Silence and Meditation

Over the last twenty years, we have been lucky enough to have a friend named Al who lives far away from us but who visits when he can.  We three enjoy one another’s company, and the lively discussions we have on enlightenment, choice, healing tools, and the books that we are reading. 

Our time together also has moments of silence when we contemplate the words that have just been spoken. There is a courtesy and thoughtfulness that goes with our “silences”. 

In light of many of our conversations, I found this little Zen teaching on silence very funny.

Sounds of Silence

Four monks decided to meditate silently without speaking for two weeks. By nightfall on the first day, the candle began to flicker and then went out. The first monk said, "Oh, no! The candle is out." The second monk said, "Aren't we not suppose to talk?" The third monk said, "Why must you two break the silence?" The fourth monk laughed and said, "Ha! I'm the only one who didn't speak."

The teaching around this little story varies. Generally, the story reflects the challenges of sitting in meditation. Each of the monks experiences a block that affects their practice.

I was thinking about this and realized that this little story is also a reflection of our lives and the situations that block us from attaining our true goals.

What are your thoughts?

Blessings,

Judy

A Visit From Mink

 

Mink picture from Wikipedia

From time to time, animals pop into my dreams because they want humans to know about them.  The animals have messages.  Mink recently showed up.

Mink is an animal that we know of from all the fur coats that we see.  Man is one of the worst predators for Mink.  Other predators include Great Horned Owls, bobcat, and fox. Never-the-less, Mink thrives on fish and other aquatic life, small mammals (rabbits especially), and birds, particularly water fowl. (Predator and food info from Wikipedia.)  Mink is very territorial, and maps out its territory around a river, stream or lake.  

Mink has these thoughts to share with you.

1. It is hard to retake your territory.  Mark your boundaries well, and allow no encroachment on your space, values or projects.
2. We all have predators who want something from us.  Learn who has you in their sites, and what their agenda is.  Figure out what you can do to move out of their range of attention.  Sometimes making noise is not a good thing.
3. Mink do nap, with one eye open.  Take short breaks to renew your energy, and always know where your “safe” place is.
4. Pay attention to your diet.  Eat only what agrees with you, and eat only what you need.

Blessings,

Judy

Get With The Program

We have all heard all the sayings - “march to the sound of your own drummer”, and “every one marches to a different beat”.  Or, “everyone’s marching one way, and you need to get with the program”.  

Well, the Angels are saying that it is time for you to remember why you asked to come to Earth to walk “your talk”.  YOU did not come here to beat someone else’s drum, you came here to pound out your own tune.  Your music, what ever that might be, is what helps keep the world in balance.  

Remember the chorus from the song, “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing”?  It goes like this….

Chorus:  
I'd like to teach the world to sing  
In perfect harmony  
I'd like to hold it in my arms  
And keep it company  
(That's the song I hear)  
I'd like to see the world for once  
(Let the world sing today)  
All standing hand in hand  
And hear them echo through the hills  
For peace throughout the land  
That's the song I hear  
(That's the song I hear)  
Let the world sing today  
(Let the whole wide world keep singing)  
A song of peace that echoes on  
And never goes away  

~~(R. Cook/R. Greenway/B. Backer/B. Davis)

The Angels remind you that coming to Earth to get rich or to be poor or to be sick, or to be in a dead end job, was never part of the plan.  They tell you that each person was to break free from the constraints of the world created by their parents, and that each person was to live in a way that made that person absolutely happy.  Living a life based on “you should”, and “you’d better”, and someone else’s agenda is making people sick – sick to death.  

So, sit down on a couch or a log or where ever you are comfortable, and find out what makes you happy, and find out where you want to be.  Then, get with your program.

Blessings,

Judy

Truisms That Made Me Think!

 

Picture of Lake Winnipeg taken from the shore at Victoria Beach in August 2023 by J Hirst

I get a Daily Motivational Message in my email every morning.  I enjoy the ideas and thoughts that pop up from time to time.  On Sunday, I was having a discussion with a friend about the purpose of life, and how some folks become so focused on what they think their purpose is that they let a lot of wonderful life pass them by.

