Metta for All

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human beings

I like this quote written by Albert Einstein. It is true, we will never spiritually grow as a human species if we only love our circle of friends and family. I think we need to expand our thoughts and actions. On Facebook there is a quote by Coco Chanel:

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The quote says, “I don’t think about you at all.” This statement is untrue. The mind thinks about EVERYTHING! As a human species, we need to stop and use our thoughts for the higher good. The ego will run with selfish thoughts.

I think the quote should say: “I care about you, and I think about you.”  This quote shows more love and concern. The quality of the quote has a higher vibration. Also, there is more inclusion. The original quote has exclusion and harshness.

In Buddhism, there is a word called, “Metta.” In English, it means “loving-kindness.” But there is another translation that has a higher spiritual resonance: “active interest in others.” When you show someone that you care about them and think about them – this is true Metta. Your presence and compassion create the spiritual leap we need as humans.

When I walk down a busy street, and I make no eye contact with other humans – this is not  Metta. When I walk down a street, and I make eye contact and chat with strangers – this is Metta.

When my coworker’s mother was just in the hospital, and I do not show concern or ask questions – this is not Metta. When my coworker just attended a funeral, and I express concern, ask questions, and offer help – this is Metta.

Metta is a priceless treasure that brings us into intimacy with ourselves and others. – Sharon Salzberg

I  have been practicing Metta for several weeks now. My main area of focus is in my work as a massage therapist. I have taken the time to show concern and ask questions about my clients. I decided not to talk about myself unless the client asks me questions. I put my whole focus on my clients.

There are several things that I noticed when I practice Metta. First, I enjoy asking questions and getting to know my clients (many who are strangers). Second, I look forward to going to work because I am making a difference in people’s lives. And third, when I practice Metta, life is much more vibrant and loving.

Metta reunites us with what it means to be alive and unbound. – Sharon Salzberg

May you share your Metta with all living creatures.

Namaste, world.

world healing

The Cosmic Dancer

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cosmic dancer

I went on a shamanic journey with the drum. My intention was to meet a spiritual guide, but my shamanic journey led me to what I needed to see and experience.

I started the journey on a frozen lake near my house. I looked out, and I could see a few ice houses and some frozen fishing holes. I was wearing my purple coat, black snow pants, hat and mittens. I walked towards a chosen fishing hole. As I walked towards the hole, my clothes started to transform. My outdoor clothes changed into a long, purple gown with a hood. It also had a train – like a wedding dress. As I got closer to the fishing hole, my blonde hair turned to black and my skin to dark brown. I found the hole, broke the layer of ice with my bare fist, and I jumped in with no fear.

I swam in the icy water; sinking with until I found the latch at the bottom of the lake. I opened the latch with ease. I entered the universal space. I floated down and down. I loved being a black woman. My skin was smooth, and I felt more beautiful than ever.

I floated down until I saw a hologram of Nelson Mandela. He was playing the Djembe drum. He sat with the drum between his legs. He played and watched me.

I started to dance with the drum beat. My long dress turned into a skirt with fringes. I twirled around and around until I saw a galaxy form around my waist and skirt. I could see the planets and the stars. I continued to twirl around and around.

I received a message: All human life began from an African woman. She is the first woman. She is the most beautiful human being. She is the cosmic dancer.

dancer 5

I continued to dance until I heard the “call back” of the drum. I stopped dancing, lifted upwards through the universal space, and back to the door with the latch. I opened the latch and swam to the open hole in the ice. I lifted myself out of the hole and started to walk back home. As I walked back home, my clothes transformed into my outerwear, and I was back to myself. The journey ended.

Oh cosmic dancer…

woman made of night…

you spin creation to your delight…

the drum beat of your heart…

the blood of your life…

you twirl and swirl with pleasure.

Oh cosmic dancer…

you call all sisters and brothers…

to listen to the drum beat of the heart…

cherish the blood of life…

dance with the woman made of night.

 

Namaste, world.

 

The Guest House – by Rumi

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girl

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

By Rumi – a Sufi Poet – 1207 – Turkey

The Search for the “God Particle” Truth

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cern-07

Three nights ago I watched the documentary, “Particle Fever.” The movie was about the Higgs Boson or “God Particle.” The Higgs Boson’s discovery was at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012. LHC is the world’s most powerful particle accelerator/particle smasher in Geneva, Switzerland. CERN claims that they discovered the Higgs Boson, and I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I agree that they found valuable information. On the other hand, I still insist that they need to provide more proof.

