pleasureable timekeeping

Chakras

2008-01-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

"Chakra is an Indian Sanskrit word that translates to mean "Wheel of Spinning Energy". Chakras are spinning wheels or vortexes of energy of different color that perform many functions connecting our energy fields, bodies and the Cosmic Energy Field. Chakras are powerful electrical and magnetic fields. Chakras govern the endocrine system that in turn regulates all of the body's functions including the ageing process. Energy flows from the Universal Energy Field through the chakras into the energy systems within our bodies, including the Meridian System.

Our bodies contain seven major chakras or energy centers and 122 minor chakras. The major chakras are located at the base of the spine (Root Chakra), at the navel (Sacral Chakra), in the solar plexus (Solar Plexus Chakra), within your heart (Heart Chakra), within the throat (Throat Chakra), at the center of your forehead (Brow or Third Eye Chakra), and at the top of your head (Crown Chakra). These chakras are linked together with all other energy systems in the body and various layers of the auras.

The Speed of the chakra spin is a key to vibrant health. The other keys to vibrant health that relates to the chakra is ensuring they are clear of negative energy and that they are perfectly shaped and not distorted.

The Five Rites speed up the spinning of the chakras, coordinate their spin so they are in complete harmony, distribute pure prana energy to the endocrine system, and in turn to all organs and processes in the body. This is one of the major requirements for vibrant health, rejuvenation and youthfulness."

The Five Tibetian Rituals for Rejuvenation, Transmutation & Youthification

2008-01-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

This program of exercises is a modified Yoga (considered a science that unites the body, mind and spirit). The Five Tibetan Rituals were developed over many centuries by the Tibetans who claim that these exercises activate and stimulate the seven key chakras that in turn stimulate all the glands of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the body's overall functioning and aging process. This means that The Five Tibetan Rituals will affect the functioning of all my organs and systems, including the physical and energetic systems and that includes the aging process. The man who brought these Five Tibetan Rituals out of Tibet (see: "Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth" by Peter Kelder -1985, originally known as "The Eye of Revelation" -1939) stated that "performing The Five Tibetan Rituals stimulates the circulation of essential life energy throughout the body".
It is important to practice these five rites at least six times each week (no less than this) to achieve their benefits. There must not be any alternation of form or sequence otherwise the chakras are effected negatively. To have a routine is preferable (before breakfast - same time/location). My plan is to work up to 21 repetitions of each ritual. It is important to practice slowly/consciously, without rushing; to breath deeply between rites; to combine breathing with movement; to practice on an empty stomach. A clean & simple diet helps (a raw vegan plant based/living food diet is perfect!). Also, it should be noted that The Five Tibetan Rituals may stimutate detoxification of one's body, creating unpleasant symptoms - which is why it is wise to progress slowly. Walking each day and stretching help with preparation for this program. And to practice daily affirmations helps, too.
I intend to practice "The Five Tibetians" after I meditate in the morning.

bees

2008-01-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.vanishingbees.com/

The trailer on this web site is very good!
I hope that you will watch it ...
Seems if one understands the plight of the bee (globally) one can have a better grasp of the plight of humans - YOU - as well.

It is important to become sustainable however one is able. Educate yourself - and care!

Also, might take a look at this: "How It All Ends" (concise and informative - 'global climate destabilization') http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_anaVcCXg

For a FANTASTIC downloadable pdf booklet on how to include native bees in your garden open this link. It's by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and it's well worth reading! http://www.xerces.org/Pollinator_Insect_Conservation/Farming_for_Bees_2nd_edition.pdf

esalen art barn for the new year

2008-01-04T18:19:00.000-08:00

To spend the first two days of this new year at the Esalen Art Barn in Big Sur was a dream that came true. I love to paint there. And the weather was warm and calm and clear while I worked. Even meet a few very interesting people and had wonderful conversations. Two days in this enchanting and inspiring environment seemed much longer as it was so nourishing.
And now it is the forth day of this new year and I am at home. This little town by the sea has been blasted all day long by a windy storm that blew in.
Wish I was back at the Art Barn listening to the crashing waves on the rocks below, surrounded by the smell, feel, sight of creativity all around. I feel so at home in a place like that, and I miss it there.

Living a More Sustainable Life

2007-12-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

This contest entry was published on Gather.com 4/18/2007 and I won some citrus trees! I hope that it will serve as inspiration for others as we enter a new and very important year.

