Serenity

"Serenity At The Bow River at Bankside"  

Photograph copyright Judith Hirst-Joyeux

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my clients asked me how to find serenity. I was taken aback! Serenity, to me, is a state of being - not a destination.  I wondered if I misunderstood the concept. I looked it up.

serenity   The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | Date: 2008 

se·ren·i·ty / səˈrenitē/ • n. (pl. -ties) the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled: an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city. ∎  (His/Your, etc., Serenity) a title given to a reigning prince or similar dignitary.  Â© The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008.

I realized that it is a state of being. However, it is a destination as well.  I thought about where in the world I go to find serenity. I came up with "my list of serenity sites".  These are my places of oasis of serenity.  Here they are, in no particular order.

• The spot along the Bow at Bankside
• The angel sanctuary in my back yard
• The Fairy Tree along Fish Creek
• The secluded picnic table along Fish Creek
• The bench on our deck at 9:30am when it is cool in the summer
• The top of the rock pile at Moraine Lake when others are not around
• The hidden trail along the river close to Kananaskis Lodge
• The log by the beaver lodge on Pine Island
• The flat rock saddle on Cathedral Rock

These names will not resonate with most people.  And, that is okay.  These are my spots for serenity.  Because each person has a unique idea of what serenity is, their destination will be quite different. It may be a beach, a park bench, a library, a cathedral... it doesn't matter.  

When you are in serenity, it seems easier to feel The Divine.

Wishing you moments and places of serenity.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Porcupine as a Spirit Animal

 Picture from a friend 

We live close to a provincial park and we have had several experiences with porcupines coming up into the neighbourhood to check out the gardens and the fruit trees.  They are beautiful in their laid back, quiet saunter.  Their ability to climb trees is awesome.  And, we know to stay clear of them.

If you grew up in the country or had a cottage at the lake, then you know that the porcupine is on the list of “beware of” animals.  One – it has quills that it can “throw” at you and they are very, very difficult to get out of either you or the dog! Two – don’t leave any tools on the ground because the porcupine will eat the handle – it likes salt! Well the first item is partially true – the quills are very difficult to remove. However, the porcupine cannot throw them. It can, however, back into either you or the dog, and do lots of damage. And, it really does like salt – possibly because it likes to be close to water and prefers willow and water lilies to eat – both with high water content.

The porcupine is a fascinating totem animal and spirit guide. Although it is a land animal, it spends most of its time in trees eating young buds, blossoms, and bark. As mentioned earlier, it loves water lilies and so spends time in the water where it maintains its buoyancy through its quills which are filled with air. Thus, porcupine has an affinity with three of the five Earth elements – wood, water, air, and metal. Porcupine is a reflection of a gentle nature that is joyful and full of innocence. Yes, it will defend itself. Yet, it never goes on the attack except in the protection of its young which the mother raises alone. Porcupines are very much loners and seem to exist in isolation. However, they do share their burrows or hollowed out trees with others if the occasion arises. Porcupine is also about communication – reflecting the “barbs” that hurt us and the barbs we hurl at others. 

If porcupine shows up for you, ask yourself if you are communicating offensively, particularly to loved ones. Also look at porcupine’s diet and determine if you are eating healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and getting lots of fresh air. Do you need to climb to a higher height to have a better view of the world? Do you need to allow others into your den in a move of generosity? Is your salt intake too high, too low, or adequate? Is it time to be alone?

Blessings,

Judy

Magic and Mystery

  Mystic Lights from the Northern Sky

This world is now in a time when we all need something to grasp on to as hope for a better way.  The media launches pictures and articles about the tragedies that occur in many countries around war, loss of civil liberties, the lack of rights that women and children do without in all countries.  Why, we wonder, do some of these senseless acts occur and why does the Universe let them occur?  When we look at the sky, the answer does seem to appear.  There is a huge configuration of stars and planets, swirling around in a senseless orbit.  Yet when examined closely by astronomers, a definite pattern is reflected in the movement of these faraway masses.  They are simply so far away that without that big eye view provided by some of the massive telescopes, no one would even see the pattern. 

As above, so below.  The Earth, too, is held in its place in this Universe by the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon and the push/pull of all of the other planets.  It is a pattern so intricate that for thousands of years, no one believed it! The Catholic Church outlawed belief in it.  Just because the pattern is not seen or understood does not mean the pattern does not exist!

I believe that there are huge patterns of activity that occur on Earth that have meaning in the Universe, that have meaning for the cosmology of time to come.  I believe that while we may judge daily events, and scream for justice, that more justice exists in Nature than we truly realize.  I believe that some of these patterns are evening out karmic events in the same way that big winds and rains clean the ground to leave no trace of passersby.  I believe that every day we are witness to magic and mystery that simply flies over our heads because we do not understand.

Many blessings,

Judy

Existence - from Osho

This is an extraordinary message that resonates through me when I read it.  Most people seem to feel unloved, unwanted, and tired of the struggle.  And, they simply give up.   What is the meaning of life?  It is "to be"!  To be a shining point of life on this earth because your existence makes the lives of others also have meaning.  And, if you bring enjoyment and entertainment to millions of people along the way, then your job has been well completed!

