Suchness...Say What?

Suchness is an eastern concept and word we've been studying in Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community lately. Here's the Webster formal definition of suchness--a nameless and characterless reality in its ultimate nature. How, you might ask, can something be nameless? Characterless for that matter? Suchness is an idea positing that nothing is a separate self-entity. For example, if we look at you, a name has been attributed to who you are, many names in fact: perhaps a profession, roles, gender, etc. however you would not be you without the animals, plants and minerals that you've consumed to fuel and maintain your body, nor would you be you without each formative experience, the beings and cultures that have come together to shape your beliefs and expression of your personality. Who would you be without your mother, your father, your ancestors? You can see that this idea of interconnection can lead us in many deep and complex underpinnings--all of which can be referred to as suchness.

Ahhhh, you and every occurrence in this natural world are miracles of so many perfectly timed causes and conditions. It's promising to be an insightful month of February as we dive into this theme that fits so beautifully with the Inner Constellation Blog purpose as seen in the welcome on the right of the homepage:

This blog celebrates that you are an expression of the Eternal: body, mind and heart are the gateways. Read on if you need reminding....

Suchness--nameless, formless, nondualistic, no coming, no going--eternal. As we enter the month of suchness, I ponder the next IC Blog Post with an image of a sculpture entitled, "The Death of Cleopatra." Its maker is remarkable and the story of how the sculptor came to be, even more so, as we'll explore in the next IC blog article, entitled--"Death of Cleopatra." Stay tuned and wet your senses until next time....

Mary Edmonia Lewis sculptor, completed in 1867

My Husband the Druid

This is a blog post about observation...oh, and love. Can you find the mailbox in the picture on the right? The red flag is up, indicating we have a pick up. Do you see our yellow pole indicating to the snowplow driver to please (pretty please on bended knees) drop the gate so as not to berm us in. Follow the snow line to the far left of the pic, just the tip of the pole with reflective gray tape is sticking up through the snow...and that sucker is 7 foot high! OK, so Tahoe has had a beautiful, awe-inspiring, old fashion dumping and our poor little Lodgepole Pine over top the mailbox took a massive hit. During the brunt of the storm it was weighed down and touching our driveway, blocking the Snow mobile Subie you see there and our mailbox. Of course, I went out brandishing the tree sheers, ready to unblock the necessities. You may be able to see a few spiky branches poking out where I had just started my attack. However, my dear husband came to the tree's rescue, "Noooooooo! Don't cut the tree." I stopped, I observed and I listened. His argument of leaving sharp, dangerous branches sticking out was valid, however, we needed our mail and we needed to get out! Breathing in, I knew that I was breathing in...breathing out, I knew that I was breathing out. In the pause, I became clear-minded and consciously decided for love over my way. It took a few more breaths and a little bit of humor as we spent another hour on top of the tree with the shovel, freeing it to spring back up to the blizzard sky. "What are you a druid?" I asked. We smiled and shoveled. Next onslaught was a few hours later as the tree was once again laden with 2 foot of fresh snow. Another freeing ensued...my ideas of how things should be: the tree and my husband all became practice partners during the ten day storm.

The January theme of Beginning Anew has worked its magic on me. In every situation, love awaits our surrender. Surrender I did, to a higher ideal of choosing love, peace and understanding. I hope our mailman forgives us. So far, so good as the sun now shines, the snow melts and our sweet, gangly Lodgepole weathers the storm, each day straighter, stronger, solid and free.

A Snow Angel for President Trump: Inauguration 2017

Inauguration seems a fitting event for this month's theme of, "Beginning Anew," as our nation peaceably transitioned power to President Donald Trump. It's been a heated, divisive time that as in any challenge has the ability to be transformed (Inner Constellation Truth #3). I'm fascinated by this idea of promoting patriotism and see great potential in the idea of caring for one's country and American citizens as a springboard for broader awareness of our world of which we are an influential part. Imagine a nation undivided and taking care of the needs and wounds of each citizen. Would this not then ripple out to other nations and peoples? I can't help but look at the focus of my work--individuals, families and communities and answer a most certain, yes. I've experienced the ripple effect of tending to the sufferings in oneself and this benefiting one's family and ultimately the community--now extend this to an entire state and country. If our communities are exponentially influenced by our peace and prosperity, Americans would reap that influence and prosper, thus rippling out to other nations. This idea mirrors the practice of Metta which begins with well-wishing for oneself, then for loved ones and continuing in concentric wider circles of care.

2007 Inauguration is a Beginning Anew moment for America and her citizens and an invitation to broaden our scope of awareness. Here were some highlights from President Trump's speech to ponder:

...American carnage stops right here and stops right now. We are one nation and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home and one glorious destiny....When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice....And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the wind-swept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky. They fill their heart with the same dreams and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator....So to all Americans in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and dreams will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.... 

