Full Harvest Moon

The full Harvest Moon rises this evening -- obliquely, close to the horizon -- and remains big and bright for a long time, giving extra light to harvesters. This moon is called Atchiutchutin, the After-Harvest moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, because the big harvest in our area comes earlier. 

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

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, and I might have some profound new understandings. 

This month, as I have explored my life-path, I've been swept into my own depths. I’m directed back at every turn into deeper waters within, to watch the unfolding of my purpose. I need courage, because the abyss is dangerous, the path is mysterious, and it leads to unexpected challenges and changes.

Like water, I am persistent and sincere, and I keep flowing. Today I'm going to settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - and seek a leading of the spirit with an open mind and heart, using these queries:

When I grow up (when I reach my full potential), what kind of person do I want to be, and what kind of life do I want to lead? In what ways am I off that path now, and what small adjustments could I make to get on course? 

What is my framework or guidance system for my day-to-day priorities and choices? 

What are my highest values? If I follow them to the deepest place of love, joy, generosity, fulfillment and peace, what work do they point to that I am to do for others? 

 

What in my life is asking for the light of Truth to shine on it? What choices am I facing? What paths am I resisting? What are the risks? What are the benefits?

From my journal: I truly want to write a book that is a gift to everyone seeking a way forward that is in greater balance with nature. It's the calling that will fill the final years of my life. It will require me to be a bigger and better person; have the strength of my convictions and shift my own life in small and big ways. I will eventually need a council of friends to read and advise me, but for now I am picking up pieces and placing them in the altar of my document, turning them this way and that to see what fits. 

2. Celebrate depth:

My theme ​this month ​is Depth, discerning my true purpose and path in life, working on transformative practices, and committing to my priorities.

Today I remind myself of my intentions for the month, and then celebrate how far I've come, give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received, and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. Each month I choose a different way to celebrate the full moon, and I am ready to celebrate depth today in these ways:

1. Write about the gifts of water.
2. Paint more butterflies on the wall.
3. Meet with my Moon buddies to share my story.

3. Spiritual growth goal:

Last week I worked at Spiritual simplicity and order. This week my practice is developing the strength of my convictions. In my role as writer and teacher, I need to stand firm in my beliefs, and in my resolve to act with integrity and authenticity.

"Conviction is more than just believing in something. It’s the unshakable confidence that what you stand for is worth defending, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. The courage of conviction is the strength to follow through on those beliefs, irrespective of opposition, fear, or uncertainty."

Practices:

1. Know my core values
2. Practice self-awareness: understand my strengths, weaknesses, and triggers.
3. Set parameters for behaving with integrity, to reinforce my convictions.
4. Surround myself with people who encourage me to stay true to myself, to help strengthen my resolve.
5. Practice putting my values into consistent action to reinforce my sense of purpose.

Third Quarter Moon of early September

Photo by Alan Gillespie

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 "How to Manifest"

2. Renewal plan

3. Evaluation House

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, when we mark Jesus’ death and burial.

Permelia and Madeline, our first duck ladies

We are also going to dye eggs today! Eggs universally symbolize birth and potential. For Christians, at Easter, eggs stand for hope and spiritual rebirth.

Agenda today:
1. Darkness to Hope Meditation

2. Bake hot cross buns

3. Dye eggs

Day of the Dead and First Quarter Moon of November

Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead - is a holiday observed in Mexico on November 2. It’s a family time for remembering and honoring dead friends and relatives - a period when the souls of the dead can return for a visit. It’s celebrated with humor, not sadness.

And this is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries

2. Make a full effort plan

3. Write a mission haiku

4. Set up an ofrenda
5. Make paper banners
6. Make skeletons
7. Make sugar skulls

Good Friday and Passover

Today is Good Friday, when we mark Jesus’ death and burial.

And tonight is the start of Passover, the oldest of the Jewish holidays. It celebrates the story of how God set the Jewish people free from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan, which is the night of the first full moon after the equinox.

Agenda today:
1. Darkness to Hope Meditation

2. Reflect on freedom

3.  Passover blessing

4. Bake hot cross buns

The Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead- Dia de los Muertos - is a holiday observed in Mexico on November 2. It’s a family time for remembering and honoring dead friends and relatives - a period when the souls of the dead can return for a visit. It’s celebrated with humor, not sadness.

Agenda:
1. Set up an ofrenda
2. Make paper banners
3. Make Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead)
4. Make skeletons
5. Make sugar skulls

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, when we mark Jesus’ death and burial.

