"We go together like rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga a dong..." Sanctuary Part 2

"...remembered for ever like
shoo bop shoo wadda wadda yipitty boom de boom...."

Have you ever met someone and found a strangely familiar, yet perfect fit? My Tahoe mom describes it something like this: if we were all 5 pointed stars, it would be like your points line up just right, rather than jangle and tangle in an awful mess. Our star points lining up is a perfect Inner Constellation metaphor for sanctuary of person. When you're stressed and feeling depleted who are the people in whom you seek refuge? It's especially important in times of stress to have clear discernment between those who offer comfort versus those who add to your distress. 


A good friend of mine refers to her refuge people as "the committee," wise folks to whom she turns in times of need. Cultivating such a "committee" is vital. I even go so far as to draw from folks in history who have inspired me (IC Truth #2 Energy never dies, it just changes form). Perhaps refuge is found through a departed grandparent, a heroine or a historical figure. Heck, another friend of mine when faced with indecision asks, "What would Frazier do?" 
Finding shelter through connection with heartening people lessens isolation and adds to our resourcefulness. Who are your sanctuary people from the past and/or the present?
"....When we go out at night
shoo-bop
That's the way it should be
Wha oooh yeah!"

And stars are shinin' bright.......Chang chang chang-it-ty chang 

Inside the Absence of Fear - Sanctuary Part 1

In my work with trauma recovery, I'm constantly exploring the importance of sanctuary. Other words for it might be safety or refuge. When I ask folks what provides a sense of sanctuary, often their replies fall into three distinct groupings: places, people or things.

I love the idea that we can self-regulate our well-being and turn around discouraging situations by consciously becoming aware of what brings comfort. Today, I'm remembering my first recollection of establishing sanctuary....

Fireplace
©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Little one sits inside the hearth,
inside the dark alcove.
It holds her body and limbs like kindling,
igniting a warm central fire 
in spite of the home and its residents.

She doesn’t yet speak
but discerns most acutely
sharp and unforgiving words
shooting out in every jagged direction.
Tiny body knows—
cold becomes warm near fire,
and so she sits inside the hearth,
wills her bright flame to hot intensity
until she is far up and away,
a wisp escaping through the chimney.

She is not the first bright flame to crawl inside that fireplace.
A tender smile crosses the face of one whose heart is also kindled,
remembering true sanctuary.

May you find comfort today in remembering places that inspire and care for you. 

9-11 Tribute Beyond NYC

As I watch the remembrance ceremonies, I think of the two "North Stars" or truths of my Inner Constellation work:

1) Energy never dies it just changes form

2) Everything, no matter how challenging, has the ability to be transformed

It's been eleven years since 9-11, yet the energy of the tragedy is still very much part of the lives and memories of people gathered at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville, Pa. It's also a global day of remembrance for the citizens from over 90 countries who lost their lives. Loved ones speak of still hearing the voices and seeing the hands and faces of those who passed. Living reminders are apparent in the children present and the features or traits very much expressed. In the traditional reading of the names, I find myself recognizing transformation. Every single thing is in a constant state of flux--what does 9-11 have to teach us eleven years later?

There's mention of "Patriot Day" established as a reminder to help those struggling with loss and to take care of one another. I know this state of goodness is inherent in the majority of people when a tragedy strikes--it's the driving force for transformation. 

I'm determined today to remember those who passed by seeking every opportunity to be kind--energy never dies, it just changes form. This evening I will end my day of remembrance in my backyard garden. I will turn on my waterfall, clean my birdbath, groom my garden and all the while be awake to the change of season, the interplay of lengthening light before my eyes, on my skin and occupying the attention of my senses. I will give praise and pray peace for all those remembering, and by their very act, transforming 9-11. Everything, no matter how challenging, has the ability to be transformed. 

Free Talk Friday, September 14, 2012

Tapfests Starting in September!!!

I was recently invited to join The Studio Lake Tahoe in Meyers, California, and I'm now offering private and group sessions as well as talks and workshops in the beautiful space at 1089 Magua Street. So, as a promotion and celebration, I had the idea to begin "Tapfests" starting in September, 2012. Every Sunday from 2:00-3:30pm you are cordially invited to attend a group tapping session with other dedicated tappers who will use the power of more-than-one to usher in relief for physical and emotional ailments. Group tapping is my absolute favorite forum for the self-applied meridian therapy techniques. I've found combined intention to be one of the most powerful ways to move the body into a state of receptivity. It doesn't matter if you are new to meridian tapping or have been using it for awhile, every Sunday promises a mini-retreat of pointers, support and community.

Each hour and a half session is a reasonable $10.00, or if you buy a 10 session card, the price is lowered to $8.00 a session. As is Inner Constellation's gratitude policy--Veterans are always free! Give yourself and those you love the gift of a weekly group Tapfest and see the difference in not only your Inner Constellation, but in your outer constellation of family, friends and community.

