Independently Healthy

70'TH CYCLE AROUND THE SUN

Amazing and wonderful birthday week and birthday, celebrating with red and white roses and warm and beautiful connections with loved ones, a trip to hot springs, organizational adminstrative renewal, and deep quiet times as well.

Much gratitude to feel so well, and have such purpose in life with teaching and personal practice.

Love to family, friends, students, graduates, colleagues, neighbors and the wide world. Thanks for all the good wishes and effectionate messages, and heartfelt love for my children's gifts. I am surrounded by red and white roses.

Enjoying the journey home.

 

CRESTONE VISIT BEGINS WITH GOLDEN TURMERIC TEA

A beauteous drive from Boulder to Buena Vista through glorious golden and red autumn trees led us to soak for a couple of hours in Cottonwood Hot Springs before we arrived in Crestone, a spiritual center in Southern Colorado, lit by golden bushes brilliantly abundant on either side of the road to stop at the Lotus Cafe and Shambala Center where I ordered Turmeric Tea, a delicious golden drink mixed with honey and rice milk.

We found the adobe on Meadowlark only to find it was surrounded by golden bushes leading to a magnificent view of the Sangre de Crista Mountains. After watching a glorious sunset lighting up the world my daughter and I enjoyed an early night in the quiet starred deep of isolation returned with a bright clear morning perfect for restful sun bathing and studying my latest favorite book, Healing Spices by Aggarwal, reading about turmeric of course.

Jack, a student from the 80's when School of Natural Medicine was in the dome in Gold Hill, arrived after 1 pm to take us on a Crestone tour. Jack lives in a retreat hut on a Buddhist monk's land below the Stupa consecrated 15 years ago (Jack and I and Amy came for that ceremony) and devotes himself to building sacred buildings and living very simply.

We began with a visit to the Ziggarat, built by a Buddhist monk for his wife of the Zarathustrian faith, another golden building under a deep sapphire sky, where we walked the spiral staircase for a perfect view of the Sangre de Crista mountains, the Baca and the San Luis Valley.

Just down the road we paused to view the 11 tiered labyrinth based on the Chartres cathedral design at Ma's Temple of Consciousness ashram.

We stopped at Jack's Naga Water Temple, a sacred nature place he created and takes care of at the entrance drive to the Stupa.

When we reached the Karma Thegsum Tashi Gomang Tibetan Buddhist Tashi Gomang Stupa we were joined synchronisticly by Hanne Strong, the woman who gave the grants of land to all the spiritual centers on the Baca.

After this delightful encounter, we continued on to the Shumei Crestone Center - Home of the Shumei International Institute promoting the teachings of Japanese spiritual leader Mokichi Okada, where we watched a short DVD of their organization and teachings, enjoyed a tour of their beuatiful buildings and landscape and offered a prayer and received a healing blessing in their temple. I was very impressed by the simplicity and beauty of their center.

Just a little way down the road we visited the ashram, that is home to the divine mother, the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram where we enjoyed the beautiful altar, art, photographs of holy teachers in the soothing presence in the temple.

Next on our tour was the The Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, where Jack showed us the temple room he helped built and told us how one of his jobs was to climb into the metal Buddha and clean, paint and prepare it – someone took a photo of him standing inside the Buddha with his head peering out before they put on the Buddha's head. The Tibetan monk was radiantly welcoming, a golden heart love to our little group, and we felt blessed by the beauty, calm and peace of the temple.

A visit to the Lotus Cafe for Turmeric tea brought us back to the adobe for another early night. Our last day was devoted to lovely long soaks in high private pools at Valley View Hot Springs just north of Crestone, followed by a hospitable organic garden dinner by a friend Roy, sculptor, builder, artist and more, who donated Spilanthes herb to the school in Boulder and presented us with tsha tsha sculpture containing sacred texts from the consecration of the Stupa fifteen years ago.

A dawn drive returned us to Boulder and a new driveway for the School of Natural Medicine, a path of light buttery white yellow that expands and brightens the entry and parking to our temple of learning and healing. Much gratitude for a safe and beautiful journey. Of course, I enjoyed Turmeric tea, my now favorite morning drink, as I share this journey on the School News Blog!!!

Shoshoni Retreat in Colorado Golden Aspen Foothills

A two day retreat at Shoshoni is an immersion into alpine beauty, a harmonious community, fresh awe inspiring nature and sacred time. The ground sparkles with mica and I walk blessing the earth, the stone and the grounding created by spiritual leaders. The sky is a vault of far reaching blue and then storm clouds heavy dark rush through a dance of aspen leaves and I stand transfixed by the symphony.

