Wow - check this video out
Fascinating - I couldn't stop watching it!
However I do have to add my piece (courtesy of the New Internationalist) about Unilever who produce Dove.
They may have an politically correct and women empowering advertising take but they are not super ethical about their supplies. In spring 2006 Unilever was challenged to dissociate itself from a major Indonesian palm oil supplier accused of mass firing of union members, expulsion of children from their homes and criminalisation of legitimate trade union activity. They are also accused of eviction and harrassment of indigenous people living in the area of tea plantations run by their Indian wing and farms supplying cotton seed to the same Hindustan Lever were accused of using child labourers as young as 10 to work in fields doused in pesticides which caused nausea and convulsions.
Still - great video!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Drinking from the wellspring of the Goddess
Last weekend I went to a Goddess Conference.
It was a rich and delightful experience.
The conference was convened and beautifully held by the women of the Goddess Association In Australia (GAIA).
An intriguing mix of ritual, circle work, singing & dancing, experiential workshops and inspiring lectures, the event was filled with gorgeous invitations to connect with a bunch of beautiful women, delicious opportunities to indulge in that most sacred of goddess activities - shopping - and completed with hearty feasting, heartfelt celebration and copious quantities of chocolate.
It was enough to make a goddess wax a bit lyrical.
I hadn't realised I was so thirsty.
One of the many highlights for me was finally meeting Shekinah Morgan whose beautiful Moon Diaries I have been selling in the yOni.com shop for quite a number of years. Shekinah was one of three speakers, elders of the circle, who opened the conference by reflecting eloquently on the past, present and future of the Goddess in Australia. She urged us to take time to appreciate and experience the gifts of our natural womanly cycles, menstruation, mothering and menaupase. Shekinah has kindly allowed me to put a version of her address online in yOni.com. Titled 'Women's Spirituality - Ushering in the Sacred Feminine' it is well worth a read.
It was also wonderful to connect with Glenys Livingstone, author of Pagaian Cosmology. She describes her book as a resource for individuals or groups seeking new forms of devotional expression and an Earth-based pathway to wisdom within. The work grew from her sense of alienation from her place as female white European transplanted to the Southern Hemisphere. It is available to download at pagaian.org.
Altogether a total treat.
If you are in Australia don't miss it next year.
It was a rich and delightful experience.
The conference was convened and beautifully held by the women of the Goddess Association In Australia (GAIA).
An intriguing mix of ritual, circle work, singing & dancing, experiential workshops and inspiring lectures, the event was filled with gorgeous invitations to connect with a bunch of beautiful women, delicious opportunities to indulge in that most sacred of goddess activities - shopping - and completed with hearty feasting, heartfelt celebration and copious quantities of chocolate.
It was enough to make a goddess wax a bit lyrical.
I hadn't realised I was so thirsty.
One of the many highlights for me was finally meeting Shekinah Morgan whose beautiful Moon Diaries I have been selling in the yOni.com shop for quite a number of years. Shekinah was one of three speakers, elders of the circle, who opened the conference by reflecting eloquently on the past, present and future of the Goddess in Australia. She urged us to take time to appreciate and experience the gifts of our natural womanly cycles, menstruation, mothering and menaupase. Shekinah has kindly allowed me to put a version of her address online in yOni.com. Titled 'Women's Spirituality - Ushering in the Sacred Feminine' it is well worth a read.
It was also wonderful to connect with Glenys Livingstone, author of Pagaian Cosmology. She describes her book as a resource for individuals or groups seeking new forms of devotional expression and an Earth-based pathway to wisdom within. The work grew from her sense of alienation from her place as female white European transplanted to the Southern Hemisphere. It is available to download at pagaian.org.
Altogether a total treat.
If you are in Australia don't miss it next year.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Victoria Vulva's video debut
Victoria is an unusually vocal velvet vulva. In her video debut she demonstrates how to do your kegel exercises correctly. You can see her on Google video.
Victoria would love some fan mail. Post a comment on google video or on the Do the Kegel forum and let us know and I'll send you a link to download the song for free.
Victoria would love some fan mail. Post a comment on google video or on the Do the Kegel forum and let us know and I'll send you a link to download the song for free.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Continence Awareness Week
I love the way songs teach me about things. I'm talking, not just about songs that I hear, but particularly about songs that I have written myself.
It happens like this: I write the song and I think I know what it's about - well I wrote it didn't I? And then, over time, I find the the song teaches me more than I had ever realised was contained in it. It makes me question the whole idea of "I write" and to accept more and more that I am much more of a vehicle for the song to come through than the creatrix.
I wonder if other song writers, or poets and artists have had similar experiences. I'd love to hear about it if you do.
Mostly the revelations I get from my songs are on an emotional level - how I feel about things and how to deal with situations in my life. Recently though 'Do the Kegel' has been revealing stuff big time - in a very practical way. Before started on compiling the support information for the website (www.dothekegel.com) I didn't really have an idea of how widespread incontinence problems are. Nor what a huge industry disposable continence products is becoming. I certainly never knew that there was such a thing as 'Continence Awareness Week' here in Australia and also in the UK. Maybe it also exists in the US also but I haven't tapped into it there yet.
And I certainly wouldn't have had the remotest notion that I would be flying up to Melbourne with my CD in my hand to attend the Continence Awareness Week breakfast next week! Nor quite how passionate I would become about supporting awareness about this oh so common but hidden, embarrassing and, for some, incredibly debilitating problem.
Continence Awareness Week 2006 in Australia is 6th - 12th August.
The Continence Awareness foundation's slogan is Pelvic floor- use it or lose it!
Lets get kegeling!
PS The feedback I'm getting for 'Do the Kegel' has been great so far. Women are finding that the song really motives them to do their pelvic floor exercises and they have fun while they are doing them. There's still an opportunity to get a free download by heading to the forum and posting your kegel related tip or question - but be quick!
See also my earlier posts Do the Kegel and Coughing and Kegeling
It happens like this: I write the song and I think I know what it's about - well I wrote it didn't I? And then, over time, I find the the song teaches me more than I had ever realised was contained in it. It makes me question the whole idea of "I write" and to accept more and more that I am much more of a vehicle for the song to come through than the creatrix.
I wonder if other song writers, or poets and artists have had similar experiences. I'd love to hear about it if you do.
Mostly the revelations I get from my songs are on an emotional level - how I feel about things and how to deal with situations in my life. Recently though 'Do the Kegel' has been revealing stuff big time - in a very practical way. Before started on compiling the support information for the website (www.dothekegel.com) I didn't really have an idea of how widespread incontinence problems are. Nor what a huge industry disposable continence products is becoming. I certainly never knew that there was such a thing as 'Continence Awareness Week' here in Australia and also in the UK. Maybe it also exists in the US also but I haven't tapped into it there yet.
And I certainly wouldn't have had the remotest notion that I would be flying up to Melbourne with my CD in my hand to attend the Continence Awareness Week breakfast next week! Nor quite how passionate I would become about supporting awareness about this oh so common but hidden, embarrassing and, for some, incredibly debilitating problem.
Continence Awareness Week 2006 in Australia is 6th - 12th August.
The Continence Awareness foundation's slogan is Pelvic floor- use it or lose it!
Lets get kegeling!
PS The feedback I'm getting for 'Do the Kegel' has been great so far. Women are finding that the song really motives them to do their pelvic floor exercises and they have fun while they are doing them. There's still an opportunity to get a free download by heading to the forum and posting your kegel related tip or question - but be quick!
See also my earlier posts Do the Kegel and Coughing and Kegeling
Friday, June 16, 2006
Marketing without the hype?
