Archive for Gratitude

More Havingness

February 20, 2012 Jean No comments

Almost everyone I know has been experiencing great change during this early part of 2012: a big shift in career, relocation, a major relationship ending and/or a new one beginning, death, health challenges, or all of the above! No doubt, big changes are happening. And, for many those changes are taking the form of major breakthroughs in life-long challenges, or visions and ventures that have been seen and worked on for years, and finally fruition is happening. What an exciting time of opportunity and growth!

One of the themes I’ve noticed throughout all this growth and change we’re witnessing in and around us is Havingness. We are, without a doubt, stepping into a new world, a new community of humanity, a new consciousness. And the underlying pattern of this newness is our greater havingness, both personally and collectively. Havingness is like receptivity, our ability and willingness to accept, to have, what is. Havingness places no limits upon ourselves. It recognizes and validates miracles, and it gives space for the entire spectrum of human experience.

While collectively we still have a long way to go in expanding our havingness, we are taking great steps. We are having more awareness and permission to speak up about what we see and know. Revolutions, protests, petitions and demonstrations worldwide attest to this. We are having more willingness to question old ways of doing and being while creating new systems and modes of relating economically, politically and socially. Grassroots community organizations promoting sustainability, alternative currency, sharing, fairness in housing, organic agriculture, new education models and creative expression all attest to this greater havingness for our new world.

We know we’re the ones we’ve been waiting for, and we are being the change we’d like to see, and are seeing, in the world.

Our next step is to continue to have more. We will have more change when we can accept that ugliness, greediness and fear has appeared to control the world for too long, and continues to seem dominant and unyielding. When we can give the fear, greed and ugliness within us space to Be, rather than fight it, hide it, fear it, deny or ignore it, we can be free from it. Without our resistance to fear, fear has no power. It is a wind that dies and and disappears without us blowing back at it. When we can fully have fear, fear won’t have us in it’s grip.

The grip of fear is loosening everywhere, within us and all around us. It’s a joy for me to witness. Yet as fear comes out of the woodwork, we can sometimes lose ourselves in the confusion of its whirlwind release. We can forget who we are, become afraid of the fear, and experience the agonizing resistance to fear. But what if we could just have the fear? What would that look or feel like?

Havingness for fear means we are the neutral (meaning non-judging and non-resisting), aware, compassionate and amused observer of the energy we call fear, and all of the emotions, sensations and effects of it in the body-mind. This takes practice, and willingness to fail and try again, over and over. Havingness is a huge step towards mastery. Becoming more and more aware, neutral, compassionate and amused of what we experience in our body-mind is the path to mastery. It may not always be easy, but it can be fun if we choose!

So what does havingness for fear have to do with having more fun? How can we possibly have fun with fear? We can start, in the moment, and choose every moment, not to be afraid of or judge fear. This gives us space and awareness. We are not so stuck in the tunnel of fear and judgement that we can’t see what it is, how we got in it and how to get out. Then we can accept ourselves within the experience of fear: “I can have that I am in fear, and love myself in this space.” Then we can get curious and neutral to the fear. “Wow, that’s an amazing amount of fear! Look at how thick, dark, ugly, terrifying, convincing and annoying that fear is!” We can even become a little amused :) “Holy shit! That fear really threw me for a loop! It really has me shakin’ and tremblin’! I’m peeing my pants!” If we can accept ourselves running in fear circles, or becoming a monster every once in a while because of fear, then we can start to have a little fun with it. We can stop, breathe, have some space from it, not take it so seriously, take our power back, and enjoy the ride back to peace, clarity, joy, love and wholeness.

More havingness for the darker side of life is also more havingness for the bright side of life. We can’t have peace, joy, prosperity and love if we are resisting fear, greed, anger, sadness and hatred. When we resist something we make it real in our experience. When we can have something, we recognize and experience the Truth.

Forgiveness, Gratitude, Morning Meditations, Next Step

Wherever you go, there You Are

January 30, 2012 Jean No comments

My husband and I have been planning a spring vacation since the fall. Ever since our last trip to Hawaii this past summer, we can’t wait to return to the sparkling ocean, warm sand and flowery breezes. We love Hawaii.

I often hear vacations referred to as “getaways,” but I wouldn’t call our family vacations that. What exactly would we be getting away from? Sure, we’re away from our home town, our own house, and the routines, work, and familiar people and places that come with being home. But we still have ourselves, our relationships with each other, our minds and their continuous babble, our dreams and fears, what we crave and what we resist.