May all beings be happy, healthy and strong, safe and protected, free from inner and outer harm, may we live in our world with ease and grace.

Gifts from LTMC Winter Reteat 2017

Hello Beautifuls and thank you for a most nourishing retreat this past Sunday. Torrential rain was Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community's practice companion that then turned to a massive, awe-inspiring snowstorm. So...being snowed in this week, a few treats were prepared for your enjoyment. If you made it to LTMC Winter Retreat, you'll recognize these offerings and they can further your practice into the season. Firstly, a slideshow of our day:

Followed by our afternoon 20 minute Total Relaxation in the Plum Village Tradition, complete with relaxing bells and song: www.dropbox.com/s/3wd892liymszqu5/Beginning%20Anew.m4a?dl=0

Lastly, the poems read to all the dear ones gathered together in our nest overlooking Lake Tahoe (in sweet, lashing rain:)

The Poem, "Mindfulness" can be found at this link: http://innerconstellation.blogspot.com/2014/01/may-force-of-mindfulness-be-with-you.html

Treasure
© 2013 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com 

You are precious.

Beyond the value of gems, stones, or gold,
and you are not the exception.
Every one, no matter gender, creed or race
is equally worthy.

Every person, animal, thing
that breathes, contracts, expands,
houses the pulse of life,
is an absolute miracle.

We are glorious.
Holding the brilliance of creation
or darkening of damnation
in every word we speak.

If we saw, for brief moment, our radiance
we could never commit a harmful act,
for the understanding that we
would diminish it.

If we knew our preciousness,
hateful words could not be spoken.
Malice could find no home in us.
No conflict, no battle, no war.
Our one desire, our sole purpose
to keep carefully
this treasured life—
only ever cherish it.

In closing, it was mentioned during retreat that a dharma talk would be greatly appreciated and here is a most excellent resource of talks by Thich Nhat Hanh and a snip-it of one of my favorite Opera interviews with Thich Nhat Hanh as well. May our winter be nourishing with much joy, peace and happiness for ourselves, our loved ones and our community. 

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!

Winter Mindfulness Retreat: January 8, 2017

Reserve your calendar, January 8 will be a beautiful day in community! We will be restoring from the holidays and preparing ourselves for the new year with, "Beginning Anew," mindfulness practices in the tradition of Plum Village Thich Nhat Hanh. Please bring a small vegan dish to share as the food at our last retreat was mind-blowingly delicious. If you're not of the nature to cook there will be opportunities to sign up for service during the retreat to keep our day running smoothly. We will be carpooling from The Studio promptly at 9:00am to arrive at our retreat house on Lake Tahoe shores and will be arriving back at The Studio no later than 4:30pm. Bring warm layers for practicing outdoors and soaking up winter beauty. This house is an amazing exhibit of local artistry with hand-crafted wood features and sculpting honoring the local wildlife along with exquisite stain-glass and metal working. It promises to be a nourishing day for ourselves, our loved ones and our community. Please feel free to invite friends, loved ones and community members. RSVP to InnerConstellation.com or our event Facebook page as space is limited.

Beginning Anew

The world witnessed a Forgiveness Ceremony yesterday that will continue to bring peace to the nations who have gathered in support of the Dakota Sioux and their wish to divert the oil pipeline going through sacred lands and threatening local water supply. An easement to continue construction was not granted thanks to the efforts of many thousands of people who came out to support and protest. Among those thousands were our US Veterans who vowed to provide a front line of protection in the non-violent efforts of all those protesting and making their voices heard. After celebrating the halt to construction, a ceremony was held that so beautifully represents the native path I so dearly love--a Forgiveness Ceremony allowed Veterans to heal from their wounds of war and the unskillfulness of past actions against native people. Many of us living in modern society may scratch our heads over such a ceremony. After all, the actions of the past are not our actions. However, actions of the past have created the present moment and learning how to be more skillfull in the present moment will create the actions of the future.

We can take the lessons of forgiveness into our daily lives. Forgiveness is an act of nobility (and humility) and it sets our hearts on the right path. If I, or the people who I am connected to, have hurt another it's an act of peace to go to that person and set things right and learn what I can do to be more skillful in the future. Then, there is no need to hold onto regret for I have vowed to change--this is freeing.

In the Plum Village tradition such an act is called, Beginning Anew, and it's a practice of looking deeply and honestly at ourselves, our past actions, speech and thoughts to create a fresh beginning in our relationship with ourselves and with others. Beginning Anew is practiced every two weeks in communities and families and individually as often as is helpful. In the spirit and theme of peace, Beginning Anew or practicing a forgiving spirit are helpful tools. May we be heartened today by the example of our Native elders and live with equal integrity and respect as we care for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.