Sounds good to me. I am so fed up with sales letters that are twenty screens long and chock full of hype about the money I will make, how easy it will be and how much I'll kick myself if I don't buy right now.
There are so many of them out there that I am guessing they must work for some people. Not me although occasionally I actually do want the product in spite of the ghastly sales letter. That feels very weird!
I fit more in the category that Brett Hurt describes in his review of "Waiting for the Cat to Bark" the newest book on marketing by Jeffrey and Bryan Eisenberg.
He says "An educated person doesn't react well to the traditional 'art of manipulation' that most marketers attempt to employ in their campaigns. As a matter of fact it tends to make them feel defensive - like a cat backed into a corner. (That's me Brett) No-one understands this new world of marketing better than the Eisenbergs. "Waiting for Your Cat to Bark? is the marketing manifesto of our generation. Read it, weep, and then go do something about it."
I'll be reading.
Read more about the book on Michele Miller's blog
There are so many of them out there that I am guessing they must work for some people. Not me although occasionally I actually do want the product in spite of the ghastly sales letter. That feels very weird!
I fit more in the category that Brett Hurt describes in his review of "Waiting for the Cat to Bark" the newest book on marketing by Jeffrey and Bryan Eisenberg.
He says "An educated person doesn't react well to the traditional 'art of manipulation' that most marketers attempt to employ in their campaigns. As a matter of fact it tends to make them feel defensive - like a cat backed into a corner. (That's me Brett) No-one understands this new world of marketing better than the Eisenbergs. "Waiting for Your Cat to Bark? is the marketing manifesto of our generation. Read it, weep, and then go do something about it."
I'll be reading.
Read more about the book on Michele Miller's blog
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Conspiracy against Natural Health - Say No to Codex
Back on the anti Codex bandwagon I pass this on verbatim from health professional, medical reform advocate and writer Eve Hillary. It is particularly relevant to Australian readers. Please take action.
Have you ever considered the luxury of our well-stocked health shops?
You can choose from many brands and sizes, containing varying strengths and ingredient combinations.
Want Vitamin C? Powder or tablet? 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg? Take your pick.
Or would you rather choose another vitamin or herb?
This freedom of choice could soon be a thing of the past.
WHY?
Because if the government (and pharmaceutical companies) get their way, the Codex Legislation being implemented in Europe will be passed and you may need to visit your doctor for a prescription to get any of the natural health supplements that are now available from your health store, naturopath or distributor. These prescribed supplements will not only contain minimum levels of the current supplements, but many will be synthetic (molecules changed for patent purposes). These European laws could be transposed upon Australia via Free Trade Agreements and WTO obligations.
What this means is: supplements will have no therapeutic effects and in due course, you will need to go to pharmaceutical drugs in order to look after your own health.
Ultimately: you won’t be able to choose your own supplements any more! Doctors will have to do it for you. So then the scenario may be, no naturopaths, no health stores, no herbalists, and no natural health professionals.
Australia is a democratic country and yet something as important as this has not been made widely public.
Our right to choose is being removed without public consultation.
What is the Codex Legislation?
In a nutshell, it is a result of a complex relationship between the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the World Health Organisation, which seeks to standardise, worldwide, the quality and dosage of natural medicines (vitamins, herbs, homoeopathic, etc.) Once Australia and NZ agree to this legislation they will lose control over this choice. Supplement production and usage will become part of an international policy, which Australia and all countries must adhere to or they will be heavily fined.
Codex also:
· Permits non-labelling of genetically modified foods
· Allows high levels of chemicals in foods
· Encourages antibiotics in animal feed
· Restricts organic food (an area in which Australia and NZ are well regarded)
· Permits irradiation of food and herbs
.
What you can do
Write to your local state and federal politicians. (Click for your local politician's contact details). A letter is already written for you on the Eve Hillary site.
· Help us spread this information – all help will be welcome.
· Join our committee (there is one in each state of Australia). .
· Check out http://www.evehillary.org and click onto Taking Action or go to the AHFA (Alliance for Health Freedom Australia website)
Say NO to Codex or you will be shepherded towards prescription drugs
Have you ever considered the luxury of our well-stocked health shops?
You can choose from many brands and sizes, containing varying strengths and ingredient combinations.
Want Vitamin C? Powder or tablet? 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg? Take your pick.
Or would you rather choose another vitamin or herb?
This freedom of choice could soon be a thing of the past.
WHY?
Because if the government (and pharmaceutical companies) get their way, the Codex Legislation being implemented in Europe will be passed and you may need to visit your doctor for a prescription to get any of the natural health supplements that are now available from your health store, naturopath or distributor. These prescribed supplements will not only contain minimum levels of the current supplements, but many will be synthetic (molecules changed for patent purposes). These European laws could be transposed upon Australia via Free Trade Agreements and WTO obligations.
What this means is: supplements will have no therapeutic effects and in due course, you will need to go to pharmaceutical drugs in order to look after your own health.
Ultimately: you won’t be able to choose your own supplements any more! Doctors will have to do it for you. So then the scenario may be, no naturopaths, no health stores, no herbalists, and no natural health professionals.
Australia is a democratic country and yet something as important as this has not been made widely public.
Our right to choose is being removed without public consultation.
What is the Codex Legislation?
In a nutshell, it is a result of a complex relationship between the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the World Health Organisation, which seeks to standardise, worldwide, the quality and dosage of natural medicines (vitamins, herbs, homoeopathic, etc.) Once Australia and NZ agree to this legislation they will lose control over this choice. Supplement production and usage will become part of an international policy, which Australia and all countries must adhere to or they will be heavily fined.
Codex also:
· Permits non-labelling of genetically modified foods
· Allows high levels of chemicals in foods
· Encourages antibiotics in animal feed
· Restricts organic food (an area in which Australia and NZ are well regarded)
· Permits irradiation of food and herbs
.
What you can do
Write to your local state and federal politicians. (Click for your local politician's contact details). A letter is already written for you on the Eve Hillary site.
· Help us spread this information – all help will be welcome.
· Join our committee (there is one in each state of Australia). .
· Check out http://www.evehillary.org and click onto Taking Action or go to the AHFA (Alliance for Health Freedom Australia website)
Say NO to Codex or you will be shepherded towards prescription drugs
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The delights of daily practice
The topic of daily practice is up within my women's group.
We all recognise the value of making a commitment to a daily sacred ritual. We know that it does not have to be long or complicated but that it should provide an opportunity to step outside of our ordinary world and to re-connect with the divine, with the bigger picture, with something greater than our daily lives and the story created by mind.
Although we could all feel the value of such practice, a quick round of the circle revealed only one of us who could say that she did something sacred every day.
We explored some of the possibilities:
* Lighting a candle and giving thanks for the blessings in our life;
* Ten minutes (maybe even only five!) of chanting or meditation, dancing or breathing;
* A yoga ritual, a simple asana series or maybe a longer practice;
* A walk in nature, a run on the beach or a ride on the bike made sacred by our dedication or intention.
One of the women revealed that the time that she felt most connected to the divine was when practicing her cello. We seemed to agree that it was our intention with our practice that was more important than it's content. Even our resident yogini expressed that as part of our experiment she wanted to make her daily yoga routine more of a prayer.
We supported one another towards a decision about the form of the practice that we would take on. It needed to be achievable within our busy lives, suitable for our body and realistic given our family commitments. It was surprising how easy it seemed to be for each of us alone to set ourselves up to do something we were bound to fail at. Thank heavens for the other women!
Duly committed we set out on our week.
