"Identification with your mind creates an opaque screen of concepts, labels, images, words, judgments, and definitions that blocks all true relationship. It comes between you and yourself, between you and your fellow man and woman, between you and nature, between you and God. It is this screen of thought that creates the illusion of separateness, the illusion that there is you and a totally separate "other." You then forget the essential fact that, underneath the level of physical appearances and separate forms, you are one with all that is."
Eckhardt Tolle
30 July 2009
25 July 2009
King Snake
I am currently working on a book of short stories and poems titled Lalo the Snake Catcher. The following is an excerpt from King Snake, a short story in the series.
Here, Lalo is talking with a giant snake who has terrorized the countryside and eaten unattended babies, livestock and the odd farmer's wife. Although she did capture and kill him, unfortunately for Lalo and for the snake, he came back to life again through the power of dark magic. Because he is unable to die until he genuinely repents, Lalo takes King Snake back to her home in the deep deep woods where she builds a special box to keep him in.
~~~~~~~
Tired of his moaning on and on about being caught and how it wasn't fair to be kept cooped up in his box, Lalo prepared King Snake his favorite breakfast hoping it would take his mind off his incessant self pity and conniving to escape.
The whining and the cajoling, which had been going on for months continued. "Let me out, please let me out Miss Lalo!" shouted King Snake mournfully. "I promise I won't do it again." He added indignantly, "It really isn't my fault I am a snake you know! I was born this way!" Then he wheedled, "Truly, I really am a good sort at heart. Honestly, I swear on my Mother. If you just set me free I will never eat another baby again and I will give you half my kingdom as a reward. Just set me free. Pleeeeeeeeeessssssssssss." He hissed pitifully in his darkness.
Lalo sighed and closed her eyes. "Here is a riddle for you King Snake," she cooed, "if you can solve it correctly I will set you free. Listen carefully now." she cleared her throat,
"You are the trap the ego sets to catch and keep in their places the inner and outer players it needs to fulfill the roles in the movies it runs in your head about everyone and everything it comes in contact with."
She paused for what seemed to King Snake like hours.
"WELLLLLLLLLL?" he finally exploded with venomous exasperation.
"What are you?"
Lalo asked gently as she fed several dozens of fat rats and small birds through the opening at the top of his box.
"WHAT?, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" he bellowed.
"That is the riddle. 'What are you?'" she repeated - even more quietly than before.
Five years went by without so much as a whisper from the box. The day after that King Snake called out, "Lalo, Miss Lalo, are you still there?" He was crying.
"Yes, my friend, of course I am here."
"I don't know the answer," he said with a sob, "please tell me the answer."
"Manipulation" is the answer my dear snake." was all she said.
~~~~~~
Awaken, Be Good, Be Happy, Be at Peace,
L.
Here, Lalo is talking with a giant snake who has terrorized the countryside and eaten unattended babies, livestock and the odd farmer's wife. Although she did capture and kill him, unfortunately for Lalo and for the snake, he came back to life again through the power of dark magic. Because he is unable to die until he genuinely repents, Lalo takes King Snake back to her home in the deep deep woods where she builds a special box to keep him in.
~~~~~~~
Tired of his moaning on and on about being caught and how it wasn't fair to be kept cooped up in his box, Lalo prepared King Snake his favorite breakfast hoping it would take his mind off his incessant self pity and conniving to escape.
The whining and the cajoling, which had been going on for months continued. "Let me out, please let me out Miss Lalo!" shouted King Snake mournfully. "I promise I won't do it again." He added indignantly, "It really isn't my fault I am a snake you know! I was born this way!" Then he wheedled, "Truly, I really am a good sort at heart. Honestly, I swear on my Mother. If you just set me free I will never eat another baby again and I will give you half my kingdom as a reward. Just set me free. Pleeeeeeeeeessssssssssss." He hissed pitifully in his darkness.
Lalo sighed and closed her eyes. "Here is a riddle for you King Snake," she cooed, "if you can solve it correctly I will set you free. Listen carefully now." she cleared her throat,
"You are the trap the ego sets to catch and keep in their places the inner and outer players it needs to fulfill the roles in the movies it runs in your head about everyone and everything it comes in contact with."
