What a time we're all going through, yes? Personally and collectively. Lately I keep thinking about the 8 of Fire (Ginger) in the Herbcrafter's Tarot deck. A busy, crowded kitchen with LOTS happening simultaneously---cooking on every burner at once and this kind of reminder that I have to shift into action that can pivot and adapt moment by moment. There are times for slow, methodical planning and steady, step-by-step progress. And there are times to keep moving, to stay in motion, and it can be like a dance where you allow the body wisdom to take over and give the head a rest. Both are important, and here's the thing: the core, the center, our querencia (or home in the deepest sense) resides in the same place in both cases. We can trust that.
The past couple of weeks I have been playing around with this idea of "spiritual bypassing" and I know this is a personal process so might not have any collective implications. Or it might; I don't know. My Capricorn Sun and Taurus Moon, I think, gives me a sort of default setting of wanting to do everything slow and steady, very carefully with plenty of thought and reasoning (Aquarius ascendant). So during these (for me) overwhelming and chaotic times, I find myself retreating a lot into turning to my tarot decks or studying my various astro charts, or just retreating into the calm of meditation and breathing exercises. These are not negative at all, but something---I don't remember what---nudged me by asking if I wasn't trying to spiritually bypass some very physical issues. So, I have been playing around with showing up in some practical way when the urge to do this happens. If I want to reach for a tarot deck, I reach for a stack of postcards instead and write to my representatives. Or if I want to study my astro charts and books, I go shopping and fill a cart with things for a struggling family or the food bank. If I want to retreat into rereading a "spiritual" book (Tao Te Ching...so. many. times!), I call up or go visit one of the elders I know who is very isolated and lonely.
I'm not sure what all of this is about but I feel a new drive to "put feet" to my ideas, beliefs, philosophies, and then lace up the work boots on those feet and start acting on them in tangible ways. It feels like now, the best philosophies are the ones that fill hungry bellies, supports the marginalized---not theoretically, but actively, and grows connections. It's not linear or neat. It's in hell's kitchen and the heat is on. Action is what counts and finding the rhythm that keeps life moving and vital is what counts. Wow, that's a lot of ramble there. Time to go DO something!
A similar theme (maybe from the reverse angle to your frame) arose yesterday in a Q&A following a dharma talk.
How to maintain equanimity in the face of all the conflict, chaos, and suffering?
Basically, the teacher reminded the questioner that equanimity does not equal inaction. Also that small daily gestures of connection with others can have great impact now and perhaps more importantly, in the future. We just don't see the result of our small kindnesses.
I believe we must be both spiritual and practical helpers.
Because we are meant to change the conditions that have supported what we are seeing around us ... to become conditions which support harmony and compassion for all beings. It's long term. Always with a risk of burnout on one extreme and bypass on the other, right?
And, along the lines of what you are saying, how we go about spending our bandwidth budget is extremely personal and fluctuates with whatever happens to be going on any given day, which some days is a whole lot - like the 8 of Wands!
Yes, I'm so glad you could sort out my ramble. It's not an either/or, black/white, light/dark experience. Every day calls for the subtle adjustments, or sometimes even dramatic shifts. I do feel like there is so much going on that it feels like the early days of parenting that called for juggling EVERYTHING. There is elder care for both our sets of parents (mine divorced, his together) spread across broad geographic areas in various directions; adult children and their families which are scattered globally; our own aging process and all that entails; tending my own creative work finally finding the space and time to live out loud; the cultural and global chaos of the political as well as literal climate...whew! How to not drop the ball(s) somewhere is an ongoing dilemma. I finally got sick recently, so dizzy I couldn't stand up or walk without holding onto something solid. It turned out to be a severe sinus infection, encompassing everything---eyes, ears, nose, throat---and I have a three-month treatment plan combined of the initial antibiotics and allergy meds, and my home health care practices, like neti pot rinses, herbal steams, Stinging Nettles tincture with Quercetin, anti-inflammatory diet, immune system supporting herbs. I'm much improved but I think it was a definite manifestation physically of my mental state. The first few days of bed rest until the dizziness passed was a true gift. Soon I need to schedule another session with you for a reset. Remember how it felt when you were a kid and someone would spin you blindfolded for a game like Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey? Then they'd stop but your body was still wobbling. That's where I am these days. 😥🌿💚
Huge hug, Leenie! That is just an overwhelming amount all at once. I just got an image of putting all those responsibilities in a waiting room and they draw numbers and just have to wait their turn for you!
I have definitely been taken out of play by illness (in fact that happened for your session with me!).
There is so much chaotic energy right now. I am getting a strong message to center and keep a light heart whenever possible, and remember that many of us are tending each other and Earth as best we can, and we need to attend to ourselves, too!
Please take care. I will be sending some healing intentions to you 💗
I love that image! It appeals to me as a life-long list maker---the orderliness, a way to feel I am processing it all slowly, steadily, methodically. Something about the way you phrased all of this reminded me that I am learning how to care for myself simultaneously with caring for others and planet. That has been a new approach for me since I turned 60 in 2020. You're wonderful and the work you do helps us all so much! 🌿💚
What a lovely read to start the week. I'm going to revisit this. Thanks for all you do, Maria.
You are welcome, Robin. I want to spend more time with this image symbol, too. I feel there is more there but I ran out of bandwidth yesterday!