Yoga classes, Ayurveda treatments, much quiet time. A temple ceremony to the Medicine Buddha and a kirtan of song and dance bring shaki bhaki alive and well in heart and soul. The food is vegetarian and they take great care to give me fine vegan options. The young staff are warm and friendly, entirely devoted and heart felt sincere. The wise teachers guide all with respectful presence.

I am very thankful for my Shoshoni time and I return renewed to a life of fullness, service, creativity and practice.

This weekend the holy oils of joy and blessing thrive in Essential Oils II class and I present at the Natural Home Funeral Alliance conference at the Boulder Unity Church Saturday on The Fragrant Passage: Death & Dying s a Spiritual Practice.

Last night I heard a most divinely beautiful presentation byTherese Shroeder-Sheker Blessed Journeys: Music Thanatology for those Daying at Home. I leave soon for the second part this morning and will blog this amazing work to share the Chalice of Respose project.

THE SIXTIES - SUMMER OF LOVE IN THE CITY OF ANGELS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Yes, the studio I had in 1965/66/67 still stands as lovely as ever on Nemo Street - the tiny street that creates a triangle out of Santa Monica Blvd and Doheny, behind the famous folk club, The Troubador. I drove by and took some pictures and my heart beat fast with the memory of that amazing time.

Flower Child in the Summer of Love by Farida Sharan is my book that describes and mythologically creates more truth than is possible from mere chronology or descriptions as it captures the energy and the magic of spiritual seeking in the psychedelic sixties. I have it up on amazon.com for the nostalgic readers wanting to know more of that amazing time.

Love Ins, Renaissance Faires, Jim Morrison, the Iron Butterfly, the Grateful Dead, a Haiku, Maui commune, the Sunset Strip store, The Psychedelic Conspiracy, Suzy Creamcheese, The Who, Haight Ashbury and more......  I received this email this morning as I was preparing this blog, so here is a recent review that I so love to receive from the young bright souls seeking to prepare for and understand the mystery and magic of their potential in this world.

"I read Flower Child and I just LOVE it! I love what a strong woman you are, even when you were young and vulnerable, you still had your vision and will to create more love and beauty in the world. You inspire me. For that I thank you Farida. So much love and gratitude, Mary, Fairfield, Iowa

INDIA RETREAT - AN INNER JOURNEY OF THE HEART OF THE SOUL

After my return from India and 2 1/2 weeks on an internal journey in my spiritual colony there is a process of reintegration of weaving what I received into my quiet life of teaching, writing and living in Boulder, Colorado. Though I share the outer journey, the inner journey cannot be described.

I arrived in spring greening New Delhi, India and on the first day March14th, my driver takes me to the embassy district of New Delihi where large trees are fully leafed and blossoming along the wide drives and flowering in the center of roundabouts. I spend the morning at my favorite spa, recovering from jet lag, a time in Delhi is too precious to waste sleeping. Then I meet Kashi, student Dila's dear childhood friend, who is a retired university professor and department head and now a journalist for lunch at a pure veg restaurant (uddapam's) and a lovely walk in spring time Lodhi Gardens (see photo). We meet Shri Harish Chandra, the publisher of The Old Man and His Soul, at my favorite Claridges Hotel and then I am ready for dinner at my place of hostel with many dear friends and a good long sleep.

The next day two dear friends join me for shopping: first Santoshti - a garden boutique shopping center where we also have lunch, then the famous Khan market with we shop (I find fantastic sandals) and also have massages, and then it really is time for bed and sleep as we depart early in the morning on the Express train for the north of India.

Days in my spiritual colony begin with meditation at 3 am, breakfast at 7:15, a good walk to the satsang grounds in the warmth and beauty of spring, sitting waiting surrounded by devotional songs, morning satsang with the Master with crowds of several thousand growing to hundreds of thousands over the weekend.

We walk back to the guest house and enjoy morning tea in the tea garden with dear friends, then perhaps a walk to the store, or a visit, or time in your room before a wonderful lunch of rice, dal, and salad. All lovely sunshine spring weather, with a hint of coolness in the morning and some fresh breezes that are so delightful. Lunch is followed by two hours of quiet private time before afternoon tea then the meeting with the Master for questions and answers. There are about 600 devotees in the quest house from all over the world. After supper, a walk around the colony before an early night and lights out at 9 pm.

I share The Old Man and the Soul, and find dear friends I have known, enjoying, reading it in one sitting, women crying as they read it, a General as well as a prince saying, "I am the Old Man," the heads of both Indian and English publishing loving it, the publishing departments wanting to publish it, and so on.

