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jesus


It’s the month of December and I’d like to write about Jesus because, since watching Paul Davids documentary film, JESUS IN INDIA, my thoughts about the life of Jesus have expanded. Once in a while, a movie, a book, a person, an experience comes along, and, after that encounter, things are not quite the same again. That’s the way it was for me and the film. I watch the film every so often now, and am always inspired by the spectacular scenery, the music, the people, the words, and I let it all sink into my heart and mind.

Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com, wrote: “JESUS IN INDIA” IS A FASCINATING AND PROFOUND FILM, A DEEPLY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY CERTAIN TO MAKE YOU THINK AND QUESTION IN WAYS YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE. And that it does. www.jesus-in-india-the-movie.com


Edward T. Martin was involved in the making of the film, and so I looked for his book, KING OF TRAVELERS, and wasn’t able to find it in Philadelphia. However, I checked at the information counter at Strand Book Store in Manhattan, and was told “One book with that title came in this afternoon.” I looked for it, and there it was. The price was $2.00; I bought it. It’s fascinating that sometimes it’s just that easy.www.strandbooks.com

The film also mentions Elizabeth Clare Prophet’s book, THE LOST YEARS OF JESUS. And in the CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR THE LOST YEARS OF JESUS section, there are a host of seemingly knowledgeable people who’ve written highly about it. I’ll give it a thumbs up too.


It seems to be that when we zero in on something, after a while information about it begins to fall in our lap, so to speak, and the book JESUS LIVED IN INDIA by Holger Kersten was mentioned. I couldn’t find the book until one day I walked by Garland of Letters on South Street in Philadelphia. I backtracked and went inside, and there on a long table displaying an interesting selection of books was one by Holger Kersten, the one I’d been looking for. Where were you a few months ago when I was here? I inquired of the book. At the register the cashier looked at the book, and looked at me, and said, “This book is great. My friends are reading it.” And so it goes. www.yogaunveiled.com

It was at Garland of Letters on South Street in Philadelphia that I picked up Volume 8 – Number 2 of EVOLVE magazine where it’s placed to the left of the entrance door, and read about Paul Davids, and how the seeds of the film, JESUS IN INDIA, were planted in a course he took in Mahayana Buddhism when he was a student at Princeton University.

Always there seems to be controversy with the mention of Jesus. We all have beliefs, some are written in stone, others not, — good to keep an open mind. In the end, our own diligent research and tapping into what the heart tells us, might serve us well.

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eknath easwaran

I’ve been thinking and reading about meditation for awhile, and now and then, dabbling. I guess that’s the right word since I’ve not yet become an every day meditator. Then last month, I found a teacher in a thin book squeezed into a very narrow space on a shelf with many larger books overshadowing it. I don’t know why, but whenever I see a small book trying to hold its own with the big ones, I make every effort to release it. As it turned out the little book titled, Your Life Is Your Mesage by Eknath Easwaran is a gem. On the back cover Barbra Streisand wrote, “Your Life Is Your Message is about changing the world by changing ourselves.” And Marvin Hamlisch wrote, “I still can’t believe how much wisdom is packed into these slender pages. This isn’t just a book; it’s a friend.” I think that about sums it up.

Eknath Easwaran founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation in Tomales, California. I have the feeling from reading his words, that if anyone can lead another to the path of meditation, he can. I’d never heard of him before rescuing “Your Life Is Your Message” from its tight spot on a book shelf. Then recently, while walking on a clear, cool day, I noticed a used bookshop having a sale. A lot of people were on the sidewalk peering across long tables of books. I joined them, and found The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho, and The Vagabond by Colette for a song and a dance. Then I went inside the shop, and something caught my eye. Yes! -MEDITATION by Eknath Easwaran was calling me. I took it from the shelf; there was no doubt in my mind that it belonged with me. On the back cover Henri Nouwen wrote, “This book has helped me a great deal.” And Huston Smith wrote, “No extravagant claims, no pretentious jargon. Just a clear, insightful exposition of meditation, and an excellent guide to its practice.” I think so, too.