Rather than a getaway, I see vacation as life under a magnifying glass. Whatever issues we are somehow able to skirt, ignore or not notice in the busyness of life at home, become very obvious. No more hiding. At home we may not see each other for more than a few minutes here and there while sharing a meal. On vacation, we’re together, in a small condo, almost the entire day and night, for 10 days. It’s like a hothouse. We’re being pressure cooked and all our buttons are exposed and raw.

It’s hilarious.

The discomfort usually starts during the packing process. We’re all a bit frazzled, hurrying around, chasing the perfect exodus. And we’re all in each others way. We’re eager to get out of here, to be in Hawaii (or wherever our “getaway” will be).

And then, after much shuffling and sighing, laughing and complaining, we arrive at our destination. We have gotten away, and feel a sense of relief, a lot of gratitude, and a bit of anxiousness about doing everything we’d like to do while we’re “getting away.”

Truly, it’s hilarious.

Vacation isn’t a vacation from life, or from yourself. It’s you and your life in a different, perhaps more interesting, warm and relaxing place. I’m certainly not complaining: I love our family vacations, and Hawaii is one of my favorite places on the planet. I’m grateful for our focused time together and the opportunities we have to forgive, laugh and play together. Traveling allows us to experience ourselves differently. It can certainly open up our creativity and inspire us in new ways. But we are still who we are. And our “stuff” comes with us.

Wherever we go, there we are! As long as we’re not expecting to get away from ourselves, vacation is awesome!

Forgiveness, Gratitude

Miracles Abound

July 2, 2010 Jean No comments

What an amazing year this is. Just one month into 2010, and I’m feeling a whole new sense of peace, grace and ease happening this year. And miracles. Like beautiful sweet surprises that tickle my heart and make me smile inside and out, miracles happen each moment I remember to notice them.

Sometimes we forget to notice miracles, and so we think they are rare or special. A friend and fellow healer reminded me recently that remembering to see and acknowledge all the miracles everyday makes more space for more miracles. He shared how he was practicing becoming more aware of them in his daily life, and how fun and profound it is to really notice the abundance of gifts we are given, but usually ignore or fail to see. He inspired me to take more notice, be more present and grateful throughout each day for what we might usually call “all of the little things.” And so I did. Here’s what I found.

Miracles abound! :) They are everywhere and every moment. Like what? you may say…what happened? Big things are happening, and small things too. But the thing about miracles is that there is no difference between big and small. They just happen. They are. When we’re able to see that there is no difference between having a friend call to offer help when we need it and receiving an unsolicited check in the mail for the exact amount of money needed to purchase a new house, we know that miracles are the ever-presence of grace being received in our lives. A miracle is always being given, and we choose to have it, to receive it, by opening our mind to Truth, to the recognition of wholeness and oneness.

Miracles really aren’t about what we happen to “get” in form. Although what we receive in form can be truly wonderful and helpful. Miracles are about restoring our mind to wholeness, releasing perceptions of division and attachments to separation. Miracles are quite natural, and not as special or far-fetched as we are used to believing them to be. They seem rare only when we are in the habit of seeing the world as separate from ourselves and real. Miracles come when we see the world for what it is: a dream made up of our thoughts. When we see through the eyes of Spirit, or through a lens of forgiveness and awareness, we see miracles everywhere. And they come like a stream of happy moments that need no explanation and have nothing to do with our circumstances. Miracles are like poetry and art, they don’t have to make sense, and they are best recognized through our intuition.

I’ve chosen again to commit to having more miracles, to recognizing the miracle each moment. There’s a wave of transformation that follows this decision, and it can be intense! Fear transforms into enthusiastic willingness and openness, doubts melt in laughter, sadness and confusion dispel, and vibrant, radiant joy and creativity emerge. And it’s a dance. When I forget to acknowledge and receive the miracle, I wander into familiar and not so fun territory. My mind is busy, too busy, with meaningless thoughts. But then, Ah Grace! I remember the joy and freedom of the miracle. Sweet! And my mind returns to clarity, serenity and wholeness.

I’m making miracles my meditation, my daily walking, waking, busy-being-a-mother meditation. My motivation is joy and peace of mind, for that is what the miracle offers. And I’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by what appears in my world too. That’s the fun thing about miracles: the more miracles we have, the happier the dream.

