Sunday 1 May 2016

Perfect Book At The Perfect Time

I am thrilled when I find a book that gives me words to explain concepts I have already begun to experience directly for myself.

Such is the case with this one:


It feels perfect to have started reading it at Wesak, while under the expansive influence of the sacred mountain and observing the five elements - earth, air, fire, water, and space - dance together here at Lake Shastina.



The author shares shamanistic concepts from the Tibetan Bön about how the five elements of earth, water, fire and air are accessed through the raw powers of nature and through non-physical beings associated with the natural world.  In the Tibetan tantric view, the elements are recognized a five kinds of energy in the body and he explains how to use them to balance oneself moment-to-moment.  In the highest teachings, Dzogchen, the elements are understood to be the radiance of being that are accessed through pure awareness.

The author's purpose in writing this book is to strengthen our connection to the sacred aspect of the natural world.

"This is a manual for replacing an anxious narrow, uncomfortable identity with one that is expansive, peaceful, and capable.  And the world, too, is transformed from dead matter and blind processes into a sacred landscape filled with an infinite variety of living forces and beings."

I love reading this book because the author's way of writing is very clear and direct and easy to understand.

I highly recommend it to anyone who feels the call to read it!!!

It's available at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Form-Energy-Light-Shamanism/dp/1559391766/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462135599&sr=1-1&keywords=healing+with+form%2C+energy+and+light

ENJOY!!!



Big Blessings From The Little Things in Life

Happy May Day!
May, 1, 2016



Here at Lake Shastina, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the little things that come into my experience. My awareness of them is greatly amplified by the immense, rarefied presence of the mountain.



I was thrilled to get this brief, one-second video of a visiting hummingbird as it darted away!



Since then, I have had time to sit out on the deck, absorbing the sunshine, watching the cat,


and not only hearing but feeling the hummingbirds whizz by me on their way to and from their feeder.



We’ve also had stormy, rainy and cold days and I just caught the tail end of what was a double rainbow with its blessing of soft colors before it dissolved and disappeared.



One clear and very cold day, I went outside to discover I had competition for the protected corner of the deck where warmth from the sun could best be felt and enjoyed.



A couple of days ago, a neighbor, Susan, took me into town for groceries.  On the way in we saw a man walking along the side of the road wearing a day pack, with a large cat perched on his shoulders.  (Oh, I wish I’d gotten a picture of that!)  Witnessing the two of them traveling together like that made for a very delightful moment!

On our return to Lake Shastina, Susan took the back road, and we got to watch several peacocks.



We were privileged to witness part of their courtship ritual.



The impact of their stunning colors 



was matched by their powerful calls.



Life is so precious!!!