Your Other Lives

In my journey of letting go of the many things I can't control, and fully appreciating the things I can, a poem arose. I'm grateful for the people in my life who allow me to practice my North Star ~ Compassion as the #1 condition, before being right, proving something or any other reasons my ego contrives.... 

Your Other Lives
©February 3, 2024 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Irish Poet and philosopher, John O’Donohue,
asked a lilting question—
In the major crossroads of life,
you make pivotal decisions,
that send you in a completely different direction—
What happens to your other lives?
What happens to the ones who continue onward,
not turning at the crossroads?

My other life called last night,
I understood only about half of what he said,
compromised in a myriad of ways.
He longs to travel, but has not yet physically voyaged 
beyond where we were born and raised,
and so, because he, too, feels our connection,
he asks about my recent trip to Hawaii.
We talk of the ocean, shades of every imaginable blue,
crash of giant waves, reverberating in the gut.
His listening pause is companionable, knowing, spacious and true.
We speak of a Sea Turtle, rising above the coral floor
and staring with huge black eyes, into mine.
“Hmmm,” he says dreamily, “that’s awe-some.”

Even now, that ancient one wedges herself among the reef and rests
while liquid waves of poetry roll by....

When conversation flows to slurring mush,
I wrestle with expectation,
I want to ask about the recent battery of tests,
analyzing his beautiful brain.
I feel an almost unbearable desire to see the unseeable,
to know what is happening inside our cellular body.
I wish to penetrate beyond phone waves,
beyond instinct
to understand what is happening.
Then, Dear Second-Body,
I have a moment of lucidity:
all of this expectation,
competes with just loving you,
just loving us.
You are my life,
and, I am yours.

Riding the waves
as roads intersect:
addiction, recovery,
healthy, unhealthy,
clarity, unclarity,
I walk the only road I care to walk ~
that of love.

Never Disparaging Friends on the Path

Yesterday I had the very good fortune of being asked why we do a particular thing in our mindfulness community. My response was, “to encourage inclusivity, so everyone can participate without any kind of obstacle.” Inclusivity in this context wasn’t only in regard to life choices, gender, ethnicity, or race but specifically inclusivity of views. Inclusivity is a strong North Star for me, particularly inclusivity of whatever a person may be struggling with in their life.

Bodhisattva is a word in the mindfulness tradition that describes someone or something who vows to not turn away from suffering and instead, do their best to alleviate it. One of my favorite Bodhisattvas is named Never Disparaging Bodhisattva. Such a one sees the goodness inside living beings, no matter their backgrounds, dirt and grim and accepts them with an open heart, trusting that they know how to wake up and are in process. Never Disparaging reminds me of something Thich Nhat Hanh was famous for saying—right view is the absence of all views. The idea here is not that we shouldn’t have views, that’s recognized as impossible, we will have preferences, values, ethics, however, we acknowledge that others also have preferences, values, ethics and come from a background completely unlike ours. Their experiences are entirely different and we will support one another in waking up, we’ll keep our hearts open, our views open to include and listen to others. When we practice doing this, our ripple out is expansive.

Yesterday, our mindfulness community in Lake Tahoe had a beautiful opportunity to practice inclusivity of views and supporting one another on the path of practice. Never Disparaging Bodhisattvas hashed out why we make the personal decisions we do and managed to hold each other with love and compassion ~ our highest ideals. Supporting one another in this day and time, when so much division and hatred plagues our country and the world is the ripple that will heal our families and communities. Listening, trusting we are all growing in our awareness and understanding, that we are in process, learning how to be more open hearted and take care of those around us in the best possible ways, is our rubber-hits-the-road practice. I take a deep bow of gratitude for mindfulness community, for our practice, for my Never Disparaging Bodhisattva friends on the path, for a place where we can be accompanied, our suffering hashed out, understood and ultimately loved and supported. 

Hanging with Eeyore or Desmond Tutu?

I'm feeling brave today, to address a way of being -- Reactive Positivity. The desire for this way of being came out of deep reflection on the Tedx Talk I gave in May 2021. I watched post-production following the event and was disappointed. The hope I thought I had conveyed was a smidge, barely scratching the surface.

The talk birthed a North Star within me ~ I wish, above all to be a positive and uplifting force in the face of the opioid crisis, a pandemic, stubbing my toe, whatever it may be ~ I want to react with positivity. Not fake-o, Polly-Anna stuff, but the tapped-in substance of a greater source. 