I love my visits and I am always ready to leave, full, happy, on the train and a brief return to Delhi. Once more the spa and then a long journey home.

ALL JOURNEYS ARE A JOURNEY TO SELF & SINGLE MOTHERS DESERVE ALL OF OUR LOVE & SUPPORT!

Visiting a daughter who is now a single parent, and offering loving support, compassion and sharing adventures is a melting of worlds. First I envision the journey imagining all the things I would like to share and give: nature, hot springs, offering treatments, making meals, buying things for my granddaughter. The arrival is wonderful of course. Very happy to see a beloved daughter. And then the mixing of world begins.

We then share a remarkable event where a gas pedal gets stuck and we can't stop the car on a freeway. I dive down and release the gas pedal then we drive perhaps 20 miles through winding roads where my daughter is able to press and then release it with her foot, Incredible! I am in admiration. Then it comes off. Quick to act she turns off the key and pulls over in an appropriate place and jumps out to ask advice from a truck parked nearby. At that moment an emergency vehicle drives by (and this is in wild far country) and she flags it down and I have AAA and he tows us to the repair shop. Amazing teamwork. Incredible intelligent daughter. I am in admiration. We both feel the loving hands of protection from the invisible forces of the universe.

So happy to see my granddaughter, we enjoy meals and snuggles and she insists on sleeping in her sleeping bag next to me so we can talk and share games. Hot springs. Hanging out. Deep conversations. Meals. Sharing the struggles of single parenthood. I am awake and clear in compassion, feeling the divine feminine nurturing forces of the universe strengthening through me to offer loving understanding.

Listening. Feeling. Hearing. Respecting. Relationship is about sensing another's reality. And so the journey is a mixing, a blending, a learning. I received much of what I imagined and even more as I shared my daughter's life and reality and became a part of their world for a while.

This sharing and respecting another's world is what comes through all my teaching of natural medicine. We learn how to be there for each other. We learn to let go of our imagination and projection and expectation and listen and feel and sense and respect in relationship. As our world becomes more sociopathic every year, I call out to all true human beings, to hold on to the slow peace that allows respect for others' points of view. Life is not about being right. It is not about winning. It is not about getting all you can out of others and this world. It is about being fully alive in your own being and contributing to the universe as you progress towards your highest purpose. My daughters teach me because they are different, because they have unique personalities and are children of their time. They have a right to be themselves and live their own life and follow their heart, their choices and their destinies. Meanwhile I hold the healing space for love and compassionate caring. I am there for them when they need me and I also have the grace of the joy of my own life. My young women students feel like my daughters as well and I feel blessed to help them learn life skills and support their emergence into strength and creativity!

On the way to the airport, I mistakenly think the speed limit is 65 as it is in Colorado, and I get pulled over as it is 55. The policewoman does not give me a ticket. The journey begins and ends with grace and protection and love. Single mothers may have a hard time in this culture, but the loving support of the universe is there and we feel it. Blessed be single mothers!

OFF TO HOLYDAYS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

After a week of quiet, rest and simply being with myself, I leave tomorrow for a few days in Northern California. I look forward to seeing daughter, lovely granddaughter and sharing hot springs, redwood forests and other adventures. Renewal at home is special, as one just relaxes into being, some days not even going anywhere! However, renewal with a journey with those you love returns you home to your own life, with a heart of gratitude.

Last night, Thomas, a previous student who attended one of my Puerto Rico naturopathy rejuvenation Ann Wigmore Institute living food retreats, dropped by the video he made of my reading at the Boulder Bookstore of The Old Man and His Soul. Hearing of his life and recovery from severe accidents, I am appreciative at the good and kind contributions fine people make in our community even as they are going through challenges. I hope to put it up on the blog for those who are interested to hear readings and share questions and discussions on our relationship with death and death as a spiritual adventure.

Enjoy this picture from Facebook, from a new friend, too good not to share. Yes, blessings flying to me on feathered wings, and gratitude flying from me to the divine source.

CHALLENGES - JEWELLS OF OPPORTUNITY OR TEARS!!

Just like these radiant glistening sparkling raindrops on the lotus leaf pads that rest on the pond underneath the swaying lotus flowers, buds, leaves and pods, challenges can be viewed according to our choice to experience a state of mind - will it be tears and suffering or are we able to see the brilliant diamond jewels of opportunity to keep our mind in check and respond with loving kindness, patience, tolerance, acceptance and appropriate respectful behavior.

