With a Grateful Heart

I end this year, with a grateful heart...

I am grateful for what is - and for what is not...

I am grateful for what happened - and what didn't...

I am grateful for the challenges received, and for those endured, and transcended, and for the ones that still remain...

I am grateful for the persons that came into my life, and those that exited as well...

I am grateful for connections made, and for those severed...

I am grateful for the many blessings received - those that were obvious, and those that remain hidden...

I am grateful for my community, for the comfort of prayer and meditation and practice, and how it enriches my life...

I am grateful for loved ones, and for those who still harbor negativity towards me - for they come bearing lessons...

To all whom I encounter - may all negative intentions and feelings - only be met by undulating waves of love and compassion rippling at the very shores of my soul...

I am grateful for surgery this year - and what it both brought into my life - and what it enabled me to release... And, I am grateful for the skillful and sensitive surgeon, who chose a more time-consuming but less invasive route, that enabled me to heal more quickly...

I am grateful for the places I was able to travel to, and the experiences I had, most especially in Istanbul and Ephesus...

As this year ends, I review events and experiences of this year - I set my intention for the goals I have chosen for the coming year - ever mindful that a grateful heart will be the soil on which to cultivate greater humility, compassion, and simplicity...

I grateful to be here, at this point in time in our history - and to have the grace and opportunity to step into all that 2012 brings...

It's all About LOVE. Really.

About a week and a half ago - I had the wonderful pleasure to listen to and imbibe the ecstatic and poetic wisdom of Professor Bill Mahony, of Davidson College - who spoke on his new translation and commentary of the Narada Bhakti Sutras, titled, Exquisite Love. The two days, and 12 hours spent with him and the group that assembled for the occasion, was nothing short of exquisite!

Bill began by telling us - that the subject for the weekend was simply this - LOVE.

He went on to note, that Love is an important topic. This is the season for Love. But, there are many who do not feel or experience Love in their lives, and we need to take the time to acknowledge this. Furthermore, Bill went on to remind us that our true essence is Love - whether we feel it or not. And, this Love that we are - that is our essence - is of the same essence as God. Later on, in the course of the weekend, we were reminded over and over again - that Love is God - and God is Love!

I cannot truly express in words how deeply the weekend touched me - and how it opened my eyes to so much. It held up a mirror to where I needed to do some work, in some areas that had been "speaking to me" for a while, but that I had chosen to ignore, because ironically, I thought it would be the more "loving" response.

Love is sometimes messy. And as Bill observed, more often than not, it is deflected...

I found myself reflecting on - and questioning - what are truly valid expressions of love - and what is "real" Love. Sometimes what we feel is a valid expression of love - or real love - is simply not... Well, I could go on and on here, and write a dissertation on this topic, but this is neither the time nor the place...

Today, as I lay on the table at my acupuncturist, to get a "tune up" in preparation for the Winter Solstice and Christmas, I used the opportunity to meditate and pray, and reflect on this subject of Love, which has been coming up for me - in every reading and experience lately.

Several times, Bill said to us - You are deeply LOVED!" It was, like hearing these words for the first time. I know he meant them, and that he was communicating this for us, directly from the Divine.

Though there is so much I could write on this subject, let me end by sharing a few of my notes from the weekend:

"In the heart resides the essence of God. In the heart are life and light. in the heart are all strands...

As far as the space of this Universe extends - that far extends the space within the heart. Within it are held the heavens and the earth, fire and air... Truly, the Divine Self abides in the heart. Knowing this, the wise person enters daily into the heavenly world. (Chandogya Upanishad)

Bhakti Yoga - simply means and refers to ways of knowing God through Love.

Enter the river - and let it carry you... Point your feet downstream...

Love is of the nature of immortality...

Exquisite is the most subtle - the most refined form of Love...

Love is available to you always...

Love is expressive - it pulls existence out of non-existence...

Love is giving itself to the world our of a yearning to be. It is a non-dual state. It is a pure generosity - generating, creating...

Love is of the nature of peace, of supreme joy...

You are already Love - whether you experience it or not. The practices helps awaken it... and everything in your life is practice..."