She paused for what seemed to King Snake like hours.
"WELLLLLLLLLL?" he finally exploded with venomous exasperation.
"What are you?"
Lalo asked gently as she fed several dozens of fat rats and small birds through the opening at the top of his box.
"WHAT?, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" he bellowed.
"That is the riddle. 'What are you?'" she repeated - even more quietly than before.
Five years went by without so much as a whisper from the box. The day after that King Snake called out, "Lalo, Miss Lalo, are you still there?" He was crying.
"Yes, my friend, of course I am here."
"I don't know the answer," he said with a sob, "please tell me the answer."
"Manipulation" is the answer my dear snake." was all she said.
~~~~~~
Awaken, Be Good, Be Happy, Be at Peace,
L.
23 July 2009
Two
I
ORDINARY
Day to day
Making time to play
All those lofty ponderings
Put away
Just Being here
With no demand
Being who I AM
Without you, my Beloved Friend.
II
MOURNING DOVE
Hroo, hroo
She sings to me from her tree outside my window.
Hroo, hroo
Pulling at my heart,
Which answers: Hroo, hroo
I have lost my dear ones too
Be Good, Be Happy, Be Well, Be at Peace,
L.
ORDINARY
Day to day
Making time to play
All those lofty ponderings
Put away
Just Being here
With no demand
Being who I AM
Without you, my Beloved Friend.
II
MOURNING DOVE
Hroo, hroo
She sings to me from her tree outside my window.
Hroo, hroo
Pulling at my heart,
Which answers: Hroo, hroo
I have lost my dear ones too
Be Good, Be Happy, Be Well, Be at Peace,
L.
21 July 2009
New Arrivals
It's been a while since my last post. I've been busy with some new arrivals at our place - two, six week old kittens and numerous fleas. The kittens, both from the same litter, arrived Sunday before last. They keep odd hours - the favored play time being just when I am going to bed and at five in the morning. I have been very busy kitty proofing the place, which seems to require taking everything apart and putting it back together again. This has been no easy task since the kittens get into everything. To my horror, they both squeezed through a two inch space between the fridge and a cabinet where there is freshly sprinkled bug powder. As soon as they emerged I grabbed them and gave them a very quick wash of from the tops their tiny heads to the tips of their skinny tails and then sat vigil a good part of the night to be sure they hadn't ingested any of the poison. I am also working hard to convince the fleas to leave without using harmful chemicals.
I am a bit surprised at myself. I immediately began talking gibberish at the kittens in a high squeaky voice. I looked up at one point and Todd (who shares the apartment) was standing there looking bemused at the sight. I don't think he's ever seen this side of me.
The kittens haven't got permanent names yet; we're waiting to see who they are. However, I have been calling the boy Rupee from time to time because he gets a funny look on his face that reminds me of my older brother, Rupert, when he is pensive, and I sometimes call the girl Cheeky Boots because she is when I ask her to stop doing something she turns her back to me and ignores the request. They are soooooo funny together.
I haven't laughed this much in a very long time and am very grateful to Todd,for suggesting we get them. They are a very welcome addition to our household.
Peace,
L.
I am a bit surprised at myself. I immediately began talking gibberish at the kittens in a high squeaky voice. I looked up at one point and Todd (who shares the apartment) was standing there looking bemused at the sight. I don't think he's ever seen this side of me.
The kittens haven't got permanent names yet; we're waiting to see who they are. However, I have been calling the boy Rupee from time to time because he gets a funny look on his face that reminds me of my older brother, Rupert, when he is pensive, and I sometimes call the girl Cheeky Boots because she is when I ask her to stop doing something she turns her back to me and ignores the request. They are soooooo funny together.
I haven't laughed this much in a very long time and am very grateful to Todd,for suggesting we get them. They are a very welcome addition to our household.
Peace,
L.
14 July 2009
Do You Want To Be Happy or Do You Want To Be Right?
