The Magickal Pen

In honor of “World Poetry Day” and the new beginnings of the Spring Equinox:

The sweet song of the birds

calls me from my winter’s sleep

announcing that Spring has arrived.

I stretch and wipe the remnants of sleep

from slowly focusing eyes.

Sunlight streams though spider silk curtains of gauzy

lightness and a soft and gentle breeze

carries the scent of newly awakened earth

I stand from my soft bed of moss and greenery

the earth below my feet moist with fairy kissed dew

a leafy canopy of roof that shelters over head

filters early morning sunlight like shards

of the finest crystalline prism

All of nature surrounds me

The call to Spring heard

in the deep roots that

meander through

loamy earth.

I lift my face upwards

towards sun drenched sky

and breathe in the

essence of newness

Quickened life fills my being

and in harmony with

the eternal cycle

I am clothed

in the fabric

of

Gaia’s Spring cloak

As I sit thinking on what to write this week, my thoughts and heart are turned towards the profound loss of life, home and income in wake of the earthquake and tsunami of Japan. The usual ramblings and concerns that I may have written of pale in the reflection of this catastrophe, and the many others that have occurred in recent times. The sorrow of all humanity for its own weighs heavy  as reminder of our interconnectedness.

May Japan and her people be held in the Grace and Light of healing. May aid come swiftly and may the spirits of those whose lives have ended so abruptly be guided to their final rest and go forth shining into the Light of the Limitless All.

With Spring almost upon us, and increasing demands on my time, organizing my thoughts has become a must do. This pressing need spills over into my meditation practice as well. And, as I become more deeply entrenched in the demands of mundane life I am going for quality not quantity of time spent in reflection, communion and interaction with my spiritual self. To support this state of being I like to identify a few core foci to work with continually, over the months. Usually, each builds upon the other, much like the waxing of the Light half of the Year.

As I looked through copies of readings or exercises that I thought would be excellent tools for meditative practice, I realized that the random books, magazines or web articles seemed cumbersome and something I would not return to frequently. And, more importantly each time I set off for my evening meditation, I did not want to spend most of the allotted time finding what had drawn my attention initially. Eureka! I could use my index cards!

I routinely use blank index cards to record notes to myself, make my to do lists and throw in my purse as reminders for family and personal events. I like the flexibility of this method and most of all appreciate the fact that they easily and lightly fit in a purse, bag or even within the pages of a book I am taking notes on.

Now, to most the connotation of “a house of cards” has always been a negative one, filled with the imagery of a structure easily blown apart, likely to fall and just not durable. However, there is much to be said for Intent and Will as being the mortar that holds the house together.

I write out (or copy, if lengthy) the information that I will use as my focus for the intended focus of multiple meditations. They are kept in a beautifully decorated box and as I prepare to sit for my meditation, I select and reread or refresh my intent with the appropriate card (s). It may seem like extra work or you may be thinking “why anyone would need a card as a reference point?”. The key, for me personally, is the additional engagement that I am offering up to my intention. Taking the time to plan out, write out or read through makes use of the physical senses that contribute towards a synthesized and fully present process. This manner of focus and direction pinpoints precisely where I wish to hold my consciousness as I begin my meditation.

And, the greater outcome is that these simple, yet deeply connecting actions form the structure, framework and foundation that I can use as I open to accommodate and hold the energy of the higher connection with the Divine. This is the House in which I find communion with my Higher Self. This is the House of Cards that will stand strong for eternity.

“Teaching is leaving a vestige of one self in the development of another.  And surely the student is a bank where you can deposit your most precious treasures.”  ~Eugene P. Bertin

I came across this quote as I was preparing a newsletter for the school district in which I work and was inspired by its many meanings. We are all teachers as we move through this human existence. Some are formally trained and dedicated to that career, others teach as an avocation and the greater majority unknowingly instruct, guide and set example as they go through their mundane activities.

If we think of each person we interact with as a student; one who is taking in the essence of how we carry ourselves, what we say, what our actions display, we become more mindful of what lessons and messages we are sending. Conversely, we ourselves are students within another’s daily interactions. We pick up clues, both subtle and overt to what lessons that individual or group is sending out.

