(Cover image credit to Dhruv Deshmukh and article image by Rune Enstad)
The feet and hands are very receptive parts of the body. They can absorb healing elements, at times, faster than taking something internally. If a foot bath were a prescription, it could sound something like this:
Take every morning on an empty stomach. Use essential oils or herbs in hot water and soak for 5-8 minutes.
“May your body be blessed.
May you realize that your body is a faithful and beautiful friend of your soul.
And may you be peaceful and joyful and recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds.
May you realize that holiness is mindful, gazing, feeling, hearing, and touching.
May your senses gather you and bring you home.
May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here.
May the Eros of the Earth bless you.”
From Anam Cara by John O’Donohue
Photos by Sharon McCutcheon
The words “meditation” and “medication” sound almost identical. If you switch out the c for a t they’re the same word. Meditation comes from the Latin root, meditatus, which means to think, pay attention to, or contemplate. It is similar to the Latin root (medicina) for Medicine meaning “art of healing.”
“Not only does it change the way our brain works, it actually is almost like going to the gym – you’re actually building new connections and we can see on a brain scan structural changes after just eight weeks of meditation, and so you see an increase in density in a part of the brain that actually is associated with happiness, that’s associated with being able to make better decisions in our lives... and it also shrinks the part of our brain responsible for the stress response.”
-Jamie Zimmerman
Starting your Meditation Practice
Some things to keep in mind as you begin your own meditation practice are:
Determine your why
Start with baby steps (5-10 minutes a day is better than an hour, once a week)
Choose what kind of meditation style resonates with you (Guided, silent, focusing on your breath, taking a journey with images and music)
Make the Commitment
Join a group or start your own
“I think when we really quiet our minds we start to hear our hearts.”
-Jamie Zimmerman
“The longest journey you will ever take is the 18 inches from your head to your heart.”
—Andrew Bennett
Photo by Simon Rae
by Beth Haley
A part of clearing and cleansing our spaces, involves more than just our homes, bodies and minds. In current times, this also involves technology spaces such as digital photos, documents and files, along with emails.
I’ve been slowly working my way through sections of my home and cleaning, sorting and setting aside things to resource to other homes. Along the way, I remembered my 30,000 emails and got to work there as well. For the first time in a decade my inboxes have a zero balance. Now, if I could go the opposite direction with the bank, we’d really be in business!
Next, I’m working on pictures and video files which is ongoing as we read.
I don’t know many people who actually reply to spam mail, but for those who have an abundance of time and are entertained by the thought of replying to some of these absolutely preposterous messages instead of just deleting them, here are some examples.
Spam Message: I received your email from Diego Garcia who coordinates a low-cost, high end, car parts facility in Peru.
Reply: I seriously doubt that!
Spam message: Great deals! We need your phone number to get you your deal now today!
Reply: Provides Sheriff’s Office number in rural Alaska.
You’re welcome.
Spam message: You’re going to be rich! This load of refined gold is worth millions! Let’s invest it and split the refundments!
Reply: That’s fantastic! What are we going to invest in? Should I quit my job? I’m ready! When can I expect my… “refundments”?
This could be a fun group activity. Read and reply. Really get creative!!
Photos by Samuel Sun and Yura Fresh
In a remote area of rural Virginia, an annual, three-day event is held. People come from all over to attend a free traveling clinic providing medical aid they could not otherwise afford. More than 2,500 people line up for basic care over the course of the Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic, which begins each day before sunrise.
Photo by Piron Guillaume
by Beth Haley
Gathering around the table for a wonderful meal with good friends, great conversations, and a fun game – was a Hygge moment for me recently. I don’t always take the time, but when I do, I realize how much I’ve missed it!
I wonder how it is that the things that nourish my soul the most, many times end up last. When this gets done, or when that is finished – then I’ll take, make, create, or set aside those few, truly needed moments.
It took 5 months of “thinking” about taking the time before I made it to that table. As with so many other things that we schedule into our “to-do” list, it’s time to get out the daily planner or calendar and also schedule in our own nourishment.
What could you add into your schedule that will nourish your heart and soul? Make the appointment with yourself, set the time, and show up!
Go to the beach 🏖 ✅
Spend time with friends 😊 ✅
Don’t forget to nourish your soul!
by Lightbringer
Guest writer Lightbringer (age 22) talks about nightmares in a unique way. You can see his full post on Instrgtam. He not only writes about complicated and emotional subjects, but in addition, his photos are stunning as well!!
Some may encounter a nightmare in the darkness of night, while others find waking up each day to be some sort of living nightmare. I liked the thought of mantling the mare and riding into the night, sure-footed in the knowledge that as you ride through the dark, the sunrise will come.
•
A beautiful sunrise comes – not despite the dark…
•
The most beautiful sunrises are because of the night that came before.
God made the night,
God made the mare.
So when the terror comes
To shake you from sleep,
Know that God won’t leave you
Alone to weep.
•
Look up into the night and smile.
Mantle the mare and ride forth.
The sunrise comes.
Photography and writing © Lightbringer 2019 all rights reserved.
Examining the soul
Taking an inward journey
Looking within
Observing thoughts and feelings
Self-examination
Inner-analysis
When you are inspired, the work of creating just seems to flow. It is found by you in connecting with “why”. It is remembering the vision and passion behind your goals or projects. Why did you begin this journey or project to begin with?
When you know the “why” behind the vision, the steps to “how” just seem to fall into place, and you’re working in a flow that leaves struggle, force, dread, and “this is just too hard,” behind. It is a joyful flow of doing what you love to do, or have the passion and desire to do.
Reconnect with the passion and inspiration behind what you are doing. Enjoy your process of creation and the steps toward your destination can come together effortlessly, almost without you realizing it. Be in, and flow with, the joy of creating.
Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why was a goal set to begin with? Why did you decide to pursue a dream?
I’ve found myself in the middle of some projects recently thinking, “What is it that I’m doing again?” It’s easy to see the work involved and forget the inspiration and passion that started it all.
If you have gotten bogged down with the daily grind… remember why you began your journey!
by Micah
Pilgrimage Studio 