"I've been through the desert on a horse with no name...."

Perhaps it's the passage of the Christmas season, but I've spent much time this week thinking about the idea of embodiment. I was flipping through a magazine and found a picture of a beautiful Indian vase. It represented perfectly the metaphor of "vessel." You all might be familiar with the idea of the human body as a vessel for energy. My Inner Constellation practice is based on this belief and that we can control in every way what goes into our vessels. What do I allow to fill me today, who inspires me? I considered first my list of personal heroes, those who have most influenced my development: Joan of Arc, Edgar Cayce, Rumi, Black Madonna, Terese of Lisieux, the list goes on and on...and on and on. I thought of the inspiration that their existences have awarded me, how they continue to fill my vessel; however, as in any energy exchange, I wish to enhance their contributions and make them my own. One of the Inner Constellation ideals is: energy never dies, it only changes form. How do I embody my heroes, those who attained their North Stars?

Sometimes dream time provides the best answers. Within twenty-four hours of pondering the above questions, I dreamed of riding a horse. We traveled through a ravine between two mountains. It was a simple dream. Yet, I experienced, most viscerally, having traveled a great distance with ease. I woke with the understanding that personal heroes are like "horses," they aid me in the challenges of life and share in the distribution of the burden, but...I hold the reins. I'm the one in the saddle directing my life. I could of course, jump off, swat the horse on the rump and go it alone, but I suspect I wouldn't get as far and would tire easier. There's a line from Dewey Bunnell's song, "Horse With No Name," that might shed even more light:

"After nine days, I let the horse run free
cause the desert had turned to sea."

I believe one of the best ways to honor a life well-lived is not by holding the individual at a haloed arm's length, but to strike out and become the inspired. One of my favorite energy techniques that sustains me daily is to truly engage with my heroes--read their words, visit their lands (Google Images can help:), experience what they experienced, envision them in my space as I sit in stillness, journal, self-administer meridian therapy or move through my day.

Thanks for entertaining my ponderings. I love hearing from you and engaging in Inner Constellation conversation. It's my great joy. OK, off to bed with me. Remember, if a horse happens to visit you in dream-time, don't forget to ask its name. You might be surprised at the response!

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!!!

"Oh, if you only knew yourselves! You are souls; you are gods. If ever I feel [that I am] blaspheming, it is when I call you man."

Swami Vivekananda

When I read the above quote this week of Christmas it reminded me of something Jesus said. He had been accused of blasphemy for calling himself, "Son of God." He defended himself with a similar response, "Do your own scriptures not say, 'You are gods?'"

Today I ponder the celebration of a baby who identified himself as child of the Almighty by fully embodying Source Energy in the form of a human body. He emphasized he was not an exception and encouraged others to his god-like standard, saying "greater things shall you do." Do we, like Jesus, understand our potential for holiness? Do we know the great works we are capable of achieving?

Joy, peace, love, hope--these are attributes of the Christmas season. Everyday we can practice incarnating these North Stars through our words and actions. Today, may we be reminded of our precious natures and the powers within to reflect the same in others. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Winter Solstice Challenge

Did ya'll know that from today, December 22, onward we gain 3 minutes of sunlight each day? How awesome is that! Winter Solstice heralds the return of increased light to the land until Summer Solstice, when the cycle reverses itself. When I heard the 3 minute tidbit, I conjured up an Inner Constellation Challenge, and here it is:

Commit to sit for 3 minutes each day from now until Summer Solstice (June 21) while intending two things:

• quieting the mind
• opening the heart

Here's a tip that helps me benefit from 3 minutes of increased light: consider placing your hand on your heart while simply breathing easily but fully. Doing these two things naturally brings focus to the heart-center. I believe you might be surprised with the light that comes in. I want to hear your insights. Send me an email, drop me a line, accept this Inner Constellation Challenge, let there be light!

Rumi, Beloved Son

Today, December 17, is the Urs of Rumi, the anniversary of the death of the Sufi poet, Jelaluddin Rumi. This day is observed by Sufis much as a “feast day” is observed in the Christian tradition. In honor of this mind-blowing poet, I’m highlighting him in the Freedom Series. I got to pondering, what made Rumi free? I come back to his practice of turning toward Creator at every opportunity. The “turn,” or moving meditation done by the dervishes, is said to have originated with Rumi, and is not only metaphoric but physical. Dervish literally means, “doorway,” an ecstatic dance of surrender whereby the one who turns is pulled ever toward the center of the universe, the empty space where human and divine meet. Definitely sounds like an Inner Constellation metaphor to me! Rumi was a matzub, or holy person, who not only arrived at union or presence but expressed the turning toward his North Star most beautifully. Enough jibber-jabber, it’s time for some of my favorite Rumi lines—let the man speak for himself!

