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
Many blessings on your house upon this Christmas Day!
This is a time of peace and of fellowship and cheer.
The best that we can do, or so the Angels say
Is to love one another more compassionately this year.
We look around at all the things we have and feel
That we’ve been wronged because it doesn’t measure up
To the things that we see and have great appeal
To the need to consume and “fill ‘er on up”,
That the media created to get us to buy.
We humans are more than a consumable good.
We are marvellous and beautiful and kind.
We are laughing and joking and makers of food
That we share with our friends or anyone we find
Has need of some time to refresh and to heal.
We are the ones that see others and care
Whether they are cold or need a good meal.
That kind of need isn’t so rare
Now that the world is turning upside down.
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Blessings,
Judy
Picture from an email from a friend.
I had the strangest dream the other night. I guess the dream happened because it is getting close to Christmas which is my favorite part of the year. Here is the dream.
********************
Roger and I got home from my Christmas party about midnight. The moon was shining brightly. And there, sitting at the end of our driveway, just like one of our dogs, waiting for us, was a very large, white hare, or rabbit, as she is often called.
We drove up and stopped because she did not move. She looked at us, and seemed to thump her back foot. Suddenly, we were engulfed in this very warm feeling, a feeling of peace. I saw a picture of a Christmas from about five years ago when all of my family was together, sitting a a huge long table for twenty-two people, laughing and eating, and of course, telling stories. The picture faded. I saw a tall white lady, who waved her arm, and disappeared. I knew we were being taken care of.
Roger said, “Did you feel that? The warmth and the magic?”
I said yes… and our rabbit hopped away.
I woke up knowing that life is good.
*****************
Blessings,
Judy
Picture is of the fall colours from the Banff Summit
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -Leo F. Buscagilia
"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing." -G. M. Trevelyan
I found these two quotes and felt that I needed to share them today, to remind everyone that what we feel guided to do is often what Creator needs us to do. And, when we interfere with someone’s path because of our own limitations – saying that it can’t be done - we have no idea of the repercussions of our actions.
Be at peace and celebrate everything!
Many blessings,
Judy
Happy 4th of July 2024 to all the folks in the United States.
What a wonderful day to celebrate all the good things around us.
I wish each of you a day of celebration so that you are at peace with yourself, your family, and the rest of the world.
I wish you each a time of forgiveness so that you may let go of what you are holding on to, and that you may move forward without regrets.
This is my blessing for you.
Judy
Healing words from the Dali Lama:
Never Give up
No matter what is going on
Never Give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy is spent developing the mind
instead of the heart
Be compassionate
Work for peace
and I say again
Never Give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never Give up
One of the commonalities between many of the very old traditions, that is, before Christianity, is the spirit of perseverance. What I am seeing as I meet people over the last six months is that sense of despair and of having given up.
As I expand my sight to see what is really going on, I see that the despair is borne from the disparaging words from others – others who tell them that everything is awful, or that they’ll never get it right, or….
The picture that I see is that others around them cause the person’s sense of desperation and defeat. Living to the words of others rather than what is in yourself is truly the way to losing your way.
I love the words from the Dali Lama – Never Give Up, No matter what is going on around you!
Many Blessings,
Judy
At least once a week, I get an email or a phone call from a client that gives me pause to think about “why is that person acting or reacting like that?” I usually have a lot of wonderment around the question, and usually, within a day or two, I get a story or explanation for the behaviour.
This morning I had a chat with a friend who was telling me that he/she would be fasting for the next ten days to help raise her/his vibration. And further, she/he would be avoiding all sweet things.
I have learned that each person must do what seems right or best for him or her. However, the thought that sticks with me in all that I do is the vow of MODERATION that all those who take Munay-Ki must agree to. Moderation means that one is balanced in all things. Extreme fasting, or denying oneself, or forcing self to do things that are not for the highest good of the body temple are not in accordance with the Munay-Ki Vow.
As I was reviewing my lesson in Buddhism, the following teaching story came up, and I received confirmation from Great Spirit that I was on the path of understanding that we need to be balanced in all things. Here is the story.
The Holy Man Who Tried To Be Too Holy (Extremism)
Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being lived in a world where most religions were very similar. They taught that the way to remove suffering from the mind was to make the body suffer instead. As strange as it seems, most people thought that the holiest of the holy were the ones who tortured their bodies the most! Since everyone seemed to agree with this, the Bodhisatta decided to find out for himself if it was true.
