awake is good

Blogging elsewhere

2011-07-05T11:51:00.007-04:00

The party has moved lovely friends,
and I hope you will join me at 2 unique sites!

"Buddha Chick Life"

An online magazine and community dedicated to meeting the challenges of everyday life with mindfulness, compassion, and loving-kindness for ourselves and all beings ...

is open and ready to receive you!

And for those of you who were fans of

"Meditation Mondays,"

they are back and can be found on the new site.
One is posted now.

Please lend your voice and heart to the conversation. BuddhaChickLife.com

AND

I am back blogging at my personal website,

AwakenedLiving.com

Right now I am "Counting Down to Contentment,"
a 25-Day journey to help us take more satisfaction in our daily lives—as they are.

I'd love to have you join me there!

Plenty of Good Blog News and More!

2011-06-08T17:47:00.008-04:00

Beautiful friends,

News on the blog front is good!

Beginning July 5, I'll be blogging again. This time it's an online magazine and community blog. It will feature regular columnists and guest writers. Exciting!!!

We'll be writing about what it's like to live with mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion at our core. Would that be you?

Living as calm, cool, clear and wise Chicks. Would that be you?

It's a "Buddha Chick blog" and I welcome all of you to participate—read or submit—whatever suits your fancy and helps you get your glow on ... and contribute to the collective goodness of the world.

I'll announce the URL next week but for now, consider this:

Submit:
Articles should be no more than 1200 words in length.
Topics: Living mindfully with love, health, kindness, intention, Oneness, etc.
Photo essays and poetry are welcome.
No self-promotion please, just juice to spread joy.
Include photo and 3 line bio with blog/website link.
Send:
submit (at) buddhachick (dot) org

Thank you so much, lovely ones, I look forward to this. I have missed blogging and you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More good news ...

I have just completed a labor of love. The delivery is complete and I have in my hands—ready to meet yours—my new 35 pg. e-book, "The Buddha Chick Guide to Life."

I am oh, so proud of this "baby" because I have been longing to create something that every woman could enjoy—and to help her understand how she can begin to embrace her Buddha Chick self.

This information-packed downloadable book focuses on 10 Mindsets that are essential if you are really ready to live as your calm, clear, wise self.

I've also recorded the e-book in high quality audio so you can listen to it—Portable Peace!

Please download yours today so you can put that Buddha Chick smile on your face and grow your glow!

The world needs your radiance now more than ever.

Remember, it's FREE. May you enjoy with my blessing.

Join me "on tour" and win a "Mindful Makeover!"

2011-05-23T14:25:00.013-04:00

Lovely, friends,

My lifetime work, "The Mindful Makeover Kit" is officially launched and to celebrate I'm doing a blog tour.

Like a rock diva, I've nicknamed it the "In-Her Peace Tour." In case you don't get my humor, it's another way of saying the "Inner Peace Tour."

I'm visiting the blogs of some very soulful women. Each one features an interview with me or a short post I've written on how we can stay calm and cool Chicks—no matter what is happening in our lives. Unshakeable peace, want some???

And at each stop of the "In-Her Peace Tour" I'll be giving away one "Mindful Makeover Kit", my new 12 hour Audio Program to transform your life with mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion.

The Kit is actually a complete life makeover course (completely downloadable) with 50+ audio recordings, teachings, guided meditations, Workbook, and Buddha Chick™ Affirmation Card Deck. And personal mentoring support from me all the way through in our private online Discussion Forum. We breakthrough to peace and joy together!

The Kit retails at $97 so this is a really big Giveaway.

And each woman who receives a Kit will also receive a FREE 40-minute phone mentoring session with me.

How to win? At each stop on the Tour, read the post and leave a comment, and you'll be entered into the drawing to win the Makeover Kit. (One Giveaway for each stop gives you a bunch of chances at winning!)

The stops on the Tour will only be a few days long so hurry on over! Let's get started, shall we?

Tuesday, May 24

"Shine the Divine," the blog of Laura Hegfield. It's an interview day.

Thursday, May 26

"Heart of Compassion Malas," the blog of Laura Brittain. Another interview!

Thursday, June 2
Unfolding Your Path to Joy, the blog of Joy Detor Holland. A short article by moi.

Thursday, June 2

Guest Appearance on "The Best People We Know" Show with Deb Scott

11:00 a.m. EDT

thebestpeopleweknowshowwithjanlundy-budda-chick-living-an-awakened-life

Call in number (347) 637-1318

Friday, June 10

Evolving Beings, the blog of Evita Ochel. A video interview!

Monday, June 13
On the radio with Candy O'Donnell

Friday June 17

Positive Provocations, the blog of Zeenat!

New dates and blogs are being added daily! Stay tuned for updates.

And don't forget to learn more about "The Mindful Makeover Kit" here. You could be ready for a whole life makeover—yes?—

A Fond Farewell for Now

2011-05-06T12:28:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

As you may know from visiting this blog now and then, I have been wildly busy with new creative projects and ventures.

These fill my heart with passion, yet take a tremendous amount of energy.

So in the spirit of extraordinary self-care, living mindfully—with self-compassion at the core—I've decided to (at least for now) minimize my blogging.

I have so loved journeying with you here.

Each of you faithful readers has become such a treasured part of my online experience. And many of you have become real "soul friends."

You are the blessing of blogging ...

You have been a blessing to me ...

