Holiday Benediction

Holiday Benediction

©2014 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Christmas Eve morning,
I pondered how lovely if our power to bless were reclaimed.

I put aside the bling: wrapping paper, packages, and bows

and when I did, heard deep within, “you are a gift.”

Many faces of loved ones appeared:

relatives, friends, sangha members,

creatures of this land, furred and winged,

evergreen trees, sun, stars and a sliver’s moon...
gifts all.

A wealth is held within sacred form,
richness shines beyond measure,
capacity for beauty, love, stillness,

respect and tender mercy.

How lovely this season

to reclaimed our power to bless—

You, Most Precious One, are a gift. 

"Stillness" Winter Mindfulness Retreat

Duck sanghas at Paradise Park inspired our walking mediation

Hello Lovelies, what a fine time we had last Saturday at Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community Winter Retreat. Our theme was "Stillness," and we enjoyed a sweet day of sitting and walking meditation, interspersed with mindful moments together which included inspiring poetry, discussion on Winter Meridian Treatment Points and the Three Kinds of Energies: Mindfulness, Concentration and Insight. We also enjoyed a variety of warm beverages and a delicious Lentil Soup. I wished to put together this article as a care package of resources to keep your winter practice fueled:

• poem read prior to walking mediation at Paradise Park--Haloed Tree
• gift link to gobs more Inner Constellation poetry 
• Inner Constellation blog articles on Bladder Meridian and Kidney Meridian
• Link to more IC Meridian Articles.
• talk by Thich Nhat Hanh on the Three Kinds of Energies that might strengthen your practice. It can be watched or downloaded in mp3 format for your listening enjoyment.
  
  
  If you would like to deepen your work with Mindfulness and the season of Winter, please don't hesitate to contact me and we can set up a private session. Also, Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community meets every Wednesday morning, 7:30a-8:30a at The Studio Lake Tahoe for community practice. Check out LTMC's Facebook page for the latest. Thanks to everyone who joined together on Saturday to practice--may it nourish us, our loved ones and our community. Look forward to the Spring Retreat, March 21, 2014 from 8:00a-11:00am. 

Create Good Will--Devonte Hart Sure Did!

Devonte Hart, 12 years old, and Sgt. Barnum hug at Oregon protests

A good friend told me about this amazing photograph that went viral as soon as it hit social media, and I had to do my research! A young man, Devonte Hart, decided to hold a sign, "Free Hugs," during a demonstration in Portland. When officer Barnum saw Devonte holding the sign and crying, he approached, started up a conversation and then asked for one of his hugs. 

People are good, and strive for the good in others to come out and shine through. Thank you, Devonte Hart and Sgt. Bret Barnum for knowing this and being courageous examples of hope in the midst of turmoil. You are both Inner Constellation Freedom Series Heroes and your story will inform our Winter Retreat this coming Saturday, December 13. 

To inspire your practice in the meantime here's video of this amazing story with an interview from Sgt. Barnum. Here's an article on the miracles that you might not know as a result of that sweet moment above, one of which is that the amateur 20 year old photographer has now been discovered and the above photo was his first published work. See how good will spreads--shine on! I love this story.

Winter Mindfulness Retreat

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I just finished my advent wreath and lit the first week's candle, then shared a lovely dinner with my beloved by the evening fire, soaking in the theme for this coming Saturday's retreat--stillness;. Ahhh, there seems no better theme with all the holiday hubbub upon us. I've been in weekly conversations with community members about the importance of strengthening the calm reserves within each of us. I'm looking most forward to coming together to explore the conditions of stillness that empower our practices and create a nourishing space. We'll be practicing the postures of sitting, walking, standing and lying down meditations at The Studio Lake Tahoe and Paradise Park (weather permitting). Please bring a cushion for comfort and a mug and spoon for warm, sustaining beverages and soup. The winter season will be our inspiration and guide on this precious day. Hope to see you there.