May this year be full of happiness and sweet dreams as we see the miracles we are always given.

Gratitude, Morning Meditations

Enthusiasm for the New Year

January 1, 2010 Jean No comments

We have arrived! It’s 2010, and the sense of limitless possibilities, unimaginable miracles, and all-things-possible is incredibly palpable. The air is full of excitement. My heart races with exuberant anticipation and grateful presence. Wow! What an amazing year this is: the year of having, the year of increasingly expanding havingness and receptivity.

Last night, as I ate dinner with my husband, I became aware of the immense excitement and anticipation in my heart, and in the hearts of many. Although I had a quiet New Years Eve, staying home with my baby, who’s experiencing his first cold, inwardly I was full of explosive celebration energy. It was indescribable, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And I enjoyed it moment by moment. While I was also aware that enthusiasm and joyful anticipation are not everyone’s experience as the new year begins, I celebrated that, despite the worry, resistance and dread that many feel, there is a clear and powerful sense of extreme positivity and happy knowing about the miracles to come this year. This year brings the gift of mastery, creativity and collaboration. It’s going to be beautiful. It already is.

The question I’m hearing is: What are we having? What are we receiving? For many, the beginning of a new year comes with thoughts and questions of what the year will bring, what we’d like to create, what goals, dreams or resolutions we have, what agenda for our lives would we like to revisit or recreate. This is the time when we reflect on the past year and envision the next. But what is at the root of our reflection and vision? From where are we seeing ourselves in the past and future? Are we viewing our past through an image of resentment, lack or guilt? Are we in effort to change what we can’t accept, resisting what is so that our future is somehow better, less painful?

What if we decided to see ourselves, across all time, as innocent, whole, unlimited, and perfect just the way we are? What if we viewed the past through a lens of forgiveness, saw only the present, and anticipated the future with outrageous joy and enthusiasm? What if we accepted ourselves fully, gave ourselves space to Be, and simply Loved? Yippee!! That feels fantastic!

Enthusiasm, Joy, and the Grace of Knowing that is beyond the sense of hope all come with the simple choice to forgive ourselves, Love completely, and accept fully. When there is no aspect of ourselves, or the world, that we cannot completely give space to be and witness with full awareness, love and compassion, there is no doubt, worry or dread of what is to come. When we can give ourselves and eachother space to be Who we are and where we are on our journey to Being Who we are in the world, there is no sense of lack, needing to change, resistance to what is, or fear of not having. We simply know and have All. Enthusiasm is a sign that we know God, that we are choosing to give God space to Be in our lives, and that we are willing to Be the full expression of the power, creativity and limitlessness of our Divinity.

When we have enthusiasm, we are completely open, receptive, ready and willing to have the miracles given us in each moment. And, our enthusiasm is a contagious virus of happiness spreading to everyone we come into contact with, like slipping laughter pills into everyone’s drinks, or sneaking a reprogramming disk into everyone’s mind that says “All is Well, let’s celebrate eternity and peace!” When we have enthusiasm, people may not know why, they may not be able to understand or relate to our extreme state of joy and peace, but they will receive a healing, like a balm of surrender, whenever they open up just enough to wonder how we could be so happy.

My enthusiasm for this New Year comes with an awareness that no matter what it brings, a happy outcome is certain. No matter what chaos or insanity continues to lurk in the world, I can choose to forgive and have the peace, Grace and certainty of God. As time continues to appear to exist and move faster and faster, I’m enthusiastic about this fantastic opportunity to master the art of forgiveness, the art of living in the world but not of it. As ancient structures and systems of society continue to crumble, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to come into genuine connection and community with others, to co-create and collaborate, to have the immense power of our creativity manifest as a new world, where sharing, peace, prosperity, abundance, play, caring, giving, compassion, nurturing, cooperation and collective awakening are present in every level of our societies: families, communities and nations. I am enthusiastic about taking our next step in embodying/manifesting a world that reflects the essence of Truth: Joy, Peace and Love.

May 2010 bring you beautiful miraculous surprises, experiences of You beyond what you’ve imagined possible, and the deepest peace and knowing of God than ever before.

Forgiveness, Gratitude, Next Step

Presence

October 27, 2009 Jean No comments

Time sure does fly when you’re a mama! Most likely, whether you’re a mother or not, you experience time moving very quickly lately. It really is! I just realized it has been 3 months since I’ve written in this blog! Really?! I thought to myself, That Long?! Wow! I must really be having fun!

