Open Our Eyes

Open my eyes to the light of this moment...

Learn the lessons nature can teach

Acknowledge the strength and perseverance of the mighty oak

Acknowledge the free and unbridled spirit of the weed

Acknowledge the hope in each seed 

With strength, perseverance, unbridled freedom and hope may I start each new day

62708

Barely

What happened to 2015 

It’s just about 

gone 

and I barely had time 

to say “hello”

9510

Beauty

Let myself 

receive love

There is so much love around 

from

 a beautiful, crystalline snowflake upon my tongue

a crocus in full bloom 

even a blade of grass beneath my feet 

to 

our children  

my parents 

a friend 

220-11

Meditation

Each direction is blessed... 

To my right, I can feel inspiration as I gaze upon that tree which reaches toward the sun.

In front of me, I can feel joy while the geese glide on calm waters. 

To my left, I can feel freedom in seeing the wild brush which grows on its own with no cultivation. 

The ground beneath me, I can feel unconditional support for me as well as everyone else that walks upon this earth.

The sky above, inspiring me every time I gaze upon your endless blue.

The center space within my body, mind and spirit, the point in which I perceive all; that I exist this moment right now.

For all of this I give thanks.

I can see myself standing next to my two spiritual guides: Many Feathers, lover of the land and Poe, master of patience and spiritual strength. It has been a long “red road” with many years of searching, learning, and meditation. 

Today I follow my path to the calm sunlit pool and it is good, so good.  

43-11

Budding Flower

Maybe 

I am more than 

just a pen and pad

Honor that peace of g-d 

within 

Do not belittle 

it 

for it is grand

May 

I be the budding flower 

and 

G-d the water which nourishes it 

2612

In This Moment-2

For in this moment…

All who feel turmoil

Let them feel peace

All who feel sadness 

Let them feel joy

All who feel hatred

Let them feel love

All who feel separate

 Let them feel as one

2612

Blinding Light

This morning I have created a seat for myself 

Even though it may be just my scarf spread open upon the chilling ground 

When I arrived at this meditation spot by the oceanside 

I am blinded by the overpowering light of the sun 

Unable to look forward until I hold up not just one hand to block the blinding light above but must use two hands to also block its reflection on the waters below 

Two hands to stop this overwhelming light 

After I meditate my eyes awaken to the kindness in this moment 

for the billowing clouds 

not gray 

but playful white 

have now blocked this blinding sunlight

It is kind 

so kind 

to see the gentle hand of g-d aid me without any request

12-1-13

Springtime Soul

Yesterday may have held a mere memory of winter 

Tomorrow may I be awakened to the flourishing summer 

but for today I bask, I bask in Spring

32915

To Touch You

I must continue… 

You were so distant and unapproachable

but only on the winter’s frozen pond am I able to touch your branches which hang above  

I may slip and slide upon the ice but my quest is to touch just one branch 

which I could never reach in any other season

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Peace In This Moment

Let 

the darkness of 

yesterday 

go 

and embrace 
the peace in this moment

10-1615

A Gift to the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara

 “We are at the crossroads,” whispered the leaves as they brushed upon the marble tiles on which I am meditating. This marble ground built by those who toiled endlessly as the sweat poured upon their brow. 

“We have labored long. We have toiled with love and devotion.”

And now, for this moment, I am reaping the rewards of this beautiful Samadhi Buddha Statue (the largest Buddha statue in the western hemisphere) right here on the boarder of South Brunswick. I sit in peace, serenity and joy only to be serenaded by the breeze in the treetops on this autumn day. 

And the birds are calling, 

“Come one, come all we must return to our nest. Nightfall will soon be upon us. 

Come hustle in the comfort of one another. 

Come reap the rewards of this day’s efforts for we know that the light of day will always 

come back to join us tomorrow.”  

