Mid-week Mandala

Because it is the New Year & a new moon, two mandalas

Whirlpool Galaxy, NASA and Hokusai Dragon-Edo period Japan

They remind me of each other...

The Lovely List

            As the new year approaches, I like to take a few moments to contemplate my lovely list. At the end of each day as I wind down to sleep, I write my thank you's. Whatever the day has brought me or tickled me with goes into a little notebook that I keep by my bed. I have a collection of them, written over several years of this routine. They are my lovely list.

            New Years seems like an ideal time to look back on what has brought me joy this year.  Soon it will be time to look ahead and set an intention and positive projections for 2014, but now I will allow myself to revel in the past. 

             Actually, I will get out the intentions and projections from last winter to see what came to pass, what changed, and what fell by the way side. This year I know that my projections were off base and few manifested, but I also know that I am on the right path, because I am heading where I wanted to go. It took most of the year for me to see the truth of my intention and adapt my projections.

              Looking at the lovely list enables me to reminisce about what went right and simple pleasures. Seeing evidence that there were gifts each day gives me the courage to persist when things seem difficult. Writing in the list daily, reinforces that something lovely, no matter how small comes into my life on a regular basis.

               The lovely list sustains me. Intentions can take a while to manifest, positive projections may need to be adapted, but the lovely list is my full cup. What I pour into it expands in the context of the moments of my life and I can drink at that well whenever and how often I need.

              It only takes a few moments to write a lovely list, the blessing lasts far longer.

                    blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

from NASA

Meditating Naturally

     I was enjoying Pinterest the other day, window shopping in it's visual paradise, when came across a meditation list. Many of the pins were of lovely meditating persons, most of whom were sitting in the classic Lotus position.

     I just want to say, however, that you don't have to be able to sit like a yogi to meditate unless you want to. I am not criticizing the lovely persons in the photos, I envy them, but those days have passed me by. Today, finding me in an overstuffed chair, you'll probably think I am just sleeping.

     The lotus yoga position is very nice if you are flexible and desire that experience, but the practice of meditating is not predicated on your positioning. In fact if you are older, disabled  or non-athletic you may not be able to bend that way. Forcing it is not necessary, because pain is not conducive to peace of mind.

      Sit or lie or even stand in a comfortable position that enables you to remain alert. Allow the experience to occur naturally. Be the witness of your spirit. The benefits of meditating, in whatever position works for you, is what is most important.

        Many people have challenges; physical, emotional and psychological, but that should not be a barrier. We can all meditate; in the Lotus position, walking, doing yoga, in a wheelchair, sitting by the fire or lying under a tree. Spirit accepts all comers unconditionally. That is the blessing.

         blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

Crop circle

Fire Watching

         This week it has been very cold. With the  temp hovering around freezing, the wood-stove stays busy and I find myself hanging out near it. Inevitably I end up spacing out and watching the blazing embers and flames dance. My spirit slows down and I realize the space I am feeling is the vastness of the one.

        What has started as languid warmth, magically becomes a natural meditative state. Similar to focusing on a candle or an inspirational image, my fire watching has the same effect.

         There is a wonderful experience when we slip into a meditative state naturally. Timelessness and the act of stepping out of ourselves as we cook, create, listen to music, dance ecstatically or just sit and observe the tide, children playing, a river flowing or clouds passing is priceless. 

          When the reverie has passed, I am grateful and give thanks. My inadvertent meditation is a gift. Making a fire to keep away the cold has let me know that I am truly part of the one and spirit is everywhere. I am blissed.

           Wishing you the experience of the hearth, 

                      blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

Description

Nepalese Mhapuga Mandala

Blissings to you.

  You may have wondered if there is a typo at the end of my blogs. Blissings, isn't that supposed to be blessings?  Well no, I am wishing you bliss. Bliss is defined as perfect happiness by the Color Oxford Dictionary 2003 and as spiritual joy by http://www.thefreedictionary.com/. 

        Happiness is a driving force in our lives. As natural as our need for oxygen, food and water, we all strive to have happiness in our lives. The way we go about finding our individual happiness is as varied as we are. There are spiritual pursuits to find, cultivate or arrive at happiness. Do you go to church or temple, gather on a hill top, or sit quietly by yourself. Or are you pursuing an education, a great career, starting a family, traveling, hanging out with friends...just about anything you do, can potentially bring happiness to you.

        But, the happiness that I am blessing you with is bliss or happiness without a cause. It is the happiness that comes from your inner soul, beyond space and time, beyond cause and effect. It is in the Goldilocks zone of contentment, where everything is "just right".

         Bliss is what we truly are seeking in this life and no matter how we attempt to attain it, ultimately it is closer then you think.

          My wish for you is that you find the bliss in your life. 

                      blissings, amberspiral

Mantra Today

still center

"External silence can be the doorway to inner silence."

Ram Dass