New Lotus Moon (for Integrity)

The Chinese call the sixth new moon the Lotus Moon. The lotus is the "flower of open-heartedness", an emblem of purity, fruitfulness (because of its many seeds) and creative power. And since lotus leaves protect the goldfish under them (a symbol of prosperity), the lotus also symbolizes abundance year after year. 

Detail from "Connect", acrylic

A lotus flower grows out of the mud, and blossoms above the muddy water surface. Buddhists teach that, like a lotus, we can rise above the suffering and conflicts of life. The Lotus Moon, then, is the natural time to dig into the mud of my life, and seek out the best ways to grow above the fray.

Agenda:

1. Retreat Day

2. Read "It's a Meaningful Life"

3. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. New moon altar and Lotus Meditation

1. Retreat Day

The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new. 

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it, and so I had a mini-retreat yesterday, with some time for silence in nature. I feel ready now for a week that promises to be full of summer activity; I'll make an effort to bring a balance of restorative yin energy to my life: Slow down, rest well, drink more water, and practice ‘discipline of purpose’.

2. Read "It's a Meaningful Life": 

I've been re-reading "It's a Meaningful Life; It Just Takes Practice," by Bo Lozoff (2000). Chapter seven is Our Cosmic Safety Net, about maintaining a spiritual practice, and accepting that it is as important as any other daily routine we have. 

"Once we solidify our determination like this, then we can move on to the next part of the question: How can we go deeper and deeper, how can we want God ... as much as our next breath?" 

Bo's answer is prayer, because prayer keeps things fresh and moving deeper; it keeps us honest and humble. Prayer is "our safety net from free will". Bo says, "Prayer is a relationship with the Divine characterized by waiting and listening" and suggests this is a good way to go about our days, living in listening prayer. 

He also discusses the next question: Who is it we pray to? He suggests that we don't get lost in the unknowable. Prayer is simply a way to "probe our connection to the forces behind the world, whatever anyone may wish to call them." Pray to God, or to the intelligence behind nature, or to your inner guide - whatever works.  We are not separate from God, and so prayer is an inner dialogue with that of God
within.

3. Choose a month theme:

Today I choose integrity as my theme for the next month, and begin to give attention to it. Integrity is the quality of being whole and undivided, and acting promptly on my beliefs. My integrity builds my reputation with others and also cultivates my self-respect.

One way I frame integrity is with the Chinese concept of Li, which means clinging fire. The image is of the fire embracing the wood, and the sun embracing the heaven; that which gives light is dependent on something dark to give it shape and contrast. Fire represents expansion, ideas, and clarity; like the farmer, I acknowledge that the Light brings my harvest.

Goals for integrity might be to discern my Truth and then act on it, to speak truth to power, to increase my reliability, to improve my reputation with others, or somehow boost my self-confidence and self-respect. 

My integrity practices this month are:

1. Journal about my priorities each day: Plan how I will maintain energy and integrity and act on my priorities.
2. "Take Care" Mantra: Go slow, be present, listen well, gather all the threads and tie them off before moving on.
3. Listen to nature and seek unity.
4. Finish things I've started - a newsletter, lesson prep, house cleaning, and a tool wall.

4. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for the next 30 days, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month - not a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I chose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then I'll work on a few more each day this week.

I intend to Take Good Care of our garden spaces and the wildlife that uses it, listen to the earth, and cultivate a real relationship with nature, because finding unity and connection with Creation will bring vitality, peace, and purpose to my climate justice work, my art work, and my teaching and writing.

I intend to finish some of the things I've started this month (and fall in love with the process of finishing), because my brilliant ideas won’t have any impact on the world unless I put them into form.

5. New moon altar and Lotus Meditation:

It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next 30 days or so. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke?

From last month I will keep:

• a sun - for clarity and yang energy

Today I add-

• a red candle - for fire, passion, and integrity.
• a butterfly - for transformation, joy, and freedom
• a soapstone dog - for vigilance, and to remind me to stay loyal to my pack.
• a mud ball - to remind me to rise above the suffering and conflicts of life.