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The Higgs particle is the missing link in the Standard Model of particle physics. It is the glue that holds together the particles. Without the Higgs Boson, the universe would have no physical matter – only energy.

higg cocktail party

My main questions are: Is the universe symmetrical/creative or chaotic/destructive? Is there order in the universe? The answer, according to the movie, is that the universe is both. It is the creator and destroyer. And there is order in the universe.

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Nataraja, is a depiction of the Hindu God Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for the God Brahma to start the process of creation. This statue sits outside of  CERN.

 

One physicist, in the movie said, “The universe must care about humans. It would be so easy to destroy us and our planet.” The universe wants us to exist. We have symmetry and order. But for how long?

I think the physicists at CERN has discovered something unexplainable. The researchers and physicists are still trying to figure it out. They have years of data to go through. I think humans will understand more about the universe in the future.

I am interested in quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics tells us how atoms work. The principles of quantum mechanics state that particles change or collapse when observed. I wonder if observing the particle collision at CERN changed the outcome. Unobserved quantum phenomena are different from observed ones. The question then is: Do we have mass in the universe or just particles (energy)? Maybe the physicists at CERN did not discover the “God Particle” after all.

 quantum-mechanics1

Namaste, world.

 

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The Silver Wolf

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riding a wolf

“If you can think for a moment of the outer world and the inner world as being the physical and the spiritual, both equally real and important, then you can begin to open to both simultaneously.”  – Barbara H. Davis

A week ago I had a dream of riding on the back of a silver wolf. The wolf was larger than most wolves. I held onto his nape as we rode through the forest. We were running in darkness, and I could not see the trees. I remember holding on tight to his silver fur – everything else was a blur.

I asked myself, “Why did I dream of riding a wolf?” I was going to look up wolf mythology, but I decided to interpret the dream myself.

I remember the feelings. There was an urgency as we rode – like something was chasing us. I remember feelings of kinship with the wolf – like we were old friends. I trusted the wolf and I had no fear while I was riding him.

The wolf symbolizes strength, protection, and transformation. The wolf can empower others. When I rode the wolf, we became a team. In my dream, it was natural to ride a wolf.

Riding into the unknown is how I felt as I rode on the back of the wolf. I was not apprehensive. I was trusting. Riding the wolf is like life. I need to trust the journey. I may not know where I am going but I hold on for dear life.

I believe the wolf the came into my subconscious mind to remind me of my connection to the wolf. I can become like the wolf. I connect to the land and also to the sky.

wolf

For each creature, there seems to be a mundane life – but this is where I make the mistake. There is a mystical side to every living thing. As a human being, my body connects to the earth and my mind connects to the sky. The God essence resides in every living creature.

I had another vision of the silver wolf during a meditation. The wolf and I were walking in the woods – side by side. I felt companionship with the wolf. I felt like the wolf cared about me.

In this world of indifference, it is important to care for people. When you care about someone it shows real love from the heart. Everyone on the earth, can find the wolf as an example of loyalty, companionship, and a caring heart.

Oh Silver Wolf,

let me ride your true nature.

We ride into the light of love.

You care for me in ways I have unknown.

Your loyalty is eternal.

Walking side by side,

you are the shadow I have earned.

– GG

Wolf by Brenna3

Namaste, world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being Anonymous

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consicousnesss

I exist, and I do not exist. I am anonymous. Knowing that I am a transient being helps me to see that I am a visitor on this planet. Most human beings on this earth do not even know that I exist! And this is okay with me. Being anonymous creates freedom in my mind and spirit. There is nothing to attach to in this life.

What happens when there is no attachment? There is expansion – like the universe. There are so many possibilities in life.

Infinite_Possibilities

Being anonymous helps me to live the way I think is right. I can live an authentic life and strive for goodness. I am responsible for myself. And when this life is complete, I will move on to the next journey.

Being anonymous creates a whole new reality. I am less worried about what people think about me. And the truth is that most of the time they do not think about me – they think about themselves. People live in their mini-worlds.

Being anonymous helps me to be egoless. When I am egoless, I am expansive. I have no attachment to acknowledgement, self-importance, or pride. When I am anonymous, I become the observer. I am no longer the “actor” in life. The observer accepts things as they are.

I exist and I do not exist.

I am but I am not.

I am here nor I am there.

But I am anonymous.

5th Dimensional Earth

Namaste, world.

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

Facing Loss With Equanimity

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angel tear.jpg

My mom tells me that people who cry have big hearts. When we have a loss, the feelings swell up in our hearts, and we cry. Losing a loved is so challenging. Every human being will face loss. My question is: How can we face loss with equanimity? Equanimity means to face a difficult situation with mental calmness and composure. There are different kinds of loss but in this article, I will discuss the loss of a loved one.