He stopped living as an ordinary everyday person and became a holy man according to the custom of the times. This meant that he gave up everything, even his clothes. He went naked, with his body covered only by dust and dirt.
So he wouldn't be spoiled by the taste of good food, he forced himself to eat only filthy things - dirt, ashes, urine and cow dung.
So he could concentrate without being interrupted by anyone, he went to live in the most dangerous part of the forest. If he did see a human being, he ran away like a timid deer.
In the wintertime he spent his days under the trees and his nights out in the open. So in the daytime he was soaked by the cold water dripping from the icicles hanging from the tree branches. And at night he was covered by the falling snow. In this way, in winter, he made his body suffer the most extreme cold in both day and night.
In the summertime he spent his days out in the open and his nights under the trees. So in the daytime he was burned by the most severe rays of the sun. And at night he was blocked from the few cooling breezes of the open air. In this way, in summer, he made his body suffer the most extreme heat in both day and night.
This was how he struggled, trying to bring peace to his mind. He was so determined that he lived his entire life in this way.
Then, just as he was about to die, he saw a vision of himself reborn in a hell world. The vision struck him like lightning, and instantly he knew that all the ways he had tortured his body were completely useless! They had not brought him peace of mind. Lo and behold, as he gave up his false beliefs and held on to the truth, he died and was reborn in a heaven world!
May you find this helpful in all that you do today, and all days!
Blessings,
Judy
The following words come from a teaching by Venerable Jagaro of the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre in Perth. These words were a lesson that I needed around understanding attachment, and to help clients who are attached. May these words help you as well.
Picture from Microsoft Clip Art
In Buddhism we are interested in freedom the freedom of non- attachment. We carry around an immense burden of attachment to everything we consider 'me' and 'mine' , like a big heavy stone on our shoulders. When a wise person points out to us that we could throw off this burden, we regard them with suspicion. 'Throw it off? Then I wouldn't have anything left! I couldn't do that!' Thinking they will bring us happiness, we continue to lug around our personal investments and self interests this great big heavy burden! The Buddha taught that nothing is worth attaching to. Do not attach to anything: that will bring true peace and happiness. Reflect on the process of what we call suffering: what it really is how it arises. Only then can one begin to appreciate what attachment really is, what the result of attachment is, and begin to glimpse the idea and the possible results of non-attachment.
Attachment is something we create in the mind. When we let it go, we begin to experience the silent empty mind. This still, peaceful mind can be found when sitting in meditation. Is it possible to bring it also into our daily lives? Can we live as ordinary people with this non-attachment? There is one vital factor needed if we wish to live skilfully, and that factor is mindful awareness. This factor of knowing, of being present, is essential if we wish to go beyond our continual stream of thinking, projecting, analysing and reacting. It is difficult, isn't it? Without awareness, we are locked into our stale conditioning, like a monkey with its paw stuck in the biscuit jar . All it has to do to become free is let go, but this is just what it won't do. Actually , non-attachment is not something you have to do: all you have to do is stop attaching. This is natural for the enlightened mind, and it is awareness which makes this a real possibility in our lives.
The Buddha taught a Path, gave us a method of skilful means. Meditation is the tool to help us with the process of being present, of seeing attachment and tensions arising, of knowing when to relax and let go. The practice of meditation is very highly emphasised. The more you become aware, the more you can begin to experience true peace and happiness. There is no need to have anything else, no need to achieve anything.
Many blessings,
Judy
The message that keeps coming to me, over and over, is that this is a time of “getting it together”. This is a time to orient one’s self to what is coming, and to be at peace with all changes. This is a time to be happy in one’s space, and to be able to retreat and to care of self.
I hear chanting at night – coming from a far away place. It sounds like monks chanting very old sounds. I find the rhythm of the sounds very comforting, and, they usually lull me to sleep.
The space that I am in tells me to slow down and not to be too demanding of myself. It seems that message is true for others, too. When I analyze this with the sound of the chanting, it seems that what I hear is a chant for peace. The underlying intent is for peace for each individual, peace for humanity, and peace for the planet.
May each of you have a peaceful time!
Many blessings,
Judy
My two words for the day are “brotherhood” and “healing”. My first thought was, “Wow, that is a far-out combination!” Then I realized that the only way to heal is to incorporate the concept of “brotherhood” into our lives. Brotherhood means “the belief that all people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in race, creed, nationality, etc.”. This definition comes from dictionary.reference.com.