My commitment was to three sun salutes, offered as a prayer. I had been making a vague effort to do three sun salutes each day for some months but my success rate was about one in two. I realised that to make it a daily reality I needed to do them as early as possible, before I ate and ideally as soon as I got up. I share the care of my son and noticed that it was much easier on the mornings that my son was not at home. I also noticed that the knowledge that I would be reporting back to the group really supported me to remember - even on the busy school mornings when I had previously let my mothering take precedence over my practice.
But the most interesting discovery was in relation to the "prayfulness" or otherwise of the ritual. I had thought I had a sense of this when I had expressed what I wanted to do to the other women. But when it came to it I found myself wondering and pondering for several days what it really meant to offer my practice as a prayer. Was it about gratitude, dedication, intention, a request even? Was it to do with my presence and focus within the movements? Over the week I explored the possibilities in my attitude as I moved my body through the familiar stretches. And it was within the sensation of the stretching that I found my answer. My practice feels sacred when I follow the feeling of stretching and extend it out beyond the physical expressing the longing of my heart and my willingness and my prayer to stretch ever open in all ways towards truth, love and the divine.
We all recognise the value of making a commitment to a daily sacred ritual. We know that it does not have to be long or complicated but that it should provide an opportunity to step outside of our ordinary world and to re-connect with the divine, with the bigger picture, with something greater than our daily lives and the story created by mind.
Although we could all feel the value of such practice, a quick round of the circle revealed only one of us who could say that she did something sacred every day.
We explored some of the possibilities:
* Lighting a candle and giving thanks for the blessings in our life;
* Ten minutes (maybe even only five!) of chanting or meditation, dancing or breathing;
* A yoga ritual, a simple asana series or maybe a longer practice;
* A walk in nature, a run on the beach or a ride on the bike made sacred by our dedication or intention.
One of the women revealed that the time that she felt most connected to the divine was when practicing her cello. We seemed to agree that it was our intention with our practice that was more important than it's content. Even our resident yogini expressed that as part of our experiment she wanted to make her daily yoga routine more of a prayer.
We supported one another towards a decision about the form of the practice that we would take on. It needed to be achievable within our busy lives, suitable for our body and realistic given our family commitments. It was surprising how easy it seemed to be for each of us alone to set ourselves up to do something we were bound to fail at. Thank heavens for the other women!
Duly committed we set out on our week.
My commitment was to three sun salutes, offered as a prayer. I had been making a vague effort to do three sun salutes each day for some months but my success rate was about one in two. I realised that to make it a daily reality I needed to do them as early as possible, before I ate and ideally as soon as I got up. I share the care of my son and noticed that it was much easier on the mornings that my son was not at home. I also noticed that the knowledge that I would be reporting back to the group really supported me to remember - even on the busy school mornings when I had previously let my mothering take precedence over my practice.
But the most interesting discovery was in relation to the "prayfulness" or otherwise of the ritual. I had thought I had a sense of this when I had expressed what I wanted to do to the other women. But when it came to it I found myself wondering and pondering for several days what it really meant to offer my practice as a prayer. Was it about gratitude, dedication, intention, a request even? Was it to do with my presence and focus within the movements? Over the week I explored the possibilities in my attitude as I moved my body through the familiar stretches. And it was within the sensation of the stretching that I found my answer. My practice feels sacred when I follow the feeling of stretching and extend it out beyond the physical expressing the longing of my heart and my willingness and my prayer to stretch ever open in all ways towards truth, love and the divine.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Do the Kegel
I'm back on my pelvic floor muscle exercise bandwagon again!
(See earlier post coughing & kegeling)
Back in the hey day (!?) of the Voices of Gaia I wrote a song called Do the Kegel. It was a popular song but we never recorded it although we were often asked for it.
Recently I decided to indulge my inner diva and my Aquarian desire to change the world and go into the recording studio and make a solo recording of the Kegel. With the help of seasoned musicions and producers Bharti & Atmo we have come up with a catchy, invasive little number that gets into your brain and is difficult to get out. An excellent quality for a song that is designed to get you to do something!
I'm going to put a warning on the cover
WARNING : This song is a viral marketing device targeted at your well being. It is designed to get stuck in your brain and to seduce you into doing pelvic floor exercises!
It's sounding good and we are in the final stages of production and already planning a lounge mix, dance mix, DVD etc!!. I hope to have it available for download in a couple of weeks. The first two of verses are online at www.dothekegel.com and you can drop me an e-line to be the first to know when it is ready to download.
The first fifty people to email me will get a free copy as soon as it is ready!
Happy Kegeling
(See earlier post coughing & kegeling)
Back in the hey day (!?) of the Voices of Gaia I wrote a song called Do the Kegel. It was a popular song but we never recorded it although we were often asked for it.
Recently I decided to indulge my inner diva and my Aquarian desire to change the world and go into the recording studio and make a solo recording of the Kegel. With the help of seasoned musicions and producers Bharti & Atmo we have come up with a catchy, invasive little number that gets into your brain and is difficult to get out. An excellent quality for a song that is designed to get you to do something!
I'm going to put a warning on the cover
WARNING : This song is a viral marketing device targeted at your well being. It is designed to get stuck in your brain and to seduce you into doing pelvic floor exercises!
It's sounding good and we are in the final stages of production and already planning a lounge mix, dance mix, DVD etc!!. I hope to have it available for download in a couple of weeks. The first two of verses are online at www.dothekegel.com and you can drop me an e-line to be the first to know when it is ready to download.
The first fifty people to email me will get a free copy as soon as it is ready!
Happy Kegeling
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Recycle with Freecycle(TM)
My mother recently sent me a link to an organisation called freecycle.org. It is a great concept. They support people to link up or create local groups who run an email list. On the list you can post and respond to offers of items that you want to get rid of but can't bear to throw away.
You know the things.
That old film camera that someone must want but you don't.
The kids outgrown toys that no-one has time nor inclination to put in a garage sale.
The carpet from the spare bedroom that still has some wear in it but no longer matches the new paint.
There must be someone out there who want's it.
Well with any luck they are tuned into the local freecycle group.
One person's trash is another person's treasure after all!
The aim is to keep good stuff out of landfill.
You can find your local group at www.freecycle.org and if there is no group in your area you can apply to start your own. I started Freecycle Byron Bay for my local area. It's quite painless and there is lots of support.
You know the things.
That old film camera that someone must want but you don't.
The kids outgrown toys that no-one has time nor inclination to put in a garage sale.
The carpet from the spare bedroom that still has some wear in it but no longer matches the new paint.
There must be someone out there who want's it.
Well with any luck they are tuned into the local freecycle group.
One person's trash is another person's treasure after all!
The aim is to keep good stuff out of landfill.
You can find your local group at www.freecycle.org and if there is no group in your area you can apply to start your own. I started Freecycle Byron Bay for my local area. It's quite painless and there is lots of support.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
New moon - New Year
Here in the Southern Hemisphere the 13th New Moon of 2005 falls on New Year's Eve so we have the opportunity to take the new lunar energy into our intentions and celebrations for the new calendar year.
Here is what Claudia from moonsurfing.com says about this new moon in Capricorn.
"The New Moon planetary set-up says loud and clear... "Before moving forward, you must look back."
As the new year begins, Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and planet of lessons and constructive activity continues to move in reverse till the 5th of April. This means that you have time (and you must) get your ducks in a row, face the truth of what it's going to take to put your plans and dreams into action and leave unrealistic notions behind. The lunar journal for this month was created to help you do just that. http://www.moonsurfing.com/journal.html
The push-pull effect of the ongoing stressful planetary energies is opening you to new possibilities while making you aware of unacceptable limitations. You're cautioned not to move too quickly, but to reflect on how you're managing your resources (time is a big one) and your responsibilities. Determination, commitment and self-discipline are basic requirements that will help you let go of all that's not working.