Are you the jailer or are you the prisoner? When we hold anger and resentments against others, we are both. On a psychic level, we imprison them (and ourselves) by holding on to and indulging these negative feelings.
The next time you are angry with someone, just notice how your body is in tension - notice where the tensions are. Notice how these tensions are clamping down on and restricting the free flow of blood in your veins and arteries, and restricting your breathing. Vital nutrients and oxygen are not being distributed properly to your organs. You may find yourself breathing shallowly or heavily or hyperventilating; you might even be holding your breath. The tension may be in the stomach muscles resulting in nausea, indigestion, sour stomach, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea. You could be tensing the sphincter and genital muscles and the muscles surrounding the organs in the lower part of the body. Your neck could be so stiff that you become dizzy or confused; vision can become blurred, and hearing can be effected by tension in the head and neck area. Heart problems, high and low blood pressure, strokes, and even hardening of the arteries could occur. There can be severe tension in the lower, middle and upper back, wrists, hands, and fingers. Chronic tension in these areas could result in serious, debilitating and life threatening illness. Tensions can appear anywhere in the body. It is interesting to see them as they move around. The more familiar you become with where you hold tensions the more easily you can, with practice, locate and relax tensions that are causing problems in your body.
Chronically angry and resentful people can and do become quite ill because the organs, including the brain, are not receiving the proper oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. Imagine what that does over your lifetime. Where do you hold the most tension? Breathe through the nose into that area a few times to relax the muscles there. Notice the difference in how you feel.
Many medical and alternative healing modalities teach that where illness occurs in the body is directly related to habitual negative thinking where tension from long held negative beliefs and resentments exist.
Regularly practicing forgiveness and the relaxation of tensions in the body can help to free you from debilitating habitual negativity. Practice forgiveness daily - learn to forgive others and to forgive yourself. When you find yourself thinking angry, resentful thoughts about people, stop to take a few minutes to look at what is going on inside your body and in your thoughts. Notice who you are angry with - who are you resenting? Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right? If you want to be happy, forgive. Close your eyes and visualize the person you are angry with say the Forgiveness Prayer (affirmation)below. As you say it you may notice varying degrees of resistance to forgiving them and letting go of the tensions. Don't worry about this or fight with it - just listen to all the reasons or excuses for not forgiving them - allow it to be and to give you all the information it has about the issues you have with this person. After a few minutes, if you are not able to release the tension and forgive them, just say, "I forgive myself." and stop the session. Leave it there and go do something else. During the coming hours you will notice a shift in the way you are thinking and feeling about the anger at that person. The issues may not seem so important now. Perhaps you would rather be free of the restricting tension? Come back to the prayer/affirmation for this particular person when you feel ready to try again. Each time you try, you will notice a positive shift in your thinking about the person and the situation and yourself.
Just keep practicing the prayer/affirmation, eventually it will become easier and you will be able to let go sooner. In the beginning you may just get more information about why you are angry, over time you will be able to forgive them and yourself for your own part in the issue. Do not try to force anything. If you try this for a few minutes and find you are not able to release the tension and negativity, don't worry, try again another time. Adding this to your daily practice of sitting meditation, walking meditation, journaling and relaxation exercises enhances the ability to forgive tremendously. With patient practice, you will be able to release others and yourself from your prison of anger, resentment and fear. Your life, health and relationships will improve in ways you can't possibly imagine.
If there are people in your life who intentionally or unintentionally continue to cause you pain and suffering regardless of how many adjustments you've made to accommodate them or how often you practice the affirmation, it may be time to alter the nature of the relationship. In some cases you may actually have to terminate those relationships for your sanity and well being. Continue to use the affirmation as you disengage. There is no need to hold on to that which makes you ill or kills your spirit or negates your Being. Forgive them and and yourself and set yourself free.
In some instances I have discovered that even when I believe it's best to end a relationship and have accepted that this will happen, practicing this prayer/affirmation has actually opened up new paths to healing for us rather than ending. The relationships change and grow in unexpected and more positive directions.
Profound changes can occur in relationships, individuals and entire communities we are connected with when we practice intentional forgiveness.