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www.easwaran.org
www.barbrastreisand.com
www.marvinhamlisch.com
www.henrinouwen.org
www.hustonsmith.org

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mentors for monday, and tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, and sunday too

“One of the greatest stresses we can endure is trying to live a life that doesn’t fit who we are. We look for some kind of mission and purpose external to ourselves to fill the void that only living in communion with the Inner Self can fulfill. And it is from this connection to the Inner Self that right relationship to the world (career) occurs.” – Jerry Thomas

“First of all, one must observe, see with great care the mind and its functioning, listen to what is within and without: Out of this arises sensitivity and in sensitivity there arises insight. That insight alone will wipe away sorrow.” – J.Krishnamurti

“All day long the thoughts that occupy your mind, your secret place as Jesus calls it, are molding your destiny for good or evil, in fact, the truth is that the whole of our life’s experience is but the outer expression of inner thought.” – From the Pen of Emmet Fox

“. . . We are where are thoughts have taken us, and we are the architects – for better or worse – of our futures.” – James Allen

“As is the human body,
so is the cosmic body.
As is the human mind,
so is the cosmic mind.
As is the mirrocosm,
so is the macrocism.
As is the atom,
so is the universe.” – The Upanishads

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
– Marcel Proust

“Do not fear mistakes. There are none.” – Miles Davis

“Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: Now.” – Denis Waitley

“. . . We have underestimated ourselves tragically. We are sadly mistaken when we see ourselves as merely temporary bodies instead of timeless spirit; as separate suffering selves instead of blissful Buddhas; as meaningless blobs of matter instead of blessed children of God.” – Roger Walsh

“Arguments gain little. The mental attitude and prayers gain much; for thoughts are things and their vibrations reach those in every sphere and walk of life as related to self and to others.”
– Edgar Cayce Reading 1438-2

“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.” – Leonardo de Vinci

“Forgive those who wrong you; join those who cut you off; do good to those who do evil to you.”
– Mohammad

“A major goal of spiritual practice is to clear our mental space of the intellectual and emotional garbage we have been collecting since childhood, and to provide space for the experience of true relaxation and enjoyment. We should realize that a positive thought or inspiration becomes nourishment for the mind, like healthy food. But negative views and passions, like waste products, have toxic effects.” – Tulku Thondup

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a happy birthday

When I reached the age of 40, I decided 40 was a good number for me, so 40 I stayed – in my mind. It dawned on me this past weekend, however, that I have to move on up because in three years my son will be 40. Now I’m forced to wonder, where does that leave me? Actually, it was all in jest, the truth is if I were granted an opportunity to go back in time, or continue as I am, I’d say forget going back, moving forward suits me just fine.

This past Saturday was my birthday and Michael, Sumi, Emi, Toshi, Alicia, Sebastian, Sophie, and Clover – the order in which they came into my life – arrived in Philadelphia to celebrate with me. I find it impossible to express the happiness I felt at having us all together; it was a grand feeling, and a beautiful and fun weekend.

Was the weekend busy? Was it hectic? Yes, wonderfully so. There were three little ones under age three. Did we drink champagne? Did we thoroughly relish eating the scrumptious chocolate birthday cake from The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn? Hmm, let me think about that one. . . .

The pink roses laid on top of the refrigerator at Windsor Suites because even though the rooms were spacious, things are arranged differently when some guests are under the age of three. We were informal, we are usually informal, so no one cared that at the table someone was either getting up or sitting down.

I received the perfect gifts, and besides enjoying their physical forms, I see in them their own stories of strength, beauty, charm, love, tranquility, creativity, thoughtfulness, solidity, caring, and wisdom.

A birthday can be significant – depending on the birthday person. At this time in my life, when another year is added to it, I feel stronger, richer, and more able to understand where I want to direct my energies. While I’m alive I intend to use my Life Force in a way that contributes to helping our earth, and also to understanding the connection we all have to each other, and to all of nature. How will that happen? I ask that question in silence just about every day, and I’m beginning to discover a place within myself that’s well-able to answer questions when I allow it. Allowing is to make room in the day for quiet time. And I now believe that to not allow is to flounder.

So, I say happy birthday to me, and happy birthday to you – may we embrace whatever age we are, and wherever we are in life, and in pure delight may we all continue to move on up from there.

