I have been sitting in silence today.
Feeling.
For all the people with whom I have been spending the past year.
And the seasonal Christmas period.
Sharing meals. Telephone calls. Ideas. Friendships new. And those of many years.
My Anam Cara family.
Anam Cara refers to the Celtic spiritual belief of souls connecting and bonding. Taken literally it means 'soul friend' and comes from Irish monasticism regarding a monk's spiritual advisor.
In each of our lives we can open to people who guide us. Souls that radiate from an aura of openness, trust and flow. Forming a deep bond by acceptance of us as we truly are.
The Irish poet, philosopher and Catholic priest, John O'Donohue in his 1997 book Anam Cara talks about being blessed with your Anam Cara as knowing that you have arrived home.
And to know your Anam Cara in another requires that you know the Anam Cara in yourself. That you have reached a deepened love of yourself. In doing so you open to a deepened level of love of another.
Many of us have experienced significant and transformative life changes over the past recent years. Ones that have challenged us to confront the meaning of our relationship with ourselves and with others.
In reflecting on where we have been it seems opportune to remind us of where we are headed as we move into 2014.
And, as John O'Donohue writes with such enormous beauty about the Celtic Wisdom of Anam Cara, his words perhaps speak most succinctly...
When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning.
May you be blessed with the ever new beginnings of a deepening knowing and emerging of your Anam Cara self and family.
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Friday 27 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
A Future to Love
In 2011 Alan Clements published 108 reflections on the Art and Activism of Freedom in his book 'A Future to Believe In'.
Not only is the book a marvellous reflection of numerous aspirations and inspirations for planetary cultural movement, it has a large selection of sayings, and blendings of brilliance, from numerous writers, poets, teachers and activitists, in one wonderful book. You can dip your fingers, find your feelings, and create great mind maps, among a collection of many sections.
Yet the best part in it for me is one, simple, beginning.
It opens with a dedication. One of my all time favourite quotes from the poet and artist e.e. cummings:
'i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)'.
It is so wonderful. Not just because it is so beautiful in its simplicity and poignancy. But also because it reminds me of how strong and how vulnerable we are. And of what a privilege and a responsibility it is to be caretakers of another's heart.
Holding our own heart in esteem. As well as that of another.
And while my heart belongs to me. As yours does to you. We have an opportunity. To hold others' hearts in loving care, compassion, and energetic communication whenever we offer ourselves in friendship and companionship.
And that opportunity entails trust. And an obligation to ourselves to choose who our heart soul companions are. Those who understand how important it is to honour our soul heart. Who hold it dear and precious. And protect it from derision. Who choose authentic service to an entrustment to it.
Soul companions, together, in allegiance to the heart.
Creating A Future to Believe In. A Future to Love.
What a wonderful world that will be.
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All right reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Not only is the book a marvellous reflection of numerous aspirations and inspirations for planetary cultural movement, it has a large selection of sayings, and blendings of brilliance, from numerous writers, poets, teachers and activitists, in one wonderful book. You can dip your fingers, find your feelings, and create great mind maps, among a collection of many sections.
Yet the best part in it for me is one, simple, beginning.
It opens with a dedication. One of my all time favourite quotes from the poet and artist e.e. cummings:
'i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)'.
It is so wonderful. Not just because it is so beautiful in its simplicity and poignancy. But also because it reminds me of how strong and how vulnerable we are. And of what a privilege and a responsibility it is to be caretakers of another's heart.
Holding our own heart in esteem. As well as that of another.
And while my heart belongs to me. As yours does to you. We have an opportunity. To hold others' hearts in loving care, compassion, and energetic communication whenever we offer ourselves in friendship and companionship.
And that opportunity entails trust. And an obligation to ourselves to choose who our heart soul companions are. Those who understand how important it is to honour our soul heart. Who hold it dear and precious. And protect it from derision. Who choose authentic service to an entrustment to it.
Soul companions, together, in allegiance to the heart.
Creating A Future to Believe In. A Future to Love.
What a wonderful world that will be.
