One Love, 2

I close my eyes even though I am at my oasis                                                                                                               close my eyes even though everything is in full bloom                                                                                 close my eyes even though the weather is perfect...no jacket, no sweating, no shivering                                    close my eyes even though the air is crisp and clean                                                                                  Where is joy                                                                                                                                                   Where has spring gone

I open my eyes and feast on what was once black is now lush                                                                       with the intense greens of Scotland                                                                                                                      wild red succulent raspberries                                                                                                                            every tree                                                                                                                                                                    every bush                                                                                                                                                         every weed                                                                                                                                                                    sing hymns of summer

   A family of geese float by in the calm sunlit pond before me

 I can barely tell the difference between the mother, father and their goslings                                            They have grown and are almost ready to fly off on their own

One love                                                                                                                                                                 be it old                                                                                                                                                              be it new                                                                                                                                                                     

I am so glad I have come to visit these spring waters                                                                                                                                                                                                

Place of contemplative joy                                                                                                                   contemplative peace                                                                                                                                             a place of a unyielding love 

70310---21311

Awakened

Before I meditate a stone is just a stone. It is cold yet at times may catch and reflect the sun.

After meditation, I open my eyes and now it is surrounded by a special calmness. The air is soft like cotton balls and the stone not only catches and reflects light but twinkles with awe. It conveys a quite joy and makes me smile with a heartfelt warmth. Before I meditated all was winter yet afterwards in that moment spring is awakened.
12811

Full Moon at Midnight

 

While standing on a bridge at midnight I gazed to my right, Ananda Ashram’s welcoming lake whispered softly, “Come to my calm waters. I will cradle your heart, for in my still waters lies reflections of peace”  yet looking to my left were unleashed, wild waterfalls. Both were linked together in the hands of an unseen dam under the bridge. Sisters of the water but completely opposite… one of peace, one of thrills; one with long sweeping hair and the other with crazy wild curls, all beneath the full, golden moon on a still winter’s night.

Joan Suval, one of the Ashram’s disciples, read from “The Masters” comparing loneliness with aloneness.    She spoke of years gone by when the founding Guru was still alive and he would say on a night like tonight, “We should dance under this full moon” and to her amazement they would all go outside and do it .

After her recitations, seeking audience participation she acknowledged one of the weekend guests, Onya, raising her hand. Joan nodded as Anya proclaimed “I want to dance under the moon!” Her friend, Jackie, sitting cross-legged by her side smiled knowingly.  In this moment, I felt it was my destiny as well. Our paths crossed later that evening and they unexpectedly invited me to join them.

They lit a candle on the midnight bridge where the wild falls and calm waters converged.  The moon and stars were our audience as songs from Florence and the Machine, Enya, and Amy Winehouse played on. We joined hands and spun then danced with the stars and full moon as spirits of freedom and joy chimed in.  Within these moments we were no longer mere mortals but deities and goddesses celebrating with the universe.

121111

The Story of Wheat

 

Life is clearly understood by looking at wheat…rooted, connected and sustained by the nutrients from the earth and nurtured by the light of the sun. These basic elements of life are apparent for its survival.

Now examine its purpose and position.

One of its purposes is sustenance which is offered to many forms of life. Maybe, the wheat has knowledge of its value, for giving may be its mode of communication. Even though we may not understand it, the wheat may understand us.

The wheat has emotional beauty which it shares with us. As we gaze upon a field of wheat, it may convey feelings of serenity, calmness, and peace. We may also experience its sensual beauty through its soothing touch, refreshing aroma when baked and even as we hear it interact with the breezes on a cool autumn day.

The wheat may share its unconditional love but is it reciprocal?

Our perception of the wheat is reflected from the exact moment in which it is growing and sharing to the exact point in which we are gazing upon it or consuming it; but aren’t we both products of nature’s elements? I may become lost in my own thoughts but the simplicity of it all boils down to how we interact with one another.

