lynn
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