-Judy

 

       

You are not accidental. Existence needs you. Without you something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it. That's what gives you dignity, that the whole existence will miss you. The stars and sun and moon, the trees and birds and earth - everything in the universe will feel a small place is vacant which cannot be filled by anybody except you.  
This gives you a tremendous joy, a fulfillment that you are related to existence, and existence cares for you. Once you are clean and clear, you can see tremendous love falling on you from all dimensions.

Osho God is Dead: Now Zen is the Only Living Truth Chapter 1 

Many blessings,

Judy

Elk - Spirit Animal

 North American Elk picture from Wikipedia

 

 

Whenever we drive to the mountains, to Banff or Lake Louis, or in other park areas, we were constantly on the alert for Elk.  I have had past encounters with Elk on the road, and, in their majestic way, neither the bull or cow Elk will give way.  If Elk appears in your life, and you have a strong, personal energy, Elk may be reminding you that you descend from a lineage of royalty, and to carry yourself accordingly.

Elk is very strong and agile, and can run for miles.  When wolves or cougars attack the herd, all the Elk scatter in different directions to confuse the predator.  And, if cornered Elk will fight to the death either predator.  The message that Elk's strength and courage sends to you is to first understand the environment you are in - either home or work - and watch for changes in energy indicating that some danger is occurring for you.  The message is also about standing your ground and answering to your own principles.  When you are attacked, fight for what is true relentlessly.  To keep from being provoked, Elk cautions that you should take time for yourself and retreat to Nature occasionally, or simply spend time in solitude, away from friends and family.  This time of recharging will regenerate your strength and power.

Elk is well known to The People of the plains and the mountains.  Many of the stories told by the Ancestors tell of Elk being very large - as in giant large, and that in the days of creation, Elk created the mountains and the valleys by dragging its antlers through the ground in pursuit of those who would harm Elk.  Elk is also known as an animal that protects, and therefore is the totem animal for some, and the spirit guide for others. 

When Elk walks into your life, you may be sure that you are in for an adventure!

Many Blessings,

Judy

My First Drum

 

Picture is from the website native-drums.ca 

My first drum came to me in 2001 when I was out in Vancouver.  I was in this great shop of indigenous crafts and clothing.  The lady managing the store asked me what I was looking for and I told her that I was guided to the store to buy a drum but that I was not seeing a drum that called to me.  She said, “Aaahhh.  Wait a minute.”  

She came back about five minutes later carrying a beautiful drum.  She said, “I think this drum is for you.  It just came in this morning.  It is made by a young lady after her first moon and brings the strength of the young girl now woman and her Ancestors. She said that the first drum that a person makes is special and that she was guided to not keep it.”

I took the drum and the drum stick and gently beat the drum.  The tone was powerful but gentle and vibrated through my body.  I knew the drum was for me.  I turned the drum over and there was a little carved paddle attached to one of the support sinews.  I asked what the paddle was for.  The manager replied that it was a gift of good luck.  Again, I knew the drum was for me.  I beat out a few more notes and happily paid for the drum.

I took it back to the house we were staying at, and smudged the drum and hugged it and introduced myself.  I asked the drum for its name but it was not ready to share it with me.  During the next week, we were at several drumming sessions.  Every time I played her, my drum sounded sweeter.  And yes, eventually the drum gave me her name.

Now twenty some years later, the drum is still beautiful and still sounds sweet.  She hangs on the wall in our meditation room when I am not drumming.

Clients and students have asked me if they should buy a drum or make a drum.  I have made several drums.  Each is different.  My first drum still resonates with me the most.  I do not think it matters whether you buy a drum or make a drum as long as the drum or the drum making process speaks to you at a soul level.  I think everyone should have a drum for the resonance of the drum beat creates balance and healing like nothing else.

Many blessings,

Judy

Sadness On Losing Someone

 

Picture Taken by Judy Hirst in Summer of 2022 in Elbow Falls Recreation Area

I know that we have all lost someone and that we all grieve in different ways.  I want to talk about the sadness that we can feel when someone we have had adventures with and laughed with and made plans with, passes suddenly.

My Uncle died several weeks ago.  I didn’t feel grief like I have with other people who have died.  Instead, I felt and still feel this heavy sadness that is like a blanket that I cannot shake off.  It stays with me.  I am doing fun things, liking walking my dog with my friends and out of no where, the weight of the blanket wraps around me and I lose track of the conversation.  I look up to the sky.  I am lost momentarily.  And then someone calls me back.  

Or, I am busing doing household chores, and I stop because I remember a time where we were out to dinner or sitting on the house steps drinking iced tea and telling stories.  Or he was showing me pictures of my cousins, spread out in different places.  

I am sad.  I am sad for me. I am sad for his wife and for my cousins.  I am sad for all the people that knew him and loved him. 

I am sad for all the people that have lost people this year in wars, violence, illness, and accidents.

I know that time will balance out the sadness to memories and the happy times.  Eventually, peace will come.

Blessings,

Judy