So I bow to you—Gassho—a deep Taoist bow of deep respect and reverence and thanks for you ...

for your journey ...

for all you are ...

and all you will become.

For now, if you wish to stay in touch, please visit me

here — I have re-instituted my blog at my website: awakenedliving.com

Or here, the heart of where my new projects can be found.

Or on Facebook.

May love prevail always ... in all ways for you and within you.

With metta,

Jan

Meditation Monday

2011-05-02T17:12:00.002-04:00

Lovely friends, a few Monday thoughts on nature, man, and their holy intertwining ...

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for

all I have not seen," penned Ralph Waldo Emerson.

In the exquisite beauty of this universe,

how can we not see the divine handiwork as proof of a powerful plan?

In the delightful order of the seasons and cycles of nature,

how can we imagine that such majesty

was a series of random acts, haphazardly created?

The vast capabilities of mankind alone gives testament

to a scope of creative effort that boggles the mind.

The presence of mankind and nature

bear witness to a grandiose plan of epic proportions

of which we are a key part.

Trust the wisdom inherent in the blueprint of our lives.

~JLL

*Excerpted from Awakening the Spirit Within by Jan Lundy

Congratulations to Mermaid! She is the winner of Sally Kempton's new book on meditation: Meditation for the Love of It, from last week's book giveaway. Enjoy, most watery and soulful woman!

Connecting with Your Shakti ~ A Guest and Giveaway!

2011-04-27T21:26:00.002-04:00

Today, I am very happy to share the good news about an exceptional new book on meditation—one with a rather unconventional approach—though quite succulent!

Meditation master Sally Kempton says find your shakti and you find the true fruits of meditation. In her new book, Meditation for the Love of It: Enjoying Your Own Deepest Experience, Kempton takes us beyond meditation as de-stresser to shakti, the subtle inner energy that makes life juicy and delicious and the driving force behind meditation at its best.

I love this perspective and have dabbled a bit over the years with shakti energy, primarily in yoga classes, so this book is a real treat!

I am pleased to feature a few thoughts about the book, as well as Ms. Kempton's suggestions on how we can connect with our shakti.

And there's a Giveaway of this stunning book. Leave a comment here and you will be entered into a drawing to win!

Enjoy!

Sally Kempton calls the deepening meditation practice that comes by awakening the shakti, “A rendezvous with yourself."

"The real gift is that it can move meditation from a good-for-my-health obligation to an exciting quest that promises to transform our vision and take us to a new level of awareness. The awakening can be subtle or dramatic, but the shakti stirs our hidden resources of understanding, insight and love."

For meditators frustrated over a mind that won’t quiet down or a practice that won’t unfold according to expectations, Kempton counsels moving beyond technique and paying close attention to our own inner energy. “Shakti becomes elusive when you ignore it,” but leaps up to meet you once you begin to attend to it.” She shows us how to recognize the shakti’s subtle signs and how to follow its lead to the adventure meditation was meant to be.

How do we connect to shakti? Here are a few of the many tips Kempton offers:

•    To invoke the shakti, begin your meditation with a prayer and an invitation.
    It can be elaborate or as simple as “Shakti, please show me how you want to meditate today.”

•    Shakti may manifest as a subtle vibration, a throb, a sound or a glow of light. Sometimes the sensation is especially strong in one area of your body—in the heart, between the eyebrows, at the top of the head. Allow your attention to go to that center. Focus.

•    Pay attention to feelings, insights, images and realizations that arise. Speak to whatever comes up. Ask the energy, “Where do you wish to take me?”

•    Wait with alertness and without expectations for the answers that arise from the inside. An answer may come as an insight, as a verbal direction, as a very subtle feeling, or as an impulse to do a particular practice or focus in a particular way.

•    Don’t worry about whether you have the right answer. Trust that whatever comes up is your answer from the shakti. If nothing else arises, continue to focus on the vibration as you are experiencing it. Let it draw you deeper and deeper into its field of vibration. It is taking you to the essence of who you are.

Have you experienced Shakti in your meditation or yoga practice? How?

I'd love to hear ...

Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for Meditation for the Love of It.

~~~~~~~~

Want to hear Sally Kempton speak about meditation and awakening kundalini energy? Check out this 2-part interview/recording at Sounds True.

http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/sally-kempton-meditation-and-kundalini-awakening-part-one/#bottom

Ms. Kempton appears courtesy of her publisher, Sounds True.

Sally Kempton is an acknowledged master teacher of meditation, subtle energy and Tantric wisdom who has been practicing and teaching since the early 1970s. A former swami in one of the Saraswati orders of India, Kempton is a teachers’ teacher whose students now include leading teachers of yoga and meditation around the world. She teaches at the Kripalu Yoga Center, Esalen and other conference centers; leads retreats and workshops internationally; and writes the popular “Wisdom” column for Yoga Journal. For more information, www.sallykempton.com

Spiritual Lessons Be Gone!

2011-04-25T15:24:00.001-04:00

I believe there are no such things as spiritual lessons to learn—
only spiritual invitations to embrace.

Lessons be gone! No more stumbling, no more getting it right so we won’t experience something again. Learning "spiritual lessons" in my view, is an outdated way of thinking.

In the new spiritual paradigm of which you and I are a part, life happens. And each time something does, we are offered a powerful “Invitation” to go within.

To uproot what no longer serves us and our truest selves. To heal, let go, and, most especially, embrace new ways of thinking and being in the world that can transform us—and everyone in our global community of awakening beings.

When we are able to accept the Spiritual Invitations that are offered, we make a powerful inner shift. We change our individual and collective lives—forever!

Think about it. Doesn’t “accepting an invitation” sound much better, feel better, than learning a lesson? A lesson may have negative connotations, implies it is going to be really difficult, even perilous.

Personally, I no longer think about “Lessons”—nor do I use word in my spiritual vocabulary.

Instead, I am excited about accepting “Invitations.” I love being invited to things, don’t you? There is an ease, a grace (even fun!) in that. Invitations are welcoming. They hold the spirit of aloha.

We are evolving beings, multi-dimensional—a unique blend of spirit and stardust, and it is time for each of us to embrace that holy fact.

Let us continue to welcome ourselves and one another H.O.M.E. (Heaven On Mother Earth)

I hope you will join me on this bold new journey!

Beginning May 4, 2011,

I will be launching an 8-month tele-class series

on Spiritual Invitations.

Each month will focus on one especially difficult mindset, emotion, or personal issue that can keep us stuck in pain or suffering, disconnected from our true self—separated from the peace and joy with which we are meant to, deserve to, live. Learn to accept the Invitation, and freedom is YOURS!

(You do not need to commit to or attend all classes. Pick and choose the topics that interest you.
You may register for each tele-class separately.)

Held the first Wednesday of every month, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. EST, each tele-class will include:

• a content-rich presentation on the Invitation, offering insights on how to “change your mind” about the issue, along with concrete practices for transforming the issue in everyday life.

• a guided meditation to help heal you the issue and lead you back into feelings of peace, joy, and love.

• a live Q and A session with call participants.

I ask that you make a donation of any amount of your choosing in support of this tele-class.

I am very excited to announce the topic of our first Invitation—

Anxiety

A dis-order so prevalent that over 18 million Americans report they experience it regularly!

And, as you may know, I have personally journeyed with anxiety for over 20 years now—successfully!—and un-medicated.

I’m eager to share with you how I have embraced anxiety

as a Spiritual Invitation

and how it took me on a beautiful journey to inner peace.

Will you join me?

Wednesday, May 4 for

Session 1: The Spiritual Invitation of Anxiety

I’ll share "7 Powerful Secrets to Transform Anxiety." Get your notebook ready!

Inner peace is on the horizon!

Read more/Register

Upcoming Topics and Dates for

The "Spiritual Invitations" Series:

Wednesday, June 1 (registration begins May 5)

Session 2: The Spiritual Invitation of Anger

Wednesday, July 6
Session 3: The Spiritual Invitation of Fear

Wednesday, August 3
Session 4: The Spiritual Invitation of Worry

Wednesday, September 7
Session 5: The Spiritual Invitation of Self-Doubt

Wednesday, October 5
Session 6: The Spiritual Invitation of Illness

Wednesday, November 2
Session 7: The Spiritual Invitation of Scarcity

Wednesday, December 7
Session 8: The Spiritual Invitation of Disappointment

Each tele-class is a separate powerful teaching in and of itself. You do not need to commit to or attend all classes to receive tremendous benefits.

I ask that you make a donation of any amount of your choosing in support of this tele-class.

Register today for the first tele-class, “Transforming Anxiety.”

I look forward to journeying with you in this way. Personal transformation is ours by accepting one Invitation at a time!

May you believe, breathe, and be well,

Jan Lundy
BuddhaChick.org

Questions? Email me:
support (at) buddhachick (dot) org

The Pale Blue Dot Courtesy of Carl Sagan

2011-04-22T12:21:00.001-04:00

This, lovely friends, in honor of Earth Day. A poignant video and perspective of our "beautiful blue dot" by astonomer, Carl Sagan. It gives powerful food for thought ... and invites kindness.

Breathing in Virtues

2011-04-17T18:45:00.000-04:00

In 1994, I fell in love with the work of Thich Nhat Hanh. One little meditation in particular seemed to turn my life around—from being a harried and hurried woman, to one who was more present, more at ease in her world.

This is the passage, culled from Living Buddha, Living Christ:

"Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment.
I know this is a wonderful moment."

His were the first teachings that helped me realize I could "breathe in" a feeling other than the one I was currently experiencing ... allow it to be held gently within me ... allow it to transport me to a more peaceful place. Enough so that I could "breath out" as a new, more well-balanced version of myself.

Today, I invite you to quiet yourself.

Breathe in deeply, evenly, and allow any tension to dissipate. Breathe in this way as long as you need to to feel a sense of greater calm.

Select one virtue of the Spirit you would like to experience right now. Peace? Patience? Love? Kindness? Courage?

Select another virtue you would like to breathe out—to send out in the world for the benefit of all beings.

Keeping in rhythm with your breath, say:

"Breathing in ____________.

Breathing out ___________."

Breathe in and out this way as long as you desire.

Today, I am choosing to breathe in gratitude and breathe out joy.

It feels wonderful. I feel transformed, yet again ...

How about you?

I'd love to hear what you chose to breathe in and breathe out ...

A Season of Preparation

2011-04-12T20:53:00.004-04:00

Everywhere I look it seems people are preparing for something ...

Christians are preparing for Easter.

My Jewish friends are preparing for Passover.

Families are preparing for Spring Break and travel.

College students are preparing to end their school year or graduate.

Seekers may be preparing to go on a pilgrimage or spiritual retreat.

Outside of my window, the birds are busy building nests, preparing for the arrival of new babies.

I am preparing too. I leave soon for a 4-day silent retreat, and though I am "working" at it as a spiritual director, I am preparing myself to go into quieter inner spaces ...

Preparation ...

It means to "make one's self ready to do or deal with something."

Preparation is an important element of our spiritual journey. It invites us to take a good look at where we are and where we wish to go. It invites us take an inventory—to scan our thoughts and intentions, our hopes and dreams, so that we can become more clear about the journey ahead.

Are you preparing for anything right now? I'd love to hear.

And if you are, I wish you peace and joy as you prepare for the next leg of your journey.

"Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success." ~ Henry Ford

