I was out pruning some trees and saw a bird’s nest in the branches of one tree. To not disturb the nest, I decided to skip that tree. I continued working and my mind wandered to thoughts of the momma bird and how happy she would be that she made the right decision. Then, I started to step over the top of the limbs that were on the ground. I felt a rush in my head! It was like a pause in my body – midway across the branches! I wonder if I froze! As my foot came down on the other side of the branch pile, I took in what had just hit me. This wasn’t a voice in my head (like thoughts) but an awaren ..read more

Dolly is real.  Her songs have basic words that say things to our hearts very simply and bluntly.  It works because her heart is singing and she writes from the truth of her own experience.  That truth is conveyed with her tone.  I believe that is why she resonates with everyone from drag queens to grandma.  Her one liners break you open and then somehow comfort you.   Her relatability enhanced with big hair, glitter and boobs – allows a great spiritual teacher to sing and dance in disguise.  America’s Dalai Lama – is our beloved Dolly Lama. Dolly Lama s ..read more

In a small outside gathering (socially distanced of course), I gathered with a few friends to celebrate the winter solstice. Self love became a topic there and the need for laughter in these times. Later, when having an outdoor lunch with a work colleague – self love came up again and we noted that you cannot love another until you love yourself. Then alone on my porch – I heard deeply in my heart, “There is only Self Love because there is no other.” I decided to dive deeply into that awareness – or perhaps it absorbed me! I breathed into the awareness – There is only Self Love because there i ..read more

About 10 years ago, I was standing in a trailer in the Arizona desert.  I was interacting with Eugene Albright.  He was telling me that everyone had the right to exist – as they are.  My body felt that truth.  He was the most brilliant and humble man that I had ever met.  Gene was more than a mentor and was sharing with me what he learned after his near death experience.  He energetically took me into that awareness. I accepted as much of it as I could at the time.  Accepting yourself is the only validation needed and when you do that – you realize validation ..read more

I was driving home and passed a small animal that had been hit and it was dead. My heart broke when I saw it and I felt myself look away and search for something to distract me from the feelings. I realized that I did not want to feel the hurt and sadness. I knew I couldn’t fix it and that made it unbearable. There must be a better way of dealing with these painful feelings. It was more than just feeling sad for the animal, it opened all the places where others are hurting. What was the benefit of seeing each other’s pain? I wanted to go straight to the benefit! Why – cause feeling this stuff ..read more

We often seek to “build” self confidence. We believe we lack self confidence. But that is not the case. The problem is that we have an abundance of unworthiness. What if self confidence is a natural occurrence? What if all the confidence you need is immediately present when you stop judging yourself? You can feel it in this meditative conversation. Self confidence isn’t something you build. It is already present and comfortable inside you when you shift your focus from unworthiness. We can stop trying to build self confidence the hard way and let it arise! The conversation dives into how we ha ..read more

I am not sure how I came to see a tweet from Astrid Tontson but I am grateful.  My usual feed includes technology, AI, NASA, Ram Das and cyber security.  And even though I have not asked for it – there are plenty of posts on Covid, unrest, and politics.   Then in the midst of all that is competing for my attention, was an amazing compelling (not competing but compelling) image from a photographer in the UK.  As I looked at her work I became even more aware of this question: Do I spend time in nature or spend time as nature? What was it that was so compelling about thes ..read more

There is a beauty in nothing lasting forever. Another way of saying it is: the beauty of an ever changing universe. To discover that beauty we have to let go of control. To do so, we face the realization that control is an illusion. We really aren’t in control. So what do we do then? This meditative conversation takes us on a journey – you have two versions to choose from. The short version takes you to the edge of the cliff and you can look over. In the extended version you take a leap right over. The beauty of nothing lasting forever can feel scary to the mind, but it is freedom for the soul ..read more

I was stretched up against the wall when my yoga teacher said, “The body is always present.” In that moment my mind opened and expanded. I understood more deeply how our thoughts stress the body and that the body is a tool to keep our minds present. That reminder lead to this meditative conversation on being comfortable and present in our bodies. It also helps you understand how thoughts of the past and future – stress the body. I could walk into a room and be comfortable by simply changing one thing! Instead of walking into a room and wondering where I might fit in, or what others were thinki ..read more

Recently I decided to work on judging again.   I had already learned that judgments were opinions and not truth. I understood from experience that it reinforced separation and interfered with my awareness of oneness. I had even had the direct learning of how you could either judge someone or love them. That realization was profound on its own…as I realized that is how source looks at us. Source is not judging all we do but is focused on loving us. A very beautiful awareness. Unwittingly, I had considered judgment as “just a thought” – but I was to learn it was much more. In fact, jud ..read more