Duck Says “Sink or Swim”

Often, in life, we are given situations where we must choose to either move forward and make a change, or where we choose to let life circumstances defeat us.

Several days ago, someone that I love dearly received chastising about a situation that he was involved in.  The chastisement seemed out of proportion to the seriousness of the situation.  It reminded me of the put downs that many of us received from our parents (fathers) in our early lives.  The tone of the chastisement was along the lines of “how can you be so stupid”, and “I am so much smarter than you”; put downs that we now all realize are about power and not about any constructive coaching or team building.

As I was thinking through the situation, and feeling thankful that I was no longer in that corporate situation, I saw the picture below, from Spirit, and realized that Duck had a comment for me. Duck is a spirit animal that brings many messages to humans, messages that are often ignored.

The comment was “sink or swim”!  From the moment that Duck is born, she must make her way through the grass down into the water.  She is not safe on the land from Fox, Hawk, Coyote, Snake, Racoon, Weasel, or even Cat or Dog.  When she gets in the water, she is not safe from Turtle, Fish, Eagle, or other predators.  Yet, she swims! She does not give up.  To escape those who would diminish her, she simply swims faster until the time comes when she can fly, and then she flies faster. 

Life, Duck says, is about getting on, and not getting down.  Life is about finding the flow, and staying in the current, and keeping moving.  The nature of things is about moving and change, and never giving up. Life is about loving one’s self enough to keep trying.  

And that, says Duck, is the meditation for today – sink or swim.

     Ducks from amolife.com 

Many blessings,

Judy

A Focus Point for A Meditation

This meditation focus comes from the book that I wrote, “Earth Wisdom Meditations: Contemplations For People Who Love The Earth”.  

I was sitting on the bench by the Bow River looking into the water.  A tree beside the river dropped a leaf into the water to my left.  I watched it float down past me.  I was just watching this leaf, and thinking, and I heard the words.  I wrote them down, and, eventually, they became a meditation for me that I use when I get stuck in my daily life.  Saying the words slowly and quietly, over and over, help me focus.

If you try this meditation, please let me know if it works for you.

Blessings,

Judy

You can see more about this book here.

Earth Wisdom Meditations: 111 Contemplations For People Who Love The Earth [Paperback]

Judith Hirst (Author)

Beauty of The Earth

Along highway 93, one can pull off the road, and spend some time beside a stream or river, or small lake, and contemplate the peace.

With the peace, the beauty of the Earth shines out like a gift on one’s birthday.  Sunlight, warmth, and many elementals work with you to bring down the state of tension in your body.

Use this picture as a focal point for your meditation and see where it takes you.   Send me comments to tell me about your journey.

Blessings,

Judy

Carting Around The Past

The Poster says:

Quit hanging on to the past; fantasizing, dreaming, wishing and replaying it.  You can’t change it.  You just haven’t realized it yet, but you have moved on.  You are different now; not of the past, but of now - a different person.  You don’t need what the past had.  Your life is here today.  Your greatest moments are ahead of you and are right where you are now, so seize them while you can, before it is too late. —Bryant McGill

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This blog comes from an old journal that I was writing in while I worked at a particular job.  I think the entry still has relevance for many people today.

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I was having a bad day.  When I have a bad day, the Angels seem to appear to give me something else to think about.  A bad day, for me, is when things do not flow smoothly.  There are blocks. Even little things like we are out of my favourite chai tea latte in the kitchen at work.

Going back to the Angels….  they reminded me that when we hang on to something or become attached ( read my favourite tea), we constantly set ourselves up for failure and disappointment.  Then I saw the poster above, and I had this moment of clarity around the past, and around attachment.

Later, to make sure that I really got the message, the Angels sent me an OSHO Zen Tarot card called “Clinging To The Past”.  See it below.  Being blocked will limit your abundance.  The clear message is that change is required.  Creator will help you with your healing, however, some Meditation – a chance to listen to Creator (or the Universe) is required. 

The write up is pretty impressive.  Here is part of it.