Part of my clarity came with Desmond Tutu's passing yesterday. I have always been inspired and touched by his joyful personality in the face of tremendous hardship, apartheid--it doesn't get much worse than that. The Dalai Lama, a very dear friend to Tutu, also falls into the joyful category. Even though the Dalai Lama has faced the tremendous pain of exile and the destruction of his people, he continues to exude peace, hope and love. The Dalai Lama and Tutu's capacities for positivity are strong and massive, unable to be contained, and the people feel it. Watch this video of Dalai Lama and Tutu and try not to smile--impossible!

How do we grow the capacity for unwavering, reactive positivity? Training the heart and mind seem key. We're talking-- reactive--so, rather than fear, or the past, or our habitual habits and traumas taking over--positivity takes over. That sounds subconscious to me, it sounds the stuff of consumption--what music am I listening to? What am I reading? What am I viewing? What am I speaking? Who is my company? Am I hanging out with Eeyore or Desmond Tutu? 

And...if I am with Eeyore, hello, dear Eeyore! In my practice of mindfulness, I will not turn away the donkey at my door...or get sucked in but rather, practice being a force of reactive positivity, uplifting and free. 

Like any good gardener, if I want positivity to grow, I must water and feed positivity. With water and food comes a growth in capacity and true healing. Reactive positivity is my 2022 New Year's Resolution! Who's on board with me? I want to grow lotuses in all the mud, ya'all! The giant, mammoth kind that grow 60 inches tall, pushing through all the muck. Dear Lotuses, drop me a line on Facebook or use #reactivepositivity for insights, thoughts and ideas to grow Reactive Positivity 2022! 

Mothers of Unrest

The following was written after hearing the goose-bump speech of Julia Jackson, in response to her son being shot by police in Kenosha, WI. Her speech was not sad, it was not hopeless, but rather the exact opposite. At the end of the poem is a link to view the powerful speech. As we move into September and the theme, “Community in the Eye of the Storm,” Julia Jackson is a North Star to watch, listen and soak in:

Mothers of Unrest

©2020 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

September 1, 2020

A storm brews more powerful than a hurricane,

people whipped up, circling, caught in the maelstrom.

Young men

shot by police,

call into question

excessive use of force.

 

Eyes rest upon the scene,

seeing black men, young sons, neighborhoods echoing the shots

amidst mothers, calling for peace.

 

“Clearly, you can see by now

That I have beautiful brown skin,

But take a look at your hand

And whatever shade it is, it is beautiful as well.

How dare we hate what we are.

We are humans.

God did not make one type of tree

or flower, or fish, or horse, or grass, or rock. 

How dare you ask him to make one type of human

that looks just like you.

I’m not talking to just Caucasian people. 

I am talking to everyone:

White, black, Japanese, Chinese, red, brown,

No one is superior to the other….

We are the United States.

Have we been united?

Do you understand what’s going to happen when we fall?

Because a house that is against each other can not stand. 

 

“Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicians: 

Do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. 

We need healing. 

As I pray for my son’s healing—physically, emotionally and spiritually—

I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country.

Everybody, let’s use our hearts, our love,

and our intelligence to work together

to show the rest of the world how humans are supposed to treat each other. 

America is great when we behave greatly.”

 

Julia Jackson, Eye of the Storm,

Holy Mother,

walk, stand, show 

in this suffrage,

True North.

 

 

Video of Julia Jackson’s speech

Tattoos Will Save Us!

I’m slowly coming back into the blog scene, my loves, and it feels good. I have a loved one who is in recovery and my writings since March 2019 have been generating love poems for him. My personal North Star as many may know is—Compassion as the number #1 condition. A motto that helps me practice to this capacity and Chart My Course is—pay attention to what is needed and offer something useful.

Recovery is a messy, muddy road and what I can offer is a perspective of gratitude along the way—a lotus in the mud, so to speak. Here is a latest offering for my loved one who personifies Inner Constellation Truth #3– Everything, no matter how challenging, has the ability to be transformed.

Body the Canvas

©2020 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

“Guess what?” 

I breath, smile and type, “What?”

while practicing relaxing my body and mind,

thinking positive when a potential loaded text comes through.

In the moments it takes to receive an answer,

I look out the window

on a cold and brisk afternoon.

Sun low, rides gold across pine boughs.

