The time has come
To refine
What it means
To Live
A Life
Of Love
To Live a Life of Love
Place the words in your heart
And
Ask your mind
To listen
There
Bow
Your Head to Your Heart
Listen
There
To Live a Life of Love
Leave the words there
As you move through your day
To Live a Life of Love
Hear it
Feel it
Heed it
There
To Live a Life of Love
Inquire
And see what happens
As you take care of business
And you go about your day
To Live a Life of Love
Motivated by those words
In your heart
Connected
To your mind
To Live a Life of Love
For You and Your World
What it feels like
What it brings up
To Live a Life of Love
What it tastes like
What it wakes up
To Live a Life of Love
What it looks like
What it shakes up
To Live a Life of Love
To Live a Life of Love
© SaraSwati Shakti
www.lovingpsyche.com
All rights reserved.
Monday, 6 October 2014
Monday, 22 September 2014
A mandala art story
I have been having opportunities to speak about my book of mandalas and poems that I recently published. And the telling of the stories of the mandalas has been fascinating. It seems people are interested in the backstories of some of the images, and the poetry.
Many of the mandalas do indeed have a story. Rich in symbolism and meaning. That is why mandalas are so beautiful and powerful to me. They are like a photograph, or a snapshot, that I have drawn, of something important. A message, or a scene. Their own revealing poetry. And though they are relevant broadly, they have a personal perspective, to the person creating it. Which is what I find so interesting.
And while my intention was that it lead the readers on their own journeys and perspectives personally without my own interpretive, it occurred to me that perhaps you might like to know some of the stories, occasionally, of the mandala drawings, and what they mean to me. So here, in short form, is one such story. Of how one of my mandala's found itself evolving after an event one evening...
In a tall corporate office building. I was busy handling client meetings.
On this one particular day I had a window. In my schedule. One I specifically put there. Because it was going to be monumental.
A foyer of that city super-scraper had a television. Running news all day.
On this one particular day I chose to view it. Standing. In front of the large screen. Watching. An amazing scene.
The Prime Minister of Australia had something important to say. And so did Parliament, on this one particular day.
One word.
One very important word.
Sorry.
History in the making.
Something extraordinary.
And I watched it.
With no-one beside me.
In that super busy office building.
Tears in my eyes. At what I was witnessing. My heart opening. With gratitude. For this restorative act and attitude.
That evening it emerged in a mandala scene. My inner plane, showing me, that event, and what it meant to me, meaningfully.
In that structured office building, with barely another person noticing, this amazing happening.
I, in my window, alone, heart beaming, loudly.
Many of the mandalas do indeed have a story. Rich in symbolism and meaning. That is why mandalas are so beautiful and powerful to me. They are like a photograph, or a snapshot, that I have drawn, of something important. A message, or a scene. Their own revealing poetry. And though they are relevant broadly, they have a personal perspective, to the person creating it. Which is what I find so interesting.
And while my intention was that it lead the readers on their own journeys and perspectives personally without my own interpretive, it occurred to me that perhaps you might like to know some of the stories, occasionally, of the mandala drawings, and what they mean to me. So here, in short form, is one such story. Of how one of my mandala's found itself evolving after an event one evening...
In a tall corporate office building. I was busy handling client meetings.
On this one particular day I had a window. In my schedule. One I specifically put there. Because it was going to be monumental.
A foyer of that city super-scraper had a television. Running news all day.
On this one particular day I chose to view it. Standing. In front of the large screen. Watching. An amazing scene.
The Prime Minister of Australia had something important to say. And so did Parliament, on this one particular day.
One word.
One very important word.
Sorry.
History in the making.
Something extraordinary.
And I watched it.
With no-one beside me.
In that super busy office building.
Tears in my eyes. At what I was witnessing. My heart opening. With gratitude. For this restorative act and attitude.
That evening it emerged in a mandala scene. My inner plane, showing me, that event, and what it meant to me, meaningfully.
In that structured office building, with barely another person noticing, this amazing happening.