The wheat thrives plentiful with its family and community but alone may go unnoticed, almost invisible. How can one acknowledge the wheat and give thanks for what has nurtured us so well when we can barely see it? 

The story of purpose, survival, nurturing and connectivity can be taught within one gaze of this fruitful field. May we feel its love for us as it offers its nurturing gifts in a single touch, taste or gaze. The wheat never stops giving but in its silence might it be forgotten?.

3-19-05

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for...

My ability to look up and see blue skies and feel the sun shining upon me

My ability to walk and breathe without assistance

The quiet peace around me this morning

The breezes that I can hear in the treetops

My ability to treasure myself as well as others

I am thankful that I am able to share these brief moments with you
and may I always savor them.

11-24-11

The Healing Service at Temple B'nai Shalom

In love, hope, faith and gratefulness for my ability to make a change for a better tomorrow

Celebrate today

Treasure today  

Rejoice today

Love today

For in this moment of peace after I meditate

all the world is calm and I am its nucleus

91811

Vulnerability

There is strength in vulnerability

82704

To Have and To Hold*

Everything you need

you may already have

6403

The Gift of the Bird

I give thanks

 You leave me with a greater appreciation for...

song

open space

fresh air

breezes

freedom

 A new perspective from the bird

7203

Let It Flow

Let it flow like a river to the sea

Let it flow

Capture the moment 
of the first time you held my hand 

Let any anxiety and self-doubt slip away

 ... away

like a river to the sea

a drifting cloud in a clear blue sky

I have felt your fingers intertwine with mine

A union in just a single touch...

your hand in mine

your hand with mine

Come to the river

Come to the sea

Let our hearts drift 

As our love flows free

102811 

All That I Ask For

photo by Rebecca

Another way to recognize love is through

The opening of each rosebud

Shade from our backyard elm

This morning’s crisp autumn air

Each mockingbird’s melody

Sweet honeysuckle upon my lips

All that I ask for is...

 a life ruled by all the love within and abound

62803

Greatest Loss

The greatest loss

is to die

without sharing your

music

6403

Autumn Leaves

The rustling autumn leaves beneath my feet

as I walk to my meditation spot

heightens my ability

to hear

see and

feel

where I am

each and every moment

101811

Tears

As I feel

a raindrop

upon my cheek

I know that g-d cries

when I cannot

33108

The Dune

Focus on a blade of grass

I carry it with me as I take ten steps--each step letting my body and mind relax more and more to enter its natural state of peace.

Then a gate door opens to the beach.

I plant the blade of grass in a dune.

Then there is an immediate sun shower which implants it.

My feet sink in the soft, warm sand as I step towards the surf.

I feel the early morn sun warm me and cradle me with hugs and kisses from its earthly love.

I breathe deeply and feel the salty air cleanse my body… starting in my nose through my throat all the way down to my lungs.

I breathe deeply.

I see a white Adirondack chair close to the water’s edge.

A turquoise scarf is caught on it is edge and is flowing in the ocean breeze.

There is a turquoise scarf to the turquoise waters the turquoise sky above.

I smile and walk towards the empty chair. It is waiting for me to join it, sit in it, warm it.

I gently stroke the flowing scarf and let it drift away into the wind.

I sit down in the chair feeling that this is exactly where I belong for this moment.

I sit and relax (ten yoga cleansing breaths)

Then I stand and walk towards this tropical sea.  It tickles my toes as I enter.  

Stepping further and further in I feel more and more rejuvenated.

I bend my knees and let the water flow around me. My entire body is renewed and refreshed.

I lie back and float … I am effortlessly buoyant. My hair is floating. My mind is completely clear and I feel completely peaceful.

I float in the gentle current (Breathe ten seconds).

I rise and head back to my path and spy the blade of grass that I planted has grown into a full cluster.

I smile and laugh at the difference one blade of grass can make.

I go up ten steps towards a greater and greater rejuvenation and open my eyes to the light of a brand new moment.  