A few lines from an India Arie song filter in,

stuck in my head almost nonstop these days,

I begin to hum, “I am Light…I am Light…um hmm.” 

Picture of a tattoo on your thigh comes through:

triangle, eye in the middle, pupil open like a deep pool,

all around the peripheral, sun rays emanate.

Skin’s a little irritated, red and glossy so it looks somewhat alive,

shimmering,

nice effect.

“So, I’ve always been interested in tattooing, 

bought a tattoo gun and kit on Amazon for 38 bucks,

watched a YouTube video

and did my first tattoo on myself.”

What?!? No way!

I try imagining sitting still through that kind of pain. 

“Awesome! Takes trust to tattoo yourself!”

I feel you smile.

“Well I figured thighs good practice skin,

till I get good enough to do it somewhere visible. 

I really like it and expected my first to turn out horrible.”

“Looks professional! What’s it represent?”

Song gets cranking in my head, can’t keep it in,
I’m singing out loud, “I am light…I am light…um hmm,”

and looking at your shiny, radiating tattoo.

“Clarity, I guess,

Seeing things on a deeper level.

Higher power.”

Over the next few days

pics of more self-ink:
ankle tattoo, more triangles,

a sweet skull on the back of your calf—
my personal favorite so far, for as I took it in

I realized beneath our face skin 

our skulls are always grinning, always.

Maybe it’s a constant reminder to smile, 

everything is OK,

and our nose bones are upside down hearts,

how about that.

I text you back, “Guess what?”

“What?” comes the reply.

“I think you found your calling.”

You’re so in the moment, “With what?” 

I laugh out loud, “Doing what you enjoy that makes bodies beautiful.”

Courage grows and by the weekend,

You inked a dog, wine glass, baby Yoda reaching for a nipple squeeze

and…your best so far, but it gave me pause…

Is it what I think it is? How did you catch the angle, just right?

I pass the pic to my husband, who laughs,

“Oh geez, consult the sign language interpreters in the family!”

I text you back,

“Whose thigh did you tattoo the sign ‘ass-hole?’”

It looks like the leg of my nephew-in-law.

I see you both, laughing and having a good time.

“Yes, it’s his thigh.         

It’s the sign you make, and if somebody looks, you get to punch them.” 

Earlier, you had text me a picture from instagram or someplace,

it’s in the middle of a conversation about hygiene (it’s the auntie in me),

and learning how to grow your obvious skill.

I type, “Well you’ve got your connections and you could do it.”

Before I hit send, another pic comes through, 

“I think I found my next one.”

When I see it, I know tattooing is your body poetry,
your story’s canvas… 

Forces that Shape

Hello, darling dears. I had the most wonderful experience a few weeks ago of falling in love, yet again. I was talking to my husband (who is my greatest love:) about people (and critters) you just happen to meet and immediately feel some kind of connection—strong and unexplainable. We’ve all experienced it and don’t really know why as we’re drawn heart-to-heart like magnets. My husband gave it a word— “imprinting.” Now, at first his choice gave me pause, I worked at a wildlife center for years and imprinting was something to avoid at all cost, otherwise you might have a 500# pound bear thinking you’re his mama! But upon closer inspection of the word, my husband may be onto something:

To impress or stamp upon, to come to recognize in another habitual trust

Hmmm, um, yah, could meet the definition. My newest love is the dear, sweet girlfriend of my nephew (another one I’ve imprinted on). Somehow I know, whatever may come, this girl is a keeper for me. I also owe her tremendous gratitude  because in analyzing the precious ones whom have imprinted upon me, they all share something in common—Grit (with a capitol G).

I realized too, those spiritual ancestors that I have imprinted upon: Martin Luther King, Jr (happy MLK day, ya’ll), Joan of Arc*, Rumi, Jesus, Hafiz, Malala Yousafzai, Thich Nhat Hanh, Nadia Murad, Sister Chan Khong, ...the list goes on and on and on....they also have Grit with a capitol G. Perhaps Grit is a telling North Star?

So what are the forces within a person that intermingle and shape who we become? Have you ever considered that whenever you are with someone—a dearly beloved imprinted one, or the bagger at the grocery store—those 90 seconds you spend together are your opportunity to make connection—to be a bright light on the path of life, to reach out and let them know they are a treasure. When a person is met who impresses in another deep trust—that is a tremendous gift, perhaps the greatest gift one can give.