I, in my window, alone, heart beaming, loudly.
The mandala is now called Clearly Heart. And it has it's own poem that emerged separately later.
Both can be seen in my book Heart Art mandala'verse, now available in Australia. You can order it at your retailer or find more details here http://lovingpsyche.com/Products/Books/mandala-verse.html
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2014. All right reserved.
Monday, 15 September 2014
Soulful Art
I attended the Hay House Author's Workshop in Sydney at the weekend. An exciting, energetic, and grounding event, of what it takes to be a writer and an author. Part of the formula they suggested is to be an avid reader. And to have a story to share that can be relevant to others. I listened to the shared stories of the life-changing books that are available, and the influence it is having on the lives of others. Their soul lights shining. A lovely selection and inspiring collection.
And I thought about my own reading life. And how I have selectively chosen books relevant to my own transition. And how we all move and change and work through each new reading and life phase.
Yesterday, I came across one of them. A book I once owned. M. Scott Peck's People of the Lie. I lent it to someone many years ago. It never came back. Long lost. Yet, at times, I yearned to have it. To revisit it. To read it and absorb it's message again. Curious about what peaked my interest in it.
And, of course, at the right time, a copy surfaced again. I had a look at it. Dipped into it. Found a passage or two that spoke to me in it. Closed it. And put it in a pile to give back away again.
That book. That moment when it was relevant. The life I led way back when. Has passed. No longer relevant. Just a curiosity of what I have been missing. Now gone. Irrelevant. Old element. Cleared away.
And I could completely let it go. With the exception of one important component...the statement
'God creates each soul differently, so that when all the mud is finally cleared away, His light will shine through it in a beautiful, colourful, totally new pattern. Keats described this world as 'the vale of soul-making'.'
It just so happens, that on that give away pile, is M. Scott Peck's first book, The Road Less Travelled, that I also removed from my shelf at the weekend. A pivotal book in the turning of my life, which led me into psychotherapy training. A book, for me, life changing. Leading me on a deeper spiritual path. Clearing the muddy puddles of my life.
The two books are back together again. Ready to move out.
And what has moved in? A pile of my own books. Somewhat different to the word depth books in which I was immersing myself. Featuring art and poetry. A simpler, deep, meaning. Colourful. New. Original. Heart Art.
New butterfly colours emerging. On a new road travelling. A new pattern revealing. On the true heart path.
May our soul patterns keep emerging like butterfly wings in the Sun as we each shine our divine true heart path life.
Details of my book now launching in Australia can be found at http://lovingpsyche.com/Products/Books/mandala-verse.html
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
And I thought about my own reading life. And how I have selectively chosen books relevant to my own transition. And how we all move and change and work through each new reading and life phase.
Yesterday, I came across one of them. A book I once owned. M. Scott Peck's People of the Lie. I lent it to someone many years ago. It never came back. Long lost. Yet, at times, I yearned to have it. To revisit it. To read it and absorb it's message again. Curious about what peaked my interest in it.
And, of course, at the right time, a copy surfaced again. I had a look at it. Dipped into it. Found a passage or two that spoke to me in it. Closed it. And put it in a pile to give back away again.
That book. That moment when it was relevant. The life I led way back when. Has passed. No longer relevant. Just a curiosity of what I have been missing. Now gone. Irrelevant. Old element. Cleared away.
And I could completely let it go. With the exception of one important component...the statement
'God creates each soul differently, so that when all the mud is finally cleared away, His light will shine through it in a beautiful, colourful, totally new pattern. Keats described this world as 'the vale of soul-making'.'
It just so happens, that on that give away pile, is M. Scott Peck's first book, The Road Less Travelled, that I also removed from my shelf at the weekend. A pivotal book in the turning of my life, which led me into psychotherapy training. A book, for me, life changing. Leading me on a deeper spiritual path. Clearing the muddy puddles of my life.
The two books are back together again. Ready to move out.