I can honestly say that I have been having a tremendously wonderful time. My baby boy is now 4 and 1/2 months old, and a constant delight. Even when he’s upset about something, which recently happens due to his enthusiasm to put things into his mouth faster than he can get his body to put said things into his mouth, he’s always a joy. Each day, each moment brings new expressions, new developments in body, motions and emotions, new horizons to discover together.

I am reminded in this moment that one of the most amazing gifts a child brings is the gift of presence. To be with a child, to spend every moment of every day (or almost every moment:) can be a challenge if we are not willing to practice presence. Each day with my baby flows differently and is comprised of a series of events all centered around either eating, sleeping, playing, or transitioning into or out of one of these activities. Although life is simple in this baby rhythm, it is not always easy to support the ever growing needs of a little one. I have to be very in tune with him in order to discern when he is hungry, when he is just tired, or when his cries are related to wanting more mental or physical stimulation, needing a new thing or area to explore or observe. I’m sure all mothers can relate to this. It’s a beautiful dance, really, to connect with our little ones non-verbally, to pick up their cues and stay present enough to know what is needed each moment.

Parents must practice presence not only to remain aware of the needs and wants of their child, but of themselves as well. In order to be a good parent, ready and able to provide for whatever physical, emotional, mental or spiritual need that arises, we must have first been taking good care of ourselves. If a parent has not been able to receive adequate rest, nutrition, social time or alone time, how can they stay fully present for their child? They will be too distracted by their own needs. I have really appreciated this aspect of motherhood actually: the opportunity to give to myself because I must in order to be the best parent I can be. It is a gift that comes with having children, but is not always recognized as such.

The gift of presence comes with each child. They call us to be more aware of everything. In order to understand and communicate with infants we must be aware of the subtle levels of communication, non-verbal and spiritual communication. In order to support ourselves and our children through life’s challenges and changes, and stay connected on a heart level, we must develop and strengthen our emotional awareness. In order to take care of our bodies so that they stay strong and capable of holding, carrying, lifting and walking through life with our growing babies, we must have somatic awareness, sensing where we are holding tension in the body or where there are imbalances that may lead to illness. The various levels of awareness that caring for children requires invites us to practice and master the art of presence. Being right here, right now, being with whatever is in this moment and being able to respond, that is true responsibility. And it is the power that our children call forth from within us as they look into our eyes with their deep loving presence and acceptance.

What a joy to have children as our teachers of presence. We cannot truly be with them if we are preoccupied with our thoughts, stuck in the past ruminating about this or that “coulda-woulda-shoulda,” or projecting in to the future with all of the what-if’s, worries, fears and doubts. To truly be with a child, we must be present, in the present, in the eternal now of beingness, where we are the most able to respond (to be response-able) to any and every need that arises. When we are present, we are able to respond effectively, with peace, grace, ease, Love and certainty. And when we respond with this energy, we are giving back what our children offer/teach us: Love, Presence and acceptance. We are teaching ourselves and our children to be the peace we want to have in the world. Through our presence, we change the world.

Parents are powerful agents of change through our presence. May each of us, parent or not, practice great presence and celebrate our ability to bring peace to our selves, our families, our communities and the world.

Gratitude, Morning Meditations

Newness and Change

March 1, 2009 Jean No comments

Isn’t it exciting when so much change is happening, and you feel the flutter of creativity, positivity, hope and renewal in the air?! I’ve really been enjoying the energy of the collective on the planet lately. Barack Obama’s recent inauguration was certainly a large part of the enthusiastic celebration energy in the world, but I see it as symbolic of a much greater change taking place as well.

A feeling of renewal or newness is stirring our collective dream into greater awakeness. For many, this looks or feels like a longing or willingness to start afresh in their lives, change old habits, renew commitments to Self, or transform their entire outlook on life. For others there is an inner calling to break from the past and really show up in their lives. However you experience the energy of newness, know that it is here to bless you with inner strength, hope, trust and certainty in your abilities to create, transform and become who you truly are.

