wisdom

The New Human

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Humans are awakening up to their divinity. A new awakening is arising – just like the sun.

The new humanity will follow in the footsteps of Buddha and Jesus. “The vocation of servant leadership is a call to become as he was in the world – the new humanity, hetero pacificus – the peacemakers whom Jesus called ‘blessed’ in his catalogue of the truly happy people,” Bennett J. Sims said in his book, Servanthood: Leadership in the Third Millennium.

We must strive to become peacemakers with an enlightened mind. “This is meditation. Not taking anything for granted. I mean, we should be grateful and think how fortunate we are that we have this fascinating experience. I call it the laboratory of mind and body. But it seems that though this mind and body are so close to us, they are in many ways so very far away,” Godwin Samararatne said in his book, Discovering Meditation.

Lately, I’ve felt a touch of emptiness in my life. At first, I felt afraid of it. But then, during my meditation, I realized that when something is empty, there’s an opportunity to fill it with something new. I want to fill that space with love, peace, mindfulness, and equanimity.

“So this place of meeting our edge, of accepting the present moment and the unknown, is a very powerful place for those who wish to awaken and open their heart and mind,” a quote by Pema Chodron.

The new human understands impermanence and attachment. I am working on having less attachment in my life. In the last month or so, I’ve had a few challenges in my marriage, and I can see how much attachment I have to my husband.

Every day I remind myself to let love guide me, not fear. I am afraid of losing my husband. But, in reality, everything is impermeant – even my marriage. However, I want to learn more about my relationship with my husband, and I’m grateful that we both want to work on our marriage.

“Buddha’s doctrine: Man suffers because of his craving to possess and keep forever things which are essentially impermanent. This frustration of the desire to possess is the immediate cause of suffering,” a quote by Alan Watts.

The new human has a lot of work to do! But we can transform ourselves into hetero pacificus. To transcend into peacemakers, we need a peaceful and enlightened mind, live in the present moment, understand impermanence, and live every day with love in our hearts.

Namaste.

Love Yourself

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I am broken but not divided. – Sr. Lucy Bruskiewicz

About fifteen years ago, when I was going through my divorce, I felt lonely and depressed. I remember standing in my kitchen with my good friend and mentor, Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz. I told her I missed someone holding me. Sister Lucy then took my arms and put them around me – I was hugging myself. She told me to love myself.

No one is perfect. We are all broken by hardships in life – but not divided. We are together, as fellow human beings, on this journey.

I have learned through the years to reach out to my friends during troubling times. I am so grateful to have friends that I can call any time.

When I feel anxiety, I remind myself to stay in the present moment. When I let my imagination drift into the future, I feel scared and unbalanced. I know that one of the secrets of life is to be mindful of the present moment.

Here is a mantra to help you love yourself:

(83) OM SO HUM | Choir Version | 1008 Times – YouTube

As you sing “OM SO” – focus on your heart.

As you sing “HUM” – focus on your throat.

You are who you are, you are that, you are pure consciousness.

Namaste.

Sister Lucy’s Light (Poem)

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Sr. Lucy’s nursing home took photos of residents holding up messages to give hope to people during the pandemic.

I wrote a poem to honor and remember my friend and mentor, Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz. She died on Monday, March 28, 2022.

Sister Lucy’s Light
March 2022

Sister Lucy’s heart is beauty and light.
She gives and gives to her divine delight.
The light will continue in the hearts of many.
Her spiritual work endures a plenty.

Honoring many paths, making each bright.
She holds the candle with intuitive sight.
With God walking by her side,
A path of light illuminates her stride.

Sister Lucy’s light guides you and me.
Her presence shows us how to be free.
She has loving light in her eyes.
That’s because she’s eternally wise.

- GG

Ocean Sand

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Photo by Gina M. Gafford

When I was in Florida, my husband and I went to New Smyrna Beach. It was cooler that day, but the ocean water was warm. I walked into the ocean – almost up to my knees. As I stood still and closed my eyes, I could feel my feet steady on the sand. But as the waves rolled back, my feet sank into the sand.

I think life is a lot like the sand – it’s always changing. When I think I’m stable, something happens in my life to create instability. I know the only way to accept this change is to embrace love and impermanence.

As a spiritual person, I think I have gained spiritual wisdom. But then, when I have a challenge in my life, I am reminded of how much work I still have to do. It’s okay to keep learning. I need a good dose of self-compassion.

The ocean is vast – and it keeps moving. I need to keep moving and growing too. I need to accept who I am – a spiritual being with ocean water running in my veins.

Today I am wet sand, and tomorrow I will be dry sand.

Trust the Universe.

Namaste.

The Ancient Tao Te Ching

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Human Embryo’s First Cell Division (a pair/yin & yang)
Tao Te Ching
The Tao gives birth to the One, the Origin.
The One, the Origin, gives birth to the Two.
The Two give birth to the Three.
The Three give birth to every living thing.
All things are held in yin and carry yang:
And they are held together in the qi of teeming energy.

