Our IC theme for June is Nature as Medicine. Interestingly, I stumbled across a little tidbit of history related to dear Momma Nature ~ today in history (1752) Ben Franklin climbed to the top of a church steeple during a thunderstorm and let lose a kite on which was tied a metal key. He hoped that the key would act as a conduit and harness the power of lightning which he suspected was electricity. He was motivated by the desire to decrease the devastation he saw to neighbor and property when lightning struck.
Benjamin Franklin was reported to have chased storms on horseback. He was obsessed, some say, with the potential raw power inside thunder clouds. He lived in a time when candles were used for light and thus invented day-light savings time, calculating the many tons of wax preserved by the simple habit of, “early to bed, early to rise.”
When his kite experiment proved successful (his son bore witness), he constructed the lightning rod which did indeed attract and empty all harmful power into the earth rather than structures and human beings. Ben Franklin was thought of as a magician, able to control and eventually use, what were viewed as supernatural and godly forces. Can you imagine his bravery? That’s some powerful medicine!!!!
Ben Franklin is going into the Freedom Series category of our IC blog. Today, let’s contemplate and honor his unique relationship with the energy of our earth and his ability to literally harness it for the good of many. Earth bodhisatvha Ben Franklin, we bow to you!
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Friday, June 15, 2018
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Summer Mindfulness Retreat June 23, 2018
Loves! As we close out the cool Spring season, Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community is thrilled to invite everyone to our Summer Retreat coming up in less than 2 weeks! We'll be celebrating the warming Solstice season with the theme, Nature as Medicine at our new temple location ~ as we followed Crissy Jory and The Studio Lake Tahoe to ~ 3200 Highway 50, Unit 5, otherwise known as Meyers Trading Post. Come spend the day in community and togetherness! Now, we're only a brief, luxurious walk to Paradise Park where we'll be flowing as a river during walking meditation. Retreat is time for us to soak up our spectacular Tahoe home, each other, and oh, yes...the yummy Vegan offerings. Please bring a light snack to share as we practice the art of nourishing our compassion for all living beings, and a plate, cup and utensil to eliminate waste. We look forward to discovering what Momma Tahoe Nature has in store on June 23! Facebook page for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/267177610689974/
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Nature as Medicine
June IC theme of "Nature as Medicine" brought to mind a poem written a few years back. Nature is a healing balm, please enjoy....
River Cherith
© 2007 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com
Sweet alarum
floats upon the air.
Churned earth mixing with wild roses
tells me you are here.
I walk on,
searching as I go.
A river, clear as crystal,
greets me.
I retire.
Don’t know if I should enter in.
So, sit upon the rocks, I do,
watching.
Soon,
I thirst.
Desire
loosens all inhibitions.
Into the river I go,
shedding skin that clings,
trying in vain
to weigh me down.
Turning toward the sun,
I slowly lower,
sink deeper and deeper
into your realm.
Unfastened cares
slide away.
Received and set apart,
I open and drink.
Inside and out,
refreshed and satisfied.
Only when I’m ready,
I rise.
Eyes alight,
see raven in a tree,
sitting on a crooked branch,
watching inquisitively.
Flying down,
she circles overhead,
fans doubt away
with wine-black wings.
“Feed me,” caw I.
I am but a fledgling.
Dark mother abides,
drops manna from the sky.
Opening wide,
sweet Mystery filters in.
Raucous noise
replaced with stillness.
Soaked in liquid sun,
I stand to go,
intimate
with revelation.
River Cherith
© 2007 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com
Sweet alarum
floats upon the air.
Churned earth mixing with wild roses
tells me you are here.
I walk on,
searching as I go.
A river, clear as crystal,
greets me.
I retire.
Don’t know if I should enter in.
So, sit upon the rocks, I do,
watching.
Soon,
I thirst.
Desire
loosens all inhibitions.
Into the river I go,
shedding skin that clings,
trying in vain
to weigh me down.
Turning toward the sun,
I slowly lower,
sink deeper and deeper
into your realm.
Unfastened cares
slide away.
Received and set apart,
I open and drink.
Inside and out,
refreshed and satisfied.
Only when I’m ready,
I rise.
Eyes alight,
see raven in a tree,
sitting on a crooked branch,
watching inquisitively.
Flying down,
she circles overhead,
fans doubt away
with wine-black wings.
“Feed me,” caw I.
I am but a fledgling.
Dark mother abides,
drops manna from the sky.
Opening wide,
sweet Mystery filters in.
Raucous noise
replaced with stillness.
Soaked in liquid sun,
I stand to go,
intimate
with revelation.