Obaitori

{this moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama.

 

A Friday ritual;   - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

dancin' in the rain

The rain is falling down, down, down, continuously.

Jerry Seinfeld has a hilarious stand up on water. He says that we are obssessed with water, we swim in it, go to lakes, lagoons, we bath in it, we listen to the weather report, we collect water, we walk around with it in small bottles, we go to 'water' bars, we are mostly made of water but when it starts to rain - a few drops on us, we freak out! - 'aaahhh I felt a drop ... !!!'

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet but this man dances in it.

To celebrate the divinity of the water element, here is the Dancin' Man in the rain from Byron Bay, Australia. Please enjoy.

 

blessing of the rain

~ Golden Fuschia ~

Part of my new sadhana - spiritual practice -  is walking. It is about honouring myself, taking time out for myself, playfulness and looking after my heart, all aspects of awakening anahata chakra. Last night before I left the rain came down hard. I was in two minds about going because I had ovulation pain, something I've never experienced quite like this before. I did a quick google, diagnosed myself as probably not having cancer, put my shoes on and left.

My walk was enlightening. Externally I liberated 4 plastic bags out of our local wetlands by climbing down a storm water reserve armed with a stick, collected 6 pieces of plastic from the mouth of a drain, found a scooter that was on a junk pile and collected a much needed nut for Indira's scooter and some spare parts, I moved a snail or two off the path. Internally I was touched by the properties - as I walked under and brushed - a white box eucalyptus tree, a she oak and some grevillia. I ate some lillipillies. I thought about my problems, chanted instead of worrying about them and by the end of the walk I had sorted some things out. When I arrived home; drenched, hot and happy, my stomach pain had gone and I had the added bonus of not attending the currently dreaded, for me, bedtime.

The she oak or casuarina's essence is known for realigning women's imbalances and on my walk I was delighted to be caressed by her beautiful soft needle like branches. The raindrops adorned the needles like jewels and I stopped inquisitively to see them playing over the trees. I ran my arms through their softness and collected their essence. I drank it and washed it through my hair.

~ Casuarina Photo ~

And may the blessing of the rain be on you - the soft sweet rain.

May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up,

And shed their sweetness on the air.

And may the blessing of the great rains be on you,

That they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean,

And leave there many a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines,

And sometimes a star.

~ Celtic prayer verse 2 ~

 

the brightness of her glory

By day the sun shines,

And by night shines the moon.

The warrior shines in his armour,

And the priest in his meditation.

But the Buddha shines by day and night:

In the brightness of her glory

Shines the woman who is awake.

~ Dhammapada ~

living on the road

 

We've returned from our journey north. We went as far as Byron Bay, over to the Boarder Rangers National Park, Nimbin, Mullumbimby and Mt Warning. Whilst travelling in our van we live a life that constantly changes.

Here is our home;

Here are our playgrounds;

Our view changes everyday and so too our perspective of life shifts with it;

 

We eat;

Play;

Catch up with old friends;

And give thanks for our safe, happy return;

 

 

a fresh start

Happy New Year! I know we did all that a while ago - but the Chinese (along with all the other Asian cultures who celebrate New Year this weekend) have the right idea. Let a New Year begin with a New Moon and you're much more likely to get a fresh start. Remember that brave resolution you found it so hard to stick to? You'll find, if you revive your commitment to it now, that it is much easier to sustain it. Indeed, if you've been hankering after positive change in any area of your life, it can finally begin.

From astrologer Jonathan Cainer.

{this moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama.

 

A Friday ritual;   - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Dates 2012

 

~ To enhance learning, wisdom & develop intuition we will gather on the nearest Tuesday to the

New Moon ~

 

February 21st

March 21st

April 24th 

May 22nd

June ~ winter hibernation ~ *

July ~ winter hibernation ~ *

August ~ winter hibernation ~ *

September 18th

October 16th

November  ~ dinner ~

December ~ summer holidays ~

 

* For the winter hibernation period we will gather together for Stitches for Tibet at someone's home around a warm fire. Please contact me for more information about the venues or if you would like to open your home/heart for Stitches.

 

Let your eyes look with kindness, your tongue speak with sweetness & your hand touch with gentleness.

 

 ☸ Sri Swami Sivananda   ☸

 

Solemnity of Mary ~ Mother of God

Today we are celebrating Mary's motherhood of Jesus.

"From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all

hope seems gone.”

~Pope John Paul II~

Happy New Year to my dear family and friends all over the world. May your new year bring an abundance of love, peace and joy.

"The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities,

But to know someone who thinks and feels with us,

And who, though distant, is close to us in spirit,

This makes the earth for us, an inhabited garden." ~ Goethe ~

peace be with you

We are journeying north dear friends. For those who we will see soon - we are looking forward to being with kindred spirits. For those we leave behind - we love you and are always with you. See you all back here in this wonderful space in the new year with more enthusiasm, love, happiness and exciting adventures and stories to share.