The coming year will show you that all your choices have consequences. We'll be coming out of a powerful universal "7" year of wisdom and understanding... an inner voyage into an "8" universal year of success, satisfaction and personal power so take note of how you conceive of, hold and utilize power.
The stressful gale force winds of change that have been blowing for the last 3 months are building to an irrevocable turning point and the status quo in your life is definitely due to permanently change big-time. Here's another guarantee... you'll reap what you've sown and be paid back for work well done. You can discover the opportunities for change coming up for you personally in 2006 with a reading. http://www.moonsurfing.com/readings.html
Here are some questions to help you use these stressful energies in the most positive ways:
1) Where do you want to be a year from now?
2) What memories will help you on your journey?
3) What must you be responsible and accountable for?
3) What's essential for your journey to be successful and fulfilling?
4) What are your personal values and what have you been voting for with your feet and your dollars?
5) What enduring forms of self-expression will you create?
You're being asked to review selfish agendas and to be sure your intentions include love, humor...and joy. It's time to get in touch with your inner calling ...what you hold dear and want to share with the world.
Capricorn is signified by two different animals presenting you with two different choices regarding the way you use your power. First is the mountain goat seeking to climb the mountains in life by making sure every step is solid... leaving nothing to chance. However, this goat can be overly focused on power-grabbing tactics and selfish personal goals.
Second is the seagoat or mergoat. This animal strives to be a responsible servant for the good of all. Rather than seeking to find security through control over external resources... including people and the environment...the goal is self-mastery.
These are those interesting and exciting times we all asked to live in.... a time when every feeling, thought, word and action creates a reality. Determination, commitment and self-discipline are basic requirements that will help you let go of all that's not working so you can manifest what you truly want. It won't necessarily be easy, but know this... the rewards will be huge.
With Love, Best Wishes for a Happy New Year and Many Moonlit Blessings, Claudia "
You can subscribe to Claudia's fortnightly moon watch email at moonsurfing.com
Blessings and a Happy New Year from me too
xxx
Here is what Claudia from moonsurfing.com says about this new moon in Capricorn.
"The New Moon planetary set-up says loud and clear... "Before moving forward, you must look back."
As the new year begins, Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and planet of lessons and constructive activity continues to move in reverse till the 5th of April. This means that you have time (and you must) get your ducks in a row, face the truth of what it's going to take to put your plans and dreams into action and leave unrealistic notions behind. The lunar journal for this month was created to help you do just that. http://www.moonsurfing.com/journal.html
The push-pull effect of the ongoing stressful planetary energies is opening you to new possibilities while making you aware of unacceptable limitations. You're cautioned not to move too quickly, but to reflect on how you're managing your resources (time is a big one) and your responsibilities. Determination, commitment and self-discipline are basic requirements that will help you let go of all that's not working.
The coming year will show you that all your choices have consequences. We'll be coming out of a powerful universal "7" year of wisdom and understanding... an inner voyage into an "8" universal year of success, satisfaction and personal power so take note of how you conceive of, hold and utilize power.
The stressful gale force winds of change that have been blowing for the last 3 months are building to an irrevocable turning point and the status quo in your life is definitely due to permanently change big-time. Here's another guarantee... you'll reap what you've sown and be paid back for work well done. You can discover the opportunities for change coming up for you personally in 2006 with a reading. http://www.moonsurfing.com/readings.html
Here are some questions to help you use these stressful energies in the most positive ways:
1) Where do you want to be a year from now?
2) What memories will help you on your journey?
3) What must you be responsible and accountable for?
3) What's essential for your journey to be successful and fulfilling?
4) What are your personal values and what have you been voting for with your feet and your dollars?
5) What enduring forms of self-expression will you create?
You're being asked to review selfish agendas and to be sure your intentions include love, humor...and joy. It's time to get in touch with your inner calling ...what you hold dear and want to share with the world.
Capricorn is signified by two different animals presenting you with two different choices regarding the way you use your power. First is the mountain goat seeking to climb the mountains in life by making sure every step is solid... leaving nothing to chance. However, this goat can be overly focused on power-grabbing tactics and selfish personal goals.
Second is the seagoat or mergoat. This animal strives to be a responsible servant for the good of all. Rather than seeking to find security through control over external resources... including people and the environment...the goal is self-mastery.
These are those interesting and exciting times we all asked to live in.... a time when every feeling, thought, word and action creates a reality. Determination, commitment and self-discipline are basic requirements that will help you let go of all that's not working so you can manifest what you truly want. It won't necessarily be easy, but know this... the rewards will be huge.
With Love, Best Wishes for a Happy New Year and Many Moonlit Blessings, Claudia "
You can subscribe to Claudia's fortnightly moon watch email at moonsurfing.com
Blessings and a Happy New Year from me too
xxx
Sunday, December 25, 2005
A Christmas Present
A DAD'S STORY
(sent to me in an email)
On July 22nd I was en route to Washington, DC for a business trip. It was all so very ordinary, until we landed in Denver for a plane change. As I collected my belongings from the overhead bin, an announcement was made for Mr.Lloyd Glenn to see the United Customer Service Representative immediately.I thought nothing of it until I reached the door to leave the plane and I heard a gentleman asking every male if he were Mr. Glenn. At this point I knew something was wrong and my heart sunk.
When I got off the plane a solemn-faced young man came toward me and said, "Mr.Glenn, there is an emergency at your home. I do not know what the emergency is, or who is involved, but I will take you to the phone so you can call the hospital."My heart was now pounding, but the will to be calm took over. Woodenly, I followed this stranger to the distant telephone where I called the number he gave me for the Mission Hospital. My call was put through to the trauma center where I learned that my three-year-old son had been trapped underneath the automatic garage door for several minutes, and that when my wife had found him he was dead. CPR had been performed by a neighbor, who is a doctor, and the paramedics had continued the treatment as Brian was transported to the hospital.
By the time of my call, Brian was revived and they believed he would live, but they did not know how much damage had been done to his brain, nor to his heart.They explained that the door had completely closed on his little sternum right over his heart. He had been severely crushed. After speaking with the medical staff, my wife sounded worried but not hysterical, and I took comfort in her calmness.
The return flight seemed to last forever, but finally I arrived at the hospital six hours after the garage door had come down. When I walked into the intensive care unit, nothing could have prepared me to see my little son laying so still on a great big bed with tubes and monitors everywhere.
He was on a respirator. I glanced at my wife who stood and tried to give me a reassuring smile. It all seemed like a terrible dream. I was filled-in with the details and given a guarded prognosis. Brian was going to live, and the preliminary tests indicated that his heart was OK, two miracles in and of themselves. But only time would tell if his brain received any damage.
Throughout the seemingly endless hours, my wife was calm. She felt that Brian would eventually be all right. I hung on to her words and faith like a lifeline. All that night and the next day Brian remained unconscious. It seemed like forever since I had left for my business trip the day before.
Finally at two o'clock that afternoon, our son regained consciousness and sat up uttering the most beautiful words I have ever heard spoken. He said, "Daddy hold me" and he reached for me with his little arms.
[TEAR BREAK...smile]
By the next day he was pronounced as having no neurological or physical deficits, and the story of his miraculous survival spread throughout the hospital. You cannot imagine, we took Brian home, we felt a unique reverence for the life and love of our Heavenly Father that comes to those who brush death so closely.
