Also, because I am caring for my grandson this year, I have a unique opportunity to see the natural world through a baby's eyes, with Wonder and Discovery. I want to re-connect to the awe for Creation that I felt as a child.
March 14, Forgiveness Sunday-
1. Change my fasting: On Ash Wednesday I start "16/8 intermittent fasting", eating only between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. My purpose was to strengthen my discipline, and focus attention on my relationship with the foods of the land.
1. Change my fasting: On Ash Wednesday I start "16/8 intermittent fasting", eating only between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. My purpose was to strengthen my discipline, and focus attention on my relationship with the foods of the land.
Unfortunately, it really messed with my blood sugar, and I've walked less because of dizziness. I've decided to go to a sugar fast instead.
2. Journal queries: What have I learned so far from my Lenten fast and study? What is the next step to take towards resiliency? Ground myself in optimistic hope for the future, and become more open to the best actions to take.
3. Offer and ask for forgiveness: A wise man said to forgive our neighbors even when they sin against us repeatedly, even until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). Tonight I offer this prayer:
I ask for forgiveness from those I've hurt, and I offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me - and to those who hurt the earth. In asking and offering forgiveness, I hope to be able to release this burden of shame, indignation, and fear, and move on with resilience.
March 15, Clean Monday-
4. Prayer of Cleansing:
I Cleanse My Soul- Author Unknown
I cleanse my soul in the dews of spring,
Light of mind's refreshing dew
Love of heart's renewing dew,
Life being's restoring dew,
Cleanse and recreate my soul this night.
May the souls of all beings be
Peacefully preserved
From fall of night
Till day's dear light.
Till day's dear light.
5. Give thanks: During this festival, Zoroastrians show love and gratitude to the Fravashis, or Guardian Angels, for all the help they give during the year. They give thanks to two types of Fravashis - those helping Nature and those helping people. Every creation has a Fravashi: They help waters to flow, plants to grow, clouds to go where needed, and the sun, moon and planets to go around in their orbits. They uphold the sky and earth.
Today as I work quietly in my garden, I thank the earth for caring for me, and the angels for caring for the earth.
March 17, St. Patrick's Day-
6. Plant onions: In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional day to plant peas and potatoes (or so some people say). I've already got two plantings of peas in, so today I planted my onions. You can see the new onion seedlings to right and left, with small lettuce starts, California poppies, and over-wintered beets.
7. Study The World of the Kalapuya: I've been reading this book all week, as my grandson sleeps in my arms, and I've learned lots of small facts. The band of Kalapuyans who lived near me, and maybe camped in my backyard sometimes, was the Chelamela. They were wanderers, hunters and gatherers, peaceful for the most part. I've practiced with making mats from tule, and rope from leaves, in the manner of the Kalapuyans (with my art classes)... it wasn't an easy life, but they had skills.
March 18-
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| Tule mat |
March 19-
8. Awareness Walk: This month my focus is on vitality and strength; I will practice this walking meditation most mornings, giving attention to my body, heart, mind, and ki, an Asian concept that translates to "energy, life-force, spirit, or breath." It’s the Cosmic Power that flows out from the center of the Universe and returns back to the center.
1. Physical Awareness: Begin my walk, and concentrate on my feet as they touch the ground, the feel of my muscles, my breathing, my surroundings, the breeze, the sky. Center my weight low and maintain balance as I walk. Continue this for 1-2 blocks.
2. Heart Awareness: Turn a corner, and focus on my tender heart. Feel it soften and open. Send loving thoughts to my neighbors as I walk by their homes, to my family, to my community, to the world. Become aware of ki as feeling. Continue this for 1-2 blocks.
3. Mindfulness: Turn another corner, and pay attention to my thoughts. Make an effort to open my mind to the ambiguity of the moment, and my life. Become aware of ki as intuition. Continue this for 1-2 blocks.
4. Spiritual Awareness: Turn the last corner, and (holding on to the awareness I've raised) speak a prayer out loud as I’m moving; feel the power and energy move through me. Say “Spirit of the Universe, I am open and awake to whatever comes into my life today. I am a limitless being, accepting from a limitless source, in an infinite way. I am incredibly blessed.”
March 20, Vernal Equinox-
9. Journal queries: Consider the balance in my life.
How well do I balance my physical, mental, and spiritual needs?
How well do I balance my physical, mental, and spiritual needs?
How can I balance my personal needs with my commitments to the outside world?
How do I balance my Being-ness (mindful, compassionate, grateful) with my Doing (engaged, kind,and giving)?
Think also of the balance in the world; meditate upon what this half of the year will bring, dark and light, and how best I can take right action in the world.
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