What I’ve noticed amidst this sense of renewal is an often challenging beginning stage, where many people get stuck in discouragement, confusion and fear. After an initial boost of enthusiasm, commitment and clarity, many hit a wall of energy and lose sight of that great joy and enthusiasm for change and newness. This “wall of energy,” although it is not real, seems very real, threatening and even debilitating. It is a collection of thoughts that say “You can’t do that,” and “But look what happened in the past,” and “What do you think you’re doing anyway?” Doubt, fear and a sense of lack and helplessness can crowd the mind and hinder us from knowing the power of our will to choose Spirit and be free from this fear. When we choose Spirit–choose Good–we remove our power from that “wall of fear” and give it to the unlimited, all-Loving, free and fearless Self that is always in communion with God. With that Self, the fear disappears.

With the tide of newness in the air, people’s perceptions of what is possible are beginning to change as well. Perhaps there is even a greater sense that anything is possible. Indeed, it is. And with this sense in limitless possibility comes a greater understanding of ourSelves, for, in Truth, we are limitless. When we know that we are limitless, infinite, immortal Spirit, we are less likely to believe in, or become the effect of, thoughts of fear, resistance, limitation or lack. When we know that we are always free, no matter what the outer circumstances appear to be, we are empowered to follow our inner guidance, make dramatic changes in our personal lives if need be, be creative and express ourselves, and respond to our inner callings with greater certainty. We are also free to love, without fear, limitation or condition.

The change and newness happening in our world and in our lives is a sign of our choice to have and be the limitless, fearless, free and joyful Being of Spirit. I embrace and celebrate this newness with gratitude and enthusiasm. And I encourage you to look at what changes you have been making, are currently making, or would like to make. Validate your choices for positive change, and celebrate the energy of newness that connects you with your creativity and enthusiasm.

Fortunately, there is a lot of help and support for us to choose Spirit, always, and it is especially tangible right now. The energy of newness is the energy of the Holy Spirit: alive, inspiring, creative, loving, innocent and enthusiastic. It is the energy of “Anything is possible!” and “Yes!” May you know and experience the continuous blessings of the Holy Spirit now and always!

Gratitude, Morning Meditations, Next Step

When Things Fall Apart

November 11, 2008 Jean No comments

What an exciting time of transformation we are all taking part in!  It’s not every lifetime you get to watch the planet go through such massive change!  Congratulations for signing up to be a part of it!  Woohoo!

As you can tell, I’m feeling rather enthusiastic about the current state of affairs in our world.  The appearance of so much falling apart–economic collapse, political facades crumbling, personal crisis intensifying–shows us we’re at the end of a very big cycle, and ready for a new world.   Things fall apart when they need to, in order to clear the way for the new.  “Out with the old, in with the new” is literally what is taking place all around us on a grand scale.   Humanity has been realizing more and more that the way we’ve been operating on this planet for so long just isn’t feasible: it’s not sustainable, it’s not loving, it’s not in balance, and it’s not truthful.  Humanity has also been asking for something better, something much different, something that reflects a greater sense of sharing, caring, peace and prosperity, for all of us.  And what our collective heart has been asking for is now coming into fruition.

This is cause for celebration!  On the surface, we may only notice the chaos of the current collapsing systems, and feel the fear, panic, doubt and disappointment this brings up.  However, if we look beneath the surface, it is very apparent that what’s happening is a clearing of the slate, so to speak.  What’s happening is simply a very huge house cleaning.  And this house cleaning is so long over due that we’re discovering some pretty nasty, old, rotting, decomposing trash and what-not in the basement and the backs of the closets that take a bit of time and emotional resources to remove. :)   This part may not seem like much fun, but it can be when we remember what it’s for.  When we remember that it’s all happening in order to clear the space for a very new, clean and bright “house,”  then it really is cause for celebration.

When things fall apart, we can choose to focus on what’s falling apart, and how horrible that might appear or feel in our experience, or we can choose to focus on what’s coming in to take it’s place.  When we focus on the new, the emerging beautiful bud of our next step, we stay in that space of enthusiasm, joy, surrender, peace and grace.  We can then be present with what is–the seeming chaos of collapse all around us–and be full of peace and love, rather than fear.  When things fall apart, we can rejoice and say “Yay!  I must be ready for something new, different and much better!”

The world is ready for something new, different and much, much better.  The hearts of humanity have opened enough to birth a more loving reality here.  That loving reality is now taking form, and old systems based on fear are crumbling in the face of the greater awareness of Love here on the planet.  Fear dissolves in the face of Love, and so old systems, whether economic, political, social or personal, are now dissolving in the face of Love.   This is sometimes the painful part the transformation:  the part where fear and resistance dig in their heals and say “No! I can’t take it!”  But if we surrender, if we say “Yes!  Let’s have something new and beautiful! Let’s welcome the Truth!”  we will sail through the enormous changes with greater ease, grace and peace.  And we will be open to the many blessings and opportunities available to us as something new and much, much better emerges.

