Buddha Speaks - Wild Thoughts

Your thoughts run around like a wild horse and your feelings jump about like a monkey in the forest. When the monkey and horse step back and reflect upon themselves, freedom from all discrimination is realized naturally.

- Dogen, "Instructions for the Tenzo"

Have you ever had an encounter with someone, and then walked away and had all these wild thoughts running through your head?  Thoughts like:-“I would like that person to have a taste of what they dish out”; or “I would like to banish them to the Arctic!”; or, “I wish all their friends, if he has any, would turn away from him!”

These are thoughts that are wild and free and may be drawing from your past life memories.  They may even be associated with a past life with this person.  The thoughts do not make you a bad person.  They are human.  When thoughts like these come your way, bless them and thank them for the creative vision of what could happen, and then allow them to leave. 

What makes our character is the way that we handle our thoughts, emotions, and impulses.  When we can let them go, then we are moving on the path of blissfulness.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks – Lulumonisms From Everyday Life

I liked the humor of it, I've always enjoyed a sense of humor in God and in religion and in spirituality.
Amber Tamblyn

Last night was the monthly meditation gathering at our house.  We talked about life, love, struggles, choices, and the consequences of choices.  The theme of the meditation was “Crossroads”.  I realized, when I looked at this poster, that much of what we talked about is covered in these sayings – most of which are folk sayings that we can attribute to our ancestors.  Other sayings are from the motivational section of life, and still others are from the self help sector of life.   They all are true, some of the time.  Some are true all of the time.  The question is – What is important to you at this moment in your life?

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal – Panda’s Guide to Companionship

This picture reminds me that Panda has much to say about companionship.

• Always ask before you hug someone to make sure they are prepared for the closeness.
• If you get hot, change sides.
• You learn more in a group than you do by yourself.
• Do not restrict yourself to just one friend; have many friends.
• Sometimes your friends want your company, sometimes they do not.  It is all perfect.

Blessings,

Judy

Buddha Speaks - Pain Passes

You can’t go preventing pleasure and pain, you can’t keep the mind from labeling things and forming thoughts, but you can put these things to a new use. If the mind labels a pain, saying, 'I hurt,' you have to examine the label carefully, contemplate it until you see that it’s wrong: the pain isn’t really yours. It’s simply a sensation that arises and passes away, that’s all.

- Upasika Kee Nanayon, "Tough Teachings To Ease The Mind"

I read this quote and thought about living in the present moment.  When a person is present, pain has a harder time being present.  It is like trying to have two beings inhabit the same space.  It is not possible.  Pain does pass.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal - Kola Bears

             

Snuggling!  One of the greatest joys in life for all beings!  These two Kola Bears tell us that touch is a much needed in the world.  Hugging, snuggling, keeping one safe, are all parts of this.  Kola also tells us that a big part of touching is trust.  Keeping one’s eyes closed while another watches over you is the greatest form of trust.

We humans, in the decade beyond 2010, have lost much trust in our selves, in our community, and certainly in our leaders.  We are in a place where we need to find a safe place to learn to trust.  Kola shows us that being at the top of a tree, with no place else to go, gives you a space to learn to trust.

Perhaps we need to climb a mountain, or trek a long way from our safe environment to meet ourselves and others that we can trust.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks – Happiness Is

This poster that my friend Luann sent me started me thinking about how many people look to others to ‘make’ them happy.  We were ‘made’ happy at birth.  It is the environment and teachings of others that tainted that happiness.  Can you find it again?  Do you want to find it again?  Then, look into your heart.  Find the gratitude for who you are. 

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks – Precious Human Life

“Every morning, recite this.” ~ Dalai Lama

The time before the full moon is usually difficult for most people.  The MOON pulls at you.  It brings out your dark side.  Yes, every month, Grandmother Moon reminds you that you are shades of dark and light.  This is the perfection of each of us. 

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks – Nature of Life

"Remember the sacred nature of life; connect to it; let it guide you."

When I look at this picture, I am reminded that there is so much more out in the world than we can comprehend.  We could spend all our lifetime studying and not know everything there is to know about this amazing planet of ours.  Without knowing, we move through a state of willful blindness, where we do as we are told by politics, religion, tribal values, and family beliefs.  We are crippled in our quest for knowledge by those that do not want us to be educated.  Are you going to change this for you and your family?

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks – About Sacrifices

Does this describe you?  Are you someone who sacrifices themselves for the job?  For the community?  Do you have time for yourself and your family.  Perhaps this is a note to you that you need to free up some time.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal – Leadership Lessons From A Border Collie

A Border Collie is a born leader.  And yet with all of its skills, it does not try to take over the world.  He simply tries to do his best at each job each day, and to keep all those around him happy.   Don’t we wish all leaders would do the same?   The Border Collie, Magic, gives us these simple lessons.

