Tender Vesak Day!!!

Last evening's beautiful full moon marked the celebration of  the Buddha: the cycle of his birth, enlightenment, passing and continuation.

Light plays a dominant role in the Vesak celebration festivities as a reminder of our own Buddha Nature--the seed of goodness within that if watered, grows throughout our lives and influences those around us.

This day's blessing is inspired by the light inside every living being:

Vesak
©Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com 

Seed of awakening
planted within,
Moon kissed.
Will you water it?

The importance of self care so we can care for others seems to perfectly encapsulate our May Inner Constellation theme of "tenderness." I've heard many laments this month about how difficult it can be to be tender towards ourselves. Tenderness is a daily practice--a commitment to mindfully attend to one's "Inner Constellation," take care of our sufferings and cultivate peace and understanding within. Mindfulness of one's body, mind, emotions and mental state is a vital part of the Buddha's teachings. When we are clear and without interferences, we are more fully present for our loved ones and our community. Mindfulness, gentle attending, practice, more mindfulness...thank you Buddha for your wisdom....

May you have a happy, full-moon, lighted up day with much love and care on this tender Vesak weekend!

Summer Mindfulness Retreat: July 17, 2016; theme "Harmony"

LTMC has expanded our seasonal retreat by one hour at suggestion of participants to enjoy more time together, three hours wasn't enough! On Sunday, July 17, please bring silverware, cup and plate for yummy victuals and light fare if you would like to share. We try to keep it simple and sustainable. Harmony is our theme--how lovely for the summer months. LTMC looks forward to practicing with you and restoring and nourishing ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. Peaceful steps....

Blanket of Tenderness...Ahhhhh....

"...Turn, every turn, Little Bud...."

Happy Spring and soon to be Mother's Day! I've been pondering a question--when something potentially challenging is coming up, is it possible to ease off the petal and nurture oneself in preparation? I believe this question prompted May's Inner Constellation theme of "tenderness." I have a challenging invitation coming up and I as I slow down to prepare another interesting question has surfaced: If I were to write inspiration to myself when I'm in the thick of it, what would I write? Well, a poem of course--a short, sweet reminder of the Eternal....

Spring Sermon

©2016 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

A blanket of tenderness covers,

receive its warmth.
Unfold as a new bud to sunshine
and provide an open surface
for rays to land.

Clouds, rain, sleet and snow;
yet, Eternal Light remains, warm and true.
Turn, ever turn, Little Bud:
Stop,
Notice,
Return,
Breathe. …
A blanket of tenderness covers.

Purple Rain on Earth Day

"Purple rain, purple rain....I only want to see you underneath the purple rain."

I heard the news yesterday afternoon with nostalgia--remembering his amazing vocal range, Prince was at times unbelievable to me, magic. He is an amazing example of someone who broke stereotypes and refused labels and in the process gave his audience an intimate performance of music. His lyrics are so poetic, my heart was won at an early age.

Yesterday, I went on with my day and in the evening, I noticed I had a heavy-heart, very unlike me, and as I did my evening chores, I couldn't quite put my finger on it; then one of my Tahoe moms sent a text:

"Are you sad that Prince died?"

Yes, yes indeed I am.  I hummed Purple Rain most of the day and realized we lost a holy one who knew he was in his element when he was singing--he exuded that in his voice, in his flowy actions, in his impact. When we are in our groove, Momma Earth sends that vibration out to the four corners and beyond--we strike chords within the hearts of many and that precious gift lives beyond form.

Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing
It's time we all reach out for something new,  that means you too...                                 let me guide you to the purple rain 

RIP, sweet Prince.

