in the beginning

In the beginning were the animals... well, at least in MY beginning. I still have my stuffed toy puppy-dog from my crib, and from then on it seems like there was always an animal around me! They are my joy and my solace. I finally completed each one of my current companion's web page so thought I'd share that bit of personal information in case you wanted to hop over and meet them at KITSNK9S! The image here is my beloved Kiki; long gone but never forgotten.

Mankind's true moral test, its fundamental test (which lies deeply buried from view), consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect mankind has suffered a fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all others stem from it.

Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Sustainability through Energy Remedies

When I was in school studying Ayurveda, the use of herbs is explained as a major part of advanced therapeutics. And I like herbs! I use herbs and spices. I recommend them, too, in moderation, but usually along the lines of 'food' or nourishment -- to build tissues, for taste, to enhance digestion, stimulate Agni, reduce Ama. For therapeutics, however, I generally prefer the energy remedies of Homeopathy, Cell Salts, and Flower Essences (or others like Gem Essences). One reason is simply because I am drawn to them more strongly than to herbs. But there are other reasons as well, one of which is "sustainability." How many plants are grown in order to produce a tincture that provides very limited dosing and lasts X number of years or to produce the dried or powdered herb that also loses its potency in X number of months or years? And yet, with the energy remedies, they can maintain their potency for many decades plus a single plant can produce hundreds of thousands of doses! How amazing is that?!

So, while herbs in their more gross state (dry, powder, tincture) are natural and necessary (and certainly have their place of use therefore I support their continued organic and ecologically-conscious cultivation), I do feel that our global future lies in the resonance and subtle energy of all life -- including the move of vibrational remedies to the forefront of therapeutics and healing.

In The Yoga of Herbs, the authors (Drs. Frawley and Lad) present this energetic view of plants, and thus herbs, beautifully, even discussing The Manifestation of Consciousness into Plants. Further, when discussing the Prabhava or special potency of herbs, the authors state that "Herbs also possess subtler and more specific qualities that transcend thought and that cannot be placed into a system of energetics." [Note: this particular reference to energetics is to the gross matter effects of the herbs through rasa, virya and vipaka] They go on to say that "Ayurveda investigates the occult and spiritual effects of substances, and is not limited to any materialistic or chemical-based theory. It understands the value and the limitation of systems, and only uses them as a guide, not as a rigid rule." This is where I feel the energy/vibrational remedies come into play and shine their Light in the healing arts, and is perhaps part of why Homeopathy was so immediately and widely used throughout India -- because of the spiritual background that is at the heart of Ayurveda and embraces the energy worlds. One of my passions is to fully and clearly incorporate the use of energy remedies into Ayurveda. This seems so natural and supports the Ayurvedic awareness of the gifts of plant life (and all life according to ancient texts).

Plants "bring to us the universal light so that we can enter the universal life." And it would seem to me that a big part of this awareness of interconnectedness is honoring these gifts, not through mass cultivation or over-harvesting, but through opening to the next level of energetic resonance so that all plants - all life - can flourish.

Some articles of interest:

Homeopathy, Sustainability and Environmental Healing

The Center for Sustainable Medicine

Roots

While I was in Missouri visiting Mom a couple weeks ago, at my behest we drove by my old childhood home. We lived there from when I was about three years old until I started school, so not a long period of time but it is from whence I draw my first clear memories. I had never been so strongly pulled to visit this place before and I wonder about that. Was it due to the strong foundational energy I felt in that structure? We lived much longer in the new brick house in that same town - throughout my grade school years - and yet my energy connection seems to be with the old white farm house. So many memories there that are fuzzy and yet vibrant at the same time! In the beautiful synchronicity of life, as we drove by the place it was for sale and vacant so Mom and I were able to walk around the nicely maintained property. So many times when someone visits a former home, especially one that is older, they find it in disrepair but such was not the case here. For that I am very grateful. The sellers had completely renovated it back in 2003, although changing it into a 'business' rather than a home dwelling. Yet... Lovely to see. I wanted to buy it so badly!!!! Oh well, that part wasn't in the cards and I'm sure there is a very valid reason, not the least of which is that I don't particularly want to live in Missouri again. Yet... The pull remains powerful; there is something I need to do or address that is calling me into that time period, those emotions, the phase of life, the experiences. Reflection is upon me... Maybe I'll write a story melding the past and a fictional 'what if' of the future!

Feels Like Home

Brings tears to my eyes as my heart overflows with joy...

When the movie "Michael" with John Travolta was released in 1996, I could hardly wait until a copy was available on video and bought it immediately. One of my all-time faves ... and so is this song ... so when Ron and I met, I knew that this song had been showing me how our love would feel. At that time, I was still fragile spiritually, although seeking and growing, and a little cynical as regarded love and romance. Ron's love, generosity and depth has brought me through another shift toward opening, acceptance, joy and contemplative passages. The mystics could have written this song in love of the Infinite. We are all One... It feels like home when I am with Ron, or standing on a mountain, or gazing into the windows of the soul, or being still. All One. Home.