71002  

Oasis

Meditating on a beach 

an oasis with palms and pomegranates flourishing around me

I swim

float

and let myself bloom

7601

Seeds

We

are all

but seeds

planted by

angels

8604

Meditation Enables Me

Meditation enables me to open my eyes to my inner light and open my ears to my inner voice.

82704

Dealing with Anger

Thistle Theory

  

Identify the thorned plant

Dig to its root

Tug out the plant in its entirety

Throw it in a place where the sun never shines

Let decompose then create fertile soil for the next generation

82703

Loved

Some of us are always looking for a sign somewhere, anywhere to show to us that we are special.

But truth be told, that there is no need for any sign for everyone of us is and will always be unique as well as loved…so loved.

92211

Dahlia

A bright dahlia greets me on this gray day and how she does shine!

We are the dahlia

Opening our petals towards the east

Knowing that is where the sun always rises

Sharing our love and light even on the gloomiest of days

101202

My Meditation

My meditation opens my door to pure inspiration.

Ananda

Today is my first day back from Ananda Ashram, NY Yoga Society retreat.

I give thanks...

to this earth on which I step 

my bare skin upon summer's green lush grass

this morn’s sun upon my cheek

the warm air within my lungs.

I give thanks for my ability to feel.

Love starts from within and radiates like a star.

Note: for this meditation we sit in a circle with palms to palms yet not touching

81802

The Lily Pad

The sun is still behind the clouds yet I rise from bed to walk to Havan Pond to meditate.

The Lily Pad 

I am intoxicated by the aroma of its bold yellow bud as I sit upon the lily pad.

No larger than a ladybug, I stretch out upon this green buoyant, lustrious pad.

The bright yellow bud in the center is awaiting time, sun and g-d for it to bloom.

While getting ready to meditate upon “my pad” I carefully sit so I do not slide upon its sleek surface. 

I can hear the ripples beneath me as I lie down and gaze upon the turquoise to translucent sky.

I inhale

I am still floating in the shadow of this yellow flower. (yoga breath for 10 seconds)

I give thanks for this brief moment of serenity.

81302

Ohm

Ohm..the ripple in the pond of humanity

Peace to the hunter

Peace to the deer

Note: This entry was presented to Ghandi’s nephew when he spoke at Princeton  University

111901

Morning Meditation

Bless the shussssh sound of the grass as I walk upon it.

Bless this air as it fills my lungs and replenishes my body.

My meditation this morn…

As I walk through a grapevine trellis, the aroma of the wood and fruit fill my senses.

I am drunk with joy and amazement.

I gaze upon the indigo sky as the florescent, golden sun breaks through. My eyes fall upon a swimming hole with waters… clean, fresh and invigorating. It beckons me. The bird sings in morning with jubilation.

As I wade in the waters, it refreshes my feet, ankles, and calves.

I bend my knees and scoop up this sparkling water and as some of it slides down my arms. Yet, I am able to still raise some of the water to my mouth and slurp it in.

As it touches my lips, tongue, teeth and throat, they become refreshed and rejuvenated.

The waters follow the path through my throat to my stomach throughout my entire digestive system and I can feel it refreshing every blood vessel, every cell of my entire body.

I enter these crystal waters and feel completely buoyant.

While floating I can hear the waters' gentle currents below and the bird’s song above.

I am emerged in the peace of this earth.

I breathe in a deep cleansing breath and feel my eyelids close.

I hum the special songs of my heart and just drift. (Pause 10 seconds and breathe yoga cleansing breath.)

I feel the cool shadow of a bird flying overhead and then I begin to float back to the shore.

As I rise from the waters, I touch my hip and give thanks that I am able to walk, touching my heart and giving thanks that I am able to love, touching my head with thanks that I am able to think wisely and as I sweep my open hands skyward, I give thanks that I am able to believe in a higher power.

I share this peaceful moment with family, neighbors and all living things and then return to my path.

I take ten steps up my path with feelings of greater and greater renewal.

With each step I take, I raise hands slightly higher until the tenth step is taken and my hands are completely skyward.

