Saturday 20 February 2016

Upon Reflection

At dawn this morning, by a river that runs alongside my neighbourhood, I noticed something new. Something irregular.

The river, was absolutely still.

So still that the water was a perfect mirror of the scene above her.

A complete, unadulterated, reflection. No exception.

And it didn't escape me, that my inner river, was similar. Still. And present. In the moment. Of contentment.

A mirror.

Stillness, within, and without, everywhere, about.

A clean slate, for a new day, as I sat, to contemplate.

A lovely observation. And a grateful contemplation.

And as I proceeded to walk along that lovely, still river, it changed. As I too had changed.

My mind was becaming busier. Passing by, I spoke briefly to people familiar. I made plans in my head for the day, and my week ahead. I noticed old ruminations, entering the field of stillness, coming into play.

And I noticed the river, had begun to ripple, as my mind had too.

A mirror.

Energy reflecting.

Reinforcing an awareness, that cultivating stillness, has an impact. And that what we bring as energy affects the world around us, and vice versa.

Watching how energy moves, as a reflection.

Knowing that it can be difficult to maintain stillness, with the movement through an ordinary day. And being aware that the ripples inside us, and those surrounding us, in leading a contemporary life, can contribute, or get in the way.

Learning to cultivate stillness, in the moment, can create a peaceful richness. And a self-awareness that is valuable for wellness.

Creating the time, to refine the mind, and emotions, has a marvellous affect on the world around us.

Through meditation, mindfulness, and creative immersion, or whatever practice satisfies it, in a personal way, can instill a peacefulness for blissfulness, as part of the day.

A lovely lesson, upon reflection.

And a beautiful motivation, for creating a peaceful projection, into the world today.

Much love


SaraSwati Shakti

Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com








Sunday 14 February 2016

For a new beginning

There is a poem I dearly love. It is by the late John O'Donohue. 

It is from his book To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings. And it is called For a New Beginning.

And every beginning, which naturally follows some form of ending, offers uncertainties, and blessings.

It touches a place that I have visited frequently. A place of deep soul. Sensing that something is beckoning, to take hold. The place of fresh new beginnings. The restlessness, and the wrestling with in-betweens, and the uncertainties that brings, before the Sunrise sets in.

I dedicate it to each of you starting newness. And greater trueness, of your soulful existence, as you move more deeply into the year.

And as the last winds of the past season bellow, and the colours start to mellow, toward a new rhythm quickening, may it help you launch into new measures, of heartfelt treasures, as your soul continues to grin.

Begin.

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire
Feeling the emptiness grow inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the grey promises that sameness whispered
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is one with your life's desire

Awaken your spirit to adventure
Holding nothing back, learn to find ease in risk
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Yes, the world awaits you. Begin.


SaraSwati Shakti
www.lovingpsyche.com.au
Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved.





Wednesday 10 February 2016

Centred, and Whole

An invitation resulted in a lovely occasion over the last week. A visit to the Masonic Centre in Sydney. And while I have visited there regularly for conferences and meetings, this one was different, satiating a long held curiosity.

The Freemasons, the Masonic Lodge, it's symbolism and it's history. A museum, and active community, passed through many generations, in the heart of the city of Sydney. Demystifying, and enlightening this most interesting fraternity, that built so much structure, with spirit, globally.

I have always been excited about experiencing and learning about different traditions, and the rituals that surround them. Their living history, in the present. It is part of what helps me to understand the diversity of the world I appreciate, and it's impact on the world we live in.

And the symbols, emblems and allegorical meanings, unique to the tradition, of freemasonary, yet linked to so many other traditions universally, is fascinating. The quest for Masonic light, or knowledge, is explained as a journey. Just like any we take in finding the value we create, in whatever group, organisation, or community, to which we belong and participate.

Being birthed, initiated, serving, resting, and transforming, as our lives generate.

I have so many favourite components of what I learned, it would be too much here to elaborate. Instead I will focus on the one most meaningful element that stood out for me. The place of ceremony and initiation of a candidate, or lodge member, and their representative reality.

On a floor of chequered black and white squares representing light and shadow, which we each must traverse in our changing worlds, an important spot, in the centre. A Star emblem. Or what I saw as a five pointed pentacle, in a circle. A central, protective, whole, mandala symbol.

And directly above, hanging from the ceiling, the capital letter G.

G. For God.

And in between, stands the person, individually, singularly, and wholly, signifying so eloquently the connection between the Higher Mind, and their Earthly Being.

Solidifying the importance of the link each individual has to the higher dimensions, while grounded on sacred Earth reality.

What rich symbology, of the power we each weave! To impact, and impart, our centredness, directly.

As Above, So Below, reflectively.

Our vertical, upright, upstanding bodies, and beings, linking to the higher Self, with our worldly work and worth, connecting.

Embracing that knowledge, and the responsibility it brings, in the evolution of humanity.

Linking the wonders of Earth, with Heavenly beauty, and connecting centredly, and wholly.

The privilege and responsibility we hold, as human beings.

The Higher Purpose, on Earth, as we each evolve. How wonderfully extraordinary. Reinforcing, for every body the practice of vertical connection, with reverence, as important. Centredness and Wholly holy.

Much Love


SaraSwati Shakti

Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com