Full Flower Moon and Wesak

Tonight is the full moon called atantal, the "camas blooming time" by the Kalapuya of our area, and the Flower Moon by others, because - well - May flowers! The full Flower Moon is a good time to think about a promise of abundance, and blossoming into our full potential.

The flowers in my garden are a delicate reminder to me to project a gentle, honest spirit (less cactus, more pansy).

We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the shift to the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon.

Today is also Wesak (pronounced way-sak). The full moon in May is the day that Buddhists honor the birth of Gautama Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal, in 623 BCE, and also honor his enlightenment and death. Buddhists all over the world celebrate this day by pausing to remember the Buddha's virtues, expressing their gratitude and appreciation for his teachings, and by finding ways to be more Buddha-like.

Agenda Today: 

1. Take a vision walk

2. Celebrate joy

3. Gratitude practice

4. Read (and Practice) the Happiness Habit

5. Find ways to be more Buddha-like

6. Make a lantern for Wesak
7. Cook Hath Maaluwa (Seven Vegetables Curry)

1. Take a vision walk:

The full moon shines a bright light on everything, and I might experience intuitive and creative breakthroughs. I might be shocked by the clarity of my insights. I might see some ugliness - the full moon illuminates all the things I've left in the shadows, some heavy truths and some embarrassing mistakes.

Today I'm going to settle in to silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit with an open mind and heart.

Today I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes. What is the Truth that is coming into focus for me now? 

How do I invite contentment and/or playfulness into my days? And how do I ground yourself in times of stress?

What is blossoming in my life and how am I nurturing it?

 

2. Celebrate Joy:

My theme ​this month ​is Joy, contentment, serenity, and living with a wide-open, unbiased attitude of appreciation for life. A childlike quality of joy supports my spontaneous, innovative, creative spirit.

And it's been a joyful week! My son is married! I saw all my family! And I'm back home again!

Today I remind myself of my intentions for the month, and then celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. Each month I choose a different way to celebrate the full moon, and today I am ready to celebrate joy in three ways:

1. Creative focus for sewing a dump truck pillow (self designed).
2. Unlimited, peaceful afternoon time in the garden, which has been woefully neglected.
3. Zoom sharing thoughts about joy and blossoming with good friends (and howling at the moon!) 

3. Gratitude practice:

Last year I started a small gratitude banner, with sticky notes, above my desk - and at every full moon I add a few new notes. 

When I remember to feel grateful for my blessings, my days take on a different tone: I have more vigor, optimism, compassion, and peace. By noticing how I am blessed, my impatience decreases and I realize how satisfied and fulfilled I really am.

4. Read (and Practice) the Happiness Habit:

I'm reading a book called "Happiness is a Habit: Simple Daily Rituals that Increase Energy, Improve Well-being, and Add Joy to Every Day", by Michele Phillips. 

Habit 10 is Guide Your Thoughts. “We all have this little voice in our head that is talking to us nonstop all the time. The question is, what is it saying? Is that little voice telling you how great you are and making you feel good about yourself? Or is it just the opposite?”

Negative self talk is a surprisingly hard habit to break. The author suggests that it’s like changing to a different radio station in your head. The stations that I would like to change right now are the “Not the Favorite” self-pity station, and the “I Don’t Have Time for This” impatience station.  I’ll try tuning into the “Just Breathe, I'm Loved, Fun and Happy” station for awhile. 

Habit 11 is Have a Clear Vision and Goals. This is kind of the main thesis of my life, but my goals since covid have gotten pretty vague and theoretical. I probably need to revisit and rewrite them with some details and timing suggestions. 

Habit 12 is Create Affirmations for Your Goals and Dreams. If affirmations work for you, that's great. I get stuck on the present-tense phrasing of affirmations, which seems dishonest to me: I'm not there yet, so saying I am feels uncomfortable. My preference is to set intentions that pin-point the deepest inner reasons I want to accomplish my goals:

I intend to do the work of creating a sanctuary garden in our front yard, a little each day until it's done; each step will be thought out; each stone placed with love; each plant given reverence - to make a safe place for dreaming and communing, open to all species.

5. Find ways to be more Buddha-like:

Buddhists celebrate Wesak by finding ways to be more Buddha-like: By practicing meditation, visiting monasteries, listening to sermons from venerable monks and nuns, serving free vegetarian meals to poor people, making donations to charities, and distributing gifts.

I've been listening to True Happiness by Pema Chödrön.  Today I will find time for a quiet walk with my dog, to listen to this great Buddhist teacher.

4. Make a lantern for Wesak:

Many Buddhists in Asia decorate their homes for Wesak with flags and elaborate lanterns. One year I made a tissue paper lantern called an atapattama. They are usually made out of thin pieces of bamboo, but I found a good video demonstration on YouTube showing a simple wire technique. 

(For a how to make my Wesak lantern above, look here, and from another year, look here.)

5. Cook Hath Maaluwa (Seven Vegetables Curry):
Buddhists all over the world refrain from eating meat on this day, and serve vegetarian meals to poor people. 

This tasty vegetarian curry is from Sri Lanka; you can use any seven vegetables that are in season in your area. The recipe is here.