While enjoying bliss, happiness, enjoyment, healing, community, nature, truth teachings, friendship, excellent food and treatments, classes and more at Body Mind Retreat near Ithica, upstate New York, I also worked with a challenge. Whenever the difficulty arise, I adjusted, communicated and surrendered - taking the spiritual opportunity to accept, release and find new ways of behavior that did not interrupt of harm my experience.

Back in Boulder at my live work condo, since the end of May, I have had to endure the sound of my neighbor's air conditioning (on the roof it pounds into the structure, vibrating and pulsing at regular intervals and as my neighbor has allergy issues he cant use the aircon that brings in fresh air). It is only due to his kindness of turning it off at 10 and not starting till 8 am that I am able to sleep - yes it is that bad and my landlords after much resistance on their part to even checking it out finally said if I didn't like it I could just move - so move is not a question so I lived with it as best I could.

I was lucky to get a spot - David made a place for me - at the last moment in a tent - I was thrilled - a tent, a wood, sounds of leaves and crickets - sounded like heaven, but when I arrived the tent was near to the bathhouse - so lights all through the night illuminating my tent, doors, feet, talking, sounds of fan, and yes, sounds of dryers - all my not favorite sounds for rest, meditation and sleep. So after the first night I tell David about the dryers and immediately signs are posted so that no one can use them after 9 and until 8 - sounds like a repetition of my home scene - so I accept that the universe is giving me a resistance to work with. Then when I am not dead to the world after the traveling there, the lights begin to tell on me with 3 sleepless nights, so I go to Marcia, and immediately she installs shades that make it so dark, I cannot see without a flashlight. Don't you just love their listening and their response?

So then it is up to me. As I rest and cleanse and heal, I find my nervous system is less reactive. I am warm with requests to other women if needed and they all respond with caring. Once I used my Bose earphones when someone left their alarm on while in early morning meditation. I listened to raindrops to get me through. All in all, I practiced, as we are meant to do, spirituality isn't real if it isn't part of living and the small interactions and details of life. Needless to say, I have booked the single private with bathroom that is the most like a cave for next year.

LEAVING OH OH!!!!!! BEHIND FOR OH!

When it's an Oh Oh, you feel there is a problem but when it is Oh! you are experiencing even difficulties or challenges and the mental states potentially accompanying them as a choice to be inwardly present with grace.

Today is departure. Last night two hours of incredible appreciation, love sharing, and praise for this beautiful place, the harmony, the community and so much more. I see this place as a great fountaining from invisible realms as blessings bestowed from the devotion, practice and service of David and Marcia. I certainly felt nourished, safe, supported on every level to be my highest Self in both the personal work and the play, and I lost over 12 pounds.

I return for the program August 15th 2011. Body Mind Retreat Ithica NY, I depart only to return. Here is my tent in the woods. YAY!!!

Wendy the Weaver from Boulder in about 100 yards from my school in North Boulder and we plan many fun connections and fine raw food sharings. Hope, an amazing healer and bodyworker, is a little further north and Sandra, an artist, is closer to Lyons. I have made new friends that are near to me at home and their presence here has been delightful.

DEPTH HEALING OF BODY AND MIND

Over the years I have been to so many retreat centers - 12 times to Ann Wigmore, Puerto Rico - 2 times to Private Island & also one The Farm in the Philippines, Tao Garden in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 7 times to Institute of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences in Bangalore, India - Naturopathy Hveregethi Hot Spring and Mud Therapy Center in Iceland - Healing Centers in England and probably more, and have enjoyed detox and rejuvenation so that I may continue to be a living example of my work.

Body Mind Retreat Center offers a combination of all my favorite things - nature, sauna, pond swimming, pure cleanse food that is tasty and feels good, wonderful treatments, good company, spiritual inspiration, and continuous evolution. I am very happy, beyond pleased, and delighted to have integrated the healing energies of this place and the dedication and harmony of the Director/Owner/Teachers David and Marcia into my being. I plan to return next year.

Every morning in yoga we dedicate a prayer in sanskrit as an offering so that all beings my be happy. Here is a place that helps beings become happy through the offering of a retreat that gives participants the opportunity to work on themselves. I have learned much as always and return renewed for the autumn session of School of Natural Medicine teachings.

FULLNESS, ONENESS, RECEIVING BECOMING

  We have passed the crest of the 12 day retreat at Body Mind Retreat, and after tonight, only three more nights, and then it is the return to my life and teaching in Boulder, Colorado, something I am very happy to do. Now, there is a feeling of fullness, of having become this beautiful place, become one with community and enjoyment of connection, but also the gifts received to offer on the return.

