Spirit Fire

All of our meditations can be boiled down to two words: being present. What does it mean to truly be here, now? The answer lies in something behind words. Awareness lives there. Happy meditating. It's been a real pleasure to be with you for the last 14 weeks. Living Awareness Meditation - Day 3

Happy Meditating All of our meditations can be boiled down to two words: being present. What does it mean to truly be here, now? The answer lies in something behind words. Awareness lives there. Happy meditating. I…

Meditation offers the possibility of clarity and spaciousness, both of which reside within the field of awareness. Peace also resides there - along with contentment, wonder, compassion, inspiration, wisdom, and well-being. The Practice of Living Awareness is designed to bring forward the spacious awareness that is innate in all of us. For this final step of the practice, meditation has done its work because you have done yours....

The Gift of Awareness Meditation offers the possibility of clarity and spaciousness, both of which reside within the field of awareness. Peace also resides there – along with contentment, wonder, compassion, inspi…

Awareness is ever-efflorescing, as are you. May the same hold true for your practice: may it be consistently opening up, flowering, blossoming, and vibrant from moment to moment. Fourteen weeks have passed since we began this current round of meditations with the Practice of Living Awareness. You might say, "We've arrived!" And you might acknowledge that we are always arriving: to the here, to the now, to living awareness. Happy meditating. Living Awareness Meditation - Day 1

Your Practice Awareness is ever-efflorescing, as are you. May the same hold true for your practice: may it be consistently opening up, flowering, blossoming, and vibrant from moment to moment.  Fourteen wee…

The theme of the week has been a fundamental energetic mechanism called the torus. Its circuitous motion creates a toroidal flow where energy comes in through the top, moves in a spherical shape on the inside, then comes out through the bottom and circumnavigates the outside to return to the top and circle through again and again. The torus represents continuous cycles of motion....

Fields and Streams The theme of the week has been a fundamental energetic mechanism called the torus. Its circuitous motion creates a toroidal flow where energy comes in through the top, moves in a spherical sha…

We are in a constant state of being and becoming. Becoming arrives at the place called being and, as toroidal flow would have it, being is becoming again. This is the fact of our existence and it delightfully bestows upon us the freedom to create our own reality. Energy follows thought and thoughts become things. Insert creative thoughts and lighted expressions into the stream of energy that is becoming our next moment of being, and we begin to shape our experiences and direct our lives....

Lighted Expression We are in a constant state of being and becoming. Becoming arrives at the place called being and, as toroidal flow would have it, being is becoming again. This is the fact of our existence and it d…

The word "torus" and the phrase "toroidal flow" may be new to you, but I assure you, the concept is not; in fact, it is omnipresent—everywhere, all of the time. “A torus is a self-organizing system that comes together at a single point of unity and expands its energy outward in every direction, all around itself, until it returns back to that space in the center… and will continue to do so.”...

The Shape of Life The word “torus” and the phrase “toroidal flow” may be new to you, but I assure you, the concept is not; in fact, it is omnipresent—everywhere, all of the time.  “A tor…

Everything is vibrational. You are vibrational. You are a receiver, interpreter, and transmitter of vibration in the form of energy and information flow; your chakra system allows for this. Each one of your seven energy centers is tuned to a specific frequency which informs—literally "in-forms"—aspects and qualities of your being. What's more, the chakras are both aligned with the central channel, and sourced by it....

Your Chakras  Everything is vibrational. You are vibrational. You are a receiver, interpreter, and transmitter of vibration in the form of energy and information flow; your chakra system allows for this. E…

Conditions reveal rainbows. With the right combination of sunlight and water droplets, the full spectrum of color comes forward as radiant magic. Sunlight always holds the potential of a rainbow, just as you always hold the potential of radiance. Happy meditating. Central Channel Meditation - Day 2

Radiance Revealed   Conditions reveal rainbows. With the right combination of sunlight and water droplets, the full spectrum of color comes forward as radiant magic. Sunlight always holds the potential of a rai…

Now that we've incorporated body and ground into the practice, we can rely on them for the stability required to work with the subtle energy sciences. This week's meditations bring awareness to the stream of energy that moves along the spine connecting our energy centers (chakras) to higher levels of consciousness. Similarly, the flower in the photo above has a root system which provides support as it aspires toward the sun....