Agenda today:
1. Darkness to Hope Meditation
2. Bake hot cross buns

Day of the Dead

 The Day of the Dead- Dia de los Muertos - is a holiday observed in Mexico on November 2. It’s a family time for remembering and honoring dead friends and relatives - a period when the souls of the dead can return for a visit. It’s celebrated with humor, not sadness.

Agenda:
1. Set up an ofrenda
2. Make paper banners
3. Make Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead)
4. Make skeletons
5. Make sugar skulls

Good Friday, Passover, and Full Hare Moon

Today is Good Friday, when we mark Jesus’ death and burial.

Tonight is the full moon; this one is called the Hare Moon, because this is the month when rabbits leap and play and mate.

Carmella and Toffee

And tonight is also the start of Passover, the oldest of the Jewish holidays. It celebrates the story of how God set the Jewish people free from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan, which is the night of the first full moon after the equinox.

Agenda today:
1. Darkness to Hope Meditation
2. Update my altar
3. Journal queries
4. Practice at my theme of Joy
5. Bake hot cross buns
6. Clean the kitchen
7. Reflect on freedom
8. Passover blessing

Days of the Dead

The Day of the Dead- Dia de los Muertos- is a holiday observed in Mexico on November 2. It’s a family time for remembering and honoring dead friends and relatives- a period when the souls of the dead can return for a visit. It’s celebrated with humor, not sadness.

Agenda:
1. Set up an ofrenda
2. Make paper banners
3. Make Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead)
4. Make skeletons
5. Make sugar skulls

Good Friday and Passover

Today is Good Friday, when we mark Jesus’ death and burial.

Tonight is also the start of Passover, the oldest of the Jewish holidays. It celebrates the story of how God set the Jewish people free from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan, which is the night of the first full moon after the equinox.


I don't hold a Passover Seder because it's too important of a ceremony. Instead, I honor the start of Passover with some thought and discussion on the themes, some Hebrew prayers, and a nice Jewish meal.

Agenda today:
1. Darkness to Hope Meditation
2. Bake hot cross buns
3. Clean the kitchen
4. Reflect on freedom
5. Passover blessing

Nirvana Day and New Holiday Moon

Today is Nirvana Day, the celebration of Buddha's death at the age of 80, at around 487 BCE. It's celebrated in East Asia on February 15th, or on February 8th by some people.

And tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve. In China, New Year's evening is called Ch’u-yeh, the "evening of discarding", because we can finally be done with the old year, and with winter. The last day of the year in China is busy, because it’s the last chance to complete preparations and be ready to start the year fresh. When the running around is done, the family spends the rest of the day at home together. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stresses the importance of family connections. 

AND tonight is also the new moon; this moon is called the Holiday Moon in China, because of the New Year Festival. Normally the new moon is on the first day of the Chinese New Year, but because the moon is new tomorrow in China, we celebrate a day late here in the U.S.

Agenda for today:

1. Read the Buddha's teachings
2. Buddhist prayer of Five Contemplations
3. Thanksgiving ceremony
4. Welcoming Ceremony
5. Make a prosperity tree
6. Prepare a family feast

Good Friday

This is the anniversary of Jesus’ death and burial. Today I reflect on desperation and despair. I remember again that the soul's "dark night" is a part of the human condition. 

My capacity to experience despair is a gift; through it I am transformed. Jesus said, "You must be born again." (John 3:7). The ability to shift from despair to hope is how I get the strength to live life whatever the daily deaths I might face.

Agenda today:

1. Darkness Meditation:
Everyone has periods and circumstances of despair. I remember quite clearly when I was laying in the emergency room on a table, with broken ribs and shoulder, and everyone left, probably to help someone else. I had been strong until then, but during that 45 minutes when I was alone I succumbed to self-pity, pain, and loneliness pretty quickly.

Remember, for a few minutes, what it was like to be sad and in misery. Center on that feeling for a while- feeling alone, even feeling no connection to Spirit. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Hold that feeling and take several slow breaths.


Now discover again that connection to the Divine; remember that you have experienced great joy, and remember that you will again. Relax into a feeling of light and hope. Feel a glow slowly fill you, as dawn fills the sky, and then extend light to family, to friends, to neighbors, to strangers, and to all others who are in darkness now.

2. Bake hot cross buns:
The hot cross bun is probably the oldest of the many English buns. It was originally eaten only on Good Friday. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries street cries were commonly heard on Good Friday:

"Hot Cross buns, Hot Cross buns, One a penny, two a penny, Hot Cross buns!”

You are supposed to keep one bun all year to insure that all the bread you bake is perfect (and as a charm against shipwreck).

