Posts Tagged ‘light’
The Light of Your Being – Winter Solstice
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022
“I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.” ~Hafiz
How will you celebrate the light in the darkness?
As we enter the winter season, it is time to go inward. The winter season allows us to align with a slower pace. In the depths of winter, when the bears hibernate, trees put their energy deep into their roots, and many of dive deeper into the dream world, it is natural time to retreat.
As we go inward, let us notice the beauty and tranquility of winter. Let us celebrate the light within that is always possible. Let us embrace the opportunity for deep rest and integration that winter provides.
How will you keep the candle lit inside yourself?
Celebrate the light of your own being!
Hopeful
Thursday, March 25th, 2021
I have been thinking about hope the past few weeks. Perhaps it is the new season of Spring and watching the flowers burst through the earth. Perhaps it is because I have been watching the birds return to the cherry trees out side my window. Perhaps it is the light that lasts longer each night. Perhaps it is knowing that family and friends are getting vaccinated and I too will soon get the vaccine. Perhaps it is because I feel like making plans of things to do or places to go for the first time in 12 months.
Or perhaps I have been meditating on hope because it is the season of renewal, miracles, and the Easter season of resurrection and new life. Perhaps it is just my faith reminding me that hope returns (or perhaps never left) that I am given constant reminders of hope in nature. All I know is that any time I have been asked how I am dong the past few weeks, the only word that comes out of my mouth is “hopeful.” I am hopeful of new beginnings and of miracles. I am hopeful that I can live more fully out (especially after a year of having to live fully in). I am hopeful that I can soon see people and hug my family. I am hopeful that so much goodness is waiting for me — us — you.
Even with so much still unknown and a year that will bring a lot of change, I still feel hopeful. And of course that doesn’t mean I don’t get scared or cranky or worried. I am hopeful that my voice will return and my writings will be expressed. I am hopeful that I can be quiet and still. I am hopeful that my inner compass will show me the way and love will lead me home.
And I am choosing to be hopeful. It’s a daily practice — and some days I am better at it than others.
My faith reminds me this time of year that from the darkness comes the light. Without the dark earth, flowers would not bloom. And so I too am rising from the dark earth with new life, new blooms, and new eyes. What are you unearthing? What is blooming inside of you? What has been waiting to bloom inside of you?
Watching Over Everything
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
The birds – they see everything. They fly overhead seeing everything. The birds have a different view.
View. The view of the heart. Does that not watch over everything too? How do we watch over? With love? With judgment? With peace? With an open heart?
Is there a being of love watching over everything? Perhaps this is my faith calling me back. Maybe I am ready, listening, and remembering to return.
Returning to light and darkness. Day and night. Doesn’t that watch over us too?
The night sky – looking up – watching over everything through the stars. The lights blinking, glowing, soaring through the sky. What do the stars see through their lens of light?
The light passes. The darkness opens me up to more light. Here I am shining. Here we are shining.
I have learned how much is watching over me. In the end, it is love, always love, watching over me. Here I AM: SKY, SPIRIT, STARS, LOVE watching….
Watching over everything.
This essay was inspired from the Prompt a Day Program with Cynthia Morris.
Summer Sun Meditation
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Sit quietly..with your spine straight…breathe slowing in and out through your nose. Allow the exhale breath to last a little longer. Keep breathing until your whole body relaxes. Breathe through each part of your body.
Allow an image of the sun to come into your awareness. Allow whatever color of the sun come to you that feels really good. Sense it’s presence just above you. Invite the rays of the sun to come into you. Allow the sunlight to brighten every thought and feeling. As you breathe in, sense the warmth of the sun and as you breathe out, sense the light of the sun. Bathe in the sun.
Connect with your own sun – the light that is you. Imagine sending this light out to someone you love so they can also bathe in the light. Spend some time bathing in the sun. When you are ready, slowly let the imagine of the sun go. The light is always there within, ready to shine. Bathe in the light of you in all ways.
Bring the light into your heart. Know that the light is always available, always there, and always ready to be shared with those around you.
Namaste,
Mary Anne
June OM Meditation
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Bathe in the sun and bring the light of the longest day of the year into your heart. Know that the light is always available, always there, and always ready to be shared with those around you. Spend time with some contemplative thoughts and questions and feel free to pass them on to others.
As an invitation, feel free to close your eyes, sit with your spine straight and take a few soft breaths. Then inhale a little deeper through your nose, and on the exhale, repeat the mantra OM (AUM). Do this three times. Allow yourself to really feel everything and become the observer of your thoughts. Feel free to focus on one question or statement below and just allow your experience to unfold.
What do you believe about happiness? What brings you joy?
Rest in the place of a loving and generous heart within.
Peace resides within, always, always…awaiting expression.
Compassion is our capacity to love – without the story attached to it. It’s the acts of doing and the heart of being. It’s being our own best friend & having the capacity to befriend others.
The invitation is to practice compassion with yourself. Notice ways you show yourself loving-kindness. Ask how does loving-kindness and compassion show up in my life and HOW do I respond when it does?
Each person will have their own experience so the invitation is to be open for whatever thoughts flow through you. Allow your mind and body to expand into the experience (without judgment). Feel free to start with whatever mantra calls to you.
May you bathe in the light of you!
Make at least 10 people smile today.
Mary Anne
Ever-Changing Light
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
There are some places you can visit and there is no need to return. There are other places you visit and you can go over and over and over again. This type of place offers respite and beauty – where you can hear the whisper of the wind, the wings of a bird as it flies above your head, and watch as the earth rises up to meet the sky and back again. It’s where you can rest in the place of crashing waves, pine tree trails, and ocean buoys singing. This is the type of journey where day blends into night and the night stars guide you home. Maine is one of those places for me.
Since 1996, I have traveled to Maine because I love the beauty of the mountains and the ocean. I love seeing the sea and standing at tree level. About every three years, I go to Maine for vacation. It’s the type of vacation where I usually end up hiking many trails, climb up hills and rocks, meditate, read lots of books, and walk for hours. I often find myself drawn back to Maine. There are so many parts of being there that draw me back – the hiking trails, ocean waves, eating lobster on the rocks, the canopy of pine trees, watching sunrises from Cadillac Mountain, bald eagles, and popovers at Jordan’s Pond. But after two full weeks in Maine this summer, one thing really stood out – the light. I realized what draws me back to Maine is the ever-changing light. The glow of the light from sunrise to sunset awakens me.
It’s the light that gives me energy. It’s the light that wakes me up and helps me sleep as dusk and dark arrive. The ever-changing light reminds me that anything is possible. I am drawn towards the light in all ways.
What places call you back home to yourself? What light are you drawn towards?
Welcome home.
This is dedicated to Lorene and all my friends who spent vacation time in Maine enjoying the beauty of the Earth