National TSP Day

I came back from my morning walk to find Amber just arousing from bed. "What's up, hon?" I asked, kicking off my shoes & plopping on the couch.

"Not much," she said, "Just texting Jill. She wanted to know why there was no school today, so I wrote: Dunno - must be Teacher Suicide Prevention Day."

The kid cracks me up.

Today's Tarot Card: Projections

In a cinema hall, you look at the screen, you never look at the back--the projector is at the back. The film is not there really on the screen; it is just a projection of shadow and light. The film exists just at the back, but you never look at that. And the projector is there. Your mind is at the back of the whole thing, and the mind is the projector. But you always look at the other, because the other is the screen. When you are in love the person seems beautiful, no comparison. When you hate, the same person seems the ugliest, and you never become aware of how the same person can be the ugliest and the same person can be the most beautiful.... So the only way to reach to truth is to learn how to be immediate in your vision, how to drop the help of the mind. This agency of the mind is the problem, because mind can create only dreams.... Through your excitement the dream starts looking like reality. If you are too excited then you are intoxicated, then you are not in your senses. Then whatsoever you see is just your projection. And there are as many worlds as there are minds, because every mind lives in his own world.
- Osho Hsin Hsin Ming: The Book of Nothing

Commentary:
The man and woman in this card are facing each other, yet they are not able to see each other clearly. Each is projecting an image they have constructed in their minds, covering the real face of the person they are looking at. All of us can get caught up in projecting movies of our own making onto the situations and people surrounding us. It happens when we are not fully aware of our own expectations, desires and judgments; instead of taking responsibility for them and owning them, we try to attribute them to others. A projection can be devilish or divine, disturbing or comforting, but it is a projection nonetheless--a cloud that prevents us from seeing reality as it is. The only way out is to recognize the game. When you find a judgment arising about another, turn it around: Does what you see in others really belong to you? Is your vision clear, or clouded by what you want to see? (from Osho Zen Tarot: the Transcendental Game of Zen)

Truly Obscene

Gas hit $4.01 here yesterday!

Money Tree Meditation

Money Tree Meditation

• Draw a tree (or copy one of these) with branches reaching into the sky, and roots going into the earth. What kind of tree comes to mind? Oak, bamboo, willow, fir, pine... notice which feels right to you. Make it simple, add a little grass or a backdrop with mountains, whatever you like.

• In the trunk of the tree, put in your face or whole being, a favorite quote or affirmation, the meditation below or even just the words, “I am the Source”.

• In the branches, write in all your sources of abundance, including income, trades, dividends, inheritances, gifts, alimony, all other sources of financial support, etc.

• In the roots, write in all your resources, including education, past jobs, family, property, investments, fields of expertise, experience, etc.

• For the leaves, go around each branch with a green pen and make dollar signs. Cover it!

• In the mountains, write in your financial goals and dreams.

• In the grass, write in what you are providing to the universe, for example:
• I provide food, clothing & shelter for myself & my family
• I provide space and energy for my clients
• I provide jobs in my community, from restaurants to utility services
• My taxes provide for community services including schools, parks, roads,& health care
• I provide stability for myself, knowing the seasons turnings.

I am a

Money Tree.
I am the Source.
I let go of suckers, prune away dead wood,
make room for new growth.
I dig my roots deep into the rich soil and
open my leaves to the rich air
to draw in what I need

to grow and blossom into my fullest potential.
In return I give my gifts generously,
knowing my thoughts & ideas
are like the leaves on the tree -
I let go and give the gift of usable energy.
I am provide shade and beauty,
a place to nest, and
a way to recycle, renew & revive.

Blessed Be.

The Emperor Wears No Clothes

The Emperor Wears No Clothes
Collage
8.5" x 11.00"
kgr 2007

IV-The Emperor: (Traditional meaning) Represents the male side of nature. usually shown seated on a throne, dressed in formal robes or armor, signifying material wealth through inner strength. He is an authority who holds power and represents the desire to take control of life. He has the ability to organize and structure, to create order out of chaos, and to realize goals through the courage of convictions.

Symbolism:

3 Stages of Man
Boy, flying high in the sky, in perfect trust and faith
Father, Naked in his Truth, Splendid in his Being
Elder, “Growing old is not for sissys”

Eagle: Soar with Great Spirit, Take Heart, Follow Joy
Stag: Gentle Warrior of the Hidden Glen
Bear: Go within to find the answers
Salmon: Rejuvenate, Regenerate, Re energize, Rebirth
Lion: Take Proper Pride in Your Self
Frog: Cleanse and refresh with your tears in the rain
Goat: Climb the mountain of your ambitions
Chanticleer: Sing in the new dawn
Turtle: Be at Home in water or land, Be grounded on Mother Earth
Beaver: Make today count towards manifesting your goals
Skunk: Attract what you need in order to grow
Snake: Transmute old poisons & shed the skins of the past
Peacock: Be the Jewel in Crown Chakra
Key: Hope, Imagine, Believe: Open all Possibilities

Blessed Be!

Thoughts on Elephants

I was doing some spring cleaning, going through a bunch of old schoolwork in Amber's room. In a typical homework session for the first grade, the final assignment was to write one sentence about elephants—in the zoo, at the circus, whatever. I flipped to the last section, where she had neatly printed her sentence,

“I have nothing to say about elephants.”

Just for today

Just for today
I let go of anger,
knowing I can gently express my inner needs
I let go of worry,
choosing to trust that I have been heard
I am deeply thankful,
to a kind and benevolent universe
I am focused on my work
in creative & productive ways
I am kind and loving,
to myself and all beings.

Blessed Be.