The food still tastes delicious, the sauna and pool swimming delicious, the grace of the trees, the sounds in the woods when I am in my tent, the smiles and bright eyes of the many magnificent beings here, the conscious classes, the zendo offerings, all fullness and a part of me within. Gratitude. I am already planning to return next year.

Saturday was our day off. My dear friend Michael from New York drove down and we enjoyed a day, part of which was a hike deep into a gorge where a great waterfall felt like the grace that is falling for the gift of being renewed, rejuvenated, reborn for a new cycle. On one side of the gorge trees hung where large roots clung to shale that shattered like leaves cascading down the sides. The other a limestone cathedral carved by glaciers. Dramatic. We skipped on stones as we walked back on the stream bed as I used to do a a child. The full joy of that sunny day is absorbed quietly in this next rainy cool day as I flow with the changes and unfolding.

Today a most wonderful Authentic Movement class where my body felt like fluid energy unwinding and spiraling in incredible flow. There is no separation. There is only becoming part of oneness everywhere I am.

LEARNING TO ACCEPT LOSS WITH GRACE

Another full day at Body Mind Retreat, a rainy day, pouring is great day for a long sauna and swims in silky smooth rainy waters, a great day for a long meditation. Wonderful food as usual even though it is detox. A musical evening. A hot water bottle.

The teaching in the Zendo was based on learning to accept loss during life as preparation for dying where we experience loss of everything – possessions, family, body - everything. Another fresh perspective.

Today the sun is shining full and bright, The lotuses are open and here is the picture of them with their diamond raindrops - no way my camera can capture their brilliant radiance! A great sense of energy and wellness and tomorrow my dear friend, Michael, arrives for the day, to explore Ithaca and the waterfalls and gorges and enjoy good company.

While away students are enrolling, confirming classes. The UK school is moving to Cambridge UK from Devon. All in change and evolution unfolding. What a universe we are part of!

THE SECRET OF CALM & PEACE & HAPPINESS

There is a calm soft peace here at Body Mind Retreat. Much is due to the spacious beautifully landscaped natural gardens and ponds and views, but beyond that the secret is the Zen teachings that David and Marcia live by and David shares in his talks and meditation offerings. Last evening in the Zendo, listening to the teachings of mind, a phrase caught my attention. I always love to hear truth spoken with fresh words from a new point of view.

Disempower the externals. Empower the internal. Do not let the externals control our state of mind. Practice toward a peaceful, calm internal world that is not aggressive to external events even when we are hurt or when we experience loss or pain, or do not get what we want. Simple. True. Love it!

Today it rained beautifully through many leafed trees while I sat in the Zendo on my own. When I walked by the lotus pond the drops of rain gathered like jeweled diamond necklaces on the lotus leaves. I will share the photo tomorrow. Then I found a peacock feather - another lustrous jewel.

SOWING THE SEEDS OF GOOD HEALTH

Cause and effect are simultaneous - we reap the effect of past causes as we sow new seeds for the future. I am so aware of this here at Body Mind Retreat, as each meal passes with delicious energy soup, salad and ginger lemon rejuvelac, as the sauna and swim releases and clears the system, as the yoga invigorates and stretches and expands the body, as one sleeps deeply to the sounds of the forest.

I adore feeling well. I adore energy and clarity. I adore strength and flexibility. I am willing to live simply and do my best to keep healthy however these rejuvenative retreats seem to be needed from time to time to to release and welcome new patterns.

The lotus seed pod growing within the lotus flower reminds me of my Nam Yoho Renge Kyo days in the late 60's and early 70's - simultaneous cause and effect together in every moment.

LOTUS SOULS & A LOTUS POND - BODY MIND RETREAT

A Zen teacher, David, wakes us at 6 am with an accordian playing 'Morning is Breaking' and thus begins our Body Mind Retreat in the woods near Ithaca New York. I am living in a tent that celebrates rain falling in light showers, crickets, birds and the sounds of leaves rustling. My idea of heaven.

The day is full with yoga, rest by the lotus pond, saunas, swimming in the pond, and very delicious living food - energy soup with zing, juices, salads fresh from the garden and rejuvelac blended with ginger and lemon.

I enjoyed a Zen meditation session last night and a rejuvenative class. Different subjects and classes as you wish. All is easy, relaxed and so much beautiful nature to find your own place and space. 

I am here until the 20th and loving this new home for my body, mind and soul.

Hope, who I met when she attended the Frankincense deep sea Water cleanse in Hawaii with me some years so, was the connection to find my way here. Michael, from New York, drives up Saturday to say hello, and he attended several of the Wigmore Puerto Rico Naturopathy Living Food Retreats with me. Yet everyone here feels like an old friend too. Life is miraculous all ways!!!  Signing off - more later.

