Days of Passion

I began a Slow Passion Project last July, working to SLOW DOWN and GO WITH the FLOW, and INVOLVE MY WHOLE SELF in my Nature-Culture project. It went pretty well for a while, and now I want to recommit and reignite!

Agenda:

1. Read "The Art of Simple Living"

2. Clarify my passion plan

3. Ongo journal

4. Four days of passion

5. Flow plan

Worm Day

Yesterday my worms arrived, and I finished my worm bin and put them in it. Today I get to share this new study and practice with my grandsons!

1. Ongo journal

2. Love cycle

Winter Solstice and Fourth Sunday of Advent

Photo by Alan Gillespie

The winter solstice occurs this morning at 7:02 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice happens during the coldest season of the year, when the sun is at its lowest angle and is seen for its shortest period. This is the turning point, the moment of new beginnings - the darkest time, with the brightest hope.

The Winter Solstice was never a one day festival - three days seems to be the minimum. The sun appears to stand still for three days, then days begin to noticeably increase in length (and we all sigh in relief). 

We need to believe in these little myths - that the sun is returning and hope is reborn - so that we can continue to believe in the Big Myths, like justice, mercy, democracy, freedom - "That sort of thing".

“Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.” ~Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

 

Also, the fourth and final part of advent begins today, and I have already begun an intentional period of introspection: A Winter Retreat Brainstorm for the Next Year, and today I am looking at my Spiritual self. In one of my favorite books, "It's a Meaningful Life; It Just Takes Practice," by Bo Lozoff (2000), Bo describes why to create a personal spiritual practice - because "We must be willing to do the spiritual work that gradually brings us into communion with what is eternal and divine within us". 

Bo says that daily spiritual practice is how we clear the slate so that bad habits can't as easily flourish, and also to become more aware of the depths of our being. We practice so that our default mode becomes generally more spiritual than worldly, and we develop an equanimity that helps us breeze through life.

Agenda:

1. Read a novena

2

. Plan ways to give attention to God

3. 

Light a candle for integrity

4. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

5. Soyal retreat practices for spirit

6. Spiritual practices brainstorm

7. Make candles for solstice

8. Advent wreath ceremony

9. Solstice dinner