Sounds So Simple

Yield and overcome,

empty and be full.

Have little and gain.

Have much and be confused.

Not putting on a display, not justifying,

Not boasting, not bragging.

Be really whole and all things

will come to you.

Lao Tzu

          
The above quote was on my friend's blog:  Nan Yoga-Along the Path.  She has a way of choosing quotes that directly connect with my heart.  These words just resonate within me, (especially the "... empty and be full. Have little and gain" ) although we generally would be thinking the opposite.

At times our lives are so full, we tend to lose our focus or our intentions become diluted.  There is another saying "Less is more," (I don't remember who authored it) which seems contradictory to what our culture believes. 

So if we strive to get rid of excess and what no longer serves us, and open to simple spiritual truth, we will receive what we need.  Life surely would not be as complicated.  It would be more calm, peaceful, honorable and respectful.  Sounds so simple!

 

Mastering the Challenge

May the dreams of your past

be the reality of your future.

Anonymous



In order to create a new outcome, we need to be open to new ways of doing things.   When we are dissatisfied, we need to explore our past and discover where we wandered off our path and how we lost our way.

Change is the catalyst to enable us to achieve our goals.   I believe it was Albert Einstein who said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results." 

So we examine our own behaviors to learn where improvement is needed.  I have personally found when giving up the focus on what other people have done incorrectly, I seem to have plenty of time to look at my own indiscretions.

Sometimes the closer we are to a situation, the more difficult it is to be objective and understand the complexities.  We may seek the help of friends, but gaining an audience with a seasoned therapist who really 'gets you' can be most rewarding.

When we love our selves enough to feel safe with embracing personal weaknesses as well as strengths, we can move forward in rekindling hopes and dreams.  When we can release anxiety over what other people may think, and trust the voice of spirit we can gracefully be resilient again.

When we experience any kind of change, minor or major, the importance is in the discovery of the lesson.  It is necessary to ask, "What am I to learn from this?"  Through mastering the challenge, our lives become more authentic and enhanced.

Dreams don't always come true, but if we are faithful servants to the lives we live through honesty, integrity, and kindness, we will find our selves in the midst of joy and happiness.  If we do not find our selves in the midst of a dream, then it is time for change. 

Through self-discovery, I have found my self able and willing to forgive and heal.  By believing in the power of individual change, I am prepared to once again have faith and trust.  The human spirit can experience great things once it is open to the incredible journey of life.  So I return to my dreams in hopes of creating an inspiring future.

  

One Unsuspecting Day

You cannot forget if you would

those golden kisses

all over the cheeks of the meadow,

queerly called dandelions.

Henry Ward Beecher

Liberal US Congregational minister

1813-1887

I admire the determination of the dandelion, determined to break through the crack in the sidewalk or appear in the midst of a pile of rocks.  I believe dandelions are like God or Spirit. They never give up, always push through, and poke up in the strangest of places.  The same could be said for the human spirit.

Most adults become disgruntled over the discovery of a beautiful yellow dandelion growing in the yard.   Yard keepers struggle in an attempt to grow a delicate flower, but easily wipe out this sturdy bud of yellow with harsh chemicals. On the other side, watch the face of any child fill with glee upon picking this little indestructible flower.  Danelions are frequently a mother's first bouquet.

I have never considered this bright yellow burst of joy to be a weed.  I like how it is thickly tufted and soft to the touch.  I remember as a child rubbing a dandelion under a friend's chin to see whether or not they loved someone. If the chin turned yellow, then validation was secured!

As in all things, however, the beautiful flower ages.  The head of the flower thins and eventually turns white.  I like to take the time to examine this flower at this stage, as an intricate pattern can be found displayed. 

And isn't this just like our lives as well?  In our youth so strong and vibrant and then we slowly advance to a delicate ball of fluff.  I make this observation kindly and mean no disrespect at all.  In time one grows comfortable with the idea that one day, one unsuspecting day, Spirit will gently pick me up and blow all my cares away.

Daring Greatly

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be
with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt
26th President Of The United States

Find two pieces of identically clean paper. The first piece, place untouched in a safe and clean place.

  Take the other blank piece of paper and examine it,

looking at the sheer plainness

and unmarked beauty of the fiber. 