And what has moved in? A pile of my own books. Somewhat different to the word depth books in which I was immersing myself. Featuring art and poetry. A simpler, deep, meaning. Colourful. New. Original. Heart Art.
New butterfly colours emerging. On a new road travelling. A new pattern revealing. On the true heart path.
May our soul patterns keep emerging like butterfly wings in the Sun as we each shine our divine true heart path life.
Details of my book now launching in Australia can be found at http://lovingpsyche.com/Products/Books/mandala-verse.html
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Sunday, 7 September 2014
Peaceful Sacred State
International Peace Day is coming up in September. Enormous planning is in the making for celebrating this most important date. It made me contemplate the lead up for each of us in creating a peaceful state.
And some valuable offerings have been available to prepare people for this event.
For the last two months I have participated in three sets of free on-line meditations. Deepak and Oprah completed the run, after a series with Osho, and Deva Premal and Miten prior to that. Three lots of 21 days. Each offering their own meditation practices, using mantra, teaching transmission, and reflective journaling options, on their mission, of enhancing the lives of many across the globe. Kind and generous offerings for exponentially lifting the collective vibration, and peacefulness, of humanity.
As a seasoned, and regular meditator, I appreciated the variety they offered.
My more formal meditation training began with the Buddhist tradition. And, since then, in wanting to deepen the philosophies and benefits, I have practiced many methods. Determining what works best for me at each chapter of my meditative maturing, and what fits into my life. Among the many options: receptive, guided, command based, mindfulness, body awareness, relaxation and energetic transference.
And silence.
The sweetest silence.
It is this silence, when entered, that has been the deepest, richest, and most sacred, treasure.
Walking through the door. Into the silence. And feeling the heart. And meeting the soul. And realising, that it's enormous. It is vastness. It is limitless. It's life completeness, and light essence. And nothing else is needed. It is really truly home.
And wanting to stay there.
Because it is so indescribably expansively peacefully blissfully ecstatically grand.
For those of you who have experienced it, it is seductively brilliant. Floating beyond all the cares and worries of the world.
Yet the soul has a role in trust, to be on sacred earth ground, enacting a purpose found, that brought it to earth. To be in the beautiful body and to do the work it came here for.
So you return. Because you know that you have found the door. And can visit anytime. And because you have a job to do in the practical world. Better for it, and creating it more regularly and readily for yourself and those you love, here on earth.
May we each find, and create, our meditative peaceful soulful state, embody it, bring it back to earth, and spread it all around.
And may International Peace Day be the grandest, deepest, richest yet, for spreading our most sacred state.
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
And some valuable offerings have been available to prepare people for this event.
For the last two months I have participated in three sets of free on-line meditations. Deepak and Oprah completed the run, after a series with Osho, and Deva Premal and Miten prior to that. Three lots of 21 days. Each offering their own meditation practices, using mantra, teaching transmission, and reflective journaling options, on their mission, of enhancing the lives of many across the globe. Kind and generous offerings for exponentially lifting the collective vibration, and peacefulness, of humanity.
As a seasoned, and regular meditator, I appreciated the variety they offered.
My more formal meditation training began with the Buddhist tradition. And, since then, in wanting to deepen the philosophies and benefits, I have practiced many methods. Determining what works best for me at each chapter of my meditative maturing, and what fits into my life. Among the many options: receptive, guided, command based, mindfulness, body awareness, relaxation and energetic transference.
And silence.
The sweetest silence.
It is this silence, when entered, that has been the deepest, richest, and most sacred, treasure.
Walking through the door. Into the silence. And feeling the heart. And meeting the soul. And realising, that it's enormous. It is vastness. It is limitless. It's life completeness, and light essence. And nothing else is needed. It is really truly home.
And wanting to stay there.
Because it is so indescribably expansively peacefully blissfully ecstatically grand.
For those of you who have experienced it, it is seductively brilliant. Floating beyond all the cares and worries of the world.
Yet the soul has a role in trust, to be on sacred earth ground, enacting a purpose found, that brought it to earth. To be in the beautiful body and to do the work it came here for.
