The Cycle of Life is a section dedicated to exploring the patterns we use and the ebb and flow of our creative processes. The more you understand about the natural patterns in life, the easier it becomes to understand your own cycles.
And so, in this section, we will explore some of the traditional and not-so-traditional portals (methods and interpretations) of our "Cycle of Life".
According to the Mayan Tzolkin calendar we have begun the next 260 day cycle, just days before the New Year in our traditional calendar. Is there significance to this shift, other than making affirmations and resolutions? The glyphs and numbers point to beginning again on many levels.
The Mayans perceived time as an inward spiral, in a sense speeding up with each cycle. We see this all around us, with our technological changes becoming obsolete before these new creations reach the marketplace. Time speeds up, and the energies of the planet change as well, with a focus on the higher vibrations. What can we do to increase our awareness, and make the best of these changes?
Several times a week I
take walks at the off leash dog park with my black lab and my little treasure,
shadow. These walks allow me a chance to
stretch, breathe, and relax into a more flowing state. Because of this shift in my awareness these
walks always transition into a meditation time.
I complete my inner conversations, process my thoughts, and use the
rhythmic movement of my walking as another form of releasing and
replenishing.
One day I sat on a bench
overlooking the valley and great mountain Rainier. With notebook in hand I pondered, mulling over my self-made problem
of the day. I felt consumed
by my own thoughts,
and asked Great Spirit for guidance and support.
In the Bhagavad Gita, a classic text on yoga, Sri Krishna compares
the peaceful mind to a calm lake which has very few ripples or waves.
Although there may be many rivers and streams running into it, the lake
remains undisturbed. In this analogy, the rivers and streams can be
compared to the constant flow of desires that arise in our thoughts.
Like the lake, when the mind is at rest and satisfied the individual
remains at peace.
We all know that stress and mental imbalance often precipitate
illness in the physical body. The Ayurveda teaches us that the state of
one's mind is every bit as important as a healthy body. In Sanskrit,
the mind is referred to as sattva, which means clarity or goodness. In
the Vedas and Yoga Sutras of ancient India, it is suggested that sattva
can be attained by constant practice and detachment. This practice
involves the regular application of the yamas and niyamas, which are
the basic principles of yoga relating to optimal mental, physical and
spiritual health.
There are many perspectives we can take in viewing our impact on the world,
and the world's impact on who we are.
Many try to find the right answer, but I believe that for full
empowerment we must rest somewhere in the middle of it all. Our actions are important, and we do create
our own destiny. In order to be fully
empowered we must also recognize and understand the tools we have for our
journey.
This life
existance appears to be a complex chaotic space, challenging both our awareness
of ourselves as well as our understanding the world around us.How do we make sense of it all?Is there method to the madness?
