Fall Half Day Mindfulness Retreat

Fall equinox is tomorrow and on this evening's mindfulness walk with cloudy skies and my feather-down vest, I could feel the wheel a turning! Smoke from the King's Fire in Placerville had finally cleared after carpeting our area all afternoon, and I relished in the crisp (almost) autumn air. I'm so looking forward to sharing a nourishing day on October 4th to soak in the aspects of fall. We will be discussing preemptive treatment of Autumn Meridian Points in addition to mindful eating, chants as a vehicle to still and focus the mind, the 5 Mindfulness Training from Thich Nhat Hanh, and my personal favorite, Loving-Kindness Meditation. Please join me in coming together to resource the aspects of the season to nourish ourselves, our loved ones and our community. 

Seventeen Days of Craazzzy!

The 1^st of September started off with a bang—a client ended up in hospital for 6 days, in critical condition and requiring my translation services 24/7.  Then, just as I wiped the crust from my sleepy, blood shot eyes (didn’t get much rest in there!), my client was discharged with daily appointments to ensure recovery continued. Today, however, a corner was turned—health has noticeably returned, and the need for my services has lessened. I literally feel my sweet routine returning.  First thing I did today with my extra time was clean my scuzzy outside pond and turn on my re-circulating waterfall, then I sat down to enjoy what I knew would follow. It seems no matter how long I neglect my pond (seventeen days may be a record), within minutes of it being cleaned and refreshed, the critters come. As I type, there are six birds taking baths and a squirrel youngster who just clung to my slider screen door inches from me and my computer! Momma Nature is eternally optimistic and hopeful, always looking to foster life. No matter how grungy, how dry, how out of control things get, nature’s sights anticipate  and find the fresh waters.

Prajnaparamita - Spirit Rock Visit

As I sit and take in the spectacular liveliness of my feathered and furry companions, I’m reminded of natural order which is always transforming and regenerating in spite of sickness, dirtiness, nastiness and stressfulness. I call to mind the Sanskrit name for Mother Wisdom—Prajna Paramita. She is intuition, deep knowing, insight, the higher natural order of pulsing life. Prajna Paramita translates as the perfection of wisdom and is also the name of the heart sutra, a scripture that embodies Buddhist wisdom teachings.

Momma Wisdom, Prajna Paramita, the natural world, holds precious lessons when I stop, become still and engage. She will be there, eyes of optimism turned toward me, ready to gently impart her wisdom. Ah….stillness, nothing like it. Seventeen days of craziness are over—I’ve come home to fresh waters. The next question  these little birds seem to be tweeting is, how can these moments of wisdom be found in the midst of hectic, urgent circumstances? Sounds like another blog article is in order…now that I'm clear headed, I'll keep you posted.