I sincerely try to live lightly on our beautiful planet now. About a year ago the urgency of living sustainability became blatantly apparent. This is when I began to conscientiously educate myself about the possible effects of climate change, the peaking of “cheap oil” in our society, and, so, the inevitable economic restructuring that lies ahead. I studied articles on the effects of over population, biotechnology (for example, the dangers of the genetically modified food), and how the toxins we generate are disrupting the ecological systems world wide. I did research on various topics like renewable natural resources and am aware of the immense amount non renewable resources the people in this country presently consume. After all this research I realized that sustainability is a complex subject! And, I admit, I felt overwhelmed. At first I wondered how I could contribute to a more sustainable world which I share with so many. What changes could I make that would make some difference?
I began at home. I made a check-off list which I divided into categories. For example, I created a garden category and listed that I would plant more fruit trees, create a worm composter, and install a grey water system to recycle the usable water from bathing and washing. In my transportation category I promised myself to use public transportation more, ride my bicycle and walk whenever possible in order to help reduce my carbon output. And now I telecommunicate for work from my home, which has many benefits. Another plan is to eliminate toxins from our home environment. Instead of using synthetic/chemically based cleaners I have switched to equally effective cleaning agents like baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, borax, and herbs. Then I replaced our carpeting with hardwood and linoleum flooring. Our energy consumption was reduced, especially in the winter, by insulating the walls, windows, ceilings, and doors as much as was possible. My hope is to install a solar system soon for our electrical needs as we move towards sustainability and self sufficiency. “Downsizing” is also a goal on my list. Garage sales and donations to local groups and charities will help me to reduce the collection of stuff we have by half – to only keep what is truly needed. “Reduce, reuse, recycle” encompasses many habit and value changes honestly needed. I plan to be far less “consumer” orientated. Becoming a vegetarian is a change that I have given high priority. I want to move to a lower position on the food chain and, thus, not be such an energy drain on the environment - one of many benefits of being a vegetarian. Of course my list contains much more that just this. Even small changes - like making every attempt to not buy plastic or Styrofoam products to exchanging incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs - are important, especially if we all earnestly employ them.
Next I became more active in my community. I joined a local sustainability group. Together, as a community of concerned citizens, we educate and support each other and our town members with information about gardening, water conservation, solar technology, alternative transportation, composting techniques, green cleaning and recycling ideas. Once a month we present an educational film on climate change, relocalization, “peak oil” and many other relevant subjects. Soon we will have a local farmers market, which will help support and build our local community and economy. I believe that being part of a community of neighbors is necessary. Working together we can hope to make the needed adjustments and changes to insure a more sustainable community.
Wouldn’t it be great if our present leaders believed in the “seventh generation” philosophy of the Native American Iroquois Confederacy which mandated their chiefs to always consider the effects of their actions on their descendants seven generations into the future? Even so, I sincerely hope that we can each be so wise and just so as to earnestly make responsible choices towards a more balanced and sustainable life. And as a society work together to do whatever it takes to help preserve the natural ecosystems and biodiversity of our natural world - beginning now. By living more harmoniously with the ways of Nature we can better insure that there will be future generations of people who can be grateful for this wonderful planet upon which we live.

kindness & respect

2007-12-30T22:47:00.000-08:00

I have posted this sad flower because I awoke this morning from a dream feeling scared. This ominous fear seemed to center on feelings I have about aggression and violence - and how pervasive it is ... spilling over into relationships and family - like a disease. The abuse (physical/verbal/ mental/emotional/spiritual) is sad... and seems deeply rooted. Are human rights being so seriously violated – especially the rights of woman – in such alarming ways as the media projects? It feels that way ...

Way back in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed and adopted Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the “…recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family (which) is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…” They affirmed faith in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women. According to many equal rights groups women’s equality and participation in a society is one of the most effective ways to build a just, peaceful and sustainable world. However,”… to cite an old feminist saying: “If you think equality is the goal, your standards are too low.” It is not enough to be equal to men, when the men are acting like beasts. It is not enough to assimilate. We need to create a world worth assimilating into.” (Barbara Ehrenreich).

My dream was upsetting. I know that I am deeply worried. Not only about violence, but ... is it true that soon there will be “peak everything” (peak oil, peak climate, peak water, peak natural resources, peak air … peak people - as this beautiful Earth reaches its carrying capacity … peak money - as our financial industries approach the forecasted meltdown)?? This really frightens me. I imagine increased violence as the impact of these conditions begin to hit home. Is it realistic to be hopeful and believe human kind, once aware, will take immediate, collective effort and make every necessary sacrifice to effect real change on a personal and global level. Educate yourself: what does sustainability really mean? Ask yourself: how can I treat others with kindness and respect their dignity?

Blessed Unrest

2007-12-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

This morning when I went into my garden to gather some fallen pears two visitors appeared - Christian missionaries. They wanted me to listen and also read their literature ... Then shortly after this when I opened a recent email I found this quote from Essene Gospel of Peace : “I do say to you: Kill neither men, nor beasts, nor yet the food which goes into your mouth. For if you eat living food, the same will quicken you, but if you kill your food, the dead food will kill you also. For life comes only from life, and from death comes always death. For everything which kills your foods, kills your bodies also. And everything which kills your bodies kills your souls also. And your bodies become what your foods are, even as your spirits, likewise, become what your thoughts are. Therefore, eat not anything which fire, or frost, or water has destroyed. For burned, frozen and rotted foods will burn, freeze and rot your body also. Be not like the foolish husbandman who sowed in his ground cooked, and frozen, and rotten seeds. And the autumn came, and his fields bore nothing. And great was his distress. But be like that husbandman who sowed in his field living seed, and whose field bore living ears of wheat, paying a hundredfold for the seeds which he planted. For I tell you truly, live only by the fire of life, and prepare not your foods with the fire of death, which kills your foods, your bodies and your souls also." Haven't placed the raw/living plant based diet/lifestyle into a religious context before, but, this quote is sure appropriate. The sequence of these two events this morning is a little interesting to me, and I am looking forward to what more may happen today! And in another email I found this video/web link: http://www.blessedunrest.com/video.html This is so hopeful! It is a presentation given by Paul Hawkins at the Bioneers convention this year. There exists a strong huge tide of people/groups - globally - moving forward in response to the warming and poisoning of the Earth, to social injustice, to the corruption and atrocities of the government, military, big business - worldwide ... gathering in force - instinctively. Indeed, a 'blessed unrest'....hallelujah!