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“It’s foolish how we rush through life and cry that time is on the wing. We’re living in eternity, and time is just a clockmade thing.” -R. McCann

“Too often people set their lives by the calendar. It takes all the fun out of life.” -John Glenn, After His Latest Shuttle Mission

“Learn to see, and then you’ll know there is no end to the new worlds of our vision.” -Carlos Castaneda

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eckhart tolle

The title of The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle says it all, and the contents of the book is priceless. For starts, it can change one’s ideas about how things are, or ought to be, and take one on the ride of one’s life. It tends to turn one’s thoughts around and around, and get one to agree that, -okay, that’s true; that way is not working for me. I have to do what? All right, if that’s what it takes to stop the misery, I’m on board. And little by little, thoughts and opinions about the past, present, and future, about relationships, about the way the mind is used – the thinking and doing that doesn’t work, and yet has a stranglehold on one’s life, get chiseled away.

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle has sold over 6 million copies. And what a book it is. The book grabs hold of one’s being – if one let’s it, and if one is not compelled to ask the why of everything when reading it. The meaning of the words will eventually find a place in one’s consciousness, and then a place in one’s outer life.

I’ve noticed that A New Earth is not a book one can give as a gift, I suppose that’s true for The Power of Now, too. That’s been my experience. Well, one can give it, but… A New Earth can’t be a blind date, a person has to chose it for themselves, or the giver will most likely see it untouched, or used as a coaster, or maybe taken out when “they” know you’re coming. The best time for someone to read The Power of Now, or A New Earth, or any book of a spiritual nature, is determined by the one who will be reading it. That makes perfect sense. www.eckharttolle.com

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is it time to detoxify?

It’s impossible to get through the day without hearing or reading something about detoxifying, at least in my world it’s that way. Today aol had a blurb on Oprah’s 21-day detox, and mention of her daily posts on her blog. It rang a bell because I’m preparing for another cleansing session – the benefits are so great – physical, mental, spiritual – providing one pays attention to what’s happening by clearing time for stillness. Rushing about and carrying the same ole stress load changes the meaning of detoxifying, and tends to curtail what could be a powerful time. I say this because Emi gave me a few pages of an article in Elle, more or less about fasting and the various methods. One person said when talking about The Master Cleanser: “It was surprisingly filling, but the experience was isolating. . .” and, he continued, “And inconvenient. After the salt-water, I couldn’t leave the house for at least two hours. If you know what I mean.” And I say, of course, that’s what happens when fasting. (I have only this one page and no author or date, but it must be current if it came from Emi.) www.oprah.org www.elle.com

My ideal scenario when detoxifying would be to be near the sea; walking in the water, walking in the sand, time in the sun, staying happy, meditating, attention to what the within is saying, and being grateful for the experience. And yours?

Detoxing is agreeing there’s lots to be gained from the experience, and remembering what these things are. Focusing on a specific food, or drink (like coffee. Ha!), will create an internal tug of war. The thing is that doing something for a limited time should be a snap. Right?

A lot of people don’t believe detoxifying is important. They feel in their gut that it’s not for them, and that’s fine. Theirs is a different path. If something’s pulling you toward it, however, maybe that something is from within and is trying to get your attention. Perhaps then it’s important to go with that feeling.

Know what you’re doing and why, read and research. There’s a lot out there in the market place in recent years. And there’s the tried and true, also. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

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pondering

At times being alone to ponder questions, and staying quiet long enough to hear some answers is a beautiful gift we give ourselves. Questions we have can range from personal to those about the world, or a thought that won’t go away. If we’re on a quest to see our life as a work of art, we can relax into silence, or ponder the following:

Do I listen to people, or do I cut them off in mid sentence?
Do I overreact when words from someone’s lips are biting? There’s a chance that good things can happen if I stay with the conversation, keep my wits, and don’t walk away.
Am I alert to the day? Do I notice when “random acts of kindness” are needed, or do I plod along distracted?
Do I appreciate what I have, or do I usually notice what I don’t have?
Do I let the greed of some people in the world put a damper on the day, or do I create the kind of day I want and allow them to do the same?
Do drivers who rant and rage upset me, or do I realize that nowadays driving often causes stress in people?
Do I do whatever it takes to raise my energy level so that I can contribute to life on this incredible planet earth, or do I live without caring?
Do I require a thank you when I give, or can I find joy in simply giving?
What am I doing to help the world be a better place for all of us? What can I do?