Ah, and so it is...

To treat yourself to these wonderful sutras, and Bill's ecstatic commentary and insights, you can buy his book at Anusara Press, at the Anusara Yoga website:

Exquisite Love: Heart-Centered Reflections on the Narada Bhakti Sutras by William K. Mahony

www.anusara.com

A Season for Love

How lovely to be constantly reminded about the reason for the season! It all comes down to LOVE! And so, I share here, a few reminders that have come my way, capped off by a short poem that I wrote...

"To live in the Reality of Love
is to be willing to be God awakening to the truth of only Love
and every expression of it, every nuance to be marveled
at and discovered. Every radiance is honored -
the fullness of the miracle of 'both/and,'
the indivisible unity of this one life
and the powerful gift of our relationship
which is a relationship with every expression,
every aspect of God. and thus do you dance
in this sparkling Light in the world
as an acknowledgement of the miracle
of the facets of Love and the beauty
of their expression, every one of which contains the whole.
Every electron is the universe. Every breath
is the Moment of Creation, and every heartbeat
is the birth of God consciousness,
all of it ready to be honored by the miracle that is you."

"Messages of Love," Circle of Light, December 19, 2011


From the movie "Love Actually" (and here, do your best to "channel" actor Hugh Grant):

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world,
I think about the arrivals gate Heathrow Airport.
General opinion's starting to make out
that we live in a world of hatred and greed,
but I don't see that. It seems to me that love
is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy.
But it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters,
husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.

When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know
none of the phone calls from the people on board
were messages of hate or revenge -
they were all messages of love.
If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling
you'll find that love actually, is all around."


ADVENT 2011

May this Sacred Season
Of Luminosity, and
Of Joyful Expectation
Inviting Presence,
Awaken You
To it's True Meaning--
The Incarnation
Of Divine Love!

Advent and Christmas blessings, and Love, to all!

Don't Save it All for Christmas

This time of year, I love listening to Christmas songs, as so many others do. One of my favorite is a song by Celine Dion, reminding us that love is really what this season is all about - and that we shouldn't save it all for Christmas.

I have posted the link to a YouTube rendition of this song and I also include the lyrics here. Enjoy! And Advent and Christmas blessings to all of you!

Don't Save it all for Christmas

"Don't Save It All For Christmas Day"

Don't get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
Don't even wait a little while
To give them a little smile
A little is enough

How many people are crying
People are dying...
How many people are asking for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find your way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you're in it
And Baby that's a fact
And saying "I love you's" always better
Seasons, reasons, they don't matter
So don't hold back
How many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find your way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...

Let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday
Don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find your way
Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love...
Love...

This Christmas - Part Two

Last year, I received this card from a friend and loved it, and I happened to find a box for myself as well.

It's message reminds of the card I sent last year - which I noted in a recent entry - its content derived from an article that appeared in McCall's in 1959. I only discovered that later, when a reader of this blog brought my attention to it. I include the link to the McCall's article at the end.

And so, I share this one with you - shorter - but no less sweet!

This Christmas...

Help a Stranger.
Praise a Child.
Light a Candle.
Share your Love.

Sing for Joy.
Lend a Hand.
Pray for Peace.
Understand.

Christmas Thoughts from McCall's

Thanks to Jennifer!

A Christmas Poem

Last year, I wrote this poem. These were my wishes then, and they are my wishes once again this year, and every year - for you - for me - for all of us!

And so, here it is, one more time...

This Christmas…

Love. Love totally and completely.

Love without restraint.

Love with total abandon.

Forgive. Forgive everything.

Forgive every ancient grudge.

Forgive the Unforgiveable.

Hope. Hope for a better world.

Hope for Peace, and an end to strife.

Give Hope to all in despair.

Dream. Dream the Impossible

Dream. Feed your Dream and

Give it Life. Make it real.

Believe. Believe in the Seen.

Believe in the Unseen.

Believe in the Power of Miracles.

Live. Live fully and Live deeply.

Live with Great Passion. Live

Each moment, as if your last.

Touch. Embrace a loved one.

And a lost one. Embrace them again.

