Listen. Care. 9th Hour.

Soul Food

'A day of Silence

Can be a pilgrimage in itself.

A day of Silence

Can help you listen

To the Soul play

In marvelous lute and drum.

Is not most talking

A crazed defense of a crumbling fort?

I thought we came here

To surrender in Silence,

To yield to Light and Happiness,

To Dance within

In celebration of Love’s Victory!'

~ Hafiz ‘I Heard God Laughing’

This Week: As we continue to feel the winds rise within the seasons of Fall and Spring. I am inviting you to contemplate the possibility within listening, caring and service. As the trees shed their leaves and the seedlings begin to sprout ether steps into the foreground to support us and guide us from here to there. If you are ready to listen and be, this is a great segment to contemplate how you transmit and receive.

As inspired, listen deeply, deepen your relationship your inner integrity. Align yourself with your ether and wood. Then, being practicing reciprocation. Receiving + Giving. There is plenty. Hint…Let go of the river banks.

These weekly talks are an offering to assist you in diving deeper into a spiritual practice, your inner landscape and cultivate inner peace.

Time Stamps: Dharma 0 Meditation :24:00 Sound :50:00. Outro 1:26:00

"Peace can be reached through meditation on the knowledge which dreams give. Peace can also be reached through concentration upon that which is dearest to the heart." Patanjali

Heart + Mind Food

A common phrase being used in the medical community is ‘Evidence-based medicine’ (EBM). It is said to be a systematic approach to patient care that uses the best available scientific evidence and clinical expertise to make decisions. The approach is very similar to how medicine has been delivered in the past and present. However, it is being used with another layer of information that can be accessed rapidly (Meta data and AI). While, all of this information is valuable for consideration there is another important deliberation to be made. The information to be weighed is being communicated from your eternal being within your heart and mind. Both of these energy centers carry message pathways that integrate an intelligence within you that is best to be reviewed. Especially, when you are discerning how you want to come into balance and harmony (aka well being). This is how many ancient sages transformed, long before here, they accessed practices and methods by interfacing with this wisdom from within. The ‘proof’ for the sages was in the immediate and future results that materialized in their life. While it is helpful to analyze and consider the ‘data’, it is equally important for you to consider the intelligence running through you.

Furthermore, it is valuable to remember both will become your checks and balances. Ultimately, guiding you to the possibilities that have the greatest benefit for self and others. While, the neuroscience, mental health, naturopathic, nutrition, herbalism and western-functional medical fields might feel they are making great strides forward with this additional layer of information. There is still the necessary acknowledgement and consideration of the unexplainable. The reason for this is because you are unique and you are interfacing with this undefinable energy. Coupled with our collective dance (aka actions) that was co-created by all our efforts long before here and in each moment unfolding. Which manifests as the present moment everywhere (aka effect). While, you are perfectly where you need to be within your eternal dance with the universe. There is also infinite possibilities at your fingertips to take an action that will have the most beneficial outcome. Yet, the data and studies (which are limited in their true nature) will ultimately only paint a picture including part of the possibilities. Which leads me to encourage you to create the space to interface with your power and the unexplainable field in and around you. You can access this most effortlessly via your heart and mind. The ‘science’ can account for the four major pathways of communication between the heart and mind. These pathways are neurological (through the transmission of nerve impulses), biochemical (via hormones and neurotransmitters), biophysical (through pressure waves) and energetic (through electromagnetic field interactions). All of which have an influence over all aspects of your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well being. The unexplainable that you can access via your mind and heart is beyond and is not dependent on the data; yet, the field does have access to every last bit of it.

Now, you might ask where do I start? There are a few places that will benefit your ability to clearly ‘hear’ and move into fluid action from within. The listening is happening within the subtle exchanges that are transmitted beyond words, visions, sounds and/or impulses. All of these can actually create the interference. Hence, you are best to be the captain of your soul, body, mind, and heart.

1. Cultivating a daily practice of SILENCE. Bum to the cushion with just you. No props. Just YOU. If your mind is super busy. I encourage you to keep your eyes open and gently gaze at a single focal point.

2. Sit with all that you are contemplating or digesting for at least 24-48 hours. Sleep on it. Again, listening not with your ears. Listening with your awareness.

3. Practicing Presence in every moment. BE where you are. Even if you are on these devices you can practice holding presence between you and the device. Yet, you are best to spend most of your days and nights in the natural world. This is because ‘artificial’ influences will impact the pathways between your heart and mind.

4. Practice being objective. When you can walk around all sides of what ever is unfolding for you, put aside emotional upheaval and let go of creating dualistic power dynamics. It will be easier for you to hear and know what is the next best action.