So you return. Because you know that you have found the door. And can visit anytime. And because you have a job to do in the practical world. Better for it, and creating it more regularly and readily for yourself and those you love, here on earth.
May we each find, and create, our meditative peaceful soulful state, embody it, bring it back to earth, and spread it all around.
And may International Peace Day be the grandest, deepest, richest yet, for spreading our most sacred state.
Much love
SaraSwati Shakti
© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Monday, 25 August 2014
All Walks of Life
On a walk along the river by my home yesterday, it was quiet. And teeming with life. All walks of life.
A dog barking vigorously and delightedly on a hill so that he could hear his echo before he took a dip for his daily thrill. A man with a New York cap sitting and clapping in a gentle Tai Chi reverie. Walkers, chatting, simply and animatedly, about many private things. A man singing to Allah, his voice travelling beautifully along the river. We nodded knowingly as we passed each other. A pelican, 5 cockatoos, and 4 seagulls passing a ferry travelling with numerous passengers on deck and inside. Three bicycle riders going somewhere and nowhere at the same time. A lonely broken tricycle discarded, with the memory of a child riding it. And ten branches of golden yellow wattle blossoms on some wet grass beside me, a gift from some cockatoos intent on nibbling. I collected the wattle, now placed in a vase across from my keyboard. A gift of nature on my hour with myself, and with many walks of life.
The Golden Wattle now next to The Red Book.
The Red Book. Carl Jung's seminal art and soul work.
And I recalled what I know about the inscription above the door of Jung's home, and on his tombstone, in Latin. It reads Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. And it means, Bidden, or unbidden, God is present.
Knowing, in heart and soul, that a greater force is always present, that we can connect to in our own essence. Within, between, ourselves and with others. A heartmindsoul connection that is unsurpassed.
The source, from the heart. Simple, and hard, at the same time. In the battleground between heart and mind, soul and ego, and the confrontation with the unconscious as Carl Jung put it, and surrendering control to our higher Soul wisdom. In the here and now.
I revisited an extract from Jung's book about his own inquiry of his Soul in his quieter self moments. He asked how to attain the knowledge of the heart. And the reply...
You can attain this knowledge only by living your life to the full. You live your life fully if you also live what you have never yet lived.
He articulated it further. The life that I could still live...and the thoughts that I could still think.
Living what remains uniquely unlived. The courage and fulfilment that it brings. As well-being. For each of us, on our walks of life, facing and embracing progressively our real selves, making decisions, and consequently creating well-being, for me, and you, and humanity.
Much love on our individual collective walks of well-being life.
SaraSwati Shakti
© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
A dog barking vigorously and delightedly on a hill so that he could hear his echo before he took a dip for his daily thrill. A man with a New York cap sitting and clapping in a gentle Tai Chi reverie. Walkers, chatting, simply and animatedly, about many private things. A man singing to Allah, his voice travelling beautifully along the river. We nodded knowingly as we passed each other. A pelican, 5 cockatoos, and 4 seagulls passing a ferry travelling with numerous passengers on deck and inside. Three bicycle riders going somewhere and nowhere at the same time. A lonely broken tricycle discarded, with the memory of a child riding it. And ten branches of golden yellow wattle blossoms on some wet grass beside me, a gift from some cockatoos intent on nibbling. I collected the wattle, now placed in a vase across from my keyboard. A gift of nature on my hour with myself, and with many walks of life.
The Golden Wattle now next to The Red Book.
The Red Book. Carl Jung's seminal art and soul work.
And I recalled what I know about the inscription above the door of Jung's home, and on his tombstone, in Latin. It reads Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. And it means, Bidden, or unbidden, God is present.
Knowing, in heart and soul, that a greater force is always present, that we can connect to in our own essence. Within, between, ourselves and with others. A heartmindsoul connection that is unsurpassed.
The source, from the heart. Simple, and hard, at the same time. In the battleground between heart and mind, soul and ego, and the confrontation with the unconscious as Carl Jung put it, and surrendering control to our higher Soul wisdom. In the here and now.