The figure pictured in this card is so preoccupied with clutching her box of memories that she has turned her back on the sparkling champagne glass of blessings available here and now. Her nostalgia for the past really makes her a 'blockhead', and a beggar besides, as we can see from her patched and ragged clothes. She needn't be a beggar, of course--but she is not available to taste the pleasures that offer themselves in the present.

It's time to face up to the fact that the past is gone, and any effort to repeat it is a sure way to stay stuck in old blueprints that you would have already outgrown if you hadn't been so busy clinging to what you have already been through. Take a deep breath, put the box down, tie it up in a pretty ribbon if you must, and bid it a fond and reverent farewell. Life is passing you by, and you're in danger of becoming an old fossil before your time!

- from Osho, THe Great Zen Master Ta Hui, Chapter 10.

When something appears to you several times in a week, then pay attention.  If something appears several times in a day, you are being smacked over the head to get your attention.

This was telling me about clinging to the past.  What does it mean to you?

Special thanks to http://kathryn.mnsi.net/ for having the Osho Zen cards available.

Many blessings,

Judy

Squid Talks About Movement

Sometimes, I am simply surprised at the wonderful creatures that show up for my meditations and who want to share some thoughts.   I do not know very much about Squid.  So, I looked up some information.

“Squid have differentiated from their ancestral molluscs such that the body plan has been condensed antero-posteriorly and extended dorso-ventrally. What before may have been the foot of the ancestor is modified into a complex set of tentacles and highly developed sense organs, including advanced eyes similar to those of vertebrates.  …. The majority are no more than 60 centimetres (24 in) long, although the giant squid may reach 13 metres (43 ft). – Wikipedia”

Squid came in because it wanted to share some thoughts on moving.  Here are her ideas.

• There is not any one way that is the best way to move forward.  We squids move by kicking our tentacles. Others move by their feet propelling them forward.
• In the medium of water, we can move up and down, and hover, much like the hummingbird.  This type of movement is like a dance.  It is graceful.  Movement should be graceful.
• We move with the currents of the ocean.  This is about being in the flow of life.
• Some believe that we are sacred animals because we move our tentacles by putting them together as hands clasped in prayer.  All beings are sacred for we are all connected.
• Some believe that ocean dwellers have no souls; they believe that we are monsters – and that the larger we get, the more monstrous that we are.  Perhaps it is the way that we move that causes this fear.  When something moves in a strange way, we tend to fear it.

Squid’s final words were about allowing all beings to move through their lives with ease.

Blessings,
Judy

Black Horse on Freedom and Energy

As I sat in meditation.  I asked what animals wanted to come in, and what they wanted to talk about.   One of the first animals through the archway was a beautiful black horse.  It was as though a great wind was blowing through my room.

The Black Horse said:

People talk about freedom and the most common thing in the conversation is that there are a whole lot of things that they do not want to do.  Horse has always known that freedom is about making the choice to keep the community – the herd – together and to protect one another.  Horse has learned that freedom means nothing if you are open to attack from the wolf.  Freedom is only a benefit if you can feed, water, and have young.

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For more wisdom from horses, see the following blog posts:

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/10/black-horse-in-meditation.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/09/horse-on-sleeping.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/11/horses-world-compared-to-ours.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/09/horse-on-community.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/07/dream-of-winged-horse-guide.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/07/a-pinto-horse-visits-in-dream-time.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/02/thoughts-from-young-colt-spirit-animal.html

Many blessings,

Judy

Badger on Teaching

 

One of the other interesting animals that popped in for my meditation was Badger.  Badger had lots to say about teaching.

• Everyone has a responsibility to teach the young.  This is not a job to be delegated to one or two beings.
• Those that are delegated to teach should not choose the path.  Instead, those around them should observe that they are good teachers and support them in the role of teaching.
• Teachers should be well paid because they are teaching the future.
• Teachers should teach what is the common understanding and the common courtesies of the community.  
• Truth is limited by the interpretation.  It is better to let students discover the truth on their own.
• Mother Earth and Nature will help in the teaching of the truth.  Trust this resource.
• When one teaches, they should be in a place of ONENESS with the Universe and with Mother Earth.