Then, on Monday, in my DM message, the following thoughts showed up that seemingly emphasized the discussion of Sunday.

See what you think and what you feel when you read these thoughts or truisms.  They deal with balance, life choices, stress, control or not, and the need for calmness and gentleness.

• Sometimes we become so obsessed with achieving our goals that we forget to cherish our lives.

• You've beenrunning, and working so hard for years. Make the conscious choice to slow down. 

• You have to let yourself relax. 

• You are allowed to take a break. You need it. 

• Your thoughtsmay tell you that things will fall apart if you take a break or let go of trying to control everything, but deep down you know it's not true.

• What's meant to be will happen. Invite gentleness and calmness into your life.

Many blessings,

Judy

November 1 2023

 

November is the turning point of the season that brings us winter, even though winter really starts at the Winter Solstice in December.  We already have a goodly amount of snow in Alberta, in different places. 

November signals a time of slowing down, of gatherings like Fall Suppers and Thanksgiving in the United States.  It is when many summer and fall activities shut down.

November is a time of remembering…of wars fought, of loved ones who left this year, of warm summer days on the deck or beach with family and friends.  

November is a time for being grateful that the year has been good.  Or, in some cases, it has been challenging and we have learned from the challenges. 

November is when most of us start Christmas shopping to get the presents to send away, and to prepare for Christmas Day which is now 55 days away.  

When we hit November, we comment on how fast the year has passed and wonder what happened to make everything seem to move so quickly.

Many blessings,

Judy

Happy Halloween 2023

 This picture is from Microsoft Clip Art

 

 

The information in this article comes from The Information about Ireland Site Newsletter, The Newsletter for people interested in Ireland (http://www.ireland-information.com).  We thank them for putting out such detailed information to share with all of us.

 The Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, "All Hallowtide"  (the "Feast of the Dead," when the dead revisited the mortal world. The celebration marked the end of summer and the start of the winter months, and 1 November began the Celtic New Year.  

During the eighth century, the Catholic Church designated the first day of November as "All Saints Day" ("All Hallows'" -- a day of commemoration for those Saints that did not have a specific day of remembrance. The night before was known as "All Hallows Eve," which, over time, became known as Halloween.

Here are the most notable Irish Halloween Traditions:  

Colcannon for Dinner:  Boiled Potato, Curly Kale (a cabbage) and raw Onions are provided as the traditional Irish Halloween dinner. Clean coins are wrapped in baking paper and placed in the potato for children to find and keep.

The Barnbrack Cake:  The traditional Halloween cake in Ireland is the barnbrack,  which is a fruit bread. Each member of the family gets a slice. Great interest is taken in the outcome as there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in each cake. If you get the rag then your financial future is doubtful. If you get the coin then you can look forward to a prosperous year. Getting the ring is a sure sign of impending romance or continued happiness.

The Ivy Leaf:   Each member of the family places a perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not developed any spots then the person who placed the leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health until the following Halloween. If not. . . .

The Pumpkin:  Carving Pumpkins dates back to the eighteenth century and to an Irish blacksmith named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to wander the earth but asked the Devil for some  light. He was given a burning coal ember, which he placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out.  Thus, the tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born -- the bearer being the wandering blacksmith -- a damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the lantern in their window would keep the wanderer away. When the Irish emigrated in their millions to America, there was not a great supply of turnips so pumpkins were used instead.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Blessings,

Judy

Music Speaks to The Soul

One of the interesting thoughts that was presented to me in a meditation was that the reason that I “hear” so much music in my awake time, even if I am not listening to my ipod or to the radio, is that music transcends the ego.  This means that the ego has not figured out how to control the effect music has on us.  When the music is particularly powerful, such as the music “Silk Road” by Kitaro, then we have an opportunity to grow the union between our body, mind, and spirit.  As you know, your body instinctively wants to move with the music.  What your body is really doing is coming into alignment with the mathematical perfection of the sound, a sound that has Divine inspiration.

Think about all the music that you enjoy.  Think about how it uplifts you, or makes you happy and takes you out of yourself.  Play some music!

Enjoy!

Many blessings,

Judy