Your Aspiration Mechanism Now that we’ve incorporated body and ground into the practice, we can rely on them for the stability required to work with the subtle energy sciences. This week’s meditations bring awar…

The ground beneath our feet provides stability, the sky above our heads provides spaciousness. Light reveals and the rhythm of each unfolding experience creates the momentum of our lives. Awareness seeps in and consciousness flows out. You have made your way here. Take it in. Happy meditating. Ground of Being Meditation - Day 3

Beingness   The ground beneath our feet provides stability, the sky above our heads provides spaciousness. Light reveals and the rhythm of each unfolding experience creates the momentum of our lives. Aw…

Once we've established "ground," we get to go places. Firm ground allows us to leap higher. Healthy ground allows us to grow things. Common ground allow us to work together toward bigger dreams. The ground supports and enables. In today's meditation, we simply use direct experience as our ground-of-being. Happy meditating. Ground of Being Meditation - Day 2

Leveraging Your Ground Once we’ve established “ground,” we get to go places. Firm ground allows us to leap higher. Healthy ground allows us to grow things. Common ground allow us to work together toward…

Have you ever spent time in the forest? It is rejuvenating. In fact, the health benefits of time spent among trees have been proven; so much so that it's got a name: forest bathing. The air is alive. It is pure and rich. Trees are the lungs of the earth. They purify the atmosphere, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Their various processes of giving and receiving also help to regulate water cycles and and build up topsoil....

The Lungs of the Earth Have you ever spent time in the forest? It is rejuvenating. In fact, the health benefits of time spent among trees have been proven; so much so that it’s got a name: forest bathing. The air i…

Just as gradually opening the blinds in a dimly lit room allows you to perceive objects that you hadn't seen before, generating the light of mind in meditation allows you to notice that which may have otherwise gone unnoticed. You are able to see clearer in your headspace. Perhaps the light of mind allows us to move beyond our headspace and clearly perceive the perceiver. Might we then move beyond that space entirely and become perception itself—luminous perception? Happy meditating. Luminous Perception Meditation- Day 3

Mindsight Just as gradually opening the blinds in a dimly lit room allows you to perceive objects that you hadn’t seen before, generating the light of mind in meditation allows you to notice that which…

The word soul derives from the Gothic saiwala and the Old German saiwalo, both referring to origins. It is also connected etymologically with the greek aiolos, which means twinkling or iridescent; and with the latin anima, meaning wind or mind. The twinkling origins of mind. Yes. Today we reach for the luminous aspects of ourselves. Again, yes. Happy meditating. Luminous Perception Meditation - Day 2

Soul Light The word soul derives from the Gothic saiwala and the Old German saiwalo, both referring to origins. It is also connected etymologically with the greek aiolos, which means twinkling or iridescent; …

Meditation is a celebration of what is. It is Earth Day. And the Earth definitely IS! Today’s meditation bestows peaceful blessings upon our planet, Planet Earth. Enjoy! Luminous Perception Meditation - Day 1

Earth Is! Meditation is a celebration of what is. It is Earth Day. And the Earth definitely IS! Today’s meditation bestows peaceful blessings upon our planet, Planet Earth. Enjoy! Luminous Perception Medit…

There are levels of density to everything in our world. Ice is more dense than water. Water is more dense than steam. The density of a substance is the relationship between the mass of the substance and how much space it takes up—how tightly it's packed in. There's density to the unseen as well. Anger has a density to it that's palpable....

Lighten Up There are levels of density to everything in our world. Ice is more dense than water. Water is more dense than steam. The density of a substance is the relationship between the mass of the substanc…

Have we been experiencing the breath or observing the breath? Have we been experiencing the mind or observing the mind? The answer is both. Both collect data, yet, experiencing and observing can feel markedly different. As we experience, we register information with our perceptions in a subjective way. The data we receive as the observer feels a bit more objective. …...

Focused Attention Have we been experiencing the breath or observing the breath? Have we been experiencing the mind or observing the mind? The answer is both. Both collect data, yet, experiencing and observing c…

What is the mind? One definition refers to the mind as "a set of cognitive faculties including consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement, language and memory. It is usually defined as the faculty of an entity's thoughts and consciousness." Another definition states that the mind is an "element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel." Lastly, this one says that "a core aspect of the mind is defined as an embodied and relational process that regulates the flow of energy and information."...