A MOST LOVING & BEAUTIFUL ARTIST'S CARD

When a beloved granddaughter sends you a birthday card with loving wishes and says, this is you, Amma, showing how you recreated your school in Boulder, not only is my heart touched, but tears come to my eyes. Don't you just love The Big Boom  and the Boom Boom Boom Boom - the big bang and the cosmic boom along the bottom of her drawing.

Yes, it feels like it did take major energy to create this oasis of healing, but more than worth it in every way when you are in tune with the fractal unfolding of the universe.

School of Natural Medicine has manifested in this world on an even more profound way. Thank you divine forces of the universe, on this my birthday, for the contractions, no matter how difficult, because they prepare the way for the expansions of creativity and love.

DEVON SPRING, & A SEASIDE COTTAGE ARE MY HEART SONG

Two days in a Devon countryside cottage by the sea activated my inner and outer child, as I walked through moist lush emerald landscapes, breathing in the fresh air fragrant with blossoms, watching baby lambs, blowing dandelion puffs, loving the flowering walls, the great tree canopies, the bluebells, and the spring showers. There is nothing like a hedgerow bursting with life and scampering little critters to make your heart sing.

I find heart stones on a stony beach while listening to lapping waves. The sea is quiet today, the air lightly breezy, the sun comes and goes, and sprinkles of rain feel light and fresh on your face.

It has been a wonderful visit, loving appreciative students sharing the blessings of therapeutic anointing, master touch reflexology and the mystery of life. I am pleased the UK School of Natural Medicine is blossoming with the spring during its third year. I come as a patron to support and contribute and build an oasis of health and healing for those who seek quality healing arts training and personal self healing evolution.

Branscombe is the home of the lacemakers and smugglers. I stay in a lacemakers cottage and imagine their patterns filling the air. The ladies there made Queen Victoria's lace wedding shawl.

The coves and harbors are full of history. The church is 11th century, ancient Norman and pre Norman. This Jurassic coast reveals a deeper older history in its fossils. Sidmouth is a bustling market town full of cafes, boutiques and gift shops.

I have tea with Christine Lee, a famous British sculptor, who created the swans at Stratford on Avon, and was honored by the Queen of England. I flow between cultures as I lived in England twelve years, and enjoy the tea, conversation and her beautiful paintings, drawings and sculptures. I find her cottage in Otterton by the 17 foot swan sculptures by the door.

I am pleased as I drive out of history, take the 3 1/2 hour train journey to London's delights, smiling to myself. "I know how to holiday! Two days in an English village and I am renewed!!

RED CARPETS, RED ROSES, EARTH CHAKRA

The last time I saw my spiritual teacher in India, I spoke to him from my heart with an almost unbearable welling of love that helped me to overcome my awe, and I said,"Only you can make the roses bloom on our ladder of thorns, so that the silk of our soul will slip gracefully and beautifully away from this body and this world." 

My spiritual teacher had a rose garden and I always associated him with the flowers he loved, and the many photographs he took of each one as it bloomed to perfection. I often thought that he must think of his disciples as flowers in the garden of the soul, and longed for that moment for him to consider my completion before the winged fluttering of my soul returned to its eternal home.

When I was creating my golden teaching room, I ordered deep dark gold carpets from Greece, but when they arrived after two months, the color was yellow gold, and I had to return them. What will I do now?. However, the next day I had to visit Pier One to pick up some green boxes to store teachings supplies for the different trainings, and lo and behold, there hung a 5 x 9 red rose carpet from India. I shouted. I danced. I felt blessed. I gave thanks. A week later, I went to Pier One to order another red rose carpet, and the owner gave my second red rose carpet, one someone had not picked up, just in time for the School of Natural Medicine International Open House the next day.

Two weeks later, I went to order my third one, to complete the space, and they had just come in, and I received my third red rose. Finally, a couple of weeks later, after four months of seeking, I found the sofa I had been seeking, and I went to Pier One to buy pillows, and lo and behold, there hung another red rose, and so I could not resist, and now four red roses are the ground I dance on, live on, sit on, and look at. I am truly in my soul garden of blessings.

FRACTAL LEAPS

When the universe sends resistance your way sometimes the only way is to take a Fractal Leap over it, even when you are not ready, even though it is difficult and even though you would rather be doing something else.

Fractal Leaps are those solutions, often seemingly divinely guided, when you are forced to do something before its time. The learning curve can be stressful. It can make you grumpy. If there is a deadline often you make it just at the last minute.