When all is quiet, and the mind is relaxed, all kinds of suggestions, answers, and learning come into focus.

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“Let love and wisdom be united in me.” -an ancient prayer

“There is nobody else like you. The more you can quiet your own thoughts, fears, doubts and suspicions, the more will be revealed to you from the highest realms of imagination, intuition, and inspiration.” -Kenneth Wydro, American lecturer

“Too often people set their lives by the calendar. It takes all the fun out of life.” -John Glenn, after his latest shuttle mission

“Yes, of course [this age] is materialistic, but the only way to counteract it is to create spiritual things. Don’t worry yourself about the materialism too much. Create and stir people to create! -Robert Frost

“A life making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all.” -George Bernard Shaw

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old photos

I have a collection of photos that need frames. To find the right frame takes time. It’s easy to not hear what’s calling when in a hurry. So, I remember that patience will guide the picture to the right frame. It always does. Recently I inherited pictures that go back to 1918, the 1920’s, 1940’s, and onward. If I stay long enough with the old pictures I feel very relaxed. I get pulled into a different time when life was simple and seemingly more innocent. I look at the faces of the people. Many have died; I sit for awhile with the photos. It’s very quiet in my apartment at the moment. There’s no music, no tv, and no voices – except the ones in my head. I like it this way. If I stay quiet long enough my whole body becomes entirely quiet and the voices eventually go away.

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“To be empty, completely empty, is not a fearsome thing; it is absolutely essential for the mind to be unoccupied; to be empty, unenforced, for then only can it move into unknown depths.” – J. Krishnamurti
www.jkrishnamurti.org

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Motherhood for Me

Motherhood for me has been such an interesting journey and my son is only 18 months old as of yesterday Nov. 25th. I knew it would change me and change my life but I didn’t know it would add so many layers to my life.

Before Sebastian was born I thought I already had a full life. It was like a part of me awoke after he was born and they told me I had a baby boy in the hospital. I guess that part of me was always there but I just didn’t realize it or know it until Sebastian arrived.

For this reason alone I am so happy we decided to embark in the world of neverending worry, love, and concern, and hopes for our child and hopefully future children. That part of parenting is so mind boggling. All the worrying and hopes and concern you feel for your child it is just nuts. You worry if they are sleeping enough or eating enough or not enough. You worry if they are developing at a fast enough pace or if you should or shouldn’t be giving them certain foods. It is just neverending… I mean there is a whole book section on how to properly raise your child. Unfortunately there are differing opinions on how to raise your child and do things.  That topic is a whole other blog in itself which I am sure I will get there one of these days.

Ok back to motherhood and how much I absolutely love it. The best part is the first time you see your baby in the morning. It is truly like Christmas every day when you see him for the first time.

I just can look at him for hours and think how spectacular he is and how cute and funny he is.  I mean what a sense of humor our child has. He really just cracks me up.

I love thinking of all the wonderful experiences we are going to share all through the years of him growing up. It really is exciting. I can’t wait! I do have to remember to not wish today away.

For the days are long but the years are fast when raising children – such a true statement.

The one thing I love about my son is how sweet and comforting he is to me. He truly has saved me from myself in a way. He puts so much perspective in my life – keeps me grounded.  I can’t say enough great things about being a mom.

When I hear my friends are expecting I am so excited for them to experience the most amazing joy in life… giving life. What a true gift it is, the best one I could have ever hoped or asked life to give me.

Just as Oprah www.oprah.com says, “This I know is true” I know being a mother is the most amazing job and experience this life has to offer and I am blessed to have it.

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imagine that

“There is nobody else like you. The more you can quiet your own thoughts, fears, doubts and suspicions, the more will be revealed to you from the highest realms of imagination, intuition, and inspiration.”
-Kenneth Wydro, American Lecturer