The New Year seems like a great time to take your chakras in for a tune-up. In Eastern traditions of thought, chakras are centers of energy in your body that run the length of your spine, then on up to your third eye and finally the top of your head. They are considered part of your etheric body and there is a whole tradition of working with them in Indian medicine. Your first chakra is located at the base of your spine and is believed to be related to survival instincts and other basic, hard-wired human behavior.
Continue reading...19. December 2008
Snow crystals deepen to tints of blue in the afternoon shadows. This powdery stuff would be fine to ski in, but is useless for snow people (or my preference, snow poodles). Having hung up my skis long ago, the best I can do to enjoy it is photograph it and meditate on the essence of snow. White has so many interesting connotations in western culture.
Continue reading...30. November 2008
Though winter isn't officially here yet, it sure feels like. I found this video from Bill Raddatz that perfectly captures the calm centering I feel in the stillness of winter. It's about 10 minutes long and is guaranteed to relax you and maybe even bliss you out. It features gorgeous winter images of snow and ice and original music and wind chimes.
Continue reading...1. October 2008
Since today is supposed to be the last 80 degree day this year in western Washington, I’ve headed to Mt. Rainier, the crown jewel of the Cascade Range. Though it’s a long drive, it’s worth it to savor one more experience of being thoroughly warm. Warmth and Quiet—those are my goals. Mountains have long been places of spiritual renewal and settings for introspection. I know that being able to look out over a landscape from above often births a new outlook on my own life.
Continue reading...12. September 2008
I’ll never forget my first sight of the ocean at age six. I was immediately enthralled—with the expanse of the sea, the tang of the air, the clarity of the water and the feel of sand between my toes. Expanding my lungs with the glorious salty air, I was certain the ocean would always be a magical place for me. And I was right. As I waded through shallow pools, edging closer to the waves crashing onto the far side of Haystack Rock, I was lured by the sound, by the hypnotic rhythm, by the immense unharnessed power I felt vibrating in the soles of my feet. But I was not afraid. I somehow sensed I would always know how to respect that power, and perhaps even one day how to infuse it into my own body.
Continue reading...12. September 2008
Now that the sun is becoming more gentle, I was able to do an early morning meditation today sitting in the full sunlight. It felt like a warm embrace after the stronger glare of August light. If the sun isn’t shining, you might also try listening to the audio version below while looking at a photo of the sun. Then when you feel you have entered virtual sunlight, you can close your eyes. Try it for yourself.
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Click on any of the following links for more information:
What Is Meditation?
How To Meditate in 5 Easy Steps
Setting the Mood to Meditate
Benefits of Meditation
Expanding Your Current Meditation Practice
Why I Meditate and How It Affects Me
6. January 2009
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