Winter Solstice and Quotes

At 1:08 AM EST- approximately - the Earth offered her exhale into her inhale - and there was Stillness for a moment...

Those in tune - witnessed and experienced the Earth's Kumbhaka - the Winter Solstice - a truly Sacred and Auspicious Moment. Even the time it happened is significant - 108 is a sacred number in the East and the repetition of 108 mantras is a most holy endeavor.

I pondered that as I sat for a very long and still meditation this morning. This is the moment in our meditation practice that yogis teach and write about. Except here was Mother Earth experiencing it herself - taking an infinite moment to pause - in a year that has brought so much turmoil to many.

Last night, before retiring to read, I collected a number of quotes that came to me recently from various sources - students, teachers, and friends - given to me in support of impending new beginnings in my life.

I will share a few:

"...and the time came
when the risk it took to remain
in a tightly closed bud
became infinitely more painful
than the risk it took to blossom." (Anais Nin)

"Your pain
is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding." (Khalil Gibran)

"Whatever you dream you can do - begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now." (Goethe)

"It may be when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey." (Wendell Berry)

So much support comes from so many sources - seen and unseen. Always.

To all who have selflessly offered this support to me. Thank you. With deepest love and gratitude, the Light in me - honors and delights - in the Light in you.

Namaste.