mjd offerings p. 42

it's ok to still be raw, be numb - i am. this was a shock - for me, the grief has everything to do with what was validated by so many. my heart is still fluttery with anxiety. but less than yesterday. 

so the fact remains -

we are here

now.

we are not in uncharted waters - history gives us much guidance for cases like this. 

we have seen that people with conviction, love and compassion can move mountains in the face of adversity. so let's start (in a focused and intentioned way) strengthening and stretching those muscles.

perhaps we begin thinking about metta practice or loving kindness meditation. 

the idea that 'just as i want to be happy, all beings want to be happy'

it starts with directing it towards the self - 

because how can we help others if we are not taking care of ourselves?

metta progresses - 

from "i"

to a benefactor

a being(s) for whom you feel love

a being(s) for whom you feel neutral 

a being(s) for whom your feelings are conflicted 

thich nhat hanh gives us this to work with:

may i be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit

may i be safe and free from injury

may i be free from anger, afflictions, fear and anxiety.

as your practice progresses, 

you will recite this with 'i', with 's/he' and 'they'.

but we aren't at the end yet. 

we're at the beginning. 

let's start with love - 

loving ourselves so we can extend love to others in a healthy way -

and kindness.

you are a light in the darkness

you are important and necessary

you are allowed to be sad and disappointed (or whatever you are feeling)

but please don't get stuck there. 

we can do this - 

together. 

it's been done before and we can continue the tradition. 

namaste -  

you are home

mjd - 2016 - 'you are home' mala

with offering bowl

there is no where else to go,

there is no one else to be,

you are home.

mjd - 2016 - 'you are home'

there is no map for finding yourself.

you are already an inextinguishable light.

know that all you need to find inner peace

exists within you. 

mjd - 2016 - 'you are home' mala

with offering bowl

i am home

i am home

i am home

spoken 108 times must surely bring you closer to believing. 

the bowl hits around belly button level - or in the area of the sacral chakra. the place of compassion, emotional stability. 'i am home' demonstrates a confidence, a comfort in your own skin that allows you to be honest and open. 

mjd - 2016 - amazonite & riverstone japa mala

with trembling voice

and shaking confidence

you question -

why am i here

what is my purpose

who can i touch

when do i begin 

how do i know?

mjd - 2016

the moment is now.

breathe deeply

open your heart

find your place

of stillness and power.

attend to the one you are with

let the love flow

and, most of all, 

trust.

mjd - 2016

the sky is big and blue and deep

the earth is solid at your feet

you belong 

to all that is.

stand within it

in grace and strength

and believe.

the truth you hold

is needed 

at each and every moment. 

chin up

shoulders square

heart soft

mind clear.

what you offer

is held by none other.

make the difference

that is yours alone to create.

mjd - morning intention set into bowl - 2015

as the moon sets

and the sun rises

may i begin my day

awake.

may i move through

each moment

mindfully

lightly 

and with clarity.

mjd - morning intention set into bowl -2015

a heart 

bursting with love,

a mind

propped open,

may i shine

to lessen 

the darkness

of 

another being's

suffering.

mjd - morning intention set into bowl -2015

love in all you do -

mjd 2015 - wip, custom order - make with love

part of the design decision for this bowl was how to integrate the heart. cut it out? set it cleanly? allow it to begin to melt?

it set me off to thinking about how we make, do, live. does it all come from love or is it something you have to mindfully apply -

ideally, with an open heart everything is set with an intention of love. it is not an added bonus but rather an inextricable part of our thoughts, words and actions. in the beginning, we might need to remind ourselves of this. but like any other habit, with repetition and attention, it becomes second nature. love is entering and leaving you with each breath and through that membrane of physical body that separates us from each other. 

we can pick up on each other's energies - fear and anger are very easy to sense. they are heavy. joy is lighter. love is any myriad of sensations - it depends upon how you can receive it and how it is offered. 

i think that at its best, love is gentle and grounding. but that's me. 

------------------

anything we make

anything we do

should involve love 

as a part of it. 

integral to the meaning

to the intention

and 

coming from the very same 

material

be it blood & sweat

or

brass & sterling.

you cannot merely add love

on afterwards

like sprinkles

on a cupcake.

it's either there

or

it isn't. 

come from a place of love

and all you do

say and think

will be infused,

spreading that which

the world most needs. 

you are home

mjd 2015 - offering bowl

there is no where else to go

there is no one else to be

you are home.

there is no treasure hunt 

to find yourself -

you are already

an inextinguishable light.

learn to be

grow quiet

dig in

right here

right now.

know that all you need 

to find inner peace

already exists within you.

on joy

i grow still 

because 
if i 
do not

i fear 

i will shatter into a million pieces

or
i will lose my center again
after the light inside fought so valiantly
to show me the way
out of the deepest darkness
i had ever known.

i grow still

because
when i do

it is always the right thing to do.

because 
when i do

i feel everything

and that includes joy.

not the momentary exuberance 
that the monkey mind knows.

but joy

warm
and
glowing

the kind you feel 
when you find yourself
being grateful for 
everything
and 
everything
brings you contentment.

and the other positive emotions?
they all keep company, like the best of friends.



so why not choose joy?

the bedrock i stand upon is peace and stillness.
from that place, i can open-mindedly assess whatever comes my way.

while it is oh-so-easy to get pulled off center,

you can always find your way back

by practicing that which you desire to be - 

and so we dance, round and round with ourselves
learning all the while...

meditating with metal

this week was all about making pieces, small and large... getting into zen mode... 

'move and the way will open.'

 ~ zen proverb

'only from the heart can you touch the sky.'
~ rumi

(obvious)

'fall down seven times
stand up eight.'
~ japanese proverb

'actions send out ripples
karma brings them back.'

working in this way can be so relaxing - trying to grab a hold of thoughts and feelings and bringing them to life... 

the work of life

'i will not let anyone walk through my mind with dirty feet.'
- gandhi

'no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.'

- eleanor roosevelt

like meditation and yoga, self-healing is a practice... it is daily work... i have certain mantras that i use in different situations, while striving to do and not just to try... being immersed in my creative space can even temporarily free me from negative feelings or environmental conditions and guide me toward those more uplifting...

'at times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.'
- albert schweitzer

i know i have used those words before, but they have a more universal application this time... that thanks go to family, friends, new acquaintances and members of this community... a reminder for me that those who extend compassion and/or empathy have their own lives as well... and it is critical not to drain their spirit... while never done selfishly, it is careless and unmindful... an extra amount of attentiveness to this is added to my list... for i definitely try to live by the 'first do no harm' principle & to be supportive of others... it is my sole responsibility to not let the tinders go out...

i know i am a bit of a quote hound, but i am inspired by the wisdom of those who have lived and lived well... so at the age of 43, here's a goal -

'i am not afraid of storms, for i am learning how to sail my own ship.'
- louisa may alcott