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To learn more wisdom from Badger, see the previous posts noted below:

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/12/when-badger-appears-to-you.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/06/badger-away.html

Blessings,

Judy

Crow Talks About Life

When people talk about meditation and how peaceful and quiet it is, I think of some of my meditations where animals pop in, and while I may be peaceful, the time is not quiet.  For example, Crow came in to the meditation last night.  Crow caws constantly.  Even as he talks, he caws.  It is his nature.  And, Crow is loud.  He does, however, have some interesting things to say about life, about humans, and about other animals.  Check out his ideas.

• Life is not worth living unless you do it with gusto!  Be loud, try everything, and share what you know.  This is my motto for life. 
• If you set yourself up to be robbed by leaving valuables sitting out in the open world, then someone is going to take them.  Shiny stuff is very attractive. 
• A meal is a meal!  It does not matter if it is moving or not.  Take what is offered and be grateful.  A meal you do not have to get yourself is the best one. 
• Higher up in the tree is better.  You see more.  You see more opportunities.

I was just getting into the conversation when Crow had to fly off.  Somebody was really upset about some of the shiny things that Crow had taken today.

Blessings,

Judy

Siberian Tiger on Sharing

 

The wonderful thing about meditating is that it opens your mind to a wide variety of ideas, and takes you to different dimensions so that you can understand all that there is about being connected.  Sometimes, however, a meditation will take me to surprising places.

Today’s meditation dropped me in the snow somewhere on a mountain side close to two Siberian Tigers.  I was a bit startled.  So were they!  After snarling and growling, they finally stopped and shook their heads.  I could see that an explanation was needed.  So, I told them that by mistake, (yes, I know there are no mistakes), I seemed to have overshot my happy meditation retreat, and landed in their hunting territory.  Benji, the larger tiger, basically said, “No way!”  And, I replied, “Yes, way.”  

To help the situation along, I asked them if they had anything that they wanted to share with me since Tigers are known to be such excellent teachers.  The Tigers reflected for several minutes, and said that they would like to share about sharing.  Here are their comments:

• Although it is easy to be on your own, and it is easy to live a solitary life, everything becomes easier with a companion to share the road.  Hunting is easier, although one needs to do it more frequently, and rest time is more secure because there is two or more, of us.
• When you are on your own, sometimes you miss things around you because of being focused.  When you share the road, the other being usually helps you to see more; to be more alert about the environment.  This is a very practical thing.
• When you can share the work of hunting, or peeling off the meat from a hunt, your body takes less of a beating.  It is good to share the work.
• Sharing a meal is a good way to remind yourself that you must be grateful for the food in your life – what you call “abundance”.
• When you are hurt, another Tiger can help you with your healing by licking the wound, protecting you, and bringing you food.
• It is tough to learn to share, and worth the effort.
• It is in the nature of most animals to share to keep the species alive.  
• Creator is causing changes in all of us to make sharing easier, I think.
• All of the ancestors were good at sharing and hunted in packs.  The food did not go as far, but it was more frequent.

The Tigers said that they must return to their hunt.  I popped back to my meditation cushion, and realized that I felt quite cold.  I felt that I had a very interesting journey.

Blessings,

Judy

For those that have an affinity for tigers, here is the link to a previous post:

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/09/tiger-explains-how-to-blend.html

Donkey’s Thoughts for You

Over the last several days, the picture of a Donkey has popped into my mind, or the word “donkey” has come up in conversation or on the radio.  Because this seems unusual, I gathered that Donkey had a message for me.   In my meditation, Donkey did come in and had some thoughts to share.