Who are the ones who open your heart? Be with them, love them deeply and reflect back their qualities of open hearted presence. Awww, it’s time for this Sappy McSappy Pants to go fall in love again, and again, and again....


* Karla’s full length ebook novel: Child of God: The Humble Beginnings of Joan of Arc

She Is Nectar

I recently discovered a Noble Peace Prize winner ~ the amazing Nadia Murad. After hearing her moving story, I found her to be a beacon of light, unable to turn away from the suffering of her people, the Yazidis, who experienced genocide at the hands of the Islamic State. After experiencing first hand the loss of her mother, six brothers and her brother’s children, she was forced into sex trafficking. Nadia’s spirit, rather than being broken, became increasingly brighter, shining light and awareness on the atrocities of war.

It’s fascinating to watch one of her first interviews in 2014 where a veiled and frightened. Nadia asked the cameras to avoid her face and not use her last name. Since then, she has grown increasingly brave, no longer covering her face and transforming her sufferings into medicine to offer to others who have experienced similar circumstances. Nadia Murad has literally and fuguratively shed the veil and speaks out, refusing to be silenced—an unheard of response from a woman of her culture and background. Her request is twofold:

• International protection for her people, the Yazidis 
• That those responsible for crimes of war be brought to justice

Nadia embodies the North Star qualities of courage, resilience, devotion to her people and a pure-heart. I’m delighted to honor her today in the Freedom Series category of this blog. Here are some Nadia Murad resources to water our seeds of bravery and interconnection: 

Nadia Murad’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech

Nadia’s book: The Last Girl 

Martin Luther King ~ North Star of Equality Shines Bright

It's been a long time since writing in the "Freedom Series" category of this blog, and I know--I've highlighted MLK before but by far he's one of my favorites, so I'm extolling his praises again! I'm presently reading his book: Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community and this story struck me as clearly defining a major driving force in MLK's life, his aspiration or in Inner Constellation language~his North Star:

...a group of us packed into four automobiles and made our way to that desolate spot on Hwy 51 where James Meredith had been shot the day before. So began the second stage of the Meredith Mississippi Freedom March. As we walked down the meandering highway in the sweltering heat, there was much talk and many questions were raised. 

"I'm not for that  nonviolence stuff any more," shouted one of the younger activists.

"If one of these damn white Mississippi crackers touches me, I'm gonna knock the hell out of him," shouted another.

Later on a discussion of the composition of the march came up.

"This should be an all-black march," said one marcher. "We don't need any more white phonies and liberals invading our movement. This is our march."

Once during the afternoon we stopped to sing, "We Shall Overcome." The voices rang out with all the traditional fervor, the glad thunder and gentle strength that had always characterized the singing of this noble song. But when we came to the stanza which speaks of "black and white together," the voices of a few of the marchers were muted. I asked them later why they refused to sing that verse. The retort was:

"This is a new day, we don't sing those words any more. In fact, the whole song should be discarded. Not 'We Shall Overcome,' but 'We Shall Overrun.'"

As I listened to all these comments, the words fell on my ears like strange music from a foreign land. My hearing was not attuned to the sound of such bitterness. I guess I should not have been surprised....I should have been reminded that disappointment produces despair and despair produces bitterness, and that the one thing certain about bitterness is its blindness. Bitterness has not the capacity to make the distinction between some and all." *

Equality shines bright in our hero Martin Luther King, Jr. May we, as his continuation, strive toward a freedom that sees not gender, race, sexual preference, financial status, class, political party or any other contrived divisions but rather practices this sole desire ~ for all beings everywhere to live unmolested and in peace.

Happy MLK day everyone. 


   * Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? on sale for $7.68 (Amazon) consider adding this classic to your North Star library

Not Flying Away! Touching the Earth...

Yesterday I had an exchange with another person that began to turn sour. We had entered into a differencing of opinions that led to a drawn out analysis. I lost patience...in other words my mindfulness turned into forgetfulness. I forgot that this person was precious to me and that understanding was more important then business. I forgot that our interaction was actually causing stress versus alleviating stress. Luckily, in a few minutes time, we both realized our thoughts had been carried away, literally. I brought myself back to my breathing, back to being mindfully attentive. Soon after, we were able to reconcile our differences and come back to a peaceful resolution.