We will be open to receive the tremendous Love that Is.

May we all have this change and allow things to fall apart…for only unTruth falls apart, and That Which Is is everlasting.

Gratitude, Morning Meditations

Gratitude

June 3, 2008 Jean No comments

This week I’m dog-sitting for a delightfully enthusiastic Border Collie named Bonnie Lass. What a lovely creature! So full of Life and fun and play, she communicates with gentleness and peace, and really knows how to play ball! She’s been very patient with me, too. For a couple days I wasn’t feeling well enough to run around outside. But, this morning, we’re back in action.

Bonnie Lass and I went for a long walk-and-play in the park early this morning. I love morning walks, because this is often the time when I connect the deepest with Truth and stillness, and hear the inspiration that comes from that spaciousness. As we walked, I was blessed with a sudden and wonderful Thought: the Holy Spirit’s voice sung clearly in my mind, “You’re Being is cherished and held in the infinite Love of God.” Aaahhh. My whole body, mind and being relaxed deeply into the blessed presence of this Thought. I say Thought because this was not like the meaningless thoughts that run through our mind incessantly: this was not coming from the analyzer–the little “thought machine” in our minds. And this Thought was not experienced as a thought the mind thinks. :) It was felt, sensed, known by my entire Being in an everlasting moment of recognition. And it had an effect on me similar to the mouth on cotton candy: I melted and dissolved. My heart burst open even more, and tears of Gratitude washed my face.

As I became aware again that I was walking the dog, that I actually had a body with a leash in one hand and a ball in the other, I sang a mantra of Thank You to God, and to all the Awakened Ones. I sang in gratitude for how perfectly cared for we are, no matter what appears to be going on in the world. I sang in gratitude for the Voice that came through so clearly and Blessed me with Remembrance. And as I looked over the valley, at the rolling green hills and the misty clouds and the snow-tipped mountains and the budding trees, I sang in gratitude for the Beauty that reminds us of Truth.

And now, this gratitude remains. It will remain always, as long as I remember the Self, the Christ, the Love that we are.

My prayerful intention today is that we all remember this in every moment. That we allow the Voice, the Holy Spirit to be heard in our minds. That we allow the stillness to speak to us so that we always know how precious, loved, loving, safe, beautiful, whole, innocent, infinite and perfect We truly are. May we never forget this, and may this Truth guide our every step as we awaken the dream.

Gratitude, Morning Meditations

The Song of Grace

April 12, 2008 Jean No comments

Yesterday I observed myself laughing often.   Those of you who know me might be asking “what’s new?”  I laugh a lot.  It’s something people tend to notice about me pretty quickly, because not only do I laugh often, I tend to laugh pretty loudly as well.  The volume is something I can’t always control.  And the laughter I rarely control in the sense of hold back or limit.   Laughter is always an appropriate response to life.

Another thing I observed as I was laughing a lot yesterday is that, at times, I feel as though I need to explain myself!  Like the inner critic voice says:  what are you laughing at?, what’s so funny?  why are you laughing so much?  And, is laughter really always appropriate…what if someone is hurt, what about all the tragedies if genocide, war, starvation and extinction happening on the planet?  You <em>can’t</em> laugh at that!

We are so used to laughing for a reason: at a joke, at someone or something.  Most of us allow ourselves to laugh only when our intellect or analyzer decides something is funny or humorous.  And, unless we are laughing at another’s “expense”–out of judgment, condemnation or competition–there’s really no harm in intellectual humor.  However, the laughter I speak of when I say “laughter is always an appropriate response to life” is the laughter of the Heart in recognition of Truth and acceptance of Grace.

Aaahh…Grace : )  That ever-present, always giving, energy of divine love, peace, presence and awareness.  Grace is experienced in so many ways, but always as a gift.  It may appear as divine intervention, an epiphany or moment of revelation, an opening in our awareness, a feeling of contentment and gratitude, and a sense of absolute and certain peace.   When we are in acceptance of the all-and-ever-givingness of Grace that <em>is</em> Life, what more natural response is there than Laughter?!