Notice the pristine texture of the sheet. 

Now fold the paper in half, gently. 

Turn the paper around and fold it again, carefully. 

Continue to fold the paper over and over,

creasing the folds heavily. 

Carry it in your back pocket or billfold. 

Shove it in a drawer or with a stash of other papers.
Then when you have almost forgotten about it, retrieve it.

Unfold the paper and notice the creases, discoloration,

and change in the texture. 

Look very closely at all of the wrinkles and changes. 

Now compare the other piece of paper

that had been kept 'safe' and 'clean'.

Which do you find more interesting and intriguing? 

Safe and pristine or weathered and worn?

Read the words of Theodore Roosevelt again.

Masculine and Feminine

There is a collective force rising up
on the earth today,
an energy of the reborn feminine ...
This is a time of monumental shift,
from the male dominance of human consciousness
back to a balanced relationship
between masculine and feminine.

Marianne Williamson




Eastern culture teaches us there is a masculine and feminine side to each living person. Masculine elements associated with the right side of the body could be described as assertive, powerful, cerebral, giving, determined ... qualities relating to the career or approach to business in your life. Our feminine side associated with the left side of the body could be described as gentle, creative, receiving, emotional, intuitive, embracing ... qualities relating to relationships in our lives. So each of us has
a masculine and feminine side no matter what gender we happen to be.

Ideally, we balance both parts, masculine and feminine within ourselves. As a woman, there are times when we need to be aggressive and driven, just as there are times we need to be gentle and creative. As a man, there are times when we need to be tender and loving, just as there are times to be strong willed. Whether we are a man or a woman, it is beneficial to be able to swiftly move between both sides and to not be stuck just in one side. 

If we are a survivor, perhaps we had to stay very masculine and hide our feminine side. A man may not feel safe expressing his emotions when he is fighting for his family's livelihood. A single mom may have to stay very masculine to compete in her field of business. But if we stay stuck in a masculine adrenaline push, a toll is taken on our body. We strip our gears or simply burn out. We must initiate balance, allowing for the body to release stress and rekindle the spirit.

If we become stuck on the feminine side, we do not have good boundaries to protect our selves or even our families. We can be overcome by emotion or depression that keeps us small. It is then we need to use our masculine side to reach out for resources, avoiding the role of victim.

The same holds true not only personally, but in relationship between men and women. As our culture evolves embracing diversity and offering balance or equality to gender, ethnicity, and diversity, we more fully grow into our full self. It is okay for a man to express or demonstrate appropriate emotion, just as it is acceptable for a woman to be driven by her career. If we all respect each other and honor each others decisions or choices, the climate of our culture becomes far more supportive and nurturing.

Ultimately, the male and female needs to be in harmony not only within the body but within the culture as well. By honoring each other and by respecting the spirit of an individual, our spirit soars.

 

Arriving Where I Began

We shall not cease from our exploration

And at the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

T. S. Eliot

In the last few years, I believe I have become content with the knowledge I have rather than continuously seeking new.  I will always love to read and welcome new thought, but no longer will I be searching.  While exploring what I have gathered, I realize that all of the messages are the same, just spoken in different ways.  It is now time to practice all that applies.

Perhaps it is a simple transition from searching outside to going within my own true nature.  The more I honor my inner self, the less compelled I am to pursue other information defining who I am.  The transition, although simple, can feel threatening as I give up old definitions and old ways of thinking.  Any time I step into the new, I feel discomfort and even fear until a new comfort zone is established.  Once I embrace all that I hold to be true, I know that I have arrived back to my original starting place which I will now call home.

Realizing that my spirit is perfect, created by Divine, the need to reinvent my person fades.  Taking strides to perfect presentations or to master writing is enjoyable but no longer a requirement to secure who I am.  As spirit does not change, the discomfort stemming from change is created by the masks or false identities we strive to create and maintain.

It has taken a life time to override the teachings of being a sinner and a lesser than female.  It has taken a life time to become proud of my authentic and creative approach to life.  I am no longer driven to discover an identity that will be accepted or approved of by others.  I am simply me ... the same beautiful soul that began this journey so long ago.