In the days that followed there was a special spirit about our home.
Our two older children were much closer to their little brother. My wife and I were much closer to each other, and all of us were very close as a whole family. Life took on a less stressful pace. Perspective seemed to be more focused, and balance much easier to gain and maintain. We felt deeply blessed. Our gratitude was truly profound.
The story is not over (smile)!
Almost a month later to the day of the accident, Brian awoke from his afternoon nap and said, "Sit down Mommy.. I have something to tell you." At this time in his life, Brian usually spoke in small phrases, so to say a large sentence surprised my wife. She sat down with him on his bed, and he began his sacred and remarkable story.
"Do you remember when I got stuck under the garage door? Well, it was so heavy and it hurt really bad. I called to you, but you couldn't hear me.. I started to cry, but then it hurt too bad. And then the 'birdies' came."
"The birdies?" my wife asked puzzled.
"Yes," he replied. "The birdies made a whooshing sound and flew into the garage. They took care of me.
"They did?"
"Yes," he said. "One of the birdies came and got you. She came to tell you "I got stuck under the door." A sweet reverent feeling filled the room.
The spirit was so strong and yet lighter than air My wife realized that a three-year-old had no concept of death and spirits, so he was referring to the beings who came to him from beyond as "birdies" because they were up in the air like birds that fly.. "What did the birdies look like?" she asked.
Brian answered, "They were so beautiful. They were dressed in white, all white. Some of them had green and white. But some of them had on just white."
"Did they say anything?"
"Yes," he answered. "They told me the baby would be all right."
"The baby?" my wife asked confused.
Brian answered. "The baby laying on the garage floor." He went on, "You came out and opened the garage door and ran to the baby. You told the baby to stay and not leave."
My wife nearly collapsed upon hearing this, for she had indeed gone and knelt beside Brian's body and seeing his crushed chest whispered, "Don't leave us Brian, please stay if you can." As she listened to Brian telling her the words she had spoken, she realized that the spirit had left his body and was looking down from above on this little lifeless form.. "Then what happened?" she asked.
"We went on a trip," he said, "far, far away." He grew agitated trying to say the things he didn't seem to have the words for. My wife tried to calm and comfort him, and let him know it would be okay. He struggled with wanting to tell something that obviously was very important to him, but finding the words was difficult.
"We flew so fast up in the air. They're so pretty Mommy," he added.
"And there are lots and lots of birdies." My wife was stunned. Into her mind the sweet comforting spirit enveloped her more soundly, but with an urgency she had never before known Brian went on to tell her that the "birdies" had told him that he had to come back and tell everyone about the "birdies." He said they brought him back to the house and that a big fire truck, and an ambulance were there. A man was bringing the baby out on a white bed and he tried to tell the man that the baby would be okay. The story went on for an hour.
He taught us that "birdies" were always with us, but we don't see them because we look with our eyes and we don't hear them because we listen with our ears. But they are always there, you can only see them in here (he put his hand over his heart). They whisper the things to help us to do what is right because they love us so much. Brian continued, stating, "I have a plan, Mommy.. You have a plan.. Daddy has a plan. Everyone has a plan. We must all live our plan and keep our promises. The birdies help us to do that cause they love us so much"
In the weeks that followed, he often came to us and told all, or part of it, again and again. Always the story remained the same. The details were never changed or out of order. A few times he added further bits of information and clarified the message he had already delivered. It never ceased to amaze us how he could tell such detail and speak beyond hisability when he talked about his birdies.
Everywhere he went, he told strangers about the "birdies."
Surprisingly, no one ever looked at him strangely when he did this. Rather, they always got a softened look on their face and smiled. Needless to say, we have not been the same ever since that day, and I pray we never will be.
You have just been sent an Angel to watch over you. Some people come into our lives and quickly go...Some people become friends and stay a while...leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts . and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend!!
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! Live and savour every moment...this is not a dress rehearsal!
(sent to me in an email)
On July 22nd I was en route to Washington, DC for a business trip. It was all so very ordinary, until we landed in Denver for a plane change. As I collected my belongings from the overhead bin, an announcement was made for Mr.Lloyd Glenn to see the United Customer Service Representative immediately.I thought nothing of it until I reached the door to leave the plane and I heard a gentleman asking every male if he were Mr. Glenn. At this point I knew something was wrong and my heart sunk.
When I got off the plane a solemn-faced young man came toward me and said, "Mr.Glenn, there is an emergency at your home. I do not know what the emergency is, or who is involved, but I will take you to the phone so you can call the hospital."My heart was now pounding, but the will to be calm took over. Woodenly, I followed this stranger to the distant telephone where I called the number he gave me for the Mission Hospital. My call was put through to the trauma center where I learned that my three-year-old son had been trapped underneath the automatic garage door for several minutes, and that when my wife had found him he was dead. CPR had been performed by a neighbor, who is a doctor, and the paramedics had continued the treatment as Brian was transported to the hospital.
By the time of my call, Brian was revived and they believed he would live, but they did not know how much damage had been done to his brain, nor to his heart.They explained that the door had completely closed on his little sternum right over his heart. He had been severely crushed. After speaking with the medical staff, my wife sounded worried but not hysterical, and I took comfort in her calmness.
The return flight seemed to last forever, but finally I arrived at the hospital six hours after the garage door had come down. When I walked into the intensive care unit, nothing could have prepared me to see my little son laying so still on a great big bed with tubes and monitors everywhere.
He was on a respirator. I glanced at my wife who stood and tried to give me a reassuring smile. It all seemed like a terrible dream. I was filled-in with the details and given a guarded prognosis. Brian was going to live, and the preliminary tests indicated that his heart was OK, two miracles in and of themselves. But only time would tell if his brain received any damage.
Throughout the seemingly endless hours, my wife was calm. She felt that Brian would eventually be all right. I hung on to her words and faith like a lifeline. All that night and the next day Brian remained unconscious. It seemed like forever since I had left for my business trip the day before.
Finally at two o'clock that afternoon, our son regained consciousness and sat up uttering the most beautiful words I have ever heard spoken. He said, "Daddy hold me" and he reached for me with his little arms.
[TEAR BREAK...smile]
By the next day he was pronounced as having no neurological or physical deficits, and the story of his miraculous survival spread throughout the hospital. You cannot imagine, we took Brian home, we felt a unique reverence for the life and love of our Heavenly Father that comes to those who brush death so closely.
In the days that followed there was a special spirit about our home.
Our two older children were much closer to their little brother. My wife and I were much closer to each other, and all of us were very close as a whole family. Life took on a less stressful pace. Perspective seemed to be more focused, and balance much easier to gain and maintain. We felt deeply blessed. Our gratitude was truly profound.
The story is not over (smile)!
Almost a month later to the day of the accident, Brian awoke from his afternoon nap and said, "Sit down Mommy.. I have something to tell you." At this time in his life, Brian usually spoke in small phrases, so to say a large sentence surprised my wife. She sat down with him on his bed, and he began his sacred and remarkable story.
"Do you remember when I got stuck under the garage door? Well, it was so heavy and it hurt really bad. I called to you, but you couldn't hear me.. I started to cry, but then it hurt too bad. And then the 'birdies' came."
"The birdies?" my wife asked puzzled.
"Yes," he replied. "The birdies made a whooshing sound and flew into the garage. They took care of me.
"They did?"
"Yes," he said. "One of the birdies came and got you. She came to tell you "I got stuck under the door." A sweet reverent feeling filled the room.