~~~~~

At Buddha Chick.org, we're preparing to greet new Chicks, women from all walks of life, all spiritual persuasions who are ready to leave difficulty behind to live with elegance and joy. And I'm companioning them all the way home. Gosh, I love this "work." Please consider joining us if you are ready to stop the struggle.

Learn more.

At Dharma Sisters Circle.org, we are sitting at the feet of Loving-kindness teacher, Sharon Salzberg, and deepening our journey into Metta. We're healing ourselves with the power of our voices in our Khanti ("patient endurance") Healing Circle. And in the Nirvana Cafe' (poetry circle) we're sharing the poems of our souls. Please join us! Learn more.

We are proud to share that Dharma Sisters Circle was recently called, "the kindest women's community on the web."

Being Buddha

2011-04-07T17:44:00.000-04:00

What does it mean to "be Buddha"?

I've been thinking alot about this, especially since diving into (and thoroughly enjoying) a wonderful anthology, Buddhism Through American Women's Eyes. Edited by Karma Lkshe Tsomo, it invites us to look at how Western women live out and struggle with the dharma, as well as the institution of Buddhism.

The essay, "Being Buddha" by Prabhasa Dharma, offers these powerful thoughts on how we can see all beings as Buddha. This selection has been haunting my thoughts—in a good way. :-) Her words ring out with clarity and truth—simple teachings that get to the core of what it means to be a human being. I share the portion that has touched my heart the most ...

"The youngest member of our Institute is now one year old and he truly meditates. When he was still in his mother's tummy, he was sitting with her. When the mother was in labor, the doctor said, "We are going to have to turn this baby around, because he's sitting up in you." Just minutes later, as if he had heard the words, the baby suddenly made a somersault and turned around. He came out just at the right time. I gave the mother the "Om mani padme hum" mantra to chant, and a melodious way to chant it. After the baby was born I told him, "You might as well be happy, because the alternative is to be unhappy, and who wants to be unhappy? You might as well be kind, because the alternative is to be unkind, and who wants to be unkind? You might as well be peaceful, because the alternative is to be angry, and who wants to be angry?"

We can say the same thing to ourselves. We might as well be happy, because the alternative is to be unhappy. We might as well be friendly, because the alternative is to be unfriendly. When we are kind to others, laughing and joyful, we are doing the best service to ourselves. Our energy and patience grow and we are able to affirm others. There is nothing else to learn or teach. The result of all the struggles we go through in meditation is to be love. That is actually what every religion teaches."

How does this dharma teaching strike you?

Is there something here that touches your heart?

I'd love to hear.

~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to "Just a Girl"! She is the winner of Colin Tippings' fabulous new book, "Radical Self-Forgiveness." Enjoy!

Wise Women Speak Up

2011-04-05T10:24:00.000-04:00

I found this today and maybe some of you have already seen it, but it was new to me ...

And, oh, mama, is my heart dancing after watching this!

Yes, yes, yes! my being shouts.

I hope it touches your heart, too, and opens up a new pathway for you.

Celebrate you, wise woman, celebrate you! May we celebrate each of us who is or will be journeying into our "wisdom years." Gassho to the filmakers....

Simple Thoughts

2011-04-02T12:08:00.002-04:00

Do you ever weary of words?

Last night I spent some time perusing two online magazines, "The Huffington Post" and "Psychology Today."

Mind you, I never read this kind of stuff, but I guess I'd forgotten why, so I ventured in.

I went there because a new friend had blog posts up and I wanted to read her wisdom.

But now I remember why I don't hang out there. (Though her words, in particular, were brilliant, a light in the swamp.)

There were just too many words. Too much jargon and posturing and "listen to me, I'm right," energy all over the place.

Oh, my head just swam after I was done! I felt like I was caught in a pool of floating debris, all of it coming at me.

A conundrum to be sure for

I love words.

I create my life and work through words.

But do you ever weary of them?

Do you ever just long for silence ... for solitude?

For the sound of nothingness?

Perhaps I am getting old

Or jaded.

But a very big part of me wants nothing more than to sit in the silence and listen ...

Just listen.

Radical Self-Forgiveness ~ A Guest and a Giveaway

2011-03-29T18:38:00.006-04:00

A challenging, but oh, so important topic, dear friends, to talk about transparently ...

Self-forgiveness.

As hard as we try to be very "good" people, we do make mistakes. Despite good intentions, we make unskillful choices and sometimes we hurt others. We cause harm ...

An important new book has been released on the topic: How do we forgive ourselves? And how do we move toward greater self-acceptance considering our history, or our self-sabotaging beliefs or actions?

