New Kindly Moon

Tonight is the night of the new moon. The Chinese call this tenth new moon the Kindly Moon. In China, this is the season for winter crop planting, and this month brings the first “little snow” which gently (and kindly) moistens the winter wheat seedlings. We don't have snow yet, but we've had a kindly bit of rain.

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.

In late November everything begins to slow down, and I try to remember to be more aware of time flowing; to find the right tempo for each activity; and to transition calmly. Advent will bring a wealth of activity, so take time this week to savor the changing season. Remember, as Waverly Fitzgerald says in Slow Time, that time is "much more fluid and mysterious than I had imagined."

Agenda today:

1. Retreat Day

2. Read "Present Moment Awareness"

3. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. Proaction and reciprocity plans

6. Plant paper white bulbs

1. Retreat Day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. I'm planning a 3-day spa retreat beginning tomorrow (reading in the hot tub, oh my!)

2. Read "Present Moment Awareness":

I'm reading this book by Shannon Duncan (2001) that takes awareness one step at a time: First, body and senses; then beliefs and limitations; then emotions; and finally, reactivity. It seems like a straightforward plan!

I'm to the second section: The Illusion of Limitations, about how our beliefs seem so real. "It is a sign of mental health to question the validity of our own thoughts, which is an acknowledgement of the liquid nature of truth."

The first step out of limiting beliefs and mind traps is to adopt beginner's mind - question everything, like a 2-year-old. I'm very good at doubting things, but the trick is to be less cynical and suspicious and more curious and open-minded. This actually requires a "conscious, life-altering shift in perception".  

The second step is to accept what is - why cry over spilt milk? It is already spilled, so get on with it. Why do I let something that has already happened ("the weights of futility") ruin my whole morning? When I desperately try to defend my self-esteem, or rage against feelings of injustice, it is only my attempt to NOT FEEL THAT WAY. If I can stop obsessing and accept what is, I can more calmly decide what the truth of the situation is, or at least enjoy my life in the moment.

The third step is to choose creativity; once I am able to let go of trying to control a situation or how I feel, I will open space for intuition and inspiration. I can begin to visualize a way forward. 

Breaking the Illusion of Limitations: Practice this core exercise throughout the day.

1. Anchor in the moment with my breathing.
2. Open to all the life going around me, with all my senses.
3. Do a body scan and relax as best I can.
4. Observe my thoughts and emotions as they arise.
5. Notice any limits I'm putting on myself (judgements, beliefs, worries...).
6. Accept What Is.
7. Choose creativity.

3. Pick a theme:

At the new moon I choose a new theme to begin to give attention to. My theme this month is Grace: Grace is a state of being - at peace, free, filled with love & light.

In researching grace I found lots of different definitions. In the Christian tradition, grace is a gift from God, freely given to us. Also: God’s help, strength, blessing, salvation, enlightenment, solace, protection, presence, and love.

One key component of grace according to Christian writers, is that we can't earn it - it is "unmerited" and given freely. All we can DO to participate in the process of receiving grace is to make room for the Light of Truth to work in our hearts and lives. (Some theologians even went so far as to say that Good Deeds were hurtful to the Christian life since they could foster a doctrine of justification by works and not by faith alone.)

Wikipedia says, "The question of the means of grace has been called 'the watershed that divides ... modern [theological] liberalism from [theological] conservatism.'" Modern liberal theology "gives an exaggerated place to the abilities of people to decide their own fate and to effect their own salvation entirely apart from God's grace." Ah-HA! Damn humanists.

After all the nit-picky distinctions are set aside, I'm left with my old understanding: Grace is a state of being - at peace, free, filled with love & light. Grace goals, then, might be to simplify our lives, make time for prayer and expectant worship, weed out distractions and addictions, forgive ourselves for being imperfect, and to notice the nudges, leadings, messages, blessings and clarity we receive and give thanks for it.

My grace practices this month:

• 
  Take time for a daily prayer-meditation, opening to peace, love, and positivity.
• Keep a Grace-Notes journal, to record gifts and nudges from God, and clearness received.
• Continue to simplify my schedule and finish priorities.
• Contentment in the hot tub with a good book.

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. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top 10-20 goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. This is a time-consuming but important process. I'm going to choose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then work on a few more each day this week.

I intend to study and practice positivity: Keep things in perspective (Accept What Is), handle criticism better (loosen my grip on Fairness), and move mindfully through the day seeing the joy, because a joyful and accepting attitude supports my mental health, and leads me to the equanimity I crave.

 

I intend to create order and simplicity in my sanctuary, so that everything I keep has a place, all things are honored, and I know what is in each space: Try a daily morning-10-things / aternoon-5-things ritual to help me break a habit of slothfulness (which is really mental overload), because outer order supports inner calm and resilience, and opens the time I need for being Godly. 

 

I intend to lean in to the Grace of the season by celebrating advent and the nurturing darkness with attention and wonder, maintaining simplicity and calm in the chaos, and by keeping a positive and broad perspective, because when I open my heart to the grace and  transformation of the season, and my connection to the universal Spirit, I honor All of Creation.  

5. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

On Wednesdays I often journal a bit about the future, and my dreams and goals: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Then I try to define achievable, meaningful goals and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

This next week I hope to:

1. Share my essay about the intersection of Gardens and Earthcare in our Seasonal Reflections blog.
2. Attend a fascinating talk about "a spiritual and cultural path to address the intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and systemic inequality."
3. Begin to visualize steps I want to take this winter on that path.
4. Continue to plant and transplant native plants - work on my hugelkulture.
5. Experiment with a "plastic tag" for community education.
6. Gather speakers, and prepare for a recitation of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Greetings - Nov. 30.
7. Schedule tree walk with Carrie, and medicinal plant walk with Wren - Nov / Dec.

5. Plant Paper-white Bulbs:

Today I will plant Paper-white bulbs to bloom to (hopefully) indoors at Christmas (about 4-6 weeks).

I usually plant these at the November new moon - a dark time of the year and month, when we retreat inward, like the bulbs in the ground.

Supplies: Paper-white bulbs, a bowl, pebbles and rocks, newspapers, and a paper bag

1. Collect pretty rocks and glass pebbles of different sizes, and clean them.

2.  Fill a bowl partway with the rocks and nestle the bulbs on top, close together but not touching each other, with their tips just below the rim of the bowl.

3. Add water to the bowl, up to the bottom of the bulbs. 

4. Wrap the bowl in newspapers, and a paper bag, and put it in a dark, cold place, like the cellar or refrigerator.

5. Water the bulbs every week if needed, and check for top growth.

6. When the roots begin to take hold and the shoots are 2 to 4 inches tall, take the bowl into a cool room with indirect light.

7. When the leaves are well formed and the flower buds are showing, move the bowl to a warm, brightly lit room to encourage the buds to open.

As we grow in grace, we learn to trust the nurturing darkness. Like the bulbs in the ground and all of nature in the winter, let your energy gradually grow within you so it may be born anew when the time is right.