Then I open my eyes with feelings of greatest and total rejuvenation.

Lastly, I open my eyes to the light of a brand new day.

71002 

Euphoria Emanates

As I enter my meditation I touch the crystal handle of the gate door and a prism catches my eye.

An intense rainbow greets me.

I step out into the sand and sit on my turquoise heart-shaped towel.

Sinking slightly in the sand, the cresting sounds of the ocean in the distance are whispering in my ear.

The saltwater scents prevail and a white gull glides overhead.

Sitting cross-legged I enter a meditation within my meditation.

As I relax my body rises slightly off the ground.

I think of entering “my happy, peaceful soul” and my body lifts slightly higher.

Euphoria emanates.

Serenity flows and fills my body like a glass of Merlot after a tiring day

I am thankful for my very existence as I float and float and float.

62302

Meditations

Tonight when I lay in bed my meditation lulls me to sleep with its pebble lullabies.

Entering my meditation spot, I can feel myself twirling with joy and freedom beside my.

Revisiting yesterday’s meditation, I can see myself walking under a grape trellis learning its lessons on nourishment through gratitude and support.

The air has a slight coolness but the waters in the spring by the fruitful trellis are warm.

I step in and float while giving thanks…

For my hip so I can walk proudly,

For my heart so I can feel love,

For my head so I am able to think clearly and wisely,

For my higher power that leads me with faith and hope.

I share this moment of thanks and joy with my

family,

friends,

neighbors,

community,

state,

country,

all countries,

and all living things.

7-6-02

Free and Happy

As I stand with an angel by my side

My eyes follow a white gull gliding through the sky

Noticing for the first time that there is barely a cloud in this radiant blue sky

I smile

As I step into these gentle translucent waves of my tropical sea

Stepping deeper

Emerging my body into to these crystal waters

I am alive

I am free

I am home

61202

Becoming

The deeper we

care

hope

and love

the stronger we become

62603

Nature’s Mirror

Before I close my eyes to meditate
I have a fleeting thought…

even though I love my meditation spot, do I really see its beauty today

The dismal grey sky, a backdrop to the remains of winter’s barren trees

leave me sullen

After my meditation…

I open my eyes to the trees' reflection in the still pond

it was so beautiful and inspirational

 

Nature’s mirror created this rare moment  

It’s all a matter of perspective

I have seen my peace

my serenity

my soul

and it is good

so good

41011

Sweet Release

It is time to let the “anger" go...

Anger against friends

Anger against  neighbors

Anger against loved ones

Anger against myself

Anger against  g-d

I want it all to go like the soft grey smoke from an extinguished fire

Let the gentle rains come down from the heavens

Let my spirit fill the air like the early morning mist with the aroma of rose petals and wild berries

I am no longer bound by the coals of anger festering in my fire

I am free

6703

Choices

If I chose to live with a full heart ... I will pass that seed onto my children.

If I chose to live with an empty, hollow heart ... I will pass that seed onto my children as well. 

8903

The Song of the Flower

A bud thrives with

a blanket of love from the soil

tender waters from the heavens

a kindred  spirit in the air

and the gentle warmth of the sun

In full bloom it sings

a song to all who

gaze upon it

sharing a rare and beautiful love

While listening to this sweet melody

Within each note of its joyful song

We harmonize in this early summer’s morn

71103

Darkness

Even on the

darkest

days

there exists some light

Feel it…

52203

Small Steps

Setting a goal

is not as complicated

as following through

Sometimes

I have to step

even

smaller

steps

than I realized

7203

Inheritance

Photograph by Rebecca

Today I can see a gate door as I enter my meditation. It is covered in ivy and the handle is made of smooth carved wood. As I open this door gently, I am surrounded by summer's lush gardens and spy my children playing in the distance. I am walking through this door onto a path of simplicity with my oldest daughter, Rebecca, cultivating my creativity and Hannah, my youngest, reflecting my compassion.

We stroll hand-in-hand through a garden of joy.

32703