The Dark Knight of the Soul

Save me , O God, 

for the waters have come up

to my neck.

I am stuck in the mire of the deep,

and there is no where to set my foot.

I have come into deep waters,

and the waves overwhelm me.

I have grown weary from crying,

my throat has become hoarse;

my eyes have failed while

I await my God.

~Ann Rice

Harvesting journals can be an emotional, but insightful task.  By harvesting, I mean sifting through writings and highlighting dreams, challenges, insights, and words having significant meaning ... even when you don't remember recording them.  Reading personal inscriptions can be inspiring and reflective of challenges finally overcome.  It is like an emotional tracking system.  

Depression is a normal part of a cycle humans rotate through.  I do not mean clinical depression, but depression in general.  It can be referred to as PMS or menopause, or mood swings, but all people cycle through normal levels of depression.  There are varying degrees, such as: monthly, seasonal, or a one time life experience, etc ...

Several years ago, I spent months enduring an extreme sense of loss.  Loss of my self and of all things I believed.  While reading Carolyn Myss, I came across the phrase, "dark night of the soul".  It was originated as a title of a poem, DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL written by St. John of the Cross, a 16th Century poet and Roman Catholic Mystic.  In addition to his own thoughts, the poet reflected ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas and in part, Aristotle.

The poem written by St. John of the Cross, a Spanish Carmelite 

priest, narrates a journey usually traveled during the night, in search of the light of the Creator.  The poem was written while the priest had been imprisoned. A painful experience of abandonment enables a person to grow in spirituality and union with the Divine. 

My experience in the "dark night of the soul" was most unpleasant.  I felt entirely detached from all things holy, and harshly abandoned spiritually.  My mind was riddled with confusion and doubt.  Hindsight shows this was a gift of purification.  I aimlessly wandered through concepts and beliefs, discarding much of what I once held dear.  Issues from my past surfaced, raged with emotion, and eventually were processed. What remained shined brightly and there was plenty of room to welcome the new.  I felt a more personalized, and yet broadened perspective of the connection between us all.  I had lost rigid concepts and gained a spiritual union.  It was during this time my energy work became more pronounced and a sincere spiritual awareness of others became prevalent.

Spirituality can be very challenging, but always rewarding.  It is a path walked in solitude strengthening personal gifts, insights, and awareness.  Ultimately, oneness with nature and all people grows obvious, as well as the sense of oneness with Divine Spirit ... never abandoned and always empowered.

If We But Listen ...

The only way to get what you really want is

to know what you really want.

The only way to know what you really want

is to know yourself.

The only way to know yourself is to be yourself.

And the only way to be yourself

is to listen to your heart.

I do, 

The Universe

www.tut.com

Life is a process requiring observation, contemplation, and integration.  Unfortunately, there is not a simple switch on the back of our heads to be switched on and off.  

We must come to understand: 

why we do what we do, why we say what we say, and why we stay small....

what stories we tell ourselves to keep our truth at bay...

how frequently we allow the judgment of others to over ride

what we hold dear in our hearts...

where we feel most safe and how often we visit ...

when we start celebrating our uniqueness we stop 

criticizing our differences ... 

Create a place of silence and experience solitude.  It is in this very space that our hearts begin to speak if we but listen.

Tremendously More True, HAFIZ

TREMENDOUSLY MORE TRUE

She had a dream that told her she was going to pass from this world.

And on the day before, she still felt well, but believed these were her last hours, and come morning friends would be looking at her as she lay still no longer breathing.

She went into her garden as she as she always had before dark and spoke to the plants as she would.

Never more beautiful did the world look, never more a part of everything she now knew she was.

An assurance, some absolute certainty opened up in her and she knew any mortal identifications one could have were such a small part of something tremendously more true ... that awaited our knowing.

Her whole life she saw was like a slipper, often too tight, she had worn for a long day, and did not now mind at all taking it off.

She lay down that night, then merged into a brilliant Sky----

someone could call God, she found her soul had always, had always been holding in its hand.

A YEAR WITH HAFIZ

Daniel Ladinsky

Chapters in the Great Book of Life

Anyone who says they have

only one life to live

must not know 

how to read a book.