I revisited an extract from Jung's book about his own inquiry of his Soul in his quieter self moments. He asked how to attain the knowledge of the heart. And the reply...
You can attain this knowledge only by living your life to the full. You live your life fully if you also live what you have never yet lived.
He articulated it further. The life that I could still live...and the thoughts that I could still think.
Living what remains uniquely unlived. The courage and fulfilment that it brings. As well-being. For each of us, on our walks of life, facing and embracing progressively our real selves, making decisions, and consequently creating well-being, for me, and you, and humanity.
Much love on our individual collective walks of well-being life.
SaraSwati Shakti
© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Thursday, 14 August 2014
A Vision
For the past few weeks I have had the great pleasure and privilege of participating in an intensive, with Andrew Harvey, the spiritual scholar and mystic. My interest in his perspectives were peaked when he was last in Sydney, on a Son of Man, Kabir & Rumi, weekend. And later, on a greater Sacred Marriage, retreat. I have now joined the Shift Network to participate with his latest offerings.
His topic this week was on The Vision of Mary. He spoke a most beautiful soliloquy of the journey of Mary, as a woman, and her passion and beauty, and how she was written into Christian tradition.
After spending a number of years on other traditions, I am returning to study more deeply my own Christian origins. Not that it ever left me. Jesus, and his mission, was always cool to me. And I have an intense love for his message, transfiguration, and teachings.
What I appreciate about this course is the depth of study that I am gaining into the Gospel of Thomas, and the mystical aspects, of Christianity. Jesus, the Marys, and all the historical contraries, around their lives, and other perspectives.
Most illuminating has been the experiences that other participants have also shared about their own converging, and blossoming, connection, to all things spiritual and Christian, on the Christ path mission.
Soon after the session, I had an urge to draw The Vision of Mary, as it was presenting in my mind's eye. And for me to share it more widely.
Having started some rudimentary experimenting with stained glass mandala designing, this seems to fit that theme. It compliments a desire I have for spreading the feminine more widely into our perspectives, around us. The Earth, and Woman, in our consciousness. Complimentary, and side by side, with Man, and the built environment.
And here is my mandala Vision of Mary. That came tapping into my scheme of things. Rudimentary, but fully vital. It is so much nicer in real life. But I trust you get the drift. With my basic photographic effort.
She is Awesome.
Her beautiful Feminine. Rising again. Her power, taking us out of our winter, of discontent. Into a new consciousness. With a Passionate Compassion, as Andrew Harvey puts it. Shining the Light widely, blessing, blaze trailing, even more brilliantly, again.
Much Love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
His topic this week was on The Vision of Mary. He spoke a most beautiful soliloquy of the journey of Mary, as a woman, and her passion and beauty, and how she was written into Christian tradition.
After spending a number of years on other traditions, I am returning to study more deeply my own Christian origins. Not that it ever left me. Jesus, and his mission, was always cool to me. And I have an intense love for his message, transfiguration, and teachings.
What I appreciate about this course is the depth of study that I am gaining into the Gospel of Thomas, and the mystical aspects, of Christianity. Jesus, the Marys, and all the historical contraries, around their lives, and other perspectives.
Most illuminating has been the experiences that other participants have also shared about their own converging, and blossoming, connection, to all things spiritual and Christian, on the Christ path mission.
Soon after the session, I had an urge to draw The Vision of Mary, as it was presenting in my mind's eye. And for me to share it more widely.
Having started some rudimentary experimenting with stained glass mandala designing, this seems to fit that theme. It compliments a desire I have for spreading the feminine more widely into our perspectives, around us. The Earth, and Woman, in our consciousness. Complimentary, and side by side, with Man, and the built environment.
And here is my mandala Vision of Mary. That came tapping into my scheme of things. Rudimentary, but fully vital. It is so much nicer in real life. But I trust you get the drift. With my basic photographic effort.
She is Awesome.