1. Begin each day with a good stretch – the yoga pose downward facing dog and upward facing dog work well.
2. Eat a good breakfast of protein – it gives you energy through out the morning.
3. Do not force your leadership.  Sometimes you must take the long way around to get the herd facing the correct direction.
4. Fun is serious work.  Allow a good hour or two of fun in your day.
5. Stick to a routine of sleeping, eating, working, and playing.  This will keep you sharp and your charges will gain confidence in your choices.
6. Anger does not lead.  It puts fear into those you must care for.  Fear awakens doubt.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks - Defining Courage

 

This past week, I was in a situation where I felt that my knowledge, feelings, and place as a consultant was being thrown out because I did not have the same understanding and view of a situation as the VP of the client did.  I finally suggested that we end the meeting and adjourn until tomorrow.  Knowing truth and being able to help others see truth is not always easy. 

When I get into these situations, I remember that nothing is really real, that this world is a dream.  I remember that others may have a different dream than I do, and that is okay.  I remember that my dream is true for me and their dream is true for them.  I ask the Creator to help me find the balance for all of us to move forward.  And, I am granted immediate peace.

As more and more challenges come your way, find the courage to step back.  Ask your guides, angels, and Creator for help in moving forward.  You will find that guidance comes in amazing ways.  In fact, grace of action is amazing!

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks - Smiling

Reason to Smile

-by  Lendl Ian Servillon

How can one smile such sweet smiles,
When one is so saddened by sorrows for miles,
How can I smile the same smiles,
When life brings me nothing but tears,
I wondered for so long,
What reason you had to smile that long,
To keep smiling though troubles come,
And still remain sweet and silently overcome,
It's such a mystery to me,
Your smiles from heaven with glee,
I adore and yet envy thee,
But I'd rather you smile those at me,
I feel happy when I see you smile,
Even if I'm sad and lonely,
Your smiles bring me somewhere,
I don't even know where,
But it was you,
You gave me the reason to smile,
To smile with no reason,
To smile for a smile,
I guess life is just like that,
We need not a reason to smile,
For a smile is the reason itself,
To rejoice and open-heartedly give thanks,
I learned to smile because of you,
Because your smiles bring me joy when blue,
It proves how well and powerful,
A simple sweet smile can become so beautiful,
Smile for the sake of a smile,
Smile for the sake of happiness,
Smile for the sake of life,
Smile because of hope left in life,
Smile my friends,
Smile for me my Love,
Smile those same sweet smiles,
Smile so the world can be a peaceful dove...

****

Dear friends,

Smiling is the best medicine.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal – Nurturing Lessons From Chimpanzee

This young chimpanzee reminds all of us that nurturing is cross species.  The care of the young is the number one priority.  This means that humans should fight against other humans exploiting, or harming, or killing, or otherwise damaging children.  The child is malleable.  Those who crave power will start with children because of their malleability. 

Our Ancestors raised children as a village.  It seems that we have forgotten how to do this.  We blame – parents, teachers, the government, and even the children themselves for the wrongs that are done to children. 

Today, take a step to nurturing your children, your neighbour’s children, and the global tribe of children. 

Are you able to do this?

 

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Speaks – Mother Ocean Talks About Flowing

This is a time of changes and of remaking one’s self.  Mother Ocean reminds us all that this is a time of being like her.  One must flow with the waves.   The rhythm of the waves is nine ripples from Source at point zero out to nine waves and then collapsing to return to Source.  We are reminded that nothing is real.  All collapses with time.  It is the collapse that releases the tension and lets rebuilding begin. 

Use this time to find a way to ride with all the changes.  Be of a peaceful mind.  Use the phrase from Buddhism, “May I be filled with loving kindness, May I be well.  May I be peaceful and at ease, May I be happy.”

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal – Gopher It!

Sometime this week, you will be given a chance to do something different, something you would not ordinarily do.  It might be the rekindling of a great love, or the opportunity to work in a different career and still use the skills that you have accumulated over the years.  Or, it might be the chance to move to a different city, province, or country.  The Gopher’s guidance is…”Go for it!”   Nothing happens unless you make a choice to change your life.   Gopher knows that no matter how far you “dig” to try and change your life, much of life happens by being in the right place at the right time.  Some call this coincidence.  In Science, a coincidence is when two rays of light strike a surface at the same place at the same point of time.  Sounds like the Universe sending light, doesn’t it?  Moreover, Science refers to this event as non-casual.  In other words, there are not any events that lead up to it.

So, if you see a Gopher, or several Gophers, or, if you see a lightening strike, know that the Universe is giving you some warning that something unusual is about to happen.  It is up to you to choose to accept the gift, or not.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal – Squirrel

Spring!  The time of love.  The Squirrels show us the way.  All it takes is a smile, a hug, or a quick kiss to let someone know that you love them.  Remember, it does not have to be a romantic tell of love; it only has to be genuine.

Blessings,

Judy

Spirit Animal – Parrot Circle

Australian Wreath.....is there anything more beautiful than nature at it's best!! This delightful circle was taken at Lamington National Park, west of the Gold Coast. They are native Australian mountain parrots; the red and blue kind are Crimson Rosella, and the red and green are King Parrots. They are feasting on sunflower seeds which were left for them.

How cool is it that the Parrots in the above picture have all the colours of the chakras?  I heard a quote the other day that zinged right through me.  It was, “All things are created perfectly in God’s world.  If it is not perfect now, it is still in the process of creation.”  I look at the animals in the world and know that quote is true.

Blessings,

Judy