This happened to me last week - a Fractal Leap into a total upgrade!!! I was all set to teach two wonderful days of Iridology when my digital projection system would not work and neither would my old TV monitor. Bill tried to help me out before he left after his three teaching days, but to no avail.

I woke up in the morning with A PROBLEM. Class starting at 3 pm and no way to project powerpoints. What could I do? Bill's suggestion was to get the digital up and running, but my inner voice said, "You don't like digital projectors - the noise, the lack of clarity, and having to be in a dark room." Moving forward was the direction, so I took myself down to Apple Computers at the Boulder 29th Street Mall, and bought a fantastic 27" iMac, and after a wild ride with cables that did not work, managed with assistance from my wonderful computer guy, Dave at MacWorks, and with 10 minutes to spare, we got it up and running.

Clarity, Brilliance. Beauty, Perfect Color. All in a room lightly shaded from afternoon sun. Fantastic. So I am now deep in the learning curve. Had to buy a new MacBook Pro to go with the IMac for travel, so moving on to iWork, and Aperture and other changes. Love keeping up with upgrades, but this one was before its time - the latest FRACTAL LEAP. Thank you universe. What a gift!! Glad I managed the wild ride!!

SPRING!!! LET YOUR INNER BEAR COME OUT TO PLAY

Spring is here and March and April snowstorms may come and go but the sun shines and growth is stirring, and the bears come out an play. This baby bear loves yoga already! Hibernation is over – let's stretch and roll on the grass and celebrate spring!

Time to walk and stretch and swim at night in the snow. Time to sunbathe when the sun is hot midday and receive all that nourishing Vitamin D. Time to sow seeds. Time to play.

I am looking forward to Devon in early May, a million bluebells on the coast walks, hedgerows alive with greening and bird song. Magnificent immense Bach flower Chestnuts alight with hundreds of candling blossoms. I am a May baby and spring is my thing. Even the bear loves yoga stretches. In Canada, where I was raised in British Columbia, we had to watch out for sleepy spring bears.

End your winter hibernation. Find your inner bear and move on out! Going for my spring walk every afternoon. Swimming in the outside pool at my health club. So much to see and be part of. Spring is truly here.

CADUCEOUS MESSENGER OF THE GODS JOURNEYS

Having five planets in Geminii and been gifted with Mercury winged heels and an airy nature that thrives on change, transformation and travel, my healing teaching journeys have taken me around the world again and again. Mercury carries the caduceus, the staff of Hermes, and of course loves risk and flies close to the sun.

However as much as I travel for me though the anchor, the true home is within, and being at home wherever you are is a great blessing and grace. The only problem - suitcases - it is those that pull me back to closet, bed, bath and my own kitchen - joy to pack them away and then pull them out again.

Now back in Boulder settled in a new live/work loft and enjoying the space, privacy, quiet and solitude whilst connecting world wide I trust I am in for a hibernator incubator time to finish my book, enjoy enrollments and creating my new healing temple.

The next trip is India in March, via UK so I can steam and soak in the Porchester Turkish Baths in London and stay at my Mayfair club to recover mid journey, and then on to Delhi where I will meet with my publishers and see my new book born, The Old Man & His Soul. The train then takes me north to on my spiritual colony in the foothills of the Himalayas for three weeks.

Teaching invitations from Malaysia and family in Thailand beckon and we will see how long it feels right to be away. So many journeys and those of us with winged feed can fly off at a moment's notice. We find it easy to let go, enjoy the adventure and love best the coming home.

The only place I haven't been to on this sign post picture sent to me along with Ruscha's drawing of me is Moscow! Sometimes it is like that - where am I?

Sharing these lovely images, a drawing and this card, I received as a delightful surprise from my dearest Devon friend, Ruscha, a past attendee of several Puerto Rico living foot mystic yoga retreats reTREATS!!

RAINBOW SURPRISES IN THE SKY & IN THE HEART

Yesterday the misty rain ocean clouds opened to a blue sky with a brilliant clear rainbow directly over where I was working on a project, thrilling, completely beautiful, like a portal into a new world, and then it doubled, like a mirror, intensifying its presence in the sky.

When I returned to the school an email awaited me, a rainbow portrait from a loving child, a gift for a day of rainbow surprises just as completion and new beginnings come together as one.

The drawing is a child's portrait of me, an offering from a loving heart wishing me a safe journey back to Boulder and the dream of my heart to come true. Lovely to know a child sees me this way. I close my eyes and imagine the beauty of being transparent radiant light!