Her beautiful Feminine. Rising again. Her power, taking us out of our winter, of discontent. Into a new consciousness. With a Passionate Compassion, as Andrew Harvey puts it. Shining the Light widely, blessing, blaze trailing, even more brilliantly, again.
Much Love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Monday, 4 August 2014
Intuitive Listening
Yesterday brought me face to face with mindfulness.
I had the privilege of meeting up with a colleague who embodies it. And teaches it through equine assisted therapies and leadership.
We shared a great discussion about our interest in heart based therapies, about our corporate coaching, and had a beautiful nourishing meal in the sunshine on the horse property on which she now lives. Rabbits, and birds, chiming in, and interrupting, regularly. What bliss.
And we pondered the transformation of our own lives toward greater authenticity, and how we now assist others to tap into their authentic selves, using various methods involving heartfelt therapies.
Yet the equine process was new to me. It is named professionally as Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning. EFPL, for short. And it involves working in relationship with a horse. The silent language of connection. Offering a powerful capacity to dissolve all distractions, and be completely in the moment.
Where it appealed to me was the capacity it offers of working with the beauty of horses in connecting to the wisdom of the heart body. Really listening.
Many people struggle to connect to their heart and body wisdom. A skill that is so important for emotional intelligence. Yet we seek it. Because the soul and evolution depends on it. A more heartfelt, and love-filled life of existence. One of greater Spirit. And an intent to really live it.
If you are seeking the heart more intently, and more purposefully, so that your life or workplace becomes more lovingly authentic, this modality offers a place to consider. An offering with a beautiful, relational, reflective animal.
And working relationally with the heart can be extraordinary. Leigh Shambo, in her book, The Listening Heart, acknowledges that the process involves vulnerability. And that living in authentic, dynamic discourse with our own feelings will change us. And it does. It is courageous. It is adventurous. To make the necessary changes, towards the truer self.
If you are curious about this in the moment, gentle, guided and reflective process, you can get further information about mindfulness using equine assisted development, at https://www.facebook.com/MindfulHorseMindfulLeader
May you continue to explore your heartfelt dynamic self. And may we all do it with gentleness, mindfulness, in a way that inspires us.
In Love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
I had the privilege of meeting up with a colleague who embodies it. And teaches it through equine assisted therapies and leadership.
We shared a great discussion about our interest in heart based therapies, about our corporate coaching, and had a beautiful nourishing meal in the sunshine on the horse property on which she now lives. Rabbits, and birds, chiming in, and interrupting, regularly. What bliss.
And we pondered the transformation of our own lives toward greater authenticity, and how we now assist others to tap into their authentic selves, using various methods involving heartfelt therapies.
Yet the equine process was new to me. It is named professionally as Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning. EFPL, for short. And it involves working in relationship with a horse. The silent language of connection. Offering a powerful capacity to dissolve all distractions, and be completely in the moment.
Where it appealed to me was the capacity it offers of working with the beauty of horses in connecting to the wisdom of the heart body. Really listening.
Many people struggle to connect to their heart and body wisdom. A skill that is so important for emotional intelligence. Yet we seek it. Because the soul and evolution depends on it. A more heartfelt, and love-filled life of existence. One of greater Spirit. And an intent to really live it.
If you are seeking the heart more intently, and more purposefully, so that your life or workplace becomes more lovingly authentic, this modality offers a place to consider. An offering with a beautiful, relational, reflective animal.
And working relationally with the heart can be extraordinary. Leigh Shambo, in her book, The Listening Heart, acknowledges that the process involves vulnerability. And that living in authentic, dynamic discourse with our own feelings will change us. And it does. It is courageous. It is adventurous. To make the necessary changes, towards the truer self.
If you are curious about this in the moment, gentle, guided and reflective process, you can get further information about mindfulness using equine assisted development, at https://www.facebook.com/MindfulHorseMindfulLeader
May you continue to explore your heartfelt dynamic self. And may we all do it with gentleness, mindfulness, in a way that inspires us.
In Love
SaraSwati Shakti
Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved.
www.lovingpsyche.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)