As givers and receiver’s of the gifts, lessons and treasures of the interconnected nature of our existence, let us “bank” on the investment of a positive nature, make our withdraws on those things of inspirational and generously deposit into a lifetime savings of “interest” in mankind.

It is 7 a.m. and

darkness holds tightly

onto the morning sky.

Rain pounds down in

splutters and torrents

as thoughts bubble up

from the depths of mind.

I sit in the rain drenched

space of my car;

waiting for the light to lift

the hand of night.

The rain taps out the staccato

syncopation of a flamenco

dancer’s heels; passionate

and filled with Fire.

And, reverie on the duality

of night holding sway

in morning’s domain

brings me to a place of reflection

on my own internal nature.

The waters, the darkness

and the desire for light;

all facets of my own

nature. Cleansing of shadow

and fluid of sky and earth

holding back the light until

all has been saturated and

refreshed.

The rain slows for a moment

and the time is now at hand

to sink into the depths of those

waters and retrieve the gifts

of Goddess outpour.

I walk slowly, intent upon

receiving the bounty of

love and Grace.

I am bathed in the waters

of my own day’s destiny.

“Is the intention pure, selfless, and born out of love? Is it based on truth? Does it result in peace? If so, it is a right action.”

..Sai Baba…

I often come across various quotations that stir me deeply and bring me back to a place of remembrance of what my Higher purpose is. These are not something I look for; but rather, they present themselves at just the appropriate time. This was posted on my daughter’s facebook, which I rarely look at. And, as soon as I read it, I knew this was my reminder to be more mindful of how I move through my day. To be more conscientious in my interactions and to pause before deciding, speaking or acting to allow for the space of observation to come forward. That briefest moment of reflection before charging ahead can reveal a different perspective, a deeper truth and possibly a different choice.

For me, these questions posed in this quote are the filters that should guide me to move from a place of love and greater understanding. To make each day an expression of integrity and to act in a way that is in alignment with my Soul’s work. What intention do you have? And, what filters will separate the true gold from that of the “fool”?

For this week, I offer up this simple quote- to act upon.

Each day provides its own gifts.
– Marcus Aurelius –

My daughter just began a series of several auditions on Sunday.  This is part of a required process for admissions for undergraduate studies in Classical Flute Performance. As we rushed to get their on time I could feel her nervousness, excitement and anticipation of what the results of this day may hold. Within the space of a 10 minute audition lay all the hope of fulfilling her future dreams.

When we arrived I looked around at a sea of excited young faces. Each undaunted by their nervousness, stoked with the hunger to succeed and each striving to be one of the few selected for the rigors of this type of study. Although, none wanted to think about failure as an outcome, even if that thought bubbled to the surface it would be quickly replaced with the undefeatable notion that all youth have. The energy was not only palpable, but positively contagious. I sat, and watched and was carried back to the many years before when everything seemed just waiting at the precipice.

As I waited, I found myself reflecting on all the dreams and aspirations I have had. I thought about how some were held carefully and nurtured with time, intent and lots of hard work. And, about others that were as fleeting and ephemeral in bringing to manifestation as holding a perfectly shaped ball of ice in the palm of a warm hand. I wondered if I had, perhaps, approached each one with the unwavering excitement of youth, some would have had longer life. 

I realized that these kids were completely and totally engaged in every step of this process. There was no question about if or whether the dream would occur. It was only a question of “how”.  Even with the threat of rejection, they would still keep plugging away; holding tight to their dreams.

We grow up and what were once “dreams” take on the more grown up word of ‘goals’. And, true to form with the weight of this grown up word, before we know it our goals are fraught with obstacle, challenges and hurtles that seem insurmountable at times. Our dreams fade into the background and our goals drive our every move. We all need to have something that we can reach for. Something that makes us stretch and grow a little further. Something that we can completely and totally be engaged in. If we look back carefully at most of the successes in our life, they were fueled by some sort of dream; even if only a fleeting idea, largely gone unnoticed.