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All right reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Wednesday 11 December 2013
Thou. Art. Beautiful
I am drawing again.
For some time I have been unable to use my right hand dominant due to an injury that was destined for surgery. An intervention I was resisting.
Fortunately, a splint and hand physiotherapy, regular affirmations, and TLC, has led to recovery, without the surgery.
Such a relief. No more pain. And back to art. A new fresh start. Of my favourite meditative practice. Of blissful blessedness. And time well spent.
My desk now strewn with new supplies, colours, papers and pens. And my creative reflective flow and wellspring restored again.
All art forms can play a powerful role in the wellbeing, healing and thriving process. And of enjoyment, appreciation, self reflection and awareness. Experiential and feeling essence.
Time, stands still, in the creation and observation. A transformative, meditative and contemplative immersion. And illumination. Of the Spirit Self.
Art allows me to constantly renew my passion. For plunging deeply into the boundlessness and vastness of the inner meaning-making world. Revealing mystery and beauty. As inspiration, splendidly, joyously, kissing the Spirit inside awake.
And it can be anything creative that draws out what is personally unique, satisfying, real and beautiful in each person absorbed by it.
Music, drawing, painting
Photography, cooking, decorating
Dancing, designing, gardening
Building, sculpting, dressmaking
Tailoring, baking, coffee-making
Tinkering, plastering, celebrating
Wrapping, stacking, packing
Any thing, beauty making
Your particular art
Expressing You, as Art
In Making Art
Thou Art
Beautiful!
May you always be blessed with knowing Thou. Art. Beautiful.
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Photo: Thou. Art. Beautiful on a Walk with Nature by SaraSwati Shakti © 2015. Added later to the blog, after my hand had completely recovered.
For some time I have been unable to use my right hand dominant due to an injury that was destined for surgery. An intervention I was resisting.
Fortunately, a splint and hand physiotherapy, regular affirmations, and TLC, has led to recovery, without the surgery.
Such a relief. No more pain. And back to art. A new fresh start. Of my favourite meditative practice. Of blissful blessedness. And time well spent.
My desk now strewn with new supplies, colours, papers and pens. And my creative reflective flow and wellspring restored again.
All art forms can play a powerful role in the wellbeing, healing and thriving process. And of enjoyment, appreciation, self reflection and awareness. Experiential and feeling essence.
Time, stands still, in the creation and observation. A transformative, meditative and contemplative immersion. And illumination. Of the Spirit Self.
Art allows me to constantly renew my passion. For plunging deeply into the boundlessness and vastness of the inner meaning-making world. Revealing mystery and beauty. As inspiration, splendidly, joyously, kissing the Spirit inside awake.
And it can be anything creative that draws out what is personally unique, satisfying, real and beautiful in each person absorbed by it.
Music, drawing, painting
Photography, cooking, decorating
Dancing, designing, gardening
Building, sculpting, dressmaking
Tailoring, baking, coffee-making
Tinkering, plastering, celebrating
Wrapping, stacking, packing
Any thing, beauty making
Your particular art
Expressing You, as Art
In Making Art
Thou Art
Beautiful!
May you always be blessed with knowing Thou. Art. Beautiful.
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Photo: Thou. Art. Beautiful on a Walk with Nature by SaraSwati Shakti © 2015. Added later to the blog, after my hand had completely recovered.
Sunday 8 December 2013
Sunday Serene.
Sunday evening.
There's a lot to be said for a day of rest.
Between a week now passed.
And seven days next.
Sunday.
Peaceful pleasure.
Spent at leisure.
In meditation.
Gratitude.
And Contemplation.
For what is completed.
And that in preparation.
In the inner sanctum.
And the outer condition.
Surrounded lovingly.
By splendid company.
Sunday night.
Weekly cycle
Comes full circle.
Sweet Serenity.
Wholesome Harmony.
What a lovely place to be.
Sleep tight.
Goodnight.
SaraSwati Shakti.
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
There's a lot to be said for a day of rest.
Between a week now passed.
And seven days next.
Sunday.
Peaceful pleasure.