Author Unknown

Last night I started a new book.  I tried to register new characters by their names and significance, to record landmarks that might be important to the story, and to be cognizant of any foreshadowing that just might be tucked into the writing.

Somehow I drew a parallel between a new read and a new segment of life, as in both there is always so much to learn and absorb.  There are layers of knowledge about new physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual surroundings.

In new situations, we may have to determine where to live; what resources to use to support our emotional makeup during change; how to navigate successfully between new forms, policies, and routines; and when will we encounter kindred spirits.  In a book, much of this is eluded to in the first few chapters.

There are books written for romance, adventure, inspiration, education, fantasy, mystery ... the list goes on.  If you are mesmerized by the author, it doesn't matter if the book is fiction or non-fiction.  The reader gets pulled into the written word and becomes so occupied, escape from the present moment occurs.

THE CELESTINE PROPHECY was written by James Redfield in 1993.  It discussed psychological and spiritual ideas prevalent in the roots of ancient Eastern Traditions.  James Redfield's message resonated within the hearts of many and the book landed on the New York Best Selling List.  By 2005 over 20 million books had been sold worldwide and the book had been printed in 34 languages.  

The CELESTINE PROPHECY was criticized by some claiming that it was not 'well written'.  The story was about a person's spiritual awakening and the transition that accompanied it.  If a critic chooses to pick a part the style of a book rather than be inspired, this supports my idea of a parallel between books and life.

Segments in our life unfold and in being truthful, our story may not have great style.  There will be those who might criticize our transitions and miss entirely the lifting of our personal baggage.  Negative opinions will be shared even though uninvited, so we must stand strong in what we know to be true for our own character.  We must not ad lib or change lines to simply please our attentive audience.

There are some great 'reads' and some that miss the mark, but this too is like our own chapters in the great book of life.  We ace some portions and we struggle miserably with others.  We, as authors of our own stories can only hope that the message in the end will overshadow the words which lacked style and grace.

A Bookmark in Life

 When your heart speaks,

take good notes.

~Judith Campbell

Too often, we place too much value on the words of others.  We seek answers in books, yoga practices, exercise programs, music, food, drink, etc ...  Yes, we can learn from others, but the best template for life is our own.  

Those traveling on a spiritual path will frequently have an 'ah-ha' moment, when authentic guidance is received.  They report the epiphany with elation, only to let it dissipate in the days that follow.

We search for answers through prayer, ancient wisdom, and teachings, and yet pertinent information resides waiting discovery in the depth of our hearts.  We continue yearning for clarification, but if we do not hear what we want, we ignore the connection.  If we do not write the revelation down, it is lost with the passing of time.

Record your own history.  Write your life as it unfolds.  It is a gesture in honoring your inner self, your personal growth, and the space you take up in this world.  Hold your self accountable in relating your sacred journey.  You will thus become a bookmark in one of the many chapters of life.



Simplicity, Patience and Compassion

I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion.

These are your greatest treasures.

Compassionate toward yourself,

you reconcile all beings in the world.

Lao-Tzu

Life gets pretty complicated sometimes.  Unresolved issues and uncontrolled emotions spike up the drama in any situation.  If we try to keep things simple, life unfolds not only more naturally, but more meaningful.

Emotions and issues get in the way of our basic love, honor, and respect for each other.  While someone is being rude to us, instead of directing anger towards them, we can extend compassion for we do not know the burdens they are carrying.  We don't need to accept or condone their actions, but if we can mentally extend loving kindness to them, it just might be a turning point in their day. 

Simplicity and compassion requires patience.  We decide to embrace the world as our brothers and sisters, but we will find ourselves immediately tested by the harshness in the world.  At times we can feel like the only spiritual warrior on the playing field.  Maintaining patience, keeping things simple, and extending compassion we will begin to notice a more peaceful nature to our own lives.

"Be the change you want to see," is a beautiful quote and very much to the point.  We must start with ourselves, our own community, and surrounding environment.  When we begin with ourselves, simple, patient, and compassionate, we are role modeling to others.  We can begin a small ripple that just might turn into a wave that could bring cleansing or healing to faces you will never see. 

We are all in this together.  We each play an independent part, but we are all connected.  We can begin together to make this world a peaceful place to be. 