Brotherhood is hard for most of us to incorporate into our lives because we believe that most people have one of these attributes: they should listen to us, but don’t; they aren’t as smart as us; they are worthless; they are lazy; they are losers; they are control freaks; and, they are too much trouble. That is quite a list of judgements that we have about people.
I realize that my big task is to look at my life and who I work with, and accept them as is, in brotherhood, so that I can speed up any self healing that I have left to do. As well, I need to work with the people that Creator puts in my path so that I can see what lessons I need to learn. Learning brings a great peace to our lives. This makes me think about a slide that a friend sent me. Here it is. I wonder if it is also saying that we have a chance to clear Karma with that person.
I will continue to mull over this idea of Brotherhood and healing, and work to walk this talk.
Many Blessings,
Judy
Astrologers tell us that we have just entered a time of chaos, as Mercury moves into retrograde. Although it is nice to have someone confirm that the energy is chaotic, we all are aware of the energies that move from high to low, and then across the board, pulling emotions, and causing euphoria and despair.
Our Ancestors left us stories of times of chaos, and how these times turned people angry. These were the dark times, when people turned against one another simply for spite and to show some sort of power. It was a time when innocents were hurt.
We are heading into a time like this again – and we have felt it coming. We see the storms in the skies causing rain and snow in unusual amounts and in unusual places. In other places, unusual heat and drought is occurring.
Archangels and Ascended Masters speak for Great Spirit and tell us to find a port that we can weather out the storm. If you need to be in the chaos, call on an Archangel or Ascended Master to help you move through it, and to protect you.
The Earth changes in the forms of earthquakes and whirlpools and large, open cracks in the earth tell us that the very base of our life is also going through changes.
The task that we have at this time is to work within the chaos to create havens of peace. This means a place where you feel safe and protected, and where you will allow others to come and be protected. IT is a time to remember to work at NOT arguing with people – simply do what you must.
Many blessings,
Judy
Wishing you a very Blessed CHRISTMAS Season and the best in 2024,
and....
To all of you that have been reading my blog and to those of you that send me emails and post comments, “Thank you!” Thank you for taking time to acknowledge that the writing resonates with you.
Many blessings,
Judy
The Sound of Creation
-Judy Hirst
There was a time when there was quiet, a stillness that surrounded all the Earth.
Does Creation have a sound?
Who remembers?
It was long ago.
Wait, it happens all the time, every minute.
Each of you create as you move through your day.
What does it sound like?
Does it bring peace or is it chaotic?
Where does it come from?
Does it feed your soul?
****
Blessings,
Judy
Picture from the video MELODIAS DE ANGELES on You Tube
I saw this picture, and it made me think of the Earth Keeper Rites in Munay-Ki.
Earth Keepers are about:
-unconditional love
-holding the Earth in your heart
-seeing the galaxy as an integral part of the Earth
-holding each action that happens on the Earth in love and being with it without fear or anger.
-compassion.
-bigger than either masculine or feminine - it is about the combination, or neutrality of the opposite energies
-a place of PEACE
My wish for December is that all humans find a place to be without fear and anger, and that all find enough water and food to sustain them. For if if the people are satisfied, they will then turn to looking after the Earth, for they see that to keep themselves fed and watered, the Earth Mother must be cared for.
Blessings,
Judy
The CHA WAKAN card - Tree of Life, #32, from The Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards by Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer and Helene Sarkis
In many traditions, the TREE OF LIFE is recognized - for all people see the tree as having roots buried deep in Mother Earth, and branches reaching up to Great Spirit, and Father Sky.
The Lakota say that the humans are like leaves - when we become a certain age, or ripeness, we leave this plane and go into the Spirit World. We die, our bodies go to the Earth, like the leaves from the tree.
The guidance on this card is one that is timely, as we move towards Christmas, a time that is very stressful for many people who either visit family or have family stay with them.
"Open your heart to all your brothers and your sisters and to all of creation, relinquishing your judgements and expectations (of yourself and others). Allow all our relations to be exactly who they are; accept all that you are."
If you feel the need to judge or criticize someone tomorrow, stop and ask yourself - "Why does this bother me so much?" For, often what bothers us in others is what we can not deal with in ourselves. If we can identify why it bothers us, we are on the path to releasing that issue, like the tree releases the leaves. When we release something that has bothered us for ages, we feel a deep stillness and peace. The Shaman says that one must continually work on themselves-- if you believe that you have dealt with an issue and yet you remember it, then the issue is not solved. Work towards Oneness and Peace!
Be compassionate...
