The Spirit Riding In Our Breath

Image courtesy of foto76/freedigitalphotos.net

In my book, Engaging Compassion Through Intent and Action, I write about a non-tangible tool box that we carry with us in every moment.  These tools are intuitive and easily accessible in the moment.  Turn the key, open the box — what is inside?  Perhaps you feel Ruah, the breath of the Spirit, wafting up to greet you. 

Ruah is our first and constant companion in this life.  Some spiritual traditions believe that this breath of the Divine is present in each breath that enters our body.  The first act we have in this life is to inhale; the last is to exhale.  In each of these moments Ruah rides in us, through us, and out of us on each breath.

Likened to the Holy Spirit, Ruah is the great animator and energizer.  Each time we inhale mindfully, our breath becomes more than physical.  The breath becomes the connector of our spirit, mind, heart, and body.  As we exhale we share our self with others. Through Ruah we strengthen this connection.  We realize that we are not alone.

When I quiet myself and focus my awareness on my breath, I sense the many nuances of the Spirit.  Joy, Compassion, and Courage suffuse me.  We are filled with Ruah, our only respond is one with curious daring?  The possibilities rise to the top of our being.   We have only to grasp them.  Instead of being trapped in the tension and stress of our daily existence, the stress and tension evaporates.  We discover our infinite lightness of being, a place where possibilities are endless.

As the days fly closer and closer to the darkest day and the subsequent lengthening of days, take time to mindfully inhale the power and beauty of Ruah. Embrace and share the beauty of you with each spirit-filled breath.

How will you share Ruah today?

Vanessa

www.intentandaction.com

www.healingwillow.com

Healing The World Through Random Acts

image courtesy of Mr Lightman/freedigitalphotos.neet

The clock is ticking.  We may be overwhelmed by our to do lists, but what are we do to? J  

Put the to do list down, focus on your breathing, quiet your mind — open your eyes and really see the world around you.  Ask yourself how you can spread joyful healing in the world around you.

Tikkun Olam, a Jewish concept, invites us into humanity's shared responsibility to heal, repair, and transform the world.  I am reminded that this healing, repairing, and transforming seldom occur through grandiose acts. Rather, it is the seemingly inconsequential, spontaneous, random actions and words that provide the greatest impact. I trust that each of my acts is healing me and our world in ways that I cannot see or understand.  These spontaneous, healing acts are often gifts of kindness.

With each act of kindness, I feel lighter, energized, and more able to tackle the tasks on my list. What once seemed insurmountable now seems doable.  Some of suggested acts:

•          Allowing a car into traffic in front of your car
•          Picking up a grocery item that another person has dropped
•          Making eye contact and smiling
•          Listening without judgment to an upset friend
•          Dropping loose change in a donation bucket
•          Breathing calm into yourself while waiting in a slow moving line
• 
  

Lately when I read Facebook posts, I am despaired at the brokenness in/of the world. I wonder about the way through this for I trust that there exists a way to bring to wholeness to the scattered fragments and shards.  Then I remind myself that I don’t have to heal the entire world — my responsibility and privilege is to be a healing presence to myself and those I touch in each moment of every day.  When I remember and act upon this, I am in awe of the grace of healing that flows through me transforming my world.

What small acts of great kindness and profound healing will you share today?

Those acts make all the difference in our world.

Vanessa

www.intentandaction.com

www.healingwillow.com

Igniting the World with Joy, Peace, and Compassion

Image courtesy of nattavut/freedigitalphotos.net

In the bustle of the season, the last thing we remember is to be present and aware in the moment.  Opportunity after opportunity to be a beacon of joy, peace, and compassion is missed.  Through meditating, we can ignite our inner spark so that we radiate joy, peace, and compassion.

A Little Meditation with Big Results

Find a quiet place…focus on your breathing…don’t shift your breath…just allow it to settle on its own…when your breath has settled, envision that you are breathing in golden light…with each breath see/feel/hear it flow throughout your body…this light is filled with joy, compassion, and peace…notice the golden light sinking deeply into the core of your essence…soon your body is suffused with this golden light …see/feel/hear it twirl and dance and mingle with your essence…the ember at the center of your being flares…feel the warmth of joy, compassion, and peace surround you…these three float outward and flow from your pores creating a permeable golden sphere that surrounds you…feel joy, peace, and compassion surround you …intend that each person you pass is brushed by this gold sphere of grace…with each sharing you are refilled…bask as long as you need in the peace, joy, and compassion…when you are ready, get up and prepare for the day firmly committed to being a conduit of peace, joy, and compassion.

Does practicing this meditation make a difference in your day? Let me know!

Wishing you the grace of sharing,

Vanessa

Image courtesy of nattavut/freedigitalphotos.net