Purpose, Intention & Patience

Living with a sense of purpose is so important. Wake each day with a drive and will to do. Find things that interest you and a determination to learn, even when it is hard. Learn to figure things out-ask questions-make mistakes. Experience the inner sensations of your passion.

Life is to be lived with gusto-zest-zeal. You must live in and for the moment. Your goals and desires and hopes and dreams have many paths that lead to them. Allow yourself the freedom to travel many paths. They will lead you to experiences that will help you on your way. Do not be disappointed if your path is different than you thought it would be; instead be flexible. Learn along the way. Find joy in your travels. Be inspired to live.

Experience the moments within a larger context. Everything you do will cause an effect. Whether the desired one, or not, or possibly one that is not immediately noticeable…maybe not even in your lifetime. Above all be patient Know that patience is not just the ability to wait for it to happen. Rather, it is the absolute knowing that it will happen. Just. Know. It. Will. Happen.

You can effect change.

Alwasy keep your vibration high.

Have a positive outlook.

Look at your heart.

Have hope.

With peace,

Eve

If you are local to Natick, MA, please join me today. I will be leading a short Grove & Flow associated with the fire element and summer. Come get grounded!

Grounding In Community

Natick Common 1:30-3:00PM

Grounding In Community is an outdoor, in-person, and safe way to grow our hope and support each other. Every last Sunday afternoon, from 1:30 – 3:00, we meet under the shade of a giant tree on the Natick Common for a time of spiritual practice, artistic expression, and truth-telling. We lie on the grass, sit on blankets and chairs, sing, explore movement, and speak words of truth that give us greater strength and freedom.

We are living in times that are heavy with foreboding in terms of health, economics, and politics. And so we gather in community to affirm that we are not alone in being afraid and in needing support. Together we create a space where we find the courage to face all this…and to find a way of being well and of keeping hope alive within.

For everyone’s safety, we will wear masks and maintain six feet of distance. If you want, please also bring a blanket, yoga mat, or chair to sit on. It is also recommended to bring a water bottle.

If you are inspired to share a poem, story, song, or reading–something that grounds you in truth and gives you hope–there is a time of open sharing in the structure of the gathering where this will be welcome.

How To Be and Give Peace

What is the meaning of “BE THE PEACE” to you?  Has it changed since we last met? Be the Peace means that I am peace and people perceive me as peace and I emit peace. I know that even a tiny bit of peace can cause a ripple effect and although I may never see this peace, I have no idea what this ripple will actually do and I can only hope that it will be the change/the peace movement. Like the butterfly effect that a tiny movement of a butterfly wing will cause an avalanche of movement in the future. I do not think the meaning has changed except that it has deepened and widened in perspective.

‘You may never know what results come of your actions but if you do nothing there will be no results’. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi said, “My life is my message.” What does that message bring to mind to you? All I want to do is give people peace through movement. I want my form of yoga/mindful movement to be something that people seek out and they can feel peace through a deeper exploration of their own selves within the yoga. To be truly at peace we must be at peace within ourselves. 

My mind often repeats the lyrics to one of my favorite yoga songs by Wade Imre Morissette (yes, Alanis’s brother) called Om Narayana

Joy on the inside and peace on the outside,
Loving on the inside and laughing on the outside,
Kissing on the inside and healing on the outside,
Flowing on the inside and thriving on the outside,
Clearing on the inside and accepting the outside,
Shining on the inside and shining on the outside.

Are Gandhi’s message and the message of BE THE PEACE aligned in some way for you? Being the peace in my life’s message is given through my yoga and I hope through my writing. I want to be seen as a writer and I want people to read what I write. I want to write books that show that peace is so multi-faceted that it is possible to find the angle of peace that suits you and for you to live that way of being. I imagine that peace is a multi-sided dice cube and you can roll it and whatever word/synonym of peace that pops up will be how you express peace at that moment. Mindfulness and peace are completely intertwined.

