The Chinese call the seventh new moon the Hungry Ghost Moon, or Ghost Gate, because today the Hungry Ghosts are let out of hell to roam the earth, looking for entertainment and seeking out their enemies. This whole month is called Ghost Month, and special ceremonies take place today, and on the full moon, and again on the last day of the month.
The Hungry Ghosts are depicted with huge, round bellies, large mouths, and very thin necks. They have two manifestations: They appear as the spirits of unhappy, homeless souls, and we also have our inner hungry ghosts. This month I acknowledge my unhealthy cravings and insatiable greeds, that are always hungry and never satisfied, and that haunt me - though I'm so used to feeding them, I don't really notice them anymore.
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.
Agenda for Today:
1. Read "Brainstorm"
1. Read "Brainstorm"
2. Journal queries
3. Choose a month theme
4. Set intentions
5. Ghost Gate ceremony
6. Retreat Day plans
Chapter 16 is Mere Interest or Passionate Interest. He says, "It is vital that a person who's decided to turn the seeds of interest into full-fledged productive obsessions learn to distinguish between those things that merely interest him, and those things that really interest him. ... The only sensible course, with respect to each new productive obsession that you field, is to pause and think."
He goes on to describe the kind of thinking I call discerning my truth: Diving deep in to my reasons for being, taking the temperature of my interest, holding my idea up to the light, consider how failure would feel, test how explosive it feels.
2. Journal queries:
Describe my life path now - Is it clear or foggy?
What gives me the feeling of meaning in my life?
Do I persistently create meaningful moments?
What gives me the feeling of meaning in my life?
Do I persistently create meaningful moments?
What am I hungry for?
Which of my cravings are unhealthy? Am I ready and able to release them?
What are my next steps in life?
Which of my cravings are unhealthy? Am I ready and able to release them?
What are my next steps in life?
From my journal: I'm on a rich and varied path that is clear, and leads to a wiser and happier me. My path is fulfilling, honest, meaningful, and challenging - I take many breaks to catch my breath. If I had wishes to be granted it would be for greater daily tenacity, patience, and physical energy.
2. Choose a month theme:
Goals for this area might be to find my true purpose in life, gain greater courage or persistence, make a change in my job or career, or discern my “natural” course.
Today I choose depth as my theme for the next month, and begin to give attention to it. I reach my depths when I follow the true course of my life, like a river flowing through a deep ravine. Staying on my path requires courage, honesty, and persistence. The path is always mysterious, and leads to unexpected challenges and changes. I’m directed back at every turn into the deep waters within myself, to discern the best route.
This month I'll discern my next steps on my path, study transforming power and make a plan for utilizing it, and go deep with self-care and energy building. My depth practices this month are:
- A daily Flow Plan for how to fit my deepest goals for nature-culture into the flow of my day.
- A weekly Inspiration Post, for sharing images, quotes, and actions that give me hope.
- A Star Chart for the daily habits I'm trying to build - exercise, walking, and order.
3. 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 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 renew my passion project and dive deeply into writing a book, obsessing daily in a creative way and finding ways to work the parts of nature-culture into the flow of my days.
I intend to give daily attention to the End of Summer garden - harvesting and preserving as much as I can, collecting seeds, preparing winter garden beds, and starting fall planting - because my garden is a sacred trust with the earth, and caring for it year round with integrity is how I live my testimony of Unity.
I intend to renew my commitment to practicing the transformative habits of discerning my truth, intention-setting, priority grids, inner-synergy, humor, creativity, mindfulness, and persistence (star charts), because these give me the power to change the world!
4. Ghost Gate Ceremony:
Today, at the Ghost Gate, I light incense for my unknown ancestors and all the other wandering souls. I'm not afraid that they will attack me, but I think the least I can do is take a moment to send peaceful wishes.
After I've said a little prayer to those Hungry Ghosts, I meditate on my inner hungry ghosts-- the cravings I have for comfort, cookies, and getting my way in life. As the incense burns, I picture my greediness floating away.
5. Retreat Day plan:
My new moon retreat will have to wait until Sunday afternoon, after my big event and business meeting. My plan is to practice a each of my transformative habits:
- Set up a new persistence star chart for building new habits.
- Discern my truth - hold my passion project in the Light all day.
- Set a couple specific new intentions.
- Update my priority grid.
- Make a Flow Plan for how to fit my goals for nature-culture into the flow of my day.
- Use inner-synergy to spark a work session.
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