Later, I contemplated my true desire to never add to another's load, to practice diligently not watering the seeds of frustration and stress in another. A poem came to mind that so beautifully conveys coming back to oneself in moments when we've been pulled of course:

Earth Touching

Here is the foot of a tree.
Here is an empty, quiet place.
Here is the cool green of the grass.
My Child, why don't you sit down?

Sit upright.
Sit with solidity.
Sit in peace.
Don't let your thoughts lift you up into the air.
Sit so that you can really touch the Earth
and be one with her.
You may like to smile,
Earth will transmit to you her solidity,
her peace, and her joy.
With your mindful breathing,
with your peaceful smile,
you sustain the mudra of Earth Touching.

There were times when you didn't do well.
Sitting on the Earth, but it was as if you were floating in the air,
you who used to go in circles in the triple world
and be drawn into the ocean of illusion.
But Earth is always patient
and one-hearted.
Earth is still waiting for you
because Earth has been been waiting for you
during the last trillion lives...

...Walk as if you were kissing the Earth with your feet,
as if you were massaging the Earth.
The marks left by your feet
will be like the marks of an emperor's seal
calling for Now to go back to Here;
so that life will be present;
so that the blood will bring the color of love to your face;
so that the wonders of life will be manifested,
and all afflictions will be transformed into
peace and joy...

...the beautiful path is always patient.
It is always waiting for you to come back,
that path which is so familiar to you,
that path which is so faithful.
It knows deeply that you will come back one day.
it will be joyful to welcome you back.
It will be fresh and as beautiful as the first time.
Love never says, "This is the last."

The path is you, My Child.
This is why it will never be tired of waiting.
Whether it is covered now with red dust
or with Autumn leaves
or icy snow~
do go back to the path,
because I know
you will be like that tree,
the leaves, the trunk, the branches,
and the blossoms of your soul
will be fresh and beautiful,
once you enter the mudra of Earth Touching.

~Thich Nhat Hanh*
Call Me By My True Names, p. 197-198

Whether standing or walking, sitting or lying, I'm determined to practice grounding in mindful awareness and keeping my North Star in sight. Tremendous gratitude for those who practice alongside me, patiently watering my best seeds and joining me in shining bright.


*for more, please enjoy this beautiful dedication episode: Coming Home to the Present: The Life and Teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh

Shining Light on Devotion

The month of June is dedicated to the theme of "devotion," and like every perfect theme, opportunities presented to practice with this North Star quality this weekend. The following is a poem of thanks to all my beloveds who took the time and heart to come to a day that will be forever remembered as one of the most treasured yet in my sweet, sweet life. Your gift of devotion has strengthened our community, thank you:

Afterglow
©June 4, 2017 Karla Johnston InnerConstellation.com

June 3, 2017 Lake Tahoe, CA,
although, it could be anywhere…

The gift:
“Has the entire community assembled?”
“Yes, the entire community has assembled?”

“Is there harmony in the community?”
“Yes, there is harmony.”

Noble community, please listen:
Transmission of the Jewels,
the Five MindfulnessTrainings
serenely, reverently.

A gentle feast follows: cherries, strawberries, mixed fruits,
chickpea, quinoa and pinenut salads, almond cookies,
homemade jam, almond cheese and unleavened bread.

The seal:
Shining Light…
Vowing that every word spoken will be from a place of love,
knowing that shining light on one star,
shines light on our entire constellation.
Round and round and round:
I am remembering who I am,
we are remembering who we are:
open, authentic, curious, imaginative,
searching for wisdom, lifting up,
pure-hearted (please pass the tissues!)
enthusiastic, sensitive, courageous, gentle,
eternal, fearless, leading with the heart,
magical, clear-seeing,
feeling deeply, effortlessly, ease-fully,
honoring where we’ve come from.

Dear Thay, spiritual and blood ancestors, beloveds,
What have we transformed?
Suffering
How?
Dwelling happily in this present moment
in full awareness.

I love you,
I love you.

We are pinpoint luminaries,
interwoven among equally bright nations:
none more advantaged,
all sparks Eternal.

We are remembering

who we are. 

Sparkly North Star Practice for the New Year

Here's a New Year contemplation for you--what means the most to you above all else? If you've partnered with me in a private session, you know this is the foremost question we answer. Why? Because it drives our thoughts and ultimately forms our actions. The answer to this question is what I've coined, one's North Star. Once we identify our North Stars--ie, that which is most important to us--then we practice strengthening these beautiful sign posts and using them to guide us through the challenges and joys of life.