As inspired, start with one of those steps listed above. Then, if you want to go beyond these practices or have questions, please send them my way. I am happy to share more and guide you, as you wish.

Mind Food

The mind and heart are best protected on a daily basis. The reason for this is because every day humans are transmitting to one and another via the mind stream (consciousness) and our emotions/grasping (suffering). Often times, when someone is upset with another the transmission will be felt in the heart center. It will sting and hurt deeply because they are literally sending you their suffering from their heart to yours. I have been taught this is a poison pen (aka suffering). This is also a sign that another person or you have lost awareness. The practice in that moment would be to find compassion, equanimity and stillness.

If you want to retain protection in your mind and heart consistent meditation and mantra practice will benefit your entire being . The mantras actually build a field of energy that you can access and be surrounded by. There are many traditions in the east that utilize this practice and daily inquiry with a mantra will assist in protecting your mind, which will also protect your heart. The mantra practice will help you retain awareness and have many other benefits to support your overall eternal well being.

While, many people use mantras based on something they pick up in a yoga class or on the web. I highly recommend you learn the deeper meaning behind the practice. If you want to learn more and discover what is possible while using a mantra practice you aree ready for a teacher. A teacher is important because in the west there is a tendency to be taking when using a mantra vs being in a dynamic exchange with it. This allows for reciprocation and will assist you in maintaining balance from within. Please comment below, ’mantra’ or email me if you want to learn more.

Body Food

We are in LUNG season, in the northern hemisphere. This is when you can proactively nourish and clear out stagnation before any ‘cold’ or ‘respiratory’ issues flare up. When you bring awareness to nourishing your lungs and see that nature provides food and plants to support your lungs too, it is a whole new way to live ahead of the curve. You can strengthen your lungs vs wear them down and then recover them. Mullein is a supportive herbal friend that has been used for a home remedy for longer than recorded in written texts. It is shown to have traveled from Europe, Northern Africa and Asia. Mullein flowers in the spring and can be dried and stored for this time of year. It is often called a ‘weed’ like the dandelion; however, it is a helpful ally in Fall and Spring. All parts of the plant are useful. The leaves can be added to a herbal smoke, the roots can be used to make a cough syrup or tincture. The leaves can be made into a paste for the skin. Alternatively, the leaves can be rubbed on inflamed skin and/or laid over the impacted areas. You could even do this over the lungs.

The current chatter around town is it will loosen layers of mucus that have become one with your lungs and/or help break down the mucus when you are off balance in the respiratory center of your body. It will help your lungs plus you calm down and protect your precious cells. Mullein also has a few Jedi skills up its entire being with a master skill set in preventing and balancing bacteria and/or viral imbalances. Like with all plants in Mother Nature, one size does not fit all. It is important to test small amounts on your skin and/or talk with someone like myself to look into the foods, supplements and/or medications you are taking before you add something new. This is to insure that there are not any counter indications which can create the opposite impact you had envisioned. Good news, mullein has a long history with little to no side effects.

Mind You + Food

Pie season is truly year around. It is one of those special treats that is best to be shared among friends. This recipe below is one I have been adapting over the years. Recently, I was listening to an old interview with a friend. A mutual pie lover, he mentioned using rose hips in his pies. I decided to add rose hips this recipe. Another helpful ally during fall through spring. To be noted, you can use coconut sugar, maple syrup and/or agave to reduce the use of the ‘sugar’ included below.

Ingredients (filling)

6 Granny Smith Apples

2  Crisp Red Apple

1/2 C Butter, unsalted, sliced

4 Tbsp Flour

1/2 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1/4 C Water

1/2 tsp. Rose Hips, dried

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Cardamom

Crust

2 C. Flour

1/2 tsp. Himalayan Salt

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

8 Tbs. Butter, unsalted

1 Tbsp. Sugar

1/2 C Sour Cream

1 Tbsp. Water, ice cold

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl, sift in dry ingredients. Then cut butter into slices.

2. Using a pastry knife, cut butter in. Continue till well blended then add the sour cream. Blend with hands.

3. Add additional flour or cold water to blend completely.

4. Cut into two balls and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes.

5.   Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.

6.   Peel and core apples. Then, thinly slice.

7.   In a large wok, melt the butter then toss in apples, both sugars, flour, water, cinnamon, cardamom and rose hips. Gently cook down till apples are tender but still crisp.

8.   Roll out the one of the pie crusts and place into a pie dish.

9.   Fill the pie crust with the apple mixture.

10. Then, roll out the top crust and place over the top. Pierce the top with a fork.

11.  Bake 15 minutes at 425F then reduce to 350F for 30 to 45 minutes.

12. Serve with Fresh whipped cream or vanilla gelato.

May your day be filled with JOY and a lot of LAUGHTER. .sT