Archive for March, 2013
Love Endures
Friday, March 29th, 2013
Love asks.
Love expands.
Love invites.
Love creates.
Love celebrates.
Love welcomes.
Love dreams.
Love joins with more love.
Love endures.
Life as Our Meditation Practice
Monday, March 25th, 2013
It is easy to find peace in the quiet uninterrupted moments.
Seeking peace in the chaotic noisy moments is where our practice comes in.
Our daily meditation practice – Life.
Daily living is our meditation practice.
Luminous Light – Spring
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
Bronze light entering my heart. Sunrise.
What light shines through you?
Happy Spring!
(Bronx, New York sunrise photo taken by Mary Anne Flanagan)
“Pay” Attention
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
Meditation on the cost of our attention:
Notice the price we pay for our negative thoughts. When we focus on the negative, the cost is quite expensive to our minds and bodies. We become mentally and physically exhausted. We stir up delusions about situations and people. We exaggerate bad qualities and can even make ourselves sick.
Notice how we feel when we pay attention to the blessings in our life. We are rewarded with more goodness and more blessings. We feel lighter and are thoughts are more joyful. We are mentally clear and more at ease in our bodies. We feel connected and purposeful.
What price are we paying with our thoughts? How much is our attention costing us?
Peaceful Contemplation:
Where would you like to put your attention today?
Notice how much you are “paying” you attention.
Jump on the Peace Train
Monday, March 18th, 2013
Where are your thoughts taking you? Is the place one of serenity, peace, joy, gratitude, compassion, and generosity? If not, is it time to change your train of thoughts?
If a thought is taking you down that never ending spiral staircase or the inner rabbit hole, take a moment to notice your breath. Tell yourself, “I am breathing in. I am breathing out.” Take a few breaths. Breathe slower breaths – intentionally breathing peace in and out.
Is it time to take the peace train?
Slow down. Listen. Change trains if need be.
Next stop – Peace.
(Photo by Mary Anne Flanagan)
Vulnerable Unthought Known
Monday, March 11th, 2013
What I have realized is that vulnerability, however scary, is less terrifying than invisibility.
(Photo by Mary Anne Flanagan)
Expressing Awe and Devotion
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
When do you bow your head and when do you raise your head as reverence?
I have followed many spiritual paths. They have all led me to the same place – my heart.
I have thought about all the times I look up, look down, or look straight ahead. Amazingly, I have discovered that each of my paths has me looking in a direction, yet all the directions show me the light within.
When I come to Buddha, I place my hands on my heart, look straight ahead, and smile.
When I come to Christ, I genuflect, make the sign of the cross, and raise my head and am often filled with tears of gratitude.
When I come to Mother Earth, I spread my arms, invoke my prayers, and bow my head as a sign of reciprocity.
I honor all these paths as One. Opening, raising, and bowing to the Light in me: the Buddha, the Christ, and the Sacred Earth that lives in me as me.
OM. Shanti. Amen. Aho.
Breathing into the Unknown
Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
You are here. Not knowing, never knew. Never needed to and never will. If your thoughts float to the past, you can bring them back with love. If your thoughts wander too far into the future, you can bring them back with love. When we choose to live in this moment, we choose a direct path to our heart and the divine. Being present to this moment right now means being home. Welcome home. (Photo by Mary Anne Flanagan)
Willing to Be Vulnerable
Monday, March 4th, 2013
You are not alone. I am not alone. I may need reminding of this. We are in this together. That’s how we journey – hand in hand.
Last week I posted a blog about my recent health struggles and how I relied on so many people for support, comfort, and connection. After the post, I experienced a lot of vulnerability – that felt both a relief and also very scary. For me, vulnerability is about being seen, being whole, and being real with complete acceptance. I was willing to weigh the risk of sharing a private matter because I knew how much it has influenced my life and business. I knew by opening up about a deeper part of my life, I was giving permission for other people to do the same. I decided that exposing my heart was more important than what others might think about me.
What I had not expected after publishing the post was the outpouring of love and support from friends and complete strangers who not only thanked me for sharing about my personal experiences, but took time to send me their vulnerable stories as well. People from various countries revealed their personal struggles going on in their life. This connection gave me the opportunity to have a real dialog about what scares us, frees us, and what gives us hope. Even the word “struggle” began to turn into something a bit more kinder and gentler.
As I continue to embrace uncertainty (with open arms), I have learned that many of my friends and readers of my blog are embracing uncertainty as well. I have discovered that many folks are dealing with their own personal journeys and have been inspired to reach out and ask for help.
As we reach out, we invite others to do the same. When we extend a hand, we show that support is always available.
I invite anyone who is holding in a difficult issue to reach out. Ask. Receive. Allow yourself to be embraced by unconditional support and love. I know how difficult vulnerability is. What I have realized is that vulnerability, however scary, is less terrifying than invisibility.
Thank you to all who have extended their hand to me. I continue to be touched by all the tremendous generosity of support and kindness.
We really are on this road together – hand in hand.
Be With What Is
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
What do your eyes see right in front of you?
What does your heart feel in this moment?
What joyful thoughts are you listening to?
What is your body sensing?
What is your breath exhaling?
Where is your mind?
Be with what is in front of you – Be with what is.
(Photo by Mary Anne Flanagan)