June Third Quarter Moon

Today is the Third Quarter Moon: This waning moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work and self-care.

Agenda today:

1. Read "It's a Meaningful Life"

2. Civilization brainstorm

3. Renewal plan

4. Evaluation House

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

6. Surrender, rest, recuperate

1. Read "It's a Meaningful Life":

I've been re-reading "It's a Meaningful Life; It Just Takes Practice," by Bo Lozoff (2000). The first half of the book dealt with the "inner journey of communion", and I'm now beginning the second section, "the outer path toward community". It's fitting that I start it now, just when the yang time of summer begins.

The first chapter of this section is Becoming Civilized: "Would you say we are in an advanced stage of social development? ... wouldn't (that) suggest human beings knowing how to get along with each other, cherishing and sustaining the natural resources of the planet, safeguarding future generations, and generally behaving in a manner that advances the common good?"

Bo says our challenge is to simultaneously civilize our own lives and help to civilize the brutal world around us; as we strengthen our own kind hearts, healthy minds, and our spirit of helpfulness, we become the building blocks for a civilized future for humankind.

"The world changes for the better with every act of kindness and for the worse with every act of cruelty." 

2. Civilization Brainstorm:

Bo suggests an hour of reflection on how I might civilize my own lifestyle, my community, and at least one global need. My ideas:

• Keep working to eliminate single-use plastics from my life, and to educate others about this huge problem.
• Stop joking about people's behavior when they are not present.
• Learn and remember the names of the people who live on my block.
• Also learn the names of the native plants and insects in my garden.

3. Renewal plan:

I try to renew all four dimensions of my life (body, mind, heart, and spirit), as Stephen Covey taught: I spend about an hour each day on a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration activities, plus work to improve my social skills and relationships. Today's waning half moon is my opportunity to review how I'm doing, and make note of new ideas for the month ahead.

My plan: In the summer months I want to renew my attention on stretching and movement by continuing a yoga and qigong practice; I want to be persistent with writing and artwork (tiny steps); I'm going to read through my Discipline Cycle book; and I plan to celebrate summer with my family!

3. Evaluation House:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the Dragon Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been Balance. 

I reviewed the intentions I set at the new moon and drew a house with 2 rooms: 

• A room for celebration of all I have accomplished already this month.
• A room for discerning what to do with the unfinished parts (Some of these I will finish in the next couple days, some I will save for next month, and some I will release because they have become irrelevant or didn't go as planned.)

3. Monthly journal brainstorm:

At the new moon (next week) I will transition from one focus to another, and a whole new field of opportunity. This week I'll take time to write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next 30-days. I will brainstorm goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next month without judgement - include at least a few crazy, improbable notions, and write a very brief synopsis of the next month of my life.

4. Surrender, rest, recuperate: 

This next few days is a time to be empty; the time for striving is past. As the moon’s light fades into darkness I get to relax and surrender to the universe. 

Some things will always be out of my control. As the moon's appearance dwindles, I let go of useless beliefs, unreasonable expectations, grudges, defensiveness, projects that don't fit into my life, and anything else that isn't working for me. I turn these all over to the Divine and give thanks, my way of opening to receive new intentions in the new month.

Then I give myself permission to rest!