Meditation Night

A while back, I wrote a blog detailing my vision of my intended Spiritual Center. I described in detail what I wanted it to look like and what would be happening there. I had a moment Monday night where I realized I was living my vision. Meditation Night is a special indulgence of mine. I have wanted to form a meditation group for a long time. Trouble is/was, it is an extremely unpopular idea. Meditating is hard. Most people try it and think they can't do it or that they are not doing it right and they give up. We think that if we can't make our minds go blank that we are not meditating. I wrote on my website:

"How many times have you heard how important, even life changing, learning to meditate can be? But every time you try that crazy ole' monkey mind takes over and you find yourself skipping happily after it? Be kind to yourself. It's a process. One that take practice. That's why Buddhist Monks take years and years to reach a level where there have been actual documented brain wave changes that occur when they meditate. They didn't get there from a 5 minute relaxation after a yoga class. Or a 2 minute (if that) silent confession time in church.

They practiced. Together. Being guided, being silent, chanting....together. Practice. It cannot make us perfect, but it can bring us peace. Let's gather, once a month, and devote a couple hours to learning this ancient gift. I think you may be surprised at how quickly that monkey will move on down the road. Even if it's just for a moment."

Much to my delight, I had some takers. And it was WONDERFUL!!! We discussed why we wanted to meditate....and why we don't do it....what we were afraid of....and what we have experienced. We chanted, we learned to focus on a flame, I led them through a chakra meditation and we were silent. Afterwards, we drank tea and we bonded. On a deep level. I barely knew each of them and they had never met but there is power in group meditation. The most meaningful thing to me? One of the ladies shared a deep part of her soul and the lady closest to her looked her deep in the eyes and affirmed her and blessed her. We felt safe. We each had a different experience and learned that there is NO right way to meditate. We will practice. And we will continue to gather. Together.

It was amazing. Can't wait for the next 2 events this weekend. Card Building is always just a rockin' good time and I have high hopes for the Spirit Center Open Door. It's like a party with meaning....

Can I say again? My cup runneth over.....

Jenny's Place

Barry & I got outta town this past weekend. It was our 28th anniversary so we went to Jenny's place in Fenwick Island. We've been going to Jenny's place for......help me out here Jenny.....the kid's were little, maybe even before we had kids....let's just say a really long time. It's neat to travel to a place that you've been to a hundred times. You know where everything is. You know where the best restaurants and shops are. We meandered our way there through Rehobeth and the Coldwater Creek outlet and got there at night. Came in, plopped down on the couch and chilled. Our little home away from home. Much needed break.

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We did discover that there is a drawback to going to the same restaurants each time. Our favorite little place "The Cottage Cafe" (we generally say it with a british accent) has been less than satisfying the past few times we've been there. We keep going because we always have--the kids love it---we have a zillion of their glasses from the Koala Koladas that Rhia loves but it really isn't that good anymore. Such a bummer. So we are trying to find a new favorite place. Harpoon Hannah's? Crabby Dick's? We love BJ's on the Water but it's way up the road in OC. We generally stay around the Rehobeth/Fenwick area. Since our 'slam the shooters' days are a bit behind us, the Frogg Pond is a bit much to breathe in now, if you know what I mean.

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Where's your home away from home? Do you have any favorite restaurants in the Fenwick Island area?

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Thanks Jenny for giving us a get away! Love You!

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And look what we came home to:

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Our dear friend, Ms. England the Artist, painted us this lovely addition to the Spirit Room. Isn't it gorgeous? I just love the colors and the movement of the yin/yang fish and the pure Lotus. She's amazing!

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We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends looking out for us. Once again, my cup runneth over....

Birth....Death

I made this card almost a month ago. I hadn't scanned it in, didn't include it in my readings, felt like maybe it wasn't done. If you've come to any of our gatherings in the last month, you may remember it. I've been asking everyone else what they thought it was. It didn't make any sense to me. Why would there be a baby resting in a pumpkin against a sunset? Wouldn't a baby symbolize birth? And a sunset symbolize death? Why in the world would they both be on one card? I kept thinking it wasn't done. That maybe there was some magic image that would finish it and make it all clear.

