Thank you for being here, reading, listening and sharing my work. I hope you may benefit in some way from the insights and ideas provided to help you navigate life’s changing landscape.
Prompt cards by Elena Brower and Daily Ceremony
This past year has shown itself to be more of a potent year in terms of furthering self enquiry and reconnecting to certain practices. Helping me find a new degree of availability and presence to deal with some challenging aspects of life that have presented themselves. Navigating this flow with a deeper understanding of the whole and being really present in each moment has given me a deeper sense of calm and peace.
During the year, l’ve been gifted many wonderful opportunities to work and study with others. Providing me with a natural momentum to delve a little deeper under the surface, taking me into the unknown but some how familiar waters of Zen.
A resonance with some of the teachings that first occurred unexpectedly while taking some workshops two years earlier. I’ve been drawn to the naturalistic and simplistic practices that can more provide more easeful ways of being. Helping me understand how to be more available in this aging ‘skinbag’, this vessel that l have some how chosen to take me along life’s path.
Themes that were echoed in the presence of a wonderful week of self enquiry with Elena Brower, Marc Holzman and a wonderful diverse group of beings in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago. Our time together a nourishing mix of mindful physical practice Zen teachings and holding council.
Whilst l took many special memories, moments, thoughts and wisdom away from this retreat there were a couple of teachings and discussions that really made me ‘view me ‘(this skinbag!) and life in a fresh light so thank you dearest
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Nourishing Moments
The first of these Nourishing moments, keeping it really simple came in discussing the importance of attitude, presence, availability and gratitude and how in turn they effect the outcome we experience in any moment.
I cannot remember the origin of this quote but it was spoken in our retreat and deeply resonated with me, especially the mantra/prayer.
The only choice we have to respond comes from our practices. The depth of the practices determine the depth of our choices.
Thank you for everything, l have no complaints - A prayer to go with the flow.
The Reward of Practice
Today l also include a short reading from Charlotte Joko Becks - EVERYDAY ZEN - LOVE & WORK that was given to me to read and absorb after enquiring about the concept of a no-self whilst on retreat.
The second Nourishing moment, was listening to the teachings in how we create or cook our life. Based around the teachings of Dogen Zenji and in his book “Instructions for the Cook”, we are shown how we can cultivate and adapt attitudes to help us reconnect to our true nature/self. Using the following ingredients of the three heart minds can elicit chemistry inside our bodies which are stabilising.
The Three HEART MINDS briefly are:
1. Joyful cultivate a sense of kinship with others and saviours all that is.
2. Elders/Nurturing sees everything as parenthood changing our chemistry.
3. Big mind/Magnanimous can see everything as the element of stability.
All promote the conditions for nourishment and connection to all that is.
As we approach the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, taking time to reflect on which heart/mind you are drawn to which is more dominate within you can help you identify where you may need to some adjustments for what you wish to experience in 2025.
May l take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful festive holiday time. May it offer you a time of relaxation and connection.
Presence nourishes simplicity
COMING UP JAN 2025
Opportunities to work together
I will be shortly launching an invitation to work and practice together with my Nourishing and Manifesting Guidance sessions along with some group gatherings.
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