Utilizing Discernment ...

Wisdom is your perspective on life,

your sense of balance,

your understanding

of how various parts and principles

apply and relate to the other.

Stephen R. Covey

In any pursuit of truth, the heart as well as the mind is open.  In hopes of mind expansion, the seeker explores information that is new and challenging.  While personal boundaries of the belief system may be yielding, the explorer heeds what information resonates and which information does not seem to apply.

While exploring Esoteric Philosophies years ago, I always sensed an element of fear fluttering about me.  I didn't want to be misled or delve into Ancient Scripts that would consume me. 

Only if we grant power to something

can it have power over us.

Jean Gebser

I readily learned to set fear aside and trust my intuition.  Exploring what resonated within me led to discoveries that enhanced and expanded my spiritual awareness.  Many concepts required me to sit and ponder or hold the thoughts carefully in my mind before I could decide whether or not to embrace or reject them. 

It was interesting that information being termed "New Age" was really rooted in belief systems dating back to the 16th and 18th Centuries B.C. 

I followed a path leading through Ancient Greek, Esoteric Philosophies, Paganism, Archetypes, Monotheism, Essene Traditions, Indigenous Shamanism, and Native American Spirit Worlds.  Later, I explored information about yogis from India, Tibetan Buddhism, and other Asian or Eastern practices. 

This morning, I came across the suggestion to sit with an imaginary box next to me while exploring spiritual traditions.   When coming across information that does not blend with a personal belief system, the information can be discarded into the box.  Just because I read something doesn't require it to be permanently recorded nor does it mean that all exploration needs to be diverted.  

It has always been important for me to seek and explore many cultures as I want to make an educated decision before I discard one thing or another.  I want to embrace diversity in order to stretch and grow.  The key is utilizing discernment.

In this place in time, my spiritual journey leads inward carrying the knowledge that has been gathered from my readings, writings, and experiences.  I always select what resonates within me, but this does not necessarily mean that what I share should be embraced by others without discernment.

We are all spiritual individuals learning in our own way and in our own time.  It is through our life challenges and lessons that we find our way, build our strength, and expand our awareness ... all by utilizing discernment!

Magic is a Sudden Opening of the Mind ...

John Welwood, writer and psychologist:

"Magic, as I use this term, is a sudden opening of the mind to the wonder of existence. It is a sense that there is much more to life than we usually recognize; we do not have to be confined by the limited views that our family, our society, or our own habitual thoughts impose on us; that life contains many dimensions, depths, textures, and meanings extending far beyond our familiar beliefs and concepts."

Zen Teachings of Jesus, Kenneth S. Long

An excerpt from THE ZEN TEACHINGS OF JESUS by Kenneth S. Long:

"...little children are more spiritual than adults because they are much more relaxed and tend to rely on intuition rather than on intellect.

Every child is a wizard. But as we mature our attachments and obsessions also grow. They lead us to distorting emotions such as worries, anxieties, desires, and anger, and our ability to be mindful and creative suffers.

... modern world has lost the art of 'ordering magic' ~ the art of transforming our ordinary mundane and perhaps humdrum existence into a life of beauty and joy."

MAHALO, My Life Suit Has Been Left At Home

PICTURE FROM THE PIONEER INN on Maui at Lahaina

When entering new situations, it is tempting to wear a mask, have a label or be surrounded by friends in order to feel more comfortable or protected. It is difficult to be vulnerable and to run the risk of some sort of exposure or unexpected outcome.

Earlier in my life, I portrayed many roles to varying situations. I would perform professionally with high work ethics; embrace friends in a loving way with intense loyalties; raise my children openly with all I had to give; and maintained a very private belief system. It took years for me to develop the courage to reflect my inner self in every situation, to project all parts of myself as one, and to really like who I had risked to become.

There is a saying that the only constant in life is change. It is my desire to experience personal growth or change, until my last breath even though I rarely transition smoothly. Coming to Maui almost two weeks ago, I was seeking solitude, insights, and sunshine all changes from the land of ice and snow. I anticipated an altered environment, but spiritually I was unprepared for nature's assault on my soul.