Affirmation/Prayer (adapted from Louis Hay's:How to Heal Your Life:
"I forgive you (say person's name) for not being as I wanted you to be. I forgive you and set you free; and I forgive myself."
"Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Jesus Christ
Be at Peace,
Lalo
The next time you are angry with someone, just notice how your body is in tension - notice where the tensions are. Notice how these tensions are clamping down on and restricting the free flow of blood in your veins and arteries, and restricting your breathing. Vital nutrients and oxygen are not being distributed properly to your organs. You may find yourself breathing shallowly or heavily or hyperventilating; you might even be holding your breath. The tension may be in the stomach muscles resulting in nausea, indigestion, sour stomach, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea. You could be tensing the sphincter and genital muscles and the muscles surrounding the organs in the lower part of the body. Your neck could be so stiff that you become dizzy or confused; vision can become blurred, and hearing can be effected by tension in the head and neck area. Heart problems, high and low blood pressure, strokes, and even hardening of the arteries could occur. There can be severe tension in the lower, middle and upper back, wrists, hands, and fingers. Chronic tension in these areas could result in serious, debilitating and life threatening illness. Tensions can appear anywhere in the body. It is interesting to see them as they move around. The more familiar you become with where you hold tensions the more easily you can, with practice, locate and relax tensions that are causing problems in your body.
Chronically angry and resentful people can and do become quite ill because the organs, including the brain, are not receiving the proper oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. Imagine what that does over your lifetime. Where do you hold the most tension? Breathe through the nose into that area a few times to relax the muscles there. Notice the difference in how you feel.
Many medical and alternative healing modalities teach that where illness occurs in the body is directly related to habitual negative thinking where tension from long held negative beliefs and resentments exist.
Regularly practicing forgiveness and the relaxation of tensions in the body can help to free you from debilitating habitual negativity. Practice forgiveness daily - learn to forgive others and to forgive yourself. When you find yourself thinking angry, resentful thoughts about people, stop to take a few minutes to look at what is going on inside your body and in your thoughts. Notice who you are angry with - who are you resenting? Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right? If you want to be happy, forgive. Close your eyes and visualize the person you are angry with say the Forgiveness Prayer (affirmation)below. As you say it you may notice varying degrees of resistance to forgiving them and letting go of the tensions. Don't worry about this or fight with it - just listen to all the reasons or excuses for not forgiving them - allow it to be and to give you all the information it has about the issues you have with this person. After a few minutes, if you are not able to release the tension and forgive them, just say, "I forgive myself." and stop the session. Leave it there and go do something else. During the coming hours you will notice a shift in the way you are thinking and feeling about the anger at that person. The issues may not seem so important now. Perhaps you would rather be free of the restricting tension? Come back to the prayer/affirmation for this particular person when you feel ready to try again. Each time you try, you will notice a positive shift in your thinking about the person and the situation and yourself.
Just keep practicing the prayer/affirmation, eventually it will become easier and you will be able to let go sooner. In the beginning you may just get more information about why you are angry, over time you will be able to forgive them and yourself for your own part in the issue. Do not try to force anything. If you try this for a few minutes and find you are not able to release the tension and negativity, don't worry, try again another time. Adding this to your daily practice of sitting meditation, walking meditation, journaling and relaxation exercises enhances the ability to forgive tremendously. With patient practice, you will be able to release others and yourself from your prison of anger, resentment and fear. Your life, health and relationships will improve in ways you can't possibly imagine.
If there are people in your life who intentionally or unintentionally continue to cause you pain and suffering regardless of how many adjustments you've made to accommodate them or how often you practice the affirmation, it may be time to alter the nature of the relationship. In some cases you may actually have to terminate those relationships for your sanity and well being. Continue to use the affirmation as you disengage. There is no need to hold on to that which makes you ill or kills your spirit or negates your Being. Forgive them and and yourself and set yourself free.
In some instances I have discovered that even when I believe it's best to end a relationship and have accepted that this will happen, practicing this prayer/affirmation has actually opened up new paths to healing for us rather than ending. The relationships change and grow in unexpected and more positive directions.