Ingredients:

• 1/4 c. unsalted butter
• 1 c. milk
• 2 pkg. yeast
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3 c. white flour
• 1 c. whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. each nutmeg and allspice
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 c. plumped currants
• 1/2 c. sultana raisins
• 2 tsp. minced orange rind
• 1 egg white + 1 tsp. water
• powdered sugar frosting

Yield: 1-dozen buns-

1- Melt the butter. Heat the milk to just boiling. Whisk in the butter and sugar, then cool to 105ºF. Add yeast, salt and eggs.

2- Add flour and spices, and mix  to make a soft dough.

3- Knead for 5-7 minutes (I used my Kitchen-aid). Dust in more flour if needed. When dough is smooth knead in the plumped currants, sultana raisins, and minced orange rind.

4- Shape dough into a ball, cover with a towel, and let rest for about 20 minutes.

5- Divide the dough into 12 pieces and shape into balls. Place the buns on a lightly greased baking sheet about one inch apart. Using floured scissors, snip a cross on the top of each bun about 1/2-inch deep. Brush with egg white glaze. Let rest about 25 minutes or until buns look puffy and light.

6- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the buns in the oven and reduce heat to 350°. Bake for 17-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven. When cool, apply a cross of white frosting.

Nirvana Day

Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha's death at the age of 80, at around 487 BCE. It's celebrated in East Asia on February 15th, or on February 8th by some people.

Buddhists celebrate death because it's when the soul is released from the body to experience Nirvana. The word Nirvana means "to extinguish", but it's really more of a transformation to a new kind of existence. Nirvana is usually described as a state of bliss or peace, and a release from all physical suffering. The Buddha taught that Nirvana was beyond human imagination, and so speculation about what Nirvana is like is considered by some to be foolish.

Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha's teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats. People visit and bring gifts of money and household goods to support monks and nuns.

Agenda Today:

1. Open to Uncertainty:
Buddha's last words were, "Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Strive for your liberation with diligence." 

So Buddha says we are all marked by impermanence- all life is fleeting and changeable. I am not in control! I know this, of course, but emotionally I resist it every day. I cling to my past happiness and resist the pain of today.

Nirvana Day is a reminder to try again to accept the uncertainty of everything.

2. Read:
Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha's teachings. On this day, people often read passages from the Nirvana Sutra, describing the Buddha’s last days of life. 

I read instead from my favorite Buddhist author, Pema Chodrin. She has a book that's entirely about the impermanence of life called Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion. She says-

“Our habitual patterns are, of course, well established, seductive, and comforting. Just wishing for them to be ventilated isn’t enough. Mindfulness and awareness are key. 

Do we see the stories that we’re telling ourselves and question their validity? 
When we are distracted by a strong emotion, do we remember that it is part of our path? 
Can we feel the emotion and breathe it into our hearts for ourselves and everyone else? 

If we can remember to experiment like this even occasionally, we are training as a warrior. And when we can’t practice when distracted but know that we can’t, we are still training well. Never underestimate the power of compassionately recognizing what’s going on.”

3. Bodhisattva Practices:

Pema Chodron talks about training to be a bodhisattva, a compassionate warrior who has generated enough love to reach nirvana, but remains alive to help others who suffer.
"Warrior-bodhisattvas enter challenging situations in order to alleviate suffering. They are willing to cut through personal reactivity and self-deception .... A warrior accepts that we can never know what will happen to us next. We can try to control the uncontrollable by looking for security and predictability, always hoping to be comfortable and safe. But the truth is that we can never avoid uncertainty. This not-knowing is part of the adventure."

So, how does one train to be a bodhisattva? By cultivating the four limitless qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. (Equanimity vs. reactivity is my challange!)

"But bodhichitta training offers no promise of happy endings. Rather, this “I” who wants to find security—who wants something to hold on to—will finally learn to grow up. If we find ourselves in doubt that we’re up to being a warrior-in-training, we can contemplate this question: “Do I prefer to grow up and relate to life directly, or do I choose to live and die in fear?” 

First Bodhisattva Practices:
1. Slogan: Every morning this week say, “I accept that I can never know what will happen next. This is part of the adventure!”

2. Observe: As I face daily encounters with unpredictability, notice my feelings of fear, irritation, confusion, defensiveness, worry, or disappointment- these are flags that show me when I am holding back.

3. Break my pattern: Rather than holding back, perk up and lean in to the situation. Embrace the uncertainty of the moment. Step out of the safety zone! Accept the situation, accept my emotions, and accept the people involved.

4. Meditation: 
I will try to meditate for awhile each day for the next week. Meditation is one way to learn to be vulnerable. When a thought rises, breathe it gently away- let the emotion remain and experience it fully without the thought; be present in the moment and tender toward myself, others, and the world.