I am uncertain how this has happened, but I have become aware that my life suit was left at home! By life suit, I mean all of the things that identify me. I have been defrocked of all associations that normally define me, leaving me naked in the presence of beauty. I have been impaled by the natural energies of this island causing me to drop all pretense, and to respond only in loving kindness. For this I say "Mahalo" which is Hawaiian for thank you.

In this place of enchantment, it is as though attachments, worries, and conflicts have been left neatly tucked into my pockets of the suit left behind. I do not seem to be operating from the entrapments of ego, but rather from soul. I see only beauty and beauty greets me. My soul responds to the whales, the waves, the flowers, the mountains, and the breezes by parting the veil to allow the melding of all that is.

Might you understand if I say all of my regular senses have been bolstered to a higher awareness while my third eye chakra joins my heart chakra, together giving me a new way to see? It is uncomfortable to be this direct and to feel so vulnerable, but this is what I am called to share for the benefit of both you and me.

The Banyan Tree in Lahaina, Maui

The Banyan Tree takes up an entire block hosting an Art Fair beneath a canopy of branches. This tree is one of my favorites. Although I have enjoyed many Banyan Trees in Key West, my favorite one is here on Maui in Lahaina.

The Art Fair is in support of the local artists. There are paintings, wood carvings, jewelry, and various other art forms. A gentleman is playing music on an adapted electric guitar. Quite honestly, it looks more like a rain stick than a guitar, but the sweetness of the melodies beckon me to his cd display. I ask his wife which cd would offer relaxing music. She replies, "Well, this is the one I use while giving Reiki." I laugh out loud and say, "Sold!" I proceed to tell her that I am a Reiki Master as well.

This seems to be another "Aloha" moment for me. I feel an instant connection with a stranger who shares similar visions and awareness of life. Once again I find myself discussing the importance of extending our energy to all of our surroundings and to those who are standing within our reach. Being on this island, one cannot escape the magnitude of beautiful nature and perhaps this in itself creates this greater sense of oneness.

The Banyan Tree is in the middle of the little park, but all of the branches and off shoots form an umbrella shading the entire area. The gnarly roots grow every where and although there are plenty of benches, I feel myself drawn to aimlessly wander off path under the lower branches. I realize that once again I am caught in the magic of this island. Under this massive tree I feel as though I were in a land of fairies or elves, as the rhythm of the Hawaiian music seems to be carrying me into an imaginary world. I am walking in spaces that other visitors do not seem to be a part of. I am separate and yet connected. The enchantment is so real to me, I wonder if I can even be seen by others. An invisible sprite is how I feel.

I take numerous pictures of the tree just as I had with the rock formations. I am eager to share this world. I feel a necessity to record it all moment by moment before my mind over rides my heart, convincingly changing my perception. I am blessed to be in this timeless space, relinquishing all attachments to home.

"Practice Aloha"

To Pratice Aloha is essentially living by the Golden Rule (behaving with empathy for other people, having respect for the Hawaiian culture and feeling a deep appreciation for the surrounding). The residents of Maui say each of us will have a story of a perfect moment when we understand what it means to "Practice Aloha".


We visited what Maui calls a 'swap meet' held at the Community College in Kahului. It is held every Saturday and admission is 50 cents per person. We did not have very high expectations for this event, but wanted to add it to our list of experiences. Upon arrival, we immediately noticed how clean everything was and how organized. This was definitely not a giant garage sale! It was a market with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, tropical flowers, jewelry, clothing, and really fun accessories.

Lingering at one particular booth, I overheard the vendor talking to a young couple. She was relating to them how challenging life can be and offering encouragement for them to follow their dreams. I was very moved by this woman's testimony as it resonated truth without 'preaching' or being invasive. A few minutes later when the young couple moved on, the woman approached me asking if I needed help. She answered a few of my questions and before I left for the next booth, I found myself thanking her for opening her heart to the young couple. She might never know how pivotal her advice may have been and I wanted her to know how much witnessing the exchange had meant to me.

It became one of those magical moments where strangers instantly become friends. She shared with me that she had studied every religion recorded and that she and her Jewish husband blend their melting pot of beliefs into an open forum with youth in the area. Simply stated, she listens for the individual's belief system and then uses appropropriate terms that will support it. "If a person follows Zen, I speak Zen. If a person is Catholic, I speak of catholicism. All belief systems eventually take us to the same place," she mused.