102112

Writer's Note

There may be days when I read you, my meditation journal, I feel repetition. Is it that I can deeper feel my soul, my personal joy, and my bliss? Sometimes this inspiration has many words, sometimes few. Yet, each time I feel this it raises me up. But each time I write, I am inspired and proud.

  10-2314

Our Union

I love the wind’s ripples upon these waters 

Oh you take me  to our springtime bloom 

Oh what do I have to write today

I am cold and hungry 

but there is nothing like your soil under my feet 

and your cool air in my lungs 

This is a chosen memento 

I have come to you for fifteen years of my life 

and have been given this precious gift

Oh friend I come to you 

Oh lover you wrap your arms around me 

with your blue skies above 

and firm ground below

I am cradled 

Oh mother earth 

Oh father sky 

Oh sisters spring waters 

All friends of mine

We are all here to be cherished 

as we celebrate our union 

32915

Peace Be With You

And then there was none 

None of what

No sorrow 

No madness 

No depression

There is this mountain in front of me 

my quest and intensions are to climb it today 

with the hope that these will also be my goal for tomorrow 

Prepare for the journey now for who knows what tomorrow may bring 

62913

The Lady of the Woods

As I open my eyes with rejuvenation 

The brain has recalibrated 

The blanket of sleep has slipped onto the ground

Oh soft summer breezes

Oh sun so strong

Oh dancing dragonflies above still waters 

To you I come 

Oh what a sacred place 

The woods surround me as I breathe in

Oh hunger pains 

you call me out of these woods today

I never want to leave you 

but my body calls and I must answer its pangs

                                                                        62015

Refusal

Today 

I refuse 

to break

12-1112

Gifts of the Elderly

I love the elderly

for in their presence they give me 

the opportunity to become 

a more compassionate person.

81813

Peace

…and for those moments all was still

there were no sounds

even the air was quiet

there were no numb limbs 

there were no tired legs

just stillness

the monkey mind began to talk 

saying 

you have to know the time for you are going out and must get ready 

then my body began to speak of hungry

but  

I was in a place of stillness 

it was the destination I quest

just stillness

I no longer thought of last nights dreams

I no longer suffered with any anxiety and depression 

just stillness

It was not nirvana 

it was just peace

I want to go back but it took such a long journey to get here

Forty yours of guided meditation and imagery 

as well as a completely quiet moment 

I know I have felt this before 

yet 

this time 

felt like my

 first

81115

Lessons Learned

Don’t look at the past 

with any regrets 

just lessons

8415

By My Side

I have seen the mountain top 

I have seen the valley

When I come to you 

I can only feel my heartbeat

I have always stood in the awe of you my love

my one and 

only

my mother earth 

Even though I may feel confused at times

I know my love lies 

with you 

for when I sleep I only dream of you 

and when I awaken 

you are always there

by my side

72015

Pause Mode

Oh there is this floating feeling in the air

Am I asleep or just meditating 

The flies tell me this is real

When did I become so confused

I am so fortunate 

to be here 

yet my mind 

is only in the mode of 

pause

71715

Our Garden

Our bodies 

are but seasonal flowers 

while our spirit and soul 

perennials

8413

Dear Friend

Dear friend

I come to you with no voice

no presence only observation

You have always been my constant 

even though 

you could be mowed down

and developed at the blink of an eye

I treasure you so

In my silence

I can hear the rain upon the spring waters

the mowers roar  

a car passing behind me

a train in the distance 

and gun target practice on the other side of the tracks

Where is my peace 

I will meditate

to find an answer to this question

All has quieted for a moment 

no train 

no car

no mower

no target practice

The veil has been lifted for a moment 

only the bird’s song and splashes from the frogs and fish can be heard 

the rain has stopped and the clouds have parted 

as a ray of sunshine kisses my cheek 

This is our moment and for this I give thanks

61915

Celebration of This Moment

Oh the aroma of wild berry blossoms awaken my senses and take me to a world of beauty 

