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What Do You Consume?

What Do You Consume?

(Repost) A few years ago, I realized that I was consuming more than food: TV, internet news, billboards, video ads, webpage ads—it was all being absorbed by me and having an effect on me. You know what I did? I made it a point to stop looking at all of that stuff: When driving, I’d…

Food In the Yard

Food In the Yard

Over the years I’ve become familiar with plants that are edible, medicinal, useful, or just plain interesting to me. Part of the fun of moving to a new place is discovering what familiar plants grow in the area. I do this by observing plants through a cycle of their growing season. As an example, I recently…

Mulberry Tree

Mulberry Tree

A sidewalk that looks like this means that you’re probably standing under a mulberry tree! (botanical name is Morus sp.) These telltale sidewalk stains caught my eye yesterday as I zoomed past on my bike, and I went back today to confirm (and eat). 😉  Twice so far this month, I’ve come upon delicious ripe…

Thought is Power

Thought is Power

(Repost) Thought is the most powerful tool that each of us possesses, though its constructive power is untapped by most people.  Our thoughts shape how we feel, how much energy we have, what comes our way, and even how we look!  (Try taking two selfies with neutral expressions: one when you’re thinking about your worst…

Fullness after Eating

Fullness after Eating

It occurred to me this evening that when I eat a meal consisting of foods that agree with me, my stomach feels full internally and is not bloated.  However when I eat foods that do not agree with me, I experience stomach bloating. I see now that stomach fullness and stomach bloating are two distinct events,…

On Pain

On Pain

“Pain is just blocked energy, blocked qi.”  I would say this to myself many days as I practiced the reverse prayer mudra (pictured above), looking up at the sky through the redbud tree overhead.  This saying applies not only to physical pain but to emotional pain as well.  There are many ways to unblock energy in…

Rose

Rose

I saw these beautiful roses recently on a trip to the desert.  My favorite is the one in the front:  The vibrant red color in the petals wouldn’t look as beautiful if it weren’t for the dark areas there too.  It reminds me that it’s the same in life:  it’s the contrast that makes it…

Your Appearance is Your Passport

Your Appearance is Your Passport

Think of how easy it is to look at someone who’s nicely dressed, whose hair is neat and whose demeanor is pleasant.  It’s a treat, isn’t it?  You may feel inclined to exchange words with them. It’s easy to remain in their presence.  For them, that presentation of self naturally leads to pleasant encounters with…

On Beliefs

On Beliefs

For most humans, beliefs are all-pervading.  They are not inborn, but rather developed, starting from very early in life.  Only after an awakening experience was this crystal clear to me.  Beliefs go deep, but they are absolutely “catchable” and addressable with practice. One way to do this is through a method of self-inquiry called The…

The COVID Awakening

The COVID Awakening

This phrase came to me this morning—I referred to the period of the past year or so as the COVID Awakening.  And that’s how I see it:  It’s been a beautiful opportunity for many of us to go within, not only to address some of our fears but also to gently allow our true nature…