just me and my dog

2007-12-26T22:36:00.001-08:00

Last night I watched this good ol' movie - again. A holiday tradition. Though I have it memorized I still cry at the end. This compassionate man was truly blessed with many loyal friends and such a loving family. He was loyal and loving...
Love ... One of my personal goals in the months ahead is to try to soften this seeming hardened (fearful) heart of mine. Warm it up. Open it with some gentle care & nurturing it so sorely needs - after all these "challenging" years.
I have made my world so small lately, for a sense of protection and some peace. But this life of mostly solitude is not the solution! It is too often just me & my dog ...

christmas day

2007-12-25T10:27:00.001-08:00

I think that maybe an 'angel' appeared last night while I was putting gas in my old Karman Ghia at the local gas station. I looked up and noticed a woman dressed for a Christmas evening celebration happily examining my car. After reminiscing a bit about when her parents had a car just like mine she lightly griped both my arms, looked at me straight in the face - smiling - and said: It is time for you to "seize the day", young lady. It is time to really start living ... have more fun! Why don't you go for a ride tomorrow in your wonderful car! Enjoy the day.
Well ... I was a little surprised by her advise, but thanked her ( I wonder if she might be right).

christmas eve

2007-12-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

This is the first Christmas holiday in 18 years that my son will not be home. I received an email from him today. My reply was clumsy - what is it that he needs me to say? This is a difficult and important time. Beneath the boughs of the decorated tree are his presents...I was hopeful. But time forges on - irregardless. Seems little birds quickly grow too big for the nest and feel they must fly away. I wave the required "goodbye" with big tears in my heart.
The astrologer, Lisa Miller, wrote: "This is that once a year when the Full Moon is posited in the astrological sign it rules, making the force of love and trust so abundant that the heart just naturally opens...Making this a “get real and get committed” Full Moon: a Moon for setting an intention to love yourself and others even through the hard times. Cancer rules emotional healing of all kinds and this is the Full Moon to make an effort to bring love back to all your relationships; especially between family members."
I hope this is true...

full moon

2007-12-23T19:58:00.002-08:00

Tonight the moon rose just as the sun set ... a full moon - the tide was so unusually low.
Tides are commanded by the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Moon. It was not until Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) discovered the law of gravity that the effect of the Sun and the Moon on the tides was fully understood.
As the Moon rotates around the Earth, it pulls on the ocean water creating a bulge. A similar bulge is created on the opposite side of the Earth. These high tides occur simultaneously. As the Earth rotates on its axis a rise and fall of the ocean results every 6 hours, 2x a day.
During the full moon, when the Sun and Moon are in a straight line, their gravitational pull combine and produce high tides that are very high and low tides which are very low. (note: the Sun exerts a gravitational force 180 times stronger than the Moon, but the Moon is much closer to the Earth, so its force is twice as strong as the Sun's).
Another factor is the elliptical path the Moon takes during its revolution around the Earth. When it is closer to Earth, it is referred to as a 'perigee' Moon. During this phase there can exist a 30-48% greater gravitational pull. Tides during this period have a greater differential between high and low. To us here on Earth, the Moon in 'perigee' appears larger and brighter because it is indeed much closer.
... so this is why tonight's full moon is so large & bright, and the tide so very low...

winter solstice

2007-12-22T20:56:00.001-08:00

Today is the shortest day of the year - winter solstice. The moon is nearly full. The ocean quiet. It is winter cold.
I created this blog today for a few reasons. One is because I have recently decided to re-focus on my fine art, starting with this new year. Art is my passion and I'd like to document some of my work and research here. Another reason is to have a place to publicly write regularly about some of my interests. For instance, right now I am newly committed to a raw plant based vegan diet (and lifestyle), and also quite interested koans - being a student of zen buddhism. During the last year or so I have been modifying my life to be far more sustainable and self - sufficient . Climate change, peak oil and all the rest of the pressing current issues/conditions are very real and important to me. I'd like to share information I've collected about this and many other topics. Hopefully what I post on this blog will be interesting - even inspirational - for others.
Just want to mention that I did not see any owls today in the wild woods near my home where I walk my dog. Not like yesterday when I saw two huge owls sitting on a branch high up in an old pine tree. I was surprised and enchanted when I became aware of them watching me! Amazing...this happened just as the sun was setting.