The Mind What is the mind? One definition refers to the mind as “a set of cognitive faculties including consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement, language and memory. It is usually defined as th…

Proper asana is about free-flow. It's not necessarily about uprightness... which may come to mind when we think about posture. Proper asana is about the absence of resistance, obstruction, and distortion. Proper asana allows for energy to move, insights to be received, and expression to be revealed. Proper asana taps into the soul. Happy meditating! Asana Meditation - Day 3

Asana as Presence Proper asana is about free-flow. It’s not necessarily about uprightness… which may come to mind when we think about posture. Proper asana is about the absence of resistance, obstruction…

What are the various parts that have come together to make the whole of you? Certainly these are not limited to your physical apparatus. A multitude of cooperative components support the fullness of your being. Proper physical asana allows the body to be comfortable for your time in meditation. Proper emotional asana generates equanimity. Proper mental asana generates clarity. All of this supports receptivity. Receptive and meditative... could these two words be the same? Indeed. Happy meditating. Asana Meditation - Day 2

The Whole of You What are the various parts that have come together to make the whole of you? Certainly these are not limited to your physical apparatus. A multitude of cooperative components support the fulln…

Last week's break, or interlude, signals that we are halfway through this round of meditations. Seven specific tools to work with in meditation lie behind us and seven new tools to work with in meditation lie ahead of us. And so, as we begin the 8th week of the Practice of Living Awareness, we find ourselves in the center... beautifully balanced between what was and what will be. In this particular moment, I can't think of a more perfect place to reside! Happy meditating! Asana Meditation - Day 1

Finding The Center Last week’s break, or interlude, signals that we are halfway through this round of meditations. Seven specific tools to work with in meditation lie behind us and seven new tools to work with …

"In the infinity of Life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete." These are wise and wondrous words from Louise Hay, the intrepid pioneer of affirmative thought forms. Why not pause on the last meditation of the first half of our practice together to affirm Life's perfection? Indeed, why not! Settle into your wholeness; the stillness will reveal the subtle movement of perfect joy. Thank you for meditating—and the world thanks you. Interlude Meditation - Day 3

All Is Perfect, Whole, and Complete “In the infinity of Life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete.” These are wise and wondrous words from Louise Hay, the intrepid pioneer of affirmative thought forms. Why not …

Life gets really interesting in the space "between." It's often within life's pauses, pit-stops, or intermissions that we allow the fullness of an experience to resonate. In A Treatise on White Magic, Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul explains that interludes are necessary if we are to "avail ourselves fully of the opportunity which life experience is intended to furnish." Yes! Meditation reflects life. The space between breaths is both necessary and wildly precious. Happy meditating! Interlude Meditation - Day 2

Natural Interludes Life gets really interesting in the space “between.” It’s often within life’s pauses, pit-stops, or intermissions that we allow the fullness of an experience to resonate. I…

The beauty of Week 7 lies in allowing Weeks 1 through 6 to find their natural expression in the whole of your meditation practice. Interludes work beautifully in that regard; they are integrative. The number 7 itself signifies synthesis, wholeness, and completion. 7 days come together to create a week. 7 colors form the spectrum. 7 musical notes complete the scale....

Week 7 : Interlude The beauty of Week 7 lies in allowing Weeks 1 through 6 to find their natural expression in the whole of your meditation practice. Interludes work beautifully in that regard; they are integrative. …

"The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love." - Marianne Williamson We are born with two fears, the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises; the rest is learned. The process of unlearning fear and separateness relies on both the heart and the mind. A Loving Kindness meditation, which we will work with today, supports this....

Open Heart, Open Mind “The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love.” – Marianne Williamson We are born with two fears, the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises; th…

Heart-Mind joins two principles that underlie our reality: (one) that energy follows thought, and (two) that we are all part of a complex interdependent and interconnected community of life. As we begin to embody heart-mind, we begin to participate in creating a world in which cooperation, respect, and harmlessness move to the forefront of our thoughts and behaviors. Altruism in action, that is the impact of heart-mind....

Compassion and Curiosity Heart-Mind joins two principles that underlie our reality: (one) that energy follows thought, and (two) that we are all part of a complex interdependent and interconnected community of life. As we …

Life. We are all part of its expression, each and every one of us—those we love, those who challenge us, those we admire, those we fear, and those who shape us. At times, this human experience can seem merciless and at times it can seem blessed beyond belief; this is the warp and weft that creates the fabric of our existence....

Heart-Mind Life. We are all part of its expression, each and every one of us—those we love, those who challenge us, those we admire, those we fear, and those who shape us. At times, this human experience can …

As we allow thoughts to come and go during a meditation sitting, we are exercising our 'go-with-the-flow' muscles. And as we know, exercise takes time to see results. Sometimes it feels repetitive. But it's worth it. The consistent practice of creating space for thoughts to arise, and then allowing them to pass on by within that same space, generates ease within the present moment....

Letting Go As we allow thoughts to come and go during a meditation sitting, we are exercising our ‘go-with-the-flow’ muscles. And as we know, exercise takes time to see results. Sometimes it feels…