Mid-week Mandala

Meditation is the Heart of my life.

   

Carnelian

      Carnelian is known as an energy stone. It's source is in creativity: creative solutions for problems, creative inspiration, quick creative starts to projects and creative completions. All this energy drives away lethargy, anxiety, sadness, addictions and procrastination.  Best of all it improves our persistence especially in mundane situations, everyday situations that zap our well being. A very durable and beautiful stone it makes lovely jewelry and stone to skin is the best way to use it. It is one of my favorites.

    blissings, amberspiral

Egyptian Carnelian necklace LACMA : Los Angeles county museum of art. 

Agate

      Agate is a beautiful stone in many colors and most are banded. Properties vary by type, but all process protective qualities that function by easing inner discord. This eliminates stress bringing balance and inner peace. Look for stones that appeal aesthetically, then wear them or meditate with them often.

blissings, amberspiral 

Below: blue, Lake Superior-red & Snake Skin

Mid-week mandala

Kali Yantra

Kali is the goddess of empowerment.

To use a mandala, you simply concentrate on it. It is a mantra for your eyes.

 blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

Simple geometric pattern that I noticed in my travels today...you never know what you'll come across if you keep your eyes open. 😃

 blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

Lotus

Black tourmaline-schorl

        Sometimes we are in situations that make us feel drained, edgy or unsafe. There are many stones and crystals that have protective qualities. The most powerful of these is the Black Tourmaline. This bad boy is the mineral worlds body guard, taking negative energy and reflecting it away, often back to its source. It strengthens, grounds and increases energy as well. Pieces are inexpensive and easy to acquire. This photo is my home specimen. 😀

         blissings, amberspiral

Labradorite

       Labradorite stabilizes and balances our energy in a very powerful way, having both the fire of the sun and the water of the moon captured in its luminescence. With equilibrium, we are now able to be present in "this moment". It also assists our ability to have an open mind, reflecting on all possibilities. This beautiful stone is associated with Welsh Goddesses and is lovely in jewelry.

   blissings, amberspiral 

Wonder

 wonder

#mantratoday

I wonder.

It's a wonder.

Isn't it wonderful!

blissings, amberspiral 

Mid-week Mandala plus

Celtic knot &

Bubbles!

blissings, amberspiral

Rock

rock 

#MantraToday

Thoughts...

What or who will be your rock today?

Are you challenged by a rock in the road?

Will you rock-it today?

blissings, amberspiral

Mantra:a mini affirmation

      Using a mantra is the simplest form of prayer I know. "Basically, any mantra is “a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of ‘creating transformation.’” Yowangdu.  To practice with a mantra all you do is repeat your chosen word or words, a few times or several times daily. I love this practice because you can do it anywhere, anytime.

      Choosing what mantra to use is as simple as finding a word that expresses your feelings, goals, theme or inspiration. Think of it as a mini affirmation: simple, direct, concise, one or two powerful words with a positive charge. You can change it daily or contemplate one for a period of time...the choice is yours.

         The Buddha said "with our thoughts, we make the world." So set your intention, choose your mantra and off you go.

           blissings, amberspiral

 See more at: http://www.yowangdu.com/tibetan-buddhism/om-mani-padme-hum.html#sthash.ioZ4bwPf.dpuf

     And check back here or on twitter @MantraToday for more inspiration and my daily mantra...see you soon!

Mid-week Mandala

Fireworks Galaxy, NASA

Mid-week Mandala

Isn't nature ahh-inspiring?

blissings! amberspiral 

Garnet

       Garnet lights the fire of creativity and manifestation, by increasing our ability to "go with the flow" of available energy. It also facilitates a strong commitment to ourselves and others. It can help with the grief of losing a loved one, by reminding us that all endings are beginnings too. Wear it or keep in your medicine bag for extra vitality.

        blissings, amberspiral

Topaz

      Topaz comes in many colors: blue, green, red, orange and yellow are a few. This is the Law of Attraction stone. It works by diminishing doubt and negativity. It helps us to trust our process by focusing on tiny details and the panoramic view simultaneously. To use Topaz effectively, visualize your desired outcome while meditating with it.

      blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

Photo by Raphael 75 

  Colored version of the ancient Mesopotamian eight-pointed star symbol of the goddess Ishtar (Inana/Inanna), representing the planet Venus as morning or evening star. 