Colin Tipping is the celebrated author of Radical Forgiveness. His new book is Radical Self-Forgiveness: The Direct Path to Self-Acceptance. It is a powerful and very practical approach for learning how to forgive ourselves and moving toward greater healing. It is a real "manual" for resolving our deepest personal wounds and inviting spiritual transformation.

I hope you will glean insights from this short article by Colin Tipping. In collaboration with his publisher, we're giving away a copy of Radical Self-Forgiveness, so leave a comment here to be eligible to win. I am eager to hear what you have to say about his "Three-Letters Process." I find it quite remarkable...

The Three-Letters Process for Radical Self-Forgiveness

By Colin Tipping

With Radical Forgiveness, the decision to let go, release guilt, shame, or resentment, feel compassion for yourself and others, and all the other things people say you should do is not yours (your ego’s) to make. It happens automatically when you use the tools, all of which take you through five stages, whether you are doing the work as a victim (Radical Forgiveness) or a perpetrator (Radical Self-Forgiveness):

1. Telling the story (as perpetrator)

2. Feeling the feelings (guilt and shame)

3. Collapsing the story (appropriate or not?)

4. Reframing the story (seeing the perfection)

5. Integrating the shift (physical action)

The first three stages will be familiar to those doing traditional self-forgiveness, but it is the last two that mark the uniqueness of Radical Self-Forgiveness. They spring from a wholly different worldview and, in fact, make Radical Forgiveness more than mere forgiveness, self or otherwise; to experience it is to see the world quite differently and to open to a whole new way of looking at life.

Radical Self-Forgiveness is not a selfish act, it is about letting go of a part of your ego that has negative control over you, and it will release you to be able to better forgive others in a more radical way.

As Rebecca Beard so wisely stated, “If we are to love others as we love ourselves, then we must learn to love the little self which so often needs to be forgiven for doing the things we do not want to do and saying the things we do not want to say.”

Writing three distinct letters to yourself is a powerful way to help you go through the five stages of Radical Self Forgiveness, especially when you are experiencing a lot of guilt or shame.

I suggest that you wait one day between writing each letter, but not more than 48 hours. Please note: If you are writing the letters from a victim’s standpoint, you must never send any of the three letters to the person you are forgiving. I recommend destroying them after having written the third one.

1. As the self-confessed perpetrator of some injury against another person or entity, you must write the first letter to yourself, lambasting yourself for what you have done. Guess whose services you will solicit to help you write this letter? Of course, your judging self. Your judging self will relish the task and will launch a tirade of criticism against you, trying hard to make you feel as guilty as possible. It will feel as if you are channeling your judging self when writing this letter.

2. In the second letter, begin to retire the judging self to some degree and start channeling your inner lover. This alternate opinion will provide some counterpoint to your judging self’s strident criticism by bringing some compassion and understanding to your situation, sufficient at least to reduce the level of guilt and shame within you and for you to feel accepted.

3. In the third letter, which is the reframe, you write to your I Am Self. In this letter, you recognize that what you did was meant to happen for whatever reason and declare your understanding that there is nothing for which you need to be forgiven at the spiritual level.

Over the years, I and my team have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that even though people write things in their third letter they don’t really believe at the mental and emotional levels, their Spiritual Intelligence knows that it is the truth. Consequently, it allows the energy tied up in the illusion to automatically dissolve. They feel better immediately, no matter whether the guilt was appropriate or not.

Colin Tipping is the author of Radical Self-Forgiveness: The Direct Path to True Self-Acceptance (January 2011, Sounds True, ISBN: 978-1-60407-090-3). For more information, visit RadicalSelfForgiveness.com.

You may enjoy listening to an interview with Colin Tipping and Sounds True founder, Tami Simon, "Radical Forgiveness." It is excellent!
~~~~~~

Begin your ultimate journey today with Buddha Chick Training. Newly revised for busy women!
Self-paced, gentle, no pressure way to fly free of tangled mind habits and messy emotions.
Please don't wait any longer.
True inner peace and relief can be yours today—no matter what is happening in your life.
Your first Module can be delivered to your Inbox as early as April 4.
I'll personally companion you all the way to joy ...
Learn more.

Spiritual Food for Thought

2011-03-23T09:10:00.000-04:00

Some spiritual food for thought ...

from two wise masters of two different religious traditions ...

The secret of meditation

is affirming

that you already

are those high truths

to which you aspire:

inner peace, divine love,

and perfect joy.

~J. Donald Walters

Secrets of Meditation

∞∞∞∞∞∞

You are that which you are seeking.

~St. Francis of Assisi

Do you believe you are?

I'd love to hear ...

Naming the Divine

2011-03-18T18:56:00.000-04:00

"Interspirituality rests on a vast community of insight and experience
available to humanity at all times and in all places.

This community embraces the collective wisdom of the human family.

Behind this vast community of collective awareness is the one Spirit,
inspiring breakthroughs to its realm,
opening minds and hearts, transforming attitudes and wills,
and encouraging growth in compassion,
love, kindness, mercy, and sensitivity."

~Br. Wayne Teasdale, A Monk in the World

Welcome to my world. It's an interspiritual one. It contains my heart and directs my passion.

I enjoy nothing more than breaking down the barriers that keep us separated from one another; fostering communication and cultivating compassion between us for the purpose of greater growth—for spiritual understanding, for personal and planetary healing.

With that, I have been wondering about all of you who read this blog. I wonder how you relate to the "God" of your understanding and what your unique spiritual practices are.

I'm wondering ....

What name do you use to refer to Spirit—the Divine, the Sacred, the Holy?

I believe each of us must find our own unique way to name this "Ultimate Reality." I wrote about this in my book, Your Truest Self. It forms the basis of the first Transformational Truth presented there: "I Am Free to Live a Spiritual Life of My Own Making."

A while back, my dear friend, Ingrid Goff-Maidoff, gifted me with a beautiful book, one she created to explore how we "name the Divine." It's a flip-book—and absolutely delightful—beckoning us to be more playful, in a mix-and-match sort of way, about how we understand "Spirit" (as I usually call It.)

Here are a few of the hundreds of adjectives (names and qualities)
she offers:

Blessed, Beautiful, Master, Lord, Benevolent, Vast, Truth, Silence, Wind, Jewel, Protector, Energy, Kindness, Beyond, Beloved, All-Seeing, Presence, Brilliance, Yes .....

She's also provided blank strips for us to insert our own.

Let's share ...

What name (or words) do you use to refer to Spirit—the Divine, the Sacred, the Holy—as YOU understand it?

And why ...

I'm eager to hear ....

(To learn more about the book Naming the Divine: A Flip-Book of Beautiful Language, visit www.ingridgoffmaidoff.com.

Sunset image courtesy of nationalgeographic.com)

Spiritual Fun

2011-03-12T12:47:00.001-05:00

Okay, so when was the last time you really had fun in terms of your spiritual journey?

Gone on a spiritual adventure? A pilgrimage?

It is so easy to take ourselves and our spiritual journeys very seriously. I know that I often do. The spiritual journey can begin to feel like "work," as if it is a 9-5 job we must excel at.

Where's the joy, the laughter, the "oh, this is so cool!" attitude when it comes to our spiritual lives?

Today, I'd like to invite you to share a really outstanding time/experience of "spiritual fun."

I'm eager to hear!

And I'll post mine in the comments section ....

