3 breaths

mjd - 2016 - 3 breaths

in my young adulthood, i learned the practice of stopping during the day to take 3 deep breaths. inhaling through the nose to the count of 5 and exhaling through the mouth with slightly pursed lips to the count of 7 quickly showed me how shallowly i was breathing in my constricted, tension-filled chest. 

mjd - 2016 - 3 breaths

a deep sense of peace, awareness and grounding were immediately experienced and i found myself returned to the present with an awakened mind. to this day, i often notice that some of my senses are heightened for a bit afterwards. one of the greatest benefits (to my thinking) of having a practice that is grounding is how it can turn knee jerk reactions into thoughtful responses because you have been able to take a step back from your emotions instead of being engulfed by them. we all get triggered, but at least we can come at it from a more stable, less inflamed base. 

mjd - 2016 - 3 breaths

these are my interpretation of the tibetan buddhist 108 bead mala. in place of the guru bead, i have placed 3 markers (in copper, sterling or sterling and gold) to remind you of the breathing practice and to move you through it. the full piece is hand knotted to secure the 108 beads. 

every day awakening

mjd - 2014

every day contains the opportunity 

to awaken.

we think of spring as earth's awakening,

but it occurs each day

whether or not we take notice.

there is a season for all things in nature -

and all deserve our attention

and wonder.

the same applies to you -

days of questions

days of answers

we don't always know what we are going to get.

but we can make the effort

to be sure we are present

so as to know the difference

and to learn whatever lesson

each holds.

so long as you breathe,

it's never too late. 

mjd - 2013 awakening

this is your life.

you stand inside the arena

whether you wish it

or not. 

some people move

in leaps and roars

others

on tip toes and in whispers

most of us

fall somewhere in the middle. 

mjd - 2013

it matters not

how you do it,

only that you do it.

that you participate

and you add your voice. 

that you share your living

your loving

your self.

at this moment

you stand inside the arena,

don't miss out

because you were asleep. 

becoming conscious (again and again)

experimenting with transparent enamel over stamped metal

we cannot remain conscious of everything all the time.

beliefs & ideas do not sit like oil upon water -

they rise and fall,

often lying just below the surface.

and like the pebbles we see

through the clear waters of a stream,
by quieting the mind

we become aware of their existence.

then we have only to reach for them,

so that once again

they are ours

gently cupped in the palm of knowing.