Vassil.  Vitraux de la cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Metz.

Mid-week Mandala

Planet London

Chris huh - self-made from Image:London 360 from St Paul's Cathedral - Sept 2007

What London would look like if it were a planet. A polar coordinate filter applied to a 360 panorama of London taken from St Paul's Cathedral.

Aragonite

    Aragonite relieves stress and anger caused by overwhelming responsibilities. It also provides answers and patience to accomplish those tasks. This is a perfect stone for caregivers, especially when used in combination with tiger eye and bloodstone in a grid or medicine bag. In it's starburst formation it is lovely to look at making it a perfect meditation tool.

Mid-week Mandala

Irish Compass Rose.

Amazonite

      Amazonite is a soothing cool blue/green stone that evokes the peaceful rhythmic energy of the ocean. Associated with universal love it re-energizes weary hearts and souls. This is the most relaxing, chill pill, ahh, bliss stone I know. Try wearing a pendant or bracelet of this mellow stone the next time you feel stressed or frazed. 

          blissings, amberspiral 

Mid-week Mandala

     We all have a do-it-yourself streak in us somewhere. This little book combines that spirit with mandala, in a pleasant way to pass some contemplative time...or just get in touch with that 4 year old inside. 😃 Expressing yourself creatively sooths the soul, expands and opens us to our greater selves and is rewarding. You can find a number of these types of books on line very inexpensively. I'll share some of my "creations " soon.

          blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala2

Dhumavati Yantra

Mid-week Mandala

Tree roots, natures mandala by Andrew McMillan 

Amber

      Amber is ancient tree sap that has turned to stone. It facilitates manifestation by strengthening intentions and adding flexibility like a tree in the wind. Filled with the energy of the trees life force it has a grounding and stabilizing effect, opening us up to unconditional love. Traditionally a healing gem, Amber is a beautiful stone with a gentle golden glow, that makes it perfect to wear or meditate with.

      When I chose my Mother name, I chose Amber because like the gem I had changed into something new while my essence was unchanged. Elektron is the Greek word for amber and the root word for electrons which circle the nuculeous of an atom as I was circling my Kiddo. It took a couple of years to realize that I wanted a new name, the maiden was gone. I had loved trees and rocks my whole life and as a caregiver Amber resonated with me.

        Now as age and empty nest herald the crone years, I am Amberspiral. I'll always be a mother so I've kept Amber. Spiral has to do with the journey. As we age many of the passages of life are behind us. We see with eyes that remember and connect dots that were just specks on the horizon before. If I went back and told myself what I realize now, I wouldn't have understood. I'm so grateful to have come this far in my journey and I'm looking forward to the adventures awaiting me. Maiden, Mother and Crone, the triple Goddess...I didn't set out to travel that road, but as a woman it just turned out that way and I couldn't be happier.

        Happy Mother's Day and blissings, amberspiral 

        

Mid-week Mandala

Citrus fruits, backlit to reveal their mandala-like form.

Grief, by any other name...

      I haven't felt like blogging much lately, some big changes in my life have left me wordless.  A while back I wrote about empty nest, suggesting that it was a normal transition and I would use the free time to "stop and smell the roses."  I was so wrong about that! 

      No-one told me that empty nest is forever, that it would cause an hollow that cannot be filled or that when my father died after the holidays the combination of the two would put me in a world of hurt. 

      Parents spend 15-20 plus years caring for their Kiddos. It's a long term relationship. Then one day it abruptly ends. Maybe they go off to college, learn to drive or find a special friend, each Kiddo is different. The result is the same, however, they fly away and everything has changed. It is normal, so I convinced myself: it's ok. Actually it wasn't ok, it was confusing.

       I wasn't sure if it was ok to call, text, ask questions, make plans, offer advice or any assistance. As a single Mom, I had no other "roomie" to hang out with except the cat. ( just send me the crazy cat lady starter kit now please-thanks).  I realized that when I flew the nest at 19, I never looked back...it never even occurred to me, now it was as plain as day. Did my parents feel like this when I left?