~~~~~~~~~~

New Buddha Chick™ fun is starting soon!

Basic Training—our premier Buddha Chick course (revised! to work with your busy schedule)—begins April 25!

Make fabulous new friends ... Experience the joy of personal transformation ... Grab big savings!

Big Savings?????

Yes, grab the Early Chick Special and save $100 off the course fee!

Learn more.

10-weeks of Chickie soul support, heart-to-heart connection, powerful content and practices that will change your life forever!

"What beautiful women! I wish that every woman could give the gift of the Buddha Chick™ course to herself."
~Maribeth, Nevada

I know there's a Buddha Chick in you who is ready to fly free, to experience more joy and love in life—now! Why wait?

Read more about the newly revised Buddha Chick Basic™ Training Course to learn what all of the excitement is about.

www.BuddhaChick.org

I truly look forward to meeting you in class in April!

"This course has helped me to connect in a way—with myself and others— that I had never known before. I was finally able to see my own spirit/light within my eyes and to feel it deeply. This is the first time I've been able to experience this in my entire life."
~Mary Jo, New York

Read more Buddha Chick testimonials here.

(Images above are copyrighted, created exclusively for the Buddha Chick™ Course by Mari Gayatri Stein. Aren't they fun?)

Take a Pause to Ponder

2011-03-08T19:10:00.000-05:00

The road to wisdom? Well, it's plain

And simple to express:

Err

And err
And err again

But less

And less

And less.

~Piat Hein, Danish poet

(Image courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org)

Take Some Sweet Breaths ...

2011-03-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

Dear friends, I am winding down my work day, easing into the weekend.

I just posted on my Facebook page about the importance of Sabbath ... of taking time every week (or weekend) to rest and restore ourselves. The pace at which many of us live is simply becoming overwhelming. And staggeringly unhealthy. I know you know this.

And I know you know better. So do I.

In fact, just this morning, in the wee hours, the voice of my wise self broke through:

'Jan, remember to slow down today. Be gentle with yourself. Don't stress about anything.'

Even though my desk is piled high, my "To-Do List" long, I really do try and listen to my wise voice which is so lovingly gentle and kind. She encourages me toward unconditional friendliness—metta—always, for myself, first and foremost, then others. We cannot be soul-kind to others when we are un-kind to ourselves.

So I have been more and more faithful to making sure that I carve out some portion of every weekend for Sabbath time. I first fell in love with the notion of "official Sabbath time" through the writing of Wayne Muller. His book, Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in Our Busy Lives, is exceptional. Wayne is a spiritual director, as I am, and we are constantly harping on people to sloooowww dooooowwwwn—and reminding ourselves of it too. :-)

So, here is my question.

Can you find a time slot in the next 48-72 hrs. to carve out a little you time ... a little time spent in pure rest ... nowhere to go ... nothing to do ... but to be with your wise self?

Will you?

I go undercover on Saturdays, from 2:00 pm through Sunday, 2:00 p.m. (or thereabouts).

I'm finding that, for me, this is a really nice Sabbath time. I rest, read, take a long hot bath. Just sit, stare and breathe. I'll likely watch a movie with my beloved. I'll savor the day. I'll treat myself nicely and remember who I am in case I've forgotten. And sometimes I do. We all do. (wink)

My wish/blessing for you is that you will do the same. Find some "rest, renewal, and delight" in the middle of your busy life.

(Image: Lilian Wescott Hale (1880-1963) Woman Resting, c. 1920s)

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Please join me for

"The Buddha Chick Retreat"!