• This is a time to keep your ears open to listen for unusual sounds around you.  Often, one can hear things or hear about things before the “thing” happens.  Your ability to hear will help you move through 2025 with grace.
• Work on your endurance.  Donkeys are noted for their endurance in harsher conditions.  For you, the conditions will be changing constantly, and you will need to have some survival skills in place by the last half of the year.  Thus, you need to get fit.
• If you can’t swim, now is a good time to learn this skill.  Swimming is good exercise and allows you to get use to a different environment.  Sinking or swimming – it is all about choices.
• Keep your feet groomed.  This should be self explanatory.
• Eyes wide open is the motto for a donkey walking through strange territory.  This is a good time to start practising the skill of observation.  What looks out of place?  Why is it there?  What is the bigger picture?  Start now, and practise.
• Sleep when you can.  Short naps will help your endurance, and will give you extra physical strength.  Most beings do not get enough sleep.
• Donkeys are vegetarian.  It is the way our digestive system is set up.  Do not artificially change your diet.  Eat what is good for you and for your digestive system.  Most humans do not tolerate a wide variety of raw.  That is why you invented fire.
• Take time to commune with Creator.  It will help you remember that we are all connected.

Then, after sharing these thoughts, Donkey brayed goodbye and walked off into the desert.

Blessings,

Judy

More on Breath

The poster says:   The same atoms and molecules of air, the breath that Jesus breathed, Moses breathed, Buddha breathed, that same breath is flowing into you right now!

The interesting thing about air is that it is always present.  It moves and is cleansed, and becomes rain or snow, and then changes to become “air” once again.  This is a good time to take up a meditation practice.  Not a big one – five or ten minutes a day.  And, in that time, be mindful of your breath.  You will be uncomfortable at first, however, things will change after the seventh day, and, it will become more natural.

Blessings,

Judy

Skunk On Setting New Ways

 

I was deep into my meditation space and not really noticing anything, when I heard what sounded like digging.  I then heard humming.  As I looked around, I saw a Skunk trudge through the snow, stop and dig, and then trudge some more. 

Skunk said:

• New opportunities are here, and if I sleep through them, then me and my kind will miss out.
• Snow is simply water in a different format.  I like the snow, and to walk out in it is to remind myself that I need not follow what others of my kind do.
• When the weather is warm, it is time to explore.  I am exploring what is available in a different environment.  This makes me stronger than one who accepts what is.
• By walking in the cold, I thicken my fur.  This keeps me warmer.  I am setting new links in my body.  My body remembers a time when I walked in the cold.  I am setting a new way.

Many blessings,

Judy

Responsibility For Our Self

The poster says:

Anytime we perceive that someone else has weakened us, has downed us, has hurt us, has come “against” us, we really have to evaluate that honestly.  Did they really, or did we decide they did, then hurt ourselves with that series of thoughts? - by Lee Travathan

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My recent Full Moon meditation focused on Self-Care.  This includes care for the Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual parts of our BEING.  In the meditation, I saw how language can affect or, in some cases, effect what we do to help ourselves.  We have all been raised in a society that uses guilt to manipulate our actions.  Now is a great time to release this weight.

Blessings,

Judy

Ant On Work

I am always amazed at the Spirit Animals that find their way into my meditations.  They bring such wisdom and stories.  We are all connected.  Here is today’s lesson from the Spirit Animals.

Ant marched into my space in meditation.  He said that humans have no idea, really, of what work is.  He says that if daily, we walked every where we went, and travelled the miles that Ant needs to travel to provide food and stuffs for the nest, then we would work.  If humans carried everything they needed at home with them on their back, then we would work at the same rate that Ant does.  And, if we could hear the one Ant in the hive that was needing help, and if we paid attention, then we would be truly honourable in our work.

Ant’s words were indeed humbling.

Blessings,

Judy

Winter Solstice December 21 2024

 

Picture of Glenmore Lake Taken December 2024 by Judy Hirst

On this winter solstice, we celebrate that we are still alive and well given the terrible conflicts going on in parts of the world.

We celebrate that we are a place that people run towards, and not away from.

We celebrate our families, our friends, and our communities, for these are the anchors that hold all of us to the fabric of loving kindness and compassion.

We celebrate with food and conversation and song and quiet meditation.

Blessed be.

Blessings,

Judy

Fox Haven

The Fox was looking around the area as I finished my meditation.  He stood still, and then spoke.  His comments are appropriate for all of us.