Rainbows have always blessed and surprised me and my time with the Rainbow Tribe in the early 70's in California set me well on my way to self healing and naturopathy after a 40 day fast and several months on wheatgrass and raw food in the desert.

The most mystical rainbow was the night rainbow gifted after a 10 day Frankincense deep sea water cleanse I co-created with Dr. Frankincense, Randyl Rupar of Mana Kea Sanctuary near Kealakakua Bay, at a lovely home in Kohala on Big Island in Hawaii several years ago. The night before departure with everyone gone but my dear friend Merrin the full moon shone through mist and created a night rainbow that hovered before us. In awe we watched the miracle of rainbow light and then bravely danced into the color, the light and the mist. Truly these magic moments reveal a beauty in times of transition that let you know you are doing your work, are on the right path, you have persevered to completion and you are ready for the next cycle of transformation and service.

AS ABOVE SO BELOW - EFFORT & GRACE - INNER & OUTER - LOVING CONNECTION

Mara Friedman's beautiful painting is worthy of contemplation as it brings together relationships and influences and sensations of human and divine connections and possibilities. I own five of her original paintings however the delight of a new work is always fresh and exciting.

I gave a copy of Creative Menopause - Illuminating Women's Health & Spirituality to Dana Bass Solomon of Hollyhock on Cortes Island the other day when we met in Vancouver and was reminded again how beautiful Mara's illustrations are in the book and how amazing as always the visual resonance with my words and feelings. I wrote the book, my first self-publishing effort in 1994, and the joy of its creation still returns when I hold it in my hand.

I enjoyed going over old times with Dana as we explored how our lives had connected as far back as the seventies in the Palm Springs area. I hope to visit Hollyhock next summer at her kind invitation. I once had a dream I was an eagle and I flew north to Canada and hovered over an island. In the morning I called up my sister and described the shape of the island and she looked it up and it was Cortes. I always feel I have a destiny there so it will be fun to go check it out and see.

Here in Seattle, in a two day transition, between departing from Vancouver and returning to Boulder, Colorado for 9 days, I am more aware than ever of the union of the inner and outer worlds, how effort and grace flow and become one and how loving connection lights up the field of creation so that whatever we focus on becomes our reality.

EXPRESSIVE FREEDOM IS A MAGIC HORSE

When a child draws like a horse like this with total expressive freedom it offers a gift to reflect on how we move through life. My granddaughter drew this some years ago and I travel with it as I love to look at it and feel her confidence, joy, freedom, laughter and delight. Her drawing also connects me to her amazing creative courageous spirit. It is a magic horse.

I saw one like it, a small blue ceramic horse, on Hildur's table in Selfoss, Iceland on my 66th birthday May 2008, and the same feeling overcame me. I fell in love with it. The next day there was an earthquake and all her crockery broke but the little blue horse came through and I saw it again in September 2008 and held it in my hand.

My Chinese astrology is Water Horse and perhaps that explains something about why this horse travels with me. When you run through water you feel the resistance strengthen you and the joy of running and the sound of splashing gladens the heart as the body celebrates movement play. I choose this attitude for all journeys and when I run on the sand when I reach the shore the wind sings through me and I give thanks for the freedom of the journey, the space between places, the transition zone of all possibilities and the connection to the invisible forces of the universe that seem more present when we are not so connected to habit and home.

DEW DROPS MOMENTS ON FRAGILE LEAF OF LIFE

As I prepare to  leave Vancouver in this transition week of packing and completion, I feel each moment in the unknowing as both the fruit of the past and the seed of the future. I received some messages on Fb this am so went on for a few minutes to enjoy friend connection and was delighted to see Jon August had new photos up from his amazing loving astounding connections with nature in beloved Iceland. With his permission I share these photos that align perfectly with these dew drop moments on the fragile leaf of life.

As I become lighter and less a part of structure in this time of movement and change I feel this delicate reality of participating in the unfolding unknown. Even the colors resonate with where I am inwardly and outwardly and as much as I love the sunshine I am happier on the days that it rains, the sound and the symphony and fragrance of rain freshen my spirit and I feel I am showered by blessings.

Happy to return to Boulder for 10 days to stay with friends and enjoy planning with Heidi as she begins the Colorado School of Holistic & Naturopathy Studies, exciting times ahead, and we will meet with students and grads and friends for tea on Sunday the 4th for tea. Anyone wanting to join email for the information.

Happy also to head over to England for some time teaching in Devon in November and plan to host an event at my club in Mayfair on November 21st to share some of the healing processes I have evolved over the past few years.