Affection Amicability Amity Armistice Calmness Caliber Character Closeness Commitment  Community Composure Consciousness  Contentment  Cooperation Courage

Ease Empathy Equanimity Friendliness  Friendship  Good Vibes Good Will Harmony Hope Integrity  Intimacy

Kindness (Loving Kindness) Kinship Love Neutrality Pacifism Patience Peace Peacefulness Quiet

Reconciliation Respect Serenity Self-Possession Sociability  Society Stillness Sympathy  Tranquility Understanding  Unity  Zeal

Facets of Peace

Two more words/phrases that mean a lot to me: Ubuntu & MWE

UBUNTU

I am, because you are

The word ubuntu is part of a Zulu phrase which literally means that a person is a person through other people. … Ubuntu is a nebulous concept of common humanity, oneness: humanity, you and me both…MWE. Dan Siegel coined the term “MWE” which I love. It is the me; it is the we; it is the me in we; it is the we in me. It is a sense of a sense of internal consistency about who I am across time and across multiple social identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, profession, culture, gender, religion). This integrated identity serves as an internal framework for making choices and provides a stable base from which one can act in the world. Ubuntu is peace. MWE is peace.

‘Be aware that patience is not the art of waiting. It is the metaphysics of knowing that resting calmly will deliver.’ ~ Guru Singh

The Accidental Kundalini: Courage and Balance

July 15, 2019

Warm-up to Find Your Courage

1. Punch/March
2. Ego Eradicator
3. Cat/Cow
4. Boat
   

   
5. Forward Fold
6. Reverse Plank
7. Push-Up
   

   
8. Alternate Leg Lifts
9. Seated Meditation

Kriya to Balance The Mind In The Group Energy

Sit in a close-knit circle; everyone should choose a partner. If you have groups of 4, Patty Cake (if not enough people, switch to Rararara, Mamamama, Ramaramaramarama, Sa Ta Na Ma in partners)

1. Gratitude Hands w/ Clockwise Hip-to-Head Circles (see above)
2. Hold Hands in Silence (whole group holds hands; no one is left alone)
3. Cactus Arms & Spirit Fingers w/Counterclockwise Circles (see above)
4. Dance: Punjabi Style; Freely: Add Clapping
5. Patty Cake (would like to try it with Rockin’ Robin)
6. Surrender
7. Rest

Playlist:

1. Ong Namo by Shakta Kaur Khalsa
2. Ek Ong Kar by Tina Malia
3. Brazilian Rhyme (Fearless Mix) by Mondo Grosso
4. Hey Hey by Muete
5. Naive Melody (Young Edits Sophistaicated Melody Version) by The Talking Heads
6. Chattr Chakkr Vartee by Nirinjan Kaur
7. Hallelujah by Jai-Jageesh
8. Heartbeat by Taana Gardner
9. Shake The Mind by C Cat Trance
10. Adidas To Addis by Cut Chemist
11. Har by Snatam Kaur
12. Har by Tera Naam
13. Rockin’ Robin by Michael Jackson
14. Rararara, Mamamama, Ramaramaramarama, Sa Ta Na Ma
15. Fantasia Inca by Various Artists
16. Fantasia Inca by A. Caste
17. Long Time Sun by Paramjeet Singh & Kaur

Mindful Book Reviews By Eve: 3 Books by Florenza Lee

3 Books by Florenza Lee:

Barry Bear’s Very Best: Learning To Say No To Negative Influences by Florenza Lee; Illustrated by Michelle Wynn

This book addresses the very heavy and real life topics of drugs, bullying and bad choices through the very positive eyes of a young bear who is of strong conviction and knows that striving to be the best he can be is the way to live a happy, satisfying life. He is a wonderful role model and because of the deepness of the topics, it can be shared with children as well as pre-teens and up as well. It is a very accessible story highlighting goodness in oneself.

 

The Tail Of Max The Mindless Dog: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness by Florenza Lee; Illustrated by Michelle Wynn

I really like how the main character, the mindless dog, is an analogy to the way our thoughts run rampant in our heads, like a dog mindlessly chasing its tail. Relentless and mind numbing. This book does a great job introducing deep belly breathing and the use of chanting to bring focus and calm. The chant is cute and memorable. I really like the straight forward approach of this book and it can be shared not only with children but pre-teens and up as well.

 

Welcome Home Daddy Love, Lexi: “Hi, I am…” Book Series by Florenza Lee; Illustrated by Maria Guevara

This is a very deep, reflective and richly detailed story of a very important topic. It is beautifully written with such love and compassion and I am sure speaks truly of this sacrifice of the whole military family unit. It was hard to read without tearing up. This story highlights the courage and strength of these families

This dynamic trio of straight forward help book are full of positive characters who face adversity but are able to remain true to themselves and use self-determination, courage and self-respect to fight against the odds. These are strong books and they need to be heard! These are especially good for addressing trauma and for learning how to be strong and courageous!

Thank you to Florenza Lee for sending me these books. All opinions expressed are my own.