Halcyon
This is a piece I wrote recently. I find when I am creative, I lose track of time as Spirit moves through me and spills a short story, a poem or a blog post right into my lap!
Off the rugged coast of Nova Scotia, a halcyon builds a new nest floating on the sea just before the Winter Solstice. On the swells of icy waves she can hear hymns of heartbreak and joy while the whip of the western winds carries harmonics of chants forgotten long ago. As she listens, it all rings true deep in the well of her as the tonal memory spreads like streams through her hollow bones. It is here she will give birth to her fledglings of interfaith.
As the mythical bird preens her long silken feathers, she spies the silhouettes of the ancient prophets against the rising sun, each of them holding a flamed torch of truth. And in the briny foam dancing on the troughs and crests of the ocean, she notices the subtle messages welcoming her home.
As the morning kisses the day awake, a liminal space appears. The mystics of the day sway with the rhythmic drum of the surf along the banks of the tidal estuaries and marsh grasses. Through the cross current of fresh and saline waters luminous light allows them to see and be seen. On the altar of time rests their hearts of anticipation questioning what their ministries will be. And as the sequel of the New Testament is written, their stories will be told by the iconography burned in the berm of the beaches.
Mindful Tip:
Take one of your photographs, a picture from a magazine or an image off of Unsplash and write a short story, a poem, a quote . . . just be creative!!!
Nature is divine revelation with her own mode of prayer . . . – Seyyed Hossein Nasr
It is Labor Day weekend. I’ve spent most of this Sunday afternoon sitting out on our small front porch engrossed in the book, “The Mystic Heart” by Wayne Teasdale. The humidity which has been brutal over these last weeks has taken a rest. The cloudless sky was my companion. I watched a dried, pale yellow leaf chatter across the pavement. I retrieved it for my altar as the first sign of fall.
A Cherry Blossom tree we named Chloe shaded my perch. As I read my attention was drawn away as I noticed 5 – 6 Carolina Wrens flitting from branch to branch eating the aphids off the bark. They traversed the tree with ease and every now and then one would blurt out a tweet. I was memorized watching these tiny noble creatures bend the branches with their landings as I could hear the flutter of their wings. While neighbors walked by with their thirsty dogs and the Amazon Prime truck chauffeured peoples’ packages, a whole hidden world was revealed. It is during these quiet hours of noticing nature when the doors of my monastery swing open.
Mindful Tip:
Sit in a comfortable place outside in the shade. Take a few deep breaths and feel your body settle. Allow the mind which is so labored with endless thoughts to calm. Then watch and listen as nature sings a prayer.
Cashmere
photo courtesy of Dhaya Eddine Bentaleb
Prince Cashmere, Duke of Marmalade is the name of our cat who has considered us staff for the last 4½ years. We are honored to have him in our home for he has been a source of humor, love and fascination. Rick says he is my cat for he comes to me more often, allows me to hold him and sleeps by my side.
He is a tall, thin cat with an angular face. Our vet thinks he has an oriental blood line, sort of like a Siamese tabby.
Wherever there is a sun spot that is where you will find Cashmere. Some mornings he sleeps on a dining room chair draped with my alpaca throw, or on our bed sprawled out on my chenille sweater, or on the hamper which is below a small window that is flooded with afternoon light.
Cashmere has a daily routine. He has breakfast with us and then naps from 7:30 a.m. until around 2 p.m. Bathing often follows. And then he finds his way to my computer keyboard until he is fed again followed by a bit more napping. During the late afternoon into the evening he follows me around the house watching my every move. Rick calls it “Mimi TV”.
I love Cashmere’s pink nose and paw pads . . . his white bib and tummy. He has golden eyes and a long tail that is stripped like a raccoon’s tail. I’m amazed by the fine white hair in his ears, the length of his whiskers and the size of his canine teeth.
Cashmere has a language we have come to understand. He has a sharp meow when we return home, like “Where in the hell have you been?” A specific meow when he wants to be fed that sounds more like a command. He has a softer meow when he wants to be held. And a distinct meow before he throws up.
Cashmere insists on a variety of moist cat food. In fact, if he had turkey for breakfast he will not eat turkey for lunch. And if he has turkey for lunch he will only eat salmon for dinner. Some times when I put food down for him, he initially is not interested. But when he wanders into another room, I’ll move the dish to another place in the kitchen. He then will re-consider eating it and often will.
With anything new in the house his reaction is, “What’s this?” Or when someone comes to visit, its “Who’s this?” It is fun to see him explore.
When I hold Cashmere, I have figured out he takes about two breaths for every breath I take. He loves to be caressed along his jaw bone. And he likes to smell my breath.
He climbs to the top of the kitchen cabinets so he can look down on his fiefdom. He can turn completely around on the mantel which is 5” wide. Cashmere is an indoor cat. I’m thankful he is not a bolter when we open an outside door. Because we are so attached to him, we’d hate for something to happen to him out in the wilds of the neighborhood.
As COVID-19 is on the rise around the country, Cashmere has become a bit like a service animal. Being with him makes me present to the moment helping me cope with the uncertainty during these times.
Mindful Tip:
I’m sure you are as crazy about your pet as I am with Cashmere. Just for fun, take some time to mindfully write down all of the characteristics of your pet. And then when you are with them, you will have a greater level of awareness of just how unique they are.
The Art of Mindful Listening
Hearing is one of our natural senses while listening requires focus and attention. To stay present and truly hear what another person is communicating takes practice. As our minds wander we become distracted by our internal narratives. Our attention becomes fragmented as we often think about what we want to say. Our emotions can also interfere with our ability to listen. As a result, we may miss the core messages of our spouses, children close friends and colleagues.
The Buddhist monk, author and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh said, “When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there.”
When someone truly listens to us, it is emotionally powerful. Their presence touches something very deep in us; our profound human longing to feel accepted, to be loved, to be valued and respected. To be genuinely heard is to be validated. It bonds people together by building trust.
The gift of one’s presence enhances our relationships through connectedness that is a result of mindful listening. The practice of presence starts from within but the benefits extend far beyond ourselves.
I love this quote by Sue Monk Kidd, “There are so many wonderful gifts I can give those I love, but the one that lingers when all the others are gone, the one that knits the brightest threads into life, is the gift of my presence.”
Mindful Tips to Cultivate the Art of Mindful Listening:
1. Give the person your undivided attention by putting aside your own concerns and worries along with your cell phone.
2. Notice the automatic thoughts arising in your mind bringing your attention back again and again to simply listening.
3. Stay open to the person’s perspective and recognize your judgments as they surface.
4. Employ all of your senses and concentrate on what is being communicated.
5. Notice the person’s facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice to discern more information of the message being disclosed.
6. Pay attention without getting defensive and without interruption.
7. Be curious and ask questions to deepen the conversation.
8. Paraphrase what you’ve heard to make sure you have understood.
9. Look lovingly into their eyes with kindness and an open heart.