According to Yin and Yang, the ancient Chinese philosophy, no object exists without a partner. Therefore, there’s a partnership of masculine and feminine energies – like the sun and moon. So why does the world want to hide the truth about the moon and the feminine energy? The only reason I can think of is that the Origin is yin/Shakti. Ancient people fully knew the power of spiritual practices oriented towards Shakti.

The Tao Te Ching says that “all things are held in yin and carry yang.” The Institute of Medicine Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Difference says in their research, “All fetal genitalia are the same and are phenotypically female. After approximately 6 to 7 weeks of gestation, however, the expression of a gene on the Y chromosome induces changes that result in the development of the testes.”

In the beginning, the Divine Mother gave birth to twins: yin and yang. They are the same but different. In our patriarchal world (false yang), the sun is enormous compared to the moon. However, the ancient Chinese principles tell us that the sun and the moon are the same (twin forces). To move forward as a human race, we need to respect the feminine. It’s all about balance and remembering our Original Love.

As soon as our leaders tell the truth about the sun and moon, we can restore balance on this planet. The Tao Te Ching is more than two thousand years old (from 400 BC). It teaches us the one undivided truth, so we never forget our true Origin.

Namaste world.

Make Space for the Divine to Enter

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Ganga River, Rishikesh, India

Last month, I turned 51 years old. I thought about the next 50 years of my life. What do I want to do? How do I want to change my life?

Several things have changed since December 2021. I took a freelance job. I work for a publishing company that owns three newspapers and an advertising company. I am writing a lot more!

Sometimes I record the interviews for the paper. I get to hear my voice – the quality and how I communicate. I’m learning a lot about the tone of my voice and how I project words. I realize that I need to be more mindful about what I’m about to say.

Each year I focus on one chakra. For 2022, I’m working on my throat chakra. I want to become more aware of the vibration of spoken words.

My friend and mentor, Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz, says to be silent and listen with our hearts. I wish to bring more peace into my heart and mind. I want to be quiet and listen more.

Just before I turned 51, I cut my hair short. The last time I had my hair short was when I was 17 years old. I want to go beyond physical appearances – I’m ready for that change.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about India. I was there seven years ago on a study abroad trip. I miss the Ganga river and the ashram the most. When I was there, I met Ma Tureeya, a Catholic nun. She said, “Make space for the Divine to enter.” Meditation is the way.

I meditate in the morning, but I want to add an evening practice. I plan to continue to work with the chakras (see the chart below). It is interesting to note the connection of “SHAM” with shaman.

This chakra chart is from the book, “Shifting Frequencies,” by Jonathan Goldman.

I am ready for the next 50 years of my life! I am leaving the mother phase and entering the crone phase. I am excited to dive deeper into wisdom!

Namaste world.

Inspiring Quotes By Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz – Part 2 (2/2)

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The Rugged Terrain of My Heart – Painting by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz

Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz is my friend and mentor. I have known her for 30 years. She is a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis and has devoted her life to teaching and providing spiritual counseling. Sister Lucy was born on November 16, 1936, and died on March 28, 2022.

Here are some quotes by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz (from her journals):

Aging is passing – experience something coming through us.

The Earth has meridians, and the body has meridians.

Memory holds Truth – quest for Truth.

Something more than biology is shaping my life.

Practice by sustaining the deep presence by listening to self first, then others.

Share ways to thrive.

Divine Will – What does God want of us?

The Kingdom of God is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Strive to desire what God desires for you and respond to the call. It always seems like it’s a surprise when God creates that newness for me and you.

Gemstones are from the Angelic.

Moon Goddess, I honor you and love you beyond understanding. I will stay open to your changes in me.

Explore change and how it is that we invite, resist, or learn with it and how it affects our relationships.

When we help other people get what they want, we get what we want.

Follow the silent whispers that echo down the golden spirals through the corridors of your own being.

Spiritual Direction: I call out something that I never saw in myself.

Where you turn, there is the face of God.

Creativity is the surest pathway to the Truth.

Follow your Heart. Wherever it takes you, and be happy. Life is brief and very fragile. It’s only loaned to us for a while. Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen, and take one moment at a time.

Honoring

My Soul Honors Your Soul

I honor the place in you

Where the entire universe resides

I honor the light, love, and truth

Beauty and peace within you.

Because it is also in me.

In sharing these things

We are united

We are the same

We are one.

– Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz

Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz in 1995.
Photo by Gina M. Gafford

Namaste World.

Inspiring Quotes By Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz – Part 1 (1/2)

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Labyrinth – Painting by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz

Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz is my friend and mentor. I have known her for 30 years. She is a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis and has devoted her life to teaching and providing spiritual counseling. Sister Lucy was born on November 16, 1936, and died on March 28, 2022.

Here are some quotes by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz (from her journals):

Always be kinder than necessary.

When you talk to anybody, just think your soul is talking to the Spirit of God.

To reach for our potential – Spirit is Medicine.

For those who are tripped up by “perfect.” When is it good enough?

How very little can be done under the Spirit of Fear!

The fondest memories are gathered when we share at the table.

The world needs our story.

I must live the life of the Gospel, understanding the way.

The original use of the word “courage” means “to stand by one’s heart.”

All of us are smarter than any one of us.