       Then my Dad passed away. He'd been ill with dementia, but his physical health was good, so it was a surprise. The Kiddo was out of town with friends. I was alone for several days before a whirlwind trip for the funeral and then back to the empty nest. The grief overwhelmed me, I couldn't stop crying, but only privately.

      Both situations are "normal transitions of adult life", but I wasn't transitioning well. I cried privately because I felt guilty about my grief. Most people were sympathetic about my Dad, but took the empty nest lightly. The reality was, Dad had been "gone" for some time, the Kiddo for just a couple of months. The roses smelled cloyingly of funerals and crayons.

      I have a life aside from being a mother. I work, write, create intentional jewelry and have other interests as well. Still the vacuum of empty nest took my breath away, while Dad became his old self in my memories, in a way I missed him less. I knew both of these days were coming, but nothing prepared me for them, for the intensity of my feelings.

      Since then, I've been working on healing...meditation, mantra, nature (thank you spring), subliminal mp3s and prayers for the best for everyone- the only thing I actually pray for. I restarted a modified yoga program. Those things help, but it's taken months and I have to accept the disparity in my grief. I'm crying less, but I still never know when the tears will come.

        I understood losing my parents would be forever and luckily my mother is a spry 80+, but the empty nest...well that Was the goal, I just didn't realize it would hurt so much or be so final. Would I do it again? Sure, but I can only wish now that I'd had a realistic "heads up" long ago.

        blissings to you and yours,  amberspiral

Mid-week mandala

A golden crown, it's a mandala you can wear. I would love to try it on!

1760, in a museum in Weingarten.

Mid-week Mandala

Isn't this just beautiful?

Madonna on Floral Wreath

Rubens with Brueghel circa 1619

blissings, amberspiral

Moonstone

     Tonight, April 15th in the early am hours there is a total lunar eclipse. This means that the sun, earth and moon are lined up with the earth temporarily blocking the suns light from the moons surface. Lunar events are a perfect opportunity to use or wear moonstone.

      Moonstone is a lovely stone for enhancing intuition, safe travel and hopes. When worn or held during meditation it focuses the feminine energy of ones spirit. If you are looking to draw the Goddess into your life this is a good stone to begin with due to it's nurturing qualities. It comes in shades of white, pink, grey, cream and with rainbows. 

       If you are interested in making a lunar rosary for meditation, the numbers 19 for the years it takes the moon to travel across the sky from closest point to earth and back or 28 for the number of days in a lunar month, will instill your beads with meaning, along with the metaphysical and electromagnetic influences moonstone naturally has.

       Moonstone is inexpensive and readily available in jewelry, at your local mineral shop and beading suppliers. I hope you have the chance to find the perfect piece of lunar moonstone for yourself.

        blissings, amberspiral

Rainbow moonstone 

Mid-week Mandala

Yin Yang symbol

Represents the duality of life, yet within each opposite a bit of the other, creating divine balance.

Mid-week Mandala

Easy mandala by SkoroLeto

Mid-week Mandala

This week it's a weekend mandala. I hope you like it

Bhairavi yantra

blissings, amberspiral

Citrine

Citrine encourages abundance and clears negativity. It is a great stone to meditate with.

I took this photo of a very large beautiful specimen at a local gem show. Wow. The show comes twice a year and I wouldn't miss it! My intention is to go to the Tuscon show...the biggest in the US,one day soon. :-D

blissings, amberspiral 

Mid-week Mandala

No mandala this week, just a beautiful photo of Daienji-Temple in Meguro, Tokyo. by Gorgo, photo taken on 04. May 2004 

in bliss, amberspiral 

Intention getting.

A mantra can be used to reinforce your intentions: keeping you focused.

My life-my design.
#MantraToday-affirmation

Mid-week Mandala

Snowflake captured by a scanning electron microscope

Mid-week Mandala

Traditional Romanian decorative plate

No Goals? Happy Trails.

