A Simple Week

This week will be a little simpler than the last, and maybe a little cooler. A simple life means

• everything in moderation - having just enough interests, activities, and stuff in your life to live comfortably and enjoyably; 
• allowing time and space for the things that really matter-- listening to God, caring for each other, and enjoying simple pleasures;
• being a good caretaker of the earth and using only your share of the earth’s resources.

Agenda:

1. Read Testament of Devotion

2. Simplicity in the kitchen

3. Simplify my diet

4. Internal simplification

Hungry Ghost Retreat

Today is my new moon retreat day, a chance to spend time alone with my inner guide. 

A retreat (even a short one) needs some definition or it is just a vacation: I want to broaden my inner experience and gain clarity. I need open-mindedness and a little discipline in order to maximize my effort. The most important components to arrange are solitude, silence, and simplicity. I will do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. 

My theme today is Depth: What is my Truth, my intentions, and my purpose?

Agenda:

1. Retreat plan

2. Read "The Earth Path"

3. Truth Walk

4. Garden observation

5. Permaculture tips for August

6. Set a sacred intention

7. Healing art practice

New Hungry Ghost Moon (Ghost Gate)

The Chinese call the seventh new moon the Hungry Ghost Moon, or Ghost Gate. 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.

This day is called Ghost Gate because today the Hungry Ghosts are let out of hell to roam the earth, looking for entertainment and seeking out their enemies. The Hungry Ghosts are depicted with huge, round bellies, large mouths, and very thin necks. 

Hungry Ghosts 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. Journal queries

2. Choose a month theme

4. Set intentions

5. New moon altar

6. Ghost Gate ceremony

2. Retreat Day

July Sabbath for Awareness

Today is my sabbath - for a couple of days at the end of my week I step out of the fray, and regroup. Today I'm giving myself over to awareness.

My perfect sabbath is a celebration, a holiday. I keep it holy with my attitude: I don't rush, complain, or worry. Everything I do has a flavor of peace. I schedule some work, but it's work I find fulfilling, or uplifting. Simple is a great word to describe my ideal activities for the sabbath: Simple tasks, simple foods, and an undemanding schedule.

Agenda today:
1. Synopsis of my next month

2. My Earth-Quaker awareness practices
3. Read "Testament of Devotion"
4. Surrender, rest, recuperate

July Third Quarter Moon

The July Third-Quarter 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.

I'm just back from a 5-day trip, so I need this!

Agenda today:
1. Renewal plan for next month

2. Evaluation House

3. Read "Testament of Devotion"

4. Monthly journal brainstorm

5. Surrender, rest, recuperate

Full Thunder Moon and Gateways to Obedience

The full moon of July is called ameku, the mid-summer moon, by the Kalapuya of our area, and the thunder moon by others. July days have the humming energy of a summer storm. The sun is at the peak of its power, lighting all corners with its radiance, and burning away all non-essentials. It's a month of passion and activity: I'm challenged to find integrity in my actions and expand into my Truth.

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.

Agenda:

1. Read Testimony of Devotion

2. Celebrate integrity