Done in the comfort of your home. You pick the day. March 19 or 20. I'll guide you through. And it's FREE.

This retreat is a time to step away from your busy life and spend precious time with yourself—to stop and rest, restore and rejuvenate your Chickie self.

It is a guided "day away." This means it is gently paced with guidelines and suggested activities for how to prepare for it, as well as what to do on that day. It is a day that will allow you to rest, yet also to learn and grow. It is based around a theme:"Embracing My Essence." (This retreat is based on the model of the day retreats I offer at Dominican Center.)

Every woman is welcome! I'll be retreating too and holding the energy for our group. Then we'll have an optional (free) conference call at the end to share our retreat experiences. Sound fun?

I hope you'll join me because YOU deserve a break today! Learn more.

A Challenge for You: The Grocery Store Smile

2011-03-01T10:28:00.001-05:00

The source of a true smile is an awakened mind.

Smiling helps you approach the day with gentleness

and understanding.

~Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step

I wanted to share a technique with you that I use to connect—heart and soul—with others, even if they don't know (or notice) it. I call it my Grocery Store Smile.

I started this spiritual practice when I began to notice how very sad or flustered people appeared while they were shopping, especially in the grocery store. I felt badly that so many were struggling or appeared downcast. This has been my response ...

In the spirit of Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, I simply turn the corners of my mouth up into a small pleasant smile. I consciously keep it there as I walk through the store. I try to make gentle eye contact with people with this little smile on my face. Just doing it, makes me feel really good, even if someone doesn't notice or choose to respond.

But many people do respond back. At first, my eye contact and smile may catch them off-guard. They do a second take, then return my gaze and sometimes even smile back. We have a moment together that is quite lovely.

I suggest that anyone can try putting on a Grocery Store Smile simply to make themselves feel lighter, happier, on a day that may feel difficult. It's amazing how well it delivers a lift to both the giver and the receiver!