The spirit was so strong and yet lighter than air My wife realized that a three-year-old had no concept of death and spirits, so he was referring to the beings who came to him from beyond as "birdies" because they were up in the air like birds that fly.. "What did the birdies look like?" she asked.
Brian answered, "They were so beautiful. They were dressed in white, all white. Some of them had green and white. But some of them had on just white."
"Did they say anything?"
"Yes," he answered. "They told me the baby would be all right."
"The baby?" my wife asked confused.
Brian answered. "The baby laying on the garage floor." He went on, "You came out and opened the garage door and ran to the baby. You told the baby to stay and not leave."
My wife nearly collapsed upon hearing this, for she had indeed gone and knelt beside Brian's body and seeing his crushed chest whispered, "Don't leave us Brian, please stay if you can." As she listened to Brian telling her the words she had spoken, she realized that the spirit had left his body and was looking down from above on this little lifeless form.. "Then what happened?" she asked.
"We went on a trip," he said, "far, far away." He grew agitated trying to say the things he didn't seem to have the words for. My wife tried to calm and comfort him, and let him know it would be okay. He struggled with wanting to tell something that obviously was very important to him, but finding the words was difficult.
"We flew so fast up in the air. They're so pretty Mommy," he added.
"And there are lots and lots of birdies." My wife was stunned. Into her mind the sweet comforting spirit enveloped her more soundly, but with an urgency she had never before known Brian went on to tell her that the "birdies" had told him that he had to come back and tell everyone about the "birdies." He said they brought him back to the house and that a big fire truck, and an ambulance were there. A man was bringing the baby out on a white bed and he tried to tell the man that the baby would be okay. The story went on for an hour.
He taught us that "birdies" were always with us, but we don't see them because we look with our eyes and we don't hear them because we listen with our ears. But they are always there, you can only see them in here (he put his hand over his heart). They whisper the things to help us to do what is right because they love us so much. Brian continued, stating, "I have a plan, Mommy.. You have a plan.. Daddy has a plan. Everyone has a plan. We must all live our plan and keep our promises. The birdies help us to do that cause they love us so much"
In the weeks that followed, he often came to us and told all, or part of it, again and again. Always the story remained the same. The details were never changed or out of order. A few times he added further bits of information and clarified the message he had already delivered. It never ceased to amaze us how he could tell such detail and speak beyond hisability when he talked about his birdies.
Everywhere he went, he told strangers about the "birdies."
Surprisingly, no one ever looked at him strangely when he did this. Rather, they always got a softened look on their face and smiled. Needless to say, we have not been the same ever since that day, and I pray we never will be.
You have just been sent an Angel to watch over you. Some people come into our lives and quickly go...Some people become friends and stay a while...leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts . and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend!!
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! Live and savour every moment...this is not a dress rehearsal!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Poet declines banquet with Mrs Bush
Thank the goddess for women who speak up for what they believe in.
Here is an open letter from the poet Sharon Olds to Laura Bush declining the invitation to read and speak at the National Book Critics Circle Award in Washington, DC. Sharon Olds is one of most widely read and critically acclaimed poets living in America today. Read to the end of the letter to experience her restrained, chilling eloquence.
No Place for a Poet at a Banquet of Shame by Sharon Olds
Here is an open letter from the poet Sharon Olds to Laura Bush declining the invitation to read and speak at the National Book Critics Circle Award in Washington, DC. Sharon Olds is one of most widely read and critically acclaimed poets living in America today. Read to the end of the letter to experience her restrained, chilling eloquence.
No Place for a Poet at a Banquet of Shame by Sharon Olds
Friday, November 04, 2005
Satisfied song writer - Phoenix rises again
I used to sing with a group of women called the Voices of Gaia.
We were a varied group both musically and individually, but united in our love for the earth and inspired by our journey of discovery of our feminine nature. The group went through a variety of metamorphoses but while I was a member there were usually eight of us. We met twice a week to rehearse for a number of years and inevitably we were much more to one another than just a group of women that sang together.
The Voices of Gaia were my first women's group. It was with these women that I began to appreciate the immense nourishment and support that women can provide for one another. We laughed, cried, bitched, partied, worked, shared, hated and loved one another. Our career culminated in an epic journey half way across the globe to perform at the Woman and Earth conference in St. Petersburg in the middle of winter. Eight women, three children under five and one husband/father/onemanband. It was quite an adventure! More on that adventure.... But afterwards there didn't seem to be anywhere left for us to go and the energy of the group as a singing collective gradually dissipated.
Whilst I was with the group I wrote a number of the songs that we performed. One in particular is called Phoenix and in true Phoenix style this song has recently risen again!
Phoenix is about the jewels that can be found by facing up to challenge. It is quite a challenging song to sing. Our recording of it was pretty good (you can hear the song here) but it lacked the grunt that I felt the song deserved.
So I was delighted when vocalist Andrew Cox (whose band contains the same, now ex-husband/father etc. that backed us on our Russian tour) asked me recently whether they could perform it. Andrew Cox is an excellent vocalist with a great range and heaps of grunt.
'If anyone can sing Phoenix,' I thought to myself 'Andy can'.
And he sure can. I have just listened to the recording that the band have posted on their website and my whole body is grinning. I feel as though my child has come of age and found it's true calling. A song has found it's singer. It is a very delicious and satisfying feeling.
Thank heaven's I didn't have to hold on to doing it myself!
You can listen to the latest incarnation of Phoenix (now called 'Burn Me') at the Andrew Cox band's website. Turn up the volume and see what you think!
We were a varied group both musically and individually, but united in our love for the earth and inspired by our journey of discovery of our feminine nature. The group went through a variety of metamorphoses but while I was a member there were usually eight of us. We met twice a week to rehearse for a number of years and inevitably we were much more to one another than just a group of women that sang together.
The Voices of Gaia were my first women's group. It was with these women that I began to appreciate the immense nourishment and support that women can provide for one another. We laughed, cried, bitched, partied, worked, shared, hated and loved one another. Our career culminated in an epic journey half way across the globe to perform at the Woman and Earth conference in St. Petersburg in the middle of winter. Eight women, three children under five and one husband/father/onemanband. It was quite an adventure! More on that adventure.... But afterwards there didn't seem to be anywhere left for us to go and the energy of the group as a singing collective gradually dissipated.
Whilst I was with the group I wrote a number of the songs that we performed. One in particular is called Phoenix and in true Phoenix style this song has recently risen again!
Phoenix is about the jewels that can be found by facing up to challenge. It is quite a challenging song to sing. Our recording of it was pretty good (you can hear the song here) but it lacked the grunt that I felt the song deserved.
So I was delighted when vocalist Andrew Cox (whose band contains the same, now ex-husband/father etc. that backed us on our Russian tour) asked me recently whether they could perform it. Andrew Cox is an excellent vocalist with a great range and heaps of grunt.
'If anyone can sing Phoenix,' I thought to myself 'Andy can'.
And he sure can. I have just listened to the recording that the band have posted on their website and my whole body is grinning. I feel as though my child has come of age and found it's true calling. A song has found it's singer. It is a very delicious and satisfying feeling.
Thank heaven's I didn't have to hold on to doing it myself!
You can listen to the latest incarnation of Phoenix (now called 'Burn Me') at the Andrew Cox band's website. Turn up the volume and see what you think!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
New moon in Scorpio
The Moon is New at 9° Scorpio
Tuesday Nov. 1st at 5:24 PM PDT; 1:26 AM GMT (Nov. 2) .. and at 10.26 on the second here in NSW Australia.