Good for you for supporting your mom. Don’t forget to take care of yourself too.
Thank you so much Barb 💗
What a time we're all going through, yes? Personally and collectively. Lately I keep thinking about the 8 of Fire (Ginger) in the Herbcrafter's Tarot deck. A busy, crowded kitchen with LOTS happening simultaneously---cooking on every burner at once and this kind of reminder that I have to shift into action that can pivot and adapt moment by moment. There are times for slow, methodical planning and steady, step-by-step progress. And there are times to keep moving, to stay in motion, and it can be like a dance where you allow the body wisdom to take over and give the head a rest. Both are important, and here's the thing: the core, the center, our querencia (or home in the deepest sense) resides in the same place in both cases. We can trust that.
The past couple of weeks I have been playing around with this idea of "spiritual bypassing" and I know this is a personal process so might not have any collective implications. Or it might; I don't know. My Capricorn Sun and Taurus Moon, I think, gives me a sort of default setting of wanting to do everything slow and steady, very carefully with plenty of thought and reasoning (Aquarius ascendant). So during these (for me) overwhelming and chaotic times, I find myself retreating a lot into turning to my tarot decks or studying my various astro charts, or just retreating into the calm of meditation and breathing exercises. These are not negative at all, but something---I don't remember what---nudged me by asking if I wasn't trying to spiritually bypass some very physical issues. So, I have been playing around with showing up in some practical way when the urge to do this happens. If I want to reach for a tarot deck, I reach for a stack of postcards instead and write to my representatives. Or if I want to study my astro charts and books, I go shopping and fill a cart with things for a struggling family or the food bank. If I want to retreat into rereading a "spiritual" book (Tao Te Ching...so. many. times!), I call up or go visit one of the elders I know who is very isolated and lonely.
I'm not sure what all of this is about but I feel a new drive to "put feet" to my ideas, beliefs, philosophies, and then lace up the work boots on those feet and start acting on them in tangible ways. It feels like now, the best philosophies are the ones that fill hungry bellies, supports the marginalized---not theoretically, but actively, and grows connections. It's not linear or neat. It's in hell's kitchen and the heat is on. Action is what counts and finding the rhythm that keeps life moving and vital is what counts. Wow, that's a lot of ramble there. Time to go DO something!
Hugs, Maria!🌿💚❤️🔥
This is so thoughtful, Leenie. Thank you!
A similar theme (maybe from the reverse angle to your frame) arose yesterday in a Q&A following a dharma talk.
How to maintain equanimity in the face of all the conflict, chaos, and suffering?
Basically, the teacher reminded the questioner that equanimity does not equal inaction. Also that small daily gestures of connection with others can have great impact now and perhaps more importantly, in the future. We just don't see the result of our small kindnesses.
I believe we must be both spiritual and practical helpers.
Because we are meant to change the conditions that have supported what we are seeing around us ... to become conditions which support harmony and compassion for all beings. It's long term. Always with a risk of burnout on one extreme and bypass on the other, right?
And, along the lines of what you are saying, how we go about spending our bandwidth budget is extremely personal and fluctuates with whatever happens to be going on any given day, which some days is a whole lot - like the 8 of Wands!
Yes, I'm so glad you could sort out my ramble. It's not an either/or, black/white, light/dark experience. Every day calls for the subtle adjustments, or sometimes even dramatic shifts. I do feel like there is so much going on that it feels like the early days of parenting that called for juggling EVERYTHING. There is elder care for both our sets of parents (mine divorced, his together) spread across broad geographic areas in various directions; adult children and their families which are scattered globally; our own aging process and all that entails; tending my own creative work finally finding the space and time to live out loud; the cultural and global chaos of the political as well as literal climate...whew! How to not drop the ball(s) somewhere is an ongoing dilemma. I finally got sick recently, so dizzy I couldn't stand up or walk without holding onto something solid. It turned out to be a severe sinus infection, encompassing everything---eyes, ears, nose, throat---and I have a three-month treatment plan combined of the initial antibiotics and allergy meds, and my home health care practices, like neti pot rinses, herbal steams, Stinging Nettles tincture with Quercetin, anti-inflammatory diet, immune system supporting herbs. I'm much improved but I think it was a definite manifestation physically of my mental state. The first few days of bed rest until the dizziness passed was a true gift. Soon I need to schedule another session with you for a reset. Remember how it felt when you were a kid and someone would spin you blindfolded for a game like Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey? Then they'd stop but your body was still wobbling. That's where I am these days. 😥🌿💚
Huge hug, Leenie! That is just an overwhelming amount all at once. I just got an image of putting all those responsibilities in a waiting room and they draw numbers and just have to wait their turn for you!
I have definitely been taken out of play by illness (in fact that happened for your session with me!).
There is so much chaotic energy right now. I am getting a strong message to center and keep a light heart whenever possible, and remember that many of us are tending each other and Earth as best we can, and we need to attend to ourselves, too!
Please take care. I will be sending some healing intentions to you 💗
I love that image! It appeals to me as a life-long list maker---the orderliness, a way to feel I am processing it all slowly, steadily, methodically. Something about the way you phrased all of this reminded me that I am learning how to care for myself simultaneously with caring for others and planet. That has been a new approach for me since I turned 60 in 2020. You're wonderful and the work you do helps us all so much! 🌿💚