I welcome your thoughts ...

~~~~~~~

If you are ready to embrace your truest self,

this new course is for you!

Yes, it's all about readiness ...

Ready to live a spiritual life of your own making. Ready to live it, boldly, without fear of what others will think or say. Ready to live with an open heart and hurt no more. Ready to overcome adversity, compulsions, or addictions, to begin again and create a rich-in-spirit life for yourself.

Ready to love yourself as you never have before!

Please join me for my newest online class where you can.

First Lesson posts March 2.

It's self-paced, 13 powerful Lessons based on my book, Your Truest Self.

Begin when you want, take however long you need to get to know

your truest self.

~With mentoring support from me to help you get all the way home~

WATCH this oh, so brief video that tells you how ...

READ about all the juicy details here!

It would be a blessing for me to journey with you in this way ...

Your truest self awaits, really she does. Don't you think it's time to meet her?

For the love of Rumi

2011-02-23T09:39:00.001-05:00

I fell in love with the poetry of Rumi in 1997.

It was at a time of "recovering" my whole and holy self.

I was very unsatisfied with traditional notions of "God" ~ the Divine. Struggling, even. Especially with a patriarchal image of the God of my childhood in light of emerging feminism. I was truly hoping to find a better fit, a "God" if you will, who looked more like me — or at least on that honored a woman's heart and path.

I happened upon the most marvelous book by Andrew Harvey: The Way of Passion: A Celebration of Rumi. Reading this book changed everything for me. It fostered a new understanding of "God" as The Beloved —and how that Beloved can be experienced in a myriad of ways. As partner, as friend, as healer ... the list is endless.

When I read Rumi, he often reminds me of our common Source; our common desire to experience profound Love with another and the Other; our common plight as human beings to override our sense of separation and realize, in fact, we are united in Oneness.

Here is one of my favorite Rumi poems that reflects this understanding:

you

she

we ...

In the garden of mystic lovers,

these are not true distinctions."

Would that we all could perceive one another in this bold and glorious way ...

May you feel the presence of Love today and every day.

And may you BE the presence of Love ... always.

Do you have a favorite Rumi poem?

And, if so, what holy and whole places does it take you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please take a few moments to view our new Video Introduction to BuddhaChick.Org

Watery Life Wisdom from a Special Guest Blogger

2011-02-18T10:55:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, a guest blogger today ...

Jacob Mojiwat is a follower of this blog and he knows how much I love watery welcomes, seascapes and the shore. I'm featuring him today and his soulful essay on what it's like to be connected to the water—an oh, so vital element to living our whole and holy lives, taking life lessons from this beautiful planet of ours ... Enjoy!

Thank you, Jacob, for sharing your watery wisdom with us today!

Principles of the Seven Seas

I can only imagine what life is like growing up in a landlocked place. I can only imagine it because I am a child of the sea and the coast. Even so, I know that the landscape, whether it is desert, forest, or mountain, must have an influence on those who make a living from the earth. I know this because of the impact growing up near and on the ocean had in my life. My first breaths held the scent of kelp and the fine mist of salt spray-the gentle touch of the water that reaches far inland.

Like the family who tills the soil and counts on nature's bounty to feed and clothe the children, so I and mine have been relying on the water to make our way in the world. And while there are many important principles to be learned from the sea, I've found a few that have been able to guide me while I continue to grow in new directions away from the seafarer life.

Balance

One of the easiest ways to pick out an everyday sailor is their walk. We adopt a rolling gait, a kind of dance with the ground that seems a little awkward on land. The difference is subtle, but always there. The reason isn't that we do not trust our footing, but rather that the ocean has taught us to be more flexible than the landlubber whose footing is always secure.

Walking on a small ship is a challenge for those unschooled by the sea. They fight against the unpredictable motion. They are thinking too much and fail in their footing because the swells cannot be captured with rules. The sailor, on the other hand, keeps something in reserve-some spring in their legs. We allow our bodies to react unsupervised. Our muscles know what to do and by releasing the need to anticipate, we gain a balance that cannot be had otherwise. Trusting this inner knowledge has helped me immensely in the work-a-day world where analysis paralysis lives and causes so much worry and confusion. The minor tossing and heaving of everyday concerns requires the same skill and flexibility as keeping upright on the deck of a boat.

Direction

On the water there are no landmarks. There are, however, sky-marks aplenty. The stars, including our home star, give a reference point - I count GPS satellites as a sky-mark in the same way. But even so, getting where you want to go often means a circuitous route. The reason we have to sail the wrong way to attain our goal is because the motion of the sea and the wind are not controlled by, nor tracked by the hand of man. The currents of both air and water have a will of their own, constantly pushing in some direction or another. To get to one's proper destination is a matter of knowing where you are and finding the often twisted path to where you wish to be.

In my life away from the water, I find this just as true and am not disturbed by it. The currents and storms that arise may require some recalculation, but that is expected and yes, even sometimes welcomed. How boring life would be if every step led to the next in with robotic precision. That is not the life for me.

Life

When you talk to those who live with the ocean, you will find they speak of her as if the waters were a living thing. To us, the sea has a personality and a being beyond what I know of salinity, temperature and other science facts. She has moods. She speaks to those who can hear her and she can be both playful and dangerous in turn. Always, always, we respect the power of the waves and understand we are visitors - guests who can be evicted.

All around is life and the wonderment of it strikes deep. It is a feeling I have carried with me, a humbling awe that I too am a participant and able to play. This is a great comfort, the idea of play in my own life. And the ocean has taught me that the game is not finite, but infinite. Long before I was here, the game was being played; long after I am gone, it will continue. I gain great comfort and pleasure from this simple idea. I try to find examples every day of this beauty - in the smile of a child, in the new growth of spring and in the joyful springing run of a dog who gets nothing but sheer pleasure from the movement.

Yes, there is much to take away from an ocean life. I am thankful to have learned, and I hope learned well, from those who took the time to teach me her lessons.

Jacob Mojiwat is passionate about sharing the wonders of scuba diving with others. He is the owner of AsiaDivingVacation.com. His dive company takes divers diving in Sipadan Malaysia as well at other Asia dive destinations.

(Photo by Jacob Mojiwat: "Turtle Tomb.")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's Happening This Week at Dharma Sisters Circle?

• Self-compassion practices for the woman who pushes herself too hard and gets easily overwhelmed or exhausted ...

• Mindful eating practices for healthy weight loss, healing body image, and eating disorders with Jean Fain, author of the Self-Compassion Diet.

• Breath meditation and "Sacred Writing" exercises in our Khanti ("patient endurance") Healing Circle, for women with chronic health conditions, injury, or pain.

• Lively discussion of creativity as sacred effort in the "Art Walk," including a new exhibit on prayer bead making. Display your art, too!

• Forums, book discussions, and so much more for the mindful, compassionate woman!

If you are a woman who wants to experience inner calm, to let go of drama, and connect with the wisest part of yourself, please join us at Dharma Sisters Circle.

It's my new, interspiritual membership community for women like you, like me, who are finally ready to live in a bold new way—with truth—"dharma."

Only $15.95 per month for full benefits, membership in all special interest Groups, enlightened (and private) social networking, and more. Includes your seminar with a Guest Teacher!

Go month to month. Cancel easily at any time. Try it for a month and see if you like it!

Get ready for the warmest of welcomes. Hospitality is our trademark. All are welcome here!

Coming March 1: Sylvia Boorstein

"The Four Foundations of Mindfulness."

Learn from one of the West's most beloved teachers in a completely private practice community! Safe, secure, nurturing ...

DharmaSistersCircle.Org

Elegant ∞ Warm ∞ Inspiring

Meditation Monday ~ Just Breathe

2011-02-14T20:50:00.005-05:00

What do you do when someone or something pulls the proverbial rug out from under you?

Things are going along quite smoothly, thank you, and WHAM, before you can catch yourself, IT has happened, and you're swirling off into mind rant or heart angst.

It can be anything. Your cranky partner, an unexpected phone call, an unwanted bill in the mail, a command from your boss, PMS, a hot flash, or it rains when you want the sun to shine.

The thing is this—it doesn't really matter what the thing is! All we need to know is that we have options. We can react without consciously thinking anything through—or we can catch ourselves and respond with some degree of clarity. Hopefully, at least we can stop ourselves before we create collateral damage.

When "things" happen in my life that threaten to upset my inner peace, I think to myself, 'I can do this. I can stay present, peaceful, and calm amid the chaos. I can.'

Sometimes the words, "Just breathe" waft through. Faith Hill's voice reminds me that I know how to access inner peace whenever, wherever, I want to.

"Go slowly, breathe, and smile," is the other mantra I use on a regular basis to calm and center myself. This lovely phrase, from the lips of Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, never seems to fail. It's working for me today. You might like to try it out for yourself.

What throws you off-center in a heartbeat? And what do you do to restore your equanimity?