Many Blessings,
Judy
Super glue picture from http://www.fnal.gov
Have you found that sometimes, the same thought plays over and over in your head? Have you experienced the reliving of a memory that was painful and thought for the one thousandth time, I’d like to make that person pay? Do you have a story that runs continuously in your mind and that you tell your friends over and over? Welcome to the world of sticky thoughts, that is, thoughts that are glued to your mind.
The problem with these thoughts is that they create barriers to you doing a lot of other things with your brain power and with your life. These thoughts take up your time and energy, drag you down, and create inertia. In some, it creates a great tiredness that prevents them from doing anything to improve their life, other than to say, “Someday!”.
If your thoughts are super glued and you cannot seem to shrug them off, then remember this – we are not thoughts! Thoughts are not true! To achieve peace and relief from anxiety and fear, we must learn to still our thoughts. Osho has a great technique to still your thoughts – a releasing of the super glue.
Meditation – Touch Your Eyes – by OSHO
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May you release the glue that holds your thoughts in place and may you move to another level of being!
Many blessings,
Judy
Over the years, a favourite place for us to go is to a place called Takkakaw Falls. The setting for these magnificent Falls is in Yoho National Park. The falls are only accessible between June and October. The road to the falls can be daunting. The place radiates energy and cleansing and healing. The water is icy cold, always.
Some details: Height: 1248 feet Width: 100 feet The Daly Glacier which feeds Takkakaw Falls is 3152 m (10,345 ft).
The pictures below were taken by S. Roger Joyeux and all copyrights remain with him, and these pictures are used with his permission.
The power of the Falls is that it pulls down light frequencies and disburses them into frequencies that may be used by humans. This is part of the awe that one feels at the foot of the falls. You can take a hiking trail that leads you to the bottom of the falls and there you can be splashed with the spray and the extremely cold water.
The power of the Falls makes you feel humble and pushes ego to the side. Some people have said that it is like sitting at the feet of God and feeling his strength. For me, it was feeling the power of the Earth and the Universe combined into one message. That message is to recognize our own power, and to act for the greater good.
The falls calls to our true, high light, pure love selves. Indigenous people have gone to the Falls on vision quests. Couples have made their vows at the Falls. The peace that exists even with the roaring of the water in the falls and in the river, makes the place feel unearthly.
We have like to take pictures and do some ceremony at the Falls. We sit on the rocks just below the falls and meditate. Each visit is intense and satisfying!
Many blessings,
Judy
I wish Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the United States! This has been a difficult year for many, and my hope for the next year is:
I wish you all abundance this Thanksgiving Day.
Many blessings,
Judy
Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. Today, I remember my great grandfather on my mother’s side, my grandfathers on both my mother’s and my father’s side, numerous great uncles, uncles, and cousins. Most of them are no longer here. Most of them have fought several wars. Some of them are now retired, and still doing what they can for others.
I am thankful that my Ancestors were very brave and that they had a strong sense of right, of truth, and a belief that no one man, no one country, and no one religion should rule the world. I am thankful that they fought for what they believed in. Their actions have been a shiny example for me, of standing on one’s truth.
I am thankful, too, for all the women in my family, who supported the men, and who acted as machinists, nurses, labourers, and who made do with what was available. These women taught me about necessity living.
I am aware that the peace that I have in my life is because all of you stood for what you believed in. Thank – you.
May all of you know that you are honoured and loved through time.
Blessings,
Judy
This picture of an owl comes from an email so the source is unknown.
Owl is a night-time creature so we do not expect to see it during the day. However, when Owl has pressing messages, she will fly at any time. Owl has these messages to share.
“Owls have very good vision. It is time to practice improving your vision. Do not look only ahead. Look to the sides. Increase the flexibility of your neck and shoulders, and learn to look behind you. What comes up behind you is as important as what is ahead.”
“Owls sit in the branches of trees and watch the ground to spot tasty morsels to eat. This is also a good way to observe the patterns of animal life on the ground. Take time to get up high or to step back ten paces from your life so that you can see your daily routine objectively. What is it that you do over and over that gives you no pleasure and no gain? Why do you do it? What old pattern drives this? Think about what you can do differently.”
“Owls operate best at night and in the early morning because that is our high energy time. Do you shun the night and the early morning? This is the high energy time for humans too. You feel the pull of the Sun and the pull of the stars and planets. This is the time to gather the energy of peace. Try changing your routine for three months to see when you feel like you have more energy and will. Do you feel better on your current routine or getting up earlier, for example, at 5:30am?”
Blessings,
Judy