For a few months I have been subscribing to a newsletter from a site called moonsurfing.com that pops useful information about the moon into my inbox just before the new moon and the full moon.
This is what the author Claudia says about this new moon
"Somethin's gonna change and what you don't know will hurt you. You're headed for a journey into the world of your shadow and what's stuck down there is about to be seriously shaken loose.
First of all, as if the Scorpio Moon's energy isn't intense enough all by itself...every planet except one...Jupiter...changes direction between now and Christmas. This further intensifies this already intense energy and shakes up the status quo.
Next... The planets are moving into a stressful pressurized pattern called a Grand Fixed Cross and you'll be feeling the influence over the next 2 months.
The message is that something's gotta give. It's a cosmic plot to get you to let go of all that's no longer useful and that includes inflexible ideas, constant needs for others' approval, outdated values and priorities, and negative ingrained emotions. You can look forward to the demise of some very old and perhaps very destructive habits. The realization to be reaped is that power is not outside of you, but within you.
Now for some re-e-e-ally BIG news. Jupiter...the largest planet in our solar system... has moved out of Libra and into Scorpio until November 23rd. Jupiter shines a giant searchlight down into your emotional basement. What's been hidden in those lead-lined footlockers deep in your emotional psyche preventing you from dreaming BIG and feeling fully?
The really GOOD news is that Jupiter brings angel power you can call on to help you transform negative emotions and expand your spiritual connection. This month's lunar journal gives you a real head start on navigating this energy successfully and utilizing it to your best advantage."
I thoroughly recommend Claudia's lunar journal as a great way to stay tuned in to the energy of the moon and to record your journey through the lunar month. Check it out or view a 7-page sample at http://www.moonsurfing.com/journal.html. You can subscribe to her newsletter as well.
I have also just received Shekinah's beautiful moon diaries and moon cycle charts for 2006. They are filled with seasonal and lunar information and are now available in both Southern and Northern Hemisphere editions. Check out the moon magic range at yOni.com in the moon diary pages. Wonderful Christmas, Solstice and New Year gifts!
Tuesday Nov. 1st at 5:24 PM PDT; 1:26 AM GMT (Nov. 2) .. and at 10.26 on the second here in NSW Australia.
For a few months I have been subscribing to a newsletter from a site called moonsurfing.com that pops useful information about the moon into my inbox just before the new moon and the full moon.
This is what the author Claudia says about this new moon
"Somethin's gonna change and what you don't know will hurt you. You're headed for a journey into the world of your shadow and what's stuck down there is about to be seriously shaken loose.
First of all, as if the Scorpio Moon's energy isn't intense enough all by itself...every planet except one...Jupiter...changes direction between now and Christmas. This further intensifies this already intense energy and shakes up the status quo.
Next... The planets are moving into a stressful pressurized pattern called a Grand Fixed Cross and you'll be feeling the influence over the next 2 months.
The message is that something's gotta give. It's a cosmic plot to get you to let go of all that's no longer useful and that includes inflexible ideas, constant needs for others' approval, outdated values and priorities, and negative ingrained emotions. You can look forward to the demise of some very old and perhaps very destructive habits. The realization to be reaped is that power is not outside of you, but within you.
Now for some re-e-e-ally BIG news. Jupiter...the largest planet in our solar system... has moved out of Libra and into Scorpio until November 23rd. Jupiter shines a giant searchlight down into your emotional basement. What's been hidden in those lead-lined footlockers deep in your emotional psyche preventing you from dreaming BIG and feeling fully?
The really GOOD news is that Jupiter brings angel power you can call on to help you transform negative emotions and expand your spiritual connection. This month's lunar journal gives you a real head start on navigating this energy successfully and utilizing it to your best advantage."
I thoroughly recommend Claudia's lunar journal as a great way to stay tuned in to the energy of the moon and to record your journey through the lunar month. Check it out or view a 7-page sample at http://www.moonsurfing.com/journal.html. You can subscribe to her newsletter as well.
I have also just received Shekinah's beautiful moon diaries and moon cycle charts for 2006. They are filled with seasonal and lunar information and are now available in both Southern and Northern Hemisphere editions. Check out the moon magic range at yOni.com in the moon diary pages. Wonderful Christmas, Solstice and New Year gifts!
Friday, September 16, 2005
Disha's Death Celebration
Yesterday I attended the death celebration for a very beautiful woman.For many of us it is hard to marry the word death with celebration. Ma Anand Disha was a sannyasin (a devotee) of Osho and Osho is very clear that death is as much a matter for celebration as anything else in life. He describes death as a final let go, an ultimate surrender of the body vehicle, an opportunity for the spirit/soul to merge again with the oneness of existence.
A sannyasin myself for many years, I have attended a few death celebrations.
But yesterday I didn't want to go.
Disha was such a truly precious being.
She had a way of making everyone feel like her best, most beloved friend.
Dying so suddenly and so young (she was 36) it just didn't seem fair, it didn't seem right that the world, that we, that I in particular was bereft of the beauty of her presence and the unconditional love that she radiated to everyone she came in contact with. I didn't want it to be true. And I didn't want to celebrate.
But I founds some friends to drive with and went anyway.
And I am so grateful that I did.
The celebration was held at Samasati, the exquisite rainforest property that Disha shared with a group of friends. We arrived and were directed to the house where she had lived and where her body was laid out in a bed of petals. One by one the many many friends walked through in silence.
It was a sad sad shock for me to see her body, so still, peaceful and beautiful, and so very clearly no longer the home to the radiant being that was Disha.
Not there, so where?
I grieved her absence with my tears.
From her room we were led out on to her veranda, perched high on the steep side of the valley with an extraordinary, expansive view over the rainforest below. The valley, the birds soaring and wheeling in the late afternoon light, the peace, this felt more like Disha.
The promise of hope, like a tiny shimmer of light flickered through my aching heart.
Back out on the front lawn, chai and cake and other goodies were available. Old friends and complete strangers sat and sipped in silence, hugged and chatted. United by our connection with one gorgeous woman, hearts open, tears so near to the surface, this was a tea party with such sweetness and softness. Here you are again Disha.
As dusk fell we lined the path to the Samasati meditation hall and showered the body with more rose petals as it was borne by her friends to the hall. Gathering around the body there was space for sharing and an opportunity to speak of Disha and to her. Delightful, funny stories of special moments with her, heart-rending acknowledgement of the grief and loss felt by those close to her. What a roller coaster ride of feeling. Better to ride it than fight it I began to realise. Nice one Disha.
As the sharing drew to a close Disha's mother Nandan read for us the message to her friends, that Disha had written in her Will.
"I love you beyond the form of this body, I know there is so much more than this physical domain and I trust this mysterious existence...
I am eternally grateful that I have been so blessed to live this beautiful life. It could not have been more beautiful and I could not have felt more loved by you all. I am eternally in love with you in my gratitude and sweet preciousness and I pray you will be at peace and happy after my body has gone .. and enjoy every day of your precious existence."
Oh Disha. How many of us, at 36 years of age, have written words to sustain our friends and beloveds after our passing. Thank you, you clever, wonderful woman.
The evening progressed with more surges of joy and sadness, punctuated with food, connecting, silence, singing and readings from Osho. Finally at about midnight we took Disha's body into the small meditation room and cleared the big hall for dancing.It was on the dance floor that I really found her again.
She loved to dance and it seemed as if she said "Oh goody, now the party is really starting!"
I felt her as a swirling golden light dancing all around, above us, through us and within us.
Light dancing in the 'direction of bliss' (the meaning of her name).
I started to understand, this is what the celebration is about.
And this is where Disha lives on.