When we think of having dreams, there is a certain grace of freedom in that notion. There are no limitations to what those dreams may be. And, although some may not be achievable there is still the hope and inner landscape of fantasy where they can be brought to life. Dreams naturally engender enthusiasm, excitement and return us to a place of feeling utterly unstoppable.

Court your dreams as you would a lover.  Nurture them and give them your attention. Fill them with your passion. Treat them with care and hold on tightly. Dreams are the first step towards creating what you want to bring into reality. They are the thoughts and visions that feed the desire to bring something great into fruition. They may not always come in the form you imagined, but they are the springboard for hope. And, hope is something we all feel is worth engaging in.

Dream On!

Forced Food for Thought

(The Affects of Subliminal Messages on Our Subconscious)

Impressed images fuse with frantic words galore

Lurking beneath the surface, these memories are stored

But there is no guard that we can see

Muck seeps and leaks from media and TV

Abrupt yearnings for things we don’t need

Unnatural feelings; lust, violence, greed

Flashing pictures and melodic tunes

Beware; our entire mind is not perfectly immune

We react poorly, swerving out of control

Into unwanted thoughts one is lulled

If only a filter was in our possession

In order to stop the foul art of subliminal domination

.. Jessica Fennelly …

This writing was an assignment my daughter, a Senior in High School, had for her Human Behaviors class. When I read this it struck a chord of resonance with the recent reflections on information overload and greed to make money at all costs. The use of subliminal messages is not a new technique and in its most useful form is companion to the learning process we have as infants. The subconscious mind is in the state of process and intake continually and forms the storehouse of images, experiences, etc… that await the appropriate threads of connecting information that bring them to the surface, or if not received, lay forever dormant.

Add to this process the feverish pitch of advertisers to sell their products. IF we take this magic pill we will be less depressed, have more vigor in the bedroom, feel no pain. The lists of cautionary disclaimer and side effects runs on and on; often worse than the ailment that is being helped- yet, people still buy into the promise. If we buy this phone, or that make-up – go on this cruise or drink this coffee- we will feel, look and be just like those beautiful people in the ads. Yet, we still buy in to the glamour, hype and need to be techno-savvy.

Maybe there is no correlation at all to what may lay “between the lines” in the mass media approach to buying and selling. Maybe the desire to be all the things we see displayed within these ads is the great motivator in our subconscious to buy first and ask questions later. This simple high school exercise will certainly make me give more thought and attention to what really is being said between the lines.

I am someone who delights in learning new things, finding more sources to feed that new found knowledge and being swept away on the various currents that have fed into that source. Having admitted that, I am also becoming more acutely aware of the impact that trend of thought and process has on my overall well being and what tools are have used to embark on these treasure hunts.  

Some would consider me a Type A personality. Energetic, very driven; and,  the many years of being a ballet dancer enabled me with discipline, dedication and the overriding of my own limitations to transcend that physical vehicle. It was with the same approach that I entered into motherhood; having 5 children (under the age of five at one point) and making sure that each received full doses of what I could provide in support of seeking out answers to the important questions. This approach has always  been my modus operandi for pursuing my spiritual path, from the youngest age on. Sometimes I feel as though I was born with an encyclopedia in my hand, the desire to “know” has been so compelling. So, to that end, I have shelves of books, hoards of tapes on every and any subject relating to spiritual practice.

With the advent of a new year, a 55-year  birthday looming just weeks away and having taken long hard looks this past year at how to simplify, modify and make better use of the resources around, I truly “get it”. Listening to the message of my instinctual self has led me away from the book learning I  have so treasured. Taking selective days off from technology and queries has led me back to the stillness of inner query. And, sometimes holding back with offering that one last piece of information has been just what was needed by the intended recipient in coming to a conclusion of their own.

Most importantly, making a conscious choice to engage in experience, conversation and what could never be fully captured in the pages of a book or the usual informational sources, has taken me along currents that would have gone otherwise unnoticed, and these are often the ones most densely laden with gems of wisdom.

Happy Querying!