Look up

Do you lift your head in hope?
The season of Advent points to a future of hope with the coming of Christ yet, it is also a season of despair and loneliness when the pains we have suffered are heightened and magnified.
Does the message to "know that the kingdom of God is near" give you the ability to "stand up and raise your head?"
Read Luke 21:25-31.

I think I spend a good deal of time looking down. There may be signs that the kingdom of God is near but watching my own feet makes it pretty difficult to spot it!. I suppose it is self-absorbtion or fear of 'tripping' that keeps me from looking up. But it is in those times that I raise my head and meet the eyes of someone else that I see the eyes of God looking back at me.

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The Gift of Awakening

This is a wonderful newsletter from a woman in Canada my friend Charlotte met many years ago--she was a yoga teacher/chef at a hiking "camp/spa". She was in a skiing accident, became quadripeligic, and then she blogged about the whole experience. Since then, she has restarted her yoga business and sends these occasional newsletters full of wisdom, especially poignant given her lot in life.
I am always amazed to witness how people overcome obstacles and deal with challenges--this woman is especially inspiring to me so thought I'd forward her newsletter.

THE GIFT OF AWAKENING

Time is apparently moving forward as we approach the darkness before we bring in yet another New Year. One could consider we’re taking a journey together here on this planet earth, and well, how are we doing? With another season upon us and an auspicious one at that – winter with all of its cultural and seasonally timed rituals - the true meaning of this season is often overshadowed by the distractions of the small mind manifesting more and more material gods to worship or want. The small mind - it certainly can get in the way – that’s its nature though, so you’ve got to expect that.
Have you ever noticed yours? Being still - you have to be still to notice, and then you begin to notice more and more. It’s quite entertaining to observe “the small mind”. I catch mine when I’m experiencing tension, worry, self-consciousness, judgment, doubt, dullness, carelessness, laziness and dissipation due to excessive craving..........those nine distractions, Patanjali (Yoga Sutras) knew all about them. Perhaps not much has changed then in a couple thousand years, or has it?
We would hope so, but when you look at what we are still doing to ourselves, each other and Gaia – this earth, it’s pretty appalling and obvious that we are not getting something. But here we are again at another significant seasonal/symbolic reminder. Perhaps one could consider the real gift of Christmas as the revelation of Christ consciousness to be “awakened”, aware of our true nature. It is that capacity of Self-love that transcends the small mind, remember - the nature of the small mind is to judge, compare, argue and be discontent and the first person in the line of fire is ourselves.
In consideration of all the gifts and things that make life wonderful, there is still no better gift than the gift of inner peace. In addition to Self-love the thing that Christ, Buddha, and others exemplified was inner peace, which is the gift of Awakening. Despite all of the personal challenges and public disagreement to who they were and what they were doing these individuals carried on graciously with acceptance, and aligned with Self-love.
The small mind – it seems like it would carry on long after we were all said and done because it functions so much in isolation and in conflict with our true inner nature seemingly unaware of the havoc it may be causing. I will watch my small mind in countless circumstances and the general theme of conversation that is my ‘thinking’, is so predictable and in character with what mystics, sages, yogis and psychologists have been telling us for centuries. The mind is transient and thrives on contrast. Well we can all see what happens globally when the small mind is given the run of things: greed, hate and judgment become positions for the ego to defend rather than warnings of inner misalignment. And in ourselves; perhaps self-judgment, impatience, self-doubt and discontent will be good indications that we need to slow down and “de-think”. Here we are coming into a season which is traditionally set up for a little of that inner reflection and self-acceptance. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all gave the gifts of inner peace and self-love this Christmas – especially initially to ourselves? As I mentioned above, inner peace is the result of awakening which is the true gift of the masters. When you are “awake” you recognize yourself as awareness, thinking then ceases to be a self-serving autonomous activity that takes possession of you and runs your life. Lets get a head start now, its not hard, simply agree with yourself to allow no negative thoughts – NONE. The next step is to be fully present, no matter what the circumstance and remember the first agreement. I’m sure from here you will all awaken into awakening, as even that is a process!
All the best to all of you this coming season.
Blessings,
Mary-Jo

The Past

Forgiveness means giving up all hope of a better past.

-Landrum Bolling

When I do premarital prep the couple take an inventory - lots of areas of communication and family life are covered but one in particular covers our families of origin. The results of the inventory help the couple understand their strengths and also helps uncover areas of possible growth. The "family map" helps the couple reflect on how their family of orgin dealt with change, discipline, and family leadership. Families are on a continuim of flexible - inflexible, connected - disconnected.
This can be one of the most difficult yet enlightening revelations. Confronting the limitations of our parents, the painful experiences of childhood can often bring a feeling of wishing we could go back and change things. Regret can sometimes give way to resentment. Resentment certainly gets in the way of the present relationship. When the parents have been particulalry abusive or neglectful the challenge is even greater.
Every relationship has a possibility of resurrection - new life. That is very different than changing what has been. It is all about changing what might be in the future. I like the above quote for this reason.