We say “hello” to the people and animals in our life, get to know them, and create memories. And then we need to say “good-bye.” It’s an endless cycle of birth and death – like the seasons. This planet is our school. We learn, over time, to have more grace and equanimity in our lives.

One way to create equanimity is to see the world in a different way, have a different perspective. When we understand the nature of impermanence, we know that nothing can last forever. We must instill hope and peace in our hearts to carry on.

I lost a beloved dog a few days ago. It was my brother’s dog, but I took care of it for almost a year. I tried to face this situation with equanimity, but my emotions took over. My definition of equanimity goes beyond having mental calmness. My definition includes having spiritual awareness, mindfulness, and understanding of loss.

Life is so tragic, but we can create equanimity by remembering how much we love our loved ones. Love is timeless and can cross dimensions on an energetic level. The love in our hearts will reach our loved ones.

winged heart2

I would like to share a simple heart meditation. I  learned this technique in graduate school. It’s from the HeartMath Institute (www.heartmath.org). You can do this meditation with your eyes open or closed. Also, you can do this meditation anywhere and anyplace. There are only three steps:

Step 1: Bring your awareness to your heart. Place your hand on your chest to feel your heart center. Be aware of the feelings in your heart.

Step 2: Take three deep breaths. As you breathe, feel the air pass by your heart center on each inhalation and exhalation.

Step 3: Think of a special place or person or animal that brings you a lot of joy. Bring that moment into your mind’s eye. Play it in your mind like a movie. Feel the emotions of the moment. Feel the joy and love in your heart.

This simple meditation can help you to connect with your heart and your emotions. I hope this meditation lifted your spirits and brought you calmness and joy.

Here are some equanimity key points, by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., “Buddha’s Brain: The practical neuroscience of happiness, love, and wisdom:”

  • Equanimity means not reacting to your reactions, whatever they are.
  • Equanimity creates a buffer around the feeling tones of experiences so that you do not react to them with craving. Equanimity is like a circuit breaker that blocks the normal sequence in the mind that moves from feeling tone to craving to clinging to suffering.
  • Equanimity is not coldness, indifference, or apathy. You are present in the world but not upset by it. The spaciousness of equanimity is a great support for compassion, kindness, and joy at the happiness of others.
  • In daily life and meditation, deepen your equanimity by becoming increasingly mindful of the feeling tones of experience and increasingly disenchanted with them. They come and they go, and they’re not worth chasing or resisting.

Namaste, world.

calmness

 

 

 

The Friendly Afterlife

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afterlife1

I have some good news to share: The afterlife is friendly. A week ago, I spent some time with an elderly hospice patient. As she lay in her hospital bed, she dozed in and out of sleep; transitioning to her new afterlife. As a witness, I stayed with her, without talking or moving. I watched her; as if I was waiting for something. Then it happened. She opened her eyes and stared up towards the ceiling of her bedroom. Her eyes stared at one thing. Then she closed her eyes. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes again and looked at the same spot. Then she closed her eyes. The third time she opened her eyes, looked up at the same place, and smiled. It was the most peaceful and child-like smile I have ever seen. After she had smiled, she continued to look up towards the ceiling, and then she waved her hand as if to say “Hi.”

After this experience, I have come to the conclusion that the afterlife is friendly. My hospice patient has no fear. She is at peace as the veil between her current life, and her afterlife becomes more transparent. Soon she will leave her body and be on a new journey. The human body that she has will never exist again.

As I sat in a wooden chair next to her hospital bed, I glanced over at her black and white wedding picture that stood on her desk. She was a beautiful young woman. She had a heart-shaped face and smooth skin. Her husband wore a navy uniform and slick-back hair. After looking at her wedding picture, I looked back at the old woman with white hair and tried to imagine her young again. As I stared at her, I noticed that she was still very charming. She had the prettiest grayish-blue eyes that are haunting – but in a good way.

I became my hospice patient’s volunteer only two months ago. At my first visit, I realized that my patient was close to death and not talking as much. Therefore, I do not know her that well as a person.

The aide in the hospice house said my hospice patient was always so polite and thankful when she was able to talk. She always said, “Thank you, dear” to all the staff. Her elegance and grace are still with her even as she is dying. I learned in my hospice training that people die the way they have lived.

I do not know who my hospice patient saw as she looked up at the ceiling. I have heard many stories of people, who are close to death, seeing relatives or guiding spirits. I am honored to have experienced this spiritual connection as I sat with my hospice patient. I know in my heart that dying is a friendly and peaceful experience.

I see myself in my hospice patient. I know that this, too, will someday be my reality. Sometimes, in a warped sense of time and reflection, she is me. And when I reflect on this, I have no fear.

Namaste, world.

Anais-Nin