With Parting Leaves....Patience Can Be Achieved

As a small girl I remember fondly being taught the importance of gardening by my Grandfather.  A avid farmer turned gardener in his later years, he taught me the ways to patience.  How to water the plants with a slow trickle of water instead of a gush.  How to speak to the plants in order to know what it was they needed.  How to spend hours under the canopied leafed trees enjoying the fruits of ones labors.  My Grandfather perched on a green metal military container (once belonging to my Great Grandfather) and myself planted on his lap.  Later on in years when I was able to purchase my first home I wasn't as fortunate to have a beautiful garden.  What came with was a vision of soil and rocks.  I planted my heart and seven years later, what popped up is nothing short of a secret garden.  Lush, green and magical.  With Mother Natures help the jasmin is in full bloom growing outside my office window.  The scent of it's dainty white flowers bellow throughout the air reminding the neighbors and myself included that Spring is upon us.  The purple wisteria lay haven to the bees and butterflies giving me inspiration for my meditations.  The cape code living fences do make for good neighbors!! They not only provide privacy for my Spring and Summer meditation groups hosted, but offer nectar to the multiplies of hummingbirds occupying the garden.  The flower bulbs lucky enough to survive the ravaging of the winter raccoons have bloomed into candy scented beauties.  Just enough for me to create thank you bouquets for my friends.  The jacaranda trees have yet to bless me with a bountiful of purple flowers, but they have instilled a pillar of pride within.  Growing from just seeds they now tower 9 feet high, lending shade to the enriched backyard.  Thanks to mother nature, plant swaps, discount bin plants and my two hands I have created a vision my Grandfather would be proud of.  Oh and that green metal military container.....Now holds its own in my garden giving me a seat to teach my students from.  Even though I have yet to have a small child of my own rest upon my lap, I look forward with the sincerest of heart for the day I can duplicate my memories with him/her.
~Monique

Upon Closing My Eyes I Allow Myself To Fully See That Within Me

I have been actively participating in meditation and yoga for years.  Although my teaching it is a fairly recent endeavor, it has taken me to levels I have only dreamed of arriving at.  One in particular has to do with the Ajna (third eye) located in ones forehead between the brows, positioned at the top of the spine in the madulla oblongata.  The third eye is linked with the pineal gland located near the center of the brain, between two hemispheres tucked in between a groove, where the two rounded thalamic bodies join.  Since its location is deep within the brain it symbolizes an intimate importance.  One which is believed to see beyond space and time.  Said to be activated by light, it works with the hypothalamus which dictates the bodies thirst, hunger, sexual desire and biological clock.  The third eye has always been associated with the origin of higher consciousness.  Also known as the sixth chakra (Anja) translates to the meaning "To Command".  It is represented by the color indigo, a dark bluish/purple hue.  In order to activate the third eye one must raise their frequency and move into a higher state of consciousness.  Meditation and yoga allows one to be able to see that which lies beyond the physical body.  The more one practices, the more frequent the information begins to flow.  Allowing one to decipher between random images and dream-time messages, negative self-talk and mindful interpretations.  Kundalini yoga is known to awaken the senses through the formulation of breath by first awakening the serpent who sleeps at the base of the spine (root chakra) and slowly drawing the energy upward.  Allowing this energy to ascend towards the head center after awakening via breath vibrations.  This technique provides light to the pineal gland which in return provides divine thought.  The sixth chakra (third eye) is also referred to as the "Guru Chakra" since its activation is known to connect one with their "Inner Guru".  Thus bringing one into a higher state of meditation and wisdom.  Each chakra is known to resonate with a different sound used to raise the vibration through activation, this is why "Om" (Aum) is chanted for the third eye.  Chanting consecutively three times is said to do the most good. 

"I close my eyes so I may see"......Referring to the third eye it is a phrase that is used as a gentle reminder to shift consciousness/focus to a level where one can experience life without struggle.  A hardship for most within itself.  Through this new state of consciousness one learns a state of being, instead of a state of doing.  Shifting oneself out of the mentality of outside stimuli and instead turning within in order to refocus oneself.  As this art is practiced more and more one learns to create balance within their own lives.  When this is practiced  in Pranayama yoga it enables one to go deep within themselves in order to get a true sense of energy and life.  As one seeks, feels and acknowledges from within.  One is then able to harness that energy and allow it to resonate outward.  May your third eye through practice take you where you wish to go and see what it is you crave to answer.
~Monique