Profound changes can occur in relationships, individuals and entire communities we are connected with when we practice intentional forgiveness.
Affirmation/Prayer (adapted from Louis Hay's:How to Heal Your Life:
"I forgive you (say person's name) for not being as I wanted you to be. I forgive you and set you free; and I forgive myself."
"Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Jesus Christ
Be at Peace,
Lalo
09 July 2009
Marmelade
I LOVE marmalade
Orange is my all time fav
Apricot is next in line
and
Peach is the third runner up
When I am sad or feeling down
Marmelade makes my heart sing!
Be at peace ;-)
Lalo
Orange is my all time fav
Apricot is next in line
and
Peach is the third runner up
When I am sad or feeling down
Marmelade makes my heart sing!
Be at peace ;-)
Lalo
08 July 2009
R.I.P.
I watched Michael Jackson’s funeral yesterday. Everyone kept referring to it as a "show".
How sad they couldn’t just let it be what it was – a funeral ceremony - a family, friends, and fans, mourning in their own way, paying their last respects to a son, father, brother, friend and great artist.
I thought: “What will mine be like and who would come?” “What would they say?”
Who will come to your funeral? What would they say?
Be at Peace,
L.
How sad they couldn’t just let it be what it was – a funeral ceremony - a family, friends, and fans, mourning in their own way, paying their last respects to a son, father, brother, friend and great artist.
I thought: “What will mine be like and who would come?” “What would they say?”
Who will come to your funeral? What would they say?
Be at Peace,
L.
06 July 2009
Humble Pie is a Good Thing
Humble Pie is a Good Thing
BE Humble
Eat some Humble pie
A suggestion to the ego
To PRACTICE Humility
Entertain the idea
Perhaps all would go easier for you
If you would only…
Wait to see
Who and what is standing in front of you
Stay all those reactive parts
Entice your "brain" with the promise
Perhaps the deep sorrow you experience
Is your heart yearning.
Open to Love
You are them
They are you
You are it
It is you
All connected
One very long Golden thread
What is all the fear about?
Afraid you won’t get your share?
Afraid you won’t get enough?
Afraid you will be tricked?
Afraid you won't get a return on your "investments"?
Stop being a puffed up goose
Your hissing keeps you from what you want most
Your doubt chokes and empties your life
Until you are dead
Worse than stone
Already consumed by the moon
Be at Peace,
Lalo
BE Humble
Eat some Humble pie
A suggestion to the ego
To PRACTICE Humility
Entertain the idea
Perhaps all would go easier for you
If you would only…
Wait to see
Who and what is standing in front of you
Stay all those reactive parts
Entice your "brain" with the promise
Perhaps the deep sorrow you experience
Is your heart yearning.
Open to Love
You are them
They are you
You are it
It is you
All connected
One very long Golden thread
What is all the fear about?
Afraid you won’t get your share?
Afraid you won’t get enough?
Afraid you will be tricked?
Afraid you won't get a return on your "investments"?
Stop being a puffed up goose
Your hissing keeps you from what you want most
Your doubt chokes and empties your life
Until you are dead
Worse than stone
Already consumed by the moon
Be at Peace,
Lalo
03 July 2009
What Matters?
Before looking at the links below, please close your eyes and mentally list all the things that matter the most to you right now.
Now click on the first link and scroll down the page slowly.
Does this matter?
Now click on the following links:
Kiva
CARF
Become a Random Acts of Kindness kind of person
"When you say a thing does not matter, then it matters the most."
~ Krishnamurti
Now click on the first link and scroll down the page slowly.
Does this matter?
Now click on the following links:
Kiva
CARF
Become a Random Acts of Kindness kind of person
"When you say a thing does not matter, then it matters the most."
~ Krishnamurti
01 July 2009
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
"Beneath the surface there is a deeper and vastly more authentic Self, but it's presence is usually veiled by the clamor of the smaller "I" with it's insatiable needs and demands."
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
Cynthia Bourgeault
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
Cynthia Bourgeault
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