We discussed higher consciousness and the emerging sense of oneness. I mentioned being a Reiki Master and she was an energy worker as well. Kindred spirits indeed! We hugged each other promising to make our energy more pronounced wherever we went. Hawaiians do not say good bye, they only say "ALOHA". When I took one more appreciative glance back at her, we both said "Aloha" experiencing a perfect moment!

Maui Rock Formations

Mid-morning, Rustic and I set out for the General Store in Kapalua. This establishment has everything a spontaneous and elaborate picnic would need. With smiles on our faces we headed out of town. We traveled the two lane back road high up into the mountains. There are many little bridges along the way, and I do mean little. If you meet an on coming vehicle, one of the cars has to pull over as only one car can cross the bridge at a time. The mountainside is breath taking. Wild flowers, steep cliffs, lush valleys and ocean views are outstanding. The driver only gets to peek even though the speed limit is 10 to 15 mph as the narrow road is so winding and twisted.

We were headed for one of my favorite destinations from four years ago... rocks stacked in formations. After a lengthy drive we found this special ground. We parked the car and toted our picnic goodies, lawn chairs, and camera to a our very special space and settled in for a few hours of just 'being'.

We innocently came across this stretch of road during our last visit. (I was astounded as I had only seen rock groupings one other time and that was in Sedona, AZ at the feminine vortex.) With the ocean as a back drop and the lava rocks contrasting, tiny yellow and red wild flowers push up through the rocks with patches of grass here and there. The waves splash against the rocks, and the breeze cools the skin while sitting in the sun.

I cannot explain my obsession with rocks. Even in childhood, I treasured all sizes and shapes not easily found in a city. I have gathered rocks for years, choosing those that seemed to resonate in the palm of my hand. Generally, I bring them home and place them at the base of my 4'8" statue of the Greek goddess Hebe residing in the perennial garden in our back yard.

Individuals gather stones or rocks and stack them one on top of the other reaching for the sky. I am not certain, but I believe it is symbolic for marking your presence on earth both honoring mother earth and the divine above. Viewing all of these deliberately created formations gives testimony to all unknown visiting kindred spirits that we are all one and that this is sacred ground.

Last time Rustic and I built a formation together feeling as though it were a special ritual. Today that formation is long gone, but newer ones have been formed and they stretch for perhaps a mile down the coast. Fire rings have been formed by larger boulders and the remains of well built fires are within.

We sit in silence. I journal and sketch while watching the whales in the distance. I wander around with my camera trying to sense the meaning of this place that has surely been embraced by earth and rock alike. I sit quietly, stretching my ears to hear the songs that may have been offered under some star filled night. I close my eyes and listen for the foot falls that sacred dance would have left behind. Who has been here and why? No answers to my questions come, but a single white bird attracts my attention as it lazily soars in the sky.

Maui Water View

Life took us on a coastal walk today. We wandered down a path leading to lava rocks, sandy beach and crashing waves. What is it about this ocean? Is it the varying colors of majestic blues? Could it be the whales that are showing themselves working across the water? Maybe it is the power of the waves. I stand in awe, trying to absorb as much of this beautiful scenery as I can.

Other people are drawn to this spot as well. I wonder where they call home and if they feel the same connection to this land as I do. Two middle aged men walk by, one saying to the other, "I don't know if I would want to live in a community with so many old people." I do not take this comment personally, but it does make me wonder about our culture and the separation between generations.

The Sea House Retaurant served us a wonderful lunch in an open cafe overlooking a family beach. It was heart warming to see so many young families enjoying time together. One little boy sat spellbound covered in sand building little mounds with his red plastic shovel. The chubby little girl barely old enough to walk giggled hysterically as her daddy bounced her in the salty water. All of this gently tugged at my heart recalling earlier life with four children in my care.

The day ended as it began, relaxing on the lanai. The dark sky was splattered with sparkling stars, replacing the brilliant sun and curious cloud formations. The waves continued to lull me into a peaceful state where every thing was aligned with my world.