Spent at leisure.
In meditation.
Gratitude.
And Contemplation.
For what is completed.
And that in preparation.
In the inner sanctum.
And the outer condition.
Surrounded lovingly.
By splendid company.
Sunday night.
Weekly cycle
Comes full circle.
Sweet Serenity.
Wholesome Harmony.
What a lovely place to be.
Sleep tight.
Goodnight.
SaraSwati Shakti.
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Tuesday 3 December 2013
I See You. You See Me.
Have you ever thought you make a difference just by being here.
Just by being here you are enough.
You have everything you need to live a life deeply completely.
Every act, thought, moment, is you and yours.
To do with as you wish.
To be kind, loving, truthful, honestly lovingly you.
And in the honestly lovingly you, you heal the world.
No pretending, no fighting, no defending.
Just you.
Resiliently real you.
Well Hello You.
Meet resiliently real me.
I See You. You See Me.
What a wonderful way to be.
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Just by being here you are enough.
You have everything you need to live a life deeply completely.
Every act, thought, moment, is you and yours.
To do with as you wish.
To be kind, loving, truthful, honestly lovingly you.
And in the honestly lovingly you, you heal the world.
No pretending, no fighting, no defending.
Just you.
Resiliently real you.
Well Hello You.
Meet resiliently real me.
I See You. You See Me.
What a wonderful way to be.
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Monday 2 December 2013
Honouring the Betwixt and Between
There is a quickening fraternity. People everywhere are transforming, shifting. Appreciating meaning, breathing, feeling. Noticing all the wonders that life offers, believing. That they too are worth a happier, better living. Finding their place of conceiving, a new better world in the making.
Transformation amplifies with every new decision to live a life more passionately authentically. Simple, precious moments that resonate intently & intensely.
And in every transformation there is always a shedding. Of old skin, people, places, things that no longer fit in.
As new life continues to kick in. A time of betwixt and between sets in, allowing us to make choices of what we will now, in the new paradigm, invite in.
The cycle of renewal always presents endings with beginnings. Honouring the process of dissolving the old, as the new begins.
Each clear, peaceful, passionate choice can bring a dissolution of an old world that we live in. People, places, things, gain different meaning. Progressively letting go, as that which no longer serves us recedes, and our new slice of heaven on earth proceeds.
With every new joy, old habits dissolve. New patterns begin. Reinforcement of what we love most moves in.
And we begin to better know, appreciate, & cultivate those moments of aliveness, unique to each within.
Allowing a new barometer and set point of blissfully being.
Bubbling with effervescence, peacefulness, passionate patience, as things drop into place, knowing absolutely, unwaveringly, that all is beautiful, all is well, all is as it is meant to be, and that life is blissfully boundlessly soulfully real and free. What a wonderful place to be.
Boundlessly, blissful wishes to One and All in honouring the Betwixt and Between.
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Transformation amplifies with every new decision to live a life more passionately authentically. Simple, precious moments that resonate intently & intensely.
And in every transformation there is always a shedding. Of old skin, people, places, things that no longer fit in.
As new life continues to kick in. A time of betwixt and between sets in, allowing us to make choices of what we will now, in the new paradigm, invite in.
The cycle of renewal always presents endings with beginnings. Honouring the process of dissolving the old, as the new begins.
Each clear, peaceful, passionate choice can bring a dissolution of an old world that we live in. People, places, things, gain different meaning. Progressively letting go, as that which no longer serves us recedes, and our new slice of heaven on earth proceeds.
With every new joy, old habits dissolve. New patterns begin. Reinforcement of what we love most moves in.
And we begin to better know, appreciate, & cultivate those moments of aliveness, unique to each within.
Allowing a new barometer and set point of blissfully being.
Bubbling with effervescence, peacefulness, passionate patience, as things drop into place, knowing absolutely, unwaveringly, that all is beautiful, all is well, all is as it is meant to be, and that life is blissfully boundlessly soulfully real and free. What a wonderful place to be.
Boundlessly, blissful wishes to One and All in honouring the Betwixt and Between.
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
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