Here in my heart, inspired and reminded by her beauty to look at the world full of love and to dance with her into bliss.
Thank you dear Disha .....
and thank you so much to all the friends and beloveds who orchestrated her wishes and created such a wonderful, heartfelt celebration of her death.
For more about Disha, pictures and messages please visit Rupda's beautiful website
http://www.rupda.com/disha/
For some of Osho's discourses on Death and more about death celebrations visit http://www.otoons.com/death/index.htm
Sunday, August 28, 2005
I love Google
Except when I don't of course! - Like when I am trying to get it to take notice of my client's site and it prefers ghastly spam filled pages to my lovely unique content rich site.
But I love Google as a resource to find things out.
'What is the speed of light, Mum?' asks my 8-year old.
"I don't know" I say, "Let's Google it!"
And we do and then we know.
The other day I was working on my father's website. He is quite a well known academic who has developed an alternative theory of language and communication called Integrational Linguistics. Working on his website can be quite challenging as every nuance of the language used is important. I need to keep checking back with him to make sure I am not misrepresenting what he is trying to say as I modify some of the text to make the site more Search Engine spider friendly. So far so good, until yesterday when I received his comment that he did not want to be held responsible for the apostrophe in some text that I had altered "...it's role in defining communication" '
Now I know I should know the difference between it's and its - being a linguists daughter an' all! But I didn't.
Until I Googled it. I just copied and pasted 'apostrophe in it's' into Google and found a great page provided by the Oxford University Press called How do I know when to put an apostrophe in it's?
Problem sorted.
Thanks Google.
Now please will you understand that royharrisonline.com is the definitive site on Roy Harris's work, over and above any of the numerous catalogues and book stores selling his books.
That would be great!
But I love Google as a resource to find things out.
'What is the speed of light, Mum?' asks my 8-year old.
"I don't know" I say, "Let's Google it!"
And we do and then we know.
The other day I was working on my father's website. He is quite a well known academic who has developed an alternative theory of language and communication called Integrational Linguistics. Working on his website can be quite challenging as every nuance of the language used is important. I need to keep checking back with him to make sure I am not misrepresenting what he is trying to say as I modify some of the text to make the site more Search Engine spider friendly. So far so good, until yesterday when I received his comment that he did not want to be held responsible for the apostrophe in some text that I had altered "...it's role in defining communication" '
Now I know I should know the difference between it's and its - being a linguists daughter an' all! But I didn't.
Until I Googled it. I just copied and pasted 'apostrophe in it's' into Google and found a great page provided by the Oxford University Press called How do I know when to put an apostrophe in it's?
Problem sorted.
Thanks Google.
Now please will you understand that royharrisonline.com is the definitive site on Roy Harris's work, over and above any of the numerous catalogues and book stores selling his books.
That would be great!
Friday, August 05, 2005
All publicity is good publicity
I recently discovered an extremely unfavorable review of my website. For some reason though this guy's comments don't bother me much. Maybe it's because he can't spell ridiculous!
Here's what he has to say
"Good god. It's amazing how far you can go when you ignore that little voice in your head that points out how rediculous you are being. This is the worst of feminism, wicca and neo-pagan sexuality rolled into a Geocities-style website. I have rarely seen a site so ... crap."
by CastorQuinn, Aug 11, 9:02pm, 2004
Strong words Castor! Something we said must have touched a nerve I'd say.
You can check out other sites CastorQuinn likes and doesn't like at his stumbleupon page
You could also check out yoni.com and see if you agree with him!
If you don't already know about StumbleUpon it's worth checking out. StumbleUpon offers a downloadable toolbar that you can use to rate websites that you visit and which takes you to sites that others have rated highly in the categories that you are interested in. In it's own words "It is backed by a community of members who explore and review sites they like. These reviews help everyone discover the best sites and meet like-minded people." I have "stumbled upon" some great sites using their toolbar.
Here's what he has to say
"Good god. It's amazing how far you can go when you ignore that little voice in your head that points out how rediculous you are being. This is the worst of feminism, wicca and neo-pagan sexuality rolled into a Geocities-style website. I have rarely seen a site so ... crap."
by CastorQuinn, Aug 11, 9:02pm, 2004
Strong words Castor! Something we said must have touched a nerve I'd say.
You can check out other sites CastorQuinn likes and doesn't like at his stumbleupon page
You could also check out yoni.com and see if you agree with him!
If you don't already know about StumbleUpon it's worth checking out. StumbleUpon offers a downloadable toolbar that you can use to rate websites that you visit and which takes you to sites that others have rated highly in the categories that you are interested in. In it's own words "It is backed by a community of members who explore and review sites they like. These reviews help everyone discover the best sites and meet like-minded people." I have "stumbled upon" some great sites using their toolbar.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
A wise old bird
"Go to the people at the top—that is my advice to anyone who wants to change the system, any system. Don’t moan and groan with like-minded souls. Don’t write letters or place a few phone calls and then sit back and wait. Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind—even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants."Maggie Kuhn, born one hundred years ago today.
With the slogan "Do something outrageous every day," Kuhn organized and founded the Gray Panthers in 1970 to advocate the rights of the elderly. The National organization continues to be dedicated to social change with both "age and youth in action."
With the slogan "Do something outrageous every day," Kuhn organized and founded the Gray Panthers in 1970 to advocate the rights of the elderly. The National organization continues to be dedicated to social change with both "age and youth in action."
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Shopping - A Sacred Feminine Practice
Last week four of us from my women's group (see - women's culture) went on an outing. As we drove up the coast we marveled at the fact that we had been meeting most weeks for over four years, had laughed, cried, danced, meditated and shared our deepest hearts with one another - but we had never indulged in the quintessential feminine spiritual practice of shopping!
It was time to turn that one around!
Just the presence of four women dedicated to shopping seemed to make people happy. 'Are you girls all shopping together?' asked the angel at the checkout of the first store delightedly, and with very little prompting proceeded to give us fabulous advice on the best places to visit next.
Her suggestions were spot on. If there is one thing that makes women happier than great new clothes - it's great new clothes at bargain prices. When we hit the factory outlet stores unkind observers might have described it as a feeding frenzy. But the astute on-looker would have been able to see that they were witnessing a religious experience. Great joy was all around.
The best part about shopping with girlfriends is that the sisterhood is greater than the sum of the parts. We all returned with at least one item we would never have found or tried on, let alone bought if it hadn't been for the others. My enduring memory will be the expression on my friend's faces as I put on a particular cream lace jacket. Before I turned to look in the mirror I new I would have to buy this item.
Mirrors can distort, my own perception can be very critical ..... but the eyes of my sisters don't lie.
It was time to turn that one around!
Just the presence of four women dedicated to shopping seemed to make people happy. 'Are you girls all shopping together?' asked the angel at the checkout of the first store delightedly, and with very little prompting proceeded to give us fabulous advice on the best places to visit next.
Her suggestions were spot on. If there is one thing that makes women happier than great new clothes - it's great new clothes at bargain prices. When we hit the factory outlet stores unkind observers might have described it as a feeding frenzy. But the astute on-looker would have been able to see that they were witnessing a religious experience. Great joy was all around.
The best part about shopping with girlfriends is that the sisterhood is greater than the sum of the parts. We all returned with at least one item we would never have found or tried on, let alone bought if it hadn't been for the others. My enduring memory will be the expression on my friend's faces as I put on a particular cream lace jacket. Before I turned to look in the mirror I new I would have to buy this item.
Mirrors can distort, my own perception can be very critical ..... but the eyes of my sisters don't lie.
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