 Most of us move through the natural world not realizing that the forms we encounter are not the apparent superficial objects we think they are - they are condensations of meaning, wild poetry created from the dreaming of the earth . . .
Stephen Harrod Buhner
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 The Fairy stood in the midst and in the usual manner asked what she would take with her into the great world.
Sylvia paused for a moment, and then answered: ‘A quiet spirit.’ And the Fairy granted her request. This lovely gift makes life a constant happiness to its possessor, and to all who are brought into contact with her. She has all the beauty of gentleness and contentment in her sweet face; and if at times it seems less lovely through some chance grief or disquietude, the hardest thing that one ever hears said is: ‘Sylvia’s dear face is pale to-day. It grieves one to see her so.’ And when, on the contrary, she is gay and joyful, the sunshine of her presence rejoices all who have the happiness of being near her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From "Fairy Gifts," The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Long  Heavy
by Mary Oliver That time I thought I could not go any closer to grief without dying I went closer, and I did not die. Surely God had his hand in this, as well as friends. Still, I was bent, and my laughter, as the poet said, was nowhere to be found. Then said my friend Daniel, (brave even among lions), “It’s not the weight you carry but how you carry it – books, bricks, grief – it’s all in the way you embrace it, balance it, carry it when you cannot, and would not, put it down.” So I went practicing. Have you noticed? Have you heard the laughter that comes, now and again, out of my startled mouth? How I linger to admire, admire, admire the things of this world that are kind, and maybe also troubled – roses in the wind, the sea geese on the steep waves, a love to which there is no reply?  Ayurveda is an ancient traditional healing modality from India. My clinical aromatherapy education included learning an Ayurvedic perspective on wellness. According to Ayurvedic medicine, Ojas represents our wellness, vigor, and vitality. You could also say it's what gives us a "glow" that radiates out to others. As I continue to delve into Ayurveda, I've discovered that certain practices really do add to my life and wellness. I hope you will find these tips useful! Ways to Build Ojas:
If you are interested in more Ayurvedic wisdom, take a look at my personal aromatherapy consultations. I offer an Ayurvedic intake and blends that are custom tailored to your own dosha (your unique constitution).  You do not heal feelings. They heal you, when you allow them to guide you back to your original Wholeness, your loving nature, your breath, your place on this Earth, your Indestructible Presence. - Jeff Foster  Believer or disbeliever,
No matter who You are, No matter what Your ambitions Forget! Have you heard about the alchemists? Forget! Use Your imagination, Be attentive. Alchemy, as presented in the garden, is the transformation of the soul through grace and initiative science. It is presented not as the "black magic" of old but as an essential tool of an era when being a great scientist also meant being a great philosopher, so intertwined were the two pursuits. ~ Sign at the Alchemical Garden at Mas de la Brune in Provence, France. I invite you to discover my alchemical, limited edition creation: Visions in the Garden Featuring Vetiver, Rose, Tomato Leaf, Jasmine, Mimosa Olessance from France, and more. Spiritual Properties of the Above Essences:
To bring a touch of grace and transformative magic into your life . . . Visions in the Garden.  “May the earth continue to live,
May the heavens above continue to live, May the rains continue to dampen the land, May the wet forests continue to grow. Then the flowers shall bloom and we people shall live again.” ~ old Hawaiian Prayer  “One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever. One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands out and throws one's head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing and marvelous unknown things happening until the East almost makes one cry out and one's heart stands still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun--which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. One knows it then for a moment or so. And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries. Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark blue at night with the millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure; and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true; and sometimes a look in someone's eyes.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden  I recently finished a book called, Why Meditate: Working with Thoughts and Emotions.
I started meditation as a teenager, but eventually fell off track. Like most people, I could come up with a 1,000 reasons why I didn't want or need to meditate. However, I started doing guided meditation in the summer of 2014, and then switched over to doing my own daily mindfulness meditation. I've noticed good effects from these short, daily meditations. Sometimes it's just an increased awareness of my body's needs. I'm thirsty. I need a sweater. It's funny how we don't realize these things. When we sit in meditation, there is nowhere to hide from our thoughts and feelings. This can be challenging because we all have to face "pockets of pain" in ourselves...Everything comes up. It's not always pleasant. However, there are many benefits, and you become more aware of what is really important to you. I think we go through most of our life in a trance-like state. We shift from one "to-do" on our list to a triggering thought, then a phone call, than an emotion, then this, and then that. But what do we really want in life? What really matters? And are we living in the way we really want to? Some benefits of mindfulness meditation:
Meditation becomes a true gift to yourself; It's where you go to just be present and listen. You become a bit less attached to difficult thoughts and emotions because you realize they are just like the weather; some days are cloudy, and some days are sunny. But you are not the weather. You are the consciousness that observes the weather. You begin to spend more of you life in alignment with your values, rather than running from uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. You get honest with yourself. You learn. You heal. You start to see possibilities instead of being a prisoner to your thoughts. Life unfolds in new ways with the blessing of awareness. "Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good that overwhelm the world." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu  |
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