Laughter is the song of grace, singing its celebration of joy, peace and acceptance:love.  This kind of laughter doesn’t always happen out loud.  Sometimes it is the inner smile of our awareness and acceptance of what is.  Sometimes it is a stillness inside in response to outer unrest.  And sometimes it bubbles forth like a song of enthusiasm, gratitude and celebration of Being.  We may laugh inside, in celebration of our infinite immortal Spirit, while we respond compassionately to the worlds pain through whatever form of action we are inspired to take.  Throughout that compassionate action and service, however, if we remember ourSelf, we laugh inside,  allowing Grace to pour through us to enable and strengthen our actions with Love and Peace.

When we laugh, we are in the present moment, our mind is not engaged in past guilt or future fear.  We simply Are.  In laughter, the doorway that allows Grace’s ever givingness to be received is wide open.  Resistance releases when we laugh.  We can not laugh and hold on to fear, anger, resentment, resistance or any other thoughts that hold back Grace.  Laughter says Yes! to Grace.

My favorite poet, Hafiz, says it so well:

“I have a thousand brilliant lies
for the question:
How are you?

I have a thousand brilliant lies
for the question:
What is God?

If you think that the Truth can be known
from words,

If you think that the Sun and the Ocean

Can pass through that tiny opening
called the mouth

O someone should start laughing

Someone should start wildly laughing–

Now!”

May the song of Grace give a smile to your Being and Wholeness to your Mind.

Forgiveness, Gratitude, Morning Meditations

The Owl and the Deer

March 25, 2008 Jean No comments

Happy Equinox! What a beautiful time of year it is here in Ashland. The trees are budding, daffodils are smiling, and everything is green, green, green!

I went for a walk last night, as the sun was setting, to enjoy the beauty of spring and the moist, fragrant air. And I received an unexpected and wonderful blessing! As I walked in Lithia Park, right near the playground, I heard the lovely cooing of an owl. Hoo-hooo, Coo-hooo, hoo-hoooo, so gentle, soft and soothing. My son immediately pointed out where the owl was. Hidden in an oak tree, which grows intertwined with a redwood, the small owl sat in its perch, it’s speckled feathers blending in with the color and texture of the tree. “It’s soo cute!” I marveled.

I adored the owl. I stood mesmerized, in love. I had such awe and adoration for this exquisite little creature. I imagined the owl was staring back at me, enjoying the deep meditative silence in our loving gaze. Most likely the owl was looking far past me to the setting sun, simply singing to the coming Spring and the dusk beauty. Either way, we had a nice connection, very tangible peace.

Eventually, heart overflowing with gratitude, I said goodbye to the owl and moved on down the path. The song of the creek was more crisp and playful than ever before. I was even more aware of and in unison with the breathing of life in the forest…the leaves, birds, rocks, soil and clouds, the air itself…We were alive with bubbly, gleeful spring energy. My breath deepened as I received the life force of the spring air, and my being expanded and showered Life with exhilerating appreciation for this Joyful Presence.

The gifts of this evening continued! I meandered through the Japanese gardens, (where I love to giggle with the faeries). Then I come upon the field of Sycamore trees (8×8 to be exact!). And there, frolicking and prancing about, were over a dozen deer! Oh! How amazing! So many deer simply playing together! They dashed about, hiding behind trees, chasing one another, jumping and running back and forth. The energy was pure Play! I just wanted to hug and kiss these deer, they were so yummy! And they were not at all concerned with my “intrusion”. I walked slowly through the playful scene, bursting with joy and laughter, thrilled to be witnessing such merriment.

Sure, it is mating season ..right? So, maybe they’re out there strutting their stuff, showing off their sexy agility, attracting their buff buck. Or maybe they were simply enjoying the lusciousness of spring and the aliveness of all growing things waking up from winter slumber. Either way, they were certainly demonstrating what spring calls forth from us: an unabashed desire to get out, frolic, play, breathe, jump, dance, and celebrate Life with each other!

I smile with gratitude for the gifts of Spring and the Beauty I witnessed on that walk through the park. The Owl reminded me to sing, not for any particular reason, just to sing for the enjoyment of song, and the celebration of Life and Beauty. And the Deer, of course, reminded me to Play: express the dance of Spring in all its gleeful enthusiasm. Nature reminds us to live by allowing Life to move through our breath, voice and bodies. The aliveness of Spring calls you to Awaken…come Alive….Celebrate in Joy!!!

Gratitude, Morning Meditations
« Older Entries