It’s odd that in our noisy and protracting world, it’s only when we come face to face with death, we experience what is often missing in life.

Go into your heart for what you desire. We are never distant from God’s heart.

When you nourish your soul, life falls into balance. Each of us creates our own “recipe,” adding the essential “ingredients” that sustain us best.

I want to encourage you to trust the mystical, divine, which comes as an intuitive pulse or rhythm. Trust your own experience of Holy.

What we don’t see is more real than what we do see. Spiritual vision is possible. What blinders must we remove to have more clarity?

From stress to strength. Every encounter with stress is a chance to turn your life around.

When you empty by sharing, you make room for more.

Follow the path that is leading us to the Best.

Leave something of value behind. What is it? I hear the call to honesty – deep honesty within myself.

Have you ever noticed the word “heart” contains the word HEAR? It is only in this way that we can learn what others want. And the words “silent” and “listen” contain the same letters. Perhaps this means we should be silent and listen with our HEARTS.

Gina Gafford and Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz in 1996.

Namaste World.

Living a Virtuous Life According to the Jesus Sutras

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What is done in this life will shape the next life. – The Jesus Sutras: Rediscovering the Lost Scrolls of Taoist Christianity, by Martin Palmer

In the new year and beyond, we can choose to live our best lives. Never give up on your goodness. Find the keys to open your heart – to open your treasure chest. In The Jesus Sutras, written by Martin Palmer, the Stone Sutra reveals how we can live a good life.

The Jesus Sutras, in the second sutra (the sutra of cause, effect, and salvation), states the following about living a virtuous life:

  • Virtue can only be practiced in this world.
  • The One Sacred Spirit controls everything, and you should do as the Spirit demands: good deeds in this life.
  • This is the only world in which you can perform good karma.
  • All acts of merit and benevolence must be performed in this world, not the next.
  • Become open-handed and not tight-fisted and narrow.
  • You can only be charitable and generous in this world, not the next.
  • Rid yourself of the evil and poison in your heart and abandon all your bad thoughts and jealousy.
  • With peace of mind, worship God in this world, for it won’t be possible in the next.
  • You will reap the consequences of this life in the next world.
  • If people wish to be virtuous, they should follow the commands of the One and Only Sacred Spirit.
  • Understand that the One Sacred Spirit presides overall existence to be venerated; strive to do what is right and be grateful for the grace you have received.
  • In order to see the One Sacred Spirit, people must keep themselves pure in heart, and as an act of grace, all will become clear.

Just as the sun tirelessly rises each day, we, too, get another day to try our best. The world presents challenges to us. We have the pandemic situation, job issues, relationship problems, etc. Sometimes it is easy to feel tired and defeated in life. However, the Taoist Stone Sutras encourages us to strive for goodness in every situation. We need to have self-compassion – it’s a lot of work living in this world!

Take time to rest and reflect. Look back on the last year and see how you want to change things in your life. How can you become more “open-handed” and generous? How can you create peace in your mind? How can you bring grace into your life and the lives of the people around you?

“The Jesus Sutras are translated and interpreted throughout the text. Four of the Sutras date from ca. 640-660 and remain primarily in private collections in Japan,” says Martin Palmer. The Chinese Character for Sutra actually means, “sacred literature.” The Chinese Taoists preserved this “sacred literature” in a substance that would last forever: stone.

May you be well, happy, skillful, and peaceful.

Namaste.

Soul Star Chakra

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Whoever departs from this world without having realized his own inner world, to him life has been of no service: it remains unlived, like an undone deed. - Brhad-aranyaka Upanishad

When you reach your arms and hands straight above your head, you will touch your Soul Star Chakra. This chakra connects you to the heavens. The Earth Star Chakra connects you to Mother Earth.

When we connect with our Soul Star Chakra, we see our potential to ascend into higher consciousness. When we walk on the Earth (Middleworld), we are presented with a psychological “Hall of Mirrors.” It is maze-like and confusing at times. However, we can learn to master the mind and have order instead of chaos. It is a fact that Mother Earth prefers order. We can also be the Master of Mirrors.

To master the mind, we need to touch the eternal part of who we are. Do not get trapped in the Hall of Mirrors. See yourself clearly, and have compassion for yourself. Look into the mirror and see your greatness.

Caitlin Matthews, in her book, Singing the Soul Back Home, says, “Each part of our soul needs to be with us, to enable us to pay proper attention to the different dimensions of our lives: to be emotionally aware, to give love, to appreciate what is true and beautiful, to respect boundaries of others and ourselves, to discern danger. If one or more soul-part is missing, we begin to find some of these things difficult or impossible.”

To heal ourselves, we need to go inward. The outside world is only a distraction – to pull us away from our true work. We can heal ourselves by looking straight into the eyes of fear. Matthews continues in her book, Singing the Soul Back Home, “Dealing with fear requires courage. Many people feel it is easier to live with the self-imposed controls of fear than to experience the liberation of the power that lies beneath the fear.”

To work with fear, you must realize your power. It is time to polish your mirror. Who are you?

You can ascend into higher consciousness with grace and gratitude. Meditate every day, practice mindfulness, and learn to balance all of your chakras.

Namaste world.