       The goal of meditation is that there is no goal. Don't cling to any of your experiences or thoughts while you are meditating. It may take a while to get the hang of it, but non-attachment allows us to flow with the moment, in the moment. Observing the flow puts us in touch with our personal rhythm and our connection to the divine. Practicing without grasping, will increase our ability to be in the moment when life is busy or complicated and whose life isn't? It's a nice little vacation from all the inner and outer noise too.

        Don't worry, not having a goal is liberating. Just sit...relax and go with the flow. It's as easy as that. Make it a habit and mindfulness will be the ace in your pocket when the road gets bumpy. Happy trails :-)

            blissings, amberspiral 

Mid-week Mandala

Low pressure system over Iceland...NASA

Mid-week Mandala

Flower rangoli Chennai.

हिन्दी: फूलों से सजी रंगोली चैन्नै।

The Beat of my Heart

       Been meditating with my heartbeat lately. Unlike breath which varies in speed and rate, my heart has a rhythm of its own, a constant beat. Breathe feels big as it moves through the chest. My heart feels tiny, a little spot under my left beast. Focusing, I notice the subtle vibration it sends out through my body along with the blood. I realize this is my center, singing the song of the universe to me.

        Beating steadfastly whether I notice or not, my heart wants to be incognito, so I can't always find it. I am not in control and that frightens me some. Along with so many other parts of my body, it functions without any overt effort and confirms to me that I am only a passenger along for the ride.

        My heart is reflecting something beyond my limited consciousness, opening doors of infinite possibility. It is affirmation that I am not alone on this journey, creating the unexpected bliss of connectedness. This makes me love my heart all the more.  

        I'll keep looking to my heart during meditation and let it's rhythm move me. As I do, my insight, love, and compassion will expand as well and that's a beat I want to be in harmony with. :-)

                 blissings, amberspiral

Sit quietly and follow a few breaths

See if you can hear or feel your heartbeat

Relax and observe it without trying to change it

Feel it's rhythm, it's flow

Do this as long as you like

Then return to following your breath for a short while

Namaste

Mid-week Mandala

Merkaba energy field

Many Reflections

      The source is so vast as to be unknowable...when I pray or mantra, what ever way I express myself, they who are named are just spirit manifestations of my human imagination. And yet I earnestly recite their names and honor their personifications. They are my soul reflection. In one creation myth the source saw her reflection and it became the universe..so my world as well. It is my veil as I look through to the other side, for union. I feel so sorry for those whose gods and goddesses must remain separate eternally, who would never partake of the one. I am not so vain as to think I am but a speck on a speck, but I am certain that at its essence there is only one source and many reflections...a diamond in the sun.

                   blissings, amberspiral

Happy Valentines Day

Mid-week Mandala

Seashell mandala

Choosing a positive life!

      Why is that so many of the worlds religions tell us that we are sinners and or defiled. I thought I was perfect just the way I am. That is not to say that there is no room for improvement. Like a tree I want to keep growing...my mind, spirit and heart, until the day I take my last breath. I want to learn from my mistakes...and that is where I have a problem with the liturgy of fault that I am cursed with by some spiritual traditions. 

      I will agree that some actions are very negative, such as causing others physical harm and some aren't good for you, such as addictions, but extremes in behavior are just that extremes. I am not excusing or condoning negative behaviors, what I am saying is that I do not believe everyday normal actions are inherently bad. I believe they are the ground we grow in.

     What brought this on?  I was reading a book that informed me that sensual desire was a defilement and I have been reciting a prayer for my father that refers to the reciter as a sinner. I can't integrate that with my belief in positive thinking. Without someone's sensual desire, you and I probably would not have been blessed with this beautiful life where we can live and love and work on our souls. I am grateful for the chance. It's true that I have had my share of poor decisions, mistakes and heartbreak. The Buddha says, "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts." So I have made a conscious effort to think positively.

      Whatever is not bad, is good even the neutral and life is not going to be a party every day.  I'm OK with that.  If I make mistakes and I will, I'll do my best to learn from them.

      "With our thoughts, we make the world." The Buddha. I choose to make a learning, growing, positive one and I'll forgo the negative labels... thank you. 

                           blissings, amberspiral

Mid-week Mandala

Thrift store clothing with mandala motifs.