• When the weather changes, or when danger seems to come out of no where, it is good to have a haven to retreat to.  Foxes create a “fox haven” that other foxes can access if they are in danger.  We telegraph the site to those foxes in the area.
• A haven should have a good supply of food.  We foxes look for havens in valleys that are not easily accessible by man.  Here, the small animals, our food, are abundant and understand the cycle of life.  They are in service to those higher in the food chain.
• Water is going to be in short supply.  We foxes can tell because the streams that were forever are drying up.  We say that the haven must have a spring fed water source that cannot be stopped by someone (beaver) damming the stream up water.
• Bring forth only one or two young when you are in the haven.  If you bring in a litter, then the abundance will dry up.  It is written thusly.

Blessings,

Judy

Gorilla on Growing Children In My Meditation

 

Gorilla walked into my meditation space and sat down.  She flashed me a picture of her two offspring, and said, “I want to talk.”

She continued on.  “When raising children, one needs to remember that we parents are preparing them for life.  We need to teach them kindness, independence, and how to think things through.  We need to teach them how to feed themselves, fend for themselves, and how to fend for others if required.  It is a sacred job that the One Spirit has given us.  We must do it well.”

And then she got up and walked away.

You can see more wisdom from Gorilla here.

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/05/gorilla-on-strength-spirit-animal.html

Blessings,

Judy

Humming Bird’s Sweetness

Sometimes, you just get surprised by what happens in a meditation.  My surprise was this beautiful little hummingbird that buzzed into my sacred space inside my sacred space.  Only those energies that are for the greatest and highest good are allowed to move through this space. 

This little lady came in to share some thoughts with me.  One of the guardians of my north direction is the hummingbird.  She said that I was not invoking all of the sweetness that it could bring to my life.  

Little Lady Hummingbird said that the hummingbird’s gift was that it can transform sweetness into courage, and courage to sweetness; that sometimes people need to understand that sweetness enhances courage and strength because with sweetness, one feels sorrow.  And, she flew off.

I have been mulling over her words.  I think that I understand that sweetness is like compassion.  If you don’t have compassion, then your love is self serving.  I think she might be saying that courage without sweetness can also be self serving.

What do you think?

Blessings,

Judy

Buddha Says Keep The Heart Pure

 

Not to commit evil, but to practice all good, and to keep the heart pure: This is the teaching of the Buddha.

“To keep the heart pure” means to try to keep the mind uncluttered. It does not mean that we are saintly. It means that we are reasonably aware, reasonably caring, open to ourselves and to others, and not influenced by hatred, greed, or delusion. – Martine Batchelor, "The Precepts: A Special Practice Section"

I read this passage the other day, and I was struck by the simplicity of living that this bit of wisdom crafts for us.  I wonder how this teaching, now nearly 5000 years old, could be replaced by a belief in Christianity and Muslim, which seem to cause great violence to other humans. 

I wondered how these faiths only in existence for about 2000 years, could arise.   As I was sitting in meditation, the simple answer came to me – they arose because the true teachings which supported the teachings of Buddha for different geographical regions, were pushed aside because of the individual’s need for power and to support their hatred and greed.  This thought was so powerful that I nearly fell off my meditation cushion.  And, it made me sad – very sad.

May we all find that place in ourselves to be kind and carrying, and beyond the passions of hatred, and greed.  May delusion be released as we shed our ego.

Blessings,

Judy

Black Horse in Meditation

Black Horse was trotting in to my meditation.  She has decided that now is the time to share some information.  She tossed her head and looked at me and said, “You are now ready.”

• The new matrix of organization is being floated through the Universe.  This matrix changes the the way that energy moves and works together. 
• Some call this matrix the crystal or crystalline matrix because they need to put labels on all things.  Instead of the label, visualize the way that sunlight twinkles on water.  The light gleams and moves and provides shadows and brightness that are connected.  This is how the new structure comes into being.  The light holds connections at every intersection of returning light, or reflected light.

Blessings,

Judy