Inner Constellation Tapfest
Every Sunday starting September 2
at The Studio Lake Tahoe
1089 Magua Street
Meyers, CA 96150
(10 minutes from the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe, CA)

For more information, feel free to contact me. Come join the party!

Downwind from Flowers

Downwind from Flowers:
Dedicated to the Healing of Chris Alper
Written: July 31, 2012
©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

A remarkable hospice nurse, Lee Paton, told a story—

a Tibetan refugee named Tenzin was diagnosed with lymphoma.
While receiving his first dose of chemotherapy,
Tenzin’s gentle disposition turned angry and upset.
Pulling out the IV, he refused to cooperate.
The patient’s wife explained:
Tenzin had been a political prisoner for 17 years at the hand of the Chinese,
who had killed his first wife and brutalized him throughout imprisonment.
“I know you mean to help him,” she consoled, “but he feels tortured by your treatments.
They are causing him to feel hatred inside, just like he felt toward the Chinese.
He would rather die than live with the hatred he is now feeling.
According to our belief, it is very bad to have hatred in your heart at the time of death.
He needs to be able to pray and cleanse his heart.”

A hospice nurse was assigned to Tenzin’s care,
who encouraged him to talk through his horrible memories.
Tenzin held up his hand, stopping the well-meaning professional,
“I must learn to love again if I am to heal my soul.
Your job is not to ask me questions. Your job is to teach me to love again.”
The nurse took a deep breath and asked how she was to do this,
to which Tenzin replied, “Sit down, drink my tea and eat my cookies.”
Tea with the married couple commenced:
strong black liquid laced with yak butter and salt was endured for several weeks.
Throughout the winter months, Doctors treated Tenzin’s physical pain
as the patient tended his spirit, routinely sitting cross legged and praying.
The Tibetan couple hung more and more colorful “thankas,” or Tibetan religious art,
transforming Tenzin’s room into a beautiful shrine.

Spring arrived.
Hospice nurse asked Tenzin what Tibetans do when they fall ill in the spring.
Smiling brightly, he answered,
 “We sit downwind from flowers.”
Poetic, but not simply metaphorical.
He explained that to sit downwind
is to be dusted with new blossom’s pollen,
carried on spring breeze.
How to achieve such remedy?
Local nurseries were called
and when the unusual request
to sit downwind from flowers
was explained, one manager agreed.

To the florist were escorted, Tenzin, wife and all provisions:
black tea, butter, salt, cookies, cups and tea pot, prayer beads and prayer books.
Each week, Tenzin and his wife visited another nursery
until the hospice nurse began to get calls of invitation—
“New shipments of Nicotiana, Fuschias, and oh, yes! Daphne!
And new lawn furniture the couple might enjoy.”
A different nursery called—
colorful windsocks had arrived
that would help Tenzin predict where the wind was blowing.
Nurseries and their patrons began tending and caring for the couple:
refreshing hot water for tea,
monitoring the direction of the wind,
leaving wagons of budding flowers close by.

Summer ended.
Tenzin returned to the doctor for a CT scan to determine the spread of cancer.
Dumbfounded, Doctor found no trace, reporting it was unexplainable. 
Tenzin lifted his finger, saying, “I know why….
When I began to feel all the compassion
from all those people who wanted to know about me,
I started to change inside.
Now, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to heal in this way.
Doctor, please don’t think that your medicine is the only cure.”

Cures come in a myriad of forms and combinations,
affecting many layers of disease—
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Perhaps when faced with circumstances repressing heart’s capacity to love,
sit downwind from flowers,
receive strong medicine of prayer, beauty, appreciation, compassion
from those who hold the vision of healing.


Poem adapted from Lee Paton's story

Listen to an inspirational talk incorporating Lee Paton’s story

"I am McLovin!"

Does this picture jog any memories from the movie, "Superbad?" The character Fogell gets a fake ID and out of any name he could choose he decides on simply, McLovin. Out of any state to call home, he opts for Hawaii, whose advertising slogan is, "the islands of Aloha," meaning, "affection, peace, compassion, mercy." Before the (fake) ID shift, he was a total dork; however, after becoming, "McLovin," he becomes an endearing social magnet. He's utterly transformed through identification with all things McLovin. Now if I might stretch a bit from here, the Buddha spoke a discourse that beautifully articulates shifting one's identity to that of love:

"This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in saftey,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!

Let none deceive another,
Or despise any being in any state.

Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings:
Radiating kindness over the entire world
Spreading upwards to the skies,
And downwards to the depths;
Outwards and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding...."

Metta Sutta

Gautama Buddha 

Although getting a fake ID is far easier than embodying the Metta Sutta, we can be inspired by Buddha's words and use the practice of Loving-Kindness, or Metta to soften our hearts and foster more love, in a sense--become McLovin!