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I put it in the deck after the last workshop with the encouragement of the attendees. It came up in the very next reading (of course!) Still..... I wasn't sure.... I wrote:

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I am the one nestled in the gourd. I rest comfortably, not worrying. I rest as the sky changes. The sky, the trees and the water support me as I rest.

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My heart is heavy right now. I hate to see my friends in pain. I hate thinking I will never see a friend again. Why didn't I go hear him play? Busy, busy, busy. My dad and I were talking yesterday-- he went to the viewing and found it very difficult. He's had 2 heart attacks, congestive heart failure, has insulin dependent diabetes & still smokes. He said he looked down on 'this young kid' and could not comprehend how he just had one heart attack and he's gone. My dad said it should have been him in the casket, not Dave. I can't even begin to tell you on how many levels this hurts my heart.

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This morning as I was washing my face, trying to pull myself together, to get moving, to get over this wretched cold which struck me big time yesterday (yes, I know, don't even go there.....) this card popped into my head. And the answer just came pouring out....

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I am the one who is here to let you know that there is no difference between birth and death. At the beginning of your life and at the end of your life you are supported. You can rest, you will be held comfortably, nestled in the loving care of your creator. Do not worry, do not fear, I am with you. Always. The passing of the sun is as beautiful as the beginning of a life. It matters not to your creator, he will hold you up either way. Close your eyes and rest.

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And so it is. Amen.

Couple's Yoga was really fun. Afterwards we went out with 2 of our best friends. I wake up to the dreadful news that a dear childhood friend/next door neighbor died of a heart attack while we were out laughing and having fun. It is astonishing that one minute everything is great and then in the blink of an eye it's gone. He was 50. Barry turns 50 this year. We are stunned. His sister's are devastated. I talked to one who was a bridesmaid in my wedding....."Linda, I lost my best friend, what will I do?" What do you say? I murmurred words like "you're strong, you're blessed, you will get through this" True but somehow ineffective when your heart is breaking. Sigh. This sucks.

Barry & I were just sitting holding onto one another Friday night. The gentleman and his wife were split after 29 years of marriage. Barry & I celebrate our 28th this weekend. "Linda, how can people split up after all those years of being married?" It happens. When you are raising kids...you go one of two ways, you grow together or you grow apart. It's dicey--Lord knows there were many years I wasn't too sure Barry & I wouldn't become yet another statistic. Thank God we didn't. We danced at Dave's wedding reception, we listened to the first woman reverend I'd ever heard at his wedding at St. Matthews. Where his funeral is this week. This just feels like a really bad dream.

It's weird when someone who was such a huge part of your childhood passes. I haven't seen Dave much in the last 20 years, last time I saw him was at his mother's funeral a year ago. We used to follow him and his band around when Barry & I were first married but then we had kids and spent the last 20 years focused on them. His band broke up, he stopped playing for awhile. I hear he had recently begun playing and doing really well, cutting records. I wish we had gone and heard him. I sort of feel surreal right now, like I'm a teenager again, lost in the memories of when we were a part of each other's life, it's hard to think of us all being old and of one of us dying, aren't we going to live forever?

If you are the praying type, will you please hold his family in prayer? He has 2 kids, a girl Rhia's age and a boy a bit younger. I am sending his sister's as much Reiki and healing light as I can-- will you please add to it if you can? They are strong, wonderful women with loving families-- I have faith they will get through this, as all will, and hopefully find the blessings within the tragedy. We will all gather our families a little bit closer, and be grateful for the time we have.

Hear my cry, O God;

listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,

I call as my heart grows faint;

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the foe

I long to dwell in your tent forever

and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
psalm of david - psalms 61.1-4

ugh.

up.

down.

up.

down.

holding on for dear life.