Nothing but intoxicating aroma, budding blossoms and wild blackberries 

I have no other place of longing 

Today is so mild 

Summer has finally arrived

I hear the gentle whispers of the trees while the wild birds chirp and coo in the distance 

The fish are jumping and frogs hopping as the turtle creeps by

I have finished my meditation and everything is an emerald green

The highlands of Scotland are no more vivid than this moment in Monmouth Junction 

and it is good, so incredibly good 

for this moment I celebrate

52515

Peace Prevail

Then there was 

silence

Oh peace, 

calm and steady peace

The birds song has stopped

The pond is still 

while the breeze whispers 

“You did all you can 

Now let peace prevail”

52415

Undying Love

Always remember 

whatever

whenever 

wherever 

my challenges arise 

there is 

one constant 

which is the undying love I have for this earth

6615

Bloom

You never know 

how the days’s going to 

bloom

41815

New Clearing

There is nothing like clearing a new path so in the future it will be easier to travel. 

I wish to forge ahead and plant flowers wherever I wander letting the sunshine lead my way.

             6215

Inner Beauty

Acknowledge

your inner beauty

Take a stroll with it 

as your companion today

41915

Decisions

I strive for the acceptance and comfort 

in making a “good” decision 

instead 

of the discomfort 

in not making the “best” 

or perfect decision.

5715

Cut

And then she sang her song 

The wind was her melody and the sun her inspiration

Oh great one on high 

you bathe me in hope and awe 

Oh great one you share your gentle touch 

Why must I have to wait so long 

Why do you leave me each morning

Why must the night befall

I am just one 

but the darkness and light cuts me in two

1-1315

Dear Oak

May I visit you each day

May I feel my strength emanating from your trunk 

In snow or rain

Sun or clouds

When night befalls  

When the sun rises

You stand firm 

We share this common ground

You connected by roots 

And me by spirit

In darkness

May I be strong 

May I be determined

May I feel 

The support of 

Your love 

Your comfort

Take me into your arms

When I awaken in darkness

May I feel 

The strength 

Your strength 

to carryon

12-414

The Song of Many Chords

It is so... 

when a branch is broken 

it may separate from the whole with one sharp 

crack 

but there are some chosen ones 

that are attached by many chords 

It may be they are too young 

too flexible to be severed 

or 

may it be

that so many thriving chords are attached to the whole 

no one 

no where 

no how 

can separate it

Tis now one

62314

Inner Angel

If I only write of one thing today... 

Is that I love the sun tipped ripples upon the waters this early spring morning 

The trees are baron but I can anticipate hope 

A hope that each branch will bud 

each flower will bloom and 

the very ground I walk upon will turn a soft lush green 

I can feel my inner smile with celebratory anticipation as my inner angel begins to sing.

41515

CLICK HERE for youtube video of   Joan's Guided Meditation, 2

CLICK HERE for youtube video of JOAN'S 7 MINUTE GUIDED MEDITATION

Just a note from Joan

"I exist beyond all limitations. Success is not linear it may come from all directions"...These insightful words have touched me profoundly. After the last meditation with Oprah and Deepak, I was truly inspired to seize one of my dreams. I took on a great undertaking and challenge. I am not very computer savvy but decided to share my personal meditations which I taught at Princeton Center for Yoga and Health. I tackled posting them on Facebook and YouTube. I can't say it was my best work but it took courage and I took on this challenge. It only took me 19 hours the first day and on the second day the post on Facebook and YouTube titled "Joan's Guided Meditation" took me only 6 hours! Today, I am posting the last meditation of my three day challenge. This one is my personal  7 MINUTE MEDITATION which believe it or not, if I don't have anytime during the day to meditate I do this quick one in the shower! Well wish me luck! Hopefully, it will take me only 5 hours to figure out everything out...I'm hoping. So if this was not an exercise of futility, if you get a chance, take a look at it in Facebook or under "Joan's Guided Meditation" on Youtube.