Hold a hurting hand and heart.

Feel. Feel everything. Feel it fully.

Feel the Newness of every moment.

Feel the gift of every day.

Help. Help all those in need.

Help those you know.

Help those you don’t.

Give. Give generously.

Give of your time.

Give of your heart.

Heal. Let go and release.

Heal what no longer serves.

Heal a broken heart.

Repent. Make straight

In the desert a highway.

Be Sorry. Make amends.

Celebrate. Give thanks always.

Celebrate Blessings.

Celebrate Life.

Enjoy. Enter fully into this Season.

Enjoy, and remember

The Reason for the Season!

This Christmas

Last year, I sent out a set of Christmas cards with the following words of wisdom. Several told me they loved this card. I saved one and frame it, and have begun the tradition of putting it on my bookshelf at this time of year. It reminds me of what this season is all about, and what gets ignited in our hearts. It reminds me of what every season and every day should be about. Its wisdom is without question. It's value is without price. Its simplicity is stunning. It will take your breath away. And it will change your life - if you give it a chance...

And so, I share it once again, this year...

This Christmas

Mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Write a love letter.
Share some treasure. Give a
soft answer. Encourage youth.
Keep a promise. Find the time.
Forgive an enemy. Listen.
Apologize if you were wrong.
Think first of someone else.
Be kind and gentle.
Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
Express your gratitude. Gladden
the heart of a child. Take pleasure
in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love. Speak it again.
Speak it still once again.

A Season for Awakening

This season, as in the previous two, I begin each morning in Advent, by meditating on the online devotional, "Follow the Star."

I have been pondering some of Michelle Thomas Bush's reflections this week, but this one, in particular, struck a chord:

"Keep awake! We are an over-caffeinated community with 6 hour energy drinks, who are in the practice of staying up late. The local coffee shop knows what we will order when we walk through the door. Facebook and Xbox Live can keep us up for hours on end. We know how to stay awake.

Keep awake! It is a call to be alert to the presence of God. We may be wide awake, but have we fallen asleep in our spiritual life? We are in charge and waiting for the return of our Master. Our God is coming! This is a wake up call!"

Yes - we do know how to stay awake on a physical level - perhaps willing ourselves so - but we do so without being fully present, attentive, or mindful.

We know how to stay awake and multi-task. But, are we awake in our hearts and our souls? Are we brimming with a "joie de vivre?" Do we experience each moment as a gift and a miracle? And are we grateful for those moments?

When the Buddha became enlightened - he did not say - "I am enlightened." He said - "I am awake."

When Thelma and Louise were nearing the climactic end to their journey evading the law in that quintessential movie of early 90's, what does one of them say, after realizing that she had been more alive in the few days preceding their flight? Simply, "I am awake."

In 2005, a year that was pivotal for me in many ways, I wrote a poem acknowledging - that I felt I was awake.

This season, let us strive to be more awake - and aware of all the things that pull us out of our center - every meaningless distraction we encounter. Let us take this time - regardless of our our tradition - to find the inner stillness within and reflect on the true meaning of life.

I have chosen to purge all that is not part of the true meaning of the season out of my observance of Advent and Christmas this year, starting with ornaments and decorations that do not reflect the "reason for the season." But, most especially, I have chosen to awaken more deeply to the gift of life, and to try to carry the beauty, and spirit that is ignited at this time of the year, into every day of the coming year.

Follow the Star
http://www.d365.org/followingthestar

Advent - A Time for Presence

This morning, I read this beautiful poem by John O'Donohue, who left this world in an untimely fashion - far too early in his life. I say this because the fifties, to a person residing in that decade, seems very young, especially in this day and age! After all, isn't the 50's the new 30's - or 40's? I don't know; try convincing my body of that one!

This Advent season, may you enter more deeply into the present moment and cultivate a sense of presence that permeates every experience and every encounter with the joy of living!

For Presence

Awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.

Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.

Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.

Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to
follow its path.

Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.

May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.

May anxiety never linger about you.

May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of
soul.

Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek
no attention.

Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.

May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven
around the heart of wonder.

~ John O'Donohue ~