• "Stop the words now.
  Open the window in the center of your chest,
  and let the spirits fly in and out."
  
  
• "Let the beauty we love be what we do.
  There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground."
  
  
•  “These pains you feel are messengers.
  Listen to them. Turn them to sweetness.”
  
  
•  “Let the beloved be a hat pulled down firmly on my head.”
  
  
•   “The universe and the light of the stars come through me.
  I am the crescent moon put up
  over the gate of the festival.”
  
  
•  “Listen to the presence inside poems,
  Let them take you where they will.
  Follow those private hints,
  and never leave the premises.”

Tribute to Hannah

Tribute to Hannah
©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Woke on December 12, 2011 with heavy heart,
a rare but familiar feeling I call—holy dark.

Check in with family, all is well.
Finally at 3:00p, still can’t shake it,
drop all distractions
and go for a run,
open up,
and pound sweet, forgiving earth with rhythmic prayer.

Arrive home and uncharacteristically turn on the TV.
Anderson Cooper’s face appears.
He interviews psychic-medium, John Edward.
I watch, along with an awe-struck audience,
as he parts some unseen veil
and translates intimate memories
from departed loved ones on the other side.
Turn off the TV and ask, “What does this day mean?”

Wake the following morn
and after hearing from a friend know the answer—
Hannah.
I ponder what John Edward said—
everything is energy,
the soul changes form like water: solid turns liquid, then gas.

Do you, Dear Hannah, agree?

Jewish name means, “grace,”
so named for eighteen years: flowing, ease of movement.
Enter in and comfort now,
all left on this side of the recently parted veil,
catching glimpses of your form so full of grace—
Beloved Hannah.

"There will be a revolution!"

I have long had a love for words. The other day, I gave this one a pondering—“revolution.” Where does your mind go when you hear the word? Here’s an offering before diving in….

Revolution
©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

A decade ago, on the eve of Candlemas, a voice spoke—
“There will be a revolution.”
Those were fighting words,
or so I interpreted at the time.

Years of being lost in translation transpired, until…
now, when I hear the word, “revolution,”
I immediately drop down
into the central fire,
and literally turn—as moon around the sun,
dark revolves toward light,
head revolves to heart.

I had to fight a war before I could surrender.

I wrote this poem in preparation for entering an annual 40 day retreat that’s soon approaching. Why the retreat? I don’t actually go anywhere except inside. It’s my time of the year to check in with my translations of life, set my priorities and define my North Stars. Everything on the outside putts around as normal while I turn, turn ever more, turn toward what is lasting and true. What the heck is lasting and true: love, peace, joy, hope and freedom, to name a few. Nothing else cuts through the crap (excuse my languageJ) and transforms like these North Stars. Do I choose to fight a war with others or turn, turn ever more toward what I know to be lasting and true?

  

Do you know how loved you are?

"Yogini" by Karla Johnston & Punkin

It's 20 degrees in the sunshine today, and I decided to do my body practice indoors (body practice, huh? Read my Inner Constellation Compendium). My yoga moves caught my cat's attention and she revived out of a dead sleep, sauntered over and began chewing on my braid (I was in Child's Pose). Then, as I entered into Up Dog, she collapsed beneath me, obstructing my path. I proceeded anyway, like I usually do, so she moved off to the side (just a little) and began rolling on her head in the sunshine. Now, she's a flirtatious little creature and knew this antic always captures my attention. So, of course, I went into Corpse Pose early and lay down beside her, head-to-head.

Have I told you I believe cat's have the power of telepathy? Between her contented little grunts, I heard this still voice, "Do you know how loved you are?" My heart swelled, and I had to fight the urge to draw her closer. But, she's taught me over the years how to be a good cat owner, so rather than disturb her, I opened my heart even fuller and simply soaked, just like my kitty in the sunshine. As I was soaking, I had an insight: if I had expressed my heart's fullness by scooping her up, rather than getting closer to the affection, I would have actually interfered with her contentment--true love respects one's autonomy. Another a-ha followed: love, joy, peace, contentment, those energies I classify as feeling-good, cannot be grasped or held onto but operate best when allowed to expand.

Well, with these realizations transmitted, the Yogini rolled onto her back and went even deeper into her quivering-paw Goodness. Do you know how absolutely loved you are?