Capturing some of the layered installation by Spencer Finch at the RISD Museum
These two quotes have been helpful to me over the last few weeks. I leave them here for you while I head to Seattle for a week. Perhaps they will open something up in your view of things as well.
***
Simplifying our lives does not mean sinking into idleness,
but on the contrary, getting rid of the most subtle aspect
of laziness: the one which makes us take on thousands of
less important activities.–Matthieu Ricard
***
We have heard all the clichés about 2012 and the Aquarian Age and the Shift. We may believe a lot of it or some of it or maybe we just hope some of it is true. It doesn’t matter how much of it each of us believe, we can still use it. From now through June the energy, the vibration of change, is as powerful as it has ever been in our journey through time and space. So in belief or in make believe, either way will work, take these simple steps and the rest of 2012 and 2013 will bring you benefits you only could have dreamed about.
It is not hard. It is simple. There is nothing to lose. Might as well try it.
Prioritize quiet mind. That’s all. Prioritize quiet mind.
Stop the mental noise several times a day. Long periods of up to an hour are excellent. If not long periods then short periods are excellent. But have a plan. Ten minutes of just looking at flowers. Five minutes of cloud watching. Ten minutes of sitting with your eyes closed watching your breath. Six minutes petting the cat or dog. Read something spiritual that truly inspires you to think about your own divinity. During these times never, ever, think about what needs fixing or your “to do” list. If you have trouble keeping the “monkey mind” at bay, keep a mantra handy. Interrupt the monkey mind by repeating a phrase such as “God is love” or “I love cool water”. Give yourself permission to believe that quiet mind is a mind which heals everything.
Other than a general sense of well being, you may not notice a change in your life right away. However, after the gestation period of a few weeks or months you will gain what you have been looking for. A healed mind heals a world.
–Paxton Robey
Interesting timing, thank you. I’ll take 5 minutes right now to listen to the birds outside.
I have returned to this post a few times in these last several days, witnessing my own complicity in having lived in a state of overwhelm for too much of my year. Taking on too much at once without mindfully weeding the choices to the essential has interfered with my peace of mind. Fortunately, a new awareness floated through with 5 surprising new blossoms on my rose bush, and the sun warming my shoulders. Stopping everything to be present for a few moments in that quiet glory? Essential. I don’t want to live a life without these sensual, appreciative pauses.
Thank you for sharing your experience with this Rachael. I keep returning to it as well. I love the rose bush blossoms!