In order to embody our personal North Stars there's a practice I call North Star Tapping that I'd like to offer as a practice for the new year. Here it is in a few easy-to-try steps:

• N  -  NOW
  
  Check in with resistance felt in this present moment: not past, not future, but right NOW.
  
  
• O -  O to 10
  
  Assign a number from 0 to 10 to any resistance in the body, mind or emotions, with 0 being       nothing to 10 being strong. This is referred to as the SUD number (Subjective Units of             Disturbance).
  
  

• R - RESISTANCE
  
  Target your resistance with Meridian Tapping (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go to my website and watch the media provided, scroll down to the Tapping Points Guide or contact me for a session).
  
  
• T - TEMPER
  
  "Temper" is to dilute or soften by the influence of something else. Our influencing factor is       Meridian Tapping--tap the points until you get your SUD number down to a 5 or below.             Temper your resistance, you got this....come'on, you're almost there. If you're at a SUD 5 or       lower, jump to the final step....
  
  
• H - HONE IN
  
  To "hone in" literally means to sharpen or make more precise. Hone in your North Star by         working it into your set up statement (say WHAT? If you're not familiar with this IC language, contact me or go to my Inner Constellation website and scroll down for a Meridian Tapping Point guide). So the set up might look like this: "Even though I'm at this (substitute SUD number), I choose (insert North Star)."

One of my personal North Stars is compassion as the number one condition. So, for me, my set up statement looks something like this:

"Even though I'm at this 5, I choose to practice compassion...."

Then we short cut our set up statement to a word or two. For me, this one word reminder is "compassion," as we tap on each point. As we go through the points we might wish to expand on our North Stars, "...I choose to practice compassion by____________________." Just tap and fill in the blank, let the brainstorm begin!

Even though we have resistance in the form of pain, or an emotional challenge, or whatever we've identified, we can still practice our North Stars. And in fact, when we do temper our resistance and embody our North Stars they become brighter and keep us on course.

Whatever is given energy, gets stronger. What do you wish to strengthen this upcoming New Year 2017? I would love to hear your answers, Bright Shining Ones, and partner with you to make it a reality in your life and the lives of your community and loved ones. May our North Stars shine bright in 2017!

Freedom Singers, Sing!

I've had the great fortune to listen to an inspiring On Being interview with late, great Civil Rights elder, Vincent Harding, in the aftermath of the presidential election last week. He spoke of his experiences as part of the Freedom Movement during 1960's and the role of spiritual communities in making last change (Yay, LTMC!). He offers wisdom and encouragement for America in this time of division and upheaval. He poses the question,

What would America's "best self" be like? *

In LTMC this week, we spoke of volition--one's deepest aspiration--and how wholesome desires can serve as a source of nourishment and happiness in our lives. Might the answers to the above question serve to clarify one's volition? Throughout Vincent Harding's interview, Freedom Songs were interwoven, anthems that focused and united the beloved community in Martin Luther King's era. I've been singing them nonstop this week, and they've been the best practice companions! Here's my favorite one:

Woke Up This Morning

Mr. Harding reminds us that spiritual vision is a vital ingredient for positive social change. He defined spiritual vision as the innate truth that every life is sacred and this value becomes the guiding light for peaceful non-violent action. Spiritual vision was the Freedom Movement's volition under the guidance of Martin Luther King. Mr. Harding posits that spiritual vision is often lacking in present day movements, as is a community that practices and lives compassion, peace and non-violence.

Where there is no vision the people perish." **

Community and spiritual vision were the foundation of the Freedom Singers, their voices called all those embroiled in conflict, including those acting in violent opposition, to recognize the sacredness of life. They sang mindfully--

"I'm walking and talking with my mind stayed on freedom...."

Martin Luther King's freedom movement is a modern day inspiration for our modern age. Alongside my personal North Star of compassion, is compassion's companion--Freedom. Can we practice our volition to live a free and wholesome life, responding to any resistance in ourselves or in others with loving care? Can we sing ourselves and our community back home when they've gone astray? Yes, most certainly, yes.

Inner Constellation Truth #2 speaks to how we are to do this--Energy never dies, it just changes form. A compassionate America is alive today because of the sacrifices and wisdom of visionary elders who walked their talk, sang their songs of commitment and used their imagination and voice to guide themselves and others in the direction of freedom. These Veterans of Hope can serve as role models in embodying peace, happiness and freedom for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.


