Feeling Pain Together

Direct Seeing -  With direct seeing, we know that we are not alone in our suffering and that no one need feel alone when in pain. Seeing our oneness is the beginning of our compassion, and it allows us to reach beyond aversion and separation.

-Sharon Salzberg, “A Quiver of the Heart” 

When I read this passage, I am reminded that not all of us see the same way.  I realize that many people judge others’ pain to be lesser than their own.  I wonder why we seem to feel aversion, or even jealousy, about other people’s pain.  A scene from the movie, “Grumpy Old Men” sticks in my mind.  Jack Lemmon’s and Walter Matthau’s character each competed to see who had the biggest hurt!  It was funny, and sad, at the same time.

I confess, when I see other people in pain, I most often seem to hurt for them.  It quickly goes away.  The pain lets me see/feel how they are feeling, and, I empathise with their pain.  I typically respond the same way to tears of grief or sadness.

I think most people are like that!

Many blessings,

Judy

The Angels Talk About The Passing of Time

 

I love flipping through my writings from years gone by because much of the information from Spirit and the Angels is timeless.  Here is one of those writings.

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Thirteen years ago, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s eightieth birthday.  It was a wonderful time!  Friends and family gathered to pay tribute to her eighty years.  The stories were funny and often, touching.

Later, when everyone was gone, the Angels tapped me on the shoulder, and said that it was a lovely gathering.  I had been thinking what it must be like to live to eighty years old, and I guess I formed it as a question because the Angels were coming in to answer.

The Angels told me that humans were getting longer lives so that they had the opportunity to finish all the lessons and to have the chance to get to the place of “no illusions”.  This means that people are getting to see through the illusions and to see the perfection of all beings.  To me, this means being without expectations of how things should be, or, of how things are.

They went on to say that there are other reasons, and that I could sit in meditation and talk about them, soon.  The hint being that I need to do more meditations.

Of course, the Angels can see the complete picture, and we cannot.  Still, I think that I like this explanation!

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Many blessings,

Judy

Welcome August 1 2024

 

As the months turn from July into August, the feeling of harvest becomes a reality.  Pickings are available for different berries through to the first beans and peas. In some places, early corn is ready. 

Our Celtic Ancestors celebrated the festival of LAMMAS on August first.  Some call it the festival of the new bread.  This is because in some areas, the first wheat crops are ripe and ready to harvest.  The feasting celebrates the Goddess for her goodness in ensuring a great harvest.  Stalks of wheat and ears of corn are offered as tributes to her generosity.  

In Aboriginal cultures through North America, the Green Corn Ceremony is celebrated.  Dancing and feasting and offerings to Great Spirit are made to ensure the ongoing abundance of corn, beans and squash.  Mature corn that is ready to roast is the signal for the start of this celebration. 

Our Ancestors also believed that with this festival, souls who had not moved on, that is, souls that are stuck on Earth, were given the opportunity, by the generous nature of the Goddess, to move on to the higher dimensions. 

Blessings,

Judy

Garter Snake Tells Us to be Grounded

 

This picture is from www.reptilerange.com, and is not the snake that I saw.

I was walking in Fish Creek park and enjoying the trees and the breeze, when my dog stopped.  His ears went up and he backed up.  Before us on the path was a coiled Garter Snake.  He had not seen one before and was very wary.  Where I grew up, garter snakes were common and did a great job of keeping the mice and rat population under control.  This guy, coiled up on the path, obviously wanted to talk.  Here is the condensed version of the message.

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The Garter Snake (GS) inhabits Fish Creek park and the surrounding park areas that angle off the rivers.  It works to be invisible so that it does not frighten people, and so that Hawk or Crow does not find it, and eat it.

GS lives close to the ground, and that, it says, helps it to stay grounded and in the now moment.  GS is known for its gentleness, and for the affection and attachment it may form with some people or some animals.

GS recommends following these guidelines for grounding.

• Pick a warm spot to ground in.  Cold makes you slow down and makes grounding more difficult.
• Make sure that the spot you pick is safe.  Perhaps travel around the area that you will be using and sprinkle musk, like we do, and keep out other animals.  Or, you may  create sacred space in your own way.
• Get comfortable in your space.  Close your eyes.  Coil inward.  Let your energy drop down into the ground. 
• Plan to bask for at least fifteen minutes in the warmth and grounding.  You will feel so refreshed!

May you be grounded each day!

Blessings,

Judy

It Is About Singing Your Song

 

The other day, while shopping, I heard a three year old singing the most delightful little song.  Her mother quietened her by saying, “No one wants to hear you sing!”  The little girl was crushed!  Then, the two were lost in the crowd.

Years ago when I had a consulting business, I had an unconscious habit of humming while I worked.  The consultants and staff would ask me to stop because they could not concentrate.  Fair enough!  I stopped humming.  Now, I only hum and sing if I am completely by myself. 

I wonder how many of us have lost our voice along our journey because others hushed us.  The strange thing is that music and song are made to be shared. 

I hope that you sing and hum, and add a little dance to your music!  I will listen.

Many blessings,

Judy

Swallow is a Spirit Animal

 

A popular tattoo for both men and women is the image of a swallow.  Some like the stylized version which is more symbolic.  Here is a design that I like.

I began to wonder why Swallow was such a popular choice for tattoos, and why so many people say “Swallow” when you ask them to name a bird.

Some of the reasons that Swallow has such a following are:

1. Our  Norse ancestors tell the story that the Swallow flew around Jesus’ head, and sang songs to distract him from his suffering.
2. British and German ancestors say that if Swallow nests on your house, all within will have good luck.  Additionally, the house is protected from disasters such as fires, heavy wind, and hail and snow.
3. North American First Nations legends tell how Swallow tricked the Sun, and was able to steal fire from the Sun, and bring fire to The People so the people would be warm in winter.
4. Farmers believe that the time that Swallow arrives back from migration will indicate the type of year that farmers will have.  Late arrival means a short and cooler summer.  Early arrival means a long, warm summer which means a good growing season.
5. Farmers also believe that a high flying Swallow meant good weather, and Swallow flying low, close to the ground, indicated cooler, rainy weather.  (Note that because Swallow is an insect eater, it probably tells more about the behaviour of the insects and weather.)

Most gardeners love Swallow and build or buy big Swallow Houses for the Swallows to live in while they are in the north.  The benefit is that Swallow eats so many insects, including mosquitoes.

Swallow has played a role in our belief systems because of the various legends told about it.  If Swallow is hanging out around you, it is a good thing, and she will bring you blessings.

Many blessings,

Judy

Why Get Upset?

 

Replace Anger with Tolerance  -  The sixth chapter of the Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life is considered to be a special magical precept from Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, for replacing anger with tolerance. The essence is: Why get upset if you can do something about something? And if you can't do anything about it, then why get upset?  -Robert Thurman, “Rising to the Challenge: Cool Heroism”

I see many people work themselves into a mass of anger over a situation which they may have not created, and which they cannot control.  I realize that often the anger is about the injustice of a situation, or, I should say, the perceived injustice in the situation.

Often too, the anger is about not tolerating anything that seems to be a compromise.  In this case, the ego is so strong that everything must be either the person’s way, or they erupt in anger.

If we avoid getting upset, often we can see a different way to resolve our feelings because we can see a solution for the situation.  It is hard to think outside the box if we are sitting in the box and stewing about it.

If you want to read more about anger and being upset, check these blog posts.

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/04/dealing-with-anothers-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/06/resentment-is-frozen-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/09/anger-is-irritating.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/04/release-past-grudges-and-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/03/overcoming-helplessness.html

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Blessings and peace,

Judy