Trickster. Mastery.
Mind Games. Heart Truths. Body Wisdom + The Lemonade.
Soul Food
If you understand others you are smart.
If you understand yourself you are illuminated.
If you overcome others you are powerful.
If you overcome yourself you have strength.
If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.
If you can act with vigor, you have a will.
If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.
If you die without loss, you are eternal.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
This Week: Spring and Fall quickly approach their tipping point into Summer and Winter. Our inner waters and fire will take center stage, balancing action and repose to harmonize the force of all creation. Your awareness will be a faithful guide, leading you through these seasons and into this new lunar cycle. May your heart and being be filled with JOY and Peace. Simplify. Listen. Rest in the Void.
The full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, will reache) peak illumination on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 12:44 AM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)
Questions:
Where are you tricking yourself from the inside out?
Where are you inspired to transform and master that aspect or another aspect of self?
What will you need to do to step up into that awareness and practice?
Weekly talks are an offering to assist you in diving deeper into a spiritual practice, exploring your inner landscape, and cultivating inner peace.
Time Stamps: Dharma 0:00 | Meditation 21:00 | Sound 45:00 | Outro 1:21:00
Mind Food
The trickster says, ‘Let’s play,’ but forgets to mention the cost of the game.”
In Taoism, the trickster lurks as an unnamed shadow within the mind’s illusions, born from the chaos of desire and the compulsion to name, label, and control reality’s flow. The Tao Te Ching whispers, “Those who know do not speak,” guiding us toward stillness, emptiness, and Wu Wei to dissolve this distortion. The trickster isn’t a character but a condition—a ripple in the Tao’s natural rhythm, thriving in ego’s chatter and dissolving in silence’s embrace. By releasing attachment, we allow clarity to emerge, aligning with the effortless truth of existence and seeing beyond the mind’s projections.
In Indigenous cosmologies, particularly Native North American traditions, the trickster takes vibrant form—Coyote—mischievous, foolish, yet deeply sacred. “Coyote is always outsmarting himself,” a Lakota teaching observes, mirroring our pride, greed, or absurity while sparking transformation through humor and chaos. These tales remind us we are not above nature’s laws; the trickster’s disruptions humble us, awakening awareness through laughter and unexpected reversals. By reflecting our shadow, Coyote teaches us to embrace humility and realign with the world’s balance.
Both traditions confront delusion—misperceiving reality without evidence—and illusion—being seduced by what we wish to see. The Tao dissolves illusion through stillness; Coyote reveals it by dancing it into chaotic clarity. Neuroscience echoes this: when the limbic system’s emotions overpower the prefrontal cortex’s reason, the trickster spins tales of fear or fantasy, clouding our perception. Objectivity, the antidote, grounds us in sensory truth—breath, observation, presence—cutting through the trickster’s game. By integrating these paths, we reclaim objective reality, not as a rigid truth but as a dynamic balance: Tao’s stillness quiets the mind’s distortions, while Coyote’s chaos shakes us free from self-deception. Together, they guide us to see what is, fostering a grounded awareness that honors both the flow of existence and our place within it—liberated from the trickster’s playful deceptions. As the Tao dissolves illusion by becoming still. Coyote reveals illusion by dancing it into chaos.
‘In the mind’s eye, illusion shape shifts like smoke—The heart waits patiently, speaking in clear water.’ St
Heart + Body Food
Knowing, Listening, and Letting Go of Grasping
Where the mind may trick, the heart knows—not through logic, but through resonance. The mind often spins stories, driven by fear, desire, doubt and/or habit. In contrast, the heart speaks in subtler tones. Listening to it requires quieting the mental chatter just long enough to sense what is truly aligned. This form of knowing isn’t loud or forceful—it’s felt in stillness, in peace, and in the spaces between thoughts.
Letting go of grasping invites us to release our attachment to outcomes, identities, or expectations. In many traditions—Buddhism, Yoga, Taoism—grasping is considered a root cause of suffering. When we cling, we lose sight of what is and become entangled in what we want it to be. Releasing that grip creates space for trust, surrender, and a more authentic connection to the present moment.
There’s a difference between knowing and wanting. Wanting is urgent and fueled by lack; knowing is calm and rooted in truth. The sacred heart doesn’t beg or chase—it quietly reveals. That still, grounded awareness is where clarity lives. This isn’t about bypassing any aspect of life but about learning to distinguish resonance from reaction.
The body joins this conversation too. Through the fascia—a sensitive network of connective tissue—it can signal when something is off or when truth is present but unspoken. These signals often appear as shivers, goosebumps, or a subtle rise at the skin’s surface. It’s the body’s way of flagging what the conscious mind might miss: a warning, a confirmation, or a quiet invitation to pay attention. When we listen to both the heart’s resonance and the body’s signals, we begin to navigate life not just with intellect, but with a deeply attuned awareness rooted in presence.
As Inspired, take a moment daily to pause and listen—not just with your ears, with you your entire being. Observe, the subtle ways your heart communicates: a feeling of ease, a silent yes, or a gentle tug of resistance. Pay attention to the signals in your body—those physical sensations that arrive before or after words.
Can you feel the difference between wanting and knowing? Between reacting and resonating. Give yourself the space to SLOW down enough to sense it. Be open to it rising from within. In stillness, as it always does.
Mind You + Food
Pesto Egg Salad on Carrot Slaw and Cucumber Slices
Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes
This vibrant, nutrient-dense dish combines the grounding protein of eggs with the cooling, invigorating flavors of pesto and cucumber, balanced by the spleen-nourishing crunch of carrot slaw. A touch of lemon zest supports liver function and brightens the dish, making it perfect for warm weather.