*Is America Possible? A Letter to My Young Companions on the Journey of Hope, Vincent Harding
** Proverbs 29:18

Blue Pill, Red Pill?

I recently finished the novel, "Night," by Elie Wiesel. Anyone who has read this slim holocaust memoir knows it was not easy. The reading was precipitated by a personal commemoration of the author, for Elie recently died at the ripe age of 87 years. Also, my momma, who knows my heart well, gave me the book. It had sat on my book shelf for years until I was most recently ready to read it.

Now, before you go thinking this is a kill-joy blog article, no-sir-eeeee. Remember IC Truth #3: everything no matter how challenging has the ability to be transformed. Elie Wiesel is a shining North Star example of this certainty. The day I finished the book, I dedicated my morning to sitting with what I had learned. I did this in my garden of course, and as I sat by my pond, in addition to holding Elie Wiesel's story close, I noticed the hummingbirds came around, as did the nuthatches, chickadees and all other kinds of joyful critters. I smiled, and pondered these competing realities--the destruction of a race of people juxtaposed with all the beauty of this natural world. Both exist--one heart-breaking, the other heart-sustaining--such interplay is constantly present. How to reconcile these realities?

I recalled this month's Inner Constellation theme--Co-creation--and grabbed my notebook as a poem took root...

Ground to Soften
©August 4, 2016 Karla Johnston InnerConstellation.com

The novel, “Night,” by Elie Weisel—
I’m reminded my every thought of impatience, anger, intolerance,
waters the larger seed of cruelty growing in the world today.
Annihilation of Jews (and anyone not conforming to radical Islam) is happening this moment.
Tears escape the corner of my eyes, seeking ground to soften.

The other side of human possibility: tenderness, joy, understanding
water seeds of freedom,
which, in the choice to cultivate, loosen cruelty’s strangle hold.
Do I wish to be grounded in the killing field
or tend the garden of humanity with compassion and mercy?

Germination starts within,
it grows within. 


How do I reconcile competing realities? My answer--germination starts within, it grows within. More questions follow--Am I more able to Co-create and practice goodness and generosity because I live healthy, happy, strong and free? Do I have a responsibility to do so, due to my good measure? 

As this month of August stretches toward the end, I continue to answer my heart questions. Relying on Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community and my support network of family and friends, I know answers will come and Co-creation will be the result: germination starts within, it grows within. 

Bless you, wise Elie Wiesel, for your continuation of insight, compassion and hope. 

60 Million Refugees

I typically don't comment on political hub-bub going on, but something struck me this week that I keep going back to, which usually means it's time to write it out. After the Republican Convention, President Obama was asked to comment on Donald Trump's speech on the worsening terrorist situation in the Middle East spreading into US and Europe and this was one of his replies:

...this vision of violence and chaos everywhere, doesn’t really jibe with the experience of most people. I hope people the next morning walked outside and birds were chirping and the sun was out, and this afternoon, people will be watching their kids play in sports teams and go to the swimming pool and folks are going to work and getting ready for the weekend.

I truly thank President Obama for so clearly confirming for me the importance of two things:

1) We must open our eyes and not turn away from the suffering in our world. The above statement is only applicable if one lives in the US! Here is a startling fact--at present we are experiencing the highest number of refugees in human history--over 60 million people are attempting to flee horrendous conditions. Do they walk outside and hear the birds chirping and sun warming their skin? Watch their kids play sports and go to the swimming pool? This leads us to number 2 point of thanks....

2) Engaged Compassion is a North Star worthy of consideration for our times - we must consider engagement with what is going on in the world, not turning away or being happy enough with our small piece of security here in the United States. How do we do this? By being mindful, i.e. aware of conditions with our neighbors and with compassion and understanding comprise a solution. In this quest of engaged compassion, I discovered a few links to check out. Please be inspired, and perhaps practice the North Star of engaged compassion:

Refugee Team Makes it to the 2016 Olympics

CARE website

CARE Facebook Page

Have a beautiful week, yes the birds are chirping and sun is shining. Soak it up! At the same time, there are many striving for life and for the world to notice and do something to help. Perhaps when you're all nourished and loved up, consider practicing engaged compassion--I would love to hear what you discovered.

Dirty Angels

I had a few of them appear last evening (larger than mosquitoes) and tried to swat them away to no avail! Dang it, I thought I was beyond this...I had a blow up with a loved one last night and got sucked in!