Thomas Merton - Stranger

Thomas Merton - Stranger

When we are 'no one'

Dwelling in the moment, still

We witness

Sadhana

Candle lit, softly glowing.

Honoring the essence of healing and love.

Welcoming. Home.

From White Tara chant I felt myself expanding,

lengthening,

growing taller and taller,

like a lotus growing out of the mud,

stretching up high into the ether,

pulsing with energy,

feeling One with All,

losing my little self and knowing only my Self,

floating, tingling.

My voice no longer mine but

a tone, a wave,

purity carried upon the air,

unifying.

A blessed moment that was endless.

Not peace but beyond peace

to where there is no need for peace because everything simply is.

(((may all Beings be free from suffering)))

OM
(amen...and a little woman*)

____________________________

This morning was the first time in a long time that I sat Sadhana fully. What is 'fully' for me? Truly making spacesetting aside at least half an hour, separate from my regular Yoga practice, conscious removal of self and Self from the busy-ness that has been so prominent these past few weeks due to travel. For a more elucidating telling of the transformative hours prior to this Sadhana practice, go to Transformation Transition.

* This is what Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes says in her audio series of "The Dangerous Old Woman" and it has really stuck with me

Distractions

They come and go.

That is their nature.

To carry us along with them to and fro.

Covered in lint or filled with a glow.

Our attention is caught like fuzz on a screen or wings in a web.

Tearing loose then, flying free like a dandelion seed.

We flit around, drifting, until the next distraction unfolds its sticky threads or sucks like a wind tunnel to draw us in and trap us momentarily.

Open our eyes!

Be aware before the mesh envelops our time and space!

Remain present and wide open, peripheral working, eyes in the back of the head like a mother with her wayward child.

I'm Home!

Yes, I'm home once more. And will be staying home for a while! What with having been gone so much for Kripalu School of Ayurveda, and then with some flower essence workshops, and most recently visiting my Mom in Missouri, I do believe that I'm done traveling for a while.

However, the recent trip to Missouri was wonderful all the way around! I was in the mood for a Road Trip, so decided to take the Prius and drive to/from Mom's house. These long solo journeys are incredibly fulfilling; I listen to some music but mostly to lectures, and completely let go of everything except being in the moment. Two years ago, I mostly listened to Eckhart Tolle, last year I was absorbing Ian Watson, and this year's passage was enhanced by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Because I hadn't been through these states for a while, I dropped down to go through northern West Virginia and Kentucky -- glorious countryside. Coming home, I took the upper route of Ohio and New York; again, great weather and beautiful scenery. The actual driving time - minimum - is 25 hours so it did take me three full, long days each direction, but the solitude and views were well worth the extra time.

I'd become quite taken with staying in bed-and-breakfasts while traveling, and this trip was the same. Two of these b&b's were particularly memorable! On the trip out, I stayed with Maggie and Larry at the Serene View Farm B&B in Pennsylvania. I could have stayed for days at Serene View; tucked away in the countryside, the peace and quiet was delightful, the grounds fabulous, and the hospitality warm, welcoming and family-like. Coming home, I stayed for a second time with Chris and Leon at the Bellinger Rose B&B in New York. Chris and Leon are awesome hosts, the rooms are breathtakingly beautiful and comfortable, plus, and this is a huge bonus for me and one of the reasons that I chose to stop again this year at the Bellinger Rose, Chris gives amazing massages -- just imagine the bliss of receiving a luxurious evening massage after a day of driving, right before bed so that you literally walk from the massage table upstairs to your room and are sound asleep within minutes! Ahhhh, heavenly. Both provided excellent, full meal breakfasts that tasted totally yummy -- and both even have dogs on the premises! I can highly recommend these two spectacular b&bs!

And the visit with Mom was wonderful, of course. Lots of love, and hugs, and the kind of easy conversation that only comes with family relationships built upon happy childhood memories. One day we spent with my nieces, brother and his wife in St. Louis after having picked up my youngest niece McKayla to visit one of the many caves of Missouri - Onondaga. Spectacular! We also drove further south to spend a night with long-time friends; their kids and us grew up together, even taking several vacations together to Colorado and the East Coast. They're really more like family than friends! On the way back from visiting those friends, I wanted to swing by and see my childhood home -- where I recall my first memories. Oddly, the place was for sale so we were able to walk around the vacated property; extensive renovations were done in 2003, so the place looked great and that was so rewarding to see. I still can't believe how drawn I was to this former home; its energy remained with me during my journey back here. Powerful.

So, a fantastic trip and visit! I'm very grateful for the way everything fell into place so that I could make this happen -- Ron took care of the kitsnk9s in my absence, as he always does when I travel, and did his usual fabulous job. So many blessings in this life.