Follow Me Down Wisteria Lane

The weather could not be more spectacular here in Sunny Cali.  However, with all this blessed sunlight the Wisteria in my garden is blooming rather early this season.  With the sacred scent of freshly opened blooms and the array of lavender hue cascading over the gazebo, the butterfly's have begin to make their entrance.  They gallantly dance among the gentle breeze of time as a symbol of transformation.  These extraordinary creatures come as a reminder to take a deeper look within ourselves and find the confidence to emerge that which lies in the center of our soul.  They present themselves not as a chaperon of fear but as a messenger to remember to let life be lived.  "This unwavering acceptance of metamorphosis is also symbolic of faith.  Here the butterfly beckons for us to keep our faith as we undergo transitions in our lives.  She understands that our trailing, fretting, and anger are useless against the turning tides of nature".  As we proceed with our individual journey into the soul, we learn through countless trials to release.  When the shifts of life take us continuously down different paths full of never ending obstacles we learn to morph just like that of the butterfly into ever changing beings and learn through trials to become that closer to what lies in the center of our being.  We learn through our challenges that life, our journey, our existence here upon this earth is our only guarantee.  Our breath this excate moment is all that is still until the change occurs again shifting us down another path of movement forcing us to accept that which comes.  Altering our image of who we are as we emerge like that of the butterfly into something greater.  Where do you find yourself exuding countless energy, when it might be best to allow yourself to just accept fate. 

Quick Butterfly Meditation 
Take a moment to become comfortable.  Allowing yourself to find the most perfect position just for your body.  Taking a few deep and comfortable breaths you begin to find your thoughts floating ever so gently.  As they shift from left to right, front to back.  You soon find yourself traveling along a path.  This is a path well traveled and very familiar to you.  It is a path of wisdom and knowledge, of purpose and truth.  As you find yourself becoming reacquainted with this chosen path I would like for you to take a moment or two as you begin to observe the scenery around you.  Becoming familiar with the ground beneath your feet.  The airy sky imploding above your head.  Allow yourself the freedom to create all the details that make this source a place of comfort for you.  As you allow yourself to glance up ahead you begin to make out the faint details of movement.  Standing perfectly still you soon come in contact with a gorgeous butterfly.  Watching the eloquence of its majestic wings you stand captivated by its flight pattern.  Allowing your vision to follow the erratic yet opulent movement of this sophisticated creature.   It soon begins to twirl signaling for you to come follow.  As you do, it leads you into a wide and open field.  Standing there amongst the vastness of space you observe your new surroundings.  Taking in the openness that engulfs you.  As you scan your environment your eyes come to settle on an enormous bolder in the center of the field.  Upon further inspection you begin to notice how a dish in it provides for the perfect seat for your posterior and you begin to take a seat.  Settling into the deep curve provided for your comfort and relaxation you begin to melt into relaxation even further. 
Part two of this Meditation to follow soon :)
~Monique

"To forgive or not to forgive"

Every day we are faced with a multitude of decision making.  Should we settle for the non-fat latte or just go for the gold with the Caramel Macchiato.  When we allow ourselves the freedom to do so, we discover along the way that we have choices in these decisions.  But, what happens when we are faced with the decision of forgiveness?  Should we give thought to it or just dive right in?  Is it reasonable to forgive for the sake of just forgiving?  I recently came faced with a figure from my past.  A friend who was the very driving force that derived me to where I am now.  A friend who's lack of acceptance of spiritualism caused me to crave the path even more so.  Nothing like being faced with that speed bump doing 80 down the road of spiritual life a year later.  As much as I would love to think I have evolved from trivial things like, memories of the past.  I found myself at that precise moment full force spiraling down memory lane .  The hurt swelling within my heart like an emotional tornado.  My mind clouded over by the turbulence of conflicting thoughts.  However, instead of logic being the driving force in my life this time, something else took the drivers seat.....My heart.  Powerful, strong and demanding to be heard.  It spoke clearly.  To forgive someone else is to forgive yourself first.  It is a true gift to give when there isn't a reason to.  It is true forgiveness to offer when it isn't expected of you.  It is true love to bestow love when there isn't any return upon it.  As I sat with this I realized that "to forgive or not to forgive" is translated, TO GIVE WITHOUT COMPROMISING ONESELF.  To release from the debauchery, the shackles, the rouse that has weighed you down and to finally set that spirit free.  I walk lighter these days knowing that even though my friend isn't walking along beside me, my forgiveness has given me a brighter vision.
~Monique