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The sure sign that something new wants to happen, is boredom. Discover how you can let the inner opening happen as you stay present within your existing practice.

There's this sweet place where we do whatever we've been always doing- yet do it from a different place. More aware, less muscle tension, less distancing... As you reach this place, you find it's a very physical experience. How you make your movements literally physically changes. In that place, You feel the effect: as you literally bring less tension to the situation, there is less for others to react against. You become more pure, more aligned. People listen, join. It's a grace that comes after repeated practice of mind and body. Find a practice that includes both body and mind, and do it regularly. Don't forget to open your awareness to note the inner shifts when they happen.

Every day I make it a point to give myself a moment of stillness. That moment of stillness isn't a short moment either. It's as long as it needs to be. Usually it occurs shortly after I've had breakfast and before I've started my work day. I do it then because I'm still just waking up and its an optimum time to still myself before getting into whatever the day will involve. This moment of stillness is my meditation time. I do a series of meditation exercises, all of which lead me deeper and deeper into a state of stillness, which unfolds within it non-conceptual awareness.

Non-conceptual awareness is the experience of being without doing, judging, categorizing or filtering anything. You just are. The value of that experience is that it allows me to just be without stressing about anything I need to do. Sometimes in the process of doing that work, some emotions will come up or some thoughts will happen and I don't go out of my way to dismiss them. I just let them be as well, because I find in doing that it really brings my awareness to where I need to be, present with whatever is coming up that needs to be worked through, accepted, or otherwise processed.

You are more than you think. Feel your feet on the earth, feel earth as a living being, and allow the strength that comes from that.

There is this strength in you that is natural, aligned, and beautiful. It is filled with your life energy. Every moment comes from the whole of who are, in connection with the bigger whole. It is true to everything there is. It starts, with becoming true to the connection that is right here, right now: your connection to Earth. Life energy is generated in connection with earth. This is what makes plants grow. Allow this felt connection with earth, and allow your movements to come from this place.  Like the plant being strong because of the life saps running through her, so you become strong with this life energy. Allow it to fill you all the way. This is you, in your full potential. Live it, honor it, celebrate it. Share it today.

Gaia is calling you to come here now. She was the one who called you into this life, into this journey on Earth. Being whole means being in the fullness of this relationship. Acknowledging the depth of her call, and the power of your yes. Are you still aware of your first partner, or are you flirting with all the other guests? Like in any relationship, you are asked to live this yes day to day, minute to minute. To be in the space where your yes was born. Become aware of your feet on the earth. In that touch it’s all happening. Take a moment. Take 7 Minutes. Open up to the bliss that follows. 

Too often we start after a while taking our partner for granted. Tantra teaches us to go back to who really opens your heart, again and again. Break in that divine love. Break open. Become whole.

There's this ugly little thought in the pagan community. It's an insidious thing--this thought. It says that if you can't still your mind, you can't work magic. It has a bit of shame connected to it. Like pieces of tissue with bits of the brown stuff stuck to your shoe, it flutters about just waiting for someone more knowing, more "silent of mind" to notice.

As you may have guessed I have really struggled with meditation. My walk on the path of the Craft began in the early 80's. My teacher did guided meditations. My mind did what I like to think of as solo explorations of the story possibilities of those guided meditations.

Meditation is a huge part of my spiritual life.  It is something that I try to do every single day, in various shapes and forms.  I find that sitting meditation, or zazen is the best way for my self to refocus on what’s important, to stop the chattering ego and really get deep down to the issues at hand. So much clarity is gained from simply stopping, from allowing the silence to fill your soul. In that deep pool of quiet, in that dark heart of Cerridwen’s cauldron, lies transformation.

You have to be willing to do it, though. It’s difficult, as many of us don’t really like spending time alone, much less sitting still and “wasting time”. However, I would posit that this could very well be the best use of your time, realigning you to the present moment, grounding yourself in the reality of the here and now.  We can get so carried away on our emotions, on our problems with the world, on our own sense of self that we become blinkered to the rest of existence. Life is constantly happening, all around us, and we hardly notice it.  Sitting meditation is a great way to pay attention to it, to our selves, our bodies and our minds, to see how they work, to get in touch with them once again, thereby allowing us to get in touch with the rest of the world on a much clearer, positive level.

Like a deep pool, the waters may become disturbed, but if we stop the mud will eventually settle to the bottom, the clear water rising to the top to perfectly reflect the sky above.  We can become as this pool, reflecting with clarity the present moment in all that we do, in all that we say and in all that we think.  It’s not easy, but it’s well worth it.

Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltain, Litha, Lammas, Mabon--the eight points in the year that we stop and celebrate the seasons. In the six to eight weeks between each Sabbat, changes have been taking place--some so subtle that you might not be aware of them. The nights get longer--or shorter--by only a minute each day. The weather warms up, or cools down. One of the things that the Sabbats call us to do is to stop and look at the changes that have taken place. It's a time to regroup, reflect, and plan ahead. So in addition to the celebrations, family traditions and seasonal crafts, it's a good idea to spend some time grounding or balancing yourself to deal with the season that's coming up. It's not hard to do. It just takes a little time, a little quiet, and some concentration.

In about two and a half weeks we'll arrive at the Spring Equinox. It's time for those things that were stirring to life at Imbolc to "spring" up--thanks to a warmer environment and nurturing Spring rain. The element of water is considered by many people to be the mother of us all. Think about it. Life started in the sea. And what about you? You floated around in your mom's tum for months, breathing, eating, and growing in water. About 80% of the human body is made of water! People really feel it when water is missing in their lives. Periods without rain--droughts--can cause failed crops and wildfires (we've seen that in the past year in Australia, and over here in the state of California). But just like everything else, balance is essential. Too much water kills plants, animals and people. Flooded areas can breed danger and disease. Remember Hurricane Katrina? That happened several years ago, but the people of New Orleans are still recovering from an overdose of water.