The Birds of The Garden

As I finished my last yoga session of the day, taking a moment to feel the warm Cali sunlight streaming through the large front window.  I instantly became captivated by the emerald green sparkling off the backs of a pair of hummingbirds fluttering before me.  "Hello, my beloved friends" I called out.  Welcoming their high spiritedness and vigorous as they carried on beckoning me to join in their gallant dance.  Taking only but a moment to decide that today would be a fine day to join in and do some gardening.

I quickly grabbed my flip flops and throw open the french doors to allow the warmth outside to greet my body.  80 degrees in January is what I call perfection!!!!  Picking up the watering hose and delightfully giving the delicate plants a spray down, I noticed the remains of aphids upon my heirloom climbing roses.  Not one to use pesticides, I had decided to leave the former summertime problem to Mother Nature to sort out for me.  Choosing to resort to chemicals if need be as an end result.

However, Mother Nature had handled the problem beautifully by inviting a hundred or more finches to feed.  As I washed the remains off the roses, filled the bird baths and fountains with fresh water, I delightfully watched as the birds joyfully began to bathe.  Such simplicity found amongst these tiny creatures.  As they went about their business, unaware of my presence.  Chasing one another around, indulging upon the harvest bird seed left out for them and enjoying the camaraderie of one another.  I listened to their rhythmic song played out as it lifted my heart and allowed my soul to sail to a space far from where my feet touched the ground.  As I gracefully slumped down, soon finding myself in a lotus position, I begin to meditate.

Following the minut breeze as I inhaled and exhaled a 4-4-8 sequence.  Instantly my third eye began to warm and my crown gently opened to my higher self.  Quietening my ego for a moment in time to receive the valuable answers I always welcome receiving.  I released any form of control as I soared through colors and images, allowing my body this time to further unfold.  As I gently opened my eyes about a good twenty minutes later, I bowed my head this time in Namaste to the Birds Of My Garden (or perhaps theirs) for beckoning me to come join them today.  To change the pace and instead of systematically meditating on the mat, to get really grounded with my bottom grounded to....well, the ground.

Today I give gratitude, not only to the tiny creatures but to Spirit as well for the ingenious way of keeping me committed to my thoughts, wants and desires.  It was only yesterday in which I mentioned briefly my idea to want to relinquish routine.  To experience life and what I needed to achieve, anywhere....everywhere.  Instead of through how, "I thought" it had to be done.  Today was a perfect example of that fruition.  As I focus on keeping my mind clear, my heart open and my thoughts simple as well as pure, I excite over the possibility of further growth.  Today the Birds Of The Garden will be shown my ever growing gratitude for them, by receiving a handful of blackberries along with their seed.
~M

               
"No Bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings"
                     William Blake (1757-1827)

Open Heart Meditation

As you begin to become aware of your state of breath.  You find yourself following it, allowing the inhale to lead you deep within yourself.  Discovering the rhythm of your heart beat as it patters in procession with the rest of your body.  Feeling the blood being pumped throughout in a silent gushing motion.  Taking this time for yourself, you become aware of the state of your body.  Listening to it for signs or evidence as to whats going on at this particular moment.  As you bring full awareness to the sensations felt within, you begin to release any tension, stress, negativity and begin to ease even further into a state of pure relaxation.  Allowing your mind to peacefully drift and float.  Moving forwards and backwards, you soon find yourself traveling along a path.  This path within nature begins to lead you directly into the middle of the woods.  Surrounded by ancient trees, with their branches heavily laden with a canopy of leaves.  The breeze soft and effortlessly begins to flow through the sky rustling the leaves ever so gently overhead.  You find your eyes glazing up in wonderment and awe.  Noticing the extrinsic detail of the lined bark upon the branches and the coloration of the multitude of finely textured leaves.  Soon you begin following the merriment sound of birds singing in the near distance, as their wings allow for their bodies to float and glide from branch to branch without difficulty.  Breathing in the air that surrounds, you become fully aware of the scents that fill your lungs.  Allowing for their detection to uncover memories from within your heart.  Times long ago once again claim their space within the forefront of your mind.  A gift from within pushing its way to be remembered once more.  As you ease into the sensations surrounding your body giving yourself the time needed to engage in these thoughts and feelings.  Honoring yourself, as well as your body by uncovering fully that which lies within you.  The comforting breeze of mother nature coaxes you gently through the process as she nudges you forward along the trail like a mothers hand pressed lovingly against your lower back.  You do not fight her but rather willingly allow for her to lead you into a beautiful clearing filled with love.  Silently you slump onto the ground allowing for the earth to embrace your body with her sweet caress and allow yourself to have an experience.  As she closes off your senses to the outside world, your eyes close momentarily and all you see before you is that which lies within you.  You begin traveling through the corridors of your inner self.  Allowing for the light within to lead you through the catacomb of life's experiences.  A knowingness within supplies you with the foresight of how to navigate such tunnels and with agility you weave your way through.  Captivated by the information which appears before you in the form of images, words, or perhaps sense.  You embrace this knowledge which is you with love and acceptance and allow for the wholeness it provides to be reacquainted with the rest of your memories. 

Soon you stand before a door.        

To Be Continued.........            

Meditative Dance

For years civilization has been celebrating its way through life via dance.  Used as an artful expression of the human soul, dance has represented many things in past and present culture.  In native tribes dance has been proven successful, shown in conjunction with circles.  A place where within one would dance from their heart pleading to the Gods that miracles would be bestowed upon them and their tribe.  Pop culture has used it as a form of expression and a modern day mating call.  This week I chose to use it in my Intro to Meditation class as a means to simulate trance like effects when meditating.  The objective was to allow the student the freedom of expression through dance.  To enable their spirit the room to grow, unflutter its wings and unharness the energy kept within.  The result was breathtaking.  As we gathered in a circle, each student with their eyes closed moved their body to their own interpretation of the music playing.  The room dark, lite by none other then candles, allowed for a space open and non-judgmental.  No two people moved the same but each received the healing and the imagery meant for them during the process.  Each heard the music in reference to their own true self.  Each released cellular memories stored within their body and each learned to release a bit of fear.  This is an extremely useful practice when looking for grounding as well as chakra releasing/cleansing.  Especially from but not limited to the first chakra, also known as the root chakra.  In some dance meditations Kundalini energy is brought in to create forceful dynamic change within the body as well.  If done effectively the results can be copacetic.
~Monique

To dance then, is to pray, to meditate, to enter into communion with the larger dance, which is the universe.
-- Jean Houston

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