Ingredients
For the Pesto Egg Salad
+ 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
+2 tbsp fresh pesto (store-bought or homemade: basil, mint, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts (or sunflower seeds/walnuts and Parmesan)
+1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or Olive Oil (optional)
+Pinch of lemon zest
+Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Carrot Slaw
+2 medium carrots, grated (about 1.5 cups)
+1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
+1 tsp fresh lemon juice
+1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for subtle sweetness)
+Pinch of sea salt
+1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or dill (optional, for freshness)
For Serving
+1 large cucumber, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds (about 12–16 slices)
+Optional garnish: extra lemon zest, sumac, or fresh herbs
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pesto Egg Salad
+In a medium bowl, roughly chop the hard-boiled eggs.
+Add the pesto, Greek yogurt (if using), and a pinch of lemon zest.
+Gently mix until combined. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
2. Make the Carrot Slaw
+In a separate bowl, combine grated carrots, olive oil, lemon juice, and honey (if using).
+Toss to coat evenly. Add a pinch of sea salt and fresh parsley or dill.
+Let the slaw sit for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
3. Assemble the Dish
+Arrange cucumber slices on a serving platter or individual plates.
+Spoon a small mound of carrot slaw (about 1–2 tbsp) onto each cucumber slice.
+Top each with a generous dollop of pesto egg salad (about 1 tbsp per slice).
4. Garnish and Serve
+Sprinkle with extra lemon zest or fresh herbs.
+Serve immediately or chill for 10–15 minutes for a cooler, refreshing bite.
Notes
Make it vegan**: Swap eggs for mashed chickpeas or tofu and use a vegan pesto.
Storage: Store components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Assemble just before serving to keep cucumber crisp.
Seasonal boost: In summer, add a few fresh mint leaves to the pesto for extra cooling.
Nutritional Highlights
Eggs: Clean protein, rich in choline for brain health.
Pesto: Basil and olive oil provide antioxidants and healthy fats.
Carrots: Support spleen health and digestion (per Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda).
Cucumber: Hydrates and cools internal heat, flushing toxins.
Lemon zest: Enhances liver function and adds a bright, tangy note.
As inspired, enjoy this simple and flavorful meal anytime of day. This plate is not just food—it is medicine for clarity. The cool of cucumber, the grounding of egg, the brightness of mint—each bite invites the body to soften, the heart to listen, and the mind to release its grasp on illusion. In nourishing your temple wisely, you feed the truth.
Cooling Mock Mint Julep (Non-Alcoholic)
Serves: 1 Prep Time: 5 minutes
This heart-soothing, alcohol free mint julep is a cooling elixir perfect for calming the mind and body. Fresh mint clears heat from the head and heart, while lime supports liver function and digestion. A touch of honey or maple syrup balances pitta dosha, and mineral water adds a refreshing finish with added bonus of daily intake of essential minerals. Sip slowly in the shade with bare feet on the earth for a grounding, cooling experience.
Ingredients
10–12 fresh mint leaves (plus extra for garnish)
1/2 lime, juiced (about 1 tbsp)
1 tsp honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
1 cup sparkling or still mineral water, chilled
Ice cubes (preferably crushed)
Optional garnish: lime slice or mint sprig
Instructions
Muddle the Mint: In a sturdy glass or julep cup, gently muddle the mint leaves with the honey or maple syrup to release the mint’s essential oils. Avoid over-muddling to prevent bitterness.
Add Lime and Ice: Add the lime juice to the glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
Top with Mineral Water: Pour the chilled sparkling or still mineral water over the ice, stirring gently to combine.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a lime slice or a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately with a straw or sip directly from the glass.
Notes
Energetic Use: Sip slowly outdoors in the shade, ideally with bare feet on the ground, to enhance the cooling and grounding effects on body and mind.
Make it Sweeter: Adjust honey or maple syrup to taste, but keep it light to maintain the cooling balance.
Storage: Best enjoyed fresh. If preparing in advance, muddle mint and mix with lime and sweetener, then add ice and mineral water just before serving.
Variation: For a stronger herbal note, add a pinch of crushed fresh basil or a splash of rose water.
Nutritional Highlights
Mint: Clears heat from the head and heart, calms the nervous system.
Lime: Supports liver function and aids digestion.
Honey/Maple Syrup: Balances pitta dosha with gentle sweetness.
Mineral Water: Hydrates and refreshes, enhancing the cooling effect.
Enjoy this soothing, cooling elixir as a moment of calm and refreshment!
In the spirit of our collective need for GOOD NEWS to uplift our mental and emotional well-being, I found these stories yesterday and today. While my heart offers prayers daily for all suffering to end in the collective realization that love is the key to freeing us all, until we reach and sustain this state of being, here are a few stories to warm your heart and mind.
Good News:
Africa & Innovation: In Ghana, coconut waste is being repurposed into plastic-free packaging materials, spotlighting sustainable entrepreneurship. Similarly, in Kenya, a startup is transforming agricultural waste like maize stalks and sugarcane bagasse into biodegradable packaging, reducing plastic pollution and creating rural jobs with support from universities and international grants.
Conservation Wins: Colombia reported a 33% reduction in national deforestation during Q1 2025, with a 54% drop in Amazon national parks, marking a significant step for biodiversity protection. In Brazil, deforestation in the Amazon fell by 28% in early 2025, driven by stricter enforcement and indigenous-led reforestation, reinforcing regional conservation momentum.
Good News in Action: Two Edmonton brothers with magical ways of being received Stanley Cup Finals tickets thanks to a viral influencer’s surprise, warming hearts worldwide. In a similar spirit, a Chicago-based influencer’s campaign gifted a family of four, including two children with autism, a fully-funded trip to the 2025 Special Olympics Winter Games in Colorado, inspiring thousands to support similar causes.
May each moment be filled with Blissful JOY, Peace and a lot of LAUGHTER. .sT