(Re)Birth of O Mio Babbino Caro

Watch Amira's performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpLfncliwU 

Happy Spring, Beautifuls! April's Inner Constellation theme is "birth." One of the most prominent appearances of new beginnings is the introduction to Amira Willighagen from Holland. She is this month's inspirational figure for the IC Freedom Series category of this blog--a person who has the influence to orient others in the direction of True North. Words can't do justice in describing this amazing young person...so without further ado, please sit back and enjoy a treat....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpLfncliwU

Teaching oneself to sing opera via YouTube, really? Have you ever attempted to sing opera? Perhaps you can sing beautifully too! Without any preconceived notion of failure, Amira, age 6 at the time, begins...and listen to what is born--a voice "so pure and so beautiful," as remarked by one of those who truly heard. Amira is a poster child for turning toward what inspires, what is wholesome and beautiful and allowing whatever it is to move through you and become a vehicle of expression--perhaps this is one definition of birth. Her talent is not hers alone, however (thanks to YouTube (!), grandma Elsa who listened and encouraged, her parents, violinist brother who inspired her, Holland's Got Talent, the Golden Ticket). The interbeing nature of all the bright North Stars who influenced Amira's young life are many.  

In the month of April, what will you encourage to move through you? Spring time holds the energy of the earth as it is reborn--growth is unstoppable as it moves up and out, gifting us with its expression in the form of green grass, flowers, newborns and the voice of an angel....

Here's a link to Amira Willighagen's Album on YouTube if more infusion is needed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFDE5hDtTo&list=PL4dWT5w6l2Q2RI7bcS1LhPgvipYglXlhh

May you have a blessed spring, inspired by beauty, peace and happiness.

Grace of Spring

Good morning spring bunnies and snow angels, on this snowy Tahoe morning! Spring Retreat on Saturday was a nourishing day with ten of us in attendance, enjoying sitting and walking with the theme of "Grace." Reflections were many including:

How gracefully the grass grows....
Everything in nature knows innately what to do....

In springtime, life greens without effort, naturally; so too, do we move in the direction of transformation. No matter the snow falling on our tender leaves, we turn and turn and keep turning, toward light and understanding. Growth seems an innate process and one that we can observe deeply in our own lives. By mindfully turning our attention to the present moment, we can resource all the conditions in our environment that nurture happiness; as a result, insight happens quite naturally--

Present,
Open,
Without resistance--
the flow of grace comes.

I'm greening, how about you? One more thing in wrapping up Spring Retreat--the yummy sweet potato and spinach stew was a huge success, we licked the crock pot clean (mindfully, of course)! So, here's the recipe. It was originally shared by sweet Robin Cecelia:
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/southshore/snews/15908672-113/yummy-fixins-west-african-inspired-stew

May you enjoy your spring: growing, blossoming, smiling with ease and grace.

Grace Poured

Tomorrow is Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community's Spring Retreat! I'm looking most forward to the day and spending time together with the theme of "grace."

I'm remembering a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh in which he mentioned grace being compared to insight--the direct result of what happens when we use our mindfulness to become still and concentrated. The quote on the left seems to capture this idea.

In the last few weeks, I've pondered ideas and definitions of grace. One concept was spoken by a friend in the practice who had recently lost a child. This friend mentioned deep appreciation for "being held" by community. In the midst of suffering there was comfort, love and understanding--ie, grace. Support was loaned by those stable in the practice and they were truly present in the midst of her suffering.

The comparison to life as a constant, moving river is a common one. What if grace might be the ability to be carried by the river without resistance, or, when resistance is felt, working with dissolving our resistances rather than adding to them. I'm presently practicing this application of grace. Grace is like the nudge reorienting us to our North Stars--love, compassion, peace--to remember and get in touch with the reality of what matters most. I feel a poem snippet coming on....


Grace Poured

What if grace is--

being carried by the river of life without resistance,
or...when rock or log pops up,breath, become water--continue flowing,
and go around.

©2016 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Tomorrow is a morning of springtime grace, poured out by Momma Earth and all the bright stars of LTMC. We hope you can join us. Feel free to visit our Facebook page for more information. Love and gratitude to all of you as we are mindfully go as a river through this beautiful life together.