I woke at 2:30a with a heavy heart and decided to take my sorry self outside to sleep beneath the moon and morning star. I dragged my Therm-A-Rest and sleeping bag onto my deck and as soon as I got settled, I knew--this is the stuff of transformation, the blow up is the practice. I missed the first opportunity to transform the crappy-crap, but garbage is in a constant process of becoming a rose, so, um...get to work.

"Hello, my dirty angels, I see you..." I tapped, I breathed, I identified, and I lay beneath the bright moon and finally drifted off to sleep, into dreamland, where I saw one of my precious "Tahoe" Moms. She sat in our green garden rocking chair directly next to where I was laying on the deck, and motioned to the dark sky overhead--a cosmic scene like the pictures from NASA unfolded. Black and crimson gases erupted from a bubbling star field. She looked into my soul, like she has a tendency to do, and asked, "Do you have the ability to pull from this glorious Creation?"

The swirling beauty of stars, filled me, "Yes, ma'am!" I say silently in my dream. It's that kind of moment. When I woke, I asked the dream question to the moon, which now hung directly over me--"Do you have the ability to pull from this glorious Creation?"

She answered, "Of course, My Dear." I closed my eyes and went back to sleep. Some things are best given over to the night sky.

I woke this morning entirely refreshed and committed to continuing the journey using my North Star of love and compassion as my guide. I know too, my dirty angels should not be swatted. Their wings are tattered enough. They appear to show me what needs tending. "Hello, Little Rose," they say, "it's time for transformation."

See the Things Worth Seeing

The Inner Constellation January theme of diligence is winding down. I'm reflecting on this lovely, fast-paced world of many options, and I don't know about you guys, but--it's easy to be pulled away: phone notifications, daily maintenance, work and life commitments...how do we stay on course?

I'm convinced one answer to this question is--everyday (every moment!) practice what matters. Practice love, compassion, understanding (whatever your North Stars may be) in the hurry scurry whirling world. Begin with yourself, be gentle, stop, breathe; the ripple effect will impact others. Then, to stop the spinning, take time for stillness. Find the calm center, where we remind ourselves, and nourish what matters most. In essence, one might say--REORIENT.

Ha! Look up, open wide those beautiful eyes, locate that North Star and breathe, baby. Grab the jump rope, call your grandma, skip to work after your lunch break, hold someone's hand....diligently turn yourself North, my friend. And, if you're feeling brave and committed, find other star gazers (like Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community) and diligently pursue happiness and True North together. Community committed to higher purpose will keep you grounded, together and less likely to spin off into another galaxy! 

True North is shining bright, and available every day, in every way to navigate you through the storms and joys of life! If you would like Mon-Fri email inspirations as my gift to you, guidance in discovering what matters most, or tools for an individual or community practice, please contact me.

Diligence Practiced Beautifully

It’s a miraculous process that when we place our attention on something (become mindful), the opportunities to practice present. January Inner Constellation theme is diligence, and yesterday I had the awesome experience of witnessing a student with a disability overcome a challenge in the class room, exhibiting determination that was heroic. The student is legally blind and we made adjustments such as his and my positioning, marker color, the size of my writing and a plan for how to convey visual communication among students. I was grateful for the lesson he modeled —how to set up conditions for success.

I left the classroom asking myself how I set up conditions for success, so I’m able to practice my North Star of compassion and keep love alive?  Self-care is a huge condition for success in addition to having time, not rushing so I can notice opportunities to practice my North Star.  I asked a question of a colleague yesterday that brought tears to his eyes, “How are you nourishing yourself?” He’s struggling to take care of two immediate family members suffering with terminal cancers. We take care of the InnerConstellation so we can generate the compassion it takes to notice the suffering in others and help alleviate and bring joy into their lives. Without a personal practice, it’s easy to be swept away by strong emotions, the to-do list, and general pace of life.

Diligence and setting up conditions for success translates into “Chart Your Course,” in Inner Constellation language. Every moment we have the opportunity to orient toward our North Stars or go in other directions. How will you “Chart Your Course,” in the direction you wish to go? A huge compass for me is my community of practice (Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community), cherished friends who are dedicated to peace, understanding and love. Even just one solid person in your life can provide the support needed to move in a beautiful direction. I would love to hear about your practice of diligence this month of January, please feel free to contact me so we can build our community of practice.